1842
Lust Ten Years from 1832 70 1×41
1:23
to your excellency, it has been judged right to submit. This maporiset repre sentation in the most direct manner, by the hands of a member of his mia. jesty's commission, who is accompanied by the captain of the ship, and s authorized to carry on any official communications which may be needful. It has also been considered decorous and reasonable to refrain from taking any urgent steps for the recovery of the people, until your excellency shall be made acquainted with the disastrous transaction.
"The undersigned avail themselves of this occasion to offer to your ex- cellency the expression of their highest consideration and respect.
(Signed)
*G. B. RobINSON, J. 11. ASTELL,
1st
2d Superintendent. CHARLES ELLIOT, 3d S
"The version in Chinese of this document, as prepared by Mr. Gutzlaff, is as follows:-
***La, Ah, and E, by British royal commission superintendents of their country's affairs, communicate jointly and respectfully to your excellency, the governor of the two Kwáng, Lú. That on the first day of the first month, the 15th year of Tankwáng (January 29th, 1835), Ma (Alexauder Macdonald), a captain of their nation, reported: That his ship called the Argyle, whilst on her voyage from Bengal, met unfortunately with storms, and made St. John's, when she anchored in a harbor on the east coast, near to New-keo chan. That, on the 23d of the 12th month of the 14th year of Táukwáng (January 21st, 1835), he sent his mate, two helmsmen, and nine sailors in his boat on shore, with the intention of procuring a pilot, who might guide his ship over the shoals to Ma- CAO. That the inhabitants of St. John's being unfortunately ruffians, seized on a sudden upon our people, twelve in number, taking them prisoners, and forcibly possessing theinselves of their boat. That, although the said captain strenuously exhorted them to liberate his sailors, those ruffians demanded by way of extortion, 500 dollars, for which they would set them at liberty. That two of the in- habitants of St. John's came here in his ship to receive that unjust bribe. This coming before us the superintendents, we prepared previously this document to represent to your excellency, that according to decorum, we should not our- selves arbitrarily endeavor to get back our countrymen, but we beseech your ex- cellency most earnestly to issue immediate orders to those ruffians of St. Jolin's commanding them to give up our countrymen without delay. The superin- tendents being extremely desirous to fulfill the duties of their office, which they hold by royal commission, could not sit down with indifference, and see their people in the utmost danger, without succoring and assisting them. They therefore deputed the superintendent. E, to repair with the said captain Ma, to the provincial city, that he might, with his own hand present this docu- ment, and wait for an official reply from your excellency. Respectfully wish- ing your excellency the enjoyment of peace and happiness, we communicate in this document a true statement of the case. Done, January 30th, 1835.
"CHARLES GUTZLAFF.'
(Signed)
“January 30, 1835.—It was considered to be desirable that the three superintendents should sign this paper to the governor, as it appeared to be possible that this circumstance might give it rather