be given to Captain Scott, Captain Hall, and the other
officers and men, whose united zeal and hearty co
operation produced results so important and deci
sive.
It must here be remarked that this intricate passage
was one never before traversed by any European vessel or
boat, and believed by the Chinese themselves to be inac
cessible to foreigners, both owing to the shallowness
and intricacy of its channels, and to the number and
strength of the artificial defences erected on its banks.
COUNTRY ROUND CANTON . 379
It can, perhaps, be scarcely called a distinct river, but
may be rather considered as in reality one of those almost
innumerable channels, which present themselves to view
on every side along the whole sea-board of China ; di
viding and then reuniting, sometimes receiving large
branches, sometimes throwing them off, here commu
nicating with other rivers, and there even traversing
across them . It is difficult to ascertain, with regard to
many of them, whether they are distinct rivers, or
branches, or mere watercourses, leading from one to
the other. In short, with respect more particularly to
the country about Canton, the whole of it appears to be
subdivided , again and again , by these ever-multiplying
channels, which form a sort of fluid network , embracing
the soil it nourishes and reproduces. Many of these
are only known, among the Chinese themselves, by
those who depend on them for subsistence ; and who,
rarely quitting them, make their boat their floating
home .
On leaving the roads of Macao, and proceeding nearly
due west, after passing the town and the entrance to
the Inner Harbour beyond it, you come into a straight
but rather shallow channel, which continues in the same
direction along the southern shore of the island called
Twee-Lien -Shan. Having reached its western extre
mity, which is about four miles from Macao, you very
shortly enter the mouth of a river, which is broad but
shallow and becomes narrower as you proceed up to
wards the north-west, by the gradual contraction of its
shores. This is the entrance to the Broadway, or Inner
1
See map .
380 MESSRS. MORRISON AND THOM .
Passage. Several openings were soon perceived on both
sides, probably the mouths of smaller rivers or creeks,
entering the larger channel. The proper opening of the
Inner Passage begins about six miles from the western
point of Twee - Lien - Shan Island, but the narrow part of
it is about four miles further on .
Let us now imagine ourselves just embarked on board
the Nemesis in Macao roads, at three o'clock in the
morning (rather an unpleasant hour, even in that cli
X mate) on the 13th of March , all the arrangements
having been completed the day before. Already, Cap
tain Elliot and suite are on board ; and Captain Scott
of the Samarang, who commands the force, is standing
on the quarter-deck, with the other officers, impatient to
start, while the boats of the Samarang and that of the
Atalanta are being made fast astern. And we must also
not omit to record that Mr. Johnston, the deputy super
intendent of trade, and also Mr. Morrison and Mr. Thom,
the indefatigable interpreters and secretaries,' the value
of whose services throughout the war it is impossible too
highly to appreciate, were also on board during this ex
pedition.
Having quitted the town of Macao with the utmost
1 Not only on this, but on many other occasions, these gentlemen were
personally exposed to the fire of the enemy, little less than either soldiers
or sailors. They showed the utmost coolness and personal courage; and
it is but justice to them to remark that their presence was always of
the greatest value in every operation, even though unarmed, and, as non
belligerents, unnoticed. Their knowledge of the language and their
goodjudgment frequently enlisted in our favour the people of the country,
who might have offered great annoyance, and they were often able to
mitigate the hardships even ofwar itself.
PRESSING A PILOT . 381
quietness, leaving all the world asleep, and unconscious
of any movement, they soon fell in with a large junk at
anchor, which was fortunately able to furnish a pilot,
one of her crew being taken out, not without reluctance,
for that purpose. At first the poor fellow was very
much frightened , but, finding that he was well treated ,
well fed , and good pay promised, he soon became recon
ciled to his position, and behaved well throughout. Du
ring the day he seemed very little concerned about the
firing either of the steamer or of his own countrymen,
and piloted the vessel, as far as his knowledge extended ,
up the river very accurately.
The progress was at first slow , owing to the shallow
ness of the water, which often did not much exceed five
feet (little enough for a vessel of more than six hundred
tons burden) ; indeed, the pilot himselfmaintained that it
would be impossible for the vessel to proceed : and it
may be noticed that the soundings at the entrance were
not found so deep as laid down in Horsburgh's chart, in
which they are partially given . However, on she went,
nothing daunted either by mud, sand, or water, or even
by the shallowness of the river.
Day had now long dawned ; and, at eight o'clock,
she came in sight of a fort on the starboard -hand, which
proved to be situated on a small promontory on the
left bank of the river. It is called Motow, and is situated
some distance below a point where the main channel
separates into two branches. Half an hour afterwards,
the Nemesis was near enough to take up a position to
the southward of the fort, so that she could fire directly
382 FORT TAKEN .
into it without any of the enemy's guns being able to
bear upon her ; in fact, she enfiladed the position.
