and thus the British flag ceased once more to wave
upon the territory of the Celestial Empire. At the same
time, orders had been hastily sent up for the immediate
evacuation of Chusan , whence our troops were to be
brought down to Hong Kong, together with the ships
of war, as quickly as possible.
Every thing looked extremely peaceable upon paper,
and the Chinese contrived to create a temporary belief
1
in the sincerity of their intentions. "
It will be remembered that Sir Gordon Bremer had
not yet been named Joint Plenipotentiary, which did
not take place until after his return from Calcutta in
1
DETAIL OF H. B. M.'s MILITARY AT CHUSAN, on 1st JANUARY, 1841 .
rank and file .
18th Regiment, Royal Irish, Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, 487
26th Regiment, Cameronians, Lieutenant-Colonel James, .291
49th Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Bartley ......... 326
Bengal Volunteers, Lieutenant - Colonel Lloyd ....... 402
Madras Artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel Montgomerie, C.B. ..... .185
Madras Sappers and Miners, Captain Cotton .... 227
VOL . I. U
290 REPORT OF KESHEN .
The Queen steamer, in the month of June following.
He had proceeded to India in that vessel, at the end of
March, after the arrival of Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh
Gough, probably in order to confer in person with the
governor-general.
Thus ended what may be called the second act, (the
first having been the taking of Chusan, and the expe
dition to the Peiho) of the great drama of the Chinese
war.
In his report to the emperor, respecting these
several occurrences, Keshen declared that “ he had
only made conditional concessions to the English ;
merely promising that he would earnestly implore the
>
emperor's favour in their behalf.” He afterwards
added that “ the English had evidently shown a much
more compliant disposition than heretofore, by having
restored the forts, and also the salt-junks which they
had taken, and also in causing their forces to withdraw
from Chusan." This would naturally create in the
emperor's mind an impression, that the English would
without much difficulty be reduced to submission. At
the same time, Keshen declared that he “trembled from
hand to foot, and that his heart was rent with pain
and anxiety, when he thought of the perverse crafti
ness of these unruly foreigners.” The commissioner
by these means weakened his own case, for he almost
made it appear that the English were most disposed to
yield , at the moment when he was himself asking
“ favours ” for them, but that they had got the better
of him by their ingenuity.
Immediately after the restoration of the forts on the
21st to the Chinese, the Commodore went down to
ELLIOT AND KESHEN . 291
Macao in the Nemesis, leaving the Wellesley in the
Lintao passage, the main body of the fleet having pro
ceeded to Hong Kong. It was feared , however, that
things could not long remain in statu quo ; there were
several passings to and fro between Macao and the
fleet ; and on the 26th, Captain Elliot himself left
Macao in the Nemesis, and went up the Canton river
to hold a conference, which it had been arranged
should take place with Keshen in person, in order to
settle those points which, it has been stated, were re
served for future consideration .
U 2
292 CONFERENCE.
CHAPTER XV.
-
Conference between Keshen and Captain Elliot at the second bar
Keshen sensible of his own weakness But driven to extremities by
orders from Pekin - Preparations for the conference — Nemesis the
first steamer which ever passed the Bogue — Arrival of a French
-
Corvette — Salute from the Bogue forts— Tiger Island - Aspect of
the Canton river - Pagodas — Arrival at place of conference - Guard
of marines — Hong merchants arrive, but not admitted to an audience
Captain Elliot and suite received by Keshen— Entertainment -
Keshen inspects the marines Private conference between the
high functionaries — Nothing definitely settled —Captain Elliot dines
with the Prefect of Canton-Keshen does not return his visit in person
-Nemesis returns to Hong Kong_Keshen's report to the emperor
of this meeting — Is superseded - Appointment of three commissioners
in his place — Suspicious circumstances - Elliot demands explanation
Proceeds to the Bogue in the Nemesis Second interview with
Keshen — Curious facts — Delay of ten days agreed to — Remarks
thereon - Force unwillingly resorted to — Preparations for defence still
continue at the Bogue - Suspicions of Captain Elliot and Sir G.
Bremer - Nemesis sent to the Bogue with the treaty — Waits four
days without any answer - Reconnoissance by Captain Hall - Disco
very that Chuenpee was an island — Also Tycocktow Boat fired at
from Wantung - Nemesis returns to Macao without the treaty - Sir
G. Bremer orders our forces to move up to the Bogue - Intercepted
despatches from Keshen to Admiral Kwan.
The famous conference which took place between
Keshen and Captain Elliot, some miles above the Bogue,
close to a pagoda on the banks of the river, at what is
called its Second Bar, has attracted very great and
deserved attention . Although its results were, in a poli
DILEMMA OF KESHEN . 293
tical point of view, really of little moment, there is rea
son to think that Keshen, as well as Elliot, was anxious
to adjust the pending difficulties without further resort
to arms .The advantage, however, which delay of any
kind would afford to Keshen , and the ultimate inter
ruption of the negociations, followed, as it was, immedi
ately by the capture of the Bogue forts, have led many
to conclude that Keshen had all along no other object
than that of putting us off our guard, in order that he
might complete his still imperfect arrangements for de
fence, and then throw down the gauntlet to us in defiance.
