Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 282

264

Review of Public Occurrences During the

MAY,

join in a bond that she has no opium on board, it is needless to dwell upon the very embarrassing consequences which would ensue if the existence of a different state of fact: should nevertheless be established.

"I am disposed to believe that the higher officers of the provincial government are perfectly sensible of the extensive smuggling of opium carried on in the Eu. ropean passage.boats, and from some motive, either of interest or policy, or pro- hably of both, they oppose no immediate obstacle to such a condition of things. But the continuance of their inertness is not to be depended upon. Disputes among themselves for the shares of the emoluments, private reports against each other to the court, and, lastly, their ordinary practice of permitting abuse to grow to ripeness, and to rest in false security, are all considerations which forbid the hope that these things can endure.

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Setting aside, however, the interference of the mandarins, it is not to be questioned that the passage of this valuable article in small and insignificantly armed vessels afford an intense temptation to piratical attack by the many des. perate smugglers out of employment, and by the needy inhabitants of the neigh- boring islands. And another Ladrone war directed against Europeans as well as Chinese is a perfectly probable event. In fact, my lord, looking around me, and weighing the whole body of circumstances as carefully as I can, it seems to me that the moment has arrived for such active interposition upon the part of her majesty's government as can be properly afforded; and that it cannot be deferred without great hazard to the safety of the whole trade, and of the per- sons engaged in its pursuit.

"The accompanying paper was originally intended as a memorandum of mat. ter to be framed into a dispatch to your lordship; but several considerations dispose me to hope I shall be excused for transmitting it in its present form. That the main body of the inward trade (about three-fifths of the amount) should be carried on in so hazardous a manner to the safety of the whole commerce and intercourse with the empire, is a very disquieting subject of reflection; but I have a strong conviction, that it is an evil susceptible of early removal.

(Signed) Charles Elliot.” -Corresp. p. 241.242.

"I have, &c.

Accompanying this, of the same date, was forwarded to the foreign office a long memorandum, proposing that her majesty address a letter to the emperor, and send it by a special commissioner, who should proceed to Chusan, there to confer with officers from Peking, and settle all difficulties. Corresp. p. 242.

21st. Dispatches, dated June 12th, 1837, were received by capt. Elliot, forbidding him to use the word pin in his addresses to the Chinese authorities. A long discussion ensued, and ended in an in- terruption of cominunications between the two governments. Vol. For a series of edicts against the opium trade, see vol. VI., p. 352.

VI., p. 341, and sequel.

December 2d. The British flag was struck this morning by captain Elliot, hoisted in Canton on his arrival there on the 12th of April preceding.