CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
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Presented to both Houses of Parliament, by Command of Her Majesty.
1840.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY T. R. HARRISON.
LIST OF PAPERS.
No. Page
1. Viscount Palmerston to Lord Napier (Chief
Superintendent) Foreign Office, January 25, 1834 1
Two Inclosures.
2. Viscount Palmerston to Lord Napier Foreign Office, January 25, 4
3. Viscount Palmerston to Lord Napier Foreign Office, January 25, 6
4. Viscount Palmerston to Lord Napier Foreign Office, March 7, 6
5. Viscount Palmerston' to Lord Napier Foreign Office, March 8, 6
6. Lord Napier to Viscount Palmerston Canton, August 9, 7
One Inclosure.
7. Lord Napier to Viscount Palmerston Canton, August A4, 11
Five Inclosures.
8. Lord Napier to Viscount Palmerston Canton, August 21, 22
Two Inclosures.
9. Mr. J. F. Davis (Second Superintendent) to
Viscount Palmerston Canton, August 7, 25
10. The Duke of Wellington to Lord Napier .... Foreign Office, February 2, 1835 26
11. Lord Napier to Earl Grey Canton, August 21, 1834 29
26
12. Lord Napier to Viscount Palmerston Canton, August 27,
One Inclosure.
13. Lord Napier to Viscount Palmerston Canton, August 28, 32
14. Memorandum . - Foreign Office, February 1840 32
•15. Mr. Astell (Secretary) to Mr. Backhouse. . . . Macao, September 28, 1834 39
16. Papercommunicated by the Eastlndia Company Macao, September 29, 41
17. Mr. Astell to Mr. Backhouse '. Macao, October 3, 43
18. Mr. J. F. Davis (Chief Superintendent) to
Viscount Palmerston Macao, October 12, 43
19. Mr. J. F. Davis to Viscount Palmerston Macao, October 28, 44
20. Capt. Elliot (Secretary) to Mr. Backhouse . . Macao, November 1, 45
One Inclosure.
21. Mr. J. F. Davis to Viscount Palmerston .... Macao, November 2, 46
Two Inclosures.
22. Mr. J. F. Davis to Viscount Palmerston .... Macao, November 5, 48
One Inclosure.
23. Memorandum by the Duke of Wellington . . Foreign Office, March 24, 1835 51
24. Mr. J. F. Davis to Viscount Palmerston .... Macao, November 11, 1834 52
Three Inclosures.
25. Captain Elliot to Mr. Backhouse Macao, November 17, 58
One Inclosure.
26. Mr. J. F. Davis to Viscount Palmerston .... Macao, November 18, 61
Two Inclosures.
27. Petition to the King in Council Canton, December 9, 68
28. Minutes of Conversation between Howqua and
Mowqua, Hong Merchants, and Mr. Jardine Canton, September 14, 71
29. Extracts from the " Records of Proceedings " Macao, December 6, 73
30. Mr. J. F. Davis to Viscount Palmerston .... Macao, January 2, 1835 76
Two Inclosures.
31. Mr. J. F. Davis to Viscount Palmerston .... Macao, January 19, 78
32. Extracts from the " Records of Proceedings " Macao, January 19, 80
33. Sir G. B. Robinson (Chief Superintendent) to
Viscount Palmerston Macao, January 24, 81
34. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston . . Macao, February 3, 81
35. Extracts from the " Records of Proceedings " Macao, January 29, 81
36. Sir G. B. Robinson to the Governor General of
India Macao, February 21, 86
37. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston . . Macao, February 27, 86
38. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston . . Macao, March 30, 87
One Inclosure.
39. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston . . Macao, April 13, 94
40. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston . . Macao, July 1, 95
41. Sir G. B. Robinson to the Duke of Wellington Macao, July 26, 100
42. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston . . Macao, October 1 6, 100
43. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston . . Macao, November 11, 101
44. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston . . Macao, ■ November 20, 102
45. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston . . Macao, November 24, 104
One Inclosure.
46. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston ... Lintin, December 1, 105
47. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston ... Lintin, December 10, 106
Bayerische
tsbibliothek
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LIST OF P.
Pag*
48. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Lintin, December JO, 1835 109
108
49. Sir G- B. Robinson to Viscount Palmentan Lintin, December 10,
One Inclosure.
SOi Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Lintin, January 5 1836 1M
51. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston 1J«
One Inclosure.
52. Viscount Palmerston to Sir G. B. Robinson Foreign Office, May 28, Ill
63. Viscount Palmerston to Sir G. B. Robinson Foreign Office, June 6,■ Ill
54. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Macao, January 16, IM
55. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Lintin, January 29, 113
56. Viscount Palmerston to Sir G. B. Robinson Foreign Office, June % U»
57. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Lintin, January 29, I'M
58. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Lintin, February 1, 118
59. Viscount Palmerston to Sir G. B. Robinson Foreign Office, June 15, 119
60. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot .... Foreign Office, June 15, 119
61. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Lintin, February 5, 119
62. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Lintin, February 8, 120
63. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Lintin, February 10, 121
64. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Lintin, February 27, 121
65. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot .... Foreign Office, July 22, 121
66. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot .... Foreign Office, July 22, 123
67. The Hon. W. Fox Strangways to Cap. Elliot Foreign Office, Septemb. 14, 123
68. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Lintin, March 1, 124
Three Inclosures.
69. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot .... Foreign Office, November 8, 126
70. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot .... Foreign Office, November 8, ' 127
71. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot .... Foreign Office, November 8,
72. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot ..■.. Foreign Office, November 8,
73. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot .... Foreign Office, November 8, 130
74. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Lintin, April 18, 131
75. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot .... Foreign Office, December 6, 132
76. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Macao, May 10, 133
Three Inclosures.
77. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Macao, October 13, 135
78. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Lintin, Novemb. 28, 135
79. Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston Macao, Decemb. 14, 136
80. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston .... Macao, January 25, 136
81. Captain Elliot to the Foreign Office Macao, March 14, 136
82. Captain Elliot to the Foreign Office Macao, July 27, 137
83. Captain Elliot to the Foreign Office October 10, 138
84. Captain Elliot, (Chief Superintendent,) to
Viscount Palmerston 14,
85. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston 30,
Eight Inclosures.
86. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston «,
One Inclosure.
87. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston Macao, January 12, 1837 148
149
One Inclosure.
88. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot .... Foreign Office, June 12,
89. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston .... Macao, January 27,
Two Inclosures.
90i Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston .... 2,
Eight Inclosures.
91. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston .... -7,
Three Inclosures.
92. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston February 10,
Two Inclosures.
93. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston 21,
Two Inclosures.
94. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot Foreign Office, 2, 192
95. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot Foreign Office, 2,
One Inclosure.
96. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston .... 18,
One Inclosure.
97. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston 22,
Two Inclosures.
98. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . . . . . Macao, March 29, 196
99. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston Macao, April 196
100. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston Canton, April 27,'
Seven Inclosures.
101 . Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston Canton, May 24,
One Inclosure.
102. Captain Elliot to John Backhouse, Esq Canton, 2,
Two Inclosures.
103. Captain Elliot to John Backhouse, Esq. ...» Macao, July 3,
Four Inclosures and Three Sub inclosures.
104. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston Macao, July 5, 214
105. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston Macao, July 5, 214
106. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston Macao, August 29, 215
107. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston Macao, 4, 215
Three Inclosures. .
4 LIST OF PAPERS.
No. Page-
108. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Canton, Septemb. 26, 1837 231
109. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Canton, Novemb. 18, 233
Five Inclosures
110. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Canton, Novemb. 19, 241
• One Inclosure. • v
* 11. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Canton, Novemb. 29, 245
Four Inclosures.
112. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, Decemb. 4, 249
113. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, Decemb. 7, 250
Two Inclosures.
114. Captain Elliot to the Foreign Office . . Macao, January 18, 1838 253
115. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, February 5, 253
One Inclosure.
116. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot Foreign Office, June 15, 258
117. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston Macao, March 29, 259
Five Inclosures.
118. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, April 2. 291
119. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, April 18, 294
Five Inclosures.
1 20. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, April 20, 299
One Inclosure.
121. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, April 38, 301
Four Inclosures.
122. Captain Elliot to John Backhouse, Esq. . Macao, April 30, 307
One Inclosure.
123. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, May ai, 308
124. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, August 7, 308
125. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, August 1 0, 309
Ten Inclosures.
126. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot . Foreign Office, February 27, 1839 317
127. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot . Foreign Office, March 23, 317
128. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot . Foreign Office, March 23, 318
129. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot . Foreign Office, March 30, 318
130. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot . Foreign Office, June 13, 319
131. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, October 13, 1838 319
Three Inclosures.
132. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . . Macao, Decemb. 2, 321
Two Inclosures.
133. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . WhampOa, Decemb. 8, 223
134. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Canton, Decemb. 13, 324
135. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot . Foreign Office, April 15, 1839 325
136. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Canton, Decemb. 31, 1838 325
137. Captain Ellio* to Viscount Palmerston . Canton, January 2, 1839 326
Fourteen Inclosures.
138. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Canton, January 2, 339
139. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, January 8, 340
140. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, January 21, 342
141. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Canton, January 30, 342
142. Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot . Foreign Office, June 13, 344
143. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Canton, February 8, 344
One Inclosure.
144. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston , Macao, February 21, 348
Two Inclosures.
145. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, March 22, 349
Two Inclosures.
146. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston Canton, March 30, 1839 355
Thirty Inclosures.
147. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston Canton, April 3, 384
148. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston Canton, April 6, 385
Fifteen Inclosures.
149. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Canton, May 6, 405
Three Inclosures.
150. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Canton, May 18, 409
Eight Inclosures.
151. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, May M, 418
One Inclosure. f
152. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, June 14, 420
Eight Inclosures.
153. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, July 8, 427
Five Inclosures.
154. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Macao, July 18, 431
One Inclosure.
155. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston ; Hong Kong, August 27, 433
Thirteen Inclosures.
156. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Hong Kong, Septemb. 3, 442
Three Inclosures.
157. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Hong Kong, Septemb. 5, 446
Five Inclosures.
158. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Hong Kong, Septemb. 8, 450
One Inclosure.
159. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston . Hong Kong, Septemb. 23, 454
Six Inclosures.
CORRESPONDENCE
RELATING TO : ■
CHINA.
No. 1.
Viscount Palmerston to Lord Napier.
Extract. . Foreign Office, January 25, 1334.
I HEREWITH transmit to your Lordship a Commission under the
Royal Signet and Sign Manual, appointing your Lordship, together with
William Henry Chicheley Plowden, Esq., and John Francis Davis, Esq.,
to be " Superintendents of the Trade of British Subjects in China."
I also transmit to your Lordship His Majesty's general instructions
under the Sign Manual, for the guidance of your Lordship and of your
colleagues, in the discharge of the duties of the situations above mentioned.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Extract from the Royal Commission appointing Lord Napier, Mr. Plowden, and
Mr. Davis, to be " Superintendents of the Th-ade of British Subjects in China."
Extract. December 10, 1833.
AND in the event of the death of any or any one of you, the said William
John Lord Napier, William Henry Chicheley Plowden, and John Francis Davis,
while in the execution of this Our Commission, or of the incapacity, absence
from the limits to which such Commission extends, or removal from office
of any or any one of you, We do hereby declare Our pleasure to be, and We do
direct and appoint, that the vacancy so created in the said Commission shall be
supplied on the spot provisionally, and until Our pleasure can be known, in
such manner and according to such rules as are, or shall be, in that behalf pre
scribed in such general or further instructions as aforesaid.
# * # * * # # ■
And We do hereby straightly charge and require you, that., in the execution
of this your Commission, you do conform to and observe all such rules and
regulations as are or shall be given to you for your guidance, either in the
general instructions under Our Signet and Sign Manual, accompanying this your
Commission, or in such further instructions as shall from time to time be given
to you under Our Signet and Sign Manual, or in Our Privy Council, or by Us
through one of Our Principal Secretaries of State.
2
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Extract from the Royal Sign Manual Instructions to the Superintendents of
Trade in China.
Extract. December 31, 1833.
1. WITH these Our instructions, you will receive a Commission under
Our Signet and Sign Manual, constituting and appointing you to be Super
intendents of the trade of Our subjects to and from the dominions of the
Emperor of China ; together with an Order made by Us with the advice of
Our Privy Council, for regulating the said trade, and for the government of
our subjects within the said dominions ; together with a certain other Order
made by Us with the advice aforesaid, creating a Court of Justice for the
purposes therein mentioned ; together also with a certain other Order also
made by Us with the advice aforesaid, imposing duties upon the ships and
goods of Our subjects trading to China, for the purposes therein mentioned :
—which several Instruments have by Us been issued in pursuance, and in
exercise of the powers in Us vested by a certain Act of Parliament made
and passed in the Third and Fourth year of Our Reign [cap. 93,] intituled
" An Act to regulate the trade to China and India."
2. In execution of the said Commission, you will take up your residence
at the Port of Canton, in the dominions of the Emperor of China; and you
will discharge the several duties confided to you by the said Commission
and Orders in Council respectively, at Canton aforesaid, or at any other
place within the river or port of Canton, or at any other place which may
for that purpose be hereafter appointed by Us, and not elsewhere.
4. And whereas, &c [here is recited the first one of the two clauses
extracted from the Royal Commission; it then proceeds]. Now "We do direct
and appoint that if any such vacancy should so be created, by the death,
resignation, or incapacity, absence or removal, of you, the said William John
Lord Napier, the Chief Superintendent, or of the Chief Superintendent for the
time being, the same shall be supplied provisionally by you, the said William
Henry Chicheley Plowden, Esquire, the Second Superintendent, or by the
Second Superintendent for the time being : [and so on, providing, in order of
succession, for supplying, provisionally, vacancies in the offices of the Second and
Third Superintendents ; the vacancy of the Third Superintendent, for the time
being, to be] "supplied provisionally by the Secretary to the Superintendents
for the time being." [In the event of either Mr. Plowden or Mr. Davis being
absent from China, on the arrival there of Lord Napier, or of their declining to
accept the offices of Second or Third Superintendent, respectively,—in such
contingency, the Secretary for the time being was not to enter upon or succeed to
the vacant office,— but such office or offices, as the case might be, should be held
provisionally (and until the Royal pleasure should be made known) by any such
person or persons as should for that purpose be selected by Lord Napier, from
amongst such of the servants of the East India Company as might be resident at
Canton on the arrival of the Commission at that place]. And the persons so to
be selected by you, the said William John Lord Napier, shall, by you, be appointed
to such office or offices, by an instrument or instruments to be by you, for that
purpose, executed under your hand and seal : and every person so by you,
the said William John Lord Napier, appointed to be such Second Superintendent
or Third Superintendent, as aforesaid, upon any such contingency as afore
said, shall, until further or other provision be made by Us in the premises,
have, exercise, and enjoy all such and the same rights, powers, and authorities,
as if he or they had been appointed by Us, by name, in and by the said Com
mission.
16. And We do further declare Our pleasure to be, that one of you, the said
Superintendents, shall be specially charged with the duty of ascertaining by all
practicable ways and means, and with the utmost attainable precision, the state
of the trade carried on between our subjects, or the subjeqts of any other foreign
power, with the inhabitants of China; and especially the number of the vessels
annually arriving from Our United Kingdom, and from Our several possessions
abroad, and from the territories under the Government of the said Company in
India, and from all other foreign States; and the tonnage of such vessels, and the
number of the person* on board of them as mariners or passengers; and the
3
amount and nature, and value of the goods from time to time imported in such
several vessels into China; and of the goods exported thence in such vessels,
together with the prices current at the port of Canton, of such imports and
exports; together with all material facts, illustrative of the course and nature of
the said trade ; and of the difficulties by which the same may be impeded ; and
of the means which may be taken for the extension, or support thereof; together
with such information as can be collected, respecting the cultivation of tea, and
of other articles of export from China; and of the amount of the duties there paid
upon the importation and exportation of different goods; and respecting the effect
of any such duties, or of the duties levied under such Order in Council * as aforesaid,
upon the course of the said trade; with all other statistical information which
may tend to illustrate or explain the interests of our subjects, and of the subjects
or citizens of other foreign nations, as connected with the commercial intercourse
subsisting between them and the Chinese Empire. And We do direct that all
such information as aforesaid, shall be exhibited in the form of Tables ; which
Tables shall be transmitted once in each year to Our Principal Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs.
17. And in the discharge of your duties as such Superintendents, as afore
said, We do require and enjoin you to watch over and protect the interests of
Our subjects resident at, or resorting to, the Empire of China for the purposes
of trade; and to afford to them all such advice, information, and assistance, as
it may be in your power to give, with a view to the safe and successful
conduct of their commercial transactions ; and, to the utmost of your ability,
to protect them in the peaceable prosecution of all lawful enterprises in
which they may be engaged in China ; and, by the exertion of your utmost
influence and authority, to adjust by arbitration, or persuasion, all disputes in
which any of Our subjects may be there engaged with each other, or with the
inhabitants of China, or with the subjects or citizens of any Foreign State;
and to mediate between Our said subjects and the officers of the Chinese
Government, in order to protect Our subjects aforesaid from all unlawful
exactions or hindrances, in the prosecution of their commercial undertakings.
18. And it is Our further pleasure, that, so often as it may be necessary
for you, in conducting any such mediation as aforesaid, to prefer any com
plaint or remonstrance to the officers of the Government of China, you do
observe all possible moderation; and do cautiously abstain from all unne
cessary use of menacing language; or from making any appeal for protection
to Our military or naval forces, unless, in any extreme case, the most evident
necessity shall require that any such menacing language should be holden,
or that any such appeal should be made. And We do further command and
require you, in the general discharge of your duties as such Superintendents,
to abstain from and avoid all such conduct, language, and demeanour, as
might needlessly excite jealousy or distrust amongst the inhabitants of
China, or the officers of the Chinese Government; or as might unnecessarily
irritate the feelings, or revolt the opinions or prejudices of the Chinese people
or Government; and that you do study by all practicable methods to maintain
a good and friendly understanding, both with the officers, civil and military,
and with the inhabitants of China, with whom you may be brought into
intercourse or communication.
» 19. And We do require you constantly to bear in mind and to impress, as
occasion may offer, upon Our subjects resident in, or resorting to China, the
duty of conforming to the laws and usages of the Chinese Empire, so long as
such laws shall be administered towards you and them with justice and good
faith; and in the same manner in which the same are or shall be administered
towards the subjects of China, or towards the subjects or citizens of other
foreign nations resident in, or resorting to China.
20. And We do further enjoin and require you to transmit 1o the Governor
General of the territories under the Government of the East India Company
in India, duplicate copies, for his information, of all despatches which may by
you be addressed to Our Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with
copies of all despatches which you may receive from our said Secretary of
State. And if, on any occasion, you should see cause to address despatches
* This Order in Council, dated December 9, 1833, was rescinded by Order in Council, dated
March 5, 1834.
B 2
4
irectly to the said Governor General, We do further direct you to communi
cate to Our Secretary of State, aforesaid, full copies thereof, and of all
despatches which you may receive from the Governor General. All which
copies it is Our pleasure that you do transmit, as aforesaid, by the first
convenient opportunity.
21. And We do further declare Our pleasure to be, that neither you, the
said Superintendents, nor any person who may hereafter be a Superintendent,
under the said Commission, nor the Secretary to the said Commission for the
time being, nor any other subordinate officer employed by you, or by the
Superintendents for the time being, in the discharge of the duties confided to
you, shall engage in trade in China aforesaid ; or act as the factor, broker, or
agent, for any person or persons engaged in such trade, on pain of the
forfeiture by you, or such Secretary or other officer, as aforesaid, of the
office so by you or him holden.
No. 2.
Viscount Palmerston to Lord Napier.
My Lord, Foreign Office, January 25, 1834.
YOUR Lordship's Instructions, under the Royal Sign Manual, contain
all that is essentially necessary for your guidance, in the general conduct of
the superintendence- entrusted to your charge. But there still remain some
particular points, upon which I am commanded by His Majesty to convey to
you, for your information and guidance, the further instructions which you
will find in this despatch, and in my others of the same date.
Your Lordship will announce your arrival at Canton by letter to the
Viceroy.
In addition to the duty of protecting and fostering the trade of His
Majesty's subjects with the port of Canton, it will be one of your principal
objects to ascertain, whether it may not be practicable to extend that trade to
other parts of the Chinese dominions. And for this end you will omit no
favourable opportunity of encouraging any disposition which you may discover
in the Chinese authorities, to enter into commercial relations with His
Majesty's Government. It is obvious that, with a view to the attainment of
this object, the establishment of direct communications with the Imperial
Court at Pekin would be desirable; and you will accordingly direct your
attention to discover the best means of preparing the way for such commu
nications: bearing constantly in mind, however, that peculiar caution and
circumspection will be indispensable on this point, lest you should awaken
the fears, or offend the prejudices, of the Chinese Government; and thus
put to hazard even the existing opportunities of intercourse, by a precipitate
attempt to extend them. In conformity with this caution, you will abstain
from entering into any new relations or negotiations with the Chinese autho
rities, except under very urgent and unforeseen circumstances. But if
any opportunity for such negotiations should appear to you to present itself,
you will lose no time in reporting the circumstance to His Majesty's
Government, and in asking for instructions; but, previously to the receipt of
such instructions, you will adopt no proceedings but such as may have a
general tendency to convince the Chinese authorities of the sincere desire
of the King to cultivate the most friendly relations with the Emperor of
China, and to join with Him in any measures likely to promote the happiness
and prosperity of their respective subjects. I have to add, that I do not
at present foresee any case in which it could be advisable that you should
leave Canton to visit Pekin, or any other parts of China, without having
previously obtained the approbation of His Majesty's Government.
Observing the same prudence and caution which I have inculcated
above, you will avail yourself of every opportunity which may present itself,
for ascertaining whether it may not be possible to establish commercial
intercourse with Japan, and with any other of the neighbouring countries:
5
and you will report to this Department, from time to time, the results of your
observation and inquiries.
It is understood that a survey of the Chinese coast is much required ;
and your attention should, therefore, be directed to this subject, with a view
to ascertain the best means, and the probable expense of such an undertaking;
and you will have the goodness to transmit to me an early and full report of
your opinion thereupon. But you will not take any steps for commencing
such a survey, till you receive an authority from hence to do so. Your
attention should also be directed to the inquiry, whether there be any, and
what, places at which ships might find requisite protection in the event of
hostilities in the China Seas. Upon these points, I recommend to your
attentive consideration the inclosed observations of Captain Horsburgh, the
correctness of which your Lordship will make it your duty to investigate.
Peculiar caution will be necessary on the part of the Superintendents,
with regard to such ships as may attempt to explore the coast of China for
purposes of traffic It is not desirable that you should encourage such
adventures; but you must never lose sight of the fact, that you have no
authority to interfere with, or to prevent, them.
It is generally considered, that the Bocca Tigris, which is marked by a
fort immediately above Anson's Bay, forms the limit of the Port of Canton* :
and as this appears to be the understanding of the Chinese authorities them
selves, a notification to that effect has been made to the merchants in this
country. Your Lordship will, accordingly, conform to that understanding.
The Master Attendant will have charge of all British ships and crews
within the Bocca Tigris.
Your Lordship is aware, that the Chinese authorities have invariably
made a marked distinction between ships of war and merchantmen in
regard to the privilege of intercourse. It is contrary to their regulations, that
ships of war should enter that part of the river which lies above the Bocca
Fort; and you will, therefore, take care to apprize the commanders of British
ships of war, of the desire of His Majesty's Government that these regu
lations should be strictly observed ; and that no British ship of war should
pass the Bocca Tigris, unless an extraordinary occasion should require it to
do so. This prohibition extends, of course, to the frigate which is to convey
your Lordship to your destination ; and you will, moreover, understand that
such frigate is not to remain in the Canton river.
With respect to questions of law, the Order in Council appears to give
you ample instructions ; but I have to apprize your Lordship, that, although
it has been deemed advisable at once to constitute a Court of Justice, yet it is
His Majesty's pleasure that you should not, unless in case of absolute
necessity, commence any proceedings under such Order in Council until
you have taken the whole subject into your most serious consideration. And
you will, in the mean while, fully report to me, for the information of His
Majesty's Government, the result of your deliberations upon this most
important branch of your duties.
It may hardly be necessary for me to add, that, if you should be com
pelled to have recourse to the unpleasant duty of ordering the arrest of any
British subject for irregularity of conduct, you will take care to issue for that
purpose a formal warrant under your hand and seal.
I have, Sec,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
• By an Instruction to Sir G. B. Robinson, dated May 28, 1836, the limits of the jurisdiction of
the Superintendents were extended, so as to include Lintin and Macao.
6
No. 3.
Viscount Palmerston to Lord Napier.
Extract. Foreign Office, January 25, 1834.
YOUR Lordship is aware that the gentlemen whom His Majesty has been
pleased to associate with you in your Commission, are the senior Supracargoes
of the East India Company's service. It is possible that Mr. Plowden and
Mr. Davis may decline the office thus conferred upon them ; but in such case,
as it is considered desirable that you should be assisted by officers having had
experience in China, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government that the
office or offices so declined, as well as the office of Secretary, shall be offered to
other gentlemen of the Company's factory, in the manner which will be pointed
out to you in a separate instruction. The officers however, who, under the
circumstances supposed, may accept the situations which you may offer to
them, must understand that those situations are only conferred upon them
provisionally, and until His Majesty's pleasure can be taken.
No. 4.
Viscount Palmerston to Lord Napier.
Extract. ^ Foreign Office, March 7, 1834.
I HAVE to inform your Lordship that it has been deemed expedient, with
a view to the advantage of the mercantile community, that His Majesty's Order
in Council dated the 9th of December, 1833, imposing certain duties upon the
tonnage and goods of His Majesty's subjects trading to the Port of Canton, for
the support of the establishment of the Superintendents at that port, should be
revoked ; and the necessary steps are accordingly now in progress for rescinding
the said Order in Council.
No. 5.
Viscount Palmerston to Lord Napier.
My Lord, Foreign Office, March 8, 1834.
WITH reference to my despatch, I herewith inclose for your infor
mation and guidance, a copy of the Order of His Majesty in Council,
bearing date the 5th instant, revoking the previous Order in Council of the
9th of December, 1833, whereby certain duties were imposed on British ships,
and goods on board thereof, trading to the Port of Canton.
I have, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
7
No. 6.
Lord Napier to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received January 31, 1835.)
My Lord, Canton, August 9, 1834.
I HAVE the honour to acquaint your Lordship of the arrival of His
Majesty's ship Andromache, in Macao Roads, on the 15th of July last; from
whence I landed, on the afternoon of the same day, at the city of Macao, under
a salute from the Portuguese forts.
Here I had the pleasure of finding the Select Committee and Supra-
cargoes of the late Establisment of the Honourable the East India Company, to
whom I communicated the contents of His Majesty's Commission, and the
other documents supplied to me by His Majesty's Government.
On the 17th, I received a communication from John Francis Davis, Esq.,
in the absence of Mr. Plowden, accepting the situation of Second Superinten
dent, from Sir G. Best Robinson, Bart., accepting the situation of Third
Superintendent, and from John Harvey Astell, Esq. , that of Secretary to the
Superintendents, according to the terms of His Majesty's Commission and
General Instructions.
On the 19th, Commissions were granted by the Superintendents to Mr.
Astell, as Secretary and Treasurer,—to the Rev. Dr. Morrison, as Chinese Se
cretary and Interpreter,—to Captain C. Elliot, R.N., as Master Attendant,—
Mr. Colledge, as Surgeon, —and Mr. Anderson, as Assistant Surgeon, according
to His Majesty's Instruction No. 3.
The Superintendents being so constituted with their Assistants, copies of
Instructions from His Majesty's Government were supplied to each, and duly
read over and discussed ; after which I laid before the meeting a letter from the
Right Honourable Charles Grant, of the date of London, 18th February,
acquainting me that His Majesty's Government had resolved to relinquish the
duties on goods and tonnage, and that the expense of the establishment would
be borne, one-third by India, and two-thirds by Great Britain. It may be here
agreeable to state, that several vessels having sailed from the river of Canton
to England, between the 22nd April and the date hereof, with cargoes of tea,
notice had been received from the merchants of their willingness to pay up
the duties if required so to do. In consequence of Mr. Grant's letter, the
Superintendents were unanimously of opinion, that it was no longer necessary
to carry into effect any steps for the recovery of the same.
A letter was this day addressed to Captain Chads, of His Majesty's ship
Andromache, requesting him to send the usual surveying officers on board
the cutter belonging to the Honourable the East India Company, to meet there
competent persons to be appointed by the agents of the Company, to make a
survey of the hull, rigging, equipment, and spare stores of the said cutter, with
the view of purchasing her for the use of His Majesty's Government ; copy of"
which report made by■ the King's officers, and that by the servants of the
East India Company, will be found in the copy of proceedings herewith
annexed.
On the 23rd, the Superintendents embarked on board of His Majesty's
ship Andromache, and proceeded to the anchorage at Chuen-pee, below the
forts at the Bocca Tigris, where she anchored at midnight ; next morning, a
Chinese war junk weighed, and came to an anchor near His Majesty's ship,
firing a salute of three guns, which was returned by an equal number.
At noon, the Superintendents left His Majesty's ship under a salute of 13
guns, and proceeded on board the cutter on their way to Canton, where they
arrived at 2 o'clock on the morning of the 25th.
On the 26th, a copy of the King's Commission to the Superintendents was
supplied to the editor of the Canton Register, to be printed and circulated by
him as a notification to the trade in general.
8
In obedience to His Majesty's commands, conveyed to me by your Lord
ship, of the date of the 25th January last, desiring me to announce my arrival
at Canton by letter to the Viceroy, a letter, a copy of which is inclosed, was
addressed to his Excellency the Viceroy, which, being rendered into Chinese by
the Rev. Dr. Morrison, the Chinese Secretary and Interpreter, was carried to
the City gates by Mr. Astell, accompanied by a deputation of gentlemen from
the establishment.
It may be here stated, that during the interval employed in translating my
letter, the Hong merchants, Howqua and Mowqua, arrived with the copy of an
Edict, addressed by the Viceroy to themselves, for the purpose of being enjoined
on the Superintendents by their body. Long experience having already proved
to the servants of the East India Company the utter futility of such a medium
of communication, and the compliance therewith only tending to degrade His
Majesty's Commission and the British public in general, in the estimation
of the Chinese people, and to render the exertions of the Superintendents to
perform their various duties altogether ineffectual, the Hong merchants were
courteously dismissed with an intimation, " That I would communicate imme
diately with the Viceroy in the manner befitting His Majesty's Commission and
the honour of the British nation."
Mr. Astell was, therefore, instructed to deliver my letter to a Mandarin,
and to avoid any communication through the Hong merchants, which might
afterwards be represented as an official communication and a precedent on all
other occasions.
On the arrival of the party at the City gates, the soldier on guard was
dispatched to report the circumstance to his superior. In less than a quarter
of an hour a Mandarin of inferior rank appeared ; whereupon Mr. Astell offered
my letter for transmission to the Viceroy, which duty this officer declined;'
adding, that his superior was on his way to the spot.
In the course of an hour several Mandarins, of nearly equal rank, arrived
in succession; each refusing to deliver the letter, on the plea that "higher
officers would shortly attend."
After an hour's delay, during which time the party were treated with much
indignity, not unusual on such occasions, the Linguists and Hong merchants
arrived, who entreated to become the bearers of the letter to the Viceroy.
About this time a Mandarin, of rank higher than any of those who had
preceded him, joined the party, to whom the letter was in due form offered;
and as formally refused-
The Mandarins having seen the superscription on the letter, argued, " that
as it came from the Superintendent of Trade the Hong merchants were
the proper channel of communication ;" but this obstacle appeared of minor
importance in their eyes, upon ascertaining that the document was styled a
Letter and not a Petition.
The Linguists requested to be allowed a copy of the address, which was
of course refused.
About this time the Kwang-Heep, a military officer of considerable rank,
accompanied by an officer, a little inferior to himself, arrived on the spot ; to
whom the letter was offered three several times, and as often refused. The
senior Hong merchant, Howqua, after a private conversation with the Kwang-
Heep, requested to be allowed to carry the letter in company with the Kwang-
Heep, and ascertain whether it would be received.
This being considered as an insidious attempt to circumvent the directions
of the Superintendents, a negative was made to this and other overtures of a
similar tendency.
Suddenly all the Mandarins took their departure, for the purpose, as it was
afterwards ascertained, of consulting with the Viceroy.
Nearly three hours having been thus lost within the city, Mr. Astell
determined to wait a reasonable time for the return of the Mandarins, who
shortly afterwards re-assembled ; whereupon Mr. Astell respectfully offered the
letter in question three separate times to the Kwang-Heep, and afterwards to the
other Mandarins, all of whom distinctly refused even to touch it ; upon which
Mr. Astell and his party returned to the factory.
9
Next day, the 27th, the Hong merchants waited in a body on the Super
intendents ; and after a long desultory conversation, marked on their part
by cunning and duplicity, Howqua at length proposed that a new address should
be affixed to my letter ; in the first place, substituting the word Petition for
that of Letter ; and, secondly, making a trifling alteration in the designation of
the Viceroy : the first of these was of course firmly rejected; the second, being a
matter of courtesy, was willingly complied with ; and Howqua having dictated a
copy of the same for the approval of the Viceroy, took his departure with
a promise of returning next day with a reply.
On the morning of the 28th, a ticket was addressed to me by Howqua,
announcing his intention of coming to me at one o'clock. It may be here
proper to state, that, although Howqua had already seen the Chinese character
used by Dr. Morrison, to represent my name, on this occasion he was pleased to
use another one, not of the most courtly description, expressing and signifying
the sense of " Laboriously Vile." On being requested to explain the reason
for such a gratuitous insult, being already in possession of my name, he artfully
avoided all explanation beyond the fact of his having been " so instructed by
the pilot."
At the appointed hour, the Hong merchants arrived ; and Howqua alone
being admitted stated that my letter would not be received, unless it was
superscribed as a Petition. This being refused, Howqua was dismissed
accordingly.
It may also be here remarked, as evidence of the hostile disposition of the
Government, that every petty annoyance has been offered since the arrival of
His Majesty's Commission in Canton ; such as wantonly breaking open my
baggage-chests by the officers of the Custom-House, while the keys were
within their reach, a circumstance hitherto unprecedented; by recalling the
Chinese boat-men employed by the Europeans on the river ; and by intimidating
the compradores, or purveyors, belonging to the agents of the East India
Company, so as to cause them to desert the service.
On the 31st, Howqua and Mowqua waited on the Superintendents, to
deliver the copy of an Order, transmitted through their body., to be enjoined by
them on the Superintendents for their observance ; which was of course refused.
Howqua then asked the nature of my instructions ; on which he was informed,
" that whenever the Viceroy was pleased to receive my letter, he would be made
fully aware of the contents thereof."
I had no further communication with the Hong merchants until the 8th
instant, when Howqua and Mowqua paid a visit to the Superintendents, the
pretended object of which was to endeavour to persuade me to return to
Macao, as being the more agreeable residence during the hot weather.
It may be here proper to explain to your Lordship, that, from private
information on which I have the most perfect reliance, 1 am assured that up to
this date no report, even of my expected arrival, or of the change of circum
stances connected with the trade, has ever been forwarded by the Viceroy to
the Court at Pekin. At the same time, I have reason to believe that the
Emperor has been partially made acquainted with the circumstance through
other channels.
The Viceroy, thus finding himself in a dilemma, on hearing of my arrival
at Macao, dispatched Howqua and Mowqua thither by the inner channel (a
branch of the river) with an order to prevent my proceeding to Canton.
Previously to their arrival we had embarked in the Andromache, as before
stated; on which the Hong merchants returned with all expedition to Canton.
The Viceroy then dispatched the Kwang-Heep, or Military Aide-de-Camp,
by the river, to meet us on our progress, with the view of inducing me to return
to Macao. This message also miscarried like the former.
The Viceroy, continuing to refuse the acceptance of my letter, is thus at a
loss for information on the nature and object of my instructions ; and conse
quently has not the means of making his report to the Emperor : thus is he
desirous of persuading me to return to Macao, in order that, when once there,
he may have an opportunity of recommencing the ceremony of arriving and
reporting, or perhaps of issuing an order to me to remain there altogether.
10
Having so far the advantage, it shall be my duty to hold on for the purpose
of forcing him in time to receive my Letter, and not my Petition; to
which he must yield before he can transmit an authentic official report to his
own Government : although perhaps he may be enabled to supply the deficiency
to a certain extent, from information gathered by his emissaries among the
British merchants.
My great object is to open and maintain a direct personal communication
with the Viceroy ; so that I may be enabled to get redress from him in all
commercial grievances connected with the Hong merchants, or on criminal
proceedings connected with the duties of the Kwang-Chow-Foo, or Criminal
Judge, instead of leaving myself at the mercy of those Hong merchants who,
in fact, exercise no official powers whatever, and can never be depended upon
for the transmission of complaints to the different heads of departments when
circumstances require.
I have reason to believe that His Majesty's subjects here have several
causes of complaint. I forbear to trouble your Lordship with these at present,
as long as a chance exists, within a moderate time, of laying the same before the
Viceroy, for his consideration and redress. In the mean time, I shall endeavour
to maintain harmony between all parties.
There are some other points connected with the medical establishment ; the
more efficient duties of the Master-Attendant ; improvement of the navigation, by
completing the survey of the China seas ; and the accommodation eventually to
be occupied by the Superintendents and their Assistants, which, on further
experience, I shall have the honour of reporting to your Lordship in a more
specific manner than I am yet prepared to do.
Having now clearly explained to your Lordship the position in which I
stand, in respect to the Viceroy, up to the date hereof, (9th August, 1834) I beg
to acquaint your Lordship that all these measures have received the full
concurrence and support of my two Colleagues.
Endeavouring also always to bear in mind the nature and spirit of His
Majesty's instructions, regulating my conduct towards the Chinese authorities,
and enjoining respect to the laws of the Empire, I conceive, in adopting the
line so approved, and which has given entire satisfaction to His Majesty's
faithful subjects at this port, that I have, in fact, adhered most strictly to those
instructions, without compromising the honour of His Majesty's Commission,
and without relinquishing that right or practice which has been so often exercised
in times past by the President of the Select Committee, of enjoying direct com
munication with the Viceroy, whenever circumstances might render such
communication necessary or desirable.
I have, &c,
(Signed) NAPIER,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure in No. 6.
Lord Napier to the Governor of Canton.
IN pursuance of orders from my most gracious Sovereign, William IV.,
King of Great Britain and Ireland, I have the honour of notifying to your
Excellency my arrival at the city of Canton, bearing a Royal Commission con
stituting and appointing me Chief Superintendent of British Trade to the
dominions of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China. By this Commis
sion are associated with me, John Francis Davis, Esq., and Sir George Best
Robinson, Bart., late of the Honourable East India Company's Factory at this
place.
The object of the said Royal Commission is to empower us, His Majesty's
Superintendents, to protect and promote the British trade, which, from the
boundless extent of His Majesty's dominions, will bear the traffic of the four
11
quarters of the world to the shores of the Emperor of China,—the exclusive
privileges and trade hitherto enjoyed by the Honourable East India Company
of merchants having ceased and determined, by the will and power of His
Majesty the King and the Parliament of Great Britain.
I have also the honour of acquainting your Excellency, that His Majesty,
my most gracious Sovereign, has been pleased to invest me with powers,
political and judicial, to be exercised according to circumstances.
At present, I will only further request that your Excellency will grant me,
with my colleagues, the honour of a personal interview, when it will be my duty
to explain more fully to your Excellency the nature of the changes which have
taken place, and upon which our present duties and instructions have been
founded.
Allow me to convey, through your Excellency, to His Imperial Majesty,
the high consideration of His Majesty the King, my master; and with the
utmost respect for your Excellency, allow me to subscribe myself your
Excellency's very faithful and obedient servant,
(Signed) NAPIER,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 7.
Lord Napier to Viscount Palmerston. — (Received January 31, 1835.)
My dear Lord, Canton, August 14, 1834.
MY public Despatch, addressed to your Lordship, gives an outline of
affairs up to the 9th instant, chiefiy relating to what has passed on the sub
ject of communication with the Viceroy. The Mangles not having sailed to
her time, I am desirous of supplying the latest information; and if anything
transpires subsequent to this date, and prior to her departure, I will add it as
a Postscript.
I may here state, that which has been omitted in the Despatch, that on
the 3rd instant I had a letter from Captain Chads of the Andromache, at
Chuen-pee, stating "that the Chinese Admiral had threatened to fire into our
cutter if she attempted to pass up and down the river as heretofore; and that
he had assured the Admiral if he did so, the insult would be resented.'' A
similar communication having been made by the Hong merchants to one of the
British merchants about the same time, in respect to his schooner passing
and repassing, I thought, perhaps, on the Andromache's departure some vio
lence might occur; and, therefore, by way of strengthening my own hands,
I requested Captain Chads, on his putting to sea, to cruise outside the islands
for a week, and then resume his anchorage at Chuen-pee, without communicat
ing at another place. In the mean time, I would be enabled to judge ol their
intentions. The Andromache left Macao Roads .three or four days ago, and
of course has not yet returned.
On the evening of the 10th instant, it came to my knowledge that a requisi
tion from the Hong merchants had been issued that day to the British merchants,
calling upon them to attend a meeting of the Hong at the Consoo House, as
next day, at one o'clock. Tiiis appearing to me rather a novel and unprece
dented measure, I immediately called a general meeting of all British inhabit
ants, to be held at the hall of the Suptrintendents at half past ten; in order to
deliberate on the propriety and the consequences of attending such a meeting.
Mr. Davis and myself addressed the meeting, deprecating such an attendance
as that proposed ; and a draft of the letter to the Hong merchants, being
proposed and read, was carried unanimously with some verbal alterations.
The object of the Hong merchants was evidently to create a schism
among the British, in order to set up one party against the Suptrintendents,
with the view of forcing me to retire by threatening to stop the trade. In
this, however, they made a decided failure; and their meeting not having taken
place, they inclosed all the late Edicts refused by me, to the three principal
12
merchants, Jardine and Co., Dent and Co., and Framjee Munchajee, the
head of the Parsees, desiring them to enjoin the Edicts upon me : a duty
with which, of course, they at once refused to comply. I have, however,
acquired privately copies of these documents. They afford a strong example
of the want of authority, and the weakness of the Government. But there
is also to be gleaned information on one point connected with my instruc
tions, which, I think, plainly demonstrates that there is no " disposition on
the part of the Chinese authorities to enter into commercial relations with
His Majesty's Government." (Vide third paragraph of your Lordship's
Despatch of January 25th, 1834.)
Now, my Lord, I cannot help thinking that by a careful perusal of this
paragraph, you will find that I am, in the first place, instructed to " ascertain,
how far it may be practicable to extend the trade ;" but I am only to do so
by "encouraging certain dispositions which may be discovered," (the dis
position discovered by the Edicts is not very encouraging) and, "in case of
putting to hazard the existing opportunities of intercourse, I am not to enter
into any negotiations with the Chinese authorities ; but if an opportunity of
a negotiation should appear, I am to lose no time in reporting the same to His
Majesty's Government :"—in doing which I must lose at least ten months, and,
perhaps, the opportunity of effecting good, for ever.
Now, my Lord, I would merely ask, and I do so in the most respectful
manner possible, and without the slightest feeling of disrespect to His Ma
jesty's Government, and as little towards your Lordship, if that paragraph
does not instruct me to do one thing, a very material thing, and then deprives
me of the means of doing it? Suppose, now, the Viceroy relents, and admits
me to a conference, and I may have an opportunity of improving our commer
cial relations at this port, by urging any claim or praying the removal of any
difficulty, I am " not to negotiate without first reporting to His Majesty's Go
vernment." I cannot help thinking that the whole of this paragraph has been
framed without a just consideration of the real state of feeling of the Chinese
and their authorities, and without due reference to the history of past times.
When was it ever known, within the last century, that the Chinese authorities
evinced a disposition to encourage foreign trade ! On the contrary, all the pri
vileges formerly enjoyed by the British have been curtailed from lime to
time, till we are at this moment tied down under dreadful restrictions to the
mere port of Canton. Our commerce has, no doubt, wonderfully increased ;
but not through the disposition of the authorities, but through the enterprize
of our merchants and seamen, and the great desire of the people to obtain
our manufactures, and participate in the general advantages of trade.
The house of every Chinaman in these extensive suburbs, is a shop of
one sort or another. Every man is constantly at work; nobody seen loitering
about and idle; and, in fact, every man is a merchant; yet, does one of these
same Edicts speak of the "petty affairs of commerce,"—as if commerce were a
matter of no concern in the empire! This is, indeed, an argument they have
used on occasions, times without number; and having long acted on the prin
ciple, it is quite impossible to suppose they will ever show any desire to join
with His Majesty, " in measures likely to promote the happiness and pros
perity of the two kingdoms." The Chinese authorities pretend to spurn at
the idea of our gracious King's desire of "cultivating friendly relations for
the common good of both people." " England has her laws," says the Edict,—
" How much more, the Celestial Empire,—how flaming bright— more terrible
than awful thunderbolts! ! ! "
Notwithstanding that there are forty thousand men in garrison at
Canton continually, four Edicts have been let off against me, for landing
without a red chop, or permit. I have been ordered off ; and entreated
to depart; yet with all this, and the forty thousand men, and the flaming
bright laws, and terrible thunderbolts, they have not yet taken me and sent
me down the river. Suppose a Chinaman, or any other man, were to land
under similar circumstances at Whitehall, your Lordship would not allow him
to " loiter," as they have permitted me. Looking, now, at the utter imbecility
of the Government, and the favourable disposition of the people, I cannot for
one moment suppose, that, in treating with such a nation, His Majesty's Go
vernment will be ruled by the ordinary forms prescribed among civilized
13
people. Under these circumstances I feel conscious, that your Lordship will
expunge that paragraph, which, according to my reading, can never be acted
upon.
Your Lordship states, " that a direct communication with Pekin would
be desirable;" and I am directed "to discover the best means for such a com
munication." Mr. Davis may perhaps have offered some observations on that
head, as he has already done to me, in reference to the advantage of immediate
communication ; but, of course, I confine my views to the times yet to come.
On this particular point, I shall be enabled very soon, from expected informa
tion, to say more upon the subject ; and I th,ink I can have no hesitation at
once in recommending His Majesty's Government to consult immediately on
the best plan to be adopted for commanding a Commercial Treaty, or a Treaty
which shall secure the just rights, and embrace the interests, public and private,
of all Europeans,—not of British alone, but of all civilized people coming to
trade according to the principles of international law. I maintain, that it
will be as easy to work for the civilized world as for ourselves ; and that it
will be as easy to open the whole coast, as any individual port. It may pos
sibly be advisable to go to Pekin on the occasion, or perhaps only to send
from the mouth of the Peiho river, or from any other point upon the coast.
Sending an Ambassador is the more courteous ; but the presence of an
Embassy pre-supposes room for debates and long delays, alterations and
amendments in plans proposed.
Now, I should say, that we should propose nothing but what is fair and
just towards all mankind ; and avoid entering into minute details. Demand the
same personal privileges for all traders, that every trader enjoys in England.
Having once acquired the right of settlement at every port, let the trade go
on according to the established rules of the Empire, good or bad,— re
serving always the common right to represent and negotiate where wrong
prevails.
Our first object should be to get a settlement on the same terms that
every Chinaman, Pagan, Turk, or Christian, sits down in England. This, no
doubt, would be a very staggering proposition in the face of a red chop: but
say to the Emperor, "Adopt this, or abide the consequences,"—and it is done.
Now, "abiding consequences" immediately pre-supposes or anticipates all
the horrors of a bloody war against a defenceless people. The monopolists
would cry out ; but I anticipate not the loss of a single man ; and we have
justice on our side.
The Chinese are most anxious to trade with us ; the Tartar Viceroys
cannot comprehend it. If the Emperor refuses our demand, remind
him he is only an intruder ; and that it will be his good policy to secure
himself upon his throne by gratifying the wishes of his people.
Remind him that the British traded to all ports of China before his
dynasty escaped from the wilds of Tartary ; and that even one of his early
forefathers, not only opened all his ports to foreigners, but invited them to
settle and spread civilization in his Empire. The Chinese all read, and are
eager for information ; publish among them, and disseminate, far and wide,
your intentions,—that is, all your intentions both towards the Government and
themselves. Disclaim every view of conquest, or of holding partial possession
beyond a certain time ; disturb not the passage of- their vessels, or the tran
quillity of their towns ; only destroy their forts and batteries along the coast, .
and on the river sides, without interfering with the people. Such annoyance
to the batteries, of course, only to be carried into effect in case of the obdu
racy of the Emperor. Three or four frigates and brigs, with a few steady
British troops, not sepoys, would settle the thing in a space of time
inconceivably short.
Such an undertaking would be worthy the greatness and the power of
England, as well from its disinterestedness towards other nations as from the
brilliant consequences which must naturally ensue. I hope by the return of
the ships, now on the coast, to provide your Lordship with authentic information
which shall bear me out in my present speculations, as some men may pro
bably call them; but I feel assured in my own mind, from no little enquiry
among all parties of people professing opposite opinions, as to the power of
the Chinese, and from other sources and considerations, that the exploit is to
*
14
be performed with a facility unknown even in the capture of a paltry West
India Island. If your Lordship should prefer making gradual propositions
by an embassy, I would recommend none of that ostentation practised
in the instances of Macartney and Amherst : leave all presents behind,
all musicians and idle amateur gentlemen, literary and scientific ; and go to
work in a manner determined to carry what you mean. This is a vigorous
measure which might possibly "alarm the prejudices" of the Celestial
Empire, were I to make my ideas commonly known among the Hong.
They are now only thrown together for more special consideration ; and
till I have your authority to proceed upon more active principles, your
Lordship may rely on my forbearance towards a Government, which is
too contemptible to be viewed in any other light than that of pity or
derision.
What advantage, or what point did we ever gain by negociating or
humbling ourselves before these people, or rather before their Government ?
The records show nothing but subsequent humiliation and disgrace. What
advantage or what point, again, have we ever lost, that was just and reason
able, by acting with promptitude and vigour? The records again assure
us that such measures have been attended with complete success. Two
centuries have elapsed this very year, I think, since the bold Captain
Waddell came from London with three or four merchant-ships to propose a
trade. The Mandarins at first deceived him ; but, on a better understanding of
his case, he demanded an audience of the Viceroy. This was refused ; and
the batteries opened upon his ships. In this predicament, the gallant Waddell
hauled as near the enemy as he could; beat down the walls about their
ears ; landed and took the forts ; embarked the guns ; took their Admiral a
prisoner ; sailed up to Canton ; renewed his application, and had an audience
of the Viceroy immediately.
This, I believe to be the first instance on record ; and from that time
down to the defeat of Mr. Innes, last year, success has always attended deter
mination. Mr. Innes's is remarkable. He was insulted and wounded by
the people working at a Chop or Custom-House, in a manner gross and
unjustifiable. He complained to the Hong merchants, and could get no
redress. He then gave solemn intimation, that if the offender was not in
custody by such an hour, to be brought in due course to trial, he would
burn the Chop-house about their ears. The Hong merchants looked upon
this as a mere threat, such as used too often by the Company, and not
performed. The hour came ; the culprit continued at his work, when Mr.
Innes, having taken every precaution to prevent the extension of the flames,
projected from his balcony a few blue lights, which very shortly made good
his word. What was the consequence ? Why, the Hong merchants and Man
darins assembled ; the culprit was arrested and bambooed through the streets,
with his neck and head confined within a pig's yoke.
Your Lordship will see by these extreme instances, that there has been
no amelioration of disposition on the part of the authorities for 200 years ; and
that the same determination commands success. These cases are not to be
lightly treated in the contemplation of future measures. The Tartars had just
overrun the country at that time, and were a warlike people. Their
descendants now, although continually reinforced or invigorated from the
Steppes, are a wretched people, inconceivably degraded, unfit for action or
. exertion.
Last year, some hundreds, required to march against some rebels in the
province, were found so enervated by every species of vice, that it was impos
sible to move them. The power of England, however, has continued to
increase ; and the valour and discipline of her forces beyond what they were
ever known to be before. I believe the very mention of an army, or a fleet
of ships, to the Emperor, would bring him to his senses. Now, my Lord I am
perfectly aware it may be said, that I recommend such measures from early
professional associations, and with the hope or view of participating in the spoil.
Now, I declare that 1 am the most peaceable of men ; I have no delight in
war; that I would neither make a prize, or divide a dollar; for I am
convinced that a commanding attitude alone, with the power of following the
threat with execution, is all that is required' to extort a Treaty which shall
secure mutual advantages to China and to Europe.
15
If the Government is anxious to extend the trade with a high hand
(which I take to be the only way of doing it) it is an easy matter to feel the
public opinion, through the medium of the press, by discussing the policy of
such measures ; and you may be assured the country will bear you through.
My present position is, in one point of view, a delicate one, because the trade
is put in jeopardy, on account of the difference existing between the Viceroy
and myself. I am ordered by His Majesty " to go to Canton ; and there
report myself by letter to the Viceroy." I use my best endeavours to do so ;
but the Viceroy is a presumptuous savage, and will not grant the same privi
leges to me that have been exercised constantly by the Chiefs of the
Committee. He rakes up obsolete orders; or, perhaps, makes them on the
occasion : but the fact is, the Chiefs formerly used every year to wait on the
Viceroy, on their return from Macao ; and continued to do it until the Viceroy
gave them an order to wait upon him, whereupon they gave the practice up.
Had I even degraded the King's Commission so far as to petition through
the Hong merchants for an interview, it is quite clear, by the tenour of the
Edicts, that it would have been refused. Were he to send an armed force, and
order me to the boat, I could then retreat with honour, and he would impli
cate himself ; but they are afraid to attempt such a measure. What then
remains but the stoppage of the trade, or my retirement? If the trade is
stopped for any length of time, the consequences to the merchants are most
serious, as they are so also to the unoffending Chinese. But the Viceroy cares
no more for commerce, or for the comfort and happiness of the people, as
long as he receives his pay and plunder, than if he did not live among them.
My situation is different ; I cannot hazard millions of property for any length
of time, on the mere score of etiquette. If the trade shall be stopped, which
is probable enough in the absence of the frigate, it is possible I may be
obliged to retire to Macao, to let it loose again. Then has the Viceroy gained
his point ; and the Commission is degraded.
Now, my Lord, I argue, that whether the Commission retires by force
of arms, or by the injustice practised on the merchants, the Viceroy has
committed an outrage on the British Crown, which should be equally
chastised. The whole system of Government here is that of subterfuge, and
shifting the blame from the shoulders of the one to the other. Act with
firmness and spirit ; and the Emperor will punish the Viceroy,—as the
Mandarin did the wood-cutter for Mr. Innes.
I have &c,
(Signed) NAPIER.
POSTSCRIPT.
My dear Lord, August 17, 1834.
I HAVE this day a letter from the British merchants acquainting me,
that " in consequence of my having declined to receive the Edicts of the
Chinese Government, addressed through the Hong merchants, they, the said
Hong merchants, have put a stop to the shipping off cargoes on British
account."
No Government Edict has yet appeared to stop the trade. The present
measure tends to delay the shipment of cargoes, and falls more heavily on
the Hong than on the British. This they have done to try my resolution. Now
there are two things to be considered, —the honour of His Majesty's Com
mission, and the interest of the merchants. I conceive my duty to be to
sustain them both, but not one at the expense of the other.
I have also a letter this day from Captain Blackwood of His
Majesty's ship Imogene, announcing his arrival at Chuen-pee, for the pur
pose of protecting the trade. The Andromache has returned with her,
and will take letters to India. The arrival of the Imogene I may be
enabled to turn to good account. 1 have also intelligence of the expected
arrival here of Shing-yin, a Mantchoo Tartar, and Chief Member of the
Censorate Board at Pekin. He comes with a Commission, to inquire into the
affairs of the province. I shall make an attempt on him as soon as he arrives ;
and hope to be able to arrange matters, without giving up a point of the
16
ground I stand upon. In revising my letter, I find I call the subject of dis
pute, a point of etiquette. It is not altogether so ; for it is the consequences
of humiliation, and yielding a point which has been enjoyed by my predeces
sors, and the fact of not carrying His Majesty's order into full execution, that
I look forward to it. It is a cruel and a criminal measure on the part of a
petty tyrant to annoy the merchants, on the score of a dispute which does not
immediately affect them.
If after a fair trial of all justifiable means, I find the merchants are likely
to suffer, I must retire to Macao, rather than bring the cities of London,
Liverpool, and Glasgow upon your Lordship's shoulders; many of whose mer
chants care not one straw about the dignity of the Crown or the presence of
a Superintendent. I shall not go, however, without publishing in Chinese,
and disseminating far and wide, the base conduct of the Viceroy in oppressing
the merchants, native as well as foreign; and of my having taken the step out
of pure compassion to them. I can only once more implore your Lordship
to force them to acknowledge my authority and the King's Commission; and
if you can do that, you will have no difficulty in opening the ports at the
same time. I am obliged to close this evening, as the ship has dropped
down. The Mangles will of course report every falsehood for the purpose
of raising the price of tea. I think your Lordship may depend on my assurance
of the prohibition being of but a very temporary duration, and not attended
with any such consequences.
I have, &c,
(Signed) NAPIER.
The York, American ship, has delivered me, this day, Mr. Backhouse's
circular of the 29th March, on the subject of the dollars; and nothing more of
an official nature.
Inclosure 1 in No. 7.
The Hong Merchants to Messrs. Jardine, Dent, and Framjee.
A RESPECTFUL notification. By your honourable * nation there has
hitherto been established a Company, having a chief at Canton to superin
tend all the affairs of commerce. Thus there has been, for upwards of a hun
dred years, mutual tranquillity without disagreement. Now the Company
has been dissolved, and your honourable officer has come to Canton, and
affairs now originate from him. Therefore, his Excellency the Governor,
having examined the old regulations, has ordered us to enjoin them to be con
formed to.
We went to your honourable officer several times, taking copies of four
government orders, to enjoin and deliver them; but he refused to receive them
all. Thus the affair has continued half a month, and we have been unable to
return any report. Hereafter, the Governor, for our not being able to enjoin
the orders, will inflict punishment which it will be impossible for us to sus
tain ; therefore, we yesterday requested you gentlemen to come to the Consoo
House, to confer personally with us. You did not favour us with coming; but
Mr. young Morrison brought your official letter, saying, that as we had not
given previous information of the business to be conferred on you were un-
* " Honourable " is in Chinese used for the possessive pronoun " your." The word " your " is
here understood. In Chinese, respect is shown by position of characters, as well as phraseology.
While, at every repetition, the Governor's name is elevated, the mention of " your honourable officer"
receives only the same mark of respect that the mention to a sick man, of "your honourable
disease," &c, would do.
p
willing to come. We now send you copies of the four several orders of his
Excellency the Governor, expressed in the orders, of cherishing and showing
tenderness. We, in a body, request you to reply to us. For this we
earnestly hope.
Compliments, &c,
The names of eleven merchants subscribed.
7th moon, 7th day. (August 11.)
Inclosure 2 in No. 7.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
July 21, 1834.
LOO, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, to the Hong merchants,
requiring their full acquaintance herewith.
The Hee (or Naval Officer) of the Heang-shan district, with others, has
reported, "that an English war vessel, having on board a barbarian ' Eye ' (one
name for individual) had, from the outer seas, sailed to Cabreta point offing,
and there anchored. On examination and inquiry, it was stated that he was
to examine and have superintendence of the said nation's merchant vessels
coming to Canton to trade, &c As duty requires, a report is made."
According to this, I have examined and find, that hitherto outside
barbarians trading at Canton, have only had Taepans (Chief Supracargoes)
buying and selling goods : they have been permitted to request permits,
and then come to Canton. But, ordinarily, they have only had permission to
reside at Macao. The English have traded at Canton upwards of a hundred
years. And, with regard to all the regulations, there has long been mutual
tranquillity. The said Hong merchants before reported that this year the
English Company is dissolved. The barbarian Eye, who has now come, is, of
course, for the superintendence and examination of this business. But the
barbarian Eye is not comparable with the Taepans. If he wish to come to
Canton, it will be necessary to make, first, a clear report, requesting the
Imperial will on the subject. As to the commercial affairs, if there be
circumstances absolutely requiring the establishment of other regulations, a
petition of request must also be sent, after inquiring and deliberation on the
part of the Hong merchants, through them ; that a memorial may be
prepared, and obedience called for.
Uniting these circumstances, this order is issued. When the order is
received by the said merchants, let them immediately go in person to Macao,
and ascertain clearly from the barbarian Eye for what he has come : to
Canton province. Let them also inquire fully and minutely as to what other
regulations require to be now established, since this year the said nation's
Company has been dissolved and ended. Then let them report in answer; to
afford evidence on which to make a plain and full memorial for directions as
to what conduct is to be observed, and to what obedience required.
And let them authoritatively enjoin the established laws of the celestial
Empire, that, with exception of the Taepans and other barbarian merchants
trading at Canton, none can be permitted to come to Canton without a report
having been made, and the mandate received. The said barbarian Eye,
having to examine concerning, and superintend, the affairs of commerce,
may reside at Macao. If he wish to come to Canton, he must inform the
said merchants, that they may previously petition me, the Governor ; and I
will, by post conveyance, send a memorial; and all must respectfully wait
till the mandate of the Great Emperor has been received, —then orders will
be issued to require obedience. Oppose not ! A Special Order.
Taoukwang, 14th year, 6th moon, 15th day. (July 21, 1834.)
D
18
Inclosure 3 in No. 7.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
July 27, 1834.
LOO, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, to the Hong
merchants, requiring their full acquaintance herewith.
The outside barbarians of the English nation have had a continued trade
at Canton for a hundred and some tens of years. All affairs and things are
conducted according to established regulations reported to the Emperor, which
have long been obeyed and kept. Although the barbarians are beyond the
bounds of civilization, yet, having come to Canton to trade, they should im
mediately give implicit obedience to the established laws of the celestial Em
pire ; then they may enjoy tranquillity. New-come barbarians, not under
standing the dignity of the statutes, you, with the linguists, compradores, &c,
should instruct clearly and authoritatively in all things, to prevent them over
stepping or opposing.
I find on examination, that foreigners coming to Canton, have hitherto
been permitted only to reside at Macao. When they have affairs of buying
or selling goods, &c, to conduct, they are then permitted to request and
receive from the Superintendent of the Canton Customs, a permit to come
to Canton. Whatever utensils, vessels, &c, they carry with them, must every
one pass examination at the Custom-house, and a report of them must be
made. The Superintendent of the Customs sends a communication on the
subject to my office to be placed on record.
On this occasion, the barbarian Eye [that is, head man, principal man]
Lord Napier, has come to Canton without having at all resided at Macao to
wait for orders. Nor has he requested or received a permit from the Super
intendent of Customs, but has hastily come up to Canton, —a great infringe
ment of the established laws ! The Custom-house writers and others who
presumed to admit him to enter, are sent with a communication requiring their
trial; but in tender consideration for the said barbarian Eye, being a new
comer and unacquainted with statutes and laws of the celestial Empire, I
■will not strictly investigate.
But it is not expedient that the said barbarian Eye should long remain at
Canton provincial city ; it must be required, that when the commercial
business, regarding which he has to inquire and hold jurisdiction, is finished,
he immediately return to Macao. And hereafter, without having requested
and obtained a permit, he cannot be permitted to come to Canton.
As to the object of the said barbarian Eye's coming to Canton, it is for
commercial business. The celestial Empire appoints officers,—civil ones to
rule the people, military ones to intimidate the wicked. The petty affairs of
commerce are to be directed by the merchants themselves. The officers
have nothing to hear on the subject. In the trade of the said barbarians, if
there are any changes to be made in regulations, &c, in all cases the said
merchants are to consult together, and make a joint statement to the Super
intendent of Customs, and to my office. Whether [the proposals] shall be
allowed, or disallowed, must be learned by waiting for a reply publicly.
If any affair be to be newly commenced, it is requisite to wait till a
respectful memorial be made, clearly reporting to the Great Emperor, and his
mandate received. Then it may be commenced ; and orders may be issued
requiring obedience.
The great ministers of the Celestial Empire are not permitted to have
private intercourse by letter with outside barbarians. If the said barbarian
Eye throws in private letters, I, the Governor, will not at all receive or look
at them.
With regard to the barbarian factory of the Company, without the walls
of the city, it is a place of temporary residence for barbarians coming to
Canton to trade. They are permitted only to eat, sleep, buy, and sell, in the
factories. They are not permitted to bring up wives and daughters; nor are
they permitted to go out to ramble about. All these are points decided by
fixed and certain laws and statutes, which will not bear to be confusedly
transgressed.
To sum up, the nation has its laws,—it is so every where. Even England
has its laws,—how much more the celestial Empire! Under this whole bright
heaven, none dares to disobey them. Under its shelter are the four seas;
19
subject to its soothing care, are the ten thousand kingdoms. The said
barbarian Eye having come over a sea of several myriads of miles in extent,
to examine and have superintendence of affairs, must be a man thoroughly
acquainted with the principles of high dignity. And in his person he sustains
the duties of an officer, an " Eye." He must necessarily in every affair act
in accordance with reason. Then only can he controul and restrain the
barbarian merchants.
I, the Governor, looking up, will embody the extreme wish of the Great
Emperor, to cherish with tenderness the men from a distance. And, as
suredly, I will not treat slightingly the outside barbarians. But the national
laws are extremely strict and close drawn ; we dare not in the least trans
gress. Let the said barbarian Eye be very careful not to listen to the artful
instigations of evil men, enticing him, until he fails of the object of the said
nation's King in sending him so far.
Uniting all, I issue this order to be enjoined ; when the order reaches the
said merchants, let them immediately act in obedience to it, and enjoin the
order on the said barbarian Eye, that he may know it thoroughly. Oppose it
not.
The said merchants have had intercourse with the barbarians for many
years. Their knowledge of their language and feelings must be good. The
linguists and compradores are more closely allied to the barbarians. If
they truly explain clearly, opening and guiding the understanding, the said
barbarian Eye assuredly cannot but obey.
If there should be disobedience and opposition, it must be owing to the
bad management of the said merchants, and to the instigations of the linguists.
Assuredly, the said merchants shall be reported against, that they may be
punished ; and on the linguists the laws shall instantly be put in full force.*
Their respectability, their lives are concerned. Tremble fearfully hereat.
Make not repentance [necessary]. These are the orders.
Taoukwang, 14th year, 6th moon, 21st day. (July 27, 1834.)
Inclosure 4 in No. 7.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
July 30, 1834.
LOO, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, issues this order
to the Hong merchants, requiring their full acquaintance with it.
It appears that the outside barbarians of the English nation, trading at
Canton, have hitherto only had permission for Taepans, &c, at the period of
buying and selling goods, to request and obtain a red permit, to come in, or
go out [of port.] In all things they have had rules and regulations fixed by
memorial to the Emperor. They have never had such an affair as a barbarian
Eye coming to Canton.
It was before authenticated, that the Hee (or naval officer) of the Heang-
shan district, reported that an English cruizer Chads, bringing a barbarian
Eye, Lord Napier, one name (or individual) had, from the outer seas, sailed
in ; and that on inquiry it was found he had come to Canton to examine
concerning, and superintend, the affairs of commerce.
I, the Governor, having examined, find that a barbarian Eye is not
comparable [compatible] with the barbarian merchants. The business being
one to be newly commenced, without a report being made, and a mandate
received, he cannot have permission to presume to come, of his own accord, to
Canton.
I issued orders to the Hong merchants to go to Macao, and enjoin orders
requiring him to reside at Macao. If he desired to come to Canton, he was
A phrase for capital punishment.
D 2
20
required to inform the said merchants, that they might petition me, the
Governor; and respectfully wait until, having reported, I should receive an
Imperial mandate; • then further orders might be issued to command
obedience.
Therefore, the said merchants not having yet reached Macao, the said
barbarian Eye set out and came to Canton. Neither having, in the first place,
made a plain petition, nor having, in the next instance, obediently obtained a
permit, he with precipitate haste came in a sailing boat to Canton. It is
indeed a great infringement of the laws. Considering that the said barbarian
Eye has but newly arrived, and is unacquainted with the dignity of the statutes
of the Celestial Empire, he is absolved from strict investigation.
The said merchants have been again commanded to enjoin commands,
and to investigate. But for what purposes the said barbarian Eye has come to
Canton, and why he did not apply for a permit, it does not yet appear that the
said merchants have obtained any clear information or made any report.
On examination, I find that in all that relates to the outside barbarians
coming to Canton to trade, the Hong merchants are in every respect held
responsible for keeping up strict investigation, controuling and restraining.
The said Hong merchants [those sent to Macao] have filled the situation of
seniors over the merchants for many years ; how is it that they understand
not the fixed laws? but, after repeated orders, indulge their own dispositions,
deferring and delaying ! What is it that occupies their minds? It is ex
tremely inexplicable ! It would be right to take the circumstances of the
said merchants' negligent connivance at the conduct of outside barbarians,
and at once report against them (to the Emperor). In indulgence, I once
more command urgent haste. When this order reaches the said merchants,
let them immediately act in obedience to it, and enjoin, in an explanatory
manner, the previous orders. Let them inquire fully for what purpose the
said barbarian Eye has come to Canton; and why he, without obtaining a
permit, precipitately came up ? and let him immediately report in answer.
Let them, at the same time, command the said barbarian Eye immediately to
set sail and leave the port. He must not stop in the foreign factories outside
the city, loitering about. If he have affairs requiring his immediate superin
tendence, let him temporarily reside at Macao, waiting till a prepared report
has been made, requesting to know the Imperial will, that it may be obeyed.
Should he dare resist or oppose, it will be all owing to the indulgence and
connivance of the said merchants. The affair concerns national dignity. I,
the Governor, will be able only to report against the said merchants, that
they may be brought to trial. Say not that you were not forewarned.
Tremble hereat ! A Special Order.
Taoukwang, 14th year, Gth moon, 24th day. (July 30, 1834.)
Inclosure 5 in No. 7.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
July 31, 1834.
LOO, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse &c, to the Hong merchants,
requiring their full acquaintance herewith.
On the 19th of the 6th moon, in the 14th year of Taoukwang (July 25th),
I received the following communication from Chung, Superintendent of the
Canton maritime Customs.
" The domestics at the Custom-house station behind the factories [on the
river side, in front] have reported as follows : —
" ' In examining, we perceived, during the night of the 18th of the present
moon, about midnight, the arrival of a barbarian ship's boat at Canton, bringing
four English devils, who went into the barbarian factories to reside. After
having searched and examined, we could find no permit or pass. And having
heard, by report, that there is at present a ship of war of the said nation
anchored in the outer seas ; but not having been able to learn for what pur
21
pose, we think that such a coming as this is manifestly a clandestine stealing
into Canton. Whether or not the Hong merchants and linguists are in any
way consorting with them, we must, making our report, request you as our
duty requires, to examine. This is a list of the four barbarians' names.
Lord Napier, who, we hear, is a war commander, Davis, Morrison,
Robinson.'
" I, the Hoppo, having received this, have examined and find, that when
barbarian merchants who come to Canton province, have to come up to Can
ton and go down to Macao, the regulations require that the Hong merchants
should make a petition, requesting for them a permit, and that I, the Hoppo,
should then forward a communication to your honourable officers, and also
send information to the Kwang Chow Hee [city commandant] or the Macao
Assistant Magistrate of the department, that they may send a military escort.
This has long been the mode of conducting the affair, which has been obeyed
and practised, as is on record.
" Before this, the Wei-yuens [deputed officers] of the Macao Custom
house reported, that an English cruizer Chads had anchored at Cabreta
offing; and that on board the vessel there was a barbarian Eye, one name,
come to examine concerning, and have superintendence of, the mercantile
affairs of the said nation's merchant ships trading to Canton. I, at that
time, sent a communication to your honourable office for examination. I also
gave orders to the Hong merchants to be replied to after examination. But the
Hong merchants, without having, in the first instance, reported the English
cruizer and barbarian Eye's arrival at Canton, and without having, in the
second place, when orders had been given them to examine, made any report
of having examined, have at least permitted the barbarian Eye, from the
English cruizer vessel, to come clandestinely to Canton. How can the
precautions against foreigners be thus considered forcible, and the dignity of
the Imperial servants be made awful and impressive ? Although the barba
rian Eye be unacquainted with the laws of the celestial Empire, how can the
Hong merchants have the excuse of ignorance, that they should audaciously
dare, without having asked and obtained a permit, to suffer him to come to
Canton ? Truly, there is no respect of the laws before their eyes !
" Besides again issuing a strict order to the Hong merchants to examine
and reply, I also forward this communication, that having examined, you may
with severity command the Hong merchants to examine and act."
This coming before me, the Governor, I, on the receipt of it have
examined, and find, that with regard to the English barbarian Eye coming to
Canton, I, the Governor, have already issued repeated orders to the said
merchants, to be by them enjoined authoritatively, as is on record.
Having received the communication as above, I unite the circumstances,
and again issue this order. When the order reaches the said merchants, let
them immediately obey ; and in accordance with the tenor of the several pre
vious orders, ascertain clearly for what the said barbarian Eye has come to
Canton? and why, in disobedience to the regulations, he has not requested a
red permit? Let them instantly, the same day, report in answer. At the
same time, let them order and compel him immediately with speed to return
to Macao and reside there ; waiting till I, the Governor, have made a prepared
report, to request the Imperial will to be made known, that it may be obeyed.
He must not linger about at Canton. Should there be any opposition, the
said merchants will be held solely responsible. Tremble hereat, intensely
tremble! These are the orders.
Taoukwang, 14th year, 6th moon, 25th day. (July 31, 1834.)
22
No. 8.
Lord Napier to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received January 31, 1835.)
My dear Lord, Canton, August 21, 1834.
THE postscript to my last brings matters up to the 17th; and the
Mangles not having kept her time, I give you the remainder to the date
hereof, when I am assured she will be dispatched.
On the 18th, intelligence arrived of the Imogene and Andromache having
anchored at Chuen-pee ; and in the afternoon, the Hong merchants came
in a body to inquire the reason ; and when they would depart ? I
replied, that was a secret which I would divulge to no man but to the Vice
roy ; and if his Excellency would send a great military officer, and conduct
me to his presence, I would wave the ceremony of sending the letter, and
then I would communicate my whole business in person. This appeared to
give great satisfaction, and they departed accordingly. Next day, Howqua
and Mowqua returned, stating, that the Viceroy could have no communica
tion with me; and repeated his Excellency's orders that I should depart;
arguing that, were he in England he would be obliged to conform to the
laws of England, and I ought to do the same here. On the principle of
reciprocity I heartily concurred ; that were he in England he would be
received and treated as a gentleman : and I required no more here.
Another Edict, copy of which is herein inclosed, has come out through the
Hong, in which the Viceroy threatens, that if I do not obey, " the trade shall
immediately be stopped, and the commerce eternally cut off." No official
Edict from the Governor himself has appeared, as on former occasions of the
like. He threatens ; and the Hong merchants enforce, as they say, according
to his verbal order. He is in a dilemma, and afraid to commit himself by
proclamation ; and, therefore, throws it on the Hong, who will, perhaps, be
punished for it, after all, by a heavy fine.
I have requested Captain Blackwood to detain the Andromache, in the
meantime ; on account of the monsoons it will be just the same to her in her
passage to Madras, whether she sails to-day or on the 1st of October.
I have written to Lord Grey on the subject of an armament from India,
and requesting advice overland as soon as possible.
I have, &c,
(Signed^ NAPIER.
Inclosure 1, in No. 8.
The Hong Merchants to the British Merchants.
A respectful notification.
WE have just now received an official reply from his Excellency the
Governor, which we are commanded to enjoin, and make known to you. We
now copy out the official order and send it for your perusal ; praying you,
gentlemen, to examine minutely. You will then know that his Excellency
the Governor's extreme desire to cherish those from remote parts is great,
beyond the power of increase.
We pray you to return an answer. This is the task we impose. For
this we write, and with compliments.
7th moon, 14th day. (August 18.)
[Subscribed by Howqua and the ten other merchants.]
23
Inclosure 2 in No. 8.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
LOO, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, in reply to the Hong
merchants.
On examination I find, that the trade from the English nation to Canton
has been carried on for a hundred and some tens of years. In this long period
all regulations have from time to time been reported and established. Whether
the said barbarian Eye, Lord Napier, be an oificer or a merchant, there are no
means of ascertaining. But having come for affairs of commerce to the
celestial Empire, it is incumbent on him to obey, and keep the laws and
statutes. It is an old saying, " When you enter the frontiers inquire
respecting the prohibitions. When you enter a country inquire into its
customs."
The said barbarian Eye, having been sent by the said nation's King from a
great distance, is, undoubtedly, a man who understands things ; but his
having precipitately come to the provincial city, without having made a full
report of the circumstances and causes of coming here, was indeed a want
of decorum. I, the Governor, considering that it was his first entrance into
the inner dominions, and that he was yet unacquainted with the established
laws, commanded the said merchants at that time to enjoin orders on him,
and to enquire and ascertain for what he had come to the provincial city ?
That if it were, that, on account of the Company's dissolution, it had become
necessary to establish other regulations, he should immediately inform the
said merchants, that they might make a report to me, to afford me data for
sending a memorial by the Government post. And that the said barbarian Eye
should, meanwhile, return to Macao, to await the will and mandate of the
Great Emperor being received and published, to command obedience. Thus
the business would be altogether managed in perfect accordance with dignified
decorum, rendering change needless.
To refer to England,—should an official personage from a foreign country
proceed to the said nation, for the arrangement of any business, how could he
neglect to have the object of his coming announced, in a memorial to the said
nation's King ? or how could he act contrary to the requirements of the said
nation's dignity, doing his own will and pleasure?
Since the said barbarian Eye states that he is an official personage, he
ought the more to be thoroughly acquainted with these principles.
Before, when he offered a letter, I, the Governor, saw it inexpedient to
receive it ; because the established laws of the celestial Empire do not per
mit Ministers, and those under authority, to have private intercourse by letter
with outside barbarians, but have hitherto, in commercial affairs, held the
merchants responsible ; and if by chance any barbarian merchant should have
any petition to make, requesting investigation of any affair [the laws required]
that, by the said Taepans [Chief Supracargoes] a duly prepared petition
should be in form presented, and an answer by proclamation awaited. There
has never been such a thing as outside barbarians sending in a letter. I at
that time commanded the Kwang-Chow-Hee to give minute verbal orders on
this subject.
Again, I have examined, in order, the points of regulations established by
report [to the Emperor'], and have thrice issued orders, which the said
merchants were required to make themselves acquainted with, and to
enjoin.
The several subjects discussed in their several orders, are the long esta
blished regulations, well known to all barbarian merchants of every nation
who have business at Canton. The flamingly luminous ordinances and
statutes, thus commencing, I was treating, not slightingly, the outside
barbarians. Obey, and remain! Disobey, and depart! There are no ways.
Now [the merchants] have reported, that on going to the factory to
inquire and ascertain facts, the said barbarian Eye desired to have official
correspondence, to and fro, with all the public officers ; and would not obey
; 24
the orders. On examination, I find that the English nation and the officers
of the celestial Empire have hitherto had no intercourse of official corre
spondence. The barbarians of the said nation coming to, or leaving Canton,
have, beyond their trade, not any public business ; and the commissioned
officers of the celestial Empire never took cognizance of the trivial affairs of
trade.
From the time Canton has admitted outside barbarians to its open mar
ket, all affairs relating to commerce, and the controul over the barbarian mer
chants, have been placed under the entire cognizance and responsibility of
the said Hong merchants; never has there been such a thing as official corres
pondence to and fro with a barbarian Eye.
And of these trading at Canton, there is not only the English nation,—nor
have the English barbarian merchants been at Canton only one or two years ;
yet all have been tranquil and quiet, obeying the laws. There has been no
occasion for officers to examine into, and manage business: on the contrary,
they would but embarrass and impede the merchants. This request, to have
official correspondence to and fro, is not only contrary to dignity and decorum,
but also would prove very inexpedient for the barbarian merchants of all the
nations : the thing is most decidedly impossible.
The said merchants, because the said barbarian Eye will not adhere to the
old regulations, have requested that a stop should be put to the said nation's
commerce. This manifests a profound knowledge of the great principles of
dignity. It is most highly praiseworthy. The circumstance of the said bar
barian Eye, Lord Napier's perverse opposition necessarily demands such a mode
of procedure. It would be most right immediately to put a stop to buying
and selling. But, considering that the said nation's King has hitherto been, in
the highest degree, reverentially submissive, he cannot, in sending Lord
Napier here at this time have desired him thus obstinately to resist.
The some hundreds of thousands of commercial duties, yearly coming
from the said country, concern not the Celestial Empire to the extent of a
hair, or a feather's down. The possession or absence of them is utterly
unworthy of one careful thought. Their broadcloths and camlets are still more
unimportant, and of no regard. But the tea, the rhubarb, the raw silk, of the
inner dominions are the sources by which the said nation's people live, and
maintain life. For the fault of one man, Lord Napier, must the livelihood of
the whole nation be precipitately cut off?
I, the Governor, looking up and embodying the great Emperor's most
sacred, most divine wish, to muse and tenderly cherish, as one, all that are
within and without, feel that I cannot bring my mind to bear it. Besides,
all the merchants of the said nation dare dangers, crossing the seas myriads
of miles, to come from far here ; their hopes rest wholly on the attainment
of gain, by buying and selling. When, the other day, being summoned by
the said merchants to a meeting for consultation, they did not attend, it was
because they were under the direction of Lord Napier. It assuredly did not
proceed from the several merchants' own free will. Should, in one morning,
the trade be wholly cut off, it would cause great distress to many persons who,
having travelled hither by land and sea, would by one man, Lord Napier, be
ruined; they cannot in such a case but be utterly depressed with grief. In
commiseration, I again give temporary indulgence and delay. Let the said
merchants again immediately enjoin, particularly and minutely, the orders
regarding the said barbarian Eye, with unruffled mind to consider thrice. He
should know that the said nation trades here, and annually amasses great gain,
entirely in consequence of this sacred dynasty's extreme wish to cherish
tenderly those from afar. It in no way regards the trade as an advantage :
and cannot be hampered or constrained by any consideration for it. If the old
established regulations be not in accordance with reason, how could all the
barbarian merchants yield to them the willing submission of their hearts, and
obediently keep them. Since the said barbarian Eye occupies an official
situation, all merchants of the said nation, when they do not keep the laws,
will require to be controuled and constrained by him. But if he talk not
reason, how can he gain submission of the multitude ?
I, the Governor, have for some tens of years, extended my care over those
within and those without ; arid have never treated a man contrary to propriety.
How can I be willing to treat tyrannically the requests of men from far ? Bui
25
what concerns the nation's dignity will not admit of being transgressed or
passed over. ■ • ;
I hear that the said barbarian is a man of a solid and expansive mind, and
placid speech. If he consider, he, can himself, doubtless, distinguish right and
wrong.
Let him, on no account, allow himself to be deluded by men around him.
If he can repent and arouse, obey the previous orders, and act according to
them, let him answer through the said merchants ; and the trade shall continue
as formerly. If he still maintain his obstinacy, and do not arouse, then it will
appear that the said barbarian Eye does not wish the said nation to have the
liberty of the market. The trade shall immediately be stopped, and the
commerce eternally cut off.
Hereafter, when the said nation's King hears, respecting these repeated
orders and official replies, he will know that the whole wrong lies on the barba
rian Eye : it is no way owing to any want on the part of the celestial Empire of
extreme consideration for the virtue of reverential submission, exercised by the
said nation's King. Let the said merchants take also this reply ; and having
enjoined it authoritatively on the private merchants of the said nation, and the
barbarian merchants of every nation, that they may make themselves acquainted
with it, let it be folded up and preserved.
Taoukwang, 14th year, 7th moon, 14th day. (August 18, 1834.)
No. 9.
/. F.Davis, Esq., Second Superintendent, to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received
February I, 1835.)
(Extract.) Canton, August 7, 1834.
THE affected indifference of the native Government to the proceedings of
foreigners, seems to have forbidden their making any public demonstrations of
curiosity, previous to Lord Napier's arrival ; but, as early as April last, their
anxiety on the subject led to an indirect verbal application, through the Hong
merchants, to myself, as the Company's chief, for some report of the intentions
of our Government. I, of course, did not feel in any way authorized without
instructions to enter on a subject on which I was still in a great degree unin
formed ; and, as the application was unofficial, I evaded making any reply to
it. Thus things remained until Lord Napier's arrival, when some degree of
feverishness was displayed by the dispatch of the two senior merchants to
Macao, for the purpose of endeavouring to persuade our remaining there until
a reply should arrive from Peking. They did not reach Macao, however,
until the day after our departure for this place. They hurried back to Canton ;
and, waiting on Lord Napier, offered to read to him an order from the Viceroy
addressed to them, which they were to enjoin or enforce on the Superintendents.
Lord Napier seems to be clear as to his instructions allowing him to
decline any but a direct communication with the officers of Government : and
in the policy of this course, 1 have no hesitation whatever in concurring ;
for to be governed by the Hong merchants, a system which has always
been highly detrimental to our true interests, would now be infinitely worse
than under the reign of the Company,—whose transactions, amounting to
some millions per annum, did of course give them great influence over those
merchants. There even existed, perhaps, some community of interests, as
the general welfare and growth of their trade was, to a certain extent, a reci
procal benefit. This species of influence is out of the question with us ; who,
unless we can have direct access to the Government officers, can do nothing
whatever.
Lord Napier's letter of announcement wTas rejected on the most frivolous
or inadmissible pretexts : and matters remain where they were on our arrival
here on the 25th ultimo,—the merchants having been told that they are only
letter-carriers, and that orders from them cannot be received by Lord Napier,
or the Superintendents.
26
Our first advances having been so unceremoniously rejected, I really do
not at present see any better plan than remaining perfectly quiet, as some
open communication must be at least as convenient to the Chinese as to
Ourselves. In the mean while the trade goes on ; and our controul over our
countrymen continues to be exercised.
Extract from MS. Notes.
In 1747, " the Hong merchants used every endeavour to prevent the access
of strangers to offices of Government, finding they could exercise their imposi
tions on both with greater success and impunity." The same records observe,
that " ever since they carried their point of preventing all intercourse between
the Europeans and Mandarins, they have imposed upon both in their turns, and
put the trade of this place upon such a footing as, without redress, will render it
impracticable to Europeans."
No. 10.
Duke of Wellington to Lord Napier.
My Lord, Foreign Office, February 2, 1835.
YOUR despatch of the 9th of August, and your letters marked "private,"
addressed to Lord Palmerston, to the 21st of August, were received at this
office on Saturday the 31st ultimo.
I learn that a vessel will sail for Canton from the River Thames this
afternoon ; and I avail myself of that opportunity earnestly to recommend to
your Lordship's attention, the instructions of Lord Palmerston of the 25th
January, 1834; and most particularly the 18th and 19th Articles of the
general Instructions which you have received under the Royal Sign Manual.
It is not by force and violence that His Majesty intends to establish a
commercial intercourse between his subjects and China; but by the other
conciliatory measures so strongly inculcated in all the instructions which
you have received.
I llcXV© &c
(Signed) ' WELLINGTON.
No. 11.
Lord Napier to Earl Orey.—(Communicated to the Foreign Office, by Lord Grey,
February 7, 1835.)
My dear Lord, Canton, August 21, 1834
THE ship Mangles, which bears my first despatch, not having sailed at
the appointed time, I have brought up my intelligence in a letter to
Lord Palmerston to the latest hour; and in that letter I have endeavoured
to suggest for the consideration of His Majesty's Ministers, the line of policy
which I recommend to be adopted towards the Chinese Government ; in
order to extort from them a Treaty which shall embrace the public and
private interests of all civilized nations who may be induced to trade with
that people. There are two propositions to be considered, which are, indeed,
perfect axioms. 1st. That the Chinese people are most anxious for our
trade—from the Great Wall to the southern extremity of the empire,—the
Tartar Government alone being anti-commercial: and the 2nd is, that the
Tartar Government, being in the extreme degree of mental imbecility and
moral degradation, dreaming themselves to be the only people on the earth,
being entirely ignorant of the theory and practice of international law;—that
27
- • . .?
Government is not in a position to be dealt with or treated by civilized
nations, according to the same rules as are acknowledged and practised:
among themselves. Your Lordship will also bear in mind, that the trade
of European nations was not limited under the last dynasty as it is at
present ; neither was it the policy of the first and greatest of all the Tartar
race, to exclude the commerce from the empire in the manner it has suffered
during and since the reign of Kien-Lung. The Emperor Kang-ghi encou
raged trade with other nations, and invited the learned of all Europe to settle
in his dominions. It was not till 1786, I think, that Kien-Lung confined
us to the port of Canton : and since which time, the trade being merely a
question between a company of merchants in London, and the Chinese
Government, the two parties have continued to play into each other's
hands, to their mutual advantage, without any reference to the convenience,
comfort, or advantage of the people. Had the monopoly never existed, is it
possible to conceive that the British commerce would ever have been con
fined to the port of Canton ? The bare idea of such a predicament is absurd.
The restriction of the trade to one point was conformable to the interests of
monopoly ; and the arrogance and senility of the Government have been
matured and upheld by the concessions of the Company on every case of
aggression; teaching the Tartars to believe that England depended upon
them for food and raiment, and that the Emperor was the only Monarch
of the universe. A common examination of the previous documents I have
sent home, especially the latter one, confirms everything I have advanced.
The question then is, when the merchants here are open-mouthed for
extended trade, (a similar feeling I presume existing among their constituents
at home) is this the most favourable time or not to carry such a plan into
execution ?
Your Lordship will see, that, in obedience to His Majesty's instructions,
" having taken up my residence at Canton, and endeavoured to report
myself by letter to the Viceroy," this overweening Authority is debarred by
the dignity of the laws, from communicating with an outside barbarian;
threatens that " the trade shall immediately be stopped, and the commerce
eternally cut off, if I don't go forth the provincial city;" and then he in
sults His Most Gracious Majesty and the whole country, by boasting of the
" extreme consideration evinced by the celestial Empire for the virtue of
reverential submission exercised by the said nation's King." The Viceroy has
not only threatened, but actually stopped the export trade. The merchants are
of opinion that it cannot last. I am rather inclined to think he will for a time
attempt to carry it further ; and all this for the purpose of ingratiating himself
with a man of high rank who is daily expected for the purpose of inquiring into
the state of the province. Be that as it may, it is my first duty to endeavour,
by all means, to cause them to come to a settlement with our merchants ; and to
make them ship off the goods already paid for. That being done, it depends
upon the Viceroy to carry on the trade openly as heretofore. If he does not
agree to that, the smugglers will do it for him. If the worst comes to the
worst, I can only retire to Macao ; but the consequence will be disgraceful.
If your Lordship, on the receipt of this, would despatch a messenger to
Calcutta overland, order a British force with some small craft to act along the
coast, we should soon bring matters to a close. In the mean time I will en
deavour to unite the merchants on the plea of being quiet till I can hear from
your Lordship, whether I am to submit to every Edict, or whether His Majesty's
Government will assert our ancient rights of commerce, and enforce the same
respect to our country as is received from other States. The greater part of the
trade is already carried on by smuggling ; and I think that which remains, and
cannot also be smuggled, may be allowed to rest without any loss or hardship,
till your Lordship can instruct me overland.
A messenger to Calcutta can communicate there with the Governor
General, and proceed to this place in one of the clippers, or fast-sailing
traders, during any season of the monsoon. His arrival there in May, will
allow abundance of time to prepare a little armament to enter the China seas
with the first of the S.W. monsoon ; which, on arriving, should take possession
of the island of Hong Kong, in the eastern entrance of the Canton river, which
28
is admirably adapted for every purpose. Considering that, in 1831, the then
Viceroy issued a proclamation stating, " that in case of the dissolution of
the Company, it was incumbent upon us to appoint a chief for the general
management, as heretofore;'' and considering that they have refused me every
privilege formerly enjoyed by the chiefs of the Factory,—of personal com
munication and correspondence, I feel satisfied that your Lordship will see
the urgent necessity of negociating with such a Government, having in your
hands at the same time the means of compulsion : to negotiate with them
otherwise, would be an idle waste of time.
Now, if your Lordship shall send me a messenger in advance of an
armament, I would recommend that I should be instructed to give immediate
notice at Peking, and all along the coast, of the demand about to be made; so
that no sudden appearance of force may intimidate the people ; but that they
may look to the arrival of such a force, as the happy means of their eman
cipation from a most arbitrary system of oppression. It will also give the
Government time to reflect and "tremble" at the consequences of refusal.
It may be said that such notice will afford them the means of preparation.
Granted ; it will be nothing. You read of a standing army of above 1,000,000
of men to defend the empire : it is an absurdity ; they could only muster a
few hundred wretched creatures last year at this city, to send against a rebel
lion ; and one half of them were utterly incapable of taking the field.
Governor Le and his troops were defeated ; and he was of course superseded
by the present man Loo, who paid an enormous bribe to the rebels, and thus
restored order. What can an army of bows, and arrows, and pikes, and shields
do against a handful of British veterans ? I am sure they would never for a
moment dare to show a front. The batteries at the Bogue are contemptible ;
and not a man to be seen within them. They have, no doubt, a long muster-
roll of military ; but the Governor draws the pay : and if he wants a force
within the batteries, the plan is to drive in the peasantry from the country
around. There is not the slightest fellowship between the Chinese and the
Tartars. The Hong merchants here in a body, a few days ago, on being
asked, said they were all Chinese and did not like the Tartars; but they
could not help themselves. I am sure the British merchants will submit to
a temporary inconvenience for a positive benefit ; and I will, in the mean
time, endeavour to carry on according to the principles already recommended
by your Lordship, which are certainly most fitting when one^hasja reasonable
people to deal with.
I have, &c,
(Signed) NAPIER.
29
No. 12.
Lord Napier to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received February 24, 1835.)
My dear Lord, Canton, August 27, 1834.
NOTICE has been given this evening that the Spartan, for England,
will sail to-morrow morning early. I am, therefore, anxious to bring matters
up from the conclusion of my last, on the 21st instant, accompanied by an Edict,
to the date hereof ; which letter was sent in a second bag to the Mangles, and
which Mangles, we hear to-night, has not yet left the anchorage near Macao.
The Spartan touches at the Cape; therefore, I do not believe there will be
many days between their arrival.
By the last Edict, the 18th instant, your Lordship will see that the Viceroy,
or Governor, threatens to stop the trade, when it has already been done by the
Co-Hong. We now hear that they did it, contrary to the private wish of the
Governor, who had it forced upon him by the Kwang-Chow-Foo, who has been
since dismissed, as you will presently hear, and that the majority of the Hong
were against it ; but Howqua who rules, and who has no commercial dealings
with the British, has all the others under his controul, as his debtors, so carried
the point.
The younger members of the Hong are much dissatisfied ; they would all
like to recover their ground, but dignity and decorum would be thereby offended.
I believe I shall have a communication with the merchants in a day or two, in
order to adopt some method to bring their wishes to the point. In all other
respects, events have been decidedly in our favour. On the 18th, I had advised
Mowqua to petition the Viceroy to send a great military officer, to conduct me
to his Excellency, which might save the trouble and difficulty of the Letter. On
the 19th, he returned with the message, that the Viceroy could hold no com
munication with me ; notwithstanding which, in the evening of 22nd, in came
Howqua and Mowqua with a message from the Viceroy, requesting I would
receive a visit next morning from the Kwang-Chow-Foo, the Chaou-Chow-Foo,
and the Kwang-Chow-Hee,—the two former, civil mandarins of high rank, and
the third, a military one of the same sort. Of course, I expressed my willingness
to receive them in state in the great hall ; and the arrangements were formed
accordingly.
The occurrences of this day's meeting are detailed in the records ; and I
forward a copy which will explain everything distinctly. The consequences are,
however, what we have to look to, and which are not yet developed -y but the act
of sending three great men to confer with an outside barbarian, contrary to all
previous custom, is a strong instance of their vacillation, or want of steady pur
pose and determination ; and it is an occurrence which has astonished the shop
keepers beyond measure : they would be too happy to trade with us on any
terms.
I have now desired Mr. Morrison to translate and print a short statement
of our present circumstances in respect to the trade, which I will circulate
amongst the mercantile community in general ; because I have some reason to
believe that the government have been playing us false on that subject.
The Edict of 1831 is that which they never can get over, although they
appear to have forgotten it altogether. The day after the conference, the Kwang-
Chow-Foo was dismissed from office. His want of success on that occasion, had
filled up the measure of many iniquities ; and some say he is gone to Peking to
answer for all his administration. He has been succeeded by the Chaou-Chow-
Foo ; and the Hoppo, a revenue commissioner, is also about to be dismissed.
He is known by the name of " skinflint " in his own language, as being the
greatest extortioner ever sent from Peking.
At present the whole community, including mandarins and Hong merchants
are much taken up in feasts and oblations. The illuminations on board the
vessels on the river are magnificent every evening.
This Kwang, who has been■ dismissed, was the person who principally forced
30
the stoppage of trade. The Chaou was the orator for the occasion ; the
military Kwang, a fine-looking coarse- featured old man, was extremely
desirous of accommodating matters ; but it was quite impossible to send messages
on important business, and I had no security that my business would have been
properly reported.
I hope your Lordship will receive my other letters safe per Mangles.
I have, &c,
(Signed) NAPIER.
Inclosure in No. 12.
Statement of what passed in the interview between Lord Napier and certain
Chinese Officers, on the 23rd of August, 1834.
Saturday, August 23, 1834.
ACCORDING to yesterday's intimation, the Linguists and servants arrived
at the hall this morning, at nine o'clock, bringing with them chairs, &c, of
ceremony, for the use of the Mandarins, which they placed in the following
manner: —Three chairs for the Mandarins, fronting the South, towards the river;
a row on the right hand, with their backs turned towards the picture of his
late Majesty ; and another on the left, opposite, crossing the room at right
angles, intended for the Hong merchants; and thus leaving no space for the
accommodation of the Members of the Commission.
On the arrival of the Superintendents, at a little before eleven, it was
thought indispensably necessary to alter the arrangements, by introducing a
writing-table, which was placed longitudinally across the room; a chair at the
north end being placed for Lord Napier, one at the south end for Mr. Astell,
Secretary ; the chair of the Kwang-Chow-Foo, obliquely on Lord Napier's left ;
the chair of the Kwang-Chow-Hee, similarly, on Lord Napier's right ; the chair
of the Chaou-Chow-Foo, obliquely on Mr. Astell's right ; a chair for Sir George
Robinson, obliquely on Mr. Astell's left; a chair for Mr. Morrison, Interpreter,
a little in the rear, between Lord Napier and the Kwang-Chow-Foo ; a chair
for Mr. Johnston, Private Secretary, in the same position on the right ; a row of
chairs for the Hong merchants, across the room, behind the two Mandarins,
facing his Majesty's picture ; with chairs for the other gentlemen attached to
the Commission, longitudinally on the south side of the room, to the left of
Sir George Robinson: thus keeping his Majesty's picture open to all.
This new arrangement being effected, Howqua and Mowqua arrived, using
every endeavour and persuasion to restore the former order of things, as being
more compatible with the dignity of the Mandarins, and the usages of the
celestial Empire.
A delay of above two hours thus ensued, before they could be induced to
yield this point of etiquette ; and at a quarter past one (the Superintendents
being in full dress, seated in their places) the Mandarins arrived, when the
Superintendents rose and requested them to take ther seats, which they did
accordingly.
Howqna and Mowqua being called in, were desired by Lord Napier to take
their seats. The business of the day commenced by Lord Napier putting the
question to Howqua, through Mr. Morrison, the Interpreter,—If the Mandarins
had not desired him to state their intention of waiting on the Superintendents
at eleven o'clock 1 Having received an answer in the affirmative, Lord Napier
expressed his extreme dissatisfaction to the Mandarins, for having thus delayed
their attendance for about two hours ; considering it as an insult to His Britannic
Majesty, which could not be overlooked a second time ; desiring them to remem
ber, that whereas on former occasions they had only to deal with the servants
of a private company of merchants, they must understand henceforth that their
communications would be held with the officers appointed by His Britannic
Majesty, by no means inclined to submit to such indignities.
Lord Napier then requested the Kwang-Chow-Foo to relate the object
of his visit. The Chaou-Chow-Foo then explained, at considerable length,
31
that they were ordered by the Viceroy to demand of Lord Napier the cause of
of his arrival at Canton ; the nature of the business he was instructed to performi;
and when it was his intention to return to Macao ? To the first of these questions
Lord Napier replied, by reading from the records the Edict of the Viceroy,
(Taoukwang, 10th year, 12 moon, 3rd day (16th January, 1831.) " in
structing the Chief of the Factory to send an early letter home, stating, that
in case of the dissolution of the Company, it was incumbent to deliberate, and
appoint a chief who understood the business, to come to Canton for the general
management of commercial dealings; by which means affairs might be prevented
from going to confusion, and benefits remain to commerce. "
Hereupon, Lord Napier produced His Majesty's Commission ; acquainting
the Mandarins that His Majesty had been pleased, in furtherance of the wishes
expressed in the said Edict, to appoint him, one of His Majesty's household and
a Captain in his Royal Navy, to perform the duties so required; assisted by the
other gentlemen then present, whose names were also mentioned in the Com
mission. Lord Napier also remarked, that the Viceroy, as well as they, the
Mandarins, appeared entirely to have forgotten the existence of such a docu
ment ; and begged to refer them to their own records, wherein, undoubtedly,
the original would be found.
In reply to the second question, as to the nature of the duties to be per
formed, information on that point was contained in the letter to the Viceroy, ■„.
which he recommended that they should deliver to his Excellency; or, if they
preferred, they were at liberty to open and peruse it themselves, on the condi
tion that it should be deposited, as an official document, among the archives of
the Government.
As to the third point, of his Lordship's return to Macao, he stated, that that
was a point to be regulated entirely according to his own convenience.
A great deal of desultory conversation then took place, when the Manda
rins observed, that the King of Great Britain ought to have written a letter to the
Viceroy, stating his wishes and intentions, that he might have been able to report
the same to the Emperor. Lord Napier replied, that it was quite incompatible
with the dignity of his Sovereign to correspond with the Viceroy, considering
that he himself, an hereditary nobleman in his own country, and of much higher
rank than any of the Mandarins present, was on a perfect equality with the
Viceroy or Governor ; and, consequently, the proper channel for such
communications.
The Mandarins then argued the necessity of their being made acquainted
with the nature of the business on which they had come to seek information,
that they might report the same to the Viceroy.
Lord Napier replied, that it was quite impossible, as well as irregular, to
cnmmunicate important official business through the medium of common
conversation ; and therefore recommended them again to consult on the subject
with the Viceroy.
The Mandarins appeared desirous of considering Lord Napier's letter to
the Viceroy, in the light of a private communication, which might be opened by
the Hong merchants,—a point which of course was firmly resisted.
The business of the day being thus brought to a conclusion, the Mandarins
partook of a refreshment and departed upon the best possible terms, hinting they
might probably return in a little time. The Kwang-Chow-Hee, being the chief
military officer of the department, remarked, that it would be very unpleasant
were the two nations to come to a rupture. To which Lord Napier replied, not
at all on our parts, as we were perfectly prepared ; but that he might be perfectly
assured of His Majesty's most gracious desire of maintaining the most friendly
intercourse with the Emperor of China.
Considering that a few days have only elapsed since it had been suggested
to the Hong merchants that the Viceroy might send a military officer for the
purpose of conducting the Superintendents to the presence of his Excellency,
and that a verbal message had been received from his Excellency, stating, " that
he could hold no communication with outside barbarians," it is evident that
the present visit of the mandarins, the first of the sort that had ever occurred,
proposed entirely on the part of their own Government, must have arisen from
a conviction in the mind of the Viceroy, of the necessity of opening a commu
nication with the Superintendents, in accordance with the advantages which
must accrue to the interests of both nations, by conducting their affairs on
principles of mutual and friendly intercourse.
The discussion which took place previous to the meeting, relative to the
disposition of the chairs, although of itself in any other country a matter of
trivial importance, yet among people like the Chinese, whose actions are
entirely governed by etiquette, it is considered by the Superintendents, that the
Mandarins, having yielded up the point, afforded to them the strongest proofs of
the propriety and necessity of conducting their business with firmness and
determination ; being satisfied that a steady perseverance will be attended with
success, but the slightest concession, on their parts, is sure to be followed by
subsequent embarrassment and defeat.
(Signed) NAPIER
No. 13.
Lord Napier to Viscount Palmerston. —(Received February 24, 1835.)
My dear Lord, Canton, August 28, 1834.
ACCORDING to intimation from the Spartan that she was to sail early
this morning, I closed the bag last night, but now, at noon, I find there is a
moment left ; and I take the opportunity of stating that Howqua and Mowqua
have just been here to request that I would receive four Mandarins on Saturday
next, the day after to-morrow. This I have consented to do ; which will soon
lead, I hope, to an amicable adjustment of our differences.
I have, &c,
(Signed) NAPIER.
No. 14.
[MEMORANDUM—Foreign Office, February , 1840.] No despatches
or letters were received at the Foreign Office from Lord Napier, of a date later
than his Lordship's preceding letter to Lord Palmerston. In order, however,
to supply the interruption which would otherwise exist in the narrative of
occurrences between the date of that letter, August 28, and September 28,
(when Mr. Astell, the Secretary, announced Lord Napier's return to Macao from
Canton, and his Lordship's illness at that place,) the following brief statement
has been prepared. This statement may be considered as an abstract from the
"Records of Proceedings" kept by the Commission; a copy of which was
received at the Foreign Office on the 12th of March, 1835.
, In the interview between the Hong merchants and Lord Napier, to which his
Lordship adverts in his letter of the 28th of August, the merchants proposed that
the position of the chairs (as mentioned in Inclosure in No. 12 of this collection
of documents') for the intended meeting between Lord Napier and the Mandarins,
should be altered ; and that the Mandarins should bring a Linguist with them to
interpret and to write,-—evidently, as supposed, for the purpose of substituting him
for Mr. Morrison, the Interpreter to the Superintendents. To the latter proposal
Lord Napier assented, upon the same principle that he would himself take
Mr. Morrison with him to the Viceroy, in the event of his having a meeting with
his Excellency ; but his Lordship insisted that Mr. Morrison should be the
medium of interpretation on the occasion proposed, as he had confidence in his
communicating what he was told, and could have no reliance on a Linguist who
knew nothing of the English language. As to the chairs, Lord Napier required
that they should remain in the same positions in which they had been placed in
his first conference with the Mandarins. On this the merchants retired, with a
promise to return the following day.
On the 29th the merchants returned, as they had promised ; when they
33
repeated the arguments of the day before : these arguments having been resisted
by Lord Napier on the grounds already stated, the merchants went away, pro
mising to report what had passed to the Mandarins, and call again the next day.
It does not appear that the merchants kept their promise on this occasion,
or that they had again any personal intercourse with Lord Napier.
In the mean while, information having been received by his Lordship,
through private channels, that the Chinese authorities had circulated reports
among the people, highly prejudicial to the honour of the King's Commission,
and giving a false colour to the events that had passed, Lord Napier caused
a statement to be lithographed and affixed to the corners of the streets of
Canton, and to be generally circulated for the information of the Chinese
people, of which the following is a copy :— •
Present state of relations between China and Great Britain.—Interesting' to .
the Chinese merchants.—A true and official Document.
"On the 16th January, 1831, the Viceroy, Le, in consequence of advice
from the Hong merchants, issued an Edict requiring the Chief of the Factory to
write home, stating, that, " in case of the dissolution of the East India Com
pany, it was incumbent on the British Government to appoint a Chief to come
to Canton, for the general management of commercial dealings, and to prevent
affairs from going to confusion." Whereupon, at the dissolution of the Com
pany, the King of Great Britain, in accordance with the wishes of the Viceroy,
appointed Lord Napier, a member of his own household, an hereditary nobleman,
and a captain in his royal navy, to come to Canton for the above most laudable
purpose ; and to report himself to the Viceroy accordingly. Lord Napier arrived
at Canton, on the 25th July ; and next day forwarded his letter addressed to
the Viceroy to the City Gates ; which was offered to the Mandarins for the
purpose of being delivered, and refused by the whole of them. It is false to
say, that the British officer who carried the letter desired to force his way
within the precints of the palace. The Hong merchants, it is true, desired to
take it ; but it was quite derogatory to the dignity of the Representative of the
King to communicate through the merchants. The Viceroy now complains, that
he does not know for what reason Lord Napier has come ; at the same time
forgetting the Edict of his predecessor, which brought him here, as well as his
own obstinacy in refusing to receive the letter of a man of equal rank with
himself. His Excellency then publishes Edicts, requiring Lord Napier to return
to Macao ; and on the 18th August publishes another Edict, in which he states,
" that the Hong merchants have requested the trade to be stopped, but that,
in commiseration," says he, " I again give temporary indulgence and delay,"—
knowing, at the same time, that the trade had been actually stopped by the Hong
merchants two days before.
" The Viceroy then sends the Kwang-chow-foo, the Kwang-chow-hee, and
the Chaou-chow-foo, to enquire of Lord Napier the object of his visit,—the nature
of his duties,—and the time of his return to Macao. Lord Napier replies to the
first, by a reference to the Edict of January, 1831 ; to the second, by a reference
to his letter to the Viceroy which contains all the intelligence, and which they
refuse to open or convey ; and to the third, that his return to Macao depends
entirely on his private convenience. The ignorance and obstinacy of the Viceroy
has thus allowed the Hong merchants actually to put a stop to the trade, when
he himself only threatens to do so. He sends the Mandarins, and they return
as empty as they went, when the official document was offered for their convey
ance ; and the consequence is, that thousands of industrious Chinese who live by
the European trade, must suffer ruin and discomfort through the perversity of
their Government. The merchants of Great Britain wish to trade with all China,
on principles of mutual benefit. They will never relax in their exertions till
they gain a point of equal importance to both countries ; and the Viceroy will
find it as easy to stop the current of the Canton river, as to carry into effect the
insane determination of the Hong.
" I have, &c,
« (Signed) NAPIER."
Canton, August 26, 1834.
F *
34
.; The great anxiety of the people to become acquainted with the foregoing
document, as manifested by their taking copies of it from morning till night, and
even by candle-light after dark, afforded a strong proof of the interest which
they took in a matter so nearly connected with their own welfare.
By way of a reply to this document the Chinese authorities issued a notice
to the following effect, and which was likewise affixed to the corners of the
streets :—
" A lawless foreign slave, Napier, has issued a notice. We know not how
such a dog barbarian of an outside nation as you, can have the audacious pre
sumption to call yourself Superintendent.
" Being an outside savage Superintendent, and a person in an official situa
tion, you should have some little knowledge of propriety and law.
" You have passed over ten thousand miles in order to seek a livelihood; you
have come to our celestial Empire to trade and controul affairs; —how can you
not obey well the regulations of the Empire ? You audaciously presume to break
through the barrier passes, going out and in at your pleasure !—a great infringe
ment of the rules and prohibitions! According to the laws of the nation, the
Royal Warrant should be respectfully requested to behead you ; and openly
expose [your head] to the multitude, as a terror to perverse dispositions."
It does not appear that this notice had any effect whatever on the people.
It is stated in the " Records," under date of the 2nd of September, that
information had been communicated to Lord Napier, that the Viceroy had ordered
the Hong merchants to devise some plan by which the trade might be opened ;
and thus relieve himself from the difficulty in which he found himself,
in consequence of his never having reported to the Emperor the arrival of
Lord Napier in Canton :* proposals were therefore under consideration that the
trade should be opened; that Lord Napier should retire in a few days after
the opening of the trade to Macao, with an understanding that he might
pass and repass between Macao and Canton, if necessary, quietly and without
the authorities taking notice of it ; and that a representation should be
forwarded to the Emperor recommending an acknowledgment of the new
system of trade. [For a summary of this private negotiation, see No. 28 of this
collection of documents.]
Notwithstanding the Viceroy's disposition to open the trade, he was
obliged to abandon his intentions in this respect, in consequence of the numerous
representations addressed to him by certain Chinese functionaries; one of whom,
the Foo-yuen, offered to share the responsibility with his Excellency, and urged
him on to an adverse course of proceeding, by comparing his conduct with that
of the late Governor Le while in a similar position; consequently, on the
4th of September, an Edict was published by the Viceroy, dated the 2nd, con
firming the stoppage of the trade from the 16th of August, up to which period
*• all commercial dealings were to be confirmed ; all goods paid for to that date
were to be shipped, after which the trade was altogether to be stopped." As
by this Edict all workmen, boatmen, and others, were no longer allowed to
(• Memorandum.— Received at the Foreign Office, April 14, 1835.)
The following may be taken as a proof of the Chinese authorities in Canton" sparing no
expense or trouble to deceive the Emperor, when deception is deemed necessary, which is the case
nine times out of ten, when we have any misunderstanding with them.
When the official Report to the Emperor was drawn up, after the affair between. Lord Napier and
the Viceroy, it became necessary for all the departments to be unanimous.
A Censor of high rank was in Canton ; he had been sent down from Pekin to investigate the
conduct of officers also high in rank ; and it became necessary to bring him over. The arguments
used may be inferred from the following circumstance : he brought no money with him ; had none to
receive there; but when he left Canton, he carried away so much money with him in gold that, his
emissaries in purchasing it raised the price of gold of 100 touch, $ of a dollar per tael weight, or from
23 \ dollars per oz. to 24^, before they had procured all thev required,—a rise of 3^ per cent.
This is from the best authority. (Signed) W. JARDINE.
December 8, 1834.
[Memorandum : Foreign Office.—It has been calculated, that the purchase of gold necessary
to affect the money market at Canton, in the manner stated by Mr. Jardine, must have been to the
extent at least of One hundred thousand pounds sterling.]
35
receive hire from the foreign community, these persons deserted their service and
left the factories.
Under these circumstances, Lord Napier on the 5th addressed a letter to
Captain Blackwood, of Her Majesty's ship Imogene, at Chuen-pee, requesting him
to pass the Bogue with the two frigates under his command (the Imogene and
Andromache) and take up a station at Whampoa, for the more efficient pro
tection of British subjects and their property; and also to send up to Canton
a guard of marines for the security of the premises occupied by the Super
intendents, and in which was deposited the treasury of the East India Company:
accordingly, Lieutenant Reed of the Andromache, with two midshipmen, a
serjeant, and twelve marines, landed at Canton at 8 o'clock on the morning of
the 6th of September.
In consequence of the Edict of the 2nd of September, and of a notice from
the Viceroy, promulgated by the Hong merchants on the 5th, stating that orders
had been given to the forts and guard-houses, to allow English boats and ships
to go out of port only, and not to allow them to enter it, Lord Napier
addressed to Mr. Boyd, Secretary to the Chamber of Commerce, the following
letter, for the purpose of its being communicated to the Hong merchants and
the Chinese authorities.
"Sir, Canton, September, 8, 1834*
"Whereas Mr. Morrison has laid before me the translation of an Edict of the
2nd September, issued by Loo, Governor of Canton and Kwangse, and Ke, Foo-
yuen [Lieutenant Governor] of the province of Canton, wherein, among other
things, it is stated, that, on examination of the rules of the celestial Empire,
they find, that * Ministers have no outward intercourse with outside barbarians,
and that it cannot be known whether Lord Napier is a merchant or an officer.'
I beg to acquaint you, for the information of the said Hong merchants, and Loo
and Ke, that, during the last 200 years, a constant personal intercourse has
been maintained between the Viceroy of Canton and the British subjects resorting
hither: for example, in the year 1637, on the part of Captain Weddel, after
destroying the fort at the Bogue; in 1731, on the part of the Supracargoes
of the East India Company; in 1742, on the part of Commodore Anson ; in
1754, on the part of the Supracargoes; in 1792, on the part of a Committee
from England ; in 1795, on the part of the Supracargoes ; in 1805, on the part
of Mr. Roberts and Sir George Staunton ; in 1806, on the part of Mr. Roberts,
and again on the part of Mr. Drummond and Mr. Elphinston ; 1814, on the
part of Sir George Staunton; in 1816, on the part of Sir Charles Metcalfe
and Captain Clavell ; and on many other occasions by the Chiefs of the Factory,
on their annual return from Macao to Canton. So far, therefore, the allegation
of the said Loo and Ke is not founded in fact.
"Again, that they know not whether Lord Napier is an officer or a merchant,
is equally false ; for the Kwang-chow-foo and the Chaou-chow-foo and the Kwang-
chow-hee waited on Lord Napier, when they saw him in the uniform of Captain
in the British Navy ; and when they might have assured themselves of this fact,
as well as of all others connected with his Mission to China, had they carried his
letter to the Viceroy, or had his Excellency given him the same reception as had
been usually accorded to others.
" And whereas, it is further stated in the said Edict, that the trade was
stopped by request of the Hong merchants on the 16th of last month, but, that
he, the Viceroy, replied to them, 'commanding to give temporary indulgence and
delay;' which command was issued on the 18th day of last month, and was
never obeyed by the Hong merchants : and whereas, in the present Edict of the
2nd instant, it is now declared by Loo and Ke, that from the 16th day of August
all buying and selling on the part of the English nation is wholly put a stop to,
with the exception of all goods the sale or purchase of which was settled pre
viously to the stoppage : and whereas, in full reliance on the honour of the
Viceroy, and the authority of the Edict ' commanding temporary indulgence
and delay,' British merchants have transacted considerable business with the mer
chants of China between the 1 8th of last month and the 2nd of the present, and
in the face of that Edict, and in forgetfulness of ' his command to grant indul
gence and delay,' the Viceroy now joins with the Foo-yuen in the very unjust
measure of stopping the trade altogether from the 16th of last month, to the great
prejudice not only of the British merchants, but of that also of the subjects of His
36
Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China :—I do hereby, in the name of Hit
Britannic Majesty, protest against this act of unprecedented tyranny and injus
tice thus decreed by the Viceroy and Foo-yuen. And whereas, notice has been
taken in the said Edict of the 2nd instant, of the expected arrival of the ships
from England with cargoes, to be given in exchange for teas and other mercan-
dize ; and whereas, all merchandize is allowed to be embarked up to the 16th
ultimo, and ought in justice to be extended to the 2nd instant ; and as the per
mission to embark sucli merchandize implies the delivering of inward cargoes for
such purpose ; and still the trade is wholly put a stop to which prevents the
pelivery of such cargoes, and the embarkation of the merchandize already so
permitted to be shipped :—I hereby again protest, in the name of His Britannic
Majesty, against this absurd and tyrannical assumption of power on the part of
the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor.
" And whereas by a letter of the Hong merchants of September 6th, giving
notice ' that the Governor has ordered all forts and guard-houses, that the
English boats and ships are only allowed to go out of port and are not allowed to
enter ;' and that such a prohibition is altogether at variance with the other Edict
permitting a certain part of the trade to be embarked. I have to request that
you will hereby give notice to the Hong merchants, that it is a very serious
offence to fire upon or otherwise insult the British flag : and whereas they
are already aware that there are two frigates now in the river, bearing very
heavy guns, for the express purpose of protecting the British trade, I would
warn the Hong merchants again and again, that if any disagreeable conse
quences shall ensue from the said Edicts, they themselves, with the Go
vernor and Lieutenant Governor, are responsible for the whole. I recommend
them to take warning in time:—they have opened the preliminaries of war;—
they destroy trade, and they incur loss of life on the part of the unoffending
people, rather than grant to me the same courtesy which has been granted to
others before me. They are all aware that the King my master sent me here in
consequence of Howqua's advice to Governor Le ; and, therefore, why do they
vainly contend against their own actions, to the destruction of trade and the
misery of thousands ?
" But let the Governor or Lieutenant Governor know this, that I will lose no
time in sending this true statement to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor at
Pekin ; and that I will also report to his justice and indignation the false and
treacherous conduct of Loo, Governor, and of the present Kwang Chow Foo,
who have tortured the Linguists, and cruelly imprisoned a respectable individual,
Sun-ching, a security merchant, for not having acquiesced in a base lie, purport
ing that I arrived in Canton river in a merchant ship; whereas they are both
aware that I made my passage, and arrived in one of the ships of war now at
anchor in the river. His Imperial Majesty will not permit such folly, wicked
ness, and cruelty as they have been guilty of, since my arrival here, to go
unpunished ; therefore tremble Governor Loo, intensely tremble !
" And again, Governor Loo has the assurance to state in the Edict of the
2nd., as well as on former occasions, that the ' King my master has hitherto
been reverently obedient.' I must now request you to declare to him, that His
Majesty the King of Great Britain is a great and a powerful monarch,—that he
rules over an extent of territory in the four quarters of the world, more com
prehensive in space, and infinitely more so in wealth, than the whole Empire of
China,—that he commands armies of bold and fierce soildiers, who have conquered
wherever they went,—and that he is possessed of great ships of war, carrying
even as many as 120 guns, which pass quietly along the seas, where no native of
China has ever yet dared to show his face. Let the Governor then judge if
such a monarch ' will be reverently obedient to any one.'
" And now, I beg you to inform the Hong merchants, knowing their duplicity,
I suspect that they will not communicate the foregoing to the Governor and
Lieutenant Governor; I would therefore give them warning, that if I do not
receive an answer from his Excellency, touching the points narrated in this
letter, by this day week, Monday the 15th, I will publish it through the streets
and circulate copies among the people, one of which may peradventure find its
way into his Excellency's presence.
" I beg to remain, &c,
(Signed) NAPIER."
37
This letter having been brought to the knowledge of the Viceroy by the
Hong merchants, drew forth from his Excellency the following Edict:
" Loo, Governor of the provinces Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c
" To the Hong merchants, requiring their full acquaintance with the
contents hereof.
" In everything relating to the trade of the English barbarians at Canton,
there have long been established rules. There has never been such a thing as a
residence here of a barbarian officer or Superintendent. The great ministers of
the Celestial Empire, unless with regard to affairs of going to Court, and carry
ing tribute, or in consequence of Imperial commands, are not permitted to have
interviews with outside barbarians. The affairs of the former Ming dynasty,
(Captain WeddelPs affair) need not be brought into discussion. How have any
officers of the great Tsing dynasty had intercourse to and fro with barbarians ?
As to the intercourse between barbarian officers and those who have formerly
held the office of Governor, in the years of Keenlung and Keaking [from 1736 to
1820], referred to in the paper copied by the said merchants, perhaps when the
said nation has sent tribute there may have been interviews given to the tribute-
bearers ; otherwise there certainly has not been this ceremony. This even the
said nation's private merchants must all be aware of. I the Governor have been
obedient, maintaining the national dignity : from the first I have not been
commencing what is strange or sounding forth my loftiness.
" In the tenth year of Taoukwang, the said [Hong] merchants having
reported, that the English Company would, after the thirteenth year of Taou
kwang, be dissolved and ended ; that the merchants of the said nation would
trade for themselves; and that they feared affairs would be under no general
controul, the then Governor, Le, commanded them to enjoin orders on the said
nation's merchants to send a letter home ; that if the Company ended and
dispersed, a chief [Taepan] should still be appointed to come to Canton to
manage affairs. The books of records are still existing. There is no word of a
Superintendent. The said barbarian Eye, Lord Napier, styles himself a Super
intendent come to Canton. Whether a Superintendent should be appointed over
the said nation's barbarian merchants, or not, it is in itself needless to inquire
about minutely. But we Chinese will still manage through the medium of
merchants. There can be no alteration made for officers to manage. Besides,
the business is one newly commencing. It is incumbent to present a memorial
requesting the mandate of the Great Empire to be obeyed and acted on. The
said barbarian Eye, Lord Napier, brought not any written communication from
the said Nation's King. Suddenly he came,—I, the Governor, knew not what
man he was,—knew not what business he was to transact. I sent the said
merchants to inquire and to investigate, and to require him to inform them of
the causes of his coming, and what was the nature of the business he was to
perform, in order to afford grounds for a full memorial. In what was this not
accordant with reason ? Even though the said barbarian Eye were indeed an
officer, why should he communicate to the merchants of the Central flowery
[nation] not a word ! If unwilling to converse with the said merchants, still,
what should prevent him from commanding the said nation's private merchants,
to revolve the matter with them and inform them fully ? But on four successive
occasions, when they inquired and investigated, he remained, as though he heard
not, determined in the wish to have official correspondence, and letters to and
fro with all the public officers of the inner land. The said nation and this
inner land, have heretofore had no interchange of official communications and
letters. Nor in the Celestial Empire is there this rule. How could I, the
Governor, in opposition to rules, permit it ?
" The said Hong merchants had before solicited that a stop should be put
to the said nation's buying and selling. I, the Governor, because the said
nation had had an open market here for upwards of a hundred years, and
because the said Nation's King had several times sent tribute,—so that I could not
but call him reverently obedient ; but still more, because the said nation's sepa
rate merchants had, many of them, crossed the seas and come from a distance,—
so that I would not for the fault of one man involve the mercantile multitude ;
therefore, replied, commanding an indulgent delay. Again, apprehending that
the said merchants, in enjoining the orders, had not attained perfect clearness,
38
I also sent officers to proceed to the barbarian factories, and personally make
enquiry. On the part of me, the Governor, it was the utmost, the extreme, of
careful regard and perfect kindness. But the said barbarian Eye, even in the
presence of deputed officers, did not speak plainly of the object of his
mission. Still, apprehending that their words might not be truly delivered, I
commanded them to take with them Linguists and proceed thither. When the
flowery [Chinese] and barbarians have oral intercourse, Linguists interpret what is
said. Throughout the empire it is in all cases thus. Yet, neither would the
said barbarian Eye have the Linguists to interpret for him, so that the deputed
officers could not say every thing.
"Since the said barbarian Eye, having come for the purpose of examining
and directing trade, did not tell clearly the object of his mission; whether, after
the Company was dissolved affairs should be conducted as before or not; or how
they should be conducted ; by what means could trade be carried on ? I could
not but, according to law, close the ships' holds. That I, the Governor, did it
not willingly, but with extreme pain of mind, has been already clearly explained
in the Proclamation. The said Hong merchants having orally stated, that they
had taken full account of the goods, the purchase of which was settled before the
12th of last moon [i. e. the 16th August], and had wholly stopped, not having
since had any commercial dealings, I, therefore, ordered the stoppage from the
day of the said merchant's petition. It was in no way a former and a latter, —two
modes of acting. I, the Governor, six times successively issued Official replies,
all in conformity with the old established regulations ; I in no way forced into
difficulties, nor did I thrust forward my own notions ; neither did I by a single
word rudely reprehend the said barbarian Eye. The replies have all been printed
and publicly displayed. All eyes may see them. Even the said Nation's King,
if he see them, cannot say that I, the Governor, have not spoken what is
reasonable.
"The said barbarian Eye has not learned to arouse from his previous errors,
but has further called to him many persons, bringing in boats military weapons
which have been moved into the barbarian factory. —A great opposition to the
laws and prohibitions ! Into the important territory of the provincial city, how
can outside barbarians presume to bring military weapons causing alarm to the
inhabitants ! I , therefore, commanded the fort named Leetih, that should any
sampan boats proceed towards the city, they should be stopped ; and should be
authoritatively informed, that if the said barbarian vessels perversely opposed and
disobeyed, the military would of course fire off the guns, which would be but
what their own offences would bring on them. Yet several times when barba
rian merchants were stopped, they were at once sent back to the place whence
they came, without being brought to investigation and punishment. Thus it
may be seen that I, the Governor, have not tyrannically treated the outside
barbarians. Even with regard to the said barbarian Eye, when, instance upon
instance, he has presumed on force and power, what difficulty would there be in
my meeting him with military terrors ? But I cannot bear forcibly to drive him
out. The Celestial Empire cherishes those from a far virtuously. What it values
is the subjection of men by reason : it esteems not awing them by force. The
said barbarian Eye has now again opposed the laws, in commanding the ships of
war to push forward into the inner river ; and in allowing the barbarian forces to
fire guns, attacking and wounding our soldiers, and alarming our resident people.
This is still more out of the bounds of reason, and renders it still more unintel
ligible what it is he wishes to do.
"The soldiers and horses of the Celestial Empire, its thundering forces, with
guns and weapons, gather on the hills. If it were desired to make a great
display of conquering chastisement, how could the petty trifling war ships afford
protection? Besides, all the merchants trading here I, the Governor, treat
most liberally : what need is there of protection ? By such ignorant and
absurd conduct, entering far into the important territory he is already within
my grasp. Arrangements have been now made to assemble a large force, ranged
out both by sea and land. What difficulty will there be in immediately
destroying and eradicating? Therefore that I am slow, dilatory, and cannot bear
to do so is, because I consider that such movements are not according to the
wishes of the said Nation's King ; nor are they according to the wishes of the
several merchants. I, the Governor, looking up, embody the heaven-like
benevolence of the Great Emperor. Only by reforming his errors can he avoid
cutting himself off, and attain reformation. If the said barbarian Eye will
39
speedily repent of his errors, withdraw the ships of war, and remain obedient to
the old rules, I will yet give him some slight indulgence. If he still adhere to
stupidity, and do not arouse, maintain his wickedness, and do not change, he will
be sinning against the Great Emperor; and I, the Governor, will certainly find
it difficult again to display endurance and forbearance. I apprehend that when
the Celestial troops once come, even precious stones will burn up before them.
On no account defer repentance till afterwards.
" Uniting circumstances, I issue this order. When the order reaches the
said Hong merchants, let them immediately act in obedience to it, and enjoin it
on all the English merchants, with even temper discussing it. If, hereafter,
things come to a rupture, do not say that I, the Governor, caused it by my
errors. Let them also enjoin the orders on the said barbarian Eye ; and let
them write a letter back to the country, to cause it to be known. A Special
Order.
"Taoukwang, 14th year, 8th moon, 9th day. (September 11, 1834.)"
All negociations, with a view to the opening of the trade unaccompanied
by the condition that Lord Napier should quit Canton, having failed, his
Lordship felt convinced that any further attempts on his part to effect this
unconditional object would be vain ; and that a continuance of the stoppage of
the trade would cause great injury to the interests of the British merchants.
Under these circumstances, his Lordship considered it his duty to comply with
the Viceroy's stipulation that he should retire to Macao, and by so doing admit
of the trade being opened; and he therefore determined on the 14th of
September to remove the Commission temporarily to Macao.
Lord Napier having become greatly indisposed in health, Mr. Colledge, the
surgeon to the Establishment, decided that it was necessary that his Lordship
should at once quit Canton: the requisite arrangements were accordingly made,
through Mr. Colledge and the Hong merchants, for his Lordship and suite
repairing to Macao, by the inner passage, in Chinese passage-boats.
On the 21st of September, Lord Napier addressed a letter to Captain
Blackwood, stating that, in consequence of an understanding come to with the
Chinese authorities, His Majesty's ships Imogene and Andromache were no
longer required at Whampoa ; and requesting him immediately to proceed with
both ships to the anchorage at Lintin : adding, that the Chinese authorities had
provided for the conveyance of himself and suite to Macao. On the evening
of the same day, his Lordship and suite embarked for Macao, accompanied by
a numerous escort of Chinese boats and Mandarins. On the morning of the
26th, the party arrived at Macao, his Lordship's illness having been greatly
aggravated by the heat of the weather, and the annoyances and insults to which
he was exposed during the whole course of the passage. It would appear that
the voyage to Macao was protracted for the purpose of giving the Chinese
the opportunity of prolonging their insulting cruelties: his Lordship died at
Macao, about ten o'clock on the evening of the 11th of October, 1834.*]
No. 15.
J. H. Astell, Esq., Secretary, to John Backhouse, Esq.—(Received
February 8, 1835.)
Sir, Macao, September 28, 1834.
THE serious and continued indisposition of the Right Honourable the
Chief Superintendent rendering it impossible for his Lordship to address His
Majesty's Government by the present opportunity, I have briefly to state the
causes which have led to the Commission being, for the present, withdrawn
from Canton; though not until every endeavour had been exhausted to
[* One reason subsequently assigned for this detention, which was principally at a place called
Heang-Shan, was, in order that the Chinese escort should have time for ascertaining that the frigates
had passed the Bocca Tigris on their passage outwards.}
40
overcome the continued obstinacy of the Viceroy, in insisting on his retirement
to this place, and refusing to open his letter of announcement.
The Local Government were duly reminded of the Edict of 1831 ; by
which the late Governor, Le, required that a properly constituted authority
should be appointed on the expiration of the Company's Charter ; but the
Viceroy persisted in declaring (to use his own language) " that the said
barbarian Eye, Lord Napier, brought not any written announcement from the
said nation's King—suddenly he came. I, the Governor, knew not what man
he was, or what business he was to transact." He accordingly persisted in the
requisition with which he had at first set out, the withdrawal of the Commission,
to Macao.
Not contented with their earlier acts of annoyance and indignity
whether of a personal nature, as the unnecessary breaking open of Lord
Napier's baggage, and the seizure of the compradores, or purveyors of provisions;
or the more serious and public injury inflicted by the stoppage of the trade,
the Local Government were emboldened, on the 4th instant, to proceed so far
as to beset the residence of the Chief Superintendent with a large number of
soldiers, to drive away his Lordship's native servants, and to cut off all
supplies of provisions. Under these circumstances, accompanied by the denial
to sanction or make good any commercial transactions, involving British
property, subsequent to the 1 6th of August, the Right Honourable the Chief
Superintendent deemed it necessary, on the 5th instant, to apply to Captain
Blackwood, by letter, for a guard of marines, for the protection of the factory ;
and to request that officer, at the same time, to proceed with His Majesty's
ships Imogene and Andromache, to the anchorage of the trade at Whampoa,
for the greater security of British property and persons.
The frigates found no difficulty in effecting their passage through the
Bogue, though not without silencing the fire of the Chinese forts by their own,
after having received several rounds of shot without returning one, as in the
case of the Alceste in 1816.
On the arrival of His Majesty's ships at Whampoa, the communication
between that place and Canton was entirely closed by the Chinese, for all
purposes of commerce or otherwise ; and a negotiation commenced, in which
the local Government required the withdrawal of the frigates from the
anchorage of the merchant ships, and the retirement of Lord Napier from
Canton, previous to the resumption of commercial dealings. His Lordship
was, therefore, induced on the 1 5th instant, to address a letter to the British
merchants, in which he informed them, that having thus far, without effect,
used every effort to establish His Majesty's Commission at Canton, he did not
feel authorized at present, by a continued maintenance of his claims, to occasion
the further interruption of the trade of the port. Captain Blackwood was
accordingly requested to proceed with His Majesty's ships to Lintin ; and Lord
Napier and suite embarked in two chop-boats, for Macao, on the 21st instant.
The trade of Whampoa, which was closed at the instigation of the
Hong merchants, is expected to resume its usual course in a few days, after the
official forms attendant on the arrival of a new Hoppo at Canton have been
passed.
I have, &c,
(Signed) J. H. ASTELL,
Secretary.
41
No. 16.
The Agents of the East India Company in China, to the Honourable the
Court of Directors in London.—(Communicated to the Foreign Office,
March 3, 1835.)
Honourable Sirs, Macao, September 29, 1834.
WE avail ourselves of the departure of the brig Belhaven to acquaint
your Honourable Court with the present termination of the differences between
His Majesty's Superintendents and the Chinese Government, by which the
trade has been suspended from the 16th of August to the present date.
2. It is out of our power to present your Honourable Court with a detail
of the occurrences, correspondence, &c, which has led to the event in question,
owing to our documents being at Canton, from whence we are unable to
transact any business, all communication with the shipping at Whampoa, or
elsewhere, being cut off by the strict surveillance of the Chinese Government;
and our servants, as well as Chinese of every profession, being forbidden
access to our factory on pain of death : we will, however, give a brief nar
rative of events. ;
•3. Shortly after the arrival of the Chief Superintendent at Canton, he
endeavoured to open communication with the Chinese Government by letter ;
and in order to avoid the intervention of the Hong merchants, the letter in
question was presented at the gates by parties deputed for that purpose : the
letter was refused to be accepted by the Chinese for the twofold reasons,
that it was not termed a Petition, and for an alleged informality in the
external address to the Viceroy.
4. The Hong merchants almost immediately waited on Lord Napier, and
endeavoured to become the official channel of communication between him
and the Viceroy, as heretofore; and the Viceroy about the same time pub
lished an Edict, stating that there ought to be no change in this particular ; and
the Kwang Chow Foo, attended by the Chaou Chow Foo and Kwang Heep,
visited Lord Napier, with a request to know on what business he visited
China. This he declined to answer; referring those officers to his unopened
letter to the Viceroy, stating, that if that were received, his Excellency
would be therein informed of the purpose of his visit to China. The meeting
shortly broke up by a refusal on the part of Lord Napier to admit the Hong
merchants as official negociators between him and the Viceroy, and with
a promise on the part of these mandarins to visit his Lordship again.
5. The Viceroy shortly after this published an Edict, stating the inten
tion of the Government to adhere to its ancient customs with foreigners ; and
that as Lord Napier had not brought any credential letters from his own
Government to that of China, designating his office . and the purpose of
his visit, the Viceroy could not receive a letter from him, save through. the
Hong merchants, the usual channel of communication on matters appertaining
to trade, which alone he understood Lord Napier was come to superintend;
iurther, that as it was a thing hitherto unknown for an official foreign
mandarin to reside at Canton, he required Lord Napier to return to Macao,
until the will of the Emperor should be known from Peking, as to the
recognition or otherwise of his Lordship, in his office of Superintendent of
Trade.
6. The Chief Superintendent then published a manifesto in the Chinese
language, of the position of his negotiation with the officers of Government,
to be appended to the walls of the streets, and for general circulation. He
therein stated that he was come for the regulation of the British Trade to
China; and being of a rank similar to the Viceroy, that he desired to com
municate directly through him, but that this was refused, and his letter
returned. This manifesto was published pending the expected visit of the
three Chinese officers; and is understood to have indisposed those officers
to renew their communication : negotiation was, however, on foot, to conduct
their meeting through the Chinese Linguists, and to dispense as much as
possible with the officers of the Interpreter to the Superintendents; as well
as a claim on the part of the Kwang Chow Foo, to be seated on an equality
with Lord Napier: these points were refused by his Lordship, and the effect
of these combined circumstances prevented any further visit of the Chinese
officers to the British Factory.
7. On the 16th of August, an official announcement was made by the
Viceroy, that, owing to Lord Napier's determination not to abide by the Vice
roy's requisition for him to return to Macao, until the Emperor's reply to his
communication had been received, the Hong merchants had recommended
the suspension of British commerce ; but that he, the Viceroy, would not defi
nitively adopt such advice, in the hope that Lord Napier would cease to act
in opposition to the orders which had hitherto guided foreign commercial
intercourse with the Chinese ; and that he would quit Canton for the present,
as urged previously to do by the Viceroy.
8. No further change having occurred, the Viceroy on the 2nd of Sep
tember officially announced all trade to be at an end between the Chinese
and British Subjects; ordered away all Chinese from the factories; and com
menced placing a cordon of troops and boats to cut off every means of com
munication from Canton ; ordered the Chinese not to supply Lord Napier,
nor his factory, with provisions ; and adopted every means, short of acts of
violence, to induce and urge Lord Napier to obey his order to proceed to
Macao for the present. ■ . »
9. Lord Napier immediately requested from His Majesty's frigates,
Imogene and Andromache, then at Chumpee, a body of marines for his
protection ; and, although in his Circular on the subject his Lordship stated;
that one of the causes of the requisition was for the protection of the
Honourable Company's Treasury, we wish your Honourable Court to under
stand that we were quite ignorant of his Lordship's purpose ; and under
no apprehension whatever for I he safety of the Treasury ; and which, in fact,
did not contain as much money as many private treasuries in Canton.* «
10. Sir George Robinson was sent from Canton to require His Majesty's
frigates to pass the Bogue, which they did on the 8th instant ; and to proceed
to Whampoa, where they anchored on the 1 1th instant. The Bogue forts,
and that on Tiger Island, resisted the passage of the frigates, and the latter
fort is stated to have conducted the fire with great steadiness: one sailor
was killed on each of the frigates, but what the loss of life has been on the
part of the Chinese it is difficult to ascertain. The Chief Superintendent
stated the cause of the frigates being ordered to Whampoa, to be for the
protection of the trade, observing, that although the Viceroy had published
the intention of the Chinese Government to permit British subjects to
have the advantage of all the property bought or sold before the 16th of
August, when the Hong merchants first announced the trade to be suspended,
nevertheless, as it was not officially stopped before the 2nd of September,
that all engagements between those two dates should be ratified.
11. It does not appear that the passage of the frigates through the
Bogue, and their arrival at Whampoa, produced the expected effect on the
Chinese Government; they do not appear to have made any change in their
propositions ; and were only so far intimidated as to strengthen the defences
in every possible way to prevent the passage of the frigates' boats to
Canton : and a negotiation being on foot between the Hong merchants and a
British house of business in the confidence of Lord Napier, the Chinese officers
adhered to the terms of Lord Napier's departure for Macao, and the frigates
for Chumpee, being necessary preliminaries before the suspension of the
trade would be taken off: to which effect the Viceroy published a procla
mation on the evening of the 13th.
12. On the evening of the 14th, the Chief Superintendent published a
Circular to the British merchants, stating that, as the opening of the trade
depended on his returning to Macao, and as the difference between the
Viceroy and himself was of a personal nature, disconnected with the operation
[* Memorandum: Foreign Office, February, 1840.—It is well known that considerable alarm did
exist with regard to the private treasuries ; and that arrangements were actually made for the convey
ance of one of them to Macao, as a place of security. But it is very possible that the Agents of the
East India Company did not Feel the same degree of apprehension on this occasiou as the private
merchants did, whose mercantile interests were perhaps more intimately connected with a
i of Lord Napier's mission to Canton than those of the Company's
J
43
of commerce, he requested that the cutter Louisa should be sent to Canton
from Whampoa; to enable his Lordship to leave Canton immediately.
13. After some negotiation, with the particulars of which we are
unacquainted, the Chinese Government acceded to the request made to them
on account of the state of health of Lord Napier, that he should proceed to
Macao, by the inner passage in a chop boat, where he arrived on the 26th
September, and the trade is hourly expected to be resumed.
14. By an early opportunity we will forward to your Honourable Court
all the official and other correspondence which has occurred, pending the
dispute in question ; we are unable to do so by the present despatch, but as
ships, sailing from here in November, will offer a speedy conveyance, the
delay will not be of long continuation.
15. Under the circumstances occurring in Canton, we were unwilling,
indeed from the absence of the Chinese from the factory unable, to continue
to receive cash into our treasury, but we shall re-open it immediately on the
resumption of business ; at the present moment the amount in the treasury is
321,677,299 dollars.
16. Mr. Thomas Charles Smith arrived at Macao, on the 10th of Sep
tember, by the ship Hythe, and took his seat as Second Member of the
Honourable Company's Agency in China, according to the instructions of the
Honourable Court to that effect.
17. Since writing the former part of this letter, the suspension has been
withdrawn from the trade ; and it is understood that the commercial proceed
ings will be conducted as usual, without further obstacles on the part of the
Chinese Government arising from the recent misunderstandings.
We have, &c,
(Signed) J. DANIEL.
T. C. SMITH.
J. JACKSON.
No. 17.
J. H. Astell, Esq., Secretary, to John Backhouse, Esq.—(Received
March 14, 1835.)
Sir, Macao, October 3, 1834.
IN reference to my letter from this place, under date the 28th ultimo,
I am directed by His Majesty's Superintendents to acquaint you, for the
information of His Majesty's Government, that the anticipation therein
expressed, has been realized by the re-opening of the trade at Canton on the —
29th ultimo.
I have, &c,
(Signed) J. H. ASTELL,
Secretary.
No. 18.
J. F. Davis, Esq., Chief Superintendent, to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received
February 23, 1835.)
My Lord, Macao, October 12, 1834.
IT has become my painful task to announce to you the decease, on the
11th instant, of the Right Honourable Lord Napier, His Majesty's Chief
Superintendent. His Lordship's health had suffered some deterioration from
the change of climate on the passage out ; but the fever which terminated his
life, was brought on by the heat and confinement of Canton, in the discharge of
his duties ; aggravated, it is to be feared, by the harassing and distressing
annoyances which he experienced there from the Chinese, as well as by the
unnecessary delay interposed on his passage down to Macao.
G 2
44
Letters addressed, during Lord Napier's illness, to Mr. Under-Secretary
Backhouse, and bearing date the 28th ultimo, and 3rd instant, will already have
apprized your Lordship, that the trade at Whampoa had been re-opened by the
Chinese, on the retirement of the late Chief Superintendent to Macao. The
Viceroy persisted thus far in the course with which he first commenced, viz.,
the denial of the official character of Lord Napier, for the reasons stated in his
Edicts, and the refusal to open any letter from him which was not superscribed
as a Petition, or to acquiesce in his residence at Canton.
In the posture of affairs which has supervened, on the unfortunate
event of Lord Napier's decease, it will no doubt appear plainly to your Lordship,
as it does to myself, that during the actual progress of the trade of His Majesty's
subjects in this country, and pending the reference home, it is the bounden
duty of this Commission, most cautiously to abstain from any measures which
may unnecessarily interrupt the present continuance of those commercial
transactions with which such important interests are connected.
. • : In the absence of any advances on the part of the Chinese, a state of
absolute silence and quiescence on our part, seems the most eligible course, until
further instructions shall be received from home. At the same time, that this
line of procedure hazards nothing, and that the business of the shipping goes
on, it may occasion to the Local Government, a feeling of uncertainty and
suspense as to the future, calculated to draw from them some advances which
might be turned to good account.
The translation of an Edict from the Local Government, relative to the
two frigates, has just been received, and deserves particular notice. It is the
same in every respect, as the documents always put forth against the stay of
foreign vessels of war on the coast. While, however, it narrates every other
movement of the two ships from their first arrival, it is remarkable that their
passage of the forts, and their proceeding to Whampoa, are entirely suppressed.
It is satisfactory to state, that some delay, which had occurred in
granting licenses to native pilots for conducting newly-arrived ships up the
river, has just ceased, and that all vessels can proceed to Whampoa as formerly.
I have, &c,
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 19.
J. F. Davis, Esq., to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received April 6, 1835.)
My Lord, Macao, October 28, 1834.
SINCE the date of my last communication, nothing has occurred to
interrupt the regular and quiet progress of the British trade at Canton and
Lintin.
On the 16th instant, I obtained the copy of a report from the Local
Government to Peking, relative to the circumstances connected with Lord
Napier's retirement from Canton, a translation of which is recorded on the
proceedings. The passage of the river's entrance by His Majesty's ships,
altogether suppressed in a previous document already noticed, is there men
tioned, but hinted very slightly, and represented as a mere mistake ; and,
though it is stated that the fire from the forts was returned, the effect of the
fire is made to appear quite trivial. The rest of the paper is in the same
strain of misrepresentation.
A rumour, which I have fair grounds for believing, although as yet
unsubstantiated in writing, states that the Viceroy has lost several steps in
rank, and that he is recalled from office, on account of the late proceedings at
Canton. What is the precise nature of the charges against him, I cannot as
yet ascertain ; though it has been stated generally, that his punishment was for
" deceiving the Emperor." Any correct information on this important point,
45
I shall not omit to forward to your Lordship, as soon as obtained, since it may
materially influence the proceedings of His Majesty's Government in regard to
an appeal to Peking, or otherwise.
I will only observe, with reference to such an appeal, that should a measure
of the kind be determined on, not through a cumbrous and expensive Embassy,
with its attendant difficulties of ceremonies, but simply by means of a despatch
to the mouth of the Peking river ; it might be recommended by such reasons as
the following. First, that no fact is better authenticated than the general
ignorance in which the Local Government keeps the Court, in regard to the
Canton trade, and its treatment of Europeans ; secondly, that Chinese prin
ciples sanction and invite appeals against the conduct of the distant delegates
of the Emperor ; thirdly, that a reference of the kind was so successful in
1759, as to occasion the removal of a Chief Commissioner of Customs, at
Canton, though made by only a subordinate officer of the East India Company.
Whatever may be the line of proceeding finally adopted by His Majesty's
Government, I have already stated my conviction that during the progress
of the commercial transactions of individuals, and awaiting the arrival of
further instructions from England, this Commission has no other course to
pursue, than that of absolute silence ; unless, in the probable event very soon
to be determined, of such spontaneous advances being made by the Chinese
Government, as might admit of the re-commencement of negotiations.
That such an event is not probable, I should surmise, from the circum
stances of edicts having been issued by the Local Authorities (though as yet I
have not obtained copies), confirming the first prohibition against the residence
of the King's Commission at Canton ; and the Company's Agents here have
thereupon been requested by the Hong merchants not to sublet any portion of
their factory to the Superintendents during the continuation of their lease. It
is, moreover, desired that a Commercial Agent, called by the Chinese, a Taepan,
should be sent to Canton, and not a King's officer.
I have, &c,
. • (Signed) J. F. DAVIS, ■
Chief Superintendent.
No. 20.
Captain Elliot, Secretary, to John Backhouse, Esq.—(Received March 12, 1835.)
(Extract.) Macao, November 1, 1834-
I AM directed by the Chief Superintendent, to inclose the copy of a
despatch addressed by him to the Right Honourable the Governor General, on*
the 28th ultimo, describing the actual state of public circumstances at this place*
and submitting some general suggestions, with relation to his own intentions.
Inclosure in No. 20.
J. F. Davis, Esq., to Lord William Bentinck, Governor General of India.
My Lord, Macao, October 24, 1834.
THE copies of my despatches to the address of Viscount Palmerston, under
date the 12th and 13th instant, already forwarded to Calcutta, will have apprised
your Lordship of the melancholy event of Lord Napier's decease, after having-
exhausted every endeavour to establish his Commission at Canton.
The trade, which was re opened immediately on his Lordship's retirement
to Macao, is prosecuted by British subjects as usual; and T make no doubt of the
extreme desire of the local authorities to avert by its continuance, as far as lies
in their own power, any unpleasant consequences which they may apprehend from
their rejection of the new British authorities.
46
I have seen the copy of a report forwarded by the Canton government to
Pekin, abounding in more than the usual share of misrepresentation common to
Chinese documents. The entrance of the river by His Majesty's ships
Imogene and Andromache, on Lord Napier's requisition, is ascribed to
ignorance on the part of their commanders, and the effect of their fire on the
Chinese forts, when compelled to silence them, is confined to the " shaking of
some rafters and tiles."
At the same time, that the local authorities have evinced their desire to con
tinue the trade, it is my duty to state, that I have no expectation of any voluntary
advances from them towards the recognition of His Majesty's Commission.
The government of foreigners, through the medium of the Hong merchants, is
a system too valuable to the Canton officers, in diminishing their responsibility,
and enabling them to practise their heavy exactions with impunity, to be readily-
abandoned by them ; nor does there seem any chance of bettering the condition
of the English trade in this respect, unless His Majesty's Government deem ic
expedient to adopt measures of coercion, in the event of the previous, and more
eligible course of a reasonable appeal to Pekin, by the Yellow Sea, having been
found to fail.
I was informed by Lord Napier soon after his arrival, that any communica
tion with, or reference to, Pekin, was strictly forbidden by his instructions, without
authority from home ; arid this has been confirmed by a perusal of his Lordship's
papers subsequent to his decease. The season of the year, indeed, now precludes
the adoption of such a course, a great deal earlier than the date at which replies
might reasonably be expected from England ; and with regard to any measures
of a coercive nature towards the local government (the policy and justice of which,
except on the failure of an appeal to Pekin, might be questionable), I feel per
suaded, by the tenor of your Lordship's correspondence on the occasion of the
Select Committee's reference to India, in 1831, that no steps of this nature would
be adopted by your Lordship, except in the event of the commerce being sus
pended.
' Under these circumstances, and during the uninterrupted progress of the
trade, it is clear to me that the duty of this Commission is to abstain from all un
invited approaches towards an intercourse with the government, and to observe a
a perfect silence pending the references home. A few weeks more will ensure
the arrival of replies from Pekin, and determine the conduct of the local govern
ment towards the Commission. No available opening would be neglected by me ;
and I would in such case, with the possibility of being useful, defer for another
year my departure from China, notwithstanding my notice given in July last,
and my engagement with the Company. On the other hand, should it, as I
anticipate, appear certain that nothing remains to be done but to allow the trade
to proceed as usual, until His Majesty's Government shall have formed its ultimate
decision, I may feel that I can be of more use in going home according to my
original notice and intention, while the Commission is filled up ad interim accord
ing to His Majesty's standing instructions to that effect.
I have, &c,
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS.
No. 21.
/. F. Davis, Esq., to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received March 12, 1835.)
My Lord, Macao, November 2, 1834.
I HAVE the honour to inclose copies of two edicts from the Viceroy, or
Governor, of Canton, in which the English merchants are called upon to elect a
Taepan (the term applied to the late Company's Chief), to controul the English
shipping, and prevent the smuggling system at Lintin, where nearly forty
vessels are now anchored. They, are besides directed to write home for a
Taepan, who is to be a merchant, and not a King's officer. The object is of
course to keep the controul of the English in the hands of the Hong merchants, a
•system by which the local authorities lighten their own responsibility, and are
enabled to practise their exactions on the trade with the greater impunity. ;*
I have, &c, '
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 21.
Edict of the Governor of Canton, addressed to the Hong Merchants.
October 19, 1834.
' LOO, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c
To the Hong merchants, requiring their full acquaintance with the contents
hereof.
In the trade of the English barbarians to Canton, the responsibility of
transacting all commercial affairs has hitherto rested on the said nation's
Taepan. This year the Company has been terminated and dispersed ; and
without any other appointment of a Taepan having been made, a barbarian eye
(Lord Napier) came to Canton, saying that he came for the purpose of
examining into the affairs of trade. I, the Governor, commanded the merchants
to inquire and investigate. The said barbarian eye did not obey the old regula
tions, but was throughout perversely obstinate. Now the assistant Foo,
magistrate at Macao, has reported that Lord Napier has expired at Macao, in
consequence of illness. For all affairs of trade it is requisite and necessary to
choose a person as head and director, that there may be some one to sustain
the responsibility. The merchants have already been before commanded to
examine and deliberate, but have not yet made any report in answer. Uniting
the circumstances, this order is issued. "When the order reaches the said
merchants, let them immediately obey, and act accordingly; and instantly make
known to all the separate merchants of the said nation, that they are in a
general body, to examine and deliberate, what person ought to be made the
head for directing the said nation's trade, and forthwith to report in answer.
Thereafter the responsibility of conducting public affairs shall rest on the
barbarian merchant who becomes head and director.
At the same time, cause the said barbarian merchants immediately to send
a letter home to their country, calling for the immediate appointment of another
Taepan, to come to Canton, in order to direct and manage. In the Celestial
Empire, responsibility in the management of commercial affairs, &c, is laid
upon the Hong merchants. It is requisite that the said nation should also select
a commercial man, acquainted with affairs, to come hither. It is unnecessary
again to appoint a barbarian eye or Superintendent, thereby causing hindrances
and impediments.
Let the said Hong merchants take also the circumstances of their enjoining
these orders, and report in answer, for thorough investigation to be made.
Oppose not. These are the orders.
Taoukwang, 14th year, 9th moon, 17th day. (October 19, 1834.)
Inclosure 2 in No. 21.
Reply of the Governor of Canton to a Report made by the Hong Merchants.
1 ....■ . ,
LOO, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, in reply. i
On examination, it appears, that with regard to the trade of the English
barbarians at Canton, in all public affairs, I, the Governor, with the Superin
tendent of Customs at Canton, have always made the said Senior merchants
responsible for enjoining orders on the Taepan for him to act. Now the
Company has terminated and is dissolved, and the said nation's barbarian
48
merchants come hither to trade, each for himself. If some other Taepan be
not appointed, all affairs will become scattered, out of order, and without
arrangement ; just as is the case with the barbarian ships now anchored in the
offing of Maton, which neither come up to Whampoa to trade, nor yet get
under weigh. And the said nation's sampan vessels presume of themselves to
sail in and out, not submitting to examination. And when ordered to inquire
and investigate, the Hong merchants make excuses of ignorance. What state
of things is this?
With respect to the barbarian merchants, whether they have or have not a
directing head, is a point that in itself needs no great inquiry into. But we, o
the Central flowery (or civilized) nation, always, in all matters of the outsid
barbarians that relate to public affairs, make the said Senior merchants above
responsible. If the said merchants have any matter of a public nature, on what
person then shall they enjoin orders to act ? or shall they go to the extent of
quietly leaving the matter disregarded ?
When I, the Governor, commanded to decide respecting a person to be a
directing head, it was with consideration as to the said Senior merchants
transacting public affairs ; it was not at all with regard to the barbarians buying
and selling. What the said merchants have reported, is wholly with respect to
the bartering of goods ; there is no regard shown to public affairs. This is,
indeed, a great misunderstanding. Let them again consult and deliberate with
their whole minds, and report in answer. And, at the same time, let them act
in obedience to the other order, and make known to the said nation's separate
merchants, that they are immediately, with haste, to send a letter home to their
country, calling for the renewed appointment of a commercial man acquainted
with affairs, to come to Canton and sustain the duties of Taepan, to direct
buying and selling, and to restrain and controul all the merchants. Specially,
do not again cause a barbarian eye to come hither to controul affairs, thereby
occasioning, as Lord Napier did, the creation of disturbances, in vain. All
nations trading at Canton, do so in consequence of the good favour of the
Celestial Empire towards men from afar. It is altogether necessary that they
should obey, and act accordingly to the old rules ; then may there be mutual
tranquillity.
Taoukwang, 14th year, 9th moon, 18th day. (October 20, 1834.)
No. 22.
J. F. Davis, Esq., to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received March 12, 1835.)
My Lord, Macao, November 5, 1834.
HAVING been requested to submit to His Majesty's Government the
closed printed statement, I have the honour to forward the same, and
remain, &c
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS.
Inclosure in No. 22.
Statement of Objections to the continuance in China of a part of the East India
• Company's Factory, for the purpose of selling bills on India, ■ and purchasing
bills on England, by making advances on the goods and merchandize of
individuals intended for consignment to England.
THE British Chamber of Commerce of Canton being strongly impressed
with a conviction of the injurious consequences to the mercantile interests of
their country, that must accrue from the East India Company continuing to
49
maintain a part of their factory in China, for the purpose of carrying on dealings
in the sale and purchase of bills of exchange, feel called on to make a public
declaration of their sentiments on the subject. . .
It is with deference submitted that this procedure of the East India
Company is an infraction of the Act, 3rd and 4th William IV. cap. 85, which
declares that they " consented that their right to trade for their own profit, in
common with other His Majesty's subjects, be suspended," and enacts accord
ingly that they shall " abstain from all commercial business which shall not be
incident to the closing of their actual concerns, &c, or which shall not be
carried on for the purposes of the said government ;" which concluding excep
tion, it may be inferred, was designed to legalize their trading in those cases
where it may be necessary for realizing Indian revenue, but not their applying
that revenue to commercial purposes after being realized. It may undoubtedly,
be argued that the purposes of the Company are promoted by the ultimate
object of their dealings here, in transferring to London their surplus revenue ;
yet, as ample facilities exist for the direct accomplishment of this, by the Court
of Directors drawing on the Indian governments, as well as by these latter
remitting bills drawn on London against shipments of Indian produce ; it is
presumed that the Legislature cannot have intended to sanction so wide a depar
ture from the principle of the Act as the trafficking without necessity, in the sale
and purchase of bills, in a foreign country ; the true object of which is, not
merely to remit, but to make■ a profit in excess of the direct and natural rate of
exchange; a latitude of action, which, if allowed, would authorize any species of
trading, equally with that in exchanges, for the sake of a better remittance.
The twofold operation, carried on by the Company's factory here, of selling
one description of bills in order to buy others, [which falls under the legal defi
nition of trading,] is so opposite in its nature to the single and allowable object
of drawing in London upon India, or buying bills for remittance from India to
London, as to merit particular advertence.
In India, the facility of obtaining money on shipments to London, arising
from the Company's extensive purchases of bills, tends to increase the de
mand for, and support the prices of, the productions of British terri
tories. But a similar facility, resulting from their dealings here, by acting as a
powerful incentive to improvident speculation, tends to .raise the prices of
Chinese produce, and thus to benefit a foreign country at the expense of the
British consumer : while, in an equal degree, the productions of our Indian
territories are deprived of that stimulus which they would receive from the same
operations carried on there.
On the other hand, the Court of Directors' bills on India, offered for sale in
London, afford a means for the employment of individual capital, in place of
counteracting it by the competition of Indian revenue ; and may, therefore, be
considered a still more appropriate mode of transferring this revenue to
England.
In throwing open the China trade to the whole British nation, the Legis
lature cannot surely have intended to abridge this right, by permitting the
East India Company to shut out the British mercantile capital, which must
necessarily be excluded from it, to the extent that they may occupy the field
with the revenues of India; and should the Company's dealings here, with the
immense revenues of India at their command, be sanctioned by the Legislature,
there is nothing to prevent the amount being, in future, almost indefinitely
increased beyond the 600,000/. which they propose employing in the present
year.
But the mere circumstance of the Rulers of India having any participation
whatever in the supply of funds to the China trade, is, of itself, calculated to
deter the British capitalist from adventuring in a competition where his rivals are
sovereigns, whose situation exempts them from subjection to those principles by
which purely mercantile operations are universally guided, and which experience
has shown to be so indispensible to the well-being of every trade, that wide
spread ruin is, sooner or later, the certain result, whenever they are disregarded.
The Rulers of India thus deterring by their overwhelming competition,
and, to the extent of their dealings here, entirely excluding the British capitalist
from embarking in the trade, it is rendered, in a great measure, dependent on
the Company, who, regulating the annual amount of their commercial business
50
by their convenience or caprice, become, in a certain degree, the arbiters of the
merchant's proceedings at every stage, from the price he has to pay for his tea,
its qualities and quantities, to the rate of exchange of the dollar, and even the-
rate of freight ; all contingent on the amount of capital supplied by the Com
pany, which being previously unknown to the free trader, he is effectually
precluded from any satisfactory calculation respecting his future plans.
By permitting the revenues of India to be employed in the purchase of
China produce, not only are its prices enhanced, but a most serious barrier is
interposed to the extension of the trade in British manufactures, which is always
greatly promoted by transactions in barter; the necessities of the Chinese seller
often forcing him to seek relief, by taking in exchange British goods, which are
otherwise unsaleable, and for which a market is thus, as it were, created. How
much is the inducement to this description of business lessened, when the
Chinese merchant has the means of obtaining from the Company's factory, two
thirds of the value of his goods, and the chance of the English market, through
the East India Company as his agents!
It does not appear whether the Company's factory are authorized to make
advances on consignments to the British outports; but, if not, the circumstance
will form an additional strong ground of objection to a plan which, in such case,
will exclude the great majority of the British nation, who are out of the verge
of the metropolis, from a due participation in the China trade.
To the merchants and agents of Great Britain it may be left to express their
sentiments respecting the proposal of the Court of Directors to act as consignees
in London for parties receiving their advances ; a proposal which, liberally seconded
here, may, if permitted, attract to the Honourable Court no small portion of the
agency of the China trade.
Finally, it is submitted, that in this very peculiar country, where the bulk
of foreign trade is restricted to eleven Hong merchants, who are also the only
medium of our intercourse with the Government, so large a command of capital
in the hands of the Company's factory, is susceptible of becoming a most
powerful engine of influence, both commercial and political; in the former view,
bringing with it, through an understanding with the Hongs, as close a
monopoly of the most desirable teas as ever before existed; a monopoly less
pure, because occult, and not controlled by Act of Parliament; in apolitical
view, continuing the existence of an influential body, whom the Chinese have
been accustomed to regard as paramount here, and whose readier access to the
Hong merchants, from habit and old acquaintance, may, at any time, afford the
means of counteracting His Majesty's Representative.
Jardine, Matheson, & Co. R. Turner & Co.
Ja. Innes. J. McA. Gladstone.
Arthur Saunders Keating. J. Watson.
N. Crooke. Wm. Sprott Boyd.
John Templeton & Co. Andrew Johnstone.
British Chamber of Commerce,
Canton, Oct. 9, 1834.
51
No. 23.
Memorandum by the Duke of Wellington.
March 24, 183*.
THE despatches and proceedings of the Commission of Superintendents in
China, have given us all the information that we can acquire, up to the end of
October, 1 834 ; and as it is quite obvious, from the reports and proceedings, that
the attempt made to force upon the Chinese authorities at Canton, an unaccus
tomed mode of communication with an authority, with whose powers and of
whose nature they had no knowledge, which commenced its proceedings by an
assumption of power hitherto unadmitted, had completely failed ; and as it is
obvious that such an attempt must invariably fail, and lead again to national
disgrace ; and as it appears that, as soon as Lord Napier had withdrawn from
Canton to Macao, the trade had been opened, that pilots had been allowed to
take British ships up the river to Whampoa, and that the trade was flourishing
as ever when the accounts came away ; it appears that the time is come when
the Cabinet may take into consideration the means of managing and regulating
this affair jn future.
