correspondence-relating-to-china-1840 — Page 24

been, besides, the writers' houses, or brokers' shops, for preparing letters ;
and brokers for carrying the orders, would pass in and out of the foreign
residences, day and night, without ever being questioned by any one. The
Shroffs' and Hong merchants' coolies and carriers, of all grades, would in
the day time openly go into the factories, and would at night afford escort
down to the boats, i Can the Hong merchants aver 1 that they have heard
and seen nothing of all this ? Or, as they have agreed to conceal it, and
bring no part of it to light, will any one believe them, when they assert
that they have had no secret share in the matter ?
I have heard that formerly, when the foreigners came to the factories,
they would go in full dress, with swords by their sides, to wait upon the
several Hong merchants, and would often meet with a denial ; nor would
they be seen or have their visits returned, until after a second visit. But
of late years there have been those who will sue to the foreigners for
patronage, and will even pass beyond the Custom-Houses, or go to Macao
to meet them. And so far has this proceeded, that (a party in) the
Tungyu Hong gave a sedan chair to the Chief Supercargo, Baynes,
whereupon the same Chief Supercargo turned round, and would not
suffer the Hong merchants to enter his factory in chairs. Many have
been the instances of this misconduct subverting of what is right and
fitting. What sense of shame, indeed, does there yet remain ? Though it
be true that this has arisen from the conduct of probationary Hong
merchants, who have shown the example of such artful demeanor, and
that the original merchants, men of property and family, would never
have descended to this stage of degradation : yet all now are equally
involved in the stench of it, and truly I burn with shame for you.
With you there seems to be no other consideration than that of
growing rich, and being left to carry on your trade ; and you seem to
regard the mine of all your profits as lying in the attaching of foreigners
to you. You leave no room for the consideration, that the profits enjoyed
by foreigners are those granted by the Celestial Court; and that if some
day they should irritate the sacred wrath, to the cutting off of their trade
and the closing of the Custom-Houses, not a mite of profit will there be
for any of those nations to look for : and what then will there be for you ?
They, regardless of the rich favours wherewith they are imbued by
the Court, take depraved natives for their bosom friends. In the public -
offices of the inner land, there is not a movement nor a pause, but the
foreigners are fully informed of it. But if any question is put to the
Hong merchants regarding foreign affairs, they turn about for ways in
which to gloze over and conceal the facts, nor will they utter the truth.
Thus it is in regard to the exportation of the pure silver beyond the sea,
a thing so very strictly prohibited. Did the foreigners really barter goods
 t

354

for goods, what silver would there be for them to carry away ? But more
than this, the Hong merchants once represented, that each year, in
addition to the interchange of commodities by barter, the foreigners
require always to bring into the inner land, foreign money to the amount
of four or five millions of dollars. Were this really the case, how comes it
that of late years the foreign ships have brought into the port no new
foreign money, and that the foreign silver existing in the country has
daily been diminishing in quantity? And how happens it, that among
the Hong merchants there have been bankrupts, whose debts to foreigners
have exceeded a million of money? It is clear, that these four words,
** goods bartered for goods," are totally and altogether false.
There is one thing yet more extraordinary. These Hong merchants,
sheltering themselves under a Memorial of a former Superintendent of
Customs, Aa, which requested temporarily as a trial, that three-tenths of
any surplus foreign money should be allowed to be taken away, have
acted as though this request had passed into an established law, and have
yearly, under cover of this, solicited permission to embark money. They
have had numerous boxes made, such as are employed for the remittance of
revenue. And they have even represented for the foreigners, that, in such
a year, a foreigner left so such money in such and such hands, and that
now he has entrusted such and such a person to convey it home for him :
and they have secretly concerted with the clerks of the Custom-House to
put this upon the records. Thus, while, on the one hand, the Hong
merchants give these bonds, the silver, on the other hand, is exported,
their words and deeds are contrary one to another, and this is passed
quietly over without exciting surprise. And when the Imperial pleasure
has been expressed, that inquiry should be made, they have, with one
simple address, glozed over and set at rest the whole matter.
With regard, too, to foreigners, such as Jardine and others, who have
been in the habit of selling opium,—all of them most artful and crafty
men,—when the Imperial pleasure was expressed, two years ago, that
their conduct should be inquired into, and that they should be driven
forth, the said Hong merchants still strenuously defended them. Such
language as this was used : " that when it could be discovered that there
" had been any concert in selling opium, any money taken, or orders given,
punishment would then be willingly submitted to." Such a bond is yet to
be found among the archives ! Let them ask themselves, whether,
according to this bond, punishment should, or should not, be inflicted?
Again, the opium on board Innes' vessel was seized within the river,
showing that the bonds given even for vessels that have entered the port
have been no less unworthy of confidence.
Last winter, seven passage-boats, on the reiterated representations of
these merchants, newly received permission to run, and already smuggling
of goods and importation of gunpowder have been the consequence. If
you say these things were without your knowledge, of what use then
are you? If they took place with your knowledge, death is too light
a punishment for you.
It is computed that the loss of the silver of China, during a period of
several years past, by exportation beyond sea, has been not less than
some hundreds of millions. The Imperial commands have been repeatedly
received, in reference to the importation of opium and exportation of pure
silver, reproving all the officers of every degree, in the most severe terms;
yet these Hong merchants have continued in the same course of filthy and
disgraceful conduct, to the great indignation and gnashing of teeth of
every one. I, the High Commissioner, in obeying the Imperial mandates,
in accordance with which I have come to Canton, shall first punish the
depraved natives. And it is by no means certain that these Hong
merchants will not be within the number.
I proceed to command that investigation be made. Upon my com
mands reaching the said Hong merchants, let them immediately state
clearly the truth, that matters may be thoroughly arranged in consistence
with the laws. The utter annihilation of the opium trade being now my
first object, I have given commands to the foreigners, to deliver up to
Government all the myriads of chests of opium which they have on board
their warehousing vessels. And I have also called on them to subscribe
a bond, in Chinese and in the foreign languages jointly, declaring that
henceforth they will never venture to bring opium, and that if any should
again be brought, upon discovery thereof, the parties concerned shall
immediately suffer execution of the laws, and the property shall be confis
cated to Government. These commands are now given to the Hong
merchants, that they may convey them to the foreign factories, and plainly
make them known. It is requisite, that they should acquire an earnest
severity of deportment, that the energetic character of the commands may
be clearly made to appear. They must not continue to exhibit a contu
macious disposition, or to colour over the matter, nor may they again
give utterance to any expressions of solicitation. It is imperative on them
to act with energy and loftiness of tone, and to unite in enjoining these
commands. Three days aie prescribed, within which they must obtain
the required bonds, and report in reply hereto. If it be found that this
matter cannot at once be arranged by them, it will be apparent, without
inquiry, that they are constantly acting in concert with depraved
foreigners, and that their minds have a perverted inclination. And I, the
High Commissioner, will forthwith solicit the Royal death-warrant, and
select for execution one or two of the most unworthy of their number,
confiscating their property to Government, and thus will I show a lucid
warning. Say not that you did not receive early notice. A special Edict.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 4th day. (17th March, 1839.)