This view of the matter appears to have been a good
deal exaggerated ; and we shall perceive, as we follow
this narrative, that Keshen was thoroughly sensible of
his own weakness, and really did desire to avert the
storm, but was fairly driven into extreme measures, and
the suspension of all amicable intercourse, by positive
orders from Pekin . Indeed, he was afterwards accused
of treason, bribery, and incapacity, because he even
condescended to confer at all with Captain Elliot, in
stead of advancing boldly upon him, and driving him
and all his troops and ships away from the coast.
Keshen saw the imbecility of such conduct, and al
though he knew the hopelessness of an attempt to
defend the river, he had no other alternative but to
obey ; he had already been deprived of some of his
decorations for having listened to terms at Chuenpee,
and his only hope of saving himself from ignominy, and
even death itself, was by striving hard to exhibit greater
zeal in the defence of the Bogue, which, nevertheless, he
scarcely hoped to be able to maintain .
294 GRAND CONFERENCE BETWEEN
Let us now , however, accompany the Nemesis up the
river, in order to see what sort of an affair the grand
conference at the Second Bar really was, and how the
interview between the Plenipotentiary of England and
the High Commissioner of China actually came off. It
was naturally expected that it would be an affair of
great ceremony, and as it was the first time that any
intercourse had been permitted upon terms of perfect
equality with any of the high Canton authorities, and
as it was to happen in accordance with the stipulations
of the new treaty, it excited great interest, and kept
the curiosity of every one alive.
Adequate preparations were made on both sides,
becoming the high rank of the respective parties, and
doubtless each of them was calculating the most likely
mode of making a good impression upon the other.
One hundred marines, picked men from the Wellesley,
Druid, and Calliope, were embarked on board the Mada
gascar steamer, to be carried up as a guard of honour
for Captain Elliot, at the meeting ; they were com
manded by Captain, now Lieutenant-Colonel, Ellis, C.B. ,
>
having with him Lieutenants Stransham and Maxwell.
The excellent bands of the Wellesley and Calliope were
also in attendance, and it was expected that the Chinese
?
would be astonished and properly “ impressed ” by the
appearance and manquvres of the men , while they would
be gratified and put into a good humour, by the enliven
ing tones of the music.
On the 26th of January the Nemesis started from
Macao, with Captain Elliot and several officers on board,
and proceeded directly up to the Bogue. As she passed
ELLIOT AND KESHEN . 295
Chuenpee, she communicated with the Calliope, which
was at anchor there, under Captain Herbert, a salute of
seventeen guns being fired for the plenipotentiary, and
was subsequently joined by the Madagascar, which was
to accompany her up to the place of meeting.. Captain
Herbert, the Honourable Captain Dundas, and Captain
Maitland, attended the Plenipotentiary. And now , for
the first time, two steamers were to enter the true Canton
river, and as the Nemesis was the leading vessel through
the Bogue, she had consequently the honour of being the
first steam -vessel, whether of wood or iron, which ever
navigated the “ inner waters ” of the Celestial Empire.
It was just at this time that the French corvette,
Danaide, arrived in the China waters, having been sent
out purposely to watch our movements in that quarter.
This, indeed, could have been her only object, for, as re
>
gards protection of trade, the French have never had
any trade with China worthy of the name, nor indeed
had the French flag floated over the walls of the foreign
factories at Canton for many years, until after the acces
sion of Louis Phillippe to the throne. Since that time
it has always been exhibited rather in hope of the future
than for the protection of present interests, for, except
the French consul and his attendants, there has been,
until recently, scarcely a French ship in China.
As the declaration of blockade was still in force
against the port of Canton, the Danaide was not per
mitted to proceed higher up than Chuenpee, but her com
mander, Captain Rosamel, was politely permitted by
Captain Elliot to accompany him on board the Nemesis,
that he might be a witness of the coming interview ;
296 PASSAGE UP THE BOGUE.
an act of courtesy which was handsomely acknow
ledged .
As the two steamers passed through the Bogue, each
with a flag of truce at the fore, they were saluted with
three guns (the greatest number ever given in China),
by the forts on both sides. The Chinese also manned
the works, and hoisted numerous gay silken flags ; and
the effect of their curious costumes, and the general
appearance of the forts of Anunghoy and Wantung, when
their battlements were crowded with the eager spectators,
were very imposing. Certainly, the passage of two steamers
between them, the first they had ever seen, must have
been an exciting novelty. The bold, rocky steeps behind
the batteries of Anunghoy, frowning, as it were,, and
really commanding the batteries below , grinning defiance
with their whitened battlements ; and the opposite island
of Wantung, with its numerous works ; the more distant
shore of the mainland on the other side, and the remark
able Tiger Island a -head ; all these formed a very inter
esting and remarkable spectacle.
Nevertheless, although the Bogue is naturally a strong
position , and sufficiently formidable in its appearance,
it could not be compared in this respect with the Euro
pean Dardanelles, however it may have been called the
Dardanelles of China .
