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. 
 
 BT 4 1963] 
 
 ^FES 8 19T.. 
 
 AUG 2 01^^ 
 
 :si' APR 1 s ^^ 
 
 HAHl\i 
 
 J 
 
 LD 
 URL 
 
 MAR2 
 
 OCT 1 2 
 
 utro u> 
 
 ©EC 06' 
 
 UKl 
 
 2 1987' 
 
 ^^awj?io 
 
 
 KHTO m iim 
 
 SEP2 81987 
 
 to/URL ^^'-' "^ 
 
 MM^ M«!0 4B9B 
 
 
 982 
 
 .83 
 
 Form L9-32m-8,'58 (587684) 444
 
 3 1158 00428 5341 
 
 * 
 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY