Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 372

351

Review of Public Occurrences During the

JULY,

ed for, I said, I earnestly hope not, because I was persuaded they would be regarded by my own government to be unjust and hostile in the very last degree. I added, that I should be careful to clear myself of all responsibility, by signify- ing these convictions to the provincial government, in respectful, but most plain terms, directly that it adopted courses so certain, in my judgment, to tend to an interruption of the peace between the two countries. He met this observation by saying, that I had experience enough of the Chinese government to know that full time would be given before such extreme measures were adopted. I answer- ed, that the lapse of no interval of time could justify aggression upon public and private interests embarked in this lawful trade, by reason of the acts of smugglers, in a high degree encouraged by the clrief authorities of these provinces.

“He dwelt earnestly upon the manifold mischiefs of the trade, and particularly upon the alarming character of the late inside traffic. asking me what my govern- ment would do under such circumstances? I said, that no such state of things could obtain in England, and he must give me leave to remark three things con- cerning that part of the subject;-1st, that it no longer subsisted; 2d, that it had been induced by the venality of the highest officers of this province; 3d, that it had been put down by the effect of my representations and proceedings, as soon as ever I was in a condition to take steps concerning it.

"Whilst such a traffic existed, indeed, in the heart of our regular commerce, I had all along felt the Chinese government had a just ground for harshi mca- sures towards the lawful trade, upon the plea that there was no distinguishing between the right and the wroug. But I told Howqua, that should never happen again so long as the governor enabled me to perform my duty; and it could not have happened at all, but for his excellency's countenance. I concluded by say. ing, that I had too much confidence in the justice and wisdom of his government, to apprehend such measures as he appeared to do, and too much experience of the genius of my own, to doubt that their adoption would be the sure precursor of a rupture. He anxiously intreated ine to press, in my dispatches to my go- vernment, on the great and growing danger of this traffic to the lawful trade and peaceful intercourse; and he led me to understand, that some strong official com- munication on the subject must be expected as soon as the high commissioner arrived. The immediate departure of this ship will be my excuse for a hurried dispatch.

I have, &c., -Corresp. pp. 343–344.

(Signed)

"CHARLES ELLIOT."

February 1st. All the back doors of the foreign factories were ordered to be blocked up.

4th. Rules and regulations were promulgated by the British chief superintendent for the establishment of a maritime police in the Chi-

nese waters.

A document was published "on the best mode of arresting the opium plague," written by Chau Tientseo, superintendent of the tran- sport of grain.

A dividend of three per cent. was paid on Hingtae's debts, mak- ing the total hitherto paid amount to seven per cent.

3. The schooner Attaran, capt. Jackson, was lost near the island Nanpang, a few miles westward of Macao, with 130 chests of opium.