Just at the foot of Tiger Island, about two miles
above the Bogue, could be distinguished a long stone
battery, which, on a nearer approach, appeared deserv
ing of closer inspection, although, from its position, it
was not likely to be of much use for the defence of the
river. The Nemesis, accordingly , little fearing shallow
PASSAGE UP THE BOGUE . 297
water at any time, ran up towards it, and came so close
to the battlements as to touch them with her yards ; in
which position, had her intentions been hostile, it was
very evident that she could batter the walls with her
guns with perfect impunity, for the guns of the fort
could not be depressed sufficiently to point at her hull
in that position .
This maneuvre thoroughly confounded the Chinese,
who looked on in evident wonder. And they so far pro
fited by the hint afterwards, that they abandoned the
fort altogether, as useless and untenable, and carried
away the guns, to add to the strength of the Bogue forts
lower down.
Beyond the Bogue and Tiger Island the river begins
to expand again, and for some miles presents to view a
flat, rich, alluvial country, in which are an immense
number of canals and water-courses, serving to irrigate
the paddy or rice fields, and to afford innumerable lines
of internal communication, which in that country mostly
take the place of roads and bridges.
In no part of China are there found within the same
distance so many large pagodas or religious monuments
as upon the banks of this fine river. This is not the
place to describe them minutely, or to discuss their
purpose. They are found in most of the large towns,
and sometimes on the banks of rivers, and form a part
of the religious buildings of the Budhist superstition,
and together with it, seem to have been originally intro
duced from the west. The shape of them is familiar to
most readers . The finest and most celebrated one of
the kind is the famous Porcelain Tower of Nankin
298 THE CONFERENCE .
which is in reality a pagoda, larger and more ornamented
than the rest, and distinguished by being principally
constructed of Porcelain brick glazed , and of various
shades of colour. These towers, or pagodas, are of great
use in the navigation of the Canton river, as, from their
height, they are conspicuous objects at a distance, and
are generally placed in advantageous positions.
It was precisely at the pagoda at the Second Bar, as >
it is called, that the conference was now to be held ;
and there, at about six o'clock in the evening, the Ne
mesis and Madagascar came to anchor. A couple of
mandarins, or officers of inferior grade, ( for let it not be
supposed that a mandarin is necessarily a great man)
came on board, deputed by Keshen, to welcome the ar
rival of the plenipo. They were afterwards landed in
the ship's boat, which, in the darkness of the evening,
and from want of acquaintance with the river, got
ashore in returning, and with some difficulty reached
the vessel in the middle of the night.
A list of the names and rank of those officers who
were to be present at the interview on the following
morning was sent in to Keshen, in English and Chinese,
so that he might be quite prepared, when each gentleman
should be presented to him by Captain Elliot, to receive
him courteously.
Early in the morning, the guard of marines were
landed , together with the bands of the Wellesley and
Calliope. A finer body of men is rarely seen. Soon after
nine o'clock, the whole of the officers were ready to
go on shore, which was accomplished partly in the boats
of the two steamers, partly in very clean and convenient
THE HONG MERCHANTS . 299
Chinese boats provided by Keshen . They had to pull
some little distance up one of the numerous creeks which
open into all the Chinese rivers, and the scene as they
approached was very novel and interesting. On either
side were several very gaudily ornamented boats belong
ing to Keshen , very similar to the boats of the Hong
merchants at Canton, who had also arrived under the
guidance of old Howqua. They could scarcely hope to
enjoy the honour of a place at the conference, and were,
therefore, probably ordered by Keshen to attend upon
him. They were not admitted even into the same tents
with Captain Elliot and his suite.
The Hong merchants' boats are both large and conve
nient, somewhat resembling a small room or van, placed
upon a very sharp-pointed but broad boat, as they
are only used for pulling about the smooth waters of
the river. Nothing can be better adapted for comfort,
affording shelter both from the sun and rain , with plenty
of room for at least half -a -dozen people to sit down and
converse. The outside of these boats is showily painted,
and commonly decorated with handsome woodwork .
The inside is generally elegantly fitted up. They are
usually pulled by four men forward, who use a short
broad -bladed oar or paddle, with great dexterity and
effect ; and they are also assisted as well as steered by
a large heavy scull-oar behind .
The landing-place at the Second Bar pagoda pre
sented certainly a lively scene. The guard of marines
drawn up on either side highly astonished the Chinese,
but the people were kept from pressing too close by a
long line of railing put up for the occasion. The road
300 THE MEETING.
from the immediate landing -place to the grand tent was
spread over with various coloured cotton coverings, and
decorated with branches of trees.
At nine, a.m., Captain Elliot, accompanied by Captain
Herbert and the Honourable Captain Dundas, landed,
and went up in state, preceded by the bands, to the
principal tent, which was very like a large long booth,
ornamented inside with yellow hangings, in token of its
belonging to the representative of the emperor. At the
further extremity of it was another tent or apartment,
reserved more especially for Keshen's private use, and
into this only Captain Elliot and one or two officers in
personal attendance on him were admitted.
The whole party were presented to Keshen in the
outer tent, including Captain Rosamel of the Danaide ;
the list sent in the previous evening being referred to, as
each gentleman of the party made his bow to the Impe
rial Commissioner.
