the seizures outside are more numerous, seizures at the capital but few, this only
shows the rareness, not the entire want, of such seizures. There are then some
instances ; there must then be men, by whom the transactions are arranged ;
there must be individuals by whom a mutual understanding is brought about.
We, the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Hoppo, in our desire to preserve
uninjured the property and lives of the said merchants, will not withhold
motherly kindness and pains, taking advice and guidance of them. If they
acknowledge their offences themselves, their punishment shall be remitted.
But if they continue to report in this irrelevant manner, and turn thus away
from the point, hereafter, when once discovery is made of an offence on their
part, it will only remain to us, to maintain the laws and severely inflict the
penalties thereof. And they, if they will not now care for the consequence, will
so much the more be left without cause for murmuring against us.
No excuse admis- As to the foreign merchants, Jardine and the others, it is wholly needless to
sihle on behalf of question their bare proofless assertions, or at all to doubt, whether their long
whThave s^aye'rio res^ence m Canton does, indeed, arise from the multitude of ships, the busi-
long in Canton. ness of which they have to transact, and from the circumstance that not a month
elapses without a trading ship coming to Canton ; or whether it is not rather
owing to their wanting to wait and observe the prices, in order to make the
purchases. For, granting the first assertion to be perfectly true, and that not a
day passes in which trade is interrupted, does it, therefore, follow that these
foreigners are free to remain, and not return home at all; or can such a prin
ciple as this be admitted ? Hear what the memorial, formerly sanctioned, says
upon this point : " A foreigner of any nation, if, in consequence of its being
impracticable for him at once to dispose of his foreign merchandize, he is unable
to get in all his property, and has, therefore, no option but to remain in Canton,
must, after the foreign ships have left the port, go and reside at Macao, and
place his commodities in the hands of a Hong merchant to sell off for him ;
which, having done, the Hong merchant is to pay him the whole price; and, in
the following year, it shall be imperative on him to avail himself of one of the
ships of his nation to return home. The Hong merchants and Linguists, should
they suffer foreign merchants by degrees to take up their abode in Canton, shall
be severally subjected to a strict investigation." Not only then is there nothing
to admit of these foreign merchants residing in Canton, there is not even any
law to permit their long continuance at Macao. Do they represent, that the
trade of the foreigners needs the parties own particular attention ? For what
purpose, then, are foreign Hongs established, and of what use are the said
merchants? Are they, forsooth, established in order that the Hong merchants
may twist the laws to serve their own private interests ? It is, indeed, most
unreasonable, that these men should thus frame their mouths to make pretexts,
and work out excuses for the foreigners.
Grateful obedience The sum of the matter is this : These foreigners are richly imbued with the
foreigners cherishing and protecting favours of the Celestial Empire ; and they ought at
once to pay implicit obedience to the laws and statutes of the Celestial Empire ;
and should in all their intercourse, and in everything, conform to the regulations:
thus only may they preserve to themselves the path of commercial intercourse
here.
And strict obedi- At the present moment, the investigations ordered by the Court are exceed-
ence will be com- ingly strict. If then these foreigners do not bestir themselves, and quickly
polled. ° ' ° 1
185
return home, even though it be admitted that they are not residing in the
country to sell what is contraband, and though it be granted that the Hong
merchants do not combine with them, and arrange all transactions, yet how can
these last reconcile it even to their own minds, that they should suffer them still
. to abide in the place, daily attaching to themselves fresh suspicions? Moreover,
i we, the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Hoppo, hold the direction of this
territory, to eradicate all that is evil, and to bring back to reason the depraved.
In chastisements we show no partiality or leniency ; and having received with
reverence the Imperial commands to investigate the matter, it the more behoves
us, to take anxious precautions on every side, equally towards those within
and towards those without. Though it be said, that, in regard to what is past,
; indulgence should be shown, yet how can we neglect to pay prudent attention
to future consequences. We desire to impress it on the minds of all, early to
look to themselves, and to consider these things long and seriously.
Forthwith we issue these commands. When they reach the said Hong Half a month
• merchants, let them immediately enjoin the same on the foreign merchants, granted as the limit
Jardine, Innes, Dent, and Turner, as also on those who have resided but for a of tlle stav in Can"
few years, or who have gone away, and returned again, namely,—Framjee, ton*
Merwanjee, Dadabhoy, Gordon, and Wetmore (or Whiteman), desiring them,
in obedience hereto, to settle with the utmost diligence their commercial
affairs. They are indulgently allowed a period of half a month, in which to
pack up their effects, and remove out of the provincial city ; and either avail
themselves of some expected ship, or of some vessel about to sail, to return to
their country. They cannot be allowed longer to loiter about. Should any of
them be really unable to conclude their business in half a month, they also must
go within that time to Macao, but may remain there for a season : and all their
goods and accounts they must put into the hands of the Hong merchants, the
one to be disposed of, the other to be settled ; so that they may speedily return
home with all their effects. Nor must they be allowed, by remaining long at
Macao, to disobey the fixed regulations. If they dare to continue lingering Cautionar a(jmon;
about, it will then be seen, that the said foreigners will not listen to kind lan- t[^10 arya m° "
guage, that they are irreclaimably sunk in folly, and that they are truly such as
the Celestial Empire will not bear with : then, when the effects of the law are
. visited on them, they may find that, though they have a country to return to,
yet they cannot return to it. The Creek and other factories in which they are
suffered to remain, shall also in such case be closed, and the parties concerned
in them shall be brought to investigation. Be careful then not to decide care
lessly. Let the said merchants present to us, within three days, signed bonds
that the limited period will be carefully observed, in order that we may be
enabled, after thorough examination of the subject, to report to His Majesty.
Let none oppose this, or delay obedience. A Special Order.
16th year of Taoukwang, 10th month, 15th day. (23rd November, 1836.)
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 3 in No. 91.