It is quite obvious, that the pretext for the jealousy of Lord Napier and his
Commission, stated by the Chinese, was his high-sounding titles ; the reality,
was his pretension to fix himself at Canton, without previous permission, or even
communication, and that he should communicate directly with the Viceroy.
It does not much signify, as far as the Chinese are concerned, what we call
our officer in our language. He must not go to Canton without their permission.
He must not depart from the accustomed mode of communication.
For our own purposes, and for the sake of the trade, he must be a man of
naval, military, or official rank and reputation: he must be one in whose firmness
and discretion we can rely ; and he must have great powers to enable him to
controul and keep in order the King's subjects.
By the 5th Clause of the 3rd and 4th William IV., c 93, the King is
enabled to appoint by Commission or Warrant, not exceeding three of his sub
jects to be Superintendents of the Trade of His Majesty's subjects to and from
China, to settle such gradation among the said Superintendents, (one of whom
shall be styled the Chief Superintendent,) and to appoint such officers to assist
them in the execution of their duty ; and to grant such salaries to Superintendents
and officers as His Majesty shall, from time to time, deem expedient.
The 6th Clause enables the King to give to the Superintendents, by Order
in Council, power and authority over the trade of his subjects in China, to make
regulations, by Order in Council, touching the said trade, and for the govern
ment of the King's subjects within the said dominions ; and to impose penalties
and imprisonment for the breach of the same, to be enforced, as specified in the
said Order ; and to create a Court of Justice, with criminal and admiralty juris
diction, for the trial of offences, committed by His Majesty's subjects within the
said dominions, and the ports and havens thereof, and to appoint one of the
Superintendents to be the officer to hold such Court, and other officers for
executing the process thereof, and to grant such salaries as to His Majesty shall
appear reasonable.
The expense of the establishment formed under the authority of the Act of
Parliament, was £18,200. The offices were as follows :
£
One Chief Superintendent . . 6,000
One Second Superintendent . . 3,000
One Third Superintendent . . 2,000
One Secretary and Treasurer . . 1,500
One Chinese Secretary and Interpreter. 1,300
One Chaplain .... 1,000
One Surgeon 1,500
One Assistant Surgeon . . 800
One Master Attendant . . . 800
One Clerk of a superior class, to act as
Registrar of the Court of Judicature 300
£ 18,200
H2
52
£
The Master Attendant has been abolished 800
The Assistant Surgeon might possibly be
discontinued . 800
continued 2,000
The Second Superintendent to receive
£2,000 instead of £3,000. Saving . 1,000
£4,600
Total remaining expense £13,600.
I see that His Majesty has the power to appoint not exceeding three
Superintendents. I would recommend one Chief Superintendent, and one
Second Superintendent.
The Act of Parliament enables the King, by Order in Council, to appoint
one of the Superintendents to hold the Court. I would recommend that the
Second Superintendent should be a gentleman of the legal profession, and that
he should be appointed to hold the Court.
• According to this mode of proceeding, the whole plan can be carried into
execution without altering the Act of Parliament.
It might be expedient to give the succession to the office of Chief Superin
tendent, by warrant under the Sign Manual, to the Secretary and Treasurer
instead of the Second Superintendent, he being a gentleman of the legal
profession, upon the death or sudden coming away of the First Superintendent.
If provision should thus be made for really forming a Court, it would be
necessary to frame some simple rules of practice, which might be carried into
execution without the assistance of gentlemen of the legal profession, who would
not be found in the Canton river.
, If the Cabinet should be disposed to adopt this plan, I would give immediate
directions for the draft of the proposed Order in Council, to make the necessary
alterations and arrangements.
Some alterations must likewise be made in the Instructions to the Superin
tendents under the Royal Sign Manual.
• . They are instructed to proceed to and reside at the port of Canton.
The port of Canton is described as being within the Bocca Tigris, to which
point it is stated that His Majesty's ships are not to go.
. . The Superintendents therefore are required to go to, and reside at, the place
to which the Chinese authorities will not allow them to go, and at which they
will not allow them to reside.
This and other matters require alteration.
It will be in the power of the Government hereafter to decide whether any
effort shall be made at Pekin, or elsewhere, to improve our relations with China,
commercial as well as political. That which we require now is, not to lose the
enjoyment of what we have got.
I would recommend, that till the trade has taken its regular peaceable course,
particularly considering what has passed recently, there should always be within
the Consul General's reach, a stout frigate and a smaller vessel of war.
No. 24.
J. F. Davis, Esq., to Viscount Palrnerston. —(Received April 6, 1835.)
My Lord, Macao, November 11, 1834.
I HAVE now the honour to inclose two additional edicts from the
Governor of Canton, resuming the purport of two preceding papers of the 19th
and 20th October, already forwarded to your Lordship.
These have all been addressed, through the medium of the Hong mer
chants, to the principal mercantile houses of Canton, but we believe, have not
53
been otherwise noticed than to observe that constituted authorities from the
Crown being already here, no individual merchant can assume the office of Chief
for British affairs.
If the urgency of these edicts concerning the appointment of a Chief may
be viewed as affording (and I conceive that they do afford) a reasonable evidence
of the Viceroy's uneasiness and perplexity in the present unsettled state of
affairs at Canton, I would not reject the hope that some early advance on the
part of the Local Government to the Commission is within the scope of a
reasonable probability..
Being duly sensible of the inconveniences that may attend the absence of
a British controlling authority from Canton, I will only repeat the expression of
my assurance, that this Commission will avail itself gladly of any favourable
opening to commence a negotiation with the Local Government. 1 must, how
ever, state my conviction, that any adjustment ought to take place as the result
of a mutual necessity ; and that an unbecoming and premature act of submis
sion, on our part, under present circumstances, could not fail to prove a fruitless,
if not a mischievous, measure.
An edict has been issued, through the influence of the Hong merchants,
against the unlicensed traders, its object being, of course, to strengthen the
monopoly of the Hongs. I have the satisfaction to observe that the difficulties
of the Viceroy seem to have been increased by this measure. A considerable
ferment has been created in the native commercial community ; and a species of
Trades-unions, composed of numerous bodies of manufacturers and dealers, have
combined to molest the Hong merchants, and petition the government.
A letter just received from a correspondent at Canton, informs me,—" A
large body of weavers and workmen proceeded to Mowqua and the other Hongs
yesterday, and have to-day gone to the Viceroy's palace."
As the Commission deemed it advisable, under existing circumstances, to
issue a notice of a sedative character, to the British Traders at Canton, I inclose
the copy of a circular which was sent to the principal mercantile houses on the
10th instant. As there is every probability of its indirectly coming to the
knowledge of the Local Government, it has been worded with that view, care
fully avoiding any expression that should pledge the Commission, or His
Majesty's Government, to any particular course of action, and leaving all things
doubtful as to the future. It was deemed advisable to dwell on the impossibility
of the private merchants being made a channel for the communication to His
Majesty of the wishes of the Chinese Government. British subjects are, at the
same time, called upon to conduct their commercial dealings in becoming tran
quillity, until some fitting relations shall have been established with the native
authorities.
I have, &c,
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 24.
Edict of the Governor of Canton addressed to the Hong Merchants.
LOO, bearing the insignia of the highest rank, degraded from official rank,
but temporarily retained in the office of Governor of the provinces Kwangtung
and Kwangse, hereditary Kingchaytoowei of the first class, &c, issues this
order to the senior Hong merchants, requiring them to enjoin the order on the
separate merchants of the English nation, that they may make themselves
fully acquainted therewith.
England and the Central flowery Nation, separated from each other by
several myriads of miles, have traded at Canton for a hundred and several tens
of years. The means by which they have long continued mutually tranquil,
have been the good and careful establishment of laws, and the possession of
individuals to manage the direction of affairs. The said nation's Company has
hitherto appointed a Taepan to have the management of all public affairs. In
the 10th year of Taoukwang, (1830,) the then Governor, Lee, having learned,
that after the 13th year the Company would terminate and be dissolved,
54
commanded the Hong merchants to enjoin orders on the said nation's
merchants to send a letter home to their country, to call for the renewed
appointment of a Taepan to come to Canton, as is in record. This year
the Company has been dissolved, and for a Taepan there is no one. I,
the Governor, was just giving orders to the Hong merchants to examine and
deliberate, when in the 6th Moon (July), an English barbarian, Lord Napier,
calling himself a barbarian eye, came to Canton to examine and manage
commercial matters. Without having received a red permit from the Custom
house, suddenly he rushed up into the barbarian factories outside the city, and
there resided. I, the Governor, at that time commanded the Hong merchants
to inquire and investigate for what he came to Canton, and immediately to
state the same clearly, for the purpose of enabling me to make a report
requesting the will and mandate of the Great Emperor, that the same might
be obeyed and -acted on. The said barbarian eye did not at all inform them of
the occasion of his mission, but afterwards repaired to the city gate to throw
in a private letter. I, the Governor, because the fixed regulations of the Celes
tial Empire do not admit a private (or clandestine) interchange of letters with
outside nations, found it inexpedient to receive it, but commanded that the
particulars contained in the letter should be told to the Hong merchants, that
they might report the same.
It being the said barbarian eye's first entrance into the Central flowery
land, so that he was yet unacquainted with the rules and prohibitions, I took
the old established rules and regulations, and commanded the Hong merchants
to enjoin commands on him, telling him of the difficulty of opposing the fixed
principles of dignity, and the propriety of keeping the old regulations, carefully
and minutely explaining to and guiding him, twice and a third time. The
said barbarian eye would not obey the perfect laws, but perseveringly desired
to have intercourse by official documents and letters, with the civil and military
officers of the Central flowery land. But I found on examination, that the said
nation has not heretofore had intercourse by official communications with the
Central flowery land, and that trade also is not what officers can attend to ; that
the matter, therefore, is one which positively cannot be brought into operation.
The said barbarian eye still obstinately adhering to his own views and notions,
the Hong merchants, on account of his disobedience of the laws, petitioned,
requesting stoppage of trade. I, the Governor, considered that the said
nation's king had repeatedly presented tribute, thereby manifesting a reverential
submission to the Celestial Empire, and that all the separate merchants have
come from far across the seas, all purposing to fish for gain ; also that the
rhubarb, tea, &c, of this inner land, are what the said nation absolutely
requires, I could not, therefore, bear, on account of the fault of one man,
Lord Napier, to cause all the merchants to fail of their gains, and the whole
nation to be overwhelmed with sorrow. I further replied, again clearly and
perspicuously, commanding the Hong merchants once more to explain to
and direct him. And fearing yet that the Hong merchants, in enjoining orders,
had failed of clearness and perspicuity, I gave a special appointment to the
Chefoo, (or Civil Chief Magistrate,) a great officer, to proceed, accompanied by
the Military Commandant of Kwang Chow Foo, to inquire in person. It may
be said that I showed compassion in the highest degree. But the said barbarian
eye still did not tell plainly the occasion of his mission, nor would he receive
the Linguists as interpreters, so that the officers deputed, had no means of
reasoning with and instructing him, and for all the merchants it was difficult to
have commercial intercourse. It was unavoidable to close the ships' holds
according to law.
At that time, clear orders were issued by proclamation, that if the said
barbarian eye would come to a knowledge of repentance of his error, and would
obey and keep the old regulations, then might the trade continue as of old.
Yet the said barbarian eye did not come to a knowledge of his faults ; but, in
the first instance, called about him barbarian soldiers, bringing with them guns
and muskets up to Canton, and followed up the same by calling on the cruizing
ships to push in through the maritime entrance. And when the various forts
opened a thundering tire to stop them, the cruizing vessels had the daring
presumption to let off their guns, returning resistance, and so shaking and
destroying the dwelling places within the forts ; and they sailed on to Whampoa,
55
in the inner river. Instance upon instance they gave of contemptuous trifling,
going, indeed, far beyond the bounds of reason.
On examination, I found that the things in which the said cruizing vessels
trusted were only guns and fire ; while the military bands of the Celestial
Empire could gather (densely) as the clouds, and their guns and weapons be
collected together (abundantly) as the hills, I, the Governor, sent to assemble
naval and military officers, with naval vessels to stop up the passage of the
river before and behind, so that the said nation's two cruizing vessels, with 300
or 400 men, having entered far into the important territory, had no way either
of advancing or of going out. What difficulty would there have been in
immediately sweeping them off completely ? It was owing to this, that not
having been immediately exterminated, the said barbarian eye did repent of his
crimes, and make humble supplication, and thereupon was allowed to obtain
a permit to go down to Macao, as well as (for the ships) to retire to the
outer seas.
I, the Governor, am fully of opinion that this affair did not proceed from
intentions of the said nation's King, and also that it had no concern with the
general body of the merchants. Looking upwards, 1 have embodied the Great
Emperor's liberality (expansive) as heaven and earth, which regards all with the
same benevolence, cherishes with virtue those from afar, and esteems not the
array of force. The matters, as detailed from first to last, in the official replies
and edicts, were before printed and published by proclamation, being stuck up
in the general thoroughfares. This is what the said separate (British) merchants
have all universally known, and universally seen.
Now the opening of the port of the metropolis of Canton to trade is owing
to the good favour of the Celestial Empire. The few, mean, petty huudreds of
thousands of commercial duties, arising from outside realms, affect not the
treasures of the revenue the value of a hair, or a feather's down.
And what the said nation's merchants furnish towards these gains from
commerce is commited but by thousands. The said nation's King, in sending
Lord Napier hither, assuredly did not command him to create trouble, or to
indulge rashness, hastiness, and waywardness. If now there were a person
from another country to go to England, and thus occasion commotion, the said
nation's King certainly would not bear with him. Were it not for the expansive
benevolence and great liberality of the Great Emperor, Lord Napier having
failed in the command, and disgraced the country, all the merchants would
have had to go back, after labour in vain, with their wealth and property
injured and wasted ; could they, as at this time, have been all rendered grateful
by the enjoyment of pleasure and profit ?
It is now reported to me, that Lord Napier has died of sickness at Macao.
The said separate merchants have opened their holds, buying and selling ; which
shows in all the merchants a profound knowledge of the great principles of dignity.
It is altogether worthy of praise and esteem. But the ships are many, and the
individuals numerous, rendering unavoidable a want of combination, order, and
arrangement. It is plain that there should be one or two trustworthy, honest
men selected, to have a temporary controul and direction. Thus may there be
for all things a responsibility. At the same time, they should immediately,
with speed, send a letter to their country, stating, that although the Company
is dissolved, yet, as the said nation trades here, it is absolutely requisite that
there be a person to have the management of all public affairs ; and that a
commercial man, thoroughly acquainted with the great principles of dignity,
should still be appointed by the said nation, to become a Taepan, and come to
Canton to direct and controul. This is an affair of buying and selling ; it is not
what officers can attend to the management of. In this inner land, the Hong
merchants are always held responsible ; and so the said nation also positively
must select and appoint a trading man. On no account may an official eye be
again appointed, to occasion, as Lord Napier did, the creation of trouble and
disturbance, in vain, and the involvement of all the merchants, which is
detrimental to a right course of things.
Uniting the circumstances, this edict is issued. When the edict reaches
the said (Hong) merchants, let them immediately enjoin and make known these
orders. Oppose not. A special edict.
14th year of Taoukwang, 9th moon, 21st day. (October 23rd, 1834.) . •
56
Inclosure 2 in No. 24.
Edict of the Governor of Canton addressed to the Hong Merchants.
November 6, 1834.
LOO, Secondary Guardian of the Heir-Apparent, bearing insignia of the
highest rank, President of the Tribunal of War, Governor of the Provinces
Kwangtung and Kwapgse, Hereditary King-chay-too-wei of the first class,
degraded from official standing, but retained in office, &c, issues this order to
the Senior Hong Merchants, to be enjoined on the separate merchants of the
English nation, requiring their full acquaintance with the contents thereof.
It is on record, that on the 1st day of the 10th moon in the 1 4th year of
Taoukwang (November 1st), the following Supreme Mandate was respectfully
received.
" The English barbarians have an open market in the inner land, but there
has hitherto been no interchange of official communications ; it is however
absolutely requisite, that there should be a person professing general controul, to
have the special direction of affairs. Let the said Governor immediately order
the Hong merchants to command the said separate merchants, that they send
a letter back to their country, calling for the appointment of another person as
Taepan to come for the controul and direction of commercial affairs, in accord
ance with the old regulations. Respect this."
On examination, it appears that whereas the English Company having this
year been dissolved and ended, all the separate merchants come to trade at
Canton, and affairs are under no general controul ; I, the Governor, did issue
orders to the said merchants to enjoin orders on the said nation's separate
merchants, requiring them to send a letter back to their country, to call for the
appointment of another person as Taepan, to come to Canton, to have the
controul and direction, as is on record.
Now the above having been respectfully received, I forthwith reverently
copy it, and command obedience thereto. When this order reaches the said
merchants, let them immediately pay obedience, and enjoin orders on the
separate merchants of the English nation, that they respectfully obey the
mandate and pleasure of the Great Emperor, immediately sending a letter back
to their country to call for the appointment of another person, a commercial
man, thoroughly acquainted with the great principles of dignity, to come to
Canton and direct commercial affairs, that there may be an undivided respon
sibility. An official eye must not be again appointed, occasioning, as did Lord
Napier, the creation of disturbances, in vain, with the involvement of all the
merchants, and with detriment to public affairs. Oppose not. A special
order.
14th year of Taoukwang, 10th moon, 4th day. (November 6, 1834.)
Inclosure 3 in No. 24.
Notice to British Subjects in China.
Macao, November 10, 1834.
THE Superintendents have during the last few weeks devoted their serious
consideration to the state in which past occurrences have placed His Majesty's
Commission in China, and think it due to the British Community to afford
to them the following succinct statement of their views on the subject.
Any determination in regard to the future, which it may seem fit to His
Majesty in his wisdom to adopt, the Superintendents will not presume to anti
cipate. It has been their duty humbly to submit a full detail of all the events
which have transpired since the arrival of the Commission in China, and this
they have faithfully performed. It is proper to add, that in accordance with
57
instructions under the Royal Sign Manual, a transcript of the same report has
been forwarded in duplicate to his Excellency the Right Honourable the
Governor- General of India.
Adverting then to the situation in which His Majesty's servants have been
placed by the denial of the Canton Government to acknowledge their public
character, or admit them to official communication, they cannot but regret the
inconveniences which may result to both English and Chinese from so strange
and anomalous a state of affairs. It is manifest, that under these circumstances,
no channel exists for the conveyance, in an authentic shape, of any expression
of the views or wishes of the Chinese Government to His Majesty's knowledge.
The local authorities, after having from the very first arrival of the Commission
on their shores, persisted in rejecting the only legitimate means of com
munication, have no reasonable ground of complaint, should their requisitions
remain unanswered.
The Superintendents are led to make the preceding reflections in conse
quence of its having come to their knowledge that several papers have been
addressed to the private merchants at Canton, purporting to emanate from the
Local Government, and containing matter which it is desired may be submited
to His Majesty's knowledge. After making every allowance for the strangeness
of the Chinese to external relations, it is difficult to believe that the Canton
authorities, who constantly profess to act in conformity to reasonable principles,
should have voluntarily placed themselves in so false a position. To judge by
mere intrinsic evidence, it might be fairly inferred that the particular papers
alluded to were not authentic Any other conclusion would involve the extra
vagant belief that the high officers of the Chinese Government, enlightened men,
and practised in the proprieties of public business, would place themselves in
the helpless position of attempting to convey the wishes of their own Sovereign
to His Majesty the King of England through the incongruous medium of
commercial correspondence. Such a course would be at variance with all sound
principles of dignity, and a departure from every dictate of reason. It would be
to derogate from the majesty of their own Sovereign, and to expose themselves
to the certainty of preventing their communications from receiving the slightest
degree of attention.
Under present circumstances, the Superintendents must at once declare that
they cannot see the least occasion to open communications with the local
authorities. However much they might have deemed it their duty, if suitably
approached, to forward a decorous communication to His Majesty's Govern
ment, they must repeat that in the actual state of things they consider
themselves bound to await in perfect silence the final determination of
the King.
Pending this interval, the Superintendents have to submit some few
suggestions to His Majesty's subjects resident in China, and they do so in a
spirit of serious earnestness, and with the conviction that the vast importance
of the subject will insure to their remarks the most attentive consideration.
They formally counsel and enjoin the King's subjects, each in his own place,
and by all the influence of his example, to avoid or prevent the chance ot
affording a plausible ground of complaint to the Chinese, and to refrain, as
much as possible, from allusions to the past, or anticipations with regard to the
future. In fine, to impress the Local Government and the people, by the
deliberate reserve of their conduct, with a proper sense of the confidence reposed
in our Sovereign's wisdom to conceive and power to execute any measures
which may be deemed necessary for the establishment of all things on a sure
and permanent foundation.
If any well founded complaint against the conduct of the Chinese authorities
towards British subjects should arise, the Superintendents trust that it will be
preferred to them, and that the decision, as to the best course to be pursued,
will be remitted to their judgment. They deem it superfluous to insist upon
their desire to give to such questions the most anxious consideration ; and to
provide the most suitable way to a remedy.
The Superintendents will only observe, in conclusion, that these suggestions
with regard to the procedure of British subjects under existing circumstances,
have by no means been made because they apprehend that' the advice may be
practically necessary, but rather to draw attention to the subject, with a view
to inducing such a temperate and judicious course of conduct during the
interval of the reference to the Supreme Powers, as shall ensure the most
prosperous results.
By order of the Superintendents,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Secretary.
No. 25.
Captain Elliot to J. Backhouse, Esq.—(Received April 6, 1835.)
(Extract.) Macao, November 17, 1834.
I AM desired by the Superintendents to transmit a document recently
procured, containing the Imperial answers to the communications forwarded to ■
Peking by the Local Government, announcing the forcing of the Bocca Tigris
Passage by His Majesty's ships, in the month of September last.
Inclosure 1 in No. 25.
Edict of the Governor of Canton, containing the Imperial answers respecting
British intercourse and the arrival of Lord Napier at Canton.
I, THE Governor, on the 13th day of the 8th moon, in the 14th year
of Taoukwang (September 15th), united with Tsang, the Commander-in-Chief
of the land forces, together with your Excellency the Fooyuen and Chung the
Hoppo, in forwarding, by the post conveyance, a duly prepared report of the
English ships of war having sailed into, and anchored in the inner river,—of
precautionary measures having been taken against them,—and of those who
guarded (the port) with such remissness,—with the officers who had neglected
their guard, having been severely degraded, and subjected to inquiry. Now, on
the 17th day of the 9th month (October 19th), the following reply in vermilion
has arrived :—
" It seems that all the forts have been erected in vain ; they cannot beat
back two barbarian ships ; —it is ridiculous—detestable. If the military opera
tions be reduced to such a state as this, it is not surprising that the barbarians
regard them slightingly. My further pleasure shall be given. Respect this."
On the same day was received an express from the Tribunal of War,
forwarding the following Supreme Mandate, received by the Cabinet on the 3rd
day of the 9th moon, in the 14th year of Taoukwang (October 5th).
" This day it is authenticated, that Loo and his colleagues have sent a
report by post, of the English ships of war having broke into the inner river,
and of their having dispatched forces to drive them out.
" On this occasion, the English barbarian eye, Lord Napier, having come
to Canton to trade, did not obey the laws. The said barbarian ships of war,
two in number, with 300 and some tens of men, having anchored in the outer
seas, the said Governor did, during the 6th moon, forward a communication to
the Naval Commander-in-Chief, Le, for the appointment of a Tsantseang, Kaou-
e-yung, to proceed to the maritime entrance, and maintain a preventive guard ;
and for directions to be given to the officers of the Admiral's own division, to
command and maintain a strict and close look-out on the forts. And, after the
said Governor and colleagues had, according to laws, closed the chips' holds, he
again sent a communication for a preventive guard to be maintained, that the
barbarian ships might not be permitted to enter the port. But, after all, they
were so remiss in keeping up guard, that the said ships of war, on the 5th day
of the 8th moon (September 7th), taking advantage of the flood-tide, broke in
through the maritime entrance ; and when the military of the several forts
opened a thundering fire on them, the said barbarian ships let off their guns,
attacking them in return, and passed on. On the 9th, they arrived at
Whampoa reach, at a distance of 60 lee from the city, and there anchored.
The said Governor and colleagues have now appointed a naval force with■
severity to drive them out.
59
" Kaow-e-yung, Tsantseang of the Admiral of Kwangtung's own division,
having been sent in the 6th moon, to maintain a preventive guard at the
maritime entrance, his presuming to suffer the said barbarian force to sail into
the inner river, was extremely negligent. As to his assertion, that the barbarian
ships took advantage ot the tide, and sailed in with the wind, so that they could
riot be stayed or hindered, it is difficult to insure that it has not been his
purpose to embellish and gloss over the thing. Let Kaow-e-yung be, in the
first instance, degraded from his rank, and made to bear the Carigue before all
men, at the maritime entrance. And further, let the said Governor ascertain
clearly if he be guilty of the offence of having, with contemptuous waywardness,
glossed the matter over ; and if so, let him immediately, with severity, forward
accusation against him, awaiting the officers who kept the forts with such care
lessness and neglect, since there were additional men appointed to aid in keeping
them, be all, in the first instance, subjected to wear the Cangue, in all the
forts publicly, as a warning. At the same time, let inquiry be made respecting
the circumstances of their neglect and wayward indulgence, and let accusation
be also preferred against them.
" With regard to Le, the Naval Commander-in-Chief, the maritime guard
is under his especial care ; but the said barbarian ships broke in through the
entrance, and all the forts and military in charge of them, could not beat back
two barbarian vessels. It is indeed deserving of most bitter detestation ! It
seems that all the forts have been erected in vain. If the operations of war be
reduced to such a state as this, what is 1 it that the said Commander-in-Chief is
daily attending to ? Lee has at present, on account of illness, preferred a request
for relaxation. He is certainly unworthy of employment. Let him, in the first
instance, be degraded from his rank ; and after the affair is settled, my further
pleasure and decree shall be made public
" Loo, Governor of the two Kwang provinces, having stated that, in the
6th moon, he sent communications and held consultations concerning the
adoption of preventive measures, the affair is not to be compared with one
unanticipated, to which the land cannot be at once applied. He ought certainly
to have selected and appointed vigorous individuals to make preparations and
maintain a strict guard. How comes it that the said barbarian ships were
suffered to enter the river, and could not be prevented or kept back ? It arises
from the said Governor's want of plans and lack of valour. The blame he
cannot cast off. He has injured the Majesty of the nation, and has greatly
failed of the duties of his ministry. Let Loo be deprived of the title, Guardian
of the Heir-apparent ; let his two-eyed peacock's feather be plucked out ; and
let him, in the first instance, be degraded from his official standing, but tempo
rarily retained in the office of Governor of the two Kwang provinces ; that,
bearing his offences upon him, he may direct the arrangement (of this affair).
Should he truly arrange it speedily, and end it with security and propriety, he
may yet receive some little indulgence and slight diminution of his sentence.
If he continue to involve himself in errors, and cause future misfortunes, he
must be acted with according to martial law, without admission of any
indulgence. Tremble fearfully hereat. Be attentive hereto. Respect this."
On the same day was also received a letter from the great Ministers of the
Council, addressed to Ha, General Commandant of the city garrison ; Loo,
Governor of the two Kwang provinces; and Ke, Fooyuen, announcing the
issue, on the 3rd day of the 9th moon, in the 14th year of Taoukwang, of the
following supreme mandate.
" Loo and his colleagues have sent a report, by a speedy post conveyance,
of the English barbarian ships having broke into the inner river, and of forces
having been dispatched to drive them out. My decree and pleasure have
already been plainly delivered, directing the several punishments of the said
Governor and others.
" On this occasion, the English ships of war having anchored in the outer
seas, during the 6th moon of the present year, Loo did send communications to
the Naval Commander-in-Chief Lee, calling for a strict and close preventive
guard. Had, indeed, a preventive guard been kept with fidelity and vigour,
how could the inner river have been broken into ? But on the 5th day of the
8th moon (September 7th), the said barbarian ships of war, taking advantage of
the flood-tide, broke in through the maritime entrance ; and when all the
militarv opened a thundering fire upon them, they had the presumption to let
I 2
60
off their guns, returning resistance. And, after the passage of the forts at the
Bogue., and on Rwangtung had been forced, they, on the 7th, passed straight on
by the Tiger Island fort ; and, on the 9th, arrived at Whampoa reach, distant
sixty lee from the city, and tliere anchored. It seems that all the forts have
been erected in vain ; they cannot beat back two barbarian ships ; it is
ridiculous !—-detestable ! If the military operations be reduced to such a
state as ■ this, it is not surprizing that the outside barbarians regard them
slightingly. • .
" Now the said Governor and colleagues report that they have set 'apart
twelve large vessels, and having filled each of them with a thousand peculs of
large stones/ have sunk them crosswise; —that in the water, they have had
large cables stretched across ; and that they have further had wooden spars laid
on the surface of the water, to stop up the passage by water to the city. Also,
that they have appointed two large war vessels of the Admiral's own division,
and six large vessels, the main squadron, with twenty-two river cruizing vessels,
from the various stations of the districts Sin-hwuy and Shun-tih, with men and
military munitions, to keep up a strict cruizing- guard. They have further
appointed 300 troops from the Governor's own regiments, 300 from the
Fooyuen's own regiments, 700 from the Commander-in-Chief's division of
army, and 300 able-bodied men from the district militia, to prepare guns and
musketry on either shore, in order to guard the land-passages. To the
Ta-hwang-haon branch of the river, they have sent Tsantseang Loo, Peih
yuen, with above twenty cruizing boats, to obstruct the passage there ; and
wTooden spars have also been used to stop up the river. Likewise, on the river
opposite, wooden palisades were set up ; and the Toosze Hung-fa-ko has been
sent, at the head of 500 veteran troops of the Governor's own, and with a
naval- force of J00 men, to move thither portable guns, and also large guns,
calculated even to rend hills and cause terror afar off. Of these men, 150 have
been placed in charge of the fort, and 350 encamped without, in readiness to
come up to their aid.
" Loo, fearing that the Macao barbarians, the Portuguese, might be enticed
over by the English barbarians, dispatched the Footseang Tsin-yu-chang, with
a civil officer, to command them plainly, and to spread themselves about, and
also to keep watch over all things, that no evils of remissness might arise. The
said Portuguese barbarians manifested, in a high degree, reverential submission,
and were excited to express their willingness to keep guard themselves. These
arrangements were exceedingly proper.
" Further, in a supplementary report, it is stated, that at this time the
passage before (the ships of war) is completely stopped up in two places, and
behind them also, at Chang-chow-kang (near second bar) large stones have
been quarried and made ready, and 300 troops of the 'brave and pure' Regi
ment have been sent, under command of the Yew-keih Wang-luh, to maintain
guard ; that, as soon as the war vessels from Kee-shih and other places, have
entered the river, the stones may be immediately used to block up the river
within. The said barbarian vessels will then have no passage for going out.
.... They have further prepared a hundred and some tens of vessels, large
and small, in which have been secretly concealed saltpetre, sulphur, fire wood,
straw, and other combustibles, for the purpose of an attack by fire.
" The English barbarians are of a violent and overbearing disposition, and
they cherish plans great and deep. This has long been the case. On this
occasion, the barbarian vessels are only two in number, and the foreign sailors
do not exceed 300 or 400 men. If, indeed, the passages for advancing and
retreating be both cut off, ' the beast will then be taken—the fish cought ;' what
difficulty can there be in making a clear sweep in a moment'? The said
barbarian eye, Lord Napier, having stated that he came to Canton o trade, —
why, when the ships' holds had been closed, did he craftily think to carry it
with a high hand, and go to the daring extreme of having the inn?r river
broken into, and of having guns fired, returning resistance? He went, indeed,
far out of the bounds of reason. It is to be apprehended that there sljs yet
other ships, staying at a distance, ready to bring in aid to him. It is very
requisite to inquire fully with sincerity and earnestly, taking into view the
whole field (of action,—literally, the whole class board).
' '" When the said Governor and his Colleagues receive this my pleasure,
they are required immediately, and with full purpose of heart, to mee: for
61
consultation, and arrange the business securely and speedily. When once the
said barbarian eye is brought under, his schemes exhausted, and his power
isolated, so that he bows his head and confesses his faults, a slight trifling
indulgence may then be extended to him. .... Immediately direct the Hong
merchants to explain to him the evil consequences (of his conduct), to
reprove his presuming to use guns and fire, and also to demand of him the
cause of his having come to Canton. If he still continue obstinately blinded,
and' do not arouse, but remain perverse as before, let then the said Governor
and his Colleagues arrange and direct the military operations, and set in motion
the machinery of expulsion and destruction. It is absolutely requisite to make
the said barbarian eye tremble and quake before the Celestial Majesty, and
penitently arouse to reverential submission. Should the said Governor and
his Colleagues continue their former negligence, . and stir up great misfortunes,
I, the Emperor, will know only how to maintain the laws. If disturbances be
occasioned, there shall decidedly - be no chance left of indulgent favour.
Tremble hereat. Be attentive hereto. Let this be forwarded by a despatch
travelling 500 lee (daily), and let all the commands herein contained be made
known. Respect this."
In obedience to the supreme pleasure, we, (the Ministers of the Council)
forward the same.
All the above having come before me, the Governor, I have examined,
and find that the barbarian eye, Lord Napier, has already been driven out
under guard, and that the ships of war, also, retired on the same day to the
outer seas, as we have already jointly reported. Copies of the several reports
have been forwarded to you.
With regard to the careless guard officers, the acting Tsantseang of the -—
admiral's central division, Tsan-fei-yang has, before this, brought up to Canton
the Tsientsung Le-hung-tae, and other officers, ten in number ; and they have
been sent to the Anchasze of Kwangtung, that, in conjunction with the
Porchingsze, he may try them_ by torture,■ to ascertain if they were guilty of
illicit connection (with foreignersjiand of purposed connivance, in order that —
they may be severally decided respecting, and dealt with. This is on record.
Now, having respectfully received the above, I send a communication,
requesting that Kaou-e-yung may be brought to Canton to be tried and dealt
with ; and I also send directions to the Poochingsze and Anchasze, that they,
in conjunction with the Yum-yun-sze, may pay respectful obedience, and act
accordingly. I also direct them to bring up the Tseintsung Le-heang-tae, and
the others for immediate trial, that decisions may be passed severally on them,
and that they may be dealt with accordingly, without either the least
precipitancy or delay. Besides this, I send, as is right, a communication to
you. For this purpose, I unite the circumstances, and send this communication
to your Excellency, that you may inquire the supreme pleasure, in order
respectfully to obey it, act according to it, and put it in operation.
No. 26. .
J. F. Davis, Esq., to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received April 10, 1835.)
My Lord, Macao, November 18, 1834.
I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith the translation of a report to
Peking, from the Local Government, which has been obtained through native
agency, and which contains some admissions which were probably not intended
to reach Europeans. It is observable that the revenue derived from English
trade, though professed to be held lightly, is still declared therein to demand
care for its preservation ; and great reliance is placed on the love of gain by
which the foreigners are said to be distinguished.
It is also remarked, that the utmost care must be taken to avoid " a
bloody rupture" with the Europeans, who, though otherwise unadvanced, excel
in the knowledge of " guns and fire-arms :" and the Emperor himself, in a paper
already forwarded, holds the Viceroy strictly responsible for any mischief which
may arise.
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The English merchants at Canton, having been advised by the Viceroy, to
elect for themselves " a trading Taepan," who should be responsible to the
Local Government for the acts of his countrymen, returned a reply on the 10th
instant, which is recorded on our proceedings. They therein state that no
authority of the kind could be held by any person without the sanction of the
Crown, by whose appointment, officers had been already nominated to Canton.
No further observation has yet come from the Viceroy, and the trade proceeds
as usual. The proceedings against the unlicensed dealers are gradually
relaxing.
I have, &c,
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS,
Chief Superintendent.
P. S. The joint edict of the Viceroy and Hoppo, upon the subject of the
unlicensed dealers, has just been translated, and is herewith forwarded.
Inclosure 1 in No. 2G.
Secret Memorial from the Officers of the Local Government of Canton
to the Emperor.
FURTHER, on the subject of the English nation's trade with Kwangtung.
The said nation has hitherto had an establishment called Kung-pan-ya (office
for public management, or Company, from Portuguese Companha), for directing
the buying and selling of the whole country ; it was also named Kungsze
(public managing body). The said Company (Kungsze) appointed chief,
second, third, and fourth Supracargoes to come to Canton, for the general
direction of commercial affairs, and for a restraining controul over the barbarian
merchants. In the 10th year of Taoukwang (1830), the Hong merchants
reported, that in the 13th year, the period of the said nation's Company would
be accomplished, and the said nation's barbarians would each trade for himself.
Fearing that affairs would be under no general controul, the former Governor,
your Majesty's Minister, Lee, commanded the Hong merchants to enjoin
orders on the Taepan (Chief Supracargo), to send a letter home to his country,
(to the effect) that, if the Company were indeed dissolved, it was directed that
a Taepan, acquainted with the affairs, should still be directed to come to
Canton, to controul and direct the trade.
This year, I, your Majesty's Minister, Loo, with the Superintendent of
Customs, Chung, having ascertained that the said nation's Company was
dissolved, commanded the Hong merchants to deliberate well on the subject, as
it was imperative that affairs should be made subject to some undivided respon
sibility, in order that they might not be totally without combination, order, and
arrangement.
In the 6th moon, an English ship of war brought to Canton a barbarian
eye, Lord Napier, one individual who said that he came to Canton for the
purpose of examining into and directing commercial affairs. He brought with
him a family, females and young children, five in all, whom he settled at Macao.
The ship of war, which was ascertained to have a crew of 190 persons, anchored
in the outer sea ; and the said barbarian eye changed his vessel, and came up
to reside in the barbarian factories outside the city. I, your Majesty's Minister,
Loo, having received reports hereof from the civil and military district officers,
immediately addressed a communication to the Naval Commander-in-chief, for
him to station vessels to cruize about and keep guard at the Bogue and other
places. I also gave orders to the men and officers in the forts, to keep up a
strict and close preventive guard, not to permit the said ships of war to enter
the port, or the foreign females to come up to Canton. 1 also commanded the
Hong merchants Woo-tung-yuen (Howqua), to investigate why the said
barbarian eye had come to Canton; that if it were because it was requisite—
the Company being dissolved and at an end—to establish fresh regulations of
trade, he should immediately inform the said Hong merchants, that they might
present a report, and so enable me to make a complete memorial, reverently
63
awaiting (your Majesty's) mandate and pleasure, to which obedience should
then be directed.
The said barbarian eye would not receive the Hong merchants, but after
wards repaired to the outside of the city, to present a letter to me, your
Majesty's Minister, Loo. On the face of the envelope, the forms and style of
equality were used ; and there were absurdly written the characters Ta-ying
Rwo, "great English nation," (for Great Britain). Examining at that time, it
appeared, that in keeping apart the central and the outside (people), what is of
the highest importance is a maintenance of dignity and sovereignty. Whether
the said barbarian eye has or has not official rank, there are no means of
thoroughly ascertaining. But though he be an officer of the said nation, he yet
cannot write letters on equality with the frontier officers of the Celestial Empire.
As the thing concerned the national dignity, it was inexpedient to allow a
tendency of any approach or advance, by which lightness of esteem may be
occasioned. Accordingly, orders were given to Han-shaou-Ring, the Footseang
in command of the military forces of Kwang Chow Foo, to tell him authorita
tively, that, by the statutes aud enactments of the Celestial Empire, there has
never been intercourse by letters with outside barbarians, that commercial
matters should be petitioned respecting, through the medium of the Hong
merchants, and that it is not permitted to offer or present letters.
Again, considering that he was stupid and unpolished, coming from without
the bounds of civilization, and that, it being his first entrance into the Central
flowery land, he was yet unacquainted with the rules and prohibitions, it
appeared undoubtedly right, first to explain to him and guide him, to enable
him to know what he was to obey and act in compliance with. I. Loo, selected
and made an arrangement of the rules and orders, establisbed by reports, at
various periods (to the throne), for the regulation of the trade of barbarians *
and commanded the Hong merchants to enjoin the same, pointing out, and
guiding him in, the way ; and also to inform him that outside barbarians possess
an open market at Canton, only because of the good favour of the sacred
Empire towards (the dwellers on) the sea-coasts ; but that in no way are the
mean, petty, commercial duties regarded as of importance ; that the said nation
has traded here for beyond a hundred and some tens of years, and for all affairs
there are old regulations ; and that since the said barbarian eye has come for
commercial purposes, he should at once obey and keep the regulations ; but if
he do not so, he shall then not be permitted to trade at Canton. First and last,
on four several occasions, were clear orders given.
Afterwards the said merchants reported in answer, that the said barbarian
eye would not obey the orders enjoined by them, but averred that he is an-
officer and Superintendent of the barbarians, not one with whom Taepans can
be compared ; and that hereafter all affairs ought to be transacted by official
communications to and fro with the various public officers ; for that orders
cannot, as formerly, be enjoined through the medium of Hong merchants, nor
can he offer petitions, but can only write official letters, and give them to officers
to transmit. The said merchants replied, that heretofore there had been no
such mode of conducting affairs. But the said barbarian eye continuing obsti
nate and perverse, without altering, they requested that an embargo should be
put on the said buying and selling. The said barbarian eye, Lord Napier, has
repeatedly been perverse and stubborn, and indeed extremely obstinate ; but
having considered that the said nation's king has heretofore been always reve
rently submissive, and that the said merchants are still quiet and peaceful : that
if, for the error of one man, Lord Napier, all the ships' holds should be closed,
they cannot but be overwhelmed with grief. I (Your Majesty's Minister, Loo),
therefore, looked upward to embody my August Sovereign's liberality, (exten
sive) as heaven and earth, which beholds with the same benevolence the central
and the outside people, and stoops to treat with compassion. I accordingly
replied, clearly and perspicuously, to the said merchants, that commercial
affairs of outside barbarians have hitherto been under the management of Hong
merchants, and there has never been an officer to direct and controul ; that
England has heretofore had no interchange of official communications with the
Central flowery land, and therefore what the said barbarian says cannot be per
mitted to be brought into operation. Also that the ships' holds should be pro
perly closed ; but that temporary indulgence and delay are given from tender
compassion towards all the separate merchants. Write these particulars : they
were also commanded to make clearly known (to Lord Napier), that if he
64
repented, aroused, and became reverently submissive, trade should continue as
usual ; but that if he again offered opposition, and continued perverse, the
ships' holds should be immediately closed. It was hoped that, by the truth and
sincerity of reason, his brute-like fierceness and overbearing might be reformed ;
so that, if only the great principles of dignity were not hurt, it would be unne
cessary to make any severe requisition. But the said barbarian eye, when the
merchants enjoined orders on him, remained as if he heard not; and when the
said merchants copied out the words of my official reply, and gave the copy to
him, he laid it down and would not peruse it.
Further, the naval Tsantseang, Kaou-e-yung, reported that another English
ship of war had come and anchored with the ship of war that had come before,
in Macao roads. It was ascertained that the number of seamen in her was also
190; and on being questioned, it was averred that she would not at all enter
the port, but was awaiting a favourable wind to sail out. Again did I address
an official communication to the naval Commander-in-Chief, and the officer in
command on the Heang-shan station, that in every place a preventive guard
should be maintained with increased diligence. Directions were also sent to the
Magistrates of all the Sea-board Districts, that they should strictly prohibit the
trading and fishing boats from approaching the ships of war to engage in barter
or afford supplies.
At the same time, I again and a third time consulted with Your Majesty's
Minister, Kee, (and we came to the conclusion) that the common dispo
sition of the English barbarians is ferocious and crafty, and what they trust
in is the strength of their ships and the effectiveness of their guns ; but
that the inner seas having but shallow water, with very many sands and rocks,
the said barbarian ships, though they should discharge their guns, cannot do it
with full effect ; also, that the said barbarian eye having placed his person in the
Central flowery land, distant from his own country several myriads of miles, we
are in the state relatively of master and guest ; if he should madly think to
overpass his bounds, our soldiers may peaceably wait to work with him : for that
he will be powerless is manifest and easy to be seen. But the matter concerns
those out of the bounds of civilization, and it is necessary that investigation
should be made and care taken beyond what is ordinary, in order to break down
the mind to submission.
What the merchants had reported being but the assertions of one party, it
was not right to give hasty credence to them. We accordingly commanded the
assistant Foo, Magistrate Pwan-shan-gih, to proceed, accompanied by the
Kwang Chow Hee, to the barbarian factories, personally to investigate, and at
the same time to command that the ships of war should immediately get under
weigh and return to their country. The said barbarian eye still did not tell
clearly the particulars of what he had come to Canton to do, nor did be plainly
answer for what the ships of war had come, and when they would return.
Because the said barbarian eye directed a barbarian acquainted with the Chinese
language to interpret, we apprehend that, in transmitting information, there
might have been a want of truth, and therefore commanded that they should
take linguists with them. The said barbarian eye would not receive the
linguists to interpret, so that the officers deputed had no means of giving clear
orders. And after having repeatedly commanded the Hong merchants to
inquire and investigate, the origin and occasion of his mission still could not be
at all ascertained.
On humble examination, (it appears) that the commerce of the English
barbarians has hitherto been managed by the Hong merchants and Taepans:
there has never been a barbarian eye to form a precedent. Now, it is suddenlv
desired to appoint an officer, a Superintendent, which is not according with old
regulations. Besides, if the said nation have formed this decision, it still
should have stated the affairs which, and the way how, such Superintendent is
to manage, making petition, so that. a memorial might be presented, requesting
(your Majesty's) mandate and pleasure as to what should be allowed and what
refused, in order that obedience might be paid thereto, and the same be acted
on accordingly. But the said barbarian eye, Lord Napier, without having made
any plain report, suddenly came to the barbarian factories outside the city, to
reside there, and presume to desire intercourse to and fro, by official documents
and letters with the officers of the Central flowery land : this was, indeed, far
out of the bounds of reason. Repeatedly■ have the Hong merchants enjoined
orders, and the deputed officers inquired and interrogated. There has been no
65
want of bending and stooping to investigate clearly, nor has he been forcibly
troubled with any difficulty ; yet the said barbarian eye has not at all told plainly
what are the matters he has come to attend to, and what the occasion of his
mission ; but has imperatively desired to have intercourse, by official commu
nications and letters, with the officers of the inner land. And he has presumed
to publish a notice, telling all the separate merchants not to regard the entire
cutting off of trade as a subject for concern, showing that he has a disposition
to excite agitation, and to disobey the laws and statutes. If not amply punished
and repressed, how can the national dignity be rendered imposing, and all the
barbarians be intimidated? ■ ■ ■.
Heretofore it has been the rule, that when the barbarians are lawless
their ships' holds should be closed. We, your Majesty's Ministers, have, in
conjunction with the Superintendents of Customs at Canton, your Majesty's
Minister Chung, consulted, and have also maturely consulted with the General
Commandant, the Lieutenant-General, and the Sze and Taou officers (heads of
Territorial and Financial, Judicial, Gabel, and Commissariat Departments,) in
the city, (and have agreed) that it only remains to close the ships' holds
according to law, and temporarily put a stop to the English nation's buying
and selling. Should the said barbarian eye, with awe and fear pay reverential
submission, and obey and act according to the enactments and statutes of the
Celestial Empire, we will then again report, requesting your Majesty graciously
to permit the opening of the ships' holds for traffic ; thus may a warning punish
ment be clearly displayed.
Commerce is originally the business of the said separate merchants ; but
since the said nation has not yet appointed another Taepan, and the said
barbarian eye, after first saying he was to examine and direct, has on a second •
occasion styled himself a Superintendent, so that we cannot find, on inquiry,
what things he is to attend to ; and since, besides, such obstinate adherence. to
error, and refusal of restraint and controul, leave affairs without any responsi
bility, it is difficult even to hope that the trade of the separate merchants may
be securely and properly conducted.
• Of late, the commercial barbarians have gradually assumed a great
degree of daring ; at this time of commencing a new order of things, it
is requisite that they should with severity be brought to order and directed.
At present we are issuing a proclamation and plain order, regarding Lord
Napier's repeated opposition and perverseness, wherein we consequently direct
that the ships' holds be closed according to law; at the same time explaining that
this has no relation to the several separate merchants, and that all other nations
besides may buy and sell as usual. As to whether we do right or not, we,
looking upwards, pray for (your Majesty's) sacred and luminous instructions,
that the same may be obeyed and acted on.
Further, of late years the Hoppo's receipts of commercial duties from
barbarian ships, have been from England about 5 or 600,000 taels. In itself,
this affects not the treasure of the revenue to the value of a hair, or a feather's
down. Yet the national resources being of importance, we dare not neglect to
calculate thoroughly in devising a course of action. But the barbarians are, by
nature, insatiably avaricious ; and the more forbearance and indulgence are
shown to them, the more do they become proud and overbearing. At present,
the barbarian ships which clandestinely sell opium in the outer seas, are daily
increasing. Just when the laws were being established to bring them to order,
there further came this mad, mistaken barbarian eye. If at this time indulgence
be at once shown to them, they will then advance step by step, begetting other
foolish expectations. It is unavoidable that some slight display should be made
of reducing and repressing them.
The said country exists by commerce; and all its merchants, coming in
crowds with their goods, are in haste to dispose of them, and to take advan
tage of the northerly winds of autumn and winter, for returning with their goods
to their country. They assuredly will not lightly cast away their goods and
capital, by waiting till a wrong season. The several separate merchants, seeing
that Lord Napier has repeatedly resisted and caused agitation, have all in their
hearts become in a great degree unsubmissive; and it is now authenticated,
that they have presented a petition at the Hoppo's office, requesting that the
ships' holds be opened ; to which it has been replied by proclamation, that if
Lord' Napier change and repent, and obediently keep the old regulations, they
may then be permitted to report, and request that the ships' holds be opened.
The said merchants certainly will not bear to have their livelihood injured by
such obstinacy. ,
Besides, the rhubarb, tea, chinaware, and raw silk of the inner land, are
things absolutely necessary to the said country. On investigation, it appears,
that in the 13th year of Kea- King (1808), and in the 9th year of Taoukwang
(1829), the ships' holds were closed in consequence of the said barbarians
creating disturbance ; and afterwards they humbly supplicated, and requested
their re-opening. This is a clear proof that the said nation cannot be without
a traffic with the Central flowery land.
The said barbarians, except in guns and fire-arms, have not one single
peculiar talent. We have now, on consultation with the General Ha and
others, posted military within and without the city, at the various guard stations,
directing them to patrol about with increased attention. At Macao, and all
around, officers have also been secretly appointed, to spread themselves about
at various posts on land and water, to maintain quietness, and keep a preventive
guard, in order that no evils of remissness may arise. There decidedly must
not be the least tendency towards what will occasion the commencement of a
bloody quarrel and creation of disturbance. In addition, orders are given to
the Foo and Heen magistrates to search after Chinese traitors, and with severity,
seize and bring them to trial and punishment.
As to the commerce of the outside barbarians, the undivided responsibility
lies on the Hong merchants. Now, since, on the barbarian eye, Lord Napier's,
coming to Canton, they neither at first reported it before hand, nor when
repeatedly commanded to enjoin orders were they able to do a single thing,
showing indeed a great degree of contemptuous negligence, orders have there
fore been given also to inquire if they have or have not been in fault, that they
may be proceeded against with severity.
Of the particulars of all that is done, we, your Majesty's Ministers (Loo
and Ke), in conjunction with the Superintendent of Customs at Canton, your
Majesty's Minister Chung,—the General, your Majesty's Minister Ha, —the
General of the left, your Majesty's Minister Lun, of the Imperial Kindred, —
and the General of the right, your Majesty's Minister Tso,—respectfully prepare
this memorial, secretly reporting, and prostrate imploring a secret glance to be
cast hereon. Respectfully reported.
Inclosure 2 in No. 26.
Edict of the Governor of Canton and the Hoppo, jointly, against outside (foreign
and unlicensed) Merchants being in connection with Hong Merchants.
LOO, temporarily retained in the office of Governor, &c, and
Pangy, Commissioner of Customs at Canton, &c, issue this proclamation,
for the purpose of prohibition.
In the province of Kwangtung are established Hong merchants, to transact
the commerce of barbarians. The means by which to prevent the offence of
clandestine purchases made between the flowery people and barbarians, rest
wholly on the implicit obedience paid by all the Hong merchants to the old
regulations, by which the national revenue is enriched, and the maritime
Government rendered imposing.
Now we, the Governor and the Hoppo, have heard it reported that there
has lately been a class of gain-seeking, market-agitators, who have set up shops
for foreign goods, attached to, and dependent on the Hongs, and who maintain
commercial dealings with the barbarians, lowering the prices of the goods they
sell, without care for the general stock. In landing and shipping goods, the
weak, worn-out Hongs report for them, receiving the duties at a discount of
20 or 30 per cent. Further, in addition to shops (legally) attached to the
Hongs, there are also other shops and warehouses established, at which are hung
up lanterns, having the sign of such and such a Hong's warehouse, (the owners)
making themselves supervisors and assistants in some Hong, in order thus to
screen themselves. ,
The bills of sale of goods are drawn out as on account of such and such a
warehouse belonging to such and such a Hong, while the goods are really
brought and sold by the individuals themselves, a Hong merchant appearing in
name, and receiving the duties from them. Then, when the Hong, becoming
deeply involved, fails■, and is closed, the same warehousemen return home with
full coffers. Such were formerly Low-a-hok, of Manhop's Hong, and Lo-laou-
Kwun, of Chunqua's Hong ; and such are now Li-a-trow and Luy-a-Kwun, of
Fatqua's Hong, both of whom borrow the use of the Hong merchants' name,
craftily and artfully scheming for gain ; and also Troy-a-mun and others, who are
guilty of monopolizing the business of the shops which sell foreign goods, and of
selling the duties on goods, which they report in the name of the Hong as well
as of other offences.
The said Hongs, because their own capital is not abundant, assume this
vain show of respectability, with the design of obtaining ready money to
circulate, thus causing that the duties, both fixed and contingent, of the
Custom-house, continue unpaid year after year. This is indeed deserving of
extreme detestation.
On examination, it appears that the establishment of shops for foreign
goods, in which goods are bought from, and sold to, barbarian merchants
dependency on Hongs, is a gross infraction of the established regulations.
Supervisors under the Hong merchants should transact business only for Hong
merchants. How can they be suffered to borrow the use of their names to
trade ? This class of market-agitators, having no commercial name on the
official books, are left at full liberty, with nothing to fear or dread. There is
nothing to prevent them from teaching or enticing barbarians to talk largely
and create disturbance.
Besides issuing orders to the Foo magistrate to search for and seize Chinese
traitors, and bring them to trial and punishment, we also unite the circumstances,
and issue this proclamation, as a strict prohibition. For this purpose, the pro
clamation is addressed to the Hong people, that they may make themselves
fully acquainted with its contents. Hereafter, in shops for foreign goods, there
will be permission only to purchase goods from the Hong merchants to sell off;
none may secretly depend on any Hong, and clandestinely maintain commercial
dealings with barbarians. All goods sold to barbarians must, also, in obedience
to the laws heretofore in force, be sold at an equitable price fixed by the Hong
merchants ; the shopmen are not permitted to lower the price and clandestinely
sell them. And the Hong merchants are not permitted to invite these gain-
seeking market-agitators, to become falsely supervisors in their Hongs,
screening themselves while scheming for private ends.
Into the barbarian factories outside the city, none of any other class than
the commercial men of the Hongs may at all clandestinely enter. Should any
presume to go into the barbarian factories, or as shopmen, buy from, or sell to,
the barbarians, he shall immediately be punished as a Chinese traitor. If any
falsely assume the name of a supervisor for a Hong merchant, and set up ware
houses, fishing for gain, and the said Hong should happen to fail and cease
business, the said supervisor shall be equally (with the merchant) compelled to
pay up the deficit of duties. Any individuals monopolizing the business of
shops for foreign goods, or selling duties and reporting the goods in the name of
a Hong merchant, as soon as discovered and seized, shall be tried and punished
according to the law against clandestine intercourse with outside nations ; and
any Hong merchant conniving thereat shall be included in the same punish
ment. We, the Governor and the Hoppo, would repair the faults existing in
the affairs of the Custom-House. When the words have issued, the law will
follow. Let each tremblingly obey. Oppose not. A special proclamation.
14th year of Taoukwang, 10th moon, 1st day. (November 1st, 1834.)
68
No. 27.
TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY IN COUNCIL.
The Petition of tlie Undermentioned British Subjects at Canton.—
(Received at the Foreign Office, April 18, 1835.)
Humbly Shoiceth,
THAT we are induced, by the extraordinary position in which wc
feel ourselves placed in relation to the Chinese Government, to petition
your Majesty in Council, to take such measures as may be adapted alike
to maintain the honour of our country, and preserve the advantages
which a safe and uninterrupted commerce with China is calculated to
yield to the revenues of Great Britain, and to the important classes
interested in its arts and manufactures.
We beg humbly to represent, that at the present moment the
Commissioners appointed by your Majesty to superintend the affairs of
British subjects trading at Canton, are not acknowledged by the consti
tuted authorities of this country, and that they are not permitted to
reside within the limits to which their jurisdiction is, by their Commission,
strictly confined ; while they are forbidden by their instructions to appeal
to the Imperial Government at Peking, and are perfectly powerless to
resent the indignities offered to the late Chief Superintendent, or to
compel reparation for the injuries done to your Majesty's subjects, by the
late unprovoked stoppage of their trade.
Your Petitioners are well persuaded, thai the powers vested in your
Majesty's Commissioners were thus restricted, with the express object of
avoiding, as far as possible, all occasion of collision with the Chinese
authorities ; while it was hoped that, by maintaining a direct intercourse
with the principal officers of Government, instead of indirectly communi
cating through the Hong merchants, a sure way would be opened for the
improvement of the present very objectionable footing on which foreign
merchants stand in this country, and for security against the many
wrongs and inconveniences which they have had to suffer in the pursuit
of their commercial avocations.
Your Petitioners, however, beg leave most earnestly to submit to your
Majesty in Council, their thorough conviction, founded on the invariable
tenor of the whole history of foreign intercourse with China, as well as of
its policy on occasions of internal commotion, down to the present moment,
that the most unsafe of all courses that can be followed in treating with
the Chinese Government, or any of its functionaries, is that of quiet
submission to insult, or such unresisting endurance of contemptuous or
wrongful treatment, as may compromise the honour, or bring into
question the power of our country. We cannot, therefore, but deeply
deplore that such authority to negociate, and force to protect from
insult, as the occasion demands, were not entrusted to your Majesty's
Commissioners, confident as we are, without a shadow of doubt, that, had
the requisite powers, properly sustained by an armed force, been possessed
by your Majesty's late First Commissioner, the lamented Lord Napier, we
should not now have to deplore the degraded and insecure position in
which we are placed, in consequence of the Representative of our Sovereign
having been compelled to retire from Canton without having authority
to offer any remonstrance to the Supreme Government, or to make any
demonstration of a resolution to obtain reparation at once for the insults
wantonly heaped upon him by the local authorities.
Your Petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that your Majesty will
be pleased to grant powers Plenipotentiary to such person of suitable
rank, discretion, and diplomatic experience, as your Majesty, in your
wisdom, may think fit and proper to be entrusted with such authority;
and your Petitioners would suggest that he be directed to proceed to a
convenient station on the east coast of China, as near to the capital of
the country as may be found most expedient, in one of your Majesty's
ships of the line, attended by a sufficient maritime force, which we are
of opinion need not consist of more than two frigates and three or four
69
armed vessels of light draft, together with a steam vessel, all fully
manned; that he may, previously to landing, require, in the first instance,
in the name of your Majesty, ample reparation for the insults offered by
the Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, in his Edicts published on the
occasion of Lord Napier's arrival at Canton, and the subsequent humi
liating conduct pursued towards his Lordship, to which the aggravation
of his illness and death may be attributed; as well as for the arrogant
and degrading language used towards your Majesty and our country
in Edicts emanating from the local authorities, wherein your Majesty was
represented as the "reverently submissive" tributary of the Emperor
of China, arid your Majesty's subjects as profligate barbarians ; and that
they be retracted, and never again employed by Chinese functionaries ;
that he may also demand reparation for the insult offered to your
Majesty's flag by firing on your Majesty's ships of war from the forts at
the Bogue ; and that remuneration shall be made to your Majesty's
subjects for the losses they have sustained by the detention of their ships
during the stoppage of their trade. After these preliminaries shall have
been conceded, [as your petitioners have no doubt they will be,] and
not till then, your Petitioners humbly suggest that it will be expedient
for your Majesty's Plenipotentiary to propose the appointment of Com
missioners on the part of the Chinese Government, to adjust with him,
on shore, such measures as may be deemed most effectual for the prevention
of future occasion of complaint and misunderstanding, and for the
promotion and extension of the trade generally, to the mutual advantage
of both countries. Your petitioners believe, that if these matters shall
be fairly represented, so as to do away with all reasonable objection, and
the favourable inclination of the Chinese Commissioners be gained, there
will be found little disposition on the part of the Supreme Government
to withhold its assent, and every desirable object will thus have been
attained.
Your Petitioners would humbly entreat your Majesty's favourable
view of these suggestions, in the confidence that they may be acted upon,
not only with every prospect of success, but without the slightest danger
to the existing commercial intercourse, inasmuch, as even with a force
not exceeding that which we have proposed, should be placed at the
disposal of your Majesty's Plenipotentiary, there would be no difficulty,
should proceedings of a compulsory nature be required, in putting a stop
to the greater part of the external and internal commerce of the Chinese
Empire;—in intercepting its revenues in their progress to the capital,
and in taking possession of all the armed vessels of the country. Such
measures would not only be sufficient to evince both the power and spirit
of Great Britain to resent insult, but would enable your Majesty's Pleni
potentiary to secure indemnity for any injury that might, in the first
instance, be offered to the persons or property of your Majesty's subjects;
and would speedily induce the Chinese Government to submit to just and
reasonable terms. We are, at the same time, confident that resort even
to such strong measures as these, so far from being likely to lead to
more serious warfare, an issue which both our interests and inclinations
alike prompt us to deprecate, would be the surest course for avoiding the
danger of such a collision.
Your Petitioners beg to submit, that the mere restoration of the
liberty once possessed of trading to Amoy, Ningpo, and Chusan, would be
followed by the most beneficial consequences, not merely in the most
extended field thereby opened for commercial enterprise, but in the rivalry
which would be excited as formerly, in the officers of Government at
these several ports, to attract the resort of foreign merchants, and thus
extend their own opportunities of acquiring emoluments from the trade.
With respect, however, to this point, or any other of commercial
interest, that it would be expedient to make the subject of negotiation,
your Petitioners would humbly suggest, that your Majesty's Minister in
China should be instructed to put himself in communication with the
merchants of Canton, qualified as they must be in a certain degree by
their experience and observation, to point out in what respect the benefits
that might be reaped under a well-regulated system of commercial inter
course, are curtailed or lost in consequence of the restrictions to which
the trade is at present subjected, and the arbitrary and irregular exac
70
tions to which it is exposed, either directly, or not less severely because
indirectly, through the medium of the very limited number of merchants
licensed to deal with foreigners. As an instance of the latter, your
Petitioners may state the fact, that the whole expense of the immense
preparations lately made by the Local Government, to oppose the
expected advance towards Canton of your Majesty's frigates after they
had passed the forts at the Bogue, has been extorted from the Hong
merchants ; and as but few of them are in a really solvent state, they
have no other means of meeting this demand, but by combining to tax
both the import and export trade.
We would further humbly, but urgently, submit, that as we cannot
but trace the disabilities and restrictions under which our commerce now
labours, to a long acquiescence in the arrogant assumption of superiority
over the monarchs and people of other countries, claimed by the Emperor
of China for himself and his subjects, we are forced to conclude that no
essentially beneficial result can be expected to arise out of negotiations
in which such pretensions are not decidedly repelled. We most seriously
apprehend, indeed, that the least concession or waving of this point
under present circumstances, could not fail to leave us as much as
ever subject to a repetition of the injuries of which we have now to
complain.
We would, therefore, humbly beseech your Majesty not to be
induced by a paternal regard for your subjects trading to this remote
Empire, to leave it to the discretion of any future Representative of your
Majesty, as was permitted in the case of the embassy of Lord Amherst,
to swerve in the smallest degree from a direct course of calm and dispas
sionate, but determined, maintenance of the true rank of your Majesty's
Empire in the scale of nations, well assured, as we feel, that any descent
from such just position would be attended with worse consequences than
if past events were to remain unnoticed, and we were to be left for the
future to conduct our concerns with the Chinese functionaries, each as he
best may.
It would ill become your Majesty's Petitioners to point to any
individual as more competent than another, to undertake the office of
placing on a secure and advantageous footing our commercial relations
with this country. We may, however, perhaps be permitted to suggest,
the inexpediency of assigning such a task to any person previously
known in China, as connected with commerce conducted under the
trammels and degradations to which it has hitherto been subjected, or to
any one, in short, who has had the misfortune either in a public or private
capacity, to endure insult or injury from Chinese authorities.
Equally inexpedient would it be, as appears to your Petitioners, to
treat with any functionary, not specially nominated by the Imperial
Cabinet, and not on any account with those of Canton, whose constant
course of corrupt and oppressive conduct forms a prominent ground of
complaint ; or to permit any future Commissioner to set his foot on the
shores of China, until ample assurance is afforded of a reception and
treatment suitable to the dignity of a Minister of your Majesty, and to
the honour of an Empire that acknowledges no superior on earth.
And your Petitioners shall ever pray, &ic .
W. Jardine B. Wise
J. Matiieson J. Blyth
J. Hunter A. Nairne
T. Fox T. Larkins
P. F. Robertson R. LONGLEY
W. Blenkin J. Rees
W. S. Boyd F. P. Alleyn
A. Johnstone H. J. Wolfe
A. S. Keating C. R. Read
J. Innes J. Lobban
J. Hamilton W. E. Farrer
R. Browne A. Stirling
R. Turner D. R. Caldwell
A. Matheson J. AlNSLEY
R. Thom J. Dalrymple
71
H. Wright S. Hyde
J. W. Smith H. D. Dalrymple
F. Macqueen J. C. Jolly
J. McA. Gladstone H. Hale
J. Lenox E. Parry
D. Webster J. T. Lancaster
J. B. Compton A. J. McFarlane
J. Slade R. Swan
J. Watson T. Robson
C. S. Compton J. Wilson
T. CoLLINGWOOD R. FerANDES
A. Jardine J. Burnett
D. Wilson G. Kennedy
W. Allen F. Jauncey
J. L. Templer J. Middleton
J. Kellaway W. Hyde
H. Grant A. Elias.
Canton, December 9, 1834.
No. 28.
Minutes of Conversation between Hoioqua and Mowqua, Hong Merchants,
and Mr. Jardine.—(Received April 25, 1835.*)
September 2, 1834.—THE above-named Hong merchants called on
Mr. Jardine, to request his assistance in communicating with the Chief
Superintendent, and proposing some specific mode of settling existing
disputes.
Mr. Jardine agreed to state to Lord Napier any proposals they might
make ; and they returned to the authorities for instructions.
September 3.—The Hong merchants, Howqua and Mowqua, with the
elder Mowqua, returned this forenoon, and said they had every reason to
believe the following terms [then committed to paper] would be agreed to
by the Viceroy, provided Mr. Jardine could induce Lord Napier to agree
to them on his part.
The arrangement is founded on a mutual understanding, that the
trade shall be opened by the Viceroy, on a Petition to that effect, being
presented to him by the British merchants ; and Lord Napier shall leave
Canton in four or five days from that on which the trade is opened.
1st. The Viceroy shall, on receiving a respectful Petition from the
British merchants, immediately issue orders for the opening of the
trade.
2nd. It is clearly understood, that no saucy, boasting chops shall be
issued by the authorities, after his Lordship's departure. Nor shall any
proclamations be issued prohibiting his Lordship's return to Canton.
3rd. Should Lord Napier have occasion to visit Canton, previous to
the Viceroy's having received an answer from the Emperor, respecting his
Lordship's reception, it is understood that he is at liberty to do so ; he
making as short a stay as convenient, and the authorities shutting their
eyes to his being in Canton.
The merchants then returned to the city, with the view of having the
agreement confirmed and acted upon.
About 7 p.m. of the same day, Mowqua returned, and, in the name of
himself and the two Hong merchants, informed Mr. Jardine, with much
apparent regret, that the Foo-Yuen and other Mandarins of rank, had
addressed the Viceroy, remonstrating against the proposed arrangement,
and induced him to break it off; which information Mr. Jardine
immediately communicated to Lord Napier.
* This is the summary of the private negotiations referred to in Note to No. 14 of this collection
of documents.
72
On the 11th inst., the Imogene and Andromache being then at
Whampoa, the three senior Hong merchants, Howqua, Mowqua, and
Puankeequa, waited on Mr. Jardine, and begged he would again endeavour
to bring about an amicable settlement of the existing difference.-
Mr. Jardine having reminded them of the faithlessness of their
former proceedings, inquired whether they were deputed by the autho
rities, or came of their own accord ?
They replied with some hesitation, that they had assurances, through
the Nowhoy and Foyuen, of the trade being immediately opened, provided
Lord Napier would send the ships of war outside the Bocca Tigris,
adding, " we can ourselves secure this." As they appeared confident of
success, Mr. Jardine stated what had passed to Lord Napier ; and on
their returning the following day, submitted to them the following letter
from his Lordship.
" Lord Napier to William Jardine, Esq.
" Dear Sir, " Canton, September 12, 1834.
" IN reference to the conversation held between yourself and the Hong
merchants last night, and conveyed by their desire to me, I can only state,
that if they are sincere in their wishes to come to an accommodation it
will give me great pleasure to meet them, remembering always, on such
principles as are consistent with the honour of Great Britain, and the
dignity of the King's Commission. In the first place, then, I say let
a chop be issued immediately, recalling the servants and workmen to their
respective Hongs, opening the markets as heretofore, and removing the
prohibition against all boats passing and repassing on the river. This
being done, 1 will then send the guard of marines, now in the factory,
back to the ships.
" I will then request the captains of the frigates to return to Chuenpee;
the merchants shall Petition the Viceroy to open the trade, and that being
done, immediately, I will request that one of them should return to the
Admiral in India, to prevent the reinforcements being sent.
'* Hang-tai shall be liberated, and not be made liable to any future
annoyance, for that which he did not do ; and for this I will bind myself
not to report the circumstance to the Emperor.
" Lord Napier shall have the privilege of passing and repassing
between Canton and Macao as he finds it necessary. The insulting
manner of writing his name shall no more be used ; and the Edict which
orders the trade to be opened, shall also contain an admonition to the
Chinese to treat the British and other foreigners with that respect and
hospitality which is due to strangers.
" I have, &c,
" (Signed) NAPIER."
The above letter having been read at a full meeting of the Hong
merchants, in their Consoo House, they said unanimously they could
secure the terms therein proposed would be agreed to ; and Howqua
with Mowqua proceeded to the city to lay them before the authorities.
On the morning of the 13th instant, they returned, saying the terms
proposed were inadmissible, and began to propose others, which Mr.
Jardine refused to listen to, telling them to communicate in writing what
they had to say.
Canton, September 14, 1834.
73
No. 29.
Extracts from the " Records of Proceedings."—(Received May 18, 1835.)
December 6, 1834.—The following joint Proclamation of the Gover
nor and Hoppo, is promulgated annually with the manifest intention of
keeping alive, in the minds of the people, feelings of contempt and
suspicion towards the foreigner. It has been considered proper to record
it in this place with a view to draw the attention of Her Majesty's
Government to the subject.
Annual proclamation against Hong merchants conniving at, and
abetting, vice in foreigners. Issued by the Governor and Hoppo, Novem
ber 15, 1834.
" Loo, Governor of the provinces Kwangtung and Kwangse, and
Pang, Superintendent of Customs at Canton, hereby issue a severe
interdict.
"The barbarians of outside nations who trade within the Central
territory, are in their spoken language unintelligible to, and in their
written language all different from [the Chinese], It is, therefore, very
difficult for them to understand clearly the proprieties, the laws, and
the prohibitory orders of the Celestial Empire; and on this account
security merchants and linguists have been appointed to rule and controul
commercial transactions. These persons ought, doubtless, continually to
instruct and guide [the barbarians], to repress their pride and profligacy,
and to insist on causing them to turn with all their hearts towards
renovation ; that both parties may enjoy the repose of gladness and gain,
every one keeping in his own sphere, and minding his proper business.
Moreover the security merchants are all men of property and respectable
family; it the more behoves them to have a tender regard for their face
and reputation, to trade with fairness and equity, and not to cheat or
deceive; then they will certainly be able to obtain the confidence of the
men from far.
" Now, on inquiry we find, that formerly there was a set of shameless,
lawless, Hong merchants, who, whenever the barbarians entered the port
and took lodgings, endeavoured to make a gain of them. For this purpose "
they adopted a hundred schemes to meet their wishes, bought young boys
for them, to act as servants and attendants; or procured boat prostitutes
for them, to gratify their libidinous dispositions; by so doing, not only
ruining the morals and manners of the public, but also, it is to be _
apprehended, creating disturbances.
" About this time, the foreign ships are successively arriving; and it is
really feared, that lawless vagabonds will again tread on their old habits.
Therefore, besides ordinary strict search to be made for the purpose of
seizure, we unite in issuing this strict interdict. To this end we address
it to the security merchants, the linguists, and the patrol and watchmen
behind the factories, requiring their universal acquaintance herewith.
"Hereafter, all are peremptorily required to have a tender regard for
their face and reputation, and to repent, with bitter contrition, of their
former faults. At every landing place behind the hongs where barba
rians reside, they must not allow the tanka boats to anchor. And when
barbarians pass up or down, between Canton and Whampoa, they must
not seek out and hire for them tanka boats having families on board.
" As to the foreign menials whom they bring with them, they are in
every way sufficient to attend on and serve them; they are not at all
permitted to hire and employ natives. If any presume to continue to hire
Chinese, and young boys for them as servants; or, forming unlawful
connexions with barbarians, lead them clandestinely to the tanka boats,
to drink wine and sleep with courtezans ; or, under the darkness of night,
secretly take ashore prostitutes into the factories ; so soon as the patrol
and watchmen, having found and seized them, reported the fact, or
so soon as such proceedings shall have been otherwise found out, the
lawless barbarians, together with the security merchants and linguists, ^
shall assuredly be sent to the local officers, to be tried and punished
Recording to law, with severity.
74
"As to the appointed patrol behind the factories, and the constables
of the district, if they presume to accept of bribes, purposely to connive
at, screen and conceal such practices, they shall, so soon as it is dis
covered, be made to wear the cangue, for one month, on the spot ; and, at
the expiration of that time, shall be brought before our court, and
immediately cudgelled to death.
" We, the Governor and Hoppo, will firmly adhere, without deviation,
to the law ; and will not assuredly show the slightest indulgence. Let
every one obey with trembling fear. Be careful not lightly to try an
experiment. A special proclamation.
" Taoukwang, 14th year, 5th moon, 15th day."
December 8, 1834.—The subjoined Edict is an Imperial answer in
reply to the Memorial respecting the late Lord Napier's departure from
Canton. Several other Edicts to the same effect having already been
forwarded to Viscount Palmerston, in the Chief Superintendent's des
patches, it has merely been considered necessary to record this one instead
of transmitting it in a despatch.
Imperial Edict in reply to the Governor and his colleagues' report of
Lord Napier having left Canton, and of the frigates having retired without
the Bogue, October 7th, 1834.
" On the 5th day of the 9th moon was issued the following Supreme
Mandate.
" ' A report has this day been received by a speedy post conveyance,
Ha-fung-ah, [the General Commandant of Canton], and his colleagues,
announcing that the English ships of war and barbarian Eye, had all
been conducted, under guard, out of the port.
" ' On this occasion, the English (barbarian Eye, Lord Napier, having
come to Canton for trade, did not pay obedience to the laws and statutes ;
and the said Governor, according to law, closed the ships' holds, after
which the said barbarian Eye still did not request a permit, but presumed
to order two ships of war to push in through the maritime entrance, and
to proceed straight up to Whampoa in the inner river. The said
Governor appointed civil and military officers, with troops, and addressed
communications requesting the appointment of naval vessels from the
Tartar force, and from those under the Admiral's command, as also
cruizing vessels from Sin-hwuy and other districts, which he stationed
severally along the passage before the ships of war, and at narrow and
important places on either shore. The people of the said barbarian ships
of war saw before them wooden spars ranged across and all around, on
the surface of the river, with guns and muskets [numerous] as the trees of
a forest, and large and small naval vessels stationed over a space of several
miles in length, while, on shore, military officers and men were encamped,
presenting a compact and united force, and a warlike array imposing and
alarming. The said barbarian Eye and others remained, therefore,
secluded in their boats, there being no interchange of intelligence between
those within and those without, and no way either to advance or to go
out. With dread and fear, they repented of their offences, and supplicated
earnestly for a permit to go down to Macao.
" ' The said Governor considered, that, as the said barbarian Eye and
others had transgressed the prohibitions with daring contempt, if they
were permitted at once to leave Canton, thus coming and going at their
own convenience, there would not be sufficient power to intimidate and
bring under the barbarians' tempers ; and, therefore, he commanded the
Hong merchants, Woo-tun-yuen and others, to question them sternly as to
what the said barbarian Eye wished to do; why he came to Canton,
without having obtained a permit, and presumed to bring the ships of war
suddenly into the inner river; also, why, when the soldiers opened a
thundering fire on them, did they presumptuously dare to discharge their
guns and return resistance? requiring from them clear and explicit
answers before permitting them to leave Canton.
" 'Afterwards a merchant of the said barbarians, Colledge, answered,
saying, " that Lord Napier is a barbarian Eye, and not the same as a
Taepan ; that he was unacquainted with matters of dignity ; that the
cause of the cruizers coming into the port was really to protect the goods,
in consequence of the holds of the merchant ships having been closed ;
and that, in consequence of the military at the maritime entrance having
opened a thundering fire on them, the barbarian force also discharged its
guns in self-defence, but that they had deeply repented of their fault."
Also the said nation's merchants and seamen, several thousands in num
ber, all considered the said barbarian Eye's disobedience of the laws and
statutes to be wrong, and there was not a single person who joined in
harmony with him.
" ' The said Governor considered, that as the said barbarian Eye, Lord
Napier, had confessed his faults and besought favour, and as all the
merchants had repeatedly made earnest supplications, it doubtless
behoved him to extend a slight trifling indulgence, and to drive him out
of the port; and he therefore permitted the said Hong merchants to
proceed to the Superintendent of Customs, to request and obtain a red
permit. The said Governor immediately appointed trusty, civil, and
military officers who, on the 19th day of the 8th moon, took Lord Napier
under guard outside of the port. Both the said barbarian ships of war
also started on the same day, and were conducted under guard outside of
the maritime entrance of the Bogue. All the naval and military officers
and men who had been stationed at various places were every one recalled,
and returned severally to their stations.
" ' At the time when it was equally impossible for the said barbarians
to advance or to recede, what difficulty would there have been in imme
diately exterminating them ? But these outside barbarians are in search
of gain : to intimidate them on points whereon they are unacquainted
with the laws and prohibitions, and to refuse altogether arguing with
them is what I, the Emperor, am extremely unwilling to do. If contume
lious, they should then be chastised ; if brought under subjection, they
should then be tolerated. The said Governor and colleagues, in conduct
ing this affair, have yet acted skilfully and correctly. Before, on account
of the said Governor and colleagues not having been able to take due
preventive measures before the business, thereby admitting the said
ships of war to push into the inner river, causing to the military the
labour of driving them out; my pleasure was therefore made known, that
they should be severally degraded from their rank, and openly punished.
Now, having driven the said barbarian Eye and others out of the port,
the said Governor and others, although at the beginning they failed in a
preventive guard, have in the end been able to settle the thing well and
securely, without loss of the national dignity, and without incurring any
bloody strife. I, the Emperor, am exceedingly well pleased.
" * Let Loo have favour shown him, by restoring to him the title, " guar
dian to the heir apparent;" and let also the double-eyed peacock's feather
be given back to him. The neglect of guard on the previous occasion,
renders it difficult for him to free himself wholly from blame; let him,
therefore, still continue degraded from official rank, though retained in
office. With regard to all the maritime guard officers, and the Naval
Commander-in-chief, the special responsibility rested on the late Com
mander-in-chief, Le, who has been already degraded. Now, as the matter
has been brought to an end, let further inquiry be dispensed with, and
let him be directed immediately to return to his native place. Let Kaou-
e-yung, the degraded Tsantseang of the Admiral's own division, wait till
after the month of wearing the cangue be accomplished, and then be
released. Let all the officers who guarded the forts with so much careless
ness, be made to wear the cangue, and after the expiration of the time,
let them be released.
"'In this I, the Emperor, show favour beyond the measure of the laws;
the said Governor and others ought but to feel shame, and arouse to
diligence, strenuously exerting themselves to stimulate a reform in the
affairs of the camp and of the maritime guard, from time to time instructing
and admonishing with sincerity. It is peremptory that they take their
former accumulated habits, and with contrition, eradicate them severally,
in order to cause the military to become all strong and powerful, so that
the martial name and dignity maybe strengthened, and the appointed
duties be performed. Respect this.' "
76
No. 30.
J. F. Davis, Esq., to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received May 12, 1835.)
My Lord, Macao, January 2, 1835.
IT is with much satisfaction that I now inclose to your Lordship the ac
companying translation of an Imperial edict, which, viewed in connexion with
the occurrences of August and September last, must be regarded as a document
of considerable importance.
This paper attributes the efforts of Lord Napier to obtain a direct commu
nication with the government, and the transactions consequent thereon, to the
numerous extortions of the Canton merchants, and observes, that the foreigners,
" unable to bear their grasping, stir up all disturbances." Were it at all pro
bable (which I feel assured it is not) that the grievances admitted in this Im
perial document, and ordered itherein to be redressed, were thus brought for
ward from any really spontaneous desire to do justice to strangers, and relieve
the Canton trade from its heavy burthens, this would at least prove that our
complaints, so often repeated, had at length reached the Court of Pekin.
There is., however, far greater probability in attributing this disposition to
criminate the Hong Merchants, to that feeling of uneasiness, which its present
position in respect to the English trade is so well calculated to excite in the
cautious and timid government of this country. A species of apology is thus
provided for the late occurrences, and a desire professed to remedy grievances
in expectation, perhaps, that the harsh, unreasonable and unprecedented
measure, of rejecting Lord Napier's first letter of announcement, and subsequent
attempts at direct correspondence, may expose it to the risk of future and em
barrassing discussions.
However desirable it may appear to His Majesty's Government to avoid, if
possible, the chance of a serious rupture with this country, at the same time
that every endeavour is made to ameliorate the condition of British traders at
Canton, it may with the utmost safety and certainty be averred, that the similar
desire on the part of the Chinese Government is no less sincere ; however care
fully it may be sought to be disguised under the absurd phraseology of its
official papers.
While the document above referred to, proposes relief to the fair trader of
Canton, another edict, of which I have also the honour to inclose a translation,
is levelled against the smuggling trade of Lintin and the coast. It is almost
needless to observe that, previous documents of the nature have proved entirely
nugatory, and that the opium trade, at last, has continued in spite of them.
It remains now to be seen, whether the native government, having its attention
at length awakened by the increased amount of smuggling transactions, conse
quent on the open trade of this season, will endeavour to give greater efficacy
to its edicts, and oppose some effectual impediments to the contraband commerce
of Lintin.
I have, &c,
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS,
Chief Superintendent.
77
Inclosure 1 in No. 30.
Imperial Edict, against extortions of Hong Merchants under the name of Duties,
and against incurring debts to Foreigners.
THE following supreme mandate has been received.
" There are at Canton, merchants who have of late been in the habit of
levying private duties, and incurring debts to barbarians ; and it is requested
that regulations be established to eradicate utterly such misdemeanors.
"The outside barbarians' commercial intercourse with the inner land,
exists, indeed, by the compassion exercised by the Celestial Empire. If all the
duties which are required to be paid, can, indeed, be levied according to the
fixed tariff, the said barbarian merchants must certainly pay them gladly, and
must continually remain tranquil. But if, as is now reported, the Canton
merchants have of late been in a feeble and deficient state, and have, in addition
to the Government duties, added also private duties, while fraudulent indivi
duals have further taken advantage of this, to make gain out of the Custom-
House duties, peeling off (from the barbarians) layer after layer ; and have
gone also to the extreme degree of the Government merchants, incurring debts
to the barbarians, heaping thousands upon ten thousands ; whereby are
stirred up sanguinary quarrels : if the merchants, thus falsely, and under the
name of tariff duties, extort, each according to his own wishes, going even to
the extreme degree of incurring debts, amount upon amount, it is not matter of
surprise if the said barbarian merchants, unable to bear their grasping, stir up
disturbances. Thus, with regard to the affair this year of the English, Lord
Napier and others, disobeying the national laws, and bringing forces into the
inner river, the barbarians being naturally crafty and artful, and gain being
their only object, we have no assurance that it was not owing to the numerous
extortions of the Canton merchants, that they, their minds being discontented,
thereupon craftily thought to carry themselves with a high hand. If regulations
be not plainly established, strictly prohibiting these things, how can the
barbarous multitude be kept in subjection, and misdemeanors be eradicated?
" Let Loo, and his colleagues, examine with sincerity and earnestness ;
and if offences of the above description exist, let them immediately inflict severe
punishments therefore ; let there be not the least connivance or screening. Let
them also, vith their whole hearts, consult and deliberate, and report fully, and
with fidelity, as to the measures they, on investigation, propose, for the secure
establishment of regulations, so as to create coufident hopes that the barbarians
will be disposed to submit gladly, and that fraudulent merchants will not dare to
indulge their desires of peeling and scraping them. Then will they (Loo and
his colleagues) not have failed of accomplishing the duties of their officers..
Make known this edict. Respect, this."
Inclosure 2 in No. 30.
Imperial Edict, against the importation of Opium.
November 3, 1834.
ON the 3rd day of the 10th moon (November 3rd), was received the
following supreme mandate.
" Loo and his colleagues have made a report of the existing circum >
stances of foreign vessels selling opium, and of the measures taken for
inquiring and acting with regard thereto. The Canton barbarian vessels
which clandestinely bring opium, chiefly dispose thereof in the outer seas;
having a race of native bandits hooked together with them, to afford
them supplies and remove (their cargoes). Loo and his colleagues have
given strict commands to the war vessels, from time to time to urge and
compel the barbarian vessels to get under weigh, and to prohibit the
native vessels and tanka-boat people from holding intercourse with the
barbarian vessels; also, with severity to seize the smuggling native
vagabonds.
" But when all the vessels are crowded together on the face of the
sea, it is difficult to separate the worthless stones and 'gems;' it only
remains, after the merchant vessels of every nation have sailed away,
to examine thoroughly, and if there be on the sea any warehousing
smuggling ships, immediately to send forth the naval force, and with a
great display of lofty dignity, strictly to drive them out. Orders should
further be given to the officers to appoint two cruizers to anchor at sea,
among the barbarian vessels, in order to make search, and to prevent
all native vessels and tanka-boats from approaching the barbarian
vessels to hold clandestine dealings with them; that thus the supply
of provisions may be cut off. If any native vagabonds go in fast-boats
to the barbarian vessels, to land the opium for sale, or clandestinely
to purchase goods, let them be immediately sought after, seized, and
brought to trial, and punished with severity. The military commandants
and the district magistrates, on the inner rivers, must also be held
responsible for appointing cruizing vessels at the maritime ports; to be
severally stationed, in positions previously arranged, so as to occupy
all the inlets communicating with the sea; and there to cruize about
in rotation throughout night, for the purpose of making seizures. If
any people, taking (opium) to sell, steal through, either inward or outward,
let them be immediately seized and committed. Let the custom-houses,
one and all, search strictly, and with real earnestness. And whenever a
seizure has been made of men or vessels smuggling what is contraband,
or evading the duties, let application be immediately made, according to
rule, and the parties be severally rewarded and encouraged. If any
officers are negligent in keeping up guard, or if soldiers or policemen
take fees to connive, let the soldiers or policemen be punished according
to law, and let the commanding officer be reported against with severity.
Let the local officers be commanded also to inquire after, and seize native
vagabonds who open 'opium furnaces,' making diligent search for them,
and punishing severely. If any officers do not act with fidelity, they
must, whenever convicted, be severely reported against. Let the Hong
merchants, likewise, be commanded to enjoin commands on the English
barbarian merchants, that they are mutually to examine and inquire,
and that if one vessel smuggle and evade the duties, all the vessels shall
be immediately prohibited trading; that thus they may themselves be
caused severally to investigate, and adopt preventive measures, which will
be a plan more sure and perfect.
" Loo and his colleagues, when they meet with any of these cases and
circumstances, must punish offenders, they are not permitted to extend
mercy towards them. Still more must they not, in lapse of time, become
careless and indolent, regarding this as a mere prepared document."
There is, further, a postscript to the report, stating, that " by nature
the barbarians have no other object but gain, and their clandestine trade
having existed long, they certainly will not contentedly relinquish it.
Either after the Government force has dispersed, they will come again, or
else they will creep, rat-like, into other provinces." The said Governor
and his colleagues are imperatively required to keep them under very
strict controul, maintaining, outside, a cruizing squadron of Government
vessels, and within, a strict guard at the maritime entrance ; so that they
may neither dispose of goods, nor yet be suffered to escape into other
provinces. To sum up, they are expected to form plans, and conduct the
matter securely, strictly prohibiting, till they eradicate offences; then will
they not have failed of fulfilling the duties of their offices. Respect this."
No. 31.
J. F. Davis, Esq., to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received May 18, 1835.,)
(Extr ct.) Macao, January 19, 1835.
AFTER the lapse of considerably more than three months since the
re-opening of the trade, consequent on Lord Napier's retirement from
Canton, I am tempted to take a brief review of the principal occurrences
79
of this period, as the best ground of an opinion concerning the measures
which His Majesty's Government may deem it fit to adopt relatively to
China.
I am aware that two courses of a very opposite nature, might have
been taken by me, subsequent to Lord Napier's decease, in lieu of the
one which, according to the best of my own judgment, and with the
entire concurrence of the Board, I have pursued; and which, considering
that a season of unusual commercial activity, and an increased amount
of tonnage, is now drawing quietly to a close with the monsoon, I see no
reason to regret. I might, in the first place, have tried the effect of a mea
sure which has not been without its advocates, and which (under very pecu
liar and favourable circumstances) was successful in 1814. 1 mean the
withdrawal of the ships from the river, and the stoppage of the trade on
our part. I do not deny that this might have been productive of con
siderable embarrassment to the local government for the time : but the
ill-success of such a course in the season of 1829-30, when the Company's
ships were detained for about five months to little or no purpose, was a
warning which I now do not regret having profited by. The effect of such
detention on private shipping would have been ruinous, and a serious
blow to the future trade with this country.
I might, on the other hand, have adopted the opposite extreme
measure of an immediate submission to the dictates of the local govern
ment, and have proceeded to Canton to place myself under the manage
ment of the Hong merchants; but from this I was deterred by the
conviction, stated to your Lordship in my despatch of the 11th November,
that " any adjustment ought to take place as the result of a mutual
necessity ; and that an unbecoming and premature act of submission on
our part, under present circumstances, could not fail to prove a fruitless,
if not a mischievous measure." I feel persuaded that it would have been
the most effectual means of preventing the Emperor's favourable edict,
inclosed in my despatch of the 2nd instant.
The proclamations of the Viceroy, (copies of which I had the honour
to forward under dates the 2nd and 11th November,) calling for the
election or appointment from home, of a "trading chief" betrayed the
difficulty which the local government had brought on itself by its refusal
to acknowledge Lord Napier. Translations of subsequent papers (not
intended for our perusal), which I had the honour to forward on the 18th
November, proved the importance which the local government really
attached to the trade, and its anxiety to avoid a rupture ; as well as the
responsibility which the Emperor had fixed on the Viceroy, in respect to
the preservation of tranquillity.
It was reasonably hoped by the Commission, that a complete silence
and abstinence from all further attempts to negotiate with the Canton
Government, pending the reference home, might be attended with a
favourable effect. The Imperial edict, forwarded with my despatch of the
2nd instant, in which the blame of the transactions of August and
September is thrown on the Hong merchants, and the late troubles
attributed to their extortions on the trade, must be viewed as an unequi
vocal sanction of that opinion. To repeat the words of my former
despatch, " a species of apology is thus provided for the late occurrences,
and a desire professed to remedy grievances, in expectation, perhaps, that
the harsh, unreasonable, and unprecedented measure of rejecting Lord
Napier's first letter of announcement, and subsequent attempts at direct
correspondence, may expose it to the risk of future and embarrassing
discussions.
An opportunity is afforded by this Imperial document, which His
Majesty's Government (should it be indisposed to accede to the Chinese
proposition of a "trading chief,") may not be inclined to neglect, in making
an appeal to the Court of Peking, against the conduct of its servants at
Canton, whose corrupt system, in relation to the European commerce,
tends nearly as much to defraud the Emperor of his dues, as to oppress
and discourage the foreign trader. I am at least persuaded, to repeat the
expression of my sentiments in a despatch to the Governor General, of
the 24th October, [Inclosure in No. 20 of this collection], that it could
80
be only the failure of such an appeal, that the policy and justice of any
coercive measures towards ■ the local government, would be otherwise
than questionable.
The crude and ill-digested Petition to His Majesty from a portion
of the English traders at Canton (for some of the most respectable
houses declined signing it) is said to have been drawn up by a casual
visitor from India, totally unacquainted with this country.
1 have, &ic,
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 32.
Extracts from the " Records of Proceedings."—(Received July 7, 1835.)
January 19, 1835.—MR. DAVIS has before expressed his conviction,
that during the quiet progress of the trade at Canton and Lintin, it is the
obvious duty of this Commission, under existing circumstances, to abstain
most carefully from any steps calculated to pledge His Majesty's Govern
ment as to the future, or to impede or embarrass in any way whatever, the
commercial transactions of individuals, during the interval that must
elapse previous to the receipt of instructions from home. The same sen
timents have been expressed in our communications to the Governor
General of India, with the full impression that it is expedient to afford to
His Majesty's Government the amplest time and choice in regard to its
measures, subsequent to the arrival of our despatches of last October.
On these grounds it was deemed most advisable to make no attempts at
negotiation with the Chinese Government, unless such available advances
should come from them as might warrant a departure from this rule.
With his original intention to quit China during the favorable moon-
soon, and his notice to that effect conveyed in his letter of the 17th July
last, Mr. Davis has waited since the middle of October to give full time
for the arrival of replies from Peking, and the development of the views
of the native authorities ; and the result has been a requisition for a
" trading chief," and not a king's officer. Under these circumstances it is
obvious that nothing remains to be done but to await the final determination
and arrangements of His Majesty's Government. With the concurrence
therefore, and sanction of the Board, Mr. Davis will adhere to his notice
intimated in July last) to the Foreign Office and the Court of Directors,
and since then conditionally repeated in a despatch to Viscount Palmerston,
under date the 13th October. But as his proceeding home "on leave,"
would according to the standing instructions, prevent the succession of
Captain Charles Elliot to the Board, he will, with a view to securing to
His Majesty's Commission, the valuable services of that gentleman, deem
it his duty to wave any claims, that the form of " absence on leave "
might afford himself, and vacate entirely his station on embarking; thereby
causing Captain Elliot to suceeed as a Superintendent by virtue of the
aforesaid Instructions.
(Signed) J. F. DAVIS.
In resigning the office of Chief Superintendent, Mr. Davis this day
delivered over to Sir George Best Robinson, His Majesty's Commission to
Lord Napier, together with all other official documents, Seal of Office, &c
January 21.—Mr. Davis embarked in the ship Asia for England.
January 22.—The Board assembled, and in pursuance to our
Instructions under the Royal Signet and Sign Manual, Sir George Best
Robinson assumed the office and duties of Chief Superintendent, Mr.
Astell that of Second, and Captain Elliot, late Secretary, that of Third
Superintendent.
81
A. R. Johnston, Esq., being nominated by the Chief Superintendent,
received his Commission as Secretary and Treasurer [to date from the day
of Mr. Davis' resignation], under the Seal and Signature of the three
Superintendents. •
No. 33.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received June 19, 1835.)
(Extract) Macao, January 24, 1835.
SINCE Mr. Davis' departure nothing of moment has occurred; but
I trust shortly to furnish your Lordship with much information, which I
have reason to hope will prove valuable, relative to ports and harbours
on the coast of China ; the state and nature of the native commerce thereat ;
and the probable advantageous result that would attend a well conducted
trade with places less shackled with the extortions and impositions to
which we have been so long subjected at Canton.
No. 34.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received June 19, 1835.)
(Extract.) Macao, February 3, 1835.
THE almost instant departure of the ship Robarts enables me merely
to communicate to your Lordship in the most brief manner, that a boat's
crew, consisting of 12 men belonging to the ship Argyle, bound from
Bengal to Canton, have fallen accidently into the hands of some lawless
or piratical people on the coast, forty or fifty miles westward of this port.
As soon as the circumstances reached the knowledge of the Superin
tendents, not a moment was lost in endeavouring to secure the assistance
of the Provincial Government, for the recovery of the people. I regret to
observe, however, that the Canton authorities refused to receive the state
ments from the hands of Captain Elliot, who was deputed to convey it,
because it was not made in the form of a Petition. Your Lordship may
rely upon our most anxious efforts to deliver these unfortunate people from
their perilous condition, and I will not fail to forward a detailed statement
of the matter, as well as all our proceedings therein, by the earliest
opportunity.
I have only time to add that the commerce is proceeding uninter
ruptedly, and there is no reason to apprehend it will be disturbed by this
unfortunate event.
No. 35.
Extract from the " Records of Proceedings."—(Received July 7, 1835.)
January 29, 1835.—Captain Macdonald of the Argyle, this day
appeared, and deposed to the following statement on oath :—
Appeared Alexander Macdonald, and deposed, that he is master of
the British ship Argyle ; states, that being bound from Bengal to Canton,
the ship fetched in between Hawchime and Lieuchee Island on the 21st
instant. Is quite certain that it was somewhere between these points that
the ship fetched, but cannot speak with more precision, because of the
state of the weather which had prevented him from observing for the four
previous days. Owing to the damage the sails had sustained, the ship
was anchored at this place, and, on the morning of the 22nd, at day-light,
deponent sent a boat on shore, then distant about two miles, with the
view to seek a pilot. The boat contained the second officer of the ship,
M
82
an European Sookanee, a Manilla Sookanee, and nine lascars, twelve in
number altogether. The boat was not armed, and Deponent is persuaded
that no outrage was offered to the natives by the boat's crew. The boat
did not return to the ship at all ; at about one o'clock, however, two
Chinese boats came off and communicated with the ship. The people
asked whether she was bound to Macao ? Deponent desired them to go on
shore, and send off his boat. They pretended to go, but returned,—that
is to say, two men returned in a sampan [a small boat] and intimated by
signs, that the boat's crew were seized. They offered, before the ship
left the place, on the 22nd, to bring the people back, if Deponent would
give them 500 dollars. He had not the money with him, and, under
all the circumstances of the case, he thought it best to repair to this place,
where he arrived to-day.
(Signed) ALEXANDER MACDONALD.
Sworn before me, this 29th day of January, 1835.
(Signed) G. B. ROBINSON,
Chief Superintendent.
As there appeared to be no doubt that these unfortunate men had
fallen into the hands of some of the notoriously lawless people upon the
part of the coast indicated in the deposition, the Superintendents deter
mined to lose no time in formally and respectfully reporting the circum
stances to the direct knowledge of the principal authorities at Canton.
With this view, they caused the following note to be translated into
Chinese by M. Gutzlaff, and its sentiments to be rendered in a manner
conformable to the genius of the language, and in accordance with those
respectful modes of communication adopted by public officers in their
reports to each other.
" To his Excellency the Governor of the two provinces of Kwangtung
and Kwangse.
" The Undersigned have the honor respectfully to represent to your
Excellency, that, &,c, [here was recited a succinct statement of the
circumstances.]
" The Undersigned are very conscious that your Excellency will hear
of the violent outrage committed by these evil-disposed people upon His
Majesty the King of England's subjects, driven by distress upon the coast,
with feelings of sincere regret ; and they have a firm confidence in the
earnestness of your Excellency's efforts to deliver these unfortunate
innocent men from their perilous condition with the utmost promptitude.
In the discharge of a solemn duty to the King their gracious Sovereign,
and in a sense of respect to your Excellency, it has been judged right to
submit this important representation in the most direct manner, by the
hands of a member of His Majesty's Commission, who is accompanied by
the captain of the ship, and is authorised to carry on any official commu
nications which may be needful. It has also been considered decorous and
reasonable to refrain from taking any urgent steps for the recovery of the
people, until your Excellency shall be made acquainted with the disastrous
transaction.
" The Undersigned avail themselves of this occasion to offer to your
Excellency the expression of their highest consideration and respect.
(Signed)
G. B. ROBINSON, 1st 1
" J. H. ASTELL, 2nd [Superintendent.'
"CHARLES ELLIOT, 3rd!
The version in Chinese of this document, as prepared by M. Gutzlaff,
is as follows :—
"La, Ah, and E, by British Royal Commission Superintendents of
their country's affairs, communicate jointly and respectfully to your
Excellency the Governor of the two Kwang, Loo.
" That on the first day of the first month, the 15th year of Taou
.
83
Kwang, (January 29th 1835), Ma, [Alexander Macdonald], a captain of
their nation, reported :
"That his ship called the Argyle, whilst on her voyage from
Bengal, met unfortunately with storms and made St. John's, when she
anchored in a harbour on the east coast, near to New-Keo-Chow.
" That, on the 23rd of the 12th month of the 14th year of Taoukwang
[January 21st, 1835], he sent his mate, two helmsmen, and nine sailors in
his boat on shore, with the intention of procuring a pilot, who might
guide his ship over the shoals to Macao.
" That the inhabitants of St. John's being unfortunately ruffians, seized
on a sudden upon our people, twelve in number, taking them prisoners,
and forcibly possessing themselves of their boat.
" That, although the said Captain strenuously exhorted them to
liberate his sailors, those ruffians demanded by way of extortion, 500
dollars, for which they would set them at liberty.
" That two of the inhabitants of St. John's came here in his ship to
receive that unjust bribe.
" This coming before us Superintendents, we prepared previously this
document to represent to your Excellency, that according to decorum,
we should not ourselves arbitrarily endeavour to get back our country
men, but we beseech your Excellency most earnestly to issue immediate
orders to those ruffians of St. John's, commanding them to give up our
countrymen without delay.
" The Superintendents being extremely desirous to fulfil the duties of
their office, which they hold by Royal Commission, could not sit down
with indifference, and see their people in the utmost danger, without
succouring and assisting them. They therefore deputed the Superin
tendent E. to repair with the said Captain Ma, to the provincial city, that
he might with his own hand present this document, and wait for an
official reply from your Excellency.
" Respectfully wishing your Excellency the enjoyment of peace and
happiness, we communicate in this document a true statement of the case.
" Done, January 30th, 1835.
" (Signed) CHARLES GUTZLAFF."
January 30, 1835.—Tt was considered to be desirable that the three
Superintendents should sign this Paper to the Governor, as it appeared to be
possible that this circumstance might give it rather the character of a
Report than a Letter [and it will be remembered that the pretext for re
fusing Lord Napier's first communication was, because it was a Letter] ; at
all events it was thought probable that the Chinese authorities might be
disposed to avail themselves of any change in the form, as a reason for receiv
ing the statement. The seals of the three Superintendents were affixed to
their signatures, but it was determined merely to attach a fly seal to the
envelope, because it was hoped, that to afford the officer who might be
deputed to communicate with us, the facility of reading it, would remove
every rational ground of objection. Upon the address was superscribed
a short sentence to the effect, that the report related to matter concerning
human life. These precautions being taken, it was arranged that the
third Superintendent [Captain Elliot] should be the bearer of the paper, and
with a view to prevent excitement, or any pretension that the communication
was tumultuously presented, it was resolved that the intention should be
kept perfectly secret, and that only two persons should accompany Captain
Elliot, viz. M. Gutzlaff and the Captain of the Argyle. It was also
decided that these gentlemen should not go to the factories at all, but
should repair direct to the water gate, [about a mile to the eastward of
the factories,] at which point an officer in the navy, of Captain Elliot's
rank [Captain Freemantle, in 1831] had recently delivered a letter from
the Governor General to the Viceroy. The result of this attempt is
described in the following papers.
February 4, 1835.—The annexed Minute is from the third Super
intendent.
M 2
84
Immediately upon the conclusion of our recent visit to the water-
fate, I requested M. Gutzlaff to take a note of the circumstances which
ad occurred there, because I rather preferred that the statement should
be made by another hand than my own. I have read his paper which
is annexed to this minute, with great attention, and I should say, that
it contains a complete and exact account of the transaction. There can
be little doubt that the person by whom I was principally beset, acted
only in the performance of his duty in resisting the entrance of any
foreigner into the city. It need hardly be observed, however, that he was
unnecessarily earnest and violent, because there was not the least
disposition on my part to force my way into the city, but simply to
maintain a position within the first wicket, as is usual on these occasions,
and to wait there for the arrival of any officers deputed by the Governor,
with whom I might confer. The two Mandarins of rank who did
eventually come, stayed only to declare that they could receive nothing
but a Petition, and therefore no opportunity was afforded to me formally
to complain of the unbecoming treatment I had experienced. But I
confess I cannot regret this circumstance, for it is very obvious that the
true responsibility of this and all other conduct of the same nature,
attaches entirely to the Government, and is by no means to be set aside
by the imputation of blame to their subaltern officers. It belongs generally
to that spirit of unreasonable and dangerous impracticability with relation
to the point of direct intercourse between the public officers of the two
countries, which is so completely a subject for the consideration and
disposal of His Majesty's Government.
The awakening of eager solicitude upon the part of the highest
authorities, for the rescue of the king's subjects, and the inducing a
serious determination vigorously to pursue the offenders, were the great
objects of immediate concern to the Commission, and to this extent there
can be no doubt that our Mission was completely successful.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Third Superintendent.
Mr. Gutzlaff''s report.—Sunday morning, 1st February, 1835, His
Majesty's third Superintendent, Captain Elliot, R.N., the master of the
British ship Argyle, Alexander Macdonald, and myself, arrived opposite
the third pagoda in Canton river.
We went in a three-oared boat to a landing place near the Yew-Ian
Gate, which leads to the Governor's palace, in order to present a document
from His Majesty's Superintendents, addressed to his Excellency the
Governor, wherein they requested him to give orders for the liberation of
twelve British subjects who had been forcibly seized upon by some natives
of St. John's, and belonged to the British ship Argyle.
His Majesty's third Superintendent, Captain Elliot, wore the uniform
of a post captain of His Majesty's navy, and directed us both to behave
towards himself, in the presence of the Mandarins, with the greatest
respect, to give an additional proof that he was a King's officer. He also
requested me to be courteous in the extreme, when engaged in conversa
tion with the Mandarins, and not to offer any resistance, should violence
be used towards us.
We entered, accordingly, the Yew-Ian Gate, and had proceeded a few
houses farther, when, all on a sudden, the soldiers fell upon Captain Elliot,
one of them, a second lieutenant, with a brass knob, grasping the hilt of
his sword and struggling with him for several minutes, until Captain
Elliot fell on the ground. In the mean while, I addressed the soldiers in
a loud voice, that the gentleman whom they maltreated was an officer of
His Britannic Majesty, and came here upon a most urgent affair, which
concerned the lives of twelve British subjects, but they did not listen, and
pushed him very hard. I then placed myself near a pillar, and endea
voured to reason with these violent men, which had the desired effect, for,
upon hearing that we came in the service of His Britannic Majesty, they
desisted from offering violence to me ; nevertheless, they continued to treat
Captain Elliot with the greatest indignity, whilst I myself went up the
street to find out, if possible, an officer of rank ; but not succeeding, I
'85
turned back, and saw Captain Elliot, and afterwards Macdonald, forcibly
dragged and pushed through two wicket gates. Hereupon, I most
solemnly, in the hearing of all bystanders, protested, that Captain Elliot,
being an officer of His Britannic Majesty, had come hither with a docu
ment addressed to his Excellency the Viceroy, concerning the lives of
twelve British subjects, and was on no account to be ill-treated. I exhorted
them to abstain from this outrage, but the lieutenant, as well as the other
soldiers, answered me with a sneer, took hold of me, and threw me out of
the gate. .'
We stood now between the Yew-Ian and the two wicker gates, when
we were met by a military Mandarin, in his uniform, wearing a blue knob,
and being preceded by several men who carried chairs. To him Captain
Elliot addressed himself, and presented the document, which he refused to
receive, and I was then requested to state to the said Mandarin, in plain
terms, that this was His Britannic Majesty's officer, who had come here
upon a most important affair which concerned the lives of British
subjects, and was anxious to hand this document to a Mandarin of rank,
that he might transmit it to his Excellency the Governor. He treated this
appeal with contempt. I, therefore, showed him the outside of the docu
ment, where it was stated, that this matter was of the highest importance,
and concerned the lives of British subjects. He read it and sneered con
temptuously. Captain Elliot then requested, through me, that the lieute
nant who had treated him, a British officer, with such indignity, should
be punished. The military Mandarin laughed, saying, " You an officer !"
We pointed, therefore, to the epaulets and the other insignia of rank, and
the bystanding soldiers remarked, that gold naturally indicates rank,
whilst the officer silenced them and sneered. He then took off his upper
robes, and Captain Elliot declined any farther conversation.
Whilst the Mandarin withdrew, we were exposed to a great mob,
drawn hither by curiosity, in witnessing so extraordinary a scene. The
soldiers now collected in greater numbers, and placed themselves before
the wicket gate where we stood, some of them having whips, in their
hands, whilst others appeared on the opposite side, and drove the multitude
away.
Shortly afterwards some Linguists came and desired to converse with
us. Captain Elliot requested me to tell them, that we wished to commu
nicate our affairs to a messenger from the Viceroy, a Mandarin of rank.
This I told them in Chinese ; and farther refused to hold any conversation
with any man who was not an officer of Government.
We had waited half an hour longer, when several Mandarins, all in
their State uniform, arrived ; and amongst them we observed Mowqua, a
senior Hong merchant, who wore a peacock's feather and a crystal globe.
The same Linguist addressed us again, and desired that we might com
municate the affair, and give him the document. As he, however, met
with a refusal the gates were thrown open, and we were brought into the
presence of two general officers, who wore red buttons, and had seated
themselves in the Watch-house. As soon as Captain Elliot tried to sit
down, they rose, and he presented, most respectfully, the document to one
of them ; but the Mandarin refused to receive it. These officers, as we
were told, had been deputed by the Governor, and I therefore again
stated in a loud voice, that Captain Elliot was a British officer, who was
come here to represent a most urgent case which concerned the lives of
twelve British subjects ; but he replied, " we only receive Petitions." I
showed him the cover of the document, upon which the above words were
written, which he read. After this both left us abruptly, and repeated,
" We only receive petitions." We therefore withdrew, and returned to
our boat.
(Signed) CHARLES GUTZLAFF,
Joint Interpreter.
[Mem.: F. O., 1840.—IT is not necessary to state all that subse
quently passed between the Superintendents and the Chinese authorities
relating to this case : suffice it to say, that the authorities are represented
to have exerted themselves zealously ; that on the 20th of February,
86
intelligence was received at Macao, that the officer and boat's crew of the
' Argyle had arrived at Canton on the 18th ; that they were restored to
their ship on the 19th ; that the ship was secured in the usual way ;
and that the first part of her cargo reached Canton on the 23rd.]
No. 36.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Lord William Bentinck, Governor General of
India, transmitted to the Foreign Office by the Secretary to the
Superintendents. —(Received July 7, 1835.)
(Extract.) Macao, February 21, 1835.
SINCE the departure of Mr. Davis the trade has been drawing unin
terruptedly to a close, nearly all the ships with tea cargoes having
sailed.
With regard to the actual position of affairs, from the circumstances
of our removal from Canton, and being cut off from communication with
the natives generally, I am unable to furnish any decided opinion of my
own ; but from the most authentic private information I have strong
reasons to believe, that, under an assumed appearance of perfect indiffer
ence, the local authorities are in a state of extreme apprehension and
disquietude, as to the consequences likely to result from the events of the
past year. The Canton population are said to be intensely anxious, and
to interest themselves greatly in the question of our political situation
with their Government.
No. 37.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received July 7, 1835.,)
(Extract.) Macao, February 27, 1835.
I HAVE now the honour to forward to your Lordship the first of a
Series of Essays or Remarks by the Rev. Charles Gutzlaff*.
Fully impressed with the great importance of transmitting every
intelligence respecting this country, immediately on assuming the duties
of office, I requested Mr. Gutzlaff would furnish me with any information
likely to prove of moment or interest, being convinced no person could be
so well qualified as this gentleman who, your Lordship must be aware,
has had more remarkable and favourable opportunities of making
-observations and thereby forming opinions, than perhaps any other
European, at least in modern times. If this assertion should be ques
tioned, on the ground that many others have resided for a longer period
in the country, I may be permitted to observe, that men engaged in
mercantile or other pursuits at Canton, confined within narrow limits,
and only deriving casual information from ignorant if not interested
persons, Hong merchants, Linguists, and servants, cannot, I presume, be
quoted as equally good authority with an individual who, disregarding all
the luxuries and comforts of civilized life, has not only visited the coast
in European vessels, but adopting the dress, habits, and, what is more
surprising, the language of these people, has associated with them on a
familiar footing in various places, known formerly to no Europeans, and
now only to a few. Of an energetic and enthusiastic disposition, influ
enced by the highest motives, and carried away perhaps by over-sanguine
hopes and expectations in his religious views, it is possible Mr. Gutzlaff
may have adopted some fallacious ideas, as to the facilities of extending
British commerce to other ports in China; but I am thoroughly con
vinced the most successful results would attend decided and vigorous
* The substance of this and all Mr. Gutzlaff's other Essays on the Statistics of China, sent to the
Foreign Office by the Superintendents, has been printed in a work published by Mr. Gutzlaff in Lon
don, in the year 1S38, called " China Opened.''
87
measures on the part of the British Government, to achieve an object of
such infinite importance.
I cannot speak from personal experience, having never visited the
coast ; but from the period when the first ship, the Merope, Captain
Parkyns, 1820-21, commenced the system of delivering opium at various
places, I have closely questioned intelligent men, who have had opportu
nities of making observations ; and the result of my inquiries is the
conviction, that the people are intensely desirous to engage in traffic,
certain to prove alike advantageous to themselves and to foreigners ; that
the Mandarins are anxious to benefit thereby, but are, relunctantly
perhaps, compelled to enforce the prohibitions regarding trade ; and that
an opening for almost unbounded commercial operations would be the
desirable effect of little more than a demonstration on the part of our
Government, of a determination to establish a proper understanding in
the political and commercial relations of the two countries.
The ease and fluency of Mr. Gutzlaff's style afford a striking proof
of the aptness of this gentleman, a native of Stettin in Prussia, in
acquiring languages, and of the proficiency which he attains.
Throughout his writings, your Lordship will perceive an anxious
wish to call our attention to the incalculable advantages that would
accrue from the establishment of a trade at other ports in China, and the
facility with which he anticipates so important an object might be
accomplished.
No. 38.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received -August 6, 1835.)
My Lord, Macao, March 30, 1835.
I HAVE the honour to inclose a document recently issued from the
Hoppo's office, containing a memorial from the Provincial Government
to the Emperor, embodying eight regulations respecting the foreign trade
and intercourse. These restrictions are described in the memorial to be
"additional and altered." I cannot say, however, that the alterations
or additions are framed in such a spirit, or proceed to such an extent,
as would render adherence to these eight rules at all more compatible
with the conduct of the trade, or our continuance in the country for one
month, than to the eight several times multiplied, already deposited in
the Company's Archives. In fact, perhaps I need hardly observe to your
Lordship, that the single object of the republication of these instruments
from time to time, is to enable the Local Government to evade respon
sibility, in every conceivable contingency which may arise out of the
foreign intercourse, by fixing the duty of a most minute controul upon
other persons. Whilst things proceed in a quiet and usual course,
the regulations are not adverted to, but the moment there is the smallest
degree of present inconvenience, the provincial authorities turn to this
most comprehensive rubric of prohibitions, and immediately pronounce
that certain traitorous Hong merchants, &c, &c, (always choosing men
of substance,) have been guilty of a breach of the laws of the empire.
Their own vindication in the eyes of the Emperor is then attempted, and
pretty generally achieved by the vigorous pursuits of these victims, fining
them heavily, or putting them to death, or both, as the urgency of the
case shall seem to require. I am disposed to believe that the publication
of this document, just now, may be taken to afford some evidence of
a state of considerable disquietude, some expectation of difficulties at
hand: at all events, I know of no other observation with which it appears
to be worth while to trouble your Lordship upon the subject. The posture
of public affairs in this country continues unchanged since the date of my
despatch of the 4th ultimo.
I have,
VC, &c
UH..,
(Signed) G. B. ROBINSON,
Chief Superintendent.
88
Inclosure in No. 38.
Document from the Hoppo, containing a Memorial from the Canton
Government to the Emperor, with Eight Regulations restrictive of
Foreign Trade.
March 8, 1835.
PANG, by Imperial appointment, Superintendent of the Maritime
Customs of Canton, &ic, &.c, issues this order to the Hong merchants,
requiring their full acquaintance with the contents thereof.
I have received the following communication from the Governor.
" Whereas I, the Governor, united, on the 28th day of the 1st moon, in
the 15th year of Taoukwang, with your Excellency the Hoppo, and the
Lieutenant-Governor of Kwangtung, Ke, in framing a respectful memorial
concerning restrictive regulations, decided on for direction of the trade
and of barbarians. We must now await the receipt of a reply in vermilion
(i. e. in the Imperial hand-writing), when the same shall be reverently
recorded and communicated to you.
" A communication ■ is at the same time addressed to the Governors
of the Metropolitan Provinces (Chihle and Keangnan), and of Minche,
(Chekeang and Fuhkeen,) and to the Lieutenant-Governors of the
provinces Keangsoo, Chekeang, and Fuhkeen, requesting that they would
issue general orders to all civil and military officers along the coasts
within their jurisdiction, strictly to command that the merchant-ships,
hereafter, when resorting to Canton to purchase foreign goods, shall one
and all repair to the chief custom-house of Canton, and request a stamped
manifest, enumerating the goods and their quantities, likewise to disallow
private purchases; and also to maintain strict investigation, that if any
vessels from sea, bringing home transmarine goods, be found on exami
nation, to be without the stamped manifests of the custom-house, such
goods may be immediately regarded as contraband, and examination
made, and punishment inflicted, according to the regulations.
" Instructions also are given to the Tungche of Macao, for him
immediately to give strict orders to the pilots, the compradors, and so
forth, that they may obey and act accordingly. Hereafter they are
imperatively required to adhere to the regulations established by memo
rial to the Emperor; they are to be careful in piloting vessels, and they
must not unlawfully combine (with foreigners) to smuggle, if the barbarian
ships go out or come in contrary to the regulations, or if the barbarians
clandestinely go about in small boats to places along the coast, rambling
about the villages and farms ; the said pilots are to be assuredly brought to
a strict investigation, if there be any sale or purchase of contraband goods,
or stealthy smuggling of goods liable to duty, and the compradors fail to
report according to the truth, they also are to be immediately punished
with rigour, and are decidedly to have no indulgence shown to them.
"Instructions are likewise given to the Porchingsze and Anchasze,
to examine and act in accordance with the tenor of the copy of the
memorial, and immediately to transmit directions to the civil and military
officers along the coast (of the province), to act in obedience thereto;
also to command the Hong merchants and linguists to enjoin orders on
the barbarian merchants of every nation, that they may, one and all, act
in obedience thereto, and not oppose.
" Besides all this, it is fitting that I address this communication to
you the Hoppo, that you may in accordance with the tenor of the copy
of the memorial, issue orders on all points, to the Hong merchants ana
linguists, that they may enjoin orders on the barbarian merchants of
every nation, for them to obey and act accordingly."
This coming before me, the Hoppo, I unite the circumstances and
issue this order. When the order reaches the said merchants, let them
act in obedience to the tenor of the copy of the memorial, and enjoin
orders on the barbarian merchants of every nation, that they may
pay obedience thereto. Oppose not ! A Special Order !
Annexed is a paper, containing a fair copy of the memorial, as
follows :—
89
" A reverent memorial, respecting restrictive regulations, determined
on for the direction of the trade, and of barbarians, is hereby presented,
imploring the sacred glance to be cast thereon.
" With reference to barbarians from beyond the outer seas, coming
to Canton to trade, since the time when, in the 25th year of Keen-Lung,
(1760,) restrictive enactments were fixed by a representation (to the
throne), there have also been further regulations, from time to time,
namely, in the 14th year of Keaking, (1810,) and in the llth year of
Taoukwang, (1831,) determined on, by the several former Governors and
Lieutenant-Governors ; and on representation (to the throne) the same
have been sanctioned ; obedience has been paid to them ; and they have
become established laws. These have been complete and effectual. But
in length of days, wherein they have been• in operation, either they have
in the end become a dead letter, or there have gradually sprung up
unrestrained offences.
" Last year the English Company was ended and dissolved. The
said nation's merchants come at their own option to trade. There is
none having a general controul. Although commands have been issued
to the said nation's barbarian merchants, to send a letter home to their
country, to continue the appointment of a Taepan who shall come to
Canton, for the direction and controul (of affairs) ; yet, as the merchants
are now many, and individuals are mingled together, while affairs are
under no united jurisdiction, it is necessarily required that regulations
should be enacted and published, in order to furnish matter to be obeyed
and adhered to. But the affairs of time have variations of present and
past ; and, since the English barbarians' Company is dissolved, the
attendant circumstances of commerce are also slightly different from what
they before were.
" Besides those old regulations, respecting which it is unnecessary
further to deliberate, but all which, as formerly, continue to be distinctly
enumerated in plain commands : and, besides the regulations regarding
the management of barbarian debts, and regarding the strict seizure of
smugglers, both which have already been specially represented, there are
still regulations which require to be reconsidered, for the purpose of
adding or altering. These, we, your Majesty's Ministers, calling into
Council with us the Porchingsze and Anchasze, have carefully deliberated
upon.
" The rules of dignified decorum should be rendered awe-striking, in
order to repress overstepping presumption ; the bonds of intercourse
should be closely drawn, in order to eradicate Chinese traitors ; the
restraints on egress and ingress should be diligently enforced; the
responsible task of investigation and supervision should be carefully
attended to. Then, surely, with regard to the restrictive enactments, will
there be increasingly displayed minute care and diligence. At the same
time, the Hong merchants should be strictly commanded to trade fairly
and equitably, each regarding highly his respectability, in order that all
the foreigners, thoroughly imbued with the sacred dew of favour, may
universally quake with awe, and be filled with tender regard.
" Looking upwards, to aid our Sovereign's extreme desire to soothe
into subjection the far-coming barbarians, and to give attention and
weight to the maritime guard, we respectfully join these expressions, in
a reverent and duly prepared memorial ; and also take the eight regula
tions which we have determined on, and, making separately a fair copy
thereof, respectfully offer them for the Imperial perusal ; prostrate sup
plicating our Sovereign to cast the sacred glance thereon, and to impart
instruction. A respectful memorial.
" Taoukwang, 15th year, 1st moon, 28th day. (February 25, 1835.)"
"We respectfully take eight additional and altered regulations,
restrictive of the barbarians, whereon we have deliberated and decided ;
and, having attentively made a fair copy thereof, we, with reverence,
offer them for the Imperial perusal."
1. The outside barbarians' ships of war conveying goods are not
permitted to sail into the inner seas. It is requisite to enforce with strict-
N
90
ness the prohibitory commands, and to make the naval force responsible
for keeping them off.
On examination, it appears, that the trading barbarians may bring
ships of war to protect their goods themselves. This has, for a long time
past, been the case. But the regulation hitherto existing only permits
them to anchor in the outer seas, there waiting till the cargo vessels leave
the port, and then sailing back with them. They are not allowed to
presume to enter the maritime port. From the period of the reign of
Keaking onwards, they have gradually failed to pay implicit obedience to
the old rule ; and, last year, there was again an affair of irregularly
pushing in through the maritime entrance. Although the said barbarians,
sailing into the shallow waters of the inner river, can effect nothing in the
least, yet restrictive measures always should be perfect and complete.
With regard to the line of forts at the Bocca Tigris, there are now some
additional erections, and some removals in progress ; and, at the same
time, more cannon are being cast, and measures of preparation and
defence are being determined on. It is, besides this, requisite to enforce
with strictness the regulations and prohibitions.
Hereafter, if a ship of war of any nation, conveying goods, presume
to enter either of the maritime ports of Cross harbour, or the Bocca Tigris,
the barbarian merchants' cargo vessels shall have their holds altogether
closed, and their trade stopped ; and, at the same time, she (the ship of
war) shall be immediately driven out. The Naval Commander-in-chief
also shall be held responsible, whenever he meets with a ship of war of
the outside barbarians anchored in the outer seas, to give commands
immediately to all the officers and men of the forts, that they apply
themselves to the object of keeping up preventive measures against the
same ; also to lead forth in person the naval squadron ; to cruize about
with them in guard of all the maritime entrances ; and to unite their
strength to that of the forts, for the purpose of guarding against (any
such ship of war). Should the officers or soldiers be guilty of negligence
and indolence, they shall be reported against with severity. It is impera
tively necessary that the power of the naval and land forces should be
made to act in unbroken concert, so that the barbarian ships may have
no way of irregularly pushing through.
2. When barbarians stealthily transport muskets and cannon, or
clandestinely bring up foreign females or foreign sailors, to the provincial
city, the Hong merchants shall be held responsible in all points, for
investigating the matter.
It appears on examination, that barbarians may carry with them one
sword, one rapier, and one gun, each ; this the regulations do not prohibit.
But if they presume, besides this, to bring cannon and muskets, or other
military weapons, and foreign females, up to the provincial city, the fixed
regulations hold the men and officers of the guard stations responsible for
finding out and stopping them. The guard stations have indeed the res
ponsible duty of searching and discovering ; but the barbarian merchants
at Canton, dwelling in the outside barbarians' factories, the apartments
which they occupy are all rented by them from the Hong merchants. The
said merchants' ears and eyes being so close to them, they certainly cannot
be ignorant (of anything they do) ; it is evidently befitting that they
should be held responsible for investigating and finding out.
Hereafter, the barbarians of every nation shall be utterly disallowed
bringing up muskets, cannon, or other military weapons, or foreign
females, or sailors, to the provincial city. If any should clandestinely
bring them up, the Hong merchants from whom their factory is rented,
shall be held responsible for discovering and preventing it, and for dis
allowing them to be brought into the factory ; and for at the same time
repairing to the local magistrate to report (any such attempt). Should he
suffer, connive at, and conceal such, the said Hong merchant shall be
punished according to the law against clandestine intercourse with outside
nations. The officers and men of the guard stations, who fail to discover
such misdemeanors, shall also be severally tried and rigorously punished,
as guilty of failing to investigate, and wilfully conniving !
3. Pilots and compradors of barbarian ships, must have licenses from
91
the Tungche of Macao ; it must not be allowed that they should be
privately hired.
It is found on examination, that in the office of the Tungche of Macao,
there have hitherto been appointed fourteen pilots ; and whenever a bar
barian ship arrives in the sea outside of the Bocca Tigris, a report should
be made to the said Tungche, that he may command a pilot to take the ship
into the port. For the provisions and necessaries required by the bar
barian merchants on board the ship, a comprador should be employed,
who is also selected from among men conspicuous in their native village
for substance and property, and is appointed by the said Tungche to fill
the station. Of late, there has constantly been a set of vagabonds in the
outer seas, falsely acting in the capacity of pilots, who artfully make away
with the goods of barbarians, and then run off. There has also been a
class of vagabonds who craftily assume the name of compradors, and
unlawfully combine for the purpose of smuggling, and other illegalities.
When the thing is discovered, and search is made for them, their names
and surnames having been falsely assumed, there are no means of finding
and bringing them to trial.
Hereafter, the Tungche of Macao, when appointing pilots, shall ascer
tain fully, their age, and outward appearance, their native place and habits
of life, and .shall then give them a place in the list (of pilots), and also a
sealed and signed waist-warrant*. A list also shall be kept of them, and a
full report respecting them sent to he governor's office and to the Custom
house, to be there preserved. When they have to pilot in a barbarian
ship, a sealed license shall be given to them, stating explicitly the names
and surnames of the pilot and of the master of the ship ; which when the
guard stations have verified, they shall let the ship pass on. Any men
without the sealed and signed waist-warrant, the barbarian ships must
not hire and employ.
With regard to the compradors required by the barbarian ships, when
anchored at Macao or Whampoa, they must all have waist-warrants given
to them by the said Tungche, and must be subject at Macao, to examination
by the said Tungche, and at Whampoa, to examination by the Pwanyee-
heen magistrate. If the barbarian ships come in or go out contrary to
the regulations, or if the barbarians clandestinely go about in small boats
to places along the coast, rambling among the villages and farms, the
pilots shall be brought to a strict investigation. And if there be any sel
ling or purchasing of contraband goods, or any stealthy smuggling of
goods liable to duty, and the compradors do not report the same according
to the truth, their offences shall be rigorously punished.
4. With regard to hiring and employing natives in the barbarian
factories, there must be limits and rules clearly settled. ,
On examination, it appears, that it was formerly the regulation that
the trading barbarians should not be permitted to hire and employ any
natives except linguists and compradors. In the 11th year of Taoukwang,
it was, on representation (to the throne), permitted, that in the barbarian
factories, for gate-keepers, and for carriers of water, and carriers of goods,
natives might be hired for (foreigners) by the compradors. But the silly
populace earnestly gallop after gain, and possess but little shame. And,
adjoining the provincial city, are many persons who understand the bar
barian speech. If the barbarians be allowed to hire them at their own
pleasure, it will be difficult to prevent unlawful combination and traitorous
procedure. It is evidently befitting that a limit and rule should be fixed,
and that. a special responsibility should be created.
Hereafter, in each barbarian factory, whatever the number of bar
barians inhabiting it, whether few or many, it shall be permitted only to
employ two gate-keepers, and four water-carriers : and each barbarian
merchant may hire one man to keep his goods. It shall not be permitted
to employ any more beyond this limited number. These men, the com-
-prador of the barbarian factory shall be held responsible for hiring; the
* This is a piece of wood with characters cut thereon, to be carried about the person, hence called
■" waist-warrant."
N 2 *
92
linguists shall be held responsible for securing and filling up the places of
the compradors ; and the Hong merchants shall be held responsible for
securing, and filling up the places of, the linguists. (This will be) a
shutting-up regulation, extending through progressive grades. If there
be any illicit combination, or breach of law, only the one who hired and
stood security shall be answerable. At the same time, commands shall
be given to the Superintending Hong merchants, to make out monthly a
fair list of the names and birthplaces of the compradors and coolies under
each barbarian's name, and hand it in to the district magistrate, to be
kept in the archives, ready at any time to be examined. As to the carriers
of goods, the linguists shall be commanded to hire them temporarily, when
the time comes (that they are required) ; and when the business is
finished, to send them back. As to the natives being hired, to become the
menial attendants of barbarian merchants, under the name of shawan,
(servants,) it shall be eternally prohibited. Should barbarian merchants
hire coolies beyond the limited number, or clandestinely hire shawan
(servants) as menial attendants, the linguists and Hong merchants shall
both receive punishment.
5. With regard to barbarians' vessels sailing about in the inner river,
there should be reductions and limitations severally made, and the
constant practice of idly rambling about should be prohibited.
It appears, on examination, that the barbarian trading vessels, when
they enter the port, anchor at Whampoa. In going to and fro, between
Canton and Macao, the English Company's skippers only have hitherto
been permitted to travel in flag-bearing sampan boats. This kind of
sampan is a boat with a rather large hull, and a deck over it, rendering
it easy to carry in it military weapons and contraband goods. Now that
the Company has been dissolved, all the flag-bearing sampan vessels
should be done away with.
As to the barbarians residing in the barbarian factories, they are not
permitted to presume to go in and out at their own pleasure. In the 21st
year of Keaking (1816), during the period of the former governor, Tseang,
being in office, it was arranged, that on three days in every month, namely
the 8th, 18th, and 28th, they should be permitted■ to ramble about once, in
the neighbourhood. Of late years, the said barbarians have continually
disobeyed the old regulations, it is imperatively necessary to enforce
powerfully the prohibitory commands.
Hereafter, all the barbarians, when their ships reach Whampoa, if they
have any business requiring them to go to and fro, between Canton and
Macao, or to interchange letters, shall only be permitted to use uncovered
sampans, they may not again use flag-bearing sampan vessels. When the
small sampans pass the custom-houses, they must wait until they are
searched ; and should they have in them contraband goods, or cannon, or
other military weapons, they must be immediately driven out. The bar
barians residing in the factories shall only be permitted to ramble about
once a day, on the 8th, the 18th, and the 28th days of each month, in the
neighbouring flower gardens, and the Hae-chwang-sze temple (on Honan).
Each time there must not be more than ten individuals, and they must be
limited to the hour of 5 in the evening to return to their factories. They
must not be permitted to remain out to sleep or to drink liquor. If, when
it is not the day when they may receive permission, they should go out
to ramble, if they should exceed the number of ten individuals, or if they
should go to other villages, hamlets, or market places, to ramble about,
the Hong merchants and linguists shall both receive punishment.
6. When barbarians petition on any subject, they should in all cases
petition through the medium of the Hong merchants, in order that the
dignity of Government may be rendered impressive.
On examination, it appears, that the written characters of outside
barbarians, and of the Central flowery people are not of the same nature.
Among them (the former,) there are some who have a rough knowledge
of Chinese characters, but they are unacquainted with style and good
diction, and are ignorant of the rules required for maintainance of dignity.
When they petition on affairs, the expressions used are void of intelligent
signification, and there is always much that it is difficult to explain.
93
They also, in an irregular manner, adopt epistolary forms, and confusedly
proceed to present papers themselves, greatly infringing the dignity
of government. Moreover, that for one and the same barbarian affairs,
petitions should be presented, either through the medium of the Hong
merchants, or by barbarians themselves, is an inconsistent mode of
acting.
Hereafter, on every occasion of barbarians making petitions on any
affairs, they must always have the Hong merchants to petition and state
the circumstances for them. It is unnecessary that they should them
selves frame the expressions of the petitions. If there be an accusation
to be brought against a Hong merchant, on any affair, and the Hong
merchants may perhaps carry it oppressively, and refuse to petition for
them, then the barbarians may be allowed to go themselves to the offices
of the local magistrates, and bring forward their charges ; and the Hong
merchants shall be immediately brought to examination and trial.
7. In securing barbarian ships by Hong merchants, there should be
employed both securities by engagement and securities by rotation, in
order to eradicate clandestine illegalities.
It is found on examination, that when barbarian ships come to
Canton, the old rule is, that they should be secured by all the Hong
merchants in successive rotation, and if they transgress the laws, the
security merchants are alone responsible. Afterwards it was appre
hended that securing by rotation was attended by offences of grasping
and oppressive dealing, and all the Keankeo barbarian (i. e. country)
ships were therefore permitted themselves to invite Hongs to become
their securities. Now, the Company has been dissolved, and the bar
barian ships that come are scattered, dispersed, and without order; if
the responsibility of being secured by the Hong merchants in rotation be
again enforced, as formerly, it is apprehended that offences of extortionate
oppression will arise. And yet, if suffered themselves to choose their
securities, it is difficult to insure that there will not be acts of unlawful
combination.
Hereafter, when the barbarian ships arrive at Canton, they shall still,
as formerly, be permitted to invite Hongs wherein they have confidence,
to become their engaged securities, and all the trade in goods, the
requesting permits, the payment of duties, and the transaction of public
affairs, shall be attended to by the engaged security merchant. In the
payment of duties, the tariff regulations shall be conformed to; it shall
not be allowed to make the smallest fractional addition. At the same
time, to each vessel shall be appointed a security by rotation, which duty
each of the Hongs shall fulfil in the order of successive routine. It shall
be his special duty to examine and investigate affairs. If the engaged
security merchant join with the barbarians to make sport of illegal
practices and traitorous machinations, or secretly add to the amount of
duties, or incur debts to the barbarians, the security merchant by rotation,
shall be held responsible for giving information thereof according to the
facts, that the other may be brought to an investigation, and that any
debts may be reclaimed. If the security by rotation connive, he shall
also on discovery be brought to an investigation.
8. If barbarian ships on the seas clandestinely sell goods chargeable
with duty, the naval force should be held responsible for finding out and
seizing the same. Also, communications should be sent to all the seaboard
provinces requesting them to examine and investigate.
It appears, on examination, that when the barbarian ships of every
nation bring goods to Canton, it is reasonably required that they should
enter the port, pay measurement charges and duties, and sell off, through
the medium of the Hong merchants. But the said barbarian vessels
continually cast anchor in the outer seas, and delay entering the port, and
some even do not at all enter the port, but return and sail away: not only
storing up and selling opium, but also, it is feared, clandestinely disposing
of foreign goods. We, your Majesty's Ministers, on every occasion of
this being reported to us, have immediately replied by strict directions to
the naval force, to urge and compel them to enter the ports, or if they
will not enter the port to drive them instantly away, and not permit them
to loiter about. We have also appointed officers at the various maritime
94
entrances, to seize with strictness, smuggling vagabonds. In repeated
instances, men and vessels going out to sea to sell opium have been
seized, and on investigation, punishment has been inflicted. But the
province of Canton has a line of coast continuous along the provinces of
Fuhkeen, Chekeang, Keangsoo, and Teentsin (Chihle). Traitorous
vagabonds of the several provinces sail in vessels of the sea on
the outer ocean, and clandestinely buy and sell goods, dealing with the
barbarians, and then carry back ("their purchases) by sea. This class of
traitorous dealers neither entering nor leaving by any of the sea-ports of
Canton, there are no means of guarding against or seizing them. And
the foreign goods having a divided consumption, the amount that enters
the port is gradually lessened, the consequences of which on the duties
are great.
Hereafter, the naval Commander-in-chief should be held responsible
for giving commands to the naval vessels to cruize about in the outer seas
in a constant course ; and if there be any dealers approaching the
barbarian ships, clandestinely to purchase foreign goods, immediately to
seize them and give them over for trial and punishment. Also, regulations
should be established, that vessels of the sea, of whatever province, when
wanting to purchase foreign goods, shall all repair to the chief Custom
house of Canton, and request a sealed manifest, enumerating the goods
and their quantities, and that none shall be permitted to make private
purchases. Communications should be sent to the provinces of Fuhkeen
Chekeang, &c, that general orders may be issued, requiring obedience to
be paid to this, and that strict search may be maintained in all the
sea-ports, that if any vessel of the sea bring back foreign goods, and it
appears that she has not the sealed manifest of the Custom-house, they
shall be immediately regarded as contraband, and on legal investigation,
the vessel and cargo confiscated.
Taoukwang, 15th year, 2nd moon, 10th day. (March 8th, 1835.)
No. 39.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston—(Received September 26, 1835.)
(Extract.) Macao, April, 13, 1835-
AT the same time that I am intimating my resolution to maintain
our present position until we are in possession of the views and intentions
of His Majesty's Government, I shall not fail to take advantage of casual
and unforeseen incidents, whereby beneficial results may be obtained.
I was credibly informed that the local authorities and Chinese
generally, were in a state of much anxiety and alarm some time ago. when
the early ships from Bengal were expected. An unfounded and absurd
report which ill-judging persons ignorantly or mischievously promulgated,
of seven or more ships of war being off the coast, produced a lively sen
sation and considerable alarm in Canton ; but the arrival of letters and
papers from India putting an end to immediate apprehension, and
encouraged, I fear, in the idea that the events of last year will be consigned
to oblivion, I believe little comparative interest is exhibited 'at the present
moment, although there is no doubt their fears and anxiety will again
return as the time approaches for the arrival of important despatches.
It now becomes a painful but imperative duty to express unfeigned
regret at the dissensions and violent party spirit that has so fatally pre
vailed, and even now exists to a fearful extent, amongst the mercantile
community of Canton. Your Lordship will, I feel certain, acquit me of
any other feeling, save a sense of duty, when I call your attention to this
dangerous state of society, and express my firm conviction that the un
toward reception at, and disastrous removal of, His Majesty's Commis
sion from Canton, was mainly to be attributed to the bitter party feeling,
which I am sorry to assert, reigned at the very moment when general
unanimity, and cordial cooperation, should have aided and strengthened
the efforts of its officers
In no country, in no case, are dissensions so injurious, or unanimity
95
and good will so essential to the public welfare as in China, but I lament
to say I have invariably witnessed the evil effects of an opposite state of
affairs.
Without reverting- to the past, I wish strongly to point out the
absolute necessity of placing the officers of government as much beyond
these influences as practicable; their most strenuous efforts and best
exertions must be in vain, if counteracted by a strong undercurrent, if I
may so express it. To prevent an evil of this nature is perhaps impos
sible, but I conceive it might be in a degree lessened, were every British
subject, every British ship, removed from the river, previous to the com
mencement of any sort of communication with the local authorities.
Timely and reasonable notice being given, I should not anticipate remon
strance on an occasion where personal apprehensions would have their
due weight. A retirement to Macao would hardly have the desired
effect, and probably lead to many difficulties; to avoid which I would
venture to recommend the embarkation of all British families and subjects
resident at that place, until political arrangements were perfectly con
cluded, on board the merchant ships, which might then take their station
in some of the beautiful harbours in the neighbourhood of Lantao or
Hong Kong. How far the latter measure is practicable I am uncertain,
but think, if accomplished, it would make a greater impression on the
Chinese than any expedients hitherto resorted to.
With the exception of some trifling disputes between commanders,
officers, and seamen of merchant ships, which Captain Elliot's competent
knowledge of maritime law and usage has enabled me to settle with little
difficulty, nothing worthy of notice has occurred.
No. 40.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—( Received January 28, 1836.)
My Lord, Macao, July 1, 1835.
I HAVE the honour to transmit the accompanying papers, and
respectfully to recommend them to your Lordship's earnest attention*.
Charged with the Superintendence of this great commerce, to be carried
on under an entirely altered state of circumstances, we have considered it
incumbent upon us, not to shrink from some responsibility in the early
and firm establishment of the position, that the safe pursuit of trade in
this part of the world, (so remote from any means of judicial intervention)
rests upon some surer basis than the constant existence of dispassionate
fairness, upon the part of every person from whom money may be
claimed.
Your Lordship will permit me to remark, that almost all the commer
cial operations of British subjects resorting to this country, will necessa
rily be mixed up with extensive transactions with native dealers. In that
quarter, too, then very mischievous results could not fail to ensue if an idea
were to get abroad, that in the actual state of things there were no
certain means at hand to constrain an unwilling party, either to submit
a commercial dispute to equitable means of inquiry and adjustment upon
the spot, or to furnish reasonable security that the matter should be
subjected to adjudication in another place. If such an impression be
permitted to obtain, I should be wrong to refrain from declaring to your
Lordship my own strong opinion, (formed from actual observation of
[• Foreign Office, February, 1840.—These papers relate to a claim of Messrs. Turner & Co.,
upon Mr. Keating, for a sum of 300 dollars, a statement of which is given in Lord Palmerston's
despatch to Captain Elliot, of November 8, 1836. The case is only interesting as showing the neces-
ssity there is for the Superintendents being armed with efficient powers to controul British subjects
in their intercourse and dealings with each other.]
96
events passing, and likely to pass, in these early stages of the relaxed
system) that there would be much reason to apprehend a serious shock
to the vast confidence which has hitherto been reposed in the faith and
honour of the British trader. And upon the maintenance of that confi
dence the very existence of this commerce may be thought to depend ; for,
if the native merchant be brought to think, that the justice and fairness
of the foreigner had failed, it is too probable he would also feel, that all
had passed away upon which he could place any dependence. From his
own Government he has little to look for, but general indifference, or
perhaps exaction, whenever any pretext presents itself for interference in
his concerns.
In the Act of Parliament to regulate the trade to India and China,
it is, amongst other things, enacted, " That it shall and may be lawful
for His Majesty, by such an Order as to His Majesty in Council shall
appear expedient and salutary, to give to the Superintendents in the said
Act mentioned, or any of them, powers and authorities over, and in
respect of, the trade and commerce, and for the direction of His Majesty's
subjects within the dominions of the Emperor of China." In the first
Order, passed by His Majesty in Council on the 9th December, 1833, it
was thereupon ordered, " that the Superintendents should be clothed for
these purposes with all the powers and authorities heretofore vested in
the Supracargoes of the East India Company, save so far as the same
were repealed or abrogated by the Act of Parliament." In the same
Order it is then set forth, " that all the regulations which were in force
on the 21st April, 1834, were thereby confirmed ; " and it was further
directed, " that they should be compiled and published."
Now, my Lord, it is respectfully submitted, that there were no regu
lations in existence of the nature contemplated in that Order in Council ;
the Supracargoes had been unaccustomed to interfere in commercial dis
putes between the very few private traders here ; and whenever affairs
involving either political or commercial difficulty with the Chinese
presented themselves, they possessed abundant means of doing as much
as was needful. No English subject was here without a license from the
Company ; and the Committee, in any case of emergency, had it in their
power to apprize the Chinese authorities, that the license had been sus
pended, and that they would in no respect interfere for the adjustment of
any debts the parties complained of might contract, subsequently to the
date of that notice. The British shipping which resorted to China was
under the complete controul of the Committee ; they either belonged to
the Company, or were chartered by it; and the country ships were
furnished with licenses by the Indian Governments, withdrawable at
pleasure, either by these authorities, or, in cases of exigency, by the
Committee itself. There had been no need, therefore, for any body of
regulations having respect to the general direction and controul of
British subjects in China.
When difficulties presented themselves, the Committee acted according
to the best of their judgment in the circumstances of the case, and it is
plain that there was no lack of means to give effect to their resolutions.
It has certainly been the anxious desire of this Commission, upon
every ground of consideration, to interfere as little as was possible, till
further instructions should reach them from England; but in these
particular cases they have felt themselves called upon to relax that rule.
They interfered not only in a sense of justice to those of His Majesty's
subjects who claimed their assistance, but principally [and this point can
hardly be too frequently insisted upon] because they plainly perceive the
practical necessity of setting aside the mischievous impression, that every
British subject at Canton is at full liberty, in the case of a commercial
dispute, either to concede or to refuse to submit his right to detain a sum
of money claimed by another, to fair means of inquiry and determination.
Perhaps there is no place where a higher degree of mutual commercial
good faith subsists than at Canton, or where it is more needful that such
a feeling should be carefully fostered; and it is owing in a great degree
to this very circumstance, that perhaps there is no place where larger
facilities present themselves for the extensive abuse of that confidence;
in the present conjuncture particularly, when an immense trade is thrown
97
open to general speculation and adventure, such opportunities and risks
must be vastly increased. In the spirit, and by the plain intent of the
Act of Parliament, the Orders in Council, and our Instructions, it is clear
that we are called upon to watch over and protect this trade; and
I repeat that I know no circumstances more calculated to injure its best
interests, than any admission of the position, that there are no means
to oblige a British subject to comply with the demand of another to
submit a commercial dispute involving the retention of funds to an
equitable mode of adjustment here or elsewhere.
A second Order in Council, of the 9th December, 1833, creates a
Court of Justice, with " criminal and admiralty jurisdiction, for the trial
of offences committed by His Majesty's subjects within the dominions of
the Emperor of China, and the ports and havens thereof, and on the high
seas, within 100 miles of the coast of China." The jurisdiction of this
Court seems to be strictly of a criminal description, and, therefore, dis
putes of the nature I have adverted to could not fall within its disposal.
But, indeed, even supposing that it were possible to strain the con
struction of this Order to the extent that it vested the Chief Superin
tendent with a civil admiralty jurisdiction, I know not, with the means
we have upon the spot, how it would be possible to avoid most perplexing
difficulties, in the attempt to adjust such disputes as these by any process
of that kind.
One opinion Mr. Keating has delivered to the effect, that, in our
present situation, we have no authority to interpose upon the behalf of
those of His Majesty's subjects who have claimed our assistance, seems
to be founded upon a rigidly literal construction of that article of the
instructions commanding us to take up our residence at Canton, and to
exercise our functions there, and not elsewhere in the dominions of the
Emperor of China, without His Majesty's sanction. We believe that the
single object of this article is to deprive the Commission of the power to
proceed to any other port in China than Canton, without His Majesty's
authority ; and we are of opinion, that it is wresting it to a purport
entirely foreign to its own intent, and to the whole spirit of the Act of
Parliament and the Orders in Council, to construe these words in such
wise as would, in point of fact, for the present, deprive the King of all
authority over His Majesty's subjects in this country. I must once more
assure your Lordship, in a very earnest manner, that I am persuaded we
should be seriously jeopardizing national interests of considerable im
portance to abandon the right to interfere (so far as circumstances permit)
to the extent that the Act of Parliament, the Orders in Council, and the
Instructions have contemplated. We are authorised and commanded in
those instruments to use our utmost efforts for the maintenance of peace
and good order amongst His Majesty's subjects at Canton, and for the
safe pursuit of this commerce ; and we do not perceive that the acts of the
native provincial authorities have relieved us from the most efficient dis
charge of those duties that circumstances admit. In the exercise of
authority, it always behoves men in public stations to proceed with the
utmost circumspection (and, surely, in the position we are placed in, it is
pre-eminently incumbent upon us to be extremely cautious) ; but the con
cession of the right to interfere, upon such grounds as Mr. Keating has
now advanced, would be a step which I must suppose would be very little
likely to meet your Lordship's approbation.
Mr. Keating finds another argument in support of his exemption
from any liability to do what we have required from him, in the fact, that
we are none of us directly appointed by the Crown. Upon this point it
seems to be sufficient to say, that the Royal Instructions providing for the
filling of vacancies occasioned by the death, resignation, or removal of
any members of this Commission have been strictly adhered to ; and the
appointments made in conformity with those Instructions, have been
publicly and officially promulgated in the newspaper. Any disregard
of our authority resting upon grounds of this description is, in effect a
denial or disregard of His Majesty's lawful authority to make &u\?~
provisions. I really feel however, that it cannot be necessary to troubi?
your Lordship with a detailed reply to all the observations in Mr. Keat-
ting's letter of 11th June; but one circumstance, it is a duty which I owe
98
to this Commission, and I believe 1 may say, to the public interests, to
bring under your Lordship's particular attention.
At a certain period in the course of this protracted correspondence
with Mr. Keating, he has negleeted to acknowledge several communi
cations which had been forwarded to him; and as we were informed that
he had come down to Macao, and as the last of these letters had been
returned unopened to us from Canton, it was handed to a young
gentleman in the Secretary's office to be delivered to Mr. Keating at this
place, in order that we might be assured it had reached his hand. Upon
this occasion, Mr. Keating, to use his own language, appealed to his
Excellency the Governor of Macao, as to " our right to attempt legislation
whilst unrecognized here."
I offer your Lordship my assurance upon my word, that the parti
cular circumstance which drew from Mr. Keating this appeal to the
Governor of Macao, is strictly confined in point of fact, to the delivery of
a paper to him, and in point of intention, to the simple desire to ascertain
that it had reached its destination. Mr. Keating, it might have been
thought, had sufficient proof before him, that we had no disposition to
attempt the execution of any formal acts at Macao, in the fact that the
formal injunction we forwarded to him, was signed within the limits of
the port of Canton. I hope it will appear to your Lordship that there
was no need for this description of appeal, or, indeed, I might say, of
complaint, by a British subject to a foreign authority; and if Mr. Keat-
ing's proceeding in this respect has not involved us in embarrassing
discussions with the Macao government, —which in our present position
m China, might have led to a high degree of public inconvenience,—$
must aseribe the escape to that state of perfect good understanding which
subsists between his Excellency and this Commission.
Upon the whole, my Lord, we have interfered in these claims
between Messrs. Turner and Co. (acting as the Representatives of absent
British owners) and of Mr. John Smith, against Mr. Keating, because we
believed, that it was within the plain intent of the law that we should
intromit, if the need were, for the protection of Her Majesty's subjects in
fheir lawful pursuits in cases of this description, and also for other
reasons which it is unnecessary to recapitulate. In the absence of any
defined practice, we recommended such a course as appeared to us to be
consistent with the general spirit of British law upon such subjects, viz.,
the fairest investigation that circumstances permitted, and an opening
for appeal to higher sources, if appeal should be desired. Mr. Keating
has, however, rejected every overture either to adjust the demand pre
ferred against him, or to submit to further inquiry upon the spot, or to
give reasonable security that he would institute proceedings, in the nature
of appeal, against the formal decision of the Superintendents in England,
or to pay the money under a protest against the lawfulness of their in
junctions. In fact, every effort we have made to induce him to submit
these disputes to inquiry and adjustment has been alike fruitless ; and,
under these circumstances, we have felt it our duty (with a view to fix the
principle of liability) to pay the sums claimed against him upon the
public account.
It had been the intention of the Commission, at one period, to give
publicity to all the circumstances of these cases amongst the British com
mercial community at Canton, and to declare that all persons thinking fit
to transact business with Mr. Keating must be pleased to conform to the
understanding, that, until those debts were paid, the Superintendents
could afford no facilities for the adjustment of any disputes which might
arise with him ; that is to say, in any transactions originating subsequently
to the date of the before-mentioned notice. Upon full consideration,
however, they refrained from resorting to that measure, upon the ground,
that it might lead to a public, and, judging from the tone of Mr. Keating's
correspondence, probably not very temperate, denial of their authority as
the King's officers,—a contingency they have considered it expedient, for
obvious political reasons, to avoid. Mr. Keating has complained, in very
warm terms, of the harshness and illegality of any proceedings of that
description. He insists, that such powers cannot be granted to us, as
99
they would not be recognized by the British Constitution as legal, even
•were the dispute in England, and with the Crown itself He declares, that
such a deed could only find a parallel in the arbitrary and tyrannical acts
of the Star Chamber ! It does not appear, however, that there would be
any grievous practical injustice, of which Mr. Keating has a right to
complain, in the notice ; that, as he would conform to no mode of adjust
ing commercial disputes which had been proposed to him, and as he per
sisted in retaining a sum of money, in spite of the opinio® of all the
persons, commercial as well official, to whom the matter had been sub
mitted, the Superintendents must declare, that, for the future, they could
not interfere in any similar discussion which might arise with him ; and
that all parties thinking fit to transact business with him, must be pleased
to conform to that understanding. Such a measure would have been in
sufficiently close analogy with a practice of which there has been no want
of precedent here by the Company and their servants,—namely, the with
drawal of licenses. Had the dispute been in England, not with the
Crown, as Mr. Keating has suggested, but precisely as the case is now,
with an individual, the power of the Crown would probably have been
invoked and applied in a very different form, that is to say, in the form of
a sheriff's writ. Mr. Keating speaks of the hardship, cruelty, and
illegality of these proceedings, but he has not said anything very satis
factory upon the fairness of his own conduct. I believe your Lordship
will be of opinion, that there is no real foundation for these loud com
plaints of tyrannical and ultra legal intentions upon the part of this
Commission ; and Mr. Keating win* probably find, at some future period,
that these are not times when a man's own wrongous proceedings are to
be glossed over by a tone of defiance, or by vague and vehement accusa
tion of the nature he has advanced.
Practically speaking, the state of the case is this:—Mr. Keating
entertaining opinions that there is an absence of all power and authority
over him, takes advantage of that supposed state of circumstances, to
retain in his hands a sum of money claimed by another person, in spite of
the concurrent opinions■ of several of the most respectable merchants in
the place, to whom the case was submitted by his own consent, in spite of
the opinions of this Commission to whom it was afterwards referred by his
own desire, and in spite of every proposition and injunction that has been
made to him, to submit to further inquiry here, or to give security that fur
ther inquiry should be had elsewhere. It can be within the intent of no
law to sustain proceedings of this kind, far less of laws, the avowed
objects of which are the preservation of peace, the maintenance of good
order, and the support of trade at Canton.
If it were admitted that Mr. Keating is perfectly right, and that
every man has it in his power to do as he has done upon these occasions,
it is pretty -certain that the peace could not be kept, and that commerce
could not be pursued in this country. The dread of publicity, and the
consequences of such a notice as has been suggested, appear to be the
only motives within any reach of operation here, which will always
enable the public authorities in this country to constrain an unwilling
person to submit disputed commercial claims to inquiry here or elsewhere.
If both parties consent to defer the settlement of such cases to another
time ami plaee, there can be no necessity for public interference ; but if
one side seeks to be heard, and the other refuses to accede to the propo
sition, some proper mode of meeting such an exigency must be devised,
or I am afraid that commercial operations in this country will be unsafe
for respectable persons. ;
It remains for us, very respectfully, but earnestly, to entreat your
Lordship to give the subject of this communication your best attention.
If we might presume to offer an opinion, we would humbly suggest that
an Order should be passed by His Majesty in Council, granting to- the
Superintendents authority to promulgate some provisional scheme of
arbitration (in cases of need) by the compulsory process, in the man*
ner proposed by Captain Elliot. In cases of contumacious resistance
to submit to inquiry or adjustment, powers likewise to be given "to
declare to the' British and Native commercial bodies,■ that subsequently
100
to the date of that notification, no facilities existed for the adjust
ment of any disputes which might arise in the transaction of busi
ness with the recusant parties. In these particular cases adverted to
in this correspondence, we would suggest with submission, that Mr.
Keating should be once more called upon by your Lordship's desire, to
Eay the public claims against him, and that he should be informed, that
is failure to do so would be followed by a public notice to the effect I
have just described.
I have, &c,
(Signed) G. B. ROBINSON.
No. 41.
Sir G. B. Robinson to the Duke of Wellington.—(Received January
28, 1836.)
(Extract.) Macao, July 26, 1835.
I AVAIL myself of the departure of a ship for India, vid Sincapore,
to acknowledge the receipt of a despatch, from your Grace to the late
Lord Napier, under date February 2, 1835.
Pending the arrival of those instructions I am now awaiting,
I have deemed it my imperative duty to maintain the same position of
affairs, regarding His Majesty's Commission in China, that prevailed on
the departure of Mr. Davis, and most thoroughly concurring with that
gentleman in the sentiments expressed in his despatch of October 12,
1834, and minute in the records, under date 19th January, 1835 ; it is a
source of satisfaction and congratulation to me, at this period, to reflect,
that nothing has occurred to render the adoption of the measures we
may be commanded to pursue less easy or consistent.
Assuming your Grace's despatch to be written upon the receipt of
the early communications from hence of the late Lord Napier, and pre
vious to the arrival in England of all the details connected with the
occurrences, proceedings, and ultimate catastrophe of his Lordship's
departure from Canton, I cannot perceive, upon the most attentive perusal
and consideration of its contents, that I should be justified in any devia
tion from that line of conduct to which I feel myself pledged to adhere,
until I shall have the honour to receive further instructions, when it will
be my anxious duty, and that of every officer of the Commission, im
plicitly to obey, and strenuously to endeavour to carry them into effect.
No. 42.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received March 10, 1836.)
(Extract.) Macao, October 16, 1835.
I TRUST your Lordship will approve of the perfectly quiescent
line of policy I have considered it my duty to maintain under the present
aspect of affairs .
I have never, in the slightest degree, perceived a disposition on the
part of the Chinese authorities to enter into communication, or even
permit an intercourse, with the officers of this Commission. On the con
trary, I am convinced any premature and ill-timed attempt to that effect
would end in repulse and disappointment; and, as in the instance of
Captain Elliot's visit to the city gate in January last,* involve additional
" In the case of the officer and boat's crew of the ArgyU.
101
contumely and insult, thereby greatly impeding the prospective adjust
ment of existing difficulties, as well as creating new and vexatious
interruptions to the present quiet and prosperous routine of the trade, for
no other object than the possible attainment of very theoretical, if not
questionable, advantages.
I wish to point out to your Lordship, that, under all the disadvantages
attending our present position, the commercial operations of the past
season were brought to a favorable close, or rather, I should assert, were
continued with unusual vigour and success, during the summer; and that,
at this commencement of a new season, I see no reason to apprehend
difficulties or interruptions. Being well aware of the importance of the
object, I shall carefully avoid every risk of endangering its safety, unless
imperatively called upon to interfere, on the occasion of unforeseen
occurrences, when I must, of course, be guided by the exigencies of the
case. I perceive, both on the part of the Chinese authorities and the
British community, an anxious wish to avoid any reference to the officers
appointed by His Majesty's Government to superintend the trade. So
long as their interference does not seem necessary for the support of
national character and reputation, or the ends of justice, I confess I
conceive it injudicious to force it upon those parties who, however fallaci
ously, imagine they are independent of authority, on the plea, that this
Commission is not formally acknowledged and recognized by the Chinese.
My anxious endeavours will be used for the maintenance of tran
quillity and the prevention of disorders and difficulties of any kind. I
see no reason to apprehend any of those evils, and I confidently await the
proper period, when, being in possession of your Lordship's despatches,
we shall see our course clearly, and ultimately succeed in carrying into
effect the very spirit of those instructions with which we may be
furnished.
No. 43.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received March 14, 1836.)
(Extract.) Macao, November 11, 1835.
IT is a source of great satisfaction to me to point out the very quiet
and regular progress of the trade, which being now fairly commenced for
the season, appears to be carried on with vigour ana success, under
all the disadvantages attending our singular position.
It will be my anxious care to contribute, by any efforts in my power,
to its welfare ana advancement ; but, confidently impressed with the con
viction, that any movements or attempts to enter into communication
with the Chinese authorities, would not only prove futile, but probably
involve serious consequences, such as stoppage and interruption to the
trade, I shall carefully abstain from any measures of the kind, until in
possession of further information and definite instructions.
I am induced to reiterate this assurance from an apprehension that
rumours of a contrary nature might at any time reach your Lordship,
emanating, in a great degree, from interested parties, or from individual
correspondence of English residents in China, many of whom are but too
ready to anticipate evils, which they conceive would be likely to arise from
our interference.
Considering the number of ships now in China, the very disorderly
state of our mercantile marine service, and the peculiar position of affairs,
it is a matter of surprise that so few difficulties have presented them
selves ; and I confidently anticipate the satisfaction of announcing to your
Lordship, from time to time, that the important commercial operations of
the season continue in a state of activity and progression.
102
No. 44.
Sir G. B. Robimon to Viscount Palnterston.—(Received Marck2S, 1836.)
(Extract.) Macao, November 20, 1835.
WITH reference to the case of Mr. James Innes, as entered in our
records, under date 1st August and subsequently, it becomes my duty
most forcibly to point out the unjustifiable seizure, or, more properly
sjpeaking, robbery of that gentleman's property, as well as the continued'
equivocation and evasion, rather than denial of redress for the grievance,
Or compensation for the loss sustained ; and, earnestly begging your
Lordship's serious and early attention to the subject, to commend in the
highest terms, his extreme forbearance and moderation, under circum
stances of the utmost provocation and irritation, when I frankly avow to
your Lordship my conviction, that a more prompt and vigorous, though
not equally prudent, resort to means at his own disposal, would have
proved more efficacious, and, without doubt, tended to prevent the
recurrence of similar outrages, a consideration of the highest importance
to those parties engaged in the China trade.
If, under an impression that the officers of this Commission were,
from the singular peculiarity of their position, unable to afford him
assistance, or an idea, however erroneous, that they were not so disposed,
Mr. Innes, in the excitement arising from a continued course of mendacity
and insult on the part of the low Mandarins, in place of seeking for
aid and assistance from those authorities appointed by His Majesty, who,
however, it must be confessed, were not competent, from their critical
position, to afTord it, fell into the error of concerting measures for the
recovery of his property by force, it only affords the strongest proof, if
indeed any were wanting, of the deferential respect and extreme degree
of propriety evinced towards them on this and every other occasion.
That so loyal and patriotic a subject should readily forego his private
interests, and abandon the measures upon the successful results of which
he is extremely tenacious, in deference and respect to the high and
responsible office I have the honour to hold, is not so much a matter o£
surprise as of commendation ; and I sincerely hope and trust the very
praiseworthy, and, at this crisis, most important example exhibited by
Mr. Innes, will not fail to excite your Lordship's approbation and
strenuous efforts to obtain redress for a grievous injury.
Under the promise given in my letter under date 7th August, I shall
not fail to bring the case very pointedly to the notice of the Chinese
authorities, in the event of my coming in contact with them previous to
the receipt of an answer to this despatch; but not perceiving much
probability of a successful issue, even should any such communication
take place, I rest assured I shall have the honour of receiving some in
structions by the earliest opportunity, and I conceive it is an imperative
duty on my part to impress on your Lordship the importance of the
subject.
The Chinese authorities being well aware the case has been brought
to the notice of the British Government, will naturally conclude, that
outrages of this nature may be perpetrated with impunity, if the present
instance passes without notice ; while British subjects, under the conviction
that no redress can be obtained by reasonable, proper, and formal repre
sentation and appeal, will proceed to summary means for the protection or
recovery of their property, alike dangerous to the welfare and safety of
the trade, the preservation of peace and tranquillity, and the maintenance
of that high national character and reputation which it is so desirable
should continue eminently conspicuous.
