Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 205

1842.

Last Ten Years, from 1832 to 1841.

187

chief aperintendent, a secretary to his office in the event of death or absence, and one or two clerks; sufficient room for a master and crew of about twelve good steady seamen, two of whom might be sworn in as constables, to act as occasion required. Room might also be found for a medical man, whose presence in a large fleet is of the greatest advantage, and a space for the reception of a person under arrest, or whom it may be desirable to take out of his ship. The expense attendant upon such an establishment would be trifling indeed, compared with that of the present Commission, if permanently fixed at Canton, or elsewhere, and its utility and efficacy in my opinion beyond all calculation."-Corresp. pages 114, 115,

February 4th. The first quarterly report of the Ophthalmic Hos- pital in Canton was published by the Rev. Peter Parker, M. D.

5th. The chief superintendent of British trade wrote the follow- ing to viscount Palmerston, respecting the traffic in opium, then in an “increasing and flourishing condition.'

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"I see no grounds to apprehend the occurrence of any fearful events on the northeast coast, nor can I learn what new danger exists. I am assured, from the best authority, that the scuffles between different parties of smugglers and mandarins, alike engaged and competing in the traffic, are not more serious, or frequent than in this province. In no case have Europeans been engaged in any kind of conflict or affray; and while this increasing and Incrative trade is in the hands of the parties whose vital interests are so totally dependent on its safety and continuance, and by whose prudence and integrity it has been cherished and brought into its present increasing and flourishing condition, I think little apprehension may be entertained of dangers emanating from imprudence on their part. Should any unfortunate catastrophe take place, what would our position at Canton entail upon us but responsibility and jeopardy? from which we are now free. On the question of Smuggling Opium,' I will not enter in this place, though, indeed, smuggling carried on actually in the government boats can hardly be termed such. Whenever his majesty's government direct us to prevent British vessels engaging in the traffic, we can enforce any order to that effect; but a more certain method would be to prohibit the growth of the poppy and manufacture of opium in British India; and if British ships are in the habit of committing irregularities and crimes, it seems doubly necessary to exercise a salutary control over them by the presence of an authority at Lintin.”—Corresp. p. 119.

8th.

This morning, the ground in Canton was covered with a fleece of snow, nearly two inches deep.

'The chief superintendent informed his government that the second superintendent captain Elliot, while at Whampoa, on account of the Argyle's boat, had concerted measures for proceeding with two armed vessels to recapture the crew. Corresp. p. 120.

15th. His excellency Tang Tingching, new governor of the pro- vinces, made his entrance into Canton.

22d. Mr. Innes brought to the notice of the chief superintendent the fact of samples of his goods lost from the Orwell being in the