True Translation. '
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.



No. 146.

Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received Avgust 29, 1839.)

My Lord, Canton, March 30, 1839.
I HAVE considered that I shall most perspicuously perform my pre
sent duty to Her Majesty's Government, by confining this despatch to a
narrative of events, accompanied by the documents connected with them ;
and indeed my imprisoned and harassed condition is not suited to a deli
berately comprehensive exposition of the motives which have influenced
some of the momentous proceedings involved in this report.
Being at Macao on the 28th of last month for the purpose of confer
ring with Captain Blake of Her Majesty's sloop Lame then at anchor
in those roads, I received intelligence to the effect that a native of China
had been suddenly brought down into the square before the foreign facto
ries on the 26th of the same month, accompanied by a considerable force
of troops, and immediately put to death by strangulation.
Within two hours after I had received these tidings I embarked
on board the cutter, and arrived here on the morning of the 2nd instant.
The series of papers from No. 1 to No. 8, will place your Lordship in
possession of the steps taken in that respect.
On the 10th instant, leaving the trade still proceeding, but with a
state of gloom subsisting in the minds of all men, both natives and
foreigners, I returned to Macao, to which point, and the outside anchor
ages, appearances indicated that the first measures of the Commissioner
would be directed. I was therefore anxious to have further consultation
with Captain Blake on the expediency of his protracted stay in these seas,
till I could judge of the degree in which the High Commissioner's proceed
ings would affect the general and important interests confided to me.
Between his Excellency's arrival and the 20th instant, rumours of
every description were abroad : but the general impression was that the
Governor and the High Commissioner were to proceed forth with«to Macao,
or its near neighbourhood, and commence their operations from that
situation. At Macao, within the barrier, tents were pitched, a consider
able force was assembled, numbers of vessels and boats of war were col
2 Z 2
 356

lected, and I had myself observed, a few days before, under the forts at
the Bocca Tigris, a display of old native vessels preparing to serve the
purposes of fire-ships, or at all events to leave that impression upon
passing foreigners.
In this menacing posture of affairs outside, I had determined to abide
at Macao, so that my intercourse with Her Majesty's sloop might not be
interrupted, and that I might concert with the commander measures of
general protection, if any attack should be really directed against the lives
or properties of Her Majesty's subjects.
Resolved, in any pressure of emergency, actually threatening the con
tinued peaceful intercourse with this Empire, to incur most heavy personal
responsibilities concerning the ships engaged in the illicit traffic, 1 had
also determined to resist sudden aggression on British life and British
property at all hazards, and to all extremity, and I am well assured, your
Lordship will be of opinion, that this was my capital duty as the Queen's
officer.
On the 22nd instant, however, as your Lordship is already aware, the
news reached me, that the storm had changed its direction, and impended
over the whole Foreign Community at Canton in the most alarming form.
Forwarding an address to the Governor of Canton through the
Keun-Min-Foo, and a transcript of the same to that officer, issuing two
circulars to Her Majesty's subjects, and addressing a secret letter to
Captain Blake, of Her Majesty's sloop Larne, I proceeded to make the
attempt to reach these factories on the 23rd instant.
It had been my intention to proceed only to the Bocca Tigris and
carry on my communications from that point, but further disquieting
private intelligence reached me from Canton ; and the reflection of the
natural unfitness of a commercial community to take any consentaneous
course respecting the delicate and momentous question in hand, in this
hour of extreme peril to all interests, and indeed generally to human life,
carried me to the conviction that I must either reach these factories, or
some desperate calamity would ensue.
On Sunday the 24th instant, I passed through the Bocca Tigris, and
calling to me ah inferior mandarin, stationed there, explained to him my
apprehension, that if the communications were cut off between me and all
the people of my nation, at Macao and the other anchorages, they would
believe that T and all the other foreigners were prisoners, or alarmed by
vague reports that our lives were in immediate peril, they would attempt
a rescue, to the certain violation of the peace between the countries, and
to the great increase of our own danger. This I desired him to explain to
his admiral with my respects.
I reached Whampoa at 4 p. m. of the same day (the 24th), where I
learnt, as I had anticipated, that, the intercourse between that place and
Canton had been entirely cut off for forty-eight hours.
' Putting on my uniform directly, and placing myself in the gig of
Her Majesty's sloop Larne, which I had taken up with me, with the
ensign and pendant hoisted, and my Chinese passport for the cutter in my
hand, (declaratory of my public character and name,) I proceeded forth
with to the chief mandarin I could find in the reach.
I told that officer that it was my purpose to proceed to Canton ; and
that apprehending forcible interruption, I had to warn him that my boat
was unarmed, that my purposes were peace and the protection of my
countrymen, that I should offer no resistance, but that it was my resolu
tion to reach these factories, or to sacrifice my life in the attempt. I there
fore called upon him not to lose one moment in. forwarding expresses to
advertise the officers of the various stations not to fire upon me.
Disregarding his earnest dissuasion, I proceeded on immediately in
the cutter to the usual anchorage, about four miles from these factories. At
that point I was again approached by several armed boats; but pursuing a
similar course of representation, I entered the gig, and proceeded upwards
with all possible celerity, pulling and sailing. At my nearer approach to
the factories, armed boats pushed out from every side, but the admirable
steadiness of the four people of the Larne, and a commanding favourable
breeze, enabled me to baffle the attempts to obstruct me ; and at about 6 p.m.,
 357

