" ' Your Excellency, the High Commissioner, had ascertained that the
opium brought by Dent was comparatively in large quantity, and sum
moned him to be examined. He, too, procrastinated for three days, and
has not at all obeyed your commands by appearing.
'"In consequence hereof, and in accordance with established pre
cedents, a temporary embargo was placed on the trade, and the requesting
of permits to go to Macao was stayed.
" ' In perusing now the address of the said Superintendent, I find no
369
clear statement of the circumstances from first to last, but an instant
application for the granting of passports. I would ask, while commands
remain unanswered, summonses unattended, how I, the Governor, can,
regardless of the commands given by the High Imperial Commissioner, at
once write out and give passports ?
" ' In regard to the style of the address, there is much that cannot be
understood. Thus, for instance, the words " the two countries," I know not
the meaning of. While our Celestial Court has in humble submission to it
ten thousand (i.e. all) regions, and the heaven-like goodness of the great
Emperor overshadows all, the nation aforesaid and the Americans have, by
their trade at Canton during many years, enjoyed, of all those in subjec
tion, the largest measure of favors. And I presume it must be England
and America, that are conjointly named " the two countries." But the
meaning of the language is greatly wanting in perspicuity.
"'It is most requisite that, in obedience to the commands of you,
the High Imperial Commissioner, the opium laid up on board the store-
ships sliould at once be delivered up to Government, when of course imme
diate permission will be accorded to apply for permits for the men and
vessels of the said nation to come and go ; and assuredly there shall be no
causeless obstruction and delay.
" ' Besides commanding the original merchants, Woo Tun Yuen
(Howqua, Senior) and his fellows, to enjoin commands on the said Super
intendent for his obedience ; besides too, instructing the territorial and
financial Commissioner of Kwangtung, in concert with the judicial
Commissioner, to give all the needful commands, it is also my duty to
communicate with the High Imperial Commissioner, desiring to give
him the trouble to examine and cause measures to be taken accordingly.'
• " Upon this communication being duly received by me, the Commis
sioner, I proceed forthwith to give injunctions requiring obedience. When
these injunctions reach the Prefect and other aforenamed, let them imme
diately issue commands, requiring that obedience be paid without fail."
They, the Prefect and Commandant, having respectfully received the
above, proceed forthwith to issue commands. When these reach the said
Superintendent Elliot, let him immediately act in obedience to them, and
speedily take the opium laid up on board the store ships, and at once deliver it
up to Government. Then of course immediate permission will be accorded
to apply for permits for the men and vessels of his nation to come and go;
and assuredly there shall be no causeless obstruction and delay.
Be there no opposition to these special commands.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 11th day. (25th March, 1839.)
(L. S.) of Kwang Chow Foo .
(L. S.) of Kwang Chow Hee.
fy^True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
3 B
370
Inclosure 16 in No. 146.
The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot.
CHOO, by special appointment, Prefect of Kwang Chow, taking with
him Lew, the magistrate of Nanhae district, and Chang, the magistrate of
Pwanyu district, issues commands to the English Superintendent, Elliot, for
his fuil information.
On the 25th March, 1839, he received the within official injunction from
his Excellency Tang, Governor of the two Kwang.
" Upon the 25th March, 1839, I received from Lin, the High Imperial
Commissioner and Governor of Hookwang, a communication of the follow
ing tenor :—" I received on the 25th March, 1839, at from 1 to 3 a.m., your
Excellency's communication of the following tenor :—
[The same Address of March 25 (Inclosure 13) is here inserted.]
" ' Upon the receipt hereof, I have given the subject my consideration.
Elliot having come as English Superintendent into the territory of the
Celestial Court, how ought he implicitly to obey the laws ? But his country,
while it interdicts the use of opium, has yet permitted the seduction and
enticement of the Chinese people. The store-ships have been long anchored
in the waters of Kwangtung, yet he has been unable to expel them, or by
prohibitions to stay their proceedings. I would ask what it is then that
Elliot superintends?
" ' Of my special mission by the great Emperor, as his Commissioner in
this province, for inquiring and acting in regard to opium, how can the
said Superintendent be ignorant? And when, after my arrival here, in place
of taking the foreigners who dealt in opium, and subjecting them to the
punishment due by the laws, I turned to issue to them an edict, giving
them the option to deliver up their opium, and put a full stop to its future-
ingress, how could he remain unaware of this act of kindness beyond the
bounds of law? Yet in his address, not one word has he said in reference
hereto ; assuming the false garb of stupid ignorance. But has he not failed
indeed to consider, that he, the said Superintendent, having come from
Macao to Canton, cannot keep himself aloof from this matter?
" ' The unintelligibleness of the style of his address, it is not worth
while minutely to discuss. Nor is it necessary that I should reiterate the
commands which I have already given.
"'I have now merely to lay on Elliot the responsibility of speedily and
securely arranging these matters, the delivery of the opium, and the giving
of bonds in obedience to my former commands.
"'If he can take the opium on board the store ships, and at once
deliver it up entirely, it will of course be the duty of me, the Commissioner,
to give him encouragement and stimulus to exertion.
" ' Or if he have aught that he would say in the way of intreaty, he is
permitted to make a clear statement thereof. If there be really nothing
therein inconsistent with the principles of reason, in my equal maintenance
of perfect justice, how can I, the Commissioner, be willing in the least to
oppress? But if he speak not according to reason, and imagine, amid the
darkness of night, to abscond with his men*, it will show the conviction
within him that he can have no face to encounter his fellow-men, and can
he be able to escape the meshes of the vast and wide net of heaven ?
