china — Page 3

surmise, are not admissible in such discussions as the present ;" but we may be
allowed respectfully to observe, that if the opinions of parties, most of whom were
present in Canton before, during, and after the riot, are deemed unworthy of
attention, we hope they may at any rate not be considered of less value than
reports which have accidentally reached your Excellency at IIong Kong, a place
remote from the scene of action. What ever information your Excellency may
have received leading to a different opinion, we beg respectfully to assure your
Excellency that all evidence which we have since collected,tends only to strengthen
and confirm the views expressed in our former letter.
Even were it admitted, as appears to be assumed by your Excellency, that the
irregular conduct of certain lascars led to the riot, we may venture to observe that
the practice of allowing seamen of all nations to proceed to Canton on liberty, has
been of long standing, and that if, as appears to be the opinion of your Excellency,
such custom was calculated to lead to difficulties, the remedy could not possibly be
considered as resting with the British merchants, who never have had authority to
make regulations for the controlof seamen, nor the power to impose penalties for
the breach of any that it might be deemed expedient to frame.
As your Excellency appears to doubt that timely notice was given to the
 11

authorities of the serious character which the riot had assumed , we shall have the
the honour to forward to your Excellency authenticated statements, showing that
repeated applications were made in vain, through the Hong merchants, for
protection ; and that it is understood the messenger from the Viceroy, who waited
on his Excellency Sir Hugh Gough in Canton, distinctly admitted that such
applications were made, but could not for a considerable time be attended to, in
consequence of aa force not being available.
The most important paragraph of your Excellency's letter remains to be
noticed ; it is the grave charge which your Excellency is pleased to bring against
the English and foreign merchants in the following words, which we extract at
length : “ I will content myselfby asking you, collectively and individually, whether
with your admitted knowledge of the hostile feelngs of certain classes at Canton,
coupled with the influence which you declare you believe those classes to be able to
exercise over the people, and also bearing in mind your recorded belief that sooner
or later an outbreak would take place,-you, to whom this letter is particularly
addressed, as well as all other foreigners, whether subjects of England or not, can
stand forward and conscientiously assert that you have studied the complexion of the
times—that you have in any single iota or circumstance striven to aid me in my
arrangements as the humble but zealous instrument of the Government whose
protection has been extended to you in an unparalleled degree, and which, I may
add, you are always ready to claim and expect,—by endeavouring to dissipate and
soothe the very excitement and irritation of which you so loudly complain ? I may
even ask whether you have not thrown serious difficulties and obstacles, if not
positive risk , in the way of the very arrangements and measures which you so
earnestly desire to see perfected, and which, next to the assertion of Her Majesty's
dignity and honour, have been the leading object of my public actions for the last
eighteen months ?”
In reference to these strong observations, we take the liberty of most respect
fully recalling to your Excellency's recollection, that since your Excellency's arrival
in China, ncarly a year and a half ago, the letter of 13th instant is the first and
only address which has been submitted to your Excellency by the British merchants
individually or collectively, either seeking for information or asking for protection .
That your Excellency's proclamation, dated 12th August, 1841 , distinctly stated
that the mercantile community must carry on their trade at Canton, entirely on
their own risk and peril. That such proclamation was in some measure indirectly
rescinded by one, dated “ Chusan, 14th November, 1842 " allowing the trade at
Canton to continue, although no Government proteetion was even then actually
promised or afforded ; and that during the progress of such trade no protection has
directly or indirectly been afforded or claimed within the port of Canton, at a time
when warlike operations and seizures of Chinese property have been carried on along
the whole coast, and even in the Canton river itself.
We conceive therefore we may be allowed in some degree to dissent from the
opinion of your Excellency that “ the protection of the Government has been
extended to us in an unparalleled degree ;” and considering the serious risk of
person and property which we have incurred, without one word of complaint or
remonstrance, during the whole time that your Excellency has had charge of affairs
in China, we submit that an insinuation that we are over-ready to claim such
protection, is not altogether in accordance with the actual circumstances of the case.
We may be allowed further to observe that none of us are aware of any
occasion on which your Excellency has thought it desirable to seek for our opinions
or co -operation in any way ; the only information which we have received of your
Excellency's views or wishes, being found in certain proclamations made public
during the progress of hostilities ; and we can conscientiously assert that none of us
have erer to our recollection thrown risk or difficulty in the way of your Excellency.
During the past sixteen months we may observe, that the trade in Canton,
although carried on without any protection or control on the part of the British
authorities, has been managed by fewer parties, and in as peaceable and unob
trusive a manner as at any period since the abolition of the Company's Charter ; and
we feel justified in most solemnly denying that the charge ofill-treatment of the
Chinese can with justice be cast upon the foreign merchants. We may safely assert,
that the merchants generally have endeavoured to carry on their mercantile pursuit
in Canton in accordance with former custom ; and in the only case, we believe,
where innovation has taken place, the residence of ladies in Canton, the verylimited
 12

number who have taken advantage of the permission formally granted by the local
authorities, and with the implied , if not expressed sanction, of your Excellency, have
been accider til vi itörs, not the wives of resident merchants. We may add, that no
intimation was, be believe. conveyed to any one, that your Excellency disapproved of
these proceedings, although the circumstances were generally known, untilafter the
attack on the factories.
We beg leave to assure your Excellency that we have been , and are, one and
all, ready and anxious to conform to all arrangements which may be made for the
regulation of our trade and other matters by the officers of our Government, when
duly informed of them ; but we respectfully submit that severe public censure should
not indiscriminately be cast on all the foreign merchants, in consequence of outrages
assumed to have been occasioned by the acts of a few , especially when such acts may
be considered rather the result of the absence of understood regulations, than of pre
meditated irregularity.
As your Excellency have been pleased to lay a copy of your Excellency's letter
before the Home Government, we beg leave to request the ssme course may be pur
sued with our reply.
Macao, December 23 , 1842 .
We have, &c.
(Signed) Dent and Co. Fox, Rawson , and Co.
Turner and Co. p. Dirom and Co., W. W. Dale.
Gibb, Livingstone, and Co. Henry Gribble.
Lindsay and Co. W. C. Le Geyt.
p . Bell and Co., Alfred Wilkinson . D. and M. Rustomjee and Co.


