Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 593

1842

Journal of Occurrences.

576

ions and hangings, had been arranged. There H. B. M.'s pleni- potentiary sat down in the chief seat, with Kiying on his lefi, and flipú on his right. Others followed in their order. Refreshments

of food and wine were first introduced, and conversation on sundry matters of business followed; and after three or four hours' stay, the party retired quietly as it came. This was a great day. How unlike the 26th of August, 1839, when Lin expelled the English from Macao! On the 26th of August, 1840, the British plenipotentiaries returned to the month of the Pei ho, to seek an interwiew with Kí- shen. In 1841, August 26th, the British forces expelled the Chinese from the batteries of Amoy. And on the same day, 1842, they win the three years' game, and enter in triumph the old capital of the empire, Lin and Kishen both being in exile.

Ôn the 29th, the treaty was formally signed, the commissioners having received the imperial directions so to do. "It was expected,” says an eye-witness of the scene, "that Flipú would not attend, as he was very sick. Their excellencies Kíying and Niú Kien arrived with- out him, and were conducted into the after cabin, where a grand tiffin was laid out, &c. After they had been seated about half an hour, I ́lípú made his appearance in his own boat, and was obliged to be carried up the side of the ship in a chair. Their excellencies sir Henry, the admiral, and general, went out and met him, and sup- ported him into the cabin (for he could not walk by himself), and laid him on a couch, and they forthwith set to work that he should not be tired. The treaty was first sealed with sir Heury's seal, by Mr. Morrison as his secretary, and by Wáng tájin, Kíying's secretary, with the seal of the imperial high commissiouers. The table was then drawn up for each of their excellencies to put his signature to the treaty. This was done-Kíying, I'lípu, and Niú Kien each signed it; and lastly sir Henry. The signature of the three foriner personages was not done with characters, but with a private mark or rubric.

After they had signed it, they sat down to the table and took refreshments; and then a royal salute of 21 guns was fired; and a yellow flag for China, and the Union Jack for England, were hoist- ed at the main and mizen of the Cornwallis. The treaty was then forthwith dispatched to Peking, for the emperor's ratification." This, as our readers know already, was at once obtained; and on the return of the treaty from the capital, it was again dispatched for London, and may be expected back in March next.

Some differences of opinion, according to popular reports, have existed at Peking, regarding the propriety of granting the demands of the English. It is said the Mantchou officers have concurred with his majesty, while his mother and the sons of Hán high in power, have been averse to the imperial decision.

Since the ratification of the treaty by his imperial majesty, the first instalment of six millions has been received, and the ships (viz. H. M. ships Blonde, Heraid, Modeste and Columbine) appointed to carry it have already sailed. Some of the other ships of war and steamers have also left China, and a few of the transports