" ' Having received your Excellency's communication as above, it befits
me to communicate with you in reply, that you may, upon due examina
tion, direct the territorial and financial Commissioner, and the judicial
Commissioner, with the Prefect of Kwang Chow Foo, to enjoin commands
upon the said Superintendent, for his implicit obedience.'
• The word has the ambiguity arising from a want of declension of number in Chinese
grammar ; but the context seems to point out a plural rendering.—Translator.
371
"I, the Governor, having received the above communication, proceed to
give this injunction, enjoining the Prefect that he instantly take with him
the two magistrates of Nanhae and Pwanyu ; and in obedience to the
matter contained in the communication from the High Imperial Commis
sioner, proceed to impress on the said Superintendent Elliot the commands,
that they may be without fail obeyed."
He (the Kwang Chow Foo) having received this, forthwith issues com
mands. When these reach the said Superintendent Elliot, let him pay
immediate obedience.
Be there no opposition to these special commands.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 12th day (26th March, 1839.)
(L. S.) of the Kwang Chow Foo.
(L. S.) of the Nanhae magistrate.
(L. S.) of the Pwanyu magistrate.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 17 in No. 146.
The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot.
CHOO, by special appointment, Prefect of Kwang Chow, taking with
him Lew, the magistrate of Nanhae, and Chang, the magistrate of
Pwanyu, issues commands to the English Superintendent, Elliot, for his full
information.
On the 26th March, 1839, he received the within official injunction
from His Excellency Tang, Governor of the two Kwang :
" Upon the 26th March, 1839, J received from Lin, the High Imperial
Commissioner and Governor of Hookwang, a communication of the
following tenor :—
" ' 1 received on the 26th March, 1839, between 5 and 7 a. m., your
Excellency's communication to me of the following tenor :—
" ' Tnat the English Superintendent, Elliot, having come up to
Canton on the 24th, had a foreign address ready and presented, at 1 a. m.
on the 25th ; that a clear and plain reply had been given to it, and the
Particulars communicated to me, as appears explicitly on record; that now,
etween 1 and 3 p. m., another prepared address has been presented, the
requests contained in which are all found difficult to be at present granted;
and that it has appeared right to send for my examination the foreign
addresses, that commands may be given in reply.
" ' Upon the receipt hereof, I have given the subject my consideration.
The said Superintendent, Elliot, requests, I find, that an officer may be
deputed to enable him clearly and minutely to state matters. These
words seem somewhat reasonable. But how then is it that this day, from
7 till 5, when I had sent several times, Choo the Prefect of Kwang Chow
Foo, Yu the Prefect expectant, Lew the Sub-Prefect of Fukang, Lew the
magistrate of Nanhae, and Chang the magistrate of Pwanyu, who
jointly repaired to the Consoo House of the Hong merchants, waiting
for the said foreigner, in order to express to him commands ; and when
the Territorial and Financial Commissioner, and the Judicial Commis
sioner, also both went to the new city, to await information: nevertheless,
the foreigners all remained in concealment, not one appearing; and the
said Superintendent Elliot also did not even to the last show himself?
What kind of conduct is this?
" ' I find that foreigners, by dealing in opium, have long infringed
the laws. I, the High Commissioner, having received the Imperial com
mands to repair to Kwangtung in order to make inquiry and to act,
cannot bear to destroy ere 1 have instructed. Therefore did I first issue
an edict, requiring the delivery up of the opium. This was a measure of
indulgence beyond the bounds of law. Had the said Superintendent one
3 B 2
372
glimpse of light, how ought he to have been roused by gratitude speedily
to act ? But whereas, before Elliot came to Canton, I heard that all the
foreigners verbally expressed their readiness to deliver up opium, and
only failed to state the true amount ; and even Dent, although (having the
conviction that he had been long in the habit of dealing in opium) he
ventured not at once to appear before the officers, yet neither did he
venture to abscond ; whereas, I say, this was before the case, no sooner
had Elliot come to Canton, on the evening of the 24th, than he wished to
lead off Dent to abscond, with the view of preventing the determination
in regard to the delivery of the opium. Had not the precautionary mea-
' sures been most strict and complete, almost had the hare escaped, the
wolf run off. Elliot's conduct being thus exactly the same as that of an
artful schemer, can he yet be regarded fit for the office of Superintendent ?
" • And while confusedly presenting to your Excellency the Governor
two addresses in one day, he makes not one word of reference to the
inquiries now being made for the prevention of opium, or to the orders
that have been given to deliver it up, just as though there was a causeless
and vexatious detention. This only he has failed to consider, that had
he really indeed been ready to command clearly all the foreigners to
deliver up the opium in obedience to the commands given, should not I,
the Commissioner, have then praised and encouraged him greatly ? Or
had he even abstained from giving such clear commands, yet if he had
not proceeded to work upon and seduce the minds of all, to induce them
to abscond, should I in that case have indeed taken the step of with
drawing the Compradores, and making inquiry regarding the vessel he
came in? At this time, the offence of contumacious resistance and oppo
sition is turned away from Dent, and fixed on Elliot. Even should I, the
Commissioner, treat him with a partiality of leniency, yet, his country
having long enjoyed the advantages of a commercial intercourse with
Kwangtung, even for a period of two hundred years, if it shall find these
advantages suddenly stopped and destroyed by the individual Elliot, will
his Sovereign treat him with consideration and indulgence?
