Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 476

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Review of Public Occurrences During the

SEP.

June 3d, 1839. The excavation of pity for the destruction of the opium was begun at Chinkau, by Chinese officers, who were deputed from Canton by the commissioner and governor.

For notices of the manuer in which the opium was destroyed, re- ferences were given in the last number. For details of minor occur. rences, coteinporaneous with the destruction of the opium, see Chi. Rep., vol. VIII., p. 439.

Hongkong had been frequented by ships for several years, during those months in which tyfoons occur. Early in July, of this year, a large number had rendezvoused there, all English ships having re- fused "either to enter the port or to leave the coast of the celestial cmpire."

July 7th.

A Chinese, named Lin Weihí lost his life in an affray ou shore at Hongkong. Vol. VIII., pp. 180, 212, 321, &c.

15th. Captain Elliot addressed the following letter to Messrs. Jar- diue, Matheson, & Co., and to Messrs. Dent & Co.

“Gentlemen,—I am concerned to acquaint you, that a very serious riot took place in the neighborhood of a village on the castern shore of the anchorage in Hongkong bay, in the afternoon of Sunday, the 7th instant, in which several seamen of the ships Carnatic and Mangalore, were engaged. There is strong reason to fear, that a native named Lin Weihí lost his life on this occasion; and for the ends of justice, I have offered a reward of 200 dollars on the part of her majesty's government to any person or persons who shall adduce evidence leading to the conviction of any other person or persons, (being subjects to her majesty,) for the murder of that individual. I have also offered a reward of 100 dollara, to any person or persons who shall adduce evidence leading to the conviction of any other person or persons, (being subjects to her majesty,) as instigators of, or ring- leaders in, the riot of the 7th instant. I have also advanced on my private ac. count and risk, a sum of 1500 dollars to the family of the deceased, as some com. pensation for the heavy lows they have sustained; a further sum of 400 dollars, to protect them against the extortion of this money by the lower officers in the neighborhood; and 100 dollars, to be distributed amongst the suffering villagers, (some of them aged men and women,) with the hope to soothe the irritation which the late event was calculated to create.

"I have no doubt you will agree with me that expenses of this nature incurred on account of the grave misconduct of English seamen, should devolve upon the English ships to which the people belonged, who had been so improperly permit. ted to go on shore; and so far as I have yet ascertained, the Carnatic and Man. galore are the only English ships in that situation. If it should become known to me, however, that the seamen of any other English ships were on shore and engaged in this riot, I will of course transmit a copy of this letter to the agents for them Perhaps I should explain, that I have carefully particularized English ships, because I believe there is no doubt that the seamen of other foreign shipa were concerned my this dismal transaction But I have necessarily neither the right nor the last deposition to accept from foreigners, any share of the expeirs

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