Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 219

1842.

Last Ten Years, from 1832 to 1841.

201

"In this early stage of my correspondence with your lordship's departinent. I would presume to observe, that I am not prone to attach easy credit to what I hear in respect to the temper and the views of the high native authorities. But upon this occasion, I certainly have a belief in the general rumor, that my ap- proaches have been acceptable to the governor, both in point of manner and The translation of my first note was executed with all the care that the interpreters could give to it. And it is said by the Chinese to have drawn from bis excellency unequivocal marks of satisfaction.

malter.

* I have to express my great obligations to Messrs. Astell and Clarke, for the zealous and very judicious manner in which they assisted me in the delicate task I felt myself called upon to impose on them; and I am also indebted to Messrs. Jardine and Dent, for their prompt concurrence in that transaction.

"I have thus, my lord, once more opened the communications with this go- vernment; and I sincerely trust your lordship will see no reason to disapprove of my motives, or of the manner of my proceeding. I have acted under a strong persuasion, that all hope of peacefully carrying the point of direct official inter- course was futile; that the actual condition of circumstances was hazardous; that the instructions in my hand do not warrant the assumption, that I have any high political or representative character; and, finally, that the course itself which I have pursued is neither derogatory to the national honor, nor at variance with sound principles of public propriety and utility.

04

· I shall venture to trouble your lordship, by an early occasion, with a few ideas as to the mode by which, in my opinion, it would be judicious to preface and accompany an attempt to carry the point of direct official communication not only to the governor, but from the governor, whenever it shall appear that sufficiently urgent public grounds exist for achieving such a concession.

"Your lordship will hear with satisfaction, that the trade at Canton is proceed- ing in tranquillity.

I have, &c., (Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT."

-Corresp p. 139–142.

We have given-and it seems only right and just to give-captain Elliot's own correspondence as fully as seems requisite to explain his whole course; and if we can do this impartially, we shall be content to leave our readers to draw their own conclusions.

31st.

A public notice was given this day, by the superintendents of the British trade in China, that over British subjects and ships their authority was to be considered as extended to Macao, as it had previously been to the port of Canton," without prejudice to the just rights, authorities, and sovereignty of the government of her most faithful majesty, the queen of Portugal, at Macao and the anchorages thereto subject."

(To be continued. )

VOL YI NO TA

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