Wason DS 740.5 G7A3 1857 ¥ ASIA CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY THE CHARLES WILLIAM WASON COLLECTION ON CHINA AND THE CHINESE Cornell University Library DS 740.5.G7A3 1857 Correspondence respecting Insults In Chi 3 1924 023 184 801 ...,.«. DATE DUE rMi^ ■n — QAYLOBD PRINTED IN U.S.A y^t :<^ Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924023184801 CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING INSULTS IN CHINA. Presented to the House of Commons hy Command of Her Majesty, 1857. Z.'^\l^^ LONDON: PRINTED BY HARRISON AND SONS. G-^- ^r;-f, ^^.^^ 04f^'ce. no LIST OF PAPERS. Np. 1. Sir H. 'Pottinger to'the Earl of Aberdeen Nine Inclosures. "2. Sir H.Tottinger to the Earl of Aberdeen Two.Jjiclosures. 3. 'The Earl of Aberdeen to Sir H. Pottinger 4.fSir H. Pattinger jta, the Earl of Aberdeen One'Jnclosure. 5. ,Mr. Da-Ris to the 'Earl of Aberdeen Four Inclosures. 6. ,Mr. Davis to the Eaa'l of Aberdeen One Inclosure. 7. ,Mr. DaiHS to the Earl of Aberdeen Fiv^ Inclosures. 8. .The Earl, of Aberdeen to Sir J. Davis 9. 'Mr. Davis to the'Earl of Aberdeen , . Four .Inclosures. 10. The Earl of Aberdeen to Sir J. Davis 11. "Mr. Davis to the lEai-l of Aberdeen . . Four Inclosures. 12. -Sir J. Davis to the JBarl of Aberdeen . . One'Inclosure. 13. -The Earl of Aberdeen to Sir J. Davis 14. 'The Earl of Aberdeen to "Sir J. Davis 15. Sir J. Da,vis to the;Earl of Aberdeen Five Inclosures. 16. Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen Two Inclosures. 17. The Earl of Aberdeen to Sir J. Davis 18. Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen Two Inclosures. 19. Sir J. Davis to the Earldf Aberdeen Two Inclosures. 20. Viscount Palmerston to Sir J. Davis . . 21 . Sir .1. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen 22. Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen Six Inclosures. 23. Viscount Palmerston to Sir J. Davis . . 24. Sir J. Davis to the-£arl of Aberdeen . . Two Inclosures. 25. Sir J. Daivis to' Viscount 'Palmerston . . One'Inclosure. 26. Sir J. Davis to'Viscounf Palmerston . . Three Inclosures. 27. Sir J. Davis to Vig{wint Palmerston . . One Inclosure. 28. -Sir J. Day is to Visceunt Palmerston . . Four Jnclosures. 29. Viscount Palmerston to Sir J. Davis . , 30. Sir J. Davis to Viscounf Palmerstoii . . Four .'Inclosures. 31. 'Sir J.' Davis to 'Viscount Palmerston .. Two Inclosures. 32. Sir'J.'Davis to Viscount 'Palmerston . . Two Inclosures. 33. Sir J. Davis to Vispounf Palmerston . . One'Inclosure. 3.4. Sir J. Davis to Viseount Palmerston . . Three Inclosures. ■ 35. Viscount Palmerston to Sir J. Davis . . 36. ViscBunt.Palmerston, to Sir J. DaviS . . 37. Tiscount'Talmerston to Sir J. Da\'iS . . 38. Viscount Palmerston. to Sir J. Davis . . 39. Sir J. Davis to Viscaunf Palmerston . . . ,. Six laclosures. Page December 20. 1842 1 December' 23, 10 April 4, T843 12 February 5, 1844 13 January 10, 1845 14 January 1"6, ■- 18 April 4, • 18 August April :8, 24, 23 23 September August 23, 23, 27 28 October 27, 3,4 November 24, 36 January February 24, 1846 24, 36 37 February 25, . 41 April April 24. 23. 43 43 May 8, 47 August 1, ■ 51 June 17, 51 June 22, 52 September 12, July 1, 59 59 October 15, 62 April 30, 1847 63 May 8, 64 May 22, 65 July May 23, 31, 68 68 June 14, 70 July h 71 June 14, 73 June 29, 74 October 12, 76 October 12. 76 October 12, 77 October 12, 77 August 20, 77 IV I-IST OF PAPERS. No. 40. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston . . Three Inclosures. 41. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston . . Three Inclosures. 42. Viscount Palmerston to Sir J. Davis . , 43. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham . . 44. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston . . One Inclosui'e. 45. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston . . One Inclosure. 46. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston . . Two Inclosures. 47. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston . . One Inclosure. 48. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston .. Two Inclosures. 49. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston . . Twenty-eight Inclosures. 50. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston . . Two Inclosures. 51. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham .-, 52. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham . . 53. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston . . Four Inclosures. 54. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston . . Twenty-six Inclosures, 55. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston . . Oiie Inclosure. 56. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston . . Eight Inclosures. 57. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham . , 58. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham . . 59. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston . , One Inclosure. 60. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston . . One Inclosure. 61. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston .. One Inclosure. 62. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston . . Two Inclosures. 63. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston . , Three Inclosures. G4. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston . . One Inclosure. 65. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston . Three Inclosures. 66. Ml'. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston . . One Inclosure. 67. Viscount P;ilmerston to Mr. Bonham . . G8. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham .. 69. Mr. Bonham lo Viscount Palmerston . Three Inclosures. 70. Mr. Bonham to Mr. Hammond 71. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston .. 72. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham . . 73. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham . . 74. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Pahnerston . . Three Inclosures. 75. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston . . One Inclosure. 76. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham . 77. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston , 78. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham . 79. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham . 80. Sir S. Bonham to Viscount Pulmerston One Inclosure. 81. Dr. Bowring to the Earl of Malmesbury Two Inclosures. 82. The Earl of Malmcsburv to Dr. Bowring 83. Dr. Bowring to the Earl of Malmesbury One Inclosure. 84. Dr. Bowring to the Earl of Malmesbury Two Inclosures. 85. Lord J. Russell to Sir S. Bonham 86. Acting Consul Elmslie to Mr. Hammond Two Inclosures. 87. Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon 88. The Earl of Clarendon to Sir J. Bowring 89. Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon Four Inclosures. Page August 28, 1847 81 83 September 10, November 23, • 85 January 3, 1848 85 February 6, 86 May May April April April April July July April May May May June July July July 29, 123 29, 124 10, 124 12, 12. 24, 126 149 151 1, 168 5, 169 28, 170 4, 171 6, 172 11, 175 10, 178 26,- 179 31, 181 31, — isa August 7, 1?5 September 19, 1 S.5 November 2, i t J 189 189 November 30, - December 29, - February 17, 1849 190 March 5, 1 90 January 24, 190 February 3, 194 May 12, 195 March 5, 195 June 1, 197 October 23, 1851 197 December 24, 1849 197 May 17, 1852 198 July 21, 200 October 25, 201 November 13, 200 January 20, 1853 207 June 19, 1854 208 July 6, ■ 211 September 25, 212 July 3, 1856 212 LIST OF PAPERS. No. 90. Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon Three Inclosures. 91. The Earl of Clarendon to Sir J. Bowring 92. Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon Three Inclosures. 93. Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon One Inclosure. 94. The Earl of Clarendon to Sir J. Bowring 95. The Earl of Clarendon to Sir J. Bowring One Inclosure. 96. Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon Five Inclosures. 97. The Earl of Clarendon to Sir J. Bowring 98. Sir J. Bjwring to the Earl of Clarendon Five Inclosures. 99. The Earl of Clarendon to Sir J. Bowring July 8, Page 1856 214 September 8, July 17, 216 217 July 19, 219 September 25, September 29, 220 221 September ,. 3, 221 November 1, October 8, 224 224 December 8, 228 Cases referred to in the following Papers. Page 1. Disturbances at Canton, and burning of factories .. .. .. .. ..1 2. Chinese boy accidentally wounded at Shanghae .. .. .. .. ..13 3 Persecution of some Chinese in British employ at Amoy .. .. .. ..14 4. Assault on Mr. Vice-Consul Jackson, and Messrs. Martin and Staunton, at Canton. Question of entrance into the city .. .. ., .. ,. ..18 5. Aggressive conduct of Chinese at Foo-chow . . . . . . , . . . 28 6. Attack on Mr. Parkes at Foo-chow . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 7. Attack on Captain Giffard and other officers at Whampoa . . . . . . . . 37 8. Disturbance at Foo-chow-foo, and attack on British hongs . . . . . . . . 43 ' 9. Ill-treatment of a Malay sailor at Canton . . . . , . . . . . 65 10. Disorderly conduct of Chinese near the factories . . . . . . . . . . 68«. 11. Stones thrown at an English boat near Canton .. .. .. .. ..70 12. Firing on an English part)', by villagers, near Canton .. .. .. ..81 13. Murder committed at Woosung by a Manilla man . . . . . . . . . 86 14. Affray at Whampoa between Americans and Chinese . . . . . . . . 89(J( 15. Attack on Missionaries at Shanghae . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 16. Attack on Messrs. Bowman and Johnson .. .. .. .. .. 168 17. Attack on Mr. Parish at Foo-chow-foo .. .. .. .. .. ..185 18. Attack on Mr. Meadows by pirates, near Canton .. .. .. .. ..189 19. Execution of French missionary in Cochin China (subsequently referred to) .. .. 197 20. Interference with native teachers in the service of Mr. Walker, missionary at Foo-chow-foo . 199 21. Attack on Messrs. Dent, Oakley, Macgregor, and Anderson, by pirates, in the Canton river 201 22. Outrage committed on Lieutenant de Lisle, R.N., and Mr. Curling, at Kow-loon .. 202 23. Outrage on Mr. Seth, at Canton . . . . . . . . . . . , 208 24. Incendiary placard against foreigners, published at Canton .. ,. .. ^. 212 25. Attack on Messrs. Johnston and Whittall, at Canton . . . . . . . . 214 26. Affray at Foo-chow-foo, and death of Mr. Cunningham, a citizen of the United States . . 217 27. Murder of M. Chapdelaine, a French missionary, in the Province of Kwang-se . . . . 219 28. Case of Mr. Burns, a missionary . . . . . . . . , . . . 224 Cases referred to in Papers previously presented to Parliament. Riot at Canton in 1846, and the proceedings against Mr. Compton. (Presented to Parliament, 1847.) Assaults on two British seamen, p. 1. Assault on Lieutenant-Colonel Chesney and others, p. 8. (Correspondence relating to Operations in Canton river. Presented to Parliament, 1847.) Murder of six Englishmen in the neighbourhood of Canton, in December 1 847. Cases of Piracy on the boat of English vessel the " Shah Allum," p. 4. Outrage near Canton on Messrs. Morrison, Macgregor, and Small, p. 8. Shot fired from a fort at Canton on Vice-Consul Elmslie, p. 9. Stones thrown at Consul Macgregor, Captain Mc Dougall, and others, p. 17. (Correspondence respecting Murder of Six Englishmen. Presented to Parliament, 1848.) Serious riot at Amoy, 32. (Correspondence respecting Emigration. Presented to Parliament, 1853.) Correspondence respecting Insults in China. No. 1. Sir Henry Pottinger to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received March 13.) (Extract.) Macao, December '10, 1842. HAVING arranged with Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, that Her Majesty's steam-frigate "Vixen " is to reach Bombay in time for the overland mail of the 1st of February next, I avail myself of the opportunity to make your Lordship acquainted with the particulars, so far as I hare had time and means to investigate them, of a recent disturbance at Canton, during which considerable damage was done ; three of the factories (including that one called the English factory) burned, and the lives and property of many of Her Majesty's subjects, and apparently of other foreigners, placed for a time in considerable jeopardy. The first intelligence which reached me at Hong Kong of these excesses, was on the 10th instant, by an express boat conveying a variety of private notes which a friend at this place had received from different persons interested in the matter, and which he was so good as to forward for my satisfaction. Prom those notes it appeared that there had been a violent popular outbreak, which was stated (by some) to have had its origin in an affray between certain lascars (Indian sailors) and lower classes of Chinese, and which had been allowed to go on the whole day. Jt further appeared that the Chinese mob, after having been driven back during the day, assembled in greater force, and at 10 p.m. on the 7th, set fire to three buildings (the Creek, Dutch, and English factories), in one of which the lascars had been allowed to take refuge, and that a marked feeling of aoimosity towards the English had been evinced by the rioters. The whole of these notes, however, agreed in saying that quiet had been restored, although some of the writers stated that a good deal of excitement continued, and expressed apprehension of a renewal of the outrages. I now submit, for your Lordship's notice, copies of the following documents : — Of a letter to the Governor-General of Canton, dated 13th instant. Of a letter, dated 13th instant, to my address, from Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough. Of a letter addressed, on the 13th, by Sir Hugh Gough to Pier Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the War Department, forming Inclosure to No. 1. Of a letter addressed to me by certain British merchants, dated at Canton on the 13th instant. Of a letter addressed by the same merchants to Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough on the 12th instant. Of the reply made by Sir Hugh Gough to the said merchants, under date the l;3th instant. Of my reply to the merchants, dated the 16th instant. Of my reply to Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough, dated the 1 7th instant. Of the answer to my letter from his Excellency the Viceroy. Exclusive of the fact of nearly 200 lascars having gone to Canton without any apparent control, I have learned that there were several European or American females there; that some of them had walked about the outskirts of the city, and had even crossed the river to Honan, — an exposure which is at total variance with ideas of decorum and propriety amongst the better orders of Chinese, and which, I have heard, subjected them to the hootings and insulting indecencies of the rabble. I have also been told that different persons had publicly talked of selecting spots for their future country residences in the neighbourhood of Canton, and had avowedly crossed the river to Honan for that purpose, which are all indiscretions calculated to give offence and cause ill-will. B Inclosure I in No. 1 . Sir Henry Pottinger to the Governor-General of Canton. Hong Kong, December 13, 1842. SIR Henrj Pottinger, Baronet, Her Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary, has the honour to inform liis Excellency the Governor-General of Kwang-tung and ivwangse, that he reached Hong Kong, after visiting the several provinces along the coast, on the 2nd instant. It was the Plenipotentiary's purpose quietly to await here the arrival of the High Commissioner Elepoo, and then to proceed to Canton, where he anticipated the pleasure of a personal meeting with the Governor-General. But on the 8th instant, while thus waiting here, he learned, with a degree of surprise and regret wiiich will hardly permit him to remain quiet, that several thousands of lawless people had, on the preceding day, collected about the foreign factories at Canton, and proceeded to plunder and set fire to the foreign residences, and that the local authorities were unable to suppress and disperse them, or to sa,ve the factories fronj being burned. Having regard to the Peace lately concluded between the two countries-, the Plenipotentiary feels that for him to adopt any military steps for the due punish- ment of tliese rioters would be neither calculated to sustain the pacific relations thus established nor consistent with the respect due to the authority of tlie Emperor of China. And, therefore, while he has had troops in readiness for the defence of the mercantile community he yet sees it right first to communicate with the Governor-General, in the hope that his Excellency will seize and severely punish the ofienders, that such misconduct may be nipped in the bud. Should the Governor- General not have force adequate to this object, the Plenipotentiary will immediately, on the expression of such a wish by his JExcellency, send troops to his assistance ; but, otherwise it will be needless for him to do so. The losses, however, sutiered by merchants from the plunder of the mob are considerable ; and the Plenipotentiary imagines that the understanding and sense of justice of the Governor-General will lead his Excellency to give commands for their full remuneration. Further, the Plenipotentiary, when at Amoy, having learned the melancholy intelligence that the authorities in Formosa had cruelly massacred the British people cast on tlieir shores, deemed it right to issue distinct proclamations on the subject, and to address a communication to the High Commissioner Elepoo, with the hope that due retribution might be inflicted His communication to the High Commissioner is now forwarded to the Governor-General, with the request that it may be duly transmitted ; and the Plenipotentiary has at the same time the honour to forward for his Excellency's perusal copies of the two proclamations. (Signed; HENRY POTTINGER. Inclosure 2 in No. 1. Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough to Sir Henry Pottinger. (Extract.) Canton, December 13, 1842. I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your Excellency's information, copy of my letter of this date to Her Majest/s Principal Secretary of State for the War Department, acquainting his Lordship with some of the circumstances of the riot of the 7th instant, as stated to me by gentlemen who were present. Inclosure 3 in No. 1. Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough to Lord Stanley. (Extract.) Canton, December 13, 1842. I HAVE the honour to acquaint your Lordship, that having given my final orders at Hong Kong regarding the force to return to India, I went over to Macao pending their fulfilment, and was proceeding thence in the steamer " Proserpine" to C anton, with a view to seeing, before leaving China, the new forts that have been erected on the banks of the river above Whampoa, when, upon our reaching that place on the night of the 8th instant, several boats pushed off from the ships at the anchorage with the news of the tnmult of the preceding day. I immediately wrote to Sir Henry Pottinger, ordering at the same time a body of troops to be held in readiness to move on his Excellency's requisition ; and having dispatched my letters by a fast boat, determined to proceed at once to Canton, as I was informed that great excitement prevailed, and renewed outrage was to be apprehended. We were obliged to anchor within a mile of the city, about 3 o'clock on the morning of the 9tli, on account of the darkness of the night, and the vast crowd of boa|;s in the river ; but weighing again at daylight, soon reached the factories. The mob had by this time retired, and all was quiet ; but I am sorry to say that we found the whole range of factories east of Hog lane one mass of ruins. It appears, from the best information I could collect from the different merchants wlio were present, that the riot commenced on the morning of the 7th, in a trifling dispute between a party of lascars, who, to the number of 1 70, had come up on liberty from the ships at Whampoa, and some Chinese fruit-venders, in which one of the latter was wounded. A tumult arose, two of the lascars were killed, and others conveyed away, and the mob soon got the upper hand, diove off the Chinese soldiers who had arrived on the application of the merchants to the local authorities, entered the factories, plundered the treasuries, and, carrying out furniture, placed it round the British flag-staff, which was opposite to the old Company's factory, and set fire to it. Fire was also carried into this building, which was under repair by the Chinese Government for the reception of the British Plenipotentiary at the approaching Conferences, for carrying out the details of the Treat}- ; and the flames soon broke out in all directions. The wind being from the west, the factories west of Hog lane escaped the fire, and they also escaped from plunder, as the mob, satisfied with the outrage achieved, retired on the renewed appearance of the Chinese troops. It is stated that this mob was composed of people of the lowest order, belong- ing not so much to the city as to the neighbourhood, that many were armed with short swords, and that, although the dispute with the lascars was the immediate occasion of the outbreak, the rioters were evidently acting upon a preconcerted plan under the instigation of influential persons, and were headed by individuals who, from their dress, appeared to be of the better order. Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary will have ampler means of ascertaining the facts ; and ihe subject belongs more to him than lo me, but being upon the spot, I think it right to observe, that although the Government may have been in the first instance wanting in activity and decision, it does not seem to be borne out that the Mandarins connived at the riot. I found, upon my arrival, a guard of C^hinese soldiers under their own officers over the factories ; and this guard, which was soon afterwards increased to about oOO men, has been since continued, is visited daily by officers of rank, and conducts itself in the most quiet and orderly manner. The events of the last few days, however, have confirmed the opinion which 1 adduced as a ground for leaving an imposing force in China, that there is an influential body at this place opposed, from self-interest, to the stipulations of the Treaty. The arrival of tiie steamer on the morning of the 9th, being supposed to be consequent upon intelligence of the riot, occasioned much sensation, and the Hong merchants soon after waited upon me. I explained to them, that I had not come in an ofiicial capacity, but had sent a despatch to the British Plenipotentiary, who would, 1 had no doubt, take immediate measures for demanding reparation, and for future security. I recommended to them to use their influence with the Gover, ment and the people to maintain tranquiUity, and observed, that the steamer would, if required, afford protection to the factories. The Quang-heep, a Mandarin of high rank, called afterwards, but as I considered it inexpedient that I should meet any Government officer of less rank than the Viceroy, I deputed Lieutenant- Colonel Mountain to receive him, with directions to repeat what 1 had said to the Hong merchants. The Quang-heep stated in reply, that the Government was exceedingly sorry for the outrage that had been committed, and was prepared to give full consideration to the subject of reparation ; and he concluded with a request that the steamer might be sent down to Whampoa. He grounded this request upon 4 the excitement of the populace, observing, that since the news of the Peace the Government had discharged its stoutest soldiers and was unable to control the mob ; but he gare up the point on being told, that it was out of the question pending the receipt of an answer from Hong Kong to the letters already dispatched. Since the 9th, alarming rumours have been afloat of excitement amid the populace, and collections of armed men in the neighbourhood. In closure 4 in No. 1. British Merchants at Canton to Sir Henry Pottinger. Sir, WE take the liberty of waiting on your Excellency with the annexed copy of a letter which we yesterday addressed to Sir Hugh Gough, together with a copy of his reply, by which you will perceive that he has consented, in consequenre of the recent attack on the foreign factories, to allow the steamer " Proserpine " to remain off Canton for the present, for the protection of the British community. It is unnecessary to trouble your Excellency with the statements, in detail, of the parties who were eye-witnesses of the riot, or the inquiries which were sub- sequently made, but the result may be stated in a few words : — 1. That there appears no doubt of the fact that the attack on the foreign factories had been determined on for some time previously to its occurrence, and that the parties employed in it were regularly organized. 2. That although an affray between some Lascars and Chinese was the ostensible cause of its commencement at that particular time, the attack would have taken place, sooner or later, had no such circumstani."e occurred. 3. That the local authorities were unable or unwilling to afford efficient protection in time to prevent a considerable sacrifice of life and property, and the causes which occasioned such a result are liable at any moment to recur. 4. That there is spirit of hostility to the English very general among certain orders in Canton, and that the common people are guided and influenced by parties who have means and ability of giving effect to their operations in a more systematic manner, than could be expected from an ordinary mob. As no machinery exists at present for carrying on the trade, except by actual residence in Canton, and, as it is unlikely any change can be made in time for the management of the present season's business, we consider it of the utmost importance that the British community should be enabled continue for the present to reside in their factories, as their withdrawal would, in the existing state of affairs, necessarily throw the business into the hands of the Americans and others, who, from their political positioii and other cause, are not likely to suffer from the hostility of the Chinese. The recent occurrences having shown that life and property are insecure under the protection of the local Government, we beg leave respectfully to submit to your Excellency our conviction that the British community cannot with safety remain in Canton, unless protection be afforded on the spot by our own Government authorities, and we venture, therefore, to hope that your Excellency will take into consideration their urgent request, that their Excellencies the naval and military Commanders-in-chief may be moved to place such a force for their defence in Canton as may seem expedient. Canton, December 13, 1842. We have, \e. (Signed) Dent and Co. J. A. Hulbert. Turner and Co. Framjee -Tamsetjee. Gibb, Livingston, and Co Pestonjee Cowasjee. Charles Compton. Hormajee Framjee. Wm. Fryer. Pestonjee, Merwajee, & Co ppro. Bell and Co., J. Mackrill Smith. Jummoojee Nasservanjee E. A. Staple. Ruttunjee Framjee. !>• Potter. Burjoorjee Sorabjee. W. C. Le Geyt. ^ Incisure 5 in No. 1 . British Merchants at Canton to Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough. Sir, THE undersigned, British merchants in Canton, having met to deliberate on their present position, beg leave respectfully to submit, that inquiry of the Chinese leads them to believe that the recent attack on the foreign factories was the result of a pre-arranged determination of the mob, assisted and influenced, it is supposed, by parties averse to apprehended foreign innovation ; and as the local authorities ■vrere avowedly unable for a considerable time to quell the disturbance and did not in fact succeed in doing so until after a considerable loss of life and property, we are forced to the conclusion that the British coimmuuity cannot be considered safe in their houses in Canton, without efficient protection from their own Government on the spot. Although the local authorities have placed a considerable number of soldiers to guard the factories, we do not consider that they can be depended upon in case of another rising of the people ; and others represent considerable bodies of men to be still assembled in the city and neighbourhood of Canton, from whom another attack may at any moment take place. Under these circumstances, we beg leave respectfully to solicit your Excellency to allow the steamer " Proserpine " to remain in front of the factories, should such an arrangement be possible, at any rate until some communication may be received from Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, affording information to the British merchants of his intentions for their future security. Canton, December 12, 1842. We have, &c. (Signed) Dent and Co. Dirom and Co., p. W. Potter. Turner and Co. Bell and Co., p. J. M. Smith. Gibb, Livingston, and Co. C. S. Compton. Lindsay and Co., p. Wm. Fryer. Henry Gribble. Fox, Rawson, and Co., p. E. A. Staple. Inclosure 6 in No. 1 . Lievienant-General Sir Hugh Gough to British Merchants at Canton. Gentlemen, Canton, December 13, 1842. IN reply to your letter received last night, I beg to assure you that I sensibly feel the critical situation in which you stand. It is from reluctance to leave you in uncertainty that, although anxious to return to the head-quarters of the force, I have remained here five days, and am still waiting in hourly expectation of an answer to the communication which I despatched to Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary on the 8th instant. I will accede to your request in regard to leaving the steamer where she is, and I would decide to remain myself in any event, but I do not apprehend any immediate further outbreak, and feel that I can be individually- of little use here. Whereas my presence is required with the force. It would be a great satisfaction to me to hear from Sir Henry Pottinger before I leave you, and I shall delay my departure as long as possible with that view. I received through the Quang-heep, on the 9th instant, an assurance that the Chinese Government is very desirous to maintain tranquillity, and though their power may be doubtful, T believe the assurance to be sincere. I will take this occasion to recommend you to be upon your guard, and carefully to forbear from all that may tend to collision with the populace, pending the result of the measures upon which the Plenipotentiary, with whom the decision rests, may determine. I have, &c. (Signed) H, GOUGH. C Inclosure 7 in No. 1. Sir Henry Pottinger to British Merchants at Canton. Gentlemen, Hong Kong, December 1 6, 1 842. I HAVE this day received your letter of the 13th instant, including copies of one ^hich you had addressed to Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough, and ot nis Excellency's reply on the subject of the late disturbances at Canton. I observe that you assume, o j +i + •+ ^^ 1st. That the disturbance originated in a preconcerted plan; 2nd, that it would have taken place sooner or later without the immediately exciting cause of an affray between certain lascars and the Chinese; 3rd, that the local authorities were either unable or unwilling to afford the necessary protection ; and 4th, that there is a spirit of hostility towards the English amongst certain classes in Canton, who guide and influence the rabble in their operations. You proceed to observe that it is not possible to carry on your commercial pursuits at Canton except by actual residence. You add that your withdrawal would throw the trade into the hands of Americans and others, who are not likely to suffer from the hostile feelings of the Chinese ; and you conclude by requesting that I will move the naval and military commanders-in-chief to place such a force for your defence and protection in Canton as may seem expedient, I propose to have the honour of replying to the various points of your letter in the order in which you have arranged them; and, in doing so, I hope and believe that it is not necessary for me to assure you of the unfeigned solicitude which I feel to promote your interests and welfare, as well as to provide for your comfort and safety, by every means in my power consistent with the views which my judgment has led me to form, after the deepest and most anxious reflection on the questions which those points involve in connexion with the momentous trust which has been confided by Her Majesty's Government to my guidance. With respect to the first point. I am obliged to distinctly avow, that no single fact has come to my knowledge that authorizes me to concur in the opinion you have expressed on it. On the contrary, the accounts that have reached me show that a large body of lascars (Sir Hugh Gough states no less than 170) had been allowed to go up to Canton on leave from "the ship " Fort William " (and other vessels), without any apparent control, or any person to look after them ; that they had been fighting " the whole day " with the Chinese, whom they drove back and kept in check until towards the evening, when the Chinese assembled in large bodies, and overpowered the lascars, who were, in their turn, driven back, and allowed to take refuge in one of the hongs that was subsequently burned; and that only then the attack on the buildings commenced. I cannot convey to you my sentiments on this (first) point more clearly and simply than by here quoting a portion of a private letter which I wrote on the 13th instant to Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough, in in answer to one which I had had from his Excellency on the 11th : — " I hope the riots at Canton are over, and that our merchants there will profit by their experience. It seems quite clear that the crew of the " Fort William" and other ships were the originators of the disturbance; and, before I make any demand for repayment of the losses from the local Govern- ment, I must be satisfied that some attempt was made to control the lascars. I hold that not even a boat's crew should be allowed to land without a responsible ofiGicer or person with them; and if merchants will not enforce some regularity and order in their ships, they must take the consequences." The second point is in a great measure disposed of by the preceding' remarks ■ and I shall also have occasion to advert to its tenor in considering the fourth one. I shall, therefore, only here say, that, viewed abstractedly, it is based on mere surmise, which is by no means admissible in discussions like the present, and in which all statements adduced ought, I conceive, to be strictly limited to matter that is susceptible of clear proof. r think that the insinuated unwillingness (referred to in the third point) of the local authorities to aflford protection is, in no degree, borne out by any of the details that have reached me up to this moment ; and it not only appears to me to be disproved by what those authorities have since done with the object of atfordiuf protection, but is likewise at total variance with the information and opinions that I have obtained from many different quarters as to the anxiety which both the provincial officers and the Hong merchants had displayed up to the day in which the disturbance took place, to avert, as far as they could, the injury to the local trade and prosperity of Canton, which the late Treaty is calculated to inflict ; and which anxiety they evinced by a variety of conciliatory arrangements and conces- sions which are too well known to call for particularization in tiiis letter. As to the alleged inability of the local authorities to afford protection, that I can only, as at present informed, contemplate in the light of a conjecture. AVe all know what an unmanageable thing an exasperated mob is in every part of the world. Many instances of this truism could be adduced, within all our recollections, in England and other of the most civilized nations of Europe; and, before I subscribe to the correctness of this allegation, I must learn that proper and timely application was made to the local officer, which, I regret to add, I have strong reasons for believing was not the case. It may, however, be true that the Chinese authorities had not the power immediately at hand to restore order when the riot became serious ; and it may even be hereafter unhappily verified, that they do not possess the means of preserving the peace for the future ; but, with respect to the first of these suppositions, it is just and proper, in looking at it, to inquire why our lascars — one of whom, I am informed, began the riot by stabbing a Chinese — were not restrained by those whose business it was to look after them ; and, as regards the second supposition, if we admit that it is possible, and investigate the cause, we are obliged to revert to occurrences which took place before I came to China. None of you, Gentleman, will suppose me capable for a moment of palliating the base and barefaced perfidy of the officers of the provincial government in the progress of events which terminated in the city of Canton being left at the mercy of Her Majesty's arms in May, 1841 ; but I believe I am quite justified in saying that, up to that time, there was no general popular feelings of ill-will or antipathy towards the British nation on the side of the people. It is true that wo had, from the earliest period of our intercourse with this empire, submitted (with a very few memorable exceptions) to constant contumely and indignity from the Chinese Government officers; but, so far as the mass of the population were concerned, they were, I have understood, as civil and as well disposed as I have invariably found them in all parts of the empire which I have had occasion to visit since the peace was concluded. It thence follows that the change which at that time came o\ er the people, and which has gradually led to their present state of exasperation and excitement, must have been brought about by ourselves, — that is, partly by mismanagement, and partly by ill-treatment ; and I believe both these causes to have had a share in bringing matters to their present crisis. The fourth point is so mixed up with those that precede it, that, in examining it, I might repeat many of my foregoing observations ; but I will spare you the repetition, and will content myself by asking you collectively and individually, whether, — with your admitted knowledge of the hostile feeling of certain classes at Canton, coupled with the influence which you declare you believe those classes to be able to exercise over the people, and also bearing in mind your recorded belief that, sooner or later, an outbreak would take place, — ^you, to whom this letter is particu- larly addressed, as well as all other foreigners, whether subjects of England or not, can stand forward and conscientiously assert that you have studied the complexion of the times ; that you have in any single iota or circumstance striven to aid me in my arrangements as the humble but zealous instrument of the Government whose protection has been extended to you in an unparalleled degree, and which, I may add, you are always ready to claim and expect, by endeavouring to dissipate and soothe the very excitement and irritation of which you so loudly complain 1 I may even ask whether you have not thrown serious difficulties and obstacles, if not positive risk, in the way of the very arrangements and measures which you so earnestly desire to see perfected, and which, next to the assertion of Her Majesty's dignity and honour, have been tlie leading object of my public actions for the last eighteen months ? It is needless to occupy your time and swell this letter by detailing circumstances ; but I presume that you will now be ready to allow that it would have been better had you gone on, as in past times, quietly and unobtrusively with your mercantile pursuits, until it was announced to you that the provisions of the recent Treaty were to be considered in full force. Even in the most civilized parts of the globe such a course would have been equally advisable and expedient ; and how much more so do they appear with a jealous, arrogant, and unapproachable 2 government like that of China, -which we have for ages allowed, and almost encouraged, to revile and treat us as human beings of a lower grade. I have now arrived at the consideration of your present position and future prospects and wishes, as set forth in your letter; and, with respect to the advantages, if not necessity, of actual residence at Canton, as well as the probable consequences that would attend on your being forced to withdraw from that place, I need only remark that I am fully apprised of those facts, and that I should, and shall very truly, regret the loss and inconveniences to which you would be exposed by the latter step becoming indispensable. I trust, however, that it will yet be averted through the measures which I have in view. But adverting to the closing request of your communication, I must at once, finally, most explicitly, and candidly, acquaint you that no conceivable circumstances should induce me to place ller Majesty's Government in so false and undignified a posture, as I should consider it to be placed in, were I to send troops and ships-of-war to Canton in opposition to the request and wishes of the local government, in order that you might carry on your trade under the protection of such troops and ships-of-war. Such an arrangement, irrespectively of the conclusive objection to it which 1 adduce above, would inevitably lead to further ill-will, heart-burning, and violence, and its only result must be disappointment, and, in all likelihood, a renewal of hostilities between the Govern- ments of England and China — a calamity which, I feel certain, you will one and all cordially unite with me in earnestly deprecating. In conclusion, I have in this letter entered at more length into an exposition of my sentiments than may have seemed to you to be called for by the one which you addressed to me ; but, even before the Canton riots took place, I had imbibed many of the impressions which I now communicate to you ; and, as a copy of this letter will be transmitted to Her Majesty's Government, in explanation of the course which I have decided upon following, I am desirous that the grounds of that decision should be clearly known to all of you. I had hoped before this time to have had it in my poMer to intimate to you the purport of the reply as to late events which I am expecting from the Viceroy at Canton ; but, owing to circumstances beyond my control, I am disappointed. You shall be made acquainted with it shortly; and in the meantime, as it seems to be quite certain that the presence of the small steamer at Canton is merely a source of irritation, whilst, in truth, if there be any danger, she can in no shape ward it off, 1 have given my ready assent to Rear- Admiral Sir Thomas Oochrane's suggestion, that she should be recalled. I have, &c. (Signed) HENRY POTTINGER. Inclosure 8 in No. 1. Sir Henry Pottinger to Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough. S"'» Hong Kong, Deceynher 17, 1842. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt yesterday of your Excellency's letter of the 18th instant, with its enclosed transcript of one to Lord Stanley, and at the same time, I had a communication from a number of British merchants at Canton, giving cover to copies of one which the same gentlemen had addressed to your Excellency on the 12th instant, and of your reply of the following day I have given the whole of these documents my most careful reflection and have likewise compared the accounts which they give of the late disturbances at Canton with those which have reached me from a variety of quarters The result is that I see no cause whatever for thinking that the Provincial Government had anv participation or connivance with the rioters, but 1 am sorry to add that I see reason for believing that the lascars, who had gone to Canton on leave 'were under no control, and that the absence of it on this occasion, has been the'immediatX exciting cause of the outbreak. *teiy I have, in my reply, expressed this opinion to the merchants, and have also informed tliose gentlemen that it is quite out of my power to send troops and ships to Canton for their protection, contrary to the ^yishes of the Chinese local authorities, as such a step would oulj lead to serious collision and possibly to a renewal of hostilities. Under these circumstances it does not seem to rae to be necessary that I should ask your Excellency to make any alteration in the number or disposition of the troops who are to be left at this settlement, and I accordingly request that you M'ill be {ileased to give effect to the present arrangements. I have, &c. (Signed) HENRY POTTINGER. Inclosure 9 in No. 1. 2'he Governor-General of Canton to Sir Henry Pottinger. KE-KUNG, of the Chinese Empire, a Guardian of the Crown Prince, a President of the Board of War, and Governor-General of Kwangtung and Kwangse, makes this communication : — On the 15th instant, the Governor-General received the Honourable Pleni- potentiary's communication, stating that, on the 7th of the month, " several thousands of lawless people had collected about the foreign factories at Canton, &c." [The remainder of the Plenipotentiary's letter of the 13th is here quoted, entire.] The Governor-General finds that, on the 7th, at about 4 p.m., he suddenly heard of the populace at the foreign factories being engaged in contest with certain black-faced foreigners, when blows were inflicted on either side. The local authorities, civil and military thereon repaired with speed to the spot, to suppress the riot, and found that it originated in a dispute about the purchase of fruit. Having inquired into the matter, they seized some individuals, and the populace were gradually dispersed. But, of a sudden, at about 9 P.M., an inner set of apartments in the foreign factories was seen to be on fire, and burning very furiously ; whereupon the Governor- General proceeded in person, accompanied by many civil and military officers of all grades, and attended by fire-engines and hose, to endeavour to extinguish the fire. But being in the depth of night, and in a confined situation, it was impossible at once to extinguish it. And the people collected to put out the fire being very many, lawless ones mingled themselves among them, and took occasion to rob and plunder. The government troops were therefore ordered to fire on them, and to apprehend ofiienders. High civil and military officers were also deputed (the death-mandate having been reverently applied for) to repair to the spot, and suppress the riot. Upwards of ten plunderers were in consequence successively seized, when the rest of the lawless people fled and dispersed. Every day since, troops have been on duty, keeping watch day and night, and all has remained in perfect quiet. These are the real facts regarding the events of the last few days, seen and known by all, both the native and foreign, merchant people. Seeing that it is now the gracious pleasure of the Great Emperor that peace and friendly commercial intercourse should subsist between the native and foreign merchants, the Governor- General, looking with the same regard on one as on the other, will assuredly not fail to aiford the utmost protection in his power. And he hopes that the Honourable Plenipotentiary will transmit orders to the Consular Officer residing at Canton rigorously to restrain the black -faced foreigners, that they may not be allowed again to create disturbance, and give rise to such affrays. The Governor-General, on his part, will also faithfully search after the plunderers, inves- tigate their cases, recover the stolen property, and punish their offences. Each thus 10 guided by justice, and engaged to repress the bad, quiet freedom from disturbance Mill be the natural result. The Honourable Plenipotentiary may set his mmd at perfect rest, and need not send hither any troops. As regards the money and property plundered from the merchants, the amount has not yet been clearly ascertained. "When, in obedience to his orders, the Hong merchants, in personal conjunction with the merchants of the honourable country, shall have accurately ascertained the real amounts, the sums shall be severally recovered and repaid. The Governor-General being charged with the direction of the people's affairs, will act with rigid regard to justice ; his desire being that matives and foreigners shall be united together in sincei-e good faith, and remain for ever in quiet— he will not allow that the merchants of the various countries, who come over such vast seas to trade here, should be involved in loss and embarrass- ment. The communication sent for the High Commissioner Elepoo, shall be immediately sent by express, inquiring for his Excellency on the way. A most necessary communication. Taoukwang, 22nd year, 11th month, 1 4th day. (15th December, 1842.) No. 2. Sir Henry Pottinyer to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received March 13, 1843.) (Extract.) Macao, December 23, 1 842. I HAVE received from the merchants a reply to my letter to them of the 1 6th instant, the original of which I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship, there not being time for a copy to be taken. I also forward a copy of the rejoinder which I directed to be given. Inclosure 1 in No. 2. British Merchants at Canton to Sir Henry Pottinger. Sir, WE have the honour of acknowledging receipt of your Excellency's letter of 1 6th instant, and although we are well aware it would be unsuitable for us unnecessarily to occupy your Excellency's time by further observation on the subject to which it refers, we trust to be excused for adverting to some points which appear to call for reply. Your Excellency is pleased to say that our opinions " being based on mere surmise, are not admissible in such discussions as the present ;" but we may be allowed respectfully to observe, that if the opinions of parties, most of whom were present in Canton before, during, and after the riot, are deemed unworthy of attention, we hope they may at any rate not be considered of less value than reports which have accidentally reached your Excellency at Hong Kong, a place remote from the scene of action. What ever information your Excellency may have received leading to a diflfeient opinion, we beg respectfully to assure your Excellency that all evidence which we have since collected, tends only to strengthen and confirm the views expressed in our former letter. Even were it admitted, as appears to be assumed by your Excellency that the irregular conduct of certain lascars led to the riot, we may venture to observe that the practice of allowing seamen of all nations to proceed to Canton on liberty has been of long standing, and that if, as appears to be the opinion of your Excellency such custom was calculated to lead to difficulties, the remedy could not possibly be considered as resting with the British merchants, who never have had authority to make regulations for the control of seamen, nor the power to impose penalties for the breach of any that it might be deemed expedient to frame. As your Excellency appears to doubt that timely notice was given to the u authorities of the serious character which the riot had assumed, we shall have tho the honour to forward to jour Excellency authenticated statements, showing that repeated applications were made in vain, through the Hoiig merchants, for protection ; and that it is understood the messenger from the Viceroy, who waited on his Excellency Sir Hugh Gough in Canton, distinctly admitted that such applications were made, but could not for a considerable time be attended to, in consequence of a force not being available. The most important paragraph of your Excellency's letter remains to be noticed ; it is the grave charge which your Excellency is pleased to bring against the English and foreign merchants in the following words, which we extract at length: "I will content myself by asking you, collectively and individually, whether with your admitted knowledge of the hostile feelngs of certain classes at Canton, coupled with the influence which you declare you believe those classes to be able to exercise over the people, and also bearing in mind your recorded belief that sooner or later an outbreak would take place, — you, to whom this letter is particularly addressed, as well as all other foreigners, whether subjects of England or not, can stand forward and conscientiously assert that you have studied the complexion of the times — that you have in any single iota or circumstance striven to aid me in my arrangements as the humble but zealous instrument of the Government whose protection has been extended to you in an unparalleled degree, and which, I may add, you are always ready to claim and expect, — ^by endeavouring to dissipate aud soothe the very excitement and irritation of which you so loudly complain 1 I may even ask whether you have not thrown serious difficulties and obstacles, if not positive risk, in the way of the very arrangements and measures which you sa earnestly desire to see perfected, and which, next to the assertion of Her Majesty's- dignity and honour, have been the leading object of my public actions for the last eighteen months V In reference to these strong observations, we take the liberty of most respect- fully recalling to your Excellency's recollection, that since your Excellency's arrival in China, nearly a year and a-half ago, the letter of 1 3th instant is the first and. only address which has been submitted to your Excellency by the British merchants individually or collectively, either seeking for information or asking for protection. That your Excellency's proclamation, dated 12th August, 1841, distinctly stated that the mercantile community must carry on their trade at Canton, entirely on their own risk and peril. That such proclamation was in some measure indirectly rescinded by one, dated " Chusan, 14th November, 1842" allowing the trade at Canton to continue, although no Government protection was even then actually promised or afforded ; and that during the progress of such trade no protection has directly or indirectly been afforded or claimed within the port of Canton, at a time when warlike operations and seizures of Chinese property have been carried on along the whole coast, and even in the Canton river itself. We conceive therefore we may be allowed in some degree to dissent from the opinion of your Excellency that " the protection of the Government has been extended to us in an unparalleled degree ;" and considering the serious risk of person and property which we have incurred, without one word of complaint or remonstrance, during the whole time that your Excellency has had charge of affairs in China, we submit that an insinuation that we are over-ready to claim such protection, is not altogether in accordance with the actual circumstances of the case. "We may be allowed further to observe that none of us are aware of any occasion on which your Excellency has thought it desirable to seek for our opinions or co-operation in any way ; the only information which we have received of your Excellency's views or wishes, being found in certain proclamations made public during the progress of hostilities ; and we can conscientiously assert that none of us have ever to our recollection thrown risk or difficulty in the way of your Excellency, During the past sixteen months we may observe, that the trade in Canton, although carried on without any protection or control on ihe part of the British authorities, has been managed by fewer parties, and in as peaceable and unob- trusive a manner as at any period since the abolition of the Company's Charter; and we feel justified in most solemnly denying that the charge of ill-treatment of the Chinese can with justice be cast upon the foreign merchants. We may safely assert, that the merchants generally have endeavoured to carry on their mercantile pursuits in Canton in accordance with former custom ; and in the only case, we believe, where innovation has taken place, the residence of ladies in Canton, the very limitevc'. 12 number who have taken advantage of the permission formallj granted by the local authorities, nnd M-ith the implied, if not expressed sanction, of your ^^<^^*^,^7{; "* ^ been accident il vititars, not the wives of resident merchants. We may add, tnat no intimation was, be believe, conveyed to any one, that your Excellency d'sappiovea oi these proceedings, although the circumstances were generally known, until aiier me attack on the factories. , , We beg leave to assure your Excellency that we have been, and are one and all, ready and anxious to conform to all arrangements which may be made tor the regulation of our trade and other matters by the officers of our Government, when dxdy informed of them ; but we respectfully submit that severe public censure should not indiscriminately be cast on all the foreign merchants, in consequence of outrages assumed to have been occasioned by the acts of a few, especially when such acts may be considered rather the result of the absence of understood regulations, than of pre- meditated irregularity. -r. n > i As your Excellency have been pleased to lay a copy of your Excellency s letter before the Home Government, we beg leave to request the ssme course may be pur- sued with our reply. Macao, December 23, 1842. We have, &c. (Signed) Dent and Co. Fox, Rawson, and Go. Turner and Co. p. Dirom and Co., W. W. Dale. Gibb, Livingstone, and Co. Henry Gribble. Lindsay and Oo. W. C. Le Geyt. p. Bell and Co., Alfred Wilkinson. D. and M. Rustomjee and Co Inclosure 2 in No. 2. Mr. Woosnam to British Merchants at Canton. Gentlemen, Macao, December 24, 1842. I AM directed by Sir Henry Pottingcr to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, and to inform you that a copy of it wiU be transmitted (with the other correspondence) to Her Majesty's Government by the steamer now under dispatch. His Excellency further directs me to take this opportunity to mention to you that the Viceroy at Canton has, in reply to the letter which was addressed to him, declared his great anxiety, as well as perfect ability, to protest all foreigners, and has also expressed his readiness to repay such losses as may have been incurred during the late riots after they shall have been correetedly ascertained and submitted through Her Majesty's Government. I have, &c. (Signed) RICHARD WOOSNAM, Acting Secretary. No. 3. The Earl of Aberdeen to Sir Henry Fottinger. ^^^> Foreign Office, April 1, 1843. I HAVE received your despatches of the 20th and 23rd of December, respect- ittg the disfurbances which took place at Canton on the 7th of December, and inclosing your correspondence on that subject with Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh OoT:gh and with certain British merchants. Deeply as Her Majesty's Government regret an occurrence which was calculated to put m jeopardy the amicable relations so lately concluded between the two countries, they have nevertheless derived no small satisfaction from the anxiety shown by the Chinese authoiities at Canton to put a stop to the tumult and to repress the excesses of the Chinese populace. Her Majesty's Government' entirely approve of your having dechned to act upon the suggestion which was made to vou to employ Her Majesty's forces for the protection of the factories at Canton against the violence of the populace, which the British merchants apprehended might again 13 lead to scenes of confusion and destruction. There is sufficient evidence to show that the outbreak of the Chinese mob was, in the first instance, and in all proba- bility exclusively provoked by the negligence of the master of a British vessel, in allowing his seamen to go on shore Avithout efficient control. Her Majesty's Government trust that the excesses of those seamen, when thus emancipated from the restraints of disciphne, will prove a salutary lesson to British merchants engaged in the trade with China, and that they will acquire the conviction that the security of their persons and property must in no small degree depend upon themselves ; for Her Majesty's Government cannot hold themselves responsible either for the pro- tection or indemnification of parties who, by their own misconduct, or by their culpable negligence in omitting to restrain those whom it is their duty to control, shall render themselves obnoxious to the Chinese Government or people. 1 am, &c (Signed) ABERDEEN. No. 4. Sir H. Pottinger to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received May 5.) (Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, February 5, 1844. I HAVE the honour to forward for your Lordship's information, copy of a letter which I have addressed to Captain Balfour, Her Majesty's Consul at Shanghae. Captain Balfour reported in his letter to which the inclosure is a reply, that some person who had gone out to shoot about a mile and a half from the shipping, had fired throvigh a hedge (by which all the farm-houses in that part of China are surrounded), and severely wounded two boys, who were brought to the temporary Consulate some hours after in a very dangerous state, and that it was believed by Dr. Hale that one would be blind for life. The Intendant and District Magistrate had each addressed very strong, but very proper, letters to Captain Balfour on the subject, and he took such steps as occurred to him at the time to discover the offender, but he (Captain Balfour) says he was not assisted as he might have been in his search by the local authorities, who could, he thinks, have had no difficulty in tracing the Chinese boatmen who took the offender on shore from his ship, as well as two China- men who were stated to have been in company with him when the boys were wounded. I have since heard by rumour that the offender's name is now known, and should it prove so when I next hear from Captain Balfour, and I find he belonged to the ship " Valparaiso," I shall call on, and oblige, the firm of Messrs. Dent and Co. to pay all expenses of the wounded boys, and to provide for their future support, should that become necessary from either or both having sustained permanent injury. Inclosure in No. 4. Bir H. Pottinger to Consul Balfour. Sir, Government House, Victoria, January 16, 1844. I RECEIVED and perused with great concern your letter of the 2nd ultimo, and its accompaniments, connected with two boys having been (accidentally) wounded near Shanghae by some person who had gone from one of the vessels to shoot in the country. I consider this accident (even admitting it to have been purely such) most unfortunate at the outset of the trade, and I wish it had occurred to you to request Commander Vyner, of Her Majesty's ship " Wolf," to call on the masters of the vessels then at Shanghae to declare on oath whether any, and what, persons had landed from their vessels for the purpose of shooting on tliat particular day on which the accident occurred, and not to have allowed any vessel lo quit the port till the offender was discovered. D 14 I should have deemed any measures you might have jdopted on such^^^^ occasion, however strong they might have appeared, to have been quite jusnn and they would have had my full sanction and support. therefore only It is now, however, too late to look to any such step, ^,^^ I have therefore on^^ to express my hope that the two boys who were wounded ^^je b«en \^^^^^^ care Sf, and that they have recovered under Dr. Hale's P^^^^^^^^^^f „^^^^^^^^^^ in I shall be prepared, on hearing from you to ^^^^^/^^^^ P^^oS^^^ case of permanent injury, such as the loss of eyesight, ^JJJX^hTvtvrl stipend) you may see fit £ recommend for thf ^^ff^^^^^^V^^.t not ce o7 H^^^ shall await your further report before I bring the affair ^of^^^^^ fJ^J Majesty's Government. In the meantime, I have but t°.^^J that any r^^^^^^^ tions you may think it advisable to adopt in concert with the local authonties will have my hearty concurrence. I have, &c. (Signed) HENRY POTTINGER. No. 5. Mr. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received May 6.) (Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, January 10, 1845. I HAVE the honour to forward, for your Lordship's information, copy of a despatch from Mr. Alcock, at Amoy, on the subject of a seizure and robbery, committed on the persons of several Chinese in the British service at Koo-lang-soo. Mr. Alcock states (as I have heard from other quarters), that " this act ot violence is believed to have been committed with the connivance of the manda- rins, the parties attacked having been marked men, from their having been actively employed by the British during the war." I accordingly thought it my duty to bring the subject to the notice of his Excellency the Imperial Commissioner, by the inclosed letter, considering, as Mr. Alcock justly remarks, that " if the Chinese in the service of the British residents or authorities are not protected from injury, but, on the contrary, are allowed to feel that they are singled out for persecution and annoyance, great prejudice must result to British interests generally, and to our consideration and nfluence at each port." I received Inclosure No. 3 from Keying, in reply, informing me that he had sent a " flying despatch " to the Provincial Government of Fokien on the subject; and I trust that the result may be the punishment of the aggressors. With reference to this subject of persecution, I regret to observe that Article IX of the Treaty of Nanking, by which the Emperor agreed to publish, " under his Imperial sign-manual and seal, a full and entire amnesty and act of indemnity to all subjects of China," &c., has never been fulfilled. I have found, in the archives of my office, a Chinese paper which completely embodies the vindictive spirit that has actuated the Government of the country, from the first, towards those of its unfortunate subjects who adhered to us during the war ; and, at the same time, clearly explains and accounts for all that has happened at Ningpo, Chusan, aiid Amoy, as well as Shanghae, where Captain Balfour successfully interposed in favour of a persecuted Chinese in our service. The paper in question was addressed, in 1842, to the Emperor, by the Governor of Che-keang, and I think it too important not to forward it to your Lordship as Inclosure No. 4. The Emperor enjoins his Ministers to transact this business "secretly;" and the reply of the Governor proves that a fitter instrument could not have been selected for any work involving perfidy and deceit. He recommends that inquiries should be made whether "the said traitorous natives have not, at a previous period, been put down as villains ; and if there is any evidence of their wickedness, the said constables ought to bring the case forward, and on their guilt and transgression being proved, they should be prosecuted for their old crimes." No wonder, then, that the chief authority of Che-keang addressed Sir 15 Henry Pottinger : " The honourable Plenipotentiary now further makes it his request that the amnesty should be formally promulgated by the Emperor. Put by the estabUshed rules of China, only the great ordinances of gracious pardons, the remission of taxes and tribute, and such hke matters, are promul- gated to the Empire under the formal authority of the Emperor; no other matters are thus formally printed and promulgated by the Imperial authority, and on the present occasion it is difficult to break through this rule." To his translation of the above, Mr. Morrison adds this note : " The manner in which a formal promulgation of Imperial commands is made, is by printing the letter of the commands on yellow paper (with a dragon border), vouched by the names of the high officers of each Province where they are published, at the end. Even were such promulgation not expressly stipulated for in the Treaty, there are two very obvious arguments (for insisting on it) : " 1 st. That what is demanded is ' A great Ordinance of gracious pardon.' " 2nd. That the Emperor's ' denunciations against us have been thus promulgated, and it is therefore the more imperative that his assent to peace with us should be promulgated in the same manner.' " Notwithstanding these good reasons, the Treaty in this respect has been completely evaded and set at nought, although Sir Henry Pottinger observes : " The Emperor must pubHsh an amnesty to all Chinese subjects in the same form he promulgates his edicts ; this is also provided for expressly by Treaty." Nothing of the kind has ever been done, and the consequences to some of our former adherents were disastrous. Mr. Gutzlaff observed, in a private note to myself : " Fortunately for the poor Chinamen, Thorn took Suh-ming's part, and Balfour, as well as Campbell, that of the other unfortunate fellows ; for otherwise the proscriptions, and the handing over to the tender mercies of the mandarins, would have been without end. The tragedy is now concluded. Two men paid with their lives Captain Bamfield's surrender ; the policemen were all liberated ; the Taekosan Mandarin (a great persecutor) retired from office ; and your Excellency's orders have for ever put a stop to handing over the Chinese in our employ to their own authorities." Without very good and sufficient reasons, and a strict previous inquiry, this is certainly most carefully to be avoided, for the native Government has shown its disposition to wound us through the sides of its own people. Inclosure 1 in No. 5. Consul Alcock to Mr. Davis. Sir, Amoy, December 13, 1844. I HAVE the honour to forward the inclosed copies of correspondence in reference to an attack made by Chinese villagers, as it is alleged, on two persons, also Chinese, employed under the orders of the Commissariat, in bringing supplies for the troops. The village of Foh-kia or Cho-ke, where the attack and robbery took place, is situated about two miles from Amoy, on the opposite side of the bay. One of the men in charge of the boat was severely wounded, and the other carried away and detained. On receiving Major Haldan's letter, inclosing Mr. Power's statement, I addressed a letter to the Taoutae, calling upon him to take immediate and effective steps for the apprehension and trial of the offenders, the release of the prisoner, and the restoration of the property, or its full value. The Taoutae in his answer informs me that the village of Cho-ke is not in his district, and that he has therefore communicated with the Intendant of Circuit for Chan-chow-foo, in whose jurisdiction the villiage in question is, that he may set the prisoner at liberty, and seize and prosecute the offenders. On the 1 1 th instant I called upon the Taoutae, who informed me that he had not received an)' answer, and I much fear that no prompt redress can be obtained ; I have, however, urged the Taoutae to press for an immediate report on the case, stating, also, that if a satisfactory answer were not shortly received, I should deem it my duty to make a communication to your Excellency. I am informed this act of violence is believed to have been committed with D 2 16 the connivance of the mandarins, the parties attacked having been marked men, from their having been actively employed under the British during the war. This of course does not admit of proof, otherwise, as a direct mtraction oi the Treaty, it would be easily met; I shall not fail, however, to press nrmiy for redress to the persons injured, and especially for the hberation ot tne man detained. It is obvious that if the Chinese in the service of British residents or authorities are not protected from injury, but, on the contrary, are allowea to feel that they are singled out for persecution and annoyance, great prejudice must result to British interests generally, and to our consideration and influence at each port. (Signed) ' RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 2 in No. 5. Mr. Davis to Commissioner Keying. Victoria, Hong Kong, December 22, 1844. I REGRET to state to your Excellency that Mr. Consul Alcock, at Amoy, has written to inform me as follows : " Robbery and violence have been perpetrated by certain Chinese at the village of Foh-ke or Cho-ke, in the Hae-tang district, about two miles (six le) from Amoy, on the opposite side of the bay, upon certain other Chinese employed by the British authorities of Koo-lang-soo to purchase stores for the troops. One man has been wounded, another made prisoner, the latter being still detained in the village. Some wood, the property of the British authorities, has also been seized." This coming before me, the Plenipotentiary, &c., it becomes my, duty immediately to request that your Excellency will give stringent orders to the local authorities for the punishment of the offenders, the release of the prisoner, and the restoration of the property thus wrongfully and violently taken. It is an established principle among us, that any attack made upon persons in the service of Her Majesty's Government, is an injury which should immediately be redressed by a friendly Power, such as China now is in relation to England. It is also in conformity to the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which can only be maintained by the observance of this rule. As Mr. Consul Alcock informs me that the local authorities showed a disposition to delay or evade the redress for which he had applied, and that he feared these persons were punished, contrary to the Treaty, for having served us during the war, I have directed him to report further to me upon the subject, and in the meanwhile have the honour to send this communication to your Excellency, requesting that immediate steps may be taken on this occasion, in order that I may report to my Government. With sentiments of the highest consideration, I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 3 in No. 5. Commissioner Keying to Mr. Davis. (Translation.) KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, Member of the Imperial Clan and Governor- General of Kwang-tung and Kwang-se, &c., sends the foUowine answer. I just now received the communication from you, the Honourable Envov respecting the Amoy affair (here follows the purport of the despatch dated 22 nd December, 1844). r > It appears to me a very regular thinjr, that the natives of that place (Amov) should be hired to buy provisions. Why then, should, just now, robbers plunder 17 and seize them ? This matter ought to be investigated, and then it can be properly managed. 1 have, therefore, addressed a flying despatch to the metro- pohs of Fokien, that the local officers might be directed to investigate the matter. Whilst, therefore, with all seventy recovering the plunder and seizing the robbers, they will give the particulars of this case in their report, and, at the same time, set the prisoners immediately at liberty, and after having obtained the robbed articles, send them to the Consul of your honourable nation, that he may receive the same. An affair Uke this, however, requires much writing backward and forward, as well as inquiry, and will take, as I apprehend, some time. You, the honourable Envoy, have now already ordered the said Consul to send in a clear detail of all the circumstances in order to arrive at the truth, and I hope you will commu- nicate the same to me to manage the affair properly. Whilst, therefore, giving this previous reply, I wish you endless happiness, &c. Taoukwang, 24th year, 1 1th month, 21st day. (December 30, 1844.) Inclosure 4 in No. 5. The Governor of Che-keang to the Emperor. ON the 16th day of the 9th month (Chf /9^ 1842), your slave received a letter from the Great Ministers of the Privy Council, stating that, on the 9th Cb^r H day of the 9th month, an Imperial edict had been issued to the following efiect : " These barbarians that have been captured ought wholly to be set at Hberty ; and, as for those traitorous natives that have been talien by force, it is not convenient that we should kill them, but, if we release them without making minute inves- tigations, it is hard to say that they will not again, at some subsequent period, play off their old tricks^ and thus give rise to future calamities. Tiierefore, their names ought severally to be entered on a list, and let a strict restraint be put upon them, and measures be taken to guard against tliem. We, furthermore, direct the said General and others to apply their whole minds to the proper management of this affair, and let them carefully and secretly transact this business, &c. Respect this." From this I can perceive tlie all-pervading sacred anxieties in noticing most trivial things. In order to remove evil your slave has, ia obedience to your wishes, made inquiries, and as these traitorous natives have received sacred favours they shall not be killed ; but if they are set at liberty, without regula- tions having been made for keeping an eye over them, it will certainly fall out as is stated in your Majesty's sacred connnands, that " it is liard to say, that they will not again, at some subsequent period, play off their old tricks, and thus give rise to future calamities." Therefore J, your slave, whilst commanding the said officers to draw up a list of all the traitorous natives, and to take security for them on liberating them, have at the same time directed that good regula- tions should be inade, and measures be taken for guarding against them. Now, according to the statement contained in the report of Tseang-wan- king, the Judge of the Che-keang, he has determined upon taking a memo- randum of the names of the traitorous natives, and then sending them back to their homes, and he has also directed their mandarins to put a strict restraint upon them, and to take a bond from the constables of the place, and their neighbours and relations, and then to hand in an account of their names. Thus we shall act just in the same manner as the law respecting convicts that are to be transported ordains, and we expect that the said local mandarins will manage this matter, and the abodes of all those that do not arrive at the stated season ought to be traced. Moreover, the mandarins should make inquiries whether they indeed act lav/Jessly, and punish them with all due severity, and likewise visit their crimes on their neighbours and relations that originally stood security for them. Supposing at their native places some of them have no relations or neighbours to stand security for them, the local mandarins are responsible for instituting true investigations, whether or not the said traitorous natives have not, on a previous period, been put down as villains, and if there is any evidence of their wickedness, the said constables ought to bring the case forward, and on 18 their guilt and transgression being proved, we shall direct that they be, according to truth, prosecuted for their old crimes. I,y5ur slave, have minutely looked over the regulations that have been arranged by the said Judge, which I consider very apposite ; ^nd besides directing him to manage this business, in accordance with the ^^^oj^tunis agreed upon, and to communicate these orders to the local officers, that they may do their duty, and institute inquiries, without gradually gettmg remiss, I hereby annex this postscript to my report, which I respectfully present for perusal. No. 6. Mr. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen.— (^Received May 6.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, January 16, 1845. WITH reference to my despatch of the 10th instant, I have the satisfac- tion to inclose copy of a letter from Consul Alcock at Amoy, reporting that the Chinese who had been seized were restored to liberty, and the plundered property returned. , ^ i I have every reason to believe that this was the result of the remonstrance addressed by me to Keying, on the proceeding of the Amoy mandarins, forming Inclosure No. 2 in despatch above mentioned. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure in No. 6. Consul Alcock to Mr. Davis. gir Amoy, January 10, 1845. IN reference to my letter dated 3rd January, 1845, 1 have the honour to inform you, that on the 8th instant I received an official communication from the Taoutae, a copy of which I inclose, stating that the Chinese prisoner had been liberated, and the wood restored, and further assuring me that the man had not suffered any ill-treatment, as had been reported. It does not appear that the parties who thus took the law into their own hands by seizing Keang-yin have been punished ; but, under the circumstances, the redress afforded, although tardy, is so far satisfactory, that it is a distinct admission on the part of the authorities of my right to claim protection for any Chinese in the employment of the British from unmerited aggi*ession ; this being a point which the Intendant was disposed in the first instance to dispute. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. No. 7. Mr. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received August 2.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, April 4, 1845. I REGRET to have to forward to your Lordship the inclosed documents relating to a most aggravated assault by some of the people of Canton, on Mr. Vice-Consul Jackson and Messrs. Martin and Stanton, as these gentlemen were inoffensively walking on the outside of the city. The condition of the English at the provincial capital is such as to call for a permanent remedy, were it only to prevent the chances of some breach in our amicable relations with China. The insolence of the people is very much promoted by our degrading exclusion from the interior of the city, in which my 19 predecessor acquiesced, under an assurance from the Imperial Commissioner that it should be only temporary. I accordingly felt myself called upon to address the Inclosure No. 3 to Keying, drawing his attention to the provisions of the very first Article of the Treaty, and calling for the condign punishment of those persons who had so grossly violated it. As the evident desire of the Chinese Government is to render the exclusion from the city of Canton permanent, under the convenient plea of the people's wishes, it would be highly satisfactory to me to be furnished with your Lordship's views as to the degree of weight which I should be justified iq attaching to the removal of this old and degrading distinction between Chinese and foreigners. I regret to say that a circumstance well calculated to encouLrage the ill-conduct of both the local authorities, and the people of Canton, is to see our naval squadron in China reduced to two sailing vessels, and one effective steamer — its actual amount ; while the minimum force mentioned by Sir Wilham Parker bimself consisted of five sailing vessels and a steamer. Inclosure No. 4 was the reply returned by the Governor of Canton to the Consul's representation concerning the late outrage, and I have since received from Keying Inclosure No. 5. He readily promises the punishment of the criminals ; but the old argument is repeated for excluding foreigners from the city, viz., the disposition of the people. I have succeeded in defeating the adoption of this plea at Foo-chow-foo, and with the sanction of Her Majesty's Government I would undertake to do the same at Canton, where I hesitate only on account of the acquiescence of Sir Henry Pottinger, on the ground, as before observed, of the exclusion being only temporary, according to Keying's own assurance to that effect. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 1 in No. 7. Consul Macgregor to Mr. Davis. Sir, Canton, March 19, 1845. I HAVE the honour to lay before your Excellency the copy of a repre- sentation addressed to me conjointly by Mr. Montgomery Martin, the Rev. V. Stanton, and Mr. Jackson, detailing the particulars of an outrage and robbery committed upon them whilst walking for exercise in these suburbs. From the violent gesticulations and behaviour of the rabble, who were aided and encouraged by those on the rampart, it appears evident that, but for the extreme forbearance practised by the complainants, the most serious results must have ensued, some of the robbers being armed with two-handed swords and daggers, and others with heavy sticks. I am preparing a statement of the affair for his Excellency Hwang, who is now raised to the rank of Lieutenant-Governor, and, in the meantime, have requested the attendance of Woo for the purpose of informing him of it verbally, that no time may be lost in tracing out the indi- viduals concerned in the robbery and violence, and in endeavouring to recover the property stolen. I have, &c. (Signed) FRANCIS C. MACGREGOR. Inclosure 2 in No. 7. Messrs. Martin, Jackson, and Stanton to Consul Macgregor. Sir, Canton, March 18, 1845. ABOUT 7 o'clock this morning, while walking for exercise along the north wall, on the outside of the city, we were attacked by several Chinese, who had been following us, and increasing in numbers from the building known to foreigners as the five-storied Pagoda. At first they commenced with throwing stones, which endangered our lives, and by sorne of which we were struck. This attack was aided and encouraged by a number of Chinese, who followed us along 20 the top of the city wall, hurting large stones, which, if they had struck, would have killed those at whom they were aimed. Mr. Jackson was first attacked by men brandishing swords and daggers, his arms pinioned, and his gold diain snatched from his neck, .the llev. Mr. Stanton and Mr. Martin, perceiving that Mr. Jackson was not following, returned to aid him, and were themselves seized ; one of the assailants thrust a dagger at Mr. Martin's breast, two endeavoured to throw him on the ground, and while strugghng with them his pockets were rifled. The same course was pursued with Mr. Jackson and Mr. Stanton. The latter lost his watch, the former still retained his, but evervthing else was taken. The assailants then left us, but the persons on the wall followed us for some tune, hurling large stones and using menacing gestures and opprobrious language. Proceeding southward, beneath the wall, to reach the river side, we were again followed and attacked by another party ; Mr. Jackson received a violent blow on his chest, and a roof was torn up to furnish large sticks to the assailants. In this attack Mr. Jackson was deprived of his watch ; our clothes were torn, and at one time the people were disposed to strip us. No resistance was offered, it was hopeless to have attempted it, not only by reason of the numbers and weapons of the multitude, but also on account of the attack on us from the watch-tower and along the walls. The outrage was entirely unprovoked ; our own official character and the presence of a minister of religion was a guarantee for peaceful conduct ; and had his presence not restrained Mr. Jackson and Mr. Martin, bloodshed might probably have ensued. Reaching a more populous part of the suburbs, we rested a moment, and then proceeded home, but not unfrequently hearing opprobrious epithets, mingled with cries of " Kill them, kill them." From no nation in Europe would British subjects suffer this treatment ; there can be no excuse for toleiating a continuance of such conduct towards us in China, and we think that there cannot be a doubt that the Chinese Govern- ment have it in their power effectually to put a stop not only to the personal insults which the English daily experience, hut also to prohibit effectually the repetition of the injiu'ies we have experienced. By our prohibition to enter the city of Canton, the lower classes of the Chinese are encouraged to regard us as inferiors, and to treat us with marked contumely. No measures that we are aware of have ever been taken by the authorities to prevent the constant insults to which the British community are subjected, and which, instead of diminishing by time, or being subdued by acts of kindness, seem to become more frequent and more virulent. Anxiously desirous to maintain peace and to promote amity, we make this representation, beheving that unless the Chinese authorities remedy the evils complained of, the most serious consequences must inevitably, and ere long, ensue. We have, &c. (Signed) R. M. MARTIN, Treasurer at Hong Kong, and one of Her Majesty's Council in that Colony. R. B. JACKSON, Her Britannic Majesty's Vice-Consul at Canton. VINCENT STANTON, Her Britannic Majesty's Chaplain at Hong Kong. Articles of lohich the Restitution is required. A watch, capped with brass, and double cased in gold. Cost 85 dollars A watch, capped with brass, and double cased in silver. Valued at 4'i dollars. vcuuea at 4D A gold chain and gold seal, with armorial bearings. Cost 15 dollars A gold pencil-case, Cornelian top. Cost 12 dollars. A bunch of keys, and two small keys. A silver-mounted walking-cane. Value 5 dollars. A silk purse studded with steel beads. 21 Inclosure 3 in No. 7. Mr. Davis to Commissioner Keying. Victoria, Hong Kong, March 22, 1845. I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency that I have received a despatch from Mr. Consul Macgregor at Canton, detailing a most atrocious outrage and insult committed by some of the Chinese people against Her Majesty's Vice-Consul and two other official gentlemen. The Consul informs me that he has addressed his Excellency Governor Hwang, requiring reparation against the miscreants who were guilty of the unprovoked attacks on those gentlemen ; but this is so serious a national question, and connected with such momentous considerations, that I am obliged to take it up myself. The very first Article of the Treaty provides that the subjects of Her Majesty the Queen, and His Majesty the Emperor of China, " shall enjoy full security and protection for their persons and property within the dominions of each other." This attack at Canton was not only against British subjects, but official persons, one of them the Vice-Consul. I have therefore to call upon your Excellency to display your sincere desire to preserve good faith and main- tain the terms of the Treaty, by dealing such punishment upon the guilty persons as the law of China awards against those who attack and wound officers of Government. The property taken is of very little comparative consequence, though it will easily lead to the conviction of the offenders. What I have prin- cipally to call for is the condign punishment of the ruffians who made the cowardly and barbarous attack on three unarmed gentlemen, and I cannot deem myself satisfied unless they are publicly punished, and unless Mr. Consul Macgregor has full personal cognizance of their punishment. This event, and the daily insults to which British subjects at Canton are exposed, are mainly the consequences of their being still excluded very improperly fi-om the city of Canton, by which the rabble are led to despise foreigners as a proscribed or inferior people. I am fully persuaded that my Government will not allow me to acquiesce long in this state of things, which your Excellency on the 9th July, 1843, informed my predecessor, Sir Henry Pottinger, should be only temporary. However exemplary the moderation and forbearance hitherto displayed by the great nation which I have the honour to represent, those princi- ples of equality and of mutual rights which were established in 1842 must be maintained, and it would be idle to expect continued harmony on any other terms. I have directed Mr. Consul Macgregor to keep me fully informed of the progress of this business from day to day, and I hope that your Excellency will see the necessity of satisfying me in my just demands for public reparation. I take this opportunity of renewing to your Excellency the expressions of my high consideration. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 4 in No. 7. Declaration. (Translation.) HWANG, Governor of Kwang-tung and a Vice-President of the Board of War, hereby makes a declaration in reply. ' I have received a statement from the Consuls concerned, of the various particulars (relative to) the English officers, Martin and others, three persons, having been robbed of their (foreign) watches and other articles, and having had their clothes torn, been beaten and insulted by (certain) Chinese of the lower orders, from the perusal of which (the matter appears) exceedingly worthy of deep- felt indignation. On examining into this case, I find, that I had already heard of it. I find, on examination, that a representation of the District Magistrate of Pwan-yu has been received, stating that he " has apprehended one of the E 22 robber vagabonds, Chin-a-gan, whom he is now vigorously '^^^^^^^^^^^^^X his companions, in order that they may be apprehended "f^ P^^^^f^dWof ^the their names, and the stolen property recovered and given to the custody (ot the proper parties), &c.," which is on record. ^ , i, ^ o„ain mvpn strict Now. having received the Consul's statement, 1 have again gi^^^n strict orders to^he said^District Magistrate, to depute ^dditiona and able run^^^^^^^ must, in conjunction with the soldiers of the (Proper) mihtary/tation s^^^^^^^^^^ bring before the tribunal, the vagabonds who robbed, beat, ^"d insulted thfi Engbsh officers, for correction according to the laws, in order to ^e a wa n for the future, and also recover and return to the original owners the articles "" ' Besides communicating with Ke, the High Imperial Commissioner, (that he may), in like manner, give orders for the apprehension (of these vagabonds), it is fitting that as a preliminary step, I make a declaration m reply to the said Consul to be communicated by him to the three Enghsh officers, that they may may make themselves acquainted therewith. An especial declaration. March 2\, 1845. Inclosure 5 in Ko. 7. Commissioner Keying and Governor Hwang to Mr. Davis. (Translation.) KEYING, Higb Imperial Commissioner, &c. ; Hwang, Lieutenant-Governor of Kwang-tung, &c., send the following answer: — _ j^m^^ We just received a letter from you, the Honourable Envoy, in which you con plain about the insult and injury done by the natives to the Vice-Consul and two English officers, and request that these villains should be severely punished accoiding to the Chinese laws. ^#sS3* t This case has already been represented by Consul Macgregor, and I, the Lieutenant-Governor, immediately gave directions to the district military to dispatch the most able soldiers for seizing (those ruffians), and recovering the plunder, and to punish them most severely as soon as they were apprehended. The soldiers then reported that they had already seized one villain, Chin-aton, who on being put to torture would not betray his associates. Some of the plunder, however, is recovered, viz., a gold-cased watch, which an official messenger transmitted to the Vice-Consul to identify the same, and he having found it to be the original article, has taken (the watch), as is on record. We, the Great Minister and Lieutenant Governor, perceive that it is very lawless for natives to wish to beat English officers, and rob them of their watches and other articles ; fortunately, however, the British functionaries defended themselves well, and thus were not wounded, which consoles us, the Great Minister and the Lieutenant-Governor, in some measure. These villanous natives ought to be seized and punished with severity, in order to deter others from imitating their bad examples. We have therefore again strictly ordered the local, civil, and military author rities, to adopt means for tlie seizure of those villains, that they may be punished according to Chinese laws, and at the same time likewise take measures fcr recovering the lost articles ; and as soon as they are obtained, they will be sent to the Vice-Consul to examine and receive them. This is the previous answer we forward to you, the Honourable Envoy. Respecting the entering into the city, we, the Great Minister and Lieutenant- Governor, have again and again with your predecessor Pottinger consulted and expressed ourselves veiy explicitly. We also suppose that you, the Honourable Envoy, are fully acquainted with this circumstance. We, the Great Minister and Lieutenant-Governor, entertain no other view in this affair, but that (dictated) by the disposition of the Canton populace, which renders it impossible, and it is not necessary to reiterate the same (argument). If you, the Honourable Envoy, will give directions to the Consul and others, 23 to make inquiries with the Chinese merchants and linguists in the neighhourhood you will be convinced that this is the cause. Whilst wishing you an increasing happiness, we address this important com- munication, &e. Taoukwang, 25th year, 2nd month, 22nd day. (March 29, 1845.) No. 8. The Earl of Aberdeen to Sw J. Davis. Sir, Foreign Office, August 8, 1845. I HAVE read much concern the particulars of the assault on Mr. Vice- Consul Jackson and his companions at Canton, as reported in your despatch of the 4th of April ; but it is satisfactory to find that the Chinese authorities exerted themselves for the detection and punishment of the offenders. It would certainly be desirable to obtain free access to the city of Canton, and I am prepared to sanction your attempts in that respect. Much prudence, however, will be required in dealing with the question, and probably there is more ground for the apprehensions of the Chinese authorities with regard to the difficulty of controlling the populace at Canton than experience has shown to have been the case at Foo-chow-foo. But those authorities seem to have the power, when they have the inclination, to keep the people in order ; and when they are made to perceive that the responsibility of any breach of the peace committed by the people will fall upon themselves, they may be expected to take effectual measures to prevent such an occurrence. On the other hand, at all events in the outset, it would be incumbent on British subjects, in gaining access to Canton, to avoid, as much as possible, placing themselves in situations which might give occasion to disturbance. With these observations, then, I leave the matter in your hands, merely cautioning you to conduct any discussion with Keying on the subject with the utmost temper, and on every account to avoid pushing matters to the extremity of interrupting the free course of trade in the Canton waters. I am, &c. (Signed; ABERDEEN. No. 9. Mr. