Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 605

1842

Last Ten Years, from 1832 to 1841.

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30th. An armed population, ten or fifteen thousand strong ap- peared on the heights, and were repeatedly, and with considerable slaughter, driven back.

31st. The populace appeared again, and were again driven back; besides Chinese officers, the prefect and others went out to keep them in check.

Five millions of the ransom money having been paid, and securi. ties taken for the remaining one million, the British forces withdrew from Canton.

June 1st. The people north of Canton continued to arm them- selves in self-defense, ranged under banners, on which were inscribed í ping, i. e. “patriotic soldiers.'

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An edict was issued by Chinese military officers forbidding the inhabitants to molest the graves of those English who had been in- terred on the heights.

Yishan and Lungwan took their departure from Canton, most of the troops from the provinces having preceded them.

7th. By proclamation, made by H. M. plenipontiary, Hongkong was declared a free port, and "full protection from the high officers of the British nation." Vol. X., p. 350.

13th. Died on board H. M. ship Blenheim, at Hongkong, capt. sir Humphry Le Fleming Senhouse, K. C. B., &c., &c.

14ih. Agreeably to public notice, a sale by auction of the an- nual quit-rent of lands, took place at Hongkong. Vol. X., p. 351.

I'lípú was ordered by the emperor to appear before the Board of Punishments, to answer to charges of misconduct. Vol. X., p. 447. 18th. Commodore sir J. J. Gordon Bremer arrived in the steamer Queen from Calcutta, having been appoined joint plenipotentiary.

22d. Alexander Robert Johnston, esq., deputy superintendent of the trade of British subjects in China, assumed charge of the vernment of Hongkong.

July 1st. The Medical Missionary Society held its second annual meeting in Macao.

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6th. H. M. ship Calliope, captain Kuper, sailed for Calcutta, with about two millions of the money taken as ransom for Canton.

16th. British trade with the port of Canton was reopened, by a proclamation issued in obedience to the imperial commands.

17th. H. M. ship Conway, captain Bethune, sailed for England, with upwards of two millions of the ransom money.

21st. A typhon of great violence visited Macao, Hongkong, and vicinity, doing much damage. Vol. X., pp. 107, 421.