issue, on the 3rd day of the 9th moon, in the 14th year of Taoukwang, of the
following supreme mandate.
" Loo and his colleagues have sent a report, by a speedy post conveyance,
of the English barbarian ships having broke into the inner river, and of forces
having been dispatched to drive them out. My decree and pleasure have
already been plainly delivered, directing the several punishments of the said
Governor and others.
" On this occasion, the English ships of war having anchored in the outer
seas, during the 6th moon of the present year, Loo did send communications to
the Naval Commander-in-Chief Lee, calling for a strict and close preventive
guard. Had, indeed, a preventive guard been kept with fidelity and vigour,
how could the inner river have been broken into ? But on the 5th day of the
8th moon (September 7th), the said barbarian ships of war, taking advantage of
the flood-tide, broke in through the maritime entrance ; and when all the
militarv opened a thundering fire upon them, they had the presumption to let
I 2
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off their guns, returning resistance. And, after the passage of the forts at the
Bogue., and on Rwangtung had been forced, they, on the 7th, passed straight on
by the Tiger Island fort ; and, on the 9th, arrived at Whampoa reach, distant
sixty lee from the city, and tliere anchored. It seems that all the forts have
been erected in vain ; they cannot beat back two barbarian ships ; it is
ridiculous !—-detestable ! If the military operations be reduced to such a
state as ■ this, it is not surprizing that the outside barbarians regard them
slightingly. • .
" Now the said Governor and colleagues report that they have set 'apart
twelve large vessels, and having filled each of them with a thousand peculs of
large stones/ have sunk them crosswise; —that in the water, they have had
large cables stretched across ; and that they have further had wooden spars laid
on the surface of the water, to stop up the passage by water to the city. Also,
that they have appointed two large war vessels of the Admiral's own division,
and six large vessels, the main squadron, with twenty-two river cruizing vessels,
from the various stations of the districts Sin-hwuy and Shun-tih, with men and
military munitions, to keep up a strict cruizing- guard. They have further
appointed 300 troops from the Governor's own regiments, 300 from the
Fooyuen's own regiments, 700 from the Commander-in-Chief's division of
army, and 300 able-bodied men from the district militia, to prepare guns and
musketry on either shore, in order to guard the land-passages. To the
Ta-hwang-haon branch of the river, they have sent Tsantseang Loo, Peih
yuen, with above twenty cruizing boats, to obstruct the passage there ; and
wTooden spars have also been used to stop up the river. Likewise, on the river
opposite, wooden palisades were set up ; and the Toosze Hung-fa-ko has been
sent, at the head of 500 veteran troops of the Governor's own, and with a
naval- force of J00 men, to move thither portable guns, and also large guns,
calculated even to rend hills and cause terror afar off. Of these men, 150 have
been placed in charge of the fort, and 350 encamped without, in readiness to
come up to their aid.
" Loo, fearing that the Macao barbarians, the Portuguese, might be enticed
over by the English barbarians, dispatched the Footseang Tsin-yu-chang, with
a civil officer, to command them plainly, and to spread themselves about, and
also to keep watch over all things, that no evils of remissness might arise. The
said Portuguese barbarians manifested, in a high degree, reverential submission,
and were excited to express their willingness to keep guard themselves. These
arrangements were exceedingly proper.
" Further, in a supplementary report, it is stated, that at this time the
passage before (the ships of war) is completely stopped up in two places, and
behind them also, at Chang-chow-kang (near second bar) large stones have
been quarried and made ready, and 300 troops of the 'brave and pure' Regi
ment have been sent, under command of the Yew-keih Wang-luh, to maintain
guard ; that, as soon as the war vessels from Kee-shih and other places, have
entered the river, the stones may be immediately used to block up the river
within. The said barbarian vessels will then have no passage for going out.
.... They have further prepared a hundred and some tens of vessels, large
and small, in which have been secretly concealed saltpetre, sulphur, fire wood,
straw, and other combustibles, for the purpose of an attack by fire.
" The English barbarians are of a violent and overbearing disposition, and
they cherish plans great and deep. This has long been the case. On this
occasion, the barbarian vessels are only two in number, and the foreign sailors
do not exceed 300 or 400 men. If, indeed, the passages for advancing and
retreating be both cut off, ' the beast will then be taken—the fish cought ;' what
difficulty can there be in making a clear sweep in a moment'? The said
barbarian eye, Lord Napier, having stated that he came to Canton o trade, —
why, when the ships' holds had been closed, did he craftily think to carry it
with a high hand, and go to the daring extreme of having the inn?r river
broken into, and of having guns fired, returning resistance? He went, indeed,
far out of the bounds of reason. It is to be apprehended that there sljs yet
other ships, staying at a distance, ready to bring in aid to him. It is very
requisite to inquire fully with sincerity and earnestly, taking into view the
whole field (of action,—literally, the whole class board).
' '" When the said Governor and his Colleagues receive this my pleasure,
they are required immediately, and with full purpose of heart, to mee: for
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consultation, and arrange the business securely and speedily. When once the
said barbarian eye is brought under, his schemes exhausted, and his power
isolated, so that he bows his head and confesses his faults, a slight trifling
indulgence may then be extended to him. .... Immediately direct the Hong
merchants to explain to him the evil consequences (of his conduct), to
reprove his presuming to use guns and fire, and also to demand of him the
cause of his having come to Canton. If he still continue obstinately blinded,
and' do not arouse, but remain perverse as before, let then the said Governor
and his Colleagues arrange and direct the military operations, and set in motion
the machinery of expulsion and destruction. It is absolutely requisite to make
the said barbarian eye tremble and quake before the Celestial Majesty, and
penitently arouse to reverential submission. Should the said Governor and
his Colleagues continue their former negligence, . and stir up great misfortunes,
I, the Emperor, will know only how to maintain the laws. If disturbances be
occasioned, there shall decidedly - be no chance left of indulgent favour.
Tremble hereat. Be attentive hereto. Let this be forwarded by a despatch
travelling 500 lee (daily), and let all the commands herein contained be made
known. Respect this."
In obedience to the supreme pleasure, we, (the Ministers of the Council)
forward the same.
All the above having come before me, the Governor, I have examined,
and find that the barbarian eye, Lord Napier, has already been driven out
under guard, and that the ships of war, also, retired on the same day to the
outer seas, as we have already jointly reported. Copies of the several reports
have been forwarded to you.