Inclosure 2 in No. 2 .

Mr. Woosnam to British Merchants at Canton .

Gentlemen, Macao, December 24, 1842.
I AM directed by Sir IIenry Pottinger to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of yesterday's date, and to inform you that a copy of it will be transmitted
(with the other correspondence) to Her Majesty's Government by the steamer now
under dispatch .
His Excellency further directs me to take this opportunity to mention to you
that the Viceroy at Canton has, in reply to the letter which was addressed to him ,
declared his great anxiety, as well as perfect ability, to protect all foreigners, and
has also expressed his readiness to repay such losses as may have been incurred
during the late riots after they shall have been correctedly ascertained and submitted
through Her Majesty's Government.
I have, &c.
( Signed ) RICHARD WOOSNAM ,
Acting Secretary.

No. 3 .

The Earl of Aberdeen to Sir Henry Pottinger.
Sir, Foreign Office, April 1 , 1843.
I HAVE received your despatches of the 20th and 23rd of December, respect
ing the disturbances which took place at Canton on the 7th of December , and
inclosing your correspondence on that subject with Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh
Gough and with certain British merchants.
Deeply as Her Majesty's Government regret an occurrence which was calculated
to put in jeopardy the amicable relations so lately concluded between the two
countries, they have nevertheless derived no small satisfaction from the anxiety
shown by the Chinese authorities at Canton to put a stop to the tumult, and to
repress the excesses of the Chinese populace. Her Majesty's Government entirely
approve of your having declined toact upon the suggestion which wasmade to you,
to employ Her Majesty's forces for the protection of the factories at Canton against
the violence of the populace, which the British merchants apprehended might again
 13

lead to scenes of confusion and destruction . There is sufficient evidence to show
that the outbreak of the Chinese mob was, in the first instance, and in all proba
bility exclusively provoked by the negligence of the master of a British vessel, in
allowing his seamen to go on shore without efficient control. Her Majesty's
Government trust that the excesses of those seamen , when thus emancipated from the
restraints of discipline, will prove a salutary lesson to British merchants engaged in
the trade with China, and that they will acquire the conviction that the security of
their persons and property must in no small degree depend upon themselves ; for
Her Majesty's Government cannot hold themselves responsible either for the pro
tection or indemnification of parties who, by their own misconduct, or by their
culpable negligence in omitting to restrain those whom it is their duty to control,
shall render themselves obnoxious to the Chinese Government or people.
I am, & c
(Signed ) ABERDEEN .



No. 4 .

Sir H. Pottinger to the Earl of Aberdeen.—(Received May 5.)
(Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, February 5, 1844 .
I HAVE the honour to forward for your Lordship’s information, copy of a
letter which I have addressed to Captain Balfour, Her Majesty's Consul at
Shanghae .
Captain Balfour reported in his letter to which the inclosure is a reply, that
some person who had gone out to shoot about a mile and a half from the
shipping, had fired through a hedge (by which all the farm -houses in that part
of China are surrounded ), and severely wounded two boys, who were brought to
the temporary Consulate some hours after in a very dangerous state, and that it
was believed by Dr. Hale that one would be blind for life.
The Intendant and District Magistrate had each addressed very strong, but
very proper, letters to Captain Balfour on the subject, and he took such steps as
occurred to him at the time to discover the offender, but he (Captain Balfour)
says he was not assisted as he might have been in his search by the local
authorities, who could, he thinks, have had no difficulty in tracing the Chinese
boatmen who took the offender on shore from his ship, as well as two China
men who were stated to have been in company with him when the boys were
wounded .
I have since heard by rumour that the offender's name is now known, and
should it prove so when I next hear from Captain Balfour, and I find he
)

belonged to the ship “ Valparaiso ,” I shall call on , and oblige, the firm of
Messrs. Dent and Co. to pay all expenses of the wounded boys, and to provide
for their future support, should that become necessary from either or both
having sustained permanent injury.


Inclosure in No. 4.

Sir H. Pottinger to Consul Balfour.
Sir, Government House, Victoria, January 16 , 1844 .
I RECEIVED and perused with great concern your letter of the
2nd ultimo, and its accompaniments, connected with two boys having been
(accidentally) wounded near Shanghae by some person who had gone from one
of the vessels to shoot in the country.
I consider this accident (even admitting it to have been purely such) most
unfortunate at the outset of the trade, and I wish it had occurred to you to
request Commander Vyner, of Her Majesty's ship “ Wolf, ” to call on the
masters of the vessels then at Shanghae to declare on oath whether any, and
what, persons had landed from their vessels for the purpose of shooting on that
particular day on which the accident occurred, and not to have allowed any
vessel to quit the port till the offender was discovered.
D
 14

I should have deemed any measures you might have adopted on such an
occasion, however strong they might have appeared, to have been quite justified,
and they would have had my full sanction and support.
It is now , however, too late to look to any such step, and I have therefore only
to express my hope that the two boys who were wounded have been taken every
care of, and that they have recovered under Dr. Hale’s professional attention.
I shall be prepared, on hearing from you , to sanction any present (or in
case of permanent injury, such as the loss of eyesight, any small monthly
stipend) you may see fit to recommend for the sufferers, and with this view Í
shall await your further report before I bring the affair to the notice of Her
Majesty's Government. In the meantime, I have but to add that any restric
tions you may think it advisable to adopt in concert with the local authorities
will have my hearty concurrence.
I have, & c.
(Signed ) HENRY POTTINGER .




No. 5 .

