Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 599

1842.

Last Ten Years, from 1832 to 1841.

581

under the guns of the squadron, and the foreign factories occupied by British troops. This was done just two years after Lin, with his high hand, stopped the egress of foreigners from Canton, and of their shipping from Whampoa. Vol. X., p. 181.

20th. A suspension of hostilities was agreed upon, between the imperial commissioner Yáng and captain Elliot; the port was opened equally to the ships of all nations.

21st. All vessels are allowed to proceed to Whampoa, but do so at the risk of the parties sending them. Vol. X., p. 182.

26th. Two young officers of the Blenheim were lost while pro- ceeding from Macao to their ship in the Roads.

Mr. Field, a British subject, belonging to the merchant service, was lost at the same time. His body, washed up on shore near the Barrier, was found April 1st.

April 5th. Captain Elliot returned to Canton, and took up his residence in the British hall.

12th. It was agreed by and with the members of the co-hong that the duties on foreign commerce should be the same as they were the preceding year. Vol. X., p. 234.

14th. Yishan and Lungwan, the new commissioners, and Kí Kung, made their entrance into Canton.

16th. Captain Elliot received what he regarded as satisfactory information of the faithful intentions of the new commissioners to abide by the engagements made by Yáng Fáng.

17th. A circular was issued by the plenipotentiary, requiring all small vessels on the river to be furnished with passports from himself.

25th. A court of inquiry was in cession at Hongkong, touching the mortality of the troops in Tinghái, during the preceding year.

30th. Captain (since major) William Caine, of H. M. 26th regi- ment was appointed chief magistrate of Hongkong.

Rules and regulations for the British merchant service arriving in the port of Hongkong were published. Vol X., p. 287.

May 1st. The first number of the Hongkong Gazette published under this date, by the authorities of that island.

8th. A Chinese, for having dared to speak about foreign affairs, was publicly beaten in the streets of Canton. This was a clear index of the feelings and purposes of the imperial and provincial authorities. 10th. Captain Elliot proceeded to Canton in the Nemesis, accom- panied by Mrs. Elliot.

He suspected mischief was concocting, and went up as he did in order to conceal his suspicions