1842.
Last Ten Years, from 1832 46 1841.
189
7th. II. B. M. government refuse to authorize the permanent re- sidence of the Commission at Lintin. With a view to economy, the government also signify its determination to abolish the office and salary of chief superintendent. In concluding his dispatch of this date to sir G. B. Robinson, viscount Palmerston writes:
“In communicating to you this decision, I have at the same time to inform you, that your functions will cease from date of the receipt of this dispatch. You will make over to captain Elliot all the archives of the Commission; which will, of course, include copies of every dispatch and its inclosures, which you have addressed to this department during the period you have acted as chief super- intendent."-Corresp. p. 114.
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14th. Viscount Palmerston wrote to captain Elliot, and referring to that of the 7th says, 'you will, from the date of the receipt of this dispatch consider yourself as the chief of the commission.” Corresp. p. 119.
July 22d. Captain Elliot having, in the preceding December, ad- vised that the cominander of the steamboat Jardine should be enjoin- ed, on the king's authority, not to proceed up the river to Canton, viscount Palmerston thus remarks thereon:
“I think it necessary to recommend to you great caution in interfering in such a manner with the undertakings of British merchants. In the present state of our relations with China, it is especially incumbent upon you, while you do all that lies in your power to avoid giving just cause of offense to the Chinese au- thorities, to be at the same time very careful not to assume a greater degree of authority over British subjects in China than that which you in reality possess." Corresp. p. 121.
The following is another extract, under the same date, from a let- ter to captain Elliot from his government.
"I have to observe to you that it does not appear to his majesty's government, that it would be expedient that you should attempt to re-open communications with the viceroy through the hong-merchants; but, on the contrary, it is desi- rable that you should decline every proposition to revive official communica tions through that channel, whatever may be the quarter from whence such pro- positions may come. It might be very suitable for the servants of the East India Company, themselves an association of merchants, to communicate with the authorities of China through the merchants of the hong; but the superintendents are officers of the king, and as suci: can properly communicate with none but officers of the Chinese government. This is a point upon which you should insist; and I have therefore to instruct you, if any attempt should be made by the hong-merchants to enter into communication with you upon matters of public business, to express your regret that you are not at liberty to recei...” any such communications, except from the viceroy direct, through some responsible officer of the Chinese government. I have to add, that his majesty's govern- ment do not deem it expedicnt that you should give to your written cominune- cations with the Chinese government the name of Petitions "-Corresp. p. 123.