1842.
Summary of Offeral Documents
471
high commissioner and generalissimo Yiking, with his three joint commissioners, Wanwei, Te-i-shun, and Tsíshin, with honors, for their share in having directed the measure, imagined by him to have been so successful.
In the midst, howevers of his joy on this occasion, his majesty could not relieve his mind from anxiety (indeed the expressions of joy and approbation might be intended to disguise his real feelings), in consequence of the fall of Chápú on the 18th of May, and the ap. proach thus made to the borders of Kiángsú, and the mouth of the Yángtsz kiáng. Kíying, of the imperial house, appointed gencral of the Tartar garrison of Canton, but detained, on his way, as high commissioner at the scat of war, had to report to his sovereign and relative the rout and expulsion, for the first time since the firm esta- blishment of the Tartars in China, of a garrison of their own people. His majesty in replying, forbears to speak of the past loss, and dwells only on his anxieties for the future. He draws some comfort from the assurances of Niú Kien (governor-general of the provinces Kiángsú A ́nhwui, and Kiángsí), that as the enemy ventured not to leave his ships beyond a short distance, while at Ningpó, so neither will he here; and that the difficulties of the Yangtsz' kiáng will render that river unnavigable, for any distance, by his ships. Of the stoppage of communication by the canal, there need therefore, he thinks, be no apprehension. His majesty directs that efforts be especially directed to the apprehension of all traitorous natives, who may be assisting the enemy with information or otherwise.
To this last direction, Niú Kien responds, but observes that it must be done cautiously, so as not to alarm and irritate the people. Ho promises also strict accordance with the imperial injunction, to follow with immediate condign punishment every semblance of cowardice. In further urging his own opinion, that the enemy would never go far by land, he remarks, that to obtain territorial possession evidently is not the object sought, for that even Ningpó and Chápú, rich places of trade on the coast, were not long retained. He proceeds with many arguments to assure himself and the emperor, that the inner parts of the Yángisz' kiáng are safe, and that the talk of reaching the Grand Canal and Nanking is mere talk and nothing else. He felt much more apprehension, lest the intelligence of the enemy's approach, shall drive away the people, and so leave the country at the mercy of bands of lawless natives, who will take occasion to rob and plunder, and per- chance do yet more.
A fow days later, and the emperor learns that the enemy's ships are