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63
HAJU
DA
ARTES
LIBRARY
1837
VERITAS
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
É PLURIBUS UNUM
SCIENTIA
OF THE
ATUTUNA
ÎŞI QUAERIS PENINSULAM AMOENAM
CIRCUMSPICE
JAN/ATAR, SANTANAVAJANJU ANGGAAMA JAMAASTIKWA VITOONS
IHKIIIIIIII
ANITATHMINIJ
Am
STREZERTILAJ014 MAIRIAMSIITI
ADVAN
*
DS
703
G78
,
.
;
·
At. Bail. Forseign office
359.
REPORT
FROM THE
SELECT COMMITTEE
TRADE WITH CHINA;
ON THE
TOGETHER WITH THE
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE,
TAKEN BEFORE THEM.
AND
AN APPENDIX, AND INDEX.
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
5 June 1840.
[ii]
Martis, 24° die Martii, 1840.
Ordered, THAT a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the Grievances complained
of in the Petition of Merchants interested in the Trade with China (presented 24 March),
by reason of the Surrender of Opium to Her Majesty's Superintendent there, in the Month
of March 1839, and to report their Observations thereupon to The House.
A Committee was nominated, of—
Mr. Crawford.
Lord Viscount Palmerston.
Sir Robert Peel.
Mr. Charles Buller.
Mr. Herbert.
Sir George Staunton.
Mr. Gladstone.
Mr. Colquhoun.
Sir George Grey.
Mr. Hogg.
Mr. Elliot.
Veneris, 3° die Aprilis, 1840.
Ordered, THAT the Committee have power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.
Ordered, THAT Five be the Quorum of the Committee.
THE REPORT
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE -
APPENDIX -
INDEX -
Veneris, 1º die Maii, 1840.
Ordered, THAT the Correspondence relating to China, presented to this House, and the
several Reports on the Subject of the Trade with China, and the Affairs of the East India
Company, in the Years 1830, 1831, and 1832, be referred to the Select Committee on China
Trade.
1
Veneris, 5° die Junii, 1840.
Ordered, THAT the Committee have power to report the Minutes of Evidence, taken
before them, to The House.
Mr. John Abel Smith.
Mr. John Parker.
Lord Viscount Sandon.
Mr. Strutt.
Sir William Somerville.
Sir Robert Harry Inglis.
Sir Charles Lemon.
}
Mr. Edward Buller.
Mr. Clay.
Mr. Horsman.
1
I
}
-
1
1
·
1
·
P. iii
p. 1
p. 155
p. 189
[iii]
THE SELECT COMMITTEE appointed to inquire into the Grievances com-
plained of in the Petition of Merchants interested in the Trade with China,
(presented 24th March,) by reason of the Surrender of Opium to Her Majesty's
Superintendent there, in the Month of March 1839, and to report their Obser-
vations thereupon to The House; and to whom was also referred the Petition
of Merchants interested in the Trade with China, (presented 17th March,) and
who were empowered to report the MINUTES OF EVIDENCE taken before them
to The House ;--HAVE considered the matters to them referred, and have
agreed to the following REPORT:
5 June 1840.
REPORT.
THAT Your Committee feel that they shall best discharge their duty by
laying before The House, without any observation on their own part, the
Evidence which they have taken upon the subject.
266930
359.
[ iv ]
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE.
ATTENDANCE when no Evidence was taken, and DIVISIONS.
Lunæ, 13° die Aprilis, 1840.
Sir R. Inglis.
Mr. Gladstone.
Mr. E. Buller.
Mr. J. A. Smith.
Mr. Herbert.
Mr. Clay.
Lord Palmerston,
Lord Sandon.
Mr. Edward Buller.
Sir Geo. Staunton.
Mr. Elliot.
Mr. Herbert,
Lord Sandon.
MR, CRAWFORD CALLED TO THE CHAIR.
Mr. C. Buller,
Lord Palmerston,
Mr. Clay,
Ayes 7.
Sir G. Staunton.
Mr. Hogg.
Mr. Herbert.
Mr. Gladstone.
Lord Sandon.
Mr. C. Buller.
Mr. Colquhoun.
Jovis, 4° die Junii, 1840.
Mr. Strutt.
Sir Geo. Staunton.
Mr. Crawford.
Sir Geo. Grey.
Mr. J. Parker.
Mr. Hogg.
Mr. Elliot,
Mr. Horsman.
MR. J. A. SMITH IN THE CHAIR.
Words added.
Resolution as amended agreed to.
Mr. Hogg.
Sir Geo, Grey.
Mr. Strutt.
Mr. Gladstone.
Sir R. Inglis.
Sir W. Somerville,
Resolution proposed by Mr. Herbert.
"That your Committee, to whom was referred the petition of certain merchants trading to
Canton, have examined the several witnesses called on behalf of the petitioners; your
Committee, feeling that the matters which have been referred to them involve some grave
considerations of public policy, which The House is more competent than your Committee
to entertain, conceive that they shall best discharge their duty by laying before your
Honourable House the evidence which they have taken, and submitting the whole case to
that mature consideration which, from its importance both to individual interests and to the
national character, it well deserves.
"Your Committee, therefore, beg to lay the evidence they have taken upon the table of
your Honourable House."
Amendment proposed (Sir R. Inglis) to leave out all the words after "that," in order to
add the following:-
"Your Committee, to whom it was referred to inquire into the grievances complained of
in the petition of merchants interested in the trade with China, (presented 24th March,) by
reason of the surrender of opium to Her Majesty's superintendent there, in the month of
March 1839, feel, that they best discharge their duty by laying before the House, without
any observation on their own part, the evidence which they have taken upon the subject."
Question, that the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Resolution, put:-
Committee divide.
Mr. Parker.
Mr. Colquhoun.
Noes 9.
Mr. E. Buller.
Mr. Elliot.
Sir George Grey.
Mr. Strutt.
Sir R. Inglis.
Sir W. Somerville.
Mr. Parker.
Lord Palmerston,
Mr. Clay.
[ v ]
359.
1
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.
b
[ vi ]
Robert Inglis, Esq.
Robert Inglis, Esq.
Captain John Thacker
James William Freshfield, Jun. Esq.
Captain John Thacker
Anthony Daniell, Esq.
William Jardine, Esq.
LIST OF WITNESSES.
William Jardine, Esq.
James Malcolmson, Esq.
Jovis, 30° die Aprilis, 1840.
James Malcolmson, Esq.
Ardaseer Cursetjee, Esq.
Alexander Matheson, Esq.
Jovis, 7° die Maii, 1840.
Lunæ, 11° die Maii, 1840.
I
+
1
Jovis, 14° die Maii, 1840.
1
1
1
Lunæ, 18° die Maii, 1840.
Lunæ, 1º die Junii, 1840.
4
|
M
}
- p. 1
1
-
I
|
1
p. 1
p. 36
p. 60
p. 65
å å å
p. 77
p. 89
P. 97
p. 120
p. 128
p. 129
p. 133
*
[ 1 ]
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.
Mr. Buller.
Mr. Clay.
Mr. W. E. Gladstone.
Mr. Hogg.
Sir Robert Inglis.
Sir Charles Lemon.
Jovis, 30° die Aprilis, 1840.
MEMBERS PRESENT.
JOHN ABEL SMITH, Esq. IN THE CHAIR.
Mr. Charles Buller.
Mr. Edward Buller.
Mr. Clay.
Mr. Colquhoun.
Mr. John Elliot.
Mr. Gladstone.
Sir George Grey.
Mr. Herbert.
Mr. Hogg.
James William Freshfield, jun. Esq. called in; and Examined.
1. Chairman.] YOU are the professional Agent of the parties appearing before J.W.Freshfield, jun.
this Committee, under a petition to the House presented on the 17th March ?-
I am.
Esq.
30 April 1840.
2. Do you wish to put in certain documents in proof of the allegations con-
tained in the petition?-I do; 1 submit now extracts of reports and other docu-
ments in proof of the preliminary allegations in this petition.
The Witness delivered in the same. Vide Appendix.)
Mr. Parker.
Lord Sandon.
Mr. John Abel Smith.
Sir George Staunton.
Mr. Strutt.
Jovis, 7° die Maii, 1840.
MEMBERS PRESENT.
Mr. Horsman.
Sir Charles Lemon.
Mr. Parker.
Sir Robert Peel.
Lord Sandon.
Mr. John Abel Smith.
Sir William Somerville.
Sir George Staunton.
Mr. Strutt.
JOHN ABEL SMITH, Esq. IN THE CHAIR.
Robert Inglis, Esq., called in; and Examined.
3. Chairman.] YOU were for a number of years resident at Canton ?-Since Robert Inglis, Esq.
1823.
4. When did you quit it?-On the 30th of May last.
7 May 1840.
5. You are a partner in the house of Dent & Co. ?—I am.
6. Had you made arrangements for leaving Canton before the beginning of
the recent troubles there?-Yes; I was on the point of embarking on the very
day that the embargo was put upon the passage boats.
7. Can you name the day?—No, I cannot; but it must have been prior to
the issue of the Commissioner's edict on the 18th of March; I had my luggage
0.59.
B
packed
2
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq. packed up for a week ready to go to Macao, but always found difficulties made
when I wished to put it on board a boat.
7 May 1840.
8. By whom? By the linguists. I went at last to Howqua to ask him if
there was any wish to keep me there, for it appeared that that really was the
intention, and I asked him if that was the case; he told me he was going to
Consoo that day, and he would let me know; that is the Consoo-house, where
the merchants meet the officers of government. In about two hours he told me
that I could go, but I still found difficulties. I tried to get my luggage on
board the boat immediately, but the linguists again made difficulties, and the
next morning there came out an order to prevent any foreigner leaving Canton.
9. Was that previous or subsequent to the issuing of the edict by him?—
Previous.
10. Your house was largely engaged in the importation of opium into China?
-Yes, it has been for many years past.
11. Do you recollect the arrival of Lin, the commissioner appointed by the
Emperor of China?—Yes.
12. And you recollect the edicts published by him on his arrival?—Yes
about a week or 10 days subsequent to his arrival at Canton the first edict was
published; he arrived at Canton on the 10th of March, and his first edict was
published on the 18th.
13. What was your impression of the character of those edicts?—That he
intended to get opium out of us decidedly.
14. Was it your impression that he meant to seize it, or to buy it?-I think
that he meant at first to pay for it; but I do not think he ever expected to get
so much; that was my impression at the time.
15. Have subsequent events altered that impression at all, that he meant to
pay for it?-No; except that I think he never contemplated to get 20,000
chests; that I have no doubt made an alteration in his disposition to pay for it.
16. Mr. Hogg.] Will you state the grounds of your belief that he intended to
for it?-His own edict.
pay
17. Have you any grounds for that belief that are not contained in the edict.
itself? No; unless I may have general impressions as to the policy of the
Chinese government which I can hardly very well explain.
18. Chairman.] Was the opinion entertained by the European community at
Canton of the character of those edicts unanimous ?-No, I should think not; I
give this merely as my own opinion.
19. What edicts were issued by Commissioner Lin on his arrival at Canton?
The one I particularly alluded to is the edict of the 18th of March, which or-
dered us to give up the opium in three days.
20. What notice was taken of that edict by the European community?—They
had several meetings on the subject. The Chamber of Commerce met, and there
was a good deal of discussion about it; but there was no specific answer given,
further than that the Chamber of Commerce told the Hong merchants that they
wished for time; that it was a very important matter to give up a large pro-
perty of that kind, not belonging to us in a great measure, and that we wished to
have time to think of it; that three days was too short a notice to comply with a
requisition of that kind.
21. Mr. E. Buller.] Did the embargo which you have mentioned before the
18th apply only to you and to Mr. Dent's house, or to all the community at
Canton? To all the community.
22. That was before the issuing of the edict?-I am almost certain that
it was.
23. Chairman.] Will you state the circumstances which occurred subsequently
to that claim of Commissioner Lin upon the European community for the sur-
render of the opium?-The edict was published on Monday the 18th. I think
I was the first person that got it on Monday afternoon. I took it over to Mr.
Morrison to ask him to translate it about three o'clock. It was an edict order-
ing us to give up the opium in three days. The whole of Tuesday and Wednes-
day were spent in discussions with the Hong merchants upon the subject, by the
Chamber of Commerce, and by foreigners, amongst themselves. On Thursday
night the Hong merchants, having had many discussions in the course of the
morning with the Chamber of Commerce, assembled some of the foreigners
about 10 o'clock on Thursday night, and told them that they had just come
from
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
3
7 May 1840.
from the Commissioner, and that he required a thousand chests of opium to be Robert Inglis, Esq.
given up the next morning, or that two of them were to lose their lives. I
was not present at that meeting, and never heard of it till the next morning;
but it appears that the foreigners were worked upon by compassion for the Hong
merchants to subscribe 1,030 chests, of which one of the Hong merchants sub-
scribed ten chests to make up the amount. The next morning some of them,
and, among the rest, two of my partners, saw the folly of the thing, and so did
everybody else; that it was very unlikely that the Commissioner, who on Mon-
day had said in his edict that he knew there were several tens of thousands of
chests in the ships at Lintin, and who had required that the whole of them
should be given up, that none should be sent away, and no part withheld, should
be now content with 1,000 chests; and they saw now that the thing must have
been nonsense, and accordingly none of the Hong merchants lost their lives, or
anybody else; and in the course of the day it was understood that the thing had
failed altogether; probably it may have been a trick of the merchants them-
selves, but it answered no purpose whatever. On the Friday night the Hong
merchants came to demand Mr. Dent, to go into the city to meet the Commis-
sioner the next morning; Mr. Dent was willing, himself, then to go in, and
certainly had the intention of going in on Friday night, but he wished to ascer-
tain the object of his going, and he made difficulties about it to put it off that
night, on the pretence that he required a guarantee, but his real intention was to
ascertain the intention of taking him there. The merchants, however, came on
Saturday morning; they had been obliged to report that Mr. Dent would not go in
there, and they came on Saturday to say that he must go in; and they came without
their buttons, and with chains round them, saying that they had been degraded,
because Mr. Dent had not gone in as the Commissioner required. At this time the
whole of the foreign community had assembled in our house to see what was going
on, and in the course of these discussions the community was appealed to whether
Mr. Dent ought to go or not. They were unanimous that he ought not to go; I
myself wished him to go, and he himself had, in the first instance, intended to have
gone. However, in the course of the day one of the Hong merchants admitted that
Mr. Dent would be detained in the city. He said that he thought no harm
would be done to him. We knew before that the Commissioner had hired a
cook who had been in the foreign establishment to cook for him, and there was
no doubt that he was going to be detained there, and the alarm expressed about
him by several of the foreigners, particularly by his own brother, made me at
last consider that he ought not to go into the city; for although I would go in
myself, I could not advise another to go. His own brother told me, in a state
of great excitement, that if I allowed my partner to go into the city, he would
lay his death at my door, so much alarm was there about him, and of course
I could not under those circumstances advise him to go in, though I would have
gone myself. The Hong merchants professed that they dare not go to the
Consoo-house, where the kwang-chow-foo, the chief magistrate of the city of
Canton, was waiting for their answer, and they asked if some of us would go and
report Mr. Dent's answer, that he would not go in. His reason for refusing to
go was, that he wished for security. He said he would go in if the Commissioner
would give him security under his hand for his safety, that he should come
out again, which I felt sure he could not get. The Hong merchants pro-
fessed that they dared not go in to tell him this, and asked if any of us would
go. Upon which a number of us volunteered to go to the Consoo-house to tell
this to the kwang-chow-foo. We went there, and there seemed to be a great
difficulty about the thing; and he said that Mr. Dent must go. After talking
a great deal about it, he asked if we thought that if two of the mandarins pre-
sent went to Mr. Dent's house, he would go in. We said that we did not think
he would, inasmuch as it was the whole foreign community that prevented his
going; and it was no disrespect on Mr. Dent's part towards the authorities.
Upon this two of the mandarins present, one of whom was a district officer, the
kwangheep, and the other was the weiyune, an officer taken from his regular
duty to act upon this special service; these two mandarins put on their boots
and their official caps, and went immediately to Mr. Dent's house, and there
asked him why he would not go in. The whole foreign community nearly were
present at the time, and he stated through an interpreter that he would go if he
had sufficient protection from the Commissioner. They said that was quite impos-
sible, but that they themselves would answer for his safety. However, it was
shown
0.59.
B 2
-
4
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
7 May 1840.
Robert Inglis, Esq. shown them that such a thing had occurred once before in the history of
foreigners in China; that the chief of the British factory in China had gone
into the city with the same kind of guarantee from a number of the officers,
and that he was detained in prison for several years eventually. The whole
foreign community retired into another room to reconsider this matter, and
it was then stated to them what Mowqua had told us, that Mr. Dent would
certainly be detained in the city. Coupling that with other things, it
was determined that he ought not to go into the city, more especially as it
appeared that the Commissioner had picked him out as the representative of the
rest of the community, evidently to get his opium out of him, and to make him
take the first step to induce all the other foreigners to give it up; and therefore,
as he was considered to be acting in the common cause, the whole of the
foreigners protested against his going. After some conversation, the whole of the
foreigners returned down stairs again, and this was explained to the mandarins.
They then stated that they were afraid to go and tell this to the kwang-chow-
foo, and at length they asked if some of the foreigners would go for them; se-
veral of us volunteered to go, and returned back with them to the Consoo-house.
When we got there, the kwang-chow-foo seemed to be in the same difficulty as
the other officers had been. He said he dare not go into the city without Mr.
Dent to report this; and, after a good deal of conversation upon the subject, he
asked Mr. Thom, the interpreter, if he would go in, or if I would go in. The
moment it was put to me, I said I would go. Several other gentlemen present
volunteered to go. I begged them not; I thought it was unnecessary; not that
I had the slightest fear about returning, but I thought there was no occasion for
more of us going than necessary. At length I went with three gentlemen who
spoke Chinese, and we were taken into the city, and detained there, I think, a
couple of hours. Both Mr. Thom and myself were taken separately before the
four great officers of government next to the governor and the deputy governor.
They asked me who I was, and I mentioned that I was Mr. Dent's partner.
They wanted to know how it was that I could come there when Mr. Dent could
not. I told them that Mr. Dent was detained by the whole foreign community;
that the Commissioner had selected him, apparently, as the representative of the
community, and the community would not allow him to go as their representa-
tive, but that I came in my private capacity; that Mr. Dent did not fear to
come as far as he alone was concerned, but that it was the foreign community
who would not allow him. He then said that the Commissioner wanted him
alone, and did not want him as the representative of the foreign community, and
he then repeated again that Mr. Dent must come. I then told him that Mr.
Dent could not go; that he could not give up his opium in that way; that the
opium did not belong to him or to the foreign community in general; that the
greater part of it belonged to other people, some in India and some in England,
and that we could not by our own laws give up other people's property in that
way, without some equivalent for it. I told him that I was coming to
England myself, and that I should be liable to my own laws if I gave up
the property in that way. To which the criminal judge, who was the spokes-
man, answered, We know nothing about your laws; the Commissioner is a
very great man sent down with a special authority from the Emperor here; he
has ordered Mr. Dent to come before him, and Mr. Dent must come ;" and
went on repeating the same over and over again for about a quarter of a hour,
repeating that I must go and show Mr. Dent that he must come. I answered
that I would show him, but that I could not promise for his coming; and it
ended at last in his repeating the same thing to me again, and I believe Mr.
Thom's examination was something to the same effect. After this we were
taken again before the same officers we had met with at the Consoo-house, and
there Mr. Thom remained for, I suppose, an hour talking with them, and
explaining the difficulties, more especially to the Commissioner's own officers,
and stated that we must have more time to think about it before we could give
up a large amount of property like that. The conversation went on, I think,
for an hour to that effect, and the officer of the Commissioner seemed to take a
great interest in it, and to listen attentively to everything that Mr. Thom said;
but always repeating that Mr. Dent must go in the next morning. After this
we were dismissed, and went home. When we came home the Hong mer-
chants were all there again, this was at nine or ten o'clock, insisting that Mr.
Dent must go in the next morning. We then recollected for the first time (one
of
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
5
of the missionaries reminded me) that the next day was Sunday, which not one Robert Inglis, Esq.
7 May 1840.
of us had ever thought of in the confusion of the day. The moment that was
suggested, we stated it to the Hong merchants. They were as pleased as we
were with the prospect of getting a day's grace, and proposed immediately that
we should write and state that. That was done, and in a quarter of an hour we
had an answer that Mr. Dent was to go in at 10 o'clock on the Monday. On
Sunday afternoon, about six o'clock, Captain Elliot arrived at Canton, and
relieved us from all further responsibility.
24. Mr. Hogg.] You said that three gentlemen that spoke Chinese accompa-
nied you when you went before the officers ?—Yes; first Mr. Thom was taken;
he interpreted for himself; then they took me with a Chinese interpreter, and
then they took the other two together. I should state, that on the Wednesday
prior to this, Mr. Astell, one of the East India Company's agents there, had
written down to Macao, just before our communication was cut off. He had
hired a Chinese boat, to take information of what was going on, to Macao, and
he wrote to Captain Elliot, and that was the only knowledge that Captain
Elliot had of the circumstance at all, from a private letter by Mr. Astell. On the
Saturday afternoon, while the discussion about Mr. Dent was going on, Mr. Astell
got an answer from Macao, I think not from Captain Elliot himself, but he heard
of Captain Elliot's proclamation, which he had issued there. Previous to this, one
of the houses in Canton, Messrs. Bell & Co., had put their opium into Mr. John-
ston's hands, the second superintendent, saying that they looked to him, as Her
Majesty's representative, for the security of the property. I remember telling him
also that Dent & Co. would do the same, if Mr. Dent was taken into the city. I told
Mr. Dent himself when we were talking of his going in, "If you like to go in,
I have no doubt they will keep you there; we shall hear nothing of you for a
few days, and of course be uneasy about you; but we will not give up one chest
of opium to your order, unless we have reason to believe that they are ill-treating
you; if they should be torturing you, or anything of that kind, we shall have no
hesitation about it; but the moment you go in we will put the whole of our
opium into Mr. Johnston's hands, and leave it to him to do as he likes about it."
25. Chairman.] Did Mr. Johnston accept the charge of the opium given up to
him by Bell & Co. ?-Yes, he accepted it immediately, without any guarantee
or anything.
26. Mr. Gladstone.] When was this?-He accepted it on Saturday the 23d;
Mr. Johnston told me that he had accepted it. An hour or two afterwards
I heard of what Captain Elliot had done at Macao; and, in speaking with him
again upon the subject, he said, "Now I know what Captain Elliot has done, I
have no doubt of my course." He did not say what that course was. I mention
this, because the inference of course was, that Captain Elliot had considered the
opium question before, and what was to be done under any circumstances of that
kind, and that Mr. Johnston knew his opinion upon the subject.
27. Chairman.] Did you consider that observation as implying his willing-
ness to take charge of your opium?-Decidedly, but not to engage for any
indemnity.
28. Sir William Somerville.] Did you sign any paper, putting your opium
into the hands of Mr. Johnston?—I did not, but other parties did; I never put
our opium into his hands, because Mr. Dent did not go into the city.
29. Chairman.] When did Captain Elliot arrive at Canton?-At six o'clock
on Sunday afternoon.
30. Sir William Somerville.] You said that the impression upon your mind
was, that Commissioner Lin intended to pay for this opium which he was about
to seize ?-When I first got his edict of the 18th I took it to Mr. Morrison, and
he read it over to me then, and I made him repeat one or two expressions in it.
It was to me the most remarkable edict which I had ever seen of the Chinese;
I particularly made him read over that passage about the Commissioner pro-
mising that if we complied with his request he would report our conduct to the
Emperor to reward us.
31. It was from an expression in the edict that you were led to calculate
upon
being paid for the opium, not from any general impression?-Not at that
moment; I went home and reported this to my partners. We took the thing
into consideration, and I told them I felt sure, from the wording of the edict,
B3
that
0.59.
6
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
7 May 1840.
Robert Inglis, Esq. that the Commissioner was determined to have opium out of us, but that I
thought he was going to pay us for it in some shape or way. Afterwards,
when I was in the city, I was talking with Howqua about it, and his object in
the conversation appeared to be to ascertain what the value of the opium was,
and this, coupled with other circumstances that had occurred, left an impression
upon my mind that he was ascertaining it himself, with a view to see what we
would take as compensation. Moreover, while they were asking Mr. Dent to go
into the city, Mowqua, who is the second Hong merchant, a most respectable
man, asked my partner, Mr. Braine, in whose department the opium was,
if we would be content with 400 dollars a chest for the opium; consequently I
thought that the Hong merchants at that moment fully believed that they would
have to pay for the opium; I had no doubt that their object in taking Mr. Dent
into the city was to get his opium from him, and my impression was that they
believed that they would have to pay for the opium. Whether they had any
reason for believing that, more than the general policy of the government, I
cannot say.
32. Mr. Gladstone.] Is not a guarantee given by the Hong merchants for the
foreigners who reside at Canton, to the effect of rendering them liable to be
called upon in case of the foreigners being summoned by the Chinese govern-
ment on account of any such traffic as the opium traffic?-I believe they are
security to their own government for the good behaviour of the foreigners.
33. Would you not say that they were security for the foreigners to this extent,
that the foreigners should not be engaged in any contraband traffic?-Yes, cer-
tainly; they have always been made security for that.
34. Mr. Edward Buller.] What was the nature of the security demanded
from the kwang-chow-foo for Mr. Dent; was it a security with regard to
his personal safety, or a security for his return ?-A security for his immediate
return.
35. You were under no apprehension with regard to Mr. Dent's life, if he had
gone without that security?—I was not, but many were; his own brother came
to me in a state of great excitement, and he said that he knew that I wished his
brother to go in; and he said, that if his brother went into the city he was sure
he would be put to death, and that he would lay his death at my door.
36. Mr. Hogg.] What was your object in asking Mr. Johnston to take charge
of your opium, in the event of Mr. Dent going into the city ?-I do not know
that I put that question to him, whether he would take it or not; but having
heard that he had already accepted opium from other parties, I told him that
Dent & Co. would do the same thing if Mr. Dent was taken into the city.
37. You were understood to say that he acceded to that ?—Not with reference
to Dent & Co.; he did for other parties, and gave them a written authority
for it.
""
""
38. What was your object in making that suggestion to him?-Mr. Johnston
had never had any responsibility of the kind upon him; and I said to him at the
time, "I suppose you must take it, but do not engage yourself any further than
is necessary. I thought he put it to me, as much as to say, What do you think
about this? and I said, "You must take it, I presume, but do not go into any
engagement further than is necessary." I felt sure that Captain Elliot would be
up, and my object was merely, as I would speak to a young man in a friendly
manner, to counsel him not to go into any further engagement than was abso-
lutely his duty to do; and it was then that I said to him, "You will have a great
deal more put into your hands, for Dent & Co. will put theirs also into your
hands, if Mr. Dent goes into the city."
39. What is the reason that would have influenced Dent & Co. in doing that?
-For security. I told Mr. Dent, "If you go into the city, we will put this
opium directly out of our own power, and we will not give the opium up, even
to
your written order." Because I believed they were going almost to force it
from him, and they might have got an order under such circumstances, that I
would not have complied with it. But I should have left it to Her Majesty's
representative to do as he pleased about it, and put the responsibility off the
shoulders of Dent & Co. on to those of Her Majesty's Superintendent.
40. Mr. Gladstone.] When you speak of giving the opium into the care of
Mr. Johnston, you mean into his bona fide possession ?-We were accustomed to
transfer
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
7
transfer the opium to other parties by written orders. We should have trans- Robert Inglis, Esq.
ferred it to him, leaving him to give it to the Chinese if he chose.
7 May 1840.
41. Sir George Grey.] You would have parted with all legal right over that
opium?-Entirely.
42. Mr. Hogg.] Your object would have been to put the opium beyond your
own control, and to throw the whole responsibility of it upon Mr. Johnston?—
Yes, exactly so.
43. Mr. Gladstone.] You were understood to say that Mr. Dent in the first
instance was willing himself to have gone into the city?-Yes, on the Friday
when he was first applied to; we had consultations about it amongst the part-
ners, and we all thought that he should go in.
44. He afterwards became unwilling to go?- He afterwards became unwilling.
I think on any part of the Saturday he would have gone, had he got the Com-
missioner's guarantee.
45. When you say that he was willing in the first instance, do you mean that
he was willing to go in without a guarantee?-I do not think the guarantee
came into question till the Saturday or the Friday night. The object was rather
to defer the thing, in order to ascertain what the object of the Commissioner
was.
46. Did any circumstances in the course of the Saturday throw additional
light upon the object of the Commissioner ?--Yes, one of the Hong merchants
avowed that Mr. Dent was to be detained there, and then when the whole foreign
community opposed his going, he was scarcely master of his own acts.
47. Did the avowal of that Hong merchant produce any effect upon your own
mind; that is, if you had been in Mr. Dent's circumstances, would you have
gone in if you had been the person demanded, after you had heard that avowal
from the Hong merchant?-I would have gone at any time up to the Monday
night; in fact the whole of Monday morning I sat at home fully expecting to be
asked to go.
48. To what extent did your apprehension go with respect to Mr. Dent; did
you suppose that he would be detained for a short time, or for an indefinite
time?—I thought he would be detained till they got the opium from him.
49. Did
you apprehend that he would be subject to ill-treatment ?-No; per-
haps I had better mention that Mr. Dent was probably the most popular man
amongst all the foreigners with the Chinese. It was not from any enmity to him
that he was selected; quite the contrary. My own belief is that they fixed
upon him because they knew him to be a very kind-hearted man, and that they
were going to get the opium from him by tormenting the Hong merchants. He
was a great friend of the Hong merchants, and I think they were going to annoy
the Hong merchants, probably to make them kneel before him in chains, and to
put a wooden collar about their necks, and to work upon his feelings by that
means.
50. You think their exclusive object in sending for him was to obtain posses-
sion of the opium, by means of confining him, and that they selected him because
they thought he was the individual through whom they could most easily attain
that object?—That is my own opinion about it; but this is also to be said, that
he was one of the oldest residents in China, though not the oldest then concerned
in the opium trade, and he was at the head of his firm at the time; whereas there
was only one other firm of equal standing in the opium trade, the nominal head
of which had left China just before; so that that may have been the reason for
taking Mr. Dent.
51. Was the guarantee of the chief magistrate of Canton a guarantee for his
release within any given time?—No, he did not give his guarantee; the other
two officers gave him a guarantee, but the kwang-chow-foo, I think, did not give
his guarantee. He said he could not tell what Commissioner Lin might intend
to do; but he said that his own opinion was, that Mr. Dent would return imme-
diately. This opinion, however, was quite contrary to that of the Hong mer-
chants, who were by far the best authority.
52. Did the other two officers give their guarantee ?-Yes, they were ready to
promise anything in the world.
53. You did not place reliance upon their guarantee ?—Not the slightest.
54. You said that many of the foreign community were aware that the chief
magistrate would not give his guarantee for the immediate return of Mr. Dent?
0.59.
B 4
-No,
8
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq.
7 May 1840.
—No, they wanted the guarantee of Commissioner Lin, a paper signed with
his stamp. I never believed he would give it for a moment; but I do not think
that was the general opinion.
55. When you used the expression," the whole foreign community," were ten
merchants of other nations included in that?-Yes, I think everybody was in
our house in the course of that day. They went and came, so that I could
not say who was there at any moment. Mr. Johnston was in our house the
greatest part of the day; but he was in a room by himself, and he was not
present when the question about Mr. Dent's going in was discussed.
56. Did Mr. King, the American merchant, take any part in that discussion?
-I do not think he took any part, but I dare say he was there.
57. Can you describe the degree of duress which was suffered by the foreign
community previously to the arrival of Captain Elliot?-There was no duress.
further than preventing our leaving Canton.
58. Was there any stoppage of the supply of provisions ?-No; nor had our
servants left us even; we were not troubled in any way previous to Captain
Elliot's arrival, further than that we were not allowed to leave Canton; and I
think our communications were cut off by writing, but I am not certain about
that.
59. Then the opium which was made over to Mr. Johnston by certain parties
was made over to him before there was any actual duress ?-Yes, further than
the detention in Canton.
60. Had you any reason to suppose, that if you had been the individual
demanded by the Chinese, instead of Mr. Dent, they would have treated you
better than they would have treated him?-No; I think rather worse, probably;
the treatment would have been such as I should have disliked excessively,
because I should have been put in a temple, and exposed to the whole of the
mob, where you are surrounded by all the servants and the people of the
establishment.
61. You, yourself, with Mr. Thom, placed yourselves completely in the power
of the Chinese-Entirely; but both Mr. Thom and myself came away from the
temple that night, with a full belief that Mr. Dent ought to go into the city.
62. You were received kindly?-Quite so.
63. How do you account for the circumstance that so much apprehension was
entertained by the foreign community on account of Mr. Dent, and yet you
yourself and Mr. Thom were allowed to place yourselves in the power of the
Chinese ?—I never asked the foreign community about myself; I did it as an
act of my own, and for which Captain Elliot blamed me very much, and con-
vinced me that I should have been wrong in going into the city.
64. When you went yourself, in conjunction with Mr. Thom, do you think
the foreign community generally were aware of it?-Yes, many of them begged
me not to go; an old resident in China reasons upon a great number of things
that a man who has come later would not think of; they are those kind of rea-
sons which are founded upon the impressions derived during a long residence;
I was convinced that they wanted Mr. Dent, and nobody else; and, therefore, I
was sure that they would let me out again, in order to induce Mr. Dent to go in;
I felt quite certain about it, but this might not have operated with me on the
Monday; if I had gone in on the Monday, I should have no longer had that
feeling of safety; but on the Saturday I had no more doubt about coming back
safely, than I have about going out of this room safely.
65. Then the feeling of the foreigners, with respect to your going into the
city, was very much the same as about Mr. Dent's?—Yes; the general feeling
was decidedly against it.
66. You have expressed a very strong opinion that Mr. Dent was the only
person whom the Chinese wished to get, and that therefore they would not be
anxious to detain you; can you state the reasons of that opinion? Why might
not the Chinese have sought to attain the same object through your personal
detention, as they appear to have sought through Mr. Dent's personal deten-
tion ?-Because they might have kept the Hong merchants kneeling in chains
for a month before I would have given up the opium. I confess I was not so
tender-hearted as Mr. Dent.
67. Would you have gone there resolved to undergo all extremities?--I did
not expect any great extremities. As regards the firm of Dent & Company,
after getting the viceroy's edict, and talking over the matter, we agreed amongst
ourselves,
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
9
{
·
7 May 1840.
ourselves, that if the community would all act together upon any feasible plan, Robert Inglis, Esq
of course we would go, in the first instance, with the community; but if they
would not, and if each had to fight their own battle, that Mr. Dent should go
into the city and make the best bargain for Dent and Company, the belief of us
all being that the Commissioner did intend to pay for this opium; and up to
Monday night I should have gone with the belief, though I knew I could not
have done it so well as Mr. Dent, still that it might lead to that.
68. Is it your impression that the Chinese would have held Mr. Dent respon-
sible for any opium beyond his own personal control?-No; from what I had
seen subsequently I have no doubt that part of the object was to make him sign
penal bonds. I have no doubt that that was part of the intention.
69. You think the idea of penal bonds existed at that time?-I have no
doubt of it. I did not think of it at that time; but I have no doubt that that
was part of the intention. I think that if he had done what they wished, they
would have dismissed Mr. Dent with very great credit for his complying with
the imperial mandate, and allowed him to load all the ships he had got
through his consignment in Canton, as an inducement for others to do the same
thing.
70. In the event of Mr. Dent having gone into the city of Canton, and refused
to make an order for the surrender of the opium, what do you then think
would have been the result, protracted imprisonment, or anything else?—I do
not think the result would have depended upon him, because the moment Cap-
tain Elliot came up, the thing would have come upon Captain Elliot, because he
must have demanded to get Mr. Dent out of the city. I was prepared to go
into the city myself up to Monday night. I sat the whole of Monday morning
within hearing of Consoo-house, fully expecting they would come for me every
moment. I thought that having already gone voluntarily once, I could not
refuse to go again.
71. Supposing that Captain Elliot, using all the means in his power to get
Mr. Dent out of the hands of the Chinese authorities, had been unable to do so,
in addition to the previous supposition that Mr. Dent had placed himself in their
hands and refused to surrender the opium, what do you think would have been
the result?They would have kept him in confinement.
72. Do you think nothing more?—I think nothing more.
73. Mr. E. Buller.] You mentioned that Messrs. Bell had given up their
opium, are you aware of any others that gave up their opium?-I heard just
before I came into this room of Captain Thacker having done so; I think
Mr. Daniell told me that he told Mr. Johnston that he was going to do the
same.
74. Mr. Hogg.] Was Mr. Dent selected as having control over a greater
quantity of opium than any other individual?-The Chinese said that they knew
that he had got 5,000 chests.
75. Had Mr. Dent and your firm control over a greater quantity of opium
than any other firm?-Not at all; he gave up only 1,700 chests, whereas others
gave up 7,000. The Commissioner chose to assert that he had got 5,000 chests,
but he never had.
76. Do you suppose that the Commissioner in selecting him was influenced
by the belief that he had control over a greater quantity of opium than any other
merchant?—No; the Commissioner had too good information for that.
77. Mr. E. Buller.] Do you know of any other merchants who intended to
deliver their opium to Mr. Johnston?—No, I do not, except Mr. Daniell, which
I have only learnt to-day.
78. Had you any conversation with other merchants interested in the opium
trade with reference to the surrender of opium to Captain Elliot or Mr. Johnston
before the arrival of Captain Elliot?—No.
79. Then you were aware of no intention existing on the part of the merchants
to abandon their opium to the care of Mr. Johnston or of Captain Elliot?-Not
at all; I mentioned what. I had myself said to Mr. Dent about it, but I never
heard of anybody else talking of such a thing till Mr. Johnston had already
accepted some of it.
80. After he had accepted it, and before the arrival of Captain Elliot, were
there any others who had expressed an intention of giving up their opium to the
care of Mr. Johnston ?—No, I do not recollect that ever being discussed at all.
I think
0.59.
с
10
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq. I think many like Dent & Company may have been looking to that when an
absolute necessity came.
7 May 1840.
81. Why should one firm have surrendered their opium when no others did
so, or had any intention of doing it, except that the firm of Dent & Company
intended to take the same course which had been taken by Bell & Company in
case Mr. Dent went into the city?—This property did not belong to ourselves;
it belonged to others; and it would naturally occur to anybody to wish to throw
off the responsibility of giving up opium belonging to others from their own
shoulders on to the shoulders of Her Majesty's Superintendent.
}
82. Then, although you are not aware of any intention having existed on the
part of other merchants, still you are inclined to think that it is the course they
would have adopted ?—I think it is very likely that the whole of the merchants
would have done that; I have scarcely a doubt that the Parsees would have done.
it; it is the course that, I think, they would certainly have adopted.
83. Sir George Grey.] That was intended as merely a temporary step for
their own security?—I can only speak for the intention of Dent & Co., which
was to throw off the responsibility from their own shoulders on to those of Her
Majesty's Superintendent.
84. Not permanently to part with the right of property, but merely to transfer
it to the hands of the Superintendent, for the purposes of temporary security?
Yes; but Dent & Co.'s idea was this. His own partners told him,
"If you
choose to go into the city we will not give up the opium, even to your written
orders, but we shall give it into the Superintendent's hands; and we will not
interfere with him to get him to give it up, unless we know that they are tor-
turing you."
-
85. Did Mr. Johnston give any acknowledgment for the opium he received?
-I found just now that Captain Thacker had got a written acknowledgment
for it.
86. Chairman.] You alluded to the character of a Chinese mob; can you state
anything as to the treatment that would be received from them?-They are very
insolent; and it is very unpleasant to be exposed to such a thing.
87. Mr. E. Buller.] You could not yourself understand their language?—No;
but you understand their gestures. When I went into the city we were very
civilly treated; we had tea and cakes given to us; but while they were preparing
the hall in the temple for the reception of the great mandarins, they turned us
out into the passage, and there we were surrounded by all the porters and servants
of the establishment.
88. Sir C. Lemon.] Is there any excitement, on the part of the crowd them-
selves, against foreigners?-When I went into the city we were taken a long way
through the city, evidently to avoid a large crowd collected in front of the temple;
when the crowd heard we were going along there, they made a rush, with the
most dreadful yelling, to get at us, and they came close to us; but there was
luckily a gate in one of the narrow streets, and the persons attending us shut
that gate.
89. Was it with a hostile feeling that the crowd made a rush towards you?-
I cannot say as to that. It had been reported beforehand that the kwang-chow-
foo had gone expressly to bring one or two foreigners, and they presumed that
they would be brought as prisoners; and I think they would have delighted
in it.
90. Sir R. Peel.] Did the mob take part with the constituted authorities?—
I really hardly know; it was believed at first that they took part with Commis-
sioner Lin.
91. There was a national feeling which led them to support the constituted
authorities?—Yes, I think it would be a great satisfaction to any Chinese mob
to see a foreigner humbled in any way.
92. Sir W. Somerville.] Had you a guard of soldiers?—I think not in going,
but in coming back again the kwang-chow-foo came to the steps of the temple,
and called out aloud, that if any persons attempted to injure the foreigners in
any way, they were to be seized and punished, and we went back with an
immense guard with us; the streets were lined with soldiers the whole way.
93. At the time the gate was closed to keep off the mob there were no soldiers
with
you
?-I do not recollect that there were any soldiers at that time.
94. Sir R. Peel.] The mob must have been aware that the main object of the
Commissioner
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE,
11
Commissioner was to seize the opium, and consequently to prevent the supply Robert Inglis, Esq.
of opium ?—I think they knew nothing more than that the kwang-chow-foo had
been sent by the Commissioner to bring a foreigner into the city.
7 May 1840.
95. Why should they use offensive gestures towards the foreigner, unless they
took part with the constituted authorities?-That was when I was in the temple;
it was the common porters, and servants of that kind; it was not anything
unusual.
96. You were understood to say, that there being a conflict between the
foreigners and the government, the mob took part with the government ?—No,
it was nothing more than may occur at any time, and which would occur pro-
bably in this country if a foreigner, under any circumstances of discredit, was
to get amongst a mob here. There was nothing unusual in that, they were
merely servants belonging to that temple.
97. Chairman.] You mean that, generally speaking, that class of people are
indisposed against foreigners ?—At that moment the excitement was very much
like what I remember to have existed in this country, at the time of the Queen's
trial, against an Italian witness whom I remember to have seen in London.
98. Sir George Grey.] Was the excitement upon this occasion the result
merely of their antipathy to a foreigner, or did it arise from the particular cir-
cumstances under which the foreigner had been brought into the city, as con-
nected with the opium trade?-The excitement of the mob was mere curiosity;
they expected, I have no doubt, to see a foreigner brought in chains into the
city, and they went to see it as a mob here would go to see a prisoner carried
through the streets.
99. You mean without reference to the offence, or supposed offence, which had
induced the authorities to put the foreigner in chains?—Yes.
100. Sir C. Lemon.] It was the very reverse of sympathy with you?—Yes, I
conceive it to be exactly what there might have been in this city if a mob knew
that any number of people were to be carried in chains through the city. There
was an immense yelling and a noise, and there was a rush of the mob. It was a
horrible noise, and it was alarming for the moment, because they came very close
to us, and there was a difficulty to get the gate shut.
101. Sir R. Peel.] Supposing that gate not to have been there, should you
have apprehended danger from an actual contact with the people?—I appre-
hended danger from the immense mob shoving one another on in a little street
six feet wide.
102. Not from the mob wilfully intending to do you any injury, but merely
from the pressure?—Yes.
103. Then you think the mob was entirely indifferent to the cause of the
dispute ?-Entirely.
104. Sir W. Somerville.] Commissioner Lin had been about 10 days in the
city?—Yes, he arrived on the 10th, and I went in on the 23d.
105. Do not you think it was known all over the city that he was come for
the supposed purpose of putting down the opium trade?-Certainly.
106. That was known to all the mob that were surrounding you at that time?
-Yes, they had every reason to believe that kwang-chow-foo had gone to bring
somebody into the city.
107. Lord Sandon.] But you do not think the excitement of the mob had
any connexion with the opium question whatever?—None whatever.
108. Mr. Hogg.] Had the edicts requiring the foreigners to deliver up the
opium within three days been published generally among the Chinese, or had
they been addressed only to the foreigners?-I think not at that time; they
were posted up afterwards.
109. Then you do not believe that, at the time you are speaking of, the con-
tents of the edicts calling upon the foreigners peremptorily to deliver up the
opium within three days were generally known?-I think it is very likely that
the substance of them was known.
110. Chairman.] How long were you in the city altogether?-About two
hours.
111. Lord Sandon.] Had not a man been executed for dealing in opium
before that time?—Yes.
112. That must have made the question at issue between the government and
the foreigners pretty notorious to all the people in the place?-Yes, certainly;
they all knew the object of the Commissioner's coming.
0.59.
C 2
113. Mr.
12
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq.
7 May 1840.
1
113. Mr. Horsman.] Did not some collision between the mob and the foreign
community take place upon the occasion of that execution ?—Yes.
114. And the foreign community were protected, were they not, by the inter-
ference of the authorities?—Yes, they were; it was understood that the popular
feeling was very much in favour of the Commissioner during all the first part of
his proceedings.
115. Upon the occasion of that collision which took place between the foreign
community and the mob, did that arise from the mob having a strong feeling in
favour of the execution of the individual who was condemned for smuggling?-
I believe not at all; I was not present at that time, but from the accounts I
heard of it, and from the printed accounts, is seems that the mob rather took
part with the foreigners than otherwise, at first; in fact, they applauded the
foreigners.
116. Did not that execution take place opposite the British factory ?-The
execution did not take place there, because the foreigners prevented it.
117. Was it not to take place there, as a warning, especially to people engaged
in the opium trade?—Yes.
118. Upon that occasion the British community endeavoured to prevent the
execution, and the mob came into collision with them, and endeavoured to carry
the execution into effect?-The mob were entirely with them as to preventing
the execution, but after that was done, one of the foreigners struck one of the
Chinamen, and then it led to a general fight, and then, of course, they became
exceedingly vindictive against the foreigners.
119. Sir W. Somerville.] You said just now that the conduct of the mob was
such as a mob in this country would be inclined to adopt against any stranger
brought into the city under circumstances of discredit; was the general impres-
sion upon the part of the Chinese mob, that the dealing in opium reflected any
sort of discredit upon an individual engaged in it?-I think, so far as regards
that mob that came to see me, it was more from a feeling of curiosity to see a
foreigner, and a little feeling of exultation at seeing a foreigner humbled in that
way.
120. In no way connected with the opium ?-I do not see why it should be;
I conceive there would have been the same mob if I had gone in for any other
purpose.
121. Mr. Colquhoun.] There have been visits of British merchants to the city
before?—Yes.
122. Upon those visits have they been met by similar mobs?-Captain Elliot
was knocked down by one, although he went in full uniform.
123. So that in ordinary times a British merchant entering the streets of
Canton would be met by a large mob, and would be exposed to crowding, and
perhaps to insulting gestures ?-Certainly; in going out of our usual limits.
124. Mr. Herbert.] Were not the British residents permitted three days in
the week to have access to the city, and to walk about beyond the boundary of
the factory ?—No.
125. Lord Sandon.] On what day was the last execution ?—I do not recollect;
there was only one real execution; upon the first occasion the foreigners pre-
vented it; but upon the second occasion the man was actually executed.
126. What was the date of that?-That I do not recollect, but that must have
been not long before the Commissioner's proceedings.
127. Did you consider that it was intended as a warning against the opium
trade?-Yes.
128. You did not consider it as a wanton insult, but as having that purpose
in view?—I believe that it was preparatory to something else; and judging from
what has occurred subsequently, I believe that that was one of several measures
that were intended to intimidate us, and to get us to submit readily to Commis-
sioner Lin's demands.
129. Sir W. Somerville.] Did the last execution take place some time before
Commissioner Lin's arrival?—I cannot say how long; I am not even sure that it
was before his arrival; I am certain it was before his edicts.
130. Mr. Horsman.] You said that some opium was given up to Mr. Johnston
before Captain Elliot's arrival, and you said you gave him some advice about it ?
-He mentioned to me that he had had some opium given up to him; and hav-
ing always been a personal friend of his, I conceived that he put it in that way,
as
>
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
13
""
as much as to say,
"What do you think about it;" and I said, "I suppose you Robert Inglis, Esq.
must take that opium, but do not commit yourself further than is necessary.
I felt myself sure that Captain Elliot would come up, as many others did, I
believe; and all that I meant to say was, you had better it to leave him, be-
lieving that Mr. Johnston had never been left in a situation of responsibility
before.
7 May 1840.
131. And you told him you should probably put your own opium under his
charge?-I said, "I dare say you will have a good deal more put under your
charge, and Dent & Co. will put theirs, if Mr. Dent goes into the city."
132. You said that you gave him advice, because Mr. Johnston was young
and inexperienced?-I supposed that he had never been placed in a situation of
responsibility before.
133. Had he been accustomed to take an active part as a member of the Com-
mission ?-Not at all, I think.
134. Everything had been done by Captain Elliot ?—Yes.
135. In Captain Elliot's absence you had no person whom you could trust as
a representative of the Government?-No; I merely mentioned that as the rea-
son why I came to be talking with Mr. Johnston about it; but subsequently to
that Mr. Johnston heard of what Captain Elliot had done at Macao; and he then
said to me that he had no kind of difficulty about his course of acting; he had
had no communication himself from Captain Elliot, but had merely heard what
Captain Elliot had done there; and his remark was, that he had no kind of diffi-
culty about his course of acting; he did not say what that course of acting was
to be.
136. Mr. E. Buller.] You mean, by these acts of Captain Elliot, which came
to the knowledge of Mr. Johnston, the directions of Captain Elliot to the people
at Hong-kong?—Yes, to put themselves under the command of Captain Blake,
of the Larne.
137. Chairman.] When did Captain Elliot arrive at Canton ?-About six
o'clock on Sunday afternoon. I think five minutes after I had heard of his
arrival he was in our house in full uniform, and demanded Mr. Dent to go with
him to his house.
138. Did he use any influence or authority over Mr. Dent?-He merely com
manded him in the Queen's name to accompany him to his own house.
139. You do not know how he became aware of all the circumstances that had
occurred?-The only way in which he had become aware of anything that had
occurred was from a private letter from Mr. Astell. Mr. Astell told me himself
that he had asked Mr. Johnston if he had written to Captain Elliot to inform
him of what was going on. Mr. Johnston said he had not, nor did he think of
doing it; and then Mr. Astell himself, probably having other occasion to write,
got a China boat to go to Macao, and he wrote a note to Captain Elliot to tell
him what was going on; and it was upon that advice, I believe, that Captain
Elliot put forth that declaration at Macao, and came up.
140. What induced Captain Elliot immediately upon his arrival to come to
Mr. Dent? I suppose he had made up his mind to take Mr. Dent under his
protection; he had stopped at Whampoa, and he would hear something of it
there.
141. You imagine that his reason for coming to Mr. Dent was, that he had
heard of the demand of the Chinese government for Mr. Dent to go into the
city?—He had heard of it from Mr. Astell.
142. Mr. Colquhoun.] You said written communications were interrupted?-
So they were; Mr. Astell's was the last communication that was made, and he
had, I believe, bribed very high to get a Chinaman to take it.
143. Chairman.] Did Mr. Dent remain with Captain Elliot ?-Captain Elliot
took him by the collar, and led him away to his own house through the mob.
Mr. Dent remained there during the whole time; he never came to his own
house again, and has never been there since.
144. Mr. E. Buller.] In fact Captain Elliot took him into custody?-He did;
he commanded him, in the Queen's name, to accompany him, and he led him
away by the collar from our house to the square; at least I understood that was
the case, through a very dense mob.
145. Sir R. Peel.] His taking him by the collar was to show the mob that he
was determined to carry his intentions into effect; it was not done in hostility to
Mr. Dent?—Not at all; he was in full uniform. Mr. Dent appeared a little
0.59.
c 3
puzzled
14
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
7 May 1840.
Robert Inglis, Esq. puzzled about it, and he appealed to myself and to our other partners to know
what he must do, and we said of course he must go. I took Captain Elliot to
the terrace at the top of our house, and showed him that there were 12 Chinamen
lying around the factory to guard Mr. Dent. On the terrace on one side of the
house I could see three men lying on each side, so as to command a view of every
part of the house. I remember taking Captain Elliot there, and begging him
to be witness of that.
146. Chairman.] Will you explain exactly what you mean by the word
"factory." To what sort of place do you apply the name of factory to; is it a
collection of houses, or an inclosed space?-There are different hongs; which
hong is a thing something like the back part of the Albany Chambers here; a
narrow passage, with houses on each side of it, and each of those houses we call
a factory; I should call it a house, perhaps.
147. Mr. Hogg.] Were the men planted merely to watch, or were they
armed?—I think not.
148. Your opinion is that they were planted merely to watch the motions of
Mr. Dent?-Yes, they vanished directly they saw Captain Elliot, in five
minutes, and they were never there again.
149. Chairman.] Will you proceed to detail the occurrences on Monday and
the following day?-On the Monday morning I never left our house myself; I
stayed at home, because I thought it exceedingly likely that the Chinese autho-
rities would come for me, having missed Mr. Dent. I heard an immense noise
going on the whole day at the Consoo-house, which was within hearing of
my
windows, and I was every moment expecting them to send for me. It was only
when the correspondence was published here that I knew what that noise was
about, from which I see that Captain Elliot was in correspondence with the
parties the whole day; that the kwang-chow-foo was wishing him to go to this
Consoo-house, and there is an official document on the part of the Chinese, stating
that Captain Elliot had been expected to go there; that Captain Elliot first
invited the mandarins to come to his house, but that they would not do;
but the kwang-chow-foo had gone to the Consoo-house to see Captain Elliot,
and the Viceroy states, that neither Captain Elliot nor any other of the
foreigners would show their heads; in fact, it was then taken out of the power
of the foreigners altogether. I myself would have gone at any moment up to
Monday night, and it was understood that Mr. Thom and Mr. Fearon, the in-
terpreters, were invited to go to the Commissioner on the Monday, but that
Captain Elliot prevented their going; so that in fact the power of communi-
cating with the Chinese was entirely taken out of our hands by Captain Elliot.
I would have gone at any moment, up to nine o'clock on the Monday night; but
at nine o'clock I went over to Captain Elliot's house, and talking with him upon
the subject, he blamed me very much for having gone into the city in the first
instance, and commanded me not to go into the city again, should I be required;
and he stated a reason which quite satisfied me that I was wrong, which was
this, that had I gone into the city, he should have been obliged to go into the
city to get me out; and he would have done so, I have no doubt, so that I should
have got him into so much trouble. In fact, I should have done no good by
going there, but I should have risked myself, and the whole weight of the thing
would have fallen upon him; and from that moment I gave up any idea of
going in, though it never was actually in question.
150. Will you state what next took place?-On Tuesday, about 3 o'clock in
the day, my partner, Mr. Braine, who had been to Captain Elliot's house,
came and told me that Captain Elliot was going to demand the opium to be
given up to him. I asked him then upon what terms. He said he could not
quite make out. I said,
I said, "Is Captain Elliot going to pay us for the opium, or
going to give us any pledge for it?" He said that he had been asking that,
but that Captain Elliot did not seem to be quite determined about it. I said,
"We must know this, of course, before we can consider about it, because there
is no reason why we should give up our opium to Captain Elliot more than to
the Chinese, unless we have some indemnity for it," and I told Mr. Braine that
he had better go back again and ascertain the fact. However, Mr. Braine asked
me if I would go and speak to Captain Elliot about it. We went to the Super-
intendent's Hall, and there Mr. Dent and Mr. Braine, my partners, and myself,
had a conversation with Captain Elliot about it. We asked him what he in-
tended about it, and after a little while we asked Captain Elliot if he was quite
certain
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
15
7 May 1849.
certain of what he was about; if he was quite sure of his grounds, and that he Robert Inglis, Esq.
had authority to do it. He said he was quite certain, and that he had deter-
mined to do it on his way up from Macao. We then asked him if he intended
to make the Government liable for this opium, because we stated that we could
not give it up to him any more than to the Chinese, unless it was an act of
necessity, or unless we had an indemnification for it; and he then stated that
he meant to make the Government decidedly liable for it. We got him to
repeat that over once or twice, and I remember before leaving him I told him
there was still time to retract the thing, and to be sure that he felt he was quite
justified in what he was doing by the authority he had, but he seemed to have
no doubt about it himself. Upon this I returned home, and we considered
the matter, and we thought there was nothing else to be done but to give
up the opium to him. About 10 o'clock at night I went over to the hall again
to see Mr. Dent. As I was passing Captain Elliot's door he beckoned me in,
and he said that he was writing out the order to give up the opium, and he
wished me to hear it read, to see that he had not made any verbal error in it;
and then I again asked Captain Elliot if he was quite sure that he was borne
out by his instructions from his Government in doing it. I told him that
there was still time to retract, and we had a long conversation about it, and
he said that he was quite certain that he was entirely justified in what he was
doing, and that it was a thing he had made up his mind to do and meant to go
through with. I remember his feeling at the time the responsibility under
which he was acting. He wrote out while I was there an order, and he called
in Mr. Dent also to hear it, to see that he had not committed himself verbally
in anything unnecessary.
151. Sir Robert Peel.] You say you asked him if he was quite sure that he
was borne out by his instructions; did you require from him a written assurance
as to his construction of his authority?-No, certainly; I never saw his instruc-
tions.
152. The question is not whether you asked him to produce his instructions,
but whether you asked him to give you in writing an assurance that he
thought himself warranted by his instructions in demanding the opium ?-Cer-
tainly not.
153. Lord Sandon.] Did he refer specifically to his instructions in giving this
order?-Certainly; I asked whether he felt that he was quite authorized by his
instructions in demanding the opium.
154. Did he refer specifically to his instructions in making this demand?-
Yes, in these terms; he said that he was quite authorized in what he was doing.
155. Chairman.] Are the Committee to understand that you asked him the
question whether he was authorized by his instructions to make this demand?—
Certainly, and his reply was, that he felt himself authorized to do what he was
about. I conceived that Captain Elliot called me in to hear it as much as a per-
sonal friend, as from being concerned in it; not at all to give any opinion as to
whether he was warranted by his instructions or not; he never consulted me
upon that.
156. Sir George Grey.] Did your question refer to the written document con-
taining his instructions from the Government here, or did it refer merely to the
general authority he possessed as Superintendent?-To his general authority; I
was not aware of any particular instructions he had.
157. Lord Sandon.] But your question was as to his instructions ?—Not as to
any particular instructions.
158. You asked him whether, under his instructions, he was authorized to
take such a step?-Under his instructions generally; perhaps it would be more
correct to say, whether he had authority.
159. Mr. Strutt.] You are not sure that you used the word "instructions?"
-No.
160. Chairman.] Did you know that he had private instructions?-No; I had
heard him talk about instructions. For instance, when he came up to Canton,
in his various communications with the mandarins I had heard him speak of
instructions, but not of any specific instructions.
161. Then you mean by the word "instructions" the general authority he
received for the guidance of his conduct from the Government ?-Certainly; I
could not suppose that he had any instructions with reference to that particular
state of things, as to the opium being given up.
0.59.
C 4
162. Sir
1
16
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq.
7 May 1840.
162. Sir Charles Lemon.] Did you point out what would be the consequences
to the merchants of his acting beyond his authority ?-No; it was more from
personal friendship to him than from anything else that I advised him to be
sure, for his own sake, of what he was about. This was a private communication
entirely accidental.
163. Chairman.] You stated that Captain Elliot called you into the room to
read the paper; will you proceed to state what took place next?-Before I went
away he had called for the secretary, Mr. Elmslie, to copy it; and I begged
him, as a favour to myself, not to have it copied till the next morning, till he had
had a night's sleep. I wished him for his own sake to have a night's rest before
he committed himself to a demand upon the merchants to deliver up the opium,
which he promised to do, and it was not copied out till the next morning; and
then it was sent forth very early in the morning, calling upon the merchants to
give up the opium by six o'clock the same afternoon.
164. That was the close of the 26th?-Yes. I have seen it stated here in
print that the merchants and Captain Elliot concocted this order. That is
why I have particularly mentioned the only part I had to do with it.
stated all that I know about the thing.
I have
165. Do you think that others were consulted previously to its being done?-
I have no doubt that Mr. Matheson was consulted about it, because he was so
much more concerned in the opium trade than we were.
166. Do you think it was for the purpose of consulting them, or for the pur-
pose of ascertaining whether ready obedience would be given to the order?-
I suppose that, at the same time that Captain Elliot communicated to Mr.
Braine that he intended to make that demand, he did the same to Mr..
Matheson.
167. Did he consult you, or do you suppose that he consulted others as to
the propriety of the step he was about to take?-Not at all; he never consulted
me upon it. I only ventured to endeavour to ascertain how far he felt himself
justified in what he was doing.
168. Mr. E. Buller.] Do you know whether he consulted Mr. Dent, who was
in the house at the time?-I believe he never consulted him about it.
I do not
think Mr. Dent knew more about it than I did when I went there between three
and four o'clock.
169. Lord Sandon.] You say that Captain Elliot told you that he had de-
cided upon this step before he came from Macao?—Yes.
170. Sir Robert Peel.] Before his arrival at Canton some merchants had
delivered their opium to Mr. Johnston?—Yes.
171. Had they done that voluntarily?—Yes.
172. Rather seeking for an opportunity of delivering it-I imagine that they
had done it for the same reason for which I should have done it had my partner
gone into the city, as I said before, in order to throw off the responsibility of
giving up opium belonging to other parties from my shoulders on those of Her
Majesty's representative.
173. When, therefore, Captain Elliot demanded the opium and coupled that
demand with a promise of indemnity by the British Government, the merchants
were glad to give it up?—It relieved them from responsibility; my own feeling
was that the Chinese would certainly have it from us in one way or another;
and conceiving myself obliged to give it up in one way or another, I would
much rather give it up to Her Majesty's representative than the Chinese.
174. Therefore the order for the delivery met with the general concurrence
of the holders of the opium?--Yes.
175. It was a popular measure with them ?-I do not know what else we
could do; I never heard any party there mention what else could be done.
176. It was a measure that met with the general concurrence of the parties
holding the opium ?-I think so.
177. Chairman.] Had you any consultation upon the subject of giving up
the opium upon the 26th ?-Never with other parties.
178. Mr. E. Buller.] Supposing that Captain Elliot had called for the opium
without any guarantee; suppose he had said, we are all in duress, and the only
way to relieve ourselves from the situation we are in is to comply with the
demand of the Chinese government, and call upon the British community to
surrender the opium, and you must trust to the British Government taking what
course
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
17
course they think fit afterwards; do not you suppose that in that case the opium Robert Inglis, Esq.
would have been equally surrendered?—No, I think not.
7 May 1840.
179. Sir Robert Peel.] You said just now that you did not know what you
could do, except to deliver it; what could you have done, supposing you had
not delivered it?-We might have done it eventually, but not that day. I think
we should have done what we wished to do originally, to fight the thing off as
long as we could, and to try and make terms with the Chinese. Having the
Queen's authority in China, and the Canton community being a good deal
divided amongst themselves, as is the case in most small commercial communi-
ties, we have hardly the power of acting together in anything; we have never
been obliged to do it, and therefore when the Queen's authority stepped in to
relieve us from responsibility of that kind, about which we were not agreed as to
what ought to be done, we were all very glad to take advantage of this circum-
stance, and to relieve ourselves from our responsibility.
180. Chairman.] Was there any consultation among the merchants with
reference to the course that ought to be taken on the receipt of Captain Elliot's
order ?—None that I remember; privately the merchants talked together about
the thing.
181. Sir Charles Lemon.] What is the remonstrance to which the petition of
the merchants refers. It is stated, "That after remonstrating in vain with
Captain Elliot against such regulation, the British merchants then present did
make a surrender of very large quantities of opium;" how was that remonstrance
expressed?—I recollect nothing of the kind.
182. Was there any formal remonstrance made?—I recollect nothing of the
sort; I never recollect hearing of such a thing as a remonstrance.
183. Mr. E. Buller.] When Captain Elliot arrived, what was the impression
among the merchants at Canton as to the authority of Captain Elliot; did they
suppose him to be invested with an absolute authority over the merchants at
Canton ?-It was supposed that he would never do a thing of that kind, unless
he was justified towards his own Government in doing it.
184. You were under the impression that his authority was so absolute, that
you were bound to yield to it under any circumstances?—I think the question
was rather thus; I must speak for Dent & Co., or rather for myself; my feeling
was, that the Chinese would have opium out of us in some way or other. There
was great difficulty in giving up opium belonging to other parties; but when the
Queen's authority demanded us that we should give up that opium under indem-
nity, we supposed we were justified towards our employers in doing that; and
that if any one party had refused to accept that guarantee, and the Government
had paid the others, the responsibility of refusing so to give it up would have
fallen upon the agent in China.
185. Sir W. Somerville.] You thought at all events you were certain of losing
your opium?—I thought so.
186. But that, by handing it over to the Chief Commissioner, there was a
chance of saving it?-I considered that the Government were pledged to
indemnify us.
K
187. Mr. E. Buller.] If you considered that Captain Elliot's authority was
not so absolute as to justify you in surrendering the opium without an indem-
nity, how could it be the impression of the merchants at Canton that he had
authority to demand it with indemnity?-The merchants at Canton never knew
what authority he had.
188. But the act he performed was so acceptable to them that they never
questioned his authority ?-I questioned it to him, having a doubt whether he
might not be acting a little precipitately; but when he seemed to be so perfectly
aware of the responsibility of what he was doing, I could not imagine that he
would do it unless he felt himself justified in doing it.
189. Were the merchants under the impression that his authority was equal
to that of the supercargo, under the existence of the charter of the East India
Company?-We never knew what his authority was. We have two newspapers
at Canton, both of which have been calling upon him, the last three years, to
state what his authority was.
190. As it was so important to know the extent of his authority, did
the merchants never refer to the Act of Parliament?--I have heard them
often talk about instructions, which must have been founded upon the Act
0.59.
D
of
18
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq. of Parliament, but which were not to be found in any public document that
we had got.
7 May 1840.
191. Surely the question of the power of Captain Elliot must have been dis-
cussed by the merchants at Canton ?-Two newspapers there have been conti-
nually calling upon him to explain his authority.
192. Are you aware that upon many occasions individual merchants resisted
that authority?—I do not recollect any instance.
193. Do you recollect the case of Mr. Keating?-Yes, he called upon Captain
Elliot to publish his instructions.
194. Supposing the same circumstances had taken place under the existence
of the East India Company's charter, would it not have been impossible for Mr.
Keating to have resisted the supercargo ?-They would have sent him away, no
doubt.
195. Then from that transaction, it was perfectly notorious to all the merchants
at Canton that the powers of Captain Elliot were not so extensive as those of
the supercargo?-I do not see that; because although Captain Elliot had
anthority to send him away, it did not follow that he should exercise it. The
East India Company had power to send persons away, which they did not exer-
cise for years.
196. Were the merchants at Canton under the impression that Captain Elliot
had authority to exercise that power upon any British subject who resisted his
instructions or orders?-I always believed that he had that authority, until I
saw the published correspondence here.
197. Sir George Grey.] Did Dent & Company deliver their opium to Captain
Elliot out of deference to his authority, or did they deliver it to him because they
thought that by that delivery they secured themselves against the total loss of
the opium, or had a better chance of securing themselves than by running the
risk of its being seized by the Chinese?-They considered that Captain Elliot
having pledged himself on the part of Her Majesty's Government for an indem-
nity for that opium, they would be indemnified.
198. If, instead of being convinced as you were that the Chinese would get
the opium by some means or other, you had been convinced that they would not
get it, and that the opium was safe in your own keeping, would you have deli-
vered it to Captain Elliot ?—If others had done it, probably we should; I dare
say we should have refused it in the first instance, but if any other party had
given it up, I think the others must have done the same, inasmuch as if other
parties had given up their opium, and had been paid here 500 dollars a
chest for that opium, and we had sold opium belonging to other parties at a
less price, I should think we should be liable for the difference in any court of
justice.
199. You would not in that case have taken upon yourself the responsibility
of taking another course from that which was taken by other merchants?-No;
I have no doubt that we should all have hesitated a good deal, and discussed the
matter a long while before we should have given it up to Captain Elliot.
200. You would have been governed by a reference to your own pecuniary
liability ?--Yes.
201. Lord Sandon.] Then your giving up the opium was less in deference to
the authority of Captain Elliot than in confidence that he had authority to pledge
his Government for the value of it?-He felt himself authorized in doing it; I
conceive he would not have done it unless he were authorized.
202. It was a reliance upon the value of the indemnity that he offered
which induced you to give it up?-A reliance upon being paid the indemnity
money.
203. Chairman.] You had no precise knowledge of what his powers were?—
Certainly not.
204. But you
you had a general belief that those powers authorized him to take
the steps he did?-Certainly; I knew Captain Elliot had been in correspon-
dence with Government about the opium question; I knew that from conversa-
tions with him; I had for two or three years before foreseen that some question
must arise out of the opium; it was my belief long before, and that of many
others, that the thing could not go on as it was doing; Captain Elliot was well
aware of that; and I could not but suppose that he had represented it to his own
Government; and I could not but imagine that his own Government had given
him
-
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
19
him some general instructions by which he was to be guided in case of any evil Robert Inglis, Esq.
happening.
7 May 1840.
205. Mr. Hogg.] You have stated your belief, when you first read the Com-
missioner's edict, that it was the intention of the Chinese government to pay for
the opium if delivered up; did you communicate that impression to Captain
Elliot in your communication with him respecting his intended requisition ?—
Perhaps not at that moment; but I talked with Captain Elliot about it on several
occasions; on Monday night, for instance, though I do not recollect it, it is
exceedingly likely that I mentioned it then.
206. Did you, before he issued his requisition, inform him that it was a gene-
ral impression of the merchants, on reading Commissioner Lin's edict, that the
Chinese government intended paying for the opium?-Certainly not, because I
do not think it was a general impression of the merchants; on the contrary,
I think it was not.
207. Did you communicate to him your own impression that that was the
intention of the Chinese government ?—I have not the least doubt that I did, but
not on the occasion of discussing the demand to give up the opium.
208. What was it that changed that belief in your mind, that the Chinese
government would pay for the opium?-I believe, to this moment, that
Commissioner Lin came down from Pekin prepared to pay for part of the
opium.
209. Mr. Herbert.] Was that your impression at the time you made the
arrangement with Captain Elliot ?-Certainly.
210. Sir George Grey.] Was that impression derived from the terms of his
edict exclusively, or from any other information ?-From the terms of his edict,
and from the merchants; I have no doubt that the Hong merchants believed it;
I am sure that they believed that they would have to pay for the opium which
Mr. Dent would have to give up, if he went into the city.
211. Mr. Herbert.] Then you imagined that you had the alternative of selling
the opium either to the Chinese government or to Captain Elliot ?—I knew that
the Chinese government were never prepared to pay for 20,000 chests. I think
that Commissioner Lin intended, first of all, to take Mr. Dent into the city. He
said that he had got 5,000 chests of opium; and, supposing that had been
the fact, he would have got that out of him; I believe that, to induce Mr. Dent
to comply, he would have paid for the opium; and I am satisfied the Hong mer-
chants believed that they would have to pay for it, inasmuch as Mowqua, during
the discussion about Mr. Dent's going into the city, asked my partner, Mr. Braine,
if we would take 400 dollars per chest.
212. Sir Robert Peel.] As you were upon good terms with Captain Elliot, and
advised him confidentially about this transaction, did you ever suggest to him
that he might get something out of Commissioner Lin, if he would be very firm?
-After this had occurred, I had many conversations upon the subject with Cap-
tain Elliot.
213. Did you tell him that you thought he might have got payment from
Commissioner Lin for a considerable part of the opium ?-I have no doubt
I did; I thought myself the Chinese would propose, through the Hong mer-
chants probably, payment for the opium in some way. This was after Čaptain
Elliot had given up the opium; and even now I should not be very much sur-
prized to hear of such a negotiation on the part of the Hong merchants.
214. Mr. Gladstone.] What do you think prevented that expectation being
realized? I think the amount of 20,000 chests was so much larger than Com-
missioner Lin ever expected to get, that that has thrown a difficulty in the way;
then, in the next place, I think a number of circumstances have led to exaspera-
tion between the Chinese government and the foreigners in China, and that has
prevented any kind of pacific overture. Upon every occasion I have ever known
before, the Chinese, after committing any violence, have always begun to con-
ciliate, and I thought they would do the same in this case.
215. As no exasperating circumstance occurred soon after the delivery, do
you think the quantity of opium alone would have staggered the Chinese, and
prevented them from offering payment for it?-I have no doubt that it staggered
Commissioner Lin, but I never expected that Commissioner Lin was going,
himself, to propose paying for this opium, but that it would have come through
the Hong merchants. For instance, had Captain Elliot left the country alto-
0.59.
D 2
gether
20
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq. gether, and had the trade gone on regularly, which I have no doubt it would,
it is probable that after two or three months the Hong merchants would have
treated with the foreigners to ask them what they would take for the opium, and
to devise means for paying it in the course of 10 or 12 years, as the debts of
the Hong merchants were paid.
7 May 1840.
216. Sir Robert Peel.] In that case what would have been done with the
opium? They would have destroyed it.
217. Supposing Captain Elliot had made this proposition to the Chinese
authorities: We are ready to take such measures as we can take in future to
prevent this illicit traffic in opium, but there has been a great laxity on your
part; you have connived at it, and therefore we cannot abandon the opium actu-
ally in the country without payment, but we will deliver up to you whatever
quantity you will undertake to pay for; do you think he would have been
successful if he had said, Here are 10,000 chests of opium, and they shall
be delivered up to you provided you will guarantee the cost?—I think it is
possible, but the whole conduct of Commissioner Lin is to me so unlike any-
thing Chinese that I ever saw before, that it has quite thrown me out in all my
calculations.
S
218. You think he came to Canton with the intention to pay something?—I
think so myself; I think he came from Pekin authorized to make an arrange-
ment to pay something, if necessary.
219. Sir George Grey.] Do you think that such a proposal from Captain
Elliot would have been attended with success, unless it had comprized the whole
20,000 chests?-No.
220. Sir Robert Peel.] If he had insisted upon the condition of payment for
the whole 20,000 chests, do you think that after they had taken time to delibe-
rate upon it, if Captain Elliot had firmly adhered to that proposal, he might
ultimately have succeeded?-No, I am afraid not. Besides, we were all starving
in the meantime; at least, we were threatened with starvation.
221. Were you yourself alarmed by those threats of starvation?—No, I
was not.
222. Sir George Grey.] You stated that there was a general expectation
that Captain Elliot would arrive at Canton ?-Not general; it was the ex-
pectation amongst several parties that knew him best. I am stating a great
deal as opinion, which is entirely my own, and which was not the general
opinion.
223. You entertained the opinion, and you told Mr. Johnston that
you enter-
tained that opinion, that Captain Elliot would certainly arrive at Canton ?—I do
not know that I told Mr. Johnston, but I had no kind of doubt about it, nor had
Mr. Astell; several of us, who knew Captain Elliot best, had no doubt
about it.
224. Was that opinion founded on the fact of Mr. Astell's letter to him, and
the information which that letter had conveyed to Captain Elliot?-No; it was
founded upon Captain Elliot's character. We were sure that Captain Elliot
would not let his countrymen be in any danger; and, therefore, we felt assured
that the moment that he knew we were forcibly detained at Canton, he would
come.
225. Did you see Mr. Astell's letter to Captain Elliot?-No.
226. Do you know whether any representation had been made to Captain
Elliot of a general feeling of alarm and apprehension existing on the part of the
foreign community at Canton?-He could have had nothing but Mr. Astell's letter,
which must have been a very short note, for he could not have sent a long letter
by such means as he did.
227. Mr. Astell took extraordinary means to get that letter conveyed to
Captain Elliot?— He took advantage of a boat, by paying highly for it.
228. Was that letter to represent to Captain Elliot that the foreign commu-
nity at Canton was in a state of alarm and apprehension, owing to the measures
taken by the Chinese authorities, and urging his coming to Canton ?-I do not
think it urged him to come to Canton, but I have no doubt that it informed him
what was going on. Mr. Astell had nothing to do with the opium trade. Cap-
tain Elliot had no knowledge of what was going on at Canton but through Mr.
Astell; and I know Mr. Astell, before he wrote himself, asked Mr. Johnston if
he had communicated what was going on to Captain Elliot, and he stated that
he had not.
229. Your
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
21
229.
Your own impression was, that upon the receipt of Mr. Astell's letter, Robert Inglis, Esq.
judging from what you knew of Captain Elliot's character, he would immedi-
ately come to Canton ?-Certainly.
7 May 1840.
230. Mr. Elliot.] You were understood to say that you had a conversa-
tion with Captain Elliot as to the probability of Commissioner Lin causing the
that you
had any
opium to be paid for by the Hong merchants; can you say
conversation of that sort, in which you confidently expressed that opinion
previously to giving up the opium?-I cannot say; I think it exceedingly
probable.
231. You did not urge that opinion at the time when it was proposed to give
the opium up?-Certainly not.
232. Mr. Horsman.] When Captain Elliot arrived at Canton, the question of
giving up the opium to the Commissioner was still under the consideration of
the merchants? It was.
A
233. And the moment he came he assembled the merchants?—Yes.
234. Was that question of the propriety of giving up the opium at all sub-
mitted to Captain Elliot?--I never heard it till my partner, Mr. Braine, men-
tioned it about three o'clock on Tuesday.
235. The decision which the merchants came to not to give up the opium,
they came to after Captain Elliot's arrival?-I do not recollect their coming to
any decision about it, further than that Mr. Dent was not to go into the city.
I doubt whether they ever agreed upon any other point.
236. Did Captain Elliot give any advice or any opinion upon that question as
to whether you should give up the opium ?--I did not hear his speech upon that
occasion.
237. He made a speech upon that occasion ?-Yes; there was nothing what-
ever, I think, said about giving up the opium.
238. Upon the question which was then in dispute between the merchants
and Commissioner Lin, did Captain Elliot give any opinion?—I do not recol-
lect that.
239. When he found the community in this difficulty, that they had a cer-
tain quantity of opium which the Commissioner insisted upon their delivering
up, did not he give any opinion upon the question which had placed them in
this difficulty, as to whether or not they should obey the order which he had
issued?—I do not recollect the purport of his speech.
240. Mr. Elliot.] Was that point ever submitted to Captain Elliot?-I do not
recollect any opinion about giving up the opium till about three o'clock on
Tuesday afternoon.
241. Had Captain Elliot not arrived upon the Sunday, would it not have
been impossible that Mr. Dent should not have gone into the city?-I believe
they would have taken him in by force.
242. Had he gone into the city, do you suppose he would have been in great
personal danger?-Judging from what we know of the Commissioner's character
and his proceedings since, I think that Mr. Dent might have been in danger had
he not gone in on the Monday morning. Had he gone in I believe they would
have kept him there till he gave up his opium.
243. And you think upon his giving up his opium he would have been
released?—And signing the bonds. At that time we did not think anything
about the bonds; but I have no doubt that was part of the intention.
244. And you think the same course would have been pursued in rotation with
the several merchants that had opium?-We understood from the Chinese that
that was the intention.
245. So that if Captain Elliot had not arrived at Canton at that time the
merchants would have been obliged to give up their opium, and would have
been obliged to sign those bonds ?-I think they would have made a great
difficulty about the bonds; it would have depended upon how long they
would have endured the imprisonment, and the probable annoyances attend-
ing it. I think they would not have let Mr. Dent out till he had signed
the bond.
246. And the rest of the merchants the same?—Yes.
247. So that the whole community would have been bound to abide by those
bonds? Yes.
248. And you attribute that not having been done to the arrival of Captain
Elliot at Canton ?-Yes; I have no doubt that Mr. Dent would have been taken
0.59.
D 3
into
22
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq. into the city had Captain Elliot not arrived; and I have no doubt that they
would have had the opium out of him and made him sign a bond; but Captain
Elliot would still have come up to Canton under any circumstances, and then
the thing would have turned upon the imprisonment of Mr. Dent; he would
have insisted upon Mr. Dent being released.
7 May 1840.
249. Mr. Hogg.] You have stated that until after Captain Elliot's arrival,
European merchants were not subject to any inconvenient duress, at least to no
deprivation of servants or of provisions; was there any deprivation of servants or
provisions in the time that intervened from the arrival of Captain Elliot till the
issuing of the requisition?-They took away our servants the night that Captain
Elliot arrived; about an hour afterwards.
250. Were your provisions stopped?—Yes.
251. When?-On Captain Elliot's coming up, on the Sunday.
252. Mr. Gladstone.] Did you consider that the stoppage of the provisions
and the removal of the servants was connected with Captain Elliot's arrival?
I am not quite sure, but I think the reason assigned for doing it was Mr. Dent's
not obeying the Commissioner's order.
253. Mr. Hogg.] Will you state when you were first deprived of the servants,
and when the supply of provisions was first stopped, and to what extent the sup-
ply of provisions was stopped ?-The servants were taken away the night
that Captain Elliot arrived; immediately afterwards, on the Sunday night;
and the provisions were stopped on Monday morning. The fact is, in our
house we knew what the Chinese do in those cases, and we had laid in a
supply of provisions before, so that we were not dependent upon them for a
few days.
254. Lord Sandon.] The Chinese have stopped the provisions on former
occasions?—Yes; the old hands, who knew them, had guarded against that; we
had got nearly a month's supply.
255. Sir George Grey.] You think that was part of the process to which the
Chinese authorities had recourse to compel Mr. Dent to go into the city?-
Yes.
256. And you believe they would have persevered till they had compelled
Mr. Dent to go?—Yes.
257. And that they would have gone on with the rest of the merchants
till they had compelled them all to go in and deliver up the opium?—Yes.
On Saturday, when two officers came to Mr. Dent's house, he said, if you
make me go with you I must go; if you take me I do not mean to offer any
resistance.
258. Chairman.] Were you exposed to any other inconvenience than the loss
of provisions and the departure of the servants?—No, except that they blocked us
up and prevented our going into the city. I am not quite sure that the provi-
sions were stopped on the Monday morning; it may have been Tuesday; but
they drew a cordon of boats in the river, in front of the factory, so as to prevent
any person going upon the river. Upon Monday morning they blocked up all
the entrances into the city; that was under the pretence of preventing Mr. Dent
escaping.
259. Mr. Horsman.] Previous to Captain Elliot's arrival, had not he issued
a proclamation to the British merchants?—Yes, at Macao.
260. Were the Chinese authorities aware of that proclamation before they
stopped your provisions?—I am not aware of that. We knew, by Mr. Astell's
answer, that he had issued something of that kind.
261. Requiring the British ships to put themselves in a state of defence?-
Yes.
262. Mr. Gladstone.] Is it your impression that the Chinese authorities, sup-
posing that Captain Elliot had not come up, intended to proceed by the direct
personal seizure of Mr. Dent, or by general measures of coercion against the
foreign community?—I think they meant to take Mr. Dent first, and that they
intended to get his opium; and from what I have seen subsequently, I have no
doubt they intended to make him sign the bonds.
263. Then you do not infer from the stoppage of the provisions, that they
intended to inflict very great inconvenience in the first instance on the whole
community, but you think they would have gone direct to Mr. Dent? -The
stoppage of the provisions was after Captain Elliot came up and had taken
Mr. Dent to his house; it had then ceased to be a question of Mr. Dent going
into
D
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
23
into the city. There was a public document issued by the Chinese, saying that Robert Inglis, Esq.
Captain Elliot had taken the whole responsibility upon himself.
7 May 1840.
264. Was any practical inconvenience suffered, to your knowledge, by any part
of the foreign community from the stoppage of provisions before the arrange-
ment was made for the delivery of the opium-I think not, because we all
helped one another; and, as I mentioned before, in our house we had got a
month's supply.
265. Will you state, as exactly as possible, the time when Captain Elliot's
order was promulgated for the delivery of the opium ?-On Wednesday morning,
the 27th.
266. Lord Sandon.] Your impression was, that, till Captain Elliot came, the
measures of the Chinese government were intended to be directed against indi-
viduals, one after another?-Yes.
267. But they did not intend to proceed against the community till Captain
Elliot came and identified himself with the whole transaction ?-I think their
intention was to take Mr. Dent first, and begin with him; that was my own
belief.
268. Chairman.] But subsequently to Captain Elliot's arrival, you were
understood to say, that the idea of Mr. Dent going into the city was abandoned?
-Yes; I think that was on the Tuesday, when there was a public document by
the Chinese authority, saying, that since Captain Elliot had taken the respon-
sibility upon himself, it was no longer a question with Mr. Dent.
269. And then, you think, the measures of coercion were directed against the
community at large ?-Yes, but under the pretence, as far as the guard went,
of preventing Mr. Dent's escape.
270. Was there any opium in Canton itself belonging to European residents?
-I believe there was. Commissioner Lin had required that all the opium in
the houses should be given up, upon which Captain Elliot sent round an order
to the merchants to deliver up the opium that they had to him; I never knew
what he did get, but I believe there was some.
271. Was it a trifling quantity or large ?-Very trifling.
272. Sir George Grey.] Was it given up without any promise of indemnity?
-Yes.
273. Mr. Gladstone.] Supposing the agreement for the delivery of the opium
had not been made by Captain Elliot, what course do you apprehend that the
Chinese authorities intended to take; is it your impression that they would have
reduced the foreign community to actual starvation?--From what I have seen of
Commissioner Lin's conduct since, I think he might have gone to any extent;
he seemed to be resolved to carry out his own measures.
274. Sir George Grey.] Do you know what Captain Elliot's impression upon
that point was at the time?-I think he was exceedingly alarmed; he thought
that Commissioner Lin was prepared to go any lengths; and, from what I have
seen since, I think he was.
275. You, from subsequent observation, have arrived at the same opinion
which Captain Elliot entertained at the time?—Yes.
276. Mr. Gladstone.] What was the general feeling of the foreign community;
did they expect that they should be starved? They were under immense
alarm; the excitement was beyond anything I ever saw.
Mag
277. Lord Sandon.] The people expected that they should be starved?—Yes.
There were a great number of people newly arrived, who had not seen these
kind of things before, and they were infinitely more alarmed than the old re-
sidents.
278. Sir George Grey.] Was it an alarm at the prospect of starvation, or was
it a general alarm and apprehension that the Chinese authorities would have re-
course to violence? That they would have recourse to violence, I may mention
the case of the two Mr. Dents. My partner is an old resident in China, and he
himself wished to go into the city on the Friday, and even on the Saturday
morning, and during the Saturday; whereas his brother, who had not been long
in China, was, as I mentioned, dreadfully alarmed about the fate of his brother,
and thought that he would be certainly put to death if he went into the city. I
mention this to show the difference between men that have been accustomed
0.59.
D 4
to
24
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq. to the Chinese and men that have but lately arrived. A great part of the
7 May 1840.
community in Canton at that time had not been long resident; there were
a vast number of captains and officers of ships, for instance, and some
strangers.
279. Mr. Elliot.] You said that you considered the operations of Commis-
sioner Lin not to have been more directed against Mr. Dent personally than
against any other person, because you said you believed that the same operation
would have been carried on with respect to all the other merchants ?-Yes, that
was understood.
280. So that in fact it was an operation against the whole foreign community,
although not perhaps carried into effect by means of starvation; but you believe
it would have been carried on against the whole community one after another?
-Yes; but there was no starvation at that moment; at that time the general
impression was that they wanted to get the opium out of him to lead the way for
the others.
281. Lord Sandon.] That they would have successively laid hold of each.
of the merchants that dealt in opium, for the purpose of inducing each of them
successively to give up the opium consigned to him?-Yes, that was what the
Chinese said; they even mentioned the names; they said that Mr. Matheson
was to go in next.
282. Mr. Elliot.] After Captain Elliot came, they forbade the servants to come.
into the factory ?-They took them away at night.
283. And then stopped the provisions?-Yes; I cannot be quite sure about
when the provisions were stopped, whether it was Monday or Tuesday.
284. Was there not also some prevention of the supply of water?—We have
all got wells in our houses; but the water is not very good, and we usually get
water from a good spring without the precincts of the factory; and that was
cut off.
285. Mr. Gladstone.] Was the passage to the water in particular guarded, or
was it that all egress was cut off?-All egress was cut off.
286. Lord Sandon.] The Hong merchants were perfectly aware of the re-
sources of water which you had within yourselves?—Yes; besides that we keep
supplies from the river.
287. Chairman.] Was any wall built up in front of the doors?-No; they
built up the streets, but I do not recollect at what period; I should say not till
some days after Captain Elliot came up.
288. Mr. Herbert.] You mentioned that each of the merchants would probably
have been taken, and made to give up his opium, and sign a bond; were not.
the bonds first mentioned subsequently?—Yes, that is my belief, from what has
occurred since.
289. Lord Sandon.] No mention was made of the bonds till subsequently?
-No.
290. Captain Elliot could not have known anything about the bonds at that
time ?-No.
291. Mr. Colquhoun.] Till the arrival of Captain Elliot, the foreign commu-
nity were in a state of alarm and duress, but there was no stoppage of provisions
or taking away of the servants?-No.
292. The old residents were less alarmed than the younger ones?-I should
say so as a general rule.
293. From what cause?-Because they understood the Chinese less. These
are things that have happened before, taking away servants and stopping.
provisions.
294. And after a struggle the foreign community has been placed again in the
same condition as before?—Yes.
295. Mr. Elliot.] But from your subsequent knowledge of Commissioner
Lin's character, you think this alarm was better founded than you thought at
first?-Certainly.
296. You would not like to trust yourself in the city now with Commissioner
Lin?-I do not think I should.
297. Mr. Gladstone.] Are you of opinion that Commissioner Lin had any
object
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
25
7 May 1849.
object beyond the effectual stoppage of the opium trade?-I have no doubt the Robert Inglis, Eaq.
intention was to put back the whole foreign trade under what they call the old
regulations, which are every now and then brought forward to bring it back to
the time when the members of the factory waited on the Hong merchants with
swords, as Commissioner Lin mentioned. I have no doubt he intended that,
because he began doing the same thing with the Chinese trade; he issued the
most vexatious regulations for the Chinese trade.
298. You think, then, that he had objects beyond the stoppage of the opium
trade?—Yes; I have no doubt that there had been political fears in Pekin which
had induced them to do this.
299. Do
Do you
think it was part of the Commissioner's object at all to limit or
impose fetters upon the legal trade?—Yes, I have no doubt to put us under what
they call the old regulations. Whenever we have any difficulty with them they
bring up these old regulations.
300. Do you think the government of Pekin have lately become more jealous
of the legal trade, and of intercourse with the English ?—I think they have
become more jealous of the English.
301. And of the extension of the legal trade?—No, I think they merely wish
to put restrictions upon it.
302. Do you think they are favourable to the extension of the legal trade?—
Yes, certainly.
303. Do you think they are strongly desirous of an extension of the legal
trade?-Probably not.
304. Do you think they are more desirous of it than they used to be ?—I think
they are desirous of getting as much trade as they can; they would be happy to
increase the export of their own products to any extent.
305. Lord Sandon.] Does not Commissioner Lin, in more than one of his
edicts, offer increased advantages to the legal trade if the opium trade were
given up?—It is very likely; I do not remember anything of that kind.
306. Chairman.] Your statement has now gone up to the morning of the day
on which Captain Elliot issued his orders for the delivery of the opium; will you
proceed to state what happened subsequently ?-The opium was agreed to be all
given up on that day; afterwards there were several weeks of negotiation between
Captain Elliot and the Chinese government and Commissioner Lin as to the mode
of giving it up, and the various delays that occurred at Lintin; but I recollect
nothing that I as a merchant was particularly interested in till the end of the
time, when it was found that the quantity required, which the parties had
pledged themselves to give up, was not forthcoming. I do not recollect anything
particular occurring in the interval, further than that there were continual nego-
tiations with the Commissioner about it; and of course we were under great
suspense and anxiety at the time, to know when we were to get out.
307. When were the returns sent in of the quantities which you respectively
held? They were sent in by six o'clock of the afternoon of Tuesday; we had
sent in a statement of the opium which we had prepared to give, amounting
altogether to 20,283 chests.
308. Each house made a statement of the opium under its control?—Yes.
309. With an intimation of your readiness to obey the command of Captain
Elliot-We said that we were prepared to hand it over to him in the course of
the next day, and on the following day we sent orders for the opium.
310. Was there any general meeting of the merchants for the purpose of mak-
ing that communication ?—No.
311. Each communicated separately?—Yes.
312. Was there any demur, or any reluctance expressed on the part of the
merchants?—None whatever.
313. Were there any complaints by the superintendent of the slowness of the
delivery of the opium?-I had forgotten one thing that occurred previous to giv-
ing up the opium, which was, that a meeting of the principal opium merchants
was held, at which they all engaged to sign a bond that they would not enter
into the opium trade any more; that was done before the opium was given up,
with a view to get the Commissioner to modify the terms of his demand.
314. Was that subsequently to Captain Elliot's proclamation?—That was
prior to his demand.
315. Was it prior to his coming up to Canton?-No, it was after he came up
to Canton.
0.59.
316. At
E
26
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq.
7 May 1840.
316. At that meeting the European merchants agreed to give up the trade in
opium?—Yes; they all signed a letter to that effect, addressed to Captain Elliot,
which they handed to Captain Elliot, which he forwarded to the Chinese.
317. On what day was that?-I forget; I think it must have been on the
Monday that it went to the Chinese; the paper was signed by the several firms
engaging not to trade in opium any more.
318. What was the object of entering into it?-The object was to get Com-
missioner Lin to modify the terms of his demand; the intention of Dent & Co.,
which I can answer for, was to give up the trade entirely, unless it should be a
legal trade.
319. Have they given up the trade?-Entirely, except to get rid of the opium
which they had in hand; they have neither taken a consignment of a chest of
opium, nor bought a chest of opium since.
320. Lord Sandon.] Was this given in consequence of its being required of
you while you were under duress ?-No; there was no bond required at that
particular moment.
321. At that time were you cut off from supplies of provisions ?—Yes; this
was after Captain Elliot came up; I do not recollect the exact date of taking
away the provisions; in fact it was done gradually.
322. It was on Monday that this bond was signed ?-It must have been either
Monday or Tuesday.
323. Then this deprivation of provisions could not have been any long time in
force, even if it was in force at all?—It was enforced for a day or two, and those
days must have been the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; it was enforced
till Captain Elliot had engaged to deliver up the opium.
324. Chairman.] At the time of that meeting the European community were
suffering no great practical inconvenience ?-I think not, inasmuch as several of
the old houses there had laid in provisions; and there was no fear of actual star-
vation, I consider, at any moment.
325. Mr. Gladstone.] Had not some of the houses in Canton determined, at an
earlier period, to give up the opium trade?—I know of none; I know one or
two parties, members of houses, who were inclined very much to get out of it,
because it was becoming a disreputable trade. I have known two Englishmen
who refused to join houses engaged in the opium trade.
326. The question refers to a very recent period; had the previous measures
of the Chinese government, before Commissioner Lin actually came down,
induced any of the houses in Canton to determine on abandoning the opium
trade?—Not entirely.
327. They were still engaged in measures connected with it?—Yes.
328. There were not any of them that had given notice that they would
receive no more consignments of opium ?—No, I think none of them.
329. Chairman.] You were understood to say that that letter, addressed to
Captain Elliot, was communicated to the Chinese authorities?--It was.
I can-
not be very sure that I am right as to the mode by which the communication was
made; but I am certain as to the fact, that such a declaration was signed by most
of the houses.
330. When was that communication made?-It must have been prior to
Captain Elliot's giving up the opium, prior to the Wednesday morning.
331. You imagine that Captain Elliot lost no reasonable time in communi-
cating that?—Certainly not; I can only state the dates from the official corres-
pondence.
332. Will you state what occurred with respect to giving up the opium ?-
I remember nothing particular till the question occurred as to the short delivery
of opium. Captain Elliot had pledged himself to make good every chest. There
was a general belief that the Commissioner doubted whether Captain Elliot was
ever going to deliver up 20,000 chests. That was the general belief of the
Chinese; and in some part of the transaction it was supposed that he had rather
taunted Captain Elliot with the slowness of the delivery. Captain Elliot
became exceedingly uncomfortable upon this; and I have heard him say very
frequently indeed, to the merchants at his house, " For Heaven's sake, gentle-
men, enable me to keep my pledge with this man, and to fulfil the whole agree-
ment." And it was on this account that at last, when it was really become
apparent that the opium could not be found, that some of the parties who were to
give up the opium could not give it up, that Captain Elliot called together a
number
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
27
7 May 1840.
number of merchants by circulars, one night, to ask them to devise means to Robert Inglis, Esq.
enable him to keep his word with the Commissioner, to enable us to get out of
Canton, because we had been five or six weeks in Canton, and we could not get
out till the whole was forthcoming. Upon this occasion a number of people
assembled at his house the next day, for the purpose of devising the means of
doing it; but we found that it had been settled between him and one of my
partners, Mr. Braine, and one or two other gentlemen, who had arranged the
thing with him to make up the deficiency of opium on the terms which Captain
Elliot has mentioned in his correspondence.
333. You were understood to say that you had before given up all the opium
that you had?-Dent & Co. had given up the whole of their quantity, or had it
ready to give up, and so had all the other houses, with three exceptions.
334. How did you supply Captain Elliot with any more opium, if you had
given up all yours?-Dent & Co. supplied the deficiency, out of a ship that
arrived from Bombay after the 20,283 chests had been resigned by Capt. Elliot.
335. The deficient supply was made up by the house of Dent & Co. out of
opium that arrived subsequently to the agreement to surrender ?—Yes.
336. What were the terms upon which you did it?-It was given up to Cap-
tain Elliot upon the understanding that he was either to pay for it in money, or
return the same opium, chest for chest, at the end of a month. He has put a
third agreement into his letter, about our taking it as part of the original sur-
render, but it was never intended in any possible way to identify the opium
which we gave to him to make up the deficiency with the original surrender,
and we could not do it, for this reason, that the opium did not belong to us;
and though we might have been justified in the first instance in giving up the
opium upon Captain Elliot's peremptory demand on the part of the Queen, we
could not possibly have been justified in giving up other opium afterwards on
the same demand, when we were not under the same necessity.
-
337. What was the reason of the short delivery?-One reason was, that Jar-
dine & Co. had given up some opium belonging to a gentleman at Macao, which
they happened to have in their possession, and that gentleman refused to abide
by that engagement. That was one difficulty, which was subsequently got over;
and another was, that Heerjeeboy Rustomjee, a Parsee, had given up a small
parcel of opium, that opium I believe being consigned to another house, which
held the bill of lading as a lien upon it. This was the general belief at the
time at Canton, but I cannot be sure that I am right, except as to the Macao
opium.
338. The general impression was, that one party gave it up as being the
owner, and that the other party gave it up as having money advanced upon it?
-That was generally understood to be the case.
339. Sir George Grey.] Therefore to that extent the indemnity orginally
given could never be claimed?-No; it could only be claimed once.
340. Chairman.] Did Captain Elliot persevere in giving up the quantity
from a wish that his conduct should be unsuspected by the Commissioner ?-
Certainly.
341. What was the date of making good the deficiency; do you recollect
when the opium arrived out of which the deficiency was supplied?I do not
recollect, but it was prior to the 11th of May, the date of Dent & Company's
agreement as to the payment for the opium.
342. What agreement did Captain Elliot make with you with regard to the
payment for the opium ?—The original understanding was, that it was either to
be paid for in money, or replaced chest for chest. But Captain Elliot men-
tioned at the time that the money must be Treasury bills, inasmuch as he had
no way of getting money but by Treasury bills. Dent & Company never in-
tended to take payment for this opium out of the original indemnity money,
nor in any way whatever to identify the two transactions, inasmuch as they
could not have done it, because the circumstances was so entirely different.
And the letter in the official correspondence of Heerjeeboy Rustomjee and
another Parsee party, in which they engaged to Captain Elliot to replace the
amount out of the indemnity money, was never known to Dent & Company at
all; in fact, it was written after I left China, and we were no parties whatever
to that. We merely required that at the end of a month we should either have
the opium back again, chest for chest, or be paid for the opium. It was abso-
lutely necessary to fix the time, because it was other people's opium.
0.59.
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343. Were
28
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq.
7 May 1840.
343. Were you paid for that opium?-We were paid by Treasury bills; but
the Treasury bills, upon the face of them, apparently identify the transaction
with the original surrender of the opium. The bills were drawn after I left
Canton.
344. Sir C. Lemon.] Was any minute made of that understanding?—Yes.
On the 11th of May there was a minute made, by which we were to be repaid
either by identifying it with the original surrender which Dent & Company
were no parties to, or by the return of the opium, chest for chest, or by Trea-
sury bills.
345. The memorandum setting forth that understanding exists?—Yes; it is
published in the official correspondence.
346. Chairman.] Those bills have not been accepted?-Those bills have not
been accepted.
347. Lord Sandon.] Was not the communication of the foreign merchants
giving a pledge that they would not continue the trade in opium in future,
addressed to the Imperial Commissioner ?--I do not recollect; I was not present
at that.
-
348. Will you have the goodness to look at the official correspondence (the
Witness referred to the same); having looked at the document in the printed cor-
respondence, are you enabled to say through what channel this assurance to the
Chinese government was conveyed?-No; I thought that it went through
Captain Elliot, but I presume it must have been through the channel of the
Chamber of Commerce.
349. Chaiman.] Have you any doubts that it went in some shape or other to
the Chinese authorities?—None whatever.
350. Lord Sandon.] You were in possession of it soon after it was written ?-
I have no doubt whatever about it.
351. Mr. Gladstone.] Can you give the Committee any idea in what propor-
tion the 20,000 chests of opium were owned in Canton or elsewhere?—No, I have
no notion of that; the general supposition was that the greater part of it be-
longed to merchants in Bombay, but I have no means of ascertaining that.
352. Chairman.] Was it or was it not the general course of affairs that the
great bulk was on consignment?-Certainly, on consignment from Bombay or
Calcutta ; but the general supposition was that the Bombay people were more
largely concerned in the opium delivered
up than any other persons.
353. Mr. Gladstone.] Do you suppose that the majority of the proprietors, in
point of value, were resident in the East Indies?—Yes; nearly all the firms in
Canton professed to be agents, and therefore the supposition is that the greater
part of the opium was on consignment to them.
354. They did more business as agents, and as commission merchants, in the
legal trade also, than as owners?—Yes.
355. Chairman.] Is it the fact that in England there are very few persons
largely and directly interested in opium ?--Very few. The way in which mer-
chants in England may have become interested in it may be, that their funds
in India were advanced upon it, and in that way the merchants in China have
become very largely concerned in it, inasmuch as they have been in the habit
of advancing money upon the opium, and of course they hold the bill of lading
as their security, and this opium which they gave up was in many cases their
security.
356. Lord Sandon.] Is not the Bengal opium equally held on native account?
-Yes; on account of parties in Bengal.
357. Chairman.] The Parsee merchants, who are largely interested, are prin-
cipally at Bombay?—Yes; a great deal of the Calcutta, and a great part of the
Bombay opium belonged to natives in India on the Bombay side.
358. Have you any means of judging whether those people are distressed by
the absence of their funds ?—I have no doubt of it whatever.
359. They are not in a situation to bear the withholding of their funds?—
Certainly not.
360. Did you return home by Bombay ?—No, I came direct from China to
Suez.
361. You have no personal knowledge whether this has produced any distress
among the natives of India ?—I have heard that it has, and I conceive that it
kas, because a vast number of poor natives are concerned in the opium trade in
Bombay, generally receiving advances from the European houses of agency, or
from
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
29
from the native merchants in Bombay; and therefore the loss will, in fact, fall Robert Inglis, Esq.
I think the rich natives in Bom-
the rich natives to a very great extent.
upon
bay can afford to bear it, but it will ruin a great number of the small merchants.
The rich merchants will probably bear the loss without bringing it before the
public.
7 May 1840.
Wa
362. Lord Sandon.] They will bear the loss, as having made advances?
-Yes.
363. Mr. Hogg.] Do you consider that the greater part of the opium belongs
to merchants resident in Bombay, not to merchants resident in Calcutta ?-It is
generally supposed that the Bombay merchants and the Marwarries up the
country, who are concerned in the growing of opium, do buy very largely
at the Calcutta sales, in order to keep up the price, and that they have very
much influenced the sales, in order to support the price of their own opium.
364. Is not the greatest portion of the opium the Malwa opium ?-All the
Malwa opium belongs to people on the Bombay side, and they are supposed to
own a great deal of the Bengal opium also.
365. Sir George Grey.] The loss of which you speak arises from the actual
loss of the value of the opium delivered up to the Chinese?—Yes.
366. Has there been any interference with the opium trade from Bombay;
have the exports of opium diminished, so as to produce a loss to the growers of
it?-I cannot say.
367. Then you confine your statement to the loss sustained by delivering up
the opium at Canton ?- Since the opium was delivered up, the prices in China
have been higher than they were before, and opium has been selling at an enor-
mous profit; there are immense fortunes making in China now in the opium
trade.
368. Does not that to a certain extent diminish the loss which the parties might
have suffered from the delivery of this particular opium without receiving the
value of it?—Not altogether, because the taking 20,000 chests out of the market
has made a market for others.
369. Mr. Gladstone.] Although the prices have been very high since March
1839, has not the supply been comparatively limited?-I dare say it has.
370. Sir George Grey.] You do not know whether the exports of opium from
Bombay have increased or diminished subsequently to this transaction ?—I
do not.
371. Lord Sandon.] Are they the same parties that have been selling opium
since the seizure?-In some cases no doubt, and in some cases the commanders
of the ships there, who always sold opium on the coast, are now selling it on
their own account; but they have never signed the bond.
372. Chairman.] You stated that nearly the whole of the 20,000 chests deli-
vered up were out of Canton ?—Yes; all down at Lintin, or on other parts of the
coast.
373. Was it entirely out of the reach of the Chinese?—Yes.
374. They had no power or means of getting hold of it?-None that I know.
375. Lord Sandon.] Within the limits of the Chinese waters ?-It is in what
they call the outer waters, which it seems the viceroys of Canton have given as
an excuse why they could not put down the trade, because it was in the outer
waters, out of their reach, but it is within the Chinese jurisdiction, inasmuch
as many of the islands are peopled, and those people are under the Chinese
government.
376. It is within the limits of the jurisdiction given to Captain Elliot ?—Yes,
since his jurisdiction was extended to Lintin, on purpose to include the opium
ships.
377. Sir George Grey.] A good deal of the trade is carried on along the coast?
-Yes; the last three years the greater portion.
378. Mr. Horsman.] Had the trade at all revived at the time you gave up
those chests to make up the deficiency?-There was opium supposed to be selling
outside, but not much at that time; but the trade was going on very briskly at
the time the last arrangement was made.
379. You stated, that in the first surrender you made to Captain Elliot, it was
a matter of calculation with you as to the interests of those who had consigned it
to you, by comparing the chances of loss by giving it up to him with the chance
of loss in any other way; did that consideration affect you in the last delivery
which you made?-Upon the last delivery our reason for selling it to Captain
0.59.
Elliot
E 3
30
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq.
7 May 1840.
Elliot was our never doubting the payment of the bills, because these were looked
upon to be ordinary Treasury bills; I never contemplated any bill drawn in the
way in which these are done, but it was intended that they were to be like any
other Treasury bills.
380. Chairman.] Were those bills put into circulation, and sold in the way in
which ordinary bills are?-Not in Canton; part of them were remitted to Bom-
bay; they were endorsed over by Dent & Co. to parties in Bombay, to whom
the consignment belonged.
381. Sir George Grey.] This opium came out of a ship that arrived subse-
quently to the delivery-Not subsequently to the delivery, but subsequently to
the agreement to deliver.
382. The opium that arrived from Bombay, out of which you sold some to
make up the deficiency, did not form part of the 20,000 chests, and was not
comprised in the statement originally given in ?—No.
383. What became of the rest of the cargo?-After this was delivered up we
had still some which has been sold subsequently, notwithstanding the bond; we
did not think the bond extended to the length that we were not to sell opium
that had unavoidably come into our hands, and it was sold there to Europeans;
some of it was sold at 600 dollars a chest in the very week in which the arrange-
ment for those chests were made.
Ma
384. Was there any difficulty in finding a purchaser for it ?--I fancy none at
all at the time the bills were drawn; when the vessel first arrived there would
have been a difficulty.
385. Chairman.] Do you think it probable that the poorer classes of
persons
who have been engaged in the trade at Bombay, can find means to continue the
trade, and thereby share in the profits given by the increased prices?--I should
doubt it; generally, in any crash of this kind in the opium trade, of which we
have had a good many before, from many circumstances, it generally cleans
out all the poorer persons engaged in the trade, and then another class go into
it when it revives.
386. Lord Sandon.] Before the news of this seizure reached Bombay, pro-
bably fresh shipments of opium would have been made ?-The opium would fall
into other hands. As soon as the difficulties in China were known, of course
down went the price at Bombay, until it reached a certain point, at which
speculators would go into it, but it would be only a few rich men that could go
into it, because it is only those that can afford to hold for the length
of time
necessary.
387. In the meantime the opium that was on its way from Bombay to China
would have found an excellent market when it reached the Chinese waters ?-It
appears that it did find it.
388. Mr. C. Buller.] You think that the persons that gained by the subse-
quent rise in the price of opium, were a great many of them different persons
from those by whom the opium had been given up?-Undoubtedly; that is
always the state of things. If you have an immense loss, and then a sudden fall
in the price, it will necessarily ruin a great number of parties engaged in that
particular transaction, and generally brings with it such a low price as to induce
other parties to go into it as a speculation.
389. Are you rightly understood to infer that many of the people who lost
their opium by its being confiscated, were not able to derive any advantage from
the subsequent rise in price?—I should think so; moreover, they would be
afraid of it.
390. Those were chiefly the poorer class of people, you suppose ?—I think so.
391. And the persons that would buy it afterwards you suppose to have been
the richer class of people, who were tempted by the low prices to speculate in
it?--I think so, for this reason. The price would fall to a point at which specu-
lators would go into the market, but they would not be sure at what period they
would be able to sell it in China, and therefore only those parties would go into
the speculation who were able to hold it till the demand for it revived.
392. Then you infer that the poorer parties who lost their opium, derived no
compensation from the subsequent advance of price, but that the advantage of
that was derived by richer parties, who afterwards entered into the speculation?
-I think that must be the effect of every great change in the course of trade of
that kind.
393. Sir George Grey.] You consider the opium trade to have been a very
uncertain
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
21
7 May 1840.
uncertain one, rendering the parties engaged in it in India liable to very great Robert Inglis, Esq.
risks? Undoubtedly; a very good proof of that is, that at Calcutta various
parties have been engaged in it; at one time it has been the rich Baboos, at
another time the Jews, at another time the European houses. Every now and
then a bad year comes, and it ruins a vast number of those that have been pre-
viously engaged in it, and they go out of it, and other parties come in. Any
crisis of that kind is accompanied by low prices, and that induces others to go
into it.
394. Then a crisis of that kind, though not accompanied with a seizure of
the opium, had not been an unfrequent occurrence?-No.
395. Mr. Hogg.] Were the parties chiefly engaged in the opium trade opulent
natives of India?-Yes; they have changed a good deal at different times. It
was in the hands of Portuguese merchants and Jews at one time.
396. Generally speaking, the principal European houses in Calcutta were very
little concerned in the opium trade-Yes, very little; I think they were latterly
getting more into it.
397. Formerly had not the principal European houses in Calcutta very little
to do with it? Yes, always much less than the natives and the Portuguese; they
have been the principal dealers.
398. And any interference in the opium trade in Calcutta, by European
houses, was rather matter of exception ?-Matter of exception. Latterly, since
the free trade, they have been more induced to go into it, because they have had
a larger amount of capital sent out for the purpose of remitting to China.
399. Were not those remittances generally made in the way of advances upon
opium ?—Yes, by advances on opium and cotton; but there has been such com-
petition for advances, that they have been seldom able to invest the whole amount
by advances; and I think the Calcutta houses have usually had authority, under
those circumstances, to purchase either opium or cotton, if they were at low
prices; and in that way they have made pretty large purchases of those
articles.
400. But the usual way of remitting funds to China was by advances?—Yes.
I will speak of Dent & Co.'s house. We have been in the habit of sending very
large sums, to be returned back again in advances, with a view to get consign-
ments, and to profit by the exchange; but we had very often, indeed, given a low
price at which to buy opium, rather than the money should be detained in Cal-
cutta, if we cannot get the money over by means of advances, so that in that
we have become importers of opium when we did not wish it, and when, pro-
bably, the object had not been to engage in the opium trade, but merely
as a means of getting back our money.
way
401. Mr. Horsman.] Were not the speculations in opium to a greater extent,
in the year previous to the seizure, than in any former year?-Certainly, because
the quantity sold in India was larger.
402. Then the loss consequent upon that seizure would be greater in propor-
tion? That depends upon the price given for it. I believe that the prices were
lower in Calcutta, so that a larger amount of opium might be bought for a smaller
amount of money probably.
403. Mr. Elliot.] Can you state what was the average invoice price of the
Malwa opium, the price at which it was shipped at Bombay?—I recollect that,
after the opium was given up, when we were talking over the probable price at
which we should receive the indemnity, some data were got together by the
Chamber of Commerce, or by some committee, for the express purpose of laying
it before Captain Elliot; and I think they agreed that 500 dollars a chest, all
round, would be about the average cost in China.
404. The question refers to the cost at which it is shipped at Bombay?—I do
not recollect that.
405. You cannot give any approximation to the invoice price as shipped, either
at Bombay or in Bengal?—No, I cannot, the prices are so different.
406. Chairman.] Can you give any idea of the number of Europeans in the
factory at the time of Captain Elliot's arrival?-I estimated about 320, but I am
not aware that any list was ever taken.
407. Mr. Gladstone.] You were understood to say that you conversed with
Captain Elliot on the Tuesday night on the subject of his powers?—Yes. On
Tuesday, when my two partners were present, I remember asking him if he felt
quite
0.59.
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32
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq. quite sure what he was about; and again, on Tuesday night, when he was writing
out the order for the opium to be given up.
7 May 1840.
408. Did you make known among the mercantile community in Canton the
substance of that conversation?-Certainly not; because the order came out the
next morning for the opium to be given up. This was a private conversation.
with Captain Elliot, which I had no object whatever to communicate; in fact
I had no time before the order came out. I presume every one could have asked
him the same questions on his own account, and I dare say that those to whom
he communicated his intention did it.
409. Are you aware whether many persons conversed upon the same subject
with Captain Elliot, or took any pains to ascertain the point for themselves?-
I do not know.
410. Are you aware whether it was discussed among the merchants whether
Captain Elliot had this authority?-It was a great deal discussed after the
opium was given up; we were all in such confusion till it was given up, that
I think many people were incapable of any cool discussion.
411. Do you know whether
know whether any of the parties hesitated about coming into the
arrangement, upon the ground of a doubt respecting Captain Elliot's compe-
tency to make the arrangement?-I never remember any person making the
slightest demur about it. Several days after it occurred, I remember Captain
Elliot speaking with me one day about it, expressing a little feeling of misgiving
at the moment; and I remember telling him at the time that, as far as I had
heard from the merchants talking outside about the thing, I could not find that
a single one could point out any other mode that could have been followed, or
anything else that was to be done; I believe we were all in great confusion at
the time; several of the parties I am sure were quite incapable of sitting down
to any cool consideration of what was to be done.
412. Sir G. Grey.] Arising from an apprehension of violence on the part of the
Chinese?--Yes; we did not know what was coming, even the old residents were
apprehensive of what was coming.
413. Mr. Gladstone.] Was there, so far as your knowledge extends, an uni-
versal and undoubting belief that Captain Elliot's arrangement would be
acknowledged at home? I think decidedly. I do not remember that any
doubts were raised at the time.
414. Had the mercantile community in Canton ever seen the Orders in
Council affecting Captain Elliot's office?-They had seen the Orders in Council;
but they had not seen the instructions published under those Orders.
415. Had the Orders in Council been published in Canton ?-Yes; they were
published by Lord Napier, and were republished by Captain Elliot himself, in
consequence of the newspapers calling upon him to state under what instruc-
tions he was acting.
416. Had not those Orders in Council, together with the clause in the China
Trade Act, under which those Orders in Council were issued, been a good deal
discussed both in mercantile society and in the newspapers in Canton ?-They
had by the newspapers, I do not know as to mercantile society; but not at the
moment when it was a question as to giving up the opium.
417. Had not the English press at Canton arrived at any sort of conclusion
with respect to Captain Elliot's powers?-They doubted his powers constantly,
inasmuch as they mentioned that they had continually called upon him to show
what his powers were, and at one time he republished, I think, the Order in
Council, and some part of his instructions, saying that he published as much as
he felt himself authorized to do, thereby plainly inferring that he had other in-
structions which he could not show.
418. You stated that the Canton newspapers expressed great doubts of his
powers; were there great doubts as to his powers also among the community, so
far as the subject was discussed at all?-I think when his powers were called in
doubt, it was by Mr. Keating, and by parties with whom he had got into colli-
sion in matters of that kind as to interference in the squabbles of the merchants
between themselves, and matters of that kind.
419. If there were these great doubts as to the powers of Captain Elliot, how
dc you account for the fact that nobody seems to have raised the question upon
this occasion, whether those powers were capable of being exercised to such a
great extent-We were all in a state of great confusion, and besides the greater
part
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
33
part were incompetent to set themselves to decide a question as to the construc- Robert Inglis, Esq.
tion of the law.
7 May 1840.
420. You were understood to state, that when the opium was surrendered by
the merchants it was surrendered with the full confidence that the British
Government would acknowledge the transaction?-Yes, certainly.
421. Is it not natural to suppose that that must have been founded upon the
conviction that Captain Elliot had those powers?—Yes; nobody could suppose
that Captain Elliot, who is a very clever man, could do anything of that kind,
unless he supposed that he had authority to do it; that his general authority
authorized him to demand the surrender of the opium; I am quite sure that he
was as confident of it as I am that I am sitting here.
422. Do you think it was the impression of the community at Canton that
Captain Elliot had such powers under the Orders in Council?—No, by the
instructions given under the Orders in Council.
423. By something, the detail of which had not been made known to the
community at Canton ?-Yes; Captain Elliot himself admitted that he had other
instructions, which he did not think himself authorized to publish.
424. Mr. Herbert.] Then whatever was the doubt as to the power of Captain
Elliot among the merchants, Captain Elliot himself entertained no doubt as to
his authority to take the opium?-Certainly not; his feelings were evidently too
powerful to be controlled at the time I was speaking to him.
425. Mr. Hogg.] What course was adopted by the Americans and others, not
British subjects, who had opium which they were required by the general order
to deliver up?-I am not aware that any other parties in Canton had opium
except the Americans, and they surrendered it to Captain Elliot as British
property; I believe it really was British property.
426. Was all the opium, either at Canton or at Lintin on board ships, in
fact surrendered?—I imagine so; more was given in to Captain Elliot than it
turned out that there was in China at the moment, by the mistake which I men-
tioned; that quantity of opium never could have been made good to Captain
Elliot, but from the accidental arrival of that ship to us.
427. Then the American houses surrendered their opium as well as the
English ?—Yes.
428. They surrendered it as belonging to British subjects-Yes.
429. Mr. Gladstone.] Do you believe that the whole of that belonged to British
subjects?—I believe that every chest of it did.
430. That there was no opium owned by Americans in the Chinese waters ?-
I think there was a little; about 10 chests, which they sent away as soon as they
could get means of communicating with the ships.
431. Mr. Hogg.] It is your belief that the whole of the opium, both at Can-
ton and on board the ships, was bona fide the property of British subjects?-
Yes, with one exception, where the American houses made out that it belonged
to parties in India, as to whom they could not say whether they were British
subjects.
432. Was not that an unusual state of things, that the whole of the opium
should belong to British subjects, and that there should be no opium belonging
to Americans?-Only as regards Turkey opium; they generally have Turkey
opium, which at that moment they had not.
433. Was any of the opium surrendered Turkey opium?—I believe not; it
may
have been Turkey opium that had gone out from this country belonging to
British houses, or under advance from British houses, but I am not certain how
that was.
434. Mr. Gladstone.] What means were adopted for sending away that small
quantity of opium which belonged to the Americans?-I am not sure that there
was any; but I have reason to think there were a few chests of opium, which
were never sent away till after we got out of confinement.
435. Sir G. Grey.] Was that comprised in the certificates delivered up to
Captain Elliot ?—No, not any sent away; I think there was one house that had
10 chests.
436. Mr. Gladstone.] The quantity was so minute, that they felt themselves
justified in overlooking it ?—Yes; and even that quantity I am not sure about.
437. Chairman.] Was there any large proportion of the persons who were
detained at Canton who had nothing to do with the opium trade?—Yes, a good
c.59.
F
many;
34
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
7 May 1840.
Robert Inglis, Esq. many; there were the superintendents, and two of the East India Company's
agents; there were six missionaries there, I think Americans; two or three
foreign consuls, the American consul, and the Dutch consul, neither of whom
had anything to do with it; and there must have been 30 or 40 at least officers
of ships and British sailors up there; I think there were as many as 40 sailors
belonging to ships there.
438. Mr. Gladstone.] Were there any others who were not interested in the
opium traffic?There were the clerks in our offices.
439. Were there not one or two houses that were not interested in the opium
trade? There is Mr. King's house; and there were many supercargoes of Ame-
rican ships there who were not concerned in the opium trade at all.
440. But you are not aware of any other house besides that of Oliphant & Co.?
-No, because every other house is a house of agency.
441. Mr. Hogg. Can you state the number of those detained?-I am not
aware that it was ever counted up; but I have made an estimate of 320 or 330,
out of whom there may have been 30 Americans.
442. Mr. Horsman.] Were all the British houses engaged in the opium trade?
--Yes, I believe so. There were English individuals that were not concerned
in it. There was Dent & Co.'s book-keeper, for instance; Mr. Henry, who had
been 12 years in China, and had been trading on his own account, but he had
never seen a chest of opium nor had a chest of opium in his life, and he was one
of the 16 expelled by the Chinese.
443. Mr. Gladstone.] Was there not also Mr. Thom?-He was engaged in
Jardine & Co.'s house.
444. Mr. C. Buller.] Which house was largely engaged in the opium trade?
-Yes.
445. He was a clerk in Jardine's house?—Yes; he had a particular depart-
ment in that house, the sale of their piece-goods; and he was engaged in no
other department whatever.
446. He did not trade in any way on his own account?—I should suppose not;
I never heard that he did, or, if at all, in a very trifling way.
447. He was a person that hardly traded at all upon his own account, but he
was clerk to one of the houses most largely engaged in the trade?—Yes.
448. Mr. Gladstone.] Was not he interpreter ?--No. They called him inter-
preter because he spoke Chinese very well, and was constantly employed in that
way gratuitously.
449. Mr. Colquhoun.] Did Mr. Henry trade on his own account?----Yes.
450. Was he then connected with you at the time of the seizure? He was
our book-keeper.
451. Then there was no other British firm unconnected with the opium trade?
-I think not, because they were all houses of agency.
452. Sir George Grey.] Nor any American house, with the exception of
Oliphant and King, which was not a house of agency?—No.
453. Chairman.] You were understood to state in answer to a former question
that there was great doubt in Canton as to the powers of Captain Elliot?—The
newspapers had been continually calling upon him for his powers upon such
occasions as that of Mr. Keating, and we had had great doubt about his powers.
On one occasion Dent & Company wrote to Captain Elliot, as Chief Superin-
tendent, to ask him if he was empowered to take charge of a deceased merchant's
property there, who had died, having money belonging to a party in Bombay in
his hands. That party at Bombay sent a power of attorney to Dent & Company,
to enable them to take possession of the property. That property in the mean-
time had got into other hands, and we called upon Captain Elliot to take charge
of the property, and see that it was properly administered, which he said that he
had no power to do. That was a case where we did not know what his power
extended to.
K
453*. Lord Sandon.] If he had been a consul he would have been called upon
to execute that office?-I have always understood that to be the consul's duty,
and we conceived that he could do it, and would do it.
454. Chairman.] In the case of Mr. Keating, where he did not enforce the
power which he was supposed to have possessed, was that thought conclusive as
to his not possessing the power, or was it attributed to reluctance on his part to
enforce it-I do not recollect, for it was impossible to distinguish between what
his powers might be, and how far he might think it right to enforce them.
455. Lord
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
35
7 May 1840.
455. Lord Sandon.] With regard to the opium, you understood that Captain Robert Inglis, Esq.
Elliot had been in correspondence with the Government recently, and therefore
you concluded that he might have instructions upon that head?—Yes; I knew
that he was in correspondence, inasmuch as I had frequently spoken to him
about the dangers that were evidently about to arise out of the opium trade.
I told him that I was sure the thing could not go on; and I knew that he felt
so strongly upon the subject, that I never doubted that he had communicated his
fears to the Government.
456. He never told you that he received any answer?-No.
457. Mr. Gladstone.] How long ago had you told him that you were sure that
the thing could not go on ?-For four or five years past; the last time I was in
England I remember more than once saying that the thing could not go on.
458. Chairman.] What gave you that impression ?-An immense quantity of
opium being forced upon the Chinese every year, and that in its turn forcing it
the coast in our vessels.
up
459. When you use the words "forcing it upon them," do you mean that
they were not voluntary purchasers ?-No; but the East India Company were
increasing the quantity of opium almost every year, without reference to the
demand in China; that is to say, there was always an immense supply of opium
in China, and the Company still kept increasing the quantity at lower prices.
460. Do you use the word "forcing" in the same way that you would use it
in reference to a large supply of cotton goods, or anything else?—Yes.
461. Mr. Hogg.] When you say, "the East India Company," you mean that
it was opium grown in India ?--Yes; I say the East India Company, because I
conceive that nothing but a monopoly could have forced the opium in the way
in which it was done.
462. Do you speak of all the opium grown in India?-I do; but I think the
Calcutta opium has been increasing faster than the Malwa.
463. Chairman.] Will you explain what you mean when you say that you
think it was impossible to force the trade so rapidly, except through a monopoly?
-I think it is nothing but the circumstance of the Company making so large
a profit upon opium that could induce them, for so long a series of years, to go
on increasing the quantity upon lower prices.
464. You think that nothing but that could bear a rapid fall of price, produced
by an increased supply?-Yes, for a series of years; parties engaged in the
trade might be induced to go on for a year or two at a loss, but hardly for a
series of years.
465. Mr. Elliot.] Did not that decreased price still afford a wonderfully high
profit?--It is nothing but monopoly that would afford a continued high profit;
where there is competition, the profit is reduced.
466. Mr. Hogg.] Are you aware that since the monopoly as to the Malwa
opium has ceased the quantity has increased ?—Yes.
467. And that the increase of quantity has been a direct and necessary con-
sequence of the cessation of the monopoly of opium as regards Malwa ?—Yes, that
it has followed the cessation of the monopoly.
468. Chairman.] You do not know that the increase is produced by that?-
No, I do not know that it is produced by that.
469. Sir G. Grey.] Are you not aware that an increase was anticipated at
the time of the abolition of the monopoly, and a transit tax was substituted for the
monopoly?—Yes; but I believe the Malwa opium has been nearly as great a
monopoly as it has been on the other side of India, for it has been in the hands
of Bahadur Mull, and other men of that description.
470. Mr. Hogg.] Did that great increase in the quantity of opium take place
as long as the system of monopoly was rigidly observed in India?—I fancy one
reason of the Company changing that monopoly was the increase in the quantity
of opium that was finding its way through the native states, and through Ďemaun
every year.
471. As long as the monopoly rigidly existed in Bengal, and before there was
an open trade in Malwa, was there any considerable increase in the quantity of
opium ?-No, I fancy not, because the Company prevented that, except as to
that portion that went through Demaun; and I think the reason of their adopt-
ing the
passe system was to prevent that opium going through Demaun; that
was gradually increasing, certainly.
0.59.
472. Mr.
F 2
36
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq.
7 May 1840.
472. Mr. Gladstone.] Had the Company a real monopoly over the Malwa
opium ?—Yes.
473. Mr. Elliot.] Were the bills that were given by Captain Elliot negotiable
with the American merchants and other persons in Canton ?-Certainly not.
The shape in which they were drawn out at once destroyed the original agree-
ment under which the thing was done. I was not there when the bills were
drawn out; but I never contemplated that they were to be drawn out identifying
them with the original opium transaction.
474. The question refers to the first bills?—There were no bills drawn out
for the first indemnity; those were mere certificates.
475. Were those certificates sold in the market as negotiable securities ?—
Certainly not.
476. Why were they not?—They were sold, I know, at Bombay, in the name
of opium scrip, but they were sold at a very great discount; but at Canton
they were not negotiable, for the plain reason that we were all concerned in it.
477. Why were they sold at a considerable discount at Bombay ?-Because
the people at Bombay at once threw a doubt upon the whole thing; they denied
the power of Captain Elliot to grant them.
Mr. Brownrigg.
Mr. C. Buller.
Mr. E. Buller.
Mr. Clay.
Mr. Colquhoun.
Mr. Elliot.
Mr. Gladstone.
Mr. Hogg.
Lunæ, 11° die Maii, 1840.
MEMBERS PRESENT.
Mr. Horsman.
Sir R. Inglis.
Mr. Parker.
Mr. J. A. Smith.
Sir W. Somerville.
Sir G. Staunton.
Mr. Strutt.
JOHN ABEL SMITH, Esq. IN THE CHAIR.
Robert Inglis, Esq. called in; and further Examined.
478. Sir George Staunton.] YOU have, no doubt, seen the volume of Papers
printed by order of the House of Commons upon the China question? I have.
