1842.
Last Ten Years, from 1832 to 1841.
357
to the sub-prefect at Macao: it was believed by captain Elliot that both were received. That it ever reached the governor we doubt.
"The undersigned, &c., &c., seriously disturbed by the unusual assemblage of troops, ships of war, fire-vessels, and other menacing preparations, and, above all, by the unprecedented and unexplained measure of an execution before the factories at Canton, to the destruction of all confidence in the just and moderate dispositions of the provincial authoritics, has now the honor to demand, in the name of the sovereign of his nation, whether it is the purpose of his excellency the governor to make war upon the men and ships of his nation in this empire! "He claims immediate and calming assurances upon this subject: and he has at the same time to declare his readiness to meet the officers of the provincial government, and to use his sincere efforts to fulfill the pleasure of the great em. peror, as soon as it is inade known to him. -Corresp. p. 362.
(Signed)
"CHARLES Elliot.”
23d. The proceedings of this day are thus given in the Corres- pondence, written by the secretary to the superintendents.
"This day at 10 a. m., the hong-merchants repaired to the house of Mr. Dent, Howqua senior and mandarin Mowqua appearing with iron chains round their necks, and also with the further degradation of being deprived of their buttons of rank. Howqua's son, Mowqua, and Gowqua, were also degraded and cast into prison. The visit to Mr. Dent was by the express order of the high commissioner, to command Mr. Dent to go into the city immediately, that he might be confronted with his excellency. The majority of the foreign community had already as- seinbled at Mr. Dent's, and it was deemed most advisable, that they should collect in a separate room from the hong-merchants, and that the following question should be put to them: Shall Mr. Dent comply with the cominands of the com. missioner or not?
"It was unanimously carried, that Mr. Dent should not comply, unless under the written and scaled guaranty that he should be treated with respect, and also that he should be permitted to return home after the conference. This decision was conveyed to the hong-merchants. They said that Howqua and mandarin Mow- qua would lose their heads if Mr. Dent did not comply with the commands from the commnissioner, and that they could not venture to apply for the required gua. ranty. After considerable delay, a deputation of foreigners, accompanied by lin- guists, proceeded to the consoo house, to explain to the Kwangchau fú, and other officers, the objection the community had to allowing Mr. Dent to comply with the commands in question. Upon these objections being made known, the Kwang- chau fú requested an officer belonging to the high commissioner's suite, with the Nánhái, and an officer from the hoppo's office, to repair and again deliver the commands to Mr. Dent, and to admonish him, in the presence of the foreigners, on the necessity of obeying. This summons being now officially and directly made to Mr. Dent, it was thought advisable once more to solicit the opinion of the community, when the same unanimous feeling prevailed, that Mr. Dent should not go into the city, unless with a special scaled guaranty from the high commissioner. This determination being repeated to these three officers, they declared and called heaven to witness, that they would safely conduct and bring back Mr Dent. The irresponsibility of these officers was taken mto considera-
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