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (^Received August 21.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, April 24, 1845. IN continuation of the subject of my despatch of the 4th instant, I have the honour to inclose a reply to the joint letter of the High Commissioner and Governor, in which they continued to refuse the privilege of ingress, to the city of Canton, on. the ground of the people's will. I show that the impediments in question were solemnly promised to Sir Henry Pottinger by Keying to be removed within a reasonable time. Nearly two years have now elapsed during which this invidious and miscluevous distinction between flcweigners and natives has existed, placing the former under the ban of the latter, with the sanction of the Local Government. The people of Cantcm deridingly defy the Europeans to enter the city as the latter pass the gates, aad this of course feeds and keeps up the insolence of the Chinese, and perpetuaftes the degradation of the strangers. Nothing of the kind exists at any other port ; and it will not be easy to find a sufficient inducement for the Chinese Government to remove a bar which they silently approve, should its removal be deferred until after the restoration of Chusan. I only require the sanction of Her Majesty's Government, for which there is abundant time, and will pledge myself to carry the point if supported by that sanction. Article XII of the Treaty of Nanking expressly stipulates as one condition of the restoration of Choisan, that " the arrangements at the ports shall be completed," which caa Hi ^ 24 scarcely be deemed to be the case as long as this important point is unsettled at Canton. In a memorandum which I furnished to- the Foreign Office in December 1842, I foretold that much difficulty was to be apprehended in establishing desirable relations at Canton, where " old established habits have to be subdued, and old feelings combatted ;" and this difficulty was enhanced by the forbearance of Sir Hugh Gough to the armed multitude, which (as already observed by me to your Lordship) hung on his rear during his occupation of the heights, causing them most absurdly to attribute that forbearance to fear. The mischievous effiscts of the exclusion from the city are so universally obvious to every one in this country, that the American Consul has used the strongest remonstrances in his power, but without any means of gaining his point, or chance of being attended to. Inclosure No. 2 is a communication from Keying, which I shall publish, conveying the satisfactory information that six of the natives who had assaulted Vice-Consul Jackson and his companions had been duly punished. In acknow- ledging this by Inclosure 3, I took occasion to notice a very improper draft of a proclamation to the people of Canton by the District Magistrate (Inclosure 4), a copy of which was sent to me by Consul Macgregor, with some just remarks as to its false and derogatory statements, representing the Vice-Consul and his companions as traders, and putting them altogether on a footing with the rabble by whom they were attacked. I inform the high officers of my conviction that they could not have authorized a paper of such evil tendency, and request them to cause a more fitting notice to be issued. I am subjected to much obloquy on account of the moderation of mv measures by a party of the English in this country, and require all the open support of Her Majesty's Government to make my position such as it should be. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 1 in No. 9. Mr. Davis to Commissioner Keying and Governor Hwang. Victoria, Hong Kong, April 7, 1815. I HAVE had the honour to receive your Excellencies' joint despatch on the subject of the outrage on three English officers. It is satisfactory to learn that some of the robbed articles have been recovered, but this is trifling compared with the exemplary punishment of the criminals. The watches, &c., having- been found, it will not be difficult to trace the robbers, of whose punishment your Excellencies promise to inform me hereafter, for which I feel much indebted. With regard to entering the city of Canton, both my predecessor and myself have led our Government to understand that the exclusion was only temporary in 1843. The Imperial Commissioner thus wrote to Sir Henry Pottinger : " The High Commissioner has now, in conjunction with the Governor- General and Governor, commanded all local magistrates and other officers to adopt measures for inculcating a better spirit ; and he only waits until the port IS opened and commerce in progress, when all parties settling into a state of quiet, shall meet together to consult within the city, whenever business may call them thither If there be the slightest falsehood in this, may the Highest regard it Tins was a very solemn declaration, and I cannot for a moment suppose that his Excellency the Imperial Commissioner was otherwise than sincere. Ihe peace having now been concluded more than two years the time must soon arrive when no objection can exist. The natural disposition of the people of Canton is towards commerce and mutual intercourse and if not purposely encouraged and led astray, as before the war, it is plain that thev will act like the people at Shanghae, Ningpo, and other places But admitting that some portion of the ignorant rabble are disposed to act disorderly, it would not be right to impair the friendly feeling of the two nation, en thcr -county The Treaty of Peace and Friend'ship mSst be observed on the part of the Chmese Government in deed as well as in word, or your Excel- 25 lencies cannot, with propriety, quote, or bring it to my notice. It cannot be at once violated on one side, and expected to be observed on the other. To look for the continuance of friendship, without friendly treatment, is contrary to human nature. It is therefore very desirable that the invidious and highly objectionable exclusion of foreigners from the city of Canton be removed as speedily as possible. The High Commissioner very correctly remarked, in his official commu- nication to Sir Henry Pottinger : " The two nations are now at peace, without the shghtest ground for jar or altercation. What difference, therefore, can there be between the inside and the outside of the city ? When, too, Ningpo, Foo-chow, Shaughae, &c., may be entered, why should Canton be solitary in this respect?" I quite agree in these just sentiments of his Excellency, and it is my anxiety to promote the continuance of friendly intercourse that dictates the present despatch. With sentiments of high consideration, 1 have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 2 in No. 9. Commissioner Keying and Governor Hwang to Mr. Davis. (Translation.) KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., Hwang, Lieutenant Governor of Kwang- tung, &c., send the following answer. We have made ourselves fully acquainted with the contents of a letter from you, the Honourable Envoy, respecting the robbery committed upon some British officers. To settle this case, we had given orders to the local military and civil authorities to dispatch soldiers, who have now seized the villains, Kwo-a-shun, Fang-a-kei, Chin-a-gan, Chang-a-shing, Laou-a-yang, and Chow-a-teem, six in number. They also recovered a gold watch, one gold -chain, one seal, one silver pencil case, and one whip, which have been handed over by a deputed officer to the Vice-Consul Jackson, who identified them as being the stolen articles, and received tliem back, which is on record. The six villains that were apprehended have now stood their trial. The two, Kwo-a-shun and Fang-a-kei, have confessed that they stole the gold watcli and other articles. Laou-a-yang, and the other three, acknowledged that they had taken up stones and pelted (the English officers), and did by no means deny the fact. The two accomplices in the robbery, Chin-a-kwei and Leatih, have not yet been taken, nor have we found means for getting back the silver watch and restoring the same. Such is the statement of the Pwan-yu magistrate. I, the High Commissioner, and J, the Lieutenant Governor, perceive that the established laws of China award 100 blows, and banishment for three years, to those who have stolen any articles. Kwo-a-shun, therefore, and Fang-a-kei, who stole the watch and other things, will receive 100 blows, have their faces marked, and be sent into banishment. As for the others who engaged in strife, but did not inflict any wounds, the established Chinese laws would merely punish them with 30 blows, But Laou-a- yang and the others, three in number, were violent and added insult by throwing stones. Although not inflicting any wounds, still they acted very ruthlessly, and it would therefore be very improper only to beat them. We have, therefore, sentenced them to the more heavy punishment of receiving 80 blows, to be commuted into banishment. We have, moreover, given very strict orders to apprehend with great severity, Chin-a-kwei and the other, and to recover the silver watch, which could not yet be found. As soon as Chin-a-kwei and the other are taken, and this case is fully arranged, we shall instantly issue a perspicuous proclamation, warning .the people of Canton never again to commit themselves in this manner. With regard to going into the city, I, the Great Minister, distinctly stated to your predecessor, Pottinger, that as soon as the trade was open, and every- thing on both side§ quiet, there could be no reason for refusing or rejecting the 26 proposal, whenever necessary, to enter the city, for holdmg a consultation, by joint consent. However, up to the present year, I -have found it impossible for foreigners to go into the city, both from my conversation with the gentry and an inquiry into the disposition of the people. I, the Great Minister, and I, the Lieutenant-Governor, have repeatedly ordered the loeal Mandanns to usepersuar sion, yet the public is strongly opposed to it, and will not yield. Thus we, the High Commissioner and Lieutenant-Governor, cannot so easily grant this permis- sion. There are, moreover, respecting this, many other particulars which it is difficult to enumerate. i t i.i. t • i. 4. From the moment that I, the High Commissioner, and I, the Lieutenant- Governor, transacted the commercial affairs of every nation, we Jiave in all instances afforded protection and strenuously endeavoured to uphold friendship and harmony. Should we therefore refuse and prevent this single thing, viz., to enter into the city ? Not alone is God our witness that there exist difficul- ties in this matter, but you, the Honourable Envoy, will also, as we hope, perceive the dilemma. We also received an official note from you, the Honourable Envoy, respecting duties on coarse china-ware and piece-goods, and the manner of levying those duties on them at Araoy. Having addressed ourselves to the Superinten- dant of Maritime Customs at Canton to investigate the matter, and report it impartially, we shall give you the result in our answer. In the meanwhile wishing you every happiness at the spring season, we send this important document. Taoukwang, 25tli year, 3rd month, 12th day. (April 18, 1845.) Inclosure 3 in No. 9. Mr. Davis to Commissioner Keying and Governor Hwang. Victoria, Hong Kong, April 24, 1845. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellencies' joint communication, in which 1 am informed of the punishment of six among those who committed the assault on the English officers. It is highly satisfactory to find that these ruffians have not escaped punishment, and I trust that the remaining two will be apprehended. With regard to entering into the city, I have already stated the necessity for Canton being placed on the same footing as the other ports in this respect. Until this is done, the Treaty arrangements for opening all the ports cannot be considered as concluded. I have referred the question to my Government, and shall await their decision. Mr. Consul Macgregor informs me that the District Magistrate of Pwan-3ru had prepared a notice in which the English Vice-Consul and other officers are falsely represented as persons who trade and enjoy profits with the common people. It is also stated that these " three people went on shore," &c. If English officers are thus fallaciously in a public document placed on a level with the populace of Canton, it can only lead to the generation of bad feeling and the production of trouble. As your Excellencies have often informed me that you are sincerely desirous of the continuance of peace and friendship, I am convinced that you did not authorize such a mischievous document, and that you wiU cause a proper one to be published in lieu of it. As everything is preserved on record, and transmitted to Her Majesty's Government, such a paper as the one in question would prove in case of future discussions that the people had been taught by the officers of Government, since the peace as before, to despise the English. This surely could not be approved by your honourable nation's Emperor. I beg your Excellencies to accept the assurances of my high consideration. I have, &c (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. 27 Inclosure 4 in No. 9. Proclamation by the Magistrate of Pwan-yu. (Translation.) A Perspicuous Proclamation. CANTON is a mercantile emporium for all nations, and foreigners as well asChinese ought to live quietly and endeavour together to enjoy the profits ©f trade. The Chinese must not be overbearing, and because being natives insult strangers. On the nth day, 2nd month of the present year (18th March, 1845), the British Vice-Consul Jackson and others, altogether three people, came on shore and were walking about, when the villains, Kwo a-shun and Fang-a-kei, robbed them, of a gold watch and other articles, and took up stones to pelt them, with- out, however, inflicting a wound. This is a shameless hankering after lucre, and contempt of the law, which cannot be overlooked. We have therefore sentenced Kwo-a-shun and Fang-a-kei, according to our law against robbery, to banishment for the full (period), and condemned the criminals Chin-a-gan and others to a severe bastinado. We therefore make known this lucid proclamation, and if in future native villains dare to seek strife, insult, fight, and beat inoffensive strangers who mind their business and observe the law, or on seeing their property form a plan for robbing them to obtain booty, they shall be most severely brought to trial as soon as they are discovered. Respect this implicitly. A special proclamation. :so. 10. The Earl of Aberdeen to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Foreign Office, September 23, 1845. SHORTLY after my instruction of the 8th August, on the subject of the free access of English subjects to Canton, was dispatched to you, your further despatch of the 24th April, on that subject, was received at this office, during my absence in Germany, in attendance on Her Majesty. In that despatch you speak with such confidence of your power to obtain from the Chinese authorities the concession of the free access of British subjects to all parts of Canton, provided Her Majesty's Government will sanction your effoi'ts, that I am induced to give you the authority which you desire. By our Treaty with China, we unquestionably possess the right to require that the five ports named therein should be opened, without reserve, to British subjects and lawful British trade. Canton alone, of those ports, has not yet been thus opened. When my despatch of the 8th ultimo was written, it still appeared ques- tionable to Her Majesty's Government how far we could, with prudence and in good policy, insist, with the Chinese authorities, on the full and immediate execution of the treaty stipulations with respect to Canton ; and I, accordingly, conveyed to you a cautionary power on that point, leaving much to your own discretion. The observations, however, contained in your despatch of the 24th April, above mentioned, and especially those bearing on the approaching restoration of Chusan to the Emperor, have placed the matter in such a light as to show clearly the expediency of requiring, and, if necessary, of compeUiog, the full execution of the Treaty, both with respect to Canton, and to any other point in which that execution may, possibly, be still incomplete, while we have yet the means of compulsion in our power. It is obvious that when Chusan is once given up, we shall lose much of the weight and authority which we now possess. On the receipt of this despatch, you will, accordingly, consider yourself fully empowered to renew, with urgency, your application for the free admission of English subjects and dependents to every part of Canton ; and you will, at the same time, intimate that, when thus admitted, conformably to Treaty, the Chinese Government will be held by us responsible for the good treatment of 28 such British subjects by the people of Canton. We, on our part, bind ourselves, at the same time, to employ every means at our command to ensure the good and orderly conduct of our own countrymen, when thus placed in the full enjoyment of the right to which they are legally entitled. In the first instance, you will do well to prefer this demand, as now, for the first time, founded on the express and specific orders of your Government, in an earnest and temperate tone, and rather as an appeal to the rectitude and good judgment of the Chinese local authorities and Government.^ But should such arguments fail, within a reasonable time, to produce the required effect, you will then clearly state to the Chinese High Commissioner that, by Treaty, British subjects have as full a right to free admission into Canton, as the Chinese Government has to the restitution of Chusan, at the stipulated period, by the English ; and that, unless the Emperor carries out his engagement with respect to Canton, the British Government will be justified in withholding the execution of theirs with regard to Chusan. And you may add, that contingent instructions have already been conveyed to you to delay the evacuation of Chusan until Canton shall have been fully opened to Her Majesty's subjects. Should any other point exist, towards the period of the stipulated restora- tion of Chusan, on which the Chinese Government should exhibit a disposition to act in opposition to their treaty engagements, you will consider it discretionary with you to adopt the same means of enforcing compliance, as you are above authorized to do in the matter of Canton. And in case of non-compliance with your requisition, you will equally hold yourself empowered to suspend the evacuation of Chusan by our troops. But such suspension must be founded on a clear and palpable case of non- execution, or wilful delay of fulfilment, of treaty engagement on the part of the Chinese. Should they execute the Treaty faithfully, it is our bounden and imperative duty to perform, with equal fidelity, our engagement to restore Chusan, without delay or hesitation, to the Emperor. I am, &c. (Signed) ABERDEEN. No. 11. Mr. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen.— {Received October 25.) (Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, August 23, 184.5. HAVING received strong and repeated representations from Mr. Consul Alcock as to the aggressive conduct of the populace at Foo-chow-foo, with the intimation of an opinion that the same was connived at by the authorities ot the place, I deemed it right to address (Inclosure No. 1 to Lew) the Governor- General of Fokien and Che-keang, calling upon him in urgent terms to observe the first Article of the Treaty of Nanking, in giving proper protection to British subjects. It appeared desirable in order to save time, as well as to add to the eflFect of the remonstrance that the -Medusa" steamer should proceed straight to J?oo-chow-foo with my despatch, which she did on the 4th instant, while I inclosed a copy of the same, with a few explanatory lines, to the Imperial Commissioner at Canton. r j , P I shortly afterwards received the inclosed satisfactory despatch from Kevine and Hwang, which convinced me that they would do all on their part to influence • 1 ^^^, " ^«/^^sa " returned yesterday from Foo-chow-foo, brineirie the inclosed despatch from Mr. Consul Alcock, which is satisfactory in leadS to the expectation that the local authorities will at last take steps to abate the evils ^T^u'^f.l'- ^f '^' ^Pression still remains with Mr. Alcock, arwell as tith myself, that fair play and candour have not been observed throughout bv tl e local authorities, the Governor Lew being known to belong to the m beral or anti-intercourse faction of the Chinese Government The inclosed reply (No. 4) from that functionary is civil and sneciouc attributing everything to the curiosity of the people; but this cannot ScS 2ft for the gross acts of personal violence, and the flagrant insults (even to being spit upon) which some of the English have experienced. I feel conyinc^.d, however, that my timely remonstrance has been attended with a good effect, and that we shall have a different account in. future ol the conduct of the populace, as well as of the general treatment of the English at Foo-chow-foo. Inclosure I in No. 11. Mr. Davis to the Governor- General of Fokien and Chekeang. Victoria, Hong Kong, August 4, 1 845. I HAVE the honour to acquaint your Excellency that I hear very general complaints, officially confirmed by Her Majesty's Consul, of the ill-conduct of the populace of Foo-chow-foo to British subjects residing at that place, and who, confiding in the strict observance of the Treaty, and believing that they were in a civilized country, have not yet thought it necessary to carry arms about them for their protection. I consider this so grave and important a matter that I have purposely dispatched a steam-vessel with this letter to your Excellency. My disposition is to be very open and straightforward on all occasions; and not to act without first declaring my views and intentions. Now the very first Article of the Treaty concluded at Nankin, expressly provides that the subjects of England and China respectively should " enjoy full security and protection for their persons and property within the dominions of the other." It is well known to every one that at Amoy, Ningpo, and Shanghae, where the people experienced all the hoiTors of war entailed on them by the miscon- duct of Lin Tsih-seu, they have nevertheless been uniformly well conducted towards the EngHsh since the peace, being properly controlled by the local officers. How is it, then, that the populace of Foo-chow, who have hitherto been exempted from the same calamities, should show an unfriendly disposition, and be inclined to assault unarmed strangers ? Doubtless some ill-disposed persons, not daring to show their hate openly, have instigated and deceived the ignorant populace, who are still unaware of the power of my Government to protect its subjects. I therefore address this important despatch to your Excellency, requesting you to put a speedy and effectual stop to the causes of complaint in question, I have been deputed by the Sovereign of the great nation whom I have the honour to represent, for the express purpose of watching over the proper observance of the Treaty, and I am determined to fulfil my duty in every particular. The Imperial Commissioner, Keying, being at Canton, and the communica- tion very slow overland, I address this urgent note directly by the steamer, which will arrive in two or three days, but a copy will be sent to his Excellency Keying ; though this is not my first communication on the subject. How much preferable is it that your Excellency should control the people of Foo-chow, thus demon- strating the power of the Chinese Government over its subjects, than that the British inhabitants should be obliged to be protected by their own authorities, while a vessel is sent to the Peiho with a letter to the Minister at Peking, complain- ing of the infraction of the first Article of the Treaty. It is also desirable, as the time for evacuating Chusan approaches, not to complicate matters by such unpleasant discussions. It will give me great satisfaction to learn from the Consul, as I anticipate, that British subjects can move about Foo-chow-foo without molestation. I take this opportunity to convey to your Excellency the expressions of my highest consideration. I take, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. 30 Inclosure 2 in No. 1 1 . Commissioner Keying and Governor Hwang to Mr. Davis. (Translation.) KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c , Hwang, Governor of Kwang- tung, &c., send the following reply. We received your despatch respecting the Custom-house regulations (here follows an extract from that paper), and likewise one respecting the insults, which the English have frequently experienced at Foo-chow, on the part of the natives. At this we are extremely surprised. Our two countries are now at peace with each other, and no difference exists between (our) people and (your) merchants, who ought, therefore, to regard each other with kindness. This ought still more to be the case, since your honourable nation did not commit the slightest hostilities at the metropolis of Fokien. Instead, as they are doing at present, of insulting you, the inhabitants ought to show you the deepest respect ; their behaviour, therefore, is inexcusable. On perusing the despatch of you the Honourable Envoy, we were con- vinced that every word was true and very just. Now, as this affair might interfere and occasion trouble, whilst the time for restoring Chusan is approach- ing, you, the Honourable Envoy, forwarded this most important document, with the greatest haste to its destination. This proves still more the strength of 5'our good faith, which equals rock and steel ; and we are under the highest obligation. The restoration of Chusan concerns the good faith and justice of both nations, but if this, on account of a trifling matter, should be delayed, all nations would presume that the Treaty and oath of our two Empires was not to be depended upon. We both are High Commissioners, and how could we thus, as Great Ministers, remain in our situation, and reply (to the inquiries) of friendly nations ? But you, the Honourable Envoy, anticipated this, and since the way by land is distant, you dispatched a steamer to Fokien, in order to convey infor- mation on these matters. Surely your penetration is not of an ordinary quahty, but of the most exalted and refined nature. We, the High Imperial Commissioner and Governor, have also dispatched this official letter, with the speed of 600 le per dav, that Lew, the Governor- General of Fpkien and Che-keang, might peruse the "same at the Provincial city. As he is an intelligent, clever, and true man, imbued with a high sense of justice, we therefore expect that he will restrain (the people) with severity, and not allow the ignorant rabble to insult strangers, and injure our peace harmonv and friendship. r j j, Whilst sending this reply, we wish you the utmost degree of happiness, and address this important letter. Taoukwang, 25th year, 7th month, 7th day. (August 9, 184.5.) Inclosure 3 in No. 11. Consul Alcoch to Mr. Davis. Sir ' 1 TJA^TT, . Foo-chow-foo, August 15, 1845. A [ r^ y A ^°''°"'* *° acknowledge the receipt of vour Excellencv's 'Xdl.'- """^"^ '' '^^^''" "^"^ ''' ^-1—' - the'lUh insttnt?p'er to delil'e? Tletter froT vou'"| ^^e Governor-General Lew, that I was directed that in recapitulating the contents of mv IpHpv 7>!! p. ^°P^^s. It will be seen 31 inexcusable, and finally proposes as a remedy for the evil, that notice should always be given, when an Englishman wishes to leave his vessel, to District Magistrates, that he might be encumbered, under plea of protection, with Chinese police. In my interview, therefore, which took place yesterday, a minute of which is herewith inclosed, I deemed it important to keep these three points clearly in view, for the purpose of rectifying the erroneous ideas his Excellency appeared to entertain. I am bound to state that a gradual but marked improvement has taken place, since the last serious remonstrance, made when General D'Aguilar and other visitors were here ; nevertheless, occasional acts of very gross rudeness still occur, and, not very unfortunately, two signal instances came under my notice the day after the arrival of the " Medusa," which gave me a favourable opportunity of proving to demonstration that more etfective measures were yet required, and that no Englishman was free from the risk of exposure to the most wanton and unprovoked attacks. In reference to the proposed measure of placing the English under the irksome, and in every way objectionable, surveillance of the Chinese police, which has been already more than once proposed as a favourite panacea, I cannot doubt but that your Excellency will concur with me in thinking that such liberty of movement as this would allow little worth having, even were it not to be anticipated that the worst would be made of the manifest confession and tolerance of a sense of insecurity, which constitutes a direct infringement of the first, if not the most important. Article of the Treaty. I pointed out that such a measure was at least as impracticable as it was inadmissible, and suggested that they should distribute their police along the line of route to the Consulate, and, moreover, make the shopkeepers in each ward responsible for the discovery and seizure of any aggressor. The Governor-General did not dissent, and gave instructions to the attendant magistrates to make arrangements somewhat analogous. I did not fail to seize this favourable opportunity of bringing under his Excellency's notice certain facts strongly tending to prove that there is a general indisposition to deal on any fair or friendly terms with the British, and that many had not scrupled to allege as the grounds of their conduct, the fear of incurring the displeasure of the authorities by any different mode of proceeding. The inference was not very palatable, and I only pressed it with reserve and delicacy ; but I strongly insisted upon these facts, as abundantly demonstrating the existence of a very general feeling that the authorities, if not hostile to us, were indifferent to any acts which might compromise our interests or security. The more unfounded such an opinion might be, the more essential was it that his Excellency should take such decided steps as could leave no doubt whatever on the minds of the inhabitants, that so far from courting favour, they would incur the most serious displeasure, and risk punishment, by acting upon opinions so erroneous. I did not hesitate to urge upon the Governor-General, that this general impression lay at the root of the evil, and that no measures promised a successful result which did not remove this first stumbling-block and obstacle to all friendly intercourse or commercial transactions. To this, I stated, might, in my opinion, be attributed all the insults and acts of rudeness which had taken place, and the total failure of the vigorous efforts recently made to open the trade of the port by English merchants. Although his Excellency would not admit even of the existence of such an impression, he very promptly, and with some earnestness, assured me that every step should be taken calculated to prove the friendly disposition of the autho- rities, and his own sincere desire to see a flourishing foreign trade established at this port, that he might remit a large Custom-house revenue to the Emperor. He finally concluded by declaring I might fully rely upon the authorities to put the most effectual stop to any further acts of rudeness and insult. In reference to your Excellency's letter, he hinted at the inexpediency of any pubhc discussion of its contents, and stated his intention of forwarding his answer addressed to yourself. Nothing could be more courteous than his Excellency's bearing, nor more friendly and apparently sincere than his assurances of a desire to cultivate the most amicable relations, and to repress everything calculated to disturb the F 2 82 peace and security of the British ; but by the results alone, I fear, can the good iaith which dictated the manner and matter be determined. I cannot doubt that it is in his power to impress the whole population with a salutary conviction that the very worst mischief they can engage in, is to molest or insult one English- man ; and this once effected, I beheve all ground of complaint will be removed. In order the better io place before your Excellency the dexterous mode in -which the redress o f such grievances is shuffled off, delayed, and frittered away, if not tina ly lost, I beg to inclose four letters of correspondence not yet concluded, between myself and the District Magistrates, originating in a complaint from two of my servants that they had been beaten and robbed, and met on the part of the Chinese by a counter-charge, seeking to involve two Englishmen, as well as some Canton servants, the only men in this distiict found capable of rendering the slightest domestic service beyond carrying a bucket of water. The whole of the proceedings appear on the face of the documents, and are too transparent to render it necessary that your Excellency's time should be occupied by explanation or comment. I cannot conclude without expressing my grateful sense of the ready and effective assistance which your Excellency has, without solicitation, afforded. With the gradual improvement I have marked in the behaviour of the people generally, and the comparatively rare occurrence of any very gross act of violence, I should indeed have hesitated to make at this moment a further report. I am very sensible, however, of the importance of such a demonstration as the arrival of the "Medusa," with your Excellency's remonstrance addressed to the Governor- General ; and I venture to hope signal benefit may result from the measure. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 4 in No. 1 1 . The Governor-General of Fokien and Che-keang to Mr. Davis. (Translation.) LEW, Governor-General of Fo-kien and Che-keang, &c., sends th« following answer to a despatch from yourself, the Honourable Envoy and Great Minister, received by the steamer, which Consul Alcock personally handed in on the 12th day, 7th month, 25th year of Taoukwang (August 14, 1845). In this you state that the British residents at Foo-chow make frequent complaints about the insults received from the natives, and request that an immediate and effectual stop be put to all future annoyance, &c. On receiving the above, I, the Governor, found, on examination, that the people of Foo-chow have not the slightest cause for ill-will against the merchants of your honourable country, nor an intention of treating them with contempt But the merchants of your honourable country have only recentlv arrived at Foo-chow, and their dress differs from the native, and the" people of Foo-chow are not yet as accustomed to this sight as the (inhabitants) of Amov and the three other ports. The streets at Nan-tae are, moreover, very narrow, and people from every quarter crowd there. At the arrival of the merchants of your honourable country, it was natural that there \Yould be a , large number of spectators, and amongst them also some idle vagabonds and ilnorant boys who being unable to obtain a sight, jostled and made a noise. When last year Consul Lay first arrived, I, the Governor, felt some anxiety about this, and directed two troops of the magistrates' police to protect Consul Lay He however, said that he was acquainted with the customs of the Celestial Empire' and could take care of himself, and that there was no need of sending constXs! In the spring of the present year when Consul Alcock first reached Woo-shih Shan, there were hundreds a.ad thousands of people who came to look at Wm Whilst I, the Governor, therefore ordered Treasurer Sew to issue an ordS' severely prohibiting this, I at the same time dispatched soldiers fiomfi^ battalions, who should, m the neighbourhood, by turns put (the crowds) dow^ and the runners of the two magistrates were only withdrawn aftei Wb/3e than twenty days been there on guard. "*vmg more 33 When, subsequently, the Honourable General D'Aguilar came to Foc-chow, and had an interview with me, the GoTernor, the people of Nan-tae quite surrounded and pushed him. I, the Governor, then instantly ordered the two magistrates to make inquiries ; to seize the fellows that were crowding around them, whilst issuing an order severely prohibiting it. The magistrates of Foo- chow, on a subsequent occasion, when a quarrel arose between Foo-chow people and some individuals of your honourable nation, seized the former and punished them, :is a warning (to others), with the cangue. There is at present a vessel of youi' honourable country, which ran ashore in the river, and became leaky, and has therefore been obliged to unload, and repair her damages. I, the Governor, instantly commanded the magistrate of Foo-chow to procure above twenty lighters to receive the cargo, and the merchant put his goods in a temple. As I, however, feared that some villains might come to steal, I ordered the local force to dispatch quickly some soldiers and runners, to cruize about, day and night, for their protection. Consul Alcock will be thoroughly acquainted with the above circumstances. Not a moment elapsed during which I did not exert myself to afford protec- tion, both for the sake of strengthening the place, as well as showing the friendship of a host to his guests. This, however, the more so, because we are now one family, and there cannot be the most distant idea of insulting foreigners. Having now received the communication from you, the Honourable Envoy and Great Minister, I shall redouble my endeavours for control, to insure lasting tranquillity. As, however, the ofBces of all the authorities are in the city, I am apprehensive that their attention can scarcely be bestowed everywhere, and have therefore held a consultation with the Acting Lieutenant-Governor Seu, to choose three civilians and three military officers, who, at different places, from Woo-shih-shan to Nan-tae, should always have their stations, with a party of soldiers, for quelling (disturbances), and going their rounds. But if any native villains insult the merchants of your honourable country, they will instantly be seized, chained, and delivered over to the magistrate, to be punished severely, without the slightest show of mercy. I also hope that you, the Honourable Envoy and Great Minister, will order Consul Alcock to enjoin upon the merchants of your honourable country that may come to Foo-chow, to endeavour, each and all of them, to carry on their commerce quietly, and not create any disturbance with the natives. If we, on both sides, restrain the people of our two respective nations, good feelings will spring up in course of time, and the trade will become flourishing. I, the Governor, think, that Foo-chow, being a new port, where the market has only recently been opened, the goods are not easily sold. When the first merchantman, an American vessel, arrived last year, I ordered Treasurer Seu ta issue a proclamation, ordering the native merchants to keep their goods in readiness, and be just in their dealings. At the arrival of a ship of your honourable country at this port, I have, in conjunction with the Acting Lieute- nant-Governor Seu promulgated an exhortatory address to the richer shops and merchants, to procure suitable goods for the trade, that both parties may reap the benefit. A copy of this 1 forwarded for the perusal of Consul x'\loook. Thus the trade will perhaps increase from small to greater importance, and extend far and wide. As the mei'chants will derive essential advantages, the duties will also be gi'adually increased, which is what you, the Honourable Eavoy and Great Minister, as well as myself, fervently hope. I send this answer with the return of the steamer to Kwang-tung, tor the consideration of you, the Honourable Envoy and Great Minister, and wish you abiding happiness. This important document is addressed to his Excellency Her Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary, Davis, &c., with two Proclamations. Taoukwang, 2.'5th year, 7th month. (August 1845.) 34 No. 12. Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen.— (Received December 23.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, October 27, 1845. I HAVE great satisfaction in inclosing to your Lordship the annexed copy of a despatch from Mr. Consul Alcock, in which that zealous and able officer details the negotiations by which he obtained signal reparation for a wanton and barbarous attack made by certain individuals of the Tartar garrison on Mr. Parkes, the interpreter to the Consulate. The inclosures to Mr. Alcock's despatch being voluminous, and the matter of them embodied in his letter, I do not trouble your Lordship with details. I caused an extract from Mr. Alcock's report to be published in the " China Mail " of the 23rd instant, and have since signified to him my entire approval of his proceedings. The severe punishment of the aggressors, concerning which the Consul satisfied himself by ocular proof, will no doubt have a salutary effect. I am glad, at the same time, to add that a trade is gradually being established at Foo-chow, and that another ship has this day left Hong Kong with a cargo for that port. I shall probably find it advisable shortly to transfer Mr. Vice-Consul Layton from Ningpo, where he has little to do, and add him to the establishment of Mr. Alcock, who has applied to me for such assistance. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure in No. 12. Consul Alcock to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Foo-chow-foo, October 8, 1845. I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your Excellency's information, copies of a correspondence which has taken place since the 4th instant with the Tartar General and the Governor- General, originating in a violent and unprovoked attack made in the Manchow division of the city upon Mr. Parkas, while pursuing his walk on the walls. As that gentleman had been for some distance hooted, pursued, and finally pelted with dirt and stones, some of which might very easily have inflicted most serious injury ; and this outrage was persisted in, notwithstanding his remon- strance and warning that their conduct would be reported to the Tartar General ; and the fact that he was recognised and addressed by name as the interpreter of the Consulate ; T felt it essential to demand full and prompt satisfaction from the Tartar General himself, in whose exclusive jurisdiction the assault had taken place. It appeared to me so clear that if this were denied, or any delay or shuffling permitted, neither peace nor security could be looked for in Foo-chow, nor any prosperous prosecution of British trading interests continued, that I was fully prepared, in the event of failure, to refer the circumstances to your Excellency, for such assistance as might be deemed adequate to attain that object. My first letter, therefore, to the Tartar General, stated plainly and without disguise, in comment upon the particulars of the outrage, that I considered such an attack a flagrant violation of the subsisting Treaties, and unless it were met, on the part of the authorities, by the most prompt and energetic measures for the apprehension and severe punishment of the oflfenders, it would be my duty to refer the whole of the circumstances to your Excellency without delay. I also inclosed a copy of this letter to Governor-General Lew, calling upon him to take measures, in concert with the Tartar General, to avert the difficulties such an outrage was calculated to raise. On the following day, Sunday, a Colonel of the Tartar array, formerly the Haekwang at Amoy, and with whom it was known I had friendly relations, was dispatched to me by the Tartar General, conveying an apology for the insult offered, making inquiries after Mr. Parkes, and promising that due inquiry 35 should be made ; consequently it was hoped there would be no necessity for my reporting the affair to your Excellency. The inclosed copy of the minute of this interview, and one which took place on the following day, shows the usual diplomacy of the Chinese to have been brought into play, and for some time my visitor persisted in considering the assailants as a set of idle boys. Having begged him to disabuse the Tartar General's mind of all idea that this was a mere affair of idle boys and their rudeness, or that I should fail to make the most serious representation to my Government, if satisfaction were not afforded within two days, he took his leave; and the following day I received a second visit from the same officer, from the Prefect and two District IMagistrates, and as they were approaching, a letter from the Tartar General and a copy of his proclamation were placed in my hands. The magistrates brought inquiries after Mr. Parkes from the Governor General, and information to me, that his Excellency 'had, in company with the Lieutenant-Governor, lost no time in proceeding to the residence of the Tartar General to consult with him as to the most expedient measures for the severe punishment of the offenders ; that several had already been seized by the Tartar General's officers, and were about to be handed over for heavy punishment. The Tartar General's officer brought me information of what further had taken place. Six men had been traced and seized on the information obtained from one who had confessed ; three of these, being young, had been severely beaten with bamboos and sent home ; three older had been reserved for the cangue, a punishment from which it was the peculiar privilege of a Tartar to be exempt, and they were now posted one at each of the three gates, viz., the South, the East, and Hot-spring Gates, with a placard stating their offence. After the ■ l^eriod of confinement had elapsed, they would then receive the additiona IJunishment of the bamboo. The Tartar General having thus condemned these men, contrary to their own laws, to a degrading punishment unusual among them, to prove his detestation of the offence committed, the officer was instructed- to say that he trusted this would be considered quite satisfactory, and that I should no longer deem it necessary to make reference on the subject to Hong, Kong. Shortly after their departure I received an answer from the Governor- General. Translations of these documents are inclosed. This morning I determined to proceed to the Hot-springs, to make a further - examination of one of them, as I should thus pass through the various gatewaj^s where the prisoners were stationed, and the quarter of the city where the disturbance took place, and without seeming to exult over the punished men, by making them a principal object, yet find an opportunity of ascertaining whether Mr. Parkes could verify them as the real offenders, and forming my own opinion, from personal observation, as to the temper of the people after these punishments, which I understood to have excited much attention, and to be the talk of the place. Three Tartars in the cangue, and for an assault on an English officer ! Mr. Parkes was enabled, he informs me, to verify one, and he beheves a second. On the cangue is written their offence, as above described. When near the gate I could not get free from two or three police, who had obviously orders, armed with their whips, to take care their superiors had no further complaint from me. J went on to the walls, and walked over the same ground (intervening between the Hot-spring and the East Gate) where Mr. Parkes had been molested. I did not perceive any evidence of feeling beyond that of interest and curiosity at seeing me there, probably increased by associating it with the late attack and the signal punishment of the men. Several of the proclamations were noticed by the interpreter in different parts of the Tartar city. Having thus ascertained, tolerably to my satisfaction, that the authorities had acted with good faith, and not attempted to amuse me with fictitious punishments, proclamations, &c., I have to-day written a reply to the Tartar General, and another to the Governor-General, copies of which are herewith inclosed. To the former I thought it right to say, in answer to a letter which speaks of such a gross and even dangerous kind of outrage, as a mere breach of good manners that I conceived his proclamation would have been more ' satisfactory to Her Britannic Majesty's Government had he, the Tartar General, more justly characterized an outrage so flagrant, as a violation of the laws and a S6 breach of treaties subsisting between the two nations. Nevertheless, as he had sufficiently and distinctly denounced the offence, and threatened severe punish- ment in future, 1 ventured to hope it might secure the desired end, and under these circumstances the redress obtained appeared to me satisfactory, and would no doubt be so considered by your Excellency. To the Governor-General I had the more pleasing and easy task of snnply expressing the high sense I entertained of the earnest and friendly terms in which he had referred to the outrage, and the prompt and effective steps taken to afford the necessary redress. I ventured to add, in conclusion, that I could not doubt the proofs of cordial goodwill to the Enghsh nation, and a determination to insure respect for the laws and a faithful observance of the Treaty, afforded on the present occasion by his Excellency, and expressed in his letter to me, would cause it to be read with great satisfaction by Her Britannic Majesty's JNIinister Plenipotentiary, to whom I should forward a copy. I have thought it prudent at this time to address a few Hues of advice and. instruction to the gentlemen attached to this Consulate, to serve for their guidance in their intercourse with the Chinese and British at the port. Feeling as 1 do, that the ground we occupy is not so firm but that acts of indiscretion, or passionate resistance, might, often repeated on the part of the English, seriously embarrass our relations here ; and it often requires no ordinary share of temper to treat some of the Chinese with the patience and tolerance which their rudeness and determination to impose demand. I have wiitten, assuming the possibility, without strict watch, of some such impatience or indiscretion. I must, in justice to those gentlemen, therefore assure your Excellency that nothing is farther from my intention than to make a charge of this nature. I believe them, on the contrary, anxious and ready, in every way in their power, to second my efforts to insure respect for the Consular Establishment, and promote a friendly and good understanding with all classes — Chinese and English. I have only to trust that the steps I have taken in this, at first, very menacing and troublesome-looking affair, and the result obtained, which I have accepted as perfectly satisfactory, may be sanctioned by the view your Excellency may take on perusal of the inclosed documents. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. No. 13. The Earl of Aberdeen to Sir J. Davis. ^"^' Foreign Office, November 24, 184.5. I HAVE received your despatch of the 23rd of August, inclosing copies of your correspondence with the Chinese authorities, respecting the thsorderly conduct of the populace at Foo-chow-foo, and I have to acquaint vou that 1 approve of your having called upon those authorities to prevent British subjects from being aggrieved by the outrages of the people at that place. I am, &c. (Signed) ABERDEEN. No. 14. The Earl of Aberdeen to Sir J. Davis. Sir ' T TJAT7r^ . Foreign Office, January 24, \846. IkiAVh received, your despateh of the 27th of October inclosinir Sation L «n ^.hLT . °^*'^"'^ ^'°"^ *h^ authorities of Foo chow-foo reparation for an attack made by certain individuals of the Tartar garrison at 37 that place on Mr. Parkes, the Interpreter to the Consulate ; and I have to instruct you to acquaint Mr. Alcock that Her Majesty's Government entirely approve of his proceedings in this matter. I am, &c. (Signed) ABERDEEN. No. 15. Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received April 20.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, February 24, 1846. WITH reference to several of my previous despatches, dwelhng on the unsatisfactory treatment of British subjects within the port of Canton, in which no improvement whatever has taken place since the peace, I have the honour to forward some additional correspondence on the same subject. Early in this month Mr. Consul Macgregor reported to me an unprovoked attack on Commander GifFard, and other officers ot the nav)^, who had landed in the vicinity of Whampoa, for the purpose of exercise and shooting. They had prudently retired, after advancing about a mile on their way, upon seeing the people collecting to oppose their further progress. Notwithstanding this, however, or rather perhaps in consequence of this, a number of the villagers intercepted the party as they were quietly returning on board, and wantonly assailed them with stones. Commander GifFard displayed the greatest modera- tion ; and though the party were well armed, and could have taught a severe lesson to their aggressors, he would not allow a shot to be fired in self- defence. When Mr. Consul Macgregor represented the subject to Keying, he received the reply inclosed in the accompanying despatch to myself. This puts such a construction on Keying's own version of the Vlth Article of the Supplementary Treaty, which he contrived to substitute for Mr. Tliom's translation, as would place us at the mercy of the rabble in any part of the country, and confine our people to their ships, even within the authorised ports of trade. Such annoyances as those experienced within the Canton river, are unknown at the other ports, and I have frequently observed to your Lordship that the non-admission into the city is only a part of the grievance which must be redressed before the Treaty can be considered as duly observed. Before the receipt of Mr. Macgregor's despatch I had been applied to by the Rear-Admiral on the subject of the assault on Captain Giffard, and accord- ingly addressed the inclosed to Keying. He replied by the annexed note, in which he alluded to his answer to Mr. Macgregor, and promised to send me a further communication on the subject. I. considered this a favourable opportunity to point out to Keying the extra- ordinary contrast between the ill-treatment of our regular traders, and even the officers of Her Majesty's ships, within the legalised port of Canton, and the perfect freedom and immunity enjoyed by the opium smugglers at Namoa and Kumsingmoon — places interdicted by the Treaty. Here houses are built, roads are made, and the most perfect security enjoyed, with the connivance of the Government authorities ; while at no place within the Canton river can the more respectable portion of British subjects move about unmolested. In the inclosed note I point out to Keying this glaring inconsistency, and call to his recollection my previous remonstrances concerning the evils arising from the actual condition of the opium trade, and my advice that it should be legalised with a duty. . I consider that the present negotiations relating to Canton afford a favourable occasion for pushing this argument, and that could the true state of the case be made known' to the Court of Peking, it would present the strongest motive to legalise the opium trade. G 38 I have heard from Mr. Consul Maegregor that some authorities >^^re sent down to investigate the affair at Whampoa, but have not yet received Keying s promised report. ^ ^^^^^ ^^_ (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 1 in No. 15. Consul Maegregor to Sir J. Davis. g. Canton, February 10, 1846. ' REFERRING to my despatch, in which I communicated to your Excellency a letter, and its inclosure, which I had received ^om Captain Lyster of Her Maiestv's shin " Agincourt" relative to an unprovoked attack on a shooting Sy "Consisting of Commander Giffard and other officers of Her Majesty's ships, in the vicinity of Whampoa, I have now the honour to inclose translation of his Excellency Keying's reply to my representation, m which I demanded an investigation, and the summary pumshment of the offenders. In this reply, the Imperial Commissioner quotes the Vlth Article of the Supplementary Treaty, under which he endeavours to excuse the conduct ot the villagers on the occasion, and insinuates, notwithstanding the recent procla- mation permitting foreigners to make excursions into the mtenor, that they have no right to avail themselves of it. Such an assumption, if allowed, would render nugatory all that has been done on the subject, and were the people ot the surrounding villages encouraged by such an interpretation, it is to be feaj^ed their violence would rather be increased than checked. The high tone the Chinese Authority has assumed in this communication induces me to refer the matter to your Excellency, whose notice of it will, doubtless, have more weight than a rejoinder from myself, more especially as it was intimated to me by the officer bearing the despatch that it was considered not to require an answer from me. I have addressed a copy of Keying's letter to Captain Lyster for his iaiformation and guidance. T Tifivp oLG (Signed) ' FRANCIS C. MACGREGOR. Inclosure 2 in No. 1 5. Commissioner Keying to Consul Maegregor. (Translation.) KE, Imperial Commissioner, Governor-General of the Two Kwang, &c., hereby makes a communication in reply. I have received your commuiiication stating (here follows an abstract of Her Majesty's Consul's letter to the Imperial Commissioner, dated 5th February, 1846, respecting Captain Giffard and his party having been attacked near Whampoa) . In consequence of this I have instituted an examination, and find that the Vlth Article of the Supplementary Treaty states, " The English merchants permanently residing at the Five Ports, Canton and the others, or occasionally resorting thither, may not, either the one class or the other, go in a disorderly manner amidst the villages, nor suit their own ideas in walking and wandering about for amusement. If any Englishman should, violating this regulation, go in an unauthorized manner into the interior of the country, and wander far about for amusement, no matter to what class they may belong, it shall then be lawful for the people of the country to seize and deliver them over to the English Consul to be by him punished according to the circumstances. The people may not, however, in an unauthorized manner, themselves beat and wound them so as to injure the existing harmony." On this occasion, Captain Giffard having landed, taking with him people to assist in the pursuit of game, carrying fire-arms, and their going in an 39 unauthorized manner to the neighbourhood of the village of Shik-tow-tsuy, at the distance of one mile from the ship, to wander about for amusement and in pursuit of game, is a violation of the regulation, and the people of the said village in preventing them from proceeding have acted in strict accordance with the Treaty that has been concluded ; as, further, no one was wounded in the attack made by throwing stones, it becomes a matter of difficulty suddenly to seize and punish them, whereby the minds of all would be caused to rebel. However, since I have received your communication, if you will wait for the time .being, I will order the local authorities to restrain the people of the village, directing them that if it should hereafter happen that any Englishmen go in a disorderly manner amidst the villages, wandering and walking about for amuse- ment, they, the people of the said village, ought to take their measures in obedience with the Treaty concluded on, and that they may not suddenly beat and wound them so as to injure the existing harmony. You also (should) immediately bring this Article of the Treaty to the knowledge of the naval officers in question, that all may act in obedience thereto, and for ever give due weight to friendship and kind feeling, which is of the greatest importance. For this reason, I now make you a communication in reply for your information. A necessary communication in reply. February 8, 1856. Inclosure 3 in No. 15. Sir J. Davis to Commissioner Keying. Victoria, Hong Kong, February 9, 1846. I BEG to acquaint your Excellency, that no sooner had I written my despatch, in which I dwelt on the ill-conduct of the people about Canton, than I received a letter from the Admiral, reporting an unprovoked attack on some officers belonging to Her Majesty's steamer " Vixen," which conveyed your Excellency from and back to Canton. The Commander and others were on shore, near Whampoa anchorage, for the purpose of walking about and shooting birds, when they were assailed by a -crowd of people, with stones, urged on by the " Tepos," or heads of the village. Having arms, they could easily have destroyed their assailants, but displayed a forbearance which does therh great credit. The name of the village is Shik-tow-tsuy, and Consul Macgregor can obtain any further information that may be required. The aggressors ought to be punished in sight of the Consul or the Commander. I must observe to your Excellency, that if the Commanders of Her Majesty's ships find the laws of the country cannot or will not protect them, they will, very naturally, be inclinsd to do themselves justice, and the chanc3 of such occurrences should be guarded against. This is one more instance of the evil disposition of the Canton (Kwaiig-tung) people, which must be now corrected, in order to prevent future troubles. I beg your Excellency will accept the renewed assurances of my Ir'g'iest consideration, &c. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 4 in No. 15. Commissioner Keying to Sir J. Davis. .(Translation.) < KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., sends the following answer to a despatch about an attack upon Captain Giffard (here follow the contents of that paper), which he received from you, the Honourable Envoy, and attentively perused. I find, on examination, that Consul Macgregor, in a previous cespatch, stated that the said naval officers took with them fowling-pieces and pistols, when they went on shore and approached the village Shik-tow-tsuy, at a distance of G 2 40 three "le" from their vessel, where they were attacked with atones by more than 1,000 people, and returned to their boat immediately, without being wounded. To this I sent an answer, in conformity to the existing y^^Y' . I moreover gave orders to the local mandarins, that they might restrain the villagers of the said place, and not allow them, of their own accord, to engage in strife and inflict injury, so as to disturb the existing harmony ^nd goodw IL ^ Having sent some officers to investigate the affair, I addressed my oiders to the civil and military authorities entrusted with this business on receiving your note, to examine minutely into this affair, and manage it satisfactorily. As soon as I have received their report, I shall forward to you a reply. Whilst transmitting this answer, I wish you happiness. Taoukwang, 26th year, 1st montii, 19th day. (February 14, 1846.) Inclosure 5 in No. 15. Sir J. Davis to Commissioner Keying. Victoria, Hong Kong, February 21, 1846. SINCE I received your Excellency's note of the 14th instant, declaring that you would write again on the subject of the attack on Captain Giffard, I have been waiting for some information. The ill conduct of the inhabitants within the port of Canton is a very serious matter, and must be corrected, or it will lead to great confusion. The lawful and regular traders of my country, and even the officers of Her Majesty's ships, cannot proceed on shore within the port of Canton without being attacked. On the outside of the port, however, at Namoa and Kumsing- moon, the lawless smugglers of opium have formed settlements on shore, and built houses, and made good roads. This is all by the connivance of the lower mandarins, who receive forty dollars on every chest. Thus, while lawful and regular traders within the port are maltreated, the smugglers of opium violate the Treaty in going to forbidden places on the coast, where they live on shore unmolested ; and, if attacked by Chinese, they shoot and kill them at their pleasure. Your Excellency will perceive that this state of things is very mischievous. The regular traders, seeing that they have no protection from the Chinese Government, will either become outside smugglers, or they will go ashore in numbers and carry arms with them, and, if wantonly attacked, they will be inclined to do themselves justice. I have already declared to the outside smugglers of opium, that I cannot protect them at Namoa and Kumsingmoon. If the mandarins continue to allow them to reside there, while regular traders and official persons are maltreated within the port of Canton, this is manifestly to offer encouragement to smugglers and pirates, and to discourage honest and respectable persons who conform to the Treaty. I have before repeatedly addressed your Excellency on tlie impolicy of allowing the irregular trade in opium, by which the lower mandarins are enriched, and both natives and foreigners are taught to smuggle. Were the trade legalized with a duty, a large revenue would accrue to the Emperor, and smuggling would altogether cease. Were the Emperor to know that opium smugglers are allowed to build houses and make roads at Namoa and Kumsingmoon, while regular traders are not only forbidden to enter Canton, but maltreated everywhere in the neighbour- hood. His Majesty, seeing that this must excite the indignation of foreigners, would probably take measures for correcting so glaring an abuse. I avail, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. 41 No. 16. Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received April 20.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, February 25, 1846. WITH reference to my despatch of yesterday's date, I have since received the promised statement from Keying of his measures relating to the aggressive villagers at Whampoa, and forward it as an inclosure herewith. The colour given by the villagers to their own statement of the transaction might have been expected, but no doubt can exist of the harmless nature of Captain Giffard's excursion on shore, and the consequent absence of any justify- ing cause for the attack. I hope that even what has been done may tend to restrain the people in that neighbourhood, but much reformation is needed in the general condition and treatment of British subjects within the port of Canton. As the present state of things is the obvious and admitted consequence of those evil lessons which were formerly taught to the people by their own Government, and as the opium smugglers on the outside of the port are tolerated in all their irregularities, forming settlements on shore, and securing impunity to themselves by their own force, while the more respectable portion of Her Majesty's subjects, within the limits of the Treaty at Canton, meet with all manner of ill-treatment and obloquy, the Chinese Government may justly be held responsible for the application of an effectual remedy. I have addressed the inclosed reply to Keying, repeating my previous arguments on this strong point. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 1 in No. 16. Commissioner Keying to Sir J. Davis. (Translation.) KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., sends the following reply. From a despatch of Consul Macgregor it appeared that some officers of the steamer had gone on shore (here follow the contents of that letter) . I therefore sent orders to the local officers to keep the villagers of that place under proper constraint, as is on record. On the receipt of a communication from the Honourable Envoy, I directed some mandarins to proceed thither and investigate the affair. These officers subsequently reported, that they had hastened to Whampoa accordingly, but previously had an interview on board his vessel with the officer, Mr. St. Croix, and others. From them they learned that several officers had, with some men, gone on shore to obtain birds, to which the villagers were opposed. The officers then brought a linguist, and proceeded with the deputed mandarins to that village to institute inquiries. This proved to be the territory of Shik-tow-tsuy, about ten le distant from Whampoa, and from the anchorage of the steamer three le. There are in that neighbourhood about seventeen villages and hamlets adjoining each other, and the popnlation is very dense. They went on shore at the entrance of the canal of Shik-tow-tsuy, to the eastward of Leih-shating, and the officers pointed out the great street of three villages of about five le, down to the lower village of Pih-tang, saying that this was the place where stones had been thrown at them by the inhabitants, who had pursued and driven them away. This being ascertained, the officers returned to their vessel. The deputed officers then ordered the elders and gentry of the village to assemble to institute an investigation. They stated that there were constantly people who came on shore from the foreign vessels, that were at anchor near Whampoa, to walk about, but they never went far, nor entered the villagers. Hence mutual quietness had reigried for a considerable time. But on the 9th day of the present month (4th February) there came all on a sudden above ten 42 English officers and men with fowling-pieces, and advanced to ^^^ eastward ot Shating. the large street of Pih-tang,and other villages. Jhey traversed every place, tnd frightened the women in the villages to the great regrej f every one Being apprehlnsive of some disturbance they (the elders) ^^P^l\f ,^'^^™' J^3 some took up stones and threw at them, to mspire fear, ^^f °"t' Jj^^TS hurting any one. They, on their part, kept (the multitude) in check, prevented them (ta doing mischef), and dispersed the crowd. Such was the evidence One of the Articles of the Supplementary Treaty stipulates, that the English should not go at random to villages, and walk about at their pleasure. ]Sow the officers took many people with them, carrying fire-arms, and ventunng the distance of five le. from the entrance of the Sliik-tow-tsuy canal to Pih-tang and other villages, wandering everywhere about, terrifying the women of the villages and causing universal regret, and they were therefore stopped to prevent mischief- but the stones were merely thrown to frighten them, and not to inflict injury. Still tbis was wrong, and the elders and gentry were, therefore, ordered to do their duty in restraining the populace with all rigour. If, in future, any Itnglishmen enter into the villages, the former ought to act in conformity to the Treaty, and must not wantonly throw stones to affect the existing harmony and good feeling. , j ^i ^ ..i. On receiving the report, and examining the case, we agreed that the suggestions of the said deputed officers, being the result of their clear investi- gation, should be carried into effect. Severe orders are now issued to the local officers to keep the villagers in check. You, the Honourable Envoy, ought likewise to command the British officer to exercise control over English subjects. Thus the Treaty will be strictly observed on both sides, and we shall live together in undisturbed harmony and frie^ndship. Whilst forwarding this answer, I wish you every happiness. Taoukwang, 26th year, 1st month, 26th day. (February 21, 1846.) Inclosure 2 in No. 16. Sir J. Davis to Commissioner Keying. Victoria, Hong Kong, February 25, 1846. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's despatch, stating that officers had been deputed to Whampoa concei-ning the attack on Captain Giffard. J regret that your Excellency should have had so much trouble about this business, but at the same time must think that, the assailants not having been punished, there is no security against the recurrence of similar attacks. The officers of H&r Majesty's ship went ashore merely for their amusement in shooting wild bii'ds, and gave no molestation to the people. In no friendly country are they obliged to confine themselves to their ships. I have already addressed a note to your Excellency, showing that while the lawless smugglers of opium on the outside of the port form settlements at Namoa and Kumsingmo.on , upon the Chinese territory, building houses and making roads, the res.psctable British subjects who enter the authorized port are exposed to all kinds of ill treatment and obloquy, and the offenders are not punished. Your Excellency speaks of living together in undisturbed harmony aad friendship, and ray wish is exactly the same. But my countrymen are not accustomed to ill usage, either in their own country or in any other. When they see that the Government of China cannot or will not protect them from wantott molestation, they will naturally be incliaed to right themselves, and inevitable disorder will be the. result., Thqy see the opium smugglers allowed to form settlements ashore on the o,utside of the port,, while within the port, and within the limits settled by Treaty, they themselves enpy ueithe.' fieadom of movement nor security of person. I have often repeated to your Excellency that the illicit trade in opium, 43 under the connivance of the mandaTins, is the source of innumerable evils-. Werp the trade legaHzed, the whole of the foreign ships would be collected within the five ports, under the control of the Consuls. They would all pay tonnage dues, and about 2,000,000 dollars would easily be collected on the opium. At present this profit is obtained by corrupt officers of Government, the ships wander to all parts of the coast, and the smugglers form settlements on shore. While this is openly connived at, I cannot interfere; but, were the trade legaUzed, I could secure the due control of all the vessels. Since commo- dities could then be given in exchange for opium, Sycee silver would no longer flow out of the country, and a mutual good understanding would be for ever preserved. I renew, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. No. 17. The Eart of Aberdeen to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Foreign Office, April 24, 1846. I HAVE read with some regret the account contained in your despatches of the 24th and 25th of February, of the correspondence in which you have been involved with the Chinese authorities, in consequence of the attack made upon Captain Giffard and his party by some villagers near Whampoa. I am far from being satisfied that the Chinese authorities might not have retorted upon you, by a complaint that Captain Giffard had rendered himself amenable to reproof for having wandered into the country, contrary to the spirit, if not to letter, of the Treaty, which prescribes limits to the excursions of British subjects at the five ports ; and at all events I cannx)t coincide in the line of argumen t whic h you appear to have used, that because the Chinese Government office rs allo w in some insta neesjritia h subjects to disregard the Treaty , by settling , in p arts of the cou ntry_othfi r than thnsft sp eci fied in the Tre aty, B ritish subjects in o ther quarters may find in that negligence a sufficient justification for o ver- step pping the bounds prescribed to them in the_Treaty . 1 consider it extremely important, especially at the present moment in the vicinity of Canton, that British subjects should be cautioned to use the utmost circumspection in all their proceedings, and although it would certainly be very desirable, on every account, that greater freedom of intercourse with the interior should be allowed to British subjects than they at present enjoy, I still conceive that it would be better to submit to some temporary inconvenience, rather than provoke the jealousy of an ignorant populace, by aiming at more than we are strictly entitled by Treaty to exact. I am, &c. (Signed) ABERDEEN. No. 18. Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen,~-^{Received June 23.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, April 23, 1846. I HAVE the honour to forward, herewith, to your Lordship, two despatches which I have received from Mr. Consul Alcock, at Foo-chow-foo, detailing the circumstances of a serious riot which took place in the suburbs of that town, and in which some Englishmen and some Canton Chinese were concerned. It is well known that the Canton and Fokien Chinese are almost different races, unable to understand each other's spoken language, and that they seldom meet together without unpleasant collision. They are at the same time remarkable as being the most turbulent a;nd ungovernable of Chinese subjects. Por these reasons, it is unfortuhate that so many Canton men should have accompanied British residents to that place, being, of course, useful as the only 44 Chinese at present acquainted with the English language, or accustomed to SGrVG tllGfn 3.S COOKS &c At the time of the disturbance, Her Majesty's ship " D^dalus " was in the river, but Mr. Alcock had so little apprehension regarding either himself or the other residents that he allowed her to sail with Inclosure No. 1 to ray- address, informing me that he had written for Her Majesty's brig " Espi^gle " from Amoy. In the same despatch your Lordship will observe Mr. Alcock states, as his opinion, that there is "no hostility whatever against the English, save in so far as they identify themselves with a rabble of Canton men of the worst character hanging about the suburbs, and with acts of aggression or altercation originating ^^'ith their Canton servants — the cause of the disturbance in the present instance, as far as I can ascertain." Mr. Alcock seems to have acted with great prudence throughout, and he speaks in high terms of the Chinese authorities, who were no doubt alarmed for the general peace. In his second despatch, dated five days later, the Consul states that a band of Chinese plunderers, who as usual took advantage of the disturbance, attacked the residence of two Englishmen in their absence, and effectually cleared it of all property. Many of these criminals had been seized by the authorities, with about 2,700 dollars of the plunder. The principal offenders would be decapi- tated, and full indemnity for the whole of the plundered property was promised by the Chinese Government. As no lives were lost, these occurrences are unfortunate chiefly as they may operate against Foo-chow-foo as a place of residence and trade, and add to the prejudices already existing. In the meanwhile it is satisfactory to reflect that the greatest reliance may be placed on the prudence and firmness of the Consul, who seems, by the inclosures in his despatch, to be on the best terms with the Local Government, and cooperating by their desire, at the time he last wrote, in the investigation of the evidence on both sides. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 1 in No. 18. Consul Alcock to Sir J. Davis. '*^"'' Foo-chow-foo, April 1, 1846. I HAVE the honour to inclose a despatch I have felt it necessary to address to the officer commanding Her Majesty's ship " Espifegle," at Amov, calling upon him to aflx)rd such support to Her Majesty's Consul at this port, as the presence of a brig of war is calculated to give. I am unable to furnish your Excellency with any details to be depended upon, until further investigation has been riiade, but I trust in a few days to be better informed, when I shall dispatch an express m duplicate, by Amoy and Canton. In the meantime, although I am bound to state there is great excitement— the shops in the suburbs having been closed and still continue so, partially— and the English residents in the suburbs are greatly alarmed, and about to leave for the vessels at the mouth of the river I consider these fears exaggerated, and have no apprehension for my own security here, nor that of the members of the Consular establishment at Nan-tae I cannot give a stronger or, to me, a more satisfactory, proof of the accuracy of this opinion, than the fact that Mr. Walker has come up to the Consulate this morning, and was unconscious of the existence of any serious disturbance, until informed on his arrival here. He found a crowd round Mr. Glen's hone but met with no interruption. I am satisfied that there is no hostility whatever against the English, save in so far as they identify themselves with a rabble of Canton men of the worst character, hanging about the suburbs ; and with acts' of aggression or altercations originating with their Canton servanls-the cause of the disturbance m the present instance, so far as I can ascertain. It is saS. factory to me to state, that the authorities have been in constant commulat on with me and have shown the strongest desire to maintain order, and to ensure h diSed " "^ ^" establishment, against whom the popular clamour 45 Mr. Glen, I learn with regret, requires surgical assistance, and was about to leave for the Woo-foo-mun Pass, against which step, depriving me of the means of duly examining into the affair, the authorities have very reasonably remon- strated. I have, in consequence, laid ray injunctions upon Mr. Glen not to leave the port, and have, moreover, offered him asylum here, where alone he can obtain surgical assistance ; and the magistrate undertakes to accoijnpany him here, and secure him from all molestation. I have also directed Mr. Glen to send away all his servants who are implicated in the fracas, to wait further orders at the Woo-foo-mun Pass ; and the authorities will put an officer in charge, and he responsible for the safety of his goods. I trust these measures may be approved by your Excellency. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 2 in No. 18. Consul Alcock to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Foo-chow-foo, April 6, 1 846. ^ REFERRING to my despatch of the 1st of April, written during the prevalence of great excitement on the part of the Chinese population and the British residents in the suburbs, I have now the satisfaction of reporting, to your Excellency that order has been restored without loss of life, although personal injuries have been received, and some loss of property has ensued, from the sacking of a hong inhabited by two British subjects. The inclosed copies of notifications addressed to the British community of Foo-chow, of three proclamations issued by the Governor-General and the Lieutenant-Governor, and of correspondence between the latter officer and myself, will place the whole of the circumstances, so far as they are yet known, before your Excellency, and at the same time correctly explain the present state of affairs. On the 7th instant 1 shall proceed to take evidence, in reference to the part taken by the British and the members of their respective estabhshments, imme- diately prior to the outbreak of popular feeling, and during the prevalence of overt acts of hostility. On the following day I purpose proceeding with the Lieutenant-Governor and the District Magistrates to examine the evidence brought forward by the Chinese on the opposite side. In a short time, therefore, I may reasonably hope to be enabled to communicate such further information as may seem needful clearly to explain whatever may now be doubtful. As some anxiety may, however, be experienced at Hong Kong, if any report may have preceded this despatch, I consider it expedient to put your Excellency at once in possession of the more important intelligence, that all is quiet, and no further cause of alarm exists. I will merely observe by way of comment, that this series of disturbances, which, during the 31st March and 1st April, assumed a very formidable aspect, seem to have taken their origin from such trivial causes, that I cannot but conceive feelings of irritation and hostility must have previously existed, and for a long period. The recent events have, however, only served, to confirm my opinion that to the Enghsh themselves, the people of Foo-chow are not hostile. Even during the highest excitement, after blows had been struck on both sides, and blood had flov/ed, for several hours Messrs. Roper and Hacket traversed the crowd repeatedly during the night, first to gain Mr. Glen's hong, and subse- quently in search of two missing servants, and they were not molested. The following morning, three hours before an attack was made upon Mr. Glen's hong, and the residence of the parties above mentioned was sacked and plundered, Mr. Walker passed through thecrowd and traversed thewhole of the suburbswithout insult or interruption. A day later, after fire-arms had been used by Canton men forcing their way to Mr, Glen's hong, and two of the crowd had been wounded, Mr. Meredith, in a similar manner, came from Nan-tae to the Consulate H in 46 the city. These facts furnish, I think, the most -^^^^l^^^'l^^ ^ support of L opinion I have expressed^ ,^,"^tsu7e:TeVad aLnlnl' hadt Governor-General, communicatnig to me the ™^^^^"^^^^/^^ ,"1" „-i:,„l„ intimated view for the protection of property and restoration of order, poUte^^^ hi., intention of sending a guard to the Consulate, which I immediately aeciinea, X tE itaTsSlthe people of Foo chow -/-^^Id'^j;:^^^^^^^^^ to the members of Her Majesty's Consulate, and ^^^^.^^^ j^f ^^^f "^^^^^^^^ secure from molestation, and was otherwise unwilling *° £7.7^"^„™^'ri^^^ a want of confidence I did not feel. The result fully justified ti^^^o^^f ' ™^ the whole of the period ; while the most alarming ^''^^^^^/.r^^^^if ,^;°"^^* ^" hourly from Chinese and British, no intruder appeared at the Consulate As regards the authorities, I have much satisfaction m stating tha they have given every proof of a friendly spirit, and a determination not only to put down^the distuJbinces with a strong arm, but to the utmost o their ability to protect the British in their persons and their property Several of the inferior officers and soldiers received injuries in defending Mr. Glen s hong after the two men had been shot by the Canton servants. After the first emeute, m which Mr. Glen received his injury, 300 men were ordered down, and these seeming insufficient to disperse the mob, the force was promptly increased to 1000. If the hong of Messrs. Roper and Hacket was not equally defended, I believe it must be attributed to a disbelief on the part of the authorities that it was in any danger, for all the morning that part of the suburb had been undisturbed, and even an hour before it was reduced to a shell, the two residents passed through the streets with Mr. Glen unmolested, for some distance, to gain th^r boats. Finally, the evil not having been prevented, the officiating Lieutenant-Governor promptly assured me that compensation should be made for property lost. On this point I cannot omit calling your Excellency's attention to the honourable and disinterested assistance which two of the neighbouring shopkeepers gave to Mr. Racket's shroff, by receiving and keeping in safe custody a box of 3,000 dollars, a trait which I think suffices to redeem the people as a population from any sweeping condemnation. I have indeed a strong suspicion that the attack on the hong in question may be attributed to the knowledge the more worthless of the population may have acquired of the fact, that treasure to a considerable amount was to be found there, and who deemed the opportunity favourable, under the cloak of popular hostile feehng, for appropriating such a valuable booty. In the apprehension of the offenders, and the recovery of stolen property, the authorities seem to have exerted the utmost dihgence, and besides several minor articles, 2,700 dollars have been seized in the hands of the plunderers or their accomplices. It having been my painful duty to bring under your Excellency's nqtice occurrences, not more untoward in their aspect than injurious, I fear, to the future prospects of the port, I am glad that it should nevertheless be placed in my power, within six days, to give so favourable a report of the existing state of affairs, and the perfectly satisfactory nature of our relations with the authorities of the place. Nor indeed are my apprehensions of the injurious effect of these disturbances upon the prosperity of the port in the shghtest degree founded upon any impression of insecurity to life and property hereafter as the result, but simply upon the conviction, that some time may elapse before confidence is entirely restored even in the minds of the British residents here ; and at Hong Kong and the other ports, recent events will in all probability serve to confirm strong prejudices already of old date, and exercising the worst influence. Notwithstanding all that is disheartening in these circumstances, it will stiU be my earnest endeavour to extract some good from these evils, and if full compensation can be obtained for injury sustained, friendly relations be re-estab- lished between the parties injured and the population, and signal punishment be inflicted upon the chief actors in the scenes of riot, I shall feel that additional security has been gained. It is possible that the experience of the last few days may have taught both English and Chinese a needful lesson of mutual consideration and forbearance, may have shown to the former the impolicy and danger of too great readiness to assume intentional offence and to resent it by unequivocal violence ; and to the latter, the determination of their own authorities not to uphold them in acts of wanton aggression. If these results can be obtained there will be little left to regret, since no 47 life has beenlost, and our own relations, friendly and commercial, will rest upon a basis infinitely broader and firmer than they have heretofore done at this port. To this end my best efforts are now directed, and if successful, I am sure the result will be hailed by your Excellency with much satisfaction. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. No. 19. Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen. — [Received July 23.) wtract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, May 8, 1846. REFERRING to my despatch of 23rd April, I have the honour to report further upon the subject of the late riots at Foo-chow-foo. On the 5th instant I received the inclosed from Mr. Consul Alcock, in which he reports upon his proceedings in consequence of those unfortunate disturbances, particularly with reference to compensation for losses sustained, of which the schedule is subjoined to his letter. The prospects of trade have been sufficiently unfavourable from the first occupation of the port, and the late occurrences have rendered them much worse. To the physical difficulties, arising from the nature of the river, and the impossibility of approaching the city with ships of war for the protection of the trade (as can be effectually done at the other new ports), are now to be added them oral obstacles which have lately arisen. It is clear that the two points absolutely indispensable are, first, the exemplary punishment of the plunderers in the late riots; and, secondly, compensation from the Government for the actual losses sustained by British subjects in the plunder of their residences. It is to be hoped that real and tangible losses may be recovered without difficulty ; but claims of a speculative nature, like those made by Mr. Glen under the head of " inconvenience,'' and of " injury to commercial prospects," which at Foo-chow-foo have never been very promising, require to be more considerately dealt with. He has, moreover, greatly vitiated such claims, if he has quitted the port, as I understand, contrary to the Consul's advice and invitation to remain. Mr. Glen seems to have obtained a veiy incorrect version of the American case at Canton, on which he founds his speculative claim for the sum of 50,000 dollars. The party in question, after making up an account for 10,261 dollars, immediately added 100 per cent, for " suffering and inconvenience" arising from the losses specified, and which are usually supposed to be put an end to by the restoration of the value. The local authorities were so notoriously remiss on the late occasion, that compensation for positive losses by the plunder of treasure and other effects must, if necessary, be urged in the strongest manner; and 1 shall be glad to receive any instructions that your Lordship may deem it right to address to me on the subject. Inclosure 1 in No. 19. Consul Alcock to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Foo-chow-foo, April 29, 1846. I HAVE the honour to inclose various documents for your Excellency's information, referring to the recent disturbances at this port, the claims for compensation arising out of these events, and the present aspect of affairs here : — The proceedings of the Consular Court, held on the 7th instant, embodying the depositions of British subjects and servants on their respective establish- H 2 48 merits ; the evidence of the Chinese witnesses before their own authorities ; the comments I thought it necessary to make in an official communication to the Acting Lieutenant-Governor upon the chief facts ehcited by the evidence adduced on both sides; and lastly, the reply of the officiating Lieutenant-Governor to my observations, relative to the acts of violence which took place from the 28th March to the 1st April. ^ , , .