The first private audience in the inner tent between
Captain Elliot and Keshen was merely one of ceremony ,
and lasted only a few minutes ; the medium of commu
nication being through Mr. Morrison, the talented in
terpreter, and the gifted son of the late Dr. Morrison,
so celebrated as a Chinese scholar and philologist.
After the first introduction was over, it was an
nounced that a grand déjeúner à la fourchette was pre
pared in the outer tent, for the whole of the party, up
wards of twenty in number. Interminable was the
succession of dishes of the rarest and most expensive
kind, accordingto the best Chinese principles of gastro
nomy. The luxury of the shark’s -fin and the bird's
THE MEETING . 301
nest soups was here tasted for the first time, and,
without going deeply into the mysteries of the Chinese
cuisine,” it will be sufficient to say that a Chinese
feast is a very sumptuous and tedious, but, withal, not
unpalatable affair. It necessarily occupied considerable
time, and it was not until two o'clock that those officers
not in personal attendance upon Captain Elliot were able
to return on board the steamers.
In the interim, Keshen could not resist the wish to
gratify his curiosity concerning our fine-looking fellows,
the marines, and three of the tallest and finest men were
selected for his personal examination. He did not con
ceal his surprise, and even requested that they might be
made to go through some of their evolutions. Keshen
also examined their arms and accoutrements minutely,
for every thing was, of course, perfectly new to him.
He had himself a small body-guard of Chinese sol
diers, tolerably well- dressed , but otherwise of poor ap
pearance, compared with our own picked men, and they
seemed quite at a loss to comprehend the purpose of
the movements they witnessed.
There were a good many small tents pitched round
about the principal reception-tent, and, as each of these
was ornamented with a gay flag and other decorations,
the coup d'ailof the whole scene was sufficiently imposing.
Keshen’s manner throughout is described as having
been particularly kind , gentlemanlike, and perfectly
dignified. He might, indeed, be called a courtier-like
gentleman in any country.
What may have passed between Keshen and Captain
Elliot, during their private conference in the afternoon,
302 ELLIOT'S CIRCULAR .
it would be useless to surmise. They met and parted
upon terms of equality and apparent good understanding.
There seems reason , however, to think that very little
was definitely settled ; and, after the lapse of two or
three days, Captain Elliot merely announced in a cir
cular that “negociations were still proceeding satisfac
torily, ” but at the same time “ he warned her Majesty's
subjects against proceeding to Canton for the present,
as it would be acting contrary to what he conceived
right for the public interest.” At the same time, how
ever, Hong Kong was proclaimed a British possession,
and all its Chinese inhabitants declared to be British
subjects. Provision was also made for the government
of the island.
Whatever terms Keshen may have agreed to at the
conference, it is well known that he was soon forbidden
by the emperor to carry them into execution. They
are therefore of little moment .
Captain Elliot returned on board the Nemesis in the
afternoon, apparently satisfied ; and in the evening a
display of rockets and fireworks took place from the
vessel, for the amusement of the Imperial Commissioner
on shore.
In the mean time, the Madagascar returned down the
river with the marines . On the following day, the 28th,
two superior mandarins came on board to pay their re
spects, and were saluted with three guns ; and , later in
the day, the whole body of the Hong merchants like
wise came to pay their respects to his Excellency ; but
it is worthy of remark, that Keshen himself did not come
in person to make a return-visit of ceremony.
CHINESE ETIQUETTE . 303
Whatever may have been the reason of this omission,
it was unfortunate that Captain Elliot did not take
some notice of it. It might be said that Keshen was
afraid of compromising himself with his imperial master,
if he condescended so far as to pay a visit to a foreigner
on board his own vessel. But it is possible that another
reason also may have weighed not a little in his mind.
He got the Kwang Chow Foo, or prefect of Canton, who
was there, to ask Captain Elliot to dine with him on
board his barge, or large, covered boat, and his invi
tation was accepted. Keshen looked upon this as far
below the supposed dignity belonging to the rank which
Elliot held. After this act of condescension on Captain
Elliot's part, Keshen not improbably regarded it as
far beneath his own dignity personally to visit Captain
Elliot. Nor is it at all surprising, when we consider
that the court of China is, without exception, the most
ceremonious in the world . Indeed , at Pekin there is a
regular “ Court of Ceremonies,” to arrange all the com
plicated details.
Thus ended the whole business of this famous confer
ence. It should also be mentioned that, before they
parted, Keshen made a few presents to Captain Elliot,
but not of any very great value, and others to Captain
Herbert, which were divided among some of the officers.
Soon after three o'clock the steam was once more got up,
and giving and receiving a parting salute of three guns,
the Nemesis turned her head again down the river, having
the Louisa cutter in tow . The forts at the Bogue again
saluted her as she passed ; and, late in the evening, she
came to anchor in Tong Koo Roads, until daylight
304 RETURN TO MACAO .
enabled her to proceed to join the Commodore, who was
then in Hong Kong harbour.
