Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 377

1842.

Last Ten Years, from 1832 to 1811,

359

of opinion, and under the apprehension, that the high commissioner wished to detain Mr. Dent until a certain quantity of opium be confiscated, as they had heard it reported, the high cominissioner imagined Mr. Dent had 6000 chests of opiwn.

“The Anchá sz' replied, that this is no report, but a certainty; that the hight commissioner's eyes are very sharp, and his ears very long; that he knows Dent to be a very great merchant, and a very large capitalist, and that he had resided in China many years; that the high commissioner held positive and explicit orders froin the emperor to put down the opium trade, and that he was possessed of powers quite unlimited and extraordinary, and that he wished to admonish Mr. Dent, and also to inquire into the nature of his business; that Mr. Dent must be confronted with the high commissioner; that if he did not consent, he should be dragged out of his house by force; and consequently, the high commissioner would most assuredly kill him. One of the officers remarked, that if Dent would willingly come and see the commissioner, the trade would be reöpened.

**Similar questions to the above were put to the other gentlemen, but through one of the linguists; this mode of interruption is always very confused, and causes so much misunderstanding, that the examinations are better omitted. After a detention of about three hours, the whole party returned under the escort of an officer.

(Signed)

Edward Elmslie.”

—Corresp. pp. 365–367.

Under this date, the 23d, captain Elliot addressed the following letter to P. J. Blake, esq., commander of her majesty's sloop Larne.

"Sir,—The various and unreserved conferences I have had the honor to have with you, on the present extremely disquieting state of circumstances, preclude the necessity of recapitulating the reasons which compel me to proceed forthwith to Whampoa for the relief of her majesty's subjects from their actual restrained and dangerous situation. And if you shall not hear from me in some certain and assuring manner, within the space of six days from the date of this communication, I trust that you will procced in her majesty's sloop under your command, to the Bocca Tigris, and, failing such authentic accounts of the safety and free agency of all her majesty's subjects within those forts, from the Chinese admiral, as may be satisfactory to you; I must beg you will consider us to be prisoners, and adopt such immediate proceedings for our relief as may seem suitable to you.

..

Cordially assenting with me in the propriety of avoiding any unnecessary or ostensible intercourse with the British shipping at the outside anchorages (many of which have no doubt been engaged in the illicit traffic) it is at the same time most satisfactory to me to reflect, that in the event of any well-sustained evidence of aggressive attempts, British life and property will have the benefit of all the protection and countenance which you can afford. In touching this delicate and difficult subject, I should perhaps again remind you, that most of the ships cugag- ed in the regular trade, are accustomed to anchor at the usual outside stations, both upon arriving and putting to sea. I hold it my duty to you to state that I shall willingly take the full responsibility of any proceedings you may find it ne cessary to adopt on account of these requisitions. And it is a great support to me in any embarrassing circumstances, that I have the assistance of an officer in whose zeal and ability I may justly repose entire confidence. I have, &c.,

Corresp. pp. 364-365.

(Signed)

CHARLES ELLIOT "

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