Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 701

1842.

During the Your 1842.

679

der, each of 69 lbs. were employed in blowing open the northwest gate.) The object of the present explosion was to have an open ac- cess to the town from the station of the troops left at Chinkiang, who were quartered outside.

29th. Messengers came from the governor Niá Kien, bearing a long, and conciliatory communication. p. 569.

August 1st. Messengers went again from the imperial high commissioners, with their oid terms, and received a corresponding

answer.

3d. The squadron started on its course up the river, for the pur- pose of moving on Nanking.

4th. The advanced ships came before Nanking, where the Chi- nese were found as unwilling as unprepared for contest, and all their troops withdrawn into the city. White flags of truce were every- where displayed, and messengers were sent from the governor-ge- neral, Niú Kien, with offers of rausom.

Cases of cholera, subsequently to the taking of Chinking, oc- casionally appeared among the troops of the expedition.

6th. The reconnoissance of Nanking was continued. Rafts of beautiful wood, and large stacks of good coal, discovered not far

above the city.

8th. Ilipú, sent Cháng, a Chinese in his service, to announce his arrival at Nanking, and inquire about terins of peace.

9th. At this date the whole of the force destined to act against Nanking had arrived before the city, and the debarkation began.

10th. The ships, one after another, took up their positions so as to bring their guns to bear on the city, expecting it would be necessary to breach the wall.

12th. Kiying having arrived at Nanking, two oficers from each high contracting party met to arrange preliminaries of peace.

An extensive reconnoissance was made, and the preparations for attack rapidly hastened.

13th. The imperial high commissioners report to the emperor the demands of the British plenipotentiary, and ask permission to conclude a treaty. p. 571.

13th. Another meeting was held on shore, and the desire for peace, by friendly negotiations, seemed more and more strong.

14th. Hieuling, Tartar lt.-gen., and Hwang Antung, púchingsz', took the place of the previous deputies on the part of Kiying and Ihpú; the terms of peace were generally agreed to, and everything wore a more pacific aspect on the part of the Chinese.