Upon this the fort was abandoned by the Chinese, whose
flight was accelerated by their seeing that the boats
were putting off to attack them . The place was imme
diately taken possession of, the buildings of every
description set on fire, and the guns, thirteen in number,
rendered unserviceable. The boat's crews were again
on board the Nemesis in about an hour, and she pursued
her course without loss of time.
About four miles further on, just above where the
river becomes more contracted by its division, a second
fort was discovered, also situated on the left bank.
The position was well chosen, upon a rising ground, at
some distance from the river -side, but commanding the
whole bend or reach of the river in front of it. It was
built of mud, but protected nearly all round by flooded
paddy -grounds.
On this occasion , the Chinese were the first to open
their fire upon the Nemesis, as she rounded an inter
vening point of land, and entered the reach above
mentioned . They
They kept up their fire, at first, very
smartly, having probably trained all their guns to bear
upon one particular point. It was most effectu
ally returned by the steamer, with shot, shell, and
rockets, which were thrown (as officially reported by
Captain Scott himself ) with remarkable accuracy . The
boats again put off to land, under cover of the rising
bank on the river-side, with the intention of taking
the position in flank ; but the Chinese at once abandoned
their works ; though, if they had resisted the advance,
CHOP-HOUSE DESTROYED . 383
they might have inflicted severe loss, as the party could
only approach the fort along a narrow causeway, in
single file. The works were immediately taken pos
session of, and were found to mount either twelve or
fourteen guns, which were of course destroyed , as were
also the sheds and buildings within the fort, which ,
however, were of very recent construction, and of a
temporary nature.
Before returning to the steamer, the boats pulled
across to the opposite side of the river, where a large
Chop-house and military depôt were likewise destroyed.
The name of the fort, or field -work, above described
was Tei- yat-kok. At this point, several other China
men were taken on board as pilots, for the better navi
gation of the channel through which they had now to
proceed .
They had ascended a very little way further up the
river, when, to the joy of every one, they espied nine war
junks, under weigh, a considerable distance ahead, and
chace was given at full speed, in spite of all obstacles
of the navigation. The interest and excitement mo
mentarily increased , as, every mile they advanced, served
i See the map of the Canton River, in which the chart of the Broad
way or Macao Passage is reduced from a very large Chinese manuscript,
kindly lent by Captain Scott, who states that he found it approxima
tively correct. Indeed, it was the best guide to the Nemesis ( except the
lead ) as she proceeded, for the native pilots were not found to be of
much use.
The distances from place to place, however, cannot be de
pended on as exact ; but, in the original manuscript, every fort and
military station was marked in its proper position. The names given in
Captain Scott's despatch are spelt somewhat differently from what they
appear on the original chart, but, upon the whole, they are sufficiently
correct.
384 FORT STORMED .
to lead them to the conclusion that the Chinese were
better prepared for defence than had been at all ex
pected. Indeed, it was not a little remarkable that a
passage never before explored by foreigners should have
been found in a state of preparation against attack, by
forts of old standing and solid construction, as well as
by works of recent and temporary formation .
On entering the bend of the river in which the junks
had been first caught sight of, a considerable stone-built
fort was discovered, called Houchung, or Ha -chap, close to
the river's side, upon its right bank (on the left hand as
cending), in front of which, and perfectly commanded by
it, piles had been driven across the river, so as to obstruct
the navigation. But the work had apparently not been
quite finished, and a narrow opening was still left in the
centre, through which the junks had already passed, in
order to take up a more secure position, as they thought,
on the other side. The fort mounted fourteen or fifteen
guns. But there was also another and smaller fort close
to it, built of earth, and not yet finished, being without
guns, but having ten embrasures.
Here again the Chinese were the first to begin
firing, both from the fort and junks; but it was re
turned with precision and rapidity by the Nemesis,
under cover of which the boats pushed off to storm the
fort. This was effected without much difficulty, through
the embrasures. The fall of the fort, of course, left
the passage through the stakes quite unprotected, ex
cept by the junks ; but the Chinese sailors were so
panic-struck by the rapidity with which the fort had
Sulito
.
Houchung River
Broadway
the
.in
,H844
,1London
Colburn
enry
A FIELD-WORK CARRIED . 385
been taken , and by the approach of the boats, which
were now making their way through the stakes to
attack them , that seven out of the nine were run
ashore by their crews,—when they immediately jumped
overboard and escaped, leaving their vessels entirely at
our mercy .
Just as the boats came up to take possession, a field
work on the left bank, within little more than a hun
dred yards of the headmost junk, opened fire on them
unexpectedly with grape-shot. As the junks were
already abandoned, a strong party at once landed, under
Lieutenant Bower, and carried the field -work, by passing
round to its rear, which, as usual with the Chinese,
was left almost unprotected. This place, which was
called Fie-shu-kok, was set on fire and destroyed, to
gether with the seven guns which were mounted on it.
The war-junks were likewise set on fire, and blew up
very shortly after. But the two which had not been
run ashore contrived to make good their escape.
