I have also advanced on my private account and risk, a sum of 1,500
dollars, to the family of the deceased, as some compensation for the heavy
loss they have sustained ; a further sum of 400 dollars, to protect them
against the extortion of this money by the lower mandarins in the neigh
bourhood ; and 100 dollars, to be distributed amongst the suffering
villagers, (some of them aged men and women,) with the hope to soothe
the irritation which the late event was calculated to create.
I have no doubt you will agree with me that expenses of this nature
incurred on occount of the grave misconduct of English seamen, should
devolve upon the English ships to which the people belonged, who had
been so improperly permitted to go on shore ; and so far as I have yet
ascertained, the Carnatic and Mangalore are the only English ships in
that situation. If it should become known to me, however, that the
seamen of any other English ships were on shore, and engaged in this
riot, I will of course transmit a copy of this letter to the Agents for them.
Perhaps I should explain, that 1 have carefully particularized English
ships, because I believe there isno doubtthattheseamenof otherforeign ships
were concerned in this dismal transaction. But I have necessarily neither
the right nor the least disposition to accept from foreigners, any share of
the expenses I have incurred on this occasion; and, indeed, if you do not
feel warranted in making the payment on account of the English ships, I
must sustain the loss.
It should be added, that the relatives of the deceased have forwarded
me a paper, declaring that they ascribe his death to accident, and not
wilfulness. But I am afraid that this representation is made wholly with
the purpose to protect them from punishment, for receiving money from
foreigners ; and I certainly do not intend to relinquish the pursuit of
the strictest further investigation on such a ground as that.
I have &£c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
433
No. 155.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received January 9, 1840.)
Ship Fort William, Hong Kong,
My Lord, August 27, 1839.
A VESSEL sailing to Manilla and Singapore in the course of two
hours, affords me but brief space to report to your Lordship the most
critical situation of all Her Majesty's subjects in this country.
The High Commissioner, obviously pressed by counter reports from
the discontented Mandarins of this province, and by very sinister com
munications from the Court respecting his own proceedings, has availed
himself of the homicide reported in my despatch of the 18th of July, as a
pretext for attributing the interruption of British intercourse to that
cause, and not to his own violent measures.
I proceeded, my Lord, to the very utmost verge of my powers (and
probably exceeded them), with the hope to afford the Government all
reasonable satisfaction, by setting in action the criminal jurisdiction, and
placing six men on their trial on board this ship, on the 12th and 13th of
August last.
The Mandarins were invited to attend, but did not think fit to do so.
It is wholly impossible to transmit the voluminous Papers connected with
the cases by this occasion ; but I may state generally, for the information
of Her Majesty's Government, that a Bill of indictment for murder
against " Thomas Tidder, boatswain of the Mangalore," was ignored by
the grand jury, and that five men were found guilty upon an indictment
for riot and assault ; two for the riot only were sentenced to three months
confinement upon hard labour, in any of Her Majesty's gaols or houses of
correction in England, with a penalty of \ol. each to Her Majesty, and
three for riot and assault, to six months of the like imprisonment, and a
penalty of 25Z. each to Her Majesty.
These proceedings did not satisfy the Commissioner. He moved
down to Heang-Shan, a place forty miles from Macao, with about 2,000
troops ; insisted upon the delivery of a man, and upon the entrance within
the river of all the British shipping (the real purpose in hand) and took
away the servants from, and stopped the supplies of food to, the British
subjects. At first, these measures were confined to the British ; but it
soon appeared, that the Portuguese inhabitants of Macao were threatened
with a stoppage of their own supplies, if they continued to assist us. In
this emergency, and after communication with the Governor (whose
dispositions, indeed, are excellent, but whose means are nothing), I felt
that I ought no longer to compromise the safety of the settlement by
remaining there.
It was hoped by his Excellency, as well as myself and the general
body of the merchants, that my own departure with the officers of the
establishment might lead to relaxation, and with that feeling I came over
here on the 24th instant, Mrs. Elliot and her child having previously
embarked. A committee of management for the arrangement of the em
barkation of Her Majesty's subjects, however (should such a step become
necessary), was previously appointed at my suggestion, and I left a
sufficient number of armed vessels and boats to bring them over to Hong
Kong. By private letters from Mr. Astell, the chairman of the Committee,
and Mr. James Matheson, this moment received, your Lordship will
perceive, that events have hastened onwards with great rapidity, and that
the Governor has declared his inability to afford Her Majesty's subjects
further protection. I am looking with extreme anxiety for their arrival,
and, in the meanwhile, I am placing this fleet in the best attitude of
defence of which circumstances admit.
The absence of men-of-war will necessarily be a source of deep anx-
3 K
434
iety to Her Majesty's Government ; but happen what may, I take this
occasion to express my conviction that the Commander-in-Chief has used
his best exertions to prevent such a state of things. But it is indeed
greatly to be lamented that Commander Blake did not remain till he were
relieved.
Your Lordship, however, may be assured that I will do every thing
in my power to prevent the calamity and intolerable disgrace of a sur
prise of this valuable fleet of near fifty sail of British ships by mandarin
junks or fire-rafts ; and for this purpose, I have this day assumed the mili
tary as well as civil superintendence of the ships, and issued the necessary
' directions for their defence. In this moment of difficulty, I may be per
mitted to congratulate Her Majesty's Government that I have strictly
adhered to the determination of keeping the British shipping outside of
the Bocca Tigris. English ships or men, my Lord, can never again be
safe within those limits till our whole intercourse with this empire be
placed upon an entirely different footing.
I should inform your Lordship that since the walls of Macao have
been covered with false and insulting proclamations respecting myself,
and the servants and supplies taken away, I have refused to receive any
official papers from the Government. By this means, I have been enabled
to reject any direct application to myself for the delivery of the man.
