ct
~PV
§
NARRljiy.E
OF THE
EXPEDITION TO CHINA,
FROM THE
COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR
TO
ITS TERMINATION IN 1842;
WITH
SKETCHES OF THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THAT
SINGULAR AND HITHERTO ALMOST UNKNOWN
COUNTRY.
COmiANDEE J. ELLIOT BINGHAM, K.K,
Late First Lieutenant of H. M. S. Modeste.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. L
SECOND EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS.
LONDON:
HENRY COLBURN, PUBLISHER,
GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET.
M.DCCC.XI.III.
LON'DOJJ :
HARR.'sr/X & CO., rr.iNTERS,
ST. martin's lane.
35./ 7^
TO THE
REV. RICHARD BINGHAM, B.C.L.,
CANON OF CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL,
VICAR OF HALE MAGNA, LINCOLNSHIRE,
AND
INCUMBENT OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY
GOSPORT,
THE FOLI.OWIXG
ACCOUNT OF THE WAR IN CHINA
IS DEDICATED,
MEMORIAL OF AFFECTION AND TRIBUTE OF ESTEEM
BY HIS DUTIFUL SON,
THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.
PAOK
Advertisement to Second Edition . , . ix
Preface . , . . . . xi
Introduction . . . . . .1
CHAPTER I.
PASSAGE TO CHINA.
Orders to proceed to China — Arrival of Blonde and Py-
lades — Krewmen dislike going — Island of Mauritius
— Placed in Quai-antine — Seychell Islands — Coco de
iner — Penang — Straits of Malacca — Water-spout —
Malays — Upas Tree — Malacca — Straits of Sincapore
— SaU from Sincapore — Make the Ladrones — Chow-
Chow water — Anchor at Macao — Men of war in
River — An-ival of Expedition — Blockade declared —
Scale of Rewards — Arrival of Cape Squadi-on —
Method of claiming Rewards — Sail for Chusan —
Ock-sue Islands — Formosa — Black Island — Buffalo's
Nose — Fishing Boats — Want of Interpreter —
Pirate's escape — Boats sail — Chusan Harbour —
Compradore seized — Blonde at Amoy — Ning-po
under Blockade — Elephant's Trunk — Process of
making Salt — Difference of rank . . .141
CHAPTER II,
; TRIP TO THE MOUTH OF THE PEI-HO.
Clear the Islands — Pylades and Transports join — Capture
of Pirates — Heavy SquaU — Enter Imperial Sea —
Gulf of Petche-li — Board Junk — Proceed to the
Pei-ho — Pilots useless — Capture Chinaman — Manda-
rins spoil their Boots — Appearance ; of the Shore —
Sounding River — Showie Pih, alias Captain White
— Visit to Alceste Bay — Procure BuUocks — Good
Water — Volage visits INIantchow Tartary — Welles-
ley at Toke — Plan for bringing Emperor to terms —
Present to Squadron — INIeeting with Keshen — Sick-
ness disappears — Procure Millet — Arrangement for
quitting Imperial Sea . . . 199
h
VI . CONTENTS.
CHAPTER III.
RETURN TO CHUSAN.
PAGE
Quit the Pei-Ho— Toke— City of Tong-Tcliou-foo—
Chinese Ladies — Defences — Manning the Guns —
Chinese Banners — Arms — Paoupang — Jealousy of
Mandarins — Mia-tau Group — Artificial Harbour —
Dandy Mandarin — Dissertation on Tails — Mandarin's
Attendant — Tlie Cabin and Curiosity — Rejoin Ad-
miral — ]Mountain of Flesh — His Appetite — Admira-
tion of Fatness — Mia-tau — Loss of Pinnace — Use
of Telescope — Chinese Df-jeiuie — Sculling-boats —
Chin-chin not Chin-chin — Quelpert — Ordered off
Ning-po — Wreck of Kite — Cruel Treatment of her
Crew — Dimensions of Cages — Death of Prisoners —
Their Release — Capture of Captain Anstruther —
Attempts to kidnap Messrs. Pencraft and Prattent . 243
CHAPTER lY.
NING-PO AND CHUSAN.
Proceed to Ning-po — Captain Elliot applies for release of
Prisoners — Their better Treatment — ChineseCavalry
' — Return to "Spithead'' — Yang-tse-kiang — Cruise
of the Conway — Death of jNIr. Harvey — Algerine at
Chapoo — Bravery of Mandarin — Loss of Indian Oak
— Nimrod's Cruise — Loo-choo — Manners of its Inha-
bitants — Seaman's Grave — Quelpert — Sickness
amongst our Troops — Chusan — Ting-hai — Taoutow
and Joss-house Hill — Position of Troops — Robberies
— Chinese Coffin — Debasing of Coin — Temples —
Arsenals — Arms — The Six Boards — Burning the
Archives . . . . . .291
CHAPTER V.
CHUSAN.
Good effects of Discipline — Lingua Franca — Resources of
Chusan — Its Vegetable Productions — Paddy — Ma-
nure — Anecdote — Cotton — Bricks — Roads — Death
of Lieut. Conway — His Funeral — Watering — IMel-
CONTENTS. Vll
PAGE
ville Repaired — Present from Elepoo — The Fever —
Truce — Innumerable Duck's Eggs — Little Feet-
Pain well Borne — Women's Hair — Marriage — Arti-
ficial Flowers — Charms of an Anchor Button — Ad-
miral sails for Canton — Starboard Jack — Elepoo's
Change of Policy — Chinese Liners— Cast large Guns
— Houses used as Fire-Wood — Elepoo's Threat to
burn the City — Keshen's Treachery — Lew appointed
Commander-in-Chief — His Expedition postponed
sine die — Beneficial effects of Cold Weather — Orders
to evacuate Chusan — The Evacuation — Climate and
Range of Thermometer — Squadron sail from Star-
board Jack — Fishing-boats — Arrival at Toong-koo . 341
CHAPTER VI.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE CANTON RIVER.
Proceedings at Macao during the absence of the Admiral
— Smuggling by the Broadway — New Rewards for
British — Enlisting Troops — Chalking Fingers — Two
Officers robbed — Abduction of Mr. Staunton — His
Treatment — Demanded by Captain Smith — Account
of the Barrier — Return of the Taou-tae — Answer to
Captain Smith's Demand — Preparations for attack-
ing the Barrier — Victory thereat — Effects of it^
Chinese claim the Battle — Chinese leave INIacao —
Lin delivers up his Seals — Lin's Character — Arrival
of 37tli Madras Native Infantry — Lin's Memorial-
Force in River — Flag of Truce again fired on —
Queen's 68-pounders — Toong-koo^ Roasting Soldiers
— Sentence of Paoupang — Squadron proceed to Chu-
enpee — Admiral resigns the command — Anecdote-
Joss-house — Female Offering — Release of ilr.
Staunton — Christmas-day — Captain Smith and Man-
darin . . • 385
&2
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Volume I.
PAOB
Emperor of China To face Title-page.
Mouth of the Pei-ho 212
The Method in which the English Prisoners at Ning-po
were carried about 276
Volume II.
Temple of Matsoo-po, at Amo-ko, in IMacao.
To face Title-page.
Map 37
ADVERTISEMENT
TO THE
SECOND EDITION.
A SECOND edition of my Narrative having
been called for, I have taken the opportunity
of throwing the Opium Question into the
form of an introduction, thus enabling the
reader who feels no interest in that subject
to pass it entirely over, and commence with
the expedition itself at page 1 54.
Slight errors have been corrected and
some anecdotes introduced, upon the autho-
rity of the actors in the scenes described.
An additional chapter has also been added,
bringing the proceedings in China up to the
date of the latest intelligence, and I trust to
the conclusion of the affair.
Some of my friends have appeared
puzzled by the word pigeon, which frequently
occurs in the Chinese Lingua Franca: it
means neither more nor less than business,
a word that no Chinaman can pronounce,
making it pigeoness, but more commonly
pigeon. J. E. B.
&3
PREFACE.
Promotion having for the moment thrown
me out of active service, I have been tempted
to draw up the following Sketch of the
various events connected with the present
war in China.
I commenced my Narrative with the idea
of bringing it before the public under the
auspices of the periodical press ; finding,
however, that such a mode of publication
would have occupied many months, while
the Narrative itself must have lost much of
its interest to the reader, by being presented
to him at considerable intervals, and in a
disjointed shape, I have been induced to let
it assume its present form.
I shall be found accurate, I believe, in all
the details of the transactions which I de-
scribe. In many of the incidents selected I
was myself an actor ; where that was not the
case, and 1 am consequently unable to speak
Xll PREFACE.
from personal knowledge, I have had re-
course to the most correct and authentic
sources of information.
I must beg the indulgence of my readers
for any errors into which I may unintention-
ally have fallen. Should I, however, from the
short space of time allowed me for the compo-
sition of the latter chapters, have been guilty
of omission as to the names or achievements
of any of my late companions in arms, I must
crave their forgiveness ; but should the pub-
lic so far approve of my humble labours as
to call for a second edition of my little work,
I shall rejoice in the opportunity of supplying
such deficiencies, and shall be happy to insert
any additional facts with which friends may
be kind enough to favour me, as well as the
names, if any, of individuals inadvertently
omitted.
I must freely confess I have met with the
difficulties common to all travellers on exa-
mining their note-books ; and probably^ in
selecting matter for publication, may have
passed by unrecorded some circumstances
which would have afforded entertainment.
PREFACE. Xlll
while others may have been related in which
the general reader can feel comparatively
little interest. I have done my best ; let
the critic remember
'Tis glorious e'en to fail in great attempts ;
and permit me humbly to remind him that
a British sailor is more accustomed to handle
the tiller than the pen.
For centuries our intercourse with China
has been purely commercial. It has been
left to the year 1840 to open that new era,
which should bring this mighty oriental
nation into angry collision with the inha-
bitants of the western world, to whom they
had been known previously only as semi-
barbarians, supplying us, in exchange for our
manufactures, with that fragrant herb, be-
come now among us almost a necessary of
life, and whose balmy essence fills
The cup
That cheers but not inebriates.
They, however, despising all '' outside
barbarians," have ever wrapped themselves
up in their own pride and self-sufficiency,
flattering themselves that their " celestial
XIV PREFACE.
empire'' was at least the most, if not the
only, civiUzed portion of the world ; while
they have made even geography itself con-
tribute to their exaltation and supremacy, —
China being depicted on their charts as the
central nation of the earth !
This age of darkness and ignorant arro-
gance must fast melt away before the pre-
sent movement. It is consoling, under the
sufferings which the obstinacy and perfidious
conduct of their government compel us to
inflict upon the people, to reflect that the
contest now in progress must result in throw-
mg open the vast empire of China to a more
intimate communication with Europeans than
has ever yet existed j and thus while it
benefits both them and ourselves, in a
commercial point of view, must, under God,
be the means of elevating them from their
present degradation to a state of real civiliza-
tion. Above all, it may open to the labours
of the Christian missionary one-third of the
population of the globe !
The Chinese are essentially a commercial
people immured in darkness, and all bowing
PREFACE. XV
down before the shrine of Mammon. When
we consider their habits and customs, they
may be said to be a mass of contradictions to
all European nations, — the very opposite to
ourselves in almost everything.
The facts in the following pages relating
to the manners and customs of this stransie
and most peculiar race are recorded prin-
cipally from my own observation. I am,
however, indebted to the work of Mr.
Slade, the Editor of the Canton Register,
for my account of the proceedings which
led to the present war. I have also found
the Chinese Repository , a periodical published
at Macao, of essential service, in furnish-
ing information on Chinese affairs.
The memorials and edicts in the Appendix
will I trust prove amusing, while they will
be found to throw a strong light on the
treachery and duplicity, which the Chinese
authorities have without scruple practised
throughout their late dealings with the
British.
The rule in our language is so undefined
for the orthography of Chinese names, that
XVI PREFACE.
in the following pages when speaking of
provinces, rivers, districts, or cities, I have
followed that used in Wyld's maps ; thereby
affording the reader a ready means of fol-
lowing up the different movements of the
expedition.
I must avail myself of the opportunity here
afforded me of publicly expressing to Messrs.
Matheson, W. Dent, Stewart, and Captain
T. Larkins, with many other residents at
Macao, my warmest thanks and acknowledg-
ments for the unremitting kindness I ex-
perienced at their hands while confined
there by the consequences of a severe and
painful wound received during the operations
at the Bocca Tigris. To Mr. Matheson I
feel the thanks of the entire squadron are due;
and I feel assured that numbers of the officers
of the ''China Expedition" will cordially
unite with me in offering grateful acknow-
ledgments to that gentleman, whose house
was ever found open and ready for the recep-
tion of the sick or the wounded.
New House Gosj^ort,
October, 1842.
INTRODUCTION.
The barbarians are like beasts, and not to be ruled on the same
principles as citizens. Were any one to attempt controlling
them by the great maxims of re ason, it would tend to nothing
but confusion. The ancient kings well understood this, and
accordingly ruled the barbarians by mis-rule ; therefore to rule
barbarians by mis-rule is the true and the best way of ruling
them. — Davis's China,
Many of my readers may probably be igno-
rant of the numerous insults that have been
heaped upon the British nation, through the
gross ignorance and overbearing pride of
the Chinese Mandarins. I have, therefore,
thought it worth while to give the following
introductory account of the transactions that
took place for about the space of four years
immediately preceding the date of my own
arrival at the scene of action, which must be
considered as the more legitimate commence-
ment of my Narrative.
The Opium war, as it has generally been
misnamed, from the Chinese having taken
their stand on that question, professing that]
to save the morals of the people the trade
in that drug must absolutely be cut off, has
VOL. I. B
Z INTRODUCTION.
raised doubts, in the minds of many indi-
viduals, as to the justness of our present pro-
ceedings in China. But neither the morals,
nor the health of the subject, has been the
real cause ; which may more properly be
found in the "oozing out of the sycee silver
from the central flowery land."
It must be borne in mind that, during the
monopoly of the trade held by the East India
Company, many differences and quarrels
arose between them and the Chinese, but on
all which points the Company gave way
rather than forfeit, from any feeling of pique,
the advantages they were enjoying. This
system could never be followed after the
trade became open and the transactions with
China assumed a national character; but this
difference of position the Chinese never took
into consideration.
We had accordingly a long series of insults
to be redressed, among which were these: —
our flag fired upon ; — the representative
of our government with our merchants im-
prisoned; — their property seized, confiscated,
and destroyed ; — their memorials and repre-
sentations treated with barbarian ignorance,
and their persons expelled from Canton. But
INTRODUCTION. .;3
SO fully conscious were the Chinese authori-
ties of the great benefit arising to their own
country from foreign trade, that I conceive,
if they had entertained an idea for one
moment of the war which has arisen out of
their proceedings, they would never have
taken any steps that could have led to a
collision between the two nations; but our
having given way on former occasions made
them fimcy we should yield to them for ever.
A short time before the commencement of
the present century, opium was admitted
into China as a medical drug, and a duty was
paid on it of fifty cents per lb.; but it does
not appear to have been generally indulged
in as a Chinese luxury at that time; though
in the Eastern Archipelago, and in many
.parts of India, it has always been an
article of increasing traffic. Probably its
use was originally introduced into China
from these islands, or perhaps from Cochin
China; for we find that in 1781, when the
Company, in consequence of the India seas
being infested with French cruisers, freighted
a ship on their own account with o])ium for
the China market, Singua, one of the Hong
merchants, became the purchaser, at the mo-
B 2
4 INTUODUCTION.
derate price of 210 dollars per chest, but
that he reshipped the principal part of it to
the Malay peninsula. It was not until the
year 1793 that the opium traders began to
experience any annoyance from the Chinese
authorities ; when, in consequence of their
increased vexations, while the Chinese pirates
or Ladrones were becoming very trouble-
some, the traders at Lark's Bay, where the
opium traffic had been long established, in
1794 loaded one of their vessels exclusively
with that drug, and fearlessly moved up to
Whampoa. She remained there for nearly
eighteen months without molestation from
the mandarins or others; and from such a
beginning the trade at that place continued
to thrive until 1819.
In 1799, Kielking, governor of the pro-
vince of Kwang-tung, memorialized the
emperor to prohibit the introduction of the
drug, and the opposition became so great
from the Chinese authorities, that the Com-
pany's supercargoes at Canton recommended
the importation of it to be discontinued;
but it was becoming to our Indian possessions
too lucrative an export to be lightly given
up, and each year saw the demand for opium
INTRODUCTION. 5
increased and increasing. The depot-ships,
as before stated, remained at Whampoa, and
many opium clippers were employed in the
transportation of it from India to that
place. These are remarkably fine vessels,
selected for their sailing qualities, and
make the passage to and from China against
the monsoon in a comparatively short
time.
In April, ]820, Yuen issued a proclama-
tion prohibiting the drug, which, combined
with the increased vigilance of the subor-
dinates, caused the depot-ships to establish
an anchorage off the Island of Lintin, shift-
ing to Cum-sing-moon as a more secure road-
stead during the typhoon season, where the
trade still flourished.
The Chinese admiral, accompanied by his
war-junks, occasionally came down firing
away his guns, when a shot or two from
some of the opium traders warned him it
was time to anchor; after which, attended
by his officers, he would visit the ships, and
harangue much in the following language : —
** That Emperor send chop makee strong
talkee, must drive away all ship, my chin,
chin you, Mr. Captain ; katchee anchor, makee
6 INTRODUCTION'.
vvalkee, my can talkee that Ison Tuck (Vice-
roy) all ships have go away!" The dep6t-
ships would then move to the other side of
the island, or the admiral returned, stating
he found nothing but ships in distress
refitting.
These fellows were in the habit of receiv-
ing; a bribe of from five to ten dollars a
chest, which they would request the captain
to keep back for them from the Chinese
smugglers, preferring rather to trust to
English honour than to their own country-
men. About once a month they would visit
the ships for payment on the number of
chests smuggled.
The following paragraph from the Cal-
cutta Englishman of the 30th January,
1837, will put the reader in possession of the
flourishing state of the trade at that time; —
*' Cum-sing-moon is the anchorage of the
opium depot-vessels during the south-west
monsoon. It is a spacious harbour, formed
partly by islands and partly by the main-
land with a narrow entrance^ having an
island in the centre of it. Both the islands
and the main are lofty, and the ships so well
sheltered that, in general, they ride out even
INTRODUCTION. 7^
the typhoons, against which no anchorage
would seem perfectly secure.
" The animated scene witnessed at Cum-
sing-moon may well arrest our attention
awhile. Of the numerous vessels of various
sizes in the anchorage, several are depot-
vessels, chiefly for opium. These do not move
for years, except from one anchorage to the
other, at the change of each season. From
daylight to sunset you see alongside of these
vessels the smuggling-boats which carry
away the opium. These boats are in length,
1 should think, from fifty or sixty to eighty
or ninety feet, pulling from thirty to forty
oars, and decked or hatched over, with their
long masts, large mat sails, and the conical
bamboo caps of the rowers, painted red,
white, and blue; they are altogether very
picturesque, and you behold them in every
variety of situation in this busy scene.
*' There are always one or two alongside
the depot-vessels, others approaching for
opium, foaming along under sail as if they
would dash their stems against the vessels,
but suddenly sheer alongside with a skill
and dexterity which are truly admirable;
others shoving off with their precious freight.
8 INTRODUCTION.
and hoisting their sails; others already pul-
ling and sailing away for Canton at a rapid
rate with their cargoes, in defiance of the
f celestial emperor and the mandarins. The
/ whole scene is one of busy life indeed, for
while the depot-vessels are supplying the
smuggling-boats, the clippers, and other
vessels importing the drug, are supplying
them ; and launches, cutters, and even jolly-
boats are engaged in the work of tranship-
ment of opium and cotton, which last article
is often unloaded here from vessels of com-
paratively small burthen, and sent up in
large ships; collecting in this way a full
freight, and enabled thus to pay the port
duties that would be ruinous to those less
burthensome, on which the charges would
be nearly the same.
* ' Step on board the opium vessels, and there
again the evidence of an active and lucrative
trade are everywhere around you. On one
side of the deck you see ranges of chests of
Patna and Benares, — the other strewed with
the contents of chests of Malwa, which is
not packed in balls like the Patna, but in
loose cakes, every one of which the opium
dealer examines, rejecting many chests, per-
INTRODUCTIOX. 9
haps, before he takes one. Turn your eyes
aft, and you see again in one place boxes of
dollars marked 2,000, others marked syceCy
and in another place the Chinese employed
for the purpose, emptying bags of dollars
and sycee silver, and shroffing or examining
them. The large sycee lumps are like small
pigs of lead in form and size, nearly ; but
the brightness of the pure silver, of course,
would prevent your mistaking one for the
other.
''It is impossible to behold these symbols
of wealth in such abundance as you do in
these vessels, and so carelessly scattered about
as it appears to be (only appears, for it is in
reality well looked after), without being
strongly impressed with a conviction of the
magnitude and importance of the trade. The
capital embarked in it is indeed very large,
involving nearly twenty millions of dollars.
The bargains for opium are mostly made in
Canton, though a great many chests are
actually sold, and not merely delivered, on
board. When the opium is sold in Canton, the
sellergives an order to the opium broker for the
delivery ; and if it is Patna or Benares, there
is little trouble^, and his purser or agent gets
B 3
10 INTRODUCTIOX.
at once the quantity of the marks specified in
his order. If Malwa opium, the latter will
examine every cake, and then weigh the
whole, and perhaps he will not complete
half his order. For great tricks are played in
Malwa, and the contents of chests are some-
times changed between the time of purchase
and shipment, and a spurious article sub-
stituted, — and I have heard of a chest of
bricks being substituted by the clever rogues
at Bombay. A great portion of the opium
is paid for on board in dollars or sycee silver;
and a kumshah, or present, of five dollars
upon every chest is paid to the commander,
for him and the officers.
" It is quite a mistake to suppose, as many
do, that the smuggling-boats take in their
cargoes, and run them at night. The truth
is, they carry on their trade, not only in the
face of day, but in the presence of the man-
darin boats stationed at the anchorage to
prevent it, and they land their cargoes at
Canton. What may seem more extraor-
dinary to those who have paid no attention
to the accounts of the Chinese government
and character is, that the mandarin boats are
often employed in smuggling.
INTRODUCTION. iT
*'The whole system is curious enough; but
the key to the facility with which the laws of
China are set at defiance, is to be found in
the fact that they are many of them in oppo-
sition to the desires of the people, and that
in China, what Sir Robert Walpole once said
of English statesmen, is literally and empha-
tically applicable to every functionary in the
empire, from the emperor down to the lowest
mandarin, — the emperor not excepted."
Great has been the increase since 1776,
when about 1,000 chests were imported; for
in 1837 the imports had increased to the
enormous quantity of 40,000, for which the
Chinese paid upwards of 25,000,000 dollars.
In consequence of this immense withdrawing
or drain of specie out of the country, the
government called upon the great officers to
report on the best means of remedying the
evil. The Chinese forgot that this might be
considered as only the return of a loan ; for
prior to the increased demand for opium, and
previous to our great improvement in ma-
chinery, by which we are enabled to export
woollen and cotton goods to China, all teas,
&c. imported by us were paid for in Spanish
p'.llar'd dollars.
12 INTRODUCTION.
Now, it is a well-known fact, all China-
men, hiffh and low, are in the habit of
punching a small quantity of silver out of all
dollars that pass through their hand? ; thus
in a very short time reducing their value,
until they assume the title of *' chopped dol-
lars," and are passed by weight. The
owners of such dollars constantly cast them
into the form of sycee ; and thus considerable
quantities of nominal sycee become nothing
more than dollars in a different form. Pure
sycee contains no small portion of gold, but
the Chinese do not understand the art of
separating the two metals.
Many of the great officers recommended
the admission of opium at a certain rate of
duty. Heu-Naetse, vice-president of the
Sacrificial Court, says, in his memorial to the
emperor, — " It will be found on examination,
that the smokers of opium are idle, lazy
vagrants, having no useful purpose before
them, and are unworthy of regard, or even
of contempt. And though there are smo-
kers to be found, who have over-stepped the
threshold of age, yet they do not attain to
the lono; life of other men. But new births
are daily increasing the population of the
JXTRODUCTION. 13
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. Since, then, it will
not answer to close our ports against all
trade, and since the laws issued against
opium are quite inoperative, the only method
left, is 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 mer-
chandize, and that no money be paid for it.
"The barbarians findino; 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 pro-
hibited. Offenders, when caught, should be
punished by the entire destruction of the
opium they may have, and the confiscation
of the money that be found with them.
14 INTRODUCTION.
With regard to officers, civil and military,"
and to scholars and common 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 these,
therefore, must be permitted 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 su-
perior or general officer be found guilty of
knowingly and willingly conniving at the prac-
tice among his subordinates, such officer shall
be subject 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.'*
The whole of the foregoing memorial, for
INTRODUCTION. 15
which Heu-Naetse was degraded to the sixth
rank, and dismissed from the public service,
is written in a clear and argumentative style,
and, according to its prayer, was referred, by
the emperor, to Tang Ting-ching and his
colleagues, to report on, who decidedly
approved of the proposition, sending nine
regulations with reference to the proposed
change, and remarking; — "We your majes-
ty's ministers, having examined the original
memorial, and considered the details therein
contained, respecting the evils to be removed,
regard the whole as true and accurate. The
request for a repeal of the prohibition, 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; and it is our duty to solicit your
majesty's sanction thereof."
While these memorials and reports were
urging the emperor to the wise policy of
admitting opium with a tariff, Choo-Tsun,
member of the council of the Board of Rites,
and Heu-Kew, the sub-censor, were petition-
ing against the admission of the drug. Their
memorials dwelt particularly on the oozing
out of the wealth of the land by reason of
16 INTRODUCTION.
the quantities of sycee and otlier silver that
were annually exported from China. Con-
demning the use of opium, they strongly
pressed on the emperor to make the laws
more stringent against its admission, and to
punish capitally all native traders.
In reply to the foregoing memorials, an
imperial edict was issued, directing *' Tang
and his colleagues, Ke, lieutenant-governor
of Kwangtung, and Wan, superintendent of
maritime customs, anxiously and carefully to
consult together upon the recommendations;
to search for, and with utmost strictness
apprehend all those traitorous natives who
sell the drug, the Hong merchants who ar-
range the transaction 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 deter-
mined on the steps to be taken in order to
stop the source of the evil, let them present
a true and faithful report."
Thus were these three worthies, to use a
familiar phrase, " in a cleft stick ;" for they
were all more or less implicated in the opium
smuggling. Tang, however, who thought
opium would be admitted at a duty, made a
INTRODUCTION. l7
bold push to amass a fortune, using the
most strenuous efforts against the " scram-
bling dragons," and other native craft, em-
ployed in smuggling opium into Canton.
He engaged accordingly in the smuggling
trade, sending and driving out of the river
all but four boats, of which he was the
owner. This produced the following lam-
poon from some witty Chinaman : —
O'er the impoverish'd, but broad eastern land,
Our venerable Tang holds chief command.
His favours fall on those who seizures make,
Yet in the daring game he holds a stake.
Four cruising boats his son and comrades keep
To scour the waters of the inner deep;
And in his halls having heaped an untold store
Of gold, unsatiate, still he craves for more;
While dice and women all his hours employ,
Still the fond father censures not the boy.
O, blind to reason ! no distinction seen;
The good must bow to tyrants and the mean.
But leagued oppression will resistance cause,
And men's indignant hearts assert the laws.
By these means he monopolized great part
of the trade, in which many British-owned
schooners and boats were now engaged; nor
can it be wondered at that they were so, for
as much as 100 dollars were given for the
18 IXTRODUCTIOY.
freight of a single chest. All this was paid
for by the Chinese purchasers.
Tang and his colleagues, on the 23rd of
November, 1836, revived an old edict, which
declares, — *' That if any foreigner, in con-
sequence of its being impracticable for him
at once to dispose of his merchandize, is
unable to call in all his property, and has
therefore no option but to remain in China,
then he 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 be sold for him ; which
being done, the Hong merchant is to pay
him the whole price; and, in the following
year, he must avail himself of one of the
ships of his nation to return home. If the
Hong merchant and linguist suffer foreign
merchants by degrees to take up their resi-
dence in Canton, they shall be severally
subject to strict investigation."
On this resuscitated edict they directed
that the foreigners should quit Canton, kindly
allowing them half a month to make up their
accounts, and pack up their effects. To this
the Hong merchants replied, that they had
received letters from the several merchants
IN'TUODUCTIOX. 19
request! tier permission to remain longer; some
wanting three months, and others an inde-
finite time, which being remarked on by the
governor, lieutenant-governor, and hoppo,
the time was extended to four months from
the 4th of December^ 1836, — the date of
the orders.
The governor, in his report to the emperor,
corrects errors as regards the residence of
foreigners ; exculpates the Hong merchants
from the charge of trading in opium ; states
his reasons for prolonging the stay of fo-
reigners : — "Jardine's trade and that of others
is very extensive, and winter is the busiest
time. To order them now abruptly away
would not look like a compassionate re-
gard ; but they are all ordered down to
Macao."
He then alludes to Heu-Kew's report of
foreigners at Macao riding in sedan-chairs
carried by Chinese bearers^ which is forbidden
by the Chinese law, but that the Chinamen,
on being examined, pleaded poverty as their
excuse.
He further says, that though the poor
native women and foreign families have com-
munication with each other, it is not for
20 INTRODUCTION.
improper purposes; and should such crimes
be found to exist, the criminal will be
severely punished.
He finishes his report by assuring the
emperor that he is now giving his whole
mind to the subject of the memorial, and
that his most strenuous efforts will be
exerted to put down smuggling in opium
and sycee.
The merchants, as it suited their conveni-
ence, went to Macao, and the opium trade
continued.
On the •23rd of August, 1837, Chin,
admiral of the squadron of Fokien, and Tow,
commander of the garrison of Kinmuh, &c.,
issued an "intelligible proclamation," which,
dwelling on the foreigners paying no atten-
tion " to the laws of heaven's dynasty,"
whose compassion is as "boundless as the
ocean," orders all the ships to quit the coast;
or, say these mighty boasters, " along
the boundaries of our country we shall place
a thousand ships of war, numerous as the
stars, and disposed in array like a chess-
board. At the first call they will imme-
diately respond ; — one cannot resist a host ;
and it is to be feared, that when the admiral
INTRODUCTION. 21
of the station and the commander of the
garrison unite their troops, thick as the con-
gregated clouds, you will not be able to
sustain their attack. But we military and
naval commanders do not wish to kill you
in cold blood, without warning you of the
consequences of your present line of con-
duct; therefore we specially proclaim to you
beforehand, and if ye have any wisdom you
will immediately return, — a circumstance at
which we shall truly rejoice."
That they would have rejoiced, no one,
who knows the Chinese, will doubt; for in
addition to a paucity of courage^ the autho-
rities are held responsible to the emperor for
any disturbance that may take place in their
governments. That the proclamation was
so much waste paper, the ships remaining at
their anchorage abundantly proved ; but
Chin had saved his face by the proclama-
tion.
On the 24th of September we find Chin
again issuing proclamations to the foreign
ships ; while orders were at the same time
issued to the Hong merchants, that certain
traitorous foreigners were to leave Canton
for Macao. Still delays took place, and Tang
J22 INTRODUCTION.
the governor benefited greatly by the
smuggling. On the 20th of November he
launched another edict, giving the opium
ships a month to remove from Lintin, and
return to their own country.
At the expiration of that time, the Hong
merchants represented to him, that the
foreigners state " they have no power over
the receiving-ships, as they do not belong to
them." Tang, on the 22nd of December,
1837, threatens in an edict, that he will
certainly request orders from his imperial
majesty, that the trade may be stopped
with all those nations which have anv
receiving-ships, and thus bring them to
submission.
Now it might be supposed from the fore-
going extracts, that the Chinese have been
very ill-used, and that the opium trade has
been forced on them ; but such was not at
all the case. I must beg my readers to
divest themselves of such an ideaj for be it
remembered, while the Chinese statesmen
pencil their highly moral edicts and memo-
rials with one hand against the admission of
this poisonous drug, with the other they
receive bribes and fees, levied for the secret
INTr.OLLCTICN. 23
admission of this baneful enchantment. Nay,
they themselves, in secret, revel in all the
luxury of the opium pipe; a luxury which,
when once indulged in, it is almost impos-
sible to shake off.
Tang, deeply steeped in the trade, could
not escape the quick eyes of his countrymen,
who are ever ready with a lampoon. The
following one was stuck on his house : —
Where Yue's lands are broad, yet poor,
The venerable Tang holds sway ;
His bailiffs knock at every door,
And drag both good and bad away !
O Tang ! if from the drug you'd set us free.
Yourself would soon a prisoner be.
On the 2nd of December, 1837, the
governor of the two provinces, Kwang-tung,
and Kwang-se, refusing to correspond with
Captain Elliot, the superintendent, on the
conditions pointed out by her majesty's
ministers, the British flag was struck,
and Captain Elliot issued a public letter
to the Britiish subjects, detailing his reasons
for so doing, and for his departure from
Canton.
In the year 1838, the restrictions on the
opium trade became exceedingly trouble-
24 INTRODUCTION.
some ; and a poor fellow, Ko Seping, was
strangled at Macao, on the 7th of April,
for being an opium dealer.
In the middle of the month of June, eight
chests of opium were seized on the river near
the factories, four of which disappeared
during the operation; while the other four
were handed over to the Prefect of Canton,
and, while in the hands of the police, were
most wonderfully metamorphosed into four
chests of common earth. The dealers at
this time asserted that the local government
received 75 dollars per chest for conniving
at the importation of the drug.
During this and the previous year, owing
to these obstructions, and the activity of the
officers at Lintin, a most extensive opium
trade was carried on at Whampoa, without
the least disguise; but on the 1 7th of Sep-
tember, an officer appeared at that place, to
search for, and seize opium. The people re-
sisted, and a riot was the consequence, in
which the officer was wounded, and many lives
were lost; but fresh troops being sent from
Canton, the disturbance was at length
<juelled.
Edicts and orders were now promulgated
INTRODUCTION. 25
in quick succession, commanding all opium
vessels to leave the river; and an imperial
edict published, in November, denouncing
death against the dealers and smokers of
opium under a new law, which was to ap-
pear in three months.
About this time, many dealers and
smokers in opium were seized with their
apparatus ; and report says, that in the pro-
vince of Hoopih the government had resorted
to the cruel punishment of cutting out a
portion of the upper lip to prevent their
using the pipe.
Ko Seping's murder, for I can call it by
no other name, to the astonishment of all
the foreigners, was followed on the 12th of
December by an attempt to execute Ho
Lankin, a dealer in opium, and who kept a
tavern appropriated to smoking that drug.
As this transaction was to take place in front
of the factories, and directly under the Ame-
rican flag, the consul of that republic imme-
diately ordered it to be struck.
This attempt created a great sensation in
the minds of the whole community of
foreigners; and the first observers of the
proceedings interrupted the erection of the
VOL. I. c
26 INTRODUCTION.
cross on which the arms of those ordered to
be strangled are extended in a straight line.
In the mean time, the greater part of the
residents assembled on the spot, and pointed
out plainly, but peaceably, to the mandarins
on duty, that such a thing could not be
tolerated, and if they persisted in attempting
to carry it into effect, they must take the
consequences. After a little time, the offi-
cers, finding they would not be allowed to
complete the execution, put a stop to the
preparations and withdrew, removing at the
same time, the instruments of death. How-
ever, they immediately executed their victim
at another place.
The surrounding multitude, which had
assembled to witness this intended execution,
appeared to approve of its postponement as
they supposed; but, unfortunately, several
trifling disputes took place, consequent on
the pressure of a Chinese crowd. On being
driven back by some of the residents,
they retaliated with stones, the showers of
■which '^came fast and furious." Most of the
Chinese excel in the art of pelting ; and the
merchants were obliged to retire to their fac-
tories, a promise being given that the police
INTRODUCTION. 27
should be sent to disperse the "great un-
washed."
More, however, than two hours elapsed
before the police appeared, during which
time, the lawless mob pulled down the walls
and railings of the factories, and demolished
the windows. Being emboldened by impu-
nity, they were attempting to force the factory
doors, with battering rams; when, at this
critical moment, the magistrate of the Nanhae
district, with three or four officers and a
small body of police and soldiers, arrived in
the square. His worship, stepping very de-
liberately from his chair, cast his eye over
this riotous assembly; when three or four of
the most noisy were pounced upon, and a
large dose of rattan and baniboo administered
to them. The effect of this was wonderful;
it was like oil upon a troubled sea; the riot
was over. The magistrate and his friends
then seated themselves near the centre of
the square, the twenty soldiers being drawn
up on a commanding spot, while the Hong
merchants and police dispersed the crowd.
In an hour everything wore its usual quiet
appearance.
It is due to the Chinese to confess that
C 2
28 INTRODUCTION.
this outbreak was entirely caused by the
rash conduct of some of the foreign residents.
Most opportune, however, was the arrival of
this tranquillizing force; for had the foreigners
been driven to defend themselves with fire-
arms, much bloodshed and loss of life must
have ensued, and as they could only number
a few muskets, they might have been unable
to have maintained their position.
In the evening, Captain Elliot arrived from
Whampoa, bringing with him about 120 sea-
men, collected from the merchant-shipping
at that anchorage, but most fortunately their
services were not required.
All these transactions were distinctly com-
municated to the viceroy of Canton, in a
remonstrance from the Chamber of Com-
merce on the 1 4th of December, 1 838. This
remonstrance was answered by Tang on the
16th, who insisted on his right and the pro-
priety of his having ordered that the execu-
tion should take place on that spot, thereby
to strike terror into the foreign dealers in
the drug, *' and that the depraved portion
might be prevented from pursuing their evil
course."
"Those foreigners," he adds, ''though born
INTRODUCTION. 29
and brought up beyond the pale of civilization,
have yet human hearts. How should they
then have not been impressed with awe and
dread and self-conviction ? Can they yet
put pen to paper to draw up such insane
whining."
Then stating that the factories belong to
the Celestial Empire, and are merely granted
by the ** great emperor," as a favour, he
goes on to say, — "What have you foreigners
to do with the question, whether convicted
persons shall there be executed or not ? Say
you, that the ground is used as a place of
exercise by all the foreigners ? And is it not
then a place of concourse also for the people,
— the natives of the land ? No daring pre-
sumption, no absurd complainings, can exceed
these! They are execrable in the extreme."
Thus was Mr. Lindsay's temperate and
well-digested remonstrance answered, accom-
panied with threatenings at the same time,
that many more executions should take place;
and that any "presumptuous and perverse
foreigners" who might dare to interfere,
should be reported by the Hong merchants,
that they might be expelled.
The Hong merchants at the same time
30 INTRODUCTIOy.
represented to the Board of Commerce, that
in consequence of the seizure of some smug-
gled opium, they had been ordered to wear
the cangue*, but by earnest entreaty had
escaped ; and, in future, to prevent the degra-
dation, all tenants of factories were required
to give a bond that they would not engage in
smuggling any article in the decked boats
and schooners ; and further they were warned
against the exportation of sycee silver.
Shortly after the riot on the 12th, the fol-
lowing lampoon was circulated at Canton;
the individuals named in the third and fourth
lines were notorious opium dealers, supposed
to be screened by Tang, who is charged
with receiving from them and other inferior
magistrates thi'ee tens and six^ or 36,000
taelsj per month, for the use of the revenue
vessels for smuggling. From the seventh
* The "kea," or " cangue," is a wooden collar from three
to four feet square, having the crime for which it is
worn engraven on it. This wooden pillory is sometimes
worn for a month, during which period the wearer must
be fed by others.
-|- One thousand tchen ought to be equal to one tael
of fine silver, but from the adulteration of the coin the
tael is now worth 1 200.
INTRODUCTION". 31
to the tenth line the author evidently alludes
to the late attempted execution : —
In truth, there's no luck at all in Canton,
For Tinching in governor's hall is found, —
Who, of Cheih Shakwang, is the well-known patron.
And Ta Luhchuh by him rose froni the ground.
The boats of Two Kwang are privily let,
For a monthly sop of three tens and six.
Poor Ho Laoukin ! he strangled him to death,
Because his cash and coin could not suffice ;
How was the cross all broken down and lost.
And the curtained tent quite overset and tost !
He put a tell-tale cangue on Punhoyqua,
And squeezed the pelf from Uncle Howqua.
He scared poor Fung Suhchang almost to death.
And Lew Shooluh had well-nigh lost his breath.
If we hope for halcyon days of peace to come,
Unbutton and dismiss this infamous Tang ;
For if he stays one year in power,
Canton will be just like a hot cauldron.
On the 17th of December, her majesty^s
chief superintendent, Captain Elliot, called
a meeting of all the foreigners in Canton ;
in his address to whom, he observes that
the events of the last week must be anxiously
considered by all the resident foreigners in
China.
After thanking them for their general sup-
port and assistance, his excellency went on
32 INTRODUCTION.
to remark, that the origin of the dispute
might be traced to the extensive traffic in
opium conducted by small boats ; which
traffic could only lead to the interruption of
all legal trade^ of suffering and loss to all
those not engaged in it, and the daily expo-
sure to imminent danger of every native
connected with the foreigners.
Attentively considering the question, he
(Captain Elliot) announced that he intended
to serve notices on all British-owned boats
which were actually engaged in the illicit
traffic, to proceed outside* within three
days ; and if they failed to conform, he should
put himself in communication with the pro-
vincial government, and fully express his
own views on the treatment of so serious an
evil.
On the 18th this notice appeared, and
further cautioned all her majesty's subjects
engaged in the opium traffic, that if any
native came by his or her death in the course
of this illicit trade, they would be subject to
* Vessels below the Bocca Tigris were called outside,
in contradistincton to those above, or inside. The high
Chinese officers never venture below the Bogue forts in
their boats of state.
INTRODUCTION. 33
prosecution and trial in the same manner as
if they were within the jurisdiction of her
majesty's courts at Westminster; and that,
should any vessel be seized by the Chinese
government engaged in these contraband
dealings within the Bocca Tigris, her ma-
jesty's government would in no way interfere
for their protection.
Gloomy had been the horizon of the
China trade for some years, but at the end
of 1838 it had become overclouded to a most
alarming degree; though the oldest and
wisest heads could not foresee the storm
that was about to burst. Very probably the
attempt to introduce an hospital-ship at
Whampoa with the arrival of a ship in the
previous year, laden with opium^ had ex-
cited fears at the court of Pekin. No
doubt it had been reported that the opium
trade would again return to the " inner
waters.'* Many of the foreign merchants
were anxious that a stoppage should be put
to the illicit trade at Whampoa, fearing that
collisions would take place, and a general
inconvenience to all trade ensue; but when
the government and the Hong merchants
were inactive, the British merchants havins:
C 3
34 INTRODUCTION.
no right to control, obedience could not be
expected from all, nor could any particular
individual be expected to give up a trade
that others might reap all the advantages.
How far Captain Elliot's notice was judi-
cious must be left to the reader's consider-
ation. But it has ever appeared to me that
it was the duty of the Chinese government to
enforce its own revenue laws, and that we
had no business to co-operate with the
local authorities. It had been the prac-
tice of the East India Company, established
by long experience, never on the ground of
expediency, policy, or other pretext, to as-
sist the Chinese in any difficulty; and the
Chinese government might and would natu-
rally conclude, that if Captain Elliot had
power to drive the boats and schooners out
of the " inner waters,*' he could equally force
the receiving-ships to quit the "outer waters,"
and by these means strike at the root of the
opium trade in the Canton River.
To suppress this traffic is utterly impos-
sible, until the whole character of the
Chinese nation becomes altered. Opium
they will have; and experience has proved
that all the obstacles and difficulties thrown
INTRODUCTION. 35
in the way of its introduction have only-
tended to increase it, and extend its use.
It would be just as easy to put down beer and
gin drinking in England. I much question
whether there are not as many English gin
sufiPerers as there are Chinese opium sufferers,
for the opium is used by them in the least
deleterious manner, viz., by smoking.
But, as I have before observed, it is not
the question of health or morality with the
Chinese. The fact is, our imports have given
a great balance in our favour, as is shown in
the followino; table : —
Our purchases for the year ending June 30,
1838, for teas, silk, and all other arti- £.
cles, amount to ... 3,147,481
Our sales of opium, metals, and cotton, to 5,637,052
Balance in favour of British . . 2,489,571
which was generally paid in sycee, the export
of which, in 1837-8, amounted to nearly
nine millions of dollars.
Thus we see what was the chief and true
reason for attempting to stop the trade in
opium, and accordingly the edicts previously
or subsequently to this year, enlarged more
on the abstraction of the sycee than on the
morals of the people.
36 INTRODUCTION.
On the 1st of January^ 1839, Captain
Elliot published a notice, that in consequence
of the provincial government having con-
sented to communicate direct with the chief
superintendent, under the seal of the
Kwaug-chow-foo and Kvvang-he, the public
intercourse would be renewed ; and that the
seals of his, Captain Elliot's; addresses to
the governor should be broken by his ex-
cellency.
Accompanying the notice there were two
letters, part of a correspondence between
him and the governor regarding the opium
traffic, in which he sets forth his ideas and
those of the British government on the
subject, and requests that his excellency will
signify his pleasure to him through the pro-
per officers.
The second letter is the answer of Tang,
sent through the before-named Chinese
officers, and dated the 25th December, 1838,
in which the following paragraph shows that
he had already taken up the idea that the
superintendent could expel the vessels: —
*' The said superintendent came, I find,
to Canton, in obedience to commands re-
ceived from his sovereign, to exercise control
INTRODUCTION. 37
over the merchants and seamen, to repress
the depraved, and to extirpate evils. Hav-
ing such commands given to him, he must
needs also have powers. It is very inexpli-
cable then, that these boats having, in viola-
tion of the laws, entered the river, he should
now find it difficult to send them out again,
owing to his not having the confidence of
all." Thus quickly did they try to take
advantage of Captain Elliot's notice.
The small craft having been driven out-
side of the Bocca Tigris, an attempt was
made to establish a line of large passage-
boats between Canton and Macao, such boats
to carry licenses from the Chinese autho-
rities: but from the vexatious delays and
restrictions imposed by the regulations under
which they were allowed to run, they were
not found to answer; and the Snipe, one
of the number, was soon caught in the meshes
of the law_, seized under a false or erroneous
charge of smuggling, and eventually broken
up in the river in front of the factories.
During this month all trade was much
impeded ; the Hong merchants hesitating to
secure the ships through fear of being impli-
cated in any smuggling transactions that
38 INTRODUCTION.
might take place at Whampoa, and requiring
a new bond from the masters of ships, which,
from the wording of the bond, could not be
complied with.
At length the senior Hong merchant
informed the foreign agents that, the ships,
already arrived, would be secured under the
usual bond of there being no opium on
board; but that new regulations would be
drawn up for the government of vessels
arriving in the next season, and which regu-
lations they ''most respectfully offered up
to their lightning glance" on the 16th of
January.
By these new regulations they required a
bond that no opium was on board, that no
decked boats should be used, and that if any
improper doings were discovered, they, the
signers, would cheerfully submit to the penal-
ties of the regulations, which enjoined con-
fiscation of property with most enormous fines.
Now, I have no hesitation in saying, that
with such a bond the Chinese would not
scruple secretly to deposit opium in a vessel
to get her within the net of the law; so
that disputes and litigations of every kind
would have undoubtedly taken place, putting
INTRODUCTION. 39
US precisely in the position with China, in
which we are at the present moment.
The foregoing observations may be by
some considered illiberal towards the Chinese ;
but I am perfectly borne out in it by their
new law against opium-smoking*; in the
first section of which, and sixth rule, the
law is thus laid down: — " Any soldier or
policeman, or any of those idle blackguards
who infest every place, who shall,
through malice, or a desire to extort money,
themselves secrete opium in the house, that
an accusation may be supported against their
victim, shall, whether principal or accom-
plice, be held punishable under the law."
It has ever been the practice of the Chinese
to try and introduce their own system of
responsibility into all their transactions with
* When the difficulties arose in Lord Amherst's
embassy to China, as to the performance of the ko-too,
Soo and Kwang, two high officers appointed to attend
on the ambassador, " hinted that even if Lord Amherst
compHed here, he might make any report he pleased on
his return to England." Lord Amherst replied, that
were he base enough to falsify the account, he had
seventy-four witnesses with him, who would state the
truth. — Ellis's Embassy to China.
40 INTRODUCTION.
foreigners; as far back as 1820 they endea-
voured to obtain bonds not to import opium,
but which attempt was successfully resisted
by the select committee.
*' It may," says Dr. Morrison, in allusion
to the subject, " be questioned, whether the
rights of the port, which usage has esta-
blished, should be carelessly abandoned. If
the Chinese plead usage for the maintenance
of old grievances, should the Europeans not
plead usage for the maintenance of old rights?
People, who will not give the benefit of na-
tional law, cannot justly claim a right to the
same practice as those who throw their courts
and their laws and their lawyers open, to be
employed by any or by everybody. When
China shall give what European nations give
to each other, then may she exact what they
exact of each other."
During January most extraordinary excite-
ment prevailed, the local government stating
that their proceedings to all traffickers in the
drug would be guided by ** stern severity."
Many innocent people were seized by the
police for the purpose of being squeezed ; and
rumour asserted that a general search of the
shops and houses in Canton was to be made.
INTRODUCTION. 41
On this, popular assemblies took place, and
it became requisite for the local magistrates
to announce by proclamation that nothing of
the sort was contemplated. But so little
confidence has one Chinaman in the assertion
of another, that the gates of the streets were
repaired lest the search should be attempted,
the people having resolved to resist any such
act.
On the 21st of January a "fire ex-
press*" arrived at Canton, by which Lin
Tsihseu, commonly known to us as Lin,
the governor of Hookwang, was announced
to have been invested with the powers
and seals of an imperial envoy, and directed
to proceed post-haste to the province of
Kwang-tung to investigate the affairs of
the seaports of that province. The same
day Tang, the governor, and E, the lieu-
tenant-governor, received a despatch from
the privy council, recapitulating the appoint-
ment of Lin, calling on them to "scrub
* The fire express travels at six hundred le per
day, and the post-haste express at four hundred. About
three le are equal to one English mile : these ex-
presses are carried by inferior mandarins on horse-
back.
42 INTRODUCTIOX.
and wash away the filth," and directing Tang
to consult with Lin on the best method for
stopping the evil.
Simultaneously with these, Tang and E
published a proclamation to all foreigners,
which commences by praising the bounty and
goodness of the head of the Celestial Empire
in allowing foreigners to trade with China ;
goes on to state that it is utterly impossible
they can exist without such trade ; that if
the opium ships are sent away, the rest may
continue, but that if they stubbornly remain
there, the ports should be shut : — " The tea
and rhubarb of the inner land will not be
permitted to leave the country ; and thus
may we instantly hold the life of any fo-
reigner at our command."