During the time that these operations were being
effected, Captain Hall had dexterously succeeded in
getting his steamer through the stakes, by the same
opening through which the junks had passed, and which
barely afforded room for her paddle-boxes. The flood
tide was now running up with great rapidity, and she
was therefore dropped through the passage, being
steadied by kedges and hawsers, two of which had to
be cut away, and left behind.
She now joined the boats opposite Fie-shu-kok ; and,
as soon as the destruction of the junks and works had
been completed, it was resolved to push on further up
VOL . I. CC
386 HEONG- SHAN .
the river, in the hope of overtaking the two junks which
had got away. Altogether, twenty-one guns had been
destroyed in these forts, and twenty - eight more in the
junks. But the impression made through all the
neighbouring country, by these active measures, was far
more important than the mere destruction of a certain
number of guns .
At half-past three they arrived at the large trading
town of Heong-Shan , about five or six miles further
up. The river flows straight through the middle of it,
so that they found themselves unexpectedly in the
centre of an important inland town, in which, if it had
been their object, it was easily within their power to
inflict severe injury upon a dense and apparently harm
less population. But it has been mentioned before,
that much suffering was spared, by the assistance
of Mr. Morrison and Mr. Thom. Captain Elliot also
exerted himself very much to prevent the peasantry or
mere lookers-on from being implicated ; and he some
times allowed even the armed soldiers to escape, rather
than run the risk of injuring the innocent. The object
was to confine hostilities, as much as possible, to
the servants and property of the Chinese government,
leaving the people uninjured .
The good effect of this policy was soon very evident.
The inhabitants of this populous town appeared to
regard with very little apprehension the approach of
the steamer, and seemed more moved by curiosity and
astonishment at her structure and locomotive power,
than alarmed by any dread of her hostile intentions.
The people crowded upon the banks of the river ; the
SINGULAR SCENE . 387
house-tops and the surrounding hills were covered with
curious gazers, wondering what strange event would
happen next. Hundreds of trading junks and boats of
various kinds, most of them the sole home of their
owners, were crowded together on both sides of the
river, throughout the town, and even above and below
it. The river was narrow, and so densely were the
boats packed, that the only passage left was directly
in the centre of the stream , where, as if by mutual
consent, a clear way had been left, only just broad
enough to allow the steamer to pass ; requiring some
dexterity to avoid running foul of the junks on either
side.
It is very curious that so large a body of people
should have looked on with so little apparent fear, par
ticularly as they could well perceive that the steamer
was in chase of two war-junks, which had preceded her,
followed by several mandarin-boats, in which the man
darins or authorities of the town were endeavouring to
make their escape, in the greatest consternation. One
of the war -junks, finding that it was impossible to keep
ahead of the steamer, which was rapidly gaining on
her, was run ashore, some distance above the town, by
her crew, who immediately jumped overboard, and had
only just time to escape before the steamer came up.
She was at once boarded, and then set fire to and blown
up . She carried four guns . It was now observed that
Chinese soldiers were gathering thickly upon the neigh
bouring hills, as if meditating a descent, but a shot or
a
two thrown in amongst them served to put them to
flight.
CC 2
388 MASKED BATTERIES .
Just at this moment a masked battery, concealed by
some trees, not more than a couple of hundred yards
ahead, imprudently betrayed itself by opening its fire
on the steamer ; nor was this the only instance in which
small forts or field - works would have been passed un
seen and uninjured, had they not expended useless pow
der in making a smoke, which at once betrayed them.
The fire was instantly returned, and served to cover the
boats, which put off with the marines of the Samarang
to storm the works. Eight guns were found in it, which,
together with the buildings and magazine, were of course
destroyed. This place was called Sheongchap, and was
situated just below a point where the river divides, or
rather where two branches unite.
It being now past six, p.m., it was thought proper to
anchor for the night, after a very severe day's work for
all hands since three in the morning. The Nemesis, having
proceeded a little distance above Sheongchap, found
herself getting into very shallow water, and therefore
anchored for the night. The channel was so narrow that
it was impossible to turn the vessel round, scarcely even
by forcing her bows hard aground over the banks. She
was anchored head and stern , and guard -boats were
placed round her all night, for fear of any attempt at
surprise.
On the following morning, the 14th, the Nemesis
again pursued her course up what appeared to be the
principal branch, but which became so shallow that it
was doubtful how far she would be able to proceed ;
she had seldom more than six feet water, and in many
places only five, so that she was frequently forced through
NEW OVERLAND PASSAGE ! 389
the mud itself. There was not room to turn her fairly
round, and the only mode in which she could be ma
naged was by sometimes driving her bows as far as pos
sible into the river's bank, sometimes her stern ; while at
other times it was hard to say whether she was proceed
ing over a flooded paddy- field, or in the channel of a
watercourse . This gave occasion to a facetious remark,
in which sailors sometimes delight, that this “ would be
a new way of going overland to England .”
After proceeding only three or four miles, a village
came in sight, with a fort adjoining, and rather above
it. This was afterwards found to be named Kong-How.