Your Lordship will collect from the private letters I transmit, as
much as I yet know concerning the catastrophe which has befallen the
passage-boat, Black Joke ; but I feel assured there is no ground whatever
for the surmise that the circumstance arises from an order of the higher
officers. I have already communicated with the Mandarins in this neigh
bourhood upon the subject, and a messenger from them is actually on board
to make inquiries concerning it. I am satisfied not only that it is a busi
ness of the well-known Ladrones or pirates; but I am also convinced that
no circumstance is more likely to alarm the authorities. They have an
extreme dread of exciting such lawless proceedings on their coasts, which
your Lordship will permit me to remind you, were for several months,
about thirty years since, in the complete possession of a most formidable
organization of pirates.
I write by this occasion to his Excellency the Captain General of the
Philipines, as also to the Governor of Singapore, for supplies of provisions
and such military stores as may enable me to put these ships in an effi
cient state of defence.
The cutter Louisa left me the day before yesterday to proceed to
the eastward to purchase supplies for the fleet.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
P.S. Unable to transmit to your Lordship the official papers con
nected with the late trial, I take the liberty to forward by this occasion,
newspapers containing the rules of practice and proceeding, and report
of the trial itself.
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Hong Kong, September, 1839.
THE ship which carried this despatch has been driven back by stress
of weather, a circumstance that enables me to report the arrival of Her
Majesty's ship Volage, and of all Her Majesty's subjects from Macao.
The additional inclosures will inform your Lordship that their embarka
tion had been pressed upon them by the Governor of Macao. The almost
helpless condition of the place is no doubt his Excellency's excuse, and I
repeat my conviction, that his dispositions are sincerely honourable.
I also transmit to your Lordship copies of the several communica
tions I have made to this Government concerning the homicide at this
place, and I may take this occasion briefly to declare my conviction that
seamen of the American shipping were to all intents and purposes as
435
deeply engaged in the riot of 7th July as our own ; and I may add (so far
as the evidence before me goes), in the melancholy and unfortunate event
which arose out of it. If it be true, that their Consul has disavowed any
connection of American citizens with these affairs, he has hazarded an
assertion at variance with the state of the facts.
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 1 in No. 155.
Mr. Astell to Captain Elliot.
My dear Elliot, Macao, Midnight, August 25, 1839.
A CRISIS is at hand, and to-morrow we all push off from the shores of
Macao : as soon as we are afloat I shall propose that the whole fleet, ships and
boats of all sorts, every British flag, set sail in company for Hong Kong. I
have reason to think that this step will be approved. I have not time to write
you particulars. I scarcely know which way to turn. Ever since you left, I
have been assailed on all sides with questions, &c, and visits to the Governor.
The atrocious murder aggravates our case. I have had two or three con
fidential interviews with the Governor, and he evidently is in great alarm. He
is to attend himself with the troops at the embarkation to-morrow. I believe
all British subjects, except the sick in the Hospital, will embark. The Governor
will take the inmates of our hospital into that of the Portuguese and protect
them. I send this by the Ann. I tried all the afternoon to get a China boat
to send you express ; but none would go. I wished to warn you against
coming over in any of the small craft. The Chop to the Governor which his
Excellency showed me privately this morning, is the same as that to the
Procurador, of which I have a copy, but do not send it as Matheson will
give you his. At six this evening, I again saw the Governor, who had
that moment received another much stronger, with the threat expressed of
surrounding the English houses. He told me he answered it hastily and ver
bally, to the effect, that every European must be slain ere such should take
place. He is walking about the quay, and all the citizens are around in case of
an attack. I have been applied to to make a representation concerning the
murder to the Chinese, but I repeat that such does not form part of my
business. The depositions which we have taken will give you particulars. I
shall be in the Pearl or Psyche. More when we meet.
Ever yours, in haste, &c,
(Signed) J. H. A.
Inclosure 2 in No. 155.
Mr. Matheson to Captain Elliot.
My Dear Captain Elliot, ; Maria, Typa, Sunday, August 25, 1839.
WE have persuaded the Commander of the Ann to proceed to Hong-
Kong before sailing, in case you may have any further despatches to write.
Her destination is Manilla and Singapore ; but circumstances may occasion
the voyages terminating at Manilla.
Mr. A. Jardine will tell you of a second chop this afternoon from the
Mandarins, in consequence of which the Portuguese Governor has declared,
he cannot answer for the safety of British subjects after noon to-morrow, at
which hour all are to embark in a body, in the Governor's presence, with the
troops under arms. There is even a threat of an attempt to surround British
houses to-night; but the Governor has declared his determination to resist
this ; and it is not likely that, if really intended, they would have given notice
of it. I think, however, none of our countrymen at Macao will venture to
go to sleep to-night.
3 K 2
436
Mr. Jardine will tell you of the fearful murder of the crew of the Black
Joke, off Lantao point, last night, excepting only the Serang, who sprang
over-board, and clung to the rudder. Mr. Mark Moss, the only passenger,
was barbarously wounded, one of his ears cut off, and left for dead. After
which they attempted setting fire to the vessel, but were interrupted by the
Harriet coming up, which took the Black Joke in tow. The attacker consisted
of seven Chinese rowing-boats, manned and armed like Mandarins ; but, I
think (contrary to the general opinion) they must have been pirates, trusting
to the present confusion for impunity. They carried off some property, con
sisting of Mr. Just's watches, but left some dollars, strange to say. Mr.
Moss was flying from the process of the Macao Court, on an action of debt
on Mr. Gouldsborough's account. He is alive and likely to survive, unless
lock-jaw supervenes. We have ordered provisions, &c, for ourselves. Have
you any orders to give on account of the community.
Yours, &c,
(Signed) JAMES MATHESON.
Inclosure 3 in No. 1 55.
Messrs. Astell, Braine others, to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Macao, August 25; 1839.
WE have the honour to forward to you herewith copies of depositions
taken this day, regarding a distressing outrage committed last night by the
Chinese on the crew of the schooner Black Joke, when at anchor off
Lantao.