Dreadfully alarmed were these worthies
at the appointment of Lin, and the Hong
merchants and others looked on it with any-
thing but complacent feelings. The high
commissioner was known as a violent op-
poser to the admission of opium on any
terms, and as a bigot to all the ancient laws
and customs of China, for which he was
liighly admired by numbers of his fellow-
citizens.
IXTRODUCTION. 43
A further consequence of these strict
orders from Pekin, was the closing all the
northern entrances of the factories, commonly-
known as the back doors, and which had
been opened after the great fire in the sub-
urbs of Canton in 1821, when the factories
were burnt.
About this time there appeared a memo-
rial to the emperor on the opium and sycee
question from Keshen, viceroy of Petche-li, by
whom we were, about a year and a half after-
wards so completely bamboozled. That he is
one of the most acute and wily of Chinese
statesmen is, I believe, generally acknow-
ledged ; and that he was fully aware how
utterly incapable China was of contending
against the British power, his subsequent
memorials to the Emperor have proved.
This memorial affords but a very poor idea
of Chinese literature, when we find the most
talented of her children writing such absurd
nonsense. He falls into the most gross mis-
takes in his calculations, asserting that in
thirty or forty years, the use of opium has
been the means of " several thousand myriad
myriads of taels leaking out to the distant
foreigners." Now this is a prodigious error ;
44 INTRODUCTION.
for at ten millions per year, it would only
amount to four hundred millions in forty
years.
It would appear inconceivable tliat such a
miscalculation could be any other than wil-
fully made to mislead his celestial master,
did we not find this same learned and talented
mandarin pencilling in continuation the fol-
lowing most extraordinary nonsense : —
"again, in reference to the foreign money
which these said foreigners bring, it is all
boiled with, and reduced by quicksilver. If
you wrap it up, and put it past for several
years without touching it, it will become
moths and corroding insects, and their silver
cups will change into feathers or wings.
Their money is all of this species; and if we
leave it for four or five hundred years, I'm
sure I don't know what it will change into at
last!"
Again, he says, alluding to our demand
for tea and rhubarb : — " The reason of this
is, that their climate is rough and rigorous,
the sun and wind both fierce and strong ;
day by day they subsist on beef and mutton ;
the digestion of this food is not easy; their
bowels are bound up, and they speedily die ;
INTRODUCTION. 45
therefore it is, that every day after meals they
partake of this divine medicine in order to get
a motion of their bowels."
To remark on these paragraphs would be
to insult the understanding of my readers.
He ends his memorial by advising the em-
peror to forbid all foreign trade, until the
opium traffic is by these means completely
stopped ; to deal mildly with opium smokers,
amongst whom will be found civilians and
soldiers ; the rich, who take delight in doing
good; clerks in public offices; "perhaps the
most beautiful, the most refined, the most
accomplished of our women ! and perhaps
virtuous widows, chaste as the icicle itself;"
with husbandmen, mechanics, and merchants.
" If such," says he, *' are for the mere
whiffing of a pipe of opium, to fall into the
net of the law, then the clanking of their
bonds and fetters will be heard in every
highway; the prisons will be so crowded as
not to leave an inch of space."
Notwithstanding all these pleadings^, blood
was the order of the day, and the deed which
the Chinese had been prevented from com-
mitting at midday on the 12th of December,
1838, was hurriedly, and I may say, almost
46u IXTIiODUCTlOX.
secretly, carried into effect on the 26th of
February, 1839. A poor wretch^ Fung
Angan, one of the ringleaders at the late
affray at Whanipoa, in the afternoon of that
day, when but few foreigners were on the spot,
was brought into the factory square, and there
strangled ; the officer attending the execu-
tion departing as rapidly as he came, — a few
minutes sufficing to end the whole affair.
This cruel exhibition, this wanton invasion
of the foreign factory grounds, must be exe-
crated by all ; and the feeling of the resi-
dents was speedily shown by the immediate
hauling down of the national flags, which
were usually displayed before the ditferent
Hongs.
On the 4th of March, Captain Elliot ad-
dressed a firm remonstrance to Tang on the
subject of the late execution, requiring that
his excellency should issue directions pro-
hibiting any such matter taking place there
in future.
To this the governor did not deign to
reply ; probably the expected arrival of Lin
caused him so much anxiety respecting his
late opium dealings, that he could not con-
coct an answer. For it appears that Lin had
INTRODUCTION. 47
already written a letter to hinij directing the
seizure of a great number of officers and
police runners, as parties criminated by their
opium doings, and the military governor of
Canton was said to be amongst the number.
Many of those most open to accusations
escaped ; but on the commissioner's arrival
the chief of the police at Macao was arrested
and ample confessions extorted from him,
involving, it was said, many of the magis-
trates of the surrounding districts.
The naval officers at the Bocca Tigris
thought he might perhaps begin with them ;
and the admiral actually sent a deputation to
Macao, to try and prevail upon the masters
of the opium ships to " sail away." Gradu-
ally these apprehensions subsided, as it be-
came evident that Lin did not intend to
punish the instruments, whose aid he might
require in his future operations. Many of
those who had been most deeply engaged in
the traffic, purchased small quantities of
opium and delivered it up, as having been
seized by them.
That the eunuchs about the palace were
very extensive dealers in the drug, the many
severe edicts show ; and in no port was the
48 IJS'TRODUCTION.
smuggling easier than at Tien-sing, about
ninety miles south-east of Pekin. Most
ample lists of all those engaged in the traffic
were possessed by the influential men in
the celestial city. In fact, connivance was
purchased from them by the disclosure
of the names of all those employed as con-
trabandists ; so that when wanted, they could
be squeezed to fill the pockets of their supe-
riors, or strangled to evince the vigilance of
some great man, and to exhibit the rigour of
the law. The emperor himself is accused
of having been in former days an admirer of
the now-forbidden pipe.
Lin's appointment and expected arrival
created a great sensation at Canton ; his
known stubbornness of character, his love for
the old laws, and his unlimited powers, made
the Hong merchants fear a rupture ; and his
first steps after his arrival on the 1 0th March,
were not calculated to allay the alarm ; for on
the 18th he issued a proclamation, specially-
addressed to the foreigners at Canton; on
the heels of which followed one from the
Hoppo, forbidding foreigners going to Macao.
Lin, in the above-named edict, assures
them that he has been sent down with •' irre-
INTRODUCTIOX. 49
sponsible authority to prevent the influx of
opium ;" that he has sworn to stand or fall
by the opium question ; and that he will put
down the bringing in the drug, and that to
do so effectually, he will call out, if neces-
sary, the whole land and sea force against
such foreigners as may attempt to introduce
it : and he further threatened that he would
incite the common people to arise and utterly
annihilate them I A threat never before
heard of in the annals of any nation claiming
to have an established government^ or pre-
tending to civilization ; but it is on a par with
the absurd boast of his irresponsible power,
by which he implies that the lives and pro-
perty of the foreigners were at his mercy.
He commanded all the opium in the ships
to be given up to his officers, and that all
foreigners should enter into a bond that no
ships should bring opium ; and that if any
one did, her whole cargo should be confis-
cated, and her people put to death ; — " and
that they will willingly undergo it as a penalty
of their crime." For conformity with these
rules three days w^ere allowed.
This edict naturally excited the indigna-
tion of foreigners, and required their instant
VOL. I. D
50 INTRODUCTION.
attention to the safety of their threatened
liberty, property, and lives.
The Hong merchants, under Lin's direc-
tions, visited the principal merchants to ascer-
tain what offensive and defensive weapons they
possessed, which, combined with the Hoppo
edict before alluded to, showed in the high
commissioner a determination, confirmed by
his subsequent acts, to carry out his threats,
A deputation on the 1 9th met the Hong
merchants at the Consoo-hall, where a con-
versation took place as to the giving up the
opium, but which the deputation declined
answering at the present moment.
To a question, as to the probable amount
of compensation that would be given by the
Chinese government, should the opium be
surrendered, the Hong merchants replied by
referring to the present low price, and sup-
posed that a portion of such low price would
be gladly accepted.
At the same meeting an edict from Lin to
the Hong merchants was translated. In it
he reproaches them for conniving at the
smuggling trade, upbraids them for want of
dignity in their visitings and transactions
with foreigners, and winds up by threaten-
INTRODUCTION. 51
ing to decapitate one or two of their
number.
When Lin first arrived, he received the
Hong merchants seated behind a yellow
satin screen, with the imperial arms embroi-
dered thereon, the Hong merchants being on
their knees, with their foreheads touching
the ground. On one occasion he kept them
six hours in this position, while asking them
questions. Afterwards he allowed Howqua,
in consequence of his great age, — to which
much respect is paid in China, — to be seated
on a low chair, but still sufficiently distant
to mark their difference of rank.
The general Chamber of Commerce was
convened on the 2 1st; and, after some de-
bating, an answer to the following purport was
returned to the Hong merchants: — "That
the communications made by the commis-
sioner were of such vital importance, and
involved such various interests, that it was
not possible to give a hurried reply; but
that they should be taken into consideration,
and an answer returned at the earliest pos-
sible period. At the same time they, the
foreigners, were almost unanimously of opi-
nion that it was absolutely necessary that
D 2
52 INTRODUCTION.
they should have nothing to do with the
opium traffic."
On this communication being made to Lin,
he declared nothing would satisfy him but
the delivering up of the opium ; and that if
this demand was not complied with instanter,
he would, on the morrow, sit in judgment on
the Hong merchants, and decapitate two of
their number.
On this reply being known, an extraordi-
nary meeting of the Chamber of Commerce
was convened at ten o'clock at night, to
take this reply into consideration. It was
speedily agreed to request the attendance of
the Hong merchants ; in compliance with
which the following parties, Howqua, Mow-
qua, Puankhequa, Samqua, senior and junior
Poonhoyqua, Mingqua, Gowqua, Saoqua,
Yetuck, Fontai, and Kinqua, very shortly
afterwards arrived. On being questioned as
to what passed between them and the im-
perial commissioner, they stated, that on
their presenting the words of the merchants'
letters, he said, — "They are trifling with the
Hong merchants, but that they should not
do so with him: he declared, that if opium
was not given up, he should be at the Consoo-
INTRODUCTION. 53
hall to-morrow, at ten o'clock, and then he
would show what he would do."
The Hong merchants thought, that if
one thousand chests were given up, Lin
would be satisfied, and believe his order
had been obeyed ; but they could not gua-
rantee such result, or that the trade might
proceed without molestation. And they
further added, that if the opium, the ac-
tual property of the residents, was given up,
they could not venture to secure that what
belonged to their consignees would be allowed
to be taken away.
After an animated debate it was resolved,
that in consequence of the threat held out
against the Hong merchants, one thousand
and thirty-seven chests of opium should be
surrendered to the government to be des-
troyed. This quantity was to be supplied
by joint contributions, a solemn protest
acrainst the acts of the commissioner beins at
the same time delivered with it.
It is to be deeply regretted, that this
meeting allowed their fears for the lives of
the Hong merchants to be worked upon,
and that they should have permitted them-
selves to be driven into a contradiction of
54 INTRODUCTION.
their morning statement, ''that they could
not decide on such matters without time."
Besides, if the commissioner had the right
to force them to deliver up one single catti/
of opium, he had clearly an equal right to
make them surrender all that was in the
river. And was it not in some degree a tacit
acknowledgment, that all the accusations and
insulting assertions of the commissioner were
correct ? The bad effect of thus yielding
was soon felt. Indeed, the very hurried
meeting of the Chamber of Commerce had
operated badly on the mind of the violent
and tyrannical Lin, who by it fancied he saw
the agitation his steps had produced amongst
the "barbarians;" and imagined that a little
harder squeeze would make them obedient.
On the morning of the 22nd, the Hong
merchants went into the city to make the
foregoing offer ; they were received by the
Governor only, and assured that the quantity
offered was not sufficient. It was rumoured
that 4,000 chests would be the quantity re-
quired to be given up; and Mr. L. Dent
was prevailed upon by the Hong merchants,
to promise to accompany them into the city
on the next day, the imperial commissioner
INTRODUCTION. 55
wishing, it was said, to have a personal inter-
view with him. However, the treatment of
Mr. Flint*, and the general treachery of the
Chinese, being recalled to Mr. Dent's recol-
lection, combined with the fact that the Im-
perial commissioner had secured the services
of two cooks, who had been long employed by
foreigners, w^hence the inference was natu-
rally drawn, that he contemplated detaining
Mr. Dent as a hostage, he therefore re-
scinded his promise, unless a safe-conduct
should be given him, under the commis-
sioner's hand and seal, he being the only
irresponsible officer then present in Canton.
March the 23rd. In the forenoon of this
day, the two senior Hong merchants, How-
qua and Mowqua, having a small loose iron
chain thrown over their heads and resting
on their shoulders, and accompanied by
the rest of their order, ail without their
official buttons, proceeded to Mr. Dent's
house, and stated to him, that if he did not
obey the commissioner's summons, and go
into the city during the day, the two seniors
above named would be beheaded before
night.
* See Davis's China.
56 INTRODUCTION.
Mr. Dent firmly adhered to his refusal,
unless the required safe-conduct were sent to
him. A meeting, however, was convened in
the hall of the British consulate, to consider
the point. But Mr. Johnston, the second
superintendent, refused Howqua and Mow-
qua admission in their felonious and de-
graded state ; the meeting was adjourned to
the Chamber of Commerce, where Howqua
again stated, that his head would be taken
off, if Mr. Dent still persisted in his refusal.
After the chamber had pointed out to
Howqua, that they had no power over Mr.
Dent's actions, he proposed, that all pre-
sent should proceed to Mr. Dent's residence,
which they accordingly did.
While this was going on, other foreign
merchants were at the Consoo-hall, holding
a verbal communication with the Kwang-
chow-foo ; on their quitting which, Mr.
Morrison, the interpreter, was detained a
prisoner for nearly two hours ; nor was he
liberated, until Mr. Johnston had made an
application to that purpose.
When Howqua and his party had arrived
at Mr. Dent's house, it was solemnly put to
the foreigners present, whether Mr. Dent
INTRODUCTIONS 57
should proceed inside the city, without wait-
ing for the protection of the commissioner's
own chop and seal, to which the unanimous
answer was in the negative. That determina-
tion was communicated to the Hong mer-
chants ; shortly after which a Weiyuen, or
deputed officer, accompanied by certain Chi-
nese magistrates, came to Mr. Dent's office,
who, attended by Mr. Thorn as interpreter,
and the foreign merchants, received them.
The representation which he made was, that
in visiting Mr. Dent, he was exceeding the
instructions which had been given him, for
he had been positively ordered to convey
Mr. Dent before the commissioner; and by
representing the danger to which he thus
exposed himself, he endeavoured to work on
his (Mr. Dent's) feelings, and prevail on him
to accompany him.
This officer was thanked for his civility in
waiting on Mr. Dent, and for the manner in
which he had executed his orders; and he
was further assured, that no disrespect was
intended to the commissioner, by Mr. Dent's
refusal, but that it arose from the general
wish that Mr. Dent should not enter the city
without a o'uarantee under the commissioner's
D 3
5S INTRODUCTION.
own hand. If he should be taken by force
no resistance would be offered; and after
this representation, Mr. Dent retired.
The conversation continued with the fo-
reigners and the Weiyuen, on whom Mr. Dent
waited a second time at his, the Weiyuen's,
request, but without any intention of repair-
ing to the city, unless the required guarantee
were first given. This officer then stated that
he would spend the night in Mr. Dent's
house, and never leave it without him ; on
which he was assured, if he continued in that
mind he should be treated most hospitably,
rinding all his arts of persuasion fail, he
proposed that the second partner should ac-
company him to the Consoo-house, and in
person acquaint the Kwang-chow-foo with
Mr. Dent's refusal. This was immediately
agreed to, when Mr. Inglis, accompanied
by four other gentlemen, proceeded to the
Consoo-house. As soon as the Kwang-chow-
foo became aware of Mr. Dent's refusal,
fearing probably the ire of Lin, he proposed
that the deputation should proceed into the
city, and in person deliver the refusal to the
commissioner.
This was also agreed to, when the cortege.
INTRODUCTION. 59
accompanied by the linguist, proceeded
through the Choo-lan gate to the temple of
the Queen of Heaven, and there seated
themselves in the outer court, but were
shortly afterwards introduced to the private
apartments of the priests, where they were
served with sweetmeats and tea.
After some delay, four high officers* en-
tered the apartment and took their places
in front and close to each other, while
the Kwang-chow-foo and the Weiyuen,
being of inferior rank, were seated on a side
bench.
Mr. Thom was now sent for, and ques-
tioned by these mandarins as to his name and
country; then why Mr. Dent did not come,
to which Mr. Thom gave the reasons before
stated. On this they accused Mr. Dent of
the greatest disrespect in not coming ; in re-
ply they were assured nothing of the sort
was intended. They threatened, however,
that if Mr. Dent still persisted in his re-
fusal, he should be dragged out of his house
by force, when the high commissioner would
most assuredly kill him; but that if Dent
* The treasurer, judge, salt commissioner, and graia
inspector.
60 INTRODUCTION.
would willingly come and see the high com-
missioner, the trade would be reopened.
They asked Mr. Thom, " if their trade was
not very dear to the foreigners ?'* His imme-
diate reply was, ^' Yes, but Mr. Dent's life
is dearer." On this the Hong merchants
clapped their hands, exclaiming, *' Well
said." The other gentlemen were ques-
tioned much to the same purpose.
Their examination being over, the trea-
surer, agreeable to Chinese custom, sent out
a present of four pieces of silk and two jars
of wine to them, and then the deputation,
guarded by a party of the Kwangkeep's
troops carrying many lanterns, was con-
ducted back to the Consoo-hall.
At midnight the Hong merchants again
visited Mr. Dent, urging their request and
the commissioners commands; but on How-
qua being reminded that the following day
was the sabbath, the foreigners' day for reli-
gious worship, he at once acceded to sus-
pending the discussion.
Early in the morning of the 23rd, Captain
Elliot's circular, which had been issued at
Macao on the previous day, was received at
Canton, setting forth that, in consequence of
INTRODUCTION. 61
her majesty's subjects being detained against
their wills, and from other urgent reasons,
all confidence in the moderation of the pro-
vincial governmenl had ceased; he therefore
required all British-owned ships at the outer
anchorage, to proceed to Hong Kong bay,
and to be prepared to resist any act of
ao-gression.
On the same day the superintendent him-
self, feeling it his duty to throw himself f
between the local government and the mer-
chants, proceeded in the Louisa cutter to-
wards Canton, quitting her at the fort below,
on the evening of the 24th, in one of the
boats of her majesty's ship Larne, to which
the Chinese guard-boats gave chase, with
the apparent intention of trying to capture
him. In this attempt they were foiled by
the Chinese porter, who unlocking and
throwing the gates wide open, gave Captain
Elliot a free entrance to the hall of the
British consulate.
Directions were immediately given to hoist
The flag that brav'd a thousand years
The battle and the breeze ; —
and a public meeting of all foreigners was by
verbal notice at once assembled. Captain
62 INTRODUCTION.
Elliot then recapitulated the reasons he had
for withdrawing all confidence in the local au-
thorities; and stated, that he would demand
passports for such of her majesty's subjects
as might think fit to proceed outside, within
the space of ten days from the date of his
aj)plication reaching the government. He
urged them all to prepare for moving their
property on board the ships at Whampoa,
and to forward to him sealed declarations
with statements of all claims against the
Chinese, together with estimates of all
losses accruing from their present treatment.
He further made it known, that should their
passports be refused for more than three days,
he should be driven to the conclusion that
they were detained as hostages, with the
view of compelling them to make unsuitable
concession, — and, in fact, the event proved
that such was the object; the notice ended
by offering all the assistance in his power to
the gentlemen of all nations at Canton.
Captain Elliot then addressed a few words
to the meeting, in which he exhorted them
all to unanimity and moderation. " I will,"
exclaimed he, " remain with you to my last
gasp. Thank God, we have a British man-
INTRODUCTION'. 63
of-war — small indeed she is — outside, com-
manded by a British otticer."
Both the notice and address were received
with clieers, and Mr. Matheson expressed
on behalf of the meetin<; their best thanks,
stating that from what he knew of the gene-
ral feeling, all were impressed with the
necessity of union and moderation.
The scene that followed the arrival of
Captain Elliot is thus graphically described
in the Cfiinei>e Repository: —
** No sooner had Captain Elliot landed,
than alarm spread rapidly, and orders to
close every pass around the factories re-
sounded from post to post amoiig the police.
In a few minutes, the public square was
cleared of all natives; the entrances to it
closed and guarded; the door of the hongs,
which on the two ])receding nights had
been watched by a few coolies, were now
thronged with large companies of them,
armed with spears, and provided with lan-
terns ; a triple cordon of boats was placed
along the banks of the river, before the whole
front of the factories, filled with armed men;
soldiers were stationed on the roofs of the
adjoining houses; and to close the scene.
C4 INTRODUCTION.
orders from tlie commissioner were given for
all compradores and servants to leave the
hongs. By about nine o'clock at nigl;t, not
a native was remaining in the factories, and
the foreigners, between two and three hun-
dred in number, were their only inmates.
Canton, or at least that part of it adjacent to
the factories, was now virtually under mar-
tial law. Patrolcs, sentinels, and officers,
hastening hither and thither, with the blow-
ing of trumpets and the beating of gongs,
added confusion to the darkness and gloom
of the night. Had there been only a little
more excitement the factories mi^jht have
become another '^ Black Hole,' or a scene of
indiscriminate slaughter. In the course of
the evening, some communication was made
by Captain Elliot to the local authorities,
supposed to be a demand for passports in
accordance with his public notice of the pre-
ceding day."
Monday the 25th was devoted by the
Chinese to completing their arrangements
for the safe custody of the foreigners. Rafts
were constructed and moored across the
river abreast of Howqua's and the Macao
passage forts, to guard against the arrival of
INTRODUCTION. 65
armed boats from the shipping at Whampoa.
All intercourse with Macao was cut off, not
the smallest parcel or letter could be con-
veyed, and one boatman, it was generally
believed, was executed for being found to be
the bearer of a letter from a foreigner.
No food, no, not even a bucket of water,
was allowed to be brought into the factories.
The cooking, washing, milking cows, with
all other domestic duties, had to be managed
in the best way those not accustomed to per-
form these minutiaj of life could devise.
At night the Chinese took possession of a
boat belonging to the George the Fourth,
merchant ship, and which had been hauled
up high and dry in front of the Creek hong.
Tuesday, the 2Gth brought no relief to the
prisoners; but the gallant defenders of their
country, the armed coolies, with due consi-
deration for their own comfort, erected bam-
boo sheds to protect themselves from the
sun; and companies, composed of parties of
boatmen, porters, and other labourers, under
the command of subaltern officers, marched
round and round the square, manoeuvering
like boys at a mock training. At night
the Hong merchants directed the pleasure-
GG INTIIODLCTIOX.
boats belonging to the British merchants
to be dragged into the factory-square, and
turned keels up.
A proclamation from Lin was posted on the
walls of the superintendent's house, and on
Minqua's hong, in consequence of which the
chief superintendent issued a notice setting
forth that he, together with all the foreigners
in Canton, were forcibly detained by the pro-
vincial government, and that he was com-
manded by the high commissioner, under his
official seals, to deliver into his, the commis
sioner's hands, all opium held by the people
of his, Captain Elliot's, country; he, there-
fore, called upon all her majesty's subjects to
surrender all the British-owned opium in
their possession, to be delivered over to the
Chinese government, sending to him without
delay sealed lists of the quantity held by
each ; and he, Captain Elliot, further engaged
to hold himself responsible, on the behalf of
the crown, for the value of the same, pro-
vided it was surrendered by six o'clock of
that day.
This requisition was promptly complied
with ; it may, however, perhaps be matter of
doubt whether Captain Elliot did not fall
INTRODUCTION. 67
into error in receiving that which was con-
signed to American agents ; as it surely ought
to have been surrendered by the consul of
that republic ; since by those means the
Americans would have had their proper
share of the odium thrown on this particular
traffic.
Lin now issued several edicts relative to
the delivering up of the drug, and replied to
Mr. King, an American merchant, who peti-
tioned that his commercial proceedings might
be allowed to go on, as he had never been
directly or indirectly engaged in the opium
trade, that he was aware of that circumstance,
but that Mr. King ought to have prevailed
on all the other foreigners to give up their
opium; which, if they would do, commerce
should go on as usual, otherwise for a single
individual he could not change his "great
plans."
There is no doubt that Lin was much
astonished at the effect of his measures, and
at the enormous booty, amounting to 20,283
chests, which he was about to obtain ; and
that in consequence of its unexpected mag-
nitude, he wrote to Pekin for further instruc-
tions, and proposed sending the plundered
68 INTRODUCTION.
opium to the capital ; for we find the empe-
ror replying that he was satisfied of the truth
of Lin's report ; but that as the distance was
so great, and the expense of carriage would
consequently be extremely heavy, Lin should
take steps for its destruction.
On Good Friday, the 29th of March,
divine service was performed in the factories ;
and on this day the coolies were brought
into the Hongs by the linguists to draw
water ; an office which many of the gentle-
men had been under the necessity of per-
forming for themselves since the 24th in-
stant ; but on the evening of this day, the
remaining pleasure-boats, which had been
before spared, were hauled up into the cen-
tre of the scpiare.
On Saturday, Lin demanded that 10,000
chests should be given up within ten days;
in reply to which he was informed that exact
compliance was impossible, as the whole
quantity surrendered to the British govern-
ment, though it should ultimately be deli-
vered up to his excellency, was not then in
the Chinese waters.
On the same day the commissioner sent a
present of sheep, pigs, fowls, &c., to the
INTRODUCTIOX. 69
British superintendent, acceptance of which
was very properly declined. The Hong
merchants, at the same time, sending similar
supplies to the foreign residents; by some of
whom they were accepted, and by others
rejected.
On the 31st, the linguists took upon them-
selves the part of compradores, and supplied
provisions, for which they of course were
paid.
Lin, before he would release one of the
hostages out of his clutches, became very
urgent for the surrender of the 20,283 chests
which Captain Elliot had stated should be
given up. On Captain Elliot's applying for
Mr. Johnston, the second superintendent,
to be allowed to go outside to collect the
vessels together, from which he might obtain
the opium, Lin argued that Captain Elliot
having, as it appeared, the power to compel
the merchants to surrender the opium, must
of course equally have the power to require
them to sign orders for its surrender* ;
** therefore he stated that it was unnecessary
* When opium was formerly purchased by the smug-
glers at Canton, they gave the purchasers orders to
receive the proper quantity from the depot-ships.
70 INTRODUCTION.
that Johnston should go outside ;" in fact,
it was quite evident that Lin did not intend
to let any of them be released until he had
got possession of the drug.
On the 1st of April a notice in the
English language, from Hovvqua, Mowqua,
and the Hong merchants, was appended to
the garden-gate of the British consulate,
warning the foreigners not to tempt any
natives to serve in their dwellings, which
might bo searched by the mandarins, when,
if any natives were found, they would most
assuredly be put to death; in which case
they should consider the shedding the blood
of such natives as attributable to them.
Now, really, if old Howqua could be guilty
of making what we jocularly term an " April
fool," one would imagine he was trying to do
so with all the residents ; because if legally
put to death, such natives would suffer for
disobeying a Chinese law; and if illegally,
their blood would be most assuredly upon
the heads of their unjust judges, certainly
not on those of their employers.
On the 3rdj Captain Elliot announced
that the following arrangements had been
made for the delivery of the opium, and to
INTRODUCTION. 71
which the high commissioner had agreed,
viz.: "that the rompradores and servants
should be restored after one-fourth part of
the whole quantity had been delivered ; that
the trade should be opened after three-fourths
had been given up; and that every thing
should proceed as usual after the delivery of
the whole; (the signification of which last
expression her majesty's superintendent pro-
fessed he did not understand ;) that any
breach of faith, — and his excellency, not
unnaturally, is pleased to suppose that
breach of faith may be possible, — should be
visited after three days of loose performance
of engagements, with the cutting off of sup-
plies of fresh water; after three days more,
with the withholding provision; and after
three days more, with the last degree of
severity on Captain Elliot himself." Here
is a pretty distinct threat against the life of
her majesty's representative.
Captain Elliot made no remarks on these
threats, but contented himself with uro-ino- on
the community the necessity of enablino- him
to fulfil his engagements with the commis-
sioner; the honour of the nation depending
on the scrupulous good faith with which he
72 INTRODUCTION.
fulfilled them. And nobly did they respond
to him : for it being found that in conse-
quence of the sailing of some vessels while
the discussion was pending, the whole
quantity could not be made up, Messrs,
Matheson and Dent came forward and
purchased the required quantity, taking bills
from Captain Elliot on the home government
for the amount. These bills were refused
when presented for acceptance, but were
ultimately paid by Captain Elliot with part
of the Canton ransom.
On the evening of Wednesday, the 3rd of
April, the second superintendent, with Mr.
Thorn, as Chinese interpreter, attended by
the Hong merchants and linguists in a chop-
boat escorted by Chinese officers, proceeded
to Macao to superintend the surrender of
the opium from the ships at the outside
anchorage.
On the 5th the following *' sweet," or
voluntary bond, was presented by the Hong
merchants to the committee of the Chamber
of Commerce, who, on receiving it, adjourned
until Monday, the 8th April. As much has
been said respecting it, I have deemed it
worth while to introduce it in this place.
INTRODUCTION. 73
*' A duly prepared bond, to be voluntarily
given by the English superintendent, Elliot,
and deputy superintendent, Johnston, at
the head of the English merchants, A &c.,
the Indian merchants, B &c. ; the Moorish
merchants, C &c.; the merchants
D; and the merchants, E; and the
merchants, F c^'c. ; respecting
the eternal doing away with the opium
traffic.
"We do hereby pledge ourselves with
and for the merchants of the English nation,
and of the several countries her dependen-
cies, residing and trading in the city of
Canton, and who, cherished and saturated
with the tender benevolence of the celestial
court, have heaped up delightful gain to a
countless extent; that whereas certain per-
sons, avariciously bent on making profit,
have of late years brought the smoking filth
called opium into the Chinese waters, and
there stored it up in receiving-vessels for the
purpose of selling it ; all which is in direct
contravention of the prohibitory laws of the
celestial kingdom. The great emperor has
now appointed a high officer of state to come
to Canton to inquire into and manage the
VOL. I. E
74 INTRODUCTION.
business,, and we now begin to learn that the
prohibitory laws are really severe in the ex-
treme. Utterly unable to overcome the alarm
and trepidation into which we have been
thrown, we reverently deliver up to govern-
ment every particle of opium on board the
receiving-ships, earnestly entreating that a
memorial may be sent to the great emperor,
praying him, in his great mercy, to over-
look our past offences.
"The empty receiving-ships shall be all
sent back to their countries. Elliot and
Johnston shall forthwith petition the king of
their country, sternly to command all the
merchants tremblingly to obey the prohi-
bitory laws of the celestial empire, which
forbid the importation of opium into China,
and to leave off manufacturing the drug.
Should opium be discovered on board any
merchant-vessel arriving in Canton, after the
autumn of this year, the said vessel and all
her cargo shall be confiscated to government,
and she shall not be allowed to trade ; and
all the parties concerned shall, m compliance
with the laws of the celestial empire, be put
to death, willingly submitting to their doom !
All vessels which, having sailed from their
INTRODUCTION. 75
countries before the present rigorous prohi-
bitions were known, and shall arrive in China
during the spring and summer months, shall,
immediately they arrive, deliver up all the
opium they may have on board, without
daring to secrete the least particle.
"We do conjointly declare that this our
bond is just and true."
Of this required bond, which I am happy
to say only two Englishmen were found who
would sign, the Americans held the same opi-
nion as the English, though they subsequently,
for the sake of their trade, put their signatures
to it. Mr. Senn van Basel, the consul for the
Netherlands, having from the first refused
his concurrence^ has never departed from
that declaration ; and he quitted Canton as
soon as a passage-boat was allowed to pass.
On the morning of the 6th, the back en-
trance of the Creek Hong was more strongly
secured by the Chinese*. Great quantities
of rain fell during this month, which caused
a plentiful crop of spring rice ; so that this
♦ This, with the back entrances of the Dutch, British,
Fungtae, Povvshun, Spanish, and Danish Hongs, had
been blocked up on the 23rd of March.
E 2
76 INTRODUCTION.
staff of Chinese existence was low in price,
or great disturbances would have taken place,
from the distress among the lower orders,
occasioned by the entire stoppage of trade.
On Monday the 8th, the adjourned meet-
ing assembled to take the proposed bond
into consideration ; when it was decided, that
the chamber was purely for commercial pur-
poses; that being prisoners in their hongs,
and all trade prevented, their functions must
necessarily cease until the trade was re-
opened ; and that with this resolution the
Hong merchants should be made acquainted.
On the evening of the 9th the Ame-
rican and Netherlands' consuls, with the
chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, in
compliance with a requisition from the
Kwang-chow-foo, attended at the Consoo-
house ; there being present the above-named
functionary, the Poon-yu and Namhoy ma-
gistrates, and the Weiyuen, or deputed offi-
cer. In company with the consuls were
Mr. King, an American merchant, and Mr.
J. Fearon, as interpreter; the party being
completed by the presence of the Hong
merchants Howqua, Mowqua, and Samqua,
with the linguists.
INTRODUCTION. ^ll
On the consuls and others entering the
hall the Chinese officers rose, and the usual
compliments were exchanged; and after the
foreigners had been introduced to the Kwang-
chow-foo, they seated themselves, as had
been previously arranged, when business
commenced, which consisted of nothing more
than urging on them to give the required
bond, which they steadily refused to do,
without previously consulting their respective
governments.
Every species of threat and persuasion was
used to drive or tempt them into doing so ;
and the Chefoo exclaimed, "The bond! the
bond ! we must have the bond, and nothing
but the bond !'' It was all in vain ; they were
staunch in abiding by their resolution, and
he escaped from the dilemma by giving them
until the next day to consider of their final
determination, dismissing them with "Now
go home and go to bed."
Thus were two men, who possessed no
opium, with an utter recklessness of justice,
detained prisoners in Canton ; their trade as
well as that of others stopped, and them-
selves grossly insulted by low language and
false accusations, set forth in the commis-
78 INTRODUCTION.
sioner's edict. And to wliat are we com-
pelled to attribute his object? That he
might state to the emperor, and circulate
through China, that he had made all the
foreigners tremble and humbly sue at the
foot of the celestial throne.
On the 10th their excellencies the com-
missioner and the governor^ left Canton for
the Bogue, to witness in person the delivery
up of the opium. Having, in their progress
down the river, to pass through the whole of
the foreign vessels at Whampoa (twenty-
four in number) they might easily have
been captured; but British good faith,
combined with the strong and peaceable
injunctions of the superintendent, prevented
such an act on the part of the irritated com-
manders.
Captain Elliot gave notice on the 14th,
that he had received letters dated at Chuenpee
on the 12th, that only 650 chests had been
at that time delivered up, owing to a want
of Chinese boats, but that an increased num-
ber had been promised. The high commis-
sioner also directed the servants to be
restored. Prior to this day 7000 chests had
been given up ; and it was expected that the
INTRODUCTION. 79
moiety would be delivered by the evening
of the 18th.
There were about thirty civilians, all the
Chinese officers in the river, and the crea-
tures of the commissioner, employed at the
receipt of the drug, all of whom were deeply
versed in the trade ; the Hong merchants
and linjTuists beino; also in attendance. So
artfully arranged was the whole system,
one party watching the other, that embezzle-
ment was almost impossible; still the lower
orders and troops contrived to conceal small
quantities about their persons, though,
when detected, they were most severely
punished.
During his stay at Chuenpee, Lin evinced
a wish to annoy the English in every way.
One day he would insist on the ships being
anchored in a row, like chop-boats, and was
furious when informed that neither the winds
nor the waves would admit of its being done.
His bile was again excited, because some of
the vessels were very small, and had but little
of the drug on board, insisting that larger
ones should be brought to Chuenpee, threat-
ening starvation and decapitation, if his orders
were not obeyed.
80 INTRODUCTION.
When the moiety was delivered, Mr.-
Johnston intimated that he should stop the
further surrender, unless the stipulation of
allowing the passage-boats to run was com-
plied with. At this Lin expressed the utmost
indignation. V¥as he to be coerced ? And lie
accordingly embarked for Canton. He actually
went part of the way up the river, vowing he
would receive no more opium, and that he
would execute the law, or rather vent his
fury on the foreigners detained by him at
Canton ; but finding his threats of no avail,
he returned, and the passage-boats were
allowed again to run.
During his stay at Chuenpee, his secretary
and aides-de-camp, with other intelligent
men, were employed making inquiries, and
noting down the answers on every branch of
policyand trade, and especially as to what might
be the consequence of his present measure ;
and what compensation would be most agree-
able to the owners of the opium. They very
particularly inquired whether Russia and
England were not at war, and seemed much
astonished to learn that they were in pro-
found peace. These observations were daily
presented to the commissioner, who had
INTRODUCTION. 81
formed a thick volume by the time he
returned to Canton.
On the 4th of May the superintendent
gave notice, that it was his purpose to remain
in Canton, until his public obligations to the
Chinese government were fulfilled. On the
same day the Hong merchants informed the
chairman of the commercial chamber, that
directions for the opening of the trade had
been given ; but so late in the day was this
information conveyed, that the merchants
could not avail themselves of it until Monday,
the 6th, and then only in a very limited
manner, not being allowed to visit the Hongs
to superintend the purchase of their goods.
Permission was also given for the licensed
boats to run, subject to being searched at
the military stations ; and notice was given
that a Weiyuen would attend when each
vessel left the factories, to ascertain who were
her passengers.
At this time sixteen of the merchants
were still detained at Canton, charged with
being concerned in the opium dealing; and
among these sixteen gentlemen there were
several individuals who had never been en-
gaged in that or any other contraband trade.
E 3
82 IXTEODUCTIO.V.
At noon of the 5th the armed guard and
coolies were dismissed, who appeared not a
little pleased at escaping from their new and
harassing duty.
Monday, the Gth of May, about fifty
foreigners availed themselves of the licensed
passage-boats, happy to get out of the
clutches of the Chinese ; but to prevent the
escape of the proscribed, a government boat
had been moored at the landing-place, the
inspecting officer being accommodated with
a bamboo shed on the Point. Each indivi-
dual who embarked had to answer to his
name, as it was called, and to submit to the
examination of the officers and linguist,
their trunks and baf2:ga2;e undero-oin"; the
same operation.
Thus did his excellency the high com-
missioner observe his " bigotted regard for
good faith." Repeatedly had he promised
that all should be forgotten when the opium
was given up; yet we find him proscribing
sixteen gentlemen ; and after every catty of
opium that was in the Chinese waters had
been surrendered, issuing commands for the
departure from China of one gentleman,
who for some time by his directions had
INTRODUCTION. 83
been under the especial espionage of the
local authorities; and following it up two
days after by an equally peremptory order to
three partners of a firm, who had allowed
themselves to be robbed of the greatest quan-
tity of opiuni;, together with one of their
clerks, who had not been eighteen months in
the country and whose only crime was bear-
ing the name of and being nephew to the
senior partner in the firm^ to quit China
forthwith ; and further, before they were
permitted to obey this order, they were
required to sign a bond " never to return to
China under feigned names;" and that,
should they so return, they would willingly
submit to the extreme penalty of the law.
By a paper dated the 8th, the Kwang-
chow-foo communicated to Captain Elliot
and the American and Dutch consuls, the
orders of the commissioner re^ardino;" the
punishment of foreigners dealing in opium,
in which he declares, that parties found to
be therein concerned should be capitally
executed, and their property confiscated.
This, after the specimen of justice to the
sixteen individuals proscribed, could never
be tolerated. It would have been subjecting
84 INTRODUCTION^.
the lives, liberty, and property of the whole
community to the power of the Hong mer-
chants, linguists, compradores, and even
coolies ; while the reckless conduct of some
opium speculator outside, might have in-
volved the safety of the fair-dealing resi-
dents.
Captain Elliot in a notice, on the 11th,
pointed out "that persons remaining would
be understood by the government as assent-
ino; to the reasonableness of the before-
mentioned law."
A proclamation of the 14th sets forth
that, agreeably with directions from Lin, the
back doors of all foreign factories were to be
blocked up, nor were the foreigners to be
allowed to use them as formerly; the square
in front of the factories was to be railed
round, the passages through all the streets
near them to be cut off, and the walls inclos-
inji the forei":n dwellings to be made higcher
and stronger, with only one gate, having a
military guard established thereat. The
shopkeepers in old and new China-street
were directed to shut up their shops, and
remove within ten days, and ail those who
had committed the sin of hanging up sign-
INTRODUCTION. 85
boards^ with their calling in foreign charac-
ters, were required to remove them, or, to use
the words of the edict, — " if there are any
who dare to walk in their former footsteps,
most assuredly they shall catch three inches
of law," and " then suffer capitally."
On the 21st of May, 1839, the surrender
of the 20,283 chests of opium w^as com-
pleted. On the 22nd a notice from the
superintendent referring to his previous
notices, enjoined all her majesty's subjects
to make preparations for quitting Canton
before or with her majesty's establishment,
which would take place immediately ; and it
further directed that sealed" lists of claims
against the Chinese should be sent in.
The superintendent's secretary gave notice
on the 23rd, that Captain Elliot would leave
for Whampoa at eleven o'clock the next
day ; and particularly requested that there
might be no general assemblage of her
majesty's subjects.
On the same day, Lin and Tang directed
the Hong merchants to see that the remain-
ing ten of the sixteen proscribed merchants
did speedily return to their own country ;
for, says the edict, — '* Now that the store-
8^ INTRODUCTION.
ships have given up the entire amount of the
opium, it is not expedient that they should
be allowed any longer to delay their stay in
Kwang-tung, lest their old cunning should
bud forth again." They were, however, to
give voluntary bonds before their departure,
similar to those demanded from the six
previously mentioned.
Howqua and Movvqua not arriving to
identify Captain Elliot and the other British
residents, it was 5 p.m. of the 24th before
they finally quitted the factories, after an
imprisonment of seven weeks. Immediately
on their quitting, the guard of coolies at
the British consulate, and at the gate leading
into China-street, were removed.
Much speculation existed as to the inten-
tion of the commissioner with regard to the
method of dealing with the surrendered
opium ; but on the 31st it was decided by
the appearance of a proclamation, in which
Lin states, that having made a report by
express to the emperor, of 20,283 chests of
opium being surrendered by the depot-ships^
he received the following despatch from the
cabinet council : —
*' Lin Tsihseu and his colleagues are to
INTllODUCTiON. 87
assemble the civil and military officers, and
destroy the opium before their eyes ; thus
manifesting to the natives dwelling on the
sea-coast, and the foreigners of the outside
nations, an awful warning. Respect this.
Obey respectfully."
On the 1st of June, the high commis-
sioner, the governor, and all the officers,
civil and military, proceeded to Chunhow,
near the Bocca Tigris ; and on the 4th,
commenced operations for the destruction of
2,500,000/. of forcibly -seized British pro-
perty; large trenches, were lined with stone,
and the opium being decomposed in them by
the use of quicklime, rock salt, and water,
was allowed to run into the sea.
Gross attempts were made to deceive the
emperor, by reports from the provinces, of
numbers of individuals having given up
opium-smoking, and delivered up their pipes
to the authorities. But the emperor was not
to be deceived, and remarked on the number
of new ones. His imperial majesty was
well aware that a new pipe was of no value;
whereas, an old one, like the e'cume de mer,
is of great value, from the quantity of essen-
tial oil which the bowl contains. The author
88 INTRODUCTION.
has one in his possession, which was found in
a mandarin box, when the fort of Wangtong
was captured. The stem of this pipe, is
cane, perfectly black from use, is seven-
teen inches long, and one inch in diameter,
having a turned mouthpiece of buffalo's
horn ; six inches of the opposite end are
encased in copper beautifully inlaid with
silver. Midway on this, is a round copper
socket, three inches in circumference, in
which is placed the bowl, formed of fine clay
handsomely chased, and resembling in shape
a flattened turnip, with a puncture about
the size of a pin's head on the upper side ;
the diameter of this bowl is nearly three
inches.
To complete his establishment, the smoker
has a tray, about ten inches by six, made of
some fancy wood, on which is placed two
small lamps, generally three ivory boxes con-
taining the drug, a silver or steel needle,
six inches long, pointed at one end and
barbed at the other. The smoker, assuming
a recumbent position, with the head elevated,
attaches to the fine end of the needle a very
small quantity of opium, and holding it to
the lamps, reduces it to the proper state
INTRODUCTION. 89
for inhaling ; when applying it with a cir-
cular motion at the incision in the bowl,
he draws the vapour through the pipe by
the power of his lungs, much like the action
of smoking the hookah. Two or three
whiffs are all a pipe furnishes, one or two
of which are sufficient for a novice ; while
an old stager will smoke for two or three
hours without being affected.
The opium, when purchased from the
importer, passes through a refining process,
and frequently is mixed with some kind of
conserve.
That the emperor had received a grossly
false report, forwarded to him by Lin, had
been long rumoured at Canton; and proba-
bly such was the case. But that he was ulti-
mately correctly informed, as to the forced
surrender, by some of the authorities, either
publicly or privately, few can doubt who
are acquainted with the policy of Chinese
courts ; nor is it impossible, that Lin him-
self might have sent a secret despatch for
the emperor's particular information. At
all events, his approval, in the following
edict, of the measures taken by Lin, at once
makes him a party to the insults and injuries
90 INTRODUCTION.
heaped on the British crown, through the
injury done to its subjects.
*' To-day, Lin Tsihseu, by a post haste
despatch, has reported, respecting the ma-
nagement of the foreign (opium) ships
and surrender of the opium. His proceed-
ing's are worthy of the highest praise. Lin
and his coadjutors, in their searching into,
and management of this business, have
arranged extremely well, and it is right I
should praise their zeal. I order that Lin
and Tan^j be referred to the board of civil
office^ for appropriate rewards. I also order^
that E, the lieutenant-governor of Kwano:-
tung, Yeu, the comptroller of the maritime
customs, and Kwan, the admiral, be referred
to the said board, for becoming rewards.
Respect this."
Meetings of British merchants were held
at Macao, about the middle of June, for the
purpose of communicating with the super-
intendent, as some parties were preparing
to send British ships and cargoes to Wham-
poa ; and also to ascertain from him, if there
was a likelihood of an arranjremcnt of exist-
ing difficulties; to which Captain Elliot
distinctly replied, that the entrance of British
INTRODUCTION. 91
ships and goods within the Bocca Tigris,
would involve the individuals in most serious
difficulties; and he again warned thein, "in
the most emphatic manner," that, in the
present state of affairs, it would be perilous
" in the hiji^hest deo^ree."
Who, indeed, could doubt this, after the
treatment already experienced; for opium
still continued to be carried to Hong Kong
and to the east coast of China. Had the ships
been once within the grasp of the commis-
sioner, it is more than probable, that he
would have reacted all his former doings,
and once more imprisoned the persons and
seized the property of the innocent and too-
confiding merchants.
A transhipping trade, shortly after this,
sprung up, which tended to destroy the
unanimity that had existed between the
residents ; each striving to do the best for
their consignees. At this time, the Ameri-
cans made a splendid harvest ; their ships
being employed to take up from Hong
Kong, and bring down from Canton, the
British cargoes, at the very moderate sum of
twelve dollars and a half per ton : thus " they
kindly accommodated" their English friends.
92 INTRODUCTION.
That the Chinese were now anxious for
trade the "clear proclamation" publicly pla-
carded at Macao, by Lew and Tseang, the
sub-prefects at Kwang-chow and Macao,
plainly showed ; and these gentry, who
were ever ready to style their own country-
men " traitorous natives," for dealing with
foreigners, did not hesitate to excite British
subjects to form a connection with the
Hong merchants and local government, in
opposition to their own superintendent's
directions.
Captain Elliot, on the 21st, in a very
spirited memorial to Lin, warmly remon-
strated aofainst the act of Lew and Tseangr,
and thus reproached him with his want
of faith : — " Terrible, indeed, will be his
imperial majesty's indignation, when he
learns that the oblisiations into which the
high commissioner entered, under his seal,
to the officers of a foreign nation, were all
violated."'
He proceeds to recapitulate the violations,
and states the reasons for the ships not enter-
ing the Bocca Tigris, "because there is no
safety for a handful of defenceless men, when
within the grasp of the government of Can-
INTRODUCTION. 93
ton." This was a bitter dose to the haughty-
Lin.
On the 2nd of July tlie American mer-
chants held a meeting to discuss the subject
of signing the bond, often before alluded to,
which was written in Chinese, though it had
been the custom formerly to write it in
English.
After some discussion with Howqua, the
required bond was, on the 3rd, signed by the
masters of the different American vessels, it
being then written in the Chinese and English
language, the former at the top of the sheet,
and the latter underneath, the signatures of
the masters of the ship being between the
two. The signers protested to their vice-
consul, that they only signed to that part
which was written in English,' — not to any
interpretation that the Chinese words might
bear.
New regulations for trade were issued,
which principally related to measuring ships
in the outer and inner waters. The
Chinese wisely imagined that if any differ-
ence appeared in their draughts of water,
above or below bar, they should be able to
ascertain whether such ship or ships had
94 INTRODUCTION.
been enfjaged in smujxarlinff, The same re-
gulations extended to placing guards and
excise officers round the vessels, and about
the river.
During this month their excellencies the
commissioner, governor, and lieutenant-go-
vernor, promulgated the new and severe laws
against the use of or trade in opium, the
tender mercies of which will astonish our
more civilized European brethren : — " It
must be now apparent to all, when the
awful severity of the new law is considered,
that the traffic in opium must be cut oiF
completely and for ever, ere the son of hea-
ven will stay his hand. As for the seller of
opium, if he do not quickly forsake his vile
calling, decapitation will follow conviction ;
for the smoker of opium, if he do not quickly
renounce the habit, there will be little chance
of escape from strangulation. Persist in
the vice, and die ! renounce it, and live !
There is no man but fears to look on death,
and clings to life ; tremble then at the
penalty, and flee the crime!"
The mildest sentence was transportation.
But if the code were to be carried out, one
half of the nation would suffer death, and the
INTRODUCTION. 95
Other half would be sent to the cold country*.
Keshen, in his memorial before alluded to,
pretty clearly admits this statement to be
correct in the following cool paragraph: —
" Now, in the instance of a rebellion, when
we levy soldiers to exterminate the rebels,
when we have " clipped their wings," and
massacred their wives and children, it only
amounts to a few hundred or a few thousands
of people after all, and there the affair ends !
But, on the other hand, as regards opium
smokers, if you wish to annihilate them, let
us look at the provinces of Fokien and Canton
alone, where out of every ten men some
seven or eight smoke opium ; and I fear that
even should you butcher some eighty or a
hundred thousand people, yet would you be
as far from effecting your object as ever !"
