18
CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO
13. You will take immediate measures for the preparation of this force, and for the hiring of transports for their conveyance. Being thus early instructed as to the amount of tonnage required, you will be enabled, we conclude, to engage a portion of it on moderate terms at Bombay, and to bring such transports round to Madras, in time to convey the reinforcements from thence to Singapore, by the middle of April. It is our earnest desire that the whole force to be sent from India and this country for service in China, during 1842, should be collected at Singapore by the second week in April; and we rely upon every exertion being made on your part to effect this essential object.
14. We are led to think that, after making ample provision for the packet-service, you will have disposable in 1842, for service in China, the following wooden steamers:
Queen. Tenasserim.
Semiramis.
Enterprize. Sesostris.
Madagascar. Auckland.
Proserpine.
Cruizer
254 MILITARY OPERATIONS IN CHINA.
19
Herald Calliope Nimrod
Captain Nias.
Captain Herbert.
Commander Glasse.
Larne Hyacinth Favorite
18 18 18
Childers
16
Commander Halsted.
Columbine Pylades Modeste
16 18 18
Pelican
16
Commander C. G. Napier.
Clio, or Pearl Algerine Cameleon
18
Ordered from Rio to China.
Sulphur Starling
Lieutenant Mason.
Lieutenant Hunter.
And the iron steamers:
Nemesis.
Phlegethon.
We trust that you will take measures for having the whole of this force either in the Canton river or at Singapore, by the period at which we have directed the military force to be assembled there.
15. We shall, on our part, take measures for despatching from this country, in December, direct for Singapore, the steamer "Memnon," of 1,100 tons and 400 horse power, and every exertion will be made to despatch, at an earlier period than February (in which month she is now expected to be ready), the steamer "Achar," of 1,100 tons, and 350 horse power. This steamer will likewise be sent direct to Singapore. The iron steamer "Pluto," of 100 horse power, is now ready at Portsmouth, and will be at your disposal for service in China in 1842. We expect, therefore, that you will have for the ensuing campaign eight (and, including the “Achar,” nine) wooden steamers, and four iron steamers.
16. As the service upon which the force will be in all probability employed will bring the ships into rivers where attempts may be made to burn them, you will provide every steamer, ship-of-war and transport, with such booms as she can conveniently carry. Each boom should have at each end a stout chain and hooks, that the several booms may be firmly joined together. Each vessel should have six light kedge or stream anchors, for the purpose of holding the booms; and for each anchor should be supplied 10 or 12 fathoms of light, but sufficiently stout, chain. The booms will probably be most conveniently carried by each vessel under her chains. No vessel, however small, should have a less length of booms than 60 feet. Thus each vessel will be able in a river to protect herself, and the booms of several vessels joined together will form a perfect protection for them all. You will take care that each vessel has several spare boats. If we should find, upon inquiry, that you have not, or could not easily or in good time, provide a sufficient number of such anchors as we have described, we shall send a number of them to Singapore; but you will depend, not upon us, but upon yourselves, for providing them. Spare booms and anchors, with longer chains attached to them, should be sent for the service of Her Majesty's ships, which will require them in deeper water.
17. We have ascertained that the amount of Her Majesty's naval forces to be employed in the China Seas in 1842, will be at least equal to that employed this year, and that the vessels despatched from England to relieve those now in the China station, which should come home, will be at Canton or Singapore by the middle of April. In the event of a larger force of Her Majesty's ships being required in 1842 than is employed this year, the Admiral will be authorized to detain the ships which would otherwise come home; but we do not apprehend the occurrence of this emergency. We enclose a list we have received from the Admiralty of the ships on the China station this year, and of such as will sail from hence this year in time for the commencement of the campaign of 1842.
Cornwallis Blenheim
Endymion
Captain O. Richards, Flag Ship.
72
72
Captain Sir H. Senhouse.
44
Captain Hon. F. Grey.
44
Captain H. Smith.
Blonde Conway Druid Herald
42 26
Captain Bouchier.
Captain Bethune,
Honourable C. G. Elliot.
26
Commander Hon. G. Hastings.
Spartan Harlequin Dido Serpent Siren
2 Captain Belcher.
1 Lieutenant Kellett.
TROOP SHIPS. Jupiter and Rattlesnake.
25 Sail.
18 Commander Hon. H. Keppel.
15 Commander Searle.
16 Commander Smith.
Making together 30 sail; which will sail before the end of December to relieve ships there, which latter may be detained if required.
- No. 12.-
Copy of a LETTER from Lord Stanley to the President of the Board of Control.
No. 12.
My Lord,
Downing-street, 2 November 1841.
THE attention of the Government having been directed to the mode in which Lord Stanley to the official business connected with the war in China has hitherto been conducted, the President of it becomes my duty to inform your Lordship of the result of the deliberations of the Board of Her Majesty's servants, and to convey to you the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure as to the course, in reference to this subject, which should be pursued for the future.
The late administration, at the commencement of the war, employed upon it a portion of Her Majesty's troops upon the Indian Establishment, a portion of military forces of the East India Company, and the naval forces stationed in the Indian seas, reinforced by the squadron at the Cape of Good Hope, to which were added some ships from England.
The Admiral, sent from the Cape of Good Hope, directed the naval and military operations, and, as first in the commission, the diplomatic negotiations also.
The Governor-general of India, having sent the troops from India, had naturally an influence, and exercised some authority, over their first operations. Stores were also furnished at the discretion of the Governor-general, the British Treasury engaging to make good the extraordinary expenses incurred on that account, and charged in the first instance upon Indian revenues.
But it appears further, that stores and provisions, and a small force of British artillery, have also been furnished from England, for none of which does it appear that official authority from the Secretary of State has been conveyed to the Boards of Admiralty and Ordnance.
any
At a subsequent period, the power of negotiation has been transferred to a Plenipotentiary, acting under the instructions of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
596.
C 2
Her