1 pushed into those stairs, to the great relief of my distressed countrymen,
many of whom had watched the latter part of my approach with feelings
of keenest solicitude.
The top-mast of the flag-staff had been struck since the execution ; but
I immediately desired that the boat's ensign should be taken up and made
fast to the lower masthead ; for I well knew, my Lord, that there is a sense
of support in the sight of that honoured flag, fly where it will, that none can
feel but men who look upon it in some such dismal strait as our's.
The state of intense distress in which I found the whole foreign com
munity will be explicable to Her Majesty's Government, when I inform
your Lordship that the actual pressing difficulty was the obstinate demand
that Mr. L. Dent, one of our most respected merchants at Canton, should
proceed into the city, and attend the High Commissioner's tribunal.
The accompanying notes, however, taken by the Secretary, Mr. Elmslie,
will furnish a detailed account of the proceedings, which immediately pre
ceded my arrival in Canton.
My first step was to go to Mr. Dent's house with my countrymen ; and
taking him under my arm, I brought him to this hall, where by God's
gracious mercy he still remains. Most anxious, however, to avoid all just
imputation of impracticability, I immediately signified to the Hong mer
chants, for communication to the Government, my readiness to let Mr.
Dent go into the city with me, and upon the distinct written stipulation,
(sealed with the High Commissioner's signet,) that he was never to be
removed for one moment out of my sight.
I then assembled the whole foreign community in Canton, and read
ing to them my circulars issued at Macao, enjoined them all to be mode
rate, firm, and united. I had the satisfaction to dissolve the meeting in a
calmer state of mind than had subsisted for several days past.
The native servants were taken from us, and the supplies cut off on
the same night ; but it was declared by the merchants, that the orders had
been issued in the course of the morning, by reason of Mr. Dent's opposi
tion to the High Commissioner's summons.
An arc of connected boats was formed, filled with armed men, the
extremes of which touch the east and west points of the bank of the river
in the immediate front of the factories, cutting off" a segment of the stream
from the main body ; the square, and the rear of the factories, are occupied
in considerable force ; and before the gate of this hall the whole body of
Hong merchants and a large guard are posted day and night, the latter
with their swords constantly drawn. In short, so close an imprisonment
of the foreigners is not recorded in the history of our previous intercourse
with this empire.
The series of papers from No. 13 to 26 is my correspondence with the
government since my arrival in Canton this day week, with the exception
of No. 20, which is a most momentous circular to Her Majesty's subjects,
requiring the surrender into my hands, for the service of Her Majesty's
Government, of all the British opium actually on the coasts of China at
that date.
The justification of this immense responsibility will need more full
development than it would be desirable, or indeed practicable, to make in
my present condition. I am without doubt, however, that the safety of a
great mass of human life hung upon my determination. For if I had
commenced with the denial of my controul over the subject, the High Com
missioner would have seized that pretext for reverting to his measures of
intimidation against individual merchants, obviously the original purpose,
but which my sudden appearance had disturbed. If I had persevered in
this course of representation, he would have forced the whole into submis
sion by the protracted confinement of the persons he should determine to
seize ; and, judging from the tenor of his proclamation and general conduct,
I am fully warranted in saying by the sacrifice of their lives.
The forced and separate surrender of all this immensely valuable pro
perty by individual merchants, without security of indemnity and protec
tion, must have led to some desperate commercial convulsion in India and
England, which might have embarrassed the Queen's Government in an
incalculable degree.
 358

In a few words then, my Lord, I may say, that I plainly perceived
the moment had arrived for placing the whole weight of the immense
difficulties to be encountered, on the only foundation where it could safely
rest: namely, upon the wisdom, justice, and power of Her Majesty's
Government.
I have written thus far, my Lord, at various snatches during a most
anxious week, and it is my present purpose to continue this narration from
this date, as circumstances of moment present themselves.



Canton, April 2, 1839.
Between the 30th ultimo and the present date, the negociations, your
Lordship will observe, have been confined entirely to the mode of delivering
the opium.
His Excellency demands that the ships should come up so close to
the Bogue, as to place them almost under the guns of the fortresses; and
he insists that I shall forward the merchants' orders for delivery to the
respective commanders to the officers of the Government, so that they
may forthwith take them to the ships and receive the opium ; all of us
remaining in our present imprisonment till the whole amount be delivered.
I need hardly observe to your Lordship, that it is not my purpose to
accept conditions of release, which would place all the British shipping in
China at the disposal of this Government, and completely expose the
transactions of the merchants of my country.
But being anxious, for obvious and very urgent reasons, to fulfil my
obligations with all practicable dispatch, your Lordship will perceive that
I have submitted the single mode of effecting the object
The only incidents of interest affecting our general situation since I
last wrote, are the permission to purchase food, and the entrance, from
time to time, of Coolies, under strict surveillance, to remove the foul linen.
In other respects, the blockade is increasing in closeness. Scraps of
intelligence, however, have reached us, brought up by Chinese, in segars,
and in other adroit modes, from Whampoa, to the 31st ultimo; and from
Macao to the 30th. All was tranquil at either point when these tidings
left; but the painful anxiety of our families and countrymen will be
conceivable to Her Majesty's Government.
I should not omit to mention to your Lordship that the Commissioner
yesterday caused his addresses to me to be publicly placarded, but not
my replies. I am credibly informed that the publicity of his own papers
has by no means had the desired effect of inciting the people of the
country against me, but the contrary.
Her Majesty's Government will do me the honour to observe, that I
have studiously abstained from noticing the High Commissioner's insult-
ing language, palpably put forward to provoke me ; and that I have not
considered my situation was a suitable one for answering his argu
mentation.
This is the first time, in our intercourse with this Empire, that its
Government has taken the unprovoked initiative in aggressive measures
against British life, liberty, and property, and against the dignity of the
British Crown. I say unprovoked, advisedly, because your Lordship will
observe, in my address to the Keun-Min-Foo, dated at Macao, on 22nd
ultimo, that I offered to adjust all things peacefully, by the fulfilment of
the Emperor's will, as soon as it was made known to me.
Her Majesty's Government may be assured that there shall be no
pretext of unseemly violence or intemperance of tone on my part, to help
the vindication of the actual policy. They have deprived us of our
liberty, and our lives are in their hands; but our reason, and above all, our
dutiful confidence in the Queen's gracious protection, will remain with us.
My own life has been passed in the public service, and I should be
unpardonable indeed, if I did not remember and steadily act upon the
recollection, that the response to these proceedings is the high attribute
of Her Majesty.
 359


Canton, 1 p.m., April 3, 1839.
The High Commissioner has acceded to the arrangements proposed
in my memorandum, No. 28 ; and Mr. Johnson leaves me at 4 p. m. this
day, for Macao, by the inside passage, accompanied by the officers.
I have &tc
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.




Inclosure 1 in No. 146.

Messrs. Bell and others, Her Majesty's Subjects, to A. R.Johnston, Esq^
Deputy Superintendent.

Sir, Canton, February 26, 1839.
A GROSS and shocking outrage against the foreign community
having been perpetrated by the Chinese authorities, in causing a man to
be strangled this afternoon in front of the factories, we, the undersigned
British subjects, most earnestly request that the British flag may not again
be hoisted until reference has been made to Her Majesty's Chief Super
intendent.
[Signed by all the British subjects in Canton.]




Inclosure 2 in No. 146.

Messrs. Bell and others, Her Majesty's Subjects, to A. R. Johnston, Esq.

Sir, Canton, February 28, 1839.
INFORMATION having been received of the arrival of Her Ma
jesty's sloop Lame, in the Macao Roads, as also that her stay there was
likely to be very short, we, the undersigned British merchants, respect
fully request that you will represent to Her Majesty's Senior Superin
tendent, that we are of opinion that the presence of a naval force in the
waters of China is at all times desirable, but more especially so under the
present very unsatisfactory position of our commercial relations with the
Chinese Government ; and that the services of the Lame should be made
available for the protection of British interests.
We have, &c,
(Signed) BELL & Co., and others.




Inclosure 3 in No. 146.

Captain Elliot to Messrs. Bell and others, Her Majesty s Subjects.

Gentlemen, Canton, March 2, 1839.
I HAVE had the honour to receive your letter of the 26th ult., to the
address of the Deputy Superintendent, and I beg to acquaint you that it
is not my intention to hoist the British flag at Canton in the present
posture of circumstances. I am sensible, Gentlemen, of the extreme hazard
to which the lives and property of the whole foreign community are
exposed by the recurrence of so dismal and exciting an event as that which,
forms the subject of your letter. And it will be my duty to make an early
communication to Her Majesty's subjects, in explanation of the proceed
 360

ings I propose to take, for leading the Governor to refrain from measures
that cannot fail to burden His Excellency with the responsibility of some
terrible catastrophe.
I llclYC &£C
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.


Inclosure 4 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to Messrs. Bell and others, Her Majesty's Subjects.

Gentlemen, Canton, March 2, 1839.
I HAVE had the honour to receive your letter to the address of Mr.
Johnston, upon the subject of Her Majesty's sloop Lame's continuance
on this station ; and in reply, I beg to acquaint you that 1 had already
moved Captain Blake to remain, for the purpose of affording me an oppor
tunity to communicate with the Commander-in-Chief, and the British
Indian Government, from this place.
The period of her further delay must be regulated with careful atten
tion to the orders under which that officer is acting in the furtherance of
the other exigencies of the public service, as well as by Circumstances on
the spot, of which I am not yet in a situation to judge.
I may observe, however, that my chief object in requesting Captain
Blake to remain, was to afford time for exact reports to the authorities
above-mentioned, in order that such immediate and effectual steps
may be taken for the protection of British interests in this quarter, as may
be necessary in the emergencies of the case.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.


Inclosure 5 in No. 146.
Notice to Her Majesty's Subjects.

