1842.
Last Ten Years, from 1832 to 1841.
67
are some other points connected with the medical establishment: the more effi- cient duties of the master-attendant; improvement of the navigation, by completing the survey of the China seas; and the accommodation eventually to be occupied by the superintendents and their assistants, which, on farther experience, I shall have the honor of reporting to your lordship in a more specific manner than I am yet prepared to do. Having now clearly explained to your lordship the po- sition in which I staud, in respect to the viceroy, up to the date hereof, (9th Aug., 1834) I beg to acquaint your lordship that all these measures have received the full concurrence and support of my two colleagues. Endeavoring also always to bear in mind the nature and spirit of H. M's. instructions, regarding my conduct towards the Chinese authorities, and enjoining respect to the laws of the empire, I conceive, in adopting the line so approved, aird which has given entire satisfaction to his majesty's faithful subjects at this port, that I have, in fact, adhered most strictly to those instructions, without compromising the honor of his majesty's commission, and without relinquishing that right or practice which has been so often exercised in times past by the presidents of the Select Committee, of enjoy- ing direct communication with the viceroy, whenever circumstances might render such communication necessary or desirable.”—(Signed) Napier, &c. Corr. p. 9.
11th. A public
A public meeting of British merchants was convened this day by lord Napier in Canton, in consequence of an attempt made by the hong-merchants the day preceding, to obtain a meeting of the same at their own public hall. The object of the hong-inerchauts was evidently to create a schism among the British, in order to set up one party against the superintendents; but they failed entirely.
14th. Lord Napier again wrote to the foreign secretary, under this date, from which we quote, respecting opening a direct com- munication with Peking.
“I think I can have no hesitation at once in recommending his majesty's go. vernment to consult immediately on the best plan to be adopted for commanding a commercial treaty, or a treaty which shall secure the just rights, and embrace the interests, public and private, of all Europeans,-not of British alone, but of all civilized people coming to trade according to the principle of international law. I maintain, that it will be as easy to work for the civilized world as for ourselves; and that it will be as easy to open the whole coast, as any individual port. It may possibly be advisable too to Peking on the occasion, or perhaps only to send from the mouth of the Pei hò river, or from any other point upon the coast. Sending an embassador is the more courteous; but the presence of an embassy presupposes room for debates and long delays, alterations and amendments in plans proposed. Now, I should say, that we should propose nothing but what is fair and just towards all mankind; and avoid entering into minute details. De- mand the same personal privileges for all traders, that every trader enjoys in England. Having once acquired the right of settlement at every port, let the trade go on according to the established rules of the empire, good or bad,—re- serving always the common right to represent and negotiate where wrong prevails. Our first object should be to get a settlement on the same terms that every Chi- naman, Pagan, Turk, or Christian, sits down in England.”
··If your lordship should prefer making gradual propositious by an embassy