Wo
Steamer
END OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE,
vicinity of Chusan. We have as yet no particulars, except that it is said, attempts have been made, without success, to raise
her.
We need not invite the attention of
our readers to our Translation of this week, from the Pekin Gazette. The intrinsic value of the document, at this juncture, will secure for it an attentive perusal.
perusal. | The great Emperor seems determined, if he can, to make his resistance to our just pretensions, as- sume the character of a righteous or holy war to his subjects.
These denounciations against Opium, remind us forcibly of the solemn farce which obtains at peri- odical intervals in England by the formal reading of the Royal rescript against vice and immorality. We fear we may add that both are equally effica- cious in improvement of the public morals.
It cannot be denied, the majority of the Chinese, fall who know aught of public affairs), hold this war to be none other than an OPIUM WAR. If at home the Ins were Outs, not a few of them (judging from the past) would affect the same belief. What a fine parliamentary text our translation would afford. How much choice rhetoric it might have inspired. It would then have been easily demonstrable that our pretentions were preposterous, our plea indefen- sible, that Taou Kwang was the most ill-used old gentleman in the world, seeing that when, although rather late in life, he wished to set up for a philan- throphist, and true patriot, (by attempting to cure his people of that moral leprosy the Opium mania) we English "barbarians" very inopportunely step in to crush his efforts, and moreover, very seriously damage his reputation. Badinage apart, now that we are embarked in the quarrel, it behoves all true Englishmen to be banded together in one common sentiment, of upholding to the uttermost the honor of our glorious red cross flag"
ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCIE.
To the Editor of
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE
Sir,
In your paper of the 2nd ult. among the "On dits," you say, "silk piece goods have lately been smuggled under cover of the American Flag" If the reference here is, as I suppose, to the Ships of the U.S. A. Squadron, while on their recent visit to Whampoa, I can assure you that the statement is untrue, there having been no such transaction in connexion with these Ships. By giving this note in your next, you will much oblige
A CONSTANT READER.
HongKong, 21st July, 1842.
We invite attention to the following concise, but graphic narrative of the pro- gress, and achievements of the expedition, since the evacuation of Chapoo. We thank our respected Correspondent for his interest ing communication and we trust to be favoured with a continuation which will be very acceptable.
OPERATIONS NORTHWARD. HEAD QUARTERS.
May
27th Troops
28th Fleet left.
29the A
30th
June 1st
Chusan
ng
enasserm
At 6 A. m. Men-of-War and Steamers weighed, and when about going to take their positions, fired upon by the Batteries smartly, the first ball killing au officer of the Royal Marines on board the Blonde, British not returning fire until positions were fairly taken, daring which, Fuckes maintained a very spirited firing. At half past 7 all the smaller craft and steamers having gone in, the Cornwal. lis &c. opened fire, at the distance of 400 yards, upon the batteries, &c. which told with tremen. dous effect, Shell, Grape, Canister, and Rocket, so completely bewildered Jack Chinaman, to- gether with the rear firing of the small craft, that by half-past 8 most of the works were deserted, and few fired at all. About this time the North Star came in, and immediately commenced firing on the remaining works which were soon deserted. Parties of Blue Jackets and Royal Marines from the Navy now landed, and got possession of the extensive line of Batteries and Breast works to the right, and preceeded by the broad Pendant, the Union Jack, and other Royal Flags, Sir WM. Par ker took a quick circuit of the ramparts, while a signal was made for landing the Troops. The Blue Jackets, about 80, proceeded a little into the interior, and were met by about 2000 of the re- treating Chinese soldiery, who seeing the small body of their assailants, were inclined to show fight, but the sailors very prudently retired, and awaiting the landing of the Troops, all proceeded in various directions, but without success, the enemy having taken advantage of the delay in landing the soldiers, to escape in large numbers to the country. The place is very poor, but being the entrance to a rich country, every defence was made for its security. The Ships of War &c. have suffered more than any where before, owing to the close proximity of their positions to the Batteries, and this is acknowledged to be the most splendid naval affair that has yet occurred in this expedi. tion
In the evening several explosions and some extensive fires, Mail per North Star received. 17th Several ships came in. Expectation of ransoming
Shanghai held out,
19th Troops on Steamers to Shanghai, which was quietly taking possession off in the evening, City nearly as large as Ningpo, but buildings very pretty, with Tea Gardens, and some beautiful little fur rets with winding footpaths.
20th In the evening, Mr. Carter 2nd mate, returned altho’ given up for lost, saved in a most miraculous man- ner, particulars hereafter, at 8, Queen Str. with Plenipotentiary arrived having heavy mails, Belleisle came in with Str. Vixen, Rattlesnake's Mail received.
21st
22nd
23rd
hai
Plenipotentiary and Lord Saltoun gone to Shang- on steamer. Report of Corp. White having come again on the old subject, Troops &c. embarked, no ransom paid, some hope of
peace, though exceedingly distant, fleet to weigh by the 25th.
POLIEI.
