234
Journal of Occurrences.
APRIL,
ing those who had removed to return, and commanding them all to go actively about their own business. "Their families are as his family, and their bodies as his body;" therefore they are to be kept in perfect safety.
H. B. M.'s plenipotentiary returned to Canton and took up his temporary residence in the British Hall on the morning of the 5th instant, where he remained till the 17th. The day after his arrival, captain Elliot was called upon by the prefect, who came, it is said, to speak with him on various subjects of detail, and to convey to him the actual intentions of the high officers. The prefect repeated his visit on two subsequent occasions-the last being on the 16th, to convey a communication from the joint-commissioner Yang Fang, relative to the dispositions of his newly arrived colleagues, general Yeihshan, and the first joint-commissioner Lungwan.
The new commissioners, Yeihshan and Lungwan-with Ke Kung the new governor-entered the city on the 14th,-and in sedans from the land side, instead of taking the boats that had been sent out to meet them, thus avoiding any exposure of themselves to the British naval force on the river. On the same or the following day, the seal of a fourth member of the imperial mission-a third joint-commis- sioner-reached Canton: the officer for whom this seal is destined is coming on from Szechuen, of the troops of which province he has been for some years commander-in-chief. His name is Tseshin.
The following notices have been made public; No. 3. was publish- ed in Chinese at Canton, and printed copies of it were widely circu- lated by the people.
No. 1.
It is publicly resolved.-That on all commodities exported and imported in the 21st year of Taoukwang, the consoo charge called Hongyung ("for the use of the hongs,") profit, &c., shall all be the same as in the business arrangements of the 20th year of Taoukwang: nor shall there be anything taken in excess thereof. In witness of which this is given.
By the ten Hong Merchants.
(April 12th, 1841.) (Signed)
No. 2.
A satisfactory communication has this day been received from H. E. commis- sioner Yang, declaratory of the faithful intentions of his newly arrived colleagues concerning the arrangement concluded between H. E. and the undersigned.
The Kwangchow foo having also issued a proclamation by desire of their ex- cellencies intended to reassure the trading people, the plenipotentiary has, for a like reason (with the concurrence of the government), made public the accompa nying notice under his seal. (Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT, H. M. Plenipotentiary. A Notice. British Factory, Canton, 16th April, 1841. Elliot, &c., &c., learning that the quiet and industrious people of Canton are disturbed by constant rumors of warlike preparations against this town and pro- vince, upon the side of the British forces-clearly declares to all the people that these reports are false and mischievous.
No. 3.
The commissioner Yang and the high officers of the province, acting with good faith and wisdom, have now opened the trade; and whilst their excellencies are fulfilling their sealed engagements with Elliot, there will not be the least disturbance of the peace at Canton by the British forces.
The high officers of the English nation have clearly and manifestly proved, that they cherish the people of Canton, and if misfortunes befall the city and the whole trade of the province, assuredly the evil will not be justly attributable to them.
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