Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 189

1850.

Journal of Occurrences.

From H. E Mr. Bonham to Su, Imperial High Commissioner

Victoria, Hongkong, 8th March, 1850.

163

I beg to acquaint your excellency that, on the 3d instant, Wan the comman dint of Ti-pang (residing at Cowlung) sent over Fan, a sergeant, with a note to the chief magistrate of this Colony, stating that certain pirates were reported to be lying some distance east of this, but that the monsoon was too strong to allow his own vessels to move up to the spot with sufficient rapidity ; and, as he much feared that, unless apprehended at once, they might take alarm, and retreat to a hiding-place eleswhere, he requested that a British steamer might be sent to cut them off; and he declared his willingness to reimburse the ex- pense of the fuel which she might consume.

A steamer was thereupon dispatched as he desired. She called at Cowlung for such men and officers as the commandani chose to put on board, and then proceeded to Kat-ò (Kih-ngáu), where she found 13 piratical craft at anchor. She immediately opened fire upon these vessels, the crews of which jumping overboard, were destroyed in large numbers by her musketry. As it becaine dark, her officers took possession of the junks. One of them blew up during the night, eight inore were burned by our people on the following morning, and the remaining four were duly restored in their owners, who were pointed out by Fan, the sergeant.

The steamer having accomplished her purpose—happily without sustaining any loss-returned hither with sundry prisoners. These being pirates, and as such the common enemies of mankind, might have been tried in our courts ; but as the authorities of your excellency's country had applied to those of this Colony to assist in capturing these men, I have thought it best to deliver them up to be tried and disposed of according to their own laws.

With reference to the coal expended by the steamer on this occasion, I could not in anywise entertain the proposal of the commandant Wan, that he should refund the value of it; such a proceeding would be contrary to the principle of my nation. But I may here remark, that coal is an article of which we are in constant need, and is brought to this with much trouble and expense, from a great distance ; while at Kilung (Quilon) on Formona, not very far hence, good coal is procurable. If your excellency's government would recommend the people of Formosa to bring some to Hongkong, our merchants would take some cargoes off their hands; or if they chose to dig it out themselves, some of our ships might be sent for it It is evident that this would be a source of advantage to both parties, and would insure to us the means of giving our assistance to the Chinese government, at any time that its officers might call upon us, as they have now done, to co-operate with them in the suppression of piracy in these seas. This aid, I have several times informed your excellency, and now repeat, we shall at all times be happy to afford.

– China Mail.

Accept the assurances, &c., 8. G. BONHAM. The further details of this cruise are given in the official report of Çoni- mander Lockyer.

H. M. Steam-vessel Medea, at Hongkong, 5th March, 1850. Sir. have the honor to report to you that on my arrival at Kat-o, at 5h. 15m. yes- terday evening, I found thirteen piratical junke and four cargo junks at anchor. On the appearance of her Majesty's ateam vessel under my command, twelve of the piratical vessels awept in-shore, one of the largest remaining at anchor, without offering the slightest resistance. The crews jumped overboard, endeavoring to make for the shore, but upwards of 150 of them were destroyed by our shell and musketry. It soon became so dark, that I was compelled to dispatch the paddle-box boats of this steam vessel, under the command of Mr William Brodie, acting master, with orders to take possession of the junks which had swept in-shore, but finding that he was resisted, I proceeded to his assistance in the gig, accompanied by the pinnace of H. M. ship Hastings, command- ed by Lieutenant Webber, the Royal Marines under Lieutenant Holland, with the Medea's cutter under the command of Lieutenant Gibbons, and found Mr Brodie closely pressed by a very great number, who made strong endeavors to recapture the junks We soon repulsed these pirates with a considerable loss on their part, and capture of five prisoners; but owing to the darkness, and the very heavy rain which unfortunately came ou, we were unable to follow up cur pursuit of them on shore. I therefore brought the junks to the ship, and this incrning destroyed eight, one having during the night