1841.
Capture of Amoy.
525
or other ships that may touch here during the ensuing season, will find ample protection, and be secure from any risk of molestation.
Her majesty's plenipotentiary deems it quite superfluous to say one word as to the manner in which this important service has been performed. The facts require no eulogium. The Chinese government vainly imagined they had rendered Amoy impregnable, but were undeceived, in presence of the viceroy of the pro- vinces of Chěkeäng and Fuhkeën, (who, with a number of high officers, witness- ed the attack from the heights above the town,) in the short space of four hours from the firing of the first gun; and, had the opposition been a hundred times greater than it was, the spirit and bearing of all employed showed that the result must have been the same. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.
Dated this 31st of Aug., 1841, on board H. M. S. Blenheim, in Amoy harbor.
HENRY POTTINGER, H. M.'s plenipotentiary.
Omitting to attempt to give, for the present, any description of the city of Amoy, we will detail such facts as have come to our know- ledge respecting its defenses and their fall, as above noticed.
On the south side of the island, upon which the city stands, and south from it, was a heavy battery, about 1100 yards long, and its wall about 14 feet at the base, mounting 90 guns; over against this, in a southwesterly direction, on Red Point, was another battery of 42 guns: nearly between these, but further westward, on the island of Koolangsu, were several other batteries.
Early in the morning, which was hot and calm, the admiral, ge- neral, and plenipotentiary, (the staff of each accompanying them,) embarked on board the Phlegethon to reconnoitre. They proceeded within range of the long line of guns to the right on Amoy, and of the works to the left on Red Point, taking such positions in their course as to enable them to observe the defenses on either hand, as well as those on Koolangsu, where the men were seen engaged add- ing to their sand batteries.
A Chinese merchant was sent off, in course of the morning, with a flag of truce, to the squadron, to ask what might be its object.
Λ demand of surrender was returned by his hands. A junk with a white flag, found afterwards to be owned by Siamese, came in while the vessels were advancing to engage, and stood on for some time after the action had commenced, seemingly in perfect confidence of being let alone.
At I o'clock, the Queen and Sesostris stood in for the east end of the long battery, and the Blonde with the Druid and Modeste for Koolangsu. The Sesostris first fired. It was returned. The Queen then commenced. The batteries on all sides soon opened. The Bentinck gave the soundings for the Wellesley and Blenheim, in front of the long battery, distant 400 yards. The Chinese did en- dure the fire right manfully," standing to their guns till they were shot down by musketry in their rear. The batteries were never com-
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