Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 134

1841.

Journal of Occurrences,

117

remainder of the expedition, followed soon after. When off the coast of Fulikeën, one of the vessels, bearing a flag of truce, was sent with. a dispatch to the port of Amoy. The ship was fired on, and the communication refused. As Chinese policy forbade the reception of this dispatch, it would have been wise, perhaps, not to have given opportunity for the committal of such an outrage.

As to the right and expediency of occupying Tinghae-which fell on the 5th of July, we have been in doubt. Indeed, the occupation of any insular position has always seemed to us objectionable. There may have been reasons for, and advantages resulting from, taking Chusan, of which we are ignorant; but judging from what we know, it would have been better to have rendezvoused at some small island (of the size of Shachow in this vicinity). This would have prevented the long detention of the expedition at Chusan, and would have al- lowed the entire force to have gone up-a part upon the Yangtsze keäng, and a part to the mouth of the Pei ho, early in July: and at these two positions-the nearest to the court that it was possible for them to reach the forces should have remained until all questions at issue were settled. "Let us a great desideratum" says Mr. Warren,

penetrate to Peking, and learn what is the real state of things there; and let us cheerfully yield to what we shall find to be the reasonable and just wishes of the emperor." So we have always argued; and accordingly would have abstained from attacking Chu- san, and from every other hostile act, save only to lay on a blockade. A different course was resolved on, and it may have been the right With its principal details, our readers are familiar. After a month's delay, and the rejection of lord Palmerston's communication by the provincial authorities, the plenipotentiaries proceeded north, and arrived off the mouth of the Pei ho, August 9th.

The presence of so large a squadron, (though not the half it might have been) so near the capital, had no small effect. The tone of the imperial go- vernment was changed, and in correspondence it became respectful and courteous and pacific. No doubt the blow on Chusan helped to produce this effect; and perhaps it may on this account be justified. Negotiations soon commenced between the plenipotentiaries and the imperial minister Keshen. The twice rejected letter was at once received; a long interview was held; and at length it was agreed, that Keshen should meet the plenipotentiaries at Canton, that half the forces should immediately withdraw from Chusan, and hostilities cease all along the coast.

one.

The emperor's participation in this agreement, is fully attested by H. I. M.'s own edict, 'dated September 17th at Peking, appointing Keshen high commissioner, and ordering his officers in the provinces to observe the armistice. See vol. IX. page 411.

The accepting of this agreement was an act of great generosity on the part of the plenipotentiaries, who, at the moment the edict above alluded to was being issued, were on their return with the squa- dron to Chusan. There they found that the Kite had been lost, and that her crew, with others, had fallen into the hands of the Chinese: