1842
Last Ten Years, from 1832 16 1841.
523
On the same day, January 14th, 1840, Lin and lus colleagues received an imperial edict, from which the following is an extract, the translation whereof we borrow from the Canton Register.
"The foreigners of the English nation, from and after the time that it was agreed upon to prohibit opium, have been continually shifting backwards and forwards. On a previous occasion (alluding perhaps to the battle of Kaulung) they had the hardihood to be the first to fire off great guns, and afterwards, under false pretence of respect and obedience, they leagued themselves with ships of war and clandestinely schemed after revenge and reprisals. At that time, although we awarded them the chastisement (due to their rashness), yet did we not immediately cut off their commercial intercourse, not deeming (their faults hitherto) worthy of so stern a display of (celestial) dignity. But this time, the foreign ship, Smith (i. e. H. M. ship Volage), having again dared to be the first to fire off his great guns, and further, having seized upon (?) a place called Kwán. chung (i. e. the neighborhood of Hongkong) as a stronghold or fastness, this is quite enough to show that these said (English) foreigners cherish dark and unfa. thomable designs in their licarts! Thus even granting that they were at this time to give the duly prepared bond, yet it is difficult to secure that they would not he turning and twisting again, and if, they having so often shown us opposition and defiance, we were still to permit them to hold commercial intercourse with us, this would indeed be a very improper way of managing affairs. As to the little potty amount of duties, this is a subject not worthy a monarch's consideration :— we of the heavenly dynasty cherished these foreigners from afar with the utmost kindness and benevolence, but these said foreigners know not to feel grateful! They on the other hand, act the part of the unfilial shf bird (which attacks and tries to destroy its mother so soon as hatched):-that they are in the wrong, and we in the right, is a fact known alike to those of the Inner Land, and to those from beyond the seas! Since then these said (English) foreigners, by their own act, have put themselves out of the pale of the laws, what occasion is there for us to feel any sorrow or regret about them? Cause therefore that the trade of the English nation be inmediately put a stop to, and let every one of the ships be longing to the said nation be forthwith driven out! Cause at the same time that it be clearly proclaimed and made known to all nations, and let the crimes (of the English) be duly and specifically drawn up in order, and disseminated among the people of all countries, showing them how that the English foreigners have cut themselves off from communion with the celestial dynasty, and that this affair has no reference to you, (the good) foreigners of other countries. Do ye then, O all foreigners of all other nations be respectful and submissive as hitherto, and you will be permitted to continue your commercial intercourse as of old! But if you dare to shelter or protect the English, or clandestinely to convey them (or their property?) into our harbors, so soon as found out, then shall your crime be visited with the most severe punishment, &c., &c. Respect this."
15th. Commissioner Lin addressed a letter to H. B. M. queen Victoria. Chi. Rep., vol. VIII., p. 497.
19th. An edict was issued by the provincial authorities, warning the smokers of opium that their day of grace, 18 months, granted by imperial favor, would expire in six months, when the extreme