Edict from the Heads of the Provincial Government, extending the limit previously
fixed as the time for Messrs. Jardine and others to leave Canton.
TANG, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangsc; Ke, Lieutenant-
Governor of Kwangtung; and Wan, Superintendent of Maritime Customs,
issue these orders to the Hong merchants, requiring their full acquaintance
therewith.
We have received the subjoined report from the said merchants: —
" Your Excellencies' commands were received, directing us immediately to fy^°^JeHonCd
communicate to the foreign merchants, Jardine and others, that they are merchants as under,
severally to finish with the utmost diligence, their commercial affairs; that they
are indulgently allowed a period of half a month, in which to pack up their effects
and remove out of the provincial city, after which they are either to avail
• themselves of some expected ship, or of some vessel on the point of sailing, to
2 B
186
return to their country; that they cannot be allowed longer to loiter about;
and that should any of them be really unable to conclude their business in
half a month, they also must remove within the time prescribed, but may go
to Macao, and remain there for a season ; that, however, they must not e
allowed, by remaining long at Macao, to disobey the fixed regulations. On the
receipt of these commands, we examined our documents, and found, that in
our former report we had already stated, that there is no such person here
Last order to the as Merwanjee. With the exception, therefore, of him, we, in obedience to the
Hong merchants commands received, enjoined it on the said foreign merchants, Jardine and
enjoined by them. the others, that they should obey the same, should settle with the utmost
diligence their commercial affairs, should, within the prescribed period of half
a month, remove from Canton, and either return home, or go down to Macao;
and that if there were any who really were unable to conclude their business
in half a month, they should place their commodities and their accounts in our
hands, that we might dispose of the one and settle the other for them. We
also desired them to give us written bonds that they would carefully observe the
limited period, in order that we might present the same.
Replies given by " Having thus done, we received from Framjee a note, stating 'that as
the foreigners. soon as he had concluded his sales and purchases, about the first month of next
year, he will return home.' We received also a note from Whiteman*,
stating, ' that he has determined to go home, andlhat at the end of this year,
he will avail himself of a vessel sailing back to his country.' We also received
replies from Jardine, Dadabhoy, Gordon, Turner, Innes, and Dent, severally
stating, ' that at present ships are arriving in great numbers : that it is necessary
that they should purchase cargoes for them before they can sail again ; and
intreating a delay until such time as they have concluded their sales and
These replies are purchases, when they will go down and reside at Macao.' Having reported
unsatisfactory. these answers, we received your Excellencies' verbal commands, to the effect,
that the language of the several foreign merchants bore marks of a desire to
linger about; and that they should therefore still be directed to move out of the
provincial city, as before ordered, within the prescribed time. After we received
these directions, we again enjoined the commands, and called on the foreigners
to act in trembling obedience thereto.
Second series of " This having done, we have now received a reply from Framjee, still entreat
replies from the ing ' that he may wait until he has concluded his sales and .purchases ; and that
foreigners. about the first month of the next year he will return to his country.' From
Whiteman we have also received a reply, still requesting ' that he may be allowed
to clear up his accounts, and that at the end of this year he will return home.'
From Gordon, also, we have received a reply, intreating ' that he may be
allowed to stay until his commercial affairs are concluded ; that then, in the
third month of next year he will return home.' Dadabhoy has replied
to us: ' I am now conducting my trading transactions with the utmost diligence.
I beg that I may stop till the first month of next year, when I will go down
and reside at Macao.' Jardine replied, 'Many ships to my consignment still
remain anchored at Whampoa; and it is requisite yet to purchase silk, and teas,
and ether goods for exportation. The teas this year are reaching Canton later
than is ordinarily the case. I entreat that I may be allowed to remain till I
have purchased all the goods required, and till the ships have all left the port;
and then in the fourth month of next year, I will go down and reside at Macao.'
From Dent and Turner we have received answers, ' that they have now ships at
Whampoa to their consignment, that they have to purchase silks, teas, and other
goods for them to return; and that they intreat, therefore, they may be allowed
to stop till they have completed all their sales and purchases, when, in the third
month of next year, they will go down and reside at Macao.' Lastly, Innes
has replied, intreating * that he may be allowed to complete his sales and
purchases, when, at the end of this year, he will go down and reside at Macao.'
These all having reached us, it is our duty to report the particulars, and ask
if your Excellencies will deign to grant the requests of the several foreign
merchants, which must proceed wholly from your Excellencies' grace and
favour."
Remarks by the This report having come before us, we, the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor,
Governor, &c,
reason why the
foreigners should * The doubtful in Chinese, : i to have been fixed on Mr. Whiteman, in place of Mr.
leave Canton. Wetmore.
187
and Hoppo, have again taken the subject into consideration. In the regulations
there is no article permitting foreigners to abide in the provincial capital. Out
of former chance inadvertence, has grown up a stay and continuance therein
of several years' duration. It is, indeed, an infringement of the established
enactments. Admit that these foreign merchants quietly attend to their com
mercial duties ; grant that they and the Hong merchants are not mutually
drawn into acts of depravity, yet suspicions have arisen in the place of their stay
that they have taken their quarters here for the purpose of combining with
natives to dispose of contraband goods; and the expression of these suspicions
has ascended even to the ninth heaven the [Imperial presence,] and has called
down from the Great Emperor strict orders to investigate the subject.
Now, having received the above detailed report, we, the Governor, the Extension of the
Lieutenant-Governor, and the Hoppo, look upwards and would embody the period to all, to
extreme desire of the sacred intelligence to cherish strangers with tenderness. to^thereoUff^tl '
In seeking condescendingly to yield to the dispositions of foreigners, what need
is there to be over-strict and harsh? But if the period be too long extended, we
shall not only be unable to bring words to report it to His Majesty but also,
by partiality and connivance, we shall greatly derogate from the dignity of
Government. We have, therefore, jointly deliberated and determined on our
course of action. The three merchants, Whiteman, Framjee, and Gordon, who
have pleaded for a delay, at the same time purposing to return to their country,
may be allowed their requests, namely to return severally at the end of this year,
and in the first and third months of the next year. They may return at the
periods they have named. The two merchants, Innes and Dadabhoy, also, who
have requested that they may go and reside at Macao, are allowed to do so
at the times named, the close of this year, and the first month of next year.
