Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 540

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Review of Public Occurrences During the

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missioner, the emperor's most trusty minister Lin, already began to see himself in danger of being worsted by the lion's power. At this moment, however, British political influence in China was at its lowest point-so low was it, that, when the chief superintendent, "driven to ask permission, in the name of her Britannic majesty, to deposit the remainder of certain cargoes in the warehouses of Macao, upon the payment of the duties fixed by the regulations of the place," his re- quest was refused!

January 2d. Mr. Gribble, who had been seized by the emissaries of the Chinese government, was brought to Canton in a sedan; but the secret relentings of Lin were beginning to operate; the "rebel- lious barbarian" was found to be a "good Englishman;" accordingly he was mercifully spared, so as to show the imperial favor to men from afar.

3d. A dispatch from the emperor reached the high officers in Canton this day, declaring his majesty's approbation of their conduct in stopping all British trade.

Some curious memoranda, written with the vermilion pencil, res- pecting the battle of the Bogue, will be found on page 486, volume VIII., intimating in no very doubtful terms a suspicion that " mat- ters" in Canton had not all been arranged aright.

5th. Lin and his colleagues published a manifesto, setting forth the crimes" of the English, as the reasons why they should be for ever banished the country, and no more allowed the blessings of the celes- tial empire. They had outlawed themselves; but this case in no way could be permitted to abridge the rights of the other foreigners. Not even the goods and the produce of Great Britain, or of her dependen- cies were to be allowed to enter the Chinese ports. The conduct of Lin in actually allowing, while by public edicts he pretended to disallow, the importation of British commodities, was and ever will be a dark spot on his character. No man of stern rectitude could have stooped to, or allowed of, such double-faced policy.

7th. The cluef superintendent of British trade warned all persons not to make shipments to England on board the ships Thomas Coutts and Royal Saxon, they having entered the port in violation of his injunctions.

th. Captain Smith of H. B. M. ship Volage, then off Chuenpí, gave official public notice of his intention to establish a blockade of the river and port of Cantou, on the 15th following.

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Mr Gribble and five Lascars were relcased from Canton and went next day on board the Volage, outside the Bogne

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