" ' When on former occasions, foreign officers that have been here
have failed to keep the laws, the nation aforesaid has several times gone
to the full extent of the law in inflicting punishment upon them. Can
Elliot not have heard of this ?
" ' Having received your communication as afore stated, it behoves me
to request your Excellency the Governor, to be so indulgent as once more
to enjoin it upon Elliot, that it is needful he should come to have a fear
of crime, and a purpose to repent and amend ; that he should give clear
commands to all the foreigners to obey the orders, requiring them to take
/ the opium on board the store ships, and speedily to deliver it up. Then
not only the Compradores of individuals and of ships will be all restored as
usual; but I, the Commissioner, with your Excellency the Governor, and
the Lieutenant-Governor, will assuredly cease to go back into the past,
and will lay our entreaties before the Great Emperor, that favors may be
shown beyond the bounds of law. And thenceforward all the foreigners
will conduct a legitimate trade, rejoicing in the exhaustless gains thereof.
If, assuming a false garb of ignorance, he voluntarily draw upon himself
troubles, the evil consequences will be of his own working out, and where
shall he find place for after repentance?
" ' Herewith is sent a proclamation, under four heads, which, while I
send copies to the Hong merchants to be pasted up, I hope you will at
the same time enjoin on Elliot, that he may have it translated and given
to all the foreigners, for their information. I wait your reply, &.C.'
" Upon the receipt of the above, I, the Governor, proceed to issue this
injunction, requiring of the Prefect instantly to take with him the two
magistrates of Nanhae and Pwanyu, and to act in obedience to what is
contained in the communication from His Excellency the Imperial Com
missioner, enjoining the commands on the said Superintendent Elliot, that
he may without fail obey."
Having received this, he (the Prefect) proceeds at once to issue com
373
mands. When these reach the said Superintendent Elliot, let him pay
immediate obedience.
Let there be no opposition to these commands.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 12th day. (26th March, 1839).
(L.S.) of the Kwang-Chow-Foo.
(L.S.) of the Nanhae magistrate.
(L.S.) of the Pwanyu magistrate.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 18 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner.
Canton, March 27, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, &c, has now had the honour to receive, for the first
time, your Excellency's commands, bearing date the 26th day of March,
issued by the pleasure of the Great Emperor, to deliver over into the
hands of honourable officers to be appointed by your Excellency, all the
opium in the hands of British subjects.
Elliot must faithfully and completely fulfil these commands ; and he
has now respectfully to request that your Excellency will be pleased to
indicate the point to which the ships of his nation, having opium on board,
are to proceed, so that the whole may be delivered up.
The faithful account of the same shall be transmitted as soon as it is
ascertained.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 19 in No. 146.
The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot.
CHOO, by special appointment, Prefect of Kwang Chow Foo, issues
commands to the English Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
He has now received the within commands from Lin the High
Imperial Commissioner, and Governor of Hookwang.
"This day it appears the following' prepared address has been pre
sented by the English Superintendent, Elliot :
[The Address of March 27 (Inclosure 18) is here inserted]
" Upon this coming before me, the Commissioner, I forthwith
i :—
reply
" The representation that, in obedience to the commands, he will
deliver up the opium, manifests a respectful sense of duty and under
standing of matters. I find that the store ships at present in these seas,
are, in all, twenty-two; and the general amount of the opium they have on
board, I am already informed of by my inquiries. The Superintendent
can have no difficulty in instantly ascertaining from all the foreigners in
the factories the precise amounts, and immediately writing out and pre
senting a clear statement thereof, to enable me, the Commissioner, in con
junction with the Governor, at once to declare a certain period, when
we will ourselves go to receive what is delivered up. He must not make
an untrue report, lest he bring on himself the offence of concealing, de
ceiving, and passing over. Beware of this !
" I proceed to direct that commands be enjoined, and to this end
address my commands to the Prefect of Kwang-Chow-Foo, requiring that
ha pay immediate obedience, and make known to the Hong merchants my
374
reply, for them to transmit the commands to the said Superintendent
Elliot, in order that he may obey the same. A special order."
Upon the receipt hereof, he (the Prefect) proceeds to issue commands.
When these reach the said Superintendent Elliot, let him immediately act
in obedience thereto, and instantly ascertain from all the foreigners in the
factories, what is the precise amount of opium on board the store ships
now in these seas, and at once let him write out and present a clear
statement thereof.
Let there be no opposition to these commands.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 13th day (27th March, 1839.)
(L.S.) of the Kwang-Chow-Foo.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 20 in No. 146.
Public Notice issued by Captain Elliot to British Subjects, requiring
them to deliver up to him all British-owned Opium, either in their
possession or under their controul.
Circular.
Canton, March 27, 1839.
I, CHARLES ELLIOT, Chief Superintendent of the trade of British
subjects in China, presently forcibly detained in Canton by the Provincial
Government, together with all the merchants of my own and the other
foreign nations settled here, without supplies of food, deprived of our
servants, and cut ofT from all intercourse with our respective countries
(notwithstanding my own official demand to be set at liberty, so that I
might act without restraint), have now received the commands of the High
Commissioner, issued directly to me under the seals of the honourable
officers, to deliver over into his hands all the opium held by the people of
my country.
