1842.
Last Ten Years, from 1832 to 1841.
525
4th. An order in council issued by II. B. M.'s government, re- garding the adjudication of prizes taken from the Chinese.
11th. The American consul, P. W. Snow, esq. arrived in Macao from Canton; on his way down from the provincial city, his boat was stopped, and the people in her treated with indignity such as would in any other country have called for an official explanation.
25th. The project of a navy having been revived, Chinese schoon- ers, after European models, were launched in Canton; and the "old Cambridge," having been purchased, was anchored off Howqua'sfort.
Chinese troops, in considerable numbers, were assembled near Macao. The political aspect of affairs daily became more and more hostile, in every quarter.
May 1st. New regulations were brought forward in an official form to restrict the foreign trade. These originated with the sub- prefect of Macao, and were especially designed to debar British pro- duce and manufactures from the empire.
13th. The governor of Canton issued an order to the sub-prefect of Macao, making it his duty to obtain from every ship, arriving off Macao, both her port-clearance and her manifest, and to forward the same to his excellency.
22d. The British vessel Hellas, captain Jauncey, while becalmed near the Brothers, north of Namoh, was attacked by eight junks and three large pulling boats. All of her European crew, fifteen in num- ber, and ten Lascars, were wounded. Her commander was severely injured. Can. Reg., June 2d.
June 3d. Died at Capsing moon, on board H. B. M. ship Druid, the right honorable lord Henry-John Spencer Churchill, aged 43. 9th. An attempt was made to burn the British fleet at Capsing moon, by means of fire rafts. The attempt failed. H. B. M. ship Alligator arrived the hour the fire broke out.
16th. The steamer Madagascar came in from sea, causing among the Chinese no inconsiderable excitement.
21st. H. B. M. ship Wellesley, 72, bearing the broad pendant of commodore, sir James John Gordon Bremer, knt., &c., &c., arrived off Macao. Other ships and transports arrived, and moved northward the same evening.
22d. Public notice of the blockade of the port and river of Can- ton was published by sir Gordon.
25th. A manifesto to the Chinese people was published by capt. Charles Elliot, announcing to them that the queen had been pleased to appoint high officers to make known the truth to the emperor.