479. In p. 258 of that collection Lord Palmerston appears to have written a
letter of instructions to Capt. Elliot, stating "that Her Majesty's Government
cannot interfere for the purpose of enabling British subjects to violate the laws
of the country to which they trade. Any loss, therefore, which such persons
may suffer in consequence of the more effectual execution of the Chinese law
on this subject, must be borne by the parties who have brought that loss on
themselves by their own acts." Was any communication of those instructions,
to your knowledge, made to the British community at Canton ?-Never that Í
heard of; I never heard of such a thing till I saw it in the correspondence.
But Captain Elliot evidently applies it entirely to the smuggling operations
carried on within the river; and he applied it undoubtedly, not in Lord Palmer-
ston's words, but the sense of it, to the smuggling going on within the river.
But as Dent & Co. never were engaged either in smuggling opium or anything
else within the river, I never could conceive Captain Elliot's wording of that
to apply to them. His wording is so distinct and so plain, and so evidently
applied solely to the smuggling within the river, that nobody could by any
latitude of construction apply it to Dent & Co.
480. No specific communication was made by Captain Elliot in consequence
of receiving those instructions ?-Never.
481. Neither in substance nor in words?-Not as applied to the general opium
trade without the river.
482. It appears in the same papers, p. 345, that in January 1839, a very
strongly worded edict was issued by the Chinese Government against the opium
trade, desiring that the receiving ships might leave Canton. Was any notice
communicated by Captain Elliot to the British community of this edict, or any
instructions
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
37
11 May 1840.
instructions or advice or exhortation that the ships should quit Lintin in con- Robert Inglis, Esq.
sequence of it?-None whatever, that I remember. Similar edicts had very often
been issued before, and no notice taken of them. I think he was first called
upon to drive away the ships at the end of 1837; and then the Chinese autho-
rities made a communication to him expressly for him to send to Her Majesty's
Government here.
483. No warning was given to the British community, or the holders of pro-
perty, that their persons or their property would be in danger in consequence of
not obeying this edict?-None whatever, that I remember; I never remember
its being a question by Captain Elliot of the opium ships leaving Lintin.
484. In this Chinese edict a threat was made, that unless the ships quitted
Lintin the whole of the legitimate trade would be stopped; were any measures
taken by the Chinese authorities to put that threat into execution between the
issuing of that edict and the arrival of Commissioner Lin?—None whatever, that
I recollect; that threat has been repeated certainly from time to time ever since
1820; and it has been laid down over and over again by the Chinese authorities
that the law of the country was, that if foreigners did not obey their edicts, the
trade was to be stopped to enforce it to be carried into effect.
485. Mr. E. Buller.] A distinction has been made between the licit and the
illicit trade; do you know enough of the Chinese law, to say whether any foreign
trade is according to the laws of China ?-I hardly know what the laws of China
are; they have been translated, but we never paid any attention to any law in
China, that I recollect; I certainly know of none which has ever been entirely
acted upon, not one.
486. Are you not aware that the general tendency of the Chinese law is the
prohibition of foreign trade?-It was originally, I presume, but I should doubt
whether that is the case now.
487. Are you aware of any law which has altered that former law?—No, I am
not; I have not a notion of what the laws relating to foreign trade are. When
Sir George Staunton translated the laws of the empire, I believe there were not
above one or two relating to foreigners; since that there have been other com-
pilations of the Chinese laws, and I believe that some laws relating to foreigners
have been incorporated into those, but I cannot speak with certainty; I have
never seen a translation of the addition to the code of which a translation was
published by Sir George Staunton, and I doubt whether the foreign traders at
Canton ever troubled themselves much about the laws of China, for they had
neither the benefit of them, nor of any other laws, that I know of.
488. Mr. Gladstone.] Was there a meeting of the foreign community after
the arrival of Captain Elliot at Canton ?--Yes, there was a meeting; I do not
know whether it was the Chamber of Commerce or a committee of the people
engaged in the opium trade; but there was a meeting, at which they signed a
declaration that they would not trade any more; that, I find, was done on the
Monday.
489. Was there any general meeting, or any general resolution, with reference
to the delivery of Mr. Dent, after Captain Elliot came to Canton ?-No; it
became known, I think, some time on the Monday afternoon that Commissioner
Lin no longer made it a question of Mr. Dent; he said, that Captain Elliot had
taken the responsibility upon himself, and therefore Mr. Dent was no longer in
question.
490. Was the previous meeting at which it was determined that Mr. Dent
should not go into Canton attended by other foreigners than partners in firms?
-The meeting was at Mr. Dent's own house. I believe it was first at the
Chamber of Commerce, and then the Chamber adjourned to Mr. Dent's own
house on the Saturday morning, and I should say that in the course of that day
every member of the foreign community was in the house at one time or
another.
491. Were they all understood to be parties in any way to the resolution, or
did they come merely as spectators ?-At the time when the mandarins came to
the house to take Mr. Dent, all the foreigners who were there adjourned
into another room to consider the matter, and the room was as full as it could
hold. I should say that nearly the whole of the foreign community were there
at the time.
492. Not only partners in firms but others?-Nearly the whole community
then,
F 3
38
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq. then, and I think there was not one dissentient to the resolution that Mr. Dent
ought not to go into the city.
11 May 1840.
493. At what valuation was the opium delivered to Captain Elliot?-At none;
it was left to be decided afterwards. There was a valuation for the opium given
up to supply the deficiencies to make up the 20,000 chests.
494. At what valuation has the claim upon the British Government subse-
quently been fixed?-I think there was a meeting during the time we were in
Ĉantou, but long after the opium had been delivered up; I think some of the
merchants met together to consider what would be a remunerating price for the
whole of the opium that had been delivered up, taking an average price for the
old opium and the new, the Malwa and the Bengal opium; I think they made
it out to be 500 dollars a chest.
495. Will you explain more specifically what you mean by a remunerating
price?—I mean a price to pay the cost, and the charges of bringing the opium
to China; in fact, what it had cost to the proprietor at the moment that it was
given up to the Commissioner.
496. Mr. Brownrigg.] Exclusive of any profit?—Yes.
497. Is your memory sufficiently alive upon the subject to enable you to state
that that valuation did not comprise any profit, but merely the original cost,
with the charges?—Yes.
498. Mr. Gladstone.] Is your memory sufficiently fresh upon the particulars
of that valuation to enable you to state the elements of those 500 dollars per
chest?—No; I was not present, or probably never gave much attention to it; it
was a thing to be decided, I conceived, by the Government here. I did not
suppose that the Government would consider themselves bound by a committee
of that kind; it was merely to give the Government all the information that the
consignees of the opium possessed.
499. Can you state how great a proportion of the 500 dollars formed the profit
of the Indian Government, and went into the Indian revenue?-No, because
I could not state the first cost of the opium; some of it was opium of one year
and some of another; some may have been two years old; some from Malwa
and some from Bengal.
500. Cannot you even approximate to it ?-No, I could not without a long
calculation. In one year the sale of opium in Bengal alone was supposed to
give nearly two millions sterling profit to the Company; but that was the year
when, I believe, they sold their opium at the highest price.
501. In Bengal, exclusive of Malwa?-In Bengal, exclusive of Malwa.
502. Mr. Hogg.] Upon what return or upon what grounds do you make the
statement of the profit of two millions, and to what particular year do you
allude ?—I think it was the year 1837; but, upon recollection, I think the whole
sales were two millions sterling.
503. Is whatever information you have upon the subject derived from state-
ments in the newspapers ?-I recollect something being published in the Chinese
Repository in China, collected from Indian documents.
504. Do you speak from official documents which you saw returned by the
Bengal Government? -No.
505. Are you aware whether those two millions were the gross profits or the
gross proceeds?--I think it was the gross proceeds.
506. Mr. E. Buller.] Do you recollect the price of opium at the time this opium
was delivered up?-At the moment it was delivered up there could have been no
price. If there was a price anywhere, it would be upon the coast, and there it would
be nearer 800 dollars than 500; but that would not do for the whole of China.
507. Can you speak as to the latest prices published in the Canton Register?
-I could ascertain that from the price-currents.
508. Mr. Brownrigg.] What is the highest price you ever remember having paid
at the Company's sales in Calcutta?—I do not know; I never was at the Com-
pany's sales in Calcutta. My business was with the opium as it came into China.
509. Mr. E. Buller.] Can you tell the average price at which it used to sell
in Canton?—It has sold, to my knowledge, at from 2,000 dollars a chest down
to 450 or 460 dollars. The extreme highest price may have been the year before
I arrived in China, when it was even higher; I am sure of this fact, but I am
not justified in saying I recollect it.
510. Can you state, with reference to the transactions that your house had in
opium, what was the price received for the opium?—No, I cannot; but we had
some
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
39
some opium sold upon the coast about the time we were giving up the opium in Robert Inglis, Esq.
Canton; I cannot say what the price was, but I think it was nearer 700 or 800
dollars than 500. I can speak to our having sold opium, after the opium was
delivered up, for 600 dollars, to an Englishman, now in this country.
11 May 1840.
511. Sir R. Inglis.] Do you know what the premium of insurance is upon
opium from Calcutta to Canton ?-It is 2 per cent.
Z
512. You have stated that you were never personally present yourself at Cal-
cutta at any sale of opium ?—Not at any sale. I have known the prices of sales, be-
cause we had always the invoices of opium, with the cost price in them. I think
the opium was supposed to have cost the Indian Government about three rupees
a seer. They sold it at a much higher profit than that. It has never been my
vocation to know what profit the East India Company made in India.
513. The object is to have what the profits were in China, after the Indian
Government is supposed to have made its profit?-They varied from year to
year. I have known the price vary in China myself to a very great extent.
has gone up nearly a hundred dollars a day for a few days.
It
514. Mr. E. Buller.] Can you state the greatest difference which you have
known between the invoice price at Calcutta and the price at Canton?-No, I
cannot state that; it is very difficult to give an answer to that, because the
prices at Calcutta, after a sale, would often rise very materially; so that the
average of the Company's price for any one season would by no means indicate
the price at which the shipper of opium sent it on to China.
515. Mr. Brownrigg.] In the course of your experience have your ever known
any material loss occasioned by speculators in opium-I should say that there
have been more losses than gains, while I have been in the trade, decidedly;
and I think I can say, almost from my own experience of it, that there has
been more money lost than made in China, in the opium trade, until lately.
Within the last year or two there has been undoubtedly a good deal of money
made; but prior to that time I hardly know three people that ever left China
with fortunes made in the opium trade. On the contrary, it was most noto-
rious that all those who touched the opium trade lost by it, except those
three.
516. Chairman.] Were not there some large fortunes made by Americans in
the opium trade?-There was one American gentleman, who was formerly con-
nected with the house to which I since belonged in China, who made a large
fortune, which was supposed to be chiefly from the opium trade.
517. Sir R. Inglis.] Will you look at the paper now shown to you, contain-
ing the monthly report of the Calcutta market, dated Calcutta, 31st October
1839, and where you will see the following passage in the third page, headed
Opium: "In the early part of the month the market was dull, consequent to
the absence of intelligence from China, and the transactions which then obtained
were the purchase of 10 chests of Patna, at Company's rupees 410 per chest:
the arrival of the Nymph towards the close of the month, with advices of the
successful prosecution of smuggling on the coast, gave impulse to operations,
and purchases to some extent have been effected at prices from Company's
rupees 429 to 455 per chest; the present quotations of the market are, of Patna,
Company's rupees 430 to 435, and of Benares, Company's rupees 440 to 445 per
chest. The first government sale of season 1839-40 will be held as usual in
the early part of January next; the drug at this sale will be put up at the upset
price of Company's rupees 400, about the cost to Government, and at the subse-
quent sales at rates as may be previously determined upon. The quantity on
sale is about 18,932 chests, which includes 1,900 chests of last year.' Does this
passage bring to your recollection the general prices of opium in the market of
Calcutta, and the general character of the transactions as understood in Cal-
cutta?-This is subsequent to the 20,000 chests being taken by the Chinese;
but this is a price I never heard of before. It was a very natural consequence,
I conceive, of 20,000 chests being taken; that is no sort of guide, I conceive,
to anything that ever occurred before.
518. Mr. E. Buller.] Is the price there stated an unusually low price?—It is
an unusually low one in Calcutta; 429 rupees is a price unheard of before the
delivery up of the 20,000 chests of opium; I never heard of a price like that;
I should think the average of the Company's sale prior to that must have been
upwards of 800 rupees a chest.
519. Chairman.] This was the state of things which you alluded to in your
former
F 4
40
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq. former examination, when you stated that many persons previously engaged in
the trade were ruined, and that fresh persons were tempted into the trade in
consequence of that fall of price?-Undoubtedly it was a price that people could
quite calculate upon; everybody knew that seizing 20,000 chests must make
a fall of this kind.
11 May 1840.
520. Sir R. Inglis.] Did not you state that you had known the price of
opium vary from 500 to 2,000 dollars?—Yes.
521. Are the Committee to understand that that which was sold in China sold
at a loss of the difference between 800 and 500?-No, the opium delivered
up in
China was some of it bought at much higher average than this; I cannot say at
what prices, because a great deal of it was opium of the year preceding; some of it
may have been what we call in China "old old opium," for we often had opium
that was two seasons old. I have known opium kept four or five years before it
could be got rid of, because it had been bought at a very high price indeed, and
opium bought in subsequent seasons came in at a much lower price, and there-
fore the holders of the first opium held on in hopes of an advance of price.
522. Mr. E. Buller.] Does opium sold at Calcutta for 800 rupees a chest.
frequently sell in China for 800 dollars the chest?-It may do that; that which
was not delivered up to the Commissioner may have sold, I have no doubt, at
that price. There is a person here now who made 200 per cent. upon the pur-
chase of opium at Singapore, which came up to China after the delivery of the
opium.
523. Then the profits of the opium trade were very high?-They were some-
times very high, and sometimes very low; I have known people totally ruined
by it. There is an instance of a gentleman now living in China, at Macao,
who, many years ago, was totally ruined by fluctuation in price; he lost a large
fortune in it.
•
524. To what would you attribute the great fluctuation in prices ?-Some-
times in India, for instance, we have had a report from Malwa of some 6,000
or 7,000 chests more coming on in the season than had ever come on in any
season before from Maiwa; it perhaps has not turned out eventually that so
much did come; but that report has immediately operated upon the market to a
most fatal extent.
525. Have those losses and variations in price ever arisen from the acts of the
Chinese government?-Of course every temporary stoppage of the trade, occa-
sioned by the mandarins, probably to enhance their own squeezes, had the effect
of altering the price.
526. The parties engaged in that trade were glad to do it, with the prospect of
very high profits, and sometimes they were subject to great losses?-Of course it
was, in its very nature, a very gambling trade; of course every one who went
into such a trade must be prepared to meet large losses.
527. Mr. Colquhoun.] Those extreme fluctuations were not felt in the cotton or
linen trade?—Not such violent fluctuations. The opium trade is more like the
stocks, or things of that kind, in this country. A mandarin going up to Pekin,
for instance, would make a rise in the price of opium, because there has been 100
or 200 chests supposed to be carried up smuggled in his baggage; and
you will
find, in the price-currents, things of that kind stated as reasons for a rise of price.
528. Sir R. Inglis.] Can you supply the Committee with one of the price-
currents containing that statement? I have no doubt I can, even since 1836.
529. Mr. Colquhoun.] It being understood to be with the participation of the
mandarin?—I cannot state that; but a mandarin travelling through the country,
his baggage is not searched by the custom-house, and his attendants may take
the opportunity of smuggling.
530. Mr. E. Buller.] Has the same fluctuation applied to any other article of
import in China?-No; the opium was a notoriously gambling trade.
531. Mr. Horsman.] Was the risk of losses, from the stoppage of the trade,
all confined to opium, or did it apply equally to all other articles of trade?
When there was a general stoppage of the trade, it, of course, applied to every-
thing; but what I alluded to is the stoppage of the delivery of opium; that is,
every now and then the mandarins would go down to Lintin, and persecute the
smugglers, and then they would all vanish for a time; sometimes for a whole
month they would scarcely deliver 20 chests of opium; and sometimes the per-
secution would be so strong, that the vessels there could not sell opium for a
month together; and, of course, competition made the prices go down directly.
532. Mr.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
41
532. Mr. Brownrigg.] From your own experience can you state whether Robert Inglis, Esq.
these great fluctuations in the price at which opium was sold in China existed
anterior to the opening of the trade?—Yes, at all times.
11 May 1840.
533. They were equally great before as after?-Perhaps, latterly, they may
have been more frequent, but not greater than in years before; but they have
been more frequent as the persecution increased; perhaps that is a wrong word
to apply to it, but that is the word commonly used there.
534. Mr. Gladstone.] Would you not describe a portion of this risk in carry-
ing on the trade to the fact that the cultivation of the poppy is precarious?-
The crop is precarious; but in the Malwa opium there were immense fluctua-
tions at all times, because the trade in opium in the Malwa country was a matter
of monopoly, and it often happened that, in China, we could not tell till the first
Malwa opium arrived, either the supply of it for the season, or the probable
price of it; and when the first arrival has come, I have known a ship to be there
four or five days before we knew what she had got on board; and in those few
days the prices would be quite nominal, and they would vary to the extent of
100 dollars a chest. There would not be much actually sold or bought, but the
nominal prices would fluctuate considerably.
535. Mr. Brownrigg.] Does that fluctuation apply to the period when the
Company had the monopoly in Malwa, or to the period when they threw it open
by permitting it to pass through the territory, paying a duty?-Even then there
was always an uncertainty what quantity might come through Demaun. There
was always an uncertainty attending it, till we got the first arrival of the new
opium in China.
536. Mr. Hogg.] That uncertainty was much greater after the pass system
was resorted to?-Much greater; we had never any means of ascertaining what
the crop was in Malwa till the opium actually arrived in Bombay.
537. Mr Colquhoun.] In your former examination you stated that the condi-
tion of the foreign community at Canton, before the arrival of Captain Elliot,
was one of duresse, but that the provisions had not been withdrawn, nor the ser-
vants removed; and you mentioned that you yourself and the older residents
there were less alarmed at the state of matters than those who had more recently
arrived in China. That was owing to your experience that such transactions
had not been altogether unprecedented in China; that the Chinese government
had, on former occasions, as perhaps you may remember, in the year 1830,
applied very strong coercion to the then foreign community in Canton-Yes;
I was not there at that time; I had left China a few months before that com-
menced.
538. And that on that occasion they had gone so far as to withdraw the ser-
vants and stop the provisions?—Yes.
539. On that occasion you may have heard that the supercargoes expressed it
as their opinion that such proceedings could only be met on their part by
decided resistance, and that such resistance was on that occasion applied?--Yes.
540. Do you think it possible that had similar vigorous measures been resorted
to upon the present occasion, the threats and intimidation of Commissioner Lia
might have been restrained within narrower bounds?-Undoubtedly; had we
had the Company's supercargoes there, they would have fought the battle far
better.
541. That is to say, if there had been sufficient force to present a formidable.
aspect to the Chinese government, and sufficient vigour in managing that force?
Yes; I think if the East India Company's monopoly had still continued, and
their factory had been there, this never would have happened.
542. It would not have happened, as you apprehend, because the supercargoes
would have been backed by a superior force, and they would have exhibited
greater energy in their proceedings?-They would have been united, which the
foreign community scarcely ever were; for since the opening of the trade, having
a British Superintendent there, we of course looked to him to fight our battles for
us in any question of that kind; had we been left alone, I presume the same
necessity, which has originated all government, would have forced us, in spite of
our differences of opinion, to have united against the common enemy, the Chinese;
but as we had a Superintendent there to do that, as we conceived, for us, we
trusted of course to him for it. We were taken suddenly unawares, and it was
impossible for us to unite together in any common cause; nor had we any head
to whom the rest would choose to submit.
0.59.
543. And
Ꮐ
42
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Roberi Inglis, Esq.
11 May 1840.
543. And you naturally looked to Captain Elliot, as representing Her Majesty's
Government, as the person who was to originate whatever measures of resistance
were to be resorted to?-We naturally supposed that, as Superintendent of the
trade, it came within his duty to protect the trade.
544. You said that Commissioner Lin's proceedings, as you afterwards saw,
were of a very violent character ?--Yes, subsequently.
545. But your impression was, when he came to Canton to fulfil the orders of
the government, that those orders would have been satisfied by obtaining,
even upon the terms of paying for it, a considerable quantity of opium?-That
was my own impression, but I think not the opinion of the greater part of the
community.
546. The opinion of the greater part of the community was, that his determi-
nation was to obtain the whole of the opium ?-Yes.
547. But you mentioned that it was unexpected to him to obtain so large an
amount as 20,000 chests?—I do not think he ever expected to get that
amount.
548. You think he would have been satisfied if he had obtained a smaller
amount ?—I think that was the opinion of the Hong merchants.
549. Judging from past circumstances, to which you have already re-
ferred, is it your opinion that if a different course of proceeding had been
adopted by the authority at Canton, Commissioner Lin might have been
satisfied with a less amount of opium?-No. That was my impression at
first; but from what passed afterwards, when the Hong merchants tried
that experiment with the thousand chests, it then became apparent that he
would have the whole amount of opium. He said he knew there were at
Lintin several 10,000 chests, which at least implied two 10,000's. He said,
in the original edict, that he knew that we had several 10,000 chests, and that
it was of no use to give up a part of the opium and to send the rest away, that
he must have the whole of it. And from what we have seen since, it appears
that we ought to have put more faith in that edict than we did at that moment.
But as it is a common thing in the Chinese to demand more than ever they
intend to be satisfied with, my impression was that they would be satisfied with
less, and that was the opinion of the Hong merchants.
550. But the fact is, that before Captain Elliot came, your provisions and
servants remained with you; you were merely restrained from departing; and
the fact is, that in 1830 the provisions and servants were stopped, and there was
a threat of an armed force entering the factory?—Yes; I remember that Mr. Dent
laid in a supply of provisions on Lin's coming down, because he thought it pro-
bable that he would pursue some such measure as was done in 1830.
551. He recollecting the case in 1830, laid in his provisions, because he
thought they would be required by the persons in the factory as they had been
in 1830?—Yes; and I think it likely that one or two others of the old residents
there had done the same thing.
552. In 1830, were not the threats put a stop to, and the foreign community
at Canton liberated, by the arrival of a very small force at Canton ?-I think the
factory at Canton would have gained the same point even had that force never
arrived, by their own energy and their own ships.
553. You are aware of the fact, that the factory called up an armed force to
Canton, and that subsequently to the arrival of that armed force the threats were
removed? Yes.
554. Would
you not infer that had a similar course been pursued upon the
present occasion, similar results would have ensued?—I conceive that if the
slightest check had been given to the Chinese a few years ago, this business
never would have happened; I consider that as certain as I can consider any-
thing upon which I have not positive grounds of knowledge.
555. You said that you would not have given up the opium without a
guarantee from Captain Elliot?-Certainly not; nor would I have given it up
to the Chinese under anything short of starvation, without some security.
556. You said that you would have made a struggle, and made the best terms
you could with the Chinese?-- Certainly.
557. Mr. Elliot.] You were understood to say that you were under no alarm
for your personal safety until the arrival of Captain Elliot ?-The alarm rather
ceased when Captain Elliot arrived than otherwise.
558. You were understood to say that you, who were an old resident in China,
had
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
43
11 May 1840.
had no personal alarm regarding your life, or any serious violence, previous to Robert Inglis, Esq.
the arrival of Captain Elliot?-- Captain Elliot's arrival relieved us all. I believe
that every foreigner in Canton went to bed more tranquilly the night of his
arrival than he had done several nights before; certainly all the British subjects
did. I am not certain but that the other day I may have led the Committee to
suppose that I considered that the alarm of the foreign community was greater
after his arrival than before; but if I said that, I said what I perhaps am not
justified in saying.
559. You yourself were not under any alarm of personal violence before
Captain Elliot's arrival ?--Certainly not, or I would not have gone into the city.
560. The alarm that existed was amongst those who were less acquainted
with China, but not with the older residents, who were more accustomed to the
country?—There was no alarm on the part of my partner, Mr. Dent, and myself;
but that was not the case with others.
561. Were you a party to a memorial addressed to Lord Palmerston in May?
-Yes.
562. In that memorial this paragraph occurs: "We feel it our duty to express
to your Lordship our deep sense of the public spirit which induced this officer,'
meaning Captain Elliot," at no inconsiderable risk, to endeavour to rescue
British life and property from a position of fearful jeopardy, and we may assure
your Lordship that but one feeling existed of the extreme peril of the whole
community when he succeeded in forcing his way to Canton, and took charge
of all responsibility in the negotiations with the Chinese government." That is
a paragraph in the memorial?—It is.
""
563. Will you reconcile these very strong expressions, in which you say that
but one feeling existed as to the extreme peril of the whole community, and in
which you speak of his having endeavoured to rescue British life and property
from a position of fearful jeopardy, with the feeling which you now seem to
entertain, that you were under no apprehension of personal violence?-I must
explain, in the first place, that Mr. Dent and I had two other partners at that
time, one of whom was Mr. Braine, who had most to do with the opium depart-
ment, and who had been in China only a few months, and had never seen any
such transaction as that before; and I had another partner, who had only just
joined the house. It was Mr. Braine, by the bye, who did everything relating
to the opium, and who attended the meeting at which the memorial was got up.
564. Chairman.] Had you quitted China when the memorial was prepared?
No, I was in China when that memorial was signed.
565-6. Mr. Elliot.] You did not object to the memorial?—No, not as an indi-
vidual; besides, when I say that I had no personal alarm on those days, I only
speak of what was occurring on those days; but it was impossible to say what
the thing would have come to had we been left to ourselves, and subjected to the
will of Commissioner Lin. I think subsequents have shown that I was wrong in
my feeling of security, and that the mass of the community were right; I think
the subsequent conduct of Commissioner Lin evidently shows that there was
more danger attending these transactions than has been the case upon any other
occasion in which we have come in contact with the Chinese; since that I have
been led to think that I was wrong, and that the rest of the community were
right.
567. Chairman.] That memorial was signed by the firm of which you were a
member, not by yourself personally?-Certainly there were members of that
firm who had not been long in China; and upon matters of that kind it would
be impossible for any Englishman to come forward and say, "I have no personal
alarm, and therefore I will not sign the memorial."
“And
568. Mr. Elliot.] You will observe that is one very strong expression :
we may assure your Lordship that but one feeling existed of the extreme peril of
the whole community"?-That may be going a little too far; that was written
in May, when we had had much longer evidence of Commissioner Lin's pro-
ceedings, and of the length that he was prepared to go. If I had been required
to sign my own name to that I might have hesitated.
569. After a certain time had elapsed, may not your impression as to the peril
you were in at that time have been stronger than you say it was at the moment?
-It was much stronger, because at the time I had no fear of personal violence;
but at the same time, it was impossible to say what length they might go to.
At the moment I am speaking of Captain Elliot had not arrived, and we had
0.59.
G 2
no
44
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq. no protection whatever; we were disunited; we had no head to fight the battle
for us, and we had no earthly means of resistance.
11 May 1840.
570. May the Committee consider that the sentiments contained in the memo-
rial signed by you and the greater part of the respectable persons at Canton,
may be regarded as giving a true picture of the real feeling of the community
at that time?-Undoubtedly; I think, moreover, that Captain Elliot, who is a
person who would not say anything that he did not believe to be true, states
as a reason for giving up the opium, the alarm of the community; I do not sup-
pose that he asked me individually whether I was alarmed or not, but he took
the general sense of the community, and judged by what he saw of the state of
alarm of the community generally; and that was one of the grounds upon which
he gave up the opium; and I take it that his authority, in a matter of that kind,
is better than my own individual feelings.
571. Do you think that any inference could be drawn as to what would have
occurred under the government of Commissioner Lin, by comparing it with
what happened at any previous period during which you were in China?—I
may probably have involved myself in some little contradiction, from having
the other day told the story, as nearly as I recollected, of what my own feelings
were at the moment the transactions were going on, but which have altered very
materially since; so that at one time I know I may have spoken according to
my feelings at this moment, and at another I may have spoken according to
what my feelings were at the time.
572. Do you think that any inference can be drawn from what has been done
at periods previous to the arrival of Commissioner Lin at Canton, and the
edicts that have passed during those periods, as to what would have happened
under the government of Commissioner Lin, armed as he was with extraordinary
powers, and acting in the extraordinary manner in which he has certainly done?
-The whole transaction has shown the Chinese in a character that I must
confess I never viewed them in before. I had no conception that it was even
the policy of the government of China; it is certainly not the character of the
present Emperor to do what Commissioner Lin has done.
573. Do you think that by comparing what took place in 1830, or any pre-
vious year, with the circumstances that took place at Canton at this time, any
inference can be fairly drawn as to what the result of a different line of conduct
on the part of the Superintendent, or any British authority, would have been?
-Certainly not; I think it is quite impossible to say what might have hap-
pened had Captain Elliot not interposed.
574. Chairman.] Are the Committee to understand you to say, that your
sense of the danger you incurred previous to Captain Elliot's arrival has been
much increased by your knowledge of Commissioner Lin's subsequent conduct?
-Certainly. Prior to that transaction the Chinese always showed wonderful
caution as to injuring the life, or even the property of foreigners; notwithstand-
ing what their threats may have been, in practice they never put either the life or
property of foreigners in jeopardy. Commissioner Lin has done this since.
He has put both in jeopardy; and we have at this moment reason to believe that
the cruelty exercised towards Mr. Morss was sanctioned at least by Commissioner
Lin, if it was not done by his order. Now, I never recollect a thing of that
kind occurring before.
575. Mr. Gladstone.] What evidence is there to that effect?-Nothing but
that the boat was said to be a mandarin boat; at first it was said that they were
not mandarins at all, that it was done by pirates. But I think the evidence
goes
to show that it was sanctioned certainly by the Commissioner.
576. You said that it was a mandarin boat?—-It was stated by Mr. Morss him-
self to be a mandarin boat.
577. How is a mandarin boat known ?-By the insignia, the lanterns, and
flags upon it, and the dress of the mandarin boatmen.
578. What would be the rank or quality of a mandarin commanding such a
boat?-Very low, I imagine.
579. For the sake of explanation, can you give the name of any officer in this
country whose rank you would compare it with ?-No, I would not venture upon
that; great mistakes are constantly made in trying to compare officers there with
officers of equal rank in this country; for instance, when we talk of a Chinese
admiral, I have no conception that a Chinese admiral ought, for a moment, to be
ranked with Sir Frederick Maitland.
580. What
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
45
11 May 1840.
upon
580. What is the meaning of the word mandarin ?-It is a Portuguese word, Robert Inglis, Esq.
which is applied to every officer from the Governor down to a tidewaiter.
581. Have you any evidence the subject of the seizure of that boat, and
the murder of the crew, except the declaration of Mr. Morss ?—None whatever.
582. Mr. Hogg.] Is not it usual for pirates in China to assume the appearance
of mandarins, and to fit up their boat as a mandarin boat when they are commit-
ting piracies?-Undoubtedly they do it; I could show Chinese evidence of that.
583. Are
you aware whether Captain Elliot has himself expressed an opinion
and belief that the murder of Mr. Morss was effected by pirates, and not by the
order of a Chinese authority?-No, I know nothing whatever upon the subject
but what I have seen in the public correspondence. I see that some of the
Canton merchants and the editor of one of the papers thought at the time that
it was done by pirates under the disguise of mandarins.
584. Were you rightly understood to say that your apprehension of violence
and danger from the Chinese authorities is founded upon subsequent events, and
did not exist at the time when the occurrence itself took place, that is, at the
time of your duresse, before the arrival of Captain Elliot?-Certainly, myself
personally, I had no apprehension, and, therefore, at the time I would have gone
into the city.
585. The only apprehension that you have that there was danger to the per-
son or property of any foreigner, is founded upon the subsequent events?—Yes;
I now think that had Mr. Dent gone to the city, he would have been in much
more danger than I apprehended at the time.
586. Mr. Elliot.] But your opinion at that time was not the general opinion
among the foreigners?-No, certainly not. A man residing a number of years
in China may form an opinion from a vast number of little events which he
cannot explain to others, and he may form a wrong opinion.
587. Were there a good many other persons who had been in China as long
as yourself? There was one gentleman that had been there longer. I think
Mr. Matheson had been there upwards of 20 years. Mr. Dent and myself had
been there about the same time.
588. Is not Mr. Matheson's name subscribed to that memorial to Lord Pal-
merston ?—I believe it is.
589. Then other persons who had been there a number of years were not so
little impressed with the danger as you appear to have been?-They were more
impressed with the danger. The greater part of the firms signing that have all
been established since the opening of the trade. Many parties belonging to
them had resided a very short time in China, and they naturally were alarmed.
I
may mention that Mr. Astell, the East India Company's agent, was not by
any means so alarmed at the moment as the other agent was, who had just
arrived in Canton the night before we were shut up. I am not aware that Mr.
Astell showed any alarm at all.
590. Sir George Staunton.] Allusion has been made to the transactions of
1830; were the strong measures of the Chinese at that time at all similar to
the measures adopted by Commissioner Lin?--I left China for India in October
1829; the business had begun then, but I was not in Canton during the latter
part of those proceedings.
591. They were alluded to as if they were something similar to the proceed-
ings upon this occasion; can you state whether that was the case or not?—I re-
collect Mr. Dent giving as a reason why he had laid in provisions when Com-
missioner Lin came, that he did it because he had profited by the experience
of 1830.
Ge
592. Were the British community placed under duresse and confinement in
1830 ?—I cannot say.
593. You do not know that they were so ?—I think not.
594. Is it within your knowledge that anything similar had ever taken place
in the history of our intercourse with China?-The servants have been taken
away; they were taken away in Lord Napier's time; but I never recollect the
foreigners being shut up in Canton. I was not there when Lord Napier was
there. I never was in Canton myself when anything of the kind occurred; I
never remember any foreigners being shut up in Canton.
595. That confinement took place previous to Captain Elliot's coming to
G 3
Canton ?
46
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq. Canton?—Yes; all communication was cut off, even by land, previous to his
coming.
11 May 1840.
596. And you were, practically, as much confined as if you had been in pri-
son?--Yes; there was an order from the Kwang-chow-foo saying that pending
Commissioner Lin's proceedings the foreigners were interdicted from leaving
Canton.
597. And that was not a mere matter of form, but it was a practical confine-
ment to Canton?-A practical confinement.
598. You could not have escaped?-No; I should have escaped if I could,
because I had part of my baggage on board already, and all the rest of it packed
up to put on board the boat to go to Macao; but I found that I never could get
away, even before that order was issued; I could not get my pass, and I was
sure there was something coming, and it was that which made me go to Howqua
to ask whether he meant to keep me or not.
599. Although you had the range of the factory, you were, practically, as
much confined as if you had been within the walls of a prison-Certainly.
600. Allusion has been made to the servants being taken away; it is not the
custom for foreigners to bring servants of their own with them to China ?-No;
generally they have Chinese servants.
601. Therefore the taking away the servants is in fact a very great grievance?
-Certainly.
602. Because it obliges gentlemen to perform the most menial offices ?-On
this occasion I may mention what became a great inconvenience, and would
have become a means of sickness to us, had it continued, and that was the ina-
bility to get our places cleaned; it may easily be conceived what that would be
in Canton, in a large community confined in a very small space, and a great
number of people living in the same house; the inconvenience of that was be-
coming intolerable, till at last the Hong merchants allowed it to be remedied ;
and it may be considered a very insulting act to place a number of persons, of
the rank of gentlemen, in so humiliating a position. I may mention, that when
we did get back our servants, every person in our house went away the day the
house was cleaned, it had become so intolerable from the collection of dirt
during seven weeks.
603. Mr. Gladstone.] In point of fact, how were the meals prepared, and the
ordinary offices of servants discharged?-We had 30 or 40 common sailors shut
up with us, they were distributed amongst the Europeans, and though they broke
everything in the houses, still they kept the kitchens clean; and then the Parsees
behaved remarkably kindly to us; they had their Parsee servants, and their Parsee
cooks, and they made their servants available for those who were not equally
fortunate.
604. What number of Parsee servants may there have been in the factory ?-
I do not know; but every Parsee has Parsee servants.
605. How many Parsees were there ?-I think there must have been 50 at
least.
606. What was the number of native servants who were removed?--I cannot
say; but a great many; because we have a great many servants there, as is
usually the case in the East; not so many as in India, but still a great many.
607. Mr. Brownrigg.] Each individual has three or four, has he not?-No;
every individual has one servant to wait upon him; and then we had a vast
number of Coolies, who are engaged in carrying about the dollars, as all our
payments are made in hard cash, and they were all taken away.
608. Of domestic servants, do you suppose that there were 200 or 300?-
I cannot say, but there were 200 foreigners, and there must have been 300
scrvants taken away.
609. Sir G. Staunton.] You stated that your own opinion was, that Commis-
sioner Lin intended to pay for the opium?-I thought so from the wording of
his edict.
610. But that he did not contemplate obtaining so large a quantity as 20,000
chests?—I thought not at first; we never put entire faith in the edicts; and in
this instance we did not put so much as I now think we ought to have done; for
he
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
47
he worked it out as I never knew an officer of the Chinese government to carry Robert Inglis, Esq.
out the orders in any edict that he issued.
11 May 1840.
611. From the information you have obtained since, you are not of opinion
that any other course could have been safely pursued than that of giving up
the opium ?—Nobody, at the time, could see any other course that could be
taken.
612. Without compensation ?-Certainly not.
613. Though you originally were of opinion that compensation might be
obtained, yet now, looking back upon the transaction, you do not think it could
have been obtained? --I do not know; I spoke only with reference to Dent & Co.
in particular. When Mr. Dent talked of going into the city it was under
the impression that he might make, as it were, a bargain for Dent & Co.; but
I never thought that that bargain would be extended to all the rest of the com-
munity, because I think it extremely likely that the Chinese intended kindly to
Mr. Dent, and that they would not have done the same with all the rest of the
community.
614. You stated that it was rumoured that Mr. Matheson would be the next
person taken?—That was the report among the Chinese that Mr. Matheson
would go next, and then Mr. Turner, and then another.
615. In short, that the measures would be followed up till the whole of the
opium was obtained?—Yes; I was inclined then to think, that had Commis-
sioner Lin been able to carry out his own measures, he would only have allowed
to remain in China such persons as he liked, and have taken means of banishing
such as he did not like; that was my impression at the moment.
616. You stated that the supposed object of requiring Mr. Dent's presence in
the city was to work upon his feelings, and also to intimidate him?—That was
my own impression; probably that might not be the opinion of a great part of
the community; it was my own opinion.
617. But not that there was any idea whatever of putting him upon anything
like a trial for breaking the Chinese laws, or anything of that kind?-No; we
understood that Commissioner Lin had rooms prepared for him, that he had got
a cook, a Chinaman, who had been employed as a cook in an European house,
and it was supposed that this was for Mr. Dent, and that they were going
to keep him there for some time. And my own impression was, that he would
be brought every day before Commissioner Lin, and that they would try first to
coax him out of his opium, and that failing, then they would not have pro-
ceeded to hurt him immediately, but they would have tormented the Hong
merchants before him; they would have brought them in with chains, and made
them kneel before him in chains; and that they might even have threatened
to put them to death, to try to induce Mr. Dent to give up his opium. And I
would not say but that with a person of Mr. Dent's kind heart they might pos-
sibly have succeeded, where with others they would not.
618. Mr. Gladstone.] When you speak of torment, do you mean mental tor-
ment or physical torment?—It would have been mental torment to Mr. Dent,
but physical torment to the Chinese.
619. Sir G. Staunton.] It is clear, however, that the object of bringing Mr.
Dent into the city was not for the purpose of putting him on trial upon a charge
of smuggling, as might have been done in this country, and examining witnesses
and punishing him for smuggling?-I think not. I think the Commissioner
believed that he would get the opium out of him without proceeding to personal
violence. With respect to Mr. Dent, I think it is likely he expected that he
would get him to sign that bond; and supposing he had done that, my impres-
sion is that he would have released Mr. Dent with great applause, and that then
the Hong merchants would have been ordered to load all the ships with tea, and
that the Hong merchants would have been ordered to pay him for his opium by
some process or other, either by tea or by instalments during a series of years.
620. With respect to the bond, it appears by the papers printed by the House
of Commons, that Captain Elliot declared that he considered that bond of so
atrocious a character, that he would rather sacrifice his life than sign it. Do
you think that the trade could be fairly and honourably carried on subject to
the signing of such a bond?—It is impossible, I think. I conceive that very few
Englishmen would have remained in Canton subject to such conditions.
A man,
for
G 4
0.59.
48
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq. for instance, is required to say that any captain of a ship who should bring opium
to China should be liable to be put to death, and he is even called upon to say
that he should be content to be put to death. If Mr. Dent had gone into the city,
I think they might have worked upon him to give up the opium; but I do not
know how they would ever have got him to sign the bond.
11 May 1840.
621. You stated that it is conceived that Commissioner Lin had ulterior views,
besides that of demanding the surrender of the opium-I think so; and in
confirmation of that I may mention that he has issued some very extraordinary
regulations with respect to the native trade. There is a large book published
under his orders for the native trade, which I asked one of the interpreters to
translate and send home. It has got a wood-cut of a junk, showing how
their junks are to be built and appointed, and one thing is, that the name of
every sailor in the junk is to be written in clear characters upon the sail; they
are regulations under which it is impossible that any earthly trade can be
carried on.
622. The regulations respecting the foreign trade are such, that it would have
placed it in an infinitely worse position than it ever has been in; in fact, it
would be impossible to be carried on?-Utterly impossible; they are the old
regulations of 1740, or thereabouts; they never have been able to be carried
into effect.
623. Do you believe that the whole of the opium was destroyed?-I think so;
I think, myself, that Commissioner Lin has been sincere throughout; I judge
entirely from what I suppose to be the character of Commissioner Lin.
Had it
been attributed to Tang, the viceroy, I would never have supposed that it had
been done.
624. The opium lying in the ships at Lintin was not in any manner within
the power of the Chinese?-Certainly not.
625. Do you know whether the Chinese boats or custom-house officers have
ever been in the habit of visiting ships in the outer waters ?--No, never, that I
am aware of.
626. They took no cognizance of ships' cargoes till they entered the Bogue?
Perhaps latterly, within the last few years, they may have been ordered to do
it, but in practice they never have done it.
627. You are not aware of any edict having been issued for the confiscation
of the opium at Lintin, in the event of the ship not quitting the coast ?-No,
never.
628. Nor of any insinuation or threat of that kind?—No, never.
629. You have stated that the number of persons detained at Canton was 320,
and that there were 16 persons denounced as having connexion with the opium.
trade ?—If I said 320 in my former examination, it was by mistake, I meant 230.
630. Was that the whole number of those who were charged with the opium
trade by the Chinese government?-No; those sixteen were selected. They
first of all ordered away Mr. Dent, and then a few days afterwards they ordered
away
Mr. Matheson alone, and then in a few days afterwards they ordered away
the whole sixteen.
631. Upon what principle were they selected; were they selected as being
the most concerned in it ?-Certainly not; because there were one or two who
had never been concerned in it at all. My own name was never known to the
Chinese government till I went into the city. I was not upon the list, and
Kwang-chow-foo did not know at all who I was when I went into the city.
It was supposed that the commissioner got those names from the linguists.
632. Upon the plea that they were the dealers in opium?—Yes; and I pre-
sume as being the principal dealers in opium, which was perhaps correct enough
as regarded three or four of the names.
633. But there were others who dealt in opium of whom the Chinese govern-
ment took no cognizance?-No, they took no notice of them.
634. Chairman.] You were understood to say that several of those sixteen
never had had any transactions in opium ?—Yes; there was a cousin of Mr. Ma-
theson, a young lad, who had just arrived out in China, and who during his
short stay in China had been occupied in their (Jardine, Matheson & Co.'s) office.
He certainly, personally, never liad had anything to do with opium. There
was
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
49
was also our book-keeper, who as our book-keeper may be said to be impli- Robert Inglis, Esq.
cated in the opium trade, but he had been trading on his own account for 12
years in China, and had never even seen a chest of opium up to the moment
of his coming away; he had never had anything to do with the opium trade
whatever on his own account.
11 May 1840.
635. Mr. Brownrigg.] You stated that you thought that Commissioner Lin
intended to deal kindly with Mr. Dent, and that if he had succeeded in obtain-
ing the opium from him and getting him to sign the bond, he would have dis-
missed him with praise and permitted him to remain there, and that his ships
would have been loaded; do you think he would have followed up the same
measure with all the rest after he had extorted that kind of agreement from
Mr. Dent, or do you suppose that Commissioner Lin would have been content
with proceeding against Mr. Dent alone, and that he would not have proceeded
against any other of the merchants?-No; it was supposed that he intended to
proceed next against Mr. Matheson and then against Mr. Turner; I think that
he would have followed it up; I think the object was to make Mr. Dent make
the first leap, hoping that others would follow.
636. Mr. Gladstone.] Do you think it was his intention to proceed against all
the holders of opium one by one?—Yes, I think it was. The Chinese them-
selves mentioned two or three names as coming next, which were probable,
because they stood next among the English in those transactions; but Mr.
Matheson stood far higher than ever we did.
637. You do not infer, from their only having named 16 persons, that they
would have stopped when they got to the end of the 16?—No; I imagine that
the banishing of the 16 was entirely an afterthought.
638. Do you believe that Lin had the ulterior views to which you have
alluded when he came to Canton, or that he was led to entertain those ulterior
views in consequence of the opposition offered to him?—I think the banishing
of the 16 was quite an afterthought. First of all, he ordered that Mr. Dent was
to go away within three days' notice; Mr. Dent got a day or two more given
him to stay. Before the time arrived for his going, Mr. Matheson was ordered
away, and at this time the rest of the community were all in confinement; and
then came out the order for the 16 to be banished.
639. Is it now your opinion, after the light that you have derived from subse-
quent experience, that if Lin's edict had been at once obeyed when it was issued,
and the opium delivered up, he would then have been satisfied without ulterior
measures?--I think then the question of the bonds would have come on. We
did not think so much of the bonds then, not having regarded the edicts as likely
to be enforced to the letter; but, from what I have seen subsequently, I have no
doubt that the bonds were part of his original intention in coming from Pekin.
640. Bonds relating to the opium trade?-Bonds obliging us to declare that
we never would engage in the trade any more, and that any captain of a ship
coming to us should be liable to death, and should be contented to be put to
death. I think that would have created quite as great a difficulty as the delivery
up of the opium.
641. Supposing he had obtained this object, do you think he would have been
willing to make any payment for the opium delivered up?-I think he came from
Pekin with that intention, but that at Pekin he never expected to get 20,000
chests.
642. Is it your opinion that he at all contemplated or desired to raise obstruc-
tions to the legal trade, or to confine the legal trade within narrower limits?—
I think that was also part of his original intention.
643. Do you think that he wished to diminish the export of tea from China?
-No, but to put us under the old regulations.
644. You think he wished to place you under strict regulations, which, as you
have stated, would have been highly inconvenient; but do you think that he
wished to narrow the trade itself?-Certainly not; not the export of tea or of
China produce.
645. In what way were the opium transactions made public to the foreign
community at Canton; in the ordinary course of the trade, that is, the arrivals
and the sales?—The sales were made by individuals, and we only knew it from
the price-currents.
0.59.
646. Did
H
50
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq.
11 May 1840.
VESSELS.
Jane
Hercules
Mermaid
Lintin
Mithras
Ruparell
Aurora
Ardeseer
Lady Grant
TOTAL
M
•
646. Did the price-currents state the arrivals of the week, or the month ?-
The whole quantity of opium was perfectly known; I have a paper in
which will explain it to the Committee (producing a paper).
my pocket,
The Witness delivered in the same, which is as follows:]

Opium Deliveries for February 1839.
0.
3
││
3
P.
N.
21
17
|
193
0.
I
B.
N. 0.
none
NII
2
I
2
EQUINITI
11
10
2
23
M.
N.
.
12
4
16
TOTAL.
161
10
31
4
2
0.
INTI |
[ 1 ││
632
20
66
17
5
P.
N.
Remaining Stock, 1st March 1839.
776/ 10/1/20
492
266
87
46
9
1
0.
1
412-
1
}
1
I
B.
N.
279
60
99
48
0.
478
1,640
37
·
100 | 2 |
8
362
!
M.
N.
4713
1,301
919/2
1,050
2141
369
400
850
TOTAL.
2,036/12
3,563
1,3391/
1,192
2681
378
362
400
850
108 1,676 171 486 2,525 5,576/ 10,390
647. Was any notice taken in the price-currents of the names of the consig-
nees?-Yes, the names of the consignees were stated.
648. Including the consignees of the vessels that brought opium?—Yes.
649. Mr. C. Buller.] Were those returns printed?—The result of them; the
amount of opium on board the ships was returned to every person who had
opium on board in those ships; the general result of that was also printed in the
newspaper on the 1st of every month; the weekly quantity of opium delivered
in that week was also sent up in the same form to Canton, and the general result
published in the newspaper.
650. Mr. Gladstone.] Did the newspapers publish the names of the consignees
of all the ships?-They published the names of the consignees of all the ships
lying at Hong Kong; some of them were the regular ships, and others were
ships that came and went.
651. With opium ?-Yes, there were opium vessels; and various other ships
stop there.
652. Mr. Hogg.] That publication was in the English language ?-It was.
653. Was there for general information, or for the particular information of
the trading community of China, any publication or information respecting
opium in the Chinese language?-Nothing whatever of the kind; every opium
broker understood this perfectly; he would come to get a return of the quantity
delivered for his own speculations, and he would get one of these papers.
654. Were they circulated, either in a printed or a written form, in the Chinese
language?-No; they were circulated among the people engaged in the opium
trade in this form, and they all understood it sufficiently.
655. Chairman.] But the existence of a certain quantity of opium, and the
existence of these weekly or monthly transactions, were matters of perfect noto-
riety at Canton?-Certainly. With regard to the opium vessels lying there, I
may mention that there were several names of vessels mentioned by Governor
Yuen in his proclamations from 1821 to 1823, and three of the vessels then
belonged to the same houses to which three of these vessels belonged, and two
of those houses have continued during the whole of that time, as houses of the
same name, and those are Russell & Co., an American house, and Dent & Co.,
an English house; the names of those houses have been the same ever since
Governor Yuen's proclamation against those ships in 1820 to 1823.
656. Specifying those two houses?-Not specifying the houses, he was merely
specifying the ships; but he had the means of knowing who the houses were; the
Chinamen knew to whom the ships lying there belonged.
657. Mr. Hogg.] The space to which foreigners were limited at Canton was
always very confined, was it not?—Yes.
658. Confined almost to the respective factories?--No; we were allowed to
go down into some part of the suburbs of the town to get to the Hong merchants'
places.
659.. Was that the description of duresse to which the foreign community were
subjected
!
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
51
subjected before the arrival of Captain Elliot; did it amount to anything more Robert Inglis, Esq.
than confinement to their factories, with power to move about from house to
house and visit each other?—It was confined to their being cut off from com-
munication with Whampoa and with Macao.
11 May 1840.
660. Did the confinement amount to anything further than an inability to
leave the factory in boats ?-Nothing further, to the best of my recollection.
661. Sir George Staunton.] But that confinement kept them totally in the
power of the Chinese; they had no power of escaping to England?-Entirely;
we had no means of getting away by boats.
662. Mr. Hogg.] You could move from house to house?—Yes; and so we
could during the whole time after Captain Elliot came.
663. Sir George Staunton.] When you say that you expected that payment
might be obtained for the opium, do you mean payment out of the govern-
ment treasury, or by means of the Hong merchants ?-By means of the Hong
merchants.
664. The payment would have been advanced in the first place by the Hong
merchants, and they probably would have reimbursed themselves out of the Con-
soo fund?—I think they would probably have paid a certain sum of money, of
course coming out of the Consoo fund, and the rest they would have proposed to
repay by instalments; I am sure that was the impression of the Hong merchants;
and Mowqua actually asked us if we would take 400 dollars a chest.
665. Mr. Elliot.] You form the same opinion yourself from the terms of the
edict?-From an expression in the Commissioner's edict.
666. You said before that it promised "that if we complied with his request
he would report the thing to the Emperor to reward us"?—Yes.
667. Can you recollect the exact words?—No, I cannot; but they could be
easily ascertained by reference to the edict; but I remember begging Mr.
Morrison to read it over again, and I said at the time, "That is a very remark-
able expression; it means more than it implies a good deal;" and I repeated
the words to my partner; but there was considerable doubt upon that expression
afterwards among the community, and many of them thought it did not mean
so much, and I think Mr. Morrison himself, upon reconsideration, seemed to
think that it did not mean so much as I at first thought it did.
668. Do you think the Hong merchants derived their impression from that
expression, or that they had other private information?-I think they formed
their opinion upon the general tendency of all transactions of the kind, which is
to make them pay.
669. Mr. E. Buller.] You stated that the opium trade was carried on at
Canton with the connivance of the authorities; was it carried on with the con-
nivance of the highest authorities of Canton ?-Certainly; they knew perfectly
that the opium trade was carried on, and they knew how it was carried on; and
I presume that they had always the same means of stopping it which they had
at last.
670. Have you any reason to believe that the Viceroy himself was either
directly concerned in the smuggling of opium, or that he derived a profit from
it?—There is an Englishman here now, ready to offer evidence, I understand,
before the Committee, that he himself was employed by the Viceroy in smug-
gling opium into the river; but my own impression is, that his son was actually
engaged in the trade; the Chinamen themselves placarded him in the streets.
The deputy-governor of one of two provinces under the Viceroy's management, in
memorializing the Emperor respecting the opium trade, recommended that
an officer of government should be employed in purchasing opium to ascertain
exactly who were the parties engaged in the trade, and that, if necessary, they
should even open shops in order to ascertain the precise mode in which the trade
was conducted. Judging from that, it seems to me not unlikely that the Emperor
did authorize the Viceroy to employ anybody he pleased in the trade in order to
ascertain the particulars of it; and judging by the general conduct of the man-
darins, and of this officer in particular, I think it exceedingly likely that his son
would buy 500 chests on the Emperor's account, and 2,000 on his own; and,
therefore, if Her Majesty's Government were to say to the Emperor of China, we
have evidence that your Viceroy was engaged in the trade, he would say, “Cer-
tainly, I know that; he did it by my order;" but that Viceroy really profited to
a very large amount, because he reported 500 chests, when he would buy, or his
son would buy, 2,000.
0.59.
671. In
H 2
52
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq.
11 May 1840.
671. In what year do you suppose the son of the Viceroy to have been engaged
in these opium transactions?-In the end of 1837, or the beginning of 1838,
when the opium trade was first driven from Lintin into the river within the
Bogue, which, I think, was about November or December 1837.
672. Was that in consequence of the strict regulations of the Chinese within.
the river?—No; first of all, it was in consequence of that persecution, as I call
it, against the opium smugglers at Lintin; they obliged them to destroy their
boats, and then, as the sale of opium was necessarily suspended for a while at
Lintin, the trade was forced, as it is upon all such occasions, into some other
channels, and then some parties began smuggling it in the river in small boats;
one of those parties told me himself that he delivered 1,200 chests a month for
two months, chiefly to two boats, which he believed to be the Viceroy's own
boats.
673. Do you know whether they carried the Viceroy's flag?—I should think
not, but I would rather not say anything upon this subject; I never was engaged
in that particular branch of trade.
I think the Committee will have means of
getting it from parties that were.
674. At the period you have mentioned, when the smuggling by the Chinese
boats was to a great degree suppressed, and the smuggling was driven into the
channel which you have alluded to, which was a British channel chiefly, did
you hear at that time, as matter of notoriety, that the Viceroy owned boats for
the purpose of smuggling opium ?-Certainly; it was generally reported. The
Chinese themselves placarded his son as being engaged in it. There is a trans-
lation of the placard in one of the Canton newspapers.
66
675. Do you believe that report to be true?I believe it in the way I men-
tioned before, namely, that the Viceroy had parties employed in buying opium;
but I believe that if you were to accuse him of that, he would
say, Certainly, I
bought opium; I had boats engaged in buying opium, but it was by the orders
of the Emperor, to ascertain the parties who were engaged in the opium trade,
and the mode of conducting it."
-
676. Mr. Gladstone.] Have you any knowledge upon the subject, or is it
merely your belief, founded upon report, that the Viceroy went further than to
fulfil the orders of the Emperor with respect to the purchase of opium ?—That
is entirely a notion of my own, derived from seeing the memorial of Foo-quen
(Deputy-Governor) of Kwang-See, recommending the Emperor to order that to
be done, and judging by the usual character of the mandarins, and the particular
character of the Viceroy, I think it is exceedingly likely that, whoever he em-
ployed, whether his son or anybody else, he would do that.
677. Was Tang Viceroy then?-He was.
678. When was he appointed?—I think he arrived in Canton about June
1836.
679. Sir G. Staunton.] Your decided belief is, that the Viceroy received a
pecuniary benefit from his connivance at the opium trade?-The Viceroy, or
some parties employed under him.
680. With his knowledge?-With his knowledge.
681. Mr. C. Buller.] Are there any Chinese in Canton that can read English?
—I recollect two, and they had nearly forgotten it. They had both been able
to read English well at one time; one was a deputy gauger employed by the
government of Calcutta.
682. Can none of the interpreters read English ?-Not a syllable, or talk it
either, so as to be intelligible to persons in this country.
683. Do you suppose that all those things that were published in written
papers, and handed round to the different merchants, and the printed papers
and public newspapers, were a perfect secret to the Chinese?—No; Howqua took
one of the newspapers regularly.
684. Do you suppose that the contents of that newspaper never were known
to the Chinese--On the contrary, it was supposed that he communicated the
contents to the Viceroy whenever the Viceroy wanted it.
685. Sir R. Inglis.] Did not Howqua read English ?-No.
686. Mr. C. Buller.] Then the Chinese must have been perfectly aware at
this time of the publicity of these opium sales?—Undoubtedly; it was as noto-
rious as possible; in fact, there have been reports every year almost of opium
ships by name lying at Lintin from the very first time I arrived in China; there
were constantly reports made of the number of ships and the names of the ships.
It
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
53
It appears from the official memorials, that in 1836 some of the parties in Pekin Robert Inglis, Esq
knew the names of the parties engaged in the opium trade, and it was in conse-
quence of that that several parties were ordered to quit China, which was not,
however, carried into execution.
11 May 1840.
687. Can you give any explanation as to the object of Commissioner Lin in
requiring such a bond as that which you have mentioned?-I suppose it was as
a means of putting an end to the opium trade, in which I think he was sincere.
688. Looking at the ordinary practice of foreign governments, it would appear
that the Chinese had nothing to do but to make any law that they chose about the
importation of opium into their own country, to affix any penalty to it they chose,
and to enforce that penalty when the law was violated. What was the necessity of
requiring the consent of the parties to the enforcement of a penal law?-I cannot
say; it is equally difficult to say why the Chinese did not enforce the only penalty
which they have ever threatened to inflict upon the foreign trade, which penalty
was, that if the foreigners did not obey the laws of China, their trade was to be
stopped. Governor Yuen, in 1820 to 1823, drove the trade out of Canton River,
and he went so far in expelling ships from Lintin, that the East India Company's
factory wrote to the Court of Directors to say that if he persisted in carrying his
threats into execution next season, they should feel themselves obliged to drive
away the ships themselves from Lintin. Now I may ask why he did not carry
out his threat? It is evident that the Chinese government had far greater facility
of putting a stop to the opium trade when there were not above 5,000 or 6,000
chests imported than when there were 26,000.
689. Sir George Staunton.] Then if it is said that at the time of the arrival of
Commissioner Lin the government had exhausted all legitimate means of putting
a stop to the opium trade, you consider that that was not the case?-It certainly
was not the case. This same Governor Yuen, who is one of the first men in the
empire, who had gone so far towards putting it down in 1820 to 1823, and then
ceased just at the moment when it appeared that the East India Company were
prepared to co-operate with him in doing it, he, after holding several high
employments in the empire, was in the Emperor's council, the Council of Four,
up to the end of 1838; and it was supposed to be his retirement which was the
signal for the party who had advised violence towards the foreigners to carry
into effect their measures, in consequence of which Commissioner Lin came to
Canton.
690. Mr. Gladstone.] At what period of the year 1839 did the legitimate
trade terminate; when was the trade of the season over?-There has been no
season of late years; ships have come and gone at all times. Further than that,
I apprehend the greater proportion of the tea was generally taken out of the
market about May or June.
691. At the time when Lin came to Canton, can you state how many British
ships there were in the Canton River which had come to China for the purpose
of carrying on the regular trade?-I do not recollect the number at this moment,
but there were a considerable number of ships there.
692. How many ships do you suppose remained unloaded then?—I cannot
say.
693. Was the great bulk of the legitimate trade of the season concluded at
that time?—I do not think it was. The trade had been suspended in December
for some time; in fact, I was kept in China by the accident of the suspension
of the trade then; and I think four or five ships left China immediately upon
the opening of the trade, which had been loaded, and which lay there loaded
throughout the whole time of our confinement in Canton.
694. Is it your opinion that there was a very considerable proportion of the
goods belonging to the trade not yet either loaded or contracted for when Com-
missioner Lin came down to Canton ?-Undoubtedly; there was estimated to be
13,000,000 of pounds of tea left in Canton, which would probably, the great
bulk of it, have been shipped during the time that we were in confinement had
the trade gone on regularly.
695. Mr. C. Buller.] The Europeans generally were not considered amen-
able to the Chinese laws?-There was no penalty that ever I heard of attaching
to Europeans under any Chinese law previous to Commissioner Lin's arrival,
except that of death in cases of murder, and the general penalty upon the trade
of suspension, closing the hatches of regular ships till the foreigners obeyed the
.law.
0.59.
696. Was
H 3
54
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq.
11 May 1840.
696. Was there any notion of the penalty of confiscation ?-Nothing that ever
I heard of.
697. Was not the object of the Chinese in requiring the bond this, to get the
sanction of Europeans to enforcing the severe laws against the importation of opium?
My own belief is, that they did not like to inflict the real penalty which they
have constantly threatened, stopping the trade, because it was inconvenient to
themselves, and because, moreover, they knew that it would bring them into
collision with our Government.
P
697*. They wanted to enact death as the punishment of importing opium ?—
It was threatened by Commissioner Lin.
698. Instead of doing that, as any European government would have done, by
passing a law binding all foreigners in the country to obey it, they tried to obtain
your consent to the enactment of this law against you by inducing you to sign
this bond?—Yes; the bond was, I have no doubt, to prevent the merchants in
Canton from engaging in the opium trade any more.
699. But they thought it necessary to get your sanction to inflict that punish-
ment before inflicting it of their own authority ?-I suppose so.
700. Sir George Staunton.] Was not the intention of the bond to induce
foreigners to suppose that if they sold opium they would be subject to the
penalty of death, and thereby to intimidate them?—No doubt.
701. Mr. Elliot.] Would a man given up under that bond have been tried
by the laws of China applied to their own subjects?—I suppose so.
702. Has that been the case in other instances when men have been given
up? I never recollect any case but one of a man given up, by the Americans,
who went through what is called a trial.
703. Did he go through the same form of trial that a Chinese subject would
have done under similar circumstances?-I do not know. I believe the man,
who was an Italian, not an American, although serving in an American vessel, had
no interpreter except the common Chinese interpreter; and I believe the man was
made to sign a confession, under the promise of being liberated; the man put.
his hand in red ochre, and stamped it on his confession, as having committed a
murder; and he was induced to do that under the promise of being liberated.
704. And then he was executed?—And then he was executed.
705. Do you suppose that it was the form of trial which takes place with
regard to their own subjects ?-Their courts are not like our courts, where the
same form is exercised every day; I imagine that it varies with every
magistrate.
706. In the papers which have been laid before the House of Commons, it is
stated that Europeans who have been given up to the Chinese authorities have
not been tried in the same way in which natives of the country have been tried?
-I think that very likely. I can scarcely suppose, for instance, that a native
of the country would be induced to sign his own confession by a promise of
pardon, which promise is not to be enforced afterwards.
707. Mr. Gladstone.] Captain Elliot writes, on the 22d of March 1839, thus:
"The completion of the great portion of the trade of this year has relieved me
of a very embarrassing addition to the difficulties of my situation." Is not Cap-
tain Elliot correct in stating that the great portion of the trade of the year had
been completed?-I have no doubt that he is.
708. Was not the confiscation of opium a common punishment in the case of
native dealers-Certainly not.
709. Was it not common in the case of native servants?-I think the memo-
rials themselves mentioned that there were only one or two instances. One of
them asks, how it is that the government regulations had never been carried
into execution except once or twice? I think one case was by Governor
Yuen, and another by Governor Loo. I think one of the memorials mentions
that.
710. Before the year 1836, when the trade in native boats was broken up,
was not it common to confiscate opium which was found in native boats ?—Yes;
since 1836, the thing has changed materially.
711. From that period forward have not confiscations been common in the
case of native boats?-Yes; and in the case of property taken from European
boats also.
712. Was not it understood, from the year 1821, that opium, to whomsoever
belonging, found within the Bogue, was liable to confiscation?—I imagine so,
but
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE. ·
55
but it was quite a dead letter.
of course decisive as the law.
There were one or two cases published, which is Robert Inglis, Esq.
11 May 1840.
713. But there was no doubt of the existence of the law of confiscation as to
opium found within the Bogue from the year 1821 ?- No; and probably earlier,
ever since 1795 or 1796, when opium was first imported; there was always a
penalty attaching.
714. The specific penalty of confiscation?--I do not recollect what the penalty
was; but there was a penalty of some kind attaching to it.
715. Chairman.] Was there any other penalty than that of stopping the trade?
-Not as to foreigners; there was never the penalty of confiscation. It has
been the genius of the Chinese laws towards foreigners never to make them
liable to their penalties, but always the traitorous natives.
716. From the year 1821, when the opium ships were driven down to Lintin,
was not it clearly understood that opium found within the Bogue, whether in
the hands of foreigners or of natives, and whether owned by foreigners or by
natives, would be liable to confiscation?-I do not know as to its being within
the Bogue; because, so far as I know, there never was opium within the
Bogue till 1836, and then if it was found there, it was actually seized and con-
fiscated.
717. Mr. C. Buller.] But seized and confiscated in the hands of Chinese?-
Yes.
718. Chairman.] Not in the hands of foreigners?—I think not in the case
of foreigners till 1838, and then they seized 23 chests of opium in a boat near
Macao. They boarded the boat and took the opium away.
719. Mr. C. Buller.] By whom was that boat manned?-By Lascars proba-
bly; but it belonged to foreigners.
720. Sir R. Inglis.] It was at the time in the hands of foreigners?-It belonged
to foreigners; the Chinese junks boarded the boat somewhere near Macao, and
took away 23 chests of opium.
721. The property being assumed to be English?-To be foreign.
<<
722. You have stated that the boat was manned by Lascars?—I am not cer-
tain about that; but I have no doubt that the boat was manned by foreigners,
because all those boats are manned either by Englishmen or Lascars.
723. Chairman.] Supposing the property to be that of foreigners, was that
act according to what you believe to be the law of China?-No doubt they
seized the property, and set the boat at liberty.
724. Then you believe that confiscation of opium belonging to foreigners was
a legal act?—I presume so; but whether it had been so ever since the first intro-
duction of opium, or whether it has arisen out of some of the Viceroy's edicts
subsequently to 1836, I cannot say.
725. Sir R. Inglis.] Was there any remonstrance made in reference to that
seizure in 1838, by the person owning the goods so seized?—I cannot say.
726. Did the seizure make a sensation in the community at Canton ?-Cer-
tainly; they thought it was an indication that the Chinese were becoming sincere
in the determination to check opium.
727. That impression was left upon the minds of the community-Certainly;
but I must add that this was prior to the time I speak of, or about the same
time, probably, when the boats were lying openly in Whampoa Reach, selling
opium there, and when the mandarin's boats were supposed to be engaged in
buying it.
728. Sir George Staunton.] At the time of the seizure, was the boat in the
act of transmitting opium from the ship to the shore?--I think it is probable.
that the boat was going from Macao inside the Bogue; it was supposed, of course,
to be a mandarin that made the seizure, but, as in the case of Mr. Morss, it is
difficult to say whether it was really a mandarin boat or a pirate acting under the
semblance of a mandarin boat.
729. Mr. E. Bulier.] You stated that that seizure took place near Macao; that
is not within the Bogue?-No; that is the only case I recollect without the
Bogue.
730. Mr. Gladstone.] Is that the only case of seizure from a foreigner before
Lin came?--No; there were seizures of silver, the produce of opium within the
river.
731. Were there no seizures of opium, both within and without the river, from
foreigners, between the period of 1837 and the arrival of Commissioner Lin at
0.59.
Canton ?
H 4
56
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
11 May 1840.
Robert Inglis, Esq. Canton ?—Yes, there was one; that was a chest of opium taken from a boat up
in Canton, lying opposite Canton, which boat was condemned afterwards; then
there was another seizure from an European boat belonging to a ship at
Whampoa, and that was certainly a seizure of silver, the produce of opium.
A boat that had been selling opium was boarded, and the dollars or the silver,
the price of the opium, taken away; that occurred in 1828.
732. Were the seizures numerous during that latest period?-Not numerous,
certainly; but there were two or three instances.
733. Mr. E. Buller.] Do you believe that the seizure of the opium at Lintin
would have been strictly in conformity with the Chinese laws?-I do not
know.
734. Up to the time of Lin's arrival, should you say that the opium lying at
Lintin was not liable to confiscation by any known law of China?-Certainly not;
I am not aware of any law that could confiscate it prior to its leaving the ship.
735. And yet the opium on board the boat near Macao was liable to seizure?
-I cannot say that, but it was seized. I think the impression of the European
community must have been that it was liable to seizure; but that was subse-
quent to 1836, in which there were edicts issued about the trade, and especially
about the trade in those boats; and yet, as to many of those edicts, no sort of
attention was paid to them.
736. Did the foreign community draw a distinction between property on board
a boat outside the Bogue, and property on board a ship outside the Bogue?-I
do not think there was any distinction drawn till after 1836, after that memo-
rial to Pekin, and after the project, first, for legalizing the trade, and then for
driving it away, and then they altered the edicts issued about the opium in boats.
We knew before that it applied to opium in ships within the Bogue, but they then
applied it to opium in boats; in fact, it never was the habit of the parties en-
gaged in the opium trade to smuggle opium in boats till that period, at least
since I have been concerned in it. Our mode of dealing in the trade was to keep
the opium on board our ship, and we gave an order at Canton for the delivery
of that opium from the ship to the China boat, and that went on till the end of
1837.
737. Mr. Clay.] Where were they to get the opium upon those orders ?—We
gave an order in Canton; a merchant ship came in with a quantity of opium,
and we gave an order upon the ship to deliver the opium. Then, in consequence
of the edict issued in 1836, the opium became unsaleable for a time, and then
we had recourse to sending our vessels on to the coast, and other parties began
smuggling in the river in European boats, and then came out the orders ex-
pressly against the European boats, and I presume that it was under one of
those orders that this boat was seized.
738. Previously to 1836 were the boats employed wholly Chinese boats,
owned and manned by the Chinese?—Yes; large boats with 40 or 50 men.
739. Those boats went with the order to which you refer, as being procured
from European merchants in Canton, to the ship's side, and had the opium
delivered to them?—Yes; they broke up the chests and put it into bags, and
brought it away.
740. Was that when the ships were at Lintin?—Yes, or one of the adjacent
ports.
741. But generally before they entered the Bogue?—Yes, always; our ships
were never near the Bogue at all; they purposely kept out of the way of the
Bogue.
742. And they got rid of the whole of the opium before entering Canton River?
-Certainly, the European ships.
743. Sir W. Somerville.] Upon the receipt of the communication from Lord
Palmerston, notifying to Captain Elliot that the Government would not be re-
sponsible for any opium seized, the property of British merchants, how did
Captain Elliot make that known to the merchants?-Captain Elliot never made
Lord Palmerston's notice known in the words of Lord Palmerston; he applied
the sense of it, and I suppose he understood that Lord Palmerston must have
meant it to be so applied solely to the smuggling trade within the river.
744. What sort of notice did Captain Elliot give; was it a public printed
notice inserted in the journals?—Yes, certainly, published in all the journals;
it was a notice that Her Majesty's Government could not sanction the proceed-
ings which had been carried on the last year or two within the Bogue, but it
was
n
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
57
11 May 1840.
was entirely confined to the smuggling trade within the Bogue. I was reading Robert Inglis, Esq.
over the wording of it a day or two ago, and I think it is impossible to apply it
to any other trade than the smuggling trade within the Bogue; and I presume
it means the smuggling of all things, as well as opium. I think it is not impos-
sible to have been connected with the case of Mr. Innes, which had occupied the
attention both of Captain Elliot and of the Home Government.
745. Did that create any alarm ?-It created a great deal of annoyance to the
parties concerned in smuggling in the river, and it very much horrified the
whole foreign community, to find that Captain Elliot had for the first time com-
mitted his Government to a knowledge of the opium trade, because in the time
of the East India Company the East India Company's factory had most carefully
avoided admitting to the Chinese that they knew anything about it, and so had
Her Majesty's Government always done up to that period.
746. Was opium then specifically mentioned in this notification of Captain
Elliot ?—I cannot say that the word "opium" is mentioned.
747. That notification created great alarm?-It created great alarm among
the owners of smuggling boats there, who had been engaged in the trade, and
who were making a great deal of money. Of course it tended to destroy the
profit of all parties engaged in it.
748. Chairman.] Had the merchants, previously to Captain Elliot's arrival,
positively made up their minds not to deliver up the opium to the Chinese; or
with respect to the House of Dent & Co. in particular, had Dent & Co. deter-
mined not to give up their opium previously to the arrival of Captain Elliot at
Canton ?-When it was under consideration with Dent & Co., it was upon the
supposition that Mr. Dent would go into the city, and also upon the supposition
that Commissioner Lin would have the opium by one means or other; that he
had got us entirely in his power, and that he would keep us there till he got the
opium out of us. Of course, under these considerations, the determination was
not to give it up as long as it could possibly be avoided; and we believed at the
moment that he had it in his power to give compensation, and that he was
willing to do so, and thus that Mr. Dent would be able to make a bargain for
Dent & Co.
749. Mr. Brownrigg.] In short, that you would hold out as long as you could
with safety to life and limb ?—Yes; I fancy that our intention was known to the
foreign community, and that was one reason why they would not let Mr. Dent
go into the city to be made the bell-wether of the flock.
750. Chairman.] Are the Committee to understand that you were willing
either that Mr. Dent or yourself should undergo confinement within the city
rather than give up the opium without some bargain-Decidedly; I was quite
prepared, if I went in, to stand out the confinement, and anything else that might
come, as long as I could; and I think I expressed myself to Mr. Dent that we
would not give up the opium even to his order, unless we knew he was being
tortured, and then of course there could be no question of it. I said,
choose to go, we shall hear nothing of you except vague reports of the linguists,
but we will not give up a chest of opium unless we have good reason to believe
that they are torturing you."
66
6. If you
751. You have stated, that as late as the Monday evening you were personally
ready to go into the city?—Yes.
752. And you gave up your intention of going into the city at the express
desire of Captain Elliot ?-Certainly; Captain Elliot gave me what I considered
a good reason why I ought not to go in, which was, that I might probably be
detained, and that if I were, he should be called upon by the whole foreign com-
munity to get me out again.
753. At that moment, then, you were not prepared to give up your opium
except for payment from the Chinese, or an indemnity from Captain Elliot?-
Certainly not; if it had been a question of giving up 20 or 30 chests of opium,
or 100 chests of opium of their own, perhaps Dent & Co. would have given up
their own opium, if they could have kept the opium of their constituents out of
sight. The object was to make a bargain to do the best that could be done
under the circumstances, with the feeling that the Commissioner would have the
opium.
754. Mr. Clay.] Judging from what has transpired since, you now believe
that the Commissioner would, under any circumstances, have proceeded to possess
himself of your opium by means of coercion ?—Yes; I am satisfied that if Mr.
Dent
0.59.
I
58
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Robert Inglis, Esq. Dent or myself had gone in, we should never have got out without giving up
opium.
11 May 1840.
755. Mr. Elliot.] And without signing the bond?—Yes; I have no doubt
now that that was part of the original plan.
756. Chairman.] The idea of putting the opium into Mr. Johnston's hands
was merely for safe custody?-It was to put it out of our power to give it up,
even to Mr. Dent's order.
757. To give you the power of saying to the Chinese, "The opium is not in
our hands now; it is in the hands of the Superintendent"?-Certainly; that we
had no longer any control over it; it was to throw off the responsibility of giving
it up from our shoulders on to those of Her Majesty's Superintendent.
758. You mean that if the Chinese, under such circumstances, had seized
the opium they would have seized it, according to your impression, from the
British Government, and not from a private individual? Yes, undoubtedly;
they might have forced Mr. Dent into giving an order to give up the opium,
but his other partners told him that we would not give up that opium to his
order, but that the moment he went into the city we should put the opium into
Mr. Johnston's hands.
759. Mr. Horsman.] Did your feeling of its being more secure in Mr. John-
ston's hands arise from the greater difficulty which the Chinese authorities
might find in seizing the opium when it was in the hands of the British repre-
sentative, than in seizing it when it was in the hands of private individuals?
I cannot say that; the feeling was to put the responsibility off our shoulders
on to those of Her Majesty's representative.
760. Mr. E. Buller.] Did you contemplate the possibility of surrendering it
to the Chinese government?—I contemplated the possibility in this way: We
told Mr. Dent that if we knew he were being tortured we should be ready to
give it up.
I thought that in that case Mr. Johnston would have said to us,
"Will you now authorize me to give it up?" and certainly I would have done
it upon an occasion of that kind.
761. If your impression was that the opium would be forced from you by the
Chinese government, did not you contemplate that it might equally be forced
from the representative of the British Government?-Undoubtedly.
762. Supposing that your opium had been forced from the representative of
the British Government, what compensation would you have anticipated ?—
There was no anticipation of compensation in that case, of course; what I
should think would have been the course in such a case is this, that if we
knew that Mr. Dent was being tortured, or that his life was in danger, I dare
say Mr. Johnston would have said to us, "What do you say yourselves to this;
do you think we must give up the opium?" and I should have said, "Yes, un-
doubtedly;" but if that case had not arisen we should not have done so.
763. Mr. Clay.] How long before the arrival of Captain Elliot at Canton did
the conversation to which you are now referring take place?--This was on
Saturday afternoon about three or four o'clock, and he arrived in Canton at six
o'clock on Sunday afternoon.
764. Did that conversation take place before or after Mr. Astell dispatched
his letter to Captain Elliot ?-Before; Mr. Astell got his answer somewhere
about that time, because I remember Mr. Johnston's expression, that now he
knew what Captain Elliot was doing (referring to the proclamation that Captain
Elliot had put forth at Macao), he had no doubt about his own course. As far
as I am aware, Mr. Astell had no answer from Captain Elliot, but he had Cap-
tain Elliot's proclamation sent to him, or the substance of it, and he communi-
cated that to Mr. Johnston; and I remember Mr. Johnston saying that now he
knew what Captain Elliot had done, he had no doubt whatever about his own
course, but he did not say what that course was.
765. That was on the Saturday afternoon?—Yes; I had recommended him
before, as a friend, not to commit himself about it more than was necessary.
766. Have you still frequent communication by letter with China ?--Yes.
767. Do your letters mention that the trade in opium is now going on?
-Yes.
768. By means of the clippers?—Yes.
769. Have you any knowledge whether, by measures of internal policy, the
Chinese government are taking every step to put down the consumption of
opium?-None whatever.
770. Have
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
59
11 May 1840.
770. Have you any such knowledge of what is passing at Canton, as to be able Robert Inglis, Esq.
to give any information upon that head?—None whatever. I should like to
mention, with reference to some questions put to me about the negotiation of
the bills drawn by Captain Elliot, that I have a letter from a gentleman con-
nected with the house of Dent & Co., who is at Calcutta. It mentions, that in
a communication from Messrs. Arbuthnot & Co., at Madras, it is stated that they
have received 6,000 l. of bills drawn by Dent & Co., at six months' sight, on
England, for negotiation, together with a salary bill of Captain Elliot's, at 30
days' sight, and that they negotiated the whole of the bills at the same rate. It
is matter of some pride to Dent & Co. that, notwithstanding all these disasters,
we should be in as good credit as Her Majesty's Government.
771. Mr. Elliot.] You mentioned that you thought the opium had been
destroyed. The following is an extract from a letter of Captain Elliot to Lord
Palmerston, dated the 22d of April 1839; will you state what reason you have
for supposing this statement not to be correct: "Indeed, my Lord, I have ascer-
tertained, beyond all doubt, that the surrender of this mass of property (under
the declaration that it was taken away from Her Majesty's subjects, in the name
of Her Majesty) has overturned the original schemes (of whatever nature they
were); and that the High Commissioner has applied to the court for orders con-
cerning its disposal. In the meantime, he remains at the Bocca Tigris, superin-
tending an elaborate examination, careful repackage, and classification of the
opium into three sorts-carefulness which does not accord reasonably with
destructive intentions. In my judgment, the main body of this opium, in fact,
all that is saleable, will be turned to the most advantageous account"?—I think
he may have been very right in his views then, judging by what had happened
before in cases of seizures of opium. We had every reason to suppose that the
intention was, at one moment, to send the whole of the opium up to Pekin, or
perhaps to destroy part of it, and to send the rest up; but it is supposed, from
subsequent orders, that the Commissioner destroyed the whole of it.
772. You will observe that this letter is dated the 22d of April?—The opium
was not destroyed till long after I left China; I suppose it was in July.
773. And it was supposed to be destroyed?-Two parties saw the process of
destruction going on of one portion of it.
774. You were understood to say that you found your belief of its being de-
stroyed upon the character of the Commissioner?-In the first place, upon the
knowledge that some portion of it was destroyed, and then upon the character
of the Commissioner.
775. And you found your opinion with regard to the character of the Com-
missioner upon this, that you do not believe the Commissioner to be corrupt,
and therefore you believe that he carried his orders into effect?-Yes, and upon
the fact that they had begun destroying it.
Chin
776. Sir George Staunton.] There were foreigners present, were not there?-
Yes; Mr. King saw the process going on, and the only reason for supposing it
not to have been destroyed, was a calculation made that they could not have
done it within the time stated.
777. But notwithstanding that calculation, you think it was all destroyed?
-Yes.
778. Mr. Horsman.] Was it the impression of the European community that
the Commissioner came down with particular orders as to how he was to put
the trade down, or that he came down with full powers?—I think there was a
certain sort of outline marked out for his conduct at Pekin, which probably may
have been that he should endeavour to get a portion of the opium given up to
him, never dreaming at the time that there was so much opium there; and I
think probably he was to get those bonds signed, and to allow no foreigner to
trade in China who did not sign those bonds.
779. Was the impression that he came down armed with absolute powers, and
with no orders but to put down the opium trade, by whatever means?-We had
no means of knowing anything of that kind. We supposed that he came down
armed with absolute powers, and that the rest would be left to his discretion,
according to circumstances.
0.59.
Captain
I 2
60
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Captain
John Thacker.
Captain John Thacker, called in; and Examined.
780. Chairman.] WERE you engaged in business at Canton?-I had just
arrived in Canton when these transactions occurred. I went out to Canton in
the year 1838 for the purpose of establishing a house.
781. When did you arrive in Canton ?-In February 1839.
782. How did you take your funds to China with you?—I went over-land to
Bombay; I took my funds in East India Company's bills, and I invested the
money in opium in Bombay, to take it on to China.
783. You bought opium at Bombay in your way to China?-Yes.
784. Can you state about the price of opium at Bombay at that period?—Yes;
I paid for mine 1,065 rupees per chest.
785. Was that Malwa opium?—It was.
786. Did that opium so bought form part of the opium subsequently sur-
rendered by Captain Elliot to the Commissioner?-It did.
787. You were in the factory at Canton at the period of Captain Elliot's
arrival and subsequently?—I was.
788. And you quitted the factory with the other European residents?—I quitted
about eight or ten days after Captain Elliot quitted; I was not one of the 16 that
were proscribed.
789. Are you cognizant of the fact, whether there was or was not any opium
in Canton at the time of Captain Elliot's arrival there?—I think there was none,
with the exception of half a chest, which was delivered up to Captain Elliot.
790. Can you speak with any certainty upon that subject?-Yes; because
a notice was sent round to the factories upon the subject.
791. Did
you abandon your idea of forming a mercantile establishment at
Canton in consequence of these transactions?—In consequence of my property
being given up to Captain Elliot.
792. When application was made to you to give up your property to Captain
Elliot, had you any consultation with any one else about it? I was living at
Mr. Jardine's factory; I was called out of bed at six o'clock in the morning by
Mr. Matheson, the head of that house, and we consulted a few minutes upon that
subject.
793. Previous to the arrival of Captain Elliot at Canton, had you delivered
the opium in your possession into the care of Mr. Johnston?-After the Commis-
sioner's edict came out, and they were endeavouring to extort the opium from
the merchants, I could not afford to give mine up, and I surrendered it to
Mr. Johnston for safer custody; Captain Elliot was outside; a man-of-war was
outside, and my opium was outside.
794. When you arrived there in February 1839, did you find the community
in a state of great excitement in expectation of the arrival of the Commissioner
at Canton ?—Yes; the excitement was of a favourable nature; it was understood
by the Chinamen and Europeans that he came to soften matters down from
what the Viceroy had been doing.
795. Do you mean that there was then an idea that the trade would be
legalized? It was thought that something would be done to obviate the diffi-
culties that had been thrown in the way by the Viceroy; that he had been too
harsh.
}
796. Was it expected that, in some shape or other, the trade would be legal-
ized? I do not know as to legalizing it, but that the obstructions would be
removed.
Ga
797. What first gave an impression different from that?—The consternation
amongst the servants after he had arrived; they began to remove their things away
from the factory, which made me think that his measures would be more serious.
798. Had the servants begun to quit you before the edict of the 18th of March?
Yes, they began to remove their clothes from the factory, which proved that
there was something behind which they were aware of, which we were not.
799. You are aware of the discussions which subsequently took place in the
Chamber of Commerce with regard to Mr. Dent?--I was not a member of the
Chamber of Commerce, and did not attend them; I knew what passed from
hearsay.
Soo. Were you at Mr. Dent's house on the Saturday when the Hong mer-
chants were endeavouring to prevail upon him to go into the city ?-Yes.
801. Will
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
61
801. Will you state what passed ?-I went late, and at that time the Hong
merchants were sitting there drinking and smoking in one of the rooms, after it
had been resolved that he should not go.
802. Was the opinion of the foreign community that he should not go an
unanimous opinion ?-Quite.
803. Upon what was that opinion founded?-The distrust that every one had
of the Chinese government, from previous acts.
804. Do you mean to say that there was an apprehension that personal vio-
lence would be shown to Mr. Dent?-That he would be detained; that was the
opinion of every one, with perhaps the exception of Mr. Inglis.
805. You stated that, from an apprehension of violence, you placed your
opium, which you could not afford to lose, in the custody of Mr. Johnston ?-
Yes; I wrote to Mr. Johnston a letter, a copy of which I have here, and I have
his answer to it.
806. What date was that?--It was the 23d of March.
807. What day of the week?-It must have been Saturday.
808. That was the day before Captain Elliot's arrival ?-Yes.
809. Will read your
your letter to Mr. Johnston ?—
you
[The Witness read the same, as follows :]
"To A. R. Johnston, Esq. Her Majesty's Deputy Superintendent in China.
"Sir,
IN
"In consequence of the edict of the imperial Commissioner of the 17th March
1839, addressed to foreigners of all nations, demanding unconditional delivery
of all opium under their charge, and being at this time close prisoner in Canton,
I do hereby surrender to you, as Her Majesty's Superintendent of British trade
in China, orders for the delivery to you of all opium under my control, for its
safer custody, requesting you will give me an immediate acknowledgment of the
due receipt of the same.
"I am, Sir,
"Your most obedient servant,
(signed) "John Thacker."
(Capt. Thacker.) There is an order enclosed to the commander of the ship
who was outside with the opium.
"To Captain Parry, or Commanding Officer, Ship Hercules, Lantoa.
"Sir,-Deliver to the order of Her Majesty's Superintendent of British trade
in China all opium belonging to me on board the Hercules.
"I am, Sir,
"Your most obedient servant,
(signed) "John Thacker."
810. Will you read Mr. Johnston's answer?—
[The Witness read the same, as follows:]
"Canton, 23 March 1839.
"Sir,
"I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your order upon Captain Parry to deliver
to the Superintendent all opium belonging to you on board the ship under his
command.
"I have the honour to be, Sir,
"Your most obedient servant,
Edward Elmslie,
66
66
Secretary and Treasurer to the
Superintendent."
66
"To John Thacker, Esq., Canton.”
811. What was your object in doing that?-I was not aware what steps the
Chinese might take to force my opium from me, and I thought that Captain
Elliot being outside, and the man-of-war being outside, by placing it under his
custody it would be safe.
812. There was no question made of indemnity to you, or payment by the
Superintendent to you for that opium?-No; I only asked him to take charge
of it.
813. Why did you think it would be safer in his custody than your own?—
Because there was a man-of-war outside, and Captain Elliot was outside.
I 3
0.59.
814. But
Captain
John Thacker.
11 May 1840.
62
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Captain
John Thacker.
11 May 1840.
814. But Mr. Johnston was not outside ?-No, but he was the deputy.
815. Was not it to him that you addressed the letter?-He was the next
person in Canton acting next under the Superintendent.
816. Do you know whether any steps were taken in consequence of that
order?—No, I do not know that any steps were taken.
817. It was merely a question of safe custody, without any reference to per-
manently disposing of the opium?—Yes; it was for safe custody.
818. Mr. Horsman.] Had you had any previous conversation with Mr. John-
ston about surrendering that opium to his keeping?-No.
819. Chairman.] You did not ask whether he would consent to take charge
of the opium?—No; I waited upon him with the letter.
820. Did you conceive that he accepted the charge of it for safe custody?-I
conceived so by his answer, he did not repudiate it.
821. You conceived that it was in his care, not in your own?-Decidedly.
822. When did Captain Elliot arrive?-On Sunday the 24th, in the evening.
823. What did he do then ?-He assembled the community in the Company's
Hall, and he read to them the proclamation he had issued in Macao a few days
before, and then addressed the meeting.
824. Were you present?-I was.
825. What was the purport of his communication?-He stated that he had
foreseen what had now taken place; that he had been prepared for it; that the
proclamation which he then read, as having addressed at Macao, he had had
prepared a month or two previously; that he begged it might be understood that
he was then acting upon his own responsibility, upon his orders or instructions
from the Government, or words to that effect, and that he could take no advice
from any person, and that he hoped it would not be taken as offensive; that he
could take no advice from any one, and begged that no one would offer him
any; that he should demand passports for all the British at Canton, within
10 days, from the Commissioner, and that he had every reason to suppose that
he would obtain them, and, if not, he thought we should be able to force our
way out; that there was a man-of-war outside; that his force was small, but that
he would do all he could to assist us in it.
826. Did he say anything about the surrender of the opium then?-No;
I think he said that he was sorry that the 1,030 chests had been tendered to the
Hong merchants.
827. But with reference to the cession of the whole quantity nothing was said?
-Nothing whatever.
828. Are you cognizant of anything that passed with Captain Elliot subse-
quent to that, before the notice came out for the delivery of the opium ?—No.
829. When did that come out?—It came out, I think, on the morning of the
27th.
830. What did you do when it came out?-I was sent for out of bed, at six
o'clock in the morning, by Mr. Matheson; and I think that Mr. Johnston
brought the requisition himself, and read it to us.
831. What did you do upon receiving that requisition?—I gave it a good deal
of consideration, and, after viewing it for a considerable time, I gave up my opium
like the rest.
832. How did you do that?—I wrote to Captain Elliot a letter, which I have
here.
833. Will you read the letter ?—
[The Witness read the same, as follows:]
Canton, 27 March 1839.
"To Captain Charles Elliot, R. N., Her Majesty's Chief Superintendent
of British Trade in China.
66
"Sir,
"IN compliance with your public requisition of this day, I hereby surrender to
you, for the service of Her Majesty's Government, the undermentioned opium
belonging to me, or under my control; viz. I. T. 40 chests of Malwa opium,
on board the Hercules, Captain Parry, my own property; P. C. S. 41 ditto,
ditto, under my control, but belonging to others; the said opium having
already been placed in charge of Her Majesty's Superintendents of British
Trade
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
63
Trade in China by me on the 23d instant, as per my letter of that date to them,
and order therein enclosed to Captain Parry or commanding officer of the Her-
cules, to deliver the same to their order.
"I have the honour to be, Sir,
"Your most obedient humble servant,
(signed) "John Thacker."
834. Was that acknowledged?—No, there was no acknowledgment of the
opium till the receipts were finally given.
835. After the arrival of Captain Elliot, was there any duresse or coercion
exercised towards the residents in the factory ?-The servants were all taken
away on the Sunday evening on which Captain Elliot arrived.
836. With regard to the provisions, were they stopped?—The supplies were
all stopped after that Sunday.
837. Mr. Horsman.] You stated that you were a close prisoner before Captain
Elliot's arrival?-We were not allowed to quit Canton, but the servants had not
left, and the provisions were not stopped till after Captain Elliot came up.
838. Chairman.] When you consented to give up the opium to Captain Elliot,
did you consider that it was the same sort of thing that you had previously done
with regard to Mr. Johnston; did you conceive that you gave it up to him posi-
tively and entirely, or did you do it merely for safe custody?-No; I gave it up
to him, upon his pledge of remuneration, to do what he liked with it for the
service of Her Majesty.
839. Should you have refused to give it up to him if he had not promised
remuneration ?-Yes, most decidedly.
840. Was there any consultation between yourself and any one else upon the
subject previously to your determination to give it up?-I had a few minutes
conversation with Mr. Matheson at the door of the hall when we came in, it
came so suddenly upon us; it was so unexpected to have a demand of the kind.
841. And you would not have given it up, except under a promise of pay-
ment?-Certainly not.
842. With regard to your own feelings, did you apprehend that your life was
in danger at that moment ?-No, I did not apprehend that my life was in danger
from the Chinese government; I thought it probable that we should be impri-
soned in the city; I did not think that the Chinese would have gone to the
extremity of executing any of us; but I think there was great danger of their
letting in the mob upon us; I think they might have done that.
843. Were you prepared to submit to an extent of confinement rather than
give up your opium?-Yes; that was the reason I put it beyond my own control.
844. In that case you thought you might say that it was no longer within
your own control?-Yes.
845. You considered, therefore, that supposing you had given an order for the
delivery of the opium, Mr. Johnston would not have obeyed that order?—I should
conceive not, if I was in durance.
846. And that the captain of the ship would not any longer have obeyed that
order?-No; because I had given orders to him to deliver it to Captain Elliot.
847. Mr. Horsman.] You said you were afraid they would let in the mob
upon you; was the feeling of the mob very strong against you?-Not at first,
but latterly it became so; the tendency of the execution was to excite the mob
against us.
848. Mr. C. Buller.] Was it not the fact, that at the execution the Chinese
authorities prevented the mob from committing any violence?-That was on the
12th of December, when I was not there; but I speak of the 26th of February,
when the mob was excited.
849. What indication did they give of a wish to excite the mob?-I thought
the object of bringing the man there to be executed was to excite the mob against
the foreigners, to point them out as the cause of the execution.
850. But the effect of that would not be to excite the mob against you to vio-
lence?-I think it would.
851. Was there any indication of such a feeling on the part of the mob?—
I thought so from the appearance of the men that were there; it was a different
kind of mob from what we had been used to; it appeared to be the lowest class
of people that could be mustered from the precincts of the city; they were des-
perate looking people.
0.59.
852. Mr.
I 4
Captain
John Thacker.
11 May 1840.
64
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Captain
John Thacker.
11 May 1840.
852. Mr. Hogg.] You said your impression was that Commissioner Lin came
with a modification of the restrictions; was that consistent with the executions to
which you allude as having taken place in front of the factory?-The impres-
sion among the foreigners was that the Commissioner was going to soothe mat-
ters; that execution was the act of the Viceroy, not the Commissioner; it
was previous to the Commissioner coming, and it was understood that he was
coming to soften these matters. That was the impression amongst the Chinese.
853. Chairman.] Had you received with the others a demand, previous to
Captain Elliot's arrival, from Lin to give up your opium within three days?-
A public notice.
854. And you determined not to obey that notice, and upon that you placed
your opium under the charge of Mr. Johnston ?-I did.
855. Did you sign the agreement not to deal in opium ?—I did not.
856. Have you had any subsequent dealings in opium ?-None, nor before.
857. After the cession of the opium, had you a conversation with Mr. Mathe-
son upon the subject?—I had a great number of conversations with Mr. Matheson
upon the subject after the opium was given up.
858. Did he communicate to you anything upon the part of Captain Elliot ?—
Once he mentioned to me that he had just left Captain Elliot, and Captain Elliot
had stated to him that there would be no time left for shipping teas (I was endea-
vouring to get two ships away from Canton); that there would be no time, after
the opium was surrendered, to make such arrangements; that his measures
would make Canton too hot to hold any European, even the Americans.
859. Mr. Elliot.] Whose measures?-Captain Elliot's measures; he said
that Captain Elliot wished that to be made public, and that any of us could
go and speak to him if we liked, and I went with another gentleman, Mr.
Gemmel. Captain Elliot did not give me time to ask any question, but said,
"I am very glad you have come; you will have very little time to do anything
after the opium is surrendered; my measures will be such as will make this
place too hot to hold any European;" and he put his hand upon some books or
papers lying by him, and he said, "I have just been referring to Lord Palmer-
ston's instructions here, and my measures are taken," or words to that effect.
860. Chairman.] Did he express any opinion as to the conduct of the Chinese?
-He said that they had put themselves in the wrong, which would give the
English Government an opportunity of bringing them to book for it.
861. Mr. Hogg.] Had you ever heard that Captain Elliot had any intention
of calling upon the foreigners to give up the opium till you actually saw the
requisition or heard it read?-Never till I was called out of bed, at six o'clock in
the morning.
862. It was not a matter that was ever discussed, or, to your knowledge, even
known by the community at large?-Never to my knowledge.
863. Chairman.] Previously to your quitting China had you further conver-
sation with Captain Elliot ?-The morning I left China I saw him. I then
got his receipt from him, and he then stated to me, "You will get your pro-
perty returned to you as soon as you arrive in England." I said, "I hope it
will be so." He said,
He said, "No doubt about it." I said that I conceived there
could be no loss to the Government. He said, "Certainly not;" he said, "In
fact, we could be paid for it now if we liked."
864. He held out to you the expectation of receiving the money for your
opium immediately upon your arrival here ?—A positive expectation.
865. Mr. Elliot.] You said that you made no objection when you were desired
to deliver up your opium ?-We were to deliver it up before six o'clock in the
evening. I took a few hours to consider of it.
866. You made no objection ?—No.
867. Do you know whether any one else made any objection to it ?—I do not
know whether any one did.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
65
Mr. Brownrigg.
Mr. C. Buller.
Mr. E. Buller.
Mr. Clay.
Mr. Colquhoun.
Mr. Elliot.
Mr. Gladstone.
Sir G. Grey.
Jovis, 14° die Maii, 1840.
MEMBERS PRESENT.
Mr. Herbert.
Mr. Hogg.
Sir C. Lemon.
Mr. Parker.
Mr. J. A. Smith.
Sir. W. Somerville.
Mr. Strutt.
JOHN ABEL SMITH, ESQ. IN THE CHAIR.
Capt. John Thacker, called in; and further Examined.
868. Chairman.] HAVE you brought a statement with respect to the cost of
opium? I have brought an exact statement of what mine cost me up to the time
I delivered it to Captain Elliot, not calculating the interest or the commission, but
the actual payment.
869. Will you read it?-
[The Witness read the same, as follows :]
MEMORANDUM of Cost of Malwa Opium surrendered by Captain John Thacker to Captain
Charles Elliot, R.N., Her Majesty's Chief Superintendent of Trade in China, on the
27th March 1839; viz.
45 chests of opium marked IT, and 41 chests marked PCS; cost in
Bombay Rs. 92,677. 0. 71., and, at the exchange then ruling between
Bombay and China, of 208 rupees per 100 dollars, equal to dollars
(this includes insurance to China)
Add, freight insurance in China, and other charges paid upon the same
previously to their delivery to Captain Elliot on the 27th March 1839
Total Dollars
Making an average of Dollars 539. 76. per chest.
Note. To which interest and commission will have to be added.
(signed)
44,556 33
1,863 4
46,419 37
John Thacker.
At exchange of 5 s. is 1347. 18s. 9 d. per chest.
870. Do you know what the exchange on England averaged then-From
China it was 5s. to 5s. 1d.; I drew bills at that; they were charging three
quarters per cent. for the insurance of ships lying at sea in China.
871. Mr. Hogg.] What is the risk?-In the typhoon season the risk is con-
siderable.
872. Is that the rate throughout the year?-Throughout the year.
873. Mr. C. Buller.] Is that the general insurance upon all goods, or only
upon opium ?-Upon opium; I think upon all other goods it is much the same.
874. It is no more upon opium than it is upon other goods?-No.
K
875. Mr. Gladstone.] Is the risk equal at all seasons of the year?-No, at
the typhoon season it is much greater; but they take it upon an average through
the year,
876-7. Then the insurance does not vary, although the risk does?—Yes.
878. Mr. C. Buller.] It is an average insurance?—It is.
879. Mr. E. Buller.] Are you able to state, from your own knowledge, what
the rate of insurance is upon other goods?—Yes; I have had other goods in China
at all times.
880. Chairman.] The paper you have put in is the actual cost to you of the
opium you delivered up to Captain Elliot, exclusive of all interest of money,
either before or since?—Yes.
881. Can you give the Committee any information as to the average prices of
0.59.
Malwa
Captain
John Thacker.
66
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
1
Captain
John Thacker.
14 May 1840.
Malwa opium at Bombay ?-No; I had not been engaged in the opium trade at
all, except taking this remittance to China.
882. Do you know whether the price you paid was an unusually high price for
the season? No, I do not think it was.
883. Mr. E. Buller.] When you arrived at Canton, did you ascertain the price
of opium at that time?—There was no price; it was not saleable when I arrived
at Canton.
884. Chairman.] What was the reason of that?-The trade had been entirely
stopped by the Viceroy.
885. Was it in consequence of the arrival of Commissioner Lin that the trade
was suspended?-No; the Viceroy had succeeded in stopping it, I think, more
than the Commissioner afterwards did; it was completely at a stand still before the
Commissioner arrived, the Viceroy had taken such strong measures to suppress it.
886-7. But it was in apprehension of the arrival of the Commissioner? It was
that which it was understood had acted upon the Viceroy, expecting the Com-
missioner.
888. What was the general impression as to the cause of the suspension of the
trade?-In China it was, that the Commissioner was coming down, and that the
Viceroy himself had been implicated in the opium trade, and that his measures
were excessively severe, to clear himself with the government.
889. How long was your opium in China altogether before its delivery up to
Captain Elliot?-From the 15th of February to the 27th of March, the day of the
delivery. I wish to state to the Committee, that on my way to China I stopped
at Singapore, and there a ship had just arrived from Canton, and I first saw Cap-
tain Elliot's letter to the Viceroy, offering to assist, if necessary, the Chinese
authorities in driving the opium boats from the river. The impression was so
strong in my mind at the time that the Chinese would, as a matter of course, turn
round and say,
"drive away the ships outside also," that I endeavoured at once to
dispose of all my opium, and I effected the sale of some of it to the Batavian
government at a great sacrifice; I sold all I could to the Dutch government.
89o. Mr. Elliot.] At what price did you sell it ?-At 450 dollars per chest for
10 chests.
891-2. Mr. Brownrigg.] Was there an agent of the Java government at Singa-
pore?—Yes; Johnson & Company were the agents for the Batavian government
there.
893. Chairman.] You stated that when you gave up the opium to Captain
Elliot, you gave it up to him upon his pledge of remuneration ?I did.
894. Had you made up your mind, in case he had not offered compensation,
to refuse to give it up?-I should not have given it up if he had not offered
compensation, but I did not contemplate his asking for it.
895. You considered yourself free from any claim on the part of the Chinese.
in consequence of your having previously placed your opium in the custody of the
superintendent, Mr. Johnston? I knew that the Chinese were not a very reason-
able government, but I still thought that if they pressed me or coerced me for my
opium, if I proved to them that it was no longer in my custody, they would not
have gone to extremities with me for it.
896-7. Sir William Somerville.] Is that still your opinion, considering the events
that have since occurred?-Yes, I think so. I do not think they would have
done so.
898. Mr. Gladstone.] It is stated in the petitions which have been presented to
the House of Commons, and referred to this Committee, that it was after remon-
strating in vain with Captain Elliot against the requisition which he had made for
the surrender of the opium, that the British merchants there present did make the
surrender; are you cognizant of that fact?-No.
899. You do not recollect that there was any remonstrance addressed to Cap-
tain Elliot, urging him to withdraw the requisition he had made to the merchants
for the surrender of the opium ?-Certainly not; I never heard of it.
900. Do you think that if there had been such a remonstrance you must have
been aware of it ?—I should think so. But I was not so well known at Canton as
the different houses of agency there, because I had but just arrived, and my opinion
might probably not have been sought for at all, for I was not much known in
But I never heard of any remonstrance being made to Captain Elliot
anyway.
at all.
901. Mr. Brownrigg.] You signed that petition, did not you ?-I signed that
petition
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
67
petition to the House of Commons, but I was not aware that such a clause was
in it.
902. Perhaps you signed the petition without having distinctly read through it?
-No; I assuredly read it over, but I do not remember that being in it.--[A
Petition was shown to the Witness.]—My name certainly appears to it; that has
been an oversight on my part; I never observed the clause, nor most assuredly
did I ever hear of a remonstrance. I never remonstrated, and never saw Captain
Elliot upon the subject.
903. From what you saw of the general feeling that prevailed amongst the
merchants there who had opium on consignment, do you conceive it was likely
that they would make any remonstrance against this requisition for the opium, or
that they would not rather have willingly given up the opium to get rid of the
responsibility under which they laboured?-I cannot speak to that. I do not
know what means the houses which had been there a long time had of disposing
of their opium.
904-5. Mr. Herbert.] Did they not seem to meet the requisition readily, and to
be glad that the offer was made to them by Captain Elliot?-I cannot say; I can
only speak to my own feelings upon the subject; I went to my room, and gave it
the best attention I could, and then sent in the letter. The only hesitation I had
upon it was, that I disliked there not being a price named.
906. Mr. Parker.] How could you have avoided giving up the opium to the
Chinese government if you had not given up it to Captain Elliot?—The opium was
outside; they could not seize it.
907. You were in Canton ?-I was in Canton.
908. Mr. Gladstone.] Was there any withdrawal of the letters which had passed
between you and Mr. Johnston when you wrote that letter of the 27th of March
to Captain Elliot ?—None at all, except stating that the opium was already in their
custody, and that they could use it for the service of Her Majesty, agreeably to his
requisition.
909. Chairman.] Then, in giving up your opium, you had no doubt whatever of
the due execution of Captain Elliot's engagement to you, that the British Govern-
ment should repay you?—I had not the most distant; part of the opium I gave
up was my own, and part of it I had lent money upon, belonging to a native of
India, and that native was in Canton at the time; I wrote to him upon the sub-
ject, and I have the letter to him, and his answer to me; the party authorized me
to give up his opium, as well as my own, to Captain Elliot, and he was so satisfied
of its being a bona fide transaction, that he afterwards paid me for the opium which
I gave up, the money I had lent upon it.
910-11. Retaining his own claim upon the British Government?-Yes; which
claim I am obliged to prosecute for him, as Captain Elliot would not give a sepa-
rate receipt.
-
912. Was that a voluntary act upon his part, without any coercion used by you
to obtain it ?—I could use no coercion in China, for there are no laws in China to
oblige men to pay anything.
913. And he was so confident of obtaining payment from the British Govern-
ment, that he paid you the money you had advanced upon it ?-He did.
914. Mr. E. Buller.] But those advances were in the nature of a loan, which
he was bound to repay under any circumstances?—I do not think he was bound
to repay it; I think the parties that received the money in India would have been
bound to repay; but I think that he to whom the opium was consigned, to sell for
the parties, was not bound to repay it, not having the proceeds to pay it with.
915. It was a debt which you had a right to recover even though the opium was
not paid for?—I had a right to do so from the party to whom I lent it.
916. You had advanced money, and the opium was the security; if the opium
was taken from you, you lost your security, but still the claim against the party
remained valid?—Yes, against the party in India, I should think; but it is a dis-
puted point.
917. Mr. Elliot.] Supposing you had not given up the opium to Captain Elliot,
was there anything to prevent Mr. Johnston insisting upon your taking it off his
hands again?—I think Mr. Johnston could have refused to have accepted it.
918-19. On Captain Elliot requiring that the opium should be given up to him,
had you refused was there anything to prevent Mr. Johnston saying, "I cannot
under the circumstances retain the opium in my possession, you must take it back
0.59.
K 2
again.
Captain
John Thacker.
14 May 1840.
68
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Captain
John Thacker.
14 May 1840.
again into your own hands"?-There was nothing to prevent Mr. Johnston
saying so.
920. Supposing he had done so, do not you believe the Chinese would have
compelled you to give up your opium ?—I cannot say that I am capable of greater
endurance than other people; I might have been coerced by suffering or confine-
ment to do it, or I might not.
921. Do you suppose that they would have put those measures in force against
you?—I am inclined to believe, from what I have since seen of the Commissioner's
acts, that they would have done so; but this is after knowledge.
923. You think that in all probability, in the end, as you have not more power
of endurance than other people, you would have been obliged to give it up?-
I might or I might not.
924-25. Sir William Somerville.] You were understood to say that your opinion
was that they would not have forced you to give it up?—I did not say so; but
that they would not have gone to extremities with me, the opium being in the
session of Mr. Johnston.
pos-
926. Mr. Herbert.] Did you think at the time you made the transfer to Captain
Elliot, that you would ultimately have been forced to give it up to the Chinese?—
After I gave it up to Captain Elliot, I did not think anything further of it; of
course my giving it to Mr. Johnston evinced that I had some fear that they would
be able to get it from me if I retained it myself.
927. Sir E. Buller.] But in fact Mr. Johnston never gave you a receipt for the
opium; he merely acknowledged the receipt of your letter?-I took that as an
acceptance of it, otherwise he would have repudiated it.
928. Sir William Somerville.] Your opinion now is that in the end you would
have lost your opium? I cannot say that; I say they might or might not have
forced it from me.
929. Have you no opinion upon the subject now as to whether they would or
would not?—I do not think they would have gone to extremities with me; the
general impression was, I think, that if a remonstrance had been made from the
outside by the captain of the man-of-war, they would not have dared to have gone
to extremities with any one.
930. Mr. Parker.] But it was under an apprehension that such a state of things
might happen that you gave up the opium to Mr. Johnston?--Decidedly. I wished
to put it beyond my own control, in case they came to extremities.
931. Mr. Gladstone.] Was it under the apprehension of being imprisoned, or
under the apprehension of suffering violence over and above imprisonment?-I do
not mean merely being shut up in Canton; I thought they would have marched
us into the city, where we might have been subject to very harsh treatment.
932. Will you explain, so far as you are able, what you mean by the expression
very harsh treatment," and say whether you had any definite apprehension, or
whether it was only a general apprehension under which you acted; whether you
contemplated that any particular course would be taken by the Chinese govern-
ment?-From my knowledge of the Chinese, I understand that their measures are
very harsh to all parties confined in their own prisons in the city, and I thought
that we should be subjected to the same.
66
933. Have you heard of any cases in which their measures have been very harsh
towards Englishmen in Canton?—No, I have not heard of any; I have heard of
cases of their own subjects only.
934. Mr. Elliot.] Your object was, in giving up the opium to Mr. Johnston,
to secure your opium from being taken by the Chinese?-Decidedly,
935. You imagined that it was in danger of being taken by the Chinese ?-No
doubt.
936. That if it had remained in your hands it might have been taken by the
Chinese ?—Yes.
937. You had a strong apprehension of that?-I had.
938. As the Europeans holding opium had been required by Captain Elliot to
give it up, had Mr. Johnston also been required to give up this opium, and upon
having that requisition made to him had delivered it back to you, there would not
have been any difference in your possession then, from what it was when you gave
it up to Mr. Johnston ?—I would not have accepted it under the circumstances.
939. You think that Mr. Johnston might have been compelled to retain charge
of it?—Yes, I think so; I think I had a right to claim his protection as long as
my
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
69
my opium was outside, and there was a British man-of-war outside, and I was a
prisoner and threatened with violence.
940. Upon what grounds do you found that right?-As a British subject, Cap-
tain Elliot had mixed himself up in the opium question. I thought it very hard,
when I arrived in China, after having paid for this opium, which was a trade per-
fectly understood in this country, and perfectly recognized by the Government of
India, and fostered by it, that when I came to the only market which it was
obstruction
grown for the express purpose of being sent to, I should be met by any
in selling it on the part of the representative of the British Government.
941. You said that on your arrival at Singapore you saw some paper issued by
Captain Elliot, declaring his intention of aiding the Chinese in suppressing the
opium trade?-Proffering his aid, if they required it, to drive away the opium
boats in the river.
942. Therefore, clearly manifesting his intention of giving no countenance to
that trade?-To the inside trade.
943. Then, after his having given that intimation, you still think that
you were entitled to call upon the British authority at Canton, requesting
the British Government to give protection to opium, a smuggled article in
China ?—I think so, for this reason: whilst it was on board a British ship it
was not a smuggled article; Captain Elliot had interfered, or offered his inter-
ference, to prevent the opium being smuggled into the river; surely, then, if I
have paid my money for this opium in a trade which was legally recognized by
this country and by the Indian government, when he steps in to prevent my
selling it, I have a right to call upon him to prevent its being confiscated by illegal
means, such as extortion by violence.
•
944. Since that was your opinion when you were at Singapore, how came you
to sacrifice your interest so much as to sell your opium at 450 dollars a chest?—
I would have sold it all then if I could; because Captain Elliot having it under his
charge did not make it more valuable to me if I could not sell it in China; I was
upon the point of sending it away when the trade was stopped.
945. Then it is your opinion that every person that had opium in China would
have had a right to take his opium to Captain Elliot, and say, "Here is British
property, you must protect it "?-Yes, so far as it was outside, and only in danger
of being seized through violence to the person of the owner.
946. Mr. E. Buller.] You would have expected him to protect that property
against seizure by the Chinese; but you would not have expected him to afford
facilities for the introduction of it into China?-I think I may have been misunder-
stood; I do not think I was entitled to ask Captain Elliot to prevent the opium
being seized by the Chinese government in a legal way; but I think I had a right
to ask him to protect me from having it extorted by violence.
947. Supposing the Chinese had proceeded to order away all the opium that
was at Lintin, what would have been your position in that event?—I would have
sent mine away.
948. Should you have felt yourself entitled then to claim compensation ?--No.
949. What would have been the value of the opium, supposing you had been
obliged to send it away from China ?—It would have been of little value at the
moment; but the value would have come back again, as it always has done, under
those circumstances.
950. Did you contemplate being obliged to send it away from China ?-Yes,
I was about to send it away to the Malay Islands.
951. For what purpose?-To exchange it away for beetle-nut and pepper; I had
a ship on the point of sailing when we were shut up.
952. Are you aware of the price of opium in Java?-We are not allowed to
introduce it into the Dutch settlements, but amongst the Malay Islands, where the
Dutch have no power.
953. Did you ascertain the price at which opium might be sold in the islands to
which you had access?—I have known what it had sold for occasionally; it varies
according to circumstances, from 400 dollars to 1,000 dollars a chest; sometimes
350 dollars, sometimes upwards of 1,000.
954. Then the general price in those islands would be very considerably below
the price at Canton?--I think below, generally. There is not a market for a very
large quantity there; mine was a small quantity; I had a ship at Canton that I
could not get freighted with tea, and I intended to send her down with the opium
to the Malay Islands.
0.59.
955. Then
K 3
Captain
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MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
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955. Then, if other parties as well as yourself had been obliged to send away
their opium from Canton, they would probably have taken the same course as your-
self, and have sent it to those islands to be disposed of there?—I think that would
depend upon the quantity; if all of us had had the power of sending it away, it
would have been of no use.
956. Would it not have necessarily followed, that as much as could, by any
possibility, be disposed of in those islands, would have been sent there?—I think it
would.
957. The natural consequence would have been a very great fall in price in
those islands?—I should think so.
958. And, therefore, you must have anticipated the disposal of your opium in
the Malay Islands at a very considerable loss?—I did not anticipate a great loss.
If I had demanded money for it, no doubt that would have been the case, but not
in barter, if I took beetle-nut and pepper for it.
959. You hoped by the sale of the articles you obtained in the islands to
reimburse yourself ?—Yes.
960. You were aware that you had to stand the risk of two markets, the mar-
ket for the opium in the Malay islands, and the market for beetle-nut and pepper
in China?—Yes.
961. In consequence of the increased quantity of opium that was likely to be
poured into the Malay Islands, and the increased quantity of beetle-nut and pepper
likely to be poured into China, you were liable to a difference of prices against
you in both those markets ?-More so than under other circumstances.
962. Mr. Elliot.] You said that you considered that you had a right to call
upon Mr. Johnston to protect the opium that was outside, against the Chinese ?-
Against its being extorted from me by violence.
963. You mean that he ought to have protected you against violence?—I think
he ought to have protected my opium from being extorted from me by violence;
I
gave it to him for safer custody that they should not be able to extort it from me;
that I might be able to say, "I have handed it over to one of the officers of my
own Government; and I have now no power to give it up."
964. You considered that you had not only a right to call upon Mr. Johnston
to protect you against violence by giving up your opium into his hands, but you
also considered that while the opium was outside, and while you could not bring it
inside, you
had a right to go to him and say, "My opium is outside, I cannot bring
it here, and it is safe where it is, but I call upon you to protect me by taking
charge of my opium which is outside, and which I cannot bring in ?"—Yes.
965. Chairman.] Had not Captain Elliot given some orders to the opium ships
to place themselves under the control of the commander of the Larnè ?—He had;
and, in the absence of the captain of the Larne, under the command of two of the
captains of opium ships specified by name.
966. What did you conceive to be the effect of that order?-That it was to pro-
tect the opium.
967. Mr. E. Buller.] But you were not aware of that order before you gave up
your opium to Mr. Johnston ?-Certainly not before I gave it to Mr. Johnston, but
before I gave it up to Captain Elliot I was.
968. Mr. Elliot.] You say the effect of that order was to protect the opium ; was
not it also to protect the ships which contained the opium, and also to protect the
ships which did not contain opium?-It was to protect the whole of the British
property.
969. Was there a considerable quantity of British property that had nothing to
to do with the opium?—Yes.
970. Was not it necessary that an order of that sort should be given to protect
that property?-Certainly.
971. Chairman.] There was no exception made in favor of ships which had only
opium on board?—No.
972. Mr. Gladstone.] How do you know that the opium ships were included in
the order?--The two ships that were named to take the command in the absence
of the captain of the Larne, were two of the principal opium ships.
973. Mr. Brownrigg.] You stated that if Mr. Johnston had desired you to
resume charge of your opium, you would not have taken it, but nevertheless you
would have considered yourself, supposing that disturbance had subsided, perfectly
justified in taking it again from Mr. Johnston whenever you pleased ?-Yes.
974. Although you would not have taken it from him when he called upon you
to
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
71
to receive it?-I only gave it him for safe custody when in danger; when the
danger was past I conceived I had a right to take it back again.
975. But you would not have taken it back again till it suited your purpose?—
Just so; not till I could have protected it myself.
976. Mr. Parker.] If a party can deliver a contraband commodity into the
hands of an officer of his own government, and claim his protection and safe
custody, does not it follow that there can be no danger in illegal trade?-It was
not contraband with regard to my own Government. I could have no cause to
complain of anything that the Chinese did to prevent the trade.
977. Was not it to provide against what the Chinese did to suppress the trade,
that you had put the article into the hands of the officers of your own Government?
-It was to prevent personal violence to myself, and to protect my property.
978. Mr. Gladstone.] Will you explain the expression you used, that Captain
Elliot had mixed himself up with the opium traffic. When you employed that
expression, did you allude to the order that Captain Elliot gave at Macao on
Saturday the 23 of March, or to any previous circumstances, and if so, to what
circumstances?—I alluded in that, when I was speaking of Singapore, to my first
reading there Captain Elliot's offer to assist the Chinese government if they re-
quired, to drive the opium boats out of the river.
979. Would you say that such an offer as that on the part of Captain Elliot
amounted to mixing himself up with the opium traffic, when that measure, so far
as it went, was a preventive measure?—It is that I complain of. I complain that
he should have so mixed himself up with it. Why should he interfere? why not
leave the Chinese to their own resources?
980. But if Captain Elliot mixed himself up in the opium traffic only in the
sense of restricting and preventing it, can you found upon such a mixing up as
that a claim for protection of the opium?-I think so, for my opium, and for rea-
sons I have already given.
981. Sir William Somerville.] You said you thought you had a right to claim
the protection of your Government, because the opium trade was recognized in
this country, and the opium trade was recognized in India; but do you think
that that recognition on the part of the Government in England and in India
would authorize you to claim the protection of your Government in endeavouring
to smuggle opium into a country where it was prohibited ?-No, if the Chinese
could have seized my opium in the course of smuggling it on shore, I should have
had no right to ask any interference on the part of the British Government; but
the opium was not at all in the power of the Chinese; they had taken improper
and illegal measures to extort it from me, and I thought I had, therefore, a right
to protection. I do not mean to say that I had a right to ask the Government to
protect me in the act of smuggling; but that having brought my opium there,
I had a right to the protection of my Government to prevent its being extorted
from me by illegal means.
982. Mr. E. Buller.] Your view is, that you had a right to call upon
your Government to protect your person from violence?-Yes; I look upon it
that with respect to smugglers here in the Channel, upon the same principle, if
the Government could not seize them they could have no right to seize all the
merchants in the Royal Exchange, and imprison them till they brought those
smuggling ships in.
983. Mr. Hogg.] If your opium had been within the river, would you have
conceived yourself authorized to make a similar requisition to Mr. Johnston ?-
Certainly not; but I would have, even in that case, claimed protection against
violence.
984. Then you found your claim upon the fact of your opiuta being in a ship
lying at Lintin, what is called outside? Yes, below Lintin, and out of the power
of the Chinese to seize it.
985. Supposing the Chinese government had sent war junks to Lintin, and
seized by force the opium on board those ships, would you in that case have con-
sidered yourself authorized to make any claim upon the British Government?-
No.
986. You would have considered that a justifiable measure on the part of the
Chinese to put down what they considered an objectionable trade?-Clearly so.
987. Mr. Elliot.] You say that they had no right to extort from you opium in
tne outer waters ?—No, nor to extort it from me in the inner waters.
988. They
K 4
0.59.
Captain
John Thacker.
14 May 1840.
72
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Captain
John Thacker.
14 May 1840.
988. They had not commenced to extort it from you when you gave up the
opium?-Only by the proclamation and threats of violence.
989. Then did you think that the issuing of a threat by the Chinese govern-
ment was sufficient to make it incumbent upon the officer representing the British.
Government there to take charge of all the property belonging to individuals so
threatened?—I think so, they being in confinement at the time; I was in confine-
ment at the time, and their threats had therefore so far been carried into execution..
990. In what degree were you confined at the time?—I was not allowed to quit
Canton, or to have any communication with my ship.
991. Sir W. Somerville.] You think the Chinese had a right to seize the opium
whether it was inside or outside?-If they could.
992. But not to touch your person?-They have no right to seize your person,
and to extort it from you; if they could get the opium, as they have frequently
done, no compensation would be asked for it.
993. Have you any idea what the Chinese law may be upon the subject ?—No.
994. Mr. Gladstone.] Is it your impression that the Chinese government, though
it might be justified in the seizure of contraband goods, would not be justified in
the seizure of persons who were known to be employed in contraband traffic?—
No; I do not think they could be justified even in that.
995. Is it your idea that the general principle of the seizure of persons who
are engaged in a contraband traffic, supposing the fact to be certain, is contrary to
the law of nations ?-Decidedly; I do not think any nation has a right to seize
the person of a party suspected to be guilty of smuggling, unless they can trace it
to him.
996. Supposing the fact to be clear, is it your impression that any nation has a
right to seize the person of a foreigner engaged in a contraband traffic, as well as.
to seize the goods-Not unless they can seize him in the particular fact.
997. Will you explain what you mean by seizing him in the particular fact, with
reference to the peculiar circumstances of the opium traffic at Canton. Inasmuch
as the parties engaged in the opium traffic at Canton have no concern in the bodily
transfer of opium from one possession to another, how would it have been possible
for the Chinese government to find those persons in the fact?-Then if they cannot
find them in the fact, they have no right to punish them.
998. You are of opinion, therefore, that under the circumstances in which the
opium traffic was carried on in Canton, the Chinese government would have no
right to seize the merchants that carried it on ?—No, I think not.
999. Mr. Elliot.] You mean without proof?-Without proof.
1000. Mr. Gladstone.] Without proof of their having been engaged in such
transactions ?—I think you must connect them with some immediate transaction at
the time. A foreigner here may be known to this Government to be engaged in
extensive smuggling transactions, and that he has a number of ships outside; but
you are not justified in seizing that person, and making him bring those ships in;
but if you detect him in the act of smuggling, you seize his property and you
punish him for it.
1001. Are you of opinion that it would have been possible, under any circum--
stances, for the Chinese to have had legal proof of the particular acts of parties
engaged in the opium trade in Canton That I am not competent to speak to.
I had no transactions in the opium before this; I do not know how they managed
it, and I do not know how they could trace it.
1002. Were not the opium transactions matter of perfect notoriety among the
foreign community at Canton ?—Yes. It does not appear that the foreigners were.
engaged in the smuggling; the Chinese were the smugglers; they came to the
ship and brought the money and took away the opium.
1003. Who wrote the crders for the delivery ?-The merchants in Canton.
1004. And yet you say those merchants in Canton were not engaged in the
smuggling-They were engaged in it no doubt; they sold the opium to those
parties; the Chinese themselves took it on shore.
1005. You are of opinion, then, that the parties who wrote the orders were
engaged in it, and that the parties who received the orders were engaged in it?-
The property belonged to the parties who gave the orders, and of course they were
engaged in it.
1006. They, in your opinion, were engaged in it?-They were engaged in the
trade, no doubt; but the immediate sinugglers were the Chinese.
1007. Were not the transactions in opium as much matter of notoriety as the
transactions
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
73
瞿
​transactions in tea, and in silk, and in other goods among the foreign community?
-Not so much as tea and silks.
1008. Were not the names of the consignees of the opium ships printed in the
price currents from week to week ?—Yes.
1009. Do not you consider that that constitutes notoriety?—Yes; but the mode
of carrying on the business of opium is not so well known to everybody at Canton
as that of tea and silks.
1010. Do not you consider that the constant and regular announcement of these
transactions in the public journals at Canton constitutes notoriety ?—Yes, very
great notoriety.
1011. When you say that the opium transactions were not so well known as
the transactions in other branches of trade, is it not a fact that all the mercantile
houses in Canton, with the exception of one American house, were engaged in the
trade?—I think to a very slight degree, many of them.
1012. You mean, that although all of them entered into it from time to time,
yet that the bulk of the trade was, for the most part, confined to a few ?—Yes.
1013. Mr. Elliot.] Was the imprisonment of persons confined entirely to opium
dealers?—No; everybody was confined.
1014. Then it is to be inferred, that the proof of dealing in opium had nothing
to do with the confinement of persons at Canton 2-It had not.
1015. Mr. Herbert.] You say that the ships were put under the command of
the captain of the Larne with a view to defence; supposing some junks had come
down, and had singled out the ships containing opium, and attempted to confiscate
the cargoes, would not that confiscation have been resisted by the Larne?—No
doubt about it.
1016. Sir W. Somerville.] Is it your idea that no one is engaged in smuggling,
unless he actually conveys the goods on shore; because you say that the Chinese
are the smugglers, and that those who bring opium in ships have nothing to do
with smuggling-I think they have nothing to do with it, so far as to enable the
Chinese to fix the fact of smuggling upon them; they are mixed up with the
business no doubt.
1017. That is, you make smugglers of the Chinese, but you are not smugglers
yourselves? We supply the means of their smuggling.
1018. Mr. E. Buller.] You say you do not consider it justifiable to seize
persons, unless those persons are engaged at the time in the act of smuggling, or
unless there exists a ground for a specific charge against them?-I think so,
certainly.
1019. But in either of those cases it would be justifiable?-With regard to its
being sufficient that there should be a charge against him, I am not so clear upon
that point; I think that to fix a man with smuggling, you must detect him in the
fact, and seize the property.
1020. Supposing a cargo has been run, and that parties who were present at the
running of that cargo can swear to the facts and identify the parties, will not that
justify the seizing of the persons?-The parties present at the running may be
punishable by their own government. A French ship may have brandy on board
in the channel; if an English boat goes to her and buys it, can you punish the
Frenchman?
1021. Your view with regard to the seizure of persons is, that they must either
be engaged at the time in the act of smuggling, or that there must be grounds for
a specific charge against them?-Yes.
1022. You do not consider it to be justifiable to seize persons only on the
ground of a general notoriety?-I think not, certainly.
1023. Any more than you would consider it justifiable to seize persons in
England on the ground of general notoriety of their being engaged in breaking
any of the laws of the country?-Certainly.
1024. Mr. Herbert.] But still you hold that the Chinese had a right to confis-
cate the opium if they could seize it, but you acknowledge that if they had
attempted to do so it would have been resisted by order of Capt. Elliot ?-No
doubt Captain Elliot would have protected it.
1025. Then were not the Chinese government compelled to adopt some other
means?—If a man cannot obtain his object by fair means, he is not justified in
adopting unfair means.
1026. You say that the Chinese government coming legally to confiscate illegal
0.59.
L
cargoes,
Captain
John Thacker.
14 May 1840.
74
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Captain
John Thacker.
14 May 1840.
cargoes, would have been resisted by the captain of the Larne?-If they had
come to seize them, British subjects being at that time illegally detained in Canton.
1027. You admit that they would have had a right to seize them?-They would
have had a right to seize them if they could, and the other party would have
had a right to resist.
1028. Mr. Gladstone.] Are you of opinion that if one party had a right to
seize, the other party would have had a right to resist ?-Decidedly; if I were
smuggling I would resist all I could; it is a natural right that will be exercised,
whether a legal right or not.
1029. Mr. Elliot.] How do you know that if the Chinese authorities had been
sent on board those ships to seize opium, the Larne would have resisted?—I do
not know; I suppose so.
1030. You have stated that that would have been the case, what ground have
you for stating that?—I supposed so, from having taken charge of it.
1031. Then this is mere supposition on your own part, and you have no autho-
rity for saying this but from your own supposition?-Certainly.
1032. Mr. Parker.] Might not the captain of the Larne have permitted the
seizure of the opium, but have protected the vessels in other respects?—I should
think not, because Captain Elliot had more than once declared that the Chinese
government should not have a chest of opium.
1033. Chairman.] When had he declared that?-Several times.
1034. Mr. Hogg.] In the absence of the captain of the Larne, was not the
command to be given to the captain of the Hercules?-Yes.
1035. Was the Hercules a receiving ship? The principal receiving ship of
Jardine's house.
1036. And he was appointed to take the command in the absence of the captain.
of the Larne ?-He was.
1037. Mr. Elliot.] Was not that arrangement made in contemplation of an
inimical attack upon the ships, and also an attack by fire-ships upon the vessels?
-Captain Elliot's own circular to the inhabitants of Macao will explain the
cause of it; I have not got the words here, but he states his own reason for it.
1038. Chairman.] When you say that Captain Elliot several times declared
that the Chinese should not have a chest of opium, what circumstances or what
period do you refer to ?-During the time that he was in Canton he said so.
I think when he came up, and made that address at the public meeting, he said
that they should not have a chest of opium, and he disapproved of the 1,030
chests being given up.
1039. Were you present when Captain Elliot addressed the European residents
after his arrival at Canton ?-Yes, I was present.
1040. Did he then declare that the Chinese should not have a chest of opium?
Yes, to the best of my recollection, he then said that the Chinese should not have
a chest of opium, and that he regretted that the 1,030 chests had been surrendered
to them.
1041. You do not know of Captain Elliott's having expressed any opinion or
determination of the same kind, prior to his arrival at Canton at that moment?
No, because I did not see him, and there was no question about the seizure before.
that.
1042. How long before the giving up of the opium by Captain Elliot was this
declaration made ?—I think only three days.
1043. How long previous to the proposal to the merchants to give it up?-
I think three days.
1044. In the speech which Captain Elliot addressed to the merchants at the
time, did not he say that he had already made up his mind what was to be done?
He did.
1045. Had that reference to the giving up the opium?—No, I should say not,
be expressed his regret that any of it had been tendered to the Chinese at all;
and he said that he would demand passports for us to leave within 10 days.
""
1046. Mr. Brownrigg.] In your former evidence, when you were relating what
passed when Captain Elliot arrived, this question was put to you,
"Did he say
anything about the surrender of the opium then? Your answer is, "No;
I think he said he was sorry that the 1,030 chests had been tendered to the Hong
?_
merchants;" but you now say that he said not a chest should be delivered up?
I think he coupled the two together, that he was sorry that any opium had been
tendered, and that not a chest should be given up.
1047. But
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
75
1047. But then a further question was put; "But with reference to the cession
of the whole quantity nothing was said?" and your answer is, "Nothing what-
ever." You now say that Captain Elliot frequently asserted his determination
not to give up a single chest?-It is difficult to recollect every word that is said in
a long speech.
1048. Mr. Hogg.] When you say that the actual operation of smuggling was
always performed by the Chinese themselves, you speak of a period anterior to
1838?-I understand it to be so; so far as the outside ships are concerned, I be-
lieve it is always done by the Chinese.
1049. Are you not aware that the Chinese smuggling boats were destroyed in
1837, and that subsequently to the destruction of those boats, the opium was intro-
duced in English boats?-I am not aware of the fact.
1050. Mr. Gladstone.] In question 802 you were asked, with reference to Mr.
Dent going into the city, "Was the opinion of the foreign community, that he
should not go, an unanimous opinion?" and your answer is, "Quite." What
do you
include in the foreign community" in that answer?-I said that
I believed there were one or two, and Mr. Inglis, I believe, was one, that thought
there was no danger in his going; but the opinion was general amongst all the
people that he ought not to go in.
persons
66
1051. When you say amongst all the people," do you mean exclusively part-
ners in mercantile firms ?-Everybody that I conversed with there; I do not mean
the Americans.
1052. When you say that the foreign community was nearly unanimous, with
those one or two exceptions, do you mean by "the foreign community" other
parties than those who were interested in the opium question?-Everybody that
was there, everybody that I spoke to.
1053. Do you mean to include many other persons than those who were inte-
rested in the opium question ?—Yes, many that had nothing to do with opium.
1054. You think their opinion was nearly unanimous, like the opinion of those
interested in opium ?-Yes.
1055. And that they were called upon for their opinion as well as the parties
interested in opium?-I do not think everybody was called upon to give a vote
upon the question. There was an assemblage of people which met at Mr. Dent's
house, and Mr. Dent made an appeal to the people present, and said that he would
go or not go, according to their opinion, and it was the universal cry,
"No."
1056. That assembly comprehended the great bulk of the foreigners, and it was
indifferently composed of the partners of houses and of other foreigners ?-I think
it was.
1057. Mr. E. Buller.] You were understood to say that you would not have
surrendered your opium but for the pledge of payment on the part of Captain
Elliot; what grounds had you to suppose that Captain Elliot could pledge his
Government to pay for it?-I am not much of a legislator, but I read his
requisition, which I have here, it is a most powerful address, and I did not
see that I could do otherwise than comply with it. I thought it was clear that
he would never have written it unless he had been satisfied of his power.
1058. You rested your view of his authority solely upon his powers?-
Decidedly.
1059. Did you not inquire in any way into the nature of his authority; did you
not look at the Order in Council, or at the Act of Parliament ?-No, I did not;
I had no means of looking at them.
1060. Did you hold no conversation with persons at Canton upon the subject?
-There was a great deal of conversation between six o'clock in the morning and
nine or ten o'clock, the time of giving all up, among the parties in the house where
I was living, and it was the unanimous opinion that there could not be any doubt
about the question; that Captain Elliot must have the authority, or no doubt
he would not have issued this order. I only hesitated about there being no price
fixed.
1061. That he had authority to guarantee the payment?—Yes.
1062. You did not suppose that he had authority to order the surrender of the
opium without such a guarantee ?--Certainly not.
1063. Were those with whom you conversed at the time, all of opinion that
Captain Elliot had this authority?-Yes, I never heard a word said to the
contrary.
0.59.
1064. In
L 2
Captain
John Thacker.
14 May 1840.
76
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Captain
John Thacker.
14 May 1840.
1064. In what way did you suppose that authority to be conveyed; generally,
under his consular powers, or by special instructions from the Government?-Both,
we thought.
1065. Are you not aware that consular powers do not give authority to the consul
to pledge the Government to any such liability?-It came upon us so much by
surprise, when the requisition came in the morning. There was great excitement
prevailing at the time, and it was the opinion of many, that Captain Elliot had
some precise object in doing this; that he was carrying out some policy which he
was directed by his Government to carry out, in giving up this opium; in placing
the Chinese, as it were, in the wrong.
1066. If he did it with the view of carrying out some line of policy, you would
have been equally bound to surrender the opium without any guarantee for repay-
ment?-I do not know that; I do not see that I am bound to sacrifice my pro-
perty to carry out the views of the Government.
1067. Was it in obedience to the authority which you supposed him to possess,
or because you thought he was the best purchaser for your opium? It is not a
demand; it is a request, pledging himself that it should be paid for.
1068. Do you consider these words "I enjoin" as a request?—Yes; and he
holds out a sort of threat, that if you do not comply you must take the conse-
quences, viz. have the protection of your Government withdrawn from you.
1069. Mr. Parker.] Did not you ask him whether he had the power ?—No;
I did not see him.
1070. Mr. Herbert.] You thought it was rather your business to obey his
authority than to call it in question?-I thought it was my business to protect, in
the best way I could, my property, which I had worked very hard for. It was the
opinion of every person that I heard speak on the subject, that there was no doubt
about it; that the pledge was so strong, that no man would have given it unless
he had still power so to do.
1071. Chairman.] You thought it impossible that the representative of the
British Crown in China would have issued a paper of that kind unless he had
authority to do so?—I thought so. It may be a very different thing after the
affair is over to sit here and question what I ought to have done, but I did it boná
fide, supposing that he had authority to make the pledge.
1072. Mr. Parker.] Did you hear any parties ask him whether he had the
power?—I did not.
1073. Did you not do it, upon the whole, as the best means of getting out of
the difficulties with which you were then surrounded?—I thought it was the best
thing I could do under the circumstances of the case. I thought that I could not
do otherwise, in fact, when some parties had given up their opium; I do not see
how I or others could have refused to do it.
1074. Chairman.] If you had had personal freedom you could have done some-
thing else with your opium ?-I could.
1075. Mr. E. Buller.] If it was a mere request, and if you surrendered it to
him on account of the promise of repayment, does it not follow that you would
have been justified in refusing if you had considered it your interest to do so?-
No doubt, but Captain Elliot held out a threat that he would in that case be no
longer answerable for it, or for any protection.
1076. Then you imagined that for the security of your property it was better
for you to comply with Captain Elliot's request?—I did; that otherwise the pro-
tection of the British Government would be withdrawn from my property.
1077. Do you or do you not think, that, under those circumstances, you could
have retained possession of that property?—I think I could not consistently have
retained it, particularly that which was not my own.
1078. Had you any reasonable expectation that if you had refused to comply
with Captain Elliot's request, and the rest of the community had done so, you
could have retained possession of your opium, and have avoided the surrender of
it?—I think, under my peculiar circumstances, I might. I was unknown to the
Chinese, and it never would have been known that I had any opium at all; but
I thought I should not be justified in doing it, particularly with regard to the opium
that belonged to another party, which I had lent money upon.
1079. You thought that the retaining the opium would have been so great a
risk that you would not have been justified in running that risk, with reference to
opium belonging to a third party?—I think that when an offer of this kind was
made for it, I should not have been justified in taking the chance of anything
better
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
77
better afterwards. Here was an offer made to take it from me; I was in difficulty,
I was in prison, and I think that I was bound to accept that offer; I think any
man would have done the same if he had been there.
1080. Mr. Gladstone.] Are the Committee to understand that your feeling was
this: although you thought there was a chance of saving it if you retained it in
your own possession, yet you knew there was also a chance of losing it; and you
thought there would be no chance of losing it if you surrendered it into the pos-
session of the Government, and therefore you preferred certainty to contingency?
-No, that was not my feeling exactly; my feeling was that it might be a long
time before I should be able to realize it, and that here I had a good offer made of
winding up the thing for me, and that the best thing I could do would be to accept
it; I had placed it before in the charge of Mr. Johnston, and I thought it was
safe, still it might be a long time before I could sell it.
1081. Mr. E. Buller.] Then it was a voluntary transaction on your part, in
surrendering it up to Captain Elliot ?-Decidedly, trusting to his pledge.
1082. Mr. Hogg.] Supposing you had had an opportunity of communicating
with the ship on board of which your opium was, would you rather have ordered
the departure of that ship with your opium, for any market you might choose, or
the delivery of the opium to Captain Elliot, under his requisition?—I would have
preferred the delivery to Captain Elliot; I looked upon it as such a bona fide
transaction, that I considered it a certainty.
1083. So that if you had had the opportunity of ordering the ship away, with
your opium on board, for the Malay Islands, or any other place you chose to
direct, in preference to giving such orders, you would rather have delivered up the
opium to Captain Elliot, under his requisition?—I would, most assuredly; the one
was a certainty and the other was a very great uncertainty.
Anthony Daniell, Esq. called in; and Examined.
1084. Chairman.] YOU are a partner in the house of Daniell & Co. of Canton?
-Yes.
1085. When did you go out to China?-I arrived in China in September
1834.
1086. Was your house engaged in the opium trade?—Yes.
1087. Both as matter of consignment and of personal venture of your own?—
We had very little on our own account.
1088. But you received considerable consignments?—We did.
1089. Were you ever engaged in the trade within the Bogue?--No, we never
were.
1090. You carried on the trade along the coast ?-Outside and along the
coast.
1091. To some extent?-To a considerable extent.
1092. The trade was in a state of considerable stagnation, or almost entire
stoppage, in the beginning of the year 1839-Yes.
1093. What was the reason of that?-The edicts which had been issued about
that time from the Viceroy.
1094. What do you believe was the cause of those edicts coming out?-
I believe the cause of them was the export of Sysee treasure.
1095. When did Commissioner Lin arrive in Canton?-On the 10th of
March.
1096. Do you recollect the edicts published by him on his arrival ?-Perfectly.
1097. What impression did they create amongst the foreign community in
Canton ?-The general impression was, that he would demand the surrender of
the opium, but that it would be got over by some arrangement.
1098. Are the Committee to understand that you had any expectation of being
able to prevent the surrender of the whole quantity of opium ?-No idea was en-
tertained of giving up the whole quantity.
1099. Could you have protected yourselves against such a demand if it had
been made ?-We should have endeavoured to have done so.
1100. How could you have done so ?-By remaining firm.
1101. Had you the power of sending it away ?-Not after the time of the edict,
because all communication was stopped.
1102. You had the power of sending it away previously, if you had anticipated
anything of the kind?-Certainly we had.
0.59.
L 3
1103. When
Captain
John Thacker.
14 May 1840.
A. Daniell, Esq.
78
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Daniell, Esq.
14 May 1840.
1103. When was the first period of your being unable to quit Canton ?-On
the 21st, when no boats were allowed to quit Canton.
1104. Was that the day of the issuing the edict ?-The edict from the Hoppo,
prohibiting foreigners leaving Canton, was issued on the 19th.
1105. When was the notice given you that you were not at liberty to quit
Canton ? On the 19th.
-
1106. What occurred between the issuing of the edict and the injunction for
you to remain at Canton; did you take any steps with reference to the demand
made upon you for the delivery of the opium?-On the evening of the 19th I
received a message from Howqua, wishing my attendance at the Consoo-house,
with some of the other foreign merchants of Canton. Amongst them were Mr.
Dent, Mr. Fox, Mr. Matheson, Mr. Green, Mr. Wetmore, and Mr. Thom, the in-
terpreter; who read to us the chop from Lin, saying that the opium must be sur-
rendered, and he requested us to give an answer immediately; we then told Hou-
qua and the other Hong merchants present, that we could not possibly give an
answer upon so important a question, but that a general meeting of the Chamber
of Commerce should be called on the 21st, which was the earliest period at which
it could well be done; and on the 21st a good deal of discussion took place re-
garding the measures to be adopted, and it ended in a deputation being sent to
the Consoo-house, to the Hong merchants there assembled, in order to inform
them that they would shortly receive a letter from the Chamber of Commerce to
the purport that the edict involved such important and complicated interests, a
direct reply could not be given before the 27th, although it was the general feel-
ing of the foreign community to relinquish all future traffic in opium, the emperor's
desire to put it down being now apparent; at the same time we endeavoured to
impress upon them the impossibility of delivering up the opium, it being almost
entirely the property of merchants in India. The merchants then went into the
city, and we heard nothing more till about nine o'clock the same evening, when
we were requested by Mr. Wetmore the chairman, to meet at the Chamber of
Commerce; it was there agreed that the attendance of the Hong merchants should
be called. Howqua then stated that he had seen one of the authorities (the Kwang-
chow-foo), to whom he gave our answer, which he said was of no use, and that the
opium must be surrendered. Howqua continued that he was greatly excited, and
that if a certain quantity of opium was not given up, two of them were to lose
their heads in the morning; and that if the opium was not surrendered at 10
o'clock in the morning, he would be at the Consoo-house, and they would see
what the consequences would be. A great deal of discussion took place, when
Howqua mentioned that 1,000 chests would be sufficient; and to appease the ex-
orbitant demand of the High Commissioner and save their own lives, after some
consultation the foreign merchants agreed among themselves to sacrifice the
1,000 chests.
1107. Mr. Brownrigg.] Was this previous to or after the demand for the
attendance of Mr. Dent?-This was previous to the demand for the attendance of
Mr. Dent.
1108. Mr. Clay.] On the evening of the 21st ?-Yes.
1109. Mr. Colquhoun.] What day of the week was that?-Thursday.
1110. Chairman.] Will you state what further occurred?-On Friday morning
there was an answer sent that this quantity was not sufficient, and also, I think, at
that time, Mr. Dent was requested to go into the city, which at first he had some
idea of doing, but when it became generally known, parties advised him not to go
unless he could get the guarantee of the Commissioner for his safe return. The
Hong merchants said they would do so; which was rejected, as their guarantee
could in no way control the acts of the high commissioner. Then, I think, it
passed over till Saturday morning, when there was a meeting of the Chamber,
at which I was not present; but I went over to Mr. Dent's about 11 or 12 o'clock
of the Saturday, and there saw the Hong merchants in chains, at least Howqua
and Mouqua had chains; they were sitting in an ante-room; they had come to
request Mr. Dent's attendance, and they said that if he did not come immediately,
soldiers would be sent to take him before the Commissioner; however, it was put
to the community whether Mr. Dent should go or not; they said, most decidedly
not; that they did not think it safe that he should go in. They then went into
the Consoo-house, and stated Mr. Dent's answer; that Mr. Dent was no longer
acting as a private individual, but that it was the determination of the whole foreign
community that Mr. Dent should not go into the city, unless they had a guarantee
from
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
79
from the commissioner. Afterwards a Wei Yuen and the Namhoy came to the
house, and several times asked Mr. Dent whether he would go into the city or
not, to which he replied "No; that the foreign community had determined that
he should not go; at the same time that he was very sorry to do anything which
should annoy the Commissioner in any way, but that he was unable to go, unless
with his guarantee." Mr. Inglis was then asked to go to the Consoo-house with
Mr. Dent's message, which he did, and he then volunteered to proceed into the
city, where he was detained till about nine in the evening. The Hong merchants
afterwards came to Mr. Dent, about 10 or 11 o'clock, and repeated their desire
for him to go in, which he again declined; and upon its being represented to
Howqua that the following day was Sunday, it was conceded that no molestation
should be offered on that day. Nothing transpired till about six o'clock on the
Sunday evening. I was walking in the garden in the front of the factory, and we
saw a boat coming up with English colours flying and a pendant; it was Captain
Elliot, and he arrived about half past six. There was an endeavour to cut him
off by one of the Mandarin boats in front of the landing-place; but he managed
to get in, and landed about half past six. We ran to meet him in the garden, in
front of the British factory. He asked us to go up to the Hall with him. First of all
he asked for the union jack, which could not be found, and immediately they planted
a small union jack, which they had in the boat, on the top of a flag-staff. He im-
mediately asked for Mr. Dent, whether he was safe, and on learning that he was
in his own factory, he proceeded there, accompanied by all who met him; and in
about 10 minutes he returned with Mr. Dent into the Hall where all the foreign
community were assembling, and to whom he read the address which he published
on the 23d at Macao. He then stated that he was glad that he had succeeded in
arriving amongst us in this difficult position, and that he should be very happy to
afford us any assistance in his power; that the H. M. ship Larne, although of small
force, was outside, and that if we were compelled to force our way down we should
certainly have his support, and have the assistance of the ship outside at the mouth
of the Bocca Tigres; he said, that he did not wish to be offensive to anybody, but
that he intended to act without the advice of others, or else it might be considered
that he was favouring some parties in Canton, and that he was acting entirely upon
his own responsibility, upon the powers of his office. The meeting then dispersed.
Nothing occurred, except that immediately after that it was agreed to establish a
kind of guard in our hong, which was part of the same hong as Captain Elliot's,
and we kept on guard every two hours alternately, the different parties residing
there. The Hong merchants of course came in during the evening of Sunday and
on Monday; but nothing was known of what was going on from Captain Elliot
until Wednesday morning, when Captain Elliot called upon us to surrender the
opium on the morning of Wednesday.
1111. When were the Chinese servants removed?-They began to leave imme-
diately upon Captain Elliot's landing; at least, about half an hour afterwards;
some of our private servants had gone previously; our compadore had left on
Friday.
1112. When were the provisions stopped?-On the Monday.
1113. When were the servants removed by command-About half an hour
after Captain Elliot's arrival one of the linguists came through the hongs to order
them all off. I omitted to state, that almost immediately after Captain Elliott's
arrival, the whole space in front of the foreign factories was occupied by Chinese
guards, and the river blocked up with three rows of large boats, moored in the
form of a crescent, filled with soldiers, so that all communication was completely
cut off.
1114. Had you taken any measures to guard against the scarcity of food?-
Yes, we had.
1115. To a considerable extent ?-No, not to a considerable extent; we had
several fowls and things of that sort laid in; we might have gone on for a fortnight
or three weeks, with biscuits and stores that we had from England.
1116. You had no immediate fear of starvation ?—No.
1117. Mr. Elliot.] Do you mean that the whole of the foreigners might have
gone on for a fortnight?—I do not know what supplies others had, but some had
done it to some extent also.
1118. You do not know what quantity of provisions had been laid in for the
whole number of foreigners there?-That I cannot answer; we had merely laid in
a few fowls.
0.59.
1119. Mr.
L 4
4. Daniell, Esq.
14 May 1840.
80
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Daniell, Esq.
14 May 1840.
1119. Mr. Colquhoun.] Is it your impression that the majority had done as you
had done?—Yes.
1120. Mr. Elliot.] When you say the majority, do you mean houses or captains
and seamen ?-No; I mean the houses of residents in Canton.
1121. If those provisions had been divided amongst the whole number confined,
can you form any notion how long they would have been able to hold out?-I do
not know what the others had at all; of course everybody would have divided the
provisions he had with the others as long as they lasted.
1122. When you say that you and that others had provisions for a fortnight or
three weeks, you do not mean to say that if those provisions had been divided
amongst the whole number they would have lasted them for that period?—No;
simply for our own establishment.
1123. Chairman.] Was the supply of water cut off?-They would not allow
any water to be brought into the factories.
1124. Is there any water within the factories?—Yes, but not wholesome water;
the drains run from the different houses into it; the river flows in, but there is a
great deal of dirt.
?
1125. Are there wells ?-No; it is a large sewer more than a well.
1126. The only supply of water to the factories is from the river?-Yes, it
is brought in by coolies every day for common purposes, but at the same time we
usually get our supply of drinking water from a spring in the city.
1127. Mr. Hogg.] Is it usual to have water in in quantities, which you purify
for the purpose of drinking, and keep a stock of?-Yes; about every six months
they lay in a supply of water for their drinking, which they purify.
1128. Then, the supply is generally a supply which lasts three or four months
-Yes; for drinking, many have a few large jars for their own consumption.
1129. Sir C. Lemon.] Your access to those was not cut off?-No; not to the
jars.
1130. Mr. Elliot.] Are those supplies laid in by the different houses, or are
they laid in by the whole community ?-By the houses separately; by their own
coolies.
1131. So that the whole community had not access to this water?-No, but
I believe each house supply their own wants in that way.
1132. Mr. Hogg.] Was it the usual practice of every resident at Canton to have
a stock of water in his own house for the purposes of drinking?-Yes, I think it
was very general.
1133. Sir C. Lemon.] In point of fact, were you under any alarm of a drought
of water?-They deprived us of getting water for the purposes of cooking, and
things of that kind.
1134. But you had no immediate apprehension of being deprived of water?-
They did not endeavour to take away the water we had in our jars.
1135. The sources you had under your control were sufficient for your supply
for a time?—Yes.
1136. Mr. Gladstone.] Was any actual inconvenience suffered during the time that
the supply from without was cut off?-No; we had water sufficient to go on with.
1137. Are you aware whether any portion of the foreign community was in
actual want of good drinkable water ?-I am not aware that they were.
1138. For how long was the supply of water cut off?--For a week, I think.
1139. For how long was the supply of provisions cut off?-A week.
1140. Was not the access to provisions permitted when the arrangement for the
delivery of the opium was made?—No; not till afterwards. I think it was on
the 30th that there was a present sent of provisions to Captain Elliot.
1141. Both provisions and water began to be cut off from the time that Captain
Elliot arrived? Yes; on Monday.
1142. And they continued to be cut off from the Monday till when ?-Till the
Saturday, I think it was.
1143. Chairman.] What you mean is, that there was water within your wells
besides the drinking water, but it was not wholesome for the purposes of cooking?
-No; it was not used for consumption, it was merely used for washing the hongs.
1144. Mr. Colquhoun.] From what source did other persons who were not
within the houses that had a supply of water, such as seamen, draw water for
their use during those five days? They were either provided at the hotel, or
they were residing at the different houses.
1145. Mr.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
81
?
1145. Mr. Hogg.] Had not there frequently before been a temporary depriva- A. Daniell, Esq.
tion of servants, and of supplies of food?-Not frequently.
1146. Occasionally?-I think Lord Napier's was the last time when the ser-
vants were taken away.
14 May 1840.
1147. But occasionally the Chinese authorities have, on disputes and differences
arising, taken away the servants, and stopped the supplies? I have heard that,
on previous occasions, servants have been taken away.
1148. And supplies stopped?—Not that I am aware of.
1149. Mr. Colquhoun.] Your residence does not extend so far back as 1830?
No, I arrived there in September 1834, just after Lord Napier arrived.
1150. Sir George Grey.] Did the stoppage of the water and the provisions occa-
sion any extraordinary alarm and apprehension on the part of the foreign commu-
nity at Canton? They thought it rather a serious step, of course.
1151. Chairman.] Was there much alarm amongst the foreign community?-
There was a good deal of excitement.
1152. Was that general, or was it confined to those who had newly arrived, and
who were not acquainted with the practices of the Chinese government?-I should
say, more to those who had newly arrived.
C
1153. Those who had been there for some years were not so much alarmed as
those that had newly arrived ?-No, I should say not, certainly.
1154. Mr. Clay.] But they had an impression that the Chinese government were
more in earnest than they had been on former occasions?-Yes, from the fact of
their having stopped the supplies of food in the way they did.
1155. Chairman.] You say that on the Wednesday inorning, the 27th, Captain
Elliot called upon you to give up your opium in common with the rest of the com-
munity; did you give up your opium ?We did.
1156. Mr. Hogg.] Previous to seeing Captain Elliot's requisition, had you ever
heard from him, or from anybody else, that he had it in contemplation to issue such
an order?-No, I never heard it from him.
1157. The first intimation you ever had of the requisition, or of any intention
to issue the requisition, on the part of Captain Elliot, was seeing the requisition
itself?—It was.
1158. Then there could have been no remonstrance against the requisition, on
behalf of yourself or other members of the foreign community ?-No.
1159. Chairman.] What quantity of opium did you surrender?-1,456 chests.
1160. On what ground did you comply with Captain Elliot's requisition to give
up the opium?-From the terms of his circular, expecting that we should be remu-
nerated by the Government.
1161. Did you believe then that Captain Flliot had a right to call upon you to
give up the opium ?-Certainly.
1162. Did you believe that you had the right of refusing, or of acquiescing, as
you thought best?-No; we were called upon by Captain Elliot to deliver it to
him on the terms of his "Notice" of the 27th March.
July
1163. Sir G. Grey.] Then you would have delivered it up whether he pro-
mised remuneration or not, his right to claim it being the same in either case?-
No. We could not have delivered it up to Captain Elliot if he had not promised
remuneration.
1164. Do you mean that you would have told him that he had no right to
claim it? We could not have delivered it up without he had offered us remu-
neration, as we should thus be throwing away an immense value of property.
1165. But you would have entertained the same opinion as to his right?-We
did not know what Captain Elliot's full powers were.
1166. Mr. E. Buller.] You did not give it up under the impression that Cap-
tain Elliot was vested with an unlimited authority-We gave it up under the im-
pression that he had full power to demand it from us, as he expressed in his "Notice."
1167. If he had required the surrender of the opium without any promise of
indemnity on the part of the Government, you would not have given it up?-Cer-
tainly not.
1168. You would not conceive that he had any authority to call upon you un-
conditionally to surrender the opium ?—No.
1169. It was not so much in obedience to Captain Elliot's authority, as in
anticipation of the remuneration that you would receive from the British Govern-
ment that you gave it up?--It was in obedience to his authority that we gave up
the opium, relying most implicitly on his pledge.
0.59.
M
1170. Did
82
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Daniell, Esq.
14 May 1840.
1170. Did you then imagine that Captain Elliot had unlimited authority over
the British merchants at Canton, to the extent that he might have called upon
them to surrender their opium unconditionally?-I certainly imagined he had the
authority he set forth in his "Notice."
1171. Mr. Brownrigg.] Without payment ?—Not without remuneration.
1172. Mr. E. Buller.] Did you give up your opium under the impression that
Captain Elliot had authority to demand it under any circumstances, or did you
give it up under the impression that Captain Elliot was authorized to pay for it by
the Government?-We gave it up under the impression that Captain Elliot was
authorized to receive it for the use of Her Majesty's service, and under the full
conviction that he had power to do so, and to remunerate us for it.
1173. That is to say, you were under the impression that Captain Elliot was
authorized to pledge his Government for the payment; but you were not under
the impression that he had authority to call upon you to surrender the opium
without remuneration ?-We could not have given over that property to Captain
Elliot unless he had given us the guarantee of the Government for it.
1174. But if Captain Elliot was invested with this unlimited authority he might
have called upon you to surrender it without remuneration, trusting to the British
Government to obtain an indemnity for you from the Chinese government?—We
could not have given it up under those circumstances.
1175. Then you were not under the impression that Captain Elliot was vested
with that absolute authority?-We were under the impression that he had autho-
rity to receive it, and pledge his Government to reimburse us for it.
1176. That he was authorized to make a bargain with you for the opium, but
that he was not authorized to compel you to deliver it up?-We thought he had
full authority to call upon us for it in the way he did.
1177. Mr. Hogg.] Would you think it within the competency of any public
authority to exact from British subjects, in any part of the world, the surrender of
their property without any remuneration for it?—I should think not.
1178. Mr. Herbert.] In fact, you never thought that Captain Elliot had the
power to seize the opium, but only the power to buy it?-Only the power to
buy it.
1179. Mr. E. Buller.] On what did you found your opinion that he had the
power to buy it?-From his calling upon us in the way he did for the surrender
of it.
1180. You never asked yourself the question, how it was possible for Captain
Elliot to have such a power?-We certainly thought he had full powers, but he
never told us what his powers were.
1181. Did you never ask yourselves the question, how it was possible for Captain
Elliot to have that power?-We had some conversation about it, and we were
fully impressed that Captain Elliot would never have called upon us to deliver it
up unless he had full authority.
1182. How did you suppose that such an authority could be conveyed to him?
-From the instructions of the Government.
1183. Did you ask yourself the question, whether it would be possible for the
Government to give such instructions ?-We were in ignorance what the instruc-
tions were.
1184. Was there any probability that the instructions could have been to that
effect?—In the circumstances of China, and in the state of the trade altogether,
we thought there might have been powers of that kind granted to him.
1185. Did you think it possible that the British Government could have given
Captain Elliot instructions to do whatever he thought right, and that those instruc-
tions could enable Captain Elliot to pledge the British Government to that extent ?
-It is impossible for me to say what the Government would do, or what their
instructions were; we should never have thought that Captain Elliot would have
called upon us for that immense surrender of property, unless he had the power.
1186. Chairman.] In fact, that was the only thing you went upon; you placed
implicit confidence in him, and thought he would not have called upon you
in the terms of the notice for the surrender of your property, unless he was
authorized to do so?-Certainly.
1187. Mr. E. Buller.] And you never took the trouble to inquire into the
nature of Captain Elliot's powers under the Act of Parliament, or under the Orders.
in Council?Captain Elliot, at a meeting some time previously, stated that it
was not in his power to publish his instructions.
1188. Mr.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
83
1188. Mr. Herbert.] Did you conceive that Captain Elliot was the best autho- A. Daniell, Esq.
rity as to what his powers were?-Certainly; he had stated, at a public meeting
in December, that it was not in his power to publish his instructions.
14 May 1840.
1189. Sir George Grey.] Had you heard at this time of a previous surrender of
opium to Mr. Johnston before Captain Elliot's arrival?—Yes.
1190. Chairman.] Do you know under what circumstances the surrender to
Mr. Johnston was made, and by whom?-There were two or three houses men-
tioned as having surrendered on the Saturday, I think; they said they placed it
with him for safe custody; that, I think, was the plea upon which they put it.
1191. Mr. Clay.] Your house had made no such surrender?—No.
1192. Chairman.] Was there any opium at Canton at the time of Captain
Elliot's arrival?—There was a small quantity.
1193. What do you call a small quantity -I think it was under a chest.
1194. Had you any consultation, either amongst the partners of your house, or
with other members of the foreign community, before
you decided upon complying
with the terms of Captain Elliot's notice?—I had some conference with my part-
ner upon it.
1195. When you received the notice?-Yes; and also in the course of conver-
sation outside as to the general opinion.
1196. Had you any hesitation in complying with the requisition?-No; when
we read the terms of the requisition we had none.
1197. Was the whole of your opium at Lintin ?—No; part of it was on the
coast.
1198. But it was all outside?—Yes.
1199. Mr. Clay.] Was the tenor of that notice matter of very great surprise to
you? It greatly took us by surprise.
1200. Chairman.] Are you prepared with any statement as to the cost of the
opium then in China; do you know what your own opium cost you per chest?—
I have not the statement of the exact cost at present with me.
1201. Can you give the Committee an idea of about how much it cost you?
I should think that Patna stood us in above 520 or 530 dollars per chest, and
the Malwa above 600; the quantity belonging to ourselves being small.
1202. Mr. Clay.] Were the chests of Malwa opium of the same weight as the
Patna and Benares -The Patna and Benares are heavier.
1203. What is the weight respectively of those chests in English pounds?-
The Malwa ought to weigh, on leaving Bombay, about 140 pounds, the net opium
in the package.
1204. And what the Patna and Benares?-About 116 to 120 cultees; equiva
lent to 150 or 160 pounds.
1205. Is not the opium packed in balls of about 2 pounds weight each ?-The
chests of Patna and Benares contain 40 balls; the Malwa is in small flat cakes.
1206. Sir Charles Lemon.] Did anything pass between you and Captain Elliot
with regard to the price that was to be paid for the opium ?-No.
1207. Mr. Elliot.] Was the opium given up without any agreement regarding
the price?—Yes.
1208. Might he then have retained it without paying any price at all?—No;
because that would have been contrary to the terms of his "Notice."
1209. Chairman.] You consider that the value of it was to be settled subse-
quently?—Yes.
1210. Was that the tacit understanding?—It was according to the terms of his
"Notice.'
ر
1211. Mr. E. Buller.] You state that there was no remonstrance before the
issuing of Captain Elliott's injunction to deliver up the opium; are you aware
of any remonstrance having been made after the issuing of that injunction ?—No.
1212. You did not yourself remonstrate with Captain Elliot at all against so
doing?--No.
1213. But you immediately complied with the terms of his order ?--We im-
mediately did so; we handed him, the same evening, orders upon the captains of
the different receiving ships.
1214. Sir Charles Lemon.] Did you sign one of the petitions referred to this
Committee ?--I believe my partner did.
1215. Mr. Brownrigg.] What is the name of your partner?--Wilkinson Dent.
1216. You said, in the first part of your evidence, that previous to the 21st of
March, you had power to send the opium away if you had thought fit, the
0.59.
receiving
M 2
84
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Daniell, Esq.
14 May 1840.
receiving ships were always in a state fit to go to sea ?--They can always go to
sea at very short notice.
1217. What length of notice?—In a very few hours they would have their masts
and sails up; they are all on deck.
1218. What quantity of other property was there in the ships lying at Lintin
about that time? I cannot say what other property was there; sometimes there
might be woollens, or other merchandise.
1219. But, generally speaking, those ships have opium only ?-They were
principally receiving ships.
1220. It was not the custom much to put other goods into the receiving ships,
but generally they were brought up to Canton ?-Except on a few occasions;
some ships came up bound for Lintin or Manilla, and left their cargoes on board
those ships; but as soon as it could be done, they were taken up to Canton.
1221. So that, generally speaking, those ships at Lintin, the receiving ships as
they are called, have opium only?—Yes.
1222. Mr. Elliot.] Were not some of those ships so unfit to go to sea, that they
were obliged to be sold in the end?--Not that I am aware of.
1223. In the speech which Captain Elliot made after his arrival at Canton, do
you remember whether he said anything about his determination not to give up any
opium?—I think he stated that it was his intention not to give it up.
1224. He stated that he was sorry that 1,000 chests had been offered to be
given up? I think he stated that.
1225. And you say that besides that, he stated that he would oppose himself to
giving up any opium ?-I think he said words to that effect, but I am not certain;
there was a good deal of bustle and confusion in the room at the time.
1226. Did you object to giving up your opium when you were called upon to
do so?-No.
1227. Do you know whether anybody objected ?—I am not aware that anybody
objected.
1228. Are you not of opinion that everybody was very glad to give it up on the
terms proposed ?—I do not think they were very glad to give it up.
1229. You said that it was your opinion that by remaining firm you might have
retained the opium?-That we might have come to some arrangement with the
Chinese government; that was my impression.
1230. Is that your opinion now?-My opinion has altered since a good deal;
I never expected the things that have occurred since.
1231. You said that you were under considerable alarm before Captain Elliot
arrived in Canton-Not considerable alarm; we thought things were looking
serious.
1232. But there was no great alarm at that time?—A good deal of excitement
from the very circumstance of this chop being out; we hardly knew what to think
about it.
1233. The question refers to decided alarm; do you conceive that the Euro-
pean community at the time were in a state of very serious alarm or not?-Some
parties who were new comers were more excited than the older residents there.
1234. Do not you conceive that the whole foreign community of Canton were
at that time in a very serious state of alarm?-I do not think they were in a very
serious state of alarm.
1235. Chairman.] Did you apprehend any danger to life?—I did not myself
think there was any danger to be apprehended from the Chinese Government;
the only fear which I should say was generally apprehended was, perhaps, that
the mob might come in upon us; there was a very large collection, at least
so we were told, of people who had come down from the country, and who
were still in the vicinity of the factories.
1236. Mr. Gladstone.] What do you suppose the Chinese intended to do to Mr.
Dent if he had gone into the city?—I think they intended to detain him there.
1237. Do you think they intended anything more than imprisonment?—I think,
from what has since taken place, they would have confined him for some time, but
whether they would have proceeded to taking his life, I do not feel prepared to
answer the question.
1238. What was your impression at the time; did you at the time anticipate
anything more than imprisonment in the event of his going into the city, and refu-
sing to deliver up his opium ?—I do not think they would have taken his life.
1239. Did you anticipate anything more than prolonged imprisonment? - No.
1240. Sir
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
85
1240. Sir G. Grey.] Did you concur with the rest of the community in think- A. Daniell, Esq.
ing that Mr. Dent ought on no account to go into the city?-Yes.
14 May 1840.
1241. Mr. Gladstone.] You have said, in the early part of your evidence, that
the community would have remained firm if it had not been for the arrival of Cap-
tain Elliot, and his offer to take the opium into his own possession; when you
used that expression, to what inconveniences or dangers do you think the commu-
nity would have been exposed in the event of Captain Elliot not having arrived?
-From the assurance of Howqua, my own impression was, that the giving up
the 1,000 chests might, at that time, have satisfied the Commissioner; and that
arrangements would have been made for the receiving-ships to have left China,
and thus the matter would have been settled.
1242. When you say that the community would have remained firm, do you
mean, that you think the community would not have consented to anything more
than that the 1,000 chests should be delivered up, and that the receiving-ships.
should quit China?-I think that was the general impression.
1243. Mr. Colquhoun.] Would you have consented had the Chinese government
made the same demand upon you which Captain Elliot had made, that you should
surrender the whole quantity of opium?-Certainly not.
1244. Mr. Clay.] They did make such a demand in the edict? They de-
manded an unconditional surrender.
1245. Mr. Colquhoun.] Then you were not, in consequence of the state of alarm
which you were in, prepared to abandon the whole of your opium to the Chinese
government?—No.
1246. Sir George Grey.] Not if the Chinese had coupled the demand with the
promise of payment, as Captain Elliot did?—I do not think the parties would
have given it up upon those terms, unless the dollars had been paid.
1247. You would not have thought the promise of the Chinese such good
security for payment?-Certainly not.
1248. Mr. Gladstone.] Supposing that Captain Elliot had not come to Canton,
and that the foreign community had offered those terms which you have just spe-
cified, namely, the surrender of 1,000 chests, and the departure of the receiving
ships, to what further measures do you think the Chinese government would have
proceeded ?—My idea was, that the thousand chests would have been given up,
that the ships would have gone away, and then, that Lin would have represented
to the Court at Pekin that he had made a seizure and put a stop to the trade, and
that the ships had gone way; and I think then the Court would have been satisfied.
1249. Mr. Clay.] You have stated, that on the Friday Howqua brought back
a message to say, 1,000 chests were not considered enough by the Commissioner,
and on Saturday morning you saw him in chains; how is that consistent with what
you state to have been your opinion that the Commissioner would have been
satisfied with 1,000 chests?-It was my opinion at that time that that would have
been sufficient.
1250. Was that your opinion on the Saturday morning, after the positive refusal
to accept 1,000 chests brought back by Howqua ?-No; because Howqua then
said it was not sufficient; but I still thought that he would be brought in to terms.
1251. Did not Howqua, on Saturday morning, state that the Commissioner
would not accept of 1,000 chests, and still demanded that Mr. Dent should go
into the city?-He did.
1252. Mr. Colquhoun.] But you thought, in fact, that you were making terms
with the Chinese government, they demanding as much as possible, and you
offering as little as possible, and that a medium would be struck between you,
which medium, you conceived, would be about 1,000 chests?—Yes; I thought
that would have been sufficient.
1253. Chairman.] You think they would have coupled with that a condition
that the ships outside should go away?—Yes.
1254. Mr. Gladstone.] Was the general meeting held on the 21st largely at-
tended?—Yes, it was; nearly all the foreign merchants in Canton were there.
1255. Was the message offering to comply with the Emperor's wishes, and to
stop the trade, conveyed as formally as communications generally are from the
mercantile body to the Chinese authorities?—The communication was made to
Howqua. The merchants assembled on the Thursday, and on the 25th signed a
pledge, stating that, according to the imperial will, and seeing that it was the wish
of the Emperor to put down the trade, they would engage to deal no more in
opium; and it was on the 25th of March that that was sent in.
0.59.
M 3
1256. Did
1
86
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
4. Daniell, Esq.
14 May 1840.
1256. Did you sign that?-I did.
1257. Later in the course of these proceedings, after Captain Elliot had come.
to Canton, after the supplies had been stopped and the servants removed, what
was it your impression the Commissioner Lin contemplated; did you think it was
his intention to reduce the whole foreign community to surrender themselves pri-
soners? We were all prisoners at the time of Captain Elliot's arrival; we were
prisoners from the 21st. On the Monday we did not think much about it, for
Captain Elliot was then in communication with the authorities. We heard nothing
from them after the Saturday. On the Sunday they said they would not interfere
with us, it being our day of worship, and we heard nothing more from them.
1258. To what measures do you now believe that the Commissioner would have
proceeded, supposing that Captain Elliot had not come up to assume the respon-
sibility which he did assume, and supposing that the merchants had persisted in
refusing to deliver the opium?-I do not know what he would have done; we
have seen what he has done since with regard to the whole community and the
whole trade.
1259. Do you believe that there was any danger of his inciting the mob to attack
the factories?There seemed to be an apprehension that they might be let loose,
at least that the police might not be able to restrain them, and even in his edict
he hints at such a step.
1260. Are you not able to state what you now think the Commissioner would
have proceeded to do in the event of the foreign community having refused to sur-
render the opium? -He has carried out his edicts so far since, that one now na-
turally supposes that he would have resorted to his threats.
·
1261. Do you mean that an expulsion from Canton was to be apprehended ?-
Yes, he expelled me from Canton.
1262. Do you think anything still more severe than expulsion was to be appre-
hended? I hardly know what lengths he might have gone to.
1263. Mr. Clay.] Do you think he would have taken Mr. Dent by force?—I
now think that he would.
1264. Sir G. Grey.] When you speak of expulsion, do you mean expulsion
from Canton, without compelling the delivery up of the opium belonging to the
parties then at Canton, or expulsion from Canton after the delivery up of the
opium ?--I mean expulsion after the delivery of the opium.
1265. Mr. Clay.] Judging by what has occurred, do you think he would have
proceeded to coerce you into a surrender of the opium, by a continued privation of
food and water?-From what has since occurred I should say that he would,
certainly; he is quite a different character to other Chinese authorities we had
ever been accustomed to treat with.
1266. Mr. Colquhoun.] You judged at the time from what you knew of former
acts of the Chinese government, and judging from those acts you had no fear of
personal violence?-No.
1267. Mr. Gladstone.] Do you now think that there was any fear of personal
violence to the community in general at any period previous to the surrender of
the opium?-Very little occurred between Sunday and the delivering up of the
opium; there was nothing going on, everything was quiet, as all communication
was reserved to Captain Elliot and the Commissioner.
1268. Is it your impression that during any part of the period previous to the
surrender of the opium, there was any well-grounded apprehension that the Com-
missioner would proceed to personal violence towards the foreign community in
general?-As I stated before, I was led to think we might have been enabled to
come to terms with Lin.
1269. Do you mean that you never abandoned the hope of being able to come
to terms till Captain Elliot came up?—Not till Captain Elliot came up.
1270. Then you had not abandoned the idea of coming to terms at the time
when Captain Elliot's arrangement was proposed ?-Immediately upon Captain.
Elliot's appearance in Canton, all negotiation was assumed by him; and we were
ignorant of the communications that passed between him and the high commis-
sioner from the 24th to the 27th.
1271. But when Captain Elliot came up you had not abandoned the idea as
hopeless, of making terms with the Chinese government ?-Not when Captain
Elliot arrived.
1272. Mr. Colquhoun.] On the contrary, you had a proof of the forbearance
of
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
87
of the Chinese government at the time, because they respected the Sunday ?-
Yes.
1273. Mr. Elliot.] Amongst the printed papers there is a memorial to Lord
Palmerston, signed by most of the residents at Canton, dated the 23d of May; do
you remember that memorial ?—Yes.
1274. Were you a party to it ?-It was signed by the firm.
1275. And of course you concurred in it ?--Yes.
1276. Your attention is requested to the following paragraph in that memorial.
"We feel it our duty to express to your Lordship our deep sense of the public
spirit which induced this officer, at no inconsiderable risk, to endeavour to rescue
British life and property from a position of fearful jeopardy; and we may assure
your Lordship that but one feeling existed of the extreme peril of the whole com-
munity, when he succeeded in forcing his way to Canton, and took charge of all
responsibility in the negotiations with the Chinese government." Have you seen
any reason subsequently for altering the opinion which you then expressed in that
memorial?-No.
1277. Chairman.] Do not you think the subsequent measures of Lin strengthened
the impression that the foreign community were then in danger?-Certainly; they
strengthened the opinion that we entertained at the time.
1278. Mr. Elliot.] Then it is still your opinion that life and property were at
that period in a state of fearful jeopardy?-They were in danger, certainly, at that
time.
1279. And you are also of opinion that there was but one feeling upon the sub-
ject among the community at Canton ?-Certainly, there was a general feeling; I
will not say with everybody, but there was a general feeling that they were in a
state of great jeopardy.
1280. Chairman.] You were understood to state that the sense of insecurity and
the
danger was stronger amongst those that had recently arrived than amongst
older residents?—It was.
1281. Sir G. Grey.] Are not the older residents amongst the parties whose
signatures are attached to that memorial ?—Yes, they are.
1282. Some of the oldest residents at Canton?—No, not some of the oldest.
1283. Is not the house of Dent & Co. one of the oldest established at Canton?
-Yes.
1284. Are those signatures at all limited to parties who had but recently come
to Canton ?—No; I believe nearly all the houses are there.
1285. Do these signatures comprise a fair representation of the British com-
munity at Canton ?—Yes.
1286. Chairman.] In fact, almost all the houses signed it?-Almost all; that
of Jardine & Co., I see, is not here.
1287. Mr. Gladstone.] Are you of opinion that the lives of the British commu-
nity, in general, were in danger at the period when Captain Elliot came to Canton?
-From what has taken place since, I certainly consider they were in greater
danger than I had at first apprehended.
1288. Are you of opinion that the lives of the British community were in danger
at that period?—I should say that they were certainly, from what has taken place
since.
1289. Were you of that opinion at the time when Captain Elliot arrived, that
the lives of the British community were in danger?—I did not consider that they
were at that moment in danger, because, as I said before, I then hoped by nego-
tiation, that by the delivery of 1,000 chests of opium, and the ships being sent
away, the matter would be brought to an amicable adjustment.
1290. Mr. Colquhoun.] This memorial was not signed till three months after the
transaction?—It was not signed till the 23d of May.
1291. And, in the evidence you have given before this Committee, you have
spoken of what your impression was at the time the transaction took place in the
end of March?—Yes.
1292. Sir George Grey.] How long is it now since Captain Elliot arrived at
Canton ?-Fourteen months ago.
1293. Is not it probable that your impression as to the state of feeling of the
community, at the distance of three months, would be more correct than your
impression at the distance of 14 months?—No, I judge from what I have seen
since.
0.59.
1294. Chairman.
M 4
A. Daniell, Esq.
14 May 1840.
88
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Daniell, Esq.
1294. Chairman.] Have you any written statement to put in with regard to the
price of opium?-I have a statement of the price at different periods; I have
14 May 1840. with me the prices of Malwa opium in China from the 18th of July 1838 to
the 25th of November 1838. The highest price of Malwa was 675 dollars, and
the lowest price 550; the average, about 595 for Patna for the same period,
from the 26th of August 1838 to the 25th of November 1838, the highest price
was 607, and the lowest 530.
1294*. How late do you bring it down?—To the 25th of November.
1295. Is that the latest period at which you can give the prices?-That is the
latest period.
1296. There were no transactions of any importance subsequently?—No.
1297. Do you know of any at all after that?—I think there was some sold
at Macao and Hong Kong about January at about 500, but it was a small
quantity.
1298. Was that considered a low price?-It was, but there were very few
transactions.
1299. When the opium was delivered up, and the whole thing was settled, and
when you quitted Canton, how did you manage with regard to any money in
dollars that you might have in Canton at the time; did the Chinese allow you to
take them away with you?-No; they said we could not take any with us.
1300. How then did you manage ?-We managed it by transfers; suppose we
owed 100,000 dollars, or whatever it might be, to another house, and that house
owed a particular Hong merchant a certain sum of money, we paid it over to him,
and we arranged it amongst ourselves.
1301. Mr. Clay.] When did you leave China?-On the 23d of June.
1302. Has your house been engaged in the opium trade since the surrender?-
No; a small quantity, about 50 chests, came in, which I believe we disposed of.
1303. At what period was that?—It was just before I left; it was shipped pre-
vious to the accounts of the surrender reaching Bombay.
1304. To whom was it delivered?—I do not know; it arrived just at the time
I was leaving, just the day previous, and of course left to the management of my
partner.
1305. Sir William Somerville.] What was the date of your departure from
Macao? The 23d of June.
1306. Mr. Clay.] Was that small parcel of opium delivered upon a previous
contract, a contract made prior to the surrender to Captain Elliot of the 2,000
chests?—No; it was a small quantity sent on by one of our constituents who
was not aware of the surrender.
1307. At what price was that sold ?-I do not know.
1308. Was it delivered to parties from on board the receiving ships at Lintin?
-I do not know, because it arrived only the day before I left.
1309. You do not know by what means it was introduced into China or into
Canton? It could not have gone to Canton; the port was closed.
1310. You do not know by what means it was introduced into any other port of
China?—I imagine it was introduced in the way in which it has usually been before,
by vessels upon the coast.
1311. Sir William Somerville.] The opium was on board the vessel in which it
had arrived when you came away?—Yes.
1312. Mr. Clay.] Have you any knowledge of the trade in opium, which has
been carried on since the surrender of the opium by Captain Elliot?-No;
nothing more than by report.
1313. You yourself, or your house, have had no trade in opium since, except
this one transaction to which you have referred ?-No other.
1314. Chairman.] That originated before the news was known in India - Yes,
it originated long before that.
1315. Do you believe, from the means of information open to you, that there
has been a considerable trade in opium carried on since the period of the surrender?
-There has been a good deal.
1316. Mr. Gladstone.] Was the guarantee demanded by the foreign commu-
nity, in answer to the requisition of the Commissioner, that Mr. Dent should go
into the city, a guarantee of his immediate return, or only of his safe return?-
Of his return within 24 hours.
1317. Who composed the meeting that demanded that guarantee; did it consist
exclusively
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
89
exclusively of the partners in houses interested in the opium traffic; or did it con-
sist of the whole foreign community generally?—The foreign community generally.
1317*. It was attended by others who were not partners in houses as freely as
by those who were ?-Yes; it was a public meeting; it was at Mr. Dent's house
where the question was put; everybody had ingress and egress.
1318. It was thereby broadly distinguished from the meetings of the Chamber
of Commerce?-So far as that it was not held at the Chainber; I was not present
at the meeting of the Chamber on the morning of Saturday; they then adjourned
to Mr. Dent's house, where the question was put whether Mr. Dent should go
into the city or not; and there was a very large assembly of all the community.
1319. Would a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce include any other
sons than partners in firms?—Yes; a public meeting of the Chamber does.
1320. Are there any members of the Chamber of Commerce besides merchants?
-No, none; the Chamber of Commerce summoned a public meeting.
per.
1321. Were those members of the foreign community who were not interested
in opium as much parties to the decision, that Mr. Dent should not go into the
city, as those members of the foreign community who were interested in opium?
-Yes.
1322. Mr. Brownrigg.] At the time this resolution was come to, at a meeting
of the whole community, not to permit Mr. Dent to comply with the demand of
the Commissioner to attend in the city, were any of the Chinese officers present,
or any of the Hong merchants?-They were in a separate room below stairs.
1323. But the decision of the community not to permit Mr. Dent to comply
with the requisition of the Commissioner was communicated to them ?—Mr. Dent,
I think, went down and told them.
1324. And that was the reason assigned for Mr. Dent not complying with the
requisition, that he would not be permitted to do so by the cominunity at large,
unless certain conditions were complied with ?—Yes.
1325. Were there any Chinese officers present besides the Hong merchants ?—
I think a Wei Yuen and the Namhoy was present on one occasion, and it was
communicated to them.
1326. And of course it would have been communicated to the Commissioner
that that was the reason assigned why Mr. Dent was not allowed to come into the
city?—Yes; the Kwang-chow-foo was waiting at the Consoo-house for the result.
1327. Sir Charles Lemon.] What is the office of the Kwang-chow-foo?-He is
the Lord Mayor of the city of Canton.
1328. Mr. Hogg.] Captain Elliot gave orders or acknowledgments to the mer
chants who delivered up the opium, specifying the quantity, and the price was
afterwards settled?-It was left to be adjusted.
1329. Was it not subsequently adjusted?-No.
1330. Were any of those orders sold in Canton, or otherwise, to your knowledge,
before you left China, and if so, at what price?-Captain Elliot's receipts were
issued the morning I came away, I think, or the day before.
1331. They had not been issued sufficiently long to admit of any sale taking
place before you left China?—No; I think they were issued the day before I came
away.
1332. Mr. Brownrigg.] Have you heard of any negotiation of those which are
commonly called opium scrip?-No.
1333. Mr. Hogg.] Do you know of any sales having taken place of them in
London?-No, I am not aware of any.
1334. Sir Charles Lemon.] Do you know what has been done with the opium
that was surrendered?-Merely from report; it is said that it has been destroyed.
1335. It is the general opinion that it was destroyed ?—Yes.
William Jardine, Esq., called in; and Examined.
1336. Chairman.] YOU were a great number of years resident at Canton?- W. Jardine, Esq.
Yes; I resided there from 1820 to 1839, except a few months, and I was back-
wards and forwards from 1802 to 1818.
1337. You were the principal partner in the house of Jardine, Matheson &
Co. ?-I was.
A. Daniell, Esq.
14 May 1840.
1338. When did you quit Canton ?—The last day of January 1839.
1339. You, of course, are only cognizant by reports subsequently of what
N
passed
90
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
W. Jardine, Esq. passed in the month of March?—I know nothing but by report of what passed
after January.
14 May 1840.
1340. You are of course aware by report of all that did occur then with respect.
to the conduct of the Chinese authorities?-Yes, as far as letters from China go
and public documents; I have read most of them.
1341. Do you conceive that the conduct of the Chinese government during the
years in which you were resident in China was at all corresponding with the line
of conduct adopted in March 1839, or was any warning to the European residents
of what they might then expect?-No one who had resided in China any number
of years could have expected that Commissioner Lin would have acted as he did
from anything that had passed previously.
1342. Do you mean by that that the sincerity which he evinced in putting down
the opium trade was totally at variance with the previous conduct of the agents of
the Chinese government?-Totally at variance with the conduct of the different
governors and commissioners of customs during the time I was there.
1343. You draw a distinction between the general government and their agents
in Canton ?-I know nothing of the general government, and nothing of the impe-
rial edicts, except from having seen them. I never saw them acted upon in any
instance.
1344. Your house was very largely engaged in the importation of opium?—Yes,
we had large consignments of opium.
1345. You had also opium occasionally on your own account?-We had a few
hundred chests annually; 200 or 300.
1346. Can you give the Committee any information as to the price of opium at
Bombay and at Calcutta during the year preceding your departure from China?-
The Committee may get more accurate advice from the price currents than I can
give them; but, from the best of my recollection, it began in Bombay at about
900 rupees and went up to 1,200, and some was sold as high as 1,350, and then
they went back again, as the reports from China became less favourable.
1347. That was the spring of 1838?—Yes.
1348. Can you state what the prices were in Calcutta ?-In Calcutta the Com-
pany's sales are recorded, and there is no difficulty in getting them; the highest
and lowest prices of the sales are given, and the average struck by their own
servants.
1349. Shall you be able to put in those price-currents?—I will furnish them to
the Committee.
1350. Will you have the goodness to prepare and put in an account of the cost
of a chest of Malwa opium and of Bengal opium, as nearly as you can?-I will
do so.
1351. Are you able to give the Committee the actual cost to your house of the
opium which was surrendered to Captain Elliot at Canton ?-I believe I can with
respect to a good deal of it. I saw a document the other day which states the
price of what was purchased in China as well as several consignments from Bom-
bay and Calcutta in the year 1838, which were still on hand, and surrendered to
Captain Elliot; part of it had been sold for delivery on the coast, and the vessels
were called back from delivering it, to give it up to Captain Elliot.
1352. Can you state what was the price of opium in China at the time of your
quitting Canton, or shortly before?It had been fluctuating between 500 and
650; but the sales were chiefly made for delivery in the Straits of Namo, and off
the port of Amoy. There were very few deliveries in Canton at the time.
1353. The trade was in a state of stagnation?—In consequence of a severe
edict coming from the Emperor to the Viceroy, he was at the time endeavouring
if he could to put a stop to the trade just before I left.
1354. What made him take that measure?—The junks that went to the port
of Tienshan were ordered to be searched by the Emperor; and they were searched,
and a quantity of opium found on board each of them. A severe edict was issued
by the Emperor, blaming the governor of Canton for neglect of duty, and
threatening him with making him personally responsible in the event of the opium
ships not leaving the anchorage outside. He then issued an edict to search the
Hongs in Canton that had supplied opium to those junks, and took every mea-
sure that he possibly could to put an end to it in consequence of the imperial
order that had reached him at that time.
1355. That of course was before the arrival of Commissioner Lin --A long
while before his arrival.
1356. Before
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
91
1356. Before any idea of his coming was entertained?—We had heard nothing IV. Jardine, Esq.
about him then.
14 May 1840.
1357. Was he expected when you left China?-He was expected to arrive
about 10 days after I left China; and it is now generally believed that he was incog.
in the vicinity for some time, endeavouring to get information before he commenced
operations publicly.
1358. You have been in Canton at various periods when there have been
differences existing between the foreign community and the Chinese authorities?
A great many.
1359. Was there any violence ever used towards the European or foreign resi-
dents by the Chinese on any of those occasions ?-Not by the government; I have
seen violence occasionally by the mob, or by a soldier on duty, but to a trifling
extent, and generally very much provoked by the Europeans themselves.
1360. Would your experience on former occasions, when there have been
restrictive measures used by the Chinese authorities towards the foreign residents,
have led you to think that there was any danger to life or property when the edict
was issued by Commissioner Lin requiring the delivery of the opium ?—Certainly
not.
1361. If you had been there you would not have entertained any fear either
for your life or your property ?-Feeling as I do now, I certainly should not.
1362. Subsequent events, and the severity of the measures which have been
since taken, do not modify your opinion ?-Not in the slightest degree; I conceive
that if there had been more resistance, the measures would have been less severe
than they were.
1363. Are you aware of the address to Lord Palmerston, signed by the foreign
merchants at Canton on the 23d of May 1839 ?—I have read it in the newspapers;
I had a copy of it sent me.
1364. Do you know the reason why the house of which you are a member did
not sign it? The reason is assigned in one of the letters I have got; but I do
not at this moment recollect exactly what it was; it was owing to the way in
which it was worded; there was a part of it which they thought unnecessary;
believe it was about the personal fear they were in, or something to that effect; but
I can refer to the letter, and state it at the next meeting of the Committee.
I
1365. Do you imagine, that if more firmness had been shown, the Chinese
would have come to terins with the European residents with respect to the opium?
-I think they would have tried to purchase a certain quantity of it through the
merchants, to satisfy the Emperor, and let the ships go away with what remained.
1366. You do not think that they would have deviated from the practice which
they have heretofore pursued of treating the foreigners with fairness, if they had
been left to themselves?-I should have had no apprehension whatever about their
taking my property from me, without paying me for it. The only difficulty would
have been in fixing the price; they would have tried to get it as cheap as they
could; but I should not have had the slightest apprehension about their not paying
me for anything they forced me to give up.
1367. Sir George Grey.] You mean that you do not think that even at that time
the Chinese authorities at Canton were in earnest in the intention of putting down
the opium trade altogether?—I think they were in earnest about putting down the
opium trade; but they would not have adopted these means to put it down, if they
had not found the Europeans yielding.
1368. You think they would have bought up the opium ?-They would have
bought up a certain quantity, sufficient to save Lin's credit with the Emperor.
1369. What would have become of the rest?-It would have been sent away;
it was not in their power.
1370. You think they would have prevented a further trade in opium taking
place within the Bocca Tigris?-They would just have acted as they have now.
The trade inside the Bocca Tigris has existed for months. The general belief
amongst the Chinese was, that it was a subterfuge of the Viceroy's. When he sent
away the vessels from Hong Kong, they came back again; and the next Imperial
edict told him that they had come back again; that it was through his neglect; and
that he must be responsible if ever they came back again; and then, seeing that
the attention of the Emperor was turned to the outside anchorage, he encouraged,
or winked at the boats bringing it up to Whampoa, where it had been carried on
till 1821.
1371. Mr. Elliot.] You found your opinion as to the probability of their not
pursuing
N 2
92
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
W. Jardine, Esq. pursuing more violent measures than you now imagine would have been the case,
upon your former knowledge of the Chinese ?-Yes, the question was so put.
14 May 1840.
1372. But you have never known any proceedings on the part of the Chinese,
such as have been adopted by Commissioner Lin, in any of your previous expe-
rience ?-Never.
1373. Do not you think it is rather difficult to draw a correct inference from
former experience as to what Commissioner Lin would have done?-I should have
drawn a very incorrect inference, as it has turned out.
1374. Then you do not mean to say that it is the inference you now draw ?-
It is the inference that I should then have drawn, but experience has taught us
differently, because we have seen the result; it is not drawing an inference
now, but a conclusion.
1375. Mr. Colquhoun.] Is not it possible that Commissioner Lin
may have
been encouraged to his late proceedings by the absence of resistance on the part
of Europeans?—I have no doubt of it, and also by our own representative offering
to aid him in putting down the opium trade.
1376. Do not you think that on former occasions, had the supercargoes met
the demands of the Chinese by similar weakness, they might have been incited to
as violent proceedings as those which Commissioner Lin took ?—No, I do not think
there was any Viceroy that had the same power as Lin had.
1377. Do you recollect the Europeans ever showing the same weakness ?—No,
I do not think they ever did whilst I was there.
1378. They never were so totally without force?-They never parted with
property, or acted with so little general spirit, as they appear to have done upon
this occasion, from the time that Captain Elliot joined them.
1379. They never were so unprotected by force ?-Yes, they have often been
as little protected there, as to force.
1380. Had not the East India Company's ships always a considerable force in
sailors and guns -No; the East India Company's ships arrived generally in
September, October or November, and left again in January or February, and
through the rest of the year we were without any force.
1381. But during that period of the year there were no dealings ?—Yes; ever
since the trade was opened there have been dealings all the year round, particu-
larly since 1834. I have been there for years and years, and there is one gentle-
man in Canton that never was away from Canton for 18 years.
1382. Sir George Grey.] Do you ever remember a similar demand made
upon the supercargoes of the East India Company for the delivering up of the
whole of the opium belonging to the British at Canton ?—No.
1383. Mr. Colquhoun.] Could such a demand be made, inasmuch as they
disclaimed all participation in opium?-I do not see how they could disclaim it,
because they used to advance money upon it. They disclaimed their vessels.
having any opium on board, and when other vessels were obliged to give a bond
to the government that they would not bring in opium, they refused to give it for
their vessels.
1384. There was an ostensible distinction?—Yes; there was that distinction.
1385. Mr. Elliot.] You say that there never was so much weakness shown on
the part of Europeans at any previous period; can you name any previous period
when the European community at Canton were placed in a similar position?—The
time when Lord Napier was there was the most like, when we were imprisoned,
and his Lordship's provisions taken away, while they threatened to stop ours if we
supplied him.
1386. Do you consider that to have been an analogous case to the position in
which the community were placed at that period when Lin was Commissioner at
Canton ?—I am aware that Lin had more authority than any person that had ever
been at Canton before, and therefore the cases are not analogous.
1387. Do not you think that he was more determined to carry that authority
into execution?—Yes, I think he was.
1388. Does not that make a serious difference between the period which
is now under consideration, and the previous periods of time to which you have
referred? That will not alter the circumstance of foreigners protecting their own
property on former occasions, and on this occasion giving it up.
1389. Mr. Clay.] Was not there this difference, that Lord Napier had a force
under his command, and brought that force within the Bocca Tigris?—He did,
ultimately; but the communication was cut off, so that the force could afford him
no
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
93
no assistance; they got as far as Whampoa, where there were vessels sunk across
the river, and they could get no further.
1390. Sir George Grey.] And Lord Napier was obliged to order the force back
again?-Lord Napier was obliged to order the force back again.
1391. Mr. Colquhoun.] Do you conceive that that force had any effect upon
the Chinese government?-The result proves that it had none; they continued to
do the same, till Lord Napier's ill health made it necessary for the surgeon to
interfere; and the pass for Lord Napier was got at the request of the surgeon and
myself.
1392. Chairman.] Have you ever had any communication with the Board of
Salt and Opium in Calcutta, upon the subject of opium?--Yes; we have had
musters of opium sent on to us in small quantities, packed in different ways, with
a request that we would sell it and ascertain the kind of package that suited the
Chinese market best, and report on the same to the Board.
1393. Mr. Hogg.] By whom was that communication signed?—I forget the
gentleman's name who signed it; it was the same party who signed the correspond-
ence from the Board; the secretary.
1394. Mr. Brownrigg.] But it was expressly by the authority of the Board?-
By the authority of the Board, and I believe, emanating from the Supreme
Government.
1395. Sir G. Grey.] Had you been engaged in the opium trade during the
whole of your residence at Canton?-From 1818.
1396. Up to the time of your leaving Canton-Up to the time of my leaving
Canton.
1397. During that period was there ever any serious interruption of the opium
trade; and if so, for how long did it last?-I do not know that ever the trade was
entirely interrupted during the whole time; there have been great difficulties
thrown in the way at different periods. The time when the interruption lasted
longest was in 1821, when the vessels were expelled from Whampoa.
1398. How long did the interruption last at that period?—I suppose for two
or three months; there was not much business done, but there was still some.
1399. Were the receiving ships sent away upon that occasion?-They were sent
away from Whampoa on that occasion.
1400. But not from Lintin?-There were none at Lintin then, they were all at
Whampoa; and they used to have one or two vessels into which they could
tranship, and those receiving vessels had a custom-house officer at each gangway,
who received certain fees for removing it out of the other ship into those ships.
1401. Did the receiving ships that were sent away in 1821 take any opium
away with them, or was the opium delivered up to the Chinese or seized by the
Chinese ?—All that they had they took away.
1402. No seizure took place of opium on the part of the Chinese on that occa-
sion?-No; the Chinese threatened to search them, but that being considered
contrary to the laws of the port, they armed themselves for resistance.
1403. Mr. Colquhoun.] What force had they?-The Indiamen were all there.
at that time; they had probably 150 or 160 men among them; I mean the opium
vessels.
W. Jardine, Esq.
14 May 1840.
1404. And they had guns?—Yes.
1405. Mr. Elliot.] Did the Indiamen themselves bring opium from Bengal:-
Yes, decidedly; there is no question about it.
1406. Mr. Brownrigg.] Not on the part of the East India Company?—No.
1407. Mr. Hogg.] Do you mean that what were called the Company's ships,
carried opium?--Yes; not commonly, but they did carry it. In fact there was
a correspondence took place between the commanders of the Company's ships
and the Government of Bombay, pointing out the inutility of forcing them to do
it in country ships when they could do it at less expense in their own ships.
1408. Are you aware that it was prohibited by the Supreme Government, and
that dismissal from the service was the penalty annexed in the case of any Com-
pany's commander carrying opium in any Company's ship?—I am perfectly aware
of those regulations, and I dare say you are aware that Turkey opium has been
seized when they were carrying it from the island of Madeira before now, and the
person not dismissed the service; that has happened more than once.
1409. Do you speak of opium being conveyed by the Company's officers on
board the Company's ships as a rare and occasional occurrence, or do you speak
of it as a usual practice ?-As an occasional occurrence.
0.59.
N 3
1410. And
94
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
W. Jardine, Esq.
14 May 1840.
.
1410. And as an exception from the general rule?—Yes, I should say it was an
exception from the general rule; but the question put to me was, whether they
ever carried it, and I say yes, and I can prove it.
1411. Did you mean to say that you can prove particular instances?-Yes,
many captains of Indiamen never bought a chest of opium in their life, but that
was because they had not a turn for the speculation,
1412. With respect to those captains of Indiamen who did buy opiumn and
ship it to China, was it not the universal practice, with partial exceptions, for
those captains to ship the opium so bought in country ships, and not in Company's
ships?-In Calcutta they generally did; but there was a petition went in from the
captains of ships to the government of Bombay, pointing out the absurdity of not
allowing them to carry it and deliver it at Lintin, and proposing that a certificate
from the opium receiving-ships at Lintin should be considered a sufficient discharge
to them, as not having taken it to Whampoa, and consequently as not having in-
fringed any agreement that the Company's supercargoes had entered into with the
authorities at Canton.
1413. You speak of a petition having been presented to the Bombay govern-
ment by the Company's officers; do you mean to state that the Bombay govern-
ment passed an order acceding to the prayer of that petition ?-I believe they
did, but I will not answer that positively.
1414. Can you state about the date of that petition?-It was during the time.
that the Company sold Malwa opium in Bombay.
1415. Can you state about the year?-Between 1826 and 1830.
1416. Have you ever known a commander of a Company's ship carry opium
in his own ship from Calcutta?-I do not know that I have, but I have been in a
ship that has taken it from this country to China, opium bought in the Company's
sale-room here.
1417. With respect to the transmission of opium purchased by the Company's
officers from Bombay, do you mean to say that it was a general usage for them to
carry opium in the Company's ships?—I think it was more so from Bombay than
from Calcutta ; but there were many that never had any.
1418. You said that you had never known an instance from Calcutta, but that
you have known an instance from Bombay?-I think I have; I am not sure
whether Captain Larkins did not command one ship that did so.
1419. From Bombay, do you speak only to particular instances, or do you
speak of it as a general usage ?—Particular instances.
1420. You have stated that you believe the Bombay government acceded to
the prayer of the Company's officers; subsequently to that period did it become a
general usage to carry opium in Company's ships?-I do not think it did, because
very few of the Company's officers dealt in it.
1421. But the few that did, you believe carried the opium in their own ships.
subsequently to that petition ?--Some of them did, some might not do so; of that
I am not certain.
1422. If the Bombay government had given them permission to carry the opium
in their own ships, would they have any object in shipping it in country ships?
None whatever; on the contrary, they would save about 10 dollars a chest by
taking it in their own ships.
1423. Chairman.] Was the existence of the opium trade, as carried on by
mercantile houses in Canton, matter of perfect notoriety to the authorities in Can-
ton?-Perfectly; they knew us all by name; and they had published lists, over
and over again, of those houses that dealt in opium; there were very few
exceptions.
1424. Sir G. Grey.] After the interruption in 1821, how soon did the opium
trade resume its usual course?In the course of a very few months; the shipping
lay at Lintin, and the deliveries went on there.
1425. Did things go on in that way from 1821 till the late interruption?-Yes,
shifting from one place to another; sometimes Lintin, and sometimes Khamsing-
moon, sometimes Capsingmoon, and latterly Hong Kong.
1426. Mr. Colquhoun.] Did that shifting arise from interruptions ?-Yes, from
edicts issued against the vessels lying in certain parts; it generally originated from
the censors, who report to the Emperor the transactions in the provinces; and
when it was reported that certain ships were lying at a certain anchorage, the
Viceroy ordered them away from that anchorage.
1427. Was
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
95
1427. Was that order enforced, or did they avoid the further enforcement of it WV. Jardine, Esq.
by obeying it?—They obeyed it.
14 May 1840.
1428. When they thus occupied those anchorages, were there custom-house.
officers placed upon deck?-There never were custom-house officers outside.
1429. Is that because the custom-house department does not reach beyond the
Bocca Tigris?--Yes; it does not reach so far.
1430. Are the outside waters within another Chinese department ?-Entirely;
the Hong merchants have nothing to do with the trade outside.
1431. Mr. Elliot.] During the time you were in China, generally speaking,
was there greater difficulty in landing opium and disposing of it in China than
there was in landing any other goods?-It was landed upon a different prin-
ciple; it was by far the safest trade in China, because you got your money before
you gave your order. Whatever the difficulty was in landing it afterwards, you
had nothing to do with it. When the cash-keeper reported so much cash paid
into the treasury, you gave an order for as much opinm as the man wanted, and
then you had done with it; it was his affair after that.
1432. Was it not, in fact, as open a trade to public view nearly as any other
trade that was going on within the river?-So perfectly open that all the world
knew it; they would point out the opium boats, which were constantly going past
in daylight in front of the town.
1433. Was it possible that that trade could have gone on upon this footing
without its being publicly known to the highest authorities in Canton ?-Quite
impossible.
1434. Do you think it possible that it could have gone on without its having
reached the highest authorities in Pekin?-We know that it reached them again
and again, because their own edicts proved that to us.
1435. Mr. Colquhoun.] Do those edicts always condemn it ?—Yes.
1436. There is no instance of an imperial edict sanctioning the trade?-Never;
it was expected in 1826 that they would sanction it.
1437. Chairman.] Was a notice given to you by the Hong merchants, at that
time, that the government were about to sanction it?-It was not exactly a regu-
lar notice by the Hong merchants to us; but they gave us information, in the
course of conversation, that they had every reason to believe, from their advices from
Pekin, that the Emperor intended legalizing the trade, and levying a small duty
upon it.
1438. Sir George Grey.] When you speak of the trade having been carried on
with the knowledge of the authorities at Canton, do you, by the word "know-
ledge," imply connivance ?-Perhaps I may answer that question by saying, that
the Viceroy had four boats that carried opium with his flag flying upon them.
1439. Are you aware that the supreme authorities at Pekin also connived at the
trade?—I scarcely know how to answer that question; the repeated edicts against
it, without taking any severe measures to put it down, I think prove that they did.
1440. Had they the power of taking measures to put it down, if they had been
disposed to do so?-They have succeeded now in doing so, to a great extent, at
Canton, not on the coast.
1441. Do you believe, at any former period during your residence in China, the
imperial authorities might have adopted the same measures which they have recently
adopted, and with the same result?-No, I do not think the result would have
been the same, because there would have been no one who would have had autho-
rity to interfere with the property; and it could not have been given up as it has
been now.
1442. Do you believe at any former period the imperial authorities could have
effectually driven away the trade from Canton? They drove it away from
Whampoa in 1821.
1443. Do you mean that the imperial authorities might, in addition to the
edicts, have adopted measures which would have crippled the trade to a great
extent, whereas instead of doing that, they issued edicts without putting them in
force?—They issued edicts without putting them in force; and whenever they
did put them in force, they crippled the trade to a certain extent, but they seldom
remained in earnest more than two or three weeks.
1444. You judge that they did not remain in earnest, because they abandoned
the measures which were within their reach, and which to a certain extent crippled
the trade? Yes.
1445. Mr. Colquhoun.] Might not that have happened, owing to the imperial
authorities
N 4
96
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
14 May 1840.
W. Jardine, Esq. authorities being deceived?-We know from their edicts that they were not
deceived; they might have been deceived as to the extent, but not as to anything
else, because they describe the kind of boats that carry it on, and the name of the
people that deal in it, and everything connected with it, except the extent; they
tell you even the number of ships there were at Lintin, though many of those were
ships carrying cargoes in place of opium ships.
1446. Then they enumerated those before issuing the edict to put them down?
-They embody them in the edict.
1447. Then whenever this information reached the imperial authorities, it
appears to have been followed by edicts professing to extinguish the trade?-
Yes.
1448. They could only enforce those edicts by means of the provincial
authorities?—Yes.
1449. And their only information as to the enforcement of those edicts must
have been derived from the provincial authorities who, it appears, were interested
in the trade?—There are also censors, a set of officers who exist all over China,
who have the power of reporting what they please, whether true or false, and no
punishment can ensue.
1450. Does the censor come from Pekin to Canton, and remain there a certain
period? They are moved about in all directions.
1451. How many years does the same censor remain?-I do not think there is
any fixed period.
1452. Ordinarily how long?-It is impossible to answer the question, for their
names are not given, and they are not generally known.
1453. Sir George Grey.] Do they make their report direct to the imperial
authority, or through the local authorities at Canton ?-Direct.
1454. Mr. Hogg.] Have you read the minutes of different Members of the
Privy Council upon the discussion as to legalizing the opium?-I have.
1455. Do not you think it is apparent from those minutes, that the opium trade
generally in its details must have been known to the court at Pekin ?-No doubt
about it; their own edicts explain the trade completely, and establish that point.
1456. Mr. Elliot.] During the period you were in China, do not you think that
the Emperor of China must have had information as to the foreigners who dealt in
opium at Canton?-No doubt of it.
1457. Do not you believe that the discovery that a large quantity of bullion was
leaving the country, produced in the Chinese government the determination to act
upon a different principle from what they had acted upon previously?-They say
so in one of their edicts distinctly.
1458. Chairman.] In one of those reports to the Emperor, was not it stated
that many thousands of chests of opium were annually produced in China itself?
The party making the report enumerates six provinces where it is grown; and he
states that he is not aware what is the quantity grown in the other five; but that
in the one of which he is a native, thousands of chests are produced annually.
1459. Have you ever heard of any attempts made by the Chinese government
to put down the growth of opium in China?-Frequently; in former days there
used to be translations of the Pekin Gazette to that effect.
1460. Sir Gearge Grey.] To what motive do you attribute the frequent issuing
of those edicts by the imperial authorities if they did not seriously mean to enforce
them? The local authorities were obliged to issue them, because they came from
the Emperor.
1461. Why should the Emperor affect an intention of stopping the trade, if he
did not mean to do so?--In everything they do they appear to keep up the theory
more than the practice; the theory must be perfect, whatever the practice may be.
1462. Then the imperial edicts never created an impression, on the part of the
foreign community, that it was the intention of the Emperor to suppress the trade?
-No, never.
1463. Mr. Hogg.] Before reading the discussions at Pekin about the suppression
of the trade, did you know that opium was extensively grown in China? Yes, in
consequence of having seen it in the Pekin Gazette, when it used to be translated
for the Company, that authorities had been sent out to destroy the poppy in the
provinces in which it is grown.
•
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
97
Luna, 18° die Mari, 1840.
Mr. C. Buller.
Mr. Edward Buller.
Mr. Brownrigg.
Mr. Clay.
Mr. Colquhoun.
Mr. Elliot.
Mr. Gladstone.
Sir George Grey.
MEMBERS PRESENT.
Mr. Herbert.
Mr. Hogg.
Sir Robert Inglis.
Sir Charles Lemon.
Mr. Parker.
Mr. John Abel Smith.
Mr. Strutt.
JOHN ABEL SMITH, ESQ. IN THE CHAIR.
William Jardine, Esq. called in; and further Examined.
1464. Chairman.] YOU were requested, in your former examination, to put in
some statements of the cost of opium in Canton, both of Malwa and of Bengal
opium, and also the price which some of the opium actually cost your house, which
was delivered to Captain Elliot; have you prepared the statement?-I have pre-
pared several statements, which I will present to the Committee.
1465. You now deliver in two invoices, one of Malwa and one of Bengal opium,
delivered up to Captain Elliot, in consequence of his demand, by Jardine, Matheson
& Co. ?—I do.
1466. You also put in a statement of purchases of Patna opium, made by
Jardine, Matheson & Co., from August to November 1838?—Yes.
1467. And the same with regard to Malwa opium purchases, made by Jardine,
Matheson & Co., from July to November 1838?—Yes.
[The Witness delivered in the same.]
1468. Was any opium delivered up to Captain Elliot which had been previously
sold by your house?-A good deal.
1469. Do you know the circumstances attending that transaction ?--It was sold
at Canton, to be delivered on the coast at a certain price, the party paying bargain
money sufficient to pay the expenses of insurance and ship hire for a couple of
months; they then paid for it, and took it away on the coast; it was paid for first,
and taken away afterwards.
1470. And orders were given to deliver it up with the rest?-A vessel was sent.
up to call the vessels on the coast back to Canton, to deliver up all that they had
to Captain Elliot.
1471. Was any opium actually sold, during the passage of the ships, on their
return from the coast, for the purpose of delivering up the opium?—Yes; one of
the captains, Captain Jauncey, sold several chests (I do not know exactly how
many), at 750 dollars a chest, in the straits of Namo, on his way down from
Amoy.
1472. Was he aware then that the whole was to be delivered up?-He was
merely recalled without its being expressed what the object was. The order was
sent to the senior officer, (he was the second) to come himself, and bring all the
opium ships under his orders with him.
1473. On your last examination you referred to the Imperial edicts against the
trade in opium, and to the disregard with which they were treated; were there
any other edicts, regarding the trade with foreigners, which were also disregarded?
-The edicts, in general, were disregarded. All the edicts respecting sysee silver
were on the same footing as those respecting opium; there was no attention paid
to them; it was the interest and advantage of the authorities so to treat them.
They were obliged to publish them, because they were sent down to them for pub-
lication; but they never had them translated or served upon the Europeans at all,
further than sending the Hong merchants to state that such an edict was out; and
0.59.
0
they
IV. Jardine, Esq.
18 May 1840.
Vide Appendix.
98
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
W. Jardine, Esq. they used to send us a copy when we applied for it, generally accompanying it
with a remark that it would come to nothing, that it would not be acted upon.
18 May 1840.
1474. There was no reason to doubt the sincerity of the government, and their
desire to prevent the export of sysee silver?-I believe the Emperor latterly was
sincere in preventing the export of it; previously, at Canton, the authorities used to
be paid for allowing it to pass.
1475. Did all the parties in Canton export sysee silver, when it suited them to
do so?—Where they had orders to make remittances in sysee, they did so, when
they could get it; it was difficult to get sometimes.
1476. Did the East India Company ever send out sysee silver?—The East India
Company used to receive sysee silver for one or two seasons, upon the same prin-
ciple as broken dollars. When the exchange was down at 4 s., we remitted in
broken coin, and we found that it was affecting the operations in Canton very much,
by producing a want of circulating medium; and then it was suggested to the
Company's chief supercargo, that if they would receive sysee, and send it home,
we would prefer supplying that to the other. They agreed to take it from the
principal houses, upon our guaranteeing that it should make as good a return as
the broken coin. If there was any advantage in it, they took it; but we were
obliged to make up the deficiency, if there was any.
1477. Do you mean that if there was any loss you guaranteed them against.
the loss, and if there was any profit they took it themselves?-Yes.
1478. Mr. E. Buller.] Do you mean that they sent sysee silver of the same
weight as the broken dollars, and if there was any advantage from the sysee silver
being purer than the dollars they got it?-Yes; we had the check in our hands.
to a certain extent, because we might have valued them at a higher per centage,
if we chose, so as to be sure that there would be very little difference in the
return.
1479. Chairman.] But the sending of sysee silver was recognized by the chief
supercargo of the East India Company?-It was; there was an order came out
afterwards from the court to prevent their servants so receiving it.
1480. Are you of opinion that, upon Captain Elliot's arrival at Canton, the
Chinese looked upon that circumstance as altering the whole state of things,
and that they considered that he was the authority to whom they ought to refer,
and that other persons were relieved of all responsibility by Captain Elliot's arri-
val?- Captain Elliot, on arriving at Canton, and taking Mr. Dent under his pro-
tection, as they called it, or rather under the protection of the British community,
for he removed from his own factory and went to the Company's hall, where they
were all assembled round him, and Captain Elliot, having come up as their repre-
sentative, they turned their attention to him in place of Mr. Dent. Finding that
they could not get Mr. Dent to go into the city, they were glad of any mode of
shifting from their demand, without appearing to be foiled in it.
1481. In your opinion they looked upon Captain Elliot's arrival merely as
affording them the means of getting out of the difficulty?-Of getting out of the
difficulty with Mr. Dent; they had refused to take Mr. Dent. Their whole con-
duct proved they would not take him, because they sat down in his office, and said
they would remain there. If they had wanted to take him they would have laid
hold of him; but having insisted upon his going there, and finding themselves
defeated in that, it was natural enough to shift from him to the other, without
acknowledging a defeat; therefore they let Mr. Dent alone when Captain Elliot
came.
1482. Is that consistent with their usual course of policy?—I never knew them
acknowledge themselves in the wrong; they generally shift out of it in some left-
handed way of that kind.
1483. You were asked upon the former day, supposing the claim for the deli-
very of the opium had been made by the East India Company instead of the
Government, what you would have done; have you anything to add upon that
subject?-I think I replied that the circumstances did not exist by which the
Company could well have made such a claim; but if they had insisted upon it,
and issued their order, we must have complied, because we were under instruc-
tions to do so. We lived there by their tolerance, to a certain extent they
had the power of sending us away if we did not comply with their orders, and
we should not have hesitated much about complying, because the Company must
have
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
99
have been responsible; a court of law would have made them so, for the acts of
their servants.
1484. Then you draw a distinction between the East India Company, against
whom you would have a remedy at law, and the Government, against whom you
have no remedy?—Yes; we would have been more ready to give it up when we
were sure of a remedy by a jury of our countrymen if there was any doubt
about it.
1485. Mr. E. Buller.] You stated that the prices at Bombay, during 1838,
had been 900 rupees, 1,200 rupees, and 1,350 rupees ?-It fluctuated very much
that season, according to the reports from China; it was just on the back of the
proposal to legalize the trade, and a great deal of that opium was contracted for in
Malwa; they have no public opium sales there, as in Calcutta.
1486. But as the price fluctuated between 900 rupees and 1,350 rupees at
Bombay, the price at Canton, as you have shown by your invoice account, aver-
aging 594 dollars a chest, the trade that year must have been a losing trade?-
There was not a great deal of opium bought as high as 1,500 rupees; not any I
think; 1,300 and 1,350 was about the highest that it stood at for any time, and
that for a short time only; but it was no uncommon thing for it to be a losing trade.
1487. If purchased, as you have stated, at 1,000 to 1,200 rupees a chest as the
average, and sold at Canton at 594 dollars a chest, there would be no profit?-
No; on the contrary, a loss. Many did lose; and the East India Company, in
one of those years, made an allowance to the purchasers who lost by their Bengal
purchases.
1488. The price of 594 dollars a chest was a very low price at Canton, was it
not?—I have known it as low as 400; 595 or 600 dollars would be about the aver-
age price of late years when it became so abundant.
1489. From what period would you date, when you say of late years?-Pro-
bably the last four or five years; from the time the Company gave up selling it
and opened the trade, and when it passed through Bombay on paying a duty; it
increased from about 5,000 or 6,200 chests to 20,000 or 22,000 chests, and that
of course reduced the price in Canton.
-
1490. Then while the price has been, upon the average, about 600 dollars a
chest at Canton, what should you state had been the average price at Bombay ?-
It is very difficult to say; but I can give all the prices at Bombay if the Committee
wish it, from the price-currents, and also the quantities and prices in Canton for
several years back. There is a table of them published, which would be more
accurate than any information I could give from memory. But it is very difficult
to state what was the price at Bombay. It is very easy to state the prices in
Calcutta, because the Company's sales regulate it. You have the highest and the
lowest given you. The price-currents give it you after every sale in Calcutta. It
fluctuates a little afterwards, according to whether the natives that purchased it
with the view of re-selling in Calcutta, made a good business of it. Sometimes
they gain and sometimes they lose; but when they lose it is late in the season;
they do not submit to a loss early in the season.
1491. If the prices fluctuate at Canton, are they more steady at Bombay and
Calcutta ?—The prices fluctuated at Bombay very inuch. In Calcutta it was not
that the prices were steady, but you always knew them, because it was a public
sale. But in Bombay the contracts were made up the country with the Malwarese,
and some of them used to be made in October for the ensuing year, so that you
had a great variety of prices, sometimes even in the same day, at Bombay. You
had the prices as stated in the price-currents, but in general you had no clue what-
ever to the contracts made up the country by the large purchasers.
1492. Was the trade, in your opinion, as regular a trade, with reference to the
risks run and the profits obtained, as any other branch of trade between India and
China?-No; I think the prices fluctuated more; it was equally steady and equally
certain, but the prices fluctuated more.
1493. Did the prices fluctuate on account of the fluctuations in the supply and
demand for opium, or did they fluctuate on account of the proceedings of the
Chinese government -A little of both; the Chinese government used to affect
prices every now and then, by being more stringent, and enforcing the regulations;
and then they used to relax, and the prices got up a little.
1494. Like any other trade carried on against the laws of the country, it was
liable to great fluctuations, according to the increased or relaxed rigour of the
enforcement of the laws of China?-Yes, to a certain extent; never to a very
0.59.
great
0 2
W. Jardine, Esq.
18 May 1840.
100
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
W. Jardine, Esq. great extent, except in the year 1821, when it fell very low for a time, 30 or
40 dollars was the usual fluctuation from such causes.
18 May 1840.
1495. Were the fluctuations to that extent as to deter men of regular habits as
merchants from engaging in it, regarding it as a gambling transaction?-There
were some very rich men engaged in transactions on the Chinese side, and there
was scarcely an exception as to the Europeans.
1496. You never heard of any man being deterred from engaging in the trade,
either on account of the gambling nature of the trade or from high moral principles?
-Yes, Mr. King professes to do so; that is the only instance I know.
1497. Supposing any man to entertain a moral objection to the trade, was he
likely, from the high profits held out to him, to be induced to engage in it?-
Mr. King is the only exception I know to the general rule. Mr. Cushing, latterly,
has not engaged; but that was from his connexion with Howqua.
1498. Then either the Europeans engaged in it were not aware of the moral
objection to the trade, or the profits were so large as to induce them to engage in
it notwithstanding?-When the East India Company were growing and selling it,
and there was a declaration of the Houses of Lords and Commons, with all the
bench of bishops at their back, that it was inexpedient to do it away, I think our
moral scruples need not have been so very great.
1499. Mr. Gladstone.] Did you ever hear of any instance of a person who went out
to China, and refused to become a partner in a house of great reputation and wealth
in China, on account of his objection to the opium trade?-Yes, I recollect
Mr. Matheson coming back; I am aware of all these things; there are three
instances altogether, one American and two Scotchinen; Mr. Matheson and
Mr. Robertson; Mr. Robertson had been in the Scotch Church before he went out,
and had some scruples of conscience and came home again; and he has since written
a pamphlet, in which he defends opium more than he condemns it.
1500. Mr. Colquhoun.] The third case is Mr. King, the American ?—Yes.
1501. Sir G. Grey.] What was the nature of the moral objection which those
parties entertained against the trade in opium; was it that it was a trade pro-
hibited by the Chinese, and that it was immoral to smuggle; or was the objection
founded upon the prejudicial effects produced by the consumption of opium among
the Chinese?--If I were to give you Mr. King's opinion, he objected to it upon
the broad principle of the demoralizing effect upon the Chinese, and also the
immorality of smuggling; but unfortunately he smuggled in everything else except
opium.
1502. What was the nature of the objection entertained by the two Scotch
gentlemen?That it was, strictly speaking, an illegal trade; I believe their objec-
tion was, that as the imperial edicts were against it, although it was encouraged
by all the authorities, yet they did not think it right to engage in it; and they also
thought that it was demoralizing to the people, the same as spirits are in this
country.
1503. Are you aware of the existence of edicts equally severe against the pro-
pagation of Christianity, and the introduction of religious tracts into China?—Yes.
1504. Are you also aware of the circumstances attending the voyage of the
Huron, a vessel freighted by the house of Oliphant & King, and in which Mr. Med-
hurst made a voyage along the coast for the purpose of introducing religious tracts
into China? Yes, perfectly.
1505. Are you aware of any considerable resistance offered at different points
along the coast at which the ship touched, by the Chinese authorities, to the
attempt of Mr. Medhurst to introduce religious tracts ?-They objected to it at
almost every place he went to; his work is published; he states it himself.
1506. Do you know whether, owing to the perseverance of Mr. Medhurst,
aided by the curiosity of the Chinese, he was eminently successful, notwithstanding
the resistance of the authorities, everywhere in violating the Chinese law, by the
introduction of religious tracts into China?-I think he says so; but I think
Mr. Gutzlaff circulated more tracts than he did.
1507. But Mr. Medhurst's voyage was subsequent to Mr. Gutzlaff's?—
It was.
1508. Was not the voyage of the Huron undertaken with that express object,
the ship being taken up for the purpose, and under an agreement that the opium
trade should be strictly and religiously abstained from ?—Yes; he applied to us
for a passage, and I told him that he might have one in any one of our vessels
going to the coast; but he declined it on account of their having opium on board.
1509. Is
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
101
1509. Is there any distinction in kind between the edicts issued by the Chinese W. Jardine, Esq.
against the opium trade and those against the introduction of Christianity?-They
differ in their form according to the article they are about to prohibit; but all their
edicts are framed upon the same general rule; they were the same 20 years ago
as they are now.
18 May 1840.
1510. Is not the punishment of death imposed upon any native Chinese who
shall be a party to the propagation of Christianity in China?-I should say not;
the law may be so, but in practice it is not so.
1511. Do you recollect that Mr. Medhurst states in his book, that in the year
1810 an edict was issued, imposing the penalty of death upon any party who
should embrace the Christian religion?-Yes, I believe there was an edict to
that effect published; but he must be a much better authority upon this sub-
ject than I am, because I suppose he made himself master of it before he put it in
print.
1512. Did those edicts give rise to an impression on the part of the foreign
community, that there was any immorality or impossibility in the propagation of
Christianity in China?-Never in the vicinity of Canton to my knowledge. I have
heard of massacres of the Christians up the country. There was one soon after
that voyage of the Huron.
1513. Has it had the effect of deterring Europeans from making the attempt?
-As far as regards our own people I do not know. It has not the French and
other nations, because we have sent several of them along the coast to be landed
and sent up to the body of Christians in the interior; but I do not think we
have any one there at present belonging to Great Britain, except at Macao and
Canton.
1514. Chairman.] Was not Mr. Medhurst for a great number of years resident
in Java?--He was.
1515. Is not the opium trade carried on there more extensively than almost
anywhere else?—Not more extensively; it is carried on.
The Dutch government
farm it to a man who pays so much a year to the revenue.
1516. Is the consumption of opium great in Java-The consumption is great,
but not to so great an extent as the same number of people in China consume.
They use the Turkey opium chiefly there.
1517. Mr. E. Buller.] You stated that the introduction of opium was connived
at by all the authorities at Canton, and that the Viceroy had four boats engaged
in the trade; will you state at what period that commenced?-I think the Vice-
roy's boats commenced about the beginning of 1837, or the middle of 1837; and
for some time they were employed to put down smuggling. But in order to make
it intelligible, it will be necessary to state how the smuggling was carried on.
There was one man of large property that used to contract with the government
for the safety of all the vessels, and they violated their engagement with him by
seizing a vessel returning with sysee silver, after she had delivered the opium.
Upon that he threw up his situation as guarantee, and they could not get any man of
sufficient character and wealth to engage in it; and then the Viceroy's boats having
nothing to put down in the way of smuggling, turned to smuggle themselves, and
they did all the carrying business for about 18 months.
1518. At what period in 1837 did that begin?—It did not end till a little
before Lin's coming down. They were even engaged in the river trade when it
first commenced, which was the last thing done in opium before my leaving, in the
end of 1838, or the beginning of 1839.
1519. Were the Viceroy's boats engaged in the opium trade up to the period.
when Captain Elliot assisted the Chinese authorities to put down the trade in the
river?—Yes, his boats took 150 chests out of a schooner at one time in the
river near Whampoa about that period.
1520. Had they discontinued at that time, or did they still continue?-There
was very little done at Canton for many weeks before I left; the trade was chiefly
carried on along the coast about Namo and Amoy. It was banished from Canton
to a great extent; the Viceroy tells us, in his edict, in reply to Captain Elliot,
when he offered to put himself at the head of a Chinese force to drive the English
boats out of the river, that he could put a stop to them whenever he pleased,
by a single scratch of his pen; a proof that there was no necessity for Captain
Elliot's interference.
1521. Mr. Gladstone.] Are the Committee to understand that those boats of the
Viceroy carried on the trade between Lintin and the port of Canton ?--Yes.
0.59.
03
1522. And
102
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
W. Jardine, Esq.
18 May 1840.
1522. And that they monopolised that trade for a certain period?—Yes, as far
as the Chinese boats were concerned.
1523. For the whole 18 months?-I cannot speak to a few months, but for a
great many months they did; they took care that no others should interfere with
them.
1524. Is it not recorded in the papers which have been laid on the table of the
House of Commons, that the trade was, to a considerable extent, in the hands of
Europeans at that time?-The Europeans were the parties on the one side, and
the Viceroy's boats on the other. The Viceroy's boats carried European orders,
and received the opium accordingly.
1525. Is it not recorded in these papers that the opium was actually carried in
boats engaged by Europeans or belonging to Europeans?-For a few months in
the river it was, in the schooners.
1526. For how many months were boats belonging to Europeans engaged in
carrying the opium from Lintin to Canton?-I cannot answer that question
exactly; but I suppose as much as five or six months.
1527. And not more?—I should think not much more.
1528. At what time did they begin to ply?----They were in the midst of it when
the admiral went there, which I think was in the month of August or September.
1529. Was it in August or September 1837 that they began to run ?-I cannot
tell the dates, but it was about two or three months before the admiral arrived.
1530. Will you state as nearly as you can, when opium began to be carried in
European boats between Lintin and Canton?-It began about the July before the
time when the admiral was there.
1531. When was the old system of carrying the opium in the native boats given
up ?—The system of carrying in the native boats still continued even up to the
time that I left, but in a very limited degree. After those junks being searched
at Tien-shun, and a severe edict coming to the governor upon that, he knocked
up his boats then, and left off running them.
1532. When was the period in the year 1837 when the recognised system of
carrying the opium in the native boats was broken up?-That was at the time I
mentioned before, when the head man would no longer become security for
them; he broke up his own boats, after they seized his sycee contrary to compact;
and when one of our captains offered him 1,000 dollars for the last boat, he said,
if he would give him 50,000, he would not let them exist; that he must burn them,
to prove that he was in earnest in refusing to continue the contract.
1533. From that period to the end of 1838, is it your opinion that the greater
part of the opium which was carried between Lintin and Canton was carried in
boats belonging to the Viceroy?—Yes, certainly.
1534. Nearly the whole of it?-Nearly the whole of it. The Hoppo boats did
a little, but not much.
1535. Were there not a great many seizures and collisions during that period
between the authorities and the boats carrying opium?-There was never any col-
lision of importance; they used to have a sham fight now and then, by way of
making it appear that they did their duty.
1536. Were there not very considerable seizures of opium ?—I can only recol-
lect one seizure of any great importance, and that was of a hundred and odd chests.
1537. Owing to what circumstances do you think it was that the trade was so
much depressed as to have become nearly extinct in the latter end of 1838?--I
have stated before the searching of the vessels at Tien-shun and the seizure of the
opium on board of them, and the edict of the Emperor to the Viceroy at Canton
in consequence.
1538. When you allude to the searching, do you allude to an event which oc-
curred at one particular time, or to a practice of searching?-At one particular
time; it never occurred before.
1539. When was that? The account came to Canton in the end of the year
1838; in fact, it preceded the seizure of the opium from Mr. Innes in the river,
and was the cause of all the mischief that was attributed to Mr. Innes's seizure.
1540. That was in December 1838?—I think it was.
1541. Then it immediately preceded that seizure?--The account came to Can-
ton about three days before Mr. Innes's seizure, and most people in Canton attri-
buted what ensued to Mr. Innes's seizure; but in fact it had nothing to do
with it.
1542. Was not the opium trade in the river nearly brought to a stand-still a
good
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
103
good while before that event?-It was attended with more difficulty; but that was
the first thing that gave it a thorough check.
1543. To what do you ascribe that increase of difficulty?-I have answered
that; it was owing to the severe edict sent by the Emperor to the Viceroy, threat-
ening him with making him personally responsible if the vessels did not go away
from Lintin for good, and if he did not put a stop to the opium trade.
1544. Did the Viceroy take any measures to put that edict into execution
He did latterly, about the month of December, when this notice came.
1545. The question refers to an earlier period. You have stated that there
had been an increase of difficulty in carrying on the opium trade previous to that
time; you were asked what was the cause of the increase of the difficulty, and you
now answer by saying, that it was the edict which came in December 18387-
There had been increased difficulties, but not to that very great extent till that
edict came; the trade had still gone on, as you will see by the deliveries; on the
coast it had gone on uninterruptedly.
1546. Were not the deliveries in all the latter months of 1838 very much
restricted? They were very small at Canton, but very considerable on the coast;
there were at least 16 or 18 vessels in the straits of Namo at that time delivering.
1547. But they were very much restricted in Canton river?-Yes, and at
Lintin.
1548. Was that limitation and obstruction in Canton river owing to the Em-
peror's edicts; or did the Viceroy take any measures to put those edicts in execu-
tion in the year 1838 before December?-After it was decided that opium should
not be admitted as an article of legal trade, the Viceroy's measures became more
stringent, in consequence of his receiving severer orders from Pekin, and they
came to a climax at the time I mentioned.
W
1549. Will you describe those measures, as far as your memory serves you;
such as took place before December 1838?-In the first place his own boats were
restricted; he no longer openly countenanced his own boats, and the trade was
then carried on by mandarin boats, commanded by men of less importance; the
deliveries used to go on at various parts in the city; there was one place, which
was a large establishment for lepers, where they used to deliver their opium; they
converted it into an opium depôt for the inferior mandarins; and it used to be
delivered there after the Viceroy's boats had ceased running.
1550. You have said that the Viceroy's boats did not cease running till the end
of 1838-Till towards the end; they ceased running about a month or six weeks
before the severe edict of the Viceroy came.
1551. Then, are the Committee to understand, that between the middle of 1837
and the end of 1838 the trade was carried on chiefly in boats belonging to the
Viceroy, and partly also in boats belonging to inferior Chinese authorities, and
partly also in boats belonging to Europeans-Not for so long a time as that; the
Europeans carrying it on in boats on the river was restricted to five or six months
altogether; if these facts are wished for by the Committee, I can extract them,
and furnish a statement of them; I can give much more accurate information by
that means than from memory.
1552. Will you explain how it happened that the trade came to be considerably
restricted in the latter months of 1838, although the Viceroy's boats were running,
and although there had been at that time very few seizures of opium ?—The Vice-
roy's boats did not stop in a day, for they went twice a week before, and they came
down to going once a week, once a fortnight, and once a month; they were taken
off gradually, and the fellows very likely ran latterly for their own behoof without
the Viceroy knowing anything about it.
1553. Do you think it was the alarm created by the imperial edicts, and the
anticipation of further and more stringent measures, which restricted the carry-
ing in mandarin boats and the carrying in the Viceroy's boats?-No question
about it.
1554. Then it was not caused so much by the actual seizures as by the antici-
pation of future seizures ?-No, there were very few seizures, and they were very
trifling; eight or ten chests was thought a very large seizure in the river deliveries.
1555. Mr. Colquhoun.] Were there not armed boats at the time belonging to
Europeans in the river?-The boats were all armed.
1556. Then it was not a new practice to introduce arms?--No, you cannot go
up and down the river with safety unless you have arms; people have often been
0.59.
robbed
0 4
W. Jardine, Esq.
18 May 1849.
104
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
W. Jardine, Esq. robbed between Canton and Lintin, and between Lintin and Macao; you are
obliged to have arms to defend yourselves against robbers, or Ladrones.
18 May 1840.
1557. Then the Europeans in 1838 used boats of the same size, and not more
armed than before?-The only difference was, that having more property on board,
they had more arms than they would otherwise have had unless when they
carried treasure.
1558. The arms being necessary, as a defence, not against the attacks of the
government schooners, but against pirates?-We have had no instance of the
government schooners attacking European vessels.
1559. Have not we heard of collisions between government ships and European
ships along the coast ?--Captain Elliot heard of them; I never did; but I do not
consider Captain Elliot's authority very good on that point.
1560. You never heard of collisions between the Chinese government ships and
European ships carrying opium to land on the coast?-No, not till after I left;
we have had published accounts of such things latterly, but not till after I left.
1561. On what do the published accounts depend; on the authority of Captain
Elliot-I believe so.
1562. And that authority, when you were in China, you considered not a good
one?-In the first place, he had no means of knowing anything upon the subject,
unless what they chose to tell him; that trade was in our own hands for four or
five years; we had a vessel lying there the whole year round.
1563. And he could only ascertain the state of the trade from the accounts
given him by the merchants?-Occasionally, when the captains and officers came
to Canton or Macao, he used to get into conversation with them.
1564. Did the information which the captains and officers gave more fully to
you, lead you to believe that there was any collision between the Chinese govern-
ment ships and the European ships?-I believe not; I believe they saved many
lives, but I do not believe they ever took one; they saved many lives from
shipwrecked vessels, boats and junks.
1565. Mr. Gladstone.] Captain Elliot writes, on the 18th of January 1838, at
page 253 in the Parliamentary Papers, that the boat of Mr. Just, a British sub-
ject, and a watchmaker residing at Canton, had been visited a few evenings before,
and three cases of opium taken; are you, then, accurate in saying that the carry-
ing opium in European boats did not begin till a few months before December
18387-- Yes, perfectly accurate, I believe; I cannot speak to a week or a few
days, but it began in that season.
-
1566. You observe that the date of this letter is January the 18th, 11 months
before the period to which you have referred?-That is perfectly consistent with
what I say; it was in the end of 1838 that the whole affair took place. I will
explain what that seizure was: Mr. Just was a watchmaker in Canton; he had
got a small schooner that he used to go to Whampoa in; he got into trade with
some Chinese, and brought up these three chests of opium for the purpose of
putting them into his store to retail them; the trade was not general then.
1567. You consider that the seizure in Mr. Just's boat was an exception?-It
was about the first of the season; there were a good many people engaged in it
afterwards; but Just and another man, a tavern-keeper, were the only people at
that time, and it was in a very petty way.
1568. For three or four months afterwards, up to June, were there many Euro-
peans engaged in it?-Not many; it began chiefly with the shipping of that
season.
1569. Mr. Colquhoun.] When Mr. Just's boat was running and seized, the
Viceroy's boat was carrying opium ?—Yes.
1570. So that in fact Mr. Just's boat was interfering with the Viceroy's trade?
-Yes, to the extent to which she was doing business.
1571. Mr. Gladstone] Captain Elliot writes this on the 20th of April 1838,
in page 299 of the Parliamentary Papers: "My Lord, in the course of the last
two months the number of English boats employed in the illicit traffic between
Lintin and Canton has vastly increased, and the deliveries of opium have frequently
been accompanied by conflict of fire-arms between those vessels and the government
preventive craft." You consider, then, that Captain Elliot was not accurate in the
statement he here makes?—I think he overrates it very much; I do not believe
that there was a single life lost, or a single individual wounded.
1572. Do you think there was any considerable number of English boats
employed in the traffic at that period, in April?—I should say not more than three
ΟΙ
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
105
or four boats in April; it was later than that when the boats began to increase
materially.
1573. That statement of Captain Elliot's, that the number had vastly increased
between the 20th of February and the 20th of April, is quite inaccurate?—I do not
think it strictly accurate; but there is no means of arriving at accuracy, unless we
come to numbers upon this point; if there was only one boat before, and another
was added to it, the number was doubled.
1574. Must not Captain Elliot's statement, with respect to the general impres-
sion it was intended to convey, have been grossly inaccurate, if you are right in
saying that there was a very small number of European boats engaged in the traffic
at that time?—Yes. I was on the spot, and Captain Elliot was down at Macao;
and I leave the Committee to judge which of us was most likely to know any-
thing about it.
1575. Mr. Colquhoun.] If the increase of boats was, in fact, only from one to
three, you never would apply this expression," the number of English boats has
vastly increased "?—I do not know that I would apply it; but it would be a vast
increase upon one, being more than double. I do not know what he means by the
phrase, "vastly increased." I should be glad to give a list of the boats, as far as
I know them.
1576. Sir George Grey.] How many boats had the Viceroy engaged in this
carrying trade?-Four.
1577. Then an increase of three boats would bear a great proportion to the
whole number of vessels engaged in this traffic?-But they were a very different
kind of boats. Some of these boats would come up with five chests, or 10 chests,
some with 20, some 30; but the Viceroy's boats took 100 or 200 at a time.
1578. Mr. Hogg.] What was the greatest number of European boats ever
engaged at any one time?-I think I have seen 16 or 18 lying at one time at
Whampoa.
1579. Mr. Gladstone.] Are you aware whether the fact of the Viceroy running
boats, for the purpose of carrying opium, was ever brought to the knowledge of
Captain Elliot?-He could not help knowing it.
1580. Was it an undoubted and notorious fact, or was it doubted, and by some
disputed?-It was so well known, that every Chinaman would point his finger to
the flag, and tell you, "That is the Viceroy's boat."
1581. Does that statement apply to the whole period of 18 months, during
which, you say, the Viceroy's boats were carrying opium?—To the greater part of
the time; I cannot speak accurately as to the time; but very soon after the seizure
of the sysee silver, contrary to the compact, the Viceroy's boats began to ply for
themselves. They negotiated for some time, to try to get some one else to put him-
self in the situation of the man who retired from being guarantee, but failed.
1582. Mr. E. Buller.] Who negotiated?-The underlings of the Chinese
authorities; the military aid-de-camp to the Viceroy was the chief person.
1583. Mr. Gladstone.] And the Viceroy's boats continued to be engaged in it
till near the time of the affair of Mr. Innes ?—Yes.
1584. Did you ever hear a statement that the Viceroy's boats were allowed to
run by order of government, in order to lead to the discovery of the parties
engaged in the opium trade?-No; nor would I believe it if I heard it, because
they had the names of all of them before that; they had a list of all the parties
connected with it long before then.
1585. You think it was done by the Viceroy in defiance of the imperial edict
-I believe the Viceroy did it for the sake of gain; a vast number of people in Can-
ton said that his boats used to pay him 13,000 taels each per month.
1586. What is a tael?-Six shillings and eight-pence.
1587. You entirely discredit the notion that it was done by the Viceroy under
an arrangement with the imperial government?-That I do not know; I should
think not; I should hope the Emperor would not be so bad as to issue these edicts,
and at the same time to enter into a compact with the Viceroy to break them;
but it is generally believed that part of the money went to the imperial treasury in
the shape of presents.
1588. Is it believed that the money went to the imperial treasury in the shape
of presents, purporting to be levies upon opium, or the fruits of the opium traffic?
That nobody knows; it is believed that all the viceroys bribe, for the purpose of
being kept in their places, and that that was the readiest way in which he could
make money with which to bribe
0.59.
1589. Then
P
W. Jardine, Esq.
18 May 1840.
106
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
W. Jardine, Esq.
18 May 1840.
1589. Then the general belief does not include the supposition that the money
paid in presents to the Emperor was paid as being part of the proceeds of the
opium traffic?-No, I do not believe that any European ever presumed to form an
opinion upon that subject.
1590. It appears that there were very few measures taken by the provincial au-
thorities for the suppression or limitation of the opium trade before the month of
December 1838 ?-At different times they have had an opium broker seized, and
one or two, I think, were banished to the cold country, or banished from Canton.
During the 20 years I was there there was, every two or three years, an opium
broker seized; one man was tortured and put to death at Macao, and another man
was executed; but those were in such times as 1821, when they were driving the
opium from the river; and, in fact, whenever one of the censors sent up a report
to the Emperor against the dealing in opium in Canton, the measures became
severe, but in a short time they relaxed again.
1591. Was there any native put to death for dealing in opium in 1821?—I do
not know that it was in 1821; a few years after that I think there was a man put
to death at Macao.
1592. Can you state about the year?—I am afraid to state what year it was in;
but it is very well known.
1593. Can you state that it was certainly 10 years ago ?-Certainly, it was more
than 10 years ago that an instance of that kind occurred.
1594. Mr. Colquhoun.] Were not there very vigorous measures taken between
1821 and 1823 by Governor Yuen ?-That was at the time the vessels were sent
away from Whampoa : but even upon that occasion the Hong merchants, who were
the only medium of communication with us, came to us to say, "If you send the
vessels outside, that is all that is required; they may carry on their trade quietly,
only they must not come in to Whampoa.
1595. Had the Governor at that time the power to stop the trade, if he had
been so minded?—I suppose his power must have been pretty much the same as
it was latterly; he has not been able to stop it now, with all the stringent measures
he has taken.
""
1596. Sir Robert Inglis.] You were understood to state that it was believed.
that the Viceroys generally, and among them the Viceroy at Canton, made presents
to the imperial court in order to keep themselves in their offices, and that you
inferred from that that the Emperor was cognizant of the fact that the Viceroy of
Canton in particular derived the means of making his presents from the bribes
which he received for conniving at the opium trade?-No, I did not state that
I thought the emperor was cognizant of the fact; we have no power of judging,
except by his own acts; but we know by the imperial edicts that he was aware of the
opium trade being carried on, and he accurately describes the vessels by the names
of "Flying Dragons," and "Fast Crabs," and the usual phrases at Canton; and
he even describes the brokers that come and pay their money and take out their
orders.
1597. Mr. Gladstone.] Is that in edicts subsequent to the discussions in 1836?—
About that time two of them were issued; I think there were some even before
then.
1598. Mr. Colquhoun.] But you have no proof of such accurate information on
the part of the imperial authorities before 1836?--I forget; but I recollect seeing
a copy in a Bengal paper of the edicts of 1821, and they were almost verbatim the
same as those of 1838-9, as if they had set forms in the public offices.
1599. Did they contain the same minute specification with regard to the boats
and the persons engaged in the trade?-No; in 1821 the trade had been carried on
differently; there was a change in the mode of carrying it on in 1821.
1600. Was the trade carried on then as minutely known to the imperial govern-
ment as it was in 1836?—I cannot answer as to that.
1601. Mr. Elliot.] You said that there were censors who reported to the govern-
ment, and that upon their reports severe measures were taken; is it not quite
certain that those censors, when they reported, would give such information as
would put the government in possession of the facts ?—No doubt about it.
1602. Mr. Gladstone.] Are you quite sure that the description of the kind of
boats employed in the traffic is to be found in any imperial edict as early as 1836?
-I do not know whether it is 1836 or 1837; I know that it is in the imperial
edicts.
1603. You are sure that it is in an imperial edict, and that it is not in the
documents
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
107
documents presented by some of the official persons to the Emperor?-No, it is in W. Jardine, E÷q.
the imperial edicts.
18 May 1840.
1604. Can you produce that edict ?—I have no doubt I can; I will look for it,
and endeavour to get it, if you wish it.
1605. Mr. E. Buller.] You stated that previous executions had taken place of
parties who had been engaged in opium dealing, and that the affair afterwards.
blew over, and the opium trade went on as usual?-Yes, some of those things
scarcely interrupted the trade, except just at the spot where they occurred; they
were generally at Macao.
1606. Then you do not attach any great importance to that attempt to execute
a Chinese in front of the factory at Canton ?-That was a man who had been con-
demned many months before. The imperial sentence for his execution had come
down at that time. The only interest we took in it was, that we did not choose to
have the place in front of our factories, where our flags were flying, converted into
an execution ground.
1607. Then you would not have taken that execution as an extraordinary
warning to abstain from the opium trade in future?-I believe the Governor did
it for the sake of effect, that he might publish an edict upon the occasion.
1608. You would have viewed it as intended, like previous executions, merely
to serve its immediate purpose, and not as indicating any intention, on the part of
the Chinese government, to pursue a more rigorous course with regard to the opium
trade?—Yes, that one I should; because the man had been in prison, and con-
demned, I forget how many months, before these very stringent measures began;
he was not a recent offender.
1609. You were not at Canton when the second attempt, which in fact was car-
ried out, to execute a criminal before the factory took place?—No, I had left before
that.
1610. But knowing, as you have done for many years, the conduct of the
Chinese authorities, had you been on the spot, should you have considered that as
so decided an indication of their determination to put down the trade, as to have
considered it necessary to abandon the trade?—No, I should have viewed it in a
different light; I think they brought it upon themselves. In the first instance the
mandarins who came to see the sentence carried into effect, went away and executed
the man at a little distance; but then the Chamber of Commerce insisted upon
sending in a petition to the Viceory remonstrating against such an attempt, claim-
ing the ground in front of the factory as belonging to us, which was deemed by
most people to be imprudent, as everybody foresaw that the reply would be that
the ground belonged to the Emperor, and that he would execute as many people
as he liked; which was the reply actually given, and I believe the second execu-
tion was carried on there to show that he would have his own way.
1611. You look upon that execution rather as an assertion of the right of the
Viceroy to carry out his own purposes on that ground, than as an expression of
any determination of the Chinese government to put down the opium trade?—
Yes.
1612. Mr. Gladstone.] Were these executions of natives for dealing in opium
of common occurrence, or had you known no previous instance of it?-I think
I recollect as many as four or five previous to the one that was tried to be executed
in front of the factory.
1613. And there was one at Macao?—There was one at Macao, and another
at one of the villages between Macao and Canton.
1614. Do you recollect, previous to the year 1837, as many as four or five
instances of persons being executed simply for the crime of dealing in opium?—
No, not previous to that; I think there were three took place before that, that
I have some faint recollection of; I think I recollect two at Macao.
1615. Do you mean two independently of the cases recorded in the Printed
Papers laid before Parliament ?—I mean two independently of those.
1616. Do you consider that the claim of the merchants upon Her Majesty's
Government for indemnity rests in any degree upon the circumstance that the
system pursued by the provincial authorities with regard to the opium trade was
one of connivance?-I do not know that I should be a fair judge upon that ques-
tion; I consider that when Her Majesty's representative made himself responsible
for it, he was as responsible as if it had been bags of flour or barrels of beef, or
anything else for Her Majesty's service.
1617. Without meaning to imply any opinion with respect to the sufficiency of
P 2
the
K
108
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
18 May 1840,
W. Jardine, Esq. the claim which you found upon Captain Elliot's order, the question is, whether
you think that it derives any corroborative force from the circumstance that the
system pursued by the Chinese authorities, with regard to the opium trade, had
been one of connivance?-I think that the circumstance of their connivance, and
of our own authorities having sanctioned the trade by their own declarations, and
continuing to foster it and increase it in Calcutta, renders it to all intents and
purposes, so far as the dealers were concerned in it, a legal trade.
1618. You rely upon the order of Captain Elliot; you also rely upon the coun-
tenance which, as you say, was given by the authorities at home and in India to
the trade, as strengthening the claim upon Her Majesty's Government; do you
also rely upon the connivance of the Chinese authorities as strengthening the
claim upon Her Majesty's Government ?-Yes, I think it makes a less objection-
able case.
1619. Supposing that, on the other hand, the merchants had been carrying on
a contraband trade against the evident and determined intention of the Chinese
government, do you think that would have weakened the present claim, and de-
prived it of the strength which it now has ?-I do not see how anything could have
weakened the present claim, so long as Captain Elliot made himself responsible on
behalf of his employers for it; if it had been seized in smuggling, we should have
nothing to say.
1620. Do you think, that if the merchants had been persisting in the pursuit of
the opium traffic against the evident and palpable intentions of the Chinese govern-
ment for a series of years, that would have deprived the present claim of the addi-
tional strength which you consider it derives from the contrary having been the
fact?I dare say, in the minds of many people, it might; it would not in mine,
because I could not get over the straight-forward principle of making good the
engagements of the party you employ.
1621. Mr. E. Buller.] The consent of the English Government, and the con-
nivance of the Chinese government, only go so far as this, to place opium precisely
on the same footing as other merchandize?-Yes.
C
1622. It merely amounts to this, that the trade was not so notoriously a contra-
band trade that the English Government can turn round and say to the merchants,
you were engaged in an avowedly illicit and contraband trade, and therefore we
will not give you compensation ?-Precisely so.
1623. Mr. Gladstone.] With respect to the connivance of the Chinese autho-
rities, do you think that for some considerable period before you left China there
were clear indications of an altered course of policy on their part, and that a crisis.
was evidently coming?-It was very clear that the Emperor had become more
determined to put the trade down than he had previously been; but I do not think
there was anything to lead you to believe that it would not be got over till Com-
missioner Lin came down; I think the thing was altered then for the first time;
previous to that there was no Chinese law by which a foreigner could be punished
for dealing in opium.
1624. Did you ever know, before the end of 1836, of an edict ordering the
expulsion of English residents on account of their trading in opium ?—Yes, I
believe some of them were; I have been expelled at least a dozen times by im-
perial edicts.
1625. Do you mean that you had been ordered to quit Canton at least a dozen
times before the close of the year 1836, on account of dealing in opium?—No.
1626. Had you ever been ordered to quit Canton for dealing in opium before
the end of 1836?—I think not, but the edicts will prove that; they are all on
record.
1627. Do you know any instances in which British residents were ordered to
quit Canton before the end of 1836, for the single act of dealing in opium?—
I think not.
1628. Do you think you must have known of such a case if it had occurred?—
I think I must.
1629. Are you prepared to say that you know of no instance of an edict order-
ing the expulsion of British residents before the end of 1836, for dealing in opium?
I have no recollection of it.
1630. Was it not the fact that such an edict appeared at that time?-There
was an edict appeared about that time in which names were given.
1631. You did not interpret that edict as giving evidence of an altered policy
on the part of the Chinese government?-Not at all, because the Hong merchants
Came
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
109
came and begged that I would send a nephew of mine down to Macao, which they W. Jardine, Esq.
said would answer all the purpose, and they would give him a chop boat to take
him down; and he went down and came back again, and the thing was settled.
18 May 1840.
1632. Mr. C. Buller.] In fact the Chinese government has often ordered the
expulsion of foreigners, but it was such a mere farce, that their doing it upon this
occasion did not impress you with the idea of any particular sincerity of determi-
nation against the opium traffic?—Not in the least.
1633. Mr. Gladstone.] Are you aware whether Captain Elliot believed them to
be sincere in their intention of expelling foreigners who were engaged in the opium
traffic?—I think Captain Elliot was much more alarmed than there was necessity
for upon those occasions.
1634. Mr. Hogg.] Supposing that Committees of both Lords and Commons.
had strongly reprobated the opium trade, and supposing the Chinese government
had never directly or indirectly connived at it, would that have altered your opinion
as to the validity of the claim founded upon a compliance with the requisition of
Captain Elliot-No, I do not know that it would have altered mine. The
simple circumstance of Captain Elliot demanding the property in the name of Her
Majesty, and promising to remunerate them for it, is sufficient for me, but others
may take a different view of it.
1635. Mr. Gladstone.] Are you aware that in the year 1837 the local authori-
ties of Canton applied to Captain Elliot on the subject of the receiving ships,
earnestly requesting that they might be sent away; and that upon his answering
that he had no control over them, they urged that he should make a representa-
tion to his Government at home, in order that they might be sent away ?--Yes, I
recollect that.
1636. Were you cognizant of that fact at the time?—I was.
1637. Was not that rather a new circumstance in the policy of the Chinese
government? Our having a representative in China was a new circumstance alto-
gether. We have only had one from 1835.
1638. Was not such a requisition on the part of the Chinese government a new
circumstance?—They used to issue edicts, and send them to the merchant that
they thought of the greatest importance, or that had the most trade, and begged
that he would circulate them among his countrymen; and when there was a
consul they used to be sent to him. It came through the Hong merchants.
1639. Was not it a new circumstance, that besides issuing edicts ordering the
vessels to quit, they should have addressed a requisition to the British superin-
tendent, urging him to make known that demand to his Government at home,
with a view to its being complied with? It is the second instance that I have
known of any reference home, and the other was requesting some one to be sent
to take care of the trade after the Company's supercargoes were sent away.
1640. Do you interpret that as indicating sincerity and earnestness on the part
of the Chinese authorities?—It did not strike me so at the time.
1641. Do not you think that the Chinese authorities are very desirous that some
person should be sent with power to superintend the trade and to control the
British residents?-I believe that the Company's supercargoes got up that requisi-
tion themselves; Mr. Marjoribanks applied to Howqua, who was the originator of
that.
1642. Do not you think that the Chinese were very desirous that there should
be some efficient authority over the British residents ?—They were desirous that
there should be a head man or consul; they did not care what he was, so long as
he was a merchant; they did not want a man of any rank or any official dignity.
1643. Do not you think that they were in earnest when they desired that a re-
ference home might be made upon that subject?—I do not think they were, parti-
cularly; I think it was more an idea of theirs that it might be possible to get the
Company to continue; it was an act of Howqua's, very much.
1644. Is it the habit of the Chinese government to interfere in the government
of the foreigners resident in Canton? They do everything through the Hong
merchants.
1645. Is it not their practice to abstain from interference, except in cases of
homicide ?-As much as possible.
1646. Was not it, then, of great importance to them to have some foreign au-
thority on the spot, who might be able to act judicially and to govern the foreign
community?—No, I do not think they cared much about it, further than prevent-
ing rows in the streets.
0.59.
1647. Was
P 3
110
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
II. Jardine, Esq.
18 May 1840.
1647. Was not it of importance for that purpose, and for the control of ships'
crews, and other similar purposes?-It was of more importance to us than to them.
1648. Was it not of considerable importance to them, for the peace and good
order of the place?-The same as it is in every place.
1649. Is it not of great importance in all places?-The same there as elsewhere.
1650. Then, if the having such an authority upon the spot was a matter of great
importance to them, and if they made a requisition that a reference might be made
home that such an authority should be sent to Canton, does not it appear that the
making such a requisition home was an indication of their earnestness upon the
subject?—I have stated the view that I take of the subject.
1651. You do not feel prepared to give a directly affirmative or a directly nega-
tive answer to that question?-No, I have stated the light in which I view it, and
that is all I know about it; I have given my opinion as I formed it at the time.
1652. You were understood to state that when the Chinese urged Captain Elliot
to refer home upon the subject of sending away the opium ships, you were not
struck with that circumstance as an indication that they were more earnest than
usual upon the subject ?-I viewed it as nothing more nor less than an act of
Howqua's, that he might be able to show the authorities that he had done all in
power; that he had requested the British representative to send home to his
Government to have the ships sent away, and that when he had done that, he
thought no more about it.
his
1653. There was an edict in 1837 threatening to expel Captain Elliot, and to
stop the trade, unless the receiving ships were sent away?-I have a faint recollec-
tion of that edict.
1654. There was a series of edicts to that effect?-Yes.
1655. Was it usual to threaten to drive away the British authorities resident in
Canton, unless the receiving ships were removed?-I do not think it was.
1656. Did that strike you as indicating greater sincerity and earnestness of
purpose on the part of the Chinese authorities?-No; I think we all considered it
very much a matter of course; we had been too long accustomed to see all these
edicts pass away as nothing, to be struck by them.
1657. If these were new features in the edicts that were issued, was it natural
to regard them as matters of course ?-We did so; I do not know whether it was
natural or not.
