Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 379

1842.

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his communications; and whenever that be the case, he intreats your excellency to believe that the circunstance is attributable to the want of perfect familiarity with the native language, and never to any intention to manifest disrespect to the high officers of this government, which would expose him to the severe displeasure of his own sovereign.

“And he has now to request that your excellency will be pleased to return hum the address he submitted this morning. With highest consideration, &c., -Corresp. pp. 367.368.

(Signed)

“Charles Elliot.”

On the same day a reply was given. through the principal of- ficers of the department of Canton.

Chú, prefect of the department of Kwangchau. and Han, commandant of the same department, issue commands to the English superintendent, Elliot, for his full information. They have received the within official injunction from the high imperial commissioner and governor of Húkwang, his excellency Lin:

“I have received from Tang, the governor of the two Kwáng, the following communication:

'On the 25th of March, 1839, at 14. M.. the English superintendent. Elliot, addressed me in the following terms:-(Quoted verbatim as on the opposite page.) “This address having duly come before ine the governor, I have given it my consideration. I find that the foreigners of the nation aforesaid have in their commercial intercourse with Kwangtung, long enjoyed gratifying advantages; but that they have brought opium-that pervading poison-to this land: thus profiting themselves by the injury of others. That the great emperor has now been pleased to give to your excellency a special commission to repair hither and make inquiry, and act in this matter. And that, as high imperial commis- sioner, you issued an edict, promising not to go back into the past, but only requiring that the opium already here should be entirely delivered up; that the opium to come should be effectually stopped from coming; and that they should then be enabled to continue their trade as usual. These commands, on the 18th of March last past, all the hong-merchants were required to repair to the factories and enjoin, a term of three days being prescribed within which to give a reply. Upon the 22d, there was yet no reply. This was conduct highly disobedient and procrastinating. Your excellency, the high commissioner, had ascertained that the opium brought by Dent was comparatively in large quantity, and summoned him to be examined. Hle, too, procrastinated for three days, and has not at all obeyed your commands by appearing. In consequence hereof, and in accordance with established precedents, a temporary embargo was placed on the trade, and the requesting of permits to go to Macao was stayed.

"In perusing now the address of the said superintendent, I find no clear state- ment of the circumstances from first to last, but an instant application for the granting of passports. I would ask, while commands remain unanswered, sum- monses unattended, how 1, the governor, can, regardless of the commands given by the high imperial commissioner, at once write out and give passports?

***In regard to the style of the address, there is much that cannot be under- stood. Thus, for instance, the words 'the two countries.' I know not the niean, ing of. While cur celestial court has in humble submission to it ten thousand ți, e, allà regions, and the heaven-like goodness of the great emperor overshadows all, the nation aforesaid and the Americans hay by their trade at Cantou during

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