Circular. Canton, March 4, 1839.
THE execution of a criminal in this square, on the 26th ultimo,
renders it the duty of the Undersigned to submit a few remarks to Her
Majesty's subjects.
In his own judgment, the purpose of this most humiliating event was
not only to intimidate, but to degrade, and render hateful, the whole
foreign community in the sight of the native population. Neither can he
doubt that its tacit admission would lead to still graver passages.
Her Majesty's subjects may be assured that he will not fail to lay
these convictions before the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs.
Impressed by the persuasion, however, that the recurrence of such an
outrage would lead to some sudden and deplorable catastrophe, he finds it
necessary to make an immediate communication to the Governor. But he
has been careful to leave the treatment of the late event to the unembar
rassed disposal of his own and the other Western Governments, whose
flags have been subsequently lowered.
He considers it due to his countrymen to promulgate a copy of his
address to the Governor on this occasion.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent of the Trade of
British Subjects in China.
 361


; ! Inclosure 6 in No. 146.

Captain Elliot to the Oovernor of Canton.

Canton, March 4, 1839
THE Undersigned, Sic, &c, presuming to offer no objections to the
right of this Government to execute native criminals wheresoever it may
think fit, within the limits of the Empire, desires only to observe, that no
such circumstances have ever had place in the immediate vicinity of the
foreign dwellings, until the 26th ultimo, during an intercourse of nearly
two hundred years ; and he has now to request, on the behalf of the
Government of his nation, that his Excellency will be pleased to order
their future discontinuance in this situation.
A native of the western countries, your Excellency will hold the
Undersigned excused for observing that, agreeably to the genius of those
people, nothing could be more harassing to them than the execution of a
criminal before their doors.
He dares not conceal from your Excellency a very general impression,
upon the part of the foreign community, that the considerate protection
of this Government is in a great degree withdrawn from them.
The effect of such feeling need not be pressed upon the attention of a
high officer, versed in the government of men. It deprives the wise and
the thoughtful of their just and restraining influence, and renders the rash
desperate. i .
The Undersigned is afraid, therefore, that it would be impossible to
stay the hands of every excited individual, in such a crisis of intense agita
tion, as another execution before these factories would produce; and one
fatal blow might lead to death, destruction of property, and disturbance of
the lower orders of the native population, which the most anxious efforts of
the honourable officers could not prevent.
These are the profound sentiments of his heart ; and claiming, as the
officer of his nation, the protection of the great Emperor, the Undersigned
must, once more, request your Excellency to signify to him the calming
declaration, that it is not the purpose of this wise and just government to
leave the whole foreign community exposed to the most imminent risks
of disaster.
The Undersigned avails himself of this occasion to offer to your
Excellency the renewed expressions of his highest consideration.

(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.




Inclosure 7 in No. 146.

Notice to Her Majesty's Subjects.

Circular. Canton, March 9, 1839.
WITH reference to his circular of the 4th instant, the Undersigned
has now the honour to promulgate a copy of his Address to the Governor,
concerning the late execution before these factories.
And having this day ascertained, by a formal message from his
Excellency, that he docs not propose to reply to him in a direct shape, it
only remains for the Undersigned to announce to Her Majesty's subjects
his own intention to report the circumstance to Her Majesty's Govern
ment by the earliest opportunity.
To this representation he will join his own strong opinion, that the
lives and properties of the whole foreign community would be exposed to
perilous jeopardy on every repeated occasion of an execution in the same
situation.
3 A
 862

Pending further instructions from his Government, his own address
has served the purpose of a protest, which was the main object of its
transmission.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.



Inclosure 8 in No. 146.

Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.

Macao, March 12, 1839.
THE Undersigned, &c, &c, being on the point of communicating
with the Government of his nation, and the high officers of the Govern
ment of India, and the chief in command of the naval forces, and having
his mind agitated by many doubts and fears, has once more to address
your Excellency upon the subject of his address of the 4th instant.
It is his duty to lay before your Excellency his strong conviction that
the Government of his nation will regard the unprecedented execution of
a criminal before the foreign dwelling houses, to be an outrage upon the
feelings and dignity of all the Western Governments whose flags were
recently flying at Canton.
And for the sake of that peace and good will which has subsisted for
one hundred and several tens of years, the Undersigned has again
respectfully and anxiously to request that your Excellency will be pleased
to forward him a calming declaration through the honourable officers, in
order that he may report to the high officers of his own nation, the Heedless
ness of immediate and direct appeals to the great Emperor for protection.
The cruizer of his nation is detained for your Excellency's reply, and
the Undersigned having received the same, will immediately make the
necessary statement, and she will then sail away.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.




Inclosure 9 in No. 146.

Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.

Macao, March 22, 1839.
THE Undersigned, &c, &c, seriously disturbed by the unusual
assemblage of troops, ships of war, fire-vessels, and other menacing pre
parations, and, above all, by the unprecedented and unexplained measure
of an execution before the factories at Canton, to the destruction of all
confidence in the just and moderate dispositions of the provincial autho
rities, has now the honour to demand, in the name of the Sovereign of his
nation, whether it is the purpose of His Excellency the Governor to make
war upon the men and ships of his nation in this empire ?
He claims immediate and calming assurances upon this subject ; and
he has at the same time to declare his readiness to meet the officers of the
Provincial Government, and to use his sincere efforts to fulfil the pleasure
of the great Emperor, as soon as it is made known to him.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.

(A copy of the same was sent to the Keun-Min-Foo.)
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Inclosure 10 in No. 146.

Public Notices to Her Majesty's Subjects.