But with regard to the three merchants, Jardine, Dent, and Turner, without
having named a period for going home, they seek to go and reside at Macao,
and yet ask to stop till the third and fourth months of next year before they go.
This is most absurd and foolish conduct. From their statements, however, it
appears that they have yet many ships here, and they have need to purchase
cargoes for them. We, therefore, will indulgently permit an extension of the
period, prescribing to all of them, the second month of next year, at which
period they must go to Macao. Between this date and the second month
of next year, four months will elapse, and in that long period they may transact
all their affairs; or if some do remain unfinished, yet they will be able to make
Macao their place of sojourn; we certainly will not permit any the least
extension of this period, or opposition hereto. We, the Governor, the Lieutenant-
Governor, and the Hoppo, are this day sending a memorial express, to inform
the Great Emperor, that periods have been fixed for the departure severally of
the said foreigners; and on no account will we make any change.
Let the said Hong merchants take signed bonds from the said foreign Written bonds re-
merchants, severally, to observe this prescribed limit; and let them also give quired for observa-
bonds for themselves, that they will not presume to suffer their stay beyond the JjSJj ^riod'6"
period prescribed; the Hong merchants shall be held responsible for them in "
their property: and these bonds they must deliver within three days. Let
them not seek and hope for delay. And as the said foreign merchants
successively depart, let them on each occasion report the same, that examination
may be made. If, when the periods elapse, they still linger and hesitate to go,
it will then be seen that these foreign merchants are bound up in the love
of their own private interests, and that they are minded to offer contumelious
opposition. We, the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Hoppo, in the
performance of our duties, will not assume the slightest degree of false colouring
and vain pretext: nor will we show the least personal regard and consideration.
We can only pursue our course with firm maintenance of the laws; ruling well
on the one hand those without, on the other those within the empire's pale ;
and thus aiming to display gloriously the Majesty of Heaven [the Emperor].
Say not that ye were not forewarned. Tremblingly and attentively consider
this. A special Edict.
16th year of Taoukwang, 11th month, 6th day. (13th December 1836.)
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
2 B2
188
No. 92.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received July 17, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, February 10, 1837.
WITH reference to ray despatch to your Lordship of 2nd Feb
ruary, 1837, I have now the honour to transmit copies of despatches
I have addressed to the Right Honourable the Governor-General and the
Honourable the Rear-Admiral Commanding-in-chief, on the same subject.
It is not in my power to inform your Lordship that the restrictive spirit of
the Local Government in respect to the opium traffic, has in any degree relaxed.
I have &c
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
'. Inelosure 1 in No. 92.
Captain Elliot to Lord Auckland.
My Lord, Macao, February 2, 1837.
I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship the accompanying
series of remarkable papers upon the subject of the legal admission of opium into
China. All the documents upon this topic which have yet reached us, are
comprehended in this collection, and they are arranged in the order according
to which tbey fell into our possession.
I have also taken the liberty to inclose to your Lordship copies of despatches
I have recently addressed to Viscount Palmerston, and to the Honourable the
Rear-Admiral Commanding-in-Chief on this station, upon the same subject.
In the actual state of our commerce with China, my Lord, I believe I may
say, that the interruption of the opium traffic must have the effect, not merely
of temporarily crippling our means of purchasing in this market at all ; but,
undoubtedly, of placing us, in respect to the prices of the export staples, com
pletely in the power of what may justly be described to be a copartnership of
native dealers. The failure of the opium deliveries is attended with an almost
entire cessation of money transactions in Canton. And in the glutted con
dition of this market, your Lordship will judge how peculiarly mischievously the
present stagnation must operate on the whole British commerce with the
empire.
But it must be quite unnecessary to press upon your Lordship's attention,
the many extremely important considerations connected with this subject: and I
trust I shall be excused for submitting the most hopeful means which suggest
themselves to me, to draw to a close so disquieting a state of things.
I would beg to observe to your Lordship, that the frequent and short
visits of ships of war to this anchorage, and in the neighbourhood of the points
to which the outside trade has extended, seem to me to be movements calculated,
either to carry the Provincial Government back to the system which has hitherto
prevailed, or to hasten onwards the legalization measure from the Court.
Your Lordship will perceive that I have solicited the Commander-in-chief
to send a man-of-war to these seas, with instructions to afford such countenance
to the general trade as may be practicable, without inconveniently committing
His Majesty's Government upon any delicate question. And I most respectfully
submit to your Lordship, that if one or two of the Company's cruisers could be
joined in this service, there seems to be every reason to hope their presence
might considerably facilitate the purposes in view.
I have suggested to the Commander-in-chief, that Manila would be a
convenient general station for these ships, and if the officer in command were
instructed to place himself in communication with me, your Lordship and the
Admiral may rely upon my earnest efforts to furnish him the best information in
my power, and the most cautious counsels.
1 have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
189
Inclosure 2 in No. 92.
Captain Elliot to Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Bladen Capel, K.C.B.
Sir, Macao, February 2, 1837.
HEREWITH I have the honour to transmit to you the copy of a despatch I
have recently addressed Co Viscount Palmerston, together with a series of papers
which accompanied that communication.
In the actual emergency, I venture respectfully to move you to order a ship-
of-war to repair to these seas for the purpose of affording such countenance to
the general British Trade in China, as may be practicable, without any risk of
inconvenient discussions, or collision with this Government.
I have also requested the Right Honourable the Governor- General of
India, to address you upon this subject, and I have presumed to suggest to
his Lordship the advantage which might result to the public interests, if one or
two sail of Company's cruisers were placed under the orders of the Captain of
His Majesty's ship, who you may be pleased to employ on this service.
