Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 604

582

Review of Public Occurrences During the

Nov.

More than three hundred fishing smacks collected in the Inner Harbor at Macao, and armed themselves against pirates; the Chinese government, not being able to resist the pirates, and afford protec- tion to the fisherman, sanctioned their measures adopted for self- defense.

The Columbine, captain Clarke, returned to the commodore, the dispatches to the government of Chekiáng having been refused.

11th. The military operations for defense of Ningpo and Chusan were pushed forward with the utmost dispatch.

17th. Captain Elliot again left Macao to join H. B. M.'s forces, then for the third time preparing to advance on Canton.

New guns were brought from Fáhshán, and numerous batteries completed and manned along the banks of the river, both above and below the factories.

20th. Yu, the acting prefect of Canton, issued an edict, to calm the fears of foreigners and of the natives, who, distrusting the pro- testations of the government, were leaving the city in large numbers.

21st. Captain Elliot, being himself again in Canton, recommend- ed all foreigners to retire from the factories before sunset. This was done by all, excepting parties belonging to two American houses.

At about 10 o'clock P. M., the Chinese commenced the attack on the British ships, at several points simultaneously, with fire-rafts afloat, and with guns on shore.

22d. A boat, belonging to the American ship Morrison, was fired on, and the people seized, excepting only a sailor-boy, who was lost. Vol. X., pp. 295, 415.

Mr. Coolidge was seized near the factories, (some of which were pillaged) and carried into the city. Mr. Morss and captain Ben- son escaped the mob, and succeeded in reaching the Nemesis in one of the ship's boats. All the factories east of Hog lane were sacked by Chinese soldiers and populace, accompanied by officers.

24th. The British forces under sir Hugh Gough and sir Le Flem- ing Senhouse, commenced their operations against the city. Major Pratt landed with the Cameronians at the factories, while the main body of the army proceeded up the river.

25th. The force having landed two or three miles distant from the northwest corner of the city, advanced at an early hour and took possession of the heights above Canton.

27th. The authorities of Canton agreed to pay six millions of dollars for the ransom of the provincial city, and thereupon hostilities ceased. Vol. X. pp. 346, 396