Mr. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen .- (Received May 6.)
(Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, January 10, 1845.
I HAVE the honour to forward, for your Lordship’s information, copy of
a despatch from Mr. Alcock , at Amoy, on the subject of a seizure and robbery,
committed on the persons of several Chinese in the British service at
Koo -lang -soo.
Mr. Alcock states (as I have heard from other quarters ), that “ this act of
violence is believed to have been committed with the connivance of the manda
rins, the parties attacked having been marked men , from their having been
9

actively employed by the British during the war.”
I accordingly thought it my duty to bring the subject to the notice of his
Excellency the Imperial Commissioner, by the inclosed letter, considering, as
Mr. Alcock justly remarks, that “ if the Chinese in the service of the British
residents or authoritiesare not protected from injury, but, on the contrary, are
allowed to feel that they are singled out for persecution and annoyance, great
prejudice must result to British interests generally, and to our consideration and
nfluence at each port .”
I received Inclosure No. 3 from Keying, in reply, informing me that he had
sent a “ flying despatch ” to the Provincial Government of Fokien on the subject;
and I trust that the result may be the punishment of the aggressors.
With reference to this subject of persecution, I regret to observe that
Article IX of the Treaty of Nanking, by which the Emperor agreed to publish ,
" under his Imperial sign -manual and seal, a full and entire amnesty and act of
>
indemnity to all subjects of China , ” &c. , has never been fulfilled.
I have found, in the archives of my office, a Chinese paper which
completely embodies the vindictive spirit that has actuated the Government of
the country , from the first , towards those of its unfortunate subjects who adhered
to us during the war ; and, at the same time, clearly explains and accounts for
all that has happened at Ningpo, Chusan, and Amoy, as well as Shanghae, where
>


Captain Balfour successfully interposed in favour of a persecuted Chinese in our
service. The paper in question was addressed,, in 1842, to the Emperor, by the
Governor ofChe-keang, and I think it too important not to forward it to your
Lordship as Inclosure No. 4 .
The Emperor enjoins his Ministers to transact this business " secretly ;" and
the reply of the Governor proves that a fitter instrument could not have been
selected for any work involving perfidy and deceit. He recommends that
inquiries should be made whether “ the said traitorous natives have not, at a
previous period, been put down as villains ; and if there is any evidence of their
wickedness, the said constables ought to bring the case forward, and on their
guilt and transgression being proved, they should be prosecuted for their old
crimes. "
No wonder, then, that the chief authority of Che -keang addressed Sir
 15


Henry Pottinger: “ The honourable Plenipotentiary now further makes it his
request that the amnesty should be formally promulgated by the Emperor.
But by the established rules of China, only the great ordinances of gracious
pardons, the remission of taxes and tribute, and such like matters, are promul
gated to the Empire under the formal authority of the Emperor ; no other
matters are thus formally printed and promulgated by the Imperial authority,
>
and on the present occasion it is difficult to break through this rule.”
To his translation of the above, Mr. Morrison adds this note : “ The manner
in which a formal promulgation of Imperial commands is made, is by printing
the letter of the commands on yellow paper (with a dragon border), vouched
by the names of the high officers of each Province where they are published, at
the end. Even were such promulgation not expressly stipulated for in the
Treaty, there are two very obvious arguments (for insisting on it) :
ist. That what is demanded is A great Ordinance of gracious pardon .'
“ 2nd . That the Emperor's ' denunciations against us have been thus
promulgated , and it is therefore the more imperative that his assent to
>
peace with
us should be promulgated in the same manner . ”
Notwithstanding these good reasons, the Treaty in this respect has been
completely evaded and set at nought, although Sir Henry Pottinger observes :
“ The Emperor must publish an amnesty to all Chinese subjects in the same
form he promulgates his edicts ; this is also provided for expressly by Treaty .”
Nothing of the kind has ever been done, and the consequences to some of
our former adherents were disastrous . Mr. Gutzlaff observed, in a private note
to myself : “ Fortunately for the poor Chinamen , Thom took Suh-ming's part,
and Balfour, as well as Campbell , that of the other unfortunate fellows ; for
otherwise the proscriptions, and the handing over to the tender mercies of the
mandarins, would have been without end . The tragedy is now concluded . Two
men paid with their lives Captain Bamfield's surrender ; the policemenwere all
liberated ; the Taekosan Mandarin (a great persecutor) retired from office ; and
your Excellency's orders have for ever put a stop to handing over the Chinese
in our employ to their own authorities.”
Without very good and sufficient reasons, and a strict previous inquiry,
this is certainly most carefully to be avoided, for the native Government has
shown its disposition to wound us through the sides of its own people.



Inclosure 1 in No. 5.

Consul Alcock to Mr. Davis .

Sir, Amoy, December 13, 1844.
I HAVE the honour to forward the inclosed copies of correspondence in
reference to an attack made by Chinese villagers, as it is alleged, on two persons,
also Chinese, employed under the orders of the Commissariat, in bringing
supplies for the troops. The village of Foh-kia or Cho-ke, where the attack
and robbery took place, is situated about two miles from Amoy, on the opposite
side of the bay. One of the men in charge of the boat was severely wounded,
and the other carried away and detained .
On receiving Major Haldan's letter, inclosing Mr. Power's statement, I
addressed a letter to the Taoutae, calling upon him to take immediate and
effective steps for the apprehension and trial of the offenders, the release of
the prisoner, and the restoration of the property, or its full value.
The Taoutae in his answer informs me that the village of Cho -ke is not
in his district, and that he has therefore communicated with the Intendant of
Circuit for Chan - chow - foo, in whose jurisdiction the village in question is,
that he may set the prisoner at liberty, and seize and prosecute the offenders.
On the 11th instant I called upon the Taoutae, who informed me that he
had not received any answer, and I much fear that no prompt redress can be
obtained ; I have, however, urged the Taoutae to press for an immediate report
on thecase, stating, also, that if a satisfactory answer were not shortly received ,
I should deem it my duty to make a communication to your Excellency.
I am informed this act of violence is believed to have been committed with
D 2
 16

the connivance of the mandarins, the parties attacked having been marked men ,
from their having been actively employed under the British during the war.
This of course does not admit of proof, otherwise, as a direct infraction of
the Treaty, it would be easily met ; I shall not fail, however, to press firmly
for redress to the persons injured, and especially for the liberation of the man
detained . It is obvious that if the Chinese in the service of British residents
or authorities are not protected from injury, but, on the contrary, are allowed
to feel that they are singled out for persecution and annoyance, great prejudice
must result to British interests generally, and to our consideration and influence
at each port.
I have, &c.
( Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK .




Inclosure 2 in No. 5 .

Mr. Davis to Commissioner Keying.
Victoria , Hong Kong , December 22, 1844 .
I REGRET to state to your Excellency that Mr. Consul Alcock, at Amoy,
has written to inform me as follows:
“ Robbery and violence have been perpetrated by certain Chinese at the
village of Foh -ke or Cho-ke, in the Hae -tang district, about two miles (six le) from
Amoy, on the opposite side of the bay, upon certain other Chinese employed by
the British authorities of Koo-lang-soo to purchase stores for the troops. One
man has been wounded ,another made prisoner, the latter being still detained in
the village. Some wood, the property of the British authorities, has also been
seized . "
This coming before me , the Plenipotentiary, & c. , it becomes my duty
immediately to request that your Excellency will give stringent orders to the
local authorities for the punishment of the offenders, the release of the prisoner,
and the restoration of the property thus wrongfully and violently taken. It is
an established principle among us, that any attack made upon persons in the
service of Her Majesty's Government, is an injury which should immediately be
redressed by a friendly Power, such as China now is in relation to England. It
is also in conformity to the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which can only be
maintained by the observance of this rule .
As Mr. Consul Alcock informs me that the local authorities showed a
disposition to delay or evade the redress for which he had applied, and that he
feared these persons were punished , contrary to the Treaty, for having served us
during the war, I have directed him to report further to me upon the subject,
and in the meanwhile have the honour to send this communication to your
Excellency, requesting that immediate steps may be taken on this occasion, in
order that I may report to my Government.
With sentiments of the highest consideration, I have, & c.
(Signed ) J. F. DAVIS .



Inclosure 3 in No. 5 .

Commissioner Keying to Mr. Davis.
(Translation.)
KEYING , High Imperial Commissioner, Member of the Imperial Clan,
and Governor -General of Kwang -tung and Kwang -se, &c ., sends the following
answer.
I just now received the communication from you , the Honourable Envoy,
respecting the Amoy affair (here follows the purport of the despatch , dated
22nd December, 1844) .
It appears to me a very regular thing, that the natives of that place (Amoy)
should be hired to buy provisions. Why then, should, just now , robbers plunder
 17

and seize them ? This matter ought to be investigated, and then it can be
properly managed. I have, therefore, addressed a flying despatch to the metro
polis of Fokien, that the local officers might be directed to investigate the matter.
Whilst, therefore, with all severity recovering the plunder and seizing the
robbers, they will give the particulars of this case in their report, and, at the
same time, set the prisoners immediately at liberty, and after having obtained
the robbed articles, send them to the Consul of your honourable nation, that he
may receive the same.
An affair like this, however, requires much writing backward and forward, as
well as inquiry, and will take, as I apprehend, some time. You , the honourable
Envoy, have now already ordered the said Consul to send in a clear detail of all
the circumstances in order to arrive at the truth, and I hope you will commu
nicate the same to me to manage the affair properly.
Whilst, therefore, giving this previous reply, I wish you endless happiness, &c.
Taoukwang, 24th year , 11th month, 21st day. (December 30, 1844. )


Inclosure 4 in No. 5 .

The Governor of Che -keang to the Emperor .
ON the 16th day of the 9th month ( 1842) , your slave received a
letter from the Great Ministers of the Privy Council, stating that, on the 9th
day of the 9th month , an Imperial edict had been issued to the following
effect :
“ These barbarians that have been captured ought wholly to be set at liberty ;
and, as for those traitorous natives that have been taken by force, it is not convenient
that we should kill them , but, if we release them without making minute inves
tigations, it is hard to say that they will not again, at some subsequent period,
play off their old tricks, and thus give rise to future calamities. Therefore, their
names ought severally to be entered on a list, and let a strictrestraint be put
upon them, and measures be taken to guard against them . We, furthermore,
direct the said General and others to apply their whole minds to the proper
management of this affair, and let them carefully and secretly transact this
business, &c. Respect this.
From this I can perceive the all -pervading sacred anxieties in noticing most
trivial things. In order to remove evil your slave has, in obedience to your
wishes, made inquiries, and as these traitorous natives have received sacred
favours they shall not be killed ; but if they are set at liberty, without regula
tions having been made for keeping an eye over them , it will certainly fall out
as is stated in your Majesty's sacred commands, that “ it is hard to say, that
they will not again, at some subsequent period, play off their old tricks, and thus
give rise to future calamities . ” Therefore I , your slave, whilst commanding the
said officers to draw up a list of all the traitorous natives, and to take security
for them on liberating them , have at the same time directed that good regula
tions should be made, and measures be taken for guarding against them .
Now, according to the statement contained in the report of Tseang -wan
king, the Judge of the Che-keang, he has determined upon taking a memo
randum of the names of the traitorous natives, and then sending them back to
their homes, and he has also directed their mandarins to put a strict restraint
upon them , and to take a bond from the constables of the place, and their
neighbours and relations, and then to hand in an account of their names.
Thus we shall act just in the same manner as the law respecting convicts that
are to be transported ordains, and we expect that the said local mandarins will
manage this matter, and the abodes of all those that do not arrive at the stated
season ought to be traced. Moreover, the mandarins should make inquiries
whether they indeed act lawlessly, and punish them with all due severity , and
likewise visit their crimes on their neighbours and relations that originally stood
security for them . Supposing attheir native places someofthem have no relations
or neighbours to stand security for them , the local mandarius are responsible for
instituting true investigations, whether or not the said traitorous natives have
not, on a previous period, been put down as villains, and if there is any evidence
of their wickedness, the said constables ought to bring the case forward , and on
 18


their guilt and transgression being proved, we shall direct that they be,
according to truth, prosecuted for their old crimes .
I, your slave , have minutely looked over the regulations that have been
arranged by the said Judge, which I consider very apposite ; and besides
directing him to manage this business, in accordance with the resolutions agreed
upon , and to communicate these orders to the local officers, that they may do
their duty, and institute inquiries, without gradually getting remiss, I hereby
annex this postscript to my report, which I respectfully present for perusal.