Now I, the said Chief Superintendent, thus constrained by paramount
motives affecting the safety of the lives and liberty of all the foreigners
here present in Canton, and by other very weighty causes, do hereby, in
the name and on the behalf of Her Britannic Majesty's Government,
enjoin and require all Her Majesty's subjects now present in Canton,
forthwith to make a surrender to me, for the service of Her said Majesty's
Government, to be delivered over to the Government of China, of all
the opium belonging to them, or British opium under their controul ;
and to hold the British ships and vessels engaged in the trade of opium
subject to my immediate direction, and to forward to me, without delay, a
sealed list of all the British-owned opium in their respective possessions ;
and I, the said Chief Superintendent, do now, in the most full and unre
served manner, hold myself responsible, for and on the behalf of Her
Britannic Majesty's Government, to all and each of Her Majesty's
subjects surrendering the said British-owned opium into my hands to be
delivered over to the Chinese Government; and I, the said Chief
Superintendent, do further specially caution all Her Majesty's subjects
here present in Canton, owners of, or charged with the management of
opium, the property of British subjects, that, failing the surrender of the
said opium into my hands, at or before six o'clock this day, I, the said
Chief Superintendent, hereby declare Her Majesty's Government wholly
free of all manner of responsibility or liability in respect of the said British-
owned opium.
And it is specially to be understood that the proof of British property
and value of all British opium surrendered to me agreeably to this notice,
shall be determined upon principles, and in a manner hereafter to be
defined by Her Majesty's Government.
Given under my hand and seal of office, at Canton, in China, this
375
twenty-seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty-nine, at six of the clock in the morning.
(L.S.) (Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent of the Trade of
British Subjects in China.
Inclosure 21 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner.
Canton, March 28, 1839.
ELLIOT, respectfully referring to your Excellency's commands, has
now the honour to signify that he holds himself strictly responsible to your
Excellency, as the High Commissioner of the Great Emperor, faithfully,
and with all practicable dispatch, to deliver up as may be appointed,
20,283 (twenty thousand two hundred and eighty-three) chests of British-
owned opium, which he yesterday required of the people of his country in
the name of his Sovereign.
But as it appears upon inquiry that considerable quantities of the
said 20,283 chests are not at places within the immediate reach of this
port. Elliot must request that your Excellency will be pleased to accept
nis solemn public pledge, that every chest shall be delivered up as it falls
into his possession, until the whole amount of 20,283 chests shall be within
the hands of your Excellency. And if Elliot dares to break that solemn
public pledge in the least degree, he would most assuredly draw upon his
own head the severest displeasure of his own Sovereign.
Elliot, however, is the officer of the English nation only, and1 your
Excellency will, therefore, see that it is not in his power to require men of
other foreign nations to deliver him their opium.
It remains for him to offer the expression of his highest consideration.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 22 in No. 146.
The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot.
CHOO, Prefect of Kwang-Chow-Foo, issues commands to the English
Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
He has now received the within injunction from his Excellency Lin,
the High Imperial Commissioner and Governor of Hookwang.
" The English Superintendent Elliot has presented an address, of the
following tenor :—
[The Address of March 28 (Inclosure 21) is here inserted.]-
" Upon this coming duly before me, the Commissioner, I proceed to
reply.
" By this address it appears, that the amount of opium has been
ascertained, and the needful examination and receipt thereof are respect
fully awaited. The real sincerity and faithfulness thus shown, are worthy
of praise. I find that the amount of 20,283 chests, stated by the said
Superintendent, has reference only to such as is brought by the English
foreigners.
" I, the Commissioner, have assuredly no suspicion that there is any
376
insincerity behind. And the statement that there is some at other ports
elsewhere, I presume also to be the fact. But I have considered that,
before the issuing of the orders to deliver up, it is difficult to feel assured
that there has been no opium laid up in the several foreign factories, nor
any brought in the various vessels at Whampoa. The question does not
now stop with what is in deposit on board the store ships, but at this
time, when punishment is not to be inflicted on past offences, it is essen
tial that all the opium, wherever laid up, should be completely surrendered.
Assuredly the offences of those who have before laid up a store thereof,
shall not be visited upon them.
"I have now, in conjunction with the Governor and Lieutenant-
Governor, determined on the rules to be observed in regard to the delivery
of the opium. Besides sending a copy thereof separately to the Prefect of
Kwang Chow Foo, that he may desire the Hong merchants to make
known the same, I also require of the said Superintendent, instantly to
ascertain what quantity of opium there may be in the foreign factories ;
and on the 29th, officers shall be deputed to receive the same ; what quan
tity of opium there may be on board the ships at Whampoa, to examine
and receive which officers shall be sent on the 30th ; and what quantity
there is on board the twenty-two store ships outside, to examine and
receive which, I, the Commissioner, and the Governor, will ourselves goto
the Bocca Tigris. Whatever there may be stored up at other ports, since
the said Superintendent has promised to deliver up the whole, he should
of course be held responsible for the delivery of, from time to time, as it
shall arrive. Should the amount be in excess of the 20,283 chests, it must
still be fully surrendered. In so doing, the sincerity of the purpose will
be shown. And assuredly no blame snail be attached to the inaccuracy
of the original report, on account of such excess.
" Besides this, the American, French, and Dutch nations have also
Consuls in superintendence of affairs, to whom orders have now been given
in like manner to pay obedience, and speedily to represent the real
amounts, waiting till examination can be made, and the whole received.
