Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 434

I.

ROD!

1841.

Outrages on Americans in Canton.

415

deprecated, and the idea abandoned by the gallant Portuguese. Steps were instantly taken to procure the liberation of those still left in the hands of the Chinese. A boat was dispatched to the island, accompanied by Mr. Thom, and all the crew brought to Macao on the 25th inst.

I hardly need add, that on our arrival at our quarters, we instantly cleaned ourselves, and fully enjoyed the comforts of a good meal and an uninterrupted night's rest, after what had been our lot to undergo, and which with God's help, we had

so fortunately escaped-peril by water, peril by land, and

peril of a captivity in the hands of the Chinese.

ART. VII.

Notices of outrages committed, May 22d, on the crew of a boat belonging to the ship Morrison, and on others who were resident in Canton.

WANT of space in our last number compelled us to postpone these notices. On the morning of the 22d of May, a boat's crew from the ship Morrison, captain Benson, consigned to Messrs. Olyphant & Co., was fired on, and the officer and three passengers with all the crew, excepting one who was lost, were taken prisoners. Mr. Coolidge, of the house of Augustine Heard & Co., was soon after seized near his own factory by the Chinese, and carried a prisoner into the city. Tơ understand correctly the bearings of these outrages, we must keep in mind the circumstances under which they were committed.

The high officers from the court of Peking, Yihshan and his col- leagues, becoming aware of captain Elliot's design to withdraw the resident merchants from the provincial city, had endeavored to prevent this by declaring in the most unequivocal and solemn manner that all were, and would be, safe in their factories. Warned, however, by the constantly decreasing number of boats on the river, and by the daily departure of people from their homes and shops, foreigners' made their best efforts to complete their business, and retire from the city. Captain Elliot's circular (see page 294) came out on the morning of the 21st, recommending a departure before sunset. This same day the hong-merchants came to the foreigners with a message, received the preceding evening from the lieut.-governor, declaring, 'that the Chinese did not intend to disturb the peace; that business should proceed as usual; that all the foreigners had better remain; and that the authorities would not commence hostilities;' &c. Copies of