correspondence-relating-to-china-1840 — Page 26

I RESUME my anxious task, taking up the narrative from the
date of Mr. Johnston's departure to Macao on the 3rd instant.
The blockade has not relaxed,—indeed, judging from the increased
rareness with which we receive information from below, the reverse is
the case.
We are without further intelligence than I recorded in my last
despatch. In other respects our situation is the same.
Yesterday forenoon, Howqua and Mowqua visited me, and brought
me the draft of a bond, which they said had just been placed in their
hands by an officer deputed by the High Commissioner. I returned it to
them ; but in the course of the afternoon, they left a copy of the same
paper with the General Chamber of Commerce.
Last evening, I received the accompanying official paper on the same
subject, to which I made no reply ; and this afternoon a direct address
from the High Commissioner himself, enjoining the execution of this
monstrous instrument. To-morrow being Sunday, no reply need be
made; but on the next day I shall return the answer now transmitted, and
if we are ever free, the more practical and fit reply will be the withdrawal
of all the Queen's subjects from the grasp of this Government., It has
seemed to me, however, that the direct avowal of such a purpose at
present would have the effect of increasing the great risks and discomfort
of our situation. Trade with China at any point remote from the station
of our ships, as I have already observed to your Lordship, is no longer a
possible state of circumstances.
On reconsidering the public correspondence already transmitted, I
find that the High Commissioner boldly fastens our actual condition of
imprisonment on my intention to make my escape, taking with me
Mr. Dent.
The facts shall answer his Excellency. On the 19th ultimo all
intercourse between Canton, Whampoa, and the outside anchorages was
authoritatively stopped by the commands of this Government, and not
a single ship's boat has succeeded in getting from Canton to Whampoa
since the 21st ultimo, or (excepting my own on the 24th at the risk of my
life) from Whampoa to Canton up to this date, 6th April. I did not leave
Macao till the 23rd March. On the 24th I passed through the Bogue,
and there I fell in with the British ship the Heroine, detained (not
withstanding the perfect formality of her pass) upon the express ground
that " householders " might attempt to escape on board of her.
So much for the implication that all was open till I came in, with the
intention to run out. Your Lordship will know that I came here to do my
duty, which was to place myself, if possible, between the fearful proceed
ings of his Excellency and Her Majesty's subjects, and, if I could not ward
them off, at least to share them.
This rash man is hastening on in a career of violence, which will
react upon this empire in a terrible manner.
I am sensible, my Lord, that the whole body of reasoning governing
my proceedings throughout the momentous affairs cast upon me, will
demand a separate and detailed exposition. But situated as I am, uncer
tain of the means of communication, or opportunities of leisure which may
be afforded to me, I feel assured your Lordship will pardon me for noting
any reflections that may occur to me in this detached and occasional way.
Before the arrival of the High Commissioner, I had steadily considered
the expediency of formally requiring all the British ships engaged in the
opium trade to sail away from the coasts of China. But the objections to
that measure were very strong, and the result has proved that I took a
sound view in refraining from it.
In the first place, it was remembered that the late frequent changes of
policy of the Government in relation to this trade, left it a matter of perfect
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doubt to the very day before the Commissioner's first edicts appeared, whe
ther the avowed purposes were to be depended upon or not, or whether the
object was merely the extensive check of the trade by subjecting it to
heightened temporary inconvenience, and exacting some considerable fees
for the price of its future relaxation.
Although I had certainly come to the conclusion, for some months
since, that the determination of the Court to put down the trade was
firmly adopted, 1 had neither then nor now formed such a judgment of its
power effectually to accomplish that object. And it behoved me to pause
most gravely before I committed Her Majesty's Government to any direct
concernment with this delicate subject, and immense mass of property,
upon my personal opinions; or, without the strongest public necessity,
immediately affecting the safety of the lives and general interests of Her
Majesty's subjects.
It should be added, too, that my own opinions were contradicted, in
a strong practical form, by the persons most deeply interested; for the
increasing imports proved that there was no real and general apprehension
of the measures which have been taken.
But an additional and pressing motive for caution in this respect arose
from my conviction, that, be the traffic carried on how it might, the time
had arrived when the merchants engaged in the trade at Canton must
resolve to forego their connexion with it. And I was of opinion that the
continuance of the shipping on the spot might enable them all frankly to
meet any reasonable advances on the part of the High Commissioner, with
plain and respectful statements, setting forth their readiness to abandon
the further pursuit of the trade entirely ; but soliciting time and reason
able opportunities, upon the ground of the long course of connivance it
had enjoyed ; and upon the great impulse it had so lately received by the
public preparations of the Imperial Government to legalize it.
Up to a very late date, my Lord, no portion of the trade to China has
so regularly paid its fees to the officers of this and the neighbouring pro
vinces, high and low, as that of opium ; and, under all the circumstances
of the case, I am warranted in describing the late measures to be those of
public robbery, and of wanton violence on the Queen's officers and subjects,
and all the foreign community in China.
In my despatch of March 30 last, I have already acknowledged to your
Lordship that, looking to pressure of extreme urgency, I had made up my
mind to incur very heavy personal responsibilities for the sake of peace
and the general trade, concerning these ships. Once more referring your
Lordship to my note to the Governor, dated at Macao, on the 23rd March,
and a copy of which reached the Keun-Min-Foo, on the same day, by the
avowal of the chief pilot whose duty it was to deliver it, I would ask, upon
what admissible principle the Government could make a prisoner of me?
It was my fixed purpose, my Lord, when I left Macao, to afford every rea
sonable satisfaction concerning the immediate withdrawal of this property,
unquestionably drawn here by a long course of encouragement on the part
of this Government ; and either to cause the merchants of my country,
engaged in trade at Canton, to make solemn promises that they would
abstain from connexion with the opium traffic in future, or myself, on the
part of Her Majesty's Government, to undertake that no reclamation
should be made if they were forthwith expelled.
I must confess, that I had contemplated these gravest responsibilities
with intense uneasiness ; but for the sake of the considerations I have
noticed, and mindful of the character of the trade, I should not have
shrunk from them, if I could have drawn from this Government reason
able securities for the future, and moderate explanations concerning the
past.
But, my Lord, when I arrived at Whampoa, on the 24th ultimo, and
learnt that this intemperate man had absolutely begun to work out the
dark threats involved in his edicts, against the merchants of my
country ; I saw that there was no hope of accommodation by such means
as I had considered. His purposes were plain ; and it was my clear duty
to let. them reach me, and not the merchants acting principally for absent
men, and therefore wholly incapable of taking consentaneous courses, or
 387