^ In my communication to the Lieutenant-Governor, I deemed it necessary to call his attention to manv circumstances of an unsatisfactory nature connected with the events and the evidence. It was so clear that untrue statements had been made by the Chinese witnesses, and great remissness been manifested by the authorities during the disturbances, that I felt it incumbent upon me strongly to express my opinion on these points. The inadequate and tardy measures taken by the authorities for the protection of the persons and property of British subjects, must be considered the more unpardonable after niessages from the Governor-General and officiating Lieutenant-Governor, and visits from the subordinate authorities, hour after hour, during the prevalence of the popular excitement, showed that they were fully alive to the serious nature of the riots and the evil results threatened. As I had given full credit to the authorities for good faith in the promises of vigilance and energy, and the assurances I received of adequate steps having actually been taken, I believed myself the more fully warranted in forcibly pressing upon the officiating Lieutenant- Governor the manifest discrepancy of the unchecked course of events, and those reiterated reports of measures adopted to avert such mischief. The charges against the British are Hmited to two of a trivial character : 1st, against some sailors of the " Dsdalus" for taking provisions without due payment, and by force ; and 2ndly, against an Enghsh servant for striking a Chinese porter impeding his passage. In each of these cases, parties on both sides seem to have been blameable. The grounds of complaint against the Chinese consist of several counts, extending from the 28th March to the 1st April, and involve distinct charges of extreme violence and robbery on the persons of three servants to British residents, personal injury to an English merchant, and loss of property by the plundering with force and arms in open day, of two hongs occupied by British subjects. His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, in reply, sends a private commu- nication, in which he confesses that the first case of Captain Miln's servant had not been investigated, concurs in the equitable view taken of the reparation to be made to the Chinese who had shown cause of complaint against the English, and deprecates the connecting these events with the more serious disturbances which took place on the 31st March and 1st April. The apprehension of the party of Canton men who fired and wounded two of the crowd, and which I had urged upon him, is slurred over, as they have been allowed to escape, and he concludes by regretting Mr. Glen's departure, admitting that it is very natural, but disclaiming, on the part of the population, any feeling of hostility, and hints at the inexpediency of writing officially during the investigation. Since this coriespondence but little progress has been made in terminating these discussions, by the punishment of the offenders, and the settlement of the claims for compensation. I fear the sudden departure of the "Torrington" without entering the port will not allow me to inclose copies of various letters and documents connected with these points, but the earliest opportunity shall be taken to place them before your Excellency. In the meantime I beg to inclose a summary of all the claims, except Mr. Glen's, some of the details of which are still under investigation : the amount claimed by Messrs. Hacket, Miln, and Koper, is about 37,000 dollars, while the claim of Mr. Glen for actual losses, appears likely to exceed 34,000 dollars, making a total of some 70,000 dollars. Looking to the importance of a speedy settlement of the bulk of these claims on the spot, I have declined submitting to the local authorities demands for compensation under any other head than that of obvious and defined losses, actually incurred during the disturbances, or as their immediate consequence^ reserving to Her Majesty's Government the right, at any later period, of pressing further claims under the head of personal injury and inconvenience, and injury to commercial undertakings. The inclosed correspondence v\ill inform your Excellency, that Mr. Glen has preferred a claim to a large amount under each of these heads. Under the first he claims 50,000 dollars, the sum understood 49 to have been paid to an American merchant, under the authority of Captain ElUott, Her Majesty's Chief Superintendent of Trade at that period, for personal injuries and inconvenience, and under the second, 140,000 dollars. In Mr. Glen's letter of the 8th of April, he requested my advice and opinion on his right to claim, under the heads of loss sustained on the spot by property destroyed, &c., and of injury to prospects and loss on commercial undertakings, and in his letter of the 9th, he made this latter claim in form. In reply, I stated, as my opinion, that he was fully entitled to compensation to the extent of the loss incurred, and expressed my readiness to present a claim of this nature to the authorities for adjustment. In reference to the claims under the second head, I conceived the time had not arrived for deciding what consequences might follow the late disturbances, and that the event, as related to the interests of foreign trade at the port, might in a great measure be influenced by the view he himself took, and the steps he might take. Any claim of this nature I con- sidered, therefore, premature, and that it could only be equitably sustained if the result should hereafter realize his worst fears, notwithstanding his best exertions to secure a more favourable issue. In which event, it would be com- petent to Her Majesty's Government, to take such steps as might seem expedient in prosecution of a claim under this head. Having declined entering into any discussion with the local authorities upon claims under these two heads,* it is unnecessary to occupy your Excellency's time by observations on the amount specified. As claims of this nature cannot be based upon any distinct series of facts, by which an actual loss or injury to a certain and definite amount can be proved, they are always open to question, and can only be satisfactorily arranged when there are plenary powers for nego- tiation, and when the I'elations of the two countries, as well as the circumstances affecting individual interests, can be kept in view. In reference to the schedules furnished by the claimants for losses sustained, I have pointed out to his Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor that they have been made out with as much minuteness as could, under the circumstances, be required ; and, from the total loss of property (including books and papers), little collateral evidence could be expected, or reasonably insisted upon. The amount of treasure, together with the articles in possession at the time when the hongs were forcibly entered and plundered, having been sworn to, this, under the circumstances, appeared to be the only evidence to be depended upon, and to afford that guarantee for the truth and accuracy of the statements which the law of England provides in the acknowledged impossibility, without fault of the claimants, of obtaining any other. I will merely observe, in this place, that the amount has appeared to me large ; but, upon careful examination of each claim and the various items, I have not considered that valid objection could be taken to any of them on the ground of overcharge, or improbability of such objects and treasure being in possession (in the absence of any evidence to the contrary), and in the hongs at the time of their being forcibly entered by a mob of plunderers. On the other hand, it is rare that a compensation in money, for the loss incurred in a distant country by the total destruction of property, can make adequate amends for the serious prejudice and inconvenience which result ; and it would have been so possible, and was so imperative upon the authorities to prevent these outrages, that there might have been cause of regret had the authorities escaped without feeling seriously the embarrassment of such claims. I anticipate much difficulty in obtaining a satisfactory settlement of these claims ; and should there be any decided indication of unwillingness to proceed to a fi*ial adjustment, it may be expedient and necessary to inform the authorities that I shall refer the claims to your Excellency, and report my inability to obtain the necessary settlement at Foo-chow. I trust these views, and the steps I have taken in accordance with them, may meet with your Excellency's approval. The serious nature of the riots, and the embarrassing character of claims which cannot be substantiated by collateral evidence, arising from the violence of a mob, and the inadequate measures taken by the authorities, render a prompt and easy solution of the difficulties that surround the whole business, all but impossible. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. * Personal loss and inconvenience, and injury to commercial undertakings. Inclosure 2 in No. 19. Abstract of Claims made iy British Subjects for Losses incurred during tM Riots / ^^ p^^_^j^^^.}„o^ on the 3\st of March and 1st of April. William Hudson Roper. Treasure Household Furniture Clothing Silver Plate, &c. Miscellaneous . . Expenses of House and Fittings Cost of putting in original state ShroflPs and servants' account Loss of accounts and valuable papers 10,526 72 390 946 50 262 762 70 350 500 648 50 1,500 I 15,886 42 Charles Hacket. Treasure Wearing apparel Household iurniture Silver plate and stores Miscellaneous Shroffs', linguists', and servants' account, money, clothes, &c. 3,189 $ 19,087 33 9,052 82 1,500 184 1,036 4,125 50 Clothing Miscellaneous William Hacket. $ c. 771 1,130 $ 1,901 James Miln. For Chinese servant being robbed and maltreated Portuguese servant robbed and severely injured $ 0. 100 150 $250 W. H. Roper . Charles Hacket William Hacket James Milm Summary. Total 15,886 42 19,087 33 1,901 250 $37,124 75 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK, Conml Note. — In addition to the above Mr. Glen claims about 34,000 dollars. 51 No. 20. Viscount Palmerston to Sir J. Davis. Sir, - Foreign Office, August 1, 1846. WITH reference to your despatches of the 23rd of April and 8th of May, respecting riots which had occurred at Foo-chow-foo, and which ]iad been attended with the destnaction of a considerable amount of British property, I have to state to you that it is very right that you should claim from the Chinese authorities such compensation for the British sufferers as they may, under all the circumstances of the case, be fully entitled to receive ; but, of course, you will not prefer, or allow Her Majesty's Consular Authorities to support, any claim, either on the present or any other like occasion, which you shall not have satisfied yourself to be perfectly just in its amount. I am, &c. (Signed) PALMERSTON. No. 21. Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received August 21.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, June 17, 1846. WITH reference to your despatch of April 24, I trust that more recent despatches received from myself will have removed the impression from your Lordship's mind that I had appeared, in the case of the attack on Captain GifFard at Whampoa, to use the following line of argument : That because the Chinese Government oflScers allow in some instances British subjects to disregard the Treaty, by settling in parts of the country other than those specified in the Treaty, British subjects in other quarters may find in that negligence a sufficient justification for overstepping the bounds prescribed to them by Treaty. My sole object was to point out to Keying the inconsistency between the freedom and the immunity actually allowed to persons who carried on an illegal trade without the permitted ports, and the very opposite condition of those who conformed to the Treaty by repairing to Canton. I conceived that in no manner could I more forcibly impress on him the evils of the opium smuggling system, as it now exists, with the express connivance of the Government. My despatch of February 24 runs thus : — " I point out to Keying this glaring inconsistency, and call to his recollection my previous remonstrances concerning the evils arising from the actual condition of the opium trade, and my advice that it should be legalised, with a duty. I consider that the present negotiations relating to Canton afford a favourable occasion for pushing the argument, and that could the true state of the case be made known to the Court of Peking, it would present the strongest motive to legalize the opium trade." The utmost extent of my intention was to argue that lawful traders should, consistently with reason and justice, be as well treated as unlawful ones, and that the permitted irregularities of the latter were a bad example to the former ; but so far was I from meaning that the opium smugglers afforded any justification to those who infringed the Treaty, or from undervaluing the importance of the utmost circumspection on the part of our people within the Canton river, that I often called Keying's notice to the stringent proclamations and injunctions which I had lately issued for the restraint of British subjects, and which had generally answered their purpose. These discussions have long since been reported as concluded ; but I have thought it right to explain to your Lordship my real motive in the contrasted picture which I had exhibited to Keying, as it seems to me to be one of those arguments against the corrupt opium system which might advantageously be brought forward in our future endeavours to expose its evils. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. 52 No. 22. Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen. ^{Received August 21.) (Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, June 22, 1846. REFERRING to my despatch of May 8, on the subject of claims for loss sustained from plunder at Foo-chow-foo, I have now the satisfaction to report that those claims have been fully satisfied by the Chinese Government. Having waited patiently in the hope that a due sense of justice would lead the local authorities to come to a speedy settlement with Mr. Alcock, and encountering nothing but evasion, I dispatched the "Pluto" steamer from this on the 2nd instant, with instructions to the Consul to make a demand for immediate payment of tiiose reduced amounts at which he had arrived after a careful scrutiny of the claims of the several parties, and in case of refusal to report again to me. I yesterday received the inclosed letter from Mr. Alcock, forwarding ten inclosures, with which it is the less necessary that I should trouble your Lordship, as the just claims for loss by plunder are fully satisfied. The total sum paid by the Chinese Government amounts to 46,163 dollars 77 cents, in the following proportions of reduced claims : — Dollars. c. W. Glen .. 17,388 97 W. Roper .. 12,872 55 C. Hacket .. 14,602 25 W. Hacket .. 1,200 J. Miln 100 46,163 77 In addition to the comparatively speedy recovery of this large amount, the remaining point, which I stated as indispensable in my former despatch, viz., the condign punishment of the guilty, is reported by Mr. Alcock as provided for. Exclusively of those real and positive losses on the part of British subjects which I directed Mr. Alcock to urge with due vigour, I informed your Lordship m despatch of May 8 that there was another description of claims on the part of Mr. Glen, of a much less indisputable character, and whose mere bulk was primd facie evidence of their want of solidity. These, which were before stated at 50,000 dollars, have now swelled to 150,000 dollars. It is needless for me to observe that we should be extremely careful to avoid any line of proceeding which might tend to invest us, in the eyes of the Chinese Government, with a grasping and extortionate character. I was glad of an opportumty to vindicate ourselves from this suspicion in the negotiations as to Chusan ; and until we can fairly convince the Chinese that our power will never be used as an instrument of unjust gain, we cannot hope for that confidence on their part which must be the foundation of a more intimate and benencial mtercourse. u f Tf\^\^^V^ ^^^"""^^^ ^^ compensated for his positive losses, is one thins; but that he should seek to obtain from the Chinese Government those profits which he might have made in a successful course of trade, is another Mr. Alcock s report of the prospects of the place was not ca culated to raise any sangume expectations; to which must be added, that Mr Glen IS not driven from Foo-chow-foo, but quits it contrary to the invitations of the Consul and the Local Government to remain. Were he to ^-Iceive a large amount of money on account of speculative losses upon this occal'on It would be a most dangerous inducement to others to Vomote troS m order to turn them to profit. I say nothing here of the imputed charges of misconduct on the part of Mr. Glen towards the ChineL because I am jdhng that the respectable testimony of Mr. Alcock should pleadTn his ^n nJl^'+w™""'^? conveyed in the inclosed despatch from the Consul ■ and m order that your Lordship may be in full possession of Mr. Glen's case"l 53 forward at the same time copies of his three letters to Mr. Alcock. In the first of these he dwells on the condition of affairs at Foo-chow, and urges his claim for compensation on account of loss of business. In the second, he sets forth the justness of his claims for loss of prospects, time and money expended in opening the trade of the port, and adds a summary of the amount. In the third he declares his intention to leave the port, and his consequent losses. It appears to me that in 1839, when so many of our merchants were driven out of Canton, and did not quit it of their own accord, they might with more justice have urged claims of the same nature, in addition to their positive losses in opium. Mr. Alcock, though he seems inclined rather to advocate Mr. Glen's preten- sions, has at least abstained from bringing them forward to the Chinese Govern- ment without authority. I now refer them to your Lordship for the decision of Her Majesty's Government, and shall be prepared strictly to carry out any instructions that I may receive upon the subject. In the meanwhile, it is satisfactory to reflect that in the payment of these large sums the Local Government has been furnished with a pretty strong induce- ment to control its own people, and to protect foreign residents in future. Tnclosure 1 in No. 22. Consul Alcock to Sir J, Davis. Sir, Foo-chow-foo, June 15, 1846. REFERRING to your Excellency's previous despatches, I have the satisfaction to report, that the well-timed arrival of the steamer has enabled me with success to insist upon immediate and full reparation for the injuries inflicted by the populace upon British subjects during the disturbances of the 31st March and 1st of April. Having already demanded an interview with his Excellency the Governor- General, previous to the receipt of your instructions, I lost no time subsequently in addressing the inclosed communications both to the Governor and the Trea- surer, intimating the necessity for an immediate settlement, and glancing at the necessary consequences of the refusal or postponement of compensation. On the 10th instant I waited upon the Governor- General by appointment, and remained closeted with his Excellency in discussion for several hours. The following day, as had been arranged, the Treasurer of the Province was received at the Consulate, when, after a further lengthened conference, the terms of settlement were finally agreed upon. The inclosed official report from the Treasurer furnishes a list of the sen- tences passed upon twenty-four prisoners convicted of participation in the riots and the plundering of the English hongs. The punishments, I believe, are in acqbrdance with the Chinese laws. One has been sentenced to death, another has died in prison, while several are condemned to receive 1 00 blows of the bamboo, and exiled for various terms of years. The local authorities now await the confirmation of these sentences by the Board of Punishments at Peking. If these punishments be duly inflicted, there can be no doubt that a serious example of the evil consequences of such outrages on British subjects will have been given to the people at this port. I have further received this morning, in accordance with the terms agreed upon by his Excellency the Treasurer and myself, and recorded in the inclosed correspondence, 46, 1 63 dollars 77 cents in salt duty sycee — custom-house weights, and at the rate of 720 taels per 1,000 dollars, in full and complete satisfaction for all and every claim for loss of property incurred on the spot, the only claims I deemed it right to entertain. I inclose the receipts of the British subjects on whose behalf the claims were made, for the respective sums finally decided to be due to them, amounting collectively to the above specified sum. It cannot be necessary that I should enter at any length into a detail of the difficulties which have attended the settlement of these claims. Conflicting and uncertain testimony as to the nature and extent of the losses, made it imperative 54 upon me to scrutinize very closely every item in the claims, and erase whatever seemed in any degree improbable or unreasonable; while^ on the other sidebcthe worthlessness of the evidence brought forward on the Chinese side to set, up; a. negative case, made it not less compulsory to disregard^ in many inetanqes, .the, most urgent remonstrances and objections on the part; of the authorities..;!-;, -m! I content myself, therefore, with inclosing copies of communications addressed to Mr. Glen and Mr. Hacket, together with the inclosures.to eachof the claim- ants, consisting of a memorandum clearly stating the deduotions made in each claim. In the inclosing letters I made them acquainted with the principle, upoij, which the various reductions had been made. ' .1 ,-> The amount paid, it will be seen, falls nearly as far short of the amount originally claimed, as it exceeds the estimate which the Treasurer, even in the last conference, contended could alone be justly admitted. I have the full conviction that the compensation arbitrated is, under all the circumstances, fair and reasonable, and therefore just, as regards both parties. The claimants have noted a protest against the receipts I required them to sign as a compensation in full for all claims for loss of property incurred on the spot, but they have been made aware that this settlement must be considered final, the sums paid haying been accepted on the part of Her Majesty's Consul, as the representative of his Government, in complete satisfaction for all demands of that nature on behalf of British subjects. I will only observe in reference to these protests, made probably to cover their responsibility in reference to their principals and constituents, that the claimants have, in my opinion, much reason to rejoice at a result which, within two months fi-om the presentation of their claims, has given to them a compen- sation of 46,000 dollars, in sycee, bearing a premium at Canton — a large sum, it must be allowed, for this provincial Treasury to make good at once. In this view I can entertain no doubt your Excellency will concur, deeming it a happy conclusion to very embarrassing questions, arising as they did, from a most untoward series of popular outrages. The result will not be less acceptable, I hope, from the circumstance that my success has been mainly due to 'the influence of your representations to the Imperial Commissioner,' and the most opportune arrival of the " Pluto " steamer, bearing your Excellency's instructions. I am reluctant to close this report without the distinct admission of much that was fair and Hberal in spirit, on the part of his Excellency the Treasurer, in our final arrangements ; and I should regret greatly if, as I fear may be probable, he incurred blame for his conduct in this business.' Nor can I omit to make known I0 your Excellency the sense I entertain of the very efficient services I have witnessed in Mr. Parkes the interpreter ; he has not only been indefatigable and zealous during the whole of these negotiations, but his ready fluency in Chinese, and his general knowledge of the forms of business, both' Chinese and English, while they entail additional duties upon him, very frequently enable him to render valuable assistance where it could not strictly be expected or required. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 2 in No. 22. Consul Alcock to Sir J. Davis. ^'"■'.^ „,,,^ ^ , F'oo-chow-foo, June 13, l8iG. ,T L y .*^ ^°"°"'' *° ^"^^'^s^ copies of three letters received from Mr. Glen dated respectively the 8th, lOth; and 12th of June, veanlSJZ to urge upon the consideration of Her Majesty's Government his fort^er claims for loss of commission on goods, shipped to him but not landed in consequence of his fears for their security, for loss of papers, and finX' for outlay, loss of time, and injury to commercial prospects. His claim to com' pensation for personal injury he has lefl blank, leaving the amount to be S as may seem just upon the consideration of his case. 55 In his letter of the 8th June, he complains of a continued sense of insecurity, and exposure to annoyance and insult when lie leaves his house, and the consequent impossibility of his attempting to continue ov to carry out Ins commercial undertakings, freedom in his movements being impossible. He also incloses a letter from the head of a firm in China, with whom he states arrange- ments had been made to buy extensively the tea produce this season, and in which the writer certainly very unequivocally expresses a disinclination to enter into further transactions at Foo-chow, and an unfavourable opinion generally of the prospects and capabihties of the port. Mr. Glen argues, and I think with much truth, that this opinion is general, owing to recent events, and, therefore, that his own prospects of support, and the means of profitable trade on a large scale, are entirely destroyed, and not by fault or failure of his, but as a necessary consequence of the outrages committed by the populace. In Mr. Glen's letter of the 10th June, written after I had put him in possession, in the course of conversation, with the general tenour of your remarks upon his claim and prospects, and the nature of the disadvantageous reports which had reached your ears in reference to his behaviour described as violent and intemperate to native Chinese, he mentions several circumstances tending to show that it was not likely the views and prospects of a merchant settled in a new place would be generally known, since it was his interest to keep them private, until he had taken the necessary measures for their success. He further proceeds to show that but for the disturbances he would have, probably, had more than one cargo of new teas loaded here for England at a reduced rate of 25 per cent., by which alone he must have netted a considerable sum. To gain this position he states his outlay had been, during the last year, 13,000 dollars. In reference to the rumour of violent and unconciliatory conduct, he begs me to make you acquainted with the favourable terms in which their Excel- lencies the Governor-General and Officiating Lieutenant-Governor expressed themselves to me in reference to the good character he bore among the people as a man of " liberal and humane disposition," and which in a written commu- nication, immediately after the riot, they requested me to make known to him, : together with their regret at the insults and injury oiFered to him by the populace. I bear wilhng testimony to this fact, as 1 have already done to the not less important circumstance that in no one instance, since his arrival at Foo-chow, has any complaint reached me, officially or otherwise, against him. That he is of a liberal and kindly disposition I have every reason to believe, and fair and honourable in all his dealings with the Chinese he has ever been, I am satisfied, from all I have heard. I do not think, and I doubt not your Excellency will agree vfith me, that, against the weight of negative evidence, any idle rumour to his prejudice should be allowed injurous influence on his claims, more especially in a community where uncharitable inferences are but too often lightly circu- lated. As to his prospects,.! had founded much of my hopes for the port upon his successful operations during this season. I had much confidential communica- tion with him, was well informed both as to his plans and the means upon , which he counted for carrying them out, and it is but justice to him and to the boldness and energy with which he was disposed to apply the whole of his jresources to the development of a large trade here, to express my opinion, now that recent events have flung down all his hopes, as strongly and as unhesitat- ingly to your Excellency as I did three months ago to him for his guidance and encouragement, when he came to give me the means of forming a judgment and to ask my advice. I have no doubt in my own mind that but for these most unfortunate occurrences happening at the worst possible moment, a large supply of tea fit for, the European markets would have been obtained, brought to this market from the neighbouring tea districts, that a demand equal to the supply was placed in Mr. Glen's power, from whence profit to him and advantage to the port could scarcely fail to apcrue. That these opinions were entertained by me in February ; last, i, my report sufficiently proves: whether they were formed upon insufficient grounds or not, I will not here inquire ; but I may state that they were the result ofi-lojBg- -and- careful observation, very earnestly directed to the attainment of a correct estimate of the capabilities and resources of the port. I think the time has now arrived when Mr. Glen may safely leave Foo-chow I 2 56 without injury either to his own prospects or those of the port : both are, for a time at least, reduced so low that little remains to be lost ; and it now becomes my duty, therefore, to submit these further claims for your Excellency's consideration, and to withdraw all opposition to Mr. Glen's departure, which I have accordingly done. I n&vc &c (Signed) ' RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 3 in No. 22. Mr. Glen to Consal Alcoch. Sir, Foo-chov!-foo, June 8, 1846. f REFER you to your communication to me, dated 1 1th of April. A considerable period has now elapsed, and I speak advisedly when I inform you that neither myself nor any one of the mercantile community can leave our houses without incurring the risk of coming into collision with the populace, from the jostling and insults with which we are assailed. I have no doubt that you will agree with me, that until matters are different, merchandise brought in by me or any other foreigner cannot meet with justice in its sale, from our complete ignorance of existing stocks or of existing wants ; and although my intention to leave Foo-chow was formed immediately after the I'iots, nothing has induced me to change it. I now abandon all hope of any good being done here for a long time, and abandon an idea which I subse- quently formed, of leaving a representative to try and carry on business. Freedom in our movements being impossible, the limited trade which may be done will not pay an establishment which must be of some extent to merit the confidence of respectable firms in India and England, or be attended with profit. I beg to lay before you a letter from the head of a firm who buy more teas and sell more English productions than any other house in China, with whom I had made arrangements to enable me to buy all the produce that might be laid on this market, on reasonable terms. In conjunction with this house I had arranged a very feasible plan, by which I expected to export of tea crop 1846 any quantity procurable in the tea country, at a cheaper rate than current in Canton : the ^deas entertained by this house are, I am sorry to inform you, general in Canton; the letter speaks for itself, and a copy is at your disposal if you wish it. i think the time has now come when an accurate conclusion on the subject of my claim for the ruin of my business, may be come to. In the hope that something good might have taken place here, even after the unfortunate riots from the turn of matters at Shanghae, I have been most careful in my correspondence to calm the minds of my friends regarding this place. The opinion of the mercantile community being, that property is not safe here, and the expenses of an establishment in China being so heavv that even the wealthiest firms are glad of commission business being given them, I humbly beg to urge my claim to compensation for my being deprived of all business of this nature ; and my own opinion being still that neither life nor property is safe, from the want of protection from the authorities, I cannot be expected to entrust to this quarter my own stock in trade. In regard to the amount claimed, I have not the smallest doubt that from the crop of tea of 1846 I could have netted, for commissions and profit in operations in the herb in this place, more than 10,000Z. sterling. ' I humbly beg that you will bring this to the consideration of his Excellency Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, as well as the magnitude of the enterprise and the time and money which I have spent on it, and the time that I must lose before I can establish myself in trade again. I am, &c. (Signed) WILLIAM GLEN. 57 Inclosure 4 in No. 22. Mr. Dudgeon to Mr. Glen. My dear Sir, Canfon, May 8, 1846. I HAVE received your letter of the 1 9th ultimo. We have as yet received no detailed accounts of the riots at Foo-chow, and are very anxious to hear further particulars. What aiDount of property has been destroyed ; if we are likely to receive compensation ; when it is to be paid, &c., — these particulars you will no doubt give us due notice of. I think you are most certainly entitled to additional compensation for your wounds, and for loss which you actually sustain in consequence of these riots interfering with your business, preventing you landing goods, &c. I am afraid that Foo-chow is finished, as a place of business ; the populace have shown themselves so violent, and the authorities seem so little able to keep them in order, that people will not feel inclined to trust their lives or property there ; we certainly shall not until our confidence in the place is quite restored, which it will take a long time to do, i should imagine. Prompt measures must be used by our Government in the first instance, but there are no available men-of-war at present here to send up. I hardly know what they can do ; there is no doubt that the longer they are of settling the matter, the more difficult they will find it to settle. There is no news here. Believe me, &c. (Signed) PAT. DUDGEON. Inclosure 5 in No. 22. Mr. Glen to Consul Alcock. Sir, Foo-chow-foo, June 10, 1846. IN our interview to-day, you were kind enough to put me in possession of the views entertained by his Excellency Sir John Davis, respecting part of my claims. It is to be regretted that he should have been led to believe me charge- able with turbulent or unconciliatory conduct towards the people of Foo-chow. To exculpate me, I request that you will make his Excellency aware of the feeling of satisfaction at my deportment, spontaneously expressed to you by the Chinese authorities, and the desire that I have that an inquiry should be made, amongst my neighbours and coolies, to discover if any cause had been given for the reports which have reached his Excellency the Governor regarding me and my servants. In reference to the amount claimed for inconvenience, bodily injury, and peril to life, I leave the sum to be fixed by Her Majesty's Government. I was robbed of all my clothes, and every convenience of life ; I suffered severe bodily injury, and under which I still labour ; and I with difficulty escaped from an infuriated mob, who, without any provocation, pursued me, over the roofs of houses, with stones and missiles, and forced me from a roof twenty ieet high. My letter to you of the 8th current, and its inclosure, show what my constituents think of the security of British property here. The claim which I made for ruin to my trade, from want of that security, is not more than, being here alone, I should have realized from the present and next year's crop of teas. You informed me that his Excellency thinks that my prospects never were very bright at Foo-chow. I would reply, that neither would they, in all probability, seem to be, in the case of the merchant who may first establish himself in Nankin or Pekin, as mercantile men in such circumstances keep their views and prospects private, until their own purposes are served. But as any state- ment of mine may, with some justice, be considered as made to secure an object, I can only refer to the reports on trade made by Her Majesty's Consul to the Government. Had the late riots not taken place, I would have had more than one cargo of new teas already loaded here for England, being close to the place of growth. 58 while none had arrived at Canton at the date of my last advices. 1 would have gained by the start 25 per cent., in addition to the difference m price at which tea can be procured here. _ ,.,T,,jir xu ■* a I have spent a year to gain the position which I held before the riots ; and, in conjunction with the most extensive house in China, was ready to buy teas largely with silver, cloth, and opium, and had made arrangements for being supplied with tea with native merchants on the spot. To gain this position has cost me — Of outlay for house-rent, salaries, servants' wages $ and charges . . . . • • • • 8,000 Since the month of March, and on account of the riots, I have sent away, of goods ordered by me, to the port, as per bill of lading deposited with you, the value of 70,000 dollars, thereby losing of commission . , . . . . . • 3,500 And as all my constituents write me to ship off what property remains from the plundering of the mob, I lose of further commissions . . . . 1,800 By these riots, I have, therefore, lost a year's time, and about 14,000 dollars besides ; must lose some time, and be at some expense, before I can establish myself in any other trade. I hope that Her Majesty's Government may take a favourable view of my case, and allow my claim made for loss of prospects, loss of time,, and loss, of money laid out by me to open up the trade of this port. I beg to inclose a summary of the amounts 1 conceive myself, at this date, justly entitled to claim, in further compensation for losses, exclusive of those claims which you have already admitted for immediate settlement. 1 have^ «&c. (Signed) WILLIAM GLEN. Summary. For loss of commission on goods not sold 5,300 Loss of papers . . . . . . 5,000 Outlay, loss of time, and commercial prospects . . . . . . 140,000 $150,000 For personal injury, &c. Foo-chow-foo, June 10, 1846. (Signed) WILLIAM GLEN. Inclosure 6 in No. 22. Mr. Glen to Consul Alcock. Sir, Foo-chow-foo, June 12, 1846. A^ I am about to leave this port on account of my health and the ruin to tny trade caused by the late riots, I beg to inform you that I have been obliged to dispose of some cargo at a great loss to the owners of the said goods, Messrs. Turner arid Co., of Hong Kong, and as I cannot remain in this country to prosecute this claim for these gentlemen, I beg to bring to your knowledge that I have yesterday sold to the *' Chan~san Hong"' 348 67 piculs of cotton, at the low price of 11 ddllarsper picul. I could not obtain more, and as the usual price of such (Shanghae) cotton is nearly double this figure, I reckon it ray duty to put Messrs. Turner and Co. in possession of the materials necessary to form 59 a claim for this loss, unless you can insist on a compensation on the spot for this sacrifice of their property from its being forced on the market at the present unfavourable time. I am, &c. (Signed) WILLIAM GLEN. No. 23. Viscount Palmerston to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Foreign Office, September 12, 1846. I HAVE had under my consideration your despatch of the 22nd of June last, respecting the satisfactory adjustment by the Chinese authorities of the cla,ims for losses sustained by British subjects during the late riots at Foo-chow-foo. Her Majesty's Government have learnt with much pleasure that the just claims for compensation in this case have been fully satisfied, and that a suitable punishment has been inflicted on the persons convicted of participation in the riots, and in the plundering of the property of British subjects. With respect to the claim which has been put forward by Mr. Glen, for compensation for the loss of the contingent profit which he supposes that he would have made by trade had he remained at Foo-chow-foo, I cannot authorize you to make any demand upon the Chinese Government. The departure of Mr. Glen from Foo-chow-foo appears, from your despatch, to be the result of his own choice, and seems to have been determined upon by him contrary to the advice of the British and Chinese officers on the spot, who assured him that if he remained at Foo-chow-fpo he would be protected. The only maintainable claim which can be advanced by Mr. Glen is that arising out of personal injury and loss of his papers, though it does not appear, from the papers inclosed in your despatch, what the papers are which Mr. Glen has lost, whether the value which he fixes on them is just, or ^hat would be the proper amount of compensation for his bodily injuries. I have accordingly to instruct you to determine, at your own discretion, the proper value of these two items of claim, and to demand of the Chinese Government such an amount of compensation for Mr. Glen, under this head, as may seem to you, after due consideration of the circumstances, to be just. I am, &c. (Signed) PALMERSTON. No. 24. Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received September 23.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, July I, 1846. WITH reference to my despatch of the 22nd June, on the subject of compensation received for loss of property by plunder at Foo-chow-foo, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that I received with no small surprise the inclosed letter from Messrs. Gilman and Co., expressing themselves not entirely satisfied with the adjustment of their Agent Mj.-,, Roper's claims. I could scarcely do otherwise than consider Mr. Consul Alcock's arrange- ments, together with the reieeipts of the several parties, as final and conclusive, and have informed Messrs. Gilman and Co., by the inclosed reply, that 1 cannot concur in their claims for additional compensation, though T would at the same time forward their letter for your Lordship's consideration. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F DAVIS. 60 Inclosure 1 in No, 24, Messrs. Gilman and Co. to Sir J. Davis. gjj. Canton, June 23, 1846. TN common, we believe, with all the parties interested, we feel so grateful for your Excellency's vigorous interference in demanding from the Chinese Government compensation for the losses arising out of the outrages at Foo- chow-foo, that we are very unwilling to trouble you again on the subject, but we are compelled to do so. From the papers which we have the honour of transmitting, your Excel-^ lency will perceive that a partial settlement of our claims has been made, but not one, we respectfully submit, which does us justice. Your Excellency will see that Mr. Consul Alcock, in the first instance, proposed to arrange our claim in the following manner : — Claim. Deductions. Admitted. Treasure $ c. 10,526 72 $ $ c. 10,526 72 Accounts and Papers 1,500 1,500 Household Furniture 390 99 291 Servants* effects . . 648 50 •• 648 50 Wearing Apparel 946 50 150 796 50 Silver Plate and Store* 262 262 Miscellaneous Articles 1,612 70 136 1,476 70 $ 15,886 42 S 1,885 $ 14,001 42 The propriety of the rejection of the claim for accounts and papers we frankly admit ; it was made without our knowledge, and we at once informed Mr. Roper that it could not be sustained. The trifling deductions made from Mr. Roper's claim for furniture and personal effects, we presume, are grounded on the following passage in Mr. Alcock's letter ; — " That where claims are unsupported by valid and conclusive evidence, a Government cannot equitably be called upon to make good the loss of any property not strictly in keeping, both as to its kind and value, with the position and calling of the claimant." We venture to think that the port of Foo-chow-foo having been formally appointed as a place of trade and residence, all property is alike entitled to protection, nor can we perceive that the trifling articles of luxury disallowed Mr. Roper, were at all out of keeping with his position and calling. Passing by these particulars, Sir, however, we find that at the final settle- ment, the sum of 14,001,42 dollars originally admitted, is still further reduced by the following deductions : — Servants' accounts 48 50 Miscellaneous . . 27 70 Treasure . . 1,052 67 We find no reasons assigned for the first and second deduction ; but in regard to the third and very serious one, Mr. Consul Mcoek makes the follow- ing observation : — ''In reference to the further deductions subsequently made in conference with his Excellency the Treasurer, I have merely to say that while he contended his information afforded the strongest presumption that not a third of the amount of treasure stated to have been plundered, was in the hong at the time of the not, and the presumption on your side (for this claim rested on nothine stronger) was m favour of the larger amount specified, I am clearly of opinion a N 61 deduction of 10 per cent; upon the sum claimed was, under those circumstances, both moderate in amount and just in principle." We beg to observe to your Excellency that the Chinese Government could know nothing whatever of the amount of money in Mr. Roper's possession at the time of the outrage. The evidence of the plunderers can be of no value as to the amount they stole, in a scene of tumult and confusion ; and were it otherwise, the character of the parties forbids its reception. And yet, Sir, it has been held sufficient to gainsay the solemn affidavit of a man of character, and who holds a highly responsible situation. We submit, that if the assertion of his Excellency, the Treasurer, " that his information afforded the strongest presumption that not a third of the amount of treasure stated to have been plundered was in the hong at the time of the riot," deserved any consideration, that much greater weight ought to have been given to it. If Mr. Roper has perjured himself by swearing that he lost three times the amount of treasure actually in his possession, we cannot see why his claim should have been admitted at all, and the deduction of 10 per cent., therefore, while in allowing it, on such grounds, Mr. Consul Alcock asperses the character of a highly respectable man, and does the Chinese injustice, if their assertions are to be received, and deprives us of the full compensation which your Excellency was pleased to declare you would obtain for us, if our agent's affidavit is to be credited. We would further remark to your Excellency, that as a period of consider- ably more than two months has elapsed since the occurrence of this outrage, we think we are entitled to claim interest for the time ; and we are informed Her Majesty's Consul repeatedly said interest would be allowed. We should not have thought it necessary to call your Excellency's attention to this point, had our other claim been satisfied ; but being obliged to address you on the subject, we have the honour of soliciting that your Excellency will take such measures as you see fit, to recover for us the amounts, 1.50 dollars, 136 dollars, and 99 dollars, originally deducted, should your Excellency deem them admissible, as well as the secondary deduction of 27 dollars 70 cents, 48 dollars 50 cents, and 1,052 dollars 67 cents, which, with all respect, appear to us wholly unwarrantable ; and that interest at a fair rate be allowed to us. We have, &c. (Signed) OILMAN & CO. Inclosure 2 in No. 24. Mr. Johnston to Messrs. Oilman and Co. Sirs, Victoria, Hong Kong, June 29, 1846. I AM instructed by his Excellency Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, &c., to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd instant, which he has attentively considered. The mass of details forwarded to his Excellency by Mr. Consul Alcock, on the subject of these claims for compensation, are a convincing proof of the pains and diligence bestowed by that energetic officer in their adjustment, in accordance with the principles of justice to both parties. The proportion of the whole claims recovered, and the short time in which this has been effected, without (it may be added) any expenses whatever of litigation, are such as could not easily be paralleled in any other country; and his Excellency, on a due consideration of the items in your letter, is soiTy that he cannot concur in the reasoning with which you advance a claim for additional compensation. As he wishes, however, that you should have the benefit of a reference to Her Majesty's Government, I am desired to add that a copy of your representa- tion will be forwarded to the Earl of Aberdeen. I have &c. (Signed) ' A. R. JOHNSTON. K 62 No. 25. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received December 29.) (Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, October 15, 1846. I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your Lordship's sanction, a report from Mr. Consul Balfour at Shanghae, as to a grant of 200 dollars to a Chinese boy, entirely deprived of evesight, in consequence of the discharge of a fowhng-piece by a British subject who could not be identified. The Consul made this grant under instructions contained in a despatch from my predecessor, dated January 16, 1844, forming an inclosure in despatch of February 5, 1844. Inclosure in No. 25. Consul Balfour to Sir J. Davis. Sir Shanghae, September 28, 1846. IN reference to despatch dated 16th January, 1844, from his Excellency Sir H. Pottinger, Bart., G.C.B., in reply to my letter of the 2nd December, 1843, I have the honour to inclose a medical certificate from the Consulate surgeon, wherein it will be observed that one of the two boys who unfortunately met with a gun-shot accident, has been finally examined, and is now declared totally blind. In pursuance of instructions contained in the fifth paragraph, I have deemed it advisable to expend the sum of 200 dollars on his behalf, and have accordingly handed over that amount to the Taoutae, with the view to purchase him a piece of land. I beg to solicit your Excellency's approval of this outlay. The necessary vouchers will be forwarded with the quarterly accounts. I have, &c. (Signed) G. BALFOUR. No. 26. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received July 21.) (Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, April 30, 1847. I HAVE the satisfaction to transmit, inclosed, a very stringent proclamation issued by Keying soon after the settlement of the late questions at Canton, in which he calls on the populace in peremptory terms to attend to their occupa- tions, and not create disturbance, threatening severe punishment in case of disobedience. The observation of the American Consul, that a marked improvement had taken place, since the late events, in the tone of all, " from the Imperial Commis- sioner down to the lowest of the rabble," seems to be sufficiently proved up to the present time. In returning to Keying, according to agreement, the witness whom he sent down against certain persons accused of piracy,* I urged him to inform me of the punishment of the aggressors on the seamen in October last, when they had been discovered. I received the inclosed reply, in which he informs me of the apprehension of one of the culprits in that case, and of three who threw some stones on a late occasion, and promises to report further. In answering Keying's note, 1 took occasion to remark, that it is a rule with the nations of the west to consider any injury to the meanest of their subjects as an injury to themselves ; and in proof I adduced the late occurrence at Cochin-China, originating as it did in tlie maltreatment of the French missionary bishop, of which some intelligence had before reached China. Correspondence relating to Operations in Canton River, 1847, p. 1, et seq. 63 Inclosure 1 in No. 26. Proclamation. (Translation.) KEYING, Governor-General of the Two Kwang, &c., issues the following proclamation. AfiFairs in the provincial city have again taken their ordinary course, and there is not the least chance of any unforeseen calamity. The shop-keepers may, therefore, with all the other inhabitants, quietly and cheerfully follow their pursuits. If, however, any villains create disturbance, or excite and delude the multitude with false rumours, they will for a certainty, as soon as it is known, be seized and punished with all severity. None must disobey this special proclamation. Taoukwang, 27th year, 2nd month, 22nd day. (April 7, 1847.) Inclosure 2 in No. 26. Commissioner Keying to Sir J. Davis. (Translation.) KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., sends the following reply to a letter of the Honourable Envoy on sending back Chow-tsew-che and making inquiry about the punishment of the aggressors in October last (here follows the substance of that despatch), which he fully perused. The prisoner Chow-tsew-che has arrived under the escort of our officer at Canton, and will be punished most severely for this as well as the other crimes he has committed. The magistrate of Nanhae has succeeded in apprehending Chow-a-ching, one of the villains who in October last wounded the sailors of your honourable country. This ruffian, though for days together examined by torture, has nevertheless cunningly evaded confession. The moment, however, we obtain sure proofs and acknowledgments of the guilt, as well as a revelation of the accomplices, I shall state to you the manner in which they have been punished. According to the official communications of Consul Macgregor of the 2nd month, 26th and 29th day (11th and 14th April), some villains at Luhpoo and Honan threw stones at the English, and I, the Great Minister, am, on account of it, highly indignant. I ordered, therefore, the local authorities to institute strict inquiry and seize (the aggressors). They have in consequence apprehended Lea-tih, Woo-a-san, aud Muh-a-san, three in number, and I have given orders that they should be punished according to law. Whilst communicating the above, I wish you every happiness. Taoukwang, 27th year, 3rd month, 10th day. (April 24, 1847.) Inclosure 3 in No. 26. Sir J. Davis to Commissioner Keying. Victoria, Hong Kong, April 28, 1847, YESTERDAY I had the honour to receive your. Excellency's despatch, informing me, with reference to the villains who wounded the two sailors in October last, that one ruffian had been seized and examined, and that as soon as proofs and acknowledgments of guilt, and the discovery of the accom- plices, had been obtained, you would state the manner in which thev had been punished. K 2 64 I shall hear with much satisfaction of the punishment of these persons who had the cruelty to maltreat so severely two unarmed men. When 1 have received your Excellency's account of the penalties mflicted, a report shall immediately be made to Viscount Palmerston. _ . It is a rule with the nations of the west to consider any mjury to the meanest of their subjects as an injury to themselves. In this respect there is no distinction made between high or low, rich or poor. I have just received a letter from Captain Lapierre, Commander-in-chief of the French squadron in these seas. He proceeded to Cochin-China to protect a French missionary who had been maltreated. The Cochin-Chinese having collected ships and troops to oppose him, he destroyed all the ships, five in number, burning some and sinking others, and dispersed the troops. The missionary is at Singapore. g When I have heard of the punishment of Lea-tih, Woo-a-san and Muh-a-san, I will report this also to Viscount Palmerston for the information of Her Majesty's Government. Accept, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. No. 27. Sir J. Dai-is to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received July 21.; My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, May 8, 1847. WHAT remonstrances from myself, and even communications from your Lordship, failed to effect, has been happily brought about by the strong course which I felt myself driven to adopt on the 2nd of April. The inclosed note from Keying is an official announcement of the punish- ment of the ruffians who maltreated the two seamen in October last, and the particulars forwarded to me by Mr. Consul Macgregor confirm this account. The public example which I caused to be made (before I quitted Canton) of the aggressors on Colonel Chesney served as an additional warning to the populace* and the proclamation from the local magistrates proves that these are at last in earnest. It is just one month to-day since I quitted Canton with Major-General D'Aguilar, and not a semblance of popular commotion has occurred from that time to this. The silly anonymous placards (however contemptible in them- selves) are mischievous in tendency, and Keying has opened his eyes to the necessity of .suppressing them, as appears from a proclamation issued by him. I am inchned to consider his proceedings partly as the result of instructions from Peking, which have not transpired of course, but which I have no difficulty in surmising have cautioned him against the chance of a serious rupture with us at his peril. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure in No. 27. Commissioner Keying to Sir J. Davis. (Translation.; KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., sends the following reply to an official letter of the Honourable Envoy, respecting the punishment of some criminals who assaulted two English sailors in October last (here follows the substance of that despatch) . The Nan-hae Magistrate reported respecting this affair, that he had after makmg inquiry, apprehended Chow-a-ching, and I ordered him to obtain his * See Correspondence relating to Operations in Canton River, 1847, p. 14, et seq. 65 true deposition, and ascertain who were his accomplices, that they might be seized with all rigour and prosecuted. The said magistrate stated subse- quently that he had interrogated him by torture for several days, and Chow- a-ching then confessed, that he was 24 years of age, living in Nan-hae district, Yew-Ian street, and a pedlar by profession. He was on the 28th day of the 8th month (October 1846) last year in Kaoute alley, when he saw two foreigners followed by an immense crowd. Whilst he was looking on, he availed himself of this opportunity to beat these loreigners with his fists. At that moment, a man whose name and surname he does not know, took a club, and knocked a foreigner down ; but the soldiers and police came to the rescue, and they then ran away and dispersed : and words to that effect. (The magistrate) then sent his police-runners to seize others, and they apprehended one Leang-a-kew, who stated that he was 22 years of age, and belonging to Haou-pwan street, and selling pork in Kaoute street. On the 28th day of the 8 th month (October 1846) last year, two foreigners came there followed by a crowd, and he being apprehensive that his stall might be thrown down by the throng, struck those foreigners with a club. This evidence being true and agreeing with the confession of Chow-a-chiug, this man as well as Leang-a-kew received each forty blows, for though the law is not severe in such cases, their punishment ought to be more comprehensive. As, however, Leang-a-kew had shown greater ferocity on this occasion, it was not expedient to be lenient towards him, and he was therefore imprisoned with fetters for five months, in order to deter others. The above details are forwarded for examination. As it is apparent that Chow-a-ching and Leang-a-kew without any cause beat those sailors — an act very detestable — the said magistrate seized and examined them, and having ascertained the above, punished them severally with the bastinado and imprisonment, in order to strike terror. I therefore send this reply to you the Honourable Envoy, and would trouble you to examine into this matter, whilst I wish you every happiness. Taoukwang, 27th year, 3rd month, 18th day. (May 2, 1847.) No. 28. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received July 21 .) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, May 22, 1847. ON the 1 6th instant, I heard from Mr. Consul Macgregor, that a Malay sailor employed on board an English boat had been robbed and severely ill-used in one of the streets of Canton. I immediately sent off the inclosed note to Keying, calling for the immediate punishment of the guilty, in order that I might report it by the present mail. In three days I received the annexed reply, informing me that the robber and assailant was condemned to the bamboo and Chinese pillory. This was confirmed by a separate despatch from Consul Macgregor. In acknowledging this, I deemed it right to communicate the purport of your Lordship's despatch regarding Mr. Compton,* and the punishment that would await any British subjects guilty of killing Chinese, otherwise than justi- fiably in self-defence, or by accident. As Keying, in one of his notes had observed, that " British subjects, who came to Canton, only required factories and warehouses," I thought it expedient to reply to him, by the inclosed, that at Canton, they had not as yet had even these in sufiicient plenty. It became necessary to add, at the same time, that besides factories and warehouses, they required very essentially the " full security for their persons and property,'' which formed the very first Article of the Treaty of Nanking." I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. * See Correspondence relating to the Riot at Canton in July 1846, and the proceedings taken against Mr. Compton, 1847. 66 Inclosure 1 in No. 28. Sir J. Davis to Commissioner Keying. Victoria, Hong Kong, May 16, 1847. I BEGtoinforai your Excellency that I have received a despatch from Mr. Consul Macgregor/stating that another brutal ^f ''^"IVrolbeTLTraS? on a Malay sailor, belonging to an English lorcha who was l?^^l^j;^ '^J^viel beaten when found, by himself, unarmed, at a distance from the fore gn factories. T write immediately to request that the perpetrators of this outage may be punished according to your promise, lately received, that you would faithfully rS ah. the Chinei of Canton. I before communicated a message from my Government, that if acts of outrage on British subjects were ""^ Pleven f I would become necessary to punish the innocent with the guilty The mail will be dispatched in nine days to England, and I wait to report the punishment of the criminals. . , „ Accept, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 2 in No. 28. Commissioner Keying to Sir J. Davis. (Translation.) KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., sends the following reply to a letter of the Honourable Envoy, respecting the assault on the lascar (here follows the substance of that note) . Consul Macgregor wrote to me that one Saptu, an English subject, went on the 28th day, 3rd month (12th May), into the streets at Tesanpoo, to purchase some articles, and was there beaten and robbed. He therefore requested that I might issue orders to punish (the aggressors) with severity. Whilst I was on the point of ordering an investigation of this affair, the Naa-hae magistrate reported, that he had seized the criminal Woo-a-luh, who had beaten and robbed a British subject, and recovered one dollar, stolen from him. When judicially examined, he confessed that be was a workman and native of Nan-hae. He went out on the 28th day of the 3rd month (12th May) to look for some employ, and came to the ward of Tesanpoo, where he found a great crowd in the street, and, looking about, he perceived a British subject in the midst of it. He then took a flat bamboo, which is used for carrying things, and wounded him with it, and on observing some money in his purse, he availed himself of this opportunity to snatcli a dollar from him. Just when he was on the point of running away, he was apprehended by the police and municipal constable, and delivered over to justice ; and a similar statement. It thus appears that Woo-a-luh committed an ati'ocious assault on a British subject, and snatched away some money, which was extremely vile, and he ought therefore to receive his sentence according to law. We consider him in the hght of having assaulted another for the sake of seizing some property, and he ought therefore to be punished two degrees more severe than the amount of the robbery would demand. He who steals less than a tael receives sixty strokes, but when two degrees are added to it, they will amount to eighty, commuted into thirty, laid on with a large bamboo, and he is moreover sentenced to wear the cangue a month, in order to strike terror into others. The money recovered was handed over to Consul Macgregor, to restore it to the owner. Such is the report presented for my perusal, and from the above it would appear that Woo-a-luh, without any cause, beat and wounded an English sailor, and moreover robbed him of money, which is very detestable. The sentence pronouiMSied by the ftn^ktrate^ that he should receive the bastiiiado, and wear 67 the cangue, is sufficiently severe to deter others (from similar acts), and the money has been, through Consul Macgregor, returned to the owner. I thought it my duty to communicate the above to you, the Honourable Envoy, and request you to peruse the same, and writing this answer, wish you every happiness, &c. Taoukwang, 27th y«ar, 4th month, 3rd day. (May 16, 1847.) Inclosure 3 in No. 28. Sir J, Davis to Commissioner Keying. Victoria, Hong Kong, May 19, 1847, I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Excellency's note, informing me that Woo-a-luh, who assaulted and robbed a Malay sailor, has been punished with the bamboo and cangue. _. It being highly necessary to restrain both Chinese and English, I have received a despatch from Viscount Palmerston, severely reprehending Compton. Should Compton be guilty of another offence, he must be removed from Canton. But the fear of punishment will now restrain him. By the English law, should a British subject maliciously kill a Chinese (not being compelled to do so in defence of his person or his property), he will be tried, and being found guilty of murder, will suffer death. I tender, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 4 in No. 28. Sir J, Davis to Commissioner Keying. Victoria, Hong Kong, May 20, 1847. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's note, in which it was stated that " the British merchants who come to Canton only require factories and go-downs." Your Excellency is well aware that they have not yet had sufficient factories and go-downs for their goods, and it has therefore been necessary to seek a location at Honan, as well as a place for a church, according to the Treaty. But besides fa(3tories and go-downs, it is absolutely necessary that British subjects be not maltreated by the rabble. According to the first Article of the Treaty of Nanking, they must " enjoy full security for their persons and property within the dominions of China." Your Excellency's great intelligence will perceive that unless the first Article of the Treaty is maintained, all the rest is useless. Viscount Palmerston has already stated that unless the rabble of Canton is restrained, hostilities against the city with a military and naval force may become necessary, and then the innocent will be involved with the guilty. The whole subject is included in these words — " Restraining the rabble." At the other four ports, commerce and peace are uninterrupted. Since Canton is not very well adapted to European trade, it may be expected that the trade will gradually proceed to other ports ; but this should be allowed to take place gradually and safely, and not by the violence of the rabble, producing national quarrels. I tender, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. 68 No, 29. Viscount Palmerston to Sir J. Davis. gjj. Foreign Office, July 23, 1847. ' I HAVE received your despatch of the 22nd of May, respecting the ill-treatment, at Canton, of a Malay sailor employed in a British lorcha, and the subsequent punishment of the party who injured him. I have to instruct you to state to Keying that Her Majesty s Government have learnt with great pleasure the promptitude with which he has done justice on this occasion by punishing the offender. . You will further sav, that the British Government most earnestly desire that peace and friendship shall be maintained between England and China, and they are sure that this is also the wish of Keying, and of the Emperor ; and if Keving will continue thus vigorously to use the power which the Emperor has gi-anted him, and will employ that power to prevent and punish all acts _ of violence and injustice on the part of Chinese towards British subjects, the Bntish Government, on its part, will take care that British subjects shall act with justice and kindness towards the Chinese ; and thus peace and goodwill shall long continue to be maintained between the two nations, for the equal advantage of both. I am, &c. (Signed) PALMERSTON. No. 30. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston. — (Received September 25.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, May 31, 1847. SOME time since, the conduct of the Chinese vagabonds in the neighbour- hood of the foreign factories seemed calculated to give us trouble, but I am glad to report that the difficulties appear, at length, surmounted. On the 26th I received the inclosed note from Keying, contained general assurances of protection from the rabble ; but as Consul Macgregor informed me, at the same time, that the Chinese guard at the Consoo-house was altogether remiss and inefficient, it became necessary for me to address the annexed strong remonstrance to Keying. I also deemed it right to convey instructions to the Consul, in the inclosed despatch, as to what should be done to repel the violence of the rabble should they resort to throwing missiles — a practice which they have fortunately discon- tinued, confining the exhibition of their temper to attacks upon certain boat- sheds by the river-side, and dispersing immediately on the sight of our people. The inclosed satisfactory reply from Keying to my previous note has put me more at ease as to the efficiency of his provisions for the preserv^atidh of order, and late accounts from the Consul intimate that tranquilUty has been restored. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure I in No. 30. Commissioner Keying to Sir J, Davis. (Translation.) KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., sends the following reply to a letter of the Honourable Envoy about restraining the lower orders. It is the duty of me, the Great Minister, to protect the foreigners who come to China for the sake of trade. I have, therefore, given very strict orders to the local authorities to seize and punish every villain who, without any cause, 69 commits an outrage on a British subject, and repeatedly stated this in my replies to you, as is on record. I trust that the Honourable Envoy is perfectly convinced that, in every matter which concerns foreign nations, I always proceed according to the Treaty, and am unwilling to act contrary to my instructions. Whilst forwarding this answer I wish you much happiness. Taoukwang, 27th year, 4th month, 11th day. (May 24, 1847.) Inclosure 2 in No. 30. Sir J. Davis to Commissioner Keying. Victoria, Hong Kong, May 26, 1847. I HAVE just received a note from your Excellency stating that you will always do what is requisite for restraining the lower orders of the Chinese from acts of violence. I have had a despatch from Consul Macgregor, stating that the officer at the Consoo House does nothing to disperse the rabble who crowd about the factories. Is this restraining the lower orders ? The vagabonds about the factories have endeavoured to burn or pull down the boat-sheds near the river. Thus, it is plain that the rabble is not restrained, although your Excellency tells me it is. I again purposely dispatch this notice. I had before to inform your Excellency that new troops were coming to relieve or change the garrison of Hong Kong. It was originally intended to send away the old troops when the new arrived ; but if your Excellency allows the rabble every day to make disturbances about the factories, it will be neces- sary to keep the old troops also, in order to protect oiir people ; and my Government may require that of your honourable nation to pay for this additional expense. Accept, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 3 in No. 80. Sir J. Davis to Consul Macgregor. Sir, Victoria, Hong Kong, May 28, 1847. I HAVE received your despatch concerning the disorderly conduct of the Chinese vagabonds about the foreign factories. On this subject I will cite the following passage fi'om a communication which Viscount Palmerston instructed me to make publicly to Keying, and which was made as long ago as as the 30th January last : " You will request the Chinese authorities to bear in mind that, if they shall be unwilling or unable to keep order,the British subjects will defend themselves, and the greater the violence of the mob the greater will be the loss of life inflicted on them." It appears that the efforts of the rabble have been confined to attempting the destruction of a boat-shed by the river side, the source of much irritation ; but that they have not assailed our people with stones as formerly. If so assailed, self-defence becomes a necessary measure, and forbearance might encourage the mob to worse acts. I have repeatedly called upon Keying to preserve order, and received from him assurances that he will. As it appears from your letters that little or nothing has yet been done by the guard at the Consoo House, you should never neglect an occasion of protesting against such remissness to Keying. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. 70 Inclosure 4 in No. 30. Commissioner Keying to Sir J. Davis^ (Translation.) KEYING, Higb Imperial Commissioner, &c., sends the following reply to a letter of the Honourable Envoy respecting the late occurrences near the factories, and the retention of the old soldiers. (Here follows the substance of that despatch.) . ^ i, ^ j I have already given orders to the. magistrate to seize the rutfaans who hred the shed. The officers and soldiers stationed the Consoo House have been degraded and flogged, as a warning to others. If these mihtary officers prove again negligent, they will for a certainty be denounced with all severity, and not the slightest forbearance shown to them. 1, the Great Minister, have moreover appointed an additional garrison at the station near the foreign factories, to patrol about there. I'he expenditure for rations and other necessaries will thus be considerable. Your old soldiers need not to be retained for the protection of (British) merchants and people, so as to entail a A'ast expense on your honourable country. But if you say, that a demand for the payment of the same will be made on China, 1 presume that the existing friendly relations between us will prevent this, and suppose that your honourable country will never bring forwai'd such a claim. ■Whilst sending this answer I wish you every happiness. Taoukwang, 27th year, 4th month, 1 5th day. (May 28, 1847.) No. 31. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received September 25.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, June 14, 1847. I RECEIVED, some time back, from Mr. Consul Macgregor, a report of stones having been thrown from the shore, at an English boat on the river, containing five persons, on the 28th ultimo. Having waited some time without hearing of anything as to the punish- ment of the aggressors, I wrote the inclosed note to Keying, on the 7th instant. I have since received, through the Consul, the annexed report of the exami- nation and chastisement of the culprits. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure I in No. 31. Sir J. Davis to Commissioner Keying. Victoria, Hong Kong, June 7, 1847. I HAVE to acquaint your Excellency that Consul Macgregor has not informed me that any reparation whatever has yet been given for the stones thrown at an English boat, containing five persons, upon the river, on the 28th of May. I before communicated to your Excellency a message from Viscount Palmerston, that, " if the Chinese authorities will not, by the exercise of their own power, punish and prevent such outrages, the British Government will be obliged to take the matter into their own hands, and it wiU not be their fault if, in such case, the innocent are involved in the punishment which may be sought to be inflicted on the guilty." I hope to be able soon to report to Viscount Pa;lmerston the punishment of those who threw the stones. Accept, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. 71 Indosure 2 in No. 31. District Magistrate Le to Consul Macgregor. (Translation.) LE, Acting District Magistrate of Pwan-yu, hereby makes a communica- tion. I have received your letter, stating (here follows an abstract of the letter from Her Majesty's Consul to the District Magistrate, dated June 9, 1847, regarding the proceedings in the case of an assault upon Mr. Murrow). On this reaching me I referred to the records, and find that the two criminals, Koo-a-ching and E-a-paou, on being interrogated, both deposed alike, that on that day they saw a foreign boat near the shore, moving about for amusement ; that the children of the neighbourhood, being alarmed, picked up and threw tiles ; and that they also, immediately afterwards, picked up broken bricks, which they threw into the water ; and that there was really no intention to strike any one. As it seemed to me that if there had really been an intention to throw stones, they would, under the circumstances,, have wounded some one or struck the boat, their deposition — that it was on account of being alarmed, and by no means intentional — was credible ; and the sentence, that they should each be beaten with the lesser bamboo, was of itself severe, there being a difference between this case and the actual infliction of wounds. The two criminals were then, on the 1st of June, and in the Second Hall of my office, separately severely beaten, and liberated, in accordance with the sentence. As is fitting, I now give you another communication, that you may make yourself acquainted with it, and send in a statement (to Her Majestj-'s Pleni- potentiary) . A necessary communication. June 11, 1847. No. 32. Sir J, Davis to Viscount Palmerston . — {Received September 25.1 My Lord. Victoria, Hong Kong, July 1, 1847 I HAVE received from Mr. Consul Macgregor the annexed translation of a proclamation from the Prefect and District Magistrates of Canton, enjoining on the people a proper behaviour towards foreigners. Though the paper is addressed to the people themselves, I have to observe that the obnoxious word " barbarian " is not once used in it — a punctilio which has' formerly been almost entirely confined to documents addressed directly to ourselves. This, therefore, is an improvement. The notification dwells on the importance of preserving peace by an abstinence from all aggressive acts. It is now generally known that my coercive measures in April last were for the express purpose of procuring satisfaction for attacks on British subjects ; and your Lordship will perceive, from the inclosed proclamation, that the gentry and elders have become convinced of the necessity of repressing those under their control. I addressed the inclosed letter to Mr. Consul Macgregor with reference to this subject. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 1 in No. 32. Proclamation. (Translation.) WANG, Prefect of Kwang-chow, with his subordinates, Chang, District Magisixate of Nan-hae, and Le, District Magistrate of Pwan-yu, hereby issue, with fervent earnestness, a notification in repetition : — L 2 72 Whereas we, as servants of the Emperor in this province, regard the people subject to our authority all as our own children, and settle all local affairs, no matter whether great or small, in accordance with the principles of common reason, with the view of maintaining general peace ; how shall we be willing to harbour the slightest degree of selfishness tending to partiality and oppression ? Now the foreign merchants who cross the seas from a distance to come to Kwang-tung to caiTV on trade, are certainly not so unreasonable as to desire to have difficulties with the natives, and thereby hinder their business. Hence, as they, when they land to wander about for amusement, or go along the sides of the"' river in boats, do not make any disturbance, you, if you would display equity and justice, ought on such occasions all to attend quietly to your own duties. We, the District Magistrates of Nan-hae and Pwan-yu, having some time ago jointly issued a perspicuous proclamation on this subject, the merchants, people, and literati have recently come to perceive in some measure the reason of it; and we learn that the intelligent literary gentry of the surrounding country have laid down rules with reference to this matter, and given injunc- tions to their sons and younger brothers accordingly ; in consequence of which there has for a month past been great quiet and no trouble. This conduct adequately records the high purpose of the high authorities to cherish and show kindness to all alike. But in the midst of quiet we ought still more to look forward to a perpetual absence of suspicion and jealousy, in order to attain (continual) peace ; and it is therefore proper that we issue, with fervent earnest- ness, a notification in repetition. For this reason we hereby issue a proclamation to the people within our jurisdiction for their full information. Hereafter, when it occurs that foreigners wander quietly about for amusement, it is absolutely necessary that you treat them in accordance with the principles of common reason. Let fathers lay their injunctions on their sons, and elder brothers admonish the younger, and quiet will exist for a length of time. Should it happen that ignorant people assail the foreigners with bricks or stones, or make use of bad language to them, the Te-paou (constables), &c., must exert themselves sincerely in remonstrating with and stopping them, with the view of avoiding the provocation of disturbances, and the mutual infliction of injuries, and of removing for ever the line of distinction. That all may enjoy the blessing of universal tranquillity is really what we greatly hope for. Do not oppose this special proclamation. June 22, 1847. Inclosure 2 in No. 32. Sir J. Davis to Consul Macgregor Sir, Victoria, Hong Kong, June 29, 1847. I HAVE received your despatch of the 25th instant, inclosing translation of a joint proclamation from the Prefect of Canton and the District Magistrates, calling on the people to conduct themselves properly towards foreigners. Tins is the most satisfactory document of the kind that has appeared vet, more particularly as it states that the gentry and elders have taken a part with the Government in favour of foreigners, and have made it their care to repress all attempts at aggression, as already hinted at in the last address from Honan. This is infinitely more likely to be effective than the unassisted efforts of the mandarins. If foreigners on their part are duly restrained by penalties, adequate in amount and certain in execution, I doubt if there has ever been so little prospect of disturbances as at present. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. 73 No. 33. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston. — {Recnived September 25.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, June 14, 1847. I HAVE the satisfaction to announce that the site for a church at Canton has been finally secured, as announced in the inclosed despatch from Consul Macgregor. But besides the church, this includes the most important object of blocking up the obnoxious thoroughfare of Hog Lane, and obtaining all the space between that and the river — the great source and seat of all mobs and tumults at the foreign factories. The plan transmitted with my despatch of the 7th instant, will show the position in question ; and I may add that were this the only result of my visit to Canton two months ago, it was well worth the pains. To my " Declaration '' conveyed through the Consul to the gentry and elders of Honan (as transmitted in despatch of 31st May) I have since received, through the same channel, the inclosed most respectful reply. Yovir Lordship will perceive the entire revolution in the former style of communication, and it appeared to myself that the first steps should be encouraged. As they can now have no sort of doubt as to our power, (indeed the altered style of their addresses is the best proof of it,) we need scarcely scruple to show them our reasonableness and moderation ; and if this (coming after the first) has not a favourable effect, the human nature of the Chinese must be an exception to all others. I have thought it right to publish both of the foregoing documents, with the annexed notice. Two warehouses have already been offered at Honan, on the other side of the river ; but there are, in ray opinion, on the same side of the river with the British factories, and contiguous to them, greatly preferable ware- houses and sites for building which belonged to the late hong-merchants, and which may now be had by our commercial people. I have received the inclosed note from Keying, informing me of the final "settlement of the church site and adjoining open space, and of the progress of negotiations for warehouses, &c. It is satisfactory to find that the names of six of the vagabonds who attacls'ed the boatsheds are specified as having been captured, and I make no doubt of their being summarily punislied, as the Chinese themselves dread the consequences of such acts. Keying likewise announces the appointment cf efficient officers and men at the Consoo Hous3 (the previous ones having been punished for their remissness), and I eiitertain little doubt of order being ct length preserved. But the chief ground of expectation that we shall have quiet for the future is the stoppage of the old thoroughfare called Hog Lane, and the conversion of a portion of the space to a church site, according to my agreement of 6th April. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure in No. 33. Commissioner Keying to Sir J. Davis. (Translation.) KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., sends the following com- munication. I received the note of the Honourable Envoy on the subject of the ground which the merchants of your honourable country requested to rent, in order to build houses on. There are wanted six shops at the south end of Hog Lane ; and, according to the statement of Consul Macgregor, the open space at the landing-place, between the two flower gardens, is likewise required. Having dispatched my deputed officers to arrange this matter, in conjunc- tion with the local authorities and the old hong merchant, Woo-e-ho, and others, they reported that the title-deeds of the owner of the four shops within the railing (gate), at the south-end of Hog Lane, had been handed over to 74 Consul Macgregor for examination. The two shops outside the railing (gate) were erected by the whole community of Suh-yo Street, and let by their agent, together with the remaining ground at the landing-place, the proceeds ot the rent being applied to provide incense and candles for the Hwa-kwang temple. There are no title-deeds. . , . , .1 .m^u t n • •* j Woo-e-ho being, on the 25th day of the 4th month (7th June), invited to a conjoint consultation, it was settled by the parties in person with Consul Macgregor, that the price of the four shops within the railing (gate) should be paid according to (the amount mentioned in) the title-deeds, and for the two outside the railing (gate), 375 taels, to make good the cost of building them ; but, besides this, no shop-rent was to be charged. The ground-rent, both outside as well as inside the railing (gate), together with the free space between the two flower gardens, is to be three cents per square foot, Enghsh measure- ment. The moment the houses are pulled down, and the ground accurately measured, an agreement will be drawn'up for the payment of the money, which Woo-e-ho will receive. Respecting the ground to be rented for building warehouses on it, which cannot be speedily procured, Consul Macgregor remarked, that if there were any finished warehouses to the east of the Consoo Hong, the British merchants might rent them ; and words to that effect. On inquiry, it appears that there are the Kwang-le, Tien-paou, Tung-shun, E-sang, and Tung-fow packhouses, five in number, and at Honan two others, belonging to Woo, which all may be rented. A list of them has now been given to Consul Macgregor, that he may manage this affair, but it is not yet settled. 1, the Great Minister, find, on examination, that my deputed ofiicers and others, settled about the shops in Hog Lane, and the free space outside the railing, with CJonsul Macgregor, and that this matter is finally brought to a conclusion. There are, moreover, warehouses at several places, all ready, to be let, where merchants may take up their abode. I therefore request the Honour- able Envoy to direct Consul Macgregor to state in his reply whether or not these buildings, as specified in the list of my deputed officers, are available, so that this affair may be managed properly. The military of the district have already seized some of the villains who set fire (to the shed), viz. : Wana-keu'3n, Le-ashing, Le-alung, Heua-hwuy, Leang- a-seay, and Shih-ashwuy, six in number, who will, for a certainty, most severely be punished as soon as the evidence at their examination proves conclusive ; and we shall not show the slightest mercy towards them. I have also increased the military force at the Consoo House by two officers, to co-operate with the civil and military mandarins previously appointed, and to patrol day and night. The precautionary measures for affording security are now, therefore, more effective than before. If any disturbance arises, there will be no difficulty in apprehending the ruffians, and the rabble will henceforth know to keep away. Whilst sending this communication, I wish you every happiness. Taoukwang, 27th year, 4th month, 28th day. (June 10, 1847.) No. 34. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received September 25.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, June 29, 1847. WITH reference to my despatch of the 14th instant, forwarding a note from Keying in which I was informed that six of the vagabonds impUcated in the attempt to destroy the boatsheds had been seized, and most severely punished as examples, I have the honour to report that Consul Macgregor has announced to me that three of them have been condemned to eighty blows with the greater bamboo, with the cangue in perpetuity, which is in fact a lingering death, and the other three to one month of the cangue, and eighty blows on "being released. The Consul was perplexed by the terra " impropriety," the title of the Chinese law under which these culprits were condemned ; but it is in fact a most sweeping and summary law, intended to comprehend all possible cases where any doubt may be entertained as to the existence of a particular law to meet a 75 particular case ; and I apprehend that, where foreigners are concerned, the Chinese magistrates may suppose, that such is frequently the fact. At all events, we can have nothing to object on this occasion to the mildness of the sentence, which is severe enougli, and that is what chiefly concerns us. It so happens that the very law in question against " impropriety " was the subject of my own observations some years ago, and I have drawn the Consul's attention ta its real nature and tendencies in the inclosed letter and extract. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS, P.S. — Since the above was written. Consul Macgregor has reported] the punishment by the Chinese authorities of an additional prisoner in a case of assault, which occurred as long ago as the 17th of May, This voluntary act on their part, on an occasion when other culprits had already been chastised, is a proof that the Chinese Government is in earnest, and that we may expect less trouble at Canton for the future. The present is another instance of the (so-called) law of " mpropriety," and corroborative (as 1 have observed to the Consul) of my conclusions respecting the law in question. J. F. D. Inclosure 1 in No. 34. Sir J, Davis to Consul Macgregor. Sir, Victoria, Hong Kong, June 18, 1847. I HAVE received your despatch regarding the punishment of the six persons implicated in attempting to fire the boat-sheds by the water-side. The point that principally concerns us is the amount of punishment inflicted, which seems severe enough,, as three of the culprits are (in addition to the infliction of the heavy bamboo) to be cangued in perpetuity, which is, in fact, equivalent to death. It is difiicult for us to enter fully into the notions entertained by the Chinese as to the moral relation between intention and effect. They may differ from us as much on this point as on many others, and provided that the aggressors are severely punished, I do not see that the question greatly concerns us, unless it were made a plea for insufficient reparation. With regard to what you observe concerning the Chinese law against " impropriety," 1 feel convinced that the sweeping statute imder that name is adopted by the Chinese Government as the most summary in cases where foreigners are concerned, when they consider that no other existing law has made due provision for punishment. The inclosed extract from my work on China remarks the very law in question. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 2 in No. 34. Extract from Sir J. Davis" Work on China, relative to the Chinese Law against " Impropriety." A THIRD defect is the occasional manifestation of a jealous fear, on the part of the Government, lest in the execution of its enactments the judge should ever find himself hampered or impeded by too great clearness of definition, or the subject derive too much protection from the distinct statement of crime and punishment. Hence those vague generalities by which the benefits of a written code are in a great measure annulled. The following enactment is a specimen : " Whoever is guilty of improper conduct, and such as is contrary to the spirit of the laws, though not a breach of any specific article, shall be punished at the least with forty blows, and when the impropriety is of a serious nature, with eighty hlows." 76 Inclosure 3 in No. 34. Sir J. Davis to Consul Macgregor. gj]. Victoria, Hong Kong, June 21, 1847. I HAVE received your despatch, with its inclosure, relative to the punishment of another of the aggressors on Messrs. Burbank and Edwards on the 17th May. It plainly confirms the opinion I many years ago formed as to the intention of the comprehensive and general law concerning " Impropriety," namely, that it is intended to sweep within its range any offences that might be too lightly punished under any particular law. The manner in which this case has been followed up with the punishment of an additional prisoner, augurs well of the sincerity of the Local Government in its wish to do us right. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. No. 35. Viscount Palmerston to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Foreign Office, October 12, 1847. I HAVE to acquaint you that Her Majesty's Government consider the proclamation of the magistrates at Canton, inclosed in your despatch of the 1st of July, to be very satisfactory, as proving not only that the magistrates themselves are resolved to take effectual measures to enforce the proper treatment of foreigners by the Canton populace, but also that they have reason to rely upon the cooperation of the respectable portion of the community for that purpose. I am, &c. (Signed) PALMERSTON. No. 36. Viscount Palmerston to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Foreign Office, October 12, 1847. I HAVE received your despatch of the 19th of June, reporting that six persons concerned in the attempt to burn the boat-sheds near the factories in the month of May last, had been sentenced to be severely punished ; and that another person engaged in an assault committed in the same month on two British subjects, had also been punished. I have to instruct you to state to the Chinese High Commissioner that Her Majesty's Government are much gratified by the spirit of justice on the part of the Chinese Government, which has been proved by their proceedings in these cases ; and Her Majesty's Government cannot doubt that the punishments inflicted on these offenders will tend to deter others from similar crimes, and wil thus prevent any interruption of the friendly relations which Her Majesty's Government are so desirous of seeing maintained, and, if possible, even improved, between Great Britain and China. With regard, however, to the men who have been sentenced to the perpetual cangue, however just and well-deserved by them that punishment must be considered as being, yet Her Majesty's Government would be glad that in a case where the outrage was committed on British property, the offenders might be treated with some small degree of indulgence more than they deserve, in order that the Chinese people may see that the British Government demands punishment not so much from feelings of vengeance against the offenders, as in order that the example may prevent similar acts by other persons, and that thereby British subjects in China and their property may be saife from molestation and violence. Therefore, as these men have been punished by the bamboo and 77 will, when this despatch reaches China, have undergone several months of the punishment of the cangue, Her Majesty's Government would consider it as a favour to themselves if these men were then at once to be pardoned and released. I am, &c. (Signed) PALMERSTON. No. 37. Viscount P aimer ston to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Foreign Office, October 12, 1847. I HAVE received your despatch of the 14th of June, reporting that two Chinese who had thrown stones at a party in an English boat on the Canton river had been punished ; and I have to state to you, with reference to this matter, that it will be desirable, in future, that the British Consul, or some person authorised by him, should be present at any punishment inflicted on Chinese for assaults or outrages on British subjects, because the mere assertion of the Chinese officers that such persons have been punished cannot, of itself, be considered as sufficient and satisfactory proof that any punishment has been inflicted. I am, &c. (Signed) PALMERSTON. No. 38. Viscount Palmerston to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Foreign Office, October 12, 1847. I HAVE received your despatch of the 31st of May, inclosing, among other papers, copies of a note which you had addressed to Keying relative to the inefficient measures adopted by the Chinese authorities for restraining the Canton mob; and of an instruction which you had given to Mr. Consul Macgregor, prescribing the line of conduct to be observed by him if the mob should resort to acts of violence against British subjects : and I have to acquaint you that I approve of those papers. I am, &c. (Signed) PALMERSTON. No. 39. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received October 21.) (Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, August 20, 1847. THE want of protection from the Government has led to the maintenance, at a considerable expense, of what are called " village braves," a species of irregular militia, who (as might have been expected in China) have proved not only expensive, but often troublesome to their employers. The people have publicly expressed their desire and intention to pay this irregular militia out of the taxes due from them to the Government, finding, as I expected they would, that they a gi'eat burthen upon themselves. Such is the present state of things in the Canton province. Having noticed to Keying that the continuance of the irregularities of this undisciplined militia must endanger the public peace, I received from him the inclosed reply. He admits the fact, and explains it partly in the manner above stated, adding, that they had "carried things too far," and must be controlled, which, I fear, is beyond his power. On the 12th instant I received the despatch from Consul Macgregor which is transmitted hei'ewith. Some Englishmen and other Europeans went, on the 8th, in two Chinese M 78 boats, up the river, two or three miles above Canton. A party of the village militia were exercising on shore with guns, &c., and the Chinese boatmen soon betrayed an anxiety to return, which was increased on three guns bemg fired, though, as it appeared, with powder only. It was declared, however, that the guns were, at least, pointed at them. Mr. Elmslie, the Vice-Consul himself, having, soon after, passed m an English boat without the least molestation, I am inclined to think the three guns were a part of the exercise, and it happens, moreover, to be the invariable number of every Chinese salute for mandarins, &c. As every meeting of the kind, however, is a mere disorderly mob, it is just possible that the thing was meant as an insult. Immediately on the receipt of Mr., Macgregor's information, I addressed, on the same day, the inclosed to Keying, desiring an explanation of the matter, or the punishment of the parties. As the Consul, to my surprise, did not state that he bad takeii up the question on the first complaint to himself, I wrote him the inclosed despatch, making the inquiry. According to his own representation of the case, it called for his immediate exertions on the spot. Mr. Macgregor excused his remissness by the inclosed reply, in which he refers to a private note from myself some time before this occurrence, and bearing no allusion to it. In applying to him by that note for information, I certainly did not intfend to furnish the Consul with an excuse for making no exertion whatever on behalf of the complainants at the Consulate. In my annexed reply, therefore, I pointed this out, and added that Keying must naturally suppose that a matter on which neither himself nor the local magistrate heard anything from the Consul, could not be very serious. The Chinese Minister could receive nothing from me under a week, at the distance of ninety miles, twice traversed. This at once loses valuable time, and weakens the effect of my remonstrances. , I have received a short note from Keying, stating that he will certainly inquire and punish the parties, if guilty, and inform me of the result ; but I do not expect his report before the departure of the mail. Inclosure 1 in No. 39. Commissioner Keying to Sir J. Davis. (Translation.) KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., sends the following reply to a communication of the Honourable Envoy, respecting the assemblage of an armed crowd at Shih-wei-tang. (Here follows the substance of that letter.) It appears _ that the territory of the provincial city swarms with robbers, who often combine in great numbers to attack and plunder. The villagers have, therefore, for their own protection assembled trained bands ; but their real object is to defend themselves against robbers and vagabonds, without any reference to the foreigners. They have not only done so at Shih-wei-tang, but at many other places. I have also heard that the villagers thereabout assembled in armed multi- tudes, and commg together hold debates. This is carrying things too far and those who see and hear it are frightened and terrified. I, the Great Minister have therefore ordered the local authofities to issue a proclamation, and prohibit it • as IS on record. ^ ' Having stationed additional troops at the foreign factories, with their officers, who mcessantly patrol day and night, and are busy with keeping a careful guard the protective measures will prove effective, and the Honourable Envoy mav rest satisfied on this point, and harbour no anxiety. Whilst forwarding this reply, I wish you every happiness, &c Taoukwaiig, 27th year, 6th month, 28th day. (August 8 1847 ) 79 Inclosure 2 in No. 39. Consul Macgregor to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Canton, August 10, 1847. I HAVE the honour of transmitting to your Excellency the inclosed copy of a letter I received yesterday from several British subjects and others who, during an excursion on the river on Sunday morning, and having arrived opposite a village the name of which is stated to be Wong-chuk-kay, situate in a north-west direction from Canton on the river, and about two or three miles from the factories, were received with shouts and yells and other tokens of defiance by the natives who were tumultuously collected in great numbers on shore. This was almost immediately succeeded by the discharge of three pieces of ordnance, which were pointed directly at them, in consequence of which their boatmen were intimidated to such a degree that they refused to go any further in that direction. I find, on inquiry, that the guns fired were loaded with powder only, and that they belong to the militia, which was established some time ago in the rural districts at the expense of the landholders and gentry, under the appella- tion of the " village braves," now assembled in that quarter for the purpose of being exercised in the use of firearms. It appears, however, extremely improper that contrary to the stipulation of the Agreement of the 6th April, " that British subjects shall not be molested on their excursions," these villages braves by the display and discharge of artillery on shore should attempt to intimidate and prevent foreigners from enjoying the only recreation which is left them, namely, that of sailing on the river, and T therefore humbly conceive that the facts submitted to your Excellency would form' a proper subject of remonstrance to the Governor-General in order that similar demonstrations may in future be avoided, I have, &c. (Signed) FRANCIS C. MACQREGOR. Inclosure 3 in No. 39. Sir J. Davis to Commissioner Keying. Victoria, Hong Kong, August 12, 1847. I RECEIVED a note from your Excellency, dated the 8th instant, in which you informed me that, as the territory of the provincial city " swarmed with robbers, the villagers had provided trained bands for their defence ; but, as they assembled in armed multitudes, and came together to hold debates, this was carrying things too far, and you had therefore ordered the local authorities to prohibit it," &c. On the very day your Excellency's note is dated, the Consul informs me that some Englishmen and other Europeans in boats on the river, near a place called Wpng-chuk-kay, were wantonly assailed by one of these assemblages, and that three guns were apparently discharged at them, though said to be with powder only. Your Excellency is fully aware, that by the Tfeaty, as well as by the Special Agreement of the 6th of April, " British subjects shall be at liberty to go a day's journey, as at Shanghae, without rnolpstation, and that, if malicious Chinese assail them, they shall be immediatply punished," Now, as the persons who committed the outrage on this occasion were what your Excellency calls trained bands, or village rnilitia, and as they apparently discharged three guns at the foreigners, there can be no difficulty in detecting and punishing them, according to Treaty, I, therefore, immediately write to demand their punishment, or an explanation of the facts. "" ■ ' M 2 80 My Government will expect their chastisement, in the same manner as in the cases of October 17 and March 12. I have already, before, said so much concerning outrages of this kind, that it is not necessary to repeat it here. Accept, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 4 in No. 39. Sir J. Davis to Consul Macgregor. Sir, Victoria, Hong Kong, August 12, 1847. I HAVE just received your despatch of the 10th instant, concerning the outrage on some British subjects and others at a place called Wong-chuk-kay, on the 8th instant, and I. have lost no time in immediately addressing Keying on the subject. As Her Ma;jesty's Government will of course expect that, on an occasion so peculiarly calling for instant and energetic exertion at the Consulate, you applied to the local Government for redress without delay, I have to request that you will forward to me a copy of any document you sent in upon the occurrence being reported to you. I should wish also to have the names of the persons in the two Chinese boats. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 5 in No. 39. Consul Macgregor to Sir J. Davis, Sir, Canton, August 14, 1847. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's despatch of the 12th instant, and in reply, I beg to refer you to your letter of the 5th instant, in which you are pleased to direct, in consequence of having been informed of some preparation to molest foreigners going up the river or landing at Fah-ti, that, not being able to proceed without authentic information from myself of something like an overt act, you would be glad to have it, in order that you might make the necessary communication to Keying on the subject. It was in conformity with those directions that I obtained the letter from Mr, Balkwill and his friends, which I forwarded to your Excellency without delay, and judging that you must have good reasons for wishing to make the necessary remonstrance to the Imperial Commissioner yourself, I of course refrained from addressing a complaint to his Excellency on the subject in this particular instance, although I should not have failed to do so in the ordinary course of things, in accordance with various of your Excellency's despatches, I beg to inclose a list of the foreigners that were in the two boats in question. 1 have, &c. (Signed) FRANCIS C. MACGREGOR. List of Foreigners who were molested during an Excursion up the Canton River, on the 8th August, 1847. H. Balkwill. James Whittall. Sept. Maitland. William Rutter. R. McGregor. S. K. Brabner. Wm. K. Snodgrass. Juls. Kreyenhagen. 81 Inclosure 6 in No. 39. Sir J. Bowring to Consul Macgregor. Sir, Victoria, Hong Kong, August 17, 1847. IN reply to your despatch of the 14th instant, stating why you had not taken any measures at the Consulate, or made any application to the local authorities on the appeal of the several persons on the 8th instant, I must observe that my private note (to which you refer) in applying to you for information, did not absolve you from performing your own part on the spot, nor do away with the injunctions I had several times repeated to you in official despatches, to use every exertion when necessary. Keying must naturally believe that a matter on which neither himself nor the local magistrates hear anything from the Consul, and concerning which he can receive nothing from me in much less than a week from its occurrence, is not considered as very serious. This at once loses valuable time, and weakens the effect of my remonstrance at the distance of ninety miles. My interposition, in general, should only be on the failure of your own. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. No. 40. Sir J. Davis to Viscou7it Palmerston. — {Received November 22.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, August 28, 1847. WITH reference to my despatch of the 20th instant, I addressed the inclosed note to Keying on the 21st, informing him that I awaited the fulfilment of his engagement to make examples of those who wantonly fired when some Englishmen and other foreigners were passing on the Canton river in Chinese boats. I took occasion to observe that it was generally rumoured that the Canton Government was powerless in its attempts to control the village militia, which had grown out of the disorganized state of the province, and that the people moreover refused to pay their taxes to Government. I added that, of course, if this should prove to be true, he could not be surprised if the British Government took the necessary measures to protect its own subjects. I very soon received the annexed favourable reply, announcing the appre- hension and trial of the offending individuals, and engaging to forward an official notice of their punishment. Keying repeats his explanation of the origin of the village militia, which the history of the past year or two, in fact, confirms, though such disorderly and ill- organized associations are dangerous to the weak Government of the province. He repudiates, however, the idea of their being beyond his control, and adds that the villages pay their taxes. In my reply to this, as subjoined, I took occasion to observe, that if the people were under control, they ought not to be permitted to interfere with the due fulfilment of Treaty engagements, some of which had been delayed under various pretexts, and that British rights at Canton must and should be main- tained. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 1 in No. 40. Sir J. Davis to Commissioner Keying. Victoria, Hong Kong, August 21, 1847. I HAVE received a reply from your Excellency, in which you state that you consider it a very detestable proceeding on the part of the Hwang-chuh-clie villagers who wantonly fired when some Englishmen and other foreigners were passing, in Chinese boats, on the river. 82 I shall therefore look for an early communication, stating the names, trial, and punishment, of the offenders, that I may report the same to my Govern- ment. It is stated that the Canton authorities are not able to control the village militia, and that the people refuse to pay their taxes, &c. If this proves to be true, your Excellency will not be surprised should the British Government immediately take measures to protect its own subjects. Accept, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 2 in No. 40. Commissioner Keying to Sir J. Davis, (Translation.) KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., sends the following reply to a despatch from the Honourable Envoy, respecting the firing of the Hwang- chuh-che villagers. (Here follows an extract of that letter.) The Hwang-chuh-che villagers, by wantonly firing (on foreigners), committed an act worthy of detestation. The Nan-hae magistrate has, therefore, in conse- quence of my orders, seized two of the aggressors, viz., Lo-a-che and another. They confessed that they were exercising small guns (ginjalls) at that place, and were not aware that any foreigners were passing in a boat ; nor had they any intention of firing at them. Such being the evidence, I was afraid that not the whole truth had been told, and apprehensive that there might have been others on the same spot who assisted in the firing, I therefore again directed the magistrate to elicit, by torture, the real facts, and seize the whole band, with all severity. As soon as the criminals shall have been successively taken, true evidence obtained by judicial inquiry, and they have suffered severe punishment, I shall again address an official letter to you. I, the Great Minister, act vigorously in punishing the natives when they have injured the merchants and people of other countries. I have, for instance, in the case of piracy committed (in the neighbourhood of Amoy) on vessels of your honourable nation, seized many of the guilty, who have all been severally sentenced and executed. When the Swiss merchant, not long ago, was robbed on the Canton river, I apprehended more than ten criminals, and recovered some of the plunder. The district military is still engaged in making the strictest search for the seizure, prosecution, and punishrnent of these native ruffians, in order to protect effectually the merchants and people of every country. For this reason I would not trouble the Honourable Envoy to adopt additional protective measures. The trained bands and village braves were raised with the view^ of protecting their villages and farms against robbers and vagabonds, who have recently become very numerous. Their assemblies for noisy debate have been prphibited • they now fulfil their duties, observe the laws, and likewise pay taxes. One ought, on no account, to give easy credence to rumours in circulation. Whilst sending this answer, I wish you every happiness. Taoukwang, 27th year, 7th month, 14th day. (August 24, 1847.) Inclosure 3 in No. 40, Sir J. Davis to Commissioner Keying. Victoria, Hong Kong, August 23, 1847. I HAVE received your Excellency's note, in which you inform me that when the Hwang-chuh-che crmunals have been severely punished, vou will acquamt me with the particulars. I await the receipt of this announcement, that I may transmit the same to my Government, who, together with the whole British public, are already justly indignant at the conduct of the Canton peoole Your Excellency observes that the "trained bands and village braves were raised with the view of protecting their villages and farms againlt robbers and vagabonds, who have recently become very numerous, Their assemblies for 83 noisy debate have been prohibited ; they now fulfil their duties, observe the laws, and likewise pay taxes." It is, nevertheless, publicly notorious that they have combined for the purpose of preventing the allotment of building ground and cemeteries, and even now, a burial-ground cannot be procured at Whampoa. The two officers, Tung and Ning, have so often deceived Consul Macgregor, that I have ordered the Consul to communicate in writing only, that proofs may be on record. I have ascertained that the Parsees do not wish to build a wall, and that they have chosen a waste spot without any graves. Still they cannot succeed ! When I find that the Treaty is still evaded and set at nought, and that moderation only produces bad faith, my Government will perfectly approve of my doing everything that is necessary to maintain the Treaty and upliold the rights and dignity of the great natioir I serve. It will soon be necessary to fix a date for the fulfilment of the Agreement of April 6th. I previously make this important communication. Accept, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. No. 41. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received November 22.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, September 10, 1847. WITH reference to my despatch of the 28th of August, I have the honour to inclose copy of a very satisfactory note from Keying as to the punishment of certain Chinese who insulted a party of Europeans on the river. The penalty inflicted on this occasion is sufficiently severe, being not only an allotment of thirty blows to each, but (what is still better calculated to operate as a warning) the being paraded in the heavy wooden pillory for one month about the foreign factories, with their names and offence inscribed. The tendency of this mode of punishment is so obviously salutary, that I shall require it on future occasions of importance. The conduct of Keying on this occasion has been so praiseworthy, that I deemed it only just to address him the annexed reply, declaring that we had no other motive in insisting on such examples than the repression of disorder and the maintenance of peace, and that the chastisement of Chinese aggressors came much more fitly fi'om their own authorities than from us. I requested Consul MacgregOr by the inclosed despatch to ascertain the exhibition of the three culprits in the neighbourhood of the factories, and have been glad to learn that the sentences were duly carried out. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 1 in No. 41. Commissioner Keying to Sir J. Davis. (Translation.) KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., sends the following commu- nication respecting the case of the Hwang-chuh-che villagers wantonly firing on Europeans, when in a boat upon the river. In consequence of my previous orders, the Nan-hae magistrate seizea Lo-a-che and a second aggressor, and on reporting the circumstance to me, I, the Great Minister, communicated it to the Honourable Envoy; as is on record. The Nan-hae magistrate now again informs me, that he subsequently apprehended Fang-a-ching, another aggressor. Lo-a-che stated, that he was 43 years of age, and with Lo-a-nang, who is 32 years old, a native of Nan-hae district, on the 26th day, 6th moon, of the present year (6th August), they <^ tried some small guns (ginjalls) which they had had in their possession for a 84 long while, by firing powder without shot, on the river's side, at Hwang-chuh- che. Fang-a-ching, an old acquaintance of theirs, came thither to look on and assist in the firing. Just at that time a boat was passing with foreigners on board of her. As they had only loaded with blank cartridge they did not turn aside, but did not fire at them intentionally, nor wound anybody. There were at that time many spectators, but none of them engaged in firing the guns. The above confession is true. Fang-a-ching said, that he was 34 years old, and belonged to the same district. On the 26th day, 6th moon, of the present year (6th August),^ he was passing the road at Hwang-chuh-che, when he perceived his old acquaint- ance Lo-a-che and the other, who were trying some small guns by firing blank cartridges, without putting any balls into them. He went up to them and assisted in discharging the pieces. This was true, and the remainder of the evidence agreed with Lo-a-che's and the other's statement. It appears, therefore, that Lo-a-che and the others were trying some small guns, by firing powder without shot. They truly aver that they had no inten- tion of firing at the foreigners, but of their own accord were discharging the pieces quite heedlessly, when the boat was passing. Though they did not wound anybody, still theirs was a very wanton act. Lo-a-che, Lo-a-nang, and Fang-a-ching, therefore, shall together, according to the rigorous tenour of the law, in open Court receive, each, thirty strokes, and be paraded around the foreign factories for one month, wearing the cangue, in order to deter others (from similar acts). On receiving the above details, I find that Lo-a-che and the others, although discharging their pieces with blank cartridge and not loading them with shot, still very improperly showed no caution when the Europeans were passing in the boat. Their not having wounded any man gives rise to some indulgent consideration. They ought, therefore, to receive the strokes, and be paraded with the cangue about the factories, in order to strike terror and repress (such aggressors) . Whilst giving orders that it may be done accordingly, I address this letter for the consideration of the Honourable Envoy, and wish you every ha,ppiness. Taoukwang, 27th year, 7th month, ISth day. (August 28, 1847.) Inclosure 2 in No. 41. Sir J. Davis to Commissioner Keying, Victoria, Hong Kong, August 31, 1847. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Excellency's note just received concerning the punishment of those who wantonly and mischievously discharged gmjalls loaded with powder on the Canton river. I thereby learn that the three crimmals will receive thirty strokes, and be paraded about the foreign factories in the cangue for one month. This is an extremely just and wise proceeding on the part of your Excel- lency, and proves that you have the power of controlling the populace. The only objectof my nation in wishing for their punishment is to deter others rom committnig the like offence, and thereby ensure perpetual peace. Jt IS also more fit that the people should be punished by the Chinese Govern- ment than by foreign force. I will immediately inform Consul Macgregor of the purport of your note, and desire lum to ascertain that the District Magistrate parades the men according to your Excellency's order. t ° Accept, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. • 85 Inclosure 3 in No; 41. Sir J. Davis to Consul Macgregor. Sir, Victoria, Hong Kong, August 31, 1847. I HAVE to inform you that I iiave just received a note from the Chinese Minister, acquainting me that three criminals, Lo-a-che, Lo-a-nang, and Fang- a-ching (convicted of pointing ginjalls loaded with powder at two Chinese boats having Europeans on board), have been sentenced each to receive thirty blows with the bamboo, and to be paraded in the cangue about the factories for one month. The names of the criminals are added in the margin in Chinese, and you will have no difficulty in ascertaining that they are really so paraded by the Nan-hae Magistrate. A copy of Keying's original note is annexed to this. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. No. 42. Viscount Palmerston to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Foreign Office, November 23, 1847. WITH reference to your despatches of the 28th August and 10th September, inclosing your correspondence with Keying, respecting the punishment of some Chinese who had insulted a party of Europeans on the river above Canton, I have to state to you that I approve of the note which you addressed to Keying on the 31st August, in acknowledging the receipt of his notification of the punish- ment to be inflicted on the guilty parties. I am, &e. (Signed) PALMERSTON. No. 43. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham. (Extract.) Foreign Office, January 3, 1848. YOU will state to Keying that Her Majesty's Government entertain the highest respect for him personally, and that they sincerely trust that he will continue to show the same friendly disposition in treating with you, which he has evinced in his intercourse with your predecessors ; that Her Majesty's Government are sensible that he may sometimes have difficulties to contend with in controUing the unruly populace of Canton, but that it will be your duty to lighten those difficulties as much as possible, by preventing British subjects from provoking collision with the Chinese, and by bringing a British force to Canton whenever necessary to assist him in keeping the populace in order. But you will say that Her . Majesty's Government cannot comprehend why the authorities at Canton should not be able to exercise over the people of that city, the same degree of control which is exerted by the authorities at the other four ports, over the people in those cities ; neither does there appear to be any sufficient reason why the people at Canton should be more hostile to foreigners than the people at the other ports are. But you will say that, at all events. Her Majesty's Government cannot allow their Treaty rights to be defeated, and that although nothing would be more painful to them than to be again involved in angry discussion with China, they are fully resolved to maintain in every respect, and at all times, every privilege which has been conceded to them by Treaty, and will shrink from no measures, however painful, which may be necessary for the maintenance and enforcement of British rights. I must not conceal from vou, however, that Her Majesty's Government are N 86 not without apprehension as regards the conduct of British subjects in China. Peace between the two countries has more than once been put in jeopardy by the reckless conduct of individuals, members of the British community. I trust that the warning which Sir John Davis, by my direction, addressed to the British community in China after the riots in Canton in July 1846, may have made a due impression ; but, at all events, it will be your duty to exert, when necessary, the powers entrusted to you for maintaining order among Her Majesty's subjects in China. No. 44. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston. — (Received April 22.) (Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, February 5, 1848. THE inclosed despatch from Consul Alcock, at Shanghae, reports the murder of a Chinese by a Manilla man in British employ. It appears that the offender has escaped, and the Chinese authorities display their usual apathy as to his apprehension. Inclosure in No. 44. Consul Alcocli to Sir J. Davis. Sir, y Shanghae, January 22, 1848. I HAVE the honour to inclose a communication I recently addressed to his Excellency the Intendant, on a report reaching me that a Chinese had been mortally wounded at Woo-sung by a Manilla man, who was believed to belong to one of the ships lying at that anchorage. I also transmit for your Excellency's inforniation the report I received from the Vice-Consul, whom I immediately dispatched with the Interpreter to investigate the circumstances, and if possible secure the apprehension of the oflFender. It appears the Manilla man in question is clearly identified as a late servant of a Dr. Murray, who attends the shipping at Woo-sung. The man had lately been discharged his master's service, and was placed on board the " Snipe," to prevent his getting into mischief on shore, until a passage down to Hong Kong could be procured for him, and since the unfortunate affray he has not been seen. The responsibility of finding and arresting him, since it has been ascertained that he is not on board a British vessel, rests with the Chinese authorities, who do not seem disposed to give themselves much trouble. I thought it right, however, to take the initiative, and show both the inhabitants at Woo-sung and the Chinese authorities, that so far from seeking to screen any person connected with or guilty of such an act, it was mj"^ anxious desire to prevent his escape, and bring him to justice. For this and all other outrages of a mischievous character, which from time to time occur at Woo-sung, I hold the local authorities especially responsible ; they have been repeatedly urged by me to take energetic measures to disperse the Canton men and others of lawless character, who have gathered round the opium ships, and to prevent the location of such persons at Woosung. They not only entice and harbour men from our ships, but afford a place of conceal- ment and refuge|for the Canton men generally, who commit any crime in Shanghae, and are in danger of being apprehended, and from thence at this time the British community is threatened with a night attack, for the purpose of firing and plundering their premises. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 87 No. 45. Sir J. Davis to Viscount P aimer ston.' — {Received May 24.) (Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, February 29, 1848. IN my despatch of February 5, I mentioned the circumstance of a Chinese native having been murdered by a Manilla man at Woo-sung, the anchoring place of the smuggUng ships, about twelve miles below Shanghae. I have since received tlie annexed despatch from Consul Alcock. It appears that the Chinese authorities, after neglecting to apprehend the man, who had escaped ashore from the ships, have since applied to the Consul for his punishment, and expressed their apprehension that, if he escapes altogether, the people of the neighbourhood will have the same feehng against foreigners that has ' actuated those of Canton. Inclosure in No. 45. Consul Alcoch to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Shanghae, February 19, 1848. REFERING to my despatch of the 22nd January, I have the honour to inclose, in translation, a communication recently received from the Taoutae, conveying the purport of a letter gi^dVessed to that officer by the Governor- General, and my reply thereto. The attempt to fasten upon British authorities and subjects the responsibility of an oflFerice committed by a native of Manilla (not serving under the British flag), and of the apprehension of the offender, is too clearly untenable in justice or reason to require comment. The motive for making this occurrence a pretext of complaint for unredressed violence and loss of life in the present instance is very obvious, by the reference made to the murders at Canton and the danger of popular tumult. I believe the Manilla man in question was on shord after the homicide, when the authorities took no pains to find him, and the report of a black man having been found dead, apparently from cold and starvation, some distance from Woo-sung, tends to confirm the suspicion. I did not, however, deem it expedient to allude to this report, lest it should seem that I was offering a defence somewhat too analagous to their own subterfuges in similar cases. I may mention to your Excellency, hoWever, that the spontaneous offer of a reward of 100 dollars, for the apprehension of the offender, by the masters of all the vessels at Woo-sung, and the mutual agreement entered into among them, that if he were found in any ship the master of that vessel should pay the whole amount, would seem to render it highly improbable that he either found shelter or place of concealment on board any British vessel at that anchorage. The tone which the Governor-General adopted, especially in reference to Her Majesty's Vice-Consul and Interpreter, of whom he speaks as persons, and alluding to their report as of doubtful veracity, and the intimation that similar events to those at Canton were to be conteinplated if the criminal were not apprehended, appeared to me to require a prompt and uncompromising answer. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. N 2 88 No. 46. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston.— {Received May 24.) (Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, March 4, 1848. MY despatches of the 5th and 29th of February reported the circumstances attending the murder of a Chinese by a Manilla man, at the smugglmg station at Woo-sung. ^^ . i • i. xi, • i, I have since received the inclosed from Keymg, applymg tor the punish- ment of the alleged murderer as a British subject, under the Treaty, in my annexed reply I have informed the Chinese Minister that the man m question was a Manilla man, and that the place where the homicide occurred is a professed opium station, like so many others on the coast, which exist with the perfect connivance of the Chinese Government. Inclosure 1 in No. 46. Commissioner Keying to Sir J, Davis. (Translation.) KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., sends the following com- munication. I received an official note from Le, the Governor- General of Keang-nan and Keang-se, to the following effect. The Intendantof Soo-choo, Taet-seang, and Sung-keang, reported that the magistrate of Paou-shan had written to him saying, that on the 11th instant (January 16) towards evening, Seu-chang-paou, a villager, earned some fish along the street, when a drunken black foreigner gave Seu-chang-paou a mortal blow with a sword, on the left side of his body. That black man went then instantly on board his vessel, in a boat. The brothers of the deceased immediately reported the circumstance to the magistrate, who went, in conjunction with the Vice-Consul Robertson, on board the ship, but could not discover the black man who was the murderer. There are, however, many merchant vessels in the harbour. And the Vice-Consul having made search only in a single one, instantly said, that there was no murderer. I therefore request you to manage this matter. On the receipt of the above, it appeared to me, the Great Minister, that a murderer has forfeited his life, according to the foreign as well as Chinese laws. The black man in question inflicted a mortal wound on the villager Seu-chang- paou, and must, in conformity with the existing Treaty, be found out and suffer death. When this letter reached me, I thought it therefore my duty to address the Honourable Envoy on this subject, with the request to examine into the matter, and order the Shanghae Consul, Alcock, to find out the black man who is the murderer, and punish him according to the Treaty. This is of great importance. Whilst sending this communication, I wish you much happiness. Taoukwang, 28th year, 1st month, 25th day. (February 29, 1848.) Inclosure 2 in No. 46. Sir J. Davis to Commissioner Keying. (Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, March 3, 1848. I HAVE received your Excellency's note concerning the death of a Chinese named Seu-chang-paou at the hands of a black man iii Paou-shan district. 89 It has been ascertained that this black man was a Manilla man Lin- sung -jin), and that Woo-sung, where the event occurred, is an anchorage smuggling opium, like Kumsingmoon and Namoa, in Canton, Chimmo Ba Fokien, and Kintang near Ningpo. No. 47. Sir J. Davis to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received May 24.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, March 13, 1848. I HAVE received from Mr. Consul Macgregor, at Canton, the inclosed report from Mr. Bird, Consular Agent at Whampoa, of an aft'ray at that place between some Americans and Chinese, in which two of the latter were wounded with firearms. I have directed the Consul to inform Mr. Bird that I entirely approve of his referring the parties concerned in this affair to the American Consul. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure in No. 47. Mr. Bird to Consul Macgregor. Sir, Whampoa, March 9, 1848. I HAVE the honour to report, for your information, the following circum- stances, and have to state that in future I shall be more punctual in bringing any unusual occurrence under your notice. About half-past 5 o'clock on the evening of the 6tli instant, the master of the " Menzies " called upon me with his upper lip cut, saying there was a very serious affray in the neighbourhood of the billiard-room, in wbicii Mr. Hunt had shot two Chinese. I immediately went towards the spot, and on the way was informed Mr. Hunt wished to see me at his aesidence. I called upon him, when I learned the affray was terminated, and that the following were the particulars of it. During the night of the 5th instant, some gunpowder was stolen from a magazine belonging to Messrs. Hunt and Tobey ; the Chinese in charge of it in endeavouring to trace out the robbers on the following day was attacked by Mr. Ross' carpenters, and had his head severely cut. Mr. Hunt on learning this, with several Americans and one EngUshman (the master of the "Menzies"}, who were dining with him, went on shore, and having seized one individual who they supposed had perpetrated the outrage, were stoned by about thirty Chinese and obliged to swim to their boats, which were put off from the shore. Mr. Hunt reached a boat in which he found a gun and fired it over the heads of the Chinese, now increased to about sixty, but this producing no change fired a second time amongst them. The foreigners having escaped, in a short time returned with firearms, and found only two or three Chinese remaining on the ground, and showing a disposition of revenge, at whom they fired. It was supposed three Chinese had been killed ; but it was subsequently ascertained only one was wounded in the mouth, and another in the left thigh. I declined interfering in the matter, and recommended Mr. Hunt to make a report to the American Consul. Trusting I have taken a proper view, I have, &c. (Signed) ALEXR. BIRD. 90 No. 48. Sir J. Davis to Viscount P aimer ston.— {Received May 24.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, March 18, 1848. I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith copy of a despatch from Mr. Consul Alcock at Shanghae, detailing certain consequences resulting from some thousands of junk men, hitherto employed in transporting grain on the canal, being thrown out of employ. Mr. GutzlafF had drawn my attention to the fact of the increasing shallow- ness of the canal having obliged the Government, against its will, to transmit grain to Peking by sea and the route of the Peiho. It now appears that the great numbers of men long employed in the inland navigation, and, from their serving in Government vessels, accustomed to domineer over the ordinary people, are now loose in large numbers about the neighbourhood of Soo-chow and Tsing-poo, not far distant from Shanghae, " I understand," says the Consul, " some 13,000 men, at least, of turbulent character and with just cause of discontent, are left to create disorder and commit every species of depredation upon the peaceable inhabitants ;" while the Government authorities are discus- sing the amount of bounty to enable them to follow some lawful occupation, when they are driven from their homes, the grain junks. The Consul goes on to state that on the 8th instant, a party of three missionaries went on a journey to Tsing-poo, about thirty miles from Shanghae, for the purpose of distributing tracts. It would seem that, without any provo- cation on their part, they were involved in a disturbance with a party of these junk men, which terminated in the violent maltreatment of the missionaries, who were ultimately rescued by some Chinese police, and escorted back to Shanghae. The Consul has in consequence issued the annexed notice to British subjects, calling their attention to the temporary disorder occasioned by these disbanded junk men, and very properly recommending that, while the evil continues, they should abstain from distant journeys into the interior. He concludes his despatch by stating that he has demanded the apprehension and punishment of the ringleaders, and insisted upon their being brought to Shang- hae for identification. I have, &c. (Signed) J. F. DAVIS. Inclosure 1 in No. 48. Consul Alcock to Sir J. Davis. ^^^' Shanghae, March 10, 1848. • \ ^^^^^ *■¥ ^0^0"'" to inclose a notification I have thought it prudent to issue for the guidance of British subjects, enjoining them for the present to refrain from any extended excursions into the country, more especially in the neighbourhood of Tsmg-poo-heen and Sung-keang-foo. where the large granaries are situated, and near which are collected in large numbers the men hitherto employed in the gram junks vyith whose services the Chinese authorities have endeavoured to dispense omitting the necessary precaution of first satisfying the men s claims, and providing for their location in a manner calculated to Cfvent their becoming a source of danger and difficulty pie vein. Throughout the circuit of the three departments of Soo-chow-foo Sung- keang-foo, and Taet-sang-chow, I understand some 13,000 men It least of turbulent character, and with just cause of discontent, ar^ left to create dfsorder 91 and commit every species of depredation upon the peaceable inhabitants, while the Government authorities are discussing ways and means, and haggling about the amount of bounty to be given on their dismissal, to enable them to settle with their families, and follow some lawful occupation when they are driven from their homes, the grain junks. This state of things has now existed for some months, with a continually- increasing sense of insecurity, extending from Soo-chow to Woo-sung, wherever these grain-junk men make their appearance. The course adopted by the Chinese Government to get rid of the expense entailed by the services of so large a body of able-bodied men, employed for generations in conveying the grain collected from these maritime departments, by inland navigation, to Peking, without any well-concerted measures for equitably settling their claims upon the Government, in whose employment they have been brought up, or means at hand for repressing the disorders consequent upon such acts, unfortunately only too aptly illustrates the mixture of imbecility and arrogance which so frequently characterize the acts of Chinese officials. Nevertheless, unless some remedy is applied, and that promptly, not only great mischief must ensue to their own people, but our security is endangered. This has been brought home to the authorities by the narrow escape of tbeir lives which three of our missionaries have had in one of their excursions. On Wednesday the 8th March, a p^rty, consisting of Messrs. Medhurst, Lock- hart, ^nd Muirhead, went on a journey to Tsing-poo, about ninety-six le from Shanghae, for the purpose of distributing tracts. Two of them had visited that city several times previously, and it being within the distance that could be reached, and the return to Shanghae effected in the prescribed time, it was considered, and justly so, within the limits assigned by the port regulations. While engaged in distributing tracts and- conversing with the shopkeepers, it appears a number of Shan -tun g men, who navigate the grain junks, then lying off Tsing-poo, came behind, pushing, and striving to get a larger number of the books than would come to their share, and also throwing stones. In order to prevent any disturbance, the party very properly determined on leaving the city, and returning to their boats ; but one of the grain-junk men, in pushing past Mr. Lockhart, who, with his back to the crowd, was endeavouring to keep his companions from being pressed on, accidentally scratched the face of one of the most forward, with the end of his stick — a trivial circumstance, of no other importance than that it seems, in the sequel, to have been made the pretext, founded possibly upon exaggerated reports, for a murderous attack by another party of junkmen. They had not got above half-a-mile from the city when they heard a number of people hooting after them, and threatening to beat them ; the party consisting of a fresh set of men from the grain junks. Armed with poles, iron bars, swords, and one among the rest with a heavy iron chain, apparently the ringleader, stripped of his upper garments, began to attack and beat the objects of their anger and cupidity, for plunder and murder seemed equally in their contemplation. After being struck down, their heads laid open with blows from clubs and hops, and otherwise cruelly maltreated and plundered of watches, &c., the ruffians determined on taking them to the grain junks, and there either holding them to ransom, or taking their lives, as they repeatedly vociferated. When approaching the city, it appears a number of police runners, and others, mingled with the party, and at the city gates finally succeeded in separating the mission- aries from the grain-junk men, and conducted them to the Che-heen, who received them with courtesy, and provided them with chairs, and an escort to their boat, some five miles distant, and thence to Shanghae,_ where they arrived in safety, at 6 o'clock the following morning, but covered with bruises. It is quite clear that the same lamentable loss of life as recently occurred at Canton, and under circumstances of equal atrocity, but for providential causes must have taken place at Tsing-poo. I attribute much to the rare example of Christian forbearance and temper which seems to have marked the conduct of these missionaries from first to last. This, added to the power they fortunately possessed, from fluency in the language, of remonstrating and parleying with their assailants, seems to have been the means of their preservation. There can be no doubt that had they attempted resistance, or had any act of theirs caused blopd to flow, they would have been beaten to death on the spot. 92 I have demanded the apprehension and pumshmen of Jh^ ringleaders and insisted upon their being brought to Shanghae for 1*1^,';^^^^^*^°":, -JXct^nd first opportunity, communicate further with your Excellency on this sub ect^J^d report the steps taken to obtain redress, and prevent a recurrence of scenes as disgraceful to the Chinese as they are dangerous to us. (Signed) ' RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 2 in No. 48. Notification. Shanghae, March 10, 1848. HER Majesty's Consul has to regret the occurrence of a most unprovoked outrage on the part of some junkmen, placing the lives of a party ot mission- aries visiting Tsing-poo in the greatest jeopardy. While engaged m earnest efforts to secure the apprehension of the ringleaders and provide lor adequate measures being taken by the Chinese authorities to prevent the recurrence of acts ahke dangerous to life and injurious to our interests in China, Her Majesty's Consul deems it necessary to urge in the strongest manner upon all British subjects the prudence of abstaining for the present from any lengthened excursions into the country. Some 13,000 grain-junk men.are scattered between Soo-chow and Paou-shan, hitherto in the employment of the Chinese Government, but about to be dismissed without satisfactory or final arrangements having yet been made to provide them with means of finding other homes, and in the meantime they remain at Tsing-poo and other places, a terror to the peaceable inhabitants, whom they plunder and maltreat with impunity. The danger of such a state of things to British subjects has been so fully shown by the recent attack upon three inoffensive missionaries, who_ seem greatly to have owed their lives to the praiseworthy forbearance they exhibited, f hat it must be obvious no one, with common prudence, can at present visit the neighbourhood of these grain-junk men. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK, Consul. No. 49. Mr, Bonham to Viscount Palmerston. — (Received May 24.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, March 25, 1848. IN continuation of my predecessor's despatch of the 18th instant, I have now the honour to submit to your Lordship's information copies of two despatches from Mr. Consul Alcock, detailing further proceedings that he had adopted, in order to compel the Chinese authorities at Shanghae to bring to trial and punishment such of the persons implicated in the assault on the missionary gentlemen as could be identified. The despatches and disclosures are so extremely voluminous, that I have been unable to forward copies of the latter, which perhaps, indeed, the comprehensive nature of the former renders unnecessary. Having been only one day in office when these despatches reached me. I thought it ray duty to show them to my able and experienced predecessor, and to explain to him my o^n views on the subject ; and Sir John Davis, after fully considering the matter, entirely concurred with me in the necessity of preventing, if possible, any rupture with the Chinese G overnment ; and as it appeared to me the Consul's proceedings and demands were calculated to disturb the friendly relations heretofore existing with the Chinese authorities at Shanghae, I wrote to that gentleman my sentiments on the subject. The substance of that communication will inform your LordsHp that I 93 conceived Mr. Alcock had exceeded the just limits of his authority, while at tm same time I fully admit that every allowance should be made for the trying anc embarrassing position in which he has found himself placed. It is satisfactory to observe that this outrage on British subjects wag not committed by the ordinary inhabitants of Shanghae, or of its vicinity, but by certain mariners belonging to some grain junks at a distance of thirty miles from the Consulate. Indeed, it would appear that the injured gentlemen met with the sympathy of the inhabitants, and also received, perhaps, as much protection from the officers of police as it was in their power to aflPord. The Consul on the spot has, doubtless, much better means of judging of the temper and intentions of the Taoutae at Shanghae than I can possibly possess with my very limited experience, and at this distance from the scene of action, but I confess I am disposed to think it may be more difficult than he supposes for the authorities to apprehend ten of the principal culprits, who are alleged to form a part of a body of some 13,000 men at least, described to be of a turbulent character, at all times reckless, without any fixed abode, and at present in a state of desperation, arising from causes already reported in Sir John Davis's despatch of the 18th instant. Under these circumstances, should this matter not have been brought to a conclusion before my letter reaches Shanghae, I am in hopes that Mr. Alcock will, on its receipt, take steps for its peaceable adjustment, until I can receive your Lordship's instructions in reply to my predecessor's letters on the subject of the Hwang-chu-ke affair, from the tenor of which I may probably be able to form some idea of what your Lordship's views are likely to be relative to the occurrences and proceedings now reported. Your Lordship will be aware, from Sir John Davis's despatch of January 28,* that had I the disposition, I am peremptorily forbidden from taking any measures of an offensive nature against the Chinese, without the previous sanction of Her Majesty's Government. I have &c (Signed) ' S.G. BONHAM. P.S. — Since writing this despatch, T find I have time to have copied the two inclosures of Mr. Consul Alcock's latest despatch, dated the 18th instant, and therefore forward them for your Lordship's information. S. G-. B. ''Sir John Davis to Viscount Palmerston. — f Received March 25.) (Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, January 28, 1848. On the receipt by the mail just arrived of the inclosed despatch from Earl Grey, it was a great satisfaction to me to reflect that the anxiety and readiness which Keying had evinced to do what was right, would not render necessary any measure of coercion. In this despatch I am told that Her Majesty's Government peremptorily forbid any further offensive operations to be undertaken without their previous sanction. I have accordingly recalled the application before made by me to Lord Hardinge at Major-General d'Aquilar's suggestion, for an European regiment. Inclosure. Earl Grey to Sir John Davis. Sir, Downing-street, November 24, 1847. I HAVE received from the Governor of Ceylon, a despatch dated the 22nd of September last, communicating to me an application which had been made to the Major-General Commanding Her Majesty's Forces in that island, by Major-General D'Aquilar, for a reinforcement of half a company of Artillery, with two guns, and a proportionate supply of ammunition, to be held in readiness to be forwarded to Hong Kong, should circumstances render it necessary to undertake any further military opeiations at Canton. I have desired the Governor of Ceylon not to send to Hong Kong the detachment for which application has been made by Major-General D'Aquilar, and I have now to signify to you that Her Majesty's Government peremptorily forbid any further offensive operations to be undertaken against the Chinese, without their previous sanction. Her Majesty's Government are satisfied that, although the late operations in the Canton River were attended with immediate success, the risk of a second attempt of the same kind would far overbalance any advantage to be derived from such a step. If the conduct of the Chinese authorities should, unfortunately, render another appeal to arms inevitable, it will be necessary that it should be made after due preparation, and with the employment of such ■an amount of force as may afford just grounds for expecting that the objects which may be proposed by such a measure will be effectually accomplished without unnecessary loss. I have, &c. (Signed) GREY. 94 Inclosure 1 in No. 49. Consul Alcock to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Shanghae, March 17, 1848. REFEREING to my despatch of the 10th instant, 1 have the honour to inclose a mass of documents, wl)ich have rapidly accumulated in the pro- secution of negotiations for prompt and full redress. The inclosure marked No. 2 gives the evidence of the three Missionaries who were attacked, and in danger of being murdered, in the immediate neigh- bourhood of Tsing-poo. These depositions clearly establish the fact, that from the first arrival of these British subjects in the city, a band of turbulent and dissatisfied grain junk men sought to create a disturbance, that they might have a pretext for setting upon, and afterwards robbing, if not killing, the foreigners, more or less obnoxious as such to all Chinese. The evidence further abundantly confirms my first report, that the outrage was wanton and wholly unprovoked, and the attack which finally took place some time after they left the city, was characterized by all the features of savage atrocity which seem to have marked the fatal catastrophe at Canton, when six British subjects actually' lost their lives;* and that in this instance their escape is to be attributed to no absence of murderous or evil intention on the part of the assailants, but to various incidental and unforeseen circumstances of a seemingly providential nature. I have already reported how they finally escaped such imminent danger, and the part played in the rescue by police runners and the Che-heen. While the officers were yet in Shanghae who had accompanied them, I saw the Taoutae, forcibly represented to him the dangerous character of the outrage, and urged him by every consideration of interest and obligation to take the most prompt and energetic measures to guarantee British subjects from a recuirence of such lamentable scenes, by the apprehension of the chief criminals. This he promised to do ; but 1 have strong grounds lor believing that he took no effective steps whatever for many days. The attack took place on the 8th instant. On the 9th, early in the morning, he was fully cognizant of all the details. On the 10th, to my surprise, Mr. Medhurst handed me the letter marked No. 3, received the previous evening from the Taoutae. His Excellency writes, that although very sorry for what has happened, he was of opinion that the party in going to Tsing-poo had infringed the regulations, and congratulating him on his fortunate escape ; he then explains the dangerous nature of a visitation from these junk men to all tlie inhabitants, and assures Mr. Medhurst that he had directed the district Magistrate, in communication with the ofiScers of the fleet, "to apprehend and severely punish the murderous sailors." The motive of thus endeavouring to open a communication with the mjured parties direct, and without the intervention of the Consul, could not be doubtful. To affix blame on the injured parties, and cajole them into acqui- escence in the policy of letting the affray pass over, he evidently conceived possible, if the Consul could be put aside, and the affair be treated as a private or personal matter of interest between the Taoutae and Mr. Medhurst. In my communication addressed to the Taoutae the same day, I returned the letter, as one which he was not authorized to send and Mr. Medhurst was equally precluded from receiving, and rebutted the charge conveyed in it of the par^y injured having infringed the regulations. I also insisted upon the right by Treaty, of all British subjects within similar limits, to full and entire protec- tion. Prompt redress was again demanded, and I remonstrated against the danger entaded upon British subjects by the ill-advised measures of the Chinese Government, m letting loose a body of 13,000 disbanded malcontents on the surrounding country; and urged the necessity for some efficient means being adopted, to remedy the evil. The Taoutae, in his answer marked No. 5, made a lame apology for his deviation from the regular course m addressing Mr. Medhurst, and in a con- cluding paragraph stated he had again written to the grain intendant "to institute strict mquines after the grain junk sailors and give them up." rnol^l^ZZ'Is^rvre^^^^^^^ *'^ neighbourhood of Canton, in the 95 The following day, 12tli instant, I deemed it necessary again to address the Taoutae, inclosure No. 6, and inquire if the offenders had been seized, pointing out that several days had elapsed, and considering that the parties implicated were numerous and must be personally known to the policemen who assisted in the rescue, that they were all men in the employment of the Government, the appearance of hesitation and delay in their apprehension was a subject of deep regret and anxiety, lest a further denial of prompt justice and full redress, should compromise our friendly relations ; delay in such a case being tanta- mount to a denial of justice,. It had liow become quite evident that there was no disposition to take any effective or energetic steps to meet these demands, and that the outrage was treated as an affair which would eventually be got over, without the disagree- able necessity of putting forth all their powers to seize from the midst of these turbulent sailors the guilty parties ; or if at the worst, the British Consul was not to be pacified by promises, that a declaration of inability to afford redress, would only lead to his referring the matter to your Excellency, whence it must go to Keying, who having taken a similar line of argument, and having on his hands a worse case, so far as the catastrophe was concerned, might not be disposed very severely to blame other authorities in similar circumstances. At all events time would be gained ; the grain junk men might be dispersed in a few weeks, the offenders be out of reach irretrievably, and effective redress be thus rendered palpably impracticable and impossible. I had already felt it imperative to issue a notification, inclosed in my former despatch, warning British subjects of the danger of any lengthened excursions, the first consequence having been thus virtually to narrow the limits to the immediate vicinity of Shanghae — a result too consonant with the wishes of the authorities to be regarded otherwise than with satisfaction, and as an advantage cheaply gained by a little embarrassment and trouble, from the unavailing remonstrances of the British Consul. It became, therefore, at once a serious question what further steps could be taken to enforce attention to my just demands for redress, and thus avoid the pernicious limitation, the sense of insecurity rendered compulsory. Beyond this, lay another, and still more important question, of vital moment to our interests, and deeply affecting our local and political position at this port. A plea of inability on the part of the Chinese authorities to redress our injuries, is in other words a plea of irresponsibility for any outrage to British subjects within the Chinese dominions, and forms too facile an answer to every complaint of violated Treaty Rights, ever to be laid aside, if once admitted as a valid argu- ment. Without protection, in the midst of a population which regards us generally with more or less of dislike, and often with a feeling of active hostility, there can be no security for life or property, and without prompt and full redress for injurv, insult, or violence is to be obtained, there is no protection. If the obligation to afford this can be evaded on any frivolous plea or pretext, more especially on the large and ever ready ground, of inability to control or seize their own people, the Treaty is valueless as waste paper, for its most important provisions are virtually null and void. Accordingly our resistance to this plea, and the difiiculty of enforcing responsibility for the protection of life and property, form the chief features of our intercourse since the peace, and the efforts of the Chinese on the one hand, to establish the nullifying clause of inability, and our determination to enforce the opposite principle of responsi- bility, as the essential condition of the Treaty, and of all Treaties, is the whole question at issue with the Imperial Commissioner Keying, and one which seems at the present moment to threaten the necessity for recourse to active hostilities. I trust I shall be excused if I dwell upon conclusions so obvious ; but they are all-important, and require, especially at this distance from superior autho- rities to be ever kept in view, and acted upon unhesitatingly and firmly by the ofiicer charged with the responsible duties of Consul. ¥or theft and loss of property the plea, of inability is generally so plausible from the nature of the circumstances, as to be in almost every instance effective. Rarety, indeed, are any efforts on the part of the Consul to recover stolen goods, or to procure the discovery and seizure of the offenders, followed by success, when either the one or the other depends upon Chinese authorities and their underlings. This is an evil of some magnitude ; vigilance and care, however, on the part of the British 90 may, keep it witliin some moderate limits ; but let the same rule be applicable to acts of violence, or outrage to British subjects, in open day and frequentedi' places, and a residence in China musi be limited io the range of our own guns^ and prove fatal to all hopes of improved commercial intercourse and prosperity, in this country. ■ These considerations were all forcibly impressed on my mind by the tone of the Taoutae, and the character of supineness and indifference which marked his proceedings. An outrage of the most aggravated, and, indeed, murderous character, had been offered 'in broad day to three perfectly inoffensive British subjects (one an aged man, whose hair is grey), in the vicinity of a large city. The deploiable state to which they had been reduced by the brutality of their assailants, was seen by many thousands. They had been led through the crowded streets covered with blood, after they had been trampled in the mud, and their clothes torn off. This outrage, in all its revolting details, had become known to the whole country round, between Tsing-poo and Shanghae. My urgent and reiterated efforts to obtain justice were equally known, and their inutility canvassed by the population which immediately surrounds us. What would be the probable effect of the ultimate escape of these criminals, and the refusal of all redress at the hands of the local authorities? I do not think there can be a doubt in the mind of any one who has ever been in China, that such a result was calculated, and that promptly, to exercise the most disastrous influence upon our position at this port. To restrict our limits within the narrowest bounds ; to expose us to similar outrage, if these were ever exceeded; to subject us to the insults and molestation of those by whom we are surrounded, from which the fear of consequences, and the prestige of our power alone protect us, even at Shanghae ; and, in a word, to strip the port of all its advantages as a place of residence for foreigners, and convert it into a second Canton. These weje among the first and more apparent of the consequences which impunity to the offenders, and triumph to the authorities in their miserable policy must bring. To avert, if possible, the menaced danger to our best interests, and preserve unimpaired all the advantages hitherto legitimately engaged, it was evident that neither ordinary exertions, nor the usual course of proceeding would suffice, and, above all, to leave the matter in abeyance during several weeks while reference was made to Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary for specific instructions, was to play the game of the authorities, and lose certainly, if not irretrievably, all the advan- tages it was my duty to maintain, by every means at my disposal. Under these circumstances, I have not hesitated to enter upon a course of action, for which no instructions could have provided, so unforeseen are the circumstances, and exceptional the position in which our interests are placed. The measures taken I am convinced, are calculated, if not to insure success by the apprehension and punishment of the offenders, yet effectually to prevent any deterioration in our position (unavoidable by any other means that suggested themselves), and to enable me to hold the vantage ground unimpaired until your Excellency shall have the opportunity of giving full considerationto all the circumstances, and determining upon such measures as may appear best adapted to meet the difficulty. On the 13th instant, five days after the attack had taken place, the Taoutae had obviously done nothing ; he said he had written and had sent chai-yuh, or policemen, but had received no information, and scarcely expected any. Finding remonstrance and entreaty equally fruitless, I announced to him my conviction that nothing effective had been done or attempted, and urging in the strongest terms upon his attention the serious prejudice to British interests whicli resulted. I notified to him that I would stop all payment of duties tor British ships, until full satisfaction should be obtained ; that no grain junk should leave the river in the meantime, and that if in forty-eight hours the chief offenders were not apprehended, I would adopt such other measures as the due enforcement of our Treaty Rights might seem to demand. This I subsequently communicated to him in writing in my official communication marked J^o. 7, and immediately issued the notification inclosed marked JNo 8, announcing the untoward progress of the negotiations, and the stoppage of the ships' duties. I communicated at the same time the steps taken to the other foreign Consular Agents, as will be seen by inclosure Bo 9 and to Captam Pitman, commanding Her Majesty's Ship " Childers," in the' inclosed 97 letter ISo. 10, placing before him the gravity of the questions involved, and requesting his active co-operation to enforce any demands for justice and redress. I believe this, after mature deliberation, to be the only course of action adequate to the exigencies of the case, and felt at the same time that, having entered upon it, to retrace my steps or falter in the way, would be impossible, without wholly compromising British interests at this port. I was not, however, prepared, having consulted or communicated with no one, for the general and unanimous concurrence of opinion ^pontaneouslj conveyed to me by the inclosed letters marked 11, 12, and 13, from the principal British residents, the foreign Consular Agents, and the commander of Her Majesty's Ship " Childers," who had fortunately arrived the previous evening with his ship. My answer to the letter of the British residents, marked 14, placed before these parties the chief grounds for the measures taken, and the cordial manner in which these were approved, as regarded their respective interests, by the foreign Consular Agents (further recorded in the minute lyTo. 15), gave me satisfactory assurance that the course adopted would at least furnish no subject of complaint to other powers. While these communications were taking place, I received a joint private letter from the Sub-prefect and District Magistrate, inclosure No. 16, adverting to my interview with the Taoutae, on the morning of the 13th instant, the chief purport of which was, no doubt, to intimidate me by fears of a popular tumult, intimating their inability to protect me, knowing full well, of course, my exposed and isolated position, living with my family in the centre of the city, ostensibly they treated all that had passed with the Taoutae, as the ebullition of anger, and proposed coming the next day to talk the matter over with me. To this letter, the tone and the tenor of which were alike unsatisfactory, I made no reply, but sent niy card with a message that I was engaged, and could not receive them. The foreign Consuls at Shanghae the following day called upon me in a body, to inform me that the Acting Consular Agent of the United States had been waited upon by a Wei-yuen from the Taoutae, to represent the impossibility of his causing the offenders to be seized in the short limit of forty- eight hours, and to request that they would use their joint influence, that it might be extended to a period of ten days. The foreign Consular Agents repudiated any extension for so long a period, and I consented to wait twenty-four hours longer, on condition that his Excellency himself made the request at the Consulate, and would undertake to produce the offenders at the expiration of this prolonged period. The minute already referred to, marked No 15, was drawn up on the spot, as a record of the perfect unanimity of the whole Consular corps. This being notified to the Taoutae by the French Consul and his colleagues, I received the visit of his Excellency the following morning, and Mr. Parkes the officiating Intrepreter, having been dispatched up the river in the direction of Tsing-poo, to obtain some needful information in reference to ulterior steps, the Eeverend Mr. Medhurst was requested to officiate as Interpreter, and his services were rendered with great good temper and effect. The inclosed minute, marked No. 17, will show that the only plea of the Taoutae was inability to comply with my demand. He stated that he could only call upon others to act, and if they did not do so, there was no remedy. He declined entering into any promise, even if the time of ten days, which he had indicated as necessary, were conceded, that the chief offenders would be forthcoming, adding he had done, and would do his best, but could undertake nothing further. He had not yet heard from Tsing-poo, in answer to his letters, or by his messengers, probably because it was found difficult or impossible to do anything. In reference to the measures already taken or in contemplation by the Consul, his Excellency stated that he was but the Taoutae here, and whether the duties and the grain junks were stopped, or expenses entailed for detention of ships of war, or any other measure of this nature were taken, it was a matter for his Government, he could say nothing and do nothing to decide the question at issue. I contented myself with enforcing by every argument the justice and moderation of my demand, and the imperative necessity for redress being 98 afforded. It was very obvious that remonstrance and argument were alike useless. I therefore merely notified that I should hold him as the chief authority and representative here, responsible for any expense, Ipss, or damage, that might ensue by the detention of vessels, or other causes incident to his denial of redress ; and adverting to the joint letter of the Sub-Prefect, and Che been, commented briefly upon the bad taste of their menaces, and my determination to remain with my family in the city, satisfied that I might do so without fear or danger, and well assured that the consequences of any outrage upon Her Majesty's Consul in his position, would be too immediately and seriously felt by the inhabitants and city of Shanghae, for any such acts to be contemplated. Although I had distinctly stated that I would seek to enforce my just demand by no acts of violence, I repeated the communication made to him on the 13th instant, that if any insult, injury, or molestation was offered to a British subject, I would immediately summon all the armed vessels at Woosung to the upper anchorage, and if violence were offered, it should be promptly met and resisted from whatever quarter it came, and for the consequences his Excellency would be responsible. Nothing could be more unsatisfactory than this interview, and I took leave of him with a painful impression of his impracticability, a question arising as to what part of this might, under the circumstances, be put on for the occasion, as the most bafHing policy. Something of this no doubt there was, for the evening had not passed before I received a communication, marked No. 18, announcing the non-arrival of information from Tsing-poo, and the dispatch of the Sub-prefect, the civil officer next in rank to himself, with orders to proceed in all haste to that place, and in conjunction with the local authorities seize the offenders. Either he had therefore some hope of seizing these men, or this step, which I had suggested, was merely taken as a blind for the purpose of gaining time. The result will show, but I am far from sanguine. I bel'eve that the proceedings of the whole of the authorities of this province have been so impolitic, not to say unprincipled, that they have raised in these jmk men a band of malcontents so formidable by their number (some 20,000 I am assured), that until they are themselves threatened with destruction by the evil they have created, no adequate effort will be made to relieve the peaceable inhabitants from the terrible penalty of being plundered by these maraudei-s with impunity, for they are at open feud with all the authorities. On the contrary, if my information be correct, they coolly contemplate allowing these lawless "bands to feed upon the country, and if they muster in large enough bands, to sack villages and towns for a period of eight months, at the end of which time they will again take them into their employment and transport the grain as here- tofore by the same expensive process inland, as the only compromise they can devise. The only doubt thrown upon the accuracy of this estimate of the actual state of things seems to be a report, that not long ago when clamouring for ])aj-, or a bounty on dismissal, larger than the authorities were prejjared to give' these junk men threatened to murder the treasurer at Soo-chow. upon \\^uch the Lieutenant-Governor sent out, and seizing the first twenty, had their heads struck off without delay. If a strong-handed measure of this nature has lately been taken, then have they miserably played with us in respect to these offenders whom I have demanded. The truth seems more probably to be midway. The Taoutae cannot compel the Military Commandant here, who is not immediatel^r under his orders to proceed to Tsing-poo, and the task being one of difficulty and danger, 'the latter is very unlikely to volunteer his services. Precisely the same difficulty exists at Tsung-keang-foo, in which district Tsing-poo is situated, and therefore under the more immediate jurisdiction of the authorities of that place The Che-heen again at Tsing-poo, is without any very large physical means, 'and as to seize junk men (or an outrage offered to foreigners, is a peculiarly obnoxious and unpopular duty, he falls back upon his superiors for assistance, and says he has not the means In the interval, the junk men not only escape with impunity, but probaby feel that It the opportunity occurred again to-morrow to repeat their brutality, they would not fa,i] to profit by it-only taking better' care to 99 leave no one alive to give any evidence, or stir up the British authorities against them. The Lieutenant-Grovernor may have the means of moving a force adequate to the duty of seizing the offenders among the division of junks at Tsing-poo (consisting of thirty-seven junks, and probably mustering some 700 men, as Mr. Parkes by personal observation has acertained), but to report this affair in all its details to the superior authority, and involve that officer in the disagreeable necessity of a hostile collision with this formidable class of junk men, who, as it is, are a serious cause of anxiety to all the local authorities, would probably cost the Taoutae his office and his baton, and therefore as this is about the worst that can happen, he will at least defer the evil day, if it is to come, and face as he best may any coercive means I may have at my disposal here. I am very thoroughly persuaded that this is a close approximation to the truth ; and looking at our chances of redress, or security from renewed outrage, under this aspect, I come to the conclusion that neither the one nor the other are attainable through the present Taoutae. If he were removed, another might succeed in obtaining the culprits, because, having no responsibility for the origin of the difficulty, he might employ all his means with energy, and apply to his superiors for more, with hope of reward if he succeeded. The only danger he could incur would be from want of success. With the present incum- bent it is just the reverse ; the responsibility rests upon him for the first occur- rence of difficulty, and the more he moves in it the greater is the chance of it reaching the ears of higher authorities, and the more imminent the danger to him of a loss of office. His policy in these circumstances is to endeavour to ride out the storm by a declaration of helplessness and inability either to resist the measures of Her Majesty's Consul, or to remove the provocation by seizing the offenders. If this view of his position and plans be, as 1 imagine, correct, even the pressure of the strong measures already adopted may fail in obtaining the punishment of these junk men, and without this, or some signal act of reparation on the spot, our position is so deeply compromised, and our security from further and continued molestation so slight, that, I repeat, Shanghae will be no better than Canton in an incredibly short period. Too many incidental circumstances have been generally observed in the demeanour and acts of the people and authorities, since the last catastrophe at Canton, for those who have them daily under their eyes to avoid the conviction, that our position at that port has exercised a most material and prejudicial influence upon the minds of both people and authorities. I have long been fully convinced, from the result of my observations at all the three ports where I have resided, that Canton and our relations there have the most serious effect upon our position at all the other ports, and our standing, with the authorities at least, throughout the empire. The negotiations upon which I have entered, asd the compulsory measures taken to support them, can scarcely rest where they are, without a compromise of security. The policy of the Taoutae being to avoid appeal for assistance or support from his superior authorities, it should very obviously, I conceive, be ours to carry the affair beyond him, either to his next immediate superior, the . Lieutenant-Governor at Soo-chow, or still further to the chief authority of the province, the Governor-General at i^Tanking, where the presence of a brig of war, having a messenger and letter from the Consul at Shanghae, demanding redress for an outrage on British subjects, must be well calculated to rouse attention to the facts, and to compel some energetic steps on the part of the Governor-General to put an end to all just cause of complaint, either by the seizure of some of the chief offenders, and their punishment after identification, or the dismissal with disgrace of the local authority, whose bad management or inability allowed the outrage to pass unpunished, and the criminals to escape. Nothing short of this can possibly meet the exigency of the case, or afford adequate security to our interests at this port. At the present moment, this would seem to be the best line of conduct to prevent immediate mischief, and the loss of the advantageous position hitherto maintained. After mature examination of the present aspect of affairs, the hopelessness of advancing further with the Taoutae, who, I am well satisfied, is acting under 100 the worst advice of some subordinates who were with him at Canton, and the necessity for attaining the end in view — redress — in whatever of the two forms it may come, I am disposed, if no satisfactory intelligence is received in a few days, to contemplate the expediency of intimating to the Taoutae my intention, in accordance with clauses both in the American and French Treaties, to address myself to the Governor- General at Nanking, putting him in possession of all the facts by letter, of which the Interpreter should be the bearer, and claiming that redress which I found it impossible, by any pacific measures, to obtain at the hands of the Taoutae. One of the two results so indispensable to our security- may thus be facilitated or attained ; and failing this it will then only remain for Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary to take such other measures as the total exhaus- tion of all local pacific effVuts may suggest. By the IVth clause of the American and French Treaties, it seems to have been distinctly recognized, on the part of the Chinese Government, that a right of appeal against the local authorities, by direct communication with the supreme authorities of the Province, should be reserved to the foreign Consuls, and although it may not have been contemplated that a foreigner, or a ship of war would be the bearer of the representation, when the most important of our Treaty Rights are trampled under foot, and our security at this port compromised, it does not appear to me that there is need for much hesitation in taking the most direct and only sure means of arriving at the legitimate object in view. Before taking any further step in advance, however, I shall most carefully weigh all the circumstances, and if I move in the direction I have intimated, it will only be in the entire conviction that our interests imperatively demand such a step. I_ trust very earnestly that the measures already taken in this most harassing and anxious negotiation, may meet with your Excellency's approval and be ultimately sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government. Too distant to refer for instructions, I have been compelled, without delay or hesitation to do all that seemed possible with the means at my disposal, and conducive to the important end in view. If fear of responsibility had deterred me I conscientiously believe, that long before your Excellency's better judgm'ent could have been brought to bear upon the circumstances, our position would have been materially deteriorated, and our security seriously endangered This, it is evident, is the earnest conviction of every foreign resident and of all the Consular Agents of other Powers, and the Naval officer on the station Captain Pitman, fully coincides in the same opinion. ' Under any circumstances, should it appear to your Excellency that I have unnecessarily exceeded my powers by the steps adopted to protect British interests at this port, I still very earnestly hope, that the imperative necessity of continuing to msist upon reparation of a public and satisfactory character maybe the poicy adopted, by whatever means carried out, and that its whole influence may be so shaped, that it shall be felt and recognized throughout the whole of this province. & """ ""'^ The outrage, and the measure taken to obtain such reparation I must repeat, are canvassed wherever Chinese meet; and nothing could be more fatal to our prestige and influence here, if negotiation were dropped without redress having beenobtamed. I must trust your Excellency ^ill do me the iusdce to believe that had I cons^ulted my own safety or personal interests in ts affair I shou d have avoided the heavy responsibility entailed by the course adopted ' but with the conviction that this freedom would be purchased possTblv at the expense of life and property, and certainly by the loss of aTvaS-es ou? mterests render indispensable I cannot feel that I had any alteraltive The inclosures numbered 19, 20 and 21, will put your ESencv in possession of the precautionary measures taken to hold our o-round !«T^ ^ the chances incurred by theirprcMhinllS SitHh, ?• '*??''V° ''''■"<'"« '» ..."LraST =i'wS'h:7r-£'- i'rtf '° same 101 conclusion, that not the slightest ground for alarm or complaint has ever been observed on either side. It is true, that without reference to the Missionaries, whose knowledge of the language, and familiarity with the people, must generally be a great protection from annoyance, others, as your Excellency has been informed, have not been quite exempt from injury; and if all the circumstances of the last six m^oriths are brought together and weighed in connection, the menace of a night attack by the Canton nden and junk men— the stoning and pursuit of two gentlemen— the Lieutenant-Governor's letter from Soo-choWj holding out something very like a menace of similar occurrences as at Canton, if the Manillaman was not seized— keeping in view also recent events at Canton, I feel it cannot be doubted that there is a growing tendency to mischief, and I confess my own impression is that it comes from the authorities in the first instance. Here, there is, unfortunately, no doubt that Canton influence is most injuriously brought to bear. Sam-qua, the Canton merchant and Mandarin, who has been here for some time, with no official post, nor any very ostensible object, has, I know from good authority, been in close communication with the Taoaitae, and his influence, as far as it extends, bodes no good, but may tend to embroil us with both people and authorities. Under these circumstances I would venture to suggest the expediency of a steamer being sent up with your Excellency's despatches, to remain if required for a time, until the termination of this affair can be more clearly seen. I have, &c. (Signed) EUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 2 in No. 49. Declaration. ON Wednesday, 8th March, a party of Missionaries, consisting of Messrs^. Medhurst, Lockhart, andMuirhead, went on a journey to Tsing-poo, about 96 le from Shanghae, for the purpose of distributing tracts. Messrs. Medhurst and Lockhart had visited that city several times before ; and it being within the distance that could be reached, and the return to Shanghae effected in twenty-four hours, it was considered within the limits assigned by the Consular Regulations. On their arrival at the city, they proceeded, as their custom was, to distribute tracts, which is generally done from house to house among those persons who appear able to read. While thus engaged, a number of Shan-tung men, who navigate the grain junks belonging to Tsing-poo, came behind the Missionaries, pushing and striving to get a larger number of the books than would fall to their share, and also throwing stones. In order to prevent any disturbance or interruption, Mr. Lockhart proposed to the other two, to go forward a few paces and distribute the tracts generally to the shopkeepers, while he kept the crowd from pressing forward so as to incommode them. In order to effect this, he had to stretch out both his hands, which (with a walking-stick he held in one hand) reached right across the street. In this manner he moved forward, with his back to the people and his face toward the other Missionaries, and succeeded in keeping back all but a few boys, who crept underneath and passed him. One of the men, not satisfled with this restriction, endeavoured to push b}"-, and through inadvertence on the part of Mr. Lockhart (for he could not see behind him) received a slight blow on the face. Upon this the other navigators of the grain junks began to make a noise and throw more stones, threatening further mischief. Mr. Medhurst then turned round, and facing the mob, asked them what they meant by making such a disturbance, desiring to be informed who the ringleaders were, that they might be sent to the Magistrate ; upon this the whole multitude became still, and moving to each side of the street, left a free passage for the Missionaries to go back the way by which they came. Several other streets of the city were then traversed in quietness, and a sufficient number of books having been distributed, the Missionaries passed out at the East Gate on their return home. They had not got above half a-mile from the city, however, before they heard a number of people hooting after them and threatening to beat them, On coming up, it appeared that the party consisted of a fresh set 102 of men from the grain junks, who had not been seen in the city, and who had probably become excited and influenced by overstrained reports of what had taken place ; these came on with the most infuriated looks and gestures, and armed with poles, bars, swords, and other weapons ; among the rest was one with a heavy iron chain, apparently the ringleader, who imniediately stripped off his upper garments in order to enable him to act the more freely, and who was brandishing his chain ready to beat the objects of his fury. The Missionaries then began to talk quietly with the men, and asked them what they wanted, when without further parley, each of them was attacked in a most furious manner by the men just referred to. Finding it impossible to make head against such numbers thus armed, Messrs. Medhurst and Muirhead being free from their grasp, ran for their lives. Mr. Lockhart, however, was soon found not to be with them, and the two above-named returned to endeavour to rescue their companion. In the meantime the mob had thrown Mr. Lockhart on the ground, and were beating him with the heavy chain above described, the blows of which were heard to some distance. Happily Mr. Lockhart was enabled to get again upon his legs, and joining his companions, they all ran as fast as they could with the mob after them. The chase was continued for more than a mile in the direction of the boat which had been left five miles from the city, that the boat- men might take rest while the Missionaries went to the city and returned. Being unable to run any farther, the Missionaries were overtaken by their pursuers, who now came on with redoubled fury, and in increasing numbers, cutting off all chance of retreat and surrounding the victims of their attack. Here another attempt was made to reason, but in vain. The pursuers approached nearer and nearer, with long poles, heavy hoes, having teeth like rakes (the iron part of which weighs generally six pounds), and murderous weapons in abundance. While warding off the blows from one of these, as well as he could, Mr. Medhurst was struck from behind on the crown of the head with the back of one of the above-named heavy hoes, the blow of which immediately stunned him, and he fell flat on the ground. The assailants then came up and struck him a number of times with clubs, whilst lying on his face. Among the rest one gave him a severe blow with a blunt sword on the side of the knee. The other Missionaries were equally ill-treated, Mr. Muirhead being so much beaten about the legs that he was scarcely able to walk, and Mr. Lockhart received a severe wound on the back of the neck which bled profusely. After having beaten them until all power of resistance was subdued, the marauders proceeded to plunder them of their watches, spectacles, caps' and clothes, with whatever else they could lay their hands on. This showed that the main object of the attack was to disable the Missionaries so far that they could not resist, and then to rob them. It was a great mercy however that they were not murdered in the process, as anyone of the blows so' profusely dealt out, was suflicient, if rightly directed, to have caused death. After the Missionaries were pillaged, they were forced to proceed back towards the city, and when the least unwilhngness was manifested, fresh blows were dealt out Messrs. Medhurst and Lockhart being acquainted with the languao-e endeai voured as they were led along, to remonstrate with their captors, and "sought to move them by appealing to their feelings or sense of justice, but got only blows in return. On seeing any respectable looking people by the road side if the Missionaries appealed to them for help, they got additional blows, and if any strangers approached too near, they received blows also. In the meantime the men urged the Missionaries along, declaring that they would convey them aboard the grain junks, and not let them go without the payment of 5,000 dollars a-head Ihe man that held Mr. Lockhart was somewhat softened when he heard that he was a surgeon, and had previously healed gratuitously several of the grain junk men in Shanghae. The others also, as they approached nearer the cit^ became less ferocious, and gradually the party was joined by d d'no? in ut'?? m T'^'' '^'''^^ '\'^t'^' ^^'' ^'^^'^ *^^ Missionaries! did not ill-use them It was supposed that some of these were from the JJagistrates' office. When within sight of the city, the escort came to a halt the one party wishing to detain the Missionaries there, or carry Xm off in « different direction, while the other pressed them to go into thTJity the latter party prevailed. On arriving at the gate of the city, several respec able neonle came out and endeavoured to assure the MissioWies of theh safety and persuade them to go to the office for protection: indeed, thro^Lt the Vhde 103 aifair, the inhabitants of the place manifested the utmost sympathy with them, and sorrow at what had occurred, and though the square before the office was filled with people, not one of them showed the least disposition to insult or injure them. By the time the escort reached the city gates, the grain junk men had one by one slunk away, and the Missionaries were left entirely in the hands of the office servants. These conducted them to the magistrate, who soon appeared, invited them into the visitors' apartment, and after asking them to sit down, inquired into the affair. Being informed of the circumstances from beginning to end, he promised that the stolen articles should be restored, and that the men who committed the outrage should be punished. Having then provided chairs and boats to convey the Missionaries back to their own boat, he dispatched two military and two civil officers to escort and protect them from further harm. In this way they reached their boat, and finally their home in safety, thankful for the preservation of their lives, but smarting severely under the wounds and bruises they had received. We, Walter Henry Medhurst, senior, William Lockhart, William Muirhead, do solemnly and sincerely declare — (Here follows the usual form). (Signed) W. PI. MEDHURST. W. LOCKHART. WM. MUIRHEAD. Thus declared in due form of law, &c. (Signed) Ruthebford Alcock, Consul. In addition to the above general statement, the following is an account of what happened to myself : — At the bridge in front of the small temple where the assault first began, I asked the men what they wanted : they said Ave had killed a man in the city, and they would now kill us. Then they attacked me, and beat me violently with a heavy iron chain, and finally threw me down, Avhen I was trodden upon by two or three persons. I struggled forcibly, and, getting free, fled along the bank of the canal. When in the field, where the second assault took place, after I had been struck several times, one man, who was very violent, and had a short broad sword, took hold of me while I was being beaten by others, and said he would kill me. He then took me by the hair, and tried to pull me to the ground, while another tripped up my legs. I thought at this time he was going to cut ofi" my head, and mentally bade farewell to my family, supposing I should instantly be killed. I was thrown down, but struggled and got on my feet, and resisted to the utmost of my strength their efforts to throw me down a second time. I felt convinced, if I was thrown down, that I should not rise again. While this was going on, a man struck me from behind a violent blow on the head with a club, which inflicted a wound, and almost felled me, but I recovered myself, and eluded a second blow that Avas aimed at me. This was the last severe injury I received, for the wound bled profusely, and, as 1 Avrung the blood from my hair, and showed the man who had hold of me my hands full of blood, he prevented others from striking me on the head, though I got several blows on the legs and body afterwards. On the way back to the city, the men around me were consulting as to where Ave should be taken to. I also asked where we were going, and what they were intending to do with us. At first they said they should take us to the bridge by the temple, and kill us all there. They then said Ave should be taken to the grain junks ; and, finally, there Avas a dispute among them whether we should be taken to the grain-junks or to the Magistrate of the city, but the opinion of the majority seemed to be in favour of going to the junks. This discussion continued till Ave arrived at the bridge over the city moat or ditch, when the policemen took us from the hands of our cio us assailants, and escortedj^us to the Magistrate's office. I, William Lockhart, do solemnly and sincerely declare — (Here follows the usual form of declaration). (Signed) W- LOCKHART. Thus declared in due form of laAv, &c. (Signed) Rutheefoed Alcock, Consul. P 2 104 In addition to Mr. Medhurst's general statement, the following is an account of what happened to myself, to the best of my recollection : — At the time we were finally attacked, Mr. Medhurst, having been beaten in the manner he has described, one of the party came up to me, and gave me a severe blow on the legs with a bamboo club, which brought me to the ground. "While in that state, a number of persons came round me, and began to use their various weapons in a threatening manner, so as to make me apprehensive of the worst. Fearing that they would take immediate advantage of my position, I attempted to rise, but they forcibly insisted on ray kneeling, and performing several acts of obeisance to them. I then got up and walked a few yards nearer Messrs. Medhurst and Lockhart, when I was beaten as before by other assailants, who pulled me down, and, searching my pockets, plundered me of their contents, together with various articles of dress. With these they appeared satisfied, and their anger was so much abated that, though I received one or two blows afterwards with a heavy club, they kept others from injuring me to the extent they threatened and attempted to do. Indeed, when the latter came up, it was evident that their main object was to rob me, as they were greatly appeased by the assurance from myself and my captors that I had no more available property. After lying on the ground for some time, I was ordered to rise, and proceed back to the city. There was no alternative between doing this and suffering severer treatment. I thought it better, therefore, at once to comply ; and with two or three, who kept firm hold of me, I walked back, Messrs. Medhurst and Lockhart following. While returning, I observed a number of the grain junk men coming towards us, all armed as the others, and with most infuriated looks and gestures. When close upon me, and in some instances with their weapons wielded to strike, several of those who had been with us from the first ran forward, beseeching them not to injure us, and had often, in a violent manner, to wrest the instruments of destruction from their hands, I could not understand the many things they said to me on the way back, but their appearance was such as to assure me I had little mercy to expect from them. I, William Muirhead, do solemnly and sincerely declare — (Here follows the usual form of declaration). (Signed) AVM. MUIRHEAD. Thus declared in due form of law, &c. (Signed) RuTHEiiFOEn Aloock, Consul. At Her Britannic Majesty's Consulate at Shanghae, March 14, 1848. Inclosure 3 in ISo. 49. The Taoutae to Mr. Medhurst. A COMMUNICATIOl!