The Committee waited on the Governor this morning, in consequence of
this business, and also with reference to a chop from the Commissioner to the
Portuguese Government (which was demi-officially notified to their Chairman)
directing them immediately to send away the English residents.
The Governor did not feel himself at liberty to communicate the contents
of this chop to the Committee ; but a confidential interview with their Chair
man, coupled with the purposes of certain other chops, just now issued (and
an abstract of which we have procured from Mr. Gutzlaff, and forward herein)
and also bearing in mind the affair of the schooner Black Joke, which there is
apparently some reason to fear was made under the directions of the Mandarins,
have induced the Committee to recommend the immediate embarkation of the
British community.
We send also herewith a copy of our circular, suggesting the adoption of
that measure.
We trust the embarkation will be allowed to take place without obstruc
tion, in the course of to-morrow.
We are sorry to add, that we have received information that the schooner
Jane was last night chased by the Mandarins, also in the neighbourhood of
Lantao.
The Governor has declined furnishing us with a copy of the chop to him
self, or communicating it officially to us as a Committee, and he states himself
unable to say what time will be allowed by the Chinese authorities for the
departure of the English residents.
It is said, on good authority, that several thousand troops are collected in
this neighbourhood ; and we hear that the Chinese are removing themselves and
their property in large numbers from Macao.
We have, &c,
(Signed) J. H. Astell.
George Braine.
William Bell.
Gilbert Smith.
DlNSHAW FuRDONJEE.
437
Inclosure 4 in No. 1 55.
Deposition of Hassan Tindal, of the Black Joke, before the Committee of Manage
ment at Macao, August 25, 1839.
LEFT Macao in the Black Joke, at 6 a.m. on the 24th August ; seven Las
cars, himself, and Mr. Moss, in the vessel. Anchored at 6 p.m. under the south
end of Lantao, at the entrance, tide being against them ; two men on the look
out ; about 10 o'clock, the alarm was given of boats approaching, five or six
pulling boats filled with men. They immediately ranged alongside, and com
menced to massacre the crew. Hassan jumped overboard, and remained about
half an hour in the water, holding on by the rudder. They took away the per
sonal baggage and stores which were carried on board the vessel the night before,
and several boxes, but not all. The boats were alongside about half an hour ;
when Hassan got on board, he found Mr. Moss alone, who told him that the
crew were murdered, and perceived attempts had been made to set fire to the
vessel by means of tar ropes and gunpowder. Shortly after a vessel hove in
sight, and took the vessel in tow, and brought her to the Typa this morning.
A mandarin cap and knife was found on board the vessel.
Inclosure 5 in No. 155.
Deposition of Mr. Mark Moss.
THUS saith Mark Moss, a British subject, born in London, before Van
Basel, Dutch Consul; Paiva, late Procurador at Macao; Kerr and Leslie,
British merchants; at Macao, this 25th day of August, 1839.
I left Macao on board the Black Joke, on Friday night last, the 23rd
instant, to proceed to Hong Kong ; having got as far as the point of Lantao,
anchored there yesterday evening at five ; supped and went to lay down. About
nine o'clock, I heard the crew, which consisted of Lascars, eight in number, crying
out " Wylo, Wylo ;" ran to the sky-light, and saw three guns fired at us, wadded
with charcoal, when I reached the deck I saw three Lascars cut down, and got a
cut on the left side of the face, on which I went below, when I heard the Chinese
cry out "Ta, Ta," and on putting my head out of the stern companion, got a most
severe wound on the top of the head. The Chinese then laid hold of me, and
stripped me of my clothes, and cut my arm in three places, as I put it up to save
my head; they then proceeded to plunder and break up the boat ; and coming
down with lights into the cabin, one of them seeing I had a ring on my finger,
attempted to cut the finger off, but I took the ring off and gave it to him, and
another seeing my watch took it out of my pocket, and laying hold of my ear,
called to a man who came with a sharp instrument and cut it off, along with a
large portion of the skin on the left side of my head, as you now see, and put it
in my mouth, attempting to push it down my throat. I was then knocked about
on all sides by the Chinamen, and saw them bring a barrel of gunpowder, with
which they attempted to blow up the boat, but did not succeed. I was rendered
senseless from the smoke caused by the explosion, and was nearly suffocated;
when, making a last effort, reached the deck and found no one there ; I called
out the names of some of the Lascars, and seeing a rope moving a-stern, found
that the Tindal alone of the whole native crew had saved himself, by hanging on
to the rudder under water ; he came up and gave me some water, of which I
drank five basons full, and felt refreshed; a short time after this, the Harriet,
Captain Hall, came up, and I suppose the Chinese, from their leaving the boat
so suddenly, had seen this vessel.
From Captain Hall J met with the kindest treatment, he took me on board,
dressed my wounds, and taking charge of my boat, brought me to Macao^this
morning about five o'clock.
(Signed) PAIVA, C" K.
W. L., S. V. B.
438
Inclosure 6 ia No. 155.
Official Communication from the Mandarins of Casa Branca, and the Tsotang,
requiring the departure of the English from Macao.