1658. Are the Committee to understand that up to the moment when you left
Canton, there was no practical effect produced upon the course taken by the British
merchants?—Latterly, within the last few days before I left Canton, I think they
began to suppose that the thing was more in earnest; the first thing that struck
me was the edict being issued to all the different provinces of China without excep-
tion; the previous ones had always been issued to Canton alone, or to the two
provinces under the Viceroy of Canton; but when the edict became general to
every province throughout the whole country, I began to think that the thing was
more in earnest, and I kept a vessel ready to send to Calcutta to stop purchases
at the first Calcutta sale; but I was overruled by other people, who thought more
lightly of that edict than I did.
1659. That was almost immediately before Lin's arrival?—Yes; it must have
been about the month of November, because I kept a vessel ready to send to Cal-
cutta, that she might be in by the first sale.
1660. About the beginning of the month of December you began to consider
that the Emperor was more in earnest ?-Yes; when that edict came out which
bore upon every province of China, I began to fancy he was more in earnest.
1661. That was nearly four months before the demand for Mr. Dent's delivery?
-It was in December; the demand for Mr. Dent was in March.
1662. Are you aware whether during that interval any measures were taken by
any British houses to withdraw from the opium trade?-Not that I am aware of.
1663. Do you think that the Emperor of China might have realized a consi-
derable revenue from opium, if he had been so disposed?-I think he might; with
reference to the trade inside the Bogue, I offered to put an end to it whenever they
liked; I pointed out again and again that they had only to search every vessel as
she came in, and to send her back if she had opium on board.
1664. Were not the boats in which the trade was carried on armed ?—They
would not have used their arms against custom-house officers sending them back;
they might have used their arms if they had tried to take it from them.
1665. Would not they have forced their way in?-I do not think they would.
1666. Have
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
111
1666. Have you sufficient knowledge of the parties engaged in that branch of W. Jardine, Esq.
business to make you feel confident that there would have been no risk of blood-
shed? Yes, I have not the most distant idea that there would have been any.
18 May 1840.
-
1667. Your opinion upon that, however, is at variance with the opinion of Cap-
tain Elliot?-Very likely; but I think I know a great deal more about it than
Captain Elliot.
1668. Mr. Hogg.] You stated that the poppy was cultivated in some provinces
of China; when the edicts were issued for the suppression of the trade in opium,
were any corresponding edicts issued to suppress the cultivation of the poppy in the
provinces? I think not; I never could find any of them; and I was very much struck
with the circumstance, having known that there were orders in the Pekin gazette,
again and again, to destroy the poppy in different districts where it was grown in
former days, as far back as 1824 or 1825, that ever since they became so severe
upon the foreign opium, I have not been able to hear of one of those orders in the
Pekin gazette.
1669. Your attention has been drawn to the matter, and you have inquired?-
I have.
1670. Then you do not believe that when these rigorous measures were
adopted for the suppression of the foreign opium trade any corresponding measures
were adopted for the suppression of the trade in the interior?-I think not.
1671. Mr. Gladstone.] Is there not a very strong taste for opium among both
the Chinese inhabitants and those of the neighbouring islands generally?—There
is a very small portion of the Chinese population that use opium, if you consider it
as comprising 300 and odd millions; I suppose that there are not more 2,000,000
or 3,000,000 required to consume all that they take.
1672. It is an expensive luxury?—It is.
1673. Are the means of the great bulk of the population such as to enable them
to purchase it?-Some of the lowest class use it.
1674. Mr. Herbert.] Upon the coast, where the ships go, is it not generally
used I believe the opium pipe is as common in the province of Fokein as the
tobacco pipe is in Canton.
?
1675. Mr. Gladstone.] Is the tobacco pipe very common at Canton?-So
common in every house that upon a Chinaman coming in they always offer him a
cup of tea and a pipe. There are generally a dozen standing ready in the corner
of the room, and a man to light them.
1676. With respect to the coasting traffic in opium, is it your opinion that the
Chinese government have not the power to put it down?-They have the power to
put it down through the medium of their own people; they have not the power to
drive away the vessels from the coast; their mode of putting it down would be
by preventing their own people from going off to them.
1677. Upon such a vast extent of coast, would not that be almost impossible?
-It all depends upon the magistracy that they have. We find it difficult to pre-
vent spirits and tobacco coming into England, and I suppose they would find the
same difficulty.
1678. Considering the difficulty that exists in England, where there is a remark-
ably efficient service, and considering the particular inefficiency of the service in
general in China, and particularly of the nautical service, do not you think it is
almost impossible for the Chinese government to put down the coast trade in
opium ?There is one distinction to be borne in mind, which is, that the one is an
arbitrary government, and the other is not; here every thing must be done accord-
ing to law, but there the will of the mandarin is every thing.
1679. Do you think that distinction tends in favour of the chance of putting
down such a traffic?-Yes, if they were in carnest, I think it does.
1680. Are you of opinion that, with opium ships constantly coming in sight of
the coast, the Chinese government have the power of preventing its being landed?
-I believe they might in a great measure lessen it; to say that they could entirely
prevent it would be speaking against experience everywhere else.
1681. Do the opium ships which sail up the eastern coast always sell the opium
to the native boats, or are their own boats ever employed to carry it on shore ?-
I suppose that 99 times out of 100 they sell it to native boats.
1682. Would it not be extremely difficult to prevent the native boats from com-
ing off to those ships by night, and in unfrequented places ?—It is difficult to sup-
press smuggling everywhere where the gain is great.
1683. Would there not be many peculiar difficulties in that case?—I do not see
P 4
why
112
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
W. Jardine, Esq. why there should; you have only a few places upon the coast where the vessels
are, and there are military on shore, and custom-house officers on shore.
18 M ay1840.
1684. Do not the opium vessels to a considerable extent frequently change their
place?—Yes, they move about; they are often told by the authorities at a place,
I wish you would go away and come back again; there is a mandarin inspector
coming here.
1685. Do not those circumstances increase the difficulties ?—The extent of the
coast increases the difficulties no doubt; but they might lessen the trade if they
cannot entirely suppress it.
1686. Taking into consideration the extent of the coast, and the strong taste for
opium among the people, and the corruption of the local authorities, and the ineffi-
ciency of the marine, do not you think that it amounts nearly to an impossibility
to prevent the trade?—I think that laying any stress upon the strong taste of the
people for opium is a mistake, because it is not the people that smuggle it that use
it; it is done for the sake of gain.
1687. Does not the strength of the taste for opium induce the people to give a
high price; and does not it in that way form a material element in the case?—The
larger profit it brings, the more inducement there is to the party to smuggle it.
1688. Then does not it become a material element in the case ?-It is the same
there as everywhere else; we know that we have, by our coast-guard, put down
smuggling very much, and the Chinese might do the same if they were to use.
effective measures.
1689. Do you think they would be able to limit it considerably?—I believe they
would.
1690. Mr. Elliot.] Is the smoking of opium in moderation very injurious?—
I do not think it is.
1691. Is it at all so?-It is with some, but with others not; so far as it affects
the stomach and bowels it is injurious.
1692. But the same answer would apply in some measure to tobacco?—In a
great measure, and to ardent spirits.
1693. Do you think that out of the multitude of persons that smoke opium, there
are a large proportion that do not suffer injury from the habit?---Many.
1694. You think that a large portion of the consumption of opium does not,
in fact, go to demoralize the people?-I think there is a great deal more said about
it than is necessary; I think that if I had any friend that was about to submit to-
being either a dram drinker or an opium smoker, I should select opium as less
dangerous to morality, and as less injurious to the health.
1695. Sir G. Grey.] Do you know whether the cultivation of the poppy has
increased in China lately?—No.
1696. Have you any information upon that subject?—We have with respect to
one province. Among the reports made to the Emperor there is one man who
remonstrates with the Emperor about admitting it; he says that in his native pro-
vince there are thousands of chests produced annually.
1697. Chairman.] Is there anybody in your own office who is an habitual
opium smoker?-Our compadore, who had charge of the cash, had smoked opium
between 30 and 40 years.
1698. Mr. Elliot.] What have been the effects upon him?-No evil conse-
quences that I saw; he was one of the cleverest fellows I have met with; and for
the last half dozen years that he was with us, there passed more money through his
hands than had ever gone through the Company's treasury in the same time, and
I never knew a mistake all the 30 years that he was there.
1699. Do you think that is a common instance?-1 think there are many such;
I have known many die with all their faculties in complete exercise between 70
and 80 years of age, who have been opium smokers.
1700. Then the evil arising from opium smoking is more in the abuse of the
habit than in the indulgence of it in moderation?-Decidedly.
1701. Mr. Herbert.] Does it produce any effect upon the appearance ?-Some
of them get cadaverous and thin, others are plump and fat.
1702. Mr. E. Buller.] Was your own compadore affected by it in that respect?
-He was middling; he was afraid of it making him black in the face; he was a
bit of a dandy; and, therefore, had his opium refined more than that generally used.
1703. Mr. Brownrigg.] Does not the opium ordinarily used in smoking undergo
a considerable dilution from the state in which it is imported ?-It gets purified from
the feculent matter attached to it. A chest of Patna, of about 120 catties to
124 catties, yields about 50 of pure extract fit for smoking.
1704. Mr.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
113
1704. Mr. C. Buller.] Is not it the fact that what you call opium, and sell to
the Chinese as such, is not what medical men call opium, but is rather what they
call morphia ?—No; what we sell to them is opium; it is the juice of the poppy
as it is taken from the capsule of the poppy; they scratch it with a knife the night
before, and before the sun gets up they take away what has exuded, and that is
what we sell to the Chinese.
1705. Sir Charles Lemon.] In Canton is it refined by the persons themselves
hat use it, or is there a trade of refining it?-Men who use it largely have gene-
rally servants that can prepare it; but there are public preparers of it; it takes two
or three days to prepare it.
1706. The only way in which it is supplied for use is in a refined state?—It is
retailed in that state.
1707. Where it loses about half its bulk?-Rather more than that.
1708. Is that process of refining very laborious, and is it easy to detect by the
government? You cannot pass a street where they are either smoking it or refin-
ing it without smelling it; it affects the air.
-
1709. It is easily detected?-It is.
1710. Mr. Hogg.] Are there no public shops in Canton, where the Chinese can
enter and ask for a pipe of opium?—Yes, and where they go and smoke; there
are smoking divans. There was a foyuen who was a bitter enemy to it, and was
in the habit of prowling about in disguise at night to ascertain what was going on
in the town, he went into those places; and he declared, before he had been
more than two or three months there, that he had quite altered his opinion; that
they were respectable and gentleman-like men that he met in those divans.
1711. Are any means taken by the persons who keep those smoking shops to
conceal them ?—Nothing more than feeing people to shut their eyes.
Where they
keep their store, they have it walled up as you would brick up wine in a cellar.
1712. But the shop itself is easy of detection?-Yes, they have a list of them
all; the police runners sometimes come and tell them, "There is going to be a
search for you; you had better get out of the way.'
1713. Does the partial use of opium smoking generally lead to great excess and
great abuse?—It does with imprudent men; but there are many men that take
their opium as steadily as we take wine.
1714. Has not it almost an irresistible tendency to lead to excess?-Not with
a man of any strength of mind.
1715. Not more so than spirits?-No.
1716. And you think that opium may be used moderately, with as little chance
of leading to excess as ardent spirits?-I think so.
1717. Chairman.] Do you know what is the cost of a chest of opium retailed in
Canton after running all risks?—It varies very much. I recollect at the time the
regulations became so very severe, it doubled its price in very few days. They
get 50 catties out of a chest, which costs them generally about 600 or 700 dollars,
and they require to sell it, to be paid, at the rate of about 1,500 to 1,600 dollars,
which would be about 100 dollars the pound.
1718. Mr. Hogg.] What is the price of an opium pipe in one of the shops?-
I do not know. I have gone in and seen them, but I never tried to smoke it.
1719. You do not know what would be charged for an ordinary smoke, such
as an ordinary dram?—No, I do not. I think they do not take it in that way;
they have very handsome little boxes made of silver, with a top to them. The smok-
ing apparatus is a very handsome one, more like a gentleman or lady's dressing-
case than anything else.
1720. Mr. Elliot.] Do you conceive that there is more injury done by the use
of ardent spirits and liquors in general in this country, or by the use of opium iu
China? I should say that the drinkers in this country are infinitely more dis-
gusting passing along the street than the opium-smokers in China.
1721. In what proportion would you say it affects the population of each coun-
try; is there more of one or more of another?-That is a difficult question to
answer. I should think there were more dram-drinkers in England than opium-
smokers in China; that is, persons who are publicly known to be such; men that
make themselves offensive by it. There are many people in China that smoke,
and you know nothing about it.
1722. Have you observed in China that a larger number of the population are
injured by the habit of smoking opium than you have observed in this country to
have suffered from the habit of intemperance in the way of drinking?—I should
0.59.
give
Q
-
W. Jardine, Esq.
18 May 1840.
114
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
W. Jurdine, Esq.
18 May 1840.
give it in favour of opium as being the less of the two; but it is not a fair ques-
tion. I know more people in this country than I do there. I could not name
perhaps more than six or eight instances where I have known people injured by
smoking opium in China, putting them altogether.
1723. Mr. Herbert.] Is it sufficiently cheap to be accessible to the lowest class?
-The inferior kind is; there is a kind of refuse that is sold to the inferior classes
of society that they get tolerably cheap.
1724. Which class is it that smoke most universally, the upper or the lower?—
I should say the public functionaries, and the people in public offices, are the
people who use it more generally than any others, and many of the military.
1725. Mr. Gladstone.] Do you suppose that opium is used by anything like the
same proportion of the population in China that use spirits here?-No; I should
say not so many. I think there is more drinking of spirits here than there is
smoking of opium in China.
1726. You say that a chest of 120 catties of Bengal opium would yield about
50; what is done with the rest of the chest?-It is thrown away. The opium
juice, when collected, is put into a case which is made like a cocoa-nut shell, by
means of poppy leaves and poppy flowers, moistened with a solution of opium in
water; a round piece is then cut out of the so made case, to admit of the juice
being put in; it is then closed up by replacing the round piece, and, in this shape,
carried to China: all this case is thrown away as refuse, when the opium has been
extracted by boiling, straining, and filtering.
1727. Has it ever been attempted to perform the process of refinement in
Bengal ?—Yes, often.
1728. Does it sometimes come from Bengal to China in the refined state?-
The Company sent it to have it tried in that way; I left a number of musters at
Macao when I left China, which I saw the last day I was there, of that descrip-
tion, but the Chinese do not like it; they prefer preparing it themselves.
1729. Then the process does not answer perfectly?-It never does for gene-
ral use.
1730. Mr. Hogg.] Is it only used at Canton for the purpose of smoking; do
not they chew it?-Very few; there is one particular district where they use the
Turkey opium, where I understand they chew it.
1731. As far as your means of knowledge go, generally throughout China is it
used for the purpose of smoking or for chewing?-For smoking; there is only
one district that I know of where they chew it, and that is west of Canton.
1732. Mr. Elliot.] Is any quantity of Turkey opium imported into China?—
Yes; I believe the consumption, when it is not used for adulterating other opium,
is about 600 peculs in a year; but I have known 1,200 and 1,500.
1733. Who have generally imported that opium?—The American houses used
to have the Turkey opium in their hands.
1734. Chairman.] The captains commanding the ships on the coast were in
your employment, were they not?-Yes, the vessels belonged to us.
1735. They were persons on whom you placed great reliance?—They were
people in whom we had implicit confidence.
1736. Therefore, if anything had happened with reference to a contest with the
natives, you had full confidence that they would have communicated that fact to
you? They used to send reports. Their instructions were, that they had got their
arms and their extra men to defend themselves against any attack, but upon no
account to commit any acts of aggression upon any one.
1737. You feel sure that if any contest with the natives had occurred in which
there had been any loss of life, you would have known it ?—No question of it.
1738. Mr. E. Buller.] Were there instructions to defend themselves against
the Chinese authorities?-Not against the Chinese authorities; against being at-
tacked by anybody.
1739. What penalties were those parties liable to, by the Chinese law, who were
engaged in that trade along the coast ?-No penalty that I am aware of, further
than being sent to their own country to be judged by their own government. Sir
George Staunton states in his speech, that as far as his knowledge of the Chinese
law goes, there is only one crime, that of murder or homicide, which is punished
with death, where they allege that it is life for life; in the case of foreigners.
But that is the only crime for which they have any power to punish a foreigner,
beyond expelling him from the country, to be dealt with by his own government.
1740. Mr. Herbert.] Is the cargo ever confiscated?-There is no instance of
confiscating
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
115
confiscating a cargo; they have the power of seizing opium, and if they seize it, W. Jardine, Esq.
they confiscate it.
18 May 1840.
1741. Mr. E. Buller.] With regard to the power of seizing it, does that power
exist by the Chinese law?-No, I do not think there is any law authorizing them
to seize foreign property upon the high sea, but opium being prohibited they would
make that an excuse for doing so.
1742. You are not aware of any law by which any cargo lying at Lintin was
liable to confiscation by the Chinese authorities?-No, not lying at Lintin, because
I consider that the outer waters; I believe if they had seized opium at Whampoa
they would have had the right.
1743. But that lying at Lintin, it was decidedly contrary to the Chinese law to
seize it ?—There is one edict in which they tell us to go to Lintin from the Kam-
singmoon, as that is the proper place for us; so that that is like licensing it.
1744. But no trade with China is legal, or sanctioned by the imperial govern-
ment, but the trade with the port of Canton?-No, it is illegal.
1745. All other trade is in fact illicit trade, whether it is carried on in opium or
in other goods?—Yes.
1746. If opium is liable to confiscation, other goods would be equally liable to
confiscation if they were breaking the Chinese law by endeavouring to trade out-
side the port of Canton ?—No question about it; it is under no further regulation
than the other, except that they every now and then issue an edict prohibiting it
altogether, as we did Bandannah handkerchiefs in former days.
1747. Then you do not deny the right of the Chinese to confiscate if they could
get possession of the opium ?-If they had seized it, we should never have made a
complaint to the government upon the subject.
1748. You consider that you are liable to that risk?—Yes, but it is not a very
great one, as we always get the money before we issue the order.
1749. Mr. Gladstone.] Do you think it was in the power of the Chinese govern-
ment to seize at Lintin?—No.
1750. Mr. E. Buller.] The penalty which they threatened, and which they
endeavoured to enforce, was not confiscation, but the sending the ships away?—Yes.
1751. They always held out that an attempt to trade with any other port but
the port of Canton, would be met by sending the ships away?-By expulsion.
1752. Expulsion was the penalty attached to any attempt to violate the harbours
of China?—Yes.
1753. Mr. Gladstone.] Was there any attempt to seize foreign opium below the
Bocca Tigris previous to your leaving China?-Yes, there was a seizure took place
in a vessel owned by Portuguese, who had been cheating the Macao custom-
house by not paying them their fees.
1754. Was that shortly before your leaving China?—I think it was in the year 1838.
1755. Do you know of any other case of the seizure of foreign opium?—No,
not below the Bocca Tigris.
1756. Mr. Hogg.] You say that by the Chinese laws the authorities would
have had a right to confiscate any opium seized within the Bocca Tigris; sup-
posing they had sent an adequate force of war junks to Lintin and seized the opium
there, would they have had a right to confiscate it ?--It is very much like a French
vessel with brandy anchoring beyond the boundary between us and France, where
she could tell our fleet, 'I mean to run this cargo in to-night, but as to your touch-
ing me while I am here, you cannot.'
1757. Mr. Gladstone.] Is not Lintin within the Chinese waters ?-It is in the
outer waters.
1758. Mr. Hogg.] Did not the authority of Captain Elliot extend expressly to
that very spot, as included within the Chinese waters?-No; his authority was
first intended to extend within 100 miles of the coast all along, then it was
restricted to the port of Canton; they used to send a cutter in to sign documents.
inside the Bocca Tigris, and then go out again; but they found that inconvenient,
and they applied to have it extended to Lintin.
1759. Do not you consider Lintin expressly within the limits of the Chinese
authority? I go by the distinction they make themselves; they call it the outer
waters of China.
1760. Mr. Colquhoun.] Does not their jurisdiction extend over those outer
waters?-I believe not; our men-of-war took vessels there during the American
war, and they did not consider that they were infringing the neutrality; that is
perhaps as strong a case as we can have.
0.59.
1761. Mr.
1
Q 2
116
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
W. Jardine, Esq.
18 May 1840.
1761. Mr. C. Buller.] Then do you think that the Chinese government have
no more jurisdiction over ships lying at Lintin than they have over ships at
Manilla? They have as much jurisdiction over them as we should have over a
boat loaded with French brandy lying about the division line between France and
England.
1762. Mr. Gladstone.] That is none at all?-None at all.
1763. Mr. E. Buller.] But in the one case the French boat is within the
French waters, and in the other case, at Lintin, the boat is within the outer waters
of China?—I will suppose her to be a Spanish boat lying in the position of the
French one, and then it will be on the same footing exactly.
1764. By that you mean to say that the Chinese have no jurisdiction whatever
in the outer waters?-They themselves do not consider their custom-house laws.
to extend there.
1765. You are aware of the distinction which is made between the inner and the
outer waters; are not you also aware that there is a distinction made between the
outer waters and the great sea beyond ?—There is a distinction, but it is very
undefined.
1766. Then it amounts to this, that, in point of fact, they seldom if ever exer-
cise any jurisdiction without the port -I have never known them, further than
issuing those edicts.
1767. Mr. Colquhoun.] Does not the Chinese admiral exercise authority over
the outer waters ?The Chinese admiral has been ordered to send the vessels away
again and again.
1768. Which he would not have been ordered to do if they had been lying on
the high seas?-He would have been ordered to do it if they had been lying at
the outer Ladrone Islands, which are a long way beyond.
1769. Mr. E. Buller.] Are not you aware that the Ladrone Islands are the
boundary of what they consider the outer waters ?-Not the outer range of the
Ladrone Islands.
1770. Is not the fact of an order from the Chinese government to send away
ships from Lintin an assertion of their authority over those seas?-It is an assertion
of their authority over those seas, as far as preventing their lying there; but they
have never used force to carry it into effect, and to prove that they thought
they were right in doing so.
1771. Then any right that exists must arise, not from the exercise of that right
on the part of the Chinese, or from prescription, but only from the universal law
of nations ?—No; the question would be, whether Lintin was or was not within
the limits within which they had a right to order vessels away. Macao Roads are
in the same predicament. I suppose that it would be defined by the extent that
their guns would reach, where they could protect vessels.
1772. Are you aware of any edict which either asserts the extent of their au-
thority or which limits the extent of their authority?-I do not know that I am;
I think it is a very undefined point where their authority ceases; the only distinc-
tion they draw is between the ocean and the outer waters.
1773. In point of fact, they do not exercise any regular authority in the outer
waters-Not that I have ever witnessed or heard of, further than those paper edicts.
1774. Mr. Hogg.] Do you think the English authorities would seize a French
ship with brandy lying about Ramsgate?-Yes, I think they would.
1775. Do not you think that Ramsgate is much more parallel, with regard to
Lintin, than the imaginary line between France and England?-No; we are a long
way from the provincial town when off Lintin.
1776. Is not Lintin within the river, although it is called the outer waters?—
No, certainly not; it is not within 20 miles of it.
1777. Mr. C. Buller.] Is Lintin an inhabited island ?—It is.
1778. Has it been long inhabited?—Yes; it was there where the Topaz killed
a man.
1779. Mr. Gladstone.] Is it a part of the empire of China?-I believe so.
1780. How is the anchorage formed? It is an open bay, and a very shallow
bay, with two projecting points.
1781. Is the anchorage formed, in any degree, by any part of the coast of the
main land --No, entirely by the island; they shift about from one bay to another,
all round it.
1782. If the island of Lintin is in the dominions of the Emperor of China, does
not it seem to follow that the bay, which is formed by the coast of that island, must
be
胄
​SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
117
W.
be part of the Chinese waters ?-No, I do not think that follows exactly, if you . Jardine, Esq.
mean the inner waters of China.
18 May 1840.
1783. Was not it common for the naval functionaries of the Chinese to visit the
receiving ships?-The admiral used occasionally to visit them.
1784. Were not fees paid to them?-The Chinese paid them; we did not.
1785. Were not fees paid by those on board the receiving ships?—No; the cap-
tains of the receiving ships used, at the request of the opium brokers, to receive a
dollar upon every chest, which, they said, went to the admiral; but we had nothing
to do with it, further than handing it over to one of them at the end of each month;
and they used it in feeing the authorities.
1786. You do not see, in that circumstance, any recognition of the jurisdiction
of the Chinese authorities?—No, I do not see the least.
1787. Mr. E. Buller.] Did not the mandarin boats lie quite close to the ships
at Lintin ?—They used to go on board, and sometimes the mandarins went and
dined with the captains of the opium ships.
1788. Were not they there for the avowed purpose of preventing the opium
being carried on shore ?-Not exactly; it is an admiral's station.
1789. Have you never heard instances of mandarin boats stationing themselves.
quite close to a vessel to watch the delivery of opium ?—Frequently.
1790. And they have made seizures?—Yes.
1791. Is not that exercising jurisdiction in the outer waters ?-Those are gene-
rally boats employed by a petty mandarin, whose master does not even know of it;
the only large seizure that was made was in that way by a man from Heongthan
coming in, using his master's flag; one of the smuggling boats ran aboard another
smuggling boat, and the seizure was made by authority of the flag.
1792. But whether it is done by an inferior mandarin, or by a superior man-
darin, it is equally an assertion of the Chinese authority?-These fellows committed
an act of depredation, and justified it by producing the flag as their authority.
1793. But the mandarin boats are stationed there for the purpose of preventing
smuggling, and are looked upon in that light?-If I am asked whether the admiral
has instructions to prevent smuggling, there is no question he has.
1794. And that to a great extent he endeavours to act according to his instruc-
tions-Not much of that, I think; he takes his money, and keeps quiet, and
smokes opium himself, and goes on board and gets a supply every now and then.
1795. Mr. Gladstone.] There is an edict of the 22d of November 1837, in page
251 of the Parliamentary Papers, which contains the following passage: "It appears
from this memorial, that the receiving ships of the English and other nations have
of late years, under the pretext of taking shelter from the weather, been in the
practice of entering the inner seas. Commands have now been issued to the
Hong merchants, to be by them enjoined on the superintendents of affairs of the
said nation, requiring that all the receiving ships anchored off Lintin and other
places be sent away, and ordered by him to return to their country." Is not that
one instance of assertion of jurisdiction over these particular waters by the Chinese?
-I believe that applies to Kam-Sing-Moon, which you enter by a narrow neck.
They succeeded in banishing the ships out of Kam-Sing-Moon, and they erected
batteries there to prevent them from returning.
1796. Chairman.] What do you think will be the effect upon the parties in
Bombay and Calcutta engaged in the opium trade, and whose opium was given up
to the Superintendent; will it produce upon their part great distress?-It will be
utter ruin to many of them.
1797. Are there many persons with small means engaged in that trade?-A
great many.
1798. Mr. Brownrigg.] Principally Parsees-Principally Parsees.
1799. Chairman.] Do you think that any considerable number of the parties
whose opium was surrendered have got any compensation for those losses by in-
creased profits upon opium sent out to China since ?-No; most of them were
disabled from sending any more opium by having their funds locked up there.
1800. Did the price of opium, after the seizure, fall very prodigiously in Cal-
cutta and Bombay?—It fell so much in Calcutta that the Company were obliged
to tax their opium at 400 rupees a chest, and if there was no bidder, to be taken
in. I do not think there was a great deal taken in; it had begun to improve in
China, but it had been bought as low as 250, I think, and 280 rupees previous to
that.
C
1801. Would that low price tempt other parties to engage in the trade?---There
Q 3
is
118
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
W. Jardine, Esq. is no doubt it tempted other parties, but not those parties whose property was
locked up.
18 May 1840.
1802. But you have no doubt that the withholding so large a portion of funds
from those parties in Calcutta and Bombay, particularly in Bombay, would produce
great and general distress among those persons?-All the letters that I have had
from Bombay talk of the commercial distress produced by withholding the capital;
they complain bitterly of the breach of faith of the Government, and say many
families are suffering most severely in consequence.
1803. Sir G. Grey.] How has the surrender of the opium affected the price in
China? It had the effect for the moment, while there was little there, of raising
the price; but then it was sold in very small quantities at a time. Afterwards the
prices on the coast got up to much what they were before.
}
1804. Has the trade gone on briskly since?-There has been a good deal, as far
as my information goes, done on the coast since.
1805. There has been no material diminution in the quantity actually delivered?
-There is very little, I understand, going on about Lintin, where Lin and his
myrmidons are; but along the coast, I understand, the deliveries are going on
rather briskly.
1806. Then it had the effect rather of altering the place of delivery than of di-
minishing the aggregate amount delivered?—Yes; it altered the kind of people
that carried it on. In former days they were wealthy men that carried it on, in a
wholesale way; and now the inferior classes of people along the coast go off in
boats, uniting together small sums of money, to enable them to purchase a chest
or half a chest.
1807. Mr. Brownrigg.] In a previous part of your evidence to-day you stated
that upon a former occasion, when the merchants engaged in the opium trade
suffered a heavy loss, a part of the purchase-money had been refunded by the East
India Company; will you state the circumstances connected with that transaction,
as far as your memory extends ?-I will furnish the Committee with a statement of
the particulars. I forget the amount, but the Bengal Government made a dis-
tinction between China and Singapore. They gave a larger remuneration to those
who had purchased at a certain period for China than they did to any one else
they gave them more than they did the Singapore people, and some of the Singa-
pore people they did not allow anything to, according to the time when the pur-
chase was made. The prices were run up very much at Calcutta, in consequence
of a general belief that the opium trade would be legalized; and why the Company
did it, unless they could not have cleared the opium, I have no idea.
C
1808. Then that remuneration was made avowedly by the Company, in conse-
quence of the loss sustained by the traders in opium in China ?-Yes.
1809. Sir G. Grey.] What was the distinction made between Singapore and
China-It was owing to some of the sales; but when this paper is put in you
will see the whole of the distinctions stated.
1810. Mr. Hogg.] Do you mean to say that the Bengal Government returned
part of the price, simply upon the allegation that the merchants had sustained a loss,
unaccompanied by any other reason I never knew any other reason than that.
1811. Are you not aware that the express reason of that return was that the
opium sold was of a very inferior quality from what it had been stated to be at
the period of sale, and the Bengal Government thought it right to return part of
the purchase-money to the merchants under the circumstances?-That is another
transaction; there were two returns. That was some years before what I was
speaking of.
1812. Can you put in the papers connected with the return of 1836, by the
East India Company?—I think I can.
1813. Mr. Colquhoun.] You stated on the former day that you would give the
Committee the reason why the house of which you are a member did not sign
the address to Lord Palmerston, which was signed by the foreign merchants at
Canton? I have referred to the letter, and the reason they assign is that they
thought it was quite irrelevant, opening up questions and vindicating things that
required no vindication; that it was useless, in fact. It goes on to vindicate the
opium trade, which they thought did not require vindication, considering that the
case might be left to its own merits.
1814. Is that the only reason they assign?—Yes.
1815. Did they participate in the feelings expressed in that address -They
give no opinion upon that.
1816. Then
+
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
119
1816. Then their not participating in those feelings might have been another
reason why they refused to sign it?-It might have been, but they do not assign
that; I speak of the letter, as I saw it, in which they assign their reasons.
1817. Mr. Hogg.] You stated, in the early part of your evidence to-day, that
an express was sent to order back part of the opium on board of the ships that
were in the act of delivering opium on the coast; were those ships so stationed at
the time that Captain Elliot's requisition was issued?-They had gone away a long
time before the requisition was issued; they were on the coast.
1818. Then at the time that Captain Elliot's requisition was issued, those ves-
sels with this opium were not at Lintin, but were at a great distance on the coast,
and beyond the possible reach of any Chinese authority?-Yes, they were.
1819. Then what possible object could there be in calling upon the proprietors
of that opium to deliver it up to the Chinese authorities; or how could it be con-
sidered as within the control of the Chinese authorities ?-I do not know; you
must refer to Captain Elliot; he is the only person who knows; I only state the
circumstances as they occurred, that these ships came down after part of the opium
had been delivered; they began the delivery with the vessels that were on the spot.
Captain Elliot demanded a list from every one of all the opium they had; and
when the list was put into his hands, it was pointed out to him, "These are the
quantities which the vessels had on board at the time the last letters came from
them; whatever has been sold in the meantime will be deficient, and therefore if
you are going to turn this to any account with the Chinese government, you must
make allowance for that." He paid no attention to that, but just put down the list
as it had been given in, and handed it to the Commissioner.
1820. Was not it understood that Captain Elliot limited his requisition to the
opium in the factories within the Bocca Tigris, or on board the ships lying at
Lintin? No, there was none in the factories, and not much at Lintin.
1821. Then what was understood among the merchants as regulating Captain
Elliot in issuing his requisition ?—I cannot answer that question.
1822. Sir George Grey.] Did not the Chinese require the surrender of all the
opium belonging to the foreign community at Canton, or within the power of that
foreign community ?-I believe they did; all that belonged to them, or that they
had control over.
1823. Was not Captain Elliot's requisition co-extensive with the demand on the
part of the Chinese ?—I suppose, but I do not know, that Captain Elliot's requisi-
tion was made on the same terms in which the Chinese had made their requisition
to him.
1824. Did not Captain Elliot require the different members of the foreign com-
munity to deliver to him a statement of the quantity of opium coming within that
description ?—Yes, I have just stated that.
1825. And that comprised the opium which was in course of delivery, because
that opium, on the statement of the parties themselves, was subject to their con-
trol? Yes.
1826. Chairman.] Was any large proportion of the opium surrendered in the
ships on the coast ?—A very considerable proportion; but that will be proved if
the claims are ever examined. The claims are made so as to distinguish between
that which had been sent to the coast for delivery and that which was at Lintin.
1827. Mr. Hogg.] How much of the opium delivered up do you suppose to
have been on board the ships on the coast in the act of delivering it there ?—I
sup-
pose there must have been, at the time I speak of, about 3,000 to 4,000 chests on
the coast.
1828. On board vessels lying there?—Yes, for delivery.
1829. And in the act of delivery?—Yes; there were generally from 12 to 18,
and sometimes 20 vessels on the coast.
1830. The opium you now speak of was on board those vessels at the time of
your departure ?—Yes.
1831. And forms part of the opium delivered up?—Yes.
1832. Mr. Elliot.] Did the members of your own house at Canton refuse to
deliver up the opium when demanded by Captain Elliot?-I believe they remon-
strated with Captain Elliot against giving it up, saying, that they had amongst
them given up 1,030 chests, which they called their own property, to the Hong
merchants, to prevent their losing their heads, as they said. They said they had
given that in as the quantity which belonged to themselves, and over which they
had control, and that they would give in no more as it was not theirs, but belonged
0.59.
Q 4
to
W. Jardine, Esq.
18 May 1840.
120
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
W. Jardine, Esq. to their constituents; but that if he demanded it for the benefit of Her Majesty's
Government, they wanted to know how they were to be remunerated if they gave
up to Her Majesty's Government.
18 May 1840.
it
J. Malcolmson,
Esq.
1833. When Captain Elliot explained to them the terms upon which he required
them to give it up, did they refuse to give it up?—No, they then gave it up.
1834. Do you know whether anybody else refused to give it up?-I think there
were one or two of the smaller holders that refused. Those that were in Macao
refused in toto, because they were not in prison, and they never have given it up.
1835. Chairman.] Have you any reason to believe that your partners in China
would have submitted to almost any personal inconvenience rather than have given
it
up, either to the Chinese or to the British authorities, without payment ?—They
say so very distinctly in their correspondence, that nothing would have induced
them to give it up to the Chinese.
1836. With regard to the account given in by your house to Captain Elliot of
the opium under their control, was it distinctly pointed out to Captain Elliot that
a portion of that which was on the coast might have been sold since the period of
the last advices from the ships? Yes, positively.
K
1837. And then, with that knowledge before him, Captain Elliot still gave in
the full amount set down in those accounts?—Yes.
1838. Was any of that opium sold subsequently to the return of the ships?-
The only sale that was made was by Captain Jauncey, which I stated before, of a
few chests at Namo, on his way down.
1839. Was that the reason of part of the deficiency which Captain Elliot after-
wards provided for by purchase?-No; that was a matter of 10 or 12 chests; the
deficiency amounted to hundreds, which we made up by purchasing; Captain
Elliot had great difficulty in getting it, and we made up the deficiency, although
we had told him that it would be deficient.
1840. That deficiency occurred from sales on the coast between the period of
the last advices sent from the ships and the period of the delivery of the opium?
-Yes, advices about a month before; he was also told that one vessel was under
orders, with all her opium, for Singapore, and that she might have sailed before
the order reached her.
1841. Was Captain Elliot told that part of the opium on board the ships was
actually known to be sold, though not then delivered?-That I do not know.
James Malcolmson, Esq. called in; and Examined.
1842. Chairman.] YOU are a partner in the house of Forbes, Forbes & Co. ?
—I am.
1843. You are agents in London for a large portion of the Parsee merchants in
Bombay?-For Parsee and Hindoo merchants in Bombay and Canton.
1844. Principally in Bombay?-Principally in Bombay.
1845. Your knowledge of the Parsee merchants in Bombay is very extensive?
-It is very considerable.
1846. Can you speak from your knowledge of the effect produced upon those
people in Bombay by the withdrawal or the withholding of such a large amount
of funds as were represented by the opium belonging to them seized in China?-
The effect has been very serious upon the commercial interests of Bombay generally.
1847. And more particularly upon those persons engaged in the opium trade?
---Particularly upon persons engaged in the internal trade of the country, as well
in the article of opium as in all other articles.
1848. Its effect upon the trade of the district has been general?-It has.
1849. And very severe?-Very severe indeed; and to show that, I may men-
tion, that soon after the matter in China took place, there was no such thing as
taking any native bills in Bombay; indeed large shipments of specie round to
Calcutta were made, a thing hardly known before.
1850. Have there been any failures among the Parsees?—Not to any extent;
but great forbearance is the cause of failures not having taken place.
1851. Upon what was that forbearance founded?-Mutual forbearance between
creditor and debtor.
1852. Was that forbearance founded upon any expectation that the British
Government would ultimately pay?-Upon a very confident expectation that the
time would come when all would be right, by the British Government paying the
indemnity.
1853. Was
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
121
1853. Was there much disappointment experienced at Bombay, upon the first
refusal of the government to acknowledge the bills drawn from China?-As far as
I am advised, very great indeed.
1854. Do you believe that those merchants relied with great confidence upon
the validity of those documents?-With every confidence.
1855. They looked at it as an engagement of the British functionary, and they
felt, no doubt, that it would be respected by the Government at home?-In all the
letters that I have seen from the parties interested, in the first instance, there is not
a doubt expressed of the fulfilment of the pledge.
1856. You are one of the gentlemen who signed a petition to the House of
Commons, referred to this Committee, presented on the 24th of March -I am.
1857. You there state that you are agents of a great number of persons; a cer-
tain number of them are at Calcutta ?-The greater number are at Bombay, and the
rest are in Calcutta and in Canton.
1858. Is the effect produced upon those people in Calcutta as great as in Bom-
bay? Not so great as at Bombay, I think.
1859. Is the class engaged in the trade at Bombay poorer-It is more distri-
buted, I think, at Bombay; many of the parties interested for very small amounts;
many of them being very moderate capitalists; and I do not think that is so much
the case at Calcutta.
1860. Do you think that many of those persons, who have experienced loss at
Canton, have been able to continue the trade, and to avail themselves of the high
prices which have subsequently prevailed in China?-I apprehend that the opium
that has since gone on to China has been principally from Bengal. On looking to
the exports from Bombay, during the whole 10 months that have elapsed since, the
amount is very small comparatively.
1861. Then you think that, as far as Bombay goes, those who were engaged in
the opium trade previously, and who sustained a loss when the opium was given
up to Captain Elliot, have had no compensation for their loss by subsequent profits
in the trade ?-Not to any extent.
1862. Sir G. Grey.] You think the exports from Bombay have very much
diminished?—They have.
1863. What has become of the opium which had been brought down to Bombay
for the purpose of exportation ?-It lies at Bombay now; that is one of the causes
of the difficulties that have occurred.
1864. You state that there was a general expectation that the time would come
when all would be right; did that expectation continue after it was known that the
British Government had refused to liquidate the claim?—Not so general.
1865. But there was still an expectation that in time all would be right—That
is the tone of the letters I have received.
1866. Still continued?-Still continued.
1867. Mr. E. Buller.] How do they expect that all will be made right; that
it will be made right by an immediate payment from the British Government, or
by compensation exacted from the Chinese ?—I presume, in the first instance, it
must come from the British Government; and that seems to be the impression, as
far as my letters go. The expectation arose in this way; the refusal of the British
Government was before Parliament met; then it was held out that when Parlia-
ment met something would be done; consequently the expectation continued that
when Parliament met something would be done, and that from whatever source
the money would ultimately come, it would first come from this Government.
1868. That forbearance which you spoke of as being the reason why bankrupt-
cies were not very extensive in Bombay still continues, in the anticipation of receiv-
ing the amount with the sanction of Parliament, though the Government had
refused it?-To a very great extent.
1869. Supposing it to be refused by Parliament, do you anticipate that that for-
bearance will immediately cease?—I look upon the most disastrous consequences
as likely to take place to the commercial body of that part of India, indeed of
all parts of India interested in the opium, and also the produce of India gene-
rally, if something is not done.
1870. Will not the forbearance you have spoken of still continue in anticipa-
tion of compensation being obtained from the Chinese-I am not aware that the
parties expect the compensation to come from the Chinese; but that it must come
through the British Government.
1871. Sir G. Grey.] Do you think the forbearance would continue if it were
0.59.
R
distinctly
J. Malcolmson,
Esq.
18 May 1840.
122
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
J. Malcolmson,
Esq.
18 May 1840.
distinctly understood that the British Government were prepared to enforce com-
pensation from the Chinese, and to pay it over to the parties injured ?—I think
if the British Government would give a pledge that they would enforce it from
the Chinese, that would to a certain extent be equivalent to a pledge of payment.
1872. Mr. E. Buller.] In that case you would not anticipate those disastrous.
consequences to which you have referred?-Certainly not in the same degree.
1873. Chairman.] Would not that in some degree depend upon the time at
which the payment would be likely to be made?-No doubt it would, because for-
bearance would only go to a certain extent.
1874. Mr. Gladstone.] Is it not the habit of the Chinese to make their pay-
ments with extreme tardiness ?-I answered the question under an impression that
the British Government would insist upon the Chinese paying, and consequently
that would take it out of the ordinary course of payment between Chinese mer-
chants and British merchants.
1875. And also under the impression that the British Government would require
immediate payment of the whole sum ?—Yes.
1876. Chairman.] In the usual course of trade between Bombay and China, do
not the returns come with great promptness generally ?-They do.
1877. Mr. Brownrigg.] In the petition presented by your own house, you state
that you are agents to a number of natives of India; was it intended to convey
the opinion that all those natives were proprietors of the opium that had been given
up? Certainly it was.
1878. The whole of those are, more or less, proprietors of the opium ?The
whole of them are, more or less, from one chest upwards, proprietors of the opium;
they are the parties for whom, when the compensation becomes payable, our house
will have to receive the money.
1879. Chairman.] In the petition you presented you say, "That the before-
mentioned native merchants of India, who have been thus so seriously affected by
the acts of the Chinese government and the British Superintendent, possess no
other knowledge of the laws of England than the orders of the British authorities,
and have paid implicit obedience to such orders, in entire faith and confidence in
the British Government." Have you reason to believe that there is not a suffi-
cient degree of education amongst those people to acquaint themselves with the
English law, and that their only means of judging of it is through the orders issued
by the public authorities with whom they are in communication ?-There is suffi-
cient education among those parties to acquire the knowledge, but the natives
generally have not the opportunity of referring immediately to the laws; and in
such a case as this it has been, I believe, a matter of great pains, even in this
country, to refer to all the points bearing upon the question. The native mer-
chants are in the habit of considering it the affair of the Government or the
authorities to interpret the law, and they enter into no inquiry whether it is the
law or not.
C
N
1880. Amongst the Parsee population in Bombay education is rapidly extending?
-It is.
1881. Are they not a very valuable class of people, and, as regards trade in
India, of vast importance to the prosperity of the country?-Certainly; they are
most enterprising merchants.
1882. Advancing in education, in wealth, and in influence?-Certainly.
1883. Is there anything else connected with this subject that you wish to state
to the Committee?-Nothing further than that the parties are many of them
pressing anxiously for some declaration by the Government at home, that compen-
sation will be given in some shape or other, otherwise they all contemplate the
consequences as most alarming. Two parties mentioned in one of the recent
letters have already committed suicide in consequence of the disappointment from
this country.
-
1884. Mr. Clay.] You are referring now to your own correspondents?—Yes.
1885. Have any of those parties engaged in the opium trade since the surrender
of the opium to Captain Elliot?--I have heard some of them have.
1886. You have no doubt that some of those parties to whom your house has
been agent have since engaged in the trade?—To a small extent.
1887. Mr. Gladstone.] Are you aware of the answer that has been given by
Lord John Russell in the House of Commons, to a question put by the Chairman
of this Committee?-Yes.
1888. Do you think the declaration contained in that answer with respect to
compensation
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
123
compensation is likely to allay the fears of parties interested in the opium claims,
and to produce a continuance of that forbearance respecting which you have been
questioned?—It will have that tendency; but I think at this late period they will
look for something more definite.
1889. Chairman.] You mean that however strong that answer might have been,
the merchants of Bombay would require something more precise and more distinct, in
order to justify them in forbearing from calling up their debts from their debtors?
Certainly at this period. I have one or two letters here, which state very
forcibly the feeling of some of the parties. This is a letter dated the 30th of May
1839, from a Parsee merchant of eminence at Bombay, largely interested in opium.
1890. One of the parties named in the petition ?—Yes. "The pledge given
by Captain Elliot is most full and unreserved; and when we look to the immense
stake at issue, and the loss that must have fallen upon England had the general
trade been stopped, we think the course he has pursued is the most judicious one
he could have selected. Had not the opium been surrendered for the service of
Her Majesty's Government, the whole trade would have been stopped, and per-
haps the life of every foreigner in China endangered, which must have led to a
fearful encounter with the Chinese nation, and the loss to England of the im-
mense revenues derived from tea, which form a most important item in the assets
of the country. Our agents, as British subjects, merely obeyed the orders of
Her Majesty's Superintendent, and were not by fear or compulsion induced to
the surrender of our property, which was not in jeopardy, and could not have
been seized by the Chinese, guarded as it was by the armed Lintin fleet, which
was quite equal to its protection. The question now rests between the two
governments of England and China; and it is for the former to determine what
course to pursue for the recovery of the property surrendered by Her Majesty's
representative, whose pledge we should consider must be binding, as else all faith
in the Government will be at an end. Our property has been peaceably surren-
dered for the service of our Sovereign, on the unreserved and full pledge of Her
Majesty's Superintendent, that the full value should be repaid to us; and, in our
opinion, it now only remains to hasten forward the settlement of these uncontested
claims. And, on this point, we turn to you and your friendly regard for us, with
confidence, as we feel assured that you will unceasingly exert yourselves and put in
motion every engine that may lead to the desired success. The delay is the only
thing we have to fear, and this we do certainly dread when we look around
us, and see how long it takes even to arrange the simplest matter connected with
government; but against the benumbing influence that prevails in all matters
connected with India, we must most earnestly solicit that you will produce a coun-
teraction, and by constant and repeated appeals, urge upon the authorities the
importance to India of a speedy settlement. We have no doubt that an effort
will be made to vitiate our just claims, on the plea that the opium trade was a
contraband trade, and therefore not entitled to the protection of England; but
this argument, if brought forward, is at once answered by the fact of the whole
question of opium, and the Company's monopoly of it, on the Bengal side, having
been the subject of inquiry by a Parliamentary Committee at the time of the renewal
of the Charter, and that it was with the fullest information before them that the
Parliament of England sanctioned a continuance of the said monopoly, and a con-
sequent encouragement of the opium trade. The Honourable Company have derived
an immense revenue from the trade which we and others have carried on in
opium, and upon every principle of equity we are entitled to the fullest protec-
tion from the Government which has sanctioned such a gain by means so well
known and so fully understood. Had the British Parliament disallowed the con-
tinuance to the Company of the opium monopoly, and branded its name as contra-
band and immoral, then the question would have been materially altered, and every
man would have traded on his own risk; but by the course pursued, a pledge was
given which must be fulfilled, and which we and all others are entitled to reckon
upon without a shadow of a doubt. We rest upon the honour and integrity of
the British Government."
1
d
1891. Have you a number of other letters, containing expressions to the same
effect, from various other parties?—Yes.
1892. Sir George Grey.] Are the other representations you hold in your hand
to the same effect -Very much to the same effect. There is one letter, dated
the 4th of October, after the doubt had got out of the government confirming the
pledge here: "The poor natives are not to be blamed for having traded in opium;
0.59.
R 2
but
J. Malcolmson,
Esq.
18 May 1849.
124
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
J. Malcolmson,
Esq.
18 May 1840.
but the East India Company, who have, in every way, fostered the trade, and have
and now are drawing an immense revenue from the same. You will be surprised
when we tell you, that, notwithstanding all that has occurred, yesterday's Government
gazette contained the usual annual proclamation for the granting of passes for the
Malwa opium; and we learn from Calcutta, that the Supreme Government intend
to bring forward 15,000 chests of Patna, and 7,500 chests of Benares opium, now
ready in their godowns, and that none of the opium agencies are to be discon-
tinued. We enclose, for your perusal, an extract from a letter on this subject:
'The Indian government have taken no steps whatever to check the sale or growth
of the drug, but continue to draw immense profits from a trade that they pretend
to call contraband. Is it honourable, is it dignified, for a government to foster a
trade that is contraband, and by which their subjects will ultimately be ruined?
If the Home Government wish, there will be no difficulty in putting an entire
stop to the trade, and thereby relieve the poor natives, who easily fall into so seduc-
ing, but, at the same time, most dangerous trade. Does it not appear ridiculous
that, on the one hand, Captain Elliot delivers up 20,000 chests, while, on the
other, the Indian governments are bringing forward, for sale, upwards of 40,000
chests more?'" There is a great deal more to the same effect.
1893. Is that letter written by one of the parties for whom you act?-It is from
one of the Parsees.
1894. Mr. Hogg.] That letter, you say, was written on the 4th of October.
When this letter was written, had the notice reached Bombay, that those orders
drawn by Captain Elliot, on the British Government, had been partially repudi-
ated?—I do not think they had, but they were most probably in possession of in-
formation to lead them to anticipate a refusal.
1895. At the time that letter was written, is it not your belief, from the com-
munication you had from your correspondents, that the general feeling at Bombay
was, that the British Government would not honour those bills?-Certainly it was.
1896. Sir G. Grey.] On what was that expectation, that the British Govern-
ment would not honour those bills, founded?-In October I think they must have
been in possession of advices from this country, informing them that their corres-
pondents here doubted an immediate confirmation of Captain Elliot's act.
1897. Previous to any correspondence with the Treasury upon the subject ?—
Certainly; long previously to any correspondence with the Treasury.
1898. Mr. C. Buller.] What is the date of Mr. Gordon's letter?-The letter to
Mr. Gordon was on the 7th of November, and the answer on the 11th of November.
1899. Sir G. Grey.] Have you had any recent communications from Bombay
upon this subject?—Yes.
1900. Since the preparation for the armament against China?-Yes.
1901. Do they speak of this general forbearance to which you have referred as
likely to last only a short time, or as still continuing, in expectation of the result
of that armament?-The forbearance will not last to an indefinite period; it will
every day be getting more circumscribed.
1902. Are the Committee to understand you as representing the desire enter-
tained by your correspondents at Bombay, to be for a distinct assurance on the
part of the Government of ultimate payment?-Certainly, as stated in this letter:
"Bombay, 29 January 1840.-If your good nation does not come forward and
openly give some assurance for the opium indemnity you may depend that many
respectable men will put an end to their lives. We have already seen two instances,
and many more will occur in the interior, as men of high spirit and ancient family
cannot bear the disgrace of appealing to the insolvent law. We are ourselves con-
fident that Government will ultimately redeem the pledge of their own officer, but
what will be the use when the mischief is done ?"
1903. They would prefer immediate payment, but what they ask for is a dis-
tinct assurance of ultimate payment ?--They ask for immediate payment, but now
that they have been disappointed in getting that, it would be a great boon to get
a declaration of ultimate payment.
1904. What they are looking for now is a distinct assurance to the same effect
as the answer which was referred to just now by a Member of this Committee, as
given by Lord John Russell in the House of Commons? Yes, something defi-
nite; that the claims arising out of Captain Elliot's guarantee will be fulfilled.
1905. Will be fulfilled within a reasonable period ?—Yes.
1906. Mr. E. Buller.] Would you have a distinction between claims of the
merchants,
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
125
merchants, arising out of Captain Elliot's guarantee and the claims of the mer-
chants, independently of the guarantee ?-The claims of the merchants arise from
Captain Elliot's guarantee.
1907. The answer given in the House of Commons by Lord John Russell, in
which he states the intention of the expedition to China as being to demand
compensation for the merchants, would not arise out of Captain Elliot's guarantee,
but out of the wrong that had been done to them by the Chinese government?-
The merchants consider that they hold the pledge of the representative of the
British Government, and upon that they have relied throughout.
1908. They want a recognition of this pledge ?-Yes.
1909. They do not want a mere engagement on the part of the Government
that compensation shall be awarded for the wrongs they have received from the
Chinese? If they get a pledge from the British Government that Captain Elliot's
guarantee will be fulfilled, they do not go further.
1910. They want an acknowledgment of the validity of Captain Elliot's en-
gagement?-Yes, and ultimate compensation.
1911. Sir George Grey.] They want, in fact, the value of the opium which was
surrendered? They want an acknowledgment that the British Government will
carry out the order which Captain Elliot issued on the 27th of March, in which the
value of the opium was to be matter for future settlement.
1912. What they want is, that the value of the opium surrendered should be
ascertained, and that when ascertained, that value should be paid to the individual
owners of the opium ?—Yes.
1913. Chairman.] You were understood to state, that some immediate settle-
ment was, according to the statement of your correspondents, necessary to prevent
great calamities in Bombay ?-Undoubtedly.
1914. Sir George Grey.] Some immediate settlement, or some immediate pro-
mise of settlement?-Some immediate settlement, if possible; but some immediate
promise would no doubt go a great way to lessen the distress.
1915. Since the correspondence with the Treasury has become known to them,
do they look for immediate payment?-They urge immediate payment; but I
fear that their hopes of immediate payment were damped by that correspondence.
1916. In the last communication you have received from Bombay, dated at the
beginning of this year, is not the promise of future payment what is distinctly looked
for, and pressed upon your consideration? Undoubtedly.
1917. Mr. Brownrigg.] Your meaning is this: that every person engaged in
trade who has suffered a heavy loss from the withdrawal of property, if he could
get immediate payment for it, of course his difficulties would be relieved at once;
but next to that is the promise of some ulterior payment, because he would be
enabled upon that promise, which his creditors would give faith to, either to obtain
their further forbearance or to maintain his credit?-Exactly.
1918. If immediate payment could not be made, a promise that would be relied
upon by himself and his creditors would have the effect of relieving him from
embarrassment?-For a time.
1919. Sir George Grey.] Has any of what was termed opium scrip found its
way to Bombay?-Opium scrip I understand to mean Captain Elliot's certificates.
A great number of them found their way to Bombay.
1920. Were they negotiated ?--Not at Bombay.
1921. Was any attempt made to negotiate them?-Not at Bombay; there was
at Calcutta.
1922. Was there any judicial decision at Calcutta upon the validity of them?
They were sold at about 35 l. a chest, being about one-fourth of the price at
which Captain Elliot bought the remainder of the opium in China.
1923. Did the validity of that scrip ever come before a court of law in Calcutta ?
-I do not think that was the question on the trial alluded to; the question was
the responsibility of the guarantee for the China agent.
1924. Chairman.] Is there anything more you wish to state?—I would wish
to read an extract from a letter of the 23d of May 1839, before they knew anything
of the refusal of this Government. "Idle people say that opium is prohibited goods
to carry to China for sale; but in the time of renewing the charter the Houses of
Parliament ordered several Committees to take evidence and inquire respecting
the India affairs, and, among other things, they have inquired into the opium
monopoly ; and also Home Government know this drug is to be carried to China
and sold there, and not taking any notice, and allowing to give East India Com-
0.59.
pany
R 3
J. Malcolmson,
Esq.
18 May 1840.
126
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
J. Malcolmson,
Esq.
18 May 1840.
1
Patna (old) -
(new)
Benares (old)
(new)
Malwa (old)
(new)
pany privilege to continue and make annually more than one and a half millions
sterling. If the Government had taken notice, and disallowed the system, this
thing would not have occurred." And the same writer, in showing the anxiety
of the Bengal Government to increase the trade, alludes to a sample of opium
having been put up in order to send to China to suit the taste of the Chinese
better than it had hitherto done.
TOTAL
1925. Mr. Hogg.] These letters are from claimants to whom part of the opium
belonged? They are.
1926. Mr. Elliot.] Can you state why it was that none of the opium scrip could
be negotiated at Bombay ?—I think it was only attempted at Calcutta, where there
is a much more extensive market for these sort of things than at Bombay; the
thing was tried at Calcutta; it is referred to in the letter I have received merely as
a curiosity; the sale was not attempted to any extent.
1927. Were not funds very much wanted at Bombay by the persons holding the
scrip?-Funds were very much wanted latterly; not in the first instance; they
fully relied upon it that the money would be paid, and the remittances made; and
all our letters direct us to remit the money immediately.
1928. You are not aware that any attempt was made to dispose of the opium
scrip?-I am not aware of any.
1929. Mr. E. Buller.] It appears to be generally admitted by the writers of
these letters which you have read, that if the trade had been decidedly and avowedly
a contraband trade, the parties would then have had no claim for compensation?
I do not apprehend that these letters go exactly to that, because the claim is
founded upon Captain Elliot's engagement; but then they would not have the
strong case that they have, if it had been decidedly understood to be a contraband
trade in India as well as China.
DELIVERIES OF OPIUM at Lintin, from 1 April 1837 to 1 April 1838. In March 11 previous Months.
Total to 1st April.
1930. Those extracts which you have read appear to make the admission that if
they had been engaged in a contraband trade, they would then have had no claim
for compensation; is that, in your opinion, a just conclusion?- Certainly, if there
had been no positive engagement by Captain Elliot.
1931. But with that engagement on the part of Captain Elliot, do you con-
ceive that if the trade had been a decidedly contraband trade they would have had
that claim?—I conceive the parties would not waive the positive engagement of
Captain Elliot, whatever the origin of the trade might be; but the object of these
letters is to point out the facts that strengthen their claim upon the Government
for the fulfilment of that pledge.
The following Extracts from the Canton General Price Current of Tuesday, 8th of
May 1838, referred to in Mr. Inglis's Evidence of the 11th of May 1840,
were delivered in and read, as follows:
Chests.
485
197
257
90
861
1,8901
-
Price.
480
430
385
385
390
Value
in Dollars.
232,800 1
84,710 ĺ
98,945 1
34,650 S
Chests.
335,790
4,847
1,318/
13,875
786,895 20,040
Value
in Dollars.
3,091,320
811,809
6,980,028
10,883,157
Chests.
•
Value
in Dollars.
21,931 11,670,052
Stock,
1st April.
1,151
1,628
422
76
1,730
5,007
Hom

"Opium.-On the arrival of the three vessels from Calcutta, the prices of Patna
and Benares gave way a little; but the departure of the judge for Pekin has pro-
duced a sudden demand for upwards of 100 chests, which, added to some specula-
tors having oversold, and being obliged to purchase, has suddenly produced a brisk
demand, to supply which sales have been made at various prices from 430 a' 465.
for Patna, and 415 a' 440 for Benares. The old drug and Malwa have expe-
rienced little change."
-
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
127
Lunæ, 1º die Junii, 1840.
MEMBERS PRESENT.
Mr. Herbert.
Mr. Hogg.
Mr. Parker.
Lord Sandon.
Mr. Brownrigg.
Mr. Charles Buller.
Mr. Edward Buller.
Mr. Clay.
Mr. Colquhoun.
Mr. W. Gladstone.
Sir George Grey.
JOHN ABEL SMITH, Esq. IN THE CHAIR.
Sir William Somerville.
Sir George Staunton.
Mr. John Abel Smith.
THE following extract from "The Monthly Review of the Calcutta Market,"
of 31st August 1837, referred to in the evidence of William Jardine, esq. was
delivered in, and read:-
OPIUM.
The opium question, in regard to the bonus offered by Government, has occasioned
some very animated debates during the month amongst our mercantile community. A
general meeting was held on the 16th instant, which was followed by another at the
Chamber of Commerce. The following is the final notification of the Board of Customs.
Opium. Notification.
The following rules and conditions under which adjustments will be made with the
shippers of opium, purchased at the January, February, March, and June sales of 1837,
are published for the information of parties concerned.
1. Shippers to China of opium, purchased at the sales of January, February, and March,
1837, if the ship left the port before the 1st of August last, will receive at the rate of 140
Company's rupees per chest.
2. Upon opium of the June sale, shipped in vessels which left this port before the 1st of
August, nothing will be paid.
3. Upon opium of the sales of January, February, and March, 1837, shipped from this
port to
any port of the Straits or Eastern Archipelago, before the 1st May last, nothing will
now be paid; but if it shall be hereafter proved by the production of bills of lading and
other evidence, to the satisfaction of the Board of Customs, Salt and Opium, that any part
of this opium has been sent on from Singapore, Malacca, or Penang to China, before the
1st June 1837, then the shippers thereof at such port will receive the same amount per
chest as all other shippers of opium of said sales to China, viz. at the rate of 140 rupees
per chest.
4. Shippers of opium of the sales of January, February, and March, 1837, to the settle-
ments in the Straits, on vessels which left this port after the 1st May last, and before the
1st August last, will receive the same amount per chest as shippers to China, viz. 140
rupees on each chest of the said first three sales of the year 1837, but no payment will be
made upon opium of the June sales, as already provided in the second of these conditions.
5. Payment of the amount per chest as above allotted, will in each instance be made by
the Board of Customs, Salt and Opium, to the actual shippers from this port, or from
Singapore, Penang, and Malacca, as the case may be.
6. The Board of Customs, on being satisfied as to the actual shippers of any lots or
chests, will grant to him an order on the general treasury for the amount payable under
these rules, taking a receipt specifying that the party receives the amount on behalf of all
parties concerned or interested in the said lots or chests. The order of the Board on the
general treasury may, at the option of the holder, be cashed or paid in satisfaction of any
demand of Government.
It is further notified,
7. That the public sale price per chest of all opium purchased at the sales of 1837,
which was cleared or left this port after the 31st July last, will be adjusted, with the follow-
ing abatements:
On opium of the January, February, and March sales, 300 rupees per chest will be
remitted from the price of such chest.
On
R 4
0.59.
1 June 1840.
128
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
1 June 1840.
J. Malcolmson,
Esq.
On opium of the June sale, 150 rupees per chest will be remitted from the price of such
chest.
8. On all opium paid for, but not shipped, between the 31st July and the 26th instant,
the amount allowed in abatement as above, will be refunded to the party producing in this
office the pass or order upon the opium godown-keeper for the delivery of such opium; and
prior to its being returned to such party, the re-adjustment of the price, and the amount
refunded, will be notified on the pass.
9. On all opium paid for and shipped between the 31st July and the 26th instant, the
amount allowed in abatement will be refunded to the shipper, and a receipt taken as in the
sixth condition.
10. On opium neither shipped nor cleared before the 26th instant, the amount allowed in
abatement will be remitted from the price at the time of payment being made in full, and
orders for the delivery of the opium being taken from this office.
It is further notified,
11. That the opium of the sale of February 1837 remaining unpaid for on the 14th of
September next will be re-sold, on account of Government, on the following day, the depo-
sits being previously forfeited.
12. That the opium of the sale of March 1837 remaining unpaid for on the 14th October
next will be re-sold, on account of Government, on Monday the 16th of October, the depo-
sits being previously forfeited.
13. That the opium of the sale of June 1837 remaining unpaid for on the 30th of Novem-
ber next will be sold on the 1st of December, the deposits being previously forfeited.
By order of the Board of Customs, Salt and Opium, the 28th of August 1837,
S. G. Palmer, Acting Secretary.
James Malcolmson, Esq. called in; and further Examined.
1932. Chairman.] WHEN you were last examined before the Committee, you
put in various letters from persons connected with the opium trade, detailing
the distress experienced at Bombay, in consequence of the seizure in China;
have you any other letters, from persons not interested in the trade, to put in,
or any further explanation to offer, as to the effects produced by the circum-
stances that took place in China?-In consequence of a remark having been
made, at my last examination, that the letters I read were from parties inte-
rested, I have looked through the correspondence of our friends and agents at
Bombay and at Calcutta, neither of the houses being interested in opium, and
I perceive throughout one general feeling of apprehension of the consequences
on trade generally should the indemnity for the opium not be fulfilled, or an
early promise given that it would be fulfilled, and one general feeling, particu-
larly on the Bombay side, that there would be difficulty in getting the cotton
crops to market, arising from the want of the usual advances, the parties follow-
ing that trade being principally natives, and not able, from having been de-
prived of their capital, to make the usual advances; and to show that very
strongly, I took out the amount of cotton brought down to Bombay in the
year 1839, from the 1st of January to the 29th of March 1839, and compared
it with the three months of 1840, and the difference is very marked. From the
1st of January to the 29th of March 1839, there were 36,000 candies, or about
72,000 bales of cotton brought down to Bombay. From the 1st of January
to the 22d of March, which is the last day of this present year, to which the
accounts come down, the amount was only 9,900 candies, or about 20,000 bales,
being about one-fourth the quantity in the previous year, and this is one cause
why prices at Bombay have kept up, to the surprise of all those connected
with the trade, the quantity brought down being so extremely small.
1933. Mr. Colquhoun.] Is that in any way to be accounted for by the crop
having failed?—The crop is considered to be a very abundant one. This infor-
mation comes from houses in no way interested in the opium; for although
our house here represents the owners of upwards of 5,000 chests of opium,
our European friends in India are in no way interested in it.
Ba
1934. Chairman.] The expectation of a low price of cotton during the spring
at Bombay has been almost universal ?—It has been universal in this country.
1935. And that expectation has been counteracted by the small quantities
brought down from the interior in the absence of the advances usually made by
the native merchants at Bombay?—It has.
1936. Have you any other letters that you wish to bring before the Committee?
-I have given the substance of a variety of letters, extending from June last year
to
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
129
to the latest dates; and although the subject is not so strongly put from Cal-
cutta, it is still frequently alluded to in the letters from thence; but the trade
of Bengal in many other articles being so much more extensive, it is not felt
so much at Calcutta as at Bombay, where the native merchants interested in
opium are generally the same as those interested in cotton.
1937. Do you know whether, in the case of the export of opium from Cal-
cutta, it is very often on Bombay account?-Very frequently.
1938. In fact, the Bombay merchants are the principal dealers in opium?
The Bombay native merchants of late years have been large operators in Cal-
cutta as well as at Bombay.
Ardaseer Cursetjee, Esq., called in; and Examined.
Esq.
1939. Chairman.] ARE you a Parsee gentleman of Bombay, upon a visit to Ardaseer Curscije,
this country for scientific objects connected with steam navigation in India?-Yes.
1940. Are you wholly unconnected with trade yourself?-Entirely uncon-
nected.
1941. Is your family also, to a great degree, unconnected with trade?—My
own family is entirely unconnected with the opium trade.
1942. Are any of them merchants-Some of them are merchants.
1943. But you know various persons who are connected with the opium
trade?-I do.
1944. And you know the great extent to which the opium trade is carried
on at Bombay?—Yes.
1945. When did you leave Bombay?-On the 13th of September last.
1946. Had the news of the seizure of the opium by the Chinese or the
surrender of it by Captain Elliot reached Bombay before you left?—Yes.
1947. What was the effect when the first intelligence of that event reached
Bombay?—They seemed in great distress in the first instance, and then after-
wards they made a petition to this Government, and they were in very sanguine
hopes that they might be remunerated.
1948. Their confidence was very great that the Government would confirın
the act of Captain Elliot ?—Yes.
1949. Have you heard since you left what was the effect which the intelligence
produced that the Government had refused at first to pay?—No, I have not
myself heard about it, because we are not connected with opium, and they do
not give us any extensive accounts about the opium trade.
1950. Do you know what has been the effect produced at Bombay upon the
mercantile public by their disappointment in getting payment from the Govern-
ment as they expected?—I do not know anything since I left Bombay.
1951. Have you heard anything of the distress produced amongst certain
individuals?—The only thing I heard was, that certain friends of ours had been
dead on account of the opium.
1952. You refer to a gentleman who destroyed himself:-Yes.
1953. And your letters state that that was produced by his disappointment?
-Not by this disappointment, but by some disappointment about the opium
trade.
1954. You do not think it was the disappointment of not receiving his money
from the British Government-I do not know.
1955. Mr. Brownrigg.] Are you a native of Bombay?—Yes.
1956. Have you resided there for many years?—Yes, I was born at Bombay,
and have resided all my lifetime at Bombay.
1957. Of course you have an intimate knowledge of the general feelings
of the native subjects of the British Government, upon any great political mea-
sure that might occur?-Yes.
1958. Are you of opinion that in consequence of the refusal on the part of
the Government in England, to confirm the engagement of Captain Elliot, the
character of the British Government for good faith, which has been so well
established in India, will be materially affected?—I should think so.
1959. The natives of India, generally, are accustomed to rely with implicit
confidence upon the fulfilment of any pledge given by any public officer ?—Cer-
tainly, they always do so.
S
J. Malcolmson,
Esq.
1 June 1840.
1960. And a refusal in this instance, would tend to shake their faith in that
respect ?—It is natural that it should.
0.59.
S
1961. Chairman.]
130
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
Ardaseer Cursetjee,
Esq.
1961. Chairman.] Do you know anything of the course of the opium trade,
and the system of advances made at Bombay, to persons in the interior, or
the details of the mode in which it is carried on?-I never knew anything
1 June 1840. particularly upon the subject.
1962. You have no personal knowledge upon the subject?-I have no per-
sonal knowledge about it.
1963. Have you any reason to know that the large sums locked up in China
after the surrender of the opium seriously embarrassed some of the principal
Parsee merchants at Bombay?—Yes.
1964. Have you any reason to doubt, supposing that money is not repaid to
them, that ultimate ruin must be the consequence to many families?--Yes, ruin
must be the consequence to many families.
1965. Mr. Parker.] Would not that ruin have taken place equally if the
Chinese government had seized the opium without paying for it?—I do not
think the merchants would have allowed the Chinese to seize it; but certainly
this opium was delivered with the particular idea that they had some person to
look to.
1966. Supposing the Chinese government had seized the opium without pay-
ing for it, would not the loss have been equally great to the people who sent it
from India?—It would have been equally great.
1967. Sir William Somerville.] You know nothing about these transactions,
any further than from what you have read in the public papers?-Exactly.
1968. Chairman.] Your information is wholly limited to the consequences
produced at Bombay by the surrender of that large quantity of property at
Canton? Yes.
1969. Sir W. Somerville.] Did you ever hear the slightest doubt expressed
at Bombay about Captain Elliot's power?-Not to the best of my knowledge.
When first this news came that Captain Elliot held himself a guarantee, every-
body was very much rejoiced, and they thought themselves quite safe.
1970. They considered he had full power to act as he did?—Yes.
1971. Was the general impression that he was acting under instructions from
his Government, or upon his own responsibility?-They always understood, so
far as I know, that he acted by authority of his Government.
1972. In demanding this opium ?—Yes.
1973. Chairman.] Was not there a very considerable desire on the part of all
parties in Bombay to show great indulgence to persons whose property was so
locked up in China, under the confident belief that they would ultimately have
the means of fulfilling their engagements when they received the money from
the English Government?-Yes.
1974. And there was no general apprehension that the Government could
disavow, or would disavow, Captain Elliot's act?—Not when we first heard of it.
1975. Mr. Parker.] When were the circumstances first known at Bombay?
Not till I left; we heard all the news from China, but not from this Govern-
ment.
Guja
1976. Sir W. Somerville.] It was not known then that the Government had
refused to confirm the act of Captain Elliot ?—No.
1977. Mr. Parker.] Was it known that the merchants at Canton were put
under restraint ?—Yes.
1978. Chairman.] Do you happen to have heard whether the ordinary opera-
tions in other branches of trade have been interfered with by the locking up of
so much capital?—It would interfere with a good many branches of trade in
consequence of the large amount of money locked up.
1979. Have you heard anything of the cotton trade at Bombay during this
spring? No, I have not heard anything about the cotton trade.
1980. Is a large proportion of the trading transactions at Bombay carried on
by Parsees?—Yes.
1981. They are the principal persons engaged in trade? They are the
principal merchants.
1982. Mr. Parker.] Are the parties in India who carry on the trade aware
that it is a trade not recognised by the Chinese government?--I think most of
them are not aware of those things, because a good many of those who are
connected with those things are petty merchants, and they are not much
educated.
1983. Chairman.] They only look to the sanction of the government under
which
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
131
which they live-I cannot tell their feeling exactly, because I have never had Ardaseer Cursetjee,
Esq.
an opportunity of talking upon this subject with them.
1 June 1840.
1984. Was it considered a legal trade as far as the Indian government went?
-Most of them understood that it was a legal trade, because we never had an
interruption previous to this occurrence.
1985. There was nobody there who doubted that the Indian government
under which they lived allowed the trade?—I do not know, I am sure.
1986. You are aware that the Indian government raised a large revenue upon
the export of opium from Bombay?—Yes, the government has got some duty,
I believe, upon the opium.
1987. Sir W. Somerville.] What were the general current ideas in Bombay
with regard to the restrictions imposed by the Chinese upon this opium; was it
generally understood to be a contraband transaction?-They must have been
aware of it, because they never allowed the opium to be shipped on board the
East India Company's vessels, to the best of my knowledge, and they never
allowed them to take it to Canton; they were always obliged to tranship the
opium into the receiving ships before they went into the Chinese waters.
1988. Then it was entirely carried on in private bottoms?—I suppose so.
1989. And it was notorious that the trade was an illicit trade in China?-I
should think not.
1990. Do you think that some engaged in it under the idea that it was a
legal traffic?—That may be; because most of the merchants, from high to low,
are connected with opium, and many people's impression was, I have no doubt,
that the trade was legal.
1991. What was your own opinion?-I was always of opinion that it was
not legal.
1992. And there were a number of merchants at Bombay under the same
impression?—Yes.
1993. Mr. E. Buller.] And, knowing it to be illegal, they were aware that it
must be liable to greater risks than a legal trade?-I never conversed upon
this subject, and, therefore, I could not take upon myself to answer that
question.
1994. Sir William Somerville.] The trade in opium is generally considered
to be carried on under a great risk?—Yes, I think so.
1995. Consequently the profits were upon many occasions proportionably
large?—Yes.
1996. Chairman.] Do you think it was considered generally, in Bombay,
that it was attended with greater risk than an ordinary trade must always have
attending it ?—To the best of my knowledge they never had a thought of any
danger, or any serious effect upon their mind regarding the trade; but they used
to understand that it is not a legal trade.
1997. You mean in China?—In China.
1998. But it was a legal trade in India?-As far as I can see.
1999. You believe that to have been the general impression?-Yes; but I
know that some of them were aware that they never used to allow it on board
the East India Company's ships, and therefore, of course, some persons must
have been aware that there was something wrong.
2000. A great number of Parsees have engaged in the trade to a small ex-
tent? Yes.
2001. Sir W. Somerville.] Is opium never exported from Bombay to any
other part, except to Canton ?-To Canton and Macao, and those places in
China.
2002. Chairman.] Does not it go occasionally to Singapore and to the Straits?
-Yes.
2003. Sir W. Somerville.] Is opium never exported in vessels connected
with the East India Company?-So far as I know, it is not. They do not take
it to sell at Singapore, but sometimes they tranship it to go to China.
2004. Even that is carried on in private merchant ships?—Yes.
2005. It is an understood thing that the opium that goes to Singapore is
to be forwarded afterwards to Canton or to Macao-I believe it is.
2006. Chairman.] Does it always follow so?—It always follows that it is to
go to Canton.
2007. Is there any large consumption of opium in the Straits ?-Some Chinese
junks come into the Straits and buy some opium.
0.59.
S 2
2008. Sir
132
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
1
Ardaseer Cursetjee,
Esq.
1 June 1840.
2008. Sir W. Somerville.] Even at the time before the trade was opened it
was not customary for the East India Company's ships to be engaged in the
opium trade?-Exactly so; and since the new charter, there are no East India
Company's ships.
2009. Chairman.] It was a legal trade at Singapore, was it not? I do not
know.
2010. Mr. E. Buller.] Was any considerable portion of the opium consumed
in India?—Not any considerable part in India.
2011. Do not the Mahomedans in India consume it to a considerable extent?
-No, the inhabitants of Malwa, I believe, use a quantity of opium, but it is
no comparison with what goes to China.
2012. Is a considerable quantity consumed in India?-I should think not a
very considerable quantity, but some quantity is used in India.
2013. Is it commonly used by the Mahomedans in India?--It is not the
Mahomedans, it is another caste we call the Malwaree, who generally use
opium.
2014. Are the Malwarees generally Mahomedans or Hindoos? They are a
kind of Bengalese, not exactly Mahomedans and not exactly Hindoos; some-
thing between.
2015. But the Hindoos, and particularly those of high caste, do not use
opium?-Some of the princes in the different countries do use opium, I
believe.
2016. Then there is no religious restriction upon the use of opium?—No,
the restriction by the Hindoos religion is upon spirits and liquors, but not upon
opium or tobacco.
2017. And that is the case whether they belong to the Mahomedan or to
any other religion?-I do not know that opium has been forbidden by any
religion.
2018. Chairman.] With regard to that unfortunate suicide of your friend in
Bombay, your letters state that it was produced by his losses in opium ?-By
his losses in opium; he was a respectable man, and the person that had lent
him money, demanded it in a very sharp manner, and he had not the means
to fulfil it immediately.
2019. He was a man of proud and high mind?-He was a man of proud
mind; a high-minded man.
2020. And he did not like the disgrace attendant upon the failure of his
engagements?—No.
2021. Do you think that the want of power to fulfil their engagements
which may be caused by the withholding of this money, will produce a very
deep effect upon the Parsees in Bombay?-I should think it will produce an
effect upon persons of every nation engaged in trade.
2022. They would feel the disgrace of failing in their engagements very
deeply?—I think they would.
2023. Sir G. Staunton.] Do you know any instance of opium being seized
by the Chinese government previously to the late transactions?-I believe
they did so.
2024. Are there any instances of opium having been seized previously to
this-Yes.
2025. Where was it seized?-At some place near Canton; what we call a
smuggling-boat comes alongside the English vessel, and carries away the
opium, and generally a Chinese boat was watching them, and when they came
in contact they used to seize them.
2026. They seized the opium in the Chinese boats?—Yes.
2027. Not from any European vessel?—Yes, they seized it in a European
vessel, if they were aware that the European ship possessed any opium, in their
own waters.
2028. Did the loss fall upon the seller of the opium?-It depended upon
whether they insured the opium.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
133
Alexander Matheson, Esq., called in; and Examined.
2029. Chairman.] ARE you a partner in the house of Jardine, Matheson & A. Matheson, Esq.
Company?—Yes.
1 June 1840.
2030. When did you go to Canton first?-I went to Canton in December
1826.
2031. Have you resided there ever since, till you quitted?-With a short
absence.
2032. When did you quit China?-On the 25th of June 1839.
2033. You quitted Canton previously to that?-I left Canton on the 12th
of March 1839.
2034. Was Commissioner Lin then in Canton?-It turned out that he was,
but I was not aware of it; he arrived in Canton on the 10th of March, but his
being there was not generally known.
2035. He was daily expected?-He was known to be in the neighbourhood
of Canton; some people said that he was in Canton, but we were not quite
sure of it.
2036. What was the reason of your quitting Canton at that particular
moment?—I was sent down by the house in order to be ready to send away
the opium ships in the event of its being judged expedient after Lin's arrival.
2037. Had you any consultation with the Hong merchants upon the subject
of sending the ships away?--Yes, we consulted with one of the Hong mer-
chants, with Mowqua, the second Hong merchant, upon the subject, whether
we should send away the opium ships before he arrived, or after he arrived.
The Hong merchants said that they did not themselves know what measures
he intended adopting with regard to the opium trade, and that it would be
better to wait till he was actually in Canton, at the same time that one of us
ought to be on the spot ready to act at a moment's notice.
2038. Did they consider it a possible case that he was coming down to
legalize the trade?-They could not tell what his intentions were; some said
that he was coming down to legalize the trade; others said that he was coming
down to put a stop to it, if possible; no person seemed to know precisely what
his orders were.
2039. What was the belief of your own house?-The Viceroy, previous to his
coming down, was very rigid in his endeavours to put down the trade; and it
was feared that a rebellion would be the consequence about Canton, in conse-
quence of the strict measures which had been adopted. We fancied that the
intention was first of all to inquire into the measures which the Viceroy had
been carrying on, and afterwards to act with regard to the opium trade as he
saw most expedient.
2040. You thought that the course of future events was one of great doubt
and uncertainty-That Lin would first make inquiry, and afterwards act on the
facts which he discovered; that he would make up his mind what ought to be
done after inquiry.
2041. How soon after your arrival at Macao did Lin's edict appear?-Lin's
edict was published on the 18th of March, and I had it at Macao on the 21st
of March.
2042. Did your house send you any orders in consequence of the publication
of that edict?—Yes; orders accompanied the edict to send away the ships.
immediately.
2043. Did you act upon that order?—I sent away two ships, one with 1,400
chests of opium, and another with about 1,000. I sent away about 2,400 chests
in the course of a few days.
2044. Where did you send them to ?-I sent them with orders to cruize
between certain latitudes in the China seas for a month.
2045. Quite out of the Chinese jurisdiction-Beyond the reach of the
Chinese jurisdiction; two or three hundred miles from Canton.
2046. Did those ships actually go-Yes.
2047. Did you take any measures with regard to any others?-Yes; we had
about 3,000 chests in one ship, and as we could not insure so large a quantity
in one ship, we were in the act of transshipping about half that quantity to
another, and the intention was to send both those ships away as soon as the
transhipment was completed.
2048. Where to?-To Singapore.
ΤΩ
3
2049. When
134
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Matheson, Esq.
1 June 1840.
2049. When the opium was surrendered by Captain Elliot, were fresh orders
sent you by your house?-Yes; they stated that in compliance with Captain
Elliot's order they had surrendered the whole of the opium to him, and that it
would be necessary to recal the ships that had been already sent away, and to
stop the transhipment that was going forward.
2050. Did you recal those ships that you had sent away?—Yes, I sent
another vessel to recal them.
2051. Did that vessel find them cruizing?-She found one of them. The other
came back, after being out a month, according to the previous understanding;
she came back to a distant point on the Chinese coast, where there were letters
waiting for her.
2052. That opium formed part of the opium surrendered by Captain Elliot?
-Yes, the whole of it.
2053. When given up by you, it was entirely not only out of the immediate
reach of the Chinese, but beyond the limits of any pretended control of the
Chinese authorities?-Out of the Chinese waters altogether; 100 miles away
from China.
2054. Had the Portuguese at Macao any opium?-Yes, a considerable
quantity.
2055. Do you know how much?--I should think about 1,800 to 2,000 chests.
2056. What did they do with that opium?—They sent it away to Manilla.
2057. Did they ever surrender any ?—Not a chest.
2058. Mr. Herbert.] Were they ever asked to do so?-They were asked to
So, but they declared they had none; that they had sent it all away, and
they gave their bond not to admit any more into Macao.
do
2059. Chairman.] Do you know what was done with that opium afterwards?
-It was sold on the east coast of China.
2060. At a very large profit?—Yes.
2061. Do you know personally that it was so ?—I do; some of it was sold
before I left China.
2062. Mr. Hogg.] Were those ships of yours with the opium which you
spoke of cruizing about, or were they delivering opium ?-Cruising about; they
brought back every chest that went out in them.
2003. Had you any ships employed at the time on the coast of China?-A
great many.
2064. In the act of delivering ?—Yes.
2065. And those ships were also called back?—They were.
2066. And the residue that remained in them formed part of the 20,000
chests?
Yes.
2067. Chairman.] Was there not some opium belonging to your house sold
between the period of the return given in by your house to Captain Elliot of the
quantity of opium under your control, and the moment when it was actually
surrendered-Yes.
2068. And you made up the quantity sold during the interval?—Yes, we
made it up.
2069. Sir G. Grey.] You said that the opium sent away was removed alto-
gether from within the control of the Chinese; is it your impression that the
opium which was at Lintin in the receiving ships was within the control of the
Chinese?—No, they could not get it.
2070. Was there any substantial difference between the opium at Lintin and
the opium sent away, so far as it might be affected by any control to be exer-
cised by the Chinese?—There was no substantial difference. The Chinese could
exercise no control over either; but the foreigners themselves could no longer
control the opium sent away.
2071. Did the Chinese claim a jurisdiction in the one case which they dis-
avowed in the other, or did they equally disavow the claim of jurisdiction in
both cases?—I cannot tell what passed between the Chinese and Captain Elliot.
2072. Was it the general impression of the foreign community that the
opium at Lintin was liable to seizure, and that the opium at a distance was not ?
-I do not conceive that the opium at Lintin was liable to seizure on board
British vessels.
2073. Then the only difference that it made was, that it was removed out of
the knowledge of the Chinese, and that they could not demand its surrender,
because they did not know of its existence ?-They did not know where it was.
2074. Did
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
135
2074. Did not it remain equally subject to the control of your house after it A. Matheson, Esq.
was sent away?—No; my house agreed in the first instance to give up a small
quantity of opium. The Canton community agreed to give up 1,037 chests.
1 June 1940.
2075. Did not this opium sent away by your direction from Lintin remain
subject to the orders and control of your house?—No, it was subject to my
orders.
2076. As a partner in the house?-No, to me individually. The moment
that they agreed to surrender 275 chests they sent an express to each of the
captains requesting that they would hold all the opium less those 275 chests to
my order, and not attend to any order which they might afterwards give for
any part of it.
2077. What was the quantity of opium comprised in the return made by
your house to Captain Elliot, as being the opium within the control of your
house? From seven to eight thousand chests.
2078. Did that exclude or include the opium which had been sent away by
your directions?-It included the whole.
2079. Mr. Hogg.] What was the object of placing it individually under your
control?-In order that no compulsory measures of the Chinese should force
the partners then in Canton to deliver any more opium.
2080. Were you not yourself resident in Canton ?—No, I was at Macao.
2081. Sir George Grey.] The apprehension of your house was, that some
means of coercion might be resorted to as affecting the persons of those mem-
bers of your firm who were at Canton, and the object of placing it under your
control was, that you being absent from Canton, they might be able to say
that the opium was no longer subject to their control ?—Yes, and those who
surrendered the 1,037 chests agreed, in the event of its being accepted, to
abstain in future from further trading in opium.
2082. But, in point of fact, the resident members of your firm at Canton did
include, in their return, the opium so sent away; they did not feel themselves
justified, owing to its being under your sole direction, to withhold it from the
return given in of opium of which the Chinese demanded the surrender ?—
No. When they came to treat with Captain Elliot, they conceived themselves
bound to obey any order which Captain Elliot might issue, but they did not
conceive themselves bound to obey the order of the Chinese.
2083. Chairman.] In the first instance, it was placed under your control, as
a means of evasion, to escape from the compulsion of the Chinese authorities,
but in treating with Captain Elliot you felt yourself bound to give up the
whole-In giving up the opium to Captain Elliot, the orders drawn upon the
captains were sent enclosed to me, and it rested with me to obey the orders.
2084. Sir G. Grey.] Was not the requisition upon Captain Elliot founded
upon a demand previously made by the Chinese authorities for the surrender
of the opium ?—I do not know what passed between the Chinese government
and Captain Elliot. In the first edict of the 18th of March, they required
all the opium to be surrendered under the control of foreign merchants at
Canton.
2085. Was not Captain Elliot's requisition co-extensive with the demand on
the part of the Chinese ?—Yes.
2086. Was not the demand for the surrender of the opium under the control
of the British firms resident at Canton ?—Yes.
2087. If this distinction existed with regard to the opium placed under your
control, and existed owing to a settled purpose, on the part of the firm, to
evade the surrender to the Chinese, why did not your firm at Canton make
that distinction themselves, and state to Captain Elliot that only a portion of
this opium was within their control, and that the rest had been placed beyond
it-I was a member of the firm myself.
2088. But the opium which had been sent away no longer remained subject
to the control of the firm ?-Except with my sanction. I could obey or disobey
the order of the firm as I chose.
2089. Then, in point of fact, the resident members of your firm at Canton,
did not consider themselves justified in making an exception of the opium sent
away, inasmuch as they knew that it substantially remained within their con-
trol?—Yes; in acting with the British Government.
2090. Chairman.] In the first case, it was a studied evasion, in order to avoid
S 4
any
136
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Matheson, Esq. any compulsory attempt of the Chinese to get the opium, and in the other case
you felt bound to act with perfect good faith, and as you could deliver it up,
you felt bound to deliver it-Yes.
1 June 1840.
2091. Mr. Clay.] If a certain amount of coercion had been exercised towards
your partners at Canton, that would have induced you to give up the opium,
although you had not their permission?—I do not know how that might have
been; I was not put to the test.
2092. Sir G. Grey.] You were left to the exercise of your own discretion as
to the circumstances that might arise-Yes.
2093. You said that one ship that was sent away was ordered to return in a
limited time?-She was ordered to anchor in a certain bay a month after the
date of her departure, and to receive fresh orders; there were fresh orders
waiting for her at a certain point.
2094. Chairman.] Do you know what that point was?-Taitam Bay, just at
the mouth of Canton River.
2095. Sir G. Grey.] The object of her returning was to ascertain whether a
change of circumstances had taken place, which might render it safe to offer
that opium for sale ?-Precisely; or in the event of no change taking place, to
send it to Singapore or to Manilla.
2096. Chairman.] When did you leave Macao on your route home?—On
the 25th of June.
2097. Did you come through Bombay?—Yes.
2098. Are you well acquainted with the details of the opium trade as carried
on at Bombay?—Yes.
2099. A large proportion of the opium exported to China is on account of
the merchants at Bombay ?-Yes, a large proportion of it.
2100. Is a large proportion of the Bengal opium also exported on account of
merchants at Bombay?—Yes, a large proportion.
2101. Is there as much as a third-I should say nearly a third; certainly
a fourth of it.
2102. Of course the news of what had occurred in China with regard to the
surrender of the opium had arrived in Bombay before you reached it?-
It had.
2103. What was the effect of that intelligence ?-It produced a great deal of
pecuniary distress; there had been two or three failures previous to my arrival
in Bombay.
2104. Did that affect all classes, or only the small houses. Were any of
those that were previously possessed of ample means and credit, affected as
well as the little people? -Yes.
2105. Do you know of any specific instances of distress produced?—Yes;
I know several where parties owed sums of money, and their creditors were
abstaining for a time from pressing for payment of those sums, under the
expectation that they would be relieved, by compensation being paid.
2106. Was there any apprehension or doubt expressed in Bombay as to the
readiness of the British Government to fulfil Captain Elliot's engagement?-
The natives were very sanguine of being paid; they had little or no doubt of it
at first.
2107. The news of the conduct of the British Government in refusing to pay
those certificates had not reached Bombay when you quitted it?-Before I
quitted Bombay, the news had reached that applications had been made to the
Treasury, but that no answer had been given.
2108. That a doubt was expressed as to the payment ?—That doubts were
expressed in letters from this country whether the British Government would
pay or would not pay.
2109. Did that produce much alarm and consternation ?—Yes, it did; the
natives, however, were very sanguine of the payment; they said that they had
never known a case in which the British Government or the East India Com-
pany had disavowed the acts of their servants; that they always placed the
most implicit reliance upon the word of the Government servants, or the Com-
pany's servants, and they could not believe that such a thing was possible as
the Government disavowing the acts of their servants.
2110. Mr. Herbert.] Who held that language?—The principal natives of
Bombay.
2111. But
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
137
2111. But the scrip went down at the same time?—I am not aware that 4. Matheson, Esq.
there was any sale of scrip at Bombay.
1 June 1840.
2112. Sir G. Grey.] What was the date of those letters to India, which had
conveyed the impression to which you have adverted?--I think they must have
been dated in August.
2113. Are you confident that they stated that application had been then
made to the Treasury for payment, or was it merely the impression of mer-
chants here, that when the claim was made, it would not be followed by pay-
ment?—I am not confident upon that point; but I read some of the letters,
which expressed a doubt, at all events, as to the immediate payment of the
scrip.
Madag
2114. Of what date?-The end of July or the beginning of August.
2115. That was three months before the formal application to the Treasury?
-Yes.
2116. Chairman.] Was the general trade of Bombay much deranged by the
capital of those merchants being locked up -Very much indeed.
2117. Was there any effect produced upon the sale of British manufactured
goods?—Yes, the sales have diminished considerably.
2118. You do not know the relative quantities?-No, I cannot state the
relative quantities.
2119. Do you know whether the cotton export trade from Bombay was
affected also-The export trade to China was affected very considerably.
2120. Is not the system of the cotton trade at Bombay this, that persons in
the interior receiving advances upon their cotton goods, send them down to
merchants in Bombay?-Sometimes contracts are made; but I believe a large
portion of cotton is purchased by the exporters after its arrival in Bombay.
2121. To enable persons to bring it to Bombay, are there not advances
made? There used to be large advances made upon opium; I am not so well
acquainted with the cotton trade.
2122. Mr. E. Buller.] You are yourself a partner in Jardine's house?—
I am.
2123. There is another gentleman of your name at Canton ?—There is.
2124. What house is he a partner in ?-In Jardine's. He is now the head of
Jardine's house in China.
2125. Is he a relation of yours?—He is an uncle of mine.
2126. He was present during the whole of those transactions at Canton?
-Yes.
2127. Do you know whether he was consulted by Captain Elliot at that time?
-No, he was not consulted by him.
2128. Certainly not?-Certainly not.
2129. Supposing it should have been stated by any witness before this Com--
mittee that he was consulted, you are convinced that that is a mistake?-He
received communications from Captain Elliot; but I am not aware that Captain
Elliot asked advice from any party.
2130. You had letters, subsequently, from Mr. Matheson ?—Yes; I am
quite positive that he was not consulted by Captain Elliot.
2131. Sir George Staunton.] You stated that when Commissioner Lin arrived,
you proposed to send away the ships from Lintin, but that the Hong merchants
recommended you not to do so?-They said it would be better to wait and see
what course Lin adopted. They said they could not be sure whether Lin
would prefer reporting to the Emperor that he found no ships there, or that he
himself had driven them all away.
2132. Therefore they recommended you to wait?-Yes; and promised to
give us the earliest possible notice of what they considered the best mode for
us to adopt, either to send the ships away or wait, and give Lin the credit of
having driven them away after he arrived.
2133. A few months before the Hong merchants had urged you to send
them away?—They urged us to remove them from one anchorage to another.
2134. After the edict of the Viceroy in January, the Hong merchants recom-
mended you to send them away ?-To send them to another point.
2135. But when Commissioner Lin arrived they rather recommended
you to wait?-This was before they knew of his arrival, when he was daily
expected.
2136. You proposed, as matter of security, to send them away?-Yes; we
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T
asked
138
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Matheson, Esq. asked their advice whether it was better to send them away before Lin came to
Canton, or to wait and to let Lin have the credit of driving them away, as they
express it.
1 June 1840.
2137. And they gave you to believe that it was for your interest that they
should remain ?-Yes.
2138. You stated that there was no certainty what Commissioner Lin's ob-
jects were in coming to Canton ?-Yes.
2139. Was there any rumour or expectation prevailing that he came for the
purpose of taking possession of the opium by detaining the British com-
munity?-None whatever, or nobody would have remained in Canton; nothing
of the kind was ever dreamed of; it was totally unlooked for.
2140. Chairman.] As far as your experience goes, is the conduct pursued
by Lin wholly at variance with anything that had previously occurred? There
is no precedent for it as far as my experience goes.
2141. Reverting again to Bombay, was there a general spirit of forbearance
exercised on the part of creditors towards their debtors?—Yes.
2142. Was that based upon the expectation of their being able to pay ?—Of
their being able to meet their engagements after they received compensation
from the British Government.
2143. Have you heard whether the subsequent knowledge of the course
taken by the British Government has affected that at all?—It has curtailed it
no doubt, but there are instances where forbearance was exercised up to the very
last date, towards some parties, but other parties have been very much dis-
tressed; one or two people have committed suicide in consequence of their
distresses.
2144. Sir George Grey.] When did those acts of suicide take place?—They
took place either at the end of December or the beginning of January; I think
in January.
2145. Chairman.] Was it on the first arrival of the certain knowledge that
the Government refused to pay?—It was on the receipt of Mr. Gordon's letter
in Bombay.
2146. Is the principal part of the trade from Bombay to China carried on by
Parsees?-A great part of it. There are other rich natives besides the Parsees;
there are Hindoos engaged in the China trade.
2147. The Parsee merchants are a very influential and respectable body of
men? Yes.
2148. It is upon them principally that this loss will fall?-Yes.
2149. And their destruction would very greatly interfere with the future
course of trade in Bombay?-Very materially.
2150. Mr. E. Buller.] You do not remember the dates of those two suicides?
-Not the precise dates.
2151. Can you take upon yourself to say that they took place immediately
upon the receipt of Mr. Gordon's letter in Bombay ?—Yes.
2152. Within a few days after?-I cannot say how many days, but I dare
say I could ascertain by reference to letters. I think Mr. Gordon's letter went
out from this country about the 15th of November. I met it myself, at Lis-
bon, at the end of November; and it would be in Bombay about the 1st of
January.
2153. Chairman.] Though there might be some exceptions, were the large
number of persons previously engaged in the opium trade incapacitated by
their losses from availing themselves of the subsequent rise in the price of
opium in the China seas?-Almost entirely so.
2154. The trade went into new hands? Yes, a great part of the Malwa
opium which has since been sold on the coast of China, was sent by natives
in the interior, who were in the habit of bringing it to Bombay, and selling it
to Bombay merchants, but finding that there was no market for it in Bombay,
some of them sent it on their own account, and realized a good price for it
on the coast of China. They were quite a different set from those who formerly
sent it.
2155. Do you know what was the lowest point to which opium fell in Bom-
bay?—I cannot say.
2156. But it fell prodigiously on the arrival of the intelligence from China?
-Yes, I think it fell to about 300 rupees a chest.
2157. Was
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
139
2157. Was there any opium sent away by any other firms than your own out A. Matheson, Esq.
of the reach of the Chinese ?-None.
1 June 1840.
2158. Sir William Somerville.] When was it exactly that you sent away the
opium ?-On the 27th of March I sent it away.
2159. That large quantity which you mentioned ?—Yes.
2160. Mr. Brownrigg.] When did you hear of the requisition of Captain
Elliot?—That is dated the 27th; I received it on the 30th at Macao.
2161. Sir William Somerville.] Had you determined to send away the opium
before Captain Elliot came up to Canton ?—I was ready to send it away before
he came up.
2162. Had you made up your mind to send it away before he came up-
No, the day after he came up I had made up my mind to send it away; I saw
Captain Elliot the same day that he embarked for Canton; he left Macao on
the 22d of March, in the afternoon, and he arrived at Canton on the 24th.
2163. Did you know that he had made up his mind before he left Macao to
issue this order to the British merchants?-No; on the contrary, it appears
that he had not made up his mind.
2164. Sir George Grey.] Had you any conversation with him just as he was
embarking for Canton ?—No.
2165. You suppose that he was going to act according to the circumstances
which he should find existing there?—He told me in the forenoon that he was
going to Whampoa, and that it would depend upon what he heard there whether
he should proceed to Canton.
2166. Had he then received a letter from Mr. Astell, from Canton, urging his
going there? I do not know; but I had a letter that morning, the contents of
which I communicated to him, stating some of the proceedings that were going
on in Canton; I had as late accounts from Canton as he could have had at that
time.
2167. Sir William Somerville.] How long had you been at Macao ?—I arrived
at Macao on the 15th of March.
2168. Then it was after Commissioner Lin's arrival that you left Canton and
came down to Macao?—Yes; I did not know that Commissioner Lin was in
Canton when I left, but some said that he was, and some said that he was close
in the vicinity of Canton.
2169. Was it in consequence of an opinion in your mind that your opium
was in danger that you left Canton to proceed to Macao?-It was in order to
be ready to act according to circumstances.
2170. Sir George Grey.] Although you did not know that Commissioner Lin
was in Canton, you knew that he was in the immediate neighbourhood, and that
his authority was paramount there?—Yes.
2171. Sir William Somerville.] You did not make up your mind to send away
the opium till after Captain Elliot had left Macao?—It did not rest with me, it
rested with my partners at Canton; I did not receive their instructions till two
days after he had left.
2172. It was in consequence of the instructions that you received from Can-
ton that you sent away this opium ?-Yes.
2173. Had Captain Elliot had time to arrive at Canton before those instruc-
tions were sent off to you ?-No; the instructions I received left Canton on
the 22d, and Captain Elliot did not arrive till the 24th.
2174. Commissioner Lin was in Canton when your instructions came ?-Yes;
and before those instructions were sent to me, the merchants at Canton had
agreed to give up 1,037 chests of opium; on the 21st of March they agreed to
do that.
2175. Mr. Gladstone.] Will you state what quantity of opium there was at
Canton at the time that agreement was made?-I do not think there was any.
2176. About what time did you begin to be convinced that the Chinese were
in earnest, and meant to take effectual measures for the suppression of the
trade?-A very short time before Lin came the Viceroy became exceedingly
strict, and his measures were extremely oppressive to the Chinese merchants;
he commenced searching their houses.
2177. Can you state at all about how long before Lin came down ?-We were
always of opinion that Lin's coming down would produce a relaxation instead
of making matters worse.
0.59.
2178. Was
T 2
1
140
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Matheson, Esq.
7 June 1840.
2178. Was that the general sentiment ?-That was our opinion; the natives
that were in the habit of buying opium from us told us that matters could not
go on as they were; that the people about Canton were getting very dissatisfied
with the Viceroy's proceedings, and that it was supposed that when Lin came
down and found the state of matters, instead of instituting severer measures
against the opium, he would relax the measures that had been instituted.
2179. Do you think that the opium trade was generally popular with the
people?-I am satisfied of it.
2180. Had the measures that preceded the arrival of Lin convinced you that
the Chinese government were in earnest?-They were very severe indeed in
their measures.
2181. What impression did those severe measures convey to your mind with
respect to the intentions of the Chinese government?- Judging from our past
experience of China, we fancied it would blow over; that they would be severe
for a time, and that after making a report to the Emperor they would revert to
the old custom.
2182. At the time when a native was executed upon the square of the
factory did you think there was any likelihood of the trade being legalized?—
Our idea was this, that the government would take every possible means of
putting a stop to the trade, and that when they saw that the trade could not be
stopped then they would legalize it; our impression was that it was utterly
impossible to stop the trade.
2183. You thought it was out of their power to stop it ?—Yes.
2184. And that being reduced to the absolute despair of stopping it, they
would legalize it as the next best measure?—Yes.
2185. Was it not the impression of your senior partner, some months before
the arrival of Lin, that a crisis was approaching? Yes.
2186. But the rest of the partners of the house did not agree in that?--
I confess that I did not agree in it; I thought it very likely that no business
would be done for many months; we had not made any sales in Canton for
many months before Lin's arrival.
2187. Can you state the causes which led you to believe that it was impos-
sible for the Chinese government to stop the trade ?-Because all the officers
about Canton, from the highest to the lowest, all smoke opium; and I argued
in this way, that if the importation of wine into England was prohibited, I do
not fancy that any power in England could stop the importation of wine; that
those who could afford to pay a large sum for it, would have it in spite of any
government regulation.
2188. Was that the only circumstance, namely, the strong desire of the
people for opium, which led you to believe that it was impossible for the Chinese
Government to enforce the prohibition?-Unless the people wished for it, of
course it would not be imported.
2189. Was there any other circumstance besides the desire of the people for
opium that led you to believe that it would be very difficult for the Chinese
Government to stop the trade?-I do not recollect any other circumstance at
present, except that it was contrary to the interest of the authorities that it
should be stopped.
2190. You mean the provincial authorities?—Yes.
2191. Therefore you would mention the corruption of the authorities as
another circumstance which tended to make it impossible to stop the trade?-
Yes.
2192. Do you think also that the strength of the vessels in which the opium
was kept at Canton, and in which the opium was sent along the coast to the
eastward, compared with the weakness of the Chinese marine, was a material
impediment in the way of the Chinese government?—The strength of the
vessels alone would not have enabled foreigners to import opium; if the natives
were kept from going on board the vessels, no opium could be imported into
China.
2193. Supposing that the Chinese had had a very effective marine, and
supposing that the nation carrying on the opium trade had been very little
skilled in marine warfare, would not that have afforded some additional facility
to the Chinese government in putting a stop to the trade?-The importation
would have been less, perhaps, but it would not entirely have put a stop to it.
The Chinese who imported opium into the country would have to go further
for
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
141
for it; they would have to go a greater distance for it; they would have to go A. Matheson, Esq.
to Manilla or Singapore; but as it would still yield a large profit, it would be
imported to a certain extent.
1 June 1840.
2194. Can you state at what period you consulted with the Hong merchants
as to whether it was better to send away the ships?—I think it was the day
before I left Canton.
2195. Were the Hong merchants unanimous in giving the advice you have
stated? We did not consult them all; we consulted the second in rank among
the Hong merchants, Mowqua.
2196. Was Howqua consulted upon that subject?—No.
2197. Did Howqua give any advice upon the subject-We would not have
consulted Howqua upon the subject.
2198. Was not Howqua the man of greatest experience and sagacity among
the Hong merchants?-Yes; but he was not considered the most honest.
2199. Was not he considered as competent to give advice upon that parti-
cular subject; was not he considered a competent interpreter of the intentions
of the Chinese government?-He was not a party on whose advice we could
depend.
2200. Was there any sinister or private interest which would have been
likely to bias him?—I do not think that he was any friend to the English at
any time; he has always been linked with the Americans, and he has carried
on business in partnership with some of them.
2201. Did you anticipate that he would be more likely to give an opinion un-
favourable to the trade, and to exaggerate the dangers that were impending?-
The weight of any measure proposed by the government would fall upon his
shoulders, as being at the head of the Hong merchants, and he would give the
advice that would suit his own interests.
2202. Being the most responsible of them all, was not he the most compe-
tent to convey to you the real intentions of the government?-If we could
believe him; but we considered that he would not tell us the truth, at least
that we could not depend upon him.
2203. Supposing the government did not intend any serious measures with
respect to the opium trade, would it have been Howqua's interest to pre-
tend that they did?-If Howqua had been a man who upon other occasions
stated the truth, we might have found out by his answers; but we could not
tell whether he told us the truth or told us a falsehood.
2204. Mr. Hogg.] In matters unconnected with opium, where the interest.
of the merchants was at stake, was Howqua a person whom you would have
consulted ?—No, not upon business between foreigners and Chinese.
2205. Although it might be unconnected with the question of opium?-
Although unconnected with opium, he would have given us an interested answer.
2206. Mr. Clay.] You have stated that you believe the opium trade to have
been popular in Canton. Are you not aware that the hostility of the mob that
had collected round the factory was one of the dangers that was apprehended
by the British residents at Canton ?-When I spoke of its being popular, I
meant among the more intelligent classes; I do not suppose the mob cared
anything about it.
2207. Mr. Gladstone.] Was Mowqua the person upon whose ability and
fidelity you were most accustomed to rely to interpret the intentions of the
Chinese government ?—Yes.
2208. Is he a man of considerable ability?-He is dead; he was considered
a very honest man by foreigners.
2209. Was he a man of considerable property?—Not a man of much property.
2210. Howqua was a man of great property?—Yes.
2211. Howqua was an old man ?-Yes, rather old.
2212. And he had been longest a Hong merchant?-Mowqua's father was a
Hong merchant; Howqua was, I believe, originally a servant.
2213. Sir George Grey.] You have stated that, in your opinion, it was
impossible for the Chinese to stop the opium trade; have they in fact stopped
it, or does the trade still exist to a great extent upon the coast ?-It exists to a
great extent upon the coast.
2214. Chairman.] In China each house has particular relations with a
separate Hong merchant ?-Yes.
2215. And Mowqua was the person with whom you were more especially
T 3
connected?
142
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Matheson, Esq. connected?-We gave each of the merchants a share of our business, but
Mowqua was the man we had most confidence in.
1 June 1840.
2216. Had you much to do with Howqua ?-We had a good deal to do with
Howqua.
2217. Mr. Gladstone.] Did you ever find him otherwise than trustworthy in
his transactions?-In business transactions he was perfectly trustworthy, but
in political transactions we could not trust him.
2218. Chairman.] Was it his general character in Canton that he was not a
sincere man, as far as foreigners were concerned?—As far as the English were
concerned; he appeared to have always a leaning towards the Americans; he
found them more submissive and more easily managed.
2219. Has he not subsequently availed himself of the difficulties of trade in
Canton?—Yes; he is understood to have shipped tea largely to England, through
the Americans, since the difficulties commenced.
2220. Mr. Gladstone.] Not direct in American bottoms?-No, it is shipped
in American vessels at Whampoa, and the tea is transhipped afterwards at Hong
Kong to British vessels.
2221. Sir George Staunton.] Your reason for not consulting Howqua was,
that you apprehended that, from his great connexion with the government, the
opinion he would give you would not be an opinion for your own interest, but
an opinion conformable to the wishes and desires of the Chinese government?
-Precisely.
2222. Mr. Gladstone.] Have you any means of judging what opinion Howqua
would have given ?—I cannot tell.
2223. Mr. Hogg.] Is it your opinion that Howqua would have honestly
communicated to you the real wishes and intentions of the Chinese government,
or that he would have made his communication to you in conformity with his
own private interest?-He would have made his answer conformable to his
own private interest, certainly; he would have tried to make us do what would
give himself least trouble, as the middleman between us and the government.
2224. Could you have depended upon him as giving you a fair representation
of the wishes and intentions of the Chinese government ?-No, we could not.
2225. Mr. Gladstone.] Was the Viceroy in the habit of communicating
directly with several of the Hong merchants?-He used to have the Hong
merchants in his palace sometimes.
2226. Did he communicate with any one of them in particular confidentially,
or did he communicate with the body?-He sent for three or four of the senior
merchants; he did not communicate with them all upon matters of importance.
2227. But there was no one in particular with whom he communicated con-
fidentially?—He may have communicated sometimes with Howqua confiden-
tially. I do not know, but I have frequently heard of his sending for three or
four of the senior merchants, and having a conference with them.
K
2228. Are you aware that the Hong merchants, from the time when Captain
Elliot arrived in Canton, addressed to him frequently urgent entreaties to send
away the opium ships, even before the edicts were issued to that effect ?—I
believe the Hong merchants did.
2229. Do you imagine that they were sincere in their representations ?—I
fancy they were told by the Viceroy to make those representations.
2230. How then do you account for Mowqua's change of opinion between
the period of Captain Elliot's arrival, in 1837, and the month of March 1839,
when the measures against the opium trade, instead of relaxing, had become
more severe ?—I do not suppose there was a change of opinion. His communi-
cations to Captain Elliot were official; his communications with us were private,
as between one friend and another.
2231. Do you think that when he, in conjunction with his colleagues, urged
Captain Elliot to send away the ships, he did it as the mere organ of the
Viceroy, and that he did not at all suppose himself that any danger would arise
if the ships were not sent away?-Entirely as the organ of the Viceroy.
2232. You think that he did not anticipate any danger from the ships not
being sent away?-I think not.
2233. Will you state what means the foreign community possessed of becom-
ing acquainted with the tenor of the Chinese laws affecting foreigners; what
was the usual medium through which they were communicated?-We had no
means of knowing them except through the Hong merchants.
2234. And
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
143
2234. And also through the edicts which they conveyed to you?—Yes.
2235. Do you know the Chinese laws in any other form than in the form of
edicts?—No.
2236. You looked upon an edict therefore as equivalent to law?-We con-
sidered that there was no law at all.
2237. But so far as there was any law at all in China, you found that law,
and became acquainted with it, in the form of edicts ?—Yes; but we never
looked upon it as law; we saw it broken every day of our lives by the Chinese
themselves.
2238. The question refers not merely to the law respecting opium, but to
Chinese law in general; do you think that there was no law at all that was
accurately observed ?-None at all.
2239. Either relating to opium, or any other subject?—Yes; except the
duties, which they took care to collect.
2240. The duties were made known by practice?—Yes.
2241. Chairman.] Did not the foreigners apply very often for a copy of the
tariff? We did, and we never could get one.
2242. Mr. Gladstone.] But there was a constant promulgation of edicts on
various subjects?—There was a set of edicts published regularly every year;
the same edicts, almost verbatim, were stuck up against the factories every
year, and the very parties that stuck up the edicts laughed at them.
2243. Were all those edicts equally unsubstantial, and never carried into
practice?—Yes; by those edicts, no Chinaman, except the linguists and Hong
merchants, could come into our houses; but our counting-house was full of
Chinese, even on the very days on which the prohibitory edicts were issued.
2244. Sir G. Staunton.] Were those imperial edicts?-They were issued by
the heads of the Canton government; they were not imperial edicts.
2245. Chairman.] Was not there an imperial edict annually put up about
servants—It was issued by the government of Canton; it was not an imperial
edict, I believe.
2246. Mr. Gladstone.] Was it known in Canton that opium, if found in
foreign vessels or boats within the Bocca Tigris, was liable to confiscation?—
That might have been the case; I do not know.
2247. Was it known, that if found in the factories, opium would be liable to
confiscation, or if found entering the factories?-If found there, there is no
doubt of it.
2248. Then how was that known; was it known through any law, or through
any edict?—It was understood; I cannot say how it was known. The mer-
chants at Canton never had opium in their factories.
2249. In point of fact, do you mean that you had no formal and legal know-
ledge of any Chinese laws?-No.
2250. You gathered them, as well as you could, from experience?-We
gathered them, as well as we could, from practice.
2251. Do you remember any instance of any edict upon any subject affecting
foreigners coming down and being carried into execution ?—No, never.
2252. Were you in China in the year 1821, when the depôt was removed to
Lintin ?—No, that is 19 years ago.
2253. Are you aware whether that was done in consequence of an edict?—
I believe it was done by a private understanding with the Canton authorities.
2254. Does law exist in China in any other form than in the form of imperial
edicts?—I am not acquainted with the laws of China at all; I do not know the
language.
2255. You never heard of any laws being communicated to foreigners,
except in the shape of edicts?-Never.
2256. Chairman.] Was there not a long continued effort to get the tariff of
duties published?—Yes, it has been applied for many times, and we never could
get it.
2257. Was that tariff referred to in an imperial edict?—I am not sure;
I cannot state at present whether it was or not.
2258. Mr. Hogg.] Do you believe that there is in existence such a thing as
a tariff?—I believe there is.
2259. Has it ever been privately shown to you by any of the Hong mer-
chants?—No, never; there are a great number of additional charges put on in
Canton by the merchants and by the authorities.
0.59.
T 4
2260. Without
4
A. Matheson, Esq.
1 June 1840.
144
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Matheson, Esq.
1 June 1840.
2260. Without the sanction of the Emperor ?-I believe without his sanction.
2261. Do you suppose that that is the reason that difficulties have been
thrown in the way of your getting a copy of the tariff?-Yes, I believe it is not
expedient for them to explain the different items composing it.
2262. Fearing that the tariff so shown to you might be inconsistent with the
tariff as established by the imperial edict?—Yes.
2263. Sir IV. Somerville.] Was there any reason to suppose that Commis-
sioner Lin was coming for the purpose of relaxing the system?-Some of the
natives said so.
2264. Did the Hong merchants say anything of that kind?-I class them
with the other natives; they did not seem to know precisely what he was
coming to do.
2265. Did any of the Hong merchants give you reason to believe that the
Commissioner was coming down for the purpose of relaxing the system?—I do
not know that I heard any Hong merchant say so, but I have heard several in-
telligent Chinese say that they thought he was.
2266. Chairman.] Basing that opinion upon the discontent of the people
produced by the measures of the Viceroy?-Yes; and the apprehension of an
insurrection, provided the Viceroy's measures were continued.
2267. Sir IV. Somerville.] When the advice was given to remove the opium
ships, was it accompanied by any sort of hint that it was merely done in obe-
dience to the wishes of the Viceroy, or was it bona fide given?-It was mere
private advice, not at all coming from the viceroy.
2268. Mr. Hogg.] Did you effect your sales of opium through the medium
of the Hong merchants?—No, never.
2269. Mr. Gladstone.] Are you aware whether it had been a common thing,
before the arrival of Captain Elliot, habitually to make representations to the
company's supercargoes, desiring that the opium ships might be removed?-
That has been done.
2270. Was it done as an ordinary practice, or, when it was done, was it not
supposed that some peculiar measures were in contemplation?-No; it was
generally done once a year as matter of form.
2271. Was it only done once a year, as matter of form, in the time of
Captain Elliot ?—I believe so; his own despatches will show.
2272. Mr. Hogg.] Were there any leading Chinese merchants at Canton who
were publicly and generally known as dealing in opium more extensively than
any others?—Yes.
2273. After the issuing of Lin's edict, were those persons dealt with by the
Chinese government with any severity?-They disappeared, and were not to be
found when Lin came to Canton.
2274. Then the China merchants chiefly implicated in dealing in opium left
Canton, and absconded before the arrival of Lin?-Yes, they disappeared.
2275. Sir G. Staunton.] Are you aware whether it was stated in any of the
edicts what the consequence would be of the ships not leaving Lintin ?—Not
that I am aware of.
2276. There was no threat of confiscation?—No.
2277. Mr. Hogg.] Suppose the Chinese war junks had gone to Lintin, and
seized the opium by force, do you consider that those to whom the opium
belonged would have had any claim for compensation?-If they had seized the
opium, we would have had no claim, certainly.
2278. Chairman.] But you think they would have no right to seize it at
Lintin?—They would have no right to go on board a foreign vessel and
search it.
2279. If it had been seized, you would not have had the claim for compensa-
tion that you now have?—It would depend upon how it was seized; I supposed
the question meant if it was seized in a Chinese boat.
2280. Mr. Hogg.] The question referred to its being seized in a ship;
suppose the Chinese war junks had gone to Lintin, and had by force seized opium
as contraband, on board a British ship?-I apprehend they have no right what-
ever to go near our ships at Lintin, only within the Bocca Tigris; they never
sent custom-house officers on board the ships outside the Bocca Tigris; their
custom-house regulations do not extend beyond the Bocca Tigris.
2281. Is it your opinion that any seizure of opium as contraband by force
outside
•
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
145
outside the Bocca Tigris, would have been an act of hostile aggression, and not A. Matheson, Esq.
an enforcement of their own revenue laws?-Yes.
1 June 1840.
2282. Mr. Herbert.] You consider that the seizure of a cargo of opium
upon the coast would also have been an act of hostile aggression?—Yes.
2283. Though in the act of delivery ?-So long as it was on board a foreign
ship they have no right to touch it.
2284. Mr. Gladstone.] Do you consider that as the general sentiment of the
British community at Canton, that the opium ships lying at Lintin were out of
the jurisdiction of the Chinese, and likewise that opium ships on the coast
were out of their jurisdiction, even though they might be in the act of deli-
vering the opium into Chinese boats?-I believe it is the general opinion at
Canton, that the property of foreigners, so long as it is on board foreign vessels,
and so long as it is not in a Chinese port or harbour, is beyond the jurisdiction
of the Chinese.
2285. Do you imagine that that is the law that would prevail in this country
with respect to French and other vessels that might be engaged in contraband
trade upon our coast ?-No, I am aware that it is not.
2286. Sir G. Staunton.] In point of fact, the Chinese have never exercised
that jurisdiction ?—No.
2287. Mr. Gladstone.] Have they the power to take any one opium vessel;
do you believe that all the junks belonging to the Emperor of China could have
taken the opium ships at Lintin?—Not all of them at once.
2288.
2289.
2290.
2291.
2292.
2293:
2294. Mr. E. Buller.] Supposing Captain Elliot had explained to the British
merchants the illegality of the ships remaining at Lintin with their opium, and
supposing the Chinese had prepared to search the ships and to take possession
of the opium, and that he had warned them that they were not to resist the
Chinese authorities, but that they were bound to obey the Chinese authorities;
if in consequence of that representation from Captain Elliot, they had surren-
dered their opium, would they have had any claim against the British Govern-
ment for compensation ?-In that case the ships would have sailed away. After
such a notice as that from Captain Elliot, they would not have remained at
Lintin to be searched.
2295. Mr. Gladstone.] Do you think the merchants would have retained the
opium ships at Lintin if they had not believed that their property was under
the protection of the authorities of their country?-They considered themselves
certainly under the protection of the British authorities.
2296. Do you think if Captain Elliot had desired them to send the opium
ships away from Lintin, and had acquainted them that the British Government
could not be responsible for anything that might happen to them while they
were remaining there, that in that case they would have sent them away?
Yes; or if they did not send them away, they would have remained at their
own risk or peril.
2297. Chairman.] In that case, there would have been no claim for compen-
sation ?—Not for anything that was seized after a notice of that sort.
2298. Sir G. Grey.] When you say, that in the case supposed, the ships
would have been sent away, do you mean that the ships would have been sent
back to India with the opium in them, or that they would have been sent away
from Lintin, to deliver their cargoes along the coast-I think that, in the
first instance at least, they would have been sent to Singapore; the pro-
perty did not belong to the Canton merchants, and consequently they would
have waited the orders of the parties to whom the property belonged.
<<
2299. Was not a good deal of the opium ordinarily disposed of along the
coast previously to the stoppage of the trade in the river?-Yes.
2300. Did that come to the receiving ships at Lintin at all?—Yes, it went
from them.
2301. On the ships being directed to leave Lintin, why should not you have
sent the opium to the ordinary market, to which a great portion of it was in
the habit of going, and to which you sent, when you were alarmed by the fear
0.59.
U
of
146
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Matheson, Esq. of having it seized, a considerable portion of the opium under your control?
-I did not send it to be sold; I sent the vessels to cruize 100 miles off the
coast.
1 June 1840.
2302. You were understood to say, that one of those ships had actually
delivered a portion of her cargo on the coast?-Not one of those ships.
2303. Mr. Clay.] What distance is Lintin from the shore ?-Lintin is an
island.
2304. What width is the strait that separates Lintin from the main-land?-
I suppose about four or five miles.
2305. Is it in that strait that the shipping at Lintin ordinarily lies ?-No;
it is outside the island altogether. There is a projecting point; the island
terminates in a point, and the ships move from one side of the point to the
other, according to the quarter from which the wind blows. They seldom
anchor in the channel between Lintin and the main-land.
2306. Considering the state of equipment of the opium vessels, do you con-
sider that without the aid of a British ship of war they could have made suc-
cessful resistance against the Chinese junks, supposing they had been disposed
to seize the opium at Lintin?—Yes; the Chinese could not have seized it.
2307. Are you aware that that does not agree with the opinion expressed
by Captain Elliot?-I am not aware of that, but if so, I disagree with him.
2308. Sir G. Grey.] Your opinion is, that the trading ships might have
defended themselves against any force which the Chinese could bring against
them?-Unquestionably.
2309. You have stated that the opium trade is now going on along the coast;
can you state to what extent the trade has been interfered with by Commis-
sioner Lin's measures; that is to say, whether the quantity of opium actually
delivered in China has been materially diminished?-It has been diminished.
2310. To what extent ?--I cannot state the extent, but it has been diminished
unquestionably; perhaps to the extent of one-third.
2311. You conceive that the ordinary deliveries are one-third less now than
they were before Commissioner Lin arrived at Canton ?-Yes; fully one-third.
2312. Can you say what proportion of the trade was upon the coast, as
compared with that which went on at Lintin?—I suppose three-fourths of the
deliveries were at Lintin.
2313. There has been a considerable increase of deliveries upon the coast,
though it has not made full compensation for the stoppage of the trade at
Lintin?-Yes, considerable.
2314. Sir George Staunton.] Do you know how far they go up the coast ?—
They do not go up very far; the sales are chiefly about Amoy; they seldom go
as far as Nang-po.
2315. Sir George Grey.] Is it carried on upon the coast with the connivance
of the local authorities?—Yes.
2316. Chairman.] Have you any doubt, if Captain Elliot had taken the
same steps to stop the trade at Lintin as he took to stop the trade in the river,
and had issued orders to the European residents, and the foreign community,
to give up their trade, that, as regards the English merchants, however onerous
they might have thought his orders to be, they would have obeyed them?
I think they would. When he ordered the river trade to be stopped, which
was carried on by an inferior class of people, the principal merchants assisted
him in putting a stop to it.
2317. And you think they would have taken the same course subsequently
if he had issued the same orders with regard to the trade at Lintin?—Yes;
without the assistance of the principal merchants he could not have stopped
the river trade.
•
2318. Mr. E. Buller.] Were those orders to stop the river trade immediately
obeyed?—Almost immediately; there were some people engaged in it who
were not British subjects, and those people did not at once obey the order;
they did not consider themselves bound to obey Captain Elliot's orders; they
were Portuguese.
2319. Do you recollect the date of Captain Elliot's order to suppress that
trade?—-It was in December, I think; it was either in December 1838, or in
January 1839; I recollect it, because I was a member of the Chamber of
Commerce, and I was one of the committee who corresponded with him upon
the subject.
2320. Do
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
147
;
2320. Do you
recollect the time of his going down with the Chinese autho- A. Matheson, Esa
rities to Whampoa to put an end to the river trade?-He was at Whampoa for
some time.
1 June 1840.
2321. Did not a considerable interval elapse between his issuing the order
for the suppression of the trade, and his going down with the Chinese autho-
rities to Whampoa to put an end to it?-I do not know that he ever went with
the Chinese authorities; I do not think he ever acted in concert with them in
putting a stop to the trade; he offered his assistance, and the answer he got
was, that they did not want his assistance; that if they chose to put a stop to
the trade, they would do it in 10 minutes, without his assistance, or without
consulting him at all; they treated his offer of assistance with the utmost
contempt.
2322. Mr. Clay.] After the opium had been made over to you which was
under the control of your house, except the small quantity to which you have
referred, you considered that you were entitled to act entirely upon your own
discretion as to surrendering that opium to the Chinese government?—Yes; I
would not have surrendered it to the Chinese government.
2323. Then when the order for the surrender came from Captain Elliot, it
was upon your own judgment solely that you acted?-That was a different
matter altogether; that was a matter between the representative of our own
Government and us. An order came down from the house in Canton, and of
course I complied with it.
?--Yes.
2324. Without exercising your own judgment upon it?
2325. Was any copy of Captain Elliot's order sent to you?-The whole came
to me.
2326. Did not that state that he was himself in a state of duresse; that he and
all the other foreigners were in a state of great danger?—Yes.
2327. Did not it occur to you that it might be wise to exercise your own judg-
ment as to surrendering the opium under an order which had evidently been issued
under coercion?—I felt bound to obey the order.
2328. Should you have felt bound to obey that order, supposing, for instance,
that Captain Elliot and the other British residents had been in no danger or coer-
cion?—I would have obeyed Captain Elliot's order as the representative of the
British Government. The opium was deposited in our hands to dispose of it, and
the money of the British Government was as good as any other money we could
get for it.
2329. You considered Captain Elliot as good a customer as any other; but
should you have supposed it possible, except under the circumstances of difficulty
in which Captain Elliot was placed, that he had power to direct the surrender to
himself of the opium under your control?-He was represented to us as sent out
to China expressly to manage the foreign trade, and we felt bound to attend to his
orders in matters relating to trade.
2330. Will you state on what ground you could have supposed that from the
office he held he could have had any power or authority to request from you the
surrender of that opium, to be paid for by the British Government, except under
circumstances so extraordinary as those in which he was placed ?—He had driven
the opium trade from Whampoa.
2331. Do you consider, except under the circumstances of extreme danger and
difficulty in which you were aware that he was placed, that simply by his mere
authority he could have asked for, or that you would have been justified in resign-
ing the opium under your control?-Not without a guarantee for the payment of
it. If Captain Elliot had been at perfect liberty, and if he had said to me,
"I want all the opium which you have under your control, and if you will give it
up to me it shall be justly paid for," I would have given it up to him. He might
have had some necessity for it which I was not aware of, and if he guaranteed
to me that the British Government would pay me for it, that was enough.
2332. And upon that you
would have exercised no discretion ?-No.
ww
2333. If six months before the time the requisition was made he had required
you to surrender your opium, would you have done so?-Under the guarantee
which he gave us at Canton I would.
2334. Then, without any circumstances of difficulty or danger, you would
equally have obeyed the requisition?—I should consider that we were bound to
obey it.
2335. Would it never have occurred to you to doubt whether any consular
agent
U 2
148
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Matheson, Esq. agent had any such authority ?--We did not look upon him exactly like a consular
agent; he always represented to us that he had powers and instructions which he
was not at liberty to communicate to us.
1 June 1840.
2336. Do you think that the supercargoes of the East India Company would
have had such an authority?-We would have delivered up opium to the super-
cargoes if they had demanded it, and given us a guarantee to pay for it.
2337. Are you acquainted with the nature of the powers which the super-
cargoes possessed, and are you not aware that they had no such power?-If they
were acting for the East India Company, the East India Company would have
held us harmless; they were responsible for the acts of their servants.
2338. Were you not aware that the power they possessed was that of sending
ships or individuals away from China, and that that was the limit of their power?
-They had the power of confiscation. Under the Company, we were in China
by sufferance merely.
