Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 530

12

Journal of Occurrences,

SEP.

With reference to trade, the English merchants used to carry their goods to many places, and buy from and sell to the people generally, which was to the people wholly a benefit, and in no sense hurtful. But the officers at Cantou, seeking to confine the profits to themselves, induced the emperor by false statements to restrict trade to Carton alone, and to permit 13 hong-mer- chants to conduct it, not even allowing intercourse with any but them and linguists appointed by the government." Thus did these officers gain the power of meddling in every matter, extorting as they pleased, and disguising everything under false statements to the emperor. This is a fourth great cause of offense. There are besides many minor grievances that excite indignation and wrath, but that here need not be enttinerated.

Because of these grievances, the plenipotentiary &c., has been sent out by command of his sovereign to demand redress and satisfaction. When these are obtamed, peaceful arrangements may be made, and the former friend- liness of intercourse may be renewed. But until then, the high officers who command here the combined naval and land forces will continue, as com- manded also by their severeign, to maintain the cause of justice, and to con- tend with all their power for the enforcement of such redress. When the emperor shall appoint a high officer with full powers to negotiate and con- clude arrangements on his own responsibility, and not till then, will hostile operations be stayed. Now three principal things are required for the redress and satisfaction above spoken: namely, compensation for losses and expences; a friendly and becoming intercourse on terms of equality between officers of the two countries; and the cession of insular territory for commerce and for the residence of merchants, and as a security and guaranty against future renewal of offensive acts.

If these three things be acceded to, there will be no difficulty in the settle- ment of any minor points. That the people may know our objects, and not be misled by the false representations of their officers, to commit acts of hostility that would bring home to their own persons and families the horrors of war, the plenipotentiary, &c., proclaims for general information this clear exposition.

Dated in the Yangtsz' kiáng, the fifth day of July, in the year 1842.

Henry PottingER, H. M. Plenipotentiary.

G. A. MALCOLM, Sec. of legation.

(Signed)

True copy.

CIRCULAR TO HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S SUBJECTS IN CHINA. Her majesty's plenipotentiary, &c., &c., in China has high satisfaction in promulgating for the information of her majesty's subjects in China, the important progress and success of the expedition since the date of his last circular of the 24th of June.

The expedition was detained by bad weather and other circumstances at Wúsung until the 6th of July, on which day it advanced up the Yangtz' kiảng, and on the 11th, reached a military position built on a range of hills commanding the stream, where two small, recently erected batteries mount- ing thirteen guns, opened the first fire since leaving Wúsung, on the leading ships, but were instantly silenced, and the guns, batteries and military build- ings, connected with them destroyed as soon as men could be put on shore. At this point, the main body of the fleet was retarded by adverse winds for nearly a week, during which period some of the ships of war, assisted by the steamers got up to Kin-shan or Golden island, where the whole armainent, amounting to seventy sail of vessels, assembled on the 20th instant, and anchored abreast of the city of Chinking.

A recomoissance having been obtained the same evening, the troops were disembarked as early as possible the next morning. It was at this time be- beved, that the majority of the Chinese troops which had been variously