As yet the treaty, in virtue of which we took pos
session of Hong Kong, had not received the emperor's
assent ; and our own precipitate restoration of Chusan
was likely rather to impede than to promote the object
it was intended to effect. The mere word of Keshen was
the only authority which we had to rely upon , the ratifi
cation of which was at least doubtful. However, both the
Commodore and Captain Elliot seemed already to regard
the island of Hong Kong as a positive acquisition, and
took the present opportunity of steaming all round it
on board the Nemesis, and seemed to be more than ever
proud of its possession.
As soon as the Commodore had returned on board
his own ship, the Nemesis proceeded, with Captain
Elliot, once more to Macao, where he landed with his
suite the same evening, well satisfied, to all appearance,
with the result so far as it could be called a result
of the great diplomatic interview which he had held
with the emperor's representative.
We may gather from Keshen's own report of this
grand meeting some insight into the effect which it was
likely to have produced at Pekin and in the emperor's
cabinet. He states that, “ never having visited the
Bocca Tigris, or made himself acquainted with the con
dition of the defences of the river, and having received
a request from Captain Elliot that he might have an
interview with him (after he had become pliant and
submissive), he took the opportunity of hitting two birds
with one stone ; and, as he descended the river (to look
KESHEN'S REPORT. 305
at the Bogue, of course), he was met by Elliot near the
Second Bar, who had come in aa steam-vessel, and desired
to see him. His retinue did not exceed a few tens of
persons ; he brought with him no ships of war, and his
language and demeanour, upon that occasion, were most
respectful. He presented a rough draft of several articles,
on which he desired to deliberate, the major part having
reference to the troublesome minutiæ of commerce ;
and he agreed that, for the future, in any cases of the
smuggling of opium , or of other contraband traffic or
evasion of duties, both ship and cargo should be con
fiscated . Among the number of his proposals were
some highly objectionable, which were at the moment
pointed out and refused ; upon which the said foreigner
begged that emendations sḥould be offered and con
sidered of. This request has accordingly been granted
to him ; and, when these points shall be determined on
and agreed to, the whole shall be presented for your Ma
jesty's inspection. Your slave then parted with Elliot.”
Thus, little good appears to have resulted from this
first interview. Indeed, shortly after his report of it
to the emperor, Keshen received a severe reprimand
from the emperor for what he had already even pre
tended to promise. He was told that “ aa mere glance
at his memorials had filled the emperor with in
dignation . ”
Yihshan, a Tartar general of great repute, and who
will be found to figure afterwards on several occasions,
was now sent down to Canton, invested with the office
of “ general pacificator of the rebellious;” and two
assistant functionaries, called Lungwan and Yang Fang,
VOL . I. X
306 THE EMPEROR'S REPLY.
were also ordered to repair thither, “ to co-operate in
the work of extermination." Additional troops were de
spatched : orders were sent that “ the soldiers should be
exercised and encouraged by rewards ; " that “ addi
tional supplies of provisions, money, arms, cannon, and
powder, should be procured ; and that all were to unite
in perfect harmony with Yihshan, in order to recover the
lost places, and clearly to display the vengeance of
Heaven, achieving for themselves great merit.”
These orders of the emperor were issued on the 30th
of January, but did not reach Keshen until the 10th or
11th ofFebruary. On our side, nothing important took
place for several days; arrangements connected with
the establishment of Hong Kong were continued ; and
there was a constant passing to and fro of officers be
tween that place and Macao, for which purpose the
Nemesis was always employed .
The 2nd of February was the day on which it had been
agreed with Keshen that the trade of the Port of Can
ton should be opened — namely, ten days after the
Chinese New Year. No proclamation to that effect,
however, was issued by the Commissioner. Various
rumours were already afloat concerning the measures in
progress up the river for obstructing its navigation :
and, at length, finding that the “ satisfactory manner"
in wbich it had been proclaimed, on the 30th of January,
that the negociations which were proceeding had already,
in the following week, assumed an “unsatisfactory tone, ”
and that, in fact, every thing appeared very delusive,
Captain Elliot determined to go up to the Bocca Tigris
in person, and demand a distinct explanation from
SECOND CONFERENCE . 307
Keshen of what were really his intentions. It was
known that Keshen had reached the Bogue; and Cap
tain Herbert had even sent an officer to compliment
him upon his arrival on the 29th of January, and aa salute
of three guns was fired in honour of the occasion. On
the 10th of February, Captain Elliot embarked on board
the Nemesis, accompanied by Captain Smith and Captain
Knowles, of the artillery, together with Major Pratt, of
the Cameronians, and Mr. Morrison, as interpreter, and
was conveyed up the river, anchoring for the night in
Anson's Bay.
On the following morning they once more passed
through the Bogue, the battlements of which were
manned by the Chinese, as the steamer passed ; and a
salute of three guns was fired from each of the batteries,
which was of course returned by the Nemesis. So far
every thing looked pacific and complimentary enough.