any other than those which would lead to separate and ruinous surrenders
of all this immense mass of property.
The surrender of the property at the first public summons was
founded upon the clear perception, that the demand without alternative of
any kind, under the circumstances of strictest and most unprovoked
restraint, faithfully described in my public notice, (Inclosure No. 20 in
■my despatch of March 30) was an act of forcible spoliation of the very
worst description justly leaving to Her Majesty the right of full indemnity
and future security.
The situation of this peculiar property has been entirely altered by
the High Commissioner's proceedings ; and his continuance of the state of
restraint, insult, and dark intimidation, subsequently to the surrender, has
certainly classed the whole case amongst the most shameless violences
which one nation has ever yet dared to perpetrate against another.
It is not by measures of this kind that the Chinese Government can
hope to put down a trade, which every friend to humanity must deplore ;
great moral changes can never be effected by the violation of all the prin
ciples of justice and moderation. The wise course would have been to
make the trade shameful, and wear it out by degrees in its present form.
The course taken will change the manner of its pursuit at once, cast it
into desperate hands, and with this long line of unprotected coast,
abounding in safe anchorages, and covered with defenceless cities, I
foresee a state of things terrible to reflect upon.
Perhaps, indeed, the chief mischief of the actual proceedings, is the
evil feeling of revenge they will unquestionably produce in the minds of
the class of men, otherwise disposed to engage in the traffic for the mere
love of gain ; they will seem to justify, in the consciences of such persons,
every species of retaliation. Indeed, I feel assured, that the single mode
of saving the coasts of the empire from a shocking character of warfare,
both foreign and domestic, will be the very prompt and powerful inter
ference of Her Majasty's Government for the just vindication of all
wrongs, and the effectual prevention of crime and wretchedness by
permanent settlement.
Comprehensively considered, this measure has become of high
obligation towards the Chinese Government, as well as to the public
interests and character of the British nation. There can be neither safety
nor honour for either Government till Her Majesty's flag flies on these
coasts in a secure position.
Canton, April 11, 1839.
The interval between the date of my last notice and the present, has
been mainly occupied by the High Commissioner's pertinacious adherence
to the demand for the execution of the bond, (Inclosure No. 1.) The
inclosures Nos. 5 and 6, form the continued correspondence on that
subject.
The American and Dutch Consuls have been similarly assailed, and
have replied substantially in the same sense.
Prisoners in his Excellency's hand, I have not considered it expedient
for the present to explain, that, whilst Her Majesty's Government will
offer no objection to the principle, that the Emperor has the just right to
make what laws seem good to him for the government of all persons in
his dominions, there will remain, first, the right of remonstrance and its
consequences to Her Majesty ; secondly, the free election of departure to
Her Majesty's subjects; and, thirdly, an inherent impossibility to the
admissible execution of any legislation involving. capital, and probably
any other, punishment or liability, save expulsion, in respect of Her
Majesty's subjects who may remain in China, till the laws, in the language
of His late Majesty's instructions, shall be administered towards them "in
the same manner in which the same are, or shall be, administered towards
tha subjects of China."
•Denied all right of free intercourse, or appeal to the higher tribunals
of the empire, the state of circumstances contemplated in the instructions
does not exist.
Being on this subject, I should not omit to mention to your Lordship
 388

that most of the foreign merchants in Canton had already signed and
transmitted to the High Commissioner, a voluntary pledge, couched in
very extensive terms, to the effect, that they would have no further
connexion with the opium traffic His Excellency, however, was not
satisfied, and hence the bond.
I trust that I shall be able to avert any recurrence to intimidatory
proceedings against the merchants, concerning this monstrous instrument,
presented at a moment and under circumstances which intensely aggra
vate the responsibility that the High Commissioner is casting upon his
country and himself. His Excellency, however, left Canton for the Bocca
Tigris yesterday evening, to be present at the delivery of the opium; and
I know not what effect my last address produced upon him.
But adverting to the demand I have made for time, (which I have
made principally to turn aside a return of proceedings against the mer
chants,) I need hardly acquaint your Lordship that my first measure after
we are set at liberty, will be to declare Her Majesty's Government irre
sponsible for the safety of British shipping or property which may enter
this port subsequently to the date of my notice. And with the liberty and
lives of Her Majesty's subjects in constant danger, pending their continued
stay within the grasp of this Government, I shall further enjoin them all,
in urgent terms, to quit the place with Her Majesty's establishment. My
own departure will be regulated by the fulfilment of my public engage
ments to this Government.
We hear of the arrival of the ships at Lankeet, but the blockade
continues very strict, and I am without letters from Mr. Johnston, since
his departure on the 3rd instant. Your Lordship will judge of our sepa
ration from all intercourse with the ships and people of our countries,
when I mention that I have not succeeded in getting one line from any
person outside, since my imprisonment here on the 24th ultimo. It is
to the great honour of a community principally composed of merchants
unaccustomed to confinement and anxiety of this distressing nature, that
their confidence in the protection of Her Majesty's Government is their
sufficient support.

