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Dec. 19th. A Portuguese lorcha engaged in convoying Chinese junks' from Shanghái, was attacked by pirates and burnt.
A rebellion broke out among the Mohammedans in Yunnán and Kweichau, which Lin Tsehsii, the governor-general of the provinces, is sent to suppress. Jan. 4th, 1849. The abolition of the cassia monopoly effected upon the requisition of the British merchants of Canton.
Feb. 8th. A great fire occurred at Kweilin, the capital of Kwangsí pro- vince. Upwards of 7,000 houses and shops were destroyed, including the official residence of the governor. Many persons perished.
Feb. 17th. A conference took place between H. E. Mr. Bonham, the British, and H. E. Sü, Chinese plenipotentiaries in Anson's Bay on board the flag ship Hastings.
Feb. 25th. Two British officers, Capt. Da Costa and Lieut. Dwyer were murdered in the neighhorhood of Wong-ma-kok on the south side of the island of Hongkong.
March 5th. The Chinese custom-house at Macao was abolished by order of the governor.
April 5th. John Bowring LL. D. arrives at Canton, as British Consul. A notification is published announcing that the Chinese government, hav- ing declined to carry into effect the stipulations entered into between the British Plenipotentiary, and Keying, two years previously, it is directed by Her Majesty's government that no British subjects shall for the present at- tempt to enter the city.
A communication was addressed by the gentry and literati of Canton to the British Plenipotentiary, warning him of the consequences of attempting. to force his way into the city.
April 22d. The English cutter Emma engaged in smuggling opium be- tween Cumsingmoon and Canton, was attacked by Chinese, and two of the crew killed.
The United States ship Preble returns from Japan, whither she had been dispatched by Commodore Geisinger for the purpose of bringing away some men belonging to the Lagoda, an American whaler.
June 8th. Mr. Summers having been imprisoned at Macao by order of the governor, was forcibly released by Capt. Keppel of H. M. S. Meander.
Aug, 23d. The governor of Macao, Senhor do Amaral was assassinated by the Chinese.
Sept. 17th. The steam ship Medea attacked a piratical fleet at Tienpak, destroying several vessels and many of their men. Various other expedi- tions were undertaken about this time against the pirates infesting the coasts of China, all of them being completely successful, destroying large numbers of vessels, and killing or capturing several thousands of pirates.
Sept. 25th. The Rev. J. Lowder, Episcopal clergyman at Shanghái, while bathing at the island of Púto, was drowned.
Extensive correspondence was carried on about this time between the Council of Macao and the Chinese government, concerning the assassination of Governor Amaral, and the surrender of his head and hand.