Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 380

362

Review of Public Occurrences During the

JULA

many years, enjoyed, of all those in subjection, the largest measure of favors. And I presume it must be England and America, that are conjointly named 'the two countries.' But the meaning of the language is greatly wanting in perspi- cuity.

***It is most requisite that, in obedience to the commands of you, the high im- perial commissioner, the opium laid up on board the store-ships should at once be delivered up to government, when of course immediate permission will be accorded to apply for permits for the men and vessels of the said nation to come and go; and assuredly there shall be no causeless obstruction and delay.

"Besides cominanding the original merchants, Wütun Yuen (Howqua senior) and his fellows, to join commands on the said superintendent for his obedience; besides too, instructing the territorial and financial commissioner of Kwangtung, in concert with the judicial commissioner, to give all the needful commands, it is also my duty to communicate with the high imperial commissioner, desiring to give him the trouble to examine and cause measures to be taken accordingly,'

Upon this communication being duly received by me, the commissioner, I proceed forthwith to give injunctions requiring obedience. When these injunc- tions reach the prefect and other aforenamed, let them immediately issue com- mands, requiring that obedience be paid without fail.”

0

They, the prefect and commandant, having respectfully received the above, proceed forthwith to issue cominands When these reach the said superintendent Elliot, let him immediately act in obedience to them, and speedily take the opium laid up on board the store-ships, and at once deliver it up to government. Then of course immediate permission will be accorded to apply for permits for the inen and vessels of his nation to come and go; and assuredly there shall be no causeless obstruction and delay. Be there no opposition to these special com- mands. March 25th, 1839.-Corresp. pp. 368-369.

26th. A new proclamation was issued by the commissioner, urg- ing four reasons for the immediate surrender of the opium. Chi. Rep., vol. VII., P. 628.

Under the same date, the prefect of Canton, and the other asso- ciates with him, made two following communications to captain Elliot.

No 1.

Chú, by special appointment, prefect of Kwangchau, taking with him Liú, the magistrate of Náubái district, and Cháng, the magistrate of Pwányű district, issues commands to the English superintendent, Elliot, for his full information. On the 25th March, 1839, he received the within official injunction from his excellency Tang, governor of the two Kwáng.

“Upon the 25th March, 1839, I received from Lin, the high imperial commis- sioner and governor of Húkwáng, a communication of the following tenor:-"] received on the 25th March, 1839, at from 1 to 3 a. м., your excellency's com- munication of the following tenor:-( Quoted verbatim from page 360.)

Upon the receipt hereof, I have given the subject my consideration. Elliot having come as English superintendent into the territory of the celestial court, how ought he implicitly to obey the laws? But his country, while it interdicts the use of opium, has yet permitted the seduction and enticement of the Chinese people. The store-ships have been long anchored in the waters of Kwángtung.