Nearly opposite the fort the river was again found to be
staked across, much more strongly than it was at Hou
chong; and it was in a similar manner commanded by
the guns of the fort. The Nemesis, as soon as she came
within good range, opened her fire warmly upon the fort,
which the Chinese returned . The boats pushed off as
usual ; but the moment the marines and a party of sea
men began to land, the Chinese abandoned the fort in
confusion .
On the upper side of the fort, sand -bags were found
recently piled up against the walls, as if the Chinese had
expected the attack to be made on that side ; which
shows that they anticipated that an attempt would
be made to explore these passages, but that they rather
looked for it from the side of Tycocktow than from
Macao. The works, with their nine guns and magazine,
were afterwards all blown up at once.
The principal obstacle now remaining to be got rid
of was one more troublesome than all the forts together,
390 SINGULAR OPERATIONS .
or any impediment yet met with. The line of piles
which had been driven in across the river was not less
than twenty feet wide, or rather it was a double line,
filled up between the two with large sunken junks laden
with stones. Great labour and perseverance were re
quired to get up sufficient of these piles to clear a passage
broad enough for the steamer to pass. This was only
accomplished after four hours' hard work, in which, oddly
enough, the Chinese peasantry bore an active part, volun
tarily coming forward to assist, and even venturing to
come on board the steamer itself. This was undoubtedly
one of the good results of not having inflicted any in
jury upon the country people or inhabitants of the vil
lages through which the little expedition had passed.
Inquiry has often been made what method was adopted
in order to open aa passage through obstacles such as I
have described. It may, therefore, be here remarked
that several modes were at different times resorted to,
according to circumstances. Where the stakes were
not driven in very firmly, it was easy, by fastening a
hawser round the top of them, and making it fast to the
steamer, to back her out, and pull them one by one away ;
but as this was a tedious process, a hawser was some
times fastened round ten or a dozen of them in a line
across the river, and carried from one to the other, but
fastened to each of them in such a way as to leave
about a few fathoms of slack rope between each pair.
The end of the hawser was made fast to the steamer
with a tolerable length of line out, and she was then
backed at full speed . The momentum thus acquired
was soon sufficient to drag the first pile away with a
SINGULAR OPERATIONS . 391
jerk ; and this one being fastened already to the next, as
before described , with a fathom or two of slack line be
tween them, the force of the steamer, which still continued
to back astern , was sufficient to jerk that one away
also ; and thus proceeding at full speed backwards, the
steamer pulled them all away one after the other, still
remaining fastened together by the hawser ; but the
power of the jerk was only applied to one at a time.
In cases where the stakes were driven in to some
depth, or where the bed of the river was tenacious, it
was necessary to pull them fairly out perpendicularly,
by luff-tackle led up to the mast-head . The piles were
gradually loosened a little, by being pulled to and fro ;
for which purpose chain-slings were passed round the
head of the pile, and a hawser being then made fast, was
led aft along the deck ; thus, by being pulled in various
directions, sometimes one way, and sometimes another,
the pile was at length drawn fairly out, something like
drawing a tooth. The bows of the steamer were run
nearly close up to the piles during this operation, and
she was steadied by a hawser run out from the quarter
to the banks of the river .
A great point seems to lie in the management of the
steamer itself, so as to be able to apply the power in
the proper direction, and at the right moment. This is
the more important, as the stream is generally pouring
through or over the stakes with the greater impetuosity, >
owing to the obstruction it meets with from the obsta
cles in its way. This also constitutes the difficulty of
getting through the opening, even after it is once made.
It is often necessary to lay out a kedge on each bow to
392 CHOP - HOUSE DESTROYED .
steady the vessel, as she works her way through, and to
prevent her from falling broadside on to the stream .
Generally on these occasions the water was shallow ,
so that it was necessary to raise both keels of the vessel,
and also the drop -rudder, and therefore it was sometimes
extremely difficult to steer her under those circum
stances, and the use of the kedges became the more
necessary . In the present instance a space of twenty
two feet was opened, and the steamer was got thro
with considerable care and some difficulty.
A little above this obstruction a large chop -house or
mandarin-station came into view, with a mandarin
barge lying just off it. A shot fired into the principal
building soon drove out all the soldiers who had taken
refuge in it ;—probably the mandarin's guard . The boats
were now sent ashore, and soon destroyed the whole of
the buildings, together with the mandarin - boat, with
a gun and two ginjals.. It was not possible for the
steamer to tow any of the boats or junks away with
her, because she was continually touching the ground,
and frequently forcing herself through the mud , so that
it would have been impossible to have got on at all if
she had been impeded by any other encumbrance ; they
were therefore all destroyed.
As soon as the boats had all returned from their ser
vice on shore, the steamer pushed on again, and the
water began to deepen ; so that at half-past six she
was able to come to anchor for the night in five
fathoms water. From this point the high rock of Lan
keet, in the Canton river, could be easily recognized,
bearing about due east, and not very far distant .
