1812
Journal of Occurrences.
183
4. The stoppage of trade, threatened in the second paragraplı of the preceding circular, deserves most particular attention. Ac- cording to public notice, given by captain Elliot last June, it was agreed between the high contracting parties, English and Chinese, that none of the fortified places within the river should be reärmed, nor any additional preparations made. See vol. X. p. 343. At the time when Yishan entered into this engagement, he told the emperor, that, "as soon as the ships of war have retired, beginning with the river in front of the city, and continuing the work down to the Bogue, they would block it up with piles of stones at every important pass, and there erect forts and place guns." Vol. X., p. 404.
Vol. X., p. 404. On sir Henry's arrival, he took an early opportunity to signify to the provincial au- thorities that he was willing, for the time being, to respect the then existing truce, but, declaring at the same time, that the slightest in- fringement of its terms would lead to an instant renewal of hostilities in this province. Vol. X., p. 478. Old forts above Whampoa have been reärmed and many new ones built, and guns placed in them ; and yet hostilities have not been renewed-unless the destruction of the works on Wangtong and the late seizure of junks outside, be so considered. For the exercise of this indulgence, on the part of H. B. M. plenipotentiary, there must have been good reasons; but can such reasons operate in the coming season? And will Yishán fail to attempt to keep his promise with his master? It is to be much regretted that the forts at Canton have been rebuilt; once opened, the river to Canton and the Macao Passage, ought to have remained so—and this could have been easily effected, had captain Elliot's mcasure, of visiting the river at short intervals, to see that no repairs were going on, been persisted in. And unless this is done in future, we fear repairs will go on below Whampoa.
5. The commercial grievances at Canton, in the shape of legal duties, have of late been greatly augmented. Those on tea alone for the last 12 months, amount to six millions of dollars!
6. Capture of a boat's crew and death from a shot. A boat from the British ship Autumnus was proceeding to Canton from Whampoa, when by mistake she went up Junk river, was fired on, the crew seiz- ed, carried to Canton, and there liberated. Soon after this, on the 9th instant, at Whampoa, "a well-known Chinese smuggler was ap- proaching one of the opium ships in a sinall boat, to make a purchase of the drug; he was hailed, but did not answer; and the person on the deck of the English vessel fired his musket, and shot him dead on the spot." Canton Register —All inquiry seems hushed. How un- like the case of poor Lin Weihí!
7.
The flags of France, and of U. S. A., have been re-hoisted in Canton, for the first time since they were struck in Dec. 1838. 8. An interview with Yishán, and his colleagues was held, on the 221, by colonel de Jancigny and Mr. Challaye, in Canton.
9. The U. S. A. frigate Constellation, commodore Kearney, and the sloop-of-war Boston, commander Long, arrived off Macao on the same day
Will the commodore inquire after the death of the young
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