In the present divided and discordant state of society in China,
Mr. Innes apprehends, perhaps with reason, that party spirit has
materially operated to the prejudice of his cause with the Chinese authori
ties. It becomes, therefore, infinitely more necessary they should be
convinced of the watchful attention of His Majesty's Government to the
interests of its subjects, and that our countrymen should perceive the
103
advantages likely to accrue from a peaceable and prudent demeanour, and
an appeal, in cases of doubt and difficulty, to those officers appointed by
His Majesty to watch over the general safety and welfare with the most
jealous vigilance.
It is an important feature throughout this case, that no direct accu
sation of smuggling is alleged. The reply of the Keun-Min-Foo to my
last address may be considered an acquittal of any such intention, and an
admission of the robbery, with an exhortation to wait. It may fairly be
taken as a demonstration of fear on the part of the Mandarins, who,
according to their invariable custom, evade all inquiry, equivocate and
procrastinate to an incredible extent, but by no means decide the
question, even according to their own pleading, against the foreigner. I
am very much inclined to coincide with Mr. Innes in the supposition, that
his goods are still in the possession of the Hoppo's people, who are as yet
afraid to appropriate them, but will certainly do so eventually, if the affair
is suffered to sink into oblivion.
I consider my communication to the Keun-Min-Foo to have been
attended with very good effect, since the reply from that Mandarin, sent in
a formal and official manner to my residence, is likely to prove very im
portant at a future period, and I cannot but congratulate myself on the
results of the intercourse I consider I have succeeded in establishing with
a Chinese officer of his high rank and local influence.
Independent of other considerations, I will briefly call your
Lordship's attention to the importance of the subject*, as connected with
the safety and facilities of transhipment of goods outside the port, a
system now carried on to a vast extent, and so universally practised, that
it may well be considered an established custom. It is, indeed, of most
vital importance to cherish and protect this privilege, if it can be so
termed, and to check the lawless outrages of a set of miscreants, from
circumstances daily increasing in strength and numbers, who are perhaps
in the pay of the Mandarins,—at least protected by them on all occasions
where opportunities occur of sharing the plunder ; but I shall have the
honour to address your Lordship on some topics in reference to the Lintin
trade, and, therefore, having so strongly advocated Mr. Innes's cause, and'
presumed, with all due deference and respect, to recommend his case to
early and serious consideration, I trust I may be permitted to express
my sanguine expectation, that a strong remonstrance on the part of His
Majesty's Government, with a demand for redress or compensation,
would be attended, if not with perfect success, at least with the most
beneficial consequences. I would further venture to point out in what
manner I conceive this demand might be made with most effect by the
officers of this Commission, could I guess at the probable views and
intentions of the British Government, and what our possible situation
may be on the receipt of an answer to this despatch. If, as I would fain
anticipate, we are then placed and supported in a position becoming
officers of His Majesty the King of England, public servants—and
functionaries of the British Government—lawfully constituted guardians
and protectors of all British subjects and the valuable trade entrusted to
our superintendence, I do not hesitate to assert, such a demand would fail
not of immediate and complete redress, and prove of the greatest
advantage in preventing that thriving and increasing outside trade,
carried on now so successfully at Lintin, from the recurrence of accidents,
whereby the safety of the inside or staple commerce with this country is
liable to be placed in jeopardy.
To conclude, whatever view your Lordship may take of this affair,
with my sentiments -and proceedings thereon, I trust it is not necessary
for me to add any thing like an assurance of the most profound deference
and respect with which I shall implicitly obey and execute the very spirit
of such instructions as I may have the honour to receive on this or any
other point. Strict undeviating obedience to the orders and directions of
which I may be in possession, with the full exercise of my best judgment,
• Case of Mr. Innes, an abstract of which is Riven in Lord Palmerston's despatch of November
8, 1836.
104
experience and abilities in all cases of doubt and difficulty, is the founda
tion on which I build an anxious hope that my conduct and proceedings
in the highly important, though at present somewhat delicate, appoint
ment I have the honour to fill, may prove such as to merit approbation.
I have &c
(Signed) ' GEORGE BEST ROBINSON.
No. 45.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received March 23, 1836.)
(Extract.) Macao, November 24, 1835.
THE immediate departure of two ships for England induces me to lose no
time in inclosing copy of a notice which I yesterday deemed it my duty to
circulate, for the purpose of obviating the extreme inconvenience, danger, and
delay, consequent upon the necessity at present entailed upon the commanders
of ships and others, of repairing to Macao for the purpose of obtaining a port-
clearance, or the signature and attestation of documents, as well as in the
anxious hope, that the existence of some authority at that place may tend to
check the disorders and riots so prevalent in the merchant .ships ; and in an
eminent degree prove advantageous to the interests of the important China
trade, which, I rejoice to say, continues in a state of uninterrupted progress
and activity beyond my sanguine expectations.
Being generally informed by the British community that this step is most
anxiously desired, I considered, under the peculiar circumstances of the case,
that it was better not to await a communication to our Board from the Chamber
of Commerce, or other parties ; but at once take upon myself the respon
sibility of a measure winch has for some time occupied my thoughts, and
which is, in my own opinion, likely to prove equally compatible with the
ideas of the Chinese authorities and the people, and consistent with the
fine of conduct in which I have persevered since I had the honour to
assume the duties of office.
I shall defer entering more fully into this subject, until I shall again
have the honour to address your Lordship from Lintin, when, I trust, my
reasons will be satisfactory ; and that I shall be in time to submit, with the
greatest deference, my ideas and sentiments on the future management and
controul of this valuable trade, in a manner likely to compass all the ends
contemplated by Her Majesty's Government, without subjecting it to those
constant and alarming interruptions which, I am of opinion, must inevitably
accrue from the residence of the Superintendents, or other authorities, in
Canton ; in any case, I shall point out the absolute expediency of maintaining
some kind of authority or official reference without the river ; and I trust
future experience will exhibit the correctness of my present opinion, that the
Chinese, if they do not seize upon it as an alternative to facilitate the adjust
ment of difficulties, will interpose no impediments to the execution of the
powers vested in me, to afford assistance and redress, in cases of aggression on
the part of our countrymen, few of which, I am proud to say, have occurred :
and the better regulation and controul of our sailors, of whose unruly habits
and dispositions they ever evince a strong apprehension.
Well aware of the great anxiety that prevails in England for the prosperity
and extension of the China trade, I cannot here omit the positive pledge and
assurance, that I shall never hazard its interruption by any dangerous and specu
lative measures.
Inclosure in No. 45.
Macao, November 21, 1835.
IN order to obviate the inconvenience and delay at present entailed upon
the commanders of British ships and others, by the necessity of repairing to
Macao for the purpose of obtaining a port-clearance, or the transaction of other
business, the Superintendents of the Trade of British subjects in China hereby
give notice, that from the 25th instant, a member of His Majesty's Commission
105
duly authorized, will reside at Lintin, to whom reference may be made, on
board His Majesty's cutter Louisa.
By order of the Superintendents of British Trade in China,
(Signed) E. ELMSLIE,
Secretary.
No. 46.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston. —(Received March 25, 1836.)
(Extract.) Cutter Louisa, Lintin, December 1, 1835,
IN my despatch dated November 23, I apprized your Lordship of my
intention to reside at this anchorage.
I arrived here accompanied by Mr. Elmslie, on the 25th ultimo, and with
great satisfaction have to remark upon the extreme attention and respect
evinced by the commanders of ships lying here, more than twenty in number,
as well as by numerous others touching in the prosecution of their respective
voyages.
1 have to call your Lordship's attention to the general wish of the British
community, for the adoption of this or some similar measure ; it was commu
nicated to me in a private manner some months ago, but I delayed taking
the responsibility of the measure upon myself, until the arrival of the Marquis
Camden from England direct, 10th July, rendering it almost certain that no
further intelligence could be expected until the season was very far advanced,
I at once decided on meeting the present wish of, I believe, all the British
community, although divided and dissentient as they are on every almost occasion,
I can hardly expect but that a few individuals will hereafter raise objections,
and perhaps secretly endeavour to prejudice a measure calculated in some
degree to lessen an influence they imagine they possess in Canton.
Sincerely, anxiously, as I hope that His Majesty's Government may be
pleased to take measures to notice and resent the contumely and insults to
which the late Lord Napier was subjected, so fatally terminating in his expulsion
with that of the whole of His Majesty's Commission from Canton, and in the
lamented death of that nobleman, I deem it an imperative duty to point out
with the utmost deference, that all the ends contemplated, as I am informed,
by the establishment of the King's Commission in China, may be amply and
competently fulfilled, by similar powers to those with which we are
invested within the limits (as I conceive they are erroneously termed) of the
port, being extended to the Superintendents, or other more judiciously styled
authority, without the river, or wherever they may find it most expedient to
or resort.
If, on the arrival of this despatch, no definite or conclusive arrangement
has been made, I would most respectfully suggest to your Lordship, that a short
period will exhibit how far the present plan of an authority established either
afloat or without the river, will prove efficacious and beneficial. I can safely
assert it will ensure all the requisite capabilities for the controul and assistance
of British subjects ; and it is not a matter of opinion with me, but of firm
conviction, that unless placed in a becoming position at Canton, and in a proper
channel of direct communication with the local authorities, an object most
desirable no doubt, but in my opinion, only now to be achieved by a demon
stration of force on the part of the British Government, which I do not hesitate
to assert, would speedily and completely prevent all future difficulties, the
residence there of the Commission would, even if permitted, and their
interference and interposition in matters now arranged by the merchants
themselves, Chinese and English, apparently without much difficulty, tend to the
creation and extension of disputes, discussions, and endless causes of interrup
tion and danger to the trade. In short, the less we have to do with the Chinese
authorities and people, save when appealed to in cases of aggression and
injustice, which I trust will be rare and trifling, the less apprehension may be
entertained of those perplexing difficulties in which we are liable to be involved,
mainly by the insecure and doubtful position wherein we find ourselves at
Canton, unable to communicate with the officers of Government ; completely at
the mercy of interested and mercenary Hong merchants, Linguists, &c ; and
P
t06
in the event of non-compliance with all their demands, to be insulted in every
possible manner; our servants taken away; provisions stopped; and houses
unroofed. No alternative then remains but the most revolting submission, or
removal from the port,—a result which I am justified in saying may be antici
pated on the first occasion of discussion in Canton.
A case of homicide, as your Lordship is aware, will be the event most
fraught with difficulty and anxiety. For the prevention of such a disaster, our
residence at Canton avails nothing; an efficient police establishment at Wham-
poa, might, indeed, be a precautionary measure well worthy attention ; but for
framing rules, regulations and orders, and impressing them in a serious and
formal manner on commanders, officers, and sailors, previous to vessels going
up, as well as the adjustment of all accounts, disputes, &c, previous to their
departure, this or some other outside anchorage is evidently the best position.
In the event of so unhappy a catastrophe occurring, as the death of a Chinese,
we are helpless in Canton ; we must give up a man, or men, or certain indi
viduals in the first instance, and finally the officers of the Commission are
threatened, annoyed, insulted, and ultimately compelled to retreat without the
river, as in the case of the Company's factory in 1821 —2; and then perhaps,
and not till then, is the affair brought to some termination.
If the Chinese authorities wish to communicate with us, they will depute a
Mandarin, or otherwise establish an intercourse, as in the instance before
mentioned, when, not only the Hong merchants, but a Mandarin of rank, came
down to Chuenpee, the very trouble and inconvenience arising therefrom having
some effect in bringing matters to a conclusion. Should the Chinese authorities
not wish to communicate with us, all efforts and expedients to compel them to
it, are unavailing. Captain Elliot's visit to the city gates in January last may
be adduced as a sufficient proof of this assertion ; and experience fully con
vinces us of the inexpediency of similar attempts. On their inviting
us to repair to Canton, either temporarily or permanently, it will be at our
option to comply or decline, as may be most advisable, and it is evident, in
the former case, we should find our position there very much strengthened and
confirmed.
No. 47.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received March 28, 1836.)
His Majesty's cutter Louisa,
(Extract.) Lintin, December 10, 1835.
I SHALL not intrude so far on your Lordship's time, as to enter at length
mto a defence, if such be requisite of the course of quiescent policy, in which
I flatter myself I have successfully persevered to the present moment, when I
rejoice to say everything in this country manifests a state of uninterrupted
tranquillity and peace, which I could hardly have ventured to anticipate from
the very discordant state of society, the virulent party spirit and default of
unanimity and good will existing among the British community in China,
while the important trade of the season is in active, and I trust, successful
progress under a tacit and mutual understanding and total abstinence and
forbearance from communication, on the part of the Chinese and myself.
My position has been one of extreme delicacy and difficulty. Succeeding,
in pursuance of the Instructions under His Majesty's Royal Signet and Sign
Manual, to the high and important office I have the honour to hold, at a crisis
when a false step or error in judgment might not only have led to extreme
hesitation and difficulty in the arrangements which His Majesty's Government
may deem it proper to make for the adjustment of affairs here, and their
future management and controul, but have plunged the whole of His Majesty's
Commission, all British subjects, and the valuable trade in which they are
engaged, as well as perhaps life and property, in great jeopardy, or into an
utterly hopeless and inextricable state of confusion and discord ; my best
efforts have been directed to maintain the precise position in which I found
myself placed on the departure of Mr. Davis, whose recommendation to that
effect has had due weight with me.
107
No. 48.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received April8, 1836.)
His Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
My Lord, Lintin, December 10, 1835.
WITH reference to my present residence at this anchorage, I venture
most earnestly to call your Lordship's attention to the very efficient manner in
■which I am now enabled to exercise a controul and superintendence over the
merchant-ships resorting to, and remaining in China, from its centrical position ;
and the absence of all those impediments, difficulties and annoyances on the
part of the Chinese authorities, which 1 am confident must result from His
Majesty's servants being at Canton, or in any degree in their power ; as well as
the many advantageous opportunities it affords of rendering aid and assistance
to British subjects applying to me for advice.
1 do not apprehend the least notice will be taken of my change of position■
by the Chinese, but am disposed to anticipate their tacit acquiescence in a
measure calculated to meet their wishes for a controlling power over British
ships and subjects, especially sailors, of whose singularities, and sometimes
riotous conduct, they are ever in dread, and to afford them the means of ob
taining redress in cases of injustice or injury, totally free from those harassing
and endless difficulties originating in points of etiquette ; forms of correspondence;
and innumerable causes of dispute and altercation.
If on the arrival of this despatch no definite and conclusive arrangement
has been decided upon, for the future management of affairs in China, I cannot but
express a hope that the plan I am about to submit for your Lordship's consi
deration may meet with approval. I am anxious, however, to await the result
of a short trial and further communications on this important subject from
Canton. I trust I shall he able to suggest a method of accomplishing all the
ends requisite to regulate and controul the affairs of British subjects in China,
by an economical and efficient establishment outside the river, either at this or
some other anchorage, without the least probability of giving rise to perplexing
and anxious discussions with the Chinese authorities, whose object appears to be
solely to keep us from Canton, or of entering into unnecessary communication
with them, save when they may be compelled to invite us thither, or otherwise
carry on a correspondence and intercourse.
To one point alone it is possible their attention may be attracted, and that
is the circumstance of my being in the neighbourhood of the great and increas-
sing emporium of the outside trade. In the event of their remarking on this
part of the measure, I conceive it will be very easy to remove their objections,
simply by changing my position to Chuenpee, the legal and usual anchorage to
which the resort of our men-of-war has generally been sanctioned. Should
however no great opposition occur, and I really see little reason for the appre
hension, it must be evident that no position can be so eminently well adapted, as
independently of a fleet of between twenty-five and thirty ships almost con
stantly lying here in full and active employment, every vessel passing up or
coming down, touches either for the transhipment of cargo, or other commer
cial purposes ; and I have seen upwards of fifty vessels assembled here on one
occasion. To this may be added, that the accounts and claims of the compra
dors and other Chinese, and consequent payments, are rarely concluded until
their final departure from Lintin.
In continuation of this subject, I shall shortly again address your Lordship.
I have, &c,
(Signed) G. B. ROBINSON.
P2
108
No. 49.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received March 28, 1836.)
His Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
My Lord, Lintin, December 10, 1835.
IT is with great satisfaction I forward to your Lordship, copy of a letter
this day received from the Secretary of the British Chamber of Commerce, on
the subject of my residence at Lintin; in addition to which, I have been almost
surprized at the expression of universal approbation, and even of obligation, on
the part of every one connected with the trade to China with whom I have
conversed on the subject. : «
With a view to point out the advantage that will accrue from the residence
here of an authority competent to give advice, and in cases of need, assistance,
I wish briefly to bring to your Lordship's notice, a circumstance which took
place here a few days ago.
On the arrival of the British ship, Fairy Queen, Captain Holmes, according
to a common custom, dispatched an officer in charge of all the letters and packets
to Canton, in a Chinese " fast boat " which he hired for that purpose. On the
way up the boat was seized and detained by some inferior officers stationed at
the mouth of the river, who with a view of extorting money, put the officer in
irons, with many threats and menaces, even of death, in the event of their
demands not being complied with. Being a very young man, and a perfect
stranger in China, he was naturally much alarmed, and wrote to his Captain a
letter full of terror and distress, most earnestly imploring to be released by the
payment of 500 dollars to the bearer. On receiving this letter, Captain Holmes
came on board the cutter to receive my advice, when, entertaining no uneasi
ness for the safety of the officer, much as his being subjected to personal suffer
ing and inconvenience was to be lamented, I recommended the detention on
board the Fairy Queen of the Chinese bearer of the letter. As I anticipated, on
the following morning, another Chinese came alongside, in a very small boat,
with another letter and a smaller demand, stating the young man to be in a
boat guarded by Mandarin soldiers, in a bay about five miles distant. This
second letter detailed the officers sufferings, his being confined in irons, with the
alarming threats that were made to him ; and added, that he was becoming very
sick, and suffering from hunger and cold.
I cannot but remark on the extreme solicitude and anxiety evinced on this
occasion by Captain Holmes, whose feelings and sentiments were highly credit
able to him. But I deemed it advisable to dissuade him from the attempt he
was desirous to make, of proceeding with his own boats and seamen to rescue
his officer by force. In the event of his discovering the exact position of the
boat in which the officer was said to be confined, there would have been every
reason to apprehend an affray of a dangerous nature, in which life might have
been lost, and the consequences of which might have been very serious. I was
therefore glad to find him willingly listen to my counsel, and await the result of
a communication, which I lost no time in forwarding to T. A. Gibb, the consignee
of the ship, in Canton. To this I have as yet received no answer ; but 1 am
happy to say the young man has been restored to his ship in safety, although
not yet informed of the process whereby his release was effected.
My present position enabled me to prevent mischievous consequences
which would probably have ensued, had the Captain, utterly inexperienced and
ignorant of the singularities of this country, proceeded with his seamen,
naturally irritated and excited, to redress his own grievances, or, as might be
apprehended in some cases, to revenge so great an outrage.
I beg here to point out, that, even had I been in Canton, holding that kina
of intercourse with the Hong merchants, which, as it is at all times subject to
their will and pleasure, appears to me wholly inefficacious, I should have been
altogether unable to have prevented mischievous consequences until too late.
And even had such consequences not taken place, as an officer of His Majesty's
Government, totally unconnected with trade, my influence with the Hong mer
chants would have been secondary to that of Mr. Gibb, or any other gentleman
of commercial influence about to load the ship,—a prospective source of profit
109
to them. In all cases of this sort, the officers of His Majesty's Government if
at Canton, must be viewed by the! Hong. merchants, who derive no advantage
from them, in a very insignificant light, compared to wealthy firms or individual
British subjects largely engaged in commerce.
This may be considered as the most essential point of difference between
the officers of the King's Commission and the late Select Committee of the
East India ■ Company, who with so powerful an engine in the>r hands as
the Company's, independently of the influence they consequently derived
over the country and trade, were regarded by the Hong merchants with
extreme deference and consideration ; to which may be added, their having at
their disposal, during the period when difficulties were likely to occur, a well-
ordered, disciplined fleet, affording, in cases of need, a display of officers, men,
arms, and boats, unexampled in any other country or service, and surpassed
only by the royal navy. The commercial character of the Company's factory
rendered their residence at Canton, and familiar and constant intercourse with
the Hong merchants, necessary■ during the season of business. But in all cases
of discussion and difficulty, that intercourse was in a degree suspended, and, in
some cases, an untoward circumstance failed of all adjustment, till after the
withdrawal of the factory, and even shipping from the river.
Another point to which I would call your Lordship's attention, is the fact,
that, in the present disorderly and disorganized state of our mercantile marine,
anyr source of discord that has laid dormant during the voyage, or only partially
exhibited itself, invariably breaks out on the ship's arrival at her first anchorage.
It is here, then, that prompt and immediate steps can be taken for the suppres
sion of riots, and the restoration of order and discipline. Even where my
interference is not called for, 1 am enabled to impress forcibly on the minds
of captains, officers, and seamen, those points to which their attention ought to
be called in this peculiar country, and that they are amenable to punishment
for an infraction of those rules and regulations, with a copy of which I propose
hereafter to furnish each ship. While, on the other hand, ships coming down
do not receive their port-clearance, or become independent of controul, until
their actual and final departure, —a matter of extreme importance, and not
practicable, if the Superintendents are in Canton, as a captain applying for and
obtaining his port-clearance there, would frequently remain within the river, or
at this anchorage, for a period of some length, during which many irregularities
might be committed.
• • I have, &c,
(Signed) GEORGE BEST ROBINSON.
Inclosure in No. 49.
Mr. Sprott Boyd to the Superintendents.
British Chamber of Commerce,
Sirs, Canton, December 8, 1835.
IT has been a source of much inconvenience to the merchants of Canton,
and risk to the ships engaged in this trade, their being obliged to anchor at
Macao to obtain the signature of His Majesty's Superintendents to their mani
fests. The new arrangement, by which this necessity is obviated, has
therefore given much satisfaction to the members of the Chamber of Commerce ;
and I have much pleasure in complying with the request of the Committee, to
return you their tbanks for this instance of your attention to the interests of
His Majesty's subjects engaged in the trade to China.
I have, &c,
By Order of the Committee, •■ ,
, : (Signed) W. SPROTT BOYD,
• Secretary*
110
No. 50.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received May 21, 1836.)
(Extract.) Lintin, January 5, 1836.
SOME official business requiring my presence at Macao for a few days, I
bare deputed Mr. Edward Elinslie, our Secretary and Treasurer, to attest the
manifests of British vessels during my absence from Lintin.
I have great pleasure in assuring your Lordship, that far from any difficul
ties arising in my present situation, I am enabled to exercise a very salutary and
efficient controul over our shipping, to aid and assist British merchants residing
at Canton, and at the present moment are about to proceed to Macao, for the
purpose of communicating with Mr. Morrison, on the subject of an application
which has been made to me by a Hong merchant, for the recovery of a debt in
curred by a Parsee native of Bombay.
On the part of the Chinese, I believe, no opposition will take place to my
official residence here, but that they are likely, tacitly to acquiesce in a step
which promises to relieve them of much difficulty.
Your Lordship will readily comprehend, I am living on board a small vessel
of seventy tons, at the total sacrifice of all personal comfort, and at a moment
when the separation from my family is severely felt: and I cannot conclude this
letter without bringing to your notice, that Mr. Edward Elmslie has willingly
and cheerfully subjected himself to many privations and inconveniences in the
praiseworthy and diligent discharge of his duties. I feel confident his efficient
and active exertions in conformity with my views will be duly appreciated.
No. 51.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received May 13, 1836.)
(Extract.) Macao, January 12, 1836.
Iw-j IN my last address of the 5th instant, I apprized your Lordship of my in-
tion, to depute Mr. Elmslie lo act, during my absence from Lintin, for a few
days in attesting the manifests of Brilish ships, and issuing port-clearances ; and
I am happy to say, I anticipate no difficulties in the course I have adopted, for
the aid and assistance of the mercantile community of Canton, and the exercise
of a salutary controul over all British ships resorting to China.
As a proof of the disposition of the Chinese to avail themselves of my inter
ference in their behalf, I inclose copy of a letter from one of the Hong
merchants, requesting assistance for the recovery of an alleged debt.
In so doing, I merely wish to bring to your Lordship's notice, the disposition
of the Chinese to avail themselves of the interposition of a British authority in
cases of need.
Inclosure in No. 51.
The Hong merchant Yunwo, or Punhoyqua, to Sir G. B. Robinson, respecting a
debt of 6,400 dollars, owing to him by a Parsee merchant, Aomatchee, or
Hormusjee.
c
A respectful communication. December 26, 1835.
In the tenth year of Taoukwang(l830), I undertook the purchase of certain
goods on account of the Parsee foreigner, Hormusjee, amounting in value to up
wards of 6,400 dollars. Our agreement was, that the money was to be repaid to
me within a certain limited period after the delivery of the goods. All commer
cial contracts and agreements regarding time, between me and Hormusjee having
been made by my assistant, Paoukwang, I sent him, at the expiration of the period,
to receive the amount due. Contrary to expectation, Hormusjee put off the pay
Ill
ment from time to time till half a year had elapsed, and he still deferred. See
ing that he made no precise arrangement, I wished to insist on his doing so ; but
to my astonishment, he at length endeavoured to make pretexts, and create dis
turbance, i therefore, at that time, repaired to the Consoo, and requested a meet
ing of my fellow-merchants, to consult with them on the subject. I then imme
diately informed the Honourable Company, requesting their decision. The
Honourable Company decided, that in reason, the debt ought to be repaid ; and
directed the Parsee, Mr. Tseugkeen, forcibly to detain Hormusjee, and to require
him to pay the whole amount before he could be allowed to return home.
After this, years passed over, and I could only wait quietly for the money;
as before, I obtained no information respecting it. But in the fifth month of last
year the Parsee gentleman, Natabhoy, presumed to send Hormusjee home by
stealth. "When I heard thereof I hastened to inquire about it, and was told by
Natabhoy that he had sent Hormusjee home in order that he might speedily remit
money in payment. Finding that he had a person standing surety for himr I
believed the truth of this. But now another year has passed over, and there is
not a word about it, or a fraction of it. I have also heard lately that Natabhoy is
about to return home in the vessel commanded by Kalek. From whom then shall
I ask payment of this money ? From whence shall I obtain restitution of my
blood-earned property ?
Considering that you, Sir, are the chief authority of your country, and that
the regulation of the trade isconfided to you, 1 am enabled to state the whole to
you from beginning to end. I presume to request that you will grasp hold of
justice, and will exercise your power to compel Natabhoy and Hormusjee, and
oblige them to arrange this matter, and speedily repay the whole sum, not suffer
ing them to have recourse to long and frivolous delays. Having already received
a decision in my favour, I hope to have the same carried into effect, and to find
that, from first to last, I have been supported. My gratitude will then be bound
less. For this purpose I write to present my request. And wishing you every
good, &c
(Signed) PWAN WANHAE.
10th Moon, 7th day (December 26th.)
No. 52.
Viscount Palmerston to Sir G. B. Robinson.
Sir, Foreign Office, May 28, 1836.
HIS Majesty's Government approve of the proposal contained in your
despatch, of December 1, 1835; and they are of opinion that it would
be desirable to extend the limits of the powers of the Superintendents of
British trade in China. I have, therefore, to instruct you publicly to notify
that the jurisdiction of the Commission is to be extended, so as to include
Lintin and Macao ; and that from the date of the promulgation of such
notification the authority of the Superintendents over British subjects and
ships is to be considered as extending to Macao as well as Canton; and as being
of equal force and validity within this extended jurisdiction as it has hitherto
been within the limits of the port of Canton,
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
No. 53.
Viscount Palmerston to Sir G. B. Robinson.
(Extract.) Foreign Office, June 6, 1836.
YOUR despatch of the 20th November last, relating to the case of
Mr. Innes, and the Records of the Proceedings of the Commission, from July
28th to August 16th, relating chiefly to the same case, were received here on
112
the 28th of March, the Records being inclosed in a despatch from Mr. Elmslie, the
Acting Secretary and Treasurer, dated December 10, 1835. I gather from them
the following information : that Mr. Innes, a British merchant residing at
Canton, had conceived himself to be unjustly treated by the Chinese authorities,
in consequence of their demurring to satisfy a demand he had made upon them
for the restitution of some bales of merchandize belonging to him, which had
been seized by the Chinese Custom-House Officers ; and that, upon expe
riencing delay in the settlement of his demand, he had notified to the Governor
of Canton his intention to procure redress for himself by acts of reprisal
against the Chinese trade.
All the Papers relating to this case, are at present under the consideration
of the law officers of the Crown, and until I have received their report upon
them, I shall not be enabled to send you such precise and definite Instruc
tions as the complicated nature of the transaction appears to me to require.
But I cannot abstain from expressing to you the surprise with which His
Majesty's Government learned Mr. Innes's intentions, — intentions which cannot
be too strongly condemned ; and wrhich, if carried into execution, would have
rendered Mr. Innes liable to the penalties of piracy. If Mr. Innes alone were
concerned, he might be left to abide by the consequences of his own violence,
but the proceedings which he threatens to adopt, would expose to inconvenience
and danger the British subjects resident at Canton ; and I have therefore to
instruct vou to prevent Mr. Innes, by all legal means, from executing his threats,
if his own sense of their impropriety should not already have induced him to
renounce them.
With regard to any expectation which may have been held out to Mr.
Innes, that the authority of His Majesty's Government might possibly be
exerted to procure for him the redress he has required, I must observe that his
claim involves questions of considerable difficulty; and is by no means so clear
and unquestionable, as to warrant any such measure as, "to make the
recovery of Mr. Innes's property a subject of demand on the Chinese autho
rities, on your first formally coming into contact with them."
You will, however, avail yourself of any suitable opportunity to press upon
the Chinese Authorities, the restoration of the property in question, unless those
Authorities can show that the goods were seizable by the Custom-house regu
lations, in consequence of being found in the place where they were seized.
It must be remarked, however, that there was ground for unfavourable
presumption against the goods ; and that upon the principle contended for by
Mr. Innes,—that the employer is responsible for the agent, —he (Mr. Innes)
who was at the time employing the pilot Acha, who had charge of the goods,
may be required to pay forfeit for the violation of the Chinese Custom laws by
the pilot. .
I am &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
No. 54.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received June 6, 1836.)
(Extract.) ; ■ . Macao, January 16, 1836.
FROM the results alone, since I had the honour to succeed to my present
office, your Lordship will discriminate how far I am capable of appreciating the
vast importance of an interrupted progress of the trade, in preference to attempt
ing any speculative measures to effect a change in our position which, if achieved,
might not prove of adequate advantage to the risk incurred.
To conclude, it is with extreme satisfaction I assure your Lordship, that I
have never witnessed, during a period of sixteen years passed in the China
service, a more quiet, regular, or, I trust, prosperous season than the present ; and
I can only pledge myself, that I shall never wilfully incur any hazard or danger
to the important trade confided to my care.
113
No. 55.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received June 6, 1836.)
His Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
(Extract.) 1 Lintin, January 29, J 836.
IT must remain for the decision of your Lordship, whether my policy in
abstaining from futile attempts to force ourselves into communication with the
Chinese authorities, to the prejudice and risk of our present tranquillity, evinces
prudence and sound judgment, inasmuch as this season is now well advanced,
and likely to draw to a prosperous conclusion, without the occurrence of any
serious difficulties or inconvenience. A large fleet of merchant-ships had been
loaded and dispatched ; commercial operations have been carried on with vigour,
activity, and success ; while the British and foreign community in Canton have
not been subjected to annoyance, privation, and anxiety, of which they might
have justly complained, had any measures of mine led to a recurrence of those
perplexing and vexatious discussions, certain to end in defeat, failure, and
disgrace.
That no misunderstanding may take place in regard to my views as
respects our policy in China, I consider it right to assure your Lordship, that to
keep out of difficulties is my object, rather than voluntarily to encounter, for
the sake of perhaps overcoming them. In our present position, I have deemed
it most prudent to let things take their course, so long as that course continued
smooth and prosperous, in reference to endeavouring to mend matters by
extremely hazardous experiments.
All attempts at communication with the Chinese authorities at Canton
will prove unavailing at present, they are determined to oppose and defeat them ;
but they are perfectly willing tacitly to permit our controul and superintendence
of British subjects, provided we do not repair to Canton. Natives are forbidden
to assist or serve us in any such attempt ; heavy punishment is to be inflicted on
any person who receives us into his house ; and every endeavour on their part
seems directed to the one point, which I consider it to be so eminently important
to achieve, namely, an exact reverse of our position, by our being invested with
full powers without the river, whereby I am positive every end for which this
Commission was formed might be accomplished, and both the King's officers and
British Residents exempted from those disgraceful and prejudicial humiliations
and annoyances, which I feel assured will follow our forcing our way to Canton,
or holding an imaginary intercourse (for such it must be) with the Hong mer
chants, thereby actually creating our own sources of complaint, by strengthening
and cherishing that very body of monopolists, and, to use their own term,
" restrainers and compellers of barbarians," in place of exerting all our efforts to
overcome (not by violent measures, be it understood) all their incessant
machinations and contrivances to keep us in an abject state of subjection.
No. 56.
Viscount Palmerston to Sir G. B. Robinson.
(Extract.) Foreign Office, June 7, 1836.
YOUR despatches of the 16th and 29th of January, were received
here yesterday, and His Majesty's Government is accordingly furnished with
some means of forming an opinion with regard to the measure which you adopted
in the month of November last, of taking up your residence at Lintin.
As to the advantages which you anticipate would result to British commerce
from the formation of a permanent establishment at Lintin, of the nature of that
114
which you suggest in your despatch of December 1st, 1835, I have to say,
that, after duly considering what you have said yourself in favour of such an
establishment, and the reasons against it, His Majesty's Government do not
feel that they have yet been put sufficiently in possession of the means of
forming any final opinion upon this suggestion; and I, therefore, cannot
authorize the permanent residence of the Commission at Lintin, until I have
received further information upon the subject.
You are not, however, to understand from what I have said above, that I
disapprove of your having resided for some time at Lintin. So imperfectly
informed as I am, with respect to what can be stated for and against the
step you had adopted, I am obliged to take for granted that your reasons for
having adopted it, appeared to you to be of sufficient weight to counterbalance
the inconveniences attendant upon your having separated yourself from your
colleagues ; and having undertaken alone to carry on the business of the
Commission, without waiting to learn whether your Government coincided in
your own particular views, or not.
It has long been the intention of His Majesty's Government to reduce the
establishment in China : this measure is called for by the necessity of practising
economy in every branch of the public service ; and is justified by the extent and
nature of the business which the Commission has to transact. For the due
despatch of this business, I am. of opinion, that an establishment considerably
less than that which now exists will be sufficient. I cannot yet exactly state
what may be the precise nature of the future establishment ; but I am clearly of
opinion, that there is no longer any occasion for the continuance of the office of
-Ghief Superintendent. It, therefore, now becomes my duty to acquaint you,
that His Majesty's Government have decided to abolish at once the office and
salary of Chief Superintendent. In communicating to you this decision, I have
at the same time to inform you, that your functions will cease from the date of
the receipt of this despatch. You will make over to Captain Elliot all the
archives of the Commission; which will, of course, include copies of every
despatch, and its inclosures, which you have addressed to this department
•during the period you have acted as Chief Superintendent.
No. 57.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston. — (Received June 14, 1836.)
His Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
(Extract.) Lintin, January 29, 1836.
IN a former despatch, I intimated my intention of submitting
for your Lordship's consideration, the plan of an establishment which, I con
ceive, would fully and efficiently accomplish the ends contemplated by His
Majesty's Government, for the general Superintendence of the Trade, the controul
and assistance of the mercantile community, and more particularly, that most
essential branch of our duties,—the better management and regulation of the
ships, without danger or interruption to the quiet progress of the Trade, or sub
jecting the King's officers, as well as all our countrymen, to disgraceful humilia
tions, constant annoyances, privations, and, it is to be feared, severe loss and
detriment, which I cannot but too surely apprehend will ever attend the resi
dence of a British authority in Canton, unless properly established there, and
duly acknowledged and respected by the Local Government.
Before I proceed, however, I must distinctly avow my opinion, that the
attainment of so important a point as the establishment of His Majesty's Com
mission at Canton, in a proper and becoming position, is one most desirable in
itself, and likely to be attended with the greatest advantages and benefits; but I
firmly believe that, unless by force of arms, it will never be achieved. The events
of some years past militate in no small degree against any rational hope, that,
without intimidation, and, I fear, ultimate resort to hostilities, a proper under
115
standing could be established, although not a doubt can be entertained of the
perfect success that must attend the adoption of vigorous and efficient measures
on the part of the British Government.
The destruction of one or two forts, and the occupation of one of the
islands in this neighbourhood, so singularly adapted by nature, in every respect,
for commercial purposes, would, I am positive, promptly produce upon this bar
barous nation, arrogant in proportion to their ignorance, every effect we could
desire, and at once and for ever place our Trade and political relations with the
empire on a respectable, safe, and becoming footing.
But it is by no means my duty or intention to offer suggestions of this
nature, save as the means of conveying my opinion of the perfect certainty of
success, and the immense advantages that would emanate therefrom, in the event
of His Majesty's Government at any time deeming such a course advisable. On
the contrary, my object is to point out the little necessity that exists for so total
a change of policy, by the adoption of an alternative which now presents itself,
for the almost imperceptible adjustment of existing difficulties, and the future
management of affairs, as well as reduction in expense consequent upon this
change in the nature of our establishment.
The Chinese seem to have but one object ; that is, to prevent our establish
ing ourselves permanently at Canton. It appears to me, then, injudicious and
vain, to persist in the endeavour to place ourselves completely in their power, and
entirely under their controul and thraldom, when the very locality of that place
alone, renders our residence there almost incompatible with the duties we have
to discharge, and exposes British merchants in a tenfold degree, to inconvenience
and danger, arising from our collision with the Mandarins.
I conceive the principal object of maintaining a British authority in this
country, is to exercise a salutary controul over the safety, conduct, and perhaps
property, of the King's subjects in China ; to arbitrate and assist in the adjust
ment of disputes and differences ; and to prevent the occurrence of actions or
proceedings, whereby the natives of China may be wronged or aggrieved ; or to the
prejudice of that high national character and reputation, which it is so desirable
to uphold and maintain, even for policy and interest alone.
To these ends, a full and efficient controul over the shipping is the main
point ; little else seems requisite. While that power is retained in our hands,
and exercised when necessary, with judgment and discretion, little difficulty will
exist in the management of other matters. No man can quit the country, or
evade the fulfilment of just claims against him; and it cannot be doubted that
the knowledge of our ability effectually to interpose our lawful authority, will
check those evils which might be expected to result from the total absence of any
officer of His Majesty's Government, unconnected with Trade, unbiassed by
party feelings, and ever vigilant over the safety, welfare, and bearing of the
King's subjects.
Feeling somewhat doubtful how far my residence at this anchorage, on board
this little vessel of seventy-four tons, in conformity to the public notice under
date November 21, would answer the expectations I had long since formed of
its utility and advantage, and being uncertain in what manner the Chinese would
view the change of position I had assumed, trifling as it is, I delayed this despatch
until the present period, when the season is well advanced, and I am competent
to speak with confidence and truth on the efficient means I here possess to
discharge at least a most important part of my duty.
In this place I shall not enter into any argument on the mischiefs attendant
upon that disunion and opposition which I fear inevitably results from the exist
ence of a Council or Board of three or more persons, but under the impression
that the management of affairs would devolve infinitely better on a single indivi
dual, whose views and proceedings, not liable to opposition and counteraction,
could be carried into effect on his whole and sole responsibility, I submit, with
all due deference, that he should reside on board some vessel in the vicinity of
the shipping, completely out of the power, and free from the restraints, of the
Chinese. His situation should be centrical, for general communication, and his
means of locomotion entirely unshackled. To effect this, and to afford him a
comfortable habitation, I would suggest the purchase or hire of a small merchant
vessel [about 200 hundred tons], capable of accommodation for the Chief Super
intendent. A Secretary to succeed to his office in the event of death or absence,
and one or two clerks ; sufficient room for a master and crew of about twelve
Q2
good steady seamen, two of whom might be sworn in as constables, to act as
occasion required. Room might also be found for a medical man, whose
presence in a large fleet is of the greatest advantage, and a space devoted for the
reception of a person under arrest, or whom it may be desirable to take out of
his ship. The expense attendant upon such an establishment would be trifling
indeed, compared with that of the present Commission, if permanently fixed at
Canton, or elsewhere on shore, and its utility and efficacy in my opinion beyond
all calculation.
The duties devolving on the head of such an establishment, would be, to
receive the registers and papers of ships arriving; issuing precise and distinct
orders and regulations for the guidance of captains and seamen, who are to
appeal to him in serious cases of disturbance or complaint on board ship, and
invariably on every occasion where natives of China are concerned, in place of
taking the law into their own hands, and seeking to redress their real or imagin
ary grievances. To listen patiently and attentively to any Chinese who may be
injured or aggrieved, and, by the power with which he is invested, to afford them
redress, and, if possible, indemnification ; to attend to the better ordering and
discipline of the ships, by watchful observation over both commanders and
seamen ; and by every means in his power, to improve and ameliorate the present
disorganized state of the mercantile marine. I venture to predict, with confi
dence emanating from my own experience, that much may be done by precept
and example, combined with the power vested in an officer of His Majesty's
Government.
An idea will naturally suggest itself, that for the above purpose, a man-of-
war would be best suited. I have no doubt of the advantage that would accrue
from one of His Majesty's ships being permanently stationed in China, and that,
as far as our countrymen are concerned, especially sea-faring men, she would
prove doubly efficacious and useful ; but my experience in this country con
vinces me the Chinese would never tolerate (at least for some time to come,
until they become assured that no ulterior or sinister views were in contempla
tion,) her permanent stay even outside the river, and that any attempt to carry
her within the Bocca Tigris would be utterly futile. Time, indeed, might
change their prejudices and inveterate dislike to any appearance of a military
force ; but for the present, a mercantile ship or vessel, divested of all warlike
appurtenances, is obviously requisite. She might hoist a distinguishing and
appropriate flag ; and it has been suggested to me, by a very intelligent Chinese,
from whom I candidly confess I have received many hints, that a pendant or flag,
bearing the Chinese characters of civil officer, would be very suitable to their
own ideas. I doubt not that such a vessel would be allowed to pass the forts
and move about at pleasure ; indeed, were it necessary, I conceive her permanent
anchorage at Whampoa during the season would be sanctioned. Whilst, how
ever, a competent effect resulted from her station being without the river, I should
strongly advocate that no chimerical views of improvement were allowed to over
come the most prudential forbearance and compliance with prejudices absurd as
they may be.
So firmly convinced am I of the advantages that would attend the immediate
adoption of the plan, that I have been nearly induced to purchase one or two
vessels which have been offered at moderate terms for sale, and were well adapted
for the purpose. Nothing prevented my so doing, but the anxious wish to avoid
even an appearance of presumptuously carrying my individual views into effect,
until I was honoured with the expression of your Lordship's approbation.
In this place it may not be irrelevant to remark, that it is foreign to my
disposition and feelings to act upon the impulse of the moment, and I may
venture to pledge myself, that even in very trifling and unimportant affairs, I
shall ever defer undertaking measures in accordance with my own wishes, without
the sanction and authority of your Lordship.
I firmly believe that, on the first issue of my public notice, there was hardly
one, if any, adverse voice or sentiment ; I was thus informed on every side; but I
lament to assert, that there exists such bitter and inveterate party feeling in this
place, that whatever one set or party propose and advocate is certain to be
violently condemned, opposed, and, if possible, counteracted by the other.
It is not necessary I should disgust your Lordship by the relation of the
evil consequences produced of late years by this lamentable spirit. I will only
express a hope that it may die away in time, and cease to act to the extreme
prejudice and detriment of the public welfare and our national character.
117
It may, however, I repeat, affect the measure in question ; and therefore 1
feel compelled to exercise a degree of reserve and circumspection repugnant to
my feelings, and quietly and unobtrusively bring things into such a train, that,
if I should be gratified by the expression of your Lordship's approbation and
definite instructions, no perceptible change will be apparent. It is my determi
nation, therefore, at the total sacrifice, however, of my personal comfort and
domestic happiness, to reside principally on board this little vessel at her present
anchorage, and thus establish, in a great degree, my position. In this there is
no change of the policy hitherto adopted, or the slightest deviation from the
principles I entertained ever since the expulsion of His Majesty's Commission
from Canton. It is no relinquishment of pretension, but simply an effort to
secure a better position, or, more clearly speaking, to make the best of a very
bad one. After being so ignominiously expelled from Canton, where an attempt
to establish ourselves produced such extraordinary inconvenience, detriment, and
anxiety, not only to our own countrymen, but even to the foreign community in
general, when Edicts have been issued, threatening severe punishment to all
natives who may be suspected only of serving or assisting us, when the disastrous
results and criminal accusations by which perfectly innocent men were involved,
and unhappily suffered persecution and torture, are before our eyes, is it possible
I could have ventured to risk, or rather entail, a repetition of those evils, by
madly attempting to repair thither?
If, therefore, we cannot place ourselves within the defined limits specified
in our instructions, I am surely better situated on board a vessel belonging to
His Majesty than in a Portuguese settlement, at which His Majesty's Com
mission is likewise unacknowledged, isolated from the great body of shipping,
far removed from the first anchorage to which they all resort on arrival, and
incapacitated from affording prompt and efficient advice and assistance in nume
rous cases where my presence alone has prevented serious evils, and tended to
maintain the idea, especially amongst sailors, that there is an authority existing
in this country competent to redress grievances and punish offences. I could
adduce numerous instances, but I forbear to intrude further on your Lordship's
time, except to add, that intelligent Chinese have strongly insisted that no diffi
culties are to be feared so long as I do not endeavour to force myself into com
munication or correspondence with the Canton Authorities, neither is any notice
likely to be taken of my official residence here ; and I was informed by a Chinese
who came from Canton to see me on other business only a few days ago, that
much satisfaction was felt by the shopkeepers and similar classes at the informa
tion : a reference to me would at all times avail them in the fair settlement of
their claims, against ships or individuals on the point of departure.
Implicit obedience to the very spirit of any instructions I may have the
honour to receive will be my first care ; should they, however, not militate against
the continuation of my present system, or direct the adoption of very opposite
measures, I shall deem it my duty to persevere quietly in it, gradually extending
my controul over British ships, and establishing, by the force of habit and custom
(the most powerful talisman in China), the foundation of that establishment I
have suggested.
I would here respectfully solicit your Lordship's attention to the subject,
that in the early part of next season, every preliminary may be arranged. The
ships will leave the river very early, and during the summer months I shall
endeavour to prevent any irregularities taking place amongst the many British
vessels now about to proceed for rice and other Straits' produce, and likely to
anchor or resort, during the summer months, to this or the adjacent anchorage of
the Cumsingmoon, as well as any collision between our countrymen at Canton
and the Chinese, of which, however, I see little chance ; nor do I entertain the
least apprehension of any difficulties, unless, indeed, created by any injudicious
attempts on the part of this Commission to produce an alteration in our position,
little likely to prove an amendment.
To use the common, but applicable maxim, of "Letting that which is well
alone," I shall carefully avoid all danger and risk of any change of a doubtful
nature in its prospective effects.
118
No. 58.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received June 14, 1836.)
His Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
(Extract.) Lintin, February 1, 1836.
WITH reference to my despatch of January 29, wherein I trust 1 have suc
ceeded in exhibiting the advantages that would, in my own opinion, emanate from
the establishment suggested, of a British authority resident in some vessel in the
immediate vicinity of the shipping, or the most centrical and convenient ancho
rage for communication with them, I have briefly mentioned that I conceive the
sole direction, management, and responsibility of affairs, would better devolve on
one individual, than on a Council or Board of three. Generally speaking, since
I came to the country, I have been aware of great difference of opinion existing
between the members of the Select Committee of the East India Company, and
in the remarkable discussions of 1829— 1830, the effect was obvious enough, act
ing to the full extent of completely counteracting the views and efforts of both
parties or sides, for so I cannot but call them. Disunion in council, adverse and
different opinions and interests, with the consequent opposition, extending itself
even amongst the shipping, has unfortunately furnished the Chinese with a most
powerful weapon to turn against ourselves, of which so astute and discerning a
people failed not adroitly to avail themselves. Failure, defeat, and disgrace have
consequently attended all " discussions" as they are termed, and 1 can only anti
cipate similar results in future.
Facts speak for themselves; it is vain to recur to the errors of past years, save
as a warning and beacon for the future. Should' my views and suggestions seem
worthy of adoption, one individual, in whom is vested a power and authority
legally constituted and competent over all British subjects, within a certain dis
tance of the coast of China, residing afloat or even if it may be practicable on shore,
in any place or position that may seem most expedient and desirable, will ever be
more unanimously supported and aided by his countrymen, and, therefore, enabled
to carry any rational views, in conformity to his instructions, into operation, on
his own personal responsibility.
To provide for the contingency of death or absence, a competent confiden
tial and responsible Secretary, might qualify himself, by the discharge of more
detailed duties and an attentive observation of passing events, to succeed to the
office of the Chief; and an Assistant Secretary duly qualified to take the Secretary
ship, being on the spot, 1 conceive the establishment would be complete, with
occasional clerks, who, however, would scarcely be required, if all three took an
active share in the duties of the service.
The peculiarity of this country and the singularity of our relations with it,
commercial and political, although the latter term seems superfluous, render it a
point of infinite importance that the successors to office should practically acquire
that experience and knowledge so essential for a judicious exercise of the great
power vested in the hands of one man, by a previous residence therein. I know of
no place in this world, where the ideas, opinions, and prejudices of strangers or
those recently arrived, undergo so great a change as in China, until very lately a
terra incognita, and inaccessible, save to a very limited number of individuals.
It may seem somewhat presumptuous in me to offer any hints on the
adequate remuneration of these officers, but I must observe that the situation of
Chief is evidently one of extreme importance and responsibility. The mer
chants of Canton are a very wealthy body of men, expensive in their style of
living and in the habit of estimating others (and such would especially apply to a
public man), according to their pecuniary worth and resources. The agents of
the East India Company derive much of their consequence from the nature of
their appointment, between which and that of His Majesty's officers there would
exist little comparison, considering the allowances granted them, and the liberal
pension upon which they will retire after a period of twenty-two years' service,
during which it is to be supposed they must have acquired an independent fortune;
but I feel the subject is a delicate one, and it can hardly be considered becoming
on me to enter upon it.
119
For the office of Secretary and Assistant Secretary, the salary of 3.000Z.
and 1,500Z. per annum, appear proportionably appropriate, and I trust I may with
propriety express a hope, that any officer of His Majesty's Government may ever
be enabled to live in a style suitable to his rank and station ; and that the very
great sacrifice of every advantage of civilized life, the numerous and serious
privations and annoyances accompanying an exile in this disagreeable country,
may be taken into liberal consideration.
On the probable expenditure requisite for the vessel suggested, and the
contingent demands, I shall address your Lordship in another despatch. It
will not, however, be deemed, I feel certain, unreasonable, considering the nature
and extent of the advantages accruing.
No. 59.
Viscount Palrnerston to Sir G. B. Robinson.
Sir, Foreign Office, June 15, 1836.
SINCE the date of my despatch of the 7th instant, your despatches of
the 29th of January and 1st of February, from Lintin, have been received and
laid before His Majesty's Government. And I have to state to you in reply,
that there does not appear to be anything in those despatches to render
necessary a change in the arrangement which has already been decided upon,
and which was communicated to you in my despatch above referred to.
I am, &c,
(Signed) FALMERSTON.
No. 60.
Viscount Palrnerston to Captain Elliot.
(Extract.) Foreign Office, June 15, 1836.
HIS Majesty's Government having decided, for the reasons stated in my
despatch to Sir George Robinson, of the 7th instant, to abolish the office
and salary of the Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China ; the duties
of that office have now devolved upon you, as the Second Superintendent.
Sir George Robinson has been directed to make over to you all the archives
of the Commission ; and you will, from the date of the receipt of this despatch,
consider yourself as the Chief of the Commission.
No. 61.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palrnerston.—(Received July 4, 1836.)
His Majesty Cutter Louisa.
(Extract.) Lintin, February 5, 1836.
I SEE no grounds to apprehend the occurrence of any fearful events on the
north-east coast, nor can I learn what new danger exists. I am assured, from
the best authority, that the scuffles between different parties of smugglers and
Mandarins, alike engaged and competing in the traffic, are not more serious, or
frequent than in this province. In no case have Europeans been engaged in any
kind of conflict or affray ; and while this increasing and lucrative trade is in the
hands of the parties whose vital interests are so totally dependent on its safety
aud continuance, and by whose prudence and integrity it has been cherished and
brought into its present increasing and flourishing condition, I think little
apprehension may be entertained of dangers emanating from imprudence on
their part. Should any unfortunate catastrophe take place, what would our
position at Canton entail upon us but responsibility and jeopardy ? from which
we are now free. #
120
On the question of " Smuggling Opium," I will not enter in this place,
though, indeed, smuggling carried on actually in the Mandarin boats can hardly
be termed such. Whenever His Majesty's Government direct us to prevent
British vessels engaging in the traffic, we can enforce any order to that effect ;
but a more certain method would be to prohibit the growth of the poppy and
manufacture of Opium in British India; and if British ships are in the habit
of committing irregularities and crimes, it seems doubly necessary to exercise a
salutary controul over them by the presence of an authority at Lintin.
No. 62.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received July 4, 1836.)
His Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
(Extract.) Lintin, February 8, 1836.
I MUST bo permitted to call your Lordship's attention to the fact, that any
deviation from the line of conduct so judiciously inculcated by my predecessor,
Mr. Davis, might (indeed I am certain would) have led to difficulties and inter
ruptions to the trade, accompanied by innumerable and unforeseen sources of
anxiety and risk, in place of the present aspect of affairs, at the conclusion almost
of a most successful commercial season : had those consequences resulted, to
whom would the responsibility attach ? obviously, I think, to myself, as I felt it
did on the occasion of the Second Superintendent's visit to the city gate ; and
while I allude to that unfortunate proceeding, I must apprise your Lordship that
during that gentleman's short stay at Whampoa, when concerting measures for
proceeding with two armed vessels to recapture the boat's crew of the Argyle,
private letters reached me at Macao, pointing out the immediate determination
of the Chinese Government to stop the trade until he quitted the river. I lost
no time therefore in privately requesting him to return, and from that period
firmly resolved to abstain from any attempts at intercourse with the Chinese,
until in possession of further instructions, unless indeed anything like an advance
had been made on their part ; but I can safely assert that, far from evincing any
such disposition, they seem carefully to avoid the possibility of any collision with
us. At the same time, it must be observed, they tacitly acquiesce in our re
maining at Macao, and also in my official residence at this anchorage, to which
I only anticipate objections if the bitter party spirit raging at Canton, should
induce ill-disposed or interested individuals to attract their attention to the subject,
in an unfavourable or suspicious point of view.
At the suggestion of some of the principal commercial gentlemen at
Canton, and I believe in accordance with the wishes of the whole community, I
proposed the plan of assisting them to the utmost of my ability by residing
at this anchorage, in place of remaining comfortably at Macao with my family,
thereby entailing on merchants, captains, and British subjects in general, the
delay, danger, and inconvenience consequent upon the necessity of resorting
thither on all matters of business.
It may be necessary to explain to your Lordship, that large ships cannot
approach Macao at any time ; and that in strong winds it is difficult, sometimes
impracticable, to communicate with the shore vessels in Macao Roads, are often
liable to be blown out to sea while the captains are on shore ; and must be at all
times exposed to considerable risk and danger, whereby the insurance would be
affected, whereas they are in perfect safety, and may be detained, if requisite, at
this anchorage without the least apprehension.
121
No. 63.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received July 4, 1836.)
His Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
(Extract.) lAntin, February 10, 1836.
I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copy of a letter from the
British Chamber of Commerce, and my reply thereto, as also of a letter I
consequently addressed to Mr. J. R. Morrison.
That gentleman shortly after visited me at Lintin, where I explained fully
my views and opinions on the subject of his residence at Canton, and furnished
him with precise and positive instructions for his guidance on certain points ;
in others, much must be left to his own prudence and discretion,—of which I
entertain a very high opinion, and rest perfectly assured and satisfied that no
serious evils will result from his resorting to the provincial city, perfectly in a
private character, and solely for the purpose of assisting the British community
in matters of a commercial nature ; but at the same time I must confess, I cannot
at this time approve of the resort to Canton of any member of the Commission ;
and I have apprized Mr. Morrison of my intention to recall him on the first
appearance of any difficulties or inconvenience emanating from his interference
or interposition.
No. 64.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received July 1, 1836.)
His Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
(Extract.) Lintin, February 27, 1838.
THE Trade is going on ; a friendly understanding subsists between our
mercantile community and the Chinese, ample for all commercial purposes, and a
mutual abstinence and forbearance from every source of discussion and conse
quent enmity, evinces, in my opinion, sound judgment aud discretion.
On the subject of attempting to communicate with the local authorities
through the medium of the Hong merchants, it is scarcely necessary for me to
comment. The very act of such intercourse with them will ever preclude the
possibility of our coming into more intimate contact with the Mandarins. But
it is no communication, inasmuch as they will ever decline to deliver even our
petitions, on all occasions relating to the extortions, exactions, oppressions, and
corruption of their own body, against whose power and monopoly we have princi
pally to exclaim, and for the annihilation of which our strongest efforts ought to
be exerted.
From a people so arrogant and barbarous, nothing is gained by undue humi
liation and self-abasement. They are generally disposed to respect us, in pro
portion as we respect ourselves. Under existing circumstances, the less we
have to do with the Chinese authorities, the more probable it is we shall avoid
difficulties and dangers, by which not only our present tranquillity may be
endangered, but our future arrangements affected.
No. 65.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, July 22, 1836.
WITH reference to that part of your Minute of the 27th of December, 1835,
inclosed in Sir George Robinson's despatch of the 18th of February last, in
which, for the reasons therein stated, you advised' that the commander of the
steam-boat Jardine should be enjoined, on the King's authority, by no means to
proceed up the river to Canton, I think it necessary to recommend to you great
R
122
caution in interfering in such a manner with the undertakings of British mer
chants. In the present state of our relations with China, it is especially incum
bent upon you, while you do all that lies in your power to avoid giving just
cause of offence to the Chinese authorities, to be at the same time very careful
not to assume a greater degree of authority over British subjects in China than
that which you in reality possess.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
(Minute referred to in the foregoing Despatch.)
Macao, December 27, 1 835.
I HEAR it very generally reported to-day that the steam-boat Jardine, now at
Lintin, is to proceed to Canton on Tuesday or Wednesday next. The disquietude of
the Provincial Government upon the subject of this vessel had already been mani
fested in an Edict, desiring that she should leave the country; and I am informed
a request to let her ply in the river as a passage-boat has just been negatived. In
the present state of circumstances, I feel it my duty to advise that a pubiic letter
should be forthwith addressed to the commander of the steam-boat, enjoining him,
under the King's authority, by no means to proceed up the river at present. I
would further recommend that a letter should be addressed to the consignees of
the vessel (covering a copy of the communication to the commander) to the effect
that such a step, at this period, appeared to the Commission to be extremely
imprudent, and it had therefore been determined to require that the intention
should be abandoned. The port of Canton i3 now full of shipping waiting for
cargoes to proceed to England ; and I confess the moment appears to me so pecu
liarly unfavourable for any experiment of this description, that I found the greatest
difficulty in crediting the report upon the subject ; it is repeated, however, in so
many quarters, that I feel compelled to believe it is well founded. If it be true
that any attempt has been made to secure the consent of the Foo Yuen, and that
his refusal has been signified, the risks of very serious difficulties are vastly
enhanced. We have been specially warned, and the Chinese officers well know the
advantage that particular circumstance will afford them for the vindication of any
measures which our scornful disregard of their authority may lead them to pursue.
If this steam-vessel goes up the river at this moment, I feel a persuasion that some
grave public inconvenience will ensue. That the persons on duly at the forts in
the Bogue will be fully justified in stopping her (by force, if needful) is plain; and
that any opposition upon the part of the vessel would be both utterly lawless and
futile is quite as clear. But it may happen that they will suffer her to pass the
forts with just so much of evidence to prove that it is a forced passage (by firing
a few shot wide of her) as will serve to justify proceedings of another complexion;
in this case, it is my strong opinion, that the Chinese will resort to some general
measure in assertion of their powers and independence as a Government, involving
the interruption of this trade, till some required concession shall be made. No
Government can afford, if I may so express it, to be reduced to utter contempt
in the sight of its own people by a handful of heedless foreigners ; the sacrifice,
in point of public estimation, is far too considerable.
I desire to record my own conviction that some most disagreeable public con
sequences will follow if the steam-boat proceeds up the river at this moment, in con
temptuous disregard of a recent refusal to let her pass. At a suitable period, and
with due caution, I am sure such a point might be easily and safely accomplished.
It is my deliberate opinion that the full weight of responsibility for any disaster or
mischief which arises out of this attempt at the present moment will devolve upon
this Commission, unless we can clearly show that we enjoined all British persons
having any authority over the vessel, or employed on board of her, to abstain
from taking any part in a proceeding calculated imminently to risk interests of
vast public and private importance, and in direct disobedience to His Majesty's
Instructions, issued agreeably to Act of Parliament, setting forth that it is the
duty of all his subjects to respect the laws and usages of this empire.
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Second Superintendent.
123
No. f&
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
(Extract.) Foreign Office, July 22, 1836.
I HAVE to observe to you that it does not appear to His Majesty's
Government, that it would be expedient that you should attempt to re-open
communications with the Viceroy through the Hong merchants ; but, on the
contrary, it is dssirable that you should decline every proposition to revive
official communications through that channel, whatever may be the quarter
from whence such propositions may come.
It might be very suitable for the servants of the East India Company, '
themselves an Association of merchants, to communicate with the authorities of
China through the merchants of the Hong ; but the Superintendents are officers
of the King, and as such can properly communicate with none but officers
of the Chinese Government. This is a point upon which you should insist ;
and 1 have therefore to instruct you, if any attempt should be made by the
Hong merchants to enter into communication with you upon matters of public
business, to express your regret that you are not at liberty to receive any such
communications, except from the Viceroy direct, or through some responsible
officer of the Chinese Government.
I have to add, that His Majesty's Government do not deem it expedient
that you should give to your written communications with the Chinese*—,
Government, the name of " Petitions."
No. 67.
The Hon. W. Fox Strangways to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, September 14, 1836.
I AM directed by Viscount Palmerston to transmit to you, for the purpose
of being forwarded to the Portuguese Governor of Macao, the accompanying
letter, under flying seal, addressed to his Excellency by his Government, con
taining instructions as to the conduct he should pursue in all matters in which
the Superintendents of British Trade in China, may have occasion to address
themselves to his Excellency, on subjects relating to the discharge of their
official duties : these instructions are sent to his Excellency in consequence of
the representations of His Majesty's Government to that of Portugal, of the
circumstances stated in Sir G. Robinson's despatch of the 23rd of November,
1835.
I am, &c,
(Signed) W. FOX STRANGWAYS.
R 2
124
Np. 68.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.— {Received September 29, 1836.)
His Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
(Extract.) Lintin, March 1, 1836.
I HAVE the honour to inclose copy of a letter from Mr. Innes to my
individual address, the reply thereto, and of an open letter I, at the same time,
inclosed to our Interpreters.
Incloswe 1 in No. 68.
Mr. Innes to Sir G. B. Robinson.
Sir George, Macao, February 22, 1836.
I VERY respectfully submit to your recollection the following circum
stances.
I received an injury and lost property out of a ship called the Orwell,
Captain Dalrymple.
I did my duty to my constituents, in applying for its recovery to the late
deceased Governor of Canton, and failed in my object. I did put in motion a
vessel for reprisal against Chinese subjects ; moved by you, I abstained there
from, on your pledge to represent the matter, both here (at a proper time) and
home, for redress.
If you do not consider it to interfere •with that pledge, I mean to draw the
attention of the new Governor of Canton to this subject ; and if I have your
permission to do so, I hope you will allow Mr. Morrison or Mr. Gutzlaff to
translate into Chinese my Petition to the new Governor : and for this I
beg written -instructions, as asking favours of subordinate officers is
inconvenient.
I wish to put a curious fact before you ; Monteith and Co. who are the
chief losers, are skilful chymists and inventors of colours : and they have
recently arrived at a new colour : the goods robbed from me were of this new
colour. On a day in last January, I was called to be present at the opening of
some goods of mine, to have the duties fixed by the Hoppo ; and this took
place in the Hong, once the Honourable East-India Company's, now Messrs.
Daniell's, when I saw in possession of an attendant officer a cotton-handker
chief ; a whole hankerchief of which, besides the stolen goods, only I was
possessed in all China of a similar colour ; and mine were (being musters for
selling by) half handkerchiefs ; the officer had his master's books and papers
wrapped up in it. I instantly challenged it as stolen goods in presence of the
Coolies, Linguists, and all attendants : this is direct evidence of the possession
of the Hoppo or his servants.
It is my duty to mention to you that I have moved Messrs. Monteith and
Messrs. Deykins, at Glasgow and Birmingham, to induce their four members
in the Commons, to strengthen and support your judicious remonstrance at the
Foreign Office.
I wait your answer with anxiety.
I have, &c,
(Signed) JAMES INNES.
125
Inclosure 2 in No. 68.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Mr. Innes.
His Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
Sir, Lintin* February 24, 1836.
I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your letter under date 22nd
February, and lose no time in replying to it.
I consider it will not be any interference with the pledge you have given to
abstain from violent and dangerous measures for the recovery of your property,
if you address a moderate and becoming communication on the subject to the
new Governor of Canton; on the contrary, you have my full sanction and
approval of the measure, which I think judicious and prudent. To this end,
the services of one or both our interpreters are at your disposal, so long as the
documents you require them to translate or draw up for you, contain neither
threats or menaces which most assuredly you could never put in execution;
nor expressions and language calculated to excite feelings and impressions
hostile or prejudicial to the general welfare and interests of the King's subjects,
and, in my opinion, tending to the certain counteraction of your own object.
To prevent any delay, I furnish you with an open letter to those gentlemen, and
as you have placed the whole matter before me, and I have submitted every
document connected therewith, for the consideration of the Right Honourable
the Foreign Secretary, I conceive you will not hesitate to furnish me with the
faithful translations, both of your Petition to the new Governor and his reply
thereto; indeed it would be satisfactory if time would allow of my perusal of
your address previous to presentation. /
I conceive a judicious introduction of the fact you mention might have
some weight, and I would suggest that you also state distinctly, the business
has been submitted to the Superintendents of British Trade in China, and by
them transmitted to the high officer of His Majesty's Government, with whom
they have the honour to correspond.
I beg to point out, that Mr. Morrison is now privately residing in Canton,
solely for the purpose of aiding the foreign community in matters of this sort,
and should you wish to communicate personally with me on this or other
subjects, it will be in accordance at once with my duty and inclination to afford
you all the advice and assistance in my power.
I have, &cj
(Signed) G. B. ROBINSON.
Inclosure 3 in No. 68.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Mr. Morrison and Mr. Gutzlaff.
His Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
Gentlemen, Lintin, February 24, 1836.
MR. INNES having requested my sanction for your assisting him by the
exercise of your talents and acquirements in the Chinese language, I have to
request you will do so to the best of your power, under this positive restriction,
however, that on no account, nor on any occasion, you translate or draw up for
presentation to the local authorities, documents containing language or expres
sions of a threatening or menacing nature, or in any way calculated to prejudice
and endanger the safety and interests of His Majesty's subjects in this country.
With a perfect reliance on your judgment and discretion, I do not consider it
requisite to add further admonition, and sincerely hope the results of your
exertions will be successful.
I am, &c,
(Signed) G. B. ROBINSON.
126
No. C9.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, November 8, 1836.
THE despatch of Sir George Robinson of the 20th of November, 1835,
relative to the case of Mr. Innes, together with the various Minutes and other
papers connected with it, which have been transmitted home by the Super
intendents, have received the most careful consideration of His Majesty's
Government and their legal advisers.
It appears from these papers, that Mr. Innes, a British merchant, resident
at Canton, had employed a pilot named Acha, to transfer some goods from the
ship Orwell, while passing up from Lintin to Canton, to another vessel at
Lintm bound for Manila ; that the pilot Acha, instead of proceeding with the
goods to the other vessel, was conveying them up the Canton river, when his
boat and the goods were seized by the Chinese Custom-house officers, near the
Bocca Tigris, for a breach of the Chinese revenue laws ; it being considered
that he was attempting to smuggle the merchandize within the entrance of the
Port of Canton; that Mr. Innes, conceiving himself to be wronged by the acts
of the pilot and of the Custom-house officers, had petitioned the Governor of
Canton for redress ; and that, upon experiencing delay in obtaining the resti
tution of his goods, he had notified to the Governor his determination to procure
redress for himself, by acts of reprisal against the Chinese Trade ; but that he
had consented to abstain from his meditated hostilities, upon receiving from the
Superintendents a pledge, that his case should be submitted to the consi
deration of His Majesty's Government ; and that the recovery of his property
should be made the subject of a demand on the Chinese Authorities, on the
first occasion of the Superintendents coming in formal contact with those
Authorities.
You have already been informed, by my despatch of June 6th, addressed
to Sir George Robinson, that the papers connected with this transaction were
under the consideration of the law officers of the Crown. The report which I have
now received from the law officers, fully confirms the opinion which I expressed
in that despatch, that the acts threatened by Mr. Innes, would, if carried into
effect, amount to piracy. I have therefore to instruct you to communicate to
Mr. Innes the opinion of His Majesty's legal advisers, with regard to the inten
tion which Mr. Innes had announced ; and to express the conviction of His
Majesty's Government, that he will abandon all intention of having recourse to
proceedings which high legal authorities have declared would amount to piracy.
You will further inform Mr. Innes, that if the contrary should unfortunately
happen, and if he should persist in carrying his former intentions into execu
tion, he will be abandoned by the British Government to the fate which such a
course will probably bring upon him ; and further, that the commander of any
of His Majesty's ships which may fall in with him, will be bound to act
towards him as the Naval Instructions require commanders of His Majesty's
ships of war to act towards pirates whom they may meet.
With respect to your representations to the Chinese Authorities, with a
view to obtain the restitution of Mr. Innes's property, you will conform your
self to the instructions contained in the latter part of my despatch to Sir George
Robinson.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
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137
No. 70.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, November 8, 1836.
HIS Majesty's Government have not failed to take into their attentive
consideration, Sir George Robinson's despatch of the 1st of July, 1835,
relative to the claim preferred by Messrs. Turner and Co. of Canton, against Mr.
Arthur Saunders Keating, of the same place, for a balance of 300 dollars,
alleged to be due by him to the owners of a vessel called the Planter, on
account of the freight of a cargo of rice, consigned to Mr. Keating by a mer
cantile house at Batavia ; and which balance Mr. Keating refused to pay, on the
plea, that his rice, after having been landed and passed for sale to a Hong mer
chant at Canton, named Mowqua, had by him been made subject to the pay
ment of 300 dollars, which he claimed as insurer of the vessel, on account of
certain port charges and fees : the charter-party having stipulated that the
port charges should be borne by the ship. This case, with the Minutes of Pro
ceedings relating to it, has been submitted to the consideration of the law officers
of the Crown ; and it appears to His Majesty's Government, from the report of
those officers, that the question between Messrs. Turner and Co. and Mr. Keating,
is one merely of private right, and to the decision of which the ordinary tri
bunals of this country are fully competent. In fact, the only question to be
decided is, whether the ship Planter had earned her freight when the rice was
delivered into the go-down of Mowqua, the Hong merchant who secured the
ship.
The facts of the case are not clearly stated in the papers sent home by Sir
George Robinson ; but from the Minutes of Proceedings transmitted in his
despatch above-mentioned, it would appear, that the Hong merchant Mowqua
secured the ship at 900 dollars, and that this sum, which was due as
port charges, was the only sum lawfully demandable by the Chinese authorities;
that this sum was duly paid by the consignees of the ship to Mowqua, who
thereupon gave his chop or receipt for the same ; and that Mr. Keating might
have had the rice, or have disposed of it as he thought fit; but that by his
desire, and for his convenience, it was deposited by Mowqua, in his (Mowqua's)
go-down at Canton ; and that Mowqua illegally refused to let Mr. Keating
remove the rice without paying a further sum of 300 dollars. Such at least
appears to be the outline of the transaction as reported by the Superintendents ;
and supposing the facts to be so, it is clear that the rice was deposited by
Mowqua as Mr. Keating's agent, and that the owners of the ship had fully
performed their contract, and consequently were entitled to receive the whole of
the sum due for freight.
What I understand Mr. Keating to represent in his various letters entered
on your Minutes, is, that it is a fallacy to assert that the rice ever was in his
possession, or under his controul ; that Mowqua, as the securing Hong merchant,
had the ship and cargo in his power ; and that whatever contract Mowqua might
have made with Messrs. Turner and Co., as agents of the owners, he (Mowqua)
never would have parted with the cargo, without receiving the 300 dollars in
dispute :—that Mowqua held the rice as the security merchant, and would not
have permitted it to go out of the ship to any other place than his own go-down,
where he would retain a lien upon it for what he claimed.
It is impossible for His Majesty's Government, upon the documents before
them, and with their imperfect information as to the rights and duties of the
securing merchant, to pronounce any positive decision as to the real merits of
the case. But the fact stated by Messrs. Turner and Co., in their letter to
Messrs. Forbes, Dent, and Jardine, that the cargo of another ship, the Madras,
arriving at the same time, was delivered to the go-down of a different merchant
from the one who secured the ship, is strongly corroborative of the view of the
128
case taken by you and your colleagues. Indeed, the claim of Messrs. Turner
and Co. upon Mr, Keating, as stated in their first letter, was for two sums of
300 dollars each, one on account of the ship Planter, the other on account of
the ship Madras. The latter claim appears, in the course of the correspondence,
to have been dropped, the reason not being distinctly stated ; and on these
circumstances, so important in their bearing upon the merits of the other claim
which formed the immediate subject of the reference home, no remark is made
in the Chief Superintendent's despatch.
With regard to the step taken by the Superintendents, in consequence of
Mr. Kealing's continued refusal to pay the sums demanded of him, on account
of Messrs. Turner and Co. and, in another case, by Mr. Smith, amounting
together to £91 17s. 6d. sterling, I have to state to you, that, in advancing on
the public account, the amount of these demands upon Mr. Keating, with the
view of making him a debtor to the Crown, the Superintendents adopted a
course which they had no power whatever to take. Mr. Keating certainly is
not a debtor to the Crown in respect of this transaction. The case was a
private one—of an attempt at extortion on the part of the Hong merchant
Mowqua, who, in his character of agent, demanded from his principal a sum to
which he was not entitled ; and refused to give up to that principal the goods in
his custody, until his unjust demand was satisfied.
As, however, the payment was made by the Superintendents, in the
exercise of their discretion, with the view of preventing further discussions,
which, under the peculiar circumstances of their position, they considered might
have proved injurious to the British commercial interests in China, it is not my
intention to make them personally responsible for the advance, although their
decision was certainly a mistaken one. But it is my duty to caution you, in the
/ most express manner, against pursuing a similar course on any future occasion.
It is probable that Mr. Keating, when he finds that His Majesty's Government
incline to an opinion on the subject adverse to his own, may no longer object to-
repay the sum which was advanced for him by the Superintendents ; but, I
repeat, that His Majesty's Government cannot regard Mr. Keating as a Crown
debtor, in respect of the payment made by you and your colleagues on his
account.
His Majesty's Government do not consider, that this is a transaction which
would give any just ground of demand against the Chinese Government ; but,
as it appears that a demand was insisted upon by the securing merchant, which
the Chinese regulations do not warrant, and, consequently, that the merchant
was guilty of an act of extortion, admitted on all sides to be such, (the dispute
being only on whom the charge should fall,) you will avail yourself of any
suitable opportunity that may offer to call the attention of the Chinese authori
ties at Canton to the subject ; and to endeavour to prevail upon them to put a
stop to such acts of extortion, by causing their own regulations to be strictly
carried into effect.
I am, &c
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
No. 71.
Viscount Palmcrston to Captain Elliot.
think it right to state to you, that His Majesty's Government are fully aware
of the inconvenience arising both from the undefined state of the Jurisdiction
of the Superintendents in China, and from their want of power to enforce deci
sions to which they may come, on matters submitted to them by members of
the commercial body in China.
129
The general question as to the nature, extent, and powers of the future
establishment in China, is now under the consideration of His Majesty's
Government ; and I am in hopes that, at no distant period, some effectual
remedy may be provided for the inconvenience to which I have more particularly
adverted.
In the mean time, I have to recommend to you to confine your interference,
when called for, as much as possible to friendly suggestion and advice to the
parties concerned.
The assumption of powers which you have no means of enforcing, and the
issuing of injunctions which are set at nought with impunity, can only tend to
impair the authority and lower the dignity of His Majesty's Commission in the
eyes of those by whom it is of importance that it should be looked up to with
respect.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
No. 72.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, November 8, 1836.
I HAVE observed that in your Minute of the 15th of October, 1835,
relative to the case of Mr. Innes, you express an opinion, that the power given
by the Act 26 Geo. III. c 57, sec 35, to the Supracargoes of the East India
Company, to arrest and send to England persons resident at Canton, may now
be lawfully exercised by the Superintendents of British Trade in China, by
virtue of the Order in Council of the 9th December, 1833, which transfers to
the Superintendents all the powers and authorities which were by law vested
in the Supracargoes, at the date of the termination of the exclusive rights of
the East India Company.
As a misconception on this point might give rise to much embarrassment,
both to His Majesty's Government and to the Superintendents personally, I
have to state to you for your guidance, that the clause of the Act of 26 George
III., upon which you rest your opinion, was repealed by the 146th clause of the
Act 33 George III. c 52 ; and further, that the only power exercised by the
Supracargoes, was that of removing unlicensed persons. But as no license
from His Majesty is now necessary to enable His Majesty's subjects to trade
with or reside in China, such power of expulsion has altogether ceased to exist
with respect to China.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
8
130
No. 73.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, November 8, 1836.
I INSTRUCTED Sir George Robinson, in my despatch of the 28th of
May last, to communicate to the various individuals who held provisional
appointments under His Majesty's Commission, that those appointments
were still to be considered as only provisional and temporary, and subject to
such arrangements with regard to entire abolition, or to reduction of salary, as
His Majesty's Government might, upon further consideration, deem proper.
His Majesty's Government subsequently came to the resolution of abolish
ing the office and salary of Chief Superintendent, as notified in my despatch
to Sir George Robinson, of the 7th of June last ; and they have since then
resolved upon carrying into effect some further changes and reductions, which
I now proceed to state to you.
1st. It appears to His Majesty's Government desirable, in order to insure
unity of decision and singleness of responsibility, as well as to avoid those
differences of opinion between co-ordinate Authorities, which are necessarily
injurious to the public service and to the efficiency of the Commission, that
the office of the Third Superintendent should be abolished ; and that, in the
place of that officer, a Deputy Superintendent should be appointed, to act as
assistant to the Chief Superintendent, but under his orders and controul ; and
also to act provisionally for the Chief Superintendent, during his occasional
absence from his post. His Majesty's Government are glad to avail themselves
of the services of Mr. Johnston, at present Third Superintendent, for this new
office ; and you will notify the decision of His Majesty's Government to Mr.
Johnston, and will acquaint him that the salary, which for the present is
assigned to the office of Deputy Superintendent, is 1,500/. per annum. Mr.
Johnston's salary of 2,000/. per annum, as Third Superintendent, will cease on
the day on which you receive this despatch ; after which time he will receive
the salary of 1,500/. attached to his new office.
2nd. The salary of the Surgeon to the establishment is to be reduced from
1,5001. to 1,000/. per annum ; that of the Secretary and Treasurer from 1,500/.
to 800/. per annum ; and that of the Chinese Secretary and Interpreter from
1,300/. to 1,000/. per annum; the reduction to take effect in each case, from
the day on which you receive this despatch.
3rd. The office of Assistant Surgeon is to be altogether abolished. You
will notify this determination to Mr. Anderson, who now holds this appoint
ment ; and you will pay him his salary for three months after he shall have
received such notification.
It will, moreover, be distinctly understood that all the offices on the
establishment are held, subject to any final arrangements which His Majesty's
Government may hereafter deem it expedient to adopt.
4th. Contingent Expenses.—The sum of 5,000/. provided by His Majesty's
warrant of the 8th of January, 1834, for clerks and contingencies, included the
contemplated expense of boats and other incidental charges connected with the
collection of the duties originally proposed to be levied on British shipping
in Canton. The subsequent abrogation of these duties has necessarily occa
sioned a great reduction in the contingent expenditure of the establishment;
and His Majesty's Government are therefore of opinion, that a sum of 2,500/.
per annum will be amply sufficient to cover every needful expense under this
head; and you will be careful that the above amount shall, under no circum
stances, in future be exceeded.
But His Majesty's Government, in fixing the sum of 2,500/. per
annum, as that which they intend to propose to Parliament as the vote for
contingencies for the China Establishment during the ensuing year, con
fidently hope and expect that such sum will ultimately be found more than
sufficient for the actual and necessary expenditure on that account. They
131
are unwilling to run the risk of making an inadequate provision for expenses
to be incurred on so distant a station, and with regard to the nature and
necessity of which they have not yet had knowledge and experience enough to
enable them to form a final and correct judgment, but you will consider it your
duty to confine these contingent and incidental expences within the narrowest
limits consistent with the interests of His Majesty's service.
1 am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
No. 74.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Pahnerston.—(Received November 17, 1836.)
His Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
My Lord, Lintin, April 18, 1836.
IT affords me great pleasure to intimate to your Lordship, that, after one
of the most active, and, I believe, successful seasons ever remembered in China,
there exists at the present period of relaxation the most perfect tranquillity and
quiet.
With the exception of two ships now loading for England, there is little to
notice in the river, and all my exertions are directed to preserve order and
correct some abuses in the numerous vessels at this anchorage or in Macao
Roads, for which purpose I resort, as most suitable, to either station, and trust
nothing will intervene to interrupt the present tranquil aspect of affairs. The
Chinese are not, in my opinion, disposed to interfere with the exercise of our
functions and powers outside the river, and, so long as we do not attempt to go
to Canton, will take no notice whatever of our proceedings. If I could perceive
a greater degree of harmony and unanimity amongst the British community, I
should confidently anticipate the gratification of addressing your Lordship on
the probable advantages to be derived from a change in the position of the
outside rendezvous for shipping, from the exposed and impracticable anchorage
at Lintin, during the southerly monsoon, to the safe and commodious basin or
harbour of Hong Kong, in preference to the late resort of outside ships, the
Cumsingmoon, where they are much more likely to become involved in affrays
with the natives, from various causes, which it would now be tedious and
needless to dwell upon. But I feel myself so unhappily situated, by the
divided and irritable state of the British society, that I apprehend all my
efforts might be vain, and perhaps produce evil instead of beneficial results.
There remains, therefore, no alternative but a continuance in my present
quiescent line of policy, until I am in possession of definite instructions from
your Lordship as to our future measures. I have only to observe, that I
persevere in my course, simply because all has proceeded well and successfully
during its operation ; and I consider, that, so long as that is the case, I am best
fulfilling the duties of my office.
I lisvc &c*
(Signed; ' GEORGE BEST ROBINSON.
S 2
132
No. 75.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, December 6, 1 836.
I HAVE had under consideration Sir George Robinson's despatch of May
17, reporting the particulars of a gross outrage committed on two masters of
British vessels by a Portuguese officer at Macao, and for which the Superinten
dents had been unable to obtain any redress from the Governor of that settle
ment, and further stating that the Governor of Macao persisted in declining to
recognise the Superintendents in their public character, and had not even
returned an answer to their letters.
In my despatch of September 14th, I transmitted to you, for the purpose of
being delivered to the Governor of Macao, an instruction which the Portuguese
Government had addressed to his Excellency in consequence of the representation
made to them of a former transaction of a similar nature; and I trust that this
instruction will have had the effect of recalling the Governor to a proper sense
of the respect which is due to officers acting under His Majesty's Commission ;
and will have disposed him to take effectual measures for preventing the recur
rence of acts of violence towards British subjects.
His Majesty's Government have however deemed it expedient, as well in
consequence of these occurrences as with a view to the protection of British
Commerce in general, to address instructions to the Admiral commanding His
Majesty's ships in the East Indies, directing him to station a ship of war con
stantly in the China Seas, and to call the special attention of her commander to
the necessity of watching over the interests of British subjects at Macao.
I am, &c,
(Signed.) PALMERSTON.
(Instructions referred to in the foregoing despatch to Captain Elliot.)
John Backhouse, Esq. to Charles Wood, Esq.
Sir, Foreign Office, March 23, 1836.
I AM directed by Viscount Palmerston to transmit to you the
accompanying extracts from the file of proceedings of the Superintendents
of the Trade of British subjects in China,—the first relating to the plunder
by some Chinese pirates of the British vessel Troughton,—the second, to
the difficulty which the Superintendents experience, in the present state of
relations with China, in controuling the conduct of British seamen
resorting to the Canton River. In laying these Papers before the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, I am to desire that you will state to
their Lordships, that it is Viscount Palmerston's opinion, with reference
both to the protection of British ships and property from plunder, and to
the necessity of sometimes enforcing subordination among the merchant
seamen, that a ship-of-war should be constantly employed on the Chinese
station ; and that the commander of such ship should be instructed to
communicate with the British authorities in China, and to act in concert
with them for the maintenance of British interests in that quarter of the
world.
I am, &c,
(Signed) J. BACKHOUSE.
133
No. 76.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received December 26, 1836.)
My Lord, Macao, May 10, 1836.
WITH reference to ray despatch of February 5, paragraph 6, I have the
honour to inclose the cover or envelope of a document sent by the Hong
merchants to all the principal firms, agents, or residents, foreign and British,
in China. It was forwarded by the common Chinese post, or rather passage-
boat, and differs in no way from an ordinary Chinese letter.
I requested Mr. Gutzlaff to write the exact meaning of the characters
upon this cover, which is, in all respects, similar to those I have been in the
habit of receiving for many years past, from Chinese of various classes, on
private business, with the omission, perhaps, of some complimentary or lucky
phrase or sentence, which they often subjoin.
The word high dispatch is, I think, a misapprehension of the term, with
speed or haste ; but, if meant to infer, that the contents are of importance, is
generally used in the direction of all letters, even those of the lower classes.
In Mr. GutzlafFs note, he remarks, it is addressed individually to the
managers of barbarian nations. I believe, however, copies have been sent to
most of the foreign merchants in Canton, and even to masters of ships.
The Hong merchants, in their note, simply request their virtuous elder
brother to inform his countrymen of the contents ; and the whole document, in
my opinion, can only be considered as a circular to merchants and captains.
The Edict itself is merely one of the usual screens, under cover of which
the Mandarins themselves engage in the illicit trade, or, by the influence of
large bribes, connive at its existence and increase.
My object in addressing your Lordship on this subject, is simply to prove,
that I am not, by any means, in communication with the Hong merchants, nor
have I in any way deviated from that line of policy so well suited to maintain
our present position, which is all I aspire to do, until I have the honour to
receive positive and definite instructions.
I have, &c,
(Signed) GEORGE BEST ROBINSON.
Inclosure 1 in No. 76.
Mr. Gutzlaff to Sir G. B. Robinson.
Sir, Macao, April 26, 1836.
I HAVE the pleasure of transmitting to you the translation. It seems to
be a circular letter addressed individually to all the managers of the barbarian
nations. The name of the English does not even once occur.
I remain, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES GUTZLAFF.
134
Inclosure 2 in No. 76.
The Hong Merchants to Sir G. B. Robinson.
April 15, 1836.
THE Hong merchants repeat, in the inclosed note, the same orders, and
request their virtuous elder brother to make them known to all his countrymen
at Canton.
Inclosure 3 in No. 76.
Edict against Foreign Ships resorting to the North-East Coast of China.
LEW, the Che-heen of Nan-hae, hereby informs the Hong merchants, that
he received on the 4th instant a communication from the Kwang-Chow-Foo,
stating that he had received a paper, dated 26th of March, from the Provincial
Judge, who had received an official letter from the Provincial Treasurer
February 7th, transmitted to him by the Deputy Governor of Kwangtung and
Kwangse provinces, containing the following statement of the Lieutenant
Governor of Chekeang province, dated January 31st.
" There anchored a barbarian three-masted ship near the Tung-se-choo
[islands belonging to the Choo-san group,] with Mifata's barbarian craft,
which also proceeded to Cha-poo and Leih-keang [harbours of Che-keang
province]. They have never been forced to get under weigh, and are driven
away.
" I, the Lieutenant Governor, in conjunction with the Admiral, prepared on
the 23rd of the ninth month of the preceding year a respectful report to the
Emperor. Moreover, I forwarded a circular letter [to the Mandarins along
coast], to institute inquiries, escort, and drive them away [the ships]. I
thought it, moreover, my duty to request in this official notification, that the
Hong merchants might be strictly enjoined, to convey to the barbarian ships on
their arrival at Canton the most peremptory commands, in order to restrain
them from revisiting other provinces. And I hereby request an answer.
" A copy of this document reaching me, the Acting Governor [of Kwang
tung and Kwangse], I examined the records, and found that I had already
previous to this received an official document from the Governor General of
Fokeen and Che-keang, stating that inquiries had been made, and the ships
had been escorted and driven away, as is upon record. I, therefore stated in
my reply to the Lieutenant Governor of Che-keang, that the notification had
been duly entered upon the records, and that there was no need of an additional
document upon the subject.
" At the same time I requested the Hoppo, that he should immediately
order the Hong merchants to issue these commands, to the manager of the said
kingdom's barbarian merchants, that they might obey them. The Hong
merchants ought also to restrain those barbarian ships which have been sent
away from Che-keang, as soon as they arrive at Canton, and most severely
prohibited and restrict them from ever proceeding in future to other provinces,
and there sauntering about."
To enforce obedience to the orders, the Provincial Judge adds his
commands. Do not transgress ! They being received, the Hong merchants
were immediately enjoined to promulgate these commands, whilst the other
official injunctions are hereby forwarded, that they might act in strict
accordance to them.
135
" I, the Che-heen of Nan-hae, whilst receiving these official documents
ollowed the directions of the Kwang-Chow-Foo, and, accordingly, strictly
enjoin the Hong merchants, that they may promulgate these commands to the
manager of the said kingdom's barbarian merchants, that they may obey them.
As soon as the barbarian ships which have been sent away from Che-keang,
arrive at Canton, they ought to be severely prohibited and restricted from
ever proceeding to other provinces, and there sauntering about. Do not
transgress !"
I address jointly my commands to the said Hong merchants, that they
may immediately promulgate these orders to the manager of the said kingdom's
barbarian merchants for their obedience to them. As soon as the barbarian
ships which have been sent away from Che-keang, arrive at Canton, they
ought to be severely prohibited and restricted from ever proceeding to other
provinces, and there sauntering about. Do not transgress ! Use the utmost
dispatch. These are the orders.
No. 77.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received March I, 1837.)
(Extract.) Macao, October 13, 1837.
NOTHING but decided measures will, at the present period, induce the
Local Chinese Government to admit or tolerate the resort to, or residence at
Canton of an officer of His Majesty's Government on a becoming footing (and
unless he be so placed, his presence must prove a source of evil instead of good),
as they have the sagacity to foresee the endless embarrassment certain to
emanate therefrom, but they will tacitly sanction, or perhaps avail themselves
of the full exercise of his functions and authority without the river, and I am
confident, appeal to him in any extreme case of difficulty or aggression on the
part of his countrymen, thereby at once yielding a point of contention which it
seems to me idle to urge.
No. 78.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received April 18, 1837.)
His Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
(Extract.) Lintin, November 28, 1836.
IN the absence of any despatches conveying your Lordship's sentiments
and instructions relative to the quiescent course of policy in which I have
deemed it my duty to persevere, since I had the honour of succeeding to my
present appointment, and the system I last year adopted of residing on board
His Majesty's cutter at Lintin, or outside the Bocca Tigris, for the purpose of
attesting the manifests of British ships, granting port-clearances, and the general
advantage accruing to the commercial community in China, from the free and
uncontrolled exercise of those functions of a consular nature, as requisite and
essential for the maintenance of the public peace, or rather the discipline of the
shipping, as for the interests and welfare of His Majesty's subjects in this
country; I consider no other alternative is open to me, but a recurrence to that
arrangement which so fully answered all the anticipations I bad formed, and
to which no rational objection seems to have presented itself.
136
During the present season, therefore (unless, indeed, instructions of an
opposite nature should arrive), I propose to take up my station permanently at
that anchorage, as being best suited to the nature of the duties I have to
discharge, and least likely to excite any opposition or jealousy on the part of
the Chinese, who apparently sanction, or perhaps tacitly acquiesce in the resi
dence of a civil officer of the British Government, at a rendezvous they always
point out as' the most appropriate for His Majesty's ships of war in China.
No. 79.
Sir G. B. Robinson to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received May 3, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, December 14, 1830.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of despatches from your
Lordship, per ship Neptune, announcing the abolition of the office of Chief
Superintendent of the Trade of British subjects in China, and directing me
to make over the Archives and other Documents of this Establishment, to
Captain Elliot, R.N.
The commander of the ship Eleanor, being actually in attendance at my
office, at the moment of their arrival, for the purpose of signing his manifests
and receiving a port-clearance, I have no time to add more, than that these
Instructions will be carried into effect this day, and that I shall further have the
honour of addressing your Lordship, by ships shortly about to sail for England.
I have, &c,
(Signed) GEORGE BEST ROBINSON.
No. 80.
Captain Elliot, Second Superintendent, to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received
June 6, 1836.)
(Extract.) Macao, January 25, 183G.
THE peaceful and conciliatory policy by which the King's Government appear
to me to desire to maintain and promote the commercial intercourse with this
empire, is not very generally approved amongst the fifty or sixty resident mer
chants at Canton ; and a determination to give it effect, so far as depends upon
me, is the least popular task I could have proposed to myself.
No. 81.
Captain Elliot to the Foreign Office.—(Received July 23, 1836.)
(Extract.) Macao, March 14, 1836.
IT had long seemed to me, that the arrival of the new Viceroy at Canton
would furnish us an occasion for the re-opening of our communications with the
provincial authorities, by the only channel which, I am well persuaded, will ever
open out to us at once, without a very hazardous and a very needless struggle.
137
Being at Canton, and conforming heartily to the spirit of our cautious and
conciliatory instructions, I see every day more reason to believe, that without
much address upon our parts, and in short, by the mere force of circumstances,
we should soon come to make ourselves so useful to the native authorities, as to
lead them (gradually and silently indeed, but surely) not only to admit, but to
court direct communication with us. In China, to keep things quiet is the
best evidence as well as the whole end of successful administration : as soon as
the Viceroy found out that we were sincere allies with them in that object, he
would sedulously cultivate our friendliness.
No. 82.
Captain Elliot to the Foreign Office.—{Received February 15, 1837.)
(Extract.) Macao, July 27, 1836.
I LEARN from Sir George Robinson, that he has officially trans
mitted the very remarkable Memorial to the Emperor upon the subject of
the legalization of the Opium, or I would have forwarded you a copy by
this occasion * You will observe, that the Memorial already bears the
Imperial command to examine and report, which, in their official system,
may be said to be a signification of assent. The formal and final orders
will probably be here in the course of a month or six weeks. This is a
great change indeed, but it would be a complete misconception of its
character to confound a change of means with any change in the prin
ciple of their policy. This as respects the foreigner, may be pretty
accurately described to be, first, the minimum amount of foreign social
intercourse, which shall be consistent with the active pursuit of trade,
according to their lights of the most advantageous mode of carrying on
trade ; and, decidedly, the most anxious avoidance of any such serious
difficulties with the foreigners on the spot as might furnish foreign powers
with a pretext for interference.
This stroke is aimed at the overthrow of the Lintin and outside trade,
and the limitation of our commercial sphere to Canton and the Hong
merchants. The extent to which it is successful, must depend mainly
upon the adherence to the moderate duties and charges proposed in the
Memorial. These would be about seven dollars per chest, and, under
present circumstances, the native smuggler cannot land a chest of Opium
at the nearest depot to Lintin under, at the very least, forty dollars.
Thus, then, you will perceive, that, if this charge is established and
faithfully adhered to, no premium can present itself to induce the native
to smuggle : and, indeed, it should be added, that as soon as the Opium
may be lawfully introduced at Whampoa, and at Whampoa alone, there is
no more reason to believe that the smuggler will be able to introduce it at
other points than Canton, than he has hitherto been able to introduce
any other articles which may come into Canton, but nowhere else.
Smuggling there may be at Canton as there is now of all sorts of merchan
dize to an immense extent, but there will be smuggling no where else than
at Canton ; that is, always supposing that the charges are kept at the
moderate rate now proposed, the probabilities of which I cannot judge cf.
It has been a confusion of terms to call the opium trade a smuggling
• It does not appear that Sir George Robinson over transmitted these documents to the
Foreign Office : the only allusion he makes to the subject of them is that contaiced in his despatch
of August 27, 1836.
T
138
trade ; it was a formally prohibited trade, but there was no part of the
trade of this country which had the more active support of the local
authorities. It commenced and has subsisted by means of the hearty
connivance of the Mandarins, and it could have done neither the one nor
the other without their constant countenance. In my mind, it is much less
the Lintin or the coast trade that have produced this striking measure than
the tea and the tract Missions to the coasts, of last year. These events
attracted the very anxious notice of the Court itself, and this scheme is the
result. The Lintin trade, as long- as it was quietly pursued, always had
the countenance of the high Mandarins of this province, and though they
were naturally unfriendly to its extension to the coast of the neighbouring
provinces, still they were disposed to stifle complaints to the Court upon
that subject, in order to stave off' searching inquiry into their own affairs
here. Tracing backwards, no doubt the opium will be found to be the
great primary cause of this change. But the immediate cause here, has,
I firmly believe, been the distribution of tracts. The opium ships might
have continued to visit the coasts with little more than former notice,
but the books alarmed the Court seriously.
This State Paper is a public confession that the Chinese cannot do
without our opium, and that being the case, the regulation of the
manner of its introduction in such wise as will render it least mischievous
to their policy of foreign exclusion, is no doubt a skilful measure, but I
greatly question its efficacy. It has been delayed too long. The officers
and the people have been accustomed to the feeling that the Government
is at once false and feeble. Sooner or later the feeling of independence,
which the peculiar mode of conducting this branch of the trade has
created upon the part of our countrymen in China, will lead to grave
difficulties. A long course of impunity will beget hardihood, and at
last some gross insult will be perpetrated, that the Chinese authorities
will be constrained to resent; they will be terrified and irritated, and will
probably commit some act of cruel violence that will make any choice
but armed interference, impossible to our own Government. The imme
diate effect of the legalization of the Opium, will be, 1 should suppose, to
stimulate production at Bengal ; there is some notion here that it will
encourage the growth of the poppy in China, and that home -produced
opium will thrust our own out of the market; eventually perhaps it may,
but results of that kind are of slow growth.
No. S3.
Captain Elliot to the Foreign Office.— {Received March 2, 1837.)
(Extract.) Macao, October 10, 1836.
WE are in expectation of soon receiving the final orders from Pekin for
the legalization of the opium. This is undoubtedly the most remarkable
ireasure which has been taken in respect to the Foreign Trade, since the accession
of this dynasty, when the ports on the coast were closed, and it had been pre
faced by a series of reports to the Emperor, strikingly worthy of attention. '1 bey
incline me to believe, that it wants but caution and steadiness to secure, at no
very distant date, very important relaxations.
139
No. 84.
Captain Elliot, Chef Sup rrintendent, to Viscount Palmerston. — (Received
May 1, 1837.)
(Extract.) Macao, December 14, 183G.
BY a ship upon the point of sailing, I have the honour to acknowledge
your Lordship's despatch, of June 15 of this year, to my address, accompanying
despatches from May 28 to June 15, to the address of Sir George Robinson.
In conformity with these Instructions, I have this day assumed the chief
place in the Commission. And with the expression of my thanks to your
Lordship, I beg to convey my assurance, that I shall endeavour to justify the
appointment, by a steady determination faithfully to discharge the duties
intrusted to me. I apply myself to that purpose with a strong persuasion, that
a conciliatory disposition to respect the usages, and, above all, to refrain from
shocking the prejudices of this Government, is the course at once most
consonant with the magnanimity of the British nation, and with the substantial
interests at stake, in the maintenance of peaceful commercial relations with this
Empire. Being thus impressed, my Lord, I hope it will be a source neither of
surprise nor dissatisfaction to you to learn, that I do not propose to protract
the actual interruption of our public communications, upon the ground that we
have a right to a direct official communication with the Viceroy.
1 will only add, that the very remarkable movements of this Government
in respect to the foreign trade actually in agitation, and the critical state of
uncertainty in which the results still remain, furnish me a strong additional
motive for desiring to place myself at Canton as soon as possible.
The manner in which I propose to re-open the communications with the
Viceroy, as the Select Committee was accustomed to conduct them, shall form
the subject of an early despatch to your Lordship.
No. 85.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received May 1, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, December 30, 1836.
IN my despatch to your Lordship of the 14th instant, I had the
honour to state, that I should endeavour to open the communications with the
provincial authorities forthwith ; and that I should take an early opportunity to
make known to your Lordship the means by which I hoped to accomplish that
object.
I perceived that the recent arrival of your Lordship's despatches would
afford me a favourable pretext for addressing myself to the Governor of the two
provinces; and I was mindful that any delay in the communication of my
appointment, might hereafter be construed into a point of a very suspicious
nature, extremely difficult of satisfactory explanation : I lost no time, there
fore, in drafting the accompanying note to his Excellency.
Another reason, too, had always presented itself to me, in recommendation
of this prompt application to the Governor. It seemed that a communication
forwarded on the very recent receipt of Instructions from His Majesty's Govern
ment, would of itself be a state of circumstances well calculated to dispose
the Governor to lend a reasonable attention to moderate and unsuspicious
overtures, respectfully submitted for his Excellency's adoption.
The translation of this paper was sealed up and directed in the same form in
which the Select Committee of Supracargoes had been accustomed to superscribe
documents to the Governor's address. In other words, the superscription
bore the Chinese character " Pin," carrying in our language the signification
of " an address from an inferior to a superior." It was then placed in an
open envelope to the address of the Senior Hon:* merchant, and the whole
T 2
140
inclosure was transmitted with the accompanying confidential letter to the
Agents of the East India Company at Canton, and to two members of the
principal British firms at that place.
These gentlemen were selected as being the most proper persons through
whom the first declaration of ray appointment and official character might be
made, with a view to the sufficient formal authenticity of the fact.
Upon the morning of the 25th instant, I had the satisfaction to receive an
official communication from the gentlemen to whom my address had been
confided, covering an Edict from the Governor in reply to it, together with a
note from Howqua.
Your Lordship will observe by the Governor's Edict, that he has required
me to remain at Macao pending instructions from His Imperial Majesty; and
further, that his Excellency commands certain officers and Hong merchants to
visit me here for the purpose of clearing up some doubts which had presented
themselves to his mind, as to the nature of my appointment, and the duties I
am to perform.
The opinion I have formed of the tenor of his Excellency's Edict (which
it is material to observe, carefully abstains from all notice of the events in
1834), is, that the Provincial Government, and probably the Court, would be
well content to feel reassured in respect to the sentiments of His Majesty's
Government upon those matters; and I have no doubt there is a disposition to
draw to a close the present hazardous interruption of responsible communi
cation and supervision at Canton.
1 would in this place take the liberty to remark to your Lordship, that in
the consideration of Chinese official papers, with a view to the detection of
their real spirit, it has always seemed to me to be a point of principal moment,
to weigh the effect of any distinctly promised course of action, and to attach a
very subordinate degree of importance to their mere phraseology. I
would by no means be supposed to think that I hold the consideration of the
language to be without use for the due estimation of the intentions or dispo
sitions of this Government, but I certainly am of opinion that it will always be
found to be a sounder course steadily to look at the portions material of these
instruments, and to draw our conclusions from these, than from the manner in
which it is the custom of these people to dress or to cover up their purposes.
Testing the Governor's Edict by this principle, I would say that if his
Excellency had informed me 1 must abide at Macao, without making a distinct
specification of a line of proceeding upon his own part, I should have concluded
that it was determined to adhere rigidly to the rule that the Chief must be a
trading Chief. But coupled with the declaration, that the Chief ought to be a
trading Chief, and that I must remain here for the present, the Governor
signifies with great plainness, not only that he knows I am not a trading Chief,
but that he will seek the Imperial sanction to let me proceed to Canton ; and
in order to leave me in little doubt that this application will be successful, he
describes the steps he will take when that sanction arrives. This, in my manner
of considering the matter, is to acquaint me that it is determined to permit me
to repair to Canton. But at the same time, I conceive that his Excellency's
desire is to be permitted to work out that end in his own fashion ; that is
to say, with due regard to a respectable mode of setting aside difficulties which
it is so frequently the consequence of their jealous policy to create for them
selves, as well as for others.
This Edict, my Lord, has appeared to me to justify some hope, that a point
of no ordinary public moment is susceptible of attainment, namely, the direct
Imperial sanction of the official character of a person at Canton, wholly uncon
nected with trade, and I trust your Lordship will approve of the terms in which
I have replied to his Excellency's Edict with the intention to promote that
result.
Upon the morning of the 28th instant, I received a visit from the Hong
merchants, who had arrived at Macao with the Mandarins deputed by the
Governor to seek some further explanation as to the nature of my office and
duties, and upon the other matters noticed in his Excellency's Edict. These
persons opened their mission by proposing that I should visit the Mandarins;
a course, however, which I declined, upon the ground that 1 had no particular
communication to make to them ; I remarked at the same time, that these
141
officers must be in every respect better judges than myself of any necessity
which existed agreeably to the Goveinor's Kdict, that they should see me; at
all events, if they were of the mind that we ought to meet, I could assure them
that it would give me great pleasure to have the honour of receiving them at
my house; if they did not consider it requisite, I should be glad to suit their
convenience, by affording the merchants any verbal explanation in my power
upon those points which appeared to the Governor to need further explanation.
Renewed efforts were made in the course of the day to induce me to visit
the officers; but I had strong reasons for declining to accede to that proposition ;
and 1 felt much satisfaction, that an obstacle (not of my creation) had arisen
to prevent our meeting.
It occurred to me that there was a possibility the Mandarins might have
propounded questions, with respect to the particular ship of war in which I
came, and that the replies might have led us back to the consideration of events
much better kept out of sight. If, upon the other hand, I had declined to answer
such questions, it was to be apprehended, 1hat my silence might have been
constructed into arrogant disrespect towards the Governor, and have induced
inconvenient heats and suspicions. With the merchants, unembarrassed by
the presence of the Mandarins, I was aware I stood in a far more favourable
position. They would take all imaginable care to shape their questions in
such wise as would make the avoidance of disagreeable topics no difficult
matter.
Upon the occasion of this last visit to me on the night of the 28th, the
merchants entreated that I would give them something under my own hand to
show to the Mandarins ; and I then caused the accompanying Memorandum to
be translated, which I told them, they were at perfect liberty to hand to the
officers.
They wished me also to sign a string of answers which they had drawn
up from my conversation, and from the paper just referred to; but this I refused
to do, not that there was any violation of the truth in what they had said, but [
could not recognise their right to place me on examination on any subject
whatever. If the Mandarins thought fit to come, 1 remarked, we would
discourse at large upon any point of question they proposed; but I never
could consent to set my hand to questions put to me by persons in the situation
of the merchants.
When they found that this was my resolution, they left me, professing
that they thought the Mandarins ought to be satisfied with what I had said,
which I conclude they were, as I learnt that the whole deputation departed the
next day (the 29th instant) to return to Canton, and report to the
Governor.
I delivered to the merchants my reply to his Excellency's Edict. (See
Inclosure No. 7.)
It is proper to state to your Lordship, that I took occasion to tell the
merchants in strong terms, for communication to the authorities, that I could
not undertake, upon the part of His Majesty's Government, the least share of
responsibility, for the adjustment of any disputes or difficulties which might
arise at Canton, pending my protracted absence from that place, in conformity
with the Governor's desire.
His Excellency, in his wisdom and sense of justice, would admit, that it
was fit I should be placed in a situation to prevent and controul before I could
be called upon to manage and adjust. This was an argument very congenial to
the mode of general reasoning in this country upon all points of responsibility ;
and they assured me that it should be earnestly pressed upon the Gover
nor's attention.
In this early stage of my correspondence with your Lordship's department,
I would presume to observe, that I am not prone to attach easy credit to what
I hear in respect to the temper and the views of the high native authorities.
But upon this occasion, I certainly have a belief in the general rumour, that my
approaches have been acceptable to the Governor, both in point of manner
and matter.
The translation of my first note was executed with all the care that the
Interpreters could give to it. And it i< said by the Chinese to have drawn
from his Excellency unequivocal marks of satisfaction.
142
I have to express my great obligations to Messrs. Astell and Clarke, for the
zealous and very judicious manner in which they assisted me in the delicate task
I felt myself called upon to impose on them ; and I am also indebted to Messrs.
Jardine and Dent, for their prompt concurrence in that transaction.
I have thus, my Lord, once more opened the communications with this
Government; and I sincerely trust your Lordship will see no reason to disap
prove of my motives, or of the manner of my proceeding. I have acted under
a strong persuasion, that all hope of peacefully carrying the point of direct
official intercourse was futile ; that the actual condition of circumstances
was hazardous ; that the Instructions in my hand do not warrant the assump
tion, that 1 have any high political or representative character; and, finally,
that the course itself which I have pursued is neither derogatory to the
national honour, nor at variance with sound principles of public propriety and
utility.
I shall venture to trouble your Lordship by an early occasion, with a few
ideas as to the mode by which, in my opinion, it would be judicious to preface
and accompany an attempt to carry the point of direct official communication
not only to the Governor, but from the Governor, whenever it shall
appear that sufficiently urgent public grounds exist for achieving such a
concession.
Your Lordship will hear with satisfaction, that the trade at Canton is
proceeding in tranquillity.
I have &c
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT,
Senior Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 85.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Macao, December 14, 1836.
THE Undersigned has the honour most respectfully to announce to his
Excellency the Governor of the two Provinces, that he has this day received
despatches from the English Government, appointing him to the station of
Chief English Authority in China.
In the actual condition of circumstances, with no English authority at
Canton, and with great numbers of English ships in the river, having on board
many hundreds of sea faring persons, and others little acquainted with the laws
and customs of this empire, the Undersigned believes his Excellency will be of
opinion, that he should be permitted to repair to Canton, with as little delay as
possible, for the purpose of fulfilling the (lut e; confided to his management.
The Undersigned has, therefore, the honour to request, that his Excellency
will be pleased to issue orders to furnish him a passport to proceed to the
Provincial City.
In using his most earnest efforts to maintain and promote the good
understanding which has so long and so happdy subsisted between this ancient
and great empire and his own distant country, the Undersigned can assure hi3
Excellency, that he is only conforming to the strong instructions of his own
Government.
The Undersigned hopes he may permit himself to observe, in this place,
that no task could be more agreeable to his own disposition, than the duty of
diligently seconding these wise objects, by the sincerest personal desire to con
ciliate the good will of his Excellency.
The Undersigned has once more to offer his Excellency the sentiments of
his most prolbund respect, and will conclude with the expression of an ardent
hope, that his Excellency's administration of these provinces may be long and
prosperous.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Senior Superintendent.
143
Inclosure 2 in No. 86.
Captain Elliot to Howqua, Senior Hong Merchant.
December 15, 1836.
ELLIOT, Director of Affairs of the English Nation, presents his com
pliments to Howqua, and requests him to present lor him the accompanying
address to his Excellency the Governor.
Inclosure 3 in No. 85.
Captain Elliot to Messrs. Astell, Clarke, Jurdine, and Dent.
Gentlemen, Macao, December 16, 1836
I TAKE the liberty to confide to your care a communication to his
Excellency the Governor of the two provinces of Kwangtung and Kwangse,
under an envelope to the .Senior Hong Merchant.
The purpose of this address is to announce to his Excellency my appoint
ment, by His Majesty's Government, to the station of Chief British Authority
in China, and to request that a passport may be furnished to me to repair to
Canton
I would thank you, as soon as it may suit your convenience, to arrange a
meeting with the Senior Hong Merchant, and, after stating in a general term
the circumstance of my nomination, and the nature of this address; I will beg
you to deliver it to him, with a request, that no time may be lost in placing it in
his Excellency's hands. It would, perhaps, he desirable to remark incidentally,
that I shall remain at Macao pending the expression of his Excellency's
pleasure.
1 offer you no apology for the task I am imposing upon you, because I am
persuaded it will afford you great satisfaction to lend me your best assistance on
this and all other occasions involving the furtherance of the public service.
Several considerations dispose me to ask, that this letter may be deemed
confidential for the present.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Senior Superintendent.
F.S. I will beg you to do me the favour to signify to Howqua, that four
gentlemen, belonging to this establishment, would accompany me to Canton.
Inclosure 4 in No. 85.
Messrs. Astell, Clarke, Jardine, and Dent, to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Canton, December 23, 1836.
WE have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your confidential
communication of the 16th instant, inclosing an address to his Excellency
the Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, requesting us to deliver the
same to the Senior Hong merchant for presentation.
In conformity with your wishes, we forthwith requested the
attendance of the Senior Hong merchant, Howqua, and formally placed in
his hands your communication. He inquired the nature of your appoint
ment, to which we answered in brief and general terms; he then took his
leave for the purpose of proceeding immediately into the city.
In the course of that day, we received a visit from Howqua and
Mowqua, requesting information regarding one or two expressions in
your address: we explained the matter as far as we were able, and in a
manner apparently satisfactory to the merchants.
144
The 21st and 22nd instants passed without any interview.
This morning we have received a reply to your communication,
delivered in person by Howqua, which we have now the honour to trans
mit to you.
In conclusion, we beg to assure you, that we shall at all times
consider it our duty to use our best exertions in the furtherance of the
public service.
We hava, &c,
(Signed) J. H. ASTELL,
H. M. CLARKE,
Agents to the Honourable
East India Company.
W. JARDINE.
LAUCT. DENT.
Inclosure 5 in No. 86.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
December 22, 1836.
TANG, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, hereby issues
orders to investigate certain matters.
I received, on the 13th day of the llth month in the 16th year of
Taoukwang (20th December), a petition forwarded from Macao by the
English foreigner, Elliot, of the following tenor:
[The address' of December 14, is here inserted.] 1 .
On the receipt of the above, I made examination, and find that since
the English nation has had commercial intercourse here, it has, hitherto,
established a Company, and appointed a Chief, Second, Third, and Fourth
Supracargoes to come to Canton, and manage the trade. The foreign
ships of the Company successively reached Canton on the 7th and 8th
months of every year; and their cargoes having been changed, left the
port and returned home in the course of the 12th month, and of the
1st and 2nd months of the following year. After the departure of all the
foreign Company's ships out of the port, the Chief Supracargo of the
Company, and all the foreign merchants cf the said nation, requested
permits to proceed to Macao and reside there. Then in the 7th and 8th
months, when the merchant ships of the said nation again reached Canton,
the Chief Supracargo and the others, requested permits to repair again to
the provincial city, to transact the affairs of trade. This, the former mode
of practice, continued for a long period to be the unvarying rule.
Not long since, in consequence of the dissolution of the Company,
and the non-arrival of the Chief Supracargo, owing to which a man was
wanting to take the general direction of these affairs, my predecessor in
this Government addressed a memorial to the throne, and received the
following Imperial Edict, that he should immediately command the Hong
merchants to direct the private merchants to send home a letter, calling
for the re-appointment of a Chief Supracargo, to repair hither to super
intend the affairs of commerce, in order that the old ordinances might
be complied with. Respect this! In respectful obedience hereto, my
predecessor issued directions, and also commanded that a barbarian
Eye [or headman] should not be again sent. This is on record.
Now, the said foreigner, Elliot, having addressed to me the above-
cited information, it is doubtless my duty to report the same to the throne,
for instructions how to act. But in the petition, I observe, that the said
foreigner designates himself " an officer from afar," which appears like
the designation of a foreign Eye, and is not at all that of a Chief Supra
cargo. This being wholly inconsistent with the mode in which things
were heretofore conducted, and the following points not having been at
all distinctly stated by him, it becomes highly important to inquire, before
acting, whether, in consequence of the dissolution of the said Company,
145
the said nation has made a change in her regulations? What office the
said foreigner actually holds at present from the said nation ? Whether
his object in coming to Canton is in truth merely to controul the several
unconnected merchants ; and if he is not at all to transact commercial
business? and lastly, whether the despatches which he states that he has
received from home, are sent by the said nation's King or not?
To make these inquiries, I send, as my deputy, Ghang Sing, Magis
trate of the district Yang-shan ; I send also the Sub-Prefect stationed at
Macao, and the Magistrate of the district Heang-shan. I, furthermore,
issue this order to the senior merchants, requiring them on receipt
hereof, as soon as possible to take their departure ; and, in instant
obedience hereto, to proceed speedily to Macao, that in the suite of my
deputy, and of the local territorial officers above-named, they may
investigate these particulars, viz. :—What office the said foreigner, Elliot,
now holds from the said nation? In what respects he would come to
Canton to superintend the foreign merchants ? Why a Chief Supracargo
does not come from the said nation, in place of a foreign Eye being sent ?
Whether he has really received written credentials from the said nation's
King ? Whether he has any ulterior aim ? And what is the number of
individuals in his suite? On all these points the real facts must be
speedily made [known] to me, that I may examine and decide accordingly.
If, on examination, no covert purpose appear, then let orders be
immediately enjoined on the said foreigner to reside for a time at Macao,
and wait there till I, the Governor, shall have sent in a memorial to the
Great Emperor. And as soon as I shall learn His Majesty's gracious
pleasure, I will then address a communication to the Superintendent of
Maritime Customs, calling on him to grant a passport for the said foreigner
to come up to Canton, and over-see matters. When he thus comes up,
he must comply with the old regulations, having a residence at Canton
and another at Macao, and coming and going at the regular seasons.
This is a law and ordinance of the Celestial Empire. The phraseology
and subject-matter of the said foreigner's address are reverential and
submissive. It seems that he understands matters, and he will, therefore,
doubtless be implicitly obedient in all things. During the residence of
the said foreigner, for the present, at Macao, the local officers should still
keep a diligent and faithful watch on him, day and night; and they must
not allow the said foreigner to presume to leave Macao a single step, or
to hold any communication or intercourse with people unconcerned. This
is of the utmost importance. With trembling anxiety obey this, and
oppose it not. A special order.
Taoukwang, 16th year, 11th month, 15th day (22nd December, 1836.)
Inclosure 6 in No. 85.
The Hong Merchants to Captain Elliot.
December 23, 1836.
A RESPECTFUL communication. The other day we received the
Petition which you sent for delivery to his Excellency the Governor.
We immediately presented it, and have now received a public reply, of
which, as is our duty," we transmit a copy, hoping, Sir, that you will
examine and act accordingly. This is our prayer.
Signed by thirteen Hong merchants.
U
146
Inclosure 7 in No. 85.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Mmao, December 28, 1836.
THE Undersigned has the honour respectfully to inform his Excel
lency the Governor, that he will continue to reside at Macao, pending the
signification of His Imperial Majesty's gracious pleasure, that he should
be received at Canton for the due performance of his duties.
The perfect fitness of this course, the Undersigned presumes to
observe, is very apparent to him. In the mean time, it has been a source
of great satisfaction to the Undersigned, to afford the honourable officers
deputed by his Excellency, all the explanation required as to the nature
of his duties, and the other points adverted to in his Excellency's
Edict.
The Undersigned avails himself of this occasion to offer his Excel
lency the renewed expressions of his highest respect.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Senior Superintendent.
Inclosure 8 in No. 85.
Captain Elliot to the Hong Merchants:
Macao, December 28, 1836.
IN the conversation I had with the Hong merchants this morning, I
took occasion to explain to them very fully all points connected with my
arrival, and the nature of my public occupations since I have resided
here.
If my name has been improperly reported, it must be owing to some
mistake of the pilots.
My Commission of authority is signed by my Gracious Sovereign;
but my despatches lately received, as to the performance of my duties, are
signed by His Majesty's Minister.
My duty at Canton will be, to conduct the public business of my
nation, and by all possible means to preserve the peace which so happily
subsists between the two countries.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Senior Superintendent.
No. 86,
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received May 1, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, December 31, 1836.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch- of the
28th May, to the address of Sir George Robinson.
In conformity with those Instructions, the accompanying Notice has this
day been issued ; and it is necessary that I should explain to your Lordship the
reasons which induced me to take the liberty of inserting the last paragraph in
this Instrument.
The despatches of my predecessor will have announced that the Governor
of Macao has always refused to reply to our public communications, upon the
ground that he has never been instructed' by his own Government to recognise
us in any official station here.
If, therefore, this Notice, dated at Macao, were published without some
previous understanding with his Excellency, I felt assured that it would have
drawn from him some strong public denial of a right upon our parts, to exercise
147
any manner of authority under Instruments done at Macao. The very con
siderable degree of public inconvenience which would have attended such a
course upon his Excellency's part, need only be mentioned to be appreciated.
It is not my province to judge whether the arguments upon which his
Excellency has founded his refusal to communicate officially with us, are
perfectly sound. But I certainly did feel it was my duty to take all possible
pains to carry your Lordship's highly necessary instructions upon the subject
before me into efficacious, as well as immediate operation ; and it was easy to
«et aside the first difficulty which would have arisen, if I had addressed him in
writing, by the adoption of the course of personal communication.
In the commencement of our conference, his Excellency was still disposed
to insist that the absence of instructions from his Government would make
it incumbent upon him in a public manner, to deny our right to exercise public
functions in Listruments dated at Macao. 1 explained to him, that the sole
object of the present extension of our powers, was to give to our acts dated
from this place, the same authority which they hitherto had, being dated within
the limits of the Port of Canton ; and in order to satisfy him that there was no
wish upon our parts to exercise any independent authority in Macao itself, or in
the anchorages subject to it, which might interfere with the just rights of Her
Most Faithful Majesty, I proposed to insert the last paragraph.
After some time, I had the satisfaction to convince his Excellency that this
was sufficient, and he then gave me his assurance that he would in no way
interpose to disturb the state of things which the Notice announced.
Although I felt it expedient for the reasons I have now given, to make a
declaration, that no acts done by us at Macao, are to be taken to be in prejudice
of the just rights, authority, and sovereignty of Her Most Faithful Majesty, I
can by means undertake to define to your Lordship the nature or the extent of
those rights, or of that authority.
It were certainly to be wished that the first were better understood by the
foreign strangers in the settlement, and as respects the Chinese, that the last
were more consistently asserted, and more effectually supported.
X hsv6 &c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure in No. 86.
PUBLIC NOTICE.
PURSUANT to instructions from the Right Honourable the Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs, dated in London, on the twenty-eighth day of May,
in the year of our Lord, One thousand eight hundred and thirty- six, Public
Notice is hereby given, that from the date of this notification, the powers of
the Superintendents of the Trade of British subjects in China, over British
subjects and ships, are extended so as to include Lintin and Macao.
And the authority of the Superintendents over British subjects and ships,
is to be considered to extend to Macao, and to be of equal force and validity,
being exercised within these extended limits, as it has hitherto been within the
limits of the Port of Canton.
All this, without prejudice to the just rights, authorities, and sovereignty
of the Government of Her Most Faithful Majesty the Queen of Portugal, at
Macao and the anchorages thereto subject.
Given under our hands and Seal of Office, at Macao, in China, this thirty-
first day of December, in the year of our Lord, One thousand eight
hundred and thirty-six.
(L. S.) (Signed) CHARLES ELLTOT,
R. A. JOHNSTON,
Superintendents of the Trade cf
British subjects in China.
U 2
148
No. 87.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received June 1, 1837.)
(Extract.) Macao, January 12, 1837.
IN respect to the Chinese character " Pin," upon the address of the
communications to the Governor from persons in my station, I take the
liberty to forward to your Lordship the accompanying Memorandum by
Mr. Morrison, the Interpreter to this Commission.
It will be observed, that it is the identical character used by officers
of the Chinese Government in their reports to superior officers. And
having regard to the radical character under which it is classed, (Shee, to
admonish, enjoin, or produce,) perhaps it may be rather thought to mean
the respectful exhibition of information, than a distinct signification of
the ideas, involved in our word " Petition."
Inclosure in No. 87.
Memorandum by Mr. Morrison.
Macao, January 13, 1837.
IN reference to your inquiry respecting the style in which the
subordinate officers of the Chinese Government address the chief provin
cial authorities, and the signification of the terms by which their mutual
addresses are distinguished, I hasten briefly to reply.
All officers holding subordinate jurisdiction, who are below the third
rank, (of whom the highest may be regarded as corresponding in station to
the prefects and sub-prefects of departments in France,) when addressing
the chief authorities of the province, make use of the word " Pin," and
they receive from the same authorities, documents denominated " Yu."
The signification of these words I subjoin, as extracted from the Chinese
Dictionary of Dr. Morrison [Part II. Vol. I. page 671].
" ' Pin,' commonly used to denote a clear statement of any affair
made to a superior. Pin, is to state to a superior, whether verbally, or by
writing, whether petitioning something, or to give information of ; whether
from the people to an officer of Government, or from an inferior officer to
a superior several degrees higher. * * * Commands are called ' Yu,'
which, word is used by superiors in the Government to express their
orders, given to inferiors, or to the people."
These are the words which have always been used by foreigners in
their correspondence with the Government ; and " Pin" is the word
which the Governor, in 1834, required Lord Napier to make use of.
As the ranks of officers approach more closely together, several other
terms are used, marking either equality or minute grades of difference.
My notes in regard to these are at Canton, and consequently I am unable
at present to refer to them.
J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
149
No. 88.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
(Extract.) Forcigi Office, June 12, 1837.
I HAVE received your despatch of December 30, 1836, detailing the
particulars of a communication into which you had thought proper to enter
with the authorities of the Chinese Government at Canton, through the Hong
merchants; and 1 have also received your despatch of January 12, 1837,
in which you state the course which you intended to pursue until the arrival of
further instructions from this Department.
I have now to desire that, upon the receipt of this despatch, you will
forthwith inform the Hong merchants and the Viceroy that His Majesty's Go
vernment cannot permit that you, an officer of His Majesty, should hold
communications with an officer of the Emperor of China, through the
intervention of private and irresponsible individuals. You will, therefore,
request that any communications which the Governor may have to make
to you in future, may be sent to you direct; and that the Governor
will consent to receive directly from you any communications on public
affairs which the interests of the two Governments may require you to make
to him. You will also explain, that if in future your written communi
cations should not be endorsed with the character which is usually adopted by
subordinate officers in China, when addressing representations to superior Chinese
Authorities, this alteration will not arise from any want of respect on your part
towards the Governor ; but will simply be the result of the established usages of
England, which do not admit that an officer commissioned by the King of
England should so address an officer commissioned by any other Sovereign.
No 89
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received July 17, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, January 27, 1837.
THE InclosureNo. 1, which I have now the honour to transmit, is an
Edict from his Excellency the Governor of the Two Provinces, sent to me
to-day, in acknowledgment of my note of December 28, 1836, already
forwarded to your Lordship,—Inclosure No. 7 of my despatch of December
30, 1836.
I have at the same time been fortunate enough to procure, through a
private native channel, a copy of his Excellency's memorial to the
Emperor, upon this subject.
It is in every respect, my Lord, a remarkable paper.
His Excellency plainly signifies that he is sensible the formal admis
sion of an officer is a novel principle, but he nevertheless urges its adop
tion, upon the ground that it is needful to waive something in point of
form and ancient custom, for the sake of preserving a state of peaceful
order at Canton. , ■.
The allusion to what has been collected at Macao by the deputation,
in respect to my general dispositions, is a significant proof that both the
court and the provincial authorities, have far less indifferent feelings to
the great convenience of maintaining a good understanding with His
Majesty's Government, than it is ordinarily their vain-glorious assumption
to affect in those public papers which are intended for the eyes of"
foreigners.
The Governor would hardly have adverted to such a point in a report,
to the Emperor, unless it had been felt that it was a consideration
calculated to have weight with His Imperial Majesty.
I believe your Lordship may assure yourself that the Imperial plea
sure to furnish me a passport will soon be announced. And when I am
once in the Provincial City under such a sanction, I have a strong hope
150
that by steadily taking advantage of favourable opportunities, I shall find
no insuperable difficulty in carrying the point of direct official intercourse,
without the intervention of the Hong merchants.
In the transmission of our■ papers to the Governor, the Hong mer
chants indeed, are already merely messengers, for they unquestionably
convey the papers to his Excellency's hands, sealed up. But in the pas
sage of papers from the Governor to us, in a sealed shape, or at least
through a respectable officer of the Government, there remains a substan
tial point to be gained.
Your Lordship may rely upon my best efforts to obtain this con
cession ; and I hope I shall be excused for repeating in this place, that
the actual turn of circumstances appears to render it easier of accom
plishment than it has ever yet been.
This and all other advantages susceptible of quiet acquisition, seem
to me to be less likely of accomplishment by direct applications for relax
ation, than by placing ourselves unobtrusively in a situation which shall
induce approaches from the Chinese authorities. The moment may be
at hand when it will be in my power to signify to his Excellency the
Governor, at a great advantage, and in the most deferential terms, that I
should be glad to interpose in any particular task he may desire to put
upon me, but that it is a business of great moment, and that I could not
venture to do so except his Excellency's pleasure were either addressed
directly to me in a sealed shape, or through some responsible officer of the
Government.
The unsuspicious form and conciliatory terms in which I have
approached the Governor, will, 1 am strongly disposed to think, soon draw
his Excellency towards me.
There are many causes at work which must form the subject of early
despatches to your Lordship that may lead to that state of circumstances.
I have &c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 1 in No. 89.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
January 24, 1837.
TANG, Governor of the provinces Kwangtung and Kwangse, &.c, &c,
issues this order to the Hong merchants, requiring their accurate ac
quaintance therewith.
The foreigner Elliot, English director of affairs, has presented an
address, as follows :—
[Here follows Captain Elliot's address of December 28, promising to
remain at Macao.]
This coming before me, I have looked at the subject, and find, that
this foreigner having before presented an address to me, I immediately
sent a deputy, and commanded him and the military and civil officers of
the district, and the Hong merchants, to examine him faithfully and report
to me. They have now examined and reported ; and I, the Governor,
have accordingly announced the facts to His Majesty. When I receive
information that it is the gracious pleasure of the Great Emperor to allow
his admission, I will then forward a communication to the Superintendent
of Maritime Customs, that he may grant a passport for him to come to
Canton, to take the direction of affairs.
1,1 1 forthwith make this known to you. On this order reaching the
senior merchants, let them transmit directions to the said foreigner to act
accordingly. Oppose not. A special edict.
l€th year of Taoukwang, 12th month, 17th day (January 24, 1837.)
{ } • : Translated from the Chinese.
' '■[' 1 ' '" 1 {Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Interpreter.
151
Inclosure 2 in No. 89.
Extract of a Memorial from the Governor of Canton to the Emperor,
asking permission to allow Captain Elliot to reside at Canton.
SINCE it was first permitted to the various nations of foreigners,
without the Empire's pale, to have commercial intercourse with Cantony
the English trade has always been the largest. Heretofore the direction
of that nation's trade was in the hands of a Company, by which, Chief,
Second, Third, and Fourth Supracargoes were appointed to reside in
Canton. All the Company's foreign vessels successively reached China
during the 7th and 8th months of every year; and having exchanged
their commodities, left the port during the course of the 12th month, and
of the 1st and 2nd months of the following year. Having all left, the
Supracargoes forthwith requested passports to proceed to Macao, and
resided there until the return of their foreign vessels in the 7th and 8th
months, when they again requested passports to come to Canton to transact
their affairs This is the way in which formerly, and for a long time
past, these affairs were regulated.
At a later period, the Company having been dissolved, no Chief
Supracargo was sent ; and another person was directed to take the
controul of affairs*. Your Majesty's Minister, Loo, then the Governor,
having represented this, received your Majesty's commands, " immediately
to direct the Hong merchants, to desire the said private merchants to
send a letter home to their country, calling for the renewed appointment
of a Chief Supracargo who should come to Canton to direct commercial
affairs, and thus should conform to the old enactments. Respect this."
In respectful obedience hereto, directions were given, as is on record.
Now in the 11th month of the present year, I, your Majesty's
Minister, have received from an English foreigner, Elliot, an address
forwarded from Macao, to this effect :—" I have received despatches from
my Government, specially appointing me to come to Canton, for the
general controul of the merchants and seamen of my nation. Under
present circumstances, there being very many ships in the port, and the
merchants and seamen at Canton and Whampoa being very numerous>
and many of them little acquainted with the laws of the Celestial Empire,
I am apprehensive lest any difficulties should arise; and I intreat,
therefore, permission to proceed to Canton for the direction of affairs;"
Observing that this foreigner, in his address, calls himself an officer,
which appears to be the designation of a barbarian head-man, and not at
all of a Chief Supracargo; and that he does not plainly state in his address,
what rank he now holds from his own nation ; whether the purpose of his;
coming is simply to apply himself to the controul of the merchant* and
seamen, or whether he is also to transact commercial business,■ and
whether he has credentials from his Government or not,■ I immediately
sent a deputy to Macao, whom I directed to proceed thither with speed,
to take with him Hong merchants ; and, in conjunction with the local,
civil, and military officers, to ascertain fully the truth on all these points.
This having been done, the deputy and the others reported to me in
the following terms :—" In obedience to the orders we received, we took
with us the Hong merchants, and questioned the foreigner, Elliot, on each
point distinctly. His information was that he, Elliot, was an English
officer of the fourth grade; that in the autumn of the 14th year of
Taoukwang, he came to China in a cruizer, as was at the time reported by
the pilots; that he had remained two years in Macao, his business being
to sign the papers of English merchant vessels ; that now, the Company
not having been re-established, and there being no Chief Supracargo, he
had received his King's commands, through a letter from a great Minister
* This is an unofficial copy obtained through a private channel, and liable therefore to mistakes.
There seems to be a mistake here : it should probably be read, " and there was no person to take the
controul of affairs,"
152
of the first rank, informing him that he is appointed to controul the
merchants and seamen,—not to controul commerce ; that he has creden
tials, commanding him to hold the direction of affairs at Canton ; and
that in case of any disturbances, he alone is answerable. We also learned
that the foreigner, Elliot, has brought with him a wife and a child, and a
retinue of four persons. On inquiry, we found that the foreign barbarians
at Macao, and the foreign merchants of his nation, all represented Elliot
as a very quiet and peaceable man, and as having no ulterior object to
effect."
This report having come before me, I find that since the dissolution of
the English Company, a Chief Supracargo has not come hither ; that of
late, the ships' papers of foreign merchants returning home have been
signed by this foreigner, who has resided at Macao for the purpose, and is
represented to have quietly attended to his duty ; and that at this present
time, ships are constantly and uninterruptedly arriving, and the merchants
and seamen are indeed very numerous. It would be well, promptly to
relax the unimportant restraints in order to preserve peace and quiet.
Now this foreigner having received credentials from his country, appoint
ing him to the general controul of merchants and seamen : though he is not
precisely the same as the Chief Supracargo hitherto appointed, yet the dif
ference is but in name, for in reality he is the same. And, after all, he is
a foreigner to hold the reins of foreigners ; and if not allowed to interfere
in aught else, it would seem that an alteration may be admitted ; and that
he may be permitted to come to Canton and direct affairs, according to
the same regulations under which the Chief Supracargoes have hitherto
acted. I have, for the 'present, commanded the said foreigner to remain
temporarily at Macao, waiting until I shall have announced the facts to
your Majesty. If your Majesty's gracious assent be vouchsafed, I will
then write to the Superintendent of Maritime Customs to grant a passport
for his admission to Canton. Thereafter, he shall be required to change
his residence from Canton to Macao and back again, according to the
season, just as under the former regulations ; and he shall not be allowed
to overpass the time, and linger about at the capital, so as gradually to
effect a settlement here. I will besides command the local, civil, and mili
tary officers, and the Hong merchants, from time to time, truly to watch
and examine his conduct, and if he exceeds his duty, and acts foolishly,
or forms connexions with traitorous Chinese, with a view to twist the laws
to serve private interests, he shall be immediately driven forth, and sent
back to his country. Thus will the source of any illegalities be closed up.
It is my duty to lay this before your Majesty, that the correctness or■
incorrectness of my views may be determined ;■ and for this purpose I sub
join to my memorial these remarks. Prostrate imploring your sacred
Majesty to grant me instructions.
A respectful memorial.
[Without date.]
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Interpreter.
153
No. 90.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received July 17, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, February 2, 1837.
I HAVE now the honour to transmit to your Lordship as remarkable a
series of papers as has ever yet emanated from the Government of this country
in respect to the foreign trade. They are arranged in the order in which they
came into our hands.
Vague reports had reached the factories several months before the Memo
rial of Heu-Naetse, No. 1, fell into our possession, to the effect that the Court
was seriously contemplating the legalization of the opium trade. Little credit,
however, was attached to these rumours. But I confess I was one amongst the
very few persons who thought they were well founded ; and notwithstanding all
the actual degree of rigorous prohibition, I am still of opinion that the legal
admission of the opium may be looked for.
The first paper I ever saw which led me to reason that such a measure
had been entertained at Peking, is a striking Memorial from the late Governor
and Lieutenant-Governor of these Provinces to the Emperor. It is without
date, but it came into the possession of the foreigners so remotely as the
year 1832.
In this document there is a forecast of the scheme of legalization ; and it
is difficult to believe that the high officers of such a Government as this, would
have ventured to shadow it forth, even in far more obscure terms than these, if
they had not been sensible that there was already a powerful party in favour of
the measure. This hint drew down upon their Excellencies, indeed, the formal
censure of His Imperial Majesty, but still the idea will present itself that the
policy must have had its influential advocates, even at that distant date. " We, —-
your Ministers," say the memorialists, "after humble consideration, are of
opinion that opium having become prevalent in the country, vagabonds who
smoke it to the injury of their lives and of their constitutions, do so entirely
from their own stupidity, and refusal to be aroused, and are therefore unworthy
of regret. But the loss of wealth, and waste of treasure, are exceedingly great,
and the evil suffered is not indeed light. If at this time it were 'suffered to be
brought in and publicly used, with legal permission, as a medicine, this would
prevent the foreigners from raising the price to an enormous height. Thus also
might a silent impediment" (probably the encouragement of native growth may
be here implied,) " be placed in the way of their avaricious plans and large
profits."
At this point, the memorialists inquire with an abruptness which might
induce some impression that it was their purpose to recommend increased
vigour in the prohibition system,
" Still, then, would not this be a sudden acquiescence in, and give
unlimited license to, the evil?"
But this reflection, on the contrary, is the preface to a strong and faithful
picture of the mischief, and the hopelessness of all proceedings of that kind.
The forts might be strengthened, additional forces stationed at the passes ; the
traffic, they observe, would but remove to other places ; and what would be the
effect of the renewed vigilance of the Government? Only "to open a way to
piratical banditti to assume the appearance of Government runners, in order to
stop and clandestinely search boats. In Canton Province of late years," con
tinue the memorialists, " the plunderers of trading boats on the coasts and
rivers, and the plunderers of travelling merchants on land, who have, under the
pretence of searching for opium, wantonly troubled others, and involved them
in the prevalent illegality, are more than can be told. And the quantities of
opium dirt which civil and military officers have at various times been sent to
burn and destroy are incalculable. Yet, after all, we do not know in what
respect the illegality has been repressed."
But, my Lord, vast as the mischief of this system must have grown to be,
a system of most extensive law-breaking, carried on under the sanction of the
154
Emperor, and wii.h the active connivance of the high officers of these Pro
vinces, yet in my opinion, it is not to motives arising from such grounds of con
sideration, that the contemplated change must be ascribed. There is little
reason to conclude that the recommendation of such a policy as this would ever
have been allowed to be published, still less that the policy itself would be
worked out, if there were no more urgent incentives to its adoption than are to
he found in the awakening spirit of public virtue upon the part of the Chinese
Government.
The opium trade only commenced, or subsisted, as its present state of stag
nation indisputably proves, by reason of the hearty concurrence of the chief
authorities of these provinces, and, indeed, also of the Court. No portion of
the trade to this country more regularly paid its entrance than this of the
opium. The least attempt to evade the fees of the Mandarins was almost
certain of detection and severe punishment, and a large share of these emolu
ments reached not merely the higher dignitaries of the Empire, but, in all
probability, in no very indirect manner, the Imperial hand itself.
The origin of the legalization scheme is to be ascribed, I believe, mainly, if
not entirely, to the following causes.
lstly. To the intense political disquietude of the Court at the extension of
the trade on the north-east coasts.
2ndly. To the increasing alarm which is felt at what is considered to be the
irrecoverable disappearance of the real wealth of the country, that is to say, the
silver, in exchange for the opium.
The first cause has possibly operated with additional force, since the events
of 1834, at Canton; and the visits of the Missionaries to the coasts, in 1835
and lh36, with tracts in the Chinese language, have also unquestionably
attracted the anxious attention of the Court. Their appearance has naturally
been connected with that of the opium-ships, although I believe, in most
instances, unfoundedly. More than one Imperial Edict has been promul
gated upon the subject of these tracts : not that there is any reason to
believe the religious writings are of themselves very hostilely considered, but it
is, no doubt, apprehended that they who bring tracts of one description may
very well bring those of another, and more dangerous. It will be no source
of surprise to your Lordship that the Chinese Government should be wholly
unequal to the conception of the motives which influence these pious men,
and that their visits to the coasts should be ascribed to purposes calculated to
excite extremely disquieting suspicions. The papers now transmitted furnish
evidence of a strong difference of sentiment at Peking, upon the subject of the
admission of the opium ; and it must be conceded that such a circumstance
leads to a higher opinion of the integrity of exalted Chinese functionaries than
is commonly entertained. One or other of these Ministers must, in all
probability, be reporting in a sense which he knows is contrary to that of the
Emperor.
Considering, however, the probable moral condition of such a court as
this, and having regard to the force of those impressions by which it seems to
be actuated on this occasion, 1 cannot but think your Lordship will be of
opinion that the counsels of they who advocate the more immediately politic
expedient, will prevail over adverse reasoning, founded upon high principles,
and remote mischief.
Indeed, the Emperor's Edict, (No. 7,) appears to me, more particularly
when it be considered in connexion with the actual proceedings of the
Provincial Government, to afford conclusive proof that the measure is deter
mined upon. "What remained to be done was to preface the promulgation of
the Edict by such a course of severity and earnest restriction as might convince
both foreigners and natives that the obstruction of the outside trade was a
possible state of circumstances.
If this course had not been steadily pursued for some considerable period
of time, and successively pursued, the Chinese Government must have
perceived that the legalization project would have been wholly inoperative. So
long as the native dealers would not be afraid to come to the ships outside
with their ready money, and receive the opium there, the foreign merchants
would never have brought in, and delivered it to the merchants of the Co-hong
(consisting for the most part, of bankrupt men), to be taken on account, and
•166
realized principally by the tedious and unfavourable process of barter, for the
export staples of tea and silk.
This timid and cautious Government is not prone needlessly to try hazardous
experiments upon the patience of its own people or on that of eager foreigners.
And it is the very reality of all the actual degree of rigorous prohibition which
most convinces me of the certainty of the coming change. There is enough of
proof that these severities are persisted in under feelings of extreme solicitude,
and only because the Government is sensible that they are of indispensable
necessity to the successful transition to a safer state of things. If the change
were not deliberately resolved upon, and possibly ready for promulgation at any
moment of difficulty which may present itself, it certainly is my own opinion
that the restrictions would long since have relapsed into the mere wordy
denunciations of the passed times.
I ought not to omit to mention to your Lordship, however, that it is
confidently rumoured, the Governor has sought permission from the Court to
give the trial of a year to the effect of the present system of obstruction ; but we
hear, at the same time, this his Excellency is in some hope of being removed
from the Government of these provinces. The last report, in my mind, rather
strengthens the probability of the other.
It is conceivable that the Governor cannot desire to be the principal
responsible agent in the safe working out of a great change of this description ;
and it certainly may be possible that his representations and requests for the
delay of a year, would dispose the party at Peking, adverse to the legalization,
to make another earnest effort to defer the measure. But I cannot think that
such a proposition would find favour with the Emperor, because it is plain that
the present course is not susceptible of safe protraction.
In a few weeks, the produce of the first opium sales of the year in Bengal
must arrive here, and then, if the restrictions continue, this trade will, in all
probability, immediately assume a different character. From a traffic prohibited
in point of form, but essentially countenanced, and carried on entirely by natives
in native boats, it will come to be a complete smuggling trade. The opium
will be conveyed to parts of the coast previously concerted in Canton, in British
boats, and thence be run by the natives ; thus throwing our people into imme
diate contact with the inhabitants on shore, and certainly, in other respects, vastly
enhancing the chances of serious disputes and collision with the Government
officers.
It seems to be probable that this state of things would either hasten forward
the legalization edict, or in the event of any check to our boats, defer it to some
indefinite period, and in other ways very inconveniently alter the whole position
of circumstances in this country.
Without troubling your Lordship, however, for the present with any further
speculations as to the turn that events may take, it is now my duty to state,
that at this moment, and for the last two months, the Local Government has
been pursuing a system of severe restriction with respect to this branch of the
trade, which has been successful to a great extent.
Indeed, I am sorry to inform your Lordship, that at the actual conjuncture,
our whole commerce is passing through a trial of rather a distressing nature.
The abolition of the Company's monopoly has been attended, as was to be
expected, with some considerable degree of overtrading. The increased imports
of British manufactures have been heavy, and the returns in this market have
hitherto been carried up and sustained greatly beyond their former limits by the
eagerness , of new competitors, in spite of large stocks and reduced prices in
England. The locking up of the silver, too, which has accompanied the inter
ruption of the opium deliveries, (for that drug may be described to be the only
money-turning wheel of the trade, the rest being principally accomplished by
barter,) has considerably aggravated the embarrassment of the merchants, by
crippling their means of forcing down the high rates of the export staples.
In the course of a few days, 1 shall have the honour to transmit to your
Lordship copies of letters I propose to address to the Right Honourable the
GoArernor-General, and the Honourable the Rear-Admiral commanding in chief,
on this subject.
It seems likely that the visits of men-of-war at this crisis, for short periods,
and at brief intervals, would have the effect either of relaxing the restrictive
spirit of the Provincial Government, or of hastening onwards the legalization
X ?
156
measure, and thus, by the one mode or the other, of releasing the trade from its
actual condition of stagnation.
Your Lordship, I hope, will consider I am justified in respectfully moving
these authorities to do what can be done (safely and without inconveniently
committing His Majesty's Government,) towards the relief of the most important
branch of this trade ; with the langour of which the whole British commerce to
the empire necessarily sympathizes in a very serious degree.
The imports of opium last year, on the account of our merchants, amounted
to nearly 18,000,000 of dollars, being about 1,000,000 in excess of the whole
value of teas and silk exported during the same period on British account.
Your Lordship will judge how unfortunately the interruption of this traffic
must operate on the general commerce. Trusting that the importance of this
subject will be my excuse for this long despatch,
I have &c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent,
Inclosure 1 in No. 90.
Memorial from Heu-Naetse to the Emperor, proposing to legalise the importation
of Opium.
Preamble. HEU-NAETSE, Vice-President of the Sacrificial Court, presents the
following memorial in regard to opium, to show that the more severe the
interdicts against it are made, the more widely do the evils arising therefrom
spread ; and that it is right urgently to request, that a change be made in the
arrangements respecting it ; to which end he earnestly en reats His Sacred
Majesty to cast a glance hereon, and to issue secret orders for a faithful
investigation of the subject.
Qualities and effects I would humbly represent that opium was originally ranked among
of opium. medicines ; its qualities are stimulant ; it also checks excessive secretions ; and
prevents the evil effects of noxious vapours. In the Materia Medica of Le
Shechin, of the Ming dynasty, it is called Afooyung. When any one is long
habituated to inhaling it, it becomes necessary to resort to it at regular intervals,
and the habit of using it, being inveterate, is destructive of time, injurious to
property, and yet dear to one even as life. Of those who use it to great excess*
the breath becomes feeble, the body wasted, the face sallow, the teeth black :
the individuals themselves clearly see the evil effects of it, yet cannot refrain
from it. It is, indeed, indispensably necessary to enact severe prohibitions in
order to eradicate so vile a practice.
Different kinds of On inquiry, 1 find that there are three kinds of opium : one is called
of the drug. Company's, the outer covering of it is black, and hence it is also called ' black
earth ;' it comes from Bengal : a second kind is called ' white-skin,' and comes
from Bombay ; the third kind is called * red-skin,' and comes from Madras.
These are places which belong to England.
Laws in relation to In Keenlung's reign, as well as previously, opium was inserted in the
opium. tariff of Canton as a medicine, subject to a duty of three taels per hundred
catties, with an additional charge of two taels, four mace, and five candareens,
under the name of charge per package. After this, it was prohibited. In the
1 st year of Keaking, those found guilty of smoking opium were subject only to
the punishment of the pillory and bamboo. Now they have, in the course of
time, become liable to the severest penalties, transportation in various degrees,
and death after the ordinary continuance in prison. Yet the smokers of the
drug have increased in number, and the practice has spread throughout almost
the whole empire. In Keenlung's and the previous reigns, when opium passed
Nature of the trade through the Custom-House and paid a duty, it was given into the hands of the
in opram. Hong merchants in exchange for tea and other goods. But at the present
time, the prohibitions of Government being most strict against it, none dare
openly to exchange goods for it ; all secretly purchase it with money. In the
reign of Keaking, there arrived, it may be, some hundred chests annually.
The number has now increased to upwards of 20,000 chests, containing each a
hundred catties. The ' black earth,' which is the best, sells for about 800
■
157
dollars, foreign money, per chest ; the ' white-skin,' which is next in quality,
for about 600 dollars ; and the last, or ' red-skin,' for about 400 dollars. The
total quantity sold during the year amounts in value to ten and some odd
millions of dollars ; 60 that, in reckoning the dollar at seven mace, standard
weight of silver, the annual waste of money somewhat exceeds ten millions of
taels. Formerly, the barbarian merchants brought foreign money to China ;
which, being paid in exchange for goods, was a source of pecuniary advantage
to the people of all the sea-board provinces. But latterly, the barbarian
merchants have clandestinely sold opium for money; which has rendered it
unnecessary for them to import foreign silver. Thus foreign money has been
going out of the country, while none comes into it.
During two centuries, the Government has now maintained peace, and by
fostering the people, has greatly promoted the increase of wealth and opulence
among them. With joy we witness the economical rule of our august
Sovereign, an example to the whole empire. Right it is that yellow gold be
common as the dust.
Always in times past, a tael of pure silver exchanged for nearly about 1000 Arguments,
coined cash, but of late years the same sum has borne the value of 1200 or !• Effect* of the
1300 cash: thus the price of silver rises but does not fall. In the salt agency, trade on curm»cy.
the price of salt is paid in cash, while the duties are paid in silver ; now the ,
salt merchants have all become involved, and the existing state of the salt trade■.- '
in every province is abject in the extreme. How is this occasioned but by the
unnoticed oozing out of silver ? If the easily exhaustible stores of the central
spring go to fill up the wide and fathomless gulf of the outer seas, gradually
pouring themselves out from day to day, and from month to month, we shall
shortly be reduced to a state of which I cannot bear to speak.
It is proposed entirely to cut off the foreign trade, and thus to remove the 2. To cut off all the
root, to dam up the source of the evil. The Celestial Dynasty would not, foreign trade would
indeed, hesitate to relinquish the few millions of duties arising therefrom. But ta wron^
all the nations of the West have had a general market open to their ships for
upwards of a thousand years ; while the dealers in opium are the English alone ;
it would be wrong, for the sake of cutting off the English trade, to cut off that
of all the other nations. Besides, the hundreds of thousands of people living
on the sea-coast depend wholly on trade for their livelihood, and how are they and is, in fact, im-
to be disposed of ? Moreover, the barbarian ships, being on the high seas, can practicable,
repair to any island that may be selected as an entrepot, and the native sea
going vessels can meet them there ; it is then impossible to cut off the trade.
Of late years, the foreign vessels have visited all the ports of Fuhkeen,
Chekeang, Keangnan, Shantung, even to Teentsin and Mantchouria, for the
purpose of selling opium. And although at once expelled by the local
authorities, yet it is reported that the quantity sold by them was not small.
Thus it appears that, though the commerce of Canton should be cut off,
yet it will not be possible to prevent the clandestine introduction of
merchandise.
It is said, the daily increase of opium is owing to the negligence of officers 3. The illicit intro-
in enforcing the interdicts ! The laws and enactments are the means which duction 0f opium is
extortionate underlings and worthless vagrants employ to benefit themselves; °e\i°enL°ofnoffi0
and the more complete the laws are, the greater and more numerous are the cers^nd cannot be
bribes paid to the extortionate underlings, and the more subtle are the schemes prevented,
of such worthless vagrants. In the first year of Taoukwang, the Governor of
Kwangtung and Kwangse, Yuen Yuen, proceeded with all rigour of the law
against Ye Hangshoo, head of the opium establishment then at Macao. The
consequence was, that foreigners having no one with whom to place their
opium, proceeded to Lintin to sell it. This place is within the precincts of the
Provincial Government, and has a free communication by water on all sides. Here
are constantly anchored seven or eight large ships, in which the opium is kept,
and which are therefore called ' receiving ships/ At Canton there are brokers
of the drug, who are called ' melters.' These pay the price of the drug into
the hands of the resident foreigners, who give them orders for the delivery of
the opium from the receiving ships. There are carrying boats plying up and
down the river; and these are vulgarly called 'fast-crabs' and 'scrambling
dragons.' They are well armed with guns and other weapons, and are manned
with some scores of desperadoes, who ply their oars as if they were wings to
fly with. All the Custom-houses and military posts which they pass are largely
158
bribed. If they happen to encounter any of the armed cruizing boats, they are
so audacious as to resist, and slaughter and carnage ensue. The late Governor
Loo, on one occasion, having directed the Commodore Tsin Yuchang to
co-operate with Teen Poo, the district magistrate of Heangshan, they captured
Leang Heennee with a boat containing opium to the amount of 14,000 catties.
The number of men killed and taken prisoners amounted to several scores. He
likewise inflicted the penalty of the laws on the criminals Yaoukow and
Owkwan (both of them being brokers), and confiscated their property. This
shows that faithfulness in the enforcement of the laws is not wanting ; and yet
the practice cannot be checked. The dread of the laws is not so great on the
part of the common people, as is the anxious desire of gain, which incites them
to all manner of crafty devices ; so that sometimes, indeed, the law is rendered
wholly ineffective.
4. Evil consequen- There are also, both on the rivers and at sea, banditti, who, with pretence
ces of this illicit in- of acting under the orders of the Government, and of being sent to search after
troduction. ancl prevent the smuggling of opium, seek opportunities for plundering. When
I was lately placed in the service of your Majesty, as Acting Judicial Commis
sioner at Canton, cases of this nature were very frequently reported. Out of
these arose a still greater number of cases, in which money was extorted for the
ransom of plundered property. Thus a countless number of innocent people
were involved in suffering. All these wide-spread evils have arisen since the
interdicts against opium were published.
5. Worthless cha- ^ De found, on examination, that the smokers of opium are idle, lazy
racter of opium vagrants, having no useful purpose before them, and are unworthy of regard, or
smokers. even of contempt. And though there are smokers to be found who have over
stepped the threshold of age, yet they do not attain to the long life of other
men. But new births are daily increasing the population of the empire; and
there is no cause to apprehend a diminution therein ; while, on the other hand,
we cannot adopt too great, or too early, precautions against the annual
waste which is taking place in the resources, the very substance of China.
Inference that the Since then, it will not answer to close our ports against [all trade] , and
opium trade should since the laws issued against opium are quite inoperative, the only method left
be legalised. js to revert to the former system, to permit the barbarian merchants to import
opium paying duty thereon as a medicine, and to require that, after having
passed the Custom-House, it shall be delivered to the Hong merchants only in
exchange for merchandise, and that no money be paid for it. The barbarians
finding that the amount of duties to be paid on it, is less than what is now spent
in bribes, will also gladly comply therein. Foreign money should be placed on the
same footing with sycee silver, and the exportation of it should be equally
prohibited. Offenders, when caught, should be punished by the entire destruc
tion of the opium they may have, and the confiscation of the money that may
howe^r to°be af De found wi*h them. With regard to officers, civil and military, and. to the
lowed to smoke it." scholars and common soldiers, the first are called upon to fulfil the duties of
their rank and attend to the public good ; the others, to cultivate their talents
and become fit for public usefulness. None of these, therefore, must be per
mitted to contract a. practice so bad, or to walk in a path which will lead only
to the utter waste of their time, and destruction of their property. If, however,
the laws enacted against the practice be made too severe, the result will be
mutual connivance. It becomes my duty, then, to request that it be enacted,
that any officer, scholar, or soldier, found guilty of secretly smoking opium, shall
be immediately dismissed from public employ, without being made liable to any
other penalty. In this way, lenity will become in fact severity towards them.
And further, that, if any superior or general officer be found guilty of know
ingly and wiifully conniving at the practice among his subordinates, such officer
shall be subjected to a Court of Inquiry. Lastly, that, no regard be paid to the
purchase and use of opium on the part of the people generally.
Objections answer- Does any suggest a doubt, that to remove the existing prohibitions will
ed: the dignity of derogate from the dignity of Government1? I would ask, if he is ignorant that
the government not the pleasures of the table and of the nuptial couch may also be indulged in to
injured by the pro- tne injury of health ? Nor are the invigorating drugs footsze and viootow
posen cnange. devoid of poisonous qualities : yet it has never been heard that any one of
these has been interdicted. Besides, the removal of the prohibitions refers
only to the vulgar and common people, those who have no official duties to
perform. So long as the officers of Government, the scholars, and the military,
161
are not included, I see no detriment to the dignity of Government. And
by allowing the proposed importation and exchange of the drug for other com
modities, more than ten millions of money will annually be prevented from
flowing out of the Central land. On which side then is the gain,—on which the
loss ? It is evident at a glance. But if we still idly look back and delay to
retrace our steps, foolishly paying regard to a matter of mere empty dignity, I
humbly apprehend that when eventually it is proved impossible to stop the
importation of opium, it will then be found that we have waited too long, that
the people are impoverished, and their wealth departed. Should we then begin
to turn round, we shall find that reform comes too late.
Though but a servant of no value, I have by your Majesty's condescending Conclusion,
favour been raised from a subordinate censorship to various official stations,
both at court and in the provinces ; and filled, on one occasion, the chief
judicial office in the region south of the great mountains (Kwangtung). Ten
years spent in endeavours to make some return have produced no fruit ; and
I find myself overwhelmed with shame and remorse. But with regard to the
great advantages, or great evils, of any place where I have been, I have never
failed to make particular inquiries. Seeing that the prohibitions now in force
against opium serve but to increase the prevalence of the evil, and that there
is none found to represent the facts directly to your Majesty, and feeling
assured that 1 am myself thoroughly acquainted with the real state of things,
I dare no longer forbear to let them reach your Majesty's ear. Prostrate,
I beg my august Sovereign to give secret directions to the Governor and
Lieutenant-Governor of Kwangtung, together with the Superintendent of
Maritime Customs, that they faithfully investigate the character of the above
statements, and that, if they find them really correct, they speedily prepare a
list of regulations adapted to a change in the system, and present the same for
your Majesty's final decision. Perchance this may be found adequate to stop
further oozing out of money, and to replenish the national resources. With
inexpressible awe and trembling fear, I reverently present this memorial and
await your Majesty's commands.
Inclosure 2 in No. 90.
Imperial Edict in reply to the foregoing Memorial.— (June 12, 1836.)
HEU-NAETSE, Vice-President of the Sacrificial Court, has presented n,e provinciai g0_
a memorial in regard to opium, representing that the more severe the interdicts vemment is directed
against it are made, so much the more widely do the evils arising from it t0 deliberate and
spread ; and that of late years, the foreigners, not daring openly to give it in FePort on the sub"
barter for other commodities, have been in the habit of selling it clandestinely
for money, thus occasioning an annual loss to the country, which he estimates
at above ten millions of taels. He therefore requests that a change be made in
regard to it, permitting it again to be introduced, and given in exchange for
other commodities. Let Tang Tingching and his Colleagues deliberate on the
subject, and then report to us. Let a copy of the original memorial be made
for their perusal, and sent with this edict to Tang Tingching and Ke Kung,
who are to enjoin it also on Wan. Respect this.
Inclosure 3 in No. 90.
Report made to the Chinese Government by the Hong Merchants.
IN obedience to the commands of his Excellency the Hoppo, to deliberate Report made by the
on certain particulars, we now present for perusal the result of our deliberations, Hong merchants
arranged under [four] distinct heads. T^eJtrta iT^of
First. We received directions "to examine in regard to the following SyCeeXjji°vor.10n °
statement,— contained in a memorial presented to the Emperor (whereof a copy
was previously transmitted), namely, ' that foreign merchants dare not openly
160
take goods in barter for opium, but always clandestinely sell it for sycee silver.'
Now the exportation ]of sycee silver (it was always remarked) has long been
interdicted ; and the said merchants surely do not presume to contravene the
regulations in the least degiee. Yet it maybe difficult to aver, that not a
single illegality is committed by them ; and still more difficult would it be to
stand answerable, that there are no traitorous natives who carry on a clandestine
commerce."
It h not exported In reply hereto, we the Hong merchants would humbly represent, that it
by the Hong mer- is really owing to the strictness of the Governmental regulations that foreigners
other*' clandestine^ are Preven*e<^ from openly taking goods in barter for opium. In regard to
\ym " sycee silver, we, every year, severally and voluntarily enter into bonds, that we
will on no account aid and abet the foreigners in exporting it, which bonds are
presented to your Excellencies. How can we possibly contravene the regu
lations, and so render ourselves criminal ? Yet it is indeed, as his Excellency
the Hoppo says, difficult to stand answerable that there are no traitorous natives
who carry on a clandestine commerce. To watch against such an illicit com
merce is, however, beyond our power ; and it therefore behoves us to request
How to
thisT revent
PrMCn rule i°this
jnj.0 0peration, regard
rule, to seizures
namely, of the
that smuggled commodities,
capturers may berewarded.
shall be liberally brought
In pursuance of this a certain proportion of all sycee silver, that may hereafter
be captured, should be given for an encouragement to the capturers, and thus
those who receive such rewards will be induced to exert themselves in an
extraordinary degree ; and the smugglers, knowing that such rewards are held
out, will at once become intimidated.
2. Inquiries in re- Secondly. We received the following inquiries to direct our deliberations:
sard to interchange "The foreign merchants have need of teas, rhubarb, cassia, sugar, silk, &c,
of commodities. which articles must have been heretofore kept in store by the Hong merchants,
so as to be in readiness to be exchanged for imported goods. Should the
amount of imported commodities become hereafter too great, how can ware
house room be afforded, in order to retain such commodities for gradual sale ?
And can it be so arranged, that, when it is impossible to effect an immediate
sale, and the foreign merchant finds himself unable to wait longer, he may be
allowed to return home, leaving his goods with the Hong merchant to sell for
him as opportunities offer, and on his return receiving such an amount of
merchandise as is due to him in exchange? Let these questions be well
considered."
"Mode in which such In answer hereto, we would humbly point out what has been hitherto the
interchange is now practice : On foreign vessels coming to Canton to trade, their cargoes are sent
'c ' ' up to our hongs ; and then a list is given by each foreign merchant of the
native commodities required in return, which commodities we purchase for them
from the various dealers therein. We never keep a stock of each article on
hand. And of late years our means have been very much reduced, so that
often we are unable to pay in due season the duties accruing : how then can we
possibly lay in a store of ready purchased articles ? If it happen that too great
a quantity of any article is introduced, so that it cannot be sold off at once, and
the vessel is to sail immediately, the security merchant in that case applies to
the foreigner for the amount of duties due, that he may pay them for him.
The unsold goods remain in our hongs to be disposed of as opportunities offer ;
and when the foreign merchant returns to Canton, he then takes out the value
mode si id tnereof m nat've commodities. This is the way in which the trade has hitherto
b*stiira^ercd°to. been conducted, and we would request that it may continue to be conducted in
the usual manner.
3. To prevent ille- Thirdly. We received directions to deliberate on the following questions :
^^j^Muaa^ "fo! " Whether, if opium should be imported through the usual channel for other
i«ad«^^esmswpr- commodities (the Hongs), any Hong merchant being at liberty to land and enter
.tble for all duties it at the Custom-House, it will not be found difficult to guard against illegalities
»n opium ? in the trade ? Whether it will not rather be requisite to make one of the most
opulent of the senior merchants responsible,—namely, one in whom entire con
fidence can be placed, and one in whom the foreigners habitually place implicit
Should n^jpenodi- trust . anj t0 require him alone to enter the cargoes of opium for examination at
routed ftwm each tne Custom-House, and to pay the duties; still, however, allowing the foreigner
merchant. to sell it, at its market value, to whichever Hong merchant he may choose, in
order to prevent a monopoly ? Also, whether the Hong merchants should not
still be required to give bonds as formerly, and to state the persons to whom
161
they have sold opium, the places whither it has been transported, and what
amount (if any) of silver, sycee or foreign, has been given for it, —each separate
transaction to be reported at the time, and a monthly statement to be made out
and presented at the offices of the Governor and Hoppo, in order to enable them
to make their reports to the Board of Revenue."
