Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 196

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Progress of the War.

MARCH,

neighborhood of the factories for the better protection of Her Majesty's sub- jects engaged in trade at Canton.

(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary.

Public Notice.

Notice is hereby given that British and foreign merchant vessels have permis- sion to proceed to Whampoa, all consequences arising from the possible and sud- den resumption of hostilities of course remaining at the risk of the parties. Given on board the Wellesley off Wangtong, 21st March, 1841.

(Signed) J. J. Gordon Bremer, Commodore 1st Class, Commander-in-chief.

Proclamation to the people of Canton.

Yang, joint imperial commissioner, a noble of the second order, &c., and E, acting governor of the Two Kwang, &c.,-hereby issue a proclamation, to carry on commercial intercourse as usual, and peacefully to pursue ordinary avocations. Whereas, upon the 19th of the present month, the English plenipotentiary officially represented, that it was his desire to maintain peace, and he demanded nothing else, but only immediate permission for the trade to be carried on, as usual: and whereas the commercial intercourse enjoyed by various countries is owing to the good pleasure of the celestial court that all should cherish ten- derly men from afar: therefore, the English plenipotentiary having so repre- sented, that he demands nothing else but trade only; and the merchant ships of America and other countries having in consequence of the war, suffered deten- tion, so that their cargoes remain unsold, and there is no prospect to them of returning homeward:-a change cannot but be made, commensurably to these cir- cumstances, permitting them alike to trade, and thus displaying a compassionate regard. While the facts will be duly represented to the throne, these special com- mands are at the same time issued for the information of all. For this, then, it is proclaimed to all the tradesfolk, soldiers, and people in general, for their full infor- ination, that henceforward the merchants of all nations are alike permitted to repair to Whampoa and trade. You will hold intercourse with them, and pass to and fro, as usual; and there shall be no hindrance or obstruction made, nor any trouble created. After the English vesssels of war shall be withdrawn, it will yet more be right and seeming, to protect, and carefully to look to and well treat the merchant vessels at Whampoa, and the merchants dwelling at Canton. Let every one tremblingly obey. Oppose not this special proclamation. Taoukwang, 21st year, 2d month, 28th day. (20th March, 1841.)

To the foregoing brief enumeration of engagements and results, our limits allow us at present to add no details. It is worthy of spe- cial notice, that, during all these successive engagements, in which the Chinese have lost above 2000 men (counting from the engage- ment of 7th January, at Chuenpe), there have been killed by their shot, on the side of the English, only one man, a seaman wounded on the 3d of March, and who has since died of his wounds. Three others have been killed, by accidents with guns, and in the destruc- tion of the fortifications of the Bogue. We regret, however, to have to add the death of the master of the Pestonjee Bomanjee, transport, by the hands of the Chinese, at Chusan, since the evacuation of that island. He was sent out with stores, direct from England; and on his arrival at Chusan, finding no part of the force there, he landed to learn the cause, when the party was instantly attacked. He fell, and was supposed killed; some of the boat's crew were wounded, but succeeded in making good their retreat back to the vessel.

An attempt was made the next day to take the vessel, but wholly without

success.

On the 26th two officers of the Blenheim, proceeding to their ship in Macao Roads, were in company with another British subject, vn