Circular. Macao, March 22, 1839.
THE Chief Superintendent of the trade of British subjects in
China, having received information that Her Majesty's subjects are de
tained against their will in Canton ; and having other urgent reasons for
the withdrawal of all confidence in the just and moderate dispositions of
the provincial government, has now to require that all the ships of Her
Majesty's subjects at the outer anchorages, should proceed forthwith to
Hong Kong, and, hoisting their national colours, be prepared to resist
every act of aggression on the part of the Chinese Government.
fn the absence of Captain Blake, of Her Majesty's sloop, Lame,
Captain Parry of the Hercules, will make the necessary dispositions
for putting the ships in a posture of defence ; and in the absence of Captain
Parry, that duty will devolve on Captain Wallace of the Mermaid.
And the Chief Superintendent, in Her Majesty's name, requires all
British subjects, to whom these presents may come, to respect the authority
of the persons herein charged with the duty of providing for the pro
tection of British life and property.
Given under my hand and seal of office, at Macao, this twenty-second
day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
(L.S■) Chief Superintendent of the Trade of
British Subjects in China.


Macao, March 23, 1839.
THE considerations that have moved the Undersigned to give public
notice to all Her Majesty"s subjects, that he is without confidence in the
justice and moderation of the provincial government, are :—
The dangerous, unprecedented, and unexplained circumstance of a
fmblic execution before the factories at Canton, to the imminent hazard of
ife and property, and total disregard of the honour and dignity of his own,
and the other western governments, whose flags were recently flying in
that square ; the unusual assemblage of troops, vessels of war, fire-ships,
and other menacing preparations ; the communication, by the command
of the provincial government, that in the present posture of affairs, the
foreigners were no longer to seek for passports to leave Canton (according
to the genius of our own countries, and the principles of reason, if not an
act of declared war, at least its immediate and inevitable preliminary) ;
and lastly, the threatening language of the High Commissioner and pro
vincial authorities, of the most general application, and dark and violent
character.
Holding it, therefore, impossible to maintain continued peaceful
intercourse with safety, honour, or advantage, till definite and satisfactory
explanations have passed in all these particulars, both as respects the past
and the future, the Undersigned has now to give further notice that he
shall forthwith demand passports for all such of Her Majesty's subjects
as may think fit to proceed outside, within the space of ten days from the
date that his application reaches the government ; such date hereafter to
be made known.
And he has to counsel and enjoin all Her Majesty's subjects, in urgent
terms, to make immediate preparations for moving their property on
board the ships, Reliance, Orwell, and George the Fourth, or other
British vessels at Whampoa, to be conveyed to Macao; forwarding him,
without delay, a sealed declaration, and a list of all actual claims against
Chinese subjects, together with an estimate of all loss or damage to be
suffered by reason of these proceedings of the Chinese Government.
And he has further to give notice, that the Portuguese Govern
ment of this settlement has already pledged itself to afford Her
Majesty's subjects resident here, every protection in its power, so long
3 A 2
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as they shall be pursuing no course of traffic within the limits of the
settlement at variance with the laws of this empire. And he has most
especially to warn Her Majesty's subjects, that such strong measures as it
may be necessary to adopt on the part of Her Majesty's Government,
without further notice than the present, cannot be prejudiced by their
continued residence in Canton (beyond the period now fixed), upon their
own responsibility, or without further guarantees from the Undersigned.
And he has further to give notice, that if the passports should be
refused for more than three days from the date that his application shall
reach the provincial government, he will be driven to the conclusion that
it is their purpose to detain all Her Majesty's subjects as hostages ; and
to endeavour to intimidate them into unsuitable concessions and terms, by
the restraint of their persons, or by violence upon their lives or property,
or by the death of native merchants in immediate connexion with them
both by ties of friendship and of interest ; or by the like treatment of their
native servants.
The Undersigned, in conclusion, most respectfully submits these
observations to the attention of all the foreigners in China: and, the
respective governments [being] closely united by a community of feeling
and interests, not only in their own quarters of the globe, but most
especially in this peculiar country, he feels that he is performing an act of
duty in offering them every humble assistance in his power, on this
and all similar occasions, when they may be of opinion that he can be
useful to them.
Given under my hand and seal of office, at Macao, this twenty-third
day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
(L.S.) Chief Superintendent of the Trade of
British Subjects in China.


Inclosure 11 in No. 14G.

Captain Elliot to P. J. Blake, Esq., Commander of Her Majesty's
sloop Larne.

Sir, - Macao, March 23, 1839.
THE various and unreserved conferences I have had the honour to
have with you, on the present extremely disquieting state of circum
stances, preclude the necessity of recapitulating the reasons which com
pel me to proceed forthwith to Whampoa for the relief of Her Majesty's
subjects from their actual restrained and dangerous situation.
And if you shall not hear from me in some certain and assuring
manner, within the space of six days from the date of this communication,
I trust that you will proceed in Her Majesty's sloop under your command,
to the Bocca" Tigris, and, failing such authentic accounts of the safety and
free agency of all Her Majesty's subjects within those forts, from the
Chinese admiral, as may be satisfactory to you; I must beg you will
consider us to be prisoners, and adopt such immediate proceedings for our
relief as may seem suitable to you.
Cordially assenting with me in the propriety of avoiding any unne
cessary or ostensible intercourse with the British shipping at the outside
anchorages (many of which have no doubt been engaged in the illicit
traffic), it is at the same time most satisfactory to me to reflect, that in the
event of any well-sustained evidence of aggressive attempts, British life
and property will have the benefit of all the protection and countenance
which you can afford.
In touching this delicate and difficult subject, I should perhaps again
remind you, that most of the ships engaged in the regular trade, are
accustomed to anchor at the usual outside stations, both upon arriving
and putting to sea.
I hold it my duty to you to state that I shall willingly take the full
responsibility of any proceedings you may find it necessary to adopt on
 365

account of these requisitions. And it is a great support to me in any
embarrassing circumstances, that I have the assistance of an officer in
whose zeal and ability I may justly repose entire confidence.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
■„. .. Chief Superintendent.