In reply to this, we would humbly notice some particulars of the mode in In answer, it is
which we have heretofore conducted our traffic with the foreigners. We have shown that the ex-
indeed exchanged one commodity for another; but often, when the value of the must not be'
imports and exports has been unequal, the balance has been paid, both by native forbidden. * °
and foreign merchants, to one another, in foreign money. And when, in con
sequence of the commodities of a country being saleable but to a very small
extent, at Canton, large sums of foreign money have been imported for the
purpose of purchasing a cargo, then no restriction has been placed on the
re-exportation of any remaining sum. Hence the " exportation of three-
tenths"* has received the sanction of Government. Again, there are cases in
which full cargoes are imported, while—in consequence of the prices of native
commodities being too high, or the commodities themselves not calculated for
sale in the places from whence the vessels come—the exported cargoes are
small. The surplus foreign money, then, being greater in amount than the
" exportable three-tenths," whatever exceeds that amount is either left here for
the purchase of other goods, or is lent to other foreigners. This is a thing of
common occurrence. For instance, of the rice-laden ships which now enter the That the foreigners
port, the largest bring cargoes of somewhat above 10,000 peculs, amounting in may often avoid ex-
value to but 20,000 or 30,000 dollars; and the smaller ones bring cargoes of, it Port»ng bullion,
may be 5,000 or 6,000 peculs, the value of which is no more than 10,000
and odd dollars. Yet these same vessels return with export cargoes of the value
of 200,000 or 300,000 dollars, or at least of from 100,000 to 200,000 dollars.
The money required to purchase these cargoes is therefore frequently borrowed
from foreigners, who have a balance in money, in excess of that portion of the
price of their import cargoes for which they have taken goods. Th's, then, is
a clear proof that, in the instance of rice-laden vessels, the unemployed balance
possessed by other foreigners is borrowed, in order to purchase exports
wherewith to send them back to their country. '
Now, in reference to the question at present under consideration, whether But that, as shown
permission shall be given to import opium, paying a legal duty thereon, we by themselves, they
have, as a provision in case that such permission should be given, inquired of <»«"ict always do. so.•
the foreign merchants if they can export goods to such an amount as to equal
in value their importation of opium, so that they need not have any occasion for
exporting money? Their answer was of the following tenor: "That is right
and proper that they should comply with the arrangement to take cargo in
exchange for the proceeds of their opium ; but that the ports to which they
return are not all alike, and that our native commodities are not every where
equally saleable ; that were the merchants who bring opium to Canton to
make their returns in merchandize purchased here, such merchandize would be
unsaleable,—and therefore the arrangement that goods are to be taken in
return for opium cannot be universally adopted ; that, however, they can in such
cases lend their money to other foreigners to purchase cargoes with, which will
be the same thing as if the foreign merchants who import opium applied all the
proceeds to the purchase of goods themselves; lastly, that, in case they should
be unable to lend out the whole of the proceeds, they are willing to act in
accordance with the regulation hitherto existing, by which they are allowed to
export in foreign money three-tenths of the excess of imports over exports ; but
that to require each several ship to take export cargo in exchange for imports
will; they really apprehend, be found inapplicable, injurious, and impracticable;
on which account they deem it their duty to request that the regulation hereto
fore existing, as above-mentioned, may continue in full force." We, the Hong
merchants, would here suggest, that, although there be no duty charged on 'Th« present regu-
exported silver, yet as it is required to report at the Custom-House the sums latl0nsjre sufficient,
shipped, it will be impossible that any very considerable amount should be
clandestinely exported. Whether such an arrangement in regard to the
importation of opium, the grand question now under consideration, shall be
adopted or not, must depend on your Excellencies' decision.
• That is, 30 per cent, of the excess of the value of the imports over that of the exports.
Y
162
It is shown also, It has been for a long time past the rule, when a vessel reaches Canton, to
that no one mer- permit the foreigner himself to select the Hong merchant who shall secure his.
chant need he made vessei . this is left entirely to the will of the foreigner, and no compulsion may
responsi e. ^ exercjse(j jn tne matter. All goods that are to be entered at the Custom-
House for examination and assessment, are so entered by the security merchant,,
on application made by the foreigner ; and the charges on the vessel, on enter
ing the port and when discharging cargo, are also paid by the security merchant.
But any of the Hong merchants may have a portion of the cargo, and it is the
rule, that the merchant who so receives cargo shall pay all the duties thereon
into the treasury of the Custom House. In this way, there can be no mono-
And that no eri P0MZmS- Should opium be admitted for importation in the same manner as
odteal "statements pi°ce-goods, cotton, &c, the arrangements in regard to the sale of it by Hong
are necessary to merchants to minor dealers, and the transport of it from Canton to other places,
prevent illegalities, should also be the same as with regard to those commodities. Such as is trans
ported to other provinces by an overland route should be entered at the eastern
and western Custom- Houses, where a pass should be obtainable on examination.
And such as is transported by sea on board native trading vessels should be
entered outwards, at the chief Custom-House, through the medium of the
merchants of Fuhkeen and Chauchow. The laws on these points being very
precise, it seems needless to report each separate transaction of sale, or to
present any monthly statements.
4. Transit of opium, Fourthly. We received directions to deliberate carefully on this question:
and.coasting trade {t opium is transported to other provinces for sale, should not those
precautionary regulations which have been enacted in regard to foreigners
trading at Canton be put in practice, and communications be sent to the
authorities in all the sea-board provinces, informing them, that whatever opium
has not the stamp of the Custom-House on it is to be regarded as smuggled,
and both vessel and cargo therefore confiscated, and the parties subjected to
legal investigation ? And, if any vessels proceed to the receiving ships, which
are anchored on the high seas, to trade with them, should not the Hong
merchants be required to take measures against their so doing ?"
The regulations al- In reply, we would humbly point out, that in the regulations enacted last
ready existing, in year for checking foreigners engaged in trade, there occurs the following
woo\ltaa° Ac^im PassaSe : " IR respect to all native trading vessels, from whatever province they
ported, should he mav oe, anY foreign goods that may be purchased for shipment on them shall be
" ' ' entered at the chief Custom-House at Canton, and there, having been stamped,
a pass for the same shall be granted, specifying in detail the amount of goods,
in order that no clandestine transactions may be suffered to take place. And
communications shall be sent to the authorities in all the provinces, that they
may act in compliance with this regulation, and may give orders accordingly to
the officers of the maritime Custotn-Houses, to examine all trading vessels
carrying cargoes of foreign merchandize, and, if they find any articles not
marked with the stamp of the Canton Custom-House, to regard such articles as
smuggled, and to subject the parties to a legal investigation and confiscation of
both vessel and cargo." These precautionary measures are sufficiently precise,
and should undoubtedly be acted on. But should any vessel, in the course of
passage on the high seas, happen to traffic with the receiving ships, it is indeed
beyond our power to prevent it. It behoves us therefore to request, that, as
enacted in the above-named regulation, the officers of all cruising vessels along
the coast be held responsible ; that they be directed to cruise about in constant
succession ; and, should any traders approach a foreign ship to purchase opium
immediately to apprehend such traders, and send them to meet their trial; and,
lastly, that both the vessel and cargo of such traders shall be confiscated, and
the proceeds thereof given as a reward to the capturers. We would also
humbly request, that an edict be issued for the information of all native
merchants, that they may know these things and be restrained by fear. At the
same time we will continue earnestly to instruct and admonish the foreigners,
and make them understand that they must iudeed bring their goods into port,
and pay duty thereon, and mast not, as heretofore, clandestinely sell them on
the high seas. Thus may the amount of duties be increased.
163
Inclosure 4 in No. 90.
Report of the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of Canton.
September 7, 1836.
WE have, in obedience to the Imperial will, jointly deliberated on the Preamble,
subject of repealing the prohibition now in force in regard to the importation of
opium, and of permitting it to be sold in barter for other commodities ; and we
be»-ein present a draft of regulations, that we have sketched, comprising nine
sections, on which we humbly solicit your sacred Majesty to cast a glance.
On the 19th day of the 5th month (2nd July), we received a letter from
the Grand Council of Ministers, inclosing an imperial edict, dated the 29th day
of the 4th month (12th of June).
Beholding our august Sovereign's tender solicitude for the livelihood of the
people on this remote frontier, and the anxious desire manifested to remove
all evils, we, as on bended knee we perused the edict, were deeply affected, and
bowed in profound reverence. We immediately transmitted the edict to the
Superintendent of maritime customs, your Majesty's Minister Wan ; and also
read in Council the copy forwarded to us of the original memorial. While we
ourselves gave the subject our joint and careful consideration, we, at the same
time, directed the two Commissioners (of Finance and Justice) to discuss it
thoroughly and faithfully. These officers, the Financial Commissioner,
Altsingah, and the Judicial Commissioner, Wang Tsingleen. have now laid
before us the result of their joint deliberations, and we have considered their
suggestions.
We are humbly of opinion, that in framing regulations it is of the first principle laid down:
importance to suit them to the circumstances of the times; and that to govern
well, it is essential in the first place to remove existing evils. But if in
removing one evil, an evil of greater extent is produced, it then becomes the
more imperative to make a speedy change suited to the circumstances of the
occasion.
Now in regard to opium, it is an article brought into the Central Empire Argument*,
from the lands of the far-distant barbarians, and has been imported during a Evils arising out of
long course of years. In the reigns of Yungching and Keenlung, it was th? Pronibition
included in the tariff of maritime duties, under the head of medicinal drugs, and °Plum"
there was then no regulation against purchasing it, or inhaling it. But in the
4th year of Keaking (1799), the then Governor of this province, Keihking, of
the imperial kindred, regarding it as a subject of deep regret, that the vile dirt
of foreign countries should be received in exchange for the commodities and the
money of the empire, and fearing lest the practice of smoking opium should
spread among all the people of the inner land, to the waste of their time and the
destruction of their property, presented a memorial, requesting that the sale of
the drug- should be prohibited, and that offenders should be made amenable to
punishment. This punishment has been gradually increased to transportation,
and death by strangling. The law is by no means deficient in severity. But
the people are not so much influenced by the fear of the laws as by the desire of
gain. Hence, from the time that the prohibition was passed, the crafty schemes
and devices of evil men have daily multiplied. On the one hand, receiving
ships are anchored in the entrances from the outer seas: on the other hand,
brokers, called melters, are everywhere established in the inner land. Then
again 'fast crabs' and 'scrambling dragons' —as the boats are called—are
fitted out for clandestine commerce : and lastly, vagabonds, pretending authority
to search, have under this pretext indulged their own unruly desires. Thus,
what was at first a common article, of no esteem in the market, either for
6tnoking or eating, and a'so of a moderate price, has with the increase in the
severity of the regulations increased in demand, and been clandestinely and
largely imported, annually drawing away from the pecuniary resources of the
inner land, while it has done nothing to enrich it.
We, your Majesty's Ministers, having examined the original memorial, and The piohil>ition
considered the details therein contained respecting the evils to be removed, should therefore b»
regard the whole as true and accurate. The request for a repeal of the prohi- removed-
bitions and change in the system, and a return to the former plan of laying a
duty on opium, is also such as the circumstances of the times render necessary;
164
and it is our duty to solicit your Majesty's sanction thereof. In case of such
sanction, any foreigner, who in the course of trade may bring opium, must be
permitted to import and pass it at the Custom-House, paying the duty on it as
fixed by the maritime tariff of Keenlung, and must deliver it to the Hong
merchants, in the same manner as long-ells, camlets, and other goods, bartered
for native commodities, but on no account may he sell it clandestinely for
money*
Effects to be ex- If this plan be faithfully and vigorously carried into effect, the tens of
pected from such a millions of precious money which now annually go out of the empire will be
change. saved, the source of the stream will be purified, and the stream itself may be
eventually stayed. The amount of duties being less onerous than what is now
paid in bribes, transgressions of the revenue laws will cease of themselves ; the
present evil practices of transporting contraband goods by deceit and violence
will be suppressed without effort ; the numberless quarrels and litigations now
arising therefrom at Canton, together with the crimes of worthless vagrants will
be diminished. Moreover, if the Governmental officers, the literari, and the
military, be still restrained by regulations, and not suffered to inhale the drug ;
and if offenders among these classes be immediately dismissed from the public
service ; while those of the people who purchase the drug and smoke it; are not
at all interfered with, all will plainly see that those who indulge their depraved
appetites are the victims of their own self-sacrificing folly, persons who are
incapable of ranking among the capped and belted men of distinction and
learning. And if in this way shame be once aroused, strenuous exertion and
self-improvement will be the result,—for the principles of reform are founded in
shame and remorse. Nor, as it is truly said in the original memorial, will the
dignity of Government be at all lowered by the proposed measure. Should
your Majesty sanction the repeal, it will in truth be attended with advantage
both to the arrangements of the Government and the well-being of the people.
Nine regulations But in passing regulations on the subject, it is of great importance that
proposed. everything should be maturely considered, and that the law should be rendered
perfect and complete; and it is of the very first consequence that effectual
measures should be taken to prevent the exportation of sycee silver. If the
regulations be in any way incomplete, the consequence will be, that in a few
years, fresh evils will spring up and spread abroad : such is not the right way to
accomplish the purpose in view. We have, therefore, fully discussed the
subject together, and have also, in concert with the Financial and Judicial
Commissioners, examined and considered it in all its bearings, and alter oft-
repeated deliberations, have determined upon nine regulations, which we have
drawn up, and of which we present a fair copy for your Majesty's perusal.
The result of our deliberations, made in obedience to the imperial mandate, we
now jointly lay before the throne, humbly imploring our august Sovereign to
instruct us if our representations be correct or not, and also to direct the
appropriate Board to revise them.
The following are the regulations which we have drawn up in reference to
the change of system called for in regard to the importation of opium, and
which we reverently present for your Majesty's perusal.
1. Opium to be 1 . The whole amount of opium imported should be paid for in mer-
sold only in barter chandize : in this there must be no deception. The object in repealing the
for merchandize, interdict on opium, is to prevent the loss of specie occasioned by the sale of the
drug for money. When opium is brought in foreign vessels, therefore, the
security and senior merchants should be held responsible for the following
arrangements being carried into effect : the value of the opium to be correctly
fixed ; an amount of native commodities of equal value to be apportioned ;
and the two amounts to be exchanged in full : no purchase to be made for
money payments. The productions of the Celestial Empire are rich, abundant,
and in universal demand ; its commodities are manifold more than those of
foreign barbarians, so that in an exchange of commodities the gain and not the
loss must be on its side. But should it at any time perchance occur, that the
quantities imported being somewhat greater than the amount of native com
modities required, an exact balance cannot be struck, while it is necessary for
the foreign ships immediately to return ; in such case, the whole amount of
duties having been paid through the security merchant, and the barter of com
modities having been made, the surplus opium not yet bartered may be laid up
in the merchants' warehouses, and an account of it, taken under the inspection
165
both of the security and foreign merchant, may be registered in the office of the
Superintendent of Customs. Then the opium may be sold as opportunities
occur ; and when the whole has been disposed of, the Hong merchant and the
consignee of the opium may jointly report that it is so, and have the register
cancelled. When the foreign merchant returns to Canton, he may receive
payment for the opium thus sold, in sume merchantable commodity; but may
not be allowed to give the value a pecuniary designation, and under cover of
this receive payment in money. Some substantial and opulent senior merchant
should be strictly required to watch over the enforcement of these regulations.
And when a foreign ship is about leaving, the security and senior merchants
should sign a bond that she carries away no sycee silver on board of her,
this bond to be delivered into the hands of Government. If they know of any
clandestine purchases being made on condition of money payments, or of any
money being paid, they should be required immediately to report the facts, and
the parties should be severely punished, and the opium confiscated and sold for
Government ; or, if it have been already delivered to the purchaser, the price
should be recovered from the latter and forfeited to Government. If the senior
and security merchants be found guilty of any connivance at such offences, they
also should be severely punished.
2. The naval cruising vessels, and all the officers and men of the Custom- 2. Naval officers to
House stations, should be required diligently to watch the entrances and be restricted,
passages of rivers ; but, at the same time, to confine their search to such
entrances and passages ; they should not be allowed to go out to sea-ward, and
under cover thereof to cause annoyance. Even though the interdict on opium
be repealed, there is yet cause to fear that the mercantile people, who in their
mad search for gain are, as it were, bewitched, will still resort to foreign mer
chants (out of the port) to purchase it, so that sycee silver will continue
secretly to ooze out. The naval cruising vessels, therefore, and all those who
are attached to the Custom-House stations, should be required to search dili
gently and faithfully. And whenever any discovery shall be made of silver
being smuggled out, and the same shall be seized, and the offending parties
apprehended, —then the whole amount of money in such case taken, with the
value of the smuggling boat, should be given as a reward to the captors, in
order to encourage their exertions, and thus to destroy smuggling. But if
sycee silver be exported, there is necessarily a place where, and a way by which,
it is carried out : that place must be near the foreign factories ; the way must
be through the important passages and entrances of rivers. It is only needful
then to watch faithfully at such places ; for by so doing, the export of silver
may be stopped without any trouble. But if the smugglers once get out into the
open roads, they soon spread themselves abroad in various directions, and leave
no trace by which to find them. If the soldiers, or vagabonds feigning to be
soldiers, frame pretexts for cruising about in search of them, not only can they
effect no good, but they may also give occasion to disturbances, attended with
evil consequences of no trivial character. They should, therefore, be strictly
prohibited so doing.
3. In regard to foreign money, the old regulation, allowing three-tenths to 3. Amount of spe-
be exported, should be continued ; and, to prevent any fraud, a true account of cie t0 be exported,
the money imported should be given (by each ship) on arrival. Formerly, much
foreign money was brought to Cauton in the foreign ships, in order to purchase
commodities in excess of those obtained by barter, and to pay the necessary
expenses of the vessel on her return. Whenever the imported goods were in
larger quantity than those exported, there was then a surplus of foreign money,
of which it would not have been reasonable, under such circumstances, to pro
hibit the re-exportation. In the 23rd year of Keaking (1818), the then Super
intendent of Maritime Customs, Ah, finding that the barbarians took away
foreign money without any limit or restriction, addressed a communication to
the then Governor of this Province, Yuen, in consequence of which it was
decided to limit the exportation by each vessel to three-tenths (of the surplus of
import), allowing the remainder to be lent to any other foreigner to enable him
to purchase goods, to pay the duties, &c This has continued to be the rule
down to the present time. Now it is probable, that sometimes, when opium is
imported in not very large quantities, money will also be imported with it, for
the purpose of paying the price of goods in excess of what may be purchased
by barter. It will be right in such cases to conform to the existing regulation.
166
But the amount of foreign money so imported in foreign ships may vary consi
derably. If the balance be 100,000 dollars or upwards, it will then be very well
to permit the exportation of 30,000 ; but if the balance should exceed 200,000
dollars, a further limit to the permission to re-export becomes necessary. We
deem it our duty, therefore, to request, that hereafter wlien the surplus of silver
imported, does not considerably exceed 100,000, permission be still given to re
export three-tenths of that surplus ; but if it amounts to 200,000 dollars,
whether the merchandize bought with it consist of opium, or of any other goods,
that the permission to re-export in that case be limited to 50,000 on each
ship. This amount should not be exceeded. With respect to the examination
and report made by the security merchant, on a ship's arrival, of the total
amount of silver imported by her, this examination and report should still be
required, in order that, the expenditure of the vessel having been deducted there
from, the proportion to be re-exported may be accurately calculated. A senior
merchant also should be required faithfully to join the security merchant in the
investigation. If the officers of the customs make feigned examinations and
false reports, they should be subjected to severe punishment ; and if the senior
and olher merchants connive at any illegality, they also should be punished.
4. Sale of opium, 4. The traffic in opium must be conducted on the same principle as the
how to be regulated, traffic in foreign commodities; it is unnecessary to place it under a separate
department. The first principle of commerce is, to adopt those measures which
will yield the greatest possible amount of gain. Each one has his own method
of doing this, and what one rejects another may seek for ; nor is it possible to
bring all to one opinion. Now if the importation of opium be permitted, as
formerly, and it becomes an article of commerce, as a medicinal drug, the traffic
in it will in no wise differ from the traffic in other articles of commerce ; and if
a special department be created for it, there is reason to fear that monopolizing
and underhand practices will gradually result therefrom. It is right, therefore,
to let the foreign merchants make their own election, and engage what Hong
merchants they will to pass their cargoes at the Custom- House, and pay their
duties for them. To establish one general department for the purpose is unne
cessary. By this arrangement, crafty individuals may be prevented from taking
advantage and extorting exorbitant profits, and benefit may accrue to both the
foreign and the Hong merchants.
5. Duties to be 5. The amount of duties should be continued the same as formerly : no
,eTied" increase is called for ; and all extortionate demands, and illegal fees, should be
interdicted. In the Tariff of Maritime Customs for Canton, opium is rated at
a duty of three taels per hundred catties ; to which we must add ten per cent■ or
three mace, for loss in melting ; and as peculage fee, and fee per package,
according to the report formerly made of public and legal tees, eight candareens
and six cash. Although there are three kinds of opium, the " black earth," the
"white skinned," and the "red skinned," differing in value, \ et the duty per
catty may be the same on all. These arrangements are made on the principle
that if the duty be heavy it will be evaded, and smuggling will ensue , whereas
if it be light, all will prefer security to smuggling ; and that if a fixed charge be
imposed, the officers of the customs will be unable to intermeddle. The same
clear views were entertained by our predecessors, when they established these
regulations; and it will be well to conform to the amount of duty fixed by them
without any addition. But there is reason to fear that when the prohibitions
are first taken off, the servants of the Custom- House, hunting for petty gains,
may, under various pretexts, lay on illegal fees, making heavy by their exactions
what as a legal duty is light ; and thereby losing sight of the principle that they
are to show kindness to men from afar. If this take place, the natural result
too will be, that the means of legal importation will be avoided, and contri
vances to import clandestinely wilt be resorted to. Perspicuous and strict pro
clamations should therefore be issued, making it generally known, that, beyond
the real duty, not the smallest fraction is to be exacted ; and that offenders shall
be answerable to the law against extortionate underlings receiving money under
false pretexts.
6. Aprice not to be (j. No price should be fixed on the drug. It is a settled principle of com-
^xctk merce, that when prices are very low, there is a tendency to rise ; and when
high, a tendency to fall. Prices then depend on the supply that is procurable
of any article, and the demand that exists for it in the market; they cannot be
limited by enactments to any fixed rate. Now, though the prohibition of opium
167
be- repealed, it will not be a possible tbing to force men wbo buy at a high price
to sell at a cheap one. Besides, it is common to men to prize things of higb
value, and to underrate those of less worth. When, therefore, opium was
severely interdicted, and classed among rarities, every one had an opportunity
to indulge in over- reaching desires of gain; but when once the interdicts are
withdrawn, and opium universally admitted, it will become a common medicinal
drug, easily to be obtained.
The gem,—when in the casket, prized,
When common, is despised!
So the price of opium, if left to itself, will fall from day to day; whereas, if rated
at a fixed value, great difficulty will be found in procuring it at the price at
which it is rated. It is reasonable and right, therefore, to leave the price to
fluctuate, according to the circumstances of the times, and not to fix any rate.
7. All coasting vessels of every province, when carrying opium, should be 7. Regulations of
required to have sealed manifests from the Custom-House of Canton. By the the coasting trade,
existing regulations of commerce, all commanders of coasting vessels, without
exception, are required, whenever they have purchased any foreign goods, to
apply at the chief Custom-House at Canton and obtain a sealed manifest, stating
the amount of each kind of goods, so as to prevent any clandestine purchases.
They are also to be provided from thence with a communication addressed to
the authorities in every province and at all sea-ports, calling on them to search
closely ; and if they find any foreign goods, not having the stamp of the Canton
Custom-House on them, to regard such goods as smuggled, to try the offenders
according to law, and to confiscate both vessel and cargo. The law on this
point is most precise. Now when the interdict on opium is repealed, it will
become an article of ordinary traffic, like any other foreign commod.ty, and
subject therefore to the same regulations. All commanders of coasting vessels,
wishing to purchase opium, should therefore be required to report their wishes to
the Hong merchants, bringing goods to barter for it, and should then apply at
the Custom-House for a manifest and for a communication from the Superin
tendent of Customs to the authorities in all the provinces aforesaid. Thus there
being documents for reference, both in this and the sea-board provinces, the
native coasting vessels may be prevented from having any clandestine dealings
with the foreign ships at sea, and from smuggling away silver.
8. The strict prohibitions existing against the cultivation of the poppy, 8. The poppy maj
among the people, may be in some measure relaxed. Opium possesses soothing be cultivated,
properties, but is powerful in its effects. Its soothing properties render it a
luxury, greatly esteemed ; but its powerful effects are such as readily to induce
disease. The accounts given of the manner in which it is prepared among the
foreigners are various ; but in all probability it is not unmixed with things of
poisonous quality. It is said that, of late years, it has been clandestinely prepared
by natives, by boiling down the juicy matter from the poppy ; and that thus
prepared, it possesses milder properties, and is less injurious, without losing its
soothing influence. To shut out the importation of it by foreigners, there is no
better plan than to sanction the cultivation and preparation of it in the empire.
It would seem right, therefore, to relax, in some measure, the existing severe
prohibitions, and to dispense with the close scrutiny now called for to hinder its
cultivation. If it be apprehended, that the simple people may leave the stem
and stay of life to amuse themselves with the twigs and branches, thereby
injuring the interests of agriculture, it is only necessary to issue perspicuous
orders, requiring them to confine the cultivation of the poppy to the tops of
hills and mounds, and other unoccupied spots of ground, and on no account
to introduce it into their grain-fields, to the injury of that on which their
subsistence depends.
9. All officers, scholars, and soldiers should be strictly prohibited and 9. Officers not to
disallowed the smoking of opium. We find in the original memorial of smoke opium.
Heu-Naetse, the Vice-President of the Sacrificial Court, the following observa
tions : " It will be found on examination, that the smokers of opium are idle,
lazy vagrants, having no useful purpose before them. And though some
smokers are to be found who have overstepped the threshold of age, yet they do
not attain to the long life of other men. But new births daily increase the popu
lation of the empire, and there is no cause to apprehend a diminution therein.
With regard to officers, civil and military, and to the scholars and common■
168
soldiers, the first are called on to fulfil the duties of their rank and attend to the
public good ; the others, to cultivate their talents and become fit for public
usefulness. None of them, therefore, should be permitted to contract a prac
tice so bad, or to walk in a path which will only lead to the utter waste
of their time and destruction of their property." If the laws be rendered over
strict, then offenders, in order to escape the penalty, will be tempted to screen
one another. This, assuredly, is not then so good a plan as to relax the pro
hibitions, and act upon men's feeling of shame and self-condemnation. In the
latter case, gradual reformation may be expected as the result of conviction.
Hence the original memorial also alludes to a reformation noiselessly effected.
The suggestions therein contained are worthy of regard and of adoption. Hereafter
no attention shall be paid to the purchase and use of opium among the people.
But if officers, civil or military, scholars, or common soldiers, secretly purchase
and smoke the drug, they should be immediately degraded and dismissed, as
standing warnings to all who will not arouse and renovate themselves. Orders
to this effect should be promulgated in all the provinces, and strictly enjoined
in every civil and military office, by the superiors on their subordinates,
to be faithfully obeyed by every one. And all who, paying apparent obedience,
secretly transgress this interdict, should be delivered over by the high pro
vincial authorities to the Civil or Military Board, to be subjected to severe
investigation.
Inclosure 5 in No. 90.
Memorial from the Councillor Choo-Tsun to the Emperor, against the admission
of Opium.
October, 1836.
Preamble CHOO-TSUN, Member of the Council and of the Board of Rites, kneeling,
presents the following memorial, wherein he suggests the propriety of increasing
the severity of certain prohibitory enactments, with a view to maintain the
dignity of the laws, and to remove a great evil from among the people : to this
end he respectfully states his views on the subject, and earnestly entreats His
Sacred Majesty to cast a glance thereon.
Progress of the * would humbly point out, that wherever an evil exists, it should be at
trade in opium. once removed ; and that the laws should never be suffered to fall into desuetude.
Our Government having received from heaven the gift of peace, has transmitted
it for two centuries: this has afforded opportunity for the removal of evils from
among the people. For governing the Central nation, and for holding in sub
mission all the surrounding barbarians, rules exist perfect in their nature, and
well fitted to attain their end. And in regard to opium, special enactments
were passed for the prohibition of its use in the first year of Keaking (1796) ; and
since then, memorials presented at various successive periods, have given rise to
additional prohibitions, all which have been inserted in the code and the several
tariffs. The laws, then, relating thereto are not wanting in severity ; but there
are those in office who, for want of energy, fail to carry them into execution.
Hence the people's minds gradually become callous ; and base desires springing
up among them, increase day by day and month by month, till their rank
luxuriance has spread over the whole empire. These noisome weeds having
been long neglected, it has become impossible to eradicate. And those to whom
this duty is intrusted are, as if hand-bound, wholly at a loss what to do.
Mode of carrying it When the foreign ships convey opium to the coast, it is impossible for them
on. to sell it by retail. Hence there are at Canton, in the provincial city, brokers,
named 1 melters.' These engage money-changers to arrange the price with the
foreigners, and to obtain orders for them ; with which orders they proceed to
the receiving ships, and there the vile drug is delivered to them. This part of
the transaction is notorious, and the actors in it are easily discoverable. The
boats which carry the drug, and which are called " fast-crabs," and " scrambling-
dragons," are all well furnished with guns and other weapons, and ply their oars
as swiftly as though they wrere wings. Their crews have all the overbearing-
assumption and audacity of pirates Shall such men be suffered to navigate
the surrounding seas according to their own will ? And shall such conduct be
passed over without investigation ?
169
The late Governor Loo having on one occasion sent the Commodore Tsin Possibility of pre-
Yuchang to cooperate with Teen Poo, the magistrate of Heangshan, those venting it.
officers seized a vessel belonging to Leang Heennee, which was carrying opium,
and out of her they took 14,000 catties of the drug. Punishment also was
inflicted on the criminals Yaoukew and Owkwan, both of them opium-brokers.
Hence it is apparent, that, if the great officers in charge of the provinces
do in truth show an example to their civil and military subordinates, and
if these do in sincerity search for the drug, and faithfully seize it when found,
apprehending the most criminal, and inflicting upon them severe punishment, it
is, in this case, not impossible to attain the desired end. And if the officers are
indeed active and strenuous in their exertions, and make a point of inflicting
punishment on offenders, will the people, however perverse and obstinate they
may be, really continue fearless of the laws ? No. The thing to be lamented
is, instability in maintaining the laws—the vigorous execution thereof being
often and suddenly exchanged for indolent laxity.
It has been represented, that advantage is taken of the laws against opium, Occasional abuse of
by extortionate underlings and worthless vagrants, to benefit themselves. Is it the laws, no argu-
not known, then, that where the Government enacts a law there is necessarily ment against them,
an infraction of that law? And though the law should sometimes be relaxed and
become ineffectual, yet surely it should not on that account be abolished ; any
more than we would altogether cease to eat because of diseased stoppage of the
throat. When have not prostitution, gambling, treason, robbery, and such like
infractions of the laws, afforded occasions for extortionate underlings and worth
less vagrants to benefit themselves, and by falsehood and bribery to amass
wealth ? Of these there have been frequent instances ; and as any instance is
discovered, punishment is inflicted. But none surely would contend that the
law, because in such instances rendered ineffectual, should therefore be
abrogated ! The laws that forbid the people to do wrong may be likened to the
dykes which prevent the overflowing of water. If any one, then, urging that
the dykes are very old, and therefore useless, should have them thrown down,
what words could express the consequences of the impetuous rush and all-
destroying overflow! Yet the provincials, when discussing the subject of opium,
being perplexed and bewildered by it, think that a prohibition which does not
utterly prohibit, is better than one which does not effectually prevent, the
importation of the drug. Day and night I have meditated on this, and can in
truth see no wisdom in the opinion.
It is said that the opium should be admitted, subject to a duty, the Impropriety ofsanc-
importers being required to give it into the hands of the Hong merchants, in tioning the trade by
barter only for merchandize, without being allowed to sell it for money. And evying a u )-
this is proposed as a means of preventing money secretly oozing out of the
country. But the English, by whom opium is sold, have been driven out to
Lintin so long since as the first year of Taoukwang (1821), when the then
Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse discovered and punished the warehousers
of opium : so long have they been expelled, nor have they ever since imported
it into Macao. Having once suppressed the trade and driven them away, shall
we now again call upon them and invite them to return ? This would be,
indeed, a derogation from the true dignity of Government. As to the proposi
tion to give tea in exchange, and entirely to prohibit the exportation of even
foreign silver, I apprehend that, if the tea should not be found sufficient, money
will still be given in exchange for the drug. Besides, if it is in our power to
prevent the exportation of dollars, why not also to prevent the importation of
opium ? And if we can but prevent the importation of opium, the exportation
of dollars will then cease of itself, and the two offences will both at once be
stopped. Moreover, is it not better, by continuing the old enactments, to find
even a partial remedy for the evil, than by a change of the laws to increase the
importation still further ? As to levying a duty on opium, the thing sounds so
awkwardly, and reads so unbeseemingly, that such a duty ought surely not to
be levied.
Again, it is said that the prohibitions against the planting of the poppy by impolicy of sane-
natives should be relaxed ; and that the direct consequences will be daily tioning the growth
diminution of the profits of foreigners, and in course of time, the entire ces- ?f the P°PPy- JFhe
sation of the trade without the aid of prohibitions. Is it, then, forgotten that JSf^T stopped
it is natural to the common people to prize things heard of only by the ear, by it.
and to undervalue those which are before their eyes,—to pass by those things
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which are near at hand, and to seek after those which are afar off,—and, though
they have a thing in their own land, yet to esteem more highly such as comes
to them from beyond the seas? Thus, in Keangsoo, Chekeang, Fuhkeen, and
Kwangtung, they will not quietly he guided by the laws of the Empire, but
must needs make use of foreign money: and this foreign money, though of an
inferior standard, is nevertheless exchanged by them at a higher rate than the
native sycee silver, which is pure. And although money is cast in China after
exactly the same pattern, under the names of Keangsoo pieces, Fuhkeen pieces,
and native or Canton pieces, yet this money has not been able to gain currency
among the people. Thus, also, the silk and cotton goods of China are not
sufficient in quantity; and yet the broadcloths, and camlets, and cotton goods,
of the barbarians from beyond the pale of the Empire are in constant request.
Taking men generally, the minds of all are equally unenlightened in this
respect, so that all men prize what is strange, and undervalue whatever is in
ordinary use.
The outgoing of From Fuhkeen, Kwangtung, Chekeang, Shantung, Yunnan, and Kweichow,
money not hindered memorials have been presented by the Censors and other officers, requesting
thereby. that prohibitions should be enacted against the cultivation of the poppy, and
against the preparation of opium ; but while nominally prohibited, the culti
vation of it has not been really stopped in those places. Of any of those
provinces, except Yunnan, I do not presume to speak ; but of that portion
of the country I have it in my power to say, that the poppy is culti
vated all over the hills and the open campaign, and that the quantity of
opium annually produced there cannot be less than several thousand chests.
And yet we do not see any diminution in the quantity of silver exported, as
compared with any previous period ; while, on the other hand, the lack of the
metal in Yunnan is double in degree what it formerly was. To what cause is
this to be ascribed ? To what but that the consumers of the drug are very
many, and that those who are choice and dainty, with regard to its quality,
prefer always the foreign article ?
And the cultivation Those of your Majesty's advisers who compare the drug to the dried leaf
of grain, &c, will 0f the tobacco plant are in error. The tobacco leaf does not destroy the
be injured by it. human constitution. The profit too arising from the sale of tobacco is small,
while that arising from opium is large. Besides, tobacco may be cultivated on
bare and barren ground, while the poppy needs a rich and fertile soil. If all
the rich and fertile ground be used for planting the poppy, and if the people,
hoping for a large profit therefrom, madly engage in its cultivation, where will
flax and the mulberry tree be cultivated, or wheat and rye be planted ? To
draw off in this way the waters of the great fountain, requisite for the pro
duction of food and raiment, and to lavish them upon the root whence calamity
and disaster spring forth, is an error which may be compared to that of a
physician, who, when treating a mere external disease, should drive it inwards
to the heart and centre of the body. It may in such a case be found impossible
even to preserve life. And shall the fine fields of Kwangtung, that produce
their three crops every year, be given up for the cultivation of this noxious
weed,—those fields in comparison with which the unequal soil of all other parts
of the Empire is not even to be mentioned ?
The corruption and To sum up the matter, the wide-spreading and baneful influence of opium,
^n^are the chief wnen regarded simply as injurious to property, is of inferior importance ; but
objections against when regarded as hurtful to the people, it demands most anxious consideration :
opium. for in the people lies the very foundation of the empire. Property, it is true, is
that on which the subsistence of the people depends. Yet a deficiency of it
may be supplied, and an impoverished people improved ; whereas it is beyond
the power of any artificial means to save a people enervated by luxury. In the
history of Formosa we find the following passage : " Opium was first produced
in Kaoutsinne, which by some is said to be the same as Kalapa (or Batavia).
The natives of this place were at the first sprightly and active, and being good
soldiers, were always successful in battle. But the people called Hung-maou
(Red-haired) came thither, and having manufactured opium, seduced some of
the natives into the habit of smoking it ; from these the mania for it rapidly
spread throughout the whole nation ; bo that, in process of time, the natives
became feeble and enervated, submitted to the foreign rule, and ultimately were
And this is the completely subjugated." Now the English are of the race of foreigners called
object of its mipor- Hung-maou. In introducing opium into this country, their purpose has been
171
to weaken and enfeeble the Central Empire. If not early aroused to a sense of
our danger, we shall find ourselves, ere long, on the last step towards ruin.
The repeated instances, within a few years, of the barbarians in question
having assumed an attitude of outrageous disobedience ; and the stealthy
entrance of their ships into the provinces of Fuhkeen, Chekeang, Keangnan,
and Shantung, and even to Teentsin,—to what motive are these to be attri
buted ? I am truly unable to answer the inquiry. But, reverently perusing
the sacred instructions of your Majesty's all-wise progenitor, surnamed the
Benevolent [Kanghe], I find the following remark by him, dated the 10th
month of the 55th year of his reign (1717) :—" There is cause for apprehension,
lest, in centuries or millenniums to come. China may be endangered by collision
with the various nations of the West, who come hither from beyond the seas."
I look upwards and admiringly contemplate the gracious consideration of that
all-wise progenitor, in taking thought for the concerns of barbarians beyond the
empire, and giving the distant future a place in his divine and all -pervading
foresight. And now, within a period of two centuries, we actually see the
commencement of that danger which he apprehended. Though it is not prac
ticable to put a sudden and entire stop to their commercial intercourse ; yet the
danger should be duly considered and provided against ; the ports of the several
provinces should be guarded with all strictness ; and some chastisement should
be administered, as a warning and foretaste of what may be anticipated.
Under date of the 23rd year of Keaking (1818), your Majesty's benevolent Policy to be adopted
predecessor, surnamed the Profound, directing the Governor of Canton to adopt towards them,
measures to controul and restrain the barbarians, addressed him in the following
terms : " The empire, in ruling and restraining the barbarians beyond its
boundaries, gives to them always fixed rules and regulations. Upon those who
are obedient, it lavishes its rich favours ; but to the rebellious and disobedient
it displays its terrors. Respecting the English trade at Canton, and the
anchorage grounds of their merchant-ships and of their naval convoys, regula
tions have long since been made. If the people aforesaid, will not obey these
regulations, and will persist in opposition to the prohibitory enactments, the
first step to be taken is, to impress earnestly upon them the plain commands
of Government■, and to display before them alike both the favours and the
terrors of the empire, in order to eradicate from their minds all their covetous
and ambitious schemes. If, notwithstanding, they dare to continue in violent
and outrageous opposition, and presume to pass over the allotted bounds,
forbearance must then cease, and a thundering fire from our cannon must be
opened upon them, to make them quake before the terror of our arms. In
short, the principle on which the ' far-travelled strangers are to be cherished ' is
this : always, in the first instance, to employ reason as the weapon whereby to
conquer them ; and on no account to assume a violent and vehement deport
ment towards them ; but when ultimately it becomes necessary to resort to
military force, then, on the other hand, never to ■ employ it in a weak and
indecisive manner, lest those towards whom it is exercised should see therein
no cause for fear or dread." How clear and luminous are these admonitions,
well fitted to become a rule to all generations !
Since your Majesty's accession to the throne, the maxim of your illustrious Ruin caused in the
house, that ' horsemanship and archery are the foundations of its existence,' anny fey °Plunu
has ever been carefully remembered. And hence the Governors, the Lieutenant-
Governors, the Commanders of their Forces, and their subordinates, have again
and again been directed to pay the strictest attention to the discipline andexercise
of the troops, and of the naval forces ; and have been urged and required to
create by their exertions strong and powerful legions. With admiration I
contemplate my sacred Sovereign's anxious care for imparting a military as well
as a civil education, prompted as this anxiety is by the desire to establish on a
firm basis the foundations of the empire, and to hold in awe the barbarians on
every side. But while the stream of importation of opium is not turned aside,
it is impossible to attain any certainty that none within the camp do ever
secretly inhale the drug. And if the camp be once contaminated by it, the
baneful influence will work its way, and the habit will be contracted beyond the
power of reform. When the periodical times of desire for it come round, how
can the victims—their legs tottering, their hands trembling, their eyes flowing
with child-like tears—be able in any way to attend to their proper exercises ?
Or how can such men form strong and powerful legions ? Under these circum-
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tances, the military will become alike unfit to advance to the fight, or in a
setreat to defend their posts. Of this there is clear proof in the instance of the
. campaign against the Yaou rebels, in the 12th year of our Sovereign's reign
^ (1832). In the army sent to Leenchow, on that occasion, great numbers of
the soldiers were opium-smokers ; so that although their numerical force was
large, there was hardly any strength to be found among them.
Impossibility of It is said, indeed, that when repealing the prohibitions, the people only are
stopping this, ex- to be allowed to deal in and smoke the drug ; and that none of the officers, the
ceptby utter prohi- scnoiars> and the military, are to be allowed this liberty. But this is bad
)ltlon- casuistry. It is equal to the popular proverb, " shut a woman's ears before you
steal her ear-rings"—an absurdity. The officers, with all the scholars and
the military, do not amount in number to more than one-tenth of the whole
population of the empire ; and the other nine-tenths are all the common people.
The great majority of those who at present smoke opium are the relatives and
dependents of the officers of Government, whose example has extended the
practice to the mercantile classes, and has gradually contaminated the inferior
officers, the military, and the scholars. Those who do not smoke are the
common people of the villages and hamlets. If, then, the officers, the scholars,
and the military, alone, be prohibited smoking opium, while all the people are
permitted to deal in and smoke it, this will be to give a full license to those
of the people who already indulge in it, and to induce those who have never yet
indulged in the habit to do so. And if it is even now to be feared that some
will continue smokers in spite of all prohibitions, is it to be hoped that any will
refrain when they are actually induced by the Government to indulge in it ?
Besides, if the people be at liberty to smoke opium, how shall the officers,
the scholars, and the military be prevented ? What ! of the officers, the
scholars, and the military, are there any that are born in civil or military
situations, or that are born scholars, or soldiers? All certainly are raised up
from the level of the common people. To take an instance : let a vacancy
occur in a body of soldiers ; it must necessarily be filled up by recruits from
among the people. But the great majority of recruits are men of no character
or respectability, and, if while they were among the common people they were
smokers of opium, by what bands of law shall they be restrained when they
become soldiers, after the habit has been already contracted, and has so taken
hold of them that it is beyond their power to break it off? Such a policy was
that referred to by Mencius, when he spoke of "entrapping the people." And
if the officers, the scholars, and the military, smoke the drug in the quiet of
their own families, by what means is this to be discovered or prevented ?
Should an officer be unable to restrain himself, shall then his clerks, his
followers, his domestic servants, have it in their power to make his failing their
play-thing, and by the knowledge of his secret to hold his situation at their
disposal ? We dread falsehood and bribery, and yet we would thus widen the
door to admit them. We are anxious to prevent the amassing of wealth by
unlawful means, and yet by this policy we would ourselves increase opportu
nities for doing so. A father, in such a case, would no longer be able to
reprove his son, an elder brother to restrain his junior, nor a master to rule his
own household. Will not this policy, then, be every way calculated to stir up
strife ? Or if happily the thing should not run to this extreme, the conse
quences will yet be equally bad : secret enticement and mutual connivance will
ensue, until the very commonness of the practice shall render it no longer a
subject of surprise. From this I conclude, that to permit the people to deal in
the drug and smoke it, at the same time that the officers, the scholars, and the
military, are to be prohibited the use of it, will be found to be fraught with
difficulties.
Present state of At the present moment, throughout the empire, the minds of men are in
morals among the imminent danger; the more foolish, being seduced by teachers of false
people at the lowest doctrines, are sunk in vain superstitions and cannot be aroused; and the more
eb intelligent, being intoxicated by opium, are carried away as by a whirlpool, and
are beyond recovery. Most thoughtfully have 1 sought for some plan by
which to arouse and awaken all, but in vain. While, however, the empire
preserves and maintains its laws, the plain and honest rustic will see what he
has to fear, and will be deterred from evil ; and the man of intelligence and
cultivated habits will learn what is wrong in himself, and will refrain from it.
And thus, though the laws be declared by some to be but waste paper, yet
I
173
these their unseen effects will be of no trifling nature. If, on the other hand,
the prohibitions be suddenly repealed, and the action which was a crime be no
longer counted such by the government, how shall the dull clown and the mean
among the people know that the action is still in itself wrong ? In open day,
and with unblushing front, they will continue to use opium till they shall be
come so accustomed to it, that eventually they will find it as indispensable as
their daily meat and drink, and will inhale the noxious drug with perfect
indifference. When shame shall thus be entirely destroyed, and fear removed
wholly out of the way, the evil consequences that will result to morality and to
the minds of men, will assuredly be neither few nor unimportant. As your
Majesty's Minister, I know that the laws of the empire, being in their existing
state well fitted to effect their end, will not for any slight cause be changed.
But the proposal to alter the law on this subject having been made and dis
cussed in the provinces, the instant effect has been, that crafty thieves and
villains have on all hands begun to raise their heads and open their eyes,
gazing about, and pointing the finger, under the notion that, when once these
prohibitions are repealed, thenceforth and for ever they may regard themselves
free from every restraint, and from every cause of fear.
Though possessing very poor abilities, I have nevertheless had the happi- Conclusion,
ness to enjoy the favour of your sacred Majesty, and have, within a space of Measures recom-
but few years, been raised through the several grades of the Censorate, and the menaea-
Presidency of various courts in the metropolis, to the high elevation of a seat
in the Inner Council. I have been copiously embued with the rich dew of
favours ; yet have been unable to offer the feeblest token of gratitude ; but if
there is aught within the compass of my knowledge, I dare not to pass it by
unnoticed. I feel it my duty to request that your Majesty's commands may be
proclaimed to the Governors and Lieutenant-Governors of all the provinces,
requiring them to direct the local officers to redouble their efforts for the
enforcement of the existing prohibition [against opium] ; and to impress on
eveiy one, in the plainest and strictest manner, that all who are already con
taminated by the vile habit must return and become new men,—that if any
continue to walk in their former courses, strangers to repentance and to
reformation, they shall assuredly be subjected to the full penalty of the law,
and shall not meet with the least indulgence,—and that on any found guilty of
storing up or selling opium to the amount of 1,000 catties or upwards, the most
severe punishment shall be inflicted. Thus happily the minds of men may be
impressed with fear, and the report thereof, spreading over the seas (among
foreigners), may even there produce reformation. Submitting to my Sovereign
my feeble and obscure views, I prostrate implore your sacred Majesty to cast a
glance on this my respectful memorial.
Inclosure 6 in No. 90.
Memorial from the Sub-Censor, Heu-Kew, against the admission of Opium.
October, 1836.
HEU-KEW, Sub-Censor over the Military Department, kneeling, Preamble,
presents this memorial, to point out the increasing craftiness exercised by'
foreigners from beyond the seas, in their pursuit of gain, and the daily
diminution of the resources of the empire ; on which subjects he respectfully
offers his views, and requests that the Imperial pleasure may be declared to the
Ministers of the Court, commanding them maturely to consider what means
shall be adopted to stay the gradual efflux of money, and to enrich the national
resources.
Our dynasty has cherished and nurtured the people in peace and prosperity Present scarcity and
for two centuries. Within the four seas, wealth and opulence hava reigned : increased value of
and the Central Empire has been enabled from her own resources to supply her Sllver-
own necessities. Westward, to the new territory of Turkestan, and southward,
to Yunnan and Kwangtung, there is not a place whither her merchants may not
go ; nor a spot where her treasures of silver do not circulate. In the reign of
Keenlung the treasury was full and abounding, and even the cottage of the
peasant enjoyed plenty. But whereas a tael of pure silver then always passed
174
for 1000 of the standard coin, an equal amount of fine silver now costs from
1400 to 1 500 of the same coin. And this fine silver is daily lessening in quan
tity, and the price still rising from day to day, so that for want of it the officers
of Government and the people are both alike crippled. Some, in discussing
this subject, represent that the change arises from the daily multiplication of
births, in consequence of which money is daily more distributed, so that every
day renders it in a greater degree inadequate. They forget that, if distributed
True cause of this over China alone, it may after distribution be re-gathered. But the true cause
—its exportation, why silver has of late daily diminished in quantity is, that, having been clandes
tinely carried out beyond the seas, it has been impossible to gather it in again
from the places of its distribution.
Which is occasioned According to the information that I have obtained, the sale of opium is the
Sybythe°piUm chief medium through which money is drained off, and carried beyond the seas.
In the first year of Keaking, the opium sold by foreigners in Kwangtung did
not exceed a few hundred chests. The number has now increased to upwards
of 20,000 chests. These include three distinct kinds, the "black-earth," the
"white-skinned," and the "red-skinned." The price of each chest is from
800 to 900 dollars for the best, and from 500 to 600 for the inferior quality.
This applies to what is sold in the province of Kwangtung. With regard to the
other provinces, the vessels of which carry on illicit traffic with the receiving
ships at Lintin,it is difficult to obtain any full and complete statement respecting
them. i \. ■
Annual loss to the The amount annually lost to the country is about ten and some odd mil-
country, lions of money. The money thus lost was, at first, the foreign money where
with foreigners had previously purchased goods ; now it is entirely the fine silver
of the inner land, cast into a different form at Macao. Formerly the foreigners
imported money, to purchase the merchandize of the country ; but now it has
all been carried back. In the first instance it was their practice to recast■ the
' ' ' foreign money, fearing lest any discovery should be made of their transactions ;
but now they openly carry away sycee silver. The ships which, as they bring
commodities of all kinds, anchor at Whampoa, used formerly to have opium
concealed in their holds. But in the first year of Taoukwang (1821), owing to
a petition from one Ye Hangshoo, investigation was made, and the Hong
merchants have always since then been required to sign bonds, that no foreign
vessel which enters the port of Canton has any opium on board ; and from that
period, the opium-receiving ships have all anchored at Lintin, only going in the
4th or 5th month of every year (May or June) to the anchorage of Kapshwuy
Moon, and in the 9th month (October) returning to Lintin. In the 13th year
(1833), the foreigners discovered that the anchorage of Kumsing Moon affords
more perfect security ; and since then they have removed their anchorage from
Kapshwuy Moon to Kumsing Moon. The latter place is near to the villages
Kepa and Tangkea, pertaining to the district of Heangshan ; and the anchorage
of the ships there, inexpedient as it is for the people resident in those villages, is
not the less convenient for such traitorous natives as are in combination with the
foreigners.
Ways in which sil- One method employed to take away money from the country is this : to
rer is exported. make out false names of ships that have been to China some years before, ships
of which the captains do not exist, and the parties concerned in which are dead;
and then to represent, that, at a time stated, such-an-one had deposited such an
amount of money in the hands of so-and-so, and that the applicant now wishes
to carry it away, on behalf of the party named. The Hong merchants make
artful petitions of this kind for the foreigners, and thus obtain permission for
them to carry away money. Another method is, to have money put in the same
packages with merchandize.
The officers guilty It is since the suppression of the pirates in the reign of Keaking that
of remissness. opium has gradually blazed up into notice. At first the annual sale of it did not
exceed in value a few millions ; but of late it has risen to nearly twenty mil
lions ; and the increase and accumulation of the amount, from day to day and
from month to month, is more than can be told. How can it be otherwise than
that the silver of China is lessened, and rendered insufficient, even daily ! But
that it lias gone to this length, is altogether attributable to the conduct of the
great officers of the above-named province, in times past—to their sloth and
remissness, their fearfulness and timidity, their anxiety to show themselves
liberal and indulgent,—by which they have been led to neglect obedience to the
175
prohibitory enactments, and to fail in the strict enforcement of the precautionary
regulations.
Our empire is wise and good in all its laws and statutes. Regulations have How shall the ex-
been enacted, in regard to the opening and working of mines, with a view to their portation of silver
entire preservation, because this silver, possessed in China, is not to be found be stayed*
native elsewhere. If, then, the exhaustible stores of this empire be taken, to fill
up an abyss of barbarian nations that never can be filled, unless measures be
speedily adopted to prevent it, our loss will, within ten years, amount to thou
sands of millions, and where will be the end of this continual out-pouring ?
Some reasoners on the subject say, " Cut off" entirely commercial intercourse, Not by stoppage to
and sacrifice one million of duties to retain in the country twenty millions of trade-
money : the loss will be small, the gain great." They forget that the various
countries of the west have had commercial intercourse here for many years ; and
that in one day to put an entire stop to it would not only be derogatory to the
high dignity of the Celestial Empire, but would also, we may fear, be productive
of any but good results. Others say, " Repeal the prohibitions against opium, Nor by admission
let it be given in exchange for merchandize, and let a duty be levied upon it. of opium.
Thus our money will be saved from waste, and the customs duties will be ren
dered more abundant, so that a double advantage will be gained." These forget,
that, since—even while the law tends to prohibit the drug, the fine silver is
nevertheless drawn off, and opium abundantly imported—there is room to doubt
whether merchandize will always be taken in exchange for the drug, when the
sale of it shall be made public, and may be carried on with open eyes and
unblushing boldness, and when the importation of it will consequently be greatly
increased. A case in point is that of the ships bringing foreign rice to Canton : in
consequence of a representation to the throne, these ships are freed from the tax
called " measurement charge," only being required to take return cargoes of
merchandize ; and now the Spanish and other rice-laden ships have made it a
practice to take their returns in specie. From this we may see, that, whenever
the prohibition of opium shall be repealed, an increase in the clandestine
drawing off of silver will be an inevitable consequence.
Moreover, if the sale of the drug be not prohibited, neither can men be Arguments against
prevented from inhaling it. And if only the officers of government and the opium, on ground of
military be prohibited, these being all taken from the scholars and common morality and policy,
people, what ground will be found for any such partial prohibition to rest upon ?
Besides, having a clear conviction that the thing is highly injurious to men, to
permit it, notwithstanding, to pervade the empire—nay, even to lay on it a
duty—is conduct quite incompatible with the uninjured dignity of the great
and illustrious Celestial Empire. In my humble view of the case, the exporta
tion of sycee silver to foreign regions, and the importation of opium, are both
rightly interdicted. But local officers, having received the interdicts, have not
strenuously enforced them, and hence the one coming in has produced the
out-going of the other. If in place of reprehending their failure strenu
ously to enforce them, these prohibitions be even now repealed, this will
be indeed to encourage the vicious among the people, and to remove all fault
from the local officers. But how, when once this prohibition of opium is with
drawn, shall the interdict against the exportation of sycee silver be rendered
strict ? It cannot be so ; for we shall then ourselves have removed the barriers.
It were better that, instead of altering and changing the laws and enactments,
and utterly breaking down the barrier raised by them, the old established regu
lations should be diligently maintained, and correction be severely employed.
Now between the inner land and the outer seas, a wide separation exists. It is practicable to
The traitorous natives who sell the opium cannot alone, in person, carry on the F^ent the impor-
traffic with the foreign ships. To purchase wholesale, there are brokers. To l0n 0 °Plum-
arrange all transactions, there are the Hong merchants. To give orders to be
carried to the receiving ships, that from them the drug may be obtained, there
are resident barbarians. And to ply to and fro for its conveyance, there are
boats called 'fast crabs.' From the great Ladrone Island, at the entrance of
the inner seas, to Kumsing Moon, there are all along various naval stations ;
and to bring in foreign vessels there are pilots appointed ; so that it cannot be
a difficult thing to keep a constant watch upon the ships. And even though
from Fuhkeen and Chekeang, from the ports of Shanghae and Teentsin, vessels
should repair directly to the receiving ships to trade with them, yet, situated as
their anchorage is, in the inner seas, what is there to prevent such vessels from
being observed and seized ? And yet, of late years, there has been, only a
176
solitary instance, namely during the late governor Loo's administration, when
Teen Poo, magistrate of the district of Heangshan, in conjunction with the
naval force, captured one single boat laden with opium. With this exception,
we have seen but little of seizures. The reason is, that the men who are
appointed to observe and watch for offenders receive presents to pass over all
things, and observe nothing.
By first punishing From times of old it has been a maxim, in reference to ruling barbarians,
the natives ; to deal closely with what is within, but to deal i-n general with that which is
without,—first to govern one's self, and then only to govern others. We must
then, in the first place, establish strict regulations for the punishment of
offences ; and afterwards we may turn to the traitorous natives who sell the
drug, the Hong merchants who arrange the transactions, the brokers who
purchase wholesale, the boat-people who convey the drug, and the naval officers
who receive bribes ; and, having with the utmost strictness discovered and
apprehended these offenders, we must inflict on them the severest punishments
of the law. In this way, the inhabitants of the inner land may be awed and
purified.
And then bringing^ The resident barbarians dwell separately in the foreign factories. In the
the foreigners to ]?ho (Creek) factory is one named Jardine, and who is nick-named the Iron-
'ucoun ■ headed old rat; also one named Innes: in the Paoushun factory, is one named
Dent ; also one named Framjee, and one named Merwanjee : in the Fungtae
factory is one named Dadabhoy : in the Kwangyuen (American) factory is one
named Gordon : in the Maying (Imperial) factory is one named Whiteman : in
the Spanish factory is one named Turner : and besides these are. I apprehend,
many others. The treatment of those within having been rendered severe, we
may next turn to these resident foreigners, examine and apprehend them, and
keep them in arrest ; then acquaint them with the established regulations, and
compel them, within a limited period, to cause all the receiving ships anchored
at Lintin to return to their country :—they should be required also to write a
letter to the king of their country, telling him that opium is a poison which has
pervaded the inner land, to the material injury of the people ; that the Celestial
Empire has inflicted on all the traitorous natives who sold it the severest
penalties ; that with regard to themselves, the resident foreigners, the govern
ment taking into consideration that they are barbarians and aliens, forbears to
pass sentence of death on them; but that if the opium receiving ships will derist
from coming to China, they shall be indulgently released and permitted to con
tinue their commercial intercourse as usual ; whereas, if they will again build
receiving vessels, and bring them hither to entice the natives, the commercial
intercourse granted them in teas, silks, &c, shall assuredly be altogether inter
dicted, and on the resident foreigners of the said nation the laws shall be
executed capitally. If commands be issued of this plain and energetic character,
in language strong, and in sense becoming, though their nature be the most
abject—that of a dog or a sheep, yet, having a care for their own fives, they will
not fail to seek the gain, and to flee the danger.
On the latter point, Some think this mode of proceeding too severe, and fear lest it should
there need be no give rise to a contest on our frontiers. Again and again I have revolved this
scruple. subject in my mind, and reconsidered how that, while in their own country no
opium is smoked, the barbarians yet seek to poison therewith the people of the
Central flowery land ; and that while they bring to us no foreign silver, they yet
would take away our native coin ; and I have therefore regarded them as
undeserving that a single careful or anxious thought should be entertained on
their behalf. Of late, the foreign vessels have presumed to make their way into
every place, and to cruise about in the inner seas. Is it likely that in this they
have no evil design of spying out our real strength or weakness ? If now they
be left thus to go on from step to step, and their conduct be wholly passed over,
the wealth of the land must daily waste away and be diminished. And if when
our people are worn out, and our wealth rendered insufficient, any difficulty
should then, even by the slighest chance, as one in ten thousand, turn up, how,
I would ask, shall it be warded off? Rather than to be utterly overthrown
hereafter, it is better to exercise consideration and forethought now, while yet
our possession of the right gives us such energy and strength, that those bar
barians will not dare to slight and contemn our government ; nor (it may be
hoped) have any longer the means of exercising their petty arts and devices.
Conclusion. Regarding this as a subject of importance, I have given it the most attentive
investigation : and having formed my own views thereon, it is befitting that I
177
should delineate and clearly state them. To determine as to their correctness,
orotherwise, it is my duty to request that your Majesty's pleasure may be
declared to the Ministers of the Court, requiring them with full purpose of heart
to take into consideration these views. Laying them before your sacred Majesty,
I prostrate implore my Sovereign to cast a glance upon them. A respectful
memorial.
Supplementary Statement.
FURTHERMORE, in regard to the residence of the foreign barbarians at Illegalities of fo-
Macao, the prohibitory enactments are very full and clear. But I have heard feigners,
that it has of late been usual for the barbarians to sit in large native sedans,
and to hire natives to carry them : also to hire native females for purposes of
prostitution, who are called * ta-fan.' Moreover, their merchant ships are not
allowed by the regulations to discharge their cargoes clandestinely at Macao ;
but of late it has become customary for only those ships to make their anchor
age at Whampoa, which have return cargoes of merchandize to take away ;
while the others never enter the port, nor announce their arrival. These last
send their finer and lighter goods, on board the boats called 'fast crabs,' from
Kumsing Moon and other places, for sale. The coarser and heavier goods,
they unlawfully send in cargo boats direct to the Stadt-house (in Chinese Std')
at Macao ; after which they call upon the Hong merchants to hire chop-boats to
convey them to the provincial city, and exchange them for other goods,—thus
not only evading the measurement charge and duties, but also avoiding
examination on the part of the native authorities.
But the extreme case is this :—at Macao, on the outside of the gate called Their violence,
the Ditch-gate, are very numerous graves of the natives. In the second month
of the present year, the foreigners made a wide road there, levelling entirely
the graves. The Sub-Prefect stationed at the place reported this to his
superiors ; and, at his request, a deputy- was sent to visit the spot in concert
with him, and to reprehend the foreigners. These, however, would not make
acknowledgment of their offence ; and when the officers sent men to repair the
tombs, they even led on their barbarian slaves, and beat the native police and
people. Afterwards a linguist was sent to admonish them authoritatively ; and
then only they sent an address to the officer, seeking to conciliate him. Such
outrageous, overbearing, and lawless conduct arises wholly from this, that the
local officers thinking forbearance to be the most quiet policy, seek only to
obtain present freedom from disturbance, and hence give occasion for being
treated with slight and contempt.
Macao is within the jurisdiction of the district Heangshan, and on all sides Practicability of
of it there are naval stations. For all its daily necessaries, it is compelled to checking these ille-
look up to us. The compradors employed by the foreigners there, are natives ^j*1** and thls
to whom permits are granted by the Government. Should, therefore, the least vt0 ence"
insubordination be shown by the foreigners, there would be no difficulty in
immediately having their lives in our hands. I have been told that a former
magistrate of that district, named Pang Choo, on account of the pride and
profligacy of these barbarians, removed from among them all the native dealers
and merchants, and allowed no commercial intercourse on the part of natives
with them ; till the barbarians, trembling with fear, were at once brought to
order. This is yet in the recollection of the gentry of Heangshan. Since a
district magistrate could effect thus much, would the barbarians dare even to
move, if the great officers of the country would make a display of their power?
Another instance occurs to me. The barbarians at Canton built a quay, outside
the city, a work which went on for months without any hindrance being made
to it. But when your Majesty's Minister Choo Kweiching was sent thither as
Lieutenant-Governor, he went to the spot, set down his sedan there, and com
manded the instant destruction of the work ; and the barbarians subdued by his
unostentatious firmness, dared not even to utter a word. Again, the year before
last, when Lord Napier brought ships of war up to Whampoa, your Majesty's
Minister Loo Kwan, the Governor, stationed the naval forces so as to present a
close unbroken line of defence ; and the barbarians were at once filled with
dismay, repented their error, and requested a permit to leave the port. We see
from these instances that the barbarians have never yet failed to succumb.
Now, to make ostentatious show of terrors is, it is true, calculated to ruin ImPortanceofdoinp:
2 A 8°-
178
affairs, but to pass faults over in silence is, on the other hand, calculated to
nourish depravity. If the old regulations be not rendered conspicuous, and the
prohibitions be not strictly enforced, these barbarians will end with doing
whatever they please, imagining that there is no limit to forbearance. The
barbarians, pluming themselves on their great wealth, extensively practise
bribery and corruption, and have many traitorous natives for their agents, and
many of the police in combination with them. Hence, if a talented, intelligent,
and determined officer were, in the first place, to punish severely the Chinese
traitors, we may hope that he would thus be able at once to overwhelm the
spirit of the barbarians.
This further exposition of my feeble and obscure views, it behoves me to
add to my previous representation, and, prostrate, lay it before your sacred
Majesty, hoping that my Sovereign will cast a glance thereon. A respectful
memorial.
Inclosure 7 in No. 90.
Imperial Edict in reply to the two preceding documents.
THE Councillor Choo Tsun has presented a memorial, requesting that the
severity of the prohibitory enactments against opium may be increased. The
Sub-Censor Heu-Kew also has laid before Us a respectful representation of his
views : and, in a supplementary statement, a recommendation to punish severely
Chinese traitors.
Careful considera- Opium, coming from the distant regions of barbarians, has pervaded
tion requisite. the country with its baneful influence, and has been made a subject of very
severe prohibitory enactments. But, of late, there has been a diversity of
opinion in regard to it, some requesting a change in the policy hitherto adopted,
and others recommending the continuance of the severe prohibitions. It is
highly important to consider the subject carefully in all its bearings, surveying
at once the whole field of action, so that such measures may be adopted as shall
continue for ever in force, free from all failure.
Strict investigation Let Tang and his colleagues anxiously and carefully consult together upon
to be made. the recommendation to search for, and with utmost strictness, apprehend all
those traitorous natives who sell the drug, the Hong merchants who arrange the
transactions in it, the brokers who purchase it by wholesale, the boatmen who are
engaged in transporting it, and the naval militia who receive bribes ; and having
determined on the steps to be taken in order to stop up the source of the evil,
let them present a true and faithful report. Let them also carefully ascertain
and report, whether the circumstances stated by Heu-Kew in his supplementary
document, in reference to the foreigners from beyond the seas be true or not,
whether such things as are mentioned therein have or have not taken place.
Copies of the several documents are to be herewith sent to those officers for
perusal ; and this edict is to be made known to Tang and Ke, who are to enjoin
it also on Wan, the Superintendent of Maritime Customs. Respect this
Inclosure 8 in No. 90.
Report in reference to the circulation of dollars in China.
August, 1836.
Preamble. REPORT, made by the Commissioners of Finance and of Justice in the
province Kwangtung, to the heads of the Provincial Government, requesting that
their Excellencies, when replying to His Majesty, will recommend that the use
of foreign money be still sanctioned, as being suitable to the position of foreign
affairs here: but that all exchanges for, or clandestine exportation of, sycee
silver be disallowed.
Necessity of retain- Foreign money is brought from the lands of the distant barbarians, and is
ing the foreign mo- essentially necessary to the mercantile classes trading in all the provinces along
ney in the eastern tne coast, who for their daily supplies of food and other necessaries, are
179
dependent on the facility of exchanging this money, and on its general circula- southern pro-
tion. It is not, therefore, to be dispensed with for a single moment. Its vmces-
circulation, however, is confined to the provinc es Keangnan, Chekeang, Fuhkeen,
and Kwangtung, or, if it do occasionally exten d, in the course of trade, to adjoin
ing districts (for this is a circumstance not wholly to be avoided), yet it cannot
circulate much further inland than a few hundred miles. As to the provinces
lying northwards, the two provinces of "The Lakes" (Hoonan and Hoopih),
Szechuen, Yunnan, and Kweichow, this money does not at present circulate in
any of them: and if perchance a few specimens reach those places, they are
prized merely as curiosities ; or, if it be attempted to force them on the market,
they can be exchanged only at a discount, and even then with difficulty. How
can it be supposed, therefore, that this money will immediately spread itself into
universal circulation ?
Having taken this general view of the subject, we will turn to the repre- Doubts expressed
sentation made by the Censor Shin Yung. In the representation, he expresses by Shin Yung are
his apprehension that the low standard of foreign money must render it difficult t0 be met
to be exchanged for sycee silver at a fair and regular rate ; and on that account
he requests that the inhibition of the money may be made a subject of considera
tion. This recommendation is doubtless the result of anxious attention to the
policy of Government, and serious regard for the interests of the people. But
arguments are not wanting in favour of the circulation of money, so far as
regards the eastern and southern provinces.
The places where foreign ships anchor are also the places where foreign By showing that die
money is scattered abroad. The supplies of provisions furnished to them com- money is necessary
prise minute and multifarious details ; their expenses include numerous items of To the inha-
avery varied character; and many small sums are paid by them, as the hire of ltants 0 '
labour, or the price of articles. Not a day passes without money being used for
one or other of these purposes. It becomes, then, a matter of necessity that
they should bring foreign money with them, to meet these various expenses; and
hence it happens that the market prices are regulated by dollars, it being found
highly convenient to value goods by them. The people among themselves, also,
gladly fall in with such an arrangement, finding it to be advantageous. From
which it is clear that the inhabitants of the coast cannot well be deprived of the
foreign money.
Again, native merchants, trading by sea along the coast, when they travel, 2. To traders t
carry their money with them. If these have to carry the governmental [copper] tne coast-
coin, the expense of so doing will be a heavy tax upon their small transactions;
and if they carry gold or silver to sea with them, they have reason to fear lest they
be found guilty of contravening the prohibitions of government. It is therefore
impossible for them to do otherwise than carry foreign money with them, it being
necessary that they should have such money in order to make purchases. And
hence it is evident that the native mercantile classes along the coast cannot
dispense with the use of foreign money.
Further, as to the foreigners, they import foreign money into Canton as a 3. To foreign mer-
medium in which to pay the prices of commodities purchased by them. The cliants "» China,
amount of such importations is variable and uncertain; and whatever balance
they may have remaining is either employed, on perceiving an advantageous state
of the market, in making additional purchases, or is spent in a more abundant
and luxurious supply of the daily necessaries of life. For in the love of much
money, and of good prices, the flowery people and barbarians are altogether like-
minded. We see, then, lastly, that the foreign merchants of other countries are
likewise unable to dispense with the use of foreign money.
We are informed that there are silver mines in England, and America, and And that no injury
Spain. Although the pattern after which the money of each country is made differs, dsej°fr^ aPPrehei»-
yet the degree of purity is nearly the same with all, being above ninety per cent. iation. 1 8 circu"
touch, as compared with the sycee silver of China. We see, then, that though
they be left to follow their own methods, yet the foreigners do not draw their
materials from this country. And in commercial intercourse, so long as each
holds its due place, the foreign money is the same as though it were issued from
the mint of the palace itself. Our empire is separated from the foreigners by
ten thousand miles of sea, over which they cross to present things of value and
to offer tribute ; and for their doing this, established regulations exist. Since,
then, to present themselves here, and to make offerings has been so long their
practice, that time has rendered it equal to an ancient rule that they should so do,
2 A2
180
—what cause can there be for apprehension of any consequences that may arise
from permitting them to bring such things as will be most advantageous and pro
fitable to them ? It is most truly said in His Sacred Majesty's Edict, that the
circulation of the foreign money in the east and south is not a thing merely of
yesterday. The right mode of acting is, to establish rules and limits, so as to
bring upon the same level the wishes both of our own people and of those from
afar. But were the foreign money permitted to be circulated even in all the
provinces, it would not be productive of the slightest injury to China.
The varying weight The great objection to the use of foreign money is this, that with it no
and standard of fo- regard is paid to the weight of metal, or the degree of purity. In Canton, this
reign money alone Was formerly the case, also. But at a later period, as a precaution against fraud,
objectionable. foreign money began to be stamped and chopped, to mark the degree of purity,
and to be weighed, in order to ascertain the quantity of metal. The money so
stamped is in general circulation in the markets, where it goes by the name of
" broken pieces ;" and when it is exchanged for sycee silver, about three or four
taels per cent- are added to make amends for inferiority in touch. But in Kean-
gnan and Chekeang no money is in circulation but such as is bright, with a new
smooth face. At present the " broken pieces" of Canton, when paid in
exchange for new-faced money, pay a premium of no less than six or seven taels
per cent. And crafty dealers, having many clever devices for obtaining gain,
raise the price still higher, whenever the supply of this new-faced money is insuf
ficient. Of the manner in which the money circulates in Keangnan and
Chekeang, at the present time, we are ignorant.
Hence, payments, Should the Imperial pleasure be declared in favour of the circulation of
larT^houw'be^v ^ore*6n monev» ft ought to be required, in all the provinces, that the money be
weight, and the va- paid by weight, and that prices be no longer rated by the number of dollars; that
lue of dollar silver foreign money, when exchanged for sycee silver, whether such money be in
k1°UlbeialWa^St bf Droken pieces> or in whole bright-faced coin, shall always pay a premium per
sycee silver * ° cen^- *o m&ke up the difference of purity between it and sycee silver; and that
foreign money shall never be allowed, on the contrary, to bear a premium, when
given in exchange for sycee silver. With regard to native counterfeits and
adulterated pieces of money, the shroffs in the market-places are so expert in
discovering and picking out such, that is quite unnecessary to think for the
people on this point, or to make any rules or restrictions with reference to it.
Precautions to be The purity and weight of the silver being in this manner rendered subject
taken that sycee sil- to trial, the crafty deceitful character of the foreigners will have no room for
ver be not export . exercismg itself in petty arts. But the importance of the Custom-House
restrictions is such as to call, in a still greater degree, for prohibitions,—pro
hibitions, namely, of the exportation of sycee silver. It is our duty to request,
that, in all future commercial dealings with foreign merchants, no persons be
permitted to mix up sycee silver in the payment of any balances due to such
foreign merchants, or to sell any sycee silver to them for their every-day use ;
that voluntary engagements to this effect be filed by all the Hong merchants,
both the senior merchants and the others ; that, if any of these infringe this
regulation, they be rendered liable to severe punishment by fine or trans
portation ; and that if any shopkeeper, or any other of the people, transgress
it, such transgressor be made liable to a punishment one degree more severe.
The officers and men in charge of custom-houses and passes, as well as those in
command of naval vessels at sea, should be required to keep guard in constant
succession, the latter always cruising about. When the foreign ships are
returning from hence, officers and men should be bound to search faithfully ;
and in case of their discovering and making seizure of any sycee silver, and
sending the offenders to meet their trial, they should be rewarded by a gift of
all the silver so seized. Should any dare to protect and wilfully connive at any
transgression of the law, and should such connivance be discovered by the
transgressor being elsewhere apprehended, inquiry ought to be made as to the
places through which the trangressor had passed, and the officers and men at
those places ought to be dealt with most severely. If regulations be made of
this clear and determined nature, all will then be convinced that the purpose
is to uphold them.
Conclusion, f The luxuriance and splendour of this Central nation are such, that its own
native treasures are exhaustless, and it values not things of foreign and distant
extraction. The would-be-clever arts of the outermost barbarians it reckons as
181
nothing and of no worth. These arts can, therefore, be productive of no
detriment to the policy of the Government, while to the people they appear not
unattended by some advantage. It is our duty, therefore, to request that your
Excellencies will implore His Majesty, of his heavenly favour, to sanction the
continuance of foreign money in circulation in the sea-board provinces, its
circulation being suitable to the position of foreign affairs, and convenient
for the people. As in duty bound, we have consulted together, and lay before
your Excellencies the result, awaiting your decision as to the correctness or
incorrectness thereof, preparatory to a full memorial to the Emperor.
(Signed) J. ROBERT MORRISON,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
No. 91.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received July 17, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, February 7, 1837.
THE Inclosure No. 1, which I have now the honour to transmit, is an
edict from the heads of the Provincial Government, issued on the 28th October
last, directing inquiries to be made respecting certain foreign merchants reputed
to be traders in opium.
The Inclosure No. 2, is an edict from the same source, requiring the
departure of certain foreign merchants within half a month.
Of the persons thus ordered to leave the country, the following gentlemen
are British Subjects.
Messrs. Jardine, Turner, Framjee, }
Dent, Whiteman. Merwanjee, > Parsees.
Innes, Dadabhoy. )
The Inclosure No. 3, is an edict, dated 13th December last, extending the
limits previously fixed for the departure of these gentlemen. If these instru
ments had not been accompanied by very earnest and repeated injunctions upon
the part of the Hong merchants, to the parties whose names are specified, it
would have been reasonable to consider them to be the more ordinary, and
empty proclamation of purposeless command, which the Provincial Government
is either pleased or obliged to put forward, from time to time.
I need not press upon your Lordship's attention, the excessive degree of
alarm and mischief which would be created amongst the merchants and manu
facturers in England, connected with the trade, if they should learn that their
agents in this distant part of the world, with balances to remit, and large stocks
on hand, and on the passage, were suddenly driven forth from the country.
For my part, I have no belief that any such measure will be attempted.
But your Lordship will observe it is menaced, and the posture of other circum
stances in relation to it, is certainly very peculiar.
• In determining upon the course which events may render needful upon
this particular subject, it became me to give the fullest weight to the con
sideration, that many of the parties in England, interested in this commerce,
might sink under the panic which such tidings would occasion; and that they
would be productive not merely of great private distress, but of considerable
public inconvenience.
Indeed, amongst other reasons for addressing this despatch to your
Lordship, I have felt that the persons in England whose capital is newly
embarked in this trade, are not likely, as the Company were, to take any accurate
estimate of the force of these menaces. It appears to be probable, then, that
His Majesty's Government may be applied to by alarmed individuals, upon .his
subject, and that it may be convenient to possess official means or assuring them,
there is no great cause to believe such proceedings will be attempted. And at all
events, that every proper effort will be made on the spot to prevent them.
When your Lordship's despatch, of June 15, 1836, arrived, the edict of 13th
December (Inclosure No. 3,) had not reached our hands, and at that period the
last information we had of the intentions of this Government, was the edict of
132
the 23rd November, commanding the merchants to leave the country in half a
month.
At that conjuncture it seemed to me, that if I should succeed in placing
myself conciliatorily and unsuspiciously in communication with the Government,
I should stand in a position enabling me to interpose very efficaciously in this
matter, at any moment of real difficulty which might present itself. To the
merchants this interposition would be advantageous, because it would place
me, in my official station, between them and an exceedingly critical state of
circumstances; to His Majesty's Government, because it would either prevent
grave inconveniences, or at all events justify measures for their prompt and
complete redress, by the record of my previous formal remonstrances, and
protests, to the Chinese Authorities.
Very shortly after my assumption of this office, the edict of the 13th
December last appeared. And I have abstained from taking any steps in this
matter, till the period of the extended time shall be at hand ; neither shall I
move, then, unless it be elear that the Provincial Government still persists in
its intentions. Your Lordship, I hope, will consider I am right in refraining
from any unnecessary interference upon such a subject.
If a mere temporary visit to Macao would be sufficient on this occasion, it
must be admitted that such was the usual custom of the Company's servants;
and I dare say the gentlemen adverted to, would not find it inconvenient at the
inactive season of the year fixed for their departure, to meet the wishes of the
Local Government to that extent. If this, however, should not be enough, and
the Provisional Authorities be indeed sincerely determined to attempt the
dismissal of the merchants from this country, my interposition will become
indispensable. And your Lordship may rely on my measured, but firmest
opposition to an intolerably injurious aggression of this practical nature.
But situated as I am, I cannot think there will be much difficulty in
satisfactorily averting serious disputes upon this subject,
I shall avail myself of any favourable occasion which these edicts may
present, to attempt some further advantageous modifications in the mode of
official intercurse between the Provincial Government and ourselves.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 91.
Edict from the Heads of the Provincial Government, directing inquiries to be
made respecting certain foreign Merchants reputed to be traders in Opium.
TANG, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, Ke, Lieutenant-
Governor of Kwangtung, &c, and Wan, Superintendent of Maritime Customs,
issue their commands to the senior Hong merchants, requiring their full
acquaintance therewith.
Extracts from an We, the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Hoppo, have, with deep
Imperial Edict. humility, received an Imperial Decree, commanding us, " in reference to the
memorial of the Sub-Censor, Heu Kew, respecting the traitorous natives who
deal in opium, the Hong merchants who arrange all transactions, the brokers
who purchase wholesale, the boat-people who convey the drug to and fro, and
the naval militia who connive, being bribed, to examine closely, and strictly
apprehend, offenders in all these points ; to deliberate on the subject with full
purpose of heart ; to endeavour strenuously to dam up the source of the evil ;
and to report on the whole subject fully and faithfully. Respect this."
And from the We also, at the same time, received a copy of the Sub-Censor Heu-KeW's
Memorial of the memorial, in which we find the following passage :—" The traitorous natives
Sub-Censor Heu
Kew. who sell the opium, cannot altogether carry on the traffic with the foreign ships
in their own persons. To purchase wholesale there are brokers : to arrange all
transactions there are the Hong merchants : to take money, and give orders to
be carried to the receiving ship, that from them the drug may be obtained, there
are resident barbarians. The resident barbarians dwell severally in the
foreign factories. In the Creek factory is one named Jardine, and who is nick
183
named the ' 1 Iron-headed old rat ;" also one named Innes : in the Paoushun factory
is one named Dent ; also one named Framjee, and one named Merwanjee : in
the Fungtae factory is one named Dadabhoy : in the American factory is one
named Gordon : in the Imperial factory is one named Wetmore (some read
Whiteman) : in the Spanish factory is one named Turner ; and besides these I
apprehend there are many others."
Opium, we observe, is an article respecting which Imperial decrees have Measures hitherto
been repeatedly received, all commanding its prohibition, and directing, that if taken against the
any foreign trading ship presume to come hither with opium, such trading ship imPortatlon of
shall be immediately sent back, and not suffered to have any traffic with Canton. opium'
And Yuen, formerly Governor of these provinces, having taken up and investi
gated a case of four country ships, Hat and others, in which opium had been
brought into the port, respectfully received the Imperial commands to inflict
punishment. He also presented a memorial, suggesting, that on occasion of
any foreign ship entering the port, the senior merchants should be required to
examine and enter into securities for her, each in succession ; and that, in
concert with the several other security-merchants, they should be required to
examine each vessel, and then to sign a bond, purporting that the foreigners on
on board such vessel do not bring with them any opium. These voluntary
bonds given by the security-merchants, are, according to the constant practice of
the said merchants, continued for some times past, presented to the Hoppo, by
whom they are transmitted, for preservation (in the Governor's Office.)
While, however, the foreigners are thus prevented from bringing opium Its direct importa-
into the port, the receiving ships at Lintin bring the drug hither and dispose of tion prevented, but
it only the more contumeliously. But, were it not for the crafty and artful no* .t,hei,sale °f
, . * n , , J , . . ,1, . i • •. outside the port,
devices or the said merchants, and their encouragement held out to bring it,
were it not for their co-operation and connivance, their arrangement of transac
tions, that they may divide the spoil, how could the foreigners have it in their
power to exercise their petty contrivances ? It is, in the highest degree, our
bounden duty to inquire into this matter.
Forthwith, therefore, we issue these commands. On their reaching the Orders to inquire
said merchants, let them immediately ascertain if the before-named foreigners, in regard to the in-
Jardine, or the iron-headed old rat, Innes, Dent, Framjee, Merwanjee, f^aW exwacu"1
Dadabhoy, Gordon, Wetmore (or Whiteman), and Turner, do, or do not, seve
rally reside in the Creek, Paoushun, Fungtoa, American, Imperial, and
Spanish factories ; of what foreign nation they are ; in what manner they
continue stationary in this place, and store up and sell their opium ; from what
year they date the commencement of their opium transactions ; what quantity of
the drug they annually store up and dispose of ; and whether they ordinarily
insist on payment of the price of it in sycee silver? Let tham particulary inquire
on each of these points, and faithfully report to us, that we may thoroughly
investigate the subject. Should the said merchants think practically to set aside
the laws, and afford aid and co-operation, or dress the subject in false colours
and pretexts, they will find, we apprehend, their criminality too heavy for them
to bear. Let them, one and all, maturely consider and weigh this ; and, with
trembling and earnest diligence, let them obey these our special commands.
16th year of Taoukwang, 9th month, 19th day. (28th October, 1836.)
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 2 in No. 91.
Edict from the Heads of the Provincial Government, requiring the departure of
certain foreign Merchants within half a month.
TANG, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, Ke, Lieutenant-
Governor of Kwangtung, and Wan, Superintendent of Maritime Customs, issue
these commands to the Hong merchants, requiring their full acquaintance
therewith.
We have received from the said merchants a report, purporting to be " a A report received
Report made for our thorough investigation, in obedience to our command, to J^£t,Hon*
184
ascertain the reason of the foreign merchants, Jardine and others, remaining so
long in Canton, in place of returning home according to the regulations."
Having received it, we have again taken this case under our consideration. It
is a case brought to our attention by an Imperial decree, which we have
respectfully received. The subject has been well and accurately laid open in the
statements of the original memorial. And how, in any way, can the fact of these
foreign merchants, Jardine and the others, having made their quarters in Canton
for many years, be spoken of as without a cause ?
The report inaccu- In this report, it is represented that, the receiving ships being anchored in
rate, and not to the the outer Seas, much of the smuggling carried on by traitorous dealers is con-
' ducted by means of sea-going vessels, from various parts of those seas, approaching
the receiving ships and purchasing from them. Truly, if, as here represented, all
such illegalities are committed outside, how comes it then that the instances
that have formerly occurred of seizures have continually been within the precincts
of the capital? And even assuming the truth of their present assertion, that
the seizures outside are more numerous, seizures at the capital but few, this only
shows the rareness, not the entire want, of such seizures. There are then some
instances ; there must then be men, by whom the transactions are arranged ;
there must be individuals by whom a mutual understanding is brought about.
We, the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Hoppo, in our desire to preserve
uninjured the property and lives of the said merchants, will not withhold
motherly kindness and pains, taking advice and guidance of them. If they
acknowledge their offences themselves, their punishment shall be remitted.
But if they continue to report in this irrelevant manner, and turn thus away
from the point, hereafter, when once discovery is made of an offence on their
part, it will only remain to us, to maintain the laws and severely inflict the
penalties thereof. And they, if they will not now care for the consequence, will
so much the more be left without cause for murmuring against us.
No excuse admis- As to the foreign merchants, Jardine and the others, it is wholly needless to
sihle on behalf of question their bare proofless assertions, or at all to doubt, whether their long
whThave s^aye'rio res^ence m Canton does, indeed, arise from the multitude of ships, the busi-
long in Canton. ness of which they have to transact, and from the circumstance that not a month
elapses without a trading ship coming to Canton ; or whether it is not rather
owing to their wanting to wait and observe the prices, in order to make the
purchases. For, granting the first assertion to be perfectly true, and that not a
day passes in which trade is interrupted, does it, therefore, follow that these
foreigners are free to remain, and not return home at all; or can such a prin
ciple as this be admitted ? Hear what the memorial, formerly sanctioned, says
upon this point : " A foreigner of any nation, if, in consequence of its being
impracticable for him at once to dispose of his foreign merchandize, he is unable
to get in all his property, and has, therefore, no option but to remain in Canton,
must, after the foreign ships have left the port, go and reside at Macao, and
place his commodities in the hands of a Hong merchant to sell off for him ;
which, having done, the Hong merchant is to pay him the whole price; and, in
the following year, it shall be imperative on him to avail himself of one of the
ships of his nation to return home. The Hong merchants and Linguists, should
they suffer foreign merchants by degrees to take up their abode in Canton, shall
be severally subjected to a strict investigation." Not only then is there nothing
to admit of these foreign merchants residing in Canton, there is not even any
law to permit their long continuance at Macao. Do they represent, that the
trade of the foreigners needs the parties own particular attention ? For what
purpose, then, are foreign Hongs established, and of what use are the said
merchants? Are they, forsooth, established in order that the Hong merchants
may twist the laws to serve their own private interests ? It is, indeed, most
unreasonable, that these men should thus frame their mouths to make pretexts,
and work out excuses for the foreigners.
Grateful obedience The sum of the matter is this : These foreigners are richly imbued with the
foreigners cherishing and protecting favours of the Celestial Empire ; and they ought at
once to pay implicit obedience to the laws and statutes of the Celestial Empire ;
and should in all their intercourse, and in everything, conform to the regulations:
thus only may they preserve to themselves the path of commercial intercourse
here.
And strict obedi- At the present moment, the investigations ordered by the Court are exceed-
ence will be com- ingly strict. If then these foreigners do not bestir themselves, and quickly
polled. ° ' ° 1
185
return home, even though it be admitted that they are not residing in the
country to sell what is contraband, and though it be granted that the Hong
merchants do not combine with them, and arrange all transactions, yet how can
these last reconcile it even to their own minds, that they should suffer them still
. to abide in the place, daily attaching to themselves fresh suspicions? Moreover,
i we, the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Hoppo, hold the direction of this
territory, to eradicate all that is evil, and to bring back to reason the depraved.
In chastisements we show no partiality or leniency ; and having received with
reverence the Imperial commands to investigate the matter, it the more behoves
us, to take anxious precautions on every side, equally towards those within
and towards those without. Though it be said, that, in regard to what is past,
; indulgence should be shown, yet how can we neglect to pay prudent attention
to future consequences. We desire to impress it on the minds of all, early to
look to themselves, and to consider these things long and seriously.
Forthwith we issue these commands. When they reach the said Hong Half a month
• merchants, let them immediately enjoin the same on the foreign merchants, granted as the limit
Jardine, Innes, Dent, and Turner, as also on those who have resided but for a of tlle stav in Can"
few years, or who have gone away, and returned again, namely,—Framjee, ton*
Merwanjee, Dadabhoy, Gordon, and Wetmore (or Whiteman), desiring them,
in obedience hereto, to settle with the utmost diligence their commercial
affairs. They are indulgently allowed a period of half a month, in which to
pack up their effects, and remove out of the provincial city ; and either avail
themselves of some expected ship, or of some vessel about to sail, to return to
their country. They cannot be allowed longer to loiter about. Should any of
them be really unable to conclude their business in half a month, they also must
go within that time to Macao, but may remain there for a season : and all their
goods and accounts they must put into the hands of the Hong merchants, the
one to be disposed of, the other to be settled ; so that they may speedily return
home with all their effects. Nor must they be allowed, by remaining long at
Macao, to disobey the fixed regulations. If they dare to continue lingering Cautionar a(jmon;
about, it will then be seen, that the said foreigners will not listen to kind lan- t[^10 arya m° "
guage, that they are irreclaimably sunk in folly, and that they are truly such as
the Celestial Empire will not bear with : then, when the effects of the law are
. visited on them, they may find that, though they have a country to return to,
yet they cannot return to it. The Creek and other factories in which they are
suffered to remain, shall also in such case be closed, and the parties concerned
in them shall be brought to investigation. Be careful then not to decide care
lessly. Let the said merchants present to us, within three days, signed bonds
that the limited period will be carefully observed, in order that we may be
enabled, after thorough examination of the subject, to report to His Majesty.
Let none oppose this, or delay obedience. A Special Order.
16th year of Taoukwang, 10th month, 15th day. (23rd November, 1836.)
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 3 in No. 91.
Edict from the Heads of the Provincial Government, extending the limit previously
fixed as the time for Messrs. Jardine and others to leave Canton.
TANG, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangsc; Ke, Lieutenant-
Governor of Kwangtung; and Wan, Superintendent of Maritime Customs,
issue these orders to the Hong merchants, requiring their full acquaintance
therewith.
We have received the subjoined report from the said merchants: —
" Your Excellencies' commands were received, directing us immediately to fy^°^JeHonCd
communicate to the foreign merchants, Jardine and others, that they are merchants as under,
severally to finish with the utmost diligence, their commercial affairs; that they
are indulgently allowed a period of half a month, in which to pack up their effects
and remove out of the provincial city, after which they are either to avail
• themselves of some expected ship, or of some vessel on the point of sailing, to
2 B
186
return to their country; that they cannot be allowed longer to loiter about;
and that should any of them be really unable to conclude their business in
half a month, they also must remove within the time prescribed, but may go
to Macao, and remain there for a season ; that, however, they must not e
allowed, by remaining long at Macao, to disobey the fixed regulations. On the
receipt of these commands, we examined our documents, and found, that in
our former report we had already stated, that there is no such person here
Last order to the as Merwanjee. With the exception, therefore, of him, we, in obedience to the
Hong merchants commands received, enjoined it on the said foreign merchants, Jardine and
enjoined by them. the others, that they should obey the same, should settle with the utmost
diligence their commercial affairs, should, within the prescribed period of half
a month, remove from Canton, and either return home, or go down to Macao;
and that if there were any who really were unable to conclude their business
in half a month, they should place their commodities and their accounts in our
hands, that we might dispose of the one and settle the other for them. We
also desired them to give us written bonds that they would carefully observe the
limited period, in order that we might present the same.
Replies given by " Having thus done, we received from Framjee a note, stating 'that as
the foreigners. soon as he had concluded his sales and purchases, about the first month of next
year, he will return home.' We received also a note from Whiteman*,
stating, ' that he has determined to go home, andlhat at the end of this year,
he will avail himself of a vessel sailing back to his country.' We also received
replies from Jardine, Dadabhoy, Gordon, Turner, Innes, and Dent, severally
stating, ' that at present ships are arriving in great numbers : that it is necessary
that they should purchase cargoes for them before they can sail again ; and
intreating a delay until such time as they have concluded their sales and
These replies are purchases, when they will go down and reside at Macao.' Having reported
unsatisfactory. these answers, we received your Excellencies' verbal commands, to the effect,
that the language of the several foreign merchants bore marks of a desire to
linger about; and that they should therefore still be directed to move out of the
provincial city, as before ordered, within the prescribed time. After we received
these directions, we again enjoined the commands, and called on the foreigners
to act in trembling obedience thereto.
Second series of " This having done, we have now received a reply from Framjee, still entreat
replies from the ing ' that he may wait until he has concluded his sales and .purchases ; and that
foreigners. about the first month of the next year he will return to his country.' From
Whiteman we have also received a reply, still requesting ' that he may be allowed
to clear up his accounts, and that at the end of this year he will return home.'
From Gordon, also, we have received a reply, intreating ' that he may be
allowed to stay until his commercial affairs are concluded ; that then, in the
third month of next year he will return home.' Dadabhoy has replied
to us: ' I am now conducting my trading transactions with the utmost diligence.
I beg that I may stop till the first month of next year, when I will go down
and reside at Macao.' Jardine replied, 'Many ships to my consignment still
remain anchored at Whampoa; and it is requisite yet to purchase silk, and teas,
and ether goods for exportation. The teas this year are reaching Canton later
than is ordinarily the case. I entreat that I may be allowed to remain till I
have purchased all the goods required, and till the ships have all left the port;
and then in the fourth month of next year, I will go down and reside at Macao.'
From Dent and Turner we have received answers, ' that they have now ships at
Whampoa to their consignment, that they have to purchase silks, teas, and other
goods for them to return; and that they intreat, therefore, they may be allowed
to stop till they have completed all their sales and purchases, when, in the third
month of next year, they will go down and reside at Macao.' Lastly, Innes
has replied, intreating * that he may be allowed to complete his sales and
purchases, when, at the end of this year, he will go down and reside at Macao.'
These all having reached us, it is our duty to report the particulars, and ask
if your Excellencies will deign to grant the requests of the several foreign
merchants, which must proceed wholly from your Excellencies' grace and
favour."
Remarks by the This report having come before us, we, the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor,
Governor, &c,
reason why the
foreigners should * The doubtful in Chinese, : i to have been fixed on Mr. Whiteman, in place of Mr.
leave Canton. Wetmore.
187
and Hoppo, have again taken the subject into consideration. In the regulations
there is no article permitting foreigners to abide in the provincial capital. Out
of former chance inadvertence, has grown up a stay and continuance therein
of several years' duration. It is, indeed, an infringement of the established
enactments. Admit that these foreign merchants quietly attend to their com
mercial duties ; grant that they and the Hong merchants are not mutually
drawn into acts of depravity, yet suspicions have arisen in the place of their stay
that they have taken their quarters here for the purpose of combining with
natives to dispose of contraband goods; and the expression of these suspicions
has ascended even to the ninth heaven the [Imperial presence,] and has called
down from the Great Emperor strict orders to investigate the subject.
Now, having received the above detailed report, we, the Governor, the Extension of the
Lieutenant-Governor, and the Hoppo, look upwards and would embody the period to all, to
extreme desire of the sacred intelligence to cherish strangers with tenderness. to^thereoUff^tl '
In seeking condescendingly to yield to the dispositions of foreigners, what need
is there to be over-strict and harsh? But if the period be too long extended, we
shall not only be unable to bring words to report it to His Majesty but also,
by partiality and connivance, we shall greatly derogate from the dignity of
Government. We have, therefore, jointly deliberated and determined on our
course of action. The three merchants, Whiteman, Framjee, and Gordon, who
have pleaded for a delay, at the same time purposing to return to their country,
may be allowed their requests, namely to return severally at the end of this year,
and in the first and third months of the next year. They may return at the
periods they have named. The two merchants, Innes and Dadabhoy, also, who
have requested that they may go and reside at Macao, are allowed to do so
at the times named, the close of this year, and the first month of next year.
But with regard to the three merchants, Jardine, Dent, and Turner, without
having named a period for going home, they seek to go and reside at Macao,
and yet ask to stop till the third and fourth months of next year before they go.
This is most absurd and foolish conduct. From their statements, however, it
appears that they have yet many ships here, and they have need to purchase
cargoes for them. We, therefore, will indulgently permit an extension of the
period, prescribing to all of them, the second month of next year, at which
period they must go to Macao. Between this date and the second month
of next year, four months will elapse, and in that long period they may transact
all their affairs; or if some do remain unfinished, yet they will be able to make
Macao their place of sojourn; we certainly will not permit any the least
extension of this period, or opposition hereto. We, the Governor, the Lieutenant-
Governor, and the Hoppo, are this day sending a memorial express, to inform
the Great Emperor, that periods have been fixed for the departure severally of
the said foreigners; and on no account will we make any change.
Let the said Hong merchants take signed bonds from the said foreign Written bonds re-
merchants, severally, to observe this prescribed limit; and let them also give quired for observa-
bonds for themselves, that they will not presume to suffer their stay beyond the JjSJj ^riod'6"
period prescribed; the Hong merchants shall be held responsible for them in "
their property: and these bonds they must deliver within three days. Let
them not seek and hope for delay. And as the said foreign merchants
successively depart, let them on each occasion report the same, that examination
may be made. If, when the periods elapse, they still linger and hesitate to go,
it will then be seen that these foreign merchants are bound up in the love
of their own private interests, and that they are minded to offer contumelious
opposition. We, the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Hoppo, in the
performance of our duties, will not assume the slightest degree of false colouring
and vain pretext: nor will we show the least personal regard and consideration.
We can only pursue our course with firm maintenance of the laws; ruling well
on the one hand those without, on the other those within the empire's pale ;
and thus aiming to display gloriously the Majesty of Heaven [the Emperor].
Say not that ye were not forewarned. Tremblingly and attentively consider
this. A special Edict.
16th year of Taoukwang, 11th month, 6th day. (13th December 1836.)
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
2 B2
188
No. 92.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received July 17, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, February 10, 1837.
WITH reference to ray despatch to your Lordship of 2nd Feb
ruary, 1837, I have now the honour to transmit copies of despatches
I have addressed to the Right Honourable the Governor-General and the
Honourable the Rear-Admiral Commanding-in-chief, on the same subject.
It is not in my power to inform your Lordship that the restrictive spirit of
the Local Government in respect to the opium traffic, has in any degree relaxed.
I have &c
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
'. Inelosure 1 in No. 92.
Captain Elliot to Lord Auckland.
My Lord, Macao, February 2, 1837.
I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship the accompanying
series of remarkable papers upon the subject of the legal admission of opium into
China. All the documents upon this topic which have yet reached us, are
comprehended in this collection, and they are arranged in the order according
to which tbey fell into our possession.
I have also taken the liberty to inclose to your Lordship copies of despatches
I have recently addressed to Viscount Palmerston, and to the Honourable the
Rear-Admiral Commanding-in-Chief on this station, upon the same subject.
In the actual state of our commerce with China, my Lord, I believe I may
say, that the interruption of the opium traffic must have the effect, not merely
of temporarily crippling our means of purchasing in this market at all ; but,
undoubtedly, of placing us, in respect to the prices of the export staples, com
pletely in the power of what may justly be described to be a copartnership of
native dealers. The failure of the opium deliveries is attended with an almost
entire cessation of money transactions in Canton. And in the glutted con
dition of this market, your Lordship will judge how peculiarly mischievously the
present stagnation must operate on the whole British commerce with the
empire.
But it must be quite unnecessary to press upon your Lordship's attention,
the many extremely important considerations connected with this subject: and I
trust I shall be excused for submitting the most hopeful means which suggest
themselves to me, to draw to a close so disquieting a state of things.
I would beg to observe to your Lordship, that the frequent and short
visits of ships of war to this anchorage, and in the neighbourhood of the points
to which the outside trade has extended, seem to me to be movements calculated,
either to carry the Provincial Government back to the system which has hitherto
prevailed, or to hasten onwards the legalization measure from the Court.
Your Lordship will perceive that I have solicited the Commander-in-chief
to send a man-of-war to these seas, with instructions to afford such countenance
to the general trade as may be practicable, without inconveniently committing
His Majesty's Government upon any delicate question. And I most respectfully
submit to your Lordship, that if one or two of the Company's cruisers could be
joined in this service, there seems to be every reason to hope their presence
might considerably facilitate the purposes in view.
I have suggested to the Commander-in-chief, that Manila would be a
convenient general station for these ships, and if the officer in command were
instructed to place himself in communication with me, your Lordship and the
Admiral may rely upon my earnest efforts to furnish him the best information in
my power, and the most cautious counsels.
1 have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
189
Inclosure 2 in No. 92.
Captain Elliot to Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Bladen Capel, K.C.B.
Sir, Macao, February 2, 1837.
HEREWITH I have the honour to transmit to you the copy of a despatch I
have recently addressed Co Viscount Palmerston, together with a series of papers
which accompanied that communication.
In the actual emergency, I venture respectfully to move you to order a ship-
of-war to repair to these seas for the purpose of affording such countenance to
the general British Trade in China, as may be practicable, without any risk of
inconvenient discussions, or collision with this Government.
I have also requested the Right Honourable the Governor- General of
India, to address you upon this subject, and I have presumed to suggest to
his Lordship the advantage which might result to the public interests, if one or
two sail of Company's cruisers were placed under the orders of the Captain of
His Majesty's ship, who you may be pleased to employ on this service.
I can assure you, Sir, that there is a pressing necessity to use every effort
consistent with safety and discretion for the relief of the whole trade, from the
embarrassment into which it is thrown by the restrictive spirit of the Provincial
Government. And it appears to be highly probable that, at the present crisis,
very favourable consequences would ensue from the frequent and short visits of
vessels of war, as well to this anchorage, as to the immediate vicinity of the
points to which the outside trade has been gradually extending.
Perhaps I may permit myself to remark, that Manila might for the moment
be a convenient station of general resort for this small force.
A circumstance occurred in the middle of the year 1835, which may be
made a very proper ground of explanation to the Chinese Authorities, if the
sudden and frequent apparition of these vessels should seriously disquiet them.
They may be reminded, that at that period a British merchant brig (the
Troughton) engaged in the regular trade, and bound direct to the port of Canton,
was plundered by the natives of 70,000 dollars, almost in sight of these roads;
and that the commander and several of the crew were desperately wounded in
this affray: the necessity of force in the neighbourhood, to check the recur
rence of outrages of this kind, is a plea that I can have no doubt the Provincial
Government would find itself obliged to accept.
I will only add, Sir, that if you should think fit to do me the honour to
place the commander of His Majesty's ship in communication with me, I will
anxiously endeavour to assist him with such information and cautious counsels
as shall prevent the possibility of inconveniently committing His Majesty's
Government upon any delicate point.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 93.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston. — (Received August 22, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, February 21, 1837.
THE Edict from Peking, which I have now the honour to transmit, has
this day been forwarded to me from Canton by Mr. Morrison. It is in
reply to a report from the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of these provinces,
to His Imperial Majesty, No. 4 of the series of papers forwarded to your
Lordship in my despatch of the 2nd instant.
The Inclosure No. 2, is a translation from a paper privately procured,
190
urporting to furnish information as to the nature of a despatch received
y the Provincial Government upon the same subject.
Upon the genuineness of this last paper, 1 do not venture to speak with
confidence. But founding my conclusions entirely upon the Edict (and the
authenticity of that is beyond dispute), I cannot hesitate to repeat to your
Lordship, my opinion, not only that this measure is determined, but that the
Provincial Government is actually in possession of the pleasure of the Court to
admit the opium.
The Edict insists, like the report to which it replies, on the extreme
mischief of the escape of the sycee silver, occasioned by the opium trade.
Your Lordship will not find, however, that the Edict points to any other
means of preventing that consequence, than those so urgently recommended by
the heads of the Provincial Government, namely, the removal of the prohibitions,
and the establishment of strict regulations that opium should be sold only in
barter for other merchandize.
I cannot but think that the intelligence of the legalization of this traffic
would afford His Majesty's Government great satisfaction.
The fact, that such an article should have grown to be by far the most
important part of our import trade, is of itself a source of painful reflection.
And the wide-spreading public mischief which the manner of its pursuit has
necessarily entailed, so ably and so faithfully represented in some of the papers
I have had the honour to transmit to your Lordship, aggravates the discomfort
of the whole subject.
The legalization measure would certainly be accompanied by permission to
grow and prepare the poppy for home consumption. And perhaps your
Lordship may be led to think that a gradual check to our own growth and
imports would be of salutary effect.
Gradual no doubt, it is most desirable the diminution should be, for in the
present posture of circumstances, it must be conceded, that any abrupt interrup
tion of this traffic involves very nearly a complete interruption of the whole
commerce with the country.
The importance of this branch of the trade is by no means to be estimated
solely by the very large amount to which it figures in the list of imports. A
consideration of far more moment is this, that the movement of money at
Canton has come to depend, by the force of circumstances, almost entirely
upon the deliveries of opium outside.
I need not insist upon the intense inconvenience of a disappearance of
cash from a market where eager competitors are purchasing the main body of
their returns from a close association of native dealers.
It cannot be good that the conduct of a great trade should be so dependent
upon the steady continuance of a vast prohibited traffic in an article of vicious
luxury, high in price, and liable to frequent and prodigious fluctuation. In a
mere commercial point of view, therefore, I believe it is susceptible of proof,
that the gradual diversion of British capital into other channels of employment
than this, would be attended with advantageous consequences.
The effect upon the Indian finance of its sudden cessation, could not fail
to be extremely perplexing. But I have not been a careless observer since I have
been in this country, and I hope your Lordship will let me say that there are
many cogent reasons for regretting the extent to which the Indian income is
dependent upon such a source of revenue.
The proposed measures of the Chinese Government seem to me to furnish
the best hope for our safe extrication from an unsound condition of things.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
191
Inclosure 1 in No. 93.
imperial Edict prohibiting the exportation of Silver.
Canton, February 17, 1837.
ON the 20th day of the 12th month (26 January) the Grand Council
of State received the following verbal commands from His Majesty.
A report has this day, arrived from Tang and his colleagues, presenting the Im rial Edict
result of their mutual deliberations, directed to remove the banef ul effects that
arise from opium having pervaded the country. By the prevalence of opium
throughout the empire, there has been occasioned a daily decrease of our fine siiTCi^occasionedbv
silver; being now desirous to exert ourselves entirely to stop up the source of the importation of
this evil, the only sure mode of proceeding is, utterly to prohibit the exportation opium,
of sycee silver. If by diligent and assiduous watchfulness in the places from Exportation of it
whence the silver is exported, and at those points by which it necessarily must therefore to be ut-
pass, we can deprive both the traitorous natives and the barbarians of all oppor- ter y pro 1 lt '
tunity of exercising their artful devices, it is clear that we may thus gradually
close up the breach and prevent further exportation. The said Governor and
his colleagues have been able to perceive this, and point it out in their Memorial,
Let them join heart and hand to enforce vigilant and faithful observation, to punish The Government of
all traitorous natives who combine with the foreigners in illegality, and entirely to the.Proym. hinder foreign merchants from gratifying their avaricious greediness ; and let enforce this prohi-
it be their grand object wholly to prevent the exportation of our fine silver, bition.
Their labours must be productive of some fruit, they must not attempt to
get off with mere empty words, but, having the name of exerting themselves,
they must prove the reality of their exertions. Communicate these commands
to Tang and Ke, and let them enjoin them also on Wan. Respect this.
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 2 in No. 93.
February 17, 1837.
THE following passage is translated from a paper purporting to give
information as to the nature of a despatch received by the Provincial Government
from Peking.
" A despatch from the Grand Council of State has reached Canton, to this Exportation of sil-
effect, that the exportation of sycee silver is still by law to be prohibited; that ver to be prohibited,
as to opium, the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor are directed to deliberate Importation of
with regard to a duty, to be levied on its importation. The Kwang Chow Hee °Piumtobeallowed-
is to proceed to Peking, to be presented to His Majesty. His vacancy, &c"
(The remainder of the document is a mere detail of appointments.)
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
192
No. 94.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, November 2, 1837.
I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches to the 27th of April
inclusive, which have been laid before Her Majesty's Government. ,
In your despatch of the 27th of April you detail the particulars of various com
munications which you had had with the Viceroy of Canton, with a view to the
assertion of your right to forward your communications direct to that officer in a
sealed form, and to receive those of his Excellency in a similar form, addressed
direct to yourself, and not to the Hong merchants.
Her Majesty's Government have learnt with satisfaction that you had suc
ceeded in obtaining the admission of the first of these claims, which relates to the
mode of sending in your own communications ; and I am to express to you the
approbation of your Government of the course which you pursued on this occasion.
You will not fail, on every suitable opportunity, to continue to press for the
recognition, on the part of the Chinese authorities, of your right to receive, direct
from the Viceroy, sealed communications addressed to yourself, without the
intervention of Hong merchants.
I am, &c
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
No. 95.
Viscount Palmersion to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, November 2, 1837.
I TRANSMIT to you the copy of an Instruction on the subject of our
relations with China, which has been addressed by the Lords Commis
sioners of the Admiralty to Rear Admiral Sir Frederick Maitland, Com
mander-in-chief of Her Majesty's squadron on the East India station.
You will observe that while Sir Frederick Maitland is informed that
it is desirable that one or more of the ships under his orders should, as
frequently as possible, visit the China station, and should remain there as
long as may be consistent with the demands of the service elsewhere
within his command ; he is also instructed to take the earliest convenient
opportunity of himself visiting China, in order to have a personal com
munication with you, and thus afford an opportunity for the interchange
of information between yourself and him, which in many possible future
contingencies would be highly advantageous to British interests in that
quarter.
Whenever, therefore, you shall receive from Sir|Frederick Maitland an
intimation of his arrival off the coast of China, you will, if not then residing
at Macao, lose no time in proceeding to that place, to meet and confer
with him; and in all your communications with the Rear Admiral, or with
the Commanders of any of Her Majesty's ships that may visit China, you
will be careful to conform yourself to the line of conduct prescribed in the
Instruction of which a copy is" now transmitted to you.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
193*
Inclosure in No. 95.
Viscount Palmerston to the Lords of the Admiralty.
Foreign Office, September 20, 1837.
HER Majesty's Government have had under their consideration Sir
John Barrow's letter of the 6th instant, in which, by command of your
Lordships, he incloses a copy of an article in the Instructions to the Naval
Commander-in-chief in the East Indies, upon the subject of our relations
with China, and requests to be informed whether any, and if any, what
addition or alteration should be made in that instruction ; and, also, whether
the Rear Admiral Commanding-in-chief, should not be directed to proceed
himself to Macao, to communicate with Her Majesty's Superintendent at
Canton. Her Majesty's Government having, at the same time, had under
consideration the several letters which have on various occasions been
addressed by this department to the Admiralty, upon the nature of the
protection which it would be desirable to afford to British subjects resident
in or trading to China, I have now to signify to your Lordships the Queen's
pleasure, that the existing instruction to the Commander-in-chief in the East
Indies, with respect to China, should be altogether cancelled, and that one, in
the following terms, should be substituted in its stead : —
" The trade between Great Britain and China being now by law thrown
open to all Her Majesty's subjects, instead of being confined, as formerly,
to the East India Company, the care of our commercial relations with the
Chinese Empire has, in consequence, been transferred to the Crown ; the East
India Company's establishments at Canton and Macao have been withdrawn ;
and a Queen's officer has been substituted, with the title of Superintendent and
with the duties of a Consul. It is, therefore, desirable that one or more of the
ships under your orders should, as frequently as possible, visit the China
station, and should remain there as long as may be consistent with the
demands of the service elsewhere within your command ; and whenever a
frigate can be spared for this service, a ship of that class would be preferable
to a smaller one.
" The purposes for which such ships would be stationed are : —First, to
afford protection to British interests, and to give weight to any representations
which Her Majesty's Superintendent may be under the necessity of making,
in case any of Her Majesty's subjects should have just cause of complaint
against the Chinese authorities ; and secondly, to assist the Superintendent in
maintaining order among the crews of the British merchantmen who frequent
the port of Canton.
" The officers commanding the ships of Her Majesty, which may thus
from time to time be sent to China, should be especially admonished to be
very careful that the officers and men belonging to the ship under their
command, do not in any way offend the prejudices of the Chinese people,
nor violate the laws and customs of the Chinese empire ; and upon all such
matters, as well as with respect to the places where such ships ought to lie, in
order best to be able to perform the services for which they are sent, the officers
in command should communicate frequently and confidentially with Her
Majesty's Superintendent ; remembering always, however, that unless in a case
of great emergency, when a demonstration or an actual employment of force
may be urgently and absolutely necessary for the protection of the lives
and property of British subjects, Her Majesty's ships of war are studiously
to respect the regulations of the Chinese Government as to the limits
beyond which foreign ships of war are not allowed to approach the city of
Canton.
" But it is for many reasons expedient, for the interests of Her Majesty's
service, that you should yourself take as early an opportunity as may be
194*
convenient, to have a personal communication with Her Majesty's Superin
tendent, who would meet you for that purpose at Macao ; and your visit on
that occasion should, if possible, be made in a line-of-battle ship. The
interchange of information between yourself and the Superintendent, for which
such personal communication would afford an opportunity, would, in many
possible future contingencies, be highly advantageous to British interests in that
quarter.
" You will, however, constantly bear in mind, that while, on the one
hand, it is useful that the Chinese should be aware of the nature and extent of
Her Majesty's naval power, it is, on the other hand, most important that
you should avoid any proceedings which might inspire the Chinese with an
apprehension that this naval power is likely to be employed in unprovoked
hostility against them."
In conclusion, I am to request that your Lordships will furnish me with
a copy of any instructions which you may now, or at any future time, think
proper to give to the naval Commander-in-chief in the East Indies, bearing
upon the question of our relations with China, in order that the same may, if
necessary, be transmitted to Her Majesty's Superintendent in China, for his
information and guidance.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
193
No. 96.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— {Received December 2, 1837.)
My Lord, . . Macao, March 18, 183".
A SHIP upon the point of sailing for Bengal, affords me a prospect of
communicating rapidly with your Lordship, by the means of the overland mail
of May.
I seize this opportunity to transmit the translation of an Edict, just pro
cured through a private channel, containing the Imperial pleasure, that I shall
be furnished with a passport to proceed to Canton for the performance of my
duties.
The official notification may be expected from Canton in the course of a
few days.
For the first time in the history of our intercourse with China, the prin •
ciple is most formally admitted, that an officer of a foreign Sovereign, whose
functions are purely public, should reside in a city of the empire. His Ma
jesty's Government may depend upon my constant, cautious, and earnest
efforts to improve this state of circumstances.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 1 in No. 96.
Edict of the Governor of Canton.
ON the 20th January the report was sent to the Emperor, stating that
Elliot the foreigner was to assume the management of the Merchants and
Seamen of his country. The despatch of the Privy Council, containing the
Imperial Edict, forwarded by a courier of the Military Board, arrived on the
15th March.
Governor Tang had stated, that after the dissolution of the Company, no
Taepan had yet come. In December, last year, the said nation gave a special
appointment to one of its officers to proceed to Canton, and take the general
control of the Merchants who had previously come to trade, and also of the
Seamen, &c
• Since the ships of the said nation continually arrive, there ought to be
somebody to control, and occasionally to tranquillize them.
Now, the said foreigner has received a public official commission for the
control of the Merchants and Sailors. Though his title and rank are not the
same with that of Taepan, the business of controlling does not differ.
He is, therefore, permitted, according to existing regulations, (as formerly
the Taepan,) to go up to Canton, and on his arrival at the provincial city to
manage affairs. The Hoppo is, therefore, ordered to issue a permit.
When he in future lives either at Canton, or at Macao, he ought to con
form to the old laws. He is not permitted to exceed the proper time by
loitering about, and thus to give gradually rise to irregularities.
The high officers are held responsible, and must not permit him to create
disturbances. For this purpose they ought to issue private orders to the
civilians, military officers, and Hong merchants, to inform themselves
occasionally about the true state of things, investigate and watch over him.
If the said foreigner performs his duty improperly, acts irregularly, and
combines with traiterous natives to disobey clandestinely the laws, he shall be
driven back to his country, in order to do away with the source of evil.
Let this Edict be communicated to him. Respect this.
In accordance to the Imperial Decree, this letter was forwarded.
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) Charles Gutzlaff,
Joint Interpreter.
2 C
194
No. 97.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received November 25, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, March 22, 1837.
I HAVE the honour to inform you that I have this day received the
public confirmation of the intelligence conveyed in my Despatch of the 18th
inst.; and the protracted departure of the ship which is to carry that com
munication, has enabled me to transmit the official document by the same
occasion.
This paper your Lordship will observe, involves the signification of the
Imperial pleasure to his Excellency the Governor, that I shall be furnished
with a passport to proceed to Canton, as well as His Excellency's directions to
the Hoppoto grant it to me.
The Inclosure No. 2 is my reply to his Excellency the Governor, and the
passport may be expected at Macao in the course of the ensuing week.
The immediate departure of the ship will, I trust, be my sufficient excuse
for this hurried despatch.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 1 in No. 97.
The Hoppo, communicating the Imperial Sanction for the Residence of Captain
Elliot at Canton.—Dated 18th March, 1837.
WAN, Superintendent of Maritime Customs, &c, to the Hong Mer
chants, requiring their full acquaintance herewith. The following is a com
munication which I received on the 16th instant, from his Excellency the
Governor Tang :—
" In concluding [the Governor observes] a memorial which I addressed
to the Throne, on the 20th of January, I represented to His Majesty the fact,
that the English foreigner Elliot had been appointed to take the control over
the merchants and seamen of his country. I have now, on the 14th instant,
eceived by a courier of the Board of War, a despatch from the Council of
r tate, addressed to myself, enclosing the subjoined Imperial edict of date, the
2nd of February.
" £ Imperial Edict :—Tang has represented to us, that since the dissolution
of the Company, no chief supercargo has come to Canton ; that in December
last year, the said nation gave a special appointment to one of its officers, to
proceed to Canton and take the general control of the merchants who come to
trade, and also of the seamen, &c ; that since the ships of the said nation con
tinually arrive, there ought to be some one to control them, with a view to
preserve tranquillity; and that the said foreigner having received a public offi
cial commission for the control of the merchants and seamen, although his
title be not the same as that of the chief-supercargoes hitherto sent, yet in the
duty of controling he does not differ,—It is therefore our Imperial pleasure,
that he be permitted to repair to Canton, under the existing regulations ap
plicable to chief-supercargoes, and that on his arrival at the provincial capital
he be allowed to take the management of affairs. For this purpose, the Super
intendent of Customs is hereby commanded to grant him a passport. In
future he is to reside sometimes at Macao and sometimes at Canton, conform
ing herein to the old regulations ; and he must not be permitted to exceed the
proper time, and by loitering about, gradually effect a continued residence.
The said Governor and his colleagues are hereby authorised to hold the said
foreigner responsible for the careful control of affairs, that so all disturbances
may be prevented. They should issue strict orders to all the officers, civil and
military, and to the Hong Merchants, requiring them to inform themselves
from time to time of the true state of things, and to keep a watch on the said
foreigner. If he exceed his duty and act improperly, or combining with trai
195
torous natives, seek to twist the laws to serve his private ends, he must imme
diately be driven back to his country, in order effectually to remove the source
of evil. Let this edict be communicated to Tang. Respect this.'
" I, the Governor, have, on the receipt of this edict, given my attention
to the subject, and I find, that I before sent to you a copy of my memorial.
I will now direct the financial and judicial Commissioners of this province to
issue instructions requiring obedience to this edict. I will also give strict
commands to the civil and military officers, and to the Hong Merchants, re
quiring them, from time to time, to inform themselves of the true state of
things, and to keep a watch on the said foreigner ; and if he overstep his duty
and act improperly, or combining with traitorous natives, seek to twist the
laws to serve his private ends, directing them immediately to report the facts,
and request that he be driven back to his own country ; at the same time
cautioning them not to connive in any way, lest they draw investigation upon
themselves. Besides taking these steps, it is incumbent on me to communi
cate to you the above edict, to the end that you may act in obedience to it, and
in the hope that, as soon as the said foreigner requests a passport, you will at
once give it to him according to the legal forms, at the same time directing
the Hong Merchants and linguists to enjoin upon him these commands,—■
that it is henceforth imperative on him, when coming to Canton, to manage
affairs, to conform himself to the existing regulations applicable to chief
supercargoes,—that he is to be held responsible for the careful control of
affairs,—that he must not overstep his duty and act improperly, and that, as
regards his residence, sometimes at Macao and sometimes at Canton, he must
in this also conform to the old regulations, nor can he be allowed to loiter
Deyond the proper period."
I, the Hoppo, on the receipt of the above, forthwith issue this edict.
When this reaches the said Hong Merchants, let them in obedience hereto
immediately to enjoin upon the said foreigner these commands, that it is hence
forth imperative on him, when coming to Canton, to manage affairs, to con
form himself to the existing regulations applicable to chief-supercargoes,—
that he is to be held responsible for the careful control of affairs,—that he
must not overstep his duty, and act improperly,—and that, as regards his
residence, sometimes at Canton and sometimes at Macao, he must in this
also conform himself to the old regulations, nor can he be allowed to loiter
beyond the proper period. Oppose not. A special edict.
Taoukwang, 17th year, 2d month, 12th day (18th March, 1837.)
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 2 in No. 97.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Macao, March 21, 1837.
THE Undersigned has had the honour to receive the signification of His
Imperial Majesty's most gracious commands that he should be furnished with
a passport to repair to the Provincial City and enter upon the performance
of his duties.
The Undersigned respectfully assures his Excellency, that it is at once
his duty and his anxious desire to conform in all things to the Imperial
pleasure. And he will therefore needfully attend to the points adverted to
in the papers now before him.
The Undersigned has transmitted to the senior Hong Merchant a list of
the persons attached to his suite, whose names he desires to be inserted in
his passport. And he avails himself of this occasion to offer to his Excel- »
lency the Governor, the reiterated expression of his most respectful con
sideration.
^Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
2 C 2
196
No. 98.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received November 13, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, March 29, 1837.
I HAVE the honour to acquaint your Lordship that my passport has
this day reached Macao, and I propose to embark for Canton on the 2nd
proximo, accompanied by the Second Superintendent, the Secretary, the
Interpreter Mr. Morrison, and the Assistant Surgeon.
It is not my intention to detain Mr. Johnston in Canton beyond a few
days, because the constant residence of one of the Superintendents at
Macao is necessary, for the purpose of conducting the business of British
ships and subjects without the port, and also in the event of accidents here
during my own absences at the Provincial City.
In case any casualty should happen to myself, it will be desirable, how
ever, that Mr. Johnston's position as the second person in this Commission
should have been made formally obvious to the Provincial Government, and
it is upon this ground that he will accompany me on this occasion of my
first official visit.
Mr. Colledge, the Surgeon, will remain at Macao. There are no facilities
for the convenient treatment of patients in the confined and crowded fac
tories, and therefore if any of the officers fall sick at Canton, it would
always be necessary to remove them to this place. A still more urgent
reason for leaving Mr. Colledge at Macao, is, that an extensive and highly
useful infirmary established here, in which sick seamen and other indigent
persons are received, would be deprived of the services of a medical officer
whilst this gentleman were at Canton.
I believe, my Lord, it will be immediately plain to you, that Macao is in
every respect the most suitable station for the Chapel and Clergyman in
China. It is the usual dwelling-place of all the foreign families, and a Chapel
is already rented and furnished here ; I have, therefore, requested the Rev.
Mr. Vachell to consider this place to be his permanent residence.
He will, however, visit Canton at convenient intervals and performs
divine service in the Hall of the Superintendents' Office.
Mr. Gutzlaff, the Joint Interpreter, will also remain at Macao. Pressing
occasions for the services of such an officer are frequently presenting them
selves here. In any emergency of extensive correspondence with the Pro
vincial Government, Mr. Gutzlaff will join me at Canton.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 99.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received November 13, 1837.)
My Lord, Macao, April 1, 1837.
BEFORE I proceed to Canton, I think it right to place your Lordship
in possession of my own views upon the actual posture of circumstances
connected with the public intercourse between His Majesty's Government
and this Empire.
The Imperial edict which I have had the honour to transmit, is certainly
a very formal and unequivocal recognition of my character as a British
officer, appointed by the Government of my country, to manage its public
concerns in these dominions. No attempt is made to evade the material
distinction between my own position and that of the chief servant of the
Company, or of any other foreign functionary hitherto permitted to reside
here. The understanding that I cannot engage in trade, and that my
business is purely public, is plainly expressed.
197
Upon the side of His Majesty's Government then, my Lord, it appears
to me, that no condition is wanting to give to the representations of its agent
here, a complete formal character. They are the communications of a
foreign officer recognised by the Emperor, addressed to the head of the
Provincial Government, and they reach his Excellency's hands in a sealed
shape.
As respects the communications of the Government intended for me,
the state of the case is very different. They are not addressed to me at all :
they speak of me, not to me. They are injunctions to persons with whom, in
the admission of the Emperor, I have no congeniality of pursuit, and who,
therefore, in common sense, ought to have no public relations with me.
To the extent that the employment of the Hong merchant, as a channel
for the conveyance of direct sealed communications to the Governor, commits
me to receive by the same hand direct sealed communications from the
Governor, the analogy, indeed, is a sound one, and I could offer no objection
to practice founded upon it. But the use of the Hong merchant, as a letter-
bearer to the Governor, certainly carries with it no acquiescence in the doc
trine, that the Governor's orders addressed to that individual are binding
upon me.
As it is at present, I am entitled to consider that the Governor's com
munications in respect to me reach me in the form of no more than highly
credible information. And when no public inconvenience, or grave personal
responsibility is to be incurred by shaping my proceedings upon knowledge
thus acquired, I hope your Lordship will be of opinion that I shall only
manifest a proper respect to these authorities by conforming to their under
stood wishes, notwithstanding the indirectness of their signification. But
as a constant principle, it appears to be clear that my obligations of con
formity to the pleasure of this Government, or of any notice of it, are justly
limited by the rule, that it should be directly and formally signified
to me.
It is not for me to dictate a mode of intercourse to the Chinese Govern
ment with an officer of a foreign nation—and, indeed, I have a strong
impression that events will soon open their own eyes to the unsuitableness
and inefficacy of the present course, for their own purposes.
When his Excellency finds me incommunicable upon points on which he
desires to commnicate with me, (for to receive papers addressed to the Hong
merchants, in my judgment,■ by no means eommits me to acknowledge them
in other papers, addressed to the Governor,) I imagine his Excellency will
set about to seek what these obstacles are, and how they may be conveniently
and quietly set aside.
His Excellency, it may be suggested in some such conjuncture, receives .
my communications in a sealed shape addressed directly to himself, a practice
with which I am perfectly satisfied ; and if he thinks fit to forward his ownf ,
direct to me in the same wise, I could no longer presume to question the
perfect formal sufficiency of such a manner of intercourse.
There were many subjects upon which his Excellency communicatecT
with the Hong merchants, that I could not venture publicly to notice,
except his pleasure were signified to me in a direct form, or through a
responsible officer of the empire of respectable rank specially deputed for
the purpose of carrying on the public intercourse with me. Under present
circumstances, his Excellency's views only reached my knowledge as they did
that of all foreign private individuals—that is to say, at second hand, and as
an individual, they should always have my most respectful attention. But as
an officer, my responsibility was serious, and I was precluded from dealing
with them officially, unless I had a direct public warrant for my pro
ceedings.
The Hong merchants are men unacquainted with public affairs, and
naturally swayed by their private interests, and therefore with no culpable
intentions, their liability to mistakes and misconception is considerable.
The consequences of such errors might be too fatal to permit me to waver
from my just claim to be placed in direct possession of the wishes of this
Government, whenever it was expected I should take public notice of them,
committing the public interests of my country.
198
The Emperor had already been graciously pleased to acknowledge my
official character ; and his Imperial Majesty, in his wisdom, would also
recognise the reasonableness of these objections and requests, founded upon
my duty to my own Government, and upon an anxious desire to obviate the
risk of very hazardous misunderstandings. t
With this course of representation put forward at a favourable oppor
tunity, and in the most deferential language, I see no reason to despair of
carrying the required modification in the mode of conducting my official
intercourse with the Provincial Government.
I will conclude this despatch, by observing that, in my own humble
opinion, the actual manner of communication from us to the Chinese is
sufficiently formal and complete for all our purposes. From them to us, and
for their objects, it is defective. I can assure your Lordship that this is a
condition of circumstances far less inconvenient to his Majesty's Govern
ment than to the Provincial authorities. The defect, however, is of their own
creation, and the remedy is in their own hands.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 100.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Pulmerston.—{Received October 9, 1837.)
My Lord, Canton, April 27, 1837
THE inclosed papers involve a formal declaration of considerable import
ance which we have succeeded in drawing from the Governor since our arrival
in Canton, on the 12th instant ; viz., the clear right to forward our addresses
to his Excellency in a sealed shape, and without previous communication
upon the subject of their contents to any persons whatever.
It is desirable on many accounts that the circumstances under which
this admission has been made, should be fully submitted to your Lordship's
knowledge.
A few days before my departure from Macao for Canton, I received a
letter from the Government at Singapore, acquainting me, that an English
ship from this port, bound to England, had succeeded in rescuing seventeen
Chinese from a sinking junk ; that these persons had been landed at Pulo
Aor ; that arrangements had been made with the Malay Chief there, to con
vey them to Singapore ; and finally, that they had arrived in safety at that
place.
It occurred to me that the communication of this gratifying intelligence
might be made subservient to the purpose of gradually accustoming his
Excellency, to recognise the distinction between my own station and that
of the Foreign Commercial Agents in this country. In other words, I hoped
it would ensure a courteous answer to my address officially announcing my
arrival at Canton.
With that intention, the Inclosure No. 1 was transmitted to his Excel
lency, so as to reach his hands about a day before my own arrival in Canton,
in order that there might be no time to reply to it, till the Inclosure No. 2
were already in his possession.
Several days passed without any notice of either of these Inclosures, but
on the 16th, I received a reply to the first, and in the afternoon of the 20th,
I was furnished with the Inclosure No. 4.
Your Lordship will observe from this last paper, that his Excellency had
taken offence, or, perhaps, I might more justly say, had taken alarm, at my
attempts (guarded and respectful though they were) to establish the official
character of my station.
I perceived, however, with the greatest satisfaction, that his manner of
repelling these advances had not been carefully measured, and that his
Excellency had hastily placed himself in an unsound position, which it would
have been very hazardous to maintain.
199
He is pleased to command in the Inclosure No. 4, that the merchants
must carefully pause and examine my papers before they are closed ; and,
indeed, that they are not to present them if they contain language or propo
sitions inconsistent with the dignity of this Empire. Now, in the case of
papers transmitted by the chief servants of the Company, though I am not
aware the principle had ever been formally and specifically conceded, still it
had long been practically admitted, that the merchants had no pretension to
meddle with them.
But at all events, situated as I am, the first Foreign Officer who has ever
resided in Canton under the Imperial Authority itself, I saw at once that the
Governor's attempt to press such an extreme and obsolete rule in the case of
papers coming from me, was a mistake of considerable magnitude. If the
communications were interrupted upon those grounds, it was plain that the
heaviest burden of responsibility from either Government would devolve
upon his Excellency,—not upon me.
With the conviction then, that his Excellency had been too abrupt in
this respect, and sensible of the unsuitableness of giving way upon such a
point, I sent, in the course of the afternoon of the day that the edict reached
me, for Howqua, the senior Hong merchant ; and I desired the messenger to
let him know that my business was of urgent importance, and that if he
were not with me in one hour, it would be unnecessary to give himself the
trouble to come at all. That my communication should be conveyed to his
Excellency through another channel, and I would leave Canton in a few
hours.
Your Lordship is probably aware that this very remarkable man, has for
many years been the senior Hong merchant, and, indeed, the adviser and
main agent of the Government, in all its public concerns with the foreigners.
He had not visited me since my arrival in Canton, neither had I thought
it desirable to encourage him to do so, or to hold any intercourse whatever
with the Hong merchants.
Within the time fixed, Howqua came to me in the Hall, and I told him
civilly, that I did not dare to accept such an edict as he had that day forwarded
to me, and that I should therefore return it to him immediately.
He entreated me not to pursue any instant course of that kind, and
begged with the most marked and painful anxiety that I would explain to
him the particular grounds upon which I objected to receive this paper.
I assured him that it was far from my wish to involve him in any difficul
ties with his own Govenment ; and in order to save him harmless as much as
in me lay, I would detain the edict till the day after the next, at eleven o'clock,
when he would be so good as to return to me again and receive it, as well as
a written declaration explanatory of my reasons for declining to take it, and
of the other steps which his Excellency's proceedings had forced upon me.
On the 22nd instant, at eleven o'clock, Howqua came to me again, and
I then signed the Inclosure No. 5, in his presence, and delivered it to him,
together with the Governor's edict No. 4.
I announced to him also, that I did not in the least desire to hurry his
Excellency, but if this matter were not satisfactorily adjusted by the 26th
instant, at twelve o'clock at night, I should leave Canton.
It was possible it might be thought desirable that I should go down inside,
(that is to say, by the passage, requiring a Passport.) I, therefore, told
Howqua it should not be refused if one were sent to me ; but it must be
understood that I was content with the outer passage, and would by no means
ask for a Passport, or wait beyond the fixed time. He requested me, how
ever, so earnestly to stay two days longer, that I deferred the period of my
contigent departure till the 28th instant, at midnight.
In the course of these visits I studiously abstained from acceding to
Howqua's eager desire, that I would propose some modification for the Gover
nor's consideration. But in my mind, there is always considerable advantage
in leaving as much as possible to the Chinese authorities, the unaided task of
devising practicable modes of escape from complications which they have
themselves created. It appears to be better to say what cannot be done, than
what can ; for, to furnish them with schemes will, generally speaking, be to
•
f
200
provide them with the means of detecting what is particularly wanted, and
with the manner of most adroitly baffling such objects.
To all the attempts of Howqua, therefore, to discover what would best
answer my own purposes, I thought it safest to reply, that the Governor was
a high and a wise officer, and that it was not for me to presume to suggest any
course of action for his Excellency's adoption.
My own humble duty was fulfilled, when I had explained to him what I
could not do.
In the course of the 24th instant, Howqua came to me and said, that the
Governor had declared it was wholly out of his power to communicate with
me directly. But his Excellency admitted that my objections were well
founded, to any intervention of the merchants, in respect to my papers, except
only to convey them to him, closed up. And he was, therefore, willing to
forward me an edict, clearly conceding my right always to communicate
directly with him, under sealed covers.
His Excellency, too, seeing that I was an officer, would address his
replies, intended for me, to the three senior Hong merchants, who held
honorary official rank, and not to the whole Co-Hong.
Howqua desired to know whether I could accept of this modification.
I replied, it must depend entirely upon the language in which an edict,
containing such conditions, were couched. If that were in the least degree
disrespectful to my Government, or at all equivocal upon the point of my right
to direct sealed communications with his Excellency, it should be returned,
and I would leave Canton.
Late in the night, on the 25th instant, the Inclosure No. 6 was brought
to me, and, under all the circumstances cf the case, I have determined not to
reject these overtures. But it is my purpose to reply in terms which will leave
the determination of the direct intercourse from his Excellency to myself, an
open point, and subject to the further instructions of my own Government.
Upon the whole, I trust that this course will not incur your Lordship's
disapprobation. The very grave responsibility of the high functionaries of
this despotic Government, is a consideration that I am sure your Lordship
will not wish should be lightly estimated by a person in my station. And
though I felt it right to attempt the concession of the direct intercourse from
the Governor on this occasion, the result has certainly not deceived me. Neither
can I doubt that an obstinate adherence to the demand would have ended in
disappointment, and probably in considerable public inconvenience.
Most peculiarly, my Lord, is every subject connected with the official
intercourse with British functionaries, a source of the keenest watchfulness ;
and concessions, of which this suspicious Court could not easily be made to
perceive the immediate necessity, would be almost certain to draw down most
serious consequences upon the head of that functionary by whom they were
made.
I felt, then, that further attempts of this kind in the early stages of my
career, had better be avoided. They would, possibly, drive his Excellency into
a perverse mood, compounded of well-founded dread of his own Government,—
of groundless suspicions of His Majesty's,—of national conceit, of extravagant
official assumption ; and it may very well be of some needful deference to the
prejudices of his own countrymen. A condition of temper, in short, calculated
to provoke a refusal of all reasonable terms of accommodation,and, therefore,
of all hope of quietly accomplishing further concessions.
It was to be borne in mind, that if his Excellency had hurried into a false
position, he had not been slow to escape from it, and the unusually moderate
tone of his last edict, (No. 6,) might have made it easy to remove all imputa
tion of unreasonable impracticability from himself upon me. I believe, my
Lord, I may say of that paper, that it is the most courteous in point of
language, and the most yielding in substance, which has ever fallen from the
Provincial Government upon the subject of official communication. For
example, in the case of a letter from the Governor- General of India, delivered
by Captain Freemantle, in the year 1831, it was found impossible to induce the
Tsng-tuh to return a direct answer, or to notice it in any other way, than
through the ordinary means of an edict, addressed to the Hong merchants, for
communication to the select committee.
201
There remained for me to weigh the great usefulness of continued
responsible communications, the propriety of leaving to his Majesty's Govern
ment, as much as possible, the disposal of all points which may arise, involving
any interruption of them,—the desirableness of refraining from an early ex
citement of his Excellency's suspicion or disinclinatiou towards me, and the
advantages of proving that our objects are moderate, by a prompt acceptance
of temperate concessions.
I anxiously hope, my Lord, that these considerations will be thought to
be of sufficient force to justify the conduct I have pursued, and that it will not
be displeasing to his Majesty's Government.
Less of firmness in the first stage of this: affair might have subjected me
to continued indignity, and continued invasion of recognised practice ;—an
obstinate adherence to the new proposition might have deprived His Majesty's
Government of natural means to advance, and a favourable state of circum
stances for the peaceful attainment of far more useful concessions than any
that I can hope to secure without further countenance or interposition from
England.
It is satisfactory to me to add, that Mr. Johnston has fully coincided
with me throughout this transaction.
I have &c
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT.
P. S.—The protracted departure of the ship which carries this despatch
enables me to transmit a copy of the note I have addressed to the Governor,
in reply to his last edict.
Inclosure 1 in No. 100.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Macao, April 8, 1837.
THE Undersigned has the honour to acquaint your Excellency, that he
has received despatches from the Government of Singapore, informing him
that seventeen natives of China had arrived there in January last, from a
place called Pulo Aor.
The chief of these persons represents, that he is an officer of this Empire,
and that the vessel in which they were embarked was carrying grain from one
port to another, when she was overtaken by a violent tempest, and blown off
the coast.
The vessel was reduced to a condition of extreme peril in the high seas,
and six of the unfortunate men has already sunk under the effect of cold and
privation, when the English ship of Moncrieff bound from Canton to England,
came up with her.
This Commander with becoming humanity took the people out of the
wreck under circumstances of great difficulty, and left them at Pulo Aor,
having made arrangements with the native Chief there, to convey them to
Singapore.
It is a pleasing duty to the Undersigned on this occasion to acknowledge
in grateful terms, the many acts of kindness which his own shipwrecked
countrymen have experienced on the coast of China.
The interchange of these charities cannot fail to strengthen the bonds of
peace and good-will between the two nations.
The Undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to your Excel
lency the sentiments of his high respect.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
2 D
202
Inclosure 2 in No. 101.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, April 12, 1837
THE Undersigned has the honour to announce to your Excellency his ar
rival at Canton, for the performance of his public duties agreeably to the au
thority contained in an Imperial edict.
The Undersigned takes the liberty respectfully to observe to your Excel
lency that it is customary for officers of his nation, on their arrival in the chief
city of the country where they are to perform their official duties, to propose
to have the honour of paying their personal respects to the chief authority.
The Undersigned believes this practice is also consonant with the customs
of this Empire, and it will afford him great satisfaction to offer such a proof
of respect whenever your Excellency shall think fit to receive him and his
suite.
The Undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to renew to your Ex
cellency the sentiments of his high respect.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 3 in No. 100.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
TANG, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, issues this order to
the senior Hong Merchants, requiring their full acquaintance therewith.
On the 12th instant the English Superintendent of British m reliant s
trading in China, Elliot, presented the following address :—
[Here is inserted the foregoing Document.]
This coming before me, the Governor, I have examined it, and find, that
certain natives of China—military officers, soldiers, passengers, and seamen,
proceeding from Formosa, encountered off the Pescador Islands a tempest,
which drove them to the English island of Pulo Aor ; that a vessel of the
said nation, commanded by Moncrieff, saved seventeen persons, and delivered
them over to the foreign chief at Singapore, by whom information thereof has
been sent to the said Superintendent, and he has reported the same. The
dutifulness herein manifested is worthy of commendation.
I have not, however, as yet received from the Government of Fuhkeen
any communication respecting the loss of any rice-laden Government vessel
in consequence of storms on the voyage from Formosa. But, having received
the preceding report, I have directed the financial Commissioner of this province
to send a statement to the above effect to the Governor of Fuhkeen and Che-
keang, requesting him to examine respecting the facts, and write me in answer.
And when the said shipwrecked officers, soldiers, and people are sent back to
Canton from the said nation, I will direct my subordinate officers to send
them on, according to law, to Fuhkeen. I further issue this order on the sub
ject. When it reaches the said Hong Merchants, let them immediately enjoin
t on the said Superintendent, that he knowing it may act accordingly. Op
pose not. This is the order.
Taoukwang, 1 7th year, 3d month, 9th day (April 13th, 1837.)
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 4 in No. 100.
Edict of the Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
April 19, 1837.
TANG, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, &c, issues this order,
requiring obedience.
203
On the 12th instant, the English Superintendent Elliot reported, that a
vessel, with officers and people of Formosa, having encountered a gale off the
Pescador Islands, was driven to Pulo Aor, within the dominions of the said
nation ; that the persons on board were rescued ; and that the foreign chief
at Singapore had informed the said Superintendent of the circumstance, in
order that he might report the same. On the receipt of this report, I, the
Governor, communicated the subject in the proper quarters, and also com
manded the senior Hong Merchants to enjoin orders on the said Superintend
ent, that he knowing the same, might act accordingly.
But for all—for those without as well as those within the pale of the Em
pire— there are rules and bonds of action, styles and modes of expression, be
coming that dignity which has so long been respected. To the renovating
principles for so long a period emanating from our Empire, the barbarians on
every side have submitted themselves. They have tendered to the Celestial
Empire their respectful services, and this Empire stands in truth at the head
of the lands at its remotest borders, in no other character than that, of a ruler
amid ministering servants. As to foreign merchants, permission is granted
them to trade and to export, and thus is bestowed on them the means of ob
taining profit. And in regard to those in distress, they are rescued from their
distresses, and with needful gifts are sent back. These things arise solely
from the all-pervading goodness, and cherishing kindness of the Great Em
peror, M'hose favours are constant and universal. Between him and the small,
the petty, how can there exist anything like " bonds of peace and good-will ?"
The said Superintendent, in his address on this occasion, has failed alto
gether to conform himself to the old rules, has omitted the respectful expres
sion, "Celestial Empire," and has absurdly used such words and expressions
as " Your honourable country," and " peace and good-will between the two
nations," giving utterance to his own puffed-up imaginations. Not only is
this offensive to the dignity to be maintained, but also the ideas therein ex
pressed are absurd and ridiculous. At the time, I, the Governor, on account
of the dutiful nature of the thing reported, and because the said Superintend
ent, having but newly come to Canton, is perhaps uninformed on many mat
ters, viewed his address indulgently and in a partial light, and manifested
vastness of liberality. Therefore I refrained from plainly correcting him, and
from casting back to him his address. But the said Superintendent having
come to Canton for the purpose of controlling the merchants and seamen, he
cannot avoid having from time to time addresses to make. And if not fore
warned, it will be impossible to insure that he will not, by continued ignorance
and blindness, fall into some grave error. This then would not be the way to
preserve uninjured the concerns of the foreigners.
I therefore issue this order to the senior Hong merchants, requiring them
immediately to enjoin it on the said Superintendent Elliot, that he may act in
obedience to it. In whatever addresses he may have to present, he is abso
lutely required to conform implicitly to all that is called for by the dignity of
the Celestial Empire. He must be careful to render his expressions thoroughly
respectful, in order that appropriate commands may be given in reply. Let
him not again step into any path opposed to the dignity of the Empire, and so
tread in a course of still greater error.
The senior Hong merchants, whenever the said Superintendent, or a
foreign merchant of any nation, presents an address on any subject, are re
quired to give it a previous close and careful perusal, and if there be in it any
thing, as in this instance, inconsistent with the perfect dignity to be main
tained, or any similar loose and crude phraseology, they are immediately to
send back the address they must not have the audacity to present it for
the party, by doing which they will involve themselves with such party in a
severe investigation.
I, the Governor, having spoken, the law shall follow up what I say. Let
all then listen with trembling attention. Oppose not these commands.
Taoukwang, 17th year, 3d month, loth day (April 19th, 1837.)
Trae-slated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
2 D 2
204
Inclosure 5 in No. 100.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, April 22, 1837.
ON the 20th instant, the Undersigned, &c, &c, received a communica
tion from the Hong merchants, concerning an edict from the Governor,
addressed to them, dated on the 19th instant.
In his Excellency's edict to the Hong merchants, he is pleased to com
mand the senior of their body to give all the addresses, which it may be the
duty of the Undersigned to submit, a close and careful perusal, before they
present them to his Excellency. And if they shall not approve of the
language, not to dare to present "them, but immediately to send them back.
The Undersigned cannot presume to question the perfect authority of his
Excellency to issue any orders, couched in any terms which he may think fit,
to the Hong merchants.
But the Undersigned is a Foreign Officer, and not a merchant, and he
must take the liberty respectfully to declare, that it is impossible for him to
submit his addresses to the Governor, to the knowledge or approbation of
the Hong merchants, before they are forwarded.
In the present posture of circumstances, therefore, the Undersigned must
cease to forward any further addresses to his Excellency. And it is at the
same time his duty to add, that in future he can only receive such official
communications, sealed with his Excellency's seal, as his Excellency shall be
! pleased to address directly to himself, and not to the Hong merchants.
To direct sealed communications from that high quarter, it must always
be the duty and the earnest effort of the Undersigned, to give the most
respectful and zealous attention.
The terms of his Excellency's last edict to the Hong merchants, and the
instructions which the Undersigned has now received from his own Govern
ment, constrain him to say, that he cannot deviate from his present determi
nation, without drawing down certain ruin upon his own head.
The exalted public station of his Excellency, and his experience in
affairs, render it needless for the Undersigned to press upon the rule, that an
officer's obligations of duty to his own Government are sacred, and must be
fulfilled.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT
Inclosure 6 in No. 100.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
TANG, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, in reference to a
matter that has been submitted.
On the 23rd of April, the Hong merchants presented the following
address :—
" The English Superintendent Elliot, has handed to us the subjoined paper
[Here is inserted the foregoing Document], and has requested us to repre
sent for him the above particulars. As behoves us, we forthwith submit for
him the above particulars, humbly awaiting your Excellency's commands,
which shall be fully obeyed."
Upon the receipt of this, I the Governor have examined into the matter
referred to. I find that the said Superintendent, having newly come to
Canton, and being in consequence unacquainted with the rules of dignity in
the Celestial Empire, made use, in his former address, of expressions not
altogether proper ; which led me, the Governor, to send to him commands of
a special nature, making known to him the prohibitions and requirements,
and thus preserving him from error.
205
Now the above representation having been laid before me by the said
merchants, I perceive that the said Superintendent is able to understand the
duties of faithfulness and respectful attention, and that he will not indulge
the slightest desire to act contrary to the requirements of dignity ; that he is
indeed dutifully disposed. Hereafter, whenever he may have occasion to
address me on any subject, the said Superintendent is permitted to seal
his addresses, and so deliver them to the senior merchants, Woo
Shaoyung, Loo Kekwang, and Pwan Shaokwang [Howqua, Mowqua, and
Poukequa], to present for him. As regards the subject matter of his
addresses, and the nature of the expressions adopted, it will not be difficult
for me the Governor, myself to distinguish them, and act in reference to
them. But with respect to commands issued by me, the Governor, to
the foreigners from without the Empire, requiring their obedience in any
matter, the established rule of the Celestial Empire is, always to address
thern to the said senior Hong merchants, to be enjoined by them ; and this
rule it is inexpedient to alter.
On a review of the particulars contained in the above address, I forth
with issue this order. When it reaches the said senior merchants, let them
immediately enjoin it on the said Superintendent, that he, having knowledge
thereof, may act accordingly. Oppose not these commands.
Taoukwang, 17th year, 3rd month, 21st day (April 25th, 1837).
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 7 in No. 100.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, April 27, 1&37.
THE Undersigned, &c, &c, has had the honour to receive an edict from
your Excellency, addressed to the three senior Hong Merchants, dated on the
25th instant, for communication to him.
He begs to offer your Excellency his respectful thanks for the commands
that his addresses shall always be transmitted to your Excellency's hands, by
the three senior Hong Merchants, in a sealed form.
Your Excellency, however, an illustrious officer in a very high station, has
been pleased to signify that the customs of the empire prevent a direct com
munication of your commands to the Undersigned.
Under these circumstances, he has bent his most earnest attention to the
course which it becomes him to pursue. And he is humbly of opinion, that
he shall best evince his profound respect for the rules of this empire, by con
tinuing to carry on the communications in the manner prescribed by your
Excellency, until he can receive the further commands of his own Government.
The Undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to your Ex
cellency the sentiments of his highest consideration.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
206
No. 101.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston. —(Received February 2, 1838.)
My Lord, ■ Canton, May 24, 1837.
IN connexion with the subject of my Despatch of the 27th ult., I have
now the honour to transmit an Edict from the Governor of the Two Provinces in
reply to the note, Inclosure No. 7 of that communication.
His Excellency's declaration of the hopelessness of further change in this
respect is principally of importance as a record, that he clearly apprehends the
temporary conditions upon which the actual intercourse is maintained.
But, my Lord, whilst there is very little doubt that His Majesty's Govern
ment might find it practicable to carry the required modification without an
absolute rupture, still it is to be considered that, to this Government, and in
this state of society, ceremonious customs are probably grave realities, the poli
tical moment of which we are unable to estimate. At all events, it is certain
that this point is not to be attained by formal concession without inducing senti
ments of great mortification ; and the first occasion of direct intercourse would
possibly furnish unpalatable proof that idle pretensions of superiority had only
been offensively exaggerated by irritated feeling.
Upon the whole, perhaps, your Lordship may be led to think that there
can be no advantage in wringing a change of practice in this respect from the
Chinese Government. And I would submit that, if the actual manner of the
intercourse, (direct with the Governor—indirect from him,) be not best suited
to the condition of circumstances in this country, at least, its further modifica
tion had better be left to time and favourable opportunities.
The speediest possible extension of commercial relations with China, which
may be consistent with the uninterrupted maintenance of the existing trade,
must no doubt be a subject of great interest to His Majesty's Government.
In the furtherance of that end, I would presume to say, that some
degree of watchful countenance and support in our neighbourhood is of
primary importance ; but, on the other hand, I am sure the King's officers upon
the spot can hardly be too strictly instructed to avoid the needless agitation of
points of form, and to use the utmost diligence in the conciliation both of the
authorities and the people.
Your Lordship may be assured, that a main obstacle to the freer intercourse
between the high provincial functionaries and the foreigners has hitherto been
some strong feeling of apprehension, upon the part of these officers, that it
exposed them to considerable risk of insult in the sight of their own people.
But in the state of things I advert to, anxious to inquire and observe, and
without apprehension of contumelious treatment, I believe they would soon
draw towards us in a tractable spirit; and I see no reason to doubt, that the
progress of improvement would be at once rapid and safe.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure in No. 101.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Jlferchants.
TANG, Governor of the two Provinces, &c, issues these commands to the
senior Hong merchants, requiring their full acquaintance therewith.
On the 29th of April, the following address from the English Superin
tendent Elliot was laid before me.
[Here is inserted Captain Elliot's Address to the Governor, of April 27, 1837.]
This address coming before me, I the Governor have perused the docu
ment, and fully informed myself of its contents.
As to my commands, which I the Governor may have to give, such com
mands have hitherto been enjoined and inculcated through the medium of the
207
senior Hong merchants. This concerns the settled dignity of the Celestial
Empire; and the said nation, in its up-gazing contemplation of the majesty and
benignity of the empire, will assuredly indulge no foolish expectations of change.
Let obedience be at once paid in this matter, as is agreeable to the duty of the
said Superintendent's office.
The above address being fully authenticated, I forthwith issue these com
mands to the said senior Hong merchants, Howqua and Mowqua. Let them
immediately enjoin the commands on the said Superintendent, that he, knowing
the same, may act accordingly. Oppose not these commands.
Taoukwang, 17th year, 3rd month, 27th day (1st May, 1837,)
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
No. 102.
Captain Elliot to John Backhouse, Esq.—(Received February 2, 1838.)
Sir, Canton, June 2, 1837.
IT had always been the custom that the chief servants of the Company
should remove to Macao upon a passport during the inactive season of the year.
And when the arrangements were made, in consequence of which I am now at
Canton, it was agreed that I should conform in this respect to the old practice.
I was sensible, however, at the time, that if any sudden emergency should
present itself during the period of the annual retirement at Macao, there was
considerable inconvenience in being obliged to wait till a passport could be for
warded from Canton, and I could proceed up in the regular manner by the
inner passage. Such a necessity would usually entail a delay of at least
ten days.
But I was apprehensive, that if this point had been pressed at that moment,
I should awaken the suspicions of the Government, and risk the success of
the main object in view. And it seemed, too, that there would be no great
difficulty in placing this and other matters on a better footing, when the early
temper of watchfulness had in some degree subsided.
After I had been, then, about three weeks in Canton, I thought it would be
judicious to anticipate any disquietude, upon the part of the Governor, as to my
disposition, in his own language, to sit fast, by applying at once for a passport to
retire to Macao ; a course which was the more natural, as the usual period for
departure had already passed. I left Canton, however, with the purpose to seize
the first favourable occasion for a return by the outer passage.
In a few days there reached me a communication from a Commander of
a ship at Whampoa, complaining that his seamen were disorderly : and per
ceiving that this was a description of case which might be made to sustain the
application I meditated, I lost no time in coming up to Canton in the cutter.
It may be proper to add that she had not passed the Bocca Tigris since the
events in 1834.
The Inclosures No. 1 and 2 will place you in possession of the very satis
factory results to which these proceedings have led.
His Excellency's Edict, you will permit me to observe, is very deserving of
attention. It formally places me on a different footing from any foreigner who
has ever yet resided in this country, and the concession is vindicated by the
adoption of my own reasoning ; by the plain admission, in fact, that the
unmixed official character of my station warrants and requires the relaxation.
It i* valuable too, in other respects, for though it is not impossible that I
might have come up and remained here for a season, during the period of the
customary retirement at Macao, without interference upon the part of the
Government, still I am sure it will be telt that my unauthorized presence at
Canton would have been an unsuitable state of things.
In concluding this despatch 1 venture to offer my humble opinion ("strength
ening by every day's experience in the country,) that there is an increasing
208
disposition upon the part of the Chinese Government to concilitate that of his
Majesty. And I hope it will be thought that my own measures and respectful
approaches have, in some sense, served to encourage this spirit of accommodation.
• I have &c
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 1 in No. 102.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, May 25, 1837.
THE Undersigned has the honour respectfully to represent to your Excel
lency that sudden and urgent occasions for his immediate presence in the pro
vincial city frequently occur, during the period of his customary annual retire
ment at Macao, both for the dispatch of public business and the quelling of
disturbances on board the English shipping at Whampoa.
The delay at Macao till a chop can be forwarded is often very considerable,
and in most cases at least ten days would elapse before the undersigned could
arrive at Canton.
The risk and the inconvenience of this state of things will be plain to your
Excellency, and the Undersigned therefore takes the liberty earnestly to request
that your Excellency, bearing in mind that he is an officer, and not a merchant,
will be pleased to permit him to repair to Canton in his own boat whenever
these sudden necessities present themselves. He would not fail to report the
period of his arrival and departure.
This facility for the performance of his duties would be very acceptable to
the Government of his country, and it would afford another proof of the con
siderate wisdom which has always distinguished your Excellency's administration.
The Undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to your Excellency
the sentiments of his highest consideration.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 2 in No. 102
The Governor of Canton to Captain Elliot.
TANG, Governor of the provinces Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, &c,
issues these commands to the senior Hong merchants, requiring them to be fully
iuformed thereon.
The English Superintendent Elliot has presented the following address :
[Here is inserted the foregoing document.]
This having been received and authenticated, I the Governor have
examined the subject. The said Superintendent's official duties consisting in the
particular control of the merchants and seamen, it is of course right that, when
ever any troubles arise among these classes, he should immediately proceed
faithfully to investigate and settle them. The said Superintendent's present repre
sentation, " that if, during the period of his stay at Macao he should have affairs
to attend to at Canton or Whampoa, he fears that to be required always to wait
till his application for a passport is answered will be productive of injurious
delays," is a correct statement of the matter, and it is my duty to permit him
from time to time, as business may occur, to come up and go down in an
European boat, not making it necessary to apply for a passport.
On every occasion before the said Superintendent leaves Macao, and after he
returns, it will be his duty to report clearly to the sub-prefect at Macao the cir
cumstance and the time, in order that that officer may report the same to myself
and the Superintendent of Maritime Customs, severally, for the sake of thorough
precision.
Besides communicating to the Superintendent of Maritime Customs the
matter of the above address, I also forthwith issue these commands to the said
209
senior Hong merchants, Howqua, Mowqua, and Ponkequa, that they may
immediately enjoin them on the said Superintendent, to be obeyed by him. But
he must keep his station, and diligently attend to his official duties. I, the
Governor, rule affairs with justice, and firmly maintain the laws, nor in the
managemement of public business can I allow of any false pretences. Let him,
on no account presume, when without business, to frame pretexts for moving,
lest he draw on himself investigation. This is important. Be carefully atten
tive. These are my commands.
Taoukwang, 17th year, 4th month, 28th day (1st June, 1837.)
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robert Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
No. 103.
Captain Elliot to John Backhouse, Esq.— ( Received February 1, 1838.J
Extract. Macao, July 3, 1837.
AN eligible mode of disposing of them [some shipwrecked natives of
Japan,~\ has, however, presented itself, of which I have gladly availed myself.
Mr. Gutzlaff informs me that an American vessel is about to proceed from
hence on a voyage of investigation to the Loochoo's, the Corean Peninsula, and
the Coasts of Japan ; and he has requested my leave to join this expedition. A
passage has also been offered for the Japanese under our care, and it may be
proper to add, that several other shipwrecked natives of that Country, lately
arrived here from Manilla, are to proceed by the same opportunity.
The Inclosure No. 3, is a Letter to the Honourable the Vice-Admiral
Commanding in Chief, covering a Communication to Captain Quin, of His
Majesty's Sloop Raleigh, and these papers will make you acquainted with the
nature of the Service upon which that vessel is actual y employed.
They will also explain that Captain Quin has undertaken to forward my
views with respect to the Japanese by calling at Napakiang, in the Great
Loochoo, on his way to the Bonin Islands, for the purpose of enabling
Mr. Gutzlaff to meet the American vessel.
The Inclosure No. 4, is a Letter I have addressed to Mr. Gutzlaff, with
respect to the disposal of the Japanese.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 103.
Mr. Gutzlaff to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Macao, June 20, 1837
MR. King, an American merchant resident at Canton, has requested me to
go on board one of his vessels, which is to visit Japan and the adjacent
Countries in order to act as Interpreter. As this will likely prove a very
interesting voyage and may be the means of gaining important information
about those unknown regions, I take the liberty of asking leave in order to
accompany this expedition. I shall be happy to communicate to you the result
of our investigation and researches, and humbly trust that you will kindly grant
me leave of absence, whilst
I remain, &c,
(Signed) CH. GUTZLAFF.
2 E
Inctosure 2 in No. 103.
Captain Elliot to Mr. Gutzlaff.
Sir, Macao, June 21, 1837.
MY letter of this day's date to Captain Quin, of His Majesty's Ship
Raleigh, which has been communicated to you, will have placed you in
possession of the nature and objects of the duty I have now to impose upon you.
Conscious of your talents, and attainments, and relying with great
confidence upon your zealous desire to apply them to the Public Service, I am
relieved of all necessity of furnishing you with detailed Instructions.
After the completion of this service, I feel myself called upon to grant you
the leave of absence you have requested, and Captain Quin has been so good as
to undertake to convey you to Napakiang for the purpose of meeting the vessel
on which you propose to embark.
A separate letter upon the subject of the Japanese fishermen entrusted to
your care shall be addressed to you.
I am to request you will keep a minute of any conferences in which you
may be engaged with the Mandarins in Fuhkeen, or with the Authorities at the
Loochoo's. And I would also hope that you will note for the information of
his Majesty's Government any circumstances of general interest connected
with the condition of the Countries which you may chance to visit during
your absence.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 3 in No. 103.
Captain Elliot to Vice-Admiral Sir T. Bladen Capel.
Sir, Macao, June 26, 1837.
AN opportunity for Madras affords me an occasion to acknowledge the
honour of your Despatch of the 3rd May, this day received.
I now beg leave to acquaint you that His Majesty's Sloop Raleigh sailed on
the 23rd instant, in prosecution of a service explained in the accompanying
papers, and I trust it will appear to you that it is of a character which I might
properly solicit Captain Quin to perform.
It is necessary to explain the purpose of requesting Captain Quin to call
at Napakiang.
I have lately received directions from His Majesty's Government to let
three shipwrecked Japanese fishermen, who have long been supported at the
charge of the Establishment, return to their own country in a Chinese junk ;
but upon full inquiry, I find it impossible to carry those Instructions into effect ;
so great is the uneasiness of the Chinese Traders resorting to Japan as to the
excitement of suspicious irritation in that Country ; and there is no trade
between China and Japan in Japanese junks.
Between Napakiang and Japan, however, there is a considerable trade
carried on in Japanese junks. And before the arrival of the Raleigh, the
Reverend Mr. Gutzlaff, Joint Interpreter on this Establishment, has requested
my leave to join an American vessel proceeding from here on a voyage of
scientific research to the Loochoo's, the Corean Peninsula, and probably to the
Coasts of Japan.
The parties concerned had also offered me a passage for the Japanese ; and
my principal motive in acceding to Mr. Gutzlaff 's request arose from the
consideration that this project afforded the most hopeful opportunity of
restoring the people to their own Country.
