Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 319

1842

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tell short, but, ns the passage bont approached the Bogue fort, being under the necessity of elcsing the land, the shot from the batteries were better directed, two of them passing between the masts of the schooner, and one within a yard of the bow, throwing the water on board. The Bombay then immediately rounded-to, and was boarded by one of the before-mentioned mandarin boats, at about 4 P. M. The boarding officer (who was not the mandarin, but an inter- preter) inquired whether 'admiral Maitland, or any of his soldiers, women, man-of-war's men, were on board? If so, they would not be allowed to pass up the Bogue:' which inquiries were answered in the negative.

or

"On one of the passengers of the Bombay inquiring of the boarding officer whether he would seize opium, if any were on board, that officer answered no! The officer then left the schooner, and she proceeded again for Canton; but, in about an hour afterwards, she was again brought-to by a shot from the Tiger fort, and boarded by a boat from that fort, the officer of which (who did not leave his boat) made the like inquiries, viz., *whether admiral Maitland, or any of his soldiers, women, or man-of-war's men were on board?' which being answered, as before, in the negative, the schooner was allowed to proceed without further molestation.

W. C. MIDDLEMIST. 'Declared before me, on board her majesty's ship Wellesley, in Tungkú bay, 1st of August, 1838.

CHARLES Elliot."

-Corresp. pages 314-315.

August 4th.

(Signed)

(Signed)

Admiral Kwán addressed the following dispatch to sir Frederick Maitland.

'Kwán Tienpei, general (or admiral) of the celestial empire, the potent and fear-inspiring, writes for the information of Maitland, the chief commander of the vessels of war of the English nation. We of the celestial empire, and you of the English nation, have had a cominon market at Canton for two hundred years past. On both sides there has been the fullest harmony, without the slightest interruption thereof. During the continuance here of your nation's superintend- ing officer, Elliot, all too has been quiet.

#4

Recently, Elliot went to Canton, and there told the hong-merchants, that in consequence of the unwillingness of the merchants of the various nations to submit to restraint. he had represented to his sovereign a wish that another should be sent hither in his place: that now his sovereign had sent from hoine the noble Maitland, and it was desired that both should repair together to Can- ton, humbly and plainly to address his excellency the governor, in reference to the continuance here of Eliot as superintendent. To these public arrangements of your nation, bis excellency our governor would of course consent, were it not that the prohibitory enactinents of the celestial empire have hitherto withheld from cominanders-general of vessels of war permission to enter the port; and of this Elliot is well aware.

"On a recent visit of Elliot to Canton, he sought to effect a sudden change in the ancient rules, by using, in place of the words 'humble address,' (pin,) the words 'letter of intelligence.' (shfisin.) Hence his excellency our governor decaned to receive, in disobedience of the regulations, his documents. Perhaps Elliot may have failed to inform you, the honorable commander-general, of this circumstance of not using the words humble address. What may be the motives for your present step of moving these three vessels to the anchorage of

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