Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 378

360

Review of Public Occurrences During the

JULY,

24th. At sunset, captain Elliot arrived in Canton, and immediate- ly hoisted the British flag, aud conducted Mr. Dent to his own con- sular hall, at which place he summoned a public meeting. All natives were withdrawn. Provisions stopped; and a triple cordon of boats placed in front of the factories. Captain Elliot demands passports.

25th. The foreign merchants pledged themselves “not to deal in opium, nor to attempt to introduce it into the Chinese empire."

Under this date captain Elliot addressed the two following letters to the governor.

4.

·Elliot, &c., moved by urgent considerations affecting the safety of the lives and property of all the men of his nation, and the maintenance of the peace between the two countries, respectfully claims passports for all the English ships and people at Canton, within the space of three days that this application reaches your excellency's hands; so that they may all be set at liberty, and depart outside in peace, with their property, within ten days after the passports are issued. And Elliot further requests that your excellency will be pleased to grant them boats for the removal of their persons and property, with guards to protect them from the violence of the lower orders. And if Elliot shall not hear that the passports are granted within the space of three days from the date that this application reaches your excellency's hands, he will be reluctantly driven to the conclusion, that the men and ships of his country are forcibly de- tained, and act accordingly. Elliot cannot conceal from your excellency his deep and sorrowful conviction, that the peace between the two countries is placed in imminent jeopardy by the late unexplained and alarming proceedings of this government. And in the name of the sovereign of his nation, he declares him- self free from the responsibility of all the consequences that may arise. -Corresp. p. 367.

“Charles Elliot.”

(Signed)

Elliot, &c., sicerely anxious to fulfill the pleasure of the great emperor, as far as it may be in his power, and as soon as it is authentically made known to him, respectfully requests that your excellency will be pleased to depute an officer to visit him this day, to the end that all matters may be peacefully adjusted. And if Elliot is left at liberty to communicate with the men and ships of his nation at Whampoa, he will solemnly pledge himself that he will take care that they do not repair to the provincial city under the apprehension that he and all the people of his nation are prisoners and without food, thus producing conflict and disturbance.

"Elliot therefore moves your excellency to let the native servants return to their occupation, to permit the supply of provisions, and to remove all the bar- riers from before the factorics. By such means, confidence and tranquillity will be restored in the minds of all men, both native and foreign. Elliot has in all respects, since he filled the station of superintendent, manifested his carnest desire to keep the peace, and fulfill the pleasure of your excellency; and, as an officer of his country, he now asks for reasonable treatment for himself and all the men of his nation, and claims your excellency's confidence in his peaceful disposition on this occasion of perilous jeopardy. It may sometimes happen, when Elliot addresses your excellency concerning affairs, that unsuitable terms find place in