No. 6 .

Mr. Davis to the Eurl of Aberdeen.- ( Received May 6.)
My Lord , Victoria, Hong Kong, January 16, 1845.
WITH reference to my despatch of the 10th instant, I have the satisfac
tion to inclose copy of a letter from Consul Alcock at Amoy, reporting that the
Chinese who had been seized were restored to liberty, and the plundered property
returned .
I have every reason to believe that this was the result of the remonstrance
addressed by me to Keying, on the proceeding of the Amoy mandarins, forming
Inclosure No. 2 in despatch above mentioned .
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS.



Inclosure in No. 6 .

Consul Alcock to Mr. Davis .

Sir, Amoy, January 10, 1845.
IN reference to my letter dated 3rd January, 1845, I have the honour to
inform you , that on the 8th instant I received an official communication from
the Taoutae, a copy of which I inclose, stating that the Chinese prisoner had
been liberated, and the wood restored, and further assuring me that the man had
not suffered any ill-treatment, as had been reported .
It does not appear that the parties who thus took the law into their own
hands by seizing Keang-yin have been punished ; but, under the circumstances,
the redress afforded, although tardy, is so far satisfactory, that it is aa distinct
admission on the part of the authorities of my right to claim protection for any
Chinese in the employment of the British from unmerited aggression ; this being a
point which the Intendant was disposed in the first instance to dispute.
I have, &c.
( Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK.



No. 7 .

Mr. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen .— (Received August 2.)
My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, April 4, 1845.
I REGRET to have to forward to your Lordship the inclosed documents
relating to a most aggravated assault by some of the people of Canton, on
Mr. Vice -Consul Jackson and Messrs. Martin and Stanton, as these gentlemen
were inoffensively walking on the outside of the city.
The condition of the English at the provincial capital is such as to call
for a permanent remedy, wereit only to prevent the chances ofsome breach in
our amicable relations with China. The insolence of the people is very much
promoted by our degrading exclusion from the interior of the city, in which my
 19

predecessor acquiesced, under an assurance from the Imperial Commissioner that
it should be only temporary.
I accordingly felt myself called upon to address the Inclosure No. 3 to
Keying, drawing his attention to the provisions of the very first Article of the
Treaty, and calling for the condign punishment of those persons who had so grossly
violated it. As the evident desire of the Chinese Government is to render the
exclusion from the city of Canton permanent, under the convenient plea of the
people's wishes, it would be highly satisfactory to me to be furnished with your
Lordship's views as to the degree of weight which I should be justified in
attaching to the removal of this old and degrading distinction between Chinese
and foreigners.
I regret to say that a circumstance well calculated to encourage the
ill - conduct of both the local authorities, and the people of Canton , is to see our
naval squadron in China reduced to two sailing vessels, and one effective steamer
its actual amount; while the minimum force mentioned by Sir William Parker
himself consisted of five sailing vessels and a steamer.
Inclosure No. 4 was the reply returned by the Governor of Canton tothe
Consul's representation concerning the late outrage, and I have since received
from Keying Inclosure No. 5. He readily promises the punishment of the
criminals ; but the old argument is repeated for excluding foreigners from the
city, viz., the disposition of the people. I have succeeded in defeating the
adoption of this plea at Foo -chow - foo, and with the sanction of Her Majesty's
Government I would undertake to do the same at Canton, where I hesitate only
on account of the acquiescence of Sir Henry Pottinger, on the ground, as before
observed, of the exclusion being only temporary, according to Keying's own
assurance to that effect.
I have, &c.
(Signed ) J. F. DAVIS.


Inclosure 1 in No. 7 .

Consul Macgregor to Mr. Davis.
Sir, Canton, March 19, 1845..
I HAVE the honour to lay before your Excellency the copy of a repre
sentation addressed to me conjointly by Mr. Montgomery Martin, the Rev. V.
Stanton, and Mr. Jackson, detailing theparticulars of anoutrage and robbery
committed upon them whilst walking for exercise in these suburbs. From the
violent gesticulations and behaviour of the rabble, who were aided and
encouraged by those on the rampart, it appears evident that, but for the extreme
forbearance practised by the complainants, the most serious results must have
ensued, some of the robbers being armed with two-handed swords and daggers,
and others with heavy sticks. I am preparing a statement of the affair for his
Excellency Hwang, who is now raised to the rank of Lieutenant-Governor, and,
in the meantime, have requested the attendance of Woo for the purpose of
informing him of it verbally, that no time may be lost in tracing out the indi
viduals concerned in the robbery and violence, and in endeavouring to recover
the property stolen .
I have, &c.
(Signed) FRANCIS C. MACGREGOR.


Inclosure 2 in No. 7.

Messrs. Martin, Jackson, and Stanton to Consul Macgregor.
Sir, Canton , March 18, 1845 .
ABOUT 7 o'clock this morning, while walking for exercise along the
north wall , on the outside of the city, we were attacked by several Chinese, who
had been following us, and increasing in numbers from the building known to
foreigners as the five-storied Pagoda. At first they commenced with throwing
stones, whichendangered our lives, and by some of which we were struck. This
attack was aided and encouraged by a number of Chinese, who followed us along
 20