With regard to the careless guard officers, the acting Tsantseang of the -—
admiral's central division, Tsan-fei-yang has, before this, brought up to Canton
the Tsientsung Le-hung-tae, and other officers, ten in number ; and they have
been sent to the Anchasze of Kwangtung, that, in conjunction with the
Porchingsze, he may try them_ by torture,■ to ascertain if they were guilty of
illicit connection (with foreignersjiand of purposed connivance, in order that —
they may be severally decided respecting, and dealt with. This is on record.
Now, having respectfully received the above, I send a communication,
requesting that Kaou-e-yung may be brought to Canton to be tried and dealt
with ; and I also send directions to the Poochingsze and Anchasze, that they,
in conjunction with the Yum-yun-sze, may pay respectful obedience, and act
accordingly. I also direct them to bring up the Tseintsung Le-heang-tae, and
the others for immediate trial, that decisions may be passed severally on them,
and that they may be dealt with accordingly, without either the least
precipitancy or delay. Besides this, I send, as is right, a communication to
you. For this purpose, I unite the circumstances, and send this communication
to your Excellency, that you may inquire the supreme pleasure, in order
respectfully to obey it, act according to it, and put it in operation.
No. 26. .
J. F. Davis, Esq., to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received April 10, 1835.)
My Lord, Macao, November 18, 1834.
I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith the translation of a report to
Peking, from the Local Government, which has been obtained through native
agency, and which contains some admissions which were probably not intended
to reach Europeans. It is observable that the revenue derived from English
trade, though professed to be held lightly, is still declared therein to demand
care for its preservation ; and great reliance is placed on the love of gain by
which the foreigners are said to be distinguished.
It is also remarked, that the utmost care must be taken to avoid " a
bloody rupture" with the Europeans, who, though otherwise unadvanced, excel
in the knowledge of " guns and fire-arms :" and the Emperor himself, in a paper
already forwarded, holds the Viceroy strictly responsible for any mischief which
may arise.
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The English merchants at Canton, having been advised by the Viceroy, to
elect for themselves " a trading Taepan," who should be responsible to the
Local Government for the acts of his countrymen, returned a reply on the 10th
instant, which is recorded on our proceedings. They therein state that no
authority of the kind could be held by any person without the sanction of the
Crown, by whose appointment, officers had been already nominated to Canton.
No further observation has yet come from the Viceroy, and the trade proceeds
as usual. The proceedings against the unlicensed dealers are gradually
relaxing.
I have, &c,
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS,
Chief Superintendent.
P. S. The joint edict of the Viceroy and Hoppo, upon the subject of the
unlicensed dealers, has just been translated, and is herewith forwarded.
Inclosure 1 in No. 2G.
Secret Memorial from the Officers of the Local Government of Canton
to the Emperor.
FURTHER, on the subject of the English nation's trade with Kwangtung.
The said nation has hitherto had an establishment called Kung-pan-ya (office
for public management, or Company, from Portuguese Companha), for directing
the buying and selling of the whole country ; it was also named Kungsze
(public managing body). The said Company (Kungsze) appointed chief,
second, third, and fourth Supracargoes to come to Canton, for the general
direction of commercial affairs, and for a restraining controul over the barbarian
merchants. In the 10th year of Taoukwang (1830), the Hong merchants
reported, that in the 13th year, the period of the said nation's Company would
be accomplished, and the said nation's barbarians would each trade for himself.
Fearing that affairs would be under no general controul, the former Governor,
your Majesty's Minister, Lee, commanded the Hong merchants to enjoin
orders on the Taepan (Chief Supracargo), to send a letter home to his country,
(to the effect) that, if the Company were indeed dissolved, it was directed that
a Taepan, acquainted with the affairs, should still be directed to come to
Canton, to controul and direct the trade.
This year, I, your Majesty's Minister, Loo, with the Superintendent of
Customs, Chung, having ascertained that the said nation's Company was
dissolved, commanded the Hong merchants to deliberate well on the subject, as
it was imperative that affairs should be made subject to some undivided respon
sibility, in order that they might not be totally without combination, order, and
arrangement.
In the 6th moon, an English ship of war brought to Canton a barbarian
eye, Lord Napier, one individual who said that he came to Canton for the
purpose of examining into and directing commercial affairs. He brought with
him a family, females and young children, five in all, whom he settled at Macao.
The ship of war, which was ascertained to have a crew of 190 persons, anchored
in the outer sea ; and the said barbarian eye changed his vessel, and came up
to reside in the barbarian factories outside the city. I, your Majesty's Minister,
Loo, having received reports hereof from the civil and military district officers,
immediately addressed a communication to the Naval Commander-in-chief, for
him to station vessels to cruize about and keep guard at the Bogue and other
places. I also gave orders to the men and officers in the forts, to keep up a
strict and close preventive guard, not to permit the said ships of war to enter
the port, or the foreign females to come up to Canton. 1 also commanded the
Hong merchants Woo-tung-yuen (Howqua), to investigate why the said
barbarian eye had come to Canton; that if it were because it was requisite—
the Company being dissolved and at an end—to establish fresh regulations of
trade, he should immediately inform the said Hong merchants, that they might
present a report, and so enable me to make a complete memorial, reverently
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awaiting (your Majesty's) mandate and pleasure, to which obedience should
then be directed.
The said barbarian eye would not receive the Hong merchants, but after
wards repaired to the outside of the city, to present a letter to me, your
Majesty's Minister, Loo. On the face of the envelope, the forms and style of
equality were used ; and there were absurdly written the characters Ta-ying
Rwo, "great English nation," (for Great Britain). Examining at that time, it
appeared, that in keeping apart the central and the outside (people), what is of
the highest importance is a maintenance of dignity and sovereignty. Whether
the said barbarian eye has or has not official rank, there are no means of
thoroughly ascertaining. But though he be an officer of the said nation, he yet
cannot write letters on equality with the frontier officers of the Celestial Empire.
As the thing concerned the national dignity, it was inexpedient to allow a
tendency of any approach or advance, by which lightness of esteem may be
occasioned. Accordingly, orders were given to Han-shaou-Ring, the Footseang
in command of the military forces of Kwang Chow Foo, to tell him authorita
tively, that, by the statutes aud enactments of the Celestial Empire, there has
never been intercourse by letters with outside barbarians, that commercial
matters should be petitioned respecting, through the medium of the Hong
merchants, and that it is not permitted to offer or present letters.
