Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 651

634

Trial and Condemnation of Elepoo.

Nov.

to Canton, there to wait until affairs could be examined into and ar- ranged. To gain renown he concluded to offer them presents, and to order persons to proceed to them and clearly explain his com inands, and at the same time to spy out their real strength. He deemed it proper to dispatch Changke, a person of his household whom he had promoted six degrees, with an official messenger Chin Chekang, over the sea [to Tinghae] to offer bullocks and sheep and various articles as presents, in return for which the said barbarians presented foreign broadcloths and various commodities. Elepoo fear- ed to make an absolute refusal of the whole of the said articles, which would have struck the barbarians with suspicion and dread. But instead of being thus affected, they acted deceptively with regard to the time of their proceeding to Canton, and Elepoo under these cir- cumstances received their presents. In reply to a memorial, touching the above, the imperial will was received, strongly enjoining that the articles be sent back. Elepoo in obedience thereto, forthwith took the various kinds of presents, and ordered Chin Chekang to go and give them back to the barbarians, who would not receive them.

During the second month of the present year, the barbarians wish- ing to deliver back Chusan, Changke and Chin Chekang were sent to take one barbarian man and one woman to proceed and make known the strict injunctions, that when the city had been given up then all the barbarians should be delivered. The presents which they had previously made were all sent back, and having received them, they set sail for Canton. But Elepoo did not, in obedience to the imperial will, forthwith advance and slaughter, and make an imme- diate and thorough extermination of them. The whole of his proceed- ings being improper and really marked by imbecility, and being un- worthy to bear so high an office, he earnestly besought that his crimes might be visited with heavy punishment. We, the ministers, having taken into consideration from first to last the whole of the evidence which he in person has laid before us, respectfully memorialize that in relation thereto the sacred commands may be recorded.

་

Respecting the above case of Elepoo, the imperial commissioner and high minister, his management of the barbarian affairs in Chè- keäng, and his not being able at once to recover Tinghae, the impe- rial will was repeatedly transinitted that he should proceed to exter- minate the enemy; but on every occasion he delayed and idly look- ed about him, and through excessive timidity did not. go forward, and thus for every purpose he proved himself weak and useless. We therefore jointly solicit the imperial will, that Elepoo may be forth-