Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 708

686

Review of Public Occurrences

Dec.

they were carrying on the attack against the city of Canton in the second, third, and fourth months' of last year, can you remember one instance of their soldiers having disorderly murdered a man? Or, in all their successive enterprises and engagements in the provinces of Fukien, Chekiáng, and Kángnán, can you call to mind one instance of one of their soldiers having killed a person against the rules of war?

Confucius has observed. “In my intercourse with men, whom do I traduce or whom do I laud? But if I do praise any, I have previously tested them.” Now, if you will but observe the successive acts of these English, you will probably find that every act has not been so utterly opposed to reason, nor so completely against common sense (as you seen to imagine]. Their wish now to come up to the provincial city and dwell among us, must and will be made a subject of mutual deliberation, in which the feelings and desires of both parties will be amicably consulted, and after which both can live together neighborly. There is no evidence that they intend to come and by violence carry their point.

If, however, you suppose otherwise, can you imagine that the English foreign- ers, during the long time they have had intercourse with us, have had no spot, not even a foothold, on which to erect their dwellings, but that now they are compel- led to put forth their strength and take forcible possession of this place, that they may have a quiet spot to reside in? Whenever a man of talents undertakes a business, he ought repeatedly to turn it over and reflect upon it again and again, in order that he may completely exhaust whatever is praiseworthy and good in it, neither injuring himself nor others, but accomplishing the whole without detriment to any one.

Now those who have set in motion and carried on this affair, have not merely acted upon what they themselves saw and knew to be true, but hearkening to rumors and dark surmises, they have acted thus impetuously and reckless of all cousequences. They have assumed to themselves the name of the patriotic gentry and people, and have everywhere posted up their manifestoes. They have raised the cry,

“Guard against the foreigners,” but really they only wish to stir up commu- tion; they wish to be reckoned as those who quiet the people, but they are in truth no otherwise than public demagogues; every wise man thoroughly sees through their intentions.

We have reflected upon this matter, looking at it in all lights; there is, in fact, nothing to cause apprehension in the country, but these factious people themselves are trying to stir up a commotion, Where then is the use of inaking such a buzz about this affair? This is a public statement by the learned scholars of Canton.

Note. This was pasted up in the Minglun Hall on 2d December, upon which day there was a public meeting there; many of the patriotic gentry and people seeing it, immediately left the assembly; while others were irritated to furious raving. Some said its sentiments were exceedingly proper and reasonable; and others praised the style as very nervous, and took copies of it away with them. Some there were who wished to tear it down, while others carefully guarded it, and would not suffer it to be destroyed. There were on that day not less than several thousand presons assembled at the Minglun Hall, all excited to the highest pitch of anger against the English; but on seeing this placard, they looked at each other in amazement, and full one half of them left the place.

6th. Their excellencies, the governor and lieut.-governor, issued the following proclamation against what they termed the seditious assemblages in the Public Assembly hall.

Ki Kung and Liáng Páncháng, respectively governor and lieutenant-governor of Kwangtung, &c., &c., Hereby issue a clear proclamation to all the intelligent gentry that they do not listen to incendiary reports which may inveigle them. It is well known, that last year during hostilities, whoever of the gentry inade out plans or devised schemes, which could be acted upon, that we selected and availed of them; and also whoever of the brave militia came forward to be drilled and exercised, that we then employed them to the uttermost. We have now respectfully received his majesty's commands, granting to the English his sooth- ing kindness, and that trade may be conducted as before. All scholars, officers, and cominon people, ought therefore respectfully to accord with these arrange.