CHIAM, Mandarin of Casa Branca, and Pong, the Tsotang, hereby make
known to the Procurador, that having replied to his official, in which he
requested they would solicit their Excellencies (the Imperial Commis
sioner and the Canton authorities) to issue Proclamations, calling on the
Chinese merchants to purchase the goods imported by the Portuguese, in
order to extricate them from their present embarrassments, &c ; and having
stated in said reply, that in the actual state of affairs in regard to the
English, it was not advisable to transmit his (the Procurador's) official to the
superior authorities, they now remind him, that by orders of their Excellen
cies they are required to drive all the English from Macao, and not allow one
of them to remain ; on which account, they have imposed severe restrictions,
depriving them of every assistance, and have stationed troops at Casa Branca,
and at the Bar Fort, in order to seize and punish any of the foreigners [the
English] who may loiter about here. And as they have had information
that within the last few days several of the English have left, but that there
are a few still remaining, watching what is going on, which is in direct
contravention of the prohibitory orders; they, the Mandarins, have stationed
soldiers and police-runners in different parts to seize them secretly ; and,
besides communicating with the Governor of Macao, they now order the
Procurador to show immediate obedience hereto, and expel all the English;
and to request the Governor, to order all the Portuguese who have rented
their houses to the English, to oblige them to quit ; and when once they have
left Macao, not to allow them to come on shore again. After the English
shall have left, they, the Mandarins, will immediately petition their Excel
lencies, interceding on behalf of the Portuguese, that the merchants may be
able to dispose of their goods, so that all may be contented, and to be allowed
to export largely, which will certainly yield immense profits.
So soon as the English be brought to repentance, and deliver up the
murderer; and when their merchant-ships shall have gone up to Whampoa,
and the store-ships and the foreigners [the sixteen proscribed] shall have
returned to their country, their Excellencies will certainly grant them the
especial favour of continuing their trade as formerly ; and you, the Portuguese,
when you receive permission to trade with the English, you can then rent
them your houses as heretofore.
Take care that you do not meet with a severe loss on all your goods in
Macao, in consequence of your cupidity, for the insignificant rent of your
houses. Avoid it therefore.
16th of the 7th moon (24th August 1839.)
Inclosure 7 in No. 155.
Certificate of three Surgeons, on the several wounds inflicted on the person of
Mr. Moss.
Macao, August 25, L839.
THIS is to certify that we have carefully examined Mr. Mark Moss, who
reports that he was attacked last night, by some persons who boarded his boat
and inflicted several severe wounds on his person.
We saw him this morning at eight o'clock, and found that he had received
the following injuries:—
On the Head. — A deep wound over the left eyebrow, and extending across
the arch of the nose, the bones of which have been completely divided. An
oblique wound on the forehead, about two inches long; the left ear, with a
portion of the scalp, has been cut away, leaving a large open wound. There are
also two smaller wounds on the head.
u On the left arm fore-arm, and hand.—At the lower part of the arm, there
439
is a deep wound extending across the limb, and dividing the external condyle o '
the humerus. In the middle of the fore-arm, an extensive deep wound; the
fascia has been torn, and the muscles much lacerated. At the lower part of the
fore-arm, near the wrist, another deep wound, down to the ulna, which bone has
been divided. On the hand, a deep wound at the back of the thumb, almost
separating this member from the hand.
Besides the above, there are also several wounds on the body and limbs
which are of little consequence. From the severe injuries now described, we
consider the man to be in a dangerous condition.
(Signed) RICHARD HENRY COX,
Surgeon.
WILLIAM LOCKHART,
Surgeon.
Certificate of Mr. Anderson, Surgeon.
September I, 1839.
I DO hereby certify that I have this day examined Mr. Mark Moss, and
that the statement contained in the accompanying certificate of Drs. Cox and
Lockhart, of the wounds he has received, as correct. And from the present
appearance of the wounds, considerable advance has already been made towards
recovery, and that, to the best of my judgment, little danger is to be apprehended
from his present state.
(Signed) ALEXANDER ANDERSON,
Acting Surgeon to Her Britannic Majesty's
Superintendents.
Inclosure 8 in No. 155.
Abstracts of Three Edicts posted upon the walls of Macao.
First Edict. August 25, 1839.
THE gracious will of His Imperial Majesty having been declared in favour
of all the violent measures suggested by the memorialist Hwang Tseotsze, it is,
therefore, hereby proclaimed by the Imperial Commissioner and the Governor.
1. That any foreign vessel, wherein, through error, opium shall be brought
to this place, within the period of eighteen months, from the date of this Edict,
shall be permitted, on the surrender of the same, to proceed to Whampoa, and
dispose of her other cargo.
2. That every foreigner (no especial mention made of the English) who
shall endeavour to introduce opium into the empire, on discovery being made,
shall, if he be the principal, be immediately decapitated ; if only an abettor, shall
be instantly sentenced to strangulation.
3. That every vessel is allowed to proceed immediately up to Whampoa in
order to discharge her cargo.
4. That such vessels as are not proceeding to Whampoa must return forth
with to their country, lest ulterior measures be adopted against them. In this,
also, no especial mention is made of the English.
5. That if the murderer of the Chinese, Lin Weihee, be immediately de
livered up, well and good ; but if not, all the foreigners shall be involved in the
offence.
Second Edict.
This Edict, issued by the local authorities, threatens with fearful punish
ment, all boatmen that shall dare to furnish supplies to the outside shipping ;
and intimates to all who may venture to transgress, the certainty of being caught
by some of the numerous cruizers.
Third Edict.
There is a third paper, which is intended to soothe the populace, and to
440
give the people the assurance, that whatever may be the measure of the Govern
ment, the place shall be amply supplied with rice, and no difficulties shall be
thrown in the way of its importation at the usual rates. This is already the
third Edict of this kind. Some unpleasant encounters have just now taken
place between the dealers in rice and the mob, and the local mandarins, there
fore, fear the worst consequences. Still, however, the soldiers at the various
stations leading to Macao, prevent boats loaded with provisions from proceeding
to their destination.
The emigration of the most influential and respectable people continues,
and there are, at the present moment, again hundreds preparing to leave Macao.
A number of soldiers are stationed on the Lappa, where they daily exercise
themselves in the art of shooting.
(Signed) CHARLES GUTZLAFF.
Inclosure 9 in No. 155.
Captain Elliot to the Officers deputed by the Imperial Commissioner.
Macao, July 13, 1839.
ELLIOT, learning that the Honourable officers have arrived here to make
inquiries concerning the death of a native at Hong Kong, on the 7th instant,
writes these particulars.