On the 7th of July the English were again
plunged into further difficulties by the death
of a Chinese at Hong Kong, in a squabble
with some English and American sailors.
The high commissioner required that the
supposed murderer should be given up to be
dealt with agreeably to the barbarous and
* The term used when banished to Tartary or the
Chinese Siberia.
69 INTRODUCTION.
absurd law of China, which requires life for
life, if the homicide be a foreigner.
This demand Captain Elliot as positively
refused to comply with ; for after a most
careful and strict investigation, he was unable
to fix such charge of murder on any British
subject, and his positive instructions from
home were, not in any case to give up a Bri-
tish subject to be dealt with by any Chinese
authorities. When the murder of the poor
gunner of the Lady Hughes* is remem-
* The facts were simply these. In 1784, in firing a
salute, three Chinese in a chop-boat alongside the Lady
Hughes country ship were badly injured, one of whom
died next day. Mr. Smith, the supercargo of the ship,
having been decoyed within the city, " a linguist soon
arrived at the factory, bringing a letter from Mr. Smith
to the captain of his ship, desiring he would send up the
gunner, or some other person, to he tried by the man-
darins; and this was forwarded on the 29th to Whampoa,
backed by a letter from the council. On the 30th, the
unfortunate gunner, an old man, was brought to Canton,
and sent into the city, with an address, ' signed by the
English council, and the representatives of the foreign
nations,' in his favour. He was received by a mandarin
of superior rank, who verbally stated that no apprehen-
sions need be entertained as to his life, and that when
the emperor's answer had been obtained, he should be
restored. In about an hour after, Mr. Smith returned
INTRODUCTION. 97
bered, with many other cases equally cruel
and deceptive, no one can be astonished at
such an order.
The superintendent subsequently promised
that further exertion should be made to dis-
cover the guilty party, and that should he be
found, he would be tried according to the
laws of his own country, in presence of '* the
honourable Chinese officers." But to a cun-
ning attempt which they made to get Cap-
tain Elliot to admit that the body of a
drowned seaman found at Hong Kong, was
that of the homicide, with the view of estab-
lishing their right to have executed the
culprit, if he had not committed suicide, the
superintendent replied he could not say that
the corpse was that of the individual con-
cerned in the death of Lin Weihe.
Lin finding her majesty's officer would not
yield obedience to his cruel injustice, marched
troops on Macao, directing the Portuguese
government to drive the English away; and
on the 15th of August, all native servants
were again commanded to quit their masters;
to his factory, stating that he had been very civilly
treated. On the 8th of January following, the unhappy
gunner was strangled. — Davis's China.
VOL. I. F
98 INTRODUCTION.
and the resident Chinese of Macao were
forbidden to sell provisions.
These proclamations were placarded on
boards and paraded about the streets of
Macao b}'^ the police, who, beating gongs at
the same time, announced the will of the
government in this new and novel way. Most
of the English families were supplied with
provisions through the Portuguese servants :
even they had great difficulty in obtaining
them, the price of all commodities being
unusually high ; which occasioned great suf-
ferino; to the lower orders of Portuguese and
natives. Captain Elliot, not wishing to bring
any further hardships on the Portuguese com-
munity, gave notice that he should quit for
some of the vessels at Hong Kong on the
23rd, and withdrew on that day with his
family.
About ten o'clock at night, on the 24th of
August, the Black Joke, a small English
schooner, proceeding from Macao to Hong
Kong, with a Mr. Moss and his property,
while at anchor under the south end of the
Island of Lantoa, was attacked in a most
piratical and murderous manner by several
Chinese boats. Mr. Moss was most cruelly
INTRODL-CTION, 99
cut and hacked about his person : his left
ear was cut off and forced into his mouth,
and an attempt was made to push it down
his throat ; five of the lascar crew were
murdered. The schooner's tindal* saved
himself by jumping overboard and hanging
on the rudder chains; while they speared
and threw overboard another, who neverthe-
less succeeded in swimming; to the land.
They then plundered the vessel and at-
tempted to set her on fire; when the Harriet
opportunely heaving iu sight, these miscreants
forsook their prey, making sail towards the
Bocca Tigris. In their hurry to escape they
left a mandarin's cap and knife behind them.
Mr. Hall, of the Harriet, taking the Black
Joke in tow, proceeded with her to the
Typa.
The leader of this piratical band of assas-
sins, AVang-chung, a naval officer, was shortly
after this dastardly attack, rewarded and
promoted by the high commissioner. Thus
are the foulest deeds rewarded by the Chinese
authorities ; and the emperor some time
afterwards evinced his approval by directing
* The tindal is the cockswain or lascar master of a
boat,
F 2
100 INTRODUCTION.
that this Wang-cbung should be promoted
to the rank of Toosze, and ordering his actions
to be held up to the imperial navy as worthy
of imitation.
On the 25th of August, the Chinese local
authorities informed the governor of Macao,
that they intended to surround the dwellings
of the British with troops ; thus reacting
their former violence. The governor of
Macao though most anxious to afford all the
aid in his power, candidly admitted his
inability to give them any efficient protec-
tion.
The English, therefore, not wishing to
compromise their Portuguese friends with
the Chinese, and feeling in the absence of all
vessels of war, that they were wholly unpro-
tected, determined to embark on board the
vessels at anchor in Hong Kong Bay and in
the Typa; thus voluntarily leaving Macao,
rather than trust to the tender mercies of the
Chinese.
Great were the inconveniences and priva-
tions they had to go through. Mothers with
their children, merchants with their whole
establishments, crowded on board deep laden
vessels; while delicate females in the last
INTRODUCTION. 101
Stage of pregnancy were hurried off on the
decks of small craft.
Will any one now be found to call this
merely an opium war? We may further
add, as if all before-enacted injuries and
insults were not sufficient, that Lin and the
" infamous Tang," on the last day of August,
gave orders to the local officers, civil and
military, "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 oi' fealty ." He
then commands the " gentry and elders,
shopkeepers and inhabitants of the outer
villages," to purchase arms; and if any
foreigners should attempt to land, to fire
upon them, or make them prisoners, and
** thereby stop their power to drink, even
when they land to get water from the
springs." But they were not to presume to
go off to any of the vessels.
On the 30th, her majesty's ship Volage,
Captain H. Smith, arrived from India, and
was followed a few days afterwards by her
majesty's ship Hyacinth, Commander Warren.
The arrival of the vessels added much to
the spirit of the British community, who
102 INTRODUCTION.
now felt they had a certain protection from
Lin's barbarity. These vessels, as they
arrived, joined the fleet at Hong Kong^
where provisions could be procured, though
at very high prices and only in small
quantities.
Lin and Tang, who for some time had
been residing at Heang-shan, determined on
the 3rd of this month, to honour Macao
with their presence; early on which day a
long procession was seen moving from Tseen-
shan towards the city. The Portuguese
troops, accompanied by the band, proceeded
to the barrier to receive their excellencies,
who entered that gate about eight o'clock,
and proceeded to the temple of Leenfung,
where they were met by the procurador with
a deputation of magistrates of Macao.
The procession consisted of a Chinese
officer on horseback, followed by the gong
and banner-bearers; next to which was a
detachment of Chinese troops, immediately
in advance of the high commissioner's sedan,
which was carried by eight Chinese and
attended bv a Portuo-uese g-uard of honour.
Then came a second detachment of native
troops preceding governor Tang's chair,
■ INTRODUCTIOX. 103
the rear of the procession being formed by
a detachment of soldiers. The whole party
amounted to about two liundred individuals.
By the variety of their banners and uniforms
the military part of the procession was evi-
dently from different regiments. Their wea-
pons were as various as their accoutrements,
consisting of bows, arrows, spears, match-
locks, and blunderbusses; and yet these
*' celestials'* cut but a sorry figure compared
with the smart Portuguese troops.
After their excellencies had partaken of
refreshments, the procession again set forward,
making a circuit through the city, where the
Chinese inhabitants had erected several tri-
umphal arches, ornamented with festoons and
highly laudatory scrawls; and as the chairs
of these dignitaries approached the doors of
their houses, they set out tables ornamented
with vases of flowers, thus manifesting ** their
profound gratitude for his coming to save
them from a deadly vice," as was observed
by an old and confirmed opium-smoker.
The shipping at Hong Kong being much
distressed for supplies in consequence of the
increased vigilance of the mandarins at Cow-
loon, it was decided to attack their position,
104 INTRODUCTION.
which was carried into effect on the 4th,
with the Louisa cutter and the boats of the
Volage and merchant-ships.
After a smart engagement but little was
effected, though several Chinese were killed;
and many were wounded on both sides.
This drew forth a violent edict from Lin,
directing the celestial forces to make an
exterminating attack on the barbarians, and
place Elliot's life in his hands."
On the evening of the 11th, four or five
war-junks and several other small craft an-
chored near the Spanish brig Bilbaino, then
lying in the Typa; but no suspicion was
created in the minds of her crew by the cir-
cumstance. A little after three in the morn-
ing of the 12th, a large fire-raft was sent by
them against the Spaniard, but by the ex-
ertions of her crew it was avoided. This
being perceived by the crews of the junks,
they immediately attacked her, boarding with
between two or three hundred men, and
setting fire to her in all directions; hauling
down the Spanish flag which the mate had
hoisted, and to which he had particularly
called their attention, in doing which he was
cruelly wounded and beaten with bamboos.
INTRODUCTIONT. 105
The crew of the brig jumped overboard,
but were, with the exception of three,
picked up and landed. The mate and a
Sulu lad were kept prisoners, and as soon as
the destruction of the vessel was certain
were conveyed to Chunhow, at which place
the Chinese high commissioner Lin was
residing, to whose residence they were led
in triumphal procession; banners being dis-
played, music playing, and themselves guarded
as prisoners by foot and horse-soldiers. When
they arrived, they were immediately heavily
ironed and forced on their knees. While in
that position they underwent a lengthened
examination with a view of leading them to
confess that the Bilbaino was an English
vessel, which they of course had stoutly
denied.
During thirteen days these examinations
were constantly renewed; sometimes a drawn
sword was held over the mate's head, and
instant decapitation threatened if he did not
confess the fact to be as they wished to esta-
blish it. At other times they examined them
separately, showing them a large box of dol-
lars, affirming that the other prisoner had
confessed that the ship in question was an
F 3
106 INTRODUCTION.
English vessel, and had already proceeded to
Macao with a similar box; and that the
individual, who was then under examination,
should have the same on making a similar
confession. However, all their artful at-
tempts proved to be in vain ; and after twentj-
five days of cruel treatment these two poor
fellows were sent to Canton, and at that
place were kept close prisoners for nearly
six months ; neither were they liberated
until a strong memorial on the subject was
dispatched from a Spanish naval officer, who
arrived from Manilla for the purpose.
There is no doubt but this vessel was sup-
posed by the Chinese to be the Tan-sze-no,
alias Virginia, one of the opium-ships that
had been at Chuenpee at the time of the
surrender of the opium, but which vessel had
Jeft the Chinese waters some months. The
principle actor in this piratical proceeding
was Wang-cbung, notorious for his attack
upon the Black Joke.
Negotiations were now going on for the
re-opening of the general trade outside the
Bocca Tigris, and the Hong merchants were
at Macao making the necessary arrangements.
Four propositions were forwarded in the
INTRODUCTION. 107
name of the commissioner relative to this
arrangement, to which Captain Elliot re-
plied ; and it was finally agreed, as appeared
by Captain Elliot's notice on the 20th of
October, that the trade should be carried on
at the anchorage between Anunghoy and
Chuenpee ; the vessels to be subject to be
searched, and to pay the same duties as if
proceeding to Whampoa; but no bond was to
be given regarding opium.
The Hong merchants had returned to
Canton, the British families were returninsr
to Macao, and everything promised a tem-
porary lull. But this was shortly ended by
Lin making a sudden demand to have the
bond signed, and the murderer of Lin Weihe
given up.
To what do we attribute this sudden va-
cillation of conduct ? To the ship Thomas
Coutts, Warner, entering the Bogue in oppo-
sition to the notice of her majesty's superin-
tendent, and the required bond being signed
by her master. Lin now indulged the hope
that all the other ships would follow her
example : at all events he had hostages in
his possession by whom he might hope to
coerce us j and Kwan, the admiral, had also
108 INTRODUCTION.
assured him that he would destroy the English
corvettes which were in the river.
In consequence of these peremptory de-
mands of Lin, Captain Elliot, on the 20th
of Octoher, issued a notice requiring all
British ships to remove to the anchorage in
Toong-koo Bay, that at Hong Kong being
liable to the attacks of fire-ships ; at the same
time he addressed a letter to Captain Smith,
of H.M.S. Volage, stating the violation by
the imperial high commissioner of the late
treaty, which Captain Elliot mainly attri-
buted to the entry of a British vessel within
the Bocca Tigris. He therefore called upon
Captain Smith to use such methods as he
thought best, to prevent British vessels from
placing themselves within the grasp of the
Chinese authorities. Upon the receipt of
that requisition, Captain Smith issued a no-
tice reiterating the orders of the British
superintendent.
Immediately upon his violation of treaty,
Lin issued orders for the delivery up for
trial of "five men detained by Elliot*j"
* This alludes to five men that had been detained
during the inquiry made by Captain Elliot relative to
the death of Lin Weihe.
INTRODUCTION. 109
supplies were again stopped^ and the native
servants once more commanded to quit their
employers, and the Portuguese again directed
to drive them out of Macao. If the care:o
ships did not give the bond demanded
within three days, they were to go away;
in failure of which, it was declared they
would be destroyed by fire. The Chinese
immediately commenced constructing fire-
ships for the purpose.
On the 2nd of November, the Volage and
Hyacinth anchored off Chuenpee, her majes-
ty's superintendent being on board the
Volage, accompanied by Mr. Morrison, in-
terpreter to her Britannic majesty's esta-
blishment in China. Captain Smith, in his
capacity of senior naval officer, sent a letter
on board the Chinese admiral's junk, with
an inclosure for the high commissioner, re-
quiring him to withdraw his orders for the
destruction of the English vessels by fire ;
and also, that British subjects should be
allowed to reside in Macao, unmolested by
the Chinese authorities, pending instruc-
tions from the British government. This
letter was taken on board the admiral's junk
by a lieutenant of the Volage, who was
110 INTRODUCTION.
politely received by Admiral Kwan, and
an answer promised on the morrow.
In the evenings a Chinese linguist, accom-
panied by a pilot, visited the Volage, and
stated that they had come from Canton, with
a proper chop in reply to Captain Smith's,
which was on board the admiral's junk: they
expressed a wish that Mr. Morrison would go
and fetch it. This was of course refused.
They retired, promising to return with
it immediately, but did not do so until the
next morning, when the same parties arrived
in a large boat ; but contrary to their usual
practice they got into a small one to go
alongside the Volage, when they stated the
chop was in the large boat, and requested it
might be sent for. This was again declined.
Finding all their persuasions fail to obtain
their object, they returned and brought it
themselves. To the surprise of every one it
proved to be Captain Smith's identical des-
patch returned apparently as it had been
sent!
The Chinese fleet were now observed to
be weighing, and standing towards her ma-
jesty's ships, which were quickly got under
weigh, and prepared for action. Though the
INTRODUCTION. Ill
movements of the Chinese evidently indicated
mischief, still Captains Smith and Elliot
were adverse to inflicting on the poor crews
of the junks the severe chastisement which
they must have suffered, if the ships' broad-
sides had been opened upon them. Messen-
gers were consequently again dispatched
with the original letter, and a peremptory
requisition sent to the admiral to return
to his usual anchorage. To this he at once
replied, that no terms could be entertained
until the homicide should be delivered over
to the Chinese, to be dealt with according to
their laws.
The junks to the number of sixteen, stood
on, and soon anchored in a line from Chuen-
pee point stretching to the southward, while
an outer line was formed of thirteen fire
vessels, each having a black flag flying. It
was then thought necessary to attack tliem ;
and an action ensued, which is thus described
by an officer of the Volage.
*' The first vessel to receive our fire was
one of their fire-rafts; we threw a fev/ shot
upon her in passing, and in a few seconds
observed her to settle in the water, and
almost immediately go down. One of the
112 INTRODUCTION.
war-junks was now on the beam of the Vo-
lage, and fired a couple of guns at her,
which passed over. These were immediately
returned, several of the shot telling on- the
junk; and almost instantly we heard an ex-
plosion, and on looking round saw through
the envelope of the smoke the fragments of
the unfortunate junk floating as it were
in the air. She had blown up. When the
smoke cleared somewhat off, out of whatever
number she might have had on board, we
could see but three about the wreck. When
blown up she was not distant from the Volage
more than fifty yards. Pieces of the wreck
fell on board, and the cover of the pinnace
was set on fire. A boat was sent to save
what offered on the wreck, but was fired at
by the Chinese, and returned.
" The Hyacinth came in astern of the
Volage, passed her, and got among the den-
ser part of the junks; and an awful warning
they must have had from a vessel of her force!
The firing was now indiscriminate upon any
vessel where the guns would tell, and the
admiral got his full share; more particularly
from the Hyacinth, she being further to the
northward and nearer to him. Vast destruc-
INTRODUCTION. 113
tion of life not being so much the object as
a wholesome chastisement, the Volage kept
more to the southward, to prevent the junks
escaping in that direction and drive them
back to the anchorage, to which, in the morn-
ing, they had declined to go ; but towards
which, by this time, they were all too glad to
get by every means in their power.
" The first shot or two was the signal to
many of them to be off, but the admiral and
a few others kept their station longer, firing
with more spirit than we had been generally
led to expect. Their guns and powder must
have been good, from the distance they car-
ried; but not being fitted for elevation or
depression, all their shot were too high to
have any effect^ except on the spars and rig-
ging. The Volage got some shot through
her sails, and the Hyacinth was a good deal
cut up in her rigging and spars; a 12-pound
shot lodged in her mizen-mast, and one went
through her main-yard, requiring it to be
secured. Their wretched gunnery hurt no
one. The firing commenced about twelve,
and at one they were all sunk, dispersed, or
flying. At this time the Hyacinth was rang-
ing up alongside the admiral, and would soon
114 INTRODUCTION.
have sunk him ; the chastisement was ah'eady
severe, and she was recalled. The result of
the whole v.as three junks sunk, one blown
up, many deserted, and the rest flying."
When all the insults and injuries which
had for the last six months been heaped on
the English are considered, none will be found
to regret the punishment which Captain
Smith thus thought it necessary to inflict; — a
punishment which would have been more
severe, had not the kindness of Captain El-
liot's disposition led him to request Captain
Smith, after a short time, to spare the poor
■Chinese; in consequence of which the signal
was made to the Hyacinth to discontinue the
engagement, at the moment when she would
have sent the admiral's junk to the bottom.
The Royal Saxon, an English merchant
ship, imitating the conduct of the Thomas
Coutts, just previous to the engagement at-
tempted to enter the Bocca Tigris, but a shot
fired across her bows from the Volage, caused
her to drop her anchor. She subsequently
proceeded to Whampoa.
On Lin's hearing of the engagement, he
became frantic with rage, and penned a
memorial to the emperor, praying for his
INTRODUCTION. 115
dismissal ; but on further consideration,
findino: that a detail of the transaction would
not redound to the honour of the celestial
empire, or **keep his celestial majesty's face
clean," and that it would criminate a num-
ber of the imperial officers, he destroyed his
despatches, substituting for it a flaming
gazette, in which, Kwan is described as a
perfect hero. The following extract will
speak for itself.
The British corvettes are designated as
mere boats, — sanpans, viz.^ three planks — that
earnestly begged to enter the Bocca Tigris,
*'but their prayers not having been granted,
they attempted to steal through the Tiger's
Gate.''
*' The admiral, Kwan, then fired, and
killed several of their crew. Now," con-
tinues the report, "they ought to have fled
for their lives; but, instead, they dared to
return the fire, which was like beating an
egg upon the stones ! and they were, in con-
sequence, destroyed by the admiral's fire.
The admiral was sitting in his cabin, when
he was wounded by a splinter, in the face ;
and several of the soldiers, losing their
footing, fell into the sea, and four of them
116 INTRODUCTION.
were drowned. The admiral immediately
shifted his flag, and stood by the mast^
cheering on his crew with the most perfect
composure to battle, undaunted at the
heavy labour ; he, indeed, displayed the
terror of his name, and again discharged a
broadside, which killed several tens of the
English barbarians. After this, they will
never be allowed to peep clandestinely about
the Tiger's Month."
This flaming report gained for Kwan, —
who really was a brave old fellow, — a mighty
warlike Tartar title, Fa-hae-long-oli Pa-
too-loo ; his senior ado. being summoned to
Pekin, to receive the patent of this title
from the hands of the emperor, to be con-
veyed to Kwan, who was himself too valua-
ble to be spared from his post, at that crisis.
Some time afterwards, a true statement
was sent to Pekin, but which the emperor
professed not to believe, though he evidently
had some doubt of the truth of Lin's report;
for he removed him from the most honourable
and lucrative government in the empire^, to
one four degrees lower. That he was highly
displeased with all the proceedings taking
place, may be inferred from the fact that
INTRODUCTION. 117
Tang was also reduced to the lowest of the
governments, — Hotaou Tsung, or governor of
the rivers. Probably his known riches had
assisted in this appointment, the banks of the
Yellow River requiring great repair. By
this means, Tang would undergo a system
of gentle squeezing, which he himself had
been practising on his countrymen at Can-
ton. Lin's wings were also much clipped ;
■while, at the same time, an opportunity
was left him of carrying out the improve-
ments and plans he had so often suggested
to the emperor.
On the 26th of November, a proclama-
tion was issued by Lin and Tang, professing
to cut off the trade of the English for ever,
since they would not execute the required
bond ; at the same time making exceptions
in favour of the Thomas Coutts, and Royal
Saxon. If proof were wanting, this shews
the bad effect on the general trade which
resulted from the masters of two ships having
signed the bond and entered the Bogue.
The month of December passed without
anything of peculiar interest transpiring.
Thus nearly ten months had elapsed since
Lin entered Canton with the declared
118 INTRODUCTION.
intention of immediately suppressing the
traffic in opium, and placing legal trade on
a more secure footing. Had he done so ?
No. That he had driven the opium trade
from Whampoa, is true ; but he had ex-
tended it along the whole coast of China,
where above twenty vessels, sliips, brigs,
and schooners, were now employed ; some-
times fighting with, but mostly bribing the
authorities.
Opium, which had previously to and after
the seizure of the 20,283 chests, and the
other vigorous measures of the commis-
sioner, fallen to about 150 or 200 dollars per
chest, was now selling readily at 800, 900,
and even 1,000 dollars per chest, realising
enormous fortunes for those who had fore-
seen this reaction, and had bought up quan-
tities of the drug at the above very low
price.
The greatest reliance was placed by the
Chinese dealers in the honour of the masters
of the clippers. Frequently, when pressed
by the guard-boats, they would leave quan-
tities of their silver on board, until some
future opportunity offered of their getting
the opium.
INTRODUCTION. 119
A gentleman informed me that on one of
his voyages along the coast, he had above
50,000 dollars in bags left on board his
vessel for better than five months, without
even knowing to whom they belonged ; the
boat that brought them having come along-
side late at night and put them on board.
The way in which the Chinese prove their
ownershij) to dollars thus left is curious and
simple : in each bag is deposited a wooden
tally, notched in some peculiar manner.
When the owner comes to reclaim his money
or opium^ he produces a duplicate tally fit-
ting exactly into the one in the bag: by this
dumb evidence, he at once substantiates his
right.
When the Modeste was in the outer an-
chorage at Chusan, we had frequent appli-
cations made to us for opium. On one occa-
sion the Cruizer had a bag of dollars thrown
on board her at night, a boat coming with an
opium order next day; and Fokie could b-e
hardly convinced that he had mistaken the
vessel.
On the 5th of January, 1840, Lin and the
authorities promulgated an edict, containing
an imperial rescript, upbraiding the English
120 INTRODUCTION.
with their undutiful behaviour in firing
upon, and killing the imperial subjects at
Covvloon and Chuenpee.
The emperor therein declares, that if they
should now be willing to sign the bond, they
are not to be allowed to do so, their conduct
being like that of "the unfilial C/ie bird, which
attacks and tries to destroy its mother as
soon as it is hatched/' rendering them, the
English, no longer deserving of the imperial
clemency. Therefore Lin is commanded to
put a stop to their trade, and drive their
vessels out of the celestial waters. At the
same time he invites other foreign nations to
continue their traffic; but warns them, under
pain of the heaviest punishment, not to give
shelter or protection to the English bar-
barians.
Captain Smith, on the 8th of the month,
gave notice that, in consequence of the
formal demands made by her majesty's super-
intendent to the Chinese government for
the release of Mr. Gribble not being attended
to, he should, agreeably to a requisition from
that officer, establish a blockade of the port
and river of Canton on the 15th day of the
month. This, no doubt, had the desired
INTRODUCTION'. 121
effect on Lin, for on the 14tli Mr. Gribble
was released from his confinement, and on
the 1 7th delivered on board the Volaw.
Lin gave permission about the 25th, for
British manfuctures, the property of Ameri-
cans, to be imported in American sliips ;
which, in fact, was nullified by the Hoppo
stating in an edict, that the Americans were
not to carry away more cargo than could be
purchased with their imported dolhirs, which
were to be weighed at the Custom-house,
and then sent to the Hong merchants.
On the 31st of January, Yuh, a Taou-tae,
arrived at Macao, having secret instructions
from the commissioner. February 1st, Lin
appeared to imagine that he could put the
Chinese navy on a footing with, and equal to
oppose the British fleet ; for, throwing off his
old prejudice of adhering to Chinese customs,
he purchased from the Americans the Cam-
bridge, a worn-out Indiaman of 1,200 tons
burthen, then under the American flag. She
was to be fitted as a frigate ; and it will be
found she made more noise at the first bar in
1841, than anything else, as will be explained
hereafter. He also was in treaty for the
purchase of three Danish ships ; but not
VOL. I. G
122 INTRODUCTION.
being able to come to terms with the owners,
he, being an adept at spoliation and plunder,
issued an edict confiscating them, — the one
for having an English name on her stcrn^
and the other because she had been, and
might be still, British property.
An edict was also published from Lin and
Tang, but dated the 1st of January, direct-
ing that no foreign ship should be allowed to
export more tea or rhubarb than was requi-
site for the consumption of their own coun-
tries ; thus wisely surmising that the English
would not be supplied by the rest.
The purpose of Yuh's visit now appeared
from an edict which he issued, stating that
he had come with a number of troops for
the express purpose of seizing Captain Elliot
and four British subjects, who, in defiance
of the commissioner's commands, had re-
turned to Macao. A number of Chinese
soldiers had been observed about the town,
and several war -junks had been hauled into
the inner harbour, but no suspicion had been
excited by these movements.
On February the 5th, the spring tides
being at their greatest height, the Hyacinth,
18, Captain Warren, was directed by Cap-
INTRODUCTION. 123
tain Smith, in consequence of the threats
hekl out by the edict before alkided to, to
enter the inner harbour for the better pro-
tection of her majesty's subjects on shore.
This proceeding gave great umbrage to the
Portuguese governor, who remonstrated
against the ship having been brought, or
remaining there, it being contrary to the
port regulations^ for a foreign man-of-war to
enter that anchorage. He was assured by
Captain Warren, that no slight or insult was
intended to the Portuguese nation, but that
his ship could not be removed unless he,
the governor, guaranteed the safety of the
British residents.
The next day the Hyacinth returned to
her usual anchorage, the governor declaring
that the Chinese troops had been prevailed
upon to leave the town, and those which
were marching on it had retired, and that the
English should not be interfered with. This
demonstration had a most tranquillizing and
salutary effect ; and for some time afterwards
the British residents in Macao remained free
from threats or annoyances from the Chinese.
On the 6th, Lin, in obedience to orders
received from Pekin, divested himself of the
G 2
124 INTRODUCTION.
imperial seal, sinking simply into the viceroy
of the Kwang-tung and Kvvang-se provinces.
The notorious Tang was also ordered to Pekin,
where it was supposed his various delin-
quencies had been privately reported; but his
party had sufficient interest at court to
smother inquiry, for on the 16th he returned
to Canton, being appointed to the govern-
ment of Fokien.
Most of the intrigues about the court are
managed by the ladies and eunuchs; and
the mandarin, who has by timely presents
secured good petticoat interest, may do pretty
nearly what he likes without fearing any very
rigid inquiry. But where is it otherwise?
Lin also, about this time, relinquished his
pretensions to the three Danish vessels con-
fiscated by him on the 1st of the month;
nor was he then willing to purchase them for
the government at any price.
An edict of Lin's, dated the 5th, was pub-
lished at Macao on the 20th, wherein he
threatens to stop all trade with that place,
and to prevent all supplies of provisions
from entering the city, if the Portuguese
still continued to harbour or shelter the
English. Many respectable Chinese families
INTRODirTION. 125
left the town, fearing this edict would be
acted upon ; and frequent robberies and
assaults were committed by the Chinese, in
the streets and neighbourhood of that place.
On the 28th and 29th, attempts were
made to set fire to the fleet of merchant
vessels atToong-koo, but they were foiled by
the good look out which was kept on board
those vessels. On the 3rd of March the
Taou-tae Yuh warned the people not to be
alarmed at reports, spread by idle vagabonds
to answer their own purposes. He informed
them that he was incorruptible, affixing, at
the same time, a board over his office, on
which he had expressed his desire that his
posterity might be cut off, should he ever
acquire money by unlawful means.
On the 6th, the procurador of Macao,
having addressed the Kangshan magistrate
on the subject of the number of thieves and
vagabonds in the neighbourhood, received
an assurance that measures had been taken
to search out, and punish them with the
utmost rigour of the law. An edict was
also published from the governor and Hoppo
of Canton, announcing that the trade was to
be re-opened between that place and Macao.
126 INTRODUCTION.
News was also received, that the reigning
empress of China had expired on the 16th
of February. This information was an-
nounced by edicts written with blue ink, — the
iDourning colour in China, The govern-
ment officers were directed to observe the
customary mourning, which requires them to
go a hundred days without shaving the head,
and to remove from their caps their balls
or buttons, with the crimson silk tassel that
falls over its crown. The mourning colour
is white, dull grey, or ash; and persons wear-
ing these colours will be easily knovi^n to be
in mourning, by having glass or crystal but-
tons on their dresses, instead of the usual
gilt or golden ones. Every Chinaman has
five buttons down the loose and comfortable
jacket he wears.
A long and most extraordinary memorial
appeared on the 7th, fromTsang-wang-yen, a
man honoured by the friendship of his celes-
tial majesty Taoukwang, t. e. "the glory of
reason*," enjoying, it is said, the most fami-
* Each emperor of China, on assuming' the yellow,
selects some special appellation. The reigning sovereign
selected for himself, ' ' The glory or eflFulgence of
reason."
INTRODUCTION. 127
liar converse with the " brother of the sun
and moon." We have a perfect right, there-
fore, to take for granted, that the emperor had
previously approved of his wild and visionary-
schemes .
This Tsang-wang-yen is a native of the
district of Heang-shan*, and, from the
locality in which he was brought up, must
know something of foreigners; but this me-
morial is another proof — if proofs are wanting
in addition to that of Keshen's and others —
of the heathen darkness which envelopes the
minds of the learned, educated, and talented
of the Chinese race. Tsang-wang-yen, or
Tsang-moggan, as he is styled at Canton,
is prefect of Shun-teen-foo, in the province
of Petche-li ; he is fooyin, or head of all
chefoos ; in fact, he is the prince of prefects.
This memorial opens with the usual Ja-
panese maxim of exclusiveness: to stop all
intercourse with other nations. ** What,"
adds he, " these said foreigners must have to
preserve their lives, and what they cannot do
a single day without, are tea and rhubarb ;
and these, be it remembered, are the produce
of our inner land. No matter what country
* Macao is situated in this district.
128 INTRODUCTION.
these ships may come from, do not let a single
one of them hokl commercial intercourse
with us."
Through these measures he assumed that
great embarrassment would necessarily arise
from the cargoes of the ships remaining un-
sold ; and that from their not being allowed
to receive the annual supply of tea and
rhubarb, their lives would be completely in
the power of his imperial master, and that
consequently they would be compelled to
beg and sue for trade.
After recommending different plans for
punishing traitorous natives and for arming
the sea coast, he acknowledges that, from
the size and strength of our ships, and the
quickness with which w^e handle our guns,
their own navy to be quite incapable of
subduirjg us; and therefore he advises the
adoption of the following wise plan, as one
which must inevitably succeed : — " But as
the intercourse of the said foreigners is
cut off, and they being but scantily sup-
plied with necessaries, the pressure of their
sufferings will not allow them to remain a
long time anchored in the outer ocean, — they
must of necessity again enter our inner
INTRODUCTION. 129
waters, and ramble and spy about as before.
Now I would still further entice them to come
in by means of our cruisers ; and in the
meantime I would call out and get ready
several hundreds of the people living on the
sea-coast, — of those who are the stoutest, the
bravest, and the best swimmers and divers ;
I would cause them at night to divide into
groups, to go diving straight on board the
foreign ships, and taking the said foreigners
at unawares, massacre every individual among
them. Or, I would fit up several hundreds
of fire-ships beforehand, and cause the most
skilful swimmers and divers* to go on board
of them ; these should take advantage of the
wind, and let the fire-ships go ; and close in
the wake of these should come our armed
cruisers. But before going into action, I
would proclaim to all the soldiers and people,
that he or they who should be able to take a
foreign ship, the entire ship and cargo should
be given them for encouragement ; and this
being made known, ^every one would be more
eager than the other^in pressing forward to
the capture ; and what stay, 1 ask, would
* It will be found that this was acted upon at Canton
in May, 1841.
G 3
130 INTIIODUCTION.
these rascally foreigners have to cling to any-
longer? Would not their hearts, on the
contrary, die within them for fear ?
*' Whether or not my simple view of mat-
ters may be correct, may I beg your gracious
majesty to send down orders to the commis-
sioner and viceroy and fooyuen of Kwang-
tung, that as opportunity offers the experi-
ment may be made ? Only let a plan be laid
for a general massacre^ and these said fo-
reigners cannot but fear and tremble, and
come to implore us.
" Whether my stupid, foolish notions may
be put in force or not, I humbly pray that
my august sovereign will bestow on this
paper a single holy glance. A most respect-
ful memorial."
That the emperor did bestow " a glance
of approval" on it, is certain by his own
words and decree to the board of war*; on
receiving which they forwarded it to Lin
and his colleagues to act on. Thus did the
emperor not only declare war against Eng-
land, but against the whole civilized world.
* Lin having been deprived of the imperial seals,
had no longer a right to correspond direct with the
emperor.
INTRODUCTION. 131
If massacres, murders, and piracies were
not carried on in the wholesale way the
memorialist recommended, it was not from
the forbearance of the government, but owing
to a want of courage and of means to act, in
the local authorities.
Lin and his coadjutors were now busy
building gunboats of superior construction,
and size, for the purpose of putting down
smu<T2rlinq: in the river : much tea and other
exports having been secretly conveyed to
Macao through some of the hundred chan-
nels which intersect the land in every direc-
tion. Small schooners were also built, to be
added to the imperial navy.
March the 21st, Lin was busy drilling
3,000 troops, a third portion of which was to
consist of double-sworded men. These twin
swords, when in the scabbard, appear as one
thick clumsy weapon, about two feet in length ;
the guard for the hand continuing straight,
rather beyond the " fort " of the sword
turns towards the point, forming a hook about
two inches long. When in use, the thumb
of each hand is passed under this hook, on
which the sword hangs, until a twist of the
wrist brings the gripe within the grasp of
132 INTRODUCTION.
the swordsman. Clashing and beating them
together and cutting the air in every direc-
tion, accompanying the action with abuse,
noisy shouts and hideous grimaces, these
dread heroes advance, increasing their gesti-
cuhitions and distortions of visage as they
approach the enemy, when they expect the
foe to become alarmed and fly before them.
Lin had great faith in the power of these men.
On the 25th, Captain Lord John Church-
ill, in her majesty's ship Druid, arrived
from New South Wales, and took the com-
mand of the men-of-war in the river, as
senior naval officer. The Chinese autho-
rities were again becoming troublesome : the
natives were forbidden to serve the foreigners
as chair-bearers, and the women were prohi-
bited from attending as nurses in their
families.
These chairs, being a little broader and
more comfortable than the English sedan,
are carried between two long elastic shafts,
so formed that the ends nearly meet. The
bearers bending down their bodies, place
their necks between them, allowing the ends
to rest on their shoulders, grasping them in
front with their hands, and having the arms
INTRODUCTION. 133
doubled close up to their body; then erect-
ing themselves, the weight of the individual
slightly bends the shafts. The step of the
bearers is quick and short, giving a slight
but easy motion to the chair, which, if belong-
ing to a mandarin, is always painted green;
but it is only the highest rank who can apply
them to general use ; for we find, in Ellis,
when the imperial commissioners met the
embassy, they were in chairs. But " Kwang's
rank did not authorize him to proceed thus
any further;" while Loo, the other commis-
sioner, continued in the same conveyance*.
The month of April passed over without
anything of peculiar interest occurring. Lin,
however, continued busily drilling his new
raised levies.
Some difficulties and delays arose on the
subject of securing American merchant-ves-
sels, in consequence of which their consignees
at Canton addressed a petition to Governor
Lin, praying that their ships might be
allowed to discharge and take in their
export cargoes without delay, intelligence
having been received from England and
* The high officers have frequently as many as eight
bearers, who are then differently placed.
134 INTRODUCTION.
America, that a blockade of the port of
Canton by the ships of the former nation
would be declared at about the beginning of
June.
On the 26th, an answer was returned,
granting the prayer of their petition, but
sharply reproving them for their folly in
giving credence to such idle reports, as that
the English would dare to blockade any of
the ports belonging to the celestial empire,
"a thing not to be thought of."
Lin, on the 1 6th of May, had a grand
review of his new navy, which he appeared
to be fully persuaded would sweep the Eng-
lish from the seas. It consisted of the
Cambridge, tolerably well armed with car-
riage guns ; two schooners about twenty-five
tons each, painted an imperial yellow and
decorated with dragons; a small boat pro-
pelled with paddle-wheels, and numerous
war junks: all which ultimately fell into our
possession at the capture of Canton.
An edict was issued by Lin, dated the
21st, requiring all ships arriving at Whampoa
to give a bond that they had no British-
owned goods on board; and that, on quit-
ting, they would not anchor near any Eng-
INTRODUCTION. 135
lish vessels, but sail direct for their own
country.
On the 22nd, an attack was made by
several piratical junks on an English vessel,
the Hellas, Jauncey, when near the Brothers,
Islands to the northward of Namo. After
a very sharp encounter, she succeeded in
beating them off; but in this gallant aflPair
Mr. Jauncey and twenty-five of his crew
were wounded.
June the 3rd, a gloom was cast over the
whole British community by the death of the
Right Honourable Lord H. J. S. Churchill,
captain of her majesty's ship Druid. His
lordship's death was attributed by the
Chinese, to the vengeance of offended heaven
for his daring to enter the waters of the
" middle kingdom" with hostile intentions.
They were ever ready to assign the death of
our high officers to the wrath or judgment
of their deities. The death of the gallant
and much-to-be-lamented Sir Frederick
Maitland, naval commander-in-chief, which
occurred at Bombay, was by them attributed
to the same cause ; as was also that of the
intelligent and amiable Captain Lord Napier,
the first British superintendent, which took
136 INTRODUCTION,
place at Macao, on the llth of October,
1834, after a sojourn of only three months
in China ; the whole of which had been to
him a series of laborious excitement and
fatigue, caused by the ill usage he received
from the Canton local authorities, and when
a severe chastisement of them by us might
have prevented that which is now taking
place. On the 5th, the remains of Lord
John were interred in the British burial-
ground at Macao, all the foreign residents
attending to pay the last honours due to this
worthy nobleman.
On the llth, the Chinese made another
attempt, on a much larger scale than their
previous ones, to burn the fleet at Cap-sing-
moon ; but the boats of the men-of-war
quickly hooking on to these formidable look-
ing fire-ships, towed them ashore on the
Brothers, where they remained, furnishing
fire-wood for the shipping. These rafts were
ten in number, composed of two or three
junks securely fastened together with chains,
and charged with small quantities of powder ;
they were brought down under sail, and
ignited when near the ships.
After this, the Canton authorities, in
INTRODUCTION, 137
anticipation of an attack from our expected
force, moored the Cambridge just above the
first bar, where they had also collected a
number of junks, laden with stone, to be
sunk in the passage when required.
I have thus brought my introduction to a
close ; for the length of which I owe my
readers many apologies. But without these
circumstantial details, I could not have put
them in possession of many important facts
and consequences, which are based on, or
have arisen out of the opium question.
Every candid mind that will carefully
weigh the preceding statements, must surely
be convinced that the present warfare on the
coast of China has not arisen from any deter-
mination of ours to force the opium trade on
that country, but from the bad faith of the
"celestial*' government and the open viola-
tion of explicit treaties.
Whether the surrender of the property of
British subjects, by Captain Elliot, was, under
any circumstances, either wise or unavoida-
able, is not for me to determine. Yet the
13S INTRODUCTION.
reader must be convinced that after the sur-
render of the opium, and Captain Elliot had
offered to assist the local government in sup-
pressing that trade, the Chinese authorities
were not justified in attempting to prevent
our general traffic in teas, silks, &c.
It must also be observed, that the demand
made for the person of a British subject,
after the private affray at Hong Kong, could
not under any circumstances be complied
with ; nor was the refusal on the part of
CaptainElliot any infringement on the terms
entered into upon the surrender of the
opium.
However, before I quit this subject, I must
once more beg my readers not to allow their
feelings to be carried away by any highly
wrought descriptions of the miserable state
of the opium smoker, which may be brought
forward in other works, without, at the same
time, remembering that any sensual indul-
gence may, by the power of language, be
made to appear equally injurious.
May not the bloated, nervous, debilitated
drunkard, with an insatiate thirst craving for
more, utterly incapable of reason for the
major part of his life, liable to commit almost
INTRODUCTION. 139
any crime, while under the influence of his
potation, be fairly placed in opposition to
the emaciated opium-smoker, whose imbe-
cility lasts but for a short time, during which
he is harmless and inert ?
Can it then be said that the dealer in
opium, or the grower of the poppy, panders
more to the depravity or vices of mankind,
than the brewer or distiller, — the farmer, or
the horticulturist.
Coercive measures will never stop the evil
in China, for an evil I acknowledge it to
be; it must be a well-matured, moral con-
viction which can alone effect that object;
and that such conviction will ultimately take
place we cannot doubt. May we not hope,
too, that the present war may prove a means
of introducing Christianity into China, — a
portion of the globe inhabited by one-third
of the family of mankind, who are at pre-
sent buried in utter heathen darkness.
NAERATIVE
&c.
CHAPTER I.
PASSAGE TO CHINA.
Orders to proceed to China — Arrival of Blonde and
Pylades — Krewmen dislike going — Island of Mauri-
tius — Placed in Quarantine — Seychell Islands — Coco
de mer — Penang — Straits of Malacca — Water-Spout
< — ^Malays — Upas Tree — Malacca — Straits of Sinca-
pore — Sail from Sincapore — Make the Ladrones —
Chow-Chow water — Anchor at Macao — Men of War
in River — Arrival of Expedition — Blockade declared
— Scale of Rewards — Arrival of Cape Squadron —
Method of claiming Rewards — Sailj for Chusan —
Ock-sue Islands, — Formosa, — Black Island — Buffalo's
Nose — Fishing Boats. — Want of Interpreter —
Pirates' escape — Boats sail — Chusan Harbour —
Compradore seized — Blonde at Amoy — Ningpo undei-
Blockade — Elephant's Trunk — Process of making-
Salt — Difference of Rank.
To Britain's queen the nations turn their eyes ;
On her resolves the western world relies. — Addison.
Ho, for China! was the cheering sound
heard on board the Cape squadron, on the
142 THE CAPE SQUADRON.
morning in April, 1840, wiien we received the
news that our worthy admiral fthe Hon. G.
Elliot, C.B.) was appointed commander-in-
chief on the India station, and would con-
sequently take command of the expedition
fitting at Calcutta, which was destined to act
against the Chinese; and happy fellows were
they whose ships were selected to join that
force, — Melville 74 flag, Modesto 18, Colum-
bine 16. New life was instilled into all our
operations; and the ships were rapidly refit-
ted, while the naval yard and arsenal re-
sounded with preparations. Much praise
is due to Mr. Deas Thompson, naval store-
keeper, for his indefatigable exertions, though
considerable delay took place in consequence
of the reduced state of the Simon's Bay
establishment.
The Melville's lower deck guns were got
on boards and officers were dispatched to
Cape Town to raise seamen, her complement
being increased to her proper rate. On the
arrival of the Blonde and Pylades from Eng-
land, the latter, after watering, was imme-
diately dispatched to Sincapore to announce
KREWMEM. 143
to the force there assembling, that the admiral
would follow in a few days.
Many speculations were now made on our
future operations, and it was not a little
amusing to trace the tempers of the various
individuals in their observations. Here
might be seen the covetous, calculating that
the Chinese would cut up well in the shape
of prize-money, — and who likes prize-money
better than Jack? There the ambitious might
be heard, enumerating the honours and pro-
fessional steps he would get; while the young
and ardent were revelling in the anticipated
fight. What to them was a greater ideal
pleasure than the whistle of a shot in anger?
Like knights of old they were ready to break
a lance, each for his lady love. " Fokies*,"
take care of your tails, for many have been
promised to the fair damsels of the Cape.
The admiral thinking it advisable to take
a number of krewmenj" in each ship, that
during the hot season the watering and
* Anglice, "friend," and a familiar way of speaking
of the Chinese.
t Natives from the western coast of Africa.
144 A HARD CASE.
boats' duty might be performed by thera,
directed a certain number to be kept in each
vessel ; but they did not like the proposition,
and, with one or two exceptions, refused to
go. In fact, though remarkably fine-looking
men, they are not generally very fond of
fighting.
Jack Blond assumed the part of spokes-
man for his countrymen serving in the Mo-
deste ; and desirable as it would have been to
have retained them, his blunt oratory proved
the hardship of the case too effectually to be
disregarded. "^Massa,me no like go China, he
very far country — me four years leave krevv-
man land, me want to go see my father — me
like ship, me like officer, all very good, but
me want to go coast." What could be said ?
they had only entered for coast service. I
referred their case to the captain ; and it was
finally arranged that our krevvmen should
accompany us as far as the Mauritius, and
be left there for the Acorn then cruising in
the Mozambique.
The morning of the 27th saw us ready;
all sail was made and everything prepared
SAIL FROM CAPE. 145
for a start; but no, old ^olus was sulky, and.
not a breath of his ruffled the waters for
three successive days. This delay, however,
afforded us the pleasure of a visit from the
ladies of the admiral's family, and many of
our Cape friends, whom we should otherwise
have missed.
The 30th was ushered in with a lio;ht
north-west breeze. "Signal to weigh, sirl"
''Hands up anchor!" "Heave round!" —
and quickly were we running out of False
Bay, in company with the Melville and
Blonde. The Columbine, having to refit
after her cruise on the west coast, was to
remain some days longer in Simon's Bay.
It had been decided that theModeste should
make the passage to China by way of Mau-
ritius, there to raise men and take on board
as great a quantity of provisions as could be
carried; thus partly relieving the Cape
storehouses. Keeping company until the
1st, our captain received his final orders,
and we then left our consorts to go in chase
of a vessel in order to put despatches on
board her. This duty having been per-
VOL I. H
146 QUARANTINE.
formed, a course was shaped for our desti-
nation. Much has been said by others of
the horror of Bank L'Agullas, and too many
unpleasant recollections of its heaving waters
are recalled for me willingly to dwell on tlie
subject.
Fine breezes with delightful weather took
us to that most beautiful of all islands, the
Mauritius, in seventeen days. He who does
not admire its magnificent scenery must have
little taste for the picturesque. But alas! we
were merely allowed to see it ; for no sooner
had we anchored at the Bell Buoy, than the
health-boat visited us, and, much to the annoy-
ance of all hands, ordered the yellow flag to be
hoisted, as the small -pox was prevalent at the
Cape, and our passage had been so extraor-
dinarily short. This might be a very neces-
sary precaution in some cases, but as there
was not a finger-ache amongst the crew, I
think it was by no means requisite to con-
tinue the quarantine, which in our case
was doubly vexing, in consequence of the
unnecessary correspondence regarding our
supplies, though it is but due to the
WINE SAMPLES. 147
Governor, Colonel Power, to state that
he evinced every wish to facilitate our move-
ments.
It appears almost impossible to conceive
that a colony, which has been for years in our
possession, had not so much as a 32-pound shot
to boast of, and could furnish us with neither
powder, nor rockets, nor blue lights : but such
was the actual case. May I not, therefore, ask
why matters have been allowed to remain in
this state, or from whence can it be supposed
the omission arises? These supplies might, it
is true, have all been obtained at the Cape,
but as ships were expected from England en
route to China, which would require com-
pleting, it was thought unadvisable, in our
case, to consume any stores which could, by
possibility, be done without.
While thinking of public duties, we did
not forget our private comforts in the shape
of sundry cases of Lafitte, &c., and as we
could not buy without samples, a goodly
show of bottles was made on our gallant cap-
tain's table ; a board quickly assembled, and
the commissioners did ample justice to their
H 2
148' SLAVE LAWS.
office. Nor was it a bad amusement to
crack midshipman's nuts, and hold learned
disquisitions on the various vintages, on
which we had to pronounce ; not forgetting to
give the medical board an occasional growl for
depriving us, through their sanatory scruples
of all the anticipated pleasures we had pro-
posed to ourselves as we neared Port St.
Louis. For all our imaginations had been
excited by numerous accounts of the fair resi-
dents, — beauties which we were doomed not to
see, for we sailed on the 22nd of May, with
the yellow flag still at the mast-head.
A pleasant run of six days brought us to
Mahe, one of the Seychelles. The town of
the same name is situated on its eastern side,
but so completely under the high land, that
we could with difficulty make out the houses,
and some few small vessels close in shore,
among which was one of our captures made
some months back in the Mozambique.
This vessel belonged to the Isle of France,
but the master of her having purchased a little
boy at Nos Beh, afterwards christened^ Tom
Modeste, she was detained for a breach of the
SEYCHELLES. 149
slave laws. Her unfortunate master died a few
days after the capture, and as we had many
prize-crews away, she was sent, in charge of
the mate, to the Mauritius. Heavy weather
and a long passage forced her into port at
Mahe, where we were just in time to assist
at her condemnation as unseaworthy.
The anchorage formed by St. Anne's and
other small islands is tolerably sheltered, but
the bottom, consisting of coral and rock,
makes chain cables desirable.
The purchase of a few bullocks and turtles
made a pleasing addition to the larder.
