china — Page 5

in all their irregularities, forming settlements on shore, and securing impunity to
themselves by their own force, while the more respectable portion of Her
Majesty's subjects, within the limits of the Treaty at Canton, meet with all
manner of ill-treatment and obloquy, the Chinese Government may justly be
held responsible for the application of an effectual remedy.
I have addressed the inclosed reply to Keying, repeating my previous
arguments on this strong point.
I have, & c.
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS .



Inclosure 1 in No. 16 .

Commissioner Keying to Sir J. Davis.
( Translation .)
KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c . , sends the following reply.
From a despatch of Consul Macgregor it appeared that some officers of the
steamer had gone on shore (here follow the contents of that letter). I therefore
sent orders to the local officers to keep the villagers of that place under proper
constraint, as is on record.
On the receipt of a communication from the Honourable Envoy, I directed
some mandarins to proceed thither and investigate the affair. These officers
subsequently reported, that they had hastened to Whampoa accordingly, but
previously had an interview on board his vessel with the officer, Mr. St. Croix,
and others. From them they learned that several officers had, with some men,
gone on shore to obtain birds, to which the villagers were opposed. The officers
then brought a linguist, and proceeded with the deputed mandarins to that
village to institute inquiries . This proved to be the territory of Shik -tow -tsuy,
about ten le distant from Whampoa , and from the anchorage of the steamer
three le. There are in that neighbourhood about seventeen villages and hamlets
adjoining each other, and the popnlation is very dense. They went on shore at
the entrance of the canal of Shik-tow-tsuy, to the eastward of Leih -shating, and
the officers pointed out the great street of three villages of about five le,down
to the lower village of Pih-tang, saying that this was the place where stones had
been thrown at them by the inhabitants, who had pursued and driven them
away . This being ascertained , the officers returned to their vessel .
The deputed officers then ordered the elders and gentry of the village to
assemble to institute an investigation. They stated that there were constantly
people who came on shore from the foreign vessels, that were at anchor near
Whampoa, to walk about, but they never went far, nor entered the villagers.
Hence mutual quietness had reigned for a considerable time . But on the 9th
day of the present month (4th February) there came all on a sudden above ien
 42

English officers and men with fowling -pieces, and advanced to the eastward of
Shating, the large street of Pih -tang and other villages. They traversed every
place, and frightened the women in the villages to the great regret of every one.
Being apprehensive of some disturbance they (the elders) expelled them , whilst
some took up stones and threw at them , to inspire fear, without, however,
hurting any one. They, on their part, kept (the multitude) in check, prevented
them (from doing mischief), and dispersed the crowd . Such was the evidence
given .
One of the Articles of the Supplementary Treaty stipulates, that the English
should not go at random to villages, and walk about at their pleasure. Now the
officers took many people with them , carrying fire -arms, and venturing the
distance of five le , from the entrance of the Shik -tow -tsuy canal to Pih-tang and
other villages, wandering everywhere about, terrifying the women of the villages,
and causing universal regret, and they were therefore stopped to prevent
mischief; but the stones were merely thrown to frighten them , and not to
inflict injury. Still this was wrong, and the elders and gentry were, therefore,
ordered to do their duty in restraining the populace with all rigour. If, in future,
any Englislımen enter into the villages , the former ought to act in conformity to
the Treaty, and must not wantonly throw stones to affect the existing harmony
and good feeling.
On receiving the report, and examining the case, we agreed that the
suggestions of the said deputed officers, being the result of their clear investi
gation , should be carried into effect. Severe orders are now issued to the local
officers to keep the villagers in check .
You , the Honourable Envoy, ought likewise to command the British officer
to exercise control over English subjects . Thus the Treaty will be strictly
observed on both sides, and we shall live together in undisturbed harmony and
friendship.
Whilst forwarding this answer, I wish you every happiness.
Taoukwang, 26th year, 1st month, 26th day. ( February 21 , 1846. )


Inclosure 2 in No. 16 .

Sir J. Davis to Commissioner Keyiug.

Victoria, Hong Kong, February 25, 1846 .
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's
despatch, stating that officers had been deputed to Whampoa concerning the
attack on Captain Giffard .
I regret that your Excellency should have had so much trouble about this
business, but at the same time must think that, the assailants not having been
punished, there is no security against the recurrence of similar attacks.
}




The
officers of Her Majesty's ship went ashoremerely for their amusement in shooting
wild birds, and gave no molestation to the people. In no friendly country are
they obliged to confine themselves to their ships.
I have already addressed a note to your Excellency, showing that while
the lawless smugglers of opium on the outside of the port form settlements at
Namoa and Kumsingmoon, upon the Chinese territory, building houses and
making roads, the respectable British subjects who enter the authorized port
are exposed to all kinds of ill treatment and obloquy, and the offenders are not
punished.
Your Excellency speaks of living together in undisturbed harmony and
friendship, and my wish is exactly the same. But my countrymen are not
accustomed to ill usage, either in their own country or in any other. When
they see that the Government of China cannot or will not protect them from
wanton molestation, they will naturally be inclined to right themselves, and
inevitable disorder will be the result .
They see the opium smugglers allowed to form settlements ashore on
the outside of the port, while within the port, and within the limits settled by
Treaty , they themselves enjoy neither freedom of movement nor security of
person.
I have often repeated to your Excellency that the illicit trade in opium,
 43

under the connivance of the mandarins, is the source of innumerable evils .
Were the trade legalized, the whole of the foreign ships would be collected
within the five ports, under the control of the Consuls. They would all pay
tonnage dues, and about 2,000,000 dollars would easily be collected on the
opium .
At present this profit is obtained by corrupt officers of Government, the
ships wander to all parts of the coast, and the smugglers form settlements on
shore. While this is openly connived at, I cannot interfere ; but, were the
trade legalized, I could secure the due control of all the vessels. Since commo
dities could then be given in exchange for opium , Sycee silver would no longer
flow out of the country, and a mutual good understanding would be for ever
preserved.
I renew, &c .
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS .



No. 17 .

The Earl of Aberdeen to Sir J. Davis.
Sir, Foreign Office, April 24 , 1846.
I HAVE read with some regret the account contained in your despatches
of the 24th and 25th of February, of the correspondence in which you have
been involved with the Chinese authorities, in consequence of the attack
made upon Captain Giffard and his party by some villagers near Whampoa. I
am far from being satisfied that the Chinese authorities might not have retorted
upon you, by a complaint that Captain Giffard had rendered himself amenable
to reproof for having wandered into the country, contrary to the spirit, if not to
letter, of the Treaty, which prescribes limits to the excursions of British subjects
at the five ports ; and at all events I cannot coincide in the line of argument
which you appear to have used , that because the Chinese Government oflicers
allow in some instances British subjects to disregard the Treaty , by settling in
parts of the country other than those specified in theTreaty, British subjects in
other quarters may find in that negligence a sufficient justification for over
steppping the bounds prescribed to them in the Treaty.
I consider it extremely important, especially at the present moment in the
vicinity of Canton, that British subjects should be cautioned to use the utmost
circumspection in all their proceedings, and although it would certainly be very
desirable, on every account, that greater freedom of intercourse with the interior
should be allowed to British subjects than they at present enjoy , I still conceive
that it would be better to submit to some temporary inconvenience, rather than
provoke the jealousy of an ignorant populace, by aiming at more than we are
strictly entitled by Treaty to exact.
I am, & c.
( Signed ) ABERDEEN .



No. 18 .

Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen.— (Received June 23.)

My Lord , Victoria, Hong Kong, April 23 , 1846 .
I HAVE the honour to forward, herewith , to your Lordship, two despatches
which I have received from Mr. Consul Alcock , at Foo - chow - foo, detailing the
circumstances of a serious riot which took place in the suburbs of that town,
and in which some Englishmen and some Canton Chinese were concerned.
It is well known that the Canton and Fokien Chinese are almost different
races, unable to understand each other's spoken language, and that they seldom
meet together without unpleasant collision. They are at the same time
remarkable as being the most turbulent and ungovernable of Chinese subjects.
For these reasons, it is unfortunate that so many Canton men should have
accompanied British residents to that place, being, of course, useful as the only
 44


Chinese at present acquainted with the English language, or accustomed to
serve them as cooks, & c.
At the time of the disturbance, Her Majesty's ship “ Dædalus ” was in the
river, but Mr. Alcock had so little apprehension regarding either himself or
the other residents that he allowed her to sail with Inclosure No. 1 to my
address, informing me that he had written for Her Majesty's brig “ Espiègle
from Amoy .
In the same despatch your Lordship will observe Mr. Alcock states, as bis
opinion, that there is “ no hostility whatever against the English, save in so far
as they identify themselves with a rabble of Canton men of the worst character
hanging about the suburbs, and with acts of aggression or altercation originating
with their Canton servants — the cause of the disturbance in the presentinstance,
as far as I can ascertain ."
Mr. Alcock seemsto have acted with great prudence throughout, and he
speaks in high terms of the Chinese authorities , who were no doubt alarmed for
the general peace..
In his second despatch, dated five days later, the Consul states that a band
of Chinese plunderers, who as usual took advantage of the disturbance, attacked
the residence of two Englishmen in their absence, and effectually cleared it of
all property. Many of these criminals had been seized by the authorities, with
about 2,700 dollars of the plunder. The principal offenders would be decapi
tated, and full indemnity for the whole of the plundered property was promised
by the Chinese Government.
As no lives were lost, these occurrences are unfortunate chiefly as they may
operate against Foo -chow -foo as a place of residence and trade , and add to the
prejudices already existing. In the meanwhile it is satisfactory to reflect that
the greatest reliance may be placed on the prudence and firmness of the Consul ,
who seems, by the inclosures in his despatch, to be on the best terms with the
Local Government, and cooperating by their desire, at the time he last wrote, in
the investigation of the evidence on both sides.
I have, &c .
( Signed ) J. F. DAVIS.


Inclosure 1 in No. 18.

Consul Alcock to Sir J. Davis.

Sir , Foo- chow -foo, April 1 , 1846 .
I HAVE the honour to inclose a despatch I have felt it necessary to address
to the officer commanding Her Majesty's ship “ Espiègle ," at Amoy, calling upon
him to afford such support to Her Majesty's Consul at this port, as the presence
of a brig of war is calculated to give. I am unable to furnish your Excellency
with any details to be depended upon , until further investigation has been made,
but I trust in a few days to be better informed, when I shall dispatch an express,
in duplicate, by Amoy and Canton. In the meantime, although I am bound to
state there is great excitement — the shops in the suburbs having been closed,
and still continue so, partially — and the English residents in the suburbs are
greatly alarmed, and about to leave for the vessels at the mouth of the river, I
consider these fears exaggerated, and have no apprehension for my own security
here, nor that of the members of the Consular establishment at Nan-tae. I
cannot give a stronger, or, to me, a more satisfactory, proof of the accuracy of
this opinion, than the fact that Mr. Walker has come up to the Consulate this
morning, and was unconscious of the existence of any scrious disturbance, until
informed on his arrival here. He found a crowd round Mr. Glen's hong, but
met with no interruption . I am satisfied that there is no hostility whatever
against the English, save in so far as they identify themselves with a rabble of
Canton men of the worst character, hanging about the suburbs ; and with acts
of aggression or altercations originating with their Canton servants — the cause
of the disturbance in the present instance , so far as I can ascertain. It is satis
factory to me to state, that the authorities have been in constant communication
with me, and have shown the strongest desire to maintain order, and to ensure
the safety of Mr. Glen and his establishment, against whom the popular clamour
is directed,
 45


Mr. Glen , I learn with regret, requires surgical assistance, and was about to
leave for the Woo -foo -mun Pass, against which step , depriving me of the means
of duly examining into the affair, the authorities have very reasonably remon
strated . I have, in consequence, laid my injunctions upon Mr. Glen not to
leave the port, and have, moreover, offered him asylum here, where alone he
can obtain surgical assistance ; and the magistrate undertakes to accompany him
here, and secure him from all molestation. I have also directed Mr. Glen to
send away all his servants who are implicated in the fracas, to wait further
orders at the Woo-foo-mun Pass; and the authorities will put an officer in
charge, and be responsible for the safety of his goods. I trust these measures
may be approved by your Excellency.
I have, & c.
(Signed ) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK .




Inclosure 2 in No. 18 .

Consul Alcock to Sir J. Davis.


Sir, Foo -chow -foo, April 6, 1846.
REFERRING to my despatch of the 1st of April, written during the
prevalence of great excitement on the part of the Chinese population and the
British residents in the suburbs, I have now the satisfaction of reporting to your
Excellency that order has been restored without loss of life, although personal
injuries have been received, and some loss of property has ensued , from the
sacking of a hong inhabited by two British subjects.
The inclosed copies of notifications addressed to the British community of
Foo- chow , of three proclamations issued by the Governor-General and the
Lieutenant-Governor, and of correspondence between the latter officer and
myself, will place the whole of the circumstances, so far as they are yet known ,
before your Excellency, and at the same time correctly explain the present state
of affairs .
On the 7th instant I shall proceed to take evidence, in reference to the part
taken by the British and the members of their respective establishments, imme
diately prior to the outbreak of popular feeling, and during the prevalence of
overt acts of hostility. On the following day I purpose proceeding with the
Lieutenant-Governor and the District Magistrates to examine the evidence
brought forward by the Chinese on the opposite side. In a short time,
therefore, I may reasonably hope to be enabled to communicate such further
information as may seem needful clearly to explain whatever may now be
doubtful.
As some anxiety may, however, be experienced at Hong Kong, if any report
may have preceded this despatch, I consider it expedient to put your Excellency
at once in possession of the more important intelligence, that all is quiet, and no
further cause of alarm exists .
I will merely observe by way of comment, that this series of disturbances,
whiclı, during the 31st March and 1st April, assumed a very formidable aspect,
seem to have taken their origin from such trivial causes, that I cannot but
conceive feelings of irritation and hostility must have previously existed, and for
a long period. The recent events have, however, only served to confirm my
opinion that to the English themselves, the people of Foo -chow are not hostile.
Even during the highest excitement, after blows had been struck on both sides,
and blood had flowed , for several hours Messrs. Roper and Hacket traversed the
crowd repeatedly during the night, first to gain Mr. Glen's hong, and subse
quently in search of two missing scrvants, and they were not molested. The
following morning, three hours before an attack was made upon Mr. Glen's hong,
and the residence of the parties above mentioned was sacked and plundered,
Mr.Walker passed through thecrowd and traversed the whole of the suburbswithout
insult or interruption. A day later, after fire-arms had been used by Canton
men forcing their way to Mr. Glen's hong, and two of the crowd had been
wounded, Mr. Meredith , in a similar manner, camefrom Nan - tae to the Consulate
H
 46

in the city. These facts furnish , I think , the most conclusive evidence in
support of the opinion I have expressed . On the evening of the 1st April, the
Governor -General, communicating to me the measures he had taken and had in
view for the protection of property and restoration of order, politely intimated
his intention of sending a guard to the Consulate, which I immediately declined,
stating, that I was satisfied the people of Foo -chow entertained no hostile feelings
to the members of Her Majesty's Consulate, and that I held myself perfectly
secure from molestation, and was otherwise unwilling to give such evidence of
a want of confidence I did not feel. The result fully justified this course, during
the whole of the period ;while the most alarming accounts were being brought in
hourly from Chinese and British, no intruder appeared at the Consulate.
As regards the authorities, I have much satisfaction in stating that they
have given every proof of a friendly spirit, and a determination not only to put
down the disturbances with a strong arm , but to the utmost of their ability to
protect the British in their persons and their property . Several of the inferior
officers and soldiers received injuries in defending Mr. Glen's hong after the two
men had been shot by the Canton servants . After the first émeute, in which
Mr. Glen received his injury, 300 men were ordered down, and these seeming
insufficient to disperse the mob, the force was promptly increased to 1000. If
the hong of Messrs. Roper and Hacket was not equally defended, I believe it
must be attributed to a disbelief on the part of the authorities that it was in any
danger, for all the morning that part of the suburb had been undisturbed , and
even an hour before it was reduced to a shell, the two residents passed through
the streets with Mr. Glen unmolested, for some distance, to gain their boats.
Finally, the evil not having been prevented, the officiating Lieutenant -Governor
promptly assured me that compensation should be inade for property lost. On
this point I cannot omit calling your Excellency's attention to the honourable
and disinterested assistance which two of the neighbouring shopkeepers gave to
Mr. Hacket's shroff, by receiving and keeping in safe custody a box of 3,000
dollars, a trait which I think suffices to redeem the people as a population from
any sweeping condemnation. I have indeed a strong suspicion that the attack
on the hong in question may be attributed to the knowledge the more worthless
of the population may have acquired of the fact, that treasure to a considerable
amount was to be found there , and who deemed the opportunity favourable,
under the cloak of popular hostile feeling, for appropriating such a valuable
booty. In the apprehension of the offenders , and the recovery of stolen property,
the authorities seem to have exerted the utmost diligence, and besides several
minor articles, 2,700 dollars have been seized in the hands of the plunderers or
their accomplices.
It having been my painful duty to bring under your Excellency's notice
occurrences, not more untoward in their aspect than injurious, I fear, to the
future prospects of the port, I am glad that it should nevertheless be placed in
my power , within six dàys, to give so favourable aa report of the existing state of
affairs, and the perfectly satisfactory nature of our relations with the authorities
of the place. Nor indeed are my apprehensions of the injurious effect of these
disturbances upon the prosperity of the port in the slightest degree founded
upon any impression of insecurity to life and property hereafter as the result,
but simply upon the conviction, that some time may elapse before confidence is
entirely restored even in the minds of the British residents here ; and at Hong
Kong and the other ports, recent events will in all probability serve to confirm
strong prejudices already of old date, and exercising the worst influence.
bemNotwithstanding all that is disheartening in these circumstances, it will still
earnest endeavour to extract some good from these evils, and if full
compensation can be obtained for injury sustained, friendly relations be re -estab
lished between the parties injured and the population, and signal punishment
be inflicted upon the chief actors in the scenes of riot , I shall feel that additional
security has been gained.
It is possible that the experience of the last few days may have taught both
English and Chinese a needful lesson of mutual consideration and forbearance,
may have shown to the former the impolicy and danger of too great readiness
to assume intentional offence and to resent it by unequivocal violence ; and to
the latter, the determination of their own authorities not to uphold them in acts
of wanton aggression.
results can be obtained there will be little left to regret, since no
If these
 47