2339. Do you mean to say, that apart from all circumstances of difficulty or
danger, you would have exercised no judgment upon the power of Captain
Elliot to demand from you the surrender of the opium under your control?-On
his giving a sufficient document for it, upon which I could afterwards claim from
the Government; I would not have surrendered it without a guarantee for
payment.
2340. Sir George Staunton.] You considered, from your knowledge of Captain
Elliot, that he would not have assumed a power which he did not possess?
Certainly not.
2341. Sir George Grey.] The circumstances of difficulty and danger in which
he appeared to be placed made no alteration in your mind as to the validity of the
guarantee ?—None in the world.
2342. Mr. Herbert.] The circumstances in which the British community were
placed made the necessity of giving up the opium still stronger?—Yes.
2343. Sir George Grey.] That necessity arose from an apprehension of what
the Chinese would do to compel its surrender, if it were not surrendered in the
manner demanded by Captain Elliot ?-There is no saying what they might have
done I was not much afraid of violence being used.
2344. Why did the circumstances of difficulty and danger, in which it appeared
that Captain Elliot and the foreign community were placed, render the necessity
for the surrender of the opium in your opinion greater?-I would have given up
the opium under any circumstances, on receiving a guarantee for the payment of
it; but of course the circumstance of Captain Elliot and the other parties being
in an unpleasant situation might have some influence, but not any material influ-
ence, on my determination.
2345. Chairman.] Had you any apprehensions while you were at Macao for
the lives or safety of your partners?—I had no fear for their lives; I did think
that they would be placed in very uncomfortable circumstances for a time.
2346. Sir George Grey.] Do you still retain your opinion, or have subsequent
events led you to modify it, that their lives were in no danger?—I do not think
the Chinese would have taken the life of any man; if they had taken the life of
any, I think it would have been Captain Elliot's.
2347. Mr. E. Buller.] Do you think they could have effectually resisted the
demand of the Chinese to surrender the opium ?-The opium would have been
sent away, and what could the Chinese do?
2348. Sir George Staunton.] You think that better terms might have been
made?-I think that we might have been obliged to surrender 2,000 or 3,000
chests, but not 20,000.
2349. Mr. E. Buller.] How could the opium have been sent away when your
communication was stopped?-I was ready to send away our proportion, and I
was in the act of sending it away.
2350. You sent it to a certain distance, but still it was within the reach of the
orders of your house?-No, it was not; not what I sent away.
2351. In point of fact, you brought it back again when you pleased ?—I did;
but that was my own act.
2352. But you would have been equally obliged to call it back supposing the
Chinese had pursued their measures of coercion to such an extent as to make you
fear that your partners at Canton were really in danger?-I would not have
called it back, unless I saw that their lives were in danger.
2353. It
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
149
2353. It would entirely have depended upon the degree of coercion exercised A. Matheson, Esq.
by the Chinese authorities?—It would.
1 June 1840.
2354. Mr. Hogg.] Supposing Captain Elliot had said, "I cannot, and will not,
order the delivery to the Chinese government of any opium, but I will order all
the ships to sail away from Lintin;" do you apprehend that in that case the
Chinese government would have proceeded to any act of violence towards Captain
Elliot himself, or any of the foreigners then resident in Canton ?-When we
offered to the Hong merchants to deliver up the 1,037 chests, part of the agree-
ment made was that on those 1,037 chests being accepted, the merchants in
Canton would abstain from trading in opium for the future, and that all the
opium they had then under their control belonging to other parties would be sent
back to India; that the ships would sail away with it.
2355. Sir George Grey.] Were those terms accepted?—No, they were not
accepted.
2356. Mr. Hogg.] As far as you are competent to form an opinion from the
circumstances at the time, and from the circumstances that have occurred since,
do you believe that if Captain Elliot had resolutely refused to order the delivery
up of the opium, and had simply said, "I desire the ships to sail away," that in
consequence of such refusal the Chinese government would have had recourse to
any acts of violence either towards the British residents generally, or Captain
Elliot in particular?—I think there would have been a very protracted negotiation,
and that it would have terminated in a compromise.
2357. Chairman.] You were understood to say, that the Portuguese were
called upon at Macao to give up their opium, and that they sent it to Manilla
and gave up none. Were there any Portuguese at Canton ?-There were some.
2358. Sir George Grey.] Owners of opium?-No, they had no opium.
2359. Chairman.] Supposing the Chinese had wished to seize the native
Portuguese at Canton, and to hold them responsible for the opium at Macao, they
might have done so ?-They might have done so.
2360. Mr. Herbert.] The Portuguese evaded that difficulty by sending their
cpium away, and you think you might have done the same thing? We might have
done the same thing.
2361. Mr. Hogg.] Where was the opium belonging to the Portuguese that they
sent away?—Nearly all was on shore at Macao; about two-thirds of it in their
warehouses.
2362. Mr. Clay.] The power of the Chinese government is as complete at
Macao as at Canton ?-So far as jurisdiction goes.
2363. Supposing they had chosen to take those people dealing at Macao, would
there have been anything to prevent their doing so?-They have not the physi-
cal power to do it.
2364. Sir George Grey.] An offer to surrender part, and to send away the
whole of the rest, was distinctly made to the Chinese authorities, and distinctly
refused ?—It was made to the Hong merchants, and no answer was returned;
we understood that it was not accepted, that the quantity was considered too
small.
2365. Was it merely a question of quantity; was it understood that if a larger
portion had been offered to be surrendered, it would probably have been accepted?
-That was the impression upon my mind, but I am not aware of any general un-
derstanding to that effect.
2366. They continued their demand for the surrender of the whole ?—Yes.
2367. Mr. Clay.] You said that it was supposed that had Captain Elliot de-
clined to interfere, and the Chinese had continued their system of coercion, the
matter might have been ended by a compromise; that is to say, on the one hand,
by a larger quantity being surrendered by the merchants at Canton than the
thousand chests; and by the Chinese, on the other hand, accepting less than the
total quantity required?—Yes; and it was understood that those 1,037 chests were
to be paid for.
2368. Sir George Grey.] Did the offer imply that?-It was understood that it
was to be paid for.
2369. Mr. Clay.] How does that appear ?-It does not appear in any written
document.
2370. Sir W. Somerville.] At the full price?-There was no price fixed, but the
merchants agreed to give up that quantity in order to save the lives of the Hong
merchants, which the Hong merchants represented to be in danger. There was
no
0.59.
v 3
150
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Matheson, Esq. no time for much deliberation on the subject, but it was privately understood that
the Hong merchants were to recompense the foreigners for their opium. There
was no specific treaty as to the value of it.
1 June 1840.
2371. Recurring to the possible compromise which you suppose might have
been the result of a prolonged negotiation, should you, in that case, having, indi-
vidually, the entire control of the opium belonging to your house, have been
willing to be a party to that compromise by surrendering the opium, or any part of
it, under your own immediate control ?-Very likely I might; it would depend
upon the quantum of advantage resulting from the compromise.
2372. Supposing the result of that negotiation had been that the merchants had
agreed to give up one-half of the total quantity required, then in such case, al-
though you were yourself beyond the reach of danger, and although the opium
under your control was beyond the reach of the Chinese government, you would
not have thought it right to hesitate to give up that portion of your opium which
was comprehended within the compromise?-It is impossible to say what I might
do under such circumstances; but I would stretch a point of course to meet their
wishes, and to bring a business of the sort as speedily as possible to a conclusion
I would go as far as I reasonably could go in carrying a compromise of that sort
into effect.
15
2373. Judging from what you have subsequently seen of the determination of
the Chinese authorities, is it your opinion that they would have been satisfied with
any quantity short of the whole, having in their power the persons of the British
residents in Canton ?—I think they would have been satisfied with a compromise
short of the whole.
2374. Would it have been a compromise in your judgment, much short of the
whole-Yes, considerably.
2375. Mr. E. Buller.] Supposing the Chinese authorities to have been inclined
to proceed to extremities, what power of resistance had the British merchants at
Canton ?-None at all.
2376. Could they have forced their way out?—I think not; some people think
they might, but I think not.
2377. Your opinion is, that they were absolutely in the power of the Chinese
authorities?-Yes, absolutely.
2378. That there was nothing to prevent their carrying their measures actually
to starvation, if they had so thought fit? Yes; the Chinese had the power of
doing so.
2379. Mr. Hogg.] Are you rightly understood to say, that it is your opinion,
that if Captain Elliot had returned to Macao, and left the merchants and foreigners
to manage for themselves, they would have made a much better bargain, and a
much more beneficial arrangement for themselves?—Yes, certainly.
2380. Sir G. Grey.] Have you seen the memorial addressed by the resident
merchants at Canton to Lord Palmerston ?—Yes.
2381. Your opinion is essentially different from the opinion of the parties that
signed that memorial?—Yes; we did not sign it.
2382. You retain that opinion still ?—Yes.
2383. With the exception of your house, did every other house at Canton
sign it? I am not sure; I have not seen it since the signatures have been
affixed.
2384. Mr. E. Buller.] Do you suppose that the merchants, in the event sup-
posed in the former question, would have acted in a body?—Yes, I think that they
would; the Chamber of Commerce would have acted in a body.
2385. Had not one house in particular, some idea of making the best bargain
they could for themselves; Dent's house?—I do not know; I was not in communi-
cation with them at the time..
2386. Mr. Hogg.] Do not you think, that the pressure of a common danger
would have united the merchants in one course of action and conduct?—Yes,
I do.
2387. Mr. Brownrigg.] You stated, in speaking of the authority of Captain
Elliot, that you conceived that he would not have given any orders, or taken upon
himself any responsibility, which his instructions did not warrant; you would not
of course suppose that the Government deputing Captain Elliot, could give him
greater powers than they could exercise themselves, and of course you would be
aware that the Executive Government in this country could not possibly guarantee
the payment of a large sum of that kind, but could only make it conditional upon
the
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
151
the consent of Parliament ?—In a distant part of the world like that, there must be A. Matheson, Esq.
a great deal of discretionary power given to an official person; he must act upon
1 June 1840.
his own responsibility and authority. We had confidence in Captain Elliot, as
the representative of the British Government, that he would act rightly; there
were no doubts among the foreign community at the time, as to the validity of
his guarantee.
2388. Sir George Grey.] You felt yourself at liberty to deal with Captain
Elliot for a price, but you did not feel bound to surrender the opium without com-
pensation ?-Certainly.
2389. Sir William Somerville.] If Captain Elliot's proclamation, desiring you
to give up the opium, had contained no guarantee for repayment, you would not
have delivered it up ?-I was not upon the spot myself; but 1 think that many
persons would not have delivered it up.
2390. Supposing a similar order had come from any of your own partners, say-
ing that they were in duresse, and desiring you to give up the opium, would you
have done it then?-The opium was put in my power with the object that I might
not do it under such circumstances.
2391. Was that the understanding before you left Canton ?-No; because it
was not known before I left Canton, that Lin was going to adopt the measures
which he did adopt.
2392. Sir George Grey.] You stated that there was an apprehension, that
owing to the measures which were in contemplation, the opium might be in dan-
ger, and that on that account you were sent to Lintin to be able to act according
to circumstances, upon your own discretion ?--Yes; but the opium was not placed
at my disposal till after that.
2393. After your arrival at Macao, was the opium placed at your disposal in
order that it might be alleged to the Chinese authorities that it was out of the
power of the members of your firm at Canton ?-The opium was placed at my
disposal the day after the firm had agreed to give up their portion of the 1,037
chests.
2394. With the view of removing it ostensibly from their control?-With the
view of putting it out of their power to surrender a larger quantity.
2395. If
you had heard from your partners at Canton that they were subject
to duresse, which they apprehended would endanger their lives, and if you had
been satisfied of the truth of that representation, should you have felt yourself still
bound to disobey the injunction from them to surrender the opium to Captain
Elliot or to the Chinese, even without compensation, for the sake of saving their
lives?—It is impossible to say what I might have done under certain circum-
stances.
2396. Was a discretion vested in you to act according to circumstances, or were
you bound beforehand to disobey such an injunction from your partners ?—I was
left to my own discretion.
2397. And you would have been guided by your belief of the actual state of
circumstances at Canton at the moment?—Yes, I would.
2398. Chairman.] If you had not felt yourself bound by Captain Elliot's order,
you would not have acted upon it?—No.
2399. Mr. E. Buller.] Was there anything in your opinion to prevent the
Chinese authorities proceeding to those severities, which would have compelled
you to surrender the opium, supposing Lin to be a man determined to carry out
his views? There was no power of resistance.
2400. Mr. Hogg.] You have stated that the peculiar circumstances did not
much influence your opinion as to the validity of the guarantee, and that you con-
sidered yourself as obeying the general authority of Captain Elliot. In settling
the value of the opium, then, how came you to fix the value at prime cost instead
of demanding the market price, which you would have been entitled to do, viewing,
as you have stated you did, Captain Elliot as an ordinary purchaser?-The price
was not settled at all with Captain Elliot.
2401. Was not the price subsequently settled upon an estimate ?-It is not
settled up to this hour.
2402. Was there not a meeting of the merchants to fix the price that should
be demanded for the opium, and although no price was actually fixed, was not the
principle understood to be to demand the prime cost and charges without any
profit?—Yes; I recollect an understanding of that sort; the reason of that was
U 4
2422. Do
0.59.
152
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Matheson, Esq. that we could not quote a market price. We had made no sales in Canton five
months previously to the surrender of the opium, and we were holding on the
property for a change of times.
1 June 1840.
2403. Mr. Brownrigg.] After you went down to Macao on the 12th of March,
you had frequent communications with your partners, you said almost up to the
time of Captain Elliot's quitting Macao, to go up to Canton ?—Yes; I had letters.
2404. Had you any communication with your partners after Captain Elliot went,
except the one regarding the delivering up of the opium ?—Several.
2405. So that they could communicate with you by letter; the means of com-
munication were not entirely cut off?-No; but they were very small letters; I have
got one of their letters in my pocket, which came rolled up inside a cigar, without
any address upon it (producing a very small piece of paper). I paid 50 dollars
for this letter.
2406. Mr. Hogg.] What is the date of that letter?-The 27th of March.
2407. That is the day upon which Captain Elliot issued the requisition ?—Yes.
2408. Are you aware whether Captain Blake received any communication from
Captain Elliot during that time, between the 23d of March and the 27th ?-I am
not aware; but those communications which I received I immediately communi-
cated to Captain Blake.
2409. Sir George Grey.] Have you any objection to state the nature of that
communication which you hold in your hand?-None at all; it is merely stating
that the opium had been all surrendered to Captain Elliot, and requesting me to
communicate to Captain Blake.
2410. Is there any statement in it of the existing condition of the foreign com-
munity?—No; except that "We are all well; everything is settled, by our agreeing
to give up all the opium to Captain Elliot; please communicate this to Captain
Blake."
2411. Mr. Brownrigg.] You said that you received a letter on the day that
Captain Elliot left Macao, and that you received some intervening letters; did any
of those letters state the great alarm that the community were in?—Yes; they
stated that they were a good deal excited.
2412. But not expressing any apprehension for their lives ?—No.
2413. Sir George Grey.] Have you any doubt that great apprehension did
exist on the part of the British merchants at Canton?-There were many people
in Canton at the time who had been a very short period there, and who did not
know much of China, and who were a good deal alarmed.
2414. Are you aware that the memorial to Lord Palmerston, which was signed
by almost all the foreign community of Canton, states, that their lives and pro-
perty were in great danger at the time of Captain Elliot's arrival at Canton ?-I
believe there were many who signed that document who never read it.
2415. Do you believe that that document does not contain the real opinions of
all the parties whose names are signed to it?—Yes.
2416. Here is the house of Dent & Company; do you suppose that the firm,
consisting of Mr. Dent and his partners, signed that memorial, and were parties to
addressing it to the British Government, without having read it?-I think that one
of Mr. Dent's partners had a hand in preparing the document.
2417. Do you doubt that they really entertained an opinion that life and
property were in danger at the time of Capt. Elliot's arrival?—The partner of
Mr. Dent who managed the opium business had not been in China above six
months, I think (Mr. Braine), and I believe that he was the party who prepared
that memorial.
2418. You have not looked at the signatures to the memorial?-I do not
recollect at present the signatures.
2419. Were there not then resident at Canton members of firms who had for
years resided there?—Not many; there were not many old residents there.
2420. Chairman.] The great bulk of those persons had taken up their residence.
at Canton at the expiration of the Company's charter?-Yes; some within 18
months.
2421. Sir George Grey.] Do you doubt that the document truly expressed the
opinions of the parties who signed it, although those parties, from having recently
arrived there, might not be able to form a correct opinion?—I think that many
signed it who were not able to form a correct opinion.
2422. Do
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
153
2422. Do you doubt that it correctly expressed the opinion of the parties that 4. Matheson, Esq.
si gned it? I
t?—I suppose it did.
1 June 1840.
2423. Have you any doubt that the signatures comprised almost all the British
firms resident at Canton ?-It is only a few years since there were more than
three British firms there.
2424. Will you have the goodness to run your eye over these names, and state
whether you conceive that these firms formed a fair representation of the existing
British firms at Canton at that time?-(The memorial being shown to the Witness) —
Yes, they did.
2425. Do you find any omission of the principal firms at Canton, with the
exception of your own, from those signatures ?-No.
2426. Mr. Hogg.] The date of that document is the 23d of May ?-It is.
2427. Sir George Grey.] Does not it refer to the period of Captain Elliot's
arrival at Canton - Yes, it does.
2428. Mr. Hogy.] Is it your opinion that the feelings of those persons, as ex-
pressed in that document, were very much influenced by the conduct of Lin,
subsequently to the month of March, and that their feelings of danger and appre-
hension are probably more strongly expressed in the month of May than they
would have been if the document had been signed on the 26th of March ?-I
think their feelings in May were different from what they were in March.
2429. Do you not think that in May their feeling of danger, and their appre-
hension of violence from the Chinese government in consequence of the subse-
quent conduct of Lin, were much greater than they were in March ?—I think so;
Lin had acted much more treacherously, and done a great deal more than people
could have anticipated in March.
2430. Sir G. Grey.] Then at the date of that document you think they had
better evidence of Lin's intentions, and were therefore more competent to form a
correct opinion than they were in March ?--I think that Lin went much further than
he at first intended; that the facility with which his orders were submitted to
encouraged him to go further.
2431. Chairman.] And therefore that in May the sense of the danger they had
escaped was greater than when they were actually in it, in March? Yes, I
believe so.
2432. Sir G. Grey.] You think they had better evidence upon which to
form an opinion in the month of May than they had in March?—Yes; I think
that if there had been more firmness in March, Lin would not have gone the
length which he went to.
2433. Mr. Hogg.] Do you think that if the memorial had been prepared and
signed on the 26th of March, it would have been expressed in terms so strong,
with reference to their apprehension of danger, as the terms which exist in that
document, assuming the signatures to it to be the same, or do you think that those
strong expressions of danger have been induced by subsequent events?-I think
that subsequent events made them believe that they were in greater danger than
they supposed themselves to be in at the time.
2434. Mr. Brownrigg.] It appears that about three-fourths of the signatures to
this are Parsees; do you suppose that they all could read English?—I do not sup-
pose that the majority of them ever read the memorial.
2435. Sir. George Grey.] Were the transactions of those Parsees who have
signed that document with native Englishmen at Canton carried on in English?
Yes, in English.
2436. Mr. Gladstone.] You have said that the trade upon the coast is now
carried on with the connivance of the local authorities; have you any authentic
information upon that subject?—I have no documents to prove it.
2437. Do you derive your impression from mere rumour ?-Mere rumour.
2438. How far does it go; does it relate to certain particular parts?—Not to
any particular part.
2439. Does it relate to any particular class of authorities ?—It relates to the
petty mandarins along the coast.
2440. Not to persons of authority or station ?—No.
2441. Sir George Grey.] Is your firm at present engaged in the trade upon the
coast?-Indirectly it is.
2442. Does your firm receive direct accounts of the mode in which the trade is
carried on?—Yes.
0.59.
2443. Mr.
X
154
MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
A. Matheson, Esq.
1 June 1840.
છે
2443. Mr. Gladstone.] Those accounts do not inform you that there is conni-
vance on the part of persons of authority upon the coast?-No.
2444. Chairman.] Is the ground upon which you assume that supposed conni-
vance the knowledge of sales being made?-Sales being made; and I know that
the mandarins, up to the time of my leaving, connived at the trade.
2445. Sir George Grey.] Do not you find that greater obstruction exists to the
trade upon the coast since Commissioner Lin's measures than existed previously?
-Yes; the purchases are upon a smaller scale.
2446. With a view to concealment ?—Yes; they buy less at one time.
2447. Chairman.] That is, the number of persons engaged in the trade is more
numerous ?—Yes; but each one takes a smaller quantity.
2448. Sir George Grey.] Has the price been raised considerably?—Yes.
2449. Mr. Brownrigg.] Has it not sold as high as 900 dollars a chest?—It
may have been, in one instance or two.
2450. Mr. Herbert.] What is the mode of obstruction which the Chinese adopt
upon the coast; do they attack the opium ships?-Never; the mode in which they
try to prevent it is, to prevent the natives going off to the ships.
2451. And to intercept the landing of it in boats?—Yes.
2452. Sir George Grey.] Is it always taken ashore in native boats ?—Always;
the opium never goes over the ship's side till it is paid for; it is then put into
bags, and the natives carry it away about their persons, and in various ways.
•
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
155
0.59.
APPENDIX.
X 2.
156
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
:
LIST OF APPENDIX.
PAPERS delivered in by James William Freshfield, Jun. Esq., 30 April 1840; viz.
I.
EXTRACTS from PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS and EVIDENCE as to the Connexion of the
Trade in Opium between India and China with the Revenue Administration of British India,
and the part and interest taken by the East India Company and its Officers therein :
(A.)—Report of the Committee of the House of Commons, 1830 (Parliamentary Paper,
No. 644.) -
- p. 157
(B.)-Report of the Committee of the House of Commons, 1831, Appendix 1 (Parlia-
mentary Paper, No. 320—a.)
• p. 160
(C.)--Report of the Committee of the House of Commons, 1831, Appendix 4 (Parliamen-
tary Paper, No. 320-D.)
-
- p. 161
(D.)-Report of the Committee of the House of Commons, 1832; II. Finance, Part 1,
(Parliamentary Paper, No. 735–II.)
p. 165
(E.)—Report of the Committee of the House of Commons, 1832; III. Revenue, Part 2,
(Parliamentary Paper, No. 735-III.)
P. 166
(F.)-Report of Committee of House of Lords, 1830 (Parliamentary Paper, No. 646.) p. 170
}
น
II.
EXTRACTS from PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS as to the Character of Chinese Edicts:
(G.) Third Report of the Committee of the House of Commons, 1831, Appendices I. & II.
(Parliamentary Paper, 1831, No. 320-A. 320-B.)
- p. 171
-
-
III.
EXTRACTS from Acts of PARLIAMENT, SECRET CONSULTATIONS of the Select Committee
at Canton, and EVIDENCE given before the Select Committees of both Houses of Parliament,
on the Affairs of the East India Company, as to the Powers and Authorities and Public
Character of the Select Committee of Supracargoes at Canton, prior to the 21st day of April
1834:
·
(H.)-Act 26 Geo. 3, c. 57
(I.)—Act 33 Geo. 3, c. 52
(K.)—Act 53 Geo. 3, c. 155
(L.)--Forms of East India Company's Licence to Country Ships trading between Calcutta
and Canton
-
J
-
·
I
-
-
I p. 176
(M.)-Report of Committee of House of Lords, 1830 (Parliamentary Paper, No. 646,
1830)
p. 178
(N.)-Second and Third Reports of Committee of the House of Commons on East India
Affairs, Evidence, 1830 (Parliamentary Paper, No. 644, 1830)
p. 178
(0.) Third Report of Committee of House of Commons, 1831, Appendix I. (Parliamentary
Paper, No. 320–A. 1831)
- p. 179
By
(P.)-Third Report of Committee of House of Commons, 1831, Appendix II. (Parliamentary
Paper, No. 320-B. 1831)
(Q.)-Act 3 & 4 Will. 4, c. 93
(R.)-Order in Council of 9 December 1833
p. 173
-
p. 173
p. 175
G
- p. 179
p. 180
-
G
PAPERS delivered in by W. Jardine, Esq., 18 May 1840; viz.
(1.)-Order in Council, 3 April 1840
- p. 181
(2)—Order in Council, 4 April 1840
p. 182
(3).-Claims for Indemnity for Opium surrendered by Messrs. Jardine, Matheson
& Co.
P. 183
(4.)—(A.)—Statement of Purchases of Patna Opium by Messrs. Jardine, Matheson
& Co.
p. 180
(B.) — Statement of Purchases of Malwa Opium by Messrs. Jardine, Matheson
& Co.
p. 186
P. 186
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
157
APPENDIX.
PAPERS DELIVERED IN BY J. W. FRESHFIELD, JUN. ESQ.
↓
I.
I.
EXTRACTS, EVIDENCE, &c. as to the connexion of the Trade in Opium between India and Trade in Opium
China with the Revenue Administration of British India.
between India and
China.
(A. 1.)-First Report from Select Committee on the Affairs of the East India Company,
ordered to be printed, 8 July 1830. (Parliamentary Paper, No. 644.)
THE foreign trade, which is now restricted to Canton, except in the case of the Spaniards,
who have still access to Amoy, a privilege stated to be merely nominal, and very rarely used,
was formerly carried on in other ports, from which foreigners were gradually excluded by
Acts of the Chinese Government.
In spite of these restrictions, however, it is stated that a contraband trade, chiefly in opium,
has of late been openly carried on (without any disturbance from the Chinese authorities)
with the ports to the north-east of Canton, which are represented to be safe and excellent
harbours.
Smuggling in various articles is carried on in China to an immense extent, and to the in-
jury of the Hong merchants, who are never concerned in it. It takes place chiefly in the
contraband article of opium, which is imported into China in country and American ships,
and much of which is purchased at the Company's sales in India.
The Chinese Government prohibits the use of opium upon a moral principle; but this pro-
hibition, although frequently reiterated in Imperial proclamations, is not only disregarded by
the people, but also by the Government officers, who appear systematically to connive at
the smuggling of opium, and to derive a large profit from the bribes of the smugglers. The
Company's servants in India and China are cognizant of the fact that the opium sold
at their sales is conveyed to China, but they are expressly prohibited from having any deal-
ings whatever in that article.
The trade in opium, which is altogether contraband, has been largely extended of late
years, and is conducted by private merchants, British and American. The opium is readily
disposed of in China, and the returns of merchandize from China to India not being pro-
portioned to the value of the opium, many of the ships go back in ballast,' taking their sale
proceeds either in bills on India or in specie, the exportation of which requires a licence from
the Chinese authorities. This permission is granted occasionally for dollars, but never for
native silver, usually called sycee. Both are however constantly exported by private
traders to India in spite of the prohibition, and the whole export of silver by different parties
has in some years considerably overbalanced the importation of dollars.
(A. 2.)—Evidence of C. Marjoribanks, Esq. (Parliamentary Paper, No. 644.)
705. You have given in a table showing that the barter trade in the year ending the 30th
of June 1828 in the court of Canton amounted to 20,364,000 dollars; can you state what
proportion that bears of the whole foreign trade at Canton ?-I could give a statement of
the amount of American trade, if it were not already before the Committee, and a compa-
rison of the two statements with that of the Dutch included, would give the result. I should
say the British trade at Canton is very considerably beyond all the others.
706. By this statement it appears that the trade on the part of the Company imports
4,518,000 dollars, and that on private accounts including 11,243,000 dollars. The amount
by the private individuals is 12,365,000 dollars. Will you state in what manner this account
is made up, to enable them to show the amount of imports of opium, when it is a prohibited
article?—I have already stated that though the committee in China are confined in their
commercial dealings to the Hong merchants, yet like every other description of persons in
their situation, they receive information from every source which they consider good, and
when they are desired by their employers to furnish them with accounts of the opium trade
or others, they consider it their duty to make such inquiries as may elicit the best informa-
tion upon those subjects. Not dealing in opium themselves, they cannot speak to the prac-
tical part, but they receive information from British agents and others who deal in it. The
friendly intercourse which has always existed between the respectable class of British mer-
chants in China and the representatives of the Company induces the British merchants to
communicate readily information upon those subjects, at least I have always found it so.
0.59.
x 3
707. It
p. v.
P. vi.
p. x.
p. 63.
i
I.
Trade in Opium
between India and
China.
158
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
707. It is stated here, that 3,080 chests of Malwa opium is valued at 1,185 dollars per
chest; in what manner is that valuation obtained?—From the sale. Those prices are not
put down by the Company's servants; they are obtained from the British merchants who
deal in opium.
708. Are the Committee to understand that although the trade of opium is prohibited
under very severe penalties, yet that the quantity imported, and the prices at which it is
sold, is as regularly known as any other article which is authorized and regularly imported?
-It is made no secret of; it is generally known by the parties who deal in it, and they
communicate it to others. The prices of opium are always given in the Canton Register, a
public newspaper.
709. Is it not an instruction from the Court of Directors, that no Englishman in China
shall in any way be concerned in the importation of opium?—No, there is no such order
from the Court of Directors; the Company prohibit any of their own servants from dealing
in opium.
710. Are you aware whether any of the Company's marks are put on the chests of opium
imported from Malwa and Bengal?—I cannot speak accurately as to the fact. The only
time when I have seen opium was when it was taken out of the chest; I do not know that
it is so, and I do not know that it is not.
711. Is opium landed in chests in China ?—I have understood that on board the country
ships they break up the chests and put the opium into bags, in which state it is delivered
to the Chinese. The chest is a cumbrous article, and they wish to get rid of it. The chest
does not find its way into the Chinese boat; it is, I believe, left in the ship.
712. Can you inform the Committee how the trade of opium is carried on ?-The question
refers to the transfer of opium from the country ships to the opium boats. When I first
went to China the opium trade was at Macao, from which it went to Whampoa, and is now
confined to the islands at the mouth of the river. The opium smuggling boats go alongside
the ships, in the open face of day, and the opium is delivered to them, upon their presenting
what is called an opium order from the agent in Canton.
713. Is this trade carried on within the view of the officers of Government, and the men-
of-war boats of the Chinese ?-Frequently within the view of the men-of-war boats.
714. Are there boats stationed, on the part of the Chinese authorities, within reach and
view of this trade ?-Not regularly stationed; they frequently go and come there; they are
constantly manœuvring about, and often report to the Canton authorities that they have
swept the seas of all smuggling ships. The ships remain there just the same.
715. Have you ever known any case in which they have interposed to prevent the carry-
ing on of this opium trade ?-The Chinese have frequently interposed by the strongest pro-
clamations; I have known some instances in which the opium boats have been seized, and
the crew have had their heads cut off.
G
716. Has that happened when they have been detected up the river, or at the place
among the islands where the trade is carried on?-They have been detected in different
parts of the river; they are tried and convicted in a very summary manner. The custom-
house officers, by whom the opium is seized, frequently on such occasions light a fire on
the top of a hill, in a conspicuous situation. The opium is declared to be burnt; but I
believe none of it is put into the fire.
-
717. Then, in point of fact, the interposition, although it may be connected with the loss
of life, does not lead to the cessation of the trade ?-No, it does not. The Chinese Govern-
ment, with respect to opium, consider it as a traffic that ought not to exist. An Imperial
edict is supposed to be indisputable, and anything contained in it is not to be contravened.
They never acknowledge it as a trade.
718. Therefore, the existence of established laws against foreign trade, and against
foreigners, by no means admits of presumption that the practice is according to the law?-
No; practice and profession are much at variance in China.
719. Then, in point of fact, it may be said that the smuggling trade in opium is carried
on with the connivance of the Chinese authorities ?-With the connivance of the lower
Government authorities; I am not prepared to say of the higher authorities.
720. Is that the case in the smuggling of other articles?—Yes, it is.
721. Have you known of seizures being made of opium in the interior of China?-I have
heard of them; I believe the opium finds its way to all parts of the empire, and within the
walls of the Imperial palace at Pekin, though it is disclaimed and denounced as a poison.
722. Is it carried on without interruption?—No, it is liable to frequent interruptions;
the persons who carry it from Canton are obliged to conceal it about their baggage, to evade
the search of the Chinese officers.
723. How can a trade of such an extent be a secret trade?—It is an illicit trade.
724. You have stated that the smuggling trade in opium is confined to the islands at the
mouth of the Canton river?-It is there that it is principally conducted; the foreign ships
anchor there, and the opium boats go alongside of the ships there.
725. Is it carried on at any other parts of the coast?-I have known opium ships go
along the coast with a view to disposing of opium, but I believe unsuccessfully.
726. Is the smuggling trade in other articles carried on in any other parts of the empire?
-Not to my knowledge; it is all at Canton.
727. Was there not a ship called the Merope freighted with opium?-I remember a
ship of the name of Merope in China.
728. Did not that ship sail to the northward, and dispose of her cargo somewhere about
the
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
159
1
I.
the ports of Amoy and Ning Po?-I heard that she went along the coast, but the extent Trade in Opium
of her cargo I am not aware of.
between India and
729. Have you ever known the Hong merchants deal in opium?-Never to my know- China.
ledge.
730. Do you understand the consumption of opium in China to be rapidly increasing?
Very rapidly. I think I stated that the year I left China the importation of opium was
supposed to be between 13,000 and 14,000 chests, which was a very considerable increase.
I have a statement of the consumption and value of the Indian opium in China from 1818-19
to 1827-28.
[The Witness delivered in the same.]
STATEMENT of CONSUMPTION and VALUE of INDIAN OPIUM in China, from 1818-19
to 1827-28.
1818-1819
1819-1820
1820-1821
1821-1822
1822-1823
1823-1824
1824-1825
1825-1826
1826-1827
1827-1828
A
w
-
1
1
Patna and Benares.
Chests.
Value.
3,050
2,970
3,050
2,910
1,822
Malwa.
Chests.
Value.
Dollars.
Dollars.
3,050,000 1,530 1,109,250
3,667,950 1,630 1,915,250
5,795,000 1,720 2,605,800 4,770
6,038,250 1,718 2,276,350
4,628
2,828,930 4,000 5,160,000 5,822
4,656,000 4,172 3,859,100 7,082
2,655 3,119,625 6,000 4,500,000 8,655
3,442 3,141,755 6,179
3,668,565 6,308
5,105,073 4,361
2,910
3,661
5,114
Chests.
x 4
4,580
4,600
TOTAL.

Value.
Dollars.
4,159,250
5,582,200
8,400,800
8,314,600
7,988,930
8,515,100
7,619,625
7,608,205
4,466,450 9,621
5,941,520 9,969 9,610,085
5,251,760 9,475 10,356,833
Canton, 10 November 1828.
731. Is that statement confined to opium which has passed the Company's sales in India,
or does it include the opium which is smuggled from India to China ?--I believe it includes
the Malwa opium, which comes from the Portuguese port of Demaun.
(A. 3.)—Mr. John Aken.
1996. Do the Hong ever purchase opium ?—I believe not.
1997. Do you know how the outside merchant introduces it into China?—I am not
acquainted with that.
1998. Is it not a fact that they bring the boats alongside, and then it is thrown out of
the ships into the boats?—Yes; when I sold my opium, I gave an order upon the chief
officer to deliver it; but the person to whom I sold it, takes the risk entirely in taking it
from the ship; he pays me for it before he gets the order.
1999. What does he generally pay you with ?—In dollars or sycee.
2000. Do you happen to know the method by which the opium is smuggled into the
country?—They take it from alongside in smuggling boats, that are well manned and armed,
and there are a great many rivers, branches, and islands, and different places, and they
put off directly with it, and they set all the Government boats at defiance; I have seen that
myself. I have seen four Mandarin boats surrounding my ship, when I had 30 chests of
opium to smuggle, and I was prevented going to sea on account of the opium, and I sold
it to the people. I went down myself and saw the way they smuggled it; they stripped
the chest entirely away and took nothing but the opium and put it into bags; and we open
the lower deck port, and in one moment they put the opium into the boat, and all hands are
off in a moment; we did that in a very heavy shower of rain; there was a cry out about
three minutes afterwards, but the boat was gone like a shot.
2001. Were the Mandarin boats lying near?-One was lying ahead touching the ship,
another was lying at the stern, and another was lying upon the opposite side.
2002. They were there to prevent smuggling ?-Yes.
2003. Do you obtain greater or less price for your opium in proportion to the degree of
vigilance of the Mandarin boats ?-No, I never knew any difference made on that
account.
2004. If the Mandarin boats had not been there, should you have obtained a larger
price?—I do not think we should have got more; they always make certain of it; and it
always struck me that there was an understanding between the smugglers and the Mandarin
boats; there is an apparent vigilance kept up which has no existence, in my opinion; I have
been told so by a number of people.
0.59.
p. 134.
160
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
I.
Trade in Opium
between India and
China.
P. 433.
P. 448.
p. 619.
(A. 4.)-James C. Melvill, Esq.
4965. ARE you aware of the quantity of opium which is sent at the present moment from
India to China?—I know that it is very considerable.
4966. Are you aware of the fact of its having increased very much ?—I believe it has;
but at the same time, that trade is subject to certain contingencies. The supercargoes have
reported twice or thrice during the present charter, that owing to some new exercise of
rigour on the part either of the Emperor of China, or of the local authorities, to check the
contraband trade in opium, they have been unable to rely with confidence upon the proceeds
of that opium for the supply of their treasury.
4967. Supposing that trade to have considerably increased, would it not thereby afford
considerable facilities in carrying on the rest of the China trade?—The Company always take
up two-thirds of their funds in China, by either bills upon India or consignments from
thence, and therefore it can only affect, so far as the Company are concerned, the difference
between that and the total amount of the prime cost.
5147. Are you aware that in 11 years, from 1817-18 to 1827-28, the value of Indian
opium sold in Canton alone, without including other quantities deposited in the other parts of
China, has increased from 2,951,000 Spanish dollars in the first of those years to 11,243,496
in the last of those years ?—I know that there has been a great increase in the price which
opium has fetched at Canton, but I have understood that that price has greatly fallen, and
that by the last accounts it was still decreasing.
5148. Are you also aware that the exports of Chinese merchandize have been far from
keeping pace with this extraordinary increase of exportation of opium?-I am aware that
there has been a remittance of bullion from China to India every year to pay the balance.
5149. Does not the large remittance of bullion from China to India to pay the balance
explain the temporary falling off in the supply of opium from India to China; and does not
it in fact show that the state of the trade now from China with other parts of the world is
one in which they want the means of remittance in order to pay for the great quantity of
opium and other articles that they consume?-It would appear that the Chinese cannot
make returns in merchandize for all that they can take.
5150. Then the result is, that in proportion to the consignments made of opium, and many
of those other articles, there will be greatly extended facilities given to the Company or any
other parties trading with China for making remittances to India, and from India to
Europe?-To India certainly; and the Company avail themselves of that resource to the
extent of two-thirds of what they want.
5151. Are you not of opinion that if the Chinese could find increased means of remit-
tance, they would consume a further quantity of opium and other goods from India and
this country?—No doubt; but with respect to the opium trade, considerable uncertainty
attaches to that, on account of the rigour that every now and then bursts out on the part of
the Government to check that contraband trade.
EXTRACT from Third Report Commons' Committee, 1831, Appendix 1. (Parliamentary
Papers, 320-A.)
(B. 1.)-EXTRACT from a Letter from the Select Committee at Canton to the Court of
Directors, dated 26th January 1831. (First Appendix, Third Report, 1831.)
26. WE have already acquainted your Honourable Court with the greatly increased
extent of the opium trade in China, carried on in defiance of official proclamations, under
the connivance, and frequently by the instrumentality, of the officers of Government appointed
to put it down. The ships engaged in it now remain anchored at the island of Lintin, and
in its neighbourhood, throughout the year, unmolested by the Chinese war-vessels. The
traffic is not confined to opium, but extends to articles of every description. Reports are
regularly made by the native pilots to the governor of Canton of the number of vessels
engaged in it. It never can be a recognized trade; but it is now to all intents an esta-
blished one, and affords one of the most remarkable instances in this or perhaps in any other
country, of the weakness and corruption of a government.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
161
I.
China.
EXTRACTS from Despatches, and Enclosures in Despatches, from the Court of Directors to Trade in Opium
the Governor-general in Council, and from the Governor-general in Council to the Court between India and
of Directors. Laid before the Select Committee of the House of Commons, and printed
n the Fourth Appendix to their Third Report on the Affairs of the East India Company,
1831. (Parliamentary Paper, 320–D.)
(C. 1.)—EXTRACT from a Despatch from the Secret Committee of the Directors of the East
India Company to the Governor-general in Council at Fort William, in Bengal; dated
10th May 1816. (signed) Thomas Reid, John Bebb.
Para. 3. THE revenue derived from opium and salt, which at different times has been Appx. No. 1, p. 1.
realized by different means, has always been of so great importance, that we entirely approve
of the attention which you have paid to this subject. It certainly never was the intention
of the Legislature, in opening the trade with India to the public at large, to endanger a
revenue about 2,000,000 7. sterling per annum.
7. It being quite clear that the China trade is reserved exclusively to the Company by
virtue of the 53 Geo. 3, c. 155, s. 2, no British subject can trade thither without the licence
of the Company in its commercial capacity. The Company have therefore an indubitable
right to withhold a licence to carry Turkey opium or any other article to China.
9. It is not in our power to prevent, nor can the British Legislature prevent, Turkey opium
from being carried to the Eastern Isles and to China; because, though the trade in that
article were altogether prohibited to British subjects, it would still be open to foreign nations
to engage in it. We desire, however, that you will watch the progress and course of the
trade, and report to us from time to time your information and sentiments respecting it.
(C. 2.)—EXTRACT from the Reply of the Governor-general in Council to the Despatch
of the Secret Committee of the 10th May 1816; dated in the Territorial Departinent,
11th October 1816. (signed) Moira, N. B. Edmonstone, Archibald Seton,
G. Dowdeswell.
6. We had anticipated the suggestion contained in the 7th paragraph of your despatch,
having already, on occasion of the importation at this presidency of a quantity of Turkey
opium (to which we alluded in the 16th paragraph of our financial despatch of the 28th
June last), given directions for inserting in the licences to trade in China a condition that
such licence shall be void in case any foreign or other opium sold by the Company at their
public sale in Bengal be laden on board the ship in any part of the voyage, or be imported
into China on board of it.
(C. 3.)—Letter from the Court of Directors to the Governor-general in Council at Fort
William, in Bengal, dated 27th January 1819. (Signed by 15 Directors.)
0.59.
Para. 1. We have received your political letter, dated the 4th January 1817, representing Appx, No. 5, p. 11,
the injury which the opium branch of the Company's revenue is likely to sustain from the
traffic in that article, which is stated to be carried on between the port of Goa and other
ports in India, not subject to British jurisdiction, and the Portuguese settlement of Macao,
and suggesting an arrangement between the Governments of Great Britain and Portugal,
under which the latter Government may consent to prohibit the importation by its own sub-
jects into Macao of all opium not purchased at the Company's sales in Bengal, and to
impose such duties on that drug, whether the produce of Turkey, or of any place in India
not subject to the British Government, when imported into that settlement by foreigners, as
may be tantamount to a prohibition.
2. We are by no means insensible to the injury to which the Company's interests con-
nected with the opium monopoly are exposed from the competition of Malwa and Turkey
opium in the Chinese and other eastern markets, and we approve of the solicitude which
you have evinced to provide for the security of this valuable branch of the Indian revenue.
It has, however, appeared to us so improbable that the Government of Portugal would
accede to an arrangement such as you have suggested, that we deem it quite unnecessary
to submit the proposition to His Majesty's Government.
3. The superiority of the Bengal opium in point of quality over that manufactured in
other parts of India, will, we trust, ensure to it a preference in the foreign market so long as
the superiority is not much more than counterbalanced by the difference in price; and
should a reduction in the price of Bengal opium become necessary, the expediency of pro-
portionately increasing the annual provision will naturally engage your attention. We
know of no practical mode of guarding against the evil which you apprehend, except by
supplying the market at a moderate price with a better article than can be procured from
different quarters, and through other channels.
Y
p. 6.
162
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
I.
Trade in Opium
between India and
China.
Appx. No. 7, p. 12.
Appx. No. 9, p. 21.
(C. 4.)—EXTRACTS from a Letter in the Separate Department from the Court of Directors
to the Governor-general in Council in Bengal; dated 30th January 1822.
E
Para. 40. We have already noticed the progressive decline of the opium revenue, from
1814-15 to 1817-18 inclusive; this decline was ascribed to the competition of foreign
opium in the eastern market. The proceedings now before us relate to the measures which
you have proposed for the purpose of overcoming this competition, and restoring the pros-
perity of this branch of our resources.
43. The rivals of the Company in the China opium market are of three classes, namely,
the traders in Malwa opium, the traders in Turkey opium, and the traders in illicit Bengal
opium.
44. Of these three sources of rival supply, the Malwa opium appears, from the excellence
of its quality, to have afforded the most powerful instrument of competition, so much so,
that in the opinion of the Select Committee of Supracargoes at Canton, if the quality of the
Company's opium should not be kept up to the standard established in 1798, and if the
quality of the Malwa drug should continue to rise in proportion to its recent improvement,
and the traffic continue equally free from restrictions, there was reason to conclude that the
competition would extend to the limits at which the proceeds of opium in general would
merely repay the expense of production and transport.
48. The principles of a strict monopoly, which supposes the exclusive possession of a
market, and the consequent assurance of high price by means of limited supply, are evi-
dently inapplicable to this state of things; you have, therefore, made it a subject of careful
consideration, whether the eastern market cannot be commanded by the adoption of an
entirely different system, namely, by supplying its entire demand at such a price as would
render competition unprofitable.
57. We find, on reference to the records, that the selling price of the Behar and Benares
opium at Calcutta, on the average of eight years from 1787-8, was 558; of 11 years from
the same period, being the last 11 years of the contract system, 495; of 14 years from the
same period, which will include the three first years of the agency system, 527 rupees per
chest. If it was worth the while of the dealers in Turkey opium to send it to the China
market when the price of the Company's opium at Calcutta was from 500 to 550 rupees,
we can scarcely imagine such an enhancement of the cost of production or of transport, as
that it would not be worth their while to send it when the price of the Company's opium
at Calcutta is 1,400 rupees, making the most ample allowance for the improved quality of
the agency opium. We fear, therefore, that the idea so strongly entertained by you, that a
sale price of 1,400 rupees for the Company's opium in Calcutta will be so low as, by under-
selling, to drive the Turkey opium out of the China market, has been taken up on an im-
perfect view of the subject, and will be found, on experience, fallacious.
72. We are fully aware that you had only a claim among many opposite difficulties, and
that you had it not in your power to fix on a course that would not have been liable to
exceptions; but we have deemed it necessary to call your attention to some important con-
siderations which you appear to have overlooked, and which forbid us to entertain any very
sanguine hopes that the result of the course you have pursued will realize your expectations
of maintaining the revenue at the standard of the most favourable year (1814-15); at the
same time, the means which the Company possesses of commanding a large supply on
moderate terms, and of an excellent quality, will always afford it a considerable advantage
in the ordinary course of mercantile competition. We have no doubt but these advantages
are capable of very great extension, if the drug be supplied of such uniform good quality as
will give the purchasers in the eastern market implicit confidence in the Company's stamp.
This confidence the deterioration of late years has greatly weakened. If this confidence
can be restored and preserved, our resources may still derive considerable benefit from that
moderate profit on an enlarged supply to which we must restrict our expectations, but we
are fully persuaded that in proportion as this confidence shall be preserved or lost, this
branch of our revenue will prosper or decay. The point, therefore, of vital importance, and
that to which your most vigilant supervision is requisite, is the preservation of the uniform
excellence of quality.
(C. 5.)—EXTRACT from a Letter in the Separate Department from the Court of Directors
to the Governor-general in Council in Bengal; dated 21st January 1829.
7. THE project of extending the cultivation of opium to Rohilcund, and establishing there
another agency, suggested by Mr. Forde, collector of Moradabad, and Captain Jeremie,
was by you, upon reasons which appear to us satisfactory, declined. But in consequence
of the report of the late Dr. Abel, that the opium grown by Captain Jeremie in Rohilcund
possessed "superior excellence as a narcotic over that of Behar, Benares or Patna, while
in its other qualities it would bear a comparison with the finest kind of that grown in
Turkey," the Board of Customs, Salt and Opium being of opinion that opium of the
character of that produced by Captain Jeremie might be prepared in any of the present
agencies, recommended that an experiment to that effect should be made; and in the making
of it, that the following points should be in a particular manner attended to.
1. Generally, whether our Behar, Benares and Malwa opium are capable, by means of
improved
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
163
improved cultivation or different preparation, of being assimilated in all respects to that
of Turkey?
2. Whether, if converted into such, in what way the value of each would be affected in
Chinese estimation?
3. Whether the present proportion of narcotic substance in the Behar opium could be
augmented, and the drug be still preserved free from the noxious qualities which the
Chinese consider the Turkey opium to possess?
4. What it is in the manufacturing process in our agencies that is prejudicial to the
goodness of the drug, compared with the Turkey opium, as a medicine in Europe ?
5. How far, if the character of Turkey opium can be imparted to the produce of India,
and the article be sent home to compete with the other, there would be any fear of its sub-
sequently finding its way to China, and so interfere with the exports made directly from
hence? And
6. If possible to discover the nature of those desirable qualities in the Behar opium which
have already obtained for it such a decided preference amongst the Chinese consumers.
9. Approving these suggestions, you authorized Captain Jeremie to be employed under
the agent at Behar, at a salary of 500 rupees per mensem, as a temporary arrangement, and
for the purpose of experiment. Afterwards, on a strong recommendation from the medical
board that Captain Jeremie should be employed to manufacture a pure opium for the use of
the medical department, you thought proper that this should be included among the duties
he was to perform.
10. Averse as we are to the creation of a new office, and to any addition to the expense
of your Government, we think that advantages here in view were so great, and the promise
of them so far as to justify a temporary arrangement of the chance of their attainment. It
is our particular desire, however, that the temporary and experimental character of the mea-
sure be not lost sight of, and to this end that an accurate report be forwarded to us as soon
as possible, informing us what the result of the experiment has been, and whether any
arrangement consequent upon its success or failure is by you reckoned expedient.
(C. 6.)—EXTRACT from a Letter in the Separate Department, from the Court of Directors
to the Governor-general in Council in Bengal; dated 16 September 1829.
I.
Trade in Opium
between India and
China.
19. WE observe, from the report of the supracargoes at Canton, dated 13th September Appendix, No. 10,
1827, that the Chinese have manifested an increasing taste for the opium of Malwa, and p. 25.
that it had, in consequence of this and the disrepute of the Bengal opium, arising from the
bad quality of it in the preceding year, produced a much higher price than the Patna and
Benares opium, which in that year were stated to be of good quality. This circumstance,
though the supracargoes describe their information as very imperfect, we trust has not
been overlooked by you and the Board of Customs, as indicating the course which ought to
be pursued in our Bengal agencies. It is at variance with the theory of the late Dr. Abel,
in attempting to explain the reasons why the Chinese preferred the Patna opium both to
the Malwa and the Turkey opium. We hope that the experiments which were approved of
in our letter, dated the 21st January last, will have enabled you to judge of the competency
of the officers entrusted with the preparation of an article so important both to the commer-
cial and financial prosperity of your Presidency to improve the quality of the opium;
should you entertain doubt on this point, we must insist on your adopting the course indi-
cated in the concluding paragraph of that letter, as we cannot for a moment consent to
sacrifice objects so important on account of any personal considerations.
(C. 7.)—EXTRACTS from an Enclosure in a Letter from the Governor-general in Council in
Bengal, in the Political Department, to the Court of Directors, (dated 10 July 1829, signed
W. C. Bentinck, W. B. Bayley, C. T. Metcalfe). Being an Abstract of Correspondence
regarding Malwa Opium, commencing from the year 1818 to the year 1828, prepared in
the Secretary's office. (signed) 4. Stirling, Deputy Secretary to the Government.
(countersigned) G. Swinton, Chief Secretary to the Government.
THE first paper in the series is a despatch from the Supreme Government, requesting Appendix, No. 11,
a communication of the views of the Bombay government as to the best method of check- p. 26.
ing the exportation of Malwa opium, viû the ports of Diu and Demaun, for the China
market. The Bombay government state in reply that, 1st, as cultivation of the poppy
had
been prohibited in Guzerat (in 1803) by the influence of the British Government, so by the
same influence the cultivation of the drug for exportation might be prohibited in Malwa;
2dly, that should the prohibition of the cultivation of the drug in Malwa be considered
objectionable or impracticable, by cultivating the poppy in Guzerat, we should at any time
be enabled to drive the Malwa opium out of the Chinese market.
In the resolution of Government, recorded in the Territorial Department as per margin,
a full review is taken of the question of Malwa opium, and of the effects it would probably
have on the Bengal monopoly, were not our restrictive measures extended to Malwa.
After explaining the relative value of the Bengal and Turkey opium in the Chinese
market (which is five to three), and showing that there is no ground for apprehension from
0.59.
Y 2
the
164
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
I.
the effects of that opium, provided the price of our opium be not kept too high, it is observed
Trade in Opium
that, on account of the demand for Malwa opium in the Chinese markets, it is impossible
between India and for us to retain our strict monopoly of Bengal opium; it remained to be considered whether
China.
we could obtain supply from Malwa at such a price as to prevent any great deficit in the
revenue from the inferior price which Bengal opium must fetch in consequence of the modi-
fication of our monopoly.
Appendix, No. 12,
P. 53.
The objects that would be attained by a more extended supply of the Chinese market on
moderate terms would be, 1st, The prevention of smuggling; 2dly, The expulsion of foreign
opium from the Chinese market. The total amount of foreign opium supplied to the China
markets, in the year 1817-18, exceeded 3,000 chests, and the supply to Java and the
Eastern Archipelago averaged 1,100 chests, making a total supply of 4,100 chests. If then
4,000 chests, in addition to our Bengal opium (4,000 chests), could be supplied by us from
India, it would appear that our Bengal opium would suffer no material depreciation. The
chief object in view must necessarily be, 1st, to obtain the supply of 4,000 chests from
Malwa; and 2dly, to prevent by restrictive measures the production of any quantity of
opium in excess of that supply. The scheme, however, of introducing our restrictive mea-
sures into Malwa was stated to be liable to many objections.
*
*
*
*
*
**
In a note of Mr. Secretary Mackenzie, of 10th July 1823, it is observed, that as the price
of Malwa opium depends on the price it will fetch in the Chinese market, it is obviously our
interest to bring up such a supply of Malwa as will prevent a glut in the Chinese market,
and enable us still to derive a fair profit from our Bengal monopoly. In order to secure
such a supply of opium as will answer these objects, and to prevent a large quantity being
thrown into the market, it will not be sufficient to enter into mere engagements with the
different chiefs for the prevention of the illicit trade, but we must give them an interest in
the monopoly. This may be done by purchasing the opium in the first instance at a mode-
rate price, and allowing the chiefs a share in our net receipts. With regard to the total
quantity of Malwa opium to be purchased, it would appear (from the best information before
the Government) that 4,000 chests, each containing two factory maunds, will be a sufficient
supply; and as we cannot, in order that the temptation to smuggling may not be too strong,
and to keep out the opium of Turkey, expect above 600 or 700 rupees profit per chest, the
profit on the whole would amount to 2,800,000 rupees. If it were necessary, therefore, to
give a moiety of this, the remainder, or 14 lacs, would be a larger profit than we have
hitherto derived from opium bought in Malwa. We should at the same time preserve our
Bengal monopoly.
The internal consumption should, of course, be provided for by us at a cheap rate.
In conclusion, Mr. Mackenzie observes, that unless we are enabled to introduce a restric-
tive system into Malwa, it is to be feared that the supply of opium will be so superabundant
as to render our Bengal monopoly of little value.
(C. 8.)—EXTRACTS from a Letter in the Separate Department, from the Governor-general in
Council in Bengal to the Court of Directors; dated 3d August 1830.
59. EVERY motive of sound policy seemed to suggest that the scheme of issuing passes,
for a consideration equal to the real value of the route to be opened, should be substituted
for that of purchasing opium in Malwa, to be forwarded and resold at Bombay.
60. The Government will doubtless lose by this plan that portion of the profit heretofore
realized by its sales, which was the result of speculation upon China fluctuations of price;
but that was less a consideration at present than it had been heretofore because of the
certainty of the increased production causing a gradual diminution of the selling price in
the ulterior markets. It had occurred at one time to us, as will have been seen in a previous
part of this despatch, that a participation in that profit also might have been secured.
(besides the net equivalent for the value of the routes opened) by limiting the number of
passes issued, and selling them by auction; but, on reconsideration, we determined to abandon
that scheme and to confine the Government receipt to what might fairly be demanded as
the equivalent for the advantage of transit and shipment offered to dealers by the new
routes. As these benefits were fixed, and capable of distinct valuation, the rate of duty taken
for the passes conferring them ought evidently to be so too.
62. Influenced by the considerations above adverted to, we have resolved as follows:
1st. That in lieu of the existing system for deriving a revenue on opium, the produce of
Malwa and other parts in Central India, the Bombay Government shall give notice that
passes for the free transit of the article to Bombay, for exportation by sea, will be granted
on application to the collector of customs at Bombay, or to the resident and opium agent
at Indore, on payment at the rate per chest of 140 lbs. weight, of rupees 200, or such other
sum as the Bombay Government may fix as the fair and proper equivalent for the routes
opened by the passes.
2d. That the opium agent in Malwa shall discontinue making any purchases of
opium, and shall use his best endeavours to give effect to the scheme proposed to be
substituted, concerting with the Bombay Government as to the form of pass to be issued,
the period for which it is to run, and the manner in which it is to be returnable after the
arrival of the opium covered by it at Bombay.
3d. That
-
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
165
3d, That the agent be further directed to promulgate the determination of the
Government to grant passes in the manner indicated, and to explain to the merchants the
facilities that will be afforded by the routes opened as well as those of the Port of Bombay
furnishing every information on the subject in his power to all that may apply for passes.
4th. That notice of the above change of plan be communicated to the Board of
Customs, Salt, and Opium, with a view to its being made known to the merchants and
purchasers at the Calcutta sales.
68. Full information of the new plan upon which it was proposed to conduct the concern
in Malwa, will be communicated through the Board of Customs, Salt, and Opium, to all
persons concerned in the opium trade to China, at this presidency; and we informed the
Bombay Government that it was our intention to continue to encourage the extension and
production of the articles on this side of India.
C. 9.)—EXTRACT from a Letter from the Governor-general and Council in Bengal to the
Court of Directors; dated the 21st September 1830. (signed) W. C. Bentinck,
W. B. Bayley, C. T. Metcalfe.
15. WE are taking measures for extending the cultivation of the poppy, with a view to Appendix, No. 13,
a large increase in the supply of opium to be offered for sale at this presidency. Our p. 59.
proceedings for this purpose will be reported hereafter. In the meantime, we look upon
the difficulties which threaten this resource, through the removal of the restrictions in
Central India,—and from which the restrictive system was not exempt, for during its
existence the exportation from Demaun to China was continually increasing,-to merit the
watchful care of Government; for the final effect of an increase beyond assignable limit in
the quantity of this drug exported to China from both sides of India is a result beyond the
power of our foresight to discover, or even to hazard at present any speculation upon.
(D. 1.)-EXTRACT from the Report of the Commons' Committee, 1832; II. Finance, Part I.
Parliamentary Paper, 735-II.
I.
Trade in Opium
between India and
China.
THE gross revenue of India has been increased by the acquisition of new territory, but
improved and extended tillage, enlarged commercial dealings, an increase of population,
the enactment of better laws, more efficient management on the part of Government, new
stamp duties, and a great increase in the demand for opium in China, have all contributed
to improve the revenues.
(D. 2.)-MINUTES of EVIDENCE before Select Committee; II. Finance, Part I.
Holt Mackenzie, Esq.
216. IN opium the Company has an exclusive trade?-Yes; and from that source also.
they derive a very large revenue, the excess of the sale prices beyond the first cost consti-
tuting such a tax as I should think it hopeless to get by any other device; and though,
commercially speaking, there are strong objections to the system, yet we must set against
that the necessity of the revenue, and my belief is, that the same amount of revenue cannot
be otherwise got.
230. You state that opium yields an immense revenue, and that you doubted whether
the monopoly can be taken away without a loss to the revenue; you have already stated
that the market of China, the principal outlet, is supplied by Malwa and Turkey opium?
-It is.
231. Are you not afraid that the profit derived from opium in Bengal may perhaps be
influenced by Malwa and Turkey opium coming in competition in the China market, and
would not that rather seem to call for a reduction of that heavy duty on Bengal opium than
to keep it up, as proposed, for the purpose of revenue?—I would not propose that the tax
should be kept up at the rate which has hitherto prevailed on this subject. I beg to refer
the Committee to a letter of the Finance Committee in Bengal, in which the necessity of
a large extension of supply, coupled with a smaller price, is very decidedly urged. It is
indeed clear, that the monopoly profit in Bengal must be measured by the price at which
a supply of the drug can be drawn from other quarters; and I think it is essential for the
security of the opium revenue at Calcutta that the supply should be considerably increased,
and the sale price of course reduced, which is equivalent to a reduction of duty; but I still
think the cost of opium produced in Malwa, and brought to Bombay, and the cost at
which Turkey opium can be obtained, is such as to leave a balance very much in favour of
the produce of the Bengal provinces, such a balance as could not be collected in the form
either of an excise or transit duty. And although I anticipate a considerable reduction in
the rate of tax, it does not therefore necessarily follow that there will be a reduction in the
amount of revenue.
236. Do you include in that the portion of amount required which would be sent
through Canton ?—I think that a remittance to England might be advantageously made
through
0.59.
Y 3
P. viii.
p. 26.
P. 27.
166
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
I.
Trade in Opium
between India and
China.
p. 29.
p. 882.
p. 10.
through China, as is now in fact done by the Company, the drafts of the supercargoes on
the Bengal government forming virtually a remittance from Bengal to England.
The
trade in opium, of which the proceeds in China by the last account were upwards of two
millions and a half, seems to afford a large means of remittance by way of China, so
long as England shall have a balance to pay to that country for tea and other things pur-
chased there.
237. That would still remain open as a means of remittance, whether the Company
traded or not?-Certainly, if the trade continued; if individuals traded with the same
success.
255. Do you not apprehend that, under all circumstances, it is probable a large export
trade from India to China will continue ?—Yes.
256. Will not the opium trade carried on from India to China always afford to the
Indian government the means of making remittances from India to England?-Certainly,
so long as England has a balance to pay to China.
257. Must there not, so long as there is a large export of opium from India to China,
always be remittances made, either from China to India or from China to England, to pay
for that large export of opium which so takes place ?-Certainly.
258. Will not bills, therefore, on England, to the amount of the opium exported from
India to China, be always to be drawn in respect of the opium so exported?-I should
think that must depend upon the general state of the trade between the three countries.
259. In what manner at present does China pay for the opium exported from India to
China?-Partly in the Company's investment, partly in bullion, and partly in goods sent
to India, especially to the Bombay side of India.
(D. 3.)—APPENDIX.-Part 3. II. Finance (Commercial.)
OPIUM shipped from 1820-21 to 1830-31 at the Port of Calcutta to Countries beyond
the three Residencies.

YEARS.
1820-21
1821-22
1822-23
1823-24
1824-25
1825-26 -
1826-27
1827-28
1828-29
1829-30
1830-31
-
-
<d
Ge
וי
China.
Chests.
3,591
1,936
3,207
3,923
5,365
4,627
5,861
7,341
4,903
7,443
Returns not
yet arrived.
Penang, &c. Sumatra.
Chests.
657
268
395
80131
1,258
345
435
325
1,582
2,071
Chests.
45
38
50
47
73
10
64
23
Peque.
Chests.
20
33
1
ร
31
TOTAL.
Chests.
5,147
2,591
4,100
5,209
7,086
5,155
6,568
7,903
6,554
9,678
(E. 1.)—EXTRACTS from the Report upon Revenue 16th August 1832. III. Revenue,
Part II. 735-III.
THE monopoly of opium in Bengal supplies the Government with a revenue amounting to
Sicca rupees 84,59,425, or sterling money, 981,293 7. per annum; and the duty which is
thus imposed amounts to 301 per cent. on the cost of the article.
In the present state of the revenue in India, it does not appear advisable to abandon so
important a source of revenue; a duty upon opium being a tax which falls principally upon
the foreign consumer, and which appears, upon the whole, less liable to objection than any
other which could be substituted. ***
At the same time, it must be recollected that the revenue thus derived is of the most pre-
carious kind, depending as it does on a species of monopoly under which we possess exclu-
sive control over neither the production nor the consumption of the article. It has already
been materially affected by the competition of the opium of Malwa; and from the continued
increase of supply from that district, as well as from its improved quality, which has
enabled it to fetch an enhanced price in the foreign market, it would appear that the same
cause
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE. ·
167
ĥ
1
L.
It Trade in Opiu
cause must in all probability hereafter produce a still greater reduction in the revenue.
would therefore be highly imprudent to rely upon the opium monopoly as a permanent between India and
source of revenue, and the time may probably not be very far distant when it may be desira- China.
ble to substitute an export duty, and thus by the increased production, under a system of
freedom, to endeavour to obtain some compensation for the loss of the monopoly profit.
Another source of revenue under this head is the duties collected on the transit of Malwa
opium through Bombay, the Government having for the two last years abandoned their at-
tempted monopoly of that article, and substituted a permit or transit duty, which has been
attended with satisfactory results. It is in evidence, that previous to this regulation, two-
thirds of the opium of Malwa was carried by a circuitous route to the Portuguese settle-
ment of Demaun, and only one-third brought to Bombay, but latterly no more than one-
tenth has been exported from Demaun, and the remainder, nine-tenths, have been shipped
from Bombay, yielding to the Government a revenue of 200,000 l. for the current year.
Although there can be no doubt of the policy of this measure, it must be recollected that
every additional facility which is afforded to the sale of Malwa opium will eventually
enable it to enter with increased advantage into competition with the opium of Bengal; a
consideration which tends still more strongly to recommend either the adoption of the system
adverted to in the preceding paragraph, or of some other equally calculated to meet such a
contingency.
(E. 2.)-MINUTES of EVIDENCE before the Select Committee, 735-III.
III. Revenue, Part II.
Hugh Stark, Esq.
127. You are Chief of the Revenue Department of the India Board ?-Yes.
230. Will you be so good as to tell the Committee in what parts of the Presidency of
Bengal the opium monopoly has been established?-The opium monopoly exists all over
British India.
232. What is the system under which that cultivation is adopted?—The opium agents
are aided by the collectors of districts, who are termed deputy opium collectors; they enter
into arrangements with the cultivators for specific portions of the poppy collection; the Com-
pany pay the cultivators 3 rupees for poppy juice per seer, which weighs rather less than
2 lbs. ***
Of late years I have seen no complaints on the part of the cultivators, and the
cultivation has been largely extended, with a view of competing in Eastern markets with the
opium of Malwa and Turkey.
235. Is that monopoly at present a well-enforced monopoly?—I believe it is very effec-
tual; there may be some smuggling, but it is merely for the supply of the neighbouring
districts. The Hindoos use little opium.
236. Has it not been affected of late years by the cultivation of opium in other parts of
India?—The Company have relaxed in the price of the opium; their object now is to sell at
a low price, to enable merchants who purchase the opium at the Calcutta sales to compete
with the merchants who procure their supplies from Malwa and Turkey for the China
markets.
239. Does the price of opium which is of the same quality vary much from time to time
in China?-The price in one year fell very considerably; I think it was in 1827.
240. Owing to what circumstance?-From a large importation of opium from Malwa and
other quarters. The quantity of capital employed in China in purchasing 4,628 chests, in
the year 1821-22, amounted to 8,314,600 Spanish dollars; in 1827 there were 7,430 chests
imported, and sold for 7,352,150 Spanish dollars.
241. Do you think that the China market would take a larger supply of opium than that
now sent?-It has done so, and the supply is still increasing.
242. Do you conceive that the value of that monopoly has been latterly increasing to the
Company as a source of revenue?—The Finance Committee reckoned that the Government
might derive from that source about 1,000,000 l. a year.
243. What was the usual revenue derived from it before the monopoly was infringed by
the native cultivation ?—I think it averaged from 70 to 90 lacs of rupees, but it has always
fluctuated.
248. According to the information that you have obtained, can opium be cultivated more
cheaply and with greater advantage in Bengal than in any other part of the East, taking
into consideration both quantity and quality?-The Bengal Government have never at-
tempted to produce opium, with reference to its medical qualities, but entirely with a view
of meeting the taste of the Chinese.
470. Will you describe to the Committee the state of the opium revenue under this Pre-
sidency (Bombay)?—A considerable portion of the opium purchased when the Government
employed an agent at Malwa was brought to Bombay, and sold on account of the Govern-
ment, in the same manner as the Benares and the Behar opium is sold at Calcutta to British
and other merchants. Opium is not produced in the Bombay territories.
473. Since that time has there been a system of license for that?-It is proposed to
abandon the sales, and to substitute a transit duty upon the opium belonging to private
merchants
0.59.
Y 4
թ. 9.
P. 18.
P. 34.
168
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
I.
Trade in Opium
between India and
China.
P. 55.
p. 136.
F. 139.
P. 263.
p. 267.
merchants passing through the Bombay territories, and to afford them all the facilities that
the Bombay Government can of storing it and exporting it to China.
474. Will you explain the circumstances under which these agents were placed at Malwa?
-The Bombay Government determined to go into the market as purchasers, but it was
found that the agents employed by them had so little knowledge of the business on which
they were employed, that they raised the price much beyond the ordinary price in the dis-
tricts. The Government of Bengal at length deputed Mr. Swinton, an experienced opium
agent, into Malwa, for the purpose of placing the opium transactions on a satisfactory
footing. With the aid of the political agents in Malwa, Mr. Swinton succeeded in restricting
the growth of the poppy, and established a monopoly similar to that in Behar and Benares.
475. Was that interference found necessary in consequence of the effect of the growth and
manufacture of opium at Malwa upon the manufacture of opium at Behar and Benares?-
It was considered necessary for the security of the opium revenue of Bengal, which was
seriously affected by the increasing exportations of Malwa opium to the Eastern markets.
A
(E. 3.)—~EVIDENCE of Langford Kennedy, Esq.
717. WERE you in the employment of the Company ?-I was in their civil service.
718. What situation did you hold in the civil service?--I first held the situation of
assistant to the opium agent at Patna; I was appointed assistant in 1812; in 1815 I was
appointed deputy to the opium agent in charge of the districts of Sarun and Tirpoets, in the
province of Behar. In 1821 I was appointed collector of land revenue conjointly with that
of deputy opium agent in Sarun, in which situation I continued until I left India, in 1829.
780. Is the agent limited as to the quantity of opium he can supply, or is he to supply as
much as he can?--As much now as he can; there was formerly a prescribed limit, in con-
sequence of its being understood that the demand for the article in the Eastern markets was
limited, and Government wishing to derive a large revenue from a small supply; the object
of Government, when I came away, was to procure as large a supply as could be obtained.
1125. Where there is a sufficient temptation offered, smuggling would be carried on
under the present system?—Yes, I think it certainly would: the quality of opium grown in
that part of the country of which I am speaking (Rungpore), and I believe it would be
found generally to be the case if it were cultivated in Bengal, was very inferior indeed
to that of Behar; so bad that the Government would never allow it to be sold for the China
market, though tolerably well adapted for the internal consumption of the country; Govern-
ment would not endanger the character of their Behar and Benares opium by allowing it
to be carried to a foreign market.
(E. 4.)—EVIDENCE of William Butterworth Bayley, Esq.
1644. You have been employed in a variety of offices in India ?—Yes, I have; I was a
member of Council for five years, before which I held the office of chief secretary to
Government.
1684. Do you recollect what has been the amount annually put into the pockets of
Government from the sale of opium of late?-I think a net revenue fluctuating from
700,000l. to 1,000,000l. a year.
1685. Do you think the revenue upon that stands upon a secure footing?--Yes, I think
it does; unless the Chinese should practically enforce their laws against the admission of
opium, I do not think the revenue will fall much below what it is at present. The demand
for opium is increasing. Our means of augmenting the supply are very great indeed.
can extend the quantity supplied from the Bengal Presidency very largely; we could afford
a still greater reduction of price, under the supposition that the demand continues to increase
in the same ratio as it has done of late years.
1687. Does the difficulty of smuggling it into China increase with the quantities that are
carried in ?—I should say apparently not; we have heard of very little difficulty in its being
smuggled of late years. The local authorities must of course wink at it.
(E. 5.)—EVIDENCE of James Mill, Esq.
2991. Has the situation which you have held at the India House made it necessary for
you to turn your attention at all to the great monopolies established in India; one of salt,
and the other of opium?-It has.
3020. Has any calculation been made which would enable you to judge what extent of
supply thrown into the China market would reduce the cost of opium to the cost of bringing
there, leaving no monopoly profit or export duty whatever?-I think nothing beyond a
vague conjecture can be formed on that subject; for we know hardly anything of the China
market, but that it has taken so much, and at such prices. Our experience of the past is
in
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
169
I.'
in this case little of a guide for the future; we see that an increasing quantity has gone to Trade in Opium
China, and that this has gone off at a high price; the late reduction of price may have between India and
been produced by the competition of the merchants, who have been able to supply them- China.
selves more cheaply.
3021. If the Committee assume, then, that the price in China continues merely the same
as it is, that the expense of growing opium in Malwa continues as much greater than the
expense of growing it in Bengal, and that it is also loaded with transit duties to a consi-
derable amount; in competition with the opium, brought to the market under such circum-
stances, what do you think would be the monopoly or selling price of the Bengal opium;
would it be very much less than it has been lately, or is at present ?-Several of the duties
alluded to in the question remain very uncertain. We cannot tell what the cost production
of Malwa opium will be reduced to; my own notion is, it must be very much reduced; it
will certainly be very much reduced if the governments there are wise enough to lower the
assessment. The amount of the transit duty will depend upon the cost of carriage to
Demaun; what that may be reduced to can also be but vaguely conjectured. Whatever
price, however, can be imposed upon the Malwa or other opium, beyond the prime cost of
the article in Bengal, must always be insured as profit to the government on the Bengal
produce; and if its hopes are realized that it can increase the quantity in Bengal very
much, and come into competition in the Chinese market, to a large extent, with even the
cheap Malwa opium, then a very considerable revenue may still be realized.
3024. Is not the present duty levied entirely on the foreign consumer?-Entirely on the
foreign consumer; there is a tax levied on the home consumer, but in a different way.
3025. Is not the home trade in opium very inconsiderable?-Very inconsiderable.
3026. Do the Hindoos consume it ?-To no great extent; the monopoly operates as a
tax merely on the foreign consumer.
EXTRACTS from Letters addressed to T. Hyde Villiers, Esq. in reply to a Circular Letter
from the Commissioners for the Affairs of India, requesting information on the Revenue
Administration of British India. Laid before the Select Committee of The House of
Commons, and printed with their Report on Revenue, 16 August 1832.
(E. 6.)—EXTRACTS from the Letter of W. M. Fleming, Esq. formerly Judge of Circuit, and
Inspector of Opium for the East India Company at Patna.
WITH regard to the present plan of levying a revenue from opium in Behar and Benares,
I am of opinion that it is perhaps upon the whole the best that can be adopted, being less
objectionable than any other monopoly, as well as a fair object for taxation. The system,
even in a commercial point of view, appears to me beneficial, as being perhaps the only
means of ensuring a supply of the pure drug, of a uniform quality, and prepared in a parti-
cular manner to suit the taste of the Chinese, which if not duly attended to would, I appre-
hend, greatly injure the trade, which has long been a most profitable one to the merchants
of Calcutta, besides being a source of revenue.
It is not difficult to account for the Malwa chests having sold higher in China one season
than those of Behar, for they actually contain a greater quantity of dry opium; and besides
the character of the Behar opium had suffered in consequence of the inferiority of the pro
vision of 1824 and 1825 (but which there is reason to believe has recovered). With the
view, however, of ascertaining whether the mode of manufacture of the drug and package
adopted in Malwa was preferred by the Chinese to that which had been so long practised
in Behar, a few chests were packed with pounded leaves in the Malwa manner, and also
one or two in oiled paper, and sent to China with the provision of 1828; the result of which
I have not heard.
(E. 7.)——EXTRACT from the Letter of the Right Honourable Holt Mackenzie, late Secretary
to the Territorial Departments of the Government of Bengal.
THOUGH it is, I believe, certain that the quality of the opium of Behar and Benares has been
very greatly improved under the agency system, (the occurrence of exception does not destroy
the rule), and although the same effect was, I understand, produced by Mr. Swinton's ex-
ertions in Malwa, yet I do not see any sufficient reason to apprehend a failure of the revenue
from the deterioration which is by so many anticipated as a consequence of free trade,
especially as it is likely that many Europeans might engage in the speculation. And on
the whole, seeing the great importance to India and to England of securing the China
market for the produce of our own dominions, by an abundant and cheap supply, I am not
prepared to assert that the trade in this article might not be advantageously thrown open.
0.59.
2
p. 282.
p. 295.
170
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
I.
Trade in Opium
between India and
China.
P. 332.
p. 707.
p. 711.
p. 65.
(E. 8.)-EXTRACT from the Letter of the Right Hon. Mountstuart Elphinstone, late
Governor of Bombay.
My only knowledge of the Bengal opium monopoly arises from the steps taken to pro-
tect it from the competition of Malwa opium. That opium could not easily reach the sea
without passing through the districts under Bombay, and it was there met by a duty which
amounted to a prohibition. This afforded a great temptation to illicit traffic, and great
quantities of opium were constantly smuggled to Demaun, a Portuguese port, from whence
it was exported to China. To relieve the authorities of Malwa from the effect of this exclu-
sion of their opium, a portion was annually purchased by the Company and sold again to
merchants for exportation to China.
(E. 9.)-EXTRACT from a Letter from the Bengal Government to the Court of Directors;
dated 10th January 1832. (signed) C. T. Metcalfe, W. Blunt.
30. ON our part we represented to the Right Hon. the Governor-general that we were of
opinion that the system of granting passes for Malwa opium ought to be continued, under
the success which had attended the experiment in the past season, as reported by the agent,
and the Right Hon. the Governor-general being of the same opinion, his Lordship caused
instructions, of which the following is the substance, to be communicated to the Govern-
ment at Bombay.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
The consideration paid for the passes, viz. 175 rupees per chest, appeared, from the num-
ber of applications made, under condition of payment for them in advance, not to be more
than the real value of the advantage opened to the dealers by the permission to bring the
drug by the direct route to Bombay, and ship it there for China.
*
(E. 10.)—LETTER in the Separate Department from the Court of Directors to the Governor-
general in Council in Bengal, 19th October 1831.
Para. 16. UPON the whole, we cannot but consider your opium revenue as in great hazard;
and we think it of importance to warn you against placing an implicit reliance upon a
resource which may fail you, and in respect to which a disappointment, if unforeseen and
unprovided for, might greatly embarrass your Government.
as
17. It is impossible to frame in this country any specific instructions for your guidance;
your measures must be adapted to circumstances as they arise, or as they may be reason-
ably anticipated. If, contrary to our apprehension, the price of opium should continué
high at Bombay as you anticipate, and if you should also be enabled, in consequence of the
continuance of high prices in the Chinese market, to sell a much enlarged quantity at Cal-
cutta at a price, though reduced, still sufficiently high, a perseverance in the measures which
you propose will be adapted to these circumstances, and the results will be all satisfactory.
18. But if this expectation should not be realized, if prices should fall considerably
either at Bombay or in China, some alteration of your measures will be immediately
required, and a close attention to the circumstances can alone direct you to the proper
expedients.
(F.)—EVIDENCE of William Malcolm Fleming, Esq.
(Parliamentary Papers, No. 646.)
1060. HAVE you resided in India?—I have.
1061. In what capacity?-In the Judicial department.
1062. What situation did you last hold ?—I held the situation of second judge of the
court of circuit for the division of Patna.
1063. Were you not directed to make some inquiries respecting the manufacture of
opium?—Yes, I was.
1064. Have the goodness to state the object and nature of those inquiries?—The object
was to ascertain the cause of the opium of a particular season, I think 1824-25, having
sold so badly in the China market, in fact a great proportion of it being almost unsaleable,
and in consequence, those who had purchased at the Company's sales made an application
to Government for a remuneration for losses sustained in consequence of the badness of the
article.
1066. Did you ascertain the cause of the deterioration?—Yes; I stated my opinion of
the cause of the deterioration, and how it happened.
1067. Have the goodness to mention it ?-It appeared to me that it was chiefly caused by
a quantity of leaves being mixed up with the drug at the time it was forming into balls. It
is sent to the China market in a particular form, made up with a crust of leaves round it,
and the people who were employed in making it added a considerable quantity of leaves
to it.
1070. The sum paid back by the Company was large, was it not?—It was.
1071. Do you recollect how much ?-Twelve or thirteen lacs of rupees.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
171
II.
EVIDENCE as to the character of CHINESE EDICTS, and disregard of them by the
Company's Supracargoes.
EXTRACTS from LETTERS from the Select Committee at Canton to the Court of Direc-
tors, and from the Secret Consultation of the Select Committee at Canton; printed in
the 1st and 2d Appendixes to the Third Report of the Select Committee of the House of
Commons on the Affairs of the East India Company, 1831.
(G.)—EXTRACT from Letter to the Court of Directors, dated 26th January 1831. (Third
Report, 1831, App. No. I.-Parliamentary Paper, 320-A. p. 617.)
7. We feel confident that the general principles which we have laid down for our guid-
ance will meet the approbation of your Honourable Court; we at the same time admit, that
the very peculiar character of this government, and the rigid nature of its institutions, must
be borne in remembrance. We believe that its violent and dictatorial proclamations are
often a tribute which its authorities are compelled to pay to national vanity. There are many
of them daily issued and disregarded.
10. The experience which your Honourable Court had of the Chinese character, in the
history of the past intercourse of your servants with this country, will forcibly suggest how
impossible it is to apply to it the principles which regulate the governments of other civi-
lized nations; those which peculiarly belong to it, as influencing our situation here, are its
exclusive nationality, its corrupt constitution, its anxiety to preserve unimpaired British
intercourse with China, and its apprehension of what might be the consequences were that
intercourse by any act of its own interrupted.
11. To its nationality must be attributed that tone of haughty dictation, which in common.
with most oriental governments it assumes, which is most conspicuous in official proclama-
tions, issued frequently without any expectation, often without any wish, that they should
be attended to.
(G. 1.)-EXTRACT from Letter to the Court of Directors, dated 15th November 1830, on
the subject of Discussions between the Select Committee and the Chinese Government,
relating to the residence of Ladies at Canton. (Third Report, 1831, App. No. II.-Par-
liamentary Paper, 320-в. p. 28.)
57. The Hong merchants having informed us that the Viceroy was unwilling to give more
than a verbal assurance to a verbal threat, we addressed a letter to him, which will be found
upon our Consultations, under date the 25th October, stating the threat made use of, and
the formal way in which it was conveyed, and requiring from him the strongest assurances.
that our factories and our persons were secure.
58. On the 28th, an answer recorded under that date was brought to the President by
the merchants, who stated, that it would be found conciliatory, and to contain the assurance
we required of personal protection; they added the strongest assurances on their part, that
no armed force should ever enter the factories, and that no molestation would be given to
English ladies residing in Canton, qualifying this latter assurance by saying, that although
edicts might from time to time be issued, which the forms of office rendered necessary, yet
beyond that no molestation would be offered or notice taken; exemplifying their meaning
by an allusion to the edicts annually promulgated against the opium ships, which were never
intended to be put into execution.
(G. 2.)-EXTRACT from Letter in the Secret Department to the Court of Directors, dated
24th December 1814, partly relating to the case of a Linguist said to have been punished
for his services to the East India Company's Factory. (Third Report, 1831, App. No. II.
-Parliamentary Paper, 320-B. p. 87.)
7. Your honourable Committee have been already informed of the official declaration of
the Viceroy, that the arrest of the linguist was not on any account of his connexion with the
English. With the edicts on this occasion we declared ourselves satisfied, with the excep-
tion of an offensive paragraph which, although not withdrawn, was ultimately explained,
and the insinuations it contained disavowed.
8. On a perusal of these edicts, and the arguments made use of by the Mandarins in the
first conference with Sir George Staunton, it might appear to a person unacquainted with
the Chinese Government, and the entire inconsistency of its practice with its professions,
that
0.59.
z 2
II.
Character of
Chinese Edicts.
172
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
II.
Character of
Chinese Edicts.
that the Committee had no cause of complaint, and that the Government were merely enforc-
ing the laws against a delinquent, who having once been a menial servant, had obtained
rank. The specious show of reason and argument assumed on all occasions by the officers
of Government, even in asserting a falsehood, must no doubt have the effect of inducing
those who have not a local knowledge and experience to guide them, to judge more favour-
ably of the Chinese character than they merit. We beg to refer your Honourable Com-
mittee to the Report transmitted us by the linguist, of his examination and his subsequent
communications.
(G. 3.)— ExtraCT from Letter in the Public Department to the Court of Directors, dated
8th November 1816, partly relating to circumstances arising out of an Address of the
Select Committee to the Viceroy of Canton, being presented at the Viceroy's Palace,
and not forwarded through the Hong Merchants. (Third Report, 1831, App. No. II.—
Parliamentary Paper, 320-B. p. 94.)
21. Since writing the above paragraphs we received an edict of the Viceroy, a translation
of which is forwarded in the extracts from our Consultations, and will, no doubt, evince to
your Honourable Court the difficulty under which we labour in all negotiations with a
government so void of truth in all their proceedings, and whose edicts and actions on no
occasion accord. Your Honourable Court will observe the declaration of our address having
been presented by the merchants at the moment that our compradore is still in confinement,
and has undergone the severest treatment, from false accusation of having conducted
Europeans into the city. It is however a conclusive argument, that we committed no error
in proceeding to the city with our address, as it would have been readily seized as an act of
delinquency had it been contrary to the laws of China. The describing the General Hewitt
as lying at the second bar, or rather affecting ignorance of her being at Whampoa, is a
convincing proof, added to many, of the statements that are made on all transactions with
foreigners.
(G. 4.)-EXTRACT from Letter to the Court of Directors, dated 8th December 1817.
(Third Report, 1831, App. No. II.-Parliamentary Paper, 320-в. p. 100.)
63. Nations in general must be admitted to possess the right of regulating their commerce
according to their separate views of policy; but China forms an exception to civilized
countries, where trade is regulated by treaties. Foreigners have equally with natives the
protection of the laws; when custom is invariably referred to by one party as the rule of
action, it is but equitable that the advantages of that test should be reciprocal.
(G. 5.)—EXTRACT from Letter to the Court of Directors, pending Discussions with the Canton
Government, dated 22d February 1814. (Third Report, 1831, App. No. II.-Parlia-
mentary Paper, 320-B. p. 59.)
27. By the publication of the Viceroy's edict of the 2d of December, we were happily
relieved from the necessity of taking into consideration the adoption of the measure proposed
in Mr. Elphinstone's Minute, of withdrawing the Honourable Company's ships for the
purpose of more effectually representing what we had to complain of to the government
of Pekin. Carrying on an extensive commerce sufficient to excite the rapacity of the officers
of government, protected by no laws, but on the contrary, such regulations as are made, so
vague and undefined as to admit of any interference or interpretation that a corrupt and
despotic government may be disposed to give them, our only hope of preventing the recur
rence of these attacks is by a firm and decided resistance.
(G.6.)—EXTRACT from China Consultations, 7 October 1830, on the case of the Homicide
of Captain F. Mackenzie, by certain Parsees at Canton. (Third Report, 1831, App. No. II.
-Parliamentary Paper, 320-в. p. 38.)
Although, judging from the documents previously recorded, it would seem that the
Chinese government does in principle take cognizance of the acts of foreigners among
themselves, yet the difference evinced by the Hong merchants, and the documents being
addressed generally to the foreign native chiefs, would incline to the belief that in practice
they care not to interfere.
*The Committee are prepared to act with decision, but
are unwilling to be dragged into the business, and consider it their duty to keep as much in
the back ground as possible, until compelled to take a part; but in regard to the three
Parsees, the best course appears to be to send them by the first opportunity to Bombay.
*
In searching for precedents, the Committee perceive, in the Consultations of the
14th December 1780, that precisely the same view was taken by the Select Committee of
that period as to the dangerous precedent of allowing the Chinese government to interfere
in cases of homicide where their own subjects are not concerned.
*:
*.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
173
III.
III.
EVIDENCE, &c. as to the Powers of the Select Committee of Supracargoes at Canton, and British Super-
and of the British Superintendents.
Powers of Supra-
cargces at Canton,
intendents.
EXTRACTS from Acts of Parliament relating to the East India Company.
(H.)-Act 26 Geo. 3, c. 57.
XXXII. And whereas sundry Acts of Parliament have been heretofore made, and are
now in force, for securing the whole, sole, and exclusive trade in, to, and from the East Indies,
and all places between the Cape of Good Hope and the Straits of Magellan, to the said
United Company, by which said Acts, or some of them, the offenders against the same are
made subject and liable to divers punishments, forfeitures, and penalties in the said Acts
respectively mentioned, which offences may be prosecuted, and the said forfeitures and
penalties sued for and recovered in some or one of His Majesty's courts of record at West-
minster; and whereas it may be necessary and proper, in certain cases, that the said
offences should be prosecuted, and the said forfeitures and penalties sued for and recovered
in the courts of justice in the East Indies: Be it therefore enacted, that all offences which
shall be committed after the 1st day of January 1787, against any law now in force for
securing the exclusive trade in, to, and from the East Indies, and places aforesaid, to the
said United Company; and all forfeitures and penalties to be incurred after the said 1st day
of January 1787, for illicitly trading, or for being in the East Indies, or doing any other
act against the said laws or statutes, or any of them, shall and may be prosecuted, sued for,
and recovered in the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William, in Bengal, or in the
respective Mayors' courts of Fort Saint George and Bombay, in like manner as the same
can or may be prosecuted, sued for, and recovered in any of His Majesty's courts of
record at Westminster; and it shall and may be lawful for the said respective courts in the
East Indies to pass and give the like judgment in such prosecutions, actions, and suits as
might be passed and given for the like matter, cause, or thing, in any of His Majesty's
courts of record at Westminster, and to carry such judgments into execution, and to order
any offender or offenders, after conviction for any such offence, to be sent and conveyed to
Great Britain; anything contained in any of the said Acts to the contrary notwithstanding.
XXXIV. And be it further enacted, that the powers and authorities in and by the said
Acts, and every or any of them, given, granted, or provided for taking, arresting, seizing,
remitting, sending, or bringing to England any person or persons being in the East Indies,
or in the limits or parts aforesaid, contrary to the provisions of the said Acts, or of this
Act, and for seizing any ships, vessels, goods, or effects made liable to seizure by the said
Company by any law now in force, shall and may be enforced and put in execution by, or
by the order and authority of the Governor-General and Council of Bengal, or the President
and Council of Fort St. George and Bombay respectively, or by any Resident at any other
of the British settlements in the East Indies for the time being respectively, or by, or by
the order and authority of the Company's Council of Supracargoes for the time being at the
town or factory of Canton, within the said town or factory, and upon the river of Canton,
and by such other person or persons as shall from time to time be specially deputed and
authorized for that purpose by the Court of Directors of the said Company for the time
being, in the name of the said Company.
(I.)-Act 33 Geo. 3, c. 52.
LXXVIII. And for the further encouragement of trade to the north-west coast of America
and the islands adjacent, under the limitations contained in the Convention made by His
Majesty with the King of Spain of the 28th day of October 1790, it may be expedient that
ships fitted out for those parts should in certain cases be permitted by license from the said
Company to proceed from the said coast and islands direct to the isles of Japan and the coast
of Korea and Canton, there to dispose of their cargoes obtained on the said north-west coast
of America, and to return from thence direct to the same north-west coast or islands adja-
cent, and there dispose of their returns in trade, the owners and commanders of such ships
entering into such covenants with and giving such security to the said Company, and sub-
mitting to be bound by such rules and regulations as shall appear to be best adapted for
preserving to the said Company the exercise and benefits of their commercial privileges, and
conduce to the preservation of good order and regularity of the ships' companies, and their
observance of the laws prescribed by the native states, during the continuance of such ships
on the said coast of Japan, Korea, and in the river of Canton aforesaid: Be it therefore
further enacted, that the Court of Directors of the said Company shall and they are hereby
required, forthwith after the passing of this Act, to frame and lay before the Board of Com-
missioners for the Affairs of India, such rules and regulations as they shall think best
adapted
0.59.
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APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
III.
Powers of Supra-
cargoes at Canton,
and British Super-
intendents.
adapted for the purposes aforesaid, and also the forms of such deeds of covenant or other
securities as the said Court of Directors shall judge to be proper or necessary to be entered
into or given for the due observance thereof by the owners and commanders of ships to be
licensed as aforesaid, and that the said Board shall thereupon proceed to revise the same,
and to give such orders and instructions to the said Directors in relation thereto as they
shall think fit and expedient; and that the said owners and commanders conforming them-
selves to the terms and conditions which shall be so prescribed, shall have and be entitled
to such license or licenses, and the said Court of Directors are hereby required to give the
same accordingly, unless on any representation made by the said Directors to the said
Board of Commissioners, containing any specific objections against the granting of any such
license, the said Board shall order the same to be withheld, in which case it shall and may
be lawful for the said Directors to withhold or refuse the same.
LXXIX. Provided always, and be it further enacted, that the said rules and regulations
to be so made for the purposes aforesaid, or any deeds of covenant or other securities to be
required to be entered into or given for the observance thereof, shall not extend to vest in
any council of supracargoes or other officers of the said Company a greater power over any
ships, or the commanders, officers or companies of the same, in the eastern seas or on the
coasts of Japan, Korea, and China which they shall be permitted to visit, according to the
tenor of such licenses, than such as can, shall, or may lawfully be exercised by the said
council of supra cargoes or other officers of the said Company, in or over the ships employed
by or in the service of the said Company, and the commanders, officers, and men belonging
thereto.
CXXIX. And whereas various statutes have been heretofore made for securing to the said
United Company their sole and exclusive right of trading to the East Indies and parts afore-
said during the continuance of such sole and exclusive right, and to restrain all illicit and
clandestine trade to, in, and from the East Indies and parts aforesaid; and whereas the limita-
tions and provisions in this Act contained, concerning the future conduct of the said trade,
require that some alteration should be made in the said statutes; and it may be convenient
that such provisions as shall be deemed necessary for securing to the said Company the full
benefit of such sole and exclusive right (subject to the provisions and limitations contained
in this Act), and for restraining all clandestine and illicit trade in, to, and from the East
Indies, and parts aforesaid, should be reduced into one Act of Parliament: Be it further
enacted, that if any of the subjects of His Majesty, his heirs or successors, of or belonging
to Great Britain or the islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark or Man, or Faro Isles,
or to any of His Majesty's colonies, islands, or plantations in America or the West Indies,
other than such as by the said United Company shall be licensed or otherwise thereunto
lawfully authorized, shall at any time or times before such determination of the said Com-
pany's whole and sole trade as hereinbefore limited, directly or indirectly sail to, visit,
haunt, frequent, trade, traffick, or adventure to, in, or from the said East Indies, or other
parts hereinbefore mentioned, contrary to the limitations and provisions of this Act, or the
true intent and meaning thereof, all and every such offender or offenders shall incur the
forfeiture and loss of all the ships and vessels belonging to or employed by such subjects
respectively, with the guns, tackle, apparel, and furniture thereunto belonging, and also all
the goods and merchandize laden thereupon, or which were or shall be sent, acquired, traded,
trafficked, or adventured within the said East Indies or parts aforesaid, and all the proceeds
and effects of such goods and merchandize, and double the value thereof; (to wit) one-
fourth part of such forfeiture to such person or persons who shall seize, inform, or sue for
the same, and the other three-fourth parts thereof to the use of the said United Company,
they defraying thereout the charges of prosecution.
CXXX. And be it further enacted, that all and every subject and subjects of His Majesty,
his heirs and successors, of or belonging to Great Britain or the islands, colonies, or planta-
tions aforesaid, or any of them, who shall at any time or times, before such determination of
the said United Company's whole and sole trade as is herein before limited, go, sail, or repair
to the East Indies or parts aforesaid, against any of the provisions of this Act, shall be
deemed and accounted to have unlawfully traded and trafficked there, and all the ships,
goods, and merchandize which shall be employed therein or found in his or their custody,
or in the custody of any other person or persons by his or their employment, order, or pro-
curement, shall and may be seized, and shall be forfeited, with double the value thereof;
one-fourth of which forfeitures shall belong to the person or persons who shall seize, inform,
or sue for the same, and three-fourths thereof shall be to the use of the said United Com-
pany, they thereout defraying the charges of prosecution.
CXXXI. And be it further enacted, that if any subject or subjects of His Majesty, his
heirs or successors, of or belonging to Great Britain, or any other islands, colonies, or
plantations aforesaid, not being lawfully licensed or authorized, shall at any time or times
before such determination of the said Company's whole and sole trade as hereinbefore
limited, directly or indirectly go, sail, or repair to, or be found in the East Indies, or any other of
the parts aforesaid, all and every such person and persons are hereby declared to be guilty of
a high crime and misdemeanor; and, being convicted thereof, shall be liable to such fine or
imprisonment, or both fine and imprisonment, as the court in which such person or persons
shall be convicted shall think fit; and in case of a fine, one moiety thereof shall belong to
His Majesty, his heirs or successors, and the other moiety thereof to the said United Com-
pany, if they shall prosecute the said offence, or otherwise such moiety shall be to the use
of such person or persons as shall prosecute the same.
CXXXII. And
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
175
III.
intendents.
CXXXII. And be it further enacted, that at any time and times before such determina- Powers of Supra-
tion of the said Company's whole and sole trade as is hereinbefore limited, it shall and may cargoes at Canton,
be lawful to and for the said Company, and their successors, by and through such person or and British Super-
persons as is and are hereafter mentioned, to take, arrest, and seize, or cause to be taken,
arrested, and seized, at any place or places within the East Indies, or parts aforesaid, all
and every person and persons, being a subject or subjects of His Majesty, his heirs or suc-
cessors, of or belonging to Great Britain, or to any of the islands, colonies, or plantations
aforesaid, who shall go, sail, or repair to, or be or be found within the said East Indies, or
parts aforesaid, against any of the provisions of this Act, and him or them to remit,
and send, or bring to England, there to answer for his, her, or their offence, according to
due course of law; and when such person or persons shall arrive in England, it shall and
may be lawful to and for one or more of His Majesty's justices of the peace, and he and
they are hereby authorized and required to commit all and every such person or persons to
the next county gaol, there to remain until sufficient security be given, by natural born sub-
iects or denizens, for the appearance of such person or persons in the court in which he or
they shall or may be sued or prosecuted, or shall be under actual prosecution, in respect
of such his or their offence, and for his or their not going out of court, or out of the
kingdom, without the leave of such court.
CXXXIII. And be it further enacted, that the powers and authorities hereby given to
the said Company, of taking, arresting, seizing, remitting, or sending to England any such
person or persons as aforesaid, together with the power of seizing any ships, vessels, goods,
merchandize and effects, by this Act made liable to seizure or forfeiture, shall and may be
enforced and put into execution in the name of the said Company, by the order and authority
of the Governor-General of Fort William, in Bengal, or the Governor of Fort St. George,
and Governor of Bombay for the time being respectively, or by any chief officer of the said
Company, resident at any other of the British settlements in the East Indies respectively, or
by the order and authority of the said Company's council and supracargoes for the time
being, at the town or factory of Canton, within the said town or factory, and upon the
river of Canton, or other part of the coast of China, and by such other persons as shall be
from time to time especially deputed and authorized for that purpose by the Court of
Directors of the said United Company for the time being.
CXXXIV. And be it further enacted, that during such time as the said Company shall
have such whole and sole trade as aforesaid, if any person or persons who shall have been
dismissed from, or shall have voluntarily resigned the service of the said Company, or any
free merchant, free mariner, or other person, whose covenants or agreements with the said
Company shall be expired or have ceased, or whose license to go to, or traffic, trade, or
reside within the East Indies, or parts aforesaid, shall have ceased and determined, shall be
found in the East Indies, or parts and limits aforesaid, after the expiration of such time as
shall be allowed by the respective governments or presidencies in India, wherein such person
or persons shall be or be found, every such person and persons shall be deemed and taken,
to all intents and purposes whatever, to have unlawfully traded in the said parts and limits
contrary to this Act, and shall be subject to all the penalties, forfeitures, and provisions of
this Act, against persons unlawfully going to, or trafficking, trading, or adventuring, or
found in any place within the said parts and limits accordingly.
*
**
>
CXLVI. And be it further enacted, that· *
and also so much of an Act made
in the same twenty-sixth year of the reign of His present Majesty, for the further regula-
tion of the trial of persons accused of certain offences committed in the East Indies, and
for other the purposes in the title of the said Act mentioned, as makes offences against any
law for securing such exclusive trade as aforesaid to the said United Company, and all for-
feitures and penalties for illicitly trading, or for being in the East Indies, prosecutable, or
makes any seizure of any ship or goods within the limits of the said exclusive trade cogni-
zable in the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William, in Bengal, or in the respective
Mayors' courts of Fort St. George and Bombay, or as relates to persons whose licenses to
go to, or trade, or reside within the limits of the said exclusive trade, shall have ceased and
determined, or who shall have been dismissed from, or have resigned the said Company's
service, or as relates to, or as makes the powers of arresting, seizing, remitting, or sending
to England, any person or persons in the East Indies, or limits aforesaid, or for seizing any
ships or goods liable to seizure by the said Company, enforceable and executable by the
Governor-General and Council of Fort William, in Bengal, or the Presidents and Councils of
Fort St. George and Bombay respectively, or the other person or persons therein mentioned,
shall be, and are, and is hereby repealed and made void.
C
(K.)—Act 53 Geo. 3, c. 155.
II. And be it further enacted, that the sole and exclusive right of trading, trafficking, and
using the business of merchandize in, to, and from the dominions of the Emperor of China,
and the whole, sole and exclusive right of trading and trafficking in tea in, to, and from all
islands, ports, havens, coasts, cities, towns, and places between the Cape of Good Hope and
the Straits of Magellan, in the same manner as the same rights now are or lawfully may be
exercised or enjoyed by the said United Company by virtue of an Act or charter now in
force, but not further or otherwise, and all and singular the profits, benefits, advantages,
privileges,
0.59.
24
176
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III.
Powers of Supra-
cargoes at Canton,
and British Super-
intendents.
#
privileges, franchises, abilities, capacities, powers, authorities, rights, remedies, methods of
suit, penalties, forfeitures, disabilities, provisions, matters, and things whatsoever granted to
or vested in the said Company by the said Acts of the 33d year of His present Majesty, or
either of them, for and during the term limited by the said Act of the Parliament of Great
Britain, and all other the enactments, provisions, matters, and things contained in the said
Acts of the 33d year of His present Majesty, so far as the same or any of them are in force
and not repealed by or repugnant to this Act, shall continue and be in force during the
further term hereby granted to the said Company, subject to such alterations therein as
may be made by any of the enactments, provisions, matters, and things in this Act con-
tained.
XL. And be it further enacted, that if any of the subjects of His Majesty, his heirs or
successors, of or belonging to any of His Majesty's dominions situate without the East
Indies and limits of the said Company's charter, other than such as shall be licensed by
the said United Company or otherwise thereunto lawfully authorized, shall at any time
before the determination of the further term hereby granted to the said Company, directly
or indirectly sail to, visit, haunt, frequent, trade, traffic, or adventure to, in, or from the
East Indies or parts aforesaid, or go, sail, or repair thereto, or be found therein in any
other manner than is prescribed or allowed by the provisions of this Act, and the terms and
conditions of any license or certificate to be granted by virtue thereof, all and every such
person and persons shall be deemed and taken to have unlawfully traded and trafficked
there; and all such persons, and all ships and vessels found in the custody of any such
person or persons, or engaged or concerned in such unlawful trade or traffic, and the
owners, masters, and crews thereof, and all goods, merchandize, treasure, and effects shipped
or laden thereon, or taken out of the same, or found in the custody of any such person or
persons, shall be subject and liable to all such and the like pains, penalties, forfeitures,
disabilities, and methods of suit as are contained in the said Acts of the 33d year of His
present Majesty, or either of them, or in any Act or Acts now in force, and which pains,
penalties, forfeitures, disabilities, and methods of suit, were enacted for the purpose of
securing to the said Company the sole and exclusive right of trading to the East Indies and
other parts within the limits of their charter, during the continuance of such sole and ex-
clusive right, and of restraining clandestine and illicit trade in, to, and from the East Indies
and parts aforesaid; and all such and the like powers, provisions, clauses, matters, and
things as are contained in the said Act of the 33d year of His present Majesty, or either of
them, or in any Act or Acts now in force, and which were enacted for the purpose aforesaid,
shall be deemed and taken to be in force and to apply to all such unlawful trade and
traffic as aforesaid contrary to the provisions of this Act, or of the terms and conditions of
any license or certificate to be granted by virtue thereof, and shall be put in execution
during the further term hereby granted to the said Company, for the purpose of preventing
any such unlawful trade or traffic, as fully and effectually as if the same powers, provisions,
clauses, matters, and things were severally repeated at large and re-enacted in the body of
this Act, and applied to and for the purpose last aforesaid.
(L.)-FORM of the East India Company's License to Country Ships trading between -
Calcutta and Canton, as settled in 1820.
To whomsoever, subjects of His Majesty George the Third, by the grace of God of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth,
and to all others whom these presents may concern; His Excellency the Governor-General of
and for the Presidency of Fort William, in Bengal, in Council, acting for and on behalf of
the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, sends greeting.
burthen about
tons, commanded by
"
to
>
Whereas the ship
belonging
is bound on a voyage, in ballast, to the port of Canton, in China, and back.
to the port of Calcutta; and the said owner has requested the license of the United Com-
pany of Merchants of England to be granted for that purpose, and to allow tea not exceeding
in quantity chests thereof, to be shipped on board the said ship, in the said port of
Canton, in China, to be delivered on shore, in and at the port of Calcutta, or on shore, in
and at any intermediate port or ports in the course of the said voyage from the said port of
Canton to Calcutta: Now know ye, that, by virtue of all and every the powers in us
vested, we do hereby grant a license for and in the name of the said United Company to the
said ship to proceed upon and throughout the said voyage to the said port of Canton, in
China, and back again, and to take on board the said ship in the said port of Canton, in
China, and not elsewhere, tea to be packed, except as to so much thereof as may be required
to be loose for the use of the said ship, in chests, half-chests, or quarter-chests, not exceeding
in quantity chests thereof, and to deliver on shore, in and at the said port of Calcutta,
or on shore in and at any intermediate port or ports in the course of the said voyage, and
not elsewhere, all such tea, together with all other cargo which shall have been shipped or
laden on board the said ship at the port of Canton aforesaid; provided and upon condition
that this license shall cease and be void, if and so soon as any foreign opium, or other opium
than such opium as shall have been sold at the public sales of the said United Company in
Bengal, shall be laden with the knowledge or concurrence of the master or commander
thereof on board the said ship, either in Bengal or in any part of the said voyage to and
from China, or be imported on board of the said ship with the knowledge or concurrence of
the
1
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
177
III.
the master or commander thereof into China; or if the master or commander of the said ship Powers of Supra-
for the time being, or other persons acting as supracargo thereof, shall be guilty of any cargoes at Canton,
breach of any of the regulations established by or on the part of the said United Company and British Super-
in China, or shall make any opposition to or act in disobedience to any particular orders or intendents.
instructions which shall or may from time to time be given in China by any of the supra-
cargoes of the said United Company there, although such order or orders should amount to a
requisition for the said master or commander, or supracargo, or either of them, to quit China
with the said vessel and goods. And we do hereby require and command all persons within
or belonging to this government under our jurisdiction, and we do desire all persons that
are subjects, friends, and allies to His Majesty George the Third, by the grace of God of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth, to
suffer the ship
to pass with her company, goods, and merchandize, without any
seizure or molestation whatever, provided this license and pass be in force; which is to cease
and determine as aforesaid, or otherwise, at the expiration of 12 months, or return of the
said ship to the port of Calcutta, whichever shall first happen.
Given under our hands, and the large seal of the said Company of Merchants of England
trading to the East Indies, at Fort William, this
in the year of our
Lord
day of
(Signed by the Governor-General and Members of Council.)
(Registered in the Secretary's Office, and countersigned by the Secretary.)
(L. 2.)—FORM of East India Company's License, granted at Bombay in 1821,
To whomsoever, subjects of His Majesty George the Fourth, by the grace of God of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth, and to
all others whom these presents may concern; the Honourable Mountstuart Elphinstone,
Governor of and for the Presidency of Bombay, in Council, acting for and on behalf
of the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, sends
greeting.
Whereas the ship Glenelg, burthen about 800 tons and tons, commanded by John
Gover, belonging to Messrs. Remington, Crawford & Co. is bound on a voyage with a
cargo of cotton and sundries to Calcutta, and from thence to the port of Canton in China,
and back to the port of Bombay; and the said Messrs. Remington, Crawford & Co.
requested the license of the United Company of Merchants of England to be granted for
that purpose, and to allow tea, not exceeding in quantity 400 chests thereof, to be
shipped on board of the said ship, in the said port of Canton in China, to be delivered on
shore, in and at the port of Bombay, or on shore in and at any intermediate port or ports,
in the course of the said voyage from the port of Canton to Bombay: Now know ye, that
by virtue of all and every the powers in us vested, we do hereby grant a license for and
in the name of the said United Company, to the said ship to proceed upon and throughout
the said voyage to the said port of Canton in China, and back again, and to take on board
of the said ship in the said port of Canton in China, and not elsewhere, tea to be packed,
except as to so much thereof as may be required to be loose for the use of the said ship, in
chests, half-chests, or quarter-chests, not exceeding in quantity 400 chests thereof, and to
deliver the same on shore in and at the said port of Bombay, or on shore in and at any
intermediate port or ports in the course of the said voyage, and not elsewhere; provided and
upon condition, that this license shall cease and be void, if and as soon as any opium other than
such opium as shall have been sold at the public sale or sales of the said United Company
in Bengal or Bombay shall be laden, with the knowledge or connivance of the master or
commander thereof, on board of the said ship, either in Bombay or in any part of the said
voyage to or from China, or be imported on board of the said ship with the knowledge or
connivance of the master or commander thereof into China; or if the master and com-
mander of the said ship for the time being, or other person acting as supracargo thereof,
shall be guilty of any breach of any of the regulations established by or on the part of the
said United Company in China, or shall make any opposition to, or act in disobedience to
any particular orders or instructions which shall or may from time to time be given in China
by any of the supracargoes of the said United Company there, although such order or orders.
should amount to a requisition for the said master or commander, or supracargo, or either
of them, to quit China with the said vessel and goods; and we do hereby require and com-
mand all persons within or belonging to this Government, under our jurisdiction, and we do
desire all persons that are subjects, friends, and allies to His Majesty George the Fourth, by
the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, Defender of
the Faith, and so forth, to suffer the said ship Glenelg to pass with her company, goods, and
merchandize, without any let, seizure, or molestation whatever, provided this license and
pass be in force, which is to cease and determine as aforesaid, or otherwise, at the expiration
of 12 months, or on the return of the said ship to the port of Bombay, whichever shall first
happen. Given under our hands, and the large seal of the said Company of Merchants in
England
0 59.
A A
(1..3.)
-
178
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
III.
Powers of Supra-
cargoes at Canton,
and British Super-
intendents.
England trading to the East Indies at Bombay, this 13th day of June, in the year of our
Lord 1821.
M. Elphinstone.
C. A. Colvill.
A. Bell.
G. L. Prendergast.
Registered in the Secretary's Office, by order of the Honourable the Governor in Council.
Bombay, the 13th June 1821.
J. Benoni,
Chief Secretary to the Government.
(M.)-EXTRACTS from the Evidence of John Stewart, Esq. before the Select Committee of
the House of Lords, 15th June 1830. (Lords' Report, 1830.-Parliamentary Paper,
No. 646, p. 393–404).
5442. You have been frequently in China, have you not?—I have.
5443. In what situation have you been there?—I have been there in the situation of
mate and commander of a ship, and agent for the transaction of business connected with
the ship I commanded. I have also had other ships with their cargoes consigned to me in
China, whilst I was there.
K
5578. In the event of opening the trade with China to all British subjects do you think
it would be necessary to establish some public authority at Canton, which should have the
power of controlling the conduct of all British merchants and subjects trading to that port?
Yes, I should think that essentially necessary to the preservation of the trade; I state
that from my own knowledge of the peculiarities of the Chinese, and the necessity of con-
trolling Europeans visiting Canton.
5579. In what manner would you give to that public officer, so established at Canton,
an effectual control over the conduct of British subjects; merely by a change in the act of
the Legislature, or would you give him some essential authority?—I conceive the authority
now vested by the Act of Parliament in the East India Company's supracargoes is quite
sufficient.
5581. What powers have the supracargoes ?-They have very extensive powers; they are
empowered to remove from Canton, or from any of the islands on the coast of China, any
British subject whenever they think it proper to do so; and they are entitled to call upon
the commander of any British ship at Canton for physical force to enable them to carry
their determination into effect. They can also interdict the whole British trade at any time
if they think proper. In fact, every British ship going to Canton may be controlled by the
select committee, and not only the ship and cargo, but the crew; they are obliged to com-
ply with any orders the select committee may issue to them.
5582. Do you think it necessary this power should be continued, or other powers substi-
tuted for it ?—I think it necessary a power of that nature should be retained.
(N.)-EXTRACTS from Evidence before the Select Committee of the House of Commons on
East India Affairs.-Printed with their Second and Third Reports, 1830.
No. 1.- Evidence of W. S. Davidson, Esq. (Second Report, 1830, Evidence.-Parliamentary
Paper, No. 644, p. 171.)
2625. How often have you known the trade interrupted by the English coming into col-
lision with the public authorities there?-Two occasions I have a vivid recollection of. The
first occasion was in 1814; it was the resistance on the part of the supracargoes to an
attempt made by the Government, in conjunction with the Hong merchants, to make the
monopoly, which they possess, much more close and injurious to the English trade than it
had ever been before.
2628. What steps did the Company take in resisting those demands ?—They resisted
those demands by stopping not only their own trade, but all the country trade.
2629. How long did they stop that trade?—As well as I can recollect, I should say
about two months.
(N. 2. ©.)—EVIDENCE of John Stewart, Esq. M. P., and a Member of the Committee.
(Third Report, 1830, Evidence.-Parliamentary Paper, No. 644, p. 324.)
3882. a. From what you know of the character of the Chinese government, would you
contemplate the opening of the trade to Canton without some established board or authority
to represent the British Government there ?-I am of opinion that if the trade were open, it
would
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
179
III.
would be necessary that a body should be constituted at Canton, with ample powers to Powers of Supra-
cargoes at Canton,
exercise a most rigid and effectual control over every British subject going to China.
and British Super-
intendents.
3883. a. Do not the Select Committee of the Company at Canton now exercise that
authority over all their officers and seamen ?—They do; they have ample power of doing so
by Act of Parliament.
3884. a. Do you contemplate any greater authority to be exercised over Englishmen
generally, than the Company have now over their own servants?—No; I should think that
no greater authority would be requisite. I think their powers are very ample, and they ex-
tend to all British subjects, as well as to the servants of the Company.
Sta
(0.) EXTRACTS from the Secret Consultations of the Select Committee of Supracargoes at
Canton, printed with the 1st Appendix to the Third Report of the Committee of the
House of Commons, 1831.
(0. 1.)—EXTRACT from an Address from the Select Committee to the Hoppo of Canton,
recorded in the Secret Consultations of the 25th December 1829. (Third Report, 1831,
App. No. I.-Parliamentary Paper, No. 320, p. 595.)
"WE, the President and Select Committee, to whom is intrusted the management of all
the various interests of the East India Company, as well as a general superintendence over
all British trade in China, take leave to present to your Excellency our congratulations on
your appointment to the important and weighty charge which the Emperor has conferred on
you."
(O. 2.)-EXTRACT from an Address to the Emperor of China, recorded in the Secret Con-
sultations of 11th January 1830. (Third Report, Commons, 1831, App. No. I.-Par-
liamentary Paper, 320-A. p. 597.)
"WE, the President and Select Committee appointed by authority to conduct the affairs of
the English nation in China, approach with reverence to lay before your Imperial Majesty
a statement of wrongs and grievances under which we suffer from the harsh and unjust
treatment of the officers of the Canton government."
1
""
(O. 3.)—PUBLIC NOTICE to British Subjects, recorded on Secret Consultations of 11th
January 1830. (Third Report, 1831, App. No. I.—Parliamentary Paper, 320-a. p. 602.)
NOTICE is hereby given, that we, the President and Select Committee of supracargoes,
being duly authorized by Acts of the British Legislature to superintend all the affairs of
the English nation in China, do hereby interdict intercourse between merchant vessels
trading under the British flag and the port of Canton, and prohibit all such vessels from
proceeding in the channel towards the Bocca Tigris, beyond the island Lintin.
We further give warning that an infraction of this prohibitory notice will render the
party so offending liable to the penalties which have been attached by Acts of Parliament
to disobedience of orders of the representatives of the East India Company in China, upon
all points connected with the trade to the port of Canton.
Macao, 11 January 1830.
(signed) By Committee.
(P.)-EXTRACT from a Letter in the Public Department from the Select Committee at
Canton to the Court of Directors, dated 27th July 1823. (Third Report, 1831, App.
No. II.-Parliamentary Paper, 320-B. p. 137.)
18. WE have the honour to enclose to your Honourable Court three edicts, received from
the different officers of the Canton government, on the subject of the ships remaining
on the coast laden with opium, and our reply thereto. We were desirous to avoid the
slightest implication on the part of the Honourable Company, and at the same time not to
oppose unnecessary impediments to the trade; the arguments we have taken up, although
specious, cannot be maintained, should the Viceroy place any obstacles to our commercial
transactions dependent upon the departure of the vessels in question.
19. In the margin we have noted the number and names of the British vessels, and we
are in hopes the Government will continue for some time silent and inoffensive. In April
last, however, the Viceroy resorted to the usual measure of exacting the responsibility of
the trade, by preventing the departure of the Pascoa (the only British vessel then at
Whampoa),
0.59.
A A 2
180
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
III.
Powers of Supra-
argoes at Canton,
and British Super-
intendents.
一​.
Whampoa), until the opium vessels departed from their places of resort on the coast; and
should he in the present season adopt a similar line of conduct in regard to the Honourable
Company's ships, and our remonstrances prove of no effect, in obedience to the orders of
your Honourable Court to that purport, we must require the departure of those vessels, so
long as they afford any impediment to the commercial proceedings of the Honourable
Company.
(Q.)-EXTRACTS from the Act 3 & 4 Will. 4, c. 93, intituled, "An Act to regulate the
Trade to China and India.”
I. "Whereas the exclusive right of trading with the dominions of the Emperor of China,
and of trading in tea, now enjoyed by the United Company of Merchants of England
trading to the East Indies, will cease from and after the 22d day of April 1834 * * *
V." And whereas it is expedient for the objects of trade and amicable intercourse with
the dominions of the Emperor of China, that provision be made for the establishment of a
British authority in the said dominions: Be it therefore enacted, that it shall and may be
lawful for His Majesty, by any commission or commissions, or warrant or warrants under
his Royal sign manual, to appoint not exceeding three of His Majesty's subjects to be
superintendents of the trade of His Majesty's subjects to and from the said dominions, for
the purpose of protecting and promoting such trade; and by any such commission or war-
rant as aforesaid, to settle such gradation and subordination among the said superintendents,
(one of whom shall be styled the chief superintendent,) and to appoint such officers to assist
them in the execution of their duties, and to grant such salaries to such superintendents and
officers, as His Majesty shall from time to time deem expedient.
VI." And be it enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for His Majesty by any such
order or orders, commission or commissions as to His Majesty in Council shall appear expe-
dient and salutary, to give to the said superintendents, or any of them, powers and authori-
ties over and in respect of the trade and commerce of His Majesty's subjects within any
part of the said dominions, and to make and issue directions and regulations touching the
said trade and commerce, and for the government of His Majesty's subjects within the said
dominions; and to impose penalties, forfeitures, or imprisonments for the breach of any
such directions or regulations, to be enforced in such manner as in the said order or orders
shall be specified; and to create a court of justice, with criminal and admiralty jurisdiction,
for the trial of offences committed by His Majesty's subjects within the said dominions and
the ports and havens thereof, and on the high seas within 100 miles of the coast of China;
and to appoint one of the superintendents hereinbefore mentioned to be the officer to hold
such court, and other officers for executing the powers thereof; and to grant such salaries
to such officers as to His Majesty in Council shall appear reasonable.
""
(R.)—ORDER of the King in Council, establishing Regulations for the government of the
King's Subjects at Canton, dated 9th December 1833.
At the Court at Brighton, the 9th of December 1833.
Present:-The King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.
Whereas by a certain Act of Parliament, made and passed in the 3d and 4th years of His
Majesty's reign, intituled, " An Act to regulate the Trade to China and India," it is, amongst
other things, enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for His Majesty, by any such order
or orders as to His Majesty in Council shall appear expedient and salutary, to give to the
superintendents in the said Act mentioned, or any of them, powers and authorities over and
in respect of the trade and commerce of His Majesty's subjects within any part of the
dominions of the Emperor of China, and to make and issue directions and regulations.
touching the said trade and commerce, and for the direction of His Majesty's subjects within
the said dominions, and to impose penalties, forfeitures, or imprisonments for the breach
of any such directions or regulations, to be enforced in such manner as in the said order or
orders shall be specified; and whereas the officers of the Chinese government resident in
or near Canton, in the empire of China, have signified to the supracargoes of the East India
Company at Canton the desire of that government, that effectual provision should be made
by law for the good order of all His Majesty's subjects resorting to Canton, and for the
maintenance of peace and due subordination amongst them; and it is expedient that effect
should be given to such reasonable demands of the said Chinese government. Now, there-
fore, in pursuance of the said Act, and in execution of the powers thereby in His Majesty
in Council in that behalf vested, it is hereby ordered by His Majesty, by and with the
advice of His Privy Council, that all the powers and authorities which on the 21st day of
April 1834 shall by law be vested in the supracargoes of the United Company of Merchants
trading to the East Indies, over and in respect of the trade and commerce of His Majesty's
subjects at the port of Canton, shall be, and the same are hereby vested in the superin-
tendents for the time being, appointed under and by virtue of the said Act of Parliament;
and that all regulations which on the said 21st day of April 1834 shall be in force touching
the said trade and commerce, save so far as the same are repealed or abrogated by the said
Act.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
III.
181
Act of Parliament, or by any commission and instructions or Orders in Council issued or
made by His Majesty in pursuance thereof, or are inconsistent therewith, shall continue in
full force and virtue; and that all such penalties, forfeitures, or imprisonments as might on
the said 21st day of April 1834 be incurred or enforced for the breach of such then existing
regulations, shall thenceforth be in like manner incurred and enforced for the breach of the
same regulations, so far as the same are hereby revived and continued in force as aforesaid ;
and that all such penalties, forfeitures, or imprisonments when so incurred, shall be
enforced in manner following; that is to say, either by such ways and means by which the
same might, on the said 21st of April 1834, have been lawfully enforced; or by the sentence
and adjudication of the court of justice established at Canton aforesaid, under and in pur-
suance of the said Act of Parliament: provided also, and it is further declared, that the
regulations herein contained are and shall be considered as provisional only, and as intended
to continue in force only until His Majesty shall be pleased to make such further or other
order in the premises in pursuance of the said Act of Parliament, as to His Majesty; with
the advice of his Privy Council, may hereafter seem salutary or expedient, in reference to
such further information and experience as may hereafter be derived from the future course
of the said trade.
And it is hereby further ordered, that the said superintendents shall compile and publish,
for the information of all whom it may concern, the several regulations hereby established
and confirmed as aforesaid, and that such publication, when so made with the authority of
the superintendents, shall for all purposes be deemed and taken to be legal and conclusive
evidence of the existence and of the terms of any such regulation. And it is further ordered,
that the said superintendents shall, on the arrival of any British ship or vessel at the port
of Canton aforesaid, cause to be delivered to the master, commander, or other officer,
together with every other person arriving in or being on board any such ship, shall be bound
and is hereby required to conform himself to such regulations. And the Right Honourable
Viscount Palmerston, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, is to give the
necessary directions herein accordingly.
(signed)
PAPERS DELIVERED IN BY W. JARDINE, Esq.
(1.)—ORDER IN COUNCIL.
C. C. Greville.
Powers of Supra-
cargoes at Canton,
and British Super-
intendents.
(Presented to Parliament by Command of Her Majesty, April 1840.)
At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 3d day of April 1840,
Present:-The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.
HER Majesty having taken into consideration the late injurious proceedings of certain
officers of the Emperor of China towards officers and subjects of Her Majesty; and Her Order in Council,
Majesty having given orders that satisfaction and reparation for the same shall be demanded 3 April 1840.
from the Chinese Government; and it being expedient that, with a view to obtain such
satisfaction and reparation, ships and vessels and cargoes, belonging to the Emperor of
China and to his subjects, shall be detained and held in custody; and, that if such repara-
tion and satisfaction be refused by the Chinese Government, the ships and vessels and
cargoes so detained, and others to be thereafter detained, shall be confiscated and sold,
and that the proceeds thereof shall be applied in such manner as Her Majesty may be
pleased to direct: Her Majesty, therefore, is pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy
Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, that the commanders of Her Majesty's ships of
war do detain and bring into port, all ships, vessels, and goods belonging to the Emperor
of China, or his subjects, or other persons inhabiting within any of the countries, territories,
or dominions of China; and, in the event of such reparation and satisfaction as aforesaid
having been refused by the Chinese Government, to bring the same to judgment in any of
the courts of Admiralty, within Her Majesty's dominions: and to that end, Her Majesty's
Advocate-general with the Advocate of the Admiralty, are forthwith to prepare the draft of
a Commission, and present the same to Her Majesty at this Board, authorizing the Com-
missioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral to will and require the High Court
of Admiralty of Great Britain, as also the several courts of Admiralty within Her Majesty's
dominions, to take cognizance of, and judicially proceed upon all, and all manner of cap-
tures, seizures, prizes, and reprisals of all ships, vessels, and goods, that are, or shall be
taken, and to hear and determine the same according to the course of Admiralty, and the
laws of nations, to adjudge and condemn all such such ships, vessels, and goods as shall
belong
0.59.
AA 3
182
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
Order in Council,
3 April 1840.
Order in Council,
4 April 1840.
belong to China, or subjects of the Emperor of China, or to any others inhabiting within
any of his countries, territories, or dominions; and that such powers and clauses be inserted
in the said commission as have been usual, and are according to former precedents; they
are, likewise, to prepare, and lay before Her Majesty at this Board, a draft of such instruc-
tions as may be proper to be sent to the courts of Admiralty in Her Majesty's foreign
Governments and Plantations for their guidance berein and the said Commissioners are to
give the necessary directions herein accordingly.
(2.)-ORDER IN COUNCIL.
C. C. Greville.
(Presented to Parliament by Command of Her Majesty, April 1840.)
At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 4th day of April 1840.
Present:-The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.
WHEREAS there was this day read at the Board the annexed draft of a Commission
authorizing the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of Great
Britain, to will and require the several courts of Admiralty to take cognizance of, and judi-
cially proceed upon all captures, seizures, prizes, and reprisals that have been or shall be
made of ships or vessels belonging to the Emperor of China or his subjects; Her Majesty
taking the same into consideration, was pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy
Council, to approve thereof; and to order, as it is hereby ordered, that the Right Honour-
able Viscount Palmerston, one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, do cause the
said Commission to be prepared for Her Majesty's signature, with a proper Warrant for
the immediate passing the same, under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland.
(signed) C. C. Greville.
VICTORIA R.
VICTORIA, by the Grace of God Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. &c. &c. to Our right trusty and right well-beloved
Cousin and Councillor, Gilbert, Earl of Minto, Knight Grand Cross of the most Honour-
able Military Order of the Bath; Our trusty and well-beloved Sir Charles Adam, Knight
Commander of the most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Vice-Admiral of the Blue
Squadron of Our Fleet; Sir William Parker, Knight Commander of the most Honourable
Military Order of the Bath, Rear-Admiral of the White Squadron of Our Fleet; Sir Edward
Thomas Troubridge, Baronet, Captain in Our Navy; Sir Samuel John Brooke Pechell,
Baronet, Captain in Our Navy; and Archibald Primrose, Esquire (commonly called Lord
Dalmeny); Our Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of Our
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging,
and to Our Commissioners for executing that office for the time being, greeting: Whereas
We have taken into consideration the late injurious proceedings of certain officers of the
Emperor of China towards certain of Our officers and subjects; and whereas We have
given orders that satisfaction and reparation for the same shall be demanded from the
Chinese Government; and whereas it is expedient, with the view to obtain such satisfac-
tion and reparation, that ships and vessels and cargoes belonging to the Emperor of China
and to his subjects, shall be detained and held in custody; and if such reparation and
satisfaction be refused by the Chinese Government, the ships, vessels, and cargoes so
detained, and others to be thereafter detained, shall be confiscated and sold, and that the
proceeds thereof shall be applied in such manner as We may hereafter be pleased to direct :
We, therefore, are pleased, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council, to order that the
commanders of Our ships of war do detain and bring into port all ships, vessels, and goods
belonging to the Emperor of China or his subjects, or other persons inhabiting within any
of the countries, territories, or dominions of China; and in the event of such reparation
and satisfaction as aforesaid having been refused by the Chinese Government, to bring the
same to judgment in any of the courts of Admiralty within our dominions: These are there-
fore to authorize, and We do hereby authorize and enjoin you, Our said Commissioners,
now and for the time being, or any three or more of you, to will and require Our High
Court of Admiralty of England, and the Lieutenant and Judge of the said court, and his
surrogate or surrogates, and also the several courts of Admiralty within Our dominions,
which shall be duly commissioned, and they are hereby authorized and required, to take
cognizance of, and judicially to proceed upon all and all manner of captures, seizures, prizes,
and reprisals of all ships, vessels, and goods already seized and taken, and which hereafter
shall be seized and taken, and hear and determine the same, according to the course of
Admiralty, and the laws of nations; and to adjudge and condemn all such ships, vessels,
and goods as shall belong to China, or subjects of the Emperor of China, or to any others
inhabiting
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
183
*
inhabiting within any of His countries, territories, or dominions. In witness whereof, We Order in Council,
have caused the Great Seal of Our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to be 4 April 1840.
affixed to these presents, which We have signed with Our Royal Hand.
