Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 87

1842.

Last Ten Years, from 1832 to 1841

69

H. B. M. ship Inogene, captain Blackwood, arrived from Singa- pore; and the Andromache returned to Chuenpí from a cruize.

17th. The following extract from a postscript by lord Napier to his government at home, will further show his views and aims, and the character of this government.

"In revising my letter of the 14th inst., I find I call the subject of dispute, n point of etiquette. It is not altogether so; for it is the consequence of humilin- tion, and yielding a point which has been enjoyed by my predecessors, and the fact of not carrying his majesty's order into full execution, that I look forward to. It is a cruel and a criminal measure on the part of a petty tyrant to nunoy the merchants, on the score of a dispute which does not inmediately affect them. If after a fair trial of all justifiable means, I find the merchants are likely to suf fer, I must retire to Macao, rather than bring the cities of London, Liverpool, and Glasgow upon your lordship's shoulders; many of whose merchants care not one straw about the dignity of the crown, or the presence of a superintendent. I shalt not go, however, without publishing in Chinese und disseminating fur and wide, the base conduct of the viceroy in oppressing the merchants, native as well as fo- reign; and of my having taken the step out of pure compassion to them. I can only once more implore your lordship to force them to acknowledge my autho- rity and the king's commission: and if you can do that, you will have no difficulty în opening the ports at the same time.”---Corresp. page 16.

18th. The governor issues a new edict, through the hong-mer- chants, ordering lord Napier to retire to Macao, and threatening to cut off the trade in case of a refusal. Vol. III.,

Vol. 111., p. 235.

23d. By appointment three officers-the Kwangchau fú, the Cháuchau fú, and the Kwangchau hie-waited on the superinten- dents; ordered by the governor to demand of lord Napier the cause of his arrival at Canton, the nature of the business he was instructed to perform, and when it was his intention to return to Macao. In au- swer to the first, an extract was read from an edict, dated 16th Janu- ary, 1831, “justructing the chief of the British factory to send an early letter home to his government, stating, that in case of the dis- solution of the Company, it was incumbent to deliberate and appoint a chief, who understood the business, to come to Canton for the ge- neral management of commercial dealings; by which means affairs might be prevented from going to confusion, and benefits remain to commerce." II. B. M.'s commission, constituting the new authorities, was then shown. In reply to the second, reference was made to the letter, which they were desired to transmit to the governor. As to retiring to Macao, that would be regulated by private convenience.

25th. A British Chamber of Commerce of Canton was formed, according to suggestions previously given.

26th. Lord Napier published a document in Chinese, declaring