WAR- JUNK BLOWN UP . 393
On the morning of the 15th, having proceeded about
three miles further on, a large village, called Tamchow,
>
came into view, on the left bank of the river. Here a
party of matchlock-men were observed crouching along
the banks of the river, endeavouring to pass unnoticed .
A few rounds of musketry at once dispersed them.
Again the steamer pursued her course, without find
ing any thing particularly worthy of notice for a couple
of hours, when she came to a large town on the left
bank of the river (it is remarkable that nearly all their
towns and villages were on that side), which was called
Tsenei, just above a place called Kwan, close to which
two or three dismantled and abandoned forts had been
passed. Here the chop or custom -house, which was
also a sort of military station, by the water-side, was
set on fire and destroyed . A large war-junk, also
(probably the one which had before escaped), which
mounted seven guns, was captured and blown up,
the crew having abandoned it on the approach of the
“ devil-ship. ”
Above this point the channel again became very nar
row and shallow . The Chinese pilots now declared
that it would be impossible for the steamer to proceed
much higher up, as the passage was only deep enough
for boats. Having nearly reached a small place, called
Weichung, the Nemesis was at length compelled to de
sist from the attempt to pursue her course further in
that direction, particularly as it was now ebb-tide.
Several other channels could be seen on both sides, and
one in particular appeared to lead to the eastward,
towards the main branch of the Canton river, below
394 CONCLUSION AND RESULTS
Whampoa. Accordingly, it was resolved to follow this
latter branch, with a view to join the advanced squadron,
if possible.
In this short passage a considerable walled town was
passed, at the distance of less than half a mile, with
which the communication was kept up by means of a
canal, which could be seen to enter the town under a
large arch, or bridge. Upon this a great number of
people were collected, to watch the progress of the
steamer . The country around it was extremely well
cultivated, and the peasants were busy at their agricul
tural operations, without any apparent fear. Shortly
afterwards the Nemesis found herself entering the main
river, at a very short distance below the pagoda at the
Second Bar, and proceeded without delay to join the
light squadron which was at anchor in Whampoa Reach,
and received the congratulations of all parties. Captain
Elliot and suite then left the Nemesis, and proceeded
on board Captain Herbert's ship, the Calliope.
Thus ended this singular and highly successful expe
dition of three days, up the Broadway passage, during
which so much had been done towards disabling and
annoying the enemy by the steamer, assisted by the
boats before mentioned, and the marines of the Sama
rang, all under the direction of Captain Scott. This
exploit would have gratified most men, even as the
work of a single vessel, for a whole campaign. It
need hardly be added, that Captain Scott was the
first to acknowledge and to bring to public notice the
value of the services of the Nemesis on this occasion ;
and Captain Elliot, who was an eye-witness of all
OF THE EXPEDITION . 395
these operations, bore similar testimony to their impor
tance. They were also mentioned in flattering terms
by the commodore, in his public despatch. It must not
be omitted that all the officers of the vessel nobly and
energetically bore their share in the labours and dan
gers of the undertaking ; and those who belonged to the
boats of the Samarang and the Atalanta were equally
conspicuous, and had opportunities of distinguishing
themselves on shore.
The result of this expedition was highly beneficial, >
and afforded more insight into the nature of the coun
try, and gave a more correct estimate of the resources
of the Chinese, than could have been expected within
so short a distance from Macao. Indeed, considering
how long that place had been the resort of Europeans,
it was astonishing how little was known of its neigh
bourhood . The country on both sides of the passage
was found to be fertile and highly cultivated ; while, in
the neighbourhood of the villages, the banks of the river
were laid out in neatly cultivated gardens. Every
where there prevailed an air of comfort and of thriving
industry.
The peaceable and, one may almost say, the apathetic
bearing of the people generally, and their refraining
from all hostile demonstrations, are worthy of notice ;
particularly when we remember that they must not only
1 It should be here mentioned that Mr. Johnston, the assistant-super
intendent of trade, was also on board the Nemesis during this expedition :
also that Captain Larkins, who formerly commanded one of the East
India Company's vessels, and had been long acquainted with the Chinese
character, volunteered his valuable services upon the occasion.
396 RESULTS OF THE EXPEDITION .
have heard of, but even perhaps been witnesses to, the
engagements at the Bogue, at Chuenpee, at the First
Bar, and elsewhere. Much, perhaps, may be attributed
to the valuable presence of Mr. Morrison and Mr. Thom ,
who, from their accurate knowledge of the character of
the people, knew well how to allay their fears, and con
ciliate even their good offices. These gentlemen were
nevertheless not always able to avoid exposure to dan
ger, in landing with the boats, when the forts were
taken possession of, and in holding parleys with the
people. The whole loss on our side, during this adven
turous trip, was fortunately only three men wounded.
Altogether, one hundred and fifteen guns were destroyed,
together with nine war-junks; and several armed man
darin-boats, six batteries, and three government chop
houses or military stations, together with barracks and
magazines, were also taken and set on fire.