As soon as it was reported to Elliot, that disorder had taken place at Hong
Kong, and that a native of the land had lost his life, either by accident or
deliberate intention, he proceeded immediately to Hong Kong, where he arrived
on the morning of the 10th instant.
Upon inquiry, it appeared that several seamen of the ships, American as
well as English, had been permitted to go ashore, as it was said, for the purpose
of bathing and taking exercise on the beach. Concerning any English people,
who might have been engaged in the disorder, Elliot immediately took measures
according to the customs of his country. He issued a notice among the English
shipping, offering a reward of 200/. to any person who would discover the man
by whom the native of the land might have been killed, whether accidentally or
not, and a reward of 100Z. to any person who would discover the leaders in the
riot which had taken place.
The investigations are still proceeding, neither shall they be lightly pursued ;
and most assuredly, if it shall be brought to light that this unhappy man lost
his life by an act of a British subject, and the offender be discovered, he shall
immediately be placed on his trial, according to the laws of his country.
The Government of the English nation would hold Elliot deeply guilty, if
he failed to prosecute this affair with the utmost severity.
Elliot should further make known to the Honourable officers, that the
family of the deceased do not ascribe the death of this individual to wilfulness,
but to accident. Be it accident or wilfulness, however, he is no longer here to
take care of them, aud therefore Elliot has considered that it became him to
provide for their support.
This is just.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
441
.Enclosure 10 in No. 155.
Captain Elliot to the Officers deputed by the Imperial Commissioner.
Macao, July 21, 1839.
FOR the ends of justice and in the performance of his duty to his own
gracious Sovereign, Elliot must assuredly continue to use his sincerest efforts to
discover whether the perpetrators of any crime, declared to be committed within
this jurisdiction, are British subjects ; and if it shall appear upon faithful
investigation that such is the case, the offenders will be placed upon their trial
according to the laws of their country.
But the present conduct of the Honorable Officers is as inexplicable, as
their past proceedings are unjust and dangerous. At one moment they issue
Public Notices, encouraging the merchants and seamen of the English nation
to disregard the lawful orders of their officer. At the next they approach him
with requisitions to settle important affairs. When the ships of his nation went
to Hong Kong, Elliot strictly commanded the people of his nation always to
treat the Honorable Officers of this empire with respect, and to prevent the
sailors from occasioning disorder. Immediately afterwards, follows the
Proclamation of the Honorable Officers, inciting the people of the English
nation to disregard Elliot's injunctions. But if they were to be disregarded in
one sense, how was it to be expected they would be observed in another?
Would it be possible to maintain order and tranquillity, if Elliot and the other
foreign Officers were to incite the natives of the land to give no heed to the
commands of their own authorities, and assure the people of assistance, if they
thought fit to break the laws of the empire ? Truly these proceedings of the
Honorable Officers have been highly inconsistent with the principles of peace
and reason, and Elliot considers that these and all other disorders are chiefly
attributable to them.
Elliot will receive no papers from the Honorable Officers till he is satisfied
that there shall be no repetition of these inflammatory practices, and till the
higher officers think fit to receive his own sealed addresses agreeably to
custom.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 11 in No. 155.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Macao, August 3, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, &c, begs to acquaint the Keun-Min-Foo, for the informa
tion of the higher officers at the Provincial City, that on Monday, the 12th day
of the month, certain English seamen will be tried before him, according to the
laws of the English nation, on board a British ship, at the anchorage at Hong-
Kong, for participation in the riot, in which a native of the land, named Lin
Wie hee, is declared to have lost his life, to the end that justice may be done
upon those who are proved to be guilty, and that the innocent may be allowed
to go free.
And if the higher officers shall be pleased to command any of the Honor
able Officers to be present at the trial, Elliot will take care that they are received
with the respect due to their rank.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT
Inclosure 12 in No. 155.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Macao, August 16, 1839
ELLIOT has the honour to acquaint the Keun-Min-Foo, for the informa
tion of the high officers, that he has strictly investigated according to the forms
3L
442
of law of his country concerning the death of a native of the land, at Hong
Kong, on the 7th July last. Not to the end that any man should be delivered
up, for, by the plain orders of his gracious Sovereign, that is impossible, but
that justice may be done upon the guilty, even to the taking of life, if there be
a conviction of murder.
He now solemnly declares that he has not been able to discover the perpe
trators of this deed.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 13 in No. 155.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Macao, August 21, 1839.
ELLIOT has to demand, in the name of the Sovereign of his nation, that
proclamations should be forthwith issued, permitting the native servants, in the
employment of the English at Macao, to return to their occupations and furnish
the supplies. And Elliot has further to give notice that, as at Hong Kong,
there are several thousands of seamen menaced with the privation of supplies
of food. He cannot be responsible for the preservation of the peace, if the
present condition of disquietude subsists.
According to the genius of the English nation, they will be considered by
his Government to be measures of insult and violence of the worst character.
And the responsibility rests upon the Commissioner.
The Great Emperor will not sanction proceedings of undistinguishing
violence, arising entirely from a violation of his gracious will, that all things
should be adjusted agreeably to the principles of justice and reason.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 156.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmer ston.—(Received February 1, 1840.)
Ship Fort William,
My Lord, Hong Kong, September 3, 1839.
THE arrival of Her Majesty's ship Volage, with despatches from the
Commander-in-Chief, authorizing me to offer the Governor of Macao any
assistance he may require under the painful and extremely unsuitable condition
of all Her Majesty's resident subjects and their families on board this fleet, has
induced me to address the accompanying note to his Excellency.
Under present circumstances, Macao may at once be made sufficiently safe
for their protection, and with the shipping at our command, there could be no
difficulty in procuring supplies from Manila.
With the present pretensions of the Commissioner, there can be no con
ducting such a trade as our own at Canton with honour or advantage.
Hong Kong, September 7, 1839
The Inclosure No. 3, is His Excellency's reply to mine : yesterday received.