Canton, April 13, 1839.
I permit myself to refer your Lordship to the memorials laid before
the Emperor relating to the opium question, which were transmitted, in
a printed form, in my despatch of February 12, 1837. Their attentive con
sideration will be needful for the treatment of the grave public difficulties
forming the subject of these despatches.
The memorial of the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of these
provinces (No. 4 of the series,) in support of the legalization policy, was
formally transmitted to the foreigners through the official organs of the
Government, together with their own remarkable report (No. 3 of the
series). The natural effect was an immediate and prodigious impulse to
the trade; and dismissing all claim for moderation, arising from the con
siderations of the laxness of the Court (to use careful terms), and the long
connivance of the officers, the fact now noticed should of itself have secured
to this property, upon every ground of justice and sound policy, totally
different treatment than has now been hazarded. The utmost conceivable
encouragement, direct and indirect, upon the one hand, and sudden violent
spoliation on the other, are the characteristics of the Chinese measures
concerning the opium subject.
The institution of intimidatory proceedings against the merchants,
the continued forcible detention of all our persons, the menaced privation
of fresh water, of food, and of the life of Her Majesty's officer, form the
heavy account of responsibilities which this Government has now in
curred.
I am not ignorant, my Lord, that the sacredness of British life, liberty,
and property, from sudden and most unjustifiable aggression, is an active
principle of that spirit of Government which has placed us where we stand
amongst the nations. And whatever portion of the uttermost fraction of
expense Her Majesty in her magnanimity may be pleased to restore, the
requirement of the whole certainly seems to be of highest obligation.
 389

Such a course is necessary, not for the sake of the value surrendered, or
to be recovered by force, but for the effectual prevention of the like dark
proceedings.
There is reason to believe, that the author of the rational policy
advocated in these papers, was the great minister, Yuen Yuen, for
merly Governor of these provinces, a man of singular moderation and
wisdom, and probably more versed in affairs of foreign trade and inter
course, than any statesman in the empire. Heu-Nae-tse, who was an
officer in this province, during his administration, is supposed to have
acted under his guidance, and Yuen Yuen's concurrent retirement, or
nearly so, from the inner council, by the Emperor's permission, with the
late degradation of Heu-Nae-tse, is a circumstance which favors these views.
The adverse character of reasoning in these reports is less remarkable
in my judgment, on account of the special hostility to the legalization of
opium, than because of the general reactive and restrictive spirit concerning
the whole subject of foreign intercourse.
This scheme of policy would necessarily acquire prodigious credit and
force, if the present proceedings were lightly treated.
But from all 1 have been able to observe of the character of this
Court, it seems to be a just inference that immediate and vigorous
measures on the part of Her Majesty's Government will as suddenly and
completely restore the wise and liberal party to the ascendant in the
Emperor's Councils, as it was lately cast out.
At all events, the time has arrived when Her Majesty's Government
must consent to the rapid growth of relaxation, or restriction, concerning
foreign intercourse ; the more sinister of which policy has prevailed for the
moment, and is actually in harshest operation. In my own humble
opinion, the Chinese Government is utterly without the spring of power to
jerk back (if I may so have it) to the accomplishment of the present
reactive purposes ; in my mind, they can lead only to a safe setting aside
by Her Majesty's prompt, powerful, and measured intervention, or to dis
creditable, but not less certain, overthrow, by the movements of lawless
men on the coasts.
Thus profoundly impressed, (and my practical opportunities of judging
are so favourable, as to go far to compensate my inability to search such
subjects with the needful spirit,) I cannot but express the anxious hope
that Her Majesty's Government will find it easier, more just to itself, and
more considerate to this empire, to adjust the effects of the rash but
impotent proceedings which emanate from the actual Councils of the
Emperor, than to remedy, at some little later period, evils of a different
and far more difficult nature.
It has sometimes occurred to me, that the uneasy temper of the
Nepaulese and Burmese Courts, particularly on the subject of the
residence of political agents, is not entirely unconnected with Chinese
suggestion ; neither can I dismiss from my mind the surmise, that the
increasing indisposition of the Chinese to the foreign trade by the sea
shores, may find some explanation in the existence of an establishment at
Peking, which I need not advert to particularly ; but whence the notion,
that safer and more extensive commerce and intercourse might be carried
on by the land frontier would arise more naturally, than any suggestions
favorable to the British Government, or to the protection of British trade.

Canton, April 17, 1839.
The correspondence (Inclosurcs Nos. 8 and 9) will inform your
Lordship that our close captivity still continues : the servants, however,
are coming back gradually ; and I collect from a letter of Mr. Johnston's,
dated on the 15th instant, that about one-half of the opium surrendered
will be delivered to the officers of the Chinese Government to-morrow
evening.
Canton, April 22, 1839.
Our confinement still continues, and, the inclosures Nos. 10, 11, and
12, will place your Lordship in possession of the pretexts which the High
Commissioner has put forward in justification of this protracted outrage.
 390

