Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 700

682

Journal of Occurrences.

DEC:

with respectfully managed accordingly; if there any relating to the affairs of the province of Keängsoo, I will forthwith write and dispatch them to Leäng, the It.- governor of that province, that each separate circumstance may be attended to.

"General Choo Lungku bas brought, the official seals of the (late) imperial envoy and great minister, which I have deposited in the treasury, and when, there is a good opportunity I will respectfully transmit them. The official seals of the governor of the two Keäng (provinces), with those of the salt commissioner of the two Hwae, I have directed Yang Chunchaou, who is waiting for the ap- pointment of a lewan in the treasurer's office, to meet and join with the said general and convey and deliver them to Leäng. I further beg that the vacant governor-generalship of the two Keäng provinces be immediately filled up, that the (present) weighty affairs may be superintended and managed. I have res- pectfully written this report, to be hastened on at the rate of 600 le a day, and looking up I pray for the holy glance. A respectful report.”

+

C

ART. VII. Journal of Occurrences: imperial edict urging on the war of extermination; new measures of the cabinet; Keshen again called into service; affairs in Chekeäng, at Hangchow, Ningpo, Chinhae, and Chusan; defenses at Teëntsin; Amoy ; Canton; admiral Kwan's family; captain Grattan; British forces; prospects of the war; commercial mission from France; death of an envoy from Lewchew. THERE evidently is a diversity of opinion, in the Chinese govern- ment, regarding the measures to be pursued towards the rebellious foreigners; Keshen and Elepoo are among the leaders in one party, and Yukeen and Lew Yunko are, or were, prominent in the other, and rival party. Both and all, for aught we know, are equally disposed to consider their own government as supreme, and to look upon the English as vassals, tributary to the court of the son of heaven. But one party, aware of the defenseless state and weakness of the coun- try, and of its inability to contend in war against the superior skill and discipline of the British, has prudently advised his majesty time- ly to yield to the necessities of the case, so as to preserve such de- fenses as they have, and concede only such things as they cannot withhold. Such a line of policy would have preserved the country in peace, and perpetuated the old exclusive policy-for how long a period no one can tell. However, prudence does not always dwell with counselors. The rebellious barbarians-proud, haughty, over- bearing, robbers,-must be caught, caged, beheaded, their skins given to the soldiers to sleep upon, and their carcasses cast out for the beasts and the birds to devour. With this party, Țin linked his destiny, and after reaching Canton, in March, 1839, swore he would not stop midway in the execution of his master's will. Clothed with extraordinary powers, he would listen to no overtures; entire surren-