I can assure you, Sir, that there is a pressing necessity to use every effort
consistent with safety and discretion for the relief of the whole trade, from the
embarrassment into which it is thrown by the restrictive spirit of the Provincial
Government. And it appears to be highly probable that, at the present crisis,
very favourable consequences would ensue from the frequent and short visits of
vessels of war, as well to this anchorage, as to the immediate vicinity of the
points to which the outside trade has been gradually extending.
Perhaps I may permit myself to remark, that Manila might for the moment
be a convenient station of general resort for this small force.
A circumstance occurred in the middle of the year 1835, which may be
made a very proper ground of explanation to the Chinese Authorities, if the
sudden and frequent apparition of these vessels should seriously disquiet them.
They may be reminded, that at that period a British merchant brig (the
Troughton) engaged in the regular trade, and bound direct to the port of Canton,
was plundered by the natives of 70,000 dollars, almost in sight of these roads;
and that the commander and several of the crew were desperately wounded in
this affray: the necessity of force in the neighbourhood, to check the recur
rence of outrages of this kind, is a plea that I can have no doubt the Provincial
Government would find itself obliged to accept.
I will only add, Sir, that if you should think fit to do me the honour to
place the commander of His Majesty's ship in communication with me, I will
anxiously endeavour to assist him with such information and cautious counsels
as shall prevent the possibility of inconveniently committing His Majesty's
Government upon any delicate point.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 93.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston. — (Received August 22, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, February 21, 1837.
THE Edict from Peking, which I have now the honour to transmit, has
this day been forwarded to me from Canton by Mr. Morrison. It is in
reply to a report from the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of these provinces,
to His Imperial Majesty, No. 4 of the series of papers forwarded to your
Lordship in my despatch of the 2nd instant.
The Inclosure No. 2, is a translation from a paper privately procured,
190
urporting to furnish information as to the nature of a despatch received
y the Provincial Government upon the same subject.
Upon the genuineness of this last paper, 1 do not venture to speak with
confidence. But founding my conclusions entirely upon the Edict (and the
authenticity of that is beyond dispute), I cannot hesitate to repeat to your
Lordship, my opinion, not only that this measure is determined, but that the
Provincial Government is actually in possession of the pleasure of the Court to
admit the opium.
The Edict insists, like the report to which it replies, on the extreme
mischief of the escape of the sycee silver, occasioned by the opium trade.
Your Lordship will not find, however, that the Edict points to any other
means of preventing that consequence, than those so urgently recommended by
the heads of the Provincial Government, namely, the removal of the prohibitions,
and the establishment of strict regulations that opium should be sold only in
barter for other merchandize.
I cannot but think that the intelligence of the legalization of this traffic
would afford His Majesty's Government great satisfaction.
The fact, that such an article should have grown to be by far the most
important part of our import trade, is of itself a source of painful reflection.
And the wide-spreading public mischief which the manner of its pursuit has
necessarily entailed, so ably and so faithfully represented in some of the papers
I have had the honour to transmit to your Lordship, aggravates the discomfort
of the whole subject.
The legalization measure would certainly be accompanied by permission to
grow and prepare the poppy for home consumption. And perhaps your
Lordship may be led to think that a gradual check to our own growth and
imports would be of salutary effect.
Gradual no doubt, it is most desirable the diminution should be, for in the
present posture of circumstances, it must be conceded, that any abrupt interrup
tion of this traffic involves very nearly a complete interruption of the whole
commerce with the country.
The importance of this branch of the trade is by no means to be estimated
solely by the very large amount to which it figures in the list of imports. A
consideration of far more moment is this, that the movement of money at
Canton has come to depend, by the force of circumstances, almost entirely
upon the deliveries of opium outside.
I need not insist upon the intense inconvenience of a disappearance of
cash from a market where eager competitors are purchasing the main body of
their returns from a close association of native dealers.
It cannot be good that the conduct of a great trade should be so dependent
upon the steady continuance of a vast prohibited traffic in an article of vicious
luxury, high in price, and liable to frequent and prodigious fluctuation. In a
mere commercial point of view, therefore, I believe it is susceptible of proof,
that the gradual diversion of British capital into other channels of employment
than this, would be attended with advantageous consequences.
The effect upon the Indian finance of its sudden cessation, could not fail
to be extremely perplexing. But I have not been a careless observer since I have
been in this country, and I hope your Lordship will let me say that there are
many cogent reasons for regretting the extent to which the Indian income is
dependent upon such a source of revenue.
The proposed measures of the Chinese Government seem to me to furnish
the best hope for our safe extrication from an unsound condition of things.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
191
Inclosure 1 in No. 93.
imperial Edict prohibiting the exportation of Silver.
Canton, February 17, 1837.
ON the 20th day of the 12th month (26 January) the Grand Council
of State received the following verbal commands from His Majesty.
A report has this day, arrived from Tang and his colleagues, presenting the Im rial Edict
result of their mutual deliberations, directed to remove the banef ul effects that
arise from opium having pervaded the country. By the prevalence of opium
throughout the empire, there has been occasioned a daily decrease of our fine siiTCi^occasionedbv
silver; being now desirous to exert ourselves entirely to stop up the source of the importation of
this evil, the only sure mode of proceeding is, utterly to prohibit the exportation opium,
of sycee silver. If by diligent and assiduous watchfulness in the places from Exportation of it
whence the silver is exported, and at those points by which it necessarily must therefore to be ut-
pass, we can deprive both the traitorous natives and the barbarians of all oppor- ter y pro 1 lt '
tunity of exercising their artful devices, it is clear that we may thus gradually
close up the breach and prevent further exportation. The said Governor and
his colleagues have been able to perceive this, and point it out in their Memorial,
Let them join heart and hand to enforce vigilant and faithful observation, to punish The Government of
all traitorous natives who combine with the foreigners in illegality, and entirely to the.Proym.<je to ex-
hinder foreign merchants from gratifying their avaricious greediness ; and let enforce this prohi-
it be their grand object wholly to prevent the exportation of our fine silver, bition.
