156
Official Reports of Capture of Amoy.
MARCH,
tiary, and the commanders-in-chief have received the instructions of their so- vereign, that unless these be completely removed, and secure arrangements made, by accession to the demands last year presented at Tientsin, they shall regard it as their duty to resort to hostile measures for the enforcement of those demands. But the undersigned plenipotentiary and commanders-in-chief moved by compassionate feelings, are averse to causing the death of so many officers and soldiers as must perish, and urgently request the admiral commanding in chief in this province forthwith to deliver the town and all the fortifications of Amoy into the hands of the British forces, to be held for the present by them. Upon his so doing, all the officers and troops therein will be allowed to retire with their personal arms and baggage, and the people shall receive no hurt and whenever these difficulties shall be settled, and the demands of Great Britain fully granted, the whole shall be restored to the hands of the Chinese.
If these terms be acceded to, let a white flag be displayed from the fortifications. HENRY POTTINGER, her majesty's plenipotentiary.
(Signed)
His excellency rear-admiral
William PARKER,—rear admiral.
HUGH GOUGH,—major general.
[INCLOSURE, No. 2.]
E. I. station, H. M. S. Blonde, Inner Harbor of Amoy, 27th Aug., 1841.
Sir William Parker, K. c. B., commander-in-chief, &c., &c.
SIR,―The operations of the force you did me the honor to place under my com- mand for the attack of the island of Kúláng sú, were so immediately under your observation, that little remains to me beyond the agreeable duty of bringing to your excellency's notice the admirable conduct of every officer and man I had the honor to command. The squadron was led into action by captain Eyres, com- manding her majesty's sloop Modeste, with the most perfect skill and gallantry; the Blonde and Druid followed, and were placed as near as the shoalness of the water would admit to the three principal batterics, which they succceded in silenc- ing after a fire of one hour and twenty minutes, when the marines, under the gallant captain Ellis were landed, and carried the heights with their accustomed bravery. The distance of the transports prevented the 26th Cameronian regiment from being on shore at the same moment with the marines, but they were prompt- ly after them; and the detachment of that distinguished corps, under major Johnston, assisted in clearing the remaining batteries, and dispersing the enemy. From captain Smith of H. M. ship Druid, I received the most able support; that ship was placed with excellent judgment, and her conduct such as was to be ex- pected from her high state of discipline. This island being now completely in our possession, I left the Druid to protect it; and pushed the Modeste and Blonde into the Inner harbor, silencing their war junks and batteries on the opposite shore as we passed; and I have herewith the honor to inclose a return of the vessels cap- tured, and ordnance destroyed. The officers and crew of this ship merit my highest praise, as well as the party of royal artillery serving on board under the command of lieutenant, the honorable R. E. Spenoer. I should be wanting in justice were
vessels can anchor off those parts of the town near the water. The Blonde, Modesto, Pylades, and a steamer, anchored off the town on the night after the action, and are still lying there in 10 fins. water-naval men consider the harbor of Amoy to be much super.or to that of Hongkong." Cul Cour. Nov. 24th, 1841.
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