The interruption of my communications with Mr. Johnston, at the
Bocca Tigris, prevents me from knowing whether the one half of the
opium be actually surrendered. But I have no doubt that must be the
case, and indeed his Excellency's last communication contains an avowal
that he does not mean to keep his pledge in respect to the opening of the
intercourse.
No circumstance shall disturb my determination to let him fill the
measure of his responsibility. For I well know that remonstrance from a
man in my present situation to a high Chinese officer, determined to be
false and perfidious, can serve no other purpose than to furnish him with
adroit turns in plausible palliation of his own conduct.
Appeals to reason or justice are out of the question ; complaint would
be unbecoming ; and he would only wring the language of warning or
indignation to his own advantage.
The necessary reply to all this violation of truth and right is a blow,
and that it consists neither with my power nor authority to inflict. But
when I am in a convenient situation for placing the real bearings of
circumstances under view, your Lordship may be assured the task shall be
performed calmly and plainly.
Yesterday the Hong merchants brought me a direct address under
the sea's of the High Commissioner, the Governor, and Lieut.-Governor,
reiterating the demand for the bond. I tore it up at once, and desired
them to tell their officers that they might take my life as soon as they saw
fit; but that it was a vain thing to trouble themselves or me any further
upon the subject of the bond. There had been men, I reminded them,
with naked swords before our doors, day and night, for more than four
weeks, and as it was to be presumed they had orders to kill us if we
attempted to escape (though there had been no previous formality of a bond
of consent) there could be no need for our bonds of consent to the killing
of other people at some future period. It was competent for the Emperor
of China to make what laws he saw good, incurring the risks of their
execution, risks which it was not to be denied were very considerable, and
about which they should hear more, when I could find a suitable occasion
to treat so grave a subject.
Turning now to other things, I would beg to turn your Lordship's
particular attention to the expressions significant of some purpose of
indemnity or remuneration, which are to be found throughout the Com
missioner's papers; and upon this point it is most material to observe that
the first pretensions concerning the burning of the opium have entirely
disappeared from the later documents.
Indeed, my Lord, I have ascertained beyond all doubt, that the sur
render of this mass of property (under the declaration that it was taken
away from Her Majesty's subjects in the name of Her Majesty,) has over
turned the original schemes (of whatever nature they were) and that the
High Commissioner has applied to the Court for orders concerning its
disposal. In the mean time, he remains at the Bocca Tigris, superintend
ing an elaborate examination, careful repackage, and classification of the
opium into three sorts; carefulness which does not accord reasonably with
destructive intentions. In my judgment, the main body of this opium, in
fact all that is saleable, will be turned to the most advantageous account;
and I confess I have a suspicion that the present spoliatory measures
will end in the legalization of the trade, upon the footing of a Government
monopoly, with probably some provision for the cessation of imports for
one year, and perhaps a limited and annually decreasing amount, after the
expiration of that period. This train of events is agreeable to the sugges
tions of the most enlightened Chinese statesmen; and the actual possession
of at least one year's consumption, will enable the Government to commence
its operation on the favorable footing of making the native consumers pay
such prices as will place the Government in a situation to reimburse the
foreign claimant fully for his opium, and leave a handsome surplus to go
to the Imperial Treasury.
The actual price of opium in this city is certainly nothing under 1200
dollars a chest : I learn t at late daliveries ha\e been made outside at
about 600 dollars a chest. Your Lordship will judge how easily the Chineee
 391

Government may form a sufficient fund to defray the charge of indemnity.
However, without prolonging this course of speculation, I may say,
that there is no doubt at all of the intention to pay something by some
means.
Let Her Majesty's Government then think fit to respond to these
tidings with an immediate and strong declaration that it will exact com
plete indemnity for all manner of loss ; and I am well assured that such a
communication alone will so hasten the purposes of the Chinese Govern
ment, and so extend the measure of remuneration (certainly already
intended,) that there will be nothing to seek for under that head by the
time that force can reach these coasts. The demand of all others which
the Chinese would least wish to meet at such a moment is one involving
money payment.
I will not dismiss these remarks without taking the liberty to submit,
in a brief form, the general impressions which are more and more forcibly
fixing themselves upon me, as I attentively consider the whole subject of
these despatches.
In the first, place, it appears to me that the immense extension of our
peaceful trade and intercourse with this empire is as certain as any event
dependent upon human agency can be said to be.
Secondly.—That this object can alone be attained by immediate
vigorous measures, founded upon the most moderate ulterior purposes.
Thirdly.—That as a more just, necessary, or favourable conjuncture
for action never presented itself, so, upon the other hand, it cannot be cast
away, except at the certain and immediate sacrifice of honourable trade
and intercourse with the empire : and the production of such a condition
of frightful evil as Her Majesty's Government will not bear to consider.
And, lastly, that every man's just indemnity may be surely recovered
from this Government.

Canton, May 4, 1839.
The monotony of our confinement till this date, has been interrupted
by nothing except harassing rumours concerning Macao, forming the
subject of other despatches.
But to-day an official paper has reached me (Inclosure No. 13) which
your Lordship will observe opens out the way to all but sixteen persons.
I need not say that I shall not quit Canton till my public obligations
are fulfilled, and never, except in the company of those of my countrymen
whose names are mentioned in this paper.
I have just issued the accompanying circular (Inclosure No. 14) and
at a future moment, when the present proposed purposes of relaxation are
in train, and the Chinese less liable to excitement, which might have the
effect of abruptly closing the door again, I shall promulgate the inclosed
notice (Inclosure No. 15).
My last information from Mr. Johnston, dated on the 2nd instant,
reports the deliveries to be 15,501 chests ; and I hope the whole will be
completed in about ten days.
The present event furnishes a suitable occasion for closing this part
of my report. I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.


Inclosure 1 in No. 148.

Proposed Bond regarding Opium.

A PREPARED voluntary bond. The English Superintendent Elliot,
and the Deputy Superintendent Johnston, at the head of the English
merchants M. N., the country merchants O. P., the Moorish merchants
Q. R., the merchants S. T., and the ■ merchants U. V.,
hereby fully and earnestly bind themselves for ever to cease from opium.
They thus bind themselves : That, whereas the merchants of the
English nation and its dependencies, during their long continued commer
 392

