Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 438

1841.

Outrages on Americans in Canton

419

slight, and that I have exaggerated the sufferings of Mr. Millar and the others. It is not so.

Two of the seamen had bullets in them, and a third had a deep gash in the head; Mr. Millar was most severely wounded; and Mr Gutierres has been ever since confined to his bed from the effect of in- juries received that day. I cannot better close this statement than in the words of H. B. M. plenipotentiary, who in his proclamation of 17th June, to the people of Canton, says: It is well known that on the morning of 22d ultimo a disgraceful rabble, headed by the troops, burst into the factories, searching for merchants and innocent people, living there under the solemn protection of the government. And Elliot is well aware that the Chinese officers took a conspicuous part in this scene of outrage and plunder. Then let the treatment of some unfortunate Americans, seized by the officers on that occasion, be considered. Already severely wounded, they were heavily chained and mercilessly beat by the soldiers with their arms. These wretch- ed people were then taken before the provincial judge, and this unworthy dignitary, forgetting all the principles of humanity and justice, treated them as if they had been felons, instead of being victims of the injustice of the high commissioners. Some of them were killed; and is it to be believed that a great nation will suffer this perfidy and outrage without vindica- tion?" "

To the foregoing extracts, little heed be added. The reasons which have been adduced by Mr. Morss for remaining in Canton, during the night of the 21st, are ample enough. Fuller assurances, and from higher authorities, could not be had. Personal security was promised, with complete indemnity in case of any loss.

The excuse, that it was all a mistake, is as unworthy as it is false. The firing on the boat was not a mistake. It was wanton barbarity. The soldiers knew the boat belonged to an American ship, for they were assured of this by a shopman who was with them. Knowing the men to be Americans, and that they must be recognized as such when brought before the authorities, what did these base men do? They gravely proposed to decapitate their prisoners, and go with their heads (which could tell no tales) and claim the rewards, offered by the high officers for the heads of Englishmen! It was these same soldier's, who, on a subsequent day, denounced certain natives as trai- tors, and then took their heads in order to claim a reward. And, if the truth should ever be disclosed in this world, it may yet appear that the head of the poor sailor-boy was taken for this same wicked purpose. Young Sherry was the son of the harbor-master of New York. When the Morrison was on the eve of sailing, his mother came to the wharf, and begged the captain and the mate of the ship to be kind to him, and careful of his welfare. One of the sailors saw him struck and taken hold of, as they ran the boat in, near the shore, alongside of larger craft lying there.

From that moment, nothing more do we hear of the boy Sherry. The story of his loss will be a melancholy one to his afflicted parents,