Considering it possible that they might be subject to strict investigation on
their arrival in Japan, I thought it desirable that they should have had no
connexion with a ship of war, and they will therefore proceed from hence to
241
Napakiang in the course of a few days on board an American vessel. For
the obliging purpose of enabling Mr. Gutzlaff to meet her. Captain
Quin has undertaken to call there on his voyage to the Bonin Islands :
and M. Gutzlaff will then dispose of the people, either by sending them on in
a Japanese junk, or if no opportunity of that kind should present itself, he
proposes to accompany them in the American vessel.
You may be assured, Sir, that I am sensible of the extreme impropriety
of committing His Majesty's Government in any appearance of countenancing the
illicit traffic on these Coasts ; and I shall carefully abstain from moving the
Commander of any Ship of War who may be placed in communication with me
to take any step with that purpose, or which could possibly bear such a
construction. v
But in the critical posture of the Opium question, and having regard to its
intimate connexion with the safe conduct of the whole commerce, I hope you
will consider that I was justified in soliciting the presence of a man-of-war in
these seas. I am sincerely impressed with a belief that such a circumstance
will go far to prevent the occurrence of mischief, which would press in a very
serious manner on all branches of this trade.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Sub-Inclosure in No. 103.
Captain Elliot to Captain Quin, R.N.
Sir, Macao, June 21, 1837.
THE disclosures which took place at Manila during your last visit at that
port, have made you acquainted with all that is yet known of the disastrous fate
of the late brig Fairy. And our recent conversation will have apprised you that
fourteen Lascars landed upon the coasts of Fuhkeen, but the piratical part of
the crew are still said to be detained in Foo-chow-foo, the capital of that
province.
From all the inquiry I have been able to make, I am led to conclude that
these men are kept by the Provincial Government of Fuhkeen, in consequence
of a difficulty to understand, or to credit the circumstances under which they
landed ; and probably pending further instructions from the Court for their
removal to this place.
It appears to me, however, that if an application were made by you at the
mouth of the Min River, the doubts and delays of the Government of Fuhkeen
would give way ; and at all events, if the people were not at once delivered to
you, this proceeding would, in my judgment, accelerate their dispatch to this
place by other means.
With that impression, I have taken the liberty to propose this service ; and
in conformity with your wishes, I now submit the mode by which it occurs to
me it may be best executed.
I would suggest that you should proceed to the mouth of the Min River,
upon which the city of Foo-chow-foo is situated, taking with you the Rev. Mr.
Gutzlaff, joint interpreter to this establishment. That upon your arrival at that
destination, you should hand to the Commander of any man-of-war junk, or
other servant of the Government who may wait upon you, the accompanying
paper, Inclosure No. 1 ; and that your address to the Governor should be placed
in the hands of any officer who may be deputed to receive it.
His Excellency will probably meet these advances with a declaration that
the people are safe ; that it is not in his power to deliver them to you ; that they
shall be dispatched to Canton forthwith ; and finally, with a request that you
should leave the coast immediately.
To a communication of this nature, I would advise that you should reply
in the most conciliatory terms, signifying your indisposition to press any
arrangements to which you were informed his Excellency could not accede, and
2 E2
212
expressive of your entire confidence in his assurance of the safety of the people.
If this communication from the Governor should be made verbally, that is to
say, through an officer deputed to confer with you, as indeed it is probable it
will, I would submit that you should request this functionary to commit the
subject matter to writing, remarking, that you were ready to leave the coast as
soon as that was done.
At this point of my letter, it is proper to observe to you, that I am without
any uneasiness as to the safety of the people ; but independently of hastening
onwards the period of their release into our hands, this service appears to be
calculated to help the uninterrupted progress of gradual relaxation at this place.
I believe that no circumstance would more impressively fix upon the local
Government of these Provinces the necessity of great moderation and circum
spection in respect to the treatment of foreigners, than the successful result of
quiet official application by an Officer of the King at some other point than
Canton ; and more particularly at the chief city of the neighbouring Province
of Fuhkeen, where it is known that the monopoly of the foreign trade at Canton
is a subject of great jealousy.
The appearance of considerable eagerness for an early reply to your address,
upon the ground that you were anxious to leave the coast, would probably
remove all uneasiness about your intentions, and expedite a satisfactory and
courteous answer. And I would beg you to bear in mind, that having effected
a communication upon just pretexts, aud in a deferential manner, you will have
accomplished what appears to be the principal object of your mission ; for, as
has already been observed, there is no reason for solicitude as to the safety of the
people.
Your former experience in this country, the cautious character of your
instructions from the Commander-in-Chief, and your own sound judgment,
would make it intrusive upon my part to do more than mention the necessity of
extreme care in refraining from any proceedings likely to excite the suspicions
of the Fuhkeen authorities, and of earnest efforts to conciliate their good will.
But being upon this topic, I would presume to say that it would be well to avoid
those parts of the coast upon which the Opium ships are usually anchored,
neither would it be desirable that the ship should pass above the forts at the
entrance of the Min.
I have judged it best that the communications with the Government of
Fuhkeen should be carried on in your name, rather than my own, because my
business is specially with the authorities of these provinces, and you will feel
that communications upon my part with those of another, would expose me to
great suspicion and dislike here.
Mr. Gutzlaff, the joint interpreter, has been instructed to place himself
under your directions, and will readily afford you every assistance in his power.
After your departure from the Min, I am led to hope that you will convey
to the Bonins, Mr. Millichamp, a British subject, and a principal settler in those
Islands.
This person has been waiting here for a passage for more than twelve
months at a heavy expense, and I am not without reason to believe that any
facilities which could be properly afforded to him, would be acceptable to his
Majesty's Government.
Perhaps too, in the course of your voyage to the Bonins, you would do me
the favour to call at Napakiang, in the Loochoo's, for the purpose of enabling
the Rev. M. Gutzlaff' to join a vessel, bound on an expedition of investigation,
which he has my permission to do.
I have &c .
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Sub-Inclosure 2 in No. 103.
Proposed Address to the Governor of Fuh-keen and Che-ke'dng by Captain Quin.
THE Undersigned, Captain of one of His Britannic Majesty's ships, has the
honor respectfully to announce to your Excellency his arrival at this anchorage.
213
The purpose of the visit is to acquaint your Excellency, that certain men,
forming part of the crew of an English vessel, have lately been apprehended at
Manila, on a charge of rising in mutiny, and murdering their commander in
these seas, some time in the year 1836, and of afterwards sailing away in the
ship to the coast of Luconia and there destroying her.
It further appears that the instigators of the mutiny landed fourteen of the
crew, who refused to join in the outrage, on the coasts of Fuhkeen.
There is no ground for the suspicion that any of the persons there landed
participated in this flagitious deed. And the undersigned therefore feels assured
that your Excellency will be pleased to cause them to be delivered to him ; to
the end that they may be confronted with the persons in confinement at Manila,
so that speedy justice may be done upon the guilty, and that the innocent may
be suffered to return to the support of their aged and afflicted parents.
The undersigned requests your Excellency to accept his sincere and
respectful thanks for the protection extended towards these unfortunate men ;
and indeed it is a pleasing duty to acknowledge, in grateful terms, the unvarying
kindness of the Officers of the Empire to any subjects of his country cast on
these coasts by shipwrecks or other distressful accident.
The undersigned takes the liberty to request that your Excellency's pleasure
upon this subject may be signified as soon as convenient, in order that he may
sail away in pursuance of his instructions ; and he avails himself of this occasion
to offer your Excellency the sentiments of his highest consideration.
Sub-Inclosure 3 in No. 103.
QUIN, the Commander of one of His Britannic Majesty's ships, has
arrived at this anchorage, with an address for his Excellency the Governor,
upon the subject of certain distressed seamen of his nation, cast on shore in the
year 1836.
He requests that an Officer may be sent to him with all convenient speed,
so that he may present his address, and having received an answer, sail away.
Inclosure 4 in No. 103.
Captain Elliot to Mr. Gutzlaff.
Sir, Macao, June 21, 1837.
WITH reference to my communication of this day's date, I have now the
honor to furnish you with the following instructions for your guidance as to the
disposal of the three Japanese who have so long been supported at the charge of
this establishment.
If you should be fortunate enough to meet the ship Morrison at Napakiang,
in the Great Loochoo, and there are any Japanese junks at that place bound to
Japan, you will be so good as to ascertain from the three persons under our care
whether they would prefer to embark on board one of those vessels to proceeding
on in the American ship. In taking their decision upon this point, you will
explain to them with all the precision in your power, the nature of any probable
risk to which they may expose themselves by repairing to their country in a
foreign ship.
In the event of their desiring to join a Japanese junk at Napakiang, you
will make arrangements for the payment of their passage.
If you should have left Napakiang, in the Raleigh, before the arrival of the
Morrison, and that vessel only joins you at the Bonins, it will still be indispen
sably necessary, previous to permitting the three Japanese to be carried on to
any part of the coast of Japan in the Morrison, that you should receive from
them their own consent to this mode of returning to their country.
If they object to it, you will be so good as to request Captain Quin to let
them remove from the Morrison into His Majesty's ship under his command,
and in that contingency, he has obligingly promised to restore them to my care
at this place.
214
Should they, on the contrary, think fit to go on in the American ship, as
they now seem very desirous of doing, you will be pleased, on approaching any part
of the coast of Japan, to pay the utmost attention to their own suggestions with
respect to the safest and most unobtrusive means of finding their way on shore ;
and it may not be misplaced to remark, that to put them on board a native
vessel out of sight of the land, appears to be a judicious manner of effecting
that object.
Generally, in all your proceedings with regard to these individuals, you
will bear in mind that their secure return to their own country is the single
object to which His Majesty's Government attach any importance ; and I feel
assured that nothing would seem less pardonable to Lord Palmerston, than the
least disposition to postpone that consideration to any views or purposes
whatever.
Impressed with this conviction, it has only been my duty to His Majesty's
Government to furnish you these scrupulous instructions, but I can satisfactorily
add, that they have not been written in any sense that you would be influenced
by other motives than those upon which they are based. Indeed, your own
excellent feeling, and the high character and judgment of the American gentle
men by whom this expedition is undertaken, afford of themselves the best
guarantee, that to restore these shipwrecked individuals in safety to their
country and their families, will be the principal and sufficient object of the visit
to the coasts of Japan.
I need hardly repeat to you in this place, that it will be proper you should
very carefully distinguish between the general leave of absence now accorded to
you, and permission to join this or any other such expedition; which it is wholly
out of my power to grant.
But whilst it is necessary I should remind you that your pursuits during
your leave of absence are of your own seeking, and must be strictly considered
to be entirely unconnected with His Majesty's service, still I cannot doubt that
the Secretary of State will sympathize with those feelings of pious enterprise
which have influenced you on this, and so many other occasions. And I enter
tain a persuasion that I shall be excused for opposing no obstacle in the way of
dispositions at once suitable to your sacred profession, and honourable to your
personal character.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 104.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received February 2, 1838.)
My Lord, Macao, July 5, 1837.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's Despatch, of the
8th November, 1836, declaratory of the state of the law with respect to any
authority in the Superintendents of trade to deport a British subject from this
country.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 105.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received February, 2, 1838.)
My Lord, Macao, July 5, 1837.
IN acknowledging your Lordship's Despatch, of the 6th December, 1836,
I have the satisfaction to observe that the Inclosure in the Despatch of the
14th September preceding, has had the effect of completely removing all diffi
culty upon the subject of official correspondence between the Portuguese
Government of this settlement and His Majesty's officers.
The instructions to the Admiral, which your Lordship has been pleased to
215
notice in the former Despatch cannot fail to be attended with the best conse
quences to the general interests of the trade in this empire.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 106.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.-+-(Received March 20, 1838.)
Macao, August 29, 1S37.
My Lord,
A SHIP upon the point of sailing affords me an occasion to announce
to your Lordship the return of His Majesty's sloop Raleigh on this
day, after an entirely successful completion of the service explained in my
Despatch of the 3rd July.
The fifteen people belonging to the late brig Fairy were despatched to
Canton by the Government of Fuhkeen on the day after the arrival of the
Raleigh at the mouth of the Min River ; and they were all safely delivered
over into my hands by the authorities of this province on the 2nd instant.
Their generous treatment by the Chinese authorities has been in the highest
degree honourable to the humanity of this Government, and I have not failed to
convey my respectful sense of such conduct to his Excellency the Governor.
A more detailed statement of Captain Quin's proceedings shall be trans
mitted by an early occasion ; but in the mean time it will be satisfactory to
your Lordship to know that he has succeeded in drawing from the Government
of " Fuhkeen and Chekeang," a direct official answer to his address.
I feel assured that the zeal and great judgment which Captain Quin has
displayed in the discharge of a very delicate duty will not be lost upon His
Majesty's Government.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent-
No. 107.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received April 10, 1838.)
My Lord, Macao, September 4, 1837.
WITH reference to my Despatch of the 29th ult., I have now the honour to
submit a translation of the document handed to Captain Quin, of His Majesty's
sloop Raleigh, by the officers of the Provincial Government at Foo Chow Foo
on the 3rd July last. This paper is not an edict from the Governor, addressed
directly to Captain Quin, but it is an instrument signed and sealed by certain
native officers, to whom it was addressed, involving a copy of his Excellency's
commands, communicated to them for injunction upon Captain Quin.
The sensitiveness of the higher Chinese authorities, upon the subject of
direct official communication with foreigners, is a feeling which is commonly
supposed to be very much confined to the government of this province.
It was strongly manifested, however, on this occasion, at Foo Chow Foo ;
and I believe it may be considered to be a principle of Chinese policy, which
will be found in active force at all the outward limits of the empire.
Upon the whole, I trust that the successful completion of this service will
be satisfactory to your Lordship.
It was desirable, on many accounts, to convince the Chinese Government
that the safety of British subjects was always a source of earnest solicitude to
that of His Majesty. And though I have already said that there did not appear
to be any serious ground for apprehension about these people, still it was to be
remembered, that they had been more than twelve months detained at Foo
Chow Foo ; and their having formed part of the crew of a vessel engaged in the
216
illicit traffic, considerably increased my own anxiety for their restoration into
our hands.
I hope, too, that other advantageous consequences may result from this
voyage to the Min. That the King's ships could find their way to other points
than Canton, upon proper and necessary occasions, would be one obvious reflec
tion, and, adverting to its effect upon the authorities of this province, probably
a very salutary one to create. The measured tone of the communication, it is
to be presumed, would favourably dispose the governments of other provinces
than this, to receive one on a like occasion, rather than incur the hazard of
troublesome discussions by its rejection ; and (if difficulty occurred) of certain
censure from the Court for unreasonable impracticability.
Before I dismiss this subject, I would respectfully suggest and request that
your Lordship should address a letter to the Governor of Canton, expressive of
thanks for the very generous treatment of these fifteen persons. They were
well fed, lodged, and clad, and upon their final departure from Foo-chow-foo,
each individual received a present in silver to the amount of about 50 shillings.
The one half of their journey to Canton was performed in chairs.
There would be no difficulty in transmitting your Lordship's letter to the
Governor through an officer, as was done in the case of the Governor General
of India's communication brought on in the year 1829, by Captain Freemantle.
His Majesty's sloop left the Min on the 3rd July, and arrived at Napa-
kiang in the Great Loochoo on the 14th. At that place Captain Quin found
the American Ship Morrison, on board of which Mr. Gutzlaff embarked in
prosecution of the intended voyage to Japan.
The conduct of the inhabitants of the Loochoo's was inoffensive ; and
indeed it is a painful proof of the suspicion of the Government, and the extreme
subjection and timidity of the people, that they steadily refused to receive any
remuneration for some supplies procured by Captain Quin,—of course under
the impression that they were to be paid for. Water was supplied in the
Native Boats ; they furnished three bullocks, five pigs, fowls, and vegetables ;
but they would take no payment, and even brought back a bag of dollars which
had been cast into the last boat, entreating Captain Quin, with great earnestness,
to take it again. They insisted that they did not dare to receive the money.
On the 1 6th July, Captain Quin proceeded to the Bonin Islands, where
he arrived after a tedious passage, owing to light winds, on the 2nd August.
The Inclosure No. 2, contains Captain Quin's remarks upon the condition
of that Settlement.
His Majesty's sloop sailed from Port Lloyd on the 10th August, and
arrived in these Roads on the 29th. This voyage was also protracted by a
continuation of very light weather, but under general circumstances, I think
the passage between the Bonins and China might be performed in a ship of war
at all seasons of the year in about twelve days.
On the same day (the 29th August), the ship Morrison returned from
the expedition to Japan, bringing back the Japanese.
The Reverend Mr. Gutzlaffs notes, Inclosure No. 3, will most satisfactorily
explain the history of this voyage.
1 have presented each of the Japanese who were formerly supported at
the charge of this establishment with ten dollars, and I have the satisfaction to
add, that they are now eligibly placed and earning their own livelihood.
The considerable degree in which the Reverend Mr. Gutzlaffs attainments
have contributed to the successful accomplishment of our objects in Fukeen will
be very apparent to your Lordship.
I have, &c,
(Signed') CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 1 in No. 107.
An Order, to be opened by the English Naval Commander Quin and others.
Po, commanding the Governor's central regiment.
Loo, second in command of a naval squadron.
Tib., second in command of the Lieutenant Governor's central force.
217
Tae, Prefect of the department of Fuchow ; and
Yen, Sub-Prefect, charged with the Coast-guard, hereby transmit commands.
On the 1st of July, 1837, they received and copied the commands of their
Excellencies Chung, Governor of Fukeen and Chekeang, and Acting General of
the garrison of Fuchow, Wei, Lieutenant-Governor of Fukeen, and Chang,
Lieutenant-General of the garrison of Fuchow,—these commands being of the
following tenour.
" It has been reported to us that an English ship has arrived in the province
of Fukeen, and has anchored in the offing of Uhu, also that three boats have
left her and passed through the mouth of the river■, to present an address. And
now, the above-named military officers, &c, have laid before us the address of
the foreign officer.
" It is therein stated, that fourteen seamen belonging to a merchantman of
the said nation have been cast on the coast of Fukeen, and it is entreated that
they may be delivered up.
" On a perusal of the address, its language and wording are found to be
throughout respectful and dutiful.
" Having investigated the subject, it seems, that in September, 1836, there
were found on the coast of Nanking, and other adjoining villages, within the
jurisdiction of the district Changpoo, in the department of Changchowfoo,
certain distressed foreigners, Mitsoo and others, to the number of fifteen, who,
having encountered a gale at sea, were drifted on shore. The number was not,
as here stated, fourteen. Nor has the foreign officer who now addresses us given
the surnames and names of the shipwrecked foreigners.
" It appears from the interpretation given of the depositions of the ship
wrecked foreigners, as before taken in this province, that Mitsoo is a native of
Tisoo [?1 in the West ; that Joze" is a European Portuguese, and that the rest,
Malu and others, to the number of thirteen, are Javanese, that none of them are
English.
" Now We, the Governor, &c, being apprehensive that the Fuhkeen inter
preter might have failed to give a full, clear, and accurate interpretation, did
therefore have an interpreter from Canton, lieu Tseang, an inhabitant of Macao,
sent hither in order to examine and interpret the depositions. We, the Governor
and Lieutenant Governor, joined in a personal examination of the men, and
perceived, with regard to these wrecked foreigners, that though their spoken
language was not intelligible, yet [an outward exhibition of ] the mental passions
seemed to be susceptible of explication: and thereupon their depositions were
taken and put on record. We, the Governor, &c, did, according to the facts
(thus ascertained) report clearly to the Great Emperor, and did also forthwith
depute officers, Yang Ching tsigh, expectant of a district magistracy, and others, to
take the distressed foreigners and convey them to the province of Kwangtung,
there to be delivered over to a foreign officer for the purpose of being put on
board some fit vessel for conveyance back to their countries. They were also
liberally gifted with pecuniary gratuities, as a mark of compassionate kindness.
" Thus the shipwrecked foreigners, drifted hither, have been examined,
through the medium of an interpreter, and have, according to law, been sent
back.
" Within the province of Fuhkeen, the regulations do not permit foreign ships
to remain at anchor. The established enactments of the Celestial Empire are
very strict. And though the said foreign officer, having come to make inquiries
respecting shipwrecked foreigners, and to deliver an address, is not the same as
one who cruizes about without a cause ; yet all territories have their fixed boun
daries, and their established regulations relating thereto. He must by no means
then be suffered to enter the river and anchor within it, thereby infringing the regu
lations. This, as is befitting, should be clearly and authoritatively communicated
to him, and he should immediately be compelled to proceed with his boats to
Uhu, and thence should be required to sail away with the ship. He cannot be
suffered to remain loitering there, looking around, and flattering himself with
hopes and expectations, till, in the end, the impropriety of breaking the bounds
be forgotten.
" To this effect we proceed to issue our commands. When this reaches
the before-mentioned military and other officers, let them immediately prepare a
copy of this joint edict from us the Governor, &c, and transmit these com
2 F
218
mands to the said foreign officer, &c, requiring that he wait until the men of
war of the several naval stations conduct him from station to station ; and that
then he speedily proceed to sea, returning to his ship, and sailing back to his
country.
" In regard to the fifteen shipwrecked foreigners, Mitsoo and his com
panions, let them wait till the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Kwang-
tung shall have fully examined their cases, when they will be delivered over to a
foreign officer to be conveyed to their said native countries, there to be treated
as (their Governments) may themselves determine.
" Within the celestial empire, Kwangtung is the only province in which
the said nation has hitherto been granted permission to trade. With this
exception, all the provinces from Fukeen northwards contain no places to which
foreign ships ought to repair. To none, therefore, must they, under any
pretence regarding the winds, proceed ; by rashly proceeding northward, they
will but expose themselves to be forcibly expelled, and will bring on themselves
the crime of presumptuously transgressing the laws.
" We will communicate the substance of the address, and of our commands
thereon, to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Kwangtung. And let
the said military and other officers speedily and fully transmit our commands
and act according to them. Let none of them delay or trifle, and so render
themselves criminal. The address of the foreign officer, let them also send
back. Give trembling attention, and hasten ! Give trembling attention ! Be
speedy ! These are our commands."
The above having been received, the commands thereof are forthwith
transmitted to the English naval officer Quin, &c, that he may speedily act in
obedience to their Excellencies' commands, may go back into his boats, and
may, with all haste, proceed with them to sea, there to repair on board his ship,
and at once sail back to his country. He must not stay loitering here, looking
around him ; nor must he, under any pretext regarding the winds, rashly proceed
northwards, exposing himself, to no purpose, to be forcibly expelled, and involv
ing himself in the crime of disobeying the regulations.
As to the fifteen wrecked foreigners, Mitsoo and his companions, he must
wait until the Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, and the Lieutenant
Governor of Kwangtung deliver them to the foreign officer at that place, when
they may be conveyed to their respective native countries, to be there treated as
(their Governments) may themselves determine.
Let each, with trembling attention, obey : oppose not. A special order.
[Annexed is the original address sent back by their Excellencies.]
Taoukwang, 17th year, L. S.*, 5th month, 30th day. (2nd July, 1837.)
Translated from the Chinese.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 2 in No. 107.
Remarks on Peel Island, Bonin Groupe, situated in hat. 27° 5' 35'' N. Long.
142° 11' 3a' E., 9tk August, 1837.
AFTER Captain Beechey's visit to, naming of this island, and port,
and taking formal possession of the Groupe, as per inscription in good
preservation on a sheet of copper, as follows :—
" His Britannic Majesty's ship Blossom, Captain F. W. Beechey," took
" possession of this groupe of islands in the name and on the behalf of His
• Britannic Majesty, George IV., 14th June, 1827."
The first settlers were Matteo Mozaro, a native of Ragusa, but who had
been many years in the employment of Mr. Bennet of Rotherhithe, near
London, an owner of whale-ships in the South Sea Fishery, and had also
served on board an English sloop-of-war, in the West Indies, named La
Morne Fortunde. With Matteo Mozaro came Richard Millichamp, a native
* Five Seals of the five Military and Civil Officers named at tbe
219
of Devonshire, his partner : they sailed from Oahie the 21st May, 1830,
with two Americans, one Dane, and a party of Sandwich Islanders, viz.
men, five in number ; women, ten in number—in all twenty persons, under
the countenance of Mr. Richard Charlton, His Majesty's Consul for the
Sandwich Islands, who supplied Messrs. Mozaro and Millichamp with an
Union-jack, and a paper describing them as deserving persons, who had, at
their sole expense and risk, fitted out the expedition to settle on one of the
Bonin islands, as per accompanying documents.
From the schooner that brought them from Oahie, two Sandwich
Islanders and one American deserted, increasing their numbers to twenty-
three.
1831.—The English whale-ship, Partridge, Captain Francis Stavers,
arrived ; of her crew seven deserted, viz.,—
John Hayes . . English Drowned.
Joseph Cullens . . do. Resident, August 9, 1837, Port Lloyd.
John Bravo . . Portuguese do. do. do.
William Gill . . English \
Nicholas . do. v Three apprentices returned to the ship.
■ Eaton . . . do. j
Edwin . . do. Strayed from a party and lost in the
woods.
The English bark Kent, Captain Laughton, landed two men ; viz.,—
John Jackson . . American After a temporary residence left the
John Butler ... do. Island.
1832.—The English bark Walmer, Captain Robins, arrived, one of her
crew deserted ; viz.,—
James Martin . . English Remained twelve months and then
rejoined his ship.
1833.—The English whaler, Amelia Wilson, Captain Wilson, was
wrecked on a rock about forty miles to the northward of Port Lloyd ; three
boats arrived, with twelve men, of which number four remained; viz.,—
Thomas Baily . . English ^
William Gilly do. I All four resident at Port Lloyd, Au-
Joseph Antonio . . Portuguese C gust 9, 1837.
John Roberts do. '
The English whaler Cadmus, Captain Snowdon, landed fourteen muti
nous seamen, against the remonstrances of the settlers, and who, (if a stroke
of Providence had not drowned half of them,) would in a short time have
ruined the infant settlement; some shipped at Sydney, New South Welles ;
they got other bad subjects, already on the Island, to herd with them, and
threatened to supply themselves at the expense of the young community,
to fire their dwellings and retire to the jungle.
1834.—The English bark Faron, Captain Dale, left two men ; viz.,—
English After remaining five or six weeks
do. reshipped in an English bark, be
longing to the same owners.
English ship, Corsair, Captain Venables, left two men, viz.,
English. Left the island shortly after.
James Marshall, Scotch. Was left sick on the beach, without any supply,
relief or resource, by Captain Venables,
against the remonstrance of the settlers, and
is now resident on the island, 9th August,
1837.
English bark, Daniel, Captain Duncan, one of her crew deserted, viz.,
John Parker, English. Who remained six weeks and reshipped, in the
Volunteer, American ship.
2 F 2
220
1834.—American
Portuguese.
ship, Howard,
Who reshipped
Captain in
Worth,
the Volunteer.
left one man sick, viz.,
English bark, Rochester, Captain Price, had one man deserted, viz.,
Scotch. Who remained upwards of twelve months, then
reshipped in the English bark, Tory.
1835.—American ship, Amazon, Captain Cressey, had four men desert, viz.,
William Low, American. Resident 9th August, 1837, Port Lloyd.
Benjamin Eady, do.
Thomas Mick, do. > Reshipped in various vessels.
— Avery, do. )
English bark, John Palmer, Captain Lawrence, had two men deserted,
viz.,
James Smith, English. * Resident 9th August, 1837, Port Lloyd.
(cooper) do. Remained twelve months, and rejoined his own
ship.
English bark, Folkstone, Captain Blisse, had one man deserted, viz. :
William English. Remained a month, and reshipped in the
American brig, Diana.
1836.—United States ship, Peacock, Captain Stribling, with the broad
pendant of Commodore Kennedy, had two men deserted, viz.,
English. Remained about twelve months, then reshipped
American. in the English bark, Tory.
United States schooner, Enterprize, Captain Holding, had one man
deserted, viz.,
Richard Ladman, English. Remained one year, then reshipped in the Eng
lish bark, Tory.
1837.—English bark, Rochester, Captain Kenny, had two men deserted,
viz.,
Charles Powell, English. Remained one month, then entered his Ma-
Thomas Hawkins, do. jesty's service, on board the Raleigh.
English bark, Mellish, Captain Cowley, had one man deserted, viz.,
Thomas Lewis, Irish. Remained about six weeks, then entered his
Majesty's service, on board the Raleigh.
English bark, Caroline, Captain Wheeler, one man deserted, viz.,
John Jacket (ar.) English. Resident, 9th August, 1837. Port Lloyd.
English bark, Admiral Cochburn, Captain Lawrence, one man deserted,
viz.,
English. Remained ten days, and reshipped in English
ship Mellish.
The numbers on the Island when the Raleigh left Port Lloyd, 10th
August, 1837, were as under,
Original Matteo Mozaro. Ragusa.
Settlers Richard Millichamp. Devonshire, Great Britain,
arrived Alden B. Chapin. Boston, United States.
26th June, 1 830, Nathaniel Savoiy. Do. do. do.
5 in No. Charles Johnson. Copenhagen.
7 Men, Sandwich Islanders.
13 Women, do. do.
25 Original Settlers.
221
After ■ • William Gilly, English, N. Yarmouth. 4 yrs. at P. Lloyd.
Settlers Thomas Bailey, Do. Bideford. 4 do. do.
11 in No. John Bravo, Portuguese, Cape de Verd. 5^ do. do.
Joseph Cullens, English, London. 5^ do. do.
. ; John Jackets, English, London. 2 months.
Joseph Antonio, Portuguese, Brazil. 4 years.
John Roberts, Do. Lisbon. 4 do. do.
James Smith, English, London. 1 do. do.
- . • Francis Silva, Azores, Fayal. do. do.
William Low, United States. 2 do. do.
James Marshall, Scotch. 3 do. do.
Children William Gilly, Original Settlers 25
6 in No. George Gilly, After . . do. . 11
John Hayes, Children ... 6,
John Bravo, —-
George Bravo, making a total of 42
Thomas Bravo, —
Persons on the Island.
I have been thus particular to show how fluctuating has been the state
of the population of Port Lloyd. Last May, the period for which the Sand
wich Islanders had bound themselves to labour for Messrs. Mozaro and
Millichamp, was at an end, and from that time, being free agents, they have
done little or no work, Messrs Mozaro and Millichamp are of opinion that
thirty more families, say three persons in each, could be comfortably and sub
stantially located, and fed ; having besides a reasonable stock to dispose of to
ships arriving to supply themselves with clothing, tools, and a few dollars per
annum. The want of a fixed head, authorized by Government, is severely felt,
and from the want of unity among the settlers, frequently occasioned by com
petition in supplying such whalers as arrive, and frequently by the conduct of
their crews ; ships which have good crews will not anchor in the port, fearing
their men will desert ; others, which have bad men, land them, and disturb
the tranquillity of the settlers, by putting them in fear for their lives and pro
perties ; as in the instance of the Cadmm, Tory, and Admiral Cockburn. The
settlers wanted me to interfere in some of their little local disputes, but as I
had no authority, I only listened to their several complaints, and advised
unity ; hence, the number of affidavits sworn before me.
The Union Jack given to Messrs. Mozaro and Millichamp by his Ma
jesty's consul, at the Sandwich Islands, being quite worn out, and their flag
staff blown down, I considered it my duty to supply the deficiency, and rigged
them out substantially, in order to point out to strange ships on which side of
the Port to apply for supplies.
Peel Island has already, in great cultivation, sweet Potatoes, Taro,
Indian Corn, Onions, Yams, Pumpkins, Water Melons, Sugar Cane ; Tobacco
has been planted, and with such success, that it is likely to give them a great
deal of trouble from its speading so fast, and the want of hands to gather it
in, and prepare it ; it is said to be of an excellent quality ; they have a few
excellent lemon-trees planted from seed, which bear well, but are neglected.
Pigs are in great abundance. For them the Indian corn is cultivated,
and they are sold at from four dollars to eight dollars each*. Wild Hogs are
also many in number, and a breed of Dogs, brought from the Sandwich Islands,
are so well taught that they will at any time, under the direction of their
masters, find, attack, and bring down the largest.
The island has also many jungle fowl, for, on first arrival, the settlers
managed to get their poultry adrift ; and in a wild state they have increased
greatly, to the annoyance of their corn fields.
Goats, in a wild state, are on the southern head, which, at high water, is
an island, and are many in number ; no tame ones, save a pair left by the
Raleigh.
There are no noxious animals, or snakes, on the island ; no rats, but
many mice. Sharks are numerous but small, these the dogs frequently chase
in shoal water, capture, and drag them high and dry, on the sandy beaches.
* The average was 10 lbs. per Spanish dollar.
222
Although the timber on the island is in great plenty, there is not more
than required, if a larger number were to settle ; there is none fit for masts ;
one sort is in great plenty, called Toomana, which is used for floors and
planking, being also ornamental, furniture is made from it. The mulberry
tree is very hard, used for posts or stautions for their dwellings, and never
decays in the ground. There is also a small quantity of sandal wood, but
not sufficient to make a remark. Mr. Mozaro, with eight men, being three
months collecting thirty peculs.
Not the least vestige of previous occupancy has been discovered by the
present settlers, who have now been resident since July 26th, 1830 ; and
have examined every part of the island, and I am of the same opinion as
themselves, that Peel Island is one of those numerous islands in the North
Pacific that has been never occupied.
The settlers have heard of acts of piracy being committed on the coast
of Japan by the whalers, but cannot vouch for the truth of the statements of
hemselves. They know nothing, and never knew of any plunder being
jrought to Port Lloyd—in fact, they say " we have no dollars," which piratical
persons would require for the stolen property.
In conclusion, I beg to submit that a Vice-Consul, under either the
Superintendent of British Trade in China, or his Majesty's Consul for the
Sandwich Islands, would be a sufficient head in the present infant state of
the settlement, and protect it from the lawless behaviour of the whalers,
as he could report to his superior, who might move his Majesty's Govern
ment to direct their Attorney-General to prosecute, on their arrival in
England.
Messrs. Mozaro and Millichamp would be very glad to receive ten
China men and their wives ; they would place them on productive land on
what they term "Halves," viz., that half the produce should be paid to
them in lieu of rent, and in full of all demands.
STATE OF WEATHER AT PORT LLOYD.
January.—Strong Westerly winds, and clear weather.
February and March.—Moderate Westerly winds ; occasionally freshes
and showers.
April.—Variable winds, inclining to East ; showers frequently.
May.—Winds more confirmed East ; dry weather generally.
June.—Ditto ditto. Occasional showers.
July.—Heavy rains ; fresh gales from East to South-East.
August.— Heavy rains, fresh gales ; occasionally heavy Typhoongs.
September and October.—Heavy winds, generally Easterly ; occasionally
heavy Typhoons.
November.—Heavy strong winds, generally South-East, but incline to
South and West.
December.—Winds more regular ; fresh winds Westerly.
Typhoons in J uly, August, September, and October : of the greatest
strength in October.
(Signed) MICH. QUIN.
223
Inclosure 3 in No. 107.
Notes by Mr. Gutzlaff upon a Voyage to Fuhclwo, Napakeang, and the Bays of
Yedo and Kagosima, in His Majesty's Ship Raleigh, and the Morrison.
24th June—29th August, 183/.
Abode at Fuhchoo.
THE appearance of a man of war at the mouth of the Min river created
much sensation, though there was apparently no fear expressed. I had
repeatedly to assure the Mandarins that she carried no cargo ; yet this asser
tion was still doubted.
By patience we obtained the requisite papers, and parted from our guests
with many protestations of affectionate remembrances. One of the Mantchoo
officers asked me whether he would be permitted to travel in our country for
information. He was a man who had just arrived from Peking, and for the
first time seen foreigners from the West ; and therefore the more interested in
their conversation. It is my firm opinion, that if we could only have more
frequent intercourse with the Mandarins, and sufficiently explain our inten
tions, much of their suspicion would be lulled to sleep.
We found the people invariably kind, and even frank, in their manners.
They would give us some assistance, even if it was not required ; and greatly
thank us, if we showed them a favour in our turn.
To the advantages of navigating the Min I have adverted in a former
paper. Vessels of thirteen feet draught might go up to the Min-gan fort, and
those drawing less even reach the city. The large junks we saw there opposite
at anchor, fully proved that ships of considerable burthen might be able to
proceed to the anchorage, though the channel is intricate, and there are not a
few banks.
The Mandarins invariably depreciated the commercial resources of this em
porium ; but there existed too much ocular proof to the contrary. All was
bustle on the river's side; the junks were loading as quick as they could, and
several passed down the river. The native craft is here considerably more
numerous than I have seen at any time at Canton. The Amoy merchants are
also here the most respectable, and command the market ; their junks fetch
rice from Formosa, and supply Fuhchoo with sugar and cotton, two articles of
extensive consumption. As the natural port for the exportation of black teas,
Fuhchoo is fully deserving of our attention.
Rice was at this time very scarce, and fetched 30 per cent, above the
Canton price. The major part of the populace was in a state of suffering;
though there was no famine, there was want. The population is very numerous,
and the means of subsistence not so plentiful in proportion. Silver sold for
1 100 large cash per dollar— an exorbitant price. The limited circulation of
the precious metals is throughout the Empire very keenly felt; the complaints
are general, yet it can scarcely be believed that ten or eleven millions of dollars,
annual exportation, can so materially affect so large an Empire as China, as it
has generally been believed. If this, however, be the case, the native currency,
before the establishment of the foreign trade, must have been very limited ; for
all the exports, taken together, do not yet amount to one-half of the previous
imports. Supposing the complaints of Chinese statesmen well grounded, so
that the circulating medium will decrease annually as they have foretold, this
will lead to results which will render foreign agency conspicuous. The Chinese
Government possesses no credit for raising a loan ; a repeated attempt to intro
duce a paper currency has also failed ; and though cash may do in the payment
of small sums, it is too bulky in great transactions, and renders some more
handy substitute necessary. Some quantity of bullion is indispensably neces
sary ; and if this is not imported into Canton at a very high premium, it most
he obtained some other way, in order to satisfy the demand. Such a crisis, if
duly improved, may pave the way for a closer intercourse, upon a more liberal
footing.
224
Departure, and Arrival at Loo-Choo.
During our absence from the ship, a friendly naval officer had paid Her
Majesty's sloop a visit. We had scarcely come on board, when the Captain
gave orders for getting under weigh. In crossing the bar, we were nearly
getting aground. Some islands to the north of the Min, at least a degree
distant from the main, which I had not observed in any of my previous voyage,
became visible in the afternoon of July 3.
On the 4th, when in Lat. 26° 8' N., Long. 123° 45' E., at noon, we observed
to windward, at about twenty miles distance, two islands—one of considerable
extent, with two peaks upon it. If these have ever been seen by any previous
navigator, they have not been accurately laid down in any chart.
We had had hitherto always fair weather, and thus reached, on the 6th of
July, the westernmost island of the Loo-Choo group, and the second in extent,
called Kanmisang. It is inhabited, and well cultivated. A heavy gale arose
here, which lasted for three days, with unabated fury, and obliged us to lay to.
When the weather cleared up, we found ourselves to leeward of the islands ;
and we reached, as late as the 14th, the roads of Napakeang, where the Ameri
can ship Morrison was already at anchor, waiting for us.
Shortly after our arrival, some Loo-Choo Mandarins came on board, and
made the customary inquiries :—To what nation do you belong ? From what
port do you come ? &c We gave them a list of the provisions we wanted,
whilst Captain Ouin requested an audience with the King.
Stay at Loo-Choo.
My original intention was to examine these islands as much as time would
permit ; but our late arrival frustrated this plan. Having been formerly at
this place, and being now able to speak the native language, a brogue of the
Japanese, I possessed ample means for obtaining information. Captain Ouin
sent the first Lieutenant, with me, on shore, early in the morning. We
demurred for a considerable time in the temple near the landing-place, but
were by no means cordially received. The appearance of two vessels, and one
of them a man-of-war, had rendered the authorities suspicious. To my know
ledge no foreign trader committed ever any violence here ; yet the natives
always dreaming of conquest, can scarcely imagine that a ship should come to
these remote regions, without entertaining some hopes of subjecting the
islands. Having succeeded in calming the fears of the chiefs, we proceeded to
the city. In this trip we were at first opposed by the authorities ; but when
we had gained our point, they showed the utmost readiness of conducting us
through the streets. It took us about an hour to walk at a rapid pace through
the whole length of the town. I am unable to determine its breadth, but
think that the city may contain about 10,000 inhabitants. All the houses are
surrounded with a stone wall, which also incloses a garden, and are mostly built
of wood, one story high, with a verandah in front, upon the smallest scale
maginable, in the Japanese style. We did not perceive a single shop or any
article offered for sale. The number of squalid looking beings and naked
children who surrounded us, was by far the major part of the spectators. We
met beggars in the most wretched condition, but were more astonished at the
miserable look of the females ; they are fat and raw-boned, the very picture of
ugliness, with orify*a scanty covering, and this almost in tatters, whilst their
left hands were more or less tattered. As the number of women of all ages
who flocked around us was very great, and we did not see a single exception,
we do not doubt but that they are kept in the most abject condition. A whole
row of them came down from the hills carrying burdens, in company with
some ponies, with whom they seemed to rank on a par. The few acres we
passed in our ramble were cultivated with potatoes, pulse and grains, with the
greatest art ; but the peasantry we saw seemed to be a hard-working, ill-
requited race. Yet the fishermen are still worse off. They are venturesome,
and go with their canoes hollowed out of a single tree, to a great distance from
the land, taking only a bucket of water and some potatoes for their subsistence.
Upon this they live for days together, until the quantity of fish they caught is
225
adequate to buy them a new supply of victuals. We saw them with harpoons
in pursuit of sharks and other large fish, of which a single one with a blow of
the tail, might upset their frail bark. ;
Having passed a large timber-yard, and several salt-works along the sea
shore, we arrived at the grave of an English sailor, who had been buried those
twenty-one years ago. Wherever we passed, we saw the coral insect at work,
the coast around being covered with its excresence.
We had at this time better opportunities for observation than our prede
cessors. The general aspect of things renders the impressions which remained
from my last visit less favourable ; the Loo Chooans do not improve upon
nearer inspection. Several circumstances conspire to keep the great mass of
the people in a state of poverty. It is now nearly 200 years that the Prince of
the Japanese principality Satzuma took forcible possession of these islands ;
and until this day the natives have to pay annually 75,000 peculs in sugar as
tribute, according to our native informant. This is doubtless a very great
drain upon national industry, and greatly checks the enterprising spirit of the
peasant. How abstemious soever the natives may be, and from what we saw,
the dinner of four men would scarcely satisfy a single European ; yet the com
mon people find it very hard to earn a subsistence.
The trade with Satzuma is considerable. There were seven junks of that
place in harbour ; one had already left; and the whole number is stated to be
annually fifteen. The Loo Chooans visit, in their own craft, Kagosima, the
capital of that country, and thus employ a considerable capital in commerce.
The trade with Fuhchoo, for which harbour annually two junks of the largest
description are despatched, is far from trifling. They import Biche de mar,
agar agar, sulphur, their own and Japanese manufactures, and take Chinese
stuffs, and various other articles, in return. This is the most favoured nation
in the whole Celestial Empire : they are not only allowed to trade, but also to
send their tribute-bearers to the capital, and leave some natives there to acquire
the Chinese language. The chiefs consider it quite below their dignity to con
verse in the vulgar tongue, always preferring the Mandarin dialect. They do
not only understand the Chinese character, but have also adopted the syllabary
of the Japanese.
The King of Satzuma delegates his authority to a viceroy, an honour now
hereditary, and also sends at times some inferior officers to rule over the coun
try. Notwithstanding the burthen of a foreign yoke, the native authorities
appear to have great control, all the branches of industry being in their hands.
Japanese cash, similar in shape and weight to the Chinese, and bearing the
inscription of Kwan yung twig paou (everlasting currency), is here in general
use. Ambassadors are sent both to Japan and China ; both empires claim the
supremacy over these inoffensive islanders, but there has never been a quarrel
about the actual possession, because the Emperor of China is satisfied with the
mere title, whilst the King of Satzuma levies the tribute.
The islands are divided into two distinct groups. The northernmost has
been described by Captain Hall ; of the southern, which are also called the
Hache-kosima (eight islands— Pa-chow—from their being that number), are
less known. The Great Loo-Choo is divided into three districts —San-nan, the
southernmost, with the emporium, Napakeang ; the central, Teoo-san, with
the capital, Teoori ; and the northern, Hoku-san, with Port Melville. In
giving the names of these islands, we have preferred those written by the
Japanese to the nomenclature adopted in our chart. North to the Great Loo-
Choo is a chain of islands, which gains this group to the Japanese. They are
Yuro, Wookido, Tokoonosima, Kakiroma, Ohosima, and Kikac^ To the north
west we find Kisan, Tonaki, Zokoku, Ohobakusan, Yuron, and Yeraboo. ' "On
the east coast of the Great Loo-Choo are The, Famasima, Tsouhota, and Kou-
taha ; on the south-west, opposite to Napakeang, is Koneyama, and,«-to the
south, Miyako, Oukama, Korima, Tarama, Mena, Yerabo, Ekima. Some of
them are small, others about fifteen to forty miles in extent; but almost all of
them are inhabited by a very industrious population. The Hache-kosima group
comprises the following islands—Yayama, Tomoutahe, Kou. isima, Namiterima,
Karahitsuhi, Yoonakooni, Kone, and Hatoma, with a smaller one, called Zinzio.
The largest, which is called, in Chinese, Tac-ping-shan, has about thirty miles
in circumference, the others are much less. It is impossible to determine the
2G
226
number of inhabitants, which is, however, by no means small ; or give an esti
mate of the quantity and quality of productions which constitute the staple
article of trade ; sugar, however, appears to be the most important. There is
also a kind of summer cloth manufactured by the Loo-Chooans, which is very
much in demand at Fuh-Choo.
On our return we visited a Japanese junk of about two hundred tons bur
then, a flat-bottomed, broad vessel. Her single mast was composed of four
pieces of wood, held together by iron rings, and bent at the top. The object
which most strikes a stranger is the immense rudder, with a pole as large as a
moderate mainmast. These vessels carry a single sail, made of cotton canvass,
so neat and durable, as not only to equal, but also to surpass our own. Instead
of anchors, the junk has five or six grapnels ; a- straw shed, built in the form of
a roof, serves for an upper deck ; the bulwark is very low. and pierced for let
ting out the water. The lower deck is partly stowed with cargo, and also con
stitutes the place of rendezvous for the crew; it is neatly adorned, and resembles
our best cabins. The Japanese keep their vessels very clean; a smaller number
of individuals than in the Chinese junks navigate them, and these have the
appearance of very hardy sailors. The crew we visited preserved the utmost
silence, and did not answer any of our questions, until I called them a company
of mutes, when they laughingly overcame their reserve, and answered some
trifling interrogatories. All these vessels belonged to Kagosima, the southern
most part of Satzuma, and a very great emporium : their cargo consisted of
sugar.
Being recognised by several Loo-choo chiefs, with whom I had become
acquainted at my previous visit, they heartily welcomed me, and made many
inquiries about my former companions. They repeatedly asked how many
veasels may still becoming; ana evidently were tired with supplying them
with provisions. At the fort on the entrance they had stationed seven soldiers
with clubs, in order to give something like a military appearance to their har
bour. For the provisions furnished to H. M. ship Raleigh they obstinately
refused receiving any compensation, lest it might have the appearance of bar
tering or trading with foreigners. Again and again did I press upon them the
necessity of taking something in exchange for their presents, in order to avoid
entailing loss to themselves ; they replied, "If we receive anything in lieu we
shall lose our heads."
In a political point of view these islands claim no notice, unless a colony be
established on the Bonian Islands. In that case it would be necessary to come
to an understanding with the chiefs, and to open a free intercourse. Supposing
that Japan obstinately refuses all terms for establishing a commerce, Napakeang
might become an entrepot of that trade, and there is no doubt but the people
of Satzuma, who very much resemble the Chinese of Fokeen province in point
of enterprise, would gladly avail themselves of this opportunity if they were
permitted to do so. Yet it will require a great and permanent effort to convince
the people of Loo-choo that trade is our sole object, and to silence their sus
picion of ulterior views.
Departure for Japan.
In accordance to my instructions, I called the seven shipwrecked Japanese
together, and asked them whether they preferred embarking in a Satzuma junk
to proceeding in the Morrison straightway to Yedo. They chose the latter for
various reasons. As poor ignorant sailors, who had never transgressed against
the laws of their country, they expressed not the least fear on returning in the
most open manner, and in a ship of which they could give the best testimonials
regarding the benevolent intention of her inmates. Had it been in a Chinese
junk matters would have stood differently ; for some of their countrymen,
brought back to Nugazaki by Chinamen were imprisoned, great jealousy exist
ing between the two nations, and were after the lapse of a considerable time
released. Supposing that they went in a Satzuma junk, they never would be
able to elude the vigilance of the Mandarins ; to smuggle themselves into the
country would be a capital crime, and, if the Government Officers looked un
favourably upon their having spent so many years in a foreign country, they
would be entirely in its clutches, and be unable to retrieve their steps in the
227
Morrison. Such were the reasons which determined them to remain in the
ship, and disembark at Yedo. As I had to yield to their wishes I could make
no further objections, and therefore embarked with them on board the American
ship " Morrison," which had already gotten under weigh, July 13th.
To remove all suspicion, Mr. King, the owner of this vessel, had left the
guns behind, and taken his wife and a female servant on board, in order to con
vince the Japanese that he expected no ill from them. Dr. Parker, a clever
physician, well known at Canton for his philanthropic endeavours, had em
barked in this expedition, in order to practice gratuitously, and thus to gain the
hearts of the people. Mr. King had prepared an elegant assortment of presents
for the Emperor, accompanied by a letter stating the object of the voyage.
We had the means of communicating both through the medium of the Chinese
character as well as the Japanese language, and were thus enabled to give an
account of everything required, and to satisfy the proverbial curiosity of this
nation to any extent.
We had calms, and very light winds, during the greater part of the voyage,
and a strong current setting against us, which greatly retarded our way. When,
however, approaching the land, it set strongly in our favour towards the east.
We made the land near the promontory of Tzou, and also perceived the snowy
mountain Foojesan, which was then cloud-capped. Little did we then tliii»k
that the land we saw—which is said to have, during two centuries, enjoyed
perfect tranquillity—was then in a state of rebellion. A dreadful gale, last
year, in August, which lasted with unabated fury for ten days, had destroyed the
crops. The consequence was, a very severe famine, which rose to such a
height, that the rabble of Osaha, the principal emporium of this Empire, rose
upon the corn merchants, and either robbed or destroyed their magazines. The
Government, anxious to quell this insurrection, attacked the starving wretches,
and the whole city, second only to Yedo, became a prey to the flames. In the
Capital itself, the inhabitants had risen against the imperialist: the whole city
was one scene of confusion and bloodshed, but victory had not yet been decided.
The prospects of the present year were still very gloomy ; little rain had fallen,
and the young plants had nearly died. Of these circumstances, communicated
afterwards to us by natives, we were not aware, when we approached the bay
of Yedo, 30th July.
The entrance to this bay has landmarks which can never be mistaken. A
chain of islands stretches down from its mouth to nearly the Bonian group.
The northernmost is Ohosima (the great island), large and high — formerly
inhabited, but now a volcano—Nisima, Koszesima, Miyake, Mekourasima—
which is likewise a volcano—and Fatsio : the southernmost, the Botany Bay of
Japanese statesmen, not far from the Bonian group. The latter are known to
the Japanese, and inserted in their charts under the name of Boniusima, or
Okasawarasima ; but these are not visited by their junks, though some of their
vessels were driven thither by stress of weather.
Cape Sagami, at the southern entrance, is situated in Lat. 35° 10', Long.
139° 20', being twenty-three miles farther to the west than laid down by Kru-
senstern. The bay is about ten or fifteen miles in width, with about twenty-
five fathoms sounding, coral and gravel bottom, throughout the whole, and six
fathoms close in shore, without any dangers under water. The narrowest part
is several miles farther on towards the Capital, near a fort called Uragawa, when
it does not exceed four miles. After this it again expands to about twenty -five
miles iu width, forming a complete bason, where whole fleets may anchor secure
against all winds. Towards the southern shore of the bason are some sand
banks, well known to the native navigator. Junks anchor at a distance of three
or four miles from the Capital, while smaller craft can pass the bar, and enter
the canals. The shores around are elevated, and bear a romantic appearance.
They are thickly inhabited by fishermen—a very hardy and stout race.
Stay in the Bay of Yedo.
We rather wondered to see so very- few junks cruising about ; a very
extraordinary thing, since the tribute of the whole country is forwarded to
this spot. But since the commencement of the famine, the vassals have ceased
to send their grain, and starvation in such a populous city has been the imme
2 G2
228
diate consequence. The crew of a junk which sailed across our bows, did not
show the least symptom of fear ; and we have found invariably that the people
beyond the reach of their superiors, are friendly and fond of strangers. Of the
sailing qualities of these vessels I can not say very much. In a gale they
labour very heavily, and the rudder, presenting a large surface to the sea, is
often broken. They are by no means seaworthy, being moreover slenderly
built of fir, so as scarcely to withstand a heavy sea. The inhuman govern
ment has thus ordered their construction in order to make it impossible to visit
foreign countries. Yet, this crooked policy has had the most disastrous conse
quences, and thousands of these frail barks are annually engulphed. When
the mariners are unfortunately driven from the shore, they give themselves up
as lost. This happens frequently, because an easterly current sets in along the
coast, and runs at the rate ot about three miles per hour. Unless there be a
very good breeze, it is impossible to make the land ; and there remains no
alternative for these unfortunate people but to die of starvation, if they are not
fortunately thrown on one of the eastern islands. Of this there have latterly
been many instances ; whilst some reached the west coast of America, others
landed in Lusonia or Hainan, or reached the Sandwich Islands.
The weather was rainy when we worked into the bay, yet the Mandarins
seemed to be aware of our approach, and therefore commenced a brisk fire
from several batteries. Whilst bearing up for Uragawa, a shot fell about a half
mile from us, and our captain judged it therefore prudent to come a few miles
below the fort to anchor.
The broad principle upon which we had entered in this enterprise, was to
win our way cautiously by kindness ; and as it was naturally to be imagined,
that the nearer we were the court, the sooner an application for permitting
foreign intercourse would be taken in consideration at head-quarters, we had
addressed ourselves to the Emperor. In this letter it was stated, that our ship
brought seven shipwrecked natives back to their homes, that we requested the
favour of a visit from an accredited officer, to whom we might communicate
our wishes, and should rejoice to trade if H. M. pleasure were known to that
effect. A list of the presents and of the cargo, and separate papers, containing
a short account of the United States, and setting forth the offer of assisting the
sick, were put into the same envelope. Prepared for disappointment, we
wished to leave nothing untried in order to open a communication with the
Court.
Shortly after the anchor was down, a crowd of curious natives came on
deck. Many were in a state of nudity, whilst others wore a single upper dress,
and none of them trowsers. Upon their heads, shaven in front, whilst the
hair of the hinder part was bound up in a knot, they wore no covering, and only
a few had straw sandals on their feet. An elderly man first reconnoitred, and
gave an account of his friendly reception to the waiting crowd. A number
of people rushed immediately on deck ; they examined every thing with
out reserve, and showed themselves very friendly and good-natured. Think
ing that all people in the world speak Japanese, they were rather astonished
that there was only one single individual whom they could understand. We
gave them some trifling presents, for which they thanked us very heartily, and
then retired with joy to make room for others. One who for the first time
might have seen this scene on board, would scarcely have believed that we
were in Japan, for the natives behaved in such a manner as if they had been for
years familiar with us. Even women came alongside ; and had it not been
for the rain which begun to pour down, they would have favoured our ladies
with their company on board. To the intelligent part of our visitors I stated
who we were, which wrote it down on a piece of paper, in the Japanese and
Chinese character; and also distributed some papers, in which we expressed a wish
to see a Mandarin on board. We expected every moment an officer, when we
saw a large boat coming from the Uragawa fort, in the bow of which a well-
dressed person was seated. I pressingly invited him to come up the gangway,
but he politely refused, and merely rowed around the ship, and then returned.
It was naturally to suspect that amongst the motley group which crowded the
deck, there might be some government spies, and the inquisitivencss about our
guns betrayed them. Yet we augured well about our reception by the autho
rities, since we had witnessed such decided proofs of good will on the part of
229
the people. Having been pressingly invited to visit the picturesque shore, we
deferred this on account of the rain to the next day.
Early in the morning we were ready to tread for the first time on the
Japanese shore, when suddenly, whilst the boat was preparing, our ears were
greeted with the firing of cannon. Scarcely had the morning dawned when
we saw the shot falling in various directions, some passing through the rigging,
others pitching at the stern, and only one coming in through the porthole, and
striking the deck. Some boats, anchored off the Uragawa fort, also opened a
fire, which, however, proved entirely harmless.
It was no use to serve for a target, since we were in an entirely defenceless
state, and fully determined not to requite evil for evil. We therefore got under
weigh, and had the mortification to see that, though the vessel was moving
slowly on in a calm, the battery did not cease firing. Conscious of having
given no cause for provocation, we were the more astonished at this unprece
dented act of aggression upon defenceless foreigners. We therefore laid-to for
some time, hoping that an explanation might be given, and a communication
opened at the entrance of the bay. In this anticipation we were, however,
deceived ; for, though the war-boats followed us at a respectable xlistance, no
officer came off'.
We had been about twenty miles from the capital at anchor, and the com
manding officer at the next fort must doubtless have communicated our arrival
to His Majesty ; so that the orders for driving us away from the coast so unce
remoniously emanated directly from the palace. In all expeditions on record
some officer had visited the foreign ship, and supplied her with provisions ; but
here, notwithstanding our earnest entreaties, no understanding took place. We
suppose this, therefore, to be a new law, according to which Barbarians are to
be treated. If such, however, be the case, the exclusive system of this Govern
ment is at its climax,—where it ought to receive a check. They will neither
care whether a ship is in distress, or whether there are some wrecked seamen
in a boat, but endeavour to take away their lives, if this can be effected. As
many of our whalers cruize about this coast for several months of the year, this
must occasionally happen ; and it is very mournful to think that men who
hasten to these shores, in order to save their lives, should expose themselves to
the danger of being killed by their fellow men. If they could treat us so bar
barously when they had occular proof that we had divested ourselves of the
means of injuring them, and came with friendly intentions, how will they treat
suspected foreigners ? Whatever may be the politics of this reclusive country,
its rulers must be constrained to pay regard to the law of nations, and not to
treat all the remainder of mankind as enemies.
When our seven shipwrecked Japanese saw the behaviour of their Govern
ment, they declined going on shore, since, under such circumstances, it would
be certain death. We thought it, however, our duty to try at another place,
and therefore steered for Kagosima, the capital of Satzuma. Calms and a
current setting us often two or three miles to eastward, very much retarded
our progress.
August 8th, we came in sight of Hiyonga, which is a bold and rocky coast.
Here we hailed several fishermen, who gave us ready answers to our questions,
but would not come on board.
On entering the capacious bay of Kagosima, we dispatched two of our
Japanese to the next military station on shore. The commanding officers,
having heard the tale of their previous sufferings, and kind reception on the
part of the foreigners, were moved deeply, and promised ready assistance to
them and the kindest treatment to us, who they said resembled in our conduct
not men but angels. Boat-loads of water were immediately despatched to our
ship, and whilst they forwarded an ample and impressive statement in our
behalf to the Prince of Satzuma, they desired to give us a great supply of pro
visions. Out people were to return to their homes immediately, and every
other matter to be satisfactorily arranged. We had also drawn up a letter to
the Prince, in the envelope of which we had enclosed the document addressed
to the Emperor. This, however, they refused to receive, after much delibera
tion ; yet the substance was faithfully transcribed in their report to Kagosima.
Having been requested to come to an anchor opposite to a certain village,
we repaired thither, under the guidance of a native pilot. On the third day,
230
early in the morning, a fishing-boat came off to us in great haste, and the
people, seemingly on their own account, stated that we would not be permitted
to enter a more secure harbour, as had been promised at first, and, since more
Mandarins had arrived, it would be best to trip our anchor and sail away. Our
Japanese having applied the day previous for permission to go on shore, they
were prohibited doing so by the authorities. A few moments of reflection fully
convinced us that we must not expect any friendly treatment, though the
authorities had solemnly pledged themselves. We were no longer left in a state
of doubt; the ominous striped cloth was down ; and as soon as the Mandarins
found themselves secure under the cover of this defence, they commenced
firing upon us. Though the balls fell all short, we thought it best to get under
way. The wind being contrary, we had to beat out, and thus to approach the
land in different directions. From six projecting points were we tired upon
during twelve hours, with long intervals between. But as both the cannon
were very defective and ill directed, no damage was done, all balls falling short.
The Bay of Kagosima is well sheltered, and there is an excellent anchorage
near the city. Only the Loo-Chooans are permitted to trade to this emporium ;
all other commerce is considered as smuggling, in which the Satzuinans have
shown themselves too clever. This was one of the first ports visited by the
Portuguese, and is still to this day one of the most flourishing.
During the whole course of our negotiation with the Japanese Govern
ment, we are not aware of having given the slightest offence. We came there
to deliver up seven shipwrecked men, and to solicit a friendly intercourse ; our
intentions were fully stated, both in writing as well as verbally, and acknow
ledged to be excellent and praiseworthy. Without being charged with having
transgressed the laws of the country, or in the least degree being warned of our
impending fate, the Government was determined on our destruction; and out
preservation, which we owe to the merciful protection of Providence, must
mainly be ascribed to their want of means to kill us.
Our natives were thunder-struck, and grateful that they had not availed
themselves of a Satzuma junk to return to their country, tor then they would
certainly have been decapitated, or put, for all their lives, into prison. Now,
they had at least some means left of saving their lives by returning to Macao.
They earnestly besought us to take them back, because their country had
rejected them as outcasts, and we willingly granted them a favour asked with
tears. After frequent calms and currents we arrived, August 29th, in Macao
Roads. »
To sum up the total of our experience in regard to this country, we ought
to give full credit to the frankness and friendliness of the natives. They are
people who would oblige foreigners to any extent. The Mandarins we saw
were mean in their appearance, and never spoke without trembling: the sol
diers are in petticoats —real sans-culottes — and apparently inferior to the
Chinese. The system of espionage is carried here farther than even once in
Spain by the Inquisition. The Emperor and all his vassals are prisoners in
their palaces, and even not allowed to eat as much or as little as they like, or to
sleep beyond their time. Every officer is responsible with his head in his
station to the whim of his superior, and a mere machine in the performance of
his duty. Japan exhibits the true image of despotism. Its constant tranquillity
is a mere fiction, but it is a matter of fact that Government has always been
strong enough to quell rebellion and maintain its system. How the present
struggle will end, we do not know ; but so much is certain, that the great bulk
of the people groans under the heavy burdens imposed upon them. There is
an overgrown population, and though the means of subsistence in plentiful years
are sufficient, they are not adequate during a time of scarcity.
The Japanese coasting commerce is very extensive: the resources of this
country are very large, and the inhabitants fully as industrious as the Chinese.
The Government is the only check to improvement, and the insurmountable
bar to foreign intercourse.
(Signed) CH. GUTZLAFF,
Joint Interpreter.
231
No. 108.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received March 19, 1838.)
My Lord, Canton, September 2G, 1837.
AN accident of a serious nature has just occurred at this place ; and, being
apprehensive that unfounded and disquieting reports may reach England upon
the subject, I forward this Despatch by a ship bound to Bombay, in the hope
of saving the December overland mail.
Two Lascars, belonging to an English passage-boat, landed on the evening
of the 20th instant on the north shore of the river, about two miles below the
Factories, and a fray took place, in which a Chinese was declared to have
received several severe stabs with a knife.
There were two other Lascars on shore at the same place, and although it
does not seem that they were engaged in the affair, they, with the two prin
cipals, fell into the hands of the Chinese police, and the whole four were brought
np to this place and confined in the Consoo House.
On the morning of the next day (the '21st), the magistrate, in whose dis
trict the disturbance occurred, sent them to me for examination, but declined
to leave them in my hands.
I had no strong objection that they should remain in the custody of the
Mandarins, at the Consoo House, during the daytime, because I could always
know whether they were removed within the walls of the city, and then trans
mit the most urgent appeals for their immediate delivery to my care ; but, as
night approached, and it would be difficult to watch proceedings, other steps
became necessary.
At eight o'clock, therefore, I sent for the three official merchants to the
Hall, and demanded that the men should be given up before ten .o'clock that
night, upon my pledge that they should be fairly tried, according to the laws of
my country (and in the presence of Mandarins), for any crime alleged against
them.
Howqua replied, with composure, that these persons were in the custody
of the Mandarins, charged with a violation of the laws of the empire, and pend
ing the determination of the safety of a Chinese who had been severely stabbed
by one amongst them. If Englishmen went to France, he argued, they were
amenable to the justice of that country ; and then, taking this rather displeasing
occasion to compliment me upon a presumed reasonableness of disposition and
love of justice, which, he said, had secured for me the respect of the Governor,
he required me to show why the case should be different when Englishmen
came to China.
I answered that I would venture to say my Government would admit all
the force of this reasoning, as soon as it could be made at all applicable by the
Emperor's gracious will to place my countrymen on the like footing in China,
with respect to freedom of intercourse and the equal administration of the laws,
as they stood in France, considered with relation to those points.
There was no pretension in England, he might assure himself, to dictate
any change of policy to the Chinese : that was a high matter, which depended
upon the Imperial wisdom and pleasure; but it was not to be denied that the
present state of things was attended with great inconveniences, and one amongst
them was, the utter impossibility to concede their right to try British subjects
for a breach of Chinese laws, by Chinese officers, whilst those laws were only
partially administered towards them, and whilst appeal to the higher Chinese
tribunals is entirely shut out from them.
All that could be justly expected from my Government, under such cir
cumstances, was to provide means for the fair trial of British offenders against
Chinese life or property by British laws and British officers.
With respect to the merits of this particular case, I urged that no European
had seen the body of the man said to be stabbed ; that the Lascar denied the
whole allegation, and that it was certain no knife had been found upon him.
I concluded by insisting that the men must be delivered to me by ten
o'clock, or that I must quit Canton, leaving upon his Excellency and them
232
selves, in the form of a protest, all the grave responsibility of any evil conse
quences which might ensue from their further detention.
I suggested, at the same time, that, as soon as it were known I had left the
Factories, it was too probable some eight hundred or a thousand men might
come up to Canton from Whampoa, to carry a petition to the city gates for the
restoration of the people. Whilst I remained, my countrymen would be patient,
feeling assured that the safety of the people was certain ; it was not easy to
believe they would remain so after I had left Canton.
The Lascars, it was to be observed, were a very excitable race of people,
and they might urge their commanders to take some hazardous step, which no
man would deplore more sincerely than myself; but it would be wholly out of
my power to control events, if they constrained me, by their unreasonable re
fusal of my proposal, to retire from the stage of my public duties—the very first
of which was the protection of my countrymen.
Ilowqua was evidently shaken by this tone of representation, but he' still
anxiously entreated me to wait till he could see the Governor in the morn
ing. I felt, however, that this was one of those cases in which firm coun
tenance and rigid adherence to my original declaration was all I had to depend
upon ; and I closed the discussion by desiring the people to prepare my boat.
At this point Howqua gave way, and the men were forthwith restored
to me.
They have been in my custody ever since ; and your Lordship may be
assured that I will never give them up to any other form of trial than that to
which I have pledged myself—namely, a trial according to the forms of British
law.
It is satisfactory to add that the Chinese is said to be doing well, and that
the tranquil course of the trade has not been interrupted.
I would in this place, my Lord, express a respectful but earnest hope, that
no time may be lost in the formation of adequate judicial and police insti
tutions for the government of the King's subjects in this empire ; and I have
no hesitation in assuring your Lordship that it is in my power to secure from
the provincial authorities the most formal sanction to their operation. J
For several months in the year, there are not less than 2000 of his Majesty's
subjects at Canton, Whampoa, Macao, and the immediately adjacent anchorages ;
and your Lordship is aware, that, except in cases of homicide, the Chinese
Government do not interpose at all for the preservation of peace between them
and their own people, or between his Majesty's subjects themselves.
Your Lordship will conceive the exceeding risk and unsuitablcness of the
absence of defined means of sufficient control.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Macao, October?!, \SoJ.
P.S.—Particular circumstances calling me to this place on the 30th ult., I
apprized the Provincial Government that I adhered to my pledge with respect
to these people, but must take them away with me to Macao. The day after
my departure from Canton, accompanied by the Lascars, a chop was issued by
the district magistrate, desiring that they might be finally delivered to me to be
dealt with as I saw fit.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
233
No. 109.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received May 15, 1838.)
My Lord, Canton, November 18, 1837.
THE Inclosure No. 1, which I have now the honour to transmit,
consists of a series of four Edicts upon the subject of the opium ships,
forwarded to me by the Provincial Government, at various dates in the
months of August and September last.
An instrument subsequently addressed to me (Inclosure No. 4 of this
despatch) so fully recapitulates the subject matter of these documents, that
I have merely considered it necessary to trouble your Lordship with their
contents in an abridged form.
It is requisite your Lordship should know, that since my first arrival
in Canton, in the month of April last, I have frequently been urged by the
official merchants (and, as they have always declared, by the special
command of the Governor) to dismiss the opium ships from the usual
anchorages outside the port. I have invariably replied on these occasions,
that my Commission charged me with the superintendence of the trade to
Canton ; that my Government had no formal knowledge of the existence of
any other ; and that his Excellency must be sensible I could concern myself
only with the duties I had due authority to perform.
"When the Edict of the 19th September was delivered to me, the
merchants anxiously importuned me to acknowledge the receipt of all
these papers, and authentically to explain my situation in relation to the
whole subject.
So long as there was room for the supposition, that these repeated
approaches were merely formal, I considered, that it would be most con
venient entirely to disregard them ; but, with the Government manifestly
in greater earnest than it had ever yet been upon the subject, it was to be
borne in mind, that my continued silence was susceptible of mis
chievous misconstruction for the vindication of the menaced inter
ruption of the whole commerce.
Thus impressed, I resolved to record my own grounds for the course
I was pursuing, rather than to leave its explanation to the inferences of
the Provincial Government.
The Inclosure No. 2, is my note to the Governor, in acknowledgment
of the first Edict.
The Inclosure No. 3, is his Excellency's admission of the reasonableness
of my objections to transmit for submission to the throne, communications
which reached me through an indirect and informal channel.
The Inclosure No. 4, is an instrument addressed directly to myself
under the seals of the Kwang-Chow-Foo and the Kwang-Heep, and contains
copy of his Excellency's Edict, addressed to those officers for communica
tion to me.
The Inclosure No. 5, is my acknowledgment of this paper.
The earlier transmission of this despatch has been prevented by the
Governor's absence from the provincial city on an official tour, which has
put it out of my power to transmit my note, No. 5, till yesterday ; and I
considered it a matter of some moment, that the circumstances should stand
in their present posture before they were reported for your Lordship's
information.
Situated as I am, I hope to be pardoned for submitting my own views
of a course of proceeding which seems to me to be easy and advantageous
of adoption in the present conjuncture ; but I am disposed to believe, that
it may more conveniently form the subject of a separate despatch.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
2 H
234
Inclosure 1 in No. 109.
Abstract of an Edict from the Governor and Lieutenant Governor ofCanton
to the Hong Merchants, against the Opium-receiving ships anchored
outside the port of Canton.
August 4, 1837.
THEIR Excellencies have received from Peking an Imperial Edict,
which they insert, and of which the following is the substance : " A
memorial has been laid before the Emperor, representing that more than
ten English vessels are constantly anchored outside the port, in the
anchorages of Kap-shuy-moon and Kumsingmoon ; that the illicit trade—
the importation of opium and exportation of Sycee silver—depends
Entirely on these vessels ; and that they form also places of refuge for
proscribed smugglers. The Emperor accordingly directs, that the resident
foreigners be immediately required to send them away, and also, that
steps be taken to punish all natives engaged in the smuggling of opium."
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor hereupon issue orders to the
Hong Merchants, to make it known, that no foreign vessels are allowed to
remain anchored outside the port ; and to call on the English Superinten
dent to send away all the receiving-vessels now anchored in various
places within a period of ten days.
[Note. This abstract is given in as few words as possible, as the tenor
of the whole of this document, and of the three others, appears in a
subsequent document, of which a full translation is given.]
(Signed) J. ROBERT MORRISON,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Abstract of a second Edict from the Governor and Lieutenant Governor
of Canton against the Opium-receiving Ships anchored outside the Port.
August 17, 1837.
THE Imperial Edict, inserted in the first Edict from their Excellen
cies, is here re-inserted ; and their previous orders are alluded to, with
blame, on account of no answer having yet been given.
The English Superintendent Elliot, being authorized to direct even
trifling matters, is so much the more called on to interfere in an important
matter, which, as it is contrary to the laws of the Celestial Empire, must
also be obnoxious to the instructions which the Superintendent has from
his own Government. The benevolence of the Great Emperor is universal,
but it cannot suffer depraved foreigners to tempt natives to do eviL
The strict terms of the Imperial Edict require on the part of their
Excellencies, the utmost diligence ; and, being apprehensive that the Hong
merchants may not have explained the subject with sufficient earnestness,
this second Edict is therefore issued. The Superintendent is to be in
structed, immediately to send away all the vessels anchored at Lintin,
and other places outside the port ; and hereafter, the trade must be con
fined to articles legally dutyable, and no contraband articles, such as
opium, must be imported.
The goodness of the Government in permitting foreigners to have a
general mart for their commerce, at such an important emporium as
Canton is, is then spoken of; but it is shown on the other hand, that
the Emperor can be awfully severe, as well as good and merciful ; and
that it will be well, therefore, to avoid such conduct as will lead to the
entire stoppage of commercial intercourse.
Abstract of a third Edict from the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of
Canton against the Opium-receiving ships anchored outside the Port.
September 18, 1837.
THEIR Excellencies allude to the Imperial Edict before published by
them, and recapitulate their orders of date 17th August, adding that no
235
report has yet been made in answer. They then give the substance of
sundry reports from naval and civil officers, in regard to the movements
of ships from Kapsingmoon eastward, to a place called Tseenshatsuy, and
also between Tseenshatsuy and Macao. This not being the direction
which vessels should take to return to their countries, it is plain from their
moving eastward to Tseenshatsuy, that their object is to remain lingering
about, and to watch the progress of events.
The goodness of the Government in permitting the continuance of
trade, under all circumstances, for a space of 200 years, is highly extolled,
and the contumacy of foreigners reprobated ; and it is asked, if they
can suppose that while they render the Chinese seas a common sewer
for the filthy opium, the Government can fail to put the laws in force
against them? If in the several foreign countries, individuals of another
country were, with their ships, to contravene the laws, and continue for a
long time so doing, the king of the country would certainly enforce the
laws against the offenders. How much more must the Government of this
empire punish the contumacious disobedience of barbarians ?
The King of England has been hitherto dutiful and respectful, and
has plainly prohibited the conduct complained of; and, lest any of his
people should bring shame on their country, has sent the Superintendent
Elliot, to Canton, to hold them in check. But a month has elapsed since
strict investigation concerning these receiving-vessels was entered upon,
and yet the Superintendent has not sent any of them away. It is to be
feared, therefore, he is unfit for the situation of Superintendent. If he can
willingly bear reproach, on account of these vessels, how then will he
answer it to his King, or how to their Excellencies ? If he will seriously
consider it, he surely cannot find rest upon his bed.
Their Excellencies issue once more their commands, requiring the
Superintendent to make known to those of the receiving-ships the good
ness and the terrors of the Government ; to lay before them the choice of
weal or woe ; and to call on them all immediately to return home ; they
also require him to report to his King, in order that the receiving-vessels
may henceforth be prohibited from coming hither. Thus the good and
bad will not be confounded ; thus the unbounded goodness of the Emperor
may be manifested, and the path of intercourse be for ever retained to
those who are good among the foreigners. It would not be difficult for
their Excellencies to use the power placed in their hands, and at once
drive oft" these offenders ; but they do not decline repeatedly to give admo
nitions, lest anything should be wanting to the faithful exhibition of their
requirements, and so the display of impartial benevolence should be
obstructed. But further contumacy, after this, will make it manifest that
words are but thrown away upon wilful offenders.
The Hong merchants finally are commanded to report, whether the
Superintendent is looking on with folded arms, or whether the delay
arises from the obstinacy of those on board the receiving-ships. They are
warned also not to risk their fortunes and lives by negligence and indif
ference.
Abstract of an Edict from the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of
Canton respecting contraband trading on the coast of Fuhkeen,
September 19, 1837.
THE Governor and Lieutenant Governor give insertion to an Impe
rial Edict just received by them from Peking, of the following tenour ■—
" The Governor of Fuhkeen had informed His Majesty, of the apprehension
of sundry persons who had been engaged in the introduction of opium,
whereupon His Majesty had commanded the naval Commander-in-chief in
that province to suppress all such illegalities therein. Calling to mind
that there are many foreign officers and chief supracargoes at Macao, His
Majesty further requires that, as often as such officers shall obtain infor
mation of the existence of a contraband traffic, it shall be their duty to
send away the offending parties."
Their Excellencies require the senior Hong merchants accordingly to
call upon the English Superintendent to investigate the subject ; and when
23C
ever he learns of any illicit traffic, immediately to send away the offending
parties for trial, according to the laws of their country ; and also to prevent
vessels from going beyond the prescribed bounds.
Inclosure 2 in No. 109.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, September 25, 1837.
THE Undersigned, &c, &c, has had the honour to receive your
Excellency's Edicts addressed to the senior Hong merchants, dated on the
18th and 19th September, 1837.
His Commission from his Government places the ships and subjects
of the English nation trading to this port under his direction. It is his
duty to use every effort to cause all British persons arriving within these
limits, to respect the laws and customs of the empire ; and your Excellency
may be assured that he will ever zealously devote himself to those
objects.
The Undersigned is not ignorant that an extensive traffic is carried
on without the port of Canton by the ships of foreign nations. But he
sees only the papers of British ships which arrive within the port ; and he
is therefore without any public means of knowing which of the ships
resorting to these anchorages are British ; what is the nature of their
pursuits; whence they come, or whither they go ?
Your Excellency has now been pleased to direct that His Majesty
the King of England should be informed of the gracious will of the
Emperor, requiring the adoption of measures to prevent these alleged
irregular visits of British ships to the coasts of China.
It is the duty of the Undersigned respectfully, but plainly, to signify
to your Excellency, that the present condition of his public intercourse
with the Government of these Provinces renders it impossible, consistently
with the customs of his country, that any such communication should
ever arrive under the notice of the King.
The pleasure of your Excellency reaches the knowledge of the
Undersigned, who is an officer, and wholly unconnected with trade, in no
more authentic and formal shape than the copy of an Edict addressed by
your Excellency to native merchants. He does not dare to forward the
substance of information derived from such a source for submission to the
throne.
In his ordinary intercourse with your Excellency, he has deferred, at
great personal responsibility, to the present manner of communication,
because your Excellency informed him that it was in conformity with the
customs of the empire.
But in the transmission of communications to the knowledge of the
King of England, it is in like manner just and needful, that due regard
should be had to the customs which regulate the manner of intercourse
with His Majesty.
In a late visit of a British ship-of-war to the coasts of Fuhkeen, upon
public business, his Excellency the Governor of that province commu
nicated his pleasure concerning those affairs, to certain officers of the
province, and commanded them to take a copy of his Edict, and to deliver
it, under their seal, to the Commander of the British ship.
That document is now in the possession of the Undersigned, and a
translation of it will be laid before the King, so that the gracious benevo
lence of the Emperor to the distressed subjects of his kingdom may be
made known to His Majesty.
If your Excellency, in your wisdom, shall judge fit to conform to this
same practice, whenever it be desired to lay communications before His
Majesty, all difficulty upon the subject will be removed.
■ The Undersigned will conclude this address, by observing, that His
Gracious Sovereign has never yet been approached with representations
setting forth the existence of irregularities by the subjects of his kingdom
237
on these coasts ; and that His Majesty, therefore, can know nothing of
any such allegations, or of the pleasure of the Emperor in respect to
them.
The Undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to your
Excellency the sentiments of his highest considerations.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 3 in No. 109.
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Canton in reply to Captain
Elliot's request that the wishes of the Government should be commu
nicated through the medium of an Officer.
September 28, 1837.
THE Governor and Lieutenant Governor jointly reply. The vessels
having been so long anchored off the coast, that the Great Emperor has
been informed respecting them,—and the Superintendent having resided
for some years at Macao, how can he be ignorant of the circumstances
and places of their anchorage? The address of the Superintendent is
merely a specious document. The rule of the Empire is, that all com
mands issued to foreigners are to be enjoined through the medium of the
Hong merchants. And in a matter of such importance as the present,
how can obedience be refused ! There is, however, some reason in the
representation, that it is difficult to bring to the knowledge of his King a
plain and unauthentic document. They, therefore, taking this into con
sideration, will adapt their proceedings to the occasion, and will instruct
the Prefect of the department of Kwang-Chow, and the chief military
officer of the same department, to communicate their wishes to the Super
intendent, who, in obedience thereto, is to send away the receiving-ships,
and also to forward information to his King, that such vessels may be
prohibited coming hither again.
[Note.—The same matter appears almost verbatim in the next docu
ment, where it is translated in full.]
(Signed) J. ROBERT MORRISON,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 4 in No. 109.
The Prefect and Commandant of Canton to Captain Elliot.
September 29, 1837.
CHOO, Prefect of Kwang-Chow-Foo, and Ta, commander of the forces
of Kwang-Chow, issue these commands to the English Superintendent,
Elliot, that he may render himself acquainted therewith.
On the 28th September, we received from their Excellencies the
Governor and Lieutenant Governor, the following official document :—
" On the 3rd August, we received from the Grand Council of State,
copy of an Imperial Edict, of date July 14, of the following tenor :—
" ' Owing to the exportation of silver carried on from all the ports
along the coast, and in consideration of the important bearing of this
upon the national resources and the livelihood of the people, we have
already, in repeated instances, declared our pleasure, requiring all the
Governors and Lieutenant Governors of the provinces, faithfully to make
examination and to act in this matter.
'• ' To-day again, the Sub-Censor, Le Pankew, has laid before us. a
memorial to this effect, that there are above ten English warehousing
vessels, which first, in the year 1821, entered the anchorage of Kapshuy-
moon, and thence in 1833, removed their anchorage to Kumsingmoon ;
that the importation of opium, and the exportation of silver, depend
wholly on these warehousing vessels, which form also a general refuge for
absconders ; that a set of worthless fellows, in boats called " fast-crabs,"
238
going and coming from morn to night, find means to make their way
stealthily into every creek and inlet ; that there are depraved dealers
who prepare the drug for use, buying and selling by wholesale ; and, also,
that the native retail dealers in foreign commodities, under the open pre
text of selling articles of commerce, make secret smuggling their business,
and in nowise differ from the larger preparers of the drug.
" ' There surely must be a fixed place of anchorage for the vessels of
the foreigners: how then is it, that, while previous to the year 1821, the
clandestine establishment of warehousing vessels was never heard of,
these vessels have of late been suffered to remain for whole years at
anchor on the high seas, thus leading to unlawful combination between
them and natives, and to unrestrained smuggling? Let it be the respon
sible duty of the Governor of Kwangtung and his colleagues, to give strict
orders to the Hong merchants, to be enjoined on the resident foreigners
of the said nation, requiring them to compel the warehousing vessels now
anchored there, one and all, to return home, and not to permit them
under any pretext to linger about. Let them also ascertain where are
the dens and hiding-places of the opium-dealers, and inflict punishment
on each individual, without the slightest indulgence. Thus the source of
the evil may be closed up, and the spirit of contumacy suppressed. Let
a copy of the memorial be, together with these commands, transmitted to
Tang and Ke, and by them let the commands be enjoined on Wan. Respect
this.'
" This having been with respectful obedience transmitted to us, the
Governor and Lieutenant Governor, we have examined the subject.
Opium is a poison capable of destroying life; and the pure silver may not
by law be exported. The aim and object of the foreign receiving-ships is
gain alone ; and by presuming for a long period to remain at anchor,
enticing the natives and combining with them in clandestine traffic, those
concerned in these ships have greatly infringed the laws of the celestial
Empire. Having respectfully received the above commands, we issued
especial orders to the Hong merchants, requiring them earnestly and
zealously to enjoin the same on the said Superintendent Elliot, and
directing, that he should pay immediate obedience to the declared Impe
rial pleasure ; that he should send away home every one of the receiving
vessels now anchored in the various offings, and should no longer suffer
them to linger about as heretofore. This is on record.
" After thus doing, we successively received reports from the Military
Commander at Tapang, from the Sub-Prefect at Macao, and from the
Civil and Naval authorities of Heangshan, to the effect, that there were
twenty-five receiving-vessels anchored off the Motaou Islands [in Kap-
singmoon], as also in the offings of the Nine Islands and Cabreta Point,
and in the anchorage of the Typa ; from which places they successively
moved on the 29th and 30th days of August ; and on the 2nd and 3rd of
of September, nineteen of the said receiving ships proceeding from the
Motaou Islands to Tseenshatsuy offing, and two of them from the Nine
Islands, and one from off Cabreta Point, to the same place ; further, that
on the 8th of September, two vessels moved from Tseenshatsuy to the
Typa, and on the 9th, one from the same place to Cabreta Point ; while
only a Dutch ship, which had in the year 1834, anchored off the Nine
Islands, and had at this time removed to Tseenshatsuy, weighed anchor
on the 7th, and proceeded to sea, beyond the great Ladrone Island. We
also received a communication from the Naval Commander-in-chief
to the same effect, adding that Tseenshatsuy is to the eastward of Mo
taou ; and suggesting the great necessity for driving off the numerous
vessels which have now taken up their anchorage there.
" Now these receiving-ships come from the south-westward, and must
needs return in a south-west direction ; how is it then that they have on
the contrary removed eastward ! And why do they not remain in one
place ! It is manifest herein that they wish to cruize about unchecked,
and to linger in the neighbourhood, to watch the progress of circum
stances.
" The goodness of the Celestial Empire and its cherishing kindness
are extreme. Since it first granted to all nations a general market, where
239
the commodities of all might be bartered, a space of 200 years has
elapsed as though it had been but a single day. Such profound bene
volence,—favours so substantial, are well fitted to penetrate the entire
body, even to the very marrow of the bones. Could it then be supposed,
that depraved foreigners would twist awry the laws, and to serve merely
their private ends, would assume the pretence of traffic ! Most lucid and
clear are the sacred commands. Can any yet dare to be, as the habitual
looker-on, unobservant, and still continue to linger about ? And are the
seas of the central flowery land to be made a common sewer for the recep
tion of this filthy [opiumj ! Or shall we, entrusted with the defence and
government of the frontier, be thought unable to follow such conduct with
the rigour of the law ? Consider, if within the territory of any of those
countries, the vessels of another country were contumaciously to infringe
the prohibitions, and remain for a long period there without leaving,
whether the King of that nation would not regard it necessary to punish
such offenders with rigour, refusing the least indulgence How much
more then the celestial Empire ! How can it suffer barbarians to disobey
the laws, and without restraint to throw contempt thereon ?
" The King of the said nation has been heretofore, dutiful and
respectful, and his prohibitions have been rigorously and clearly enacted.
And being apprehensive lest merchants or seamen of vessels coming
hither should infringe prohibitions, or transgress the laws, and so should
bring shame upon their country, he specially sent the Superintendent
Elliot to Canton, to keep them under controul and restraint. But these
receiving-ships have now remained for a very long time at anchor; and
though two months have elapsed since the said Superintendent has
received our commands, he has not yet sent them away to their country.
We fear he is unfit to bear the designation of Superintendent. If he can
willingly subject himself to reproach on account of these receiving-vessels,
how will he be able to answer it to his King ? Or how to Us, the Gover
nor and Lieutenant Governor ? Let him, in the stillness of night, reflect
hereon ; and if he do so, we think that he will be unable to find rest upon
his bed.
" It now, however, appears, from an address presented by the said
Superintendent, that he objects to the copying and enjoining of these
commands by the Hong merchants, on the ground of such copied docu
ment being unauthentic, without official seal or envelope, and so not
giving him evidence whereon to pay obedience to it ; and also that he is
apprehensive of transgressing the laws of his country. According to the
established laws of the Celestial Empire, it is required, that in all matters
wherein commands are given to the outer foreigners, such commands be
enjoined through the medium of Hong merchants. And in this instance,■
moreover, the Imperial pleasure was declared, specially requiring that the
Hong merchants should be commanded to give directions and to act. Can
any dare, then, not to pay respectful obedience thereto ? The said nation
of course has its own laws. But is it imagined, that the laws of outer
barbarians can be practised in the domains of the Celestial dynasty?
What utter ignorance of the requirements of dignity is this!
" Yet the representation, that it is impossible for him to communicate
to his Government such an unauthenticated document appears reasonable.
And we, therefore, on this consideration act, on this occasion, as expe
diency dictates. We forthwith issue this document to you, the Prefect of
Kwang-Chow-Foo, requiring you immediately, in conjunction with the
Commander of forces in the department, to copy these our commands, and
enjoin them on the said Superintendent Elliot, that he may act in obe
dience thereto. He is required speedily to make known to the receiving
vessels anchored at Tseenshatsuy and other places, the Imperial good
ness, and also the Imperial terrors ; to set before them the choice of weal
and woe ; and to urge their speedy and entire departure for their country.
There must be no contumacious opposition. The said Superintendent is
also to convey it to his King, that hereafter such receiving-vessels are to
be prohibited ever again coming hither ; and that only the merchant
vessels trading in legally dutyable articles may come, while all contra
band articles, such as the filthy opium, are not to be conveyed over the
240
Ik
wide seas. Thus, the source of the evil may be closed, and the laws be
held up to honour ; thus, the universally beneficial and boundless favours
of the Great Emperor, may, on the one hand, be conferred; and, on the
other hand, the path of commercial intercourse may for ever be kept open
to all good foreigners. We, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor hold
a great power in our hands, and do that which we determine to do. What
difficulty should we have in driving these vessels away with the utmost
rigour ? Yet we refuse not to repeat our admonitions again and again,
fearing lest there should be any want of perfect faithfulness, and any
consequent obstruction to the display of universally impartial benevo
lence.
" If, after this time of issuing our commands, the receiving-vessels
again collect, as though we were not heard, and continue to remain
looking around them, it will be manifest that amendment finds no place in
the hearts of those concerned in them ; and not only will they be no
longer borne with by the Great Emperor, but by their own King also,
they will certainly be subjected to trial. We cannot do otherwise than
pursue them with the rigour of the laws, and show forth to all the Celes
tial terrors. If the said Superintendent fail to pay earnest obedience
hereto, he also will draw on himself investigation and expulsion. All
must with trembling anxiety attend. Further, let him be commanded to
report as to the periods when these receiving-vessels severally depart for
their country. Oppose not ! Be earnest and speedy ; earnest and
speedy ! "
We, the civil and military authorities of this department, having
received the above, forthwith copy the commands of their Excellencies the
Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and send them to the said Superin
tendent Elliot, requiring him to pay immediate obedience.
[The remainder of the document is a repetition of the latter portion
of the preceding commands, with but one addition, wherein they require
Captain Elliot to report again " through the medium of the Hong
merchants."]
Be earnest and speedy ; earnest and speedy! A special order.
Taoukwang, 17th year, 8th month (29th September, 1837.)
A true Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Charles Gutzlaff,
Joint Interpreter.
Inclosure 5 in No. 109.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, November 17, 1837.
THE Undersigned, &c &c, has had the honour to receive your
Excellency's Edict, dated on the 25th September, conveyed directly to
1nim under the seals of the Kwang-Chow-Foo, and the Kwang-Heep, and
ne will immediately transmit it to his country by the rapid steam and
*overland communication from Bombay.
He has already signified to your Excellency with truth and plainness,
that his Commission extends only to the regular trade with this Empire;
and further, that the existence of any other than this trade has never yet
been submitted to the knowledge of his own Gracious Sovereign.
He will only permit himself to add, on this occasion, that circum
stances of the kind described by your Excellency, cannot be heard of
without feelings of concern and. apprehension: and he desires humbly
to express an earnest hope that sure and safe means of remedying a
hazardous state of things, may be speedily devised.
The Undersigned renews to your Excellency the sentiments of his
highest consideration.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT
241
No. 110.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received May 15, 1838.)
• >
My Lord, Canton, November 19, 1837.
I NOW beg leave to resume the subject of my despatch of yesterday's
date.
i[ ■ In the early part of this year, the project of immediately legalizing
the traffic in opium was, without doubt, favourably entertained at the
Court ; and, situated as we are, it is impossible to detect the particular
management by which the postponement of the measure may have been
achieved. - -|
We have now arrived, however, at a stage in the passage of cir
cumstances when it appears to be necessary, that the subject should once
more be drawn under your Lordship's serious attention.
The vigorous proceedings of the Provincial Government against the
native smugglers at the outside anchorages in the immediate neighbour
hood of this port, have had the effect of vastly increasing the traffic on the
eastern coasts of this and the neighbouring provinces of Fuhkeen.
Till within the last few months, that branch of the trade never
afforded employment to more than two or three small vessels ; but, at the
date of this despatch, and for some months past, there have not been less
than twenty sail of vessels on the east coasts ; and I am sorry to add, that
there is every reason to believe blood has been spilt in the interchange of
shot which has ever and anon■ taken place between them and the Mandarin
boats.
The most grave result of the vigilance upon the spot remains to be
decribed.
The native boats have been burned, and the native smugglers scat
tered ; and the consequence is, as it was foreseen it would be, that a
complete and very hazardous change has been worked in the whole
manner of conducting the Canton portion of the trade.
The opium is now carried on (and a great part of it inwards to
Whampoa) in European passage-boats belonging to British owners,
slenderly manned with Lascar seamen, and furnished with a scanty
armament, which may rather be said to provoke or to justify search,
accompanied by violence, than to furnish the means of effectual defence.
I have no certain means of judging to what extent the shipping at
Whampoa may be implicated in this new mode of carrying on the trade,
but I am not without reason to believe, that they are so, and possibly in an
increasing degree.' And as your Lordship is probably aware that the
Hong merchant who secures each ship, and the captain and consignee,
join in a bond that she has no opium on board, it is needless to dwell
upon the very embarrassing consequences which would ensue if the
existence of a different state of facts should nevertheless be esta
blished.
I am disposed to believe that the higher officers of the Provincial
Government are perfectly sensible of the extensive smuggling of opium
carried on in the European passage-boats, and from some motive, either
of interest or policy, or probably of both, they oppose no immediate
obstacle to such a condition of things.
But the continuance of their inertness is not to be depended upon.
Disputes among themselves for the shares of the emoluments, private
reports against each other to the Court, and, lastly, their ordinary practice
of permitting abuse to grow to ripeness, and to rest in false security, are
all considerations which forbid the hope that these things can endure.
Setting aside, however, the interference of the Mandarins, it is not
to be questioned that the passage of this valuable article in small and
insignificantly armed vessels, affords an intense temptation to piratical
attack by the many desperate smugglers out of employment, and by the
2 I
needy inhabitants of the neighbouring islands. And another Ladrone
war directed against Europeans as well as Chinese is a perfectly probable
event.
In fact, my Lord, looking around me, and weighing the whole body
of circumstances as carefully as I can, it seems to me that the moment
has arrived for such active interposition upon the part of Her Majesty's
Government, as can be properly afforded ; and that it cannot be deferred
without great hazard to the safety of the whole trade, and of the persons
engaged in its pursuit.
The accompanying paper was originally intended as a memorandum
of matter to be framed into a despatch to your Lordship ; but several
considerations dispose me to hope I shall be excused for transmitting it
in its present form.
That the main body of the inward trade (about three-fifths of the
amount) should be carried; on in so hazardous a manner to the safety of
the whole commerce and intercourse with the empire, is a very disquieting
subject of reflection ; but I have a strong conviction, that it is an evil
susceptible of early removal.
I tl3.VC
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 110.
Memorandum by Captain Elliot.
Canton, November 19, 1837.
THE official application of the Provincial Government, which forms
the subject of Inclosure Feb. 20, in my despatch No. 6, seems to furnish a
proper occasion for an approach to this Government by Her Majesty's
Government.
The necessity for such interposition, it may be said, is not imme
diately obvious. That may be the case in England, and it would be an
ungrateful task to throw it into a stronger light. But at all events, I
shall simply say, that it seems to me, the actual state of things cannot
continue to be left to the turn of events, without seriously risking vast
public and private interests, or without such deeply-rooted injury to the
national character in the estimation of this huge portion of mankind, as
it is painful indeed to reflect upon.
Be my impressions, however, in these respects well founded or not, it
has occurred to me that the suggestion of a mode of approach to this
Government may not be a useless task at the present conjuncture, and
with that feeling, I submit the following proposition.
I would premise, by suggesting that the Secretary of State should
address a letter, without loss of time, to the Governor of these provinces,
announcing that the official paper, already adverted to, had been received,
and signifying Her Majesty's pleasure to despatch a Special Commissioner
to China, to inquire in what degree the evils complained of were justly
chargeable to Her Majesty's subjects, and to consider by what means it
might be possible to establish all things upon a safe and satisfactory
footing.
I would observe, however, that it is desirable the place to which it is
proposed to send the Commissioner should not be mentioned in the
Secretary of State's letter to the Governor of Canton.
This communication would, in my belief, have the immediate effect of
tempering the policy of the Provincial Government upon all points con
nected with the foreigners, and that of itself would be much to gain.
I have considered that the form of approach by a Special Com
missioner is the most convenient for several reasons.
243
In the first place, it is a description of appointment in frequent use
by this Court. And as these Commissioners are understood to be persons
who have particular business to perform, they are almost entirely
exempted from the tedious ceremonial which must press so heavily upon
the time of the higher officers of the provinces employed in their ordinary
stations.
The difficulties therefore would be easily managed in respect to all
points of form, which become so exceedingly perplexing in the case of
Ambassadors, whose main business the Chinese consider to be the per
formance of ceremony. But there is a still more urgent reason for the
appointment of such a functionary rather than an Ambassador. He might
not only announce that this visit was one of business and not of cere
mony, but signify, that he must stay where he was till it was entirely
completed.
No negotiations in China, it may be depended upon, will be so suc
cessful as those which are conducted either on board ships of war, or at
all events, at a place to which the ships could accompany the negotiators,
and abide in perfect safety. When the Chinese perceive it is seriously
intended that the ships should remain till all things were settled, they
will speedily arrive at such reasonable results as shall lead to their
departure.
Whilst I am upon this subject, I would presume to say, that a six-
and-forty gun frigate, and a sloop, or perhaps two, with a steam-boat
from India, do not appear to form a larger escort than may very properly
attend upon a Special Commissioner, charged with an autograph letter
from Her Majesty to the Emperor, and with the arrangement of momentous
public concerns.
The point to which I would submit this officer should be sent is the
Island of Tchusan. The anchorage has been well surveyed and is per
fectly safe ; it is in the near neighbourhood of the great city of Ningpo,
and not very far from Nanking ; so that communication with officers of
very high station would immediately be available.
And if events should take an unfavorable turn, the peaceful conti
nuance of the expedition at that point till further instructions could be
received from England would be easy ; as well on account of the defen
sible nature of an insular position by a sea force, as of the capabilities of
this island to support its own population and the force itself, without aid
irom the main land.
It is to be apprehended, that if the ships were sent at first, or were
subsequently to repair to any point on the Continent, considerable
numbers of troops would gradually be collected in the neighbourhood;
and if no other difficulty ensued, there would probably soon be great
inconvenience about the purchase of supplies, which the people of the
country would be prevented from selling.
But at Tchusan, the ships would be felt to be securely situated in
these respects : and the disposition to adjust upon satisfactory terms
would be proportionably greater.
I would remark upon this topic, that the Commissioner might have
orders to remonstrate against, and if need be, to prevent the introduction
of reinforcements into the island, whilst he remained there, upon the
ground that they might obstruct him in the peaceful performance of his
duties ; and above all, that he could not answer for the constant preser
vation of a good understanding between them and his own people:
trifling disputes might lead to conflicts, conflicts to open war. Reasoning
founded upon the maintenance of the public tranquillity is always very
needfully considered in China.
On arriving at the place of destination, I would submit that the chief
native officer should be required to announce to the Governor of Ningpo,
the arrival of a Commissioner charged with an autograph letter from
Her Majesty to the Emperor, and a letter from the Secretary of State to
the Governor General of the Provinces, resident at Nanking, as well as to
the Cabinet at Peking; and to request that proper officers might imme
diately be deputed to receive these last communications.
It seems to be a trifling point to notice, but I believe it is of moment,
2 I 2
244
that the Commissioner should be instructed neither to see nor to give, or
to receive, communications of any kind from persons deputed by the
Governor of Ningpo, till he should have most carefully ascertained
through his interpreters, that they were officers of at least the third rank,
if civil ; the second rank, if military.
The letters of the Secretary of State to the Governor General, and the
Cabinet at Peking, might signify in general terms, the cause and objects
of the Mission, and request that their Excellencies would move the Em
peror graciously to appoint Commissioners of the first rank to receive
Her Majesty's letter ; and other special officers to confer with him on the
business of his visit, in order that he might speedily complete it, and sail
back to his country as soon as it were satisfactorily arranged.
In determining upon the propriety of moving to any other place to
which he might be invited to proceed by the Emperor's command, I would
say the Commissioner should be guided by the affirmative of two pro
positions.
First. That the ships could accompany him, and remain in perfect
safety.
Secondly. That the place was nearer to the Court than Tchusan.
But my own very forcible impression is, that it would be the safest
and most hopeful course, to instruct him not to quit Tchusan at all till
all things were surely adjusted.
If the Emperor, when all matters were concluded, required him to
proceed to the Court, I would say that the visit should be preceded by a
convention, plainly defining the manner of his reception, and guaranteeing
his safe and becoming return, at any moment he thought fit, to the station
of the ships.
It is not probable that a visit to the Court will be invited, and in my
judgment, it had better be avoided, except it be very urgently pressed.
If the Commissioner were required to proceed to Canton and
place himself in communication with the Governor there, it might be
answered that he had no letters of credence to that functionary (a point
the Chinese perfectly understand), and that his orders forbid him to
communicate with him.
If all intercourse at any other point than Canton were obstinately
refused (and there, it would be idle to go), I would submit that the Com
missioner should be instructed to declare, that he had orders to take post
where he was, till further directions could be received from England.
And that he should forthwith manifest an earnest determination to
secure himself in a safe attitude.
Whilst I am upon this point, I would say that the arrival of a
transport or two at Tchusan from India, with supplies and stores for the
ships, would probably produce the best effect in hastening the movements
of the Chinese Court in a favourable sense.
When officers from Peking had arrived, and communications were
opened, I would propose that the Commissioner, after the verification of
the grounds of complaint, should explain how impossible it was Her
Majesty's Government could take the steps which had been urged by the
Chinese, and how futile they would have been if their enactment were
practicable.
More than one-half of the opium imported into China, it might be
shown, came from places not in the dominions of Her Majesty. And Her
Majesty, therefore, had neither the right nor the power to forbid its im
portation in foreign bottoms. Again, it might be asked, with such a vast
proportion of the opium foreign -grown, what means were there of
preventing the whole of the British-grown opium being sent to places
out of Her Majesty's dominions, and thence exported to China in foreign
bottoms?
From a person in my position, all reasoning of this description would
be out of place. It is my plain duty to adhere to the principle that this
is a subject with which I have no concern. But the arguments of a
Commissioner specially appointed to treat the matter, would be atten
tively considered; and I think those may be urged which would lead
245
not only to the early legalization- of the trade (a trade that is carried
under circumstances which are very discreditable to us), but to other
important relaxations.
I believe it would be salutary to announce, that Her Majesty being
without the power to prevent or to regulate this trade, anxiously desired
its legalization ; so that all men who visited the Empire of China might
be within the controul of the laws.
The natural consequence of the present system, it might be said,
was the corruption of all, high and low, and the infesting of the coasts
with evil men, both foreign and native.
It organized vast masses of people in the practice of law-breaking ;
and how soon they might pass from one state of lawlessness to another,
no one could foresee.
The regular trade was no longer safe without special and powerful
protection, for it was notorious, that depredation of the most flagrant
nature upon innocent men, attended with frequent loss of life, took place
every week in the year (by armed boats, having the Government autho
rity), upon the pretence of searching for opium.
Another point remains to be particularly insisted upon. The Imperial
Government had frequently menaced the entire extinction of the regular
trade, on account of this illicit traffic, which it was plain Her Majesty had
no means of preventing.
Threats so urgent and so hostile, furnished an irresistible reason for
the constant presence of a protecting force. It was impossible to say how
soon the life and property of innocent men might fall a sacrifice to the
violence of the Government itself, if none were on the spot.
It might therefore be declared, in conclusion, that whilst things
remained as they were, Her Majesty had no other resource than to leave a
naval force on the coast, in order that the peaceful subjects of Her
dominions, carrying on a lawful trade, should not be hindered or injured
in their pursuits.
Upon the whole, it seems to me, that the time has fully arrived when
Her Majesty's Government should justly explain its own position with
respect to the prevention or regulation of this trade; give its own counsels,
or take its own alternative course.
Neither does it appear to be unsuitable, that the same occasion should
be taken to attempt such further relaxations in point of general inter
course and regular commercial facility, as may be deemed advisable.
In these last respects, I would say, that the Commissioner should
rather be instructed to gain all he can, than be furnished with precise
points for insistance.
The Chinese would probably refuse whatever is asked, merely because
it is asked, and offer more than was expected, because the proposition
came from their own side.
Every arrangement of this kind should undoubtedly be accompanied
by the proposal of a reasonable scheme for the controul and government of
Her Majesty's subjects in their intercourse with each other, and with the
people of this empire.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 111.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmcrston.— (Received May 15, 1838.)
My Lord, Canton, November 29, 1837.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's despatch, of June
12, 1837, which reached me, at this place, on the 21st inst.
The first point for consideration was a new mode of superscription; and
after some time it was determined to substitute for the character Pin—the
further use of which your Lordship had forbidden —the following characters :
Tac with the Tseen characters, Ching on the side of the Shang address ; the
246-
whole meaningj as nearly as it can be literally translated, " Presented before his
high place.'*
Agreeably to the genius of this language, and the usages of Chinese polite
ness, some form of superscription is necessary beyond the bare title of the func
tionary to whom a paper be addressed. And as the characters now selected are
not in use for such purposes by Chinese officers, and involved no signification to
which I believed her Majesty's Government would object, the accompanying
note to his Excellency was sealed up, and superscribed in the new form.
The senior merchants themselves were of opinion, that his Excellency,
taking into consideration the instructions I had now received, would consent to
this modification in the manner of the address.
He opened and read it attentively ; but, after some consideration, wrote
upon it with his own pencil, the words " Cannot be permitted," and desired the
merchants to return it to me with that comment.
I now felt that it was proper to adopt some more formal mode of signifying
to his Excellency, that I was acting under instructions just received. And!
therefore prepared the accompanying note (superscribed as Inclosure No. 1 had
been), ana sent it to the city gate by the hands of Messrs. Morrison and Elmslie,
desiring them to deliver it to the Kwang Heep, and to wait till that functionary
had reported to them that it had reached his Excellency's hand.
This was accordingly done ; and on the next day (the 26th), the merchants
brought me, by his Excellency's command, an edict addressed to them in reply
to my note delivered at the city gates.
I refused to receive it. But they said, in the course of conversation, that
it was a very courteous explanation of his Excellency's obligation to adhere to
ancient custom in the respect of intercourse with the foreigners.
I observed that it was not my purpose to discuss with them. His Excel
lency, I presumed, was acting upon his orders as I was upon mine. But I
added, that at a proper time, and to proper persons, there would be no difficulty
hi showing that, according to ancient custom, the intercourse between officers
had always been directly official.
I then handed them a third note ; but they returned it the next day (the
27th), saying that his Excellency had declined to receive it on account of the
alteration in the manner of the address.
I remarked, that the Governor had already opened two under the like form
of address—one taken to him by the Kwang Heep; and I was afraid the present
refusal would be very ill received by my own Government, and form a just
ground of complaint against him to the Emperor, which would be difficult of
*atisfactory explanation upon his Excellency's part.
The merchants at once admitted, that in their opinions his Excellency had
made a considerable mistake in this respect: he should either have refused the
first, or have taken all the papers.
I closed my communication with the merchants, by placing in their hands
an open paper, under my seal of office, precisely to the same effect as the Inclo
sure No. 3; telling them that they might lay it before the Governor, or not, as
they saw fit : at all events, I should strike the flag, and proceed to Macao in the
2nd prox.
They urged me to stay, and held out hopes of adjustment; but I said I had
fulfilled my instructions. And looking around me I saw enough of reason to
anticipate serious difficulties, and to be glad to be out of Canton whilst I could
neither communicate with the Governor nor learn his pleasure ; and was thus
deprived of all means of preventing or remedying disaster.
They then hinted that the Governor did not seem to consider there was
any insuperable objection to yielding the point of direct official intercourse.
But he desired them to say, that he could not sanction any change in the
superscription of my addresses.
I merely remarked, that my orders were positive on both points, and must
be strictly observed.
It is proper to add a word in explanation of my reason for proposing the
continuance of the manner of direct official intercourse, which was pursued in
the case of the Inclosure No. 4 of my Despatch of November IS, 1837.
In the former discussions with the merchants upon that subject I had
avoided a proposal of a visit from the Kwang Chow Foo and the Kwang Heep,
247
for the purpose of verbally communicating his Excellency's pleasure, because
I was apprehensive such a mode of intercourse might grow into practice.
But, in the event of difficulties, I knew how easily the Governor would
always declare that the officers who had made the verbal communications had
misunderstood his meaning; and, upon the whole, it appeared to me to be of
great moment in this business to keep hold of a system which supplied us with
the exact written words of the chief authority of the province.
Direct written communications from the Governor to a person in my
station, your Lordship may be assured are impossible of attainment till her
Majesty's officers are here supported by the presence of force ; and then it is
certainly probable that the point may pass without much difficulty.
In my present circumstances I was satisfied to take copies of his Excel
lency's edicts, attested under the seals of the Kwang Chow Foo and Kwang
Heep, and forwarded direct to my address by those officers ; the more so as
this course of communication was perfectly compatible with the terms of your
Lordship's Despatch of 22nd July, 1836.
The Inclosure No. 4 is a circular I have addressed to the British subjects
resident at Canton on this date.
It is my purpose to forward to your Lordship a separate Despatch, in fur
ther reply of the Despatch of June 12th, 1837, and I therefore confine myself
on this occasion to a mere report of proceedings.
I hope your Lordship will consider that the good understanding which
continues to subsist between the Governor and myself, notwithstanding the
interrupted state of the communications, is a source of satisfaction. He desired
the merchants to inform me that he entertained a respect for me, and that he
had reported in that sense to the Emperor.
The trade is proceeding tranquilly for the present ; but the vast opium
deliveries at Whampoa, under extremely hazardous circumstances, may cer
tainly, at any moment, produce some grave dilemma.
[ lltlVC ccc*
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT.
< ■
Inclosure 1 in No. 111.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton,
Canton, November 23, 1837.
THE Undersigned, &c, &c, has the honour to make the following state
ment for the information of your Excellency.
He has now received Despatches from the Government of his nation,
severely censuring him for receiving any communications from the officers of
this Empire not directly addressed to himself. And he is now peremptorily
ordered to signify that he has received these special commands to return them,
except they be officially and directly addressed to himself.
He is further commanded to observe that the British Government means
no disrespect to your Excellency's high dignity in desiring the undersigned to
discontinue the use of the character Pin on his addresses to your Excellency.
These orders, he is instructed to say, are founded on the fact that such a
mode of address, by an officer commissioned by the English Sovereign, is not
congenial with the customs of his nation.
Your Excellency, in an elevated station, and practised in public affairs,
will know that the Undersigned docs not dare to disobey these strict commands
of his Government, and that he could not presume to propose any changes
upon less urgent grounds than are now faithfully stated.
If your Excellency shall think fit always to forward your pleasure directly
to the address of the undersigned, through the Kwang Chow Foo and the
Kwang Heep, as was lately done, and will further consent to receive his
respectful addresses in reply, without the specification of the character Pin,
all difficulty will be removed.
The Undersigned concludes with sentiments ot highest consideration.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
248
Inclosure 2 in No. 111.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, November 25, 1837.
THE Undersigned, &c, &c, has received very important instructions
from one of the Great Ministers of his nation, which he is specially ordered to
make known to your Excellency.
The least mistake or omission in the communication of these instructions
might be attended with unhappy consequences. And he has therefore the
honour to request that your Excellency will be pleased to command the chief
civil and military officers of the district* to repair to his residence, and having
examined all things, and taken a faithful copy of the Minister's letter, to convey
to your Excellency a full and clear statement of the particulars.
According to the regulations, the Undersigned cannot wait upon these
officers at their residences in the city, and he has therefore requested that they
will visit him here.
The Undersigned concludes with the expression of his highest con
sideration.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 3 in No. 111.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, November 2G, 1837.
THE Undersigned, &c, &c, has this day received back his statement of
the 23rd instant, with your Excellency's notification that the arrangements he
had the honour to submit, in conformity with the orders of his Government,
cannot be permitted.
These commands are peremptory, and the Undersigned does not dare to
disobey them in the least degree.
Your Excellency's decision, therefore, will have the effect of interrupting
the communications till further orders can be received from England.
Under these circumstances, the Undersigned most formally declares him
self free oP all responsibility in the adjustment of any difficulties or disputes
which may arise ; and he will immediately announce to the merchants of his
country that such is the case.
The Undersigned concludes his intercourse with your Excellency with the
expression of his highest consideration, and with sincere wishes for your
Excellency's happiness.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 4 in No. 111.
Captain Elliot to the British Subjects resident in Canton.
Gentlemen, Canton, November 29, 1837.
I HAVE recently had the honour to receive instructions from Her
Majesty's Government, directing me to make a communication to the Gover
nor of these Provinces, concerning the manner of my intercourse with His
Excellency.
The Governor has declined to accede to the conditions involved in these
instructions ; and whilst these difficulties subsist, all communication between
us has necessarily ceased. In this posture of circumstances, I can only assure
you, Gentlemen, of my sincere disposition to afford you any public assistance
in my power, either in the form of counsel, or in any other way which may be
consistent with my situation.
* The Kwang Chow Foo and (he Kwang Heep [the Prefect and Counriiindant of Police.]
249
Neither can I conclude this letter without respectfully and earnestly sug
gesting to you the expediency of taking this occasion to draw from the Pro
vincial Government a definite explanation of its intentions with relation to your
claims against the Hingtae Hong : claims, it will be remembered, which have
been examined and certified in strict conformity with arrangements required
and sanctioned by this Government.
It seems to me to be an object of considerable importance to the general
interests of the trade, that my report to her Majesty's Government, detailing
the interruption of the public communications should be accompanied by a
statement of your own position in respect to these particular claims.
I will only detain you, gentlemen, to offer you the expression of my best
thanks for the courtesy and consideration which I have always received at
your hands.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 111.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received May 15, 1835.)
(Extract.) Macao, December 4, 1837.
In my mind, my Lord, the peaceful establishment of direct official inter
course is no longer of questionable or difficult accomplishment.
The principle that officers were not to reside in the Empire, has been
formally renounced by the Emperor himself, and that was the main obstacle;
the clearest admission of my right to direct sealed communications with the
Governor upon the ground of my official character, has been conceded ; an
official mistake in an edict describing me to be a merchant, has been publicly
acknowledged and corrected ; facilities (especially upon the plea that I was an
officer, and involving a direct official intercourse with the Mandarin here) have
been accorded; striking proofs of the disposition to devolve upon ine in my
official capacity the adjustment of all disputes, even between Chinese and my
own countrymen, have been afforded. On one occasion the Provincial Govern
ment has already communicated with me in a direct official shape ; and upon
my late departure from Canton, it was easy to perceive that the Governor was
prepared to fall entirely into that course, upon the condition that I should
waive the proposed change in the superscription of my addresses.
When to these circumstances be joined the consideration that the Pro
vincial Government has now been accustomed to a measured mode of official
address, which it is certain has been more agreeable to it. than the less guarded
tone of irresponsible individuals, I think, I may say that it is probable the
communications will be opened upon the required footing before the replies to
these despatches can arrive.
But at all events, I entertain a persuasion that a letter from your Lord
ship to the Cabinet at Pekin, written by Her Majesty's command, and sent to
the mouth of the Pei Ho, in a ship-of-war, would at once draw from the
Emperor an order for the concession of the point.
Your Lordship's letter might be sent here for translation ; and if the
communications were open, authority might be given to me to return it to
England.
If Her Majesty's Government, however, should be of opinion that the
proposition contained in my Despatch of November 19, 1837, were deserving
of attention, perhaps the object of direct official intercourse might form a
part of the instructions to the Special Commissioner.
2 K
250
No. 112.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— {Received May 15, 1838.)
My Lord, Macao, December 7, 1837.
THE Edict I have now the honour to forward, reached me on the day
before your Lordship's despatch of 12th June, 1837.
I had drafted the accompanying note in reply, but the interruption of
the communications prevented me from transmitting it.
Perhaps your Lordship may be of opinion, that the menaces to stop
the regular trade, and to expel me from the empire, involved in this Edict,
strengthens the reasoning submitted in the memorandum inclosed in my
despatch of the 19th ult., in the advocacy of immediate and earnest ap
proaches to this court by Her Majesty's Government.
The language in which the stoppage of the regular trade is threatened,
if the opium ships have not sailed away in a month, is of questionable
construction.
It would rather seem to imply, that the Emperor shall be moved to
sanction the stoppage of the trade in a month, than that the trade itself
should be stopped in a month.
The original text has been very carefully translated ; and Mr. Morrison
concurs in my opinion, that a dubious interpretation is purposely intended ;
that is to say, that the foreigners should in the first place understand, that
the trade was to be stopped in a month, failing the departure of the opium
ships ; and if the menace should be of none effect, that his Excellency
might shape his conduct upon the more moderate reading, namely, seek
the Emperor's sanction in a month hence to close the holds.
Before His Imperial Majesty's commands could arrive, the trade of
the season would have been completed.
The whole state of circumstances, however, connected with this
opium question is in a condition of such uncertainty, that it is impossible
to devine what is meant ; and, indeed, it is not difficult to conceive, that
the Government itself does not know what it means, but is, in point of
fact, wandering, without fixed purpose, from project to project, or, it might
more properly be said, from blunder to blunder.
In the midst of all this incoherent conduct, it seems to me to be
highly necessary, for the protection of British interests, that a small naval
force should immediately be stationed somewhere in these seas.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 112.
The Prefect and Commandant of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
TANG, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, and Ke, Lieutenant
Governor of Kwangtung, &c, Sic, &c Having before received a
despatch from the Council of State, communicating an Imperial Edict
which had been respectfully received, on the subject of driving away
the opium receiving-ships, We, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor,
have already given particular orders on this subject. We prescribed
a period, and commanded the said merchants to enjoin it earnestly and
impressively on the Superintendent Elliot, that he should require the
receiving-ships to take their departure. So long a time as two
months have now elapsed, and those receiving-ships remain still at
anchor as before. And the said Superintendent having plainly repre
sented to us, that the commands so enjoined could not be brought by him
to the knowledge of his King, we also directed the civil and military
authorities of the department of Kwang-Chow, to make a copy of our joint
commands, and to enjoin the same on the said Superintendent ; that in
obedience thereto, he might with speed send away the receiving-ships, and
require every one of them to depart and return to their country ; also, that
he might make it known to his King, in order that their return may for
the future be interdicted. This is on record. ■ ,
251
Now, it appears, from the several successive reports and examinations
of the Commander of the Tapang Squadron, the naval and civil authorities
of the district of Heangshan, and the Sub-Prefect residing at Macao,
that the various receiving-ships have not yet taken their departure. This
is a gross act of contumacy and contempt.
We have now again received the following Imperial Edict :—
" Tang and his colleagues have presented a Memorial, in reference to
measures taken for driving away the receiving-ships, and to regulations
determined on for apprehending and punishing the brokers and smug
glers of opium. It appears from this Memorial, that the receiving-ships
of the English, and other nations have, of late years, under pretext of
taking shelter from the weather, been in the practice of entering the inner
seas. Commands have now been issued to the Hong merchants, to be by
them enjoined on the Superintendent of affairs of the said nation, requiring
that all the receiving-ships anchored off Lintin and other places, be sent
away and ordered by him to return to their country ; and that they be
not allowed as before to remain lingering at anchor. The senior Hong
merchants have also been commanded, as soon as the receiving-ships
start to return to their country, immediately to report the circumstance,
that it may be authentically ascertained by examination. The class of
' fast-crab boats ' has been completely swept away ; but there are yet
many smuggling boats under various other designations. These, as well
as the depraved gang of brokers, it is indeed impossible to suffer to con
tinue their unrestrained courses. The military officers of the circuits and
departments, and all the Vice Admirals and Commanders of Squadrons,
have, therefore, been directed to set an example to all their subordinates,
and to keep up a constant and unbroken guard for the purpose of
discovering and apprehending the guilty.
"The anchorage of foreign ships in the inner seas, and their combining
with natives, to introduce what is contraband, are the most aggravated
evils now existing in the province of Kwangtung. The Governor and his
colleagues, aforesaid, must faithfully and strictly make examination, and
clearly ascertain, whether, since they have issued these orders, the said
foreign Superintendent has or has not paid obedience to them ; and whether
the receiving-ships have or have not taken their departure ; they must
require the ships, one and all, to return to their country, and must not
suffer them to linger for a moment. If they dare to suffer gradual
encroachment, and to let the matter rest, at a future day, when I, the
Emperor, on inquiry hear of it, or am by any one informed thereof, the
said Governor and his colleauges alone will I hold responsible. In regard
to the various classes of smuggling vessels, it is still more important that
measures should be adopted with strictness to make seizure of them, with
the hope that they may be utterly destroyed and rooted up. Nor must
they, when perchance they have made a few seizures, forthwith declare
that they have entirely succeeded in removing them, and so still occasion
a continuance of the evil. Respect this,"
It is our duty immediately to pay respectful obedience to this, and
to issue orders, commanding the obedience of others. We, therefore,
forthwith issue these commands. When they reach the said Hong
merchants, let them immediately enjoin them upon the said Superin
tendent Elliot, that he likewise may obey the same. He must, within the
space of one month, pay respectful obedience to the declared Imperial
pleasure, by sending off various receiving-ships anchored in the outer
seas, requiring them, one and all, to return to their country ; and he must
report their departure for our official investigation, that we may report
the same to the throne. If they dare again, in any measure, to linger,
then the kindness and tenderness of the Celestial Empire having been
carried to the utmost, and there being no room left for additional favour,
it will remain only display the celestial terrors, and to make apparent the
glory of the established laws. We shall have to report plainly to the
Great Emperor, that the merchant ships may be denied permission to
open their holds, and that grasping the laws, we may pursue with them
the receiving-ships. And further, seeing that the said Superintendent, in
the discharge of his official duties, sits hand-bound idly looking on at the
2 K2
252
unrestrained and illegal practices of depraved foreigners, even kicking
against our commands, and resisting the Imperial pleasure, we shall find
it difficult to believe that he is not guilty of the offence of sheltering and
giving license to these illegalities. We will assuredly proceed to expel
im, and drive him back to his country.
We, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, will, in the maintenance
of the laws, stand firm as the hills, and of a surety, will show no indul
gence. The said senior merchants are men to whom the Imperial pleasure
has allotted the duty of conducting forth this matter. If then, they
cannot, within the stated period, guide and instruct these foreigners in
the path of duty, and if the various receiving-ships continue to look
around them to view the course of events, and still remove far off the day
of their departure, in that case they shall also be degraded, and their
offences shall be visited with severity. Tremble at this—intensely,
intensely !
Taoukwang, 17th year, 10th month 22nd day (20th November, 1837.)
Translated from the Chinese,
(Signed) J. Hobt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 2 in No. 112.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, November 21, 1837,
THE Undersigned, &ic &c, has had the honour to receive your
Excellency's Edict of the 20th instant, addressed to the senior Hong
merchants, declaring that the general trade shall be stopped, and that he
shall be driven forth from the Empire, if he does not send away and
report the departure of the opium ships within the space of one month.
He has already faithfully and plainly signified the nature of his
situation with relation to the ships declared to trade in opium. And he
now again announces in distinct terms, that he has no authority to pursue
the course indicated in the Edict of the 20th.
Your Excellency is, in all respects, the fit judge of your own duties
and responsibility, and it certainly consists with your Excellency's power
to adopt these, or any more violent measures which may be determined
upon.
The Undersigned has only to remark upon this subject, that it will be
his immediate duty to report to Her Majesty's Government, and to the
Government of India, these menaces of an interrupted commerce, and of
his own expulsion from the Empire ; because he cannot, within the space
of one month, carry into effect extensive measures, which your Excellency
knows he is without authority or power to take at all.
It is to be feared that this intelligence will occasion extreme distress
to distant men, and too probably, serious misunderstandings between the
two Governments.
Upon these grave considerations, it is not the province of the Under
signed to do more than touch, and he will, therefore, only avail himself of
this occasion to renew to your Excellency, &c &c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
253
No. 113.
Captain Elliot to the Foreign Office.—{Received May 24, 1838.)
(Extract.) Macao, January 18, 1838
THE boat of a Mr. Just (a British subject, and a watch-maker,
resident at Canton) was visited a few evenings since, being then about
two miles above the Factories, by some Mandarin runners, and there they
discovered three cases of opium. This is the first instance, for many
years, of a searching visit on board European boats, and it is to be
apprehended the practice may be inconveniently extended: the more so,
as several of these boats are armed.
It seems that this affair might have been settled on the night it
happened, by a bribe of 2,000 dollars to the seizing officer, but Mr. Just
would not go beyond the half of that sum. On the next day, the
matter necessarily fell within the knowledge of a wider circle of Man
darins, who would all require bribery to keep the business out of the
Viceroy's public sight. In due course, therefore, the demand for bribes
amounted to 6,000 dollars; and at the date of the last advices from
Canton (the 16th), the affair was still unfinished, and the terms for accom
modation were rising rapidly. If the seizure is publicly reported to the
Viceroy, it will lead to some serious mischief ; and at all events, the
Hong merchant, who is the landlord of Mr. Just's house (and who has
no more to do with the business than I have) will be a severe sufferer.
No. 114.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston. —(Received June 4, 1838.)
My Lord, Macao, February 5, 1838.
THE paper I have the honour to inclose, is a Memorial from the
Provincial Government to the Emperor, regarding the contraband trade;
and proposing the stoppage of the regular commerce, till the opium-
receiving ships shall have finally taken their departure from Lintin and
the neighbouring anchorages.
This document, to which the Chinese appear to attach considerable
importance, left Canton for the Court, towards the end of December, so
that the answers may be expected in the course of a few weeks. And I
have been led to understand, it is possible that the same despatches will
furnish the Provincial Government with instructions, in reply to the
report of my retirement from Canton.
In my judgment, the interruption of the trade is less likely to ensue
from the commands of the Court, than from some grave disaster arising
out of collision between the Government craft and our own armed boats
on the river.
Loss of life in a conflict of that kind, would at once compel the
Government to adopt the most urgent proceedings ; and the actual con
dition of circumstances, certainly renders such a catastrophe probable in
the very highest degree.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
254
Inclosure in No. 1 14.
Memorial from, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Hoppo, to the
Emperor, regarding the existing state of the contraband Trade, §c.
THE Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Hoppo, forwarded on the
30th of December, 1837, a joint memorial to the Emperor, respecting the
measures adopted against the receiving-ships, the actual condition of
those ships, and the repeated seizures made of sycee silver and opium, and
of the boats which supply the ships with provisions, in answer to the Im
perial Commands. They intreat His Majesty graciously to condescend to
examine these subjects.
We received, in the month of October, through the Grand Council of
State, an Imperial decree, of the following tenor :—
" Tang and the others (the Lieutenant Governor and the Hoppo)
have sent in a report, from which it appears, that they had given orders
to drive the receiving-ships away, and adopted measures to seize the opium
dealers and smugglers.
- " The English receiving-ships and merchantmen, with those of other
nations, under pretence of seeking shelter against storms, have, of late
years, sailed into the inner seas. The Hong merchants were, therefore,
ordered to enjoin it upon the Superintendent of the said nation, that he
should make all the receiving-ships, anchored at Lintin and other places,
return to their country, and should not permit them, as formerly, to remain
at anchor and loiter about. As soon as the receiving-ships should get
under weigh to return to their country, the Hong merchants had orders
to report the same.
" It is found, on examination, that an entire clearance of the fast
boats [a class of smuggling boats] has been made; but the various classes
of vessels still engaged in smuggling, are yet numerous; and their nefa
rious practices, as well as those of the opium dealers, are such as cannot
be permitted to go on. Therefore orders have been issued to the civil as
well as naval authorities, diligently to direct the cruizers under their
command, in making careful search and seizing all such offenders.
" One of the greatest evils under which the province of Canton groans,
is, that barbarian vessels, anchoring in the inner seas, form connexions
for smuggling. The Governor and the others ought to investigate care
fully, whether the said foreign Superintendent has indeed obeyed the
injunctions, and the foreign ships have now sailed, or not: and they must,
by all means, compel them all to return home without delay. If, however,
they dare to compromise this matter, and I, the Emperor, should after
wards, upon inquiry, hear of it, or any one should bring an accusation to
that effect, I shall, in that case, only hold the said Governor and his
colleagues responsible. The most severe measures must be adopted
against the smuggling craft, that their seizure may be effected ; and my
expectation is, that they may be extirpated, root and branch. After
having made an occasional seizure, do not immediately say, that you have
annihilated the whole, and so leave room for continued illegalities and
crimes.
" Acquaint with these orders, Tang and Ke, and let them transmit
the same to Wan (the Hoppo). Respect this."
[Here ends the quotation of the Imperial Order recently received,
to which the authorities make the following reply.]
We, your Ministers, read this, in a kneeling posture, with deepest
veneration, admiring the care bestowed by your Majesty upon a corner of
the sea, and the earnest desire shown to remove with energy, the existing
evils.
Having .carefully examined the charts of the inner and outer seas, we
find that the Ladrone Islands constitute their boundary. Beyond them
is the wide and boundless ocean, the black water of the foreign seas, which
are not under the controul of the central tei-ritory. Inside of them, at
the offings, for instance, of Lintin, the Nine Islands, and other places,
255
are the " outer seas," which are under the jurisdiction of Canton. Where
the sea washes the shore of the interior districts, it is called the " inner
sea," and of such inlets Kumsingmoon affords an instance. Barbarian
ships, since 1830, under pretence of seeking shelter from the winds, have
sailed frequently in Kumsingmoon, during the fourth and fifth months,
and remained at anchor there until the ninth. As soon as the north wind
set in, they removed to Lintin and anchored there. In the winter of last
year, we prohibited this most severely, and also erected a battery at the
entrance, whilst we stationed there a naval squadron to prevent most
strenuously the ingress of the ship. No barbarian craft, therefore,
entered, but they continued to anchor at Lintin and the adjoining places.
Whilst, thus, no receiving-ship now remains in the " inner seas," it is
nevertheless a fact, that they still exist in the " outer seas."
Formerly, in regard to the receiving-ships anchored in the outer seas,
the commanders of the cruizers always stated, that their coming and
going were so uncertain, that their actual number could not be ascer
tained. We, your Ministers, however, conceiving that the names and
number of the receiving-ships were generally known, and that it was
requisite to obtain accurate information regarding them, before adopting
measures against them, would not permit them thus to conceal the facts,
and refrain from speaking out freely; thus "to close the ear while the
earrings were being stolen." We, therefore, last year, gave orders to all
the naval cruizers, to ascertain their exact numbers, and if, from time to
time, any newly arrived or went away, and to present reports regarding
their movements every ten days. They communicated the result of their
investigation, having found, after due examination, that there were
altogether twenty-five sail, which had staid there for a long time. The
greater number were English country ships; and there were, besides,
vessels under the American, French, Dutch, Manilla, and Danish flags, of
each from one or two, to three or four. Some came, and others went, but
their average number did not exceed this. These, then, are the facts as
to the existing number of the receiving-ships.
When, in obedience to the Imperial Orders, we had issued, this year,
our strict injunctions to the said Hong merchants and the Superintendent
Elliot, to send these ships back to their country, a Naval Captain subse
quently reported, that in September, one single ship, a Dutch one, had
lifted her anchors and sailed out beyond the Ladrone. The truth of this
we have ascertained by inquiry. Since, however, only one vessel had left,
we could not then report the circumstance ; for the remainder, although
they also had hoisted their sails, and lifted their anchors, yet, moving
some to the east, and others to the west, they had none of them proceeded
beyond the Ladrone Islands. Though unwilling to offer contumacious
disobedience, yet they cannot refrain from lingering about, indulging
hopes and anticipations. For these are not matters of one year alone,
nor are the vessels from one country only. Though the opium is con
traband, yet to them it is a property highly valuable ; and these depraved
barbarians, hankering after gain alone, are therefore unwilling to throw
this commodity away, and use every possible expedient and means to
obtain some temporary respite. This is the true cause why it is yet a fact,
that all the receiving-ships have not within the allotted period sailed
away.
We, your Ministers, are under the highest obligations, for having
been vouchsafed the great and high favour of being entrusted with the
command of the sea-coast ; and our duty is to eradicate every depraving
and vicious practice. We received, on a previous occasion, the expres
sion of your Majesty's pleasure, enjoining us to issue severe orders to the
Hong merchants, in regard to the sending home of the receiving-ships.
We have now again received a proof of your Majesty's condescension
in investigating these matters ; and, burning with the deepest anxiety, we
are filled with fear and trembling. Having again issued severe orders to
the Merchants, Howqua and the others, to command the instant depar
ture of these vessels, they reported to us, that the Superintendent, Elliot
would not give them precise and true answers to this requirement, and
that, in reply to their inquiries addressed to the foreign merchants ; they
were told, that the receiving-ships were not the property of those mer
256
chants, and it wag, therefore, out of their power to drive them away.
Thus, they on all hands make excuses, and again seek for delay.
We, your Ministers, have on examination, found that, according to
law, whenever foreigners prove refractory, the trade ought to be stopped,
in order to give a fair warning and merited punishment. As they are
thus determinate in pursuit of gain, and can come to no resolution [to
send away the ships] there ought to be a temporary stoppage of the
trade, in order to cut off their expectations. Yet, so many nations parti
cipate in this commerce, while the receiving-ships belong only to a few
States, that due investigation ought to be made, so as to distinguish
between them, and to prevent good foreigners from suffering by this
measure.
We have, therefore, ordered the Hong merchants to inquire, how
many nations have hitherto had commercial intercourse? how many
amongst them have traded honestly, and had no receiving-ships? and
how many there have really been possessed of such ship? We directed
them to send in a distinct and clear statement of these matters, for our
guidance in adopting measures.
We, at the same time, gave the strictest orders, that they should
again enjoin your Majesty's strict commands upon the resident foreign
merchants, not permitting them to make excuses to obtain delay and
extricate themselves from this dilemma; but threatening, if again they
should prove dilatory, and still should nourish hopes, that the hatches
shall be immediately closed, and a stoppage of the trade ensue. We
desired those foreign merchants to consider fully, whether it be better
that they suffer these receiving-ships still to exist, or that they should
continue to reap for ever the advantages of a free [legal] commerce,—
to weigh well, which of these two things will be the gain, and which the
loss, we desired that they should carefully make their election, and that
they should no longer, by persevering in their blindness and refusing to
be awrakened, bring upon themselves cause for bitter repentance.
We find, on examination, that every nation earns a subsistence by this
trade. All the merchants run together, bringing hither their goods to
exchange for our commodities. They certainly will not consent to throw
away their property by waiting here at a ruinous loss of time. The
rhubarb, the teas, the porcelain, the silk, and other articles of this
country, are moreover necessary to those nations. On account of distur
bances created by barbarians, in 1808, and in 1834, the hatches were
closed, and afterwards they earnestly supplicated to have them re-opened.
Hence it appears, and past events fully prove it, that the various nations
cannot withdraw themselves from looking up to the flowery central land.
Tf they be now intimidated, therefore, by the stoppage of trade, they will
probably no longer allow the receiving-ships to remain, lest by such con
tumacious conduct they effectually damage their means of livelihood.
And if in this way they be indeed aroused and awakened, and the vessels
be sent away by them, then matters will fall into their former quiet
course, and there will be no need to take any further measures. If, how
ever, they, with inveterate obstinacy, still offer open defiance to the laws,
it will then be for us to adopt new expedients, and propose to the Court
other measures for their punishment.
We have, while suggesting this course, written at the same time to
the Naval Commander-in-chief of the province, that he may, in concert
with the captains of the cruizers, himself adopt measures for expelling
the receiving-ships ; and have earnestly desired him to watch carefully
their movements, and to instil into them a wholesome terror and dread ;
not to allow any to be careless and neglectful of their duty ; nor yet to
commit such blunders as may give rise to affrays and strife. It is our
confident expectation, that these steps will be attended with advantage.
We call to mind, that the receiving-ships anchored in the outer seas,
need a daily supply of the necessaries of life, for which they are de
pendent on our country. Worthless vagabonds from the coast are
accustomed to embark in small boats, pretending to go out fishing, whilst
they in fact put a variety of provisions and other articles on board, and
go to the ships to sell them : these are called ' bum-boats.' The depraved
barbarians, while they can look to these for supplies, are thereby enabled
257
to prolong their stay : but if these supplies were cut off, we might succeed
in getting rid of them.
We, your Ministers, have for some time past, made seizure of opium
dealers and smugglers of every description, without mercy, in order to
prevent the exportation of Sycee silver and the importation of opium, and
thus to put a stop to this contraband traffic We have now also given
orders to capture these bum-boats, and not to permit them to have com
munication with the ships on the outer seas, in order that we may cut off
the supplies of those vicious men. The said barbarians will then have
nothing to hope for; their expectations will be groundless; matters will
come to extremes; and circumstances will then necessarily be changed;
so that the fountain may be purified, the stream of impurity being in fact
arrested.
According to the reports forwarded by the officers of the Tapang
and Heangshan stations, four of these bum-boats, with some cargo,
and twenty-eight vagabonds in them, had been taken, and sent to the
provincial city, where the men will meet with a most severe judgment.
Lin Tszelin, Chin Aark, and Ting Asan, together with other scoundrels
formerly taken with Sycee silver and opium, have been repeatedly
examined, and their sentence has been forwarded for the Imperial
approval. During the present year, according to the report transmitted
by the military and civil authorities and other official persons, they have
made, from the beginning of spring, until the close of December, thirty
seizures,—in all a hundred and forty-four offenders ; of silver, eight
thousand six hundred and sixty-one taels in Sycee, and three thousand
and twenty-seven taels in foreign money ; and of opium, three thousand
eight hundred and forty-two catties. The criminals were all severally
judged ; the money was given as a reward to the captors, and the opium
was burned. The haunts of opium dealers have also been found out, and
after investigation, the public seal was placed upon them, while orders
were issued for the apprehension of the persons frequenting them. The
above particulars are all authenticated by entries on the records.
Your Ministers have now been earnestly engaged in these measures
for one year. They dare not yet say that their efforts have had the full
effect to be desired. But, with regard to the existing state of things in the
Provincial city, it may be observed, that the price of Sycee silver is at
present very low ; and that opium, one ball of which, on board the foreign
vessels, formerly cost the traitorous nations about thirty dollars, brings
now only from sixteen to eighteen dollars. Of the smuggled silver, too,
that has been seized, a large portion has been foreign money, which would
seem to imply that to export silver is now comparatively difficult. The
proofs of the foreigners having to sell at reduced prices, and of their
receiving payment in foreign money, being thus clear, the course that has
now been adopted, if pursued with vigour and firmness, for a long period,
and if followed up by the seizure of Sycee silver, and the capture of bum-
boats, as measures of the first importance, will greatly tend to increase
the wealth of the port and to remove abuses, and will thus prove
extremely beneficial.
But, there being many crafty and cunning devices which fail of
success, numerous complaints have hence arisen, proceeding from
malicious tongues, that these failures are brought on by the measures now
adopted. Some there are, bobbling scandal-mongers, who represent, that
w^e, your Ministers, if besought by those who bring reach offerings in their
hands, are not unwilling to accept gifts. Others, speculating men, of
ruined fortunes, declare, that the civilians and the military officers, when
bribed, liberate,—and apprehend only when unfee'd; that, in searching
[for contraband articles], they contrive only to annoy the [honest] mer
chant ; and that, if they perchance do make a seizure, they then make it
appear, that the contraband goods have been sunk, and are lost. Others,
again, are there, anxious, fearful-minded men, who lament these proceed
ings, saying, that since these urgently-preventive measures have been
adopted, the foreign merchant-vessels that have come hither have been
but few ; that the teas and silk have come into a dull market ; that the
circulation of capital and interchange of goods has been far from brisk,
so that the merchants cannot preserve themselves from overwhelming
embarrassments, and that part of Canton province must be reduced to
wretchedness ; further, that since search is now being made in every place
for idle people and vagrants, in order to seize them, man)' of the boat
people are in consequence thrown out of employment, and it may justly be
feared, that they will be driven to plunder, and that robberies will daily be
multiplied.
These and similar rumours are confidently circulated ; but they are
all the slanderous assertions of the credulous or the malicious, intended to
trouble the minds of us, your Ministers, to disturb the steadiness of our
hearing, and confuse the correctness of our vision.
Though we venture [not] to be wholly wedded to our opinions, nor to
act as if we heard nothing, and though, therefore, we seek to examine,
with the greatest impartiality, every well-founded rumour, and all well-
authenticated accusations of abuse, with the hope of preserving the
whole system of affairs free from taint or imperfection ; yet will we not
give way to apprehensions, which would render us fearful to begin
anything, or afraid to carry it to an ending, and would reduce us to the
condition of him, who having a hiccough, left off swallowing food.
We will faithfully, with our whole heart and soul, discharge our duty
in managing these affairs, and will allow in ourselves no remissness in the
issuing of orders to that end. Having received such great and abundant
favours from your Majesty, we dare not screen ourselves even from the
malice of rancourous slander, and never will we incur the guilt of acting
deceitfully or ungratefully. Thus we would hope to meet your Sacred
Majesty's most earnest wish, that we should make truth our motto.
We have thus minutely represented matters to your Majesty, and
have united in preparing this memorial, in reply to your Majesty's
commands.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
No. 1 16.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, June 15, 1838.
HER Majesty's Government have had under their consideration your
despatches of the 29th November and 4th December, 1837, in which you
report your proceedings in execution of the Instructions conveyed to you in
my despatch of last year, relative to the manner in which you should send
communications to, and receive them from, the Chinese Authorities at Canton.
I have to acquaint you that Her Majesty's Government approve the course
which you have pursued ; and as the Chinese Authorities persisted in their refusal
to communicate with you in the manner required, Her Majesty's Government
consider that you were perfectly right in retiring from Canton to Macao.
With respect to the smuggling trade in opium, which forms the subject of
your despatches of the 18th and 19th November, and 7th December, 1837, I
have to state, that Her Majesty's Government cannot interfere for the purpose
of enabling British subjects to violate the laws of the country to which they
trade. Any loss, therefore, which such persons may suffer in consequence of the
more effectual execution of the Chinese laws on this subject, must be borne
by the parties who have brought that loss on themselves by their own acts.
Withrespect to the plan proposed by you in your despatch of the 19th No
vember, for bending a Special Commissioner to Tchusan, to endeavour to effect
some arrangement with the Chinese Government about the opium trade,
Her Majesty's Government do not see their way in such a measure with suffi
cient clearness to justify them in adopting it at the present moment.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
No. 117.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received November 12, 1838.)
My Lord, Macao, March 29, 1838.
I HAVE the honour to transmit a letter from Mr. Robert Inglis,
Chairman of a meeting of certain creditors on the bankrupt Hong Hing-
tae, covering a memorial to your Lordship, and a printed copy of the
correspondence which has taken place between the foreign creditors and
the Provincial Government upon the subject of their claims.
The Inclosure No. 4, is my reply to Mr. Inglis.
Your Lordship will no doubt desire to be placed in possession of the
fullest means of forming a decision on this appeal to Her Majesty's
Government.
And I have, therefore, considered it right to transmit a statement
recently published at this place, entitled " The Chinese Security Mer
chants in Canton and their debts." It is the work of a gentleman
formerly in the Company's China Service, and subsequently of many years'
mercantile experience in this country.
A diligent application to the subject may entitle me to testify to that
portion of this able exposition which is matter of record, and 1 feel that
I am only performing an act of duty to your Lordship, in respectfully
drawing it under your attentive notice.
The extremely serious embarrassments which form the ground of the
memorial I have had the honour to transmit, have had their origin since
the opening of the trade, and are altogether the result of commercial
transactions, in strong distinction to former bankruptcies, which arose
for the most part out of speculation of money advances on a high rate of
interest.
This first occasion of such a crisis as the present, seems to me to be
a necessary and a favourable conjuncture for combining just demands for
prompt payment, with earnest efforts to establish our commerce in this
Empire on a sounder basis.
The free traders, it will probably be felt by Her Majesty's Government,
are not in a situation to sustain a long deprivation of large portions of
their trading capital. Or, indeed, looking to the period for payment either
yet offered, or likely to be offered, and having regard to the rate of interest
in the country, the state of facts might more properly be described to
amount to a total absorption of their capital.
They are wholly without the means which the Company possessed of
re-establishing the balance, by the power of practically regulating the
market here, and also to a very considerable extent in Europe.
Indeed, my Lord, there is strong reason to conclude, that nothing
but considerable modification of the Chinese monopoly can prevent the
frequent recurrence of disasters of this description, each more complicated
and extensive than the last. •
Being anxious to forward these papers just received from Canton, by
the present opportunity, I would beg your Lordship to accept my excuse
for a hurried despatch on a very important subject, to which, however, I
shall recur in the course of a few days.
I have &c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 1 in No. 117.
Mr. Inglis to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Canton, March 24, 1838.
IN pursuance of the resolution of a public meeting of British
merchants, held in Canton, on the 21st instant, I have the honour, as
Chairman of the meeting, to hand you a memorial, adopted by the firms
whose signatures are attached to it, addressed to Her Majesty's Chief
Secretary for Foreign Affairs, upon the subject of their claims upon the
Chinese Hong merchants. I have further to request, in the name of the
2 L 2
260
memorialists, that you will transmit it to the Foreign Secretary, accom
panied by such explanation and remarks as, in your opinion, may be
desirable for the information of Her Majesty's Government, upon the
subject of which it treats ; and I have great pleasure in concurring in
■ the hope of the subscribers, that the prayer of the memorial will be found
to merit and obtain your most cordial and zealous support.
The document is accompanied by a printed copy of the correspond
ence referred to in it, between the foreign creditors of the Hongs, and the
Chinese authorities of Canton.
I have, &c,
(Signed) ROBERT INGLIS.
Inclosure 2 in No. 117.
Memorial to Viscount Palmerston.
My Lord, Canton, March 21, 1838.
WE, the Undersigned British merchants, trading at Canton in
China, have the honour to address your Lordship, through the mediation
of Her Britannic Majesty's Chief Superintendent, respecting certain heavy
debts owed to us by the Chinese Hong merchants ; and we respectfully
but earnestly intreat your Lordship to lay our case before Her Majesty's
Council, with a view to obtain the powerful interposition of our own
Government, with that under which we at present live, to endeavour to
obtain an early payment of our actual claims, and a readier means of
recovery of those which, under the existing circumstances of the foreign
trade with this country, we must, we fear, inevitably incur in future.
Your Lordship is aware, no doubt, that we are limited in our
dealings in all the principal staples of the legal foreign trade with China,
to about a dozen parties, called Hong or Security merchants. These
merchants trade separately, but they are mutually responsible for the
Government dues which each may incur, and also for their respective
debts to the foreigners. Your memorialists are allowed no voice in the
nomination of these security merchants ; nor have we any means to ascer
tain their capital or other qualifications for their trust ; but the Chinese
Government, which takes this responsibility upon itself, guarantees the
engagements which the Chinese merchants form with us; and the prin
cipal of the Hong debts, without interest, has always been paid for the
last twenty or thirty years, by the whole body, or Co-Hong, under the
authority of the Government.
The period, however, within which the debts should be paid, has been
left to be settled between the security merchants and the foreigners, and
has always been a point of much contention. The former have usually
succeeded in fixing a term of years within which the foreign capital in
their possession might double itself almost twice over by compound in
terest ; and the British merchants have been indebted for the attainment
of even this boon to the influence of the East India Company's late factory
in China, as well as for the means of repayment through their large
transactions with the Hongs ; facilities which your memorialists no longer
enjoy.
Of the thirteen Hong merchants which existed at the beginning of
1837, three or four are now avowedly insolvent. Their united debts,
according to their own report, amount to upwards of 3,000,000 dollars,
besides about 750,000 dollars which they owe to the Government for
duties. One of these security merchants, named Hing-tae, has been
formally declared bankrupt, and his debts to foreigners, proved by a com
mittee appointed for the purpose, by the Co-hong and foreigners mutually,
at 2,261,439 dollars, exclusive of claims still in dispute. The Viceroy of
Canton has declared in a public document, of which we transmit herewith
a translation, together with all the correspondence upon the subject to
your Lordship, that the debts should be paid, but] has left the period for
payment to be settled, as usual, between the security merchants and the
foreigners. The former began by proposing twenty years as the term for
liquidation, but have subsequently reduced it, step by step, to nine years.
The creditors have refused even the last proposition, on the grounds,
261
first, that it is impolitic to establish the precedent of such a protracted
payment in this first settlement of a debt under the free-trade system,
which debt arises entirely out of actual transactions of trade, and so far
differs from all former debts ; and, secondly, because we wish to take this
opportunity to procure a settlement of the debts of all the insolvent
Hongs, with a view to understand our exact position with them, and to
endeavour to trade upon some safer system in future.
The debts owing by the Co-hong, whether to the Government or
to foreigners, have never been paid entirely out of their own resources ;
but chiefly by means of extra duties levied upon the principal staples of
the foreign trade ; and the Hong merchants propose to liquidate the
debts now under consideration, in a similar way. Such duties once imposed,
appear never to be taken off again, when the first occasion for them has
ceased, but to be still levied under pretext of creating a fund, called the
Consoo-Fund, to meet future exigencies of the Co-hong, whether occa
sioned by debts to the foreigners, or by demands from the Emperor, to
meet the expenses of his wars, or other extraordinary expenditure of the
State. There is no reason to suppose, however, that such a fund has ever
really existed, or that the Chinese Authorities have ever recognized it ;
but they have sanctioned the imposition of duties, from time to time, for
the payment of specific debts, and have connived at their continuance to
feed, as is supposed, their own exactions. Independent of the extra
ordinary demands of the Emperor upon the security merchants, they are
exposed to almost daily extortions on the part of the local authorities,
chiefly the Hoppo, or Collector of Customs, and his subordinates, which
have always impoverished them, even when they shared in the large
certain profits of the East India Company's trade. They have incurred
heavy losses in their trading transactions since the expiration of the East
India Company's Charter ; and seem likely to suffer still more severely,
since the same parties have now to conduct a more extended business, in
competition with the intelligence and greater activity of the free-traders,
to which neither their capital nor mode of conducting commerce seem
adequate.
Considering these circumstances, your Memorialists see reason to
apprehend that any addition to the duties upon the foreign trade, merely
sufficient to liquidate the foreign debts will, without some weighty inter
position with the Imperial Government, be mainly diverted to the payment
of extraordinary demands by the Authorities on the Co-hong, which it is
known are now being urged upon that body ; and thereby not only pro
tract the settlement of our claims, but occasion an accumulation of new
debts on the part of the security merchants, which it may require more
than remonstrance on the part of the British Government, at some future
time.
Your Memorialists are aware of the difficulty of changing the
institutions and habits of a people like the Chinese ; and do not, therefore,
ask of Her Majesty's Government, to require any great or sudden
changes in the regulations under which we trade with this Empire : but
we humbly submit to your Lordship's decision, whether the Chinese
Government, so long as it shall insist upon confining our trade to so
small a number of its merchants, is not bound to take care that those
merchants have sufficient capital and probity for their trust ; and whether
on the transfer of our capital to them, in the shape of the debts in ques
tion, which becomes unavoidable in the conducting of an extensive com
merce with a monopoly of such limited means, the Imperial guarantee
does not imply earlier repayment of such capital than has been hitherto
or is now offered, or at all events, some compensation for the delay in the
shape of interest. Our experience of the Chinese people and their Rulers,
leads us confidently to infer, that the simple interposition of our own
Government with the Cabinet of Peking in so just a cause, would faci
litate the adjustment of our present claims ; and if Her Majesty's Govern
ment would further require that any future debts incurred by the Hongs
to British Subjects should be paid immediately, or at all events, within a
reasonable and defined time ; and that the Hong merchants should be
protected from the extortions of the official subordinates, we feel assured
that it would tend to lessen the hazards of our trade materially. It would
262
induce the Emperor of China to inquire into the abuses of the foreign
trade at this port, and to correct the most flagrant of them : which are the
exactions of his officers and the inefficiency of the Co-hong, the full know
ledge of which we presume to be withheld by the Canton Authorities from
the Court of Peking; and the latter effect would render no less service to
the solvent Hong merchants than to your Memorialists, and the whole of
the foreign residents in Canton.
Your Memorialists do not think it necessary to trouble your
Lordship with further details of our position as merchants in Canton, the
peculiarities of which have, doubtless, reached your Lordship through an
official channel ; and relying upon Lordship's attention to the interests of
British commerce and British merchants, to bring our request to the
favourable notice of Her Majesty's Government,
We have, &c,
(Signed)
Dent and Co., Fox, Rawson, and Co.,
Turner and Co., Nanabhoy Framjee,
Bell and Co., Eglinton Maclean, and Co.,
Lindsay and Co., Bibby, Adam, and Co.,
Dirom and Co., Gibb, Livingston, and Co.,
Daniell and Co., W. F. Gemmell and Co.,
J. and W. Craoq and Co., William Macdonald,
T. H. Layton, Robert Wise, Holiday, and Co.,
W. Henderson, William Thomas Kinsley.
Pat Stewart, Jamieson and How.
D. and M. Rustomjee,
Inclosure 3 in No. 117.
Correspondence between the Local Government, Hong Merchants, and Foreign
Merchants ; Relative to the Affairs of the Bankrupt Hing-tae Hong ; also
Report of the Proceedings of the Committee of Examination.
Messrs. Dent and others to the Governor of Canton.
A RESPECTFUL Address. Having come to Canton for commercial
purposes, we found that the Regulation allowed us to transact business with no
one but the Hong merchants. — Hing-tae is a member of the Co-hong, and judging
him, from all appearances, to be in secure circumstances, we sold our goods to
him—and he is now indebted in the large amount of a million and upwards of
dollars —which he is unable to pay.
It is out of the power of the foreigners to obtain information regarding the
internal affairs of this country, and of the proceedings and dealings of the Hong
merchants, with their own countrymen, but as they are specially appointed by
the Government to conduct the foreign trade, we are induced to place every con
fidence in their stability and honour.
Under these circumstances, we have to request that ycur Excellency will be
pleased to order an early payment of the Co-hong, in such manner as your Excel
lency may deem fit.
We have, &c,
The Governor of Canton to Messrs. Dent and others.
TANG, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, issues this order to the
Hong merchants, requiring them to be fully informed thereon.
On the 21st of April, I received from the English and other merchants, Dent
and others, the following address. [See foregoing document.]
This having come before me, the Governor, I have examined the subject,
and find, that heretofore, Hong merchants have always been forbidden to incur
debts to foreigners, and that in repeated instances on record, they have been
severely punished for so doing. And with regard to Yen-Kechang, of the Hong
Hing-tae, he has been in the situation of Hong-merchant, barely seven years, and
has he in so short a time accumulated debts to the large amount of a million
and upwards of dollars? What degree of bad management must it have
263
been that could run to this extent ! The thing is too absurd—too extra
vagant !
If this matter be not faithfully and completely settled, where will be our
compassion to foreigners, and how shall we prevent similar and even worse con
duct in future ? I issue therefore, this order. When it reaches the said senior
Hong merchants, let them, in obedience to it, immediately convene a meeting of
all the Hong merchants, and examine the accounts of Hing-tae, to ascertain
clearly what are the real sums owing by the Hong to foreigners; and let them
equitably and earnestly apply themselves to make some arrangement for the
settlement thereof. Within ten days, let them present a joint report on the
subject, for. my consideration. If they dare to regard this lightly, or to delay
and overstep the period, I, the Governor, will maintain the laws firmly, as the
solid mountains, and will assuredly direct the district magistrate to close the
Hing-tae Hong, and according to the law, apprehend the merchant, that he may
be closely examined and punished. At the same time, the said Senior mer
chants, together with all the other Hong merchants, shall alone be held respon
sible. The property of the foreigners cannot be left without an ultimate guarantee
for its safety.
Let these commands also be enjoined on the foreign merchants, that they,
knowing them, may act accordingly. These are the commands.
Taoukwang, 13th year, 3rd month 19th day (23rd April, 1837.)
To his Excellency the Governor of Canton, Sec, fyc, fyc
A RESPECTFUL Address.—A petition was laid before your Excellency
on the 21st April, respecting the claims of foreigners on the Hing-tae Hong, to
which your Excellency returned a gracious reply, ordering the Senior Hong mer
chants immediately to convene a meeting, and endeavour to form some arrange
ment for the speedy settlement of our heavy claims, and to report on the same
within ten days. Your Excellency was also graciously pleased to add that our
property could not be left without any ultimate guarantee for its safety.
In obedience to your Excellency's commands, conveyed in the above reply,
we sent in to the Senior Hong merchants, full and clear statements of our claim ;
but up to this hour, although nearly two months have elapsed, they have made us
no proposition for the equitable settlement of our accounts; and to the most
earnest inquiries, we can only get the reply, " that Hing-tae has not furnished
his aceounts, and that he objects to the sums claimed by foreigners."
These delays are so directly at variance with your Excellency's commands,
that we are astonished they are ventured upon ; and that too, so far as your peti
tioners can judge, without the Co-hong taking any steps to obtain a correct
knowledge of the accounts.
Looking with confidence to your Excellency's insisting on the previous orders
being at once complied with.
We are, &c,
Signed by Hing-tae's foreign creditors.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
" LET Yen-Kechang of the Hing-tae Hong, be most closely examined as to
what extent his debts have accumulated ; and let it be ascertained, if the claims
sent in by the barbarian traders, exceed the true amounts. Thus, when the tide
ebbs, the rocks appear [i. e. the truth will be discovered]. But while both
parties craftily endeavour to work their own advantage, they only protract the
just settlement, and do not help to bring the matter to a conclusion."
The petition presented the other day by Yen-Kechang evidently diverged
from and glossed over the truth. In my reply to him, I reprimanded him
severely, and ordered him, within a limited period, to produce his accounts for
my inspection.—This is on record.
Now, with reference to the present petition, I have ordered Howqua,
Mowqua, and Pwankequa, to examine well, and act in obedience to the former
reply : Let them cause Yen-Kechang within the therein mentioned limit, to make
out a clear and true statement of all the debts owing by the Hong, and report
264
to me of the same, that I may act accordingly. Let them not permit any delay;
and let this reply be explained to the barbarians for their information and
obedience. Do not oppose.
5th moon, 20th day (June 23nd, 1837.)
The Hong Merchants to the Foreign Creditors.
June 27, 1837.
£§| A RESPECTFUL Communication. We send copy of a statement of com
mercial transactions with you from the Hin^-tae Hong, and the debts due to you
thereon, and of which we beg your careful calculation.
With regard to your suggestion to us the other day, to request a Committee
of two or three impartial persons, to examine the accounts ; —it appears to us,
after careful consideration, that the examination of accounts is a thing totally
different from arbitration, or question of principle, and that it is requisite for the
examination of accounts■, that the parties through whose hands the commercial
transactions have been conducted should be present, as being alone able to know
■the truth of the accounts on any matters of detail. We would therefore request
you to call immediately on Yen-Kechang, to find his brother Yen-Ketseang, that
the accounts may be examined at a personal interview. Then they may be clearly
settled, and all obstinate disputes respecting them may be prevented.
To make this request, it is that we trouble you, and with compliments,
We are, &c,
Signed by twelve Hong Merchants.
The Hong Merchants to the Foreign Creditors.
THIS is respectfully to inform you, virtuous elder brother, that you con
jointly with the other gentlemen, having reported Hing-tae's debts to amount to
upwards of 2,850,000 taels : we compared his accounts and found them not to
agree with yours. Yesterday, however, virtuous elder brother, you, and the other
gentlemen denied the correctness of Hing-tae's statement, and requested us to
select three disinterested individuals to examine the accounts, and thus prevent
confusion and error.
We have therefore requested Messrs. Elliot, Dent, and Green, to act as arbi
trators : and beg also to remind you how requisite it is that you should procure
Yen-Ketseang's attendance : he alone understanding your accounts, having been
the manager of the Hing-tae Hong. Yen-Kechang is both ignorant of your
'language, and of the commercial transactions which passed between you and the
Hong, as he took no part in the sale department.
Requesting you to inform yourself of the contents of the present letter
which we now forward to you.
We are, &c,
Signed by the Hong-Merchants.
The Foreign Creditors to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, July 1, 1837.
TO the Governor of the two Kwang Provinces, a respectful address.
On the 20th June, we presented a Petition in your Excellency, regarding
the delays which had occurred in making any arrangements for the settlement of
the debts of Hing-tae Hong.
In reply you gave orders that the accounts of the Hong should be imme
diately produced.
A statement from Yen-Kechang has been communicated to us by the Hong
merchants, in which all the accounts are disputed and objections raised with no
other object apparently than to protract a just settlement from day to day, and
showing a total ignorance of the concerns of the Hong.
We have therefore now to request that your Excellency will order the return
265
of Yen-Ketseang who has been the manager of all the commercial affairs of the
Hong since its establishment, and who can alone afford the necessary explana
tions, thus will all further evasion be checked.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
July 7, 1837.
TANG, President of the Board of War, and Governor of the two Kwang
Provinces, issues this Edict for the information of the Hong Merchants.
Whereas on the 5th day of July, a petition was presented by the English
merchants, Jardine, &c, stating the debts of Yen-Kechang of the Hing-tae Hong,
toamount to 2,168,348.68 dollars as shown by the accounts which were correct and
not in the least exaggerated ; and whereas Yen-Kechang presented a counter
petition, complaining that the accounts rendered by the foreign traders were
false, and their claims were greatly exaggerated, I commanded the senior Hong
merchants, Howqua, &c to accompany the two parties to the Consoo House and
there arrange the matter between them.
Now the said Hong merchants reported to me, that when they questioned
Yen-Kechang as to which of the accounts he objected to as incorrect, he showed
himself entire ignorantly of the matter, and put them off with evasive answers.
They then selected three barbarians to unite with them to examine the accounts
and to bring them to an equitable settlement. On this, Yen-Kechang selected
indiscriminately from the various accounts, five which he objected to on the
ground of incorrectness ; but they, the Hong merchants, having carefully
examined the said accounts, decided that they could not, in justice, be excepted.
They also prepared two clear statements of all the Hong accounts which they
presented with a petition praying me to examine and decide.
On the same clay, Dent, and other barbarian traders of various nations, pre
sented a petition to the following effect \here follows the petition."]
This coming before me, the Governor, I investigated the matter and
ascertained that balances of purchase money due for goods cannot be classed
under the same head as balances of borrowed money. The Hongs have from
time immemorial been governed by precedents which determine where interest
is allowed and where it is not. But are there really no more intricacies than the
above ?
I have compared the statements of the barbarian traders, Jardine, Dent, &c,
with that of Yen-Kechang and lo ! they differ widely. Which of them is to be
relied upon ?
Let the senior and junior Hong merchants give their whole minds in con
junction with the two parties to examine the accounts and come to some equitable
arrangement. Let the account at onoe be settled, and all disputes be put an
end to.
If these disputes are continued any more, and upon investigation, I find
that Yen-Kechang actually owes what the foreigners state him to do, and yet
does not immediately settle with them, most assuredly he shall be visited with the
most awful punishment. You, the Hong merchants also, must not then plead
ignorance of the subject and say to yourselves : "Why did we not exert ourselves
to settle the business ? "
Besides the warning edict, issued by my orders, by the Pooching and
Gancha-Szes, I now issue this proclamation for the senior Hong merchants,
Howqua, Mowqua, and Pwankequa, instantly to obey.
Let them and their juniors, in conjunction with the disputing parties, proceed
at once carefully to examine all the claims, and ascertain if any just deductions
can be made. Let them ascertain and settle the exact sums owing by the Hong
to foreigners. Thus when the tide ebbs the rocks appear.—Do not show the
least favour, but act with justice.
Let them instantly fix on some plan for repaying the foreigners the sums due
to them and report the same to the two Szes that I may be informed thereof.
There must be no delay, no omission ; the matter is most urgent.
Debts due by Yen-Kechang he alone is responsible for; his servants and
assistants in the Hong must not be troubled.
Let this Edict be transmitted to the barbarian traders for their information
and obedience.
2 M
266
Let there not be the least delay in settling the accounts, on pain of the most
awful punishment.
Haste 1 Haste ! A special Edict.