Again, considering that he was stupid and unpolished, coming from without
the bounds of civilization, and that, it being his first entrance into the Central
flowery land, he was yet unacquainted with the rules and prohibitions, it
appeared undoubtedly right, first to explain to him and guide him, to enable
him to know what he was to obey and act in compliance with. I. Loo, selected
and made an arrangement of the rules and orders, establisbed by reports, at
various periods (to the throne), for the regulation of the trade of barbarians *
and commanded the Hong merchants to enjoin the same, pointing out, and
guiding him in, the way ; and also to inform him that outside barbarians possess
an open market at Canton, only because of the good favour of the sacred
Empire towards (the dwellers on) the sea-coasts ; but that in no way are the
mean, petty, commercial duties regarded as of importance ; that the said nation
has traded here for beyond a hundred and some tens of years, and for all affairs
there are old regulations ; and that since the said barbarian eye has come for
commercial purposes, he should at once obey and keep the regulations ; but if
he do not so, he shall then not be permitted to trade at Canton. First and last,
on four several occasions, were clear orders given.
Afterwards the said merchants reported in answer, that the said barbarian
eye would not obey the orders enjoined by them, but averred that he is an-
officer and Superintendent of the barbarians, not one with whom Taepans can
be compared ; and that hereafter all affairs ought to be transacted by official
communications to and fro with the various public officers ; for that orders
cannot, as formerly, be enjoined through the medium of Hong merchants, nor
can he offer petitions, but can only write official letters, and give them to officers
to transmit. The said merchants replied, that heretofore there had been no
such mode of conducting affairs. But the said barbarian eye continuing obsti
nate and perverse, without altering, they requested that an embargo should be
put on the said buying and selling. The said barbarian eye, Lord Napier, has
repeatedly been perverse and stubborn, and indeed extremely obstinate ; but
having considered that the said nation's king has heretofore been always reve
rently submissive, and that the said merchants are still quiet and peaceful : that
if, for the error of one man, Lord Napier, all the ships' holds should be closed,
they cannot but be overwhelmed with grief. I (Your Majesty's Minister, Loo),
therefore, looked upward to embody my August Sovereign's liberality, (exten
sive) as heaven and earth, which beholds with the same benevolence the central
and the outside people, and stoops to treat with compassion. I accordingly
replied, clearly and perspicuously, to the said merchants, that commercial
affairs of outside barbarians have hitherto been under the management of Hong
merchants, and there has never been an officer to direct and controul ; that
England has heretofore had no interchange of official communications with the
Central flowery land, and therefore what the said barbarian says cannot be per
mitted to be brought into operation. Also that the ships' holds should be pro
perly closed ; but that temporary indulgence and delay are given from tender
compassion towards all the separate merchants. Write these particulars : they
were also commanded to make clearly known (to Lord Napier), that if he
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repented, aroused, and became reverently submissive, trade should continue as
usual ; but that if he again offered opposition, and continued perverse, the
ships' holds should be immediately closed. It was hoped that, by the truth and
sincerity of reason, his brute-like fierceness and overbearing might be reformed ;
so that, if only the great principles of dignity were not hurt, it would be unne
cessary to make any severe requisition. But the said barbarian eye, when the
merchants enjoined orders on him, remained as if he heard not; and when the
said merchants copied out the words of my official reply, and gave the copy to
him, he laid it down and would not peruse it.
Further, the naval Tsantseang, Kaou-e-yung, reported that another English
ship of war had come and anchored with the ship of war that had come before,
in Macao roads. It was ascertained that the number of seamen in her was also
190; and on being questioned, it was averred that she would not at all enter
the port, but was awaiting a favourable wind to sail out. Again did I address
an official communication to the naval Commander-in-Chief, and the officer in
command on the Heang-shan station, that in every place a preventive guard
should be maintained with increased diligence. Directions were also sent to the
Magistrates of all the Sea-board Districts, that they should strictly prohibit the
trading and fishing boats from approaching the ships of war to engage in barter
or afford supplies.
At the same time, I again and a third time consulted with Your Majesty's
Minister, Kee, (and we came to the conclusion) that the common dispo
sition of the English barbarians is ferocious and crafty, and what they trust
in is the strength of their ships and the effectiveness of their guns ; but
that the inner seas having but shallow water, with very many sands and rocks,
the said barbarian ships, though they should discharge their guns, cannot do it
with full effect ; also, that the said barbarian eye having placed his person in the
Central flowery land, distant from his own country several myriads of miles, we
are in the state relatively of master and guest ; if he should madly think to
overpass his bounds, our soldiers may peaceably wait to work with him : for that
he will be powerless is manifest and easy to be seen. But the matter concerns
those out of the bounds of civilization, and it is necessary that investigation
should be made and care taken beyond what is ordinary, in order to break down
the mind to submission.
What the merchants had reported being but the assertions of one party, it
was not right to give hasty credence to them. We accordingly commanded the
assistant Foo, Magistrate Pwan-shan-gih, to proceed, accompanied by the
Kwang Chow Hee, to the barbarian factories, personally to investigate, and at
the same time to command that the ships of war should immediately get under
weigh and return to their country. The said barbarian eye still did not tell
clearly the particulars of what he had come to Canton to do, nor did be plainly
answer for what the ships of war had come, and when they would return.
Because the said barbarian eye directed a barbarian acquainted with the Chinese
language to interpret, we apprehend that, in transmitting information, there
might have been a want of truth, and therefore commanded that they should
take linguists with them. The said barbarian eye would not receive the
linguists to interpret, so that the officers deputed had no means of giving clear
orders. And after having repeatedly commanded the Hong merchants to
inquire and investigate, the origin and occasion of his mission still could not be
at all ascertained.
On humble examination, (it appears) that the commerce of the English
barbarians has hitherto been managed by the Hong merchants and Taepans:
there has never been a barbarian eye to form a precedent. Now, it is suddenlv
desired to appoint an officer, a Superintendent, which is not according with old
regulations. Besides, if the said nation have formed this decision, it still
should have stated the affairs which, and the way how, such Superintendent is
to manage, making petition, so that. a memorial might be presented, requesting
(your Majesty's) mandate and pleasure as to what should be allowed and what
refused, in order that obedience might be paid thereto, and the same be acted
on accordingly. But the said barbarian eye, Lord Napier, without having made
any plain report, suddenly came to the barbarian factories outside the city, to
reside there, and presume to desire intercourse to and fro, by official documents
and letters with the officers of the Central flowery land : this was, indeed, far
out of the bounds of reason. Repeatedly■ have the Hong merchants enjoined
orders, and the deputed officers inquired and interrogated. There has been no
65
want of bending and stooping to investigate clearly, nor has he been forcibly
troubled with any difficulty ; yet the said barbarian eye has not at all told plainly
what are the matters he has come to attend to, and what the occasion of his
mission ; but has imperatively desired to have intercourse, by official commu
nications and letters, with the officers of the inner land. And he has presumed
to publish a notice, telling all the separate merchants not to regard the entire
cutting off of trade as a subject for concern, showing that he has a disposition
to excite agitation, and to disobey the laws and statutes. If not amply punished
and repressed, how can the national dignity be rendered imposing, and all the
barbarians be intimidated? ■ ■ ■.
Heretofore it has been the rule, that when the barbarians are lawless
their ships' holds should be closed. We, your Majesty's Ministers, have, in
conjunction with the Superintendents of Customs at Canton, your Majesty's
Minister Chung, consulted, and have also maturely consulted with the General
Commandant, the Lieutenant-General, and the Sze and Taou officers (heads of
Territorial and Financial, Judicial, Gabel, and Commissariat Departments,) in
the city, (and have agreed) that it only remains to close the ships' holds
according to law, and temporarily put a stop to the English nation's buying
and selling. Should the said barbarian eye, with awe and fear pay reverential
submission, and obey and act according to the enactments and statutes of the
Celestial Empire, we will then again report, requesting your Majesty graciously
to permit the opening of the ships' holds for traffic ; thus may a warning punish
ment be clearly displayed.
Commerce is originally the business of the said separate merchants ; but
since the said nation has not yet appointed another Taepan, and the said
barbarian eye, after first saying he was to examine and direct, has on a second •
occasion styled himself a Superintendent, so that we cannot find, on inquiry,
what things he is to attend to ; and since, besides, such obstinate adherence. to
error, and refusal of restraint and controul, leave affairs without any responsi
bility, it is difficult even to hope that the trade of the separate merchants may
be securely and properly conducted.
• Of late, the commercial barbarians have gradually assumed a great
degree of daring ; at this time of commencing a new order of things, it
is requisite that they should with severity be brought to order and directed.
At present we are issuing a proclamation and plain order, regarding Lord
Napier's repeated opposition and perverseness, wherein we consequently direct
that the ships' holds be closed according to law; at the same time explaining that
this has no relation to the several separate merchants, and that all other nations
besides may buy and sell as usual. As to whether we do right or not, we,
looking upwards, pray for (your Majesty's) sacred and luminous instructions,
that the same may be obeyed and acted on.
Further, of late years the Hoppo's receipts of commercial duties from
barbarian ships, have been from England about 5 or 600,000 taels. In itself,
this affects not the treasure of the revenue to the value of a hair, or a feather's
down. Yet the national resources being of importance, we dare not neglect to
calculate thoroughly in devising a course of action. But the barbarians are, by
nature, insatiably avaricious ; and the more forbearance and indulgence are
shown to them, the more do they become proud and overbearing. At present,
the barbarian ships which clandestinely sell opium in the outer seas, are daily
increasing. Just when the laws were being established to bring them to order,
there further came this mad, mistaken barbarian eye. If at this time indulgence
be at once shown to them, they will then advance step by step, begetting other
foolish expectations. It is unavoidable that some slight display should be made
of reducing and repressing them.
The said country exists by commerce; and all its merchants, coming in
crowds with their goods, are in haste to dispose of them, and to take advan
tage of the northerly winds of autumn and winter, for returning with their goods
to their country. They assuredly will not lightly cast away their goods and
capital, by waiting till a wrong season. The several separate merchants, seeing
that Lord Napier has repeatedly resisted and caused agitation, have all in their
hearts become in a great degree unsubmissive; and it is now authenticated,
that they have presented a petition at the Hoppo's office, requesting that the
ships' holds be opened ; to which it has been replied by proclamation, that if
Lord' Napier change and repent, and obediently keep the old regulations, they
may then be permitted to report, and request that the ships' holds be opened.
The said merchants certainly will not bear to have their livelihood injured by
such obstinacy. ,
Besides, the rhubarb, tea, chinaware, and raw silk of the inner land, are
things absolutely necessary to the said country. On investigation, it appears,
that in the 13th year of Kea- King (1808), and in the 9th year of Taoukwang
(1829), the ships' holds were closed in consequence of the said barbarians
creating disturbance ; and afterwards they humbly supplicated, and requested
their re-opening. This is a clear proof that the said nation cannot be without
a traffic with the Central flowery land.
The said barbarians, except in guns and fire-arms, have not one single
peculiar talent. We have now, on consultation with the General Ha and
others, posted military within and without the city, at the various guard stations,
directing them to patrol about with increased attention. At Macao, and all
around, officers have also been secretly appointed, to spread themselves about
at various posts on land and water, to maintain quietness, and keep a preventive
guard, in order that no evils of remissness may arise. There decidedly must
not be the least tendency towards what will occasion the commencement of a
bloody quarrel and creation of disturbance. In addition, orders are given to
the Foo and Heen magistrates to search after Chinese traitors, and with severity,
seize and bring them to trial and punishment.
As to the commerce of the outside barbarians, the undivided responsibility
lies on the Hong merchants. Now, since, on the barbarian eye, Lord Napier's,
coming to Canton, they neither at first reported it before hand, nor when
repeatedly commanded to enjoin orders were they able to do a single thing,
showing indeed a great degree of contemptuous negligence, orders have there
fore been given also to inquire if they have or have not been in fault, that they
may be proceeded against with severity.
Of the particulars of all that is done, we, your Majesty's Ministers (Loo
and Ke), in conjunction with the Superintendent of Customs at Canton, your
Majesty's Minister Chung,—the General, your Majesty's Minister Ha, —the
General of the left, your Majesty's Minister Lun, of the Imperial Kindred, —
and the General of the right, your Majesty's Minister Tso,—respectfully prepare
this memorial, secretly reporting, and prostrate imploring a secret glance to be
cast hereon. Respectfully reported.
Inclosure 2 in No. 26.
Edict of the Governor of Canton and the Hoppo, jointly, against outside (foreign
and unlicensed) Merchants being in connection with Hong Merchants.
LOO, temporarily retained in the office of Governor, &c, and
Pangy, Commissioner of Customs at Canton, &c, issue this proclamation,
for the purpose of prohibition.
In the province of Kwangtung are established Hong merchants, to transact
the commerce of barbarians. The means by which to prevent the offence of
clandestine purchases made between the flowery people and barbarians, rest
wholly on the implicit obedience paid by all the Hong merchants to the old
regulations, by which the national revenue is enriched, and the maritime
Government rendered imposing.
Now we, the Governor and the Hoppo, have heard it reported that there
has lately been a class of gain-seeking, market-agitators, who have set up shops
for foreign goods, attached to, and dependent on the Hongs, and who maintain
commercial dealings with the barbarians, lowering the prices of the goods they
sell, without care for the general stock. In landing and shipping goods, the
weak, worn-out Hongs report for them, receiving the duties at a discount of
20 or 30 per cent. Further, in addition to shops (legally) attached to the
Hongs, there are also other shops and warehouses established, at which are hung
up lanterns, having the sign of such and such a Hong's warehouse, (the owners)
making themselves supervisors and assistants in some Hong, in order thus to
screen themselves. ,
The bills of sale of goods are drawn out as on account of such and such a
warehouse belonging to such and such a Hong, while the goods are really
brought and sold by the individuals themselves, a Hong merchant appearing in
name, and receiving the duties from them. Then, when the Hong, becoming
deeply involved, fails■, and is closed, the same warehousemen return home with
full coffers. Such were formerly Low-a-hok, of Manhop's Hong, and Lo-laou-
Kwun, of Chunqua's Hong ; and such are now Li-a-trow and Luy-a-Kwun, of
Fatqua's Hong, both of whom borrow the use of the Hong merchants' name,
craftily and artfully scheming for gain ; and also Troy-a-mun and others, who are
guilty of monopolizing the business of the shops which sell foreign goods, and of
selling the duties on goods, which they report in the name of the Hong as well
as of other offences.
The said Hongs, because their own capital is not abundant, assume this
vain show of respectability, with the design of obtaining ready money to
circulate, thus causing that the duties, both fixed and contingent, of the
Custom-house, continue unpaid year after year. This is indeed deserving of
extreme detestation.
On examination, it appears that the establishment of shops for foreign
goods, in which goods are bought from, and sold to, barbarian merchants
dependency on Hongs, is a gross infraction of the established regulations.
Supervisors under the Hong merchants should transact business only for Hong
merchants. How can they be suffered to borrow the use of their names to
trade ? This class of market-agitators, having no commercial name on the
official books, are left at full liberty, with nothing to fear or dread. There is
nothing to prevent them from teaching or enticing barbarians to talk largely
and create disturbance.
Besides issuing orders to the Foo magistrate to search for and seize Chinese
traitors, and bring them to trial and punishment, we also unite the circumstances,
and issue this proclamation, as a strict prohibition. For this purpose, the pro
clamation is addressed to the Hong people, that they may make themselves
fully acquainted with its contents. Hereafter, in shops for foreign goods, there
will be permission only to purchase goods from the Hong merchants to sell off;
none may secretly depend on any Hong, and clandestinely maintain commercial
dealings with barbarians. All goods sold to barbarians must, also, in obedience
to the laws heretofore in force, be sold at an equitable price fixed by the Hong
merchants ; the shopmen are not permitted to lower the price and clandestinely
sell them. And the Hong merchants are not permitted to invite these gain-
seeking market-agitators, to become falsely supervisors in their Hongs,
screening themselves while scheming for private ends.
Into the barbarian factories outside the city, none of any other class than
the commercial men of the Hongs may at all clandestinely enter. Should any
presume to go into the barbarian factories, or as shopmen, buy from, or sell to,
the barbarians, he shall immediately be punished as a Chinese traitor. If any
falsely assume the name of a supervisor for a Hong merchant, and set up ware
houses, fishing for gain, and the said Hong should happen to fail and cease
business, the said supervisor shall be equally (with the merchant) compelled to
pay up the deficit of duties. Any individuals monopolizing the business of
shops for foreign goods, or selling duties and reporting the goods in the name of
a Hong merchant, as soon as discovered and seized, shall be tried and punished
according to the law against clandestine intercourse with outside nations ; and
any Hong merchant conniving thereat shall be included in the same punish
ment. We, the Governor and the Hoppo, would repair the faults existing in
the affairs of the Custom-House. When the words have issued, the law will
follow. Let each tremblingly obey. Oppose not. A special proclamation.
14th year of Taoukwang, 10th moon, 1st day. (November 1st, 1834.)
68
No. 27.
TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY IN COUNCIL.
The Petition of tlie Undermentioned British Subjects at Canton.—
(Received at the Foreign Office, April 18, 1835.)
Humbly Shoiceth,
THAT we are induced, by the extraordinary position in which wc
feel ourselves placed in relation to the Chinese Government, to petition
your Majesty in Council, to take such measures as may be adapted alike
to maintain the honour of our country, and preserve the advantages
which a safe and uninterrupted commerce with China is calculated to
yield to the revenues of Great Britain, and to the important classes
interested in its arts and manufactures.
We beg humbly to represent, that at the present moment the
Commissioners appointed by your Majesty to superintend the affairs of
British subjects trading at Canton, are not acknowledged by the consti
tuted authorities of this country, and that they are not permitted to
reside within the limits to which their jurisdiction is, by their Commission,
strictly confined ; while they are forbidden by their instructions to appeal
to the Imperial Government at Peking, and are perfectly powerless to
resent the indignities offered to the late Chief Superintendent, or to
compel reparation for the injuries done to your Majesty's subjects, by the
late unprovoked stoppage of their trade.
Your Petitioners are well persuaded, thai the powers vested in your
Majesty's Commissioners were thus restricted, with the express object of
avoiding, as far as possible, all occasion of collision with the Chinese
authorities ; while it was hoped that, by maintaining a direct intercourse
with the principal officers of Government, instead of indirectly communi
cating through the Hong merchants, a sure way would be opened for the
improvement of the present very objectionable footing on which foreign
merchants stand in this country, and for security against the many
wrongs and inconveniences which they have had to suffer in the pursuit
of their commercial avocations.
Your Petitioners, however, beg leave most earnestly to submit to your
Majesty in Council, their thorough conviction, founded on the invariable
tenor of the whole history of foreign intercourse with China, as well as of
its policy on occasions of internal commotion, down to the present moment,
that the most unsafe of all courses that can be followed in treating with
the Chinese Government, or any of its functionaries, is that of quiet
submission to insult, or such unresisting endurance of contemptuous or
wrongful treatment, as may compromise the honour, or bring into
question the power of our country. We cannot, therefore, but deeply
deplore that such authority to negociate, and force to protect from
insult, as the occasion demands, were not entrusted to your Majesty's
Commissioners, confident as we are, without a shadow of doubt, that, had
the requisite powers, properly sustained by an armed force, been possessed
by your Majesty's late First Commissioner, the lamented Lord Napier, we
should not now have to deplore the degraded and insecure position in
which we are placed, in consequence of the Representative of our Sovereign
having been compelled to retire from Canton without having authority
to offer any remonstrance to the Supreme Government, or to make any
demonstration of a resolution to obtain reparation at once for the insults
wantonly heaped upon him by the local authorities.