Having passed completely through the Bogue, she came
to anchor, about ten o'clock, above the forts, a little to
the north of Anunghoy, and close to the boats of the
Imperial Commissioner, who was already there. This was
on the 11th ofFebruary ; and it is aa curious coincidence
that it was on this day that Keshen received the imperial
commands to resume vigorous measures against Captain
Elliot and all the foreigners. At all events, even if the
communication had not reached him previously, it was
certainly put into his hands on the morning of this
second interview with Captain Elliot ; for he himself
afterwards acknowledged, in a public proclamation,
that he received it on the 11th of February, viz. on this
very day.
X 2
308 CHANGE IN KESHEN .
The interview on this occasion was comparatively one
of little ceremony ; indeed, Keshen had made no pre
paration for it on shore, and received Captain Elliot
in his own covered barge, unattended by any man
darins of rank, and without any display or attempt at
effect.
Captain Elliot, on his part, having merely introduced
the officers who came up with him from Macao, in
order that they might make their bow of respect to
the emperor's representative, immediately proceeded
to business without loss of time, in the most private
manner possible . During the few minutes that his
suite were present, however, it did not escape their
notice that some mighty change had already come over
the spirit of the great commissioner. There was an
appearance of constraint about him, as if his mind was
downcast, and his heart burdened and heavily laden.
He never indeed for a moment lost his self- possession ,
or that dignified courtesy of manner which no people
can better assume than the Chinese of rank ; but there
was still something undefinable in his bearing, which
impressed upon all present the conviction that some
thing untoward had happened . Some of the party
even guessed that he had been degraded from his high
rank, which was in fact the case. Enough, at all events,
was visible upon the surface, to awaken Captain Elliot
to the necessity of extreme tact and caution, before he
placed any reliance upon Keshen's power, whatever
may have been his will, to act up to his promises.
What may have passed at this second interview be
tween these two high representatives it is not the
DIPLOMACY OF KESHEN . 309
place here to discuss ; suffice it to say, that the con
ference on this day lasted no less than six hours, and was
renewed on the following morning for about three hours
more. This will be enough to show that many points
of great importance and some minuteness must have
been closely debated .
Keshen, mean time, was doubtless fully aware, that
not one single iota of what he might promise would
ever be acceded to by his haughty master ; and,
therefore, his only object in protracting the discussion
and entering into the “ troublesome minutiæ of com
merce” must have been to leave something still open
to discussion, and some points remaining to investigate,
66
upon principles of the purest reason.”
How great must have been his rejoicing, when he at
length succeeded in winning from Captain Elliot a
further delay of ten days, for the fair preparation of
a definitive treaty for his signature ! What a heavy
weight must have been removed from his oppressed
spirit, when he at length beheld the dreaded steamer
depart peaceably from the Bogue ! The certain re
prieve of ten days, in which he might perhaps complete
the preparations already commenced and even far ad
vanced for the defence of his strongest positions, was
indeed a piece of unlooked-for good fortune.
Captain Elliot immediately returned to Macao in the
Nemesis, which took in tow his own cutter, the Louisa,
which was generally in attendance on him . The formal
drawing-out of the definitive treaty was hastened on, in
order that every excuse for further delay on the part of
Keshen might be removed . Indeed, ten days had only
310 ADVANTAGES OF FORBEARANCE .
been fixed as the longest period, within which, if the
treaty were not executed , hostilities would be renewed.
Perbaps, after all, it redounded to our credit, that
extreme measures were only at length adopted, when
every other means of effecting a settlement had been
tried in vain . Conciliation, negociation, and appeals
to their “ good faith,” and even to treaties, had com
pletely failed “ again and a third time," as the Chinese
phrase it, before the stronger argument of gunpowder
and cold steel was brought into play. There was some
thing of magnanimity even in our apparent hesitation,
and it was perhaps a virtue that we paused before we
struck our heaviest blow. Forbearance towards a
feeble enemy, as long as there was the faintest hope of
bringing him to reason by simpler means, will redound
more to our honour in the pages of future history, than
a precipitate display of our energy and our power.
The treaty which was ultimately concluded was much
more advantageous to commerce and civilization in
general, than it would probably have been, had an
earlier settlement taken place. The Chinese were
brought to yield by degrees, and , therefore , the com
pact is much more likely to be durable , than if it had
been wrung from them by an earlier and more sudden
emergency
Nevertheless, before even the draught of the pro
posed treaty had been fully drawn up at Macao, rumours
were continually brought concerning the extensive pre
parations for defence which were still going on up the
river. Some naval and military officers were accord
ingly sent up to the Bogue, to ascertain how far these
DOUBTS OF KESHEN. 311
rumours might be well founded ; and it was now dis
covered “ that military works upon a great scale were
in progress, that troops were collected upon the heights,
that entrenched camps were being formed on both sides
of the river, and that the island of North Wantung was
bristling with cannon,”
These preparations certainly looked very unlike the
preliminaries to the signature of a treaty of peace ; " and
from this moment,” says Sir Gordon Bremer, “ I must
confess, that my faith in the sincerity of the Chinese
commissioner was completely destroyed.” It was in
fact to be no longer doubted that hostilities would be
speedily resumed. And although the orders of the
emperor to Keshen to cancel the treaty agreed on, and
to provide means for the immediate extermination of
the foreigners, had not then been made public, enough
was already known to make it evident that the inten
tions of the government were very far from being of a
peaceful nature.