BEFORE THE CHIEF MAGISTRATE,
July 5th, Kou Pou, a Chinese charged by Padre Theo- dore Jose with an attempt to rob Padre Jose, deposes, About two o'clock this morning I was awakened by some person moving a box, containing above one thou-
sand dollars, I sprung up and instantly seized the pris-
oner
man who wounded him with a knife on that occasion. Aching swears to the prisoner being on board of the pirate boat at the time of the robbery. Aching is one of the crew of Teen Looun's boat.
There was another man with him who escaped. Is certain as to the identity of the prisoner.
Thomas Low, a chinese christian, says he saw the Padre seize the Prisoner inside of the house, about two o'clock this morning, that some medicine and shoes were confessed by the Prisoner, to have been stolen by him, and further that the Prisoner acknowledged to have had a confederate.
Defence
The Prisoner denies the charges is a poor coolie and never robbed Sentence, to recerti
be imprisoned with bard labour in irons,
Yuun Fat swears that the prisoners were on board the pirate boat that robbed him at Toongkoo, on the 6th of this month, as detailed in our last.
Ung, an old woman, wife of Chose Ling, who was taken in the pirate boat, states, that on the 6th of this month she was in her husband's boat, off Lintin, und had just completed the sale of a cargo of fish, when sent back their own boat to Lintin, put her on shore, 10 or 12 pirates, boarded and took her husband's boat, and went away with the boat, and her husband and son, Akoon, jumped overboard and swam to the shore. She is positive to the whole of the prisoners.
Akoon, son of the aforesaid old woman, deposes. 1 was on board my father's boat, near Lawchou, close to Lintis, on the 6th of this month, when our boat was captured by pirates. I do not remember seeing Apou, but can swear to the other three prisoners being on board at the capture of our boat. I discovered the prisoner Kutchai on the high road yesterday, and went to the head policeman who took Kutchai, and my bro- ther being also in search of these pirates who had taken. our boat, and he went with me and the police to a mat-house high on the hill above the Bazaar, when the other three prisoners now in court were made prisoners.
Defence.
The prisoners all deny the charge and declare they have not left the Island:
The first prisoner alleged, for the last 15 days that he is a carpenter, and can prove his being here at the time of the piracy.
The second man affirmed he had been on the Island for the last five months, and is a carpenter.--
The third-one says he has been here for one month and is a money changer,
The last named prisoner asserts he has not left the Island for one month, is a brick-layer, and they all de- clare they can bring evidences in proof of their inno-
cence.
The prosecutor (with the other witnesses having been sworn by the cutting off a cork's head), is asked if it is possible for him to have made a mistake, he de- clares in the negative, adding, 1 know them all, and particularly Apou, the man who cut me on the right ear with a knife.
Tou choong, a contractor, knows"-Apou, he is my carpenter, we live a mile apart, I have seen him every day for the last three weeks, did not see him on the 5th 7th or
or 10th, usually see him at 9 o'clock in the morning, must look over his book to know if
6th, I know nothing of the oth him on the
A fat, carpenter, deposes, I know Apou, I do not know the other prisoners, Apou is my brother, I did not see him on the 4th, 5th, or 6th, I saw him on the 7th, I work near Capt Morgan's and Apoy near Mr. Shuck's.
Akhai, a carpenter, says he knows Apou very well, also knows Low Awong, see them every day, I have done so for the last month, I saw Apou at work at Mr. Shuck's yesterday in the forenoon, yesterday was Sun- day, I do not know the other prisoners, Apou has not left the Island this month, I have seen him once a-day for this month, we sleep, in separate places and work far away from each other. Tai Choong is confronted with Akai, and positively declares that Apou did not work yesterday at Mr Shuck's, it was Sunday and he having charge of all Mr. Shuck's works, knows that that could not be,
Assee, a prisoner, (see our last) does not recognize A pou, but will swear to the other three prisoners when the boat was seized.
Chooe Ling, a prisoner, (see our last) deposes when my boat was captured all three prisoners were on board. except Apou.
_____ Notwithstanding the doubt about Apou's presence in the robbery on the 6th of this month at Tungchow, the chief Magistrate deemed the straightforward evidence of the prosecutor unshaken, the more particularly as he was wounded by Apou; he considered Apou and the other three prisoners guilty, and they were
were each senten- received one hundred strokes, and six month's nment in irons with hard labor July 15th. Akum, Apert, and Ashing, on suspicion
ced
Beechamee, Portugese topaz of the Sulimany transport charged with robbery.
Mr. Joseph Francis, chief mate of the Sulimany def he poses
On the 18th of Jane, the Frisioner was missing the ship and a watch
ndama
ndonc be
being rates
Collins deposes, on Tuesday morning last (as orders to look after the pirates who had escaped rison the night before) I caught the prisoners property from Ko pe lak's house, the chief of the tes, and on boarding their boat found the papers in court, which are pirate papers, as proved
preter
tead of the chinese police, deposes, the pris- moved Kopelok's property after his escape from the having these papers on while company with Sergt. Col-
subt of their being pirates.
be no
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