Your Lordship will perceive that it amounts to an acknowledgment of his ina
bility to protect us. Such being the case, my Lord, I am afraid the time is
approaching when this fleet, and the resident community in China, must depart
to Manila, and await there the final adjustment of all these excessive
difficulties.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
443
Inclosure 1 in No. 156.
Captain Elliot to the Portuguese Governor of Macao.
Skip Fort William,
Hong Kong, September 1, 1839.
THE Undersigned, &c &c &c, has the honour to acquaint your Excellency
that he has received Despatches from the Rear-Admiral Commanding-in-Chief,
dated on the 8th July last, by which he learns that the Captain of Her Majesty's
ship Volage, is instructed to co-operate most cordially and energetically with his
Excellency the Governor of Macao, in the defence of the place, and in repelling
any aggression that may be attempted, and to consider the lives and liberty of
Her Most Faithful Majesty's subjects equally under his protection with those of
Her Majesty.
If, therefore, your Excellency shall desire aid of any kind for the above
purposes from Her Majesty's officers or subjects, at this anchorage, it shall imme
diately be afforded.
Under the circumstance of the arrival of Her Majesty's ship, with such
orders, the Undersigned cannot but feel that your Excellency will anxiously desire
to see British subjects once more under the protection of Her Most Faithful
Majesty's flag, at Macao, if possible ; the more so on account of the insulting
address to the Portuguese Authorities, praising and thanking them for assisting
in driving forth the British people.
This infamous calumny will have been a source of deep chagrin to your
Excellency ; but the Undersigned hopes he need not say that he has assured his
own Government it is utterly void of foundation.
The Undersigned, for his own part, did not require your Excellency's
repeated and honourable declarations that the same protection should be afforded
to British as Portuguese subjects, and his own reason for retiring, was indisposi
tion to compromise the settlement whilst there was no force at hand to repel the
aggression.
That is no longer the case ; and the Undersigned has now to propose to
your Excellency the return of Her Majesty's subjects to Macao, and the utmost
aid in his power for the resistance of any aggression upon the honour and rights
of Her Most Faithful Majesty, which may ensue from the protection of the
subjects of her most ancient and intimate ally. He has communicated this
note to his comrade the Captain of Her Majesty's ship, and is requested by that
officer to state his entire concurrence in these sentiments, and to offer your
Excellency his heartiest assistance. The vessel which conveys this Despatch will
wait for your Excellency's answer, and a force of 800 or 1000 men can be placed
at your Excellency's disposal at once.
The Undersigned takes this occasion to renew to your Excellency the sen
timents of his highest consideration.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
3 L 2
444
Inclosure 2 in 156.
The Keun-Min-Foo to the Portuguese Governor of Macao, prohibiting Portuguese
Lorchas from approaching the Ships at Hong Kong.
TSEANG, Acting Keun-Min-Foo, issues these to the Portuguese foreign
Chief (Procurador of Macao,) for his full information.
I have received an edict from their Excellencies Tang, the Governor, and
Lin, the Imperial Commissioner, of the following tenor :—
" The Admiral has just reported to us that Lai, commander of the squadron
of Tapang, informed him that on the 14th instant two Portuguese lorchas, one
belonging to Kachashipu and the other to Francisco, came and anchored at
Hong-kong, near the English ships. This coming before us, we find that the
orders, that at the present time we have issued, are of the strictest and most
comprehensive nature, in regard to cutting off the supply of all kinds of provi
sions to the English, both in Macao and on board their ships. After the com-
pradores were taken away from the English residing in Macao, the said Procura
dor showed himself obedient to the orders issued to him, and aided, as far as he
was able, in hastening the departure of those . perverse English who were to be
expelled from China ; their departure,—so precipitate and confused,—proves that
the said Procurador knows the importance of his duty : and his respectful obedi
ence is worthy of praise. It appears, however, that several of the English, after
their departure from Macao, have gone to live on board the ships at Hong Kong,
which makes it necessary to cut off the supply of all provisions and necessaries of
life from them also. The Chinese, having been apprehended and punished, are
smitten with fear, and have withdrawn their boats. How is it, then, that the
Portuguese still go to those places, and anchor their lorchas near the English
ships ? If on this occasion we had assembled our war-vessels, and these lorchas
had been captured, would not they, the good, have thus become involved in the
punishment of the evil?" (Literatim,—"Would not the precious stones have
been confounded with the common pebbles?")
" It is necessary, therefore, that we should again issue our commands."
Immediately on receipt of this, let the said Procurador command the said
lorchas forthwith to return, and if there be any besides these which go to that
anchorage let them also return. Let them not go there secretly to supply provi
sions to the foreigners on pain of severe punishment. Besides this, let me be
informed as to the passes you have granted, that I may report the same.
The assistance just now afforded, by the Governor and Procurador, in expel
ling the English from Macao, shows that they know the importance of their
duties : and their respectful obedience merits commendation. The extraordinary
praises just conferred on you by their Excellencies must be a source of ines
timable honour and glory to you. The Procurador and the others ought, there
fore, to obey the prohibitory orders, and to enforce them to the utmost of their
power when public affairs call for them. They ought to be thankful for the
benefits their Excellencies have always showered upon them. This is my ardent
hope. Be urgent ! Be urgent !
17th day of the 7th moon of the 19th year of Taoukwang.—(25th August.)
(True translation from the Portuguese.)
(Signed) S. Fearon.
445
Inclosure 3 in No. 156.
The Portuguese Governor of Macao to Captain Elliot.
Macao, 3 de Setbro. de 1839.