Though the said Superintendent be peculiarly charged with the controulof
the English foreigners, yet having been permitted by the Crown, in conse
quence of the Governor's representations, to remain as Superintendent in
the foreign factories, he should spread abroad his monitions, so that all
may speedily deliver up what opium they have, so as to enable us to memo
rialize the throne conjointly, and request a conferment of favors from the
Great Emperor, in order to afford encouragement and stimulate exertion.
Now is the time for the foreigners of all nations to repent of their faults,
and pass over to the side of virtue. This is the day and time for reforma
tion ; and if embraced, the enjoyment of unending advantages will be the
result. Let none on any account make excuses, or seek delay, so as to
incur cause for future repentance.
" I proceed to issue commands, requiring obedience. And to this end I
give my injunctions to the Prefect of Kwang Chow Foo, requiring him
immediately to transmit directions to the Hong merchants, to enjoin the
commands on Elliot, to be without fail by him obeyed."
This having been received, he (the Prefect) proceeds to issue com
mands. When these reach the said Superintendent Elliot, let him pay
immediate obedience. Let there be no opposition to these commands.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 14th day. (28th March, 1839.)
(L.S.) of the Kwang-Chow-Foo.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
377
Inclosure 23 in No. 146.
The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot, communicating four Rules
for the delivery of Opium.
CHOO, Prefect of Kwang-Chow-Foo, issues commands to the English
Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information. .
r He has now received an injunction from Lin, the High Imperial Com-,
missioner and Governor of Hookwang, sending out four rules for the
delivery of opium, which he transmits for immediate obedience. Be there
no opposition. A special command. ,
RULES.
First.—The opium to be delivered up, as promised in the address, was
not intended to have reference peculiarly to the store ships. Whatever
may be laid up in the foreign factories, or on board the ships at Whampoa,
the said Superintendent is required first to deliver up: all that there
may be in the factories he is required to have removed on the 29th, to the
outside thereof, there to await the deputing of officers to examine and
take charge of the same. As to the ships at Whampoa, he is instantly
to draw up a clear statement of the amount of opium in chests on board
any of them by name, and to write in readiness, foreign letters to be
handed in to government ; it being determined to depute an officer on the
30th, to proceed, with chop-boats and tea-boats to examine and take
charge of the same.
Secondly. —To the twenty-two store ships, which have of late been
anchored off Lintin, in the Macao Roads, and elsewhere, the said Super
intendent is also required to address foreign letters, that they may imme
diately proceed to make delivery. Officers shall be in the first place
deputed to carry the letters, and give commands to the store-ships to cast
anchor near to the Sandy-Head Offing, (one of the headlands of the Bogue,)
and then and there they must respectfully await the arrival at the Bocca
Tigris, of their Excellencies the Imperial Commissioner and the Governor,
personally, between the 31st of March and the 2nd of April, when they
shall, ship by ship, submit the opium to be examined and taken charge of
by their Excellencies, in concert with the naval Commander-in-Chief.
■ K .Thirdly.—The foreigners of his nation residing in the foreign Fac
tories at Macao, must also be required to convey any opium they have in
store, to the port of Sandy-Head, there to be in course of time examined
and taken charge of.
Fourthly.—Foreign vessels bringing opium from beyond sea, and being
anchored in sundry and distant places, not near to the Bocca Tigris, the
said Superintendent and the several Consuls are constantly in communica
tion with them, and their courses are well known: they should be required,
therefore, to write and have in readiness foreign letters, and to point out
plainly the places in which the vessels are anchored, delivering such letters
in to Government, until officers shall be deputed to take and give them to
the parties, who must bring their ships, with the opium on board- to
the port of Sandy-Head, where, as they arrive, the opium shall be
delivered. , There must■ not be the least concealment or delay.
: "■■V Taoukwang, 19th year,1 2nd month, 14th day. (28th March, 1839.)
(L.S.) of the Kwang-Chow-Foo.
True Translation.
..■ (Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
3 C
378
Inclosure 24 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner.
Canton, March 28, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, &c, has the honour to signify to your Excellency,
that if any of the ships of his nation, having■ opium, at the outside ancho
rages, alarmed by his detention, and the severe proceedings of the
Government, shall take advantage of the north wind to sail away,
Elliot is still, according to the customs of his nation, most severely
responsible till every chest of the 20,283 be delivered into the hands of the
Government. He will be bringing disgrace upon his nation, and his
Sovereign will punish him with the last degree of displeasure, if he breaks
faith in the smallest degree.
But shut up as he is, he knows not where the ships are ; and not
being able to send them orders to stay, it is his duty to state most clearly,
that if they are gone he is still responsible to his Sovereign till the whole
20,283 chests be delivered up.
Taking all these circumstances into consideration, Elliot trusts that
your Excellency will be pleased to confide to his justice and truth, the
faithful delivery of the opium on board the outside ships, as it falls into
his possession, in the manner which he may find practicable when he is
set at liberty.
By this expression he means only, that the native servants should be
restored to the people of his country ; that they should be permitted to
purchase their supplies of food; and that the intercourse between
Canton, Macao, and the outer anchorages in the licensed passage boats,
should be re-opened ; Elliot himself remaining in Canton till the whole be
delivered.
With regard to opium at Canton and Whampoa, Elliot, and all the
men of the foreign nations, have already taken most severe proceedings,
as your Excellency will find by reference to the late records, when it was
faithfully reported that all was gone.
