58
CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO
made. As many of the men did not fire, and a number of the muskets were discharged over the heads of the people, the loss of the crowd in killed and wounded was not very great.
Yesterday, matters wearing a somewhat better appearance, Mr. Pedder and the Haifang went on board the "Australia" to see the wounded mate, and thence proceeded to view the bodies of the Chinese killed by the fire of the "Salamander's" dien.
He reports that they viewed four bodies, and saw three wounded people. Two more wounded men are on board the steamer under the care of her medical officers; so that the total number of killed and wounded may be estimated at from ten to twelve.
The local authorities state that they fully approve of what has been done on our part, and hope we shall keep fully prepared against attack for some days longer, as thousands of men are pouring in from all the country round for the purpose of plundering; and that until they retire it would be in the highest degree imprudent for our men to be with- drawn from the hongs.
We all have been, and still are, so fully occupied with the measures necessary for our defence, and for obtaining redress for the outrage perpetrated on Sunday last, that your Excellency will hardly expect a fuller account of this occurrence at present.
The local authorities express their readiness to make an example of the soldiers (whose culpability they attempt not to deny) so soon as the restoration of order shall leave them at leisure to bring the culprits to trial.
I am sorry to state that Mr. Pedder, who is slowly recovering from a severe attack of fever, has suffered so much from the continued bodily and mental exertion which un- avoidably devolved on him as interpreter during the last few days, combined with want of rest for five nights, that he yesterday sunk under it. Happily the prompt and judicious measure adopted by Dr. Foster, of the "Salamander," prevented a return of fever; and Mr. Pedder being somewhat recovered to-day las insisted on returning to his work, a determination which I cannot oppose, since, pending the arrival of Mr. Sinclair, his ser- vices are indispensable.
In conclusion, I have only to state, that I do not think we require any further assist- ance, as now that the mob finds that we are determined to defend ourselves, no more attacks are likely to be made; and if there should be another the "Salamander" and merchant ships in harbour could furnish enough men to protect the residences of the merchants. The authorities have been held responsible for the safety of the store hongs situated in the town; and the missionaries, possessing nothing to tempt the cupidity of marauders, are safe from attack.
His Excellency John Bowring, Esq., LL.D.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
I have, &c.,
. (Signed) J. BACKHOUSE.
SIR,
EMIGRATION OF CHINESE COOLIES.
(No. 3.)
59
59
Superintendency of Trade, Hong Kong, Dec. 9, 1852. THE events which have taken place at Amoy are of so grave a character, and the interests involved are so important, that I have decided on sending you to Amoy, on board Her Majesty's steamer "Hermes," Captain Fishbourne, in order that you may thoroughly investigate and report on all the circumstances connected with the late outrages. Though I do not wish, with the imperfect information we possess, strictly to mark out the course of proceedings, it appears to me that if Mr. Acting Consul Backhouse have not already summoned a consular court, such a step would be most desirable, in order that all the facts connected with the late disorders may be submitted to a judicial inquiry.
It is stated in sundry letters which have reached me, and some of which I have com- municated to you, that the riots at Amoy had their origin in some proceedings of a British merchant claiming from the Chinese authorities a man whom they held in custody, and who had been connected with the collector of coolies for foreign shipment. To the circumstances associated with these proceedings, you will give your special attention.
I am desirous you should avail yourself of the opportunity you will possess on this occasion, of instituting a searching investigation as to the manner in which this coolie emigration has been carried on, especially with reference to British ships, British subjects, and British colonies. You are well aware that many non-official statements have reached the Superintendency, as to the abuses which have taken place; that persons are stated to have been kidnapped by fraud and force; seduced by false representations, and otherwise conveyed on board emigrant ships without their own consent, and in ignorance of the conditions of their shipment. I need not tell you that any such proceedings would be the object of the utmost abhorrence, and meet with the gravest censure from Her Majesty's Government, and that any British subject who should be a willing party to such malpractices would be responsible to every pain and penalty of the law.