An alderman might have relished the soup
produced by our chef de cuisine. The bul-
locks, though small, proved good; the price
moderate, — ten dollars; turtle of 300 pounds,
sixteen shillings, and poultry in the same
proportion. Previous to the Slave Emanci-
pation Act, the prices were much more mo-
derate.
Nature has been so bountiful to these
charming islands, placed as they are in
about 5° of south latitude, and 55° of east
longitude, that all vegetable productions
150 coco DE MER.
flourish with the slightest labour. The sea
abounds with the finest fish, and Blackee
finds it much more comfortable to indulge
his indolent nature and vegetate, than to
work and grow rich. From the peculiar
formation and mountainous nature of this
group of islands, there are no roads for
carriages or other means of conveyance ; the
sea is the highway which requires no
M'Adam. Should Madame M wish to
visit Madame L , she orders her boat ; —
and very fine boats they are, many of which
we saw cruising along the shores.
Among the produce of these islands, the
coco de mer (diacia moradelpkia*) is worthy
of especial remark. This beautiful palm is
peculiarly the tree of the Isles of Praslin,
Curieuse, and Round, and attains the height
of 50, 60, or even 100 feet; is straight,
and apparently without bark; one foot in
diameter to its head, where it is crowned
with from twelve to twenty leaves. These
leaves are very large, and are used in con-
* First volume of the new scries of Curtis's Botanical
Magazine, edited by Sir William Hooker, to which
valuable work I am much indebted for mv information.
ITS NUMEROUS USES. 151
structing houses and sheds, one hundred
leaves furnishing materials for a very com-
modious dwelling. A new leaf is annually
formed, which falls away at the year's end,
leaving a scar. Hence it may be estimated
that in a hundred and thirty years the tree
arrives at maturity ; for few, if any, trees are
found to have more than that number of
indentations.
All parts of this tree are useful; the trunk
splits into water-troughs, palisades, Sec. ; the
down on the young leaves is used for stuffing
mattresses and pillows, while the ribs of the
leaves are converted into baskets and brooms;
the inhabitants dry the young foliage, and
plait it into hats.
The nut is applied to various purposes.
Under certain preparations it was, and is,
still considered by the Chinese, as an anti-
dote to all poisons. Their doctors take the
meat or albumen which lines the nut, and rub
it down with water in a vessel of porphyry,
mingling with it black, white, or red coral,
as well as ebony and stags' horns, which are
all pounded together : when the potion thus
152 TRADITIONS.
prepared has been drunk, the charm is con-
sidered perfect.
Of the shell, which is supposed to possess
fewer medicinal properties, the great men
form precious vessels to contain their to-
bacco, betel, lime, or whatever else they
masticate ; thus fancying they cannot be
contaminated by anything noxious. Water
kept in these shells is supposed to have
the virtue of preserving its drinkers from all
complaints.
The nuts, previous to 1743, were so highly
prized in the Maldive Islands, that a subject
was liable to suffer death if he were found to
possess one, they being the peculiar property
of the king, who sold them at an enormous
price, viz., from 60 to 120 crowns each, those
which measured the same in breadth as in
length being the most prized ; and such as
were a foot in diameter being valued at 150
crowns.
Until the discovery of the tree itself in
1743, the nut alone was known, as occasion-
ally found, either floating on the surface of the
water, or thrown up on the shores of India,
GARCIA AB ORTA. 153
and numerous fables were consequently
related about it.
By Garcia ab Orta it was stated to be a
terrestrial production, which might have
fallen by accident into the sea^ and there
petrified. " The Malay and Chinese sailors,^'
observes Sir W. Hooker, quoting the words
of another old author, "used to affirm that it
was borne upon a tree deep under water,
which was similar to a cocoa-nut tree, and
was visible in placid bays, &c.; but that if
they sought to dive after the tree, it instantly
disappeared. The negro priests declared it
to grow near the Island of Java, with its leaves
and branches rising above the waters, in which
a monstrous bird, or griffin, had its habita-
tion, whence it used to sally forth nightly,
and tear to pieces with its beak elephants,
tigers, and rhinoceroses, whose flesh it car-
ried to its nest. Furthermore, they avouched
that ships were attracted by the waves that
surrounded this tree, and there retained, the
mariners falling a prey to the savage bird; so
that the inhabitants of the Eastern Archi-
pelago always carefully avoid that spot."
li 3
154 UNDER WEIGH.
Under the good management of Mr.
Mylius, the present governor, these islands
promise to be very productive, and already
export coffee, bullocks, and many other ar-
ticles, to the Isle of France, of which they
should be made quite independent.
But I must not dwell longer on this subject,
or I fear the reader will get as impatient as
the admiral would probably have been, had we
delayed joining him. So, once more under
weigh, with a continuation of pleasant wea-
ther, steering nearly parallel with the equator,
we passed to the southward of Adoumatis
Atoll, through the one-and-a-half degree
channel, and made Acheen Head on the
morning of the 14th of June. The pre-
vious day we boarded the Endora from Syd-
ney to Calcutta, and a lucky boarding it
was ; for her master kindly furnished us with
two sacks of potatoes, — and such potatoes as
we had not tasted since we sailed from the
shores of dear old England. By her we were
happy to have the opportunity of sending
letters to be forwarded by the overland mail.
Our passage through the Straits of Ma-
A WOODEN WIFE. 155
lacca promised to be long, as at 6 a. m. Pulo
Rondo was E. S. E. five leagues, with little
or no wind. Pulo Rondo, as its name be-
speaks, is a round island covered with jungle.
This afternoon, we set skysails and royal
studsails, when, in company with the captain,
I pulled round the ship. She was looking
remarkably well ; and not a little proud did
I feel in my own heart while admiring the
beautiful proportions of my wooden wife.
An old first lieutenant alone will be able to
enter into my feelings at such u moment.
On the 1 5th we tacked for the first time
since quitting Simon's Bay, up to that date
so favourable had been the winds for all our
movements ; but now we began to expe-
rience the true straits' weather, flying along
at one time nine or ten knots with a Suma-
tra, and the next hour lying a perfect log
upon the water, without a breath of wind to
fill our sails ; the heavy rains that attended
these squalls leaving every part of the ship
wet and uncomfortable. Frequently we saw
the water- spout in all its awful magnificence.
I cannot perhaps do better than quote Fal-
156 WATER SPOUT.
Conor's beautiful lines on the subject, which,
when the reader makes due allowance for
poetical imagination, is not overdrawn, —
V/hile from the left approaching, we descry
A liquid column tow'ring shoot on high ;
Its foaming base an angry whirlwind sweeps,
Where curling billows rouse the fearful deeps !
Still round and round the fluid vortex flies,
Scatt'ring dun night and horror through the skies !
The swift volution and th' enormous train,
Let sages vers'd in nature's lore explain.
The horrid apparition still draws nigh.
And white with foam the whirling surges fly.
On the 19th a porpoise was harpooned
and safely " landed " on the deck, — many of
our previous captures of the same kind
having escaped oflF the grains. On the 20th
the Island of Penang was in siglit ; a spot
that recalls to my memory many happy days;
when, having just passed my examination for
lieutenant, and full of hope 1 gaily wan-
dered over its verdant hills, while day after
day fled rapidly by amidst the joyous group of
my first and warmest friends. Alas ! where
are they now ? What alterations, too, have a
few short years made in this once delightful
spot.
MALACCA. 157
After a tedious and harassing passage
through the shoals, rocks, and islands, with
which these straits are crowded, we arrived
on the 24th of June off the once important
town of Malacca, now dwindled down to
the mere memento of what it once was !
More than two centuries ago it was the prin-
cipal mart for commerce in this part of the
world; but, since it fell under the rule of the
Portuguese and Dutch, it has been declining;
nor is it likely ever to recover itself under
the British rule. For Penang, at the north-
ern end of the straits, deprives Malacca
of all the Indian trade which passes through
them ; while the now flourishing settlement
of Sincapore at the southern entrance,
affords fine anchorage and every kind of
refreshment for ships arriving from China,
or any of the Australian settlements.
But the climate of Malacca is delightful,
though within two or three degrees of the
equator. It is constantly blessed with land
and sea breezes, which, blowing over this
narrow peninsula, render it fertile in the ex-
treme. The town, fort, and old church have a
158 SIXCAPORE.
pleasing and picturesque appearance to East-
ern voyagers ; while the surrounding country-
is covered with groves of the liveliest ver-
dure imagination can paint. Indeed, this
is the peculiar feature of the whole coast,
islands, and rocks bordering the Malacca
Straits. Their flowery shrubs extending to
the waters make one almost wish that this
wild and beautiful jungle may never fall be-
fore the hand of cultivation.
Still had we some distance to "progress"
before entering the China seas ; and our
anxiety to proceed was not a little increased
by having spoken a vessel, from which we
gained information that the admiral had
arrived at, and sailed from Sincapore, about
a week previously. How sincerely was a
breeze prayed for; and old ^olus had his eyes
consigned to the other world on several occa-
sions of a disappointing puff. Hard, indeed,
was it to see the morning of the 20th arrive,
and our ship not yet in Sincapore roads.
The Straits of Sincapore, lying off the
southern extremity of the Malay peninsula,
arc formed by clusters of most beautiful
MALAYS. 159
islands, as various in shape, as they are in-
dented with pleasant little sandy bays and
coves, where turtle abound in the greatest
plenty. I have frequently purchased turtle
of three cwt. for one dollar. The Malays
feast on their eggs, but have no taste for the
calapash and calapee. The deep clear blue
of the water added beauty to the scene, as
threading our way through them we slipped
silently along, the natives occasionally pulling
out in their canoes, and offering fish, fruit,
and shells for sale.
The Malays, like the Chinese, have a re-
markable similarity of feature; in one you
behold the face of the whole nation. If
excited by jealousy, or other causes, they
are most cunning and revengeful, and
when " running a muck," stab all whom
they meet with their kreeses, which are
said to be poisoned with the juice of the
upas tree. But this I do not believe, having
known several wounds from them, which
have shown no very bad symptoms ; though
I fancy there is no doubt but that the blades
of many, after being heated red hot, are
160 POISONOUS GUM.
plunged into lime juice. The rust, which
this produces in the grooves of the weapon,
causes a very dangerous wound, but not so
deadly as the gum of the celebrated or fabu-
lous upas tree, the wonderful tale of which,
as related by N. P. Foersch, I trust I shall
be pardoned for introducing in this place.
*' The Bohun upas is situated in the Island
of Java, about twenty- seven leagues from
Batavia. It is surrounded on all sides by a
circle of high hills and mountains; and the
country round it, to the distance of ten or
twelve miles from the tree, is entirely barren.
Not a tree, nor a shrub, nor even the least
plant or grass, is to be seen. To this tree
the criminals are sent for the poison, into
which all warlike instruments are dipped.
" The poison is a gum that issues out like
camphor from between the bark and the tree
itself. Malefactors, condemned to death,
are the only persons employed to fetch this
poison, which is the sole chance they have
of saving their lives. They are provided
with a silver or tortoise-shell box, and are
properly instructed how to proceed while
UPAS TREE. 161
they are upon their dangerous expedition.
They are told to go to the tree 'before
the wind,' so that the effluvia from the tree
may be blown from tliem, and they are told
to use the utmost dispatch. They are then
sent to the old priest who lives on the con-
fines of the desert, who prepares them for
their fate by prayers and admonitions. When
about to depart, he gives them a long leathern
cap, with two glasses before their eyes, which
comes down as far as their breast, and also
provides them with a pair of leather gloves.
They are then conducted by the priest and
their relations, about two miles on their
journey. Here the priest repeats his instruc-
tions, and tells them where they are to look
for the tree: he shows them a hill which
they are to ascend, and on the other side they
will find a rivulet, which they are to follow,
and which will conduct them directly to the
upas tree. They now take leave of each
other, and amidst prayers for their success
the delinquents hasten away.
" The old priest assured me, that during his
residence there, of thirty years, he had dis-
162 SIR STAMFORD RAFFLES.
missed upwards of seven hundred criminals;
and that scarcely two out of twenty ever re-
turned ! All I could learn from one who
returned was, tliat it stood on the borders of
a rivulet; that it was of a middling size; that
five or six young trees grew round it, but
that no other shrub, plant, or atom of vege-
tation, was to be seen within a circuit of
several miles; and that numerous skeletons
were in every direction scattered round it."
But I had almost forgotten that all this
time the Modeste has been stealing into the
anchorage; the government house is in its
proper bearing ; the anchor is down, captain
gone on shore, and the first lieutenant very
busy getting a hundred things done that
were wanted. In the meantime, the tank
comes off with water, and that useful body of
men the marines soon pump her out. These
vessels carry from twenty-five to thirty tons,
which they supply at the moderate charge of
one dollar per ton.
Sincapore, which for its rapid growth is
more remarkable than any other of the Bri-
tish possessions, owes its origin to the clear
POPULATIOX OF SINGAPORE. 163
judgment of Sir Stamford Raffles, who at
once saw the impulse the India country trade
would receive from a settlement in such a
favourable position, which must become the
highway between India, China, and the
Eastern Archipelago. It must be confessed
that its natural productions would give em-
ployment to a very small number of vessels,
but from the wise policy which made it a
free port, it has become the modern em-
porium of the East.
Its population in 1819, when possession
was first taken by the English, amounted to
about 150 persons, — pirates and fishermen,
whose huts were of the most wretched de-
scription. By a census taken in 1836, we
find the number of its inhabitants had in-
creased to the enormous amount of 29,984,
and which, in 1840, had again advanced to
about 35,000 ; more than half of which
number reside in the town of Sincapore.
The want of females is much felt. If ladies
v/ere more plentiful, Sefior Malthus would
be horrified. But seriously, this scarcity of
women is a great evil, there not being in the
164 DIVERSIFIED POPULATIOX.
town more than 4000, which might be reme-
died by encouraging female emigration from
India.
Its population is of the most mixed and
diversified character, — Britons, Indo-Britons,
Portuguese, Americans, Parsees, Malays,
Chinese, Jews, Arabs, Javanese, Bujes, and
Ballinese, Siamese, Caffres, Chuliahs, and
Klings, Hindustanees, and a hundred others
that I do not recollect. The variety of cos-
tumes, to be met with in the bazaar, gives a
lively character to this prosperous spot.
The Chinese and Malays form by far the
greatest portion of these; of whom the Chinese
are the most industrious and wealthy class.
Most of the artizans will be found amongst
the natives of China ; while the Malays are
fishermen, " hewers of wood, and drawers of
water," and are ever ready to enter as sailors
on board mercliant vessels.
The natives of India are principally small
shopkeepers, boatmen, and servants; and
many a Madras Dubash may be met in the
bazaar, where articles from all parts of the
world are to be purchased.
PAUPERISM IN CHINA. 165
The Caffres are descendants of slaves who
have been brought by the Arabs from the
Abyssinian coast. But of all these the
Chinese are the most useful ; a common
labourer of that nation will earn from four
to six dollars per month, while the wages to
any of the other colonists will be about half
the sum.
When a country is so densly populated as
the Chinese empire is, there must be a great
deal of pauperism ; and though emigration
is contrary to the ancient law of China, the
government connives at the lower orders
quitting the country. A poor pennyless
Chinese agrees with a captain of a junk to
pay eight, ten, or twelve dollars for his pas-
sage to the Straits, for the payment of which
the captain trusts to his honour. As soon
as he arrives he accordingly joins some of the
secret societies*, which are always formed
by the Chinese, and thus his passage-money
* These societies, though useful to the emigrant,
require to be strictly watched by the government, the
members of them uniting to resist the laws, and to
protect themselves from the just punishments they
incur.
16G SINGAPORE.
is paid. Three months generally enables him
to get clear of this debt, when he commences
to make his own fortune. The greater por-
tion of these emigrants come from the neigh-
bourhood of Canton and Fokien.
The Island of Sincapore contains an area
of about 275 square miles. The Straits of
Salat Tabrao, which in former days were
used by vessels bound into the China seas,
separating it from the continent of Asia,
are now forsaken for those of Sincapore,
which offer a more speedy and safe navigation.
The gently undulating appearance of this
island has a pleasing effect, the higher
grounds seldom rising above 100 feet. Bukit
Tima, the highest hill, does not attain an
altitude of 200 feet. They are thickly co-
vered with forests, many trees of which are
well adapted for all purposes of house build-
ing. A long and level plain on the southern
shores affords a good site for the town, which,
standing on a natural lagoon, named Sinca-
pore river, with the assistance of lighters,
offers every facility for the loading and un-
loading of vessels while riding with the
JOSS-IIOLSE. 167
greatest security in the roads, free from the
typhoons of the China seas, or the scarcely
less furious gales of the Bay of Bengal.
The centre of this natural harbour is occu-
pied by a fleet of small craft, in which whole
families reside, seldom or ever, "from the
cradle to the grave," being on shore. From
all accounts, their manners and customs vary
considerably from their brother bipeds.
A large joss-house, or Chinese temple, is in
the course of erection, the carving and orna-
ments of which are beautifully and elabor-
ately executed. The warehouses and mer-
chants' dwellings are good substantial brick
buildings, but generally the minor ones are
wooden erections roofed with tiles. The
resident's house, Mr. Bonham's, is situated
on a small bill, embosomed in trees, amongst
which may be found that nonpareil of fruits,
the mangusteen, and which was now (June)
just coming into season. The flag-staff near
the residency is constantly announcing the
arrival of vessels, the entries of which, in
1836, amounted to 203,574 tons.
All the islands which are in our possession
168 THUGS.
in the Malacca Straits are used as penal settle-
ments to India; and under the able and
judicious management of the resident, the
convicts are not allowed to feel transportation
other than it is intended to be, — a situation
of labour, correction, and punishment. Many
of those cold-blooded and fanatical miscreants,
the Thugs, are here paying the penalty of
their horrid crimes: at one time there were
about 1 500 at Penang alone.
Our men found a seasonable relief in the
supplies brought off by the bum-boats, and
Jack might be seen revelling in all the joys
of fresh eggs and pine apples. An Irishman
in the crew amused all hands by a most
original bull, — " Faith, of all the fruit at
Sincapore, sure the eggs were the finest."
Much excitement prevailed in con-
sequence of the admiral, on his arrival,
directing the detention of some Chinese
junks, but which were released as soon as it
was understood that they had remained under
the guarantee of the resident.
Having completed our .supplies, we sailed
from Sincapore, on the afternoon of the 28th
GREAT LADROXES. 1G9
of June, a small schooner yacht weighing at
the same time, with the intention of trying
her rate of sailing ; but it was only an inten-
tion, for we passed her almost as if she had
been at anchor. Ere the sun was down we had
fairly entered into the China seas, during our
passage across which, the weather being beau-
tifully fine, we painted the ship inside and
out^ having first led all the ropes to spars
lashed along the decks, so as to keep them
clear of the bulwarks and masts.
On the night of the 11th of Jidy, we made
the Great Ladrones, and hove-to for daylight.
These islands are situated on the eastern
side of the great western channel into the
River Tigris; are high, and may be approached
with safety, the soundings being regular.
At 4 A.M., bore up for Macao roads. As the
sun rose, tinging the eastern horizon with
red, the scene became exceedingly beautiful :
the high, bold, though barren islands, tipped
with his gorgeous rays, formed a fine contrast
to the tropical scenery we had but a week or
two since been passing through; while the
river, covered with fishing-boats in every
VOL. I. I
170 CIIOAV-CHOW WATER.
imaginable position, added a liveliness and
spirit to the scene.
With light winds and an adverse tide, we
made but little progress ; and the Chow-
Chow water rendering the ship unmanage-
able, we were obliged to anchor until the sea
breeze set in. Chow-Chow water is a race
or eddy caused by the meeting of tides, and
without a very strong breeze, ships will not
obey their helms. It is not confined to
any part of the river, and cannot well be
avoided.
Macao has a pleasing appearance from the
anchorage ; but I will defer any account of it
until my Journal brings me to that period,
when I became better able to form my
opinion, which, from a long subsequent con-
finement at the town, I had ample opportu-
nity of doing.
About 3 I'. M. we succeeded in getting
into the roads, where, in three fathoms water,
we were the same number of miles from the
town. We found here H. M. S. Larne, 18,
Commander Blake, and Volage, 26, acting
Captain Warren; the Druid, 44, Captain
THE SQUADllOX. 171
Smith, being at Toong-koo, and Hyacinth,
18, acting Commander Stewart, at the Bocca
Tigris, enforcing the blockade.
Previously, however, to the 12th of July,
viz., on the 21st of June, the division of the
fleet from India destined to act against China
arrived. It consisted of the ships whose
names follow : —
Wellesley 74 Commodore, Sir J. Gordon Bremer,
K.C.B., K.aH., Commander-in-
Chief.
Captain, Thomas Maitland.
Conway 26 Captain, C. D. B. Bethune.
AUigator 26 Acting Captain, A. L. Kuper.
Cruiser 16 Commander, H. W. Giffard.
Algerine 10 Lieutenant, T. H. Mason.
Young Hebe
Atalanta *) c^ ( Capt. Rogers, India Navy..
Queen [■ y^g^g^^^s \ '^^'' ^^'^i'^^^"' H.E.C.S.
Madagascar) ^^^^ ^* (.Mr. Dicey, H.E.C.S.
The ships, accompanied by twenty-one
transports, having on board Her Majesty's
18th, 26th, and 49th regiments, with the
native Bengal volunteers, detachments of
artillery, and sappers, being furnished from
the Bengal and Madras presidencies, pro-
ceeded, on the 22nd and 23rd, to the north-
I 2
172 REWARDS TO TAKE AND DESTROY.
ward, for the purpose of occupying the island
of Chusan as a 'point d''appui for our future
operations. Sir Gordon Bremer, on his
arrival, issued a notice, that the blockade of
the port and river of Canton would be estab-
lished on the 28th instant.
This, with the arrival of the force, so en-
raged the Canton authorities, that they
issued, on the 27th, a proclamation, with the
following graduated scale of rewards, to be
given for the taking or destroying English
ships, whether men-of-war or merchant-ves-
sels, or for the takins; or killino; British
subjects of all degrees. The following is an
abstract of the rewards : —
*' For the capture of a ship of 80 guns,
twenty thousand dollars; for smaller ones,
a diminished reward of one hundred dollars
for every gun under 80.
"^ For utterly destroying the same by fire
or otherwise, ten thousand dollars. For a mer-
-chant-vessel, all her cargo — whether goods
or money, excepting guns, warlike instru-
ments, or opium — to the captors, with an
additional ten thousand for those vessels that
SCALE OF REWARDS. 173
have three masts ; for those with two and a
half mast (probably steamers), five thousand
dollars ; and for those with two masts, three
thousand ; for a large boat, three hundred ;
for a small boat, one hundred ; for destroy-
ing by fire or sinking them, one-third of the
above sum or sums. ,
"For taking alive a barbarian officer, if chief
commander, five thousand dollars ; five hun-
dred to be deducted for every degree of rank
lower. For the murder of the same, one-
third of the before-named sum. For taking;
alive English barbarians, or Parsees, whether
soldiers or sailors, one hundred dollars. For
the murder of the same, one-fifth of the afore-
said sum. To those who seize the black-imps
(sepoys and lascars), a proportionate reward.
"For abandoned natives who take supplies
to the barbarians, 100 dollars. For those
less guilty, a proportionate reward." " Those
less guilty,'"'' refers to the native corapradores
and servants, who, though they quitted service
at the time the edicts ordered them so to do,
soon after returned to their employers ; of
which circumstance Lin was fully aware.
174 CAPTAIN Elliot's proclamation.
This table of rewards has to the stranger
a very alarming appearance; but it was well
known to the residents, that few of the
natives would attempt to avail themselves of
the offered bounties, as they well knew they
would never see the reward, even in case of
a successful capture, as the high officers
would always invent some false charge of
informality to warrant them in withholding
it. This paper is curious as being the first
of the kind ever known to ha,ve emanated
from this very singular government.
Captain Elliot assured the Chinese, by
proclamations in their language, which were
widely circulated, that no harm was intended
to the peaceable inhabitants by the present
expedition J that it was caused by Lin's bad
treatment of the English ; and that the force
would only act against the mandarins, offi-
cers, and soldiers of the government. He
ended by inviting them to continue their
traffic as before with the British shipping.
The day previous to the blockade com-
mencing, the American ships Panama and
Kosciusko entered the Bocca Tigris.
PROHIBITIONS. 175
On the 28th June, the following named
ships arrived from the Cape and England : — •
Melville 74 Rear-admiral the Hon. G. Elliot, C.B.,
Commander-in-Chief and Plenipo-
tentiary.
Captain, the Hon. R. S. Dundas.
Blonde 42 Captain, Thomas Bonrchier.
Pylades 16 Commander, T. V. Anson.
Enterprise 18 S. V. (from Bengal.)
Captain Elliot, now becoming joint pleni-
potentiary with the admiral, embarked from
Macao on board the Melville; and that ship,
accompanied by her partners, with the addi-
tion of the Madagascar and four transports,
on the 80th proceeded to the northward.
July 11th, the Hong, Salt, and Chinchew
merchants were ordered to raise and equip,
at their own expense, 5,000 troops for the
defence of the province; all intercourse with
the English was again prohibited, and no
Chinese vessels were to be allowed to leave
any of the ports, except for the purpose of
destroying the English barbarians ; the des-
tructions and murders of any of whom were
represented as deserving the highest honours
and rewards ; but they w-ere cautioned not
176 EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY.
to mistake other foreigners for English
subjects.
To be entitled to the rewards offered, they
were to produce the board with the vessel's
name on it, which is usually attached to the
stern of merchant-vessels, or the head of the
individual killed.
These proclamations produced the worst
feelings amongst the lower orders at Canton;
and Hong coolies were obliged to be placed
in the streets to guard the lives of the Ame-
ricans and other foreisjners remainino; there.
On the 13th of July, the day after the
Modeste anchored at Macao, Commander G.
Elliot, in the Columbine, arrived from the
Cape ; when he found that, in consequence of
the death of Lord J. Churchill, on the 4th
ultimo, he had been promoted to the rank of
captain, and appointed to the Volage, Cap-
tain Warren returning to his proper ship, the
Hyacinth ; while Clarke, the late flag-lieut-
enant, took command of the Columbine, and
being attached to Captain Smith's squadron,
enabled the Volage to proceed to the north-
ward.
OCK-SUE ISLAND. 177
Captain Smith having it in contemphition
to make a display at the Bocca-Tigris of the
force in the river, we were not allowed to
proceed to Chusan until the 14th, on the
morning of which day we worked out of the
river, and continued beating to windward for
some days, the winds perversely continuing
in the north-east and eastern quarters.
The weather had a suspicious appearance,
and all hands being young in the China
seas we daily expected a typhoon ; for the
symptoms of these gales are so variously
described in Horsburgh's Directory, that it
required no stretch of imagination to fancy
one brewing up from the appearances we
observed. During great part of the passage
we were in sight of land, but at too great a
distance for me to attempt any distinct
description of its outline.
On the 21st of July, I find in my journal
Ock-sue Island, bearing N.B.W.^W., live
or six miles, described as moderately high,
w^ith a long low rugged island near it, on
which appeared a singular square-looking
hummock, which I suppose to be the Ragged
I 3
178 FORMOSA.
Island, as named on Wyld's map of the war
in China. At daylight, on the 22nd, we had
a very distant but distinct view of the north
end of Formosa, of which the mountain tops
were enveloped in the clouds.
Taywan, or Formosa, is a large and fer-
tile island, situated off the south-east coast of
China, separating the Chinese from the Blue
Sea. The Dutch, between two and three cen-
turies agOj had a factory and fort, named New-
Zealand, on this island, in which they were
introducing the arts of civilization. But their
progress was stopped, and they were driven
out of it in the year 1662, by Kuo-shing, or
Koshinga, the son of a rich Chinese mer-
chant, who fitted out a fleet to oppose those
who are now the rulers, but were then the
invaders of his country, — the Mantchow
Tartars; but being defeated by them, he turned
his arms against the Dutch, and took pos-
session of Formosa. This island has a
flourishing trade with Amoy, to which it ex-
ports large quantities of grain. Its eastern
side is still inhabited by the aborigines, of
whom little or nothing is at present known.
buffalo's nose. 179
Early on the 23rd, we made the Black
Islands, — anything bnt black when we first
saw them, for a brilliant sun was shining on,
and giving them the appearance of our own
dear chalky cliffs. But this delusion was
dispelled as the glare subsided, when they
resumed their own sombre hue. The land
in shore, and extending to the northward
of these islands, is diversified with a num-
ber of remarkable peaks. Owing to light
winds, it was eight o'clock, p.m. of the 24th,
before vve brought up, about six miles outside
of Mouse Island, or Shoo-shan ; a small spot,
as its name implies, situated mid- way between
the Kwesan group and Front Island.
At six o'clock the next morning, we
weighed, and stood in for Buffalo's Nose, or
Newpe-shan, — a remarkable island^ not un-
like the proboscis of the animal after which
it is named. A union jack was flying on
a staff erected on the highest part of this
island ; and as we neared it, the master of a
transport, stationed at the anchorage for the
purpose, boarded us, and gave us the first
intelligence of the capture, on the 5tli
180 cough's channel.
instant, of Ting-hai, — the capital and sea-
port of Chusan. He was also the bearer of
orders prohibiting ships from entering the
harbour of Chusan without a pilots in con-
sequence of her majesty's ship Melville,
while in tow of the Atalanta steamer, having
been swept by the tide upon a sunken rock
in the southern passage, where she received
such damage, as would require her being
hove down.
From Buffalo's Nose to Gough's Channel
the main land bends into a very deep and
extensive bay, into which an estuary or lock
opens, affording a free egress by water to the
small town of Hose-sa-kan. The bay is
studded with numerous islands in the best
state of terrace-cultivation from the very
water's edge to the highest pinnacle. A cir-
cular one reminded me much of the famed
hanging gardens of Bagdad. Most part of
this bay was staked for fishing; and it required
a good look out, not to injure the poor fel-
lows' means of livingf.
On arriving at Tree-a-Top Island, or Wan-
chow-yu, the passage leads through a short
A CHOP. 181
Strait, commonly called Gough's Channel,
when it spreads out into an apparently mag-
nificent river ; the islands being so closely
situated one to the other, that while sailing
between them and the main land, it is hard
to divest oneself of that idea.
We were surrounded by a whole fleet of
lishing-boats, and the wind being very light
wdth a smooth sea, these merry good-tempered
fellows kept way with us easily; occasionally
shearing alongside and passing in handfulls
of the arbutus fruit; which compliment was
returned by an equal quantity of biscuit.
Three much larger boats were in shore, but
did not excite our suspicions. From one of
the islands a boat was sculled off with a
Chinaman standing up in the bows, ko-tooing
and chin-chining as if his head would come
off. When he got alongside he handed up a
small paper, on which a number of Chinese
characters were drawn, but having no one on
board acquainted with the language, it could
not be deciphered. From his gestures we
supposed him to be offering his services as a
pilot to Chusan, which were declined.
182 PIRATES.
Some days afterwards, on the paper being
placed before one of the interpreters, it
proved to be a chop, informing us that the
three boats before spoken of were plundering
the inhabitants. Thus had these three pira-
tical vessels been under our guns without
any suspicion ; and who would have enter-
tained any, with the merry faces that were
around us, indicating no symptom of fear?
Yet, as it subsequently proved, they had come
for the protection which our appearance
afforded them.
About seven o'clock, the ship got up to
Keeto Point, a high rocky bluff which juts
into this cluster of islands, and forms the
eastern promontory of the Chinese continent.
Between this and Round Island we were
swept with the ^^ speed of flames." The great
depth of water in the numerous passages
formed by the islands renders it impossible
to anchor while the boiling eddying current,
in its impetuous course, resembles more the
swoln torrents of an overcharged river than
the peaceful streams of the mighty ocean.
It was with any thing but pleasurable feel-
DEER-ISLAND. 183
ings we saw ourselves, in a light breeze with
a powerless helm, swept at the mercy of this
race towards this perpendicular precipice,
above a hundred feet in height, against
which our bowsprit must have snapped like
a reed, had not the eccentric current swept
us by. Ships need not fear danger at this
spot, as we afterwards found the current sets
clear of the shore ; but the eddying race will
frequently turn a ship round and round.
Notwithstanding the great depth, the
yellow mud boils and bubbles up from the
bottom, nor is the water more highly co-
loured, or more loaded with it at the Yel-
low River than it is at this spot.
Having passed this, a vessel was indis-
tinctly seen under the high land of Deer
Island (Seaoukeu Shan). It was now grow-
ing rapidly dark, and as we had to cross
a strong tide, it became to strangers suffi-
ciently puzzling to get to our anchorage;
but a blue light soon produced an answer
from the vessel under the land, whose crew
hoisting a light, we were enabled to steer for
the Elephant's Trunk.
1S4 CHINESE SAILS.
The tide setting us rapidly round its high
bluff point, so close did we pass it, that we
distinctly heard the conversation of the people
on shore. Having anchored in twenty-three
fathoms. Captain Eyres proceeded with the
despatches to the commander-in-chief, lying
in Chusan harbour, and returned the next
morning, accompanied by Mr. Sprent, mas-
ter of the Wellesley, who was to pilot us
in; but the wind failing, the Madagascar
steamer came out and took us in tov/. When
W'C were in the centre of the passage, and
close to the spot where the Melville had
taken the ground, a heavy squall burst upon
tl'.e ship, which, with a lee tide, was driving
us, steamer and all, fast back again ; however,
by letting go an anchor, we were brought up.
A whole fleet of Chinese junks, availing
themselves of the fair wind, went flying by us
with their usual large mat-sails reduced by
several reefs. These sails are in shape not
unlike square-headed lugs ; are composed of
a number of mats, sewed together, with from
six to eight bamboo battans placed at equal
distances, and horizontally across the sail; the
HARBOUR OF CHUSAN. 185
space between each constituting a reef, which
is always taken in on the foot^ by lowering the
haulyai'ds and rolling-up on the battan, from
the extreme end of each of which are lines
so placed, as to meet at a centre to form the
sheetj but yet each supporting its own bat-
tan. These are the universal sails for junks
of all sizes, only differing in materials. Chi-
nese junks and boats invariably tack, for the
act of wearing w^ould, from the jibbing of the
sail, endanger their lightly-secured masts.
The squall over, the steamer took us once
more in tow, and we soon entered the beau-
tiful harbour of Chusan ; the water of which
was thickly covered by the men-of-war and
transports, whose boats were pulling in every
direction, employed in watering, and the
various duties requisite in so numerous a fleet.
The Modeste, not having the good fortune
to be present at the capture of the city of
Tinghai, I shall attempt no account of the
attack, referring the reader to Lord Joce-
lyn's very neat and concise narrative. The
harbour has several entrances, through all of
which the current runs with great rapidity
186 SPITHEAD AND ST. HELENS.
and eccentricity, rendering necessary the
greatest caution in entering it.
The passage first adopted by our ships
from want of local knowledge, though the
shortest, was certainly the worst and most
unsafe, and as we became acquainted with
the place was seldom afterwards used; the
western entrance, though much more cir-
cuitous, being incomparably the best, and
affording a very fair anchorage round the
point on which the sappers were encamped,
which Jack quickly christened "Spithead;"
while another, further out, under Bell Island,
was dubbed "St. Helens." By these names
I shall in future designate them.
So much of my time was occupied in
attending to the various duties of the ship,
as she was to form one of the squadron about
to proceed to the northward, that I had but
little time to make observation on the city or
its environs; therefore I shall offer but few
remarks on them until our return from the
Imperial Sea, when a sojourn of some weeks
at " Spithead'' and '' St. Helens" afforded
ample opportunity for observation.
BAD V/ATER. 187
The troops and slilpping were badly off
for fresh provisions in consequence of a
Chinese compradore, who had accompanied
the expedition from Canton, having been
seized on the 17tli by the Chinese, and
carried a prisoner to Ning-po. Repeated ex-
ertions were made for his recovery, but all
proved unavailing; he had, poor fellow, fan-
cied himself safe, and refused a guard of
soldiers, for fear of alarming the peasantry,
v^hen foraging the country for supplies, which
by his means, had been amply furnished pre-
vious to his captivity.
The only water we could get was of the
very worst description and slightly brackish,
which arose from the sluice of the canal
where it was obtained being in a defective
state, and admitting its neighbour the sea. I
attribute all the after-sickness which pre-
vailed on board the squadron in the Gulf of
Petche-li, to this cause and this cause only.
At one time, in the Modesto, out of a crew of
130 men, half the number were on the sick-
list, suffering from severe diarrhoea, both lieu-
tenants and the master being in the number.
188 FLAG OF TRUCE.
The admiral in his progress from Macao,
when ofF Amoy on the 2nd of July, had dis-
patched the Blonde, Captain Bourchier, into
that port for the purpose of delivering to the
Chinese admiral on that station the despatch
from Lord Palmerston to the Chinese
ministers. About noon, the Blonde was an-
chored off the harbour, which was found to
be strongly fortified. In about an hour a
boat came alongside with a red flag flying,
bearing the following inscription, " Hea
fang ting seun chuen,'' and having on board
five or six Chinese followers, alias, policemen,
who stated that they were sent by the magis-
trates of the district to ascertain v/hat the
ship wanted; on being informed of her
errand they said that their admiral was at
Chinchew. A statement w^as then read to
them explaining the nature of a flag of truce,
and warning them of the consequences atten-
dant on firing on such flag. Having repeat-
edly signified that they understood the pur-
port of the paper, they were sent on shore to
convey it to the authorities. They pro-
mised to return immediately with an answer,
SIR FREDERIC NICHOLSOX. 189
and did so within an hour, accompanied by
a man of a higher rank, who brought back
tlie paper, representing "that the district
magistrates had taken a copy of it for their
superior officers, but as they did not dare to
hold communication with outside foreio-ners,
they begged to return the original docu-
ment. The bearer was informed that it
could not be received, and that he must take
it on shore again to the magistrates^ which,
after a little hesitation and referrino; to the
others of the party, he consented to do.
The second lieutenant of tlie ship, Sir
Frederick Nicholson, accompanied by Mr,
Thorn, the interpreter, were then sent in an
unarmed cutter, with a flag of truce flying,
to deliver Lord Palmerston's letter to the
highest officer on the spot.
As the boat approached the shore it was
observed that a considerable body of troops
were drawn up with the apparent intention
of preventing a landing; and no sooner had
the boat's bow touched the beach than they
advanced their weapons and rudely repulsed
them, desiring them to be off and refusing
190 MR. THOM.
to listen to them. Finding all attempts to
communicate useless, Sir Frederick returned
to the ship. Captain Bourcliier, in the mean
time;, having observed what was going on,
detained a junk, and sent a letter by the
master of her to the shore, to which no
answer was returned.
The morning of the 3rd being calm, it
•was found impossible to get the frigate near
the batteries until noon ; at which time her
anchor was let go within five hundred yards
of them. The jolly-boat, pulled by four
boys, was then dispatched with Mr. Thom
to make a last attempt to persuade these
fool-hardy men to receive Lord Palmerston's
letter, but the troops were drawn up as they
had been on the previous day, and a vast
crowd of spectators assembled.
The boat's stern being backed in, Mr.
Thom attempted to open a communication
with them ; not succeeding in doing so he
displayed a chop, written in large characters,
setting forth the peaceable intention of the
ship, and blaming the conduct of the man-
darins, which so enraged them that they
ATTACK OF THE BLONDE. 191
dashed into the water and made an attempt
to seize the boat; but a few strokes of the
oars soon put her beyond their reach. Mr.
Thorn then called to them to know if they
would receive the letter; in reply to which
they all roared out no, accompanied with
much abuse.
The boat's crew immediately gave way for
the ship, when a match-lock and two or three
arrows were discharged at them, and struck
the boat ; and the whole detachment were
about to follow it up with a volley, when at
the instant two of the Blonde's thirty-two
pound shot went bowling into the midst of
these valiant fellows, and *' Sauve qui pent"
became the cry, — the whole mass, officers,
soldiers, and spectators flying for their lives,
leaving five or six of their number dead upon
the beach.
The Blonde's guns were now turned on
the forts and war-junks, in consequence of
their having opened their fire upon her,
which she quickly and effectually silenced,
riddling the former, and sinking the latter.
The cutters, armed, were then dispatched
192 BLOCKADE OF NING-PO.
to Stick upon the walls of the fort a procla-
mation, stating the provocation which had led
to the firing. This object, however, was not
effected ; for the Chinese opened a fire from
some houses on the boats, when Captain
Bourchier, not thinking it worth while to
risk the lives of his men in this unimportant
service, directed them to be recalled. They
brought off several spears and shields left by
their late foes.
The proclamation was then put into a
bottle and thrown overboard, shortly after
which it was picked up by a fisherman ; and
about 4 P.M. the ship was got under weigh,
and proceeded to rejoin the admiral.
Admiral Elliot's first act, after his arrival
at Chusan, was to declare a close blockade of
the river and harbour of Ning-po; which was
rigidly maintained during his absence to the
northward, many junks being detained
during that time, and sent into Chusan.
harbour.
Captain Bcthune, of her majesty's ship
Conway, opened a communication with the
Chin-hai and Ning-po authorities, and hav-
A SURVEY. ■ 193
ing explained to them the purport of the
white flag, or flag of truce, prevailed upon
them to receive the copy of Lord Palmerston's
despatch, which had been refused at Amoy.
The next morning they returned it, stating,
that they dared not forward such a chop to
the celestial presence. However, there is
but little doubt that the contents of it found
its way to Pekin.
None of that hostility evinced at Amoy
was at any time shown at Ning-po, though
they imprisoned all the '' English barbarians,"
or " black imps," that they could get hold of.
It was thought by those acquainted with the
Chinese, that much had been gained ; since
their authorities, for the first time during our
intercourse with China, at this period substi-
tuted the term •' honourable nation," for the
usual phrase " barbarians."
Her majesty's ships the Conway and Al-
gerine, M^ith Young Hebe and Kite, armed
transports, were dispatched to examine and
survey the Yan-tse-Kiang ; the Alligator,
with steamers, being employed to enforce
the blockade of Ning-po.
VOL. I. K
194 THE SQUADRON.
The Blenheim, 74, Captain Sir H. Le
Fleming Senhouse, which arrived from Eng-
land on the 28th of July, was to enter the
harbour for the purpose of assisting in heav-
ing down the Melville, because the Rattle-
snake, to whom the purchase for effecting
that object was to be secured, was not suffi-
ciently spacious to allow of the requisite
power being applied at the capstan, for heav-
ing the keel of so large a body out of the
water. The Volage also arrived from Macao,
and came into harbour to complete her provi-
sions and water.
The squadron appointed to proceed to
the Imperial Sea, was to consist of the Wel-
lesley, — to which the admiral had shifted his
flag from the Melville, while she was under
repair, — Blonde, Volage, Modeste, Pylades,
and Madagascar, with two transports. The
Pylades and transports had proceeded on the
27th to the Kwesan Islands, to await the
admiral's arrival.
On the 29th of July we weighed, in com-
pany with the flag-ship, just weathering the
flat off Junk Island. The Wellesley, being
elephant's trunk. 195
further to leeward, was obliged to bring up,
while we threaded our way through the
western channel. It was difficult enough to do
this, the chart being imperfect, and the islands
and passages very numerous, the breeze very
fresh, and the tide running like a sluice.
When off Keeto Point, it became evident that
the Wellesley would not be able to quit the
harbour that day. The captain intended to
have anchored under the main land ; but when
within half a cable's length of it, we could
get no soundings with forty fathoms of line,
so the helm was put up, and the yards squared
to enable us to reach our old berth under the
Elephant's Trunk.
After the various duties of the day were
over. Captain Eyres kindly oflPered me a seat
in his boat. I proceeded with him to explore
the Elephant's Trunk, — a long, narrow, and
high island, full of fertile indentations, which
have evidently been arms or bays of the sea,
but have been rendered fit for cultivation by
the deposit of the earthy matter previously
held in suspension by these turbid waters. By
the aid of man erecting embankments, these
K 2
196 PROCESS OF MAKING SALT.
original estuaries have been converted into
flourishing rice-grounds. Through the whole
of this group of islands the same operations
of nature and man may be traced.
The higher lands afforded a welcome
supply of bringalis, vegetable marrows, and
pumpkins, the inhabitants readily parting
with them, and many of them at first refus-
ing to accept payment. In this, however,
they were not allowed to persist; and six-
pences, with the likeness of our gracious queen
upon them, soon found great favour in their
sight, being often taken in preference when
the quarter dollar was refused. Much salt
was made by the villagers ; and, as well
as I could understand from the want of oral
communication, the following was their
process.
Over their salt pans is spread a sandy
earth, upon which they pour in an abundance
of water from the sea, and when it is entirely
saturated therewith, and the water has been
evaporated by the rays of the sun, this dried
earth is chipped off" to about one inch in
depth. This is then trodden into vats, built
SALT MANUFACTORY. IQ/
of clay for the purpose, about seven feet long
and four feet broad, having a sieve-like bot-
tom formed of canes j sea-water is then
poured on the top, and allowed to filter
through this earth and cane-work into a
reservoir beneath, from which a small gutter
formed of half a bamboo, leads it into large
round pans. Some of this liquid I tasted,
and found it to be a very strong brine, which
they were boiling down at the adjoining vil-
lage in glazed earthen pans, placed in a row,
with fires under each pan. It reminded me
much of the interior of a boiling-house on a
sugar estate in the West Indies.
After this we visited several of the small
houses or huts ; the walls of which were
generally composed of mud, the roof being
of wood. They consisted of two or more
rooms, exceedingly dirty. In truth clean-
liness must not be looked for in this country.
No women were to be seen, and I suspect
they had been conveyed to the mainland.
The men were civil, and much amused with
the opportunity of examining our dresses.
The curiosity of the Chinese is insatiable.
198 CHINESE POLITENESS.
At most of tlie houses they brought out
two stools of different heights, and with much
quickness of perception, soon discovered the
difference of our rank ; making signs for the
captain to be seated on the most elevated
stool, while they placed the lower one for
me on the left side of him that being
considered by the Chinese the post of honour,
instead of the right hand, as with us; but
they never attempted to be seated in our
presence, — a degree of politeness which the
Chinese at Canton and Macao appeared to
have quite forgotten.
CHAPTER II.
TRIP TO THE MOUTH OF THE PEI-HO.
Clear the Islands — Pylades and transports join— Capture
of Pirates — Heavy Squall — Enter Imperial Sea— •
Gulf of Petche-li — Board Junk — Proceed to the
Pei-Ho— Pilots useless — Capture Chinaman — Manda-
rins spoil their Boots — Appearance of the Shore —
Sounding River — Showie Pih, alias Captain White —
Visit to Alcest Bay — Procure Bullocks — Good Water
— Volage visits Mantchow Tartary — Wellesley at
Toke — Plan for bringing Emperor to terms — Present
to Squadron — Meeting with Keshen — Sickness disap-
pears — Procure Millet — Arrangement for quitting
Imperial Sea.
With the claws of an eagle, the heart of a kite,
Let flattery, and cunning, and falsehood unite,
To deceive all above us, oppress all below —
And we shall have fortvme, whoever has woe.
Davis's Translation of the Sorrows of Han,
[The above character, drawn by a prime minister's own hand
may be justly applied to the] greater number of Mandarins ia
China.]
July the 30th, the Wellesley, in tow of
two steamers, succeeded in getting out of
the harbour by the western channel. The
Volage, in tow of a third steamer, trying the
southern ; but the tide making too strong.
200 JUNK DESTROYED.
she was obliged to follow in the flag-ship's
wake ; whence, about half-past two, the sig-
nal to weigh and follow to Buffalo's Nose was
made, which the Blonde and Modeste quickly
did, anchoring at nine to wait the tide.
By four o'clock in the afternoon of the
3 1st, the squadron was well clear of the
islands, the Pylades and transports joining
company at the same time. A junk was
observed in shore, burnt to the water's edge.
It appeared on communicating with the
Pylades, that she had been set on fire by her
people under the following circumstances ;
for the account of which I am indebted to
my old and worthy messmate, Commander
John Hay, then first lieutenant of that ship.
On the 29th instant, at about five p.m.,
the Pylades anchored off the Kewsan group,
when the jolly-boat was sent to purchase some
fish from a fishing-junk close by, the peo-
ple of which pointed to three junks at anchor,
between two and three miles in shore ; in-
forming the boat's crew by signs, that they
were armed, fired guns, and cut people's
heads off.
CHINESE PIRATES. 201
Captain Anson being informed of these
circumstances, and having attentively exa-
mined them with his telescope, felt convinced
they were not war-junks, but pirates, and
determined on sending the boats to ascer-
tain if his opinion was right, and whether
the fishermen's signs had been correctly
understood. He directed the officer, if they
were merchants' junks, not to interfere w^ith
them, but if of any other description, to bring
them out.
In twenty minutes the boats were hoisted
out, manned, armed, and proceeding on this
duty under the command of Lieutenant
Hay, in the ship's cutter, Lieutenant Tou-
seau in the gig, Mr. JefFeries (mate), and
Mr. Ford (mid.), being in the pinnace, while
Mr. Rook (mid.) had charge of the jolly-
boat, accompanied by Mr. Tweedale, the
assistant-surgeon. The whole force consisted
of six officers and forty-one seamen and
marines. Mr. Hay, feeling that there would
be sufficient work for all the boats,
should resistance be offered, kept them well
together. By the time they had nearly
k3
202 SPIRITED ATTACK.
reached the suspected vessels, it was dark;
but the junks were distinctly seen at anchor
about three hundred yards distant, in a small
bay close ofiP a fishing village, with a space of
about fifty yards between each. The boats
now lay on their oars, formed, and loaded
their small arms, the officers and men re-
ceiving strict injunctions not to fire or
otherwise annoy the crews of the junks,
unless first attacked, or in obedience to
orders given by Lieutenant Hay to do so ;
the nearest junk to be the first boarded, the
pinnace and jolly-boat doing so on the star-
board side, while the cutter and gig would
do the same on the port side.
The junks' decks were now seen covered
with men; everything being ready, the word
was given to stretch out, the boats dashing
gallantly alongside under a heavy but ill-
directed fire from match-locks, ginjals, and
guns.
As the men attempted to board, they were
knocked back into their boats with pikes
and hooks, numerous stink-pots being thrown
in at the same moment, the sulphurous
NARROW ESCAPE. 203
vapour of which rendered some of the men
temporally inefficient. The boats were
therefore allowed to drop clear of the vessel,
and some heavy and well-directed volleys
were fired among the people on her crowded
decks, the other junks supporting their com-
rades with their guns and ginjals; hut it
was of little avail against the quick firing of
the boats' crews, and the pirates soon showed
symptoms of having had enough. When the
boats advanced a second time, our brave tars
mounted the sides of the junk, her crew
flying before them, and jumping into the sea.