Given at Our Court at Buckingham Palace, the 4th day of April, in the year of Our
Lord 1840, and in the third year of Our reign.
(3.)-CLAIMS FOR INDEMNITY FOR OPIUM SURRENDERED.
Her Britannic Majesty's Government,
Dr to Jardine, Matheson & Co.
For Indemnity for the undermentioned Opium surrendered for the service of Her Majesty's
Government to the Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British Subjects in China, in
obedience to his requisition of 27 March 1839.
306 chests Patna opium, received 2 March 1839 per barque Red
Rover, amounting as per accompanying invoice to Company's
rupees
141 chests ditto, received 16 March, per Ann
447 chests.
206 rupees, per 100 dollars, the exchange at Bombay on China
CHARGES.
Company's Rupees
Freight, at $16 per ch.
Demurrage and ship-room, 1 mo. at $1 per c.
Insurance, at $ 201,150, 1/3 per c.
Cunsha, or delivery fee, $5 per ch.
Interest on $191,698 54 for 2. 22 days, from
22 days, from 27 March
to this date, at 1 per cent. per mo.
Macao, 18 June 1839.
0.59.
÷
1
Exchange 5/ per dollar
1
A A 4
|
(Errors excepted).
I
Our commission, $ 207,436 02, 3 per c.
1
1
7,152
(signed)
Spanish Dollars
2,235
1
447
672 50
•
00
5,230 98
I
Rs.
Sterling
270,332
124,567
394,899
Span. Dols.
191,698 54
$ 207,436 02
6,223 08
15,737 48
213,659 10
53,414 15 6
Jardine, Matheson & Co.
Claims for Iudem-
nity for Opium
surrendered.

184
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
Claims for Indem-
nity for Opiuma
surrendered.
No. 181.-Duplicate.
INVOICE of 306 chests Patna Opium, shipped per Red Rover, Wright, for Lintin, and con-
signed to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. on their account and risk.
J. M. & Co. 306 chests Patna opium, at 837/ per chest.
P.
1 a' 306.
CHARGES.
To paid for packing, marking, and shipping
To paid insurance on Co. rs. 299,880, at 21
per cent. and policy
To paid commission on Co. rs. 256,122, at 21
per cent.
(E. E.)
Calcutta, 9 January 1830.
-
J.M. & Co. 141 chests Patna opium, at 837/ per c.
P.
307 a' 447.
I
(E. E.)
Calcutta, 23 January 1839.
Macao, 10 June 1839.
Cash this day, Co's. Rs.
(signed)
CHARGES.
To paid packing, marking, and shipping
To paid insurance on Co.'s Rs. 138,180, at 2 §
per cent. and policy
To paid commission on Co.'s Rs. 118,017, at 21
per cent.
1
1
306
7,501
6,403
(signed)
}
|
Certified that the above-mentioned opium has been surrendered by us to H. M. Chief
Superintendent of the trade of British subjects in China, for the service of Her Britannic
Majesty, in obedience to his requisition of 27 March 1839.
Macao, 10 June 1839.
(signed)
+
No. 210.-Duplicate.
INVOICE of 141 chests Patna Opium, shipped per Ann, Captain Guy, for Lintin, and con-
signed to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. on their account and risk.
Cash 10 instant Company's Rupees
Lyall, Matheson & Co.
256,122
141 1 3
3,458 8
2,950 6 9
14,210
Jardine, Matheson & Co.
270,332
1
118,017
6,550
124,567
<
S
Men d
Lyall, Matheson & Co.
Certified that the above-mentioned opium has been surrendered by us to H. M. Chief
Superintendent of the trade of British subjects in China, for the service of Her Britannic
Majesty, in obedience to his requisition of 27 March 1839.
(signed)
Jardine, Matheson & Co.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
185
Her Britannic Majesty's Government,
Dr to Jardine, Matheson & Co.
For Indemnity for the undermentioned Opium surrendered for the service of Her Majesty's
Government, to the Chief Superintendent of the trade of British subjects in China, in
obedience to his requisition of 27 March 1839.
71 Chests of Malwa Opium received 4 September 1838, per ship Van-
sittart, amounting as per accompanying invoice to Company's
Rupees
At 206 rupees per 100 dollars, the exchange at Bombay on China,
Spanish dollars
Insurance to China $35,000, 2 per
Freight at $7 per c.
Demurrage and ship-room, 2 mos. at 1 per c.
Insurance $35,000, at 1/3 per pm. 5 ms.
Cunsha, or delivery fee, at $5 per c.
Interest 7 months, at 1 per ct. pm.
0.
C.
352 a' 378
1,864 a' 1,883
1,884 a' 1,897
1,898 a' 1,903
1,926 a' 1,928
1,929 a'
CHARGES.
1
I
Our Commission $ 37502 36 at 3 per c.
Spanish Dollars
14
6
3
1
Exchange at 5/ per dollar
(Errors Excepted.)
20 chests repacked, good shape.
I
(signed)
71 chests, at Rs. 920 per chest
MALWA PASS OPIUM.
27 chests not repacked after the inspector's exami-
nation.
$878
497
142
585 30
Macao, 18 June 1839.
Jardine, Matheson & Co.
INVOICE of 71 Chests of Malwa Pass Opium, shipped by Remington & Co. at Bombay,
on board the ship Vansittart, Capt. McQueen, bound to Lintin, consigned to, and on
account and risk of, Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. of Canton, being marked and num-
bered as per margin.
CHARGES.
Hamallage and boat hire
Repacking on 44 chests, including
nails, tape, wax, &c.
Inspector's fee for examining the
quality at Rs. 2 per chest -
Bazar brokerage, on Rs. 65,320 at
per ct.
Commission on ditto, 2 per ct.
Freight at $7 per chest, payable in
China as per bill of lading.
B B
355
2,292 64
-
1
not. so good shape.
good shape.
not good shape.
ditto, containing 133 lbs.
1
Sterling
. Rs.
Rs. 27 0 0
Rupees
22 0 0
142 0 0
326 2 40
1,633
0 0
67,470 2 40
32,752 42
4,749 94
37,502 36
1,125 06
38,627 42
9,656 17 0
65,320 0 0
2,150 2 40
67,470 2 40
(Errors Excepted.)
(signed) Remington & Co.
Bombay, 7 July 1838.
Certified that the within-mentioned opium has been surrendered by us to Her Majesty's
Chief Superintendent of the trade of British subjects in China, for the service of Her
Britannic Majesty, in obedience to his requisition of 27 March 1839.
Macao, 10 June 1839.
0.59.
(signed) Jardine, Matheson & Co.
Claims for Indem-
nity for Opium
surrendered.
186
APPENDIX TO REPORT FROM THE
Purchases of
Patna Opium.
Purchases of
Malwa Opium.
1838:
August 26
28
(A.)—STATEMENT of PURCHASES of PATNA OPIUM made by Jardine, Matheson & Co.
in Canton.
-
25
November 24
25
September 3
4
Allye
6 Tylong
10
1838:
July
31
1
August
-
Acheong
11
Yeehing
14 Tunshun
21
Tylong
October - 8
8
Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee
18
19
20
23
24
1
3
From whom.
I
Wm. Scott
Affech
W. Scott
Ditto
Bowamjee Manechjee
Tienshun
Wm. Scott
Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee
000
Yeehing
Captain Parry
H. M. Cursetjee
CHESTS
26
30 Ditto
From whom.
(4.)—PURCHASES OF OPIUM.

-
Chunsing
James Innes
Appun
Chunsing
Appun
Allye
Achow
16 Achow
18 Tylong
26
Accong
September 3 Appun
Allye
Tienshun
-
-
Wm. Scott
(B.)—STATEMENT of PURCHASES of MALWA OPIUM made by Jardine, Matheson & Co.
in Canton.
40
Wohing
Bomanjee Manechjee 45
S
|
1
1
I
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
រ
Ba
1
Che
Chests. Price.
1
1
20
45
10
25
40
40
10
45
40
30
10
20
9
10
10
9
3
10
30
1
417
40
10
Chests. Price.
25
1
$.
575
580
590
595
595
585
580
20 625
LO
579
590
607
15 630
10
621
621
626
5
545
540
530
560
5
10
10
10
530
590
595
585
570
540
621
7 620
15
6 625
622
625
626
10
20
40
10
$.
620
620
675
5 670
5 625
625
630
650
650
655
665
675
$.
11,500
26,100
5,900
14,875
23,800
23,400
5,800
26,055
23,000
18,210
5,450
10,800
4,770
5,600
5,300
5,310
1,785
5,850
17,100
540
$. 241,745 or $. 579 724 per chest.

$.
24,800
27,900
12,500
9,450
6,210
24,840
6,260
15,525
4,340
3,750
3,110
3,125
3,130
6,550
6,650
6,750
10,125
3,350
3,125
6,250
12,600
26,000
6,500
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CHINA TRADE.
187

•
I
1838:
September 8 Accong
11
I
1 1
I
1
9
10
G
0.59.
|
12
1
Tienshun
11 Pallonjee Derabjee
Whosing -
Tylong
Yeeshing
Lienshun
1
14
From whom.
|
Oshing
Tylong
Irenchun
17
Ditto
25
Ditto
28 Tylong
Allye
October 8 Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee
11
23 Bomanjee Manechjee
25
November 3
Tylong
Tienshun
}
1
CHESTS
5 Yeeshing
25 Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee
Toushing
Chests. Price.
15
15
20
10
15
20
12
7
10
30
40
10
15
20
10
10
8
32
8
25
58
200
$.
630
570
570
5 565
968
625
615
620
600
605
600
600
5 560
595
590
580
565
555
570
565
565
560
BB 2
565
560
550
$.
9,450
9,375
12,300
6,200
9,000
12,100
7,200
4,200
5,950
17,700
23,200
5,650
8,325
11,400
5,650
5,650
4,480
18,240
4,560
2,825
2,800
14,125
32,480
110,000
$. 575,700 or $. 594'73.
Before me, Captain Charles Elliot, R.N. Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British
subjects in China, personally appeared this day Henry Wright, partner in the British firm
of Jardine, Matheson & Co. lately of Canton, now of Macao, who maketh oath that the
Statements (A.) and (B.), hereunto appended, exhibit alone a faithful account, extracted
from Jardine, Matheson & Co.'s opium book, herewith produced, of the rate of cost and
average of Patna and Malwa Opium purchased in China, surrendered by the said Jardine,
Matheson & Co. for the service of Her Majesty's Government.
(signed)
H. Wright.
INDEX.
}
Purchases of
Malwa Opium.
:
ANALYSIS
[ 189 ]
Astell, Mr.
Bell, Messrs.
Johnston, Mr.
BOMBAY MERCHANTS:
LIST of the PRINCIPAL HEADINGS referred to in the following INDEX, with the Page of
the Index at which they will be respectively found.
Calcutta Trade
Parsee Merchants
Suicides at Bombay
Bombay Trade
Bond, the (25th March)
Calcutta Sales of Opium
Calcutta Trade
I
ANALYSIS OF INDEX.
1
1. Quantities of Opium owned by
them
4. Forbearance of Creditors
-
0
191
2. Distress caused by the Surrender
of their Property to the Chinese 192
3. Their Reliance upon the Promise
of Indemnity
-
1 1
CERTIFICATES OF OPIUM SURRENDERed.
1. Whether negotiable
INDE X.
Chinese Native Trade
Christianity
COMPENSATION FROM THE CHINESE:
1. In China
2. In India
DENT, MR.
Page of Index.
191
191
204
CONSUMPTION OF OPIUM:
2. Doubts as to the Payment of
them
Indemnity for the Opium surrendered -
Powers of Captain Elliot
Surrender of the Opium
Indemnity for the Opium surrendered
Surrender of the Opium
·
·
.
·
Confidence in the British Government
Confiscation of Opium by the Chinese
Connivance of the Chinese Authorities at the
Opium Trade
Opium Trade with China
-
1. Original Intention of the Chinese
to pay for the Opium demanded 193
2. Extortion of Compensation from
them by Force
-
·
·
-
·
192
192
-
192
210
212
192
192
192
192
193
193
199
210
212
193
193
193
199
212
1. Narrative of Proceedings: Rea-
sons of the Chinese for requir-
ing his presence in the City,
and of his refusal to gọ
196
2. Unanimity of the Foreign Com-
munity in advising him not to go 196
3. Proceedings of Captain Elliot
with reference to Mr. Dent
Penal Bonds
Powers of Captain Elliot
0.59.
193
193
194
208
194
194
196
210
210
Dent & Co.
Destruction of the Opium
-
Duresse of THE COMMUNITY :
&c.
2. Alaca
Servants
Violence
Water
1. Its Nature and Extent: Danger,
-
EAST INDIA COMPANY:
Powers of Captain Elliot
Surrender of the Opium
Violence
GROWTH OF OPIUM:
1. In India
2. In China
Their cognizance of the Opium Trade
Hong Merchants
0
Elliot, Captain
Dent, Mr.
Duresse of the Foreign Community
Expulsion of Foreigners
Indemnity for the Opium surrendered
Instructions to Captain Elliot
Palmerston, Lord
1
Howqua
Imperial Edicts
-
Page of Index.
196
196
-
Execution, the
Expulsion of Foreigners from Canton
Foreign Community
Dent, Mr.
Duresse of the Foreign Community
G
1
I
Howqua
Laws of China
Legalization of the Opium Trade
Mowqua
-
-
↓
W
1
-
1
-
INDEMNITY FOR THE OPIUM SURRENDERED:
1. Evidence showing that the Opium
was surrendered on account
of the Reliance of Merchants
upon Captain Elliot's engage-
ment
Instructions of Captain Elliot
Powers of Captain Elliot
Johnston, Mr. (Second Superintendent)
B B 3
-
2. Confirmatory Claims to In-
demnity
-
-
3. Cost Price only of the Opium
demanded
Bombay Merchants
Certificates of Opium surrendered
Compensation from the Chinese
Powers of Captain Elliot
Surrender of the Opium
-
-
-
·
-
-
1
-
-
-
197
197
211
215
215
197
197
196
196
198
199
202
210
210
212
215
198
198
198
196
197
198
198
198
198
204
204
208
198
199
199
199
199
191
193
193
210
212
202
210
204
90
ANALYSIS OF INDEX.
Laws of China
Imperial Edicts
Tariff of China
Legal Trade with China
Legalization of the Opium Trade
Lin, Commissioner
ALPHABETICAL LIST of the PRINCIPAL HEADINGS-continued.
LINTIN:
Compensation from the Chinese
Dent, Mr.
Destruction of the Opium
Duresse of the Community
Surrender of the Opium
Violence
Malwa Opium
www
-
Consumption of Opium
Prices of Opium
Mobs in China
Napier, Lord
Memorial, the, to Lord Palmerston
Duresse of the Community
Orders in Council
1
G
40
-
Palmerston, Lord -
Parsee Merchants
A
How far the Ships were within the Jurisdic-
tion or the Power of the Chinese; Position
of the Anchorage, &c.
Bombay Merchants -
Calcutta Trade
Page of Index.
204
199
213
204
204
204
193
196
196
A
·
1
OPIUM TRADE WITH CHINA:
1. Fluctuations therein
2. Interruptions to the Trade
3. Mode of conducting the Trade
4. Its Notoriety
5. Its Popularity with the Chinese
People
6. Its Legality
7. Moral Objections to it
8. Trade carried on since the Sur-
render of Opium by Captain
Elliot
-
Bombay Merchants -
Calcutta Sales of Opium
Connivance of Chinese Authorities at
the Opium Trade -
Consumption of Opium
East India Company
Growth of Opium
Insurance of Opium
Legalization of the Opium Trade
Lintin
Prices of Opium
Viceroy of Canton
Yuen, Governor
Instructions to Captain Elliot
Memorial, the, to Lord Palmerston
-
#
1
1
Confidence in the British Government
Suicides at Bombay -
1
-
G
®
1
G
-
S
•
197
212
205
1
206
194
211
207
197
208
208
208
208
209
209
209
209
209
209
191
192
194
194
197
198
202
204
205
211
214
215
210
210
202
207
210
191
210
193
212
Penal Bonds
Portuguese
-
POWERS OF CAPTAIN ELLIOT :
1. Generally
2. Specifically as regards his En-
gagement for Indemnity
PRICES OF OPIUM.
Indemnity for the Opium surrendered
Instructions to Captain Elliot
Surrender of the Opium
}
3. Prices since the Surrender
Remonstrance
Revenue (British India)
Servants
-
SURREND R OF THE OPIUM. :
Duresse of the Foreign Community
Smoking Opium
Smuggling
Suicides at Bombay
Supercargoes of the East India Company
Page of Index.
210
209
Sycee Silver
Violence
Water
1. Average Prices generally
2. Prices previous to the Surrender
of the Opium to Captain Elliot 211
211
21 I
Sund
Bombay Merchants -
Certificates of Opium surrendered
Compensation from the Chinese -
Dent & Co.
Tariff of China
Viceroy of Canton
To the Chinese before Captain
Elliot's arrival
II. To Captain Elliot upon his Requi-
sition :
Ga
-
the Opium Trade
Opium Trade with China
Duresse of the Community
1. Prompt Obedience of Merchants
to Captain Elliot's Requisition:
Reliance upon his Pledge of
Payment
·
2. Deficiency discovered in the
Number of Chests after the
Account had been given in:
how caused and supplied
Indemnity for the Opium surrendered ·
Powers of Captain Elliot
Prices of Opium
<
-
G
•
-
Connivance of Chinese Authorities at
I
-
210
210
199
202
212
211
211
211
197
212
212
212
212
212
213
213
191
193
193
196
199
210
211
213
213
214
194
- 208
215
197
215
1
[ 191 ]
INDE X.
N.B.-In this Index the Figures following the Names refer to the Questions in the Evidence;
and App. p. to the page of the Appendix.
A.
ADVANCES. See Bills of Lading.
Aken, John. Evidence before Committee on East India Affairs in 1830. Mode of con-
ducting the opium trade; the apparent vigilance of the mandarins to prevent smug-
gling does not exist in reality, App. p. 160.
American Consul. See Foreign Community.
Americans. Those who held opium, surrendered it as British property, Inglis 425.
See also Howqua.
Anchorages. Since 1821, the receiving ships have been continually ordered from one
anchorage to another, Jardine 1424-1427-See also Lintin.
Arbuthnot & Co., Messrs., of Madras. Negociated bills drawn at six months sight, by
Dent & Co., at the same rate, as a salary bill of Captain Elliot, at 30 days' sight,
Inglis 770.
Astell, Mr. The only information Captain Elliot had received of the proceedings of the
Chinese authorities at Canton, previous to his arrival, was from a private letter of Mr.
Astell, one of the East India Company's agents, Inglis 24, 139.
Authority of Captain Elliot. See Powers of Captain Elliot.
Bahadur Mull. See Malwa Opium.
Banishment. See Expulsion of Foreigners.
B.
Bayley, W. B. Extracts from his evidence in 1832, before the Select Committee on
East India Affairs, as to the revenue arising from opium, App. p. 168.
Bell, Messrs. On the day before Captain Elliot's arrival they gave their opium in charge
of Mr. Johnston, the second superintendent, for security, who accepted it without any
guarantee, Inglis 24-28.-See also Johnston, Mr.
Benares Opium. See Consumption of Opium.
Bills of Lading. It is the practice of China merchants to advance money upon the opium,
holding the bills of lading as their security, Inglis 355.
Bocca Tigris. The Chinese custom-house department does not extend beyond the Bocca
Tigris, Jardine 1428–1430.
Bogue, The, In practice the Chinese have taken no cognizance of the cargoes of ships
until they enter the Bogue, Inglis 625, 626.—See also Confiscation of Opium.
BOMBAY MERCHANTS:
1. Quantities of Opium owned by them.
2. Distress caused by the surrender of their Property to the Chinese.
3. Their reliance upon the Promise of Indemnity.
4. Forbearance of Creditors.
1. Quantities of Opium owned by them :
The greater part of the opium belonged to native merchants at Bombay; they own
all the Malwa opium, and also a great portion of the Bengal opium; losses that they
will suffer, Inglis 347-364- They have been of late years large operators in opium,
both in the Calcutta and Bombay markets, Malcolmson 1937, 1938-A large propor-
tion of the opium is exported on their account; nearly a third of the Bengal opium
belongs to them, Matheson 2096–2101.
2. Distress
0.59.
BB 4
192
[China
BOM
CEN
Report, 1840-continued.
BOMBAY MERCHANTS--continued.
2. Distress caused by the surrender of their Property to the Chinese :
Many of the smaller merchants were ruined by the surrender of the opium, and rich
speculators derived the profit arising from the subsequent high prices, Inglis 385-392
The surrender of the opium will be the utter ruin of many Parsee merchants in
Bombay and Calcutta, Jardine 1796–1798. Commercial distress at Bombay; com-
plaints of breach of faith on the part of Government, Jardine 1802-If the losses
are not made good, ruin must be the consequence to many families, Cursetjee 1961-
1968.
Pagkat
3. Their reliance upon the Promise of Indemnity:
Strong feeling entertained by them of their claims to indemnity; encouragement
given to the opium trade by the Indian Government, Malcolmson 1889-1893- No
doubt was felt that Government would fulfil the engagements of its functionary, Mal-
colmson, 1853-1855-On the refusal of Government to pay, the merchants expected
much from Parliament; disastrous consequences if they are disappointed, Malcolmson
1864-1869—Their confidence that Government would confirm the act of Captain
Elliot, Cursetjee 1944–1948.
4. Forbearance of Creditors:
Forbearance of creditors in expectation that the indemnity will be paid, Malcolmson
1850-1852; Cursetjee 1973, 1974-All classes of merchants at Bombay were affected
by the surrender of the opium; their creditors did not press for payment, believing
that the indemnity would be paid, Matheson 2103-2105-At first there was a general
forbearance on the part of creditors at Bombay, but latterly many merchants have been
greatly distressed, Matheson 2141-2143-If an immediate settlement of their claims.
cannot be made, an immediate acknowledgment of them will save their credit, and
continue the forbearance of their creditors, Malcolmson 1899-1918.
See also Calcutta Trade. Compensation from the Chinese. Confidence in the Govern-
ment. Parsee Merchants. Suicides.
C.
Bombay Trade. Severe effect of the withholding the opium indemnity upon the internal
trade of Bombay generally, Malcolmson, 1846-1849-The locking up of so much
capital must interfere with many branches of trade, Cursetjee 1978-The general trade
was much deranged, the sale of British manufactures diminished, and the export trade
to China diminished, Matheson 2116-2119.
Bond, The. (25th March.)-On the 25th March, previous to Captain Elliot's proclama-
tion, the principal merchants engaged to sign a bond that they would not enter into the
opium trade any more, with a view to modify the terms of the commissioner's demand,
Inglis 313-315; Daniell 1254, 1255-At that time they had not suffered much prac-
tical inconvenience, Inglis 316-331, 347-350.-See also Penal Bonds.
Braine, Mr. See Memorial, The. Powers of Captain Elliot.
Date +
Calcutta Sales of Opium. Statement of the prices at which opium was sold at Calcutta
in October 1839, after the surrender of the 20,000 chests; average prices on other occa-
sions, Inglis 517-522-Since the surrender of the opium, the annual proclamation of
the government for granting passes for Malwa opium has issued, and 15,000 chests of
Patna, and 7,500 of Benares opium, was ready to be brought for sale, Malcolmson 1892.
Calcutta Trade. The loss of the opium has not been felt so much at Calcutta as at Bom-
bay, the trade in other articles being more extensive, Malcolmson 1936-The export of
opium from Calcutta is very frequently on Bombay account, Malcolmson 1937, 1938.
Nearly a third of the Bengal opium belongs to the Bombay merchants, Matheson 2096–
2101- Quantities of opium shipped in each year, from 1820-21 to 1830-31, at the
port of Calcutta, to countries beyond the three residences, App. p. 166.
Canton. There was no opium in Canton at the time of Captain Elliott's arrival, Thacker
787-790- Less than a chest of opium was at Canton, Daniell 1192, 1193.
Canton Merchants. The Chinese merchants engaged in the opium trade had disappeared
before the arrival of Commissioner Lin, Matheson 2272-2274.
Censors. A class of officers in China who report what they please direct to the emperor,
as to other officers, whether true or false, and no punishment can ensue, Jardine 1449-
1453.
CERTIFICATES
Trade.]
193
CER
CON
Report, 1840-continued.
CERTIFICATES OF OPIUM SURRENDERED:
1. Whether negociable.
2. Doubts as to the payment of them.
1. Whether negociable :
The certificates given by Captain Elliot were not sold as negociable securities
except at Bombay, as "opium scrip," at a very great discount, Inglis 473-477——
Price at which opium scrip was sold at Calcutta; at Bombay no attempt was made to
negociate it, Malcolmson 1919-1928 -Witness has not heard of any negociations of
opium scrip, Daniell 1328-1333-Witness is not aware that any opium scrip was
sold at Bombay, Matheson 2111.
2. Doubts as to the payment of them :
At Bombay the people doubted Captain Elliot's power to grant them, Inglis 473-477
There was a general feeling, at Bombay, that Captain Elliot's bills would not be
honoured, Malcolmson 1894-1898-There was no general feeling of that kind; indul-
gence was shown to those whose money was locked up in China, Cursetjee 1973, 1974
Doubts were expressed as to the immediate payment, in letters written from Eng-
land in August, three months before the application to the Treasury, Matheson 2112–2115.
See also Indemnity. Surrender.
COMPENSATION FROM THE CHINESE :
Chinese Native Trade. Absurd regulations issued by Commissioner Lin; the form of the
junks laid down, and the name of every sailor to be written in clear characters on the
sail, Inglis 621.
COM
Christianity. Edicts of the Chinese government against the introduction of Christianity,
and the dissemination of tracts; voyage of Mr. Medhurst in the Huron; opposition
encountered by him, Jardine 1503-1513.
1. Original Intention of the Chinese to pay for the Opium demanded.
2. Extortion of Compensation from them by Force.
1. Original Intention of the Chinese to pay for the Opium demanded :
Witness believes that Commissioner Lin at first intended to pay for the opium, but
changed his mind on finding that there were 20,000 chests, Inglis 13-18-Reasons for
believing that the opium would be paid for; wording of the edict; conversations on the
subject of compensation with Howqua and Mowqua, Hong merchants, Inglis 30, 31,
205-216-If the Chinese had given compensation for the opium, it would have been
paid, by means of the Hong merchants, out of the Consoo fund; reasons for thinking
this to have been Lin's intention, Inglis 663-668-Lin would have bought a certain
quantity of opium to save his credit with the emperor, and the rest he would have sent
away, if
if proper
firmness had been shown, Jardine 1363-1369--It was understood
that the 1,037 chests were to be paid for; this does not appear on any written document,
Matheson 2364-2370.
2. Extortion of Compensation from them by Force:
An understanding that compensation for the opium destroyed is to be forced from the
Chinese would tend to avert the consequences of a refusal of indemnity by Parliament,
Malcolmson 1870-1876 Lord J. Russell's declaration will allay the fears of some,
but they will expect something more definite, Malcolmson 1887, 1888.
See also Indemnity. Surrender.
Confidence in the British Government. The natives of India rely with implicit confidence
upon the fulfilment of any pledge given by a public officer; their faith in the British
Government will be shaken if Captain Elliot's engagement be not confirmed, Cursetjee
1955-1960————The natives of Bombay are very sanguine in their hopes of payment;
they place great reliance upon the word of Government servants, whose acts they cannot
believe will be disavowed, Matheson 2106-2110.
Confinement of Foreigners. Opposition of the linguists to the departure of witness before
the issue of the edict forbidding foreigners to leave Canton, Inglis 7-9, 21, 22.
See also Duress of the Foreign Community.
Confiscation of Opium by the Chinese. Was frequently enforced, both upon native and
European boats within the Bogue; case in which confiscation took place at Macao, out-
side the Bogue, Inglis 707-736—The Chinese have the right of confiscation within
the Bocca Tigris, Jardine 1740-1755-The Chinese would have had a right to seize
the opium if they had been able, but had no right to touch the persons of parties not
proved to be engaged in smuggling transactions, Thacker 992-1000-If the Chinese
had attempted to seize the opium in the ships, they would have been resisted, Thacker
1024-1031 Object in preparing for the defence of the ships; declaration of Captain
Elliot, that the Chinese should not have a chest of opium three days before the proposal
was made for surrendering it, Thacker 1038-1047.
0.59.
CC
Connivance
194
[China
CON
DAN
Report, 1840-continued.
Connivance of the Chinese Authorities at the Opium Trade. Connivance of the Viceroy
Tang, and other high authorities, at the opium trade; profits derived by him; his son
was actually engaged in the trade, Inglis 669–686—The authorities in Canton knew
every house engaged in the trade; the trade was known to the highest, Jardine 1423.
1432-1435-The viceroy had four boats carrying opium with his flag; the ineffectual
edicts from Pekin prove the connivance of the emperor, Jardine 1439-1455 The
viceroy's boats carried on the smuggling trade between Lintin and Canton for eighteen
months, till near the time of Lin's arrival; there were sham fights, occasionally, to make
it appear that the authorities did their duty, Jardine 1535, 1536-Notoriety of the
viceroy's proceedings; a portion of his profits is said to have gone into the imperial
treasury, in the shape of presents, Jardine 1579-1589-The petty mandarins along
the coast are still conniving at the opium trade, Matheson 2436-2444⋅
Statement in Report of Committee, 8th July 1830, that the Chinese officers appear
systematically to connive at the smuggling opium, and to derive a large profit from
bribes, App. p. 157; Marjoribanks' Ev. App. p. 158; Aken's Ev. App. p. 159-Extract
from a letter of the Select Committee at Canton to the Court of Directors, 26th January
1831, on the connivance and corruption of the authorities, App. p. 160.
CONSUMPTION OF OPIUM:
1. In China.
2. In India
Consoo-House. Description of the interviews of witness and Mr. Thorn with four govern-
ment officers, and with an officer of the commissioners, as to Mr. Dent's coming into the
city, Inglis 23.
1. In China :
Two millions of persons out of the three hundred millions in China could consume all
the opium, Jardine 1671-1673-Statement of the consumption of Patna, Benares,
and Malwa opium in China, in each year from from 1818-19 to 1827-28, App. p. 159.
2. In India:
Opium is used in India by the Malwarees, but not to any great extent; it is not for-
bidden either by the Hindoo or Mahomedan religion, Cursetjee 2010-2017.
See also Refinement of Opium. Smoking Opium.
Cotton Crops in India. Difficulty of getting the cotton crops to market, from want of the
usual advances; quantities in 1840, from 1st January to 29th March, as compared with
the same period in 1839; high prices consequent upon the limited supply, Malcolmson
1932-1935.
D.
Cursetjee, Ardaseer. (Analysis of his Evidence.)-A Parsee gentleman of Bombay, upon
a visit to England for scientific objects connected with steam navigation in India, 1939
Unconnected with trade; some of his family are merchants, but not concerned in
the opium trade, 1940-1943-The people in Bombay had great confidence that the
Government would confirm the act of Captain Elliot, 1944-1948-A friend of witness.
has destroyed himself on account of some disappointment in the opium trade, 1949-
1954- -The natives of India rely with implicit confidence upon the fulfilment of any
pledge given by a public officer; their faith in the British Government will be shaken
if the engagement of Captain Elliot be not confirmed, 1955-1960.
If the parties are not repaid for their loss, ruin must be the consequence to many
families, 1961-1968-They understood that Captain Elliot had been acting by autho-
rity of his Government in demanding the opium, 1969-1972-There was no general
apprehension that his acts would be disavowed, and indulgence was therefore shown to
those whose money was locked up in China, 1973, 1974- The locking up of so much
capital would interfere with many branches of trade, 1978-The Parsees are the prin
cipal merchants at Bombay, 1980, 1981-The opium trade is considered legal in
India, although illegal in China; the opium is never shipped on board the East India
Company's vessels; many do not know that the trade is illegal in China, 1982-2000.
Opium is sometimes sent to Singapore and the Straits, but even then in private
merchant ships, 2001-2007- Before the trade was opened the Company's ships did not
engage in the opium trade, 2008, 2009-Opium is used in India by the Malwarees,
but not to any great extent; it is not forbidden either by the Hindoo or Mahomedan
religion, 2010-2017-Witness's friend, who committed suicide, was a proud man, aud
his creditor demanded his money sharply, 2018-2020-All persons concerned in the
trade will feel the disgrace of failing in their engagements very deeply, 2021, 2022
The Chinese had previously made seizures of opium, 2023-2028.
Daniel Anthony. (Analysis of his Evidence.)—A partner in the house of Daniel & Co. of
Canton, 1084, 1085--They were engaged in the opium trade chiefly on consignments,
1086–1088—— They never traded within the Bogue, but outside and along the coast,
1089-1091-At the beginning of 1839 there was a great stagnation of the trade on
account
Trade.]
195
DAN
DEG
Report, 1840-continued.
Daniell, Anthony. (Analysis of his Evidence)—continued.
account of the edicts of the viceroy, 1092, 1093-These were caused by the export of
Sysee treasure, 1094-Commissioner Lin arrived on the 10th March, 1095-The
foreign community expected that his demand for the surrender of the opium would be
got over by some arrangement, 1096-1100-They had no power of sending the opium
away after the 19th, when the edict was issued prohibiting foreigners from leaving
Canton, 1101-1105-Conference on that day with the Hong merchants as to the sur-
render of the opium; meeting of the Chamber of Commerce on Thursday the 21st, and
determination to give up 1,000 chests, to save the lives of two Hong merchants, 1106-
1109.
On Friday morning an answer came that this was not sufficient, and Mr. Dent was
requested to go into the city; the guarantee of the Hong merchants for his safe return
was rejected; determination of the community that he should not go without a guarantee
from the commissioner; arrival of Captain Elliot, and circumstances afterwards occur-
ring, 1110- -The servants were ordered to leave half an hour afterwards; some had
already left; the provisions were stopped on the Monday, 1111-1113--Most of the
residents had laid in a store which would have lasted some time; there was no immediate
danger of starvation, 1114-1122-The supply of water was cut off, but most persons.
had sufficient in their houses for immediate use, 1123-1137--The supply of provisions
and water was cut off for a week, 1138-1142 The water in the wells was not whole-
some, but was used merely for washing, 1143, 1144-The servants had been taken
away in Lord Napier's time, 1145-1149.
There was much excitement amongst the foreign community, more especially with
those who had lately arrived, 1150-1154- -They were not aware of Captain Elliot's
intentions until the requisition appeared, 1155-1158-Quantity of opium surrendered
by witness, 1159--He believed that he should be remunerated, 1160--He should
not have delivered his property without that pledge, which he supposed Captain Elliot
had authority to give, 1161-1178--The community believed that he would have called
upon them to surrender their property without having full powers under his instructions,
1179-1186—At a public meeting in December, Captain Elliot had stated that it was
not in his power to publish his instructions, 1187, 1188.
Two or three firms had placed their opium in charge of Mr. Johnston for safe custody
on the Saturday previous to Captain Elliot's arrival, 1189-1191--Less than a chest of
opium was at Canton, 1192, 1193-The merchants were greatly surprised at Captain
Elliot's requisition, but did not hesitate to comply with it, 1194-1199-Cost per
chest of the Patna, Benares, and Malwa opium; weight of chests, 1200-1205- -No
agreement was made with Captain Elliot as to the price to be paid, which was left to be
settled afterwards, 1206–1210—There was no remonstrance against Captain Elliot's
injunction, 1211-1213-The receiving ships at Lintin generally had nothing but
opium on board; they could always go to sea at a short notice, 1214-1221--At first
Captain Elliot expressed himself sorry that the 1,000 chests had been offered, and was
understood to say that none should be given up, 1222–1225.
The foreign community were not in a state of very great alarm before Captain Elliot
arrived, 1129-1234--What was chiefly apprehended was the irruption of the mob, who
had come down from the conntry and were in the neighbourhood of the factory, 1235
-The community expected that Mr. Dent would have to undergo imprisonment, but
did not think his life would be in danger, 1236-1240-When they offered the 1,000
chests they thought the commissioner would be brought to terms, 1241-1253-On
the 25th (Thursday) they signed an engagement to deal no more in opium, 1254, 1255
-The commissioner hints in his edict the possibility of the mob breaking in upon
them, 1259-Until Captain Elliot's arrival they had not abandoned the hope of making
terms with the Chinese; but it is difficult to say to what lengths the commissioner
would have gone, 1260. 1272-Witness agrees with the opinion expressed in the
memorial dated 23 May, as to the danger in which the community were when Captain
Elliot forced his way up to Canton, 1273-1276--From what has since occurred, it
seems that they were in real danger and jeopardy, 1277–1293.
Prices of Malwa and Patna opium in China from 18 July to 25 November 1838,
1294-1298—
After the surrender of the opium the merchants were not allowed to take
away their dollars; system of transfer adopted, 1299, 1300-About 50 chests of opium
were consigned to witness's house the day before he left, which he supposes were dis-
posed of along the coast, 1301-1314-There has been a considerable trade in opium
since the surrender, 1315- The guarantee which was required of the commissioner in
the case of Mr. Dent was that he should return within 24 hours, 1316————The resolution
that he should not go was agreed to at a public meeting called by the Chamber of Com-
merce, to which all had access, 1317-1321 The resolution was communicated by
Mr. Dent to the Hong merchants and to two Chinese officers, 1322-1327-Witness
has not heard of any negotiations of opium scrip, 1328-1333-It is the general
opinion that the opium was destroyed, 1334, 1335.
!
Degradation of Hong Merchants. Return of Hong merchants from the city without their
buttons and with chains round them, because Mr. Dent had not gone into the city,
Inglis 23.See also Dent, Mr.
0.59.
DENT
CC 2
196
[China
DEN
DES
DENT, MR.:
Report, 1840-continued.
1. Narrative of Proceedings; Reasons of the Chinese for requiring his presence
in the City, and of his refusal to go.
2. Unanimity of the Foreign Community in advising him not to go.
3. Proceedings of Captain Elliot with reference to Mr. Dent; their effect.
1. Narrative of Proceedings; Reasons of the Chinese for requiring his presence in the
City, and of his refusal to go:
Demand made on Friday, March 22, that Mr. Dent should meet the commissioner;
his willingness to go; causes of his delay; degradation of the Hong merchants in con-
sequence; reasons for believing that he would be detained; his demand for security to
return; messages and further proceedings, Inglis 23--The security demanded from
the kwan-chow-foo (the chief magistrate of the city) was for Mr. Dent's immediate
return, not for his safety, Inglis 34, 35-The_guarantee required of the commissioner
was that Mr. Dent should return in 24 hours, Daniell 1316—The belief was that he
would be detained until the opium was delivered; he would have gone on any part
of Saturday with the commissioner's guarantee, which, however, they did not expect to
obtain, Inglis 43–48. 51–56.
Reasons for which the Chinese desired Mr. Dent in particular to come; he was known
to be a kind-hearted man, and expected to work upon his feelings by tormenting his
friends the Hong merchants, Inglis 51-56-They would have threatened to put the
Hong merchants to death in order to work upon his feelings if other modes had failed,
Inglis 616-619-If he had refused to give up the opium, they would only have kept
him in confinement, Inglis 70-72-It was expected that he would suffer imprisonment,
but not that his life would be in danger, Daniell 1236-1240-Mr. Matheson and Mr.
Turner were mentioned as the next to be sent for; they wished Mr. Dent to take the
first leap, hoping the others would follow, Inglis 635, 636--The commissioner asserted
that Mr. Dent had 5,000 chests of opium; he had, however, only 1,700, while others
gave up 7,000, Inglis 74–76.
2. Unanimity of the Foreign Community in advising him not to go :
Unanimous determination of the merchants with respect to the course to be pursued
by Mr. Dent, Inglis 23-Not only partners in firms, but the whole foreign community
agreed in the resolution that Mr. Dent ought not to go into the city, Inglis 488-492
It was the unanimous opinion of the merchants (with the exception of Mr. Inglis)
that Mr. Dent, on account of the distrust entertained for the Chinese
government, should
not go into the city, Thacker 799-804-It was the unanimous opinion, not only of
partners in firms engaged in the opium trade, but also of the foreigners generally, that
Mr. Dent should not go, Thacker 1050-1056---The guarantee of the Hong merchants
for his safe return was rejected; determination of the community that he should not go
without a guarantee from the commissioner, Daniell 1110-The resolution that he
should not go was agreed to at a public meeting called by the Chamber of Commerce,
to which all had access, Daniell 1317-1321.
3. Proceedings of Captain Elliot with reference to Mr. Dent; their effect:
Captain Elliot on his arrival commanded Mr. Dent, in the Queen's name, to come to
his house, and taking him by the collar, carried him through a dense crowd, Inglis 137-
145 Mr. Dent's movements were watched by 12 Chinamen, Inglis 145-148-If
Captain Elliot had not arrived on the Sunday, Mr. Dent would have been forced to enter
the city on Monday, Inglis 241-243. 248-The arrival of Capt. Elliot afforded the
Chinese an excuse for getting out of their difficulty with Mr. Dent, Jardine 1480-1482.
See also Penal Bonds. Powers of Captain Elliot.
Dent & Co. The firm was largely engaged in importing opium into China, Inglis 10
There being found a deficiency in the number of chests agreed to be surrendered,
Dent & Co. supplied it from a ship lately arrived, and Captain Elliot agreed to pay for
it either in money or in opium, quite distinct from the general indemnity, Inglis 332-
342-
-The Treasury bills drawn by Captain Elliot apparently identify the transaction
with the original surrender, and were not accepted, Inglis 343-346--The opium last
sold to Captain Elliot would have been disposed of at a high price; the Treasury bills
which were received in payment were remitted to the consignors at Bombay, Inglis 378-
384.
Destruction of the Opium. Presumption in favour of its having been actually destroyed,
arising from the character of Commissioner Lin, Inglis, 623-Two parties saw the
process of destruction going on; Mr. King saw it; the only reason for supposing that
it was not destroyed was a calculation that it could not have been done in the time
stated, Inglis, 771-777.
DURESS
Trade.]
197
DUR
ELL
DURESS OF THE COMMUNITY:
Report, 1840-continued.
1. Its Nature and Extent; Danger, &c.
2. Alarm.
1. Its Nature and Extent; Danger, &c.:
The foreign community were not in duress, except that they were unable to leave
Canton, when Captain Elliot arrived, Inglis 57-59-Before Captain Elliot's arrival
and his seizure of Mr. Dent, the merchants had not been deprived of their servants and
provisions, but then the whole community were placed in duress, Inglis 249-269————
They had wells within the factory, but usually supplied themselves from a spring out-
side; the streets were built up to prevent egress, Inglis 282-287-Extent of the
danger in which the community were; the proceedings of Commissioner Lin were
unlike any that had been adopted on former occasions, Inglis 537-595-Their con-
finement; extreme inconvenience suffered on account of the privation of servants,
Inglis 596-608.
EAST INDIA COMPANY:
The community, while under duress, were able to move from house to house, but were
entirely in the power of the Chinese, Inglis 657-662—The servants had not left, and
the provisions were not stopped until after Captain Elliot's arrival, Thacker 835-837
Everybody was imprisoned; whence it may be inferred that the proof of dealing
in opium had nothing to do with their confinement, Thacker 1013, 1014.
The servants were ordered to leave half an hour after Captain Elliot's arrival on
Sunday evening; some had already left; the provisions were stopped on Monday,
Daniell 1110–1113-
Most of the residents had laid in a store which would have
lasted some time; there was no immediate danger of starvation, Daniell 1114-1122
The supply of provisions and water was cut off for a week, Daniell 1138-1142.
There was much excitement amongst the foreign community, more especially with
those who had lately arrived, Daniell 1150-1154.
2. Alarm:
The foreign community were not in a state of very great alarm before Captain
Elliot arrived, Daniell 1129-1234-Witness agrees in the opinion expressed in the
memorial, 23d May, as to the danger in which the community were when Captain Elliot
forced his way up to Canton, Daniell 1273-1276-Most of the residents had not been
long at Canton; some who signed the memorial were not able to form a correct opinion
as to the danger, Matheson 2411-2427.
Witness's partners had made over the whole of their opium to him, in order that no
compulsory measures at Canton should force them to deliver it, Matheson 2074-2081,
2091, 2092-If there had been any fear that Lin would detain the community at
Canton no one would have been there, Matheson 2138-2140-The community were
entirely in the power of the Chinese, Matheson 2375-2378.
See also Servants. Violence. Water.
Dutch Consul. See Foreign Community.
0.59.
E.
Their cognizance of the Opium Trade:
Witness has been applied to by the Board of Salt and Opium in Calcutta to know
in what kind of package opium sold best in China, Jardine 1392-1394-The Com-
pany's ships sometimes brought opium to China; the practice was prohibited; it oc-
curred more frequently from Bombay than from Calcutta; petition to the Bombay govern-
ment on the subject, Jardine 1405-1422--Return of part of the purchase-money by
the East India Company when merchants had sustained losses in the sale of opium in
1836, Jardine 1807-1812- Evidence of W. M. Fleming as to the return of money
to merchants in 1825 for opium which had been unsaleable in China on account of the
quality, App. p. 170--Their servants are cognizant of the fact that the opium sold at
their sales is conveyed to China, but they are prohibited from having any dealings in
that article, Rep. 8th Jan. 1830; App. p. 157-Extracts from despatches and enclo-
sures in despatches from the Court of Directors to the Governor-general in Council, and
from the Governor-general in Council to the Court of Directors, on the opium trade with
China, App. p. 161, et seq.
Elliot, Captain. The day after his arrival all power of communicating with the Chinese
was taken out of the hands of the merchants by Lin, Inglis 149-Witness, knowing
Captain Elliot's character, expected his arrival in Canton directly he heard that his
countrymen were in danger, Inglis 222-229-His address to the foreign community
on his arrival; his confidence in acting on his own responsibility; he said nothing of
the surrender of all the opium, and regretted that the 1,030 chests had been offered,
Thacker 822-S25.
See also Dent, Mr. Duress of the Foreign Community. Expulsion of Foreigners. In-
demnity. Instructions. Powers of Captain Elliot. Surrender. Violence, &c. &c.
Execution,
c c 3
198
[China
EXE
HOW
Report, 1840-continued.
Execution, The (in front of the Factory). Collision between the foreigners and the mob
at the attempted execution in front of the factory; the mob took part with the foreigners
at first, until one of them was struck, and then there was a general fight, Inglis 111-118
The execution was one of the many measures intended to intimidate the foreigners,
Inglis 124-129-The execution was supposed to have been the act of the viceroy,
and it was expected that the commissioner was coming to soften matters, Thacker 852
The execution in front of the factory was caused chiefly by the denial of the right
of the Chinese to execute criminals there; the first that was attempted was for the pur-
pose of giving effect to the edict against the opium trade, Jardine 1605–1611
Wit-
ness recollects the execution of four or five Chinese dealers iu opium before that time,
Jardine 1612-1615.
Expulsion of Foreigners from Canton. If Commissioner Lin had been allowed to carry out
his own measures he would have banished ail foreigners that he did not happen to like,
Inglis 615-Mr. Dent was first ordered away, and, in a few days, Mr. Matheson; the
whole 16 were soon ordered to follow; some were not connected with the opium trade;
the names must have been given to the commissioner by the linguists, Inglis 630-638
Frequent expulsion of Europeans; witness has been expelled a dozen times; Cap-
tain Elliot was too much alarmed at expulsion, Jardine 1623-1633.
F.
GROWTH OF OPIUM:
1. In India.
2. In China.
Fleming, W. M. Extract from his evidence before the Committee on East India Affairs,
in 1832, as to the return of money to merchants who had bought opium at the Com-
pany's sales, which proved unsaleable in China, App. p. 170.
Foreign Community. Number of Europeans in the factory when Captain Elliot arrived,
Inglis 406. 629-Persons confined who were not interested in the opium trade; mis-
sionaries, American and Dutch consuls, and sailors; clerks in the offices; firin of
Oliphant & Co., Inglis 437-452—So much weakness was never shown by Europeans
as when Captain Elliot joined them, Jardine 1371-1383-They would have been
united, and would have made a better bargain if they had been left to manage for them-
selves, Matheson 2379-2386.
Freshfield, J. W. jun. Papers delivered in by him, App. p. 157.
G.
1. In India:
Continual increase in the growth of opium in India, without reference to the demand
in China, occasioned by the monopoly of the East India Company, Inglis 455-472.
2. In China :
Quantities of opium grown in China; frequent edicts for its suppression, Jardine
1458, 1459. 1463-No measures were taken to destroy the poppy growing in China,
while attempts were making to suppress the foreign trade, Jardine 1668–1670.
H.
Heerjeeboy Rustomjee, a Parsee. Mistake in his giving up opium consigned to another
house, which gave in an account of the same chests, thus causing a deficiency in the
number to be given up to Commissioner Lin, Inglis 337-339.
Henry, Mr. Had never seen a chest of opium in his life, but was one of the sixteen per-
sons expelled by the Chinese, Inglis 442.
Hong Merchants. On Thursday, March 21st, the Hong merchants acquainted the Chamber
of Commerce that unless 1,000 chests of opium were given up next morning, two of them
would lose their lives, Inglis 23-They are security to their own government that
foreigners shall not be engaged in contraband traffic, Inglis 32, 33.
Some of them believed that Lin was coming to legalize the opium trade, while others
said he would put a stop to it, Matheson 2037, 2038-Degree of confidence existing
between the Chinese government and the Hong merchants, Matheson 2221–2232.
See also Degradation of the Hong Merchants. Dent, Mr. Howqua. Laws of China.
Legalization of the Opium Trade. Mowqua.
Howqua. He was not consulted by witness's firm as to the intentions of the Chinese
government; he is supposed to be linked with the Americans, with whom he has traded
in partnership; he could not be depended upon, Matheson 2194-2205--In business
transactions be was trustworthy, but not in political matters; he has shipped tea largely
to England lately, through the Americans, Matheson 2216-2220.
Trade.]
199
IMP
ING
Report, 1840-continued.
INDEMNITY FOR THE OPIUM SURRENDERED:
I.
Imperial Edicts. The edicts from Pekin against the opium trade never caused a belief
that it was intended to suppress the trade, Jardine 1460-1462-General disregard of
imperial edicts; export of Sysee silver in spite of them; they are sent to Canton for
publication, but the local authorities neither translated them nor served them upon
Europeans, Jardine 1473-1475 Intimate acquaintance with the state of the opium
trade displayed in the edicts, Jardine 1596-1604—Correspondence with the Court of
Directors, showing the character of Chinese edicts, and the disregard of them by the
East India Company's supracargoes, App. p. 171.
2. Confirmatory Claims to Indemnity.
3. Cost Price only of the Opium demanded.
1. Evidence showing that the Opium was surrendered on account of the reliance
of Merchants upon Captain Elliot's Engagement.
1. Evidence showing that the Opium was surrendered on account of the reliance of
Merchants upon Captain Elliot's Engagement:
Conference with Captain Elliot on the indemnity to be given for opium surrendered
to his order; his conviction that he was authorized to give it, Inglis 150-168-If he
had not guaranteed indemnity, the merchants would have tried to make what terms
they could with the Chinese, Inglis 178, 179--The merchants thought themselves
justified, as agents, in giving up the opium under indemnity; pecuniary liability of any
merchant who should have declined to do so, Inglis 183-186, 197-204-The merchants
had an undoubting belief that Captain Elliot's engagement would be acknowledged at
home, Inglis 407-413. 419-424- Captain Elliot held out to witness a positive expecta-
tion of payment as soon as he arrived in England, Thacker 863, 864.
The perfect reliance of merchants upon Captain Elliot's engagement illustrated by a
case in which a person authorized witness to give up opium which he had lent money
upon, and afterwards repaid the money, Thacker 906-916-When the offer of indem-
nity had been made, witness preferred delivering his opium to the uncertainty of disposing
of it in any other way, Thacker 1073-1083-Witness surrendered his opium upon the
pledge of indennity, without which he would not have done so; he supposed Captain
Elliot had authority to give it, Daniell 1161-1178-Witness's firm would not have
given up their opium, either to the Chinese or to Captain Elliot, without payment,
Jardine 1832-1835.
2. Confirmatory Claims to Indemnity :
The claims for indemnity rest upon Captain Elliot's engagement; and the sanction of
our own authorities at home and in India, and the connivance of the Chinese, put opium
upon the same footing as any other trade, Jardine 1616-1622. 1634--Even if the trade.
had been avowedly contraband, the positive engagement of Captain Elliot would entitle
the parties who surrendered their opium to compensation, Malcolmson 1929-1931.
3. Cost Price only of the Opium demanded :
The claim for indemnity would be limited to the actual cost of the opium up to the
time of the surrender, exclusive of any profit, Inglis 493-498- No agreement was
made as to the price to be paid, which was settled afterwards, Daniell 1206-1210-No
more than the cost price was fixed upon as the limit of compensation, as there had been
no market price for some months, Matheson 2400-2402.
See also Bombay Merchants. Certificates of Surrender. Compensation from the Chinese.
Powers of Captain Elliot. Surrender of Opium.
7–9,
Inglis, Robert. (Analysis of his Evidence.)-Resident in Canton since 1823; partner in
the house of Dent & Co., 3-5--Was on the point of embarking when the embargo
was put upon the passage-boats, 6, 7-Opposition of the linguists to witness's depar-
ture for a week previous to the issue of the edict, 7-9, 21, 22——Dent's house was
largely engaged in importing opium into China, 10 Commissioner Lin arrived at
Canton on the 10th March, and his first edict was published on the 18th, 10-12-
Witness believes that at first he intended to pay for the opium, but changed his mind
on finding that there were 20,000 chests, 13-18-The edict ordered the opium to be
delivered up in three days; the Chamber of Commerce told the Hong merchants that
they wished for time to consider of it, 19, 20.
Statement from the Hong merchants that 1,000 chests must be delivered, or that two
of them were to lose their lives; demand made on Friday that Mr. Dent should meet
the Commissioner; his willingness to go; the delay arose from his desire to know for
what purpose he was required; return of the Hong merchants on Saturday degraded,
because Mr. Dent had not gone; unanimous determination of the merchants that he
should not go; proof that it was intended to detain him; his demand for security that
he should return; mission of merchants with this answer; two mandarins came to
Mr. Dent's house, who answered for his safety; adherence of the foreign merchants to
0.59.
their
C C 4
() {
200
[China
INGLIS
Report, 1840-continued.
Inglis, Robert. (Analysis of his Evidence)—continued.
their original determination; some of them returned to the Consoo-house, and thence
witness, with Mr. Thom, the interpreter, and some others, went into the city; their
conference with four government officers, who insisted upon Mr. Dent's coming; con-
versation of Mr. Thom with an officer of the commissioner; arrival of Captain Elliot on
Sunday evening, the day before Mr. Dent was finally ordered to enter the city, 23
The only knowledge Captain Elliot had of these circumstances was from a letter of
Mr. Astell, 24-Messrs. Bell, on Saturday, the 23d, gave their opium into the charge
of Mr. Johnston, the second superintendent, who accepted it without any guarantee,
24-28.
Reasons for believing that it was at first the intention of the Chinese government to
pay for the opium, 30, 31-The Hong merchants are security to their own govern-
ment that the foreigners shall not be engaged in contraband traffic, 32, 33- -The
security demanded from the kwang-chow-foo was for Mr. Dent's immediate return, not
for his safety, 34, 35-Had Mr. Dent gone into the city, his firm would have made
over their opium to Mr. Johnston, placing it beyond their own control, 36-42—————The
belief was that he would be detained until the opium was delivered; he would have gone
on any part of Saturday with the Commissioner's guarantee, 43-48.
Reasons for which the Chinese selected Mr. Dent in particular to come, 49, 50-
The foreign merchants did not expect that Lin would give the guarantee required, 51–
56— The foreign community were not in duress, except that they could not leave
Canton, when Captain Elliot arrived, 57-59-Witness entertained no apprehensions for
his own safety, but the merchants advised him not to go; Captain Elliot blamed him for
going, 60-66-The object of the Chinese was to induce Mr. Dent to sign penal bonds,
for which they would have rewarded him, 68, 69—If he had refused to give up the
opium, they would only have kept him in confinement, 70-72-Captain Thacker and
Mr. Daniell gave up their opium to Mr. Johnston, 73-The commissioner asserted
that Mr. Dent had 5,000 chests of opium, but he had only 1,700, while others gave up
7,000, 74–76—————— Dent & Co., and most probably all the other merchants, would have
surrendered their opium to the superintendent to save themselves from responsibility,
77-84.
Conduct of the Chinese mob; their excitement and curiosity when witness was con-
ducted through the streets, 85-110-The mob and the foreign community had come
into collision at the execution in front of the factory, 111-118- They exulted at the
sight of a foreigner humbled, as witness seemed to be, 119, 120-In ordinary times a
British merchant at Canton would be exposed to crowding; Captain Elliot was knocked
down in full uniform, 121–123—The execution was one of many measures intended to
intimidate the foreigners, 124-129-Conversation of witness with Mr. Johnston as to
the propriety of his taking charge of the opium, 130–136—Captain Elliot on his
arrival commanded Mr. Dent, in the Queen's name, to come to his house, and taking
him by the collar, carried him through a dense crowd, 137-145-Mr. Dent's move-
ments were watched by twelve Chinamen, 145-148-On the Monday all power of
communicating with the Chinese was taken out of the hands of the merchants by Cap-
tain Elliot, 149.
..
On Tuesday Captain Elliot stated his intention of demanding all the opium to be
given up, and of engaging to indemnify the owners; he felt no doubt as to his authority
to do so; his communications with witness and Mr. Braine upon the subject, 150-168
The order for the surrender of the opium met with the general concurrence of the
holders of it, as they felt that they would otherwise have to give it up to the Chinese,
169-177-If Captain Elliot had not guaranteed indemnity, the merchants would have
tried to make what terms they could with the Chinese, 178, 179-Witness recollects.
no remonstrance, 180-182—The merchants thought themselves justified, as agents
for others, in giving up the opium under indemnity, 183-186Ignorance of the
merchants as to extent of Captain Elliot's authority, 187-196-They surrendered the
opium, relying upon being paid the stipulated indemnity; pecuniary liability of any
merchant who should have declined to do so, 197–204.
It was believed to be the intention of the Chinese, through the Hong merchants, to
pay for the opium, but the quantity was found to be too great, 205-216-If Captain
Elliot had proposed to surrender 10,000 or 20,000 chests on receiving the value, Lin
would not have agreed, 217-221-Witness knowing Captain Elliot's character,
expected his arrival in Canton directly he heard that his countrymen were in danger,
222-229-If he had not arrived on Sunday, Mr. Dent would have been forced to
enter the city on Monday; the Chinese intended to get the merchants, one after another,
into their power, and to make them give up their opium and sign bonds, 230-248.
279-281 Before Captain Elliot's arrival, and his seizure of Mr. Dent, the merchants
had not been deprived of their servants and provisions, but then the whole community
were placed in duress, 249-269-Captain Elliot and the merchants thought Lin was
prepared to go any lengths, and this opinion has been confirmed by experience; they
dreaded violence, 270-278-They had wells within the factory, but usually supplied
themselves from a spring outside, 282-286-The streets were built up to prevent
egress, 287.
No
Trade.]
201
INGLIS
:
Report, 1840—continued.
Inglis, Robert. (Analysis of his Evidence)-continued.
No mention had been made of bonds at that time, and Captain Elliot could have
known nothing of them, 288-290-The younger residents were most alarmed, but, as
it appears, justly, 291-297 It was Lin's intention to put restrictions upon the legal
trade, and to revive the "old regulations," 297-305-After Captain Elliot's order,
and much negociation with the Chinese Government, each merchant cominunicated the
amount of opium in his possession, 306-312-Previous to Captain Elliot's proclama-
tion, the principal merchants engaged to sign a bond that they would not enter into the
opium trade any more, 313-315--They signed a letter to Captain Elliot to that effect,
which he forwarded to the Chinese; at that time they had not suffered much practical
inconvenience, 316-331. 347-350-There being found a deficiency in the number of
chests agreed to be surrendered, Dent & Co. supplied it from a ship just arrived, and
Captain Elliot agreed to pay for it, either in money or in opium, quite distinct from the
general indemnity, 332-342-The Treasury bills apparently identify the transaction
with the original surrender, and were not accepted, 343-346.
The greater part of the opium belonged to native merchants at Bombay; losses that
they will suffer, 347-364-The prices of opium have since been very high, and large
fortunes are being made, 365-371- Nearly the whole of the 20,000 chests were at
Lintin and other places out of the reach of the Chinese, but within their jurisdiction,
and that of Captain Elliot, 372-377-The opium last sold to Captain Elliot by Dent
& Co. would have sold at a high price; the Treasury bills which they received in pay-
ment were remitted to the consignors at Bombay, 378-384-Many of the smaller
merchants were ruined by the surrender of the opium, and rich speculators derived the
profit arising from the subsequent high prices, 385-392-The opium trade has gene-
rally been a very uncertain one, and changed hands very much, 393-395-European
houses in Calcutta have been very little engaged in it, 396-398-Remittances were
generally made to Canton as advances on opium and cotton, 399, 400- Five hundred
dollars a chest was agreed to be about the average price of opium at Canton at the time
of the surrender, 401-405.
Number of Europeans in the factory when Captain Elliot arrived, 406-The mer-
chants had an undoubting belief that Captain Elliot's arrangement would be acknow-
ledged at home, 407-413. 419-424—The Orders in Council and part of his instructions
had been published, and his powers had been canvassed, 414-418—All the opium
belonged to British subjects; the Americans who had any of it surrendered it as British
property, 425-436- Persons confined by the Chinese who were not interested in the
opium trade, 437-452-Doubts as to the powers of Captain Elliot, 453, 454-Con-
tinual increase in the growth of opium in India, without reference to the demand in
China, 455-472-The certificates given by Captain Elliot were not sold as negociable
securities, except at Bombay as "opium scrip
opium scrip" at a very great discount; Captain
Elliot's power was doubted, 473-477-
[Second Examination.]-Captain Elliot made no communication of Lord Palmerston's
instructions as to the liability of merchants for losses incurred in illegal traffic, 478–481
-It was a common practice for the Chinese to threaten a stoppage of the legal trade;
their laws with reference to trade, 482-487-Agreement of the foreign community as
to their proceedings, 488-492--Average prices of opium; great fluctuations of the
trade; perpetual variations in price; causes thereof, 488-536-Extent of the danger
in which the community were at the time of Captain Elliot's arrival; unlike any previous
occasion, 537-595-
Their confinement; extreme inconvenience suffered on account
of the privation of servants, 596-608-No course was left but the delivery of the
opium; intentions of the Chinese relative to Mr. Dent, 609 619. 635-638—The pos-
sibility of trading in conformity with the bond proposed by Lin, 620---Ulterior views
of the commissioner, 621, 622. 639–644.
Notoriety of the opium trade; entries in the price current, 645-656-When under
duresse, the merchants could move from house to house, 657-662--Reason for think-
ing that Lin at first intended to pay for the opium, 663-668--Connivance of Tang,
the Governor of Canton, and other authorities, at the opium trade, 669-686--Pro-
ceedings of Governor Yuen in 1820-23 with reference to the opium trade, 687-689-
Interruption to the regular trade caused by Commissioner Lin, 690-694-State of
Chinese laws affecting foreigners, 695-706-Their power of confiscating opium out-
side the Bogue, 707-736--Mode of conducting the trade by means of orders to the
ships, 736-742-Captain Elliot applied Lord Palmerston's instructions solely to the
smuggling trade within the Bogue, 743-747-Intentions of merchants in placing
their opium in charge of the superintendent, before the arrival of Captain Elliot, 748-
765.
DD
Sp
·
The opium trade is still continuing; the Chinese government have taken no measures
to put down the consumption, 766-769-Reasons for believing that Commissioner
Lin actually destroyed all the opium, 771-777-He is supposed to have come from
Pekin with absolute powers, and with general instructions to put down the opium
trade, 778, 779-
0.59.
Instructions
202
[China
INS
JAR
1
Report, 1840-continued.
Instructions to Captain Elliot. At a public meeting in December 1838, Captain Elliot
stated that it was not in his power to publish his instructions, Daniell 1187, 1188.
See also Powers of Captain Elliot.
Insurance of Opium. The premium of insurance upon opium from Calcutta to Canton is
two and a half per cent., Inglis 511-General rate of insurance for opium and other
goods lying at sea in China, Thacker, 871–879.
Intestates' Effects. See Powers of Captain Elliot.
J.
Jardine, William. (Analysis of his Evidence.)-Was resident at Canton from 1820 to
1839, and was backwards and forwards from 1802 to 1818, 1336, 1337-Left Canton
31st January 1839, 1338-No one who had resided long in China could have
expected that Lin would act as he did, 1341-1343-Average cost of Malwa and
Bengal opium, 1344-1350-Actual cost of the opium surrendered by witness's house,
1351, 1352- The viceroy had taken severe measures to suppress the opium trade, on
account of an edict from the emperor, long before the commissioner's arrival, 1353-1356
It is believed that Lin was in the vicinity incog. before he commenced his public
operations, 1357-Witness never saw violence used by the Chinese government
towards Europeans, but occasionally by the mob, or by a soldier on duty, 1358, 1359
There was no danger to life or property when Lin's edict was issued; if there had
been more resistance, his measures would have been less severe, 1360–1362– He would
have bought a certain quantity of opium, to save his credit with the emperor, and the
rest he would have sent away, 1363-1369.
The trade has existed for some mouths within the Bocca Tigris; the opium is brought
up in boats to Whampoa, 1370-So much weakness was never shown by Europeans
as when Captain Elliot joined them, 1371-1383--In Lord Napier's time they were
imprisoned, and his Lordship's provisions were taken away, 1385-1388He brought a
force up as far as Whampoa, where he was stopped by sunk vessels, 1389, 1390-
A pass was at length obtained for Lord Napier, by a surgeon and witness, on the ground
of ill health, 1391--Witness has been applied to by the Board of Salt and Opium in
Calcutta, to know in what kind of package opium sold the best, 1392-1394-In 1821
there was an interruption of trade, and the ships were expelled from Whampoa ;_no
opium was seized; the ships were prepared to resist a search, 1395-1404--The
Company's ships sometimes brought opium to China; the practice was prohibited; it
occurred more frequently from Bombay than from Calcutta; petition to the Bombay
government upon the subject, 1405-1422.
The authorities in Canton knew every house engaged in the opium trade by name,
1423 Since 1821 the ships have been continually ordered from one anchorage to
another, 1424-1427--The custom-house department does not extend beyond the
Bocca Tigris, 1428-1430-The opium trade was the safest in China; the money was
always paid before the order on the ships was given, 1431--The trade was publicly
known to the highest Chinese authorities, 1432-1435-In 1826 the Hong merchants
believed that the emperor intended to legalize the trade, levying a small duty, 1436,
1437-The viceroy at Canton had four boats carrying opium, with his flag, 1439-
The ineffectual edicis issued from Pekin prove the connivance of the emperor, 1440-
1445 -The discovery that bullion was leaving the country induced him to act upon a
different principle, 1457- Quantities of opium grown in China; frequent edicts for its
suppression, 1458, 1459. 1463-The imperial edicts never caused a belief that it was
intended to suppress the trade, 1460-1462.
[Second Examination.]-Statements of the prices of opium, 1464-1468-Much
opium was delivered up to Captain Elliot which had been previously sold, 1469-1472
General disregard of imperial edicts; export of sysee silver in spite of thein, 1473-
1475--The export of sysee silver was recognized by the chief supercargo of the East
India Company, 1476-1479-The arrival of Captain Elliot afforded the Chinese an
excuse for getting out of their difficulty with Mr. Dent, 1480-1482-If the East India
Company had made a similar demand to that of Captain Elliot, witness would have
obeyed it, as they would have been responsible in a court of law, 1483, 1484
Fluctuations of price in the opium trade; frequent losses sustained, 1485-1493-The
fluctuations were caused partly by the supply and demand, and partly by the proceedings
of the Chinese, 1493, 1494--Moral objections of certain merchants to engage in the
opium trade, 1495-1502.
Edicts of the Chinese against the introduction of Christianity and the dissemination
of tracts; voyage of Mr. Medhurst in the Huron; opposition encountered by him, 1503-
1513 Mr. Medhurst resided many years in Java, where opium was much consumed,
1514-1516--The viceroy's boats carried on the smuggling trade between Lintin and
Canton for eighteen months, till near the time of Lin's arrival, 1517-1534
were occasional sham-fights, to make it appear that the authorities did their duty, 1535,
1536--The measures of the viceroy became stricter in 1838, before the edict arrived in
December, 1537-1548--His own boats were gradually put down, and inferior man-
There
darins
Trade.]
203
JAR
JAU
Report, 1840-continued.
Jardine, William. (Analysis of his Evidence)-continued.
darins carried on the trade, 1549-1552-The European boats always carried arms to
protect themselves from robbery, 1555-1557--The government schooners never
attacked European vessels, 1558-1564—Circumstances attending the seizure of Mr.
Just's boat, 1565-1568-It was running at the same time as the viceroy's boats, and
interfering with his trade, 1569, 1570.
Accuracy of Captain Elliot's statement that the number of European boats had "vastly
increased," and that conflicts were frequent, disputed, 1571-1578--Notoriety of the
fact of the viceroy's boats being used, 1579-1583—He is said to have made 13,000
taels on each boat per month, part of which went as presents to the imperial treasury,
1584-1588——It is not supposed to have been paid as part of the proceeds of the
opium traffic, 1589--Very few measures were taken for suppressing the opium trade.
before December 1838; now and then an opium broker had been seized, 1590-1592-
When Governor Yuen ordered the vessels away from Whampoa, the Hong merchants.
stated that the trade might still be carried on quietly, 1593-1595--Intimate acquaint-
ance with the state of the opium trade displayed in the imperial edicts, 1596-1604--
The execution in front of the factory was caused chiefly by the denial of the right of the
Chinese to execute criminals there; the first execution which was attempted was for the
purpose of giving effect to the edict against the opium trade, 1605–1611Witness recol-
lects four or five executions of Chinese dealers in opium previous to that time, 1612–1615.
The claims for indemnity rest upon Captain Elliot's engagement, and the sanction of
our own authorities at home and in India; and the connivance of the Chinese put opium
upon the same footing as any other trade, 1616-1622. 1634-Frequent expulsions of
Europeans; witness has been expelled a dozen times, 1623-1632—Captain Elliot was
too much alarmed at expulsion, 1633--The desire expressed by the Chinese, that
Captain Elliot should refer home as to sending away the opium ships, was not viewed
as a proof of their earnestness, 1635-1657-In December 1838 witness began to
apprehend that they were serious in their intentions to put down the trade, 1658-1662
The emperor might have had a large revenue from opium, 1663--Every vessel
might have been searched within the Bogue; there would have been no danger of
bloodshed, 1663-1667-No measures were taken to destroy the poppy growing in
China, while attempts were making to suppress the foreign trade, 1668-1670.
2,000,000 persons out of the 300,000,000 in China could consume all the opium, 1671-
673——The opium pipe is as common in Fokein as the tobacco pipe at Canton, 1674,
1675- -The Chinese might limit smuggling on the coast very much if they pleased,
although they would have to contend with many difficulties, 1676-1689--Opium
smoking, in moderation, is not injurious; spirits are more dangerous to morality and
health; case of witness's compadore who had charge of the cash, and smoked for 30 or
40 years, 1690-1702. 1713–1716——Refinement of opium for smoking; it can neither
be refined or smoked without being detected by the smell, 1703-1709-Smoking
divans described, 1710-1712---Retail price of opium, 1717--There is more dram
drinking in England than smoking of opium in China, 1718-1725--The Chinese
prefer refining the opium themselves, 1726-1729-The Turkey opium is sometimes
chewed, 1730-1733.
Instructions given to commanders of ships for their defence, 1734-1738--Murder
is the only crime for which foreigners are punished with death, 1739 The Chinese
have the right of confiscation within the Bocca Tigris, 1740-1755- -Lintin is in the
outer waters and not within Chinese jurisdiction; position of the anchorage; the admiral
has instructions to prevent smuggling there, 1756-1795--The surrender of the opium
will be utter ruin to many of the Parsees in Bombay and Calcutta, 1796–1798. -The
fall in the price of opium caused other parties to engage in the trade, 1799-1801-
Commercial distress at Bombay; complaints of breach of faith on the part of Govern-
ment, 1802——The trade has since been going on briskly along the coast, but has been
conducted by a lower class of men, 1803-1806.
Return of part of the purchase-money by the East India Company when merchants
sustained a loss in the sale of opium in 1836, 1807-1812-Reasons assigned by
witness's firm for not signing the address to Lord Palmerston, 1813-1816 Much
opium was surrendered which was on the coast, not ever at Lintin, but beyond all doubt
out of the reach of the Chinese, 1817-1831--Witness's firm would not have given up
their opium either to the Chinese or to Captain Elliot without payment, 1832-1835——
Although Captain Elliot was told that part of the opium, of which an account was given
him, might have been sold since the last advices, he gave the account without any
deduction to the Commissioner, and was afterwards obliged to purchase more to supply
the deficiency, 1819. 1836-1841.
J
Jardine, Matheson & Co. Claims of Jardine, Matheson & Co. for indemnity for opium.
surrenders, App. p. 183.
Jauncy, Captain. Had sold several chests at 750 dollars a chest, in the straits of Nano,
which were afterwards delivered up to Captain Elliot, Jardine 1469-1472.
0.59.
D D 2
Johnston.
204
[China
JOH
LIN
Report, 1840-continued.
Johnston, Mr., (Second Superintendent.) Delivery of opium into his charge by Messrs.
Bell, for safe custody, before Captain Elliot's arrival at Canton; witness's intention to
do the same, if Mr. Dent had gone into the city, in order to put it beyond their own
control, Inglis 24-28. 36-42 Captain Thacker and Mr. Daniell gave up their
opium to Mr. Johnston, Inglis 73- Dent & Co., and most probably all the other
merchants, would have surrendered their opium to the superintendent to save themselves
from responsibility, Inglis 77-84 Conversation of witness with Mr. Johnston, who
said when he knew that Captain Elliot had desired the ships to put themselves under
the command of Captain Blake, he had no difficulty about his course of acting, Inglis
130-136-The merchants desired to throw upon him the responsibility of giving up
the opium, in case that should be unavoidable, by placing it in his charge, Inglis
| 748-765.
Before Captain Elliot's arrival, witness had given up his opium to Mr. Johnston, for
safer custody; correspondence with Mr. Johnston, Thacker 793. 805-821-Witness
had a strong apprehension that he might be obliged to surrender his opium to the
Chinese, when he gave it in charge to Mr. Johnston, Thacker 917-937-Two or
three houses had placed their opium in charge of Mr. Johnston, for safe custody, on
the Saturday, Daniell 1189-1191.
Just, Mr. Circumstances attending the seizure of his boat by the Chinese; it was run-
ning at the same time as the viceroy's, and interfering with his trade, Jardine 1565–
1570.
L.
K.
Kam-Sing-Moon. The Chinese succeeded in banishing their ships thence, and erected
batteries to prevent them from returning, Jardine 1795.
Keating, Mr. See Powers of Captain Elliot.
Laws of China. No penalty attached to Europeans previous to Commissioner Lin's
arrival at Canton, except that of death for murder, and suspension of trade for disobe-
dience to Chinese law, Inglis 695-696. 701-706-Murder is the only crime for
which foreigners are punished with death, Jardine 1739--The laws are only made
known to foreigners through the Hong merchants; they are all so disregarded that the
law can be only gathered from practice, Matheson 2233-2255.
See also Imperial Edicts. Tariff.
Legal Trade with China. It was Commissioner Lin's intention to put restrictions upon
the legal trade, and to renew the old regulations; vexatious regulations issued by him
for the Chinese trade, Inglis 297-305--It would have been impossible to carry on the
legal trade, under the regulations which Commissioner Lin intended to propose, Inglis
620-622-Interruption caused by Lin to the regular trade; 13,000,000 pounds of
tea were left at Canton, which would have been shipped during the time the foreiguers
were in confinement, Inglis 690-694-It has been a common practice of the Chinese
since 1820 to threaten a stoppage of the legal trade, if their edicts were not obeyed
by foreigners; their laws concerning foreign trade, Inglis 482-487.
Legalization of the Opium Trade. In 1826 the Hong merchants believed that the emperor
intended to legalize the trade, levying a small duty, Jardine 1436, 1437-It was
believed that when the Government found it impossible to stop the trade they would
legalize it, Matheson 2180-2186.
Lin, Commissioner. He arrived at Canton on the 10th of March, and his first edict was
published on the 18th, Inglis 10-12-He is supposed to have come from Pekin with
absolute powers, and with general instructions to put down the opium trade, Inglis
778, 779-The community expected that the commissioner was coming to remove
obstructions to the trade until they observed the servants removing their things from
the factory, Thacker 794-798-Some of the Hong merchants said he was coming to
legalize the trade, and others that he would stop it; belief that he would make inquiries,
and act according to the result of them, Matheson 2037-2040-No one who had
resided long in China and was acquainted with the character of the people could have
expected that Lin would act as he did, Jardine 1341-1343-It is believed that he
was in the vicinity, incog. gaining information, before he commenced his public opera-
tions, Jardine 1357.
See also Compensation from the Chinese. Dent, Mr. Destruction of the Opium. Sur-
render of the Opium, &c.
LINTIN:
Trade.]
205
LIN
MAL
LINTIN:
Report, 1840-continued.
How far the Ships were within the Jurisdiction or the Power of the Chinese; position
of the Anchorage, &c.:
Nearly the whole of the 20,000 chests were at Lintin and other places, out of the
reach of the Chinese, but within their jurisdiction and that of Captain Elliot, Inglis
372-377-The opium ships are not in any way in the power of the Chinese; the
custom-house officers have never visited them, Inglis 624-627-The Chinese custom-
house department does not extend beyond the Bocca Tigris, Jardine 1428-1430-It
is in the outer waters and not within Chinese jurisdiction; position of the anchorage;
the admiral has instructions to prevent smuggling there, Jardine 1756-1795.
The receiving ships were out of the control of the Chinese; those out at sea (from
which some opium was delivered) were out of their knowledge, Matheson 2069-2073
The Chinese had no right to search British vessels at Lintin or on the coast; it
would have been an act of hostile aggression, Matheson 2275-2287--If the ships had
not been considered under the protection of the British authorities, they would have
been sent away, Matheson 2294-2300--It was the duty of the superintendent to
protect British subjects at Canton from having their property in the outer seas extorted
from them by violence, Thacker 938-946. g62-977. 981-990--The opium ships
seldom anchored between Lintin and the main land, but on the outside of the island,
moving from one side to another of a point according to the wind, Matheson 2302-
2305--The ships could have defended themselves against any Chinese force without
the aid of a British ship of war, Matheson 2306-2308.
The Hong merchants advised that the ships should not be sent away, as Lin would
be better pleased to say he had driven them off, Matheson 2131-2137-If Captain
Elliot had sent away the ships, a long negotiation would have ensued, which would have
ended in a compromise, Matheson 2347-2356. 2371-2374.
See also Receiving Ships.
M.
Mackenzie, Holt. Evidence before the Finance Sub-committee on East India Affairs,
1832, as to the revenue to the Indian government arising from the opium trade, App.p.
165.
Malcolmson, James. (Analysis of his Evidence.)-Partner in the house of Forbes, Forbes
& Co., 1842--Agents for Parsee and Hindoo merchants in Bombay and Canton,
1843-1845-Severe effect of the withholding the opium indemnity upon the internal.
trade of Bombay generally, 1846-1849--Shipments of specie to Calcutta instead of
native bills, 1849-Mutual forbearance between debtor and creditor, in expectation
that the indemnity will be paid, 1850-1852-No doubt was felt that Government
would fulfil the engagements of its functionary, 1853-1855--Very little opium has
since been exported from Bombay; that consumed in China has gone from Calcutta ;
much opium is lying at Bombay, 1856-1863-On the refusal of the Government to
pay, the merchants expected much from Parliament, 1864-1868-The most disastrous
consequences will ensue if Parliament also refuse, 1869--An understanding that com-
pensation is to be forced from the Chinese would tend to avert such consequences, 1870-
1876.
The Parsees have not the means of referring immediately to our laws, but trust the
execution of them to Government, 1879-They are increasing in education, wealth,
and influence, 1880-1882--Two parties interested have committed suicide in conse-
quence of the disappointment, 1883, 1884--Some have since engaged in the opium
trade to a small extent, 1885, 1886--The declaration of Lord J. Russell will have a
tendency to allay their fears, but they will expect something more definite, 1887, 1888
--Letters from Bombay merchants on the subject of compensation, and their undoubted
right to it; encouragement given to the opium trade by the Indian government, 1889-
1893--There was a general feeling at Bombay that Captain Elliot's bills would not be
honoured, 1894-1898.
Danger of further suicides; men of high spirit and ancient family cannot bear the
disgrace of appealing to the insolvent law, 1902-If an immediate settlement of their
claims cannot be made, an immediate acknowledgment of them will save their credit, and
continue the forbearance of their creditors, 1899-1918-Price at which opium scrip
was sold at Calcutta, 1919-1923--Letter concerning the anxiety of the East India
Company to increase the opium trade, 1924--At Bombay no attempt was made to
negotiate opium scrip, 1926-1928-Even if the opium trade had been avowedly con-
traband, the positive engagement of Captain Elliot would entitle the parties who sur-
rendered their opium to compensation, 1929-1931.
[Second Examination.]-Difficulty of getting the cotton crops to market from the
want of the usual advances; quantities in 1840, from 1st January to 29th March, as
compared with the same period in 1839; high prices consequent upon the limited supply,
1932-1935-The loss of the opium has not been felt so much at Calcutta as at
DD 3
Bombay
206
[China
MAL
MAT
Report, 1840-continued.
Malcolmson, James. (Analysis of his Evidence)—continued.
Bombay, the trade in other articles being more extensive, 1936-The export of opium
from Calcutta is very frequently on Bombay account; the Bombay native merchants
have been of late years large operators in both markets, 1937, 1938.
Malwa Opium. Increased quantity produced since the cessation of the East India Com-
pany's monopoly; it has been nearly all in the hands of Babadur Mull and others, Inglis
466-469-Immense fluctuations in the price; the crop is precarious, and there are no
means of ascertaining what it is until the opium arrives at Bombay, Inglis 534-536.
Price per chest at Bombay, February 1839, Thacker 784, 785--The natives finding,
after the news from China had reached India, that there was no market for opium at
Bombay, sent it to the coast of China on their own account, and realized a good price,
Matheson 2154-Statement of purchases made by Jardine, Matheson & Co. in Canton,
from July to November 1838, App. p. 186.
See also Consumption of Opium. Prices of Opium.
Mandarins. The journey of a mandarin to Pekin has been stated to raise the price of
opium, on account of 100 or 200 chests being smuggled in his baggage, Colquhoun 527–
529.- See also Connivance of Authorities at the Opium Trade.
GRA |
Marjoribanks, C. Evidence before the Committee on East India Affairs, 1830-Noto-
riety of the opium trade; publication of prices; mode of conducting the trade; seizure
of smuggling boats in the river; variance of practice and profession in China; con-
nivance of the inferior authorities at the opium trade; opium finds its way into the
imperial palace, App. p. 157.
Matheson, Alexander. (Analysis of his Evidence.)-Partner in the house of Jardine,
Matheson & Co., 2029-Has been at Canton since 1826, 2030
2030 Left Canton
12th March 1839, to be ready to send away the opium ships if it should be judged
expedient, 2033-2036-Some of the Hong merchants believed that Lin was coming
to legalize the opium trade, while others said he would put a stop to it, 2037, 2038-
Witness's house believed that he would inquire into the proceedings of the viceroy, and
act upon the facts he discovered, 2039, 2040-When his edict appeared, March 18th,
witness sent away two ships, one with 1,000, and the other with 2,400 chests, and was
transhipping the cargo of a third, containing 3,000, when he received fresh orders, 2941-
2148- His firm had surrendered all their opium to Captain Elliot, and he recalled the
ships, which were quite beyond Chinese jurisdiction, 2049-2053.
The Portuguese had opium at Macao, which they sent away; they did not surrender
a chest; the demand was made by the Chinese, 2054 It was afterwards sold at a
very large profit, on the east coast of China, 2059–2061- -Some opium belonging to
witness's house had been sold, after the return given in to Captain Elliot was made good,
2062-2068-The receiving-ships at Lintin were out of the control of the Chinese, but
when out at sea they were removed from the knowledge of the Chinese, 2069-2073
The firm had made over the whole to witness individually, in order that no compulsory
measures should force the partners then in Canton to deliver it, 2074-2081-They
conceived themselves bound to obey the order of Captain Elliot, but not of the Chinese,
2082, 2083—They felt bound to act with perfect good faith to the English Government,
and not to practise the evasion they had intended for the Chinese, 2084-2090-Wit-
ness had been left to his own discretion as to giving up the opium to the Chinese, 2091,
2092- One of the ships that had been sent away was to return in a month to Taitam
Bay, at the mouth of Canton River, 2093-2095.
A large proportion of the opium is exported on account of merchants at Bombay;
nearly a third of the Bengal opium belongs to them, 2096-2101-All classes of mer-
chants at Bombay were affected by the surrender of the opium, 2103, 2104—Their
creditors abstained from pressing them for payment, believing that compensation would
be paid, 2105-The natives were very sanguine of being paid, 2106-They had
always placed the most implicit reliance upon the word of the Government servants,
whose acts they could not believe would be disavowed, 2107-2110-Witness is not
aware that any opium scrip was sold at Bombay, 2111 Doubts were expressed as to
the immediate payment of the scrip, in letters written from England in August, 2112-
2115- -The general trade of Bombay was much deranged, 2116-The sale of British
manufactures was diminished, 2117, 2118-The export trade to China was affected,
-Advances on the cotton trade, 2120, 2121.
2119-
Witness's uncle, Mr. Matheson, was not consulted by Captain Elliot, 2122-2130---
The Hong merchants advised that the ships should not be sent away, as Lin would be
better pleased to say he had driven them off, 2131-2137-If there had been any fear
that he would detain the British at Canton, no one would have been there, 2138-2140
At first there was a general forbearance on the part of creditors at Bombay, but latterly
many have been greatly distressed, 2141-2143- On the first receipt of Mr. Gordon's
letter in Bombay two persons committed suicide, 2143-2145. 2150-2152—The prin-
cipal loss will fall upon the Parsee merchants, 2146-2149-Nearly all persons engaged
in the trade were unable to continue it, and it fell into new hands, 2153-2154 Great
fall in the price of opium, 2155-2156.
Witness
•
Kids,
KIN
-
Trade.]
207
MAT
MEM
*
V
Report, 1840-continued.
Matheson, Alexander. (Analysis of his Evidence)—continued.
Witness left Canton before Captain Elliot reached it; he received instructions to send
away the opium on the 22d, and Captain Elliot did not arrive till the 24th, 2157-2174
The viceroy had been exceedingly strict, and it was the general opinion that Lin
would cause a relaxation, 2175–2178-The opium trade is generally popular with the
people; they were much dissatisfied with the viceroy's proceedings, 2178-2179-It
was believed that when the government found it impossible to stop the trade they would
legalize it, 2180-2186-The strong desire of the people for opium, and the interests of
the provincial authorities, would prevent the exclusion of opium, 2187–2191—A more
effective marine force would not prevent it, 2192, 2193--Howqua was not consulted;
he has been carrying on business in partnership with the Americans, 2194-2200--He
could not be depended upon as speaking the truth, 2201-2205-The mob did not care
about the opium trade, 2206—Character of Howqua and Mowqua, 2207-2215-In
business transactions Howqua was trustworthy, but not in political matters, 2216-2218
-He has shipped tea largely to England lately, through the Americans, 2219-2220.
Degree of confidence existing between the Chinese government and the Hong mer-
chants, 2221-2232-Chinese laws are only known through the Hong merchants; they
are all disregarded; the law can only be gathered from practice, 2233-2255-The
merchants have never been able to obtain a copy of the tariff; charges are added with-
out the sanction of the emperor, 2256-2262-Many Chinese thought Lin would relax
the measures of the viceroy to allay discontent, 2263-2267-Notice was given once
a year, as a matter of form, that the opium ships should be removed, 2269–2271 -The
Chinese merchants engaged in the opium trade disappeared before the arrival of Lin,
2272-2274- The Chinese had no right to search British vessels at Lintin or on the
coast; it would have been an act of hostile aggression, 2275-2287--If the ships had
not been considered under the protection of the British authorities they would have
been sent away, 2294-2300--The opium ships seldom anchored between Lintin and
the main land, but on the outside of the island, 2302-2305——They could have defended
themselves against any Chinese force, 2306-2308.
The trade has been diminished one-third by Lin's measures; it is carried on along the
coast with the connivance of the local authorities, 2309-2315--If Captain Elliot had
desired the merchants to discontinue the Lintin trade they would have complied, and
would have given the same assistance as in the case of the river trade, 2316-2321-
Without any circumstances of danger witness would have obeyed Captain Elliot's requi-
sition to give up the opium, on payment, 2322-2334. 2339-2344--He always said that
he had powers and instructions which he was not at liberty to communicate, 2335-
The supercargoes of the East India Company would have had the power, and the Com-
pany would have been responsble, 2336-2338.
-It
The lives of the foreigners were not in danger; Captain Elliot was the most likely to
lose his life, 2345, 2346—If Captain Elliot had sent the opium ships away, a long
negotiation would have ensued, which would have ended in a compromise, 2347-2356.
2371-2374--The Portuguese sent away their opium from Macao, 2357-2363-
was understood that the 1,035 chests of opium were to be paid for, 2364-2370--The
community were entirely in the power of the Chinese, 2375-2378--The merchants
would have been united, and would have made a better baigain if they had been left to
manage for themselves, 2379-2386--Discretion vested in witness by his partners,
2389-2399-Reason for fixing only the cost price of the opium as the demand for
compensation, 2400-2402——Frequent letters received by witness from Canton while
the communication was stopped, 2403-2410.
Most of the residents in Canton had not been there long; some who signed the
memorial were not able to form a correct opinion as to the danger, 2411-2427 —— In
May, when the memorial was signed, their sense of the danger they had escaped was
greater than in March, 2428-2433--The majority of the Parsees who signed it never
read it, 2434, 2435--The petty mandarins along the coast are conniving at the
opium trade, 2436-2444 More persons are engaged in the trade, who make small
purchases, 2445-2447--Opium has been sold for 900 dollars a chest, 2448-2449
The natives fetch it from the ships; it is paid for before it goes over the ship's side,
2450-2452.
Matheson, Mr. It was said that he would be the next merchant sent for after Mr. Dent,
in order to force his opium from him, and to make him sign bonds, Inglis 281-Was
not consulted by Captain Elliot, Matheson 2122-2130.
See also Dent, Mr. Expulsion of Foreigners.
Medhurst, Mr. His voyage in the Huron for the dissemination of Christian tracts in the
Chinese language; opposition encountered by him, Jardine 1503-1513.
Melvill, J. C. Evidence before Committee on East India Affairs in 1830, as to the opium
trade and the general trade of China; remittances, export of bullion, &c., App.
p. 160.
Memorial (The) to Lord Palmerston. It was prepared by Mr. Braine; many of the parties
who signed it were not able to form a correct opinion as to their danger; they had not long
been
0,59.
DD 4
208
[China
MEM
ΟΡΙ
Report, 1840-continued.
Memorial (The) to Lord Palmerston—continued.
been in China, Matheson 2411-2427-In May, when the memorial was signed, their
sense of the danger they had escaped was greater than it had been in March; many of
the Parsees who signed it had never read it, Matheson 2428–2435.
See also Duress of the Foreign Community.
Mill, James. Extracts from his evidence before the Committee on East India Affairs,
1832, on the opium trade, App. p. 168.
Missionaries. See Foreign Community.
Mobs in China. Conduct of the Chinese mob; their excitement and curiosity when wit-
ness was conducted through the streets; they exulted at the sight of a foreigner who
seemed to be humbled, Inglis 85-120-In ordinary times, a British merchant in the
streets of Canton would be liable to crowding; Captain Elliot was knocked down in
full uniform, Inglis 121-123-Witness did not apprehend his life to be in danger
while under confinement, although the Chinese might have let the mob in upon the
factory, Thacker 842-851-The irruption of the mob, which had come down from the
country, and were in the neighbourhood, was apprehended more than any other danger,
Daniell 1235 The commissioner hinted, in his edict, the possibility of the mob
breaking in upon them, Daniell 1259- They did not care about the opium trade,
Matheson 2206.
See also Execution, The.
Morss, Mr. Reasons for believing that the cruelty exercised against him was sanctioned
at least by Commissioner Lin; pirates do sometimes assume the dress of mandarins,
Inglis 574-583.
Mowqua. Was the Hong merchant upon whose ability the foreigners chiefly relied to in-
terpret the intentions of the Chinese government; he is since dead, Matheson 2207–2215.
Oliphant & Co. See Foreign Community.
Opium Scrip. See Certificates.
N.
Napier, Lord. In his time the community were imprisoned, and his Lordship's provisions
were taken away; he brought a force up as far as Whampoa, where he was stopped by
sunk vessels, Jardine 1385-1390-A pass was at length obtained for him by a
surgeon and witness on the ground of ill-health, Jardine 1391.
See also Servants.
O.
OPIUM TRADE WITH CHINA:
1. Fluctuations therein.
2. Interruptions to the Trade.
3. Mode of conducting the Trade.
4. Its Notoriety.
5. Its Popularity with the Chinese people.
6. Its Legality.
7. Moral Objections to it.
8. Trade carried on since the Surrender of the Opium by Captain Elliot.
1. Fluctuations therein:
The opium trade has always been liable to great fluctuations; it has changed hands
between rich Baboos, Jews, and European merchants, Inglis 393-395 European
houses at Calcutta have been very little engaged in it until lately, Inglis 396-398
Until very lately, nearly all persons engaged in the opium trade have lost by it; an Ameri-
can gentleman made a large fortune; extraordinary fluctuation of prices and uncertainty
of the trade, Inglis 515–536—— Fluctuations in price; frequent losses sustained; the
fluctuations are caused partly by the supply and demand, and partly by the proceedings
of the Chinese, Jardine 1493, 1494.
2. Interruptions to the Trade:
In 1821 there was an interruption of trade, and the ships were expelled from
Whampoa; no opium was seized; the ships were prepared to resist a search, Jardine
1395-1404- -Very few measures were taken for suppressing the opium trade before
December 1838; now and then an opium broker had been seized, Jardine 1590-1592
-In December 1838, witness began to think the Chinese were serious in their inten-
tions to put down the trade, Jardine 1658-1662-At the beginning of 1839 there
was a great stagnation of the trade on account of the edicts of the viceroy, Daniell
1092,
Trade.]
209
ΟΡΙ
ΟΡΙ
Report, 1840-continued.
OPIUM TRADE WITH CHINA-continued.
4. Interruption to the Trade-continued.
1092, 1093- --The viceroy had taken severe measures on account of an imperial edict
long before the commissioner's arrival, Jardine 1353-1356-His measures were so
severe that a rebellion at Canton was apprehended, Matheson 2039-His measures had
been extremely oppressive to Chinese merchants; he searched their houses; it was
the general opinion that Lin would cause a relaxation, Matheson 2175-2178. 2263-
2267.
3. Mode of conducting the Trade :
Mode of conducting the trade by giving orders at Canton on the ships at Lintin,
where the opium was delivered before the ships entered the Bogue, Inglis 736-742--
It was the safest trade in China; the money was always paid before the order on the
ships was given, Jardine 1431.
4. Its Notoriety :
Its notoriety; publication in the price currents of the quantities brought in different
ships, and the names of the consignees, Inglis 645-656-Notoriety of the trade;
publication of the names of the consignees in the weekly price currents, Thacker 1007-
1012 The authorities in Canton knew every house engaged in the opium trade by
name, Jardine 1423.
5. Its Popularity with the Chinese People :
The trade is generally popular with the Chinese people; they were much dissatisfied
with the viceroy's proceedings for its suppression, Matheson 2178, 2179-The strong
desire of the people for opium, and the interests of the provincial authorities, would pre-
vent the exclusion of opium; a more effective marine force would not prevent it,
Matheson 2187-2193.
6. Its Legality:
Sanction given to the trade by the British Parliament, and participation and profit of
the East India Company, Malcolmson 1890. 1893. 1928-The opium trade is consi-
dered legal in India, although illegal in China; the opium was never shipped on board
the East India Company's vessels; many do not know that the trade is illegal in China,
Cursetjee 1982-2000. 2008, 2009--The opium is sent in private merchant ships even
to Singapore and the Straits, Cursetjee 2001-2007-It was usual for the Chinese to
give notice once a year, as a matter of form, that the opium ships should be removed,
both during the time of the supercargoes, and of Captain Elliot, Matheson 2269-2271
-Correspondence between the Court of Directors of the East India Company and
the Governor-general of India, on the opium trade, and the revenue arising therefrom,
App. p. 161 Form of the East India Company's license to country ships trading
between Calcutta and Canton, as settled 1820, App. p. 176—Form of license granted
at Bombay in 1821, App. p. 177.
0.59.
7. Moral Objections to it :
Moral objections of Mr. King, Mr. Matheson and Mr. Robertson, to engage in the
trade; countenance given to the trade by the East India Company, and by Parliament,
Jardine 1495-1502.
8. Trade carried on since the surrender of Opium by Captain Elliot :
The trade is still continuing; the Chinese Government has taken no measures to put
down the internal consumption, Inglis 766-769-There has been a considerable trade
since the surrender, Daniel 1315- -The trade has existed for some months within the
Bocca Tigris; the opium is brought up in boats to Whampoa, Jardine 1370-The
fall in the price caused new parties to engage in the trade; the trade has been going
on briskly along the coast, but has been conducted by a lower class of men, Jardine
1799-1801, 1803-1806-Nearly all persons engaged in the trade at Bombay were
unable to continue it, and it fell into new hands, Matheson 2153, 2154.
Very little opium has been exported from Bombay since the opium crisis, although
much is lying there; that consumed in China has gone from Calcutta, Malcolm-
son 1856-1863-The trade has been diminished one-third by Lin's measures;
it is still carried on along the coast with the connivance of the local authorities,
Matheson 2309-2315-
More persons are engaged in the trade now who make smaller
purchases; the natives fetch the opium from the ships; it is paid for before it goes
over the ship's side, Matheson 2445-2452.
See also Bombay Merchants. Calcutta Sales of Opium. Connivance of Authorities.
Consumption of Opium. East India Company. Growth of Opium, Insurance.
Legalization of the Opium Trade. Lintin. Prices of Opium. Viceroy of
Canton. Yuen, Governor.
Orders
EE
210
[China
ORD
POW
Report, 1840-continued.
Orders in Council. Copy of the Order in Council, establishing regulations for the govern-
ment of King's subjects at Canton, dated 9th December 1833, App. p. 180-Orders
in Council, 3d and 4th April 1840, as to reparation for the late injurious proceedings of
the Chinese Government, App. p. 181, 182.
P.
Palmerston, Lord. Captain Elliot did not communicate his Lordship's instructions,
which stated that any loss which might be suffered from the execution of Chinese law,
against smuggling, must be borne by the parties; but seemed to apply them to sinug-
gling within the river, Inglis 478-481--Captain Elliot did not publish the words of
Lord Palmerston, but gave a notice that Government could not sanction the smuggling
trade within the Bogue, Inglis 743-747--Reasons assigned by witness's firm for not
signing the address to Lord Palmerston, Jardine 1813-1816.
See also Instructions. Powers of Captain Elliot.
Parsee Merchants. The Parsees have not the means of referring immediately to our laws,
but trust execution of them to Government; they are increasing in education, wealth
and influence, Malcolmson 1880-1882--Are the principal merchants at Bombay,
Cursetjee 1980, 1981--The principal loss will fall upon them, Matheson 2146-2149.
See also Bombay Merchants. Suicides.
Pass System. The uncertainty as to the opium crops has always been very great, but has
increased since the adoption of the pass system, Inglis 534-536.
Patna Opium. Statement of purchases of Patna opium made by Jardine, Matheson & Co.
in Canton, from August to November 1838, App. p 186.
See also Consumption of Opium. Growth of Opium. Prices of Opium.
No
Penal Bonds. Had Mr. Dent gone into the city, they would have made him sign penal
bonds, for which they would have rewarded him, as an inducement for others to do the
same, Inglis 68, 69-It was the intention of the Chinese to get the merchants one after
another into their power, and to make them give up the opium, and sign bonds; Mr.
Matheson would have been sent for after Mr. Dent, Inglis 243-248. 279-281-
mention had been made of bonds when Mr. Dent was sent for; Captain Elliot could
have known nothing of them, Inglis 288-290-Impossibility of trading in conformity
with the bond proposed by Lin; few Englishmen would have remained in Canton sub-
ject to its conditions, Inglis 620-These bonds formed part of his original intention in
coming from Pekin; they would have created as much difficulty as the delivery of the
opium, Inglis 639–644.
Portuguese. The Portuguese had opium at Macao, which they sent away; they did not
surrender a chest to the Chinese, although the demand was made, Matheson 2054
It was afterwards sold, at a very large profit, on the east coast of China, Matheson 2059-
2061 Nearly all their opium was on shore at Macao; about one-third in their ware-
houses; there were some Portuguese at Canton; the Chinese jurisdiction extends to
Macao, Matheson 2357-2363.
POWERS OF CAPTAIN ELLIOT:
1. Generally.
2. Specifically, as regards his Engagement for Indemnity.
1. Generally:
Ignorance of the merchants as to the extent of Captain Elliot's authority; it had been
discussed in the newspapers; Mr. Keating's demand that the instructions should be
published, Inglis 187-196-The Orders in Council and part of the instructions had
been published, and his powers had been canvassed; Captain Elliot stated that he had
published as much as he felt himself authorised to publish, Inglis 414-418-Captain
Elliot had stated that he had no power to see the property of a deceased merchant pro-
perly administered, which a consul would have been called upon to do, Inglis 453, 454
He always represented that he had powers and instructions, which he was not at
liberty to communicate, Matheson 2335-Extracts from Acts of Parliament, as to the
powers of the select committee of supracargoes at Canton, and of the British superin-
tendents, and other papers relating thereto, App. p. 173, et seq.
2. Specifically, as regards his Engagement for Indemnity :
Captain Elliot's statements to witness, Mr. Dent, and Mr. Braine, that he was quite
certain be had authority to engage for indemnity for the opium; he appeared to feel no
hesitation about it, Inglis 150-168-No one doubted but that the representative of
the Crown had authority to demand the delivery of the opium, and to enter into an
engagement for indemnity, Thacker 1057-1072-The community believed that he
would not have called upon them to surrender their property without having full powers
under his instructions, Daniell 1179-1186—The people at Bombay understood that
Captain Elliot had been acting by authority of his Government, Cursetjee 1969-1972.
See also Indemnity. Instructions of Captain Elliot. Surrender of the Opium.
PRICES
Trade.]
211
PRI
SER
PRICES OF OPIUM:
Report, 1840-continued.
1. Average Prices generally.
2. Price previous to the Surrender of the Opium to Captain Elliot.
3. Prices since the Surrender.
1. Average Prices generally:
Average prices of opium; great fluctuations therein; causes thereof, Inglis 488-
536.
2. Price previous to the Surrender of the Opium to Captain Elliot :
Five hundred dollars a chest was agreed to be about the average price of opium at
Canton at the time of the surrender, Inglis 401–405 Price of Malwa opium the chest
at Bombay, February 1839, Thacker 784, 785-Exact statement of the cost of wit-
ness's opium until it was delivered to Captain Elliot, Thacker 868-870-When it
arrived at Canton it was not saleable, as the trade had been stopped by the viceroy, in
anticipation of the commissioner's arrival, Thacker 880-888.
Cost per chest of the Patna, Benares, and Malwa opium; weight of chests, Daniel,
1200-1205- Prices of Malwa and Patna opium in China, from 18th July to 25th No
vember 1838, Daniell 1294-1298-Average cost of Malwa and Bengal opium; actual
cost of that surrendered by witness's house, Jardine 1344-1352.
Statement of the quantities of Malwa and Patna opium purchased by Jardine & Co.
in Canton, and the price per chest, from July to November 1838, App. p. 186—
Great fall in price at Bombay on receiving the intelligence from China; sonie was sold
at 300 rupees a chest, Matheson, 2155, 2156.
3. Prices since the Surrender.
The prices have been very high in China since the surrender, and large fortunes are
being made, Inglis 365-371-Rich speculators derived the profit arising from the
high prices, and not the small merchants who had sustained losses by the surrender,
Inglis 385-392- Opium has been sold along the coast for 900 dollars a chest,
Matheson 2448, 2449.
R.
Receiving Ships. The ships at Lintin generally had nothing but opium on board; they
could always go to sea at a short notice, Daniell 1214-1221.
See also Lintin.
Refinement of Opium. It is refined in China for smoking; it can neither be refined nor
smoked without being detected by the smell, Jardine 1703-1709—The Chinese
prefer refining it themselves, Jardine 1726-1729.
Remittances. Were generally made to Canton as advances on opium and cotton; the
difficulty of investing the whole in this manner has often induced merchants to become
importers, Inglis 399-400.
Remonstrance. Witness recollects no remonstrance of the merchants against Captain
Elliot's requisition for the surrender of the opium, Inglis 180-182-Witness heard
of no remonstrance against Captain Elliot's requisition, Thacker 898-905; Daniell 1211-
1213.
Sales of Opium. See Calcutta Sales.
Scrip. See Certificates.
S
Revenue (British India.) Extracts from Parliamentary Papers and Evidence as to the
connexion of the trade in opium between India and China with the revenue adminis-
tration of British India, and the part taken by the East India Company and its officers.
therein, App. p. 157-Extract from Report of Committee (revenue), 16th August 1832,
stating that it is unadvisable to abandon so important a source of revenue as that on
opium, App. p. 166-Extracts from letters in reply to a circular letter from the
Commissioners for the Affairs of India, on the revenue administration of British India,
relating to the opium monopoly and trade, App. p. 169.
Robberies on the Canton River. All the European boats carry arms to protect themselves
from robbers or Ladrones; it is not safe to go without them, Jardine 1555-1557.
S.
Search of Vessels. Every vessel might have been searched within the Bogue; there would
have been no danger of bloodshed, Jardine 1663–1667.
Servants. The servants were taken away from the foreign community in Lord Napier's
time, Inglis 594; Daniell 1145–1149-It is not the custom to bring servants to China;
the withdrawal of the native servants therefore puts the community to the greatest
inconvenience, Inglis 600-608—The servants were ordered to leave within half an
hour after Captain Elliot's arrival, some had already left, Daniell 1111-1113.
See also Duress of the Foreign Community.
0.59.
E E 2
Smoking
212
[China
SMO
SUR
Report, 1840-continued.
Smoking Dicans. The police have a list of them; the owners are warned to be out of the
way; respectable people who meet there, Jardine 1710-1712.
Smoking Opium. The opium pipe is as common in Fokein as the tobacco-pipe at Canton,
Jardine 1674, 1675-In moderation it is not injurious; spirits are more dangerous to
morality and health; case of witness's compadore who had charge of the cash, and
smoked for thirty or forty years, Jardine 1690-1702. 1713-1716-There is more
dram-drinking in England than opium smoking in China, Jardine 1718-1725.
Smuggling. It is not justifiable to seize persons on account of the general notoriety of
their smuggling; they must be caught in the fact, or there must be grounds for a spe-
cific charge, Thacker 1015-1023- -The Chinese might limit smuggling on the coast
very much if they pleased, although they would have to contend with many difficulties,
Jardine 1676–1689-If Captain Elliot had desired the merchants to discontinue the
Lintin trade, they would have complied, and would have given the same assistance as in
the case of the river trade, Matheson 2316-2321.
Smuggling Trade in the Canton River. Accuracy of Captain Elliot's statement, that the
number of European boats had "vastly increased," and that conflicts were frequent
disputed, Jardine 1571-1578.
Specie. Shipment of specie instead of native bills to Calcutta from Bombay since the
opium crisis, Malcolmson 1849.
Stark, Hugh. Extracts from Evidence before the Committee on East India Affairs in
1832, on the cultivation of opium in India, and the revenue derived therefrom by the
East India Company, App. p. 167.
Suicides at Bombay. Two parties interested in the opium trade have committed suicide on
account of the disappointment as to the payment of the indemnity, Malcolmson 1883,
1884- Danger of further suicides; men of high spirit and ancient family cannot bear
the disgrace of insolvency, Malcolmson 1902-A friend of witness's committed suicide
on account of disappointment in the opium trade; he was a proud man, and his creditor
demanded his money sharply, Cursetjee 1949-1954. 2018-2020-The two persons who
committed suicide did so shortly after the receipt of Mr. Gordon's letter in Bombay,
Matheson 2150-2152 All persons engaged in the trade will feel the disgrace of failing
in their engagements very deeply, Cursetjee 2021, 2022.
SURRENDER OF THE OPIUM:
Supercargoes of the East India Company, If the monopoly of the East India Company
had continued, and their supercargoes had been at Canton, the surrender of the opium
would not have taken place; they would have fought the battle better, Inglis 540-543
They would have had power to make the same requisition for the surrender of
the opium as Captain Elliot, and the Company would have been responsible for the
indemnity, Matheson 2336–2338—Extracts from various Acts of Parliament, as to the
powers of the select committee of supracargoes at Canton, and of the British superin-
tendents, App. p. 173:
I. To the Chinese before Captain Elliot's Arrival.
II. To Captain Elliot upon his Requisition:
1. Prompt Obedience of Merchants to Captain Elliot's Requisition;
Reliance upon his Pledge of Payment.
2. Deficiency discovered in the Number of Chests after the Account
had been given in; how caused and supplied.
I To the Chinese before Captain Elliot's Arrival:
The edict of the commissioner required all the opium to be delivered in three days;
time asked by the Chamber of Commerce to consider the demand, Inglis 19, 20
Subscription of 1,030 chests amongst the merchants, who were moved by compassion
for the Hong merchants, who said their lives would be taken; folly of compliance,
Inglis 23- Conferences with the Hong merchants, and meeting of the Chamber of
Commerce, resolution to give up 1,030 chests, to save the lives of two Hong merchants,
Daniell 1106–1109-Belief that the Chinese would not have proceeded to extremities
in forcing the surrender of the opium, Thacker 893-897-The foreign community
expected that Lin's demand for the opium would be got over by some arrangement,
Daniell 1096-1100- When the 1,000 chests were offered, it was expected that the
commissioner would be brought to terms, Daniell 1241-1253-At first Captain Elliot
expressed himself sorry that the 1,000 chests had been offered, and was understood to
say
that none should be given up, Daniell 1222–1225.›
II. To
1
Trade.]
213
SUR
THA
Report, 1840-continued.
Surrender of THE OPIUM-continued.
II. To Captain Elliot upon his Requisition:
1. Prompt Obedience of Merchants to Captain Elliot's Requisition; their
reliance upon his Pledge of Payment:
On the Tuesday after his arrival, Captain Elliot stated his intention of demanding all
the opium to be given up, and of engaging to indemnify the owners; he said he was
justified by his powers; his communications with Mr. Braine, Mr. Dent, and witness on
the subject, Inglis 150-168-The community were not aware of Captain Elliot's inten-
tions until the requisition appeared, Daniell 1155-1158-The merchants were much
surprised at Captain Elliot's requisition, but did not hesitate to comply with it, Daniell
1194-1199— Captain Elliot's order met with the general concurrence of the holders
of opium, as they felt that they would otherwise have to give it up to the Chinese, Inglis
169-177.
The surrender was made, relying upon being paid the stipulated indemnity; pecu-
niary liability of agents who should have declined to accept the terms offered, Inglis
197-204-Captain Elliot's notice came out on the 27th; witness's letter surrendering
the opium over which he had control for the service of Her Majesty's Government,
Thacker 828-834- He would not have surrendered it without a promise of payment,
Thacker 838-841--No one made any objection to giving up his opium, Thacker
865-867.
If the East India Company had made a similar demand to that of Captain Elliot,
witness would have obeyed it, as they would have been responsible in a court of law,
Jardine 1483, 1484-Witness's firm conceived themselves bound to obey Captain
Elliot, to use perfect good faith to the British Government in giving up all the opium
over which they had control, Matheson 2082-2090-Without any circumstances of
danger witness would have obeyed Captain Elliot's requisition to give up the opium, on
payment, Matheson 2322-2334. 2339-2344.
All the opium belonged to British subjects; the Americans who had any of it sur-
rendered it as British property, Inglis 425-436—If Captain Elliot had proposed to
surrender 10,000 or 20,000 chests on receiving the value, Lin would not have accepted
such terms, Inglis 217-221.
2. Deficiency discovered in the Number of Chests after the Account had been
given in; how caused and supplied:
After Captain Elliot's order and much negotiation with the Chinese government, each
merchant communicated to Captain Elliot the amount of opium in his possession,
Inglis 306-312-Causes of a
Causes of a deficiency being found in the number of chests, an
account of which had been given to Captain Elliot; how supplied by Dent & Co.,
Inglis 332-342 -Much opium was delivered to Captain Elliot which had been pre-
viously sold, Jardine 1469-1472-Much opium was surrendered which was on the
coast, not even at Lintin, but beyond all doubt out of the reach of the Chinese, Jardine
1817-1831—Although Captain Elliot was told that part of the opium of which an
account was given Lin might have been sold since the last advices, he made no deduc-
tion in his return to the commissioner, and was afterwards obliged to purchase more to
supply the deficiency, Jardine 1819. 1836-1841-Witness's firm gave up to Captain
Elliot opium in ships out at sea far beyond Chinese jurisdiction, Matheson 2049-2053
-Some opium belonging to witness's house had been sold after the return given in to
Captain Elliot, and was made good, Matheson 2062-2068.
See also Certificates of Surrender. Compensation from the Chinese. Dent & Co. In-
demnity. Powers of Captain Elliot. Prices of Opium, &c.
Sysee Silver. The edicts of the viceroy against the opium trade were caused by the export
of Sysee treasure, Daniell 1094- The discovery that bullion was leaving the country
induced the emperor to act upon a different principle than that which he had hitherto
adopted, Jardine 1457--The export of Sysee silver was recognised by the chief super-
cargo of the East India Company, Jardine 1476-1479-The export of Sysee silver has
in some years considerably overbalanced the importation of dollars into China, Report
8th July 1830; App. p. 157.
Τ.
Tariff of China. The merchants have never been able to obtain a copy of the Chinese
tariff; additional charges are put on in Canton by the merchants and by the authorities
without the sanction of the emperor. Matheson, 2256-2262.
Teas. Captain Elliot's expressions adverted to when he stated that there would be little
time for shipping teas after the surrender of the opium. Thacker, 852-860.
Thacker, Captain John. (Analysis of his Evidence.)-Invested money in opium at Bombay
to take to China, 780-783-Price of Malwa opium the chest, 784, 785-It was
surrendered by Captain Elliot to the commissioner, 786-There was no opium in
Canton
0.59.
E E 3
214
[China
THA
VIC
Report, 1840-continued.
Thacker, Captain John. (Analysis of his Evidence)—continued.
Canton at the time of Captain Elliot's arrival, 787-790-Before his arrival, witness
had given up his opium to Mr. Johnston, 793-The community expected that the
commissioner was coming to remove obstructions to the trade, until they observed he
Chinese servants removing their things from the factory, 794-798——It was the
unanimous opinion of the merchants (with the exception of Mr. Inglis) that Mr. Dent
should not go into the city, 799-804-Witness had placed his opium in the custody
of Mr. Johnston for safety; correspondence relative thereto, 805-821,
Captain Elliot's communication on his arrival, 822-825—He said nothing of the
surrender of the opium, 826, 827-His notice came out on the 27th; witness's letter
on surrendering his opium, 828-834--The servants had not left, and the provisions
were not stopped till after Captain Elliot's arrival, 835-837--Witness would not have
surrendered his opium except upon a promise of payment, 838-841
He did not
apprehend his life to be in danger, although the Chinese might have let the mob in upon
the factory, 842-851-Captain Elliot's expressions adverted to when he stated that
there would be little time for shipping teas after the surrender of the opium, 852-860
He held out to witness a positive expectation of payment as soon as he arrived in
England, 863, 864-No one made any objection to giving up his opium, 865-867.
[Second Examination.]-Exact statement of the cost of witness's opium until it was
delivered to Captain Elliot, 868-870- General rate of insurance for opium and other
goods lying at sea in China, 871-879-When witness's opium reached Canton it was
not saleable, as the trade had been stopped by the viceroy in anticipation of the governor's
arrival, 880-888-Witness, on his way to China, anticipating troubles, sold part of his
opium at Singapore for 450 dollars a chest, 889-892-He believes the Chinese would
not have proceeded to extremities in forcing the surrender of the opium, 893-897
Witness heard of no remonstrance against Captain Elliot's requisition, 898-905-
fect reliance upon Captain Elliot's engagement to pay, illustrated, 906-916-Witness
had a strong apprehension that he might be obliged to surrender his opium to the
Chinese when he gave it in charge to Mr. Johnston, 917-937- The superintendent
had a right 10 protect British subjects at Canton from having their property in the outer
seas extorted from them by violence, 938-946. 962-977. 981-990.
-Per-
Witness was preparing to barter his opium for beetle-nut and pepper at the Malay
Islands, 947-961-The Chinese would have had a right to seize the opium if they
had been able, but had no right to touch the persons of parties not proved to be engaged
in smuggling transactions, 992-1000-How far the merchants at Canton could have
been proved to be taking part in the opium trade, 1001-1006-Notoriety of the
transactions of the trade; publication of the names of the consignees of opium ships in
the weekly price-currents, 1007-1012.
Everybody was imprisoned, and it may be thence inferred that the proof of dealing
in opium had nothing to do with their confinement, 1013, 1014-It is not justifiable
to seize persons on account of the general notoriety of their smuggling; they must be
caught in the fact, or there must be grounds for a specific charge, 1015, 1023-If the
Chinese had attempted to seize the opium in the ships, they would have been resisted,
1024-1031 Object of preparing for the defence of the ships, 1032-1037--Decla
ration of Captain Elliot, that the Chinese should not have a single chest of opium, three
days before the proposal was made for surrendering it, 1038-1047.
It was the unanimous opinion, not only of the partners in firms engaged in the opium
trade, but also of the foreigners generally, that Mr. Dent should not go into the city,
1050-1956-No one doubted but that the representative of the Crown had authority
to make the demand for the delivery of the opium, and to enter into an engagement for
indemnity, 1057-1072-Witness under such circumstances preferred delivering his
opium to Captain Elliott, to the uncertainty of disposing of it in any other way, after
the offer of indemnity had been made, 1073-1083.
Thom, Mr. Was invited, with Mr. Fearon, to go into the city on the Monday, but they
were prevented by Captain Elliot, Inglis 149.
Turkey Opium. Quantity consumed in China; it has been chiefly imported by Americans;
it is sometimes chewed, Jardine 1730-1733.
Turner, Mr. See Dent, Mr.
V.
Viceroy of Canton. His boats carried on the smuggling trade between Lintin and Canton
for 18 months till near the time of Lin's arrival, Jardine 1517-1534-His boats
were gradually put down, and inferior mandarins carried on the trade, Jardine 1549-
1552 Notoriety of the fact of the viceroy's boats being used; he is said to have
made 15,000 taels on each boat per month, part of which went as presents to the
imperial treasury, Jardine 1579-1589.
See also Connivance of Authorities. Opium Trade.
Violence
Trade.]
215
VIO
YUE
Report, 1840-continued.
Violence. Captain Elliot and the merchants thought Commissioner Lin was prepared to
go any lengths, and this opinion has been confirmed by experience; they dreaded
violence, Inglis 270-278- The younger residents were most alarmed, but, as it
appears, justly, Inglis 291-297 From what has since occurred, it seems that they
were in real danger and jeopardy, Daniell 1277-1293- -Witness never saw violence
used by the Chinese government towards Europeans, but occasionally by the mob, or
by a soldier on duty, Jardine 1358, 1359- There was no danger to life or property
when Lin's edict was issued; if there had been more resistance his measures would
have been less severe, Jardine 1360-1362-The lives of the foreigners were not in
danger; Captain Elliot was the most likely to lose his life, Matheson 2345, 2346.
See also Duress of the Foreign Community.
CO
W.
Water. The foreigners had springs within the factory, but the water was not good, and
they usually supplied themselves from a spring outside; from this they were cut off,
Inglis 282-286- -The supply of water was cut off, but most of the residents had
sufficient in their houses for immediate use, Daniell 1123-1137- The water in the
factory wells was not wholesome, but was used merely for washing, Daniell 1143,
1144.
Y.
Yuen, Governor. He had desisted from measures for the suppression of the opium trade
when the East India Company were preparing to co-operate with him; his retirement
from the council in 1838 was supposed to be the signal for violence against foreigners,
Inglis 688, 689-When he ordered the vessels away from Whampoa, the Hong
merchants stated that the trade might still be carried on quietly, Jardine 1593–1595.
0.59.
c/2367
PAPER
:
RELATING TO
Presented to the House of Commons, by the Queen's Command, in pursuance
of an Address to Her Majesty of the 3rd April, 1840.
CHINA.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY T. R. HARRISON.
1
PAPER
RELATING TO
CHINA.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Veneris 3° die Aprilis 1840.
RESOLVED.
That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, that She
will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid before this
House, a copy of any despatch or memorandum from Sir George
Robinson, relating to the proceedings of Lord Napier from the middle
of August, 1834, to the time of Lord Napier's death.
ORDERED.
That the said Address be presented to Her Majesty by such
Members of this House as are of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy
Council.
J. H. LEY,
Cl. Dom. Com.
The following is a Copy of the only Document in the Foreign Office,
received from Sir George Robinson, relating to the proceed-
ings of Lord Napier from the middle of August, 1834, to the
time of Lord Napier's death.
Extract from the "Records of Proceedings" of the Superintendents
in China.-(Received March 12, 1835.)
September 27, 1834.-IN reference to the proceedings of His Majesty's
Superintendents from the 4th to the 25th of September, 1834, Sir George
Robinson records the following Minute:-
On Thursday afternoon, September 4th, while sitting at dinner with
the Right Honourable the Chief Superintendent, the room was suddenly
crowded by the Chinese, of different classes, in our service, and those
connected with the Establishment of the East India Company-Compra-
dores, cooks, Coolies, &c.,-who ran up stairs in great alarm, saying the
Mandarin soldiers had surrounded, and were about to enter, the Factory.
On going to the principal entrance, we found a line of them drawn up in
A
4
front, and a great number assembling in the public square, part of whom
were landed from boats, which were then moored in front of the garden
and stairs, in such a manner as to prevent all egress. These vessels
were furnished with spears, lances, swords, &c.; and, in some of the
largest, both chains and iron manacles were displayed. The doors were
closely beset, and I considered we were about to be made prisoners. All
the Chinese having left the Hong, there only remained His Majesty's
Superintendents, and the Europeans attached to the Establishment-eight
or nine persons. It was intimated to me by many Chinese, that threats were
uttered on the part of the Mandarins, of unroofing our houses, preventing all
supplies of provisions, and seizing, or at least closely confining to the Hong,
the Chief Superintendent and suite, they said, "to prevent his escape.
Under these circumstances, Lord Napier communicated to me his
determination to apply to Captain Blackwood for a small party of marines
to be sent up without delay, and also to request him to proceed to
Whampoa with both His Majesty's ships.
A letter to that effect was dispatched by the schooner Hawk, belong-
ing to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co., but about midnight, his
Lordship feeling anxious that pilots should be procured, if possible, for
the ships, and that the safety of the cutter Louisa, returning from Macao
with the Second Superintendent, should be provided for, by one or both
the frigates waiting her arrival, as Captain Blackwood might deem most
expedient, requested me to ascertain the possibility of forwarding a letter
to Whampoa, and from thence to Chuenpee, in furtherance of these
objects.
Totally failing in all my endeavours to accomplish this; unable to
procure either a boat or any person willing to undertake the charge; and
being most anxious to forward his views; I proposed to Lord Napier, with
whom I most fully and entirely concurred throughout and in all respects,
that I should myself be the bearer of his letter to Captain Blackwood.
Accordingly, by the assistance of Mr. C. Markwick, I succeeded in getting
on board the cutter St. George without observation; and on arriving on
board the Fort William at Whampoa, was much gratified to find Mr.
Wilson, second officer of that ship, volunteer his services to pilot the
frigates. I was well aware of this gentleman's experience and knowledge
of the river, as well of his obliging disposition and goodwill, but must
leave to Captain Blackwood the care of pointing out the services he
rendered, as being better qualified than myself so to do. On reaching
His Majesty's ship Imogene late in the evening, and finding the marines
had already started for Canton by the advice of Captain Blackwood, I
dispatched the cutter St. George to Macao to hasten the movements of
the Louisa, and forward notices of the intended measures to the merchant
shipping at Capsingmoon and in Macao Roads. The cutter Louisa joined
us on Saturday, and Captain Chads was enabled to secure the services of
Mr. James, late master of that vessel, as pilot to His Majesty's ship
Andromache.
On Sunday, the 7th ultimo, we passed the Bogue, and from that time
until the frigates left the river, all communication with Canton was cut off
except by notes inclosed to English residents, and concealed about the
persons of Chinese boatmen, &c. This, however, proved a very precarious
conveyance, as of several letters I wrote to Lord Napier only one reached
him; the others have all of them been returned to me by those Chinese to
whom they were entrusted.
(Signed) GEORGE BEST ROBINSON.
ORDER IN COUNCIL.
Presented to Parliament by Command of Her Majesty, April, 1840.
At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 4th day of April, 1840.
PRESENT,
The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.
WHEREAS there was this day read at the Board the annexed Draft
of a Commission authorizing the Commissioners for executing the Office
of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, to will and require the several
Courts of Admiralty to take cognizance of, and judicially proceed upon
all captures, seizures, prizes, and reprisals that have been or shall be made
of ships or vessels belonging to the Emperor of China or his subjects;
Her Majesty taking the same into consideration, was pleased, by and with
the advice of Her Privy Council, to approve thereof; and to order, as it is
hereby ordered, that the Right Honourable Viscount Palmerston, one of
Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, do cause the said Commission
to be prepared for Her Majesty's signature, with a proper Warrant for
the immediate passing the same, under the Great Seal of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
(Signed)
C. C. GREVILLE.
VICTORIA R.
VICTORIA, by the Grace of God Queen of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. &c., &c. to Our right
trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Councillor, Gilbert, Earl of
Minto, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Military Order of
the Bath; Our trusty and well-beloved Sir Charles Adam, Knight
Commander of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Vice
Admiral of the Blue Squadron of Our Fleet; Sir William Parker, Knight
Commander of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Rear
Admiral of the White Squadron of Our Fleet; Sir Edward Thomas
Troubridge, Baronet, Captain in Our Navy; Sir Samuel John Brooke
Pechell, Baronet, Captain in Our Navy; and Archibald Primrose, Esquire,
(commonly called Lord Dalmeny); Our Commissioners for executing the
office of Lord High Admiral of Our United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging, and to Our Commissioners
for executing that office for the time being, Greeting: Whereas We have
taken into consideration the late injurious proceedings of certain Officers
of the Emperor of China towards certain of Our Officers and Subjects;
And Whereas We have given orders, that satisfaction and reparation for
the same shall be demanded from the Chinese Government: And
Whereas it is expedient, with the view to obtain such satisfaction and
reparation, that Ships and Vessels and Cargoes, belonging to the
Emperor of China and to his subjects, shall be detained and held in
custody; and if such reparation and satisfaction be refused by the
Chinese Government, the Ships, Vessels, and Cargoes, so detained, and
others to be thereafter detained, shall be confiscated and sold, and that
the proceeds thereof shall be applied in such manner as We may
hereafter be pleased to direct: We, therefore, are pleased, by and
with the advice of Our Privy Council, to order that the Commanders
of Our Ships of War do detain and bring into Port, all Ships,
Vessels, and Goods belonging to
to the Emperor of China or his
subjects, or other persons inhabiting within any of the Countries,
Territories, or Dominions of China; and in the event of such reparation and
2.39
2
satisfaction as aforesaid having been refused by the Chinese Government, to
bring the same to judgment in any of the Courts of Admiralty within Our
Dominions; These are therefore to authorize, and We do hereby authorize
and enjoin you, Our said Commissioners, now and for the time being, or any
three or more of you, to will and require Our High Court of Admiralty
of England, and the Lieutenant and Judge of the said Court, and his Sur-
rogate or Surrogates, and also the several Courts of Admiralty within
Our Dominions, which shall be duly commissioned, and they are hereby
authorized and required, to take cognizance of, and judicially to proceed
upon, all and all manner of captures, seizures, prizes, and reprisals of
all Ships, Vessels, and Goods, already seized and taken, and which
hereafter shall be seized and taken, and hear and determine the same
according to the course of Admiralty and the Laws of Nations: and to
adjudge and condemn all such Ships, Vessels, and Goods, as shall belong
to China, or subjects of the Emperor of China, or to any others inhabiting
within any of His countries, territories, or dominions. In witness
whereof, We have caused the Great Seal of our United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland to be affixed to these presents, which We have
signed with Our Royal Hand.