Their labours must be productive of some fruit, they must not attempt to
get off with mere empty words, but, having the name of exerting themselves,
they must prove the reality of their exertions. Communicate these commands
to Tang and Ke, and let them enjoin them also on Wan. Respect this.
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 2 in No. 93.
February 17, 1837.
THE following passage is translated from a paper purporting to give
information as to the nature of a despatch received by the Provincial Government
from Peking.
" A despatch from the Grand Council of State has reached Canton, to this Exportation of sil-
effect, that the exportation of sycee silver is still by law to be prohibited; that ver to be prohibited,
as to opium, the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor are directed to deliberate Importation of
with regard to a duty, to be levied on its importation. The Kwang Chow Hee °Piumtobeallowed-
is to proceed to Peking, to be presented to His Majesty. His vacancy, &c"
(The remainder of the document is a mere detail of appointments.)
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
192
No. 94.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, November 2, 1837.
I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches to the 27th of April
inclusive, which have been laid before Her Majesty's Government. ,
In your despatch of the 27th of April you detail the particulars of various com
munications which you had had with the Viceroy of Canton, with a view to the
assertion of your right to forward your communications direct to that officer in a
sealed form, and to receive those of his Excellency in a similar form, addressed
direct to yourself, and not to the Hong merchants.
Her Majesty's Government have learnt with satisfaction that you had suc
ceeded in obtaining the admission of the first of these claims, which relates to the
mode of sending in your own communications ; and I am to express to you the
approbation of your Government of the course which you pursued on this occasion.
You will not fail, on every suitable opportunity, to continue to press for the
recognition, on the part of the Chinese authorities, of your right to receive, direct
from the Viceroy, sealed communications addressed to yourself, without the
intervention of Hong merchants.
I am, &c
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
No. 95.
Viscount Palmersion to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, November 2, 1837.
I TRANSMIT to you the copy of an Instruction on the subject of our
relations with China, which has been addressed by the Lords Commis
sioners of the Admiralty to Rear Admiral Sir Frederick Maitland, Com
mander-in-chief of Her Majesty's squadron on the East India station.
You will observe that while Sir Frederick Maitland is informed that
it is desirable that one or more of the ships under his orders should, as
frequently as possible, visit the China station, and should remain there as
long as may be consistent with the demands of the service elsewhere
within his command ; he is also instructed to take the earliest convenient
opportunity of himself visiting China, in order to have a personal com
munication with you, and thus afford an opportunity for the interchange
of information between yourself and him, which in many possible future
contingencies would be highly advantageous to British interests in that
quarter.
Whenever, therefore, you shall receive from Sir|Frederick Maitland an
intimation of his arrival off the coast of China, you will, if not then residing
at Macao, lose no time in proceeding to that place, to meet and confer
with him; and in all your communications with the Rear Admiral, or with
the Commanders of any of Her Majesty's ships that may visit China, you
will be careful to conform yourself to the line of conduct prescribed in the
Instruction of which a copy is" now transmitted to you.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
193*
Inclosure in No. 95.
Viscount Palmerston to the Lords of the Admiralty.
Foreign Office, September 20, 1837.
HER Majesty's Government have had under their consideration Sir
John Barrow's letter of the 6th instant, in which, by command of your
Lordships, he incloses a copy of an article in the Instructions to the Naval
Commander-in-chief in the East Indies, upon the subject of our relations
with China, and requests to be informed whether any, and if any, what
addition or alteration should be made in that instruction ; and, also, whether
the Rear Admiral Commanding-in-chief, should not be directed to proceed
himself to Macao, to communicate with Her Majesty's Superintendent at
Canton. Her Majesty's Government having, at the same time, had under
consideration the several letters which have on various occasions been
addressed by this department to the Admiralty, upon the nature of the
protection which it would be desirable to afford to British subjects resident
in or trading to China, I have now to signify to your Lordships the Queen's
pleasure, that the existing instruction to the Commander-in-chief in the East
Indies, with respect to China, should be altogether cancelled, and that one, in
the following terms, should be substituted in its stead : —
" The trade between Great Britain and China being now by law thrown
open to all Her Majesty's subjects, instead of being confined, as formerly,
to the East India Company, the care of our commercial relations with the
Chinese Empire has, in consequence, been transferred to the Crown ; the East
India Company's establishments at Canton and Macao have been withdrawn ;
and a Queen's officer has been substituted, with the title of Superintendent and
with the duties of a Consul. It is, therefore, desirable that one or more of the
ships under your orders should, as frequently as possible, visit the China
station, and should remain there as long as may be consistent with the
demands of the service elsewhere within your command ; and whenever a
frigate can be spared for this service, a ship of that class would be preferable
to a smaller one.
" The purposes for which such ships would be stationed are : —First, to
afford protection to British interests, and to give weight to any representations
which Her Majesty's Superintendent may be under the necessity of making,
in case any of Her Majesty's subjects should have just cause of complaint
against the Chinese authorities ; and secondly, to assist the Superintendent in
maintaining order among the crews of the British merchantmen who frequent
the port of Canton.
" The officers commanding the ships of Her Majesty, which may thus
from time to time be sent to China, should be especially admonished to be
very careful that the officers and men belonging to the ship under their
command, do not in any way offend the prejudices of the Chinese people,
nor violate the laws and customs of the Chinese empire ; and upon all such
matters, as well as with respect to the places where such ships ought to lie, in
order best to be able to perform the services for which they are sent, the officers
in command should communicate frequently and confidentially with Her
Majesty's Superintendent ; remembering always, however, that unless in a case
of great emergency, when a demonstration or an actual employment of force
may be urgently and absolutely necessary for the protection of the lives
and property of British subjects, Her Majesty's ships of war are studiously
to respect the regulations of the Chinese Government as to the limits
beyond which foreign ships of war are not allowed to approach the city of
Canton.