Fleming, a fine young fellow, had a
narrow escape, a gigantic Chinaman making
a desperate cut at him with a heavy battle-
axe. He had just time to save himself, by
throwing up his musket as a guard, the stock
of which was broken by the weight of the
blow. He instantly threw his own away,
and catching one from a shipmate, effectually
prevented his antagonist from repeating the
experiment. Having carried this vessel, the
boats proceeded with the intention of attack-
ing the two others, but they had, on seeing
204 RESULT OF THE ENGAGEMENT.
their comrade captured, cut their cables and
made off. Lieutenant Hay immediately
gave chase : it was however in vain, for by
their numerous men and oars, they soon left
his boats far behind; returning therefore to
his prize, he dispatched his wounded men to
the ship.
In this gallant affair two of the boat's crew
were killed and five wounded, while the car-
nage on board the junk had been tremend-
ous. On examining her the next morning,
many dead bodies were found still on her
decks; and two men were discovered con-
cealed below, besides quantities of arms,
powder, and opium. After removing all that
was valuable, she was set on fire ; the two
men found on board were landed on the
island, where they had not been very long,
before they were brought to thePyladesbythe
headmanofthe village, with their hands lashed
behind them, and a chop, which, for want of
an interpreter, was laid by for the present.
On being handed up the side, they were put
in irons, which appeared to give great satis-
faction to the men in the boat which had
HEAVY SQUALL. 205
brought them off. Shortly after another boat
arrived with a present of two goats for the
captain, accompanied by a second chop,
"which shared the fate of the first. On their
being afterwards translated by the interpreter
attached to the expedition, they proved that
Captain Anson's surmises had been per-
fectly right in supposing the destroyed junk
and her companions to be piratical vessels.
In these chops the poor fishermen ex-
pressed the most lively feelings of gratitude
for being delivered from the vagabonds, who
had been for some time plundering them.
The day after the engagement the Pylades
fell in with the two which had escaped, but
as they stood into shoal water, they avoided
capture. A letter of thanks was forwarded
by the admiral to Captain Anson, the officers
and men who had been engaged in this smart
little affair.
On the 1st of August we experienced one
of the heaviest squalls we had yet met with
on this coast; but as it brought a fair wind,
no one was displeased. During the squall,
the mercury in the barometer fell suddenly.
206 YELLOW SEA.
The signal and blue lights of the squadron
formed a brilliant contrast to the awful
blackness of the heavens, while the roaring
of the wind rendered the voice quite useless.
Happily, from the precautions taken^ its
force was expended without damage to the
masts or yards of the ships.
The length of our cruise being uncertain,
the ship's companies were this day, put " six
upon four," or two- thirds the usual allow-
ance per man, of salt provisions and flour.
Average thermometer . 82
,, barometer . . 29 — 93
On the 2nd, Srd^ and 4th, the weather
was moderate, the transports and steamers
had parted company, and we had entered
into the Yellow Sea, which certainly deserves
its name ; the water having assumed that
colour from the quantity of yellow mud
intermixed with it.
On the 5th, the Volage, at seven in the
morning, made the signal for land to the
N.W. As the day became clear, the
high rugged Cape of Chang-ting-tow
became distinctly visible, forming a bold
. DENSE roG. 207
outline. Standing along the coast, within
a moderate distance, and having fine clear
weather, we were enabled to get a satis-
factory view of land, which reminded us
more of our own dear native scenery, than
anything we had seen since quitting Great
Britain; though during that time, we had,
in the Modeste, visited the four quarters of
the globe. On its becoming dark, we
anchored in twelve fathoms. Shansan, or
Great Bamboo Island, being E.^S., seven
leagues.
Thermometer . . 76
Barometer . . 29 — 50
On the 6th, at 4, 30 a.m., the squadron
weighed; and in obedience to a signal,
directing the Modeste to pass within hail
of the admiral, we made all sail ; but sud-
denly the whole squadron were enveloped in
a dense fog, and the admiral's signal guns
were heard, directing the ships to anchor ;
in which situation we remained until two
o'clock, when the weather clearing off, the
vessels proceeded on their way. The Mo-
deste passed to the southward of Black Hill
208 IMPERIAL SEA.
or Hoo-ki Island ; the "Wellesley to the
southward between it and Tung-yang or
Quoin rock; while the Blonde passed be-
tween the Quoin and Kew-san or Little
Bamboo Island ; thus entering the Imperial
Sea by three different routes. Off the north
end of Hoo-ki are two most remarkable rocks
resembling ships under sail ; so perfect was
the delusion, that, notwithstanding the assist-
ance of glasses, it was for some time difficult
to pronounce whether they were in reality
rocks or ships.
The Gulf of Petche-li, or Imperial Sea, is
about two hundred and forty miles in length,
and one hundred and fifty in breadth, gra-
dually narrowing towards its northern end.
Its southern shore is bounded by the pro-
vince of Chang-tong, its eastern by Petche-li,
and its northern and eastern by Leao-Tong.
The waters of this shallow sea are deeply
tinged with the same shade as its yellow
neighbour. Its entrance does not exceed
fifty miles in breadth, and is studded with
numerous islands. The whole eastern shore
is evidently formed from deposits brought
KEI-SAN ISLANDS. 209
down by the various streams which discharge
themselves into this extensive gulf. It is
a problem for geologists to solve, in what
space of time this whole gulf will become
one vast alluvial district with the Pei-Ho and
Ta-tching-Ho flowing through its then ricli
and productive soil.
The constant heavy northerly gales which
prevail during the winter months, drive the
waters out of the gulf at its narrow entrance,
and preventing their reflux reduce this sea
much in depth. Indeed during that period
of the year, the spot where we were at anchor
in three fathoms water, is nearly or quite
dry.
On passing the Kei-san Islands we ob-
served that they were well stocked with
horned cattle. The main-land assumed a
bold mountainous character, the sides of
which were well cultivated, and on them
cattle and sheep appeared to be much more
numerous than we had before seen ; while
the hills were in many parts crowded with
natives gazing at the sight of our passing
squadron, to them so novel.
210 TRIBUTE JUNK.
On the 7th, the flag-ship made a telegra-
phic- signal to us to examine a junk which
was in sight, and if laden with grain, to
detain her. We accordingly bore up for that
purpose, when she perceiving our intention,
did the same ; but the attempt to escape was
useless, and we quickly came up with her.
We had, however, to fire several muskets at
her before she would heave-to ; when, hav-
ing been dispatched for that purpose in an
armed cutter, I got on board her, I found she
w^as long and very low, her upper deck being
nearly a wash with the water, with the two
usual large sails, differing only in being made
of cotton, with Chinese characters on them,
marking her as a tribute junk. The after
part of her deck was covered with a tent,
under which was squatted an inferior man-
darin, who retained his position, looking
much frightened, and yet assuming an air of
indignation, at one of the "barbarians" pre-
suming to take possession of the helm of an
imperial craft. The crew were assembled
before the foremast on their knees, perform-
ing a perpetual koo-to ; but, on being as-
CURIOUS ARRANGEMENT. 211
sured that we intended them no injury,
recovered sufficient self-possession to assist in
taking off the hatches. She was laden with
a small green bean from which soy is made,
therefore, being useless to us, she was not
detained. The centre of this vessel was
divided into several compartments, the bulk-
heads being so strong as to make each com-
pletely independent in case of springing a
leak. Some of these divisions contained the
beans in bulk ; one was a water-tank, and
another, from its various contents, appeared
to be doing duty as a store-room.
On the 8th we hove-to till daylight, and
then anchored, the breeze increasing to a
fresh gale from the north-east ; steamers and
transports rejoined company.
Thermometer . . 78
Barometer . . 29 — 76
On the 9th, at eleven a.m., we weighed
with the squadron, and stood in towards the
Pei-Ho, the smaller vessels being placed
ahead and on the bows of the flag-ship, to
show by signal every change in the depth of
the water. The bottom was a soft mud,
212 LORD palmerston's despatch.
gradually shoaling from ten to seven fathoms;
in which depth the Wellesley was anchored,
while the Modeste stood in due west, seven
miles nearer, towards the Pei-Ho, and brought
up in five fathoms ; from whence we could
just distinguish from off the deck two large
square buildings, apparently rising out of the
sea ; it was impossible to say whether they
were forts or not.
At daylight on the 10th, we hoisted out
the boats, and prepared them for service, the
atmosphere being very hazy. At two p.m.,
I proceeded with the pinnace and cutter to
the Madagascar steamer, where I found
Captain Elliot, with four boats from the
ofF-shore ships. Our destination was to be
the Pei-Ho; the object of it to deliver a chop
requiring the authorities to send a proper
officer to receive Lord Palmerston's despatch,
which was generally understood to contain
the terms of restitution and compensation
required by the British government, for the
late wanton acts and injuries which had been
committed by the local authorities at Canton
against the British subjects.
MR. DICEY S HOSPITALITY. *2] 3
The steamers with the boats in tow, stand-
ing towards the shore anchored in three
fathoms ; when it was found too late to
think of entering the river that evening, our
Chinese pilots stating the tide would not
admit of our doing so. These men had been
taken out of a junk, and were promised, if
they performed their duty properly, their
vessel should be restored to them as soon as
the boats returned to their ships.
The steamer being anchored, Mr. Dicey
very hospitably provided a dinner for all
hands, — to me, especially, not an unwelcome
sight, — for, griffin-like, I had left the ship
without remembering Sir Dugald Dalgetty's
maxim, and therefore had to exist on the
donations of ray friends. After a merry
evening, and drinking success to the China
expedition, each one endeavoured to look out
the softest plank ; mine must have been the
hardest on board, for it was the very oppo-
site to soft.
On the morning of the 11 th all was bustle ;
the boats being prepared, at six o'clock
started for the river; the flag-ship's barge
214 CHINESE PILOT.
leading, with Captain Elliot and several
other gentlemen on board.
From the entrance of the river a flat ex-
tends about three miles oat which becomes
dry at low water, the force of the river
keeping a deep passage open through it;
but as the stream expands on the outer edge
of the flat, a bar is formed on which there
is only thirteen feet water at the top of the
highest spring tide. The passage was desig-
nated by a few single bamboos which the
Chinese had not found time wholly to
remove, though some of the inner ones were
cut down. Our Chinese pilots were of little
use, for we soon found the outer bamboos
without their assistance; they were much
frightened for fear of meeting with the man-
darins though dressed in seamen's jackets,
having their tails coiled round their heads,
over which was a straw hat ; but to make
certain of the poor fellows' safety, they were
put into the cutter and sent back to the
steamer. Just after crossing the bar a small
boat was boarded with three men, out of
which one was prevailed upon to enter the
MANDARINS. 215
barge ; but no sooner were questions put
about the mandarins than he evinced the
greatest alarm, and his companions, watching
their opportunity, slipped away and ran their
light skiff upon the mud, where we could
not get near them, nor would anything tempt
them to approach us again ; and as our friend
would know nothing, he was permitted to
jump overboard ; of which permission he
quickly availed himself, splashing through
the water with apparent delight.
A mandarin's boat beins; seen ahead drivinsr
all the boats and vessels into the river, Lieut.
W. Maitland in the barge, accompanied
by Captain Elliot, and others, proceeded to
communicate with her, giving me directions
to anchor with the other boats. On getting
alongside they found several mandarins, who
engaged to take the chop in, the barge fol-
lowing them. As she touched the beach,
the mandarins on shore in their satin boots,
regardless of the mud and water, ran up to
their knees to meet her, begging they would
come no nearer, and assured them that the
Viceroy Keshen was at Toong-koo, where he
2l6 A CHOP.
had been some days awaiting the arrival of
the squadron. On Lieutenant Maitland's
delivering the letter, of which he was the
bearer, a mounted mandarin immediately
started with it for Toong-koo.
From where the boats were anchored I
could with my glass distinguish that a very
large concourse of people had assembled
round the barge ; and feeling that in case of
any treachery on the part of the Chinese,
the whole might be killed or carried off
before I could render them any assistance,
I determined to run closer in with the
boats, so that our guns might be effective.
Closing to within about a quarter of a mile
I brought up, and it appeared afterwards,
that at that very moment the mandarins
were requesting that orders might be sent
off to prohibit our nearer approach for feai'
of alarming the people; nor could they under-
stand how their wishes had apparently been
so instantaneously communicated to us. In
about two hours the messeng-er returned
from Keshen with a chop for the plenipo-
tentiaries, stating that he had no authority to
LARGE JUNKS. 217
treat, but must first report the arrival of the
squadron to Pekin, for which he would
require six days.
This coast had a wretched appearance
from the boats, being nearly a dead flat
interspersed with small sand-hills, but not
having a symptom of vegetation to relieve
the eye. On each side of the entrance of
the river there was an old and delapidated
fort, fast falling to decay. On the top of
the western one were several tents pitched ;
one of which was blue and yellow, with a
red triangular flag flying over it. Nume-
rous workmen were seen busy repairing these
forts and throwing up entrenchments in all
directions -, and before the squadron finally
quitted the coast the whole face of the shore
bristled with cannon.
On our return out of the river the course
to the bar was S.E. by E. We passed
several of the largest junks we had ever
seen, which were just entering the river.
They were nearly as high out of the water
as any of our two-decked ships, and appeared
crowded with passengers, among whom could
VOL. I. L
218 FLOURISHING TRADE.
be distinguished many female heads; the
hair, formed in a knot on the top of the
head, pointing out their sex, which, other-
wise, a stranger has difficulty in discovering,
so much of the masculine attire being
blended with their easy and comfortable
dresses.
A-head of these floating cities were their
boats, which were, in fact, miniature junks
towing them over the bar. On platforms, fixed
on each side of the junk, there were men try-
ing the depth of water with long graduated
bamboo poles, calling the soundings at every
pole. These junks w^ere gorgeously painted,
having their stems much ornamented with
the everlasting Chinese dragon. They were,
we understood, just arrived from Japan.
From the numerous masts we saw over the
land, and the variety of vessels sailing in and
out of this river, a most flourishing trade
must be going on at the great buying and
selling mouth, as this entrance is styled. The
large vessels can only cross the bar at spring
tides, and then are frequently obliged to
discharge part of their cargo into smaller
MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE. 219
ones, which are kept for that purpose. Du-
ring a strong breeze we experienced on the
18th, a large junk parted her cable, and tried
to run for the river, but struck on the eastern
side of the bar, where she was bilged, and
formed an admirable beacon to us after-
wards.
On the 12th, the steamers, with several
boats of the squadron, proceeded to sound
the bar, which the steamer crossed, and
anchored close under the fort in five fathom
water.
Orders having been issued the day before
for the detention of all junks with provisions,
the boats of the Volage had detained several ;
but from adverse wind and tide they were
obliged to anchor some way from the ship.
A most melancholy occurrence took place
on this day. Some seamen left in charge of
a junk, while the officer was busied with
others, forgetting their characters as British
seamen, plundered the cabin of the Chinese
captain, which, on the officer's return, was
represented to him, and the things returned.
A man, named Doyle, being pointed to as
L 2
220 MURDER OF A CHINESE.
the head aggressor, stoutly denied the charge;
but, on a search, the things were found in
his possession, and he was assured that he
woukl be reported on his return on board ;
and from the well known justness of his
captain, he knew his punishment would
be severe. Unfortunately, shortness of
hands prevented the lieutenant from put-
ting him in confinement ; and from the
number of the Chinese crew, general orders
were given to keep them before the mast.
This occurred on the evening of the 11th.
As the captain of the junk next morning
came aft to his cabin, he was directed by
Doyle to go forward, for which purpose he
was turning, when Doyle discharged his
musket, and the unfortunate Chinese fell
shot through the head. The villain, throw-
ing down his musket, continued eating his
breakfast. The officer instantly jumped off
the poop, and had him secured ; and the
wounded man was removed to the Volage,
where he lingered for a few days. Doyle
was afterwards tried by a court martial, at
which the witnesses sw^ore that he (Doyle)
RAIN-WATER. 221
had just cleaned his own musket, and laid it
down with some others. On speaking to the
Chinaman, he caught up what he supposed
to be his own unloaded one, and pointed it
at the man without any intention of injuring
him. He was allowed the benefit of the
error, and acquitted of the murder, but sen-
tenced for the robbery to two years in the
marshalsea, to be mulct of all pay, and to be
turned out of her majesty's service with
disgrace.
On the 13th and 14th, the weather being
squally and disagreeable, with heavy rain, we
collected four tons of rain water. This
quantity was obtained by spreading all the
awnings, and collecting every bucket and
tub in the ship to catch the water as it ran
from them.
Thermometer , . 78
Barometer . . 29 — 74
On the 16th, the admiral, accompanied
by several boats of the squadron, proceeded
with the Madagascar to the entrance of the
river, the boats sounding and taking bearings
preparatory to any required movement of the
222 CAPTAIN WHITE.
ships, when it was found that the Modeste
and steamer, from their light draughty could
cross the bar on the spring tides. While
employed on this duty, a mandarin brought
out the answer from Keshen ; and on seeing
the employment of the boats, was very angry,
and wanted to know " why we came and did
these things without leave." It was found,
that the bearer of the chop, Showpei Pih
(better known to us by the sobriquet of
Captain White), an aide-de-camp of Ke-
shen's, was empowered to receive Lord Pal-
merston's letter, and ten days were requested
for the imperial court to consider the con-
tents of it, and return their answer. This
reasonable request was of course complied
with, and the squadron on the following day
was dispersed, visiting different parts of the
Imperial Sea, to gain information and obtain
supplies.
Showpei Pih was a captain in the imperial
cavalry, and sported a white button to denote
that rank ; he appeared to be a shrewd
clever fellow, was ever singing the praises of
his master Keshen, and striving to impress
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING ISLANDS. 223
US with the viceroy's good feeling towards
the English; his wish for an amicable ar-
rangement, in proof of which he had dis
suaded the emperor from his intention of
marching an army of Tartars to Chusan,
and at once sweeping its invaders from the
face of the earth.
Pih had a quick and observing eye;
nothing new was allowed to pass unnoticed,
but with true Chinese apathy he never
evinced the slightest astonishment. During
all his intercourse with us, he proved himself
an amusing fellow, and had Keshen's star
remained in the ascendant, he would pro-
bably have pushed himself to a darker button,
but the fall of his master involved all the
underlings.
On the 16th, the Blonde and Modeste,
with the Enaurd transport, the latter having
the water-casks of the flag-ship on board,
weighed for the purpose of visiting Alceste
Bay, on the coast of Leao-Tong, there to
procure water and bullocks. At ten we
made the Thunder and Lightning Islands,
on which the surf was beating with tremen-
224 WESTERN CHINA.
dous violence, the roaring of it being heard
by us five or six miles oiF. Light north-east
winds.
Thermometer . . 86
Barometer . . 29 — 78
On the 17th, made the high land of
Western China, which is composed of a lofty
rugged range, combining every variety of
form and figure to be found in mountain
scenery. Some of our party imagined they
could trace the great wall crossing many an
elevated peak.
On the 18th we experienced hard blowing
weather from the north-east with a very
uncomfortable short sea; the Modeste, to
the great satisfaction of all on board, beat
the Blonde considerably, going in the wind's
eye of her.
Thermometer . . 76
Barometer . . 29 — 71
On the 1 9th, daylight found the Blonde
had parted company during the night.
Thermometer . . 89
Barometer . . 29 — 74
FEATURES OF THE COUNTRY. 225
On the 20th, made the eastern coast of
Leao-Tong, which appears moderately high
land. The Blonde rejoined at 7*30 p.m., when
we anchored at Alceste Bay in seven fothoms;
the watering-place bearing N.E. by E. three-
quarters of a mile. This anchorage is com-
pletely open to south and north-west winds.
The features of the country were sterile,
in comparison with what we had lately been
accustomed to see. The hills, however,
appear to furnish tolerable pasturage for
cattle; of which we hoped to get a good
supply, for herds of them were seen grazing
in the neighbourhood. Fresh provisions
began to be much wanted in the squadron.
In the Modeste, in particular, during the
preceding ten months, the crew had not
been supplied with above twenty meals of
fresh meat.
A beautiful stream of fresh water was
found running into the sea, just round a
bluff point, where a range of hills terminated
and the millet cultivation commenced. Any
ship watering here must be prepared with
long hoses to conduct the stream into the
L 3
226 MANDARINS.
boats, whicli have difficulty in approaching
at low tide. Any quantity may be obtained
by forming a temporary dam on the previous
evening. This water to us was a delicious
treat, after the filthy stuff we had been lately
obliged to swallow.
On the 23rd of August we had not been
able to purchase anything from the inha-
bitants, the mandarins having ordered them
to have no dealings with us. These gentry
had removed their buttons and other ensigns
of office, so that we could not distinguish
them from the other inhabitants.
It had been observed, that the cattle were
penned at a peculiar spot every night ; Captain
Bourchier therefore determined to attempt
their capture. At two in the morning, the
Blonde's and our boats started on that
service, but as they touched the beach, it
became evident the Chinese expected such
a visit, for the alarm was given by a man
evidently placed there on the look out.
On his giving the alarm, the pen was
opened, when out scampered the cattle,
spreading in every direction, apparently as
PRICE OF BULLOCKS. 227
loath to have anything to do with us as their
masters. Three beasts only, with two calves,
were brought on board ; two or three having
escaped on the return of the men to the
boats, proving the party to be no borderers, or
they would have better understood how to
manage a raid.
After the party had embarked, the owners
of the bullocks ventured alongside the Blonde,
where they were kindly received, and ten
dollars a-head paid them for their cattle,
with which sum they were highly pleased,
and signed a paper in Chinese to that effect,
and that they considered the whole a very
fair proceeding ; but they could not be pre-
vailed on to part with any more voluntarily.
This evidently arose from the orders of
the mandarins, to which may be added their
own disinclination to part with what they
considered too useful an animal to kill for
their own consumption; and yet it is a most
extraordinary fact, that in no part of China
is milk made use of.
Nothing afforded the inhabitants of Chusan
so much amusement as the milkinjr of the
228 SUCCESSFUL FORAY.
goats. The cattle on this peninsula and
adjacent islands are a small mountain-breed,
seldom weighing more than three hundred
weight; they are smooth-skinned, short in
the horn, with a fine antelope-shaped leg.
The transport heaving in sight, we were
obliged to continue watering; but the Blonde's
boats, after the ship's company's dinner-hour,
made a most successful foray on an island
to the southward, where they captured sixty-
eight head in all, which were speedily em-
barked. Ducks and fowls were procured in
a similar manner, and when the owners did
not appear, the value of them was left in
their houses. It afforded the youngsters
much amusement to chase and catch the
feathered tribe. On one occasion, Captain
Eyres came suddenly on a house where a
fresh-dressed salad was standing on a table,
but the inmates had fled, numerous marks
of little feet on the sand shewing that they
had escaped into a neighbouring wood, and
were no doubt watching the proceedings of
their visitors.
At another house was an old man who
VALUE OF BUTTONS. 229
had evidently considered it useless to get out
of the way. He was very civil, furnished
the party with poultry and vegetables, for
which he accepted payment, but with naivete
asked, **What wind would be fair for the
ships to go away with?" — thus shewing how
glad the poor creatures would be when they
saw our sails set.
In the evening I landed at the watering-
place, where many Chinese had assembled, and
one or two fowls were brought for barter. I
purchased several very prettily coloured ban-
gles, made of a peculiar glassy-looking china.
I found uniform buttons in great request ; but
the old bangle-merchant was evidently not a
resident of the place, and understood the full
value of the precious metal ; for he would
not part with his wares for any other con-
sideration. A button off my jaclcet purchased
me a crystal burning lens j and for a whole
set of five buttons, a man that was in mourn-
ing cut off from his jacket his glass ones,
substituting the crown and anchor in their
place.
My watch afforded them much amusement.
230 PADDY.
One of the party appeared by his signs to
understand the use of it. I took good care
not to allow it out of my hands when open ;
but I should recommend any person dealing
with these people, to take a telescope, and
lend it to some one in the crowd. The
insatiate curiosity of the Chinese will keep
them from pressing or annoying him, while
his glass will be in perfect safety ; for I have
seen no act or attempt to pilfer on the part
of the inhabitants of these islands. I cannot
say as much for Canton. Captain Basil
Hall in his NarrativCy gives an account of a
singular instance of honesty met with at
Oei-hai-oi.
Of eggs we could find very few, and they
were generally carefully treasured. In one
house a pile of bricks, or what appeared
bricks, excited our curiosity ; for they proved
on examination to be square lumps of paddy
pounded up together, and thus kept for the
purpose of distilling shamsoo from them, —
an ardent spirit in general use throughout
China.
Their bed places were most curious, being
CHINESE COALS. 231
long stone troughs, which in winter have hot
embers placed in them ; when, being covered
over with large stones, the bedding is spread
at top, thus making a warm and comfortable
resting-place. The population does not
appear to be great, and there was much
waste land perfectly capable of cultivation.
Captain Eyres, in pulling round the bays,
fell in with some junks laden with coals, of
which he brought a specimen away. They
seemed to be bright, and of good appearance.
As far as he could understand from the crews
of the junks, they came from mines about
thirty miles off. This is well worthy of
attention, and may be the means of supply-
ing any of our steamers which may be em-
ployed for the future in the Gulf of Petche-li.
The men appeared a small race, clothed in
the usual loose jacket and trowsers, with the
everlasting Chinese accompaniments, — fan
and pipe; the latter of which, while out of use,
is generally carried in the hand, while the fan
with most of them is slipped inside the boot.
A Chinese crowd has a droll appearance
from their pipes being held up over the head
232 INTELLIGENCE.
to prevent the pressure of the crowd injuring
them. About this part of the coast we
could never get a sight of the women, but
the marks of their small footsteps were
frequently observed, proving their true
Chinese origin. There is no doubt but that
this peninsula, with the adjacent islands,
were peopled by the Chinese during the
invasion of the Tartars, — thousands of them
preferring emigration to submitting to their
savage conquerors.
Thermometer . . 80
Barometer , . 30 — 10
On the 26th, thirty minutes after two, p.m.,
these poor people's wishes were gratified, the
squadron making sail to rejoin the admiral.
On the 27th, a fresh north-east wind soon
carried us to an anchorage near the flag-ship,
where we learnt that the answer from the court
which ought to have come yesterday, had not
yet arrived ; but the Volage telegraphed that
a boat was wishing to communicate.
While we had been visiting Alceste Bay,
the Volage, Captain George Elliot^ had
proceeded to Mantchow Tartary, a tributary
MANTCHOW TARTARr. 233
of China. Brass buttons appeared to be of
much more value there, than we had found
them : for they were able to purchase a sheep
and poultry for a single one. They were
received kindly by the inhabitants, who made
no difficulty in bartering provisions. In
the rambles and shooting excursions of the
officers in the interior, they found quantities
of game. The men are a fine race, and
evinced the same jealousy in the care of their
women, which had been generally observed
in most other parts of the Chinese empire.
The Wellesley and Pylades proceeded to
Toke, where they w^ere supplied with water
and bullocks, and a present was sent off by
the head mandarin of some very fine grapes.
As the ships stood in, the women were seen
escaping over a hill behind the town. They
must fancy us a horridly ungallant set of
beings, thus to fly from us in all directions.
On the 28th, the chop not having arrived,
the admiral proceeded in the steamer, in
which was embarked part of the Wellesley's
marines, with the boats of the squadron, to
buoy the bar and passage to the river. The
234 TIEN-SING.
remaining marines of the Wellesley being
put on board the Modeste, we weighed
and stood in, full of the hope of entering
the Pei-Ho. But alas ! our hopes were to be
disappointed ; for the admiral met a chop
coming out, announcing that the emperor
had appointed Keshen his commissioner to
treat with us. This was much to be regretted ;
for if we had entered the river, we might
have brought them to some definite treaty.
Tien-sing, a large commercial city at the
junction of the Yun-liang canal, would then
have been at our mercy ; a few hours being
sufficient to convey the steamer and ship
there, when once over the bar ; and I appre-
hend the blaze of the grain junks there
assembled, with that of the city if requisite,
would have aroused the emperor to a sense of
his danger, and our own terms might have
been obtained.
Though occupying a longer time, the same
object would be gained by a strict blockade
of the mouths of the rivers Pei-Ho, San-Ho,
and Chan-tou, supported by one established
up the Yang-tse-kiang. It would be still
MANDARINS. 235
more efficient up the Hong-Ho, or Yellow
River, in both cases off the spot where the
great canal intersects these rivers. Thus
Pekin, which depends for its supplies on the
southern provinces, would be reduced to the
greatest straits for provisions, which would
instantly produce a rising in the capital, and
probably end in the overthrow of the present
dynasty. Of this the emperor is so well
aware, that he takes great care that no want of
grain or provisions shall be felt in the capital.
On the morning of the 29th, junks came
out with supplies for the fleet, sent by
the emperor's orders. They consisted of
twenty bullocks, two hundred sheep, with
numerous ducks and fowls, and one or
two thousand eggs ; but as they were far
advanced towards chickenhood, the boatmen
were allowed to retain them, — and much
pleased did they appear with their booty.
The mandarins in charge of the presents wore
brass buttons, and were fine specimens of men.
From under thebutton, and extending behind,
they had two strips of fur, about six inches
long. I have since learnt that these squirrel
236 A COXFERENCE.
tails, as we named them, were worn to denote
that the country was in an unquiet state.
These gentry were handed down to the
cabin, and made no objection to a glass of
gin ; but the true way to a Chinaman's
heart, is with a glass of cherry-brandy : it
possesses a charm he cannot resist ; nor is
that much to be wondered at, —
A fellow feeling makes us wond'rous kind.
The Wellesley's marines were sent back
in the steamer, and the meeting with
Keshen was finally arranged to take place
on tlie morrow. Captain Elliot, the second
plenipotentiary, was to attend on the part
of the British ; it being considered, that the
dignity of the admiral, as chief plenipoten-
tiary, might suffer in the eyes of the Chinese,
if a meeting should take place between him
and an envoy from the celestial court, not
accredited with full plenipotentiary powers.
At 10 P.M., the Madagascar stopping near
us. Captain Eyres went on board her to
attend Captain Elliot at the conference to be
held the next day, when a true Chinese
entertainment was served up; but their
keshen's arguments. 237
feasts have been described so often before,
and this one, in particular, so ably by Lord
Jocelyn^, that I shall pass it by, merely
noticing one or two little circumstances
which appear to liave escaped his lordship's
observation.
When some of the party had succeeded
in eluding the vigilance of the mandarins,
and managed to get a stolen peep at what
was to be seen beyond the screens which
surrounded the tents where they were
regaled, several of the lower orders were
squatted on their haunches, with the Jiope of
getting a sight of the English barbarians
who were within. The moment they caught
the eye of any of the party, they made signs
to them to punch the mandarins; but the
instant a button appeared, they waddled off
at a most extraordinary pace, considering
that they still retained their squatting position.
The conference lasted six hours. One of
Keshen's principal arguments was, that we
had better take a part of our demand, or we
might, perchance, lose all. He freely
admitted that the English had been ill-used.
238 REMEDY FOR DIARRHCEA.
and that it would have served Lin right, if
we had retaliated at Canton, and punished
him; but not being empowered to enter into
a definitive treaty, he required twelve days
more to communicate with the court. The
time was granted, and the parties returned
to their respective ships.
Any remuneration for the supplies was
refused ; it being stated, that all the mem-
bers of the mission were considered the
emperor's guests. On the 31st, a junk
brought off a supply of fodder for the cattle,
principally shamsoo-grains ; the bullocks eat
it greedily. There was also a small propor-
tion of millet for the sheep and fowls.
On the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of September,
nothing of note occurred ; we experienced
fine weather, with southerly winds. The
diarrhoea had, by the goodness of Providence,
gradually yielded under the able treatment of
our surgeon, Mr. B. M'Avoy. He had admi-
nistered, internally, a pill with caustic, which
was attended with most beneficial effects.
Thermometer . . 78
Barometer . 29—78 to 29—73
GREAT WALL OF CHINA. 239
On the 4th, the admiral, accompanied by
a party from the squadron, made a trip in
the Madagascar steamer, to the great wall,
and approached very near to the point of the
coast where it terminates. The wall appears
to descend the side of the very rugged and
precipitous mountains in this neighbourhood,
stretching for about three miles in a north-
erly direction across a plain, where it reaches
a ledge of rocks, with which it is itself
intermixed, until the end of it is lost in the
neighbouring sea.
The latitude of the spot . 40° 4' N.
Longitude . . . . 120" 2' E.
On the 5th, we had been ordered to take
millet from the junks that might pass us
laden with that grain, and pay them one
dollar per hundred pounds. The officer
on this duty was furnished with a series of
questions in Chinese, to which he was to
make the master write down the answers.
On one occasion, when it was sent to the
interpreter for translation, their answers
proved to be a protest against the proceed-
ing. They were government boats ; the
240 NEGOTIATIONS.
price paid was more than its real value, and
it was absolutely necessary to have it, to
prevent the cattle from perishing.
On the 7th, it blew a fresh gale from the
S.E.
Thermometer . . SO
Barometer . . 29—73
On the 10th, Showpei Pih again made his
appearance, announcing the appointment of
Keshen as high commissioner^ to proceed to
Canton to inquire into and redress the wrongs
which had there been inflicted on us; fur-
ther requesting, in the emperor's name, that
the British plenipotentiary should there meet
him for a final arrangement, and that a sus-
pension of hostilities should take place pend-
ing the negotiation.
These terms were finally agreed to. I
concurred with some others in thinking, as I
still do, that the emperor would not make
the concessions required, by several of
which he would "loose face" in the eyes
of his subjects ; and in doubting whether
that Keshen held out his fallacious hopes
of a redress of all our grievances with any
SUGGESTIONS. 241
Other idea than that of gaining time, and
getting the squadron out of the Imperial
Sea ; in which quarter he was fully aware of
their inability to make on the moment any
effective resistance. Yet the plenipotentiaries
could do no otherwise with any degree of
propriety, than accede to the emperor's ap-
parently reasonable wishes. Might they not
naturally suppose, that the Pekin cabinet had
used the same argument to the emperor,
which was ever urged to us, " that the acts
complained of, and now first known to them,
had occurred at Canton, and therefore that
Canton was the proper place for them to be
inquired into and redressed ?"
Had the plenipotentiaries in their very
first intercourse with the court, assumed that
in all its promises it was insincere, and con-
sequently refused to have met the third
dignitary of the Chinese empire, as had been
proposed, would they not have been justly
subjected to a censure from their own go-
vernment, for a presumed foreknowledge
that the emperor intended to play false ?
And the strongest reason of all is, that the
VOL. I. M
242 COURT-MARTIAL.
season was too far advanced for offensive
operations taking place in the gulf, with full
and proper effect. This step, therefore, did
not, in fact, retard any ulterior operations.
The 12th, 13th, and 14th were occupied
in trying the man belonging to the Volage
who had shot the Chinese on board the junk
on the 12th ultimo.
Thermometer . . 70
Barometer . . 29 — 79
CHAPTER III.
RETURN TO CHUSAN.
Quit the Pei-Ho — Toke — City of Tong-Tchou-foo —
Chinese Ladies — Defences — Manning the Guns —
Chinese Banners — Arms — Paoupang — Jealousy of
Mandarins — Mia-tau Group — Artificial Harbour —
Dandy Mandarin — Dissertation on Tails — Mandarin's
Attendant — The Cabin and Curiosity — Rejoin Ad-
miral — Mountain of Flesh — His Appetite — Admira-
tion of Fatness — Mia-tau — Loss of Pinnace — Use of
Telescope — Chinese Dejeune — Sculling Boats —
Chin-chin not Chin-chin — Quelpert — Ordered off
Ning-po — Wreck of Kite — Cruel treatment of her
Crew — Dimensions of Cages — Death of Prisoners
• — Their Release — Capture of Captain Anstruther. —
Attempt to kidnap Messrs. Bencraft and Prattent.
But when the vessel is on quicksands cast,
The flowing tide does more the sinking haste. — Dryden.
The expedition to the Pei-Ho having thus
far apparently brought to a peaceable con-
clusion the discussion in question, nothing
farther remained to be done off that river.
On the 15th of September, therefore, the
squadron proceeded on its return to Chusan ;
and, standing across this shallow sea, an-
chored on the evening of the 16th, off a
small village on the Island of Toke, where
M 2
244 TOKE.
it was expected we should meet with an old
Canton compradore, with whom the Pylades
had communicated on a former visit ; but it
appeared that he had been taken into Keshen's
service, and was at the present moment at
Tonsr-Tchou-foo.
Toke is a small but fertile island, situated
at the entrance of the Gulf of Petche-li,
and affords a good anchorage and a conve-
nient watering-place. The village consisted
of about one hundred houses.
On the 17th, having embarked Captain
Charles Elliot and Mr. Morrison, the inter-
preter, we weighed in the Modesto, and
stood over for Tong-Tchou-foo, a large walled
city on the north side of the peninsula of
Chang-Tong. The walls of this city are
high and strongly built. From the gradual
rise of the ground on which they stand, we
were enabled to make out, that they were
about thirty feet thick, affording an elevated
and good road round the city, with a castel-
lated parapet, on which were mounted a few
miserable wall-pieces.
The houses, which occupied about half the
TONG-TCHOU-FOO. 245
inclosed space, were principally the single-
storied stone and brick buildings of China.
Towards the upper end of the town there
was a spacious and handsome joss-house;
while the red poles*, in sundry directions,
pointed out the locality of the mandarins,
whose residence in this city appeared more
numerous than we had generally observed.
On the western angle of the town was a
small and ill-constructed fort^ with several
smart-looking houses near it, gorgeously
ornamented with the elaborate but dispro-
portioned Chinese roof; at the windows of
which we could with our glasses distinguish
many pretty little female faces, whose hus-
bands, little dreaming of the peeping Toms,
had not taken their usual jealous precautions;
so that their car a sposas had a full oppor-
tunity of exposing their charms to the " bar-
barian eye." The ladies of China paint
white and red, with the eye-brows marked
with fine black lines.
From our distant view their theatrically-
painted faces had a pretty and pleasing ap-
* Throughout China, two red poles are erected before
the residence of government officers.
246 FIELD WORK.
pearance ; their hair being turned up, and
forming a knot at the top of the head, on
each side of which bouquets of artificial
flowers were fixed. I really must apologize
for allowing the ladies thus to run away with
my pen in the middle of a Chinese position,
and beg my readers to hurry back with me
to the lines.
From the fort I was speaking of, and
beyond the walls, a high bluff point extended
into the sea, whence an invading force would
command the interior of the city. To the
east there is an extensive flat ; from which
the ground gradually rises to the hills in the
rear of the town, that were thickly covered
with millet-fields, interspersed with rich pas-
turage lands; the cattle that were kept there
were removed on our arrival. Alons; the
face of this flat, and close to, and pointing
seaward, was an evidently new but strong
field-work, having from forty to fifty pieces
of cannon mounted along its face. On each
flank of this apparently strong position were
large encampments of troops, surrounded by
numerous wall-pieces on triangular and port-
able stands.
CHINESE AND TARTAR TROOPS. 247
Our appearance evidently created an im-
mense sensation among the tiger-hearted
Tartars. The troops were hurrying out in
great numbers, but without the most distant
attempt at discipline. They very soon
mounted the works, pitching a standard
at each gun. Their standards were yellow,
red, green with red borders, and the reverse.
This evidently proved the presence of both
description of troops ; for the Tartar part of
the Chinese army are ranged in eight divi-
sions of 10,000 men, each under the colours
yellow, white, red, and blue, or one of the
colours bordered by the other ; thus consti-
tuting a standing army of 80,000 men. The
Chinese are distinguished by a green banner
with a red border, or the reverse, on the
centre of which is displayed the large gilt
dragon of China.
The walls of the city were crowded by
thousands of the inhabitants to gaze on
the barbarian sanpan. As she stood along
shore and close to their lines, we could see
many of the fairer portion of the creation
amongst the crowd, no doubt led there by
the inherent curiosity of their sex.
248 PAOUPANG.
On the hills, to the westward of the town,
were several detachments of troops. Alto-
gether, this amphitheatre of hills spotted
with white and party-coloured tents, the
gorgeous banners, and picturesque grouping
of the troops, made the coup deceit highly
pleasing. Their arms consisted of match-
locks, bows and arrows, with a great variety
of pikes and swords ; the mandarins being
mounted on strong but small-looking nags.
Mr. Morrison landed as bearer of a chop,
requesting a supply of provisions ; and while
he was conducting the negotiation the galley
returned with Paoupang, the compradore
we were in search of, and who was after-
wards at Canton the means of communica-
tion between Keshen and the British pleni-
potentiary.
This man had formerly been compradore to
Mr. Dent's establishment at Canton, but on
the arrival of Lin, had thought it advisable to
leave that neighbourhood. He had now been
given, or more probably had purchased the
rank of an inferior mandarin. He wore a win-
ter cap with brass button, minus the squirrel
tails, which we had before seen at the Pei-Ho.
T.'IE COMPRADORE, 249
His robe was a rich puce-coloured satin,
reaching about half way down the legs,
which were encased in black satin boots,
with the sole about two inches in thickness.
He professed much regard for the English :
but, like all his countrymen, he was a most
intolerable liar. He had many wonderful
tales of his escapes since leaving Canton, and
assured us that the mandarins had squeezed
him to the tune of seventy thousand dollars.
This I afterwards ascertained was the greatest
"Munchausen'' of all his tales ; for he could
never have been possessed of one-tenth part
of that sum. In alluding to the present dis-
pute and Keshen's trip to the south, he
remarked in his Canton -English, — " Can go
makee talkee ; — my thinkee no can settee
this pigeon j — must makee that emperor cry/'
When, as he supposed, he had astounded
us with the magnificence of his new master,
we got rid of our talkative friend. Mr.
Morrison returned in the boat that landed
him, the mandarins having promised to fur-
nish us with the supplies we required. We
learnt from him that though he had been
M 3
250~ MTA-TAU ISLANDS.
treated with much courtesy, yet on his ex-
pressing a wish to go into the city, he met
with a good humoured and civil refusal ;
the mandarins laughing, and assuring him
that " it was such a poor place as not to be
worth seeing — in fact, he would laugh at it.''
It is almost incredible with what jealousy
the Chinese guard their cities and country
from the observation of strangers.
Our object being attained, we made sail to
rejoin the admiral at Toke, where we arrived
by four o'clock on the morning of the 18th.
Captain Elliot returning to the flag-ship,
we bore up for the Mia-tau group, and an-
chored about ten o'clock under the south
side of the centre island, bearing the same
name ; Wellesley, Volage, and transport,
arriving about an hour after.
These islands are moderately high, the
hilly parts affording a very scanty vegetation ;
while the valleys luxuriate in the usual
Chinese plenty. Between this and the
easternmost island, Kei-san, there is an an-
chorage much frequented by junks. From
the westernmost one, Shan-san, an extensive
TONG-TCHOU-FOO. 251
reef runs out, shoaling suddenly from seven-
teen fathoms. We found on getting those
soundings it was requisite to put the helm
immediately down, and then before the ship
was round we had shoaled to a half-five.
On the 19th we were once more under
all sail with Captain Elliot and a party for
Tong-Tchou-foo. At eight, Captain Elliot
and Mr. Morrison landed on the west side
the town, within a natural break-water
formed by a small reef, the surf being too
heavy on the beach to admit of their doing
so there. We now saw from the ship a large
artificial harbour, formed by strongly built
stone piers, between which an opening was
left capable of admitting the largest junks,
but which are obliged to go in and out at
high water ; several were at this time, it
being low water, aground in the harbour.
Captain Elliot, after a short stay, returned
to the ship, accompanied by Paoupang; when
the boat immediately went back for a man-
darin and his servant, who were very anxious
to accompany Captain Elliot, no doubt as
spies on the compradore, of whom they
252 FINE MANDARIN.
evinced great jealousy; but as Captain Elliot
wanted to have some private communication
with this man, the smallness of the boat
afforded a ready opportunity for declining
their company.
This mandarin was one of the finest spe-
cimens of a man I had till then seen in
China. He stood about six feet two or
three inches, and was apparently stout in
proportion. He wore the winter cap, the
crown of which was of a puce-coloured satin,
shaped to, and fitting close to the head, with
a brim of black velvet* turned sharply up
all round, the front and hinder parts rising
rather higher than the sides, — in fact, in
shape much resembling the paper boats we
make for children. On the dome-shaped top
of this he wore a white crystal sexangular
button, in a handsome setting. Beneath
this was a one-eyed peacock's feather falling
down between his shoulders. This feather
was set in green jade-stone about two inches
long, beyond which about ten inches of the
* This, with the lower orders, is frequently formed
of black cloth.
PICTURESQUE COSTUME. 253
feather projected, and though apparently but
one, is, in fact, formed of several most beau-
tifully united.
His ma-kwa, or riding-coat, was of fine
blue camlet, the large sleeves of which ex-
tended about half down the fore-arm, and
the skirts nearly to the hip. Under this he
wore a richly-figured blue silk jacket, the
sleeves equally large, but reaching nearly to
the wrist, and the skirts sufficiently long
to display the full beauty of it below the ma-
kwa. These loose dresses always fold over
the right breast, and are fastened from top to
bottom with loops and buttons. His unwhis-
perables were of a light blue figured Nankin
crape, cut much in the modern Greek style,
being immediately below the knee tucked
into the black satin mandarin boots, that
in shape much resemble the old hessian, once
so common in this country, with soles some
two inches thick, the sides of which were kept
nicely white, Warren's jet not yet having been
introduced. To this part of his dress a Chi-
nese dandy pays as much attention as our
exquisites do to the formation of a " Humby."
254 CHINESE CAVALRY OFFICER.
The figure was completed by his apparently-
warlike, but really peaceable implements,,
which no respectable Chinaman would be
seen without, viz., the fan with its highly-
worked sheath ; the purse or tobacco-pouch,
in the exquisite embroidery of which great
ingenuity is displayed; avariety of silver tooth
and ear-picks, with a pocket for his watch,
the belt to which these are attached having a
small leather case fixed to it, to contain his
flint and steel. I had nearly forgotten his
tail, — his beautiful tail, the pride of every
Chinaman's heart, — and in this case, if all
his own, he might well be proud of it. I am
afraid to say how thick it was, but it reached
half way down his leg, and I would defy
Rowland's macassar to g-ive a finer opIoss.
In short, he was the very epitome of a dandi-
fied Chinese cavalry otficer.
On the subjugation of China by the Tartars
an edict was issued, requiring the whole
nation to shave the front of the head, and to
plat the residue of the hair into a tail, the
length and size of which is considered in
China a great mark of masculine beauty, in
chinaman's tail. 255
consequence of which great quantities of
false hair are worked up with the natural
hair, the ends being finished off with black
silk cord. To the lower orders it is a useful
ornament. I remember, on one occasion, to
have seen a Chinaman flogging his pig along
with it, while on another, the servant was
dusting the table. When their bellige-
rent propensities are excited, which is not
often, they will twist each other's tails round
their hands, pulling with all their strength,
and endurino; the most horrible torture until
one or the other cries out peccavL
While this mandarin was mounting the
ship's side, his fan had been allowed to rest
in its case; but he was no sooner firmly on
the deck, than out flew this everlasting
companion of a Chinaman : nor do I think
he could have accomplished his salute with-
out it.
The attendant was not so tall, but an
exceedingly muscular and powerful fellow,
His leg would make a chairman stare ;
and I think they must have been picked out
256 SQUEEZING.
to make us imagine we had nothing but such
herculean men to deal with.
White Button having been ushered into
the captain's cabin, where cherry brandy was
produced, a long conversation took place
between Paoupang and Captain Elliot relative
to the supplies, &c.; the mandarin fre-
quently asked what they were saying. On one
occasion, when Paoupang had been exposing
and abusing the whole fraternity, he answered
White Button's query by assuring him, that
he was telling the captain what very good per-
sons mandarins were, and that the people liked
them very much. Paoupang, at all events,
made such a good story out of the mandarin's
refusing to receive any compensation for the
small quantity of supplies furnished^ and of
their squeezing him ultimately for it, that it
was arranged that he should be paid for all
that should have been supplied when he
came to Canton with Keshen, by which
means he would prevent the mandarins at
this place getting hold of the dollars. That
the inhabitants generally were squeezed and
made to give their cattle as a bribe for us to
A MOUNTAIN OF FLESH. 257
go away, I think very possible ; but I do not
think they would have ventured to squeeze
an attache of Keshen's: at all events, he
succeeded in squeezing us.
Having got rid of our visitors, the chief
of whom seemed rather disgusted at his ser-
vant having found his way to the lower deck,
where he had been revelling in the charms
of a glass of grog, we made sail to rejoin
the admiral ; but light winds and a lee tide,
obliged us to anchor for the night.
On the 20th, having anchored near the
flag-ship, about 6 a.m.. Captain Elliot and
his party quitted us. Captain Eyres, waiting
on the admiral shortly afterwards, found
him entertaining at breakfast a party of
mandarins from Mia-tau, the chief of whom
was a huge mountain of flesh, — say thirty-jive
stone, — whose great boast was, that a sheep
only furnished him with three days' supply of
food; and to judge from the justice they all
did to the substantial breakfast before them,
it could easily be believed ; the mountain,
for I forget his name, taking up the slices of
mutton as they were sent to him, on his fork,
258 ADVANTAGES OF FATNESS.
and coiling them down his throat, much as
a Neapolitan swallows his macaroni ; nor
did he appear to have satisfied the cravings
of his inordinate appetite, after all his exer-
tions. By his countrymen he must be
thought much of, fatness with them being
a sure sign of wealth and wisdom ; for
they argue, "a thin man must be a poor
devil, or he would have wisdom to eat more."
The lusty individual is also considered an
especial favourite with the gods, who are
represented as good portly characters.
Being myself " none of Pharaoh's lean
kine," I always met with a certain degree
of deference.
It being arranged that the Volage, Mo-
deste, and the two transports, should remain
to embark the bullocks and other supplies,
the Wellesley sailed for Chusan about
eleven o'clock, the Madagascar having pro-
ceeded there some days before ; while the
Blonde and Pylades were gone to visit the
coast of the Corea.
The men having dined, I pulled to the
beach, with an intention of viewing the village,
MARKET. 259
a few hundred yards inland, in which how-
ever I did not succeed, being quietly and ci-
villy turned back ; and even an attempt to
mount their barren hills was met by the same
jealous opposition. Thus I was not able to
proceed, in any one direction, two hundred
yards from the spot on which I landed. On
making them understand, by signs, that I
wanted to purchase vegetables, a market was
quickly established on the beach ; the sellers
soon became so numerous, that good bar-
gains were to be obtained; and when we
quitted the shore, they were still flocking
over the hills laden with the produce of their
lands. Considerable difficulty was expe-
rienced in our payments, the islanders having
no change ; in fact, the common metal coin
of China was not to be seen amongst them.