Elliot has now respectfully to announce to your Excellency, that
whilst he, and all the men of his nation, continue prisoners, the disposal of
these matters is not in his hands. For, according to the customs of his
country, the orders of persons in confinement are of no avail ; thus, the
ships will not obey his injunctions until it be known that he and all the
people of his nation are set at liberty.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 25 in No. 146.
The Prefect of Canton, communicating the commands of the Imperial
Commissioner in reply to Captain Elliot's Address (Inclosvre 24).
CHOO, by special appointment, Prefect of Kwang-Chow-Foo, issues
commands to the English Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
He has now received the within injunction from Lin, the High
Imperial Commissioner and Governor of Hookwan g.
" Upon the 29th instant, the English Superintendent, Elliot, presented
an address requesting that as usual the compradores and servants should
be allowed to furnish the daily supplies of food, and the passage-boats
should be permitted to run between this, the outer anchorages, and Macao;
he still remaining in Canton until the whole amount of opium shall be
completely delivered up.
379
" On this duly coming before me, the Commissioner, I proceed to
reply.
" Yesterday the said Superintendent, when addressing me in reply,
promised for himself, that he would certainly deliver up the opium of his
nation, to the amount of 20,283 chests, surrendering the whole quantity as
he should bring it into his hands. I therefore answered in his praise, and
at the same time clearly gave directions in regard to the places where,
and time when, the delivery should be made. And I besides sent in a
separate form, a list of Rules, and required of him to write foreign letters
(or orders) to enable me to depute officers to proceed therewith to the
store-ships, and call on them to make the delivery. This was a most
simple, convenient, and easy mode of proceeding. If the said Super
intendent were really acting with sincerity of purpose, he certainly should
have speedily proceeded to obey my commands. Though he say, that in
the foreign Factories, and on board the ships at Whampoa, there is now
no opium, yet the opium laid up on board the twenty-two store-ships, is
all deposited therein by the foreigners residing in the factories. Ordi
narily, when combining with Chinese traitors to dispose thereof clandes
tinely, it has been always practicable to obtain foreign orders written at
the factories, and giving the same to the fast boats to proceed therewith
outside and get possession of the commodity. How is it" then that on this
occasion, when surrendering the opium, there is no knowledge of this
mode of operation ?
" In the present address, it is represented, that now, while the north
wind is blowing, it is feared that vessels outside, having opium on board,
may perhaps set sail and go away. Now I find that of late the store-
ships have all returned to Lintin, Macao Roads, and other anchor
ages, and there remained ; doubtless, because they have heard that com
mands have been issued requiring delivery of the opium, and therefore
have not dared to sail far away. They are yet disposed to await and pay
obedience ; while you would desire to stir them up and make them go. I
would ask, seeing that you have taken on you the responsibility in this
matter, how, if the store-ships should dare to sail away, you will be able
to sustain the heavy criminality attaching to you ?
"The address talks too of close restraint, as if it were imprisonment,
which is still more laughable. I find that from the 18th March, when
the commands were given to all the foreigners to deliver up their opium,
every thing remained as usual, until the 24th, when you came in a boat to
Canton, and that night wished to take Dent and abscond with him. It
was after this that cruizers were stationed to examine and observe all
that went in and out. It was because you were void of truth and good
faith, that it became unavoidably necessary to take preventive steps. As
to the compradores and others, they are in fact Chinese traitors, who
would also suggest absconding and escape. How then could the with
drawal of them be omitted ? Yesterday, too, when you had made a state
ment of the amount of opium, I at once conferred on you a reward con
sisting of sundry articles of food. Is this the manner in which prisoners
are ever treated ?
" I, The High Commissioner, in conjunction with the Governor and
Lieutenant-Governor, looking up to the Great Emperor, embody his all-
comprehending kindness, and in our treatment of you foreigners of every
nation, never go .beyond these two words,—favour and justice. Such as
display contumacy and contempt, how can they have aught but justice
dealt out to- them ? But such as show a respectful sense of duty, shall
assuredly be tenderly intreated with favor.
" Do you now simply command plainly all the foreigners with instant
speed to prepare letters, and hand them in to Government, to enable it to
give commands to all the store-ships to deliver up in orderly succession
the opium. And as soon as this shall be delivered up, every thing shall
without fail be restored to its ordinary condition. This requisitipn is
indeed conformable to reason : what difficulty is there in complying with it?
If, in place of speedily making delivery, you make pretexts for diverting
attention, in the hope that after the strict preventive measures shall be
withdrawn you may form some other scheme, who cannot see through such
3 C 2
380
artful devices ? And will you be enabled to make a repetition of such
attempts ?
" Besides deputing officers to proceed to the Hong merchants' Consoo
House, there to give verbal commands, and so prevent delay, you are also
hereby required to act speedily in obedience to this my reply. Do not
again be working at excuses and delay, thereby drawing on yourself
cause for future repentance.
" I proceed to give this injunction requiring obedience : and to this
end I enjoin the Prefect of Kwang Chow Foo, instantly to command the
Hong merchants to give it in command to the said Superintendent Elliot,
that ne without fail pay obedience."
He (the Prefect) having received this, proceeds to issue the com
mands. On these reaching the said Superintendent Elliotk let him
speedily act in conformity with this reply. Let him not again set to work
at making excuses and delaying, lest he draw on himself cause for
future repentance.
Hasten ! Hasten ! A special command.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 15th day. (29th March, 1839.)
(L.S.) of the Kwang-Chow-Foo.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison, ,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 26 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner.