One simple but very natural question will now sug
gest itself. We have seen that,, even in channels un
frequented by Europeans, and only partially known to
exist, the Chinese were found to be well provided with
means of defence, not of recent construction only, but
many of them evidently of long standing. But the
Chinese government had not been at war with neigh
bouring nations, nor could they have erected these in
ternal defences against any possible future outbreak
of the foreigners who traded with Canton . The latter
had usually been very “ respectfully obedient ; ” and,
even if they had been disposed at an earlier period to
come to blows with the Chinese, their measures would
have been directed almost exclusively against the Bogue
OBJECT OF THE FORTS . 397
forts, which protected the main channel of the Canton
river, leading to Whampoa. This Inner or Broadway
Passage was, at all events, too shallow and intricate to
admit of the passage of large ships ; and indeed we
have seen that even the Nemesis had failed in making
her way through the upper portion of it.
Against whom then, we may ask , or for what purpose,
were the numerous forts erected ? The government
might have thought proper to occupy the principal
strong positions , with a view to strengthen themselves
against any outbreak or insubordination of their own
people ; and disturbances of this kind have not been
unfrequent, even in despotic and obedient China . But
it is far more probable that these defences of their
“ inner waters” were designed to keep in check the
>
dangerous incursions of pirates, or “ Water Braves,”
who have always infested the coast of China , and have
been great enemies to its commerce , and a source of
uneasiness to its government . In a country in which
so large a portion of the population make their per
manent home upon the waters, some upon the innume
rable canals and rivers which intersect it in all directions ,
others along the extensive sea-coast and among its
numerous islands , it is not surprising that pirates , or,
as the Portuguese call them , Ladrones , should at all
times abound .
The means of subsistence being frequently precarious
among so populous a nation, and at no time to be ac
quired without careful industry, and, at the same time,
the real weakness of the government, in spite of its bom
bastic edicts, have combined to make the temptation to
398 CHINESE PIRATES.
piracy almost irresistible. In not a few instances the
government have been compelled even to conciliate or
buy over the depredators ; and, in spite of all their
efforts to suppress them , the Ladrones have never ceased
to infest the coast to a greater or less extent. The
temptations are always numerous, and the desperate
characters who gain their living by smuggling are, at
all times, as likely to gain it by robbing, whenever the
opportunity may appear more favourable. Hence, we
can scarcely wonder that the pirates had long become
bold , enterprising, well- organized, and successful in their
efforts, directed, however, almost exclusively against
their own countrymen , along the whole coast.
Such as were the banditti of Italy and Spain not
long ago, or the klephts of Greece, or the robbers of
Hounslow Heath in times past — such have been for
centuries the pirates or ladrones of China. They are,
>
in fact, the highwaymen of the “ Celestial Empire ;" for
their rivers and water -communications are essentially
their highways.
Under these circumstances, we are led to the con
clusion, that nearly all these defences in the Broadway
Passage had been constructed more with a view to the
defence of the river against the Chinese themselves, than
under any apprehension that the foreigners would ever
force their way into it. This supposition is further
borne out by the fact that, even during the short ex
pedition of the Nemesis, bands of robbers, and boats
filled with men of a very suspicious character, were dis
tinctly seen at a distance, trying to take advantage of
every opportunity of plundering their countrymen while
CHINESE PIRATES. 3.99
the panic lasted. Indeed , it may with much truth be
said, that on this, as on many other occasions, the
Chinese suffered a great deal more from the excesses
and misdeeds of their own people, than they did from
any hardships they encountered at the hands of their
foreign enemies during the war. Many ludicrous, no
less than unfortunate, scenes have been witnessed, of
Chinese plundering parties falling in each other's way
accidentally, and then fighting for each other's booty,
while, just at the critical moment, a third party would
perhaps step in, and carry off the greater part of what
the others had been already fighting about ; and perhaps
even these would, in their turn, be stripped by another
fresh party, before they could get fairly off with their
prize.
In reality, the war itself served to disorganize the
Chinese police, and to diminish the authority of the
local officers. Smuggling, robbery, and multiplied out
rages, were never more prevalent throughout all the
maritime districts than during the continuance of hosti
lities .
In the neighbourhood of the Canton River, these
violent proceedings arrived at length at such a height,
that the fishermen , in many instances, combined toge
ther for mutual defence, and provided themselves with
arms . But even these men, although, doubtless, most
of them started with the good intention of capturing
the pirates, or, at all events, of protecting their own
property, were tempted at last to become, in many in
stances, almost as fraudulent as the regular Ladrones.
Some were bold enough even to attack the foreigners,
400 CHINESE PIRATES .
urged thereto perhaps by the promised rewards of their
own government. Others, having now found out their
own comparative strength , became salt-smugglers and
opium -smugglers ; while others traded, smuggled, rob
bed, or aided others to escape detection, just as it might
best suit their purpose for the moment. They possessed
a sort of liberty of strength, and a power derived from
impunity of doing just what they pleased.