life has been lost, and our own relations, friendly and commercial , will rest upon a
basis infinitely broader and firmer than they have heretofore done at this port.
Rome To this end my best efforts are now directed, and if successful, I am sure
the result will be hailed by your Excellency with much satisfaction .
I have, &c .
(Signed ) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK .




No. 19 .

Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen.-(Received July 23.)
( Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, May 8 , 1846 .
REFERRING to my despatch of 23rd April, I have the honour to report
further upon the subject of thelate riots at Foo - chow -foo.
On the 5th instant I received the inclosed from Mr. Consul Alcock, in
which he reports upon his proceedings in consequence of those unfortunate
disturbances, particularly with reference to compensation for losses sustained, of
which the schedule is subjoined to his letter.
The prospects of trade have been sufficiently unfavourable from the first
occupation of the port, and the late occurrences have rendered them much worse.
To the physical difficulties, arising from the nature of the river, and the
impossibility of approaching the city with ships of war for the protection of the
trade ( as can be effectually done at the other new ports) , are now to be added
>


them oral obstacles which have lately arisen.
It is clear that the two points absolutely indispensable are, first, the
exemplary punishment of the plunderers in the late riots ; and, secondly,
compensation from the Government for the actual losses sustained by British
subjects in the plunder of their residences.
It is to be hoped that real and tangible losses may be recovered without
difficulty ; but claims of a speculative nature, like those made by Mr. Glen >
under the head of “ inconvenience,” and of “ injury to commercial prospects,"
which at Foo -chow - foo have never been very promising, require to be more
considerately dealt with . He has, moreover, greatly vitiated such claims, if he
has quitted the port, as I understand, contrary to the Consul's advice and
invitation to remain .
Mr. Glen seems to have obtained a very incorrect version of the American
case at Canton, on which he founds his speculative claim for the sum of 50,000
dollars. The party in question , after making up an account for 10,261 dollars,
>
immediately added 100 per cent. for “ suffering and inconvenience " arising from
the losses specified, and which are usually supposed to be put an end to by the
restoration of the value.
The local authorities were so notoriously remiss on the late occasion, that
compensation for positive losses by the plunder of treasure and other effects
must, if necessary, be urged in the strongest manner ; and I shall be glad to
receive any instructions that your Lordship may deem it right to address to me
on the subject.


Inclosure 1 in No. 19.

Consul Alcock to Sir J. Davis.

Sir, Foo -chow - foo, April 29, 1846.
I HAVE the honour to inclose various documents for your Excellency's
information, referring to the recent disturbances at this port, the claims for
compensation arising out of these events, and the present aspect of affairs
here :
The proceedings of the Consular Court, held on the 7th instant, embodying
the depositions of British subjects and servants on their respective establish
H 2
 43

ments ; the evidence of the Chinese witnesses before their own authorities ; the
comments I thought it necessary to make in an official communication to the
Acting Lieutenant-Governor upon the chief facts elicited by the evidence adduced
on both sides ; and lastly , the reply of the officiating Lieutenant-Governor to
my observations, relative to the acts of violence which took place from the
28th March to the 1st April.
In my communication to the Lieutenant-Governor, I deemed it necessary
to call his attention to many circumstances of an unsatisfactory nature connected
with the events and the evidence. It was so clear that untrue statements had
been made by the Chinese witnesses, and great remissness been manifested by
the authorities during the disturbances, that I felt it incumbent upon me
strongly to express my opinion on these points. The inadequate and tardy
measures taken by the authorities for the protection of the persons and property
of British subjects, must be considered the more unpardonable after messages
from the Governor -General and officiating Lieutenant -Governor, and visits from
the subordinate authorities, hour after hour, during the prevalence of the popular
excitement, showed that they were fully alive to the serious nature of the riots
and the evil results threatened . As I had given full credit to the authorities
for good faith in the promises of vigilance and energy, and the assurances I
received of adequate steps having actually been taken , I believed myself the
more fully warranted in forcibly pressing upon the officiating Lieutenant
Governor the manifest discrepancy of the unchecked course of events, and those
reiterated reports of measures adopted to avert such mischief.
The charges against the British are limited to two of a trivial character :
1st, against some sailors of the “ Dædalus” for taking provisions without due
payment, and by force ; and 2ndly, against an English servant for striking a
Chinese porter impeding his passage. In each of these cases, parties on both
sides seem to have been blameable. The grounds of complaint against the
Chinese consist of several counts, extending from the 28th March to the 1st
April, and involve distinct charges of extreme violence and robbery on the
persons of three servants to British residents, personal injury to an English
merchant , and loss of property by the plundering with force and arms in open
day, of two hongs occupied by British subjects.
His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, in reply, sends a private commu
nication, in which he confesses that the first case of Captain Miln's servant had
not been investigated, concurs in the equitable view taken of the reparation to
be made to the Chinese who had shown cause of complaint against the English,
and deprecates the connecting these events with the inore serious disturbances
which took place on the 31st March and 1st April. The apprehension of the
party of Canton men who fired and wounded two of the crowd, and which I had
urged upon him , is slurred over, as they have been allowed to escape, and he
concludes by regretting Mr. Glen’s departure, admitting that it is very natural,
but disclaiming, on the part of the population, any feeling of hostility, and hints
at the inexpediency of writing officially during the investigation.
Since this correspondence but little progress has been made in terminating
these discussions, by the punishment of the offenders, and the settlement of the > >
claims for compensation . I fear the sudden departure of the “ Torrington "
without entering the port will not allow me to inclose copies of various letters
and documents connected with these points, but the earliest opportunity shall
be taken to place them before your Excellency. In the meantime I beg to
inclose a summary of all the claims, except Mr. Glen's, some of the details of
which are still under investigation : the amount claimed by Messrs. Hacket,
Miln , and Roper, is about 37,000 dollars, while the claim of Mr. Glen for actual
Josses, appears likely to exceed 34,000 dollars, making a total of some 70,000
dollars .
Looking to the importance of a speedy settlement of the bulk of these
claims on the spot, I have declined submitting to the local authorities demands
for compensation under any other head than that of obvious and defined losses,
actually incurred during the disturbances, or as their immediate consequence,
reserving to Her Majesty's Government the right, at any later period , of pressing
further claims under the head of personal injury and inconvenience, and injury
to commercial undertakings. The inclosed correspondence will inform your
Excellency, that Mr. Glen has preferred a claim to a large amount under each
of these heads. Under the first he claims 50,000 dollars, the sum understood
 49