The whole male population of the island
appeared to have hurried down, to satisfy,
not only their eyes, but their sense of feel-
ing. Every part of our dress was examined,
— the buttons, the tails of our coats, the fine-
ness of which appeared to excite great
astonishment and to be much admired.
260 UNCLEANLINESS.
Finding it impossible to succeed in a trip
inland, and the steward having completed
his purchases, I returned to the ship, happy
to escape this frowsy crowd.
Every Chinaman is frowsy; which I
attribute to a paucity of white linen, their
inner clothing being composed of coloured
materials, and but rarely washed. The
mandarins, with all their gorgeous apparel,
are equally dirty in their under garments.
I do not recollect ever having seen a Chinese
performing his ablutions.
On the 21st, early in the morning, the
ships were got under w^eigh, and we returned
to Tong-Tchou-foo. We came to anchor in
a small bay to the westward of the bluff
point before spoken of, hoisted the boats out
and sent them on shore for the purpose of
embarking the bullocks which had been col-
lected to meet our requisition. Captains G.
Elliot and Eyres having landed for the pur-
pose of having an interview with the man-
darins, some slight delay took place, during
which the fresh breeze which then was blow-
ing rapidly increased to a gale, and, in con-
PINNACE CAPSIZED. 26l
sequence, heavy rollers setting suddenly in,
the Modeste's pinnace was capsized at her
anchorage. The Volage's being a little fur-
ther out, made sail, and succeeded in getting
off shore.
About noon, Captain Elliot, in his whale-
boat, was enabled to get through the surf,
and passing under the ship's stern, relieved
our anxiety for the crew of the pinnace, by
informing us that they had all got safely to
the shorCj where they would remain with
Captain Eyres until the gale abated. The
mandarins civilly pitched tents for them, and
supplied them liberally with provisions. In
this instance they so far waived their usual
jealousy, that they furnished Captain Eyres
with a horse, and allowed him to take a short
ride along the hills.
At half-past three p.m., the gale still con-
tinuing, the Modeste weighed in company
with the Volage, and picked up a berth fur-
ther off shore ; for had we remained where
we were, and parted in the night, we should
have shared the fate of our poor pinnace,
whose cable being cut through by the rocks.
262 CUEIOSITY OF THE NATIVES.
went on shore, and was literally split in
halves.
On the morning of the 22nd, the gale
having subsided, we stood in shore to pick
up Captain Eyres and the men, anchoring
rather outside the berth we quitted yes-
terday.
Captain Eyres, by threatening the man-
darins with a complaint to the viceroy, had
prevailed upon them to promise they would
send the cattle off; and the junks were
already coming out with them on board.
After breakfast I visited the wreck of the
pinnace to see what could be saved ; and
having set the carpenters to work, amused
myself with the natives, who began to assem-
ble in great number, and by their curiosity,
impeded them materially. However, getting
my telescope from the boat, I formed a centre
of attraction, round which they swarmed in
crowds, and thereby afforded me almost as
much amusement as my glass did the Chinese;
for moving from one place to the other, which
I could do amongst the rocks much faster than
they in their thick shoes could, the whole
AN IMPROMPTU MEAL. 263
crowd would follow me, the young, the old, and
the lame, for the sake of a peep; it was quite
immaterial to the greater number, whether
the glass was pointed at the clouds or at the
shipping. That they could have the pleasure
of looking through it was sufficient gratifi-
cation. Getting tired of the crowd, I lent
the glass to one of the most respectable
looking of them, explaining to him how to
adjust the focus ; and he continued to amuse
all those who pressed round him, and left us to
pursue our work without further interruption.
My telescope had made me a universal
favourite; and on returning to the boat, I
found some old gentlemen had resolved to
evince their good will by an impromptu meal.
Having so lately breakfasted, I was not pre-
pared to do justice to it, which I expressed
to them by the most civil and expressive
signs I could think of; at which my hos-
pitable entertainers appeared to be much dis-
tressed. The dishes looked savoury and
tempting, being served up in clean wooden
trays and Chinese basins. Tt was evidently
a quickly got up dejeune, and might have
264 STEWED PUPPIES.
served for a dozen people. There were fowls
split open and grilled, being browned with a
good deal of art; others, again, stewed;
another dish contained fowls' livers floating
in oil, and which was especially brought to
my notice. There were eggs with their em-
bryo chickens, variously prepared ; and a
stew, which, for aught I know, might have
been young puppies, consisted of very white
and delicate-looking meat. Without doubt
their puppies are very good, for they are
exceedingly particular in the breed, which
they rear for their tables, selecting only those
that are white, and fattening them with
meal as carefully as we do any of our
domestic animals.
Poultry, vegetables, and fruit were brought
for sale to the beach in great abundance, and
were both cheap and good. A small un-
leavened cake appeared very common ; they
were about two inches in diameter, perfectly
white, with a pink coloured stamp consisting
of Chinese characters on the top. We found
them a very good substitute for bread.
Having collected all that could be saved
BRINGING OFF BULLOCKS. 265
of our once fine boat, I took leave of my
hospitable entertainers, and shoved off. Just
then an unhappy duck that had been purchased
popped his head up above the gunwale of the
boat, at which a Chinaman made a snatch,
and caught it by the neck,; but as the drake
was securely tied to his mate, he could not
get it out of the boat, and a shake of a
boat-hook, with a look from the bowman,
made Fokie quickly drop his expected prize,
— the whole crowd, though about ten yards
off, shrinking back at the mere threatening
attitude of the seaman. But in common
justice, I must add, this was the.only attempt
at theft which I saw on this part of the coast.
In the afternoon the junks were very busy
bringing off the bullocks ; and the wind fall-
ing almost to a calm, boats were dispatched
from the shore to tow them out to us. These
were evidently pressed for the purpose ; sol-
diers and mandarins were seen compelling
the crews to work. It was astonishing to
observe the rate at which these boats towed
the large junks, when it was seen that they
had only a single scull over the stern. In
VOL. I. N
266 SCULLING IN CHINA.
one of the largest of them I counted eight
men, working a long straight oar. The
system of sculling, which is practised univer-
sally in China, is a great improvement on the
common English method of doing so. The
fulcrum being a short iron pin, with a small
round head, which fits into a hollow on the
oar, thus making a ball and socket, by which
means they reduce the friction to the least
possible quantity. I have seen two and
three sculls to the same boat, one on each
quarter, and the other over the stern.
Our method of hoisting in the bullocks
afforded the Chinese boatmen much amuse-
ment. It was simply a rope round the neck,
with one of the fore legs passed under it.
This prevents the rope from jamming suffi-
ciently tight to strangle the animal, which
is drawn up, and may be landed on the deck
■without a struggle. It is by far the best
method I have seen for hoisting cattle into
a ship.
We had been supplied at this place with
one hundred and fifty bullocks, twenty sheep,
many dozens of poultry, with flour, &c. The
A MISTAKE. 267
bullocks were embarked solely for the use of
the troops at Chusan, where they proved a
most seasonable supply.
Paoupang had been on board the trans-
port collecting different articles, which he
intended as presents for the mandarins.
From one of the transports he purchased a
telescope. Captain Eyres gave him several
tumblers and wine glasses, — all glass ware
being highly prized by the Chinese. You
cannot make them a present they more
highly value. A uniform sword, which he
was most anxious to obtain for the head
mandarin, we could not spare him. He sug-
gested to Captain Elliot, that the mandarins
would be much pleased by our chin-chining
them ; and as they had really been very civil
in all our intercourse with them, the ships
were accordingly dressed with the flags. But
this must have had a direct contrary effect
to that which was intended ; for quickly all
the boats and junks were ordered on shore
by the mandarins, and a boat was sent off for
Paoupang, the compradore ; and when we
came to consider it, we could not be much
N 2
268 QUELPERT.
surprised at the result, for a great display of
flags is the way in which the Chinese express
defiance and martial preparations, so that our
intended compliment must by them have
been considered as a threat. No doubt Pa-
oupang, on landing, explained it to them ;
but this we had no opportunity of ascertain-
ing, as we sailed at daylight on the morning
of the 23rd. Having to visit the Island of
Quelpert, we parted company with the
Volage, and made all sail for that island.
On the morning of the 26th, we made an
island, S. J E. nine or ten leagues. This
was high land, with a flat, circular top, and
was not laid down in any charts on board.
"We christened it " Strange Island," when
it bore by compass, E.N.E. ten miles ; the
latitude was 34° 42' N. longitude 125° 7' E.
At noon we saw Alceste Island, S. by E.,
having a high, cone-like appearance ; but we
did not pass sufficiently near to distinguish
if it was cultivated.
At 10 P.M., hauled to the wind for day-
light. On the 27th, at 4, we bore up, and
made sail. As the day broke, Quelpert ap-
CULTIVATION. 269
peared close to us in the N.W. This island
is large, and from a few miles inland gra-
dually rises, until it terminates in a very-
lofty cone. The cultivation appears carried
on in the Chinese system ; but we have had so
little intercourse with the natives, that we
know nothing certain of their origin. On a
small island on the south-east side, there
were numerous cattle feeding ; and having
ascertained this, which was the occasion of
our visit, we shaped a course for Chusan,
flying along at about ten knots per hour.
On the 28th we rejoined the Volage and
transports off Mouse Island, and on the
30th anchored in our old berth under the
Elephant's Trunk.
On the 1st of October, her majesty's brig
Cruizer sailed for India vici Macao, to carry
the mail ; thus affording us all a welcome
opportunity for writing to our friends in dear
England ; a pleasure we had been debarred
from for some months. At half-past ten we
weighed to join the flag-ship at her anchor-
age at " Spithead j" but as we came in sight
of the flag, the signal was made to close the
270 LOSS OF THE KITE.
Blenheim, then anchored off " St. Helens,"
in company with which ship we were to pro-
ceed off Ning-po, there to demand the re-
lease of Mrs. Noble, the widow of the late
master of the Kite ; of Captain Anstruther,
who had been kidnapped near Ting-hai on
the 16th of September; and of Lieutenant
Douglas, R.N., with the marines and crew of
the late armed transport Kite.
In a former part of this Narrative, I alluded
to the Kite as accompanying her majesty's
ship Conway on a survey up the Yang-tse-
kiang, then about to be commenced under
the directions of Captain C. R. D. Bethune.
The Kite was a vessel of about three hundred
tons, fitted with two of the Wellesley's quar-
ter-deck guns, having in addition to her
lascar crew, six marines, with the same num-
ber of first-class boys. Lieutenant Douglas
was placed in charge of her ; and her master,
Mr. Noble, received an acting order as a
second master in her majesty's navy.
On the 10th of September, Captain Be-
thune thought it requisite to dispatch her to
Chusan ; and having cleared the sands at
ESCAPE OF THE CREW. 271
the entrance of the river, it was considered
by all on board that their future passage was
free from danger. How futile were their
calculations! for on the 15th, when running
with a fair breeze, the vessel struck on a
quicksand*, and almost as instantly went over
on her broadside, with a most tremendous
crash, precipitating all hands into the sea,
and Mrs. Noble amongst the number ; but
her poor little infant being unfortunately in
the cabin, was drowned, and Mr. Noble is
supposed to have shared the same fate in an
attempt to save his child, for he was never
seen after the striking of the vessel.
As she thus lay with her masts and yards
in the water, the crew on rising to the sur-
face after their immersion, were enabled to
get hold of them, and by their means climb
up to the side of the vessel. Lieutenant
Douglas, the chief mate, Mrs. Noble, and
two boys, succeeded in getting into the boat,
which they were obliged to cut clear of the
wreck, the sea making a breach over them,
and threatening them with momentary de-
struction. No sooner was she free, than the
* This shoal is not laid down on any of the charts.
272 CRITICAL SITUATION.
current set her quickly from the wreck ; and
with their greatest exertions^ having only
two oarS;, they could not prevent it, but were
soon swept out of sight of it ; when letting
go the boat's anchor, they brought up to
await the change of tide, with a hope of being
able to render some assistance to the poor
fellows left behind.
Again were their efforts vain, and as they
drifted at some distance past her, the whole
hull appeared to have settled in the sand, the
main-top alone appearing above the water.
Early on the morning of the 16th, they were
again driven in the direction of the wreck,
but with as little means of communication as
before ; and on the return tide in the after-
noon they passed it for the last time, as on
the morning of the 17th not a vestige of
the wreck could be seen ; and it was evident
that the poor fellows had been taken off the
wreck by the Chinese, or swept by the over-
whelming waters into eternity.
Thus had these five unhappy beings, one a
helpless female, been for more than two days
without sustenance, — knowing that they were
CHINESE SAMARITANS. 273
close to the shore of a cruel enemy's coast,
without a sail, with only two oars, (one of
which was washed away this very night,) to
navigate their frail bark, driven backwards
and forwards at the mercy of the tides,
expecting every instant to be overwhelmed
by the breakers around them ! But aid was
near when hope seemed to have deserted
them. He, who is ever watching over his
creatures, and who is ever able to save and
deliver those who seek him, as to his myste-
rious mercy may seem fit, w^as at that mo-
ment sending them assistance : a Chinese
fishing-boat approached, and the good Sama-
ritans on board of it shared with them what
they had ; true, it was only dry rice and
water, but it was given with a willing heart
and free hand. A piece of old matting was
also added for the purpose of making a sail.
They were now comparatively comfortable,
hoping to get to Chusan in the evening.
A pumpkin floating by, — probably one from
their unfortunate ship, — was shared amongst
the party. On the 18th, they fell in with
another boat, and requested to be taken to
N 3
274 MRS. NOBLE.
Chusan, for doing which they should be
liberally rewarded. They promised accord-
ingly, but instead of doing so towed their boat
into a canal, where the inhabitants on the
adjoining shore treated them with kindness
and gave them some boiled rice, at the same
time promising soon to convey them where
they desired to go to. Instead of which they
betrayed them to a mandarin and a party of
soldiers.
Where shall I find language sufficiently
strong to execrate the beings that inflicted
the followino: cruelties on wrecked and starv-
ing fellow-creatures. No sooner had they
been seized, than to prevent their running"
away, they were bastinadoed immediately
above the knee, or almost indeed upon it.
They would have treated Mrs. Noble in the
same brutal and still more indecent manner
had it not been for the spirited conduct of
Mr. Douglas, notwithstanding which she
received several blows. Chains were then
put around their necks, and they were bur-
ned, or rather dragged to a large city,
through the streets of which they were
THE QUEEN OF THE BARBARIANS. 275
paraded, subjected to the hootings and bowl-
ings of tbe assembled savages. They were
then taken to a joss-house, where one of the
soldiers forcibly wrenched Mrs. Noble's
wedding-ring from her finger. Lieutenant
Douo-las's hands were here lashed behind
him, and he was in that condition secured to
a post. Mrs. Noble, the mate, and one boy,
were then dragged on about twenty miles
further, being exhibited in several towns
through which they passed ; and no doubt
from what afterwards appeared, Mrs. Noble
was represented as sister to the queen of the
barbarians, who had been taken prisoner by
these marauders, for valiant soldiers Icanuot
call them.
At night they stopped at another depot of
gods, where they were furnished with a
small quantity of food and clothes; the chain
which had been put round their necks being
fastened to the wall of their prison. Here
they were detained two days, and were
allowed to perform their ablutions for the
first time ; their descriptions were accurately
taken down, and they themselves constantly
27G INFAMOUS TREATMENT.
exposed to the gaze of the rabble. Mrs.
Noble was taken to be looked at by the
head mandarin's wife and daughter; and one
would have imagined that the softer sex
would have shown her some compassion in
her suffering and distressed state. No! if
it were possible, they treated her with more
contumely than her captors had done.
At the expiration of the two days they
were led out into the court where stood
three cages about three feet high, two feet
six inches long, by fourteen inches in breadth.
The entrance to these cruel prisons was by
a trap-door on the top, through which they
were forced, the end of their chain being
locked to the cover. A bamboo was then
thrust between the bars, and under the top ;
in this painful position were they carried by
two men from town to town, to be exhibited,
like wild beasts, to the assembled multi-
tudes; but as if all this was not sufficient
suffering, they were loaded with heavy irons
and chains on the legs and arms, Mrs. Noble
being allowed for the present to dispense
with the latter ones. The cages were then
\
N
^
X
S
\
a
^^
TREATMENT OF MRS. NOBLE. 277
at length placed in boats, and after proceed-
ing along a canal for three nights and two
days, they arrived at Ning-po, never having
been permitted to quit their cages for any
purpose during that period.
Lieutenant Douglas and the other boy had
been conveyed in a similar manner, but by a
different route, thus affording the inhabitants
of a greater extent of country a peep at the
barbarians. The crew, as it was hoped might
be the case, had been taken off the wreck by
some Chinese boats, and were also prisoners
at this place, Ning-po. Several of these poor
fellows died during their imprisonment, from
the hardships they had to endure.
After their arrival at Ning-po, Mrs. Noble
was supplied with gay Chinese female ap-
parel; a small and very dirty room was
appropriated to her, but devoid of furniture
with the exception of her cage, which be-
came her bed at night, and her carriage by
day, for into it she was always thrust, which
was the case with the whole party, when
commanded to dine with the mandarins,
which at first was frequently the case until
278 RIDICULOUS QUESTIONS.
their curiosity became satiated, M^lien both
the officers and lady were left more to them-
selves. The questions that the mandarins
would ask on these occasions were most
ridiculous. They were very anxious to know
what relations they were to the Queen of
Eno-land, and if Mrs. Noble was not her
sister; and would believe nothing to the con-
trary. Their irons were still kept on, and it
was not until the 25th of October they were
released from them.
The seamen and marines were most cruelly
used, being always kept in heavy irons,
allowed no exercise, but confined in a dark
dirty prison, with hardly space to turn in.
The poor fellows who paid the debt of
nature in this horrible hole, were, though
wasted to skeletons, kept in their irons even
to their last moments, — notwithstanding the
strong remonstrances of Lieutenant Douglas,
who was debarred from seeing his men, when
it was found what a deep interest he took in
everything that concerned them.
It had been arranged by their friends at
Ting-hai, with some of the lower mandarins
PRISONERS LIBERATED. 279
at Ning-po, that for a certain sum of money
the oflScers should be allowed to escape, — in
fact, safely landed at Chusan ; but this they
positively refused to accede to, unless their
men were to accompany them ; well know-
ing that their escape would be visited on
those left behind. A secret correspondence
was carried on with the head-quarters at
Chusan, until the 22nd of February, 1841 j
when, agreeably with the treaty concluded at
Canton between Captain Elliot and Keshen,
they were summoned before the mandarins,
and informed that they were immediately
to be sent to Chin-hai, and from thence to
Chusan. Their congratulations to one ano-
ther were unbounded at the prospect of a
release after a captivity of five months and
some few days.
Chairs were now provided for them, and
they were conveyed to the entrance of the
Ning-po river, where they were received
courteously by the mandarins, and intrusted
with a message from Commissioner Elepoo
to the commanding officer at Chusan, that he
must get the ships away as speedily as pos-
280 CAPTAIN ANSTRUTHER.
sible, as they had great numbers of troops
ready to take possession on their quitting.
Captain P. Anstruther, before alluded to
as one of the prisoners at Ning-po, had been
in the practice of walking about the country
in the neighbourhood of Ting-hai, for the
purpose of sketching and surveying, and was
apparently much liked by the inhabitants,
who frequently gathered round him, while
he, by signs and by laughing, would hold a
merry intercourse with them.
On the 16th of September he left the
camp in the early part of the forenoon, ac-
companied by an old lascar servant, who
carried a spade for the purpose of erecting
flag-staves on the hills, to assist in taking
angles for his survey. Having ascended a
pass between the hills to the westward of
the city, he placed a flag on a knoll, taking-
several angles from thence ; after which he
continued to walk down the western side of
the pass ; but soon > perceived that he had
gone too far for his safety, and that he and his
servant were followed by a number of armed
Chinese. Taking no apparent notice of
ATTACKED BY CHINESE. 281
them, he turned to the left with an intention
of ascending the hill, — but he had scarcely
attempted to do so, when his old lascar
was furiously attacked by a Chinese soldier,
armed with a hoe. The poor old man ran to
his master for assistance, who, seizing the
spade from his hand, quickly drove the
assailant back, when the whole body made
a charge with formidable double-pronged
spears. There was now nothing left but to
run for it; Captain Anstruther bidding the old
lascar to make the best of his way up the
hill, hoping by that means to save the poor
fellow's life ; but he would not hear of quit-
ting his master.
Their pursuers closing round them, Capt.
Anstruther saw that his only chance now was
to fight his way through a long valley which
led to the city. He therefore proceeded
slowly through it, now and then turning to
keep his pursuers in check. By the beating
of gongs and the shouting of his assailants
all the inhabitants of the valley became
aroused, and a strong party being thus assem-
bled at a gorge, escape became almost hope-
282 CAPTAIN ANSTRUTHER
less. At a turn in the path, Captain A.
found it necessary to charge a party assem-
bled there with sticks and stones, in doing
which he was separated from his poor old ser-
vant, who was quickly knocked down. His
master, though surrounded by numbers, used
every effort to fight his way to his assistance,
but in vain ; and he had the pain of seeing
the villains pounding the poor old man's
head with large stones, which must have
shortly ended his life*.
Flight now became utterly impossible ; and
Captain Anstruther, who expected a similar
fate to that which had befallen his servant,
attacked, and determined to make the
rascals pay dearly for his life. Numbers of
course prevailed, and he was at length
stretched on the ground by a heavy blow on
the head, when the villains rushing on him,
bound his hands behind him and his ankles
together, thrusting a large gag into his
mouth; when they commenced bambooing
* Captain Anstruther, who is as generous as he is
brave, has sent to school and pensioned the sons of this
faithful old man.
TAKEN PRISONER. 283
him over the knee caps; thus effectually, if
the ropes had not previously done it, pre-
venting him from running away. He was
then put in a chair and carried to a village
about ten miles from the Sapper's Point,
where he was detained until dusk; his tor-
mentors constantly repeating the word Ning-
po, and making signs that he would have his
head cut off when he got there*.
The following day he was landed at that
city, and being carried before the district
magistrates, was questioned as to the number
of men, ships, &c., at Chusan. After this,
having heavy irons put on his legs, he was
sent to the prison^ where, as soon as he arrived,
an iron ring was secured round his neck,
hand-cuffs were put on him, locked to the
end of a stick about a foot long, which was
again fastened to the ring round his neck.
* It is a singular coincidence, that the night but one
prior to his capture, Captain Anstruther had aroused
the whole artillery camp with his cries, when, on pro-
ceeding to his quarters, he was found fast asleep, and on.
being awakened, said he had been dreaming that the
Chinese were carrying him off, tied hands and feet, on a
pole, and gagged, and within sight of the camp.
284 CAPTAIN ANSTRUTHER,
He was then forced to get into a wooden
cage, the height and length of which to the
outer part of the bars was one yard each way,
the breadth being: two feet. When he was in
the cage, a chain was fastened from the side
of it to the irons on his legs, and for further
security at nighty the goaler with a light
always slept close by his cage ; and thus was
he kept for upwards of four weeks.
The day after his arrival he was again taken
before the magistrate, and questioned much
about the steamers, the captured compradore
being the interpreter. Captain Anstruther
offered to draw them a representation of one,
with which his examiner was so much pleased,
that he gave him and the compradore a din-
ner ; and he was also furnished with hot
water, and allowed to wash the blood and
dirt off his person.
Captain Anstruther, by his skill in draw-
ing, so far gained the hearts of the manda-
rins, that he was soon allowed a new cage,
actually three feet six inches by tivo feet one
inch. This was comparative comfort.
After his powers as an artist had been dis-
j4n excellent autlst. 285
covered, he was constantly requested to
employ his talents to depict every variety of
article or animal which was foreign to them ;
and many of his sketches are supposed to
have met the imperial eye.
It is to be hopedj that this talented officer
will gratify the vvorkl by an account of what
he has witnessed in China. I know no per-
son more equal to the task.
During the month of September, two
young gentlemen of the Blenheim, Mr. W.
Bencraft and Mr, Prattent, had a most
narrow escape from sharing the fate of
Captain Anstruther. Their adventure shows
so much coolness and presence of mind in
two youngsters, that it would be the height
of injustice to them not to give a detailed
account of their gallant conduct.
These young gentlemen, the former of
whom numbered little more than 14 years,
while the latter had not passed the age of 16,
feeling that salt junk was alike disagreeable
to their health and palates, resolved one
exceedingly hot day to take a ramble to the
farm of an old Chinaman, about two miles
286 CHINESE FARM-YARD.
from Ting-haij with the view of prevailing on
him to part with some young goats they had
seen on his premises in a previous excursion.
About two o'clock in the afternoon, fur-
nished with some dollars by the caterer of
their mess, and armed, Mr. Prattent with a
double-barrelled fowling-piece, and young
Bencraft with a thick stick, they commenced
their trip. On approaching the farm house
where they had formerly seen the goats, they
put a heavy charge of slugs into each barrel,
and providentially so, as it eventually proved.
The house stood on the slope of a steep
hill, with thick bamboo groves in front and
rear of it, the close nature of which pre-
cluded a direct approach to the buildings.
The youngsters made their way by a narrow
lane to a small enclosure at one end of the
house where the goats were feeding, upon
which the old farmer came out of doors and
gave them a friendly welcome. An exchange
of dollars for the brace of kids was proposed
for his consideration, but notwithstanding
the liberality of their offer, he could not be
induced to part with his stock.
AN AFFRAY. 287
Desparing of success our young friends
were about to turn their steps homeward,
when a sturdy fellow, with large mustachios
and about five feet ten in height, approached
the old man. After a conversation with
whom, the workmen of the farm were called
in, amounting to about twenty fellows armed
with rakes and hoes.
The stranger then walked up to Mr.
Prattent and offered him the goats for a less
sum than had been originally refused by the
old farmer. This proposal was at once
accepted; and young Bencraft began to
sling the kids across his back, while his com-
panion, laying his gun in the hollow of his
left arm, put his right hand into his pocket
for his cash. At this moment the stranger
seized the gun, while one of the labourers
pinned its owner by the throat against the
hedge. Instantly Bencraft dropping the
kids sprung at the man who had possession
of the gun, and seized it before he had time
to discharge it. The Chinaman was much
the strongest, but being anxious to cock the
gun he had both his hands about the small
288 AN AFFRAY.
of the piece. This was an opportunity our
young hero did not let slip; for seizing the
extremities of the gun, and making a des-
perate effort, he succeeded in wrenching it
from the fellow's grasp, striking him at the
same time a smart blow with the butt on the
side of the head. The piece being now in
his possession, it was but the work of a
moment to discharge one barrel at his power-
ful adversary, the contents taking effect on
the fellow's head who instantly fell.
The villain, with whom Prattent was strug-
gling and whom he had blindfolded by push-
ing his hat over his eyes, on hearing the
report of the gun, suddenly let go his hold and
turned round, while the rest of the Chinese
began to close in, fearing no farther harm
from what they now regarded as an inoffensive
weapon. At the same moment Prattent
.sprung forward, and snatching the gun from
his companion, although he had not time to
bring it to his shoulder,, succeeded in lodging
the contents of the loaded barrel in the
stomach of the fellow with whom he had
been struggling just before; upon wliicli he
dropped.
RESCUE. 289
Tliis brought the remainder of the Chinese
to a stand ; for seeing the gun go off twice in
so short a time, they probably supposed that
it might do so again and again. Prattent
perceiving this made no attempt to reload,
which would have betrayed the real state of
the case, but bringing the empty piece to his
shoulder, he pointed it at every one that
attempted to move. Our young mids re-
mained in this critical situation for about ten
minutes; when they were rescued by a small
party of the 18th Royal Irish, who provi-
dentially had been digging sweet potatoes on
the brow of the neighbouring hill, whence
they were attracted to the spot by the report
of the gun.
The Chinese were thus happily dis-
appointed of their prey ; while our gallant
young friends walked off with their kids,
and, returning on board with their game,
modestly kept the adventure to themselves.
The soldiers, however, sounded their fame
abroad: so much so, that the circumstance
in about a week came to the knowledge of
Sir Gordon Bremer, who directed their Cap-
VOL. I.
290 GALLANT CONDUCT.
tain, Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, to express to
them his high approbation of the gallant and
cool manner in which they had behafed.
I cannot help observing that such decisive
and spirited conduct in a couple of boys
affords a good illustration in proof, that the
rising generation in our navy has lost none
of the determined courage of the olden time.
We need not despair of every due support for
the honour of our flag, while we feel per-
suaded that many similar spirits may be found
among our naval and military youths. May
we not with the greatest propriety adopt the
words, which the author of the jEneid, has
put into the mouth of one of his characters,
and say —
Dii patrii, quorum semper sub nomine Troja est,
Non tamen omnino Teucros delere paratis,
Cum tales animos juvenum et tam certa tulistis
Pectora !
CHAPTER IV.
NING-PO AND CHUSAN.
Proceed to Ning-po — Captain Elliot applies for release
of Prisoners — Their better Treatment — Chinese
Cavalry — Return to " Spithead" — Yang-tse-kiang
— Cruise of the Conway — Death of Mr. Harvey —
Algerine at Chapoo — Bravery of Mandarin — Loss of
Indian Oak — Nimrod's Cruise — Loo-choo — Manners
of its Inhabitants — Seaman's Grave — Quelpert —
Sickness amongst our Troops — Chusan — Ting-hai —
Taoutow and Joss-house hill — Position of Troops —
Robberies — Chinese Coffin — Debasing of Coin —
Temples — Arsenals — Arras — The Six Boards —
Burning the Archives.
Darkly of old through distant nations famed :
One eastward curving holds his crooked way,
One to the west gives his swoll'n tide to stray ;
Declining southward many a land they lave,
And widely swelling roll the sea-like wave,
Till the twin offspring of the mountain sire
Both in the deep engulphed expire. — The Lusiad.
On the 2nd of October, 1840, the Blen-
heim and Modeste weighed from their an-
chorage at " St. Helens," for the purpose of
proceeding to Ning-po. On clearing Bell
o 2
292 BLOCKADE.
Island, these ships were joined by the Volage
and Alligator, and we anchored about 3*
30' P.M., within four miles of the entrance of
the Ta-hea river ; the blockade of which had
been comparatively easy to our vessels, as
the Chinese had sunk vessels filled with
stones, and thereby blocked up the entrance
of it. Chin-hai is a large-walled town at
the entrance of this river, a branch of which
appeared to run through it. Numerous
masts of war and merchant-junks were seen
over the wall, — the former easily distinguished
by their banners and flags, — behind which rose
a high and apparently inaccessible hill, with
a joss-house and fort on its summit ; the
hills to the left were covered with encamp-
ments of troops. On the whole, it may be
said that the scenery about Ning-po formed
the prettiest landscape we had seen in
China.
On the 3rd, ('aptain Elliot arrived in the
Atalanta steamer, and had an interview with
the authorities to negotiate the release of
Mrs. Noble and the prisoners ; but his appli-
cation was evaded by their stating that their
CHINESE CAVALRY. 293
capture liad already been reported at Pekin,
and therefore they could not be released
without orders from the court. They how-
ever promised that they should receive good
treatment, and gave permission that their
clothes should be sent to them : at the same
time they allowed them to communicate with
their friends by letters written in Chinese ;
and it was hoped a truce would soon be
established with the Ning-po authorities. A
body of about two hundred cavalry attended
the high officers to the beach: they were
the first that we had seen in China. The
horses were strong, but small; the men
armed with bows and arrows, with handsome
appointments ; upon the whole, they formed
a very respectable appearance. The saddle
is clumsy, and the rider, using a very short
stirrup, has rather a huntsman's than a sol-
dier's seat.
It had blown hard all night from the north-
east; we had driven considerably, and the
ships had all been labouring much, this
anchorage being completely open to the
north and north-east winds. At noon the
294 JUST IN THE WAY.
squadron weighed per signal, and stood up
to a small island called "Just in the Way."
This island is about mid-way between Chusan
and Ning-po roads, and affords a safe and
sheltered anchorage, from which the signals
shown on board the flag-ship could be easily
made out.
Some days were passed at this spot, the
weather being fine, with moderate northerly
and north-easterly winds, admitting of the
usual routine of the ship going on without
interruption ; but we were getting very tired
of it, and were not at all sorry, when, on the
9th, the recall for the Modeste was seen flying
on board the flag-ship. We therefore quickly
proceeded to join the admiral at " Spithead."
The Melville during our absence had been
hove down, and was rapidly preparing for
sea in the inner harbour. The Conway had
also returned with her squadron from the
Yang-tse-kiang, and theNirarod had arrived
from Loo-choo, where she had been to bring
off the crew of the Royal Oak transport,
which vessel had been wrecked there on her
passage from Chusan to India. Before pro-
YANG-TSE-KIANG. 295
ceeding with the narrative, it may be well to
give a short sketch of the proceedings of
those two ships.
The Yang-tse-kiang,or Child of the Ocean,
is one of the most extensive rivers in the
world, second only to the Mississippi and
Amazon. It takes its rise in Thibet, and
ere reaching the sea, passes over an extent
of 2,700 miles of country in its circuitous
route^ relieving the Lakes Tong-ting and
Poyang, of their superfluous waters. When
passing Nan-kin, it runs with a continued
ebb, and with such force^ as to require a
strong breeze to sail against it- In its down-
ward course numerous islands are formed,
which are constantly increasing from the
quantity of soil suspended in its waters*
The Conway had been employed in sur-
veying the mouths of this mighty river, and
her indefatigable captain succeeded in dis-
covering a passage by which line-of-battle
ships might be conducted through the sands
which guard its entrance. The Conway did
not proceed above sixty miles up, and even
then the ebb was found to run eight hours.
296 MOCK FORTS.
and the flood at neap tides was scarcely per-
ceptible. The appearance of the ship created
a great sensation ; and the natives were
apparently busy throwing up fortifications,
which, being examined with the telescope,
proved nothing but mats extended on poles,
with painted ports to give them the appear-
ance of forts; these poor ignorant people
not having the least idea that the real charac-
ter of their mock defences could be so easily
distinguished.
During the time the dispute was going on
between the late Lord Napier and the
Chinese authorities, our countrymen at Can-
ton were one morning astonished at seeing
the shore apparently bristling with a hundred
cannon ; but on examining them with the
glasses, they had put up in the front of a
mat-fort a range of earthen jars, with the
open end pointed towards the river. We
found that it was a common practice to stick
a large round piece of wood into the muzzle
of a three-pounder, painted white with a
black spot as large as the bore of a thirty-
two pounder, and as the white muzzle was
TSUNG-MING. 297
continued along the line of guns it became
very difficult by merely looking at them to
discover the deception.
The Island of Tsung-ming at the entrance,
lies nearly east and west, and divides the
mouth of the river. It is long and low,
evidently the formation of deposits from the
river, its alluvial soil being very productive.
It is densely populated and highly cultivated,
having on it an abundance of cattle.
On the 25th of September, three boats
from the Conway and Algerine were sent to
this island for the purpose of purchasing
fresh provisions and vegetables for the sick
on board, of whom there were very many ;
and the whole crew were suffering much
from having been several months on salt
provisions. The officer in command of the
boats was directed, if the natives should
refuse to sell them such necessary articles,
to send out foraging parties to procure
them.
On landing they were divided into three
detachments, each being in charge of a com-
missioned officer. As they advanced, the
3
298 . FORAGING PARTY.
peasantry fled before them, carrying oiF then-
women and children ; but on friendly signs
being made to them they were soon induced
to return to their houses. Finding no bullocks
were to be obtained in the neighbourhood,
Lieutenant Coryton advanced with his party
in the hope of collecting some poultry. On an
armed body of Chinese approaching them with
evidently hostile intentions, the marines were
ordered to fire^ and one of the enemy was
seen to drop, when his companions quickly
dispersed, hiding themselves in the deep
dykes with which this island is intersected.
Lieutenant Coryton's party meeting no
further opposition, collected a considerable
quantity of stock, with which they returned
to the boats^ when, having deposited them, a
native informed them by signs that some buf-
faloes might be procured at a clump of large
trees in the distance ; in which direction,
accompanied by their apparently kind friend,
the party proceeded. Having advanced a
short way their guide suddenly stopped, point-
ing to a large junk shored up on her side,
with her keel turned towards them, and indi-
ATTACK ON A FIELD WORK. 299
cated by signs that soldiers were behind it,
after which he made his escape.
They had selected a remarkably strong
position for their novel field-work, having
placed it in a paddy-field with a broad ditch,
knee deep in mud between them and Lieu-
tenant Coryton's party, a long narrow pass
leading to their front without furnishing a
particle of cover to an attacking force ; while
a second junk flanked the causeway. Nothing
daunted, the gallant little band advanced to
the nullah, or ditch, and opened a heavy fire of
musketry on the junk, hoping by that means
to dislodge the party behind it; but it prov-
ing to be bullet-proof, the assailants received
a smart fire in return from those entrenched.
Lieutenant Coryton gave the order to charge,
when at that instant Mr. Harvey fell, ex-
claiming that he was wounded in the stomach.
This caused a slight delay while that gentle-
man was being sent to the rear.
A Chinaman now advanced to the front of
the junk, and covering the marine officer with
his matchlock attempted to fire, which this
officer no sooner perceived than he prepared
300 DEATH OF MR. HARVEY.
to return the compliment ; but, strange as
it may seem, after two or three attempts,
neither of the pieces would go off; when
the order to charge being repeated, the party
dashed through the nullah, and quickly car-
ried the position, the flying enemy leaving
two of their party dead upon the field. The
parties were now united, but the Chinese
shewed no inclination to renew the fight.
The Conway had one man killed and Mr.
Harvey mortally wounded, who expired on
board his ship on Sunday, the 27th of Sep-
tember, much regretted by all his shipmates,
by whom he was highly and deservedly
esteemed.
The Algerine, a few days afterwards,
while examining the deep bay of Hang-
tchou, stood into the harbour of Chapoo,
the emporium of the Japanese trade, from
the batteries of which a fire was imme-
diately opened on the little brig. Lieutenant
Mason gallantly placed his vessel alongside
of them, and after a cannonade of three
hours, effectually silenced them, remaining at
his anchorage for an hour to see if they were
COURAGEOUS MANDARIN. 301
inclined to renew the engagement, which the
Chinese not doing, he got under weigh, and
rejoined his squadron.
During the whole of the engagement the
mandarin in charge of the forts paraded the
walls, making gestures of defiance at the
brig, and encouraging his men, while the
shot were falling round him in every direc-
tion. This was one of the individual cases
of courage sometimes met with amongst the
Chinese.
Her Majesty's ship Nimrod, Commander
Barlow, which ship had arrived at Chusan
from England shortly after the admiral had
sailed from that harbour for the Imperial
Sea, was dispatched on the 5th of September,
in company with her majesty's brig Cruizer,
to the Loo-choo Islands, in consequence of
a mate of the Indian Oak transport having
arrived in that ship's long boat, and an-
nounced her wreck on those islands. He
reported that they had been most humanely
treated by those kind-hearted islanders, who
met them on the shore, carried them to a
house, and saved every particle of the wreck
302 BARNPOOL.
which came on shore, not appropriating so
much as a nail to their own use without
permission. Here is a lesson for some of
our own countrymen, who may learn from
these poor unenlightened islanders the duties
of good Samaritans.
On the 1 5th of September, the ships made
the Islands of Turina and Auckrina, the
former of which has a most remarkable
appearance, much like the Giant's Causeway,
on the coast of Ireland. Light winds with a
strong current against them, compelled the
ships to anchor; nor were they enabled to
get into "Barnpool," off the town of Napa-
kiang, until the following day, of which
Lieutenant Kendall, to whom I am Indebted
for these remarks, observes, that though the
scenery in '' Barnpool " was more beautiful,
and the land more highly cultivated, than he
had observed in any part of China, it certainly
did not equal in appearance its namesake
near Plymouth.
Shortly after the vessels were anchored
they were visited by numerous natives, who
brought off water and provisions in great
WRECK OF THE INDIAN OAK. 303
abundance, for which they refused to receive
the slightest remuneration. " It was," ob-
serves Lieutenant Kendall, '* the only
place I ever visited, where such a custom
prevailed."
The crew of the late Royal Oak were most
kindly treated, and amply provided with
every necessary by these w^arm-hearted people.
The natives had nearly completed a junk of
about 150 tons burden, which they were
purposely building out of the remains of the
ship, that they might return as much as they
possibly could of the Indian Oak to Queen
Victoria. It being found that the junk
would carry all the party, the Cruizer was
sent back with the intelligence to Chusan.
Notwithstanding all their kindness, there
was a degree of innate jealousy about them
that could not be overcome. The house in
which the castaways had been lodged was
inclosed by a fence, outside of which they
were not allowed to move ; nor would they
permit Captain Barlow or any of his officers
to advance a step off the beach.
On one occasion, after the officers had
304 TOMB OF A SEAMAN.
been bathing, they were shown the tomb of
one of the late seamen of the Alceste, who
had died during the visit of that ship to
these islands, at the time she conveyed Lord
Amherst to China.
The tomb was situated in a very picturesque
grove of fir trees, near a temple surrounded by
mausolea of the natives. These kind beings
preserved the spot perfectly free from weeds,
and had planted flowers around the grave,
keeping it in the highest order ; but nothing
could prevail upon them to allow any of the
party to go beyond this spot : to prevent
which unarmed parties of ten and twelve
were stationed in different places ; so that if
the young gentlemen succeeded in evading
one party of watchers, their anticipations of
a ramble were quickly stopped, by stumbling on
another. On such occasions, the natives, in
the most quiet and gentle manner;, would
take them by the arms, and lead them back,
laughing all the time at the attempt made
to elude them.
The men are low in stature, but well
formed and handsome, their colour being a
NATIVES OF LOO-CHOO. 305
dark copper, with teeth remarkable for their
regularity and great whiteness, and having a
very tranquil black eye, which gave to the
whole countenance a peculiarly placid and
intelligent expression. Their dress resem-
bled that of the Chinese, with the usual
accompaniment of fan and pipe ; but instead
of the monkey-like tail, the hair is gathered
up, and formed into a handsome knot at the
crown of the head, and secured by two long
kinds of bodkins, one of which was usually
ornamented at the top with the imitation of
a flower. The chiefs were distinguished by
these bodkins being of silver, while the lower
orders had them of brass.
No women were seen, and all inquiries
about them were answered by assurances that
they were all very ugly, — an assertion which
the beauty of the men certainly disproved.
They added it was not the custom for them
to be seen by strangers, at whom they would
be much frightened, but they always endea-
voured to turn the subject off. Not a war-
like weapon of any description was seen
during the Nimrod's stay. Harmony and
306 LIBERALITY.
good-will prevailed throughout this peaceful
spot, where punishment was unknown ; a
grave look or a tap of the fan sufficing for
everything. It is wonderful that they have
not yet been contaminated.
During the Nimrod's stay she was supplied
with every thing that she required ; all pay-
ment being refused. Captain Barlow pre-
sented them therefore, in the name of her
majesty, with a telescope and some books,
amongst which were Bibles and Testaments.
The junk being completed, and all the
stores which had been saved from the wreck
embarked, the Nimrod, accompanied by the
Folly, which name the junk now bore, sailed
on the 27th, on her return for Chusan, much
to the delight of these happy hospitable
islanders ; but the Nimrod, owing to the
bad sailing qualities of her consort, had a
much longer passage than she expected. For
a full account of these kind-hearted people,
I would recommend my readers to Captain
Basil Hall's very interesting and entertaining
narrative of them.
Before quitting the iSlimrod's cruise, I w^ill
CATTLE ISLAND. 307
give a short account, though I thereby some-
what forestall my narrative, of a subsequent
trip which that ship made to the island of
Quelpert, for the purpose of procuring bul-
locks for the troops. She left Chusan on this
duty, accompanied by the Houghly transport,
on the 16th of October ; and, after rather a
boisterous passage, arrived on the 29th, and
anchored between Cattle and Modeste Island,
the former of which was covered with herds,
though no inhabitants could be distinguished.
At daylight the next morning, the boats were
dispatched for the purpose of catching cattle,
being well provided with ropes for that pur-
pose, and being attended by an armed party
in case of any attack.
Lieutenant Kendall thus describes the
method used for taking the cattle : — " A
party, fifty strong, was formed in one line
about ten feet apart ; and ropes, consisting
of stud-sail haulyards, extended from right
to left, which the men held as high as
their breasts, keeping it taught. This line
reached nearly across the island, by which
means the herd were driven down to a
308 CATCHING BULLOCKS.
point of land, where they faced their pur-
suers, bellowing and tearing up the ground
with their feet. At length, headed by a
tremendous black bull, they charged the
centre of the line. The extremities of the
rope being kept taught, the foremost ones
fell over it, when a rush was made on them,
and before they could recover their legs,
they were firmly tied with spun yarn. In
this manner from five to six were caught at
a haul, when having a rope secured round
the horns, and another to one of their hind
legs, the lashings were cast off, and they
were worked down to the boat. It was a
most amusing employment ; and many a
tumble and capsize occurred during the day ;
fortunately no accident happened. We tried
hard to get our friend the chief, but he
always escaped. He charged once the place
where poor Fox* was standing, who broke
the butt of a musket over his nose, at which
he shook his head, but continued his career.
* Lieutenant C. Fox was Senior Lieutenant of the
Nimrod. He afterwards fell on the heights behind
Canton, in May, 1841.
QUELPERT, 309
Two or three were knocked down by the
men of the 18th, who, when these animals
charged right on them, dexterously hit them
between the eyes with stones."
On the opposite shore and main land of
Quelpert the natives were assembHng in great
force, numerous tents being pitched. Among
them was one, the gorgeous colours of which
pointed it out as belonging to some high
chieftain ; and with the glasses it was ob-
served that no one was allowed to stop or
pass before it, without taking off his hat or
cap, and bowing.
These natives kept making signs to the
Nimrod's people to land, accompanied by
threatening gesticulations, beating of gongs,
and blowing of horns, which lasted until about
eight o'clock, when they all lay down gazing
on the ships, relieving the tcBdium vitce by
an occasional shout or blast on their horns.
Captain Barlow, accompanied by the inter-
preter, proceeded with the gig and jolly-boat,
having a flag of truce flying, to communicate
with the people on shore ; on approaching
which a boat pulled out and made signs for
310 NATIVE CHIEF.
them to land. On this the boats were pulled
close to and alongside the native chief, who
then got into the gig ; but on wanting
him to go on board the Nimrod, he made
signs that he would get his head cut off, and
therefore begged to decline the honour in-
tended him. Several "chops" passed be-
tween this chief and the interpreter* on the
object of the visit. The old chief then
landed, and left the crowd, which was assem-
bled on the beach, who soon began to show
and handle their arms ; in consequence of
which the boats were shoved a little way off
from, the shore.
After some slight delay another attempt
was made to make them understand what was
* Though the dialect of all the eastern islands and
the Corea differs from the Chinese, as it even often does
on the Chinese coast, still the character in writing is the
same. So that a communication can always be carried
on if both parties write. With their fans they will often
describe the character in the air. Mr. Ellis relates, in
his account of Lord Amherst's embassy, that when some
mandarins were entertained at his lordship's table, one
of them, in the heat of conversation, dipped his finger
in his neighbour's wine-glass, and drew the desired
character on the table.
TANKS. 311
wanted. On which a man, apparently a chief,
made a dash at the flag of truce, which he
would have succeeded in carrying off had
not the bowman hooked him with the boat-
hook, which caused him to let it go. All
hope of an amicable communication being at
an end, the boats returned to their ships.
During the two days they remained at this
anchorage, fifty-seven bullocks were captured
and embarked on board the transport. The
natives, with numerous boats, and " armed
to the teeth," made several demonstrations
of intending to attack the party employed on
shore ; but having to cross the fire of the
corvette, on their passage to the island, a
shot or two from her quickly deterred them
from their object.
Many tanks were observed on the island,
hewed out of the rock ; and as no springs
could be found, it was surmised that these
were supplied from the main land. The
natives stated, that the bullocks were the
private property of the king, and for that
reason they could receive no payment for
them. Their dresses appeared to be of the
312 SICKNESS.
same shape as the Chinese, but their hair was
worn in a fashion similar to that of the Loo-
chooans, whose gentle manners they certainly
did not in any way inherit.
It coming on to blow very hard, the ships
were prepared for sea ; but from delays on
board the transport, they were not enabled
to quit their anchorage until the next day,
when the Houghly had to slip her cable, and
thus the ships succeeded in getting out from
their very insecure situation.
During the absence of the Modesto from
Chusan, great sickness had prevailed amongst
the troops. Between three and four hundred
had been interred, and about one thousand
five hundred were in the hospitals. The gal-
lant Cameronians were reduced to a perfect
skeleton, and the brave 47th were scarcely
in a better condition.
No doubt this was mainly to be attributed
to the want of fresh and wholesome pro-
visions, predisposing the constitution of the
men to the agues and fevers epidemical in
this place; for we find the sickness compa-
ratively mild amongst the officers, who had
MORTALITY. 313
means of living on a more generous diet.
The season was also said by the natives to be
a peculiarly unhealthy one, and much sick-
ness prevailed amongst the Chinese. The
troops encamped on the hills or high grounds
suffered the most. It appeared that the
miasma ascended from the lower ground and
lodged on these hills, while the air in the
valley was clear and light. The Madras
artillery, who were encamped in the centre
of a paddy-field, lost very few men. Some
few foraging parties were sent out, but from
the want of proper interpreters, they must
have been considered more in the light of
plunderers, than accredited agents of the
authorities.
Much of the inactivity which existed at
Chusan must be attributed to the sickness
that prevailed amongst the troops ; for there
could be no other reason why strong bodies
of troops were not advanced into the interior
of the island, by which means most [ample
supplies might have been obtained, and the
very excitement of motion would have gone
far to have checked the sickness, and at once
VOL. 1. p
314 SUPPLY OF CATTLE.
have removed the healthy from contemplating
the graves and bodies of their dead and dying
comrades.
The seasonable supply of cattle which was
brought by the Pei-Ho squadron was most
joyfully hailed, and the admiral became
actively employed in putting things on a
better footing. Foraging parties from both
services were now daily sent out, and
obtained from four to six bullocks per day :
in one valley in particular they were always
certain of finding some, the admiral having
directed that the price asked for them should
be paid, thereby to encourage the natives to
put their cattle in our way : which was actually
the case ; for they feared to sell them to us,
least they should be informed against and
punished by the mandarins as soon as the
British force should quit the island. There-
fore when foraging parties were seen ap-
proaching, they always made a fruitless
attempt to drive their bullocks away; but
some how or other they never succeeded,
leaving the valley with dollars instead of
beasts, from fifteen to twenty being the price
, CHUSAN. 315
paid for each bullock, double their value, but
cheap to us.
