Directory_and_Chronicle_1910 — Page 1069

HONGKONG

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His Most Faithful Majesty, either for the cession of the Portuguese rights at Macao, or for the effectual defence of the place, and its appropriation to British uses by means of a subsidiary Convention." Happily for the permanent interests of British trade in China this suggestion came to nothing, and Great Britain found a much superior lodgment at Hongkong.

The unfortunate homicide of a Chinaman during a riot at Hongkong between British and American seamen and natives precipitated events, and in view of the measures taken by the Chinese in reference to Macao, Captain Elliot felt that he ought no longer to compromise the safety of that settlement by remaining there. He accordingly left for Hongkong on the 24th August, 1839, Mrs. Elliot and her child having previously embarked. It was hoped that his own departure, with the officers of his establishment, might satisfy the Chinese, but it soon became evident that they intended to expel all the English from Macao. It was accordingly determined that they should leave, and on the 25th August the exodus took place. The whole of the British community (with the exception of a few sick left behind in hospital) embarked, and under the convoy of H.M.S. Volage arrived safely at Hongkong. At that time there was, of course, no town, and the community had to reside on board ship. The next measure of the Chinese was to stop supplies of food; the water also was reported to be poisoned, a placard being put up on shore warning Chinese against drinking it. This led to a miniature naval battle in Kowloon Bay. On the 4th September Captain Elliot, in the cutter Louise, accompanied by the Pearl, a small armed vessel, and the pinnace of the Volage, went to Kowloon, where there were three large men-of-war junks whose presence prevented the regular supplies of food. A written remonstrance was sent off to the junk of the commanding mandarin. After six hours of delay and irritating evasion a boat was sent on shore to a distant part of the bay with money to purchase supplies, which the party succeeded in doing, and they were on the point of bringing their purchases away when some mandarin runners approached and obliged the natives to take back their provisions. The English returned with this intelligence, and Captain Elliot, greatly provoked, opened fire on the three junks. It was answered with spirit by the junks and a battery on shore. After a fire of almost half-an-hour the English force hauled off, from the failure of ammunition, for anticipating no serious results they had not come prepared for them. It was evident, however, Captain Elliot says in his account of the engagement, that the junks had suffered considerably, and after a delay of about three-quarters of an hour, they weighed and made sail from under the protection of the battery, with the obvious purpose of making their escape. By this time the English had made cartridges, and they drove the junks back to their former position. Evening was now closing in, and in the morning it was decided, for reasons of policy, not to renew the attack. A complete relaxation of the interdict against the supply of provisions followed. Some little time after this event an arrangement for the resumption of the trade was arrived at, and there was a partial return to residence at Macao. The arrangement was of but a few weeks' duration, however, and on the 3rd November a naval engagement took place off Chuenpee, when the Chinese retired in great distress. The British ships returned to Macao, arriving on the evening of the same day, and arrangements were immediately made for the embarkation of those of Her Majesty's subjects there, who thought it safest to retire, and on the evening of the 4th November they arrived at Hongkong.

Captain Elliot considered the anchorage of Hongkong unsafe, as being "exposed to attack from several quarters," and already, on the 26th October, His Excellency had required the removal of the British merchant shipping to Tong-Koo, which he deemed safer. The shipping community did not share this opinion, and on the same day that the notice appeared an address signed by the masters of thirty-six vessels was presented to Captain Elliot requesting that they might be allowed to remain at Hongkong. On the 8th November H. M. Plenipotentiary replied, adhering to his former decisior. Thereupon another remonstrance was addressed to him, signed by "twenty firms, the agents for Lloyd's, and for eleven insurance offices." Captain Elliot, however, still adhered to his decision, and a few days afterwards the removal to Tong-Koo took place. In 1840 the expedition arrived, and Hongkong became the headquarters of Her Majesty's forces.

On the 20th January, 1841, H.M.'s Plenipotentiary issued a circular to British subjects announcing the conclusion of preliminary arrangements between the Imperial Com- missioner, Ke-shen, and himself. One of the terms was stated in the circular as follows:- 1.-The cession of the island and harbour of Hongkong to the British Crown. All just charges and duties to the Empire upon the commerce carried on there to be paid as if the trade were conducted at Whampoa." On the 26th January, the island was