to have been paid to an American merchant, under the authority of Captain
Elliott, Her Majesty's Chief Superintendent of Trade at that period, for personal
injuries and inconvenience, and under the second, 140,000 dollars.
In Mr. Glen's letter of the 8th of April, he requested my advice and opinion
on his right to claim, under the heads of loss sustained on the spot by property
destroyed, &c., and of injury to prospects and loss on commercial undertakings,
and in his letter of the 9th, he made this latter claim in form . In reply, I stated,
as my opinion, that he was fully entitled to compensation to the extent of the
loss incurred , and expressed my readiness to present a claim of this nature to the
authorities for adjustment. In reference to the claims under the second head ,
I conceived the time had not arrived for deciding what consequences might
follow the late disturbances, and that the event, as related to the interests of
foreign trade at the port, might in a great measure be influenced by the view he
himself took, and the steps he might take. Any claim of this nature I con
sidered, therefore, premature, and that it could only be equitably sustained if
the result should hereafter realize his worst fears, notwithstanding his best
exertions to secure a more favourable issue . In which event, it would be com
petent to Her Majesty's Government, to take such steps as inight seem expedient
in prosecution of a claim under this head .
Having declined entering into any discussion with the local authorities upon
claims under these two heads,* it is unnecessary to occupy your Excellency's
time by observations on the amount specified. As claims of this nature cannot
be based upon any distinct series of facts, by which an actual loss or injury to a
certain and definite amount can be proved , they are always open to question,
and can only be satisfactorily arranged when there are plenary powers for nego
tiation , and when the relations of the two countries, as well as the circumstances
affecting individual interests, can be kept in view.
In reference to the schedules furnished by the claimants for losses sustained,
I have pointed out to his Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor that they have
been made out with as much minuteness as could , under the circumstances, be
required ; and , from the total loss of property (including books and papers) ,
little collateral evidence could be expected , or reasonably insisted upon. The
amount of treasure , together with the articles in possession at the time when the
hongs were forcibly entered and plundered, having been sworn to, this, under
the circumstances, appeared to be the only evidence to be depended upon, and
to afford that guarantee for the truth and accuracy of the statements which the
law of England provides in the acknowledged impossibility, without fault of the
claimants , of obtaining any other.
I will merely observe, in this place, that the amount has appeared to me
large; but, upon.careful examination of each claim and the various items, I
have not considered that valid objection could be taken to any of them on the
ground of overcharge, or improbability of such objects and treasure being in
possession (in the absence of any evidence to the contrary), and in the hongs at
the time of their being forcibly entered by a mob of plunderers. On the other
hand, it is rare that a compensation in money, for the loss incurred in a distant
country by the total destruction of property, can make adequate amends for the
serious prejudice and inconvenience which result ; and it would have been so
possible, and was so imperative upon the authorities to prevent these outrages,
that there might have been cause of regret had the authorities escaped without
feeling seriously the embarrassment of such claims.
I anticipate much difficulty in obtaining a satisfactory settlement of these
claims ; and should there be any decided indication of unwillingness to proceed
to a final adjustment, it may be expedient and necessary to inform the authorities
that I shall refer the claims to your Excellency, and report my inability to obtain
the necessary settlement at Foo -chow .
I trust these views, and the steps I have taken in accordance with them ,
may meet with your Excellency's approval. The serious nature of the riots, and
the embarrassing character of claims which cannot be substantiated by collateral
evidence, arising from the violence of a mob, and the inadequate measures taken
by the authorities, render a prompt and easy solution of the difficultiesthat
surround the whole business, all but impossible.
I have, & c.
(Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK .
Personal loss and inconvenience, and injury to commercial undertakings,
 50



Inclosure 2 in No. 19 .