^ from Keen the Intendant. .1, . J le^™ ,yith astonishment, from a report of the Tsing-poo Magistrate, that Mr. Medhurst, with two other gentlemen, Lockhart and Muirhead, had been attacked by «ome gram boatmen, when proceeding to Tsing-poo, to circulate good books. Whilst bemg extremely surprised at this, I consider that your tuSfe:£Sry%2^'-'''' '' ^^^ ^" ^^^^^'^^^^ ''''"^ *^^ P^--- ^^ «- The grain boat sailors are men of the most violent and ruthless disposition, and pay no respect to laws. Smcethe time that orders have been issued to send the tribute of nee furnished by Soo-choo, Sung-keang, and Taet-seang by way of the sea, these men are out of employ. ^' ^ ^ T^o^tT^f- ^T^ al'O'it furnishing them with the necessaries of life, to send them back to their homes that they may pursue a trade, and not collec thereTi rTct the^:;tt ^^'^""' ^"' •'"' ^"^^^'^ ^'^^^ next year to carr/the Whilst taking measures to rid ourselves of them, they made an attack imnn you before they dispersed. It is fortunate that you,^nflu'Lnced b^you^^^^^^^^^^ 105 knowledge, did not offer resistance, and that the Magistrate suppressed the riot, and in dne time afforded you protection. If, however, youths of a volatile temperament enter upon a mutual contest, this would produce incalculable mischief; and even if the local authorities acted with the utmost e.-.ergy to put it down, I_ am apprehensive they would not succeed. When I reflect upon this, my mind is filled with anxiety on that account, and I feel exceedingly disquieted. I think of you very much, and hope that you are now recovered. I have already ordered the Tsing-poo Magistrate to direct, ^\'ithout a moment's delay, his assistants to institute a strict investigation respecting the sailors who made this murderous attempt, and bring them to justice, that they may be punished most severely ; and I shall not allow this to be deferred a single moment. Whilst writing this to you, I wish you happiness, and likewise send my compliments to Messrs, Lockhart and Muirhead. Inclosure 4 in No. 49. Consul Alcock to the Taoutae, ALCOCK, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Shanghae makes this communication. I learn with exceeding surprise, that you, the Honourable Taoutae, have addressed a communication to Mr. Medhurst, on the business which I officially brought before you on the 9th instant. Not only is this wholly unprecedented and irregular on your Excellency's part, but an act of discourtesy to myself as the Eepresentative of Her Majesty's Government and the English nation at this port. It must be known to you, the Honourable Taoutee, that by Article II of the Treaty of Nanking, it is expressly provided, that Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain shall appoint Superintendents or Consular Officers to reside at each of the five ports, to be the medium of communication between the Chinese authorities and British subjects. Her Majesty has seen fit to appoint me in that capacity at Shanghae, and your Excellency is wholly unwarranted by custom, the usages of official intercourse in China, and by Treaty, to enter into commu- nication with any British subjects on matters of business, except through the medium of Her Majesty's Consul. Your Excellency must permit me further to observe, that no proceeding can be more fraught with mischief to the Chinese authorities, and injury to the mutual interests of the two nations, than such a departure from the course laid down by the Treaty, and always hitherto strictly acted upon by your predecessor and your Excellency with advantage. I have now the honour to return the communication so irregularly addressed by your Excellency to a British subject under my jurisdiction, as one which you, the Honourable Taoutae, were not authorized in accordance with the Treaty to send to Mr. Medhurst, and he was equally precluded from receiving, by the allegiance he owes to his own Sovereign. In reference to the purport of this communication, it cannot be necessary for me to remind your Excellency, that His Majesty the Emperor of China has by Treaty renounced all jurisdiction over British subjects ; if Mr. Medhurst, therefore, has infringed the port regulations, or any Article of the Treaty by exceeding the limits agreed upon by the Chinese and British local authorities in his excursion, he is accountable to Her Majesty's Consul, and not to you, the Honourable Taoutee. But your Excellency must be perfectly aware, since we together discussed the question the day before yesterday, that the three Missionaries in question infringed no regulation by going to Tsing-poo. They left Shanghae early on Wednesday morning, as they are prepared to prove, and would have returned by 10 o'clock the same night, but for the murderous attack made upon them by a mob of miscreants from the grain junks. They had a perfect and unquestionable right to extend their excursion to Tsing-poo, or any similar distance, and may do so again as often as they see fit, the responsibility of any evil that may happen to them, in the enjoyment of this their undoubted privilege as British subjects, rests upon the authorities of the country, and from them extends upward to His Majesty the Emperor of China, who is bound by solemn Treaty 106 with Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain to secure all British subjects in the full exercise of their rights and privileges, and free from molestation. By the first Article of the Treaty, the Emperor of China engages that they shall enjoy full security and protection for their persons and property within his dominions. How is good faith kept, if peaceable and inoffensive Missionaries, in broad day, giving no provocation whatever, are hustled and pelted in a large city, and within two miles are followed and surrounded by Chinese subjects (whom, I repeai, they never offended), and most cruelly and barbarously wounded and plundered, with manifest danger to their lives ? Your Excellency stated to me the day before yesterday, that there were a large number of these junk men, whom the Government sought to dismiss, but had not yet arranged the terms, furthermore, that by reason of their number, and turbulent character, the authorities could exercise no efficient control over their actions. This explanation caused me both regret and surprise. How is it possible that the Government should determine upon throwing out of employment some 13,000 able-bodied men before they finally arranged satisfactory terms, or provided efficient means to repress the crimes and irregularities, surely to be anticipated from such a body of disbanded malcontents ? So long as the disorders and atrocities of these men were confined to the Chinese, I, the British Consul, could not presume to interfere ; but now that the lives of Englishmen have been perilled by them, and that you, the Taoutae, express fears of inability to protect my countrymen from similar outrages of these lawless junk men, it is my duty as Representative of Her Majesty's Govern- ment here, to inform you, that the Emperor of China, and, therefore, all his servants in authority, are under solemn obligation to afford full and complete pro- tection to Her Majesty's subjects within the Chinese dominions, and that, failing this, the Treaty is virtually annulled. Finally, that whether this absence of protection arise from bad faith, or weakness, the result is the same, and that no Government can claim exemption from Treaty obligations on the plea of inability to control their own subjects, and at the same time require the Power in alliance with them to observe a,ny of the conditions of such Treaty, T, therefore, call upon you, the Honourable Taoutae, to afford full and prompt redress for the grievous injury inflicted upon three British subjects, by causing the chief criminals to be apprehended, and brought to Shanghae that they may be identified, tried, and punished according to law ; and, further, to take such effective measures for the better protection of Her Majesty's subjects, residing within your circuit, as shall aff'ord ample guarantee that similar outrages shall not recur. Permit me to add, in conclusion, that your Excellency's responsibility, and the obligations of His Majesty the Emperor of China, render it imperative' that there should be no further delay in finally and satisfactorily settling with and dispersing these junk men to their respective destinations ; and that if it be a question of money, risk is imminently incurred by every day's delay I say it with sincere regret, of such injury to British subjects and property as may eritail demands for reparation far more costly to the treasury than the payment of these discontented and 'disorderly sailors. I make you this communication to which I beg you will o-iye your careful consideration, and send me an early answer '^ March 11, 1848. Inclosure 6 in No. 49. The Taoutae to Consul Alcock. T . ^^?"^J. ^ Imperial appointment, Superintendent of Maritime Customs Intendant of Circuit, &c., makes this communication in reply ^"^^onas, I have just received the official communication of you, the Honourable Consul, requesting me to seize the grain junk sailors of Tsinglpoo, and Sn! mg me that I ought not to have addressed a note to Mr. Medhurst &c Upon a careful perusal of your letter, it appears to me' that "you the Honourable Consul, m your views of official matters, indeed carry you? caie! 107 fulness to a great extreme. My motives, however, for addressing Mr. Medhurst were the following. In the 23rd year (1843), when I, the Intendant, was at Shanghae assisting in the arrangement of commercial affairs, I had constant communication with Mr. Medhurst on official matters, and thus m some measure formed his acquaintance. Bubsequently, in consequence of my appointment to the Intendancy of Chin-keang-foo, and Chang-chow -foo, a separation of several years ensued, when last year, on my return to Shanghae, Mr. Medhurst paid me a visit at my office ; but as he was no longer an Assistant Officer, and therefore there being no communication to be held between us, fearing that inconveniences' might arise therefrom, I never returned his call. When, however, I heard the other day, that he had been attacked and wounded by the sailors of the grain junks, firstly, in consequence of our old acquaintance, and secondly, because the outrage was committed in my jurisdiction, I felt exceedingly anxious on his account, and deemed it only proper to send a messenger to make inquiries after him. But then fearing again that some mistake might be made in delivering the message, I added to it a note, and thus conveyed my inquiries after him. But I had not the least idea of having any underhand communica- tion with him on official matters, and in future will never again address him a note on any subject. With regard to the grain junk sailors, I, the Intendant, yesterday again wrote officially to the Grain Intendant, requesting him to give strict orders to the officer of the addition of junks to institute immediate inquiries after them, and give them up. A necessary communication. Taoukwang, 28th year, 2nd month, 7th day. (March 11, 1848.) Inclosure 6 in No. 49. Consul Alcock to the Taoutae. ALCOCK, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Shanghae makes this commu- nication in reply. I have received your Excellency's reply to my communication of the 11th instant. I am surprised and concerned to learn that as late as yesterday evening, the criminals had not arrived. Considering that when yon, the Honourable Taoutae, wrote to me, three whole days had elapsed sii.ce the outrage was committed, that the parties implicated were seen by hundreds, and must be known to the policemen who assisted in the release of the British subjects so cruelly maltreated, and finally, that all the junk men are employed in the service of -the Chinese Government, I cannot but remark this appcr, ranee of hesitation and delay in their apprehension with deep regret and anxic' y, lest a further denial of prompt and full redress should compromise our tnendly relations, I must remind your Excellency that delay in such circumstances is tantamount to a denial of justice. I write again, therefore, to know if the chief criminals have been seized, and the property stolen recovered, and request that your Excellency will send me an immediate reply. I take this opportunity of reporting to you the arrival of Her Majesty's ship " Childers," and further acquainting you that the arrival of Her Majesty's ship "Espiegle" may be shortly expected from Ningpo. A necessary communication in reply. March 12, 1848. 108 Inclosure 7 in ^o. 49. Consul Alcoclc to the Taoutae. ALCOCK, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Shanghae, makes this communication. -n •<•• i. The ringleaders in the late unprovoked and murderous attack upon liritish subjects, I am informed, have not yet been seized. I repeat that delay under these circumstances can only be considered as a denial of justice, and refusal to aiford reparation for an injury of the gravest nature. It is now, therefore, my duty to inform your Excellency, that between nation and nation it is a recognized law when an injury is inflicted, for which reparation is refused, the nation aggrieved may do itself justice when it cannot otherwise be obtained. The course you, the Honourable Taoutae, have adopted, leaves me no alternative but to see the highest interests of my nation sacrificed, or to act upon this rule, and take such measures as this unforeseen conjuncture may render necessary to protect Her British Majesty's subjects from the consequences with which they are threatened by the impunity hitherto enjoyed by these criminals. If ten of the ringleaders are not in Shanghae within forty-eight hours from noon this day, for trial and punishnent, I am prepared to take other steps to obtain that reparation you, the Honourable Taoutae, will have refused. In the meantime, and until full justice has been obtained, no payment of duties for British ships can take place to the Custom-house, nor can it be per- mitted that the grain junks now in the river leave the port ; and I trust you, the Honourable Intendant, may see the prudence of forbidding them to make the attempt, I am compelled to adopt these extreme measures from the serious danger which your denial of justice entails upon British life and property, and the urgent necessity for immediate and full redress. If your Excellency's plea of inability were accepted, there is an end to all responsibility on the part of the Chinese Government and authorities for any outrage or atrocity that might be committed, and no guarantee afforded by the Treaty could be of the slightest vahie. I entreat you the Honourable Intendant while it is yet time, to put an end to this most untoward state of affairs, by producing the criminals : but if this be not done, it only remains for me to announce to you, the Honourable Intendant, my firm determination to spare no means at my disposal, to redress the injury inflicted, and should further insult, molestation, or injury, be offered to British subjects, I will summon every British ship within reach, to the anchorage, and if violence to life or property be offered, it shall be resisted, and the consequences rest on your Excellency's head, whose acts have been the cause of all that may follow. A necessary communication. March 13, 1848. Inclosure 8 in J^o. 49. Notification, Shanghue, March 13, 1848. THE refusal of the Chinese authorities to afford redress for the murderous assault upon three British subjects, by the seizure of the chief offenders, leaves Her Majesty's Consul no alternative but to adopt extreme measures, or permit the security of his countrymen, and the interests of the nation, to be seriously compromised. Every amicable means, therefore, having failed. Her Majesty's Consul has given his Excellency the Taoutae forty-eight hours from this day, at noon, to produce ten of the ringleaders in the attack, failing which, such other steps will be taken as may appear expedient, to compel the reparation required. In the meantime, and until full satisfaction has been obtained, it has been notified to 109 the autlioritiep, that no Custom-house duties will be paid for British ships ; the consignees, or other parties, will in each case he called upon to enter into an undertaking at the Consulate, to pay the amounts respectively due, whenever called upon by Her Majesty's Consul. Security to life and property, and the best interests of the commerce of Western nations generally, with Shanghae, are at stake, and if no redress be obtained for so brutal and unprovoked an outrage upon peaceable foreigners, all the great advantages hitherto enjoyed at this port may be lost at once. Her Majesty's Consul accepts the responsibility of his present course, therefore, in the firm conviction that whatever danger or inconvenience may attend the measures he is compelled to adopt, greater still must overtake the community if either timidity or hesitation be shown. (Signed) EUTHERFORD ALCOCK, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul. In closure 9 in No. 49. Circular. Shanghae, March 14, 1848, REFERRING to the circumstances of a daring outrage upon British subjects, which I brought under your notice yesterday the 13th instant, I have now the honour to inclose a copy of the official communication addressed to the Taoutae of that date, in which the chief oflTenders are peremptorily demanded \nthin forty-eight hours, and such further measures as the circumstances render necessary, are notified, to warn his Excellency of all the consequences he may draw upon himself by his refusal to afibrd redress for so grave an injury. It has afforded me much satisfaction to find that, on the view taken of the consequences to be apprehended from a tame acquiescence in this infraction of our Treaty, and the course upon which I have entered to vindicate our guaranteed rights to compel the Chinese authorities to afford reparation, there is no dissentient opinion among the representatives of foreign Powers at Shanghae. This to me is the more satisfactory, being Avell assured that it is not only British subjects who are interested in the steps taken, but that a question is involved, affecting the security of all foreign residents at this port, and their immunity not only from outrage and insult, but robbery and murder. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. luclosure 10 in No. 49. Consul Alcock to Commander Pitman. Sir, Shanghae, March 14, 1848. IN reference to the subject of our verbal communications of yesterday, I have now the honour to inclose for your information and guidance copies oi" certain documents bearing upon the late serious outrage experienced by three inoffensive British subjects. By the inclosed declaration from the parties attacked, it will no doubt be obvious to you that the wanton and wholly unprovoked attack was charac- terized by all the features of savage atrocity which seem to have marked the fatal catastrophe at Canton when six of our countrymen were murdered; that in this instance they escaped with their lives can only be regarded as one of those providential occurrences by which men are sometimes saved, contrary to all probability. The immediate instruments of their rescue, after they had for more than an hour incurred all the chances of murder, and during which they were repeatedly struck down, wounded and cruelly beaten, appear to have been some of the police of the place, who managed to separate them from the grain junk men, their assailants. Q no The only difference to be traced between the two cases is, fortunately for our countrymen, the escape from death, repeatedly menaced, and perhaps the absence of any peculiar local cause for hostile animus. A difference very- important in reference to its bearing upon our interests and security at this port, and coupling the circumstances of this assault in broad day, with the attack upon the AThole settlement so lately menaced, and the bad faith or imbecility shown by the authorities in seizing the offenders, men well known, under a responsible officer and in the pay of the Government, I am strongly impressed with the conviction that, unless redress be obtained by the immediate seizure and punishment of the ringleaders, our best security for that immunity from molestation, which has hitherto been so valuable and important in its influence upon all our interests, will be lost. Security to life and property seem to me imperatively to require justice, should be obtained, and if need be, enforced w'ith a strong hand. Keeping in view the unsatisfactory state of our relations at Canton, rendering this port, in every sense, doubly valuable to us, I see no alternative but to adopt such measures as may seem best calculated to compel reparation, or see Shanghae in a few weeks, or months, become a second Canton to all foreign residents. Time will not permit me at the present moment to furnish you with all the grounds for this opinion ; but it has long- been my deliberate and matured conviction that our immunity from injury and enjoyment of personal advantages here were held upon no better tenure than the fear of consequences, our means of inflicting punishment enabled us to maintain : timidity or hesitation, in the present instance, therefore, would inevit- ably bring down upon us worse evils than I conceive likely to follow any display of force to do ourselves that justice we cannot otherwise obtain. With these views, having also had the satisfaction of learning that I might count upon youT co-operation and effective assistance, you will see by the inclosed copy of a letter to the Taoutae, dated the 13th instant, that I peremptorily demanded the seizure of ten of the ringleaders within forty- eight hours, and notified the stoppage of all duties on British ships, and my intention to prevent the sailing of a large fleet of grain junks in the pay of the Government conveying rice to Pekin, until full justice had been obtained. As you were yourself witness to the unanimity which the Representatives of all the foreign Powers who have Consular Agents at Shanghae manifested in cordially expressing their entire concurrence in the necessity of these measures, I need not enter into further details. I will merely add that so far as I am informed there is a very general feeling among the foreign community that their best interests are at stake, and can only be efficiently protected at the_ present moment by Arm and determined measures. I inclose copy of my notification of yesterday's date. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 11 in No. 46. Letter from British Residents at Shanghae. ^'^> Shanghae, March 14, 1848. ADVERTING to the notification issued yesterday afternoon from the British Consulate, respecting the recent brutal outrage upon three unoffendmg British subjects, the Undersigned, impressed with the importance of this indication on the part of a lawless set in the employ of the Chinese Government, and the marked significance lent to this event by the recent melancholy occurrence in Canton, so much vaunted by the ill-disposed in this neighbourhood, cannot refrain from giving expression to their satisfaction at the energetic measures adopted to obtain plenary redress from the Chinese authorities, and to assure you of the entire confidence with which thev find their interests placed under your guardianship. Under the firm conviction that the tranquillity hitherto enjoyed at this port would be eminently emperiUed by permitting the Chinese authorities to evade the tulfilment of their duty^on this occasion, we would respectfuUv offer you such support as the assurance may afford you of our readiness to submit to Ill any inconvenience which, in the energetic protection of our permanent interests, you may find yourself compelled to demand of us. We have, &c. (Signed) K.R.. MACKENZIE. ADAM SYKES. J. G. LIVINGSTON. ED. ASPINALL. A. F. CROOM. RT. B. OLLETT. HENRY H. KENNEDY. T. PYKE. WM. HUTCHISON. D. SILLAR. WM. HOGG. H. M. M. GRAY. JOHN STEWART. CRAVEN WILSON. JAS. WHITE. GEORGE URMSON. THOMAS PLATT. ED. H. LEVIN A. BOWMAN. J. WILKS, Jun. F. P. WATSON. J. R. WILDMAN. WM. WARD BROWN. W. G. ASPINALL. W. PYKE. WM. THORBURN. D. POTTER. WM. HARGREAVES. THOS. MONCRIEFF. JOHN SCARTH. C. D. MACKENZIE. GEO F. GREEN. GEO.. F. HUBERTSON. Inclosure 12 in No. 49. The Consuls of Foreign Powers at Sftanghae to Consul Alcock. Shanghae, le 12 Mars, 1848. A LA suite de I'entrevue a laquelle vous nous avez fait I'honneur de nous convoquer ce jourd'hui, pour nous donner connaissance de I'attentat commis en plein jour par les Chinois, contre trois honorables et paisibles sujets de Sa Majeste Britannique, qui dangereusement blesses, n'ont echappes a la mort que par une sorte de miracle, et des demarches que vous aviez faiies pour en obtenir une prompte et entiere satisfaction ; Nous avons cru devoir nous r^unir, a L'effet : 1, de nous concerter sur la gravite des circonstances que vous nous avez soumises ; 2, de repondre k votre communication. Apres avoir attentivement examine les consequences inevitables d'une pareille infraction aux Traites, et le danger dans lequel serait h I'avenir la vie des etrangers en Chine, si elle n'^tait promptement redressee par une ^clatante et entiere satisfaction, c'est-a-dire, la severe punition des coupables ; Apres avoir, M. le Consul, bien pese votre longanimite et. I'extr^me prudence de vos demarches et reclamations pres de son Excellence le Taoutae, et les fins de non recevoir, I'indiiFerence, de cette autorite ; Considerant, que I'attentat commis contre MM. Medhurst, Lockhart, et Muirhead, avait ^t^ prec4d6 d'une menace, faite il y a deux mois, d'attaquer et de piller les maisons Europeennes ; que cette tentative de meurtre est d'ailleurs de lia. meme nature, et la consequence naturelle des meurtres de Canton ; Considerant, que Get attentat, commis aujourd'hui sans aucune provocation, contre des sujets de Sa Majeste Britannique, peut I'etre demain, contre d'autres residents etrangers h Shanghai ; que, par consequent, il }■ a danger pour tons, et que c'est une cause commune que vous defendez, M. ie Consul, avec tant de prudence et d'honorable energie ; Considerant, d'ailleurs, que ce n'est qu'apr^s cinq jours de demarches et de values reclamations pres de son Excellence le Taoutae, que vous vous Mes vu dans I'alternative, ou de laisser echapper les coupables, et par consequent I'outrage impuni, ou de fixer comnae dernier ultimatum un delai de quarante-hudt heures pour leur arrivee a Shangliai et leur mise- en jugement. Nous avons cru de notre devoir, M. le Consul, non-seulement de donner par ees presentes notre pleine et entiere approbation k vos actes dans- cette deplorable affaire, mais encore de confirmer cette approbation, en nous transportant en corps, chez son Excellence le Taoutae, pour la lui signifier, lui faire eomprendre la solidarity du danger qui resultait pour tous nos nationaux de. I'impunite de ce crime, et I'avertir par nos energiques representations de la gratvifee des consequences, dont il prenait seul la responsabilite, en a'aecordant Q 2 112 pas le juste chatiment des coiipables, que vous reclamiez depuis cinq jours, par des demarches non avenues et sans aucun resultat. JJ^ous souhaitons sinc^rement, M. le Consul, que notre franche et lojale approbation, ainsi que nos efforts prds de son Excellence le Taoutae, vous aident dans la noble cause — le droit des gens— que vous defendez avec tant de prudence et d'energie, et que les bons rapports qui existaient entre vous et les autorites Ohinoises soient promptement r^tablis. (Signed) C. DE MONTIGNY, Consul de France a Shangkae. E. W. BATES, United States of America Consular Agent. JOHN STEWART, Consul de Belgique a Shangfiae, Chine. Inclosure 13 in l^o. 49. Commander Pitman to Consul Alcock. Sir, " Childers," Shanghae, March 14, 1848. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, with inclosures, and in reference to it, and the verbal communications of yesterday, I hasten to assure you that I most fully concur in all the steps you have taken to obtain full redress for the most unprovoked and savage attack on the three English Missionaries at Tsing-poo. I cannot for a moment suppose the authorities will allow such a gross outrage on British subjects to pass, without giving immediate reparation by bringing the ringleaders to Shanghae for punishment. Should such not be the case, I am quite ready to act with the force that I may have at my disposal, in any way that may be considered for the safety of the foreign community, and for the honour of the British flag and interest. From all that has taken place, and the evident reluctance on the part of the Taoutae to cause the perpetrators of this outrage to be apprehended, I have deemed it my duty, under existing circumstances, to order Her Majesty's sloop '' Espi^gle" to this anchorage, to co-operate with me, if necessary. Having been witness to the unanimity of the other Consular Agents at this port, that they most cordially agree in the necessity of the measures adopted by you, I most sincerely congratulate you, not only that you had their full concurrence, but also that of all the foreign and British subjects at this place, and that the steps you have taken are for their safety and best interests. I have made all the necessary arrangements in my power to move up the river with Her Majesty's sloop, under my command, should it be necessary to take such urgent measures, but I trust I shall not be called upon to do so, and you may rely upon my warm support in co-operation with you in every way. I have, &c. (Signed) E. C. PITMAN. Inclosure 14 in No. 49. Consul Alcock to the British Residents at Shanghae. Gentlemen, Shanghae, March 15, 1848. I HAVE received with great satisfaction and pleasure your letter of the 14th instant. Under the circumstances of peculiar difficulty in which we are placed, it cannot fail to be gratifying to me to know that you see and feel with me the paramount importance of a firm and determined stand being made to obtam that justice, which the Chinese authorities have hitherto shown them- selves so averse to render. There can be no security for life or property where the authorities either will not or cannot punish those who put both in peril. The plea of inability to seize the offenders in the present instance, if admitted, at once relieves the Chinese authorities of all responsibility for any outrage or violence that may 113 be offe ed foreigners, and the same argument first used to limit our excursions, ■would suffice, if carried out to its legitimate conclusion, to confine every foreign resident to his own house, without providing for his safety even there. I do not know what immediate loss or inconvenience may follow the steps I see myself reluctantly compelled by the weakness and blindnesfi of the local authorities to adopt, in defence of our Treaty Rights, but I am truly glad to learn that you are prepared to encounter these contingencies cheerfully in so good a cause, and are confident in my earnest desire to act firmly and justly for the protection of British interests. You may also be confident I am assured that reparation will eventually be exacted by Her Majesty's Grovernment should loss ensue, and with this conviction I will not shrink from the responsibilities of my present course, which, whatever may be the first results, I believe upon mature reflection, to be the best adapted to avert greater evils than any temporary injury to our commercial interests at this port. I thank you very sincerely gentlemen for the cordial expression of your sympathy and confidence. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 15 in So. 49. Minute. M. DE MONTIGNY, the Consul of France, E.W. Bates, Esq., the Acting Consular Agent of the United States of America, and John Stewart, Esq., Agent Consulaire de Sa Majeste le Roi des Beiges, having called upon Rutherford Alcock, Esq., Her Britannic Majesty's Consul atShanghae, and communicated to him an application from the Taoutae, for their influence to induce the said British Consul to extend the time for the production of the offenders in the case of assault at Tsing-poo upon three British subjects ; and the above-mentioned representatives of France, the United States and Belgium, desiring to the utmost of their power, consistent with the attainment of the object in view, to promote the amicable adjustment of the question at issue, requested Her Britannic Majesty's Consul to take into his consideration how far it would be compatible with the interests he defended, to allow a further term to the Taoutae. The said representatives, repudiating any lengthened delay, such as the Taoutae had suggested, of ten days, submit a period of twenty-four hours as a reasonable limit, provided Her Britannic Majesty's Consul should conceive himself warranted in deviating from the time already specified. Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, willing to give a last proof of his reluctance to proceed to any ulterior measures, and of the high consideration in which he holds his colleagues, whose frank and loyal support he fully appreciates, consents to the extended time of twenty-four hours, after to-morrow at noon, provided that his Excellency, the Taoutae himself in person, shall urge the request at Her Majesty's Consulate, before noon on the 15th instant, and is prepared to undertake, that within this extended time the criminals in question shall be in Shanghae, and produced for identification and trial. The said Representatives of France, the United States of America and Belgium, fully concurring in the spirit and tenor of this concession, undertake to communicate the same to his Excellency the Taoutae. In witness whereof, we the Undersigned affix our signatures, this"! 4th day March, 1848, at Her Britannic Majesty's Consulate, Shanghae. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK, Her Britannic Majestxi's Consul. C. DE MOI^TIGNY, Consul de France. E. W. BATES, United States of America Consular Agent- JOHIS" STEWART, Agent Consulaire clu Roi de Beiges. 114 Inclosure 16 in l^o. 49. The Sub^ Prefect, a District Magistrate, to Consul Alcock. March 14, 1848. TO>-DAY we had an interview with his Excellency the Intendant, who .told us that at 10 o'clock in the morning, you, the Honourable Consul, had expressed yourself in angry terms, on account of the offending sailors of the grain junks, who had caused the disturbance at Tsing-poo not having yet been seized^ that you insisted upon their being apprehended and produced by 11 o'clock to-morrow, and in case of this not being effected, that you would stop the rice junks and allow none of them to leave the port, and also that you would level Shanghae to the ground, and words to that effect. We are of opinion that this could only have been the angry speech of the moment. For we find that since the commencement of the commerce here, five years ago, the people of Shanghae have behaved peaceably and properly on every occasion, and no fears or doubts of any nature have ever existed on either side. But the suspicions of the people will now be roused, if they find that on account of the disturbances at Tsing-poo, you would wish to trample down and destroy them, and the- consequences might tend to seriously involve our commercial and other interests. It is fortunate that what is uttered within the office of the Intendant, cannot be known outside, for should the intelligence once get abroad, the evil disposed and disorderly characters among the people, would as soon as they heard of it, incite and move the people therewith, and how should we the Sub- prefect and District Magistrate be able then to control them ? We fear indeed that your plan is not tended to proqiote or preserve the existing friendly relations. As regards the sailors of the grain junks, in consequence of their employment being stopped by the transportation (of the grain) by sea, they have hit upon the idea of attempting to obstruct these measures, thus therefore if you, the Honourable Consul, in your endeavour to seize the sailors, are the first to stop the rice vessels of Shanghae, not only do you thereby interfere with our amicable relations, but you likewise coalesce with the wishes of the sailors. Already has the Intendant this moment dispatched a special deputy to convey with all possible haste to the Magistrate of Tsing-poo his orders for the apprehension of the criminals ; but it is impossible that they can be here by 11 o'clock to-morrow, as ten days must at all events be required for this purpose. For suppose that a Chinese subject have been beaten by a sailor of your honourable nation, we should address you, the Honourable Consul, oflScially on the subject ; but in consequence of our being ignorant at the time of the name or surname of the individual, you would require to proceed to examine every vessel, before you could take steps for settling the affair. More especially then, in the case of Tsing-poo, where the sailors are very numerous, and have chiefs among them who entertain no fear of death. Therefore, in proceeding to apprehend any of them, if proper plans be not adopted, a serious outbreak would be the result, and further, through Tsing-poo and its vicinity lies one of the most important thoroughfares for the Chinese merchants, it follows therefore that if this be obstructed the trade (of Shanghae) must also suffer To Slim up the whole, if the criminals be seized and punished accordinff to kw within ten days, the utmost speed will have been employed, and no delav whatever been shown in affording redress to the Rev. Mr. Medhurst and the other gentlemen. _ Our original intention Avas to have called upon you in person but the rainy weather having stopped our visit, we first proceed to send you this letter Should you the Honourable Consul, have anything to say, you can make us a Ihe matter "■'''' '* '^"^ '''^''^'' ''' "''"^^ '^'^' *^ ^"^^ in person to Slk over welfam '^'* '"''^'"^ *^''' ^^ ^^^ *^ present our wishes for your increasing 115 Inclosure 17 in Ko. 49. Minute. Minute of a Conference, held this luth day of March, 1848, at Her Britannic Miijesty's Consulate at Shanghae, between his Excellency Heen, the Taoutae, and Rutherford Alcock, Esq., Her Majesty's Consul, at which Brooke Robertson, Esq., Her Majesty's Vice-Consul, Captain Pitman, commanding Her Majesty's ship " Childers," and the Rev. W. H. Medhurst assisted. HIS Excellency Heen the ' Taoutae, hav-ing sent to request an interview with Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, on the morning of the 15th inst., was received according to appointment at the Consulate, when the Consul inquired if the ringleaders in the assault upon tliree British subjects had been appre- hended. The Taoutae replied in the negative, and entered into various details to show that he had written several times, and sent off a Wei-yuen to the Magistrate at Tsing-poo, urging him to use all diligence and dispatch to seize the offenders ; but up to the present time he had received no answer. By to- morrow, probably, something definite would be known, and in the meantime, he trusted and believed that every exertion was being made, and that the absence of news merely indicated the difficulty the Magistrate experienced in carrying out his orders. That these were affairs which required time to manage, and that it was impossible for him to say the criminals should certainly be seized by the next day. The Consul inquired, if the ten days which the Taoutae had mentioned to the Consuls of other foreign Powers, as the time required for the seizure of the offenders, were conceded, whether he was prepared to guarantee that at the end of that period they should be produced. The Taoutae answered in the negative, urging that all he could undei^take was to do his best to secure their apprehension, but it was a work of time, and full of difiiculty. The Consul replied that this was most unsatisfactory, and gave him so little assurance of the determination of the Taoutae to repair the injury inflicted, by the delay already experienced in apprehending the perpetrators of an assault threatening the lives of British subjects, that he had no alternative but to persevere in the measures already taken of stopping the payment of duties, the sailing of the grain junks, and to reserve to himself the right of taking such other measures as might seem at any moment expedient to compel prompt satisfaction and redress. The Taoutae reiterated his inability to guarantee the apprehension of the offenders within any fixed period. The Consul answered that the plea of inability now set up was neither more nor less than a plea of irresponsibility for any injury or violence that might be offered to the British by Chinese subjects. It must be clear to the Taoutae, that there could be no security to life or property compatible with impunity to those who put them both in peril ; and if the Chinese Government of authorities could at any time plead the difiiculty of controlling their own people as a sufficient answer to a demand for prompt redress by the seizure and punishment of ofienders, the most important provisions of the Treatj of IS^anking were violated, ^nd the Treaty itself became a mockery. The Taoutae repeated that all he could do had been done, and that there were difiiculties he could not help. The Consul stated that it only further remained for him to give distinct notice that he lield the Taoutae as the Representative of the Chinese Govern- ment, and the officer at whose hands justice could not be obtained as responsible for the expenses entailed by the detention of two brigs of war in the port, and for any other loss, expense, or injury, which accrue as a consequence of the measures taken to obtain justice. That for the present, he, the Consul, would proceed to no act of violence for the enforcement of his just demands, and if any were offered on the part of Chinese subjects to the British, he would instantly order into the anchorage, all the armed vessels at Woosung, and detain them at the Taoutae's cost and expense, until these negotiations 116 should be satisfactorily determined. The Consul further observed that the Hae-fang and Ohe-heen had written the Consul a letter on the preceding day, in which they had the bad taste to menace him with danger from the people to which he had returned no answer ; but he would now state to the iaoutae that he, the Consul, and his family, would continue where they were in the midst ot the city, without fear, and he was satisfied without danger, the conse- quences of any injury to Her Majesty's Consul in this position, he was well assured would be too serious, and too immediately and certainly telt by the inhabitants and city of Shanghae for any such outrage to be contemplated. The Consul added, in conclusion, that it could scarcely be necessary for him to state to the Taoutae, that while violence would be met and promptly resisted from whatever quarter it came, any overt acts of this nature might lead to the Consul's striking his flag, and withdrawing with his countrymen from the port, an act under such circumstances which could only be regarded as the forerunner of worse evils, and the beginning of war. The conference broke up after a few not very relevant observations from the Taoutae on the necessity of doing what could be done, and preserving a good understanding. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOOK. Inclosure 18 in Ko. 49. The Taoutae to Consul Alcock. (Translation.) A COMMUI* (nild no doubt be viewed by the Chinese 121 authorities as a concession on our part. I am therefore, reluctantly compelled t abstain from giving you any positive directions for your conduct on this emergency, as I fear, should I attempt it, that I might probably add to the difficulties and embarrassments with which you are already beset As I only took charge of this office yesterday, I have considered it proper t©-show my able predecessor this despatch, and he has authorized me to say he perfectly agrees in the sentiments it contains, I have, &c. (Signed) S. G. BONHAM. Inclosure 27 in ISTo. 49. The Taoutae to Consul Alcock. (Translation.) March 17, 1848. AT six o'clock to-day, a special messenger arrived from the Sub-prefect, Chin, bringing a letter to the effect that two of the sailors implicated in the disturbance had already been seized, who being examined by the District Magistrate of Tsing-poo, deposed that they had asssisted the riot, but still were not the principal parties concerned in it ; they have now been put in the cangue and flogged. It is reported that the principal offenders have all escaped to other places, and the officer of the division has already proceeded himself in pursuit, in order that they may be seived with rigour. The Sub-prefect, Chin, will still stay at Tsing-poo, as it is imperative that they be apprehended and severely punished. This shows that measures are really and sincerely being taken for the adjust- ment of the affair, and I may therefore request that you, the Honourable Consul, will set your mind at rest about it. With regard to the rice vessels Avho are transporting the grain by sea, several hundred of them have now been collected, and in the course of one or two days they will weigh and proceed. I must trouble you, the Honourable Consul, not on any account, to obstruct them, as this step might involve our amicable relations. While writing this, I present my wishes for your unceasing prosperity, and await your answer. 13th day (17th March), 8 p.m. Inclosure 28 in No. 49. Consvl Alcock to the Taoutae. ALCOCK, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Shanghae, makes this com- munication in reply. You, the Honourable Taoutae, inform me that two of the sailors implicated in the disturbance at Tsing-poo had already been seized, that they confessed to having assisted the riot, but still were not the principal parties concerned in it, and that they have been put into the cangue and flogged. You also inform me that it is reported the principal offenders have all escaped, but that the officer of the division has been sent in pursuit. B"othing can be more unsatisfactory than the whole statement. It appears, notwithstanding the inability to seize these grain junk men hitherto professed, that you, the Honourable Taoutae, when you really determine to do so, can apprehend them, since you have at last caused the seizure of two of their nuinber. It is quite evident then, that the chief offenders might also liave beeii seized from the first, had your Excellency caused rigorous and prompt measures to be taken. N^ow if it be true that they have neen allowed to escape, they must be followed and apprehended. But I repeat, that unless brought down to Shanghae, where they can be identified and punished in the presence of one of my officers, no adequate redress will have been afforded, and I consider any reported seizures or punishments at Tsing-poo as of no account. When I see any of the ringleaders actually here, who can be identified, I 122 shall be satisfied that measures are really and sincerely being taken for the adjustment of the affair in a satisfactory manner, and not until then. With regard to the rice junks, I have already oflficially notified to you that the commanding officer of Her Majesty's ships had peremptory orders to stop any grain junk attempting to pass down the river, and if they would not turn back on being warned, or if they resisted, to fire into them. I strongly recommend you not to try the experiment of forcing the passage for these junks, or they will find to their cost and peril that these orders will be most thoroughly and effectually carried out. When you have afforded redress by seizing the chief offenders, guilty of a murderous assault upon peaceable British subjects, and brought them here, then I will give different orders.^ In the meantime, I have only again to repeat that the grain junks shall not leave this river until I have obtained justice for the committed outrage. I have reported the steps taken to Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, and if you, the Honourable Taoutae, are rash enough to risk collision with our armed vessels before I can receive his Excellency's instructions, the consequences of any mischief that may ensue be upon your head and not mine. I am most anxious to avoid any act of violence, but if you compel me to resort to it, the fault is yours, and I warn you in the strongest terms, that no grain junk will be permitted to leave the river at the present time. A necessary communication. March 18, 1848. No. 50. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received May 24.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, March 29, 1848. MY last despatch on the subject of Shanghae affairs was dated the 25th instant, since which a vessel has arrived from that port, without bringing me any despatches from the Consul, and I have therefore requested the Senior Naval Officer to permit Her Majesty's steamer "Fury,'' to proceed to Shanghae, for the purpose of carrying my despatches, and, by her appearance, of strength- ening Mr. Alcock's position, by affording him countenance and support. Having reperused Mr. Alcock's despatch of the 17th instant, and more fully considered the matter, the more am I satisfied that I should incur your Lordship's displeasure were I to permit the peaceable relations existing between the two nations to be compromised on this occasion ; and, I trust, my second letter of the 27th instant will convince the Consul of the propriety of bringing the present misunderstanding to a speedy and satisfactory conclusion. Mr. Alcock appears to conceive that the Missionary gentlemen had not exceeded their limits by proceeding to Tsing-poo, but, by reference to the inclosed sketch, your Lordship will perceive that this place is half-way between Shanghae and the large city of Soo-chow-foo, and ninety-six le, or thirty miles from the former place ; it certainly, therefore, seems to me doubtful whether it was ever intended that British subjects should perform journeys of this sort the original intention of defining the time that they should be permitted to be absent from their respective Consulates, being simply to enable them to enjoy exercise and recreation within a moderate distance of their port or place of residence. With this view of the case, I have it in contemplation to instruct the Consuls, in conjunction with the Chinese authorities, to endeavour, if possible to define the limits allowed for the purposes of recreation and exercise by space or boundary, instead of by time, as at present, which will tend to the prevention of misapprehension and abuse. The "Fury" will leave this harbour in an hour. I have, &c. (Signed) S. G. BONHAM. 123 Inclosure 1 in No. 50. Mr. Bonham to Consul Alcock. Sii'j Victoria, Hong Kong, March 27, 1848. THE brig " Denia," having arrived from Slianghae, ivhich place she left on the 20th instant, without bringing me any further communications from yourself on the state of affairs at your Consulate, I am led to believe that matters are much in the same state as when your despatch of the 18th instant was written. I have, since my letter of the 23rd instant, had further time for the consideration of your despatches, and under all the circumstances of the case, and pending the receipt of replies from the Foreign Office to my predecessor's letters respecting the Hwang-chu-ke catastrophe, I feel more strongly than ever the necessity of discouraging any offensive operations being taken against the Chinese, which may embroil the two nations in hostilities, without the previous sanction of Her Majesty's Government. From the Taoutae's note to you, forming an inclosure in your letter of the 18th instant, two of the principal parties concerned in this transac- tion are reported to have been punished. It would undoubtedly have been more satisfactory if these persons had been punished at Shanghae, or in the presence of some constituted British authority, but, as matters now stand, all I can countenance is for you to continue to call on the Taoutae to punish any others of these criminals he can apprehend, for I again repeat that from recent instructions from Her Majesty's Government, I am strictly forbidden from engaging in any offensive operations against the Chinese authorities. Under these circumstances you will, as early as you possibly can, bring this question between the Taoutae and yourself to a close, and you will, of course, abstain from making any further representation to any of the higher authorities alluded to in your letter, which I consider to be one which must be finally arranged between the Imperial Commissioner and myself. I forward this and my other despatch by Her Majesty's steamer " Fury," and as her presence may possibly tend to induce the Chinese authorities to bring this question to a satisfactory conclusion, I have no objection to your requesting Captain Wilcox to remain with you for a few days, if you should be of opinion that she will have the effect suggested ; otherwise, you will inform that officer he can return to Hong Kong as soon as he sees fit, as I have it in contemplation to request her services to convey me to an interview with the Chinese High Commissioner at an early period. I have, &c. (Signed) S. G. BONHAM. Inclosure 2 in No. 50. Sketch showing the Position of Tsing-poo. No. 51. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham. Sir, Foreign Office, May 29, 1848. IN reply to Sir John Davis's despatch of the 13th of March, I have to acquaint you that Mr. Bird was quite right not to interfere with reference to the affray which occurred between some Americans and Chinese at Whampoa, on the 6th of that month. I am, &c. (Signed) PALMEKSTON. 124 m. 52. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham. Sir, Foreign Office, May 29, 1848, I HAVE to acquaint you that I approve of the answer returned by Sir John Davis, as reported in his despatch of the 4th of March, to the note from Keying, of the 29th of February, calling for the punishment of a man from Manilla, accused of having committed murder at "Woosung. I am, &c. (Signed) PALMEESTON. No. 53. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston. — [Received June 21.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, April 10, 1848. O'S the 1st instant, the Acting Consul at Canton reported to me that an unprovoked assault had been committed by some Chinese on Messrs. Bowman and Johnson, two British subjects, while proceeding up a creek on the side of the river opposite to Canton, and within a mile of the factories. This morning I had the gratification to receive the inclosures Nos. 1 and 2, by which your Lordship will perceive that the matter has been promptly arranged, and the culprits punished. The Imperial Commissioner having, in the correspondence with Mr, Elmslie, made some attempt to defend the aggression, on the ground of the English gentlemen not having been accompanied by policemen and linguists, I addressed a letter to his Excellency on the subject, of which I inclose a copy, and of the reply thai I received thereto. It is satisfactory to observe that redress has, in this instance, been aflforded by Seu, the Acting Imperial Commissioner, more speedily than on any former occasion of a similar nature. I have, &c. (Signed) S. G. BONHAM. Inclosure 1 in No. 63. Acting Consul Elmslie to Mr. Bonham. Sir, Canton, April 8, 1'84.8. I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency that two culprits, alleged to have been concerned in the assault on Messrs. Bowman and Johnson, were yesterday morning brought to this Consulate, wearing the cangue, having the nature of their offence written upon it. The offenders were conveyed up the river in a boat, landed at the garden steps, paraded through the British factory and back streets, and finally set down in the largest suburban thoroughfare (opposite the Consoo House), where they remained exposed in the cangue till sunset. That the people at Honan may know of the punishment inflicted on the two delinquents, I insisted upon their being taken to the bridge to-day, where the assault was committed, and there exposed in the cangue till evening ; this demand was positively refused, on the ground that the people there were exceedingly "obstinate and ferocious." Your Excellency's despatch, however, to the Imperial Commissioner arrived very opportunely, and I was thus enabled to carry the point. By the inclosed note from the Imperial Commissioner, your Excellency will learn the sentences passed on the offenders, Mr. Meadows and myself visited them yesterday at different periods, and found they were undergoing the punishment awarded. 125 I requested Mr. Meadows to proceed to Honan this morning, for the purpose of ascertaining the fact as to the punishment of the culprits being inflicted as promised, and have much satisfaction in forwarding to your Excellency that gentleman's report. I have, &c. (Signed) ADAM W. ELMSLIE. Inclosure 2 in No. 53. Report by Mr. Meadows. !,"] Canton, April 8, 1848. I FOUND the two men, Chin-a-te and Le-a-lae, in cangues, under the charge of the police, in an open space about fifty yards from the bridge, the scene of the assaiUt on Messrs. Bowman and Johnson. The labels on the cangues stated distinctly that they were undergoing punishment for having "assaulted foreigners." I found them surrounded by a number of onlookers, and neither from them, nor from any other persons in the street which I had to walk down for about 100 yards, did I experience any molestation. I also passed twice under the bridge without suffering the least insult or annoyance. (Signed) THOS. TAYLOU MEADOWS. Inclosure 3 in No. 53. Mr. Bonham to Commissioner 8eu. Victoria, Hong Kong, April 5, 1848. I SOME days since received a despatch from the Consul at Canton, stating that a very violent assault had been committed by some Chinese on two British subjects, who were passing on their lawful avocations up the Kee-ya Creek, and that he had called on your Excellency to investigate the matter, arid to cause the offenders to be punished. I confess that I expected to have heard that your Excellency had at once done what was so obviously requisite — that the culprits had been seized at once and punished, and that the matter had been thus properly settled. But I have this day received a second letter from the Consul, inclosing me a copy of your Excellency's letter to him, dated 3rd April, wherein you ask, if the two Englishmen were accompanied by policemen and linguists, to enable you to examine and to deal with the case. Now, 1 would bring to your Excellency's notice that, whether these British subjects were or were not attended by a policeman and linguist, I consider it the duty of the Chinese Government to afford them protection against acts of gross violence of the description complained of; and if such protection be not afforded, and miscreants punished who commit such acts, a second catastrophe similar to that which lately took place at Hwang-chu-ke may be expected. If such acts of violence and bloodshed are again committed, will not the harmony and good feeling which ought to exist between our respective G-overn- ments be endangered ; and may not hostilities ultimately ensue ? I have already observed, that I conceive whenever British subjects are wantonly assaulted or insulted they have a right to expect redress, whether attended by linguists or otherwise. In this instance I am not aware that they were so accompanied ; and if not, it assuredly was not necessary that they should be guarded by police to proceed about half a mile from their place of residence ; and had not your Excellency mooted the question, I should have considered it an insult to your nation to suppose that the authorities under your Excellency cannot afford protection to a couple of peaceable foreigners within a mile of their residence, without their being accompanied by policemen. If, moreover, it were necessary to be so accompanied on occasions like the present, where people were not going into the interior for recreation or exercise, but were engaged in mercantile pursuits, it will shortly be also requisite for S 126 English merchants going to China merchants and shopkeepers in the aeigh- bouriog streets to be similarly guarded. _ Under such circumstances it is clear the trade of the two nations could not exist. It is necessary, to prevent ultimate misapprehension, that we should clearly understand one another, and I hope to hear, in reply, that your Excellency has caused the Chinese, who wantonly assaulted two British subjects m a manner which might have easily caused their death, to be publicly punished in an exemplary manner, and in the presence of British subjects. Accept, &c. (Signed) S. G. BONHAM. Inclosure 4 in 'So. 53. Commissioner Seu to Mr. Bonham. (Translation.) SEU, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., sends the following reply to a communication of the Honourable Envoy, respecting the outrage committed by some Chinese on Johnson and Bowman, two British sulyects, and the appoint- ment of policemen to accompany them for their protection, which he fully perused. When Consul Elmslie informed me of this casS, that Johnson and another had been wounded with stones, which some Chinese threw at them, I ordered the Pwan-yu Magistrate to proceed against the aggressors. He subsequently seized two, Le-a-lae and Chin-a-te, who confessed that they were propelling a grass-boat on the river, near the Hwang-choo bridge, and, being pressed by the vessels astern, a quarrel ensued. Lee-a-lae took up and threw at them stones, and in this manner happened to wound the foreigners, which he could not deny. Le-a-lae and Chin-a-tae will therefore wear the cangue, at the spot where the oifence occurred, as a warning to the multitude ; and when their time expires they will be beaten, and thus be disposed of. I, the Great Minister, communicated the above for the information of Consul Elmslie, as is on record. If any foreigners wish in ordinary cases to go to the streets in the neigh- bourhood, or to the warehouses, it would be perfectly useless to insist upon the attendance of linguists and policemen. Only when they are making excursions for their recreation, policemen and linguists should be sent to follow them, and afford protection, according to the regulations that have been established, in order to avoid any disagreeable consequences. As Consul Elmslie did not stat® to me the object of Johnson's and his companion's going out, nor whether they had a linguist and policeman with them, I made inq^liries to that effect. This I did with the intention to ascertain whether the runners had done their duty, or shown themselves careless, and never hinted that foreigners ought to be attended by policemen to the nearest streets. Whilst forwarding this answer, I wish you much happiness. Taou-kang, 28th year, 3rd month, 5tfh day. (April -8, 1848.) No. 64. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Pabnerston. — {Receimd June 21.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, April 12, 1848. IN continuation of my despatches of the 25th and 29th ultimo, I have now the honour to submit for your Lordship's information two further despatches from Mr. Consul Alcock of the 25th and 31st ultimo, detailing his further proceedings to ensure redress for the violence committed on the three Missionaries at Tsing-poo. Mr. Alcock's letter of the 3 1 st ultimo will convey to your Lordship the gratifying intelligence that all his demands on the Chinese authorities have been complied 127 with, and that everything' at Shanghae has at present a peaceable appearance, and I have little doubt that the Consul's energetic demonstration on the occasion wfU tend materiallj not anly to ensure the peaceable relations hitherto existing at that port between the two Grovernments, but at the three other northern ports likewise. As Mr. Alcock had commenced his negotiation with the Chinese authorities, previously to my relieving Sir John Davis, and has since, as far as I can judge^ brought it to a most successful termination, without any possible intervention on my part, I have no particular remark to make which could be of any service, in addition to those already set forth in that gentleman's very voluminous and able reports. But there is one point to which I would beg^ to invite your Lordship's attention. In Mr. Alcock's letter of 31st March, he says, "that from the proceeds of the ship's duties, which have been kept back during the fifteen (feys' embargo, he purposes to liquidate certain claims alleged to be due to British subjects," &c. This intention on the part of the Consul seems to be open to very serious objections, from the opportunity it affords of enabling the Chinese authorities to misrepresent the real facts of this case, and likewise to be calculated to impair the high position he has so successfully assumed throughout the whole of this controversy, and I have therefore thought it my duty to acquaint Mr. Alcock with my views oh this subject, which I hope may prove to be in unison with your Lordship's. Complete redress having been afforded on this occasion, on the part of the Chinese authorities, through the able negotiation and strenuous exertions of Mr. Alcock, it may perhaps appear invidous in my alluding to my former letters to that gentleman, wherein 1 stated I thought he had exceeded the authority intended to have been reposed in the Consuls generally. I, nevertheless, think it my duty to advert to them, as probably Mr. Alcock's success on this occasion may embolden less competent gentlemen to foUow in his steps, should circumstances of a similar nature arise at their Consulates, which may from various causes probably not result in the same satisfactory manner ; and hence I am desirous of receiving your Lordship's views and orders on this subject generally, that I may not unnecessarily interfere with the Consuls, if it be intended that they should exercise the extended powers acted on by Mr. Consul Alcock on this occasion, and at the same time become aware of the extent of my own responsibilities. I have, &c. (Signed) S. G. BOIs^HAM. Inclosure 1 in IsTo. 54, Consul Alcock to Sir J. Davis. Sir, Shanghae, March 25, 1848. REFERRING- to my despatch of the 17th instant, I have the honour to inclose a further correspondence with the Chinese authorities, and minutes of a ponference, which wiU inform your Excellency of the progress of the negotiations up to the present date. On the 18th instant, finding that the Taoutae had .issued a public, Proclamation to the grain junk owners on the 15th instant (after he had seen me in the morning and disclaimed all intention of moving the junks), calling upon them at once to sail out by twos and threes, and that a number of junks were actually prepared to start by the next tide, I issued a Notice, copy of original and translation is inclosed, marked No. 2, and took care that it was circulated throughout the grain junks, warning the owners and sailors that no Government grain junks would be allowed to pass Her Majesty's ship "Childers" in the lower anchorage- I took this step with great reluctance,, but the bad faith of the Taoutae, and the necessity, as far as possible, of averting any collision, seemexi to me both to justify and make it imperative^ This was well received by the junk men, and appeared to be not only S2 128 thoroughly understood but acquiesced in. I received a visit from the Ghe-heen shortly afterwards, urging me to let the first detachment of junks sail, lest the. Taoutae should be seriously compromised. This seems to indicate the belief of the authorities, for the first time, that the course of action adopted would be carried through until the end was attained, and that serious consequences to themselves must follow. The succeeding morning, the 19th instant, at a very early hour, the Taoutae came to the Consulate, apparently with the view of appealing to my feelings. I assured him that I bore no personal ill will in the matter ; but satisfied that British interests, and life and property were compromised by the neglect manifested in the seizure of the offenders, I could not for a moment contemplate abandoning the position taken to enforce such just demands. Evidently nothing but subterfuge and delay was now to be expected from the Taoutae ; and the time appeared to have arrived for carrying an appeal to a higher authority, and by that means provide for the withdrawal, within a short and limited period, of the embargo on the grain junks, the indefinite prolongation of which was to be avoided, if possible, lest injury to the junk owners might ultimately create a bad feeling among the people, who, I had, reason to believe, hitherto regarded my demands as just in themselves, and the whole affair a question with the authorities in which they were little interested. I therefore determined, without further delay, on sending a statement (copy of which is inclosed marked No. 3) addressed to the Governor-General; at 5janking, with the whole of the Chinese correspondence, claiming that redress which I could not obtain from the Taoutae, and requesting that a delegate of, rank might be sent down to institute the necessary inquiries on the spot, and take the most rigorous and effective measures to seize the ringleaders. In my letter, marked ISo. 4, to the Senior Naval Ofiicer, Captain Pitman, requesting that a passage to Nanking might be afforded the Vice-Consul and Interpreter in one of Her Majesty's ships, I explain fully the grounds upon which I held such a measure expedient. Captain Pitman's answer, No. 5, placing Her Majesty's sloop " Espiegle " at my disposal conveys his Ml concurrence in the expediency of the measure, and his conviction of its importance for the protection of British interests at this port. J\lr. Vice-Consul Robertson's instructions are marked No. 6. He is therein directed to deliver my statement to the Governor-General in perse ii, and if possible to secure the dispatch of a delegate of rank before the '•'Espiegle" returned. Any further delay I conceived would only complicate matters. The arrival of men to personate the offenders was to be expected; and in the event of mis- chievous efforts on the part of the authorities to stir up the junk owners and others to force the passage of the river for the grain boats, impatient under the idea of an indefinite period of delay, I felt the dispatch of the brig would give me the means of arresting any proceedings of the nature indicated, both on the part of the authorities and the people, by announcing a reference to Nanking and the speedy arrival of an answer from the Governor-General, These expectations have been fully realized. On the 21st instant I received, inclosure No, 7, a letter from the Taoutae announcing the return of . the Haefang with two of the ringleaders. My reply, No. 8, informed him that I would bring the three parties who had been attacked to identify the prisoners the following day. The inclosed minute of the interview. No. 9, will show the silly imposition attempted. One man was certainly not the party he pretended to be ; and in all probability the other merely personated for a certain sum one of the real offenders. The week since the departure of the "Espiegle " has been one continued struggle on the part of the authorities, by every kind of subterfuge and manoeuvre, to extricate the grain junks, at the same time that they officially communicated to me the absence of all efforts or intention on their part. At first some of the junks already laden were sent down, when these were turned back, junks partially laden with grain, and covered over with cotton or bricks tried to pass; finally, a number of empty junks were dispatched and these being allowed to pass, the next tide brought down from twenty to thirty small 129 boats covered over with bricks, &c., but laden with grain, for the purpose of loading the empty junks in the reach below. The duty of stopping such a number of boats and junks is of course harassmg, and some few no doubt may have escaped, but the number is so small that, compared with the large fleet of some 500 now ready for sea, the Taoutae's position cannot have been improved. No collision or injury has resulted from these attempts, which are simply wearisome. On the 23rd instant I received a deputation from the junk owners and others, who desired to represent to me that further detention would be injurious to them, and I took the opportunity of pointing out to them that the outrage oflFered in the first instance, and the subsequent impunity of the offenders, was so far from being a small affair, as I had understood some of them represented it in comparison with the detention of 1,000 junks, that a repetition of such injuries must tend to a renewal of hostilities, which, as a grievous calamity to them, I was very anxious to avert by the much milder measure of detaining for a time, until redress was afforded, the Government grain in the river. Having learned the evening before that intelligence had been received at the Taoutae's office of the sailing up the Yang-tsze-keang of an European vessel, I no longer felt any hesitation, considering also that a four days' start had been obtained, in relieving the minds of the junk holders, by informing them that in a few days a ship from "N"anking would return, bringing 1 presume the answer of the Governor-General, to whom the whole matter had been referred, at which they expressed the most unequivocal satisfaction, anticipating the certain termination of all further difficulty as a necessary result, and apparently the removal of the Taoutae suggested itself to their minds, as a further subject of congratulation. An hour previously I had given the same information to the Taoutae (No. 10), who replied on the 24th (No. 11), agreeing that it was necessary to at patiently the results of my communication to the Governor-General, and tempting to persuade me that all the vessels and boats daily proceeding down the river with grain formed no portion of that which was destined for Peking. I learn that the IsTea-tae, or Provincial Judge, has arrived from Soo-chow at Tsing-poo, and he reports that he has actually apprehended two of the chief offenders, while the Canton merchaTit, known as Sam-qua, has made his appearance here, and tells me he has been sent in haste by the Lieutenant- Governor at Soo-chow, to assure me that the Lieutenant-Governor regards with great displeasure the Taoutae's conduct in the recent affair, and to invite me, in communication with the Nea-tae, to devise some equitable mode of adjustment. As Sam-qua is not accredited by any letter or document addressed to me from the Lieutenant-Governor, I can only consider him, notwithstanding his purchased official rank, as unauthorized to enter into any official communication. His object appears to be to obtain the sailing of the grain junks, upon the production of two offenders, under guarantee of the Provincial Judge, that the remainder shall be seized within a given time, while he also affirms that as soon as the affair has ceased to attract so much attention, the Taoutae will be removed. For such a termination I am prepared to treat, as probable the best attain- able, and if even two of the real offenders can be identified and punished, the object I had in view, when I first insisted upon redress, will have been accom- plished. An example of the serious consequences of injury to British subjects, with refusal of redress will have been made, which, taking into consideration all the attendant circumstances, must, I am satisfied, have the best effect, both at Shanghae, and in the country. The bulk of the people, as I have previously stated, are peaceably enough disposed while the fear of consequ nces is over them : but it was necessary to prove to the ill-disposed among them, and to the junk population more espe- cially, that no difficulty would be allowed to stand in the way of redress for such an outrage as British subjects had suffered in this instance, and that even if the local authorities were disposed to hold back, means would be found, through their own superior officers, of enforcing more rigorous measures. I see much reason to believe that this will be attained without injurious collision or loss, either to the foreign community or the Chinese at this port, 130 and, in that case, I am sanguine in the hope that permanent benefit may W the result. (Signed) ' RUTHERFORD ALCO€K. Inelosure 2 in ISo. Bi. Notification. (Translation,) ALCOCK, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, notifies the following to all the owners of rice junks now at anchor in the Hwang-poo, and others, for their full information. , Three British subjects were lately murderously attacked and plundered at Tsing-poo by a number of grain junk men; the authorities have delayed from day to day, merely looking idly around them, neither prosecuting nor adjusting the matter according to the laws, I, the Consul, am, therefore, obliged to compel them to aflFord redress, and, therefore, none of the above vessels can leave the port with rice until the affair has been satisfactorily arranged. But as I would not wish that any injury be infiicted upon the good people, I first make this known by notification. From the date of this notice let none of you, junk owners, or others, move your vessels. Should you offer any opposi- tion, then the vessel of war of my nation, now in the river, will open her great, guns, and you will be involved in misery of your own seeking. Say not that I gave you not timely notice. A special notification. Dated 14th day of the 2nd month of the "Woo-shin year. (March 1&, 1848.) Inelosure 3 in 'No. 5i. Consul Alcock to the Governor- General of Nanking. ALCOCK, Consul, &c., makes this statement :^ On the 8th instant three British subjects, Mr. Medhurst, Mr. Lockhart, and Mr. Muirhead, Missionaries of the English nation, were on an excursion to Tsing-poo, within the limits assigned at tliis port, and while peaceably distri- buting their tracts to those who desired to have them, were assailed with stones, and pressed upon by some grain junk men. Seeing that these men were disposed to seek some pretext for creating a disturbance, my countrymen, very properly, determined on immediately leaving the city, that no injury might arise to any one ; and, being able to speak the language, they remonstrated with the men, and were allowed to pass through the crowd, and out of the city, without molestation. When on their way to the boat by the side of the canal, they heard behind a number of men shouting, and on turning saw some twenty or thirty grain junk men armed with swords, chains, clubs, hoes,. &c., who, as they approached, threatened with furious gestures to kill them. My countrymen being but three in number, and, moreover, peaceable and inoffensive, desiring above all things to avoid violence to themselves or others^ seeing these men too excited to listen to reason, ran for their lives in the hope of regaining their boat. This was soon found to be impossible, and they accordingly stood still ; apd, Avhen their pursuers came up, it was found that they were another set of grain junk men, and not those with whom they had remonstrated in the city. They were asked why they thus pursued and threatened peaceable foreigners, and were answered that one of the grain junk men had been killed in the city, and they would now kill the foreigners. With no better pretext than this miserable falsehood,, the ruffians fell upon my countrymen with all their weapons, felled them to the ground, wounding two of them in the head, and severely injuring all, without regard to the white hairs of the mo^t aged of the party, whom they beat, kicked, and trampled on with 131 the greatest barbarity. Hot a blow was struck by the British ; and in return for all the ill-treatment they received, believing their lives would be taken with the same atrocity as had been displayed at Canton so recently, they merely- endeavoured, by enti-eaty and remonstrance, to soften the hearts of their assailants. One man several times, armed with a sword, attempted to drag Mr. Lockhart down, threatening to cut oflfhis head; but, fortunately, Mr. Lockhart struggled, and kept his feet. "When they had been completely crippled, and disabled from offering, if they had desired, the slightest resistance, they were plundered of watches, spectacles, and whatever they had about them, including part of their clothes ; and when nothing more was to be obtained, the junk men consulted whether they should kill them on the spot, or take them to the grain junks on the other side of the citv, and there hold them prisoners for a large ransom. As Mr. Medhurst and Mr. Lockhart understood their language, all this was clearly heard. The majority appeared to decide on taking them to the grain junks, and when on their way, and near to the city, some of the Che-heen's men mingled with them ; and when the party arrived at a bridge leading to the city gate, a difference of opinion existing among the grain junk men whether their prisoners should be taken through the city, or round on the outside, the latter, aided by the police runners, and surrounded by a number of peaceable citizens, managed to escape to the other side, and so entered the city. They were taken through the streets, covered with blood, their clothes rent, and their bodies covered with contusions. They were seen in this pitiable state by thousands of the weU- disposed inhabitants, who could not help expressing sympathy and sorrow for those who had suffered such unprovoked violenee. On arriving at the Che-heen's, that officer received them with civility, promised immediately to have the guilty parties apprehended, and the stolen property restored ; and after they had somewhat recovered, he sent them t& their boat, and on to Shanghae, with an escort, where they arrived, and laid their complaint before me, with all the evidence of the murderous nature of the attack. After careful examination, it is quite certain that the only shadow of provocation for any angry feeling was a slight scratch on the face, received from the end of Mr. Lockhart's stick, who with his back to the crowd, in stretching out his arms trying thus peaceably to prevent the crowd of junk men, who were pressing forward and hustling him, from injuring his more aged companion in front, inadvertently grazed the cheek of a sailor. But the party who attacked were not even the same men, and nothing can be more certain than the fact that these ruffians, without any plea or pretext whatever, determined to fall upon the defenceless foreigners for the purpose of either plundering or murdering them, or both. Before the officers returned to Tsing-poo on the 9th instant, I saw his Excellency the Taoutae, and bringing before him the enormity of the crime committed, and the certain insecurity to British life that must result, if so grievous an outrage, seen by thousands, were allowed to pass without full and immediate redress, I urged the necessity of the most prompt and vigorous measures being taken to seize a few of the principal offenders without delay, that they might be brought here to be identified, and afterwards punished according to law. It is now twelve days since the outrage was committed, and not one of these criminals have been seized. Perceiving that redress was not afforded, that all my remonstrances failed in procuring the seizure of the offenders, I called upon his Excellency the Taoutae on the 13th instant (the 5th day after the occurrence), pointed out to him that delay, under such drcumstances, could only be 'lo6ked upon as a denial of justice, and was not only calculated to exercise the most disastrous influence upon our relations at this port, but directly to compromise both life and property. Finding that really nothing had, up to that time, been effected, I reluctantly notified the necessity I was under of stopping the payment of all duties on British ships, and the sailing of the grain junks, until ten of the chief offenders had been seized and brought down to Shanghae. His Excellency the Taoutae has pleaded his inability to comply with my requests within any definite or reasonable period. But this pie of inability, 132 becomes, in fact, a plea of irresponsibility for any injury or outrage that may be offered a British subject, and were it once allowed, would invalidate the Treaty. I, therefore, in accordance with the 4th Clause of the American Treaty, to the privileges of which we are entitled, address myself direct to your Excellency and claim that redress at your hands, which cannot be obtained from the local authorities. It will be very evident to your Excellency, that without the efficient protection of the Chinese authorities, no foreigners can enjoy that security for life and property, and freedom from molestation, solemnly guaranteed by the Emperor of Chma to all British subjects within his dominions, by the Treaty of lifanking, not less clear is it that when criminals who put life and property in peril by brutal outrage, as in this instance, in open day and the vicinity of a populous city, are not promptly seized and punished, there is in fact no protection, and the most important provisions of the Treaty are violated. It is impossible that Her Britannic Majesty should permit the lives of her subjects, wherever they are permitted by Treaty to reside, to be thus perilled, without protection or redress being offered by the Chinese authorities, and to avert the consequences of a continued denial of justice at this port, I have to request that your Excellency will be pleased, without delay, to appoint and dispatch a delegate of rank, authorized to institute the necessary inquiries on the spot, and to take the most rigorous and effective measures at once to seize the ringleaders in this murderous outrage. It is of course my duty to report the whole of the circumstances to Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, and request his Excellency's instructions, but as considerable time must elapse before these can be received, or any steps can be taken here, in consequence of communication with the Imperial Commissioner at Canton, I have deemed it imperative to prevent, if possible, the bad effects of any further delay, by sending this statement to the chief authority of the Province. Her Majesty's Yice-Consul Robertson, second officer at this port, is the bearer of this statement to your Excellency, to whom he is directed to deliver it in person, and he is accompanied by the interpreter Parkes, that he may afford any further information your Excellency may desire. He is fully cognizant of all the circumstances. For the better attainment of this object, I also send the whole of the correspondence between his Excellency the Taoutae and myself, and I trust that your Excellency will see the absolute necessity for quickly complying with my request, that a great wrong in the violation of our Treaty Eights may be redressed, and the great scheme of commercial inter- course, and the maintenance of friendly relations, between the two countries ensured. Her Majesty's Vice-Consul will wait with the ship of war, that he may bring me back information of the departure of the officer I have requested might be sent, and your Excellency's answer to this important statement. Inclosure 4 in Eo, 54. Consul Alcock to Commander Pitman. Sir? Shanghae, March 19, 1848, SIX days have now elapsed since I notified to his Excellency the Taoutae my determination to stop the payment of duties on British ships, and the sailing of the fleet of Government grain junks now in the river (amounting to more than a thousand in number), and further to adopt whatever means might be in my power to compel prompt redress for the grievous outrage offered to British subjects six days previous to such notification. Nevertheless the chief offenders, demanded on the 9th instant, the day after the attack took place have not yet been seized. ' The Taoutae, who has been with me this morning, with a view to induce me to take off the embargo on the grain junks, gives me no reasonable ground to hope that the criminals will shortly or certainly be seized. On the contrary if any credence is to be attached to the statements of the local authorities' they have been allowed to escape from Tsing-poo, necessitating, I fear both a 133 long and doubtful pursuit; wliether effective measures have even now been taken to insure their ultimate apprehension is at the best uncertain, and yet I^have abundant evidence that the obstructive measures adopted, have greatly alarmed the Taoutae, and that he at last sees and feels Her Majesty's Consul has, at this moment, both the power and the will to involve him in the most serious difficulties. There is a very general impression among the Chinese, that in the first instance the chief parties implicated, or a few of them might have been seized — whatever difficulty may now be experienced is to be attributed to the dilatory proceedings of all the local authorities, immediately after the occurrence of the outrage. Having maturely weighed all the circumstances, and the unsatisfactory aspect of the negotiations, I am satisfied the time has now come to advance a step further, and carry the claim for redress to Nanking, where the Governor- General of this Province resides. It has been found impossible by any coercive but pacific measures, to obtain justice here, and in such cases it has been provided by the dth clause of the French and American Treaties, that the Consul, shall, if he see fit, communicate with the superior authority of the Province. Such a step, therefore, is sanctioned by Treaty, and it is further calculated, I conceive, to afford a lesson of salutary influence hereafter to the local autho- rities of this port, by showing them that unredressed injury to British subjects residing within their jurisdiction, may at any time be carried before the superior authority of the Province, in a manner so unacceptable by the presence of a ship of war, as seriously to compromise their position Avith their own Government. There cannot be the slightest doubt that, but for the fortuitous circum- stance that a large fleet of grain junks laden for Pekin, and ready to be dispatched by sea, was in the river — an event that has never happened before, and the chance which brought on the instant, as it were, two of Her Majesty's ships into the port, to support the demands of the Consul, these, however pressing', would up to the present moment have received little attention. When it is further considered, that with these unusual advantages, it has been found impossible either to obtain redress, or any satisfactory guarantee that it will be afforded even after longer delay, it must be evident that a stronger measure still is required to attain that end, and one I repeat that will if possible leave behind it a strong and permanent impression of the immediate danger to the local authorities of any conduct calculated so seriously to compromise our best interests, and our security at Shanghae. It only remains for me, therefore, to beg that you will be pleased to afford passages in one of Her Majesty's ships to Nanking, to Brooke Robertson, Esq., Her Majesty's Vice-Consul, and H. Parkes, Esq., the officiating Interpreter, together with a Chinese Clerk and two official messengers. The Yice-Consul will be the bearer of an official communication to the Governor-General, detailing all the facts, and demanding redress. As the Taoutae has, I conceive, wholly failed in the discharge of this part of his duty^ I shall request that an officer of rank be sent down to take more effective measures, and it appears to me desirable that a discretionary power should be left with the commanding officer of Her Majesty's ship in communication with the Vice-Consul, to defer his return for a period not exceeding six days, in in order that Mr, Eobertson may have the opportunity of thus enforcing my request, that an officer of rank shall be dispatched befor the ship leaves. The Yice-Consul's instructions are to deliver the official communication of which he is the bearer, to the Governor-General in person, and to him alone. If the Governor-General refuse to afford the opportunity of doing so, the Vice-Consul will report the same to the commanding officer, and the ship should, in that case, return without delay. T Hrvg &c (Signed) ' RUTHEEFOED ALCOCK. T 134 Inclosure 5 in No. 54. Commander Pitman to Consul Alcock. Sir, Shanghae, March 19, 1848. IN reply to your letter of this day's date, I beg leave to acquaint you that I have placed Her Majesty's sloop " Espi^gle " at your disposal, and that she will be ready to sail at daylight to-morrow morning. I have ordered a passage for B. Eobertson, Esq., Her Majesty's Vice-Consul, and others, who are the bearers of your official despatch to the Governor-General of this Province at Nanking, and I have directed Commander Campbell to carry out your wishes. As a period of eleven days has elapsed since the violent outrage was committed on the English Missionaries, and his Excellency the Taoutae not having afforded that redress, which it appears he had quite in his power at first, but now may have some difficulty in doing, I consider under these circumstances you have adopted the only measures to obtain redress and a satisfactory answer; had such not been done I am fully persuaded that our best interests Avould have been compromised at this port. Being quite aware of the great responsibility you have taken upon yourself, of which I bear a share, but in my own opinion the time has arrived to show the Chinese Government that English subjects cannot be so shamefully treated under the immediate eyes of their own officers, without bringing punishment upon the offenders ; and I do hope that Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary and Government will see the necessity of the steps that have been adopted by you, in which I most cordially agree, and have tendered my best support. It is calculated, I conceive, to teach the authorities here that such atrocious acts cannot go unpunished, and it will furtlier tend, I trust, for the better protection of Her Majesty's subjects, and of the English flag from insult, (Signed) ' J.' C. PITMAN. Inclosure 6 in No. 54. Consul Alcock to Vice-Consul Robertson. S"> Shanghae, March 19, 1848. HER Majesty's ship "Espiegle" will leave the anchorage at daybreak to-morrow for Nanking, and I have to request that you will proceed with her to that city and be the bearer of the inclosed communication to the Governor- General of the province. On your arrival you will take the necessary steps to make known to his Excellency that you are instructed to deliver to him in person, a statement from Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at this port, and you will use your best endeavours, taking care to avoid anything that may compromise your own position or that of the Consul, to effect this the principal obiect of your mission. r j j You will see by the inclosed letter to the Senior Naval Officer, Captain Pitman, the instructions T have requested might be given to the Commander of Her Majesty's ship " Espiegle." He will, no doubt, be authorized, in communication with you to exercise a discretionary power to delay his return for a period of six days, should you conceive the presence of the "Espiegle" may expedite the departure of a delegate from the Governor-General, which I consider an obiect of ereat importance. "^ ^ Whenever this be announced within the above period, you will of course signify to Captain CampbeU that the return of his ship need not' be further delayed. And should you see occasion to do so, in any interview with the Governor-General, you are authorized to intimate that the period of departure must, in some degree, be contingent upon that of a delegate for Shanghae In my official letter to his Excellency, I have referred him to you should he desire 135 any further particulars respecting the recent outrage at Tsing-poo, and my communications with the Taoutae. The whole of the correspondence has been inclosed. Mr. Parkes, a writer, and two official messengers, will be under your orders and accompany you, and should any unforeseen contingencies render communication with me desirable before your return, the messenger can be dispatched inland, I presume with safety, and should it appear necessary, means will be found of sending you an answer by the same short route. I have &c (Signed) ' EUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 7 in No. 54. The Taoutae to Consul Alcock. (Translation.) HEEIN', by Imperial Appointment, Military Intendant of Circuit of Soo-chow-foo, Sung-Keang-foo and Taetsang-chow, makes this communication. This morning, at about 8 o'clock, the Sub-prefect Chin, returned from Tsing-poo, having seized two grain junk sailors, ringleaders in the late affray^ named Lew Juhfa, and Wang Juhshan, together with an iron spade and a rattan stick ; accordingly on their arrival, I, the Taoutae, together with the Sub- prefect and Magistrate, summoned the vagabonds before us for interrogation. They confessed in their evidence, having struck and wounded the British subjects, and it is most evident and clear that they are the ringleaders, without a doubt. T, therefore, make this communication to you, the Honourable Consul, and beg that you will depute people to my office, in order that they may be clearly and truly identified and punished as the law directs. It will be fortunate if there is not the slightest delay. A necessary communication. Taoukwaug, 28th year, 2nc> month, 17th day. (21st March, 1848.) Inclosure 8 in I^o. 54. Consul Alcock to the Taoutae. March 2-[, 1848. I HA YE just received your communication which I have thoroughly understood, to the effect that two of the ringleaders of the grain junk sailors engaged in the late affray had been seized, and requesting me to depute people to your office in order that they might be truly identified, &c. I, the Consul, will in person, accompanied by the three British subjects, proceed to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock to your honourable office, in order that they may be clearly identified, I send this reply, wishing you joyful days. 21st March, 1848, Inclosure 9 in ISTo. 54, Minute. Minute of conference with his Excellency the Taoutae, held at the Taoutae's residence on the 22nd instant ; present the Hae-fang and Che-heen ; and accompanying Her Mojjesty's Consul, Captain Pitman, RE., F, Harvey^ Esq., and Messrs, the Eev, W. H. Medhurst, Muirhead, and "W". Lockhart. THE Taoutae having in his note of the previous day acquainted the Consul that the Hae-fang had returned from Tsing-poo, bringing with him two of the ringleaders, in the late outrage, who confessed to have been actively T 2 136 engaged in stirring up their companions and assaulting the foreigners. The Consul had replied that at 10 o'clock this morning he would be with the Taoutae and bring the injured parties to see if they could identify the prisoners. The two prisoners having been brought forward, were exammed by Messrs. Medhurst, Lockhart, and Muirhead, but they severally affirmed, without a moment's hesitation, that these men had not been among the more active of their assailants, and that they did not recognise them in the least as of the party. The flower-spade of Mr. Lockhart, and the walking-stick of Mr. Medhurst produced, were certainly not taken from them by these men, the first having been thrown away in the field by Mr. Lockhart himself, and the latter was seized by some other party. The Taoutae contended that these articles proved the identity of the men as ringleaders or principals in the assault — that the prisoners themselves confessed their active participation, the one stating himself to be the junk man whom Mr. Lockhart had wounded in the face. This man on being asked whether that occurrence took place at the east or the west gate, replied at the south gate, the accident having taken place in the centre of the city. Moreover, he pointed to his forehead as the place where he received the scratch, Mr. Lockhart distinctly deposing to its having been his cheek and not his forehead. He is quite assured this is not the man, whom he could easily recognise, and, moreover, if it were him, he was not among the number of their assailants, consequently was not one of the parties demanded as the ringleader in the assault. Any discussion as to these being the principals seemed, after this palpable attempt at imposture, superfluous. The Consul contented himself, therefore, with pointing out the manifest falsehood involved in the evidence, and stating that acting from no personal or vindictive feeling, but from a firm conviction that the security of British subjects and the maintenance of peaceful relations were dependent upon redress being obtained for such serious outrages, he had taken the strong measures which the occasion seemed to demand, and must continue in the same course until adequate satisfaction should be obtained. These two prisoners could at best only be considered as the forerunners of those principal offenders whose apprehension had been insisted upon and promised from the beginning, and he should sincerely rejoice to see these unpleasant nogotiations terminated by such redress being afforded as could not be denied without injustice and a violation of treaties. The Taoutae replied that the authorities were most anxious to do all in their power ; that the Leang-taou, or Superintendent of the Grain Department, and the Judge of the Province had been dispatched to Tsing-poo to proceed against and seize the offenders, which abundantly proved the willingness of the authorities to afford redress. The Consul stated that he looked upon these measures as the first evidence that had been afibrded of a desire that justice should finally be done, and he rejoiced therefore to learn that such steps had been taken. The Taoutae observed that the Consul must bear in mind the Chinese rule for managing such affairs was first to use small means, and proceed by degrees to call into play stronger and more ample powers. They had accordingly done so in this instance, and no doubt more of the offenders would be seized, but he feared that after all they might not be identified, as in the hurry and excite- ment it was probable the injured parties paid little attention to the countenances of their assailants. The Consul said no doubt it might be difficult for the parties who for so long a time were brutally maltreated and put in peril of their lives to recognize the faces of all their assailants, but it could hardly be that among the twenty or thirty of the more active of these men, in whose hands Mr. Medhurst and his companions remained for probably an hour or more, there should not be many whom the latter could at once and distinctly recognize if they saw them. The Taoutae must also bear in mind, as suggested by Mr. Lockhart, that many of the parties whose apprehension the Consul demanded, had been under the eyes of, and in close contact for a considerable period, with ten or twelve of the Che-heen's policemen, and they must if they chose be able to identify the more guilty of the plunderers, lie repeated that if these men escaped with impunity, such deplorable scenes must be expected to recur with a frequency 137 and danger to life which could not fail to embroil the two countries. In firmly pressing- for justice in the present instance, therefore, Her Majesty's Consul looked beyond the immediate results, and was in truth trying to avert still greater calamities, of a nature to be deplored by both nations. The Taoutae admitted in general terms the justice of these remarks, but regretted the extreme difficulty of complete success in their efforts to apprehend a number of the principal offenders, there being men who hang on to the junks as it were, who do not properly belong them ; they are not therefore duly registered, nor are the officers of the junks responsible for their actions. With these remarks the interview ended. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK, Consul. Inclosure 10 in No. 54. Consul Alcock to the Taoutae. ALCOCK, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Shanghae, makes this communication. Notwithstanding your Excellency has been informed that, until redress has been afforded for the late outrage, the Government grain junks will not be allowed to leave the river, the attempt is being daily made pursuant to your orders of last v.eek, and by threes, fours, and fives, they sail down to the ship- of-war, and are then turned back, incurring all the risk of a collision, which could only complicate the affair in a degree that must be prejudicial to all parties ; and now, to-day, a new attempt has been made by sending down small boats laden with rice, that large and empty junks below may take it in, which is against all reason. I have now sent a ship- of- war to Nanking, with a statement of all that has passed, to the Governor-General, claiming at his Excellency's hands that justice I have been unable to induce you, the Honourable Taoutae, to afford. Many days cannot elapse before the answer of his Excellency will be here, and in the meantime I must beg you to consider well, that a collision between the man-of-war of my nation and the grain junks is of more serious importance than the temporary delay of these junks, and I again repeat to your Excellency that ail the consequences of any such collision must rest upon your Excellency's head, and not upon mine, I therefore make this communication, and beg that you will give it your best consideration. A necessary communication. March 23, 1848. Inclosure 11 in No. 54. The Taoutae to Consul Alcock. (Translation.) HEEN, by Imperial appointment. Superintendent of Maritime Customs in Keang-soo, Military Intendant of Circuit of Soo-chow-foo, Sung-keang-foo, and Taetsang-chow, makes this communication in reply. I have received a communication from you, the Honourable Consul, stating (Here follows an extract of Mr. Consul Alcock's letter, of 23rd March). On receiving this, I find that with regard to the late outrage uopn certain British subjects by the grain junk men, I, the Taoutae, recently petitioned the high officers on the subject, and have now heard that they have deputed officers of high rank to proceed in haste to Tsing-poo and there direct the local, civil, and military officers, together with the officers in charge of the junks, to make strict seizures of the vagabonds, who will now be seized and brought down in a few days. The Honourable Consul, having now deputed a man-of-war to proceed to Nanking, with a statement of all the circumstances, we must wait until the 138 Governor-General, Le, has made himself aquainted with the whole of the cirramstances, when he can settle the aflfair. But I find that with regard to the ffrain iunks they all carry a flag, and are easily recognized ; moreover, tHey are all anchored in the middle of Hwang-poo river. That which the small boats carry, however, is the rice that is brought from various places to put into the large junks, not intending at this time to go out of the port 1 must, therefore, beg the Honourable Consul to examine clearly into the affair, when he will find it to be so. At present we can only wait quietly untill the higti officers have made seizure of the vagabonds, or until the reply ot the Governor- General, Le, is received, when we can again proceed towards settling this attair. A necessary communication. March 24, 1848. Inclosure 12 in No. 54. Consul Alcock to Sir J. Davis. Sir^ Shanghae, March 31, 1848. I HAVE the honour to report the successful termination of my efforts to obtain the apprehension and punishment of the ringleaders in the Tsing-poo outrage. Immediately after the sailing of Her Majesty's sloop " Espi^gle " up the Yang-tze-keang was known at Soo-chow, the Nee-tae (.or Provincial Judge) was dispatched to Tsing-poo with peremptory orders to seize the offenders, while Sam-qua, a Salt Commissioner, was sent down to Shanghae from the Lieutenant- Governor, to inform me that this step had been taken. On the 29th instant the Nee-tae arrived, and having paid me a visit, a meeting was arranged at the Che-heen's, in order that the prisoners he had brought migbt be identified. The same afternoon, accompanied by Captain Pitman, of Her Majesty's sloop " Ghilders," and the three British subjects who had suffered the injury, I met the whole of the local authorities at Che-heen's residence, and on the ten prisoners being produced, two were immediately identified, the one as having -wielded with the most vindictive violence an instrument of torture, formed like a chain with an iron tongue at the end, and the other a sword, while he made several attempts to drag Mr. Lockhart to the ground. Several of the remaiader were recognized as having been among the assailants. On being thus assured that the real criminals, whom I had demanded, were now produced, I expressed my satisfaction, and they were all placed in the cangue on the spot, sentenced to this punishment for one month, and to be exposed in front of the new Custom-house daily, after which their further punishment or liberation remained to be determined according to law, and in communication with Her Majesty's Consul. This full and complete reparation left nothing to be desired, and at the request of the Nee-tae, I immediately relieved the grain junks of the embargo, and consented to the resumption of payment of the maritime duties. Shortly afterwards the Nee-tae and the local authorities of Shanghae, with the officers and gentlemen who had accompanied me, returned to the Consulate and partook of some refreshment, thus giving to the people a ready proof of restored amicable relations. The following day I paid a visit of ceremony to the Nee-tae with Captain Pitman, and the former returned in the cutter of the " Childers " with us, in order to pay a visit on board Her Majesty's sloop " Childers," and to see some European houses ; after which, at my suggestion, he visited Mr. Medhurst, to examine the printing-press, and Mr. Lockhart, to see the Chinese hospital under his charge, which had all the grace of a special attention to the parties who had suffered the outrage. These movements of the I^ee-tae of couse attracted much attention among the Chinese, and seemed well calculated to inspire confidence in the perfect restoration of harmony between the authorities of both nations. At the Nee-tae's request, I issued the inclosed notice to the junk owners and sailors, acquainting them, that justice having been obtained by the seizure ia9 and punishment of ten of the ringleaders, no further oi3stacle existed to the sailing of the grain junks. On the same day, it had been agreed between his Excellency, the I^ee-tae, and myself, that he should address to me an official communication, reporting the seizure of ten of the principal offenders, their punishment in the cangue, and subsequent amenability to the laws of the country ; any further punishment, or their liberation, only taking place in communication with Her Majesty's Consul. The official note came on the yoth : but so obviously calculated to misrepre- sent the facts, give a false colouring to the outrage, and leave the power in the hands of the authorities to make the punishment merely nominal, that it was forthwith returned with a verbal remonstrance, and such suggested alterations as would defeat the purpose thus clearly manifested. His Excellency gave evident signs of confusion and reluctance on being called upon to make the document in accordance with the agreement entered into the day previous, when at his request, and trusting to his good faith, I instantly removed the embargo on the Government grain junks. After some hesitation the required alteration was made, as the inclosed copy (in original and translation) will show. A copy and translation of the returned letter are annexed, in which the outrage is described as a quarrel and affray ; while the robbery is suppressed, together with all reference to the period during which the men were sentenced to the cangue. Much was urged verbally by his Excellence, as to the necessity and expe- diency of leaving out the robbery, since that might entail a capital punishment ; but warned by this last act of bad faith, and the report current among the Chinese, that these men had been produced under promise of escape from any serious punishment, and of a compensating bribe in money, something of the first part having even been hinted at by the Nee-tae, it seemed tome imperative to listen to no suggestions of this nature ; but simply to insist upon the whole truth being distinctly placed on official record. Without this, there was obviously no guarantee that the best fruit of the anxious efforts made to obtain reparation might not be lost, and the offenders eventually escape with a reward instead of a punishment for the murderous assault of which they had been guilty, while the omission of the robbery reduced it to a mere quarrel, in which the blame might be shared by both parties. To render such a result impossible, I not only insisted upon an official communication from the Nae-tae and Taoutae properly worded, but sent a reply (copy in original and translation inclosed, IJ^o. 16) claiming the property of which the British subjects had been robbed, and requiring that the ten prisoners should be daily visible in front of the new Custom-house. Thus the difficulties which for some time threatened the most serious conset^uences, have happily terminated, and there is good reason to hope that the authorities will not again lightly venture upon a similar denial of justice, in any case of outrage upon British subjects for which redress may be demanded. 'No doubt the coercive measures adopted to effect this beneficial result were ^ringent, and involved an amount of responsibility which I beg your Excellency t'o believe weighed heavily upon me. I have already, in vindication of those measures, stated fully the reasons which led me to accept so grievous a burden, in my two previous despatches, it only remains, therefore, that I should now state my conviction, that although some hazard of a serious collision was unavoidable, there were many probabilities against it .and in favour of a satisfactory settlement of the important question at issue, and, finally, that no alternative remained but to sit down under a denial of justice, disastrous to our position here, and a long delay scarcely less prejudicial in its immediate effects, or to take upon myself, on the spot, all the responsibility of coercive measures. I saw reason to conclude, and the event leaves no doubt of the correctness of my inference, that the will not the power was wanting, and I believed the means were in my hands, at the moment before the sailing of the grain junks, of making it the interest of the authorities, as the lesser of two evils, to afford the fullest reparation. Means which I conceived might be employed in strict; accordance with the best established principles of internationatl law, without incurring greater risk than the interests at stake would justify. Of compulsory measures three were at my command, each progressively 140 more severe in their pressure upon the local authorities, but all of which seemed to me from the very beginning so essential, as mutually supporting each other, that I scarcely hoped for a successful issue by the employment of even the first two. To stop the payment of duties on British ships, was a measure which produced no inconvenience that might not easily be borne for vreeks or months, it would not, therefore, prevent delay. The embargo on the fleet oi 1,000 government grain junks, on the point of sailing for Peking, io a certain extent supplied the means of compelling instant attention, but with the authorities here it only led to miserable subterfuges, attempts at personation of criminals, &c. The danger and embarrassment to them was no doubt serious, but so long as they could entertain a hope that the detention of the junks would not reach the ears of the superior authorities, or that their own garbled statement would alone be received and credited, no effective measures were taken. The sailing of a ship of war for Nanking at once dispelled all illusory hopes of this nature, and no sooner was this known at Soo-chow, as I have stated, than the I^Tee-tae's departure thence left nothing further to be done or desired. The final result, beneficial as regards our immediate security and interests here, may, I trust, exercise a wider and a permanent influence by counteracting the eflfect of any hostile collision at Canton, and guarding the daily increasing trade of this port from interruption or injurious reaction, pending the adjust- ment of similar but more embarrassing questions at the former. In this view I felt much was to be risked, and that the immediate and prospective importance of Shanghae alike made it imperative upon the Consul not to shrink from any personal responsibility to secure so great an advantage. A large fleet of the junks sailed to-day, and there is at this moment a general feeling of satisfaction throughout Sh'anghae, I believe, that such a crisis has been passed without bloodshed or injury to a single individual. As ships' duties to some amount were kept back during the fifteen days embargo, I purpose from the proceeds to liquidate the claims of British subjects on certain assets of the bankrupt Foqua, made away with under the present Taoutae's authority, respecting which I received your Excellency's instructions, and the Attorney-Grenerai's opinion in despatch of 5th July, 1847, taking care to inform his Excellency of the steps taken, and the grounds for thus doing ourselves justice before the balance of duties is paid up. I cannot conclude this despatch without bringing specially under the notice of Her Majesty's Government the able, zealous, and cordial support I have received throughout these harassing negotiations from Captain Pitman, com- manding Her Majesty's sloop " Childers." The responsibility of the measures adopted must of course be chiefly mine, while the merit of happily carrying out the blockade is that officer's ; and the execution of this arduous task by the officers and men under his command was worthy of all praise. To the perfect temper, judgment, and decision invariably displayed in a partial blockade of fifteen days of peculiar difficulty, I attribute the absence of all bad feeling, and the escape from hostile collision during the whole period upon which the final success of my eff'orts to obtain full and complete satisfaction' without resorting to actual violence, essentially depended. For your Excellency's further information on the details of these transac- tions, I beg to forward the inclosed copies of documents and correspondence, viz. : — Notification to British subjects on the satisfactory termination of the difficulties — marked No. 17. Official letter to Captain Pitman, acquainting him with the cessation of the embargo on the Government grain junks — No. 18. Official letter of Captain Pitman in reply — No. 19. ^ Official communication from the Consular Representatives of foreign Powers at Shanghae, offering their congratulations— Inclosure No. 20. Official communication in reply thereto — No. 21. Letter of thanks from the three British subjects who suff^ered the outrage at Tsing-poo — Inclosure No. 22. Letter in reply thereto — No. 23. Resolutions of a public meeting of foreign residents, conveyino- their thanks and congratulations, inclosed in a letter from the Chairman— No 24 Letter in reply thereto — No. 25. HI Her Majesty's sloop "Espiegle" lias not yet returned, but I have ascer- tained that information reached the Governor-General before her arrival at Nanking, and that he had issued orders that they should meet with no obstruction or incivility. 1 have, siit the Nea-tae's request, written a despatch, which his Excellency undertook to send inland, at speed, for the return of the "Espiegle." with Her Majesty's Vice-Consul, without delay. I have &c. (Signed) ' RUTHERFOED ALCOCK. Inclosure 13 in No. 54. Notijication. ALCOCK, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, hereby notifies: — On the 18th instant I, the Consul, warned all the junk owners and others, that the junks conveying the Government grain could not sail until the ring- feaders in a murderous assault on my countrymen atTsingrpoo had been seized and punished. His Excellency the Nea-tae having now arrived, and ten of these ringleaders having been seized and punished, iiothing further is desired ; justice has been obtained, and no obstruction will be offered to the sailingof the grain junks from this date of the war-ship of my nation ; and thus, mutual harmony and confidence will be restored. Taoukwang, 28th year, 2nd month, 24th day. (March 28, 1848.) Inclosure 14 in No. 54. The Criminal Judge and the Taoutae to Consul Alcock. (Translation.) NE, Imperially appointed Criminal Judge in Commission of the Province of Keang-soo, in the Chinese Empire, also having charge of the transmission of official despatches, raised ten steps, recorded ten times ; Heen, Imperially appointed Military Intendant of Circuit of Soo-chow-foo, Sung-keang-foo, and Taetsang-chow, in Keang-nan Province, in the Chinese Empire, assisting in the geriieral charge of the naval defences and the trans- mission of salts, raised ten steps, recorded ten times ; Make this communication : We have recently received the Honourable Consul's communication regard- ing the case of three British subjects who were assaulted and robbed at Tsing- poo by the grain junk sailors. We, the Criminal Judge and Taoutae, have already seized ten of the criminals, and put them publicly in the cangue at the new Custom-house, for the full period of one month ; after which it will be deliberatedj in communica- tion with the Honourable Consul, as to those who are' to be separately punished or liberated, according to law. Taoukwang 28th year, 2nd month, 26th day. (March 30, 1848.) Iniclosure 15 in No. 54. -The Criminal Judge and the Taoutae to Consul Alcock. (Translation.) NE, Impe-rially-appointed Criminal Judge in Commission of the Province of Keang-soo, in the Chinese Empire, also having charge of the transmission of official despatches, raised ten steps, recorded ten times ; Heen, Imperially appointed Military Intcpdant of Circuit of Soo-chow-foo, 142 Sung-keang-foo, and Taetsang-chow, in Keang-nan Province, in the Chinese Empire, assisting in the general charge of the naval defences and the trans- mission of salts, raised ten steps, recorded ten times ; Make this communication : We have recently received the Honourable Consul's communication regard- ing the case of the quarrel and fight between three British subjects and sailors of the Tsing-poo-heen. We, the Criminal Judge at Taoutae, have already seized ten of the cri- minals, and put them publicly in the cangue, at the new Custom-house. When the time has expired they will be separately punished or liberated, according to law. Taoukwang, 28th year, 2nd month. (March 1848.) (¥o date.) Inclosure 16 in No. 54. Consul Alcock to the Criminal Judge and the Taoutae. ALCOCK, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Shanghae, makes this communication. I have received the official communication of you, the Honourable the K'ea-tae and the Taoutae, stating that, in reference to the case of the assault and robbery committed on three British subjects at Tsing-poo by the grain junk sailors, your Excellence had seized ten of the offenders, who had been sentenced to be cangued publicly at the new Custom-house, for the fuU period of one month, after which, in communication with me, the Consul, further steps would be taken for their separate punishment or Iberation, according to law. All this I have understood, and find it so far proper and suitable. But at the time that these British subjects were assaulted, they were likewise robbed of several articles, a list of which was on the day of the robbery delivered to Kin, the Che-heen of Tsing-poo. A list of the same is likewise annexed to this letter, and I beg that you will examine the same, and cause restitution of the property to be made. I have also to request that ten men now in the cangue be each day exposed at the new Custom-house from morning to night, where they may be seen by everybody ; in this manner due warning will be given to the evil disposed, and the ends of justice will be attained. With regard to ulterior steps, as soon as the month has expired, the Honourable the Nea-tae and the Taoutae will, in communication with me, the Consul, consult and determine upon their punishment according to law, and thus wind up and complete this affair. Sent March 30, 1848. List of Articles stolen. 2 Watches. 1 pair Gold Spectacles. 1 „ Gloves. 3 Handkerchiefs. A Cashmere Overall. 2 Caps. 1 Spade. 1 Silver-mounted Walking-stick, (the silver weighing one tael.) The two last articles are at the Taoutae's office, but not the silver* mounting. 148 Inclosure 17 in No. 54. Notification. Shanghae, March 28, 1848. HER Majesty's Consul has much pleasure in stating, for the information of the British community, that the coercive measures he saw himself compelled to adopt fifteen days ago have been followed by complete success. The ten riiigleaders in the outrage at Tsing-poo, demanded on the 13th instant, have this day been produced by the Wei-tae or Provincial Judge of the province. Two of the most vicious and dangerous were at once distinctly identified by the parties who had suffered from their violence, and several of the remainder were recognised as having been among their assailants. These ten offenders, in the presence of Her Majesty's Consul, the injured parties, all the local authorities, and a large number of assistants, were put in the cangue, on the spot, to which punishment they are sentenced for one month, prior to any further proceedings against them, and they will be exposed every day during that period in the public thoroughfares as a warning to all who are in like manner evil disposed. The fullest satisfaction and redress having thus been afforded, it only remains for Her Majesty's Consul to announce that the embargo on the grain junks has been removed, and that from this date all duties will be paid as heretofore. In reference to those remaining due for ships already cleared, communications will be made from the Consulate to the parties interested in due time. This peaceful, and in every sense happy termination of difficulties, which at one time threatened to compromise British interests at the port, is most satisfactory. Her Majesty's Consul, remembering the unanimity and cheer- fulness with which the community signified their readiness to meet any inconvenience the necessity for coercive measures might entail, rejoices that the end has been attained without loss or sacrifice, and the cordial support received from the Consular Eepresentatives of foreign Powers at Shanghae, who at once identified themselves with the measures taken as for a common cause, has not, it may safely be assumed, failed in its effect. How much is due to the judgment and decision with which a partial blockade of peculiar difficulty has been maintained during fifteen days, by Captain Pitman, of Her Majesty's ship " Childers," must be known to the whole com- munity, who have daily witnessed the unwearied vigilance and good temper evinced by the officers and men under his command. This task has been accomplished, not only without injury to the large Chinese traffic on the river, but without hostile collision or any bad feeling having been excited, a result on which they may well be congratulated. Security to life and property which, for a moment seemed endangered, it is hoped is now more firmly established than before the outrage, and with prudence and forbearance, such as his countrymen have already manifested, and which he fully counts upon whenever their excursions may lead them to a distance from Shanghae, Her Majesty's Consul is sanguine that they will no longer be exposed to dangers or molestation from those whom impunity might otherwise have emboldened. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK, Consul Inclosure 18 in No. 64. Consul Alcock to Commander Pilman. Sir, Shanghae, March 28, 1848. THE full and complete satisfaction afforded by the authorities this day, of which you were yourself a witness, in the seizure and instant punishment of ten of the ringleaders in the late outrage, leaves nothing more to be demanded. Justice, which was denied to entreaty and remonstrance, has at last been obtained by coercive measures. There is now, therefore, no further motive for U ^ Ui keeping up an embargo on the Government grain junks, and I have informed the Provincial Judge that from this date it shoifld cease. In congratulating you upon the successful termination of the difficulties which threatened, in the most serious degree, to compromise our security at the port, I must be permitted to convey to you the deep sense I entertain of the service you have rendered by the firmness, vigilance, and temper, with which a very harassing duty has been performed. To maintain a blockade during fourteen days, applying only to a certain class of junks, undistinguishable from the rest except by actual search, in a Chinese river crowded with boats and junks of every kind, carrying on a large and uninterrupted traffic, and effect this com- pletely without injury to the interests of those not included in the embargo, and without hostile collision even with those who attempted to elude your search by the most harassing manouvres, is an achievem-Bnt of which the officers and men under your command may justly be proud. To yourself it must be a source of great satisfaction to know that not only the important end in view has been most completely accomplished ; but events show that the same end could not have been attained except by such means as were adopted. Our position, when you arrived some days ago, was most critical, and during that period a struggle has been maintained for redress, with a full consciousness of hazard involved by such efforts to the very interests I desired to protect, not only less perilous than the alternative of sitting down with a denial of justice. Thanks, I repeat, to your very efficient aid, the cordial manner in which you met my views, and the position you enabled me to maintain, there is nothing left to desire but that our restored friendly relations and security at this port may be as permanent as they are satisfactory. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 19 in No. 54. Commander Pitman to Consul Alcock. Sir, Shanghae, March 29, 1848. I BEG- leave to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, and to acquaint you that orders were given last evening to allow the Goverh- ment grain junks to depart. The redress so fully afforded by the arrival of the Provincial Judge, with ten of the ringleaders in the late outrage at Tsing-poo, must be a great satisfac- tion to you, and most sincerely do I congratulate you upon the succesful ter- mination of your late harassing negotiations, which, from the obstinacy of the authorities here, were so likely to place you in great difficulties. Accept my sincere thanks for the flattering manner in which you have conveyed to me your thanks for the service which has been rendered by the officers and crew of Her Majesty's sloop under my command during the blodkade of fourteen days, a service most annoying at all times, but more particularly so m this mstance, where we had only one class to detain out of so many descrip tions of vessels as are employed in this river, therefore necessarily obliginff us to board them all; atid I am proud to say that such service has been performed with good feeling, and without a single instance of collision. I consider that in supporting and carrying out your views I have onlv done ro'fun?;cTom"pSer '' ""' '^ ^ ^-t satisfaction to see your just deLnds Allow me again to thank you for the handsome way in which you have alluded to the service It has been m ray power to render you in the nresent full Testor^ed ''"' ^^" ^ relations and security at this port have beenso I have, &c. (Signed) J. c. PITMAN. 145 Inclosure 20 iu No. 64. The Consular Representatives of Foreign Powers at Shanc/hae to Consul Alccck. M. le Consul, Shanghae, le 29 Mars, 1848. NOUS Soussign^s, Consuls de France, d'Am^ique, et de Belgique, venons avec un vif plaisir vous feliciter de voire biillaiit succes, et reus remercier au nom de nos nationaux de la s6curit6 que voire conduite pleine de prudence et de fermete vient de leur assurer pour longtemps. II est certain que si vous eussiez tard6 d'un seui jour a cxiger et obtenir la punition exemplaire des mis^rables qui s'^taient rendu coupables du lache attentat dont vos nationaux ont ete les victimes, la vie et les propridtes de tons les etrangers ^talent serieuscment compromises. Vous avez eu, M. le Consul, les plus grandes difficult^s a vaincre, et il n'a fallu rien moins que vos promptes, sages, et coercitivef) mesuves, pour contraindre les autorit^s de Shanghae a se departer enfin de la conduite pleine de mauvais vouloir dont elles nous ont donn6 le triste exemple. Ce fut une bien heureuse occurrence pour vous que de pouvoir en meme temps mettre un embargo sur la flotte des jonques de grain clu Gouvernement charg6es pour Pekin, et envoyer un brig de guerre a Nankin avec une demande de reparation. Le cours des ^v^nements et le resultat obtenu prouvent que ces deux mesures ^taient indispensables. Car meme une semaine apres votre embargo sur les jonques de gmin, aucune demande n'avait et6 faite par les autorit^s pour saisir les vrais coupables ; au contraire, elles avaient constamment employ^ les plus honteux subterfuges pour 6viter la n^cessit^ de faire operer leur arrestation. Nous savons parfaitement h. present que le Nea-tae n'a pas quitte Soo-chow avant que la nouvelle du passage du brig de guerre k plus de quinze lieues dans I'interieur du Yang-tsze-keang ne fut arrivee dans cette ville. Nous sommes aussi assures par la conclusion de I'affaire, que les autorit^s de Shanghae avaient bien le pouvoir de saisir et produire les coupables, mais qu'elles n'en avaient nuUement la volonte. Nous sommes done bien convaincus de la justesse de toutes vos mesures et I'insigne mauvaise foi des autorites Chinoises. Nous considerons done que c'est une question d'int^ret general que vous avez si noblement defendue, et si heureusement amende h bonne fin ; et nous vous remercions sincerement de la tranquillite que vous nous assurez pour long- temps. Permettez-nous de ne pas terminer cette lettre sans vous exprimer notre sincere admiration pour la conduite, k la fois pleine de moderation et de fermete, du brave commandant du brig de Sa Majesty BritanniquC; le " Childers ;" avec un faible equipage, et tres peu de moyens k sa disposition, il a pu arrlter, sans apporter pour cela aucun empechement au commerce general, la circulation des jonques de grain du Gouvernement. Un seul coup de fusil tire mal k propos eut pu amener une collision generale et des malheurs incalculables. Nous devons done aussi nos felicita- tions au Commandant Pitman et a ses officiers, pour avoir par leurs seules manoeuvres, pu repousser, nuit et jour, toutes les nombreuses tentatives des jonques, et faire, sans eflfusion de sang, respecter I'embargo. Nous sommes heureux, M. le Consul, de vous donner cette derniere preuve de toute notre approbation pour votre belle conduite dans toute cette difficile et perplexe affaire. Nous avons, &c. (Sign^) C. DE MONTIGNY, Consul de France a Shanghae. E. W. BATEig, United States of America Consular Agent. JOHN STEWAET, Consul de Belgique. U6 Inclosure 21 in No. 54. Consul Alcock to the Consular Representatives of Foreign Powers at Shanghae. SJianghae, March 31, 1848. THE Undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Shanghae, has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of an official communication of the 29th March, signed bj M. de Montigny, Consul de France, E. W. Bates, Esq., United States, America, Consular Agent, and John Stewart, Esq., Consul de Belgique, conveying congratulations on the happy termination of the difiiculties occasioned by the supineness and bad faith of the Chinese authorities, in reference to the apprehension of the criminals in the Tsing-poo outrage. _ ' The want of good will on the part of the authorities offered so serious an obstacle, that no doubt, can be entertained of the necessity for strong^ coercive measures, in order to extort redress, which no milder course of negotiation could obtain. Even when the offenders were already in the cangue, the Nee-tac afforded a convincing proof of the disposition to make the punishment merely nominal, and to misrepresent the facts by writing an official letter, omitting all reference to the duration of the punishment, and calling the assault and robbery a quarrel between foreigners and grain junk men, thus essentially altering the character of the outrage. This has been remedied ; the Undersigned having felt it his duty to insist upon this letter being withdrawn, and another sent, couched in proper terms, but it has left a strong impression that the justice obtained has been extorted by force^that it would certainly have been denied but for the powerful means of compulsion employed, and that no good faith is to be looked for from any of the local authorities in similar cases, except in so far as the fear of similar consequences may operate to teach them the danger of a denial of justice. To this conclusion the Undersigned has been unavoidably led, by the whole course and result of their negotiations. It is very gratifying to the Undersigned that the judgment, decision, and temper with which a partial blockade, of peculiar difficulty, was made effective by Captain Pitman and the officers and men under his command, without the slightest injury to the general commerce, has been observed by the Consular representatives of foreign Powers at Shanghae, and he will not fail to make known to the commanding officer of Her Majesty's ship "Childers, " the flattering expressions in which this important service to the general interests of the port is referred to in their communication. It only remains for the Undersigned to renew his sincere thanks to his colleagues at Shanghae for the spontaneous and cordial support they tendered him while the issue was yet uncertain, and to assure them that this renewed expression of their confidence and sympathy derives additional value from the proof already afforded of a generous determination to identify themselves Avith the responsible measures adopted. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK, Consul. Inclosure 22 in No. 54. Messrs. Lockhart, Muirhead, and Medhurst to Consul Alcock. Sir, Shanghae, March 29, 1848. THE case of the outrage lately committed on us at Tsing-poo, having been so vigorously taken up by you, and notwithstanding the vacillation and delays of the Chinese officers, successfully brought to a conclusion, we beg leave to address our thankful acknowledgments to you for the promptitude with which you took up the affair, for the stringent measures adopted, when lenient ones seemed of no avail, and for the steady determination displayed in perseverino- to the end, until these measures were crowned with the desired success" Convinced as we are that no policy will avail with the officers of the Chinese Government but that of strict justice and unflinching resolution we rejoice that you have been led to adopt that line of conduct, and fully anticipate that w the Chinese officers have been taught such a lesson thereb}-, that they will not again attempt to trifle with matters which seriously affect the interests of British subjects; while the people will learn that aggressions which involve themselves and their officers in so much trouble must not be lightly ventured on. Hoping that you may be long spared to enjoy the fruit of the just and determined course of conduct lately pursued by you. We remain, &c. (Signed) W. ROCKHART. WM. MUIRHEAD. W. H. MEDHI3RST. Inclosure 23 in "No. 54. Consul Alcock to Messrs. Lockhart, Muirhead, and Medhiirst. G-entlemen, Shanghae, March 30, 1848. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th instant and rejoice with you that the efforts made to obtain justice have been so entirely successful. For the permanent maintenance of our improved position and security, I trust nothing more is now required than prudence and moderation on our own part. Triumphant, we can well afford to be forbearing ; and, strong in the recent manifestation of power to exact rigorous justice, we need not fear that conciliating conduct will be mistaken for weakness or pusillanimity. The tendency of these remarks cannot fail to be appreciated by those who, under Providence, owe their lives to the exemplary forbearance and prudence manifested for more than an hour, while exposed to the most brutal violence ; but I trust that the example and the benefits which have resulted will have been strongly impressed on the minds of all our countrymen by recent events. To your safety, and the consequent power of identifying your assailants, the community are indebted for the attainment of the only redress that can be perfectly satisfactory in such cases, the punishment of the real criminals. I have &c . (Signed) ' RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 24 in 'Eo. 54. Resolutions. AT a meeting of the foreign residents of Shanghae, held at the Victoria Hotel, on Friday, 31st March, 1848— Present : — Messrs. C. A. Ferron, T. Moncreifi', C, S. Matheson, H. H. Gray, D. Sillar, Rev. W- C. Milne, J. C. Smith, W. Hogg, R. Aspinall, W. Pike, H*. H. Kennedy, A. F. Croom, G. F. Hubertson, J. P. Watson, J. White, Dr. Bridgman, Rev. E. Syle, E. Webb, C. Waters, C. Wilson, W. G. Aspinall, Rev. Dr. Medhurst, C. Wills, J. Grant, S. Maitland, W. W. Brown, R. P. Saul, D. Potter, J. Stewart, Dr. Lockhart, K. R. Mackenzie, J. G, Livingston, W. Hutchison, A. W. Potter. On the motion of J. G. Livingstone, Esq., seconded by Rev. Dr. Medhurst, K R. Mackenzie was unanimously called to the Chair. 1st Resolution.— Proposed by A. F. Croom, Esq., seconded by Rev. W. C. Milne— That the cordial congratulations and best thanks of this meetmg be given to Rutherford Alcock, Esq., Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at this port, for his successful adoption of an energetic and decided policy with the Chinese autho- rities, when our Treaty Rights as foreigners resident in this Empire were temporarily compromised. Carried unanimously. 148 2nd.- Proposed by J. Stewart, Esq., seconded by J. G-. Livingstone, and carried unanimously — That the warm thanks of this meeting be oifered to Captain J. 0. Pitman, R. 'S., for his hearty co-operation with Her Majesty's Consul in the protection of British interests, and in the efficient but temperate enforcement of the embargo placed upon the Government grain junks, without detriment to the large Chinese traffic on the river, or giving rise to hostile collision, or any bad feeling. 3rd.— Proposed by James White, Esq., seconded by G, F. Hubertfeon, Esq., and carried unanimously — That the best thanks of this meeting be offered to M. de Montigny, and to the other Consular Representatives of foreign Powers at Shahghae, for the frank and cordial support given to Her Majesty's Consul, by at once identifying themselves with the measures he was compelled to adopt for the due fulfilment of international rights. 4th. — Proposed by W. Hutchison, Esq., and seconded by T. Moncreiff, Esq., and carried unanimously — That copies of the foregoing resolutions be respectively forwarded by the Chairman to Her Majesty's Consul, Captain Pitman, R.l^r., and to M. de Montigny and the other Consular Representatives of foreign Powers at Shanghae, and that the whole be published in the Hong Kong newspapers. 5th. — Proposed by J. P. Watson, Esq., seconded by Gr. F. Hubertson, Esq., and carried unanimously — That the best thanks of this meeting are due to K. R. Mackenzie, Esq., for his efficient conduct in the Chair. (Signed) K. R. MACKENZIE, Chairman. Shanghae, March 31, 1848. Inclosure 25 in N"o. 54. Consul Alcock to Mr. Mackenzie. Sir, Shanghae, April 1, 1848. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3 1st ultimo, transmitting by direction of a meeting of the foreign residents at Shanghae, a copy of the resolutions unanimously passed by the gentlemen present, and to beg you will convey to the foreign residents who have done me the honour thus publicly, to record their congratulations and satisfaction at the successful main- tenance of our Treaty rights, my best thanks. This expression of interest derives additional value from the manner in which they hastened to identify themselves with the coercive measures adopted while the issue was yet uncertain. The confidence manifested by the British community in the beginning was not I conceive, more flattering to me than honourable to those who, with large personal interests at stake, renounced without hesitation any advantage the power of disclaiming all participation in the acts and responsibilities of Her Majesty's Consul, in the event of failure and loss might confer. Happily success is likely to prove in this as in most cases, that a disin- terested and generous principle of action may be the best and most advantageous in the end ; but the result cannot affect the character of steps taken before it could even be predicted with safety. I heartily and earnestly desire that permanent benefit to our position and commercial relations at this port may follow the vindication of the most important of our rights, freedom from molestation, and security to life and property. In this I shall find full reward for the anxious efforts it has cost during the last month to prevent their violation. The zealous and effective assistance I received from the commander of Her Majesty's ship " Childers," and the frank support of the Consular Represen- tatives of foreign Powers at Shanghae, well merited the, thanks which I reioice to see have been tendered by the foreign residents. Any satisfaction tk document you have placed in my hands might afford^ must indeed hare been incomplete, had these gentlemen not shared it with me, in the fullest manner U9 I have to thank you personally for the obliging expression of your gratifi- cation in being the medium of communication on the present occasion, and remain, &c. (Signed) EUTHERFORD ALCOCK. Inclosure 26 in No. 64. Mr. Bonham to Consul Alcock. (Extract.) Shanghae, April 12, 1848. THERE is one point, however, on which I must remark, lest my silence may be construed into approval, viz., your desire to liquidate the claims of British subjects out of the money due to the Chinese Government, kept back during the fifteen days' embargo on vessels in your port. This question has been for some time under discussion, and without going into its merits, I must simply observe that in your notification of, the 13th ultimo it is notified that no Custom-house duties will be paid by British ships until satisfaction had been obtained for a breach of Treaty rights. That satisfaction has now been afforded by the Chinese Government, and 1 am therefore of opinion that it has a just claim to the revenue of which it has been temporarily deprived. It also appears to me to be highly inexpedient to mix up a very important political question with one entirely commercial, whereby an opening is afforded for our acts and intentions to be both misinterpreted and misrepresented. No. 55. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received June 21.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, April 12, 1848. AS it may have appeared to your Lordship that my despatches to Mr. Alcock have displayed a disposition towards a timid policy being observed in the late misunderstanding between the British and Chinese authorities at Shanghae, I think it proper to inclose, for your Lordship's information, copy of a report made by Commander Pitman, of Her Majesty's sloop '•' Childers," to Captain Campbell of Her Majesty's ship " Melampus," and senior officer on this station, reporting the particulars of the duties he was called on to perform, in the execution of the requisition made on him by the Consul, by which it would seem that, had any one of the 1,400 grain junks, or .50 war junks, fired a shot, or attempted to put to sea, collision would have inevitably ensued. In fact, it appears that a strict blockade of the river was in force, and that all vessels of every description, grain junk or otherwise, which attempted to leave it, were of necessity stopped, and that liad the crews of any of these vessels, emboldened by their own numbers, or instigated by the local authorities, attempted to put to sea, or to dispute the right of search, and which the presence of only one small brig was certainly not calculated to prevent, I, in all probability, should have had to report the termination of the affair in a manner very different from that which I have had the great satisfaction of doing. Your Lordship will, I am satisfied, not fail to observe the very embarrassing circumstances under which Commander Pitman has been acting, as well as the zeal and discretion which that officer has displayed throughout the whole of this important question. I have, &c. (Signed) S. G. BONHAM. X Inclosure in ISo. 55. Commander Pitman to Captain Campbell. Sir, Shanghae, April 4, 1848. IT is with great satisfaction that I am able to report to you that most complete and full redress has been afforded by the authorities ; his Excellency the ]Sr.ea-tae, or Provincial Judge, arrived here on the 28th ultimo, with ten of the ringleaders concerned in the late outrage at Tsing-poo. The same afternoon I went with Her Majesty's Consul, accompanied by Messrs. Medhurst, Lockhart, aud Muirhead, to the Che-heen's public office, for the purpose of seeing whether the criminals could be identified, which was immediately done by the above named gentlemen, and the prisoners Avere punished on the spot by being put in the cangue ; as the demand was acceded to, the Government grain junks Avere allowed to depart that night. I have felt most anxious for the result of the late negotiations, when I briefly state that 30,000 of these lawless vagabonds from the north, in the Government employ, were within a fe^v miles of the city, setting all laws at defiance ; in addition to which, we had 1,400 grain junks above us in the river, and 50 war junks below, such a powerful force might have overwhelmed us by numbers at any moment, notwithstanding that we had twelve armed vessels ready to repair to this anchorage from Woosung at a moment's notice. After a most harassing blockade of fifteen days, which applied to only one of the many classes of vessels engaged in traffic on this river, and which necessarily obliged us to board them all, I am proud to say that this arduous service has been performed by the officers and men under my command in perfect good feeling, and in no one instance has a hostile collision taken place, and the trade of this port has not been interrupted. It has been a trial of strength up to the last moment, between Her Majesty's Consul and the authorities, and the recent events clearly show that the coercive means adopted Avere forced upon us, and we might have been in the same position at this day's date, as we were on the 9th ultimo, had it not been in my power to send Her Majesty's sloop " Espi^gle '' to banking, as four days after her departure, when the Lieutenant-Governor at Soo-choAV was made acquainted that a vessel of Avar had gone to Nanking with a despatch of the late disturbance, and to demand that prompt steps might be taken to bring the guilty parties to punishment, he instantly sent hia Excellency the Provincial Judge, Avhose rank is far above the Taoutae's, to Tsing-poo, with orders to have the ringleaders immediately apprehended and to take effective measures to have this affair instantly settled. I am fully aware that I, in conjunction Avith Her Majesty's Consul, have taken upon myself great responsibility, but seeing our critical position on my arrival here, and the circumstances connected with this murderous attack on three British subjects, I considered I was called upon to take most urgent measures to obtain redress, and by so doing to prevent a recurrence of such outrages. Waiting for orders from Hong Kong would have been to have played the part the authorities wished us to do. I believe it is the first instance in China where we have been able to identify the guilty parties Justice has been completely obtained, and our friendly relations and security agam established at this port, and I have every reason to hope it may be permanent. "^ On the 29th ultimo I went with Mr. Alcock to visit his Excellency the IrovmcialJudge, who afterwards returned with us on board the " Childers " and on his leaving I saluted him. He left this place on the 30th ultimo, much pleased that all had been so cordially arranged, and with entire satisfaction to all parties. I have the honour to inclose you copies of letters sent me by Her Maiesty's Consul, by Avhich you will see the opinions of the foreign community, Avho consider all that has been done here is for their best interests and future security to life and property. Her Majesty's sloop " Espiegle" has not returned yet, although hourly xpected, the wmd for the last forty-eight hours has been entirely against 161 her. On her arrival here I shall immediately dispatch her to the station at Ningpo. I cannot close this letter without reporting to you how highly I am pleased with the conduct and exertions of the officers and men under my command, who have carried out my orders so efficiently as to prevent any act of hostility, and I do trust that his Excellency the naval Commander-in-chief, as well as yourself, will approve what has been done. I have, &c. (Signed) J. C. PITMAN. No. 53. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston. — (Received June 21.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, April 24, 1848. SINCE I had the honour to address your Lordship on the 12th instant, Her Majesty's steam sloop of war "Fury" has returned from Shanghae, bringing me despatches fromMr.ConsulAlcockof the 10th and 12th instant, respectively, which, with their inclosures, I now transmit for your Lordship's information. Mr. Alcock's letter of the 10th announces the return of Her Majesty's brig "Espi^gle" to Shanghae, and incloses Mr. Kobertson's report of his proceedings on his mission, which, as it appears entirely satisfactory in every respect, renders it unnecessary for me to make any remarks on it, and thereby to add to the voluminous correspondence which has already passed on this question. I may, however, perhaps be permitted to congratulate your Lordship on the entire success of this mission, opening as it has done the gates of Nanking and of the Tamun of the Viceroy for the first time since our inter- course with China commenced. Mr. Alcock's letter of the 12tb is simply an explanation of the reasons that induced him to proceed to the length he considered it proper to do without previous reference to the Chief Superintendent. It is, indeed, very satisfactory to observe the talent and ability displayed by that gentleman, and the result of his operations and negotiations clearly show that he did not enter on the responsible position he assumed without duly weighing the chances of success, and likewise the means within his power of a dignified withdrawal, should by accident his views have proved erroneous as to the probable proceedings on the part of the Chinese under the circumstances, or the steps adopted by him to ensure his object prove ineffective ; and I confess therefore I shall be happy to hear that this negotiation, which has been so ably conducted and successfully terminated, may meet your Lordship's approval. But, my Lord, I would remind you that, being a comparative stranger in this country, I did feel on the receipt of Mr. Alcock's first despatches, which reached me the day after my arrival here, not a little anxious as to the results of his measures, and in which I thoroughly saw that my able and experienced predecessor participated. Mr. Alcock's acknowledged talent and ability has brought the question in this instance to a very successful termination, and it has, moreover, been thoroughly proved that he judged rightly as to the probable result of his measures, still 1 am of opinion that it could scarcely have been intended that the Consuls generally should be invested with the power that has been assumed, although on this occasion, under the explanation afforded by Mr. Alcock, it may have been advisable. My limited residence of only one month in this colony, has prevented my becoming acquainted with any of the other four Consuls, I can therefore only say that it will be cause of congratulation to your Lordship, and of great comfort to myself, to find in these officers, the same high qualifications and activity clearly possessed by Mr. Alcock ; but, as this may not be the case, it may still be doubted if it would have been prudent, on my part, to have allowed this matter to have passed unnoticed, and thereby to have given countenance to a similar course of action on their part, and which they would naturally be desirous of following, whenever opportunity might offer. A. 2 If I only studied my own convenience, or to hold myself irresponsible, I should naturally advocate the Consuls being entrusted with very enlarged powers ; but I am not unconscious of the arduous and delicate duties that your Lordship has seen fit to entrust to me, and of the confidence that Her Majesty's Government has been pleased to honour me with, and I am therefore particularly desirous that I should be instructed whether the views that I have taken on this occasion, are correct, or otherwise, I have &c. (Signed) ' S.G. BONHAM. Inclosure 1 in No, 53. Consul Alcock to Mr. Bonham. Sir, Shanghae, April 10, 1848. MY despatch of the 31st March will have already made your Excellency acquainted with the successful termination of the negotiations connected with the Tsing-poo outrage, by the seizure and punishment of the chief offenders. The return of Her Majesty's ship " Espiegle " on the 7th instant, enables me to report the further results attained by the Vice-Consul's mission to IN'anking. The inclosed report from that officer furnishes a detailed account of his proceedings. It will be seen that the Vice-Consul, as the bearer of my official statement, -^vas received with every mark of courtesy and distinction by the Viceroy in person, in the city of lifanking, and that its perusal was followed by the expression of his Excellency's dissatisfaction at the remissness of the \Taoutae, and acquiescence in the reasonable nature of the representation I had found it necessary to make. My request for the dispatch of a delegate of rank was conceded, and the Viceroy, of his own accord, has afforded a more signal satisfaction by the removal of the Taoutae ; a successor ad interim having been at once named, as the inclosed copy of an acting appointment conferred on Woo, will show. The Vice-Consul brought the inclosed reply, information having been conveyed at the time of its delivery into his hands, that the Treasurer of the Province had already been dispatched from lifanking, to Shanghae. On the 6th instant, the late Taoutae Heen announced the resignation of the Seals of Ofiice to his successor ; the District Magistrate of Tsing-poo, as a matter of course will also be removed. On the last day a party of the ofiicers, under the escort of Mandarins, deputed by the Viceroy, visited the Porcelain Tower, and it appears on their return, through a vast concourse of people, some stones were thrown at the party indiscriminately. The next morning at day-break fourteen prisoners were abreast the ship in the cangue, and his Excellency sent an officer to express his regret at the occurrence, and to state that he had instantly caused the offenders to be seized and punished. I attach no other importance to the circumstance tlian as it affords a further proof of the desire of the highest authority of the Province to prevent all just cause of complaint. _ As an incidental advantiige gained, I may mention, that accurate information has been obtained of important alterations, in what appeared the bed of the Yang-tze-keang when the expedition sailed up the river having at the time overflowed its banks by the melting of the snow from the mountains, so that deep water lay for a considerable distance on each side over the surrounding country, and in many places shoals are marked on the charts drawn at the time, far beyond the river's bed. Careful observation appears also to have been made of the fortifications raised on the banks since the fleet anchored off Nanking. On these points the inclosed copy of Captain Campbell's reports to the senior officer, will be found to give interesting details. The outrage took place on the Sth March, the "Espiegle" returned on the 7th mstant. Withm a month, _ therefore, complete reparation has been obtained, and the transaction of business with a British officer in the official residence of the chief siuthority of the Province, within the walls of the fsecond Imperial city in the Empire, the distinction with which the Vice-Consul was received, and the reiterated courtesy which marked his Excellency's return visit on board the man-of-war, cannot, I conceive, fail to exercise a salutary and permanent influence upon our relations with all local authorities, and to establish our position in popular estimation on a higher and better footing than had previously been found attainable. ¥oY must I omit to solicit your Excellency's attention to the fact, that the last results, obtained from the peaceful mission to I^anking, Mere gained without painful insisting upon rights and claims ; of course no advantage is ever gained in China without an attempt on the part of the authorities to withhold or give less than may be desired, but the incidental and preliminary discussions, necessarily arising from this disposition, were conducted with every mark of respect to the high authority to whom Her Majesty's Vice-Consul was accredited, and the points raised were finally conceded, in every instance, gracefully and courteously on the part of the Viceroy, as the result of his own free will and conviction. For the tact, good judgment, and ability, shown in the conduct of this delicate negotiation for privileges and concessions, which could not be insisted upon, however reasonably and advantageously they might be urged in preli- minary discussions on points of etiquette with the delegates of the Viceroy, Mr. Vice-Consul Robertson deserves great praise, and looking to the long tried services of this officer, it affords me much satisfaction to bring his successful exertions upon this occasion under your Excellency's especial notice. He reports that he was very happily seconded, as I had no doubt he would, by Mr, Interpreter Parkes, whose employment at Foo-chow, where more than once not very dissimilar affairs had to be discussed with the Viceroy of the Province, gave him peculiar advantage. I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHEEFOED LCOCK. Inclosure 2 in No. 56. Vice-Consul Robertson to Consul Alcock. Sir Shanghae, April 7, 1848. IK accordance with the instructions contained in your letter of the 19th ^p?C, ultimo, directing me to proceed to Nanking, obtain an interview with the Viceroy, and deliver a letter to his Excellency from you, relative to the attack | lately made at Tsing-poo on the Missionaries Messrs. Medhurst, Lockhart, and Muirhead, 1 have the honour to report, that on the evening of the same day, I went on board Her Majesty's ship "Espiegle," at anchor off" this city, accom- panied by Mr. Interpreter Parkes, a Chinese writer, and two policemen. At daybreak on the 20th, we got under weigh, dropped down to AVoosung, and at 2 o'clock, p.m, had reached Point Harvey in the Yang-tze-keang, when the vessel took the ground, but floated again on the following morning. In the evening of the 21st we again grounded on the north bank of the river, a little below Keashan, and there remained until the morning of the 23rd, when the vessel was hove off. On the morning of the 24th, we made the best of our way up the river, with light and partial winds, and a strong cuirent against us, and on the 25th anchored under Choo-shan. Here we were boarded by a military Mandarin surnamed Chin, of the rank of lieutenant-colonel, intrusted with the command of the defences in this neighbourhood, who came off to make inquiries as to the object of our visit. I told him I was on my way to Nanking on business with the Viceroy. He said that the people were alarmed at our presence, and that the gates of Chin- Keang-foo had been closed. I told him that there was no cause for alarm, that my mission was a peaceful one, and doubtless would speedily be arranged at the interview I required with the Viceroy. In reply to his inquuy as to whether we intended to land elsewhere, I acquainted him that such was not my intention ; that my business was at Nanking alone, and nowhere else. He appeared satisfied with this explanation and took his leave. 154 On the following morning, the 26th, the Ohe-heen or Magistrate of Tantoo, the district in which we then were, and in which the city of Chm-keang-too is situated, came on board, as he said, to pay his compliments and otter his services. He asked, in eflfect, the same questions as the lieutenant-colonel did, and I answered them accordingly, declining his services on the plea ot the trouble it would give him, but eventually parting with every expression ot good will and courtesy on both sides. We then got under weigh and run up for a couple ot miles, but were compelled to anchor from the breeze failing us. ¥o sooner had we done this than we were boarded by various other Mandarins, who proved to be the Prefect of Chirl-keang-foo, accompanied by the above-mentioned Magistrate, and lieutenant-colonel, with another military officer of inferior rank. Being convinced that the best way to obtain an audience with the Viceroy would be keep the objects of my mission as private as possible, I had previously determined upon declining any further interviews with the subordinate authorities, and this party was accordingly received by Captain Campbell and Mr. Parkes only. This had the good effect of shortening their stay, as when the main subject was referred to by them, Captain Campbell had only to say, that it was a matter in which he Mas nowise concerned, to put an immediate stop to their inquires, and to banish any hopes they entertained of prevailing upon me to go no further, and to transact my business with the Viceroy through them. Their offers to afford us assistance or to furnish us with supplies, were renewed on their departure. The next morning we were again under sail, and about 12 o'clock had passed Chin-keang-foo, and anchored four miles above Golden Island. Here wc were boarded by the district Magistrate, and lieutenant-colonel command- ing at Eching, a. city a few miles further up the river. These officers, either from fear or diffidence had at first much difficulty in assigning a reason for their visit, but afterwards stated, that they had been directed by the Viceroy, to learn from us the cause of our appearance. They then of themselves produced as their authority the sealed instructions of his Excellency, but Mr. Parkes perceiving on looking over this document, that we were therein spoken of as barbarians, it was at once returned to them, and they were immediately requested to leave the ship. Shortly after another boat ran alongside, having on board a military Mandarin surnamed Chang, of the rank of major. Mr. Parkes saw this officer and told him in answer to his inquiries, that I was on board on a visit to the Viceroy at Nanking. He said that as we were resolved to go there, it would be well to make some arrangements previously, in order that the Viceroy might be prepared to give me an interview, admitting that he had been sent down for that purpose. On Mr. Parkes reporting this to me, I requested him to tell the officer, that when we reached Nanking, 1 should be prepared to make any arrangements that were requisite, but that I saw no necessity for entering into these matters beforehand. This was the last visit paid us by the Mandarins on our way up, who finding that they could gain nothing by their inquiries, thought it useless to make further attempts. Finally, after some further delay, owing to our having made an ineffectual attempt to go through a shorter but narrower channel, we anchored off Nanking on the evening of the 29th. Early the next morning the Lieutenant-Colonel Chin, and the Major Chang, came off, and I then declared that the object of my visit was to have an interview with the Viceroy, for the purpose of delivering to him a letter from Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Shanghae, and requested them to take our cards, and arrange for a meeting as soon as convenient. They at once admitted the willingness of the Viceroy to give one, and proposed to have it held at the Temph outside the city, where Sir Henry Pottinger had met the Commissioners in 18't2. But to this I demurred ; and I may here perhaps state my reasons for objecting to this arrangement. In the first place, I had advanced so far in the negotiation as to have the interview fixed : that point therefore was settled, and the next question was as to the spot where it should be held. Being led to infer from the conversations that had taken place with the authorities on our way up the river, and many other little circumstances which came under my observation, that I could safely take a strong position, and execute the mission with which I was intrusted, in 155 the manner most creditable to the Consul, and most advantageous to British ^" interests, I then told these officers that I had come to Nanking on a matter of \ public business, that the only fit place to transact this was at the Yamun or official residence of the authority to whom I was sent, and that I could not think of giving the Viceroy the trouble of coming out of the city to see me, when it was my duty, in deference to his rank, to wait upon him, I therefore requested that they would communicate to his Excellency my sentiments on this subject, and beg him to name a time for my visit. They urged that if I was resolved upon entering the city, the meeting should be held at the Literary Hall, and not at the Yamim of the Viceroy, on the plea that the Hall was the place at which Sir Henry Pottinger was received by the Imperial Commissioners at the interview which he held with them inside the city ; but to this I objected, on the grounds, that the cases were by no means of a parallel nature, as my business lay with the Viceroy of the Province, and not with any authorities who were only temporary residents there, and that if any other place but his Yamun were fixed upon, his Excellency might as well come out of the city at once. They then said they must receive the instructions of the Viceroy on this head, as also with regard to the various ceremonies that were to be observed during the meeting, and took their leave to return again in the afternoon. This they did at 6 p.m., and informed me that the Viceroy considered my reasons for seeing him at his Yamun conclusive, and had named noon on the following day, as the time when he would receive me. The various ceremonial points (though after much discussion), had also been most satisfactorily arranged, his Excellency having acceded to all that I had required. The three large gates were to be opened, we were to leave our chairs after passing through the second one, and walk to the third, where the A'^iceroy would meet and conduct us to the Hall of Audience, I was also to receive the usual salute of three guns. On the following morning, the 31st, the two ofiicers came on board to take us on shore. Captain Campbell, with three of his officers, Mr. Parkes, and myself, went in the ship's boats, and on landing were placed in sedan-chairs, with four bearers each, and accompanied by a military escort and numerous police-runners, set off for the city, passed through the gates, at which I ohserved a strong guard, and after a ride of an hour and forty minutes — such is the immense area within the walls — we reached the Viceroy's Yamun, and were received by him in the manner previously arranged. We then sat down in the form of a half-circle, his Excellency placing me in a seat at the top next to himself. Refreshments ^veve brought in, and after some general conversation, I entered on the object of my visit, and getting up presented him with your letter, which he received standing and bowing. Having opened and read it, he said that it was a very reasonable letter, and that, doubt- less, the Taoutae at Shanghae had been very remiss in not taking more active measures for securing the punishment of the delinquents ; but that since we had left the Judge of the Province had been sent from Soo-chow, who, he thought, would speedily arrange everything. I pointed out to him that one object of my mission was to obtain the appointment by his Excellency of a Delegate from ]!»[anking, his own Court, to proceed to Shanghae, to effect an adjustment of the matter ; and impressed upon his Excellency the necessity of this step, from the moral effect it would have on both the local authorities and the people ; that hereafter, under similar circumstances, the one would act with pronq)tness, to avoid appeal to the higher authority, and the other would see that foreigners were not to be molested with impunity, or offenders escape the punishment due to their acts, by declaration of incompetency to seize them on the part of these local authorities. His Excellency admitted the truth of this, but declared that the fittest person had already been sent. Mr. Parkes and 1 had provided for this objection by previous conversation on the subject. I was therefore prepared, and at once named the Treasurer of the Province as the most proper officer that he could send for the purpose. As I expected, he objected to this, asserting many rea^ sons, all of which were met and refuted ; but, deeming that the interview was sufficiently prolonged, and that if a second and more private one could be obtained I should be able to act more effectually in the matter, I signified my wish to take my leave, urging on his consideration what I had said, and express- 166 ing- my conviction that my arguments would have due weight with his Excellency. i- i. i, I then expressed a wish to see him again on the morrow, to which he assented, and mentioned the Temple outside the city as a convenient place for all parties. Captain Campbell took this opportunity to ask whether he would like to visit the "Espiegle." His Excellency signified the satisfaction it would i^ive him to do so, remarking that "it would afford him an opportunity of returning our visit, which it was only proper that he should do so," and he then fixed upon the next^day to come on board. I may mention that a repast was served up of which the Viceroy partook with us, his Excellency and another Mandarin, late Taoutae at l^fingpoo, Captain Campbell, Mr. Parkes, and myself, sitting at one table, and the naval officers at another table, with Lieutenant-Colonel Chin. After having dined we took our leave, the same ceremonies being observed on our departure as on our arrival. 'J'he following day, the 1st of April, turned out wet and stormy. The Viceroy came down to|the beach, but it blew too heavily for him to come off to the ship. Mr. Parkes went on shore, and arranged for his Excellency to pay his visit on the next day, the''2nd, which he did, and was received with yards manned and due honours. He inspected the brig, and partook of luncheon. Mr. Parkes" settled that we should go on shore, and have an interview at the Temple, as I was of opinion that the matters under discussion could be more properly be entered into there than on board the brig, where he was paying only a visit of ceremony. Accordingly I followed him when he left, and Mr. Parkes, who had gone on shore to receive him, accompanied him back to the beach. On reaching the Temple we found his Excellency waiting to receive us, and after being seated entered at once into the business before us, taking up the question of the'expediency of sending the Provincial Treasurer to Shanghae, which, from conversations Mr. Parkes had with various of the authorities in passing to and fro from the ship during the morning, we were led to believe the Viceroy had made up his mind to do. His Excellency began by expressing his conviction of the obligation of preserving the good relations existing between the two countries, and how anxious he was to do all in his power to further that object. He regretted the necessity he felt for degrading Heen-ling, the Taoutae of Shanghae, who had clearly been most remiss in the performance of his duty, and insinuated the difficulty you, the Consul, would hereafter experience in meeting him after what had occurred ; and that he deemed his removal from office at Shanghae essential. Mr. Parkes and I, in anticipation of such a result, had had some conversa- tion previously together on the subject, and I in the end instructed him, that in the event of such a question arising, to decline passing an opinion upon it. My reason for taking this ground was my knowledge that Sam-qua, the late Hong merchant at Canton, had been long hanging about Shanghae, open to employ- ment, and evidently with his eye on that port, as its future Taoutae, in the event of the removal of Heen-ling from office. To acquiesce with the Viceroy in the justice of his remark, would cause, I feared, a termination of Heen-ling's tenure of office, and Sam-qua avouM, in all probability, step into the vacancy. ]S[ot to acquiesce with his Excellency, would put us in the position of bringing a serious charge of negligence against the Taoutae Heen-ling, for which he deserved degradation, and yet when that degradation was all but offered, to support him after condemning him, thus entaihng a doubt as to the soundness of our case, most inexpedient to have incurred. I had, therefore, determined, as far as we were concerned, to leave it an open question, trusting to have an opportunity of giving the Viceroy to understand that Sam-qua would not suit us at Shanghae in any way, and thus put a stop to any intention that may have been entertained of presenting him with the appointment. Moreover, I conceived that if the Taoutae Keen ling was to be removed, it had better be the simple act of his own Government, and unconnected with any influence of ours, as 1 imagined that the Viceroy would be well pleased to assign our resquest as a conclusive reason for his removal, and thus throw upon us the onus of the step. Besides the appointment of a delegate of superior rank to the Taoutae Heen-ling to adjust the affair at Shanghae, constituted of itself a virtual suspension, and it was to obtain 157 th"s that I held out so firmly for the appointment of an officer of so high a standing as the Treasurer. Under these circumstances, in answer to the Yieeroy's insinuation respecting the removal of the Taoutae Heen-ling, Mr. Parkes made answer, " that it was a question which must rest with his Excellency alone to decide." As I had expected, the opportunity to check the employment of Sam-qua soon offered, by the Viceroy shortly after observing, that he had appointed another officer of the rank of Taoutae, and here he mentioned Sam-qua's name, to assist in arranging the business. I. instructed Mr. Parkes to hint to his Excel- lency, that there was no necessity whatever for the interference of Sam-qua in our affairs, and, I believe Mr. Parkes urged this in so pointed a manner, that the Viceroy well understood our feeling upon the subject. Finally, after some discussion as to the difficulties that existed respecting the employment of the Provincial Treasurer, his Excellency signified his inten- tion of dispatching that functionary immediately to Shanghae, as a delegate, in compliance with your request for one, there to act with the Provincial Judge in bringing matters at Shanghae to a satisfactory conclusion. I have not detailed the various manoeuvres and arguments made use of by the authorities with whom these negotiations were entered upon, from the Viceroy downwards, to put us off, and get the business closed in accordance with their views of the case, although I am bound to say, that every disputed point was eventually conceded by them with the best possible grace, and with an evident intent to satisfy our demands. At one time the discussion relative to the appointent of Provincial Treasurer assumed a curious position, being a close argument between the Viceroy and Mr. Parkes as to the stated impossi- bility of employing him, on the plea that that officer could never be detached from his office, nor even be employed on any other but his financial affairs. But Mr. Parkes adduced precedents to prove the contrary, which doubtless materially tended to gain the object in view, for the Viceroy was obliged to relinquish this line of argument, and fallback, first upon the propriety of the prior appointment of the Provincial Judge, and, lastly, to appealing to me as to whether I thought he would not act in good faith, and with good intentions ? My answer to this was,that snch a doubt could not exist in my mind after tbe courteous reception he had given us at ISTanking, which was the best proof of his intention ; but that the appointment of the Provincial Judge had not emanated from his Excellency, nor had he been dispatched from Nanking, he having been deputed by the Jjieutenant-Govcrnor, and sent from Soo-chow only, which vre might have obtained by going at once to that city, instead of travelling this long distance to _N"anking, or troubling his Excellency at all on the subject. He then urged that by reiterating the orders for the dispatch of the Judge he made the appointment virtually his own, and deemed that that would be found sufficient. I, in answer, acknowledged the sufficiency of the appointment, but objected to it on the ground that the moral effect which it conveyed, would not be the same as if some officer of high rank were sent direct from the Viceroy himself ; that my instructions were to wait upon his Excellency, and after presenting your letter,^ receiving an answer, and being informed that a delegate from Nanking had been appointed to proceed to Shanghae, my mission was concluded, and I hoped that he would, as speedily as possibly, place me in a position to return and report that the request of Her Britannic Majesty's Consul had been acceded to by His Excellency. The interview Mr. Parkes and I had with the Viceroy at the Temple on the 2nd instant, was attended with marked courtesey and politeness on the part of .his Excellency. He expressed openly and freely in condemnatory terms, his opinion of the event at Shanghae, that had caused our visit, and his regret at the occurrence. On our leaving he mentioned his intention of dispatching the Treasurer as soon as possible, which would either be on the following day, or early on the morning after, and stated that he should give me notice of the departure of that officer, at the same time that he should me send an answer to your letter, in order that we might return to Shanghae without further 'Seeing that we should thus have to remain another day off N'anking, I took the opportunity of requesting the permission of his Excellency for the officers of the brig to visit the Porcelain Tower, begging that if the least objection existed to the trip, he would say so, as it was only wished for as E5B a means of passing the tinier while waiting- foe Iris- EsscellenBy'sj atiswier to the Consul's letter to be sent on board. Before Mr. Parkes had concluded making mention of ray request, his Excellency turned round: to Lieutenant-Colonel Chin, and Major Chang, and directed them to attend tihe following day to take the party up to visit the Tower, and on my again, stating tibat I should regret if my request caused any trouble or inconvenience, he. answered me that such- would by no means be the case, and that he was happy to give us the opportunity of seeing the edifice. We then, after having- partaken of some refreshment with his Excellency, took our leave and returned on board. The next day^ the 3rd instant, the Lieutenant-Colonel Chia and Major Chang, came off at 8 o'olock in two boats. We reached the landing place on the south side of the city at about 2 o'clock, and there found several Miandarins of rank, with attendants and chairs awaiting us, but the distance to the Pagoda being but short we walked- up^ and though followed by a large crowd, had not to complain of the slightest molestiatiom. After viewing the Tower we adjourned to a dinner ia one of the adjoining buildings, and then proceeded on our return to the boats. As we advanced through the square in which there many thousands of people collected, some stones were thrown, at us from far behind, which struck indiscriminately both us and the Mandarins and attendants. We took no notice of this assault, and walked out of the square into the street, where the stoning ceased, and we reached our boaifcs in safety. Proceeding down the canal a few more stones were thrown at the boats, but beyond! this, no obstruction or any appearance of ill-wilL was shown, and considering the immense concourse of people, among whom^ must always be idle and ill disposed, I am not inclined to attach any importance to this incident, but regard it merely as a casualty I am bound to mention- On our return an officer came on board with the Yiceroy's answer to your letter, and with notice that the Treasurer would leave ai 8 o'clock the foUowing morning, the 4th, for Shanghae. On the following morning at daylight, fourteen men were seen abreast of the ship kneeling in the cangue, and the Lieutenant-Colonel Chin accompanied by Major Chang, and another officer came off witli a list of their names, having been sent by the Viceroy to express how deeply annoyed and grieved his Excellency felt at our having been molested, as also his intentions to use his utmost endeavours to severely punish the offenders. At the same time, he reported to me that the Treasurer had already commenced his journey, taking leave of this officer, sail was made, and we immediately left the city of Nanking on our return, I have now the pleasing duty to convey my deep sense of the services rendered during this mission by Mr. Parkes, to whose exertionSj tact, and zeal, its successful termination is chiefly due, and I only hope that if in the course of my career in the public service in China, I am again placed in communication with the authorities on matters of a similar nature, I may have the benefit of his valuable assistance. It is easy to speak well of the exertions of an officer in a general way, but it is not so easy to express the particular opinion you may entertain of the way in which those services are rendered, and above all, of the tact and good sense brought to bear on the occasion:. I beg, therefore, you will take my simple assertion that, if our communications with the Yiceroy at Nanking have been' effected in a manner worthy of our position in China, to Mr. Parkes chiefly is due the success attending my endeavours on that point. I have also to express my sense of the kindness I experienced from Cbmmander Campbell, during our protracted voyage up the Yang-tze-keang. I have, &c. CBigned) B. EOBERTSON. 159 Inclosure 3 in No. 56. Declaration. (Translation.) Le, a Chief Guardian of the Crown Prince, a Director of the Board of War, and Grovernor-General of Keang-nan and Keang-see ; Luh, a Vice-president of the Board of War, and Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Keang-soo, declare the following directions for an acting appointment : — HEEN', the Intendant of Circuit for the departments of Soo-chow-foo, Sung-keang-foo, and Tae-tsang-chow, having in the management of affairs acted erroneously, and failed in the performance of his duty, has now been removed, leaving 'his office vacant. We learn that Woo (Sam-qua), an unat- tached Intendant, is ^possessed of ability sufficient to temporarily conduct the affairs of that officB ; and^we now, therefore, do at once declare his appoint- ment to the same. Let the said. Intendant, immediately on receipt of this his authority, and in obedience to the orders therein made known, proceed to officiate in that office, and let him duly report to us for our information the date of his arrival at his post. Disobey not. A special declaration. Taoukwang, 28th year, 2nd month, 28th day. (April 1, 1848.) Inclosure 4 in ISo. 56. The Governor-General Le to 'Consul Alcock. (Translation.) Le, of the Tatsing Empire, one of the Chief Guardians of the Crown Prince, a Director of the Board of War, and Governor-General of the two Keang Provinces, makes known the following : — ON the 27th day of the second month (31st March), Mr. Yice-Consul Robertson and Mr. Interpreter Parkes came to the provincial city, where, as in duty bound, I gave them an interview and a courteous reception. They delivered to me your statement, from which I learn that the Missionaries, Mr. Medhurst and others, had been assaulted and wounded by certain sailors at Tsing-poo, but that after a protracted delay none of the offenders had yet been seized or punished, and that therefore in accordance with Treaty Rights you had proceeded to lay your complaint before me. I find with regard to this case that the Intendant of Circuit for Soo-chow- foo, Sung-keang-foo, and Tae-tsang-chow (Taoutae of Shanghae), and others, tad previously leported the matter to me, upon which I, the Governor-General, in concert and communication with Luh, jLieutenant-Governor of the Province of Reang^soQ, deputed E , acting judge for that Province, and Woo (Sam-qua), an unattached Intendant, to proceed with all haste, and with the Magistrate of Tsing-poo, and other officers under his command, to seize many of the criminals both principals and accomplices, and forward them to Shanghae for trial and punishment. By this time the affair has been finally adjusted, but a question now remains as to whether the Intendant of Circuit for Soo-chow-foo, Sung-keang- foo, and Tae-tsang-chow, has not acted wrongly in the matter and failed in the performance of his duty. I, the Governor-General, have therefore . deputed Chuen, the Treasurer of Nanking, and Chin, an unattached Intendant, to pro- ceed overland to Shanghae, and in concert and communication with E , the acting jaidge of Keang-soo, and Woo, the unattached Intendant, to thoroughly examine into and arrange this point. These measures will prove how desirous I am to afford you protection. The maritime duties should now be paid as heretofore, and the rice junks be allowed to quietly proceed to sea, and British subjects should continue to confine the extent of their excursions to the limits that were originally laid down and fixed upon, in the /hope that by both nations adhering to the esta 160 blislied regulations the Treaty of perpetual peace and friendship may be cemented. It is my duty to make the above known to you. Taoukwang, 28th year, 2nd month. 