the top of the city wall, hurling large stones, which , if they had struck, would
have killed those at whom they were aimed .
Mr. Jackson was first attacked by men brandishing swords and daggers, his
arms pinioned , and his gold chain snatched from his neck. The Rev. Mr.
Stanton and Mr. Martin, perceiving that Mr. Jackson was not following,
returned to aid him , and were themselves seized ; one of the assailants thrust a
dagger at Mr. Martin's breast, two endeavoured to throw him on the ground ,
and while struggling with them his pockets were rified. The same course was
pursued with Mr. Jackson and Mr. Stanton . The latter lost his watch, the
former still retained his, but everything else was taken . The assailants then leſt
us, but the persons on the wall followed us for some time, hurling large stones
and using menacing gestures and opprobrious language.
Proceeding southward, beneath the wall, to reach the river side, we were
again followed and attacked by another party ; Mr. Jackson received a violent
blow on his chest, and a roof was torn up to furnish large sticks to the assailants.
In this attack Mr. Jackson was deprived of his watch ; our clothes were torn ,
and at one time the people were disposed to strip us. No resistance was offered ,
it was hopeless to have attempted it, not only by reason of the numbers and
weapons of the multitude, but also on account of the attack on us from the
watch -tower and along the walls.
The outrage was entirely unprovoked ; our own official character and the
presence of a minister of religion was a guarantee for peaceful conduct; and had
his presence not restrained Mr. Jackson and Mr. Martin , bloodshed might
probably have ensued . Reaching a more populous part of the suburbs, we
rested a moment, and then proceeded home, but not unfrequently hearing
opprobrious epithets, mingled with cries of “ Kill them , kill them .”
From no nation in Europe would British subjects suffer this treatment ;
there can be no excuse for tolerating a continuance of such conduct towards us
in China, and we think that there cannot be a doubt that the Chinese Govern
ment have it in their power effectually to put a stop not only to the personal
insults which the English daily experience, but also to prohibit effectually the
repetition of the injuries we have experienced. By our prohibition to enter the
city of Canton, the lower classes of the Chinese are encouraged to regard us as
inferiors , and to treat us with marked contumely. No measures that we are
aware of have everbeen taken by the authorities to prevent the constant insults
to which the British community are subjected, and which, instead of diminishing
by time, or being subdued by acts of kindness, seem to become more frequent
and more virulent.
Anxiously desirous tomaintain peace and to promote amity, we make this
l'epresentation, believing that unless the Chinese authorities remedy the evils
complained of, the most serious consequences must inevitably, and ere long,
ensue .
We have, &c.
(Signed) R. M. MARTIN, Treasurer at Hong Kong,
and one of Her Majesty's Council in that
Colony.
R. B. JACKSON , Her Britannic Majesty's
Vice- Consul at Canton .
VINCENT STANTON , Her Britannic Majesty's
Chaplain at Hong Kong.

Articles of which the Restitution is required .
A watch, capped with brass, and double cased in gold. Cost 85 dollars.
A watch, capped with brass, and double cased in silver. Valued at 45
dollars.
A gold chain and gold seal, with armorial bearings. Cost 15 dollars ,
A gold pencil-case, Cornelian top.. Cost 12 dollars.
A bunch of keys , and two small keys.
A silver -mounted walking -cane. Value 5 dollars .
A silk purse studded with steel beads.
 21



Inclosure 3 in No. 7.

Mr. Davis to Commissioner Keying.

Victoria, Hong Kong, March 22, 1845.
I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency that I have received a
despatch from Mr. Consul Macgregor at Canton, detailing a most atrocious
outrage and insult committed by some of the Chinesc people against Her
Majesty's Vice- Consul and two other official gentlemen. The Consul inform.s
methat he has addressed his Excellency Governor Hwang, requiring reparation
against the miscreants who were guilty of the unprovoked attacks on those
gentlemen ; but this is so serious a national question, and connected with
such momentous considerations, that I am obliged to take it up myself.
The very first Article of the Treaty provides that the subjects of Her
Majesty the Queen, and His Majesty the Emperor of China, “ shall enjoy full
security and protection for their persons and property within the dominions of
each other." This attack at Canton was not only against British subjects, but
official persons , one of them the Vice -Consul. I have therefore to call upon
your Excellency to display your sincere desire to preserve good faith and main
tain the terms of the Treaty, by dealing such punishment upon the guilty
persons as the law of China awards against those who attack and wound officers
of Government. The property taken is of very little comparative consequence,
though it will easily lead to the conviction of the offenders. What I have prin
cipally to call for is the condign punishment of the ruffians who made the
cowardly and barbarous attack on three unarmed gentlemen, and I cannot deem
myself satisfied unless they are publicly punished, and unless Mr. Consul
Macgregor has full personal cognizance of their punishment.
This event, and the daily insults to which British subjects at Canton are
exposed, are mainly the consequences of their being still excluded very improperly
from the city of Canton, by which therabble are led to despise foreigners as a
proscribed or inferior people. I am fully persuaded that my Government will
not allow me to acquiesce long in this state of things, which your Excellency on
the 9th July, 1843, informed my predecessor, Sir Henry Pottinger, should be
only temporary. However exemplary the moderation and forbearance hitherto
displayed by the great nation which I have the honour to represent, those princi
ples of equality and of mutual rights which were established in 1842 must be
maintained, and it would be idle to expect continued harmony on any other
terms .

I have directed Mr. Consul Macgregor to keep me fully informed of the
progress of this business from day to day , and I hope that your Excellency will
see the necessity of satisfying me in my just demands for public reparation.
I take this opportunity of renewing to your Excellency the expressions of
my high consideration .
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS.



Inclosure 4 in No. 7 .

Declaration .
(Translation .)
HWANG , Governor of Kwang -tung and á Vice-President of the Board of
War, hereby makes a declaration in reply .
I have received a statement from the Consuls concerned, of the various
particulars (relative to) the English officers, Martin and others, three persons,,
having been robbed of their (foreign) watches and other articles, and having had
their clothes torn, been beaten and insulted by (certain) Chinese of the lower
orders, from the perusal of which (the matter appears) exceedingly worthy of deep
felt indignation. On examining into this case, I find, that I had already heard
of it. I find, on examination , that a representation of the District Magistrate
of Pwan -yu has been received, stating that he " has apprehended one of the
E
 22

robber vagabonds, Chin -a -gan, whom he is now vigorously interrogating about
his companions, in order that they may be apprehended upon proof according to
their names, and the stolen property recovered and given to the custody (of the
proper parties) , & c .,” which is on record.
Now, having received the Consul's statement, 1 have again given strict
ordersto the said District Magistrate, to depute additional and able runners, who
must, in conjunction with the soldiers of the (proper) military station, seize, (and
bring before) the tribunal, the vagabonds who robbed, beat, and insulted the
English officers, for correction according to the laws, in order to be a warning
for the future, and also recover and return to the original owners the articles
lost.
Besides communicating with Ke, the High Imperial Commissioner, (that he
may) , in like manner, give orders for the apprehension (of these vagabonds ), it is
fitting that as a preliminary step, I make a declaration in reply to the said
Consul to be communicated by him to the three English officers, that they may
may make themselves acquainted therewith .
An especial declaration .
March 21 , 1845 .