Inclosure 12 in No. 146.

Notes of Proceedings at Canton, on Saturday, March 23, 1839, taken
by Mr. Elmslie, Secretary and Treasurer.

Canton, Saturday, March 23, 1839.

THIS day at 10 a. m., the Hong merchants repaired to the house of
Mr. Dent, Howqua Senior and Mandarin Mowqua appearing with iron
chains round their necks, and also with the further degradation of being
deprived of their buttons of rank. Howqua'sson, Mowqua, and Gowqua,
were also degraded and cast into prison. The visit to Mr. Dent was by
the express order of the High Commissioner, to command Mr. Dent to go
into the city immediately, that he might be confronted with his Excellency.
The majority of the foreign community had already assembled at Mr.
Dent's, and it was deemed most advisable, that they should collect in a
separate room from the Hong merchants, and that the following question
should be put to them :
Shall Mr. Dent comply with the commands of the Commissioner,
or not ?
It was unanimously carried, that Mr. Dent should not comply, unless
under the written and sealed guarantee that he should be treated with
respect, and also that he should be permitted to return home after the
conference. This decision was conveyed to the Hong merchants. They
said that Howqua and Mandarin Mowqua would lose their heads if Mr.
Dent did not comply with the commands from the Commissioner, and that
they could not venture to apply for the required guarantee. After con
siderable delay, a deputation of foreigners, accompanied by linguists,
proceeded to the Consoo House, to explain to the Kwang-Chow-Foo, and
other officers, the objections the community had to allowing Mr. Dent to
comply with the commands in question. Upon these objections being
made known, the Kwang-Chow-Foo requested an officer belonging to the
high Commissioner's suite, with the Namhoy, and an officer from the
Hoppo's office, to repair and again deliver the commands to Mr. Dent,
and to admonish him, in the presence of the foreigners, on the necessity
of obeying. This summons being now officially and directly made to
Mr. Dent, it was thought advisable once more to solicit the opinion of
the community, when the same unanimous feeling prevailed, that Mr.
Dent should not go into the city, unless with a special sealed guarantee
from the High Commissioner. This determination being repeated to these
three officers, they declared and called heaven to witness, that they would
safely conduct and bring back Mr. Dent. The irresponsibility of these
officers was taken into consideration, and the community still adhered to
their determination. The officers were left in a room consulting together,
and after a lapse of a few minutes, they expressed a wish to see Mr. Dent
once more, when the officer belonging to the Commissioner's suite spoke
for a very considerable time, giving his assurance in every way, and
pledging his own word, for the safety of Mr. Dent's return. All these
assurances were of no avail ; and after Mr. Dent had expressed his regret
that a further time could not be allowed for the arrangement of so
important a question as the one on hand, he withdrew from the presence
of the officers. It was now most distinctly affirmed by the officers, that
they could not quit the house without they took Mr. Dent, and that they
 366

must use force to compel him to go. Waiting, however, for about half an
hour, and finding Mr. Dent would not go, they wished to conduct a depu
tation of foreigners to the presence of the Kwang Chow Foo, at the
Consoo House, that they might state to that officer, upon what conditions
Mr. Dent would comply with the commands. Many gentlemen accom
panied these officers, and distinctly stated to the Kwang Chow Foo what
the whole foreign community required. All the officers at the Consoo
House said that they could not obtain or even ask His Excellency for a
guarantee, but they all expressed a request that Mr. Morrison should
accompany them to the city : this request was instantly denied ; because
Mr. Morrison had already been detained for about an hour against his
will, in the Consoo House, in the forenoon of this day, and was liberated
by the Deputy Superintendent and the Secretary to the Superintendents.
And it was strongly suspected that he was to be kept as a hostage for
Mr. Dent.
Mr. Inglis proposed that three other gentlemen, with himself, should
be allowed to accompany the Kwang Chow Foo into the city : this was
instantly conceded, and Messrs. Inglis, Thom, Slade, and Fearon were to
form the party ; they were conducted through the back door of the Consoo
House, entered the Chuk-lan gate, walked up the street, and took the
first turning on the right, and soon passed the Viceroy's palace ; and after
turning on the left, they drew up and were taken into the temple dedicated
to the Queen of Heaven (teen hau koong). The Kwang Chow Foo had
already arrived at this temple. He put these gentlemen in charge of the
Hong merchants, and went to report to the High Commissioner ; during
his absence, these gentlemen were shown to a very pretty part of the
temple, and introduced to priests, who treated them kindly with sweet
meats, tea, &c After great delay, the noise of gongs, and shoutings,
intimated the approach of the following officers: — Pooch in g-sze, or
Financial Commissioner; Ancha-sze, or Judicial Commissioner; Yen Yun-
sze, or Salt Commissioner ; and Leang-taou, or Grain Commissioner.
These officers took their respective seats in a line, but leaving the Kwang
Chow Foo, and Wei Yune, or a deputed officer, to sit on a bench in
another part of the hall, evidently as if they were of too inferior degree to
sit on a level with the former officers. All forms of etiquette, &c being
arranged, Mr. Thom was ushered by the head linguist into the presence
of these officers, and the following questions put to him direct. " What
is your name? What country do you belong to? &c, &c Why does
Mr. Dent not come ? "
Mr. Thom said that all foreigners thought Mr. Dent would be
detained, and therefore they would not allow him to come. Detain him or
not detain him, he is guilty of showing the greatest disrespect for not
obeying the commands from the High Commissioner,— was the reply.
Here Mr. Thom begged to say, that Mr. Dent had not the most distant
intention of showing any disrespect ; that this question was one of the
utmost importance ; that Mr. Dent and his countrymen were all of opinion,
and under the apprehension, that the High Commissioner wished to detain
Mr. Dent until a certain quantity of opium be confiscated, as they had
heard it reported, the High Commissioner imagined Mr. Dent had 6,000
chests of opium.
The Ancha-sze replied, that this is no report, but a certainty ; that the
High Commissioner's eyes are very sharp, and his ears very long ; that he
knows Dent to be a great merchant, and a very large capitalist, and that
he had resided in China many years ; that the High Commissioner held
positive and explicit orders from the Emperor to put down the opium
trade, and that he was possessed of powers quite unlimited and extraor
dinary, and that he wished to admonish Mr. Dent, and also to inquire
into the nature of his business; that Mr. Dent must be confronted with the
High Commissioner ; that if he did not consent, he should bo dragged out
of his house by force ; and, consequently, the High Commissioner would
most assuredly kill him. One of the officers remarked, that if Dent
would willingly come and see the Commissioner, the trade would be
re-opened.
 367