Abstract of Claims made by British Subjects for Losses incurred during the Riots
at Foo -chow -foo, on the 31st of March and 1st of April.
William Hudson Roper.
C.
Treasure 10,526 72
Household Furniture 390 0
Clothing 946 50
Silver Plate, & c . 262 0
Miscellaneous 762 70
Expenses of House and Fittings 350 0
Cost of putting in original state 500 0
Shroft's and servants' account 648 50




::
Loss of accounts and valuable papers 1,500 0

$ 15,886 42

Charles Hacket.
$ C.
Treasure 9,052 82
Wearing apparel • O 1,500 0
Household furniture 184 0
Silver plate and stores 1,036 0
Miscellaneous 4,125 50
Shroffs ’, linguists', and servants’account, money, clothes ,& c. 3,189 0
$ 19,087 33

William Hacket .
$ c.
Clothing 771 0
Miscellaneous .. 1,1300
$ 1,901 0


James Miln .
$ c.
For Chinese servant being robbed and maltreated 100 0
Portuguese servant robbed and severely injured 150 0

$ 250 0


Summary .
$ C.
W. H. Roper 15,886 42
Charles Hacket 19,087 33
William Hacket 1,901 0
James Milm 250 0

Total . $ 37,124 75
(Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK , Consul.

Note.—In addition to the above Mr. Glen claims about 34,000 dollars.
 51

No. 20.

Viscount Palmerston to Sir J. Davis.

Sir , Foreign Office, August 1 , 1846 .
WITH reference to your despatches of the 23rd of April and 8th of May,
respecting riots which had occurred at Foo-chow-foo , and which had been
attended with the destruction of a considerable amount of British property ,
I have to state to you that it is very right that you should claim from the
Chinese authorities such compensation for the British sufferers as they may ,
under all the circumstances of the case , be fully entitled to receive ; but, of
course, you will not prefer, or allow Her Majesty's Consular Authorities to
support, any claim , either on the present or any other like occasion, which you
shall not have satisfied yourself to be perfectly just in its amount.
I am , & c.
(Signed ) PALMERSTON .


No. 21 .

Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen.- (Received August 21.)
My Lord, Victoria, Hong Kong, June 17, 1846 .
WITH reference to your despatch of April 24, I trust that more recent
despatches received from myself will have removed the impression from your
Lordship’s mind that I had appeared, in the case of the attack on Captain
Giffard at Whampoa, to use the following line of argument: That because the
1


Chinese Government officers allow in some instances British subjects to disregard
the Treaty, by settling in parts of the country other than those specified inthe
Treaty, British subjects in other quarters may find in that negligence a sufficient
justification for overstepping the bounds prescribed to them by Treaty.
My sole object was to point out to Keying the inconsistency between the
freedom and the immunity actually allowed to persons who carried on an illegal
trade without the permitted ports, and the very opposite condition of those who
conformed to the Treaty by repairing to Canton. I conceived that in no manner
could I more forcibly impress on him the evils of the opium smuggling system, >


as it now exists, with the express connivance of the Government.
My despatch of February 24 runs thus :- -“ I point out to Keying this glaring
inconsistency, andcall to hisrecollection my previous remonstrancesconcerning
the evils arising from the actual condition of the opium trade, and my advice
that it should be legalised, with a duty. I consider that the present negotiations
relating to Canton afford a favourable occasion for pushing the argument, and
that could the true state of the case be made known to the Court of Peking, it
would present the strongest motive to legalize the opium trade.”
The utmost extent of my intention was to argue that lawful traders should,
consistently with reason and justice, be as well treated as unlawful ones, and
that
but the permitted irregularities of the latter werea bad example to the former ;
so far was I from meaning that the opium smugglers afforded any
justification to those who infringed the Treaty, or from undervaluing the
importance of the utmost circumspection on the part of our people within the
Canton river, that I often called Keying's noticeto the stringent proclamations
and injunctions which I had lately issued for the restraint of British subjects, and
which had generally answered their purpose.
These discussions have long since been reported as concluded ; but I have
thoughtit rightto explain toyour Lordshipmy realmotiveinthe contrasted
picture which Ihad exhibited to Keying, as it seems to me to be one of those
arguments against the corrupt opium system which might advantageously be
broughtforward in our future endeavours to expose its evils.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS .
 52



No. 22 .

Sir J. Davis to the Earl of Aberdeen . “ (Received August 21.)

( Extract .) l'ictoria, Hong Kong, June 22, 1846 .
REFERRING to my despatch of May 8, on the subject of claims for
loss sustained from plunder at Foo-chow -foo, I have now the satisfaction to
report that those claims have been fully satistied by the Chinese Government.
Having waited patiently in the hope that a due sense of justice would lead
the local authorities to come to a speedy settlement with Mr. Alcock, and
encountering nothing but evasion , I dispatched the “ Pluto ” steamer from this
on the 2nd instant, with instructions to the Consul to make a demand for
immediate payment of those reduced amounts at which he had arrived after a
careful scrutiny of the claims of the several parties, and in case of refusal to
report again to me.
I yesterday received the inclosed letter from Mr. Alcock , forwarding ten
inclosures, with which it is the less necessary that I should trouble your
Lordship , as the just claims for loss by plunder are fully satisfied .
The total sum paid by the Chinese Government amounts to 46,163 dollars
77 cents, in the following proportions of reduced claims : --
Dollars. c.
W. Glen .. 17,388 97
W. Roper 12,872 55
C. Hacket 14,602 25
W. Hacket 1,200 0
J. Miln 100 0


46,163 77

In addition to the comparatively speedy recovery of this large amount, the
remaining point, which I stated as indispensable in my former despatch , viz .,
the condign punishment of the guilty, is reported by Mr. Alcock as provided for.
Exclusively of those real and positive losses on the part of British subjects
which I directed Mr. Alcock to urge with due vigour, I informed your Lordship
in despatch of May 8 that there was another description of claims on the part of
Mr. Glen, of aa much less indisputable character, and whose mere bulk was primai
facie evidence of their want of solidity . These, which were before stated at
50,000 dollars, have now swelled to 150,000 dollars.
It is needless for me to observe that we should be extremely careful to
avoid any line of proceeding which might tend to invest us, in the eyes of the
Chinese Government, with a grasping and extortionate character. I was glad of
an opportunity to vindicate ourselves from this suspicion in the negotiations as
to Chusan ; and until we can fairly convince the Chinese that our power will
never be used as an instrument of unjust gain , we cannot hope for that
confidence on their part which must be the foundation of a more intimate and
beneficial intercourse.
That Mr. Glen should be compensated for his positive losses, is one thing ;
but that he should seek to obtain from the Chinese Government those profits
which he might have made in a successful course of trade, is another.
Mr. Alcock's report of the prospects of the place was not calculated to
raise any sanguine expectations; to which must be added, that Mr. Glen
is not driven from Foo - chow - foo, but quits it contrary to the invitations
of the Consul and the Local Government to remain . Were he to receive a
large amount of money on account of speculative losses upon this occasion ,
it would be a most dangerous inducement to others to promote troubles
in order to turn them to profit. I say nothing here of the imputed charges
of misconduct on the part of Mr. Glen towards the Chinese, because I
am willing that the respectable testimony of Mr. Alcock should plead in his
favour .
This testimony is conveyed in the inclosed despatch from the Consul ; and
in order that your Lordship may be in full possession of Mr. Glen's case , I
 53