Inclosure 5 in No. 7 .

Commissioner Keying and Governor Hwang to Mr. Davis.
( Translation .)
KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c.; Hwang, Lieutenant-Governor
of Kwang-tung, &c. , send the following answer :
We just received a letter from you , the Honourable Envoy, in which you
complain about the insult and injury done by the natives to the Vice-Consul and
two English officers, and request that these villains should be severely punished
according to the Chinese laws.
This case has already been represented by Consul Macgregor, and I , the
Lieutenant-Governor, immediately gave directions to the district military to
dispatch the most able soldiers for seizing (those ruffians) , and recovering the
plunder, and to punish them most severely as soon as they were apprehended .
The soldiers then reported that they had already seized one villain, Chin -aton,
who on being put to toiture would not betray his associates. Some of the
plunder, however, is recovered, viz., a gold - cased watch , which an official
messenger transmitted to the Vice -Consul to identify the same, and he having
found it to be the original article, has taken ( the watch ), as is on record.
We, the Great Minister and Lieutenant Governor, perceive that it is very
lawless for natives to wish to beat English officers, and rob them of their watches
and other articles ; fortunately, however, the British functionaries defended
themselves well, and thus were not wounded , which consoles us, the Great
Minister and the Lieutenant-Governor , in some measure. These villanous
natives ought to be seized and punished with severity, in order to deter others
from imitating their bad examples.
We have therefore again strictly ordered the local, civil, and military autho
rities, to adopt means for the seizure of those villains, that they may be punished
according to Chinese laws, and at the same time likewise take measures for
recovering the lost articles ; and as soon as they are obtained , they will be sent
to the Vice -Consul to examine and receive them . This is the previous answer
we forward to you, the Honourable Envoy.
Respecting the entering into the city, we, the Great Minister and Lieutenant
Governor, have again and again with your predecessor Pottinger consulted and
expressed ourselves very explicitly. We also suppose that you, the Honourable
Envoy, are fully acquainted with this circumstance. We, the Great Minister
and Lieutenant-Governor, entertain no other view in this affair, but that (dictated )
by the disposition of the Canton populace, which renders it impossible, and it is
not necessary to reiterate the same (argument).
If you , the Honourable Envoy, will give directions to the Consul and others,
 23

to make inquiries with the Chinese merchants and linguists in the neighbourhood,
you will be convinced that this is the cause.
Whilst wishing you an increasing happiness, we address this important com
munication, &c.
month,, 22nd
Taoukwang, 25th year, 2nd month day. (March 29 , 1815.)
22nd day.


No. 8 .

The Earl of Aberdeen to Sir J. Davis.

Sir, Foreign Office, August 8, 1845.
I HAVE read much concern the particulars of the assault on Mr. Vice
Consul Jackson and his companions at Canton, as reported in your despatch
of the 4th of April ; but it is satisfactory to find that the Chinese authorities
exerted themselves for the detection and punishment of the offenders,
It would certainly be desirable to obtain free access to the city of Canton,
and I am prepared to sanction your attempts in that respect. Much prudence,
however, will be required in dealing with the question , and probably there is
more ground for the apprehensions of the Chinese authorities with regard to the
difficulty of controlling the populace at Canton than experience has shown to
have been the case at Foo- chow-foo . But those authorities seem to have the
power, when they have the inclination, to keep the people in order ; and when
they are made to perceive that the responsibility of any breach of the peace
committed by the people will fall upon themselves, they may be expected to
take effectual measures to prevent such an occurrence.
On the other hand, at all events in the outset, it would be incumbent on
British subjects, in gaining access to Canton, to avoid, as much as possible,
placing themselves in situations which might give occasion to disturbance.
With these observations, then , I leave the matter in your hands, merely
cautioning you to conduct any discussion with Keying on the subject with the
utmost temper, and on every account to avoid pushing matters to the extremity
of interrupting the free course of trade in the Canton waters.
I am , &c.
(Signed ) ABERDEEN .



No. 9 .

Mr. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen.— (Received August 21.)

My Lord , Victoria, Hong Kong , April 24, 1845.
IN continuation of the subject of my despatch of the 4th instant, I
have the honour to inclose a reply to the joint letter of the High Commissioner
and Governor, in which they continued to refuse the privilege of ingress to
the city of Canton, on the ground of the people's will .
I show that the impediments in question were solemnly promised to Sir
Henry Pottinger by Keying to be removed within a reasonable time. Nearly
two years have now elapsed during which this invidious and mischievous
distinction between foreigners and natives has existed, placing the former under
the ban of the latter, with the sanction of the Local Government. The people
of Canton deridingly defy the Europeans to enter the city as the latter pass the
gates, and this of course feeds and keeps up the insolence of the Chinese, and
perpetuates the degradation of the strangers Nothing of the kind exists at any
other port ; and it will not be easy to find a sufficient inducement for the
Chinese Government to remove a bar which they silently approve, should its
removal be deferred until after the restoration of Chusan. I only require the
sanction of Her Majesty's Government, for which there is abundant time, and
will pledge myself tocarry the point if supported by that sanction . Article XII
of the Treaty of Nanking expressly stipulates as one condition of the restoration
of Chusan, that “ the arrangements at the ports shall be completed,” which can
E 2
 24


