Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 656

1841.

Journal of Occurrences.

639

for the payment of the troops. The admiral's office, in the citadel, a complete labyrinth of houses, was more than sufficient for a regi- ment. Here the 18th and staff took up their quarters, and one of the soldiers found an opium pipe. By accident one of the wings of this building was burnt down, during the second night of occupation. Near by was the residence of the vice-admiral of Formosa, a titular guardian and duke of the empire.' Outside the citadel was the in- tendant's office, and near it a foundery, where were found some cop- per and treasure. In the town was the residence of the commissioner of customs, and a temporary seat of the governor, from which all the effects had been removed. Large quantities of timber were found in the navy yard. In one of the houses was found a Koran with a Chinese translation.' The place was provided with a foundling hos- pital, yet the writer of these reminiscences tells us that, "near this. very house, is a small tank, covered with duckweed, where a number of newborn babes were found sewed up in mats and drowned." The troops, which landed on the 26th of August, embarked on the 4th of the following month. The people, down to our latest intelligence, only a few days ago, continued quiet, and had even brought back to captain Smith, a sailor who had deserted H. B. M.'s service.

7. The first memorial from governor Yen, sent up to his master on the 28th of August, gives a somewhat different account of these matters. On the morning of the 26th, his excellency, being at Amoy, sent off a man named Chin, who understood the language of the bar- .barians, to demand the reason of their coming, when their three lea- ders, who falsely styled themselves high officers, returned answer, that, unless the demands made last year at Teëntsin were instantly granted, they should commence hostilities, and occupy Amoy. Then came the tug of war; and his excellency, at the head of his troops undaunted, attacked and sunk one steamer and five ships of war, killing of the rebellious barbarians an innumerable number. But, strange to narrate, 'the more he killed the more they appeared;' ergo, there was no alternative but to retreat, carrrying with him his seals, but not until the office had been set on fire by the rebels. However, matters were not to be left long in this state. More than 100 villages had combined, and more than 10,000 warriors were mustered, ready to fight. On this, and some subsequent memorials, the governor founded his plea for the 3,000,000 of taels.

8. Hongkong continues steadily to improve, in the number of its inhabitants, and in the progress of its public works. If by and by the pleasure of her majesty be expressed in its favor, the place will probably rise more rapidly.

9. Seizure of a boat at Canton. As Mr. A. P. Edwards, super- cargo of the American ship Hannibal was, early on the morning of the 18th instant, proceeding in a boat with a crew of four men from Whampoa to Canton, he was arrested by the Chinese at a military sta- tion on the southern side of the island of Honan, where he was com- pelled to land, and the hands of himself and of the crew were bound behind them. Upon the neck of Mr. Edwards, a heavy chain was