On his side, Captain Elliot had done his utmost to
impress the Chinese with a confidence in his “ good
faith ;” and so anxious was he to hasten the evacuation
of Chusan, that he had not only sent up a vessel of
war to convey the necessary orders, but had also for
warded an overland despatch, by the hands of a Chinese
special messenger, to the same purport.
Scarcely a month, however, had elapsed when Cap
tain Elliot began to doubt whether the Chinese really
meant to act up to their promises with equal good
faith . On the 20th of January, he had declared, in a
public proclamation, that he had no reason to call in
312 EDICT OF THE EMPEROR.
question the “scrupulous sincerity and enlarged opi-.
nions of the very eminent person with whom negocia
tions had been pending ;” and it was just a month
afterwards, on the 20th of February, that he declared
that the “ imperial minister and high commissioner had
failed to conclude the treaty which had been sent up
to the Bogue ready prepared for signature.” This docu
ment was carried up by the Nemesis. But, as the
commissioner had already left the Bogue and gone to
Canton , it was transmitted to him by the hands of a
confidential person in the employment of Keshen, who
had been distinctly named to Captain Elliot for the
purpose. Four days were allowed for the return of
the messenger, and the Nemesis was directed to wait
at the Bogue for the answer, until the expiration of
that period, when she was to return to Macao, either
with or without the treaty.
As the time agreed on approached its expiration, re
ports became more numerous than ever, concerning the
hostile preparations in progress. The edict of the
emperor addressed to Keshen, before spoken of, was now
made public, and a proclamation was pasted on the
walls of Canton , (but whether by the orders of the
viceroy or not does not appear certain,) by which a
reward of 50,000 dollars each was offered for the heads
of Captain Elliot and Sir Gordon Bremer !
The four days of the stay of the Nemesis at the
Bogue were not spent unprofitably. Advantage was
taken of this opportunity to examine the new works
of the Chinese, many of which were still in progress,
(during a truce and while a treaty of peace had been
ANSON'S BAY. 313
agreed on !) Numerous sandbag batteries had been
erected, and others were in course of completion, half
way up the hill of Anunghoy. Troops were crowd
ing upon the hills on the opposite side, while upon
the Island of North Wantung equal activity was dis
played.
But the observations were not limited entirely to
the works at the Bogue. Captain Hall set out with
a single boat's crew upon an adventurous and interest
ing excursion up Anson's Bay, to the mouth of the
river in which the junks had been destroyed on the
day of the action of Chuenpee. Just within the en
trance, several large mandarin boats were now observed
collected together, and surrounded by a vast number of
labouring men. This excited some surprise, as there
were no works visible upon which they could be em
ployed : but the object of this bustle was unexpectedly
discovered afterwards. The mandarin boats and a
great part of the people, thinking probably that the
single boat of the Nemesis was only the advanced one
of many others similar to those which had destroyed
their war-junks, made off as fast as they could, leaving
her to pursue her course unmolested.
Having, in the former ascent of the river in the
Nemesis, observed that aa branch of it turned off to the
right towards Chuenpee, Captain Hall determined to
explore it now. It branched off about one and a half
to two miles from the entrance, and soon led to a very
considerable village on the right or Chuenpee side (in
ascending), while, nearly opposite to it, a large sand
battery, recently erected , was discovered, mounting
314 RECONNOITRING.
eight guns, and further on was a strong stone -battery.
Neither of these fired at the boat, although the gunners
ran down to their guns, as if apprehensive of an attack .
To the astonishment of all in the boat, it was now
found that this branch of the river, or creek, or what
ever it might be called , instead of leading further up
the country, inland, gradually turned round and encir
cled the whole of Chuenpee, communicating with the
“ outer waters ” to the southward of that promontory.
Thus it was evident that Chuenpee was an island .
Having passed quite through the passage, so as to
reach the point of junction with the “ outer waters,"
Captain Hall landed on Chuenpee in company with
Mr. Turner, the surgeon of the vessel, and Mr. Gray,
a midshipman of H.M.S. Herald , and, sending the boat
round the promontory to the opposite side, walked
across without any molestation. Nothing particular
worth noticing was observed in this excursion, except
the large farm -houses, which were passed, together with
several extensive sugar-works, in full operation. A
visit made to the Tycocktow side of the river was less
promising, although equally successful. It was thought
desirable, on the following day, to reconnoitre the de
fences in that direction ; and accordingly Captain Hall
proceeded in the ship's cutter across the river for that
purpose. A large number of troops were collected
upon the heights, upon which were numerous tents ; and
several large transport junks, not less than twenty sail,
were hastily landing troops, guns, and ammunition . It
was also noticed that boats were passing round at the
back of the hill and works, through a large canal or
BOAT FIRED ON . 315
creek ; so that, although it was not possible to explore
the lines of communication from one part to the other,
it became very evident that the neighbourhood of the
river, although apparently mountainous and rugged, was
accessible to boats on all sides, and was in fact com
posed of distinct islands.
The question of the intentions of the Chinese was
soon decided ; for the fort on Wantung, as the boat
passed between it and the mainland, on that side, fired
at it with round shot, and very nearly with effect.