Canton, March 30, 1839.
ELLIOT, being anxious to discharge his obligations to your Excel
lency with all practicable dispatch, has the honour to acquaint your
Excellency that he has now issued instructions to Mr. Johnston, the Deputy
Superintendent, requiring him forthwith to proceed outside and deliver
into the hands of the honourable officers, 20,283 (twenty thousand two
hundred and eighty-three) chests.
It is desirable, therefore, that the intercourse, by the licensed passage-
boats, should be opened as soon as possible, in order that Mr. Johnston
may proceed to Lintin, and there assemble all the ships for the purpose of
convenient delivery.
The inclosed is the order to Mr. Johnston for the delivery of the opium.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Sub-inclosure in Inclosure 26 in No. 146.
Sir, Canton, March 30, 1839.
I HAVE now to instruct you to deliver over to the officers of
the Chinese Government, with the least possible delay, twenty thousand
two hundred and eighty-three chests of opium ; and for the more con
venient and rapid discharge of that duty, you will be so good as to
assemble all the British outside shipping at Lintin.
You will report to me at Canton the quantity delivered by every
opportunity which presents itself, to the end that I may communicate the
same to the High Commissioner, from time to time.
I have &.c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
A. R. Johnston, Esq., Chief Superintendent.
Deputy-Superintendent.
381
Inclosure 27 in No 146
The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot, returning the order on
Mr. Johnston for the 20,283 Chests.
CHOO, by special appointment, Prefect of Kwang Chow Foo, issues
commands to the English Superintendent Elliot, for his full information.
On the 31st March, 1839, he received from Lin, the High Imperial
Commissioner and Governor of Hookwang, the within official injunction.
" On the 30th March, 1839, the English Superintendent, Elliot, pre
sented the following address.
[The. address of March 30 (Inclosure 26) is here inserted.~\
" Upon this duly coming before me, the Commissioner, I forthwith
.reply.
" This address represents, that the Deputy Superintendent Johnston
shall be sent outside, to call together all the vessels, and deliver up the
whole amount of opium ; and gives conveyance to an order to him for my
perusal. I, the High Commissioner, have carefully examined the terms of
this order, and though I find therein nothing improper, yet considering
that in a previous address, the said Superintendent stated that, taking on
him the power intrusted to him by his Sovereign, he had required of the
people of his nation immediately to deliver up the whole of the opium ; it
' is plain to me, that as the said Superintendent has the power of making
such a requisition, he can have no difficulty in giving orders directly to all
the store-ships ; and what necessity, then, is there for committing the
matter to Johnston, and thus multiplying the twists and bends of the
transaction ?
" I, the High Commissioner, have given reiterated official replies,
requiring of all the foreigners to write orders themselves, on the ground
that, in the ordinary manner of selling the opium, they have always thus,
disembarked the goods, without committing an error once in a hundred
times. Why, then, is not the opium surrendered in this comparatively
simple, convenient, and easy way ?
"Let me now weigh the matter for you. The said Superintendent■
having the power to act, and having repeatedly acknowledged before me
his responsibility, can have not the smallest loop-hole of escape therefrom.
How can he possibly have the power to require of all the foreigners to
deliver up the opium, and yet not have the power to require that they
write orders for the same? It is his duty, then, immediately to pay
obedience to my reiterated instructions, and speedily to require of all the
foreigners severally, to write foreign orders for the number of chests of
opium they have on board each vessel by name, and to present the same
to Government through the said Superintendent, covered by a general
order from himself, that these being conveyed to the store-ships they may
in orderly succession make delivery. The earlier the day of the complete
delivery, the earlier will be the day for the commercial intercourse to.
* resume its ordinary course, not stopping merely at the giving permission
to the passage boats to run.
" The said Superintendent must know that I, the Commissioner, give
my commands and cautions in full sincerity, and he must speedily pay
implicit obedience. He must not be turning inconstantly this way and
that, bringing thereby criminality and cause of sorrow on himself.
" The foreign order is sent back herewith.
" I proceed to give injunctions, requiring J;he said Prefect immediately
to direct the Hong merchants to give it in command to the said Superin
tendent Elliot, that he, without fail, pay obedience."
He (the Prefect) having received this, proceeds forthwith to issue
382
cmomands. When these reach the said Superintendent, let him imme
diately pay obedience. Be there no opposition. A special command.
Two papers, being foreign orders, are returned herewith.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 18th day. (1st April, 1839.)
(L. S.) of the Kwang Chow Foo.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 28 in No. 146.
■-
Memorandum transmitted by Captain Elliot to the Prefect of Canton,
to be laid before the Imperial Commissioner.
Canton, April 1, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, &c, desires to send Mr. Johnston to deliver up the
opium, for no other object than that of clear and orderly arrangement ; it
being requisite that a person should be sent on board the vessels, to take
note of each delivery, and so prevent error or confusion.
For Elliot having in the present case to deliver up all the opium, is by
no means in a similar position to that of individual merchants in ordinary
times selling small amounts. And these merchants having now given
into his hands all the opium to be held by him, on account of his nation,
though the merchants should send orders on board the vessels, they would
be utterly useless. It is on these accounts absolutely requisite that a
person should proceed to each vessel ; for so alone can all the opium be
delivered.