29th day. (April 3, 1848.) Inclosure 5 in 'No. 56. Commander Campbell to Commander Pitman. Sir, Woosung, April 8, 1848. I BEG to inclose a list of the remarks made on board Her Majesty's sloop under my command, on her passage up the Yang-tze-kiang to ISTanking. I have, &c, (Signed) FRED. CAMPBELL. Remarks made on hoard Her Majesty's sloop " Espiegle" on her passage up the Yang-tze-kiang to Nanking, from the 20th March to 7th April, 1848. IN proceeding up the Yang-tze-kiang from Woosung, the banks of the river present a sameness that renders the navigation, otherwise simple, very precarious and difficult. The Blonde Shoal is the first difficulty met with, to avoid which, at low water, I think it advisable to keep as near as possible in your own draft (two and a-half fathoms) on the southern bank, as by deepening to three fathoms we grounded on it. There was only then two feet water on its shoalest part. It appears to be composed of a bed of rocks covered with mud. The whole of Tsing-ming to Point Harvey is the same low unremarkable land. The broad opening, five or six miles to the south-eastward of Point Harvey, shows jjlainly, and several small junks appeared passing through it. On nearin"- Point Harvey, it is particularly necessary to observe its appearance, and fix on some particular object, some house, or tree, to keep on a south-east by east bearing, until some distance from it, then shaping a course to the westward. When abreast of Point Harvey it is very difficult, from the appearance of the land, without taking this precaution, to fix on any particular part as the point, and a vessel unwarned, and running up with a fair wind and fresh tide, will probably, by a few moments' hesitation, be set on shore on the banks to tl'.e northward; the tide appearing to set in that direction with considerable velocity. Single Tree, on the south bank, appears withered at this season. The main trunk separates into two large limbs, about half its whole height from the ground, and has thus a forked appearance. Close along side it is another tree of lesser height, having the same withered appearance. Great Bush is a cluster of tall trees, and with thick foliage, presenting the appearance of a large round bush. Mason Island appears placed too far north on the chart. Between Plover Point and Poo-shan we had shoal water (three-and-a-q uarter fathoms), with Lang-shan Pagoda bearing northerly, east half-east and the second hill from the eastward at Poo-shan west quarter-north. It shoaled more by haulmg to the northward, and we deepened by steering directly towards the south shore. The above bearings point this shoal part out as directly in mid-channel, '' Lang-shan Pagoda will be easily known. It is on the summit of one of three hills, which, when seen from the south-eastward, appear nearly as one The whole of the surroundmg country, as far as the eye can reach is one unbroken flat. ' At Foo-shan there are four very low remarkable hills. The easternmost is the smallest, and at a distance not easily made out. The second hill the next westward of it, is higher, and there are some houses on it. This hill' too-ether with Lang-shan Pagoda, are excellent marks for passing over to the 'other side 161 of the river. This is called the Foo-shan Crossing. A difference in the depths found, and those on the chart is to be expected, but having worked across, I am of opinion, by close attention to the cross-bearings, the banks may be easily avoided. On rea,ching the north bank, from thence westward, past Kea-shan, the navigation is rather troublesome from the great breadth of the river (the south bank not being visible), the want of any leading marks, and the channel being much contracted. In going up we grounded on the north side, having shoaled suddenly from twelve and a-lialf fathoms to one-quarter less two fathoms. In hauling off we deepened to twenty-two fathoms. Kea-shan bearing south- west by west quarter-west ; Lang-shan Pagoda south-east by east half-east ; small patch to the southward (east end) south half-west. Kea-shan will be easily known, it will first appear from the eastward, like a small round nob of land of moderate elevation ; all the land in its vicinity is very flat and low. In coming down this part of the river, it fortunately happened to be low water, the banks on both sides being uncovered in very many places to the ■height of from six feet to nine feet, and the channel being contracted in one -part, where Kea-shan bore to the south-westward of us to less than three-fourths of a mile. To avoid getting on shore it is, therefore, necessary to use great caution. The right bank, after leaving the crossing at Too-shan, may be kept pretty close on board, you wiU, however, have several fathoms less water that what is marked on the chart. When Kea-shan bears west south-west, increase your distance from the north bank, and I think it would be proper to borrow towards the south side of the channel until you are past Kea-shan. Koo-shan is a small low hill with some houses on it, not easily distinguished if the weather is at all hazy. All the hills marked on the chart on the south bank as far as Keang-yin- heen will be easily made out. The low one forming to the point of the river opposite to the south point of Yin-shan, kept on a south-west by west quarter west bearing (though a distant), is a good leading mark for passing between the Cornwallis Shoal and the banks to the northM'ard. A cross-bearing of Koo-shan will let you know when approaching and when past it. Leading between the Cornwallis Shoal and the other banks, there are other hills to the eastward of Keang-yin-heen, which when recognised are useful leading marks. Corn'vvallis shoal is the small bank on the south side of the channel, marked with one and a-half fathoms on each end of it, bearing from Koo-shan east south-east nearly. It was completely uncovered when we passed it. Proceeding up the river the south end of Starling Island, and Hwang-shan hill will become visible. By keeping the latter not quite on with the south eiid of Starling Island, but rather to the southward of it, it will lead you right u;> if to it, clear of the banks, which project from the north side of the channel. .J Starling Island is long, exceeding low and flat, the southern part is wooded and inhabited, but the northern half is an extremely narrow low slip of and that will in all probability be swept away at the first time of any unusual swelling of the river. The north extremity for about a mile has already disappeared, which I proved by transit bearings of the north extreme of the island and Hwang-shan hill, both in going up and returning down. The present bearing being east by north half north, and instead of there being twelve fathoms close to it, it is rather shoal, and should be given a berth at low water of at least half a cable. The rest of the island, from its south point upwards, we found bold too. When abreast of the eastern entrance to the Sha-yaou river it appears difficult to proceed, the chart showing a blank without any soundings, and instead of one small island only appearing on the right hand, there are actually three visible with houses and numbers of rush huts thickly studding them all over. They extend as far north as an east north-east, bearing from the north point of the entrance to the Sha-yaou river. On the chart, deep water (thirteen fathoms) is marked near the north point of the Sha-yaou river, but we found it shoal, having only four fathoms. We deepened by hauling more towards the islands above mentioned. , n ,i • /, i • After passing this place keep towards the right bank ot the river (takmg the precaution not to come too near the northern extremity of these islands, in the event of any spit growing up in a northerly direction), until Choo-shan 162 Pagoda,i#hidiiwill soonbe seen over the land and recognised, bears nearly west, when the left bank must be immediately crossed over to, you will then be to the Westward of xthe long shoal marked with quarter fathoms on it, but which was visible to us full six feet above the water for nearly a mile. This shoal is KSalled after the " Jupiter," who grounded on it. Proceeding onwards there are apparently no obstructions to the navigaition of the river until past the western entrance to the Sha-yaou river. In the channel, nearly due west from Ohooshan Pagoda, a sunken rock is marked on the chart. It was visible to us about seven feet above the water, and had a pole fixed on it. It lies about a cable-'s length from the eastern shore, and under a small hill on that side. Seaow-sha Island is extremely low and flat, without trees or habitation of any kind on it, and I should think frequently inundated. To the southward, and abreast of its eastern extremity, there is, I believe, a shoal, extending from the southern shore to within two cables' length of this point of the island, and on which Her Majesty's ship " Calliope" grounded. It is said there is only nine feet water on it. Silver Island. We passed up and beat down to the southward of this island. Less water than marked on the chart will be found, and the depths very irregular. In going up, the point on the left bank may be. rounded clos§, but just within it, abreast of the island, it shoals. Borrowing to this side, to weather the west end of Silver Island, we shoaled to three and a-half fathoms for several casts. Off -the west end of Ta-sha is a bank which we shoaled on in working out. Marion Rock. Proceeding on past Golden Island there is a sunken rock, marked on the chart close over to the northern shore. It lies, however, directly inmidchannel, and in a direct line between the west point of the creek on the south bank and the most elevated and most remarkable part of the bank on the north shore. It 'has been built on by the Chinese, and now shows four or five feet aibove the water. I observed a whitewashed mark on the rocks below the Pagoda on Grolden Island, and after passing the rock we brought the Pagoda and this mark in one, it then appeared in a direct line over and on with the rock, and appears intended as a mark for it. On our return down, by keeping the Pagoda open to the right of the mark, we passed clear to the southward of it. Pih-sin-chow Island. Midway between the eastern point of this island and the north shore is a bank, uncovered, three or four feet above the water, with apparently a navigable channel, used by the junks, on either side of it! We stood near it, and tacked in fifteen fathoms water, not far from it. Along the south-east side of this island are several banks, which uncover at low water. They lie parallel to the shore, a short distance from it, and are steep too. After passing E-ching, there are some remarkable hills. First, a range marked on the chart as stretching to the north-west, but also to the north-east ; next, westward of them, are two conical-shaped hills, with some table- land at the back ; a very little further west is a remarkable table hill. Westward of the creeks at E-ching, there are some shoal patches near the north shore, on the edge. of on^ of which we anchored during the night, the wind having failed us The weather next morning was too hazy to observe any bearings to get our position exactly, but I sounded during the night, and found four fathoms about halt cable from the shore, rocky bottom. Off the mouth of the creek on the north shore, and south-east by south from the two hills, we had some shoal casts over a rocky bottom, extending southward one-third the way across the river. *' We tried to pass through the creek which leads to the south of Tsaou-heae- hea Island, but after advancing about one-third of the distance, were oblio.ed to retrace our steps, finding only half the depth of water marked on the chart It IS a very narrow channel ; a longer vessel than ourselves would have been obhged to have returned the best part of the way stern foremost xu- j^f *,^^ north-east side of Tsaou-heae-hea Island, a shoal extends full one- third of the way across the river. Its northern edge uncovers for. about three cables' length in a direction parallel to the shore. When abreast of the centre part, IJ mg-yan-shan pagoda bore north north-east, quarter east. 163 We observed a rock uncovered near the western shore, about a mile to the northward of Ping-shanipagpda.. (Signed) E. H. GARWOOD, Master. Inclosure 6 in lifo. 56. Commander Campbell to Commander Pitman. Sir, Shanffhae, April 7, 1848, r HAVE the honour to acquaint you, for the information of his Excellency the Commander-in-chief, that Her Majesty's sloop under my command anchored off" Nanking on the evening of the 29th March. During the passage up we grounded three times on soft muddy bottom, but sustained no injury, though a delay of 48 hours off Lang-shan Pagoda from the difficulty of getting off, and which, was not accomplished without starting the water and lightening her of six guns, five tons of shot, chain cables, bower-anchors, and the spare spars. Between Choo-shan and ifanking we were visited by several Mandarihs, who came off and inquired the object of our visit, which, however, I deferred acquainting them with, until our arrival at Hankin. On the 31st March, after several interviews with the Mandarins on board, T, with several of the officers, accompanied Brooke Robertson, Esquire, Her Majesty's Vice-Consur at Shanghae, and H. Parkes, Esquire, officiating Inter- preter at that port, into the city of IsTanking, when Her Majesty's Tice-Consul presented his despatches to the Viceroy. On the 2nd April, the Viceroy visited Her Majesty's sloop, and was received with all honours. On the evening of the 3rd instant, Her Majesty's Vice -Consul reported to me that the object of his mission was concludedj but as it was nearly dark, I did not deem it advisable to weigh until the following morning. Inclosed is a list of batteries, with their strength and position, erected by the Chinese since the last war ; also a few remarks upon the navigation of the river, which is very different from what it was in the autum of 1842, as it was then very broad and deep with a current of from three to four miles per hour setting down. At present the current does not make stronger than from one- halffco two miles per hour, some parts of the river are little more than half the breadth they were then, with from two to three fathoms- less wat£r. The Mandarins said it was in consequence of the snows not having yet gmelted in the interior.. The Viceroy and MandaLrins were most polite and attentive, and assisted us in procuring suppliea, but evidently most anxious for our departure, and much aimoyed at our having come up. On, the morning of the^ 3rd instant, the Viceroy sent Mandarins and boats for those officers who wished to avail themselves of seeing the Porcelain Tower, most of whom took advantage of it. On leaving, the people had collected in thousands, and a few in the rear commenced throwing brickbats, making- m) distinction between Englishmen or Mandarins. The Mandarins, with their attendants and some soldiers, did all in their power to prevent them, but without success. Fortunately none of the party were much hurt, and the following morning shortly before our departure fifteen of the culprits were brought down in front of the ship, with the cangue round their necks. The Viceroy expressed the deepest regret at the occurrence, and was doing aU in his power to discover the offenders. Whilst proceeding down the Yang-tze-kiang this day. Her Majesty's sloop agaiix t^olsthe ground on the; Blonde Shoal, where she remained an hour. I haj^e, &c. (Signed) FEED. CAMPBELL. 164 Inclosure 7 in 'Ro. 56. Commander Campbell to Commander Pitman. Sir, Shanyhae, April 7, 1848. I HAVE the honour to acquaint yoa, for the information of his Excellency, the Commander-in-chief, that on my way up the Yang-tze-keang river to I^anking, in Her Majesty's sloop under my command, I discovered the following- batteries, which have been erected since 1842. At Yin-shan, on the point directly opposite Kiang-yin-heen, is a solitary battery mounting thirty-five guns, built in a west-south-west and east-north-east direction, the face of it being in a small degree convex. Opposite, immedi- ately below the hills, in the openings between them, are three batteries. The first or westernmost mounts nineteen guns, which chiefly point in a north-north- west direction : the face of this battery is slightly convex. The second mounts seventeen guns, which point north-north-east. The third and easternmost mounts fifteen guns, which point north-west. The second and third almost join each other. On passing Starling Island, preparations appeared to be making for the erection of batteries on the north-west and south-east ends. Passing Keun-shan, or Choo-shan, on the north bank of the river, and com- manding the entrance to the Sba-yaou or Hall's Cut, is a battery mounting fifty guns, which point in an east-by-south direction. On the opposite side, after passing Hall's Cut, at the foot of the Choo-shan Hills, is a chain of batteries, mounting thirty-eight guns, which chiefly point in a , north-north-west direction. On the north bank of the river, a little to the westward of Silver Island, is a battery mounting fifty guns, pointing in a south-east direction across the river ; and further to the westward, and nearly opposite Joss House Hill, Chin-keang-foo, is a battery of twenty-five guns, all levelled in a south-south-east direction. On the south bank, just above the hill to the southward of Silver Island, are three batteries close together. The 1st mounts 14 guns. 2nd „ 34 „ 3rd „ 12 „ The whole of these guns, as placed in the embrasures, point north-by-east across the ri^■er. On the north bank of the river, on the point opposite the Yue-tsze-ke Hill, is a battery mounting thirty guns, built in a straight east-by-soutb and west-b'y- north direction, the enlbrasures opening at right angles, nearly directly across the river. The embrasures were observed to open on a north-west-by-west and close on a north-east-by-north bearing. ' 1 observed that the whole of these batteries had a line of embrasures close m the rear, parallel to and corresponding with the front ones, evidently intended for reversmg the guns m the event of being attacked in the rear. The batteries are built of mud, and open at each end ; and"the one on the north bank, opposite the Yeu-tsze-ke Hills, could be raked by any vessel coming up the river, without being able to return a shot. I. f l^XF^A ^^'^f" ^""'^'^ over therefore I am unable to give their calibre ; but the Mandarin who commanded the batteries of Choo-shan told me that their calibre was from twenty to fifty-eight pounds. I have, &c. (Signed) FRED. CAMPBELL, Commander. "Espiegle" at Woosmg, April 7, 1848 RESPECTING the tides in the Yaug-tze-kiang, our passage up Ld down was so hurried, that notliing can be said further than that after lZt^7^! western entrance to the Sha-yaou-ho. or Hall's Cut, we never exnerwS upward stream of tide, although there was what I supposed to be thp 3 i -"^ and fall of a few feet. We generally had from thence^'a coltanUt, eir^^^^^^ us varying from one and a-half to two knots. I am of opinion the^efsTl fifteen feet less water m the river at this season than at the time the snrv.l taken. survey m' (Signed) E. H. GARWOOD, Mast as er. 165 Inclosure 8 in No. 56. Consul Alcock to Mr. Bonham. Sir, Shanghae, April 12, 1848. SIMIJLTANEOUSLY with the arrival of Her Majesty's ship "Espiegle" from Nanking, on the 7th instant. Her Majesty's steam-sloop "Fury" entered the river from Hong Kong, bringing me your Excellency's despatches of the 23rd and 27th ultimo, in reply to my first report of the Tsing-foo outrage of the 8th ultimo, an unusually quick return, six to eight weeks generally intervening as the shortest period for answers to be received from Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary. I refer to it more especially because this circumstance necessarily exercised some influence in deciding upon the course to be pursued, when the authorities clearly manifested a disposition to allow the offenders to escape with impunity, and to refuse all redress. In reply to the two despatches I have had the honour to receive, conveying your Excellency's regret, that with the limited power and duties of a Consul, I had taken the steps reported, without previous reference to Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, and stating that under the circumstances, your Excellency would not have considered yourself warranted in sanctioning the measures adopted, I can only trust, that the measures taken to provide for an unforeseen emergency may be regarded without disapproval, now that the Avhole progress of events with the result are known. My previous despatches must, I conceive, have afforded satisfactory evidence that the danger to our interests was great, and that any measures short of those taken, must have failed in attaining the end in view, without which we could no longer count upon freedom from molestation. How far" under such circumstances, Her Majesty's Consul may be warranted, in an isolated and distant port, like Shanghae, in taking vigorous steps upon his own responsibility, to avert a great evil, is a question of the utmost importance to British interests. In the conviction that he would be held justified, if his measures, dictated by the exclusive desire to discharge a public duty, were found neither to be wanting in temper or discretion, nor ill-adapted to eff'ect their object, I did not hesitate to overstep the ordinary limits of a Consul's power and duties, trusting to the assurance already conveyed to Her Majesty's servants in China, that the best construction will always be put upon their efforts to uphold and defend the interests confided to them. I felt the more confident in this course, from a reference to the general tenor and spirit of the instructions accompanying my commission for this port, to which your Excellency refers ; for although I am expressly directed, in any discussions of a disagreeable character, to avail myself of the advantage of suspending controversy for a time, by referring the matter to the Chief Superintendent, I am also directed steadily to maintain the rights and privileges of British subjects, The instruction to suspend a controversy, by referring to the Chief Super- intendent, is, moreover, grounded upon the inference, that in most cases an intimation to that effect would probably have a salutary influence on the persons or authorities with whom I might come in collision. But, in the present instance, as I have explained informer despatches, so far from such a course exercising a salutary influence, it was calculated to defeat the ends of justice, and to ensure the success of the injurious policy adopted by the Chinese authorities. It was counting upon my hesitation to act without instructions, and the delay and ultimate inutility of a reference, that emboldened them to turn a deaf ear to all remonstrance. In departing, therefore, from the letter of my instructions in this instance, I conceived and hoped I should best act up to their spirit, and I shall deeply regret, if, in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, I have erred in my judgment, I do not plead the success which has followed, in extenuation of an officer exceeding his powers, because an advantage may be dearly purchased by the sacrifice of a principle, or a due subordination of powers. I am equally far from urging, that success is any proof of the abstract expediency and fitness of thg 166 measures taken, since no one can more fully than myself admit, that the event forms no just criterion of the merit of measures, which, when ill-devised, may be followed by success, as certainly as failure may attend the best directed efforts. The blame or approval of your Excellency in the first instance, and of Her Majesty's Government subsequently, must rest upon the justifiability under the circumstances of the case, or in any unforeseen emergency, of the Consul at Shanghae upon his responsibility, anticipating instructions which cannot be received in time to avert a menaced danger ; and secondly, upon the fitness and expediency in relation to the object in view, of the course actually adopted, without reference to its ultimate result. In reference to the first, it is not for me to argue the question. I am prepared to receive with all submission, the decision that may be conveyed to me by the Representative of Her Majesty's Government. I may, however, be permitted to observe, that circumstances may arise where an ofiicer is ^t a detached port, in which a close adherence to instructions, would be destructive to the interests which they were framed to. protect, and when these can only be successfully defended by overstepping the limits assigned for their better security and guardianship. In such circumstances I conceive I was placed, when all redress for an outrage of aggravated and atrocious character was refused, under a false plea of inability to seize the perpetrators. I need not, I trust, occupy your Excellency's time, in connection with this part of the subject, by offering any justification of my motives for the respon- sible course taken. Within the limits and letter of my instructions I was safe, whatever evil befel British interests. The moment T endeavoured, disregarding the express tenor of those instructions, to seize their spirit, I put, myself on trial before Her Majesty's Grovernment for an unauthorized assumption of powers. There are circuhistances in which the danger or injury attending failure may be eqitally balahced in the minds of those engaged, by the hope of reward in the event of success; but it required little penetration from the beginning to see that I was not in this position ; on the contrary, any advantage which might accrue must be a benefit to the public interests exclusively, since it would, in all probability, be held too dangerous a precedent for unqualified approbation to mark a result even as complete as that which has now been attained, I dismiss, therefore, all care upon this head, and am chiefly anxious to show that the measures themselves, considered apart from the result, though aggressive and coercive, were not in effect, as they may well have appeared at a distance, offensive in a sense calculated to embroil the two nations in hos- tihties, or to endanger the peaceable relations at present existing between Her Majesty's and the Chinese Government ; whereas I had, in common with the whole foreign community and foreign Consuls here, an intimate persuasion that if prompt redress were not obtained, outrages and insecurity would follow, so certainly and rapidly, that danger to our friendly and peaceable relations m'ust mevitably accrue, whatever subsequent measures might be taken to remedy the evil. "^ As this, in reference to our future relaLions, is by far the most important feature of the case, I trust your Excellency will pardon my entering into details some of which are not unknown to you, yet all bearing so distinctly upon my position, and so necessary to a clear appreciation of the circumstances that I teei bound, m justice to myself and the interests which were at stake to state them consecutively. ' The measures adopted were devised with especial reference to local circum- stances and my experience of the people and the authorities with whom I had iS- ^Tlf n ?'";■ ''PJ!}}^''^'^'' ^^ith these, and their consequent adaptation to the end, their eligibility and expediency, and, stUl more the Toubtfuf " '"^''P*'''"' "'""^ '^''''' ^^^'^ "«^^'' *« any one at a distance, very I had a well-grounded confidence in my own coercive powers, and the weakness and false position of those I had to contend with. The Taoutae as your Excellency with some alarm anticipated, either could not, or would not apprehend the prmcipal offenders even to the last moment when his own interests and his position as a public officer were alike menaced bv the stZ announced to him. Yet, in despite of his impracticability I believed He Majesty's Consul had the means at his command of obtaining the moS full and 167 ample redress in the power of a Government to afford/and this without any act ot violence, without collision with the people or injury to their interests and consequently without giving rise to the slightest manifestation of popular feeline- ?l '}:ZiK ^"^ ^^^ ^^*^ "^ ^^'^^' *^^^* ^^' I ^e^ie^ed he had the means ; hut on the 20th they would have been no longer his, nor within the reach of Her Majesty's Government; and the earliest possible communication with Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary could not be counted upon under a month. The chief element of strength for the Consul lay in the large fleet of Government grain junks on the eve of departure for Peking, at that moment lying ready laden in the anchorage above Her Majesty's ship " Childers " Their prompt departure was so important a matter to the Taoutae, and extendinff from him upwards to the Lieutenant-Governor at Soo-chow, and the Governor- General at Nanking, that their detention would ensure not only prompt atten- tion, but whatever satisfaction it was in the power of the authorities of the Province to grant. The only question, therefore, was the possibility, for a very limited and short period of two or three weeks, of maintaining an emjbargo, without involving hostile collision and a rupture. After consultation with the senior naval officer. Captain Pitman, as to the means at his disposal for carrying out such a measure, and his opinion of its feasibility without serious risk, I felt quite satisfied that I should be wholly unjustified if, shielding myself behind the letter of my instructions, I abandoned to certain injury our best interests at this port: The result, I may be permitted to say, or rather the whole progress of the events from the first day of the embargo to the punishment of the offenders, has gone far to prove that in this estimate of means of coercion and chances of collision there was neither error of judgment nor miscalculation. I certainly hoped, and was inclined to believe, that the Taoutae, finding his official position menaced in so serious a manner, would have adopted, as the lesser of two evils, the alternative open to him until the twelfth day after the outrage, of putting forth all his means, and arresting the offenders. In this I was mistaken. With a singular ineptitude, he wasted time, so precious to him, in inere subterfuges and miserable attempts to extricate his junks by trick ancl evasion ; and the last thing he thought of was really and honestly to exert himself to put an end to his difficulties, by seizing the criminaJs — a clear proof how hopeless must have been the efforts, by any diplomacy, to have extorted redress from such an officer. It was matter of some surprise to me that so many days elapsed before news, official or incidental, reached the Lieutenant-Governor at Soo-chow, the immediate result of which I anticipated must be the dispatch of a superior officer to supersede the Taoutae in the affair, and communicate with me. I was quite prepared, if it seemed otherwise expedient, or any risk of collision threatened, in negotiation with such delegate from Soo-chow, to take off the embargo, on his assurance that prompt redress should be afforded, whether by the apprehension, of the offenders or the removal of the Taoutae, retaining the embargo on the. maritime duties until the attainment of the end. This mode of proceeding, I felt, would in no degree compromise our position, while it would at once relieve me of the burden of a responsible and anxious coercive measure. Finding this desired result delayed, I dispatched the brig to IS^anking, as a certain means of affixing a limit to such an exceptional state of affairs, and this was immediately followed, as jqwv Excellency is aware, by all that I had anticipated or could indeed have desired. That there was not a certain amount of risk, I am far from affirming ; but that it was remote, and by no means of a character to deter an officer of sound discretion from following out, to its legitimate conclusion, a line of policyTon which so much depepded, having carefully provided a means of retreat without a eqinpromise qf our position, I trust will be manifest. I counted with great confidence upon the inertness or indifference of the mass of the population (the grain junk men, against whom my efforts were directed, being in truth a most unpopular class of ruffians, whom all the surrounding country feared and detested), the hesitation of the authorities, from fear of personal consequences direct and remote, to try the issue of an actual struggle ; the guarantee which the jeopardy any collision would place the property of the junk owners 168 themselves in, furnished against any eflFort to force the passage of the river foi* these vessels, the only ones affected, I counted upon all these as elements of strength to myself and of weakness to the Oliinese, as pledges of good augury for peaceful relations being undisturbed under the pressure of the embargo. There were beyond these other strong guarantees for ultimate success without violence ; the practical assertion of conscious strength, of the absence of fear as to the result, and of the efficacy of the means at my disposal, afforded by my continued residence in the city, isolated from all Europeans, and surrounded by the Chinese population, beyond hope of escape if violence were to be attempted, was no doubt of great and beneficial intluence. It gave them assurance that no hostile measures were contemplated by myself injurious to persons or property, beyond the mere stoppage of the grain junks, which chiefly affected the authorities and not the people, and must have tended to calm people's minds, notwithstanding the circulation of absurd and mischievous reports, rumours and alarms, which my daily walk through the length and breadth of the city, and the passage of the ladies of my family, must alone have sufficed to neutralize without an effort on my part. Even a despatch of one of the two men-of-war in the midst of the blockade, told in our favour, for much more was gained in the moral effect of such a palpable evidence of security and sufficient force, than was lost in physical means of resistance or aggression. The result, and the whole progress of the negotiations, step by step, being now before your Excellency, I trust that it will be seen that however bold or aggressive the measures taken may have seemed, they were at no time attended with any serious danger to our relations, with less, I firmly believe, than must have been the result of a successful denial of justice. In boldness and decision, in truth, lay their safety. I was closely watched, no point was left untried, and there can be little doubt that the slightest indication of indecision or vacillation would have caused the very danger which a contrary course effectually averted. I will not trouble your Excellency further with explanations which I venture to hope may be suggested by a careful consideration of all the circumstances ; but I venture to hope that the whole of my despatches and inclosures on this subject may be forwarded by the next mail for Viscount Palmerston's information, that his Lordship's judgment may be formed with full knowledge of the facts, I have, &c. (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. :^o. 57. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham. ^^^> Foreign Office, July 1, 1848. I OBSERVE, with satisfaction, in your despatch of the 10th of April, that you succeeded in obtaining from the Acting Chinese Commissioner prompt redress for an unprovoked assault committed on two British subjects Messrs. Bowman and Johnson ; and I have to acquaint you that I entirely approve ot your havmg at once resisted the pretension advanced by the Chinese Commissioner, that unless British subjects are accompanied by linguists or policemen, they cannot expect redress for outrages and insults committed upon them by the Chinese. ^ I am, &c. (Signed) PALMERSTON. 169 N'o. 6S. Viscount Palmerston to Mr, Bonham. Sii"* Foreign Office, July 5, 1848. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of Sir John Davis s despatch of the 18th of March, and of your despatches of the 25th and 30th of March, and the 12th and 24th of April, respecting an assault com- mitted by some Chinese junkmen on three British subjects, Messrs. Medhurst, Lockhart, and Muirhead, who had gone, for missionary purposes, to a town named Tsing-poo, situated at some distance from Shanghae. The inclosures forwarded with these despatches, give an account of the measures taken by Mr. Consul Alcock to obtain redress for this outrage, and it has been a great satisfaction to Her Majesty's Government to find that those measures have been so entirely successful. I have to state to you, in reply, that under all the circumstances of the case, Her Majesty's Government approve of the decision taken, and of the course pursued by _ Mr. Alcock, who, by promptly availing himself of the means of coercion which the peculiar circumstances of the moment placed within his reach, has been enabled to bring to a speedy and satisfactory settlement a matter which, if a longer delay had taken place, might, perhaps, not have been adjusted without greater and more costly efforts. Her Majesty's Government do full justness to the ability and firmness with which Mr. Alcock carried out the measures ^Yhich he had resolved upon ; and they are sensible that it was owing to the manner in Avhich he conducted the business at Shanghae, and especially to the decided step which he took of dispatching Mr. Vice-Consul Kobertson to Nanking, that the matter was brought to a satisfactory and honourable conclusion. And I am glad to be able i to add, that Mr. Robertson and Mr. Interpreter Parke, appear to have executed j in a very able and judicious manner, Mr. Alcock's instructions. It is my inten- tion to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the conduct of the officers commanding Her Majesty's ships " Childers " and " Espiegle," appears to me to have been such as to entitle them to commendation. But although Her Majesty's Government approve of Mr. Alcock's conduct on this recent occasion, yet this case must be considered as an exception to a rule, and not as a precedent for future guidance. And Mr. Alcock will, there- fore, no doubt, on any occasion of difference which may hereafter arise between himself and the Chinese authorities, conform strictly to the instructions which he and the other Consuls in China have received for their guidance in such matters. Moreover, as it appears that on this late occasion the Missionaries, although they were not, strictly speaking, transgressing the limits of the regulation, yet from ignorance, or want of presence of mind, omitted to take steps which might, perhaps, have saved them from the assaults to which they were exposed, it is desirable, that Mr. Alcock and all the other Consuls in China, should strongly impress upon the British residents within their district, that whenever, in the course of their excursions in the country they find themselves likely to be exposed to insult or violence from a mob, they should endeavour to place them- selves immediately under the protection of the nearest Chinese Magistrate, unless they should be so close to their boat, or to any other place of safety, that it woujd be easier for them so to escape from danger than by seeking out a Chinese magistrate. I am, &c. (Signed) PALMEKSTOJ^. 170 IvTo. 59. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston. — (Received July 25.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, April 28, 1843, ADVEBTIFG to my despatch of the 24th instant, I think it proper to inclose, for your Lordship's information, copy of a letter that I have this day addressed to Mr. Consul Alcock, in reply to his of the 10th and 12th instant, explanatory of the reasons that induced him to incur the grave respon- sibility that he has seen fit to do in his late proceedings at Shanghae, without previous communication with, or reference to, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary. I have, &c. (Signed) S. G. BONHAM. Tnclosure in No. 59. J/r. Bonham to Consul Alcock. Sir, Victoria, Hong Kong, April 28, 1848. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 1 0th and 12th instant, which, with their inclosures, have been for\yarded by this mail for the information of Her Majesty's Government. Adverting to your first despatch, I feel sure that the successful result of Mr. Vice-Consul Robertson's mission to Nanking cannot but prove most grati- fying to Her Majesty's Government. I fully concur with you in your appro- bation of the conduct of that gentleman, who appears to have shown much tact . and ability in the discharge of the delicate dut}' with which you intrusted him ; and. I hope that his services, as well as those of Mr. Parkes, who has borne in I this affair a conspicuous and creditable part, will be duly appreciated by Lord 1 Palmerston. As regards the arguments advanced in your letter of the 12th instant, I have only to repeat my admiration of the able manner in which you have, throughout, conducted the negotiation, and assure you of the pleasure afforded me by its successful termination. The reasons you assign for proceeding to so great a length, are forcible, and fully entitled to consideration ; neither am I unwilling to admit, that had the grain junks been permitted to put to sea, the means of coercion would have been lost, or, in other words, that had you not travelled out of the ordinary course, the matter would not, in all probability, have been brought to so satisfactory a conclusion as it has been. But I must, at the same time inform you, that I was assured by my predecessor that this was the first instance of the assumption, by any Consul, of so grave a position, and I need scarcely to a gentleman of your penetration observe, that although in the present case the power you assumed was most judiciously exercised, a general practice of departing, however great the apparent necessity, from the prescribed rule of proceeding, would be inevitably attended with very serious inconvenience. In conclusion, I can only say that it will be to me a source of great happi- ness to find that the fearless energy with which, when you had accepted so great a responsibility, you acquitted yourself in obtaining for the subjects of Her Majesty the redress to which they were entitled, has been as warmly appreciated by Her Majesty's Government as by myself. I have, &c. (Signed) S. G. BONHAM. 171 Mr. Bonham to yiscount Palmerston, — (Received July 25.) (Extract) Victoria, Hong Kong, May i, 1848. IN conformity with that part of your Lordship's instructions contained in your despatch of 11 th January, I have now the honour to report that, on Saturday the •29th instant, I proceeded in Her Majesty's steamer " Medea,'' to Hoo-mun-chae, for the purpose of having an interview with Seu, the Actiug Imperial Commissioner, who. as your Lordship has been informed by my prede- cessor, succeeded to this office, as also to that of Acting Governor- General of the Provinces of Kwang-tung and Kwang-se on the departure of Keying, who left Canton for Peking on the l6th March. As Seu is entirely unknown to Europeans, and I believe never saw, and certainly never spoke to one until my interview with him, I considered it expe- dient to make a certain amount of display on the occasion, and in consequence took with me the Major-General Commanding the Forces, the Secretary to the Superintendency, my private Secretary, the Chinese Secretary, Mr. Gutzlaff, and four other military officers, who, together with the Grenadier company of the 95th Regiment, made a very respectable cortege. As Her Majesty's steamer " Medea" could not, by reason of her draft of water, proceed up the creek to Hoo-mun-chae, the Senior Naval Officer had, at my request, ordered down the " Pluto " from the Factories to Anson's Bay, to receive us there, and we embarked on board her and proceeded to the place that had already been agreed upon. This is the same that was used on Sir John Davis being introduced to Keying, and where Sir Henry Pottinger's Supple- mentary Treaty was signed. On the " Medea'' passing the Bogue Forts, she was saluted by all of them, and all the ramparts were manned ; these compliments were repeated on our return with the Imperial Commissioner on board, although, at that time, the commanders of the different forts were entirely ignorant of his being there ; it was, therefore, clear that orders had been given to the different forts on the river to treat us with every respect, and this order was most fully carried out. On our arrival at Hoo-mun-chae, we were received with marked respect, and immediately sat down to a table to partake of refreshment, when I conversed with Seu. Seu is somewhat taciturn, and made but few remarks ; he said he did not know if Keying would return or not to Canton, but that he himself was deter- mined to cari:y out the provisions of the Treaty, as far as in him laid, by making no distinction between the central and outside people, so long as the foreigners were properly restrained. He added, that there were numerous wicked people in the Province, and that since his accession to office as Deputy-Governor of the two Provinces, which is about a year ago, he had been compelled to execute upwards of 500 persons. During our conversation I asked Seu if he had heard of the late misun'er- standing at Shanghae, arising out of the cruel assault on the Missionary ge:,:'e- men, and as he replied he had not, Mr. Gutzlaff was requested to acquaint him with the particulars. His only reply was, that equal justice should be adminis- tered to the-natives of the central nation as well as those of outer ones, meaning thereby, of course, Chinese and foreigners. After a general conversation of this description, I invited his Excellency to return with us in the steamer " Pluto," to see the " Medea," to which he forth- with assented, and after a visit of a couple of hours' duration, we proceeded to that vessel. On o^arrival on board the " Medea," in Anson's Bay, he was saluted with seveii^n guns and received by the Grenadier company of the 95 th Regiment, and after partaking of a slight refreshment kindly offered by Captain Mason, and inspecting the vessel, he returned in the " Pluto " to Hoo- mun-chae, accompanied by Mr. Gutzlaff. Seu was attended on his part by Lae-gan-tseo, an Admn-al : Chaou-chang- lino-, a Salt Inspector ;. Kwan-show (a Manchoo), Adjutant to the Governor; and Jung-ling (also a Manchoo), a candidate for a a Prefecture, and as far as I could judge, was well pleased with all that passed on the occasion. From his 172 personal demeanour and cast of countenance, I judge him to be a stern, uncom- promising man, and one who would go to some length to obtain any object he had in view. Your Lordship should be informed that this meeting was arranged between the Imperial Commissioner and myself so long ago as the 28th March ; at that time he said nothing of his intending to visit and inspect the forts in the vicinity oftheBogue; but on his leaving Canton, on the 27th instant, such was the reason assigned to the people of Canton, as will be seen by the inclosure. Whether or not Seu originally intended to inspect the Bogue Forts, and others in the vicinity at the time he arranged for meeting me at Hoo-mun-chac, is uncertain ; but the inclination of my opinion is, that such was not the caee, and that his doing so on the occasion, was a mere pretence to account for his absence from Canton, as perhaps he feared the violence of the mob if it was known that he had left the city for the purpose of holding a conference with the British authorities ; and that such was the case when Keying had a meeting with Sir John Davis, in April 1846, is abundantly evident by his considering it neces- sary to issue a proclamation on the subject. On the whole, it is not improbable that Seu, thinking that the Canton populace would consider the meeting to be in some way connected with the proposed entry into the city in April next, issued this proclamation for the purpose of deceiving them as to the real cause of his absence from the city ; but it shows that his position is such, that he is by no means prepared to act as he sees fit, and that he is compelled to stoop to evasion with the populace on any occasion Avhen, from circumstances he may be compelled to act in any way which he conceives may be obnoxious to popular feeling. Inclosure in No. 60. Proclamation. (Translation.) SEU, Governor- General of Kwang-tung and Kwang-se, herebv issues a proclamation. Whereas I have fixed upon the 27th instant to start from Canton, in order to repair to the Bogue for the purpose of inspecting the forts, I have ordered the actmg Lieutenant-Colonel, Commander of the provincial troops garrisoning Canton, to receive at my Yamun all the daily despatches arriving at- my address as IS on record, Mdiich I have now to make known by proclamation. ' For this reason, I hereby issue a proclamation ordering the soldiers and runners at the different post stations along the various routes to Canton to repan-, m obedience to my commands, to my Yamun, and deliver the despatches to the said officer. Do not disobey. A special proclamation. April 27, 1848. Ko. 61. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston.~{Received July 25.) ^y ^"^^' Victoria, Hong Kong, May 6, 1848. I HAVE the honour to inclose for your Lordship's information, translation of a memorial from Le-smg-yuen, Viceroy of the two Keang Provinces and Yu Tartar General of the Province of Keang-nan, to the Emperor renoS tho l.^^ visit of Her Majesty's sloop " Espiegle '' to Nanking ' '^P'''^^'"^ *^^ ^^^e 173 • ^°?^ Lordship will observe that the outrage which caused the visit of Her Majesty's sloop to Nanking is described as a quarrel or fight, and that the Missionaries' visit to Tsing-poo is alleged to be a violation of the treaty ; nevertheless the Viceroy did not deem it prudent to deal with the Consul's demand for redress otherwise than as having a just and proper claim to his attention. The Viceroy complains of the demand for redress having been made direct to him froni the Consul at Shanghae, "just as if there was no great minister (Seu) appointed to the whole control and superintendence of the Five Ports." Clauses IV in the American and French Treaties respectively distinctly provide for this contingency, and should complaint be made to me on this subject by the Imperial Commissioner, I shall, until I receive your Lordship's instructions, simply reply that the British Consuls at the Five Ports have the same right of appeal to the superior officers of the Chinese Government as is conceded by Treaty to similar functionaries of the French and American Governments respectively. This power of appeal, considering the distance of Hong Kong from some of the open ports, appears to me to be very important, and a salutary check on the local authorities. The Viceroy refers to the raising of the blockade on the grain junks, from which it would seem that some previous report on this subject had been made to the Emperor. He also omits all mention of his having paid a visit to the "Espi^gle." ^ The document, on the whole, appears to me of some importance, throwing, as it does, considerable light on the policy by which the Chinese rulers are actuated, in their communications with foreign States. I have, &c. (Signed) S. G. BONHAM. Inclosure in No. 61. Memorial from Le-sing-yuen, Viceroy of the two Keang Provinces, and Yu, Tartar General of the Province of Keang-nan, regarding the late visit of Her Majesty's sloop " Espiegle " to Nanking. (Translation.) A MEMORIAL reporting the visit of the barbarian chiefs to the provincial city, to make an accusation and complaint, but who neither demanded nor presumed to do anything beyond this ; as also the appointment of the Treasurer and an Intendant of Circuit to proceed with all despatch to examine further into the matter ; all the particulars of which are now drawn up in due form of memorial, and sent by express to His Majesty, with an uplifted prayer that the sacred glance may fall thereon. It was reported to your Ministers by Heen, Intendant of Circuit for the departments of Soo-chow-foo, Sung-keang-foo, and Tae-tsang-chow, that on the 4th day of the second month (March 8) three English barbarians, Medhurst and others, having gone in defiance of Treaty regulations to the district city of Tsing-foo to distribute books, they there had a quarrel and fight with the head- men and sailors in charge of the few remaining grain junks, from whom they received some trifling wounds : that the Magistrate of the said district had seized two of the offenders, whom he had put in the cangue and flogged, and had also forwarded Medhurst and the others back to Shanghae ; but that in consequence of many of the criminals not having been seized, Alcock, the Consul of that port, had appointed a barbarian chief to proceed in a small barbarian vessel by way of the great river (Yang-tsze- keang) to the Yamun (or official court or residence) of your Minister Le (the Viceroy) to make accusation and complaint, &c. On learning the above particulars, your Ministers immediately appointed E-leang-yaou, the oflTiciating Judge of the Province of Keang-soo, and Woo- keen-chang, an unattached Intendant of Circuit, to proceed with all haste to Shanghae to severally examine and arrange these affairs. And we also sent flying instructions to all the military commanders and District Magistrates along the river, enjoining them to keep up the strictest guard, and to make known to the inhabitants by distinct proclamation, that there was no cause for surprise or alarm. And we further appointed Chin-peh-ling, the Colonel com- 2 A manding the right wing at the entrance of the Grand Canal, and Chang- pan-lung, acting as major in command of the regiment at Kaou-tsze (near Nanking), both of whom, from past experience, are well versed in the barbarian affairs, to proceed with Chin-heen, the Prefect of Chin-keang-foo, down the river to meet them (the English), and mutually to devise plans for obstructing or stopping their further progress. They found on examination that the vessel was a small one with two masts, and that she was followed by no other ships. On board of her they met i Parkes, an interpreter, of the said nation, who understood the Chinese language, I and from the inquiries they put to him they learned that it was in consequence of Medhurst and the others having been assaulted, and the Intendant of Circuit tor the departments of Soo-chow-foo, Sung-keang-foo, and Tae-tsang-chow having delayed to arrange the matter according to regulations, that they — just as if there was no great Minister (Keying) appointed to the whole control and superintendence of the Five Ports— were proceeding direct to lay a com- plaint before the high authorities at the provincial city ; that they had started from Shanghae on the 16th day of the second month (20th March), having first closed the gun ports, and placed the guns laterally along; that the Vice-Consul Robertson was on board, and that all the crew numbered altogether upwards of fifty men ; also that noljody had been allowed to land all the way along, or to have any communication whatever with the people. Chin-peh-ling and the others then acquainted them that the high authorities at the provincial city had already deputed the Judge and an Intendant of Circuit, to go down to examine into and arrange the matter, and to seize many of the offenders, who should be sent in custody to Shanghae ; that by that time the affair must be already adjusted and concluded, and as to any document they might have to present, the Colonel and others would forward that for them, whilst they themselves, as the Colonel directed them, should iminediately return. But Parkes stated that they had been deputed by Alcock to have a personal interview with the Viceroy, and that he would certainly blame them if they failed in gaining one. Moreover, in consideration of the peace that has now so long existed on both sides, and also that this was but a solitary vessel that had come to state a grievance, the officers and soldiers in garrison at the various forts were all of them unwilling to attack her with their thundering cannon. Thus, therefore, she came steadily on, both parties awaiting for the proper time to arrive, and indeed, from first to last, they (the English) were exceedingly respectful. In consequence of the ship having repeatedly got on shore, and been otherwise delayed on the way, they did not arrive in the neighbourhood of K^anking before the 20th day (30th March), when they anchored in the river off the Pat-sze Creek, beyond which they did not further advance. On the 27th day (31st March), your Minister, Le, called them to an interview when they handed me a statement, the purport of which I found to agree with the report made by Chin-peh-ling and the others. On my personally inquiring of the said interpreter Parkes concerning the matter, he only requested that the Treasurer might also be appointed besides the Judge, to proceed to Shanghae, where, conjointly with that officer, he might examine and arrange matters, but begged for nothing else. Tour Minister Le had happened to have just received private advices from your Minister Luh (Lieutenant- Governor at Soo-chow), informing me that the officiating Judge E-leang-yaou, immediately after his arrival at Shanghae, had apprehended the sailors who had created the disturbance, and had at once examined and punished them ; that the said Consul Alcock had nothing further to object to, and that all obstruction to the departure of the rice junks engaged to transport the grain by sea had been removed. Therefore, addressing myself to Parkes and the others, I informed them of these particulars, and enjoined them upon their attention in the strongest possible manner. But Parkes and the others, although they expressed themselves obliged for what had been done, and commended the measures, still persisted in urging that Alcock had not yet acquainted them with anything of the kind. They further stated that the appointment of a delegate of higher rank than an Intendant of Circuit, was one of the primary objects of their visit, and was in fact a most necessary step, to secure which they did not mmd the troubles of the journey. Being of opinion from what I learned, that Heen-ling the Intendant 176 of Circuit for the departments of Soo-cliow-foo, Sung-keang-foo, and Tae-tsang- chow, in the steps he took for managing this affair had heen wanting in proper fear and promptness, and that it was necessary that he should be tertiporarily removed from office until it could be ascertained whether it Avas not in consequence of his erroneous mode of proceeding, and through failure in the performance of his duty, that had occasioned their coming so far to make a statement of the case. I therefore appointed Foo-shing-heun, the Treasurer of ]S"ankin, to go and make further inquiry into the matter, and learn the true particulars : and hearing that Chin-che-kee, an unattached Intendant of the Province of Chih-le, was then on leave at his native district (Nanking), and who, from having formerly held the office of Intendant of Circuit for the depart- ments of B'ing-po-foo, Shaou-hing-foo, aud Tae-chow-foo, in the Province of Che-keang, understood well thd disposition of the barbarians. I also appointed him to go down, in order that, conjointly with the Judge E-leang-yaou, they might so thoroughly examine everything and arrabge matters so firmly, as would tend to the preservation of mutual quiet. At the same time I gave them (the English) a reply, and bestowed upon them some provisions, at which the said chiefs were all rejoiced and satisfied, and Ohitt-peh-ling and Others were again deputed to immediately escort them out of the port. The particulars of how they left the river and went out again to sea, together with the appointment of Woo-keen-chung (Sam-qua), temporarily to officiate as Intendant of Circuit for the Departments of Soo-chow-foo, Sunk-keahg-foo, and Tae-tsang-chow, shall be duly reported in another memorial ; but in the mean- time we beg respectfully to inclose for His Majesty's perusal, copies of Alcbck's statement, and the declaration of your Minister Le in reply thereto. And being exceedingly apprehensive that the appearance of the barbarian chiefs at the provincial city to make accusation and complaint, may hav6 caused anxiety in the sacred breast, your Minister Le, conjointly with your Minister Yu, the Tartar General of lyianking, beg now to send by swift express this memorial, in which will be found all the particulars of how they have arranged the matter, upon which they humbly pray the sacred glance of the Emperor may fall, and that His Majesty's instructionst hereon may be made known to them. A respectful memorial. True translation, (Signed) Haery S. Paekes. Note. — In the copy of the memorial furnished me, the date has been omitted, but it must have been written on the 2nd or 3rd of April. <:S2-t^v i:^^'^^ UL /a<33on addressed a letter to the Governor-General of the Provinces, in which he called his Excellency's attention to the revived spirit of hostility and insult which has lately been observable in the bearing of tte rabble towards himself and the officers of his establishment ^ and demanded the apprehension and severe punishment of the foremost amongst Mr. Parish's assailants, I have since received the inclosed report from the Consul, forwarding further correspondence with the local authorities as to the measures adopted for the apprehension of the criminals in the present instance, and the prevention ■of such occurrences in future. From this it appears that two of the rioters have been apprehended and sentenced to be beaten with the bamboo, and to a month's exposure in the cangue, in which they have been seen by the Chinese writer attached to the Consulate, with the nature of their oflfence inscribed on their 18 6 wooden collars. The authorities further state that they will use every means to apprehend the four remaining offenders, implicated by the confession ot those already under sentence. , . . t -j j.i,„* As to the preventive measures adopted by the authorities, I consider that the notice issued by the Chief Magistrate (translation of which is annexed) is well calculated to prevent a recurrence of such outrages, and ought to De attended with beneficial results ; it has been posted at the principal avenue leading to the place where the outrage was committed. In my reply to the Consul's despatches above referred to, I have approved of the measures adopted by him to secure the punishment of the offenders, but although the fact of the Chinese writer having seen the delinquents m the present instance exposed in the cangue may be considered satisfactory, still 1 deemed it advisable to call Mr. Jackson's attention to the desirability ot the British Consul, or some person authorized by him, being present at the punishment of any Chinese who may in future commit aggressions on British subjects. Inclosure 1 in !N^o. 69. Consul Jackson to Mr. Bonharn. Sir, Foo-chow, September 5, 1848. 1 REGRET having to acquaint your Excellency that I have again been obliged to complain to the local authorities of the insolent bearing of the rabble toward myself and the officers of my establishment. Lately it has been much more observable than usual, though I am ignorant of anything having occurred to account for it. There is not an individual among us by whom they are treated otherwise than with kindness, or from whom they are not constantly obtaining relief in some way or other. Nevertheless we more often meet with sullen looks and insulting expressions, than any other kind of notice. Having myself continually, and for a length of time, been molested with hootings and scurrilous language in passing a place just within the city walls, and finding private remonstrance unavailing, I at length called on the Magistrate of the District to put an end to it. Only three days afterwards Mr. Parish, my first assistant, complained to me that he had been grossly insulted and stoned by a crowd of about 150 persons, from whom he escaped with difficulty, and, as I judge from his account, most providentially, without more injury than some heavy blows on his head and body. This happened on the evening of the 30th ultimo on the Parade Ground, just beneath the city walls, and little more than half a mile from this Consulate. . Considering this a matter for more serious notice, I sent in a report of the particulars to the Governor-General. The affair had already become known to some of the authorities, who, on sending here for information, stated that diligent search was being made for the offenders, and that on their apprehension, they should be rigorously punished. Owing to Mr. Morrison's continued indisposition, my letter to the Governor- General did not reach his Excellency till the 3rd instant; but he was previously made acquainted verbally through Suh Taoutae, with all that had happened. Though it now appeared from Mr. Parish's statement, that he had often before been similarly treated in the same place, it had never been made known to me ; and although his keeping quiet so long is evidence of his forbearance, I cannot but regret that he did not before mention it to me on one of the many occasions when I have inquired of him, concerning the reception he experienced during his rambles about the neighbourhood; for it is to be feared that too much passiveness may be misconstrued by those of mean and dastardly natures. On receipt of my letter, the Governor-General sent his card with a message hat on hearmg of the occurrence he had lost no time in issuing orders and that ■ 187 he was still urging the subordinate authorities to activity in bringing the offenders to punishment. The following day his Excellency sent an Aide-de-camp to make inquiries after Mr. Parish's health, desiring him to mention at the same time, that the place being now full of low people from distant quarters, in attendance on the candidates for examination, he hoped all noisy places would be avoided, or that police from the magistracies would be sent for to accompany those going out, as this was the only plan he could think of for securing protection. Though, perhaps, well meant, I could not, of course, encourage such a system, which would be little else than placing us publicly under surveillance, and putting constraint upon our footsteps. At the same time, I think his Excellency's advice, to avoid noisy places, likely to be frequented by the class of people he indicates, deserving of attention, and have expressed my wishes in accordance to the officers of my establishment. I hope that my report to his Excellency may be productive of good effect. The authorities all appear sincere in their anxiety to restrain the mob, but their power to do so effectually may be doubted. I hear the Te-pa-ou, a constable of the place where the assault was com- mitted, has twice received forty blows of the bamboo to aid him in discovering some of the rioters. The Fuh-kien people are a sullen and savage set. They have a rooted antipathy to foreigners, which is vented mostly in filthy expressions and offensive manners as we pass them. The authorities wish it to be believed that these expressions are mere expletives, with which the common people are accustomed to interlard their sentences, whether addressed to friend or stranger but the manner of emitting them renders this explanation hard to believe. I shall not cease to urge activity in this matter, and shall hope soon to acquaint your Excellency of its satisfactory termination in the apprehension and punishment of some of the ruffians, as an example and warning to others. In the meantime, I beg to inclose a copy of my letter to the Grovernor- General, as it contains particulars of the assault. I have, &c. (Signed) R. B. JAOKSOK Inclosure 2 in I^o. 69. Consul Jaclfson to Mr. Bonham, Gjj. Foo-chow, September 23, 1848. ' MY last despatch gave your Excellency particulars of an assault on Mr. Parish of this Consulate, and inclosed copy of an official letter i had addressed in consequence to the Governor- General Seu . ^, • . , I have now the honour to forward for your Excellency's further informa- tion on the subject, copy and translation of communication made to me by the Ex-IntendantLuh, by command of his Excellency, in which are set forth the steps said to have been taken for the apprehension and punishment of some of the assailants. This communication I presume to have been elicited by one I addressed to Luh by way of reminder, and tor the purpose of urgmg him and the officers placed under his direction for the occasion by the Governor-General, but which letter he does not allude to. _ v,- u t f^„r,^ I beg leave to inclose a copy of it, and likewise of ^^^t^^f .^i;^^;^!/;"^ it necessary to address to the same officer, '^ ^^^'^^^''^^Xh^ T^^SZ^ wording of the Min-heen's report to him, embodied m his letter, appearing To me fs intended to convey doubt as to the disturbance having originated wih the Chinese These papers, with the one inclosed in my preceding despatch to your eS^ all the documentary correspondence had as yet on *^^ 'Jfre^eipt of the Intendant's letter I caused inquiry to be set on foot in order to asceSain whether the sentences. were being carried out .n good faith, as well as the other measures for preventing future disturbances The proclamation, inclosed in copy and translation, was found to be posted 188 at the principal avenue to the place where the outrage was committed. Its terms are better adapted to the system of Chinese coercion and the under- standing of the common people than such warnings usually are. As to the infliction of the bamboo, we must be content to take the assur- ance of the Min-heen's subordinates that it was duly administered. Butj with regard to the punishment of the cangue, to which the two men are said to be sentenced, after allowing time for it to be entered upon, I dispatched an individual to ascertain the fact, to whom it was pretended, on his finding they were not at the place indicated, that after being exposed a couple of days they were taken ill, and it became necessary to remove them to the gaol of the district Magistracy ; but that being then nearly recovered, their sentences would be carried into effect. Regarding this as a subterfuge for a breach of the faith, and unwilling to be duped, I caused the Chinese writer to be again dispatched to make inquiry, and to intimate that I was not unmindful of what was going on. On his return he reported that he had seen the men in the cangue, and having examined their sentences, as inscribed on these wooden collars, found them to be in due form, as for creating a disturbance. He added that they would be brought here for inspection if required. Having no reason to question the veracity of the writer — an old and steady servant of this establishment — I contented myself with his assurance, in the belief that the Magistrate, who prides himself on being a descendant of Con- fucius, whose name be bears, would not incur further risk of a charge of duplicity against himself. Though continually urgins^ the apprehension of the other four^ implicated by the confession of those under sentence, I have not heard anything respect- ing them, and I fear they will be allowed to escape, for which there is no remedy beyond empty denunciations, against which the consciences of the Mandarins seem to be tolerably proof. I have, &c. (Signed) E. B. JACKSOIf. In closure 3 in ISTo. 69. Proclamation. (Translation.) KUNG, Chief Magistrate of the Department of Min, &c., hereby issues plain instructions. It being now permitted to foreign nations to trade at the port of Foo-chow when foreigners pass about the city and its suburbs, it behoves the natives of the land to maintain towards them a friendly deportment, that so due effect may be given to the existing peace. Having heard a report that on the 3rd day of the present month (August 31), as an English officer was riding on the South Parade Ground a disturbance was raised by a crowd of ignorant people, who assailed him with stones, conduct which was disorderly in the extreme, besides dispatching: runners to search out and seize the offending parties, that they may be tried and puiiished I now proclaim these urgent instructions, and look to the people fully to know them. i r j famill^r^^^*^''' '^''" ™"^* ''^^^ ''' ''''^^'' *^'^ ^"""^^^^ ^"^ children of your When foreigners pass backwards and forwards, let them not rush in front of, or crowd after them ; nor let them either address them in abusive terms so as to bnng about disturbances. ' • ■!? ^^^y ^Sain dare to act as in times past, they shall assuredly be taken and punished. The elder members of their families shall likewise be punished for not keeping them in order; and the Te-paous, if they do not look after and restramthem, shall be dealt with in the'^same manner. Xo mercy shall be shown to them. -^ Do not oppose. A special proclamation. Taoukwang, 28th year, 8th month, 6th day. (September 2, 1848.) 189 No. 70. Mr. Bonhani to Mr. Hammond.— {Received January 20, 1S49.) (Extract.) November 30, 1848, 11 p.m. LATE last night, I received a despatch from Canton, giving an account of a piratical attack on Mr. Meadows, when returning from Whampoa. It appears that Mr. Meadows had gone to Whampoa on business, in company with an officer of the High Commission, for the purpose of examining an English vessel that had been run into by a junk, and that, on their return, their boat was boarded by a large pirate boat full of men, two of whom, Mr. Meadows is of opinion, he shot. The pirates, nevertheless, put on board Mr. Meadows' boat, when he took to the water, and managed to get ashore, but not until he had received a severe spear wound in his hand. This affair took place close to the Barrier, about eight miles from Canton, at the same spot ^vhere the Shah Allem's boat was similarly attacked last year. As this is a mere act of piracy, I have no doubt that Seu will, if he can catch them, make an example of the miscreants, more especially, as some of his own people were present, and, it is reported, were wounded. In other respects, everything is quiet ; but this little affair shows the limited powers either Seu or any one else has over the Canton mob. No. 71. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston. — (Received February 22, 1849.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, December 29, 1848, I HAVE the honour to report to your Lordship, that in the night of the 27th ultimo, Mr. Meadows, Interpreter to the Canton Consulate, was assailed by pirates in the Canton Eiver, and only escaped with hislife by jumping into the river and swimming ashore, after having shot two of his assailants. Mr. Meadows was on his way from Whampoa, where he had been deputed by Mr. Consul Elmslie upon public business, in company with one of Seu'.s officers, and Avhen close to the barriers, about 10 p.m., a piratical craft, containing about thirty men, dashed alongside and obtained possession of Mr. Meadows' boat, bur, not until that gentleman had shot dead one of the pirates and wounded another, when he jumped into the river, and arrived, wounded and in an exhausted condition, at the Consulate, at I o'clock in the morning. Both the Consul and myself have been in communication with Seu regarding this ruffianly attack. His Excellency has succeeded in apprehending four of the parties connected with the transaction, _ and promises to do his utmost in seizing the remaining criminals. A question has arisen as to the degree of punishment to be awarded to these four. Seu states transportation for°life to be the legal punishment, but as this appears to mc doubtful from several other precedents, it is my intention to address that officer further upon the point, and in the meanwhile I have thought it necessary that your Lordship should be made acquainted, as early as possible, with the principal facts connected with this attack. Mr. Meadows has forwarded a list of articles stolen, and other losses, the whole of which he estimates at 352 dollars 74 cents. I have called on Seu to recover the articles plundered, or failing this, to make good Mr. Meadows' clami. 2 190 I reffrel however, to state'that my applications have up to the present moment proved unsuccessful. Seu declines making any restitution whatever, on the grounds of its being inconsistent with Chinese law to do so. 'Jn^e'- tne peculiar circumstances of Mr. Meadows' case, and bearing m mmd that that gentleman was attacked and robbed whilst in the performance of his public duties, I have not hesitated in authorizing Mr. Elmslie to pay this sum out ot the Consulate chest, and rely upon your Lordship m approving ot this expenditure. _ ^ , . ,, . I propose, by next mail, further addressing your Lordship upon this subject ; in the meantime I may observe that the attack on Mr. Meadows appears to me to have been made without any reference to the party plundered being a British subject. I have, &c. (Signed) S. Gr. BOimAM. IS^o. 72. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham, gir, Foreign Office, February 17, 1849. I HAVE received your despatch of the 2nd of E'ovember, respecting an assault committed on Mr. Parish at Foo-chow-foo ; and I have to acquaint you that I concur with you in approving the manner in which Mr. Consul Jackson required and obtained redress from the local authorities for this outrage, and that I also approve of your having reminded him of the necessity of some person being delegated by him on any future occasion to witness the infliction of any punishment which may be awarded by the Chinese authorities to persons guilty of assaults on British subjects. I am, &c. (Signed) PALMERSTON. No. 73. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham. Sir, Foreign Office, March 5, 1849. I HAVE to acquaint you that I approve of the steps which you have taken, as reported in your despatch of the 29th of December, with reference to the attack made on Mr. Interpreter Meadows, on his way from Whampoa to Canton in the night of the 27th of November ; and considering that Mr. Meadows was at the time in the execution of his public duties, I approve of your having directed the sum of 352 dollars 74 cents to be paid to him as compensation for the value of the property which he lost on that occasion. I am, &c. (Signed) PALMERSTON. No. 74. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received March 21.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, January 24, 1849. IN continuation of my despatch of the 29th December, on the subject of the piratical attack made on Mr. Meadows in the Canton River I have the honour to acquaint your Lordship that thirteen of the parties implicated in that transaction have been apprehended by the Chinese authorities, of whom five have been sentenced to transportation for life, and eight to decapitation. 191 The Imperial Commissioner having in the first instance only announced the apprehension of the five first named, and stated that they would be transported, I thought it right to impress on his Excellency the necessity of making a most striking example of the culprits, and addressed a letter to him to that effect, referring to four cases where persons convicted of similar offences had been eS;ecuted, and reminding him that Mr. Meadows was an officer in the discharge of a public duty, and that if a stop were not put to such violent proceedings, and outrages of this nature were permitted to be carried on between Canton aild "Whampoa, no public officer could safely travel between those places. To this Seu rejoined, insisting that the punishment to which the culprits had been sentenced was in conformity with the laws of China, but at the same time informed me that eight additional culprits had been apprehended, and that as they had been engaged in other malpractices of a like nature, they would be decapitated, and their heads stuck up on poles. In acknowledging the receipt of the last communication, I informed the Imperial Commissioner that I was not altogether satisfied with the result of this affair, as it appeared to me that had the eight criminals not been proved to have been guilty of offences against Chinese, they would not have been capitally punished ; but as the matter stood, I requested to be informed when and where the men would be executed. i have not yet received a reply to this communication, and as this is the first day of the Chinese new j'car, when and for some days to come no public business is transacted, I do not anticipate hearing again from the Commissioner before the mail of this month is dispatched. I think it right, however, to state that from what has passed between the Acting Consul at Canton and the Imperial Commissioner, with reference to this subject, I do not think Seu will acc^uiesce in any British officers being present at their execution, which I am in some measure disposed to attribute to his fearing their presence might give rise to a popular commotion, which at this particular juncture might terminate in their being ill-used by the mob. I have, &c. (Signed) S. G. BONHAM. Inclosure 1 in No. 74. Commissioner Seu to Mr, Bonham. (Translation.) SEU, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., sends the following answer to a communication from the Honourable Envoy, which he received on the 12th instant (6th January) in which several precedents are quoted, which he carefully perused. -, -, . tt In a previous answer, I, the Great Minister, stated, that as Heaven was concerned in human life, only criminals worthy of death should suffer the penalty of the law. . , tx tt t j xi According to the evidence of the crimmal Han-Hoo-Leen and others, they only robbed once, and did not board the boat. These are extenuating circumstances in the eyes of the law, and they will therefore not suffer death, hut be transported. This is in accordance with the provisions (of the code) 23rd chapter, page 33. ■ i j j-rv. j. r The criminals now taken, are denounced as principals, and different trom accomplices, as much as a man who transgresses for the first time, differs from an old offender, and as there is likewise a difference between those who search for plunder, and those who receive the stolen articles. n , ■ ^. In cases which involve life arid deatli, one ought to be very careful in these matters. The precedents quoted in your communication, I find do not refer to criminals whd drily drice offerided, but who had to be punished severely. You also retiiark in yoUr letter, that the criminals iriebtioried m this case are all principals, whilst there is only one of theiri to whdtia this applies; for what reason bhoidd all be principals ? , ,, , xi r ^ + , The Magistrate now reports, that in Mr. Meadows, the Interpreter s case, be has successively seized the following runaway crimmals :— Lew-a-keang, ^ V 4 192 Lew-a-tili, Lew-a-watig, Woo-a-tsing, Le\v-a-chin, Yew-tsew-kwei, H^ang- king-vu, Woo-a-tseang, in all eight. It was ascertained, as a matter ot tact, thkt all these had boarded the boat, and it was likewise found out, that they had robbed the packet, Saou-tan, the rice boat Le-yuh-yang, the pawnbroker s shop of Lo-kang-borough, and the cotton junk of Chin-a-show. Hence it is proved, that they have repeatedly committed robberies ; these various instances having been brought home to them, they have thus been sentenced to decapitation, and that their heads be stuck up. Being impartially dealt with in conformity to the letter of the law, not the least forbearance nor lenity has been shown towards robbers. Whilst sending this reply, I wish you much happiness, Taoukwang, 28th year, 12th month, 21st day. (January 15, 1849.) Inclosure 2 in No, 74. Mr. Bonham to Commissioner Seu. Victoria, Hong Kong, January 20, 1849. I HAVE received your Excellency's communication of the 15th instant, in reply to mine of the 3rd instant, relative to the punishment of the persons concerned in the piratical attack on Mr. Meadows. In this letter, your Excellency asks me why all the parties concerned in the attack on Mr. Meadows are principals, to which I reply, that after the death of their leader, Leu-a-sze, the remainder of the boat's crew, by their violence, compelled Mr. Meadows to jump into the water to save his life, and that they then fi)rcibly seized his boat and property Avhich they made away with — they were all engaged in one common, unlawful act, which caused loss of life and was attended with robbery ; they ought, therefore, in reason, to be considered all equally guilty. Your Excellency now informs mc that eight more criminals connected with this murderous outrage on Mr. Meadows have been apprehended, and as they have been found guilty of other offences they will be decapitated. This proceeding is, however, not altogether satisfactory to me, as it appears that, had it not been discovered that these culprits had committed robberies in other i'Dstances, they would not, for the piratical attack on ]\Ir. Meadows, have suffered capital punishment. I have already quoted instances of execution following offences of this nature, and this outrage on a public officer, in the discharge of his ofiScial duties, seems to lue to demand, at your Excellency's hands, the utmost penalty of the laAv. As the case now stands, I beg of your Excellency to acquaint me when and where these men will be executed, as I have instructions from my own Govern- ment to depute persons to witness all punishments which may be inflicted by the Chinese Government on persons for misconduct to British subjects, as was the case in the instance of the execution of the murderers of the crew of the French merchant vessel " Navigateur," 'and more recently in the unfortunate affair at Hwang-chu-ke, when four Chinese were executed for the murder of my countrymen. Accept, &c. (Signed) S. G. BONHAM. Inclosure ." in No. 74. Mr. Bonham to Commissioner Seu. Victoria, Hong Kong, January 3, 1849. I HAVE recently received several communications from the Consul at Canton, relative to the piratical attack made on Mr. Meadows, on which subject I have already had occasion to address your Excellency. From the corre- spondence that has passed between the Consul and your Excellency, I gather that the four ruffians who have been apprehended, are not to be ' capitally punished on the grounds of their not being principals, but simply accomplices. The Consul has fully brought the true state of the case to your Excel- lency s notice and reminded you that heretofore, when pirates have been taken and convicted, hey have been executed, and he mentions cases wherein thefuH sentence of the law has been carried out. Your Excellency in reply, assigns reasons why these pirates should not be executed and states that " as Heaven itself is concerned in human life, crimes' punishable by death must be committed before such punishment can be mflir^ed. ■ io the latter part of your observation I fully a^ee ; and if I were satisfied that the parties miplicated in the piracy were not liable to the punish- ment of death by the law of China, I would not now address your Excellency .1- . Jfe^'^'^'l"^ Code of Laws distinctly states, in the 23rd chapter, 67th page, that Ihose who, on the sea-coast or along rivers, commit piracy by boardinff vessels m search of plunder, shall all, in case they have obtained possession of any goods, be sentenced to decapitation, and instantly receive doom. Nothine- is to be pleaded in their excuse." There are, moreover, four precedents within my own knowledge to prove that the law m this respect has been carried into effect :— 1 . In McKinlay's case, the pirates were executed, according to a letter of the late Governor-General Kekimg, dated 20th December, 1843. 2. 'I'he execution of several pirates who attacked a party of our soldiers near Chek-chu, who were conveying treasure to that place, as stated by Keying in a despatch dated 1 7th December, 1844. 3. The capital punishment of some pirates who attacked two opium-vessels in the Bay of Shimmoh, according to a letter of Keying, dated 9th August, 1847, and r 4. The case of the pirates implicated in the attack on_ the boat of the merchant ship " Shah Allum," as made known to Consul Macgregor by Keying, in a communication dated 17th October 1847. Your Excellency does not deny that the men who have been apprehended are guilty of the piracy, but states that, as the principal man, Lcw-a-sze, was shot and died, and his associate, Kan-a-mow, severely wounded, the remainder of the boat's crew are only accessaries, andean only be banished for life to Tartary. But it is clear, from the evidence, that after Lew-a-sze was killed, and Kan-a-raow was wounded, that the remainder of the crew plundered the boat; and part of the plundered property has been found on the persons of the prisoners, hence it is obvious, that they are principals in the piracy, and in the wounding of Mr. Meadows. The case of Mr. Meadows is analogous, in every respect, with the four cases above quoted, where those found guilty were executed. Mr. Meadows fortunately escaped with his life ; but the guilt of the pirates remains the same. It is natural enough for the remaining criiiiinals to endea- vour to throw the most heinous part of the crime upon a man who is dead to exculpate themselves, but surely such a defence is not to lie deemed worthy of any consideration when the facts are so clear that the guilt of the parties cannot be doubted by any reasonable person. I trust, therefore, that your Excellency will see that these prisoners be rigorously punished, and the remaining criminals apprehended and punished also, otherwise it will be impossible for public officers to travel between Canton and Whampoa, which must end in great detriment to the trade of our respective nations. Accept, Sec. (Signed) S. a. BONHAM. 194 1^0. 15. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmer ston. — {Received April 18.) My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, February 3, 1849. EEFEREING to my despatch of the 24th January, wherein I reported the sentences passed on thirteen of the criminals concerned in the piratical attack on Mr, Meadows, I have the honour to transmit herewith, an extract of the Imperial Commissioner's reply to my letter in which I applied for information as to when, and where, the eight persons sentenced to decapitation, would be executed, to enable me to depute an officer to witness the infliction of the punishment. Your Lordship will observe that the criminals had already been executed previously to the receipt of my communication above referred to, and that Seu expressly states that they were not sentenced to death for the piratical attack on Mr. Meadows alone, so that had they not been proved to have been engaged in former acts of violence, it may be inferred that they would only have been transported, such, according to Sen's statement, being the sentence of the law of China on occasions of this sort. Your Lordship will likewise observe that the Commissioner makes no remark on my desire that an English functionary should be present on the occasion of the execution. In this instance the presence of such a person would have been useless, as Mr. Meadows could not recognise the criminals had he seen them, and I confess that at present I think it doubtful if it be in the Commissioner's power, to insure the safety of the gentleman who might have been employed on this mission. It is right also that your Lordship should be informed that the Imperial Commissioner observed to the Consul, when that officer took occasion to notify to his Excellency that it was the wish of Her Majesty's G-overnment that some officer deputed by him should be present to witness the infliction of the punishment, that " The Treaties provide for Chinese criminals being dealt with by China, and foreign criminals by the foreign countries, neither side concerning themselves with the proceedings of the other. What need is there then to appoint an officer ? " Under these circumstances, I have allowed this part of the question to remain in abeyance, being satisfied that with the temper which at present exists at Canton against foreigners, any attempt on the part of a Consulate officer to witness an execution, would, unless he were strongly guarded by Chinese troops, most assuredly expose him to personal insult and violence, and indeed might cost him his life, I have, &c. (Signed) S. G. BONHAM. inclosure in No 75. Commissioner Seu to Mr. Bonham. (Extract.) THE principal in Mr. MeadowS, the Interpreter's case, is Lew-a-sze, who, for his crime, ought to have been sentenced to decapitation. Having, however, been shot, he fell into the water, and met with his death. The remaining criminals have ohly once committed robbery, and ought, according to law, to be transported. The eight others who successively were taken have all repeatedly committed acts of robbery, and, as the various cases have been brought home to them, they suffered decapitation for their heavy crimes, on 19th day of the 12th month (13th January), (with others) altogether forty-six in number I trust that you, the Honourable Envoy, have already heard that I the Great Minister, manage matters with the utmost justice, and it would only be troublesome to enter upon minutias, January 27, 1849. 195 ¥o. 76. Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham. Sir, Foreign Office, May 12, 1849. I HAVE received your despatch of the 3rd of February, reporting the execution of several persons concerned in the attack on Mr. Interpreter Meadows ; and I have to acquaint you that 1 approve of your having let the question about the attendance of a British officer to witness the executipn, to remain without being further pressed. "With regq,rd to the transaction itself, it is, of course, absolutely necessary that outrages comn^itted, or attempted, on British subjects, should be punished in such a manner as to deter the Chinese from attempting a repetition of such offences ; but, at the same time, I cannot but observe that the extent to which capital punishpient seems to be inflicted in China, is not in harmony with the feelings of the British nation on such matters ; and it is not desirable that you should press for the decapitation of offenders, except in cases in which such examples may really be required for the protection of British subjects, and by the gravity of the committed offence. I am, &c. (Signed) PALMERSTON". No. 77. Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received May 24.) (Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, March 5, 1849. IF despatch dated December 19, 1848, your Lordship observes that in all cases of punishment being awarded to Chinese for wrongs done to British subjects, some British officer ought to be present to witness its infliction. These instructions were duly communicated to the Consuls, but I regret to state that it has been found impossible to have them carried out. Two cases have recently occurred at Canton, wherein Chinese have been punished for wrongs done to British subjects, and in neither have the authorities seen fit to permit British officers to witness the punishment. The first case was that of Mr. Meadows, who was attacked by pirates in the Canton river, as reported to your Lordship in my despatches of the 29th December last, and of the 24th January arid 3rd February respectively. The second was a case wherein a servant of an English gentleman robbed and fired the house of his master, within the factories. In this instance one person has been convicted and put in the cangue for two riionths. The High Commissioner was requested to send the culprit to undergo part of his punishment on the spot where the crime was committed. This he declined acceding to on the ground that another person whom the Chinese authorities allege to have been an accomplice had not been taken, and who, they considered, had been concealed by the owner of the house from the police runners sent to apprehend him : but your Lordship will have observed from my despatch of the 3rd February, that the Commissioner directly stated in reference to Mr Meadow's case that "the Treaties provide for Chinese criminals being dealt with by China, and foreign criminals by the foreign countries, neither side concerning themselves with the proceedings of the other. What need is there then to appoint an officer?" And I am not aware, under these circum- stances, by what means I can compel him to _ meet the directions contained in your Lordship's despatch now under consideration. At Foo-chow-foo, in the case of an assault committed by certam vdlagers, wherein Captain Johnston, of Her Majesty's sloop ^^ Scout," Lieutenant "Wodehouse and Mr. Parish were pelted and hooted ^vhlle peaceably walkmg for exercise on Mr. Consul Jackson intimating his intention of deputing an officer to witness the punishment of the parties apprehended, the Chinese 196 authorities objected, on the ground that no such practice was provided for by the Treaties, and tliat they had received no instructions from the Imperial Commissioner on the subject. , At Shanghae I am not aware of any aggression on British subjects having taken place since the case where the Missionary gentlemen were assaulted and ill-used by the junk men, but in reference to this subject generally Mr. Alcock, writes as follows : " As regards the practicability and expediency of verifying the punishment of any Chinese offender by the presence of a British officer, when a sentence is carried into execution, the instructions received could only have been partially applicable to the Tsing-poo offenders had it been earlier received, for the most serious punishment was banishment to a penal settlement in Tartary. "But the whole subject is one of peculiar difficulty, nor can any hope be entertained of submitting in this place a satisfactory solution. It has long been felt that of all the provisions of the two Treaties, that which provided for the due administration of the laws on Chinese offenders was the most nugatory. The chief difficulty consists in a British officer being present at all during a trial in a Chinese Court. Assuming the right were to be granted by Treaty, where the ordinary mode of questioning is by torture, and a process utterly repugnant to our notions of justice and our sense of what is due to humanity and truth, are we by our presence to sanction and to be made parties to such proceedings, or are we to interfere and insist upon justice being administered, not according to their usages, but ours ? The objection to both coui'ses seems equally valid, and yet without the presence of an efficient officer there is no guarantee whatever for the due administration of justice. " As regards the presence of an Officer of Punishments, unless he is in a position to identify the criminals, which must often from the circumstances of the case be impossible, it may be questioned whether our national character is not in danger of being compromised, without the real object of such risk being attained. Nothing could more effectually tend to lower us in the opinion of the Chinese than to be imposed upon by the jugglery of a substituted criminal, or the punishment of an innocent man at our instigation, or even the illegal or excessive punishment of a real offender. Yet to all these we are exposed, when we take upon ourselves to watch the course of justice and verify the execution of the sentences. It may finally be observed that there are punishments recognized in the Chinese Code revolting for their brutality, Avhich an English officer could scarcely sanction with his presence without discredit to our national feeling. A lesser objection exists in the frequency of minor punishments for theft and petty misdemeanours, so that an Interpreter woidd be required for this duty alone." In the conclusions come to by Mr. Alcock I generally concur, and on the whole, therefore, as in many cases from the nature of the punishment it will be impossible for a Consular officer to Avitness its infliction, and in others that it will be attended with great difficulty, and that the presence of an European gentleman on such occasions may give rise to misapprehension in respect to the object m view, I beg respectfully to submit the question for your Lordship's reconsideration. In the meantime I have directed the Consuls to consider the instructions that I have given them on this subject in abeyance, but at the same time to satisfy themselves, as far as they have the means, that any punishments awarded under the circumstances referred to are carried into execution. 