eial intercourse with the province of Kwangtung, have been thoroughly
imbued with the dewy influences of the favour of the Celestial Court, and
have rejoiced in the acquisition of unbounded gains ; but of late years, a
gain-seeking set of men have clandestinely brought the filthy opium, have
stored it up on board warehousing-ships in the seas of Kwangtung, and
have there sold it, to the infringement of the laws of the Celestial Court.
And whereas the Great Emperor has now been pleased to give his special
Commission to one of his high officers to repair to Canton and inquire into
and act regarding this matter : they have now begun to have knowledge of
the extreme severity of the prohibitory enactments, and have been filled
with unutterable dread and terror ; they have respectfully taken all the
opium laid up on board the store-ships, and have delivered up the whole
to Government ; they entreat and implore that a memorial may be laid
before the throne, requesting the Great Emperor to show clemency beyond
the bounds of law, and remit their past offences ; the store-ships that have
discharged all, they will direct to sail back to their respective countries ;
and Elliot, Sic, will plainly address the Sovereign of his nation, that she
may strictly proclaim to all the merchants, that they are to pay implicit
obedience to the prohibitory laws of the Celestial Court ; that they must
not again introduce any opium into this inner land ; that they cannot be
allowed any longer to manufacture opium. ■ ■
From the commencement of autumn in this present year, any merchant
vessel coming to Kwangtung, that may be found to bring opium, shall be
immediately and entirely confiscated, both vessel and cargo, to the use of
Government; no trade shall be allowed to it; and the parties shall be left
to suffer death at the hands of the Celestial Court; such punishment they
will readily submit to.
As regards such vessels as may arrive here in the two quarters of
spring and summer, now current, they will have left their countries while
yet ignorant of the existing investigations and severe enforcement of pro
hibitions ; such of them as, in this state of ignorance, bring any opium,
shall surrender it as they arrive, not daring in the smallest degree to
conceal or secrete it. . .
They unite together in this plain declaration, that this their full and
earnest bond is true.
(First proposed April 4th, 1839.)
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.


Inclosure 2 in No. 148.

The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot.

CHOO, by special appointment, Prefect of Kwang Chow Foo, gives
commands to the English Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
He has now received from his Excellency Lin, the High Imperial
Commissioner and Governor of Hookwang, the within official injunction.
"The English Superintendent, Elliot, has presented the following
address :
[The address of AprLfi, (Inclosvre 30 in despatch of March 30)
is here inserted.]
"Upon this duly coming before me, the High Commissioner, I reply:
" I, the other day, deputed civil and military officers to take
Johnston with them to Macao ; and I also let the cutter go away. I am
now waiting till all the store-ships reach Lankeet, for the delivery of the
chests of opium, when I, the High Commissioner, have resolved■ to
proceed in person to examine and receive the same.
"Let the said Superintendent make haste to require all the foreigners
in the factories to give full and earnest bonds, that they will never
presume to bring opium, and to present the same, so as to enable a request
to be laid before the throne, asking rewards for encouragement. Be there
not the least dilatoriness.
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; " 1, hereupon, issue injunctions/requiring the said Prefect immedi
ately to enjoin commands on the Hong merchants, that they may give it
in command to the Superintendent Elliot, to pay unfailing obedience."
He (the Prefect) having received the above, proceeds to give
commands. When these reach the said Superintendent Elliot, let him
make haste to require all the foreigners to give full and earnest bonds
that they will never bring opium, and to present the same. Be there no
dilatoriness. Hasten ! hasten ! A special order.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 22nd day. (5th April, 1839.)
(L. S.) of the Kwang Chow Foo.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.


Inclosure 3 in No. 148.

The Imperial Commissioner to Captain Elliot.

LIN, High Imperial Commissioner of the Celestial Court, a Director
of the Board of War, and Governor of Hookwang, issues his commands to
the English Superintendent Elliot, for his full information.
Seeing that 1, the High Commissioner, had respectfully received the
special commands of the Great Emperor to repair to Kwangtung, for the
utter extirpation of the opium trade of the store-ships, I issued a series of
urgent, earnest, and clear edicts. The said Superintendent, after he had
received these, was open to a sense of grateful acknowledgment of the
celestial favours, and of implicit obedience to the prohibitory enactments.
He made a requisition of the foreign merchants, of all the nations under
the English rule, that they should take the filthy opium on board their
store-ships and surrender the whole amount ; and he then represented
the circumstance, requesting that the opium might be examined and
received. He herein fully manifested his dutiful obedience, and fear of the
laws. His conduct was highly praiseworthy.
But all the merchants, in their sordid search after gain, although on
this occasion they have delivered up the opium to the Government, may,
—it is difficult to ensure they will not,—hereafter continue to bring it.
So far as rests with the said Superintendent, it will be his bounden duty to
represent it to the Sovereign of his nation, that the thing may be severely
prohibited, and the planting and manufacture of opium disallowed. And
all the merchants trading in the territory of the Celestial Court, if they
wish to have a lasting trade, should first give severally full and earnest
bonds, that they never will again deal in opium, presenting the same, and
waiting till a report shall be laid before the throne, and the matter placed
on record. And then may the future clearly be declared.
Before, upon the address of the said Superintendent, I plainly replied,
giving commands. And the form of bond I sent out by the hands of a
deputed officer, to be transmitted, in order that obedience should be paid.
How is it that till now bonds have not yet been taken, and in order
presented ?
I hereupon command urgent haste. When these commands reach the
said Superintendent, let him, with all speed, turn to command the
merchants at Canton of all the nations belonging to the English rule, that
they are implicitly to keep the laws and ordinances of the Celestial Court,
and in conformity to the form of bond sent out, are to write separately, in
the Chinese and foreign languages, each his bond. All who are in the
foreign factories must severally subscribe their names and signatures. It
shall not be allowed that one name be left out ; and all are to report,
through the said Superintendent, presenting them for my careful inspection.
Thus shall I have it in my power to request of the Great Emperor a liberal
conferment of rewards.
Because you, the said Superintendent, have been able to require of all
the delivery of their opium, therefore I, the High Commissioner, look on
3 E
 384

you with high consideration. The taking of bonds now required is a
thing easy in comparison with the delivery of the opium. If you allow
then dilatoriness and trifling, it will appear that you are, after all, common
place, weak, and powerless ; nor will I any longer regard you with high
consideration. Be energetic ! Tremble hereat ! A special edict.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 23rd day. (6th April, 1839.)
(L■S.) of the Imperial Commissioner.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.




Inclosure 4 in No. 148.

Captain Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner.