Your Petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that your Majesty will
be pleased to grant powers Plenipotentiary to such person of suitable
rank, discretion, and diplomatic experience, as your Majesty, in your
wisdom, may think fit and proper to be entrusted with such authority;
and your Petitioners would suggest that he be directed to proceed to a
convenient station on the east coast of China, as near to the capital of
the country as may be found most expedient, in one of your Majesty's
ships of the line, attended by a sufficient maritime force, which we are
of opinion need not consist of more than two frigates and three or four
69
armed vessels of light draft, together with a steam vessel, all fully
manned; that he may, previously to landing, require, in the first instance,
in the name of your Majesty, ample reparation for the insults offered by
the Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, in his Edicts published on the
occasion of Lord Napier's arrival at Canton, and the subsequent humi
liating conduct pursued towards his Lordship, to which the aggravation
of his illness and death may be attributed; as well as for the arrogant
and degrading language used towards your Majesty and our country
in Edicts emanating from the local authorities, wherein your Majesty was
represented as the "reverently submissive" tributary of the Emperor
of China, arid your Majesty's subjects as profligate barbarians ; and that
they be retracted, and never again employed by Chinese functionaries ;
that he may also demand reparation for the insult offered to your
Majesty's flag by firing on your Majesty's ships of war from the forts at
the Bogue ; and that remuneration shall be made to your Majesty's
subjects for the losses they have sustained by the detention of their ships
during the stoppage of their trade. After these preliminaries shall have
been conceded, [as your petitioners have no doubt they will be,] and
not till then, your Petitioners humbly suggest that it will be expedient
for your Majesty's Plenipotentiary to propose the appointment of Com
missioners on the part of the Chinese Government, to adjust with him,
on shore, such measures as may be deemed most effectual for the prevention
of future occasion of complaint and misunderstanding, and for the
promotion and extension of the trade generally, to the mutual advantage
of both countries. Your petitioners believe, that if these matters shall
be fairly represented, so as to do away with all reasonable objection, and
the favourable inclination of the Chinese Commissioners be gained, there
will be found little disposition on the part of the Supreme Government
to withhold its assent, and every desirable object will thus have been
attained.
Your Petitioners would humbly entreat your Majesty's favourable
view of these suggestions, in the confidence that they may be acted upon,
not only with every prospect of success, but without the slightest danger
to the existing commercial intercourse, inasmuch, as even with a force
not exceeding that which we have proposed, should be placed at the
disposal of your Majesty's Plenipotentiary, there would be no difficulty,
should proceedings of a compulsory nature be required, in putting a stop
to the greater part of the external and internal commerce of the Chinese
Empire;—in intercepting its revenues in their progress to the capital,
and in taking possession of all the armed vessels of the country. Such
measures would not only be sufficient to evince both the power and spirit
of Great Britain to resent insult, but would enable your Majesty's Pleni
potentiary to secure indemnity for any injury that might, in the first
instance, be offered to the persons or property of your Majesty's subjects;
and would speedily induce the Chinese Government to submit to just and
reasonable terms. We are, at the same time, confident that resort even
to such strong measures as these, so far from being likely to lead to
more serious warfare, an issue which both our interests and inclinations
alike prompt us to deprecate, would be the surest course for avoiding the
danger of such a collision.
Your Petitioners beg to submit, that the mere restoration of the
liberty once possessed of trading to Amoy, Ningpo, and Chusan, would be
followed by the most beneficial consequences, not merely in the most
extended field thereby opened for commercial enterprise, but in the rivalry
which would be excited as formerly, in the officers of Government at
these several ports, to attract the resort of foreign merchants, and thus
extend their own opportunities of acquiring emoluments from the trade.
With respect, however, to this point, or any other of commercial
interest, that it would be expedient to make the subject of negotiation,
your Petitioners would humbly suggest, that your Majesty's Minister in
China should be instructed to put himself in communication with the
merchants of Canton, qualified as they must be in a certain degree by
their experience and observation, to point out in what respect the benefits
that might be reaped under a well-regulated system of commercial inter
course, are curtailed or lost in consequence of the restrictions to which
the trade is at present subjected, and the arbitrary and irregular exac
70
tions to which it is exposed, either directly, or not less severely because
indirectly, through the medium of the very limited number of merchants
licensed to deal with foreigners. As an instance of the latter, your
Petitioners may state the fact, that the whole expense of the immense
preparations lately made by the Local Government, to oppose the
expected advance towards Canton of your Majesty's frigates after they
had passed the forts at the Bogue, has been extorted from the Hong
merchants ; and as but few of them are in a really solvent state, they
have no other means of meeting this demand, but by combining to tax
both the import and export trade.
We would further humbly, but urgently, submit, that as we cannot
but trace the disabilities and restrictions under which our commerce now
labours, to a long acquiescence in the arrogant assumption of superiority
over the monarchs and people of other countries, claimed by the Emperor
of China for himself and his subjects, we are forced to conclude that no
essentially beneficial result can be expected to arise out of negotiations
in which such pretensions are not decidedly repelled. We most seriously
apprehend, indeed, that the least concession or waving of this point
under present circumstances, could not fail to leave us as much as
ever subject to a repetition of the injuries of which we have now to
complain.
We would, therefore, humbly beseech your Majesty not to be
induced by a paternal regard for your subjects trading to this remote
Empire, to leave it to the discretion of any future Representative of your
Majesty, as was permitted in the case of the embassy of Lord Amherst,
to swerve in the smallest degree from a direct course of calm and dispas
sionate, but determined, maintenance of the true rank of your Majesty's
Empire in the scale of nations, well assured, as we feel, that any descent
from such just position would be attended with worse consequences than
if past events were to remain unnoticed, and we were to be left for the
future to conduct our concerns with the Chinese functionaries, each as he
best may.
It would ill become your Majesty's Petitioners to point to any
individual as more competent than another, to undertake the office of
placing on a secure and advantageous footing our commercial relations
with this country. We may, however, perhaps be permitted to suggest,
the inexpediency of assigning such a task to any person previously
known in China, as connected with commerce conducted under the
trammels and degradations to which it has hitherto been subjected, or to
any one, in short, who has had the misfortune either in a public or private
capacity, to endure insult or injury from Chinese authorities.
Equally inexpedient would it be, as appears to your Petitioners, to
treat with any functionary, not specially nominated by the Imperial
Cabinet, and not on any account with those of Canton, whose constant
course of corrupt and oppressive conduct forms a prominent ground of
complaint ; or to permit any future Commissioner to set his foot on the
shores of China, until ample assurance is afforded of a reception and
treatment suitable to the dignity of a Minister of your Majesty, and to
the honour of an Empire that acknowledges no superior on earth.