The Island of Chusan* or Chowsan, on
which the British had a factory in 1700, is a
miniature likeness of a vast chain of moun-
tains, small streams flowing from its central
heights passing between the hills, which
separate as they approach the sea, forming
wide and extensive valleys where boundary
walls and embankments form large alluvial
plains. That in which the city of Ting-hai
is situated has an embankment facing the
sea of full two miles in extent. This exten-
sive plain continues from three to four miles
into the gorge of the hills, and is principally
* Chusan is fifty-one miles and a half in circumfer^
ence, twenty-one long, and ten and a half broad, and
forms part of the Ting-hai-Heen. Heen is the smallest
division of a province, in which the presiding officer has
the power of government. In this Heen the whole of
the Chusan group north and south are included, the
Kewshan islands being also attached to it. The popula-
tion of Chusan may be estimated at about 280,000, as,
from reports in the public offices, it appears to have
40,000 houses on it, which, at seven inhabitants per
house, gives the above number; and, as far as I could
judge, the inmates average about that number.
P 2
316 SLUICE.
under rice cultivation, though cotton, maize,
beans, bringalls, and many vegetables are
grown in small patches. Every spot on the
slope of the hills capable of cultivation is
covered with yams and sweet potatoes, while
the more barren parts are used as the last
resting-place of the inhabitants, — a custom
that I believe prevails generally through
China. In the upper part of this valley many
kind of trees flourish, adding much to the
beauty of the scene.
Through this valley a large stream runs from
the eastward, and ultimately passes into the
sea ; about one mile before it does so, there
is a sluice, by closing which a large quantity
of water is directed into the various canals
tliat intersect this valley, forming an easy
means of irrigation and communication.
The spot where the sluice is situated has
become of considerable importance, it being
the point nearest to the city, which heavy
laden boats can approach at high water ;
several shops and buildings are situated in
this neighbourhood, and a good stone bridge
crosses the stream. Many other bridges
TING-HAI. 317
may be seen in this valley, some of which
are single slabs of granite, from ten to twelve
feet in length and four in breadth, having a
support under the centre of the slab. The
whole space of these flat lands is generally
covered with water, or in such a damp muddy
state, as to render it out of the question to
attempt to cross the fields ; so that the
passenger must confine himself to the narrow
causeways by which they are divided, and
these seldom exceed three or four feet in
breadth, the centres of which are flagged
with granite, affording a dry and comfort-
able foot-path, thoughj from t.be Indian file
in which you are obliged to advance, con-
versation is effectually stopped.
The city of Ting-hai is situated in this
fertile valley of Yung-tung, which has just
been described, and is about three-quarters
of a mile from the sea. It is of an irregular
pentagonal form, environed by a stone wall
about three miles in extent. This wall is
twenty-two feet in height and fifteen in
thickness ; four feet of the above height
forming the parapet, which is two feet
3.18 ITS DEFENCES.
through. Twenty-two square towers, placed
at irregular distances, defend the walls. Four
gates, answering to the cardinal points of
the compass, give admission to the city.
Each gate is flanked by two towers, and sup-
ported by an outer gate, defences at right
angles protecting the inner one.
Round four sides of this pentagonal,
and about thirty feet from the walls, there is
a canal thirty-three feet broad. The fifth
side is formed by a steep hill, up which the
wall extends, a large bastion being formed
on the top of it. The wall continues along
the ridge of this hill, the outer sides of
which are precipitous, when it again descends
and unites to the western end of the southern
face.
From the canal a branch passes into the
city through a water-gate, and intersects it
in every direction ; thus affording an easy
means of conveyance and communication to
the citizens, but forming at the same time in
many places large squares of stagnant water,
which, in the hot weather, become very
CHINESE SEWERS. 319
offensive, and add to the many other causes
of malaria existing in this filthy city.
The streets are narrow, ill-constructed,
and dirty, having sewers running down the
centre of them, which discharge themselves
into the canals. These sewers are covered
over with large slabs of stone, and for want
of cleaning, had become extremely unpleasant.
Latterly coolies were pressed, and being
formed into gangs, attended by policemen,
were obliged to clean them out, for which
labour however they were paid. Every
other vacant space or corner in the streets
was occupied by immense earthenware jars,
being receptacles for every kind of filth ;
animal and vegetable matter of every descrip-
tion being deposited within them for the
purpose of manuring the fields within the
walls, a considerable extent of ground on the
eastern side of the inhabited part being
devoted to the cultivation of rice.
The houses were for the most part built of
wood, which was beautifully varnished ; but
the temples and principal buildings were con-
320 JOSS-HOUSE.
structed of brick or stone plastered over with
a kind of gypsum, being mostly surrounded
with a plain wall. On my first ramble
through this city the scene appeared most
desolate : the inhabitants had nearly all for-
saken their houses, the doors of which, in hun-
dreds of cases, were standing open. On enter-
ing these dwellings little met the view except
beautiful specimens of carved work in wood,
with which this city abounded ; but clean-
liness had not been attended to ; and these
desolate and dirty houses with the deserted
street reminded one of a plague-struck city.
From the southern gate a straight road
led down to Taoutow, the seaport or suburb
of the city ; numerous lanes, leading down
to the wharfs and jetties, intersect this
road, which, passing on the western side
of the joss-house hill, terminates in a large
square platform well flagged, on which the
troops first landed. The joss-house hill is
about 200 feet in height, and about eight
hundred yards from the city, which it com-
pletely commands. On its southern side
is a large temple or joss-house, which is
POSITION OF THE TROOPS, 321
approached from the square beneath by a
handsome flight of stone steps. Had this
spot been properly fortified and well defended
it would have cost us many valuable lives to
have taken it. The greater part of the sub-
urb was composed of shops and stores.
Several very extensive shamsoo distilleries
w^ere also found here, which spirit appears
to be a staple of this island. Along the
shore were large and well supplied timber
yards, the principal part of which is brought
from the main, these islands affording only
an indifferent kind of fir.
After the occupation of Ting-hai, the
26tli Cameronians were encamped on the
hill within the city walls. The 18th Royal
Irish occupied the suburbs and joss-house
hill, the 49th remaining on board the ships;
but shortly afterwards they were disembarked,
and encamped near the sappers, who were on
a point to the westward of the city, which
commanded Junk Pass. The Bengal volun-
teers occupied high land at a little distance
outside the north wall, while the Madras
artillery, with their guns, were encamped
p 3
322 ' PLUNDER.
in the paddy fields, surrounded by an arm of
the canal.
"When the troops first entered Ting-hai
scarcely a soul was to be seen. Thousands
had left the city, but many families remained
shut up in their houses. When they found
that the troops were peaceable and quiet, they
gradually showed themselves, and the rabble
speedily commenced a system of plunder ;
and goods from the deserted houses were
carried out of the city night and day. The
commandant was requested to prevent this
by giving directions that nothing should be
allowed to pass the gate. Orders to this
effect were at first refused, on the plea that
the inhabitants ought to come and look after
their own affairs ; and thus these disregarders
of wewm and tuum were allowed to carry on a
most prosperous game of spoliation, every
thing rapidly disappearing before their light
fingers. No shops were open, and had this
continued the city would soon have been
empty; orders were therefore at length given
to stop the robbers at the gates, and not
to allow them to climb over the walls.
CHINESE ARTIFICE. 323
The remedy now became worse than the
disease : honest men were stopped with the
thieves ; for who was to distinguish between
them. Goods out of number accumulated
at the guard -house, and the magistrate's office
was besieged by claimants to recover their
property, who, on getting an order for it,
helped themselves most liberally, taking very
good care to make up for all previous losses ;
and rarely, if ever, did the true owner
become possessed of what was justly his.
Coffins, notwithstanding the order, were al-
lowed to pass, until the notice of the sentries
was attracted by the quantities of dead rela-
tions, whose bodies were carried out of the
town, when their curiosity prompted them
to examine one of these pretended reposi-
tories of the dead, which proved to be full of
rolls of silk, crape, and other valuables.
The Chinese do not put their departed
friends into large holes in the earth, but
place the coffin on it ; when it is either
covered with matting, earth, or a tomb is
erected over it, many of which were seen
much resembling the common tombs in Eng-
324 COFFIN.
land ; but these generally appeared to be of
great age. The coffin is formed of wood,
about four inches in thickness ; the upper
and lower edges of the sides are deeply
curved, the ends being fitted in on the same
plan, which gives to this last resting-place a
handsome and substantial appearance.
The coffin-artifice failing, other methods
were resorted to by the ever prolific minds
of the Chinese. Several met their death
from the sentries, while trying to force their
way by them. One aged rogue, overladen
with plunder, sunk in the canal ; many re-
ceived the penalty of their crimes from the
people whom they were attempting to rob.
One fellow, in particular, was found tied to
a post in the market-place so tightly bound,
that the blood oozed out from his hands and
arms, and his eyes were starting from their
sockets. Another was brought to the magis-
trate's office, who had been thus treated by
his captor, — a literary graduate, and it was
two hours before he recovered the use of his
speech. This learned character seemed much
astonished, and could not at all understand
CHINESE MUSICIAN. 325
why he should be accused of cruelty, having,
as he stated, merely executed an act of
justice.
A musician having been detained on a
charge of stealing musical instruments, with
which he was laden, pleaded his cause so
well, that he was permitted to depart.
*' When," said he, addressing the magis-
trate, *' I listen to the music of your troops,
the sound of my own instruments appeared
to be harsh and grating in my ears. I lose
all pleasure in them. How could I then
presume to enter any longer into competition
with its strains ? Besides^ to me, it appears
you have quite music enough ; and as the
voice of mirth will be heard no more in this
city, of what use is my abode amidst the
afflicted ? I can carry on my profession only
amongst joyous parties."
Had nothing been allowed to have been
removed out of the town, from the moment
it was occupied by our troops, all the pre-
cedino; and after sufferino- would in a great
degree have been prevented. There were
some who were foolish enough to think, that
326 BAD POLICY.
if the goods were retained the inhabitants
would have remained with them, and those
who had left the city would have returned.
Can any one, having a knowledge of the
Chinese love for property, doubt that such
would have been the result ?
A short time after the occupation, shops
were opened, and poultry of the finest de-
scription were plentiful. Emissaries from
the Ning-po authorities being in the town
and observing this, threatened the remaining
inhabitants with death, if they supplied the
English. This ought to have been stopped,
and every means taken to have discovered and
punished these vile servants of the man-
darins.
The seizure of the compradore, before
spoken of, was a most severe blovv, and
caused, I may say, the whole of the after-
sufferings to the troops. For as the inhabit-
ants perceived that the English would not,
or could not^ force the Ning-po authorities
to give him up, they lost all confidence, and
forsook our neigbourhood, crowding into the
interior of the island, or to Ning-po ; and
A NATIVE DECOYED. 327
when opportunities offered of inquiring why
they did so, the answer was, *' there is no se-
curity for life or property. We may be seized
by the agents of our government, and lose
our lives for traitorous intercourse." Thus we
had only ourselves to thank for the sufferings
the troops endured. A powerful demonstra-
tion or attack on Ning-po would, no doubt,
have caused the release of the compradore,
and made the authorities very cautious how
they interfered with us at Chusan.
About this time a native employed by the
British was decoyed out of the gate, and was
immediately seized and carried off to Ning-po.
This put the finishing stroke to our inter-
course ; the few remaining inhabitants fled
the city; even the robbers were infected with
the panic, and a Chinese was rarely to he
seen in the street. It became impossible to
obtain fresh provisions : no cocks or hens
were to be seen in the neighbourhood of the
city, and should one bird be heard to crow,
he seldom crowed again.
The camp followers were all day fishing in
the canals, surrounded by servants ready to
328 BEHAVIOUR OF THE TROOPS.
purchase the first bite; even the poor supply
of vegetables had ceased.
The troops had behaved in the most exem-
plary way; but who can wonder if, under
the temptation excited by hunger, irregu-
larities vv^ere committed ? or if an occasional
peasant more venturous than his countrymen,
when making for the town with poultry, was
eased of it before he arrived at his journey's
end ? In this state things remained for some
time, and when protective papers for houses
and property were notified, only a few ap-
peared to avail themselves of the offers held
out to them.
It being advisable to move the 26th and
49th regiments into winter quarters, many
houses in the city were appropriated to that
purpose, the owners of which, in numerous
cases, not appearing to claim their property,
they were necessarily broken open and the
contents sent to the temple of Confucius,
where sales were occasionally held.
One great difficulty felt in our first inter-
course with this island, was the little know-
ledge the natives had of silver. The tchen
DEBASING THE COIN. 329
being their circulating medium, thousands
of strings of which were carried off by the
robbers before the soldiers became aware
of their value. The inhabitants would at
first not take silver, except the Carolus
pillared dollar ; and it was very long before
they could be induced to receive the Mex-
ican on any terms. I have, when paying
for bullocks, seen them examine the dollars
most minutely, only selecting those on which
that king's effigy was represented with a
small piece of armour on the shoulder.
When they became more familiar with our
silver coin, I saw a man refuse to take a
sovereign, preferring an English shilling : in
fact, nothing like a gold coinage has existed
in China for ages. So addicted are the
Chinese to debasing the currency that even
the tchen, which is of less value than a tenth
of a penny^ is counterfeited. They will take
a dollar, cut off the stamp about the thick-
ness of tinsel, and scrape out the inside
until a mere shell of the same thickness is
left ; they then fill it up with copper, and
neatly braze the stamp on. The most critical
330 JOSS-HOUSE.
examination of an unpractised eye will not
easily discover the cheat. All the English
houses employ shrofFs, native Chinese, who
readily detect a bad dollar; and as they
are answerable for any that may be such
after undergoing their examination, the
English merchants are seldom sufferers by
base coin.
The temples or joss-houses of Ting-hai
are amongst the finest in China. On enter-
ing the large and deep gateway of the great
temple a colossal figure is seen seated on each
side ; the right-hand one being the warrior
Chin-ky, while the one on the left is Chin-
loong, but a high railing prevents the curious
from touching them. After examining these
seated giants, you pass to a large open quad-
rangle, one side of which is appropriated to
the dormitories of the priests, and the other
consists of a long narrow apartment with
altars before three of their gods, who occupy
arm-chairs, having elegant lanterns suspended
before them.
The first is an aged figure, with a long
black beard, apparently sleeping ; the coun-
IDOLS. 331
tenance expressing the most perfect repose*.
The second is a female, the goddess Teen-
how, the queen of heaven. The third is a
male figure with eight arms, newly gilt, and
apparently lately established in his domicile :
he is no doubt of Indian origin. The fourth
side of the quadrangle is occupied by the
temple.
No sooner do you step clear of the screen
which is before the door, than you are struck
by the magnificence of the carving, and the
colossal Budha, seated on the lotus flowerf.
This figure, in its sitting position, is at least
* This figure came into the possession of an officer
of the squadron, and when the ships were at Canton, the
compradore attending the ship it was on board, expressed
a great wish to become possessed of it. On his desire
being gratified, he presented to the officer three sets of
josses, with incense burners, &c. He assigned his
reason for being anxious to become the possessor of the
sleepy joss already described, in these words: " My
catchee he — my get plenty pigeon." We afterwards
learnt, in confirmation of the compradore's intelligence,
that this figure was the Chinese Morpheus, and also
brought good fortune to his owner.
-|- From the lotus the bodies of the saints are to be
re-produced. With the Budhist it is the type of a
creative power.
332 FINE ARTS IN CHINA.
fifteen feet in height. On its right and left
are seated two other figures, the whole
representing the triad, or three precious
Budhas. These three figures are gilt. Some
idea of their gigantic proportions may be
formed from the forefinger of the left hand
figure measuring eight inches in length.
Behind these figures are mirrors made of
the famous pe-tung, or white copper*, which
when polished is not easily distinguished from
silver. Many of these mirrors are from
three to four feet in diameter.
Passing round a large square building
behind the Budhas, you find a row of thirty
of his disciples as large as life, of different
ages and sexes, all in a standing posture, but
in different attitudes. These figures are
also richly gilt ; the play of the human pas-
sions is exquisitely depicted in their coun-
tenances ; and though they are too corpu-
lent and fat for our ideas of proportion, they
are true to the Chinese standard of beauty.
On the whole they are good specimens of
the fine arts in China ; and were they
* Pe-tung is only found in the province of Yun-nan.
CHINESE GODS. 333
formed of any other material than clay,
which would admit of removal, they might
have made a handsome addition to our
national museum.
One figure is very remarkable : it is that
of a woman with a child apparently issuing
from the centre of her breast ; she has a glory
round her head. Another is that of a
man with an eye in the front of the fore-
head*. Before these figures, and behind
the Budha, is an altar covered with small
but well-executed figures of Chinese ; at
the back of which is a lofty grotto con-
structed of pieces of rock. On the projec-
tions of this are numerous groups of figures,
amidst which are many that appear very
much like cherubim, as represented by our
village sculptors.
I am inclined to think from this, and the
glory round the female's head, that the figures
* In a ramble through the city I came to a joss-house
in which was a figure much like the Egyptian god Mea-
otis. It was the figure of a man, of a red or chocolate
colour, with a hawk's head, but clothed in the usual Chi-
nese dress, with the black boots worn by the mandarins.
I could gain no information from the priest relative to it.
334 LARGE DRUM.
of the virgin and angels, formerly taken to
China by the Jesuit missionaries, have led to
a mixture of the Christian with the Chinese
worship. I was at a future period much
shocked at Macao by seeing the cross with
our blessed Saviour on it, and several other
representations of the Virgin Mary and of
Roman catholic saints, for sale, and mixed
up with josses in the Chinese shops. After
this what rational hope can be entertained of
converting these people from being worship-
pers of idols, who would naturally turn
round and say, "Why these are your own
gods ?"
To return to the temple, we observed
a most magnificent bell, richly ornamented
with Chinese characters ; and our attention
was also attracted by one of the largest drums
I ever beheld, deep in its tones, and, unlike
our " sheep-skin fiddles," each head was
covered with the hide of a bullock* .
Numerous out-buildings appeared to be
* These are beaten to arouse the votaries of the god;
and the great bell is struck morning and evening for the
same purpose.
WHITE ELEPHANT. 335
appropriated to the priests, but only a solitary
aged being remained to defend his shrine
from the rude attacks of the " barbarians."
This temple, I believe, escaped with compa-
ratively little injury; but never before had
there been such a destruction of Chinese
gods as took place in this city. The wanton
iconoclasts satisfied their consciences by re-
flecting that they were only destroying graven
images.
Another temple, in which the commissa-
riat department were quartered, possessed
also some beautiful specimens of sculpture.
Kwan-yin, the goddess of mercy, riding on a
dolphin, in a troubled sea, distributing her
acts of grace, and exhibiting her power to
save, would have been looked upon as a splen-
did piece of art, had it been discovered in
Greece instead of in a small Chinese island.
The white elephant in this temple created
much speculation amongst our orientalists,
it having ever been considered as peculiar to
the Burmese and Siamese worship ; but
when it is remembered how great an inter-
course, by war and commerce, has for ages
336 FORTUNE-TELLING.
existed between the Chinese and Burmese, I
can see nothing extraordinary in some of the
natives having introduced a Burmese idol,
as well as Budha from Ceylon.
Before the principal image of this temple
stands a large, massive, and elaborately
carved table, on which are jars filled with a
fine blue earth for fixing the joss-sticks*
into, when burning. Accompanying these
are round vases filled with fortune-telling
sticks, which are flat pieces of bamboo,
painted with vermillion, and having Chinese
numbers and characters on them. If a Chi-
naman is about to set out on a journey, to
make a purchase, or perform any other tran-
saction of life, he comes and takes out one of
these sticks ; when by the characters on it
he is referred to a leaf of some of the small
books which hang up in the temple, and by
what he there reads he decides on giving
up or persevering in his intended act.
* The joss-stick, from the nature of its composition,
is truly a coprolite, if the geologists can afford me the
term : it moulders away like a pastille. They are
always burning in their temples, and are constantly used
by the natives when "chin-chinning" Joss.
BEAUTIFUL MASONRY. 337
The temple of Confucius is situated in a
most romantic spot, embowered in trees, but
time has done its work. Many parts are
fast falling to decay. By the English it was
used as a receptacle for all captured property.
The Chinese made several attempts, by break-
ing through the walls, to purloin the con-
tents. The dry masonry of the wall is beau-
tiful ; it is a sort of mosaic work, — every
stone fitting with the greatest niceness, so
that you could not introduce the point of the
finest knife into the interstices. In addition
to these there may be seen many smaller
temples ; and every dwelling of any importance
has a joss-house or temple of ancestors
attached to it.
Ting-hai possesses a foundling hospital and
one for decrepid and aged persons; and three
arsenals containing cannon-balls, bows and
arrows, flags, and clothing for the troops.
Great regularity and neatness prevailed in
each of these departments ; the different de-
scription of shot being in separate compart-
ments, while the dresses were neatly labelled
and packed into presses. These were the
VOL. I. Q
338 CHINESE ARSENAL.
large loose jackets thickly padded with cotton,
the inside of the breast being closely inlaid
with thin scales of iron, rendering that part
of the dress perfectly ball-proof. As the cold
weather came on these formed excellent warm
dresses for the lascars, though their appear-
ance was rather grotesque in the clothing
of the "robust and brave*." Their rockets,
which were neatly arranged, were the most
childish weapon that can be imagined; in
size about equal to a two-ounce rocket, with
a small iron barb at the end. They gene-
rally discharge them in showers of thousands
at a time, which were admired for their
beauty, but never dreaded by us from any
injury they were likely to do. The guns
were of the most miserable description, but
curious from their extraordinary shape and
antiquity; several were mere bars of iron
hooped together. Many of the arms were
sold, others destroyed, and some sent home
as trophies to England. It was calculated
* The front and back of most of these dresses were
ornamented with a round red spot, on which the Chinese
characters, " robust and brave," were worked.
GRANARIES. 339
that there were equipments for 1300 men, —
the amount of the Chusan local force. Some
few hehnets were found in the arsenal : they
were of polished steel, but are only used by
their horse soldiers.
Several very extensive and well-arranged
public granaries well filled with paddy were
discovered, and as rice became scarce, they
were opened for the purpose of selling it at
moderate price; but the natives appeared
to be afraid to become purchasers ; and the
ducks and fowls were alone benefited by the
contents of these store-houses, which were
still well supplied when the force evacuated
the island.
A very extensive pawnbroker's shop was
also found filled with every imaginable
article, from the dresses and ornaments of the
"red gallery" to those of the "green win-
dow," with white copper mirrors and an
innumerable collection of gongs. The owner
of this establishment not appearing after
repeated proclamations, the property which
had been previously removed to the temple
of Confucius, was sold, and the building
Q 2
340 DESTRUCTION OF ARCHIVES.
converted into an hospital. I have no doubt
that one of the high officers late of Ting-hai
owned this establishment. Keshen was said
to own several of them, from which he
derived great wealth.
This being the capital of the Heen, the Luh
Poo, or six boards were in existence there,
each having its own peculiar office filled with
old and mouldy archives which had been trea-
sured for so long a period, that it became an
arduous job to examine them. I was tempted
to see if I could rummage any thing curious
from amongst them, but the smell was so
unpleasant, as to make me speedily desist.
For a length of time they rested in peace,
until it was discovered that the Ning-po
authorities had employed emissaries to steal
them, when their fate was decided, and all
these ancient documents were committed to
the flames, thereby causing much labour to
the police, who might as easily have burnt as
much asbestos as these ancient records.
CHAPTER V.
CHUSAN.
Good effects of discipline — Lingua Franca — Resources
of Chusan — Its Vegetable productions — Paddy-
Manure •— Anecdote — Cotton — Bricks — Roads —
Death of Lieut. Conway — His Funeral — Watering-
Melville Repaired — Present from Elepoo — The Fever
—Truce — Innumerable Duck's Eggs — Little Feet —
Pain well Borne — Women's Hair — Marriage — Arti-
ficial Flowers — Charms of an Anchor Button — Ad-
miral sails for Canton — Starboard Jack — Elepoo's
Change of Policy— Chinese Liners — Cast large Guns
—Houses used as Fire-Wood — Elepoo's Threat to
burn the City — Keshen's Treachery — Lew appointed
Commander-in-Chief — His Expedition postponed sine
die — Beneficial effects of Cold Weather — Orders to
Evacuate Chusan— The Evacuation — Climate and
Range of Thermometer — Squadron sail from Star-
board Jack — Fishing-boats — Arrival at Toong-koo.
Her feet beneath her petticoat,
Like little mice, stole in and out,
As if they fear'd the light. — Suckling.
The burning of the archives, alluded to in
the previous Chapter, excited great indigna-
342 LINGUA FRANCA.
tion in the minds of the Chinese. This, how-
ever gradually subsided, when they saw the
good order and discipline which prevailed
among the British troops ; for they well knew
that under similar circumstances, their own
countrymen would have pillaged and mur-
dered in every direction. At a time, when it
was reported at Chusan, that the Ning-po
authorities had a plan of attacking Ting-hai,
the well-disposed Chinese were warned not
to harbour any of the mandarins or troops.
They replied, they knew their own interest
better ; they would just as soon house the
same number of well-known thieves and
robbers.
After the troops had all taken up canton-
ments in the city, the Chinese, as they
returned, opened shops in the midst of their
quarters ; and finding that the soldiers had
plenty of money, used every inducement to
get their custom. The "tolah" and "loo-
pee" becoming most familiar terms, a lingua
franca rapidly sprung up, composed of words
and sounds from the European, Asiatic, and
Chinese languages. Nor was it confined to
CHUSAN. 343
these in particular, for the imitation of the
lowing of cattle, and cackling of poultry were
introduced : the repetition of the words
"cackle^, cackle," being the first method of
making known the want of cocks and hens,
they were henceforth called "kak;" while
ducks were *' wak," and geese were "his-
wak;" the oxen and cows being yclept "boo,"
which had originated from our first foraging
parties indicating that they were in want of
those animals by putting their arms over
their foreheads, and ex.claiming, "boo! boo!
boo !" Dogs of course were naturally '^ bow-
wows ;" and thus quickly all the articles in
common use got named. But I must not
anticipate.
The island of Chusan has great resources
within itself, and would, with a good govern-
ment, and proper duties levied on its trade,
speedily more than pay all its expenses.
Placed as it is off the centre of the Chinese
coast, it becomes the key to their northern
and southern trade, and from its approxima-
tion to the Yang-tse-kiang and Hoang-ho
344 REMOVAL OF MALARIA.
(yellow) rivers. It is a most admirable posi-
tion for the establishment of a force for keep-
ing the Chinese to the terms of any treaty
that may ultimately be made with them ; for
good faith alone will never effect it. It
would also, from its central position, form
an emporium for trade, that would before
long rival any other in Asia. The diffi-
culties of the passage to it would be soon
overcome. Many of my readers may re-
member when the voyage to Macao was, at
certain seasons of the year, considered almost
impracticable.
I have before shown, that the sickness pre-
vailing amongst our forces was not so much
owing to the climate as to other causes, all
of which might be removed. The malaria,
so much complained of in the neighbour-
hood of Ting-hai, would cease, by draining
the valley in which the city is situated, — an
object easily to be effected, the whole of
the land lying above high-water mark, where
the cultivation of corn might be substituted
instead of paddy, of which this island at
CHINESE CANDLES. 345
present produces a great surplus ; and this,
with shamsoo* and salt-fish, constitute at
present the principal exports.
Timber is scarce ; but the tallow tree is
found in great abundance. Several manu-
factories of candles were observed in the city
and suburbs. These candles are of various
colours, and have a thin outer coating of wax.
The wick is large and coarse, being generally
of rush ; nor do the candles give a very
powerful light.
This island produces wheat, buck-wheat,
rice in great abundance, millet, Indian corn,
barley, sugar-cane, sweet potatoes in large
quantities, spinach, beans, bringals, onions,
carrots, yams, lettuce, turnips, ginger, very
fine rhubarb, tobacco, peas, peaches, plums,
oranges, limes, loquats, the arbutus, and a
* Such vast quantities of this spirit were found in the
city, that after the owners of it were discovered, and they
were directed to remove it under penalty of forfeiture,
hundreds of coolies were employed for many days in
doing so. To prevent the troops from being tempted to
make free with it, the contents of the store-houses were
kept profoundly secret. It is a spirit most detrimental
to the European constitution.
Q 3
346 CURIOUS FRUIT.
kind of cherry, with a coarse kind of tea,
good indigo and cotton. There was, in ad-
dition to the above, a vegetable growing on
this island I have not met with in any other
country: in appearance it much resembled
endive, and when boiled, the flavour was very
like sea-kale.
Another fruit, from being perfectly un-
known to us, also attracted particular
notice. It was round, and about the size
of an apple, of a bright yellow colour; the
flavour of it was most delicious, and when
perfectly ripe, the pulp melted in the mouth.
It had from four to five seeds resembling
small tamarind stones; the stalk was formed
and attached to the fruit like that of the
potato-apple, which it much resembled,
except in size. The plant on which it grew
appeared to be a species of melon.
From the general climate of Chusan, there
can be no doubt that all the grains, grasses,
vegetables, and fruits of Europe might be
produced on it. Mulberry trees were in
great abundance, and the silk- worm suc-
ceeded remarkably well until the conquest of
PADDY. 347
this island by the Tartars, when the trees
were cut down, and the inhabitants of that
day annihilated.
As the paddy is cut, it is gathered up in
small bundles, and at once beaten out on a
square sieve about five feet in length, which
is erected in the field at an angle of about
sixty degrees, having a box beneath it, into
which the grain falls. Paddy may be seen
at the same time in all the stages of cultiva-
tion, from that which is just out of the
ground to that which is being reaped. Most
abundant crops are produced, and the land
is never allowed to be idle. Of kitchen
vegetables it will produce three crops in a
year; they manure it highly by a liquid prepar-
ation, with which each plant is constantly and
copiously supplied. Horns, bones, hair, and
every substance convertible into manure, is
carefully husbanded throughout. Even the
shavings of the head are kept for this
purpose, and form no inconsiderable portion.
It should be remembered that hundreds of
millions have more than half the head close-
haved, the upper classes daily, and the
348 PERILS OF TASTING.
lower as often as they can afford it. But
there is a particular kind of manure which,
being most valued, is frequently dried into
small cakes, and thus transported from one
place to another.
An officer in the expedition, who was very
fond of tasting every thing he met with,
boarded a junk laden with a quantity of
these cakes, when mistaking them for biscuits
he wished to ascertain if they were eatable,
by breaking off a piece. Muss, muss, muss, —
no taste ; sniff, sniff, sniff, — no smell ! What
can they be? — and it was some time before
it was known, when he took very good care
to keep the laugh from himself by always
being first to relate the tale.
The cotton grows on small plants, seldom
more than eighteen inches or two feet in
height, and is contained in a little pod. In
most of the cottages the women may be seen
carding and spinning the produce of their
own fields, which is afterwards woven and
dyed for family consumption.
Bricks, pans, and tiles^ are manufactured
from a fine blue clay, plentiful in this island.
CHINESE BRICKS. 349
When burnt they retain their original colour,
and when struck, emit a fine metallic sound.
The first lieutenants soon found that, on
having them pounded up, they answered
admirably for polishing brass work. The
bricks used in the parapet wall round the
city, were of a very large size, each being
stamped with the year when they were made.
Lime appeared scarce, and what llitie they
have is made from shells of the ostrea tribe.
Charcoal, which is brought in large quan-
tities from the main land, is used in burning
the bricks and lime.
In this island almost every thing is borne on
the shoulders of men, the roads which inter-
sect it being very little better than footpaths.
Wheeled vehicles seemed perfectly unknown.
But it is time that I should be getting on
board the ship, and see what the squadron
have been about. On the 12tli of October,
the Blenheim anchored at '* St. Helens."
On the 13th, our second lieutenant, J. W.
Conway, fell a victim to the climate. He
had for a considerable time been suffering
from severe dysentery, and for some days
350 BURIAL OF LIEUTENANT CONWAY.
the most sanguine of us could not hope that
he would long survive. In him I lost a highly
esteemed messmate and friend, and the ser-
vice a most promising and talented young
officer. Captain Eyres had also for some
days been alarmingly ill ; but, under Divine
Providence, a naturally strong constitution
carried him through it, and he lived to reap
a rich harvest of laurels in the Canton river.
The 14th was devoted to interring the
remains of our late gallant messmate. A
quiet and secluded place, near the engineers'
encampment, Avas selected, a natural and
beautiful arbour of trees being formed over
the spot, which, for its sequestered situa-
tion, had been previously selected as the last
resting-place of two of our military brethren.
A numerous attendance of officers showed the
high esteem in which he was held by all who
knew him. At five o'clock in the afternoon,
the procession of boats quitted the ship ; and
as the sun went down, the last words of the
sublime funeral service of our church fell from
the lips of his old friend and messmate, the
Rev. Mr. Fielding, chaplain of the Melville.
THE MELVILLE. 351
The marines fired the usual vollies, and we
returned to the ship, sobered in spirit and
thought by the melancholy duty we had been
performing. Subsequently, a small stone
was erected over the spot, bearing a neat and
appropriate inscription.
We were now employed getting firewood
on board from the men-of-war junks which
had been driven on shore at the capture of
the island, and watering from a large tank-
place, that drained the paddy fields, the
water in which was sweet, but so exceedingly
muddy, that a bucket-full of it would, in a
very short period, deposit about two inches
of sediment. It was, however, *' Hobson*s
choice."
On the 18th, the Blonde proceeded off
Ning-po, where negotiations were still going
on ; and on the 21st, the Melville came out
of the inner harbour, having repaired the
injuries she had received, as well as the
means afforded by the squadron and island
admitted of; but she was found to be so
seriously injured about the stern-post and
dead wood, that it was obvious she would
352 ELEPOO.
ultimately have to proceed to England or
Bombay to be docked.
On the 27th, Elepoo, who had lately been
appointed imperial commissioner to treat with
the barbarians, sent a present of bullocks,
sheep, &c., professing all kinds of goodwill
towards the English : —
Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.
At this time Elepoo was for temporizing : he
saw how unable the Chinese were to contend
with us ; therefore he coincided in Keshen's
fast and loose policy^ and a few days after-
wards a truce was agreed on, the terms of
which will be shortly seen.
On the 29th of October the Volage sailed
for Manilla and Macao. Her captain (G.
Elliot) was to make arrangements at the
former place for the reception of numbers of
the convalescent troops ; it being hoped that
a change of air would restore them to health.
This fever broke down the spirits, and after
shaking the sufferer for six or eight hours,
left him in a state of great inertion, destroying
even the love of life ; and he too generally
sunk quickly into the grave. But dysentery
FEVER. 353
was even more fatal than the fever. It
seldom gave up the victim it had once fixed
on ; and the finest young men, the flower of
our regiments, fell before this malignant and
virulent enemy.
The Conway, Algerine, and Young Hebe,
sailed on the same day to continue a survey
in the neighbourhood of the Kwesan islands.
On the 1st of November, we proceeded to
" St. Helens " where we were employed pur-
chasing bidlocks for the squadron, in which
we were very successful ; our foraging par-
ties generally bringing off from five to six
head of cattle per day. The Pylades had
gone to Sing Kong, at which town a detach-
ment of troops were quartered. In the neigh-
bourhood of Sing Kong are large stone
quarries, the product of which might easily
be brought to Ting-hai by water.
On the 6th, the following memorandum
was issued to the squadron : —
" General Memorandum.
"JI.M.S. Melville, Chusan, Nov. 6, 1840.
" The commander-in-chief has now to give
notice to the expedition, that a truce has
354 GENERAL MEMORANDUM.
been agreed to between the imperial high
commissioner and himself, pending the ne-
gotiation between the two countries. The
terms of which are, generally, that neither
party shall advance beyond the boundary
assigned to him, and that native intercourse
is not to be interrupted. The English boun-
dary has been defined as taking in the Island
of Chusan and the small islands immediately
adjacent; including all within a line run
round the Elephant, Tower Hill, Blackwall,
Fisher's Island, Pooto, Taouying-shan, form-
ing one side of the south-east passage of
Dalrymple's chart, and Deer Island.
" The commander-in-chief has therefore
to call upon all persons, connected with the
expedition, on visiting these islands, not to
go beyond these boundaries, or in any way
to interfere with the Chinese, as to give just
cause of complaint that the truce is not
strictly maintained on our part. The com-
mander-in-chief is also glad to avail himself
of this opportunity of recording the satisfac-
tion he has felt at finding that a nearer
friendly intercourse is springing up with the
SUPPLIES. 355
Chinese ; and considering how very much
the comforts and conveniences of the expedi-
tion depend on the extension of such inter-
course, he calls with confidence on every
officer and gentleman in the expedition to
aid him in cultivating a good understanding
■with the people.
(Signed) "George Elliot,
" Rear-Admiral, and Com. -in- Chief."
The whole of the detained junks were now
allowed to proceed to their respective desti-
nations ; and this act of liberality, it was
hoped, would cause the release of the cap-
tives at Ning-po ; but in this expectation we
were disappointed. Still a friendly inter-
course was continued. Numerous supplies
were sent to the prisoners from their friends
in Chusan ; though it afterwards appeared
that the Chinese officers who conveyed them,
did not forget to levy contributions on the
different articles ; for out of two dozen bottles
of gin, one dozen had been emptied, and the
bottles filled with water.
Satin and Chinese ware were purchased
for those who wished to obtain them ; and
356 ducks' eggs.
every kind of supply became most abundant,
boats, containing much variety of them
swarming from all quarters. Ducks' eggs
had always been plentiful ; and I must ac-
knowledge it still puzzles me how such im-
mense quantities of them could be brought
to one point, as ducks only lay one egg at a
time. The common price was one hundred
for a '*tolah." There must have been hun-
dreds of thousands consumed, and yet the
supply never failed. I doubt whether ducks
were not very scarce on the second occupa-
tion of Chusan.
A vessel having arrived laden with wool-
len cloths, and as they would take nothing
but the Carolus pillared dollars, the supply of
which was beginning to fail, several bales of
cloth were got from her, to try therewith
to open a trade of barter for bullocks, but it
did not succeed. The owners of the cattle
would have nothing to do with it, or offered
so low a price as to render any exchange
impracticable.
During our stay at this anchorage we made
constant trips to the surrounding islands j in
FEMALE FEET. 357
one of which, — at Tea Island, — we had a good
opportunity of minutely examining the far-
famed littlefemale feet. I had been purchasing
a pretty little pair of satin shoes for about half
a dollar, at one of the Chinese farmers' houses,
where we were surrounded by several men,
women, and children. By signs we expressed
a wish to see the pied mignon of a really
good-looking woman of the party. Our
signs were quickly understood, but, probably,
from her being a matron, it was not considered
quite comme il faut for her to comply with
our desire, as she would not consent to show
us her foot ; but a very pretty interesting
girl of about sixteen was placed on a stool
ior the purpose of gratifying our curiosity.
At first she was very bashful, and appeared
not to like exposing her Cinderella-like slip-
per; but the shine of a new and very bright
*'loopee" soon overcame her delicacy, when
she commenced unwinding the upper bandage
which passes round the leg, and over a tongue
that comes up from the heel. The shoe was
then removed, and the second bandage taken
off, which did duty for a stocking; the turns
358 FEMALE FOOT.
round the toes and ankles being; verv tight,
and keeping all in place.
On the naked foot being exposed to view
we were agreeably surprised by finding it
delicately white and clean, for we fully ex-
pected to have found it otherwise, from the
known habits of most of the Chinese. The
leg from the knee downwards was much
wasted ; the foot appeared as if broken up at
the instep, while the four small toes were
bent flat and pressed down under the foot,
the great toe only being allowed to retain its
natural position. By the breaking of the
instep a high arch is formed between the
heel and the toe, enabling the individual to
step with them on an even surface; in this
respect materially differing from the Canton
and Macao ladies ; for with them the instep
is not interfered with, but a very high heel
is substituted, thus bringing the point of the
great toe to the ground.
When our Canton compradore was shown
a Chusan shoe, the exclamation was " He-
yaw! how can walkee so fashion ?" nor would
he be convinced that such was the case.
CHIXESE LADIES. 359
The toes, doubled under the foot I have
been describing, could only be moved by the
hand sufficiently to show that they were not
actually grown into the foot. 1 have often
been astonished at seeing how well the women
contrived to walk on their tiny pedestals.
Their gait is not unlike the little mincing
walk of the French ladies ; they were con-
stantly to be seen going about without the
aid of any stick, and I have often seen them
at Macao contending against a fresh breeze
with a tolerably good-sized umbrella spread.
The little children, as they scrambled away
before us, balanced themselves with their
arms extended, and reminded one much of
an old hen between walking and flying.
All the women I saw about Chusan had
small feet. It is a general characteristic of
true Chinese descent j and there cannot be a
greater mistake than to suppose that it is
confined to the higher orders, though it may
be true that they take more pains to compress
the foot to the smallest possible dimensions
than the lower classes do. High and low,
rich and poor, all more or less follow the
360 TARTAR LADIES.
custom; and when you see a large or natu-
ral-sized foot, you may depend upon it, the
possessor is not of true Chinese blood, but is
either of Tartar extraction, or belongs to the
tribes that live and have their being on the
waters. The Tartar ladies, however, are fall-
ing into this Chinese habit of distortion, as
the accompanying edict of the emperor
proves. For know, good people, you must not
dress as you like in China. You must follow
the customs and habits of your ancestors, and
wear your winter and summer clothing as the
emperor, or one of the six boards shall direct.
If this were the custom in England, how
beneficial it would be to our pockets, and
detrimental to the tailors and milliners.
Let us now see what the emperor says
about little feet^ on finding that they were
coming into vogue among the undeformed
daughters of the Mantchows. Not only does
he attack the little feet, but the large Chinese
sleeves which w^re creeping into fashion at
court. Therefore to check these misde-
meanours, the usual Chinese remedy was
resorted to, and a flaming edict launched,
CHINESE CHILDREN. 361
denouncing them ; threatening the " heads
of the families with degradation and punish-
ment, if they did not put a stop to such gross
illegalities ;" and his celestial majesty further
goes on and tells the fair ones, ** that by per-
sisting in their vulgar habits, they will debar
themselves from the possibility of being
selected as ladies of honour for the inner
palace, at the approaching presentation!" How
far this had the desired effect I cannot say.
When the children begin to grow, they
suffer excruciating pain, but as they advance
in years, their vanity is played upon by being
assured that they would be exceedingly ugly
with large feet. Thus they are persuaded to
put up with what they consider a necessary
evil, but the children are remarkably patient
under pain. A poor little child about
five years old was brought to our surgeon
having been most dreadfully scalded, part of
its dress adhering to the skin. During the
painful operation of removing the linen, it
only now and then said, " he-yaw, he-yaw.^'
As the little girl advances in years her
hair becomes another matter of great atten-
VOL, I. R
362 MARRIAGE IN CHINA.
tion, and is generally very luxuriant; before
marriage it is allowed to hang in two platted
tails behind, but on changing her state it is
turned up, the whole of the front hair being
carried back and formed into a knot, drawn
to the top of the head, when it is ornamented
with many gay artificial flowers.
Marriage in China is to the female only a
life of pain. They are absolutely dependent
on the whims and caprices of their husbands,
who look upon them, and treat them more in
the light of slaves and servants than of com-
panions. In their manners great modesty is
affected ; but it is only an affectation of mo-
desty ; for China is intrinsically an immoral
and sensual nation.
Continuing our ramble, an old man met
us, and invited us into his house. We pur-
chased from him several boxes of artificial
flowers, the colours of which were most
natural imitations of the originals. These
flowers were made of feathers and silk, most
of the bouquets being ornamented with
counterfeit butterflies or humming-birds ;
the imitation of the orange blossom was
A CHINESE FAMILY. 363
most beautifully executed ; but like every-
thing else, we paid for them about ten times
as much as they were worth. Another old
gentleman was most polite in his attentions,
inviting us to his domicile, and regaling us
with tea: he seemed perfectly happy at
having an opportunity of showing his civi-
lity.
As we rambled along, observing a large
and good-looking house, we determined to
see what its inmates were like ; when we
popped upon an old lady and three very
interesting daughters, employed in preparing
cotton for spinning, all the men of the
household being occupied in the fields. We
were welcomed with smiles by the quartette,
who, though but a small farmer's family,
displayed an ease and grace in their manners
that we might look for in vain amongst our
own cottagers. We speedily got up a flirta-
tion of signs ; and by showing a little shoe
and a dollar, induced the matron of the party
to part with a very pretty pair of green satin
ones which she had on ; when one of the
daughters very gracefully presented me with
R 2
364 CHARMS OF A BUTTON.
a sprig of chrysanthemum that she had
plucked in her garden for the purpose. Of
course I put it in the button-hole of my coat ;
and remembering the charms of an anchor-
button, gallantly cut one from my jacket,
and presented it to the little coquette, who
immediately attached it to the front of her
dress. But as time was flying away, we were
obliged to part from these agreeable little
ladies, and make the best of our way on
board.
The admiral having concluded the terms
of the truce, it became necessary that he
should proceed to the southward, as the
interview with Keshen was to take place
in the early part of next month ; therefore
on the morning of the 14th of November,
the Melville, Wellesley, and Modeste were
got under weigh, the Blenheim joining
company outside^ leaving Captain Bourchier
in the Blonde, as senior naval officer at
Chusan. At night the squadron anchored
off Starboard Jack, (a low flat reef about ten
miles north-west from Kewsan,) at which
anchorage I will leave them for the present ;
CHINESE CHANGE OF POLICY. 365
and though it will be anticipating my sub-
ject, I will ere quitting Chusan bring all the
occurrences that transpired there, up to its
first, and I hope last, evacuation by our
troops on the 23rd February, 1841.
As soon as the admiral had quitted Chu-
san, Elepoo issued a proclamation, setting
forth that he would catch no more foreign-
ers. Wonderful now was the change in the
once deserted city of Ting-hai, thousands
of people quickly flocked into it, and shops
were opened in all directions ; provisions
became more than abundant, and the shops
teemed with curiosities, &c. But this was
not to last ; for late in this month the king
"of a hundred umbrella-wearing chiefs,'*
the great Taou-kwang, was beginning to
change his policy towards the foreigners, so
that Elepoo was sharply admonished for
giving away sacrificial animals to the re-
bellious barbarians, thus evidently showing
that the war party was already gaining the
ascendency in the councils at Pekin. It is
worthy of observation, and should be at-
tended to as an historical fact in anv future
366 ENDING A DIFFICULTY.
negotiations with the Chinese, that the more
yielding we have been, and the more inclined
to make concessions to them, the more violent
the court has become in hurling its threats
and denunciations against us.
Elepoo, who had previously been all kind-
ness and condescension, and who was, in fact,
an aged and peaceable man, was now obliged
to listen to the counsel of some would-be
heroes about his person, — heroes who, accord-
ing to their own showing, would annihilate
in the twinkling of an eye, the whole
British force in Chusan.
The emperor now directed that several
line-of-battle ships should be constructed on.
the models of the barbarians, and that they
should proceed against them.
What was to be done ? Elepoo had heard
that there were such vessels, but he had
never seen them, and had a very indistinct
idea of what they were like. To end the
difficulty, he determined on doing it by a
stroke of the pen ; and, therefore, forthwith
issued an edict, directing the head naval
constructor at Ning-po to build several
CANNON FOUNDING. 367
exact imitations of the large English ships ;
but he, being neither a Sir William Rule, nor
a Sir Robert Seppings, after maturely consi-
dering the matter, and his perfect inability
to comply with this peremptory order, took
the usual Chinese method of getting out
of his difficulties by quietly committing
suicide.
This so exasperated the old man's son
that he forwarded a complaint to Pekin
against Elepoo for cruel and harsh treatment
to his father ; which charge was, with usual
Chinese justice, eventually used in hurrying
the commissioner's downfall, who, if he had
represented to the court the inability that
existed of building these vessels, would have
been in a much worse predicament.
Having failed in ship-building, cannon
founding was to be next tried ; and huge
guns were cast that would sink the barba-
rian " sanpans " at one discharge. Several
millions of taels of copper were directed to
be used for the purpose ; a founder was sent
expressly from Wanchoo to superintend the
operations ; and the Chinese went to work in
368 SHIP-BUILDING.
earnest. But in tliis they were nearly as
unsuccessful as they had been with their ship-
building ; for on attempting to prove the
first gun, it burst, killing a corporal and two
privates ; nor could they prevail upon any
one else to test the capabilities of the others.
Not satisfied with this failure, Elepoo deter-
mined to cast larger ones still ; and a
number of new war-junks were ordered to
be built at Amoy. When that place was
captured, about a year afterwards a frigate-
built junk was found in the harbour, pierced
for thirty-two guns, a most unusual number,
the Chinese having never before exceeded
ten in each junk.
New defences were rapidly being erected
round Ning-po, and ere the year was out, the
whole neighbourhood of Chin-hai bristled
with cannon. Five thousand troops were
collected, and the invasion of Chusan talked
of; but the troops soon became mutinous for
their pay, which was squeezed from the citi-
zens of Ning-po. The supreme government
shortly afterwards furnished ten millions of
taels for carrying on the operations. One
BURNING HOUSES. 369
heavy draft on the Ning-po resources was an
allowance of thirty cash or tchen a-day made
to all those who would fly from the city of
Ting-hai, and this pitiful allowance was ac-
tually paid ! — a rare instance of the author-
ities keeping their promises.
The latter part of November proved cold
to the troops, accustomed as they had been
to an Indian climate ; the doors, windows,
and wood-work of all descriptions belonging
to the houses began to disappear, and roast-
ing fires were kept up by the soldiers in their
comfortless quarters, while many streets en-
tirely disappeared. Reports were made, and
orders issued to put a stop to these irregular-
ities, and the burning the materials of the
houses or their furniture was prohibited ;
little attention however was paid to the order.
Elepoo now threatened to burn the city,
by which means he kindly hinted the barba-
rians would be able to warm themselves ; but
his emissary was told, that, " As his excel-
lency showed such consideration for the
welfare of the barbarians, they begged to
assure him they were equally careful of his ;
R 3
370 keshen's double dealing.
and that, to return the compliment, both
Hanchow and Ning-po should be burnt
down in the sight of all the grandees now-
assembled at Chin-hai, as soon as Ting-hai
was reduced to ashes." His messenger tak-
ing this speech down in writing, proceeded
to lay it before the commissioner, who not
being at all anxious for such fiery attentions
from us dropped the subject.
If any thing could be wanting to prove
Keshen's double dealing at Canton, his cor-
respondence with Elepoo would clearly estab-
lish the fact ; for he wrote to him at the very
moment when he was professing to us at
Canton peace and good will, as follows : —
" Get possession of Chusan by fair or foul
means, no matter how ; for hostilities must
very soon commence, as the barbarians are
unbending in their demands." Copies of
the most secret state-papers, and the intended
changes in men or measures were always
communicated to the British ; money being
the means by which they were obtained, and
this information was always proved to be
correct by subsequent circumstances.
HUMANE PROPOSALS. 371
Elepoo, in obedience to the emperor's
orders, had made great preparations for the
threatened invasion ; but being doubtful as
to the result, sent a messenger to Chusan, to
try and play upon the fears of its present
occupiers. This emissary performed his
functions well, describing in glowing lan-
guage the vast preparations which had been
made by his master Elepoo, by Lew the
lieutenant-governor, and Yu the general,
for the total annihilation of the barbarians,
and for obtaining possession of the island.