Canton, April 8, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, &c, has had the honour to receive your Excellency's
commands concerning the execution of certain bonds by the merchants of
his country and himself, respecting the future entrance of opium into the
empire.
It has been a great satisfaction to Elliot to know, that the merchants
of his own and other foreign nations at Canton, have sincerely pledged
themselves to your Excellency to discontinue a trade which the Emperor
has strictly forbidden. And assuredly they will faithfully fulfil their obli
gations. For honour, though with poverty, is of far more value than
shameful life and disgraceful profit: and their characters are gone for
ever, if they violate their solemn pledges to this Government.
In the matter of the bonds, however, Elliot can conscientiously declare,
that it is not in his power, according to the laws of his country, to meet
the pleasure of your Excellency.
The opium is a thing in actual possession ; and, therefore, it has not
been impossible to Elliot, assuming very heavy responsibilities, to require
it in the name of his Sovereign, and render it up to your Excellency on
behalf of his Government.
But the bonds have relation to the future ; and would involve terrible
responsibilities in any possible case of disobedience to the prohibitions.
They would involve, too, not alone parties themselves but others also.
Such bonds, then, it is impossible even for his honoured Sovereign to
require; and how much more must it be out of the power of Elliot himself
to require them !
Nay, were he so far to forget his duty as to require them of the people
of his country, they themselves too well know the laws of their country to
venture on giving bonds that would render them highly criminal.
All the papers that your Excellency sends to Elliot will, of course, be
laid before his gracious Sovereign. Thus will your Excellency's words be
fully known.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.




Inclosure 5 in No. 148.

The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot.

CHOO, by special appointment, Prefect of Kwang Chow Foo, issues
commands to the English Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
He has now received from his Excellency Lin, High Imperial Com
missioner and Governor of Hookwang, the within official injunction.
 395

"On the 8th instant, the English Superintendent, Elliot, addressed me
making a representation in reply, and declaring that the bonds have
relation to the future, and involve terrible responsibilities in any possible
case of disobedience to prohibitions.
" Upon this duly coming before me, the High Commissioner, I reply:—
" After my arrival in Canton, I immediately proclaimed to all the
foreigners, that as their past dealings in opium might have been in
ignorance of the severe prohibitions of the Celestial Court, these, their past
faults, should now be indulgently remitted, and they should merely be
required to take the opium actually on board their store-ships, and sur
render the whole amount to Government ; and to give full and voluntary
bonds, declaring plainly, that the vessels that shall henceforth come will
never venture to bring opium ; or if any do so, that the merchandize shall
be confiscated, and the parties executed.
" In consequence of this, the foreigners of all nations addressed me.
Although they expressed their readiness to pay obedience, their bonds
were not, however, presented. At that time, being engaged in requiring
the delivery of the opium, I had not opportunity at once to urge the
execution of the bonds ; and thought that, as the said foreigners ordinarily
pay regard to the word " good faith," they would, since they were willing to
deliver up the opium, execute the bonds also, without any need of urging.
Who would have expected, on the part of the said Superintendent, a
continued procrastination and delay: or that he would now have pre
sented an address, making pretexts to evade and excuse himself from the
matter ?
" As to what is said of the bonds having relation to the future, and
involving terrible responsibilities in any possible case of disobedience to
the prohibitions, and of its being impossible even for your Sovereign to
require them, I find that your Sovereign has habitually shown a dutiful
compliance, and has manifested a due sense of gratitude for the Celestial
Court's gracious gift of a market for trade; She will assuredly yield
obedience to the Celestial Court's prohibitions of a clandestine traffic
And if you, indeed, pay obedience to commands, and execute these bonds,
your Sovereign will certainly judge your conduct to have been right, and can
never, on the contrary, consider it to have been wrong. For whatever
gains your nation acquires, are all obtained from the Celestial Empire.
" Had you not come to this inner land, your country would, of course,
hold its own laws over you : for the ordinances of the Celestial Empire are
by no means enacted for you. But as you, being foreigners of outer
countries, have now come as merchants to the Celestial Empire, and as the
Celestial Empire has endued you with gains, how can it fail to inhibit your
illegalities ? Even so, when the people of other provinces come to Kwang-
- tung, as soon as they commit any offence, they at once become amenable
to punishment in Kwangtung. The same principle prevails whether as
regards those of the empire, or those from without it.
" Supposing, to borrow an example, people of other countries should
go to your country, England, for commercial ends, and should disobey
your country's laws and enactments, would your Sovereign bear with
them? How much less, then, shall the Celestial Court, whose voice and
whose instructions diffuse good rule everywhere, and towards whose
civilization the foreigners all turn.
" The nations lying beyond our frontier, which repair to this inner
land, are very numerous ; and which of them does not pay implicit obedience
to our prohibitory enactments? And shall it, indeed, specially impress
them upon your one or two nations !
" You represent that your nation has its laws. These will serve only
so long as you do not come to this inner land. But since you will come to
Kwangtung to trade, even your Sovereign then must command you to
keep obediently the laws and statutes of the Celestial Empire. How can
you bring the laws of your nation with you to the Celestial Empire.
" What you say, that even your Sovereign cannot require. obedience of
all you foreigners, is in a still higher degree perverse and absurd. You
show herein an inward purpose to evade and excuse yourself from this
matter ; and you would even prevent the operation of your Sovereign's
3E2
 396