There was no mistaking the tone of defiance which this
indicated ; but those on board the boat were already suf
ficiently acquainted with the Chinese character to be
reluctant to turn back at this threat, because the affair
would have been reported as a great victory, with their
usual exaggeration. The little bow-gun of the boat
was therefore instantly fired at the troops who were
looking over the battlements of the fort ; and no further
molestation being attempted by the Chinese, she again
pursued her way , content with this token of defiance.
It was further remarked that, at several of the forts
along the Bogue, the Chinese soldiers were practising
their guns at a mark , probably to ascertain their range ;
and they were observed to point them at particular
spots, as if they thought to do certain execution by
their first discharge.
These little reconnoitring excursions sufficed to show ,
were anything still wanting to bring conviction to the
most unbelieving, that the Chinese were fully aware
that no treaty of peace was likely to be signed, and
that they looked forward to the resumption of hostili
316 RENEWAL OF HOSTILITIES .
ties, not only without much apprehension, but with
tolerable confidence in the probability of their own
success .
On the evening of the 18th, the four days agreed on
for the return of the messenger from Canton having
fully expired, the Nemesis was moved up from Chuenpee
to the Bogue, where she remained one hour, waiting for
an answer from the Imperial Commissioner. None, how
ever, was brought ; and as every thing now so plainly
indicated that cannon -balls alone were to be expected
as a reply, it was resolved to return to Macao, and re
port all that had been seen and done to the plenipoten
tiary and the commander- in -chief. Having communi-.
cated with H.M.S. Herald as she descended, and
continuing her course throughout the night with great
caution, the Nemesis arrived at Macao soon after day
light. Not a moment was lost in communicating the
results of the reconnoitring excursions, the firing of a
shot from North Wantung, and the non-appearance of
the messenger at the appointed time.
The most incredulous now no longer doubted ; the
film was raised even from before the eyes of Captain
Elliot himself, and orders were given that all the officers
should join their respective ships. The light division,
which was then in the roads of Macao, or at the mouth
of the river, was placed under the orders of Captain
Herbert (since made K.C.B.) of the Calliope, and was
directed to proceed immediately to the Bogue. It con
sisted of the Calliope, Samarang, Herald, Alligator,
Sulphur, and the Nemesis ; and the object was 66 to
prevent, as much as possible, any further defensive
ACTIVE MEASURES . 317
preparations on the part of the enemy, but not to run
any unnecessary hazard until the main body of the
force came up.” At the same time, the commodore
hastened over to Hong Kong, in the Madagascar steamer,
for the purpose of taking up the ships of the line, con
sisting of the Wellesley, Blenheim, and Melville, seventy
fours, and the steamers, Queen and Madagascar ; leaving
the Druid , with the Jupiter troop-ship, and the trans
ports, Sophia, Minerva, Thetis, and Eagle to follow .
These active measures were briefly announced by
Captain Elliot, in a circular issued on the same day to
the following effect, simply stating that “ circumstances
had induced the commander-in- chief to announce to
H.M. plenipotentiary his intention to move the forces
towards the Bocca Tigris ” —from which it would seem
that the responsibility of this inevitable measure was
rather assumed by Sir Gordon Bremer than by the
plenipotentiary ; but Captain Elliot had also written to
Captain Herbert, stating that he left him at liberty,
and moved to prevent the continuance of defensive
preparations at the Bogue.
It was on the day following this movement (the 20th)
that Keshen’s notification of his unwillingness to con
tinue negociations became known at Macao ; and shortly
afterwards, the emperor's edict (before alluded to) was
also promulgated , in which every proposed measure of
conciliation towards the foreigners was recalled, and
orders given , on the other hand , that “ they should be
rooted out entirely.”
On the morning of the 21st, a reconnoitring party
anded , unperceived, upon the island of Wantung, con
>
318 A CRISIS .
sisting of Captain Elliot, Captains Herbert and Belcher,
and Lieutenant Stransham , and they were able to count
seventeen more guns, newly-mounted, in addition to
those which had been observed on the former occasion .
The truce had already fully expired, but hostilities
did not commence immediately, as might have been
expected. On the 22d, a Chinese boat happened to be
stopped, in which was found a messenger, who was
recognised by Lieutenant Watson as an active agent of
the Chinese authorities. It was naturally suspected that
he was the bearer of orders of some kind or other to
the local officers, and such was found to be the case.
They were addressed to Admiral Kwan, desiring him
to hurry on the stopping-up of the channel which
runs at the back of Anunghoy, by which the latter be
comes an island . The means employed were stones and
stakes, and sunken junks, which had been collected in
large quantities at a place called Sanmannkow, which
must have been the large town known to lie in the rear
of Anunghoy . Thus all our observations respecting
the intentions of the authorities were fully confirmed .
On our part, it could now no longer be doubted that
a heavy blow must at once be struck. Keshen had by
no means concealed from the emperor the great difficulty
of defending the Canton river, the laxity of the Chinese
military system, and the utter inability of their forces
to withstand the power and skill of the barbarians.
All these were truths far too unwelcome to find credence
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