And Elliot is willing to give the fullest assurance, that whenever
Mr. Johnston shall be enabled to proceed in a chop-boat to Macao, and
the cutter Louisa to proceed outside with instructions to the store-
ships, Mr. Johnston shall at once bring the vessels to the anchorage of
Lankeet. The business being a troublesome one, which cannot be managed
in a moment, he would then solicit his Excellency the Commisssioner to be
pleased to direct a certain amount to be at once surrendered to Govern
ment, as an evidence of his sincerity ; and then to command that affairs in
the factories at Canton be restored to their ordinary condition ; when
Mr. Johnston shall continue to deliver from time to time all the opium, to
the full amount of 20,283 chests.
These are the words of truth and sincerity, and shall not be departed
from.
If it be said that Elliot or Johnston would procrastinate and trifle
with this matter, seeking to avoid delivering the full amount, it is replied
that such conduct would be in the last degree derogatory to the dignity of
their Sovereign. And should those officers break faith in the smallest
particle, they may be punished with death, and their Sovereign, severely
indignant at their offence, would not regard their punishment.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 29 in No. 146.
The Imperial Commissioner to Captain Elliot, prescribing terms for
the delivery of the 20,283 Chests of Opium.
LIN, the High Imperial Commissioner of the Celestial Court, gives
commands to the English Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
Upon the 1st of April, the said Superintendent gave the following
voluntary pledge.
[An Extract of the Memorandum of April 1 (Inclosure 28) is here
inserted.]
I, the High Commissioner, having looked over the terms of this pledge,
find that they are such as emanate from perfect sincerity. I will then, in
concert with the Governor of the two Kwang, depute civil and military
officers, who, taking under their command Hong merchants and linguists,
shall agree and fix upon a time, when they will take Johnston with them
on board a chop-boat, and proceed outside the port, that he may direct the
store-ships to repair to the anchorage of Lankeet, and deliver up the
opium. There, in sections of two vessels at a time, they shall submit it to
examination and surrender it.
In addition to this, having reference to the request that an amount
should be named for prior delivery, as an evidence of sincerity, I have
considered that the English opium on this occasion to be delivered up,
amounting to 20,283 chests, cannot indeed be completely surrendered in
one or two days, and I have therefore determined on the following terms :
that when one-fourth part shall have been delivered, the compradores and
servants shall immediately be restored ; when one-half shall have been
delivered, consideration being had thereto, the passage-boats shall be
allowed to apply for passes, and upon examination to run to and fro ;
when three-fourths shall have been delivered, the removal of the embargo
and freedom of trade shall be at once granted ; and when the whole shall
have been surrendered, every thing shall return to its ordinary condition,
and a request shall be laid before the throne that encouragement and
reward may be conferred.
Should the said Superintendent, &c, be unable rightly to give com
mands to the store-ships, and should error and breach of faith so result, it
is requisite, in view of such a case, to prescribe terms of warning. If there
be any erroneous delay for three days, the supply of fresh water shall be
cut off; if for three days more there be like delay, the supplies of food shall
be cut off; and if such delay continue still three days longer, the laws
shall forthwith be maintained and enforced. There can be no indulgence
shown.
For this purpose, I address my commands in a direct form, requiring
implicit obedience. Oppose not special commands.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 19th day. (2nd April, 1839.)
(L. S.) of the Imperial Commissioner.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
384
Inclosure 30 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner.
Canton, April 3, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, has had the honour to receive your Excellency's
commands, and is willing to conform to these directions, as soon as it is
clearly explained that Johnston shall proceed in the first place to Macao,
with the officers and the Hong merchants ; that his own boat shall leave
Whampoa at the same time ; and that Johnston should then be allowed to
go free on board Elliot's boat, and assemble the ships two by two at
Lankeet for the delivery of the opium.
In this manner alone, the full and rapid performance of your Excel
lency's commands is easy of fulfilment.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 147.
■ Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received August 29, 1839.)
(Extract.) Canton, April 3. 1839.
IN my position, and with my thoughts intensely fixed upon the diffi
culties that have befallen this great trade, I may spare your Lordship the
language of excuse for the following matter.
It is my first duty to express a plain conviction, that no efforts of Her
Majesty's Government, either of negotiation purely, or of negotiation
supported by arms, could recover, for trade to be carried on at Canton,
such a degree of confidence as would restore its late important extent.
All sense of security has been broken to pieces.
In fact, my Lord, the first truth deducible from the actual proceedings
of this Government, is strikingly momentous ; namely, that a separation
from the ships of our country, on the main land of China, is wholly
unsafe.
The movement of a few hours has placed the lives, liberty, and property
of the foreign community in China, with all the vast interests, commercial
and financial, contingent upon our security, at the mercy of this Govern
ment. And if this fearful intelligence reaches England and India before
the news of our liberation, and before that of the reassuring measures
which I felt myself called upon to take, I am greatly afraid that the shock
will be incalculably heavy, and most widely felt. Indeed, before 1 leave
this part of the subject, I would presume to express the anxious hope,
that Her Majesty's Government will see fit, as soon as these despatches
Come to hand, to make such a declaration concerning its general intentions,
as will have the effect of upholding confidence.
I am writing this despatch, my -Lord, in a moment of anxiety, and I
close it abruptly, to save the opportunity of Mr. Johnston, who is leaving
tis in our confinement, as your Lordship will observe by the narrative
despatch, in a sudden manner.
This is our first intercourse, of a sure kind, with our countrymen and
families outside for twelve days.
385
No. 148.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmer ston.—(Received September 21, 1839.)
My Lord, Canton, April 6, 1839.