And your Petitioners shall ever pray, &ic .
W. Jardine B. Wise
J. Matiieson J. Blyth
J. Hunter A. Nairne
T. Fox T. Larkins
P. F. Robertson R. LONGLEY
W. Blenkin J. Rees
W. S. Boyd F. P. Alleyn
A. Johnstone H. J. Wolfe
A. S. Keating C. R. Read
J. Innes J. Lobban
J. Hamilton W. E. Farrer
R. Browne A. Stirling
R. Turner D. R. Caldwell
A. Matheson J. AlNSLEY
R. Thom J. Dalrymple
71
H. Wright S. Hyde
J. W. Smith H. D. Dalrymple
F. Macqueen J. C. Jolly
J. McA. Gladstone H. Hale
J. Lenox E. Parry
D. Webster J. T. Lancaster
J. B. Compton A. J. McFarlane
J. Slade R. Swan
J. Watson T. Robson
C. S. Compton J. Wilson
T. CoLLINGWOOD R. FerANDES
A. Jardine J. Burnett
D. Wilson G. Kennedy
W. Allen F. Jauncey
J. L. Templer J. Middleton
J. Kellaway W. Hyde
H. Grant A. Elias.
Canton, December 9, 1834.
No. 28.
Minutes of Conversation between Hoioqua and Mowqua, Hong Merchants,
and Mr. Jardine.—(Received April 25, 1835.*)
September 2, 1834.—THE above-named Hong merchants called on
Mr. Jardine, to request his assistance in communicating with the Chief
Superintendent, and proposing some specific mode of settling existing
disputes.
Mr. Jardine agreed to state to Lord Napier any proposals they might
make ; and they returned to the authorities for instructions.
September 3.—The Hong merchants, Howqua and Mowqua, with the
elder Mowqua, returned this forenoon, and said they had every reason to
believe the following terms [then committed to paper] would be agreed to
by the Viceroy, provided Mr. Jardine could induce Lord Napier to agree
to them on his part.
The arrangement is founded on a mutual understanding, that the
trade shall be opened by the Viceroy, on a Petition to that effect, being
presented to him by the British merchants ; and Lord Napier shall leave
Canton in four or five days from that on which the trade is opened.
1st. The Viceroy shall, on receiving a respectful Petition from the
British merchants, immediately issue orders for the opening of the
trade.
2nd. It is clearly understood, that no saucy, boasting chops shall be
issued by the authorities, after his Lordship's departure. Nor shall any
proclamations be issued prohibiting his Lordship's return to Canton.
3rd. Should Lord Napier have occasion to visit Canton, previous to
the Viceroy's having received an answer from the Emperor, respecting his
Lordship's reception, it is understood that he is at liberty to do so ; he
making as short a stay as convenient, and the authorities shutting their
eyes to his being in Canton.
The merchants then returned to the city, with the view of having the
agreement confirmed and acted upon.
About 7 p.m. of the same day, Mowqua returned, and, in the name of
himself and the two Hong merchants, informed Mr. Jardine, with much
apparent regret, that the Foo-Yuen and other Mandarins of rank, had
addressed the Viceroy, remonstrating against the proposed arrangement,
and induced him to break it off; which information Mr. Jardine
immediately communicated to Lord Napier.
* This is the summary of the private negotiations referred to in Note to No. 14 of this collection
of documents.
72
On the 11th inst., the Imogene and Andromache being then at
Whampoa, the three senior Hong merchants, Howqua, Mowqua, and
Puankeequa, waited on Mr. Jardine, and begged he would again endeavour
to bring about an amicable settlement of the existing difference.-
Mr. Jardine having reminded them of the faithlessness of their
former proceedings, inquired whether they were deputed by the autho
rities, or came of their own accord ?
They replied with some hesitation, that they had assurances, through
the Nowhoy and Foyuen, of the trade being immediately opened, provided
Lord Napier would send the ships of war outside the Bocca Tigris,
adding, " we can ourselves secure this." As they appeared confident of
success, Mr. Jardine stated what had passed to Lord Napier ; and on
their returning the following day, submitted to them the following letter
from his Lordship.
" Lord Napier to William Jardine, Esq.
" Dear Sir, " Canton, September 12, 1834.
" IN reference to the conversation held between yourself and the Hong
merchants last night, and conveyed by their desire to me, I can only state,
that if they are sincere in their wishes to come to an accommodation it
will give me great pleasure to meet them, remembering always, on such
principles as are consistent with the honour of Great Britain, and the
dignity of the King's Commission. In the first place, then, I say let
a chop be issued immediately, recalling the servants and workmen to their
respective Hongs, opening the markets as heretofore, and removing the
prohibition against all boats passing and repassing on the river. This
being done, 1 will then send the guard of marines, now in the factory,
back to the ships.
" I will then request the captains of the frigates to return to Chuenpee;
the merchants shall Petition the Viceroy to open the trade, and that being
done, immediately, I will request that one of them should return to the
Admiral in India, to prevent the reinforcements being sent.
'* Hang-tai shall be liberated, and not be made liable to any future
annoyance, for that which he did not do ; and for this I will bind myself
not to report the circumstance to the Emperor.
" Lord Napier shall have the privilege of passing and repassing
between Canton and Macao as he finds it necessary. The insulting
manner of writing his name shall no more be used ; and the Edict which
orders the trade to be opened, shall also contain an admonition to the
Chinese to treat the British and other foreigners with that respect and
hospitality which is due to strangers.
" I have, &c,
" (Signed) NAPIER."
The above letter having been read at a full meeting of the Hong
merchants, in their Consoo House, they said unanimously they could
secure the terms therein proposed would be agreed to ; and Howqua
with Mowqua proceeded to the city to lay them before the authorities.
On the morning of the 13th instant, they returned, saying the terms
proposed were inadmissible, and began to propose others, which Mr.
Jardine refused to listen to, telling them to communicate in writing what
they had to say.
Canton, September 14, 1834.
73
No. 29.
Extracts from the " Records of Proceedings."—(Received May 18, 1835.)
December 6, 1834.—The following joint Proclamation of the Gover
nor and Hoppo, is promulgated annually with the manifest intention of
keeping alive, in the minds of the people, feelings of contempt and
suspicion towards the foreigner. It has been considered proper to record
it in this place with a view to draw the attention of Her Majesty's
Government to the subject.
Annual proclamation against Hong merchants conniving at, and
abetting, vice in foreigners. Issued by the Governor and Hoppo, Novem
ber 15, 1834.
" Loo, Governor of the provinces Kwangtung and Kwangse, and
Pang, Superintendent of Customs at Canton, hereby issue a severe
interdict.