high behests. For such unfaithful language how will you be able to
answer your Sovereign ?
" Looking over the some hundreds of words contained in your address,
I find but one sentence to approve of, namely, that good faith is of more
value than profit. These words are true. And my object in requiring
these voluntary bonds to be executed is, that I may have an earnest of
this your good faith.
" If all you foreigners have determined henceforward to repent of your
past faults, and amend, if you desire to carry on an honourable trade, and
never more to bring opium ; in that case, though you bind yourselves by
the declaration that they who deal in opium ought to die ; yet, as this is
spoken of such as sell and not of those who do not sell it, what hurt can
it do to you ?
" But if you will not venture to give full and voluntary bonds, and
. speak, as in this address, of the possible case of future disobedience, it will
be clearly seen that you wish to preserve to yourselves room for the intro
duction of opium, and that for this end you compose this crafty and sly
speech. How, I would ask, will you manifest your good faith to men? •
" Be it said that the foreign slaves and seamen may, it is to be feared,
smuggle it— it is requisite that the owners of the goods and masters of the
ships should maintain a faithful restraint. If amid the vast amount there
be a single petty illegality, of course the heaviness or lightness of the
punishment must be regulated in such cases by the amount brought ; and
the party concerned snail alone be punished; how can punishment be
carelessly inflicted without discrimination being made ? or how, as repre
sented in your address, can other parties be involved? The officers of
Kwangtung of every grade, have hitherto always treated you with an
excess of indulgence, and never with excess of severity. How is your
mind so void of clear perception ?
" At this time, when opium has so extensively pervaded the land with
its poisonous influence, and when I, the High Commissioner, have received
the Great Emperor's special commands to extirpate this thing, how can I
fail to require of you the execution of an agreement to put a stop to it ?
So soon as these bonds shall be executed, I shall assuredly report to the
Great Emperor, that your foreign merchants of all nations are all ready
to observe their duty, and fear the laws ; that they may be allowed still to
continue a permanent trade. And from thenceforth they will be trusted ;
nor will depravity and deceit on their part be any longer apprehended.
Thus all the foreigners will stand in an honourable position, and still more
so will you, Elliot. Be careful, then, not to damage yourself by obstinacy.
" I proceed to issue commands for obedience to be paid. And to this
end I enjoin the Prefect of Kwang Chow Foo immediately to give these
commands to the Hong merchants, that they may transmit the same to the
said Superintendent, Elliot, requiring his unfailing obedience."
He, the Prefect, having received the above, proceeds to issue the
commands. When these reach the said Superintendent, Elliot, let him pay
immediate and unfailing obedience. A Special Edict.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 25th day. (8th April, 1839.)
(L.S.) of the Kwang Chow Foo.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Mohrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
 397




Inclosure 6 in No. 148.


Captain Elliot to tlie Imperial Commissioner.


Canton, April 10, 1839.
ELLIOT, &,c, has had the honour to receive your Excellency's com
mands of date the 8th April.
The argument, that a person of any other nation, repairing to England
for commercial purposes, must pay obedience to the English regulations
and prohibitions, and that in like manner it is required of the English
people who come to China to trade, that they observe implicitly the Yaws
of the Celestial Empire, is most luminous.
It is beyond dispute, then, that those who will come to Canton to trade,
must act in obedience to the laws. But the new regulation regarding
these bonds is incompatible with the laws of England. If, therefore, its
observance be imperatively insisted upon, and these bonds be absolutely
required, there will remain no alternative but for the English men and
vessels to depart. In this manner, while no resistance is offered to the
laws of the Celestial Empire, neither will there be any infraction of the
regulations of England. And, thus, both will be preserved intact.
Recollecting that his nation has carried on trade with China, under
the benign rule of the Great Emperor, for more than two centuries, Elliot
humbly hopes that warning will be fairly given of the extreme severity of
the prohibitions. His country's possessions are rather distant. Perhaps,
then, the appointed term may be considerately extended. If, from the
opening of the trade, a term of five months may be allowed for the people
of the Indian possessions, and a term of ten months for the people of
England herself, before this new rule shall pass into operation, then none
will remain ignorant of the existence of such a law ; and if any come to
Canton, they will of necessity pay obedience to it. As regards such
vessels as may arrive, bringing opium within the five or the ten months,
Elliot will be able to send them away again.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.




Inclosure 7 in No. 148 - L

The Foreign Merchants to the Imperial Commissioner.

Canton, March 25, 1839.
THE foreign merchants of all nations, in Canton, have received with
profound respect the Edict of his Excellency the Imperial Commissioner ;
and now beg leave to address his Excellency, having already communi
cated through the Hong merchants their intentions of doing so with the
least possible delay.
They beg to represent, that being now made fully aware of the Im
perial commands, &c, the entire abolition of the' traffic in opium, the
undersigned foreigners in Canton hereby pledge themselves not to deal in
opium, nor to attempt to introduce it into the Chinese Empire.
Having now recorded their solemn pledge, they have only further
most respectfully to state to his Excellency, that as individual foreign
merchants they do not possess the power of controlling such extensive
and important matters, as his Excellency's edict embraces; and they
 398

trust His Excellency will approve of their leaving a final settlement to be
arranged through the Representative of their respective nations.
(Signed)
Fox, Rawson, and Co. James Matheson, for himself and
Dent and Co. partners.
Russell and Co. Dossabhoy Hormusjee.
Wetmore and Co. Cowasjee Pallanjee, and
D. and M. Rustomjee. cursetjee bomanjee.
Savuckshaw Rustomjee. Edmund Moller.
I. de Souza Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee.
COWASJEE SAPOORJEE. A. and D. Furdonjee.
Russell, Sturgis, and Co. BURJOORJEE MaNUCKJEE.
Bell and Co. Hormuzjee Framjee.
Daniell and Co. Framjee Dadabhoy.
Dirom and Co. BOMANJEE MaNUCKJEE.
Gibb, Livingston, and Co. Bomanjee Hosanjee.
Robert Wise Holliday, and Co. Jamsetjee Rustomjee.
Bovet Brothers and Co. Pallanjee Dorabjee.
HORMUZJEE BYRAMJEE. cursetjee shapoorjee.
MacVicar and Co. Nasserwanjee Dorabjee.
Framjee Jamsetjee. Pallanjee Nasserwanjee.
J. and W. Cragg, and Co. Turner and Co.
Shauxshall Burdrodeer. W. and J. Gemmell and Co.
Abaden and Samsooden. Bibby, Adam, and Co.
Lindsay and Co.




