Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 23

1842.

Last Ten Years, from 1832 to 1841

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intention to stir up reprehension. And, whilst he was giving orders for the destruction (of this place), he was acting in implicit obedience to a secret order. How could he previously let the said nation's chief and others know? Besides, that which was destroyed was the surrounding wall which the hong-merchants had clandestinely built. The hong-merchants alone were the parties to be punished there was no chastisement extended to the said chief and others. All you English merchants--what was there unequitable done to you? Further, at the time, the rooms in the factory and utensils were not in the least injured or knocked about; manifestly there was no unjust oppression of the nation.

"The hong-merchants did, at an early day, rebuild the stone steps and quay in the same manner as they formerly were, and it is convenient for landing and shipping cargo. Afterwards, also, the hong-merchants petitioned and entreated that open rails might be placed, which might be opened or shut as required. Already has the hoppo made a communication to the lieut.-governor to allow it; so that there will be a still further defense, and not the least impediment to commerce. Thus there, no doubt, may be, as formerly, mutual tranquillity.

"As to what is said concerning insulting the picture of the sovereign of that nation;—it is found that the said chief and others, some time ago presented a petition, about the cloth being violently torn down from the king's picture; and the lieut -governor immediately gave, clearly and distinctly, his authoritative reply-saying, that he would not trample even on a child unless he had offended the laws, and how then could he lightly enter into peoples' factory, and lightly insult the picture of their nation's king! &c. Thus it may be seen that nothing of the kind occurred. It is right to order the said chief and others to take the licut.-governor's authoritative reply, transcribe it entire, and send it to the said nation to read—that no doubts or suspicions may remain. To sum up all ;—the said nation has come to Canton to an open market upwards of a hundred years; and has had to look up with gratitude to the great emperor for his abundant liberality and profound benevolence in stooping down to bestow compassion; and there has been, for a long period, mutual tranquillity. It is necessary that the chief, and other supracargoes who reside at Canton, for the general management of the commerce, should be intelligent persons who understand business; implicitly ad- hering to established customs, and not listening to the insidious suggestions of Chinese traitors. The celestial empire's graciousness and politeness are con- stant. It decidedly will not despise or ill-treat any. I, also, the minister and governor, look up and imitate the great emperor's infinite tenderness to men from remote regions, and decidedly will never cease to observe their reverence and submission, so as to preserve all entire. For this purpose, these perspicuous, explicit, orders are issued. And the hong-merchants are commanded to take these orders and deliver them to the English nation's chief and others, that they may transfer the orders to the said nation's naval captain, that he may promulgate them for the information of the said nation's civil and military, every one of them, so that they all may hear and know. This will do."

The above authoritative decisions were issued on the 1st day of the 12th month. But the said chief and others procrastinated, and would not receive them; and again petitioned that an officer might be dispatched to give a written document in return. Strange they do not know that, when the envoys of foreign nations have presented petitionary documents, it has always been the case that the hong-merchants were commanded to communicate the orders to the chief

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