Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 385

18.42

Last Ten Years, from 1832 to 1841

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officer of the English nation only, and your excellency will, therefore, sec that it is not in his power to require men of other foreign nations to deliver him their opium. It remains for him to offer the expression of his highest consideration. -Corresp. p. 375.

(Signed)

“Charles Elliot.”

A rejoinder of the same date was soon forthcoming, of the follow- iug tenor.

“Chú, prefect of Kwángchau fú, issues commands to the English superinten. dent Elliot, for his full information. He has now received the within injunction from his excellency Lin, the high imperial commissioner and governor of HG- kwang.

"The English superintendent Elliot has presented an address, of the following tenor :-( Quoted as above.)

606

Upon this coming duly before ine, the commissioner, I proceed to reply. By this address it appears, that the amount of opium has been ascertained, and the needsul examination and receipt theroof respectfully awaited. The real sincerity and faithfulness thus shown, are worthy of praise. I find that the amount of 20,283 chests, stated by the said superintendent, has reference only to such as is brought by the English foreigners. I, the commissioner, have assuredly no suspi- cion that there is any insincerity behind. And the statement that there is some at other ports elsewhere, I presume also to be the fact. But I have considered

that, before the issuing of the orders to deliver up, it is difficult to feel assured that there has been no opium laid up in the several foreign factorics, nor any brought in the various vessels at Whampoa. The question does not now stop with what is in deposit on board store-ships, but at this time, when punishment is not to be inflicted on past offense, it is essential that all the opium, wherever laid up, should be completely surrendered. Assuredly the offenses of those who have be- fore laid up a store thereof, shall not be visited upon them.

"I have now, in conjunction with the governor and lieutenant-governor, deter- mined on the rules to be observed in regard to the delivery of the opium. Besides sending a copy thereof separately to the profect of Kwángchau fú, that he may desire the hong-merchants to make known the same, I also require of the said superintendent, instantly to ascertain what quantity of opium there may be in the foreign factories; and on the 29th, officers shall be deputed to receive the same; what quantity of opium there may be on board the ships at Whampoa, to examine and receive which officers shall be sent on the 30th; and what quantity there is on board the twenty-two store-ships outside, to examine and receive which, I, the commissioner, and the governor, will ourselves go to the Bocca Tigris. Whatever there may be stored up at other ports, since the said superintendent has promised to deliver up the whole, he should of course be held responsible for the delivery of, from time to time, as it shall arrive. Should the amount be in excess of the 20,283 chests, it must still be fully surrendered. In so doing, the sincerity of the purpose will be shown. And assuredly no blame shall be attached to the inaccu. racy of the original report, on account of such excess.

"Besides this, the American, French, and Dutch nations have also consuls in superintendence of affairs. to whom orders have now been given in like manner to pay obedience, and speedily to represent the real amounts, waiting till ex- amination can be made, and the whole received. Though the said superintendent be peculiarly charged with the control of the English foreigners, yet having been