O ABAIXO Assignado Governador de Macao e suas dependências tem a
honra de accuzar a recepção da notta que lhe deregio o IIIo. Sr. Charles Elliot,
Superintendente do Commercio Britânico na China dotada da Bahia de Hong
kong em o Io. de Settembro, e emrespo sta a mesma a de repetir-lhe o que por
mais de huma viz. officialmente lhe tem dito desde que o Alto Commissario
enviado expressamente pelo Imperador da China para a supressão do prohibido
commercio de Opio chegou a Cantão. Evem a ser que sem receber ordens
expressas e terminantes do sen Governo, elle não pode deixar de Conservar a
mais stricta neutralidade entre as duas Naçoens a Ingleza com quem há tantos
tempos a sua se acha tão intimamente alliada, e a Chineza pelos motivos bem
cotuncidos de todos.
O Abaixo Assignado com tudo não despreza esta occazião que S. Sa. lhe
offerece para novamente significar-lhe em nome de sen Governo os mais extensos
e bem merecidos agradecimentos pela franca e geueroza cooperaçòo que lhe
proporciona, e de que não se pode aproveitar pelas razõens acima ditas.
Os subditos Britânicos retirarão se espontaneamente de Macaó com o fini
de não comprometterem o Estabelleçimento, e com este passo collocarão-se por
si mesmo em a necessidade de não voltarem a elle em quanto não se acharem
aplanadas todas as difficuldades que ainda existem, e que o Abaixo Assignado
conta ver satisfatoriamente terminadas para todas aspartes, não lhe sendo permit-
tido alterar alguma coiza, para manter a neutralidade a que acima allude em
quanto não receber ordens expressas do sen Governo a tal respeito.
As Chapas dos Mandarins de que S. Sa. com razão se queixa, forão respon
didas ao Alto Commissario de hum modo terminante e positivo, fazendo-lhe ver
que as Subditos Britânicos se retirarão espontaneamente, e deste modo julgou
o Abaixo Assignado ter igualmente satisfeito aos Subditos Britânicos, e a digni
dade do Governo Portuguez.
S. Sa. e todos os Subditos Britânicos conhecerão o vivo sentimento comque
o Abaixo Assignado os vio partir, e todos Souberão que a proteçcão possível lhe
seria dada em as circunstancias em que aqui se acharão de que S. Sa. também
se convencio ; e parece ao Abaixo Assignado ter satisfatoriamente respondido a
sua ja citada notta não lhe restando senão renovar as expressoens de sua mais alta
estima e consideração.
O Governador,
(Assignado) ADRIÃO ACCACIO DA SILV\ PINTO.
(Translation.)
Macao, September 3, 1839.
THE Undersigned, Governor of Macao and its dependencies, has the honour
to acknowledge receipt of the note addressed to him by the most illustrious Mr.
Charles Elliot, Superintendent of British Commerce in China, dated in the Bay
of Hong Kong, the 1st of September; and in reply thereto, he has to repeat
what he has already officially declared more than once since the arrival at Canton
of the High Commissioner sent by the Emperor of China expressly for the
suppression of the prohibited trade in Opium. And it is this, that without receiv
ing from his Government express and definitive orders, he cannot cease to pre
serve the most strict neutrality between the two nations, the English, with which
his own has been so long and so intimately allied, and the Chinese, from motives
well known to all.
The Undersigned cannot at the same time let slip this occasion afforded by
the Superintendent to express anew, in the name of his Government, his very
great and well-merited thanks for the frank and generous co-operation which has
been offered, but of which he is not able to avail himself for the reasons above
stated.
446
The British subjects retired of their own accord from Macao, with a view
of not compromising this establishment, and by this step have placed themselves
under the necessity of not landing here so long as all the difficulties now existing
shall continue unsettled ; which difficulties the Undersigned hopes to see termi
nated satisfactorily for all parties, it not being allowable for him to vary in any
thing from the maintenance of the neutrality above stated, until he shall receive
express .orders from his Government in that respect.
The " chops " of the Mandarins, of which with reason the Superintendent
complains, have been answered to the High Commissioner in a manner definite
and positive, making him perceive that the British subjects retired of their own
accord, and in this the Undersigned judges that the British subjects and the
dignity of the Portuguese Government will be equally satisfied.
The Superintendent and all the British subjects were aware of the lively
feelings with which the Undersigned saw them depart, and all knew that what
protection was possible in the circumstances in which we are here placed was
given, and of this the Superintendent was convinced ; and it appears to the Under
signed that the note already cited is thus satisfactorily answered, it only remaining
for him to renew the expression of his highest esteem and consideration.
The Governor,
(Signed) ADRIAO ACCACIO DA SILVA. PINTO.
No. 157.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received February 1, 1840.)
Ship Fort William,
My Lord, Hong Kong, September 5, 1839
I YESTERDAY proceeded to Kow Lune, in the cutter Louisa, distant
about four miles from this anchorage, where there were three large men-of-war
junks, whose presence, I collected from the natives about us, prevented the
regular supplies of food. I was accompanied by the Pearl, a small armed-vessel,
and Captain Smith of the Volage was so good as to lend me the pinnace of his
ship, and to go with me himself. But I can assure yoor Lordship, that though I am
responsible for causing the first shot to be fired, I did not anticipate any conflict
when we left, and went accompanied solely for purposes of sufficient defence
against insult or attack.
The violent and vexatious measures heaped upon Her Majesty's officer and
subjects will, I trust, serve to excuse those feelings of irritation which have
betrayed me into a measure that I am sensible, under less trying circumstances,
would be difficult indeed of vindication. But I proceed to state the circum
stances as they took place, leaving their most favourable construction to your
Lordship's unvarying kindness, and to that consideration for my harassing situa
tion which I am sure will be extended to me by Her Majesty's Government.
Upon our arrival at the station of the junks, which I found anchored in a
line a-head and close order, under rather a formidable and well-manned battery,
I brought up abreast of them at about pistol-shot distance, and despatched
Mr. Gutzlaff in a small boat with two men (perfectly unarmed) to the centre
junk, taking her from her size and superior equipment to be the vessel of the
commanding mandarin.
He carried in his hand the papers marked No. 1 and No. 2, and the paper
marked No. 3 are his notes of what took place.