" But it is for many reasons expedient, for the interests of Her Majesty's
service, that you should yourself take as early an opportunity as may be
194*
convenient, to have a personal communication with Her Majesty's Superin
tendent, who would meet you for that purpose at Macao ; and your visit on
that occasion should, if possible, be made in a line-of-battle ship. The
interchange of information between yourself and the Superintendent, for which
such personal communication would afford an opportunity, would, in many
possible future contingencies, be highly advantageous to British interests in that
quarter.
" You will, however, constantly bear in mind, that while, on the one
hand, it is useful that the Chinese should be aware of the nature and extent of
Her Majesty's naval power, it is, on the other hand, most important that
you should avoid any proceedings which might inspire the Chinese with an
apprehension that this naval power is likely to be employed in unprovoked
hostility against them."
In conclusion, I am to request that your Lordships will furnish me with
a copy of any instructions which you may now, or at any future time, think
proper to give to the naval Commander-in-chief in the East Indies, bearing
upon the question of our relations with China, in order that the same may, if
necessary, be transmitted to Her Majesty's Superintendent in China, for his
information and guidance.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
193
No. 96.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— {Received December 2, 1837.)
My Lord, . . Macao, March 18, 183".
A SHIP upon the point of sailing for Bengal, affords me a prospect of
communicating rapidly with your Lordship, by the means of the overland mail
of May.
I seize this opportunity to transmit the translation of an Edict, just pro
cured through a private channel, containing the Imperial pleasure, that I shall
be furnished with a passport to proceed to Canton for the performance of my
duties.
The official notification may be expected from Canton in the course of a
few days.
For the first time in the history of our intercourse with China, the prin •
ciple is most formally admitted, that an officer of a foreign Sovereign, whose
functions are purely public, should reside in a city of the empire. His Ma
jesty's Government may depend upon my constant, cautious, and earnest
efforts to improve this state of circumstances.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 1 in No. 96.
Edict of the Governor of Canton.
ON the 20th January the report was sent to the Emperor, stating that
Elliot the foreigner was to assume the management of the Merchants and
Seamen of his country. The despatch of the Privy Council, containing the
Imperial Edict, forwarded by a courier of the Military Board, arrived on the
15th March.
Governor Tang had stated, that after the dissolution of the Company, no
Taepan had yet come. In December, last year, the said nation gave a special
appointment to one of its officers to proceed to Canton, and take the general
control of the Merchants who had previously come to trade, and also of the
Seamen, &c
• Since the ships of the said nation continually arrive, there ought to be
somebody to control, and occasionally to tranquillize them.
Now, the said foreigner has received a public official commission for the
control of the Merchants and Sailors. Though his title and rank are not the
same with that of Taepan, the business of controlling does not differ.
He is, therefore, permitted, according to existing regulations, (as formerly
the Taepan,) to go up to Canton, and on his arrival at the provincial city to
manage affairs. The Hoppo is, therefore, ordered to issue a permit.
When he in future lives either at Canton, or at Macao, he ought to con
form to the old laws. He is not permitted to exceed the proper time by
loitering about, and thus to give gradually rise to irregularities.
The high officers are held responsible, and must not permit him to create
disturbances. For this purpose they ought to issue private orders to the
civilians, military officers, and Hong merchants, to inform themselves
occasionally about the true state of things, investigate and watch over him.
If the said foreigner performs his duty improperly, acts irregularly, and
combines with traiterous natives to disobey clandestinely the laws, he shall be
driven back to his country, in order to do away with the source of evil.
Let this Edict be communicated to him. Respect this.
In accordance to the Imperial Decree, this letter was forwarded.
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) Charles Gutzlaff,
Joint Interpreter.
2 C
194
No. 97.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received November 25, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, March 22, 1837.
I HAVE the honour to inform you that I have this day received the
public confirmation of the intelligence conveyed in my Despatch of the 18th
inst.; and the protracted departure of the ship which is to carry that com
munication, has enabled me to transmit the official document by the same
occasion.
This paper your Lordship will observe, involves the signification of the
Imperial pleasure to his Excellency the Governor, that I shall be furnished
with a passport to proceed to Canton, as well as His Excellency's directions to
the Hoppoto grant it to me.
The Inclosure No. 2 is my reply to his Excellency the Governor, and the
passport may be expected at Macao in the course of the ensuing week.
The immediate departure of the ship will, I trust, be my sufficient excuse
for this hurried despatch.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 1 in No. 97.
The Hoppo, communicating the Imperial Sanction for the Residence of Captain
Elliot at Canton.—Dated 18th March, 1837.
WAN, Superintendent of Maritime Customs, &c, to the Hong Mer
chants, requiring their full acquaintance herewith. The following is a com
munication which I received on the 16th instant, from his Excellency the
Governor Tang :—
" In concluding [the Governor observes] a memorial which I addressed
to the Throne, on the 20th of January, I represented to His Majesty the fact,
that the English foreigner Elliot had been appointed to take the control over
the merchants and seamen of his country. I have now, on the 14th instant,
eceived by a courier of the Board of War, a despatch from the Council of
r tate, addressed to myself, enclosing the subjoined Imperial edict of date, the
2nd of February.
