Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 557

539

Bengal Governmental Notifications.

Ост.

and at a quarter past six o'clock I was on the point of sending the interpreter to explain, that I could not respect such a display, after my flag had been taken down, and should at once resume hostiliies. At this moment, an officer of the royal navy, who had been traveling all night, having missed his way, handed me the accompanying letter from H. M.'s plenipotentiary. Whatever might be my sen. timents, my duty was to acquiesce—the attack, which was to have commenced in 45 minutes, was countermanded, and the feelings of the Chinese were spared. Of the policy of the measures, I do not consider myself a competent judge: but I say feelings, as I would have been responsible that Canton should be equally spared, with exception of its defenses, and that not a soldier should have entered the town further than the fortified heights within its walls.

29. At 10 o'clock, Yang, the Tartar general, requested a conference, when air Le Fleming Senhouse accompanied me, and a long and uninteresting parley ensu ed, in which I explained that H. M. plenipotentiary, having resumed negotiations with the local authorities, I should await a further communication from him. At 12 o'clock, capt. Elliot arrived in camp, and all further active opeartions ceased.

30. The following day at 12 o'clock, in a conference with the Kwangchow foo, under the walls, every arrangement was made for the evacuation of the city, by as large a portion of the Tartar troops as could be got ready, and I permitted an officer of rank of pass through my lines to procure quarters for them. I was now given to understand that the force amounted at 45,000 men from other pro- vinces, exclusive of the troops belonging to the Kwangtung province. At the request of captain Elliot, I acquiesed in the former passing out of the northeast gate to the left of my position, and permitted them to carry away their arms and baggage, on condition that no banner should be displayed or music sounded.

31. About 12 o'clock, the following day, I perceived numbers of men, appa. rently irregulars, and armed for the most part with long spears, shields and swords, collecting upon the heights three or four miles to my rear. As they continued rapidly to increase, detaching bodies to their front, I directed general Burrell to take charge of our position, and hold every man ready in case a sortie or other act of treachery under cover of a flag of truce should be intended; and I advanced with a wing of the 26th, which corps I had withdrawn two days previously from the factories (three companies of the 49th, the 37th Madras N. L., and the com- pany of Bengal Volunteers, supported by the royal marines. The two large corps I kept in reserve, ready to return and act on the flank, should an attack be made on our position from the town. When I descended the heights about 4000 men appeared in my front. I directed the wing of the 26th, under major Pratt, sup- ported by the 37th Madras N. I. to advance and drive them from rather a strong position they had taken up behind an embankment, along the bed of a stream. This duty the 26th and 37th performed most creditably, and as the Chinese made a rally at what appeared to be a military post in my front, I directed that it should be destroyed, which was instantly effected by the 26th, and a magazine, unexpectedly found in the village, blown up. These duties having been perform- ed without the loss of a man, the Chinese throwing away their spears and flying the moment a fire was open upon them, I directed the 49th, royal marines, and Bengal Volunteers to fall back on our position, and remain with the wing of the 26th and 37th Madras N. I., (about 280 men) to watch the movement of the Chinese, who had retreated to a range of heights in my front, having no banners,