188
Review of Public Occurrences During the
APRIL.,
possession of an attendant officer at the custom-house in Canton; this fact was corroborated by another, that no sample of the goods, which were of a new pattern in regard to their color, had previously been sold in China. Corresp. p. 124.
March 14th. Captain Elliot addressed a communication to the foreign office, on the subject of opening communications with the Chinese authorities in Canton. The following is an extract.
44
'It had long seemed to me, that the arrival of the new viceroy at Canton would furnish us an occasion for the re-opening of our communications with the provincial authorities, by the only channel which, I am well persuaded, will ever open out to us at once, without a very hazardous and a very needless struggle.
Being at Canton, and conforming heartily to the spirit of our cautious and conciliatory instructions, I see every day more reason to believe, that without much address upon our parts, and in short, by the mere force of circumstances, we should soon come to make ourselves so useful to the native authorities, as to lead them (gradually and silently indeed, but surely) not only to admit, but to court direct communication with us. In China, to keep things quiet is the best evidence as well as the whole end of successful administration: as soon as the viceroy found out that we were sincere allies with them in that object, he would sedulously cultivate our friendliness."-Corresp. p. 136.
During this month the fort above Howqua's Folly, sometimes call- ed Napier's fort, was commenced, with a view to prevent Europeans from approaching the provincial city in their men of war.
April 18th. Under this date, sir G. B. Robinson wrote to viscount Palmerston, and closed his communication with the following para- graph:
“There remains, therefore, no alternative but a continuance in my present quiescent line of policy, until I am in possession of definite instructions from your lordship as to our future measures. I have only to observe, that I per- severe in my course, simply because all has proceeded well and successfully during its operation; and I consider, that so long as that is the case, I am best fulfilling the duties of my office.”—Corresp. p. 131.
May 12th. The new commissioner of customs, Wan, arrived from Peking, and was received with the usual honors.
28th. By a letter of this date from viscount Palmerston, the powers of the superintendents of British trade in China are extended so as to include Lintin and Macao. Corresp. p. 11.
June 5th. Viscount Palmerston, having been informed of Mr. In- nes' intention to procure redress for sundry goods, by acts of reprisal against the Chinese trade, instructs the superintendent to prevent his so doing by all legal means, considering that Mr. Innes' inten- tions could not be too strongly condemned, since if they were carried into execution, they would have rendered him liable to the penah'es of piracy Corresp. p 112