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Remve at Puble Ocurrences During the
JUNE
edict from the governo andiersed to the three hong merchants, and forwarded hy them to me. through the hands of a linguist This document was returned unopened, with a message that my strict orders from her majesty's government in this respect, had frequently been clearly and deferentially explained to the go- vernor, and that I could not deviate from them. It is not to be doubted that the purport of these two communications was identical, namely, to desire that I would enjoin upon the rear admiral the propriety of sailing away from the coasts of the empire. I felt then that any protraction of the attempt to explain the peaceful object of his visit, might give some color to the pretext that it was suspicious and dangerous, and lead (with the hope to draw it to a conclusion.) to a course of harassing measures, directed either against the trade, or against the social com- forts of her majesty's subjects by depriving them of their servants, and otherwise inconveniencing them
Under this impression, and with sir Frederick Maitland's concurrence, I pro ceeded to Canton on the 25th ult, and having hoisted the flag, forwarded to the city gates by the hands of Messrs. Morrison and Elaslie, an open paper for trans- mission to the governor by an officer. The paper was left open with the view to obviate the difficulty about the character pin. It was conveyed to the go- vernor by the kwánghie, but the three senior merchants returned it to me in the course of the evening with the remark from his excellency that his orders from the emperor were imperative, and that he could not take it unless it bore the character pin. The merchants were at the same time desired to acquaint me that the governor was a lover of peace and good understanding, and would go as far as he could to accommodate the difficulties upon the subject of in- tercourse. They then proposed by his command, that I should receive an official address from the governor setting forth that the three senior merchants were indeed officers, and that therefore I could no longer reasonably decline to receive papers addressed to them for communication to me. I answered that it needed all my respect for bis excellency to return any other than very strong terms of reply to this extravagant suggestion, and that I should certain. ly be less scrupulous if any heedlessness of the kind were repeated.
“My government was actuated by sentiments of profound veneration for the emperor, but it should be plainly understood that it would not regard these triflings and evasions with satisfaction. They were unfriendly and unworthy. I then remarked that I had now formally offered to set forth the peaceful pur- poses of the rear-admiral's visit, and if the governor did not think fit to accept these explanations, my business in Canton was concluded, and I should return forthwith to Macao. Whilst these communications were passing at Canton, a British boat passing through the Bocca Tigris, un the 28th ultimo, was fired upon by the batteries, and upon her arrival in Canton, Mr. Middlemist, a passenger on board, made a declaration before me, subsequently reduced to writing on board the Wellesley. Upon this I sent again for the three senior merchants, and desired them to express to the governor my serious anxiety upon the subject. The rear-admiral had taken the utinost precaution to prevent the least cause of irritation or suspicion, and was afraid that the offensive declaration at the forts, that violence was used especially in search for him, and not for opium, or other illicit trade, would give him great and just displeasure. At all events. I felt that it became me immediately to submit the circumstance to his know ledge, and I sincerely hoped the governor would furnish me with an official d... avowal op any intention to insult or provoke him.