Given at Our Court at Buckingham Palace, the fourth day of April,
in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty, and
in the third year of Our reign.
*:
:
MEMORIALS
ADDRESSED TO
HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT,
BY
BRITISH MERCHANTS
INTERESTED IN THE
TRADE WITH CHINA.
Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty,
August, 1840.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY T. R. HARRISON.
262
LIST OF PAPERS.
No.
1. The Merchants of Manchester to Viscount Palmerston Manchester, September 30, 1839.
2. The Merchants of London to Viscount Palmerston..
One Inclosure.
Cowper's Court, October
1,
October 4,
October 4,
October 8,
5. The Merchants of Blackburn to Viscount Palmerston Blackburn,
One Inclosure.
Bristol,
October 10,
Cowper's Court, November 2,
3. The Merchants of Leeds to Viscount Palmerston ..
4. The Merchants of Liverpool to Viscount Palmerston.
One Inclosure.
6. The Merchants of Bristol to Viscount Palmerston ..
7. The Committee of the London East India and China
Association to Viscount Palmerston
Appendix ..
Inclosure.-Mr. Andrew Henderson to Mr.
G. G. de Larpent
8. The Merchants of London to Viscount Palmerston..
9. The Merchants of Manchester to Viscount Palmerston
One Inclosure.
+
Leeds,
Liverpool,
Liverpool,
London,
Manchester,
October 21,
April
May
Page
1
3
4
LO
5
7
9
11
18
9, 1840. 21
9,
22
:
MEMORIALS,
ADDRESSED TO
GO
HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT,
BY
BRITISH MERCHANTS INTERESTED IN THE
TRADE WITH CHINA.
No. 1.
The Undersigned Merchants of Manchester to Viscount Palmerston.
To the Right Honorable the Lord Viscount Palmerston,
Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, &c., &c.
Manchester, September 30, 1839.
WE, the Undersigned Merchants and Manufacturers, being deeply
interested in the trade to China, beg respectfully to address your Lordship
on the acts of aggression recently committed on the part of the Government
of China, whereby our fellow-subjects at Canton, to whose care our property
has been entrusted, have been deprived of their liberty, their lives placed
in imminent peril, and our property unjustly detained, and partly aban-
doned to the Chinese. The particulars of which you will have been made
acquainted with, by Her Majesty's Superintendents of Trade at Canton.
We beg most respectfully to submit to your Lordship, that the
exports of plain, printed, and dyed cottons, the produce of the industry
of this district, shipped to Canton, from the port of Liverpool, in the year
1838, amounted to about 21 millions of yards, of the value of about
480,000l., and of cotton yarn, nearly 4 millions of pounds, value about
205,0001.; and that since the 1st of January of the present year, about
18 millions of yards of cottons, value about 380,000l., and above 1
million pounds of yarn, value about 82,000l., has also been exported from
Liverpool to Canton.
We are not only, as manufacturers, suddenly cut off from this source
of demand, but being otherwise engaged in the trade, as exporters of
other descriptions of goods manufactured in Yorkshire, and in the West
of England, and in the transmission of funds from India to China, in the
produce of the former country, as a medium of return for our exports to
India,―our property, to a very large amount, is involved in this trade,
the interruption to which is causing us to suffer most serious inconve-
nience from the detention of our property, and may eventually entail very
severe losses upon us.
We humbly submit, that such acts of aggression on the part of the
Chinese authorities, call for prompt, vigorous, and decided measures, on
the part of Her Majesty's Government; and confiding in their wisdom,
their sense of justice, and their regard for the national dignity, we look
B
2
forward with confidence, to a speedy reimbursement for all the losses we
may sustain, by the proceedings complained of; and we hope that those
occurrences may be taken advantage of, to place our commercial relations
with China, hereafter, on a secure, sound, and permanent basis. And we
further earnestly entreat of your Lordship, to make known to us, at the
earliest possible period that sound policy will permit, what steps it will be
necessary, or desirable to have adopted, for the protection of our existing
interests, and the future government of our trade.
We have, &c.,
(Signed)
JOHN MACVICAR.
GARDNER, ATKINSON, AND Co.
DAVID SCOTT.
GEORGE ORD, FOR JONES, GIBSON AND
Ord.
HOYLE AND NEWBERY.
N. D. BEHRENS AND Co.
SIMONS.
E. M. COOPER AND CO.
JAMES BURT AND CO.
GLADSTONE BROTHERS.
WISE, FARBRIDGE AND Co.
JOHN DUGDALE AND BROTHERS.
GEORGE SCHUSTER.
BUTTERWORTH AND BIDdles.
HORRACKS, JACSON AND Co.
SWAINSON, BIRLEYS AND CO.
JOHN RILEY.
JOHN HUNT.
J. AND J. THOMPSON.
SMITH AND RAWSON.
ORMOOD AND HARDCASTLE.
JOHN REDFERN AND SONS.
J. GRANT BROTHERS.
FORT BROTHERS AND CO.
THOMAS ASHTON.
HENRY CAPPS FOR HORRACKS, MIL-
LER AND CO.
JOHN LEECH.
HARROP, TAYLOR AND PEARSON.
BINDLOSS AND PUSTON.
THOMAS HARRISON AND SONS.
JOHN CROSSBY AND SONS.
JOHN JACKSON.
MILNE, LEWIS AND MILNE.
ROBERT GARNETT SONS AND Co.
JAMES BURTON, CHIPPENDALE AND
Co.
BURROW, STIGGIN AND FAIRER.
ROBERT BARBOUR AND BROTHERS.
JOHN PALEY AND CO.
GARNETT AND HORSFALLS.
No. 2.
The Undersigned Merchants of London to Viscount Palmerston.
Cowper's Court, Cornhill,
October 1, 1839.
My Lord,
WE have the honour to submit to Her Majesty's Government, through
your Lordship, the accompanying address from nearly all the Merchants
of London connected with the China Trade. And having ourselves been
appointed a Sub-Committee intrusted with the conduct of the communi-
cations with Her Majesty's Government, upon this important matter, we
beg your Lordship's particular attention to this address, and that you will
be pleased to lay it before your colleagues in administration.
We further solicit an early interview with your Lordship upon one
point more especially adverted to in the address: namely, the security of
the very large property at stake when the trade was officially stopped by
the Superintendent at Canton, or at Macao, or on its way to China; and
we are induced to press your Lordship to fix an early day from our
having strong hopes that the important matters connected with China,
have already been brought under the consideration of Her Majesty's
Government.
We have &c.,
(Signed)
JOHN ABEL SMITH,
G. G. DE H. LARPENT,
W. CRAWFORD.
3
Inclosure in No. 2.
To the Right Honourable Viscount Palmerston, G.C.B., &c. &c. &c.
My Lord,
London, September 30, 1839.
THE Undersigned British Merchants and others engaged in the
trade with China, on their own behalf, and that of their friends and cor-
respondents in that country, beg to represent to Her Majesty's Govern-
ment the very great apprehension and alarm with which they view the
recent events at Canton.
In all former suspensions of the trade no personal violence of so
general a kind was used against British residents; but in the present
instance, measures have been adopted against the whole body of foreigners,
of such a character as to render their continuance at Canton, in the
opinion of Her Majesty's Superintendent, incompatible with the security
of their persons and property,
By the latest accounts (30th May last), it appears that under the
authority vested in him by Her Majesty's Government, the Chief Super-
intendent of the Trade of British subjects in China, had withdrawn from
Canton, and closed the British factory; and that in compliance with his
orders, the whole of the British residents at Canton, had either followed
him to Macao, or were preparing to do so, whereby the British trade with
Canton may be considered as closed.
It is unnecessary for the Undersigned to point out the magnitude and
importance of the China Trade-involving as it does so largely, the
commercial and manufacturing interests, and the revenue and personal
comforts of the whole British empire; nor is it desired to mix up in this
address, the question regarding the trade in opium, which they think
should be reserved for a separate consideration, when the gentlemen
deputed from China arrive, and when the several memorials from India,
and elsewhere, are brought before Her Majesty's Government, by the
parties to whom they are intrusted; but the Undersigned respectfully
submit, that as by the 3rd and 4th William IV., cap. 93, and by the Orders
in Council issued in pursuance thereof, and by the Royal Commission and
Instructions to the Chief Superintendent, the regulation of the Canton
trade was placed under Her Majesty's Government, and subjected to the
control of its Representative, the merchants engaged therein, feel it indis-
pensable to call upon Her Majesty's Government, to know what course is
to be pursued, in regard to the property which may be unavoidably left at
Canton, that which has been and may be detained at Macao, by order of
the Superintendent, and that which may now be afloat.
The Undersigned would also most earnestly pray Her Majesty's
Government, to give them as early an intimation as possible, of its inten-
tions, to guide them with respect to the future prosecution of this most
important branch of commerce, in which their interests and that of their
friends are so deeply involved; and they would the more strongly urge the
necessity of an early decision from the apprehension that in the event of
any protracted delay, the trade would pass into the hands of the mer-
chants of other nations not subjected to a control similar to that exercised
over the subjects of Great Britain.
And further, the Undersigned beg leave to state, that they have
appointed a Committee of the gentlemen named in the margin,* connected
with the London East India and China Association, to represent them,
and with that Committee the Undersigned solicit the most unreserved
communication from Her Majesty's Government.
We have, &c.,
(Signed)
GLEDSTANES, KERR AND Co.
PITMAN, MACKILLIP, DENT and Co.
FLETCHER, ALEXANDER AND CO.
RAWSON, NORTON AND CO.
COCKERELL AND CO.
CRAWFORD, COLVIN AND CO.
THOMAS WEEDING.
BARING BROTHERS AND Co.
*G. G. de H. Larpent, Esq.; W. Crawford, Esq., M. P.; S. Gregson, Esq.; J. Bates, Esq.;
J. H. Gledstanes, Esq.; Thos. Weeding, Esq.; J. Abel Smith, Esq., M.P.; J. Horsley Palmer, Esq.
B 2
4
SCOTT, BELLS AND Co.
JAMIESON BROTHERS AND Co.
DANIELL, DICKINSON AND CO.
HUNTER, GOUGER AND CO.
TRUEMAN AND COOK.
BARCLAY BROTHERS AND Co.
GREGRON, MELVILLE AND Co.
WISE, FARBRIDGE AND Co.
Per JOHN WISE LINTON.
LYALL BROTHERS AND Co.
FINLAY, HODGSON AND Co.
A. WAN AND Co.
GARDNER, URQUHART AND Co.
WM. JAS. THOMPSON.
HYDE, LENOX and Co.
HULBERT, LAYTON AND C o.
JOHNSON, RENNY AND MILLMAN.
LARLAIN AND Co.
GREEN, WIGRAMS AND GREens.
JOHN PRICE AND Co.
ROBT. EGLINTON AND Co.
COPLAND, BARNES AND Co.
ALEXANDER CROWE.
RICKARDS, LIRCH AND CO.
GRINDLAY, CHRISTIAN AND MATTHEWS.
PHILLIPS AND TIPLADY.
P. H. ROBErtson.
J. COCKBURN AND CO.
G. Lungley.
R. SUNGLEY.
MAQUIRE, SMITHS AND Co.
SMALL, COLQUHOUN AND Co.
ROB. AND BENJ. BROWN AND Co.
R. G. J. AND R. TWINING.
COPELAND AND GARRETT.
DALLAS AND COLES.
WALKINSHAM AND CO.
WILL. BURNIE AND Co.
F. AND B. PEARSE AND Co.
SANDERSON, FRYS, FOX AND Co.
CURTISS AND HARVEY.
MANGLES, PRICE, AND CO.
COLESWORTH, POWELL, AND PRYOR.
EWART, MACCMIGHEY AND DELAFORRE. RD. R. THORNTON AND WEST.
THOS. ASHMORE.
J. R. ROBERTSON.
REID, HONEY AND CO.
MAVISON, CEYDER AND CO.
W. E. FERRERs.
FOX BROTHERS.
WM. BRYDON.
JOHN RICHARDSON.
WM. HARPER AND CO.
FRANCIS CHAMBERS.
W. J. HALL AND Co.
THOS. HEATH.
JOHN LOCKE AND CO.
BRODRIBB AND LLOYD.
P. HOME.
ROBERT AND THOMAS GREEN.
JOHN HINE.
HAYTER AND HOWELL.
J. S. WARDELL AND CO.
JNO. G. BoWRING.
WALTER JOSEPHS.
HYDE, LENOX AND CO.
PITMAN, FORMAN AND Co.
THOMAS MILLER AND Co.
J. R. LANCASTER.
HY. THOMPSON.
C. S. GOVER.
C. R. READ, of the firm of A. L.
JOHNSTON AND Co., of Singapore.
DANIELL, DICKINSON AND Co.
ALEX. NAIRNE.
H. ELIAS.
CHARLES F. WEBER.
SHAW, KENT, AND Co.
WM. BREMNER.
BUCKLES, RAYSTRE AND BUCKLES.
JAMES CLEGG AND CO.
W. C. TILDer.
GOULD, DOWIE, AND Co.
TIMOTHY SMITH.
MAC LEOD AND CO.
W. C. CRANE.
N. DE ST. CROIX.
DURANT AND Co.
T. AND R. MOFATT.
No. 3.
The Undersigned Merchants of Leeds to Viscount Palmerston.
To the Right Honorable the Lord Viscount Palmerston,
Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, &c., &c., &c.
Leeds, October 4, 1839.
WE, the Undersigned Bankers, Merchants, and Manufacturers, and
others of the town and neighbourhood of Leeds, in the county of York,
beg respectfully to address your Lordship respecting the measures
recently taken by the Government of China, whereby our fellow-subjects
at Canton, to whose care property to a large amount had been intrusted,
have been deprived of their liberty, and their lives placed in imminent
danger, and their property has been detained and partly abandoned to
the Chinese, the particulars of which have been published by Her
5
Majesty's Superintendent of Trade at Canton, and have no doubt been
communicated to your Lordship.
We beg respectfully to submit to your Lordship, that woollen cloths
to a considerable amount are manufactured in this district for the China
market, which trade is necessarily suspended by the proceedings at
Canton, and if the interruption should continue, will, by depriving the
manufacturers of employment, occasion great distress.
Under these alarming circumstances, we have deemed it our duty
respectfully to state our case to Her Majesty's Government, praying that
they will adopt such measures as may protect our existing interests, and
establish the relations of commercial intercourse on a more secure and
permanent basis for the future.
B. GOTT AND SONS.
GRACE, FREEMAN AND JEPSON.
STEADS AND FRENCH.
BRIGG AND SONS.
WILSON, STONE AND Co.
WARD, HIRST AND WARD.
PEASE, HEATON AND Co.
Pro SAMUEL HOLMES.
THOMAS HOLMES.
TITLEY, TATHAM AND AL KER
MARSHALL AND CO.
CHORLEY AND UPPLEBY.
YORK AND SHEEPSHANKS.
Pro SAMUEL LORD AND Co.
HENRY LORD.
THOMPSON, FIDLIN AND Co.
TIDSDALE AND Co.
EDWIN BIRCHALL AND SONS.
JOHN GOODMAN.
WM. WM. BURN AND Co.
BECKETT BLAYDS AND Co.
JAMES BROWN AND CO.
WILLIS, SHEPARD AND Co.
O. WILLUNS AND SON.
D. AND J. Coope.
CHARLES KAG AND CO.
HARGREAVE AND NUSSEYS.
ROBT. JONITT AND SON.
J. J. AND N. CASH.
P. WILLAMS AND SONS.
PLINE AND DORRINGTON.
Jos. AND ED. SWAINE AND Co.
PIM NEVINS.
SHANN BROTHERS.
T. SHANN AND SONS.
JOHN ELLERSHANG.
We have, &c.,
(Signed)
JAMES HORDFORTH,
Mayor of the Borough of Leeds.
STANSFELD, BROWN AND Co.
B. WILLIAMSON AND CO.
THOS. PRINCE.
JOHN WILKINSON.
CHAS. WOOd.
JNO. CARR.
J. P. SMITH AND SON.
S. J. BIRCHALL AND Co.
BEV AND HILL.
THOMAS BISCHOFF, J. Y. Co.
C. H. ROBINSON.
MATTHEW MOSS AND SONS.
GEO. MATTHEWMAN AND SONS.
BAYNES AND Co.
SCHOLEFIELD AND AUSTIN.
B. FIGDOR.
STEPHEN MITCHELL AND SONS.
THOS. MENNEN AND Co.
JOSEPH DUFTON.
D. O. MEARE.
WM. GATLIFF, SON AND Co.
GATLIFF, READ AND BOWES.
JOHN WALKER AND SON.
ROBERT WALKER.
HIRST, BRAMLEY AND Co.
HINDES AND DERHAM.
WM. BRAYSHAW.
JNO. BUTTREY AND SONS.
MATTHEW BATESON BEVERLEY.
T. AND J. ROTHERY.
THOS. THORNTON AND SON.
STANLEY AND WATSON.
EDWIN SIMPSON.
J. HEBDINS AND CO.
Pro L. L. BEHRENS AND Co.
J. A. MUNZ.
No. 4.
The Undersigned Merchants of Liverpool to Viscount Palmerston.
My Lord,
Liverpool, October 4, 1839.
I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship a Memorial from
the Merchants of Liverpool engaged in the trade with India and China,
on the present state of our commercial relations with the Chinese.
6
I feel assured that Her Majesty's Government will bestow upon the
subject, the consideration which its magnitude and importance demand;
and I need not remind your Lordship how much the injury to commerce
will be mitigated by an intimation of the course intended to be adopted
by Government, at the earliest period consistent with prudence and sound
policy.
I have now only to intimate, that the Memorialists have confided the
care of their interests to G. G. de H. Larpent, William Crawford, and
John Abel Smith, Esqs., of London, with whom I have to solicit your
Lordship's free communication on the question.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) WILLIAM NICOL,
Chairman, East India and China
Association of Liverpool.
Inclosure in No. 4.
To the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Palmerston,
&c., &c., &c., Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs.
WE, the Undersigned Merchants of Liverpool interested in the
trade with India and China, desire to address your Lordship on the
subject of the late extraordinary proceedings of the Chinese Government
at Čanton, causing the sudden destruction of trade, and the sacrifice of
British property to an immense amount.
We need not inform your Lordship that the measures adopted against
the foreigners at Canton, were of so violent a character, as to induce Her
Majesty's Chief Superintendent of Trade in China, entirely to close the
British factory, and to return to Macao, and that by the latests accounts
from Canton, the British subjects resident there, in compliance with the
directions of the Chief Superintendent, had followed him to Macao, or
were preparing to do so, their continuance at Canton being considered
incompatible with the safety of their lives and property.
The trade thus abruptly suspended, forms more than one-third of the
whole exports of British India; and its importance to our home manu-
factures may be gathered from the fact, that in the seven months prece-
ding the receipt of intelligence of the recent events at Canton, the value
of manufactured goods exported from the port of Liverpool alone amounted
to nearly 600,000%.
It is, however, unnecessary to enlarge upon the magnitude and impor-
tance of a branch of commerce, from which so large a portion of the
public revenue is derived, and which so deeply affects the interests and
comforts of the whole community.
Without entering into the question as to the propriety or policy of the
trade in opium, but adverting to the peculiar circumstances of the present
case, we feel called upon, on behalf of ourselves and our connexions in
the East, to ascertain, at the earliest possible period, the intentions of Her
Majesty's Government in regard to the property of British subjects left
at Canton, or which may be detained at Macao by order of Her Majesty's
Superintendent.
We would also earnestly request that some assurance should be given
by Her Majesty's Government as to the protection which British subjects
in future look for in the further prosecution of the trade.
may
We would respectfully press upon your Lordship the great importance
of an early declaration of the course intended to be pursued by Her
Majesty's Government, so as to terminate, as soon as practicable, the pre-
sent state of doubt and suspense which so greatly aggravates the injury
to commerce. There is too much reason to apprehend that, in consequence
my
of the uncertainty which exists in regard to the intentions of Her
Majesty's Government, some portion of the trade with China, formerly
in the hands of British subjects, has already passed over to merchants of
other nations; and in fact it is known, that at least one extensive shipper
of British goods has directed his property at Canton to be placed in the
charge of an American house, solely from an apprehension that it will be
safer there, than in the hands of a British subject, and that now goods are
sent to Americans, which, but for the late occurrences at Canton, would
have been consigned to English houses there.
In conclusion, we would venture respectfully to suggest, that from
the experience of the insulting and contemptuous manner in which the
Chinese authorities have hitherto met all conciliatory overtures, it will be
in vain to hope for any satisfactory arrangement, unless the mission of
Her Majesty's Government be so supported, as to ensure a respectful
reception on the part of the Chinese Government.
We have, &c.,
(Signed)
JOHN TOBIN.
CHA. HORSFALE SON, AND Co.
HUGH AND Jos. HORNBY AND Co.
OGILVY, GILLAUDEN AND Co.
NICOL, DUCKWORTH AND Co.
DIRIM, RICHMOND AND Co.
WILLIAM JONES.
T. AND H. LITTLEDALE AND Co.
BOLD AND STARKEY.
DUDGEON, BALLINY AND Co.
JONES, MANN AND FOSTER.
J. W. SHARLAND AND Co.
JNO. GARNETT AND SON.
Pro ACRAMAN, BRIGGS, THURBURN,
A. C. NOING.
WILL. SMITH AND SONS.
BRODIE AND HAMILTON.
THOS. AND WILL. EARLET AND Co.
WILL. FARBRIDGE AND Co.
RATHBONE, BOIS AND CO.
COTERWORTH AND WYNNE.
PEEL AND Co.
SANDS, TURNER AND Co.
FLETCHER, ALEXANDER, AND Co.
FINLAY, ASTON AND Co.
WHITAKER, CARTER AND Co.
GARDNER AND BOGGS.
WM. CATOR AND NEPHEW.
J. B. SHUTTLEWORTH AND Co.
HARRISON AND WATERHouse.
WILLM. GEDDES.
STEAINS AND ROWLEY.
MOLYNEUX AND HULBERT.
WILLM. FRY AND SONS.
BULKELEY, JOHNSON AND Co.
SANDERSON, FRYS AND Co.
GLADSTONE AND SERJEANTSON.
PRITCHARD ANE COMTHERHILE.
C. BENTHAM AND CO.
PECK BROTHERS, AND WINCH.
Pro BRODRIBB AND LLOYD,
W. S. MILLANA.
BUSHBY AND SON.
JOHN HASELDEN.
CHAPMAN AND WILLIS.
W. CROAKER, JAMIESON AND Co.
W. ROTHERAW.
HENRY TOLler.
IRLAM AND THOMPSON.
W. H. WHITEHEAD.
JOHN PRIBBY AND SONS.
Pro GEORGE AMSTRONG,
WILLIAM MYRTLE.
TAYLOR, POTTER AND Co.
THOS. RIPLEỶ.
No. 5.
The Undersigned Merchants of Blackburn to Viscount Palmerston.
My Lord,
Blackburn, October 8, 1839.
AT the request of the subscribers, we beg to hand to your Lordship
the inclosed memorial on the subject of the recent proceedings of the
Chinese Government at Canton.
We have, &c.,
(Signed)
NEVILLE, ECCLES & AINSWORTH.
"
8
Inclosure in No. 5.
To the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount Palmerston,
Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
The Memorial of the Undersigned Merchants and Manufacturers in
Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster, respectfully,
SHEWETH,
That your Memorialists have heard, with feelings of mingled in-
dignation and regret, of the recent atrocious transactions at Canton,
involving the unwarrantable imprisonment of Her Majesty's subjects, and
the wanton seizure of British property, and terminating in the entire
suppression of the valuable and increasing trade which has so long been
carried on to the mutual advantage of the two empires.
That your Memorialists humbly but earnestly hope, that Her Majesty's
Government will adopt such prompt and vigorous measures as will secure
redress for the dishonour done to the British name, and compensation
for the loss sustained by British interests, in consequence of the arbi-
trary and iniquitous proceedings above alluded to, and as shall place the
future intercourse of this country with China, under better protection,
and on a footing of greater stability than has hitherto been enjoyed.
And your Memorialists will ever pray,
WM. FEILDING, Merchants and Ma-
nufacturers.
BANISTER, ECCLES AND CO., Merchants
and Manufacturers.
WILLIAM ALSTON AND CO., Cotton
Spinners.
JAMES FORRIST AND CO., Cotton
Spinners and Manufacturers.
JAMES BRIGGS, Cotton Manufacturer.
JAMES LAND AND NEPHEW, Cotton
Spinners and Manufacturers.
THOMAS GILLIBRAND, Manufacturer.
JAMES FISHER, Manufacturer.
WILLM. HENRY HORNSBY AND CO.
THOMAS BOLTON, Manufacturer.
JAMES ISHERWOOD, Manufacturer.
JOHN ABBOTT, Manufacturer.
WILLIAM HESKIN, Manufacturer.
DAVENPORT COWELL, Manufacturer.
JOHN SHARPLES, Cotton Manufac-
turer.
THOMAS THROP, Cotton Spinner.
ROBERT HOPWOOD AND SON, Spinners
and Manufacturers.
HALL AND BOLTON, Cotton Spinners.
J. AND M. H. CARTWRIGHT, Spinners
and Manufacturers.
October 3, 1839.
WM. AND T. TURNER, Spinner and
Manufacturer.
JNo. WOOD AND SON, Spinners and
Manufacturers.
WM. SEFTON AND Co., Cotton Manu-
facturers.
JAMES HALL AND Co., Cotton Manu-
facturers.
HUGH BRODIE, Cotton Manufacturer.
JOSEPH NIGHTINGALE, Cotton Manu-
facturer.
H. B. MAYMON, Cotton Manufac-
turer.
JOHN SHORROCK, Manufacturer.
JOHN WALMSLEY, Manufacturer.
HUGH SEED, Manufacturer.
JAS. SHORROCK, Manufacturer.
JAMES PILKINGTON AND SONS, Cotton
Merchants.
WM. HENRY BINKTON AND Co., Spin-
ners and Manufacturers.
ECCLES, SHORROCK AND CO., of Oven
Darwen.
WILLIAM ECCLES AND Co., Cotton
Spinners and Manufacturers,
Blackburn.
9
No. 6.
The Undersigned Merchants of Bristol to Viscount Palmerston.
To the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Palmerston, Her
Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
The Memorial of the Undersigned Merchants of the City of Bristol,
SHEWETH,
That your Memorialists have been the sole importers of teas into the
City of Bristol since the period that the trade to China was thrown open,
in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four, and during that
time, they have not been in any manner connected with the Opium
Trade: That, from that period to the present, they have imported
cargoes in sixteen British ships, comprising a freight of 12,000 tons, and
producing a revenue of about one million pounds sterling.
That your Memorialists have heard with concern and alarm the
present unprecedented state of our commercial position with China, and
deeply regret the precarious tenure of our trade with that country.
That since the abolition of the East India Company's trade at
Canton, by the Act 3rd and 4th William 4, chap. 93, there have been
appointed Superintendents of the British Trade with China, whose duties
were to protect and promote the trade, and to controul the conduct of
British subjects in that distant empire.
That the cost to this country of maintaining the said Superintendents,
with their Secretary, Chaplain, Surgeons, and Interpreters, has, during
the existence of the free trade, been about one hundred thousand pounds,
whilst but little benefit has arisen from their presence in China, from the
fact of the said Superintendents not being duly provided with the powers
necessary to controul British subjects, and from the more important fact,
that the said Superintendents have been scarcely recognized by the
Chinese Government, and that they have been treated with marked
contempt and indignity by two successive Viceroys of the Province of
Canton, and recently by the High Commissioner sent down to Canton by
the Emperor of China for the purpose of suppressing the Opium Trade.
That since the opening of the trade, so long a period as from the
month of September, 1834, until February, 1837, Her Majesty's
Superintendents were not permitted to remain at Canton, and that the
few and feeble powers possessed by them were exercised at Macao or
at Lintin, the place of rendezvous of the Opium ships.
That your Memorialists are, however, almost unconscious of any
power, rule, or authority, by which Her Majesty's Superintendents have
been guided, which either the Act of His late Majesty, or the Orders in
Council, of the date of 9th December, 1833, could confer.
That they are equally unconscious of any power which the said
Superintendents possessed, either to restrain the unruly amongst Her
Majesty's subjects in China, or to protect the injured from the aggressions
of their fellow countrymen, or of the Chinese; and they know that Her
Majesty's Superintendents have never had invested in them an authority
equal to that of police magistrates in England, in cases of felony and
misdemeanour, whilst they have not possessed the means of ensuring
British subjects and British property from the cruelty, arbitrary impo-
sition, or plunder, of the Chinese Government.
That your Memorialists have heard that your Lordship, twice or
thrice introduced a Bill into the Commons House of Parliament to form
Courts of Civil and Criminal Judicature, and a Court of Admiralty, in
China; but six years have now nearly passed, during which more than
three thousand British subjects have annually visited China, and have
been living at Canton, Whampoa, Lintin, and Macao, or have been
engaged in smuggling opium on the coast of China, unrestrained by the
laws of their country, and daily and hourly in immediate contact with the
most peculiarly jealous people on earth.
That for many years passed, the tea trade with China (which has
annually brought a revenue to this country, by the heavy duties levied
upon tea, to the amount of £3,000,000 sterling) has been continually
с
10
A
placed in immediate danger by the smuggling trade carried on upon the
coast, as well as by the pertinacious, corrupt, and overbearing conduct, of
the Canton Local Government.
That the tea trade has been especially jeopardized during the last
three years, by the numerous ships employed upon the coast of China in
smuggling opium; and more seriously injured by the intrusion of various
schooners and small craft into the Canton River, the owners and crews of
which vessels have too frequently set all laws, obedience, and authority,
at defiance; and it is believed by your Memorialists, that much violence
and bloodshed has taken place upon the said river.
That your Memorialists submit, that the smuggling opium into China
has been sanctioned by the Legislature of Great Britain, inasmuch as the
monopoly of the sale of opium was granted to the East India Company
upon their receiving a renewal of the government of India, and because
the opium sent to China for the purpose of being smuggled into that
country has been openly sold by the Indian Government at the Presidency
of Calcutta, at periodical public sales, whilst at all the several Indian
Presidencies of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, it has been regularly
entered for exportation to China, and passed through the custom-houses
there.
That your Memorialists beg leave to refer your Lordship to the
Minutes of Evidence taken before both Houses of Parliament, from the
year 1829 to 1832, inclusive, in which the evils necessarily and unavoidably
attendant upon the opium trade were fully made known.
Your Memorialists also beg leave to submit to your Lordship, that
during the last twenty years, the smuggling of opium into China has been
most undisguisedly and openly connived at by the high Mandarins and
Government Officers of the Chinese Empire, and that the present and past
Viceroys have partaken largely in the profits of the trade, with, it is
believed, the secret permission of the Imperial Cabinet at Pekin.
That notwithstanding these most extraordinary facts, a sudden and
unexpected call was made in March last, by an Imperial Commissioner,
upon the British and Foreign Merchants resident in Canton, to deliver up,
on pain of death, all the opium in their possession (whether their own
property, or the property of others consigned to them); and imprisonment
and starvation were rigidly enforced by the very Mandarins who had
themselves received large sums of money in bribery for connivance at the
trade, whilst a cargo of teas, shipped on board the Ingleborough, and
paid for on your Memorialists' account, was detained, and all other trade
suspended.
ܕ
That Her Majesty's Superintendent, Captain Charles Elliot, of the
Royal Navy, notwithstanding his acknowledged naval and civil rank, was
also imprisoned; and his demand, as an officer of Her Majesty, to be
liberated, was rejected, and he was also threatened with death by public
execution, in the event of property not being delivered up, which he could
only demand in the name of Her Majesty the Queen.
That guards were placed around the residencies of the Merchants,
without distinction, and all communications between them and the
shipping, as well as the means of sustenance, were cut off at the pleasure
of the Chinese Government.
That sundry shipping sent out by your Memorialists in the present
year, for the purpose of bringing home the next annual supply of teas, is
thrown out of employment in China, and is compelled to seek freight
elsewhere, to the probable loss of the owners, and the great prejudice of
your Memorialists.
Bristol, October 10, 1839.
That your Memorialists, desirous that the tea trade with China may
not be lost to Great Britain, do, therefore, humbly request that your
Lordship will urge upon Her Majesty's Government, most earnestly, an
immediate consideration of their Prayer for protection for the continuance
of their legitimate trade, and to their shipping and property, as well as to
the lives of their agents and other parties employed by them in China.
And your Memorialists will ever pray, &c.
(Signed) ACRAMANS, BUSH, CASTLE, & Co.
1
11
No. 7.
The Committee of the London East India and China Association to
Viscount Palmerston.
Cowper's Court, Cornhill,
November 2, 1839.
My Lord,
IN compliance with your Lordship's request, we lay before you our own
views of the present situation of the British trade with China, and the conclu-
sions at which we have arrived, and the course of conduct we would venture to
recommend to the superior judgment of Her Majesty's Government.
2. And, first, we will briefly touch upon the subject of opium, the primary y
alleged cause of the recent transactions at Canton, not with the view of vindi-
cating the trade itself, but in reply to the numerous misrepresentations and
grave accusations which have been made with regard to the traffic in that drug,
and the parties conducting it. When we find the growth of opium within the
territories of the East India Company is a strict monopoly, yielding a large
revenue; that the drug is sold by the Government of India at public sales; and
that its destination is so well known, that in 1837, the East India Company's
Government actually directed by a public notice, a large sum of money to be
given as a bonus to the shippers to China of the season*. When we observe that
Committees of the Houses of Lords and Commons have inquired minutely into
the subjects of the growth of opium; the amount it contributed to the Indian
revenue; and with a full knowledge of the place of its ultimate destination, have
arrived, without any hesitation, at the conclusion, "that it did not appear advi-
sable to abandon so important a source of revenue," when we look at the
persons comprising these Committees, and those examined before them, con-
sisting of Ministers, Directors of the East India Company, former Governors of
India, &c., &c.; men of all parties, and of the highest moral character; when
we know, moreover, that the India Board, over which a Cabinet Minister pre-
sides, has an effective control over the conduct of the East India Company, and
might prevent what it did not approve, we must confess that it does seem most
unjust to throw any blame or odium, attaching to the opium trade, upon the
merchants who engaged in a business thus directly, and indirectly, sanctioned by
the highest authorities.
-y
3. With regard to the Chinese Government also, we would observe, that
when the merchants saw, notwithstanding the technical illegality of the trade in
this, as well as in other articles, the Canton Authorities, from the Governor
downwards, have been connected with this trade by conniving at Chinese
subjects carrying away the drug from the foreign ships, but latterly, by lending
the Government boats for that purpose; surely little blame can attach to those
foreign merchants who sold and delivered opium from their own vessels outside
the port of Canton; for it should be remembered, that since 1820-21, they
were told by the Chinese Authorities to remove the opium vessels from
Whampoa to station them outside, and the Government would be satisfied.
4. But whilst we thus explain the past, we have no desire that it should for
one instant be supposed, that we are advocating the continuance of a trade
against which the Chinese Government formally protest. We are quite prepared
to admit, should the Chinese persist in prohibiting the import of opium, that
henceforth the British merchants trading to China, must obey the laws of that
country in respect to that article, and that the Crown of Great Britain cannot
be called upon to interfere in any manner in support of its subjects who violate
them. The traders in opium must then be left to the Chinese laws and the
punishments awarded by them; and cannot have any right to call upon the
British Government for redress.
5. That the opium trade, combined with the introduction of metals and
manufactured goods into China, has been a means of carrying on the external
trade of China both with Great Britain and India, thereby facilitating the pur-
chase of teas and silk, and has turned the balance of trade in our favour, will
be clearly seen by the following statement:—
Proceedings-Board of Customs, Salt and Opium.-Calcutta, 16th August, 1837.
C 2
12
The British trade alone, at Canton, from 1st of July, 1837, to 30th of
June, 1838, amounted to
£11,700,000
The exports from China were, Tea,
Silk.
Other Articles
Dr.
at 5s. per
Paid for by British manufacturers, Metals
Cottons.
Opium
Drs. 9,561,576
2,052,288
976,060
12,589,924
£ 620,114
1,640,781
3,376,157
3,147,481
5,637,052
£2,469,571
thus throwing the balance of trade against China
which was chiefly paid by remittances to British India, in silver, drawn from
China for opium, say in two years. Imports of treasure into Calcutta and Bom-
bay from China, 29,772,652 rupees, or 3 millions sterling; and the Chamber
of Commerce, at Canton, state the export of silver from that port, in the year
1837-38, at 8,974,776 dollars. Hence, indeed, one of the chief grounds for the
determined resistance of the Chinese to the trade in opium, which, however it
might benefit the officers of the Goverment, yields no revenue to the State, and
involves the export of so large an amount of its treasure *.
6. But assuming, after what has now passed, that this trade never will be
legalized, and that it must, if carried on at all, be continued at great risk by
persons reckless of the consequences, we have still a very important trade,
requiring protection, namely, that in British manufactures and metals of about
£ 1,250,000, and a trade between British India and China of £2,000,000 per
annum, and both may be susceptible of considerable extension.
7. Tea is now become an article of necessity for the entire population of
the United Kingdom, and its cost in China is nearly 3,000,000 sterling per
annum, which must be paid for by British and Indian manufactures and produce,
and by the precious metals obtained from other countries in return for British
labour. At first, the prohibition of opium as a medium of purchase, may oblige
the buyers of tea and silk to have recourse partially to silver, but in time, by the
skill of our manufacturers, and the altered distribution of the metals, and conse-
quently of prices in the two countries, the same paramount cause, cheapness,
which has spread our manufactures throughout India, will operate in China, and
it is for this large and growing trade, of such deep importance, present and
prospective, to the commerce and manufactures of Great Britain, that we claim
the immediate and powerful protection of Her Majesty's Government.
8. In showing how that protection may best be afforded, we shall now
proceed to point out the altered circumstances of the Trade, since it was thrown
open in 1834, and their effects.
1st. During the monopoly, the only commercial profits obtained by the East
India Company were derived from the China Trade, and were essential to its
existence as a commercial body.
2nd. The provisions of the Legislature required a certain quantity of tea to
be in stock by the Company.
To the East India Company, therefore, the stoppage of the Trade was a
matter of vital importance. Hence, upon a review of all that has taken place
during their time, it will be seen, that although their Committee at Canton,
goaded by exactions and insults, several times attempted to intimidate the Chinese
by threatening to withdraw from Canton; yet, partly from their dependent
position, and partly from their paramount duty towards the commercial body they
represented, they compromised their disputes, and generally contrived to get
through the business of the year without an open rupture; and in this line of
conduct they were not only supported by the Court of Directors at home, but
when a different course was attempted, the Court marked its displeasure by a
dismissal of the Committee charged with the superintendence of its affairs at
* Vide the Edict of the Commissioner Lin, and those of the Hong Merchants, which refer not
so much to the injury of the morals of the people by the introduction of opium, as the abstraction
of the Sycee silver.
13
Canton. The Company besides carefully endeavoured to draw a line of separation
between themselves and the King's ships and officers; hence, though sometimes
the feelings of English gentlemen would break out, and the Committee sought
to obtain, by intimidation, some relief from the constant recurrence of degrading
insults from the Chinese Government, yet they were forbidden to stop the
trade of their masters, from personal motives. Now, indeed, the case is changed:
the merchant at Canton is a free agent, he will carry on his business or leave it
(it is true as his interest dictates), but on his calculation of his real interest, his
comfort, his position, and safety are all included, and unless protected in them,
he will leave the country. There is no Central Committee, each merchant will
act for himself.
9. Again, the Parliament having thought proper to place the Trade in China
under the control of a Representative of the Crown, its dignity must now be
consulted, and the insults which might have been endured by the company of
merchants, must now be resented by the Queen of Great Britain.
very
10. The result of these remarks is, that this valuable trade is under
peculiar difficulties, since the change from the monopoly of the East India
Company and the question to be considered is, how, and by what course of
proceeding shall it be placed for the future upon a secure basis. It seems to us,
that no hope can exist of this being effected, unless European principles be made
the ground-work of any new settlement of the relations between the two empires.
If the Chinese are to have the benefits of the rights laid down by the Laws of
Nations, as understood in Europe, we submit they should, in their relations with
European States, admit those principles which European Nations have adopted
in their commercial relations with each other. But the Chinese affect a superiority
of race over the British; and from hence proceed the various insults and op-
pressions they inflict upon the foreign residents in China. Again, most European
Nations admit of the residence of foreigners in their respective States; and
whilst they conform to the Law, they are placed under its protection. But
the Chinese Government consider all foreigners residing in China, as upon
sufferance only, they do not permit them to have a free intercourse with the
natives; require their submission to Chinese laws without a reciprocal benefit ; and
interfere in the most arbitrary and insulting manner in all their affairs, whether
social, domestic, or commercial. We are aware that where such wide differences
exist, it is not easy to reconcile the two systems; but we would hope, that an
union of moderation and firmness, and a bold expression, and even the exercise
of power for a clear and well-defined, but honest purpose, might accomplish a
great deal. Be this as it may, we cannot but earnestly recommend that the
effort should be made, and the experiment tried; for the alternative appears to us
to be one of a most alarming character. If matters remain as they are, the
Queen's Representative cannot submit to be insulted, aud must leave the country;
and if the British merchants are treated like inferior beings, men of high character
and principle will not remain in China; the trade will then degenerate into
smuggling, probably into piracy. The exclusion will be met by smuggling-the
seizure of British property-by the plunder of Chinese property on the coasts, or
wherever the clipper can obtain it.
11. Under these circumstances, there seems to be but two courses open to the
British Government, by which to obtain from the Chinese a more liberal treatment
of the persons engaged in the British trade with China; one, that of submission;
the other, that of demanding certain concessions, and supporting the demand with
a competent force. Towards a right judgment of these two modes of dealing
with the Chinese, we will endeavour briefly to examine the conduct of the East
India Company during the last thirty years, in order to ascertain how far the
system pursued by them towards the Chinese is likely (bearing in mind the
altered circumstances of the Trade) to accomplish the important object in view.
In 1808, Admiral Drury attempted to seize Macao, the Chinese batteries at the
Bogue fired on the ships, and the "Antelope" returned the fire. The Committee
wished to resent this act of aggression and to stop the trade, but the Admiral
hesitated, and ultimately refused; and the troops were withdrawn from
Macao. The Trade was re-opened. The Chinese built a pagoda to commemorate
the victory they had obtained over the British Admiral; and the Directors dis-
placed the Select Committee, appointed another President and a new Committee
from the members of the Factory, below those who had been parties to the fore-
going proceedings, (Auber, page 236.)
X
14
In 1812, the Trade was impeded by the Chinese, and their exactions con-
tinued to increase.
In 1814, the discussions respecting the employment of native servants in the
factory were of a very unpleasant character to the British residents. In this state
of things the seizure by the "Doris" of an American vessel, which entered the river
with her prize, occurred. The Chinese Authorities seized the Company's linguist,
and prevented Captain Patterson from going up the river. Sir George Staunton
acted with firmness and decision. He quitted Canton in October, 1814; removed
the Company's ships from Whampoa below the second bar; and desired all British
subjects to leave Canton. The result was, that the Hoppo begged the Committee
to return, which Sir George Staunton did on the 15th of November, and certain
Articles of Agreement were entered into at the instance of the Chinese Authorities,
by which, to a limited extent, the future course of the trade was materially
improved.
In 1816 occurred the Embassy of Lord Amherst. Its object was mistaken
by the Chinese, who apparently considered it as a proof of the anxiety of the
British to maintain the Trade, and hence their conduct to the "General Hewitt,"
and the "Alceste," even when the Embassy was at Pekin. The power of the British
Navy was shown, by Sir Murray Maxwell forcing his way up to Whampoa, after
silencing the Chinese forts; but though they forbore attempting to use further
force against him, no sooner was the British squadron removed, and it became
apparent that the indignities offered to the Representative of the British Crown
would not be resented, than the Chinese Authorities resumed their vexatious.
conduct, and committed repeated breaches of the Articles of 1814.
In 1820, the Viceroy stopped the Trade; but on the Committee resolving to
quit Canton, and acting with firmness, the Chinese palmed a false story upon the
Emperor, which, although not sanctioned by the Committee, satisfied the Emperor,
and the Trade was re-opened. In 1829, the collision was most serious. To other
impositions and vexations was added the failure of the Hongs, with whom alone
British subjects were allowed to trade. The Committee, though the President
dissented, determined to force the Chinese into some improvement in the existing
system. They made proposals to the Authorities, but they were all refused by
the Viceroy, who in his Edict of the 28th November, 1829, when threatened
with the anger of the King of Great Britain, answers, "Let the said nation do
as it pleases the regulations of the Celestial Empire must be obeyed." The
Committee however were firm, they proposed to send the Company's ships to
Manilla, and to invite ships of war into the river, by opening a communication
with the Government of India; and the result of such firmness was, that on the
5th of February, 1830, the Viceroy issued another Edict, adding an additional
Hong, declaring that debts should be satisfied, or the parties punished, and that
the entrepôt fee was under the Emperor's consideration. Three new Hongs
were established, and upon these concessions the Committee ordered the Com-
pany's ships up to Whampoa, and the Trade was again opened; but the Court
of Directors disapproved of the conduct of the Committee, and appointed a new
one. The violent conduct of the Chinese then re-commenced; the Viceroy
issued an Edict against the lady] of the President of the Factory residing there,
against their having arms, &c., &c.
12. The new Committee in 1831, became so strongly impressed with the
necessity of firmness in dealing with the Chinese, that they made the following
representation to the Court: "Although desirous of conducting the affairs of
"the Company in a conciliatory manner, [they are persuaded] no effectual remedy
"will be found for the evils under which the Trade suffers, until it suits the
66 purposes and policy of Great Britain to assume in its turn the attitude of
"dictation, which would readily demonstrate the weakness of the Chinese Go-
vernment." Such a course, however, did not come within the scope of the
East India Company's views, in regard to their intercourse with China. In the
same year occurred the dispute with the Chinese about the piece of ground before
the Factory. Again the Committee remonstrated, and again threatened to stop
the Trade; and issued orders to the British subjects that unless the new and
vexatious regulations of the Chinese were removed, all British intercourse with
China must cease. But again the Committee gave way, and again postponed the
stoppage of the Trade, until they could hear from the Governor-General of India,
to whom they had referred. And the Court, in January, 1832, wrote to the
Committee that the interests at stake were too valuable to be put at issue upon
66
66
-
15
considerations of a personal nature; that although late events have led to the
expression of opinions in favor of a more decided and less pacific course of policy,
the Court were not prepared to act upon such opinions, and they leave the
vindication of the national honour to the Crown."
After a consideration of these facts and details, can we doubt that the
Chinese fully understood the peculiar position of the East India Company, or
can we be surprised at their conduct to Lord Napier, and subsequently to Captain
Elliot.
It is curious, that during all the disputes referred to, nothing was said about
opium. Undoubtedly this illicit trade had for years back formed a ground of
complaint; but it was not brought prominently forward until the importation had
reached so large an amount as to turn the balance of trade, and abstract the silver
from China. We admit that the East India Company's servants in China were
never concerned in the sale of opium; but the Chinese knew well, that the
Company, as sovereigns of India, were, in fact, the largest producers of the
obnoxious drug; and had the opium question been the real grievance, they would
not have drawn so nice a distinction as to separate the two characters of producer
and merchant.
13. The result of this exposition of the Trade from 1808, leaves a decided
impression upon our minds that submission will now only aggravate the evil, and
that an attempt ought to be made, supported by a powerful force, to obtain such
concessions from the Chinese as would place the Trade upon a secure and
permanent footing: and in this opinion we are happy to find that we are supported
by eminent persons who have administered the affairs of the East India Company
in China. We have already mentioned the line of conduct adopted by Sir
George Staunton in 1814, and its effects; amongst others, the important one
of admitting the Factory to personal conferences on equal terms.
In November, 1816, Sir T. Metcalfe thus addresses the Court of Directors,
upon the occasion of Sir Murray Maxwell proceeding up the river:-"The
acts of a viceroy will ever continne arbitrary and unjust if not properly resisted;
I might be told, as President of the Factory, these are not the sentiments I
should promulgate! in reply, I assert, they are the sentiments held in private by
every man who has visited China in the last twenty years."
The opinion of Mr. Lindsay and of Mr. Marjoribanks, the latter appointed
President to the new Committee in 1831, are both upon record. Mr. Plowden,
in his evidence given in August, 1831, says: "I have no doubt that if an attempt
by force (meaning the employment of troops), were properly conducted and
followed up by the Government, it might succeed in the object of obtaining a
relaxation of the Chinese commercial regulations ;" and yet, during his presi-
dency of the Committee, no person supported more strongly the submissive
system laid down by the Court of Directors.
14. It would be presumptuous in us to venture to offer any opinion as to
the mode of supporting equitable and conciliatory propositions by the power o
Great Britain, or as to the choice of the party to whom such high functionf
should be delegated; but perhaps we may be allowed to observe, that whateves
may be attempted, should be of such a character as almost to ensure success, for
failure would be fatal to the trade; and further, that the persons employed
should be clearly and unequivocally officers of the Crown, for the maintenance of
the dignity of the empire, and not in any manner to be mistaken by the Chinese
for persons engaged in commerce, or representing any commercial interests,—not
even those of the East India Company, though no longer a commercial body;
such officers or commissioners, backed by a sufficient force, might proceed to
China with an offer on the part of Her Majesty, to enter into relations with
China upon conditions to which we shall hereafter advert.
15. Having had an opportunity of obtaining the opinion of several persons
of experience in naval matters, and well acquainted with the coasts of China
and with the character of the natives, we have, in an appendix, given the sub-
stance of their communications, as to the amount and character of the force to
be employed in this service, to which we beg to direct your Lordship's attention.
16. It now only remains for us to lay before your Lordship the concessions,
which we should hope the exhibition only of an adequate force would obtain from
the Chinese Government, and thereby place our future commerce in a position
satisfactory to the merchants, and honourable to both countries.
The demand of an apology for the insult to Her Majesty's Superintendent;
16
x
payment for the large quantity of opium seized, not in the act of smuggling,
but by order from the Superintendent under threats of the forfeiture of his
own life and the lives of the British and foreign merchants resident in Canton,
whether connected with the opium trade or not, are matters which must be left
to the wisdom of Her Majesty's Government.
We can only venture to observe, that to command respect from the Chinese,
it is necessary not to pass lightly over insults and aggression of such a character.
17. In the future conduct of the trade, it would be most desirable to obtain
a Commercial Treaty with the Chinese, permitting,-
First. Admission not only to Canton, but to certain ports to the northward,
say Amoy, Fuh-cho-foo, Ningpo, and the Yang-che-keang and Kwan-chou,
situated between 29° and 32° north latitude, near the silk, nankin, and tea
districts, and it is on this coast that the chief demand for British woollens,
long-ells, and camlets exists.
Second. Commercial relations to be maintained at these places, or at
Canton, generally with the Chinese natives; but if the trade be limited to
certain hongs, which we most strongly deprecate, then the Government to be
guarantees of the solvency of such parties so chosen by it.
Third. That British subjects in China carrying on a legitimate trade, shall
not be treated by the Government or its officials as inferiors, but, be left free in
their social and domestic relations, to adopt European customs, to possess ware-
houses, and to have their wives and families with them, and to be under the
protection of the Chinese laws from insult and oppression.
Fourth. That a tarif of duties, inwards and outwards, be fixed and agreed
upon by the British and Chinese Governments, and no alteration be made but
by mutual consent.
Fifth. That the Queen's Representative, as Superintendent of the trade,
be allowed direct communication with the Emperor and his ministers, as well as
with the local authorities; and that he be permitted to reside at Pekin, or at a
given port, for the protection of British subjects, and the regulation of the trade.
Sixth. That in the event of any infraction of the Chinese laws, the punish-
ment for the same shall be confined to the offender; and British subjects shall
not be considered responsible for the acts of each other, but each man for his
own,—the innocent not being confounded with the guilty.
Seventh. That supposing the Chinese to refuse opening their ports gene-
rally, the cesssion by purchase, or otherwise, of an island be obtained, upon
which a British factory could be established.
Upon terms such as these, the British trade with China could, we think, be
carried on with credit and advantage to this country; and if force must be
used to obtain them, we cannot believe that the people of Great Britain and the
European community in general, would offer any objection to its exercise; at
least we humbly suggest, that the adoption of this course is worth the trial,
for if it be not followed, the only alternative seems to be the abandonment of
this important and growing commerce to smugglers and to piracy.
We have, &c.,
(Signed)
}
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
Memorandum Annexed.
Imports of Tea.
lbs.
30,255,299
30,648,348
31,548,407
31,829,619
34,969,651
1835 36,574,004
1836
1837
49,142,236
30,625,206
G. G. de H. LARPENT.
JOHN ABEL SMITH.
W. CRAWFORD.
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
Revenue.
£
C
3,387,097
3,344,918
3,509,835
3,444,102
3,589,361
3,832,427
4,674,535
3,283,840
17
APPENDIX.
THE season for action on the coast of China is during the prevalence
of the south-west monsoon, say from April to November. To avail itself of
this season the fleet should be assembled in the Straits of Malacca by the middle
of February or the beginning of March, and be prepared to pass up to the
China Seas, intercepting the salt trade carried on from the westward of Canton
to the north-east coast, in Government junks; the trade being a valuable Govern-
ment monopoly.
The fleet might also seize the rice junks, which in great numbers, about
April, are known to carry that article to Fokien, which draws its supplies
from Formosa.
The fleet to consist of one of the largest ships in the British Navy, to
impress upon the Chinese the character and power of the navy that could be
be brought against them.
One second rate or 80 gun ship,
Two frigates of the first class,
Two 28 gun frigates,
Two sloops of war,
Two large class steamers,
Seven or eight transports of about 600 tons each, and two small iron
steamers, for the purpose of towing boats up the rivers; these might be taken
out in frame, and set up when required, which could be done without difficulty.
The first rate would take with convenience 400 marines, in addition to her
war complement,
Say
The scond rate
Each of the two large frigates, 120
Each of the two small ditto, 80
Each of the sloops, 20
The iron steamers, each 100
The eight transports, 150
Some of the marines ought to belong to the Artillery branch
of the service, to act in batteries, or in defence of any island or
position of which it may be necessary to take possession.
Add war complement
400 men.
300
240
160
40
200
1,200
2,540
3,960
6,500
Four of the transports could take 500 tons of coal. One would be
required for the iron steamers and two or three for extra provisions and stores.
1
A certain number of thirteen or ten-inch mortars ought to be sent to be
mounted in Chinese flat craft, which would require a few days only for that
purpose, and would prove very useful on shore, the Chinese having no such
instruments; long battery-guns would also be required for shore purposes,
and some twelve-pound carronnades to put on board the opium clippers, the
whole of which could be made available, sending a certain number of British
sailors on board in addition to the Lascar crew, and placing the vessel under a
lieutenant, allowing the captain of the clipper to act as master. Thus the
whole would be under the control of the Commander-in-chief, and might be
used in effectually blockading the line of coast.
Having blockaded the coast and obtained possession of Chinese property,
Government and private, the force should proceed at once to the vicinity
of Pekin, and as the first aim should be to gain the object in view (and, if
possible, without bloodshed), immediate application should be made direct to
the Emperor, stating our grievances and claiming redress, and should this be
altogther rejected, the blockade might be continued and possession obtained
of one or more islands on the coast.
If Formosa be considered too large for the force to occupy, Amoy with the
Island of Quemoy would give us the command of a very good harbour from
which the trade from Formosa might be intercepted. The Islands of Chusan
D
18
are next in importance, and we might take possession of the great Chusan in
32° north, Ankiss Island or Pooto, only a few miles from Chusan. The
possession of these Islands and the effective blockade of the coast that they
would command, from the Tartar Wall to Tienpack, would probably bring the
Chinese Government to terms, and upon obtaining the most important object,
that of a free trade with ports on the north-east coast, the Islands might be
given up.
Mr. Andrew Henderson to Mr. G. G. de Larpent.
Dea Sir,
Liverpool, October 21, 1839.
PUBLIC attention being now anxiously directed to the state of our
relations with China, and there appearing to be a general desire for information
on that subject, I offer the following observations, founded on experience acquired
during sixteen visits to China, between 1817 and 1837.
During the first three years of that period, about 18,000 tons of British
shipping were annually employed between Bengal and China, the greatest
import being of cotton, and about half the value consisting of opium manufac-
Xtured by the Governent of Bengal. The ships at that time took their opium up
to Whampoa, which is the port of Canton. The cotton was delivered into the
Hong Merchants' boats, and the opium was delivered at night, sometimes to
smugglers and sometimes to the Government boats. A fixed sum per chest was
paid by the purchaser for permission to land the opium, and that sum was regu-
larly divided among the Viceroy, Hoppo, and other officers.
The return cargoes of these ships consisted as to about half in tea, silk,
sugar candy, and China ware, and as to the other principally of spelter. The
export of metal (among other things) being nominally prohibited by the laws of
the Empire, the spelter was brought at night, sometimes in Government boats, and
a duty was paid to the provincial officers for allowing the export.
In 1821, two small vessels which were kept at Whampoa as depôts for
opium not sold, were ordered to depart and remove to Lintin, about twelve
miles outside the entrance of the river.
X
From 1821, the importation of opium rapidly increased, as well from Bengal
as from Malwa, and other natives States, and through Bombay and Demaun.
The Consoo duty and various different exactions on woollens and other imports
now became so great, that British manufactures imported by the East India
Company, were sold at less than their cost. This led to the importation of
dollars (the Americans then imported dollars and Turkey Opium to pay for their
tea, silk, &c., &c.) As the Chinese Heue-Natse observes, foreign dollars were
more current than pure silver in Fokien and Canton. The exactions of the
Chinese on the import of British Manufactures, and the increasing difficulties in
procuring dollars, operated powerfully in increasing the import of the opium.
Of later years that import has amounted nearly to 20,000,000 of dollars per
annum, and that, together with the imports being more than sufficient to pay for
the exports of tea, silk, &c., the balance was necessarily taken in China gold and
silver, to the extent of about 2,000,000 of dollars per annum. It is the consequent
scarcity of specie that has roused the Chinese Government, though in accordance
with the usual duplicity of their diplomacy, they affect to refer to the injurious
effects of the opium, as furnishing the reason of measures intended (though
erroneously) to support the supposed pecuniary interests of China.
The East India Company though it manufactured and sold opium for
the Canton market, did not import it into China, indeed they never interfered
with the importation, and abstained from even expressing an opinion to the
Chinese on the subject.
That a trade amounting to two-thirds of the value of all the imports into
China, could possibly have grown up within a few years without the permission,
if not the encouragement, of the provincial officers, from the Viceroy to the tide
waiter, appears incredible. According to information derived from intelligent
Chinese, the following system has prevailed of late years.
The Hoppo and all the other principal officers are changed periodically; and so
lucrative are their offices in Canton considered to be, that Chinese officials accept
Canton offices, two or three degrees lower in rank than those which they would
19
accept in other provinces. These offices are publicly spoken of as matters of
speculation, and generally fall to those who give most to the members of the
Imperial family or Council, and who, in their turn, sell their subordinate appoint-
ments. Each Viceroy and Hoppo comes to Canton determined to make as
much as possible during his term of office. The laws of the Empire seem devised
to assist exactions on strangers, being absurd and utterly incapable of practical appli-
cation, save for purposes of annoyance. There is hardly any article on which the
Imperial duty only is levied; other and far heavier exactions are enforced by the
official people, and when once submitted to by any individual, become the rule
for all. So intolerable are these impositions become, that woollens are now
detained outside the port till the amount of duty is agreed on, or, until (as
generally happens) the Government boats smuggle the goods ashore. These and
other annoyances have much increased since that unfortunate mission of Lord
Napier, when the Chinese succeeded beyond their most sanguine expectations in
safely degrading us in the eyes of their people.
The Viceroy in 1836 increased his demand for allowing the opium trade,
broke faith with the Chinese Opium Merchants, and seized some boats of opium
and silver. The imposition amounted to 150 dollars per chest, and as part of
this went to the Naval Commander, a man-of-war used to come to the opium
ships once a month and receive a dollar a chest for all delivered during the
month, and a receipt was regularly given for it, and this was considered as a
check on the Hoppo and others as to the number actually imported.
On the new Hoppo coming to Canton in 1837, he, like his predecessor,
began by issuing severe edicts against opium in conjunction with the Viceroy,
and even seizing some dealers, but ended, as usual, by demanding a larger sum
than had ever been paid before, and finally determined on doing all the smuggling
themselves, when the brokers and boatmen refused to agree to their terms, and
destroyed their boats.
These officers actually built four boats, with which, and the Government
boats, all the opium was brought to Canton. Thus, after a complete stoppage of
some duration the opium deliveries suddenly rose to 3,000 chests in one month,
and as much as 6,000 chests were sent up the coast in one year. So openly was
the trade carried on, that ships took opium up to Whampoa, and large quantities
were taken up to the factory in Canton in European passage boats in open day.
This is the first, and indeed only instance of British subjects personally engaged
in smuggling opium from sea into the territory of China.
It appears from their own publications that the Supreme Councillors in
Pekin, were thoroughly acquainted with all these circumstances. It is by im-
punity for past outrages that they have been emboldened to take the monstrous
step of seizing and imprisoning the British residents as hostages for the surrender
of upwards 2,000,000 sterling of British property, then on the high seas, or,
at any rate, not within the jurisdiction of China.
Last year, the British Representative at Canton seems to have unfortunately
created an impression among the Chinese Authorities, that he was only a sort of
mandarin to enforce obedience of the British to the laws of China, and not in
any way empowered to act for them against the Chinese officers, and that he was
hostile to the opium trade, and to those engaged in it. The opinions of the
merchants of Bengal on this subject, appear in their petition to the Govern-
ment of Bengal of the 13th of April, 1839, from which the following is an
extract.
-
"We are encouraged to urge our present request (the postponement of
the opium sale), in the confidence that the interests now embarked in the
trade, will not be regarded as less worthy of consideration, but rather, as
standing in a position of higher claim, in the new and unexpected circumstances
in which they have been placed by the proclaimed hostility of Her Majesty's
immediate Representative in China to the interests of the opium trade and of all
parties connected with it. The sanction which has thus been assigned to every
expedient and to any extreme, to which the Chinese Authorities may have
recourse, by pointing out to them that our trade might be safely regarded as
under the ban of our own Government, has put a ban into the hands of our
opponents, and involved our speculations in danger of a new character, which
we look upon with much more serious alarm than any we have had to contend
with in the vacillating policy of a weak Government, clogged with its corrupt
administration."
It may prove fortunate for British interests, that the misconduct of the
D 2
20
Chinese Government has given us just cause for war, thus enabling us to assume
a position in which we may ultimately dictate our own terms; such an opportu-
nity may not occur again; and if these last insults and outrages be allowed to
pass unnoticed, neither life nor property will be more safe in China than formerly
in Algiers; and we shall be held in contempt among the Chinese and the
populous nations over whom they exercise strong influence.
Chinese power is that of misled opinion only, and whatever it may have.
been, is now the weakest in the world, and sustained only by systematic lying,
boasting edicts, and the ignorance in which the great body of the people is held.
Their constant assertion of Chinese independence of foreign trade seems
to have led many in England into a belief that foreign trade is really a matter
of indifference to them. How erroneous that belief is, must be known to all
who have been in China. In the provinces of Kwangtung and Fokien, the
people are as much dependent on foreign trade as England is. Fokien coast
is barren, but most densely populated, and that with a race the most indus-
trious and enterprising of all Chinese. It is entirely dependent on its trade,
importing rice from Formosa, Manilla, Siam, and Cambodia; and carrying on
in their own vessels, a valuable traffic with Borneo, Java, Singapore and
Siam, to which countries, as I have been told by Chinese, near 200,000
annually emigrate from the Province. The number of vessels which I have
seen on its sea-side is enormous, and the coast swarms with fishing-boats.
There are several beautiful harbours, well known to our shipping, and defence-
less; a comparatively trifling force will be sufficient to blockade the whole
coast.
K
I conceive that Great Britain is now imperatively called on to demand
satisfaction at the sword's point. She has long submitted to every sort of
studied insolence; she has in vain sought friendship by embassies and gifts;
and when injured, has endeavoured but fruitlessly, to obtain redress by tem-
perate representations. Her ambassadors are dismissed, her gifts are called
tribute, her forbearance is ascribed to fear; the laws of China prove to be a
dead letter, except for the purposes of exactions on our countrymen; late
events have shown that it is impossible to carry on the regular trade without
incurring the risk of enormous debts from the insolvent Hong Merchants, which
if paid at all, is only after the lapse of years. Their goods are seized, under
the pretence that the trade, which had long been carried on by means of
Government officers, was prohibited by the Government; and they, and their
national representative are seized and imprisoned. Great Britain owes it,
not only to justice and her own reputation, but to the interests of her mer-
chants, and of commerce generally, and also true policy, to chastise the folly
of China, and to teach the rulers of that country the necessity of observing
those reciprocal duties which are recognised in the family of Nations. Justice
is on our side, and the remedy seems to me to be certain and easy.
The force for hostile operations might consist of Her Majesty's ships now
in India, and what could be spared from the Cape station, together with two
steam frigates from England, and three or four of the steam vessels of the
Indian Navy, with 300 European soldiers from Ceylon, and a Native
Regiment from Madras, with a detachment of Artillery and rocket men,
European and Native. These, with a few small vessels, such as are now
employed on the coast, would suffice for an efficient blockade.
ww
I would suggest that a suitable declaration by the British Government
should be prepared; translated into Chinese, printed and circulated in China,
where it may have much effect, as the people look with no favour at their
Government, which they consider as foreign, as indeed it is, being Tartar;
this document might shortly state the insults and wrongs complained of, and
demand satisfaction for the past, and security for the future; detailing shortly,
the arrangements required, and threatening hostilities until these demands
should be complied with. The peculiarities of Chinese character render
negotiation in such circumstances worse than useless. The fleet should at
once take possession of the forts of the Bogue, seizing all superior officers
within reach, and sending some of them to Canton, with a copy of the Decla-
ration, and an order to send it to Pekin; and also to require an answer in two
days, from the Provincial Government, as at that time the original of the
Declaration would be forwarded to Pekin by steam vessels, together with
21
such Chinese officers that may have been seized; but offering to convey any
officer the Provincial Government might wish to send to Pekin.
By a bold energetic measure like this, the local officers would be at once.
disarmed of their best weapon-procrastination.
Whatever measures are determined on here, must at all hazards be carried
out. With the Chinese, as with all weak Governments, it is incredible what
may be accomplished by a bold assumption of power. By one such act we
should recover the position we held in the opinion of the people, and it must
be our interest and policy to refrain from any act injurious to the people at
large, till compelled by the refusal of the Government to accede to our just
demands.
The only sacrifice required of the British Government is the delay of
some six or eight months in the receipt of the tea duties, and we should thus turn
against the Chinese, the weapon with which they have hitherto frightened us
into submission, viz., the stoppage of the Trade. But as it would cause much
misery, it should be at first confined to the foreign trade and the salt trade,
the latter being a Goverment monopoly.
These steps alone in three months would cause such discontent in
Kwangtung and Fokien, as to oblige the Government to grant any terms asked,
and if not, the coasting trade and fishing should be stopped.
All this could be done with the force above mentioned, thus making
the Bogue or Anson's Bay the head-quarters. There should be two small
vessels stationed at the entrance of the Broadway, and taking possession
of the forts there with a force at the Salt ports about the Hu-ling-san, the
blockade to the westward would be complete.
To the eastward, the Luna Channel could be guarded by a force sta-
tioned in Tytam Bay when requiring shelter.
It would require three small vessels to blockade the Port of Amoy, and
some force at Fuh-choo-foo; places of great trade in Fokien Province.
Cruizers should also visit Chinghai or Ningpo in Chekeang Province, and
Shang-hae-heen and the mouth of the Yang-tze-keang River that commu-
nicates with Nankeen Province. These, together with the steam vessels
sent to Toong-koo, the port of Pekin, would be a sufficient demonstra-
tion of our power pending the negociations at Pekin; should they not be
satisfactory, and it should be deemed advisable to have a port of our
own, I think, in part payment of the opium seized, possession should
be taken of Tytam Bay and Island. It has the advantage o ver Macao, of a
deep and spacious land-locked harbour, easy of access at all times, in a
commanding situation and easily defended. It is high land, but has culvi-
vation enough to be independent of supply, an excellent place for a commercial
depôt on an isthmus on the south-west side of the Island, and being in the
tract of all vessels from the northern ports, it would be out of the power of
the Government to prevent their coasters bringing their teas and silks to our
vessels there.
I have &c.,
(Signed)
ANDREW HENDERSON.
REW
No. 8.
The Undersigned Merchants of London to Viscount Palmerston.
My Lord,
London, April 9, 1840.
WE, the Undersigned British Merchants connected with China, cannot
but view with the greatest alarm and apprehension the probable effect of the
expression of any public opinion with respect to the justice and policy of the
measures understood to be taken by Her Majesty's Government, to obtain redress
for the insults and injuries inflicted on British subjects by the Chinese Govern-
ment, and for the future protection of the legal trade with that country. We
disclaim all pretensions of dictating to the Chinese the mode in which the
British trade with China shall be carried on; but we cannot refrain from
22
expressing our deliberate opinion, that, unless the measures of the Government
are followed up with firmness and
with firmness and energy, the trade with China can no longer be
conducted with security to life and property, or with credit or advantage to the
British nation.
We have, &c.,
G. G. DE H. LARPENT, Chairman,
East India and China Association.
MANGLES, PRICE AND CO.
GREGSON AND Co.
DANIELL, DICKENSON AND Co.
CRAWFORD, COLVIN AND Co.
LARKINS AND Co.
DALLAS AND COLES.
WM. DRAYNER.
HUNTER, GONGER AND Co.
C. S. GOVER.
ROBT. EGLINGTON AND Co.
SCOTT, BELL AND Co.
JOHN BRIGHTMANS.
C. R. READ AND CO.
LYALL BROTHERS AND Co.
WALKINSHAW AND CO.
(Signed)
GARDNER, URQUHART AND Co.
JOHN HINE.
W. J. HALL AND CO.
ALEXR. MATHESON.
JAMES W. SMITH.
WALKINSHAW, SKINNER AND CO.
MAGNIAC, SMITHS AND Co.
J. HORSLEY PALMER.
J. MARKILLOP.
BRIGGS, THURBURN ACRAMAN & Co.
GLEDSTANES, KERR AND CO.
ALEX. GEO. MILNE AND Co.
SMALL, COLQUHOUN AND Co.
JOHN S. PRIGGE, of the firm of SAN-
DERSON, FRYS, FOX AND Co.
H. H. LINDSAY.
No. 9.
The Undersigned Merchants of Manchester to Viscount Palmerston.
My Lord,
Manchester, May 9, 1840.
I HAVE been requested to transmit the accompanying memorial to
you.
Viewing with apprehension to the general interests of our commerce
with China, any adverse division in the House of Commons, on the motion
of which notice has been given by Mr. George Palmer, we have con-
sidered it right to express to you our satisfaction with the measures
adopted by Her Majesty's Government towards China, and to express our
hopes that they may be firmly and energetically continued.
Nearly every firm in this town interested in the trade in China, has
signed this memorial, without any distinction of party. The subscribers,
I believe, export more than one-half of the entire value of British manu-
factured goods sent to China.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
JOHN MACVICAR.
Inclosure in No. 9.
To the Right Honourable Viscount Palmerston, Her
Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, &c., &c., &c.
Manchester, May 9, 1840.
WE, the Undersigned Merchants and Manufacturers interested in the
trade in China, beg respectfully to express to you our gratification with
the measures understood to be adopted by the Government of this country,
as made known by the declaration of Lord John Russel in the House of
Commons, on the 19th day of March last.
We had the honour to submit to you our views on this subject on the
30th of September last, and subsequent events have strengthened our
opinion, that a prompt, vigorous, and decided course of action will alone
place our trade with China on an honorable, secure, and permanent basis.
23
And we earnestly hope that Her Majesty's Government will firmly and
energetically pursue such measures as may be necessary for maintaining
our national dignity, and for the protection of our property, and of the
lives of our fellow subjects. And we beg respectfully to urge that any
wavering policy, or doubtful expression in Parliament regarding such
measures, would greatly tend to weaken their effects on the Chinese.
We have, &c.,
(Signed)
HOYLE AND NEWBERY.
BINDLOSS AND Buston.
JONES, GIBBON AND CO.
GARNETT AND HORSFALLs.
N. D. BEHRENS AND CO.
WISE, FARBRIDGE AND Co.
FORT BROTHERS AND Co.
HORROCKS, JACSON AND Co.
E. M. COOPER and Co.
GARDNER, Atkinson and Co.
SWAINSON, BIRLEYS AND CO.
JOHN CHIPPENDALE.
THOMSON BROTHERS AND SONS.
FORTHS AND CO.
ROBERT GARDNER.
J. AND J. THOMPSON.
SMITH AND RAWSON.
THOS. HARRISON AND SONS.
JOHN LEECH.
HARROP, TAYLOR AND PEARSON
JOHN SLAGG AND CO.
GEO. DEWHurst.
JOHN CROSSLEY AND SONS.
JNO. AND LEWIS WILLIAMS.
THOMAS HILTON.
JAMES FRANCE.
E. S. WALKER.
JAMES H. ALSON AND SONS.
SWAINSON AND CLAYTON.
W. AND J. PEEL.
BUTTERWORTH AND BIDDles.
SIMDON AND CO.
DU FAY AND Co.
S. A. BUTTERWORTH AND CO.
R. GRANT AND BROTHERS.
JOHN JACKSON.
J. RIODBENT AND SONS.
THOMAS Ashton.
JOHN MACVICAR.
H. AND E. TOOTAL.
GEO. SCHUSTER.
WM. CROSSLEY.
JOSEPH EWART.
OSWALD, STEVENSON AND Co.
HARGREAVES, DUGDALE And Co.
THOMAS COOKE AND Co.
ROBERT BARBOUR AND BROTHER.
GEORGE FRASER, SON, AND CO.
JOHN DUGDALE AND BROTHERS.
ROBT. SMITH AND BROthers.
WM. HOBB.
JOHN MORLey.
SIMMONS.
JNO. BARRATT AND SONS.
RICHARD CLARKE AND SONS.
MC NAM GRUNHEM.
FERGUSON AND YOUNG.
BINDLOSS AND ASH.
ROBERT GLADSTONE AND Co.
JNO. THOS. PRICE.
OLIVER AND OSWALD.
JAMES BURT AND SON.
HORROCKS, MILLN AND CO.,
Per HENRY CAPPER.
DAVID SCOTT AND Co.
?
12307
ADDITIONAL
ot%
PAPERS
RELATING TO
CHINA.
Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty.
1840.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY T. R. HARRISON.
No.
1. Orders in Council
LIST OF PAPERS.
2. Captain Elliot to John Backhouse, Esq.
Three Inclosures.
3. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston
Four Inclosures.
Brighton,'
Macao,
December 9, 1833
July
3, 1839
Hong Kong, September 30, 1839
Page
1
LO
5
7
ADDITIONAL
PAPERS
RELATING TO
CHINA.
No. 1.
ORDERS IN COUNCIL.
(Published in the London Gazette of December 13, 1833.)
At the Court at Brighton, the 9th day of December, 1833,
PRESENT,
The King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.
WHEREAS by a certain Act of Parliament, made and passed in the
third and fourth year of His Majesty's reign, intituled, “An Act to regu-
late the trade to China and India," it is, amongst other things, enacted,
that it shall and may be lawful for His Majesty, by any such Order or
Orders as to His Majesty in Council shall appear expedient and salutary,
to give to the Superintendents in the said Act mentioned, or any of them,
powers and authorities over, and in respect of, the trade and commerce of
His Majesty's subjects within any part of the dominions of the Emperor
of China; and to make and issue directions and regulations touching the
said trade and commerce, and for the direction of His Majesty's subjects
within the said dominions; and to impose penalties, forfeitures, or impri-
sonments, for the breach of any such directions or regulations, to be enforced
in such manner as in the said Order or Orders shall be specified:
And whereas the officers of the Chinese Government, resident in
or near Canton, in the Empire of China, have signified to the Supra-
cargoes of the East India Company at Canton, the desire of that Govern-
ment that effectual provision should be made by law, for the good order of
all His Majesty's subjects resorting to Canton, and for the maintenance of
peace and due subordination amongst them; and it is expedient that effect
should be given to such reasonable demands of the said Chinese Govern-
ment; Now, therefore, in pursuance of the said Act, and in execution of
the powers thereby in His Majesty in Council in that behalf vested, it
B
2
is hereby ordered by His Majesty, by and with the advice of His Privy
Council, that all the powers and authorities which, on the twenty-first
day of April, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-four, shall by law be
vested in the Supracargoes of the United Company of Merchants trading
to the East Indies, over and in respect of the trade and commerce of His
Majesty's subjects at the port of Canton, shall be, and the same are
hereby, vested in the Superintendents for the time being, appointed under
and by virtue of the said Act of Parliament; and that all regulations
which, on the said twenty-first day of April, One thousand eight hundred
and thirty-four, shall be in force touching the said trade and commerce,
save so far as the same are repealed or abrogated by the said Act of
Parliament, or by any Commission and Instructions, or Orders in Council,
issued or made by His Majesty in pursuance thereof, or are inconsistent
therewith, shall continue in full force and virtue; and that all such penal-
ties, forfeitures, or imprisonments as might, on the said twenty-first day
of April, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-four, be incurred
or enforced for the breach of such then existing regulations, shall
thenceforth be, in like manner, incurred and enforced for the breach of
the same regulations, so far as the same are hereby revived and continued
in force as aforesaid; and that all such penalties, forfeitures, or imprison-
ments, when so incurred, shall be enforced in manner following, that is to
say, either by such ways and means by which the same might, on the
said twenty-first of April, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-four,
have been lawfully enforced, or by the sentence and adjudication of the
Court of Justice established at Canton aforesaid, under and in pursuance
of the said Act of Parliament.
Provided also, and it is further declared, that the regulations herein
contained are and shall be considered as provisional only, and as intended
to continue in force only until His Majesty shall be pleased to make such
further or other order in the premises, in pursuance of the said Act of
Parliament, as to His Majesty, with the advice of his Privy Council, may
hereafter seem salutary or expedient, in reference to such further informa-
tion and experience as may hereafter be derived from the future course of
the said trade.
And it is hereby further ordered, that the said Superintendents shall
compile and publish, for the information of all whom it may concern, the
several regulations hereby established and confirmed as aforesaid; and
that such publication, when so made, with the authority of the said
Superintendents, shall, for all purposes, be deemed and taken to be legal
and conclusive evidence of the existence and of the terms of any such
regulation.
And it is further ordered, that the said Superintendents shall, on the
arrival of any British ship or vessel at the port of Canton aforesaid, cause
to be delivered to the master, commander, or other principal officer of such
ship or vessel, a copy of such regulations; and that every such master,
commander, or other officer, together with every other person arriving in,
or being on board, any such ship, shall be bound, and is hereby required,
to conform himself to such regulations.
And the Right Honourable Viscount Palmerston, one of His Majesty's
Principal Secretaries of State, is to give the necessary directions herein
accordingly.
C. C. GREVILLE.
At the Court at Brighton, the 9th day of December, 1833.
PRESENT,
The King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.
WHEREAS, by a certain Act of Parliament, made and passed in the
third and fourth year of His Majesty's reign, intituled " An Act to
regulate the trade to China and India," it is, amongst other things,
enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for His Majesty, by any such
3
Order or Orders as to His Majesty in Council shall appear expedient and
salutary, to create a Court of Justice, with criminal and admiralty
jurisdiction, for the trial of offences committed by His Majesty's subjects
within the dominions of the Emperor of China, and the ports and havens
thereof, and on the high seas within one hundred miles of the coast of
China, and to appoint one of the Superintendents in the said Act
mentioned to be the officer to hold such Court, and other officers for
executing the process thereof; Now, therefore, in pursuance of the said
Act, and in execution of the powers thereby in His Majesty in Council in
that behalf vested, it is hereby ordered by His Majesty, by and with the
advice of His Privy Council, that there shall be a Court of Justice, with
criminal and admiralty jurisdiction, for the purposes aforesaid, which
Court shall be holden at Canton, in the said dominions, or on board any
British ship or vessel in the port or harbour of Canton, and that the said
Court shall be holden by the Chief Superintendent for the time being,
appointed, or to be appointed, by His Majesty, under and in pursuance of
the said Act of Parliament.
And it is further ordered, that the practice and proceedings of the
said Court upon the trial of all issues of fact or law to be joined upon any
indictments or informations to be therein brought or prosecuted, shall be
conformable to, and correspond with, the practice and proceedings of the
Courts of Oyer and Terminer and Goal delivery in England, upon the
trial of such issues in such Courts, so far as it may be practicable to
maintain such conformity and correspondence, regard being had to the
difference of local circumstances; and especially, it is hereby ordered,
that every such trial of any such issue of fact, or of mixed fact and law,
shall be by the said Chief Superintendent for the time being, and a jury of
twelve men, and that upon every such trial the examination of witnesses
for and against the party or parties charged shall take place vivâ voce in
open Court; and that the sentence or judgment of the said Court upon
every such trial, founded upon the verdict of such jury, shall be pro-
nounced in open Court by such Chief Superintendent, as the presiding
judge thereof:
And whereas it will be necessary to frame and prescribe rules of
practice and proceeding to be observed upon all such prosecutions, in
order to ascertain how far the same can be brought into conformity with
the practice and proceeding of His Majesty's Courts of Oyer and Terminer
and Goal delivery in England, and how far it may be necessary to deviate
from such practice and proceeding, by reason of the differences of local
circumstances, it is, therefore, further ordered, that such Chief Super-
intendent for the time being shall be, and he is hereby authorized from
time to time, but subject to the provisions aforesaid, to promulgate all
such rules of practice and proceeding as it may be necessary to adopt
and follow, upon, or previously to, the commitment of any person to take
his trial in the said Court, and respecting the taking of bail for the
appearance of any such person at such trial, and respecting the form and
manner of preferring and finding indictments, and of exhibiting criminal
informations against any persons charged with any crimes or offences
before the said Court; and respecting the manner of summoning and
convening jurors for the trial of such indictments or informations; and
respecting qualifications of such jurors, and the mode of summoning and
compelling the attendance of witnesses; and respecting the process of the
said Court, and the mode of carrying the same into execution; and
respecting the times and places of holding such Courts, and the duties of
the respective ministerial officers attending the same, whom he is hereby
authorized to appoint provisionally, subject to His Majesty's approbation;
and also respecting every other matter and thing connected with the admi-
nistration of justice therein, which it may be found necessary to regulate:
And it is further ordered, that all rules so to be promulgated as
aforesaid, shall be binding and take effect from the respective days of the
dates thereof; but that the same shall, by such Chief Superintendent, be
transmitted to one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, for His
Majesty's approbation or disallowance; and that any such rule shall cease
to be binding, or to have any force or effect, from and after the time of
Do
4
which His Majesty's disallowance thereof shall be made known to such
Chief Superintendent for the time being:
And it is further ordered, that a record shall be duly made and
preserved of all the proceedings, judgments, and sentences of the said
Court, which record shall be retained in the custody of an officer of the
said Court, to be by the Chief Superintendent specially charged with the
performance of that duty:
And the Right Honourable Viscount Palmerston, one of His
Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, is to give the necessary
directions herein accordingly.
C. C. GREVILLE.
[A THIRD Order in Council, imposing duties on British ships and
cargoes entering the port of Canton, was issued and published at the
same time with the two preceding Orders: but this Order never came
into operation in China, having been rescinded by a subsequent one,
dated March 5, 1834, and which was published in the Gazette of the 7th.]
1
cr
•
No. 2.
Captain Elliot to John Backhouse, Esq.-(Received December 2, 1839.)
Sir,
Macao, July 3, 1839.
I AM placed in the most responsible and embarrassing situation of
issuing bills this day, at twelve months, upon the Lords Commissioners of
the Treasury, in favour of Messrs. Dent & Co. for the heavy sum of
63,265l. 18s. 4d., being the amount of 52350 chests of opium supplied by
that firm to make up the deficiencies of parties surrendering opium for
the service of Her Majesty's Government, in terms of my public notice of
the 27th March last.
100
The individuals thus supplied, however, Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee with
4065% chests, and A. and D. Furdonjee, with 117 chests,-have respectively
surrendered, the first 172937 chests, and the second 6341 chests, so
that Her Majesty's Government will have ample means of replacing the
advance at present drawn for, from the amount of indemnity hereafter
payable to them.
With the purpose to afford time for the public arrangements conse-
quent upon the late transactions in this country, I have drawn the bills at
twelve months date.
It should also be explained, that Messrs. Dent and Co. were enabled
to furnish these means of fulfilling my public obligations, and to release
the foreign community from their confinement at Canton, by the opportune
arrival of a single ship from India with opium to their consignment, a few
days before my departure from Canton. The rest of the shipping coming
on to China with opium had remained at Singapore, to learn the result of
the late crisis.
A copy of the letter which led Messrs. Dent and Co. to supply the
opium is transmitted; and the deficient parties have also signed a decla-
ration that they were unable to furnish it within a reasonable time; and
further, that they have agreed to the price now fixed upon it, and consent
that it should be abated from their general claim upon Her Majesty's
Government.
The whole accounts connected with the surrender of this immense
mass of property shall be transmitted by an early occasion, and I trust
the great increase of detail business it has cast upon this office, will be a
sufficient excuse for the delay.
Official receipts were taken from the Chinese officers for the respective
parcels, and, at the close of the transaction, a general official receipt for
the whole, of which a translation will be duly transmitted with the
account
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
P.S.-The register of bills drawn is herewith forwarded.
6
Inclosure 1 in No. 2.
Captain Elliot to Messrs. Dent and Co.
Gentlemen,
Canton, May 11, 1839.
WITH reference to the annexed copy of my circular of this date
bearing your signature, it is understood that for any opium which may be
surrendered by you under this notice, in excess of your own original sur-
render, I engage to indemnify you in the fullest manner, giving you the
option of taking my receipt for the said opium, or requiring the parties
whose deficiencies you may thus make up, to replace the opium here or
in India at your option; or in the event of their not doing so within a
reasonable time, by bills upon Her Majesty's Treasury of such price per
chest as circumstances may show to be fair to all parties concerned.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 2 in No. 2.
Declaration of Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee, and Ardaseer and Dinshaw
Furdonjee.
WE the undersigned British subjects and merchants lately settled
at Canton, do most solemnly and sincerely declare, that it is not in our
power to furnish opium here to Messrs. Dent and Co. in satisfaction of the
amount supplied to make up our respective deficiencies by that firm,
viz.:
Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee, (4065) four hundred and six chests and
fifty-eight hundredths.
Ardaseer and Dinshaw Furdonjee, (117) one hundred and seventeen
chests.
And Messrs. Dent and Co. having refused our offer of receipts for
fullest indemnity founded upon the securities of our claims upon Her
Majesty's Government; or our promise to furnish an equal quantity of
opium in India, we do further declare that we have agreed to the price of
500 dollars per chest for the quantities respectively supplied to us. And
we do further solemnly and sincerely declare, that we fully and unreser-
vedly consent that the amount now to be drawn on the Lords Commis-
sioners of the Treasury in bills of twelve months' date, at the rate of 4s. 10d.
per Spanish dollar, in favour of Messrs. Dent and Co. should be abated
from our respective claims against Her Majesty's Government for opium
surrendered to the Chief Superintendent, in terms of his Public Notice of
the 27th March last, namely:
Abatement from the claim of Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee, forty-nine
thousand one hundred and twenty-eight pounds, eight shillings, and four-
pence, (49,1287. 8s. 4d.) or two hundred and three thousand, two hundred
and ninety Spanish dollars, (203,290 dollars,) at the rate of 4s. 10d. per
Spanish dollar, being for 4065 chests of opium at the rate of 500 dollars
per chest, supplied by Messrs. Dent and Co.
Abatement from the claim of Ardaseer and Dinshaw Furdonjee,
fourteen thousand one hundred and thirty-seven pounds, and ten
shillings, (14,1377. 10s. Od.) or fifty-eight thousand and five hundred Spa-
nish dollars, (58,500 dollars,) at the rate of 4s. 10d. per Spanish dollar,
being for 117 chests of opium at the rate of 500 dollars per chest, supplied
by Messrs. Dent and Co.
(Signed)
HEERJEEBHOY RUSTOMJEE.
A. and D. FURDONJEE.
Declared and executed in my presence this Twenty-seventh day of
June, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and
Thirty-nine.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 3 in No. 2.
Register of Bills drawn on the Right Honourable the Lords Commis-
sioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, by Captain Charles Elliot, R. N.,
Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British Subjects in China, and
payable at twelve months' sight.

No.
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Date.
Macao, July 3, 1839.
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>>
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To whom Payable.
Macao, July 3, 1839.
(Signed)
Dent and Co.
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>>
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>>
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Rate.
s. d.
4 10
(Signed)
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с
:::
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******
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We do hereby certify to have received from Captain Charles Elliot,
R. N., Chief Superintendent, the Bills enumerated as above, amounting to
£63,265 18s. 4d.
(Signed)
DENT and Co.
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Amount.
d.
£.
1,254 14 8
3,128 8 5
720 13 7
592 8 0
673 3 7
2,671 2 8
385 9 2
1,388 1 0
5,385 9 0
1,711 0 0
2,281 6 8
2,242 13 4
6,271 5 0
2,315 3 4
1,208 6 8
601 3 4
30,432 9 11
£63,265 18 4
No. 3.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received March 23, 1840.)
Ship, Fort William,
Hong Kong, September 30, 1839.
My Lord,
THE Inclosure No. 1, to the address of the Portuguese authorities.
at Macao, which has reached me through a private channel, will enable
your Lordship to form a clear judgment of the circumstances under which
the British community was lately driven forth from Macao.
The Inclosure No. 2 is a second note which I addressed to his
Excellency, claiming refuge and protection for the Queen's subjects, (the
first upon that subject transmitted in my despatch, dated 3rd instant,)
and the Governor's reply forms No. 3 of this series.
The Inclosure No. 4 is the Edict which this Government issued upon
the subject of the affair at Kowlung.
I have, &c.,
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
8
Inclosure 1 in No. 3.
The Local Officers to the Procurador of Macao, announcing the intended
visit of the Commissioner and Governor.
TSEANG, acting Keun-Min-Foo, &c., and Pang, the assisting Magis-
trate at Macao, address these commands to the foreign Chief, Vereador,
for his full information.
We have received from his Excellency the Imperial Commissioner a
reply to our representation, that the English foreigners had, one and all,
left Macao, and that the Portuguese Governor and Procurador had ably
and strenuously aided in their expulsion, and faithfully repressed disorder.
The reply is to this effect:-
66
That the Portuguese Governor and Procurador having thus ably
obeyed the commands for their expulsion, evinces the respectful sense of
duty of those officers, and merits commendation. I, the High Commis-
sioner, in company with the Governor, will personally repair to Macao, to
soothe and to encourage. And you are required to pay instant obedience
hereto, by making this intention known to them."
Having received this, as also a notification from the officer, of
arrangements, that the two high officers had resolved to start from
Heang-shan on the 31st of August, at 6 P. M., and will enter Macao at the
same hour, on the 1st of September, we proceed, in consequence, to issue
these commands. When these reach the said Procurador, let instant
obedience be paid: and on the day afore-named, let him be in waiting
to receive their Excellencies, and especially attentive to the forms of
etiquette, and a respectful sense of duty. Thus the minds of their Excel-
lencies will be refreshed. Let there be no remissness or negligence. A
special command and earnest injunction.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 7th month, 21st day (29th August, 1839).
True Translation.
(Signed) J. ROBERT MORRISON,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 2 in No. 3.
Captain Elliot to the Governor of Macao.
Ship, Fort William,
Hong Kong, September 12, 1839.
THE Undersigned, &c., &c., has the honour to inclose the notice of
the blockade of the Port and River of Canton, forwarded to him
yesterday by the Captain of Her Britannic Majesty's ship, Volage, with
a request that it might be transmitted to your Excellency.
In the name of Her Britannic Majesty's Government, he takes this
occasion once more to request refuge for the British merchants and their
families at Macao: neither can he think that the Chinese authorities
would seriously consider the protection of a handful of men, women, and
children, to be a breach of that neutrality which your Excellency desires
to observe in the struggles between the British and the Chinese Govern-
ments, or to incur the risks of serious disputes both with the Courts of
Great Britain and Portugal, by acting upon pretensions so hostile to both,
and so flagrantly insulting to your Excellency's Government.
A calm and steady resistance to such movements, is due to the
interests of humanity and civilization, to the close_friendship which
subsists between the Crowns of Portugal and Great Britain, and to the
honour and dignity of Her Most Faithful Majesty, deeply injured by this
arrogant and unjust dictation of the Chinese authorities, and by the
charge that the Portuguese Government of Macao participated in
measures of unprecedented inhospitality and enmity against the subjects
9
of that Power, which has ever been the fastest friend of Her Most
Faithful Majesty and Her illustrious ancestors.
If your Excellency, taking into your consideration the present inter-
ruption of trade by the Bocca Tigris, should further be pleased to
permit British cargoes of lawful produce to be deposited at Macao, on
payment of the usual duties, the Undersigned is sure that the friendliness
and wisdom of the act would not be lost upon the Government of Great
Britain. And he believes that it would be the gracious purpose, and
within the power of Her Britannic Majesty, permanently to secure the
advantages of such a course of trade to the settlement, to its immense
prosperity.
Such a measure, he takes the liberty to suggest to your Excellency,
may be of just and easy explanation to the Chinese Government, upon
the grounds that the Port of Macao is not blockaded, and that it cannot
be otherwise than convenient to both Powers friendly to Portugal, that
the cargoes should be landed there; and that it would be difficult to
refuse such a facility to the British Government, without incurring the
risks of discussions calculated to disturb that strict neutrality which it
is your Excellency's wish to maintain.
The Undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to your
Excellency the sentiments of his highest consideration.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 3 in No. 3.
The Governor of Macao to Captain Elliot.
Macao, 14 de Setembro, 1839.
O ABAIXO assignado Governador de Macao e suas dependencias,
accuza a recepção da nota que lhe dirigio S. Sra. o Señor Charles Elliot,
Superintendente do Commercio Britanico na China, de 12 do corrente, em
que lhe transmitte a noticia official do bloqueio do porto e rio de Cantão,
declarado tal pelo Commandante da curveta de Sua Magestade Britanica
Volage, e pois que S.S. sem fazer menção de haver recebido a sua nota
de 3 do corrente, insta de novo para que os negociantes Britanicos, e suas
familias voltem para Macao he justo, e mesmo precizo que o abaixo assig-
nado de novo pondere a S.S. que não pode conceber como S.S. que em
21 do mez proximo passado declarou que se retirava para não compro-
metter este estabelecimento, insinuando a todos os demais subditos Bri-
tanicos a fazerem o mesmo, siga hoje huma diversa doutrina quando mais
fortes razões há para sustentar a primeira deliberação, achando se S.S. já
em hostilidades com o Governo Chinez, e conhecendo bem a natureza das
convenções que mantem este estabelecimento no dominio de Sua Mages-
tade Fidelissima, assim como o caracter altivo, e desconfiado d'aquella
Governo, e o modo despotico com que elle sabe fazer executar as suas de-
terminações. S.S. sabe muito bem que com huma só chapa de qualquer
Mandarim China os mantimentos, e mais soccorros serião em hum instante
retirados a todos os habitadores de Macao se assim se lhe antolhasse, nem
S.S. que tem já experimentado quanto elles são rigorozos, e fortes em se-
melhantes medidas pode duvidar de que serião infructuozos todos os dezejos
que o abaixo assignado tenha, e mesmo a obrigação em que se ache collo-
cado de prestar toda a hospitalidade a subditos de huma nação que he a
mais antiga alliada de Portugal, e S.S. e os seus concidadãos nada mais
obterião alem do dissabor infalivel de verem todos os Portuguezes, e mais
estrangeiros reduzidos a essas terriveis circunstancias a que S.S. os esqui-
vou com a sua voluntaria retirada, sem lembrar outras consequencias mais
fataes, e de maior transcendencia para a nação Portugueza O abaixo
assignado já mais daria huma ordem para que os subditos de Sua Mages-
tade Britanica que na sua descida de Cantao se acolherão a sombra do
pavilhão Portuguez, fossem delle arrancados contra sua vontade (e alguns
ainda ahi se achão que podem garantir esta asserção), e por mais de huma
vez elle expressou a S.S. as suas tenções a tal respeito, e a tudo a que se
ܢ.
10
achava disposto, mas então S.S. julgou que todo o povo de Macáo não devia
soffrer, e que a sua retirada era necessaria, e hoje há abundancia de razão
para se manterem taes dispozições igualmente salutares, convenientes, e
necessarias para ambas as naçoes.
A proposta que S.S. faz da introducção das fazendas em Macao seria
bastante vantajoza se ella podesse chegar a effeito, e o abaixo assignado
por si, e conjunctamente com o Leal Senado tratará com gosto hum tal
arranjo, attendendo sempre as instrucções do seu Governo, e mesmo a con-
cessão do Governo Chinez com quem hà convenções a tal respeito, que S.S.
não ignora, sendo que o abaixo assignado quando se lhe offereça algum
meio proprio lançara com gosto mão delle. Se essas fazendas fossem in-
troduzidas hoje, sem outros precedentes, a ruina dos commerciantes Por-
tuguezes, que já tem soffrido extraordinariamente com a extagnação do
commercio, seria infalivel, e os subditos Britanicos nada aproveitarião. O
abaixo assignado não pode deixar de significar os seus bem fundados
receios que hum tal estado ha de continuar pelas medidas ultimamente
adoptadas em nome de Sua Magestade Britanica, tendo aliás as mais favo-
raveis prezumpções de que as difficuldades commerciaes se achavão quazi
aplanadas, do que rezultaria igualmente bem para os Inglezes, como para
os Portuguezes. Pelas razões ponderadas sente amargamente o abaixo
assignado não poder annuir por ora a requizição que S.S. a prezenta em a
sua já citada nota, e approveita a occazião de renovar a S.S. as expressões
da sua mais perfeita consideração e respeito.
(Firmado)
O Governador.
ADRIAO ACCACIO DA SILVEIRA PINTO.
(Translation.)
Macao, September 14, 1839.
The Undersigned, Governor of Macao and its dependencies, has to
acknowledge the note addressed to him by the Chief Superintendent, dated
on the 12th instant, in which he conveys official notice of the blockade of
the River and Port of Canton, declared by the Captain of Her Britannic
Majesty's sloop Volage, and then, without mentioning having received his
note of the 3rd instant, again proposes that the merchants, British sub-
jects, with their families, should return to Macao. It is proper and even
necessary, that the Undersigned should again impress upon the Superin-
tendent that he cannot conceive how, having on the 21st ultimo declared
that he retired in order to avoid compromising this establishment, and
having recommended the rest of the British subjects to do the same, he
should now hold a different opinion, when stronger reasons exist for sus-
taining the first determination,-finding himself in actual hostilities with
the Chinese Government, and well knowing the nature of the Conventions
which maintain this establishment under the dominion of Her Most Faith-
ful Majesty, as well as the haughty and jealous character of that Govern-
ment, and the despotic manner in which it executes its measures. The
Superintendent is well aware that a single chop from any mandarin what-
soever, will be sufficient to cut off the supply of all provisions and neces-
saries of life, from the inhabitants of Macao, in one instant, if they pleased;
nor can the Superintendent, who has himself experienced how vigorous and
severe they are in executing such measures, doubt, that all the wishes of
the Undersigned, and even the duty on his part to afford every hospitality
to the subjects of a nation, the most ancient ally of Portugal, would be
fruitless, or that the Superintendent and his compatriots would reap any thing
except the infallible regret of seeing all the Portuguese and other foreigners,
reduced to those terrible straits from which he had rescued them, by his
voluntary withdrawal: not to think of other consequences, more fatal,
and of greater importance, to the Portuguese nation. The Undersigned
would never have given an order that the British subjects who took shelter
under the Portuguese flag, after their departure from Canton, should be
torn therefrom against their will (and some here still residing can prove
this assertion); and more than once expressed to the Superintendent his
I
#
11:
intentions on this point, as well as on all that he was disposed to do. But,
nevertheless, the Superintendent thought that the whole population of
Macao ought not to suffer, and that his departure was necessary; and there
are at this moment, abundant reasons for continuing in the same line of
conduct, alike salutary, convenient, and necessary for both nations.
The Superintendent's proposition for the introduction of merchandize
into Macao, would be most advantageous, could it be acted upon. And the
Undersigned himself, and in conjunction with the Loyal Senate, will
willingly enter into such an arrangement, always keeping in view the
instructions from his own Government, and also the permission of
the Chinese Government, with which Government there are Conventions
upon the subject, of which the Superintendent is not ignorant; at the
same time, the Undersigned will willingly seize any proper means which
may be offered to him. Were merchandize introduced at the present
moment, without any preparatory measures having been taken, the ruin
of the Portuguese merchants, who have already suffered much from
the stagnation in trade, would be infallible, while British subjects
would derive no benefits. The Undersigned cannot but express his
well-founded fears, that a like state will continue, by the measures
lately taken in Her Britannic Majesty's name, having otherwise the
most favourable presumptions that the commercial difficulties were
nearly levelled, the result of which would be productive of equal benefit
to the English and Portuguese. For the reasons above stated, the
Undersigned deeply regrets that it is not in his power to assent, in the
mean time, to the request which the Superintendent has made in his
before-mentioned note. And he avails himself of this occasion to renew
to him the expressions of his most perfect consideration and respect.
(Signed)
The Governor,
ADRIAO ACCACIO DA SILVEIRA PINTO.
C
Inclosure 4 in No. 3.
Proclamation from the Commissioner and the Governor, addressed to the
Foreign Merchant Vessels, in reference to the affair at Kowlung.
LIN, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., and Tang, Governor of the X
two Kwang, &c., for the purpose of giving clear commands to the foreign
merchant vessels, that they may seek to escape misfortune.
The English foreigner, Elliot, having in repeated instances withstood
and opposed the laws; having concealed and failed to deliver up a murderer ;
having prevented the merchant vessels from entering the port; having
ruled and directed extensive sales of opium; the charge of crime against
him is most clearly established, as by our reiterated Proclamations and
clear commands we have already shown.
Now, on the 4th of September, he had the daring presumption to
send a number of vessels of various size to Kowlung, and directed them
to fire upon and attack the naval cruizers. Between noon and eight P.M.,
they had several encounters, and wounds were inflicted on the Govern-
ment soldiery. In this, since he has come forward to seek a quarrel, we,
the Commissioner and the Governor, cannot but command the assembling
of the powerful companies of the army and navy from the several regi-
ments and squadrons, that they may combine in an attack of extirpation,
and place [his] life in our hands*. Let it be asked, though the foreign
soldiers be numerous, can they amount to one ten thousandth part of
ours? Though it be allowed that the foreign guns are powerful and effec-
* In Chinese the pronoun is seldom expressed; but the context seems here to require the
insertion of "his" before "life," in the translation.
12
tive, can their ammunition be employed for any long period, and not be
expended? If they venture to enter the port, there will be but a moment's
blaze, and they will be turned to cinders? If they dare to go on shore, it
is permitted to all the people to seize and kill them. How can these
foreigners then remain unawed!
Do but consider, all you who have brought commodities hither, that
the object of your coming is trade. Already, by Elliot's hindrance of
your entering the port, your goods must have suffered from mould and
decay, and great must have been the loss upon the outlay! And now, if
you attend to him, and follow him in perverse resistance, the gems and
the common pebbles [that is, the good and the bad], will be consumed
together. It will be impossible to turn aside to show indulgence. Let all
then speedily separate themselves, and not incur cause for future
repentance.
A special proclamation.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 7th month, 29th day (6th September, 1839).
True Translation.
J. ROBERT MORRISON,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
No. IV.
*
*
C234
ADDITIONAL
PAPERS
zd
RELATING TO
CHINA.
Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty.
1840.
>
LONDON:
PRINTED BY T. R. HARRISON.
•
No.
1.
LIST OF PAPERS.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston
Thirty Inclosures.
2. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston
Two Inclosures.
3. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston
Four Inclosures.
4. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston
5. Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston
Two Inclosures.
Tongkoo,
Tongkoo,
Tongkoo,
Tongkoo,
Tongkoo,
November 16, 1839
November 17, 1839
November 17, 1839
November 28, 1839
December 6, 1839
Page
3
37
39
43
45
No. IV.
ADDITIONAL
PAPERS
RELATING TO
CHINA.
No. 1.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.-(Received March 27, 1840.
Her Majesty's Ship Volage,
Tongkoo, November 16, 1839.
My Lord,
THE series of papers commencing with No. 2, is the whole corres-
pondence which took place between the officers of the Chinese Govern-
ment and myself, upon the subject of the late arrangement, broken up
in consequence of the entrance of the ship Thomas Coutts within the
Bocca Tigris.
The complete relaxation of the interdict against the supply of provi-
sions at Hong Kong, which followed the affair at Kow Lune, reported in my
despatch of the 5th of September, and information that the Commissioner
was alarmed at the protracted continuance of difficulties, led me to infer
that communications might be opened with advantage. But the circum-
stance which mainly influenced me, was the burning of the Spanish brig
Bilbaino, under the impression that she was an English vessel engaged
in the illicit traffic in opium.
It seemed to me that this event would make an impression upon
the high officers; and though I was aware their Excellencies would
never recede from the public declaration, that the vessel either was or
lately had been English, and engaged in the opium traffic (utterly untrue
as either assertion is) still I thought that they would be disposed to
put an end to a state of things productive of fatal mistakes, to be covered
by false reports to the Court, which sooner or later must be exposed to
the Emperor to their own certain ruin.
The inclosure No. 1, is an extract of a private letter from a
gentleman in my office, written the day after the outrage occurred, and
contains a brief and clear statement of the affair.
In considering the Commissioner's communications, I would take the
liberty to draw your Lordship's particular attention to the manner in
which the unfortunate homicide of the 7th July is treated lightly, or put
prominently forward, as political convenience may dictate.
When the purpose to be gained was, to find a pretext for the instant
and violent ejection of the whole British community from Macao, the
homicide was the convenient motive: when a state of peace was to be
restored, and the direct British trade was to be renewed, it was easy for
his Excellency to relieve the general community from the apprehension
4
of consequences upon that account; and then the whole weight of ven-
geance was to be cast upon the ship supposed to contain the murderer.
When fresh instructions arrive from the Court, pressing for the
signing of the Bond of consent to the infliction of capital punishment by
Chinese forms of trial, and when the entrance of the ship Thomas Coutts,
upon those conditions, leads the Commissioner to believe that such a state
of things is possible, the homicide is again drawn forward to serve a
general purpose: and the delivery of a man (which he knows to be out of
the question) or the signing of the Bond, are declared to be indispensably
necessary, before the British merchants and families can be allowed to
reside on shore in peace and safety, or before the menaces of destruction
against the whole fleet can be withdrawn.
Another most remarkable fact, connected with this case of homicide,
requires to be noticed. Every previous instance which has fallen under
the attention of the Chinese authorities, I believe without exception, has
been followed by a stoppage of the trade till the affair was adjusted:
but on this occasion, the trade has proceeded uninterruptedly; and the
Commissioner has repeatedly dispatched linguists and pilots to the
British ships, with instructions to urge the commanders by every species
of encouragement to go up. A remission of duties was offered, and
guarantees that they should not be disturbed on account of the murderer,
or on account of the proceedings of smugglers on the coasts, if they would
proceed within the Bocca Tigris, and sign the Bond of consent. But, my
Lord, the object of all this eagerness is too plain to escape attention.
The Commissioner desires to get such a number of British subjects and
ships within his grasp, as may enable him to control proceedings without,
by pressure upon property and persons within. He feels, with perfect
justice, that direct efforts against the smugglers, upon any sufficiently
extensive scale, are out of his power; and hence the anxiety to draw the
regular trade within his reach, and to fix a close embargo upon that, till
he can succeed in working out his purposes against the illicit traffic.
I pass by, however, these attempts to work out such objects by such
means to arrest your Lordship's attention to the strong reason there
certainly is to believe, that the condition of these provinces does not admit
of a protracted stoppage of the foreign trade.
If the merchants and ships had indeed been within the river, a
stoppage of trade would no doubt have ensued: but it would have been
of brief duration; and imposed only as a pretext for imprisoning the whole
community, till the Hong merchants had succeeded in purchasing a slave
at Macao, or inveigling some wretched lascar and delivering him up
as the murderer of Lin-Weihe. I say this, my Lord, because such
means of settling the difficulty were repeatedly suggested to me by the
Chinese during the course of the late negotiations at Macao.
Indeed, in one instance, as your Lordship will observe, the Mandarins
endeavoured, by means of questions put through the Linguist to make me
state, that a man found drowned at Hong Kong a few days before was the
murderer. They urged me to say, that I sincerely thought that was the
individual; and held out the strong assurance, that it would then be in
their power to satisfy the Commissioner and Governor; so anxious were
their Excellencies at that time to adjust affairs, at every sacrifice of truth,
decency, or reason: always saving the principle that they had a right to
a man, and that I was ready to have delivered the murderer to them but
for this accident or suicide.
The monstrous proposition that I should deliver into his Excellency's
hands, five men convicted of the offence of rioting, to the end that he
might detain and execute one in satisfaction for Lin-Weihe, whom they
never saw dead or alive, furnishes a remarkable practical comment upon
the insecurity of Chinese judicial proceedings against foreigners, shut out
from all appeal to the higher tribunals of the Empire.
In dismissing this subject, my Lord, I can solemnly declare, that
my conscience acquits me of any purpose to trifle with the sacred obliga-
tions of justice. I have proceeded to the uttermost verge of my authority,
if I have not exceeded it, in the attempt to discover and bring to justice
5
the murderer of this innocent native; and, in my deep public and private
anxiety and distress, that consciousness is a support to me.
The Commissioner's accusations to the contrary, occasion me no
uneasiness; and I am, in like manner, unaffected by his charge of coun-
tenancing the illicit trafic in opium.
If my private feelings were of the least consequence upon questions
of a public and important nature, assuredly I might justly say, that no
man entertains a deeper detestation of the disgrace and sin of this forced
traffic on the coast of China than the humble individual who signs this
despatch. I see little to choose between it and piracy; and in my place,
public officer, I have steadily discountenanced it by all the lawful
means in my power, and at the total sacrifice of my private comfort in the
society in which I have lived for some years past.
But, whilst I have endeavoured to fulfil my duty to Her Majesty's
Government in the public course of repression I have pursued, it did not
consist with my station to sanction measures of general and undistin-
guishing violence against Her Majesty's officers and subjects; and to a
mode of working out objects, right or wrong, which set all the obligations
of moderation and justice at defiance.
I have resisted the Commissioner's actual demands, because they were
utterly unjust; and because their concession would have involved the
abandonment of principles, which can never be yielded by a British officer,
with any hope of maintaining a safe or honourable footing for British
trade in this country. I venture to observe, too, that it is a great
misfortune to me, who have always endeavoured to accommodate myself
to the character and genius of this Government, as far as I could with
due regard to my duty, that this crisis and this crowd of difficulties
should have probably cast upon me, in the minds of partially informed
persons, an appearance of opposition and, it may be, of unreasonable
opposition to the independence and just will of a Government, in whose
territory I am officially residing.
Let me hope your Lordship will see reason to shield me from impu-
tation of this description. I have resisted nothing but the demand for a
man, in satisfaction for the murdered native, having wholly failed to
discover by whom the crime was committed; and the signing of a bond of
consent to Chinese penal legislation. I have never denied the right of the
Chinese Government to make and execute what laws it sees fit; but only
an act of consent perfectly unusual and unnecessary, and which could
serve no other purpose than to deprive Her Majesty's Government of all
room for appeal, whenever high Chinese authorities committed confisca-
tion and murder by mistake,-consequences of unavoidable incidence,
because of the isolated situation of the Chinese with respect to us, and not
from any general wickedness of disposition. In ninety-nine cases
out of a hundred, connected with foreigners, which are submitted to
high Chinese authorities, their determination must be taken upon the
report of low and corrupt officers; and the higher functionaries are not in
a situation to detect error, or to repair it when made.
The instance of the Bilbaino affords a notable proof of this position:
to this hour, the Commissioner has answered all appeal for redress, with
bold assertions that the statements are grossly false; and with demands
to the Portuguese authorities to seize the complaining Consignee, and send
him to his Excellency for exemplary punishment. In the meantime, the
wretched individuals taken out of her remain in Chinese custody.
The propositions I made to the Commissioner, No. 7, will, I trust,
satisfy Her Majesty's Government, that I was prepared to afford the Com-
missioner reasonable satisfaction; and I hope that the effectual separation
of the lawful trade from the lawless traffic, upon which that scheme was
based, will be thought safe and right.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
6
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Extract of a Private Letter relating to the burning of the Bilbaino.
Macao, September 13, 1839.
I BEG to inform you that the Spanish brig Bilbaino anchored in
the Taipa, was yesterday morning, at about 5 o'clock, assaulted by four
Chinese fire-boats, and instantly surrounded by four men-of-war-junks
(who fired upon her) together with a great number of Mandarin boats,
whose crews boarded the brig, robbed her of every thing on board, and
then set her on fire. The Manilla men, who were at this time entirely
defenceless, jumped all overboard, and arrived at Macao at half-past
9 o'clock. The Second Mate, a Spanish young man, and two Seacunnies,
were carried off by the Mandarins, the former in chains. The Captain
was not on board, as since he arrived here he has been sick at Don
Gabriel de Yruretagoyena's, to whom the vessel was consigned.
The Bilbaino, during this outrage, had the Spanish flag hoisted,
which the Chinese carried away too with them. The vessel sunk down at
6 P.M.
The Bilbaino had no cargo; she came from Manilla to receive some
cargo here.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) L. D'ALMADA E CASTRO.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
•
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Macao, September 14, 1839.
ELLIOT has now arrived at this place in the cruizer of his nation,
and desires to open communications with the Honourable Officers concern-
ing affairs of importance.
For many years, Elliot has transacted business with the High Officers
of this Province with faithfulness; and what can he desire but peace and
good will?
With compliments, &c.,
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
The Keun-Min-Foo to Captain Elliot.
TSEANG, Keun-Min-Foo at Macao, gives commands to the English
Superintendent Elliot, for his full information.
Upon the 14th instant, the Portuguese Chief Procurador, presented
to me, on behalf of the said Superintendent, a memorandum; on perusing
which I found that it expressed a desire for peace. The Portuguese
head of the military (the Governor of Macao) &c., also represented
verbally, that the said Superintendent had charged them to request of
me, on his behalf, instructions as to the orders that the officers have to
give regarding the arrangement at this present of the English foreigners'
affairs. Thereupon, I, the Keun-Min-Foo, addressed a representation to
their Excellencies the Commissioner and the Governor; and now I have
received a series of conditions, plainly declared, which I am commanded
to require of the said Superintendent speedily to comply with; and on
each of which he is with all truthfulness to reply. While transmitting
these conditions to the said Portuguese foreign Chief, to be handed over
to the Superintendent for his perusal, I also address these commands
1
by
directly to him. Upon these reaching the said Superintendent, let him
immediately pay implicit obedience to the several conditions proclaimed;
and make haste to answer me, that I may be enabled to report to their
Excellencies for their decision.
This is a concern of life and death; and if peace be desired, it is
here to be found. If there be the least evasiveness, and indulgence
of vain expectations, repentance will be afterwards unattainable. Let
the said Superintendent respectfully attend to this special command.
Annexed is a paper of conditions enjoined by their Excellencies the
Commissioner, and the Governor.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 8th month, 13th day (September 20, 1839).
True Translation.
(Signed)
J. ROBT. MORRISON,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 4 in No. 1.
Four Propositions or Conditions of Amicable arrangement, forwarded in
the name of the Commissioner and Governor.-(Received September
22, 1839.
PARTICULARS regarding which Commands are to be enjoined.
First. I, the High Commissioner, came to this province by the special
command of the Great Emperor, that we, the Commissioner and the
Governor, might unite in the entire extirpation and eradication of opium;
and it is all requisite that the foreign ships should wholly cease to bring
opium, ere we can stay our hands. Although there have before been
delivered up upwards of 20,000 chests, yet the ships that have this year
come, have again brought large quantities; and hence Elliot first asked
that cargoes might be laden at Macao, indulging the hope of avoiding
examination; and after our reply to him had refused permission, he then
kept back all the vessels with merchandize, making them anchor in Hong
Kong Bay, doubtless for the clandestine selling of opium, as has been
clearly and fully proved by the evidence of traitorous Chinese who have
been apprehended for clandestinely purchasing it. How can such
conduct be treated with indulgence? If now, indeed, he is with truth-
fulness of heart inclined to reform, and desires to establish a permanent
and honourable commerce, let him speedily take the opium on board all
the ships, and having clearly ascertained the total amount, deliver it up.
If it be still kept on board the vessels, it will only remain to set fire to and
burn the whole, that the hurtful thing may be for ever put away.
This mode of conducting the matter has been already laid plainly
before the Great Emperor. Let the said foreigner with trembling fear
consider it!
Secondly. The murderous foreigner, whose blows caused the death
of Lin-Weihe, was a sailor on board an English ship. This has before
been surely ascertained by the evidence of all. And the Americans, too,
have clearly discriminated it. It has besides been learned, that Elliot
has detained in custody, on board ship, several foreigners, who having
landed, did, in the intoxication of drunkenness, create disturbance there.
If among these several men, it is not in his power to distinguish with
certitude the actual murderer, what is there to prevent his sending them
to the officers of the Celestial Empire, requesting them to try them for
him? one only being kept to answer for the crime, the others will then at
once be sent back. This is the established rule whereby the Celestial
Court guides its proceedings in cases of homicide, free alike from
injustice and from indulgent laxity. If still contumacy and disobedience
be continued, it will be but a small matter as far as regards the escape of
a single individual from the net [of the law]; but the criminal conduct of
outer foreigners in destroying the laws, it will be hard to suffer. It will
remain only to proclaim this criminality to require its punishment, and to
8
proceed to severest measures of extermination, that the national laws of
the Celestial Empire may be vindicated. Let the said foreigner with
trembling fear consider this!
Thirdly. The names and numbers of the store-ships, and the
surnames and names of the depraved foreigners who should be expelled,
have all been plainly laid before the Great Emperor; and his pleasure
has been declared that they should be driven forth. Excluding from consi-
deration those who having gone need not further be inquired about, the
store-ships and depraved foreigners that have not yet gone, are doubtless
thus contumaciouly delaying with no other object than that of procuring
their sales of opium. Opium brokers who have been apprehended, have
upon trial proved this to be the fact; and towards the putting away of
this evil, the store-ship Tanshina (Virginia) has been burnt. All the
other store-ships ought to be excited to dread and fear, and should
immediately go outside the Grand Ladrone. All the depraved foreigners,
too, ought immediately to embark on board them and go back again. If,
after their departure, they really learn to reform and repent, and come
again to this province to conduct an honourable trade, it shall be still
allowed them, on plainly and openly reporting the name of the vessel or
the person, to begin a new life. At this time, it is wholly impossible to
let them resist the commands and continue to delay. If there be oppo-
sition, the vessels shall be burned in like manner with the vessel Tanshina,
and the depraved foreigners that still linger shall be severally seized and
tried. Let the said foreigner with trembling fear consider this!
Fourthly. Since the ships with merchandize will neither proceed to
Whampao, nor yet set sail back again, how can they be suffered long to
continue anchored in Hong Kong Bay, which is in the waters of the
Celestial Empire, thereby enabling them still to sell and scatter abroad
the newly-arrived opium, and to continue incessantly to introduce a
baneful poison! Moreover, the homicide of Lin-Weihe was a result of
their protracted anchorage there. Instead of then delivering up the
murderer, they proceeded to embark on board of merchant vessels guns
and other weapons, with the intention and purpose of creating disturb-
ance; and when once their supplies had been cut off, Elliot immediately,
upon the 4th of September, led a number of vessels to Kow-Lune, to
trouble and disturb, opened the first fire, and wounded our Governmental
soldiery. In this he came himself to commence the quarrel, and the
defeat on this occasion was of his own getting. Having thus blindly
rushed on a trial, how can he yet remain ignorant of the acute hurtful-
ness [of contest]. In reference to the merchant vessels assembled at
anchor, Elliot has solicited a modified arrangement. We, the Commis-
sioner and the Governor, do not refuse such modified arrangement. But,
it appears, he has stated that it is necessary for him to wait till his
country's Sovereign writes back. He should first, then, state clearly, in a
reply to us, when his letter went from this country; when the letter will
come from that country; and on what month and day, at the earliest, it
will be possible for it to be received.
If, then, he indeed act obediently upon each of the three before
stated particulars, it will of course not be difficult to determine to grant
such favours as will cause the lawful cargoes to be speedily disposed of
and sold.
Upon the several particulars above, let a reply be returned on the
day of receipt of these commands, either sending it to the office of the
Keun-Min-Foo, at Macao, to be forwarded, or proceeding to Chuenpee, to
present it there. In either case, its receipt will be allowed and its matter
examined. If there be delay, and no answer be returned, beyond the
middle decade of this 8th month (the end of September) then shall the
martial valour of the naval and military forces be all led forth, the
offence proclaimed, and its punishment required. Repentance will then
be fruitless. Let the said foreigner with trembling fear consider this!
True Translation.
(Signed)
J. ROBT. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
: 9
Inclosure 5 in No. 1.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Hong Kong, September 22, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c., has this day received the Keun-Min-Foo's com-
munication of date the 20th instant, with a paper of conditions, enjoined
by their Excellencies the Commissioner and the Governor, therein in-
closed. Elliot, being most earnestly solicitous to meet the wishes of the
Emperor for the entire stoppage of an illegal trade, will proceed at once
to Macao to confer with the Keun-Min-Foo, regarding these propositions,
so that that officer may be enabled to report his answer to their Excel-
lencies.
Elliot is always ready to receive the commands of the high officers;
but it has never been his practice to receive documents from the Keun-
Min-Foo styling themselves commands: and he has to request that that
word may not in future be made use of.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 6 in No. 1.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Macao, September 23, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c., had yesterday the honour to receive and to reply to a
communication from the Keun-Min-Foo.
He has now arrived at Macao for the purpose of conferring upon the
several propositions; and has to request that a time may be appointed for
such conference.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 7 in No. 1.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Macao, September 24, 1839.
ELLIOT proceeds to reply, with respect and faithfulness, to the
several propositions transmitted to him through the Keun-Min-Foo, by
the command of the high officers, under date of the 20th September.
Concerning the delivering up of opium in any English vessels,
Elliot, who has never deceived their Excellencies, solemnly declares that
there ought not to be one catty on board of any English ship at their
present anchorage, for he has already taken severe and admonitory
measures in that respect, requiring the departure from this coast of all
English vessels actually engaged in the opium traffic.
The flag of his Sovereign does not fly in the protection of a traffic
declared to be unlawful by the Great Emperor; and, therefore, whenever
the honourable officers desire to examine all, or every particular ship or
vessel suspected to have opium on board, Elliot will take care that they
are accompanied by officers of his Establishment; and, if after strict
search, any be found, assuredly Elliot will not presume to offer the least
objection, though the whole cargo be immediately seized and con-
fiscated.
Again, if it shall be proved that the English merchants to whom any
English ship belongs, or is consigned, be concerned in the profits of the
C
10
sale of opium on board of her, and fail to declare the same to Elliot, to
the end that it may be reported to the honourable officers, he will
assuredly make no appeal on their behalf if the whole firm be imme-
diately expelled from the empire.
For the sake of justice and clearness, and effectually to separate the
persons pursuing a lawful and honourable trade from an unlawful, it is
now submitted that no English firm shall in future be permitted to
transact business, or to reside in China, till Elliot shall have forwarded
to the high officers a plain declaration, signed by each member thereof,
and countersigned and sealed by officers of the English nation, setting
forth their solemn determination to have no concern, direct or indirect,
with the opium traffic; neither to permit, or knowingly sanction, any
persons under their controul to have any; and, further, their full knowledge
of the severe regulation, that they will be forthwith expelled from the
empire, if it shall be proved, to the satisfaction of the honourable officers
and the officer of their own nation, that they have broken faith in the
least degree.
Elliot, sincerely desirous of fulfilling the just will of the Great Em-
peror, further submits, that no English ship shall be permitted to carry on
trade with this empire, of which the Commander and Consignees, on the
very day of arrival, shall not hand in to Elliot a solemn declaration,
setting forth, in Chinese and English, that she has neither brought
opium to China, nor has any on board, nor will receive any whilst she is
in China. And till Elliot has forwarded this declaration to the honour-
able officers, stamped with his seal and words, to the effect that he
believes it to be true, let the hatches of no such English ship be opened
for trade.
If the high officers will thus far confide in the good faith of an
English officer, Elliot assures them, that this regulation will effect the
separation of the lawful from the lawless trade. Disgrace and severest
punishment would fall upon him, if he did not fulfil his obligations with
fidelity; and assuredly he would attach his seal to the declaration of none
other than faithful persons.
Respecting the delivery of a man on account of the death of Lin
Weihe, Elliot again and again assures their Excellencies, that he has
investigated with strictest justice, and has found only five men of his
nation concerned in riot and drunkenness; but who had no hand in the
murder. These people have been severely sentenced; and, certainly, if
any Englishman had been convicted of the murder, his life was forfeited
according to the laws of England, just as if he had murdered a man of
the English nation in England. But, on this occasion, let the high officers
inquire again, and they will truly find that there were many persons on
shore and rioting,-American as well as English. Thus, it has been
impossible to discover the murderer. Let not their Excellencies believe,
that Elliot deceives them in this or any respect. The English officers
dare not trifle with the truth. Elliot has transacted business for several
years with the high officers of this province, and they know he is incapable
of falsehood. He appeals to them on this occasion. Elliot, however, will
continue to use the most searching means of inquiry for the perpetrator
of this deed; and if he be discovered, and be an Englishman, he promises,
in the name of the Queen of England, that he shall be placed on his trial
according to the laws of his nation, before the honourable officers.
But now let a sure and satisfactory mode of joint investigation be
determined upon, congenial with the customs of the empire and of his
own nation. Thus will all future matters of the like nature be arranged
agreeably to prescribed rule; and perpetual peace will be preserved.
Concerning the departure of the whole of the sixteen people, and of
the ships that were formerly store-ships, it is right that Elliot should
faithfully fulfil the pleasure of the Emperor as soon as the first northerly
wind sets in, which will be in a few days. Two of the sixteen men,
however, have never dealt in opium; the one being still a youth, of the
name of Donald Matheson, and the other a gentleman of the name of
Henry. For these persons, Elliot solicits favourable consideration; and
all men will see and respect the justice of the empire.
11
Elliot expects the commands of his gracious Sovereign in about four
months, having faithfully reported all things of consequence on the 29th
May last; and, until they arrive, it will not be possible for the ships to
proceed to Whampoa.
There has been peace between the empire and the English nation for
nearly two hundred years,-it is in the power of the high officers still to
preserve it: may it last for ever.
These are the sincere thoughts of an humble foreign officer, who
venerates the Great Emperor, and has always manifested respect for the
high officers and the laws of the empire.
Let him be trusted, and the confidence of their Excellencies will not
be cast away.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 8 in No. 1.
Two Memoranda in explanation of Captain Elliot's Propositions.
FIRST MEMORANDUM.
RESPECTING the murderer of Lin-Weihe, Elliot knows not who he
is; and he can only again solemnly declare, that he will continue the
strictest inquiries upon the subject, and faithfully report the results to the
officers.
If this be not satisfactory, all things must remain in their present
condition, till the arrival of Maitland, or other high officers of the English
nation, which may be expected,-Elliot having written to India fully
concerning the actual state of affairs.
The date of the departure of the remaining store-ships and sixteen
persons shall be reported to the honourable officers, and will take place
in a few days. Certain of the vessels being old, it may be needful to sell
and break them up here.
Elliot hopes the high officers will consider the case of the two
persons he has mentioned; and therefore leaves his request: if it cannot
be granted they must go.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
SECOND MEMORANDUM.
LET the honourable officers assure themselves that Elliot will con-
tinue to use every effort to discover the perpetrator of the murder of
Lin-Weihe, if he be indeed a man of his nation: and with this purpose,
he will offer a reward of 2,000 dollars when he returns to Hong Kong; and
will report to the honourable officers as soon as he is discovered.
Concerning the departure of the sixteen people, it is to be wished that
the high officers would grant them a certain number of days to return
to Macao and finish their affairs.
Then they will be able to depart, with the ships, within six days.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 9 in No. 1.
Answer to an inquiry regarding a seaman found dead at Hong Kong.
Macao, September 27, 1839.
IT is true that the corpse of a seamen was found floating about the
harbour of Hong Kong above ten days since; and upon investigation it
appeared that he belonged to an English vessel (the Snarley Yow) which
had departed. There were no marks of violence on the body, and it was
C 2
12
examined and buried in the presence of Captain Smith of the English
cruizer, and Johnston, the Deputy Superintendent, in the view of several
persons, foreign as well as Chinese, close to the landing-place.