" £ Imperial Edict :—Tang has represented to us, that since the dissolution
of the Company, no chief supercargo has come to Canton ; that in December
last year, the said nation gave a special appointment to one of its officers, to
proceed to Canton and take the general control of the merchants who come to
trade, and also of the seamen, &c ; that since the ships of the said nation con
tinually arrive, there ought to be some one to control them, with a view to
preserve tranquillity; and that the said foreigner having received a public offi
cial commission for the control of the merchants and seamen, although his
title be not the same as that of the chief-supercargoes hitherto sent, yet in the
duty of controling he does not differ,—It is therefore our Imperial pleasure,
that he be permitted to repair to Canton, under the existing regulations ap
plicable to chief-supercargoes, and that on his arrival at the provincial capital
he be allowed to take the management of affairs. For this purpose, the Super
intendent of Customs is hereby commanded to grant him a passport. In
future he is to reside sometimes at Macao and sometimes at Canton, conform
ing herein to the old regulations ; and he must not be permitted to exceed the
proper time, and by loitering about, gradually effect a continued residence.
The said Governor and his colleagues are hereby authorised to hold the said
foreigner responsible for the careful control of affairs, that so all disturbances
may be prevented. They should issue strict orders to all the officers, civil and
military, and to the Hong Merchants, requiring them to inform themselves
from time to time of the true state of things, and to keep a watch on the said
foreigner. If he exceed his duty and act improperly, or combining with trai
195
torous natives, seek to twist the laws to serve his private ends, he must imme
diately be driven back to his country, in order effectually to remove the source
of evil. Let this edict be communicated to Tang. Respect this.'
" I, the Governor, have, on the receipt of this edict, given my attention
to the subject, and I find, that I before sent to you a copy of my memorial.
I will now direct the financial and judicial Commissioners of this province to
issue instructions requiring obedience to this edict. I will also give strict
commands to the civil and military officers, and to the Hong Merchants, re
quiring them, from time to time, to inform themselves of the true state of
things, and to keep a watch on the said foreigner ; and if he overstep his duty
and act improperly, or combining with traitorous natives, seek to twist the
laws to serve his private ends, directing them immediately to report the facts,
and request that he be driven back to his own country ; at the same time
cautioning them not to connive in any way, lest they draw investigation upon
themselves. Besides taking these steps, it is incumbent on me to communi
cate to you the above edict, to the end that you may act in obedience to it, and
in the hope that, as soon as the said foreigner requests a passport, you will at
once give it to him according to the legal forms, at the same time directing
the Hong Merchants and linguists to enjoin upon him these commands,—■
that it is henceforth imperative on him, when coming to Canton, to manage
affairs, to conform himself to the existing regulations applicable to chief
supercargoes,—that he is to be held responsible for the careful control of
affairs,—that he must not overstep his duty and act improperly, and that, as
regards his residence, sometimes at Macao and sometimes at Canton, he must
in this also conform to the old regulations, nor can he be allowed to loiter
Deyond the proper period."
I, the Hoppo, on the receipt of the above, forthwith issue this edict.
When this reaches the said Hong Merchants, let them in obedience hereto
immediately to enjoin upon the said foreigner these commands, that it is hence
forth imperative on him, when coming to Canton, to manage affairs, to con
form himself to the existing regulations applicable to chief-supercargoes,—
that he is to be held responsible for the careful control of affairs,—that he
must not overstep his duty, and act improperly,—and that, as regards his
residence, sometimes at Canton and sometimes at Macao, he must in this
also conform himself to the old regulations, nor can he be allowed to loiter
beyond the proper period. Oppose not. A special edict.
Taoukwang, 17th year, 2d month, 12th day (18th March, 1837.)
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 2 in No. 97.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Macao, March 21, 1837.
THE Undersigned has had the honour to receive the signification of His
Imperial Majesty's most gracious commands that he should be furnished with
a passport to repair to the Provincial City and enter upon the performance
of his duties.
The Undersigned respectfully assures his Excellency, that it is at once
his duty and his anxious desire to conform in all things to the Imperial
pleasure. And he will therefore needfully attend to the points adverted to
in the papers now before him.
The Undersigned has transmitted to the senior Hong Merchant a list of
the persons attached to his suite, whose names he desires to be inserted in
his passport. And he avails himself of this occasion to offer to his Excel- »
lency the Governor, the reiterated expression of his most respectful con
sideration.
^Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
2 C 2
196
No. 98.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received November 13, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, March 29, 1837.
I HAVE the honour to acquaint your Lordship that my passport has
this day reached Macao, and I propose to embark for Canton on the 2nd
proximo, accompanied by the Second Superintendent, the Secretary, the
Interpreter Mr. Morrison, and the Assistant Surgeon.
It is not my intention to detain Mr. Johnston in Canton beyond a few
days, because the constant residence of one of the Superintendents at
Macao is necessary, for the purpose of conducting the business of British
ships and subjects without the port, and also in the event of accidents here
during my own absences at the Provincial City.
In case any casualty should happen to myself, it will be desirable, how
ever, that Mr. Johnston's position as the second person in this Commission
should have been made formally obvious to the Provincial Government, and
it is upon this ground that he will accompany me on this occasion of my
first official visit.
Mr. Colledge, the Surgeon, will remain at Macao. There are no facilities
for the convenient treatment of patients in the confined and crowded fac
tories, and therefore if any of the officers fall sick at Canton, it would
always be necessary to remove them to this place. A still more urgent
reason for leaving Mr. Colledge at Macao, is, that an extensive and highly
useful infirmary established here, in which sick seamen and other indigent
persons are received, would be deprived of the services of a medical officer
whilst this gentleman were at Canton.
I believe, my Lord, it will be immediately plain to you, that Macao is in
every respect the most suitable station for the Chapel and Clergyman in
China. It is the usual dwelling-place of all the foreign families, and a Chapel
is already rented and furnished here ; I have, therefore, requested the Rev.
Mr. Vachell to consider this place to be his permanent residence.
He will, however, visit Canton at convenient intervals and performs
divine service in the Hall of the Superintendents' Office.
Mr. Gutzlaff, the Joint Interpreter, will also remain at Macao. Pressing
occasions for the services of such an officer are frequently presenting them
selves here. In any emergency of extensive correspondence with the Pro
vincial Government, Mr. Gutzlaff will join me at Canton.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 99.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received November 13, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, April 1, 1837.