Inclosure 8 in No. 148.

Captain Elliot to the Lieutenant-Governor of Canton.

Canton, April 12, 1839.
ELLIOT acquaints your Excellency that the child of Daniell, one of
the men of his nation, presently detained in Canton, lies grievously sick at
Macao.
Elliot has therefore to request that your Excellency will be pleased to
give immediate orders for the liberation of Daniell, in order that he may
proceed to Macao and fulfil his parental duties. And this is the more
necessary, because the physician of the English nation stationed in
Macao is also sick.
Confiding in your Excellency's justice and humanity, Elliot prefers
this request. And, with sentiments of high consideration, has the honour to
remain, &c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.




Inclosure 9 in No. 148.

The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot, communicating the reply of the
Lieutenant-Governor to Captain Elliot's Address of the \2th of April.

CHOO, by special appointment, Prefect of Kwang Chow Foo, issues
commands to the English Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
He has now received from E, the Lieutenant Governor of Kwangtung,
the within official communication.
" Upon the 12th of April, the English Superintendent, Elliot, addressed
me in the following terms.
[The Address of 12th April {Inclosure 8) is here inserted.]
 399

" This having duly come before me, the Lieutenant-Governor, I have
acquainted myself with the contents. I find that the said Superintendent,
Elliot, before, in obedience to the commands given, expressed his readiness
to deliver up the opium on board the store-ships. His Excellency the
Imperial Commissioner, in concert with the Governor, has consequently
proceeded to the Bocca Tigris to direct the receiving thereof. But barely
three days have elapsed, when the said Superintendent abruptly makes a
Eretext of the foreign merchant Daniell's child being sick, to request that
e should have permission to go to Macao to take care of it. This is a
matter affecting the said individual merchant alone. How can it have
been regarded as a fine occasion for making an experiment? It is a very
foolish and confused proceeding ; and the request it is impossible to grant.
"In brief, his Excellency the Imperial Commissioner, with the Governor
and myself, the Lieutenant-Governor, in the conduct of this affair will hold
fast the grand principles of justice. We are all awaiting the delivery of
the full amounts of the opium, that we may thoroughly arrange the matter.
The said Superintendent, &c, should, of course, in implicit obedience to
the previously-given commands, wait quietly, until having received com
munications we shall make further proclamation. Let there not be any
annoying representation.
" The Prefect is enjoined to give immediate commands to the Hong
merchants, that they transmit these commands to the said Superintendent,
Elliot, for his unfailing obedience. With speed! With speed!"
He (the Prefect) having received the above, proceeds to issue com
mands. When these reach the said Superintendent Elliot, let him pay
immediate and unfailing obedience. A special command.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 20th day. (13th April, 1839.)
(L.S.) of the Kwang Chow Foo.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.



Inclosure 10 in No. 148.

The Imperial Commissioner and the Governor of Canton, jointly, to
Captain Elliot.

LIN, High Imperial Commissioner, &c, and Tang, Governor of the
two Kwang, &tc, issue commands to the English Superintendent, Elliot,
for his full information.
The surrender of opium is the way opened to all foreigners for com
mencing a new course. If the said foreigners possess a conscience of what
is right, they surely ought with sincerity to repent and reform. Had all
the store-ships been on the alert in coming up, the opium would ere this
have been entirely delivered, and the restraints removed. But having been
repeatedly urged forward, and not having yet all arrived, we, the High
Commissioner, and the Governor, are led to think that there is some illicit
purpose behind.
At present, besides the ships Hercules, Austen, and Ariel, which
are entirely discharged, and the ships Mermaid, Jane, and Ruparell,
which are now delivering, there are four vessels, the Nymph, Mithras,
Mavis, and Virginia, which, though hastened, did not arrive until the
18th, when they reached Sandy Head together. The opium that these
vessels have on board is very little, barely amounting, in the Nymph to
eighty chests of the Bengal drug. On careful inspection of the marks left
by the water on the sides of the vessels, they are found to be raised out,
above the water, with new marks below, thereby plainly showing that the
vessels have been freely transhipping outside, and reducing the quantities,
before coming up to deliver.
Moreover, to-day a naval cruizer has apprehended and sent to us a
person engaged in selling opium, one Leaou Teenkwang, with whom were
 400

seized a number of parcels of Malwa [opium] which he deposes to have pur
chased on board a foreign vessel on the 10th of April. Will such a continu
ance of illegalities, even at the very approach of making surrender, induce
men to believe in the existence of sincere repentance and reformation ?
We proceed to issue commands. When these reach the said Super
intendent, let him speedily transmit directions to Johnston, &.c, impera
tively to urge the several store-ships, that they at once come up together to
Sandy Head, and to restrain the people and seamen of the vessels from
diminishing in the least degree the amount of opium. The said Superin
tendent must not presume, on his having at first reported a certain full
amount, to let them clandestinely dispose of any quantities there may be in
excess, thereby occasioning a return of the pervading poison, and so draw
ing on himself criminality and cause of sorrow. Tremblingly consider
this. Hasten ! Hasten ! A special command. •
Taoukwang, 19th year, 3rd month, 6th day. (19th April, 1839.)
(L.S.) of the Imperial Commissioner.
(L.S.) of the Governor.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.




Inclosure 11 in No. 148.


Captain Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner and the Governor of Canton.

ELLIOT, &c, has received your Excellencies' commands, dated on
the 6th day of the moon.
The business in hand is very extensive, and many persons of low
degree, sailors, and others, are engaged in it ; so that it may be difficult
entirely to prevent the irregularities of which your Excellencies complain.
But Elliot has now written to Johnston, in the strongest language,
desiring him to be very watchful, and most severe in the repression of
such shameless proceedings. And also to issue immediate and strict