"The barbarians of outside nations who trade within the Central
territory, are in their spoken language unintelligible to, and in their
written language all different from [the Chinese], It is, therefore, very
difficult for them to understand clearly the proprieties, the laws, and
the prohibitory orders of the Celestial Empire; and on this account
security merchants and linguists have been appointed to rule and controul
commercial transactions. These persons ought, doubtless, continually to
instruct and guide [the barbarians], to repress their pride and profligacy,
and to insist on causing them to turn with all their hearts towards
renovation ; that both parties may enjoy the repose of gladness and gain,
every one keeping in his own sphere, and minding his proper business.
Moreover the security merchants are all men of property and respectable
family; it the more behoves them to have a tender regard for their face
and reputation, to trade with fairness and equity, and not to cheat or
deceive; then they will certainly be able to obtain the confidence of the
men from far.
" Now, on inquiry we find, that formerly there was a set of shameless,
lawless, Hong merchants, who, whenever the barbarians entered the port
and took lodgings, endeavoured to make a gain of them. For this purpose "
they adopted a hundred schemes to meet their wishes, bought young boys
for them, to act as servants and attendants; or procured boat prostitutes
for them, to gratify their libidinous dispositions; by so doing, not only
ruining the morals and manners of the public, but also, it is to be _
apprehended, creating disturbances.
" About this time, the foreign ships are successively arriving; and it is
really feared, that lawless vagabonds will again tread on their old habits.
Therefore, besides ordinary strict search to be made for the purpose of
seizure, we unite in issuing this strict interdict. To this end we address
it to the security merchants, the linguists, and the patrol and watchmen
behind the factories, requiring their universal acquaintance herewith.
"Hereafter, all are peremptorily required to have a tender regard for
their face and reputation, and to repent, with bitter contrition, of their
former faults. At every landing place behind the hongs where barba
rians reside, they must not allow the tanka boats to anchor. And when
barbarians pass up or down, between Canton and Whampoa, they must
not seek out and hire for them tanka boats having families on board.
" As to the foreign menials whom they bring with them, they are in
every way sufficient to attend on and serve them; they are not at all
permitted to hire and employ natives. If any presume to continue to hire
Chinese, and young boys for them as servants; or, forming unlawful
connexions with barbarians, lead them clandestinely to the tanka boats,
to drink wine and sleep with courtezans ; or, under the darkness of night,
secretly take ashore prostitutes into the factories ; so soon as the patrol
and watchmen, having found and seized them, reported the fact, or
so soon as such proceedings shall have been otherwise found out, the
lawless barbarians, together with the security merchants and linguists, ^
shall assuredly be sent to the local officers, to be tried and punished
Recording to law, with severity.
74
"As to the appointed patrol behind the factories, and the constables
of the district, if they presume to accept of bribes, purposely to connive
at, screen and conceal such practices, they shall, so soon as it is dis
covered, be made to wear the cangue, for one month, on the spot ; and, at
the expiration of that time, shall be brought before our court, and
immediately cudgelled to death.
" We, the Governor and Hoppo, will firmly adhere, without deviation,
to the law ; and will not assuredly show the slightest indulgence. Let
every one obey with trembling fear. Be careful not lightly to try an
experiment. A special proclamation.
" Taoukwang, 14th year, 5th moon, 15th day."
December 8, 1834.—The subjoined Edict is an Imperial answer in
reply to the Memorial respecting the late Lord Napier's departure from
Canton. Several other Edicts to the same effect having already been
forwarded to Viscount Palmerston, in the Chief Superintendent's des
patches, it has merely been considered necessary to record this one instead
of transmitting it in a despatch.
Imperial Edict in reply to the Governor and his colleagues' report of
Lord Napier having left Canton, and of the frigates having retired without
the Bogue, October 7th, 1834.
" On the 5th day of the 9th moon was issued the following Supreme
Mandate.
" ' A report has this day been received by a speedy post conveyance,
Ha-fung-ah, [the General Commandant of Canton], and his colleagues,
announcing that the English ships of war and barbarian Eye, had all
been conducted, under guard, out of the port.
" ' On this occasion, the English (barbarian Eye, Lord Napier, having
come to Canton for trade, did not pay obedience to the laws and statutes ;
and the said Governor, according to law, closed the ships' holds, after
which the said barbarian Eye still did not request a permit, but presumed
to order two ships of war to push in through the maritime entrance, and
to proceed straight up to Whampoa in the inner river. The said
Governor appointed civil and military officers, with troops, and addressed
communications requesting the appointment of naval vessels from the
Tartar force, and from those under the Admiral's command, as also
cruizing vessels from Sin-hwuy and other districts, which he stationed
severally along the passage before the ships of war, and at narrow and
important places on either shore. The people of the said barbarian ships
of war saw before them wooden spars ranged across and all around, on
the surface of the river, with guns and muskets [numerous] as the trees of
a forest, and large and small naval vessels stationed over a space of several
miles in length, while, on shore, military officers and men were encamped,
presenting a compact and united force, and a warlike array imposing and
alarming. The said barbarian Eye and others remained, therefore,
secluded in their boats, there being no interchange of intelligence between
those within and those without, and no way either to advance or to go
out. With dread and fear, they repented of their offences, and supplicated
earnestly for a permit to go down to Macao.
" ' The said Governor considered, that, as the said barbarian Eye and
others had transgressed the prohibitions with daring contempt, if they
were permitted at once to leave Canton, thus coming and going at their
own convenience, there would not be sufficient power to intimidate and
bring under the barbarians' tempers ; and, therefore, he commanded the
Hong merchants, Woo-tun-yuen and others, to question them sternly as to
what the said barbarian Eye wished to do; why he came to Canton,
without having obtained a permit, and presumed to bring the ships of war
suddenly into the inner river; also, why, when the soldiers opened a
thundering fire on them, did they presumptuously dare to discharge their
guns and return resistance? requiring from them clear and explicit
answers before permitting them to leave Canton.
" 'Afterwards a merchant of the said barbarians, Colledge, answered,
saying, " that Lord Napier is a barbarian Eye, and not the same as a
Taepan ; that he was unacquainted with matters of dignity ; that the
cause of the cruizers coming into the port was really to protect the goods,
in consequence of the holds of the merchant ships having been closed ;
and that, in consequence of the military at the maritime entrance having
opened a thundering fire on them, the barbarian force also discharged its
guns in self-defence, but that they had deeply repented of their fault."
Also the said nation's merchants and seamen, several thousands in num
ber, all considered the said barbarian Eye's disobedience of the laws and
statutes to be wrong, and there was not a single person who joined in