1841.
Progress of the War.
181
chop-house at the last place was burnt down. The briefest notice of this service would be unsuitable, which failed to mention the admirable steadiness and ability displayed by Mr. William H. Hall, R. N., commander of the Nemesis, in the navigation of that extraordinary vessel. She was moved onwards for some suc- ceeding miles in her own depth of water, and with the breadth of the river so near her own length, that it became necessary on several occasions, to force her bow into the bank and bushes on one side to clear her heel of the dry ground on the opposite. Formidable obstructions to the navigation were removed by the steam- er with characteristic energy.
EDWARD ELMSLIE, Secretary, &c.
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By order.
(Signed)
H. M. ships Modeste, Starling, and the H. Co.'s steamer Madagascar: boats of H. M. ships Blonde, Conway, Herald, Alligator, Hyacinth, Nimrod, Pylades, and Cruizer.
Circular to Her Majesty's Subjects.
H. M. cutter Louisa, at anchor off Canton, 19th March, 1841. A flag of truce having been fired upon from a work on the left bank of the Ma- cao Passage, near this city, on the 16th inst., captain Herbert, in command of the squadron in advance moved forward the ships and vessels named in the margin (Modeste, Algerine, Starling, Hebe, Louisa, Nemesis, Madagascar, boats of H. M. ships, Calliope, Blonde, Conway, Herald, Alligator, Sulphur, Hyacinth, Pylades, Nimrod, Cruizer, and Columbine), and a flotilla of boats under the com- mand of captain Bourchier of H. M. ship Blonde, formed into 3 divisions under the immediate charge of commanders Barlow and Clarke and lieutenant Coul- son of the Blonde, captain Bethune of H. M. ship Conway seconding and assisting capt. Bourchier in the general direction of this branch of the service. H. M. S. Hyacinth and a division of boats under the command of commander Belcher, seconded by commander Warren, were placed at the south entrance of a branch of the river re-communicating with the main stream at Fatee; this movement being made with the purpose to cut off the retreat of a numerous flotilla which had taken part in the aggression of the 16th inst. The necessary arrangements having been completed, the whole force was moved forward simultaneously yes- terday at about noon, carrying in the course of two hours all the works in im- mediate advance, and before the city (the Dutch Folly inclusive), and taking, sinking, or destroying the enemy's flotilla. The Chinese defended themselves with constancy at the main point of attack, notwithstanding the excellent fire of H. M. S. Modeste and the other attacking vessels, some of the people standing to their guns till they were dislodged by the musketry from the seamen and marines. H. M: S. Herald, brought over the flats by dint of great care and exertion, entered the reach during the engagement, and the appearance of such a reserve no doubt contributed to the success of the day. These important and admirably conducted operations have placed Canton under the guns of the squad- ron, and the vessels remain at an anchorage commanding all approaches to the city, from the southern and western branches of the river. The casualties on the side of H. M. forces have been inconsiderable.
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(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary.
Circular to Her Majesty's Subjects.
Canton, Hall of the British Factory, 20th March, 1841. A suspension of hostilities at Canton in this province has this day been agreed upon between the imperial commissioner Yang and the undersigned. It has further been publicly proclaimed to the people under the seals of the commis sioner and of the acting governor of the province, that the trade of the port of Cantoh is open, and that British and other foreign merchants who may see fit to proceed there for, the purposes of lawful commerce shall be duly protected. No bond will be required by the provincial government, but there will be no objection on the part of the British authorities to the like liabilities for the in. troduction of prohibited merchandize, or smuggling (duly proved), which would follow such offenses in England, detention of the person or penal consequences of all kind excepted. Pending the final settlement of affairs between the two countries, the undersigned has consented to the payment of the usual port charges and other established duties. Ships of war will remain in the near
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