You will use, in co-operation with Her Majesty's acting consul, all diligence consistent with the thorough investigation of the matters in question, so as to avoid any unneces- sarily prolonged absence from the Superintendency.
سمجھے
Captain Massie will have given the needful instructions to Commander Fishbourne, of Her Majesty's steamer "Hermes," on all matters connected with Her Majesty's navy. and I have no doubt you will find his presence in every respect useful and valuable.
As there have been several vessels despatched with coolies from Namoa, it is probable Captain Fishbourne will call at that station on her way down; and you will also obtain all information as to the proceedings in that locality. Frederick Harvey, Esq.,
&c.
I have, &c, (Signed)
JOHN BOWRING.
(No. 4.)
SIB,
(No. 2.)
Superintendency of Trade, Hong Kong, Dec. 9, 1852.
I HAVE received your Despatch No. 60, dated 27th November, communicating particulars of an outrage committed by Chinese soldiers on, British subjects, reporting the dangers to which the hongs of the merchants have been exposed, the interference of Her Majesty's naval forces, and the loss of life which ensued.
As it appears by your private communication to me, and by sundry letters I have received from other quarters, that these tumultuous proceedings had their origin in the interference of a British merchant with some of the authorities at Amoy, and an attempt to rescue from their custody a person engaged in obtaining coolie emigrants; and as it is equally the duty of Her Majesty's officers to protect the Chinese against the aggressions of any of Her subjects, as to protect the persons and property of our own countrymen, I have thought it desirable to despatch Mr. Harvey on board Her Majesty's steamer "Hermes," in order to assist you in any inquiries which may be desirable, not only to throw light on the causes of the late disturbances, but to investigate generally the subject of coolie emigration.
Mr. Harvey will not interfere to control you in the exercise of your consular juris- diction, nor do I desire to lay down special instructions for your guidance; but it will be satisfactory to me that you should determine on instituting a formal judicial investiga tion as to what has occurred, both for my own information and that of Her Majesty's Government.
Mr. Harvey is authorized to show you the instructions I have given him.
John Backhouse, Esq., Her Majesty's
Officiating Consul, Amoy.
I have, &c., (Signed)
JOHN BOWRINO.
SIR,
British Consulate, Amoy, December 18, 1852. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's Despatch
No. 61, of the 9th instant, by Her Majesty's steamer "Hermes," which arrived here on the 12th. Mr. Harvey and Captain Fishbourne came up on Monday, and with me held a court of inquiry respecting the disturbances which took place here on the 21st and 24th ultimo, and it lasted until yesterday, the 17th. As Mr. Harvey takes down all the evidence obtained on that occasion, and my being very shorthanded at present, I trust that your Excellency will pardon me for not enclosing it in this Despatch.
Mr. Syme, Mr. Cornabé, a clerk in his house, and Mr. Connolly, a partner in Messrs. Tait and Co.'s, appeared at the Consulate, in accordance with their summonses issued yesterday; the two former stood their trials for a breach of the treaty on the 21st ultimo, by going to a police station and rescuing a coolie bruker, who was in their employ, from the hands of the Mandarins; the latter was not tried, owing to the absconding of the coolies who were to appear against him, for misprision in confining them against their will on board the "emigrant" depôt ship; but I gave him a warning as to his future conduct, and impressed on his mind, that if he were again complained of, I should visit him with the utmost rigour of the law.
Mr. Syme having been in open court, attended by two assessors, clearly proved guilty of the charge preferred against him, I have fined him the sum of 200 dollars, payable to Her Majesty the Queen; and Mr. Cornabé pleading guilty to the offence charged against him in the prosecution, has been sentenced to pay a fine of 20 dollars to Her Majesty the Queen, in conformity with Ordinance No. o, of 1844.
The rapid departure of Her Majesty's steamer "Hermes" prevents me from entering into further details at present, and I confine myself to enclosing copies of the examination. defence, and judgment elicited during the trial.
His Excellency J. Bowring, Esq., LLD.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
J. BACKHOUSE
H 2
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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