After five or six hours of delay and irritating evasion, I sent a boat on shore to
a distant part of the bay with money to purchase supplies, which the people suc
ceeded in doing, and were on the point of bringing away, when some mandarin
runners approached, and obliged the natives to take back their provisions.
They returned to me with this intelligence, and greatly provoked, I opened
fire from the pinnace, the cutter, and the other vessel, upon the three junks. It
was answered both from them and the battery, with a spirit not at all unexpected
by me, for I have already had experience that the Chinese are much under-rated
in that respect. After a fire of almost half-an-hour against this vastly superior
force, we hauled off from the failure of our ammunition ; for I have already said,
447
anticipating no serious results, we had not come in prepared for them. It was
evident, however, that the junks had suffered considerably, and after a delay of
about three-quarters of an hour, they weighed and made sail from under the
protection of the battery, with the obvious purpose of making their escape
through an adjacent outlet. By this time we had made cartridges, and were in a
Btate to renew the action, and, as Captain Smith had proceeded out to bring in
Her Majesty's ship, and wished the vessels to be prevented from escaping, I bore
up and engaged them again, and succeeded in beating them back to their former
position. In this affair, as in the preceding, I was very gallantly supported by
Mr. Reddie, the commander of the Pearl ; but the superior sailing of the cutter,
cast the task of sending back these three vessels upon that vessel ; and I can
have no doubt that the impression, that such a force was more than enough to
cope with three of their war-junks, will indispose the Commissioner to revert to
his menaced measures of attack against this fleet. By this time the evening was
closing in, and we returned to join the Vdage and the boats from the fleet, then
entering the bay for our support. During the night I conferred with Captain
Smith, and he acceded to my recommendation, not to proceed in the morning
and destroy the three junks ; and above all, not to land men for the purpose of
attack upon the battery, a measure that would probably lead to the destruction of
the neighbouring village, and great injury and irritation of the inhabitants. If
her services had been required for our support against a state of actual attack,
such considerations could not have prevailed ; but it did not appear to me to be
judicious, or, indeed, becoming, to recommend the employment of Her Majesty's
•hip in the destruction of three junks, already most effectually checked by my
own small vessel, with the assistance of another scarcely larger. There had been
no act of aggression against Her Majesty's ship, and her active interference was
unnecessary for the support of the honour of the flag.
The impression that this heavy force was not to be lightly used, and that
there was no disposition to protract hostile measures, would be salutary ; indeed
in every respect it seemed to me to be our duty to confine her services to defence
against attack, agreeably to the Commander-in-Chiefs orders to himself, and
despatch to me. Concurring in this reasoning, he has returned this morning to
his former anchorage at Hong-Kong, for the purpose of continuing our organiza
tion of defence against the attacks of the Commissioner, so long threatened, but
which I trust and believe the presence of Her Majesty's ship will avert. The
only casualty I have to report on this occasion, is a flesh wound in the arm to
Captain Douglas, of the ship Cambridge, in a gallant attempt to carry one of the
junks at the close of the day ; and two of his boat's crew also wounded rather
more severely. I am greatly indebted to this gentleman for his public spirit in
purchasing, at his own charge, at Singapore, on his way up, twenty-two 18 lb.
guns, (hearing of our desperate condition at Canton). And I have no doubt that
the sight of this imposing vessel, manned with a strong crew of Europeans, has
discouraged attempts upon this fleet for the last two months. I should hope
that Her Majesty's Government will be pleased to pay the expenses of this ship
during the time he has performed these very valuable services in the absence of
any ship of war, and reimburse him for the expense of the guns, and otherwise
reward him as may seem right to your Lordship. Meritorious public impulses
and pecuniary risks of this description will not be lost upon the Queen's Govern
ment. And the ship is still performing the useful service of guarding one of the
entrances into this harbour, against the fire rafts, and war-junks, with which we
are menaced.
The Inclosure, No. 4, is a paper I have circulated on shore since the affair
of yesterday.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
P. S. I take this occasion to inclose the copy of a remonstrance I placed in
the hands of the official pilot, a few days since, (for transmission to the Keun
Min Foo), when he brought me a proclamation from the Commissioner and
Governor, which I declined to receive upon the grounds stated to your Lordship
in other places.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
448
Inclosure 1 in No. 157.
Notice to the Chinese People against Poisoning the Water.
Hong-Kong, Sept. 2, 1839.
A PLACARD, said to be posted on shore at Hong-Kong, to the following
effect, has this day been exhibited to Elliot, the English Superintendent :■—
" Poison has been put into this water, which will destroy the bowels if it
be drank. Let none of our people take it to drink."
He knows that the higher officers are incapable of issuing such shameful
papers, and that they are the work of low and designing men.
Elliot now exhorts all the good and peaceable natives of the neighbourhood
not to lend themselves to such practices, so sure to draw down the just wrath
of the great Emperor, and to lead to conflict with the foreign men.
Here are several thousands of persons who have done no evil, but who, on
the contrary, venerate the Emperor, and know that these troubles have arisen
because his gracious commands have been violated, and because the truth is
concealed from him. These men have arms in their hands, and is it reasonable
to suppose they will suffer themselves to be starved to death and poisoned ?
These are vain and foolish thoughts.
Elliot has strictly commanded all the men of his nation to treat the natives
of the land with justice and kindness, and to pay faithfully for all that is sup
plied. So long as the provisions and water are furnished without difficulty,
Elliot will be responsible for the preservation of the peace. If they are stopped,
Elliot knows that there will be conflict, and the blame will fall upon the heads
of those by whom these troubles have been incited.
If any injury be done to the unoffending natives by the men of the English
nation let them prefer their complaints, and they shall be redressed.
Whilst the people are commanded to poison the water for the cruel
destruction of the men of the English nation, these English foreigners are
risking their own lives, and freely using their own means, to save and succour
the people of the land. On the 30th day of last month, thirty Chinese,