1841.
The Emperor's Reply.
113
The rebellious dispositions of these foreigners being now plainly manifested, there remains no other course than, without remorse, to destroy and wash them clean away, and thus to display the majesty of the empire. What room can there yet be left for showing them consideration and exhibiting to them reason! Expresses have con- sequently been sent to Hoonan, Szechuen, and Kweichow, to direct that forces be sent from each of those provinces, with all speed, to Canton. And to Keängse, an express has also been sent, directing that the 2000 men before ordered from thence shall proceed with all haste to join these. All the forces of the province of Kwangtung itself shall be under the control and direction of the said acting governor. And, the posture of affairs being at this time urgent and pressing, let him at once proceed to occupy each several post and passage of im- portance: let him not suffer the least remissness or negligence to appear. The forces ordered from various parts may all successively reach Canton within the second month (beginning 21st February). And let him then proceed immediately to take command of all the officers and subalterns, and lead them on to the extermination of these foreigners, thus hoping to atone for and save himself.
Regarding the forts of Kwangtung, it was before represented by Tăng and his then colleagues, that they were protected by rafts and chains thrown across so as to stop the progress of the foreign vessels. Let Keshen, then, ascertain and duly report, whether or not these places now taken, Shakok and Taikok, are the same places (as those where the rafts were thrown across). That these commands may be made known-let them be sent by an express traveling 600 le (about 200 miles) daily. Respect this.
Upon the same day this further imperial edict was also received·: Our ruling dynasty has kept in good order and discipline the ex- terior foreigners, wholly by the perfect exercise of good favor and of justice. So long as those foreigners have been truly compliant and dutiful, they have unfailingly been treated with generous liberality,- in the hope that all might rejoice together in the blessing of peace.
Some time back, owing to the daily increasing prevalence of the poisonous opium, introduced by western foreigners, commands were issued to make vigorous endeavors to arrest the growing contumacy. But the English alone, staying themselves upon their pride of power and fierce strength, would not give the required bonds; and for this it was commanded, that they should be cut off from commercial intercourse. But, in place of repenting themselves, they daily in- creased in boastful arrogance. And suddenly, in the 6th month of
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