Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 131

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The Emperor's Reply.

FEB.

last year, they went so far as to invade with several tens of vessels, the district of Tinghae, seizing and occupying its chief town. And they further came and went, as they would, along the coasts of the several provinces of Fuhkeën, Chěkeäng, Keängsoo, Shantung, Chĩh- le, and Moukden, causing disturbance and trouble in many ways. The violence, presumption, and disobedience, of these rebellious foreigners having reached such a degree, it would have been no hard thing to array our forces, and to exterminate and cut them off utterly. But, considering that these foreigners had presented letters, complaining of what they called grievances and oppressions, it was deemed unsuitable to refuse to make investigations for them, and thus to fail of displaying the perfect justice of our rule. Hence special commands were given to our minister, Keshen, to proceed with speed, to Canton, and to examine and act according to the facts. Had these foreigners possessed a spark of heaven-bestowed goodness, they would assuredly all have returned to Canton to await his arrange- ment of matters. But a half only weighed their anchors and proceed- ed southward, while a half still remained at Tinghae,—thus exhibit- ing the craft and slipperiness of their dispositions, too clearly to need pointing out. And we have recently received intelligence, that at Tinghae, during these months past, they have debauched and ravish- ed women, 'plundered and carried off property, erected fortifications, and opened out canals,—even setting up a mock officer, to issue pro- clamations demanding of the people payment of the revenue. What evil have our people done, to be subjected to this bane and hurt? To speak, or to think, thereof removes even from sleep and from food their enjoyment. After the arrival of Keshen at Canton, when he proceeded plainly to admonish and point out the right course, they still continued insatiable in their covetous desires. Having first thought to extort the cost of the opium, they further requested that places of trade should be given them.

We had anticipated finding them changeable and inconstant, and had estimated them as persons not to be influenced by truth and jus- tice we had, therefore, made provision, last year, for the selection of veteran troops, of the provinces of Szechuen, Hoonan, and Keängse, to be ordered for service in Kwangtung; and we had also ordered forces from Hoonan, Hoopib, and Nganhwuy, to proceed to Chěkeäng, as a precaution against attack. And now the report received by express from Keshen is, that on the 15th day of the 12th month of last year (7th January, 1841), these foreigners, in combina- tion with Chinese traitors, proceeded on board many vessels, directly