The Foreign Creditors to the Governor of Canton.
July 17, 1837.
A RESPECTFUL Address. Your Petitioners are compelled again to
bring their claims upon the Hing-tae Hong to your Excellency's notice, for, not
withstanding your Excellency's orders, literally nothing has been done towards
either a settlement of the accounts or of the terms of payments.
A Committee has been named along with the Hong merchants, to investigate
Yen-Kechang's objections to the claims of your Petitioners. If he is serious in
urging these objections, why does he not come forward and substantiate them ;
it is so evidently a manceuvre to put eff time and procrastinate, that your Peti
tioners must entreat your Excellency not to permit such conduct being continued,
and to order the liquidation of the accounts as they are rendered by us, should
Yen-Kechang not prove them incorrect within a day or two, for surely he has had
ample time to examine his accounts.
As arrangements must be made for the transactions of the ensuing season,
your Petitioners are thus urgent, in entreating your Excellency to enforce your
former orders that old and new accounts may not be mixed.
Signed by Hing-tae's Creditors.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
July 20, 1837.
TANG, President of the Military Board, and Governor of the two Kwang
Provinces, issues this Edict to the Hong merchants, for their full information.
On the 18th July, I received a petition from Dent and other barbarian traders,
praying as follows [here follows the petition.]
This coming before me, the Governor, I inquired into the matter, and found
that when the barbarian traders, Jardine, &c, presented a petition some time
ago, I commanded the senior Hong merchants to cause Yen-Kechang to produce
his younger brother, Yen-Ketseang, who was formerly the head manager in the
Hong, but afterwards resigned. They were ordered to unite with the brothers,
and examine and settle the accounts, and devise some means for their liquidation.
They were to report the same to the two Szes that I might be informed thereon.
I also directed the Poo-ching and Gancha-Szes to investigate and urge the speedy
settlement of the accounts.—This is on record.
Let the barbarian traders now wait till Yen-Ketseang makes his appearance,
when they must, in conjunction with the senior Hong merchants, and the two
brothers, give their whole minds to the just and equitable settlement of the
accounts and to determining the exact sums due. Let the three so arrange that
the aS'airs may be instantly wound up. [Until Yen-Ketseang makes his appear
ance] there will be constant wrangling and disputing of the accounts.
Let not barbarians throw impediments in the way of settlement [by their
impatience.] They must not so constantly petition me, for truly they will reap
no advantage therefrom.
Uniting the circumstances, I issue this Edict to the Hong merchants : let
them transmit copies thereof to the barbarian traders, for their information and
obedience.—Do not oppose.—A special Edict.
The Foreign Creditors to the Hong Merchants.
Gentlemen, July 22, 1837.
WE have received from you two Edicts of his Excellency the Viceroy, in reply
to our petition (See Nos. VIII and X) one dated 7th and one the 20th inst., in
both of which the most peremptory orders are issued that the accounts of Hing-
tae Hong should be immediately examined, and some equitable arrangement at
once made by you for the payments of the debts.
267
We have now to request you will inform us what steps you have taken to
obey his Excellency's orders ; in both respects, no proposition has yet been made
to us by you as to the payment of the debts and as these are matters of great impor
tance you must excuse our pressing upon you the necessity of your giving instant
and earnest attention to them.
Yen-Ketseang should be obliged to appear immediately and explain his
objections to the accounts ; still his absence cannot interfere with your obeying
his Excellency's orders and making the necessary arrangements for the payment
of the debts, these being matters in no degree dependent on Ketseang's appear
ance or consent.
His Excellency complains of our importuning him with petitions. But we
are only claiming our rights, and have followed the usual course in our applications.
The nature of next measures will mainly depend on your reply in writing to our
present letter, and what we see actually doing towards a settlement. Should any
unpleasant consequences ensue from our being compelled to draw attention to
the nonfulfilment of his Excellency's orders, they must be attributed to the vexa
tious delays our claims have from week to week been subjected to.
We are, &c,
Signed by the Creditors.
The Hong Merchants to the Foreign Creditors.
July 23, 1837.
THIS is respectfully to inform you that we have requested Messrs. Archer,
Dent, and Green, to meet us in the Consoo-housc at noon, on the 23rd of this
month, for the purpose of examining the accounts of the Hing-tae Hong.
The other gentlemen are also requested to attend.
With compliments, we are, &c,
Signed by the Hong Merchants.
The Hong Merchants to the Foreign Creditors.
July 24, 1837.
THIS is respectfully to inform you, that on the 20th (July 22nd) we received
from our elder brethren their letter of the same date.
We are perfectly conversant with its contents ; but the requests contained
therein are of so weighty and important a nature that we cannot reply to them
without mature deliberation.
We have to request you will inform the other gentlemen hereof, and with
compliments we remain, &c,
(Signed) HOWQUA.
MOWQUA.
PWANKEQUA.
The Hong Merchants to the Foreign Creditors.
July 24, 1837.
THIS is respectfully to inform you, that on the 21st., yesterday, we advised
you per letter, of our having requested Messrs. Dent, Green, and Archer, to meet
us in Consoo on the 23rd, for the purpose of clearly investigating the affairs of the
Hing-tae Hong.
Now it is our opinion, upon reflection, that the accounts are too manifold
and complicated to be examined in one day ; and that it is only by taking them
one by one, in their proper order, that they can be examined.
We therefore beg to inform you that we have requested Mr. Dent and the
other two gentlemen, to meet us in Consoo to-morrow, that we may there mutually
-deliberate how the accounts shall be investigated in their proper order, and also to
settle a day for the general investigation ; of which we will write to inform the
other gentlemen concerned.
2M2
268
We address this to you, requesting you to make known its contents to the
other gentlemen, and with compliments,
We remain, &c.,
(Signed) HOWQUA.
MOWQUA.
PWANKEQUA.
First Meeting of the Committee appointed for the examination oj Hing-tae's
accounts with Foreigners.
Consoo House, Canton, July 25, 1837.
PRESENT, Howqua, Mowqua, Pwankequa■, Dent, Archer, Green.
It was clearly understood that in the investigation of all accounts and
differences, the decision of the Committee should be final as to the amount justly
due to each claimant, and that the sum agreed upon should in no case admit of
future question by Hing-tae, Hong merchants, Mandarins, foreigners, or any
other party.
It was unanimously agreed that the accounts shall be taken up successively
for examination, commencing with the lowest and proceeding to the highest,
excepting those of Dent and Co., Russell and Co., and Wetmore and Co., in
which the three foreign arbitrators are interested, which are to be postponed to
the last.
The Hong merchants present informed the foreign arbitrators, that answers
to Hing-tae's objections to the accounts rendered to the Co-Hong, had been
received from only three or four of the Creditors, and it was therefore decided
that each should be called upon for their explanations, as their respective accounts
came under examination.
To facilitate the business of the Committee it was determined to appoint a
Chairman, whose signature in the name of the Committee to all communica
tions and decisions shall be equally valid as if the same were signed by all the
Members.
The Committee then adjourned to meet to-morrow, July 26th, at 10 a. m.
at the same place.
In the name of the Committee,
LAUNCELOT DENT,
Chairman.
The Foreign Creditors to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, September G, 1 837.
A RESPECTFUL Address —On the 29th July last, we received a com
munication from your Excellency that you had given orders to the Hong
merchants for the immediate examination and liquidation of the debts due to us
by the Hing-tae Hong. These gentlemen now give us to understand that they
have consulted and examined in accordance with your Excellency's orders—but
we can obtain no satisfactory reply from them with respect to the liquidation of
the debts.
We are therefore obliged again to address your Excellency, and to urge you
in the strongest manner, to order the Hong merchants to pay our claims without
further evasion, so that we may not be under the necessity of again troubling
your Excellency.
We have, &c,
Signed by the Creditors.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
September 13, 1837.
TANG, President of the Board of War, and Governor of the two Kwang
Provinces, for the information of the Hong merchants.
269
On the 12th day of this moon (September 12th) a petition was presented
by Dent and other foreign traders of various nations, to the following import.
[Here follows the above petition.]
This coining before me, the Governor, I have inquired into the matter and
find by the records, that Edicts have before been issued, commanding the senior
Hong merchants to settle with the foreigners the true amount of Hing-tae's
debts ;—and also directing the two Sze officers to deliberate and investigate and
make a clear report of the matter to me.
Now this petition prays me to hasten the payment of the debts. For the
last time, I ask, are all the accounts clearly settled or not, and what is the exact
amount of the debts ? In the petition there is not a single word respecting this.
This is decidedly concealing the true face of things from me.
Besides ordering the two Szes to obey the former edicts, and command the
Hong merchants to hasten the settlement of the affairs, I, also considering the
circumstances, issue this Edict.
When it reaches the senior Hong merchants, let them on that very day, in
conjunction with the Hong merchant Yen-Kechang, his brother, and the
foreigners, conscientiously examine and settle the accounts. When they iiave
agreed upon the exact amount of the debts, and, after mature deliberation, have
come to some conclusive arrangement respecting the payment of them, let
them report the same to the two Szes, that I may be informed thereof and act
accordingly.
Let this Edict also be transmitted to the foreigners for their instant
obedience.
There must be no procrastinating delay. Do not oppose. —A special Edict.
The Foreign Creditors to the Governor of Canton.
November 29, 1837.
A RESPECTFUL Address.—Not having had any communication from
the Co-hong since we replied to their very unreasonable proposition to pay the
debts of the Hing-tae hong in fifteen years, we are compelled again to address
your Excellency, and trust that in pressing our claims on your notice, we shall
not be considered as unnecessarily troublesome.
In thus urging a settlement, we cannot but allude to the announcement made
by your Excellency, in conjunction with his Excellence the Fooyuen, that our
trade may be stopped within a month, and our nation's Representative expelled ;
and are now come once more to your Excellency in the hope that you will grant
us that justice which the laws of China, in such cases, have hitherto given
Foreigners, and prevent the adoption of any other measures.
We entreat an early answer from your Excellency to enable us to commu
nicate the result to Her Majesty's Superintendent.
We have, &c,
Signed by the foreign Creditors of the Hing-tae Hong.
The Governor of Canton to the Foreign Creditors.
December 1, 1837.
TANG, Governor of the Provinces Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, to the
Senior Hong merchants, for their full information.
On the 3rd day, 11th month (30th of November), the foreign merchants,
Jardine and others, presented the following address: — [see above.]
This coming before me, the Governor, I have examined the subject. In
reference to the several sums which the Hing-tae Hong is indebted to the said
foreign merchants, orders have been given for the apprehension of the said Hong
merchant, Yen-Ketseiing, imperatively requiring that he be discovered, and,
with Yen-Kechang, be subjected to severe punishment. Had they the power
of repaying their debts, doubtless, they should be, with strictness, compelled
speedily to repay them in full. But if it rests on all the Hong merchants to
determine on a mode of repaying on their behalf, then, there being to each sum
a creditor, how can these creditors beat down, as to time those on whom the
270
weight of suffering actually falls ? The request made is indeed very far from
being reasonable. In consideration for them, I however command, that they
wait while I instruct the Commissioners of Finance and of Justice, to hasten the
Senior Hong merchants, to come to a speedy determination as to the period to
be prescribed, and to make representation to me, in order to obtain my final
decision. It is my special desire that the said foreign merchants should have
guarantees to their debts, and also, that in effecting this, the Hong merchants
should not be utterly ground down, nor hindrance be thereby occasioned to the
fulfilment of public duties.
As to the Celestial Empire, in its cherishing tenderness towards men from
afar, its benevolence is perfect, its justice without a flaw. But the depraved
foreigners twist awry the laws to subserve their private ends ; and have thereby
drawn down from the Great Emperor reiterated and severe declarations of his
pleasure, that the receiving-ships should be driven away. Yet, notwithstanding
this, the Celestial terrors have not at once been displayed ; but only the Super
intendent Elliot has been commanded speedily to send them away, and order
their return to their country. Is there aught so exalted or so substantial as the
sacred favour herein manifested ?
Because the receiving-ships in the outer seas have so long persevered in
lingering out their stay, I lately limited the said Superintendent to a fixed
period for faithfully paying obedience to the commands. If he still treat them
with contempt and disregard, it will be in truth difficult, in that case, to extend
indulgence, and put off the said Superintendent's expulsion. Whether the
trade shall continue open or not, rests with the Celestial Court to determine,
and will depend on the line of conduct which all the foreigners may adopt for
themselves.
To sum up, I, the Governor, reverently regard the sacred tenderness, and
in conformity thereto, I carefully maintain the dignity of the government. I
commit no act of tyranny or oppression. Neither do I seek surreptitiously to
gain a name for liberality. The foreign debts shall be fully paid to the utter
most mite. The receiving-ships shall be with the utmost severity driven away,
For each purpose, distinct measures are to be carried through. The two have
no relation one to the other.
These commands are forthwith issued to the senior Hong merchants, How-
qua and Pwankequa ; who, on receipt thereof, are immediately to enjoin them
on the said foreign merchants, for their obedience. Oppose not. These are the
commands.
Taoukwang, 17th year, llth month, 4th day fist of December, 1837.)
The Foreign Creditors to the Governor of Canton.
A RESPECTFUL Address.—We received on the 2nd instant from the
Hong merchants, copy of an Edict bearing your Excellency's name, but fear we
do not exactly understand your Excellency's meaning, in as far as our claims
upon the Hing-tae Hong are mixed with transactions of a totally different nature,
and our trade threatened to be stopped, if Captain Elliot does not perform what
we have no power to insist upon.
Your Excellency's repeated promises that our debts shall be paid to the
uttermost mite, have as yet produced us nothing but the most unreasonable pro
position on the part of the Co-hong, to pay our debts in fifteen years. The
usual interest alone, would far exceed the payment ! how, therefore, can such be
considered as anything but a flagrant act of disobedience to your Excellency's
Edict?
Your Excellency draws very justly a distinction between the personal treat
ment that may be due to a fraudulent bankrupt, and that which should be shown
to the sureties; but in the payment of a debt, the sureties take the place of the
bankrupt in every respect. We arc far from wishing to distress the members of
the Co-hong (already so encumbered), but we must remind your Excellency of the
establishment of a fund for the express purpose of meeting such engagements,
and which fund, having had no legitimate drain on it for the past three years,
while it has been regularly levied on the foreign trade, should now have accumu
lated to a very large sum. But when large sums are annually exacted by the
various officers of Government, how is it possible that trade can go on ?
271
We have been involved in these debts by trading with the merchants
specially appointed by the Emperor for the avowed purpose of guaranteeing
foreign debts and guarding them against fraud, and with whom alone we are
permitted to carry on such business. If now we are put off from month to
month, where is the use of such an appointed set of merchants, and where the
Celestial justice which, in restricting our trade to a few men, preventing our
dealing with others, yet refuses either to perform its own engagements, or to
compel the Hong merchants to perform theirs? We may here remark, that the
onlv wealthy members of the Co-hong will neither secure ships nor purchase their
cargoes !
We are thus compelled to call most solemly on your Excellency not to per
mit the Celestial benevolence and justice to be thus rendered nugatory, but that
something more than mere promises and examinations will speedily be carried
into effect.
We have, &c,
Signed by Hing-tae's Creditors.
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
TANG, Viceroy of Kwangtung, &c, &c, proclaims to the senior Hong
merchants for their full information.
Whereas, on the 18th day of this moon (15th December, 1837), the foreign
merchants, Jardine and others, having presented a petition to the following
effect.— [Here follows a copy of the petition.'] —and this coming before me, I
have accordingly examined, and find, that in the laws of the Heavenly dynasty
[it is thus written]. " If a man have received money improperly, (such as
stolen money, bribes, &c.), he ought to repay it to its rightful owner, or he may
be sued, and sent to prison for six months ; if, upon examination, it be found
that with all his might he cannot repay, he may escape further prosecution, and on
getting a bond [from his friends] certifying his inability to pay, &c, he may request
forgiveness of [his crime,] and such like." Now, Yen-Kechang and his brother,
in owing a debt, having committed a much lighter crime than that of receiving
bribes or stolen property, and they likewise being entirely unable to repay, it is
plain, that their time of confinement in prison being expired, they also should be
able to avoid further prosecution, and likewise sue for, [and obtain] forgiveness!
But I, the Viceroy, having still further ordered the Hong merchants to consult
upon the subject, and to repay the debt in the stead [of the bankrupts], am truly
looking up to the holy virtue of the Great Emperor as my model, in fostering
the men from afar, not wishing that the said foreigners should be deprived of
their capital ! This is goodness beyond the laws ! truly may it be called the extreme
of benevolence and justice ! How is it, then, that so soon after the receipt of my
reply [to your last petition] you again come with a mass of words, thus whining
at and annoying me ! If you say that the Hong merchants who are to pay the
debt instead [of the bankrupts] are in the place of the bankrupts, and as such
are to be reprimanded for delay, then it is that the Hong merchants are blamed
by you for coming forward to pay the debt—so suppose that the Hong merchants
were to beg of you to excuse them bearing this blame, and on the other hand,
were to agree together not to pay this debt, I would like to ask you, whom would
you go to beg it from? Oh! gross and ignorant that ye are, never was there
stupidity equal to this !
As to what you say about the Hong merchants having received the Consoo
fund for three years without lifting arm [to pay any of it out] whether it is
so or not, the Hong merchants must state the fact, and if the money was applied
for the benefit of the public, or if in [the Consoo Treasury] there is any excess or
not, stop till the Judge and Treasurer have examined and reported form y decision.
As to whether the term or proposal to pay back in shares in fifteen years, be too
long or not, I again refer to my former Edict, where I urged on the principal
security merchants, without delay, to consult together in justice, and determine
with propriety. Wait till I get the document from the Judge and Treasurer for
my investigation.
In relation to a late petition of the said foreign merchants, because their
petition contained the words: — " We have heard that you mean to drive out the
Superintendent [Elliot] and not allow the. ships to open their holds, we beg
272
that in your reply you give us some information upon this point," therefore, it
was in order that they might clearly understand my Edict in reply, I proclaimed
that the two things had no connexion with each other: but the said foreigners
having mixed up the two in begging for an answer to their petitions as stated
above, now turn upon me, the Viceroy, and borrow an excuse [to say that I am]
contradictory, and [mixing up things] far apart! This is, indeed, the most
complete perverseness ! [impertinence?]
I again issue this proclamation, and when it reaches the said senior security
merchants, let them immediately enjoin it upon the said foreign merchants, that
they may obey accordingly, and let them further command them, not again at
their own will and pleasure, thus foolishly present [petitions?]
I, the Viceroy, grasp the laws for rooting up [lit. hoeing up] of vagabonds ;
if they make trials [of authority] with me, I fear it will be difficult to deal lightly
with them !
Taoukwang, 17th year, 11th month, 30th day (December 17, 1837.)
The Judge's and Treasurer's Report respecting Hing-tae's debts.
WANG, the Judge, and Ah, the Treasurer, issue again their orders for the
firm and satisfactory arrangement regarding the payment of debts.
According to the petition of the Hong merchants, they had, after consult
ing the foreigners, resolved to discharge the whole of Hing-tae's foreign debts,
by instalments, within the space of fifteen years. But, as the said foreigners
were still dissatisfied, and dunned them with the request of shortening the term
of years, they had, on receiving orders to that effect, called a meeting of all the
merchants, and now make known, in a clear statement, the result of their
deliberations. Whilst accommodating themselves to the wishes of the foreigners,
they agreed and settled to pay, within twelve years, as in the case of the firms of
Hwuylung, Ta-ching, Fuhlung, but the foreigners would only admit of five or
six years, and firmly insisted upon it.
In examining the settlement of debts owed by former bankrupt houses to
foreigners, we find that the annual instalments paid were above 200,000 dollars ;
but matters are now not as formerly : there was then the trade of the Company,
which yielded great profits, and no other instalments were to be paid. But just
now, every merchant has his own private debts, and Hing-tae and Fatqua, more
over, owe to Government about 400,000 taels ; if, therefore, the term of paying
Hing-tae's foreign debts is shortened, one will be cared for and the other neglected.
A statement of Kingkua's very heavy debts is now given ; and, if matters are to
be only partially adjusted, whilst, as formerly, additions are made to the said
Hong's foreign and public debts, and by repeated requests, brought forward to
make up deficiencies, the affairs will be more involved, and the whole trade ruined.
" Whilst sending in a statement of the terms of years, during which foreign
debts have been in former years discharged in instalments, we beseech our supe
riors graciously to sanction this settlement, and to permit that the debts be paid
in twelve years ; thus, the public and the foreign debts may be equally liquidated ;
and the merchants, at the same time, will be a little relieved, and recover
strength."
We, the Sze officers, on receiving this statement, with a list of dividends paid
in former years, found on examination, that the Celestial dynasty graciously
permitted foreign barbarians to come to Canton and barter : according to the
established regulations, they are permitted to exchange goods with Hong mer
chants only. It is incumbent on foreign merchants, at the end of each trading
season, to give in a clear statement to the Hoppo, whether there are any out
standing debts with the Hongs, which is recorded as evidence. If it should
happen that such a Hong fails, the payment of the claims falls upon the security
merchants : but if no clear statement is forwarded, the payment cannot be urged
or answered.
If native merchants, in defiance of the prohibitions, borrow of, or lend to,
foreign traders, and thus enter into clandestine and illegal connexions, they are
sentenced according to the law, against forming correspondence with foreigners,
and fraudulently borrowing or lending : the money thus advanced will, after
due investigation, be confiscated by Government.
273
In 1829, an English Chief petitioned for the establishment of trading regu
lations. In that document he requested that neither a new nor old Hong
merchant should pay the debts of other bankrupt Hongs, no matter whether
contracted with native or foreign merchants; but that every Hong should pay-
its own debts; thus the evil of too much trusting the Hong merchants might be
eradicated. The officers examined the subject of this Petition, and agreed to it,
obtaining the sanction of a former Governor in an Edict to that effect, which is
on record.
The annual account of Hing-tae's debts was not, according to law, clearly
stated ; the claims were not brought forward at an early period ; but the said
Hong was allowed to involve itself, during the space of seven years, to the
amount of upwards of 2,320,000 dollars. We are informed that a certain
foreigner, Jardine, is a creditor to the amount of 1,700,000 dollars and upwards.
One does not know how that■ foreigner, in dealing with Yen-Kechang's younger
brother, had so much confidence in him that he could give him such an enormous
credit ; thus, year after year, he was silent and said nothing about it.
If we were to act in conformity to regulations formerly established and
agreed upon, no payment ought to be made at present. But now the Hong mer
chants have received orders to pay in instalments, and they do their utmost to
manage things accordingly. On examining the arrangements for clearing the
accounts, made repeatedly in former years, we find that a term of twelve years
was agreed upon and sanctioned to clear the whole amount : thus the period for
the payment of the debts owing will not be too long, and a full payment is
certain.
The Government officers act thus graciously in imitation of the Great Em
peror, who cherishes the utmost tenderness towards foreigners, and, considering
they come in search of gain, will not permit them to suffer the least loss ; it is
only on this account that an alteration is made, and compassion shown by making
arrangements. If they are endowed with Celestial goodness, they will instantly
be imbued with gratitude ; and how can they, to the last, harbour in their breasts
a heart of wood and stone.
But if they do not accede to receiving payment in twelve years, and still
wish to urge a term of five or six years for the clearance, one does not know
what interpretation is to be put upon their conduct ; the more so as the amount
of these foreign debts is enormous ; and the annual payment in instalments,
sanctioned in former years, did not exceed the sum of 200,000 dollars and
upwards.
Now the said merchants are unreasonable, and are wedded to their opinions:
their minds arc therefore grievously perverse. If the Hong merchants, on this
account, reverse their former settlement, and refuse to make the payment, we
presume to ask where would the said foreign merchants urge their demand, and
whom would they prosecute for payment? Therefore, strenuous efforts ought to
be made for adjusting and settling these claims ; and measures be taken to manage
the matter accordingly.
We issue at the same time our orders to the said Hong merchants to call a
meeting of the foreign merchants, to examine into the preceding circumstances,
and to point out to them the orders ; let them most distinctly acquaint them with
the commands ; and again and again tutor and guide them, that by a mutual
understanding, the term of years may be fixed. Moreover, let them send a report
to us, that we may examine and forward the same. Do not disobey.
12th moon, 3rd day (29th December, 1837.)
The Foreign Creditors to the Governor of Canton.
December 30, 1837.
YOUR Excellency's Edict of 17th inst., in reply to our petition of 15th,
was handed to us by the senior Hong merchants, and at the same time a proposal
was made to liquidate the debts of the Hing-tae Hong in twelve years— a pro
position unjust, in as far as it is directly contrary to the established practice of
the Celestial Empire, and the interpretation former Governors have put upon
the laws of the Great Emperor, and most unreasonable in itself, seeing that the
usual interest during the proposed period, would amount to twice thecapital debt.
We have most carefully examined your Excellency's observations respecting
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274
the "fixed laws of the Heavenly dynasty," and beg humbly, but firmly, to state
to your Excellency, that the laws quoted are not those applicable to foreigners—
which, we need not point out to your Excellency, are entirely distinct from those
laws by which the subjects of the Empire are regulated.
Your Excellency's reasoning upon the liability of the Co-hong, we have
only to place in context with the Imperial orders, which distinctly engage that all
foreign debts shall be paid, and your Excellency has been graciously pleased to
repeat this engagement on the part of Government more than once. Why, then,
should your Excellency ask us, " from whom would you recover, should the Hong
merchants seek to be preserved from the consequences of thus being, by the laws,
pointed out as the securities and compulsory payers of bankrupt Hong debts?"
The answer is plain and distinct : we have the Emperor's repeated promise, as
well as your Excellency's, that our claims shall be paid to the uttermost mite.
The Celestial Empire is our debtor. —The Hong merchants hitherto have been
the channel of payment, but we look to your Excellency's making such payment,
and leaving the mode to be settled as the Celestial justice may deem most right, it
not becoming us to point out to your Excellency, the manner by which the empire
may discharge its debts.
With regard to the assertion that a Consoo duty has been levied, for the
purpose of paying Hong's debts to foreigners, for three years, without any drain
lor this purpose, it is strictly and positively true ; nearly four years have now
elapsed since any payment to foreigners has been made, and justice requires that
the sum so collected should be immediately appropriated to this liquidation of
existing foreign debts. There is no law of the Imperial dynasty warranting the
appropriation of this tax to any other purpose.
In conclusion, we must remind your Excellency, that former claims of a
similar nature have frequently been paid,—this is no new affair. The sums
formerly paid for a series of years, have been upwards of five lacs of dollars per
annum ; one year, 1829, indeed the amount approached six and a half lacs of
dollars ; a similar paympnt for the next four years would pay all our claims with
interest ; for how, in cutting off so large a proportion from our claims, can your
Excellency keep your promise to pay us the uttermost mite?
Trusting your Excellency will spare us the unpleasant task of appealing
either to the Emperor, or to our own August Sovereign, for the settlement of
these our just claims on the Chinese Empire,
We are. &c,
Signed by Hiug-tae's Creditors.
The Governor of Canton's reply to the Petition of Hing-tae's Creditors.
January 6, 1838.
THE compassion towards foreigners consists in benevolently making
arrangements for paying [the capital], but there is no regulation for discharging
the interest.
The Celestial dynasty maintains justice to the utmost, and is certainly
never weary of exhibiting favours. According to previous arrangements made
by the Hong merchants, the debts of Hing-tae were to be paid within fifteen
years. But since this period was somewhat distant, I gave orders for changing
the term to twelve years, during which time the whole should be cleared. Wait
then until the Sze [Treasurer and Judge] have been urged to draw up a full
statement to the Great Emperor, until His Majesty's pleasure for my guidance
be known. There is no necessity for making much ado about this matter.
Orders are hereby issued to the Hong merchants, to acquaint the said
foreign merchants with my commands, that they may observe them. Do not
disobey. These are my orders.
The Foreign Creditors to the Governor of Canton.
A Respectful Address, Canton, March 21, 1838.
SOME of the Subscribers, British Merchants, addressed your Excellency
nearly a year ago, respecting the large debt due to us by Hing-tae, and your
■
275
Excellency has since given repeated orders for its payment ; but up to this time
we have received no part of it. The Hong Merchants have indeed proposed to
pay it off in nine years, beginning with next year, which will be ten years from the
adjustment of the accounts ; but we cannot consent to such a distant payment.
Besides Hing-tae, your Excellency is aware that there are other Hongs also
indebted to us, and we have urged the Security Merchants to arrange for the
payment of their debts at the same time, that we may know with whom we may
trade safely and whom not, and guard, as far as we are able, against loss in
future.
We bring our property from a great distance to trade with this Empire, and
we are compelled by its laws to place it in the hands of a very few Hong Mer
chants nominated by the Emperor. It cannot be that His Majesty intends that
they should retain our capital, until it has nearly doubled itself by the accumu
lation of interest ; and then pay us back only the principal. It may be that
Hing-tae has dissipated our money ; but how can we ascertain this ? We cannot
go to his house or village to ascertain if he have secreted any money ; and even
your Excellency's order has failed to produce him here for examination.
The Judge and the Treasurer reported (12th Moon, 13th day,) as a reason
to delay payment of these debts, that matters are not now as formerly ; there
was then the trade Company which yielded great profits. This is true ; but our
profits also are not the Company's, and we cannot afford to dispense with our
trading capital. The payment of the Hong Merchants' debts, besides, has never
depended entirely upon their profits, but upon extra duties upon the foreign
trade, imposed for that purpose, and the Hong Merchants now propose an addi
tional duty to pay the present debts. Where then is the injustice to them ? It
seems to us, as to the Judge and Treasurer, that some other system is required
to meet the exigencies of the present trade ; but more for our benefit than for
the Hong Merchants. As we do not feel competent to discuss the question with
your Excellency, we have referred it through Her Majesty's Chief Superinten
dent to our own Gracious Sovereign, who will, we humbly hope, communicate
upon the subject with your Emperor.
In the mean time we shall gratefully receive any portion of our claims which
your Excellency may be pleased to order to be paid, and be prepared to listen to
the suggestions which the Hong merchants may propose.
(Signed)
Drnt and Co. Eglinton Maclean and Co.
Bell and Co. Fox, Rawson and Co.
Dirom and Co. W. Henderson.
J. and W. Cragg and Co. Pro Robt. Wise Holiday and Co.
Daniell and Co. Wm. Taos. Kinslky.
Gibb, Livington and Co.
Inclosure 4 in No. 117.
Captain Elliot to Mr. Inglis.
Sir, Macao, March 27, 1838.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your letter of the 24th instant, with
its inclosures : they shall be transmitted to the Rigid Honorable the Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs in the course of a few days, one copy by the way
of Egypt.
I feel warranted in assuring the Memorialists that the urgent importance
of their appeal to His Lordship will command his immediate attention.
Independently of the large amount of British Capital actually at stake,
(seriously impressive as that reflection undoubtedly is,) there is a more extensive
consideration leading to general conclusions which will probably occasion Her
Majesty's Government far more anxiety upon the whole subject.
It is to be found in the unavoidable inference that the altered manner in
which this great trade is conducted upon our side must render these grave
embarrassments more frequent of occurrence than they have ever yet been, till
2N2
I
276
some suitable modification has been made upon the part of the Chinese Govern
ment. Neither does it seem to be doubtful that failing such needful adaptation
of system, the difficulties of adjustment will be enhanced at each succeeding
crisis ; and that the growing general complication of the Hong merchants'
affairs, and the utter destruction of confidence in their stability, will inflict, at no
distant date, excessive injury on commercial and financial interests of great
moment.
Mindful of the position of British creditors upon the Hong merchants, I
will not proceed to the length of formally calling upon them to decline to accede
to any period, either yet offered, or likely to be offered for the complete liqui
dation of their present claims. But at this earliest conjuncture that the subject
h?s been officially drawn under my notice, I feel it my duty as the Superin
tendent of the British Trade, with this Empire, to record my opinion that the
determination of a just period had better be left open for arrangement between
the two Governments.
I shall beg leave to express my own conviction, that the creditors would
be taking a sound course both as respects their own, and the permanent interests
of the Trade, in steadily declining to have any further concern with these matters
than to receive the whole or such instalments of their claims upon the Chinese
Government as the Provincial Authorities may think fit to pay.
This view is founded upon the best consideration which it has been in my
power to give to the Correspondence on the Hing-tae Bankruptcy, and upon the
posture into which circumstances have now fallen upon that subject.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 5 in No. 117.
The Chinese Security Merchants in Canton, and their Debts.
Canton, 1838.
THE following exposition of the state of the Chinese Hong merchants in
Canton, is designed to make known in England, what is believed to be the ill-
understood conditions upon which the British and other foreign merchants who
reside there, conduct their trade, with the hope to interest the public of Great
Britain, especially the mercantile part of it, in the case, and to induce Her
Majesty's Government to interpose with the Imperial Government of China, in
order to procure payment of certain debts owing by the Hong merchants to the
foreigners, which the latter have incurred almost necessarily, under the condi
tions of the trade.
It must be generally known, that the Chinese Government has prescribed to
the foreign merchants of Canton, to confine their trade solely to twelve or thirteen
licensed persons called Security or Hong merchants. In their collective capacity
they are commonly called the Co-hong, and they have a place of meeting called
the Consoo Hall, for the general purposes of their guild, and their deliberations
held there, are called in the jargon of' Canton, Consoos. They all hold nominal
rank under their own Government, and they are the actual police magistrates over
the foreigners, and have been so styled in some of the orders of government, and
in this capacity they are held amenable for the conduct of the foreigners. In
their mercantile capacity they trade separately ; but they are made mutually
responsible, by their own' government, for the debts which each may incur, either
with their government for duties, or with foreigners, in prosecution of their
trade. Under the latter condition, they are at this moment indebted several
millions of dollars to the foreigneis, chiefly British, who have repeatedly demanded
payment of their claims, and petitioned the local government of Canton concern
ing them, during the last ten months. The remonstrances of the claimants have
hitherto had little effect, and it is apprehended that without aid from their own
governments, their debts will either never be paid, or else liquidated at so
remote a period, as to amount to a total loss of their immediate trading capital.
It is to procure this aid that the following statement is drawn up ; which, (o
277
explain clearly the circumstances under which the debts of the Hong merchants
have been incurred, is divided into the following heads.
1. The past and present state of the Chinese Hongs, and the relations of
the foreign merchants with them.
2. The altered situation of the British merchants, under the free trade,
which has deprived them of the means they possessed previously, to recover
their claims.
3. The altered circumstances of the Hong merchants, owing to the free
trade, and other causes, which offers them no longer, the same means to meet
their engagements.
1 .— The Past and Present state of the Chinese Hongs, and the relations of the
Foreign Merchants with them.
So early as the year 1702, we read of an attempt to confine the whole
foreign commerce of Canton to one individual who was called " the Emperor's
merchant." Upon enquiry, two years afterwards, it was ascertained that this
merchant had no goods himself, whilst he debarred others from traffic The
English determined in consequence, not to advance money, upon which the
Emperor's merchant agreed to allow other merchants to participate in the trade,
upon payment to him of nearly 5,000 taels per ship. These others, however,
showed an equal disposition to monopolize the trade which the foreigners con
tinued to resist with various success, down to 1720, when the Chinese merchants
formed themselves into a Co-hong, for the purpose of agreeing upon the prices
at which they should sell their goods. The British supracargoe3 refused to trade
with the Chinese monopolists, and remonstrated upon the subject with the Vice
roy, who undertook to abolish the Co-hong. It would appear that the practice
of making two Chinese merchants security for each foreign ship, had arisen con
currently with the Co-hong, and the English supracargoes continued to protest,
against the one and the other, down to 1754, at which time they gained no other
satisfaction, than the assurance " that any deficiency of duties upon a ship, would
be levied upon the whole body of Hong merchants,"—the Co-hong, in fact,
instead of upon the paiticular securities. A few years after, (25th year of Keen-
lung.) a series of Imperial Edicts were promulgated, to re-establish and confirm
the Co-hong, in consequence of a petition from the Security merchants to the
Viceroy, claiming, that the trade carried on with foreigners, " ought of right to
be their sole province." The East India Company's records state, that at this
time, there were only ten Security merchants, of whom half were of no consider
ation, or dependent upon the others. " The substance of either the Security
merchants, or the shopmen," says the records, " is little known, and if it were so,
it might probably appear in favour of the shopmen." The supracargoes appre
hending that the edicts would " open a way to a monopoly which must entirely
destroy commerce," opposed the Co-hong, to the utmost of their power, and
eventually effected an apparent dissolution of it, as appears by the Viceroy's edict
of February, 1771. 'lhe head Hong merchant, Paunkhequa, claimed the merit
of achieving this measure, and represented that it cost him 100,000 taels (about
30,000/. sterling,) which the East India Company's supracargoes repaid him ;
but the dissolution of the Co-hong appears to have been nominal only, for in 1777,
a mandate appeared which declared, that the foreign trade could only be con
ducted with the ten Hongs, and the system of Security merchants, with slight
variation in the number of the Hongs, has continued ever since.
The first notice we find of debts owing by a security merchant to foreig
ners, occurs in 1 774, when Seunqua, a Hong merchant, became bankrupt, and
his affairs were submitted to the investigation of the Mandarins. The foreign
creditors petitioned the Viceroy and Hoppo upon the subject, which led to an
arrangement for paying off the debt, as it then stood, amounting to 266,672
dollars without interest, by ten annual instalments. The amount of one only of
these instalments, however, was realized in the three following years, and the
remainder of the debt was merged in the large claims of which mention will be
made immediately. A representation was made to the Court of Directors in
London, 1779, concerning debts owing by the Chinese merchants to British
subjects in China, amounting to 1,000,000 sterling, and the Court consented to rj
278
allow tlieir Supracargoes in Canton to endeavour to effect an adjustment No
part of this debt was owing to the East India Company, but all to private traders
or other parties, and chiefly for money loaned to the Chinese at a high rate or
interest■ After investigating the claims, the Select Committee of the East India
Company's Factory declared, that of the 4,000,000 dollars alleged debts, not
more than 1,078,976 dollars appeared to have been received by the Chinese in
goods or cash ; the balance was accumulated interest : one claim alone had
grown in this way, from 9,609 taels to 81,900 dollars. Some of the bonds
outstanding were for more than triple the principal, and the names on them
quite illegible ; on some the original sum lent had been paid; yet, by accumu
lated interest, the bonds were still outstanding to a large amount. Some of the
bonds, however, were for goods.
The Select Committee seem to have entered upon the task of demanding
payment of the claims with considerable reluctance, from apprehension that their
liquidation would embarrass the solvent Hongs, and occasion the imposition of
further burthens upon the Company's trade.
The Chinese merchants, who become indebted to their Government for
duties, and are declared bankrupt in consequence, are liable under their laws, to
be punished by banishment. There appear to have been only eight Hongs at
this time, of which four were in the above predicament, and the Committee
feared that the banishment of those four would reduce the rest to a close mono
poly. The difficulties attending the claims protracted their settlement, until
some of the creditors, who resided at Madras, made representations upon the
subject to the Government of that Presidency, and to Sir Edward Vernon, the
Admiral on the station, in consequence of whieh the latter sent on the Sea-horse
frigate to China.
Captain Panton, the Commander, on his arrival at Canton, proceeded, con
trary to the advice of the Select Committee, but in conformity with his orders, to
deliver in person the letter from the Admiral to the Viceroy, of which he was
the bearer, and to urge payment of the claims. It appeared, in the course of
the negociations and discussions which followed, that the Imperial Edicts of the
twenty-fifth year of the reign of Keenlung had based the foreign trade upon a
system of mutual security. The shopkeepers, for example, who were allowed to
sell certain articles only to foreigners, were bound to ship them off through the
Hong of a security merchant; and every series of five shopkeepers became joint-
security to a Hong merchant for payment of the duties in their trads. The
Hong merchants were, in turn, bound mutually to the Government, for the
duties owing by them individually, and also for their respective debts incurred by
their legitimate trade to the foreigners, for which the Government became
guarantee. But the Emperor, at the same time, prohibited the foreigners to
lend money upon interest to the Chinese merchants, and ordered all such loans
to be confiscated, and the borrowers to be declared criminal. As the Co-Hong,
established by the Edicts, had subsequently (1771) been nominally dissolved at
the foreigners' request, it now became a question, how far the system of mutual
security was still applicable to foreigners, and if it were, how far they had reason to
expect debts to be paid of the nature of those described above, which had been
incurred in direct opposition to the Imperial mandate. Captain Panton was able
to effect nothing on his first visit; but he went to Madras, and returned again to
China; whilst, during his absence, frequent communications took place between
the creditors, the Select Committee, and the civil authorities of Canton, who had
lately submitted the case to the Emperor. The debts on the 31st December, 1779»
with the accumulation of interest, were as follows : —
Dollars;
Owing by the Hong merchant . Yngshaw . 1,354;713
Coqua . . 1,151,29:)
Seunqua . 634,784
Kewshaw . 438,785
Munqua . 141,112
Conqua . 81,9-14
Under 208 bonds ...... 3,802,587
Owing by shopkeepers, under forty-one bonds . . 494,063
Total 4,296,650
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The Emperor's will was communicated by the Viceroy of Canton to
Captain Panton, in his second visit, in October, 1780. It referred to the former
Edicts respecting loans of money to the Hong merchants, and described several
of the above debts as coming under this head, and being, moreover, made up of
usurious interest. Others, as Coqua and Seunqua's, were owing by men long
since bankrupt, upon whose debts there could be no accumulation of interest
allowed. It finally selected Yngshaw and Kewshaw's debts as the only ones
entitled to consideration, on the ground that these parties acknowledged to have
received to the extent of 136,700 and 165,600 taels respectively in money, in
the 23rd year of Keenlung, prior to the Edicts of the 25th year. One-half only
of their accumulated debt, in December, 1779, was therefore ordered to be
paid, namely 600.000 taels in ten annual instalments of 60.0U0 each. The
distinction of bond debts, and trading debts, is distinctly preserved in the reply,
by which the mutual guarantee system is tacitly admitted to be still in force, and
we shall see that it has been acted upon ever since. The mode of paying the
debts was not prescribed by the Emperor, but left to the local officers of
Canton, between whom and the Hong merchants it was arranged, the following
year, to impose a duty of 1 tael and 2 mace per pecul, upon green tea, 6 mace, 2
candarin upon black tea, and 6 per cent, upon raw silk.
The condition of the Hongs is thus described in the East India Company's
Factory Records, in the beginning of 1780.
" Coqua is entirely ruined.
" Seunqua's brother was declared a bankrupt in 1774, and the Mandarins
undertook to settle his debts with the English. According to their decision, the
Hong still owes about 222,000 dollars.
" Kewshaw is much involved.
"Yngshaw's debt amounts, by his own account, to nearly a million of
dollars. Yet he still does business, hut no confidence can be placed in him.
"Chowqua and Shykinqua are, we believe, very clear of debts, and are
people of property.
" Munqua owes a great deal, but is not supposed to be in immediate
distress.
" Puankhequa's debts to the English do not amount to more than 80,000
dollars ; with a little management, he is the merchant most to be depended on.
"These merchants," the Committee add, "have been ruined in part by
their own vanity and extravagance. Money became so plenty here, and was
offered to them with so seeming a liberality, that they could not withstand the
temptation of borrowing it ; but, although much may have been expended by
their vain and expensive way of living, the greatest part has, we believe,
been extorted from them by the oppression of the Mandarins."
By the Hoppo's order of the 17th April, 1782, the following five new Hongs
were established, viz. : Sinqua, Gewqua, Pinqua, Seequa and Seenshaw, and
two extra Hongs were contemplated, Exchin and Sinchong. But the new
Hong merchants are described to be forced into the business, and to be men of
no substance. The old Hong merchants refused to be security for them, and the
five new were ordered to be mutual security for each other. In the following
year we find the following recorded by the Select Committee. " Yng>haw and
Kewshaw are on the point of being sent into banishment. Coqua's Hong is long
before bankrupt ; Seunqua's nearly in the same situation, and Munqua too much
embarrassed to be of any consequence ; so that the whole trade is in a manner
confined to Puankhequa, Shykinqua and Chowqua, and the new Hongs." In
allusion to the settlement of the debts, we find the following remark, which is
worthy of attention. " It seems to be an established maxim amongst the
Mandarins at this place, to discourage, as much as possible, all applications to
the Emperor, both as they may prove dangerous to their persons and derogatory
to their consequence : except in circumstances that cannot be concealed, as in the
case of Captain Panton, without whose interference, we are well assured, no
representation from the creditors or any other body of men, could ever have
reached the court. Much less can we expect the assistance of the Hoppo, through
whom it must necessarily pass in the first instance.
No instance of debts owing by Hong merchants after the foregoing, are
found until 1793, when claims upon the security merchant Eequa, chiefly put in
by Parsees, were paid in one year by the Co-hong, under orders from Govern
ment, amounting to 300,000 taels. In 1796, Shykinqua had become heavily
indebted to the East India Company's Factory, which, however, held security,
280
apparently in mortgage, to the extent of 280,000 taels. The Co-hong purchased
the security, and the balance of the debt, amounting to 600,000 taels, was paid
by six annual instalments.
In 1793, according to Milburn, there were twelve Hongs, and in 1808
fourteen, viz. :
Puankhequa, Ponqua, Manhop, Fatqua,
Mowqua, Gnewqua, Poonequa, Fonqua.
Puiqua, Consequa, Lyqua,
Cliunqua, Exchin, Kinqua,
Of the eight Hongs spoken of by the Select Committee as in existence in
1780, we find in 1808, only Puankhequa, and none of the new Hongs, said to
have been established in 1782, except Exchin. As a Hong-merchant is never
allowed to forsake his calling during his life, and his son or relation is always
made to succeed him, and there is besides some pride in keeping up the name of
a Hong, we may suppose that all the other Hongs of J 790 had become extinct
through bankruptcy.
In 1810, the Select Committee had to enforce payment by the Co-hong, of
debts owing by Gnewqua and Goqua, amounting to 1,400,000 taels, which were
arranged for liquidation in ten years, and the former's final dividend was paid in
March, 1821. In 1813, debts owing almost entirely to private British traders or
others were recorded against five Hongs, including the above Goqua, as follows :
Consequa ...... 822,806
Exchin 820,610
Manhop 1,237,681
Poonequa 741,147
Goqua 341,953
Dollars . 3,964,197
An attempt was made, on this occasion, by four of the solvent Hongs, to
monopolize the whole business, which was evaded by the Select Committee obtain
ing permission for the five bankrupt Hongs to continue their business under a
trust-deed, and the following minute was entered in their records on the occasion.
" The European creditors of the Hongs, Consequa, Exchin, Mauhop, Poo-
nequa, and Goqua, have at length come to a conclusive arrangement respecting
the debts due by those merchants, and have resolved to await the payment of their
claims by such profits as may arise from the commerce carried on by the Hongs,
in preference to making any application to Government for the payment of their
debts, and which, of course, would occasion those Hongs being declared bank
rupts. With the exception of Consequa and Goqua, whose debts to the Com-
pany are not considerable, these Hongs have cleared off their debt with the Com
pany, and all have a balance to receive this season, when all the teas are
delivered."
In 1821, we find the following memorandum in the books of a private cre
ditor. " If the liquidation of these merchants' (Exchin, Manhop, and Poonequa)
debts, were to proceed merely in the same ratio that they have done for the last
eight years, the creditors must see at once the necessity of an appeal to Govern
ment, taking all chance of the issue; but hopes are held out of a more rigid sys
tem of management being observed than hitherto, and the merchants being sub
jected to fewer demands on them."
Manhop's final dividend, however, was paid in December, 1823, and Exchin's
in March, 1826. The others are accounted for in the following list of insolvencies
recorded subsequently—-which was recently laid before the Chamber of Commerce
in Canton.
CONSEQUA died insolvent in 1823, dollars. dollars. dollars.
owing foreign debts . . . 171,091 Drs. 8,090
PACQUA failed about 1823 to
1824 . . . . . 671,463 do. 132,467
POONQUA died insolvent in 1827 122,211 do. 226,905
MANHOP failed in 1828 . . 1,125,538 do. 385,148
CHUNQUA failed in 1829, owing
869,763 dollars less proceeds of his Hong
property .... 290,570 579,193 do. 41,226
Drs. 2,669,496 Drs. 793,836
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Paid as follows : Foreign. Duties. Total in each.
dollars. dollars. dollars.
In 1825 34,218 6,360 40,578
„ 1826 34,218 129,337 163,555
„ 1827 166,777 4,858 171,635
„ 1828 207,516 164,662 372,178
1829 406,962 241,897 648,859
„ 1830 362,618 196,548 559,166
„ 1831 321,882 8,948 330,830
„ 1832 378,435 38,965 417,400
„ 1833 378,435 2,261 380,696
„ 1834 378,435 378,435
2,669,496 793,836 3,463,332
Add portion of Chun-
qua's debts liquidated
from Hong property 290,570
2,960,066 Total foreign debts in ten years.
" Consequa died insolvent in the Autumn of 1823, owing foreigners
171,091 Spanish Dollars.
" His foreign creditors made incessant demands for the settlement of their
claim, which the Co-hong, at length, with the sanction of Government, arranged
for payment in five annual instalments. But the amount being small, the
foreigners insisted on a shorter period being fixed, and a party of them in the
autumn of 1824, presented a petition at the City Gate, where they were deter
mined to remain till better terms were granted. They maintained their post
during the whole of one night, and till midnight of the second, when Howqua,
after various unsuccessful attempts to drive them away by intimidation, expressed
his readiness to agree to whatever terms might be demanded. On which the
foreigners consented to receive payment in three annual instalments, in lieu of
five as fixed by the Government.
" Pacqua, Hong merchant, had for several years been in a tottering con
dition, and various compromises had been made of his debts, from time to time,
notwithstanding which, however, they continued constantly on the increase.
And after a protracted negociation, the Hong was finally broken in 1825, and he
himself banished to Ele ; for which destination, however, he does not appear to
have started till 1828. His debts, then adjusted, amounted to 671,463,38
Spanish dollars.
" His death at Ele was noticed in the Canton Newspaper three or four
years ago.
" Poonqua, Hong merchant, died insolvent in January, 1827, owing to
foreigners 122,210,80 dollars, which were agreed to be paid by the Co-hong, in
three annual instalments, commencing in February, 1828.
" Manhop, Hong merchant, failed early in 1828, say in January, after
having been several months in a very tottering condition. His debts to foreigners
amounted to 1,125,538 Spanish dollars. Petitions for a settlement were imme
diately presented, which however was not arranged till December, 1828. In
February, 1829, the first dividend of one-sixth was paid, and the whole completed
in six instalments in February, 1834.
" Chunqua, Hong merchant, failed in 1829—the senior partner having
retired to Nankin, carrying off all the property in charge of the Hong, which
he left, in debt, under the management of a stupid younger brother. His debts
to foreigners amounted to 869,762,32 dollars. The first petition for a settlement
was in September, 1829. The subject was pressed on the Government and
Hong merchants during the whole of 1830. It was not, however, till March 10,
1831, that the first dividend was paid of twenty- three per cent., 198,150,29
dollars. In July, ll£ per cent., 99,075,10 dollars, both arising from the Hong
property. In February, 1832, 190,845,64 dollars. In 1833, 190,845,64 dollars.
In 1834, 790,845,64 dollars. Total 869,762,32 dollars, the three last from the
Consoo fund."
The nature of the above debts will be explained by the fact, that bonds or
chops, as they are commonly called in Canton, were lodged by private individuals
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in the hands of ons- house of agency to the amount of 746,000 dollars on the
1st January, 1824, all bearing interest at rates of 10 to 15 per cent.
The whole of these bonds were liquidated, prior to the expiration of the
East India Company's charter. No other failure has occurred since Chunqua,
except Fatqua, who owed nothing to foreigners, but was indebted for Government
duties, for which his Hong was closed and he himself put in prison, where he
died last year, until Hingtae's bankruptcy, which is the more particular cause
and subject of this publication.
In the beginning of 1837 there were thirteen Hongs, viz :
Howqua, Hingtae, Samqua,
Mowqua, Mingqua, Kwanqua, [Footae]
Puankhequa, Saoqua, Lumqua,
Goqua, Punhoiqua, Takqua.
Kingqua,
Of these, Howqua's Hong is the same as Puiqua [his brother] mentioned in 1808.
Mowqua, Puankhequa, Goqua, are sons of the Hong merchants of that date, and
the old Kingqua died a few months ago. The acting members of Howqua and
Puankhequa's Hongs are both wealthy men, but they do little or no business
directly with foreigners. Goqua's Hong is clear of its former embarrassments
and doing business ; as is also Mowqua, who is however, still in debt. Kingqua
has never recovered embarrassments of old standing. Mingqua, Saoqua, Samqua,
and Footae, are Hongs of about five to nine years' standing, and doing active
business. Punhoiqua, Lumqua, and Takqua, are all nearly or entirely extinct for
want of credit.
Hingtae suspended payment towards the end of 1836, and a petition was
sent by foreigners to the Viceroy, to demand payment of his debts in the April
following. Atfer some delay, a Committee was appointed, consisting of the three
senior Hong merchants and three foreigners, to examine the claims which were
put in at 2,738,708 dollars, and were eventually passed by the Commitee at
2,261,439 dollars; the amount curtailed being chiefly surcharges for interest, or
unadmitted claims for bad goods ; but the whole of the debts appeared to have
incurred in actual legitimate trade.
The case was again referred to the Viceroy, and has since been repeatedly
urged on him ; who has engaged that " the debts shall be paid to the uttermost
mite [Edict, 1st December, 1837,] and has enjoined the Hong merchants to
make arrangements for that purpose. They purposed to pay the claims by
instalments, beginning in the shipping season of 1838 and 1839, at first in
twenty years, then in fifteen, and lastly in nine years. The claimaints,
however, have not only objected to such a distant liquidation of the debt, with
out interest, but they have required that Kingqua shall also be included in any
arrangement that is made, whose debts to foreigners are said to amount to about
one million of dollars. This Hong has long been considered insolvent ; but the
foreigners have forborne to press their claims out of respect to the late father of
the family, an old man of eighty years of age, for whose sake it was hoped his
countrymen would find the means to carry on the Hong, and not expose him to
the penalty and disgrace of a public bankruptcy. Since his death, which, as
before noticed, occurred a few months ago, it has become necessary to put in the
claims against the Hong. This is the more requisite, as it is understood that in
some of the Consoos or consultations of the Hong merchants, legal difficulties
have been started to making any private arrangements through the Co-hong for
payment of the debts, without the sanction of Government. The question is,
however, still under consideration by the Hong merchants, and propositions have
been made amongst themselves to impose additional duties on articles of trade
with the foreigners to liquidate all the claims ; but it seems doubtful whether in
the present state of trade they have either the power or the will to proceed
further without an order from the Emperor, and still more doubtful if the
British claimants have the means to bring the matter, with hopes of favourable
notice, to the attention of His Majesty.
It may be here noticed that accusations were made against Shykingqua in
1796, and afterwards against Chunqua in 1829, of having abstracted large sums of
money from their Hongs for their family use, which was never brought to account
of their assets. The same accusation is now made against Hingtae by his own
countrymen, the truth of which the foreigners have no means of ascertaining,
Mowqua's elder brother is said to have been mulcted some hundred
283
thousand taels for indulging his vanity in an illegal attempt to exalt his father's
name by posthumous honours; and both Howqua and Tinqua are known to
have expended very large sums to obtain their son's promotion in the public
service. The vanity of raising their families into consideration is, indeed, the
only inducement that can be imagined, for men to become Hong merchants.
It must also be noticed, that a nominal fund, called the " Consoo Fund,"
is said to have been formerly instituted by the aid of certain duties upon
foreign commerce, in order, as some suppose, to pay off the debts owing by the
Co-hong to foreigners ; but it is stated in Lord Macartney's instructions to have
arisen in a measure from demands by the Emperor on the merchants, to support
his wars, &c, and it was one object of the Envoy's embassy to enquire into the
fund. The Court of Directors gave orders also in 1807, to remonstrate against
it, and attempts have several times been made to enquire into it and abolish it ;
we have seen that a duty was laid on Chinese staples in 1781, with the Hoppo's
sanction, to pay the Co-hong's dnties, and similar duties have been imposed
since, and are, without doubt, collected on some such pretexts to this day;
but there seems no reason to believe that such duties have ever been funded.
As the foreigners have never been consulted as to the mode of levying this
fund, supposing it to exist, nor had any controul over its appropriation, they
can in no way be responsible for its misapplication, and they ought not to suffer
for any failure in its means to liquidate their claims or any other demands
upon it.
It must further be noticed that the Emperor's Edict of 1782, which ordered
the bankrupt merchant's debts to be partly paid, desired certain Mandarins
to be appointed, through whom future dealings between the foreigners and the
Hongs are to be carried on, to prevent future debts being contracted by the
latter. The Hoppo accordingly appointed one of his subordinates to super
intend the deliberations of the Co-hong, and to fix the prices of exports and
imports ; and this officer, Wei-Yuen, actually set in committee with the principal
Hong merchants, and it was he who fixed the extra duties to pay the debts.
This practice appears soon to have fallen into disuse.
From the foregoing history of the Hongs, we deduce, that the conditions
under which foreigners have traded in China for the last fifty years, at least,
are:—
That the Chinese Government gives them no benefit of the laws nor
institutions under which its own subjects live; but that they are subjected to a
body of men, called security merchants, who hold nominal rank from the
Emperor, and who are a peculiar police for the controul of foreigners and their
trade.
That the Chinese Government gives no pay to the security merchants for
performing this office, but recompenses them by a monopoly in the foreign trade
of all the great staples of foreign commerce.
That to recompense the foreigners for the disadvantages of their situation,
the Government guarantees to them the payment of the debts which they must
unavoidably incur in such a limited trade.
If these deductions be correct, it rests, as a matter of course, with the
Chinese Government, so long as it shall be pleased to preserve the Hong
system, to find the proper men to become security merchants and to devise
the means to pay the debts which those merchants shall contract. Had the debts
of 1 780 arisen out of the above condition of trade, Captain Panton would cer
tainly have been justified in insisting upon their immediate payment, or, at all
events, that interest should be paid upon them until liquidated ; and it is pro
bable that his demand, if duly supported, would have been complied with, and be
come the precedent for similar transactions in future. The Emperor of China
may be pleased to lop off the interest, or to wipe off the half, or any portion of
debts incurred under the above conditions, and the foreign creditors, if unsup
ported by their own Governments, have nothing for it but to submit. But their
right to the whole remains the came, unless it can be shown that the debts are
fraudulent or the interest usurious. Any evasion of the condition which leaves
the foreigners' capital in the hands of the Chinese Government monopoly for its
benefit, whether for one year or for twenty, is clearly an infraction of the Empe
ror's pledge. It may not have suited the East India Company to work out the
correct principle, because the debts were in almost all cases due to persons whose
interests they have admitted to be opposed to their own. Former creditors mav,
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284
moreover, have been content to compromise their claims, for reasons we shall pre
sently show ; but their reasons do not apply to the creditors of the Hongs in 1838,
nor would the latter admit them, if their objections were likely to be heard in any
quarter.
2. —The altered situation of the British Merchants under the free-trade which has
deprived them of the means they possessed previously to recover their claims.
It has been shown, in the previous section, that in none of the cases which
established the precedents for the payment of the Co-hong debts, were any part of
those debts owing to the East India Company. They were due to British mer
chants in India, to the supracargoes and officers of the East India Company's
service, and to other parties who furnished capital to the Hong merchants with
which the latter conducted the Company's trade. These loans to the Hongs bore
various rates of interest from twelve to twenty per cent., and the calculation of
many of the parties who loaned was, that if a Hong in which they placed their
money should last seven years at the first rate of interest, or four at the last, they
doubled their capital by compound interest. Should the Hong break at the end
of these respective periods, and the doubled capital be recovered seven years after
in the one case, or four in the other, after the day of bankruptcy, they were still
as well off as if their original capital had been the longest period of fourteen years
in the English funds at five per cent, interest. The chances were, of course,
very much in their favour ; because, in addition to the possible stability of the
Hongs, they had the means of transferring their bonds whenever they desired to
withdraw their money, and few of them at the time of settlement in 1 780 were
in the first holders' hands.
When a Hong did break the East India Company's Factory were ready to
fight the battle to bring about a settlement of the claims, and their dealings with
the security merehants afforded them the ready means to receive and distribute
the dividends. For although it was not the interest of the East India Company to
push the claims beyond what was barely necessary to satisfy the creditors, it was
entirely their interest to regulate the payments which the clamour of the creditors
rendered unavoidable. The Select Committee desired to maintain the Hongs in
the most effective state in order to preserve as much competition as possible
amongst the Chinese, and prevent too close a monopoly by the Co-hong. They
even went so far, in one case, as to advance the bond-money to the creditors on the
security of the solvent Hongs.
The solvent Hongs, on the other hand, were always too ready to buy up the
debts of the bankrupts, where they had the means, to secure the lapsed shares of
the Company's business.
The creditors of Hingtae's Hong have none of these advantages, and their
claims which appear in every case to be balances of actual transactions of trade,
have all, or nearly all, originated since the opening of the trade ; nor has
interest been charged in any case, apparently, above the market rate of twelve
per cent.
Here it is necessary to digress, to show how certain acts of the British
Government have tended to involve the British merchants in Canton with the
Chinese, at the very time when they were taking from them the means to recover
their money. Those acts were:—the permission to the East India Company to
continue an agency in China, for the purpose of passing their funds from India
to England; the retension of the stock of tea in England in the East India
Company's hands after the expiration of their charter ; and the sudden, and to
the merchants in China, unknown alteration of the tea duty in 1836. The effect
of the first of these causes may easily be made apparent. The currency of
Canton is confined to the old Spanish Carolus and Ferdinand dollars, which,
being no longer coined, are becoming scarce every where. The expedients
devised to obviate a restricted currency, occasion about a fifth part only of the
mercantile transactions of the place to be exchanged by actual cash payments.
The whole foreign exports and imports of Canton, amount together to about
sixty millions of dollars, and taking this as the amount of exchangeable property, a
fifth, or 12,000,000 dollars, only is required for cash transactions. But as the same
dollar may be made to perform more than one payment in a day, and the absence
of banks occasions every one to keep unemployed money in his chest for emer
285
gency, we may safely suppose that the average actual circulation amongst the
foreigners and the Chinese with whom they deal, is not more than five millions
of dollars. Nearly two millions, or one-third at least of this amount, is sup
posed to have been locked up in the treasury of the East India Company's agents,
for several months prior to the few last weeks, and it is now in the act of being
poured into circulation by means of their advances upon goods. The public
prints which we have lately received from England, teem with complaints against
the Bank of England, for the sudden expansions or contractions of' its issues by
half a million or a million sterling upon its own circulation of sixteen or eighteen
millions. What, then, must be the effect of the sudden expansion or contraction
of our circulation, by one-third of its whole amount ? But the evil of the East
India Company's agency, which we have particularly in view, occurred on the
opening of the China trade, concurrently with the mischief occasioned by the
retention of the East India Company's stock of tea. If upon the expiration of
their monopoly, their teas in England had been thrown at once into the market,
the price would of course have been depressed, and they would have passed at
the low rates, into the hands generally of those who were about to engage in the
China trade. A corresponding depression in price had necessarily followed in
Canton, which would in turn have occasioned diminished production. The
temporary vacuum in the trading capital of the place, in consequence of the
cessation of the East India Company's trade, had they left no agency, would have
allowed little competition, and the India cotton and home manufactures might
easily have been bartered for the low priced staples of China, which would then
have been a safe remittance to Europe. The retention of the East India Com
pany's stock of tea in their hands, on the contrary, by maintaining high prices at
first in England, brought speculators into the Canton market to whom the
East India Company's agency afforded the means to buy teas over the
heads of the resident merchants, the holders of goods. The Hong merchants
took the money in preference to goods, and tempted by the high prices of teas,
they sent it up the country to increase the production for the following year. In
proportion as the Chinese staples were raised in price, so were the foreign imports
depressed. Competition forced them, however, into the market, and the readiest
buyers were the neediest Hong merchants, who purchased them at long credits
to resell them immediately among their own countrymen for cash. Such part
of the imports as were sold by the resident merchants in this way form,,
perhaps, in many cases, the claims now under consideration. Other imports were-
bartered for teas at the prevailing high prices, which being shipped to England,.■
came into contact with the East India Company's heavy stock ; and, in one case,
with the unexpected alteration in the tea duty, by which they incurred losses of
from twenty to fifty per cent. The loss occasioned by the duty was aggravated
too, in some cases, by the capricious valuation of the teas. Documents were for- -
mally attested before the Chief Superintendent last season, and forwarded to
England to prove, that Bohea tea which had been contracted for and supplied by
the same Hong merchant in the same chop name, but shipped to two different ■
ports in England, was at one called Bohea, and at the other Congo, and the
duties, before the equalization, levied accordingly.
It must be remembered that the foreigner in Canton, has not the same
choice in his dealings as merchants in other places. He has barely the ordinary
exercise of prudence. He can sell the bulk of his goods, cotton for instance,
to one of four or five parties only; he has no warehouse to stow it in; no means
to ensure it against fine. Having once landed merchandize, he can get no return
of the duty paid on it, and cannol therefore reship it, whatever be the state of the
market. There may be no alternative, but to sell it to men of dubious credit, or
to barter it for other goods of dubious out-turn in the market they are sent to.
Under such circumstances, it can be no matter of surprise, that nearly every
foreign house of agency in Canton is implicated more or less with the bankrupt
Hongs, and all alike helpless, apparently, in obtaining payment of their debts.
Another circumstance of the foreign trade may be alluded to under this
head, not as applicable to the present engagements of the foreigners with the
Hong merchants; but as very likely to influence them materially hereafter; which
is, the probably altered character of the opium trade.
This drug, which forms about three-fifths of the whole British imports into
China, has hitherto been kept out of the Hong merchants' hands, and has been
the principal means of enabling the free traders to endure the burdens upon the
286
legal trade. The rapidly increasing introduction of this article into China, not
called for by urgent demand on the part of the Chinese, but impelled by our
fiscal measures in India, threatens to vex and alarm the Chinese Government
beyond endurance. Their recent attempts to check it, have only tended to
remove the smuggling of-the drug from one place to another. The consequence
is, that upon the eastern coast of China, where an occasional vessel only
appeared ten years ago, there have lately been as many as sixteen or eighteen at
one time, and some of them are stationary there.
The contraband trade at Whampoa too, which the Government succeeded in
stopping eighteen years ago, when only 5,000 chests of opium were imported, has
recommenced there now, when the importation is 30,000 chests and upwards.
It is impossible to predict the result of such a trade; but none other can so
easily be imagined, as the legal admission of the drug into port, which has
already been proposed to the Government by some of its own officers. An over
ture was even made, it was said, last year, to the Hong merchants to undertake
the trade. If these merchants are unable to conduct the large commerce which
is already passed through their Hongs, as the facts adduced in this publication
will, it is supposed, make it appear likely to be the case, what must be the effect
upon them of the sudden participation of the valuable traffic in opium, which has
always been the source hitherto, both in India and China, of very hazardous
speculation ? The consequence must be, accelerated ruin to themselves, and
heavy losses to those concerned with them. It is quite in the course of probable
events, therefore, that the legal traffic in opium may one day bring more serious
calamity to the British merchants in India and China who are engaged in it, than
the whole power of the Chinese Empire, apparently, is now able to inflict upon
the contraband trade.
3.—The altered circumstances of the Hong Merchants, owing to the Free- Trade,
and other causes, which afford them no longer the same means to meet their
engagements.
ALL the reasons which the Select Committee assigned for the ruin of the
Hong merchants in 1 780, are true to the letter and applicable at present : in
addition to which it is obvious that the evils arising out of the sudden opening of
the British trade, which has been shown to affect the foreigners, must in turn,
when the reaction arrives, injure the Chinese. They have, accordingly, been
heavy sufferers by the low price of their staples which has prevailed for the few
last months, and are consequently many of them in no condition to pay the debts
which they had previously contracted.
The insolvent merchant Hingtae is the son of a respectable goldsmith who
kept a shop in the neighbourhood of the foreign factories, in which he amassed
perhaps 50,000 or 60,000 dollars to bequeath to his sons at his death. On
occasion of a demand for new security merchants, in 1828 and 1829, Hingtae, a
mere boy, and his brothers set up a Hong. In the course of the few years inter
vening between that time and his bankruptcy, he contrived for a while to transact
a fourth or fifth of the whole legal foreign trade at Canton.
This Hong may be taken, with some exceptions, as a type of the origin of
the Security merchants. With little capital and often with quite insufficient
talent and experience to conduct an extensive trade, can it be surprising if they
either close their career early, or else buy their experience at a cost, which
embarrasses them during the remainder of their lives, and their children after
them. The result of the experience of the two oldest and wealthiest partners of
the existing Hongs, Howqua, and Tinqua, [acting partner of the Puankhequa
Hong] has been, to induce them to withdraw for many years past, even during
the Company's charter, from nearly all direct dealing in imports with the free
traders. This of itself tended to throw the greater portion of those transactions
into the hands of the weaker and now bankrupt Hongs. If the majority of the
Security merchants has become insolvent, as we have seen to be the case, whilst
sharing in the profitable business of the East India Company, and supported by
their influence, what may now be their fate, when opposed to the keen compe
tition and activity of free-trade? If they were ruined in great part before, by
the extortions of the Mandarins, as the Select Committee supposed in 1 780, and
as has been constantly asserted since ; how are they now to supply the ever active
287
cravings of those officers ? It remains to be shown what the demands upon them
are on this score.
The greatest infliction upon them, of this order, is the Hoppo, or Com
missioner of Customs. This officer, on taking charge of his office, is said to be
often encumbered with debt himself ; and as his possession of the office is limited
to a few years, it is his object to accnmulate as much money as he can within that
period. The payment of foreign claims upon the Hongs is quite adverse to his
interest, because it takes so much from his squeezable material ; but for any
thing else he gains by their insolvency, inasmuch as it begets the necessity of
new Security merchants, for licensing each of which, he exacts, it is said, a
douceur of 30,000 to 50,000 dollars, according to the means of the applicant
who has to pay, besides, about 30,000 more to subordinate Mandarins. In
addition to the Hongs of last year, the present Hoppo has lately licensed two
others, projected by men of no capital nor credit, and he is thought to have
actually received a part of the fees which must have been advanced by other
parties to the speculation. The Viceroy, however, ashamed apparently at the
transaction, would not permit the Hongs to be opened. One of the prominent
parties concerned in them was known to the foreigners as "Tom, the bird-man,"
from his previous dealings in singing birds : another was a tradesman, respectable
in character, but, as has since been proved, a bankrupt, and his stock in trade,
valued, it is said, at about 10,000 dollars, has been seized by one of his foreign
creditors.
Besides the frequent demands which the Hoppo and other Mandarins
exact from the security merchants in the shape of presents, and under
similar pretexts ; the first officer calls upon them, in the name of the
Emperor, for extraordinary contributions on occasion of wars and insur
rections, the irruption of the Yellow River or similar accidents, in addition
to a standing tax of 10,000 taels per annum, in the name of the Imperial
Ginseng monopoly. There is a requisition upon them at present for 60,000
taels on account of the Thibet war of 1826. The contribution was demanded
in this year ; but it appears that they have hitherto fought it off by the plea
of poverty. It is now ordered to be paid by ten annual instalments, begin
ning with next year. They have likewise a Government claim upon them
for the duties owing by the insolvent Hong Fatqua, amounting, accord
ing to the Hong merchants' own account, to 300,000 taels, which is to be
paid in two years, commencing with the present. The Hoppo anxious, no
doubt, to get the start of the foreign claimants, has lately demanded of the
security merchants to pay Fatqua's whole debt immediately, and also that
they contribute three years of the Ginseng tax, or 30,000 taels, by antici
pation, under pretext of an Imperial Order.
The claims upon the Hongs then, not including the Chinese creditors,
who are numerous, but who cannot be paid until] the Government and the
foreigners, for whom the Government is security, are satisfied, may be esti
mated as follows :—
Due to Foreigners. For Duties. Total.
Hingtae debts 2,261,439 100,000 2,361,439
Kinqua do. estimated at . . 1,000,000 240,000 1,240,000
Fatqua do. 300,000, I. E. equiva
lent to .... 418,000 418,000
The Thibet war, 600,000 taels equi
valent to . . . . . 830,000
Three years quota for Ginseng, taels,
30,000 40,000
Dollars 3,261,439 758,000 4,889,439
The above array of figures, in concurrence with the facts previously
detailed, will make it appear hopeless, it is presumed, to most apprehensions,
that the Co-hung, under existing circumstances, will be able to pay its debts
within any period which, if interest be not added, will not be equivalent to
the foreign merchant to the total loss of his trading capital. Some new
machinery is required in the Chinese commercial system to meet the exigen
cies of the British free-trade, and especially to liquidate the first debts
incurred under that free-trade, and establish the precedent for similar emer
gencies in future.
288
. If the British merchants, aided no longer by the weight of the Es
India Company's influence, are unable to gain their just demands through
the ordinary channels of settlement with their creditors, it is not to be sup
posed that they will be able, single-handed, to put any other instrumentality
in action ; and Her Majesty's Superintendents, like all other foreign autho
rities in China, however good their intentions, are as yet utterly powerless
to assist them.
RECAPITULATION.
Before proceeding to show how the British Government may aid its
subjects in China, it may be useful to recapitulate the preceding facts, and
supply a few omissions to impress upon the mind of the reader.
That the debts now owing by the Hong merchants are a bondfide transfer,
so long as they continue unpaid, of three millions of dollars of capital from the
foreigners, chiefly British merchants, to the Chinese.
That these debts are not the result of speculation upon a high rate of interest,
but are incurred almost necessarily by the conditions of the ordinary trade—and
that another condition of that trade is, that such debts shall be repaid under the
Imperial guarantee.
That the debts being an abstraction from their trading capital, and not a
chosen investment of money, the foreign merchants have no longer the induce
ment to consent to a protracted payment of their claims, which former creditors
had; nor if they had, could they now put the same faith in the fulfilment of the
compromise.
That the British merchantswho have succeeded to the East India Company,
not possessing the advantages of that body's monopoly, and consequent identity
of interest and unity of action, are neither in the position to avoid incurring the
debts, nor to recover them when made; and that the organs of Her Majesty's
Government in China have not as yet possessed the means to acquire moral
weight with the local authorities, or Hong merchants, to replace the commercial
influence of the East India Company's factory.
That whilst deprived of the East India Company's influence, but still
opposed to a monopoly on the part of the Chinese, the foreigners have had to
compete, so far as tea is concerned, with the worst effect of a Government
monopoly in England, viz. : a heavy stock in the hands of parties not personally
interested in its disposal ; and, in one case, with an unlooked-for and arbitrary
change in the duties, having to the British merchant in China all the effect
of an ex post facto law. That these results have, further, been attended with
the introduction of the East India Company's funds into Canton, in a manner to
occasion violent derangement in the currency, and consequent fluctuation in
prices.
That the above circumstances of the free trade have equally injured the
Chinese merchants, and involved them in losses which have reflected upon the
British merchant, in the shape of the debts now in question, and are likely, if no
change occur, to lead to others hereafter.
That the British merchant in China has no choice but to trade with the
Hong merchants, in the bulk of both exports and importi, excepting opium. He
has, moreover, with few exceptions, no warehouses in which to store his goods,
nor, consequently, the means to ensure them against fire or fraud, nor to enforce
his contracts and engagements for them, with the Chinese.
That he has no choice in the nomination of the security merchants, with
whom he is compelled to trade, nor means to ascertain the amount of their capital.
He has still less means to know, if that capital be applied to the purposes of
trade, or if it be abstracted for the demands of the extravangances, or for the
aggrandizement of the Hong merchants' families.
That the new Hongs commence their career with the payment of a tax to
the Hoppo and other Mandarins, of 60,000 to 80,000 dollars, which in most cases
must absorb their whole capital, and compel them to borrow either from the
foreigners, or from their own countrymen.
That new duties have been levied from time to time, under pretext of
paying the debts of foreigners ; but that those duties are not discontinued after
the necessity for them ceases, and the foreigners have no means to ascertain if
289
they are funded for the discharge of future debts, or appropriated to the use of
the Hong merchants or the Mandarins.
That the foreigners are even compelled often to advance those duties
for the Hoppo will not grant a port-clearance for a ship about to leave the port,
until the duties upon her inward cargo are paid, which it is the proper business,
according to the custom of the place, for the security merchant to do ; not
even when the goods are unsold, and the state of the market may keep them on
hand for months. But as the so-called security merchants are not obliged to
secure ships, the two wealthiest seldom or never do, and the duty falls oftener, in
consequence, to the poor Hongs. It constantly happens, therefore, that the
departure of a vessel is delayed, because the security merchant cannot pay the
duties upon her cargo ; and as most vessels are consigned to one party only, and
her cargo to many, it becomes a matter of contention, who is to advance the
duties for the security merchants, and the consignee of the ship is of course
obliged to yield. The sums, which we have seen to be due to Government by
the Hongs, are, therefore, chiefly on account of export duties and amount, pro
tanto, to a remission of duties upon their own staples, at the expense of the foreign
imports.
That when goods are once landed, they cannot be reshipped except upon
payment of the whole import duty again, in the shape of export duty ; how
ever bad the market may have become in the meanwhile, or however doubtful
the credit of the Hong may have become, in which the goods are deposited.
The aid required from the British Government.
It is at all times easier to point out grievances and abuses, than to
devise a remedy for them ; and this is peculiarly the case with regard to
the foreign trade in China. The remoteness of Canton from the seat of
Government, renders it impossible to the foreigners to ascertain the policy
of the Imperial Government with respect to the foreign trade, or to know
if the acts of the local authorities spring immediately from that policy, or
if they are merely the suggestions of their own self-interest or caprice.
Either from one or other cause, the foreigners are, no doubt, subjected
to many annoyances in carrying on their commerce, some of which have
already been submitted to the British Government, and remedies have been
proposed, involving questions attended with remote consequences, which
it does not fall within the province of this enquiry to enter into. Its
object is limited to obtaining payment of the debts owing to British
merchants by the Chinese, and guaranteed by the Chinese Government,
and to lessen the risk, if possible, of incurring similar responsibilities
in future.
These debts constitute a transfer of British capital to the Chinese
Hong merchants, of about 3,000,000 of dollars, which the creditors require,
surely not unreasonably, to be repaid within that time in which that
capital would double itself by compound interest at the usual market rate
of twelve per cent., which time is about six years. Whereas, the C
propose to liquidate the debts in nine years, beginning with next year;
which, in the case of Hingtae, would be ten and a half years from the date
of adjustment of account, and a still longer time in the case of Kingqua.
The British Government may interpose its authority with the Emperor of
China to obtain earlier payment of Hingtae's debts without fear, it is
conceived, of compromising itself, since a committee of foreigners and
Hong merchants, appointed by mutual consent, has examined and
authenticated the debts, and the Viceroy of Canton has declared officially,
that they shall be paid to the uttermost mite ; but without specifying a
period for the liquidation. The demand for payment of the debts, within
a given time, may be met by the Chinese Government with precedents
of former protracted liquidations of debts; but we conceive, that the
justice of their being paid within the time specified above will be found
unquestionable. But, even if the counter objections of the Chinese, or
motives of policy, render it inconvenient to the British Government to
insist upon a definite period of payment for debts already contracte l. it is
humbly submitted, that both policy and regard for the welfare of the
2 P
290
British subjects in China demand that a definite, if not immediate, payment
shall be required for debts which the Hong merchants shall be found to
owe in future. This alone would be a considerable boon to the foreigners
in Canton, and possibly also to the Hong merchants themselves, by
shielding them awhile from the extortions of the Mandarins, and from the
liabilities which the solvent Hongs become exposed to, by having needy
and incompetent persons thrust into their corporation.
Respect for European international law, as well as common justice,
may also render it expedient to the British Government to dictate to the
Emperor of China, if it have the power, the regulations under which the
commerce of his empire with foreigners shall be conducted; but it may
surely require of him to respect and enforce the rules he has himself laid
down, He has prescribed to the foreigners to trade with the security
merchants only who are nominated by himself or by his delegates ; and,
in so doing, he tacitly engages for their capability and proper conduct.
It is for him to take care that the foreigners' capital, which passes through
the security merchants' hands, be not diverted from its proper use, either
by the folly of those parties, or by the extortions of his own officers.
This duty will, it is conceived, be indirectly but pressingly enforced upon
him, by the British Government insisting upon the debts being paid
immediately, which the culpability of his officers assist in forming. The
mere demand will, at the same time, accelerate the payment of the debt,
sustained, as we believe it to be, by both right and reason; and it may
easily be made in such a way as to compromise the British Government
in no ulterior measures, whilst it may also be readily made the basis of
further requisition, if it be deemed advisable.
Although accidental circumstances of trade have, in some instances,
as at present, conduced to the debts oT the Hongs, it will be seen
throughout the preceding pages, that the exactions of theHoppo and other
Mandarins, are the principal absorbents of the capital of the security
merchants, and, through them, of that of the foreigners.
Their extortions are the necessary and understood consequence of
their small salaries. This state of things belongs to most governments,
perhaps, in a certain stage of their career, and no effectual change in it
by foreign interference can be foreshown short of reform, amounting
almost to a revolution in the government.
So long as this practice exists, any treaty or tariff made with the
Chinese Government will always be evaded or misdirected, like the
supposed Consoo Fund, unless watched over incessantly, and checked by
some more powerful controul than is possessed at present by the British
Superintendent or any foreign Consul in China. But the firm and decided
demand of the British Government for the immediate payment of money
owing to its subjects, which may otherwise be diverted by the rapacity of
the Mandarins, may ensure the temporary exertion, at least, of the
Emperor's power to restrain their extortion.
The alternative may suggest itself to the Emperor, of abolishing the
Co-hong svstem altogether, and this, if it led to unrestricted competition
amongst the Chinese merchants, would be, perhaps, the happiest result
which could be expected ; but caution will be required in admitting the
proposition. If the Co-hong be abolished, the Hoppo's office must be
remodelled, and a host of subordinates, who belong to the system, should
fall with it, else the evil will be shifted merely, and not eradicated. The
exactions of the Mandarins would follow the free-traders as grievously as
it now does the Hong merchants, and the foreigners would have lost the
only check they now have on those exactions,—the necessity of the Hong
debts being repaid.
The abolition of the Co-hong would be totally ineffectual also, unless
attended by a better system of collecting the Customs duties, and the
general acquisition by foreigners of warehouses, in which to store their
goods ; but to obtain the warehouses, will require either that their residence
be permitted beyond the precincts of the present foreign factories, or else
that the factories be considerably enlarged.
To the first plan, the Chinese Government seems to have an almost
291
invincible objection, and the value of the property in the neighbourhood
of the factories, beyond what is necessary for mere residence, would make
the last so expensive, that, if gained, it will almost certainly impose
additional duties upon the trade. The only middle course which seems to
present itself, is one which has been talked of amongst the Chinese them
selves, that two or more of the existing Hongs be constituted custom and
bonded warehouses, through which all foreign imports shall be passed,
and pay duty according to a fixed tariff. Yet these, if under the coritroul
of the Chinese Mandarins, would only subject the foreigners to the petty
vexations and delays by the underlings of Government, which ( the Hong
merchants and their assistants now encounter.
This objection might be obviated by the British merchants having a
common warehouse of their own, and under their own controul, through
which the goods should pass, and duty be paid, and a manifest handed to
the Mandarins for their satisfaction, attested by the British Superintendent,
or some similar plan. These suggestions, however, are not intended to
dictate any particular course to the British Government, but only in the
hope to draw its attention to the unprotected situation of British subjects
in China, and to point out the assistance which may most readily be
afforded, and will, at the present moment, be most gratefully received.
The preceding statements cannot better be concluded, perhaps, than
by the paragraph already quoted from the records of the East India
Company's Committee in 1783, viz. :—
" It seems to be an established maxim amongst the Mandarins at this
place, to discourage, as much as possible, all applications to the Emperor,
both as they may prove dangerous to their persons and derogatory to
their consequence ; except in circumstances that cannot be concealed, as
in the case of Captain Panton, without whose interference, we are well
assured, no representation from the creditors or any other body of men
could ever have reached the Court, much less can we expect the assistance
of the Hoppo, through whom it must necessarily pass in the first
instance."
Canton, February 19, 1838.
No. 118.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston. — {Received August 31, 1838 )
My Lord, Macao, April 2, 1838.
I HAVE now the honour to resume the subject of my Despatch of 29th
March, of this year.
It is remarked in the fourth paragraph of the Memorial submitted in that
communication that the debts owing by the Co-Hong either to the Government
or to foreigners have never been paid entirely out of their own resources, but
chiefly by means of duties levied upon the staples of the foreign trade, as the
Hong merchants propose to liquidate those actually in question. " Such
duties," the memorialists continue, " once imposed, appear never to have been
taken off when the first occasion for them has ceased."
I would take the liberty to draw your Lordship's attention to this place, as
perhaps needing some few words of more full explanation.
Whilst there can be little doubt that the previous part of the exposition is
accurate, it must not be inferred that each occasion of embarrassment amongst
the Hong merchants has been accompanied by additional duties, for that has not
been the case.
Connected with this subject, I would beg to observe that the notice the
Memorialists have taken in the same paragraph, (the 4th,) of the charge for what
is commonly called " Consoo fund," is correct as far as it goes.
But it will perhaps be desired that some more copious information should
be furnished on this point, the more so as it has been generally supposed that
the charge was originally created with the express sanction of the Government,
for the special purpose of forming a fund to meet the foreign debts.
2 P 2
292
There is no evidence, however, that the Chinese Government has ever
recognised such a fund, and it is almost certain that no reserve of money has
ever been in existence for such an object.
The charge was imposed in 1779, as the terms themselves signify, for
" Hong use," in other words, to meet all common demands against the Co-Hong,
whether for foreign debts or for the exactions of the Government. It was then
settled as a charge of 3 per cent, on certain specified articles estimated at a fixed
value ; and it seems to have been raised at different times to 4, 5, and 6
per cent, and indeed, I find upon one occasion a complaint in the public con
sultations, (1813— 14,) that it then amounted to upwards of 7 per cent.
Although the charge has never been regularly collected and funded, an
amount fluctuating between 3 and 7 per cent, has always remained a permanent
burden on the trade, because allowance is constantly made for it in the price of
the liable merchandize, each Hong merehant paying up whatever proportion may
be necessary to meet the particular exigencies of the year, and the difference
remaining to himself as profit.
I should add, that this particular business is managed exclusively by the
the three senior Hong Merchants, so that very little is known about the average
amount raised, and indeed beyond the great probability that the proceeds are
subject to gross misappropriation, nothing further can be safely advanced con
cerning the matter.
The Consoo charge presents, no doubt, a subject of just remonstrance ; but
the liability of the Chinese Government for these Hong debts rests upon different
and much stronger grounds.
By the law of the empire, all the foreign trade must pass through the hands
of certain native merchants appointed under the special authority of the
Emperor, and thence arises a plain national guarantee for their stability ;
neither can it be denied, that this principle had always been recognised and
acted upon.
I believe I may turn now to other considerations.
The inaptitude of the ancient mode of carrying on this trade upon the part
of the Chinese, under the circumstance of our own entire change of system, is
so obvious, and the mischief already created and impending so extensive, that I
am relieved from any necessity of troubling your Lordship at length upon those
topics.
The mode of effecting some suitable modification, is a subject claiming
attentive inquiry, and 1 trust 1 shall be excused for submitting my thoughts
upon that point.
In my own judgment, it would be best to confine the first proceedings upon
the part of Her Majesty's Government in this case to a simple demand for the
money due to British merchants, unaccompanied by any proposals or conditions
on that or any other topic, and without specification of any period of time.
This, I would submit, should be made at the point, and in the manner suggested
in my Despatch of November 19, 1837.
It would no doubt be met by reference to former cases of bankruptcy ; and
then, it seems to me it should at once be declared, that the altered state of cir
cumstances rendered previous arrangements, with respect to time, inapplicable,
and impossible of admission ; and that, if the Chinese Government were not
prepared to assent to that doctrine, it would only remain for the Commissioner
to abide where he was till he could receive further instructions from England.
I have submitted this course, my Lord, because I think it affords the best
hope of peacefully and successfully carrying any effectual modification of the
present condition of circumstances : a state of things, comprising not merely
the grave difficulties which form the immediate ground for this Despatch, but
others of a much more critical character, exposing this commerce to imminent
risks of disastrous interruption, that may probably need extensive and hazardous
interference at no distant date.
On the present occasion I would submit that we should place ourselves in a
position from which they will be exceedingly anxious peaceably to induce us
to remove ; and violent efforts to dislodge a Commissioner from the British
Crown, till his just demands are satisfied, are most improbable of occurrence or
might be justly resisted, if they were attempted.
When it is found that this Officer courteously declines continued negotiation,
(till further instructions can arrive from England,) immediately that the first
293
main point is negatived, and when it is observed that he is calmly and con
tentedly preparing himself for a sojourn of many months'- duration on the coast;
I am without doubt, that such a prospect would move the Chinese Govern
ment out of its own impracticable humour, into one of a more complying
description.
To every attempt of the Chinese Officers to draw from our own some
proposal or scheme of adjustment leading to the departure of the ships, I would
respectfully submit he should be instructed to reply, that he came there to
demand the just debts of the British merchants; that it remained for these
Honorable Officers to explain when and how they should be paid ; that as soon
as they would make any proposals on those points, which it consisted with his
duty to accept, he would not fail to acknowledge the communication in suitable
terms ; that his business was to listen deferentially to what was signified to him,
not to submit propositions to the Court of China ; and finally, till any arrange
ments were suggested, to which he had authority to accede, that silence upon
his part would be the surest mode of avoiding misconception and irritation.
As soon as the Commissioner had succeeded in drawing from the Chinese
such a proposal for the adjustment of these claims, as Her Majesty's Govern
ment may direct him to accept, but not before ; I think it would conduce to
the best consequence if he were ordered to put forward a statement to the
following effect.
That whilst Her Majesty's Government had no pretension to dictate any
modification of system to this Empire, it was strongly felt that the present
regulations were inadequate to the altered state of things on our side ; that there
was too much reason to believe grievances of the present nature must be con
stantly recurring, that there were no means afforded to the Officer at Canton to
draw these under His Imperial Majesty's gracious consideration, that the distance
to our own country was long, that it could not be hoped distressed and impatient
men would always refrain from making hazardous attempts to press their
complaints, just and unjust, on the Court at Peking, till they could either be
rejected or submitted by Her Majesty's commands in a sure manner, and with
due regard to the Imperial dignity ; and lastly, that these and many other urgent
considerations, had led to the determination the Commissioner should remain on
the spot to maintain secure and becoming public communications, and to
prevent serious cause of dispute between the two nations.
Whilst things remained in their present footing, it might be reasoned in
conclusion, His Imperial Majesty would desire that the benefit of his gracious
dispositions, and when matters were so disposed that these objects and the
preservation of a good understanding could be otherwise secured, the Com
missioner was instructed to return to his own country.
I abstain from adverting to the schemes of modification suggested in Mr.
Inglis's paper, or indeed in any other I have ever chanced to see on the same
subject ; because, 1 am afraid it will always be enough to ensure the defeat of
any proposal, that it comes from our side.
We are quite unable, my Lord, to estimate the force of those various
topics, arising, as well from policy as a rooted and extravagant sense of highest
human supremacy, which have always influenced this Government in its policy
with respect to the European powers. And it really seems to be next to impos
sible that the Emperor should ever be peaceably induced to accept a string of
propositions coming from our side ; at all events, till other circumstances have
vastly changed the nature of our relations with this empire. Indeed, 1 believe
it is no exaggeration to say, that they would rather we should take much more
than is ever likely to be asked (wholly unsought of them) than yield anything
whatever to our formal demands.
But with this intense eagerness to save the appearances of dignity, at
almost any risk, there certainly subsists an anxious desire to avoid hazardous
disputes with the European Governments ; above all, with that of Her Majesty.
All these considerations, my Lord, (and I am afraid they have been very
imperfectly expressed,) lead me to the conclusion that, to shape our course, and
systematically to persevere in it, in such a way as will cast the undivided task of
proposition on the Chinese Government, is a policy which is deserving of your
Lordship's attention.
204
There is strong reason to support the hope that they would propose the
removal of a distasteful and disquieting state of things with Her Majesty's
Government, by the offer of more extensive modifications than any that have
ever yet been contemplated.
I have, &c,
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 119.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received December 1, 1838.)
My Lord, Macao, April 18, 1838.
I HAVE the honour to lay before your Lordship a copy of certain regu
lations, which I found it necessary to establish at t lie commencement of the
closing busy season, for the better preservation of the peace on board the
British shipping at Whampoa. I have refrained from doing so till the end of
the season, in order that 1 might be able to report how far they have fulfilled
the purpose in view.
The immediate circumstance which led to this measure was a dangerous
disturbance on board the ship Abercromby Robertson, at Whampoa, in the end
of the month of September last, in which the Commander and officers had
been obliged to arm themselves for their own protection, and for the sup
pression of the disorder.
An officer was immediately despatched to me at Canton, to report the
state of the ship, and to request I would furnish my assistance in the restora
tion of a state of due subordination.
On my arrival, I found that the disturbance had arisen in the following
manner: — A seaman had been adjudged, for some misconduct, to receive two
dozen lashes, by a species of Court of Inquiry, held upon him by the order of
the Commander — a mode of proceeding that seems to have been usual in the
Company's late Maritime Service, to which the Ship and the Captain formerly
belonged.
When the man was seized up, the crew had rushed in and forcibly
rescued him ; and the Commander informed me, that although he felt he could
have defeated the attempt, still it could not have been done without blood
shed ; and as 1 was at Canton at the time, he preferred to leave things in
their present condition, and to report the facts for my future disposal.
Having examined the papers, and satisfied myself of the misconduct of
the man, 1 felt that it was immediately necessary to assert the authority of
the Commander over a crew consisting of about a hundred people ; and I
therefore desired the sailor to submit himself to the punishment which had
been ordered.
He took refuge amongst the crew, but I followed him, and having taken
him out from amongst them, caused him to be seized up.
I then explained to the seamen, that a combined and violent effort to
resist the authority of the Commander was a felonious offence ; that they
were labouring under a dangerous misconception, in believing they were
justified in such proceedings by reason of his ordering the infliction of cor
poral punishment, or upon any other pretext, and that their single lawful
mode of redress, in the case of illegal or excessive punishment, was to be
songht in the courts of justice.
The measure I had adopted, and this representation, had the effect of
subduing the bad spirit of the people, and drawing from them proper expres
sions of regret for their misconduct. I gladly availed myself of such a reason,
for casting off the seaman without the infliction of the punishment; and after
some further exhortation, I had the satisfaction of leaving the ship in a state
of perfect quiet and subordination, in which she continued during her further
stay in this country.
295
Most serious disturbances, however, had been frequent on this point ;
and therefore, on my return to Canton, I drew up the accompanying Memo
randum, furnishing it to the Commanders of Ships as they arrived, in order
that it might be read, in the event of need.
Your Lordship is aware, that the Ships in the Country Service are man
ned by Lascars, with whose language and customs the Commanders of Ships
in the Home Trade have no familiarity ; and this was the reason which led
me to appoint the Senior Commander in the Country Service to superintend
the general police of that portion of the fleet at Whampoa.
The Inclosure No. 3 is the copy of a letter I addressed to the Senior Com
mander at Whampoa, requesting him to bear in mind that it was only intended
he should interpose, when invited, for the preservation of the peace. 1 took
this precaution, in order that there might be no unnecessary interference on
his part, in the management of the Ships' Companies, by their respective
Commanders.
The lnclosures Nos. 4 and 5 explain the single case of disorder, and the
proceedings taken upon it (except the one already mentioned), which has
occurred during this season ; so that I may now satisfactorily report to your
Lordship, that these arrangements have been attended with the best effects.
I trust it will be considered, that I was justified in taking the particular
occasion in question to establish these regulations. Every season since the
opening of the trade had been marked by constant scenes of disgraceful and
dangerous riot at Whampoa, and my own personal attention could not at all
times be given without public inconvenience.
One of the gentlemen who had filled the station of Senior Commander at
Whampoa, represented tome, in a private shape, that in the Company's time
the Senior Commander received a sum of £500 each season, as a compensation
for the performance of duties of this description, which he justly remarked
were both responsible and disagreeable.
I replied, that I need hardly tell him I had no authority to make any
allowance at all upon such grounds, beyond the mere payment of expense
actually incurred ; and that it was to be considered that the connexion be
tween the Company and their Commanders was strictly one of master and
servant, so that the sum of £500 was given as a general remuneration, not for
any particular service.
No relation of the kind existed between Her Majesty's officers here and
the Commanders of ships visiting China, and it would be remembered that,
according to our law and customs, station devolved many unpaid duties on
individuals, more particularly duties having in view the preservation of the
public peace.
J remarked at the same time that I would move your Lordship to authorize
the payment of some honorary remuneration to the gentlemen upon whom
this task devolved : that is to say, if the present arrangements were to subsist.
May I, therefore, respectfully submit for your Lordship's favourable con
sideration that a sum not exceeding two dollars per diem should be paid by
this establishment to each of the Senior Commanders, having European and
Lascar crews, for every day that there are more than six ships of each class
in Whampoa Reach.
I think the allowance would be productive of considerable public useful
ness, both in giving to the whole arrangement a more formal character, and in
insuring a zealous performance of the duties it imposes. The expense would
be trifling. For six months of the year Whampoa Reach is almost entirely
clear of British shipping.
I have, &c,
(Signed; CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 119.
Regulations for the more Effectual Preservation of the Peace on board the British
Shipping at Whampoa.
, Canton, September 29, 1837.
WITH a view to the more effectual preservation of the peace on board the
British shipping at Whampoa, the following regulations are established and
promulgated.
1. The senior commander in the Company's late maritime service, at anchor,
or hereafter arriving in the reach, is requested to hoist a red pendant at the main,
and to consider himself generally charged with the duty of checking any riot or
insubordination which may break out on board any British ship, having a
European crew.
2. All British subjects in the reach are hereby required to respect the
authority of tbis officer, in his magisterial capacity, or, in his absence, the autho
rity of the commanding officer of his ship, acting in his place.
3. Instructions will be furnished to the senior officer, from time to time,
under the hand of the Chief Superintendent, for his more particular guidance.
4. It is requested that a book may be kept on board the senior officer's
ship, containing all memoranda issued by the Chief Superintendent or himself,
concerning the general preservation of good order on board the British shipping
at Whampoa.
5. Commanders, or commanding officers of the British ships at Whampoa,
having European crews, whose people are in a state of disorder, which it may not
be practicable otherwise to repress, to apply to the senior officer for assistance,
by signal (if need be) of an ensign at the fore in the day time, or two lights,
vertical, at night.
6. Commanders, or commanding officers of ships, to receive and detain in
safe custody, on board their respective ships, the persons of any seamen of other
ships committed as prisoners for disorderly conduct, under the hand of the senior
commander, or, in his absence, the commanding officer of his ship.
7. The sum of l.v. 6d. per diem, to be checked from the wages of such
prisoners, and to be paid to the commanders of ships on board which they are
confined, to defray the expense of their maintenance.
8. Commanders, or commanding officers of ships, whose men are in confine
ment, under warrant, are at liberty to hire an equal number of Coolies, for the
service of the ship, charging the expense to the wages of the prisoners.
Concerning British Ships in the Country Service.
THE senior commander of the ships in the country service, at anchor in
the reach, or hereafter arriving, is requested to hoist a white bergee with St
George's Cross, at the main, and to conduct the like duties with respect to the
ships in the country service, which have hereinbefore been devolved upon the
senior commander in the Company's late maritime service, with respect to ships
having European crews.
* In the event of any accident, from fire or other cause, needing the general
co-operation of the British shipping, the senior commander of the two ships
bearing pendants, to take command of the whole (or, in his absence, the com
manding officer of that ship) and to adopt such measures for the general safety
as may seem best to his judgment.
By order of the Chief Superintendent,
(Signed) EDWARD ELMSLIE,
Secretary and Treasurer.
297
Inclosure 2 in No. 1 19.
Memorandum.
■ Canton, September 29, 1837.
GREAT disorder having taken place several times on board British ships in
China, arising from an impression upon the part of the seamen that corporal pun
ishment cannot legally be inflicted under the authority of their commanders, the
Chief Superintendent finds it incumbent upon himself to disabuse the crews of
this dangerous misconception.
It has repeatedly been determined in the Admiralty and other courts that,
according to the law of England, the commanders of merchant-ships have a full
legal right to maintain a state of due subordination on board the ships by any
punishment, corporal or otherwise, not at variance with the customs of the British
sea-service.
The remedy of the seamen in case of unjust or excessive punishment is to be
sought in the courts of the country : and a most effectual remedy this course has
always afforded them, for the courts lean ever to their side, preferring, in a wise
spirit of humanity, to encourage peaceful and lawful complaint in those places to
violent and lawless resistance on board the ships.
It may not be amiss to say a few words of the principles which should guide
commanders in any painful emergency needing the infliction of punishment, and
it seems right to add that they are deduced from the decisions of courts of justice
upon this particular subject :—
First, and principally, does it behove commanders to take most especial
care that every punishment be as moderate as the strict necessities of the case
may demand.
Secondly. In all cases which admit of the delay proper for inquiry, the party
charged should have the benefit of a full investigation by impartial persons ; and,
above all, of being fairly heard in his own defence.
In the actual condition of circumstances in this country where appeal to a
British magistrate is practicable, it would be a humane and a prudent, if not a
rigidly necessary precaution, to seek his sanction before the infliction of corporal
punishment.
With reference, however, to this rule, the Chief Superintendent regrets to
be obliged to observe that there are cases which, in the language of a late most
eminent judge of the Admiralty Court, " neither require nor admit of such a
deliberate mode of procedure."
" Such cases," says the learned judge, " when the criminal facts expose them
selves to general notoriety by the public manner in which they are committed,
or when the necessity occurs of immediately opposing attempted acts of violence
by a prompt reaction of lawful force, as in the disorders of a commencing mutiny.
These are cases that speak for themselves, and are of unavoidable dispensation."
The Chief Superintendent must now warn the seamen that any persons con
tumaciously, or forcibly, hindering the commanders in the infliction of corporal
punishment, are guilty of felonious offence.
Good seamen are perfectly sensible that it is necessary for the protection
of life and property to maintain a state of due subordination on board the ships,
and it will usually be found that the practisers of disorder are for the most part
not sailors at all.
But the Chief Superintendent has spent the greater part of his life in the
sea-service, and whilst he makes this remark, he must not forget to add that the
most necessary condition of upholding a state of good order is to take care that
the complaints of seamen, peacefully preferred to their commanders, are heedfully
considered, and promptly and justly redressed.
The Chief Superintendent will close this memorandum by observing, that as
upon the one hand it is his duty to support the commanders in the preservation
of discipline, so upon the other will he always use every public effort in his power
to secure to the seamen a full and just enjoyment of that protection which the
laws afford them.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
2 Q
298
Inclosure 3 in No. 119.
Captain Elliot to Captain Gribble.
Sir, Macao, December 19, 1837.
NDERSTANDING that you are the senior officer at Whampoa of the
Honorable Company's late maritime service, I will beg you to afford your
counsel and assistance to the commanding officers of any British vessel at that
place having an European crew, who may apply to you under circumstances of
difficulty.
And being thus invited, you may be assured that I shall not decline' the
responsibility of any proceedings taken under your authority, which may be
necessary for the preservation of the peace on board the British ships at Wham
poa, having European crews.
I am persuaded that the commanders of all British ships at that anchorage,
bo manned, will zealously second your efforts, whenever you may find it needful
to request their co-operation.
May I beg you to circulate this letter through the British ships of the flee\
having European crews.
I linvG &c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 4 in No. 1 1 9.
Captain Gribble to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Canton, January 13, 1538.
I BEG to inform you that on Tuesday evening, the 9th instant, Captain
Hamilton, of the barque Anna Robertson, sent to the Marquess of Camden for
assistance to suppress a mutiny amongst his crew.
I repaired on board with my chief officer, and found Captain Hamilton
standing with his officers in a defensive position, with arms in their hands, having
brought one man aft, and endeavouring to bring another, the crew having
retreated to the forecastle and making a great noise. I inquired into the circum
stances, which were as follows:—"Two men were fighting, and Captain Hamilton
endeavoured to separate them, they refused to be quiet, and one man came aft^.
followed by the remainder, and seized Captain Hamilton by the breast ; the chief
mate endeavouring to rescue him, was struck in the face, the man using the
most gross and abusive language. The officers succeeded in dragging him on
the poop, when another, on being repulsed in attempting to release the former
from the poop, seized a handspike, and put himself in a threatening position.
Captain Hamilton then seized him, and in bringing him aft, the crew rescued
him, and they all went below." I immediately advised that this man should be.
confined with the other in irons. This was done, and as the officer appeared ta
be fully capable of carrying it into effect, I suggested that a court of inquiry
should be held in the morning. The following morning I repaired on board, and
requested Captain Hamilton to give me a letter, stating that he had not enough
officers to compose a court, upon which, with my chief officer and the chief officer of
the ship, I proceeded to try them. The case was too glaring to admit a doubt, and
after a fair and impartial hearing on both sides, and receiving evidence of a
gentleman who was casually on board, I sentenced them to be punished,—the first
prisoner with four, aud the second with three, dozen lashes. Upon inquiry Captain
Hamilton informed me that he could punish them without further assistance, and
the orders and regulations were read by me to the crew. The punishment
inflicted was two dozen each. The crew have returned quietly to their duty.
I regret that such strong measures were forced upon us, but the gross
abusive and personal attacks of these miscreants required punishment. The
appointment of a senior officer has been attended with a good effect in another
299
instance. The crew of the Isabel refused their duty, the captain immediately
ordered the union jack (my private signal,) to be bent on the peak, and having
explained the consequences, they instantly returned to their work. The parti
culars of the court of inquiry shall be prepared and forwarded to you at Macao.
I have &c.
(Signed) ' HENRY GRIBBLE.
: Inclosure 5 in No. 119-
Captain Elliot to Captain Gribble.
Sir, Macao, January 20, 1838.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your letter of the 13th instant.
The proceedings you found it necessary to adopt on board the ship Anna
Robertson, on the 19th instant, have my entire concurrence, and I beg you to
accept my thanks for your prompt and judicious interference on that occasion.
J lltlVG &C.
{Signed) ' CHARLES ELLTOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 120.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received December 1, 1838.)
My Lord, Macao, April 20, 1838.
IN the course of the last two months the number of English boats employed
in the illicit traffic between Lintin and Canton has vastly increased, and the deli
veries of opium have frequently been accompanied by conflict of fire-arms between
those vessels and the Government preventive craft.
■ It is plain that British subjects and property engaged in these pursuits are
within the easy grasp of the Provincial Authorities whenever it may suit their
purposes, or they may be driven by the Court to act with vigour.
In the Edicts forwarded to your Lordship in my Despatch, of Nov. 18, 1837,
the Governor had already charged me with countenancing the outside trade ; and
in the event of disaster, there can be no doubt he would immediately attempt to
connect the growth of these last irregularities with my own departure from
Canton.
With the purpose of being prepared for such devices, I drew up the paper
forming the Inclosure of this Despatch : and I directed Mr. Morrison, as soon as
the Governor should return from his official tour, (which he did about a fortnight
since), to show it to Howqua, and to tell him that these were my opinions on my
present position with the Provincial Government; that he was at liberty to
exhibit them to the Governor if he thought fit, aud indeed that I was only pre
vented from making them known to his Excellency in a formal manner by the
interruption of the public communications..
The paper was returned to me two days since by Mr. Morrison, with a
message from Howqua, to the effect that the Governor had seen it, but could not
accede to the arrangement suggested.
I was sensible that the present state of things at Canton could only subsist
as long as the Governor could venture to appropriate a large share of the bribes,
by which the system is upheld ; and therefore I looked for no other result at his
hands.
It was impossible to foresee how soon his position in that respect might be
changed by the wavering policy of the Court, or by the pressure of those just
charges of venality to which he is exposed : but looking around, I felt it became
me to take every precaution, consistent with my situation, for shielding myself as
2 Q 2
300
Her Majesty's officer from any imputation that the actual proceedings at Canton
had my countenance, or were produced by my movements. „ •
Should any serious disaster ensue, threatening the lives of Her Majesty's
subjects engaged in these pursuits, (and in my own judgment this result is per
fectly probable,) I shall not fail to found the strongest remonstrances against such
extreme measures upon the Governor's rejection of these last proposals.
That circumstance would fully justify a representation to the Court, that the
irregularities leading to the mischief were the consequence of his Excellency's
manifest and disgraceful corruption ; and that, therefore, he alone was responsible
for all those evils which might have been prevented if he had been honest enough
to do his own duty, or to permit me to do mine.
Connected with this subject, it is necessary I should report to your Lordship
a striking and painful event which has just taken place at Macao.
About a week since, an unfortunate Chinese was executed immediately
without the walls of this town by strangulation; as the sentence inscribed over
him bore, for traitorous intercourse with foreigners, and for smuggling opium and
Sycee silver.
■ This is the first proceeding of this nature which has been taken by the
Chinese Government in this part of the empire.
The place of execution (quite unusual), and indeed the terms of the sentence,
plainly indicate that it was adopted mainly with a view to the intimidation, and
for an example to the foreigners.
It is also stated (and probably with truth) that this execution, and the
manner of it, were by the special command of the Court. But be that as it may,
with the prisons full of persons charged with similar offences, and with public
executions for them, it is not to be supposed that the Provincial Government can
venture much longer to permit the delivery of opium out of British armed-boats,
almost under the walls of the Governor's palace at Canton : neither is it likely
that they will succeed in driving them out without bloodshed.
Even putting all higher considerations out of view, I must remark that this
last seems to me to be a very unfortunate turn for such a trade to have taken.
That it is advantageous to the individuals immediately concerned in such a
channel there can be no doubt, but it is at the same time a state of circumstances
which must necessarily, sooner or later, force itself under the active treatment of
the Chinese Government. And whenever that result does take place, it cannot
fail to be extensively mischievous to the whole traffic
I take the liberty to observe to your Lordship that I never advert to this
subject without extreme reluctance; but it is daily assuming so very serious an
aspect, and connecting itself so intimately and so unfortunately with our regular
trade and intercourse with this empire, that I feel it is my duty to keep Her
Majesty's Government informed of the general course of events in relatiou to it.
* I hfl.vc See
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure in No. 120.
Macao, March 17, 1838.
THESE are the thoughts of Elliot, the English officer, concerning his actual
situation with the Government of these Provinces.
To his own country the distance is great, and many months must elapse
before instructions can arrive for his public guidance.
He fears that the absence of responsible authority over his countrymen for
so long a period may produce dangerous and deeply-rooted irregularity leading to
violent modes of remedy : and in such proceedings it is to be apprehended inno
cent men might suffer to the great risk of the maintenance of peace between the
two countries.
Thus seriously impressed, Elliot has faithfully and earnestly examined his
instructions with the hope they may leave open some means of re-establishing his
communications with the Provincial Government, not at variance with the
customs of this empire, or with the commands of his own Sovereign.
301
His Excellency the Governor, a high and wise officer, has been pleased to
signify through the merchants, that it is contrary to established usage that officers
of his rank should address their communications to his Excellency under any
other character than " Pin." Elliot is of opinion that this fact should be formally
communicated to him for the information of the Government of his nation, but as
yet that has not been done.
It is therefore to be wished that his Excellency would command the Kwang
Chow Foo and the Kwang Chow Heep to take a copy of his pleasure, and forward
it direct to Elliot, setting forth the custom that native officers of the fourth rank
always address his Excellency under that character.
Thus will Elliot be enabled to lay this matter perspicuously before his own
Government, and erroneous statements upon a point of moment to the mainte
nance of a good understanding will be avoided.
Till further Instructions can arrive from England, after this declaration of
his Excellency shall be known, perhaps it may not be difficult to permit Elliot to
send his sealed communications addressed to the Kwang Chow Foo, and the
Kwang Chow Heep ; by those honourable officers to be opened and laid before
his Excellency. And in like manner his Excellency, when he thinks fit to com
municate his pleasure to Elliot, either in reply or otherwise, may submit his
commands to the before-mentioned honourable officers, to be by them copied and
transmitted to Elliot.
Between these honourable officers and Elliot there need be no superscription
on the addresses except the names and titles of each officer ; because it is recorded
in a memorial to His Imperial Majesty that Elliot also is an officer of the fourth
rank in his own nation.
. In this manner will he be in a condition to return forthwith to Canton, and
resume the performance of his duties, of which there is urgent need.
And thus will it be seen by the Government of his nation that the senti
ments of his Excellency are in accordance with those principles of high wisdom
which are the characteristics of the Emperor.
(Signed) . CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 121.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerstm.—(Received December 1, 1838.)
MLord, Macao, April 28, 1838
I HAVE the honour to inclose the continuation of the correspondence which
has passed between the creditors, the Provincial Government, and the Hong
merchants, upon the subject of the Hing-tae bankruptcy, since the transmission
of my Despatch of the 29 th of March last.
The Inclosure No. 1, is a letter from the Hong merchants to the cre
ditors, dated on the 4th instant. I believe there is no exaggeration in this
account of the extortions to which they are liable : and it is certain that they
have understated their present enfeebled condition. This paper will form No. 26
of the whole series of correspondence.
The Inclosure No. 2, is a separate address to the Governor of Canton by the
British firm of Jardine, Matheson, and Co. This paper has not been forwarded
to me officially ; but it is necessary that it should be laid before your Lordship,
because the Governor notices, and acknowledges it in his general reply to the
creditors (No. 4 of this Despatch). This address will form No. 27 of the
whole series.
The Inclosure No. 3, is a separate address from the British firm of Turner
and Co., and is transmitted for the same reason as No. 2. It will form No. 28
of the whole series.
The Inclosure No. 4, is the reply of the Governor of Canton to the address
of the creditors (No. 25 of the series), as well to the above separate addresses
of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co., and Messrs. Turner and Co. It will
form No. 29 of the whole series.
I am without any hope, my Lord, of a reasonable adjustment of these claims
302
by the order of the Provincial Government ; and the necessity of establishing
sure means of communication with the Court through some nearer and less inte
rested medium than that of the Governor of Canton, is forcibly manifested in
the reply he has now ventured to make to these creditors.
A different spirit will exist when the Provincial Authorities are made
sensible that just causes of complaint against them can and will always be
pressed upon the Imperial attention by the official agents of Her Majesty's
Government.
1 llciYC &C.
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 121.
The Hong Merchants to the Creditors of Hing-tae Hong.
A respectful communication. April 4, 1838.
THE foreign debts of Hingtae Hong we before resolved to pay in nine
years, by instalments ; but to this arrangement, you, Gentlemen, have not yet
assented. Yet the period of nine years seems to us even too short ; and we are
not without fear that we shall be unable to repay the whole in the time stipu
lated. We call to mind that of public claims upon us the amount from year to
year is not less than 300,000 taels, consisting in tribute, charges for the military
expenses of the new territory, (in Tartary.) subsidies for repairs of forts, and
purchases of ginseng. We have also to pay up the public claims on Fatqua'a
Hong, amounting to more than 300,000 taels, and those on the Hingtae Hong
to the amount of 100,000 taels and upwards. Moreover each Hong has foreign
debts of its own to discharge. Thus in every direction we have payments to
make. And besides all this, Kingqua's Hong is now in arrear of the public
claims on it to the extent of 300,000 taels, while the foreign claims against it
exceed a million. This Hong, although, we are thankful to observe, it is your
wish to keep it from bankruptcy, yet will not, we are disposed to think, be able
to sustain these payments, and it will be requisite for us to make other arrange
ments therefore.
Of the profit gleaned by us in the course of a year or two, though it yield
after payment of the various public claims, a small remainder, yet something is
absolutely requisite for hire of labour, repairs, salaries, and ordinary expenses.
And with your perfect understanding of matters, and good sense, you must
perceive, Gentlemen, on a careful consideration of the subject, that if the time
stipulated for payment of Hingtae's debts be too brief, it will be in truth beyond
our power to adhere to it. Should we be able to pay the debts of another, then
our own debts must remain unpaid, and we must all in consequence successively
be ruined and fail. With your known intelligence it would be difficult herein to
deceive you.
Even for the duties that are in arrear, and which are not on the same
footing with private debts, we have been compelled to solicit the Imperial
favour to extend the limited period of payment to three years, and suffer us to
pay them by instalments. How much rather, then, should the individual debts
which we are discharging for others be so dealt with ! We still entreat you,
Gentlemen, to assent to the period of nine years, that we may put forth our
energies to sustain the payment and to discharge the claims within the allotted
period. Thus all may remain at ease, and we enjoy your highly prized friend
ship. For this purpose we write, and with compliments,
We remain, &c
3rd Month, 10th day (4th April, 1838.)
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 2 in No. 121.
Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co., to the Governor of Canton.'
- Canton, March 21, 1838.
IT is with extreme reluctance we again trouble your Excellency with the
affairs of the Hingtae Hong; but having waited in vain for upwards of two
months, in expectation of a reasonable proposal from the Hong merchants for the
liquidation of the said debts, in pursuance of the order issued by your Excellency
on the 6th day of January last, [11th day of 12th moon,] we can no longer
delay bringing to your Excellency's notice, that on the 20th day of January we
received an assurance from the senior Hong merchants, Howqua and others, thaCt
our claims should have their particular attention in the course of the first month
of the Cliiuese year ; but up to this hour nothing has been done. . ..
On the 26th of this moon, we addressed the inclosed letter to Howqua and
the other members of the Cohong, from which, and his reply, it appears that the
foreign merchants have in the last four years paid upwards of 1,500,000 dollars to
the Hong-yung fund without drawing from the said fund one dollar ! And now
when the Hingtae Hong, by an act of swindling, retains foreign property to
upwards of two millions of dollars, they, the Cohong, propose paying the sum back
without interest in nine years.
The proposal is so manifestly unjust, that we bring it once more to your
Excellency s notice, in full confidence that orders for a more equitable settlement
will emanate from your Excellency's sense of justice, and save yourself and us
the trouble of further appeal. With this view we address your Excellency, and
remain,. &c
(Signed) JARDINE, MATHESON, and CO.
Sub-inclosure in Inclosure No. 2.
To Howqua, Senior Hong Merchant, and tlie other Members of the Co-hong.
Dear Sirs,
I WAS favoured on the 13th ultimo, with your letter of the 12th, proposing
to liquidate the debts of the Hingtae Hong, by instalments, in nine years, and
requesting me to communicate the same to the other creditors.
This communication was made accordingly, and their unanimous refusal to
accept such unreasonable and unjust terms was made known to you by Mr.
Turner and myself, early in this month ; but having heard nothing from you or
the Consoo since, I shall now reply to your letter in writing.
The Creditors have attentively examined, and duly weighed, the arguments
advanced by the Cohong ; and I beg leave to trouble you with a few observations
thereon.
Your statement of the debts due by the two Hongs of Gowqua and
Pongqua, 1,400,000 taels, .or 1,944,444 dollars, paid in ten years, from the
limited foreign trade of that period, is liberal in the . extreme, when compared
with your offer to pay the claims against the Hingtae Hong, 2,261,439 dollars, in
nine years, from a trade of nearly double the amount.
In the course of six years, the debts of Manhop and Chungqua were paid, from
the proceeds of tea, out of the Company's treasury, between the years 1829 and
1834, amounting to 1,995,300 dollars, when the quantity of that article annually
sent to England was only 30,000,000 of pounds; and the same contributions
which enabled the Cohong to pay annually 378,434 dollars for the three last
years, have been paid by the foreign merchants to the Consoo fund or Hong
yung, ever since, that is for four years, or upwards of 40,000,000 per annum,
without one dollar having been claimed by them from the said fund. And still,
the Cohong propose paying the claims now made in nine years, after having
already received more than three-fifths of the whole sum claimed, 1,513,136
dollars. Is this reasonable or just? It is well known that the foreign claims
have on all occasions and at all times, been paid by this Hong yung tax on the
304
foreign trade, a tax instituted for the express purpose, and which ought to have
ceased being levied the moment there were no foreign debts to be paid off. In
fact, the Cohong must have gained rather than lost by the payment of the
foreign claims from means so abundantly ample.
(Signed) W. JARDINE.
Inclosure 3 in No. 121. :
Messrs. Turner and Co. to the Governor of Canton.
A respectful Address.
WE received so long ago as the 8th of January, your Excellency's reply to
our former petition, and should have considered it necessary to answer it much
earlier, but for the solemn pledge made to us by the senior Hong merchants, that
a satisfactory settlement with Hingtae's creditors should be come to in course
of the 1st moon of the present year. Resting upon this pledge being faithfully
redeemed, we were in hopes that there would no longer be any necessity for
troubling your Excellency.
It is, therefore, with extreme regret that we now find the necessity returned
upon us of appealing to your Excellency, and that, too, with feelings of the
keenest disappointment to complain, not only of the pledge so solemnly given
not having been redeemed, but of the day seeming to be as far distant as ever for
settling our very heavy and long-pending claims.
Your Excellency, in replying to our last petition, states, that the Hong
merchants had of themselves proposed to liquidate the debts of the Hingtae
Hong in fifteen years ; but that your Excellency considering that period too
long, had directed them to reduce it to twelve years.
Upon this we beg to remark, that, had your Excellency's reduction of three
years brought the time of payment within seven years from the period of the
Hong's stopping, we should have felt disposed to accede to it, but when the
magnitude of the amount is considered, and how greatly the want of so large a
portion of their capital must cramp the trade of the several creditors, and also
what heavy pecuniary loss they are suffering by no interest whatever being
allowed them ; when this combination of evils is considered, your Excellency will
not be surprised to learn, that our determination is, not to cease appealing to
your Excellency's sense of justice until a more equitable period be named.
And as the Hong merchants have of themselves recently proposed to reduce
your Excellency's period of twelve to ten years, your Excellency cannot but
perceive in such a proposition, an admission, on their part, of the unreasonable
ness of their first offer, and that they only wait the further commands of your
Excellency to agree to a more just settlement.
To convince your Excellency of the unanswerable reasonableness of our
proposal, we have only to lay before you the following facts:—
First—That from the year 1829 to the year 1834, the Cohong paid the
following amount of debts, owing by insolvent Hongs, viz. :
Debts to foreigners .... 2,226,767 dollars.
Duties 488,619
Making in all 2,715,386
Paid in the space of five years, being at the rate of 543,077 dollars per annum,
being more than sufficient to pay off, in a much shorter period, the amount due
from Hingtae, supposing no interest to be paid thereon.
Secondly—That from the early part of 1834, until the present date, no
claim whatever has been made by foreigners upon the Cohong, though the
foreign trade has regularly contributed the regular Hong yung tax for the purpose
of liquidating foreign debts. And,
Thirdly—To which we particularly beg to call your Excellency's attention,
the trade of this port, both of imports and exports, has increased fully one third,
and that, too, on articles, the Consoo duties on which press most heavily. In
illustration of this most important fact, we beg to refer your Excellency to the
statement at foot.
305
. . .With auch an accumulation of facts in our favour, what reasonable objec
tions can the Cohong raise to our most equitable, and for our own welfare, far too
indulgent proposal ? Your Excellency will surely not allow poverty to be
pleaded, when so large sums have been levied within these four years for the
Consoo fund, a fund established expressly for paying the debts of bankrupt
Hongs, and upon which no claim whatever has been made by foreigners during
the whole of that period ! Your Excellency is besides well aware, that we look
not to the Hong merchants for satisfaction of these claims, but to the Imperial
Government itself. It is the fixed notorious law of the empire, and upon the
good faith of which the British nation has for so long a period traded with it,
that the Imperial Government holds itself responsible for the just debts of its
subjects. We cannot but regret the annoyance your Excellency complains of
from these our frequent remonstrances, and earnestly entreat your Excellency at
once to put an endto them by directing an early settlement of our just demands.
We have &c
(Signed) TURNER and CO.
Appended.
Comparative statement of Tea and Silk Exports and Cotton Imports, in the ,
years 1832, 1833, 1834, 1833, 1836, and 1837.
Teas in 1832 347,318
» 1833 355,191
„ 1834 401,750
1,104,259
„ 1835 484,340
,, 1836 468,066
n 1837 544,119
1,496,525
Increase 392.266 Peculs.
Silk in 1832 . 6,283
„ 1833 . 4,436
„ 1834 . 8,061
18,780
„ 1835 . 9,000
„ 1836 . 9,223
„ 1837 . 10,762 28,985
Increase 10,205 Bales.
Cotton in 1832 449,068
1833 417,398
1834 442,640
1,309,106
„ 1835 630,746
1836 506,117
w 1837 642,372
1,779,235
Increase 470,129 Peculf.
305
Inclosure 4 in No. 121.
#
The Governor of Canton to the Hong Merchants.
ON the 8th of April I received, from Dent and others (creditors of
Hingtae), an Address, as subjoined ; and also like addresses from Jardine and
Turner.
[Here follow the three Addresses tn/uZ/.J
These coming before me, the Governor, I have fully investigated the sub
ject. Yen Kechang and his associates, merchants of the Hingtae Hong, having
managed their affairs badly, and fallen in debt to the foreign merchants, these,
seeing their difficult position and urgent necessities, and the impossibility of
heir at once paying off their old debts, conceived the idea of taking advantage
of these circumstances to scrape and peel them, and gave them goods at an
enhanced price, compelling them to receive the same. In this way, after the
accumulation of months and years, the debts reached the large amount of twtf.
millions of money. It is thus certain, that these merchants brought on their
trouble themselves, and also that the origin of the whole is to be found in the.-
secret plundering exercised by the foreign merchants and their large risking'
speculations. I the Governor, in humble deference to the extreme goodness
cherished by the great Emperor, and his tenderness towards foreigners, made no
inquiry into the conduct of these foreign merchants, but simply directed Yen
Kechang and his associates to be apprehended and tried, and their property
placed in secure keeping I at the same time commanded the two bodies of
merchants,—the Hong merchants and the foreigners,—to examine and ascertain
in concert the red amount of the debts ; and I laid my injunctions on the Hong
merchants to determine in what portions, and within what period, they would
pay oft" the whole on behalf of Yen Kechang and his fellows. Thus I arranged
that the money should certainly be recovered. Afterwards, on all the foreign
merchants representing that the period of fifteen years was too protracted a one,
I granted permission to reduce it to twelve years ; within which period the
whole of the debts should be discharged. In this, indeed, I have gone to the
utmost degree of kindness, and the extreme verge of justice. The foreign mer
chants, though they have been born, and have grown up out of the pale of
civilization, yet are all provided with innate consciousness of good. How greatly
ought they to be roused by gratitude, to rest in a dutiful and implicit obedience.
Yet hardly was the former decision declared, when now again these foreign mer
chants, Dent and others, and Jardine and Turner, scheming to gain a speedy
settlement, oppose my decision, and bring their addresses separately before me.
Such ill-considered and unreasonable expressions as are here found, whence can
they have emanated, unless from persons of hearts and feelings alien from those
of the rest of mankind ?
As an instance of this, I take the Consoo charge, of which one address
speaks. This is a charge which should go to reward the toil of the Hong mer
chant. I the Governor before made examination regarding it, and found that
it had not been kept to accumulate from year to year. The Hong merchants,
however, themselves addressed me, with a proposal for the future to pay the
Consoo charge, as on former occasions, into the general chest, to enable them to
meet the stipulated instalments of former debts. This cannot be called aught
else than the utmost degree of honourableness. If it be said that the Consoo
charge was» instituted for the discharge of debts, let the foreign merchants ask
themselves if, while trading in the Celestial Empire, they would wish to regard
the profits which they enjoy, as profits obtained merely for the purpose of paying
off debts ? In regard to the consumption of goods referred to in Turner's
address, in nothing is it more difficult to determine the amount. How can a
comparison be instituted in this respect of one year with another ? And amid
the revolutions of trade, how shall it be ascertained that the prosperity which
has preceded is not in itself the evidence of an approaching declension of trade ?
In the note, a copy of which Jardine has presented, I observe, however, the
statement, that the Hong merchants have agreed to pay off the debt by instal
ments in nine years. If this be indeed the case, it is an act of liberality on the
I 907
part of the merchants, affording a more ready recovery of the money, to which
there is no reason, my desire being to show kindness to the far-travelled, why I
the Governor should not vouchsafe my sanction. I will therefore direct the
Financial and Judicial Commissioners to ■ assemble the Hong merchants, and on
ascertaining if this is. true or false, to determine once more upon a secure
arrangement and report for my investigation.
Besides so doing-, I issue also this order:— Upon its reaching the said
senior Hong merchants, let them faithfully examine the subject, and at once
report in answer. And at the same time, let them enjoin my orders on the said
foreign merchants, requiring their obedience thereof.
1 the Governor have the rule over and administration of these provinces,
and have to keep in tranquillity and subjection those both within ;ind from with
out ; yet I do not refuse, to the trivial and insignificant foreign debts, a full and
perfect administration of justice, and a complete settlement of them. But the
foreign merchants, Dent and those with him, utterly dead to a sense of my good
ness, presume, in their address, to represent that they have requested their
Government to move the Sovereign of their nation to send an officer from afar
to discuss the matter, endeavouring thus to drive me to adopt measures. ■ What
perversity can exceed this mad and absurd barking? Let Dent and his fellows
be most severely rebuked, and let them be commanded to imprint the laws upon
their hearts, and constantly to adhere to them. The severity of the Celestial
Empire, represented by the sword of the executioner, is awful ! Beware not
again rashly to adventure a trial of it! Oppose not these commands!
Taoukwang, 18th year, 3rd month, 17th day (1 1th April, 1838.)
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
No. 122.
Captain Elliot to John Backhouse, Esq.
Sir, Macao, April 30, 1838.
THE List of the Debts due to Foreign Creditors by the Bankrupt Hong
Hing Tae, has not been officially transmitted to me.
But I have considered it my duty to procure an accurate Statement of them,
which is herewith transmitted, together with an account of reductions on the
original claims effected by the Committee of Investigation.
Of the whole liabilities of . . . Dollars 2,261,438 : 79
There is due to other Foreign Creditors . . 82,0f>2 : 32
Leaving a balance due to British Subjects, of Dollars 2,179,386 : 47
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure in No. 1 22.
A List and Amount of the Claims of the Foreign Creditors on the Bankrupt
Hong Hivgtae.
t\ Dolls. Cents.
Jiirdine and Co., a/c Captain Hine - - 162,213.18
Captain (Jrant - 64,494 16
Dr. Cullen .--- - 6,23u.0a
English Constituents - 604 K6I.48
Indian Constituents - 4I6,38'2-4S
Themselves 904.367 58
2,15t<,34i.>j8
2 R2
308
Dolls. Cent*.
Turner and Co. 202,750.48
Fox, Rawson, and Co. 76,681.16
Gibb, Livingston, and Co. 23,861.00
J. and W. Cragg and Co. 23,265.36
Dent and Co. 92,020.37
Russell and Co. (American) 60,013.87
Bell and Co. - 3,851.57
J. R. Reeves 3,934 28
Egliuton, Maclean, and Co. 3,827.30
Wetmore and Co. (American) 18,623.95
Bovet (Swiss) 3,414.50
Daniell and Co. - 49,552.02
Dirom and Co. 11,82664
Tamooljee Rustomjee 1,239.99
H. and N. Cursetjee 1,257.00
2,738,768.37
Reduced by the Committee.
Jardine and Co. --- - 432,513.08
Turner and Co. - 28,316.26
Gibb and Co. ---- 8,526.88
Wetmore and Co. (American) - - 7,943 36
477,329.58
D 2,26 1,438.79
No. 123.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston. —(Received October 31, 1838.)
My Lord, Macao, May 31, 1838.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Lordship's Despatch of Novem
ber 2, 1837.
The interruption of the public communication still subsists ; but your
Lordship may assure yourself that there is no longer any serious obstacle in the
way of its re-establishment on a direct footing.
The countenance afforded to me by the presence of the Rear- Admiral com
manding-in-chief, will probably enable me to carry the remaining points, soon
after his arrival in these seas.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 124.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received February 19, 1839.)
My Lord, Macao, August 7, 1838.
A SHIP upon the point of sailing to England, affords me an occasion to
announce to your Lordship, in very brief terms, the extremely satisfactory con
clusion of recent grave discussions with the Provincial Government.
The Rear-Admiral commanding-in-chief arrived on the 13th ult., and
anchored in Toongkoo Bay, a retired position, where he studiously abstained
from giving the authorities the least pretext for suspicions or contumelious
treatment.
Pending negotiations, however, concerning the manner of my intercourse
at Canton, to which place I had proceeded for the purpose of signifying to the
Government the peaceful purposes of the Admiral's visit, the following incident
occurred :— An English boat, during her passage through the Bocca Tigris on
the 28th ult., was tired upon by the batteries and boarded ; not, as the Chinese
309
officers declared, upon any suspicion that she was smuggling; but upon the
ground that the Admiral or some of his officers might be on board.
As soon as this fact was formally declared to me by a respectable gentleman
on board, I proceeded to the Rear-Admiral, accompanied by my interpreter, Mr.
Morrison, and submitted the circumstances to him.
Sir Frederick Maitland immediately determined that it became him calmly,
but firmly, to demand explanations ; and Her Majesty's ships Wellesley, Lame,
and Algerine, were forthwith removed to the anchorage of Chuen-Pee, below the
batteries at the Bocca Tigris.
Communications having been opened with the Chinese Admiral at that
situation, commanding the land, as well as the sea forces, employed in the pro
tection of this and the neighbouring Province of Fuhkeen, that officer was
brought to consent that Mandarins should wait on Sir Frederick Maitland, on
board the Wellesley, and disavow both the order to fire upon such grounds, or
the least intention to offer any insult whatever.
This was accordingly done in a written shape by these functionaries on
board the Wellesley on the 5th instant, and after a mutual exchange of salutes
and amicable explanations, the whole affair was concluded, and the Rear-Admiral
repaired again to his original anchorage of Toongkoo Bay, from which place I
have only just returned.
Particulars shall be forwarded to your Lordship by the first opportunity ;
but being apprehensive that disquieting and unfounded rumours may reach you
by this occasion, 1 despatch these few hurried lines. And I trust that the
necessity for haste, and several days of anxiety and absence of rest, will be my
excuse for the incompleteness of the report.
A more entirely satisfactory result, considered in every point of view, both
immediate and prospective, has never been accomplished in our negotiations with
this Government. \nd I hope I shall not be considered presumptuous in
expressing my respectful sense of the firm, but conciliatory spirit which the
Rear-Admiral has displayed in the discharge of these difficult duties.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 125.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received February 14, 1839.)
My Lord, Macao, August 10, 1838.
IN resuming the subject of my hurried despatch, of the 7th instant,
I take the liberty to observe that I had delayed the acknowledgment of your
Lordship's Despatch of November 2, 1837, till the arrival of the Rear-
Admiral Commanding-in-Chief (which I had reason to expect from other sources
of information,) should enable me to report any consequences that might result
from that event.
Upon the 13th ult., Sir Frederick L. Maitland arrived off this place in Her
Majesty's ship Wellesley, accompanied by Her Majesty's brig Algerine, and I
immediately joined him in the cutter Louisa, and proceeded onwards with the
ships to the anchorage ol Tong Koo Bay, distant about seven leagues to the south
ward of the Bocca Tigris ; a position which, besides its recommendations in
point of safety and sufficient distance from the entrance of the river, has the
advantage of being remote from the anchorage of the ships engaged in the illicit
traffic
On the day that I joined him, the Admiral placed in my hand the commu
nication, of which I now transmit an Inclosure ; and my reply to this, and the
previous Despatch of the 21st April, is also now forwarded.
A few days after His Excellency's arrival, I received a communication from
the Keun Min-Foo, the district magistrate of this place, superscribed in the
■usual form ; but as the inside bore the character " Yu," which signifies " A Com
mand," I returned it to him unread, with a few lines to the effect that I should
be glad to give it my attention as soon as this mistake were corrected*
310
The next approach was in the old form of an Edict from the Governor, ad
dressed to the three senior Hong Merchants, and forwarded by them to me,
through the hands of a linguist.
This document was returned unopened, with a message that my strict orders
from Her Majesty's Government in this respect, had frequently been clearly and
deferentially explained to the Governor, and that I could not deviate from them.
It is not to be doubted that the purport of these two communications was
identical, namely, to desire that I would enjoin upon the Rear- Admiral the pro
priety of sailing away from the coasts of the Empire. I felt then that any pro
traction of the attempt to explain the peaceful object of his visit, might give
some colour to the pretext that it was suspicious and dangerous, and lead (with
the hope to draw it to a conclusion,) to a course of harassing measures, directed
either against the trade, or against the social comforts of Her Majesty's subjects,
by depriving them of their servants, and otherwise inconveniencing them.
Under this impression, and with Sir Frederick Maitland's concurrence, I
proceeded to Canton on the '25th ultimo, and having hoisted the flag, forwarded
to the city gates by the hands of Messrs. Morrison and Elmslie, an open paper
for transmission to the Governor by a Mandarin. The paper was left open with
the view to obviate the difficulty about the character "Pin."
It was conveyed to the Governor by the Kwang Heep, but the three senior
merchants returned it to me in the course of the evening with the remark from
His Excellency that his orders from the Emperor were imperative, and that he
could not take it unless it bore the character "Pin."
■ The merchants were at the same time desired to acquaint me that the
Governor was a lover of peace and good understanding, and would go as far as
he could to accommodate the difficulties upon the subject of intercourse. They
then proposed by his command, that I should receive an official Address from
the Governor, setting forth that the three senior merchants were indeed
Mandarins, and that therefore I could no longer reasonably decline to receive
papers addressed to them for communication to me.
I answered that it needed all my respect for His Excellency to return any
other than very strong terms of reply to this extravagant suggestion, and that
I should certainly be less scrupulous if any heedlessness of the kind were
repeated.
My Government was actuated by sentiments of profound veneration for
the Emperor, but it should be plainly understood that it would not regard these
triflings and evasions with satisfaction. They were unfriendly and unworthy.
I then remarked that I had now formally offered to set forth the peaceful
purposes of the Rear- Admiral's visit, and if the Governor did not think fit to
accept these explanations, my business in Canton was concluded, and I should
return forthwith to Macao.
Whilst these communications were passing at Canton, a British boat passing
through the BoccaTigi is, on the 28th ultimo, was fired upon by the batteries,
and upon her arrival in Canton, Mr. Middlemist, a passenger on board, made
a declaration before me, subsequently reduced into writing on board the
Wellesley.
Upon this I sent again for the three senior merchants, and desired them to
express to the Governor my serious anxiety upon the subject. The Rear-
Admiral had taken the utmost precaution to prevent the least cause of irritation
or suspicion, and I was afraid that the offensive declaration at the Forts, that
violence was used especially in search for him, and not for opium, or other
illicit trade, would give him great and just displeasure. At all events, I felt
that it became me immediately to submit the circumstance to his knowledge,
and I sincerly hoped the Governor would furnish me with an official disavowal
of any intention to insult or provoke him.
The merchants declared that the Governor could have no such purpose,
and that the whole matter was of course a mistake of the inferior officers, but
they did not hand me any formal declaration to that effect, and I therefore
proceeded at once to the Rear-Admiral at Tong-Koo-Bay, where I arrived on
the 1st instant.
I represented to him that in my judgment this was the first of what would
be found to be a series of experiments on the extent of his forbearance, and that
I had a conviction the Provincial Government would tone their future proceedings
in his respect, either for civility or increased aggression, by his treatment of the
actual emergency.
311
The Rear-Admiral remarked to me that he had come to China with a
deliberate determination most studiously to avoid the least violation of the
customs or prejudices either of the Government or people ; but that he was not
less resolved to bear no insult on the honor of the flag entrusted to his protection,
and that he should therefore proceed forthwith to the Bocca Tigris with Her
Majesty's ships under his command, and demand a formal disavowal of these
unprovoked attacks upon him.
Her Majesty's ships Wellesley Lame, and Algerine, were accordingly moved
to the anchorage of Chuen-pee, where they arrived on the morning of the 4ht
instant, and I accompanied them in the cutter Louisa, with the hope to render
myself useful to the Rear- Admiral.
On the morning of our arrival there, the Captain of the Flag-ship was sent
to the men-of-war junks off the batteries, accompanied by Mr, Morrison, and
conveying a Despatch from the Rear-Admiral to the Governor of Canton.
, '1 he Chinese Officers manifested considerable disinclination to this course
of proceeding, (without, however, positively declining it), and began by proposing
Borne alteration in the form of the Address, which involved no abandonment of
the Rear Admiral's right to communicate upon a footing of equality, and was
therefore adopted.
But whilst these communications were passing upon the subject of the
mode of address, the accompanying paper from the Chinese Admiral was
received, and upon this, it was determined to apply at once to that functionary
for redress, which was accordingly done next morning (the 5th). . :
The result was the mission of a Mandarin of equal rank with Captain
Maitland, to wait upon the Rear-Admiral, accompanied by one of less rank;
and the expressions of disavowal of any intention to insult were written at the
dictation of the higher officer, by the hand of the other, on board the W lie ley
in the presence of the Rear-Admiral, Captains Maitland, Blake, Kingcome,
Mr. Morrison, and myself.
feir Frederick signified his satisfaction with■ this declaration, and took
occasion through Mr. Morrison to make some further observations, the purport
of which 1 have now the honor to submit.
An exchange of civilities then took place, and on the morning of the next
day (the 6th) the ships returned to their former anchorage at Tong-Koo-Bay,
where they still remain.
I have already presumed to offer my respectful testimony to the great judg
ment and temper which the Rear-Admiral displayed in the discharge of this
duty: and I believe it will appear to your Lordship that the whole transaction is
calculated to leave lasting and favourable impressions both of the firmness and
moderation of the higher officers of Her Majesty's Government.
These events have passed without interruption to the trade or any other
description of inconvenience.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 125.
Sir Frederick Maitland to Captain Elliot. ■ .
Sir, Her Majesty's Ship Wellesley, Madras, April 21, 1838.
THIS letter will be delivered to you by Captain Blake of Her Majesty's
sloop Larne, who I have ordered into the China seas to afford protection to the
British interests, and to give weight to any representations you may be under the
necessity of making, in case of Her Majesty's subjects should have just cause of
complaint against the Chinese authorities, and to assist you in maintaining order
among the crews of the British merchantmen who frequent the port of Canton.
1 have now the honour to inform you that I relieved Vice-admiral Sir T. B.
Capel, in the command of Her Majesty's ships in the Indian seas, on the 5th of
Februarv last, and have only delayed sending a ship to China in consequence of
the state of the relations of the Indian Government with that of Ava; for the
present, everything bears a pacific aspect, though it is by no means certain that
312
the differences between the two Governments may not ultimately produce
hostilities. I shall, however, take advantage of the present position of affairs, to
send the Lame to Macao, and after communicating with you cordially and
confidentially, with instructions to go on to Manila, and obtain a supply of
cordage for the dockyard at Trincomalee, and then return to Macao.
In the early part of June it is my intention to leave the Straits of Malacca,
for the purpose of paying Macao a visit in the Wellesley, in compliance with
instructions from the Lords of the Admiralty, to enable me to have a personal
communication with you, as the interchange of information for which such com
munication will afford an opportunity, might, in many possible future contin
gencies, be highly advantageous to the British interests.
As it is possible the arrival of my flag-ship, as well as that of others which
I may from time to time send into the China seas, may give some cause of
jealousy and suspicion to the Government of China, I wish you clearly to under
stand that the trade being no longer a monopoly of a company of merchants,
come3 under the immediate protection and care of Her Majesty's Go
vernment ; and that that Government consider itself bound to see that the
ships and persons of Her Majesty's subjects are duly protected from injury or
insult, as is the case in all other portions of the globe. This I communicate to
you, that the Chinese Government may, if necessary, be put at ease, and no
suspicion arise of any hostile intention on the part of the British Government,
which is the farthest from their views, by the more frequent visits of our ships
now, as compared wTith former times.
Though Captain Blake is commanded to assist you in maintaining order
among the crews of the British merchant ships, you must be perfectly aware he,
as captain of a ship of war, has no legal right to interfere, and must be very
cautious in committing himself in the disputes between the masters and their
crews.
I have, &c,
(Signed) FREDERICK MAITLAND,
Rear Admiral and Commander-in-chief.
Inclosure 2 in No. 125.
. ■ Sir Frederick Maitland to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Wellesley, of Macao, July 12, 1838.
IN reference to my letter dated at Madras, 21st of April last, ac
quainting you with my intention to visit, in person, this part of my station, I
now beg to inform you that I have arrived off Macao in Her Majesty's ship
Wellesley, and mean to proceed to the anchorage called Tong-koo Bay, or
Urmstone's Harbour, which I am informed is the safest and most convenient
roadstead for a large ship at this season of the year.
My future movements will be directed very much by circumstances, and I
shall be obliged to you to communicate any information you are possessed of,
which you think may be useful or interesting to me, as my stay in this neigh
bourhood must depend very much upon circumstances.
I shall not form any plan until I have communicated with you, which I
shall take an early opportunity of doing.
I have, &c,
(Signed) FKED. L. MAITLAND,
Rear Admiral and Commander-in-chief.
313
Captain
- . . Elliot
Inclosure
to Sir
3 inFrederick
No. 125.Maitland.
Sir, Macao, July 15, 1838.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Excellency's despatches dated on.
the 21st of April and 12th instant.
Your remark that the aspect of public affairs in India was unsettled, and
that therefore your intention to visit this part of your station might be frustrated
for the present led me to refrain from making any communication to the Pro-*
vincial Government founded upon that contingency till the period of your actual
arrival in these seas.
It is now my purpose to repair to Canton towards the end of this week,
and to cause it to be announced to the Governor that I am ready, by your
desire, to explain the peaceful objects of your visit, if his Excellency shall think
fit to receive my address in a manner which may be consistent with my instruc
tions from Her Majesty's Government.
1 shall, at the same time, in conformity with your directions communicated '
to me in the conference I had the honour to have with you on the 13th instant,
acquaint the Governor that you are willing to pay your personal respects to him,
upon the clear understanding that you are to be received on a perfectly equal
footing.
And I shall take care to explain, as you have desired, that you would never
forward or receive written communications to or from the Governor, except they
bore the superscription significant of complete evenness of dignity.
It is probable that the Provincial Government will make some approach
towards me as soon as your arrival is reported, and with that impression I have
deferred my visit to Canton till the period I have mentioned.
In conclusion, I permit myself to remark that it is a source of great satis
faction and support to me to have your concurrence, that every proper effort
should be made upon my part, (and failing my success, upon your own) to
explain the amicable objects of Her Majesty's Government in commanding you
to visit this empire.
The rejection of all means of friendly communication with Her Majesty's
Government submitted upon the part of an officer of your high station, and in
an imposing attitude, is a course not to be expected ; or at all events, there can
be little doubt that such rash impractibility would expose the Governor to the
grave displeasure of his own Court if it were persisted in, and made the subject
of future complaint at the mouth of the Pei Ho.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
2 S
314
Inclosure 4 in No. 125.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Mvn-Foo.
Macao, July 15, 1838.
THE Undersigned, &c, &c, cannot receive a communication from the
Keun-Min-Foo, bearing the superscription Yu. It is, therefore, returned for
correction.
For this purpose he writes ; and, with compliments, he remains, &c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 5 in No. 125.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, July 29, 1838.
AN English officer, of the 1st rank, "Maitland," commanding the ships
of his Sovereign in the Indian Seas, has arrived off these coasts, by the com
mand of his Government.
The Superintendent Elliot has now received " Maitland's " instructions
to signify to his Excellency the Governor, that he desires to explain the peace
ful purposes of this visit.
It would be convenient, therefore, that the manner of intercourse should
be clearly understood beforehand, so that all difficulties and misunderstandings
may be prevented.
For this reason Elliot requests that the Governor will be pleased to send
officers to communicate with him.
And if they should come, his Excellency may be assured that they will
be received in a manner consistent with their dignity.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 6 in No. 125.
Declaration of Captain Middlemist.
MR. WILLIAM CAMPBELL MIDDLEMIST, a Master in Her
Majesty's Royal Navy, and Commander of the British Ship Falcon, of
London, now lying at Heong-kong, states, that he was proceeding from
Heong-kong to Canton, on the twenty-eighth day of July, 1838, in the
Schooner Bombay (passage-boat), when, nearing the Bogue, he was chased by
two Mandarin boats, which made signs, by waving a flag, which he under
stood to be a signal to heave-to ; which signs were disregarded, it not being
usual for the Mandarin boats to make such signals. One of the Mandarin
boats then fired a musket, apparently to call the attention of the batteries,
which immediately commenced firing shot upon the Bombay, which at first
fell short, but, as the passage-boat approached the Bogue fort, being under the
necessity of closing the land, the shot from the batteries were better directed,
two of them passing between the masts of the schooner, and one within a yard
of the bow, throwing the water on board. The Bombay then immediately
rounded-to, and was boarded by one of the before-mentioned Mandarin boats,
at about 4 p.m. The boarding officer (who was not the Mandarin, but an
interpreter) inquired whether "Admiral Maitland, or any of his soldiers,
women, or man-of-war's mnn, were on board ? If so, they would not be
allowed to pass up the Bogue :" which inquiries were answered in the
negative.
On one of the passengers of the Bombay inquiring of the boarding officer
whether he would seize opium, if any were on board, that officer answered
No! the officer then left the schooner, and she proceeded again for Canton ;
315
but, in about an hour afterwards, she was again brought-to by a shot from the
Tigre fort, and boarded by a boat from that fort, the officer of which (who did
not leave his boat) made the like inquiries, viz., " Whether Admiral Maitland,
or any of his soldiers, women, or man-of-war's men were on board?" which
being answered, as before, in the negative, the schooner was allowed to pro
ceed without further molestation.
(Signed) W. C. MIDDLEMIST,
Master, R. N., and Commander of the British Ship Falcon.
Declared before me, on board Her Majesty's Ship Wellesley, in Tong-koo
Bay, 1st of August, 1838.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China.
Inclosure 7 in No. 125.
Admiral Kwan to Sir Frederick Maitland.
KWAN TIENPEI, General (or Admiral; of the Celestial Empire, the
Potent and Fear-inspiring, writes, for the information of Maitland, the Chief
Commander of the vessels of war of the English Nation.
We of the Celestial Empire, and you of the English Nation, have had a
common market at Canton for two hundred years past. On both sides there
has been the fullest harmony, without the slightest interruption thereof.
During the continuance here of your Nation's Superintending Officer, Elliot,
all too has been quiet.
Recently, Elliot went to Canton, and there told the Hong merchants,
that, in consequence of the unwillingness of the merchants of the various na
tions to submit to restraint, he had represented to his Sovereign a wish that
another snould be sent hither in his place: that now his Sovereign had sent
from home the noble Maitland, and it was desired that both should repair
together to Canton, humbly and plainly to address his Excellency the Go
vernor, in reference to the continuance here of Elliot as Superintendent. To
these public arrangements of your Nation, his Excellency our Governor would
of course consent, were it not that the prohibitory enactments of the Celestial
Empire have hitherto withheld from Commanders-General of vessels of war
permission to enter the port ; and of this Elliot is well aware,
On a recent visit of Elliot to Canton, he sought to effect a sudden change «
in the ancient rules, by using, in place of the words " Humble address," {Pin,)
the words " Letter of intelligence," (Shusin.) Hence his Excellency our Go
vernor declined to receive, in disobedience of the regulations, his documents.
Perhaps Elliot may have failed to inform you, the Honourable Commander-
General, of this circumstance of not using the words " Humble address."
What may be the motives for your present step of moving these three
vessels to the anchorage of Lung-keet? When I consider that your Sovereign
has sent you hither, a distance of tens of thousands of miles, to conduct affairs,
I feel that you must be a man of capacity at home. Should you now neglect
to distinguish clearly right from wrong, and act upon the spur of the momeut,
will not the blame rest on you—how will you be able to answer it to your
Sovereign ?
These things I specially put before you ; and, while quietly awaiting
your reply, I wish you unalloyed enjoyment of repose.
[Not dated, but received the 4th of August, 1838.]
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
2S2
316
Inclosure 8 in No. 125.
Sir Frederick Maitland to the Chinese Admiral.
Her Majesty's Ship Wellesley, off Chuenpee, August 5, 1838.
IN reply to the Admiral's note of yesterday, I have shortly to observe
that the cause of my coming to this anchorage of Lung Keet is distinct from
the affairs of Elliot, and is to demand explanations for an insult offered to the
Sovereign of my country in the person of myself, by firing at and boarding a
British vessel, under the pretext that I might be on board.
I have now to request that the Admiral will send me officers, in order
that I may fully explain my meaning, and, having fulfilled my objects in
coming to this anchorage, sail away to more convenient places below.
Thus will all chance of an interruption of the peace that has so long
subsisted between the two countries be happily removed.
With compliments, I have the honour to remain, &c,
(Signed) F. L. MAITLAND. (L.S.)
Inclosure 9 in No. 125.
■
Declaration of Chinese Officers.
ON the 8th day of the 6th month (28th July), an English boat was enter
ing the Bogue, when certain natives spoke wrongly of your Honourable Admiral,
his family, and subordinates, inquiring whether they were on board or not,
and adding that, if they were on board, the boat must return, but, if not, she
might proceed through the Bogue. This has been inquired into. It was not
done in consequence of any official orders : the wrong language was that of
the natives aforesaid themselves. Should any such-like language be used
hereafter, the circumstance shall be at once investigated and punished.
Their thus offending your Honourable Admiral is one and the same as offend
ing our own Admiral.
[The above was written by Le, a Hietai or Tsantse&ng, and another
officer, whose name was not learned, of the rank of Shaupei. It is in the
handwriting of the latter, whose rank may be considered analogous to that of
Lieutenant Commander. The rank of the former is analogous to that of Post-
Captain.]
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
August 5, 1838. Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 10 in No. 125.
Minutes of Correspondence held on board the Wellesley.
August 5, 1838.
AFTER the officers deputed by the Chinese Admiral to visit Sir Frederick
Maitland had, in writing, disavowed, on the part of their Admiral, all
sanction of the insulting inquiries made on board the boat Bombay, Sir
Frederick Maitland observed, " That irregularities will happen, but, as they
may lead to serious misunderstandings between the two nations, they require
to be noticed and checked. That the Tetuh had expressed a determination
to punish the person who had committed this offence. But that, since every
intention of insulting the British flag had now been disavowed, he hoped the
Tetuh would consider it an accident, and fo^i"e the offender." To this the
officers replied, that it was an insult to the Tetuh himself, as well as to Sir
Frederick Maitland, and that the offence could not be passed over, but must
of necessity be punished.
The Admiral then said, that, having satisfactorily settled the business
that had brought him up to Lungkeet, he meant to take the earliest oppor
tunity of wind and tide to return to Lungkoo. That, the monsoon, being now
317
against his return southward, he would probably remain some weeks longer
in that neighbourhood. He added, that, since the trade had ceased to be in
the hands of the Company, frequent visits of British vessels of war may be
expected, it being in accordance with the genius of the English nation to
look alter its subjects in foreign countries, to see that they are subjected to
no insults, and that disturbances do not take place among them, That they
may rest assured, however, that these vessels will come always with a peace
ful purpose.
The officers requested, in the name of the Tetuh, that orders should be
given to put a stop to the irregularities of British subjects, such as had been
alluded to in the second conference between the Tetuh and Captain Maitland.
The Admiral informed them, that merchant vessels are not under the martial
discipline of the Navy, but are subject to the Civil Authority ; and pointed
them to Captain Elliot, who was present. Captain Elliot assured them that
his constant wish has been to preserve peace and good order. He added a
desire that the Governor might be informed that the late negotiations on his
part were carried on by him, in obedience to the orders of his Government,
and were not owing to any want of respect towards His Excellency.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
No. 126.
Viscou t Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, February 27, 1839.
YOUR despatches to 13th October, inclusive, of last year, have been received■
and laid before Her Majest\'s Government. <
I am not yet enabled to form any opinion as to the instructions which it
may be right to send you on the subject of the debts of the Hong Hing-Tae, as
it appears uncertain in what state that question might be, when any directions
t elating to it eould arrive in China.
Your despatch of the 29th of March last, inclosing a copy of the
memorial of the British merchants interested in this matter, was received
on the 12th of October last. In this memorial the merchants prayed for the
interference of Her Majesty's Government with that of China, to obtain a
settlement of their claims upon more equitable terms than those which had been
proposed by the insolvent Hong, and which had been sanctioned by the Governor
of Canton. But, on the other hand, it appears from Canton newspapers lately
received in England, that about the time when your despatch was received at
this office, the British merchants at Canton had effected an arrangement with the
Hong merchants upon terms not very d fferent from those against which they
had in their memorial protested.
I request that you will inform me whether this statement is true ; and if it
is, I have further to instruct you to impress upon the British merchants resident
in China, that it is of great importance to their own interests, as well as to the
character of this country, that they should not on any future occasion hastily
apply to the British Government to found a representation to the Chinese
Government in their behalf, upon principles which they themselves may be
disposed to abandon before such representation could reach the Chinese
authorities.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON".
No. 127.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, March 23, 1839.
YOUR despatch of the 18th of April last, relating to certain regu
lations which you had thought it advisable to establish with a view of con
318
trouling the conduct of the crews of British merchant vessels trading with
Canton, has been submitced to Her Majesty's Law Officers, with a request, that
they would take the same into consideration, and report their opinion whether
those regulations are in any way at variance with the laws of England, or incon
sistent with the territorial rights of China. The Law Officers have accordingly-
reported that the regulations in question are not in any way at variance with the
laws of England, provided they be duly made and issued by Her Majesty,
according to the Act of the 3rd and 4th William IV., ch. 93, sec 6 ; but that
you have no power of your own authority to make any such regulations. With
respect to the territorial rights of China, the Law Officers are of opinion that the
regulations, amounting in fact to the establishment of a system of police at
Whampoa, within the dominions of the Emperor of China, would be an inter*
ference with the absolute right of sovereignty enjoyed by independent States,
which can only be justified by positive treaty, or implied permission from usage.
Under these circumstances, I have to instruct you to endeavour to obtain the
written approval of the Governor of Canton for these regulations, and as soon as
that approval is received in this country, the proper steps shall be taken for
giving force to those regulations, according to the provisions of the Act of
Parliament.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON
No. 128.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, March 23, 1839.
IN continuation of the subject of my despatch, of the 27th' ultimo, I
think it right to state to you, for your information, that when the memo
rial of the British merchants, dated the 2 1st of March, 1838, was received
at this office, Her Majesty's Government felt disposed to take immediate steps
for obtaining from the Chinese Government redress of the grievances which that
memorial set forth; but upon further consideration, it was thought expedient to
abstain from doing anything with that view, until the necessity for the inter
ference of the British Government should have become more manifest. There
seemed reason to expect that the appearance of the British Admiral in the river
of Canton, might, by its moral influence, have brought about an arrangement of
this question, and thus have obviated the necessity lor any further measures on
the part of Her Majesty's Government.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
No. 129.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, March 30, 1839.
WITH reference to your despatches of 7th and 10th August, and 13th
October, 1 838, in which you report the proceedings which took place between
yourself and Rear Admiral Sir Frederick Maitland on the one part, and the
Chinese Authorities on the other, upon the late visit of the Rear Admiral to
the neighbourhood of the Canton river, I have much satisfaction in conveying
to you the approval of Her Majesty's Government of your conduct on this
occasion.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
319
No. 130.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, June 13, 1839.
YOUR despatches to the 31st of December of last year, and to the 30th
of January of this year, have been received and laid before Her Majesty's
Government.
With reference to such of those despatches as detail the circumstances which
led to an interruption of the trade, for a short period, in December last, and the
steps which you took in consequence, with a view to the re-opening of the
trade, and to the re-establishment of your official communications with the
Chinese Authorities, T have to signify to you the entire approbation of Her
Majesty's Government of your conduct on those matters. But I have, at the
same time, to instruct you not to omit to avail yourself of any proper opportunity
to press for the substitution of a less objectionable character than the character
" Pin" on the superscription of the communications which you may have occasion
to address to the Viceroy.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
No. 131.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston. —(Received April 22, 1839.)
My Lord, Macao, October 13, 1838.
I HAVE the honour to report that the Rear- Admiral left these seas for
Singapore, on the 5th instant.
A Government officer having visited the Wellesley at Toong Koo, some
time in the month of August, during Sir Frederick Maitland's absence at this
place, with a request to know when the ship would proceed to sea, it was
considered proper to address the Tetuh on the subject. And the accompany
ing correspondence will satisfactorily convince your Lordship that the best
understanding has subsisted to the last moment of the Wellesley's continu
ance in China.
No difficulties were experienced about the supply of Her Majesty's
ships ; and the Tetuh on several occasions sent officers to visit the Rear-
Admiral with the expression of his condolence upon the demise of his niece,
and of his best wishes for his health and happiness.
I have &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 131.
Sir Frederick Maitland to the Chinese Admiral.
Toong Koo, August 29, 1838.
REAR-ADMIRAL Sir Frederick Maitland has the honour to acquaint the
Tetuh, that the ship bearing his flag, now lying at Toong Koo, has recently
been visited by a Government boat, with a desire to be informed when the
ship will proceed to sea.
In order that no doubt may exist as to the real and peaceful purposes of
his visit, Sir Frederick Maitland considers it proper to record in a written
form, the explanation which he had the honour to make to the Honourable
officers, who waited upon him at Chuenpee on the 5th instant.
The trade has now ceased to be in the hands of the Company, and is
under the direct control and protection of the British Sovereign.
Frequent visits of British men-of-war therefore must be expected,
because it is in accordance with the genius of the English Government to
320
look after the interests of its subjects in foreign countries, to see that they are
subjected to no injustice, and that no disturbances take place amongst them.
The Chinese Government, however, may rest assured, tliat the British
vessels of war who visit this empire, will come always with a peaceful pur
pose ; but Sir Frederick Maitland must demand, in the name of his Govern
ment, peaceful and respectful treatment towards them.
The monsoon being now against his return to the southward, Sir Frede
rick Maitland will probably remain a few weeks longer in t bis neighbour
hood.
With expressions of compliment and consideration, he has the honour to
remain, &c
(Signed) FRED. L. MAITLAND,
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
Inclosure 2 in No. 131.
Note from the Chinese Admiral in reply to Sir Frederick Maitlund's Letter of
August 29, 1838.
ON the 29th August, I opened and perused your communication, and
acquainted myself with all the honourable and excellent thoughts therein
expressed. The thoughtful care that is therein manifested, has also yielded
me gratification. Having before heard that you were indisposed, and having
also been informed of the loss of your niece, I was mentally grieved ; but yet
I dared not, by waiting upon you, to infringe the rules of my country ; at this
I trust you will not feel any offence.
The outer seas afford good space and depth of water; and there is
nothing to apprehend from winds or waves. Should your public affairs yet
detain you several weeks, there can be no obstacle thereto. I pray you to be
careful of yourself, to keep your body in health and comfort.
I specially address this in reply, and wish your Excellency much and
many blessings.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 3 in No. 131.
Sir Frederick Maitland to the Chinese Admiral.
Toong Koo, September 25, 1838.
REAR ADMIRAL Sir Frederick Maitland being about to sail away from
the Canton river, for other parts of his station, as the season for the change of
monsoon is fast approaching, takes this opportunity to acquaint the Tetuh
therewith, and expressing the high sense he entertains of the manner in
which all the communications which have passed between his Excellency and
himself, have been carried on.
It has been Sir Frederick Maitland's constant desire to maintain such
order amongst the officers and men under his command, as might prevent
any act of theirs giving offence to the Chinese authorities, in which he trusts
he has been successful ; and the captain of every British ship-of-war which
may hereafter be sent to the coast of China, will be directed to comport him
self in the same manner.
Sir Frederick Maitland further feels it a duty he owes to the Com
manders of the Imperial war-junks which have been stationed in the neigh
bourhood of the ship bearing his flag, to state for the Tetuh's information,
that their conduct has been marked by the strictest propriety and civility.
Sir Frederick Maitland requests the Tetuh will accept his best wishes
for his health and prosperity ; and as a mark of his feelings towards him, begs
he will honour him by the acceptance of a few bottles of Cape sweet wine.
(Signed) FRED. L. MAITLAND,
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
321
No. 132.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston. — (Received May 27, 1839.)
My Lord, Macao, December 2, 1838.
THE Inclosure No. 1, covering a Memorial from certain creditors on the
bankrupt merchant " Hingtae," has this moment reached me. I avail myself
of the opportunity of a vessel upon the point of departure for Calcutta to for
ward these papers by the way of Egypt. But I shall take a very early occa
sion to address your Lordship again upon this subject.
I have &c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 132.
Mr. Inglis to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Macao, December 1, 1838.
I HAD the honour in March last to request you, on the part of certain,
creditors of the Chinese bankrupt Hong merchants, to forward their Memorial
to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
The creditors of these Hong merchants, have since agreed to a settle
ment for the payment of their claims, and have even received a first dividend
of 4 per cent, upon Hingtae's debts. They think it advisable, in consequence,
to address the Foreign Secretary again upon the subject; and I am delegated
by them to hand you the inclosed memorial, with their request that you will
kindly forward it to its destination, with such explanations as you may think
necessary for the information of Her Majesty's Ministers, and the furtherance
of the object of the Memorial. I have, &c,
(Signed) ROBERT INGLIS.