Similar questions to the above were put to the other gentlemen, but
through one of the linguists : this mode of interpretation is always very
confused, and causes so much misunderstanding, that the examinations
are better omitted.
After a detention of about three hours, the whole party returned
under the escort of an officer.
(Signed) EDWARD ELMSLIE,
Secretary and Treasurer.




Inclosure 13 in No. 146.

Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.

Canton, March 25, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, moved by urgent considerations affecting the safety of
the lives and property of all the men of his nation, and the maintenance
of the peace between the two countries, respectfully claims passports for
all the English ships and people at Canton, within the space of three days
that this application reaches your Excellency's hands ; so that they may
all be set at liberty, and depart outside in peace, with their property,
within ten days after the passports are issued. And Elliot further
requests, that your Excellency will be pleased to grant them boats for
the removal of their persons and property, with guards to protect them
from the violence of the lower orders. And if Elliot shall not hear that
the passports are granted within the space of three days from the date
that this application reaches your Excellency's hands, he will be reluct
antly driven to the conclusion, that the men and ships of his country are
forcibly detained, and act accordingly.
Elliot cannot conceal from your Excellency his deep and sorrowful
conviction, that the peace between the two countries is placed in imminent
jeopardy by the late unexplained and alarming proceedings of this
Government.
And in the name of the Sovereign of his nation, he declares himself
free from the responsibility of all the consequences that may arise.

(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.




Inclosure 14 in No. 146.

Captain Elliot lo the Governor of Canton.

Canton, March 25, 1839.
ELLICT, &c, sincerely anxious to fulfil the pleasure of the great
Emperor, as far as it may be in his power, and as soon as it is authen
tically made known to him, respectfully requests that your Excellency
will be pleased to depute an officer to visit him this day, to the end that
all matters may be peacefully adjusted.
And if Elliot is left at liberty to communicate with the men and ships
of his nation at Whampoa, he will solemnly pledge himself that he
will take care that they do not repair to the Provincial City under the
apprehension that he and all the people of his nation are prisoneis and
without food, thus producing conflict and disturbance.
Elliot therefore moves your Excellency to let the native servants
return to their occupations, to permit the supply of provisions, and to
 368

remove all the barriers from before the factories. By such means, confi
dence and tranquillity will be restored in the minds of all men, both
native and foreign.
Elliot has in all respects, since he filled the station of Superintendent,
manifested his earnest desire to keep the peace, and fulfil the pleasure of
your Excellency; and, as an officer of his country, he now asks for rea
sonable treatment for himself and all the men of his nation, and claims
your Excellency's confidence in his peaceful dispositions on this occasion
of perilous jeopardy.
It may sometimes happen, when Elliot addresses your Excellency
concerning affairs, that unsuitable terms find place in his communications;
and whenever that be the case, he entreats your Excellency to believe that
the circumstance is attributable to the want of perfect familiarity with the
native language, and never to any intention to manifest disrespect to the
high officers of this Government, which would expose him to the severe
displeasure of his own Sovereign.
And he has now to request that your Excellency will be pleased to
return him the address he submitted this morning.
With highest consideration, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.




Inclosure 15 in No. 146.


The Prefect and Commandant of Canton, jointly, to Captain Elliot.

CHOO, Prefect of the department of Kwang Chow, and Han,
Commandant of the same department, issue commands to the English
Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
They have received the within official injunction from the High
Imperial Commissioner and Governor of Hoo Kwang, his Excellency Lin:
"I have received from Tang, the Governor of the two Kwang, the
following communication :
"'On the 25th of March, 1839, at 1 a.m., the English Superintendent,
Elliot, addressed me in the following terms:
[The Address of March 25 {Inclosure 13) is here inserted.]
"'This address having duly come before me the Governor, I have
given it my consideration. I find that the foreigners of the nation afore
said have, in their commercial intercourse with Kwangtung, long enjoyed
gratifying advantages ; but that they have brought opium—that pervading
poison—to this land : thus profiting themselves by the injury of others.
That the great Emperor has now been pleased to give to your Excellency
a special commission to repair hither and make inquiry, and act in this
matter. And that, as High Imperial Commissioner, you issued an edict,
promising not to go back into the past, but only requiring that the opium
already here should be entirely delivered up ; that the opium to come should
be effectually stopped from coming ; and that they should then be enabled
to continue their trade ag usual. These commands, on the 18th of March
last past, all the Hong merchants were required to repair to the factories
and enjoin, a term of three days being prescribed within which to give a
reply. Upon the 22nd, there was yet no reply. This was conduct highly
disobedient and procrastinating.