Imperial legislation in the subject of Readining has been to add very materially to the already strong bias of the naval mind in favor of aggression on such occasions and it is to this very strong inducement to action that the last paragraph in the Admiral's farewell despatch to Sir John Bowring alludes.
On the other hand, the Government Journal at Hongkong, compelled to join in the general expression of indignation there, against the facility accorded to a man like Caldwell, of engaging the Queen's forces in a private war against a peaceable nation, whether for the direct benefit of himself, or that of his Chinese Shroff.
I am further informed by a Correspondent of credit, that the things adduced as evidence to Caldwell, which are believed to have been laid before you by the late Governor Bowring, had been hawked about Hong Kong (for signature), by the Taipings' "Head Constables", entirely under the Registrar General & Protector of Chinese.
I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient and humble servant,
The Right Hon'ble
T. Churchohen Anstey
To Sir Edward B. Lytton Bart MP.
H.M. Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Downing Street.
...
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Our papers do not enable us to state on what day Sir Michael Seymour quitted Hong Kong; but in the Gov. Notification dated the 21st March, will be found a statement, different from that of Mr. Anstey, which says that Commodore Elliot acted in the affair in compliance with instructions from the Commander in Chief.
ABS. 31 May.
Put by?
I'm pure duty's character,
Perhaps, conforming to Anstey's character, it would be better to acknowledge this
June 2
C.
D.
M.
Page 56