BEFORE I proceed to Canton, I think it right to place your Lordship
in possession of my own views upon the actual posture of circumstances
connected with the public intercourse between His Majesty's Government
and this Empire.
The Imperial edict which I have had the honour to transmit, is certainly
a very formal and unequivocal recognition of my character as a British
officer, appointed by the Government of my country, to manage its public
concerns in these dominions. No attempt is made to evade the material
distinction between my own position and that of the chief servant of the
Company, or of any other foreign functionary hitherto permitted to reside
here. The understanding that I cannot engage in trade, and that my
business is purely public, is plainly expressed.
197
Upon the side of His Majesty's Government then, my Lord, it appears
to me, that no condition is wanting to give to the representations of its agent
here, a complete formal character. They are the communications of a
foreign officer recognised by the Emperor, addressed to the head of the
Provincial Government, and they reach his Excellency's hands in a sealed
shape.
As respects the communications of the Government intended for me,
the state of the case is very different. They are not addressed to me at all :
they speak of me, not to me. They are injunctions to persons with whom, in
the admission of the Emperor, I have no congeniality of pursuit, and who,
therefore, in common sense, ought to have no public relations with me.
To the extent that the employment of the Hong merchant, as a channel
for the conveyance of direct sealed communications to the Governor, commits
me to receive by the same hand direct sealed communications from the
Governor, the analogy, indeed, is a sound one, and I could offer no objection
to practice founded upon it. But the use of the Hong merchant, as a letter-
bearer to the Governor, certainly carries with it no acquiescence in the doc
trine, that the Governor's orders addressed to that individual are binding
upon me.
As it is at present, I am entitled to consider that the Governor's com
munications in respect to me reach me in the form of no more than highly
credible information. And when no public inconvenience, or grave personal
responsibility is to be incurred by shaping my proceedings upon knowledge
thus acquired, I hope your Lordship will be of opinion that I shall only
manifest a proper respect to these authorities by conforming to their under
stood wishes, notwithstanding the indirectness of their signification. But
as a constant principle, it appears to be clear that my obligations of con
formity to the pleasure of this Government, or of any notice of it, are justly
limited by the rule, that it should be directly and formally signified
to me.
It is not for me to dictate a mode of intercourse to the Chinese Govern
ment with an officer of a foreign nation—and, indeed, I have a strong
impression that events will soon open their own eyes to the unsuitableness
and inefficacy of the present course, for their own purposes.
When his Excellency finds me incommunicable upon points on which he
desires to commnicate with me, (for to receive papers addressed to the Hong
merchants, in my judgment,■ by no means eommits me to acknowledge them
in other papers, addressed to the Governor,) I imagine his Excellency will
set about to seek what these obstacles are, and how they may be conveniently
and quietly set aside.
His Excellency, it may be suggested in some such conjuncture, receives .
my communications in a sealed shape addressed directly to himself, a practice
with which I am perfectly satisfied ; and if he thinks fit to forward his ownf ,
direct to me in the same wise, I could no longer presume to question the
perfect formal sufficiency of such a manner of intercourse.
There were many subjects upon which his Excellency communicatecT
with the Hong merchants, that I could not venture publicly to notice,
except his pleasure were signified to me in a direct form, or through a
responsible officer of the empire of respectable rank specially deputed for
the purpose of carrying on the public intercourse with me. Under present
circumstances, his Excellency's views only reached my knowledge as they did
that of all foreign private individuals—that is to say, at second hand, and as
an individual, they should always have my most respectful attention. But as
an officer, my responsibility was serious, and I was precluded from dealing
with them officially, unless I had a direct public warrant for my pro
ceedings.
The Hong merchants are men unacquainted with public affairs, and
naturally swayed by their private interests, and therefore with no culpable
intentions, their liability to mistakes and misconception is considerable.
The consequences of such errors might be too fatal to permit me to waver
from my just claim to be placed in direct possession of the wishes of this
Government, whenever it was expected I should take public notice of them,
committing the public interests of my country.
198
The Emperor had already been graciously pleased to acknowledge my
official character ; and his Imperial Majesty, in his wisdom, would also
recognise the reasonableness of these objections and requests, founded upon
my duty to my own Government, and upon an anxious desire to obviate the
risk of very hazardous misunderstandings. t
With this course of representation put forward at a favourable oppor
tunity, and in the most deferential language, I see no reason to despair of
carrying the required modification in the mode of conducting my official
intercourse with the Provincial Government.
I will conclude this despatch, by observing that, in my own humble
opinion, the actual manner of communication from us to the Chinese is
sufficiently formal and complete for all our purposes. From them to us, and
for their objects, it is defective. I can assure your Lordship that this is a
condition of circumstances far less inconvenient to his Majesty's Govern
ment than to the Provincial authorities. The defect, however, is of their own
creation, and the remedy is in their own hands.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 100.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Pulmerston.—{Received October 9, 1837.)
My Lord, Canton, April 27, 1837
THE inclosed papers involve a formal declaration of considerable import
ance which we have succeeded in drawing from the Governor since our arrival
in Canton, on the 12th instant ; viz., the clear right to forward our addresses
to his Excellency in a sealed shape, and without previous communication
upon the subject of their contents to any persons whatever.
It is desirable on many accounts that the circumstances under which
this admission has been made, should be fully submitted to your Lordship's
knowledge.
A few days before my departure from Macao for Canton, I received a
letter from the Government at Singapore, acquainting me, that an English
ship from this port, bound to England, had succeeded in rescuing seventeen
Chinese from a sinking junk ; that these persons had been landed at Pulo
Aor ; that arrangements had been made with the Malay Chief there, to con
vey them to Singapore ; and finally, that they had arrived in safety at that
place.
It occurred to me that the communication of this gratifying intelligence
might be made subservient to the purpose of gradually accustoming his