Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 608

1841.

Journal of Occurrences.

591

particular, to all and each of which he in person replied; and we memorialize and respectfully request the sacred glance to be cast upon the case, praying that tor- ture may be added in the examination. It appears that Keshen, last year was appointed to Kwangtung to examine into the affairs of the barbarians, and in consequence of there being no person who understood the barbarian language, as he passed though Shantung he wrote a letter to To Kwanpoo, the lieut.-go- vernor, that he wished to take with him to Canton Paou chung, who understood the barbarian language, and who was of the same Canton village as the heën magistrate, Chaou Tszeyung. After his arrival at Canton, he first proceeded upon the principles of reason to deliver his lucid commands, after which the said barbarians demanded that a port for trade should be given them, but ere the negotiations were completed, they forthwith attacked the fort of Taekok and also surrounded that of Shakok. In consequence of this, Keshen attempted to rescue (the forts) from the dangerous position, but was destitute of plans, and became willing in behalf of the English to memorialize the emperor to give them the region of Hongkong as a place upon which to dwell. The said barbarians, intently scheming to have the rule of the place, immediately issued their false proclamations there, and spread out their tents.

"During the twelfth month the said barbarians wished to deliver up Tinghae, and they sent their barbarian ships to Canton to have an interview, while Ke- shen sent a letter to Elepoo, to go and receive it (Tinghae) back from the barba- rian eye who was detained in Chěkeäng. In the present year, first month and fifteenth day, Keshen repaired to the Bocca Tigris to make examination, and on arriving at the offing of Tsze sze, the barbarian eye Elliot sought an interview in order to deliver back Tinghae, and being desirous of seeking commercial inter- course he presented his statement of regulations, several points of which were to be deliberated upon, many of them being troublesome matters connected with trade. A great many of these points too were so embarrassing that it was neces- sary that their contradictory bearing should be pointed out. At that time the Kwangchow foo, the military officers and the hong merchants, all were in waiting at the said place (Tsze sze), and Paouchung, thoroughly understanding the bar- barian language, was therefore ordered to interpret. On the nineteenth day, Keshen having gone to the Bocca Tigris to inspect the forts, and when he had arrived at Tow wan, Elliot again came to seek an interview. He earnestly be- sought that the whole of Hongkong should be given to him, and also at the same time brought forward several points touching residence and trade, to all of which he requested Keshen to affix his seals.-But Keshen withheld assent.

"On the twenty-eighth the said barbarians, hearing of the coming of our grand army, and supposing that so great a force must certainly be designed for attacking and exterminating them, were about commencing the attack themselves, and Keshen, being anxious for the safety of the Bogue, sent Paouchung to present a document in which it was stated to them that they could proceed to Hongkong to remain there for the time being, and ordering them to keep quiet, as the nego- tiations would be determined after an answer had arrived in reply to the clear memorial which had been made to the court. Paou chung was also ordered that if the barbarians did not manifest obedient tempers, then to take the document and bring it back. Paou chung, having seen the barbarians, and finding their designs to be murderous and wicked withheld, the document.

"On the first day of the second month, the barbarians attacked the fort of Sha. kok, and Keshen called troops to rescue it but could not. We, the ministers have examined (Keshen) on the whole of the foregoing charges, and at the close of the third examination Keshen could only tremble with fear and acknowledge his own unpardonable crimes. At the time he and the barbarian eye held their negotiations, he without delay fully delivered Hongkong over to the English for the time, not daring to deceive them nor persevering to receive the things they had to offer, but his entire policy was decidedly bad, and he now requests that we, the ministers, would on his account memorialize and implore that the celes- tial favor might be manifested in inflicting upon him the heaviest punishment."

Emperor's reply. On the sixteenth of the sixth month the imperial will was received as follows: "Let Keshen be remanded to the original judges of princes,