Yet he was directed by Elepoo to say, that
he was willing to spare their lives, and allow
them to depart in peace, if they would do so
quickly ; but if they still persisted in their
rebellious conduct, then would he bring his
thousands, and utterly destroy them.
Elepoo gained nothing by these humane
proposals, but an accusation forwarded to
the imperial presence by his colleagues, of
his being too peaceably inclined towards the
barbarians ; for which he was deprived of all
military command, and the fire-eating Lew
appointed in his stead generalissimo and
372 LEW.
commander-in-chief of the forces to proceed
against Ting-hai. He was a man of high
renown, and had been brought purposely
from his former seat of warfare in Tzechuen,
where he had met with great success, to aid
the aged Elepoo with his advice.
All this had so much alarmed those Chi-
nese who had returned to Ting-hai, that
great numbers of them left the city, doubting
whether the British would be able to with-
stand such a valiant leader, backed by so
formidable a host as was said to be assem-
bled in the neighbourhood of Ning-po.
And justly might they do so, for they had, at
that time, seen no proof of the valour of our
troops, except in the capture of a small corner
of Chusan by an overwhelming force ; but as
the Chinese failed in fulfilling their boast,
confidence was partially restored, and supplies
were again brought into the city.
The 13th and 14th of January, 1841, had
been the days fixed on by Lew for his preme-
ditated attack ; when, lo ! this able general
discovered that an island could not be invaded
without transports and war-junks for their
protection.
A CHINESE REMEDY. 373
An embargo was then immediately laid on
all the Fokien junks in the river, when a
new difficulty arose, and the general was
again disappointed ; for all the crews deserted,
positively refusing to go against the barbarian
vessels, of whose prowess they had seen many
instances along the coast.
This was rather an awkward dilemma for
the valiant Lew after all his boasting. What
would be said at Pekin ? When he bethought
himself of the never-failing Chinese remedy,
namely, a letter full of falsehoods, which was
immediately dispatched to the celestial pre-
sence, humbly setting forth, " that poor mor-
tals must not oppose the will of heaven;
that wind and weather were not at their
disposal ; that before commencing in any
hostile movements they must wait till their
deities were propitious, and that the moment
they proved to be so he should proceed to the
attack." His celestial majesty being well
satisfied of Lew's fierce and fighting qualities,
gave him permission to " bide his time,^'
which time never arrived.
The cold weather did wonders amongst the
374 PUNISHMENT.
troops, who rapidly recovered from their late
diseases. Confidence between them and the
Chinese was increasing, and the beneficial
effects of the magistracy established in the
city were beginning to be experienced ; for,
in January, 1841, not more than thirty cases
were brought before Captain Caine, the
magistrate, and most of these cases were for
selling spirits to the soldiers.
The thieving propensities which the Chinese
had at first practised towards the troops had
gradually yielded before the wholesome dis-
cipline of the lash, and that of cutting off the
tails of the most worthless. Had the penal
code of China been carried out, according to
the proclamation, in which it was promised
that the inhabitants should be governed by
Chinese law, many a poor fellow would have
been decapitated ; but the milder system was
found to have the desired effect.
I may here remark that the natives of this
island appeared a hard-working quiet race of
men, submitting patiently to their rulers, but
entertaining very indifferent principles as to
meum and tuum.
ARRIVAL OF THE COLUMBINE. 375
Frequent visits were made during the
winter months into the interior of this fine
island. Game was abundant, and the sports-
man was amply rewarded for his pains.
Good order was now fast prevailing, and
Chusan ere long would have been a bright
jewel in the British crown, when the Colum-
bine arrived from Canton with orders for the
evacuation of the island, in compliance with
the terms of the treaty made between her
majesty's plenipotentiary and Keshen, at
second-bar pagoda. Nearly at the same time
an authentic proclamation of the emperor's
was received, in which he announced to the
Ning-po authorities his full determination to
carry on the war at all risks.
Under these circumstances I think the Bri-
gadier would have been perfectly justified in
suspending the evacuation until further com-
munication with the plenipotentiary, when,
no doubt, the orders would have been coun-
termanded; for the forces from Chusan
arrived in the Canton River after Keshen*s
want of faith was discovered, and after the
Anunghoy forts at the Bocca Tigris had been
destroyed
376 CHUSAN.
It was true that Chusan could be retaken
whenever it should be thought requisite to
do so ; but the moral effect of the evacuation
could not be so quickly removed from the
minds of the Chinese nation, to whom it was
represented, by their own government, that
the barbarians had been driven out of the
island. Again it may be said, that Captain
Anstruther, Lieutenant Douglas, Mrs. Noble,
and the rest of the prisoners at Ning-po,
would not have been released, had Chusan
not been given up ; and if it were a fact that
they could not have been obtained without
that measure, no one could regret the step.
But there were two ways by which they might
have been released.
I have already shown, that arrangements
had been made for the escape of the officers
being connived at ; which was most magna-
nimously refused by them, unless the whole
party were included, which the addition of a
few more dollars, no doubt, would have
effected. Should this have failed, a rapid
movement on Ning-po would at once have
effected the object, and have restored the
INHABITANTS LEAVE THE CITY. 377
confidence of the wavering natives. But the
orders were to be obeyed, and an announce-
ment to that effect was made to Elepoo.
When this became known to the native
population, their terror and grief were very-
apparent, and they began quitting the city
with their property, much more rapidly than
they had done when the English first entered
it. They well knew that their own manda-
rins and officers would most assuredly
plunder them of every dollar, and excuse
themselves^ by accusing the inhabitants of
being traitorous natives, for which behead-
ing would be the mildest punishment. The
city was, therefore, more deserted than it
had ever been, and consternation and terror
were visible in the countenances of the few
who, having nothing to lose, remained to the
last. Their barbarian conquerors had be-
come endeared to them by the mildness, yet
firmness, of their government.
Some delays and shufflings took place with
Elepoo about surrendering the prisoners ;
but finding, from the firmness of Captain
Bourchier, that the English would not give
378 EVACUATION OF CHUSAN.
him possession of the island until they were
actually on board the fleet, they were for-
warded as before described.
On the 23rd of February, 1841, the Bri-
tish colours were struck, after having been
displayed for more than seven months over
the walls of Ting-hai. I will quote the words
of an officer who was present at the scene : —
" Then came the imperial commissioner's
envoy, Chang, the slave and confidential
servant of Elepoo, two Serjeants, styling
themselves captains, and one corporal, who
took the brevet of a lieutenant. They went
with the British officers to the city ; and
when our guards were removed, they having
brought no Chinese soldiers to replace them,
the mob rushed into the temple of Confucius,
and cleared the building of the pawnbroker's
goods, and other articles there deposited.
When the city was restored to his imperial
majesty, a few of the people assembled at the
southern gate, and the soldiers having all
marched out, and one * foreigner ' remaining
to strike the flag, they fell down upon their
faces, and would have done him reverence.
CHINESE AUTHORITIES RETURN. 379
in order to show the high veneration in
which they held the British rule. The flag
was then hauled down, and the guard em-
barked."
Thus did this fine island and its dependen-
cies cease to be a British possession. The
compradore, who had been kidnapped by the
Chinese at the first occupation, was not
delivered up with the rest of the prisoners ;
the Chinese stating, that as he was a subject
of the celestial empire, we had no right to
claim his liberation. I regret to say, that
this was allowed, when keeping the island a
few hours would, in all probability, have
brought Elepoo into conformity with our
wishes ; for so anxious was he to be able to
report to the emperor that he had got pos-
session of Chusan, that it was not only
one compradore, but a dozen, if he had
them in his possession, that he would have
surrendered in order to obtain the desired
object.
On Elepoo's reports reaching Pekin, the
** relative of the sun and moon" was highly
indignant at the peaceable steps he had taken
380 CLIMATE OF CHUSAN.
to gain possession of Chusan, and bitterly
reproached the old man for them, depriving
him of all his appointments, for not having
displayed the terrors of the celestial empire.
During the British occupation of the
island, surveys were carried on by Captain
Drinkwater Bethune, and Lieutenant (now
Commander) Collinson, the latter officer
having arrived from England in the Blen-
heim expressly for the purpose of carrying
on the surveys in the China Seas.
The climate of Chusan, in the variation of
its temperature, is very similar to that in the
same latitude in North America. The follow-
ing will show^ the maximum and minimum
of the thermometer in the shade : —
Thermometer. Barometer.
September, from 103 to 65 — from 30 to 29*022
October,
92 to 51— ,, 30-335 to
30-—
November,
74 to 40— „ 30
—
December,
77 to 27— „ 30-588 to
30-02
January,
60 to 28— „ 30-606 to
3-084
February,
60 to 25
The barometer was observed to fall in
light or easterly winds. The greatest range
FISHING-JUNKS. 381
of the thermometer in twenty-four hours was
28 degrees. About forty rainy days occurred
in the above six months ; and the northerly
monsoon commenced in October, but couid
not be considered to blow with much force
until the following month.
In Appendix A, will be found some
interesting provincial reports, and imperial
edicts, relative to the capture and occupa-
tion of Chusan.
It will be remembered, that on the 14th
of November, 1840, the line-of-battle ships,
accompanied by the Modesto, were at anchor
off Starboard Jack, from whence they pro-
ceeded at daylight, on the 15th, in their way
to the Canton River. The prevailing strong
and steady northerly winds made the voyage
only a short one. Numerous fishing-junks
were observed after passing the Formosa
channel, and which we found it not always
easy to avoid coming in contact with; as,
when trawling, the net is dragged between
two of them, the leading junk being about
two cables' length a-head but withal on the
weather-bow, of his companion. Should
382 COLLISION.
a vessel, therefore^ attempt to pass between
these pairs, she is almost certain of fouling
the leewardmost one, as proved to be the
case in the middle watch of the 18th. Tlie
officer in charge of the deck, not being aware
of this method of fishing, on a junk being
reported a-head, continued on the course
which would just pass astern of her, when
almost instantly, the ship was struck on the
lee bow by her partner, the owner of which
was standing forward with a lantern. The
concussion, of course, dashed it out of his
hand, the ship going ten knots at the time.
The junk passed rapidly aft; fortunately, her
mast cleared the ship's main-yard, and if she
was injured, her companion could readfly
render her assistance. The force of the blow
awoke all hands ; and on getting into har-
bour, the planking of the ship's bow was found
to be much injured.
At daylight of the 19th, the Great Lema
was made, and the ships hauled up for
the eastern channel. About 11, a pilot
went alongside the flag- ship to offer his ser-
vices, and on their being rejected, could not
MOVEMENTS OF THE SQUADRON. 383
understand "How four-piece ship no wan-
chee pilot."
The Calliope, Captain (now Sir Thomas)
Herbert, and Hyacinth joined company,
the former ship having lately arrived from
South America, and at dark the squadron
anchored off the entrance of the Lantoa
channel.
The 21st the shipping were working up
to Toong-koo bay, when Captain Scott, of
her majesty's ship Samarang, then lying in
Macao roads, pulled out to the flag-ship.
The Samarang also was one of the South
American squadron, which had been sent from
that station to China. The weather coming
on thick, towards evening the squadron were
anchored, the Modesto doing so in three
fathoms water, off the south end of the Island
of Saw-chow, and the next morning she pro-
ceeded between that and Chie-lo-cock Island
to Urmstone's anchorage. The line-of-battle
ships arriving shortly after, they having to
go round the north end of Toong-koo Island.
Having anchored the squadron in a safe
and spacious bay, where we found the Druid,
384 PLAIN SAILING.
Larnej Jupiter troop-ship, Atalanta and
Queen steamers, I will proceed in my next
Chapter to take a cursory view of what had
transpired in the river during the admiral's
absence, for which purpose I must beg
leave to revert to the month of June, from
which time I shall carry the incidents up to
the moment of the admiral's arrival ; after
which, to use a technical phrase, it will be
pretty ** plain sailing."
CHAPTER VI.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE CANTON RIVER.
Proceedings at Macao during the absence of the Ad-
miral — Smuggling by the Broadway — New Rewards
for British — Enlisting Troops — Chalking Fingers —
Two Officers robbed — Abduction of Mr. Staunton —
His Treatment — Demanded by Captain Smith —
Account of the Barrier — Return of the Taou-tae —
Answer to Captain Smith's Demand — Preparations
for attacking the Barrier — Victory thereat — Effects of
it — Chinese claim the Battle — Chinese leave Macao —
Lin delivers up his Seals — Lin's Character — Arrival
of 37th Madras Native Infantry — Lin's Memorial —
Force in River — Flag of Truce again fired on — Queen's
68-pounders — Toong-koo — Roasting Soldiers — Sen-
tence of Paoupang — Squadron proceed to Chuenpee
— Admiral resigns the command — Anecdote — Joss-
house — Female Offering — Release of Mr. Staunton
— Christmas-day — Captain Smith and Mandarin.
With trial fire touch me his finger end ;
If he be chaste, the flame will back descend,
And turn him to no pain ; but if he start,
It is the flesh of a corrupted heart. — Shakspeare.
The blockade of the river, which had
been declared by Sir Gordon Bremer on his
VOL. I. s
386 VAGABOND FOREIGNERS.
arrival, was info reed at the Bocca Tigris ; but
the fast-boats continued to smuggle teas and
silks to Macao, through the broad way or
Hong-shan river; which communicates direct
from Canton with the inner harbour, but is
not navigable for vessels drawing above four
or five feet water. By these means ships
were occasionally loaded and dispatched for
Europe.
The lleangshan magistrate Woo, under
Lin's direction, now fairly threw the gauntlet,
in a proclamation that he issued, in which
he first alludes to the arrival of the vessels
of war, and expresses his fears that, " like
rats, they will enter all the ways;" i. e.y
passages ; he therefore commands additional
troops to be placed in the forts, and a strict
watch to be kept on the vagabond foreigners,
repeating the before-offered rewards for the
ships and persons of foreigners ; but again
cautions them not to interfere with "the
Portuguese, or those of other nations who have
been respectfully obedient to the commands
of the celestial dynasty.^'
He further stimulates them in the following
SANGUINARY EDICT. 387
energetic language: — "If any English, sailing
in their boats, or sauntering on the shore^
enter the country to create a disturbance, at
once fly and report them to the officers, civil
and military; and then hasten to stop, attack,
burn, and destroy them. Fishermen and
boatmen, soldiers and people, whoever of
you can cut off and destroy one foreigner,
will become a just man." After assuring
them the rewards would most certainly be
paid, he continues, — *' Valiant heroes ! pos-
sessed of an excellent name and rich rewards,
let not the heads of the base foreigners
long be wanting to establish your characters;
act like men Be careful not to frus-
trate your high hopes. Be careful ! be
careful! A special edict," But the bar-
barians were not brought in, notwithstanding
these edicts and offers of rewards, which
only served to keep the community in a state
of excitement.
On the 22nd, in opposition to all laws
of neutrality, a proclamation, offering
rewards for the lives of the English, was
stuck up at Macao, but was shortly torn
S 2
388 CHINESE RECRUITS.
down on the remonstrance of the Portuguese
authorities.
The enh'stment of the five thousand
troops, which the Hong and other merchants
had been ordered to raise, took place in
this month. As six dollars per mensem
were to be their pay, and numbers had been
thrown out of employ by the stagnation of
trade, there was no lack of recruits. The
coolies flocked up in thousands to offer them-
selves "as food for powder." The enlist-
ment of these men was carried on in the
following remarkable manner.
Booths, or more properly barracks, were
erected in the square in front of the fac-
tories, the Kwang-chow-foo and other high
officers being present, attended by the Hong,
Salt, and Chinchew merchants. The would-
be six dollars a-month men, for 1 cannot call
them soldiers, or even embryo soldiers, were
assembled in vast crowds about the booths.
Before the Kwang-chow-foo's tent the lie-
tors kept a large open space, into which the
volunteers were introduced ; when, to prove
their qualifications for the new corps, they
Tl'.ST OF STRENGTH. 389
were required to lift a spar about five feet
long with a circular or wheel-shaped piece
of granite at each end ; the combined weight
of which was about one hundred catties :
this was to be taken off the ground with both
hands, and raised above the head till the arms
were straight. I have since seen some men,
after getting it to this position, retain it there
for some seconds with one hand only ; but
whether they got a high step in the corps for
so doing I cannot say*.
Those who succeeded in lifting this weight
were marched up to a table for registry; the
others being at once rejected. At the table
the process was novel in the extreme ; nor
have I been able to learn the meaning or
* A note, explanatory of the third verse of the twelfth
chapter of Zechariah, in the Pictorial Bible, says, when
speaking of a burdensome stone, " That according to
Jerome, large and heavy stones were kept in the towns
and villages of Judea, and the youth exercised themselves
in trying who should lift it highest. In the piratical
Barbary states, it is said that European captives, when
disposed of as slaves, were compelled by their captors or
intended purchasers, to afford evidence of strength by
lifting large stones provided for the purpose." — Chinese
Repository,
390 CHALKING FINGERS.
magic of the ceremony. At the side of the
table stood a man armed with a large piece
of chalk about two catties in weight. As
the tyros, trembling with expectation, ad-
vanced, it was this man's duty to seize them
by the wrist, and to proceed to rub the balls
of the thumbs and fingers of both hands
with the chalk. After a long and no gentle
rubbing, he appeared satisfied with his own
performance, and handed them over one by
one to an old man, who appeared to keep the
final registry-book. This worthy placed his
nose, for want of glasses, close to the
chalked finger-balls, and accepted or rejected
the nervously trembling candidate for mili-
tary glory.
Great excitement prevailed on the 6th of
August, in consequence of the mysterious
disappearance of Mr. Staunton, a student of
Cambridge University, who, in the absence
of a clergyman, performed divine service
at the British chapel established at the house
of the second superintendent. Mr. Staunton,
for a length of time, had been in the daily
habit of walking out early in the morning to
DISAPPEARANCE OF MR. STAUNTON. 391
bathe at Cassilha Bay. On the evening of
the 5th he had agreed with some friends, to
meet them on the following morning, and
proceed to bathe with them ; but as they saw
nothing of him, — and from his very early
habits, he had often before not joined them, —
no particular notice was taken of his absence
until near noon, when the people at the
house at which he resided began to think his
not returning very extraordinary. Enquiries
were set on foot, the beach was searched,
but no remains of his clothes could be found ;
the Chinese authorities positively denied all
knowledge of him. Although it appeared
to all parties unlikely that he should have
been drowned, as no clothes could be found,
fishermen were employed to drag the bay
in every direction, but without success.
This excitement continued during the 6th
and 7th, suspicion becoming every moment
stronger that he had been kidnapped by the
Chinese. On the 9th, this suspicion was
confirmed, for it was then known that he had
been seen the previous day near the Bogue
forts badly wounded, with his clothes torn
392 MR. STAUNTOX KIDNAPPED.
and bloody, in custody of the notorious
Wang Chung.
The moment this was ascertained, an ex-
press was sent to Captain Smith at Cap-
sing-moon, detailing the circumstances, on
the receipt of which Captain Smith hastened
to Macao in the Enterprise steamer, and
assured the merchants that most energetic
steps should be taken for the safety of Mr.
Staunton. A letter had already been for-
warded from Mr. Johnston, the second super-
intendent, to the Portuguese governor, urging
on him the necessity of taking steps for the
release of Mr. Staunton, who had been vio-
lently abducted, while peaceably residing
under the Portuguese flag ; and that he was
called upon to take such steps as should
prevent a similar outrage occurring to those
whose safety had been so repeatedly gua-
ranteed. This was done by the whole of the
Portuguese population taking on themselves
the office of watchmen, and assisting the
troops in patrolling the streets at night.
Several letters passed between the Portu-
guese governor and Captain Smith, and on
HIS RELEASE DEMANDED. 393
the 17th the latter was enabled to announce
to the British community, that the governor
had assured him that the Taou-tae had
quitted Macao on the 1 1 th for tlie purpose
of laying before the viceroy, Lin, demands
couched in the strongest terms, for the re-
lease of Mr. Staunton, and that his excellency
would state the result of the mission as soon
as it became known to him.
It was subsequently learnt that, while dress-
ing after bathing, Mr. Staunton had been sud-
denly surrounded by about a dozen soldiers,
who had concealed themselves behind the rocks
round Cassilha Bay. In an attempt to run, he
unfortunately fell, and was immediately seized
and curried into a boat, which was in rea-
diness to convey the party up the river. After
a few hours he was removed into a larger
boat, and conveyed to the Bogue, and at
sunset was put as a prisoner on board a
cruizing junk close to Anunghoy, in which
vessel he was kindly treated by the two
officers commanding her, who, during her
passage to Canton, questioned him as to
*' his honourable name and country." One
s 3
394 TREATMENT OF MR. STAUNTOX.
of the poorest of his captors on quitting
him, gave him a handful of cash, that he
might not be without the means of procuring
food.
After an examination he was sent to the
custody of the magistrate of the Nanhae
district; two soldiers were kept at the door
of his apartment, and a servant and linguist
appointed to attend to his wants. It was at
first suggested that he should be offered as a
sacrifice to the demon of war; but the Eng-
lish were too well known in Canton for more
than the suggestion of such an intention,
though we have seen, and shall see, that in
other parts of China, the most revolting and
barbarous cruelties were practised by the
Chinese on their English prisoners, even on
the dead bodies of many of those who fell in
the country.
I must now partially break through my
resolution of not describing Macao until my
residence there, as without some account of
the barrier, the reader might be puzzled to
understand the following account of our
proceedings.
MACAO. 395
Macao is the extreme southern point of
the Island of Heangshan, and were it not
for an isthmus, which unites it to that island,
would itself form one about two miles
in length. This isthmus or neck is three-
quarters of a mile in length, and twenty
rods broad. When the Portuguese were
first allowed to settle on Macao, a high
party or barrier- wall, composed of stone
and brick, and extending mto the sea on
each side, was erected by the Chinese, across
and nearly in the middle of this neck of
land. In this wall is a gateway, at which
a Chinese guard is constantly kept to prevent
the ingress of foreigners, who are closely
confined to the small spot of Macao; but
through this opening the Chinese them-
selves pass and repass the whole day, it
being the only means of getting to Macao
on terra firma.
The whole of the land on the south side
of the barrier^ as far as foreigners are con-
cerned, is considered under the jurisdiction
of the Portuguese, and, until recent events,
had ever been considered strictly neutral. To
396 MACAO,
the eastward of the barrier and town, is the
anchorage known as Macao Roads; while
on the west, between it and the Lappa or
Twee-lin-shan, is the inner harbour, ex-
tendino; alonsc the side of the neck as far as
Casa-blanca or Tseen-shan. The Typa
anchorage is about two miles off the south
point of Macao, between the Island of
Typa-que-brada, or Kai-ke-ong, and Toe-
ko-ke-tou, or Mackareera. AH these an-
chorages were considered as neutral during
the last European war. Two miles in a
north-easterly direction from the barrier is
the town or port of Casa-blanca, at which
the Keun-min-foo, or sub-prefect of Macao,
resides. At the end of the isthmus, nearest
Macao, and underneath the brow of the
hill, the new joss-house, or temple of Leen-
fung-meaou, is situated.
When the Taou-tae * was sent to Macao
in the January of this year, he had under his
command about two hundred troops., which
were quartered in Mongha, with a hundred
or more beyond the barrier, having a small
* Intendant of circuit.
CHINESE TROOPS REINFORCED. 397
detachment at the joss-house. In the inner
harbour were eight of the largest sized war-
junks and some troop-boats, making the land
and sea forces amount to about two thousand
men. It was singular enough that on the very
night of the day on which Captain Smith
had issued his circular, relative to the infor-
mation from the governor, the Taou-tae
returned from Canton, but, instead of being
accompanied by Mr. Staunton, brought a
large accession of troops and war-junks, by
which addition the Chinese force was in-
creased to five thousand men.
He then declared to the governor, that
the viceroy, Lin, was determined not to give
up his prisoner, but had instructed him to
drive the English out of Macao, and desired
the assistance of the Portuguese in so doing.
The moment this answer was announced to
Captain Smith, the Enterprise was dis-
patched to Cap-sing-moon for the Druid; with
which ship she arrived on the 18th, accom-
panied by the transport Nazareth Shah,
having a detachment of the Bengal volun-
teers on board ; the corvettes Hyacinth
398 ATTACK ON CHINESE BATTERY.
and Larne being then in Macao Roads.
During the night, the Chinese had hauled
their war-junks and troop-boats further into
the inner harbour.
About noon on the 19th, the British cor-
vettes, accompanied by the Louisa cutter
and the Enterprise steamer, having the
seamen and marines of the Druid, with the
Bengal volunteers on board, proceeded,
under the direction of Captain Smith, to
the attack of the barrier. These vessels,
standing into Fisherman's Bay as near to the
shore as the depth of water would allow, or
the ships could be forced through the mud,
opened their fire on a battery of seventeen
guns, about six hundred yards from them,
which was promptly returned by it. The
Chinese troops from the boats and temple,
collecting in squads, under cover of the neck
of land, attempted to do what execution they
could with a number of old rusty swivels and
matchlocks, while the troops at Mongha
were hastening to the assistance of their
comrades.
The junks, which were aground in the
SUCCESSFUL RESULT. 399
inner harbour, were utterly useless, for none
of their guns could be brought to bear,
though several of the thirty-two pound shots
from the ships found their way over the
bank, much to the consternation of the
occupants of the junks.
In less than an hour twenty-seven guns,
which were mounted on the battery and bar-
rier, were silenced, and the forces were landed;
when the field-piece of the Druid being
placed in position to the north of the barrier
wall, raked the whole of it. By the help of
some additional volleys from the troops it was
soon cleared ; not a symptom of an enemy
being seen on the battery, barrier, or
adjacent fields. The British flag was now
flying on the barrier-wall, being the first
time that any foreign force ever waved a
standard thereon. Some few guns were now
fired at our troops from the junks and from
a gun which they had landed near the
temple. There also came a few random
shots from the neighbourhood of Casa-
blanca, which, from the great distance, had
no effect.
400 CIIIXESE TROOPS ROUTED.
By 5 o'clock, however, the rout had be-
come general, when the barracks and tents of
the Chinese troops were set on fire ; thus
announcing to the assembled thousands on
the hills and house-tops the fate of the day.
Upon this the spectators immediately dis-
persed in all directions, fearing that the vic-
tors would be as unmerciful to them as they
well knew their own countrymen would have
been to an enemy, under similar circum-
stances.
The British force which had been landed
consisted of one hundred and ten royal
marines, in charge of Lieutenant Maxwell
of that corps ; ninety seamen from the
Druid, commanded by Lieutenant Goldsmith,
of that ship ; and one hundred and eighty of
the Bengal volunteers, forming a brigade of
three hundred and eighty men, commanded
by Captain Mee of the latter corps. The
loss of the British amounted to four wounded,
two of whom were injured by the explosion
of a magazine. The Chinese stated their
loss at seven or eight killed : but, without
doubt, were either of these numbers mul-
CASUALTIES. 401
tiplied by ten, the amount would be much
nearer the truth*.
The "fire-eating barbarians " having em-
barked after finishing their work and spiking
the guns, the Chinese troops in a few days
recovered from their panic, and encamped
on the hills about three-quarters of a mile
from the scene of their late defeat ; removing
the guns from the barrier and battery, and
mounting them when unspiked in their new
fortifications.
Too much praise cannot be accorded to
Captain Smith for his prompt and vigorous
measures during the foregoing circumstances ;
the lesson he taught them has never since
been forgotten by the Chinese at Macao.
They henceforth ceased to annoy the British
residents at that place, and never after kept a
soldier in the town or at the barrier. When
* It is the constant practice of the Chinese to make
the greatest exertions to carry off their dead, and to effect
it they will expose themselves to the most galling fire.
They imagine that when the dead man is buried his
spirit is absorbed into their ancestral gods, but that if
a body remains unburied it is " then the same like one
doar."
402 A GLORIOUS VICTORr.
any rumour of a stoppage of supplies has
been heard, a whisper to the Keun-min-foo,
that our troops might in such a case be very-
likely to visit Casa-blanca to look for them,
has had the desired effect. He well knew
that it was only our forbearance that allowed
him to rest in peace and " keep his face clean
in the sight of the emperor." According to
the usual Chinese practice, a flaming despatch
was forwarded by the Taou-tae to Lin, an-
nouncing a victory; and a board was stuck
up over the Keun-min-foo's office of Tsean-
shan with the inscription, Tihshing, which
means a glorious victory. Yih, notwith-
standing his despatch, was superseded, and
an officer of a similar rank, called " Ma,"
appointed to take his command.
The month of September passed without
any particular public event occurring. The
blockade of the river being kept up, the
Chinese pilots were directed by their author-
ities to go on board any foreign vessels ar-
riving at Macao, to separate them carefully
from the English, and strive to prevail upon
them to proceed to Whampoa. This was
of course ineffectual.
COMMISSIONER LIN. 403
Lin," agreeably to the imperial edict of
the 27th of September, (vide Appendix
A,) by which he was degraded from his
government, and ordered to repair to
Pekin, " with the speed of flames," on the
14th of October delivered the seals of his
office to the Fooyuen; Wan, the Hoppo,
having also been cited to Pekin, doing the
same ; but they were now countermanded
and directed to await at Canton, — with Tang
Tingching, and Han Shaouking, and six
officers who had been banished for opium-
dealing, — the arrival of Keshen, by whom
their conduct was to be examined into.
It is but common justice to Lin to remark,
that though even under the imperial displea-
sure, he was much liked by the people over
whom he had lately held command ; and his
bitterest enemies were obliged to allow that
his hands had never been contaminated by
bribes, — a most unheard of circumstance
among Chinese statesmen.
In person, Lin is short, but of a compact
make, about forty-five years of age, with a
fine intelligent forehead and a rather pleas-
404 COMMISSIONER LIX.
ing expression of countenance, enlivened
by small dark piercing eyes, and possessing
a voice strong, clear, and sonorous. In dress
lie is plain, while in his manners he can be
courteous, but is more generally rather
abrupt. In Appendix B, will be found
an account of an amusing interview between
him and some gentlemen who were wrecked
in the barque Sunda, in the October sub-
sequent to the seizure of the opium, and
who were carried by the Hainan authorities
to Canton, being kindly treated by the
Chinese on their route.
The French nation about this time began
to show some interest in Chinese affairs ; for
on the 20th of October, Monsieur C. A.
Challoye, '^ Attache au Consulat general de
Manille, Gerant du Consulat de France en
Chine," arrived, and from the existing block-
ade, took up his residence at Macao.
Three transports during the month, with
the 37th Madras native infantry on board,
came into the roads. After these ships had
entered the China Sea they experienced a
most terrific typhoon, in which the Thetis,
Tvrnoox. 405
one of the number, was dismasted ; and a
fourth vessel, the Golconda, having the head-
quarters and staff of the regiment on board,
foundered. It is a singular fact, that
two or three officers and about thirty men
had, by peculiar circumstances, been ex-
changed from this ill-fated ship into some of
the others, just previously to their sailing
from Madras.
On the 7th, Lin presented an humble me-
morial to the celestial throne, craving punish-
ment on himself, and recommending that
resistance should be made to the demands of
the British. He proposed delays as one of
the best methods of weakening them ; and
volunteered to proceed to Che-kiang, to op-
pose them Wang, the censor of the pro-
vince of Honan, and many other high officers,
addressed memorials to the emperor to the
same effect ; some of them recommendins:
that the rebel barbarian prisoners at Ning-po
and Canton should be put to death.
During the blockade of the river many
salt junks were detained by the force, and
sent down to Saw-chow, under which island
406 A TEUCE ANNOUNCED.
they were to lie at anchor, their rudders
being unshipped.
Having thus brought the proceedings of
the Canton squadron up to the 20th of
November, 1840, I shall once more resume
the account of the general movements of the
squadron in the river, which at this moment
consisted of the following vessels : — Melville
74, Wellesley 74, Blenheim 74, Druid 44,
Calliope 26, Samarang 26, Herald 26, Larne
18, Hyacinth 18, Modeste 18, Columbine
16, Louisa cutter. Steamers Queen, En-
terprise, and Nemesis ; Jupiter, troop-ship,
and several transports.
On the 21st, immediately after the ships
had anchored at Toong-koo, the Queen was
dispatched to the Bogue to announce the
admiral's arrival, and to deliver a despatch
for Keshen, which Captain Elliot had brought
from Elepoo at Ning-po, announcing the truce
that he had agreed on.
The steamer carrying a flag of truce, as
soon as she arrived abreast of the first fort,
Shakoo, dispatched a boat with a similar flag
flying to that fort, which was situated on
FIRING AT A FLAG OF PEACE. 407
the eastern side of the channel at Chuenpee,
or Stream's Nose. Round the watch-tower
of that place a new circular fort had been
erected, commanding that of Shakoo, which
was at the north-western base of the hill,
whereon the tower and new battery stood.
The boat, however, had hardly quitted the
steamer, when a fire was opened on both of
them from the new battery ; upon which the
boat was recalled. Out of more than twenty
shots only one took effect, striking the iron of
one of the paddle-wheels, and then glancing
off from the side of the vessel. This insult to
the flag of peace was not allowed to pass un-
resented, and the steamer complimented the
fort with a few sixty-eight-pound shot and
shell before returning to Toong-koo. The
next day some of the sixty-eight-pound shots
were forwarded to the authorities at Canton,
who " hi-yaw'd" at their enormous size.
On the arrival of the steamer at Toono--
koo, the Hyacinth and Columbine were im-
mediately dispatched to the Bogue. Captain
Charles Elliot the same evening proceeded
to Macao, from which place the despatch for
408 NOVEL SIGHT.
Keslien was, through the pilot, forwarded to
the Keun-niin-foo at Casa-blanca, by whom
it was eventually sent to Canton.
A great number of Chinese had assembled
in boats, and on the shore of Castle Peake
Bay, feeling secure under the British protec-
tion, and knowing well that they did not
dare go near their own mandarins, by
whom they would be imprisoned and other-
wise severely punished for dealing with the
barbarians^ who truly would have been
badly enough off for fresh provisions, but
for the constant supply kept up by these
people.
When the shipping shifted their anchorage
the whole town moved too ; and it was strange
to see with what rapidity it presently sprang up
on a sandy and barren spot, four-and-twenty
hours sufficing for the operation. The houses
were formed of bamboo poles and mats, and
the whole male and female population were
generally employed in their erection. No
nails were required, no carpenter wanted,
the whole being bound together witli thin
strips of bamboo, — the most useful tree in the
GAMBLING. 409
world. For the morality of these migratory
bipeds I fear 1 can say but little ; for, when,
rambling through the bazaar of an evening,
I could perceive little else going forw^ard
than gambling and opium-smoking.
The Chinese are, without exception, the
most confirmed gamblers in the world. I
think they even exceed the Malays in that
propensity. I could not sufficiently under-
stand any of their games to be able to explain
them ; but dice and cards appeared to be the
principal instruments.
Although I saw many smoking in the
opium-booths, I observed none of those horrid-
looking objects that are described by others,
and who, I therefore can only suppose,
become so emaciated from an excessive con-
sumption of the drug. For I have little
hesitation in saying, that there was not a
single Chinese at Toong-koo, who did not
make use of the opium pipe when he could
afford it ; and I have frequently found the
bumboat man, who used to attend the ship,
lying in his little cabin, where both he and
his wife were enjoying the forbidden luxury;
VOL. I. T
410 HORRID DEATH.
but on his services being required, he was
always ready and wilHng to go to work.
On the squadron proceeding to the Bogue
these natives could not accompany it, as there
was no situation in which they could have
erected their town ; but as the Jupiter and
many merchant-ships remained at Toong-
koo, they felt perfectly safe. Some unhappy
Chinese soldiers, however, taking advantage
of the absence of the principal part of the
squadron, established themselves in a boat
amongst this musquito fleet, taking down
the names of the traitorous natives, for
the purpose of denouncing them to the
mandarins. One of these soldiers in an
unguarded moment, when overcome with
shamsoo, **let the cat out of the bag." Horrid
vengeance was instantly taken on the whole
party ; their boat being surrounded, was set
fire to, and these poor wretches were literally
roasted alive, their persecutors preventing
their escape with long bamboos.
This deed is too horrible to contemplate,
and could only take place in China. Yet had
these miserable spies succeeded in their object.
SANGUINARY LAWS. 411
they would have brought down unheard-of
punishments on hundreds of innocent people,
who were relations of the Toong-koo Chinese ;
for, according to the very mild and just laws
of China, the fiimily and connections of sup-
posed culprits are held responsible, and
punished for the unproved crimes of their
relatives.
This fact is clearly established by the
case of Paoupang, the compradore, who was
the bearer of the correspondence between
Keshen and the plenipotentiary. He was
sentenced to be cut into ten thousand pieces ;
his relatives were to be put to death ; the
village in which he had resided was to be
utterly destroyed, and the country laid deso-
late for sixty le round it.
On the 24th, the Calliope, Hyacinth,
Larne, and Queen steamer, proceeded to the
Bogue. A most handsome apology had been
made for firing on the Queen, it having hap-
pened, as they stated, from the ignorance
of the officer at the Chuenpee fort of the
meaning of the w^hite flag. The authorities
offered to punish him most severely if it were
T 2
412 PIRATES.
required. The apology, however, was con-
sidered ample.
On the 25th of November, the Nemesis,
iron steamer, commanded by Mr. W. H.
Hall, a master in the Royal Navy, arrived
from England. The Nemesis is a remark-
ably fine boat, hired by the Company for work
on the River Hooghly, but sent to China to
join the British squadron. Her draught of
water, when she is light and with her sliding
keel up, is only four feet : this rendered
her particularly valuable to the force in the
Canton River. On the morning of the 28th,
the fleet having completed their water, which
may be procured from two or three streams
that discharge themselves into this bay, were
got under weigh, and proceeded to work out
of Toong-koo Bay, on their passage to Chuen-
pee, an anchorage at the entrance of the Bocca
Tigris, where they would remain during the
conference and expected settlement with Ke-
shen. When nearly abreast of Toong-koo
Island, we saw a long way to windward a
large fast-boat board and plunder a smaller
one, the men of which jumped overboard.
KESHEN. 413
As soon as the pirates had taken all they
wanted, they had the humanity to pick up
those who were in the water, and finally
landed them at Sanchoo. What a most ex"
traordinary nation is this! they will commit
the most unheard-of acts of barbarity, and at
the same time be merciful and kind. They
will trade with you at one spot, while you
are fighting, killing, and destroying them at
another! This has been amply proved in the
present war.
After clearing Toong-koo, we bore up
to pass round the Lintin south sand-
head. This accomplished, we continued
beating up the river until about three in the
afternoon, when the ebb-tide making, the
squadron was anchored. On the 29th, im-
mediately after weighing, a chop-boat went
along side the Melville with our old friend
Captain White, and another military officer.
The object of their visit was to announce that
Keshen would on that day make his public
entry into Canton, which he must have done
about the same time they were making the
communication. Keshen had been in the
414 ADMIRAL Elliot's resignation.
neighbourhood of the provincial city for about
a week previously, but he did not receive
the governor's seals until the 3rd of De-
cember.
The signal to anchor having been made
rather before the tide had finished, the
captains were all immediately summoned on
board the flag-ship. The admiral, whose
health had been long declining", feeling it
utterly impossible to continue in his command,
in consequence of a disease of the heart, which
rendered him during the paroxism abso-
lutely unfit for mental exertion, resolved
at once on resigning in favour of Commo-
dore Sir Gordon Bremer. He could, it
is true, have retired to Macao, where
quiet would probably have abated his dis-
ease, and might have deputed the second
in command to carry on the negotiations.
But this course his high and honourable mind
at once rejected: he would not take the lau-
rels from another's brow, painful as it must
have been to quit at a moment when he him-
self, Captain Elliot, and many others, felt fully
convinced of the good faith and honesty of
SIR GORDON BREMER. 415
Keshen, and that an honourable and highly
advantageous treaty would shortly be con-
cluded. He preferred, however, taking the
step already mentioned, and relinquishing to
the commodore the grateful task of finally
arranging the treaty. By this resigna-
tion Sir Gordon Bremer became a second
time within the year commander-in-chief on
the India station. Though it had been kept
from the knowledge of the squadron, Admiral
Elliot's health had for some time been in a
very precarious state. As long before as when
Lord Jocelyn proceeded to England, the
admiral had forwarded to the home autho-
rities a request to be superseded, hoping
at that time that he might be able to struggle
on until another admiral should be appointed
from England.
The Queen steamer having arrived on the
30th, for the purpose of proceeding to Macao
with the admiral, he embarked on board that
vessel amidst the regrets of all those who
had been under his command, his old Cape
squadron loudly cheering him as the steamer
passed by them. The flag was hoisted on
416 BUMBOAT.
board the Modeste at sunset, as she was to
proceed to Macao with the admiral's baggage,
there to await the arrival of the Volage,
in which ship the late commander-in-chief
had resolved to proceed to England. At
ten o'clock the next morning we weighed.
Sir Gordon Bremer taking advantage of
the opportunity to proceed to Macao, em-
barked with his suite to make arrangements
with the plenipotentiary, as the admiral had
not the power to turn his diplomatic autho-
rity over to the commodore, though Sir
Gordon Bremer was eventually invested with
those powers by the home government.
Captain Charles Elliot for the time became
the sole manager of the ulterior proceed-
ings.
We anchored in Macao roads about two
o'clock in the afternoon, where we found the
Samarang. A bumboat quickly attached it-
self to the ship^ and as we were a long
way out, the owner seldom went on shore :
his boat, besides being a bazaar, with a little
of every thing, "served him for parlour,
kitchen, and all/' for himself, wife, and
WEARING THE BREECHES. 417
three or four little ones, who appeared as
much at home as if they had been on terra
firma. Indeed it is a very common thing
to see these little brats rolling about the
decks of the country boats with one or two
empty calabashes tied to them, which, in
case of their falling overboard, answer the
purpose of life-buoys until they are picked
up.
The anchor of this boat had but one
fluke, and the stock, according to the
Chinese fashion, passed through the crown
instead of the shank ; consequently, if it did.
not fall fluke down, it would not hold. On
one occasion I was much amused at the
unsuccessful attempts of our bumboat-man
to make his anchor hite. Every time he
fiiiled the boat dropped astern, and as often
gave his better half the labour of sculling
up again. At length she dropped the oar,
and running forwards seized the anchor from
the old fellow, with an exclamation that I
think might be interpreted, " Oh ! you
lubber," pitched it over, and certainly suc-
cessfully j on which the poor crest-fallen
T 3
418 SQUADRON REINFORCED.
husband sneaked quietly aft in the boat,
silently admitting that his wife wore the
breeches.
On the 3rd of December the Volage
arrived from Manilla, on board which ship
the admiral embarked on the evening of the
6th, and she sailed for England at daylight
the next day. The commodore and pleni-
potentiary returned to the fleet at Chuenpee
on the 4th, for which place we proceeded in
the Modesto on the 7th, the Herald passing
us on her way to relieve the Samarang at
Macao, which ship was to reinforce the squa-
dron off Chuenpee, where we anchored on
the 8th.
Several chops had passed between Keshen
and the plenipotentiary, but without any thing
final being effected. Report said a hostile
demonstration would be made on the 10th,
but it passed off without any thing trans-
piring. On the 12th, the squadron moved
nearer to the forts at Chuenpee, where they
commenced watering at a small rivulet that
discharged itself into the river on the south
side of the point, near which a temple is
THE CELESTIAL FE, 419
situated, dedicated to the goddess* of those
of the fair sex who are anxious to become
" as ladies wish to be who love their lords,"
and whose more especial prayers are, that
they may be favoured with a " bull child,"—
the height of ambition of every Chinese
mother. In fact, most wretched is every
parent in China who has not a son to place
his body in the tomb, and to offer up thereat
yearly adoration. When the females ap-
proach the fane, they bring, according to
* The goddess Teen-fe, or Matsoo-poo, is also the
deity of Chinese seamen. Her worship was originally-
introduced from Mechow, where her mother resided;
who on being presented by the goddess Kwanyin with a
flower of the fig-tree, swallowed it, and became pregnant.
After fourteen months she gave birth to the goddess Fe,
the air being perfumed with a powerful fragrance for a
mile around. She has gained her nautical celebrity by
having preserved her brother's ships from foundering
in a typhoon, and is worshipped by the women for having
granted a child to the prayers of a barren wife, who had
in vain implored at the shrines of all the other Chinese
deities.
She was subsequently, for services rendered to the
court, declared the safeguard of the nation, the assister
of the people, the excelling spiritual essence, the illus-
trious answerer of prayer, of enlarged benevolence,
affording universal aid, the celestial Fe.
420 MR. STAUNTON LIBERATED,
their means, meat, fish, cakes, fruit, and a
small pot of shamsoo with quantities of
incense-paper and joss-stick. This joss-stick
is lighted and allowed to burn before the
image of the goddess. The worshipper then
bows three times, expressing her petition ;
then kneels three times, kissing the ground
as often ; after which she burns the incense-
paper, while an attendant beats a gong
to arouse the attention of the deity. This
part of the ceremony being completed,
the devotee again kneels, and kisses the
ground as before, when the ceremony is
concluded by a present of cash to the priest.
At this joss-house the priest made not
the slightest objection to selling us a set of
his gods.
On the 10th of December, Mr. Vincent
Staunton, after a lengthened imprisonment,
was brought into . the presence of Commis-
sioner Keshen, who ordered his manacles to
be struck off, and expressed much regret at
his seizure. He immediately released him,
had a dinner and a lodging provided for
him in his own house, and early the next
MR. Staunton's imprisonment. 421
morning caused him to be conveyed in a
sedan-chair to a boat waiting to can;y him to
the British squadron, which he reached on
the morning of the 12th.
This release, granted on the representa-
tion of her majesty's plenipotentiary, appeared
kindly done, whatever might be the commis-
sioner's secret motive for it ; nor does it
appear his imprisonment had been very
severe. On his first capture he was closely
interrogated by Lin and other high officers,
to ascertain if he had been in any way
concerned in the opium trade, of his total
disconnection with which they seemed to be
convinced. Instead, however, of being re-
leased, as he justly expected to have been,
he was sent, as we have before shown, to
the prison of Nanhae, where he was sur-
rounded by scores of criminals, and was
assured that more than a thousand were
within its walls. A light chain was fastened
round his legs to prevent his running away,
and manacles were put on his wrists when
taken before any of the mandarins. At
the same time they provided him with any
422 SURVEYING VESSELS.
food he wished for, clothed him, and sup-
plied him with Chinese books. No doubt
much of this was owing to the kindness of
his keeper.
During our stay at this anchorage a bat-
talion formed from the marines of the squa-
dron was constantly exercised on the small
island of Sam-pan-chou, where they formed a
very imposing and soldier-like body for the
contemplation of the mandarins at Chuenpee,
who were so soon, as it proved, to suffer from
their prowess.
On the 15th, the surveying vessels, the
Sulphur, Commander (now Captain; Belcher,
and the Starling, Lieutenant (now Com-
mander) Kellet, arrived from South America
and the Eastern Archipelago. The officers of
these vessels became actively employed in the
river, and their services during the whole of
the operations were of the greatest advantage
to the squadron.
Rumours of wars continued to prevail,
and it soon became evident to the most
sanguine, that no terms would be obtained
from Keshen until he was thrashed into
CHRISTMAS-DAY IN CHINA. 423
them. Scaling ladders were now made on
board all the ships preparatory to taking
the forts by escalade. These ladders were
formed of bamboo, twenty feet in length,
with bars or steps lashed across them.
They possessed the qualities of lightness
and strength in a superior degree.
Friday the 25th arrived, and as Keshen
was still playing his fast and loose game, a
chop was dispatched to him to say that, if a
satisfactory answer was not previously re-
turned, hostilities would commence at noon,
on Monday the 28th.
This approach to warlike measures rather
enhanced the enjoyment of Christmas-day to
those who were getting weary of procrasti-
nating delays. It was observed in true old
English style, — as far at least, as roast beef
and plum-pudding would do it. Messrs. P.
Hooker and Lane, general dealers at Macao,
had long been fatting up a bullock for the
occasion, and his carcase had for some time
been marked for the different messes. The
24th had been passed by caterers and stew-
ards in watching and misgivings as to the
424 A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
arrival of Hooker's schooner with the good
things on board, and late at night they were
much discomforted by an announcement that
she had got on shore, and that it was quite
uncertain when she would be up. At day-
light, however, she appeared to rejoice our
hearts, when, however, a general race of
boats from all ships took place. Such cries
as "Where's my sirloin?" "Where's my
roasting-piece?" "Have you brought my
rump?" "Mr. Lane, where are the cur-
rants?'' — and a hundred other such requisi-
tions. At length he managed to satisfy all
their demands, and the boats returned to
their ships, rich with the requisites for a
Christmas feast, which by evening the cooks
had served up in appropriate style. Good
feeling and fellowship prevailed; many a
little bickering was ended^ and "a merry
Christmas and a happy new year" drank to
those far away. At the same time the com-
forts of the men were not lost sight of; all
hands were permitted to enjoy themselves,
though discipline and efficiency were not
allowed to suffer. I am proud to say that in
HOSTILITIES DEFERRED. 425
very few cases did the men forget that they
might at any moment be wanted for service.
On the 26th, the Madagascar was dis-
patched to Macao to announce that hosti-
lities were likely to take place ; the Enter-
prise proceeding to Toong-koo to bring
up the Madras native infantry. About
noon the signal was made, — ''Preparations to
be made for service," and the ships bent
their stern cables, knocked down bulk-heads^
and cleared for action.
On the 27th, numerous telescopes were
anxiously directed up the river to see if there
was an appearance of a chop-boat; all being
eager for the fight, and dreading a messenger
of humbug. However, he arrived towards
the afternoon, by which a stop was put to
any further operations at the moment, to
the disgust of all hands and the disappoint-
ment of many amateurs who came up to
witness the expected fight, which they lost
when it really did take pLice, as they fancied
we were still '^ crying wolf."
One or two of the same sort of mes-
sages arrived, and an old mandarin at
426 WARLIKE PREPARATIONS.
Chuenpee, who had been in communication
with Captain Smith on former occasions, sent
off a message to him as follows: — "My chin-
chin Smith plenty much, can talkee my that
day go makee true fight pigeon ; put plum
gun, killee plenty piece men ; my go walkee
other pigeon, then no can killee my." I do
not know whether he got the desired infor-
mation ; but I do know that the last day of
December, 1840, arrived, and we were no
further advanced than we were at the com-
mencement of the year, though the Chinese
might be seen busily employed in strength-
ening their position of Chuenpee.
END OF VOL I.
London :— Harrison AND Co., Printers, St. Martin's Lans.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
Los Angeles
This book is DUE on the last date stamped below.
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