Inclosure 2 in No. 132.
The Creditors of the Hong Merchant Hingtae, to Viscount Palmerston.
My Lord, Canton, November 26, 1838.
WHEN we had the honour to address your Lordship on the 21st of
March last, respecting our claims upon the Chinese Hong merchants, we took
occasion to inform the Viceroy of Canton that we had done so ; but we added,
that in attending your Lordship's acknowledgment of our Memorial, we should
gratefully receive any portion of our claims which the Viceroy might order to
be paid, and listen to any propositions upon the subject which the Hong mer
chants might offer. The Viceroy in reply, rebuked what he called our per
versity ; but the Hong merchants continued to negociate a settlement of our
claims ; and we have finally agreed to receive payment of them in the follow
ing manner, viz. : — Hingtae's by instalments in 8£ years, beginning from the
30th November 1837 ; and Kingqua's by instalments in ten years, beginning
from the 1st July of the present year; together with simple interest at the
rate of 6 per cent, per annum, upon the latter's debts, to be paid after the
liquidation of the principal.
Your Lordship will observe that we have gained little better terms for
the liquidation of Hingtae's debts, than at the date of our last Memorial, but
we have also arranged for Kingqua's ; and looking to the magnitude of the
debts, and to the precedents in favour of their liquidation by instalments, we
have thought it prudent not to press the matter further. We cannot, how
ever, forbear to call again to your Lordship's attention, that the main difficulty
in obtaining a more favourable settlement has been, according to the Hong
merchants themselves, the demands upon them by the Hoppo, who has lately
retired from office, and by the present functionary who succeeded him, on
322
account of alleged Imperial dues and requisitions. Contingencies of this kind,
which interfere with the adjustment of our claims, may obviously become, in
conjunction with other causes, the means of protracting the payments of the
instalments, if not of failure altogether, in their ultimate liquidation. We do
Dot presume, in opposition to the usage of our own and other countries, to
expect payment of our debts, before the just dues of Government ; but your
Lordship has already been made aware that the Imperial Government is
pledged to us, both by law and prescription, for the Hong merchants' debts ;
and our claims are therefore identified with its own. The demand upon the
Co-hong, besides, does not arise entirely out of dues already incurred to the
Government, but out of temporary exactions, which we have reason to believe
to be sometimes a mere cover for extortion.
We beg further to urge upon your Lordship's attention, that Kingqua's
hong has not been officially declared insolvent, although we have the Vice
roy's sanction to the proposed liquidation of its debts ; to effect which, the
Co-hong has agreed to pay 125,000 dollars annually. We believe the arrange
ment to be made in perfect good faith ; but the informality attending it may
no doubt, be adduced hereafter to invalidate the settlement, should the Hong
become ultimately bankrupt. We do not hesitate, nevertheless, to accede to
the proposed terms, seeing that our own wish to carry on the Hong is echoed
by the Co-hong, and sanctioned by the Viceroy. We could expect nothing
from its formal bankruptcy but another tedious discussion ; and the substitu
tion for it, of another Hong of, perhaps, less character, and no better credit.
We expressed a doubt in our former Memorial to your Lordship, of the
Hong merchants to conduct their affairs beneficially, in the present state of
the trade between China and Great Britain ; which in addition to the above
causes, occasions distrust of the regular payment of the dividends on oar
claims, as now proposed. In foregoing, therefore, our pretensions to more
favourable terms, we repose always on the hope of aid from Her Majesty's
Government to procure fulfilment of the stipulations of our agreement, should
our fears of its infraction be unfortunately realized.
The chief object of our first Memorial to your Lordship is thus tempora
rily disposed of; but the other impediments to our trade therein complained
of still remain. established, and we have still,
therefore, to anticipate future debts, and their tedious and unprofitable liqui
dation, perhaps after such another twenty months' exasperating discussion
with the local authorities, and with the Co-hong, as that from which we have
just escaped. We venture again, therefore, to urge upon your Lordship's
consideration that part of our former Memorial, which suggests the interference
of Her Majesty's Government, whenever a fit opportunity may offer, to pro
vide for the earlier liquidation of debts which the Hongs may hereafter incur;
not less to save Her Majesty's subjects, who may unfortunately be implicated
in the debts, the direct loss attending their protracted payment, than to
obviate the necessity of their recurrence, by inducing the Imperial Govern
ment to remedy the inefficiency of the Co-hong, and to restrain the exactions
imposed upon it by the Local Authorities of Canton.
The attention of Her Majesty's Government may be engaged more
readily to this subject by the fact that it is proposed to pay Hingtae and King
qua's debts, and the Government claims, chiefly out of additional duties on
the foreign trade, lately imposed for this purpose. These duties are not only
a cause of much immediate vexation to the importers of British manufactures,
but an accumulation of them hereafter, occasioned by the recurrence of Hong
debts, during the progress of liquidation of those of Hingtae and Kingqua,
would probably amount to a prohibition of such imports by legal trade.
We have, &c,
(Signed)
Dent and Co. D. and M. Rustomjee.
Bell and Co. Turner and Co.
Gfbb, Livingston, and Co. Nanabhoy Framjee.
Dirom and Co. Joseph Cragg.
Fox, Rawson, and Co. Wm. Thos. Kinsley.
Daniell and Co.
323
No. 133,
Captain EfHot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received April 18, 1839.)
Her Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
at anchor in Whampoa Reach,
My Lord, December 8, 1838.
I AM concerned to report, that the trade is at this moment cast into a
state of critical difficulty, by a circumstance which, so far as it has reached
my knowledge, I have now the honour to detail. It appears that the Governor
has lately incurred the severe displeasure of the Court, upon the ground of
a lax execution of the orders concerning the more effectual prevention of the
traffic in opium. A remarkable increase of activity has ensued, and on
Monday last, the 3rd instant, a seizure of opium was made by the Custom-
House officers at Canton, immediately in front of the foreign factory inhabited
by Mr. James Innes. The two native Coolies who were landing the boxes
were apprehended, and are said to have confessed, (I am very much afraid
under the infliction of cruel punishment,) that they were that gentleman's
servants; that the opium was his, and that it had been brought from a ship
at Whampoa.
It further seems that one of these Coolies declared, that the name of the
master of the ship was " Ki-le-wun," a sound which the examining Man
darins decided must signify the name of the master of the American ship,
Thomas Perkins, whose name I am told is Cleveland. All the Hong
merchants were summoned before the Governor on Tuesday the 4th, and
have subsequently announced to the foreign merchants in a written form,
that his Excellency has issued orders for the departure from China, both of
Mr. Innes and the ship, within three days.
The Hong merchant who secured the ship has already been sent down to
this place, and is at this moment undergoing the unmerited and degrading
punishment of the cangue or wooden collar; wholly unmerited indeed, my
Lord, even if this opium had come from on board the ship in question, for this
unfortunate man could neither have known nor prevented its introduction; but
it is beyond a doubt that it did not come from her at all, and almost as certain
that it did come from one of the numerous small craft now at anchor in this
river. These severe and unjust proceedings have had their immediate origin,
in fact,, either in the confused pronunciation of the wretched Coolie, or as
probably in the fabrication of a name, wrung from him by inquiry under
torture.
In the first excitement of alarm and indignation after the Governor's
excessively harsh treatment, (for there is reason to believe they were several
hours on their knees before him with the instruments of punishment laid out
to intimidate them,) the Hong merchants were goaded into a written menace
to pull down their house, in which Mr. Innes lives, if he did not leave Canton
within the period specified by his Excellency. But the general body of the
mei chants, with becoming spirit, and at the same time in a calm and judicious
manner, expressed their determination to resist such rash proceedings at all
hazards. It must also be mentioned, to the great credit of these unhappy
men, that a better spirit soon exercised its influence, and they have frankly
recalled their hasty expressions. The trade has not yet been stopped by any
written instrument under the Governor's hand, or at least which has yet been
transmitted to the foreigners, but the Hong merchants have written to tl.em
to say, that they have his Excellency's orders to discontinue all trade what
ever, till his injunctions are obeyed, and for the last three days there has been
an entire cessation of business. I should observe, that these tidings only met
me at this anchorage, where I arrived yesterday morning for the adjustment
of certain difficulties on board some of the merchant-ships now here.
Your Lordship may be assured that I will avail myself of the first proper •
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324
opportunity to make an earnest effort to end the actual disquieting condition
of circumstances. I shall also seize every occasion to keep your Lordship
informed of the progress of events ; and I have now the honour, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
•
December 9, 1838
P. S. I learn this morning that the Governor has extended the period
for the departure of Mr. Innes and the American ship to ten days.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 134.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received April 13, 1839.)
My Lord, Canton, December 13, 1838.
MY despatch of the 8th inst., will have prepared your Lordship for grave
difficulties in Canton ; and it is now my duty to report an event which has just
passed, to the imminent hazard of the lives and property of the whole foreign
community. Yesterday forenoon, at about 11 o'clock, the foreigners were
struck with astonishment by a sudden preparation in the square in the imme
diate front of the factories, for the strangling of a criminal. It was at once
determined to resist this unprecedented and intolerable outrage: and the
officer in charge of the small body of police on the spot was requested to take
instant measures for conveying this resolution to the higher authorities; and,
in the mean time, the foreigners themselves removed the tent and the other
apparatus which had been prepared. This officer appears to have con
ducted himself with remarkable moderation, offering no resistance to these
proceedings; neither did the considerable crowd which had already assem
bled, evince any unfriendly dispositions towards the foreigners, but, it would
seem from general concurrence, rather the contrary. Between 1 and 2 o'clock
in the afternoon, however, when the crowd had become exceedingly dense,
but was still perfectly inoffensive, and collected from motives of mere curiosity,
some rash foreigners provoked the people by forcibly pushing in amongst
them, and assailing them with sticks. They returned this wanton attack with
showers of stones, and other violence, and in a few minutes the foreigners
were driven in within the gates of their respective factories, which were■
immediately closed. But the fury of the crowd, consisting by this time, as I
am credibly informed, of at least 6,000 people, was now intensely excited,
and for some hours the aspect of circumstances is represented to have been
very disquieting indeed. At about 2 o'clock, intelligence was forwarded
to me at Whampoa, which reached me at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon,
and I repaired immediately to Canton. Before my departure, I issued a
circular to the commanders and commanding officers of British ships at that
anchorage, directing, that in case it should become necessary to dispatch a
force to Canton, they should place themselves under the guidance of Captain
Marquis, of the ship Reliance ; and I requested that gentleman to attend to
my further instructions in that respect. On my own way up I was met by
still more serious accounts, and I therefore thought it necessary to forward
instructions to Captain Marquis to send the boats with all despatch. On my
arrival in Canton, at about 6 p. m., I found that the soldiery had already
dispersed the mob, and that the prisoner had been executed at one of the
usual places appointed for that purpose. This wretched man seems to have
suffered for the offence of selling opium; and I am without any doubt that
the intention, or rather the manifestation of an intention, to strangle him in this
square, was with the purpose to fix upon the foreign community generally,
the seriousness of the Governor's determination with respect to the late affair
reported in my despatch of December 8.
I sent for the Hong merchants immediately on my arrival in Canton, and
desired them to announce it to the Governor, with the expression of my
sincerest disposition to render my presence useful in the maintenance o{
325
peace, and of the complete restoration of the tranquil course of events. They
have not yet brought me His Excellency's answer; and the departure of the
ship by which this despatch is to proceed, obliges me to conclude.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Canton, December 14, 1838.
P.S. Every thing is now in a state of tranquillity, and I believe I may
confidently assure yuur Lordship, that the trade will be resumed in the course
of a few days.
I hope that the measures which I find it necessary to take with
that purpose, will not incur the disapprobation of Her Majesty's Government.
They shall be reported by the next occasion.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 135.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, April 15, 1839.
SINCE my despatch of February 27th was written, your despatches
of the 2nd and 13th December, 1838, have been received.
I reserve any observations or instructions I may have to send or
make to you on the subject of your despatch of December 13, till I
receive the further accounts which you announce your intention to send.
These accounts will probably contain all the information that may be
requisite for enabling Her Majesty's Government to form an opinion upon
the proceedings that have occurred at Canton, and which appear, by intel
ligence to the 31st of December, contained in the London newspapers of
this morning, to have ended in a satisfactory manner ; but should you,
however, not already have stated the point specifically, I wish to be in
formed whether the foreigners, to whom you allude in your despatch as
having resisted the intention of the Chinese authorities to put a criminal
to death in the immediate front of the factories, were British subjects
only, or the subjects and citizens of other countries also. I also wish to
know upon what alleged ground of right these persons considered them
selves entitled to interfere with the arrangements made by the Chinese
officers of justice for carrying into effect, in a Chinese town, the orders of
their superior authorities.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
No. 136.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— {Received April 18, 1839.)
My Lord, Canton, December 31, 1838.
THE departure of a ship for Bengal affords me an occasion to report that
the public intercourse between this Government and myself is renewed ; his
Excellency having consented to communicate with me, on all important
subjects, under the Seals of the Kwang-Chow-Foo and Kwang-Hee.
In return for this substantial concession, I have agreed to incur the
responsibility of communicating with his Excellency, under the character
"Pin:" but it has been clearly explained that this course has been adopted
upon the ground, that native officers of my own rank address his Excellency
in the same form ; an understanding necessarily involving the principle, that
British officers of the first and second ranks will claim the right to communi
cate upon an equal footing with native authorities of the like degrees.
Despatches containing the full account of these proceedings, and the
circumstances and reasoning which have led me to close with this arrange-
326
merit, shall be transmitted to your Lordship in a few days. It will be satis
factory to Her Majesty's Government to know that the obstructions to the
trade are removed, and that it will have resumed its usual course to-morrow
or next day.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
January I, 1839.
P.S. I open my despatch to acquaint your Lordship that the senior
Hong merchant has this moment waited upon me, and announced the
commands of the Government to re-open the trade ; and the cargo permits
will be issued to-day.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 137.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received May 13, 1839.)
My Lord, Canton, January 2, 1839.
THE necessity of closing my despatches of the 2nd, 13th, and 31st
December of last year, to save the ships tlien upon the point of sailing, pre
vented me from furnishing a detailed report of the course I had pursued with
the purpose to reopen the trade, and to place it on a more secure and
honourable footing than it has lately rested.
The Inclosure No. 1, is the copy of a letter my Secretary had received
from Mr. Innes, inclosinga protest to be handed to me. Inclosure No. 3, is my
reply to Mr. Innes, written on the day before the dangerous riot in front of
the factories. Inclosures Nos. 4, 5, and 6, are the continuance of that
correspondence.
In the further disposal of this part of the subject, I have now to inform,
your Lordship that Mr. Innes applied to the Provincial Government for a
passport, and left this place for Macao, on the 16th ultimo, having previously
forwarded a declaration to his Excellency, confessing that the opium was
his; that it came from his boat, and not from the American ship; and
absolving the two Coolies from all wilful participation in the offence, upon
the ground that they were ignorant of the contents of the boxes.
The difficulty which remained to be removed before the trade could be
opened, was the illicit traffic in opium carried on in small craft within the river,
a considerable number of which were stationary at Whampoa, receiving their
supplies from time to time in other vessels of a similar description, from the
opium ships at Lintin or Hong Kong.
The senior Hong merchants, on the evening of my arrival in Canton, (the
12th ultimo,) complained in bitter terms that they should be exposed to the
cruel and ruinous consequences which were hourly arising out of the existence
of this forced trade, not merely at Whampoa, but at the factories themselves,
of which they were the proprietors ; and therefore, under heavy responsibility
to the Government. And they insisted that they would not carry on the
lawful commerce, (having the Governor's sanction for their conduct,) till effec
tual steps were taken for the suppression of this dangerous evil.
Mindful of the embarrassments which would ensue if his Excellency (per
ceiving that all hope of interference upon my part were vain,) should effect this
and far more inconvenient objects, by the immediate interruption of the ordinary
manner of intercourse, and by the protracted stoppage of the trade, I felt that
the moment had arrived for my own interposition.
1 therefore desired the merchants to proceed directly to his Excellency,
and announce my arrival in Canton ; adding, that as no mere difficulties in points
of form should deter me, in the actual emergency, from faithfully endeavouring
to restore a state of peaceful trade and intercourse, so I looked at his Excel
lency's hands for reasonable countenance: and above all, for a just and digni
fied abstinence from measures of irritating pressure upon the general trade.
Carefully considering the critical posture of those momentous interests
327
confided to me, I resolved, as a preliminary measure, upon an appeal to the
whole community; not only with some hope that such a proceeding might
have the effect of clearing the river of these boats, but because (if the case were
otherwise) I felt it became me distinctly to forewarn Her Majesty's subjects
concerned in these] practices, of the course which it was my determination to
pursue.
On the,l7th ultimo, therefore, I convened a general meeting of all the
foreign residents at Canton in this hall, and addressed them in the manner your
Lordship will find reported in the accompanying note, taken at the moment by
my Secretary. On the 1 8th, I promulgated the inclosed notice, and having
ascertained that the smuggling boats were still at Whampoa on the 23rd, (some
of them wearing British ensigns and pendants,) I addressed the accompanying
note to his Excellency the Governor.
His Excellency's reply forms Inclosure No. 10; and Inclosure No. 11 is
my renewed request that this mode of direct official intercourse on affairs of
importance should be declared to be general, and not for the occasion. Inclo
sure No. 12, is the Governor's assent to this principle, signified, indeed, through
the senior Hong merchant, but he was desired to place the original document,
bearing his Excellency's seal, in my hands, in order that I might duly authen
ticate the fact to my Government. I was contented with this acknowledgment,
and the flag was rehoisted on the 30th ultimo at 11 o'clock. On the 31st, I
was enabled to desire the senior merchant to report the departure of all the
boats from Whampoa; and he has this day announced to me the official com
mands of the Government to open the trade, which I have just signified to the
community, in the accompanying circular.
The Inclosure No. 14, is a general notice to Her Majesty's subjects, which
I have also issued to-day, announcing the renewal of the public intercourse, and
publishing those portions of my correspondence with the Governor, which it
concerned them to know.
But I have not felt myself at liberty to publish those parts which relate to
the manner of my intercourse ; upon the ground that it is the special attribute
of Her Majesty's Government to dispose of that subject, and that it may be
highly inconvenient they should be generally promulgated without your Lord
ship's sanction.
Having now drawn the statement of these proceedings to a close, I may
turn to a more particular explanation of the motives and the manner of my
interposition.
It had been clear to me, my Lord, from the origin of this peculiar branch
of the opium traffic, that it must grow to be more and more mischievous to
every branch of the trade, and certainly to none more than to that of opium
itself. As the danger and the shame of its pursuit increased, it was obvious that
it would fall by rapid degrees into the hands of more and more desperate men ;
that it would stain the foreign character with constantly aggravating disgrace,
in the sight of the whole of the better portion of this people; and lastly, that it
would connect itself more and more intimately with our lawful commercial inter
course, to the great peril of vast public and private interests.
Till the other day, my Lord, I believe there was no part of the world where
the foreigner felt his life and property more secure than here in Canton ; but
the grave events of the 12th ultimo have left behind a different impression.
For a space of near two hours the foreign factories were within the power of an
immense and excited mob, the gate of one of them was absolutely battered
in, and a pistol was fired out, probably without ball, or over the heads of the
people, for at least it is certain that nobody fell. If the case had been other
wise, Her Majesty's Government and the British public would have had to
learn that the trade and peaceful intercourse with this empire was indefinitely
interrupted by a terrible scene of bloodshed and ruin. And all these desperate
hazards have been incurred, my Lord, for the scrambling and, comparatively
considered, insignificant gains of a few reckless individuals, unquestionably
founding their conduct upon the belief, that they were exempt from the
operation of all law, British or Chinese.
I owe it to myself to say, that foreseeing the serious consequences which
must arise from the further growth of this evil, I wrote more than a year and a
half since, to the General Chamber of Commerce, moving them to use their
best efforts to put it down. It is also an act of similar justice to that body,
(and to the great majority of the foreign community settled here,) to state, that
328
this peculiar form of the traffic has been practised or countenanced by very
few amongst them. But it was extending itself widely amongst persons not
forming part of the resident society, and in no long lapse of time, it must have
brought to Canton the refuse of all the countries in our neighbourhood.
Indeed, judging of the future from the past, I feel warranted in saying, that
within the space of one year from this time, there would have been at least
three hundred armed and lawless men carrying on this business in the very
heart of our regular commerce. And if the extent of the mischief hourly
impending, was in some sense susceptible of estimate, I must remark that no
satisfactory course of remedy has ever yet presented itself to my mind. But
that Her Majesty's Government would have been driven into the necessity of
very urgent, expensive, and hazardous measures upon the most painful grounds,
appeared to me to be a certain result of the protraction of this forced traffic
within the river, and at the factories ; and with this conviction I resolved to
use all lawful means in my power to draw it to a conclusion, and to prevent its
recurrence.
I should observe in this place, that the remarkable vigour, not merely of
the local, but of the general government, for some months back, furnished addi
tional cause to apprehend some exceedingly serious dilemma. And regarding
the subject in every point of view, I could not but perceive that a person in my
station should lose no time in taking such a position as would give weight to
his representations in any moment of emergency.
I made up my mind to incur the responsibility of making my communi
cations under the character " Pin," because I was sensible that it was vain
to hope this Government would consent to give way upon such a point, so long
as there was an absence of really pressing necessity ; and in that situation of
affairs, I am as sure the change would pass without difficulty, and probably
without comment. Indeed, I felt I could shape my own proceedings on the
present occasion in such a manner as would necessarily involve the principle, that
British officers should intercommunicate upon a footing of equality with native
officers of the same ranks; and more than that, I am afraid it will be impos
sible to get from this Government without driving it to extremities upon /
matters of form. I would also respectfully press upon your Lordship the
assurance that the idea of the character is that of respectful repo. t, not of
solicitation, or petition ; and regard being had to the lofty tone assumed by all
Asiatic Powers ; to the particular genius of this language and government ; to
its strangeness to foreign intercourse ; and, above all, to the fact, that it is the
manner of address used by native officers, even of the third rank ; I cannot but
hope that I shall be excused for determining not to continue the interruption of
the public communications in a moment of crisis (with the trade actually
stopped, and with other serious evils impending) upon such a ground as that.
The next point I have to notice in my own correspondence with the
Governor, is the request that he would command the officers who might be
employed in the duty of dismissing these boats from the river, to accompany
me to their ordinary place of anchorage. I advert to this subject, because it
has been put prominently forward in the torrent of censure which has been
poured upon me through the medium of the Canton newspapers. My Lord, I
requested his Excellency to let the officers place themselves in communication
with me, because I was not without reason to believe that some of the thought
less people in those vessels might be contemplating the forcible opposition of
the authority of this Government; and I hoped that my presence in my own
boat would prevent such dangerous absurdity. But assuming for a moment
that they had been wild enough to do so, and life had been lost, it was my duty
to take every care in my power, that the persons of British subjects (be their
crime what it might) did not fall into the hands of the Chinese Government ;
and it was further incumbent upon me to protect the property of British
subjects, guiltless of those illegal practices which had induced the stoppage of
the trade, from inconvenience of any description. I was also mainly influenced
in this respect, by the desire to establish the general principle, that measures of
an urgent nature affecting Her Majesty's subjects, needed the admission of Her
Majesty's officers.
The opening of this official communication, forwarded to me by the Foo
and Hee, needs a few words of comment. These officers, it will be observed,
command me to heed the Governor's edict ; and I have enough of experience
ot the temper of this Government to know, that if I had returned it upon that
329
pretext, I should have driven them into one of those impracticable moods of
offended dignity, the sure fruit of which would have been the contumelious
refusal of all official communication, and an obstinate adherence to their own
policy of working out their ends by measures of general pressure upon the
whole trade.
I preferred, therefore, to pass it without notice for the present, determining,
on the first occasion that the Governor desired to communicate with me on any
important subject in the only way by which he knows such communications
can reach me, to send a brief note before hand to the officers, requesting them,
for the sake of precision, to signify that they are communicating his Excel
lency's pleasure, and not their own. I shall at the same time take occasion to
hint, that this course will obviate the disagreeable necessity which would other
wise devolve upon me, of returning the edict to his Excellency for correction,
pointing out the inaccuracy, and complaining of their own unreasonable
adherence to an arrogation of his Excellency's authority, rather than of simple
obedience to his commands. With the essential point in my hand, I felt that
it would be unwise to risk its complete accomplishment by difficulties upon
what I am well aware are the mere tricks of wordy assumption, so characteristic
of Chinese negociation, and which I can set to rights without hazard on some
future and more favourable occasion.
Neither did I object to receive the Governor's assent to the principle, that
all communications of importance must be forwarded through the officers, in
an answer addressed to the Senior Hong Merchant ; because I sincerely felt
that his Excellency had made as much of substantial concession for the present,
as a functionary in his station could venture upon, without the express orders
of his Court. And after what had been gained, I perceived how necessary it
was to refrain from exciting the ready feeling, that to grant anything, is only to
feed the spirit of demand.
I hope, my Lord, that this attainment of direct official communication
between the two countries will, on the whole, be satisfactory to Her Majesty's
Government. It is the first permanent intercourse of the kind which has ever
existed between this ancient Empire and the Western world ; and with the rule
plainly admitted, and the countenance of Her Majesty's Government, prudent
and watchful officers will, I trust, find it less perplexing to improve and extend
the manner, than it has been to establish it.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLTOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 137.
Mr. James lnnes to E. Elmslie, Esq., Secretary to Her Majesty's Superintendents.
Sir, Canton, December 7, 1839.
I HAND you in an attested copy of the protest against the Co- Hong, I
verified before you an oath last night, and its attendant list.
I beg that you will place both in the possession of Her Majesty's Chief
Superintendent at Macao, in case of the parties, whose property is in peril, being
disposed to look for redress through the intervention of the British Government.
I served on Howqua's confidential purser with my own hand, last night, the
principal documents of which inclosed is a true copy; and a Chinese translation
of the protest, made out by Mr. Morrison, accompanied the other papers.
I beg the favor you will acknowledge receipt, and I remain, &c,
(Signed) JAMES INNES.
Inclosure 2 in No. 137.
PROTEST.
Canton, December 6, 1838.
KNOW all men, by these presents, and more particularly do you, Howqua,
Mowqua, &c, called the Co-Hong, understand, that you, having threatened to
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330
break down and unroof the house T dwell in, one Creek factory; be it known to
you, that the goods, per list and valuation attached, are the property of the
parties therein named ; and should you, hy breaking down my factory where
they are deposited, lead to loss, robbery, or destruction of the property, I, on
the part of the owners, hold you liable, jointly and severally, for the value as
stated in the list sent The sum at peril is, sterling pounds, 23,370/. 13s. 9d.,
equivalent to Spanish dollars, 101,981.
J furnish a copy of the list, valuation, and of this protest to Her Majesty's
Superintendent at Macao, for the information of the British Government.
, A true copy, served in Chinese and English on Howqua.
(Signed) JAMES INNES.
James Innes makes oath and declares the annexed to be a true and correct
list of goods in his custody, as mentioned in the above protest.
(Signed) JAMES INNES.
Before me, this sixth day of December, 1838, at Canton, in China.
(Signed) EDWARD ELMSL1E,
Secretary and Treasurer to the Superintendents.
[Here follows the list of goods.]
Inclosure 3 in No. 137.
Captain Elliot to Mr. James Innes.
Her Majesty's Cutter Louisa,
At anchor in Whampoa Reach,
Sir, December 11, 1838.
YOUR protest against the steps lately menaced in your respect by the Hong
merchants, has been duly submitted to me ; and I need hardly observe, that
Her Majesty's Government would, of course, hold the Government of this
Empire responsible for any violence committed on your person or property,
except such as should be lawfully ordered by the proper authorities of this
province, upon clear proof of the allegations against you.
In connexion with this part of the subject, 1 seize this occasion to express
my sincerest gratification that these rash threats were met by the general body
of the foreign community with becoming firmness, and yet calmly and
judiciously. Neither can I withhold a tribute of respect towards the unfortu
nate and goaded Hong merchants, for their early return within the influence of
a better spirit. Turning now to other points, I consider myself called upon,
after the most attentive reflection, to counsel and enjoin you forthwith to place
yourself in communication, either with the Governor directly, or with the Co-
Hong, for his Excellency's information, as you may judge best, setting forth
your request that all immediate proceedings, on account of this matter, against
all parties whatever, should be stayed; and expressing your readiness to conform
to any decision which the officers of your nation may take, after full examina
tion of the charges against you.
And I now formally and unreservedly hold myself responsible, as Her
Majesty's officer, for all loss or detriment which may be occasioned by the effect
of any unsustainable decision of mine, either upon your own interests or
property, or upon those of any other parties intrusted to your management.
I entertain a persuasion that you will not need any assurance of the perfect
sincerity of my dispositions to end this matter in a manner which may be most
conducive to your well understood interests; and above all, to what you will
consider to be of paramount importance ; namely, to your continued fair
standing in the estimation of that class of people to which you belong by birth,
and feeling, and education.
I am almost in the certainty, and I do not speak lightly, that the protrac
tion of the present state of things will be attended with very disastrous
consequences, for which no triumph or no advantages of any nature could ever
compensate you ; but which, at the same time, I feel bound to record my
deliberate conviction would be morally chargeable upon you, if you persist in
rejecting all reasonable modes of ending the actual condition of difficulty.
331
I do conjure you, Sir, iD anxious terms, timely and wisely to withdraw
yourself from a very unsuitable position. And I perceive no more becoming
mode of effecting that object, than the one which I have now submitted to you.
It makes the case, to all intents and purposes, the case of Her Majesty's
Government ; and if wrong be done, either by the provincial authorities, or by
myself, effectual means of redressing it will always remain to be used.
I have, &c, !
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 4 in No. 137.
Mr. James Innes to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Canton, December 12, 1838.
I THIS forenoon had the honour to receive your letter of the 1 1 th of
December, 1838.
I shall take into consideration the purport of your communication, and,
on advising with my friends, let you know my resolution.
I have, &c,
(Signed) JAMES INNES.
Inclosure 5 in No. 137.
Mr. James Innes to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Canton, December 13, 1838.
I HAVE been duly honoured with your letter of the llih instant (as
acknowledged yesterday by me) and I feel particularly obliged by your consi
deration for me and my interests ; yet, all things considered, I do not feel
myself in a position to avail of your proffered services, not doubting you will be
too happy to be freed from the trouble, provided matters are arranged so that
the Coolies are safe and free from torture, and the trade no longer obstructed on
my account. I have, &c,
(Signed) JAMES INNES.
Inclosure 6 in No. 137.
Captain Elliot to Mr. James Innes.
Sir, Canton, December 13, 1838.
I HAVE to acknowledge your letter of this day's date.
It would certainly be more agreeable to me not to interpose at all on this
occasion, supposing (I use the freedom to avail myself of your own language,
for the &ake of clear mutual understanding) that the Coolies are safe and free
from torture, and that the trade is no longer obstructed on your account.
A direct application from the Provincial Government upon the subject,
would necessarily change my position in this respect.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 7 in No. 137.
Observations made by Captain Elliot at a General Meeting of all Foreign
Residents at Canton, assembled in the British Hall.
Canton, December 17, 1838.
CAPTAIN ELLIOT observed that the events of last week must have
necessarily engaged the anxious consideration of the whole foreign commu
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332
nity in China, and he might therefore wave any forms of excuse for trespassing
upon their attention. To the other foreigners, who had done him the honour
to attend the meeting, he had, in the first place, to return his sincere and
respectful thanks for the countenance they had afforded his own countrymen in
the firm and judicious resistance which had been made to the menaced destruc
tion of Mr. Innes's house ; and he begged the whole meeting to assure them
selves that he regarded the outrage upon their feelings, by the attempted execu
tion of a criminal before their doors, with the same feelings of indignation by
which they had been excited.
Seeking, however, for the immediate source of this critical interruption of
the usual course of events, he felt bound to say that he found it in the existence
of an extensive traffic in opium, conducted in small boats upon the river. The
present results of that traffic should be shortly stated and considered ; the actual
interruption of the legal trade ; the seizure and imminent jeopardy of innocent
men ; the daily exposure of every native connected with the foreigners to
similar disastrous consequences ; the life and property of the whole foreign
community at the mercy of an immense mob for the space of at least two
hours ; the distressing degradation of the foreign character ; the painful fact that
such courses exposed us more and more to the just indignation of this Govern
ment and people, and diminished the sympathies of our own : of its futurity it
might be safely predicted that it would fall into the hands of the reckless, the
refuse, and probably the convicted, of all the countries in our neighbourhood.
Attentively considering these and other points, Captain Elliot felt that it
became him to explain the course which it was his purpose to pursue, with the
view to the re -establishment of a safer and more creditable condition of circum
stances. He should forthwith serve a notice upon the boats in the river, to the
effect, that if they were British owned, and were either actually or occasionally
engaged in the traffic, they must proceed outside within three days, and cease to
return with any similar pursuits ; that failing their conformity with these
injunctions, he should place himself in communication with the Provincial
Government, and frankly and fully express the views of his own upon the neces
sary, and perfectly admissible treatment of so serious an evil. He could not,
however, help indulging the hope that the general reprobation of the whole com
munity would have the effect of relieving him from the performance of a duty
on many accounts extremely painful to him. And Captain Elliot concluded by
anxiously conjuring the community to lend him their hearty support and co-ope
ration on the present occasion. To the other foreigners present, he would use
the freedom to observe, that he was the only agent in this country whose
pursuits were unmixedly public ; and so long as he was advocating the prin
ciples of truth and justice in our relations with this Government and people, he
might take the liberty to say that he was, in some sense, the representative of
their honoured countries as well as of his own.
(Signed) EDWARD ELMSLIE,
Secretary and Treasurer.
Inclosure 8 in No. 137.
Public Notice to Her Majesty's Subjects.
I, CHARLES ELLIOT, Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British
Subjects in China, moved by urgent considerations immediately affecting the
safety of the lives and properties of all Her Majesty's subjects engaged in the
trade at Canton, do hereby formally give notice and require, that all British
owned schooners, cutters, and otherwise rigged small craft, either habitually or
occasionally engaged in the illicit opium traffic within the Bocca Tigris, should
proceed forth of the same within the space of three days from the date of these
presents, and not return within the said Bocca Tigris, being engaged in the said
illicit opium traffic
And I, the said Chief Superintendent, do further give notice and warn all
Her Majesty's subjects engaged in the aforesaid illicit opium traffic, within the
Bocca Tigris, in such schooners, cutters, or otherwise rigged small craft, that if
any native of the Chinese Empire shall come by his or her death, by any wound
feloniously inflicted by any British subject or subjects, any such British subject
or subjects, being duly convicted thereof, are liable to capital punishment, as if
333
• the crime had been committed within the jurisdiction of Her Majesty's Courts
at Westminster.
And I, the said Chief Superintendent, do further give notice and warn all
British subjects, being owners of such schooners, cutters, or otherwise rigged small
craft engaged in the said illicit opium traffic within the Bocca Tigris, that Her
Majesty's Government will in no way interpose if the Chinese Government shall
think fit to seize and confiscate the same.
And I, the said Chief Superintendent, do further give notice and warn all
British subjects employed in the said schooners, cutters, and otherwise rigged
small craft engaged in the illicit traffic in opium within the Bocca Tigris, that
the forcible resisting of the officers of the Chinese Government in the duty of
searching and seizing, is a lawless act, and that they are liable to consequences
and penalties in the same manner as if the aforesaid forcible resistance were
opposed to the officers of their own, or any other Government, in their own, or
in any foreign country.
Given under my hand and seal of office, at Canton, this eighteenth day of
December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-
eight.
(L.S.) (Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
; Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British
Subjects in China.
Inclosure 9 in No. 137.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, December 23, 1838.
THE Undersigned, &c, &c, deliberating on those serious risks to which
the lives and properties of many innocent men, both natives and foreigners, are
exposed, considers that it is his duty respectfully and plainly to lay his thoughts
before your Excellency.
Seeking for the immediate source of this dangerous state of things, he
finds it in the existence of an extensive opium traffic, conducted in small craft,
within the river.
From one condition of undisturbed lawlessness to another, and still more
hazardous, the course is sure and rapid.
Illegalities will be committed, and more frequently the difficulty of distin
guishing between the right and wrong, will daily become more difficult ; violent
affrays will be of constant recurrence ; life, and probably the life of innocent
men, will be sacrificed ; some general catastrophe will ensue ; and there will be
employment, profit, and impunity for none but the reckless and the culpable.
The Government of the British nation will regard these evil practices with
no feelings of leniency, but, on the contrary, with severity and continual
anxiety; in proof of this, the Undersigned has now to acquaint your Excellency
that he has already, on the 18th day of this month, formally required all boats
(owned by British subjects) engaged in this traffic, to leave the river within
three days.
He cannot faithfully declare that these injunctions have been fulfilled ; and
he has therefore now to request that your Excellency will signify your pleasure,
through the honourable officers, the Kwang Chow Foo and Kwang Hee, so that
all those concerned in these pursuits may know that he has received your
Excellency's authority for this notice.
The Undersigned is without doubt, that the continuance of this traffic in
the inner waters will involve the whole foreign community at Canton in some
disastrous difficulty; and his gracious Sovereign would not interpose for the
protection of their property, on the behalf of those British subjects who con .
tinue to practise these dangerous disorders, after your Excellency's public
warning shall be authentically made known to them through the officers of
their own nation.
It is further to be desired, that your Excellency would command the
honourable officers who may be employed on this occasion, to proceed to the
station of the boats with the Undersigned, in order that the peaceful and
well-disposed may not be involved in the same consequences as the perverse.
He can assure your Excellency that he has not requested that the communi
334
cations should be forwarded through the honourable officers from any vain or
idle pretensions on his own part, but only that he may be able to impress on
his own countrymen, in cases of emergency, that he is acting at your Excel
lency's requisition, that his representations may be more effectual, and that his
own Government may see he has had proper authority, as well as urgent occasion,
for his proceedings.
Neither does the Undersigned desire to trouble your Excellency upon
trifling affairs. So soon as the intercourse is renewed, all such matters can be
conducted between the official Hong merchants and himself, agreeably to your
Excellency's further arrangements.
Influenced by motives of solicitude for the character of his country, and
the general protection of the interests of a good trade, the Undersigned feels it
right to submit his own views to your Excellency of this moment ; and he has,
therefore, used the character "Pin" in this address; but he requests your
Excellency to signify, through the honourable officers, that it is a mode of
address used by native officers, even of the second rank, so that it may be seen
by the Government of his own country that he has acted upon admissible
principles.
He can assure your Excellency that there is no disposition to press incon
venient changes on the Government of the Empire, but only such modifications
as are needful for the conduct of authentic intercourse, so that peace and
honourable trade may always subsist.
The Undersigned, in conclusion, respectfully, but very earnestly, entreats
you Excellency tu pardon the two Coolies who were lately apprehended in the
act of landing opium belonging to Mr. Innes. Clear as it is from the declara
tion of that gentleman, that these poor men were ignorant of the contents of
the boxes, their present unhappy condition is a distressing reflection.
Your Excellency's clemency on this occasion would be grateful to the
Government of the British nation, and to the whole foreign community
in China.
The Undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to your Excel
lency the sentiments of his highest consideration.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 10 in No. 137.
The Prefect and Commandant of Canton, jointly, to Captain Elliot.
CHOO, the Prefect of Kwang-Chow-Foo, and Han, Commandant of the
same department, jointly issue commands to the English Superintendent,
Elliot.
On the 25th of December, 1838, they received from the Governor of
Kwangtung and Kwangse, Tang, the following official document : —
" I received, on the 23rd of December, the subjoined address, from the
English Superintendent Elliot.
[The address of December 23 (Tnclosure 9) is here inserted.]
" Upon receipt hereof, the document being authenticated, I have given it
due consideration.
" The said Superintendent came, I find, to Canton, in obedience to com
mands received from his Sovereign, to exercise controul over the merchants and
seamen ; to repress the depraved, and to extirpate evils. Having such
commands given to him, he must needs also have powers. It is very inexplicable,
then, that these boats having, in violation of the laws, entered the river, he
should now find it difficult to send them out again, owing to his not having the
confidence in all.
" But seeing that he has now addressed me as above, and that in his
address he has plainly stated, that the Government of the British nation will
regard these evil practices with no feelings of leniency, but, on the contrary,
with severity and continual anxiety: seeing this, it is clear that he yet has a
distinct understanding of his duty as a represser of the evil and protector of the
good. Nor has he sought to excuse the difficulty he has met with by pleading
335
inability. It is not, then, befitting in me to adhere obstinately to the letter of
the law, and so isolate him from the object for which he has come hither.
"The request is therefore granted; and the Prefect and Commandant of
Kwang Chow, shall be directed, in the adoption of modified measures suited to
the occasion, to give you sealed commands, so that you may have authority tor
proceeding in obedieuce thereto. But hereafter, in any affairs wherein you are
concerned, commands shall continue to be received through the medium of the
Senior Houg merchants. The present measure must not be drawn forward as a
precedent.
"The Superintendent aforesaid must faithfully order away every one of
the said boats, and must never permit them to return. Should any dare
perversely to disobey or make sport of his commands, he is authorized instantly
to represent the case, that proceedings may be thereon taken.
"I, the Governor, having under my sway the whole land of Yue, and
having on occasions to make most vigorous exercise of power, it may well be
conceived that these boats trouble me not one iota.
" As soon as these boats shall have sailed, the merchant ships may at once
have their trade re-opened as usual. There has been no intention to cause any
protracted stoppage of it : and there is therefore no ground for anxiety on
that point.
" With reference to documents presented by foreign countries to officers
of the Celestial Empire, on any affairs, all others are required to use the term
Pin. This is one of the fixed statutes regarding intercourse between the
central and foreign nations, and a rule, therefore, which it is in an especial
degree impossible to overleap. The Superintendent aforesaid not being a blind
and unenlightened man, how can he plead ignorance of this? Besides, the
Sovereigu of his nation has ever been reverentially compliant. And if you, a
subject and servant of that Sovereign, show that you indeed estimate the
sentiments felt, and carefully and diligently fulfil your duties conformably to
them, you will receive a high meed of praise. How can your well-doing be
found fault with as being wrong? On this point also the said Superintendent
need give himself no anxiety.
"As to the two offenders, Lew Aying, and his fellow, they are natives of
the land, and it having been clearly proved and recorded that they, in com
pliance with Innes's desire, took a letter and received opium, they have been
sent for final trial to the Commissioner of Justice. The care and intelligence
exercised by the Celestial Empire, in the infliction of punishments, insure a
correct judgment in regard to their offence, so that they may neither suffer
oppression nor obtain impunity. It is not necessary, therefore, to beg any
favour for them.
" Besides requiring the senior Hong merchants, Howqua, &c, to proceed
in the first place, to enjoin on the said Superintendent these commands, that he
may know them, I also issue these instructions to the Prefect of the Depart
ment, that he may forthwith proceed, in concert with the Commandant of the
same Department, to give sealed commands, directing the said Superintendent
Elliot to act in obedience hereto. He must direct that the foreign boats of all
nations, every one of them, leave the river within three days, and he must not
allow them to linger thereafter for a single instant. Should any offer resistance,
he must, on the one hand, expel them with severity, and, on the other hand,
make representation, that measures may be taken in consequence. Let him also
be directed, for the future, to give pressirg attention to the duty of restraining
the foreigners of every nation, and of preventing boats and ships from bringing
opium, or other prohibited commodities, into the river. The small boats for
the conveyance of letters, when entering and going out, must also conform to
the established rules, by stopping to be examined at the Custom-House stations
which they pass. He must not suffer them to resist this regulation, lest they
be expelled altogether. Be earnest and speedy ! earnest and speedy !"
The Prefect and Commandant, having received this document, proceed to
give commands, which, when the said Superintendent Elliot receives, he must
forthwith conform to. He must direct that the foreign boats of all nations,
every one of them, leave the river within three days ; and he must not allow
them to linger thereafter for a single instant. Should any offer resistance, he
must, on the one hand, expel them with severity, and on the other hand, make
representation, that measures may be taken in consequence. He must also, for
336
the future, give pressing attention to the duty of restraining the foreigners of
every nation, and of preventing boats and ships from bringing opium, or other
prohibited commodities, into the river. The small boats for the conveyance of
letters, when entering and going out, must also conform to the established
rules, by stopping to be examined at the Custom-house stations which they
pass. None must resist this regulation, lest they be expelled altogether.
Oppose not these my commands.
Taoukwang, 18th year, 11th month, 10th day (26th December, 1838.)
(L.S.) of the Kwang-Chow-Foo.
(L.S.) of the Kwang-Chow-Hee.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 11 in No. 137.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, December 28, 1838.
ELLIOT, the English Superintendent, has the honour to address His
Excellency the Governor, &c, and to offer his thanks for the communication of
the 26th instant through the honourable officers, the Foo and Hee.
By these means he will be enabled to obtain the confidence of all in his
authority for acting; to put into effect your Excellency's great and wise desire
to remove the evil and quiet the well-disposed ; and to bring to an end all those
irregularities (so far as his own countrymen are concerned) which have
disturbed the tranquil state of trade and the conduct of affairs.
It remains for him, however, to draw two or three points under your
Excellency's further consideration.
The grounds whereon the Undersigned has ventured to use the word "Pin"
on his addresses are these alone : —that by the rules of the Celestial Empire, all
subordinate officers make use of the word in their addresses to superior
officers, and that it is reasonable that he should conform to such usage.
With reference to your Excellency's direction, that hereafter, in any affairs
wherein he is concerned, commands shall continue to be received through the
medium of the senior Hong merchants, it would be his duty at once to conform
to this, were he not apprehensive that there may be affairs of importance, on
which he must continue to request instructions in reply to his addresses,
through the medium of the honourable officers. The Undersigned, looking not
merely to the passing moment, but anxiously seeking to set matters on a stable
and permanent footing, feels it for this reason necessary to renew this request,
in regard to matters of importance, seeing that such a mode of communication
must be essential to his being placed in a position to act.
To this end he has again troubled your Excellency, &c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 12 in No. 137.
The Governor of Canton to Captain Elliot.
TANG, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, &c, commands the
Hong merchants, Howqua, Mowqua, and Pankequa, to make themselves fully
acquainted with the contents hereof.
On the 28th of December, 1838, the English Superintendent, Elliot, laid
before me the subjoined address.
[The address of December 28 (Inclosure 11) is here inserted.]
This address appearing before me, and being authenticated, I have given it
due consideration.
The Superintendent aforesaid had already, on a recent occasion, addressed
me in reference to the boats delaying to leave the river, and the difficulty he
337
found in requiring their departure, and had solicited commands through the
Prefect and Commandant, in order that he might have authority for his pro
ceedings. I, the Governor, seeing that his request was dictated by a desire to
remove the bad and protect the well-disposed, did therefore break through the
rules, and assent to what he solicited.
With reference to the matter of his present address, as above stated, when
hereafter there shall be any really important matter, wherein it may be requisite
for the said Superintendent to act in concert, it will of course be fitting to
make an arrangement requiring the Prefect and Commandant aforesaid to give
him directions. For such matters as are of an ordinary nature, the old regu
lations still subsist, and, in conformity with them, commands must still be
received through the medium of the senior Hong merchants. The Super
intendent aforesaid must not indeed, in opposition to these regulations, make
any idle requests. I, the Governor, being intrusted with the scales of Govern
ment, can by no means make the established ordinances of the Celestial Empire
adapt themselves to the requests of men.
With reference to the boats aforesaid, which have so trifled with the laws
as still to protract their stay, the Superintendent has not, in his address, stated
what measures he has, in accordance with my commands, adopted for their
expulsion, or whether they have yet sailed or not.
I proceed to issue these commands to the senior Hong merchants aforesaid,
requiring them immediately to make faithful inquiry on this point, and to report
the result, that I may determine accordingly. At the same time, let them
enjoin my commands on the said Superintendent, for his information. Oppose
not these my commands.
Taoukwang, 18th year, 11th month, 13th day (29th December, 1838.)
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 1 3 in No. 137.
Official Notice to Her Majesty's Subjects.
Circular. Canton, January I, 1839.
THE Chief Superintendent has to announce, that the senior Hong mer
chant has reported the commands of the Government to re-open the trade.
By order of the Chief Superintendent,
(Signed) EDWARD ELMSLIE,
Secretary and Treasurer to the Superintendents.
Inclosure 14 in No. 137.
Official Notice to Her Majesty's Subjects.
Canton, December 31, 1838.
THE Provincial Government having consented to communicate direct
with the Chief Superintendent on all important business, under the seals of the
Kwang-Chow-Foo and Kwang Hee, he has the honour to announce to Her
Majesty's subjects, that the public intercourse is renewed. And as there
appears to have been some misunderstanding with respect to the manner in
which his own addresses reach the Governor, he has to observe, that it had
already been formally conceded that his seals should always be broken by his
Excellency himself.
The paper marked No. 1 , is the copy of that part of the Chief Superinten
dent's late correspondence with the Governor, relating to the traffic in opium
conducted in small boats within the river. No. 2 is his Excellency's reply to
those observations.
2 X
- ' Her Majesty's subjects will perceive, that the motives and reasons which
had led the Chief Superintendent so urgently to enjoin the immediate cessation
of this state of things, are identical with those which form the ground of his
address to the Governor.
After the most deliberate reconsideration of this course of traffic (which
he heartily hopes has ceased for ever) the Chief Superintendent will once more
declare his own opinion, that in its general effects, it was intensely mischievous
to every branch of the trade ; that it was rapidly staining the British character
with deep disgrace; and, finally, that it exposed the vast public and private
interests involved in the peaceful maintenance of our regular commercial
intercourse with this empire, to imminent jeopardy.
Thus profoundly impressed (and after the failure of his own public entrea
ties and injunctions), the Chief Superintendent feels that he would have
betrayed his duty to his gracious Sovereign and his country, if he had hesitated
beyond the period he had formally fixed, effectually to separate Her Majesty's
Government from any direct or implied countenance of this dangerous irregu
larity. Looking steadily at its effects on British interests and British character,
he had further resolved to shrink from no responsibility in drawing it to a
conclusion; and he will as firmly use all lawful means in his power to prevent
its recurrence. It is a source of great support to him, that the general body of
the whole community, settled at Canton, strongly concur with him in the depre
cation of this peculiar mischief ; and he has not failed to afford Her Majesty's
Government the satisfaction of knowing that such is the case.
He takes this occasion to republish that part of the Act of Parliament and
the Orders in Council, upon which his instructions are founded. And whilst he
would respectfully observe, that it is out of his power to publish his instructions,
it is at the same time his duty to promulgate (as he has always done, and
always will) whatever it may concern the interests of Her Majesty's subjects
should be generally known.
In declaring, therefore, that Her Majesty's Government will give no
countenance whatever to proceedings of the kind which he has now been
noticing, he requests it may be plainly understood, that he is conveying the
unequivocal sentiments of his instructions. Events, over which he had no
controul, have cast on this occasion a difficult task on the Chief Superintendent ;
and devoting the most attentive consideration in his power to its suitable
performance, he can only aver that he has meant to do no more than his duty,
but certainly no less.
In the execution of such an office as his own, however, when decisions
must almost always be taken in moments of crisis, surrounded by embarrassing
circumstances, the possibility that illegalities may be committed (with the
sincerest intentions to avoid them) is not to be denied. It is only just, there
fore, to remind Her Majesty's subjects, that the 9th Clause of the Act of
Parliament has provided the manner of pursuing their legal remedy. His
official responsibility can always be fixed upon him by representation to the
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to whom it is the Chief Superintendent's
duty to transmit all complaints or appeals against himself.
By order of the Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British Subjects in
China.
(Signed) EDWARD ELMSLIE,
Secretary and Treasurer to the Superintendents.
No. 138.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received May 13, 1839.)
My Lord, Canton, January 2, 1839.
ON the occasion of transmitting these despatches I venture to address your
Lordship a few words in a private shape. I would, with great deference, take
the liberty to observe, that when I assumed this office recent Imperial commands
weie in existence (specially pointed at the British nation) to the effect that no
foreign officers should reside in this Empire. That chief obstacle lias been
removed ; and if what has since been accomplished seems for the present to carry
no considerable change in point of form, it nevertheless involves a principle of
great and comprehensive importance, namely, a permanent and direct official in
tercourse between the two countries. I shall offer no further excuse for the
moderate manner in which I have been content in the present emergency to
accept this concession, because I am sure your Lordship will make every allow
ance for the difficulty of peacefully extracting any formal relaxation from this
watchful government ; above all, relaxation upon the subject of constant official
relations with foreign Powers, which it has hitherto been the especial spirit of
Chinese policy to avoid.
These observations, my Lord, may perhaps serve to excuse the respectful
request I have now the honour to prefer. I humbly hope that Her Majesty's
Government (taking into its consideration the novel, responsible, and undefined
station I fill, and casting a thought upon the many embarrassing circumstances
which have beset me) would be pleased to determine whether 1 have a claim to
such an expression of support, as I may be permitted to publish to the Queen's
subjects in this empire.
There is certainly a spirit in active force amongst British subjects in this
country, which makes it necessary, for the safety of momentous concernments,
that the officer on the spot should be known to stand without blame in the
estimation of Her Majesty's Government ; and it is not less needful that he should
be forthwith vested with defined and adequate powers for the reasonable controul
of men whose rash conduct cannot be left to the operation of Chinese laws,
without the utmost inconvenience and risk, and whose impunity is alike injurious
to British character and dangerous to British interests.
It is my deliberate conviction, that the security of the China trade, and the
maintenance of our peaceful intercourse with this empire, depend upon the early
attention of Her Majesty's Government to this subject; and I take this occasion
to repeat, that the assent of the Chinese Government to institutions of this kind
is beyond all doubt; indeed, your Lordship will perceive from the Governor's
answer to my note of the 23rd ultimo, that he supposes they either actually are
in existence, or, at all events, that they ought to be.
It may be thought that it would be easy to place this point beyond dispute,
by addressing his Excellency specially upon the subject; but I take the liberty to
observe, that in the absence of the necessary machinery, that course would be
injudicious, for the Governor would immediately suspect that something more
was intended than the mere permission to exercise functions which it will be
difficult enough to make him understand need the sanction of any other
Government than our own.
Your Lordship may be assured that the theory is, even when they demand
a man in the case of a homicide, that we have already tried and convicted him
according to the forms of our own laws. I hope it will not be thought intrusive
if I mention that I have recently had a conversation with Howqua upon this
point, on which occasion I explained as carefully as I could, your Lordship's
reasoning in the debate in the House of Commons on the China Courts Bill.
He concurred in every word that was said, and particularly in the inexpediency
2X2
340
of drawing the subject under the attention of this Government, till all things
were ready to go into operation. It was a source of the greatest surprise
to him that the Bill had been mainly arrested in its progress by Sir George
Staunton's objections ; and I found it hopeless to make him admit that he
understood the objects of Sir George's amendment. He referred me with
earnestness to the requests which had been made before the Company's mono-
ly was abolished, to make provision for the government of Her Majesty's subjects ;
and he desired to know what more was wanted, and how it was possible to
preserve the peace, if all the English people who came to this country were
to be left without controul? He further entreated me to remind "my nation's
great ministers," that this Government never interposed, except in cases of
extreme urgency, upon the principle that they were ignorant of our laws and
customs, and that it was unjust to subject us to rule made for people of totally
different habits, and brought up under a totally different discipline. I must
confess, my Lord, that this reasoning appears to me to be marked by wisdom
and great moderation, and at all events, convinced as I am that the necessity of
controul, cither by British or Chinese law, is urgent, I would most respectfully
submit these views to the attentive consideration of Her Majesty's Government.
My own anxiety on this subject will be more explicable, when I inform your
. Lordship, that till I am differently instructed, 1 should hold it to be my duty to
resist to the last, the seizure and punishment of a British subject by the Chinese
laWj be his crime what it might ; and crimes of the gravest character have lately
been of every day probability.
In fact, my Lord, if Her Majesty's officer is to be of any use for the
purposes of just protection, if the well-founded hope of improving things
honourable and established is not to be sacrificed to the chances which may cast
up by goading this Government into some sudden and violent assertion of its
own authority, there is certainly no time to be lost in providing for the defined
and reasonable controul of Her Majesty's subjects in China.
I could not have concealed these opinions without betraying my duty to
Her Majesty's Government and the British public
I have &c
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 139.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received May 13, 1839.)
My Lord, Macao, January 8, 1839.
WITH reference to my Despatch of December 2 of last year, cover
ing a Memorial from certain British creditors on the Hong merchants (a
subject to which I have been prevented from returning at an earlier moment
by other pressing business), I now take the liberty to submit a few
remarks for your Lordship's consideration.
It will disquiet Her Majesty's Government and the British commercial
community connected with this country, to learn that the new assessments
for the adjustment of these claims, will burden the foreign commerce with
additional charges, probably not at all understated at a million of dollars
per annum. As yet, however, the whole extent of taxation on this vast
trade is comparatively considered moderate: but this practice of leaving
the recurring claims of foreign creditors to be met by reiterated and dis
proportionate duties (rated solely by the native debtors) on all the princi
pal articles of the legal trade, both outwards and in, certainly demands
the serious attention of Her Majesty's Government.
An open trade upon our side with such an association as the Co-Hong
on the other, must always be a very unfortunate state of things to our
selves. But at all events, even so long as that mischief subsists, 1 believe
that the interests of this trade would be protected by the concession of
what it is only a delusion, to call, the guarantee of this Government for the
341
payment of the Hong debts. In its practical application, that form of
words is nothing else than a device for saddling the foreign commerce with
all the heavy consequences of most imprudent trading on both sides, with
all the losses occasioned by incapacity or extravagance upon the part of
the Hong merchants ; and if I may be pardoned for using the significant
jargon of the place, with all the " squeezes " which the local Government
can upon any pretext fasten upon the Co-Hong. The Consoo fund in fact
is the fountain from which the multifarious channels of drain on the
foreign trade are directly supplied. And yet with the late assistance there
can be no doubt that it will leave a handsome annual surplus to be divided •.
amongst the Hong merchants after every foreign claim, every payment to
the Government, just or unjust, and every expense of their respective
trading establishments, are fully met.
The mode of remedy which has suggested itself to me, is a direct
application to the Court on the part of Her Majesty's Government. I
would submit that the altered state of circumstances on our side should
be plainly explained, and that a request should be made for the very con
siderable extension of the number of persons licensed to trade with us :
Her Majesty's Government upon its part consenting to give up all direct
claim upon the Chinese Government for the future payment of foreign
debts on a single condition, namely, that special orders should be issued
by the Emperor to the Authorities at Canton to apprehend and punish
any native debtors who attempted to defraud their foreign creditors.
A change of this nature would immediately induce a cautious ad
herence to safe principles of trade on both sides ; and hence that confi
dence arising from attentive observation of each other's means and pru
dence, which has been found to be the best support of commercial stability
in all parts of the world. It may be possible indeed that some few cases of
successful fraud might happen, but I perceive no reason to believe that
they would be more easy or frequent on the side of the Chinese, than our
own.
Indeed, the more natural and healthy consequence would be to adjust
the trade on either side into those convenient proportions, limited by men's
interested, and therefore acute judgment, of the extent to which it would
be prudent or profitable to do business with each other.
The establishment of some simple but efficacious civil jurisdiction
would no doubt be a necessary accompaniment of this change of system,
and your Lordship may, I think, rely that the Chinese would readily
refer all contested points with Her Majesty's subjects to this tribunal,
either placing the disputed sum in deposit, or at least giving security that
it should be paid, if the decision were adverse to them.
I offer these opinions, because I am sure the Chinese have great
confidence in the good faith of the Europeans, and because too I believe
they are, in many important respects, the most moderate and reasonable
people on the face of the earth. Seeking nothing but justice (and no
people are more capable of clear perceptions upon the reality of what
they receive under that name), I am persuaded that they will have the
good sense, for the sake of mutual convenience, to take it at our hands ;
regarding, indeed, the form under which it is administered to them, with
feelings of perfect indifference.
1 would, in conclusion, beg your Lordship to remark that these views
upon the extreme mischief of the actual mode of settling foreign claims
are neither novel, nor peculiar to myself. In the year 1779, when Captain
Panton, of the Sea Horse, came to China by the order of Sir Edward
Vernon, for the recovery of debts due to certain British creditors, I find
the supracargoes clearly predicting the institution of this Consoo tax,
and all the evil consequences, both immediate and prospective, which
must ensue.
" By such a mode," say they, " and we think by such a mode only,
an annual sum may be- funded to discharge so much of the present debt
as the Mandarins shall decree to be just."
When Captain Panton declined to correspond with them on the
subject, they protested against Sir Edward Vernon and himself for all
losses, &c &c, which his proceedings might occasion ; and the result of his
interference verified their worst apprehensions, for in the next year the
Consoo system was established to the great and lasting injury of this
trade.
Throughout the subsequent course of the Company's monopoly, their
servants here on the several occasions of embarrassment amongst the
Hong merchants, put forward the same just arguments, and Her Majesty's
Government will readily admit, that if the system were dangerous to the
interests of the East India Company, it must be intensely more so to
those of the general and open trade.
The Agents upon the spot will always and naturally be anxious to have
their immediate difficulties solved ; and the future consequences on our
permanent commercial interests in this empire are little likely to bear
down that consideration.
I shall transmit your Lordship an authentic statement of the new
assessments as soon as it can be procured ; and in the mean time, I once
more take the liberty to recommend this subject to the earnest attention
of Her Majesty's Government.
I have &.c
(Signed)' CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 140.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palnerston.—(Received May 18, 1839.)
My Lord, Macao, January 21, 1839.
THE departure of the ship William Jardine from these roads, affords
me a hurried opportunity to report the tranquil course of the trade since its
re-opening on the 31st ultimo.
In the mean time, however, there has been no relaxation of the vigour of
the Government, directed not only against the introduction of the opium, but
in a far more remarkable manner against the. consumers. A corresponding
degree of desperate adventure upon the part of the smugglers, is only a neces
sary consequence ; and in this situation of things, serious accidents, and
sudden and indefinite interruptions to the regular trade, must always be
probable events.
I return to Canton in a day or two, from this place, where I had lately
repaired for the purpose of making arrangements concerning the crew of a
shipwrecked vessel.
I avail myself of this occasion to acknowledge the receipt of your Lord
ship's despatches of the 2nd and 16th of June, 1838.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 141.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received May 31, 1839.)
My Lord, Canton, January 30, 1839.
IN the present sinister aspect of circumstances here, Her Majesty's
Government will no doubt desire to receive frequent information from Canton;
and 1 avail myself of the opportunity of a fast ship, to report the uninterrupted
course of the regular trade to this date, since its re-opening, announced in my
despatch of the 31st December of last year.
343
The stagnation of the opium traffic at all points, however, may be said to
have been nearly complete for the last four months. And it is now my duty to
signify to, your Lordship the expected arrival of a very high officer from the
Court, to hold equal rank with the Governor, and specially charged, as I am
this day informed by Howqua, with the general conduct of the measures lately
determined upon at Peking, for the suppression of the opium trade.
It must also be stated, that the Emperor has recently been advised to
command a total interruption of the foreign trade and intercourse, till the
introduction of opium shall be effectually stopped ; and an edict of great
moment, evidently founded upon that policy, has just been issued to the foreign
merchants, but not yet to myself. It shall be transmitted to your Lordship as
soon as Mr. Morrison has translated it; but it is probable the communication
will not be sent officially to me till the arrival of the High Commissioner from
Peking, which may be expected in the course of a few weeks.
There seems, my Lord, no longer any room to doubt that the Court has
firmly determined to suppress, or, more probably, most extensively to check the
opium trade. The immense, and it must be said, most unfortunate increase
of the supply during the last four years, the rapid growth of the East coast
trade, and the continued drain of the silver, have no doubt greatly alarmed the
Government ; but the manner of the rash course of traffic within the river,
has probably contributed most of all to impress the urgent necessity of
arresting the growing audacity of the foreign smugglers, and preventing their
associating themselves with the desperate and lawless of their own large cities.
In the excited temper of this extraordinary Government, it would be
unsafe indeed, to speculate upon the particular measures they may pursue: but,
at least, I am sure that my own altered position, and the course I took last
month, with respect to the forced trade within the river, will give much weight
to my remonstrances, in any moment of emergency.
Replying to Howqua's( suggestions to-day, that such proceedings must be
looked for, I said, I earnestly hoped not, because I was persuaded they would
be regarded by my own Government to be unjust and hostile in the very last
degree. I added, that I should be careful to clear myself of all responsibility,
by signifying these convictions to the Provincial Government, in respectful, but
most plain terms, directly that it adopted courses so certain, in my judgment, to
tend to an interruption of the peace between the two countries. He met this
observation by saying, that I had experience enough of the Chinese Government
to know that full time would be given before such extreme measures were
adopted. I answered, that the lapse of no interval of time could justify
aggression upon public and private interests embarked in this lawful trade, by
reason of the acts of smugglers, in a high degree encouraged by the chief
authorities of these provinces.
He dwelt earnestly upon the manifold mischiefs of the trade, and parti
cularly upon the alarming character of the late inside traffic, asking me what
my Government would do under such circumstances? I said, that no such
state of things could obtain in England, and he must give me leave to remark
three things concerning that part of the subject: — 1st. that it no longer
subsisted; 2nd. that it had been induced by the venality of the highest officers
of this province ; 3rd. that it had been put down by the effect of my repre
sentations and proceedings, as soon as ever I was in a condition to take steps
concerning it.
Whilst such a traffic existed, indeed, in the heart of our regular commerce,
I had all along felt the Chinese Government had a just ground for harsh mea
sures towards the lawful trade, upon the plea that there was no distinguishing
between the right and the wrong. But I told Howqua, that should never
happen again so long as the Governor enabled me to perform my duty ; and it
could not have happened at all, but for his Excellency's countenance.
I concluded by saying, that I had too much confidence in the justice and
wisdom of his Government, to apprehend such measures as he appeared to do,
and too much experience of the genius of my own, to doubt that their adoption
would be the sure precursor of a rupture.
He anxiously entreated me to press, in my despatches to my Government,
on the great and growing danger of this traffic to the lawful trade and peaceful
intercourse ; and he led me to understand, that some strong official communi
344
cation on the subject must be expected as soon as the High Commissioner
arrived. ' '■
The immediate departure of this ship will be my excuse for a hurried
despatch.
I h&vc &c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 142.
Viscount Palmerston to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Foreign Office, June 13, 1839.
YOUR despatches to the 31st of December of last year, and to the
30th of January of this year, have been received and laid before Her Majesty's
Government.
With reference to such of these despatches as detail the circumstances
which led to an interruption of the trade for a short period in December last,
and the steps which you took, in consequence, with a view to the re-opening
of the Trade, and to the re-establishment of your official communications with
the Chinese authorities, I have to signify to you the entire approbation of Her
Majesty's Government of your conduct on those matters. But I have at the
same time to instruct you not to omit to avail yourself of any proper oppor
tunity, to press for the substitution of a less objectionable character than the
character " Pin," on the superscription of the communications which you may
have occasion to address to the Viceroy.
I am, &c,
(Signed) PALMERSTON.
No. 143
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received June 26, 1839.)
My Lord, Canton, February 8, 1839.
THE inclosure is the Proclamation to foreigners, adverted to in my
despatch of January 30, 1839. A direct address to the foreigners, by the heads of
the Government, (instead of the Hong merchants, for communication to them,)
is certainly a remarkable and unusual, though not an unprecedented proceeding;
and it furnishes, no doubt, strong evidence of the earnest feelings of the court
upon the subject in hand.
It should also be stated, that the senior Hong merchants applied to one of
the editors of the Canton prints, for several hundred printed copies of the transla
tion which appeared in his paper, and sent one of each, under their own covers,
to the foreign firms. They further declared, that they pursued this perfectly
new course at the express command of the Governor.
The period of the Chinese new year has now arrived, when the public
offices are closed, and there are general holidays for a week or ten days.
But I have the satisfaction to inform your Lordship, that a large portion of
the trade of the season has already been completed since the reopening of
business, reported in my despatch of December 31, 1838 ; and before the arrival
of the High Commissioner from Peking, which is not looked for in less than
' three weeks, I should hope that the rest will have been dispatched.
345
The stagnation of the opium traffic still continues, and the consequent
locking up of the circulating medium is already producing great and general
embarrassment.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
j Inclosure in No. 143.
Proclamation of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Canton to the
Foreign Merchants.
TANG, Governor of Kwangtung and Kwangse, &c, and E, the Lieutenant-
Governor of Kwangtung, &c, conjointly issue these orders to the foreign
merchants of the several nations, for their full information.
It is well known that the Celestial Court, during the period of two hundred
years that it has granted to every nation the privilege of commercial intercourse,
has deeply imbued you with its rich benefits, yielding you excellent advantages
and without limit. Nor is it possible you can yourselves be ignorant, how
much your life or death is herein involved, seeing that the tea and the rhubarb
of this inner land are things absolutely necessary to you outer foreigners. Is it
not then manifest, that to the Celestial Empire no need existed for a commercial
intercourse ? while, to your several nations, could one day's cessation of such
intercourse be sustained ? Yet during tens of years past, you have inconside
rately regarded opium as the special means of gaining sure profits ; and have,
without interruption, continued to hring it hither, and to store it up in your
warehousing- vessels ; causing depraved Chinese to combine with you in
disposing of it, and creating a taste for it among the simple clownish folk, till
habitual use has rendered it a constant indulgence, spreading with a rank
growth along the borders of the coast, and so pervading every province.
Some, in their animadversions on these things, have supposed that your
object and desire, is to exhaust the resources of the central land, and to do hurt
to the lives of the Chinese people. Ha! it is forgotten that the Celestial
Empire bears in its womb each precious metal ; that its coppers are full to
overflowing ! How can they by such feeble means be ever emptied or ex
hausted? But be it, that in bringing with you hither this vile thing, you are
actuated solely by the desire of amassing gain, yet what feud have the people of
this land with you, that you should so be willing to do them mortal injury ?
Though even gain-seeking desires have cauterized your souls, so that you have
given them the rein, fearless and without restraint, yet should you know, that
things pushed to extremes must surely meet with a recoil. Thus, that the
Celestial Court should one day be roused to fierce indignation, and should, with
the utter extirpation of the ingrowing opium, strictly stay also the outgoing of
the tea and rhubarb ; such is what the laws must surely require ; what matters
cannot but eventually come to ; on no account should you close your eyes
to the anxious contemplation of such a contingency.
In times past, edict after edict has been directed against opium ; and We,
the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, have often reiterated our commands, ,
and our monitions, to a third, yea, even to a fifth time. But even to the last,
gain alone has been your aim, and our words have but filled your ears as the
empty wind.
When you would come to Canton to trade, you all assume to yourselves ;
the name of good foreigners. Could any then have conceived of the recent
entrance of boats with opium into the river, which has been discovered by
repeated seizures, exposing to view all your impish trickery ? Can you now yet
call yourselves good foreigners, or say that you are pursuing each an honest
calling ?
At this time, the Great Emperor, in his bitter detestation of the evil habit,
has his thoughts hourly bent on washing it clean away. In the capital, he has
commanded the ministers of his court to deliberate, and, with severity, to draw
up plans for procedure. In the provinces, he has commanded the administra
tors over his dominions, to enforce vigorously the penalties prescribed by the
2'Y
346
laws. His heaven-derived firmness will form its own resolves ; and what his
will determines, that surely shall be done.
We, the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, have already in respectful
obedience to the Imperial commands, strictly required of each naval fleet,
division, and squadron, to draw together their forces ; to complete their arma
ments ; and along the central, eastern, and western lines, severally, to array
themselves in close connexion, for the purpose of secure prevention, so that
they pursue and take every lawless boat engaging in the clandestine traffic, and
may drive forth all the foreign vessels cruising about. We have also given
instructions to each general and regimental division of the land force, that the
commanding officers should, at the head of all their subordinates, make search
after, and take possession of, every building for the preparation, or for the
smoking of opium ; as well as seize all criminal parties found selling or inhaling
the drug. Thus, having set in operation both the naval and the land forces,
and having inspired severity into all, from the head even to the tail, consecutive
reports of seizures have been the result, to the number of many hundreds.
Those reprobates, who, by the long habituation to the seeking of their purely
selfish ends, have acquired a conscience fearless of death, having been severally
subjected to a severe trial have been adjudged and punished. The plain
evidence hereof is to be found iu the cases of the afore executed criminals, Lew
Aying and Ho Laukin. Others have been variously subjected to correction.
And in consequence of such measures, the minds of all have been greatly
affected with a wholesome alarm : and those who have restrained themselvea
from smoking, and have delivered up their opium pipes, may now be num
bered by tens of thousands. Still more numerous too, are they, who, dreading
the laws, have, of their own act, cast away their opium, and the instruments
for smoking it; as also the depraved reprobates, who, with ruined fortunes, have
fled far away for safety. Such are the measures now in operation in Kwang-
tung, and such the existing visible effects on the popular mind. We have thus
carefully and minutely laid them open to you, that you may strive to reflect
thereon, that you may consider what a time is this ; and what sort of proceed
ings are these if they leave you any longer room for hope? or any further
prospect of aggression ? And if the very people of the land, when they offend,
are thus subjected to instant and severe punishment, shall you, giving your
selves up, with open eyes and daring presumption to follow the depraved
suggestions of your own minds, be yet made the recipients of a perverted and
partial forbearance and leniency ? Nay, but you shall surely receive in like
manner the corrective penalties of the law, and so be made to know the celestial
terrors. You have worked your vessels hither over a vasty deep, with no
other object than that of seeking a gain upon your outlay. Ah ! why will vou
for gain merely lose your own selves? And at this moment, when the people
have, as one man, abandoned the use of opium ; when even the traces of the
clandestine dealers arc ceasing to appear ; when the officers, having taken in
hand the stern enforcement of the laws, the people, too, in fear of penalties, pay
implicit obedience, not only in all avenues lor disposing of it entirely shut up,
but even the gain you seek for is no longer to be found. The people of China
have many of them lost their lives in consequence of this thing, and all now
regard it as an enemy most hateful ; they throw it away on every road, and
view it just as a filthy drug. In truth, then, what have you yet to hope for?
and can repentance still find no place within your hearts?
We proceed hereon to issue, with intense earnestness, our commands.
Upon their reaching the said foreign merchants, let these immediately wash out
their past defilements; and let them speedily send away to their countries one
and all of the warehousing vessels now anchored in the outer seas. Those
ships too, which, though they be not warehousing vessels, yet neither are they
laden with merchandize for importation, must not pass at random to and from
the various offings, anchoring wherever it may please them. It must be the
business of all, to rest in the pursuit of an honest commercial business, that all
may enjoy together happy gains, with peace and tranquillity. But if as. you
have begun so you continue obstinately blind, and do not awaken, still
retaining covetous and avaricious expectations, in that case you will be alien
ating yourselves from the nurture and protection of the laws. We, the
Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, will not then deem it worth our while to
bestow labour and toil, to be continually exercising measures for prevention,
347
discovery, and apprehension, but will simply have to lay before the throne our
requests, that the ports may be closed, and the trade brought forever to an end.
And when once the ports are thus closed, it will no longer be a question,
whether opium is brought or not, but even the tea and the rhubarb of the inner
land will be withheld from exportation. Thus are the lives of all you foreigners
held within our grasp.
It will be found that all the Sovereigns of the nations aforesaid, have been
habitually reverent and dutiful, and that their laws for the rule of the foreigners
are severe and rigorous. Should such an entire stoppage of the export of tea
and rhubarb take place, lead them to search back to find the cause, it is to be
apprehended that even though you slip through the meshes of the law of the
Celestial Empire, it will yet be hard for you to escape the laws of your own lands.
Besides all this, the Great Emperor has just now appointed a high officer as
his special Commissioner, to repair to Canton in order to examine and adopt
measures in reference to the affairs of the sea-ports. From morn to eve his
arrival may hourly be looked for. His purpose is to cut off utterly the source
of this noxious abuse, to strip bare and root up this enormous evil: and
though this axe should break in his hand, or the boat should sink from beneath
him, yet will he not stay his efforts till the work of purification be accomplished.
If then you will blindly rush upon sharp weapons, and will not be induced
to turn again your faces, you will bring on yourselves grief and sorrow,
exceeding in severity even what in this proclamation we have pointed out to
you. We, the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, are indeed roused by your
blind perversity and lack of intelligence to a sense of deep pain and abhorrence :
but, still cherishing thoughts and feelings of kindness, we cannot forbear from
warning you yet again with intense earnestness, and in our partiality calling
upon you to save yourselves.
Would that you might each regard and attend to us ! Oh ! lay not Up for
yourselves a store of after-repentance ! A Special Edict.
Taoukwang, 18th year, 12th moon, day. (January, 1839.)
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
* Y »
348
No. 144.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received August 5, 1839.)
My Lord, Macao, February 21, 1839.
WITH reference to my Despatches upon the subject of the bankrupt
Hongs, I have now the honour to transmit a statement of the additional
charges lately imposed upon the trade, with the alleged purpose of form
ing a fund to meet the foreign claims.
It has been a task of considerable difficulty, and of reference in many
quarters, to collect the data upon which this paper is founded. But I feel
warranted in assuring your Lordship, that its general accuracy may be
relied upon.
The Inclosure No. 2, exhibits the effects of such assessments upon
what may be taken to be a year of an average amount of foreign trade
with this empire.
The delusion of such a mode of adjusting foreign claims is so obvious,
and has so recently been drawn under your Lordship's notice, that it can
not be necessary to dwell upon the subject.
I ought to add, that instalments to the amount of about two lacs of
dollars have already been paid to the creditors of the Hingtae, and King-
qua's Hongs.
I have, &c,
(Signed; CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 144.
Charges on Exports and Imports in Foreign Vessels imposed at Canton
by the Co-Hong of Hong Merchants, for the alleged purposes of meet
ing the payment of the foreign debts of the Co-Hong, arising from the
bankruptcy of Hing-tae, and insolvency of Kingqua, and of defraying
in part the expenses of the respective Hongs, viz. 1838.
EXPORTS.
Taels. M. c. c.
Tea of all kinds - Rate per Pecul . 1 4 0 0
Sugar Candy n n 2
Soft Sugar - n n 1
Raw Silk, Nankin M 7 2
Do. Canton W 2 0
IMPORTS.
Raw Cotton - - Kate per Pecul 6
Cotton 7'wist - 1
Long Cloths, No. 2 per Piece 3
Do. No. 3 1 8
Cotton Cloth, Twilled 3 6
Broad Cloths - 7
Long Klls - » 9J 1
Tin, Banca — per Pecul 5
Lead - » i> 1
Quicksilver - It H 4
Iron - » n 1
Pepper - n m 2 8 8
Betel Nut - f* it 1 4 4
Rattans - — » » 1 4
Blackwood - n » 1 4
Sandal Wood - >» n 7 0
Elephant's Teeth w » 4 0
Do. small — ii » .'! 0
Shark's Fins - r> n 7 0
Fish Mawi - 1 0
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 2 in No. 144.
IMPORTS 1st July, 1836, to 30th June, 1837. Proposed additional Duty.
British Yarn ------ 18,431
American do. _____ 4,232
22,663 Pcculs at 3 doll, are - 67,989
Long Cloths, per British Ships - 140,989
„ per American do. - 106,462 200,000 at 25 cents. \,_
247,451 Pieces 47,451 at 50 cents. ) '
Long Ells, per British Ships - 89,124
„ per American do. - 34,472
123,596 Peculs at 50 cents. - - 61,798
Woollen Cloths, per British Ships 68,000
„ per American do. 13,860
81,860 Pieces at 1 doll. - - 81,860
Cotton, Peculs _____ 677,557 at 6 Mace are Taels 406.410.6 - 564,459
849,831
EXPORTS, 1st July, 1836, to 30th June, 1837.
Tea - -- -- -- - 425,641 at Taels 1.4 are Taels 595.897
Silk, Nankin - - - - - 14,172 at ,. 7. „ 99,204
Do. Canton ------ 6,635 at „ 2. „ 13,270
708,371 - 983,849
Dollars 1,833,680
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 145.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—[Received August 5, 1839.)
My Lord, Macao, March 22, 1839.
THE inclosure has this moment reached me from Canton, and I have only-
time to transmit it by the Viscount Melbourne, on the point of sailing.
It will be very satisfactory to your Lordship to know that Her Majesty's
sloop Larne is here ; and Her Majesty's Government may be assured, that
I will take the most prompt measures for meeting the unjust and menacing
dispositions of the High Commissioner and the Provincial Authorities.
I have already forwarded a note to the Keun-Min-Foo and the Governor of
Canton, desiring to know whether it is the purpose of the Chinese Government
to make war on the ships and men of my country ; and I shall proceed to
morrow to the Bocca Tigris to demand some plain and definite explanation upon
the whole subject.
I have no doubt, that a firm tone and attitude will check the rash spirit of
the Provincial Authorities ; but I should not omit to mention to your Lordship,
that I have, at the same time, offered to use my best efforts for fulfilling the
reasonable purposes of this Government, whenever they are authentically made
known to me.
The completion of the great portion of the trade of this year has relieved
me of a very embarrassing addition to the difficulties of my situation.
I have &c
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
350
Inclosure 1 in No. 145.
Edict from the Imperial Commissioner, addressed to Foreigners of all Nations.
LIN, High Imperial Commissioner of the Celestial Court, a Director of the
Board of War, and Governor of Hookwang, issues his commands to the
foreigners of every nation, requiring of all full acquaintance with the tenour
thereof.
It is known that the foreign vessels, which come for a reciprocal trade to
Kwangtung, have derived from that trade very large profits. This is evidenced
by the facts,—that, whereas the vessels, annually resorting hither, were for
merly reckoned hardly by tens, their number has of late years amounted to a
hundred and several times ten : and that whatever commodities they have
brought, none have failed to find a full consumption; whatever they may
have sought to purchase, never have they been unable readily to do so. Let
them but ask themselves, whether between heaven and earth, any place afford
ing so advantageous a commercial mart is elsewhere to be found? It is because
our Great Emperors, in their universal benevolence, have granted you commer
cial privileges, that you have been favoured with these advantages. Let our
ports once be closed against you, and for what profits can your several nations
any longer look ? Yet more,—our tea and our rhubarb—seeing that, should
you foreigners be deprived of them, you therein lose the means of preserving
life,—are without stint or grudge granted to you for exportation, year by year,
beyond the seas. Favours never have been greater !
Are you grateful for these favours ? You must then fear the laws, and in
seeking profit for yourselves, must not do hurt to others. "Why do you bring
to our land the opium, which in your lands is not made use of, by it
defrauding men of their property, and causing injury to their lives? I find
that with this thing you have seduced and deluded the people of China for tens
of years past : and countless are the unjust hoards that you have thus acquired.
Such conduct rouses indignation in every human heart, and it is utterly
inexcusable in the eye of celestial reason.
The prohibitions formerly enacted by the Celestial Court against opium,
were comparatively lax ; and it was yet possible to smuggle the drug into the
various ports. Of this the Great Emperor having now heard, his wrath has been
fearfully aroused, nor will it rest till the evil be utterly extirpated. Whoever
among the people of this inner land deals in opium, or establish houses for the
smoking of it, shall be instantly visited with the extreme penalties of the laws ;
and it is in contemplation to render capital also the crime of smoking the drug.
Having come into the territory of the Celestial Court, you should pay
obedience to its laws and statutes, equally with the natives of the land. I, the
High Commissioner, having my home in the maritime province of Fuhkeen,
and, consequently, having early had intimate acquaintance with all the arts and
shifts of the outer foreigners, for this reason have been honoured by the Great
Emperor with the full powers and privileges of a High Imperial Commis
sioner, who, having frequently performed meritorious services, is sent to settle
the affairs of the outer frontier."
Should I search closely into the offences of these foreigners, in forcing for
a number of years the sale of opium, they would be found already beyond the
bounds of indulgence. But, reflecting that they are men from distant lands, and
that they have not before been aware that the prohibition of opium is so severe,
I cannot bear, in the present plain enforcement of the laws and restrictions, to
cot them off without instructive monition.
I find that on board the warehousing vessels, which you now have lying at
anchor in the Lintin and other offings, there are stored up several times ten
thousand chests of opium, which it is your purpose and desire illicitly to dispose
of by sale. You do not consider, however, the present severity of the measures
in operation for seizure of it at the ports. Where will you again find any
that will dare to give it escort ? And similar measures for the seizure of it,
are in operation also in every proviuce. Where else then will you yet find
opportunity of disposing of it ? At the present time, the dealings in opium are
brought utterly to a stand, and all men are convinced that it is a nauseous
poison. Why will you be at the pains then of laying it up on board your
351
foreign store-ships, and of keeping them long anchored on the face of the open'
sea,—not only spending to no purpose your labour and your wealth, but exposed
also to unforeseen dangers from storms or from tire.
1 proceed to issue my commands. When these commands reach the said
foreign merchants, let them with all haste pay obedience thereto ; let them
deliver up to Government every particle of the opium on board their store-ships.
Let it be ascertained by the Hong merchants, who are the parties so delivering
it up, and what number of chests, as also what total quantity in catties and
taels, is delivered up under each name. Let these particulars be brought toge
ther in a clear tabular form, and be presented to Government, in order that the
opium may all be received in plain conformity thereto, that it may be burnt
and destroyed, and that thus the evil may be entirely extirpated. There must
not be the smallest atom concealed or withheld.
At the same time, let these foreigners give a bond, written jointly in the
foreign and Chinese languages, making a declaration to this effect: —"That
their vessels, which shall hereafter resort hither, will never again dare to bring
opium with them ; and that should any be brought, as soon as discovery shall
be made of it, the goods shall be forfeited to Government, and the parties shall
suffer the extreme penalties of the law: and that such punishment will be
willingly submitted to."
1 have heard that you foreigners are used to attach great importance to
the word " good faith." If then you will really do as I, the High Commisioner,
have commanded,—will deliver up every particle of the opium that is already
here, and will stay altogether its future introduction,—as this will prove also,
that you are capable of feeling contrition for your offences, and of entertaining
a salutary dread of punishment, the past may yet be left unnoticed. I, the
High Commissioner, will, in that case, in conjunction with the Governor and
Lieutenant-Governor, address the throne, imploring the Great Emperor to
vouchsafe extraordinary favour, and not alone to remit the punishment of your
past errors, but also, as we will further request, to devise some mode of bestowing
on you his imperial rewards, as an encouragement of the spirit of contrition and
wholesome dread thus manifested by you. After this, you will continue to
enjoy the advantages of commercial intercourse ; and, as you will not lose the
character of being " good foreigners," and will be enabled to acquire profits and
gain wealth by an honest trade, will you not, indeed, stand in a most honourable
position ?
If, however, you obstinately adhere to your folly, and refuse to awake ; if
you think to make up a tale covering over your illicit dealings, or to set up as a
pretext, that the opium is brought by foreign seamen, and the foreign merchants
have nothing to do with it ; or to pretend craftily that you will carry it back to
your countries, or will throw it into the sea ; or to take occasion to go to other
provinces in search of a door of consumption ; or to stifle inquiry by delivering
up only one or two-tenths of the whole quantity : in any of these cases, it will
he evident that you retain a spirit of contumacy and disobedience, that you
uphold vice and will not reform. Then, although it is the maxim of the
Celestial Court to treat with tenderness and great mildness men from afar, yet,
as it cannot suffer them to indulge in scornful and contemptuous trifling with
it, it will become requisite to comprehend you also in the severe course of
punishment prescribed by the new law.
On this occasion, 1, the High Commissioner, having come from the Capital,
have personally received the sacred commands, that wherever a law exists it is
to be fully enforced. And as I have brought these full powers and privileges,
enabling me to perform whatever seems to me right,—powers with which those
ordinarily given, for inquiring and acting in regard to other matters, are by no
means comparable,—so long as the opium traffic remains unexterminated, so
long will I delay my return. I swear that I will progress with this matter
from its beginning to its ending, and that not a thought of stopping half way
shall for a moment be indulged.
Furthermore, observing the present condition of the popular mind, I find
so universal a spirit of indignation aroused, that, should you foreigners remain
dead to a sense of contrition and amendment, and continue to make gain your
sole object, there will not only be arrayed against you the martial terrors and
poweriul energies of our naval and military forces ; it will be but necessary to
call on the able-bodied of the people, [the militia, or posse comitatus,] and
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these alone will be more than adequate to the placing all your lives within my
power. Besides, either by the temporary stoppage of your trade, or by the
permanent closing of the ports against you, what difficulty can there be in
effectually cutting off your intercourse? Our central empire, comprising a
territory of many thousands of miles, and possessing in rich abundance all the
products of the ground, has no benefit to derive from the purchase of your
foreign commodities ; and you may therefore well fear, that from the moment
such measures are taken, the livelihood of your several nations must come to
an end. You, who have travelled so far to conduct your commercial business,
how is it that you are not yet alive to the great difference between the
condition of vigorous exertion and that of easy repose,—the wide distance
between the power of the few, and the power of the many ? ■
As to those crafty foreigners, who, residing in the foreign factories, have
been in the habit of dealing in opium, I, the High Commissioner, have early been
provided with a list of them by name. At the same time, those good foreigners
who have not sold opium, must also not fail to be distinguished. Such of them
as will point out their depraved fellow-foreigners, will compel them to deliver
up their opium, and will step forth among the foremost to give the required
bonds, these shall be regarded as the good foreigners. And I, the High
Commissioner, will at once, for their encouragement, reward them liberaliy. It
rests with yourselves alone to choose, whether you will have weal or woe,
honour or disgrace.
I am now about to command the Hong merchants to proceed to your
factories, to instruct and admonish you. A term of three days is prescribed
for an address to be sent in reply to me. And, at the same time, let your duly
attested and faithful bonds be given, waiting for me, in conjunction with the
Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, to appoint a time for the opium to be
delivered up. Do not indulge in idle expectations, or seek to postpone
matters, deferring- to repent until its lateness render it ineffectual. A special
Edict.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd mouth, 4th day. (March 18, 1839.)
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 2 in No. 145.
Edict from the, Imperial Commissioner to the Hong Merchants.
LIN, High Imperial Commissioner, Director of the Board of War, and •
Governor of Hookwang, issues his commands to the Hong merchants,
requiring of them full acquaintance with the tenour thereof.
The commercial intercourse subsisting in Kwangtung between the
Chinese and foreigners has continued for a period of more than three
hundred years. What was there to render impossible a free commercial
interchange of goods between these parties themselves? Nothing. It
was then the desire of preventing an illicit intercourse, and of guarding
against contraband commodities, that rendered necessary the establishment
of a class of Hong merchants.
Respectfully searching, I find, under date the 2 1st year of Keaking
(1816), an Imperial Edict,—"rendering the Hong merchants responsible
for the ascertainment of the question, whether or not any foreign vessel
imports opium ; and, in case of her so doing, for the rejection of all her cargo,
for the refusal to let her trade, and for the driving of her back to her own
country." Respect and obedience being paid thereto, this Edict was duly
recorded. And I find, that on each occasion of a foreign vessel entering
the port, the said Hong merchants have always given bonds that she
brought no opium with Tier.
In consequence of such bonds, vessels have been allowed to enter the
port and break bulk ; nor has any vessel ever been sent back. And even
now, while the opium is pervading and filling, with its poisonous influence,
the whole empire, the said Hong merchants still continue indiscriminately
353
to give such bonds, declaring that the ships that resort hither have
brought none of it. Are they not indeed dreaming, and shoring in their
dreams ?
If they say, that the opium which they bring is discharged before
hand, and left on board the warehousing vessels at Lintin, and that the
bonds given, as to their bringing none, have reference to the vessels as
entering the port, what is this but to " shut the ears whilst the jingling
bell is being stolen," to provide for themselves a ground for excuse? The
feelings that prompt such conduct will still less bear scrutiny. It is as if
a man, to guard his house at night, should appoint a watchman, and that,
nevertheless, his property should be bundled up and carried away, while
yet the watchman should declare that there had been no thief. If this
would not be regarded as combination in the theft, as what then would it
be regarded?
Moreover, the foreign factories are built by the said Hong merchants,
angl by them are rented to the foreigners as residences ; the Hongmen
and all the working people in the factories are hired by the same mer
chants ; and the " Macheen," (or outside shopmen) are in their employ ;
the neighbouring Shroff shops, too, are those with which the Hong mer
chants nave dealings. Yet for more than ten years past, there has not
been a Shroff shop that has not given bills, nor a "Macheen " that has
not had transactions with the opium-preparers, nor a Hongman or other
workman that has not had connexions with the fast boats. There have
been, besides, the writers' houses, or brokers' shops, for preparing letters ;
and brokers for carrying the orders, would pass in and out of the foreign
residences, day and night, without ever being questioned by any one. The
Shroffs' and Hong merchants' coolies and carriers, of all grades, would in
the day time openly go into the factories, and would at night afford escort
down to the boats, i Can the Hong merchants aver 1 that they have heard
and seen nothing of all this ? Or, as they have agreed to conceal it, and
bring no part of it to light, will any one believe them, when they assert
that they have had no secret share in the matter ?
I have heard that formerly, when the foreigners came to the factories,
they would go in full dress, with swords by their sides, to wait upon the
several Hong merchants, and would often meet with a denial ; nor would
they be seen or have their visits returned, until after a second visit. But
of late years there have been those who will sue to the foreigners for
patronage, and will even pass beyond the Custom-Houses, or go to Macao
to meet them. And so far has this proceeded, that (a party in) the
Tungyu Hong gave a sedan chair to the Chief Supercargo, Baynes,
whereupon the same Chief Supercargo turned round, and would not
suffer the Hong merchants to enter his factory in chairs. Many have
been the instances of this misconduct subverting of what is right and
fitting. What sense of shame, indeed, does there yet remain ? Though it
be true that this has arisen from the conduct of probationary Hong
merchants, who have shown the example of such artful demeanor, and
that the original merchants, men of property and family, would never
have descended to this stage of degradation : yet all now are equally
involved in the stench of it, and truly I burn with shame for you.
With you there seems to be no other consideration than that of
growing rich, and being left to carry on your trade ; and you seem to
regard the mine of all your profits as lying in the attaching of foreigners
to you. You leave no room for the consideration, that the profits enjoyed
by foreigners are those granted by the Celestial Court; and that if some
day they should irritate the sacred wrath, to the cutting off of their trade
and the closing of the Custom-Houses, not a mite of profit will there be
for any of those nations to look for : and what then will there be for you ?
They, regardless of the rich favours wherewith they are imbued by
the Court, take depraved natives for their bosom friends. In the public -
offices of the inner land, there is not a movement nor a pause, but the
foreigners are fully informed of it. But if any question is put to the
Hong merchants regarding foreign affairs, they turn about for ways in
which to gloze over and conceal the facts, nor will they utter the truth.
Thus it is in regard to the exportation of the pure silver beyond the sea,
a thing so very strictly prohibited. Did the foreigners really barter goods
t
354
for goods, what silver would there be for them to carry away ? But more
than this, the Hong merchants once represented, that each year, in
addition to the interchange of commodities by barter, the foreigners
require always to bring into the inner land, foreign money to the amount
of four or five millions of dollars. Were this really the case, how comes it
that of late years the foreign ships have brought into the port no new
foreign money, and that the foreign silver existing in the country has
daily been diminishing in quantity? And how happens it, that among
the Hong merchants there have been bankrupts, whose debts to foreigners
have exceeded a million of money? It is clear, that these four words,
** goods bartered for goods," are totally and altogether false.
There is one thing yet more extraordinary. These Hong merchants,
sheltering themselves under a Memorial of a former Superintendent of
Customs, Aa, which requested temporarily as a trial, that three-tenths of
any surplus foreign money should be allowed to be taken away, have
acted as though this request had passed into an established law, and have
yearly, under cover of this, solicited permission to embark money. They
have had numerous boxes made, such as are employed for the remittance of
revenue. And they have even represented for the foreigners, that, in such
a year, a foreigner left so such money in such and such hands, and that
now he has entrusted such and such a person to convey it home for him :
and they have secretly concerted with the clerks of the Custom-House to
put this upon the records. Thus, while, on the one hand, the Hong
merchants give these bonds, the silver, on the other hand, is exported,
their words and deeds are contrary one to another, and this is passed
quietly over without exciting surprise. And when the Imperial pleasure
has been expressed, that inquiry should be made, they have, with one
simple address, glozed over and set at rest the whole matter.
With regard, too, to foreigners, such as Jardine and others, who have
been in the habit of selling opium,—all of them most artful and crafty
men,—when the Imperial pleasure was expressed, two years ago, that
their conduct should be inquired into, and that they should be driven
forth, the said Hong merchants still strenuously defended them. Such
language as this was used : " that when it could be discovered that there
" had been any concert in selling opium, any money taken, or orders given,
punishment would then be willingly submitted to." Such a bond is yet to
be found among the archives ! Let them ask themselves, whether,
according to this bond, punishment should, or should not, be inflicted?
Again, the opium on board Innes' vessel was seized within the river,
showing that the bonds given even for vessels that have entered the port
have been no less unworthy of confidence.
Last winter, seven passage-boats, on the reiterated representations of
these merchants, newly received permission to run, and already smuggling
of goods and importation of gunpowder have been the consequence. If
you say these things were without your knowledge, of what use then
are you? If they took place with your knowledge, death is too light
a punishment for you.
It is computed that the loss of the silver of China, during a period of
several years past, by exportation beyond sea, has been not less than
some hundreds of millions. The Imperial commands have been repeatedly
received, in reference to the importation of opium and exportation of pure
silver, reproving all the officers of every degree, in the most severe terms;
yet these Hong merchants have continued in the same course of filthy and
disgraceful conduct, to the great indignation and gnashing of teeth of
every one. I, the High Commissioner, in obeying the Imperial mandates,
in accordance with which I have come to Canton, shall first punish the
depraved natives. And it is by no means certain that these Hong
merchants will not be within the number.
I proceed to command that investigation be made. Upon my com
mands reaching the said Hong merchants, let them immediately state
clearly the truth, that matters may be thoroughly arranged in consistence
with the laws. The utter annihilation of the opium trade being now my
first object, I have given commands to the foreigners, to deliver up to
Government all the myriads of chests of opium which they have on board
their warehousing vessels. And I have also called on them to subscribe
a bond, in Chinese and in the foreign languages jointly, declaring that
henceforth they will never venture to bring opium, and that if any should
again be brought, upon discovery thereof, the parties concerned shall
immediately suffer execution of the laws, and the property shall be confis
cated to Government. These commands are now given to the Hong
merchants, that they may convey them to the foreign factories, and plainly
make them known. It is requisite, that they should acquire an earnest
severity of deportment, that the energetic character of the commands may
be clearly made to appear. They must not continue to exhibit a contu
macious disposition, or to colour over the matter, nor may they again
give utterance to any expressions of solicitation. It is imperative on them
to act with energy and loftiness of tone, and to unite in enjoining these
commands. Three days aie prescribed, within which they must obtain
the required bonds, and report in reply hereto. If it be found that this
matter cannot at once be arranged by them, it will be apparent, without
inquiry, that they are constantly acting in concert with depraved
foreigners, and that their minds have a perverted inclination. And I, the
High Commissioner, will forthwith solicit the Royal death-warrant, and
select for execution one or two of the most unworthy of their number,
confiscating their property to Government, and thus will I show a lucid
warning. Say not that you did not receive early notice. A special Edict.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 4th day. (17th March, 1839.)
True Translation. '
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
No. 146.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received Avgust 29, 1839.)
My Lord, Canton, March 30, 1839.
I HAVE considered that I shall most perspicuously perform my pre
sent duty to Her Majesty's Government, by confining this despatch to a
narrative of events, accompanied by the documents connected with them ;
and indeed my imprisoned and harassed condition is not suited to a deli
berately comprehensive exposition of the motives which have influenced
some of the momentous proceedings involved in this report.
Being at Macao on the 28th of last month for the purpose of confer
ring with Captain Blake of Her Majesty's sloop Lame then at anchor
in those roads, I received intelligence to the effect that a native of China
had been suddenly brought down into the square before the foreign facto
ries on the 26th of the same month, accompanied by a considerable force
of troops, and immediately put to death by strangulation.
Within two hours after I had received these tidings I embarked
on board the cutter, and arrived here on the morning of the 2nd instant.
The series of papers from No. 1 to No. 8, will place your Lordship in
possession of the steps taken in that respect.
On the 10th instant, leaving the trade still proceeding, but with a
state of gloom subsisting in the minds of all men, both natives and
foreigners, I returned to Macao, to which point, and the outside anchor
ages, appearances indicated that the first measures of the Commissioner
would be directed. I was therefore anxious to have further consultation
with Captain Blake on the expediency of his protracted stay in these seas,
till I could judge of the degree in which the High Commissioner's proceed
ings would affect the general and important interests confided to me.
Between his Excellency's arrival and the 20th instant, rumours of
every description were abroad : but the general impression was that the
Governor and the High Commissioner were to proceed forth with«to Macao,
or its near neighbourhood, and commence their operations from that
situation. At Macao, within the barrier, tents were pitched, a consider
able force was assembled, numbers of vessels and boats of war were col
2 Z 2
356
lected, and I had myself observed, a few days before, under the forts at
the Bocca Tigris, a display of old native vessels preparing to serve the
purposes of fire-ships, or at all events to leave that impression upon
passing foreigners.
In this menacing posture of affairs outside, I had determined to abide
at Macao, so that my intercourse with Her Majesty's sloop might not be
interrupted, and that I might concert with the commander measures of
general protection, if any attack should be really directed against the lives
or properties of Her Majesty's subjects.
Resolved, in any pressure of emergency, actually threatening the con
tinued peaceful intercourse with this Empire, to incur most heavy personal
responsibilities concerning the ships engaged in the illicit traffic, 1 had
also determined to resist sudden aggression on British life and British
property at all hazards, and to all extremity, and I am well assured, your
Lordship will be of opinion, that this was my capital duty as the Queen's
officer.
On the 22nd instant, however, as your Lordship is already aware, the
news reached me, that the storm had changed its direction, and impended
over the whole Foreign Community at Canton in the most alarming form.
Forwarding an address to the Governor of Canton through the
Keun-Min-Foo, and a transcript of the same to that officer, issuing two
circulars to Her Majesty's subjects, and addressing a secret letter to
Captain Blake, of Her Majesty's sloop Larne, I proceeded to make the
attempt to reach these factories on the 23rd instant.
It had been my intention to proceed only to the Bocca Tigris and
carry on my communications from that point, but further disquieting
private intelligence reached me from Canton ; and the reflection of the
natural unfitness of a commercial community to take any consentaneous
course respecting the delicate and momentous question in hand, in this
hour of extreme peril to all interests, and indeed generally to human life,
carried me to the conviction that I must either reach these factories, or
some desperate calamity would ensue.
On Sunday the 24th instant, I passed through the Bocca Tigris, and
calling to me ah inferior mandarin, stationed there, explained to him my
apprehension, that if the communications were cut off between me and all
the people of my nation, at Macao and the other anchorages, they would
believe that T and all the other foreigners were prisoners, or alarmed by
vague reports that our lives were in immediate peril, they would attempt
a rescue, to the certain violation of the peace between the countries, and
to the great increase of our own danger. This I desired him to explain to
his admiral with my respects.
I reached Whampoa at 4 p. m. of the same day (the 24th), where I
learnt, as I had anticipated, that, the intercourse between that place and
Canton had been entirely cut off for forty-eight hours.
' Putting on my uniform directly, and placing myself in the gig of
Her Majesty's sloop Larne, which I had taken up with me, with the
ensign and pendant hoisted, and my Chinese passport for the cutter in my
hand, (declaratory of my public character and name,) I proceeded forth
with to the chief mandarin I could find in the reach.
I told that officer that it was my purpose to proceed to Canton ; and
that apprehending forcible interruption, I had to warn him that my boat
was unarmed, that my purposes were peace and the protection of my
countrymen, that I should offer no resistance, but that it was my resolu
tion to reach these factories, or to sacrifice my life in the attempt. I there
fore called upon him not to lose one moment in. forwarding expresses to
advertise the officers of the various stations not to fire upon me.
Disregarding his earnest dissuasion, I proceeded on immediately in
the cutter to the usual anchorage, about four miles from these factories. At
that point I was again approached by several armed boats; but pursuing a
similar course of representation, I entered the gig, and proceeded upwards
with all possible celerity, pulling and sailing. At my nearer approach to
the factories, armed boats pushed out from every side, but the admirable
steadiness of the four people of the Larne, and a commanding favourable
breeze, enabled me to baffle the attempts to obstruct me ; and at about 6 p.m.,
357
1 pushed into those stairs, to the great relief of my distressed countrymen,
many of whom had watched the latter part of my approach with feelings
of keenest solicitude.
The top-mast of the flag-staff had been struck since the execution ; but
I immediately desired that the boat's ensign should be taken up and made
fast to the lower masthead ; for I well knew, my Lord, that there is a sense
of support in the sight of that honoured flag, fly where it will, that none can
feel but men who look upon it in some such dismal strait as our's.
The state of intense distress in which I found the whole foreign com
munity will be explicable to Her Majesty's Government, when I inform
your Lordship that the actual pressing difficulty was the obstinate demand
that Mr. L. Dent, one of our most respected merchants at Canton, should
proceed into the city, and attend the High Commissioner's tribunal.
The accompanying notes, however, taken by the Secretary, Mr. Elmslie,
will furnish a detailed account of the proceedings, which immediately pre
ceded my arrival in Canton.
My first step was to go to Mr. Dent's house with my countrymen ; and
taking him under my arm, I brought him to this hall, where by God's
gracious mercy he still remains. Most anxious, however, to avoid all just
imputation of impracticability, I immediately signified to the Hong mer
chants, for communication to the Government, my readiness to let Mr.
Dent go into the city with me, and upon the distinct written stipulation,
(sealed with the High Commissioner's signet,) that he was never to be
removed for one moment out of my sight.
I then assembled the whole foreign community in Canton, and read
ing to them my circulars issued at Macao, enjoined them all to be mode
rate, firm, and united. I had the satisfaction to dissolve the meeting in a
calmer state of mind than had subsisted for several days past.
The native servants were taken from us, and the supplies cut off on
the same night ; but it was declared by the merchants, that the orders had
been issued in the course of the morning, by reason of Mr. Dent's opposi
tion to the High Commissioner's summons.
An arc of connected boats was formed, filled with armed men, the
extremes of which touch the east and west points of the bank of the river
in the immediate front of the factories, cutting off" a segment of the stream
from the main body ; the square, and the rear of the factories, are occupied
in considerable force ; and before the gate of this hall the whole body of
Hong merchants and a large guard are posted day and night, the latter
with their swords constantly drawn. In short, so close an imprisonment
of the foreigners is not recorded in the history of our previous intercourse
with this empire.
The series of papers from No. 13 to 26 is my correspondence with the
government since my arrival in Canton this day week, with the exception
of No. 20, which is a most momentous circular to Her Majesty's subjects,
requiring the surrender into my hands, for the service of Her Majesty's
Government, of all the British opium actually on the coasts of China at
that date.
The justification of this immense responsibility will need more full
development than it would be desirable, or indeed practicable, to make in
my present condition. I am without doubt, however, that the safety of a
great mass of human life hung upon my determination. For if I had
commenced with the denial of my controul over the subject, the High Com
missioner would have seized that pretext for reverting to his measures of
intimidation against individual merchants, obviously the original purpose,
but which my sudden appearance had disturbed. If I had persevered in
this course of representation, he would have forced the whole into submis
sion by the protracted confinement of the persons he should determine to
seize ; and, judging from the tenor of his proclamation and general conduct,
I am fully warranted in saying by the sacrifice of their lives.
The forced and separate surrender of all this immensely valuable pro
perty by individual merchants, without security of indemnity and protec
tion, must have led to some desperate commercial convulsion in India and
England, which might have embarrassed the Queen's Government in an
incalculable degree.
358
In a few words then, my Lord, I may say, that I plainly perceived
the moment had arrived for placing the whole weight of the immense
difficulties to be encountered, on the only foundation where it could safely
rest: namely, upon the wisdom, justice, and power of Her Majesty's
Government.
I have written thus far, my Lord, at various snatches during a most
anxious week, and it is my present purpose to continue this narration from
this date, as circumstances of moment present themselves.
Canton, April 2, 1839.
Between the 30th ultimo and the present date, the negociations, your
Lordship will observe, have been confined entirely to the mode of delivering
the opium.
His Excellency demands that the ships should come up so close to
the Bogue, as to place them almost under the guns of the fortresses; and
he insists that I shall forward the merchants' orders for delivery to the
respective commanders to the officers of the Government, so that they
may forthwith take them to the ships and receive the opium ; all of us
remaining in our present imprisonment till the whole amount be delivered.
I need hardly observe to your Lordship, that it is not my purpose to
accept conditions of release, which would place all the British shipping in
China at the disposal of this Government, and completely expose the
transactions of the merchants of my country.
But being anxious, for obvious and very urgent reasons, to fulfil my
obligations with all practicable dispatch, your Lordship will perceive that
I have submitted the single mode of effecting the object
The only incidents of interest affecting our general situation since I
last wrote, are the permission to purchase food, and the entrance, from
time to time, of Coolies, under strict surveillance, to remove the foul linen.
In other respects, the blockade is increasing in closeness. Scraps of
intelligence, however, have reached us, brought up by Chinese, in segars,
and in other adroit modes, from Whampoa, to the 31st ultimo; and from
Macao to the 30th. All was tranquil at either point when these tidings
left; but the painful anxiety of our families and countrymen will be
conceivable to Her Majesty's Government.
I should not omit to mention to your Lordship that the Commissioner
yesterday caused his addresses to me to be publicly placarded, but not
my replies. I am credibly informed that the publicity of his own papers
has by no means had the desired effect of inciting the people of the
country against me, but the contrary.
Her Majesty's Government will do me the honour to observe, that I
have studiously abstained from noticing the High Commissioner's insult-
ing language, palpably put forward to provoke me ; and that I have not
considered my situation was a suitable one for answering his argu
mentation.
This is the first time, in our intercourse with this Empire, that its
Government has taken the unprovoked initiative in aggressive measures
against British life, liberty, and property, and against the dignity of the
British Crown. I say unprovoked, advisedly, because your Lordship will
observe, in my address to the Keun-Min-Foo, dated at Macao, on 22nd
ultimo, that I offered to adjust all things peacefully, by the fulfilment of
the Emperor's will, as soon as it was made known to me.
Her Majesty's Government may be assured that there shall be no
pretext of unseemly violence or intemperance of tone on my part, to help
the vindication of the actual policy. They have deprived us of our
liberty, and our lives are in their hands; but our reason, and above all, our
dutiful confidence in the Queen's gracious protection, will remain with us.
My own life has been passed in the public service, and I should be
unpardonable indeed, if I did not remember and steadily act upon the
recollection, that the response to these proceedings is the high attribute
of Her Majesty.
359
Canton, 1 p.m., April 3, 1839.
The High Commissioner has acceded to the arrangements proposed
in my memorandum, No. 28 ; and Mr. Johnson leaves me at 4 p. m. this
day, for Macao, by the inside passage, accompanied by the officers.
I have &tc
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 146.
Messrs. Bell and others, Her Majesty's Subjects, to A. R.Johnston, Esq^
Deputy Superintendent.
Sir, Canton, February 26, 1839.
A GROSS and shocking outrage against the foreign community
having been perpetrated by the Chinese authorities, in causing a man to
be strangled this afternoon in front of the factories, we, the undersigned
British subjects, most earnestly request that the British flag may not again
be hoisted until reference has been made to Her Majesty's Chief Super
intendent.
[Signed by all the British subjects in Canton.]
Inclosure 2 in No. 146.
Messrs. Bell and others, Her Majesty's Subjects, to A. R. Johnston, Esq.
Sir, Canton, February 28, 1839.
INFORMATION having been received of the arrival of Her Ma
jesty's sloop Lame, in the Macao Roads, as also that her stay there was
likely to be very short, we, the undersigned British merchants, respect
fully request that you will represent to Her Majesty's Senior Superin
tendent, that we are of opinion that the presence of a naval force in the
waters of China is at all times desirable, but more especially so under the
present very unsatisfactory position of our commercial relations with the
Chinese Government ; and that the services of the Lame should be made
available for the protection of British interests.
We have, &c,
(Signed) BELL & Co., and others.
Inclosure 3 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to Messrs. Bell and others, Her Majesty s Subjects.
Gentlemen, Canton, March 2, 1839.
I HAVE had the honour to receive your letter of the 26th ult., to the
address of the Deputy Superintendent, and I beg to acquaint you that it
is not my intention to hoist the British flag at Canton in the present
posture of circumstances. I am sensible, Gentlemen, of the extreme hazard
to which the lives and property of the whole foreign community are
exposed by the recurrence of so dismal and exciting an event as that which,
forms the subject of your letter. And it will be my duty to make an early
communication to Her Majesty's subjects, in explanation of the proceed
360
ings I propose to take, for leading the Governor to refrain from measures
that cannot fail to burden His Excellency with the responsibility of some
terrible catastrophe.
I llclYC &£C
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 4 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to Messrs. Bell and others, Her Majesty's Subjects.
Gentlemen, Canton, March 2, 1839.
I HAVE had the honour to receive your letter to the address of Mr.
Johnston, upon the subject of Her Majesty's sloop Lame's continuance
on this station ; and in reply, I beg to acquaint you that 1 had already
moved Captain Blake to remain, for the purpose of affording me an oppor
tunity to communicate with the Commander-in-Chief, and the British
Indian Government, from this place.
The period of her further delay must be regulated with careful atten
tion to the orders under which that officer is acting in the furtherance of
the other exigencies of the public service, as well as by Circumstances on
the spot, of which I am not yet in a situation to judge.
I may observe, however, that my chief object in requesting Captain
Blake to remain, was to afford time for exact reports to the authorities
above-mentioned, in order that such immediate and effectual steps
may be taken for the protection of British interests in this quarter, as may
be necessary in the emergencies of the case.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 5 in No. 146.
Notice to Her Majesty's Subjects.
Circular. Canton, March 4, 1839.
THE execution of a criminal in this square, on the 26th ultimo,
renders it the duty of the Undersigned to submit a few remarks to Her
Majesty's subjects.
In his own judgment, the purpose of this most humiliating event was
not only to intimidate, but to degrade, and render hateful, the whole
foreign community in the sight of the native population. Neither can he
doubt that its tacit admission would lead to still graver passages.
Her Majesty's subjects may be assured that he will not fail to lay
these convictions before the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs.
Impressed by the persuasion, however, that the recurrence of such an
outrage would lead to some sudden and deplorable catastrophe, he finds it
necessary to make an immediate communication to the Governor. But he
has been careful to leave the treatment of the late event to the unembar
rassed disposal of his own and the other Western Governments, whose
flags have been subsequently lowered.
He considers it due to his countrymen to promulgate a copy of his
address to the Governor on this occasion.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent of the Trade of
British Subjects in China.
361
; ! Inclosure 6 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to the Oovernor of Canton.
Canton, March 4, 1839
THE Undersigned, Sic, &c, presuming to offer no objections to the
right of this Government to execute native criminals wheresoever it may
think fit, within the limits of the Empire, desires only to observe, that no
such circumstances have ever had place in the immediate vicinity of the
foreign dwellings, until the 26th ultimo, during an intercourse of nearly
two hundred years ; and he has now to request, on the behalf of the
Government of his nation, that his Excellency will be pleased to order
their future discontinuance in this situation.
A native of the western countries, your Excellency will hold the
Undersigned excused for observing that, agreeably to the genius of those
people, nothing could be more harassing to them than the execution of a
criminal before their doors.
He dares not conceal from your Excellency a very general impression,
upon the part of the foreign community, that the considerate protection
of this Government is in a great degree withdrawn from them.
The effect of such feeling need not be pressed upon the attention of a
high officer, versed in the government of men. It deprives the wise and
the thoughtful of their just and restraining influence, and renders the rash
desperate. i .
The Undersigned is afraid, therefore, that it would be impossible to
stay the hands of every excited individual, in such a crisis of intense agita
tion, as another execution before these factories would produce; and one
fatal blow might lead to death, destruction of property, and disturbance of
the lower orders of the native population, which the most anxious efforts of
the honourable officers could not prevent.
These are the profound sentiments of his heart ; and claiming, as the
officer of his nation, the protection of the great Emperor, the Undersigned
must, once more, request your Excellency to signify to him the calming
declaration, that it is not the purpose of this wise and just government to
leave the whole foreign community exposed to the most imminent risks
of disaster.
The Undersigned avails himself of this occasion to offer to your
Excellency the renewed expressions of his highest consideration.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 7 in No. 146.
Notice to Her Majesty's Subjects.
Circular. Canton, March 9, 1839.
WITH reference to his circular of the 4th instant, the Undersigned
has now the honour to promulgate a copy of his Address to the Governor,
concerning the late execution before these factories.
And having this day ascertained, by a formal message from his
Excellency, that he docs not propose to reply to him in a direct shape, it
only remains for the Undersigned to announce to Her Majesty's subjects
his own intention to report the circumstance to Her Majesty's Govern
ment by the earliest opportunity.
To this representation he will join his own strong opinion, that the
lives and properties of the whole foreign community would be exposed to
perilous jeopardy on every repeated occasion of an execution in the same
situation.
3 A
862
Pending further instructions from his Government, his own address
has served the purpose of a protest, which was the main object of its
transmission.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 8 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Macao, March 12, 1839.
THE Undersigned, &c, &c, being on the point of communicating
with the Government of his nation, and the high officers of the Govern
ment of India, and the chief in command of the naval forces, and having
his mind agitated by many doubts and fears, has once more to address
your Excellency upon the subject of his address of the 4th instant.
It is his duty to lay before your Excellency his strong conviction that
the Government of his nation will regard the unprecedented execution of
a criminal before the foreign dwelling houses, to be an outrage upon the
feelings and dignity of all the Western Governments whose flags were
recently flying at Canton.
And for the sake of that peace and good will which has subsisted for
one hundred and several tens of years, the Undersigned has again
respectfully and anxiously to request that your Excellency will be pleased
to forward him a calming declaration through the honourable officers, in
order that he may report to the high officers of his own nation, the Heedless
ness of immediate and direct appeals to the great Emperor for protection.
The cruizer of his nation is detained for your Excellency's reply, and
the Undersigned having received the same, will immediately make the
necessary statement, and she will then sail away.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 9 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Macao, March 22, 1839.
THE Undersigned, &c, &c, seriously disturbed by the unusual
assemblage of troops, ships of war, fire-vessels, and other menacing pre
parations, and, above all, by the unprecedented and unexplained measure
of an execution before the factories at Canton, to the destruction of all
confidence in the just and moderate dispositions of the provincial autho
rities, has now the honour to demand, in the name of the Sovereign of his
nation, whether it is the purpose of His Excellency the Governor to make
war upon the men and ships of his nation in this empire ?
He claims immediate and calming assurances upon this subject ; and
he has at the same time to declare his readiness to meet the officers of the
Provincial Government, and to use his sincere efforts to fulfil the pleasure
of the great Emperor, as soon as it is made known to him.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
(A copy of the same was sent to the Keun-Min-Foo.)
363
Inclosure 10 in No. 146.
Public Notices to Her Majesty's Subjects.
Circular. Macao, March 22, 1839.
THE Chief Superintendent of the trade of British subjects in
China, having received information that Her Majesty's subjects are de
tained against their will in Canton ; and having other urgent reasons for
the withdrawal of all confidence in the just and moderate dispositions of
the provincial government, has now to require that all the ships of Her
Majesty's subjects at the outer anchorages, should proceed forthwith to
Hong Kong, and, hoisting their national colours, be prepared to resist
every act of aggression on the part of the Chinese Government.
fn the absence of Captain Blake, of Her Majesty's sloop, Lame,
Captain Parry of the Hercules, will make the necessary dispositions
for putting the ships in a posture of defence ; and in the absence of Captain
Parry, that duty will devolve on Captain Wallace of the Mermaid.
And the Chief Superintendent, in Her Majesty's name, requires all
British subjects, to whom these presents may come, to respect the authority
of the persons herein charged with the duty of providing for the pro
tection of British life and property.
Given under my hand and seal of office, at Macao, this twenty-second
day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
(L.S■) Chief Superintendent of the Trade of
British Subjects in China.
Macao, March 23, 1839.
THE considerations that have moved the Undersigned to give public
notice to all Her Majesty"s subjects, that he is without confidence in the
justice and moderation of the provincial government, are :—
The dangerous, unprecedented, and unexplained circumstance of a
fmblic execution before the factories at Canton, to the imminent hazard of
ife and property, and total disregard of the honour and dignity of his own,
and the other western governments, whose flags were recently flying in
that square ; the unusual assemblage of troops, vessels of war, fire-ships,
and other menacing preparations ; the communication, by the command
of the provincial government, that in the present posture of affairs, the
foreigners were no longer to seek for passports to leave Canton (according
to the genius of our own countries, and the principles of reason, if not an
act of declared war, at least its immediate and inevitable preliminary) ;
and lastly, the threatening language of the High Commissioner and pro
vincial authorities, of the most general application, and dark and violent
character.
Holding it, therefore, impossible to maintain continued peaceful
intercourse with safety, honour, or advantage, till definite and satisfactory
explanations have passed in all these particulars, both as respects the past
and the future, the Undersigned has now to give further notice that he
shall forthwith demand passports for all such of Her Majesty's subjects
as may think fit to proceed outside, within the space of ten days from the
date that his application reaches the government ; such date hereafter to
be made known.
And he has to counsel and enjoin all Her Majesty's subjects, in urgent
terms, to make immediate preparations for moving their property on
board the ships, Reliance, Orwell, and George the Fourth, or other
British vessels at Whampoa, to be conveyed to Macao; forwarding him,
without delay, a sealed declaration, and a list of all actual claims against
Chinese subjects, together with an estimate of all loss or damage to be
suffered by reason of these proceedings of the Chinese Government.
And he has further to give notice, that the Portuguese Govern
ment of this settlement has already pledged itself to afford Her
Majesty's subjects resident here, every protection in its power, so long
3 A 2
364
as they shall be pursuing no course of traffic within the limits of the
settlement at variance with the laws of this empire. And he has most
especially to warn Her Majesty's subjects, that such strong measures as it
may be necessary to adopt on the part of Her Majesty's Government,
without further notice than the present, cannot be prejudiced by their
continued residence in Canton (beyond the period now fixed), upon their
own responsibility, or without further guarantees from the Undersigned.
And he has further to give notice, that if the passports should be
refused for more than three days from the date that his application shall
reach the provincial government, he will be driven to the conclusion that
it is their purpose to detain all Her Majesty's subjects as hostages ; and
to endeavour to intimidate them into unsuitable concessions and terms, by
the restraint of their persons, or by violence upon their lives or property,
or by the death of native merchants in immediate connexion with them
both by ties of friendship and of interest ; or by the like treatment of their
native servants.
The Undersigned, in conclusion, most respectfully submits these
observations to the attention of all the foreigners in China: and, the
respective governments [being] closely united by a community of feeling
and interests, not only in their own quarters of the globe, but most
especially in this peculiar country, he feels that he is performing an act of
duty in offering them every humble assistance in his power, on this
and all similar occasions, when they may be of opinion that he can be
useful to them.
Given under my hand and seal of office, at Macao, this twenty-third
day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
(L.S.) Chief Superintendent of the Trade of
British Subjects in China.
Inclosure 11 in No. 14G.
Captain Elliot to P. J. Blake, Esq., Commander of Her Majesty's
sloop Larne.
Sir, - Macao, March 23, 1839.
THE various and unreserved conferences I have had the honour to
have with you, on the present extremely disquieting state of circum
stances, preclude the necessity of recapitulating the reasons which com
pel me to proceed forthwith to Whampoa for the relief of Her Majesty's
subjects from their actual restrained and dangerous situation.
And if you shall not hear from me in some certain and assuring
manner, within the space of six days from the date of this communication,
I trust that you will proceed in Her Majesty's sloop under your command,
to the Bocca" Tigris, and, failing such authentic accounts of the safety and
free agency of all Her Majesty's subjects within those forts, from the
Chinese admiral, as may be satisfactory to you; I must beg you will
consider us to be prisoners, and adopt such immediate proceedings for our
relief as may seem suitable to you.
Cordially assenting with me in the propriety of avoiding any unne
cessary or ostensible intercourse with the British shipping at the outside
anchorages (many of which have no doubt been engaged in the illicit
traffic), it is at the same time most satisfactory to me to reflect, that in the
event of any well-sustained evidence of aggressive attempts, British life
and property will have the benefit of all the protection and countenance
which you can afford.
In touching this delicate and difficult subject, I should perhaps again
remind you, that most of the ships engaged in the regular trade, are
accustomed to anchor at the usual outside stations, both upon arriving
and putting to sea.
I hold it my duty to you to state that I shall willingly take the full
responsibility of any proceedings you may find it necessary to adopt on
365
account of these requisitions. And it is a great support to me in any
embarrassing circumstances, that I have the assistance of an officer in
whose zeal and ability I may justly repose entire confidence.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
■„. .. Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 12 in No. 146.
Notes of Proceedings at Canton, on Saturday, March 23, 1839, taken
by Mr. Elmslie, Secretary and Treasurer.
Canton, Saturday, March 23, 1839.
THIS day at 10 a. m., the Hong merchants repaired to the house of
Mr. Dent, Howqua Senior and Mandarin Mowqua appearing with iron
chains round their necks, and also with the further degradation of being
deprived of their buttons of rank. Howqua'sson, Mowqua, and Gowqua,
were also degraded and cast into prison. The visit to Mr. Dent was by
the express order of the High Commissioner, to command Mr. Dent to go
into the city immediately, that he might be confronted with his Excellency.
The majority of the foreign community had already assembled at Mr.
Dent's, and it was deemed most advisable, that they should collect in a
separate room from the Hong merchants, and that the following question
should be put to them :
Shall Mr. Dent comply with the commands of the Commissioner,
or not ?
It was unanimously carried, that Mr. Dent should not comply, unless
under the written and sealed guarantee that he should be treated with
respect, and also that he should be permitted to return home after the
conference. This decision was conveyed to the Hong merchants. They
said that Howqua and Mandarin Mowqua would lose their heads if Mr.
Dent did not comply with the commands from the Commissioner, and that
they could not venture to apply for the required guarantee. After con
siderable delay, a deputation of foreigners, accompanied by linguists,
proceeded to the Consoo House, to explain to the Kwang-Chow-Foo, and
other officers, the objections the community had to allowing Mr. Dent to
comply with the commands in question. Upon these objections being
made known, the Kwang-Chow-Foo requested an officer belonging to the
high Commissioner's suite, with the Namhoy, and an officer from the
Hoppo's office, to repair and again deliver the commands to Mr. Dent,
and to admonish him, in the presence of the foreigners, on the necessity
of obeying. This summons being now officially and directly made to
Mr. Dent, it was thought advisable once more to solicit the opinion of
the community, when the same unanimous feeling prevailed, that Mr.
Dent should not go into the city, unless with a special sealed guarantee
from the High Commissioner. This determination being repeated to these
three officers, they declared and called heaven to witness, that they would
safely conduct and bring back Mr. Dent. The irresponsibility of these
officers was taken into consideration, and the community still adhered to
their determination. The officers were left in a room consulting together,
and after a lapse of a few minutes, they expressed a wish to see Mr. Dent
once more, when the officer belonging to the Commissioner's suite spoke
for a very considerable time, giving his assurance in every way, and
pledging his own word, for the safety of Mr. Dent's return. All these
assurances were of no avail ; and after Mr. Dent had expressed his regret
that a further time could not be allowed for the arrangement of so
important a question as the one on hand, he withdrew from the presence
of the officers. It was now most distinctly affirmed by the officers, that
they could not quit the house without they took Mr. Dent, and that they
366
must use force to compel him to go. Waiting, however, for about half an
hour, and finding Mr. Dent would not go, they wished to conduct a depu
tation of foreigners to the presence of the Kwang Chow Foo, at the
Consoo House, that they might state to that officer, upon what conditions
Mr. Dent would comply with the commands. Many gentlemen accom
panied these officers, and distinctly stated to the Kwang Chow Foo what
the whole foreign community required. All the officers at the Consoo
House said that they could not obtain or even ask His Excellency for a
guarantee, but they all expressed a request that Mr. Morrison should
accompany them to the city : this request was instantly denied ; because
Mr. Morrison had already been detained for about an hour against his
will, in the Consoo House, in the forenoon of this day, and was liberated
by the Deputy Superintendent and the Secretary to the Superintendents.
And it was strongly suspected that he was to be kept as a hostage for
Mr. Dent.
Mr. Inglis proposed that three other gentlemen, with himself, should
be allowed to accompany the Kwang Chow Foo into the city : this was
instantly conceded, and Messrs. Inglis, Thom, Slade, and Fearon were to
form the party ; they were conducted through the back door of the Consoo
House, entered the Chuk-lan gate, walked up the street, and took the
first turning on the right, and soon passed the Viceroy's palace ; and after
turning on the left, they drew up and were taken into the temple dedicated
to the Queen of Heaven (teen hau koong). The Kwang Chow Foo had
already arrived at this temple. He put these gentlemen in charge of the
Hong merchants, and went to report to the High Commissioner ; during
his absence, these gentlemen were shown to a very pretty part of the
temple, and introduced to priests, who treated them kindly with sweet
meats, tea, &c After great delay, the noise of gongs, and shoutings,
intimated the approach of the following officers: — Pooch in g-sze, or
Financial Commissioner; Ancha-sze, or Judicial Commissioner; Yen Yun-
sze, or Salt Commissioner ; and Leang-taou, or Grain Commissioner.
These officers took their respective seats in a line, but leaving the Kwang
Chow Foo, and Wei Yune, or a deputed officer, to sit on a bench in
another part of the hall, evidently as if they were of too inferior degree to
sit on a level with the former officers. All forms of etiquette, &c being
arranged, Mr. Thom was ushered by the head linguist into the presence
of these officers, and the following questions put to him direct. " What
is your name? What country do you belong to? &c, &c Why does
Mr. Dent not come ? "
Mr. Thom said that all foreigners thought Mr. Dent would be
detained, and therefore they would not allow him to come. Detain him or
not detain him, he is guilty of showing the greatest disrespect for not
obeying the commands from the High Commissioner,— was the reply.
Here Mr. Thom begged to say, that Mr. Dent had not the most distant
intention of showing any disrespect ; that this question was one of the
utmost importance ; that Mr. Dent and his countrymen were all of opinion,
and under the apprehension, that the High Commissioner wished to detain
Mr. Dent until a certain quantity of opium be confiscated, as they had
heard it reported, the High Commissioner imagined Mr. Dent had 6,000
chests of opium.
The Ancha-sze replied, that this is no report, but a certainty ; that the
High Commissioner's eyes are very sharp, and his ears very long ; that he
knows Dent to be a great merchant, and a very large capitalist, and that
he had resided in China many years ; that the High Commissioner held
positive and explicit orders from the Emperor to put down the opium
trade, and that he was possessed of powers quite unlimited and extraor
dinary, and that he wished to admonish Mr. Dent, and also to inquire
into the nature of his business; that Mr. Dent must be confronted with the
High Commissioner ; that if he did not consent, he should bo dragged out
of his house by force ; and, consequently, the High Commissioner would
most assuredly kill him. One of the officers remarked, that if Dent
would willingly come and see the Commissioner, the trade would be
re-opened.
367
Similar questions to the above were put to the other gentlemen, but
through one of the linguists : this mode of interpretation is always very
confused, and causes so much misunderstanding, that the examinations
are better omitted.
After a detention of about three hours, the whole party returned
under the escort of an officer.
(Signed) EDWARD ELMSLIE,
Secretary and Treasurer.
Inclosure 13 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, March 25, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, moved by urgent considerations affecting the safety of
the lives and property of all the men of his nation, and the maintenance
of the peace between the two countries, respectfully claims passports for
all the English ships and people at Canton, within the space of three days
that this application reaches your Excellency's hands ; so that they may
all be set at liberty, and depart outside in peace, with their property,
within ten days after the passports are issued. And Elliot further
requests, that your Excellency will be pleased to grant them boats for
the removal of their persons and property, with guards to protect them
from the violence of the lower orders. And if Elliot shall not hear that
the passports are granted within the space of three days from the date
that this application reaches your Excellency's hands, he will be reluct
antly driven to the conclusion, that the men and ships of his country are
forcibly detained, and act accordingly.
Elliot cannot conceal from your Excellency his deep and sorrowful
conviction, that the peace between the two countries is placed in imminent
jeopardy by the late unexplained and alarming proceedings of this
Government.
And in the name of the Sovereign of his nation, he declares himself
free from the responsibility of all the consequences that may arise.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 14 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot lo the Governor of Canton.
Canton, March 25, 1839.
ELLICT, &c, sincerely anxious to fulfil the pleasure of the great
Emperor, as far as it may be in his power, and as soon as it is authen
tically made known to him, respectfully requests that your Excellency
will be pleased to depute an officer to visit him this day, to the end that
all matters may be peacefully adjusted.
And if Elliot is left at liberty to communicate with the men and ships
of his nation at Whampoa, he will solemnly pledge himself that he
will take care that they do not repair to the Provincial City under the
apprehension that he and all the people of his nation are prisoneis and
without food, thus producing conflict and disturbance.
Elliot therefore moves your Excellency to let the native servants
return to their occupations, to permit the supply of provisions, and to
368
remove all the barriers from before the factories. By such means, confi
dence and tranquillity will be restored in the minds of all men, both
native and foreign.
Elliot has in all respects, since he filled the station of Superintendent,
manifested his earnest desire to keep the peace, and fulfil the pleasure of
your Excellency; and, as an officer of his country, he now asks for rea
sonable treatment for himself and all the men of his nation, and claims
your Excellency's confidence in his peaceful dispositions on this occasion
of perilous jeopardy.
It may sometimes happen, when Elliot addresses your Excellency
concerning affairs, that unsuitable terms find place in his communications;
and whenever that be the case, he entreats your Excellency to believe that
the circumstance is attributable to the want of perfect familiarity with the
native language, and never to any intention to manifest disrespect to the
high officers of this Government, which would expose him to the severe
displeasure of his own Sovereign.
And he has now to request that your Excellency will be pleased to
return him the address he submitted this morning.
With highest consideration, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 15 in No. 146.
The Prefect and Commandant of Canton, jointly, to Captain Elliot.
CHOO, Prefect of the department of Kwang Chow, and Han,
Commandant of the same department, issue commands to the English
Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
They have received the within official injunction from the High
Imperial Commissioner and Governor of Hoo Kwang, his Excellency Lin:
"I have received from Tang, the Governor of the two Kwang, the
following communication :
"'On the 25th of March, 1839, at 1 a.m., the English Superintendent,
Elliot, addressed me in the following terms:
[The Address of March 25 {Inclosure 13) is here inserted.]
"'This address having duly come before me the Governor, I have
given it my consideration. I find that the foreigners of the nation afore
said have, in their commercial intercourse with Kwangtung, long enjoyed
gratifying advantages ; but that they have brought opium—that pervading
poison—to this land : thus profiting themselves by the injury of others.
That the great Emperor has now been pleased to give to your Excellency
a special commission to repair hither and make inquiry, and act in this
matter. And that, as High Imperial Commissioner, you issued an edict,
promising not to go back into the past, but only requiring that the opium
already here should be entirely delivered up ; that the opium to come should
be effectually stopped from coming ; and that they should then be enabled
to continue their trade ag usual. These commands, on the 18th of March
last past, all the Hong merchants were required to repair to the factories
and enjoin, a term of three days being prescribed within which to give a
reply. Upon the 22nd, there was yet no reply. This was conduct highly
disobedient and procrastinating.
" ' Your Excellency, the High Commissioner, had ascertained that the
opium brought by Dent was comparatively in large quantity, and sum
moned him to be examined. He, too, procrastinated for three days, and
has not at all obeyed your commands by appearing.
'"In consequence hereof, and in accordance with established pre
cedents, a temporary embargo was placed on the trade, and the requesting
of permits to go to Macao was stayed.
" ' In perusing now the address of the said Superintendent, I find no
369
clear statement of the circumstances from first to last, but an instant
application for the granting of passports. I would ask, while commands
remain unanswered, summonses unattended, how I, the Governor, can,
regardless of the commands given by the High Imperial Commissioner, at
once write out and give passports ?
" ' In regard to the style of the address, there is much that cannot be
understood. Thus, for instance, the words " the two countries," I know not
the meaning of. While our Celestial Court has in humble submission to it
ten thousand (i.e. all) regions, and the heaven-like goodness of the great
Emperor overshadows all, the nation aforesaid and the Americans have, by
their trade at Canton during many years, enjoyed, of all those in subjec
tion, the largest measure of favors. And I presume it must be England
and America, that are conjointly named " the two countries." But the
meaning of the language is greatly wanting in perspicuity.
"'It is most requisite that, in obedience to the commands of you,
the High Imperial Commissioner, the opium laid up on board the store-
ships sliould at once be delivered up to Government, when of course imme
diate permission will be accorded to apply for permits for the men and
vessels of the said nation to come and go ; and assuredly there shall be no
causeless obstruction and delay.
" ' Besides commanding the original merchants, Woo Tun Yuen
(Howqua, Senior) and his fellows, to enjoin commands on the said Super
intendent for his obedience ; besides too, instructing the territorial and
financial Commissioner of Kwangtung, in concert with the judicial
Commissioner, to give all the needful commands, it is also my duty to
communicate with the High Imperial Commissioner, desiring to give
him the trouble to examine and cause measures to be taken accordingly.'
• " Upon this communication being duly received by me, the Commis
sioner, I proceed forthwith to give injunctions requiring obedience. When
these injunctions reach the Prefect and other aforenamed, let them imme
diately issue commands, requiring that obedience be paid without fail."
They, the Prefect and Commandant, having respectfully received the
above, proceed forthwith to issue commands. When these reach the said
Superintendent Elliot, let him immediately act in obedience to them, and
speedily take the opium laid up on board the store ships, and at once deliver it
up to Government. Then of course immediate permission will be accorded
to apply for permits for the men and vessels of his nation to come and go;
and assuredly there shall be no causeless obstruction and delay.
Be there no opposition to these special commands.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 11th day. (25th March, 1839.)
(L. S.) of Kwang Chow Foo .
(L. S.) of Kwang Chow Hee.
fy^True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
3 B
370
Inclosure 16 in No. 146.
The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot.
CHOO, by special appointment, Prefect of Kwang Chow, taking with
him Lew, the magistrate of Nanhae district, and Chang, the magistrate of
Pwanyu district, issues commands to the English Superintendent, Elliot, for
his fuil information.
On the 25th March, 1839, he received the within official injunction from
his Excellency Tang, Governor of the two Kwang.
" Upon the 25th March, 1839, I received from Lin, the High Imperial
Commissioner and Governor of Hookwang, a communication of the follow
ing tenor :—" I received on the 25th March, 1839, at from 1 to 3 a.m., your
Excellency's communication of the following tenor :—
[The same Address of March 25 (Inclosure 13) is here inserted.]
" ' Upon the receipt hereof, I have given the subject my consideration.
Elliot having come as English Superintendent into the territory of the
Celestial Court, how ought he implicitly to obey the laws ? But his country,
while it interdicts the use of opium, has yet permitted the seduction and
enticement of the Chinese people. The store-ships have been long anchored
in the waters of Kwangtung, yet he has been unable to expel them, or by
prohibitions to stay their proceedings. I would ask what it is then that
Elliot superintends?
" ' Of my special mission by the great Emperor, as his Commissioner in
this province, for inquiring and acting in regard to opium, how can the
said Superintendent be ignorant? And when, after my arrival here, in place
of taking the foreigners who dealt in opium, and subjecting them to the
punishment due by the laws, I turned to issue to them an edict, giving
them the option to deliver up their opium, and put a full stop to its future-
ingress, how could he remain unaware of this act of kindness beyond the
bounds of law? Yet in his address, not one word has he said in reference
hereto ; assuming the false garb of stupid ignorance. But has he not failed
indeed to consider, that he, the said Superintendent, having come from
Macao to Canton, cannot keep himself aloof from this matter?
" ' The unintelligibleness of the style of his address, it is not worth
while minutely to discuss. Nor is it necessary that I should reiterate the
commands which I have already given.
"'I have now merely to lay on Elliot the responsibility of speedily and
securely arranging these matters, the delivery of the opium, and the giving
of bonds in obedience to my former commands.
"'If he can take the opium on board the store ships, and at once
deliver it up entirely, it will of course be the duty of me, the Commissioner,
to give him encouragement and stimulus to exertion.
" ' Or if he have aught that he would say in the way of intreaty, he is
permitted to make a clear statement thereof. If there be really nothing
therein inconsistent with the principles of reason, in my equal maintenance
of perfect justice, how can I, the Commissioner, be willing in the least to
oppress? But if he speak not according to reason, and imagine, amid the
darkness of night, to abscond with his men*, it will show the conviction
within him that he can have no face to encounter his fellow-men, and can
he be able to escape the meshes of the vast and wide net of heaven ?
" ' Having received your Excellency's communication as above, it befits
me to communicate with you in reply, that you may, upon due examina
tion, direct the territorial and financial Commissioner, and the judicial
Commissioner, with the Prefect of Kwang Chow Foo, to enjoin commands
upon the said Superintendent, for his implicit obedience.'
• The word has the ambiguity arising from a want of declension of number in Chinese
grammar ; but the context seems to point out a plural rendering.—Translator.
371
"I, the Governor, having received the above communication, proceed to
give this injunction, enjoining the Prefect that he instantly take with him
the two magistrates of Nanhae and Pwanyu ; and in obedience to the
matter contained in the communication from the High Imperial Commis
sioner, proceed to impress on the said Superintendent Elliot the commands,
that they may be without fail obeyed."
He (the Kwang Chow Foo) having received this, forthwith issues com
mands. When these reach the said Superintendent Elliot, let him pay
immediate obedience.
Be there no opposition to these special commands.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 12th day (26th March, 1839.)
(L. S.) of the Kwang Chow Foo.
(L. S.) of the Nanhae magistrate.
(L. S.) of the Pwanyu magistrate.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 17 in No. 146.
The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot.
CHOO, by special appointment, Prefect of Kwang Chow, taking with
him Lew, the magistrate of Nanhae, and Chang, the magistrate of
Pwanyu, issues commands to the English Superintendent, Elliot, for his full
information.
On the 26th March, 1839, he received the within official injunction
from His Excellency Tang, Governor of the two Kwang :
" Upon the 26th March, 1839, J received from Lin, the High Imperial
Commissioner and Governor of Hookwang, a communication of the
following tenor :—
" ' 1 received on the 26th March, 1839, between 5 and 7 a. m., your
Excellency's communication to me of the following tenor :—
" ' Tnat the English Superintendent, Elliot, having come up to
Canton on the 24th, had a foreign address ready and presented, at 1 a. m.
on the 25th ; that a clear and plain reply had been given to it, and the
Particulars communicated to me, as appears explicitly on record; that now,
etween 1 and 3 p. m., another prepared address has been presented, the
requests contained in which are all found difficult to be at present granted;
and that it has appeared right to send for my examination the foreign
addresses, that commands may be given in reply.
" ' Upon the receipt hereof, I have given the subject my consideration.
The said Superintendent, Elliot, requests, I find, that an officer may be
deputed to enable him clearly and minutely to state matters. These
words seem somewhat reasonable. But how then is it that this day, from
7 till 5, when I had sent several times, Choo the Prefect of Kwang Chow
Foo, Yu the Prefect expectant, Lew the Sub-Prefect of Fukang, Lew the
magistrate of Nanhae, and Chang the magistrate of Pwanyu, who
jointly repaired to the Consoo House of the Hong merchants, waiting
for the said foreigner, in order to express to him commands ; and when
the Territorial and Financial Commissioner, and the Judicial Commis
sioner, also both went to the new city, to await information: nevertheless,
the foreigners all remained in concealment, not one appearing; and the
said Superintendent Elliot also did not even to the last show himself?
What kind of conduct is this?
" ' I find that foreigners, by dealing in opium, have long infringed
the laws. I, the High Commissioner, having received the Imperial com
mands to repair to Kwangtung in order to make inquiry and to act,
cannot bear to destroy ere 1 have instructed. Therefore did I first issue
an edict, requiring the delivery up of the opium. This was a measure of
indulgence beyond the bounds of law. Had the said Superintendent one
3 B 2
372
glimpse of light, how ought he to have been roused by gratitude speedily
to act ? But whereas, before Elliot came to Canton, I heard that all the
foreigners verbally expressed their readiness to deliver up opium, and
only failed to state the true amount ; and even Dent, although (having the
conviction that he had been long in the habit of dealing in opium) he
ventured not at once to appear before the officers, yet neither did he
venture to abscond ; whereas, I say, this was before the case, no sooner
had Elliot come to Canton, on the evening of the 24th, than he wished to
lead off Dent to abscond, with the view of preventing the determination
in regard to the delivery of the opium. Had not the precautionary mea-
' sures been most strict and complete, almost had the hare escaped, the
wolf run off. Elliot's conduct being thus exactly the same as that of an
artful schemer, can he yet be regarded fit for the office of Superintendent ?
" • And while confusedly presenting to your Excellency the Governor
two addresses in one day, he makes not one word of reference to the
inquiries now being made for the prevention of opium, or to the orders
that have been given to deliver it up, just as though there was a causeless
and vexatious detention. This only he has failed to consider, that had
he really indeed been ready to command clearly all the foreigners to
deliver up the opium in obedience to the commands given, should not I,
the Commissioner, have then praised and encouraged him greatly ? Or
had he even abstained from giving such clear commands, yet if he had
not proceeded to work upon and seduce the minds of all, to induce them
to abscond, should I in that case have indeed taken the step of with
drawing the Compradores, and making inquiry regarding the vessel he
came in? At this time, the offence of contumacious resistance and oppo
sition is turned away from Dent, and fixed on Elliot. Even should I, the
Commissioner, treat him with a partiality of leniency, yet, his country
having long enjoyed the advantages of a commercial intercourse with
Kwangtung, even for a period of two hundred years, if it shall find these
advantages suddenly stopped and destroyed by the individual Elliot, will
his Sovereign treat him with consideration and indulgence?
" ' When on former occasions, foreign officers that have been here
have failed to keep the laws, the nation aforesaid has several times gone
to the full extent of the law in inflicting punishment upon them. Can
Elliot not have heard of this ?
" ' Having received your communication as afore stated, it behoves me
to request your Excellency the Governor, to be so indulgent as once more
to enjoin it upon Elliot, that it is needful he should come to have a fear
of crime, and a purpose to repent and amend ; that he should give clear
commands to all the foreigners to obey the orders, requiring them to take
/ the opium on board the store ships, and speedily to deliver it up. Then
not only the Compradores of individuals and of ships will be all restored as
usual; but I, the Commissioner, with your Excellency the Governor, and
the Lieutenant-Governor, will assuredly cease to go back into the past,
and will lay our entreaties before the Great Emperor, that favors may be
shown beyond the bounds of law. And thenceforward all the foreigners
will conduct a legitimate trade, rejoicing in the exhaustless gains thereof.
If, assuming a false garb of ignorance, he voluntarily draw upon himself
troubles, the evil consequences will be of his own working out, and where
shall he find place for after repentance?
" ' Herewith is sent a proclamation, under four heads, which, while I
send copies to the Hong merchants to be pasted up, I hope you will at
the same time enjoin on Elliot, that he may have it translated and given
to all the foreigners, for their information. I wait your reply, &.C.'
" Upon the receipt of the above, I, the Governor, proceed to issue this
injunction, requiring of the Prefect instantly to take with him the two
magistrates of Nanhae and Pwanyu, and to act in obedience to what is
contained in the communication from His Excellency the Imperial Com
missioner, enjoining the commands on the said Superintendent Elliot, that
he may without fail obey."
Having received this, he (the Prefect) proceeds at once to issue com
373
mands. When these reach the said Superintendent Elliot, let him pay
immediate obedience.
Let there be no opposition to these commands.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 12th day. (26th March, 1839).
(L.S.) of the Kwang-Chow-Foo.
(L.S.) of the Nanhae magistrate.
(L.S.) of the Pwanyu magistrate.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 18 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner.
Canton, March 27, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, &c, has now had the honour to receive, for the first
time, your Excellency's commands, bearing date the 26th day of March,
issued by the pleasure of the Great Emperor, to deliver over into the
hands of honourable officers to be appointed by your Excellency, all the
opium in the hands of British subjects.
Elliot must faithfully and completely fulfil these commands ; and he
has now respectfully to request that your Excellency will be pleased to
indicate the point to which the ships of his nation, having opium on board,
are to proceed, so that the whole may be delivered up.
The faithful account of the same shall be transmitted as soon as it is
ascertained.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 19 in No. 146.
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 the within commands from Lin the High
Imperial Commissioner, and Governor of Hookwang.
"This day it appears the following' prepared address has been pre
sented by the English Superintendent, Elliot :
[The Address of March 27 (Inclosure 18) is here inserted]
" Upon this coming before me, the Commissioner, I forthwith
i :—
reply
" The representation that, in obedience to the commands, he will
deliver up the opium, manifests a respectful sense of duty and under
standing of matters. I find that the store ships at present in these seas,
are, in all, twenty-two; and the general amount of the opium they have on
board, I am already informed of by my inquiries. The Superintendent
can have no difficulty in instantly ascertaining from all the foreigners in
the factories the precise amounts, and immediately writing out and pre
senting a clear statement thereof, to enable me, the Commissioner, in con
junction with the Governor, at once to declare a certain period, when
we will ourselves go to receive what is delivered up. He must not make
an untrue report, lest he bring on himself the offence of concealing, de
ceiving, and passing over. Beware of this !
" I proceed to direct that commands be enjoined, and to this end
address my commands to the Prefect of Kwang-Chow-Foo, requiring that
ha pay immediate obedience, and make known to the Hong merchants my
374
reply, for them to transmit the commands to the said Superintendent
Elliot, in order that he may obey the same. A special order."
Upon the receipt hereof, he (the Prefect) proceeds to issue commands.
When these reach the said Superintendent Elliot, let him immediately act
in obedience thereto, and instantly ascertain from all the foreigners in the
factories, what is the precise amount of opium on board the store ships
now in these seas, and at once let him write out and present a clear
statement thereof.
Let there be no opposition to these commands.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 13th day (27th March, 1839.)
(L.S.) of the Kwang-Chow-Foo.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 20 in No. 146.
Public Notice issued by Captain Elliot to British Subjects, requiring
them to deliver up to him all British-owned Opium, either in their
possession or under their controul.
Circular.
Canton, March 27, 1839.
I, CHARLES ELLIOT, Chief Superintendent of the trade of British
subjects in China, presently forcibly detained in Canton by the Provincial
Government, together with all the merchants of my own and the other
foreign nations settled here, without supplies of food, deprived of our
servants, and cut ofT from all intercourse with our respective countries
(notwithstanding my own official demand to be set at liberty, so that I
might act without restraint), have now received the commands of the High
Commissioner, issued directly to me under the seals of the honourable
officers, to deliver over into his hands all the opium held by the people of
my country.
Now I, the said Chief Superintendent, thus constrained by paramount
motives affecting the safety of the lives and liberty of all the foreigners
here present in Canton, and by other very weighty causes, do hereby, in
the name and on the behalf of Her Britannic Majesty's Government,
enjoin and require all Her Majesty's subjects now present in Canton,
forthwith to make a surrender to me, for the service of Her said Majesty's
Government, to be delivered over to the Government of China, of all
the opium belonging to them, or British opium under their controul ;
and to hold the British ships and vessels engaged in the trade of opium
subject to my immediate direction, and to forward to me, without delay, a
sealed list of all the British-owned opium in their respective possessions ;
and I, the said Chief Superintendent, do now, in the most full and unre
served manner, hold myself responsible, for and on the behalf of Her
Britannic Majesty's Government, to all and each of Her Majesty's
subjects surrendering the said British-owned opium into my hands to be
delivered over to the Chinese Government; and I, the said Chief
Superintendent, do further specially caution all Her Majesty's subjects
here present in Canton, owners of, or charged with the management of
opium, the property of British subjects, that, failing the surrender of the
said opium into my hands, at or before six o'clock this day, I, the said
Chief Superintendent, hereby declare Her Majesty's Government wholly
free of all manner of responsibility or liability in respect of the said British-
owned opium.
And it is specially to be understood that the proof of British property
and value of all British opium surrendered to me agreeably to this notice,
shall be determined upon principles, and in a manner hereafter to be
defined by Her Majesty's Government.
Given under my hand and seal of office, at Canton, in China, this
375
twenty-seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty-nine, at six of the clock in the morning.
(L.S.) (Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent of the Trade of
British Subjects in China.
Inclosure 21 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner.
Canton, March 28, 1839.
ELLIOT, respectfully referring to your Excellency's commands, has
now the honour to signify that he holds himself strictly responsible to your
Excellency, as the High Commissioner of the Great Emperor, faithfully,
and with all practicable dispatch, to deliver up as may be appointed,
20,283 (twenty thousand two hundred and eighty-three) chests of British-
owned opium, which he yesterday required of the people of his country in
the name of his Sovereign.
But as it appears upon inquiry that considerable quantities of the
said 20,283 chests are not at places within the immediate reach of this
port. Elliot must request that your Excellency will be pleased to accept
nis solemn public pledge, that every chest shall be delivered up as it falls
into his possession, until the whole amount of 20,283 chests shall be within
the hands of your Excellency. And if Elliot dares to break that solemn
public pledge in the least degree, he would most assuredly draw upon his
own head the severest displeasure of his own Sovereign.
Elliot, however, is the officer of the English nation only, and1 your
Excellency will, therefore, see that it is not in his power to require men of
other foreign nations to deliver him their opium.
It remains for him to offer the expression of his highest consideration.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 22 in No. 146.
The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot.
CHOO, Prefect of Kwang-Chow-Foo, issues commands to the English
Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
He has now received the within injunction from his Excellency Lin,
the High Imperial Commissioner and Governor of Hookwang.
" The English Superintendent Elliot has presented an address, of the
following tenor :—
[The Address of March 28 (Inclosure 21) is here inserted.]-
" Upon this coming duly before me, the Commissioner, I proceed to
reply.
" By this address it appears, that the amount of opium has been
ascertained, and the needful examination and receipt thereof are respect
fully awaited. The real sincerity and faithfulness thus shown, are worthy
of praise. I find that the amount of 20,283 chests, stated by the said
Superintendent, has reference only to such as is brought by the English
foreigners.
" I, the Commissioner, have assuredly no suspicion that there is any
376
insincerity behind. And the statement that there is some at other ports
elsewhere, I presume also to be the fact. But I have considered that,
before the issuing of the orders to deliver up, it is difficult to feel assured
that there has been no opium laid up in the several foreign factories, nor
any brought in the various vessels at Whampoa. The question does not
now stop with what is in deposit on board the store ships, but at this
time, when punishment is not to be inflicted on past offences, it is essen
tial that all the opium, wherever laid up, should be completely surrendered.
Assuredly the offences of those who have before laid up a store thereof,
shall not be visited upon them.
"I have now, in conjunction with the Governor and Lieutenant-
Governor, determined on the rules to be observed in regard to the delivery
of the opium. Besides sending a copy thereof separately to the Prefect of
Kwang Chow Foo, that he may desire the Hong merchants to make
known the same, I also require of the said Superintendent, instantly to
ascertain what quantity of opium there may be in the foreign factories ;
and on the 29th, officers shall be deputed to receive the same ; what quan
tity of opium there may be on board the ships at Whampoa, to examine
and receive which officers shall be sent on the 30th ; and what quantity
there is on board the twenty-two store ships outside, to examine and
receive which, I, the Commissioner, and the Governor, will ourselves goto
the Bocca Tigris. Whatever there may be stored up at other ports, since
the said Superintendent has promised to deliver up the whole, he should
of course be held responsible for the delivery of, from time to time, as it
shall arrive. Should the amount be in excess of the 20,283 chests, it must
still be fully surrendered. In so doing, the sincerity of the purpose will
be shown. And assuredly no blame snail be attached to the inaccuracy
of the original report, on account of such excess.
" Besides this, the American, French, and Dutch nations have also
Consuls in superintendence of affairs, to whom orders have now been given
in like manner to pay obedience, and speedily to represent the real
amounts, waiting till examination can be made, and the whole received.
Though the said Superintendent be peculiarly charged with the controulof
the English foreigners, yet having been permitted by the Crown, in conse
quence of the Governor's representations, to remain as Superintendent in
the foreign factories, he should spread abroad his monitions, so that all
may speedily deliver up what opium they have, so as to enable us to memo
rialize the throne conjointly, and request a conferment of favors from the
Great Emperor, in order to afford encouragement and stimulate exertion.
Now is the time for the foreigners of all nations to repent of their faults,
and pass over to the side of virtue. This is the day and time for reforma
tion ; and if embraced, the enjoyment of unending advantages will be the
result. Let none on any account make excuses, or seek delay, so as to
incur cause for future repentance.
" I proceed to issue commands, requiring obedience. And to this end I
give my injunctions to the Prefect of Kwang Chow Foo, requiring him
immediately to transmit directions to the Hong merchants, to enjoin the
commands on Elliot, to be without fail by him obeyed."
This having been received, he (the Prefect) proceeds to issue com
mands. When these reach the said Superintendent Elliot, let him pay
immediate obedience. Let there be no opposition to these commands.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 14th day. (28th March, 1839.)
(L.S.) of the Kwang-Chow-Foo.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
377
Inclosure 23 in No. 146.
The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot, communicating four Rules
for the delivery of Opium.
CHOO, Prefect of Kwang-Chow-Foo, issues commands to the English
Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information. .
r He has now received an injunction from Lin, the High Imperial Com-,
missioner and Governor of Hookwang, sending out four rules for the
delivery of opium, which he transmits for immediate obedience. Be there
no opposition. A special command. ,
RULES.
First.—The opium to be delivered up, as promised in the address, was
not intended to have reference peculiarly to the store ships. Whatever
may be laid up in the foreign factories, or on board the ships at Whampoa,
the said Superintendent is required first to deliver up: all that there
may be in the factories he is required to have removed on the 29th, to the
outside thereof, there to await the deputing of officers to examine and
take charge of the same. As to the ships at Whampoa, he is instantly
to draw up a clear statement of the amount of opium in chests on board
any of them by name, and to write in readiness, foreign letters to be
handed in to government ; it being determined to depute an officer on the
30th, to proceed, with chop-boats and tea-boats to examine and take
charge of the same.
Secondly. —To the twenty-two store ships, which have of late been
anchored off Lintin, in the Macao Roads, and elsewhere, the said Super
intendent is also required to address foreign letters, that they may imme
diately proceed to make delivery. Officers shall be in the first place
deputed to carry the letters, and give commands to the store-ships to cast
anchor near to the Sandy-Head Offing, (one of the headlands of the Bogue,)
and then and there they must respectfully await the arrival at the Bocca
Tigris, of their Excellencies the Imperial Commissioner and the Governor,
personally, between the 31st of March and the 2nd of April, when they
shall, ship by ship, submit the opium to be examined and taken charge of
by their Excellencies, in concert with the naval Commander-in-Chief.
■ K .Thirdly.—The foreigners of his nation residing in the foreign Fac
tories at Macao, must also be required to convey any opium they have in
store, to the port of Sandy-Head, there to be in course of time examined
and taken charge of.
Fourthly.—Foreign vessels bringing opium from beyond sea, and being
anchored in sundry and distant places, not near to the Bocca Tigris, the
said Superintendent and the several Consuls are constantly in communica
tion with them, and their courses are well known: they should be required,
therefore, to write and have in readiness foreign letters, and to point out
plainly the places in which the vessels are anchored, delivering such letters
in to Government, until officers shall be deputed to take and give them to
the parties, who must bring their ships, with the opium on board- to
the port of Sandy-Head, where, as they arrive, the opium shall be
delivered. , There must■ not be the least concealment or delay.
: "■■V Taoukwang, 19th year,1 2nd month, 14th day. (28th March, 1839.)
(L.S.) of the Kwang-Chow-Foo.
True Translation.
..■ (Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
3 C
378
Inclosure 24 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner.
Canton, March 28, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, &c, has the honour to signify to your Excellency,
that if any of the ships of his nation, having■ opium, at the outside ancho
rages, alarmed by his detention, and the severe proceedings of the
Government, shall take advantage of the north wind to sail away,
Elliot is still, according to the customs of his nation, most severely
responsible till every chest of the 20,283 be delivered into the hands of the
Government. He will be bringing disgrace upon his nation, and his
Sovereign will punish him with the last degree of displeasure, if he breaks
faith in the smallest degree.
But shut up as he is, he knows not where the ships are ; and not
being able to send them orders to stay, it is his duty to state most clearly,
that if they are gone he is still responsible to his Sovereign till the whole
20,283 chests be delivered up.
Taking all these circumstances into consideration, Elliot trusts that
your Excellency will be pleased to confide to his justice and truth, the
faithful delivery of the opium on board the outside ships, as it falls into
his possession, in the manner which he may find practicable when he is
set at liberty.
By this expression he means only, that the native servants should be
restored to the people of his country ; that they should be permitted to
purchase their supplies of food; and that the intercourse between
Canton, Macao, and the outer anchorages in the licensed passage boats,
should be re-opened ; Elliot himself remaining in Canton till the whole be
delivered.
With regard to opium at Canton and Whampoa, Elliot, and all the
men of the foreign nations, have already taken most severe proceedings,
as your Excellency will find by reference to the late records, when it was
faithfully reported that all was gone.
Elliot has now respectfully to announce to your Excellency, that
whilst he, and all the men of his nation, continue prisoners, the disposal of
these matters is not in his hands. For, according to the customs of his
country, the orders of persons in confinement are of no avail ; thus, the
ships will not obey his injunctions until it be known that he and all the
people of his nation are set at liberty.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 25 in No. 146.
The Prefect of Canton, communicating the commands of the Imperial
Commissioner in reply to Captain Elliot's Address (Inclosvre 24).
CHOO, by special appointment, Prefect of Kwang-Chow-Foo, issues
commands to the English Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
He has now received the within injunction from Lin, the High
Imperial Commissioner and Governor of Hookwan g.
" Upon the 29th instant, the English Superintendent, Elliot, presented
an address requesting that as usual the compradores and servants should
be allowed to furnish the daily supplies of food, and the passage-boats
should be permitted to run between this, the outer anchorages, and Macao;
he still remaining in Canton until the whole amount of opium shall be
completely delivered up.
379
" On this duly coming before me, the Commissioner, I proceed to
reply.
" Yesterday the said Superintendent, when addressing me in reply,
promised for himself, that he would certainly deliver up the opium of his
nation, to the amount of 20,283 chests, surrendering the whole quantity as
he should bring it into his hands. I therefore answered in his praise, and
at the same time clearly gave directions in regard to the places where,
and time when, the delivery should be made. And I besides sent in a
separate form, a list of Rules, and required of him to write foreign letters
(or orders) to enable me to depute officers to proceed therewith to the
store-ships, and call on them to make the delivery. This was a most
simple, convenient, and easy mode of proceeding. If the said Super
intendent were really acting with sincerity of purpose, he certainly should
have speedily proceeded to obey my commands. Though he say, that in
the foreign Factories, and on board the ships at Whampoa, there is now
no opium, yet the opium laid up on board the twenty-two store-ships, is
all deposited therein by the foreigners residing in the factories. Ordi
narily, when combining with Chinese traitors to dispose thereof clandes
tinely, it has been always practicable to obtain foreign orders written at
the factories, and giving the same to the fast boats to proceed therewith
outside and get possession of the commodity. How is it" then that on this
occasion, when surrendering the opium, there is no knowledge of this
mode of operation ?
" In the present address, it is represented, that now, while the north
wind is blowing, it is feared that vessels outside, having opium on board,
may perhaps set sail and go away. Now I find that of late the store-
ships have all returned to Lintin, Macao Roads, and other anchor
ages, and there remained ; doubtless, because they have heard that com
mands have been issued requiring delivery of the opium, and therefore
have not dared to sail far away. They are yet disposed to await and pay
obedience ; while you would desire to stir them up and make them go. I
would ask, seeing that you have taken on you the responsibility in this
matter, how, if the store-ships should dare to sail away, you will be able
to sustain the heavy criminality attaching to you ?
"The address talks too of close restraint, as if it were imprisonment,
which is still more laughable. I find that from the 18th March, when
the commands were given to all the foreigners to deliver up their opium,
every thing remained as usual, until the 24th, when you came in a boat to
Canton, and that night wished to take Dent and abscond with him. It
was after this that cruizers were stationed to examine and observe all
that went in and out. It was because you were void of truth and good
faith, that it became unavoidably necessary to take preventive steps. As
to the compradores and others, they are in fact Chinese traitors, who
would also suggest absconding and escape. How then could the with
drawal of them be omitted ? Yesterday, too, when you had made a state
ment of the amount of opium, I at once conferred on you a reward con
sisting of sundry articles of food. Is this the manner in which prisoners
are ever treated ?
