180 ·
Progress of the War.
MARCH,
Sir Hugh Gough, major-general and commander-in-chief of the land forces, arrived on the 2d.
The several circulars and notices which follow bring down the narrative to the close of the month.
Circular to Her Britannic Majesty's Subjects.
The armistice granted to the enemy having expired yesterday morning, at 11 ▲. ., the works in immediate advance of Howqua's Fort were occupied. The ac- companying proclamation was then issued to the people of Canton.
CHARLES ELLIOT, H. M.'s Plenipotentiary.
(Signed)
"On board H. M. S. Calliope, Whampoa Reach, 7th March, 1841.
"By Charles Elliot, Esq., &c., H. M. Plenipotentiary in China,—a Preclamation. "PEOPLE Of Canton I
"Your city is spared, because the gracious sovereign of Great Britain has com- manded the high English officers to remember, that the good and peaceful people must be tenderly considered. But if the high officers of the celestial court offer the least obstruction to the British forces in their present stations, then it will become necessary to answer force by force, and the city may suffer terrible injury. And if the merchants be prevented from buying and selling freely with the British and foreign merchants, then the whole trade of Canton must immediately be stopped. The high officers of the English nation, have faithfully used their best efforts to prevent the miseries of war: and the responsibility of the actual state of things must rest upone beads of the bad advisers of the emperor. Further evil consequences can only be prevented by wisdom and moderation on the part of the provincial government.
"Dated off the fort of shamee, near to Canton, the 6th day of March, 1841."
Circular.
Macao, 10th March, 1841. A report has this day reached the undersigned to the effect that the authorities at Canton have granted pilot chops to ships other than British to proceed to Whampoa. The port of Canton, from its entrances to the opposite extreme, be- ing in the military occupation of her majesty's arms, there is no reason to believe that his excellency the commander-in-chief of the naval forces will under present circumstances admit the efficacy of passports or papers granted by the Chinese government; the undersigned, therefore, apprehensive that disappointment may be created, considers it right to give notice that it is highly improbable that ships will be allowed permission to enter the river under any authority other than that of the commander-in-chief. It should also be stated, that a close embargo will very shortly be laid on the city and trade of Canton, unless and until the whole foreign trade proceeds upon a perfectly equal footing.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT, H. M.'s Plenipotentiary.
Public Notice.
Macao, 13th March, 1841.
At the request of his excellency the naval commander-in-chief, notice is hereby given that British and foreign merchant ships will not be permitted to proceed higher than North Wangtong until further notice.
By order of H. M.'s plenipotentiary, Edward Elmsli¤, Sec., &c.
Circular to Her Majesty's Subjects.
H. M. S. Calliope, Whampoa Reach, 15th March, 1841. The fort in the Macao passsage near Canton, which had been considerably strengthened and supported by flanking field works, was carried on the evening of the 13th inst., by the force mentioned in the margin, under the command of cap. tain Herbert, of H. M. ship Calliope; the enemy manifesting more spirit than has been observable since the affair of the 27th ulto. The fort has been since garrison. ed and the Modeste is at that point. On the morning of the same day, the Nemesis with the boats and marines of H. M. ship Samarang, and a boat from the H. C.'s steam ship Atalanta, proceeded from Macao towards Canton by the Inner Pas. sage. Seven small works or batteries have been carried, 105 pieces of cannon des- troyed, and 9 sail of men-of-war junks blown up, between Macao and Tszenai; the
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