Secret societies were at length formed ; a sort of
freemasonry of crime was established ; and, before the
close of the war, they had acquired such an organi
zation as to make it dangerous to move about in the
neighbourhood of Hong Kong or Macao. They even
sold passes to the trading -boats, which were intended
to exempt them from plunder, for a regular payment of
so many dollars a month ; yet even these were not
always respected. New facts were daily coming to
light, even after the war was over, which showed with
what extensive ramifications these societies had spread.
Hong Kong itself was in danger of daily attacks from
these daring bandits ; and, as it became at length evi
dent that the co-operation of both governments, the
English and the Chinese, could alone effectually put an
end to such gross outrages, Sir Henry Pottinger made
proposals to that effect to the Chinese authorities. Our
own cruisers alone were scarcely sufficient to effect the
object, because the fact of their European shape and
rig rendered them easily distinguished at a distance,
and thus the pirates had plenty of time to escape. It
was proposed, therefore, to have a number of fast
sailing boats, built and rigged very much after the Chi
CHINESE PIRATES . 401
nese fashion , with mat-sails, &c. , to be well armed, and
to be manned principally by our own men . They would
thus be able to come unsuspected upon the pirates.
Various other suggestions were made for the mutual co
operation of the two governments in the good work ;
but, owing probably to fear and jealousy, and perhaps
a mixture of pride, these offers were courteously and
respectfully declined by the Chinese government, who
declared that it would be able, now that the war was
ended, to take effectual steps to put an end to this
heavy source of annoyance at the mouth of the Canton
river. It remains to be seen whether their measures
will be effectual. Exertions, on our side, have been
continued with the same object.
We may next ask, what effect this sudden visit of
the Nemesis, within their most secret channels and
hitherto unexplored rivers, must have had upon the
government and the people generally. They were
astounded, and, for a moment, paralyzed. In reality,
the exploits in the Inner passage, from Macao to Can
ton, created almost as much panic among the Chinese
as the taking of the Bogue itself. The event was more
unexpected, and was thought equally impracticable.
VOL . I. D D
402 CAPTURE OF THE MACAO FORT.
CHAPTER XIX.
-
Capture of the Macao fort, on the 13th of March - Advanced ships only
two miles from Canton - Nemesis proceeds towards Canton with a flag
of truce — Letter to the Imperial Commissioner- Is fired at from the
Birdsnest Fort - Preparations to resent the insult Captain Elliot's
communications –Want of interpreters - Attack upon the defences of
Canton on the 18th of March, 1841 –Flotilla of men -of-war's boats
Flotilla of Chinese boats-Forts in the Macao passage carried — War
junks dispersed - Boats destroyed - Captain Elliot with a flag of truce
on board the Nemesis — Fired at by the Chinese — British flag planted
upon the factory - Notifications by Captain Elliot - Temporary settle
ment – Trade opened.
During the time the Nemesis, with the boats and
marines of the Samarang, and the boat of the Atalanta,
were occupied in destroying the works of the Chinese
in the Broadway River, a division of the light squadron,
under the command ofCaptain Herbert, had captured ano
ther fort in the upper part of the same river, at the dis
tance of only about two miles from Canton. The vessels
employed upon this occasion were the Modeste and Star
ling, with the Madagascar steamer, and boats from most
of the ships of the advanced squadron, commanded by
Captain Bethune, viz. , the Blonde, Conway, Calliope,
Herald, Alligator, Hyacinth , Nimrod, Pylades, and
Cruizer.
On the 13th (March) they pushed through the upper
BROADWAY RIVER. 403
channel leading from Whampoa, which had been ex
plored on a previous occasion by the Nemesis, under the
orders of Captain Herbert; and late in the afternoon
they entered the Broadway River without any accident,
although the passage was found very intricate, owing
to the number of shoals. The Modeste was only got
through with considerable difficulty, piloted by Captain
Collinson1 ; and she would hardly have accomplished it,
but for the assistance of the Madagascar steamer. Cap
tain Belcher endeavoured to bring the Sulphur through,
but failed, as she grounded about four miles from the
point of attack. The Queen steamer was found to
draw too much water, and could not be employed to
tow her up .
The fort which they were about to attack was the
same which had before been seen at a distance by Cap
tain Herbert in the Nemesis, and was found to be of a
circular form , strongly built of stone, with a tower in
the centre, and situated upon a small alluvial islet in
the middle of the river, which it completely commanded.
It was afterwards called the Macao Fort, and was found
to mount twenty- two guns. The Chinese had made at
tempts to strengthen this important post, as an outwork
to impede the advance of our forces upon Canton in
that direction . With this view they had constructed
rafts across the river on both sides of the fort, strength
ened by a few piles and sunken junks, and flanked by a
sand battery, mounting eight small guns .
As soon as our vessels and boats approached , the
Chinese opened a well-sustained fire from the fort,
which was returned with good effect by the Modeste,
DD 2
404 MACAO FORT TAKEN .
which had been admirably placed by Captain Eyres,
within six hundred yards, assisted by the Starling and
Madagascar.
In about half an hour the whole of the works were
carried, but the Chinese maintained their fire until the
rest of the force were under the walls, when they fled
out of it in all directions, leaving several dead in the
fort. On our side only three men were wounded .
Captain Kuper, and commanders Barlow , Giffard , An
son, and Clarke, volunteered their services on this occa
sion, and the marines were commanded by Lieutenant
Stransham . A large mandarin -boat was captured be
fore the Chinese could carry it away ; and a small gar
rison was immediately placed in the fort, the Modeste
remaining at anchor some way below it.
Thus another of the important defences of the Chinese
in advance of Canton had fallen ; and the passage for our
light squadron up to the provincial capital lay almost
completely open. Our advanced ships had now been
brought much nearer the city than the Chinese, or
perhaps even our own officers, had previously thought
possible. All the important operations which have
been described in the Broadway River, commencing
from Macao upwards, to within two miles of Canton,
had been effected in the short space of three days, viz.,
on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of March , 1841 .
On the 16th, Captains Herbert, Bourchier, Bethune,
and other officers, came on board the Nemesis at Wham
poa,, and proceeded along the upper channel towards
the Macao passage. In the afternoon , the Nemesis
joined the Modeste, which was still at anchor below the
A SUNKEN ROCK . 405
fort. A passage was soon cleared through the rafts,
and she pursued her course, with the object of taking up
a chop or despatch from Captain Elliot, addressed to
the Imperial Commissioner, and at the same time to ex
plore the nature of the passage above the fort. But,
scarcely had she passed the stakes, when she had reason
to find that new passages are not always free from
danger, for she struck heavily upon a sunken rock.
This obstacle, however, was not situated in the broadest
and most frequented channel, which leads past the
fort on its eastern side, but in the narrower passage
on the western side of the fort. The concussion made
the vessel tremble ; and, had she been built of wood
instead of iron, she could hardly have escaped suffer
ing some severe injury.
After considerable delay and exertion she was got off
again, having thus proved both the advantage of iron,
and the danger of trying to pass on that side. Before
she advanced further towards Canton, it was thought
proper to hoist a flag of truce ; but, knowing at the
same time how little the Chinese respect for it could
be depended on, a division of armed boats was taken in
tow, in case of meeting with any sudden attack from
the enemy
Upwards of a mile further on, a newly -constructed
field -work was discovered upon a rising ground, sur
rounded and partially concealed by trees. It was situ
ated upon the left bank of the river, and was called the
Birdsnest Fort. In front of it, the passage of the river
was obstructed by a strong raft, reaching quite across
it, and well moored ; while, further on, just at the
406 A FLAG OF TRUCE .
point of junction with the Canton river, a number of
war-junks and armed boats were drawn up for its de
fence, nearly opposite Shameen, which is about half a
mile above the factories.
The steamer was now stopped ; and it was resolved
to send a boat, with a flag of truce flying, in order to
attempt to carry up Captain Elliot's letter. The flag
of truce was also flying upon the Nemesis and all the
other boats. Captain Bethune , having undertaken this
charge, had just pushed off from the steamer , when a
shower of grape -shot was discharged from the Birds
nest Fort . Fortunately , no injury was done , as the shot
passed over the boats ; but the flags of truce were
immediately lowered ; and the guns of the Nemesis , and
also those of the boats, opened fire upon the fort, in
retaliation of the hostile act of the Chinese . At the
same time , the junks ahead , and also the battery at Sha
meen , commenced a distant straggling fire, much beyond
effective range. A rocket thrown from the Nemesis
fell into the middle of the fort, and partially set fire to
the buildings , and it would have been very easy to have
carried the works by assault ; but orders to the contrary
were given by Captain Herbert, who was not desirous
of carrying hostilities further, without the sanction of
Captain Elliot. He immediately returned to Whampoa ,
in order to bring up some of the light squadron , with
a view to advance , if necessary , upon Canton itself.
There were good reasons for not wasting time at the
fort that evening ; but, unfortunately, it is the practice
of the Chinese always to claim a victory, and to report
upon it accordingly to the Emperor, on every occasion
A PEACOCK'S FEATHER . 407
on which any portion of our forces withdrew from be
fore any of their defences, without having first occupied
them . In the present instance, it was reported, that
even a devil-ship had been driven away by the imperial
troops from the Birdsnest Fort, and the high distinc
tion of a peacock’s feather was conferred upon the com
mandant of it, as a reward for his courage !
Upon reaching Whampoa again the same evening in
the Nemesis, Captain Herbert received a communica
tion from Captain Elliot, respecting the measures to be
adopted in consequence of the insult which had been
offered to the flag of truce. Captain Elliot pointed out
>
to him that the “ Chinese knew perfectly well the value
of the white flag, for they had often taken advantage of
it to communicate with our forces :" and he then dwelt
upon the “ necessity of resisting this aggression with
all the promptitude which might be compatible with
considerations of a military nature.” At the same time,
he requested Captain Herbert to “ confine his operations
to the fort from which the shot was actually fired.” It