" I, The High Commissioner, in conjunction with the Governor and
Lieutenant-Governor, looking up to the Great Emperor, embody his all-
comprehending kindness, and in our treatment of you foreigners of every
nation, never go .beyond these two words,—favour and justice. Such as
display contumacy and contempt, how can they have aught but justice
dealt out to- them ? But such as show a respectful sense of duty, shall
assuredly be tenderly intreated with favor.
" Do you now simply command plainly all the foreigners with instant
speed to prepare letters, and hand them in to Government, to enable it to
give commands to all the store-ships to deliver up in orderly succession
the opium. And as soon as this shall be delivered up, every thing shall
without fail be restored to its ordinary condition. This requisitipn is
indeed conformable to reason : what difficulty is there in complying with it?
If, in place of speedily making delivery, you make pretexts for diverting
attention, in the hope that after the strict preventive measures shall be
withdrawn you may form some other scheme, who cannot see through such
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380
artful devices ? And will you be enabled to make a repetition of such
attempts ?
" Besides deputing officers to proceed to the Hong merchants' Consoo
House, there to give verbal commands, and so prevent delay, you are also
hereby required to act speedily in obedience to this my reply. Do not
again be working at excuses and delay, thereby drawing on yourself
cause for future repentance.
" I proceed to give this injunction requiring obedience : and to this
end I enjoin the Prefect of Kwang Chow Foo, instantly to command the
Hong merchants to give it in command to the said Superintendent Elliot,
that ne without fail pay obedience."
He (the Prefect) having received this, proceeds to issue the com
mands. On these reaching the said Superintendent Elliotk let him
speedily act in conformity with this reply. Let him not again set to work
at making excuses and delaying, lest he draw on himself cause for
future repentance.
Hasten ! Hasten ! A special command.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 15th day. (29th March, 1839.)
(L.S.) of the Kwang-Chow-Foo.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison, ,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 26 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner.
Canton, March 30, 1839.
ELLIOT, being anxious to discharge his obligations to your Excel
lency with all practicable dispatch, has the honour to acquaint your
Excellency that he has now issued instructions to Mr. Johnston, the Deputy
Superintendent, requiring him forthwith to proceed outside and deliver
into the hands of the honourable officers, 20,283 (twenty thousand two
hundred and eighty-three) chests.
It is desirable, therefore, that the intercourse, by the licensed passage-
boats, should be opened as soon as possible, in order that Mr. Johnston
may proceed to Lintin, and there assemble all the ships for the purpose of
convenient delivery.
The inclosed is the order to Mr. Johnston for the delivery of the opium.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Sub-inclosure in Inclosure 26 in No. 146.
Sir, Canton, March 30, 1839.
I HAVE now to instruct you to deliver over to the officers of
the Chinese Government, with the least possible delay, twenty thousand
two hundred and eighty-three chests of opium ; and for the more con
venient and rapid discharge of that duty, you will be so good as to
assemble all the British outside shipping at Lintin.
You will report to me at Canton the quantity delivered by every
opportunity which presents itself, to the end that I may communicate the
same to the High Commissioner, from time to time.
I have &.c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
A. R. Johnston, Esq., Chief Superintendent.
Deputy-Superintendent.
381
Inclosure 27 in No 146
The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot, returning the order on
Mr. Johnston for the 20,283 Chests.
CHOO, by special appointment, Prefect of Kwang Chow Foo, issues
commands to the English Superintendent Elliot, for his full information.
On the 31st March, 1839, he received from Lin, the High Imperial
Commissioner and Governor of Hookwang, the within official injunction.
" On the 30th March, 1839, the English Superintendent, Elliot, pre
sented the following address.
[The. address of March 30 (Inclosure 26) is here inserted.~\
" Upon this duly coming before me, the Commissioner, I forthwith
.reply.
" This address represents, that the Deputy Superintendent Johnston
shall be sent outside, to call together all the vessels, and deliver up the
whole amount of opium ; and gives conveyance to an order to him for my
perusal. I, the High Commissioner, have carefully examined the terms of
this order, and though I find therein nothing improper, yet considering
that in a previous address, the said Superintendent stated that, taking on
him the power intrusted to him by his Sovereign, he had required of the
people of his nation immediately to deliver up the whole of the opium ; it
' is plain to me, that as the said Superintendent has the power of making
such a requisition, he can have no difficulty in giving orders directly to all
the store-ships ; and what necessity, then, is there for committing the
matter to Johnston, and thus multiplying the twists and bends of the
transaction ?
" I, the High Commissioner, have given reiterated official replies,
requiring of all the foreigners to write orders themselves, on the ground
that, in the ordinary manner of selling the opium, they have always thus,
disembarked the goods, without committing an error once in a hundred
times. Why, then, is not the opium surrendered in this comparatively
simple, convenient, and easy way ?
"Let me now weigh the matter for you. The said Superintendent■
having the power to act, and having repeatedly acknowledged before me
his responsibility, can have not the smallest loop-hole of escape therefrom.
How can he possibly have the power to require of all the foreigners to
deliver up the opium, and yet not have the power to require that they
write orders for the same? It is his duty, then, immediately to pay
obedience to my reiterated instructions, and speedily to require of all the
foreigners severally, to write foreign orders for the number of chests of
opium they have on board each vessel by name, and to present the same
to Government through the said Superintendent, covered by a general
order from himself, that these being conveyed to the store-ships they may
in orderly succession make delivery. The earlier the day of the complete
delivery, the earlier will be the day for the commercial intercourse to.
* resume its ordinary course, not stopping merely at the giving permission
to the passage boats to run.
" The said Superintendent must know that I, the Commissioner, give
my commands and cautions in full sincerity, and he must speedily pay
implicit obedience. He must not be turning inconstantly this way and
that, bringing thereby criminality and cause of sorrow on himself.
" The foreign order is sent back herewith.
" I proceed to give injunctions, requiring J;he said Prefect immediately
to direct the Hong merchants to give it in command to the said Superin
tendent Elliot, that he, without fail, pay obedience."
He (the Prefect) having received this, proceeds forthwith to issue
382
cmomands. When these reach the said Superintendent, let him imme
diately pay obedience. Be there no opposition. A special command.
Two papers, being foreign orders, are returned herewith.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 18th day. (1st April, 1839.)
(L. S.) of the Kwang Chow Foo.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 28 in No. 146.
■-
Memorandum transmitted by Captain Elliot to the Prefect of Canton,
to be laid before the Imperial Commissioner.
Canton, April 1, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, &c, desires to send Mr. Johnston to deliver up the
opium, for no other object than that of clear and orderly arrangement ; it
being requisite that a person should be sent on board the vessels, to take
note of each delivery, and so prevent error or confusion.
For Elliot having in the present case to deliver up all the opium, is by
no means in a similar position to that of individual merchants in ordinary
times selling small amounts. And these merchants having now given
into his hands all the opium to be held by him, on account of his nation,
though the merchants should send orders on board the vessels, they would
be utterly useless. It is on these accounts absolutely requisite that a
person should proceed to each vessel ; for so alone can all the opium be
delivered.
And Elliot is willing to give the fullest assurance, that whenever
Mr. Johnston shall be enabled to proceed in a chop-boat to Macao, and
the cutter Louisa to proceed outside with instructions to the store-
ships, Mr. Johnston shall at once bring the vessels to the anchorage of
Lankeet. The business being a troublesome one, which cannot be managed
in a moment, he would then solicit his Excellency the Commisssioner to be
pleased to direct a certain amount to be at once surrendered to Govern
ment, as an evidence of his sincerity ; and then to command that affairs in
the factories at Canton be restored to their ordinary condition ; when
Mr. Johnston shall continue to deliver from time to time all the opium, to
the full amount of 20,283 chests.
These are the words of truth and sincerity, and shall not be departed
from.
If it be said that Elliot or Johnston would procrastinate and trifle
with this matter, seeking to avoid delivering the full amount, it is replied
that such conduct would be in the last degree derogatory to the dignity of
their Sovereign. And should those officers break faith in the smallest
particle, they may be punished with death, and their Sovereign, severely
indignant at their offence, would not regard their punishment.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 29 in No. 146.
The Imperial Commissioner to Captain Elliot, prescribing terms for
the delivery of the 20,283 Chests of Opium.
LIN, the High Imperial Commissioner of the Celestial Court, gives
commands to the English Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
Upon the 1st of April, the said Superintendent gave the following
voluntary pledge.
[An Extract of the Memorandum of April 1 (Inclosure 28) is here
inserted.]
I, the High Commissioner, having looked over the terms of this pledge,
find that they are such as emanate from perfect sincerity. I will then, in
concert with the Governor of the two Kwang, depute civil and military
officers, who, taking under their command Hong merchants and linguists,
shall agree and fix upon a time, when they will take Johnston with them
on board a chop-boat, and proceed outside the port, that he may direct the
store-ships to repair to the anchorage of Lankeet, and deliver up the
opium. There, in sections of two vessels at a time, they shall submit it to
examination and surrender it.
In addition to this, having reference to the request that an amount
should be named for prior delivery, as an evidence of sincerity, I have
considered that the English opium on this occasion to be delivered up,
amounting to 20,283 chests, cannot indeed be completely surrendered in
one or two days, and I have therefore determined on the following terms :
that when one-fourth part shall have been delivered, the compradores and
servants shall immediately be restored ; when one-half shall have been
delivered, consideration being had thereto, the passage-boats shall be
allowed to apply for passes, and upon examination to run to and fro ;
when three-fourths shall have been delivered, the removal of the embargo
and freedom of trade shall be at once granted ; and when the whole shall
have been surrendered, every thing shall return to its ordinary condition,
and a request shall be laid before the throne that encouragement and
reward may be conferred.
Should the said Superintendent, &c, be unable rightly to give com
mands to the store-ships, and should error and breach of faith so result, it
is requisite, in view of such a case, to prescribe terms of warning. If there
be any erroneous delay for three days, the supply of fresh water shall be
cut off; if for three days more there be like delay, the supplies of food shall
be cut off; and if such delay continue still three days longer, the laws
shall forthwith be maintained and enforced. There can be no indulgence
shown.
For this purpose, I address my commands in a direct form, requiring
implicit obedience. Oppose not special commands.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 2nd month, 19th day. (2nd April, 1839.)
(L. S.) of the Imperial Commissioner.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
384
Inclosure 30 in No. 146.
Captain Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner.
Canton, April 3, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, has had the honour to receive your Excellency's
commands, and is willing to conform to these directions, as soon as it is
clearly explained that Johnston shall proceed in the first place to Macao,
with the officers and the Hong merchants ; that his own boat shall leave
Whampoa at the same time ; and that Johnston should then be allowed to
go free on board Elliot's boat, and assemble the ships two by two at
Lankeet for the delivery of the opium.
In this manner alone, the full and rapid performance of your Excel
lency's commands is easy of fulfilment.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 147.
■ Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received August 29, 1839.)
(Extract.) Canton, April 3. 1839.
IN my position, and with my thoughts intensely fixed upon the diffi
culties that have befallen this great trade, I may spare your Lordship the
language of excuse for the following matter.
It is my first duty to express a plain conviction, that no efforts of Her
Majesty's Government, either of negotiation purely, or of negotiation
supported by arms, could recover, for trade to be carried on at Canton,
such a degree of confidence as would restore its late important extent.
All sense of security has been broken to pieces.
In fact, my Lord, the first truth deducible from the actual proceedings
of this Government, is strikingly momentous ; namely, that a separation
from the ships of our country, on the main land of China, is wholly
unsafe.
The movement of a few hours has placed the lives, liberty, and property
of the foreign community in China, with all the vast interests, commercial
and financial, contingent upon our security, at the mercy of this Govern
ment. And if this fearful intelligence reaches England and India before
the news of our liberation, and before that of the reassuring measures
which I felt myself called upon to take, I am greatly afraid that the shock
will be incalculably heavy, and most widely felt. Indeed, before 1 leave
this part of the subject, I would presume to express the anxious hope,
that Her Majesty's Government will see fit, as soon as these despatches
Come to hand, to make such a declaration concerning its general intentions,
as will have the effect of upholding confidence.
I am writing this despatch, my -Lord, in a moment of anxiety, and I
close it abruptly, to save the opportunity of Mr. Johnston, who is leaving
tis in our confinement, as your Lordship will observe by the narrative
despatch, in a sudden manner.
This is our first intercourse, of a sure kind, with our countrymen and
families outside for twelve days.
385
No. 148.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmer ston.—(Received September 21, 1839.)
My Lord, Canton, April 6, 1839.
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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386
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.
393
; " 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
commands for the prevention of any discharging or removal of opium
from ship to ship, at the lower anchorages ; and to hasten all the ships
having opium on board to Chuenpee. t
By this time more than half the opium must be delivered to the
honourable officers, so that in the course of this day orders from your
Excellencies will probably reach the provincial city, commanding the
honourable officers to let the passage-boats and passengers go in and out
as usual.
When the communications are constantly open, Elliot will himself be
enabled to exercise a more vigilant controul.
In all his proceedings he has manifested truth and sincerity, and
your Excellencies will find, that to repose entire confidence in him, so
that he may act with effect, is the surest mode of completing the whole
delivery of 20,283 chests, and preventing future irregularity.
Much disorder will always take place when the chief authority
cannot exercise constant controul.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
401
Inclosnre 12 in No. 148.
Captain Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner and the Governor of Canton.
Canton, April 20, 1839.
ELLIOT has the honour to reply to the commands of their Excel
lencies, of date the 19th April.
On the question of bonds, Elliot before plainly pointed out the
impracticabilities attending it. And again, on the 10th of April, he repre
sented, that as this new regulation was inconsistent with the laws of
England, should compliance be absolutely required, and the execution of
bonds be deemed indispensable, there would be no alternative but for the
men and vessels of his country to depart.
Elliot has been appointed by his Government for the special purpose
of superintending the people of his country resorting hither for trade.
But finding now that the high officers absolutely require compliance with
new regulations and terms, which they have fixed for the trade of his
country with China; and these being such as it is impossible for him to
consent to, he has therefore the honour to request that he may be enabled,
at the head of the men and ships of his country, to take his departure and
sail away.
Elliot still most faithfully pledges himself to deliver up to the high
officers all the opium which he lately took from the English people in Her
Majesty's name.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 13 in No. 148.
The Prefect of Canton to Captain Elliot.
CHOO, Prefect of Kwang Chow Foo, with Lew, magistrate of
Nanhae-heen, and Chang, magistrate of Pwanyu-heen, issues commands to
the English Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
He has now received from their Excellencies Lin, High Imperial Com
missioner, &tc, and Tang, Governor of the two Kwang, the following
official injunction :—
" It is on record, that when the English Superintendent, Elliot, repre
sented that he would deliver 20,283 chests of opium, I, the High Commis
sioner, determined, on certain terms, one being, that when one half should
be delivered a measured permission should be given for the passage-boats
to apply for passes, and run to and fro. To this effect, commands were
given to the said Superintendent, that he might act accordingly.
" Recently, when the amount received approached a half, we, the
Commissioner and the Governor, had prepared instructions for allowing
the communication by passage boats ; but Johnston suddenly desired to
stop the deliveries, with the design of coercing us. We, for this reason,
withheld the before prepared instructions, and did not issue them.
" It now appears again, that he has hastened up several vessels,
which have consecutively made delivery. It behoves us, in accordance
with the previous declarations, to give a measured permission to the
passage-boats, upon examination, to run to and fro. Also to remove the
guards from the foreign factories. And at the same time to permit the
opening of the holds for trade.
"The said Superintendent, Elliot, although he himself represented
that he should wait the completion of this matter before he should go
3 F
402
down to Macao, yet now that the boats can run, he may be allowed to
pass to and fro as usual, to enable him to call together with more celerity,
and to give such orders and make such arrangemants, as from time to time
may be called for.
" Those of the foreigners who have been long in the habit of dealing
in opium, sixteen in number, as by the annexed list, must still be tempo
rarily detained in the foreign factories, waiting until the whole matter is
entirely completed, when they will be permitted to leave. This is in
accordance with the force of the terms "measured permission," in the
former declaration."
" But at the time when the boats leave Canton, if officers be not
appointed to proceed to the front of the foreign factories, and there, with
the Hong merchants under their direction, take cognizance of each by
name, it is to be apprehended that these sixteen persons may get on board
the boats, and, unknown, take themselves away from Canton. We there
fore instruct the expectant Sub-Prefect, Le Suh, together with the Kwang
Chow Hee, or brigadier, to give previous orders to the Hong merchants,
that they enjoin it on the foreigners to give them prior notice of the time
of any boat leaving Canton, that they may report to the officers aforesaid.
These are then to proceed in person to the place where the boats are
anchored, and to ascertain what number of persons are on board, and
what are their names and surnames ; and are to direct the Hong mer
chants to take cognizance of them severally. If there be not among them
any of the sixteen named, they shall then give to the boat a sealed pass
port to be shown for examination at the various custom-houses that it
shall pass.
"This sealed passport shall be printed according to the form here
with transmitted, and sealed with the seal of the Kwang Chow Foo. the
blanks being filled up at the time. The officers aforesaid must by all
means faithfully examine, and must permit no confusion or escape,
whereby they will render themselves heavily culpable. The Kwang Chow
Hee, too, must give directions to all the forts and other places of defence to
pay obedience.
" We further proceed to issue these commands requiring the Kwang
Chow Foo, immediately to take with him the magistrates of Nanhae and
Pwanyu, and to require the original merchants, Howqua Senior, &c to
act in accordance herewith, and immediately to remove all the vessels
surrounding the foreign factories.
" The boats registered under the designation " Obedient," are to have
a measured permission to run to and fro; still being subjected to examina
tion at the custom-house stations.
" The ship Esperanca, at Whampoa, which has already applied for
a port clearance to return home, and the captain of which, Linstedt, is
now in the foreign factories at Canton, may at once make application to
the Hoppo, to give permission for him to leave Canton, and take his
departure.
" All the cargo ships at Whampoa are permitted to open their holds
for trade. Those that, being already fully laden, have made application,
through the security merchants, for their port clearances, are permitted
to obtain the same on representation to the Hoppo, that they may be
enabled to set sail and return home.
" As to all the foreign merchant ships arrived in the outer waters,
they must wait till this matter is brought to a conclusion, when on exami
nation they will be directed to enter their names, and proceed to
Whampoa.
" The registered boats, proceeding from Whampoa to Canton, must
still be subjected to careful examination by the military guard at the two
posts, Jeshamee and Tawang-haou, on the way up. And if they have
contraband articles, or weapons, or gunpowder on board, must be imme
diately driven back, and an instant report made, in order that examina
tion may be made and measures taken.
" Let the tenor of these commands be also declared to Elliot, that he
knowing, may act accordingly. Be urgent and speedy."
He, the Prefect, having received this, forthwith issues these com
403
mands, on their reaching the said Superintendent, Elliot, that he may
be informed thereof. Be there no opposition. A special order.
[Appended is a list.]
Taoukwang, 19th year, 3rd month, 21st day. (4th May, 1839.)
(L. S.) of the Kwang Chow Foo
[Supposed names of the sixteen individuals, as given in the list
appended].
Dent. Heerjeebhoy.
Henry. Stanford.
D. Matheson. Green.
Daniell. Framjee.
Inglis. A. Matheson.
Ilbery. Matheson.
DaDABHOY. :', BOMANJEE.
A. Jardine. Goldsborough.
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 14 in No. 148.
Official Notice to Her Majesty's Subjects.
Canton, May 4, 1839.
IN the present state of circumstances, the Chief Superintendent is
not in a situation to do more than refer Her Majesty's subjects for
general guidance to his public Notice dated at Macao, on the 23rd
[arch last.
He need hardly observe, however, that it is his purpose to remain in
Canton till his public obligations to this Government are fulfilled; and he
will afford the best information in his power of the probable period- of his
departure from time to time.
Parties will therefore be pleased carefully to regulate their proceedings
accordingly.
There is a part of the public paper promulgated this evening (not
desirable to advert to particularly) which need give no uneasiness.
He hopes it will be felt, that the circumstances shall be suitably
arranged at the proper moment.
(Signed) EDWARD ELMSLIE,
Secretary and Treasurer to the
Superintendents.
3 F 2
404
Inclosure 15 in No. 148.
Public Notice to Her Majesty's Subjects.
Canton,
THE disregard of formal offers, upon the part of Her Majesty's
Officer, to adjust all difficulties by the fulfilment of the Imperial will ; the
unjustifiable imprisonment of the whole foreign community in Canton ;
the still more wanton protraction of that captivity, and the forced sur
render of property, of which the incidents have been, the utmost public
encouragement, direct and indirect, upon the one hand, and violent public
spoliation on the other: such are the chief facts which have sustained
the declaration put forward in the notice of the Chief Superintendent of
the Trade of British subjects, dated at Macao on the 23rd day of March
last, that he was without confidence in the justice and moderation of the
Provincial Government.
Correction remaining to be made for the circumstances that these
later deeds have been perpetrated mainly under the authority of the
Imperial Commissioner, he is also to declare that he is without confidence
in the justice and moderation of the said Imperial Commissioner.
Acting on the behalf of Her Majesty's Government, in a momentous
emergency, he has, in the first place, to signify, that the demand he recently
made to Her Majesty's subjects, for the surrender of British-owned opium
under their controul, had no special reference to the circumstances of that
property : but (beyond the actual pressure of necessity) that demand was
founded on the principle, that these violent, compulsory measures being
utterly unjust per se, and of general application for the forced surrender
of any other property, or of human life, or for the constraint of any
unsuitable terms or concessions, it became highly necessary to vest and
leave the right of exacting effectual security, and full indemnity for every
loss, directly in the Queen. These outrages have already temporarily cast
upon the British Crown immense public liabilities ; and it is incumbent
upon him, at this moment of release, to fix the earliest period for removal
from a situation of total insecurity ; and for the termination of all risk of
similar responsibility on the part of Her Majesty's Government.
He is sensible, too, that he could not swerve from the purposes now to
be declared, without extreme danger to vast public claims already pending,
and to general and permanent interests of highest moment.
Thus situated, then, and once more referring to his public notice,
dated at Macao on the 23rd day of March last, he has again to give
notice to, and enjoin all Her Majesty's subjects to make preparation for
quitting Canton before, or at the same time with Her Majesty's establish
ment; which departure will take place as soon as the Chief Superintendent
has completed his public obligations to this Government. For the general
convenience he will afford the best information in his power from time to
time, concerning the probable period of that event.
And he has further to give notice, that British subjects, or others,
thinking fit to make shipments of property on British account, on board
of British or any other foreign shipping, actually in this river, will be
pleased to regulate thei ) proceedings, in these respects, upon the under
standing, that such shipments must be made at their personal risk and
responsibility after the date of this notice.
And he again enjoins all Her Majesty's subjects in Canton, to
prepare sealed declarations, and lists of all claims whatever against
Chinese subjects, to be adjusted as nearly as may be to the period of their
respective retirements from Canton before him, or at the same time with
him.
And whilst it is specially to be understood that the proof of British
property, and value of all such claims handed in to him before his depar
ture, will be determined upon principles, and in a manner hereafter to be
defined by Her Majesty's Government, he has to recommend, with a view
to uniformity and general clearness, that claims for British property left
behind, should be drawn up as far as may be practicable on invoice cost.
405
And he has now to give notice to, and enjoin all Her Majesty's
subjects, either actually in China, or hereafter arriving, merchants, supra-
cargoes, commanders, commanding officers of ships, seamen, or others
having control over or serving on board of British ships or vessels, bound
to the Port of Canton, not to be requiring, aiding, or assisting in any way
in the bringing in to the said Port of Canton, any such British ships or
vessels, to the great danger of British life, liberty and property ; and the
prejudice of the interests and just claims of the Crown, till a declaration
shall be published, under his hand and seal of office, to the effect, that such
bringing in of British shipping, or of British property in foreign shipping,
is safe in the premises.
And the Chief Superintendent, making these solemn injunctions for the
safety of British life, liberty, and property, and in the protection of the
interests and just claims of the British Crown, reserves to Her Majesty's
Government, in the most complete manner, the power to cancel and disre
gard all future claims whatever, on the part of Her Majesty's subjects or
others preferring such claims on account of British property, either left
behind, or to be brought in, if any such British subject, or others pre
ferring such claims, shall disregard these injunctions now put forward,
respecting the keeping out of British shipping and property, till the decla
ration aforesaid shall be duly published.
And he has once more to warn Her Majesty's subjects in anxious
terms, that such sudden and strong measures, as it may be found neces
sary to adopt, on the part of competent authorities, for the honour and in
terests of tne British Crown, cannot be prejudiced by their continued
residence in Canton beyond the period of his own stay, upon their own
responsibilities, and in spite of the solemn injunctions of Her Majesty's
officer.
Given under my hand and seal of office, at Canton, in China, this
day of 1839.
(L.S.) (Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent of the Trade of
British Subjects in China.
No. 149.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received September 21, 1839.)
My Lord, Canton, May 6, 1839.
THE anxieties of our confinement have been distressingly increased
by frequent rumours of the Commissioner's aggressive intentions
towards Macao.
It seems that the Portuguese have taken advantage of his Excel
lency's engagement with our affairs, to embark their opium and send it to
Manilla ; but the statement, that it is all gone and that the trade should
no longer be carried on from that place, is not satisfactory: and his
Excellency is believed to insist that 3,000 chests (which hp appears to
suppose were recently there) should be delivered up to him. It is also
said, that he demands the occupation of the forts by Chinese troops ; and,
in general, that his dispositions menace such purposes as would place the
settlement completely at his mercy.
Your Lordship need not be informed that it is exposed to considerable
inconvenience, from being so dependent on the Chinese for supplies ; but
with the command of the sea always in our hands, abundance of dis
posable shipping, and the near neighbourhood of Manilla, that difficulty
is not serious. The more so, as the Chinese population (principally
artisans and labourers) would, of "course, evacuate the place before a state
of actual hostilities commenced.
The safety of Macao, my Lord, is, in point of fact, an object of
secondary moment to the Portuguese Government ; but to that of Her
Majesty it may be said to be of indispensable necessity, and most parti
406
cularly at this moment. With great difficulty and risk I have contrived
to hold the accompanying correspondence with the Governor of Macao;
and I have desired Mr. Johnston to let the outside shipping be kept in its
near neighbourhood; I have also requested Captain Blake, of the Lame,
to offer the Governor every assistance in his power.
The garrison consists of about 400 I ndian troops, of a poor descrip
tion, and about 500 Caffre slaves, by far the best part of the force. The
Governor, too, told me, before I left Macao, that he was supplied with rice
and ammunition ; and the forts are in an efficient state of defence against
Chinese attack.
This may not be an inconvenient occasion to press upon your Lord
ship's attention the strong necessity of concluding some immediate
arrangement with the Government of Her Most Faithful Majesty, either
for the cession of the Portuguese rights at Macao, or for the effectual
defence of the place; and its appropriation to British uses, by means of
a subsidiary Convention. A garrison of 1,000 good troops, principally
artillery, and a few sail of gun-boats would place Macao in a situation
to cover the whole trade with this part of the empire.
The inner harbour and the Taipa are open to the objections of
not being sufficiently roomy, or of depth enough to receive our large mer
chant-ships. But this is not more than an inconvenience; for we are so
completely the masters at sea, that the large ships might remain in Hong
Kong, and send their cargoes over in smaller vessels ; as indeed is pretty
much the case at present.
Connected with this subject, I inclose your Lordship a copy of a
despatch to the Right Honourable the Governor-General of India.
Speaking without the means of precise reference within my reach, I
believe your Lordship may take the annual revenue of Macao to be about
100,000 dollars : but by far the larger proportion of that sum arose from the
opium duties ; and that source of revenue can no longer be depended
upon. In ordinary years the expense did not exceed the income ; neither
do I know that these resources are burdened with any considerable
amount of debt.
But the establishments, civil, military, and fiscal, are so defective,
that they would need to be placed on an entirely new footing, to make the
place of the least use as a safe entrep6t, or for any real purposes of pro
tection ; and indeed there is but little hope of effecting such objects whilst
it remains in the hands of the Portuguese.
We have heard that the American frigates, Columbia, and John
Adams, have arrived at Macao ; and I trust, therefore, that there is no
serious reason for apprehension concerning the safety of the place.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 149.
Captain Elliot to Don Adriao Accacio da SUveira Pinto, Portuguese
Governor of Macao.
Canton, April 13, 1839.
THE Undersigned, &c, &c taking into consideration the violent
and menacing proceedings of the Chinese Government towards the people
of all the Christian nations resorting to this empire, has now the honour
to throw himself and all Her Britannic Majesty's subjects, ships, and
property, presently in Macao, or hereafter proceeding there, under the
protection of Her Most Faithful Majesty.
Sensible of the heavy expense, and all the other embarrassments
which such a solemn duty may cast upon Her Most Faithful Majesty's
Government, the Undersigned feels it his duty to offer to your Excellency,
407
on behalf of the British Government, immediate facilities on the British
Treasury, to any extent that your Excellency may be pleased to require
him to draw, for the purpose of placing the settlement of Macao, and the
harbour of the Taipa, in a state of effectual defence, and for the equip
ment of a sufficient number of armed vessels to keep the coasts clear ; and
if it shall seem necessary to your Excellency, for the reinforcement of the
garrison, and the necessary supply of the city, by immediate appeal to
Manilla.
The Undersigned also incloses a public notice, to be used at your
Excellency's discretion, requiring all Her Britannic Majesty's subjects at
the outside anchorages to attend to any commands your Excellency may
be pleased to impose upon them, for the honour and safety of Her Most
Faithful Majesty's rights, and for the general protection of life and property
at Macao, and the neighbouring anchorage of the Taipa.
The conditions of any public assistance your Excellency and the
Undersigned may mutually render to each other in these premises, to be
adjusted by the Governments of our respective countries.
The difficulty of communication will excuse this hasty and con
tracted note.
The Undersigned, with sentiments of high consideration, has the
honour, &.c, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Sub-inclosure in Inclosure 1 in No._149.
Public Notice to British Subjects.
J, CHARLES ELLIOT, &c„ &c, do hereby, in the name of Her
Majesty the Queen of England, require all Her Majesty's subjects to
whom these presents may come, in the outer waters, forthwith to place
themselves under the command of his Excellency the Governor of Macao,
for the defence of the rights of Her Most Faithful Majesty, and the
general protection of the lives, liberty, and property of all the subjects of
Christian Governments now or hereafter resorting to that settlement.
Given under my hand and seal of office, at Canton, this thirteenth
day of April, 1839.
(L.S.) (Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
(L. S.) Countersigned and sealed,
GOVERNOR OF MACAO.
Inclosure 2 in No. 149.
Adrião Accacio da Silveira Pinto, Governador de Macao, ao Senhor
Carlos Elliot.
Macao, 15 de Abril, 1839.
ADRIÃO ACCACIO da SILVEIRA PINTO, Governador de Macao
e suas Departementas, tendo recebido agora mesmo a notta que o Ulmo.
Senhor C. Elliot lhe dirigio em dattade 13, e que se reduz a offrecer a sua
cooperacao e a de todos os Subditos Britânicos residentes nestes sitios,
para a conservacao de este Estabelecimento de Macao, pertencendo aos
Domínios de S. M. Fidelíssima, e ainda mais a cooperacao do Governo
de S. M. Britânica, faltaria ao seu mais sagrado dever se elle naõ significa
se immediatamente a sua Senhoria, os seus mui cordeaes e verdadeiros
agrade cimentos, em seu nome e em nome do Governo de S. M.
Fidelíssima, a cujo conhecimento levara o mais depressa que lhe fòr
possível, taõ generoza offerta, da qual naõ lhe he lecito lançar imme-
diamente nao, attendendo a que a sua mui particular situacaõ lhe
impuem o restricto dever de manter hua austera neutraledade em
quanto razoes poderozas o nao obriguem a outra coeza, ou se verefique o
perigo eminente que sua Senhoria parece recear venha a acontecer, em
408
cujo cazo francamente se aproveitara dos generozos meios que Ihe
aprezenta.
Para de algua maneira corresponder a offerta de Sua Senhoria, o
abaixo assignado tem o prazer de assegurar a Sua Senhoria que repetindo
o que disse em a sua notta da 22 do passado, elle protegera com quanto
estiver ao seu alcance as vidas, e as propriedades dos Subditos Inglezes
existentes em Macao, com a unica excepcaO marcada em aquella notta ; e
tem a satisfacad de lhe renovar os protestos de sua alta estima e mui
perfeita consideracaS.
E tem a honra de ser, &c,
(Assignado) A. A. DA SILVEIRA PINTO.
(Translation.)
Macao, April 15, 1839.
ADRIAO ACCACIO DA SILVEIRA PINTO, Governor of Macao
and its dependencies, having just received the note which the Most
Illustrious Senhor C. Elliot has addressed to him, dated the 13th instant;
the purport of which is to offer his own co-operation, and that of all
British subjects residing in these parts, for the maintenance of this settle
ment of Macao, belonging to the dominions of Her Most Faithful Majesty,
and still further to offer the co-operation of Her Britannic Majesty's
Government, would fail in his most sacred duty did he not immediately
return to the Superintendent his very cordial and sincere thanks, both in his
own name and in that of Her Most Faithful Majesty's Government ; to which
government shall be conveyed, with as much speed as is practicable, the
information of an offer so generous ; an offer, however, of which he is not at
liberty immediately to avail himself, feeling that his very peculiar situation
imposes on him the bounden duty of observing a strict neutrality, so long
as powerful reasons shall not constrain him to a different line of conduct,
or until there shall be evidence of the imminent peril which the Superin
tendent seems to fear, as being about to happen; and in this case he will
frankly take advantage of the generous facilities presented to him.
To reciprocate in some measure the offer made to him, the Under
signed has the pleasure to assure the Superintendent, that, reiterating
what he said in his note of the 22nd ultimo*, he will protect as far as
lies within his power, the lives and properties of English subjects in
Macao, with the sole exception specified in that note. And he has the
satisfaction of renewing to him the declaration of his high esteem and
very perfect consideration.
And he has the honour to be, &c
(Signed) A. A. DA SILVEIRA PINTO.
Inclosure 3 in No. 149.
Captain Elliot to Lord Auckland, Governor-General of India.
My Lord, Canton, April 16, 1839.
I HAVE the honour to inclose a copy of a despatch to Viscount-
Palmerston, dated on the 3rd instant; and the copies of my other
despatches transmitted by this occasion to Calcutta, furnish a detailed
* In reply to a note of Captain Elliot's of the 22nd March, requesting protection for the property
and persons of Her Majesty's subjects at Macao from sudden attack by the Chinese, acceding to the
request in full terms, with the reasonable exception of persons engaged in the Opium traffic. These
papers will be forwarded as soon as Captain Elliot returns to Macao, where they were left.
409
account of that course of violence and spoliation which has broken up the
foundations of this great trade, so far as Canton be considered, I am
afraid for ever.
The general measures to be taken, must no doubt require the
sanction of Her Majesty's Government; but immediate countenance and
protection are necessary for the safety of life and property ; and I am '
sensible your Lordship will not require any importunities on my part to.
do whatever may be in your Lordship's power in that respect.
As many ships of war as can be detached, and armed vessels, to be
employed under the command " of the naval officers, (the whole to be
instructed to conform to my requisitions,) seem to be the most suitable
means of protection available at this moment.
The interrupted state of my communications with the Portuguese
Government of Macao, prevents me from enabling your Lordship to
judge of the degree of protection we may look for in that quarter. But
at all events, the condition of the settlement is feeble in every respect of
amount and character of force, and in means of support for the inhabi
tants, independent of the Chinese.
I have however, offered his Excellency facilities on Her Majesty's
treasury, for placing the settlement and the neighbouring anchorage of the
Taipa in the best attitude of defence which circumstances may admit of.
And I have also proposed the equipment of a sufficient number of small
armed vessels to keep the coasts clear ; and an appeal to Manilla for a
moderate reinforcement of troops, and the arrangement of a regular
course of supply. His Excellency's answer has not yet reached me.
My future proceedings shall be submitted by every occasion, and in
the mean time,
J have &lc
\ (Signed) ' " CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
No. 150.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received September 21, 1839.)
My Lord, Canton, May 18, 1839.
ON the 11th instant, I circulated the inclosed conclusive Edict by the
heads of this Government.
Since I closed my last despatch, amongst the events to be reported,
are orders for the expulsion of Mr. Dent, of four gentlemen connected
with the firm of Jardine, Matheson, and Co., and of Heerjeebhoy
Rustomjee.
Also of Mr. Innes, which was the single case that formed the subject
of direct correspondence with me. In the others, the communications were
made to the parties themselves.
The accompanying papers will place your Lordship in possession of
the particular circumstances of Mr. Innes' case.
In my despatch of April 6, 1 observed that the memorials to the Emperor
were generally marked by a very restrictive spirit, in regard to the whole
question of foreign trade and intercourse. But when I made that remark,
I certainly did not anticipate that such a policy was suddenly to be fol
lowed out, to the extent which is actually the case.
The persons called outside merchants, (i. e. unlicensed,) and the shop
keepers, engaged in most extensive transactions with the foreigners, and
to whom constant access is absolutely necessary, are to remove forthwith ;
their houses are to be pulled down ; and the streets they occupy, the only
avenues leading inwards from the factories, are to be closed up, or rather
built over. I confess, however, notwithstanding the peremptoriness of the
commands, that I have great difficulty in believing the Government will
venture upon a measure so certain to goad to desperation, • an influential
class of people furnishing employment to at least 10,000 workmen. ,
410
A strong paling has been run round the square, no doubt with the
purpose more easily and suddenly to shut the foreigners from access to
the river side ; their pleasure-boats have been taken from them ; and a
variety of novel regulations, inconsistent with any possibility of carrying
on trade at Canton, have been established.
A rough ground plan of the factories is transmitted, that your
Lordship may be the better enabled to understand the actual purposes of
isolation.
The measures of the Government are not confined to foreigners alone.
The whole trade of the province is to be broken down under a new and
rigorous system.
Every five householders are to join in bonds of mutual security ; the
like to be done in the case of every five owners of junks or boats ; the sails
to be marked in certain indicated forms ; and a prodigious variety of other
most minute and, in point of fact, impracticable rules have been laid
down.
I learn from the best sources of native information open to me, that a
feeling of considerable excitement prevails throughout the city and the
province : and when it is considered that the people of this part of the
empire have had so much more intercourse with foreigners than any
other; that the junks visit our own and the other settlements in the
Straits ; and that generally there has been far more of freedom and relax
ation than at any other point ; your Lordship will probably be disposed to
conclude, that such a sudden wrench of system as is actually attempted,
cannot fail to induce some early and serious state of difficulty.
A reflection arising from this view, is the expediency of accompanying
any strong measures, which may be taken by Her Majesty's Government,
by a short manifesto in the Queen's Name, to be translated here, declara
tory of the strictest commands to all Her Majesty's officers and people,
scrupulously to respect the persons, property, and customs of the natives
of this empire ; and setting forth that the general objects of the expe
dition were to make known to the Emperor the falsehood, violence, and
venality of the Mandarins, and to establish peace and honourable trade
on a permanent footing.
Intelligence has reached Canton last week from Peking, announcing
the appointment of the High Commissioner to be Governor-General of
the provinces of Kiangnan and Kiangse, which is considered the highest
Government in the empire. The Emperor's commands concerning the
disposal of the opium are also hourly expected, and the reports of the
intention to offer indemnity gain strength daily.
Canton, May 24, 1839.
The intelligence of the delivery of the whole opium, for which an
official receipt has been duly handed to Mr. Johnston by the Mandarins,
reached me on the morning of the 21st ; and the next day the Governor
issued an edict requiring the remainder of the sixteen persons lately
detained here to leave Canton, and to sign a promise, (unincumbered,
however, with any penal conditions,) that they will not return to this
empire.
The impossibility of carrying on trade at Canton, under present
circumstances, is so plain, and there is so much reason to fear that the
Government would make the refusal to sign the paper a pretext for their
continued forcible detention, that I recommended them to affix their
signatures ; pledging myself, if affairs take a more favourable turn before
the instructions of Her Majesty's Government can arrive, that their cases
shall form the subject of special negotiation.
They have acceded to this view, and they will all leave the river at
the same time with me. I shall not quit the Bocca Tigris till the last boat
with any of these gentlemen on board, has passed through.
Macao, May 27, 1839.
I have the honour to report my arrival at this place, with all the
persons lately detained. I have also to signify to your Lordship, that a
recent edict (not sent to me officially) opens the port to the shipping
411
actually outside ; but sets forth that the new regulations, under which
they are to trade, shall be made known when they are at Whampoa. I
need hardly observe that none have entered ; and as soon as I knew of this
edict, I published an extract from my notice, Inclosure No. 15 in my
despatch of December 6, enjoining the commanders of British ships not
to come in.
The notice itself was published on the day before my departure from
Canton.
Another circumstance to be announced to your Lordship, is the
arrival of the extremely significant commands from Peking on the day
before I left Canton, that the whole opium should be sent up to that
capital. The expense of the transport will be at least a quarter of a
million of dollars ; and your Lordship will probably not need the sugges
tion, that such a removal is irreconcileable with any purposes of
destruction.
Macao is still menaced. But an official paper has this moment
reached me from the Governor of Canton, which disposes me to hope that
it may be in my power to put an end to the actual state of disquietude.
It is in reply to my note of leave-taking, in which I mentioned that I was
out of health, and should retire to this place.
His Excellency desires that I would endeavour to reestablish my
health with rapidity, as there are many important affairs to submit to me;
and during my residence at Macao, he enjoins me to exhort all foreigners
to give up their opium, and to abstain from its introduction in future.
My reply that the Portuguese Government has already taken severe
measures, and that I can safely assert there is none here, is probably what
is wanted. ,
Their general confidence in the word of Her Majesty's officer, and my
recognized authority by the Emperor, affords them sufficient ground for
founding a report upon my declarations. In the case of the difficulties
with the American Consul, the Commissioner was not satisfied till he
received a certificate from me that his assertions were accurate, and then
all further importunity ceased.
I believe, too, my Lord, that there will be no insuperable difficulty in
arranging some mode of carrying on the trade from Macao.
In the last few days before my departure from Canton, I ascertained
that the high provincial authorities were much alarmed at the proceedings
of the Commissioner, and desired to accommodate matters at least upon
some temporary footing. In the course of this week every British ship
will have left the river, and most of Her Majesty's subjects.
I have &c
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Macao, May 29, 1839.
P.S. —The delay of a day has enabled me to transmit to your
Lordship my note to the Governor of Canton on quitting that place, and
his Excellency's reply, above adverted to.
(Signed.) CHARLES ELLIOT
Inclosure 1 in No. 150.
Public Notice to Her Majesty's Subject*.
Canton, May 11, 1#&9.
THE Chief Superintendent yesterday received an Edict, of which the
annexed is a copy, to the joint address of the Consuls of the King of
Holland, of the United States, and himself.
By this law, the ships and crews of all nations, henceforward arriving
in China, are liable to the penalties, the first of confiscation, and the last
of death, upon the determination of this Government that they have
introduced opium.
3G2
412
The danger of confiding to this Government the administration of
any judicial process concerning foreigners, can scarcely be more strikingly
manifested than in the list of names lately proscribed by the High
Commissioner.
Evidence that has been good to satisfy his Excellency that these
sixteen persons are principal parties concerned in introducing opium, and
therefore to justify their detention as hostages, would, of course, be equally
good for other convictions of the like nature.
It may be taken to be certain, however, that the list contains the
names of persons who have never been engaged in such pursuits, or, let it
be added, in any other contraband practice.
In investigation upon such subjects, the Chinese authorities would,
probably, be guiltless of any deliberate intention to commit acts of
juridical spoliation and murder. But it is plain that, in the present state
of the intercourse, there would be excessive risk of such consequences ;
and therefore the present law is incompatible with safe or honourable
continuance at Canton, if nothing else had happened to establish the
same conclusion.
It places, in point of fact, the lives, liberty, and property of the whole
foreign community here, at the mercy of any reckless foreigners outside,
and more immediately at the disposal of the Hong merchants, linguists,
compradores, and their retainers.
The Chief Superintendent by no means ascribes general wickedness
to those parties, but their situation and liabilities make them very unsafe
reporters, and yet it is mainly upon their reports that the judgment of
the Government will be taken.
It will be particularly observed, that persons remaining are understood
by the Government to assent to the reasonableness of the law.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent of the trade of
British Subjects in China.
Inclosure 2 in No. 150,
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 their Excellencies Lin, High Imperial
Commissioner and Governor of Hookwang, and Tang, Governor of the
two Kwang, the following official injunction: —
" It appears on record, that in the 10th month of last year, an English
foreigner, named Innes, residing at Canton, having formed a combination
with Kelefat, master of a foreign vessel, bought of the latter opium, which,
being brought to Canton, was seized ; and on trial, the facts being ascer
tained, the said foreigners were together ordered away. It was after
wards duly reported by the senior merchants, Howqua and his fellows,
that on the 1 5th of December, they had themselves proceeded to Wham-
poa, and expelled out of the port Kelefat and his vessel ; that Innes had
also on the same day gone to Macao, to embark on board ship, and return
to his country.
" At that time, I, the Governor, in conjunction with the Lieutenant-
Governor, made a supplementary representation of these circumstances to
the throne, as is on record.
" On the present occasion, we, the High Commissioner and the
Governor, having ourselves repaired to the entrance of the port, to
receive the deliveries of opium from all the store-ships, sent at the same
time civil and military officers to Macao, to command the Procurador to
deliver up whatever opium there was there laid up. The said Portuguese
chief man has formally represented, 'that the foreigners of his country
have no opium whatever laid up there ; but that just now an English■
foreigner had clandestinely brought some opium into Macao, which the
Ouvidor had seized and handed over to the English Superintendent, to be
by him delivered up.'
413
"While investigation of this matter was yet in progress, upon the
5th day of the present month, a small boat, with eight chests on board,
came up to Shakeo to deliver the same. We then sent the officers deputed
to receive, with directions to make inquiry of Johnston. Whereupon
•GutzlafF gave for answer, that this opium was conveyed by the master of
the boat Bombay, for account of Innes, into Macao, and was seized by
the Governor of Macao, who sent it under charge of the Portuguese
foreign soldiers, having Innes in custody, to be given into Johnston's
hands, for delivery to government. This statement corresponds precisely
with the representation of the Portuguese foreign chief man.
" The said foreigner Innes, having been expelled from Canton and
Sent to Macao, in the winter of last year, for having dealings in opium,
had a fortunate escape from the net of the laws of the Celestial
Empire. But he has not been at all aroused to gratitude or reformation,
nor has he taken an early departure, but has dared to protract for a
long time his stay, aiming at clandestine ends as of old. He is really in
an excessive degree removed from all reform, and abandoned to depravity.
At this period of extremely strict investigation, how can he meet with
any further indulgent forbearance, by which he would be induced to give
full license to his craftful devices ?
" We proceed hereon to give these commands, enjoining the Prefect
immediately to convey commands to the said Superintendent, in obedience
to which he is with instant speed to take Innes, and with severity expel
him hence to his own country. He must not allow him for one moment to
linger.
" It is requisite that it should be known that the baneful and per
vading evil of opium has wholly arisen from the gain-seeking aims after
clandestine ends of such men as Innes. The said Superintendent
having enjoyed the kind, the tender, and abundant goodness of the great
Emperor, and having had reposed in him the confidence of his Sovereign,
who has sent him to Kwangtung to punish and restrain the merchants and
seamen, to labour with a respectful sense of duty, and with diligence, to
this end, is what his station requires of him in the utmost degree. Innes
having now thus persisted in evil, and refused to repent, it may then be
known that he (the Superintendent) will not, in the slightest degree, seek
to pass it over with connivance, whereby he would render himself criminal,
by derogation from his duty, and indulgence towards evil. Besides, as
the matter concerns a report to the throne, so long as Innes does not'
move, so long we, the Commissioner and the Governor, cannot stay our
hands.
" At the same time, let the time of his being expelled and driven back
to his country be speedily reported for careful examination.
" Further, these eight chests receivable, having been a seizure made
by the Portuguese foreigners, do not form part of the 20,283 chests, the
amount originally stated. Let this be also made known to the said
Superintendent, that there may be no opposition."
He (the Prefect) having received this, proceeds to issue commands.
[The last four paragraphs of the Commissioner's and Governor's docu
ment are here repeated word for word.] A special edict.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 3rd month, 25th day. (8th May, 1839.)
(L.S.) of the Kwang-Chow-Foo.
- True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
414
Inclosure 3 in No. 150.
Captain Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner and the Governor of Canton.
Canton, May 9, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, &c, in reply to your Excellencies' communication of
the 8th instant, feels compelled to declare, that under the aggravated cir
cumstances now set forth, the commands that Mr. Innes should forthwith
sail away from the empire, are just and moderate. And most assuredly
he will not delay to forward him the most solemn injunctions, in the name
of the Sovereign of his nation, immediately to comply with them.
The date of his embarkation and departure shall be faithfully re
ported to your Excellencies.
The 8 chests of opium seized from Mr. Innes by the Governor of
Macao, and handed to Johnston for delivery to the honourable officers, do
not form part of the original 20,283 chests.
The whole quantity now to be delivered up, will be 20,291 chests.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 4 in No. 150.
Captain Elliot to Mr. James Innes.
Sir, Canton, May 9, 1839.
I HAVE this day received an official communication from this
Government, the translation of which is now forwarded.
A copy of my reply is also forwarded.
And hereupon I have most solemnly to charge you, by your duty to
the Queen, and for the general safety of all Her Majesty's subjects, and of
the rest of the foreign community here and at Macao, forthwith to em
bark, and to depart from the shores of this empire with all practicable
speed.
You will do me the favour to report to me, by the first opportunity, the
name of the vessel on board of which you embark, and the probable period
of your departure.
Copies of these communications will be forwarded to the Governor of
Macao.
I will not aggravate, by one word of reproach, the distress I am sure
you must feel for having so painfully increased the risks and embarrass
ments of the whole foreign community, by these pursuits, at such a
moment as the present
The single approach to reparation left to you, is to depart peacefully
and speedily. With feelings of sincerest concern for you,
I have &tc
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
415
Inclosure 5 in No. 150.
Captain Elliot to Don Adriao Accacio da Silveira Pinto,
Portuguese Governor of Macao.
Canton, May 9, 1839.
THE Undersigned, &c, &c, has the honour to transmit to your
Excellency the translated copy of a paper he has this day received from
the High Commissioner and the Governor of Canton, demanding the
immediate departure of Mr. Innes, a British subject, from this empire.
Your Excellency will observe by the accompanying copy of his reply,
and of a letter the Undersigned has this day addressed to Mr. Innes, that
he cannot but assent to the moderation and justice of this demand. And
he owes it to your Excellency, with a view to the safety of Macao, not
only to submit this correspondence, but to request in urgent terms, that
your Excellency will be pleased to desire Mr. Innes to leave Macao within
the space of twenty-four hours.
The Undersigned cannot touch upon the shameless and unfeel
ing proceedings of some of his countrymen outside, at the actual crisis,
without thanking your Excellency for the great consideration extended
towards them ; a consideration however, to which they are not entitled,
and which he trusts will be effectually withdrawn from such persons.
The Undersigned, with sentiments of high consideration, has the
honour, &c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 6 in No. 140.
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«J »!
Hog Lane (closed,)
A Public Landing Place (closed.)
J■ i Fung-Tai Hong.
Si Lungshnn Hong.
Swedish Hong.
A New Inclosure.
Imperial Hong.
Foushun Hong.
American Hong.
Old China Street.
Chung Wo Hong, occupied by a Hong Merchant. A Public Landing Place (closed.)
ebo ,
o French Hong.
A New Inclosure.
Spanish Hong.
o
33 Ponkequa, or New China Street (closed.)
■X:
Private. Cow Yard.
■■n Danish Hong.
Mowgua Street (closed.)
Suburbs of the City.
417
Inclosure 7 in No. 150.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Canton.
Canton, May 24, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, &c, having now fully accomplished his pledges to this
Government, in the delivery of the whole amount of the opium ; and being
in bad health, has the honour to inform your Excellency that it is his
purpose to take his departure from Canton this day, and proceed in his
own boat to Macao. He begs at the same time to take leave of your
Excellency.
And he has the honour, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 8 in No. 150.
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 just now received the within commands from Tang, the
Governor of the two Kwang.
"Upon the 24th May, 1839, the English Superintendent, Elliot,
presented the subjoined address :—
[The address of May 24 (Inclosure 7) is here inserted.]
" This having been duly received, I, the Governor, have considered it.
" Before, at the time of removing the guard, it was directed that the
said Superintendent should leave Canton, in order to conduct the delivery
of the opium ; but on the ground that all the foreigners remaining at Can
ton still required to be controlled and restrained, he did not at once prefer
his request to depart. At this time, being in bad health, he has presented
his address of leave. It is surely right that he should be permitted to go
to Macao, that he may be enabled to receive medical treatment.
" At present, although the opium has been all delivered to the amount
before stated, yet the High Commissioner and I, the Governor, have still
many matters regarding which to direct him to act. The said Superin
tendent having a respectful sense of duty, and being able in action, must
hasten to recover his health speedily. He must not delay, and while he
has been ready at the first, be found lacking at the last.
" Let him also, on his arrival at Macao, faithfully and truly examine ;
and if the foreigners of every nation residing at Macao are guilty of
secreting any opium, he must instantly command them, one and all, to
deliver up the entire quantity. It is of importance that no remnant of the
evil be left.
" I proceed at once to give these commands. When they reach the
Prefect, let him instantly enjoin them on the said Superintendent Elliot,
that he may pay obedience. Let there be no opposition. Hasten !
Hasten!"
The above having reached the Prefect, he forthwith issues the
commands. When they reach the said Superintendent Elliot, let him pay
immediate obedience. Oppose not. A special order.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 4th month, 12th day. (24th May, 1839.)
True Translation.
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
3 H
413
No. 151.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received September 21, 1839.)
My Lord, Macao, May 29, 1839.
THE inclosed is a Memorial, signed by most of Her Majesty's
subjects lately resident at Canton, submitted to- me for transmission to
your Lordship ; and I beg leave respectfully to recommend the subject to
the early and favourable consideration of Her Majesty's Government.
I have, &tc,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure in No. 151.
Memorial from Her Majesty's Subjects to Viscount Palmerston.
Canton, May 23, 1839.
WE, the Undersigned British merchants, trading at Canton, consider
it our duty to address your Lordship, regarding the recent acts of
aggression on the jiart of the Chinese Government.
These acts of violence, which will be officially communicated to your
Lordship by Her Majesty's Superintendent, consist—
1. In the stoppage of the whole legal trade of the port, even of vessels
fully laden, jand waiting only their port-clearances, and against which no
ground of complaint is alleged.
2. In the forcible detention in Canton, of all foreigners, including Her
Majesty's Superintendents, in order to compel the supposed holders of
opium to the surrender of property belonging to themselves, and others
in India and Europe, to the value of from two to three millions sterling.
3. In the open and undisguised threat to hold foreigners responsible
with their lives for this surrender, and for any future infraction of the
Chinese custom laws.
4. In the attempt to force foreigners to sign bonds, rendering not only
themselves, but all others coming to China, over whom they have no
controul, liable to the same penalty, and on the refusal on the part of
foreigners to sign such bonds, in the promulgation of an edict by the
High Commissioner, declaratory of the determination of the Government
to enforce such penalty. ,
We may be permitted to state that all foreigners reside in Canton on
sufferance; that they have no means of ascertaining the laws, except from
the acts of the Provincial Government : and that the opium trade has
steadily increased from an import of 4,100 chests in 1796, to upwards of
30,000 in 1837, with the open and undisguised connivance of the local
authorities.
The importation of opium into China was at one time allowed on
payment of a duty, but discontinued in 1796. Us admission was again
strongly recommended to the Imperial Government in 1836. No penalties
have ever been enforced against foreigners bringing it to China, and the
prohibitory laws have never been a rule to the functionaries of the Chinese
empire, who should have administered them, nor to the Chinese people on
whom they were intended to operate, which facts are openly admitted in
the recent edicts of the Imperial Commissioner, under date the 18th March
last, in which he states, " that the prohibitions formerly enacted by the
Celestial Court against opium were comparatively lax," and that " the
foreigners are men from distant lands, and have not before been aware
that the prohibition of opium is so severe."
We may further state that the peculiar character of the opium trade
was distinctly recognized in the Report of the Select Committee of the
House of Commons, in 1830, and that in the subsequent Report, in 1832,
419
the Committee express their opinion that it does not seem advisable to
abandon so important a source of revenue as the East India Company's
monopoly of opium in Bengal."
We conceive it will therefore be admitted that British subjects
have carried on this trade with the sanction, implied, if not openly
expressed, of their own Government; and at the same time with an
advantage to the revenue of British India, varying of late years from one
to one and a half millions sterling.
We do not attempt to deny the unquestionable right of the Chinese
Government to put a stop to the importation of opium, and have readily
signed an agreement to abstain from that trade at Canton, on the first
requisition of the Government to that effect; but we think your Lordship
will perceive that long prescription had hitherto given foreigners ample
reason to question the sincerity of the Chinese Government with regard to
the discontinuance of the importation ; and that, under any circumstances,
that Government cannot be justified, by the lax observance of prohi
bitions, and open connivance of its officers, in at one time fostering a
trade involving several millions sterling, and at another rendering its
pursuit a, pretext for spoliation.
There seems no reason to doubt, from the late proceedings of the
local Government, that they have always had the power most materially
to check, if not totally to put a stop to, the importation of opium, when
disposed so to do ; but that power has seldom hitherto been exercised,
except for the purpose of exacting higher fees for its introduction.
The proceedings of the High Commissioner, since his arrival in
Canton, will be fully reported to your Lordship by Ker Majesty's Super
intendent ; but we may observe, that his demand for the unconditional
surrender of the whole of the opium m the depot ships, was one with
which foreigners could not comply, the great bulk of that opium being the
property of others in India and elsewhere; and they were equally unable
to give the bonds required.
The High Commissioner finding, at the expiration of three days, the
time within which he had ordered the whole of the opium to be delivered
up, and the bonds to be given, that his orders had not been obsyed, sent
the Hong merchants in chains to the foreign factories, threatening to put
them to death before our doors, and at the same time commenced other
menacing preparations against the foreigners themselves.
At this stage of the business, Her Majesty's Chief Superintendent
arrived in Canton.
We feel it our duty to express to your Lordship our deep sense of the
public spirit which induced this officer, at no inconsiderable risk, to
endeavour to rescue British life and property from a position of fearful
jeopardy ; and we may assure your Lordship, that but one feeling existed
of the extreme peril of the whole community, when he succeeded in forcing
his way to Canton, and took charge of all responsibility in the negotiations
with the Chinese Government.
Although the measures of Her Majesty's Representative have relieved
us from all responsibility, in surrendering so large an amount of property,
we may still be allowed respectfully, but earnestly, to entreat your Lord
ship's mediation to obtain the earliest possible fulfilment of the guarantee
given on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, and thus be the means of
saving many of the owners of the property from inevitable ruin, and all of
them from heavy loss.
We deem it also an imperative duty to assure your Lordship most
solemnly of our firm conviction, that the public approval, on the part of
Her Majasty's Government, of this prompt interposition of Her Majesty's
Representative, and the early adoption of such measures as the wisdom of
Her Majesty's advisers may determine on, with regard to our future rela
tions with the Chinese empire, can alone avert the occurrence of similar,
or even more violent outrages.
We beg further to state to your Lordship, that, independently of
the opium now violently seized, there was at the same period British pro
perty of other kinds in Canton to the value of upwards of one million
sterling, besides a large and valuable fleet of shipping lying at Whampoa,
3 H 2
420
consigned to our care, but totally beyond our controul : and although this
property was not alleged to have incurred any penalty, the High Commis
sioner never attempted to distinguish the participators in the one trade,
from those in the other, but placed both under one common suspension,
and the whole body of foreigners in arbitrary confinement.
After the completion of the delivery of the opium surrendered, the
High Commissioner has expressed an intention of opening the legal trade,
under new regulations; but circumstances do not justify us in entertaining
the expectation that these regulations will afford any security for life or
property.
We therefore think your Lordship will be convinced that some
serious alterations in our relations with this empire are indispensably
necessary; and that British commerce can never be safely carried on, and
certainly can never flourish, in a country where our persons and property
are alike at the mercy of a capricious and corrupt Government.
In conclusion, it only remains for us again to urge upon your Lord
ship and Her Majesty's Government, the great importance of an early
recognition of our claims on account of the opium surrendered for Her
Majesty's service ; and the pressing and paramount necessity of placing
the general trade of British subjects upon a secure and permanent basis.
(Signed)
Dent and Co. BURJOOJEE MaNOCKJEE,
Lindsay and Co. Daniell and Co.
Bell and Co. Framjee Uadabhoy.
MacVicar and Co. Bomanjee Manockjee.
Dirom and Co. Cowajee sapoorjee.
Gibb, Livingston, and Co. Sackhuson Budrooden.
Charles Compton. BuRJORJEE SuRABJEE.
D. M. Rustomjee. Nasserwanjee Framjee.
Pro Jamieson and How, Nasserwanjee Dorabjee.
William Almack. Nasserwanjee Bomanjee Inadej.
W. and I. Gemmell and Co. dossabhoy hormusjee.
Bibby, Adam, and Co. Pestonjee Ruttonjee Laroff.
Turner and Co. Abodin and Sumsoodin.
Robert Wise, Holliday, and Co. Framjee Sumsobjee.
Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee. Cowasjee Proajee.
hormajee framjee. Pestonjee Norooajee.
Shasmkshaw Rustomjee. Jamsetjee Rustomjee.
Cowasjee pallanjee. Bomanjee Byramjee.
bomanjee hosonojee. Cursetjee sapoorjee.
Palanjee Nasserwanjee. Nasserwanjee Dorabjee.
Cowasjee eduljee. Jamsetjee Eduljee.
Cowasjee Shapoorjee Tabacr. And other Parsee merchants
whose signature are undeci
pherable.
No. 152.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received December 9, 1839.)
My Lord, Macao, June 14, 1839.
THE inclosures form the continuation of a correspondence with Mr. Innes,
the earlier part of which has already heen transmitted in my despatch of May 18.
The demand of the Commissioner and the Governor, that he should depart,
was founded on the transactions of December last, already reported to your
Lordship, as will at once appear by reference to Inclosure No. 2 in my despatch
ot the 18th ult.
421
Upon the understanding or agreement with the Hong merchants, to which
Mr. Innes adverts in his letter of the 29th May, it is only necessary to remark,
either that he entirely misconceived them, or that they easily deceived him.
At all events, it is certain that they were wholly without power to enter
into such an agreement; that nothing of the kind exists in a tangible form; and
that Howqua (the survivor of the merchants mentioned■ by Mr. Innes) assured
me it was a mistake from beginning to end, adding the expression of his
strongest belief, that the Governor must have removed Mr. Innes by force, if he
had not gone out by peaceable means. I entertain a similar opinion, and the
more strongly, because 1 was frequently asked at the time by the merchants,
whether 1 should remonstrate upon the part of Her Majesty's Government, if his
forcible expulsion became necessary.
I replied, certainly not, if the measures of the Chinese Government were
confined to that step, because I believed it would be thought, by my own, to be
a reasonable and moderate expiation of the offences he had committed ; but I
impressed upon them my conviction, that Mr. Innes's imprisonment, or any pro
ceedings of a still more urgent nature, would assuredly produce serious difficul
ties between the two countries.
It is highly probable the merchants said and believed, that after a quiet
residence at Macao, and abstinence from illicit pursuits for some considerable
period of time, he might return unobtrusively to Canton, and live there un
molested by the authorities, so long, at least, ns he was carrying on no such
course of contemptuous defiance of the laws of this country, and of common
prudence and propriety, as had led to his expulsion in December.
Concerning the particular transaction which produced the present measures
of the Government in his respect, I will only say, that Mr. Innes's refusal to
declare that the opium in the Bombay, on the 11th April last, was there for
purposes of storage, and not for delivering to Chinese, is a highly suspicious cir
cumstance ; the more so, when it is coupled with a similar refusal to deny that
he was extensively engaged in pursuits of the kind, pending our late confinement
at Canton, as was notoriously supposed to be the case by, I will venture to say, at
least seven-eights of the whole foreign community in China.
I have acted, my Lord, on this occasion, upon the principle, that the demand
of the Chinese Government was just and reasonable; that it was necessary for
the safety of this settlement, then menaced, and for the safety of the foreign
community then confined in Canton.
The proceedings of this gentleman and the other reckless individuals within
the river, and at the factories, brought to a close in December last, had very
nearly led to an armed search of those buildings pending our late captivity at
Canton.
It was with the utmost difficulty, my Lord, that I averted a measure which
could never have been carried into effect without bloodshed ; and the painful
anxiety noticed in my letter to Mr. Innes, of the 23rd May last, arose from my
belief, that it was aimed particularly at his late dwelling-house, in which I had
every reason to suppose opium was then lying ; how well-founded, need not now
be declared !
When I am called upon, by the command of Her Majesty's Government,
to defend myself against Mr. Innes's charges, I entertain a confidence, that it
will be in my power to do so successfully ; but, for the present, I owe it to your
Lordship, pressed with the most important business of the country, and, let me
most respectfully add, to myself, to close my report at this point, with the hope
that the case carries the justification of the only measure 1 have taken upon the
face of it, namely, an injunction to Mr. Innes to depart from the shores of this
Empire, in conformity with what, I am satisfied, are the just and reasonable
demands of its Government. Whether he does so or not, is a matter which will
need further interference or not, as his continuance affects the general safety or
his own. But I have long since determined to incur the responsibility of appre
hending his person, whenever I see reason to think that his defiance of the
authority of the Chinese Government is dangerous to the safety of the com
munity and public interests under my superintendence ; and 1 depend, with
confidence, on the support of Her Majesty's Government in all such emergencies.
1 have, &c ,
(Signed), CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
422
Inclosure 1 in No. 152. '
Mr. Innes to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Macao Roads, May 17, 1839.
I HAD the honour to receive your letter, of date Canton, 8th instant, this
evening, and its accompanying translations of Chinese documents.
As to matters previous to loth December last, my departure that day for
Macao being recognized by the then Chinese authorities, as an expiation of any
supposed offence on my part, previous to that is a shut book.
Were the facts after that date, as you now narrate them, I should pause ere
I adopted your order to embark for another country, and leave the heavy affairs
intrusted to me in China without a head in such times as these; but as the whole
transaction, as stated by you on Chinese authority, is an entire fabrication, I
write the affair as it took place, and give you my proofs opposite to each
assertion.
So placed, I leave it to you, whether you will or not endeavour to open the
eyes of the Imperial Commissioner; you will do in that as you see fitting.
As I, however, thus produce proof to you, beyond the shadow of a doubt,
of the falsehood of the charge you narrate against me, 1 submit to you, that I
expect from your justice, not from favour, a recal of your order to embark
myself for England ! as yiiu, by such order, add the authority of my own
country, in doing wrong, to any illicit act the Commissioner may attempt
against me.
I also expect from your good feeling an explicit retraction of your aver
ment, that I have designedly added to the miseries of the Canton residents.
After deliberate perusal of the Notes of Proof subjoined, and after any
inquiry you may please to institute of tie witnesses I name, I shall anxiously
look fur your answer, as, by the tenor of it, my future conduct may be somewhat
guided.
I have, &c■,
(Signed) JAMES INNES-
Inclosure 2 in No. 152.
Notes of the Facts connected with Eight Chests of Patna Opium, delivered at the
Bocca Tigris, from the Schooner Bombay, to Mr. Johnston, on 5th May,
1839.
AVERMENT. PROOF.
1. ON the 8th April, these chests of opium, then in the
Hercules, were made over to J. Innes by a Portu J. P. Sturgis, Esq.
guese subject.
2. The Hercules having to go up to Bocca Tigris, and
these chests forming no portion of her delivery,
they were taken out of the Hercules and put into
the schooner Jardine for safety. On the 10th, the Captain Denholm, of
Jardine being under orders to go east, to order Jardine.
back ships on the '.'oast, this opium was taken from
her, and put into the Bombay, with a view to
transhipment on the Hob Roy. The weather came
on to blow, and on the 11th, the Bombay run in
for shelter, close to the Praya Grande, and within a
100 yards of a Chinese war junk. On that nijit, Six prisoners in Jail.
betwixt 9 and 11 o'clock, the Bombay was robbed of
her opium by a band of armed English sailors.
423
3. The morning of the 12th, Sr. Barretto and J. Innes, The Governor.
as soon as the robbery was heard of, waited on tiie
Governor of Macao, and complained of the robbery.
The Governor advised a criminal action to.be raised The Judge.
before the Judge (or Minister) ; this was done, and The Record of the
its results is six prisoners in the Macao jaii, acknow- Criminal Court.
ledgcdly guilty ! and the recovery of the opium. Sr. Barretto.
4. No illegal act being done by J. Innes, he applied, The Judge.
by petition, to the Judge fur restoration of the pro
perty he had been robbed of. The Judge evaded Sr. Barretto.
this, not because it was unjust, but from fear of the Sr. B. de Mello.
Chinese Government. A compromise ultimately took
place, by which it was agreed the opium should be
given up to Mr. Innes, on condition he surrendered
it to Captain Elliot, and produced M r. Johnston's Sr. Assiz.
receipt, stipulating that two Macao Custom-house Sr. B. de Mello.
officers should attend the Bombay, which stipulations
were duly fulfilled. Mr. Johnston.
5. Mr. Inn?s went up to the Bocca Tigris under no Everson, Master of
restraint ! The schooner was his ; the six sailors Bombay.
and master paid by hiin ; the Custom- House Officers
were fed by him ; and on his return to Macao, he Officers.
presented these men with twenty-five dollars, being
above their usual wages. Sr. B. de Mello.
(Signed) JAMES INNES.
Inclosure 3 in No. 152.
Mr. Innes to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Macao Roads, May 19, 1839.
IN making up your mind in the truth or falsehood of the recent Chinese
information against me, be pleased to give the inclosed such weight as it deserves.
I have, &c,
(Signed) JAMES INNES.
Inclosure 4 in No. 152.
Sr. Barretto to Mr. Innes.
Sir, Macao, May 18, 1839.
I AM both surprised and sorry that the Chinese Government have given
a false statement about your eight chests, and that upon the strength of it,
Captain Elliot has ordered your deportation.
I do not think the Macao Government can be to blame on the matter ; in
the first chop on the subject, from the Portuguese to the Chinese Authorities,
no names were mentioned; a foreigner was the phrase used; and in the second,
Kent is named as the principal robber. This, as far as I know, is the real
truth.
Braz says your cooly is still in confinement, but has not confessed
anything ; and the Mandarins are investigating the business; the result of course
is uncertain.
I have, &c,
(Signed) B. BARRETTO.
424
Inclosure 5 in No. 152.
Captain Elliot to Mr. Innes.
Sir, Canton, May 23, 1839-
YOUR letters of the 17th and 19th reached me late last evening.
I cannot agree with you that your departure from Macao has, at any time,
been considered by the Chinese Authorities, to be an expiation of offences on
your part, previous to the 15th December last. In my judgment, the reverse of
this position is established in the translation of the official paper lately sent
to you. And I have other strong reasons for believing that you could never
have returned to Canton to reside, without inducing serious public inconvenience.
My own assent to the justice and moderation of the present demand that you
should leave the country, referred chiefly to the events of December last, and
the commands then issued. And upon these grounds, I must decline to
make any further communication to the Commissioner upon that subject.
The unfortunate course of conduct which led to your expulsion in December,
has occasioned me, as the officer of your country, some of the most wretched
moments 1 ever passed in my life, during my present residence in Canton.
Your word of honour that the opium in the Bombay, was there for the
purposes of storage, and not with any intention of delivery to Chinese, during the
existence of the difficulties at Canton, would have been perfectly satisfactory to
me. And if I am clearly to understand that this assurance is involved in the
notes now forwarded to me, I can have no hesitation in declaring that my
previous impressions on that point are removed.
I am also ready (and it will afford me gratification to do so) explicitly to
retract any expressions I have used in my letter to you, founded upon the belief
that you had been engaged in the notorious and dangerous smuggling pursuits
below, pending the actual state of things at Canton, if you will transmit me an
explicit declaration upon your honour, that you have been in no wise concerned
in the traffic, for yourself or fur others, either at Macao, or immediately outside,
during the period to which I advert.
1 must now once more urgently charge you in Her Majesty's name, for
public considerations of pressing moment, to leave the shores of this Empire as
soon as possible ; and for the general safety and convenience, I must further call
upon you by no means to attempt to come to Canton, or to land at Macao,
during the interval that the conclusion ol indispensable arrangements may still
detain you on the coast.
In conclusion, you will give me leave to correct two cases of misapprehension
in your letter of the 17th instant.
In the first place, I have never ordered you to go to England.
And in the second, I have never averred that you designedly added to the
miseries of the Canton residents.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 6 in No. 152.
Mr. Innes to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Macao Roads, May 30, 1839.
YOUR favour of date 23rd May, only came to my hand yesterday, but it
is due to you to say the delay was not caused by you.
You are pleased to express dissent as to my settlement with the local
authorities in Canton, in December, being a final one. Let us examine whether
your dissent is founded on any grounds so good as my assertion that it was
final. You was in no respect a party to that agreement ! I was ! On the
part of the Governor of Canton, Howqua and Mowqua acted, and for me; and
whose names I inclose in a separate sealed paper, and to these parties I refer
you to prove that an essential part of that agreement was a quiet domicile at
Macao in the meanwhile, with a return to Canton at no distant period, and
which period is now past !
425
In return for this, I gave value, at the time, viz., a withdrawal from Canton
without violence, and so opening trade which was made to depend on that. I
kept my portion of the bargain, the Chinese break theirs, — and without hearing
me, you assist them in this breach of faith by a penal enactment.
Now for Macao. It appears to me that you are not aware that selling
opium in Macao up to a very recent date was as lawful as any other commodity;
—so long as it was lawful, I landed at the Macao Custom-House considerable
quantities when I sold, but the day it became illegal, I ceased to do so, and
never more or less acted contrary to the Macao rules.
On the 11th April, the day the Bombay was robbed, no order or caution
of yours had reached Macao, and my operation was strictly customary and lawful.
The Im-Cha accuses me falsely of a contraband act, and without hearing
me, you again come to his aid with a penal order. I go out of the course of
what is usual, and disprove that which it was your duty to prove against me
before passing sentence, and after such disproof you refuse to recall your order
for leaving China. Is it in accordance with the spirit or the law of England for
a high Magistrate to act thus? In all criminal charges, it is the business of the
Magistrate to prove the crime and then punish. On the authority of a Chinese,
(and the faith, in which sort of proof you yourself in a public Edict expressly
threw doubt upon,) you unheard inflict punishment; and when proof of innocence
is offered, you refuse to retract., This is highly unjust and oppressive. I have
no other remedy than to test public opinion by the press. As to your reference
» to word of honour betwixt a Magistrate and an alleged offender, it is highly
irregular, and no one who respects his honour, will pledge it in a matter where,
doing so, he may be held by the world to prefer his interest to his honour.
Your order to leave China, except as it strengthens the tyrannical acts of
the Chinese Commissioner, and as it induces the frightened Governor of Macao
to withhold his protection from me, and to which I am equally well entitled with
yourself, is waste paper, because you will not find any master of a ship so insane as
to desert ine against my will ; and I give you distinctly to understand, that
looking on your Order as illegal, I shall land and stay in China whenever I
consider it prudent to do so, without any reference to you ; though it would
have been more respectable for you, and more pleasant for me, to have received
from' your justice what I shall take for your weakness.
Besides your orders, you favour me with your opinion on morals ; now my
age : having passed the better period of my life amongst the civilized and the
educated, and above all, an inward monitor, with whom I seldom quarrel, enables
me to compare your opinion of morals with my own, and yours in the balance is
wanting; so in any future letters it will save you time, and me temper, if you
abide closely by your instructions under the law as Her Majesty's Superin
tendent, and which orders, when legally given, no subjects of the Crown will be
more obedient to.
I have, &c,
(Signed) JAMES INNES.
Inclosure 7 in No. 152.
Mr. Innes to Captain Elliot.
May 30, 1839.
W. JARDINE and James Matheson, Esqs., acted for me in my settlement
at Canton, in December last, and both will testify that a quiet residence at
Macao meanwhile, and return to Canton at no distant period, formed an essential
part of that agreement.
I am, &c,
(Signed) JAMES INNES.
3 I
Inek)sure 8 in No 152.
Mr. Innes to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Macao Roads, June 12, 1839.
INCLOSED I send you the verified copy of a petition to Her Majesty m
Council, complaining of your conduct towards me, which petition I hare consi
dered it my duty to transmit for presentation.
I am, &c,
(Signed) JAMES INNES.
To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.
Macao Roads, Austen, June 8, 1839.
THE Humble Petition of James Innes, British born subject, and at present
a merchant in China.
Petitions and complains unto your Majesty, of the unlawful acts of your
Majesty's Chief Superintendent in China, Captain Charles Elliot, and that, under
the following circumstances :
That your Petitioner has been thirteen years resident in China, during
which period he has traded considerably in Opium, which traffic has been like
wise followed by at least nine-tenths of your Majesty's subjects resorting to
China. That your Petitioner in the above period has sold opium to the licensed
Hong] merchants, and has delivered opium to the boats of his Excellency the
Governor of Canton, and to many other Government officers. In November last,
the Chinese Government commenced severe measures to prevent the importation
of opium into China, and in the course of that Government's proceedings had
your Petitioner met with loss or personal inconvenience, your Petitioner would
not have considered himself entitled to any protection from your Majesty's
throne; but your Majesty's Chief Commissioner here having brought the weight
of your Majesty's authority in aid of the Chinese in this matter, and having also,
as your Petitioner humbly submits, used such authority in a way not legal, youi
Petitioner humbly approaches your Majesty's throne, sanguine in hopes oi
redress.
Your Petitioner produces herewith papers printed and verified on oath
which will best explain the course followed by Captain Elliot ; and to the said
Captain Elliot another verified copy is served with a verified copy of this Petition.
Your Petitioner referring to these Documents with submission, considers
the interference of Captain Elliot with the sale or delivery of opium on the high
sea, as beyond his powers, because the British Indian Government is supported in
its monopoly of this article in its public sales under the declared intention that it
is meant for the Chinese market! therefore, by implication, it is fair to conclude,
that as your Majesty and your faithful Lords and Commons support the Govern
ment of India in this trade, meant for China, it is beyond the powers of a mere
resident Consul of your Majesty to assert a right to make it illegal.
Your Petitioner further says, that in his particular instance, Captain Elliot
has broken an essential principle of the British criminal Jaw in condemning him
unheard and unconfronted with the witnesses against him ;—That Captain Elliot
has proceeded to punishment of a British subject, on the notoriously false evidence
of Chinese! and the tattle of women! and on the gossip of men all unsworn!
Instead of proceeding on the sworn evidence of credible witnesses, and instead of
allowing your Petitioner to disprove his alleged crime, Captain Elliot took his
proofs in secrecy, and condemned unheard!
Your Petitioner further says, that had Captain Elliot possessed the physical
power of deporting him and had used it, in that case, your Petitioner would have
sought his redress in one of your Majesty's Courts of Law, as is usual in such
cases; but here the indirect act of your Majesty's Superintendent bringing the
awe of your Majesty's authority to bear on the timid Governor of Macao, has had
the effect of depriving your Petitioner of the protection of that friendly power
which he, in common with every subject of your Majesty's Crown, was entitled
to,—the consequences are, being obliged to abandon his house in Macao ! his being
427
left a wanderer without shelter in a very distant and most unhospitahle country j
the result of which is injurious to your Petitioner's health ! ruinous to his mer
cantile credit ! and totally renders him incapable of carrying on his pursuits as a
man of business, which is his sole means of support ; and this, without so far as
your Petitioner is aware, his having broken one law of the British Government.
Your Petitioner for these reasons, humbly implores your Majesty in Council,
to issue instructions to your Majesty's Superintendent in China, to retrace his
his steps and to use the influence of your Majesty's name to restore to your
Petitioner the protection of the Portuguese Governor of Macao, or otherwise to
do in the Premises as your Majesty and Council shall judge best.
And your Petitioner will ever pray.
(Signed) JAMES INNES.
No, 153.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— (Received December 2, 1839.)
My Lord, Macao, July 8, 1839.
THE inclosures I have the honour to submit, are—
No. 1. A translation of the general receipt by the officers of the
Chinese Government for 20,283 chests of opium ; and four other documents,
being—
First (Inclosure 2).—Form of receipt granted by the Deputy Super
intendent at Chuenpee for the particular parcels of opium as they were
delivered to him from the respective ships, and carried to the account of
the surrendering individuals or firms. These receipts of Mr. Johnston were
the vouchers I required for a title to my general receipt for the whole opium
surrendered by each person or firm, and have been deposited in this
office, as the general receipts were taken out.
Second (Inclosure 3).—Is the form of my general receipt (on delivery
of the above vouchers of Mr. Johnston) to each British firm surrendering
opium.
Third (Inclosure 4).—A form of the like kind granted to individual
British merchants, not members of any firm.
Fourth (Inclosure 5).—A form of the special receipt granted for opium,
declared to be British owned, but surrendered by the citizens or subjects
of foreign powers.
I have submitted these forms in order that your Lordship may have
before you in one view, the whole manner in which this opium has been
received and acknowledged, and of the precautions which it has been in
my power to take towards the proof of British ownership.
Requesting reference to the printed copy of my notice of the
27th March affixed to each receipt, it has occurred to me that this
is a convenient place to explain why I made use of the word " com
mand" in preference to "demand," which I had originally intended.
Upon attentive reflection, it seemed to me that the latter term implied less
of unconditional constraint, than a bare " Command," to a person actually
in the situation of a close prisoner, which was my position at that moment.
Upon the whole, therefore, I thought it right to adhere in the Chinese
versions of all my addresses to the Government to the use of the identical
character of insistance they used to me : and in all translations, and all
public acts founded upon the measures of the Government, it appeared to
me to be safest to employ the English words most closely significant of
the Chinese sense.
I have &£C.
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
3 I 2
428
Inclosure 1 in No. 153.
Receipt given by the Chinese Authorities on the delivery of the Opium.
THE Kwang-Chow-Foo and other officers deputed by the High Impe
rial Commissioner of the Celestial Court, regarding the receipt of chests
of opium delivered up.
It now appears that the English Deputy Superintendent Johnston
has delivered up, from on board the store-ships, twenty thousand two hun
dred and eighty-three chests of opium, examined and received the 6th day
of the present month.
We proceed, therefore, to give a sealed acknowledgment, as evidence
of the fact. An acknowledgment highly necessary to be held.
Given the 19th year of Taoukwang, 4th month. 16th day (18th May,
1839).
(L.S.) of the Kwang-Chow-Foo.
No. 97. Issued the ninth day.
Inclosure 2 in No. 153.
Form of Receipt (/ranted by the Deputy Superintendent at Cheunpee.
No. No.
Cheunpee, 1839. Cheunpee 1 839.
From Ship Received on account of the Chief Superintendent
Master of the Trade of British Subjects in China for delivery to
Chests Opium on account the Chinese Government—the following Opium from
of order of Ship Master Chests Opium
For Chests on the Ship Marks and Quality as under—on account of
Regd. Fo. order for Chests on Ship
Regd. Fo.
For Chests.
(Signed) A. R. Johnston,
Deputy Superintendent.
Marks and Quality. Marks and Quality.
P. B. M. P. B. M. M. P. B. M.
Inclosure 3 in No. 153.
Form of Receipt grantedfor British owned Opium, surrendered by a British Firm.
Registered, No.
T, Charles Elliot, Chief Superintendent or the Trade or British Subjects
in China, hereby acknowledge to have received from
British subjects trading in Canton chests of
429
opium as under for the service of Her Majesty's Government, in terms of my Public Notice to British
subjects dated 27th March, 1839, hereunto annexed. The amount of indemnity for said opium to be
panid to . . . . . • or . . order.
Chests Patna.
. do. Benares.
, . do. Malwa.
. ■ do. Turkey.
Total Chests.
In witness whereof I have affirmed to four documents, all of this tenor and date, one of which being
made good the others to stand void.
I a member of the British firm of
of Canton, do hereby make oath that the Opium speicfied above
was at and before the issue of the Public Notice to British subjects, signed by Charles Elliot, Her
Majesty's Chief Superintendent, under date Canton, 27th March, 1839, either bond fide the property
of my firm of or consigned to us with full control
as to its disposal. And I do further solemnly declare, that no collusive transfer of any part whatever
of said Opium was made either to me, or to any other member of my firm, by the subject of any foreign
nation, but that the whole of the Opium was surrendered by myself and partners in the character of
British subjects to the Chief Superintendent for the service of Her Majesty's Government, being in all
respects, to the best of my knowledge and belief, Opium falling within■ the letter and spirit of the
before-mentioned notice to British subjects.
Sworn before me at Macao, in China, this \
day of June, 1839. j
(Signed) Charles Elliot,
Chief Superintendent.
I, Charles Elliot, Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British subjects in China, do
hereby certify that the person making the within affidavit,
is well known to me as a British subject and member of the British firm of
established at Canton.
Given under my hand and seal of office at Macao, in China, this 7
day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1 839. J
Public Notice to British Subjects.
I, Charles Elliot, Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British subjects in China, pre
sently forcibly detained in Canton by the provincial Government, together with all the merchants of
my own and the other foreign nations settled here, without supplies of food, deprived of our servants,
and cut oft" from all intercourse with our respective countries, (notwithstanding my own official demand
to be set at liberty, so that I might act without restraint,) have now received the commands of the High
Commissioner issued directly to me under the seals of the honourable officers to deliver into his hands
all the opium held by the people of my country. Now I, the said Chief Superintendent, thus con
strained by paramount motives affecting the safety of the lives and liberty of all the foreigners here
present in Canton, and by other very weighty causes, do hereby, in the name and on the behalf of Her
Britannic Majesty's Government, enjoin and require all Her Majesty's subjects now present in Canton
forthwith to make a surrender to me, for the service of her said Majesty's Government, to be delivered
over to the Government of China, of all the opium belonging to them or British opium under their
respective control : and to hold the British ships and vessels engaged in the trade of opium subject to
my immediate direction : and to forward to me, without delay, a sealed list of all the British owned
opium in their respective possession. And I, the said Chief Superintendent, do now, in the most full
and unreserved manner, hold myself responsible for, and on the behalf of Her Britannic Majesty's
Government, to all and each of Her Majesty's subjects surrendering the said British owned opium into
my hands, to be delivered over to the Chinese Government. And I, the said Chief Superintendent, do
further specially caution all Her Majesty's subjects here present in Canton, owners of or charged with
the management of opium, the property of British subjects, that, failing the surrender of the said opium
into my hands at or before six o'clock this day, I, the said Chief Superintendent, hereby declare Her
Majesty's Government wholly free of all manner of responsibility or liability in respect of the said
British owned opium.
And it is specially to be understood that proof of British property and value of all British opium
surrendered to me agreeably to this notice shall be determined upon principles and in a manner hereafter
to-be defined by Her Majesty's government.
Given under my hand and seal of office at Canton in China, this twenty seventh day of March, in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine, at six of the clock in the morning.
(L. S.) (Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British Subjects in China.
Registered No.
(Signed) E. Elmslie,
Secretary and Treasurer to the Superintendents.
Inclosure 4 in No. 153.
Farm of Receipt grantedfor British owned Opium surrendered by a British Subject.
Registered. No.
I, Charles Elliot, Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British Subject*
in China, hereby acknowledge to have received from
British subject trading in Canton chests of Opium
as under for the service of Her Majesty's Government, in terms of my Public Notice to British subjects
dated 27th March, 1839, hereunto annexed. The amount of indemnity for said Opium to be paid to
. or order.
_^ ______ _ , Chests. Patna.
_____ . do. Benares.
, - do. Malwa.
———— do. Turkey.
Total Chests.
Ia witness wherof I have affirmed to four documents, all of this
; to stand void.
I, of Canton, do hereby make oath that the Opium specified above
was at and before the issue of the P ublic Notice to British subjects, signed by Charles Elliot, Her
Majesty's Chief Superintendent, under date Canton, 27th March, 1839, either bondfide the property
of me the said , or consigned to me with full controul
as to its disposal. And I do further solemnly declare, that no collusive transfer of any part of said
Opium was made to me by the subject of any foreign nation, but that the whole of the Opium was
surrendered by myself in the character of a British subject to the Chief Superintendent for the service
of Her Majesty's Government, being in all respects, to the best of my knowledge and belief, Opium
falling within the letter and spirit of the before-mentioned notice to British subjects.
Sworn before me at Macao, in China, this ?
day of June, 1839. J
Chief Superintendent.
I, Charles Elliot, Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British subjects in China, do
hereby certify that the person making the within affidavit, is well
known to me as a British subject established at Canton.
Given under my hand and seal of office, at Macao, in China, thisl
day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1839. J
Public Notice to British Subjects—(as in previous
Inclosure 5 in No. 153.
edfor British-owned
and Portuguese Firms.
a citizen of and a i
the firm of the following opium, which the said
solemnly and sincerely declared before me to be the property of a British
subject.
And proof of the said opium being established in the manner provided in my Public Notice,
dated this day, I do hereby hold Her Majesty's Government responsible for ibe value thereof, also to
be determined agreeably to the provisions contained in my Public Notice.
Given under my hand and seal this Twenty-seventh day of March, of the year of our Lord
1839, at Canton in China.
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British subjects in <
Registered No.
(Signed) E. Elmslie.
Secretary and Treasurer to the Superintendent.
431
No. 154.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.— {Received December 2, 1839.)
My Lord, Macao, July 18, 1839.
THE inclosed communication to the Agents of two British merchant
ships, (of which the seamen had been most improperly allowed to go on
shore at Hong-Kong, and thus became engaged in a riot, attended
unhappily with loss of life,) will most conveniently place your Lordship
in possession of the present posture of that affair.
The immediate departure of a ship for Bombay obliges me to be very
brief on this occasion ; but I believe your Lordship may be assured, that
it has been in my power to avert any aggravation of the serious difficulties
of our situation, arising out of this distressing event.
My despatches, at present in course of preparation, and which will pro
bably reach England as soon as the present one, will inform Her Majesty's
Government fully upon the progress and state of general affairs at this
place. At all events, it may be satisfactory to your Lordship to know by
this opportunity, that everything remains quiet, and that the natives have
not been molested in the supply of the ships with provisions.
The High Commissioner still remains at Canton; and I learn, through
a highly respectable native channel, that he dares not venture to leave
the provinces till he can report to the Throne the peaceful resumption of
the regular British trade.
His Excellency's perplexity too, is said to be intensely increased by
the impulse, which it was natural to expect his late rash measures would
give to this traffic, at other points of the coast than this. In several
parts of Fokien they have already produced a formidable organization of
the native smugglers, and the officers of the Government do not venture to
disturb them. The high prices in China will soon bring on the immense
stocks in India ; and, indeed, whilst I am writing to your Lordship, a
most vigorous trade is carried on at places about 200 miles to the eastward
of Canton.
I am more and more convinced, my Lord, that the late crisis, and the
just ground of interference afforded to Her Majesty's Government, will
enable it to interpose, under the most favourable circumstances, for the
establishment of regular and honourable trade on a firm basis, and, let
me take the liberty to add, for the effectual check or regulation of a
traffic, which by the present manner of its pursuit must every day become
more dangerous to the peace of this ancient empire, and more discreditable
to the character of the christian nations, under whose flags it is carried
on-
But, my Lord, the difficulties in China are not confined to this matter
of Opium. The true and far more important question to be solved, is
whether there shall be honourable and extending trade with this empire ;
or whether the coasts shall be delivered over to a state of things which
will pass rapidly from the worst character of forced trade to plain bucca
neering.
If the High Commissioner had accepted the sincere offers I made to
him on the 24th March last, I am well assured that far more would have
been done to diminish the imminent danger of such a state of things,
than has resulted from his own impetuous and ill-considered proceedings.
I have &&C.
(Signed) ' CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
432
Inclosure in No. 154.
Captain Elliot to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co., . ■
v and Messrs. Dent and Co.
•Gentlemen, Macao, July 15, 1839. k
I AM concerned to acquaint you, that a very serious riot took place
in the neighbourhood of a village on the eastern shore of the anchorage
in Hong Kong Bay, in the afternoon of Sunday, the 7th instant, in which
several seamen of the ships Carnatic and Mangalore, were engaged.
There is strong reason to fear, that a native named Lie-wy-Lie lost his
life on this occasion ; and for the ends of justice, I have offered a reward
of 200 dollars on the part of Her Majesty's Government to any person or
persons who shall adduce evidence leading to the conviction of any other
person or persons, (being subjects of Her Majesty,) for the murder of that
individual.
I have also offered a reward of 100 dollars, to any person or persons
who shall adduce evidence leading to the conviction of any other person
or persons, (being subjects of Her Majesty,) as instigators of, or ring
leaders in, the riot of the 7th instant.
I have also advanced on my private account and risk, a sum of 1,500
dollars, to the family of the deceased, as some compensation for the heavy
loss they have sustained ; a further sum of 400 dollars, to protect them
against the extortion of this money by the lower mandarins in the neigh
bourhood ; and 100 dollars, to be distributed amongst the suffering
villagers, (some of them aged men and women,) with the hope to soothe
the irritation which the late event was calculated to create.
I have no doubt you will agree with me that expenses of this nature
incurred on occount of the grave misconduct of English seamen, should
devolve upon the English ships to which the people belonged, who had
been so improperly permitted to go on shore ; and so far as I have yet
ascertained, the Carnatic and Mangalore are the only English ships in
that situation. If it should become known to me, however, that the
seamen of any other English ships were on shore, and engaged in this
riot, I will of course transmit a copy of this letter to the Agents for them.
Perhaps I should explain, that 1 have carefully particularized English
ships, because I believe there isno doubtthattheseamenof otherforeign ships
were concerned in this dismal transaction. But I have necessarily neither
the right nor the least disposition to accept from foreigners, any share of
the expenses I have incurred on this occasion; and, indeed, if you do not
feel warranted in making the payment on account of the English ships, I
must sustain the loss.
It should be added, that the relatives of the deceased have forwarded
me a paper, declaring that they ascribe his death to accident, and not
wilfulness. But I am afraid that this representation is made wholly with
the purpose to protect them from punishment, for receiving money from
foreigners ; and I certainly do not intend to relinquish the pursuit of
the strictest further investigation on such a ground as that.
I have &£c
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
433
No. 155.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received January 9, 1840.)
Ship Fort William, Hong Kong,
My Lord, August 27, 1839.
A VESSEL sailing to Manilla and Singapore in the course of two
hours, affords me but brief space to report to your Lordship the most
critical situation of all Her Majesty's subjects in this country.
The High Commissioner, obviously pressed by counter reports from
the discontented Mandarins of this province, and by very sinister com
munications from the Court respecting his own proceedings, has availed
himself of the homicide reported in my despatch of the 18th of July, as a
pretext for attributing the interruption of British intercourse to that
cause, and not to his own violent measures.
I proceeded, my Lord, to the very utmost verge of my powers (and
probably exceeded them), with the hope to afford the Government all
reasonable satisfaction, by setting in action the criminal jurisdiction, and
placing six men on their trial on board this ship, on the 12th and 13th of
August last.
The Mandarins were invited to attend, but did not think fit to do so.
It is wholly impossible to transmit the voluminous Papers connected with
the cases by this occasion ; but I may state generally, for the information
of Her Majesty's Government, that a Bill of indictment for murder
against " Thomas Tidder, boatswain of the Mangalore," was ignored by
the grand jury, and that five men were found guilty upon an indictment
for riot and assault ; two for the riot only were sentenced to three months
confinement upon hard labour, in any of Her Majesty's gaols or houses of
correction in England, with a penalty of \ol. each to Her Majesty, and
three for riot and assault, to six months of the like imprisonment, and a
penalty of 25Z. each to Her Majesty.
These proceedings did not satisfy the Commissioner. He moved
down to Heang-Shan, a place forty miles from Macao, with about 2,000
troops ; insisted upon the delivery of a man, and upon the entrance within
the river of all the British shipping (the real purpose in hand) and took
away the servants from, and stopped the supplies of food to, the British
subjects. At first, these measures were confined to the British ; but it
soon appeared, that the Portuguese inhabitants of Macao were threatened
with a stoppage of their own supplies, if they continued to assist us. In
this emergency, and after communication with the Governor (whose
dispositions, indeed, are excellent, but whose means are nothing), I felt
that I ought no longer to compromise the safety of the settlement by
remaining there.
It was hoped by his Excellency, as well as myself and the general
body of the merchants, that my own departure with the officers of the
establishment might lead to relaxation, and with that feeling I came over
here on the 24th instant, Mrs. Elliot and her child having previously
embarked. A committee of management for the arrangement of the em
barkation of Her Majesty's subjects, however (should such a step become
necessary), was previously appointed at my suggestion, and I left a
sufficient number of armed vessels and boats to bring them over to Hong
Kong. By private letters from Mr. Astell, the chairman of the Committee,
and Mr. James Matheson, this moment received, your Lordship will
perceive, that events have hastened onwards with great rapidity, and that
the Governor has declared his inability to afford Her Majesty's subjects
further protection. I am looking with extreme anxiety for their arrival,
and, in the meanwhile, I am placing this fleet in the best attitude of
defence of which circumstances admit.
The absence of men-of-war will necessarily be a source of deep anx-
3 K
434
iety to Her Majesty's Government ; but happen what may, I take this
occasion to express my conviction that the Commander-in-Chief has used
his best exertions to prevent such a state of things. But it is indeed
greatly to be lamented that Commander Blake did not remain till he were
relieved.
Your Lordship, however, may be assured that I will do every thing
in my power to prevent the calamity and intolerable disgrace of a sur
prise of this valuable fleet of near fifty sail of British ships by mandarin
junks or fire-rafts ; and for this purpose, I have this day assumed the mili
tary as well as civil superintendence of the ships, and issued the necessary
' directions for their defence. In this moment of difficulty, I may be per
mitted to congratulate Her Majesty's Government that I have strictly
adhered to the determination of keeping the British shipping outside of
the Bocca Tigris. English ships or men, my Lord, can never again be
safe within those limits till our whole intercourse with this empire be
placed upon an entirely different footing.
I should inform your Lordship that since the walls of Macao have
been covered with false and insulting proclamations respecting myself,
and the servants and supplies taken away, I have refused to receive any
official papers from the Government. By this means, I have been enabled
to reject any direct application to myself for the delivery of the man.
Your Lordship will collect from the private letters I transmit, as
much as I yet know concerning the catastrophe which has befallen the
passage-boat, Black Joke ; but I feel assured there is no ground whatever
for the surmise that the circumstance arises from an order of the higher
officers. I have already communicated with the Mandarins in this neigh
bourhood upon the subject, and a messenger from them is actually on board
to make inquiries concerning it. I am satisfied not only that it is a busi
ness of the well-known Ladrones or pirates; but I am also convinced that
no circumstance is more likely to alarm the authorities. They have an
extreme dread of exciting such lawless proceedings on their coasts, which
your Lordship will permit me to remind you, were for several months,
about thirty years since, in the complete possession of a most formidable
organization of pirates.
I write by this occasion to his Excellency the Captain General of the
Philipines, as also to the Governor of Singapore, for supplies of provisions
and such military stores as may enable me to put these ships in an effi
cient state of defence.
The cutter Louisa left me the day before yesterday to proceed to
the eastward to purchase supplies for the fleet.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
P.S. Unable to transmit to your Lordship the official papers con
nected with the late trial, I take the liberty to forward by this occasion,
newspapers containing the rules of practice and proceeding, and report
of the trial itself.
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Hong Kong, September, 1839.
THE ship which carried this despatch has been driven back by stress
of weather, a circumstance that enables me to report the arrival of Her
Majesty's ship Volage, and of all Her Majesty's subjects from Macao.
The additional inclosures will inform your Lordship that their embarka
tion had been pressed upon them by the Governor of Macao. The almost
helpless condition of the place is no doubt his Excellency's excuse, and I
repeat my conviction, that his dispositions are sincerely honourable.
I also transmit to your Lordship copies of the several communica
tions I have made to this Government concerning the homicide at this
place, and I may take this occasion briefly to declare my conviction that
seamen of the American shipping were to all intents and purposes as
435
deeply engaged in the riot of 7th July as our own ; and I may add (so far
as the evidence before me goes), in the melancholy and unfortunate event
which arose out of it. If it be true, that their Consul has disavowed any
connection of American citizens with these affairs, he has hazarded an
assertion at variance with the state of the facts.
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 1 in No. 155.
Mr. Astell to Captain Elliot.
My dear Elliot, Macao, Midnight, August 25, 1839.
A CRISIS is at hand, and to-morrow we all push off from the shores of
Macao : as soon as we are afloat I shall propose that the whole fleet, ships and
boats of all sorts, every British flag, set sail in company for Hong Kong. I
have reason to think that this step will be approved. I have not time to write
you particulars. I scarcely know which way to turn. Ever since you left, I
have been assailed on all sides with questions, &c, and visits to the Governor.
The atrocious murder aggravates our case. I have had two or three con
fidential interviews with the Governor, and he evidently is in great alarm. He
is to attend himself with the troops at the embarkation to-morrow. I believe
all British subjects, except the sick in the Hospital, will embark. The Governor
will take the inmates of our hospital into that of the Portuguese and protect
them. I send this by the Ann. I tried all the afternoon to get a China boat
to send you express ; but none would go. I wished to warn you against
coming over in any of the small craft. The Chop to the Governor which his
Excellency showed me privately this morning, is the same as that to the
Procurador, of which I have a copy, but do not send it as Matheson will
give you his. At six this evening, I again saw the Governor, who had
that moment received another much stronger, with the threat expressed of
surrounding the English houses. He told me he answered it hastily and ver
bally, to the effect, that every European must be slain ere such should take
place. He is walking about the quay, and all the citizens are around in case of
an attack. I have been applied to to make a representation concerning the
murder to the Chinese, but I repeat that such does not form part of my
business. The depositions which we have taken will give you particulars. I
shall be in the Pearl or Psyche. More when we meet.
Ever yours, in haste, &c,
(Signed) J. H. A.
Inclosure 2 in No. 155.
Mr. Matheson to Captain Elliot.
My Dear Captain Elliot, ; Maria, Typa, Sunday, August 25, 1839.
WE have persuaded the Commander of the Ann to proceed to Hong-
Kong before sailing, in case you may have any further despatches to write.
Her destination is Manilla and Singapore ; but circumstances may occasion
the voyages terminating at Manilla.
Mr. A. Jardine will tell you of a second chop this afternoon from the
Mandarins, in consequence of which the Portuguese Governor has declared,
he cannot answer for the safety of British subjects after noon to-morrow, at
which hour all are to embark in a body, in the Governor's presence, with the
troops under arms. There is even a threat of an attempt to surround British
houses to-night; but the Governor has declared his determination to resist
this ; and it is not likely that, if really intended, they would have given notice
of it. I think, however, none of our countrymen at Macao will venture to
go to sleep to-night.
3 K 2
436
Mr. Jardine will tell you of the fearful murder of the crew of the Black
Joke, off Lantao point, last night, excepting only the Serang, who sprang
over-board, and clung to the rudder. Mr. Mark Moss, the only passenger,
was barbarously wounded, one of his ears cut off, and left for dead. After
which they attempted setting fire to the vessel, but were interrupted by the
Harriet coming up, which took the Black Joke in tow. The attacker consisted
of seven Chinese rowing-boats, manned and armed like Mandarins ; but, I
think (contrary to the general opinion) they must have been pirates, trusting
to the present confusion for impunity. They carried off some property, con
sisting of Mr. Just's watches, but left some dollars, strange to say. Mr.
Moss was flying from the process of the Macao Court, on an action of debt
on Mr. Gouldsborough's account. He is alive and likely to survive, unless
lock-jaw supervenes. We have ordered provisions, &c, for ourselves. Have
you any orders to give on account of the community.
Yours, &c,
(Signed) JAMES MATHESON.
Inclosure 3 in No. 1 55.
Messrs. Astell, Braine others, to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Macao, August 25; 1839.
WE have the honour to forward to you herewith copies of depositions
taken this day, regarding a distressing outrage committed last night by the
Chinese on the crew of the schooner Black Joke, when at anchor off
Lantao.
The Committee waited on the Governor this morning, in consequence of
this business, and also with reference to a chop from the Commissioner to the
Portuguese Government (which was demi-officially notified to their Chairman)
directing them immediately to send away the English residents.
The Governor did not feel himself at liberty to communicate the contents
of this chop to the Committee ; but a confidential interview with their Chair
man, coupled with the purposes of certain other chops, just now issued (and
an abstract of which we have procured from Mr. Gutzlaff, and forward herein)
and also bearing in mind the affair of the schooner Black Joke, which there is
apparently some reason to fear was made under the directions of the Mandarins,
have induced the Committee to recommend the immediate embarkation of the
British community.
We send also herewith a copy of our circular, suggesting the adoption of
that measure.
We trust the embarkation will be allowed to take place without obstruc
tion, in the course of to-morrow.
We are sorry to add, that we have received information that the schooner
Jane was last night chased by the Mandarins, also in the neighbourhood of
Lantao.
The Governor has declined furnishing us with a copy of the chop to him
self, or communicating it officially to us as a Committee, and he states himself
unable to say what time will be allowed by the Chinese authorities for the
departure of the English residents.
It is said, on good authority, that several thousand troops are collected in
this neighbourhood ; and we hear that the Chinese are removing themselves and
their property in large numbers from Macao.
We have, &c,
(Signed) J. H. Astell.
George Braine.
William Bell.
Gilbert Smith.
DlNSHAW FuRDONJEE.
437
Inclosure 4 in No. 1 55.
Deposition of Hassan Tindal, of the Black Joke, before the Committee of Manage
ment at Macao, August 25, 1839.
LEFT Macao in the Black Joke, at 6 a.m. on the 24th August ; seven Las
cars, himself, and Mr. Moss, in the vessel. Anchored at 6 p.m. under the south
end of Lantao, at the entrance, tide being against them ; two men on the look
out ; about 10 o'clock, the alarm was given of boats approaching, five or six
pulling boats filled with men. They immediately ranged alongside, and com
menced to massacre the crew. Hassan jumped overboard, and remained about
half an hour in the water, holding on by the rudder. They took away the per
sonal baggage and stores which were carried on board the vessel the night before,
and several boxes, but not all. The boats were alongside about half an hour ;
when Hassan got on board, he found Mr. Moss alone, who told him that the
crew were murdered, and perceived attempts had been made to set fire to the
vessel by means of tar ropes and gunpowder. Shortly after a vessel hove in
sight, and took the vessel in tow, and brought her to the Typa this morning.
A mandarin cap and knife was found on board the vessel.
Inclosure 5 in No. 155.
Deposition of Mr. Mark Moss.
THUS saith Mark Moss, a British subject, born in London, before Van
Basel, Dutch Consul; Paiva, late Procurador at Macao; Kerr and Leslie,
British merchants; at Macao, this 25th day of August, 1839.
I left Macao on board the Black Joke, on Friday night last, the 23rd
instant, to proceed to Hong Kong ; having got as far as the point of Lantao,
anchored there yesterday evening at five ; supped and went to lay down. About
nine o'clock, I heard the crew, which consisted of Lascars, eight in number, crying
out " Wylo, Wylo ;" ran to the sky-light, and saw three guns fired at us, wadded
with charcoal, when I reached the deck I saw three Lascars cut down, and got a
cut on the left side of the face, on which I went below, when I heard the Chinese
cry out "Ta, Ta," and on putting my head out of the stern companion, got a most
severe wound on the top of the head. The Chinese then laid hold of me, and
stripped me of my clothes, and cut my arm in three places, as I put it up to save
my head; they then proceeded to plunder and break up the boat ; and coming
down with lights into the cabin, one of them seeing I had a ring on my finger,
attempted to cut the finger off, but I took the ring off and gave it to him, and
another seeing my watch took it out of my pocket, and laying hold of my ear,
called to a man who came with a sharp instrument and cut it off, along with a
large portion of the skin on the left side of my head, as you now see, and put it
in my mouth, attempting to push it down my throat. I was then knocked about
on all sides by the Chinamen, and saw them bring a barrel of gunpowder, with
which they attempted to blow up the boat, but did not succeed. I was rendered
senseless from the smoke caused by the explosion, and was nearly suffocated;
when, making a last effort, reached the deck and found no one there ; I called
out the names of some of the Lascars, and seeing a rope moving a-stern, found
that the Tindal alone of the whole native crew had saved himself, by hanging on
to the rudder under water ; he came up and gave me some water, of which I
drank five basons full, and felt refreshed; a short time after this, the Harriet,
Captain Hall, came up, and I suppose the Chinese, from their leaving the boat
so suddenly, had seen this vessel.
From Captain Hall J met with the kindest treatment, he took me on board,
dressed my wounds, and taking charge of my boat, brought me to Macao^this
morning about five o'clock.
(Signed) PAIVA, C" K.
W. L., S. V. B.
438
Inclosure 6 ia No. 155.
Official Communication from the Mandarins of Casa Branca, and the Tsotang,
requiring the departure of the English from Macao.
CHIAM, Mandarin of Casa Branca, and Pong, the Tsotang, hereby make
known to the Procurador, that having replied to his official, in which he
requested they would solicit their Excellencies (the Imperial Commis
sioner and the Canton authorities) to issue Proclamations, calling on the
Chinese merchants to purchase the goods imported by the Portuguese, in
order to extricate them from their present embarrassments, &c ; and having
stated in said reply, that in the actual state of affairs in regard to the
English, it was not advisable to transmit his (the Procurador's) official to the
superior authorities, they now remind him, that by orders of their Excellen
cies they are required to drive all the English from Macao, and not allow one
of them to remain ; on which account, they have imposed severe restrictions,
depriving them of every assistance, and have stationed troops at Casa Branca,
and at the Bar Fort, in order to seize and punish any of the foreigners [the
English] who may loiter about here. And as they have had information
that within the last few days several of the English have left, but that there
are a few still remaining, watching what is going on, which is in direct
contravention of the prohibitory orders; they, the Mandarins, have stationed
soldiers and police-runners in different parts to seize them secretly ; and,
besides communicating with the Governor of Macao, they now order the
Procurador to show immediate obedience hereto, and expel all the English;
and to request the Governor, to order all the Portuguese who have rented
their houses to the English, to oblige them to quit ; and when once they have
left Macao, not to allow them to come on shore again. After the English
shall have left, they, the Mandarins, will immediately petition their Excel
lencies, interceding on behalf of the Portuguese, that the merchants may be
able to dispose of their goods, so that all may be contented, and to be allowed
to export largely, which will certainly yield immense profits.
So soon as the English be brought to repentance, and deliver up the
murderer; and when their merchant-ships shall have gone up to Whampoa,
and the store-ships and the foreigners [the sixteen proscribed] shall have
returned to their country, their Excellencies will certainly grant them the
especial favour of continuing their trade as formerly ; and you, the Portuguese,
when you receive permission to trade with the English, you can then rent
them your houses as heretofore.
Take care that you do not meet with a severe loss on all your goods in
Macao, in consequence of your cupidity, for the insignificant rent of your
houses. Avoid it therefore.
16th of the 7th moon (24th August 1839.)
Inclosure 7 in No. 155.
Certificate of three Surgeons, on the several wounds inflicted on the person of
Mr. Moss.
Macao, August 25, L839.
THIS is to certify that we have carefully examined Mr. Mark Moss, who
reports that he was attacked last night, by some persons who boarded his boat
and inflicted several severe wounds on his person.
We saw him this morning at eight o'clock, and found that he had received
the following injuries:—
On the Head. — A deep wound over the left eyebrow, and extending across
the arch of the nose, the bones of which have been completely divided. An
oblique wound on the forehead, about two inches long; the left ear, with a
portion of the scalp, has been cut away, leaving a large open wound. There are
also two smaller wounds on the head.
u On the left arm fore-arm, and hand.—At the lower part of the arm, there
439
is a deep wound extending across the limb, and dividing the external condyle o '
the humerus. In the middle of the fore-arm, an extensive deep wound; the
fascia has been torn, and the muscles much lacerated. At the lower part of the
fore-arm, near the wrist, another deep wound, down to the ulna, which bone has
been divided. On the hand, a deep wound at the back of the thumb, almost
separating this member from the hand.
Besides the above, there are also several wounds on the body and limbs
which are of little consequence. From the severe injuries now described, we
consider the man to be in a dangerous condition.
(Signed) RICHARD HENRY COX,
Surgeon.
WILLIAM LOCKHART,
Surgeon.
Certificate of Mr. Anderson, Surgeon.
September I, 1839.
I DO hereby certify that I have this day examined Mr. Mark Moss, and
that the statement contained in the accompanying certificate of Drs. Cox and
Lockhart, of the wounds he has received, as correct. And from the present
appearance of the wounds, considerable advance has already been made towards
recovery, and that, to the best of my judgment, little danger is to be apprehended
from his present state.
(Signed) ALEXANDER ANDERSON,
Acting Surgeon to Her Britannic Majesty's
Superintendents.
Inclosure 8 in No. 155.
Abstracts of Three Edicts posted upon the walls of Macao.
First Edict. August 25, 1839.
THE gracious will of His Imperial Majesty having been declared in favour
of all the violent measures suggested by the memorialist Hwang Tseotsze, it is,
therefore, hereby proclaimed by the Imperial Commissioner and the Governor.
1. That any foreign vessel, wherein, through error, opium shall be brought
to this place, within the period of eighteen months, from the date of this Edict,
shall be permitted, on the surrender of the same, to proceed to Whampoa, and
dispose of her other cargo.
2. That every foreigner (no especial mention made of the English) who
shall endeavour to introduce opium into the empire, on discovery being made,
shall, if he be the principal, be immediately decapitated ; if only an abettor, shall
be instantly sentenced to strangulation.
3. That every vessel is allowed to proceed immediately up to Whampoa in
order to discharge her cargo.
4. That such vessels as are not proceeding to Whampoa must return forth
with to their country, lest ulterior measures be adopted against them. In this,
also, no especial mention is made of the English.
5. That if the murderer of the Chinese, Lin Weihee, be immediately de
livered up, well and good ; but if not, all the foreigners shall be involved in the
offence.
Second Edict.
This Edict, issued by the local authorities, threatens with fearful punish
ment, all boatmen that shall dare to furnish supplies to the outside shipping ;
and intimates to all who may venture to transgress, the certainty of being caught
by some of the numerous cruizers.
Third Edict.
There is a third paper, which is intended to soothe the populace, and to
440
give the people the assurance, that whatever may be the measure of the Govern
ment, the place shall be amply supplied with rice, and no difficulties shall be
thrown in the way of its importation at the usual rates. This is already the
third Edict of this kind. Some unpleasant encounters have just now taken
place between the dealers in rice and the mob, and the local mandarins, there
fore, fear the worst consequences. Still, however, the soldiers at the various
stations leading to Macao, prevent boats loaded with provisions from proceeding
to their destination.
The emigration of the most influential and respectable people continues,
and there are, at the present moment, again hundreds preparing to leave Macao.
A number of soldiers are stationed on the Lappa, where they daily exercise
themselves in the art of shooting.
(Signed) CHARLES GUTZLAFF.
Inclosure 9 in No. 155.
Captain Elliot to the Officers deputed by the Imperial Commissioner.
Macao, July 13, 1839.
ELLIOT, learning that the Honourable officers have arrived here to make
inquiries concerning the death of a native at Hong Kong, on the 7th instant,
writes these particulars.
As soon as it was reported to Elliot, that disorder had taken place at Hong
Kong, and that a native of the land had lost his life, either by accident or
deliberate intention, he proceeded immediately to Hong Kong, where he arrived
on the morning of the 10th instant.
Upon inquiry, it appeared that several seamen of the ships, American as
well as English, had been permitted to go ashore, as it was said, for the purpose
of bathing and taking exercise on the beach. Concerning any English people,
who might have been engaged in the disorder, Elliot immediately took measures
according to the customs of his country. He issued a notice among the English
shipping, offering a reward of 200/. to any person who would discover the man
by whom the native of the land might have been killed, whether accidentally or
not, and a reward of 100Z. to any person who would discover the leaders in the
riot which had taken place.
The investigations are still proceeding, neither shall they be lightly pursued ;
and most assuredly, if it shall be brought to light that this unhappy man lost
his life by an act of a British subject, and the offender be discovered, he shall
immediately be placed on his trial, according to the laws of his country.
The Government of the English nation would hold Elliot deeply guilty, if
he failed to prosecute this affair with the utmost severity.
Elliot should further make known to the Honourable officers, that the
family of the deceased do not ascribe the death of this individual to wilfulness,
but to accident. Be it accident or wilfulness, however, he is no longer here to
take care of them, aud therefore Elliot has considered that it became him to
provide for their support.
This is just.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
441
.Enclosure 10 in No. 155.
Captain Elliot to the Officers deputed by the Imperial Commissioner.
Macao, July 21, 1839.
FOR the ends of justice and in the performance of his duty to his own
gracious Sovereign, Elliot must assuredly continue to use his sincerest efforts to
discover whether the perpetrators of any crime, declared to be committed within
this jurisdiction, are British subjects ; and if it shall appear upon faithful
investigation that such is the case, the offenders will be placed upon their trial
according to the laws of their country.
But the present conduct of the Honorable Officers is as inexplicable, as
their past proceedings are unjust and dangerous. At one moment they issue
Public Notices, encouraging the merchants and seamen of the English nation
to disregard the lawful orders of their officer. At the next they approach him
with requisitions to settle important affairs. When the ships of his nation went
to Hong Kong, Elliot strictly commanded the people of his nation always to
treat the Honorable Officers of this empire with respect, and to prevent the
sailors from occasioning disorder. Immediately afterwards, follows the
Proclamation of the Honorable Officers, inciting the people of the English
nation to disregard Elliot's injunctions. But if they were to be disregarded in
one sense, how was it to be expected they would be observed in another?
Would it be possible to maintain order and tranquillity, if Elliot and the other
foreign Officers were to incite the natives of the land to give no heed to the
commands of their own authorities, and assure the people of assistance, if they
thought fit to break the laws of the empire ? Truly these proceedings of the
Honorable Officers have been highly inconsistent with the principles of peace
and reason, and Elliot considers that these and all other disorders are chiefly
attributable to them.
Elliot will receive no papers from the Honorable Officers till he is satisfied
that there shall be no repetition of these inflammatory practices, and till the
higher officers think fit to receive his own sealed addresses agreeably to
custom.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 11 in No. 155.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Macao, August 3, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c, &c, begs to acquaint the Keun-Min-Foo, for the informa
tion of the higher officers at the Provincial City, that on Monday, the 12th day
of the month, certain English seamen will be tried before him, according to the
laws of the English nation, on board a British ship, at the anchorage at Hong-
Kong, for participation in the riot, in which a native of the land, named Lin
Wie hee, is declared to have lost his life, to the end that justice may be done
upon those who are proved to be guilty, and that the innocent may be allowed
to go free.
And if the higher officers shall be pleased to command any of the Honor
able Officers to be present at the trial, Elliot will take care that they are received
with the respect due to their rank.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT
Inclosure 12 in No. 155.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Macao, August 16, 1839
ELLIOT has the honour to acquaint the Keun-Min-Foo, for the informa
tion of the high officers, that he has strictly investigated according to the forms
3L
442
of law of his country concerning the death of a native of the land, at Hong
Kong, on the 7th July last. Not to the end that any man should be delivered
up, for, by the plain orders of his gracious Sovereign, that is impossible, but
that justice may be done upon the guilty, even to the taking of life, if there be
a conviction of murder.
He now solemnly declares that he has not been able to discover the perpe
trators of this deed.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 13 in No. 155.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Macao, August 21, 1839.
ELLIOT has to demand, in the name of the Sovereign of his nation, that
proclamations should be forthwith issued, permitting the native servants, in the
employment of the English at Macao, to return to their occupations and furnish
the supplies. And Elliot has further to give notice that, as at Hong Kong,
there are several thousands of seamen menaced with the privation of supplies
of food. He cannot be responsible for the preservation of the peace, if the
present condition of disquietude subsists.
According to the genius of the English nation, they will be considered by
his Government to be measures of insult and violence of the worst character.
And the responsibility rests upon the Commissioner.
The Great Emperor will not sanction proceedings of undistinguishing
violence, arising entirely from a violation of his gracious will, that all things
should be adjusted agreeably to the principles of justice and reason.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 156.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmer ston.—(Received February 1, 1840.)
Ship Fort William,
My Lord, Hong Kong, September 3, 1839.
THE arrival of Her Majesty's ship Volage, with despatches from the
Commander-in-Chief, authorizing me to offer the Governor of Macao any
assistance he may require under the painful and extremely unsuitable condition
of all Her Majesty's resident subjects and their families on board this fleet, has
induced me to address the accompanying note to his Excellency.
Under present circumstances, Macao may at once be made sufficiently safe
for their protection, and with the shipping at our command, there could be no
difficulty in procuring supplies from Manila.
With the present pretensions of the Commissioner, there can be no con
ducting such a trade as our own at Canton with honour or advantage.
Hong Kong, September 7, 1839
The Inclosure No. 3, is His Excellency's reply to mine : yesterday received.
Your Lordship will perceive that it amounts to an acknowledgment of his ina
bility to protect us. Such being the case, my Lord, I am afraid the time is
approaching when this fleet, and the resident community in China, must depart
to Manila, and await there the final adjustment of all these excessive
difficulties.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
443
Inclosure 1 in No. 156.
Captain Elliot to the Portuguese Governor of Macao.
Skip Fort William,
Hong Kong, September 1, 1839.
THE Undersigned, &c &c &c, has the honour to acquaint your Excellency
that he has received Despatches from the Rear-Admiral Commanding-in-Chief,
dated on the 8th July last, by which he learns that the Captain of Her Majesty's
ship Volage, is instructed to co-operate most cordially and energetically with his
Excellency the Governor of Macao, in the defence of the place, and in repelling
any aggression that may be attempted, and to consider the lives and liberty of
Her Most Faithful Majesty's subjects equally under his protection with those of
Her Majesty.
If, therefore, your Excellency shall desire aid of any kind for the above
purposes from Her Majesty's officers or subjects, at this anchorage, it shall imme
diately be afforded.
Under the circumstance of the arrival of Her Majesty's ship, with such
orders, the Undersigned cannot but feel that your Excellency will anxiously desire
to see British subjects once more under the protection of Her Most Faithful
Majesty's flag, at Macao, if possible ; the more so on account of the insulting
address to the Portuguese Authorities, praising and thanking them for assisting
in driving forth the British people.
This infamous calumny will have been a source of deep chagrin to your
Excellency ; but the Undersigned hopes he need not say that he has assured his
own Government it is utterly void of foundation.
The Undersigned, for his own part, did not require your Excellency's
repeated and honourable declarations that the same protection should be afforded
to British as Portuguese subjects, and his own reason for retiring, was indisposi
tion to compromise the settlement whilst there was no force at hand to repel the
aggression.
That is no longer the case ; and the Undersigned has now to propose to
your Excellency the return of Her Majesty's subjects to Macao, and the utmost
aid in his power for the resistance of any aggression upon the honour and rights
of Her Most Faithful Majesty, which may ensue from the protection of the
subjects of her most ancient and intimate ally. He has communicated this
note to his comrade the Captain of Her Majesty's ship, and is requested by that
officer to state his entire concurrence in these sentiments, and to offer your
Excellency his heartiest assistance. The vessel which conveys this Despatch will
wait for your Excellency's answer, and a force of 800 or 1000 men can be placed
at your Excellency's disposal at once.
The Undersigned takes this occasion to renew to your Excellency the sen
timents of his highest consideration.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
3 L 2
444
Inclosure 2 in 156.
The Keun-Min-Foo to the Portuguese Governor of Macao, prohibiting Portuguese
Lorchas from approaching the Ships at Hong Kong.
TSEANG, Acting Keun-Min-Foo, issues these to the Portuguese foreign
Chief (Procurador of Macao,) for his full information.
I have received an edict from their Excellencies Tang, the Governor, and
Lin, the Imperial Commissioner, of the following tenor :—
" The Admiral has just reported to us that Lai, commander of the squadron
of Tapang, informed him that on the 14th instant two Portuguese lorchas, one
belonging to Kachashipu and the other to Francisco, came and anchored at
Hong-kong, near the English ships. This coming before us, we find that the
orders, that at the present time we have issued, are of the strictest and most
comprehensive nature, in regard to cutting off the supply of all kinds of provi
sions to the English, both in Macao and on board their ships. After the com-
pradores were taken away from the English residing in Macao, the said Procura
dor showed himself obedient to the orders issued to him, and aided, as far as he
was able, in hastening the departure of those . perverse English who were to be
expelled from China ; their departure,—so precipitate and confused,—proves that
the said Procurador knows the importance of his duty : and his respectful obedi
ence is worthy of praise. It appears, however, that several of the English, after
their departure from Macao, have gone to live on board the ships at Hong Kong,
which makes it necessary to cut off the supply of all provisions and necessaries of
life from them also. The Chinese, having been apprehended and punished, are
smitten with fear, and have withdrawn their boats. How is it, then, that the
Portuguese still go to those places, and anchor their lorchas near the English
ships ? If on this occasion we had assembled our war-vessels, and these lorchas
had been captured, would not they, the good, have thus become involved in the
punishment of the evil?" (Literatim,—"Would not the precious stones have
been confounded with the common pebbles?")
" It is necessary, therefore, that we should again issue our commands."
Immediately on receipt of this, let the said Procurador command the said
lorchas forthwith to return, and if there be any besides these which go to that
anchorage let them also return. Let them not go there secretly to supply provi
sions to the foreigners on pain of severe punishment. Besides this, let me be
informed as to the passes you have granted, that I may report the same.
The assistance just now afforded, by the Governor and Procurador, in expel
ling the English from Macao, shows that they know the importance of their
duties : and their respectful obedience merits commendation. The extraordinary
praises just conferred on you by their Excellencies must be a source of ines
timable honour and glory to you. The Procurador and the others ought, there
fore, to obey the prohibitory orders, and to enforce them to the utmost of their
power when public affairs call for them. They ought to be thankful for the
benefits their Excellencies have always showered upon them. This is my ardent
hope. Be urgent ! Be urgent !
17th day of the 7th moon of the 19th year of Taoukwang.—(25th August.)
(True translation from the Portuguese.)
(Signed) S. Fearon.
445
Inclosure 3 in No. 156.
The Portuguese Governor of Macao to Captain Elliot.
Macao, 3 de Setbro. de 1839.
O ABAIXO Assignado Governador de Macao e suas dependências tem a
honra de accuzar a recepção da notta que lhe deregio o IIIo. Sr. Charles Elliot,
Superintendente do Commercio Britânico na China dotada da Bahia de Hong
kong em o Io. de Settembro, e emrespo sta a mesma a de repetir-lhe o que por
mais de huma viz. officialmente lhe tem dito desde que o Alto Commissario
enviado expressamente pelo Imperador da China para a supressão do prohibido
commercio de Opio chegou a Cantão. Evem a ser que sem receber ordens
expressas e terminantes do sen Governo, elle não pode deixar de Conservar a
mais stricta neutralidade entre as duas Naçoens a Ingleza com quem há tantos
tempos a sua se acha tão intimamente alliada, e a Chineza pelos motivos bem
cotuncidos de todos.
O Abaixo Assignado com tudo não despreza esta occazião que S. Sa. lhe
offerece para novamente significar-lhe em nome de sen Governo os mais extensos
e bem merecidos agradecimentos pela franca e geueroza cooperaçòo que lhe
proporciona, e de que não se pode aproveitar pelas razõens acima ditas.
Os subditos Britânicos retirarão se espontaneamente de Macaó com o fini
de não comprometterem o Estabelleçimento, e com este passo collocarão-se por
si mesmo em a necessidade de não voltarem a elle em quanto não se acharem
aplanadas todas as difficuldades que ainda existem, e que o Abaixo Assignado
conta ver satisfatoriamente terminadas para todas aspartes, não lhe sendo permit-
tido alterar alguma coiza, para manter a neutralidade a que acima allude em
quanto não receber ordens expressas do sen Governo a tal respeito.
As Chapas dos Mandarins de que S. Sa. com razão se queixa, forão respon
didas ao Alto Commissario de hum modo terminante e positivo, fazendo-lhe ver
que as Subditos Britânicos se retirarão espontaneamente, e deste modo julgou
o Abaixo Assignado ter igualmente satisfeito aos Subditos Britânicos, e a digni
dade do Governo Portuguez.
S. Sa. e todos os Subditos Britânicos conhecerão o vivo sentimento comque
o Abaixo Assignado os vio partir, e todos Souberão que a proteçcão possível lhe
seria dada em as circunstancias em que aqui se acharão de que S. Sa. também
se convencio ; e parece ao Abaixo Assignado ter satisfatoriamente respondido a
sua ja citada notta não lhe restando senão renovar as expressoens de sua mais alta
estima e consideração.
O Governador,
(Assignado) ADRIÃO ACCACIO DA SILV\ PINTO.
(Translation.)
Macao, September 3, 1839.
THE Undersigned, Governor of Macao and its dependencies, has the honour
to acknowledge receipt of the note addressed to him by the most illustrious Mr.
Charles Elliot, Superintendent of British Commerce in China, dated in the Bay
of Hong Kong, the 1st of September; and in reply thereto, he has to repeat
what he has already officially declared more than once since the arrival at Canton
of the High Commissioner sent by the Emperor of China expressly for the
suppression of the prohibited trade in Opium. And it is this, that without receiv
ing from his Government express and definitive orders, he cannot cease to pre
serve the most strict neutrality between the two nations, the English, with which
his own has been so long and so intimately allied, and the Chinese, from motives
well known to all.
The Undersigned cannot at the same time let slip this occasion afforded by
the Superintendent to express anew, in the name of his Government, his very
great and well-merited thanks for the frank and generous co-operation which has
been offered, but of which he is not able to avail himself for the reasons above
stated.
446
The British subjects retired of their own accord from Macao, with a view
of not compromising this establishment, and by this step have placed themselves
under the necessity of not landing here so long as all the difficulties now existing
shall continue unsettled ; which difficulties the Undersigned hopes to see termi
nated satisfactorily for all parties, it not being allowable for him to vary in any
thing from the maintenance of the neutrality above stated, until he shall receive
express .orders from his Government in that respect.
The " chops " of the Mandarins, of which with reason the Superintendent
complains, have been answered to the High Commissioner in a manner definite
and positive, making him perceive that the British subjects retired of their own
accord, and in this the Undersigned judges that the British subjects and the
dignity of the Portuguese Government will be equally satisfied.
The Superintendent and all the British subjects were aware of the lively
feelings with which the Undersigned saw them depart, and all knew that what
protection was possible in the circumstances in which we are here placed was
given, and of this the Superintendent was convinced ; and it appears to the Under
signed that the note already cited is thus satisfactorily answered, it only remaining
for him to renew the expression of his highest esteem and consideration.
The Governor,
(Signed) ADRIAO ACCACIO DA SILVA. PINTO.
No. 157.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—{Received February 1, 1840.)
Ship Fort William,
My Lord, Hong Kong, September 5, 1839
I YESTERDAY proceeded to Kow Lune, in the cutter Louisa, distant
about four miles from this anchorage, where there were three large men-of-war
junks, whose presence, I collected from the natives about us, prevented the
regular supplies of food. I was accompanied by the Pearl, a small armed-vessel,
and Captain Smith of the Volage was so good as to lend me the pinnace of his
ship, and to go with me himself. But I can assure yoor Lordship, that though I am
responsible for causing the first shot to be fired, I did not anticipate any conflict
when we left, and went accompanied solely for purposes of sufficient defence
against insult or attack.
The violent and vexatious measures heaped upon Her Majesty's officer and
subjects will, I trust, serve to excuse those feelings of irritation which have
betrayed me into a measure that I am sensible, under less trying circumstances,
would be difficult indeed of vindication. But I proceed to state the circum
stances as they took place, leaving their most favourable construction to your
Lordship's unvarying kindness, and to that consideration for my harassing situa
tion which I am sure will be extended to me by Her Majesty's Government.
Upon our arrival at the station of the junks, which I found anchored in a
line a-head and close order, under rather a formidable and well-manned battery,
I brought up abreast of them at about pistol-shot distance, and despatched
Mr. Gutzlaff in a small boat with two men (perfectly unarmed) to the centre
junk, taking her from her size and superior equipment to be the vessel of the
commanding mandarin.
He carried in his hand the papers marked No. 1 and No. 2, and the paper
marked No. 3 are his notes of what took place.
After five or six hours of delay and irritating evasion, I sent a boat on shore to
a distant part of the bay with money to purchase supplies, which the people suc
ceeded in doing, and were on the point of bringing away, when some mandarin
runners approached, and obliged the natives to take back their provisions.
They returned to me with this intelligence, and greatly provoked, I opened
fire from the pinnace, the cutter, and the other vessel, upon the three junks. It
was answered both from them and the battery, with a spirit not at all unexpected
by me, for I have already had experience that the Chinese are much under-rated
in that respect. After a fire of almost half-an-hour against this vastly superior
force, we hauled off from the failure of our ammunition ; for I have already said,
447
anticipating no serious results, we had not come in prepared for them. It was
evident, however, that the junks had suffered considerably, and after a delay of
about three-quarters of an hour, they weighed and made sail from under the
protection of the battery, with the obvious purpose of making their escape
through an adjacent outlet. By this time we had made cartridges, and were in a
Btate to renew the action, and, as Captain Smith had proceeded out to bring in
Her Majesty's ship, and wished the vessels to be prevented from escaping, I bore
up and engaged them again, and succeeded in beating them back to their former
position. In this affair, as in the preceding, I was very gallantly supported by
Mr. Reddie, the commander of the Pearl ; but the superior sailing of the cutter,
cast the task of sending back these three vessels upon that vessel ; and I can
have no doubt that the impression, that such a force was more than enough to
cope with three of their war-junks, will indispose the Commissioner to revert to
his menaced measures of attack against this fleet. By this time the evening was
closing in, and we returned to join the Vdage and the boats from the fleet, then
entering the bay for our support. During the night I conferred with Captain
Smith, and he acceded to my recommendation, not to proceed in the morning
and destroy the three junks ; and above all, not to land men for the purpose of
attack upon the battery, a measure that would probably lead to the destruction of
the neighbouring village, and great injury and irritation of the inhabitants. If
her services had been required for our support against a state of actual attack,
such considerations could not have prevailed ; but it did not appear to me to be
judicious, or, indeed, becoming, to recommend the employment of Her Majesty's
•hip in the destruction of three junks, already most effectually checked by my
own small vessel, with the assistance of another scarcely larger. There had been
no act of aggression against Her Majesty's ship, and her active interference was
unnecessary for the support of the honour of the flag.
The impression that this heavy force was not to be lightly used, and that
there was no disposition to protract hostile measures, would be salutary ; indeed
in every respect it seemed to me to be our duty to confine her services to defence
against attack, agreeably to the Commander-in-Chiefs orders to himself, and
despatch to me. Concurring in this reasoning, he has returned this morning to
his former anchorage at Hong-Kong, for the purpose of continuing our organiza
tion of defence against the attacks of the Commissioner, so long threatened, but
which I trust and believe the presence of Her Majesty's ship will avert. The
only casualty I have to report on this occasion, is a flesh wound in the arm to
Captain Douglas, of the ship Cambridge, in a gallant attempt to carry one of the
junks at the close of the day ; and two of his boat's crew also wounded rather
more severely. I am greatly indebted to this gentleman for his public spirit in
purchasing, at his own charge, at Singapore, on his way up, twenty-two 18 lb.
guns, (hearing of our desperate condition at Canton). And I have no doubt that
the sight of this imposing vessel, manned with a strong crew of Europeans, has
discouraged attempts upon this fleet for the last two months. I should hope
that Her Majesty's Government will be pleased to pay the expenses of this ship
during the time he has performed these very valuable services in the absence of
any ship of war, and reimburse him for the expense of the guns, and otherwise
reward him as may seem right to your Lordship. Meritorious public impulses
and pecuniary risks of this description will not be lost upon the Queen's Govern
ment. And the ship is still performing the useful service of guarding one of the
entrances into this harbour, against the fire rafts, and war-junks, with which we
are menaced.
The Inclosure, No. 4, is a paper I have circulated on shore since the affair
of yesterday.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
P. S. I take this occasion to inclose the copy of a remonstrance I placed in
the hands of the official pilot, a few days since, (for transmission to the Keun
Min Foo), when he brought me a proclamation from the Commissioner and
Governor, which I declined to receive upon the grounds stated to your Lordship
in other places.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
448
Inclosure 1 in No. 157.
Notice to the Chinese People against Poisoning the Water.
Hong-Kong, Sept. 2, 1839.
A PLACARD, said to be posted on shore at Hong-Kong, to the following
effect, has this day been exhibited to Elliot, the English Superintendent :■—
" Poison has been put into this water, which will destroy the bowels if it
be drank. Let none of our people take it to drink."
He knows that the higher officers are incapable of issuing such shameful
papers, and that they are the work of low and designing men.
Elliot now exhorts all the good and peaceable natives of the neighbourhood
not to lend themselves to such practices, so sure to draw down the just wrath
of the great Emperor, and to lead to conflict with the foreign men.
Here are several thousands of persons who have done no evil, but who, on
the contrary, venerate the Emperor, and know that these troubles have arisen
because his gracious commands have been violated, and because the truth is
concealed from him. These men have arms in their hands, and is it reasonable
to suppose they will suffer themselves to be starved to death and poisoned ?
These are vain and foolish thoughts.
Elliot has strictly commanded all the men of his nation to treat the natives
of the land with justice and kindness, and to pay faithfully for all that is sup
plied. So long as the provisions and water are furnished without difficulty,
Elliot will be responsible for the preservation of the peace. If they are stopped,
Elliot knows that there will be conflict, and the blame will fall upon the heads
of those by whom these troubles have been incited.
If any injury be done to the unoffending natives by the men of the English
nation let them prefer their complaints, and they shall be redressed.
Whilst the people are commanded to poison the water for the cruel
destruction of the men of the English nation, these English foreigners are
risking their own lives, and freely using their own means, to save and succour
the people of the land. On the 30th day of last month, thirty Chinese,
belonging to Chaouchow, in this province, were landed from the English vessel
Manly, having been saved from shipwreck, near the coast of Manila, about one
month since. The men of the English nation consider it an act of sacred duty
to assist the natives of the land in distress; and, since Elliot has been in the
country, several hundreds have been saved from shipwreck, and restored to their
fathers and the care of their families, by the kindness of the English people.
Is it a suitable return to deprive them of supplies of food, and to poison
the water which they are accustomed to drink ?
For the sake of peace, Elliot writes these words.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 2 in No. 157.
Captain Elliot to the Officers at Kow Lune.
Kow Lune, September 4, 1839.
HERE are several thousands of men of the English nation deprived of
regular supplies of food ; and assuredly if this state of things subsists, there
will be frequent conflicts. And the Honourable Officers will be responsible for
the consequences.
These are the words of peace and justice.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
449
Inclosure 3 in No. 1 57.
Minute of Conversations held by Mr. Gutzlaff with some Mandarins at the
Anchorage of Kowlune.
September A, 1S39.
"WHEN coming alongside the first junk in a two-oared gig, the soldiers put
forth their boarding pikes ; on assuring them, however, that I was unarmed,
and had come alone, for peaceful purposes, they were ashamed of their untimely
show of resistance. After some desultory conversation, they told me that there
was no officer on board; the spokesman, however, though dressed in the
common garb of the people, appeared to me as a naval officer. He informed
me, that no public documents could be received and forwarded by the junks,
but if I had to communicate anything verbally, he should be too happy to listen
to my request. I then stated the reason of our coming, and showed him the
necessity of our procuring supplies of provisions, since it was impossible that
such a large fleet could subsist without them. He received the paper containing
an enumeration of our grievances, and read it very attentively, but said that he
was unable to act on his own responsibility and permit the people to come off,
but he was perfectly willing to report the matter to his superiors. I turned then -—
to the crew, and asked them, saying, " Suppose you were without food for any
length of time, and debarred from buying it, would you wait until the case was
transmitted to the higher authorities, or procure for yourself the same by every
means in your power ?" They all exclaimed, "Certainly nobody will like to
starve, and necessity has no law." They directed me, however, to the other
junk, where a low naval officer was said to reside. There I repeated my former
arguments, with nearly the same result, of convincing them of the necessity of
permitting the people to come off and sell provisions.
In this manner I went repeatedly backward and forward, repeating the
tenor of our conversation to. Captain Elliot. I also took two hundred dollars
with me, assuring them that we could not leave the place until we had obtained
supplies. The soldiers soon afterwards went off in a boat, to consult with the
officer in the adjacent fort, and promised to tell us his opinion. It then
appeared that nothing could be done, unless the matter were duly reported to
the deputy of the Commissioner, who resides in the neighbourhood, and leave
obtained from the Plenipotentiary himself. Having handed in to them a paper
dictated by Captain Elliot, I most solemnly declared verbally, that all the mis
chief arising from their not permitting the people to come off to our ships would
recoil on themselves, and besought them not to carry things to extremities, as
the most disastrous consequences would naturally follow. At their request, I
wrote also a list of the articles wanted ; but was told that they could not be pro
cured: something, however, would be made a present to us, to satisfy our
immediate necessities, for which, however, no payment could be received. This
was a mere manoeuvre to gain time for manning the fort, whither numbers
crowded. After the most pathetic appeal to their feelings, and having described
the disasters which certainly would ensue from their obstinacy, I left them, and
returned on board the cutter,—having thus repeatedly besought them to prevent,
by timely yielding, loss of life, and all the concomitant feelings of men made
desperate by hunger.
(Signed) CHARLES GUTZLAFF.
Joint Interpreter.
Inclosure 4 in No. 157.
Notice to the Chinese People regarding the peacefulness of our objects.
September 5, 1839.
THE men of the English nation desire nothing but peace ; but they cannot
submit to be poisoned and starved. The Imperial cruizers they have no wish to
molest or impede; but they must not prevent the people from selling. To
deprive men of food is the act only of the unfriendly and hostile.
3 M
450
Inclosure 5 in No. 157.
Capt. Elliot to the Imperial Commissioner and Governor of Canton.
Hong-kong, September 2, 1839.
IS it consistent with peace, or -with the dignity of the empire, to drive forth
from their houses, and to deprive of supplies of food, and of attendance, women
in the pains of child-birth, sick persons, and young children, upon the pretext
that Elliot does not deliver up a man to be killed, although he has solemnly and
repeatedly declared that he has strictly investigated according to the laws of his
country, and that he is unable to discover who the guilty man is; and although
it is most certain that the seamen of American ships were on shore, and engaged
in the riot which led to this disaster. Is it desired that Elliot should deliver
up any man indiscriminately, and involve the higher officers, as well as himself,
in the guilt of murdering an innocent man?
Again Elliot asks,— Is it consistent with peace, or with the dignity of the
empire, for the Hiyh Commissioner to encourage the natives of the land to act*
of the worst description of violence against the men of his nation ?
On the 16th day of the moon, native boats, which there is every reason to
believe had mandarins on board, (for Elliot is in possession of a cap left there,
such as is usually worn by native soldiers,) suddenly attacked a small English
passage- boat, off the south-west end of Lantao, plundered her of much valuable
property, caused six of the crew to lose their lives by drowning, attempted to
blow up the vessel, and cruelly wounded and disfigured an English gentleman,
by cutting off one of his ears, and stabbing him in thirty places.
At Hong-kong Elliot finds that the waten has been poisoned; and though
he knows the Commissioner never could have given an order so sure to draw
down upon his head the terrible wrath of Heaven, and of the Emperor, still it is
to be believed that the water would not have been poisoned, or the boat attacked,
unless the Commissioner had incited the natives to acts of violence against the
people of the English nation by untrue and inflammatory proclamations on the
walls of Macao.
Elliot, who is an humble foreign officer, has done far more in fulfilment of
of the just Imperial will, for the suppression of the traffic in opium, than the
High Commissioner, and is ready still farther to manifest his sincere earnestness
by separating the lawful from the lawless trade. But when he offered to do so,
the Commissioner refused to receive his sealed addresses in the manner agreed
upon between the Governor of these provinces and himself on the 25th of
April, 1837.
Thus the first interruption of the communication is attributable to the
Commissioner, and its continued interruption arises from Elliot's determination
to receive no papers whilst the walls of Macao are covered with unjust and
inflammatory proclamations against him and all the men of the nation, and
whilst his countrymen are deprived of their servants and supplies of food.
Let these things be adjusted, and Elliot is ready immediately to open
honourable and friendly communication with the officers, and use his sincerest
efforts to settle all things according to the principles of reason and justice, upon
the basis of effectually separating the lawful trade from the unlawful, and of
securing the faithful payment of the Imperial duties by the British ships.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 158.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.
My' Lord, Ship Fort William, Hong Kong, September 8, 1839.
IN protection of British traders in China, (whose interests would be
seriously injured by enabling the American merchants to avail themselves of
their constrained absence from Canton to carry on the trade with Great Britain,
451
by transshipment from American into British bottoms outside the port of Canton,
and other indirect means,) I humbly hope her Majesty's Government will take
«uch steps as may be necessary to prevent the entrance of cargoes of China
produce into the United Kingdom, if the manifests shall not be signed by me, till
Despatches shall be received from here, announcing the opening of the trade on
some such footing as will put it in the power of British merchants to carry on
British business.
Your Lordship will permit me to remind you that these persons are
abiding at Canton, at the formal sacrifice of most important principles
of policy, which Her Majesty's, their own, and all the Western Governments
hitherto firmly repudiated in the intercourse with China ; neither can there
be any doubt that the Trade would long since have been temporarily re
established on some safe and respectable footing if they had left Canton
with us, as they ought to have done. They were the more called upon to
pursue this course because it was entirely owing to my deeply responsible and
active interference in their behalf that the Americans were saved from an
exceedingly critical dilemma during our late imprisonment at Canton. In our
common difficulties I felt it my duty to act for them as beneficially as I possibly
could, not only because of the friendship between Her Majesty's and the American
Governments, but because I know that union amongst foreigners for all honour
able objects, is the best defence against the encroaching spirit of the Chinese
authorities. It was not till the Commissioner received a certificate under my
hand, that the declaration of the American Consul was faithful, that he ceased
his persecutions upon them; and I sedulously endeavoured to avert other
most perplexing consequences from falling upon them, to the considerable
aggravation of my own responsibilities and anxieties. Their submission to
the inadmissible pretensions of this Government and to the practical reduc
tion of the foreigners at Canton almost to the condition of the Dutch at Japan,
is excessively inconvenient to the interests of the Western Nations holding
intercourse with China.
I would respectfully suggest the expediency of a representation to the
American Government concerning proceedings, for which their citizens here
have never pretended to put forward any other excuse, than the perfectly un
founded and unbecoming declaration, that they have nothing to expect from the
protection of their own Government, and must therefore look to their immediate
interests at the sacrifice of all general considerations.
The critical struggle with the Chinese Government respecting the affair of
the 7th July, could never have assumed its present most serious aspect, if the
Americans had admitted the unquestionable truth of my representation,
that their citizens were engaged in the affray, that it was impossible to say
whether the offender was American or British, and that they never could consent
to the delivering up of a man to the Chinese Government in satisfaction of a
homicide brought home against no foreign individual. Adherence to this princi
ple is as necessary to them as to us, and their direct connexion with the riot of
the 7th July, cast upon them the duty of asserting it on this occasion.
I have, &c,
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
P.S. I take this occasion to inclose a Memorial signed by all the British
firms, which has this day been submitted to me for transmission to your
Lordship.
CHARLES ELLIOT.
PUBLIC NOTICE.
Macao, July *29, 1839.
NOTICE is hereby given, That the Chief Superintendent has moved Her
Majesty's and the British Indian Governments, to forbid the entrance of Tea
and other Produce from this Country, imported in British Vessels entering the
Port of Canton, in violation of his lawful injunctions, to the serious injury of
measures taken for the general security of this Trade. And the Chief Superin
3 M 2
452
tendent has farther to give Notice, that he has also moved Her Majesty's and
the British Indian Governments, to forbid the entrance of cargoes from this
Country (till the Port of Canton be declared safe for British Trade under his
hand and seal), except theirmanifests be duly signed in his presence.
By Order of the Chief Superintendent.
(Signed) EDWARD ELMSLIE,
Secretary and Treasurer to the Superintendents.
Inclosure in No. 1 58.
Memorial of British Merchants resident in China to Viscount Palmerston.
My Lord, Hong Kong Bay, September 7, 1839.
WE, the undersigned British Merchants, lately residing at Canton, several
of whom had the honour of addressing your Lordship on the 23rd of May
last, on the subject of the outrageous proceedings of the Chinese Govern
ment in March last, are once more compelled respectfully, but most earnestly,
to address your Lordship, in consequence of having been again subjected to
further acts of arbitrary violence from the same source.
On completion of the surrender of the Opium by Her Majesty's Superin
tendent to the Imperial Commissioner, on behalf of Her Majesty's Government,
(particulars of which have been laid before your Lordship,) your memorialists
retired from Canton to Macao, in obedience to the injunctions of Her Majesty's
Superintendent, in the hope of being allowed to remain peaceably in that
settlement, until otherwise arranged by the authority of Her Majesty's Go
vernment.
After a residence of three months in Macao, your memorialists have been
compelled suddenly to abandon that settlement, and seek refuge on board their
ships, in consequence of menacing preparations of the Imperial Commissioner,
and Edicts ordering the departure of British subjects, on pain of severe punish
ment ; at the same time holding us responsible with our lives for the surrender
of an individual to suffer death, in satisfaction of the alleged murder of a native
in an accidental affray with some British and American seamen, a few weeks
since, at the anchorage of Hong Kong.
Her Majesty's Superintendent has been unable, after a careful investigation
according to the forms of British law, to fix such charge of murder on any
British subject.
Without any charge whatever against your Memorialists, individually or
collectively, from the High Commissioner, in connexion with the ostensible
cause of our actual expulsion from Macao, we were first deprived of our servants
and supplies of food, and then compelled to abandon our dwellings, without
previous preparation, and in the possession of means barely adequate for the
removal of our books, papers, and articles of immediate use and necessity,
under circumstances involving much cruel privation to families and invalids.
The Governor of Macao was pleased to express his anxiety to afford all aid
in his power to the British community ; but His Excellency did not attempt to
conceal from your Memorialists the fact of his real inability to give them efficient
protection ; and they quitted that Settlement under a perfect conviction that
such a course was imperatively necessary for the general safety.
Your Memorialists further beg leave to call to your Lordship's serious
notice, a case of aggravated outrage, committed by some Chinese boats full of
armed men, and bearing the flags of Mandarins, upon a British-owned passage
boat, containing seven Lascars and an English Trader (then in the act of remo
ving with his personal effects from Macao to Hong Kong), whom they cruelly
mutilated ; and after murdering five of the Lascars, and robbing the vessel of
much valuable property, set on fire and then abandoned it ; an event, which
although your Memorialists cannot consider it to have been committed with the
knowledge of the Imperial Commissioner, yet they can entertain little doubt
that it is mainly attributable to the highly menacing character of some of his late
Edicts, and to his generally, violent bearing towards foreigners, and especially
the British : thus inducing the inferior officers to conceive that any acts of
brutal outrage might be perpetrated with impunity.
453
In the former Memorial, an opinion was expressed, that after the violent
acts of the High Commissioner in March last, the return of British subjects to
Canton would be alike dangerous to themselves, to the property of their con
stituents, and derogatory to the honour of their country, until such time as the
power of the British Government might convince the Chinese authorities that
such outrages would not be endured.
And it was further stated that such powerful interference could alone
prevent the recurrence of similar or more violent proceedings. Your Memori
alists may respectfully refer your Lordship to the facts now detailed, in illustra
tion of the jus'.ice of that opinion.
It appears unnecessary to add, that the circumstance of the British being
outside the Port, instead of in Canton, has merely changed the scene, not the
nature, of the Commissioner's persecutions ; there being every reason to believe
that had we remained in Canton, the plan by which the Commissioner succeeded
in extorting property to the value of between two and three millions sterling,
would again have been resorted to, for the purpose of endeavouring to enforce
the surrender of an innocent man for capital punishment.
We have, &c,
Dent and Co. Macvicar and Co.
Bell and Co. Vaniellott.
D. M. Rustomjee and Co. Jardine, Matiieson and Co.
Fox, Rawson and Co. Bomanjee Maneckjee,
Lindsay and Co. Framjee Jamsetjee,
Dirom and Co. Cawasjee Shapoorjee Tabac,
Gribble, Hughes and Co. P. pro. Jamieson&How. Wm. Almace.
Robt. Wise, Holliday and Co. burjonjee sorabjee,
Eglinton Maitland, Hormajee Framjee,
W. & T. Gunnell and Co. CoWASJEE SaFOORJEE,
Turner and Co. burjonjee manockjee,
Cox and Anderson, Nessewanjee Bomanjee,
A. &D. Furdoonjeb, Pestonjee Cawasjee,
G. Hogg, Cawasjee Pallanjee.
454
No. 159.
Captain EUiot to Viscount Pahnerston.—(Received February 1, 1840.)
Ship Fort William,
My Lord, Hong Kong, September 23, 1839.
ON tbe evening of the day that I closed my last despatch (8th instant,)
Mr. MacDonald, master of the British armed schooner Psyche, at present taken up
for the service of Her Majesty's Government, very imprudently left the harbour
•without orders, in a boat belonging to the ship Mi/ram Diram, taking with him
fifteen people to reconnoitre a passage in the immediate vicinity of this anchor
age, said to be occupied by a force of war junks.
The absence of the boat was unaccountably and culpably never reported to
Captain Smith or myself, and we neither of us knew she had left the fleet till the
evening of the next day (the 9th).
Casting attention upon the actual state of affairs, your Lordship will conceive
the intense anxiety this circumstance occasioned us. No time was lost in
despatching vessels in the direction in which the boat had proceeded, under the
command of the officers of the Volage, with an interpreter ; rewards were offered
to the natives for information, and every effort was made to ascertain her fate.
The search, however, was' attended with no other than a variety of reports,
leading to the conclusion that she had been cut off, and that the Europeans were
either killed, or taken up to the Bocca Tigris. This state of excessive disquie
tude and uncertainty harassed us till the evening of the 10th instant, and then
in the full persuasion that she had been cut off, I felt it became me to recom
mend the most urgent measure in my power, calculated to convince this Govern
ment that the further detention or injury of Her Majesty's subjects under such
circumstances was an act of war against Her Majesty.
I therefore addressed the accompanying letter to Captain Smith of the
Volage, and the Inclosures 4 and 5 are that officer's reply, and his notice of
blockade.
On the 13th we proceeded to Macao in Her Majesty's ship, personally to
communicate with the Governor concerning the situation of Her Majesty's sub
jects on board this fleet, and to proceed, if needful, to the Bocca Tigris. We had
scarcely left this harbour when we fell in with an English ship coming over from
Macao, communicating the unexpected and welcome information that Mr. Mac-
Donald and all his people were safe on board.
It appeared that a strong adverse tide had caught him in the narrow passage.
He proposed to explore, and having observed a considerable force in his rear, he
judged it prudent to push on through the other outlet, and fortunately succeeded
in making his way to Macao without molestation. There were no sails or pro
visions in the boat ; and the exhausted condition of the people accounts for the
length of a passage, that had left us without hope that he could have proceeded
to Macao.
I need hardly say, my Lord, that the measure of a blockade never could have
presented itself either to Captain Smith or myself, except under a conviction that
certain of Her Majesty's subjects were actually in the hands of the Government.
The other circumstances adverted to in the notice were indeed in a strong
degree justificatory of it, but it was occasioned entirely by the fact of Mr. Mac-
Donald's disappearance, and the information and belief that he and the other
Europeans had fallen into the hands of the Chinese authorities.
I am perfectly sensible your Lordship could never countenance measures of
such a nature upon the ground of any concluded event, but with the firm belief
that the lives of Her Majesty's subjects were at stake, I hope it will be thought
that I was justified in recommending the only strong measure of a public and
national character in our power. And certainly, looking at the general aspect of
circumstances, it can be no matter of surprise that I could not venture to pause
beyond the time that had already been spent in anxious search, fruitful of nothing
but alarming report. Perhaps I may remark here that it was intended to act
upon the Government by the suspension of all foreign trade ; without which it
455
is plain to me that the peace of this province cannot be preserved, or the public
emergencies met.
In the altered state of circumstances of these people's safety, however,
Captain Smith concurred with me, that we were called upon to refrain from any
measures of an active nature, and with this impression, he issued the accom
panying notice.
I avail myself of this occasion to afford your Lordship the satisfactory infor
mation that the earnestness of my dispositions concerning the regular supply of
provisions, manifested by the affair at Kow Lune, has had the effect of relaxing
all rigour on that important point. The natives are no longer impeded in the
abundant supply of the ships, at little above the usual rates, and the notices
with respect to the poisoning of the water have been removed.
But, my Lord, that, and an event to be reported in another despatch, have,
I cannot doubt, mainly contributed to induce the sober train of reflection in the
mind of the Commissioner, which enables me to hold out to Her Majesty's
Government the hope, that we are upon the eve of some satisfactory temporary
solution of actual difficulties.
I have, &c,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Inclosure 1 in No. 159.
Captain Elliot to Captain H. Smith.
Ship Fort William,
Sir, Hong Kong, \Oth September, 1839.
THE inclosed is a translation of the Proclamation by their Excellencies
the Governor and the High Commissioner, concerning which we have heard so
many rumours during these last few days.
Under these manifestations of dark and undistinguishing violence against
all Her Majesty's subjects in this country upon the most unjustifiable pretexts,
and having regard to the unexplained attack upon the passage-boat Black Joke,
and the still more disastrous cutting off of the boat of the Miram Diram, I
consider it incumbent upon myself to request you will forthwith declare the Port
and River of Canton in a state of blockade.
Proposing, however, to disturb any actually commenced undertakings as
little as may be possible, with due regard to the need of impressing upon this
Government the gravity of the emergency, I would suggest that the notice of
blockade should allow unobstructed egress to all vessels actually within the port
of Canton, or entering within one week next after the date thereof.
The Inclosure No. 2 is a notice which it has seemed to me to be highly
necessary to promulgate at this crisis, in order to leave no room for the infer
ence that Her Majesty's officers, civil or military, are countenancing or protecting
lawless traffic on the coasts of this Empire.
I have the honour to be, &c
(Signed) CHARLES ELUOT.
Inclosure 2 in No. 159.
Proctamation calling on the people to arm themselves, to resist parties of English
landing on their Coasts.
LIN, High Imperial Commissioner, &c, and Tang, Governor of the Two
Kwang, &c A Proclamation, giving clear commands.
Whereas the English foreigners, in their overbearing pride and impracti
cability, have withstood the prohibitory enactments ; those depraved individuals,
who deal in opium, have continued to linger at Macao ; the empty store-ships
which have surrendered their opium, have thus long remained anchored in the
outer Seas ; and newly-arrived merchant vessels, neglecting to surrender what
456
opium they have brought, have collected together at Hong-Kong and the neigh
bourhood, neither entering Whampao, nor yet sailing back again, whereby
occasion was given, in a drunken brawl, to cause the death of Lin Wie-hee, one
of the people of the Empire: and whereas we, the Commissioner and the
Governor, having reiteratedly issued commands to the Superintendent Elliot,
justly to investigate and take proceedings therein, he has still withstood us, has
not received our commands, and has sheltered and failed to deliver up the mur
derer, (acts of contumacy and of stiff-necked presumption, such as cannot be
surpassed). Therefore, we, the Commissioner and the Governor, have given
strict commands to the local officers, civil and military, at every point, by land
and by water, faithfully to intercept and wholly to cut off from the English all
supplies, that they may be made to fear and to pay the tribute of fealty.
We now find, that these English foreigners, though they have one and all
left Macao, have yet gone to reside on board the foreign ships at Hong-Kong ;
and it is to be apprehended, that, in the extremity of their embarrassment, some
may land at the outer villages and hamlets along the coast, forcibly to purchase
provisions, or plunder the inhabitants. Against chances of this nature, it is
most necessary to take all precautionary and preventive measures.
For this reason we make proclamation to all the gentry and elders, the
shopkeepers, and inhabitants of the outer villages and hamlets along the coast,
for their full information. Pay you all immediate obedience hereto ; assemble
yourselves together for consultation; purchase arms and weapons; join together
the stoutest of your villagers ; and thus be prepared to defend yourselves. If
any of the said Foreigners be found going on shore to cause trouble, all
and every of the people are permitted to fire upon them, to withstand and drive
them back, or to make prisoners of them. They assuredly will never be able,
few in number, to oppose the many. Even when they land to take water from
the springs, stop their progress, and let them not have it in their power to drink.
But so long as the said foreigners do not go on shore, you must not presume to
go in boats near to their vessel, causing in other ways disturbances that will
surely draw on you severe investigations.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 7th month, 23rd day (31st August, 1839).
(True Translation.)
(Signed) J. Robt. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 3 in No. 159.
GENERAL MEMORANDUM.
To Commanders of all British Vessels, and others Her Majesty's Subjects.
Ship Fort William,
Hong-Kong, September 11, 1839.
AMONGST the pretexts put forward by the Commissioner, for the vindi
cation of his measures of dark and undistinguishing violence against all Her
Majesty's subjects in China, men, women, and children, is the declaration that
some of them are actually engaged in the illicit traffic of opium at this anchorage.
The Chief Superintendent, on his part, considering it his duty to leave no just
room for the inference that Her Majesty's flag is flying here in the countenance
or protection of persons engaged in a trade declared to be lawless by the
Government of this country, (to the great aggravation of the risks of the ships
detained till the lawful trade can be conducted on a safe and honourable footing,)
has now to require all commanders of ships not having opium on board, to repair
to this vessel within the next 48 hours, and make oath to that effect.
And, moved by the pressing public considerations hereinbefore set forth,
the Chief Superintendent has to require that all British vessels engaged in the
traffic of opium, should immediately depart from this harbour and coast.
By order of the Chief Superintendent,
(Signed) EDWARD ELMSLIE,
Secretary and Treasurer to the Superintendents.
N.B. Copies of this memorandum may be had on board the ship Fort William.
457
Inclosure 4 in No. 1 59.
Captain Smith to Captain Elliot.
Sir, Her Majesty's Ship Volage, Hong Kong, September 11, 1839.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th
instant, inclosing (No. 1) the Proclamation of their Excellencies the Governor
and the High Commissioner, against the lives of Her Majesty's subjects.
Taking maturely into consideration this Proclamation, together with the
circumstance of the cutting off of the boat of the Myram IHrom, and the inse
curity of the shipping here, I most fully concur with you in seeing the necessity
for our self-preservation, to declare immediately the port and river of Canton
in a state of blockade, the notice of which I herewith transmit to you, and
request you will make it public " As this anchorage is assailable from so
many points, and as I observed to-day that more Junks have arrived in Cow-
loon Bay with a considerable number of armed men, I take the liberty of sug
gesting to you the propriety of causing the shipping here to be removed to the
anchorage below Chuenpee, as Her Majesty's vessels will then be able, not
only to maintain the blockade, but to give the British shipping the necessary
protection."
"With respect to Inclosure No. 2, I quite agree with you that at this crisis
it is highly necessary it should be fully understood. Her Majesty's Officers are
not in any way countenancing or protecting the illegal traffic of opium on the
coast of China.
I have the honour to be, &c,
(Signed) H. SMITH,
Captain.
Inclosure 5 in No. 159.
OFFICIAL PUBLIC NOTICE.
THE High Commissioner and the Governor of these Provinces having
publicly forbidden the regular supplies of food to Her Majesty's subjects;
having commanded the people to fire upon and seize them whenever they go on
shore to purchase provisions ; and certain of Her Majesty's subjects having been
actually cut off, Notice is hereby given that it is my intention at the requisition
of the Chief Superintendent of the trade of British subjects in China to establish
a blockade of the river and port of Canton : And Notice is hereby further given
that none other than vessels actually within the port, or foreign vessels entering
within six days from the date hereof will be allowed free egress till the blockade
be declared raised.
Notice of the blockading force will be hereafter promulgated.
Given under my hand on board Her Majesty's ship Volage, at anchor in
Hong Kong Bay, off the Port of Canton, this 1 1th day of September, 1839.
(Signed) H. SMITH,
Captain of Her Britannic Majesty's Ship Volage.
3 N
458
Inclosure 6 in No. 159. i
OFFICIAL PUBLIC NOTICE.
THE Dafety of certain of Her Britannic Majesty's subjects, supposed to have
been cut off by the officers of the Chinese Government, having been ascer
tained, and negotiations being opened upon the basis of the withdrawal of the
proclamations against the lives and liberty of Her said Majesty's subjects,
It is hereby declared that, till further notice be given, (founded upon the
result of such negotiations,) the blockade notified by me on the 11th instant
will not be established, and vessels continuing to enter will be permitted to pass,
and unobstructed. . .
Given under my hand on board Her Majesty's ship Volag.e, at anchor
in Hong Kong Bay, off the port of Canton, this sixteenth day of September,
1839.
(Signed) H. SMITH,
Captain of Her Britannic Majesty's ship Volage.
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