Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 493

1842.

Summary of Official Documenis.

so that this subject of anxiety was for the present year at rest.

475

Not

so, however, another one, the apprehension of the Chinese traitors, and the dread of native plunderers gaining the upper hand wherever war approached, in consequence of the flight of large masses of the people.

Niú Kien had trusted to the defenses of Wúsung for the defeat of the English, and in case of that failing, to the presumed difficulties of navigating the river; the defenses therefore beyond Wúsung were utterly contemptible; he had neglected too the union of stakes and batteries, as well as the provision of fire rafts, means of defense and offense in which his countrymen place so great confidence. There was nothing capable of offering a moment's resistance to the progress of even a couple of vessels up the river: and he now felt this. Others, less confident in the difficulties of the river, felt it still more, and complained of it to their sovereign.

There are three good positions for defense between Wúsung and Chinkiáng. Ngópítsui, off the large town of Kiángyin, where low bluff hills approach closely to the river side, and under them the deep water channel runs; with Chunsáu (marked by a high hill surmounted by a pagoda), where the rapid current and winding of the river renders the passage difficult, and bluff hills approach the river's bank ; and Siangshan, or Tung-mátau, a few miles farther on, at the termina- tion of the windings, and close to Chinkiáng, where the great rapid. ity of the current, between a small island and the main, renders it impassable for ships, without the aid of powerful steamers or a strong breeze. These three points were feebly defended by a few guns. The governor-general's opinion was, that it was folly to offer resis. tance with these feeble means, and by his desire we find the magis. trate of Kiángyin removing the guns from the first place, and the military officer there angrily complaining of the interference. The general of the Chinkiáng garrison succeeded in retaining his batteries at the other two places, being points so much nearer to himself.

The soldiery of Kiángsú had been in part drawn off to Chekiáng (one of its generals of division had been slain at Chusan the year before); they were scattered too at various posts, posts in themselves utterly indefensible,--in place of being drawn together at a few points of good defense. The approaches to Súchau were defended by vessels prepared for sinking at the moment of the enemy's approach: but the number of troops behind these (about 4000 in and around Súchau) was not deemed sufficient for the defense of the capital of a province, and earnest representations were sent to the emperor, and the gene.