1842.
Last Ten Years, from 1832 to 1841.
73
73
British subjects, after the most barbarous and cruel edict of the 2d of September, which yet remains in operation. The authorities have to blame themselves for having acted in that base manner towards the representative of H. B. M., and if the prohibitions did actually exist, they ought to have been communicated to the superintendents officially beforehand. The frigates did not fire upon the forts until they were obliged to do so in self-defense. Your obedient scrvant, NAPIER.
Canton, September 10th, 1834.
No. 5.
Letter from the hong-merchants to Mr. Boyd, dated September 17th, 1834. A respectful notification.-We yesterday received a letter, wherein it is said, 'The ship for India will remain at Whampoa on account of the more near com- munication with this place, and will sail as soon as I receive the viceroy's reply... The other ship will remain at Whampoa to receive me from the cutter.' It may thus be seen that the two vessels are both willing to go out of port; but that they sail at different times. But for ships of war to sail into the inner territory has long been a subject of prohibition. Now the letter says that both are willing to go out of the port. If these two ships immediately set sail and go to the outer sea at Lintin, then afterwards we can report to the great officers that they may order the cutter up to Canton, to take your honorable officer back to Macao. This method will be safe and right. As to the manner of ships of war going out, spoken of in yesterday's letter, it is indeed difficult to request the great officers to grant it. For this purpose we reply, praying you to communicate this to your honorable officer, and reply to us to-day. or this we hope.
With compliments, &c., &c. Subscribed by the eleven hong-merchants.)
To Mr. Boyd, and other gentlemen.
No. 6.
To W. S. Boyd, esq., secretary to the Chamber of Commerce,
Sir,-Lord Napier's continued indisposition rendering it desirable that his lord. ship should not be harassed by a continuance of the negotiation now going on with the Chineso authorities, and that his departure from Canton should not be delay- ed, I beg to inform you that I have undertaken, with his lordship's concurrence, to make the requisite arrangements with the hong-merchants, in reference to the communication which you yesterday received from 'hem.
Your's obediently,
Canton, September 18th, 1834.
T. R. COLLEDGE, Surgcor. to H. M. superintendents.
19th. At the public hall of the hong-merchants, it was agreed to on their part. in behalf of the Chinese government, and by T. R. Colledge and William Jardine esquires, in behalf of lord Napier, that his lordship and suite should retire to Macao, and the two ships re- move from the river, on condition that the trade should be immediate
ly reöpened. Vol. III., p. 283.
an
21st. Lord Napier addressed a letter to captain Blackwood, stating that, in consequence of at. understanding come to with the Chinese authorities, H. B. M. ships Imogene and Andromache were no longer required at Whampoa; and requesting him immediately to proceed with both ships to the anchorage at Lintin; adding that the Chinese
VOL XL NO. 11.
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