scarcely be deemed to be the case as long as this important point is unsettled at
Canton .
In a memorandum which I furnished to the Foreign Office in December
1842, I foretold that much difficulty was to be apprehended in establishing
desirable relations at Canton, where " old established habits have to be subdued.
and old feelings combatted ;” and this difficulty was enhanced by the forbearance
of Sir Hugh Gough to the armed multitude, which (as already observed by me
to your Lordship ) hung on his rear during his occupation of the heights, causing
them most absurdly to attribute that forbearance to fear.
The mischievous effects of the exclusion from the city are so universally
obvious to every one in this country, that the American Consul has used the
strongest remonstrances in his power, but without any means of gaining his
point, or chance of being attended to.
Inclosure No. 2 is a communication from Keying, which I shall publish,
conveying the satisfactory information that six of the natives who had assaulted
Vice -Consul Jackson and his companions had been duly punished. In acknow
ledging this by Inclosure 3 , I took occasion to notice a very improper draft of a
proclamation to the people of Canton by the District Magistrate (Inclosure 4), a
copy of which was sent to me by Consul Macgregor, with some just remarks as
to its false and derogatory statements, representing the Vice-Consul and his
companions as traders, and putting them altogether on a footing with the rabble
by whom they were attacked. I inform the high officers of my conviction that
they could not have authorized a paper of such evil tendency, and request them
to cause a viore fitting notice to be issued .
I am subjected to much obloquy on account of the moderation of my
measures by a party of the English in this country, and require all the open
support of Her Majesty's Government to make my position such as it
should be.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS .


Inclosure 1 in No. 9 .

Mr. Davis to Commissioner Keying and Governor Hwang.
Victoria, Hong Kong, April 7, 1815.
I HAVE had the honour to receive your Excellencies' joint despatch on
t'ie subject of the outrage on three English officers. It is satisfactory to learn
that some of the robbed articles have been recovered, but this is trifling compared
with the exemplary punishment of the criminals. The watches, &c. , having
been found , it will not be difficult to trace the robbers, of whose punishment
your Excellencies promise to inform me hereafter, for which I feel much
indebted.
With regard to entering the city of Canton, both my predecessor and
myself have led our Government to understand that the exclusion was only
temporary in 1843. The Imperial Commissioner thus wrote to Sir Henry
Pottinger: “ The High Commissioner has now, in conjunction with the Governor
General and Governor, commanded all local magistrates and other officers to
adopt measures for inculcating a better spirit ; and he only waits until the port
is opened and commerce in progress , when all parties settling into a state of
quiet , shall meet together to consult within the city, whenever business may call
them thither. If there be the slightest falsehood in this, may the Highest
regard it.” This was a very solemn declaration, and I cannot for a moment
suppose that his Excellency the Imperial Commissioner was otherwise than
sincere. The peace having now been concluded more than two years, the time
must soon arrive when no objection can exist. The natural disposition of the
people of Canton is towards commerce and mutual intercourse, and if not
purposely encouraged and led astray, as before the war, it is plain that they
will act like the people at Shanghae, Ningpo, and other places.
But admitting that some portion of the ignorant rabble are disposed to act
disorderly, it would not be right to impair the friendly feeling of the two nations
on their account. The Treaty of Peace and Friendship must be observed on
the part of the Chinese Government in deed as well as in word, or your Excel
 25


lencies cannot, with propriety, quote, or bring it to my notice. It cannot be at
once violated on one side, and expected to be observed on the other. To look
for the continuance of friendship, without friendly treatment, is contrary to
human nature .. It is therefore very desirable that the invidious and highly
objectionable exclusion of foreigners from the city of Canton be removed as
speedily as possible .
The High Commissioner very correctly remarked, in his official commu
nication to Sir Henry Pottinger : “ The two nations are now at peace,, without
the slightest ground for jar or altercation. What difference, therefore, can there
be between the inside and the outside of the city ? When , too, Ningpo,
Foo-chow, Shanghae, &c., may be entered , why should Canton be solitary in
this respect ? ”
I quite agree in these just sentiments of his Excellency, and it is m
anxiety to promote the continuance of friendly intercourse that dictates the
present despatch.
With sentiments of high consideration, I have, &c.
(Signed ) J. F. DAVIS .


Inclosure 2 in No. 9 .

Commissioner Keying and Governor Hwang to Mr. Davis.
( Translation .)
KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c. , Hwang, Lieutenant Governor
of Kwang- tung, & c ., send the following answer.
>


We have made ourselves fully acquainted with the contents of a letter from
you, the Honourable Envoy, respecting the robbery committed upon some British
officers.
To settle this case , we had given orders to the local military and civil
authorities to dispatch soldiers , who have now seized the villains, Kwo-a -shun,
Fang -a- kei, Chin-a-gan , Chang-a -shing, Laou- a-yang, and Chow -a-teem , six in
number. They also recovered a gold watch , one gold chain, one seal , one silver
pencil case, and one whip, which have been handed over by a deputed officer to
the Vice -Consul Jackson, who identified them as being the stolen articles, and
received them back , which is on record .
The six villains that were apprehended have now stood their trial . The
two, Kwo-a-shun and Fang-a-kei , have confessed that they stole the gold watch
and other articles. Laou - a -yang, and the other three, acknowledged that they
had taken up stones and pelted (the English officers), and did by no means deny
>

the fact.
The two accomplices in the robbery, Chin -a-kwei and Leatih, have not yet
been taken, nor have we found means for getting back the silver watch and
restoring the same. Such is the statement of the Pwan -yu magistrate.
I , the High Commissioner, and I, the Lieutenant Governor, perceive that
the established laws of China award 100 blows, and banishment for three years,
to those who have stolen any articles . Kwo-a -shun, therefore, and Fang-a -kei,
who stole the watch and other things, will receive 100 blows, have their faces
marked , and be sent into banishment.
As for the others who engaged in strife, but did not inflict any wounds, the
established Chinese laws would merely punish them with 30 blows. But Laou -a
yang and the others, three in number, were violent and added insult by throwing
stones. Although not inflicting any wounds, still they acted very ruthlessly,
and it would therefore be very improper only to beat them . We have, therefore,
sentenced them to the more heavy punishment of receiving 80 blows, to be
commuted into banishment .
We have, moreover, given very strict orders to apprehend with great severity,
Chin - a -kwei and the other, and to recover the silver watch , which could not yet
be found . As soon as Chin-a-kwei and the other are taken , and this case is