I enclose the Extract from the Gazettes which claims your earnest attention to its contents. It came to hand yesterday, under cover of a private and confidential letter from Henry Hong Kong correspondent, who calls special attention to it, and solemnly declares "that it made his flesh creep when he read it."
I also enclose that portion of his letter, availing myself of a power to that effect therein stated, and suppressing the residue and also the writer's name for reasons which will also appear in the perusal.
Let me hope, sir, that even at this late hour, the at least provisional suspension of Caldwell, will be considered one of the most necessary conditions precedent to any renewal of necessary enquiry at Hongkong into his case.
And even then, to your better judgment, I submit this further question, whether any enquiry limited to Hong Kong can be deemed sufficient to the occasion which calls for it?
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient and humble servant.
The Right Honourable
You
Sir C. B. Lytton Barkly MP
T. Treasury Ministry
Les Magerty's Prince's Secretary's Office for the Colonies
Downing Fred.
N.I.
No H
No I
In 5009/29
To the Editor of the Friend of China.
CANTON, 25th March 1859.
SIR, I was glad to see your contemporary of the China Mail remarking on the late raid at west of Macao, that "the whole subject of discriminating between pirates and other vessels on the Coast of China, deserves serious attention." Indeed it does; but unless the press unite in denouncing the recklessness with which we at present deal with the subject, whilst gallant and humane men are jeopardizing their lives under the supposition that they are only doing their duty, murders will be committed out of number. Yes, Sir, Murder-deliberate murder, that is the word for it, and none other.
No one who knows what has been done in this way on the volunteered information of him whom Admiral Seymour and Captain Colvile went out of their way to laud, but if just feel a chill of horror run down his very joints and marrow, as he reads the despatches published in your last paper. And there was more done than appears in print. I have been assured that Mr Caldwell's advice was "make no prisoners" and acting on that advice, in one case a whole crew were made to jump overboard, and reach the land they could. I cannot believe it, but I have also been assured that in more than one instance poor wretches who could not swim were beaten off from the gunwales of our boats and made to drown miserably.
In the name of Christianity, Sir, in the name of our common humanity, I ask you if these things are to be? I care not for Admiral Seymour's well-earned character for humanity and gallantry, - I denounce the late raid west of Macao-undertaken by his orders as a cold-blooded piece of barbarity, unworthy of the nineteenth century! Well indeed might Mr Caldwell say "Make no Prisoners" Why? Because they would have told their judges, had they been brought to a jury, who they were. They would have told them that the piratical vessels might come in amongst their body, the quadrille itself was a political association; and of that, the very characters on the flag spoken of, Hung Kin Wong, gave ample certification.
I do hope, Sir, that when Admiral Hope comes on this station you will not fail to keep this subject before him, and pray let him know Mr Caldwell's past career, and the good likely to eventuate from any advice he gives.
I am, Sir, Yours,
OBSERVER.
[We have been three times to or off Kulan, and up the River Sunwhoi, of whose embouchure it lies, as far as the District city of that name; and, on perusal of Observer's letter, incline to the opinion that the squadron and village destroyed by the Niger and Gun-boats, were, as stated, a political rather than a piratical based station.
But there are many who discredit the supposition that Chinese can associate for other than piratical purposes; and that many are in the majority; so all that Observer says, or any one else may say, will pass for nought. We were in error, it appears, in supposing that the vessels destroyed by the Niger and Gun-boats were the beleaguerers of the Macao market;-that body remain in their old position, bold as brass.-ED.]
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