forward at the same time copies of his three letters to Mr. Alcock . In the first
of these he dwells on the condition of affairs at Foo - chow , and urges his claim
for compensation on account of loss of business . In the second , he sets forth
the justness of his claims for loss of prospects, time and money expended in
opening the trade of the port , and adds a summary of the amount. In the third
he declares his intention to leave the port, and his consequent losses. It appears
to me that in 1839 , when so many of our inerchants were driven out of Canton,
and did not quit it of their own accord, they might with more justice lave urged
claims of the same nature, in addition to their positive losses in opium .
Mr. Alcock , though he seems inclined rather to advocate Mr. Glen's preten
sions, has at least abstained from bringing them forward to the Chinese Govern
ment without authority. I now refer them to your Lordship for the decision of
Her Majesty's Government, and shall be prepared strictly to carry out any
instructions that I may receive upon the subject.
In the meanwhile, it is satisfactory to reflect that in the payment of these
large sums the Local Government has been furnished with aa pretty strong induce
ment to control its own people, and to protect foreign residents in future.




Inclosure 1 in No. 22 .

Consul Alcock to Sir J. Davis .
Sir, Foo -chow - foo, June 15 , 1846 .
REFERRING to your Excellency's previous despatches, I have the
satisfaction to report , that the well - timed arrival of the steamer has enabled
me with success to insist upon immediate and full reparation for the injuries
inflicted by the populace upon British subjects during the disturbances of the
31st March and 1st of April.
Having already demanded an interview with his Excellency the Governor
General, previous to the receipt of your instructions , I lost no time subsequently
in addressing the inclosed communications both to the Governor and the Trea
surer, intimating the necessity for an immediate settlement, and glancing at the
necessary consequences of the refusal or postponement of compensation.
On the 10th instant I waited upon the Governor-General by appointment,
and remained closeted with his Excellency in discussion for several hours . The
following day, as had been arranged, the Treasurer of the Province was received
at the Consulate, when, after a further lengthened conference, the terms of
settlement were finally agreed upon.
The inclosed official report from the Treasurer furnishes a list of the sen
tences passed upon twenty-four prisoners convicted of participation in the riots
and the plundering of the English hongs. The punishments, I believe, are in
accordance with the Chinese laws. One has been sentenced to death, another
has died in prison, while several are condemned to receive 100 blows of the
bamboo, and exiled for various terms of years. The local authorities now await
the confirmation of these sentences by the Board of Punishments at Peking. If
these punishments be duly inflicted, there can be no doubt that a serious
example of the evil consequences of such outrages on British subjects will have
been given to the people at this port.
I have further received this morning, in accordance with the terms agreed
upon by his Excellency the Treasurer and myself, and recorded in the inclosed
correspondence, 46,163 dollars 77 cents in salt duty sycee — custom -house weights,
and at the rate of 720 taels per 1,000 dollars, in full and complete satisfaction
for all and every claim for loss of property incurred on the spot, the only claims
I deemed it right to entertain .
I inclose the receipts of the British subjects on whose behalf the claims
were made , for the respective sums finally decided to be due to them, amounting
collectively to the above specified sum .
It cannot be necessary that I should enter at any length into a detail of the
difficulties which have attended the settlement of these claims . Conflicting and
uncertain testimony as to the nature and extent of the losses, made it imperative
I
 54

upon me to scrutinize very closely every item in the claims, and erase whatever
seemed in any degree improbable or unreasonable ; while, on the other side, the
worthlessness of the evidence brought forward on the Chinese side to set up a
negative case, made it not less compulsory to disregard, in many instances, the
most urgent remonstrances and objections on the part of the authorities.
I content myself, therefore, with inclosing copies of communications addressed
to Mr. Glen and Mr. Hacket, together with the inclosures to each of the claim
ants, consisting of a memorandum clearly stating the deductions made in each
claim . In the inclosing letters I made them acquainted with the principle upon
which the various reductions had been made..
The amount paid , it will be seen, falls nearly as far short of the amount
originally claimed, as it exceeds the estimate which the Treasurer, even in the last
conference, contended could alone be justly admitted . I have the full conviction
that the compensation arbitrated is, under all the circumstances, fair and
reasonable, and therefore just, as regards both parties. The claimants lave
noted a protest against the receipts I required them to sign as a compensation in
full for all claims for loss of property incurred on the spot, but they have been
made aware that this settlement must be considered final , the sums paid having
been accepted on the part of Her Majesty's Consul, as the representative of his
Government, in complete satisfaction for all demands of that nature on behalf of
British subjects.
I will only observe in reference to these protests, made probably to cover
their responsibility in reference to their principals and constituents, that the
claimants have, in my opinion, much reason to rejoice at a result which, within
two months from the presentation of their claims, has given to them a compen
sation of 46,000 dollars, in sycee, bearing a premium at Canton -- a large sum , it
must be allowed, for this provincial Treasury to make good at once. In this
view I can entertain no doubt your Excellency will concur, deeming it a happy
conclusion to very embarrassing questions, arising as they did , from a most
untoward series of popular outrages. The result will not be less acceptable, I
hope, from the circumstance that my success has been mainly due to the
influence of your representations to the Imperial Commissioner, and the
most opportune arrival of the “ Pluto ” steamer, bearing your Excellency's
instruction s.
I am reluctant to close this report without the distinct admission of much
that was fair and liberal in spirit, on the part of his Excellency the Treasurer, in
our final arrangements ; and I should regret greatly if, as I fear may be probable,
he incurred blame for his conduct in this business. Nor can I omit to make
known to your Excellency the sense I entertain of the very efficient services I
have witnessed in Mr. Parkes the interpreter ; he has not only been indefatigable
and zealous during the whole of these negotiations , but his ready fluency in
Chinese, and his general knowledge of the forms of business, both Chinese and
English, while they entail additional duties upon him , very frequently enable
him to render valuable assistance where it could not strictly be expected or
required.
I have, &c.
(Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK .




Inclosure 2 in No. 22.
Consul Alcock to Sir J. Davis.

Sir, Foo- chow - foo, June 13, 1846 .
I HAVE the honour to inclose copies of three letters received from
Mr. Glen dated respectively the 8th , 10th, and 12th of June, requesting me
to urge upon the consideration of Her Majesty's Government his further
claims for loss of commission on goods, shipped to him but not landed, in
consequence of his fears for their security, for loss of papers, and finally, for
outlay , loss of time, and injury to commercial prospects. His claim to com
pensation for personal injury he has left blank, leaving the amount to be fixed
as may seem just upon the consideration of his case.
 .
55

In his letter of the 8th June, he complains of a continued sense of
insecurity, and exposure to annoyance and insult when he leaves his house, and
the consequent impossibility of his attempting to continue or to carry out his
commercial undertakings, freedom in his movements being impossible. He also
incloses a letter from the head of a firm in China, with whom he states arrange
ments had been made to buy extensively the tea produce this season, and in
which the writer certainly very unequivocally expresses a disinclination to enter
into further transactionsat Foo -chow, and an unfavourable opinion generally of
the prospects and capabilities of the port. Mr. Glen argues , and I think with
much truth, that this opinion is general, owing to recent events, and, therefore,
that his own prospects of support, and the means of profitable trade on a large
scale, are entirely destroyed, and not by fault or failure of his, but as a necessary
consequence of the outrages committed by the populace.
In Mr. Glen's letter of the 10th June, written after I had put him in
possession, in the course of conversation, with the general tenour of your
remarks upon his claim and prospects, and the nature of the disadvantageous
reports which had reached your ears in reference to his behaviour described as
violent and intemperate to native Chinese, he mentions several circumstances
tending to show that it was not likely the views and prospects of a merchant
settled in a new place would be generally known, since it was his interest to
keep them private, until he had taken the necessary measures for their success.
He further proceeds to show that but for the disturbances he would have,
probably, had more than one cargo of new teas loaded here for England at a
reduced rate of 25 per cent., by which alone he must have netted a considerable
sum . To gain this position he states his outlay had been , during the last year,
13,000 dollars.
In reference to the rumour of violent and unconciliatory conduct, he begs
me to make you acquainted with the favourable terms in which their Excel
lencies the Governor-General and Officiating Lieutenant-Governor expressed
themselves to me in reference to the good character he bore among the people
as a man of “ liberal and humane disposition," and which in a written commu
nication, immediately after the riot, they requested me to make known to him ,
together with their regret at the insults and injury offered to him by the
populace.
I bear willing testimony to this fact, as I have already done to the not less
important circumstance that in no one instance, since his arrival at Foo -chow ,
has any complaint reached me, officially or otherwise, against him . That he is
of liberal and kindly disposition I have every reason to believe, and fair and
honourable in all his dealings with the Chinese he has ever been, I am satisfied ,
from all I have heard . I do not think, and I doubt not your Excellency will
agree with me, that, against the weight of negative evidence, any idle rumour to
his prejudice should be allowed injurous influence on his claims, more especially
in a community where uncharitable inferences are but too often lightly circu
lated.

As to his prospects, I had founded much of my hopes for the port upon his
successful operations during this season . I had much confidential communica
tion with him , was well informed both as to his plans and the means upon
which he counted for carrying them out, and it is but justice to him and to the
boldness and energy with which he was disposed to apply the whole of his
resources to the development of a large trade here, to express my opinion, now
that recent events have flung down all his hopes, as strongly and as unhesitat
ingly to your Excellency as I did three months ago to him for his guidance
and encouragement, when he came to give me the means of forming a judgment
and to ask my advice . I have no doubt in my own mind that but for these most
unfortunate occurrences happening at the worst possible moment, a large supply
of tea fit for the European markets would have been obtained, brought to this
market from the neighbouring tea districts, that a demand equal to the supply
was placed in Mr. Glen's power, from whence profit to him and advantage to the
port could scarcely fail to accrue. That these opinions were entertained by me in
February last,my report sufficiently proves :whether they were formed upon
insufficient grounds or not, I will not here inquire ; but Imay state that they
were the result of long and careful observation, very earnestly directed to the
attainmentofa correctestimateof the capabilities and resources of the port.
I think the time has now arrived when Mr. Glen may safely leave Foo-chow
I 2
 56

without injury either to his own prospects or those of the port : both are, for a
time at least, reduced so low that little remains to be lost ; and it now becomes
my duty, therefore, to submit these further claims for your Excellency's
consideration, and to withdraw all opposition to Mr. Glen's departure, which I
have accordingly done.
I have, &c .
(Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK.




Inclosure 3 in No. 22 .

Mr. Glen to Consal Alcock.

Sir, Foo -chow - foo, June 8, 1846 .
I REFER you to your communication to me, dated 11th of April .
A considerable period has now elapsed, and I speak advisedly when I
inform you that neither myself nor any one of the mercantile community can
leave our houses without incurring the risk of coming into collision with the