478
Journal of Occurrences,
AUG.
Sir Henry Pottinger is conscious, that among the persons to whom this notifi- cation is addressed, there are few individuals who are not as well qualified as himself, to form a correct estimate of the reliance to be placed on the agreement and promises of the provincial government of Canton. He has intimated to that government, that he is willing for the present to respect the existing truce, but that the slightest infraction of its terms will lead to an instant renewal of active hostilities in this province; and it is accordingly to be borne in mind that such an event is not only highly probable, from the well understood perfidy and bad faith of the provincial officers themselves, but also because they may be com- pelled, at any moment, by orders from the imperial cabinet, to set aside and disavow their own acts: with these views and sentiments, it only remaius for sir Henry Pottinger to warn her majesty's subjects, and all other foreigners, against putting themselves or their property in the power of the Chinese authorities, dur- ing the present anomalous and unsettled state of our relations with the emperor and to declare, that, if they do so, it must be clearly understood to be at their own risk and peril.
Sir Henry Pottinger avails himself of this opportunity to announce, that the arrangements which have been made by his predecessor, connected with the is- land of Hongkong, will remain in force until the pleasure of her majesty regard- ing that island, and those arrangements, shall be received; and on this point, sir Henry Pottinger further desires to call the attention of all concerned to the public notice issued by her majesty's plenipotentiary on the 10th of June last.
Dated at Macao on the 12th day of August, 1841.
(Signed)
HENRY POTTINGER, Her majesty's plenipotentiary.
On Friday the 13th, further conferences having been held between these high officers, the two commanders-in-chief, sir William Parker and sir Hugh Gough, repaired on board the Queen, which moved off immediately for Hongkong.
Major Malcolm, accompanied by Mr. Thom, joint-interpreter, pro- ceeded in the Nemesis to Canton, bearing letters to the provincial government-the tenor whereof may be conjectured from the notifi cation given above. We understand the authorities in Canton have been duly notified of sir Henry's appointment as plenipotentiary, and of his assumption of the office of chief superintendent.
The arrival of major Malcolm in Canton on the morning of the 14th, produced no small excitement among the Chinese.
4. The British forces, now in China, are partly on the coast of Fuhkeën, and partly off Canton. Those in this neighborhood, under command of captain Nias, senior officer, are the Herald, Alligator, Sulphur, Starling, Royalist, Young Hebe, and one steamer-and some hundreds of troops at Hongkong—in all quite enough to repel any aggression the Chinese may be disposed to make.
5. The second expedition northward, moved from Hongkong on the 21st instant, and was to proceed up the coast in three divisions, with the ships of war cleared for working their guns. Amoy seems to have been fixed on for the first point of attack, and its fall will proba- bly be announced by the first arrival from the north.
6. The manner of conducting the war will, we apprehend, be left to the wisdom and skill of the two commanders-in-chief, sir Hugh Gough and sir William Parker, and be waged in right good earnest, until such time as the Chinese may deem it proper to sue for on honorable terms.
peace
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