197 ^o. 78. Viscount Palmer ston to Mr. Bonham. (Extract.) Foreign Office, June 1, 1849. I HAVE to state to you, in reply to your despatch of the oth of March, that on consideration of the circumstances adverted to in that despatch, 1 think It may be best not to press for the presence of a British officer at the punishment of Chinese convicted of oflfences against British subjects, unless in special cases, m which such presence may be thought bv vou, or by the Consul on the spot, to be useful. " " E"o. 79. Viscount Palmersfon to Sir S. Bonham. Sir, Foreign Office, October 23, 1851. I TRANSMIT to you herewith a statement which has been published in the "Times " newspaper, and which appears to be founded upon a letter said to • have been addressed from Hong Kong to the " Univers " French newspaper, relative to the alleged execution of a Missionary named Schoffler ; and I have to instruct you to furnish me with any particulars you can obtain respecting this transaction. I am, &c. (Signed) PALMERSTON. jS"o. 80. Sir S. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received February 16, 1852.) /"^- (Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, December 24, 1849. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's despatch of the 23rd October, transmitting to me a statement which has B^een published in the " Times " newspaper, relative to the alleged execution of aMissionary named Schoffler, and instructing me to furnish any particulars that I can obtain respecting this transaction. In obedience to your Lordship's, orders, I directed Mr. AV^oodgate, the second assistant, to wait on M. Libois, Procureur-Gendral des Missions Etrangeres, and having shown and explained to him the statement, to request he would furnish me with any information he might possess on the subject. I have now the honour to transmit to your Lordship, copy of a letter from M. Libois to Mr. Woodgate, giving a detail of all that has come to his knowledge respecting this transaction. Your Lordship will have the goodness to observe, that the execution of the Missionary is stated to have taken place at a town or city called Son-tay, which I find from the maps, is in Cochin China, and situated in 21° of north latitude, and 105° of east longitude. Until the receipt of your Lordship's despatch, the circumstances detailed in the " Times " had not come to my knowledge, nor can I discover that any other person, save the Roman Catholic priests, had ever heard of them. The present Tudouc or King of Cochin China, came to the throne about 198 two years ago, and is tributary to the Emperor of China, but I imagine, except on the subject of succession and tribute, is entirely independent of the authority of the Emperor. Inclosure in No. 80. M. Libois to Mr. Woodgate. Mon cher M. Woodgate, Victoria, le 10 De'cembre, 1851. J'AI examine I'article du "Times" relatif an martyre de M. Scoehffler, que vous m'avez communique de la part de son Excellence M. le Gouvemeur. Je le trouve parfaitement conforme aux pieces officielles que j'ai repues du Tong-king sur le meme sujet et que j'ai envoy^es a MM. les Directeurs de notre S^minaire des Missions Etrang^res a Paris. Seulement le nOm du martyr est Shoeffler et non pas Shofller, et il a 6t6 mis a mort a Son-tay au Tong-king, non pas le 4, mais le 1 Mai dernier. Je tous envoie un journal oil vous trouverez quelques details qui pourront peut-etre vous interesser. M. Shoeffler, du diocese de !N"ancy, entre au Seminaire des Missions Etrangeres, a Paris, en 1846, il en partit en 1847, et arriva a Hong Kong le 28 Avril, 1 848 ; le 9 Juin suivant, il partait pour le Tong-king Occidental, afin d'y exercer le Minist^re Apostolique de cette Mission. C'est dans I'exercice de ces saintes fonctions qu'il a ^te arrets par les Mandarins, le 1 Mars, 1851. Jug6 et condamne a mort par le grand Mandarin de la Province, pour avoir os6 venir pr^cher la religion Chretienne dans ce pays, la sentence a ^te de suite ratifiee par le Roi Tou-duc, et executee le 1 Mai dernier. Depuis vingt ans environ, douze Europ^ens, dont huit Frangais, trois Espagnols, et un Italien, ont eu le mime sort et pour le meme sujet, dans le Royaume Annamite. Si vous desirez quelques details a ce sujet, vous les trouverez dans une petite brochure que je vous envoie. Vous distinguerez facilement, en lisant la table, les noms Europ^ens des noms Annamites, &c. Les deux derniers martyres, MM. Duclos et Shoeffler, n'y figurent pas, parceque leur mort est plus recente. Je vous envoie aussi une carte tr^s detaillee du Royaume Annamite, que vous n'avez peut-etre pas, afin que vos renseignements soient plus complets. En donnant ces renseignements a son Excellence M. le Gouvemeur, veuillez I'assurer de mon respectueux et entier devouement, et recevoir, &c. (Signe) N. F. LIBOTS, Procureur General des Missions Etrangeres. No. 81. Dr. Bowring to the Earl of Malmesbury. — (Received July 16.) ^y ^°^*^' Hong Kong, May 17, 1862.' CIRCUMSTANCES are constantly occurring at the different ports of Chma, and especially at Foo-chow, which, next to Canton, is the place where thegreatest amount of ill-will is exhibited towards foreigners, which serve to show the unfriendly disposition of the Chinese authorities, and their, desire to discourage the establishment of amicable relations with Her Maiestv's Govern ment and the British people. '' "^ '^"''^^"- _ It appears that two teackers employed by the Church Missionary, Mr Welton have lately been bastinadoed by order of the Chinese Mandarius on account of their connection with the mission, and that Mr. Vice-Consul Walker 199 ^G:^rZ^r::to?t^::r^^^^^^ *°' ^"^ --^^^ - -^-- -th, the I could not but approve of any amicable intervention or becoming remon- strance made m the interests of humanity by the Consular authority ;• but I am not quite satisfied with the strong language used by Mr. Vice-Consul Walker m his written communications with the Lieutenant-Governor of the Province' which he had requested the Captain of Her Majesty's sloop "Lily" to support' by immediately visiting the Min I have the honour herewith to acoompan; copies ot this letter, and of the despatch I have written to the Vice-Consul in consequence. I have, &c. (Signed) JOHI^^' BOWRING. Inclosure 1 in No. 81. Vice-Consul Walker to the Lieutenant- Oovernor of Fokeen. I HA VE received, with great astonishment and regret, from the Englisli Missionary, the Rev. W. Welton, who resides at the Taon-shan-kwan, a com- plaint against the authorities of this city for having renewed their interference, in a most unwarrantable manner, and stopped him in the pursuit of his avocar tions. He informs me that he had engaged a teacher to assist him in the formation and duties of a school, but that this person had been deterred from entering upon his engagement by the threats of the Mandarins, conveyed through the medium of the Tepaoa of the district. A more flagrant violatioi;! of privileges, admitted and secured by the solemn sanction of Treaties, has never been attempted by the direct and open measures of the authorities ; but the fact is placed beyond the possibility of denial by the audacity of persons in official employ, who have visited several United States' citizens with the avowed intent of ascertaining by whom the teacher engaged was recommended to Mr. Welton's service, and by such means to terrify the Chinese in their employ- ment. The local Government has thus distinctly violated Article I of the Treaty of Nanking. You have violated and annulled the provisions contained in Articles XXII and XXIV of the French Treaty, and openly, contravened and set at nought the right secured by Article XVII I of the Treaty with the United States of America. With a sincere desire to promote and maintain, by principles of equity and truth, an honourable and beneficial intercourse between the two nations, I cannot too strongly urge upon your Excellency the necessity for enforcing upon the local authorities a more exact observance of the rights and privileges to which we are indisputably entitled than they have of late been disposed to yield. Their proceedings, for a long time past, have created in my mind the painful impression that a course of policy has been entered upon so directly in opposition to the spirit it was the special object of the Treaties to encourage and perma- nently determine, that, if persisted in, cannot fail to terminate the harmony and quiet intercourse which, for the last ten years, has happily existed. Whilst the British Government has throughout adhered, with scrupulous fidelity, to the engagements contracted by the Treaties, the authorities of this place have lately manifested a desire, upon every possible occasion, to break through and disregard them. The present instance offers to your Excellency a favourable occasion for decisive interposition, by directing the local authorities to witlidraw their oppo- sition, and to make known to Ihe people, by public proclamation, the free permission they have to aff"ord their services to all foreigners m the peaceable and lawful pursuit of their occupations. This measure is essential to the reassurance of the public mind, which is seriously disturbed by the un.iust and notorious conduct of the Magistrates. Otherwise, I .-hall be compelled to represent the matter for the grave consideration of the British Plenipotentiary, 200 and to declare the effect of the late proceedings as an arbitrary and deliberate violation of our rights, sanctioned and confirmed by the high authorities of the Province. 1 have, &c. April U, 1862. Inclosure 2 in ]S"o. 81. Dr. Bowring to Consul Walker. Sir, Hong Kong. May 17, 1852. I HAVE received your despatch of the 26th ultimo, with its inclosures, giving an account of the cruel treatment to which two teachers in the service of Mr. Welton have been exposed. It has been decided by the Law Officers of the Crown, that the circumstance of Chinamen being engaged in the service of subjects of Her Majesty does not remove them from the jurisdiction of the native authorities. In cases similar to the present, the utmost that can be done is, after the fullest examination into the facts, to make an earnest representation and friendly remonstrance to the Chinese officials, showing that such proceedings are not in accordance with those amicable sentiments which should direct the conduct of a Government connected with our own by Treaties of peace and friendship. In this state of things, I am sorry not to be able to approve of the very strong language employed in your letter to the Vice-Governor of the Province. Its vehemence was probably the cause of its not being acknowledged. It was right, in your failing to obtain attention from the District Magistrate, to seek an interview with the Superordinates, and to point out the unfavourable impres- sion which any injuries done to Chinamen, because of their connection with the subjects of Her Majesty, could not fail to make upon the British Government and you should then have referred the matter to me. ' _ I am very desirous, as far as I am able, to support the authority of Her Majesty]s Consuls, and, by friendly co-operation with the superior officers of Her Majesty's l!?avy in these seas, to show the Chinese that a vigilant eve is kept upon the proceedings of unfriendly Mandarins. But when Her Majesty's Forces are put in requisition, the case must be so strong as to secure the approval of the senior officer here, and of the Admiralty at home. I am, &c. (Signed) J0H:N' BOWRIIfG. No. 82. The Earl of Mahnesbury to Dr. Bowring. (^^^^''<'^-') Foreign Office, July 21, 1852. .1, . T ^"^7^ ^'^ acquaint you, in reply to your despatch of the irth of May that I entu-ely approve ot the letter which you wrote to Mr. Vice-cons5 Walker, with reference to the mtemperate tone adopted by him in his rom munication to the Lieutenant Governor of Fokeen, respecting the interference of the Chinese authorities with two native teachers in the service of Mr Welton The statements contained in your despatch and its inclosur"es are not suffacicntly detailed to enable me to form an opinion in regard to the merits of the case ; but Her Majesty's Government can never approvl of the use of vblent 201 and intemperate language, and the less so, inasmuch as such lan^uaffe is calculated to defeat rather than to promote the object sought to be attained by it. I am, &c. (Signed) MALMESBURY. No. 83. Dr. Bowring to the Earl of Malmesbury.— (Received December 20.) My Lord, Hong Kong, October 25, 1852. I HAVE the honour to report to your Lordship that on the 1 7lh instant a China boat, with four of Her Majesty's subjects, Messrs. John Dent, Horace Oakley (first Assistant to the Canton Consulate), K. McGregor, and G. Anderson, was attacked by a piratical Chinese craft, near Tiger Island, at the entrance of the Bogue ; but the Enghshmen, being well armed, were enabled to defend themselves, and to kill and wound a number of the Chinese. I have the honour to inclose a copy of their representation to Her Majesty's officiating Consul Elmslie, in charge at Canton, who, with great promptitude, requested the senior naval officer there to dispatch a steamer in pursuit of the pirates, while he at the same time advised the Imperial Commissioner of what had taken place, and requested His Excellency would lend the needful co-operation, and give the needful instructions for the capture and punishment of the guilty. I am sorry to say that the Honourable Company's steamer " Semiramis," having (with Mr. Oakley on board) made everj' effort to discover the offenders, by visiting the shores and ascending the creeks in boats, has returned to Whampoa without having succeeded. The Imperial Commissioner has replied to Mr. Officiating Consul Elmslie, that he had given immediate orders to the Chinese Admiral commanding at the Bogue to take the necessary steps for tracing and securing the pirates ; but as the district where they no doubt are dispersed is one where the government authority has been of late somewhat relaxed, it is doubtful whether we shall hear anything farther on the subject. I have &c (Signed) ' JOHN BOWRING. Inclosure in No. 83. Messrs. Dent, Oakley, McGregor, and Anderson to Consul Elmslie. Sir, Canton, October 19, 1852. "WE have the honour to inform you of the particulars of an attack made upon us by a large ladrone boat on the evening of the 17th instant. The fast boat in which we were, was anchored within Tiger Island, and about 8 o'clock we were suddenly, and without warning from our crew, run on board by a large boat full of men, who immediately commenced a discharge of stink pots and spears, throwing a number of the former into the cabin, a large party of them coming over our stern for that purpose. One of us, Mr. Oakley, narrowly escaped a severe wound, a spear burying itself in the stock of his gun. On being thus assaulted, we instantly resorted to our fire- arms, and after a constant fire on them for about twenty minutes, they sheered off, and judging from the short distance we fired from, and the number of men we saw fall, we have every reason to believe that their loss must have been severe. They, however, succeeded in carrying off their wounded and dead, with the exception of one body, which the fast boatmen threw overboard without our knowledge. We regret to inform you that one of our servants, Mr. Dent's, was missing after the affray was over, and there are various reports as to his unfortunate fate. "We have, &c. (Signed) JOHN DENT. ^ R. McGregor. HORACE OAKLEY. G. ANDERSON. 302 No. 84. Dr. Bowring to the Earl of Malmesbury.— (Received January 17, 1853.) My Lord, Hong Kong, November 13, 1852. OlS the 10th instant soon after midnight, I was aroused by Captain Massie, the Senior Naval Officer in China, who had just returned from the Chinese coast opposite this island, where he had been engaged for several hours in the unsuccessful search for Lieutenant De Lisle, R-IST., the Admii-alty Agent, who was left wounded after having been attacked and robbed by a body of Chinese vagabonds, as reported by his companion, Mr. Curling, an officer in the service of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, who had escaped, though severely injured, to the boat which had conveyed both to the Chinese shore. Captain Massie stated his intention, if I did not object, to proceed at daybreak to the town of Kowloon, the nearest place where any Chinese officeKS are to be found, in order to induce, or if necessary, to compel the Mandarins to assist in the search for Lieutenant De Lisle, the capture of the robbers, and tlie recovery of the stolen property. Captain Massie requested that the Chinese secretary might accompany him. I therefore instructed Mr. Medhurst to proceed on board the "Cleopatra," and to take with him Mr. Lay, who is acqviainted with the local dialect. I stated to Captain Massie, and the event has justified my anticipation, that I had the highest confidence in the energy, prudence, and knowledge of Chinese character, possessed by Mr. Medhurst, to whom I communicated my opinions that, though coercive measures might become necessary, and justifiable in case the authorities refused their co-operation, great forbearance and self-control were required. I have now the honour to inclose copies of Captain Massie and Mr. Medhurst's reports, which will, 1 doubt not, be deemed satisfactory by your Lordship, I also forward copy of my reply to Captain Massie. Your Lordship will observe that I have not thought it compatible with Her Majesty's dignity to comply with Captain Massie's suggestion that I should make a complaint to his Excellency the Imperial Commissioner of the rudeness shown to the officers in Her Majesty's service by a low Mandarin, surrounded by a number of ill-bred Cantonese people. The Mandarin in command was absent, and the official representing him has received a lesson, a salutary lesson on the spot. While questions of considerable importance are in so unsatis- factory a state, and so little attention is paid to representations on graver subjects, I hope your Lordship will approve of my hesitation and i^eluctance, especially at a moment when the attention of the high authorities in China is distracted by the embarrassments of civil war and the alarming progress of the ■ insurrection from one Province to another. I have, &c. (Signed) JOHN BOWRING. 19th November. — ^As the promise made had not been fulfilled by the officer at Kowloon, that the depositions of the persons arrested for the outrage committed on Lieutenant De Lisle and Mr. Curling should be sent on board the " Cleoimtra," I thought it desirable, after consulting with Captain Massie, that Her Majesty's steamer " Hermes " should be dispatched to Kowloon ; and I have the pleasure to state that the result has been in every respect satisfactory : the higher Mandarin was found at his office ; a humble apology was obtained for the rudeness of his subordinate to Her Majesty's officers; the promised depositions wore furnished, and, it is believed, proper exertions will be made for the recovery of the lost property. I beg to inclose copy of Mr. Medhurst's report. — J. B. 27th November.— I have just received a very satisfactory communication from the Kowloon Mandarin, informing me that most of the property stolen had been recovered.- — J. B. 203 Inclosure 1 in !No. 84. Captain Massie to Dr. Bowring. ^^^' " Cleopatra," at Hong Kong, November 12, 1852. AFTER having in vain searched the greater part of the peninsula of Kowloon, with almost the whole of my ship's company, for the person of Leutenant De Lisle, Admiralty Agent, who had been reported to me with another agent of the "Singapore," as having been seriously wounded by robbers, on the evening of the 9th, in accordance with that resolution which I had verbally mentioned to your Excellency at midnight of the same day— on the morning of the 10th, it being a perfect calm, with the assistance of the " Hong Kong " steamer, kindly procured through the influence of Mr. Dent, I proceeded, to Kowloon, and anchored within good gun-shot of that fortress, at 8 A.M. Soon after an armed boat with Lieutenant Price and Mr. Medhurst, Chinese Interpreter, landed to require from the Mandarins their co-operation in a more minute search of the country and the houses. Immediately on reaching the beach these officers were met by the chief superintendent of the Hong Kong police, who gave them the information of Lieutenant De Lisle having been found in a dreadfully wounded sta*c by some officers of the " Pottinger " steam vessel. So far that question was set at rest; but as the assaila ts were still undiscovered, as weU as the property taken down from the gentlemen, Mr. Medhurst proceeded to the interview. Before entering on further detail, I must here mention the exceeding incivility, indeed I may add the insulting manner, contrary to all Chinese usages, with which these officers were received. No chairs were given them, the attendants tried to repel them from the receiving room, and when the Mandarin presented himself he was in an undress, without any marks of his office. These insults were very properly and firmly resented by the officers, and the Mandarin, on being rebuked for the insolence of his men, his own discourteous behaviour and conduct, as instanced by the time he kept the officers waiting, as well as appearing in his dressing-gown, which by the way he was made to exchange, behaved in the most abject and cringing manner. I would here suggest to your Excellency, most respectfully, whether such conduct should not be brought to the notice of the Commissioner at Canton, that su«h indignities may not be offered to officers of Her Majesty's service in the execution of their duties, those officers being fully authorized, and supported in a manner to show they were so authorised. To prevent such wanton insolence in the interviews which afterwards took place, a guard of marines was sent, but although the Mandarin and his attendants were frightened into better behaviour, the same disposition to insult was evident. Referring to the first interview, Mr. Medhurst explained it was my instructions immediate steps should be taken to secure the culprits and their plunder, and if that was not done withomt delay, he was desired to add, that I was prepared to take ulterior and severe measures, the consequences of which would remain upon the Mandarins' heads. This was promised, as well as that a proclamation should be issued to the inhabitants of Kowloon on the subject pf these disgraceful attacks upon harmless and peaceful gentlemen. In the same evening some stones were produced covered with blood, which marked the locality of the place, and the parties concerned, and in an interview of the morning of the 11th, it was intimated that five of the assailants were in custody, and it was confidently affirmed the whole would be seized and the property recovered, in which case, that, and the depositions of the prisoners would be forwarded to me in Her Majesty's ship "Cleopatra." _ In the last interview which took place, and which was principally to desire the Mandarin should send for the ten prisoners, taken on the night of the 9th, with pikes, upon one of which were evident fresh marks of blood. (Ihsjt be was to do within a certain time, or the prisoners, with an account of his conduct, would be forwarded to Canton.) Mr. Medhurst took the opportunity, by my 204 desire, of intimating to the Mandarin, that dissatisfied with his insolent and shuffling conduct, I should send a steamer to his superior Mandarin near to Fo-tow-moon, and with an explanation of all that had occurred from him, demand an even more thorough satisfaction. Mr. Medhurst, howfever, was assured that all should be done, and an officer having been sent for the prisoners by the specified time, as it appeared nothing further could then be gained by my presence, in the afternoon I weighed and proceeded to this anchorage to await the course of events ; indeed, the Mandarin, apparently disgusted at having been taken to task in his own garrison, had put on a dogged appearance, and it was perhaps better to let the matter rest so. I cannot conclude this despatch, which circumstances and explaihatioils have drawn out to an unusual length, without bringing to your Excellency's notice the high sense I entertain of the firmness, good sense, and energetic discretion displayed by Mr. Medhurst throughout the whole of the business — painful as it was to my officers and himself to bear the insults of the Mandarin and his rascally attendants, I have also to thank Mr. Lay for his ready attention. I am sure I need not mention to your Excellency the satisfaction I experienced at witnessing the alacrity and zeal of the officers and this ship's company under Lieutenant Price in the cause of humanity. Almost the whole of the ship's company were employed searching through the Peninsula of Kowloon, from 7 p.m. of the 9th, until nearly 8 a.m. of the 10th, through a most intricate country, intercepted by ravines and stone quarries. I have, &c. (Signed) S. L. MASSIB, Captain of Her Majesty's ship " Cleopatra,'' and Senior Officer in China. Inclosure 2 in ISo. 84. Mr. Medhurst to Dr. Bowring. Sir, Chinese Secretary's Office, November 12, 1852, IE obedience to your Excellency's instructions, received at midnight of Tuesday, the 11th instant, I forthwith embarked on board Her Majesty's ship " Cleopatra," to accompany Captain Massie to Kowloon, but being told that he should not leave the anchorage till break of day I returned ashore and rejoined the ship between four and five o'clock the following mornino-, accom- panied by Mr, Horatio Lay, whose services your Excellency had likewise desired to be placed at Captain Massie's disposal, on account of his acquaintance with the official and local dialects. The vessel having anchored oft Kowloon about 9 a.m., I proceeded on shore, m company with Lieutenant Price, for the purpose of communicating with the authorities regarding the murderous assault upon Lieutenant De Lisle and Mr. Curling, and securing co-operation towards the discovery of the former gentleman, then reported to be missing. On our way to the beach we met Mr May, Superintendent of Police, who informed us of Mr, De Lisle's safety but thmking It advisable nevertheless, to see the authorities, and not onlyWe them to apprehend the robbers and recover the stolen property, but impress upon them likewise the necessity of preventing the recurrence of such outrages we proceeded towards the town. When we entered the gate of the Naval Com- mandant s official residence which is situated within a small citadel, some attendants came forward, and denied us admittance, on the plea of the absence of that officer ; te^^mg us at the same time, that there was a naval officer styled loo-sze, left m charge of the garrison, whose residence was in the suburbs. Being aware that no other official residence existed in the place we walked into the outer court, and requested the bystanders to procure seats ind appnse the Too-sze of our presence. The attendants (ros l7nattes of Canton), instead of conducting us, as is customary, into the reception-room which IS always separated from the outer court by folding-doors, kept theTe closed and commenced jeering at and ridiculing L placing first a kitchpn bench before us, and when that was pushed aside, f ub.titXg foi t one bro^^^^^ 205 bamboo chair, which was thrown down with a joke that elicited a roar of lauditer from the surrounding crowd. Finding them inclined to be thus insolent I assumed a more authoritative tone, which had the eflFect of brinoing the Too sze to us. He appeared, however, in plain clothes, a mode of reception so deroga- tory in the eyes of the Chinese to the visitor, that I was obliged to refuse to have any communication with him until he appeared in proper costume He thereupon retired, and returned correctly dressed, the attendants still iokinff and laughing as before. Having been treated with so much rudeness this interview was necessarily occupied with angry discussion upon the nature of our reception; but before leaving I requested the officer to hasten to take the necessary steps for the apprehension of the thieves, and the recovery of the property, and to issue a proclamation forbidding similar outrages in future This he promised to do, after repeated attempts to make light of the whole affair. I likewise asked him to send on board a written application for ten prisoners, whom Captain Massie had captured the previous night, during the search for Mr. De Lisle : a suggestion with which he also promised at once to comply. In the evening of the same day we paid a second visit to the shore, to ascertain what had been done. On this occasion the attendants received us in silence, but with a most annoying dilatoriness in producing chairs, and obtaining for us the presence of the Too-sze. Upon his making his appearance, and being asked what had been done, he produced two chips of granite, besmeared with blood,_ which he said he had himself picked up, after a fatiguing walk on the peak of a hill, and which had thus afforded him a clue towards the identification of the spot where the attack took place. He had also, he assured me, dispatched spies to make inquiries. The description which he gave of the locality, however, made it evident that he had not, as he stated, examined it in person, and as he had failed to forward the application for the prisoners in our hands, he was told that unless he showed more readiness to assist us. Captain Massie Avould be under the necessity of taking stronger measures than any which had yet been adopted. He then begged that three days' grace might be allowed him, in order that if successful he might produce the culprits within that period, and he assured me that the letter for the prisoners was ready if I would receive it ; but, as it was evident that he had as yet done nothing, and as the letter proved to be addressed to the Police Magistrate of Hong Kong, I refused to accept it, and left him with a warning that his negligence should be represented in the strongest terms to Captain Massie, who would no doubt adopt other measures the following morning. In the forenoon of the ensuing day, no message having been received from the shore in the meanwhile, I suggested to Captain Massie the advisableness of having another interview with the officer, to inform him, that the slighting manner in v^hich our complaint had been entertained by him, had made it necessary for us to ignore him altogether as regarded the seizure of the robbers, and despatch a steamer to communicate with his senior officer at Ta-pang, and that as regarded the prisoners on board, it was requisite for him to fetch or send for them before noon of that day, on pain of their being delivered over his head to the supreme authorities at Canton. Captain Massie having approved of my suggestion, we landed again, and proceeded to the same office as before.. On this occasion, however, they kept us standing in the sun so long, and my reiterated applications for the Too-sze were so ineffectual, that I resolved to go in search of him myself. Taking a serjeant with me for protection, I walked into the adjoining room, where I supposed him to be, but not finding him there, I "proceeded without the city walls, to a mean shop, indicated to me as his residence. After waiting a short time at the door, he made his appearance ready dressed, and I thereupon reproached him severely, in the presence of a crowd of people, for his increasingly uncourteous behaviour, and required him to accompany me to. the other office, which he sulkily did. After we were seated, he informed me of his having effected the capture of five men concerned since our last visit whom, however, he had not, as he said, had leisure to examine. He also renewed the proffer of the letter before refused. As these five men had been taken the previous evening, and they had had abundant time to question them with a view to recover the property, I delivered Captain Massie's message without further parley, adding, that any further exertions the Too-sze might make, would, of course, be useful towards averting the necessity 2 E 203 of carrying out his threats, the letter I again refused, desiring him to send an officer for the prisoners. We then returned on board. In the course of the forenoon an officer came alongside with a properly worded receipt for the ten prisoners, and they were delivered into his charge. We afterwards weighed, and came away. Since my return to Hong Kong I have learnt from authentic sources, that the Commandant was at Kowloon, during the whole of our stay in the bay : the fact of there having been no notice of his absence hung up at the gate (a formality always observed) confirms me in the belief, that he was actually in the back apartments during each of our interviews with his subordinate. I can only account for the really uncourteous reception given us, by the fact that the Chinese authorities in their intercourse with foreign officers, are ever ready, where they suppose the latter ignorant of their rules of etiquette, to receive them in a manner at once indicative of their own national superiority, and calcu- lated to lower us in the estimation of their own people ; a propensity which has not been sufficiently checked in the case of the Kowloon officials, who, perhaps, have not been sufficiently informed of the rank or position of the persons with whom they have had to deal. This course they hoped to pursue unopposed in our case, and it was only by peremptory demands upon our part, that we suc- ceeded in procuring even the little attention that was at last unwillingly afforded, an attention scarcely worth the name, seeing that in every instance we were kept standing in the sun for some time to await appearance of our host, and then seated in the outer court, where criminals are examined, both of these modes of reception thoroughly repugnant to Chinese ideas of courtesy. In need only add, in conclusion, that Captain Massie treated both Mr. Lay and myself with the kindest consideration throughout, and afforded us every facility for promoting the object, in effecting which we were sent by your Excellency. T iiSiVp SirO (Signed) ' W.' H. MEDHUEST; Inclosure 3 in 'No. 84. Br. Bowring to Captain Massie. Sir, Hong Kong, November 13, 1852. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your despatch of yesterday's date, and congratulate you on the result of the visit of Her Majesty's ship " Cleopatra" to Kowloon. I shall send a copy of your communication to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. I beg you will accept yourself, and convey to Lieutenant Price and the officers and ship's company, who so ably seconded your efforts, my thanks for the energy and prudence which have been exhibited on this occasion. With reference to your suggestion that I should address his Excellency the Imperial Commissioner, on the subject of the indignities to which the officers in Her Majesty's service have been subjected, I am disposed to think, in the present state of our relations with the Chinese, that I shall better consult the Queen's dignity by refraining from sending to the high authorities an official coraplamt of the rudeness of a petty functionary and his surrounding attendants who have already received a lesson which may teach them better manners for the future. I have, &c. (Signed) 3GRS BOWRING. 207 Inclosure 4 in JS!"©. 84. Mr. Medhurst to Dr. Bowrinsr. ' Chinese Secretary's Ojfice, November 19, 1852. m obedience to_ your Excellency's instructions I accompanied Captain Pishbourne in Her Majesty s steamer "Hermes," to procure an interview with the Brigadier m command of the Tapang Brigade, either at his residence at Kowloon, or at his head-quarters in the city of Tapang in Bias Bay, for the purpose of ascertaimng from him what steps had been taken towards afFordinff proper redress for the robbery committed upon Messrs. Curling and De Lisle. We found the Brigadier at Kowloon, where he gave us a ceremonious and very courteous reception. He informed us that five of the robbers had actually been apprehended, one of whom, he said, had confessed to having been a party to the robbery, and assault, and he oflFeredus a copy of the depositions taken • the stolen property, he told us, had not as yet been recovered, although he had spared no pains to secure it; he was very sanguine nevertheless of eventually being able to trace it. When reminded of the unconrteous manner in which the former deputation had been received by his subordinate, he apologised again and again for the offence, and begged that it might be overlooked ; but as his verbal excuses were not deemed a sufficient reparation, he was requested to send an official written apology to Captain Massie's address, on board, before the evening, which he promised faithfully to do. The depositions we declined, with a suggestion that they should be conveyed in an official letter to the same address. In the afternoon he sent, by an officer, a private note of apology inclosed in an official envelope, and another note conveying the depositions to my address ; these we returned at once, accompanied by a repetition of our demand. In the evening the officer returned with two official letters as requested, but as neither of them proved to be satisfactory, I proceeded (with Captain Fishbourne's assent), on shore myself, accompanied by Lieutenant Price of the "Cleopatra," and Mr. Lay, to dictate the form of letter required. This the Brigadier allowed us to do, and attached his seals to two letters which were written under our supervision. Having succeeded in securing these, we returned on board, and Captain Fishbourne then weighed and came away. The Brigadier at parting assured us that he would exert himself to the utmost to recover the stolen property as speedily as possible, but he declined to give us a more definite promise, not being sufficiently certain of success to warrant him in doing so. I have &c (Signed) ' W. H. MEDHUEST. No. 85. Lord J. Russell to Sir G. Bonham. (Extract.) Foreign Office, January 20, 1853. I HAVE to acquaint you that Her Majesty's Government approve of the steps taken by Dr. Bowring, as reported in his despatch of the 13th of November, with reference to the attack made on Lieutenant De Lisle and Mr. Curling by some Chinese vagabonds at Kowloon. No. 86. Acting Consul Elmslie to Mr. Hammond. — (Received August 14.) Sir, Canton, June 19, 1854. HER Majesty's Plenipotentiary being absent from Hong Kong, I think it my duty to communicate to you, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the details of a late occurrence, of which exaggerated 2 E 2 208 or untrue accounts might otherwise reach the Foreign Office. This was the abduction of a British subject by a party of Chinese claiming a sum of money from him ; who, after a confinement of a few hours' duration, was released through the intervention of the Chinese authorities. The particulars of the case were briefly as follows : — Mr. Seth, an Armenian of Bombay (the object of the outrage), had, about the 29th March, agreed with a certain Chinese broker to provide within a fortnight a vessel for the conveyance of 400 emigrants to California ;_ and as bargain money he had received 1,000 dollars, for which he gave an acquittance. Being unalile to fulfil the contract, the broker demanded restitution of the bargain-money, which Mr. Seth promised to refund on his receipt being delivered back to him, but the broker failed to produce the receipt. Mr. Seth maintains that no further application was made for the money, and that the matter there rested : but I believe he afterwards, at various intervals, promised, if some delay were granted him, to procure a vessel for the original purpose of the contract. On the 15th instant, the broker, named Chow Keao-shing, was seen to run into Mr. Seth's house pursued by a mob of Chinese. He entered a room in the lower part of the house, the door of which was immediately bolted ; when the mob, supposing he was intentionally concealed, rushed up stairs into Mr. Seth's office and took possession of it, creating a great disturbance. Mr. Seth, after some time, dispatched a messenger with a letter to me, requesting that I would afford him protection ; and I accordingly sent Mr. Morrison to inquire into the matter. He informed the leaders that if they had any complaint against Mr. Seth, they would obtain justice by a proper application at the British Con- sulate ; and making a memorandum of their statements, he, after a short parley, succeeded in dispersing them. The various parties, with the exception of the broker, attended before me the next morning at 1 1 o'clock, when I ascertained that the persons who now brought the complaint, were the real contractors with the emigrants for providing a vessel ; but that, being ignorant of the English language and strangers in Canton, they had engaged the broker Chow Keao-shing as their agent. The emigrants had parted with all their effects in preparation for departure, at the time first stipulated for ; and had paid certain advances to the persons undertaking to secure their passage, repayment of which they now claimed. Mr. Seth declared that he was unacquainted with the parties present ; that he had received the 1,000 dollars from the agent Chow Keao-shing, and had given the receipt to him on the document containing the agreement. The complainant admitted that this had come into his possession ; but he had destroyed it on suspicion of its being invalid. It subsequently transpired that Chow Keao-shing had absconded during the previous day, but I was then ignorant of the circumstance ; and as his evidence was necessary, I directed the principal plaintiff to accompany the messenger of, the Consulate sent to summon him ; and at the same time I permitted Mr. Seth to leave the Consulate till again required. Within a few minutes afterwards, an American gentleman came to the Consulate and informed me that he had seen Mr. Seth being dragged away from the factories by about twenty-five Chinese ; the five or six so-called soldiers stationed at the entrance gate of the factories not attempting to rescue him, and the shopkeepers in the street through which he was taken shutting their doors. The gentleman himself being single-handed, could not render eff'ective assistance ; but his residence was close by, and he sent servants to follow the party and ascertain the place to which Mr. Seth was carried. The latter has since informed me that he was hustled along and frequently thrown to the ground, until, after proceeding a mile and-a-half, he and his conductors arrived at a small house, situated in a narrow and tortuou5*lane in a secluded part of the suburbs immediately under the city wall. On learning the facts above-mentioned, I at once sent intimation of them by a messenger to the nearest police office (that of the sub-magistrate of the district), and then wrote to the District Magistrate requesting him to adopt the proper steps for Mr. Seth's release, and also to the Imperial Commissioner informing his Excellency of the circumstances of his capture. Having learnt before the letters were closed the place of Mr. Seth's confinement, I was enabled to indicate it to those officers. My messenger who had been dispatched to ascertain the state of affairs and afford any possible assistance, reported that the 209 lane and all the approaches to it were filled with a vociferous crowd, and 'that the shops in the neighbourhood were closed, and the street barricades put up, so as to leave a passage for the exit of the mob only at one point. The messenger was not admitted to the house, but was driven away with a threat that if he remained, he hkewise should be put in confinement. Mr. Seth's servants, however, were allowed access to him, and they discovered that he was not subjected to any maltreatment. Under these circumstances I considered it unadvisable for any foreigner to interfere, lest excitement might be produced which should result in greater mischief. The day advancing, and as I could not learn precisely what steps the authorities proposed to take, at 3 p.m. I wrote to request a visit from the District Magistrate, intending to propose to him to proceed with Mr. Morrison to the place of Mr. Seth's confinement, and try the effect of his authority and persuasion. He was then in attendance at the Governor- General's, and as by 5 P.M. he had not arrived at the Consulate, Mr. Morrison started, accompanied by a Chinese to communicate with the people in the local dialect, and I sent another verbal message to the magistrate requesting him to go direct to meet him. At a short distance from the place, Mr. Morrison met Mr. Seth escorted by a party of police, and accompanied by a friend who had joined him a few minutes before his liberation. The crowd of the morning had by this time greatly decreased, and the police had with little difficulty taken into custody Mr. Seth, together with his captors. Mr. Morrison followed them to the office of the sub -magistrate, situated in that neighbourhood, where the magistrate had already arrived. He requested Mr. Morrison to wait with Mr Seth till he should (in a different room) hold an inquiry into the matter. In about an hour he came to Mr. Morrison and delivered Mr. Seth into his charge, stating that he had not completed the investigation, and would write to the Consulate next day on the subject, communicating the result. I inclose a copy of the letter which I accordingly received from him. On the 17th instant I addressed letters to the Imperial Commissioner and District Magistrate, thanking them for the assistance they had affi^rded, and transmitting a detail of the circumstances of which I was cognizant. I stated that I would pay into the hands of the proper authority the one thousand dollars bargain-money, which I should require Mr. Seth to deposit in this office; to dispose of as they might think proper, upon their informing me of the penalty to be inflicted upon the abductors, and the amount of compensation to be made to Mr. Seth for his illegal imprisonment. The occurrence caused considerable sensation amongst the foreign com- munity, especially in the early part of the day, when the result could not easily be foreseen. I communicated immediately with Commander Fellowes, of Her Majesty's sloop " Comus," at this port, who was in readiness to send a party ashore should circumstances have unfortunately called fur such a step. It is a subiect for extreme congratulation that the matter was peaceably concluded, as in the present disposition of a large mass of the inhabitants, the consequences of anv commotion might have been disastrous to an mcalculable extent. Similar considerations may probably account for the comparative promptness with which the Chinese authorities effectively interfered ; for the disturbed state of the country occasions them, at this moment, much embarrassment. , ^. . Were the employment of force at any time necessary for the protection of the foreign community, I cannot feel confident that there are sufficient means at disposal to ensure perfect immunity from danger. ,, c- ^u. i +!,«. ^ To the means employed by myself for obtainmg Mr. Seth's release the United States' authorities added their representations to the officers of the Local Govei^ent upon the peril to which the foreign residents would be exposed if violentacts of a lawless mob were tolerated ; and many Chinese, whose interests were jeopardised by the chance of a disturbance, exerted themselves to obtam a quiet^ettlement ^^^^^^^^^t, was several times urged to give a bond for the amount ckimed ; but he declined to do so on the grounds which dictated his rpfiisal of the monev in the first instance. . The above statement of the facts of this unpleasant aff^r will enable he Earl of Clarendon to form a judgment of the critical position m which the 210 British community at this port are situated, with respect to the security of their persons and property. I annex a copy ofa letter received from Mr. Seth, submitting his compkmt, with his claim for indemnity. I have, &c. (Signed) ADAM W. ELMSLIE. Inclosure 1 in No. 86. The Prefect Le to Acting Consul Elmslie. (Translation.) LE, Brevet Prefect and Acting Chief Magistrate of the Nan-hae District, &c. makes a communication in reply. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from you, the Honourable Consul, stating that a person named Chin-tang-chuen had assembled a mob, and carried away Mr. Seth, a British subject, and requesting that 1 should dispatch a sufficient force of police to effect his rescue. On receipt of this letter, I sent out a party of police to search for the person named, and subsequently he was found ; and Chin-tang-chuen being at the same time taken into custody, both were brought before me. Chin-tang-chuen, on being questioned, stated that Mr. Seth owed to the people of his village 1 ,000 dollars, which had been paid him as bargain-money for a ship, and would not repay it ; and that he besides harboured the agent Chow-keao-shing, and refused to give him up. The villsigers had therefore carried Mr. Seth away, to discuss the affair with him. Mr. Seth being interrogated by the linguist Heu-lan, said that it was true he had received the bargain-money from Chin-tang-chuen, for the vessel ; but he had declined to repay it except to the agent Chow-keao-shing. It appeared, therefore, to me that both deponents concurred as to the fact of the debt ; but Chow-keao-shing has absconded, and it will be necessary to procure his appearance before deciding on the case. On Mr. Seth's whereabouts being discovered, I had him conveyed under escort to your office, and directed the Te-pao (head-man of the quarter) to detain Chin-tang-chuen for further examination. Before instituting other proceedings, I address you, the Honourable Consul, to inform you of what has already been done. Heenfung, 4th year, 5th month, 22nd day. (June 17, 1854.) Inclosure 2 in No. 86. Mr. Seth to Acting Consul Elmslie. Sir, Canton, June 17, 1854. AFTER leaving the Consulate yesterday noon, and on my way home, I was attacked just within three or four yards of 'the hong gate of my ho us ei considerable number of Chinese, headed by the four strangers, also Chinese, unknown to me by name, but the same persons that I saw in the Consulate yesterday, and they dragged me most unmercifully through the Old China-street, and then to the back streets, and took me a long way down to a narrow lane, where they lodged me in a house, and kept close watch with the door closed. I continued in this miserable position— with my clothes wet by rain, and covered with dirt and filth, as they threw me down several times on their way until about 6 P.M., when I was taken out by the assistance of your good self, as Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, and by the instrumentality of the local authorities, and conveyed to a Mandarin Station, where a higher mandarin arrived, and, by assistance of Mr. M. C. Morrison, I found my way to your hospitable roof, and latterly home, at about 8 o'clock in the evening. During ray shameful carriage I was plundered of a gold ring forced out of my finger, which was very amiable 211 and valuable to me, and in case of its not forthcoming, I beg you to claim 100 dollars, and a silk umbrella valued 3 dollars. I have also to beg your assistance to have the four Chinese head ringleaders arrested and secured, and handed over to the authorities to undergo their trial and punishment, Ibr the most unwarrantable, atrocious, and shameful acts committed in a broad daylight, and on a piibUc highway. And I beg, in addition to this, to make a claim, through your kind assistance, a sum of 10,000 dollars from the parties that have taken the law into their hands, and so shameiuUy discredited and treated me, as compensation for the wrong done to my credit, person, and character, thereby causing great injury to my present and future, prospects in China and elsewhere, and driven me to the utmost shameful position in life amongst my other foreign and Chinese acquaintances and dealers, with whom I have a good deal of business, either directly and indirectly. And the last thing I have to beg of you is, to persuade and compel the Chinese authorities to give you an indemnity of a large amount, say 25,000 dollars, binding themselves and their subjects interested in my present affairs, tq keep peace for a length of time, which I leave to your own judgment to name : if not, I suspect I shall very often be put to such unpleasant and dangerous circumstances, to the annoyance of the whole foreign community in Canton, and injury and consequences thereof, and especially I could not be considered safe out of doors, but what my life will be in danger. I am, &c. (Signed) S. A. SETH. No. 87. Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon. — {Received Septeinhcr 18.) (Extract.) Shanghae, July 6, 1854. MR. ACTING CONSUL ELMSLIE has sent me the copy of a despatch- addressed to Mr. Under-Secretary Hammond, dated the 19th ultimo, on the subject of violence committed on the person of Mr. Seth, a native of British' India. Mr. Elmslie does not inform me whether he proposes to take any, and what; ulterior measures in reference to this case, should the mandarins refuse to listen to his proposal of making a money compensation to Mr. Seth ; and I send to your Lordship copy of my letter to Mr. Elmslie, recommending much caution in his proceedings. Inclosure in No. 87. Sir J. Bowring to Acting Consul Elmslie. gij. Shanghae, July C, 1854. I HAVE received your despatch dated 23rd June, in which you. inform me that you have communicated directly with the Under-Secretary of State on the subject of an outrage committed on the person of Mr. Seth ; and you send me copy of your communication, and of Mr. Seth's letter to yourself, in which he puts forward a claim of 10,000 dollars " from the parties that have taken the law into their own hands," and requests you will 'persuade and, compel " the Chinese authorities to give you an indemnity of 25,000 dollars to " keep the peace." , n ^, i ■ You do not state what course you intend to pursue should the mandarms refuse to make a money-compensation to Mr. Seth, but I doubt not you will haar felt the necessity of much caution. , „ ^^„ , ,, n ^, . It appears pretty clear that Mr. Seth got hold of 1,000 dollars from aChma man, which he did not return to him when he had failed to perform the contra-^ for which the money was paid. i tt »/i • * , u- The contract was in itself an illegal one ; and, though Her Majesty s subjects 212 are entitled to every protection while engaged in the prosecution of their lawful business, when honourably conducted, the amount and the character of our interference must be influenced by a consideration of the whole of the attendant circumstances. I am happy to observe, by your despatch of June 27, that the general state of Canton is satisfactory. I have, &c. (Signed) JOHN BOWRING. No. 88. The Earl of Clarendon to Sir J. Bowring. Sir, Foreign Office, September 25, 1854. MR. ELMSLIE'S report respecting the violence committed at Canton on the person of Mr. Seth reached me some weeks ago ; and I have now to acquaint you that I approve of the instruction which you gave to Mr. Elraslie on that matter, and of which a copy is inclosed in your despatch of the 6th of July. I am, &c. (Signed) CLARENDON. No. 89. Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon. — (^Received August 30.) (Extract.) Hong Kong, July 3, 1856. L HAVE the honour to inclose copy of a despatch I have received from Mr. Consul Parkes, dated Canton, July 2, on the subject of an incendiary placard which has been circulated in that city ; and conveying copy of a communication Mr. Parkes had made to the Imperial Commissioner. As your Lordship will perceive by my reply, I have approved of Mr. Parkes' conduct in this matter. Inclosure 1 in No. 89. Consul Parkes to Sir J. Bowring. Sir, Canton, July 2, 1 856. I HAVE the honour to report to your Excellency that, shortly after my arrival here, I heard of rumours being current among the Chinese that the foreigners had again demanded entrance into the city of Canton, and that prepa- rations were being made at Hong Kong to enforce this demand, in the event of the Governor-General refusing to admit it. From the universality of these rumours, and other circumstances, there appeared grounds for the supposition that they had been spread abroad, in the first instance, through the instrumentality of the authorities ; probably with the view of strengthening the latter in the sympathies of the people at a time when they seem to stand in need of their pecuniary and moral support. Some talk was heard as to enrolhng volunteer corps, similar to those assem- bled in 1849, when it was understood that the British Government intended to \ assert the right of entry, and foreigners passing through the streets were taunted with the futiUty of all their attempts, present or future, to secure the desired right. Ms The excitement this awakened, which had at no time assumed a serious aspect, appeared, however, to be subsiding, when, the day before yesterday, it came to my knowledge that a printed paper, menacing foreigners with death if they continued to extend their excursions into the country, was extensively circulated in the city and suburbs ; and, after satisfying myself, by inquiries in various directions, that such was the case, I thought I could not omit to bring it to the notice of the Imperial Commissioner. I therefore addressed him the inclosed letter, giving cover to one of these obnoxious documents, copy of which I now forward to your Excellency. I did not think it necessary to make any allusion to the excursions therein declaimed against, as the right of foreigners to the enjoyment of this freedom should not admit of question, and has been safely and temperately exercised, without let or hindrance, for some time past ; and, from all I can glean on the subject, I am led to beheve that this public expression of hostility proceeds rather from the Government than the people, and is chiefly to be deprecated as tending to awaken old feeUngs of animosity, which the lapse of time and the altered circumstances of the country appeared to have, in a great measure, allayed. I have, &c. (Signed) HARRY S. PARKES. Inclosure 2 in No. 89. Hand-Bill. (Translation.) THE absence of interruption to the peace of the country is of the same vital importance, in our opinion, as the mainteniance of regularity in the avocations of its inhabitants. We now call public attention to the fact, that in the province of Canton, from the earliest to the present times, barbarians have never been allowed to go into the villages. Recently, however, a set of unprincipled vagabonds have been met with, who, without aijy fear of shame or exposure, carry on a secret intercourse with the barbarian dogs, and combine with them in a number of ways for working out their crafty schemes. Night and day we see them eiitering the villages, and occasioning so much trouble by their it-regularities, that gods and men must unite in detestation of their practices. To judge of the extent of the evil to which our provincial metropolis is thus exposed, we have only to look to Shanghae and Hong Kong, and take note of the iniquities that are there committed. Hereafter, therefore, whenever any barbarian dogs come within our limits, we ought, by calling together our families, to maintain the dignity of our city (or province), and, bravely rushing upon them, kill every one. Thus may we, in the first place, appea,se the anger of Heaven, in the second give evidence of our loyalty and patriotism, and in the third restore peace and quiet to our homes. How great would be the happiness we should thus secure ! Inclosure 3 in No. 89. Consul Parkes to the Imperial Commissioner. Canton, July 1, 1856. I HAVE learned that a printed paper in the form of a hand-bill, containing menacing language against foreigners in general, has been extensively circulated during the last few days, in the streets of this city. A vulgar vaunt of this description can only be viewed with utter contempt by the parties against whom it 'is du-ected, but the local authorities cannot mark too strongly their disapproval of behaviour so extremely lawless, since it is calculated, by exciting the mmds of the ill-disposed, to provoke a collision on some future occasion. I consider it my duty, therefore, to bring this paper, copy of which I beg to 214 forward herewith, to the notice of your Excellency, and to request that the subordi- nate authorities may receive fromi your Excellency directions to put a stop to this flagrant offence ; such a course being requisite to preserve, in the first place, the reputation of the Chinese Government, to avert from it, in the second place, the danger that might otherwise ensue, and, in the third place, to enable the local authorities to acquit themselves of the responsibilities and the duties of their position. I have, &c. (Signed) HARRY S. PARKES. Inclosure 4 in No. 89. Sir J. Bowring to Consul Parkes. Sir, Hong Kong, July 3, 1856. I HAVE received your despatch dated yesterday, bringing me copy of an anonymous incendiary placard, which has been circulated in the streets of Canton, menacing the lives of foreigners who may visit the neighbouring villages. I quite approve of the communication you have made in consequence to the Imperial Commissioner, and wait with some anxiety his reply, in order to determine whether it is desirable 1 should make any representation or take any further measures in this matter. It would be important, if possible, to ascertain with whom the offensive document originated, and by what agency it has been circulated. I have, &c. (Signed) JOHN BOWRING. No. 90. Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon. — (Received August 30.) My Lord, Hong Kong, July 8, 1856. REFERRING to my despatch dated 3rd instant, I have now to forward a further communication from Mr. Consul Parkes, containing evidence of the ill-will which has been excited among the vagabond Cantonese by the publication of the incendiary placard to which my despatch referred. I approve of the energetic remonstrance of Mr. Parkes to the Imperial Commissioner, and am glad to learn that the local magistrate is instituting an inquiry for the purpose of discovering who attacked Messrs. Johnson and Whittall. I have, &c. (Signed) JOHN BOWRING. Inclosure 1 in No. 90. Consul Parkes to Sir J. Bowring. ^^^' Canton, July 5, 1856. xu o^ HAVE the honour to state in reply to your Excellency's despatch of the 3rd mstant, that careful and protracted inquiry brings me little additional mformation respectmg the authorship of the late placard. It has been suggested to me by several Chmese, that it may have emanated from a commission of the gentry, elected among themselves, with the approval of the Government for the enrolment and drill of volunteer corps. Other grounds, I think, exist for supposmg it to have proceeded from the inhabitants of the Great West street the route usually taken by foreigners on their riding excursions to the back of' the city. To these excursions the people of this quarter are said to object, and it 215 would only be following a native mode of proceeding for them to give expression to their objections or their threats in the names of other persons, or to incite the inhabitants of the villages to which these excursions are taken to ioin them in tiieir schemes of hostility. V, V ^^J\^^^. """i^ originate with the Government, as is also not uncommonly believed, the local authorities appear to have taken no steps for the suppression of this inflammatory placard, or the attendant excitement ,• but at present I do not anticipate any more serious results than what have already occurred I regret to report to your Excellency that the ill-will of the people has manifested itselt in an attack on two English gentlemen, particulars of which are given in the accompanying affidavit of the parties assailed. The affray, I should observe took place in the quarter of the town above-mentioned, and though neither of the gentlemen sustained injury, I thought the outrage, viewed in connection with previous circumstances, called for no milder tone of remonstrance than that which I adopted in the inclosed letter to the Imperial Commissioner. I have, &c. (Signed) HARRY S. PARKES. Inclosure 2 in No. 90. Affidavits. FRANCIS BULKELEY JOHNSON, duly sworn, states : On the afternoon of the 2nd instant I was riding out with Mr. James Whittall. We went a little way beyond Sam-yuen-lee. We met with no moles- tation going, but on our return, as we were riding down the Long Street, which is a continuation of Curiosity Street (Te-sze-poo), and, as it was getting rather dark, we observed the people much more uncivil than they usually have been of late. When we were a little on this side of the West Gate, I was struck with a stone, on the back. The stone was held by the man, in his hand, and only dropped after the blow was given. I turned round sharp on the man, but he ran away, up a street or lane, and disappeared, so that 1 could not get hold of him. During the rest of our ride we were hooted at, and pelted with stones and bricks, at various times, until we arrived at the factories. We were riding slowly, at a walking pace. We injured no one during the ride, and gave no offence to any one. (Signed) F. B. JOHNSON. Sworn before me, at the British Consulate, Canton, this 4th day of July, 1856. (Signed) Charles A. Winchester, Vice-Consul. JAMES WHITTALL, duly sworn, states : I was riding out with Mr. F. B. Johnson ; when on this side of the West Gate he said to me, "I have been struck with a stone." I was riding first. Z^ I had previously noticed a good deal of ill-feeling on the part of the people. While I was speaking to Mr. Johnson about what had occurred, a second brick was flung at me, which fell in front of my pony. As we continued our ride home, several more stones were flung at us, and the people hooted and cried at us. We were ridinsr quite inoffensively, at a walking pace, and troubled no one. (Signed) JAS. WHITTALL. Sworn before me, at the British Consulate, Canton, this 4th day of July, 1856. (Signed) Charles A. Winchester, Vice-Consul. 2 F 2 ^1@ Inclosure 3 in No. 90. Consul Parkes to the Imperial Commissioner. Canton, July 4, 1856. THE British merchants Johnson and Whittall have formally represented to me that, on the afternoon of the 2nd instant, they took one of their usual rides in the direction of San-yuen-lee, outside the north gate of the city, and met with no molestation either on going or returning, until it began to grow dusk, and they had arrived within the Te-sze-poo (the fourth ward near the west gate), on their way home, when they noticed that the people were much more uncivil than they have usually been of late, and one man among them, grasping a stone in his hand, struck Johnson with it in the back, but avoided arrest by imme- diately escaping. The said gentlemen were riding at the time only at a walking pace : the people continued to pelt them with stones and bricks, and to hoot at them until they reached the factories. In bringing this unprovoked attack to the notice of your Excellency I have to state my conviction that the ill-will which occasioned it, has been awakened by the very reprehensible placard which I forwarded to your Excellency in my letter of the 1st instant, and greatly, indeed, do I regret that the fears T then expressed should so soon have proved well founded ; that the authorities should have apparently lent their sanction to so wrong and dangerous a proceeding by permitting the sale of the placard in the public streets. As far as I have been able to learn, the people in the villages know nothing of its having been issued, and it is only the inhabitants of this city and suburbs that commit the acts of violence of which I now complain. If these are to continue, and foreigners should defend themselves, as they cannot be expected to avoid doing, when thus assailed, where are these evils to end ? Will the Chinese Government, bound both by Treaties and by their obligations as the constituted authorities of the country, protect them, or are foreigners themselves to devise means for their safety ? The measures which your Excellency sees fit to adopt in reference to the two complaints I have now had to submit to you, may afford a solution of this inquiry. It cannot be difficult for your Excellency, with the powerful means at your disposal, to trace the offenders in both these instances, and prevent a repetition of such offences ; and I need not add, that the exercise of good faith on your Excellency's part will be most cordially appreciated by his Excellency Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, to whom it is my duty to report these particulars. I have, &c, (Signed) HARRY S. PARKES. No. 91. The Earl of Clarendon to Sir J. Bowring, Sir, Foreign Office, September 8, 1856. I HAVE to instruct you to convey to Mr. Parkes my approval of the letters which he addressed to the Imperial Commissioner, and of which copies are inclosed in your despatches of the 3rd and 8th of July last, upon the subiect of the incendiary placard which had been circulated in Canton, tending to exasperate the Cantonese against foreigners. I am, &c. (Signed) CLARENDON. 217 No. 92. Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon.— {Received September 15.) ^y ^°'''^' Hong Kong, July 17, 1 856. ,u TT ^.^^ Foreign Office, September 29, 1856. WITH reference to your despatch of the 19th of July last, I transmit to you, herewith, for your information, a copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Ambassador m Paris, stating that the French Government are determined to exact ample reparation for the murder of M, Chapdelaine, a French missionary in China. •' I am, &c. (Signed) CLARENDON. Inclosure in No. 95. Lord Cowley to the Earl of Clarendon. ^Extract.) Paris, September 28, 1856. IN the course of conversation, yesterday. Count Walewski alluded to the murder of a French missionary in China. He said that the French Charg^ d'Aflfaires in China had stated his intention of taking up the matter very warmly — an intention which the Imperial Government highly approved. It was their firm determination to obtain ample reparation lor this cruel murder, and if the French Charge d' Affaires did not succeed by negotiation, and had not other sufficient means at his command, an expedition would be sent from hence. Nothing, however, would be settled before the arrival of the next mail from China, but in case measures of coercion were found to be necessary. Count Walewski did not doubt that both Her Majesty's Government and that of the United States would join them in avenging the slaughter of unoffending Christians. No. 96. Sir J, Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon. — {Received October 30.) My Lord, Hong Kong, September 3, 1856. REFERRING to my despatches of the 3rd and 8th of July respectively, I have the honour to forward copies of further correspondence with Mr. Consul Parkes, on the subject of the issue of the incendiary placard, and the assault on two British subjects (Messrs. Johnson and Whittall), in the neigh- bourhood of the factories at Canton. Stones were thrown (an event of common occurrence, though much less common than formerly), but as no serious injury was inflicted, and as the placard complained of has been with- drawn, I have concurred with Mr. Parkes in thinking that no benefit would accrue from any further interposition. (Signed) ' JOHN BOWRING. Inclosure 1 in No. 96. Consul Parkes to Sir J. Bowring. Sir, Canton, August 23, 1856. I HAVE the honour to forward to your Excellency translation of a letter received by me from the Imperial Commissioner in answer to my representations of the 1st and 4th of July, relative to the circulation of an incendiary placard, 2 G 222 and the assault of Messrs. Johnson and Whittall, copies of which have been submitted to your Excellency in my despatches of the 2nd and 5th July respectively. His Excellency's reasoning does not alter my opinion that the placard in question is not to be considered as an exhibition of a malevo- lent feeling on the part of the village population, as it emanated, in my belief, from parties in the city, on the occasion of the late rumour becoming current that the foreign Governments had it in contemplation to force an entry into the city. I have endeavoured in my reply to the Imperial Commissioner, copy of which I also inclose, to refute his account of the authorship of the placard, and to protest in terms which I trust your Excellency will consider the circumstances of the case deserves, against the unsatisfactory nature of his proceedings, but as all excitement on the subject seems to have died away, and the placard has been withdrawn from circulation, it appears to me scarcely necessary to appeal to your Excellency's intervention for more complete redress. (Signed) ' HARRY S. PARKES. Inclosure 2 in No. 96. Commissioner Yeh to Consul Parkes. (Translation.) YEH, Imperial High Commissioner, Governor-General of the Two Kwang Provinces, &c., makes this declaration in reply. On the 1st and 4th days of the 6th month (2nd and 5th July), I received the two statements addressed me by the Consul, with which, and the printed placard in one of them, 1 made myself fully acquainted, and thereupon directed the local authorities to examine into and interdict (its circulation). In their reports made me upon the subject they state that your honourable countrymen in travelling to and fro between Hong Kong and Canton have hitherto invariably adopted the water passage ; but recently it has been stated that some foreigners have travelled overland by way of the north road. This road, the officers observe, is not frequented by foreigners, and the people of the villages thereabouts having never seen them cannot lay aside the doubts and fears which their presence occasions, and have, therefore, printed and published this placard. Such are the reports of the officers, and in connection therewith I (the Commissioner) learn that on the 1st day of the 5th month (3rd June) a foreign merchant rode out on horseback to San-yuen-lee, outside the north gate, and on passing through Looking-Glass Street on his return, he happened to meet a workman from one of the shops, who being unable to get out of the way was trampled on by the horse and hurt. It is possible that this circumstance may have ledt o the sale or distribution of t he phicai'S: — ' ' " I, tTie Great Minister, have already dlrcTJted the local authorities to discover the parties who cut the block, and I have also to call upon the Consul, as I do in this declaration, to make known among all the merchants and the people on board the ships that in future they must travel as they formerly did by way of the water passage, and must not again commit the irregularity of taking the land route, which leads them into the north road, such a course being calculated to excite doubts and fears among the village population, which might, it is to be feared, occasion trouble at some future period. In this case, the Chinese Government have, indeed, rendered you efficient protection. I earnestly charge you to act in the above-mentioned manner. Heen-fung, 6th year, 7th month, 28th day. (August 20, 1856.) 223 Tnclosure 3 in No. 96. Consul Parkes to Commissioner Yeh. ^^^> Canton, August 23, 1856. ON the 20th instant I received your Excellency's declaration, acknow- ledging two representations I lately addressed you, the one under date 1st July bnnging to your Excellency's notice the publication of an incendiary placard menacmg the hves of foreigners in this neighbourhood; the other reporting on the 4th July, an unprovoked attack made by certain people armed with stones upon two of the English merchants of this community, while riding throuoh the street known as Te-sze-poo, near to the West Gate. ° Your Excellency now informs me in the declaration under acknowledgment, that having inquired into the cases, you learn from the reports made to you by the subordinate officers that " British subjects, in travelling to and fro between Hong Kong, have hitherto invariably adopted the water passage, but recently it has been stated that some foreigners have travelled overland, by way of the north road.' Your Excehency then goes cm to observe, that " on the 3rd June last a foreign merchant rode out on horseback to Sau-yuen-le, outside the North Gate, and on passing through Looking-glass Street on his return, he happened to meet a workman from one of the shops, who, being unable to get out of the way, was trampled on by the horse and hurt;" and the conclusion drawn by your Excellency is, that the placard may have had its origin in the above circum- stances. With reference to the cases thus adduced, I should remark that I have never heard of the journey to Hong Kong being made by way of the north road ; and if your Excellency considers the position of Hong Kong, that it is an island situated in the outer waters, and lying to the south-east of {^lanton, you will, I can scarcely doubt, at once perceive that it cannot be reached by persons traveUing hence by land in a northerly direction. I may add that the placard is without any local allusion suggestive of the inference that it originated among the population of the villages on the north road. As to the unfortunate occurrence in Looking-glass Street, presuming this to be the same case that formed the subject of a correspondence between this office and the Pwan-yu Magistrate at the close of May, I have to observe that the misconduct on the part of the foreigner complained of, was wholly accidental, and not designed. Similar casualties are not of uncommon occurrence in great ' thqi'oughfares, as your Excellency is, I presume, aware. The sufferer was not seriously injured, and was at once taken to the hospital, where he remained until he recovered from the hurt, and on being sent away, received five dollars as a gratuity. JBut if this treatment were insufficient to remove all feelings of ill will in the case, it is clear from the accident having occurred in a street of the city, and not among the villagers, in whose name the placard is issued, tliat no con- nexion can have existed between the one and the other. I am constrained to say, therefore, that these counter-statements, having reference to matters altogether distinct from the serious one on which I addressed your Excellency, have been furnished you, with the view of diverting attention from the real case at issue, and imparting to it a colouring not warranted by facts. Wherever there may exist, on either side, grounds for complaint, eithei- as to foreigners passing in their journeys the limits assigned to them, or in any other matter, the provisions and penalties of the Treaties and Laws prescribe the course to be pursued, and the redress to be obtained. How, then, can the national authorities suffer their people to follow the bent of their own inclina- tions, when these prompt them to commit acts of violence and wrong ? In the matter now complained of, the highly criminal language of the placard elicits from your Excellency no word of condemnation. You simply observe, that you have directed the local authorities to find out the parties who cut the blocks on which it was printed, — ^with what effect may be learned from the fact that eight weeks have elapsed without their being discovered ; and the stoning of two 2 G 2 224 British merchants is passed over by your Excellency without a single obser- vation, ai ■ i. Can it be said that proceedings such as these constitute the ethcient pro- tection which your Excellency, speaking in the name of the Chinese Government, states that you have herein rendered ? (Signed) ' HARRY S. PARKES. Inclosure 4 in No. 96. Sir J. Bowring to Consul Parkes. Sir, Hong Kong, August 25, 1856. I HAVE received your despatch dated the 23rd instant, accompanying your correspondence with the Imperial Commissioner, on the subject of the attack upon Messrs. Johnson and Whittal. I approve of the steps you have taken, and shall forward the correspondence to the Secretary of State ; and I agree with you that further interference on my part is scarcely necessary or desirable. I have, &c. (Signed) JOHN BOWRING. No. 97. The Earl of Clarendon to Sir J. Bowring. Sir, Foreign Office, November 1, 1856. I HAVE received your despatch of the 3rd of September, inclosing copies of Mr. Parkes' correspondence respecting the issue of an incendiary notification and the assault on Messrs. Johnson and Whittall, and I have to state to you that I approve of Mr. Parkes' proceedings, and of the opinion he has expressed that no benefit would result from any further interposition in this matter. I am, &c. (Signed) CLARENDON. No. 98. Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon. — {Received December 1.) (Extract.) Hong Kong, October 8, 1856. I HAVE the honour to forward to your Lordship copies of correspondence with Mr. Consul Parkes, on the subject of the arrest and conveyance to Canton of a missionary, Mr. Burns, from a district beyond treaty limits, in which he has lately been engaged. Mr. Burns is a most zealous person ; and having heard that it was his purpose to return to the district from which he has been just sent away, I have thought it necessary to instruct Mr. Parkes to caution him against so doing. The caution is all the more necessary from the disturbed state of the locality. 225 Inclosure 1 in No. 98. Consul Parkes to Sir J. Bowring. Sir? Canton, October 6, 1856. I HAVE the honour to report that the Rev. Wm, C. Burns, known to have been lately apprehended by the authorities of Chaou-chow, whilst engaged in a missionary tour in that department of this province, was handed over to me by the Imperial Commissioner on the 30th ultimo, the local authorities having in this instance pursued the course prescribed by Treaty, and forwarded Mr. Burns as a prisoner to Canton. On the following day, I received from the Imperial Commissioner the letter of which I herewith inclose translation, detailing the circumstances under which Mr. Burns was apprehended, and simply requiring me to verify the account given by that gentleman of his own proceedings, and to place him under some degree of restraint. The Imperial Commissioner has shown commendable moderation in not calling upon me to take more stringent notice of this infraction of the Treaty. Perhaps it is, that being satisfied of the haimless character of Mr. Burns' pur- suits, his Excellency considers forty days' confinement, ten days of which were passed at Chaou-chow, and thirty on the route thence to Canton, as a sufficient penalty for the indiscretion ; or it may be that his Excellency, having some knowledge of the liberty so long allowed by the local authorities of Chaou-chow to foreigners at Swatow, justly deems it anomalous to call for the punishment of Mr. Burns for breach of Treaty, when he knows his own officers to be similarly implicated, but to a far higher degree. Not only is a foreign trade amounting annually to several millions of dollars, carried on openly at Swatow, as your Excellency is doubtless well aware, in vessels under all flags, which either lie in ordinary or visit that port at will, but the local authorities have been known to seek, and in more than one case, I believe, to obtain, the aid and alliance of these foreign visitors in their operations against insurgents or powerful marauders. Such being the case, it is almost surprising that the authorities of Chaou- chow should have considered themselves bound to incur the trouble and expense of forwarding Mr. Burns to Canton, instead of dismissing him with a caution not to appear again in that vicinity. From what Mr. Burns could gather during his confinement, it would appear that this was their first intention, as they applied to certain native merchants at Swatow to give bail both for Mr. Burns and his Chinese associates ; and these merchants, with remarkable generosity, at once came forward with the security required. Subsequently, however, this course was altered, by the advice, as Mr. Burns believes, of Wan, late Prefect of Kea-ying-chow, who is at present at Chaou-chow waiting for employment, an officer already notorious to foreigners by the persecution he set on foot in August 1850, against the Christians in his district, but whose acts in this respect were repudiated by the Imperial Commis- sioner Seu, at the instance of the French Minister. Mr. Burns was arrested on the 19th August, but did not leave Chaou-chow until the 1st of September. The route traversed in his way to Canton lay up the Han river, across Chaou-chow and Kea-ying departments to that of Shwuy- chow and down the East river to Canton ; a more direct road which passes through the latter department only, not being considered practicable, on account of the disturbed state of the country. .„ t .,_• i xr ^ n The inconvenient consequences of this expedition will, I think, ettectually deter Mr. Burns, as he himself indeed assures me, from visiting large cities m future He had no intention, he informs me, of staymg at Chaou-chow ; it happened to lay in the route he was pursuing, and he was arrested almost on the moment of arriving under its walls. ., o j • ^ ^ I beg to inclose copy of the reply which I forwarded on the 3rd instant to the letter of the Imperial Commissioner; and, considenng that under the circumstances I should be justified in making some appeal in favour of the ?wo native colporteurs who accompanied Mr. Burns, I applied for their release and have this morning received the inclosed acknowledgment from he Impend Commissioner, which W^, I am glad to say, promise of their hberation without the imposition of any punishment. (Signed) ^^^' HARRY S. PARKES. 226 Inclosure 2 in No. 98. Commissioner Yeh to Consul Parkes. (Translation.) YEH, High Imperial Commissioner, Governor-General of the Two Kwang Provinces, &c., addresses this declaration to H. S. Parkes, Esquire, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Canton. I have before me an official report from Wang-ching, Chief Magistrate of the district of Hae-yang, in the departm^ent of Chaou-chow, which contains the following statements : — It being the duty of your subordinate to act with Le-seuen-fang, the Major commanding at this city (Chaou-chow), in the inspection of the defences of the place, we suddenly observed, whilst engaged in tbis service, three persons seated in a boat on the river, whose appearance had something in it that was unusual. We found in their boat, and took possession of, seven volumes of foreign books, and three sheet tracts ; bat these were the only things they had with them. On examining the men themselves, we observed that they all of them had shaven heads, and wore their hair plaited in a queue, and were dressed in Chinese costume. The face of one of them, however, had rather a strange look ; his speech in respect to tone and mode of expression being not very similar to that of the Chinese. We, therefore, interrogated him carefully, whereupon he stated to us that his true name was Pin-wei-lin (William Burns) ; that he was an Englishman, aged 42 years, and, as a teacher of the religion of Jesus, had been for some time past engaged in exhorting his fellow-men to do good deeds. In 1847, he left his native land and travelled to China, and took up his residence first at Victoria, where he lived two years, and aiterwards in the foreign factories at Canton, where he remained for more than one. Subsequently, he visited Shanghae, Amoy, and other places, and there spent several years ; wherever he went he made himself acquainted with the languages of the Chinese, and by this means he delivered his exhortations to the people, and explained to them the books of Jesus, but without receiving from any one the least remumeration. In 1854 he embarked in a steamer from Amoy, on a visit to his native home ; and in December 1855, joined himself to one of his countrymen, surnamed Tae, who was going to Shanghae to trade. " I accompanied him thither," said Burns, " in his vessel ; but from Shanghae, Tae returned home again, whilst I remained there and engaged myself in the distribution of Christian books. In the 6th month of the present year (July) I left Shanghae, and took passage in a foreign sailing-vessel to Shan-tow (Swa-tow), in the district of Ching-hae. There I fell in on the 12th day of the 7th month (August 12) with Le-a-yuen and Chin-a-seun,' the two Chinese who have now been seized with me. I called upon them to be my gnides, and we proceeded in company to Yen-fan, and from thence came on to this city, where we had it in comtemplation to distribute some of our books. Scarcely, however, had we arrived at the river's bank on the 1 9th day of the 7th month (19th August), when to our surprise we found ourselves under surveillance, and deprived of our liberty. We entertained, however, no other views or intentions than those which we have stated, and declare that these statements are strictly true." Such is the account given by the missionary William Burns, who, together with his seven volumes of foreign books and his three sheet tracts, was given over into the charge of an officer, and brought in custody to this office. Having examined the above report, I (the Imperial Commissioner) have to observe thereon that the inland river of the city of Chaou-chow is not one of the ports open to (foreign) commerce; and it has never on that account been frequented by foreigners. I cannot but look upon it, therefore, as exceedingly improper, that William Burns (admitting him to be an Englishman), should change his own dress, shave his head, and, assuming the costume of a Chinese penetrate into the interior in so irregular a manner. And, although, when closely examined by the magistrate, he firmly maintained that rehgious teaching and the distribution of books formed his sole object and occupation, it may certainly be asked why does William Burns leave Shanghae and come to Chaou-chow, just at a time when Kiang-nan and the other provinces are the scene of hostilities? Or, can it be that a person dressed in the garb and 227 speaking the language of China is really an Englishman, or may he not be falsely assuming that character to further some mischievous ends ? I have directed Heu, the assistant Nan-hae magistrate, to hand him over to the Consul of the said nation, in order that he may ascertain the truth respecting him, and keep him under restraint ; and 1 hereby, by means of this declaration make known to him (the Consul) the above particulars. ' WilHam Burns, seven volumes of foreign books, and three sheat tracts, accompany this declaration. Heenfung, 6th year, 9th month, 2nd day. (^September 30, 1856.) Inclosure 3 in No. 98. Consul Parlies to Commissioner Yeh. Sir. Canton, Octoler 3, 1856. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Excellency's letter, received on the 1st instant, communicating the circumstances under which the Rev. William Burns, an English missionary, and two Chinese associates, were arrested at the city of Chaou-chow, in this province, and sent in custody to Canton, and desiring me to ascertain whether Mr. Burns, who, as directed by your Excellency, had already been delivered over to me by the assistant magistrate, Heu, is, as he claims to be, an English subject, and whether the account of his travels and occupation given by him to the magistrate of Hae-yang be indeed correct. I have carefully examined all the statements contained in the report of the magistrate of Hae-yang, and am able, without hesitation, to assure your Excellency that they are true in every respect. Mr. Burns is, as he has represented himself, a British subject, and is well known in China as a Protestant missionary, who for upwards of eight years has endeavoured to do good to the Chinese by religious teaching, as well as by gratuitously administering to their bodily wants. While others of his missionary brethren have remained stationary in one place, studying the sacred writings of the Chinese, and preparing transla- tions of their own, Mr. Burns has moved about from one place to another that he might have wider opportunity for preaching and distributing books. In doing so, however, he has hitherto confined himself to the five ports open to foreign commerce, and in reply to my inquiry why he on this occasion proceeded to Chaou-chow, which is not one of these ports, he stated to me that he purposed simply to pay the place a passing visit ; and having no intention of staying there, would have left again immediately, had the authorities desired or allowed him to do so. They, however, being unaccustomed to see foreigners in a native dress, mistook him, I conclude, for a suspicious character, and thought it necessary to arrest him ; and, serious as the consequences of this step maybe to Mr. Burns, it must be admitted that he has subjected himself to them by his own deviation from what was right. As to the circumstance of his adopting the Chinese costume, your Excellency, who knows full well how liable foreigners are to be molested, even at the five ports open to trade, by Chinese crowding round them to stare at their strange dress, will readily understand that Mr. Burns did this in order to escape the annovance to which he must otherwise have been subjected ; and I may mention here," that the practice of wearing Chinese attire is now not uncommon to the foreign missionaries, whose profession naturally takes them among the native population. in- j? Mr. Burns is now suffering from sickness, brought on by the fatigues ot the journey from Chaou-chow, protracted by the delays encountered on the way, to the unusual length of upwards of thirty days. He expresses himself, however very grateful for the kind treatment ho has received; but is anxious on account of Le-ah-yuen and Chiun-ah-seun, the two Chinese who were seized with him, and are to him as brothers. j u +u Seeing, therefore, that your Excellency will now be perfectly assured both of the harmless character of Mr. Burns, and the entire innocency of these two men, I venture to request that the Prefect of Chaou-chow may be directed by your Excellency to grant them their release; and, further, that 1 may be 228 informed by your Excellency of the dispatch of any orders which your Excellency may be pleased, in compliance with this request, to issue, T rifivf^ &c (Signed) ' HARRY S. PARKES. Inclosure 4 in No. 98. Commissioner Yeh to Connul Parkes. (Translation,) YEH, Imperial High Commissioner, Governor-General of the Two Kwang Provinces, &c., makes this declaration to H. S. Parkes, Esq., Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Canton. On the 5th day of the 9th month (3rd October), I received your statement (relative to the Rev. W, C. Burns and his Chinese associates), which I have attentively perused ; and I should inform you in reply, that at the time when the Chief Magistrate of the District of Hae-yang forwarded Mr. Burns, in the charge of a special officer, to Canton, to be given over, as has already been done, into your charge and control, he further stated, in his official report on the subject, that having examined the two Chinese, le-ah-yuen and Chin-ah-seun, who were arrested with Mr, Burns, the one being a native of Ching-hae district, the other of Chaou-yatig, and found that they had not associated themselves with Mr. Burns for any illegal purpose, he had already sent them back to their respective homes, where security will be taken for their behaviour (upon which they will be released from custody). Heenfiing, 6th year, 9th month, 8th day. (October 6, 1856.) Inclosure 5 in No. 98. Sir J. Bowring to Consul Parkes. Sir, Hong Kong, October 8, 1856. I HAVE received your despatch dated the 6th instant, reporting the circum- stances connected with the detention of Mr. Burns, and his delivery over to you ; and sending me the correspondence connected with the subject, between the Imperial Commissioner and yourself. I have to express my thorough satisfaction with your proceedings in this matter. You will inform Mr. Burns that, after the representations of the Imperial Commissioner, I should deem it imprudent and improper that he should return to the district from which he has been sent away. I have &c. (Signed) ' JOHN BOWRING. No. 99. The Earl of Clarendon to Sir J. Bowring. Sh-, Foreign Office, December 8, 1856. I HAVE to instruct you to inform Consul Parkes that I entirely approve his proceedings, as reported in his despatch to you of the 6th of October last, and of which a copy is inclosed in your despatch of the 8th of that month, upon the occasion of the arrest and conveyance to Canton of the Rev. W. Burns, and the two persons by whom he was" accompanied to the city of Chaou-chow. I am, &c. (Signed) CLARENDON.