Now Elliot understands that it has been supposed this person was
the murderer of Lin-Weihe. Upon that point he is not able to speak,
because he knows nothing: but he again and again declares, that he has
most faithfully investigated, according to the customs of his country,
which are severe and searching concerning the apprehension of murderers,
and has not yet found a culprit.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 10 in No. 1.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Macao, September 28, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c., being called away by business demanding his atten-
tion at Hong Kong, has to request that when the commands of their
Excellencies shall be received, they may be forwarded to him to that place.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
[N.B. This sudden departure was occasioned by a report that the fleet
had moved out from Chuenpee, which proved to be well-founded. The
return of the Volage to Hong Kong probably disinclined them to visit
that anchorage.]
Inclosure 11 in No. 1.
The Commissioner and the Governor of Canton to Captain Elliot.
LIN, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., &c., and Tang, Governor of
the two Kwang, &c., &c.
An official despatch to Tseang, the Acting Joint Prefect at Macao,
that he may enjoin commands on the English Superintendent, Elliot, for
his full information.
Upon the 28th of September, we received the following report from
the said Acting Joint Prefect.
66
As soon as I had received the commands of your Excellencies the
Commissioner and the Governor, transmitting a paper of Particulars re-
garding which commands were to be enjoined,' I transmitted the same to
the English Superintendent, Elliot, for his perusal and obedience. After-
wards, on the 24th of September, the said Superintendent having come to
Macao, he had a personal conference with me at the house of the Portu-
guese Head of the military [the Governor of Macao is so called], when 1
again took the matter of your Excellencies' commands item by item, and
proclaimed them. The said Superintendent showed, in a high degree, that
he was awakened and aroused. Now, upon the 25th, Elliot has further
presented a memorandum of conversation, requesting me to report for him.
Í respectfully forward the paper itself for inspection, humbly intreating
examination of it, and orders thereupon."
This having come before us, the Commissioner and the Governor, we
have at once carefully perused the several particulars contained in the
memorandum of conversation handed by Elliot to the said Joint Prefect,
and have accorded severally to each our assent or refusal. These now
again arranging in order, we send to the charge of the said Joint Prefect,
that he may enjoin our commands on Elliot, to pay instant obedience, and
report in answer. Be there no opposition!
First. Elliot states "that there ought not to be one catty of opium on
board of any English ship at their present anchorage, for he has already
taken severe and admonitory measures in that respect, requiring the de-
13
parture from this coast of all English vessels actually engaged in the
opium traffic; that whenever the honourable officers desire to examine, he
will take care that they are accompanied by officers of his establishment,
and if after strict search, any be found, the whole cargo shall be immedi-
ately seized and confiscated; that no English firm shall in future reside
in China, transacting business, till a plain declaration shall be signed by
each member thereof, setting forth that they will permit no person under
their controul to bring opium; and that no English ship shall be permitted
to carry on trade with this empire, of which the Commander and Con-
signees shall not, on the very day of arrival, hand in to him, the said
Superintendent, a solemn declaration, in Chinese and English, to be for-
warded, after being stamped with his seal as true, for the inspection of the
honourable officers; and till then, that the hatches of no such ship should
be opened for trade."
We, the Commissioner and the Governor, find that, in the second
month of this year, when we commanded the delivery of the opium, we
at the same time, required the giving of a bond (or obligation); for
having on this occasion respectfully received the severe commands of the
Great Emperor, that we must cause the perpetual stoppage of the inflow-
ing stream of opium, it had become impossible longer to suffer the clan-
destine sale of it by the said foreigners; and the ships (or ship-folk) of
every nation, on becoming acquainted with this severity of prohibition on
the part of China, should also, in dread of punishment, have repented of
their offences, and swept the opium clean away, utterly and for ever:
then would the lawful trade not have been involved by it. At that time,
we learned by inquiry, that Elliot, with Johnston, and all the merchants,
had already determined on a draft of a prepared obligation, the tenor of
which was, in a considerable degree, right and proper; and at the end
whereof was plainly attached the date, "4th of the fourth month (i. e.,
April), 1839."* Of this, we, the Commissioner and the Governor, both be-
came well aware. If, at that time, this obligation had been at once pre-
sented, would it not have been in the utmost degree respectable? But
Elliot, suddenly changing his mind, held back the obligation, and did not
deliver it; from which arose, after the going down to Macao, many unto-
ward things, one upon another. Thus truly did he produce thorns and
briars to his own hurt!
At present, the ships with merchandise in Hong Kong Bay, amount to
the large number of thirty-eight. The assertion that they have not on
board, one catty of opium, is not only hard for common sense to credit,
but is contradicted by the plain depositions of Ow Achu, and Pang Ahoy,
which show, that on the 5th of September, they were yet able to purchase
Bengal opium on board the ship Hakshun. Is not this a clear and distinct
proof? Furthermore, twenty-two Lintin store-ships having in April last
reported and delivered 20,283 chests of opium, and the number of ships
now in Hong Kong Bay being double the number of those formerly
anchored at Lintin, will it be said that they have not one catty of opium
on board? or can we, the Commissioner and the Governor, lay before the
throne such a statement? If, by such a declaration, we should incite the
terrible wrath of the Great Emperor, let it be asked, will that nation be
ever able to renew its commercial intercourse here? We now again give
our special commands to the said Superintendent, that he must again pro-
ceed, with truthfulness of heart, carefully to examine all the ships in Hong
Kong Bay; and if there be any opium concealed and retained on board
of them, be it much or little, he must, according to the facts, deliver up
all. Not only must none be secreted on board the vessels, but if any
should be transferred to boats, and stealthily removed for storage else-
where, as soon as it shall be discovered and seized, the parties, according
to the new law, shall be severally executed by decapitation, and by
strangling, and the vessel and cargo shall be confiscated to Government.
If any be conveyed to the eastward or westward for clandestine sale, as
soon as the naval vessels shall make seizure thereof, the vessel shall
surely be destroyed by burning, and the parties shall certainly be caught
and killed. How much better openly to deliver it up, and so to obtain, at
* All this is sheer fabrication.-C. E.
14
one and the same time, remission of the offence, and freedom to trade! If
the said Superintendent does indeed desire to preserve intact the livelihood
of his nation, it behoves him yet to act in obedience to the reiterated
orders to deliver up the opium; he must not persist in one statement, till,
when at some future day opium is discovered, he bring on himself a severe
punishment of his offence, a cause for after repentance.
At this time, we wait but for the said Superintendent clearly to
examine and report in answer; when, in addition to what he may then
have to deliver up, we will, as he requests, send deputed officers to search
and examine each ship; and if in very deed, they have not the least
quantity on board, then the cargoes of lawful trade shall of course be in
all justice protected, and we will yet, according to the former petition of
the said Superintendent, grant a measured modification of arrangement.
Excepting only that at Macao it shall never be permitted to import goods,
in other respects it shall be left to the said Superintendent himself to
devise and concert measures, reporting the same and awaiting our com-
mands for obedience. It shall by no means be allowed, that the Masters
of the vessels be involved by delay and loss of time.
As to the rules for giving obligations and adding obligations there-
upon, they are in accordance with our original commands of last April;
and it is right to let it be as he requests. He is to transmit commands
to all the ships now in this province, and to vessels hereafter arriving,
that they, one and all, act in obedience thereto. But in these obligations
it will still be requisite to state clearly, "that obedience shall be paid to
the new law declared by the Emperor: if any bring opium, the parties
shall be immediately executed, and the vessel and cargo confiscated to
Government." There must be no confusion, or difference of treatment.
Secondly. Elliot states, "that respecting the murder of Lin-Weihe,
he will continue the strictest inquiries, and faithfully report the results to
the officers." If he, indeed, with truthfulness of heart, make strict inqui-
ries, what difficulty will he have in ascertaining the facts? He is consi-
derately allowed a period of ten days, to ascertain the murderer and
deliver him up to Government for trial and punishment. The brave
forces, naval and military, that are now everywhere stationed, are assem-
bled, as clouds, upon the various waters. There must be no more glossing
pretexts for delay, drawing down measures of extermination.
Thirdly. Elliot states, "that the store-ships can be required to set
sail as soon as the first northerly wind sets in; and that, concerning the
departure of the people expelled, it is to be wished that they may be
granted a return to Macao, and then they will in six days be required
every one to depart." We find, that at this period, the middle of
autumn, there is constantly a northerly wind, so that he may hasten at
once the departure of the vessels. All the foreigners expelled and sent
back to their countries, we considerately permit to return, as he has
requested, temporarily to Macao, to collect together their baggage, and
then embark on board ship to go back again. From their arrival at
Macao to their departure therefrom, they are allowed in all six days.
But, lest they should introduce opium from the ships into Macao, we have
specially appointed high Civil and Military officers to examine when they
come on shore at the port of Macao; and also to remain there to urge on
their embarkation and departure. At the same time, the Portuguese
Head of the Military (Governor of Macao) has been commanded in like
manner to examine and to urge. They must by no means be allowed to
exceed the period of six days that has been requested. If they make any
pretexts for further delay, they shall be immediately, and with severity
apprehended. As to those not in the number of the expelled, they should
wait till the affair is ended; when further orders shall be given, naming a
period, and permitting them to move back for a continued residence..
They must not confusedly mix themselves up with the depraved foreigners
that are being expelled, and return without any distinction to Macao, so
as to confound black and white together, and bring upon themselves
shame and disgrace.
Fourthly. Foreign merchants of all nations coming hither for trade,-
any vessels of merchandize entering the river to Whampoa,-or foreign
15
merchants residing at Canton and at Macao, are all permitted to engage,
through the medium of the Hong merchants, compradores and working-
men to supply their necessities. This is not forbidden by the established
regulations. But there is a class of depraved scoundrels, not engaged by
the Hong merchants, who have clandestine intercourse with the foreigners,
and combine with them for the attainment of illicit ends, being ready for
all extremes and they hence bear the native name of "Chinese traitors.'
Of late, in consequence of all the English foreigners having left Macao,
these persons have all followed them to reside on board the vessels of
merchandize and the store-ships on the water. Besides Pang Ashay, a
broker selling opium for Stanford on board the Kola [Harriet] who has
been apprehended, it appears further, from the depositions given on
their examination by Ow Achu and Pang Ahoy, rascally criminals
apprehended as purchasers of opium, that there are on board the ship
Hakshun (?) three persons, Chow Atsune, a shroff, Chin Ayow, a car-
penter, and Wong Apat, a cook. If such be the case on board one ship,
we may infer how it is on board the others. There are also two persons,
Wong Chayeep, alias Wong Atsoo, and Lo Laupun, who, we have heard,
are concealed on board the foreign ships. How many other Chinese
traitors there are in concealment on board all the ships, how shall it be
told? Herein, since the foreign ships ordinarily make use of their com-
bination for illicit ends, and when they are sought after afford them
shelter and protection, it is wholly impossible, according to the laws of the
celestial Empire, to suffer their concealment, and refrain from searching
for and seizing them. Moreover, this class of depraved scoundrels, poking
their hands into all matters, not only offend against the laws of China,
but also seduce the foreigners to smugggle and commit offences; so that
to the foreigners themselves they are pernicious, not beneficial. Since the
said Superintendent has the desire to preserve peace for ever, and to cut
off the opium, it is necessary that he should immediately take all the
criminals herein pointed out, and all Chinese traitors in concealment on
board all the other ships, and having ascertained the names of all, hand
them over to the officers of Government. Will not this display still more
a respectful sense of duty, and help the perpetual eradication of the evil?
And in future, all the foreign merchants, applying themselves solely to
the conducting of a lawful commerce, will not be subject to the seductions
of this class of people. They will naturally rest in the continual enjoy-
ment of gain.
函
​Concerning the above four particulars, the said Superintendent, after
his receipt of these commands, must immediately investigate clearly; and
in the first instance report in answer regarding his measures in obedience
thereto, for the decision of us the Commissioner and the Governor. He
must not be in the least degree indistinct or confused in his statements,
so as to incur criminality. His report let him send under an open enve-
lope, through the hands of the Keun-Min-Foo, that he having perused,
may forward it, and that he may be enabled to place it upon record.
The celestial Empire is a great one, cherishing as its children the
small. All outer foreigners who come to China to trade and pay implicit
obedience to the laws, look up to invite the Imperial Grace to show ten-
derness towards men from afar. It is not allowable carelessly to bring
forward such expressions as "mutual harmony," and insert them in
addresses, to the infraction of the requirements of dignity, whereby severe
commands are called forth. We take this occasion of giving commands
on this point.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 8th month, 21st day.
8th month, 21st day.
(L.S.)
(L.S.)
True Translation.
(September 28, 1839.),
of the Governor.
of the Commissioner..
(Signed) J. ROBT. MORRISON,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
16
Inclosure 12 in No. 1.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Hong Kong, October 5, 1839.
ELLIOT, in reply to the communication of the high officers, dated on
the 28th of September, again sincerely states, that he has used strenuous
efforts to prevent the storing of opium on board of British vessels at this
anchorage; and that he is ready to cause officers of his establishment to
accompany honourable officers on board of any British vessel suspected
to contain it. If, therefore, opium be found, and the whole cargo be
seized and confiscated, and all the parties concerned expelled, he can offer
no objection.
Concerning the words required in the Bond, Elliot requests delay, till
the commands of His Gracious Sovereign arrive, which may be expected in
about four months.
The only pledge of which he knows, is the voluntary promise of the
English and the other foreign merchants, to discontinue all future pursuit
of the opium traffic. This was highly satisfactory to Elliot, and the paper
was forwarded to the high officers, through the Hong merchants, early in
April last. He knows of no other pledge but this.
Of the sixteen persons dismissed from the empire, there have already
departed six Englishmen :-viz., Dent, A. Jardine, A. Matheson, Daniell,
Inglis, and Ilberry. Four others, Framjee, Dadabhoy, Stanford, and
Foster, are on the point of departure; and the periods of the departure
of the others shall be duly reported to the honourable officers, in the
course of a few days; but he still solicits consideration for Henry and
D. Matheson, who have had no concern in these pursuits.
Of the English ships that delivered opium at Chuenpee, there still
remain eight; of these, there are three, the Hercules, Ruparcel, and the
Jane, for whose departure no day is yet named; one, the Ann, that will
sail in a week; one, the Mermaid, that has been sold to Americans; and
three, the Austen, Thistle, and Coral, that, being old and decayed, it is
requested may be sold and broken up here.
Elliot faithfully declares, that he has not yet been able to discover the
murderer of Lin-Weihe, but he will continue strict inquiry.
Of natives of this land, said to be secreted on board English vessels,
Elliot knows nothing and, if there have been any, he considers it probable
that they have absconded, alarmed by the severe measures of the Govern-
ment.
The English nation is the equal of any other on the face of the earth
in justice and power; and, in using expressions suitable to her station,
there is no desire to offend the dignity of this empire.
Elliot requests, that the language of the high officers towards him,
the officer of his nation, may no longer be contumelious.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 13 in No. 1.
The Keun-Min-Foo to Captain Elliot.
TSEANG, Keun-Min-Foo, &c., an officer of the Celestial Empire,
addresses this communication to the English Superintendent, Elliot, for
his perusal and information.
The Portuguese foreign chief Procurador has laid before me a
representation, showing the tenour of a note from the said Superintendent.
Upon perusal thereof, I find it greatly wanting in clearness and perspi-
cuity; and also that many things have been omitted.
Since the said Superintendent engaged the Portuguese to present a
Memorandum for him a long time has elapsed; and still he has not
17
rightly and diligently arranged the various matters, which he was
required by the commands of their Excellencies to arrange. It is utterly
impossible longer to delay. Upon this communication reaching the said
Superintendent, let him make it his bounden duty within four days to
reply to each several particular of the commands of the high officers
before received by him, that I may be enabled to transmit his reply to the
High Commissioner and the Governor, for them thoroughly to investigate
and decide on. If there be any longer procrastination, it will occasion
commands from their Excellencies, which I cannot bear the brunt of on
the account of others. Be speedy! Be speedy! A special communica-
tion.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 8th month, 28th day (5th October, 1839).
True Translation.
(Signed) J. ROBT. MORRISON,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 14 in No. 1.
The Keun-Min-Foo to Captain Elliot.
TSEANG, Keun-Min-Foo, &c., an officer of the celestial Empire,
sends this communication to the English Superintendent, Elliot, for his
perusal and information.
Yesterday, in consequence of the receipt of a very hasty and confused
representation from the Portuguese Chief Procurador, giving the words
of a note received from the said Superintendent, I sent a communication
urging the Superintendent to reply by all means within four days;
declaring his obedience in the several particulars of the commands which
he had before received from the high officers, so that I might be enabled
to transmit the same, his reply, for their decision. And I sent a pilot to
proceed speedily to Hong Kong, bearing that communication. Having
done so on this 6th instant, in the forenoon, the pilots brought me a
memorandum from the said Superintendent, which I have perused.
With reference to the statement, that of the sixteen foreigners
required to leave, there have already gone six, namely, Dent, A. Jardine,
A. Matheson, Daniell, Inglis, and Ilbery, I find that of the depraved
foreigners four only, Dent, Inglis, Daniell, and Green, have gone. How
comes the careless statement that six have gone? Besides, Ïlbery I find
followed the said Superintendent the other day to Macao. And Green,
having already gone home, how is it that he thus carelessly states those
gone who have not, and states as not gone such as already have left?
With regard to Framjee and the others, let it be ascertained certainly
on what day they wlll take their departure.
Regarding Henry and Donald Matheson, he has already promised in
a memorandum which he sent me, that they, too, should be at the same
time required to leave. How is it, then, that he now still wishes to suffer
them yet to linger here?
Further, with reference to the statement that there remain eight of
the store-ships that delivered opium, and that the rest have gone, I find
that there are yet twelve of these vessels that have not taken their depar-
ture. Besides the Hercules, and other vessels enumerated by name in his
memorandum, there are the Mavis, the Spy, the Colonel Young, and the
Harriet, four vessels that have not yet sailed away. These repeated
inaccuracies are most inexplicable!
The murderous foreigner who caused the death of Lin-Weihe,
though a long time has already elapsed, he still continues to procrastinate
regarding him, on the pretext of not having yet discovered him. His
changefulness and inconstancy were I at once to make a representation,
in accordance with his statements, would draw on me the indignation of
the high officers; and how can I bear this on the account of others!
I again require that inquiry be made. Upon this reaching the said
D
18.
Superintendent, let him immediately make inquiry and point out the facts;
and let him once more write out a plain statement of his proceedings, in
implicit obedience to the commands of their Excellencies; and forward the
same to me, in the form of a direct address to the two high officers, but
open, to be transmitted by me to them for their decision.
I reckon, from the time that the said Superintendent solicited the
Portuguese to present a memorandum for him up to this time, no less than
two decades. It is utterly impossible longer to delay. Let him not again,
by vagueness and confusedness, retard matters, and so draw on himself
cause of grief and sorrow. Be speedy! Be speedy! A special commu-
nication.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 8th month, 29th day (6th October, 1839).
True Translation.
(Signed) J. ROBT. MORRISON,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 15 in No. 1.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Hong Kong, October 9, 1839.
ELLIOT, having upon the 2nd instant received a communication from
the high officers, transmitted through the Keun-Min-Foo, replied through
the same channel on the 5th instant. Having done so, he received on the
6th, by the hands of a pilot, a communication urging a reply; and now,
upon the 9th, he has further received a communication, of date the 6th of
October, in reply to which he states positively these facts that of the
persons declared not yet to have gone, Ilbery departed with his family in
the beginning of June last; A. Matheson embarked and departed on the
25th of June; and A. Jardine embarked on the 18th of August, and de-
parted at the close of the same month.
That he did not mention the name of Green, because, as an American
merchant, Green was not under his direction; and he is not called on to
know anything of his movements.
Besides the six English who have already left, and the four about to
leave, as before stated, Matheson, Heerjeebhoy, D. Matheson, and Boman-
jee have now also declared their intention to depart immediately. They
are preparing to do so.
Of the store-ships that have not yet gone away, besides those already
accounted for, Elliot now finds that the Hercules, too, has been sold to
Americans. The Mavis, Spy, Colonel Young, and Harriet, declared not
to have yet left, have long been away from here.
None of the persons now taking their departure are desirous of re-
turning to Macao; but will all take their departure from here. Under
these circumstances, it is hoped that no further hindrance will be
pre-
sented to the return of all the merchants of his nation to Macao, or their
residence there; whereby he will be enabled more speedily to arrange all
matters, and to establish the honourable commerce of his nation upon a
secure basis.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 16 in No. 1.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Hong Kong, October 12, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c., has now to report, for the information of the High
Officers, that of the persons required to leave the empire, six have actually
departed,—namely, Dent, A. Jardine, A. Matheson, Daniell, Inglis, and
1.
19
Ilbery. Heerjeebhoy has embarked on board the store-ship Ann, to take
his departure to-day; Matheson and D. Matheson will embark in the Good
Success; and Dadabhoy and Bomanjee in the Sultana, both to sail in
about ten days; Stanford is embarked in the Copeland, to sail in about
half a month; and that the remaining two, Framjee and Foster, will also
shortly take their departure, although they have not yet reported by what
vessels.
Henry has never dealt in opium; and the articles of legal commerce
which he has brought hither can be committed to no other party to dis-
pose of for him; so that if his departure be insisted on, the innocent will
thereby be made to suffer heavy loss. It is, therefore, hoped the High Offi-
cers, who cannot desire to cause injustice, will reconsider the request
before put forward on his behalf, to which no answer has yet been given.
Of the empty English store-ships, besides those already gone, there
are two, the Mermaid and the Hercules, sold to Americans; other two, the
Ann and the Ruparell, leaving to-day; and three, the Austen, Thistle, and
Coral, which are old and decayed, and may, it is requested, be sold and
broken up here.
There also still remains the Jane, which ship is prevented from de-
parting, because she has on board several persons driven out of Macao.
Elliot, therefore, requests that they may be permitted to return to their
houses, so that the ship may sail away.
In conclusion, Elliot has again to press upon the High Officers his
solemn declaration made in December last year, that the Government of
his nation will regard the lawless traffic on these coasts with deep concern
and indignation. In pursuance of this declaration, he proposed on his
return to Macao, in May last, to arrange measures for wholly separating
this traffic from the legal trade. And if now their Excellencies will cause
the honourable trade to be opened upon the footing he has proposed in his
address of the 14th of September, men, foreign and native, faithfully re-
solving to pursue a just trade, will no longer suffer heavy loss and injury
by reason of the conduct of sordid and reckless individuals.
Arrangements made by Elliot, as the officer of his nation, will be of
general effect and faithfully observed; separate arrangements made by
private individuals of his nation are entirely irregular, and can lead only
to confusion and disappointment.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 17 in No. 1.
The Commissioner and Governor of Canton to Captain Elliot.
LIN, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., and Tang, Governor of the
Two Kwang, &c., officers of the celestial Empire, issue their commands
to Elliot, the English Superintendent, for his full information.
Upon the 8th of October, we received from Tseang, the Acting Joint
Prefect at Macao, a representation that on the 6th of the month he had
received a memorandum from Elliot, which, although it contained answers
to the several particulars of the commands issued on the 28th of Sep-
tember, was in phraseology and tenor confused and indistinct,-showing
much changefulness and inconstancy; that while he had objected to it,
and required that a clear and distinct address should be sent in answer,
he respectfully forwarded the memorandum and requested commands.
thereupon.
Upon this representation reaching us, we perused the memorandum,
which we found to be unequal to the previous one in clearness and
perspicuity. And in our last commands, we having required that he
should reply in an address directly to ourselves, he yet merely sends
this memorandum to the Joint Prefect. The several important points
referred to in our commands, he, with evasive indistinctness, contrives to
elude, hoping to protract and delay measures. The Joint Prefect, in
speaking of his changefulness and inconstancy, has shown his own
D 2
20
clearness of perception of the said foreigner's inmost mind. We now
again earnestly and faithfully place before him in a clear light, the several
points of our previous commands; and allow three days for him to address
us in reply. If he again wander away from them, indulging idle expec-
tations, or go to the extreme of treating our commands as though he
heard them not, we cannot then refrain from declaring his offence, and
insisting on its punishment. The several particulars are arranged in
distinct order below.
First. In the matter of executing obligations, the said Superin-
tendent has addressed a request to us, that obedience may be paid; but
regarding the form of words required to be inserted therein, he desires to
wait till the 12th month. So long a delay it is difficult for us to grant.
The said Superintendent, too, has himself requested a searching of each
vessel. We will now join together the execution of obligations and the
search, making a modified arrangement. Those who are willing to
execute obligations according to the form prescribed, shall be allowed to
trade as usual, and it will be unnecessary further to search them. Those
who do not give the obligations, must conduct their vessels to Shakok
to be searched,—the manner of search to be thus: the foreign merchants
be required to take their goods out of such vessel, and remove them
entirely into lighters, and the deputed officers to search thoroughly both
the goods in the lighters, and the empty hold of the vessel. If any opium
be found, the offender who has brought it shall be executed according to
the law; and the vessel and goods shall be entirely confiscated to the
use of Government. If there really be no opium found, the vessel shall
in such case be allowed to trade. If willing to go to Whampoa, no further
deliberation will be required. If they do not go to Whampoa, it will still
be requisite to undergo measurement, and to pay the whole measurage
dues. The goods may be either conveyed into port by the parties them-
selves, or entrusted to the Hong merchant,—the foreigners being in this
left entirely to make their own election.
If they neither execute the required form of obligation, nor in
obedience hereto, empty their vessels to subject them to search, it will be
clear that they have opium on board their vessels; and assuredly they
shall not be suffered to smuggle it. Three days shall be allowed for their
entire expulsion, and return to their countries; and if, after three days
they still linger behind, of a surety, fire-vessels shall be immediately
manned and sent out, and their ships shall be destroyed by burning, and
the evil so put away. This variation in the mode of operation adopted
on this occasion, is really a modification beyond the bounds of rule,
granted in consideration for the protracted delay which all the vessels
have already suffered. While for Elliot it will present no difficulties, it
will serve clearly to separate the good from the bad among all the foreign
merchants, so that the one shall not involve the other.
As to vessels with cargoes hereafter arriving, they will all, without
reference to their having or not having executed the obligations to their
having or not having been searched, be required always, each time that
they come to Canton, to execute an obligation in the same form.
If they will not execute an obligation, or do not execute it according
to the prescribed form, they shall, upon no terms whatever, be admitted to
trade. Such vessels as in resistance hereof loiter about, shall be imme-
diately destroyed by burning. The form of obligation determined on, in
conformity with the present new law, is sent out written in Chinese, and
in the foreign language, for obedience to be paid to it. There must be no
irregularity or inconformity.
NOTE. The draft of a bond referred to in our former Edict, was
printed some time since by the foreigners. A copy made from the foreign
original is now sent for perusal*.
Secondly. In the case of the homicide of Lin-Weihe, the vessel in which
Matt f
* The inclosure here referred to, proved to be a copy of an English translation of the bond pro-
posed by the Commissioner, through the Hong Merchants, on the 4th of April last. His interpreter
would seem to have mistaken it for a bond proposed by the foreigners themselves.
Kumwan H
21
✓
the sailor is who committed the murder, has already become known to us,
the Commissioner and the Governor, by our careful investigations. As
soon as the witness is enabled to confront the parties, there will be no
difficulty in learning who the actual person is. In our previous Edict, we
allotted to the said Superintendent ten days, wherein to deliver him into
the hands of Government, and his present answer is still but empty words.
How much his heart is bent upon delay and elusion. Considering, how-
ever, that he was detained by the winds for several days, in his passage
over, we indulgently allot him a further period of ten days. If he continue
to reply with empty words, we, the Commissioner and Governor,
will surely
send naval vessels immediately, pointing out the ship in which the
murderer is, that they may take the master, merchant, mates, and seamen,
and bring them all up to be tried and examined. Then we will take out
the principal in the murder alone, to atone for his crime, while we will
send back the other offenders. It will be unnecessary longer to waste
words upon the said Superintendent.
Thirdly. Of the twelve store-ships to be expelled, besides the four
that have sailed, the Ann, which is to sail within seven days, and the
Mermaid, which it is stated has been sold to Americans, there are three,
the Austen, the Thistle, and the Coral, which are declared to be old and
disabled, and are therefore permitted as is requested, to be sold and
broken up; but it will be needful to fix a time, and speedily to appraise
and sell them off; a protracted delay cannot be allowed. There are also
three others, the Hercules, Jane, and Ruparell, regarding which, it is
stated, that the period of their sailing is not yet known. Such a state-
ment is highly confused and vague. It is commanded, that with utmost
diligence they be urged to leave, and that the periods of their departure
be with all truth reported. Further, the ship Lord Amherst having before
presumed, in violation of the regulations, to proceed to Macao, to repair,
and when again and again ordered away, not having at once left, and
after the completion of her repairs, having cruised about between Hong
Kong, Lintin, and Lantao, it is plain, since she had no goods on board to
trade with, that she was seeking clandestine ends. It is requisite that
she also be driven away. If she any longer disobey, she shall be burnt,
together with all the emptied store-ships that loiter about; and the parties
too shall be seized and dealt with. Let not the said Superintendent or
the ship-masters reserve to themselves cause for future repentance.
Fourthly. Of the sixteen depraved foreigners whose expulsion has
been demanded, there are six, Dent, A. Jardine. A. Matheson, Daniell,
Inglis, and Ilbery, who are reported as having already gone home.
Besides these, there are four, Framjee, Dadabhoy, Stanford, and Foster,
of whom it is merely said, that they will forthwith leave; but the day of
whose departure has not been named. Regarding Bomanjee, Matheson,
and Heerjeebhoy, it is said that a few days are requested, after which, the
time of their departure may be stated;—this is still more procrastinating.
For these three, Bomanjee, &c., &c., are the more noted of the dealers in
opium; and how can they be suffered longer to look around in expectation.
It is commanded that they be urged, with utmost diligence and haste
immediately to return to their countries. At the same time, let the periods
of their departure be truly reported. Further, there are two others,
Henry and D. Matheson, of whom it is represented that they have never
dealt in opium, and for whom the indulgent consideration of the high
officers is again requested. D. Matheson we find to be a nephew of
Jardine; and having, in reply to our representations, received the Imperial
pleasure that he be expelled, how can we show any indulgent sufferance.
But, as the said Superintendent has repeatedly declared that Henry has
never been a seller of opium, we indulgently grant his request, forbearing
for a season to require his expulsion, and only desiring that he shall be
kept under observation from time to time.
In conclusion, the commands which we, the Commissioner and the
Governor, have at various times given, have been no otherwise than in
pursuance of the principles of justice, or for the complete exhibition of
needed instruction and monition. Where has been the contumelious
language? As to what may be the power of that nation in comparison
22
with other nations, the celestial Empire cares not to inquire over much
Let not any thoughtless bragging representations be confusedly made. 1
These are our further commands.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 9th month, 2nd day (8th October, 1839.)
Inclosure.
[A form of bond in Chinese and English. The Chinese portion
translated is as follows]:-
A duly prepared bond. The English merchant ship-master, M. N.,
and foreign merchant, O. P., with the partners (or mates) and persons
receiving hire, now appear before the high officers of the celestial
Empire, and pledge themselves that their vessel has on board cargo
consisting of
which she has brought to Kwangtung
for purposes of commerce; that in trembling obedience to the new laws
established by the Emperor, they have not dared to bring any opium.
If it be discovered that their vessel has on board a single tael of opium,
they are ready to put forward the offender who has brought it, and to
leave him to the officers of the celestial Empire instantly to punish
capitally; as also to have the vessel and goods entirely confiscated to
Government, If it be found that they have not brought any opium, it
behoves them to solicit a gracious permission to trade as usual. The
good and evil being thus distinguished, they give in with willingness
their adhesion and submission. This their duly prepared earnest bond
is true.
Taoukwang, year, month, day.
The duly prepared bond of the English ship-master.
(Signed)
M. N.
O. P.
Q. R., &c., &c.
S. T., &c., &c.
Foreign merchant
Partners (or mates)
Hired men
True Translation.
(Signed)
""
""
""
J. ROBT. Morrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
[The following is the English portion of the proposed bond, being the
version made by the Commissioner's native interpreters]:-
A duly prepared bond.
The foreigner
under
Commander of ship
>
belong to
consign, present this to His Excellency the Great Govern-
ment of Heavenly Dynasty, and certificate that the said ship carry
goods, come and trade in Canton, I, with my officer, and the whole crew,
are all dreadfully obey the new laws of the Chinese Majesty's, that they
dare not bring any opium. If one little bit of opium was found out in
any part of my ship by examination, I am willing to deliver up the
transgressor, and he shall be punish according to the correctness of the
Government of Heavenly Dynasty, together with my ship and goods are
to be confiscate; but if there found no opium on my ship by examina-
tion, then I beg your Excellency's favour permit me to enter to
Whampoa, and trade as usual; so if there are distinguish between good
and bad, then I am willingly submit to your Excellency; and I now give
this as a true certificate of the same.
year,
moon,
day.
Taoukwang,
Persons who give this bond are, belong to
Name of Captain
of ship
of officers
of crew
23
Inclosure 18 in. No. 1..
Captain Elliot to the Commissioner and the Governor of Canton.
Hong Kong, October 13, 1839.
ELLIOT has this day had the honour to receive their Excellencies'
communication dated on the 8th instant.
The arrangements herein required Elliot plainly understands, and
it will be easy for him to settle all things immediately agreeably to their
Excellencies' pleasure.
Concerning the apprehension of the murderer of Lin-Weihe, he can.
only repeat that he will continue to use all diligence, and report to their
Excellencies, as soon as he is discovered, to the end that he may be placed;
on his trial.
Elliot will proceed to Macao on the 15th instant, for the
purpose of
concluding these affairs with the honourable officers. Elliot thanks their
Excellencies for their consideration regarding Henry.
(Signed)
Inclosure 19 in No. 1.
CHARLES ELLIOT.
RLE
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Macao, October 15, 1839.
ELLIOT begs to acquaint the Keun-Min-Foo that he has this day
arrived at Macao, for the arrangement of affairs.
He has already clearly reported the particulars respecting the persons
ordered away, and the departure of the remaining store-ships. And he
has now to request that the remainder of his countrymen may be allowed
to return to Macao immediately; in order that the cargo-ships may ask
for pilot-chops, and proceed to be examined and discharge their cargoes,
agreeably to the pleasure of the high officers. There are also other
arrangements to make which require the presence of the merchants of his
nation in concert with the Hong merchants; and much time is lost by the
frequent passage to and fro, between this and Hong Kong.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Inclosure 20 in No. 1.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Macao, October 22, 1839.
ELLIOT has the satisfaction to acquaint the Keun-Min-Foo, that he
has this day concluded an arrangement with the Hong merchants for the
opening of his nation's trade, in conformity with the pleasure of the high
officers.
He has now to request that orders may be given for the issue of pilot
chops, to convey the cargo-ships to be examined and discharged; and
that no obstruction may be made to the return of the merchants and their
families to Macao.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
f
+
24
Inclosure 21 in No. 1.
The Keun-Min-Foo to Captain Elliot.
TSEANG, Keun-Min-Foo at Macao, sends this communication to the
English Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
I have this moment received the Memorandum stating, that arrange-
ments for the trade have been upon consultation settled; and that the
giving of pilot-chops is now awaited, that the vessels may be conducted
to Shakok, to be searched and to discharge their cargoes, so that the
merchants and families of his nation may be enabled to return to Macao,
here quietly to dwell.
This having been duly received, I find, that although it appears from
this day's deliberations, that all the foreign merchants are willing to
undergo the removal and search of their goods, yet, no application having
been sent in for a passport, I do not know for what vessels any be
required; and how then shall I be able to issue such pilot-chops.
Regarding the English merchants and families, they must wait till I
shall forward a representation on their behalf to the high officers; and
shall receive in reply their commands, whether or not permission is to be
given them to return and reside at Macao. And when these shall be
received, they shall of course be made known, that obedience may be paid.
The said Superintendent, standing in an official post, and having a name
for intelligence in affairs, must by all means be quiet a little while, and
not be in a hurry. A special communication.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 9th month, 16th day (22nd October, 1839).
True Translation.
(Signed)
J. ROBT. MORRISON,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 22 in No. 1.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Macao, October 23, 1839.
ELLIOT has received the communication of the Keun-Min-Foo
dated yesterday, for which he thanks him.
He will report the names of the ships for which pilot-chops are
required, as soon as the merchants of his nation have come over and
arranged amongst themselves the order in which they are to go up.
And he hopes that there will be no further difficulties about the
servants or supplies, or the means of carrying on the communications as
usual with Canton.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Inclosure 23 in No. 1.
The Keun-Min-Foo to Captain Elliot.
TSEANG, Keun-Min-Foo, &c., sends this communication to the
English Superintendent, Elliot, for his full information.
A memorandum has this moment been handed to me, stating that
the said nation's cargo-ships must wait until all the merchants have
determined the choice of the vessels that shall first proceed to Shakok, to
undergo the removal and search of their cargoes, before they can report
the names and request pilot-chops; and soliciting that servants and
25
•
compradors may be given back as formerly; as also the passports for the
convenience of passing between Canton and Macao.
Having received this, I find, that although the said foreign merchants
are now willing to have their cargo-ships conducted to Shakok, there to
await the removal of their cargoes and search, yet no application has yet
been made for passports (or pilot-chops) as a commencement. So that
the compliance with the commands has not yet gone further than mere
words, and no act has yet been done. Under these circumstances, it is
inexpedient hastily to give the servants and compradors. If, indeed, the
said Superintendent will at once hasten all the cargo-ships with speed to
apply for their passports, and proceed to Shakok, to await the removal
and search of their cargoes; and if he will proceed eagerly to pay
obedience to all the other points of the commands resting on him, I
will most assuredly, request on his behalf, that the high officers will
permit the compradors and servants to be given back as formerly, and
that they will allow the licensed passage-boats to move between Canton
and Macao. And whenever such permission shall be received, I will of
course make the same known that it may be complied with. I certainly
will not intentionally cause any delay or difficulty. A special commu-
nication.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 9th month, 17th day (23rd of October, 1839).
True Translation.
(Signed)
J. ROBT. MORRISON,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 24 in No. 1.
The Prefect of Nanhiung Chow, and the Keun-Min-Foo, to Captain
Elliot.
YU, Prefect of Nanhiung Chow, &c., &c., and Tseang, Keun-Min-
Foo at Macao, &c., officers of the Celestial Empire, address this commni-
cation, in consequence of an official reply received, commanding to return.
It is on record, that we, in concert with the Hong merchants,
enjoined on the Superintendent and all the foreign merchants' commands
that bonds should be given, in accordance with the prescribed form, and
that they should proceed to Whampoa to trade. It appeared, afterwards,
from the said Hong merchants' representation, that the Superintendent
and the foreign merchants, were unwilling to give bonds in accordance
with the form prescribed, but were willing to request permits to proceed to
Anunghoy, and submit to a removal and thorough search of their cargoes.
In conformity with these statements, we transmitted a report, and have
this moment received the following reply thereto from the High Com-
missioner:
66
When I, the Commissioner, upon the 20th September, first issued my
commands, I set down in order these three things in the prior place,― the
surrender of opium,-the delivering up of the murderer, and the sending
home of the empty store-ships and the depraved foreigners. In all such
parts of my commands as related to the entrance of the vessels, I stated,
that if they should act obediently in each of the three preceding
particulars, it would then not be difficult to resolve on the granting of
favours. Let me ask now, if, at this moment, these three particulars have
indeed been duly arranged? And, though it may be said, that there is no
opium to be surrendered, and that the depraved foreigners and the empty
store-ships are being sent home, how is it that the principal murderer in
a most important case of homicide has been set aside, as not to be
inquired about? If, indeed, the said foreigners were to give the bonds in
accordance with the prescribed form, it might yet be suffered, that time
should be allowed to arrange that matter; but now, while it is far
otherwise, how shall the granting of permits be at once sanctioned?
Moreover, in my commands of the 9th of October, and Proclamation
E
Vlada
26
of the same date, it was declared, that this was a modification beyond
the bounds of rule, granted upon the present occasion, in consideration
for the protracted delay which all the vessels had suffered; that vessels
hereafter arriving would all be required to execute an obligation in
accordance with the form prescribed; that, if not according to the form,
they should upon no terms whatever be admitted to trade. But, from
what the foreign merchants now declare, it seems that hereafter, also,
they will be equally unwilling to execute the obligation; that their idea is
to continue selling opium. To what end, then, will the searching the
cargoes, upon the present occasion, tend?
66
'Regarding the crowding back to Macao of the foreign merchants and
their families, how can any encroaching be allowed, or indulgence be
shown, while these matters are yet in confusion? I require you immedi-
ately, in concert with the Commodore of the Heangshan station, and my
deputed officer, Le Suh, to act faithfully in driving them forth; and to urge
the Portuguese foreigners to join also in pushing them out of Macao:
their stay must not be suffered.
"The cargo-ships which do not give the bonds on this occasion, must
yet, in accordance with my former commands, be interrogated; whether
or not they will give the bond according to the prescribed form upon the
next occasion: and they must be required severally to give certificates.
Such as will express their willingness to give the bond, may on the pre-
sent occasion, be allowed to await search. If they are unwilling on any
after occasion to give the bond, it will be better they should on this occa-
sion return home, and they shall be required within three days to take
their departure; they must not be allowed to stay, hesitating and indulg-
ing idle expectations. To such, the Keun-Min-Foo must not presume to
give permits.
(6
Regarding the murderer in the case of homicide, Elliot must still, as
in my former reply, be required to send up for trial the five men detained
by him. If he continue to oppose and delay, I must call upon the naval
Commander-in-Chief, to procced at the head of his war-vessels and fire-
ships, as also of the land soldiery encamped at all the various points of
ingress, that they may join in seizing the murderous foreigner, making it
imperative on them to bring him up for trial and punishment; and at the
same time to search for and apprehend all the traitorous Chinese in shelter
and concealment on board the various ships. And when they are brought
to submission, it will be then time to consider of regulations for their
search and admission into the Port.
"I, the Commissioner, am sworn on behalf of the celestial Empire, to
remove utterly this root of misery; nor will I let the foreign vessels have
any offshoot left for the evil to bud forth again."
We also received the following reply from the Governor.
"I find that Elliot having with all the foreigners repaired to Macao to
deliberate, the Hong merchants distinctly warned and instructed them
relative to the difficulties attending the removal of the cargoes, and the
injury that must result therefrom. The whole tribe of these foreigners
cannot be entirely without men of intelligence. How then is it that in
consequence of Elliot's keeping them out, they willingly conform to his
wishes; and when Daniell as a bystander, gave them advice, they still
held obstinately to their previous determination? This proceeding of
Elliot's, holding all in bondage to his single opinion, is most detestable.
6
"The object of requiring the cargo-ships to execute the obligations
and proceed to Whampoa, is to cut off entirely the introduction of opium in
them. If they cannot give the bond in accordance with the form, then it
needs no words to show that they are craftily scheming to screen them-
selves for a season; and to this how can any approaches be suffered, by
admitting them into Whampoa to trade? Besides, the words, the
parties immediately executed,' inserted in this form of bond, have refer-
ence to such foreigners as may bring opium. If they, indeed, bring none,
and executed the obligation in the prescribed form, they are then good
foreigners, keepers of the law, and will assuredly not be causelessly
involved in trouble. What loss or hurt will they then suffer?
"With reference to the removal and searching of the cargoes, not only
27
are there the difficulties of transport which may readily give rise to injury
and loss, but also, though on the present occasion a temporary discharge
of cargoes be obtained, yet is not this by any means a good measure for
a continued course of trade.
"Of late from Kwangai on the west coast, and from Pinghai and
Kushi on the east coast, reports have been forwarded of foreign vessels
sailing about, or lying at anchor. It is manifest that the ships at Hong
Kong, in consequence of the permission to trade upon undergoing search,
have sent away their opium, to be secretly conveyed for sale to the east-
ward or westward, between which proceeding and the selling it at Hong
Kong there is no difference. But if the obligation not being entered into
according to the form prescribed, vessels simply submit to the search, not
only in such cases will the parties who bring the opium be taken and
executed, whenever any is found on board of these searched ships, but
also whenever it is by seizure ascertained that opium has been put on
board any boats, to be sent to the eastern or western coast of China in
quest of a market, it shall be inquired who brought it; and in that event
also the very parties shall be taken and executed. It will be vain,
foolishly to expect indulgence or remission, on pretext of the vessel having
previously undergone search. I require that these considerations be
severally and strictly impressed in a clear proclamation."
Having received these commands, and finding that there have been
repeated orders from their Excellencies, placing in succession in the prior
place, these three things, the surrender of the opium,-the delivering up of
the murderer,—and the sending back of the empty store-ships and the
depraved foreigners. If, indeed, in each of these three particulars,
obedience were paid, then in regard to the cargo vessels and the proceed-
ing to Whampoa, it would be possible to give consideration and, in a
measure, to grant favours. But at this time, the newly-arrived opium has
none of it been delivered; nor has the murderous foreigner been given up
and even as regards the depraved foreigners that are to be expelled, one of
them, Stanford, yet remains: of the store-ships, two, the Ruparell and the
Jane, still delay to take their departure; while the three reported as
rotten, the Austen, Thistle, and Coral, have not yet left Hong Kong to
seek for opportunity of being sold and broken up. Thus, instance upon
instance is given of unwarrantable trifling and delay.
were
That the merchant-vessels after giving the bond should get per-
mission to proceed to Whampoa, was ruled, with the view of preventing
the introduction in them of opium. It being apprehended that the
foreigners entertained fears and anxieties, their Excellencies
graciously pleased to issue clear and perspicuous orders, showing that
should opium be discovered, except the taking and executing of the
depraved foreigners who imported it, none others should be involved, so
that the good and the evil might be distinguished. The command after-
wards issued, allowing search (as a substitute for the bond) was in con-
sequence of the Superintendent's representation, that if it were absolutely
necessary to execute obligations, according to the form prescribed, it
would be requisite to wait till the arrival of letters from His Sovereign,
before he would comply. The high officers feeling indulgent considerations
for the ships with cargoes that had so long remained at anchor on the deep
sea, and having apprehension that the cargoes might become spoiled, or
injured by mould, made a modified arrangement beyond the bounds of rule,
from motives of compassion towards the foreign merchants. But it now
appears that the said Superintendent's statement,-that it is requisite to wait
for letters from His Sovereign before complying, is not to be believed. For
if it be necessary to wait for letters from His Sovereign, before giving such
bonds, how is it that the ship Thomas Coutts has already given the bond
according to the prescribed form, and proceeded to Whampoa?
then, the ship-master and shippers on this vessel men of your English
nation? It is plain, that with regard to this ship Thomas Coutts, the
self confidence that there was no opium brought in her made the parties
upright in their principle, strong in spirit, without fear or anxiety. And
as soon as the deputed officers had made search, and found that there
was no cause to detain or trouble her, the bond was executed; and no
sooner did she arrive, than she obtained her passport, and was at liberty
to proceed to Whampoa. How direct and speedy! How respectable!
Are not,
E 2
28
We imagine that all the foreign merchants, fully knowing that such
would have been the treatment, would have found no difficulty in paying
obedience. But Elliot obstinately, adhering to his own views, has
deceived and stirred up into contumacy and disobedience all the foreign
merchants. Yet can there not be wholly wanting among all of them as
many as one or two men of intelligence; but only because the substitution
of search has been allowed, they hope to scheme clandestinely to
transport, and so effect sales of their opium, little thinking that whenever
it shall be seized it will be ascertained what foreigner has brought it,
and such foreigner shall be taken and executed. How can he, on the
ground that his vessel has undergone search, be so lucky as to escape
from the net of the law. It is clear that the cargo-ships, if they
really are not guilty of having brought opium, may at once execute
the bond in the form required, without trouble or impediment to
themselves. If guilty of bringing opium, and sending it off for
sale, though they should not execute the bond, yet when it is other-
wise discovered they will incur heavy punishment. Thus, the two
expressions, "ship and cargo confiscated, and the parties immediately
executed," have reference specially to depraved foreigners who introduce
opium. Such as are really good foreigners conducting an honourable
trade, why should they be over anxious? As compared with the search-
ing which involves both much waste of time, and also the difficulties of
transportation, leading readily to injury and loss, is it not far more
speedy and convenient to give the bond in the form required?
As regards the various matters, the arrangement of which is at
present commanded, none have yet been rightly arranged. How then can
the various foreigners crowd back to Macao? And, what is still more
improper, some have brought back their families. While we write to the
Commodore of the Heangshan station, and to the deputed officer, the Sub-
Prefect, Le, that they may expel them, we also copy the replies of their
Excellencies, requiring acquaintance with their contents.
As soon as this communication reaches the said Superintendent, let
him immediately pay obedience to the matter of their Excellencies' replies,
and speedily deliver up at once the murderous foreigner; let him also send
home all the depraved foreigners and opium store-ships. If the cargo-
ships will give the required form of bond in the same manner as Warner's
ship has done, they shall then be permitted to proceed to Whampoa. Such
as are unwilling to give the bond and proceed to Whampoa, are required
within three days to start off home. All the foreigners and foreign
women are instantly to leave. In none of these particulars let any idle
expectations be indulged, causing procrastination and so involving
seizure and investigation. Let the said Superintendent report to us the
measures he will take in obedience hereto, that we may report the same
for thorough arrangement. Be speedy! Be speedy! A special commu-
nication!
Taoukwang, 19th year, 9th month, 20th day (26th October, 1839).
True Translation.
(Signed)
J. ROBT. MORRISON,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 25 in No. 1.
Captain Elliot to the Keun-Min-Foo.
Macao, October 26, 1839.
THE commands now received from their Excellencies being of great
importance, it is needful to wait until they can be translated, so that the
wishes of their Excellencies may be clearly perceived, and the state of
affairs fully known by all.
Regarding the person who caused the death of Lin-Weihe, Elliot
has no knowledge. The five persons guilty of the offence of riot, have
been already on clear and complete evidence adjudged, and have been
sent home to receive their punishment,-imprisonment and fine.
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
29
Inclosure 26 in No. 1.
The Prefect of Nanhiung Chow and the Keun- Min-Foo to Captain Elliot.
October 26, 1839.
YU, &c., and Tseang, &c., officers of the Celestial Empire, send this
communication to the English Superintendent Elliot, for his perusal and full
information.
Upon the 25th instant, we received a reply from the High Imperial
Commissioner to our address, forwarding copies of two memoranda from the
said Superintendent, and of two communications sent to him. The following is
the reply.
'The memorandum which Elliot before sent to the said Joint Prefect, was
with the design of causing all the ships to give obligations, with his own bond
added thereto, after which search should be submitted to; but it wanted the
words, "the parties immediately executed." I, the Commissioner with the
Governor, treated them with sincerity of purpose, and promised, that if they
would indeed subscribe the bond in the form prescribed, they should not need
to undergo search. This was a mean of leading them into a direct and speedy
road, to bind them by the force of good faith and justice. But the foreigners,
not knowing good from bad, cast aside the easy to take up the difficult; and
went so far as to make the pretext of sailors carrying it, to preserve for themselves
grounds whereon to smuggle. For this reason it became the more necessary to
be in the highest degree close and strict. It becomes requisite that one or two
should be brought to execution before the rest can be cautioned. How can they
be suffered, before the fixing of regulations, at once to hurry forward to request
permits? I would ask you, what cause there could be to put yourselves in a
hurry for these foreigners, when, after having been held back by Elliot, and not
permitted to enter the port for more than half a year, till the main part of their
goods must have suffered from mould, they still have not yet learned to dread
the fire, but seek-so perverse and deceitful are they-to encroach upon our
defensive guard? Besides the requesting of permits has reference to the ships
entering the port. On this occasion are the ships, indeed, after the removal
and search, to enter the port? And, do all the foreign merchants and Elliot
consider of returning all of a sudden? From first to last you officers have
made no inquir yon these points;-how great your remissness!
I find that the goods at Hong Kong have of late been secretly committed
to the Americans, to be conveyed by them into port, to an amount, I know not
how great. If search be requisite, the Americans must first be hindered from
carrying the good sin for them,-as I have said in my reply to another address.
And besides this, the items to be introduced into a series of regulations are not
few. How then can hastiness and confusion be suffered?
I, the Commissioner, reckoned that to search a vessel thoroughly would
require five days; so that taking forty as the number of vessels, two hundred
days would necessarily elapse before the whole search could be completed.
Before its completion, the English foreigners, whether families or others, cannot
be permitted to return to Macao, and their supplies must still be with strictness
cut off. What further then need be said of compradores and servants? But
if the bonds be given in accordance with the form prescribed, then everything,
without exception, may be as usual. Thus Warner's vessel, having been the
first to enter the port, and the cargo merchant Daniel, having been first in
obtaining a permit to proceed to Canton, an established form is here; and what
is the difficulty in acting in conformity and obedience? Furthermore, I, the
Commissioner, having in two former replies to addresses gone over each par-
ticular with distinctness, how is it my words are set aside as if unheard? I
require of you immediately to report in answer hereto, and, in compliance with
my former reply, to drive forth with severity the English foreigners who have
successively returned to Macao. If the bond be not settled, there can by no
means be any indulgence allowed. We further received an official reply from
the High Imperial Commissioner, to a joint representation made by us, of the
American ship-master Fokwang having purchased an empty Indian store ship,
30.
in order to convey cargo to Whampao, to trade with. The following is the tenor
of the reply:-
The Indian store-ship Mermaid, having come to Kwang-tung for the
warehousing of opium, has remained so long as six years. Having in this spring
delivered up the opium on board, she should have been immediately driven back
to her country; but she has been delayed here at pleasure until now.
It were
difficult to ensure that during this time there have been no clandestine sales of
opium made by her; and had she been fallen in with by the naval war-vessels,
she must have been burnt, as was the Virginia, for a warning of punishment.
The ship having now been sold to others, it is still needful to ascertain if the
goods on board are of a legitimate nature, before determining regarding her.
From this representation it appears that the American foreign merchant who
has purchased this vessel, Delano, has also purchased cotton and other cargo from
the country ship [Charles Grant] Pitcairn, and has requested a passport to
proceed to Whampoa. I, the Commissioner, having carefully investigated the
circumstances, find them attended with much precipitancy and confusion, and it
is difficult to sanction them.
Now, after the delivery of the opium this year, it was required that of all
the cargo ships of every nation, that they should execute bonds according to the
new law; distinctly setting down, that if any brought opium, the men should
immediately be executed, and the ship and cargo confiscated to Government.
Afterwards, the American ship having been the first to enter the port, on the
11th of June, at which time the particulars of the new law had not been pro-
mulgated, the terms used in their bond were somewhat confused and indistinct;
and all the vessels successively arriving, the same continued onward without
alteration. But now the new law has already been received, wherein it is said,
that any foreigners bringing opium to the innerland, shall be immediately
executed; the principals by decapitation, the accomplices by strangulation; and
the ship and cargo shall be wholly confiscated to Government. All must,
therefore, execute the obligation in the form prescribed. At present there are,
the Indian ship-master Warner, and cargo-owner Daniell, who have distinctly
written it in the form prescribed, and proceeded to Whampoa to trade. Herein
may be perceived the unsuspicious and clear mind wherewith they conduct an
honourable traffic, and therefore they have been treated with a redoubled degree
of kindness. Consider how, seeing that the Indian country vessels have given
the bond after the prescribed form, a just equality can be maintained, if the
Americans should not give it in the same form! All American ships hereafter
arriving, shall be required to give the bond in this form, ere they shall be per-
mitted to proceed to Whampoa; and still more will it be impossible to allow
this ship to enter the port, if the bond be not written in the prescribed form;
seeing that she has been a country store-ship now empty, and that her cargo is
now cotton, taken from on board a country ship. Moreover the Superintendent
Elliot, having now requested that the country cargo ships may be searched by
officers, it becomes necessary that distinct limitations should be set. If
American ships import for the country ships their cargoes, it is the more
necessary that the bond should be given in the form prescribed, ere they receive
permission to go to Whampoa; and if not so, they must remain among the
number of the country ships, and undergo search: the Americans shall not be
allowed to import for them. Thus perfect truth may be obtained herein, and
the general accord be freely given.
Besides addressing the Naval Commander-in-Chief that he may send war
vessels from Shakok, to intercept the ship Mermaid and to require of her to
give the bond as prescribed, before she be allowed to proceed to Whampao;
besides also writing to the Governor and to the Superintendent of Customs,
that they may examine into the matter; I likewise require that commands be
enjoined on the English and American Superintendents, foreign merchants and
the Hong merchants, Howqua and the others, that one and all may pay
obedience without opposition.
Having received this, we, besides giving orders severally to all the American
merchants, and to the Hong merchants, that they may one and all pay obedience,
proceed at the same time to communicate the same for information. On this
communication reaching the said Superintendent, it will be his imperative duty
to pay implicit obedience to the matter of his Excellency's reply. For all the
cargo ships there are, it must be required to subscribe bonds in the same form
31
as Warner has done for his ship. They will then be permitted to proceed to
Whampoa; and all other matters, without exception, may also be arranged as
usual. As compared with the removal and search, how much more speedy and
straight-forward! They must not be allowed secretly to commit their cargoes
the
to Americans to import for them. If the giving of bonds be not settled,
English foreigners who have successively returned to Macao, must with all speed
be required, one and all, to leave it, nor be allowed in the least degree to linger,
so as to involve seizure and investigation. In all these things be there no
opposition. Be speedy! be speedy! A special communication.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 9th month, 20th day (26th October, 1839.)
True Translation.
(Signed)
J. ROBT. MORrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
'
Inclosure 27 in No. 1.
The Commissioner's Deputies to Captain Elliot.
October 27, 1839.
YU, &c., and Tseang, &c., Officers of the Celestial Empire, send this
communication to Elliot, the English Superintendent, for his perusal and
information.
The said Superintendent has presented a memorandum of the following
tenor:
"The commands now received from their Excellencies being of great
importance, it is needful to wait until they can be translated, so that the wishes
of their Excellencies may be clearly perceived, and the state of affairs fully
known by all.
Regarding the person who caused the death of Lin Weihe, Elliot has
no knowledge. The five persons guilty of the offence of riot, have been already,
on clear and complete evidence adjudged; and have been sent home to receive
their punishment-imprisonment and fine."
Whatever is contained in the commands of their Excellencies is always of
importance. He is desired immediately, and with all speed, to have these
commands translated, that all may have knowledge thereof. It is imperatively
necessary that in each particular, obedience should speedily be paid, and matters
securely arranged, without the least delay.
Regarding the murderous foreigner, who killed Lin Weihe the commands
of the high officers have repeatedly required his delivery,-nor this a few times
only. And I, Yu, have been specially sent to urge the same. But the said
Superintendent has this long while resisted his delivery, and has thus aroused
the indignation of their Excellencies; so that in August last they assembled
from various quarters the governmental soldiery, and brought them to Macao,
stopping the supplies of the English foreigners, and inspiring great dread of
their power. How is it that the said Superintendent remains yet devoid of fear
and alarm!
We find, moreover, that in the repeated papers before sent in by him, he
always made it his pretext, that although five persons had been apprehended,
they had not yet been tried: that as soon as the truth should on trial be elicited,
he would respectfully request officers to witness their punishment; and thus he
vaguely and confusedly turned the matter over, scheming to gain time. Then,
the commands of the high officers were received, requiring the said Super-
intendent, since he could not elicit the facts by trial, to hand over to the
officers the five men whom he had apprehended; that, the whole minds of the
officers being applied to the drawing forth of the evidence, it might be ascer-
tained which person had struck a blow causing a wound, and where the wound
had been inflicted,-whereby it would not have been difficult to discover the
truth, as the stones are discovered when the tide falls.
32
1
On the 21st of this present month, I, Yu, received the subjoined reply
from the high officers :-"Concerned as murderers in the capital case, there
are, according to Elliot's statements, five persons and I, the Imperial Com-
missioner, have represented to the Emperor, that from among these five must
be discovered one principal murderer to answer it with his life; that it is proper
to compel the giving up of these five men to be tried; and that if Elliot
secretly liberate these five men, he, Elliot, shall be immediately apprehended,
and brought to an investigation." We at once had the same correctly copied
out, and put in the hands of a merchant well acquainted with the foreign tongue,
requiring him to interpret and explain it sentence for sentence, urging the
speedy delivery of the men for trial. How is it that the said Superintendent
has set it quite aside, regardless of it! And now that he declares, that the
five persons guilty of the offence of riot have been already on clear and com-
plete evidence adjudged,—since it is plain, without further question, that the
principal murderer must have been among these five, how comes he to make
the absurd statement, that they have been sent home to receive their punishment,
-imprisonment and fine? From the hope thus shown of confusing the matter,
it is manifest he has the purpose to shelter and conceal the criminals. The
said Superintendent, standing in the position of an officer, how is it he knows
not the rule, that he who kills a man shall forfeit his life! These foreigners,
being within the territory of the Celestial Court, when guilty of an offence,
should submit to puuishment by the officers of the Celestial Court, as is already
established by a series of ancient precedents. And the more so, as this case
has been laid before the Emperor. If the matter be longer deferred and trifled
with, the Celestial terrors and dreadful wrath will be aroused. Can the said
Superintendent, we would ask, bear this heavy criminality?
We proceed again to send this communication, on the receipt whereof, by
the said Superintendent, let him at once proceed to deliver up for trial the
murderous foreigners; and at the same time give in, forthwith, a true list of
the names and surnames of the five persons, and of the vessels on board which
they were sailors. And in the several matters on which we have repeatedly
written to him, let him speedily pay obedience, and arrange each matter rightly,
that we may have it in our power to report the same. Be there no contumacy,
bringing criminality on his own head. Be speedy! be speedy! A special
communication.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 9th month, 21st day (27th October, 1839.)
True Translation.
(Signed) J. ROBT. MORRISON,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
66
Inclosure 28 in No. 1.
The Commissioner through his Deputies to Captain Elliot.
Công
October 27, 1839.
YU, &c., and Tsiang, &c., officers of Kwangtung, in the Celestial Empire,
send this communication.
We have received the following reply from his Excellency the Imperial
Commissioner:-
Upon this occasion, Elliot and all the foreigners having repaired to
Macao to deliberate, the Hong merchants distinctly and fully instructed them
regarding the difficulties of trans-shipment, and the destruction that the
cargoes would undergo: this was no other than the most sincere treatment,
wishing that they should be benefited, not injured. And there was Daniell,
who had been foremost to execute the bond and send in his vessel, standing by
and advising them. How can it be that the said foreigners were all unwilling
to listen! But this it is, that Elliot has despotically held them back, and while
those of the foreigners who bring opium have joined themselves to him, the
foolish and the ignorant of them have been overpowered by Elliot's crafty talk ;
and, though vexed and disappointed, dare not oppose.
"It is not, however, considered that I, the Commissioner, in my former
33
:
proclamation, stated plainly, that hereafter all vessels would be required to
execute the obligations in the form prescribed; that if not according to the
prescribed form, they should upon no terms whatever be admitted to trade and
that such vessels as should, in resistance to my commands, loiter about, should
be immediately destroyed by burning. I would ask, then, whether these
foreigners wish to conduct a permanent trade, or seek merely to arrange for the
removal and search of their cargoes on this occasion, not desiring to have any
trade afterwards? This, too, is not considered, that Daniell, having been the
Company's fourth Supercargo, his station, naine, and prospects, are they not
equal to Elliot's! Why is it, then, that these foreigners do not follow Daniell,
and execute the bond, but choose rather to submit to Elliot's despotism?
"Now the punishment of death is appointed with special reference to those
foreigners who bring opium. If, in truth, they do not bring opium, what hurt
or loss is there, since, though the word 'execution' is in the bond, yet no
offence involving execution lies against the persons? But if the cargoes be
subjected to the trans-shipment and search, the scattering about, washing away,
and destruction of goods will be such as to cause very great loss. Those that
are good foreigners, then, must desire the bond, and not the removing search.
But the depraved foreigners, who aim at selling opium, fearing that they will
incur the heavy punishment, dare not give the bond in the form prescribed.
This is the way, then, in which the good and the bad can be distinguished.
66
I, the Commissioner, have, by my inquiries, learned, that of late the
vessels at Hong-Kong have in great numbers sent away schooners with opium,
to proceed stealthily to the eastward and westward, there to dispose of it.
Thus from Kwanghai to the westward, the visits of four vessels have been
reported; and from Pinghae to the eastward the visits of three vessels; all of
which have been pursued by the naval vessels in those places stationed, and
have thereupon fled and made their escape. And besides these there must be
others afterwards reported. Thus the depraved foreigners, when they found
there were commands permitting the search of their vessels, immediately took
the opium that was on board of them, and removed it into these schooners,
sending the poison flowing eastward and westward. Between this and the
selling opium at Hong-Kong, what is the difference? But, if they do not sign
the prescribed bond, but only submit to search, not merely will those who bring
opium be executed, whenever the opium may be found on board the vessels in
which they are; but also, should it have been put on board schooners, to be con-
veyed to the eastern or western coasts of China, in quest of a market, as soon
as discovery and seizure shall be made, it will be inquired what foreigner has
brought it, and the actual person shall be executed. It will be vain for him to
hope for indulgence and leniency, on the pretext of his vessel having before
undergone search. Let the officers to whom this is addressed, make this point
known with severity and earnestness; and ascertain what reply all the foreigners
will make to it. If the foreign merchants are willing to act in obedience to my
commands, and Elliot continues to hinder them, it will certainly be requisite
immediately to seize Elliot and send him before me, the Commissioner, to
await severe treatment. There must be no encroachment—no indulgence. Be
earnest! Be earnest!"
We have further received the following reply from his Excellency the High
Commissioner:-
"In the three addresses that I have consecutively received from you, I find
that my deputy makes it his chief object to bring his mission to an end; that
the Joint Prefect makes it his chief aim to have the ships apply for passports;
that the English foreigners make it their chief end to return to Macao; while
with me, the Commissioner, the prime and chief object is, the obtaining of the
bonds. If they cannot be compelled to give the bonds according to the pre-
scribed form, then none of the other three things shall be allowed.
"Here is the instance, now, of the ship Mermaid, to which the Joint
Prefect yesterday stated that he had given a passport. This vessel arriving
to-day at Lankeet, I, the Commissioner, requested the naval Commander-in-
Chief to send his Commodore, and a subordinate officer, to declare my com-
mands to her, whereon immediate obedience was paid, and the bond given in the
form required. By this it may be seen that these foreigners are not unteach-
able; but it shows what is the degree of force, or lack of it, with which my
commands have been impressed.
F
34
"That the English foreigners should not be allowed hastily to return to
Macao, I have in repeated instances declared, and commanded and urged their
speedy expulsion. How can you still prefer a request for their return, stating
that all these foreigners say, that all things are now arranged agreeably to my
commands! Let it be asked, are the bonds given? Is the murderer delivered
up?
Of other matters I say nothing. I require that they speedily and with
severity be driven out. Suffer no longer delay or addition to their numbers,
that you bring not investigation on yourselves also."
These replies having been received by us, we proceed to send this commu-
nication. When it reaches the said Superintendent, let him immediately act in
obedience to the commands of his Excellency, and speedily arrange rightly each
matter. If he longer resist, and refuse obedience, it will be impossible for us to
connive thereat. We can but pay trembling obedience to his Excellency's
commands; and in concert with the deputed military officers, put ourselves at
the head of the military and police, surround all the foreigners, each by name,
and send them to the presence of his Excellency the Commissioner, to await
severe treatment. The said Superintendent bears a name for knowledge of
affairs; let him not continue obstinately blind from first to last, so bringing
shame and disgrace on himself. With earnestness-with earnestness. A spe-
cial communication.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 9th month, 21st day (October 27, 1839).
True Translation.
(Signed)
J. ROBT. MORRISON,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 29 in No. 1.
The Commissioner and the Governor of Canton to Captain Elliot.
October 27, 1839.
LIN, High Imperial Commissioner, &c., and Tang, Governor of the two
Kwang, &c. &c., give commands to the English Superintendent Elliot, for his
full information.
On the 14th October, we received from the said Superintendent a repre-
sentation, of the following tenor:-"The arrangements required are plainly
understood; and it will be not difficult to arrange all things agreeably thereto.
Concerning the apprehension of the murderer of Lin Weihe, Elliot will report
to their Excellencies as soon as he is discovered, to the end that he may be
placed on his trial. He will proceed to Macao on the 15th instant, for the pur-
pose of concluding these affairs."
We, the Commissioner and the Governor, considering that on this occa-
sion he would surely arrange matters in obedience to our commands, and the
form of obligation before given by the said Superintendent being in general
nowise different from, and wanting only the addition of a few words to assimilate
it to, the required form; moreover, Warner, a ship master, and Daniell, a cargo
owner of the said nation, having executed the bond, the form of it clear and
distinct, in no way presenting any difficulties, so that it was the more easy for
him to declare it to all the foreign merchants, and require their compliance;
under these circumstances, who would have thought that the said Superintend-
ent still would not command them to comply and execute the bond duly; but
would merely declare their readiness to be searched! He does not in the
least consider, that, when this request to search was inserted by the said Super-
intendent among his propositions, a month before; and when he furthermore
stated that all the vessels should each be required to execute a bond, before
being permitted to trade, and then should be subjected to search besides ;—we,
the Commissioner and the Governor, had it been unnecessary for us to resolve
on a form of bond, might have permitted the proposition at once to go into
operation; and why then should we so often have issued our commands, or in
so many ways have admonished?
G
-
The grounds of our conduct were truly these:-The merchant ships of the
said nation having, in the first instance, been hindered by you, and delayed for
half a year, if now they should be required to tranship all their cargoes, and be
35
subjected to search, each large vessel would require fifty or sixty chop-boats
completely to unload her; so that, as there now remain only some tens of chop-
boats within the river, and as the passage to and from, in the transport of their
cargoes, would take at the least five days ere a vessel could be entirely
emptied, it would thus require 200 days, the number of vessels being reckoned
at forty, before the search could be finished. And could all the foreign
merchants indeed wait 200 days before carrying on their trade? Or could all
their families indeed wait 200 days before returning to Macao? This was one
difficulty.
Again, in the removal of the cargoes and search, it would be impossible to
allow unfaithfulness; and it would be requisite, not regarding whether an article
were of a coarse or fine description, to take off the lashings and count each
article; or if very coarse and heavy, it would be requisite to insert an iron probe
to ascertain if there were any opium within. The insertion of the iron probe
could not but injure a portion, and the unlashing of the packages must needs
cause some loss. Add to this the tossing about on the sea, with winds and
waves inconstant, and the consequent washing away and destruction of the
goods,—a circumstance of common occurrence. Here was a second difficulty.
And after the search, when the lighters should carry the cargoes into the
port, it would be necessary to have at least two persons accompanying each
boat; and so, each large ship dividing its cargo among fifty or sixty lighters, it
would be requisite to send away about 100 men.
And could each vessel have so
many men to send? If they should not send persons to accompany the boats, it would
be hard to insure that nothing should be lost; and as the Chinese officers would
have no means of recovering what was so lost, to give tongue about it would
then be of no avail. On the arrival, too, of the boats at Whampoa and at Can-
ton, the goods, being put into the hands of others, could not be under the
parties' own control. This was a third difficulty.
We, the Commissioner and the Governor, loving and compassionating
all the foreigners, and being unwilling that they should suffer this loss, therefore
resolved to arrange for them a mode of operation, by which, such as woula
execute the bond in the form prescribed, should be allowed to escape the
search,—thus leading them in a path, short and convenient, and showing them
the full weight of faithfulness and justice. Such a disposition would we extend,
indeed, to all the foreigners; but these foreigners still will not understand, and
are willing to undergo the trouble of being searched. And when we examine,
what are their stupid and obscure thoughts; we find only that they regard as ill-
looking the words "the parties immediately executed." They will not con-
sider that when "execution" is spoken of, it is in sole reference to those per-
sons who bring opium. If they indeed bring none, what obstruction or difficulty
can there be to the execution of the bond? Thus Daniell, having executed the
bond, and sent his ship to Whampao, he was immediately at liberty to trade.
And thus, the Americans having bought the store-ship Mermaid, and the cotton
of the country ship Charles Grant, upon bringing to Chuenpee, did yesterday, in
like manner, give the bond in the form prescribed, and proceeded to Whampoa,
without requiring to be searched. Is not this a direct, straightforward, and
respectable mode of proceeding? The unwillingness to execute the bond in the
form prescribed, is plain evidence of the desire to continue_smuggling. This
disposition is too clear to render necessary any inquiry. But they forget to
consider how impossible, when the opium is discovered, it will be to have the
luck to escape instant destruction.
Nor is this all. Of late the ships at Hong Kong have been in the practice
of clandestinely sending their opium away in schooners, to the eastward and the
westward, to be disposed of. This is nowise different from selling it on the spot.
In the present measures for discovering it, not only will the parties bringing
opium be executed whenever it may be found on board their vessels, but when-
ever, by the apprehension of persons sent in schocners to sell the opium, to the
eastward or the westward, it shall be discovered what persons have brought it,
those persons shall equally be executed. Thus, then, the punishment will be
the same, though the bond be not executed as prescribed. Of what longer use
then is the anxious haste of these foreigners to escape?
The other day, the said Superintendent joined to himself several foreign
merchants, to repair to Macao and deliberate. This would seem as though
these men were such as had an acquaintance with affairs, and that this was the
F 2
36
cause of consulting them. But I have heard that they had the daring presump-
tion to carry forcibly their opinions, that they were foremost in contumacy and
opposition, and that they employed coercion to prevent the smaller merchants
giving the bond. How exceedingly hateful is such perverse and obstinate exer-
cise of compulsion! There can be no doubt from this that they are depraved
individuals, engaged in the sale of opium. We, the Commissioner and the
Governor, before did indeed determine to give a modified arrangement: but
now, since we have become aware of these circumstances, we assuredly cannot
bear with their contumacy and trifling. Those foreign merchants who went to
Macao, to lord it in the deliberations, being unwilling to give the bond,-all of
them must be refused permission to trade, and be compelled to take their
departure to return to their countries.
It is requisite you should know that the permission which the Celestial
Court gives you to trade here, arises from the principle of showing tenderness
towards men from afar. If you fail to obey implicitly the laws, what will be the
difficulty of cutting off your commerce?
With reference to the expulsion, on the previous occasion, of the said
foreigners from Macao, and the inhibition of their being supplied,—it was
declared at the time, that when they should give up the murderous foreigner, in
the case of homicide, and in every particular should fully obey the laws, they
should then be allowed to return to Macao. But now, not only has the mur-
derous foreigner not been delivered up, but also in the matter of the bond, they
are acting with all this contumacy and opposition. And yet the said foreigners
are crowding back to Macao, and bringing their families back with them. How
can they be suffered there to remain and dwell! Orders have been given to the
civil and military there to drive them forth with severity; and at the barrier
and other places the governmental soldiery are to be stationed. If they again
delay and do not depart, they shall, of a surety, be immediately encompassed
and seized.
Again, it appears from a report now received from the Magistrate of Sin-
ning, that, on the 26th of September, four foreign vessels, of different sizes, were
off Pakshik Kok, near Kwarghai; and that their people killed Le Yusien, an
unoffending native, with a spear, (or musket,) and cast his body on the water;
that then, passing into the (native) vessel, with swords in their hands, they
struck down and wounded Choo Hungan, and two other unoffending natives,
and cut off the tails of seven men. When the war-vessels then came up in pur-
suit, the foreign vessels, taking an eastward course, escaped to sea, and again
returned to Hong Kong. Most wonderful and astonishing are these things!
Off the coast of Kwanghai there is no foreign trade carried on; and the said
foreigners should not therefore have gone thither: how much less should they
have attacked men, in open day, killing one, wounding three, and cutting off
the tails of seven! And such degrees of lawlessness, how are they to be borne
with? It behoves us to require of the said Superintendent to ascertain by name.
what were the four vessels, of various size, that sneaked into the Kwanghai
waters, and what the names and surnames of the foreigners who killed and
wounded the Chinese. Let him report the facts truly, to enable us to inflict
punishment.
Further, three foreigners, Simon and two others, have been seized as sellers
of opium, off Hainan, also to the westward. And they have deposed that the
ship master Parry, sent Erskine on board a two-masted vessel, to proceed to the
westward, to an offing, the name of which they do not know; and that twenty
chests of opium having been put on board Pilik's (Philip's ?) vessel, and eight
cases of silver received in return, there were still eighty chests of opium on
board, when the war-vessels appearing in pursuit, their schooner made off.
Parry, I find, is the master of the Hercules, and, in truth, the head of the
opium sellers.
It behoves us to require the said Superintendent to hand him
over for examination and trial.
For the rest, the traitorous Chinese on board the foreign vessels, we find
more numerous the more we inquire. Before, we commanded that they should
be given up, and the said Superintendent gave it no thought. It seems, for the
most part, that these foreigners cannot be aroused or influenced by good words.
And we, the Commissioner, and the Governor, have no course left, but to send
out war-vessels to proceed to Hong Kong, to surround and apprehend all the
offenders, those connected with murders, and those connected with opium, as
37
well as the traitorous Chinese, concealed on board the foreign vessels. We take
occasion distinctly to make this known, to enable you to be prepared. We, the
Commissioner and the Governor, conduct affairs open to the broadest light of
equity, and are not willing to come on any unexpectedly. A special order.
Taoukwang, 19th year, 9th month, 21st day (27th October, 1839).
True translation.
(Signed)
J. ROBT. MORrison,
Chinese Secretary and Interpreter.
Inclosure 30 in No. 1.
Captain Elliot to the High Commissioner and the Governor of Canton.
Macao, October 29, 1839.
ELLIOT has received the communication of their Excellencies, dated on
the 27th instant, containing the statements of outrages committed upon the
coast, which have filled him with sorrow and shame.
He again and again declares, that the British Government will give no
protection to the men of his nation pursuing these guilty and sordid practices.
But concerning these spoken of, Elliot knows nothing. They have not taken
place within the circle of his authority: and he can solemnly aver that he has used
his best efforts to prevent them, wherever his power extends. It is utterly false
to say that he has given these, or any other shameful deeds, his countenance.
Concerning all other matters touched on in their Excellencies' communica-
tions, Elliot has already replied fully.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
No. 2.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.—(Received March 27, 1840.)
Her Majesty's ship Volage,
Tong Koo, November 17, 1839.
My Lord,
I HAVE hitherto refrained from transmitting the accompanying
Paper to your Lordship, because there was no certainty that the contents
had reached the Commissioner, the Macao Mandarins having returned
me the original at the time it was presented upon some pretext of infor-
mality.
It escaped from Howqua, however, during the late negotiations, that
he had seen a copy of it; and I perceived that he considered it to be a
document of great weight. I subsequently ascertained that the Keun-
Min-Foo took copies of it, and forwarded one to the Commissioner; and
I further collected that it had been transmitted to the Court through
private channels, and produced much impression in that quarter. It
substantiates this statement, that the Commissioner has taken occasion
to reply to some of the reasoning in his later papers; with what success,
it is not for me to judge.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
G
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
P.S.-I should have said that I thought it right to publish a copy of
this paper at the time it was issued, for the reasons mentioned in the
notice which accompanies it.
Inclosure 1 in No. 2.
Captain Elliot's Declaration.
Macao, June 21, 1839.
ELLIOT, &c., &c., learns that official notices have been publicly
placarded, and sent to the ships of his nation, inciting the English
38
merchants, commanders, and seamen to disregard his lawful injunctions,
issued in the name of His Most Gracious Sovereign. But wherefore are
these notices silent upon the causes which have produced the conclusion
of trade and intercourse at Canton? The High Commissioner has
published his own communications to Elliot, but where are the replies?
These proceedings are highly inconsistent with the principles of
peace and dignity; and Elliot must now declare the motives which have
compelled him to require the merchants of his nation to leave Canton,
and the ships no longer to return within the Bocca Tigris.
On the 24th March last, Elliot repaired to Canton, and immediately
proposed to put an end to the state of difficulty and anxiety, then existent,
by the faithful fulfilment of the Emperor's will; and he respectfully asked
that he and the rest of the foreign community might be set at liberty, in
order that he might calmly consider and suggest adequate remedies for
the great evils so justly denounced by His Imperial Majesty.
He was answered by a close imprisonment of more than seven weeks,
with armed men day and night before his gates, under threats of priva-
tion of food, water, and life. Was this becoming treatment to the officer
of a friendly nation, recognised by the Emperor, and who had always
performed his duty peacefully and irreproachably, striving in all things
to afford satisfaction to the Provincial Government?
When it thus became plain that the Commissioner was resolved to
cast away all moderation, Elliot knew that it was incumbent upon him to
save the Imperial dignity, and prevent some shocking catastrophe on the
persons of an imprisoned foreign officer, and two hundred defenceless
merchants.
For these reasons of prevailing force, he demanded from the people of
his nation all the English opium in their hands, in the name of his
Sovereign, and delivered it over to the Commissioner, amounting to
20,283 chests. That matter remains to be settled between the two
Courts.
But how will it be possible to answer the Emperor for this violation
of his gracious will, that these difficult affairs should be managed with
thoughtful wisdom, and with tenderness to the men from afar? What
will be the feelings of the most just Prince of his illustrious dynasty,
when it is made manifest to him by the command of Her Britannic Ma-
jesty, that the traffic of opium has been chiefly encouraged and protected
by the highest officers in the empire; and that no portion of the foreign
trade to Čhina has paid its fees to the officers with so much regularity as
this of opium.
Terrible, indeed, will be His Imperial Majesty's indignation when he
learns that the obligations into which the High Commissioner entered
under his seal to the officers of a foreign nation, were all violated.
The servants were not faithfully restored when one-fourth of the
opium was delivered; the boats were not permitted to run when one-half
was delivered; the trade was not really opened when three-fourths were
delivered and the last pledge, that things should go on as usual when the
whole was delivered, has been falsified by the reduction of the factories to
a prison with one outlet,-the expulsion of sixteen persons, some of them
who never dealt in opium at all, some clerks, one a lad,—and the proposal
of novel and intolerable regulations.
Can a great moral and political reformation be effected at the sacrifice
of all the principles of truth, moderation, and justice? Or is it believed
that these spoliatory proceedings will extinguish the traffic in opium?
Such hopes are futile; and the Emperor has been deceived.
But is it asked, on the other hand, whether the wise and just purposes
of the Emperor cannot and should not be fulfilled? Most assuredly they
can; and they ought.
It is certain, however, that the late measures of the Commissioner
have retarded this accomplishment of the Imperial pleasure,-given an im-
mense impulse to the traffic in opium, which was stagnant for several
months before he arrived,—and shaken the prosperity of these flourishing
provinces.
It is probable that they will disturb the whole coasts of the empire,-
ruin thousands of families, foreign and native,-and interrupt the peace
}
39
between the Celestial Court and England, which has endured for nearly
two hundred years.
The merchants and ships of the English nation do not proceed to
Canton and Whampoa, because the gracious commands of the Emperor
for their protection are set at nought; because the truth is concealed from
His Imperial Majesty's knowledge; because there is no safety for a hand-
ful of defenceless men in the grasp of the government at Canton; because
it would be derogatory from the dignity of their Sovereign and nation, to
forget all the insults and wrongs which have been perpetrated till full jus-
tice be done; and till the whole trade and intercourse be placed upon a
footing honourable and secure to this empire and to England. That time
is at hand: the gracious Sovereign of the English nation will cause the
truth to be made known to the wise and august Prince on the throne of
this empire; and all things will be adjusted agreeably to the principles of
purest reason.
Elliot and the men of his nation in China submit the expressions of
their deepest veneration for the great Emperor.
(Signed)
Inclosure 2 in No. 2.
Public Notice to Her Majesty's Subjects.
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Macao, June 21, 1839.
THE Officer deputed by the Commissioner and the Keun-Min-Foo
having caused certain notices to be publicly placarded at Macao, inciting
British merchants, commanders, and seamen, to disregard the lawful
injunctions of the Undersigned, he has this day transmitted to those
authorities the accompanying Declaration. A copy of the same will be
submitted to the Commissioner.
(Signed)
No. 3.
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.-(Received March 27, 1840.)
Her Majesty's ship Volage,
Tong Koo, November 17, 1839.
+
My Lord,
REFERRING to my despatch of the 5th instant, I have now the
honour to acquaint your Lordship that no communication has reached us
from this Government since the affair at Chuenpee on the 3rd; and it is
generally said that the Commissioner will abide the result of his report to
the Court before new measures be taken. If he has reported at all, the
replies may be looked for in about a fortnight.
Upon our side there is of course nothing to do but carefully to watch
proceedings, and repel any renewed onward movements which may be
attempted.
In the mean time, I have felt it my duty, in concurrence with Captain
Smith of Her Majesty's ship Volage, to require the removal of the
British merchant shipping to this anchorage, open only at two points; and,
therefore, less exposed to surprise than Hong Kong.
It has also the advantage of being twenty miles nearer to Macao and
the Bocca Tigris, both which places require to be attentively watched
under present circumstances.
It is to be regretted that the repeated efforts I had made to this effect
40
should have been ineffectual, till the Chinese had the time to bring a few
guns to one or two points in the neighbourhood of the anchorage: for
although the shot did not reach the ships, still it were to be wished that
they should have left the anchorage before any fire were opened in this
direction.
I believe there was a desire upon the part of certain of Her Majesty's
subjects that these few troops should be forcibly dislodged, which, indeed,
might have been easily done. But Captain Smith agreed with me that all
hostility, except such as should be forced upon us in the defence of the
merchant-ships actually annoyed by attack, should be carefully avoided;
more particularly in that situation where it was felt they ought not to
have been and ought not to continue.
If conflict be inevitable under present circumstances, it is at least to
be desired that it should take place as far as possible from the station of a
large merchant-fleet, necessarily ill-prepared to make movements under
sudden fire. We thought that the removal of the ships to the position we
considered most secure from attack, or where defence could be most effect-
ually made, if they were attacked, was a more reasonable proceeding
than the protraction of inconvenient hostilities, to the end that they might
remain in a less safe situation for the purpose of needlessly and (looking
to the condition of most of the ships) somewhat hazardously braving the
Chinese.
The Inclosures will place your Lordship in possession of all the most
important communications which have passed on this subject.
I have, &c.,
Sir,
Inclosure 1 in No. 3.
Captain Morgan and others, Commanders of British Vessels, to
Captain Elliot.
Hong Kong, October 26, 1839.
WITH reference to your public notice, dated 26th of October,
requiring all British ships to proceed to Tongkoo Bay, the anchorage at
Hong Kong being liable to surprise by fire-ships and war junks, we
the Undersigned, Commanders of British ships at Hong Kong, beg that
you will take into consideration the very great advantages that the
present anchorage of the shipping has over that of Tongkoo Bay. The
tides at Tongkoo being much stronger and more regular than here, would
afford greater facilities for sending fire-rafts down, than at this place,
where, if the shipping are moored on the North side of the bay, it would
be almost impossible to annoy them with fire-rafts; and as most of the
cargoes will most probably have to be transhipped to other ships, this
bay is more advantageous than Tongkoo Bay for that purpose. Supplies
of water and provisions are at present easily procurable at this place,
and it is doubtful whether they would be at Tongkoo.
We therefore request that the ships may remain here (of course
under the protection of the men-of-war) unless there are other and
more urgent reasons for the removal of the shipping, of which we are
ignorant. We trust we shall not be considered presuming too far, if we
request that before a fleet of ships, such as are now here, are to be
removed from one anchorage to another, that some explanation should be
afforded, and the opinions of some of the more experienced amongst us
be taken on a subject of such great importance to the ships and cargoes
under our charge.
We have, &c.,
(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
(Signed) M. CRAWFORD,
WILLIAM MORGAN,
Ship
Belhaven.
Scaleby Castle.
41.
(Signed)
JOHN A. Griffiths,
THOMAS WILLS,
JAMES SCOTT,
JOHN ROBERTSON,
JAMES LYON,
GEORGE CREIGHTON,
FARQR. MACQUEEN,
THOMAS GREEN,
EDWARD PARRY,
THOMAS WRright,
RICHARD AINSLEY,
JOHN MC CUTCHEON,
JAMES LAIRD,
W. PITCAIRN,
ARCHD. REED,
OR. CUNNINGHAM,
JAMES CLARK,
GEORGE T. AIREY,
D. GARDYNE,
H. FRETWELL,
JOHN F. BURN,
W. BUTLER,
JOHN HAWKINS,
WILLIAM PEARSON,
W. LUGRIN,
AN. CLARKE,
H. HALE,
WILLIAM CLARK,
JAMES PETRIE,
G. B. HOGG,
DONALD STEWART,
J. HICKMAN,
E. EVANS,
J. L. GALLIE,
Inclosure 2 in No. 3.
Ship Ann.
(Signed)
Charles Forbes.
Earl Clare.
John O'Gaunt.
Sir Charles Malcolm.
Cordelia.
Vansittart.
Triumph.
Governor Findley.
Giraffe.
Queen Mab.
Jean.
G
Carnatic.
Charles Grant.
Tory.
John Horton.
Cornwallis.
Mangalore.
Hannah.
Heroine.
Caledonia.
Ruparell.
John Marsh.
Manilla
Atiel Rokoman.
Allalivie.
Captain Elliot to Captain W. Morgan, and others.
A. Baring.
Jane.
Slains Castle.
Fort William.
Helen Stewart.
Fairie Queen.
Shah Allum.
Rustomjee Cowasjee.
Gentlemen,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your letter of the 26th ult. I
find, upon enquiry, that the original must be lying at Macao.
Public considerations, which appeared to me to be of sufficient force,
led me some time since to recommend a removal to the anchorage at Tong
Koo; and events of subsequent occurrence carried me to the conclusion
that it was incumbent on me to require that step, in still more urgent
terms. Convenience of commerce is a consideration which must always
have its due weight; but situated as we are, others of primary import-
ance present themselves, to which that one must be postponed.
I am well acquainted with the anchorage at Tong Koo, and find
myself equal to form a sound opinion upon its suitableness, in all the
respects of safety, convenience for the supplies, and neighbourhood to
other points requiring attention; and needing no information, I have not
felt it necessary to seek advice upon a subject which it forms part of my
duty to dispose of upon my own responsibility, and according to the best
of my own judgment.
I have, &c.,
Her Majesty's Ship Volage,
Hong Kong, November 8, 1839.
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
423
Inclosure 3 in No. 3.
The Agents for Lloyds, and others, to Captain Elliot.
Hong Kong, November 9, 1839.
Sir,
A LETTER having been addressed to you on the 26th ult., by thirty-
five commanders of British ships, setting forth the superior advantages of
this anchorage, and the risks and inconveniences attendant on the contem-
plated removal to Tongkoo of the British shipping now here, we beg leave,
in behalf of the extensive interests collectively represented by us as
Merchants, Agents, and Underwriters, to express our entire concurrence
in the sentiments of that letter; and our hope that they may also be
approved of by you.
We would further remark, that while the removal of the shipping
from this anchorage would be viewed by the Chinese as a retreat from
their force, and as an encouragement to further acts of aggression, it
cannot be doubted that they will bring an equal force to act against us, at
whatever other anchorage may be resorted to, outside the Bogue. It is
likewise to be apprehended, that were the British shipping to quit this
anchorage, it would immediately be so occupied and fortified by the
Chinese, as to preclude our return to it in the south-west monsoon, when
no other, affording equal shelter, and suitable for purposes of business, at
that boisterous season of the year, is within our reach.
We therefore hope it will suit you, and the Commanders of Her
Majesty's ships to afford the same protection as heretofore, to the British
shipping, without the necessity of their removing from an anchorage so
universally preferred as that now occupied.
We have, &c.,
Signed by twenty Firms, the Agents for Lloyds,
and for eleven Insurance Offices.
Inclosure 4 in No. 3.
Captain Elliot to Messrs. Eglinton, Maclean, & Co. and others.
Her Majesty's Ship Volage,
Hong Kong, November 11, 1839.
Gentlemen,
THE grounds upon which I first recommended, and then required
the removal of the British shipping to Tongkoo Bay, have been maturely
considered, and, in the present situation of circumstances, I perceive still
stronger reasons for that step without delay.
Adverting to your impression, which the removal of the shipping
may make upon the Chinese, I will only remark, that whilst it is to be
regretted that any room should have been left for misconception of this
description, still I do not feel warranted in sanctioning the continuance
of the shipping at what I hold to be an unsuitable station, by reason of
the possibility that the Chinese should ascribe their departure to wrong
motives. The measure recommends itself to me, because I think it right
and highly convenient for the general public interests confided to me.
A proper situation for the shipping in the south-west monsoon will
not be difficult of selection (be it here or elsewhere) when the period for
meeting that exigency arrives.
It is always my disposition, gentlemen, to fulfil the wishes of the
merchants; but I cannot abandon my strong public opinions and
impulses to my personal inclinations. I hope to be excused for once more
recommending and requiring the immediate removal of the British
merchant shipping to Tongkoo Bay.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
43
No. 4.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.-(Received March 27, 1840.)
Her Majesty's Ship Volage,
Tongkoo, November 28, 1839.
My Lord,
IT is a most remarkable circumstance, that throughout the whole
course of persecution which has marked the Commissioner's career, he
has never ventured upon the expedient for coercing Her Majesty's
subjects, which finds so prominent a place in all Chinese State Papers
respecting foreign management,—that is, by an effectual stoppage of the
Trade. For the last six months, and up to this day, the British trade
has constantly proceeded; not indeed directly, but in American and other
foreign bottoms: and it is a striking and gratifying fact, that up to this
time the lawful import trade of the current year, as well in the Indian
staple of cotton as in every description of British goods, has been done
more advantageously than any of a like period since the close of the
Company's Charter in 1834.
The additional expence of the carriage necessarily falls upon the
consumer; and the impossibility of calculating upon the Commissioner's
measures from hour to hour has incited the native purchasers to specu-
late extensively, and take off the cargoes at highly advanced rates. Here,
my Lord, is the just explanation of this state of things; and there is no
ground for the complaint which may reach the ears of Her Majesty's
Government, that large profits and less expence would have accrued
to British holders of goods and ship-owners, if the ships had proceeded to
Whampoa. The reverse is the fact; for in such a case the holders of
goods must either have made no sales, or have disposed of them at far
lower rates than they have, and the ships must have paid the heavy
port charges. The high prices, in short, are prices of mere specula-
tion, not arising from the state of the markets, but from the pressure
of political circumstances, left to the management of a powerful but
ignorant man, whose next movement is always beyond calculation.
Neither has the great body of the shipping been detained one day longer
than it would otherwise have been. The ships in the regular country
trade never leave China before this period, and they are now departing
daily, having discharged their cargoes. In less than six weeks (accident
apart) the whole will have been discharged and have gone away. With
respect to the home-trade, the season for shipping cannot be said to
commence (judging from the experience of the last five years) till the
end of December; and, therefore, upon that score there can be no ground
for complaint yet. In fact, my Lord, my own deep regret for the breaking
up of the late arrangement, is unmixed with any uneasiness on commercial
grounds; for the actual state of things is more advantageous to the trade
of the current year, than a settlement which would necessarily have
thrown a large mass of imports upon the market suddenly; and have
allayed those feelings of uncertainty on the part of the Chinese which
are the spring of their present activity as purchasers. My concern
arises from the perception that the arrangement involved a great prin-
ciple,—namely, a regular outside trade; if once it had been set in
operation, there would have been no difficulty in maintaining and
improving it. At first, indeed, there would have been attempts to force
us in by trammels outside; but while all the ships remained without,
these efforts would have gradually abated for the convenience of the
Hong merchants and Mandarins themselves. The British merchants
would have resided in comparative safety at Macao; the ships would
always have been out of the grasp of the Government. Macao must, day
by day, have been more extensively used as a port of safe deposit for
valuable British goods, that are now obliged to wait for a market in the
Hongs of bankrupt merchants; and are frequently forced to a sale for the
sake of recovering any returns at all. As a general consideration too, it
was a matter of vast moment that the British trade should once more be
carried on in a direct recognized form; and not by mere connivance
G 2
"
44
through the medium of foreigners. All these advantages have been cast
away by the entrance of the ship Thomas Coutts, upon shameful and
dangerous conditions.
It is pretended by the Government, that the open state of the trade
is to be attributed to the Commissioner's consideration for the Americans,
who have signed the bond of consent; but his Excellency must have
learnt, by this time, that the chief convenience is to us. The Americans
arrive here, for the most part, in ballast; bringing paper upon British
credits to purchase their return cargoes. The cargoes they have carried
to Canton are British property transhipped outside; and all this is as
well known to the Chinese as to ourselves. It may, I think, be depended
upon, that there would have been no consideration at all for the
Americans, or their profits as carriers in this new course of outside
trade which the Commissioner has contrived to create, if the experiment
of forcing the British into submission by an effectual stoppage of trade
could have been tried, without excessive danger to the tranquillity of these
provinces from the failure of revenue, and the total stagnation of employ-
ment amongst the hundreds of thousands of people living day by day
on the foreign trade. And your Lordship will give me leave to notice
that, when there is no British import trade there can be little or no trade
with this empire; because, at least eleven-twelfths of all that is exchanged
with China is British property. American payments for their trade with
China must be made in England, not in Canton; and, in the present
situation of circumstances, the cutting off the British trade, which the
Commissioner frequently speaks of, is a cutting off of the trade with all
the western nations, a departure from that wise policy of avoiding
extremities, which I am not disposed to believe the Court will sanction in
any more serious form than angry papers.
The British trade is formally cut off at present; but I have never
known it carried on with more vigour or advantage: and it is a striking
comment upon what I have just said, that the leading American merchants
have been constrained to live, for at least four months, not at Canton but
at the station of the British merchants,-that is on ship-board, exposed to
all manner of privation and danger. Their business at Canton is done by
their clerks or junior partners, and they would have no business there at
all; if our trade were at a stand. We are now in a situation to judge of
the result of the Commissioner's policy for the suppression of the opium
trade; and it may be pronounced to be a signal failure, and pregnant with
the worst character of mischief to this empire, as it was always reasonable
to suppose such an extravagant course of proceeding must prove to be.
He found the traffic stagnant; he has made it flourish in a degree
and to an extent that it has never reached before.
When he arrived, and for four months before that date, there had
been scarcely any deliveries. The great bulk of last year's supply had
accumulated; and the immense stock of the current year was only com-
mencing to come in. In China, prices had fallen to between two or three
hundred per cent. below the cost of production and charges; and at
Calcutta and Bombay, on the very day that the opium was surrendered in
Canton, sales were either impossible or ruinous.
These results had been produced by steady adherence to measures of
repression against the consumers; a character of proceeding to which the
Chinese system of government and police is well adapted, when its
strength is put forth and my own measures of December last, against
the river traffic, had pressed heavily upon the whole,-both in a moral
sense, as unequivocally separating Her Majesty's Government from the
least countenance of it, and, directly, because that channel remained to the
last the best vent for the drug.
But, my Lord, the moment the Commissioner rejected all reasonable
projects for working out the solution of the difficult if not impracticable
problem confided to him, and drove me to the necessity of ransoming my
countrymen by the delivery of all the British opium in China, it was clear
to me that he could reap nothing but disappointment and difficulty.
The character of his measures was an acknowledgment of his own
sense of helplessness against the smugglers themselves, either native or
45
foreign. A proceeding of that kind upon a handful of defenceless me
could never be repeated; and to take away 20,000 chests of opium, alread
nearly valueless from weight of stocks, was not to extinguish the trade. I.
turns out, indeed, to be a measure nothing short of salvation to the opium
trade, generally considered, whatever it might have been to the actual
holders of the particular quantity taken away. But, indeed, that very
stock had already fallen to a point so far below its price, that it would be
difficult to say, the proprietors would have been in a better condition if
the Commissioner had given it to them again next morning. Certainly,
looking to future operations, it seems susceptible of proof, that the general
market needed the full relief which the Commissioner gave to it, before
opium could recover such a price as would repay the mere cost of its pro-
duction and the other expenses of laying it down in China. But looking
still further forwards, and seeing that the traffic has been carried on with
incessant vigour and immense advantages since the 24th March last, it
must be admitted, that the persons who have continued to pursue it are
deeply indebted to his Excellency; and could indeed well afford to sacrifice
the price they paid for the opium they surrendered, out of the profits of the
opium they could never have sold otherwise, without total ruin. I believe
that would be a moderate imposition upon present returns and present
prospects; and whilst I am upon this subject I may presume to say, that
the Commissioner has fallen upon the single device which left any hope of
supporting the Company's opium returns of next year. If he had left the
20,000 chests of opium in the hands of the holders, the Company must
have sacrificed their next year's supply. Under present circumstances,
I see no reason to doubt that there will be a handsome income from that
source. It is greatly to the honour of some of our principal merchants
here, that they have steadily adhered to their voluntary pledge to relin-
quish this unworthy and lawless traffic, under circumstances of intense
temptation; and with regard to such of them as stand in that honourable
situation, I cannot help expressing the sincere hope that Her Majesty's
Government will find it practicable to relieve them from burdens which
must press most heavily upon them, and carry out some effectual and
comprehensive scheme for their protection in the lawful trade.
The purpose of the Commissioner's policy for the last six months, has
been to draw the lawful traders once more within his grasp, hoping to
controul and check proceedings outside by the means of pressure within.
I knew not why I should hesitate to declare my conviction, that these
purposes have only been baffled by my steady determination, never to
place the lawful British trade in such a jeopardy again, till I am dif-
ferently instructed from England; and till the Chinese Government is
taught to understand its responsibilities towards that of Her Majesty.
In conclusion, I may once more assure your Lordship that this deter-
mination has been attended with no loss to the traders of this year,
but
greatly the contrary.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
No. 5.
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.-(Received March 27, 1840.)
Her Majesty's ship Volage,
Tong Koo, December 6, 1839.
My Lord,
THE Inclosures I have the honour to transmit, are extracts from two
letters, or, I should more properly say, information written on scraps of N
paper by the mate of the late Spanish brig Bilbaino, addressed to the
Consignee of the vessel, Don Gabriel Yruretogayena, a respectable
Spanish merchant resident at Macao.
The writer, with a native of Manilla, "Inocencio del Rosario," fell
46
into the hands of the Mandarins, when the vessel was burnt; and they
were taken, as your Lordship will observe in these remarkable papers,
first to the Bocca Tigris, and thence to Canton, where, I am distressed to
state, they still remain.
The importance of the principle, that bonds of assent to Chinese:
forms of trial were inadmissible, need not be dwelt upon again. And Her
Majesty's Government is now in possession of a specimen of the practice
of investigation, which must continue to obtain whilst our intercourse
and trade with this country are confined to Canton. In all cases of
importance respecting foreigners, it is of absolute necessity, that the
procedure should be made to sustain the immediate political purposes of
the high officers, and any report which they may find it convenient to
render to the Court. Obligations of truth and justice cannot be supposed
to present themselves to Chinese officers in matters of a grave nature
affecting foreigners. Reports in their favour would be contrary to the
immediate interests of the officers of the province, and the policy of the
Empire; and the formal acknowledgment of actual error, which had
led to the injury of foreigners, would be a suicidal act-so tender is the
Court, that it should never hear of any other than their rightful treat-
ment! And, indeed, if means of representation at Pekin were open to us,
it is possible we should always be sure of fair dealing; at least the
intense anxiety of the Mandarins to report in that sense is a strong proof,
that they dread the severest displeasure of the Emperor if they should be
convicted of contrary conduct.
In this particular instance, a Spanish vessel (perfectly free of any
breach of the laws of this Empire) was lying in the Taipa, till the Macao
trade was opened: she is barbarously assailed in the dead of the night by
a large force of armed and fire-vessels, and totally destroyed, under the
impression that she was English; three innocent persons lose their lives,
and two are taken to Canton; not spared from motives of compassion,
but because it was necessary, for the purposes of the Mandarins, to cover
up a false report.
After a series of infamous deceit and cruelty, mean rather than
bloody, but still intensely distressing, the unfortunate Mate is harrassed
into the signing of a declaration, that, though the vessel was not English,
when she was burnt, she had recently been so, and was just sold to
Spanish owners. And proceedings of this kind are precisely what would
have befallen our merchants in Canton, if I had not fortunately arrived
there on the Sunday evening in March last, before Mr. Dent was to be
carried into the city. And this is the manner of procedure to which
British officers and British subjects are called upon to consent that their
countrymen should be subjected, whenever they are accused of a breach
of the laws of China, or rather whenever a pressed and corrupt function-
ary at Canton is called upon to exhibit to the Court a proof of his faithful
administration of the laws.
To return, however, to the statement wrung from this poor mariner,
it may be said shortly that it is false from beginning to end.
The vessel was a Spanish brig, well known to me for the last three
years as a regular trader between Macao and Manilla; and I have ascer-
tained, by a careful examination of her papers, that she never belonged
to any other persons than subjects of Spain. I cannot of course prove
that she was never engaged in the illicit traffic; but I can assure your
Lordship, that I have most diligently inquired, and I firmly believe she
never was; and, moreover, that the Chinese never suspected she was.
Indeed, conclusive evidence of this last position is to be found in the fact,
that the Chinese do not impute the destruction of the vessel to her own
engagement in the illicit pursuits, but to the pretence that she was the
English vessel Virginia, or that she had lately been an English vessel
engaged in the opium trade.
This calamity, my Lord, might as easily have happened to a most
valuable English vessel, with men, women, and children on board, at that
period hourly expected from London, as to the Bilbaino; and I cannot
doubt it will seem to your Lordship to be an aggravation of the insult
upon Her Majesty's flag, that an outrage intended for British subjects
47
should have befallen the property and persons of other foreigners. I need
hardly acquaint your Lordship that I offered Don Gabriel Yruretagoyena
all the assistance in my power for the recovery of these people on the day
after the catastrophe occurred; but he had already appealed to the Go-
vernor of Macao, in whose jurisdiction he considered the event to have
taken place; and hoping that justice would be secured through that chan-
nel, he thought it would be disrespectful to his Excellency to apply to
me. He was also afraid that my application for the men might furnish
the Commissioner with a pretext for insisting that they were British sub-
jects, and thus enhance their danger.
I must confess, my Lord, I never looked for any successful result from
an application through the Government of Macao (not respected by the
Chinese, and constrained to serve all their purposes) and I strenuously
urged Don Gabriel Yruretagoyena to address me officially upon the sub-
ject, so that I might be able to bring it under the attention of the Commis-
sioner in the name of Her Majesty's Government: but he was reluctant
to do so; and I did not feel myself justified in taking any steps, upon my
own responsibility, in spite of his dispositions.
The original of these papers remain in Don Gabriel's hands; and I
have requested him to cause the captain (still at Macao) to verify the
handwriting of the mate before a magistrate, which has been done: they
will be delivered over to Her Majesty's officers, whenever your Lordship
shall think fit to require them.
I would submit, my Lord, that a direct report of this transaction to
the Court, from the mouth of the Pei Ho, by the command of Her Ma-
jesty, supported by the production of these papers, would immediately
secure the just and exemplary punishment of the Commissioner and Go-
vernor and would, in other respects, facilitate the reasonable adjustment
of all those difficulties which they have cast upon their own and Her Ma-
jesty's Government. I have had considerable experience in China, and I
believe that the public disgrace of high functionaries convicted of indis-
criminate violence against foreigners, covered by falsehood to their own
Court, is a measure due to the ends of justice, and needful upon grounds
of policy.
It has lately transpired, through a variety of native channels of infor-
mation, that the outrage upon the British passage-boat Black Joke, was
perpetrated by his Excellency's express command: and that he rewarded
I am
the Mandarin by whom it was committed with 200 taels of silver.
bound to admit that the evidence before me in the case of the Bilbaino, has
diminished my unwillingness to credit this statement; but it should be
said, that the testimony of a linguist, upon which it chiefly depends, is
entitled to little consideration. The possibility, or otherwise, of all such
allegations resting upon Chinese statements, must be estimated by a con-
sideration of other circumstances within our certain knowledge.
In closing this despatch, I will only trouble your Lordship with the
further observation, that it is deeply to be regretted that a British subject
should have been so lost to all proper feeling, or so void of common sense,
as to take in a British ship upon conditions rendering Her Majesty's sub-
jects liable to forms of procedure, on capital charges, such as these
detailed in the striking and guileless papers of this innocent man
The admission of such a state of things has hitherto been firmly
resisted in our intercourse with China; and the importance of the
concession is perfectly understood by the Commissioner. It has been
incalculably injurious to British character and British interests, that
a master of a merchant ship should appear to have power to do that
which the responsible officer of his country steadily refused. Mr.
Warner's conduct deserves the severest reprobation; he has wantonly and
immensely aggravated public dangers on the spot, at the disregard of all
those considerations which it is possible he might not understand, but
which it was his bounden duty, as a British subject, to leave to the dis-
posal of the officer of his country.
(Signed)
I have, &c..
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
48
+
Inclosure 1 in No. 5.
Extract of a letter from Frederico Jimenez, Mate of the late Spanish
Brig Bilbaino, to Don Gabriel de Yruretagoyena, Consignee of the
said vessel.
Señor Escritor,
(Recebida el 2 de Novembre de 1839.)
LE agradezco infinito todo lo que en la suya me dice, y voy
hacerlo diciendole al Señor de Goyena, que aquel mismo dia que volvi
desde Macao a bordo, hallé en la boca de Taipa cinco champanes de guerra,
y varias lorchas de mandarines que se acercaban, hacia nuestro bordo
con ademan de abordarnos a la prora, por lo que inmediatamente se largó
el pavellon Español, y visto por ellos se retiraron como en señal de paz;
pero á tres y media (3) de la noche, largaron desde tierra, los Chinos
cuatro (4) lorchas quemadas, que la corriente las trahia sobre nosotros,
y para evitar tan fatal desgracia, arriamos cable del ancla con el fin de
retirarnos del gran volcan de fuego; pero Señor de Goyena, no bien esta-
bamos todos mirando hacia las lorchas quemadas, cuando de repente
vimos una columna de fuego por la popa, en cima de nosotros. La gente
toda se atemorizó, y el Señor Contramaestre fué el primo que, gritando
"somos perdidos," se tiró al agua, con una tabla. Yo hallandome solo,
con dos lorchas tan grandes como el bergantin al costado, y los Chinos
que iban á saltar á bordo con cañas de fuego, chusos, sables, &c., y una
infinidad de lorchas al costado, quise tirarme al agua; pero me agarraron,
dandome una puñalada en el brazo, y otra en la espalda, y rompiendome
la camisa, me amarraron, y me hecharon en una de las lorchas que
estaban en el costado, desde la cual estaba viendo hacer el saqueo, pero no
vi á bordo ningun marinero, nada mas que este que quiso seguir conmigo,
que no son dos los que se hallan aqui, sino uno.
Hecho el gran saqueo, me llevaron amarado á una de las muchas
lorchas de mandarines, me desamarraron, dandome la bandera que ellos
la habian cogido, me llevaron á Tigre, &c. &c.
(Translation.)
Sir,
(Received on the 2nd of November, 1839.)
a
I AM very thankful for what you mention in your letter; and in com-
pliance therewith beg now to inform Mr. Goyena, that, on the same day I
took leave from him and went on board, I discovered at the mouth of the
Taipa five men-of-war junks, and some other mandarin boats coming
towards the brig in an attitude of boarding her at once; but as soon as
we hoisted the Spanish colours they retreated in token of peace.
At 3/2/20
A.M., the Chinese detached from on shore four fire-boats, which were coming
upon us with the tide; when we paid out more chain to avoid so fatal à
misfortune, and get free from the excessive heat of the fire. But, Mr.
Goyena, in a moment, whilst looking at the fire-boats, we observed a
column of fire astern, upon our heads. The whole crew became frightened:
and the boatswain was the first, who shouting, "We are lost," threw him-
self into the water with a piece of wood. Finding myself alone, with two
junks as large as the brig alongside, the Chinese commencing to board,
with fire canes in their hands, pikes, swords, &c., and an immense number
of boats around me, I intended to jump overboard; but they seized me by
giving a stab in my arm, and another in the back; and tearing my shirt,
they tied me, and threw me into one of the boats alongside, whence I
observed the pillage. I did not see any sailor on board except one, who
wished and did accompany me. There are not two sailors here.
When they had concluded the pillage, they carried me to one of the
many mandarin boats, where they untied and gave me the ship's flag they
had brought with them; and then took me to the Bogue, &c., &c.
[Here follows a succinct statement of the 2nd Letter.]
49
Inclosure 2 in No. 5.
Frederico Jiminez, Mate of the Spanish brig Bilbaino, to Don Gabriel de
Yuretagoyena, Consignee of the said vessel.
Muy Señor mio,
Recebida, el 24 de Noviembre, de 1839.
ES cierto que hé escrito ese papel que me dice en su apreciable con
fecha 4 del corriente.
¿ Pero Señores por el amor de Dios? no hé de escribirlo, si me dicen
esos infames Linguas lo que voy á referiros, que es la verdad, lo digo de
todo corazon.
Llegados que fuimos á Tigre, en cuyo punto antes de desembarcar, le
rogaba al Mandarin de la lorcha, que me diera la bandera del Bilbaino,
que me sirvió de almoada, durante las 36 horas que tardamos hasta llegar
á dicho punto; no permitió ; pues en lugar de la dicha me dió una camisa
y una cadena de diez á once libra que me hecharon al cuello, y otra al com-
pañero cuyo nombre es Ynocenció del Rosario: nos llevaron en casa de los
Mandarines donde estos no querian creer, de que era Español por mas jura-
mentos y lloros, &c., teniendonos de rodilla como dos horas. Al segundo
dia fuimos otra vez, y aquella noche ya nos habiendo visto el Chino
Apan (que era el unico que sabia Portuguez) al tribunal donde entonces
se hallaban esos dos infames Linguas, me llamaron a mi 1º para declarar, y
cada vez que decia que el buque era Español, Mandarin y todos me he-
chaban un bufido.
-
Los Linguas tratandome con el mayor despotismo que pueden figu-
rarse, ultimamente me amarran de pies y manos, y me quieren dar de
palos para que dijera que era Yngles; y viendo que no podian sacar
partido conmigo, á un calabozo me llevaron; y entonces llaman el inocente
Ynocencio, y lo tuvieron de rodillas, (segun el me cuenta) como 4 horas, para
que dijese que el buque y yo eran Yngleses; ultimamente le ofrecieron un
cofre lleno de plata, y viendo que no podian sacar nada mas que la verdad,
lo llevon a otro calabozo. Me llaman al dia siguiente, y me dicen que
perdia la cabeza, siempre y cuando que no dijese que el buque habia sido
Yngles, que mi compañero ya lo habian mandado á Macao, por que habia
dicho que el buque era Yngles.
·
Pero yo les decia á esos infames, ¿como es posible que halla dicho
semejante falsedad? Si, si, falsedad (me decian esos picaros) no es falso
que es la verdad, y los Mandarines y todos saben de que el buque es Yngles;
y ahora a V. le van á cortar la cabeza, y á esta la cuchilla, y el
verdugo (señalandome un Chino de fatal traza, y enseñandome una fiera
cuchilla); ni por todas esas y aun mas amenazas, quiero ceder; y visto
por ellos, me llevan otra vez al calabozo, custodiado por 20 soldados,
me tuvieron como unas 12 horas sin quererme traher ni aun agua; visto
todo esto por ellos me sacan del dicho, y me llevan en casa de un Mandarin
de guerra á donde se hallaba Ynocencio, y a los 3 ó 4 dias, nos llevan
otra vez al Tribunal, y me preguntaron el nombre del buque, de su dueño,
y con que fin estaba en Taipa; declaré la verdad (que por ser sabida
no la repito.) Y me dicen interprete y Mandarin, que no es cierto, que
ellos sabian que el buque trahia viveres para los Yngleses; entonces juré
por 3 ó 4 vezes que no era asi, que era como yo decia; entonces me
empezaron á contentar, y á preguntar si queria comer, y que no tuviera
cuidado, y me llevaron en casa del Mandarin de guerra quitandome la
cadena, y á Ynocencio; y nos tienen en la dha casa durmiendo con los
Soldados, de lo cual me salió el fatal sarnaso; y a los 13 dias que me
hallaba en un estado digno de compacion lleno de sarna, y con la herida
de la espalda que se me habia puesto péor, y sintiendome del pecho, me
llevan en casa de otros Mandarines y me juran los infames Linguas,
Soldados, y todos, que si queria ir á Macao (que era lo que yo deseaba)
que escriba lo que ellos me dictasen, y siempre y cuando no pusiera lo
mismo, me cortarian la cabeza; que el papel despues de escrito, lo llevaron
á un Chino (que habia no sé en que lugar) que sabia leer y escribir, y
H
50
que siempre que pusiera lo mismo, de cierto me mandarian á Macao,
jurandomelo los infames Linguas que si, si, que los Mandarines lo dicen.
¿ Pero hombre por Dios, hay algun Chino que sabe leer? Si si (me
decian) y V. cuidando como no escriba lo que se le dijer, por que entonces
de cierto le cortan la cabeza. Yo ya se vé creia que los Mandarines
tendrian compacion de mi de verme en aquel estado, y que caminaban de
buena fé; y apesar de tener eso en mi pensamiento, y de tener los
inponderables deseos de libertarme del castigo de estos infames, 4 dias le
costo prometiendome los mismos Mandarines que si, si, que iba á Macao; y
al cabo de 4 dias escribi ese papel ¿ pero por el amor de Dios, como habia yo
de pensar que Mandarines, Linguas, y Soldados, me habian de engañar?
Si merezco castigo lo pido y lo quiero; pero quiero, que me lo dén mis
compatriotas, y no estos infames.
Me dicen V.M. que dicen esos infames Linguas que yo he declarado
que el buque tenia opio; Les digo a V.S. que pierda el nombre que tengo
si he dicho tal; pues antes al contrario he jurado 5 ó 6 veces que lo que
tenia eran algunas cajones de tabacos.
Crean me V.SS. Libertadores mios, pues lo os creean V.SS. á fé del
nombre que tengo, que es la verdad.
Si he escribido aquel fatal papel, ha sido por que los Mandarines me
dieron palabra de darian libertad, y de no escribieno me cortarian la
cabeza. Esta es la verdad.
Tengan V. MS. por Dios, compacion de mi, no, sinó de mis pobres
Padres, y sacarme cuanto antes de las manos de estos infames; yo os
contaré la verdad, que la misma que dirigo á V.SS. ; que siento en estremo
que no vaya bien escrita, pues lo hago en un lugar que no veo lo que
escribo, por no ser visto de nadie pues el portador me dice cuidado como
me vé algun Chino; de consiguiente repito a V.SS. que no véo lo que
escribo, apenas distingo las letras.
Me hallo en una Yglesia, y a mi custodia 18 soldados y 6 servidores,
y estos me trahen de comer todo lo que pido, pero para vestir nada. Por
Dios, os pido que me saqueis de aqui, pues si estoy mas tiempo me
muero.
(Firmado)
FEDERICO JIMENEZ.
(Translation.)
Dear Sir,
(Received November 24, 1832.)
IT is true that I have written the paper which mention in your
kind letter of the 4th instant.
you
But, Gentlemen, I declare in the name of God, I should not have
written it, if those infamous Linguists had not told me what I am going
to relate. This is the truth: I say it with all sincerity.
X
We arrived at the Bocca Tigris, and before landing, I entreated the
mandarin of the junk to give me the flag of the Bilbaino, which had
served as my pillow, during the thirty-six hours that we spent in our
voyage. He did not comply with my request, but gave me in its stead a
shirt, and a chain of from ten to eleven pounds weight, which he put round
my neck, and did the same to my companion (named Ynocencio del Rosario).
They then took us to the mandarin's house, where they would not believe
that I was a Spaniard, notwithstanding all my oaths and tears, &c.,
&c. They kept us on our knees for about two hours. We were visited
the same night by the Chinese "Apan" (who alone understood Portu-
guese), and the next day we were taken before the tribunal, where we
found those two infamous Linguists: I was called the first to depose; and,
whenever I said that the vessel was Spanish, the mandarins and all of
them were furiously angry with me.
The Linguists treated me with the utmost despotism that you can
imagine and at last fastening me by the hands and feet, they wished to
beat, and to force me to say, that I was an Englishman; but, seeing that
they could not succeed, they carried me off to a dungeon. Then they
summoned the innocent Ynocencio, whom they kept on his knees for
51
nearly four hours (as he informs me) in order that he might depose, that
the vessel and myself were both English. Lastly, they offered him a
chest full of silver; but finding that they could not obtain anything more
from him than the truth, they took him into another dungeon.
(6
They called me up the next day, and told me that I should lose my
head, if I did not declare that the vessel had been English. They added,
that my companion had been sent down to Macao, in consequence of
having acknowledged that the vessel was English. But I replied to these
infamous men : "How is it possible that he should have told such a
falsehood?" Yes, yes, falsehood?" (returned these villains.) "It is not
false, it is the truth; and the Mandarins and all know that the vessel is
English; and now they are going to cut off your head: there is the axe
and the executioner !" (pointing to a Chinese with a frightful countenance,
and producing an enormous knife.) These threats, and many others,
made no impression upon me. Perceiving this, they took me back to the
dungeon, escorted by twenty soldiers, and kept me there for nearly twelve
hours, without giving me even a drop of water. As I remained obstinate,
they carried me to the house of a Mandarin of war, where I met
Ynocencio; and three or four days after, we were summoned again before
the tribunal. I was asked the name of the vessel, the owner, and what
she was doing in the Taipa. I answered the truth (which, being known to
you, I need not to repeat). The interpreters and the Mandarins denied it;
and said, that they knew the vessel had brought provisions for the
English; and, more than that, she was English. I swore three or four
times that it was not so; but really what I had declared. They then
changed their tone, and began to coax me, by asking what I would like to
eat, and begged me not to be afraid; led me back to the Mandarin of
war's house; took off mine and Ynocencio's chains, and left us there to
sleep with the soldiers, the result of which was, that I caught a fatal itch;
and, thirteen days afterwards, what with the itch, the increased wound on
my back, and pains in my chest, I was an object worthy of compassion;
when they brought me to the house of other Mandarins, where the
infamous linguists, soldiers, and all swore, that if I wished to go to
Macao (my most fervent desire) I must write whatever they dictated;
and if I did not do so correctly they would cut off my head; that the
paper, after being written, would be shown to a Chinese, living in such a
place (the name of which I have forgotten) who knew how to read and
write; if it was truly what they dictated, I should go to Macao: the
linguists swore, "Yes, yes, the Mandarins said so.” "But, in the name
of God, tell me, is there really a Chinese who knows how to read?"
"Yes, yes, and so you had better take care what you write, or you may
lose your head." I, of course, thought that the Mandarins would have
compassion on my miserable state, and would act with truth; therefore,
remembering the risk of losing my head, and nourishing an inexpressible
desire to be free from the punishment of this infamous people, I at last
wrote the paper (but not before four days of importuning had elapsed)
upon the assurances of the Mandarins themselves-" Yes, yes, you shall
go
down to Macao.
""
But, in the name of God, how could I believe, that the same
Mandarins, linguists, and soldiers, would deceive me? If I deserve
punishment, I wish and I ask for it from my own countrymen; but never
from this infamous people.
You say the infamous Linguists reported that I had declared the
vessel contained opium: believe me, on my honour, that I never said such
a thing; but, otherwise, I swore five or six times that she had nothing
more on board than a few cigar boxes.
Do believe me, my liberators, for the name I bear,-this is the truth.
If I wrote that fatal paper, it was because the Mandarins promised
me faithfully my liberty; and assured me they would cut off my head if I
did not write it. This is the truth.
In the name of God, have compassion on me; or at least, for the sake
of my poor parents, do take me from the hands of these infamous men!
I will relate the truth to you; but, indeed, it is the same as I have
written.
52
Excuse this badly expressed note; I write in darkness, because the
bearer advises me not to let the Chinese see what I am doing. I assure
you, I can hardly distinguish the letters.
I am living in a pagoda under the custody of eighteen soldiers and
six servants, who give me everything I ask to eat, but no clothes. For
God's sake, I entreat you, take me from this place, as I shall die if I
remain any longer here.
(Signed)
FEDERICO JIMENEZ.
MEMORANDUM
relating to the burning by the Chinese authorities of the Spanish
vessel Bilbaino.
ON the 12th of September, the Spanish brig Bilbaino was burnt at
her anchors by the Chinese Government cruizers.
The Bilbaino was at anchor in the Typa about five o'clock on the
morning of the 12th instant, the Chinese war-boats approached her; the
crew, on discovering their approach, hoisted the Spanish flag; the
Chinese then detached two fire-boats towards her, which the Bilbaino's
crew avoided by veering away cable. The Chinese then attacked the
Spanish brig, ahead and astern, with cannon, and at the same time
boarded her at the gangways; the crew, without attempting any resist-
ance, immediately jumped overboard, and most of them were picked up
by the Chinese. The latter, after having plundered the vessel of all they
could lay their hands on, set her on fire and left her, taking with them
the chief officer, a Spaniard, with a chain round his neck. The
boatswain and five others were put on shore on an island at Macao,
and thirteen others were left in the ship's long-boat, without oars or
rudder. These were brought on shore by the boat belonging to the Bar
fort, and the other six were brought on shore by the Pratico Mayor, who
has been ordered to the Typa by the Governor of Macao; four sailors are
still missing.
The following Edict from the Portuguese authorities followed this
inexplicable and wanton act of destructive aggression.
EDICT.
THE lamentable occurrence having happened that the Chinese
cruizers have, early on the morning of the 12th instant, unjustly burned
the Spanish brig Bilbaino, then anchored in the Typa, on suspicion of the
vessel having opium on board,-the loyal Senate do consider it their duty
to fit out an armed vessel to cruize in that anchorage, as far as the roads:
and by this means to procure, 1st, that vessels of any nation whatsoever,
anchoring there with opium on board, may be taken and confiscated;
2nd, that no other fatal mistake like that of the Spanish brig may
happen. It is therefore published, that all vessels of whatever nation
that may anchor in the above-named anchorages on or after the first day
of October next, with opium on board, shall be confiscated. Dated, Macao,
September 14, 1839.
(Signed)
SILVEIRA PINTO.
BRAGA.
SILVA.
BARRETTO.
LEMOS.
LIMA.
;
RETURN to an ORDER of the Honourable The House of Commons,
dated 13 March 1840;-for,
A COPY or COPIES of any Directions or Authority issued to the COMMISSIONERS
of the CUSTOMS by the COMMISSIONERS of the TREASURY, for the Admission
into British Ports of any Article, the Produce of China, brought in Foreign
Craft or Vessels from the Port of Canton and Transhipped into British Ships.
CHINA PRODUCE.
Sir,
T
HE Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade have had under
their consideration the admission of teas imported from the coasts of China
in a British ship, and I am directed to request that you will lay the following
observations and opinions before the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury.
Robert Gordon, Esq.
It appears that teas have been or may be water-borne at Canton in other
vessels, and received on board the importing vessel at her most convenient
place of anchorage off Hong Kong, or other parts, on the outward coast of
China; their Lordships consider this to be a good and legal lading of the cargo,
which comes from Canton and not from Hong Kong, and consequently a first
landing at Hong Kong was not necessary.
The reasons for this vessel lying off the open coast for her lading are imma-
terial; they might be nautical, or fiscal, or political. It is sufficient that the
parties deemed it proper to adopt such a course, and that the relative positions
of the places at which the tea was water-borne and shipped for the voyage,
are such as to preclude the opinion that the whole voyage was not or may not
be performed by the importing vessel.
Their Lordships are therefore of opinion, that tea water-borne at Canton, and
received on board the importing British ship at the most convenient place on
the coast for the purpose of taking in her cargo, is held to be imported from
Canton, and consequently admissible for consumption in this country.
I am, &c.
(signed)
Office of Committee of Privy Council for Trade,
Whitehall, 24 February 1840.
1
Gentlemen,
Treasury Chambers, 28 February 1840.
I AM commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to
transmit to you a letter from the Board of Trade, relative to the tea trade from
China; and I am to state that my Lords concur in the view taken by the Lords
of the Committee, and desire you will govern yourselves accordingly.
I am, &c.
(signed)
The Commissioners of Customs.
Whitehall, Treasury Chambers,
"}
14 March 1840.
T. MacGregor.
R. Gordon.
R. GORDON.
143.
•
CHINA PRODUCE.
COPIES of DIRECTIONS to the COMMISSIONERS
of CUSTOMS for the admission of Goods from
China brought in Foreign Vessels from Cunton.
143.
(Mr. Herries.)
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
19 March 1840.
Under oz.
C H I N A.
RETURN to an Order of the Honourable The House of Commons,
dated 12 March 1840 ;-for,
COPIES of all COMMUNICATIONS between the BOARD of TREASURY, or the INDIA BOARD,
or any other Public Department, and the Parties or their Agents who are Holders of
CERTIFICATES or BILLS granted by the Chief Superintendent at Canton for OPIUM
surrendered to the Chinese Authorities; together with an Account of the Number of
such Bills or Certificates, and of the Amount in Sterling Value which they represent.
Whitehall, Treasury Chambers,
19 March 1840.
$,}
To the Right honourable the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury.
Your Lordships,
No. 6, Great Winchester-street, 31 October 1839.
We have received from Messrs. Daniell & Company, British merchants established at
Canton, a document containing a receipt signed by Captain Charles Elliot, Her Majesty's
representative in that city, for one thousand four hundred and sixty-five and a quarter
(1,465) chests of opium as per margin, imported from British India, made over to Captain
Elliot for the service of Her Majesty's Government, the same being exclusively the property
of British subjects; and we have the honour to inform your Lordships, that we are instructed
by Messrs. Daniell & Co. to make application on behalf of those it may concern for
indemnity, according to the conditions upon which the aforesaid opium was surrendered for
the service of Her Majesty's Government, and respectfully to solicit we may be permitted
to give the necessary proofs to establish the claim.
Your Lordships' obedient servants,
(signed) Daniell, Dickinson & Co.
To the Right honourable Francis Thornhill Baring, M. P., Chancellor of the Exchequer,
&c. &c. &c.
Sir,
14, Austin Friars, London, 5 November 1839.
WE beg, as agents to several parties in India and China, to enclose a document for opium
surrendered to Captain Elliot for the service of Her Majesty's Government.
This document, registered No. 48, contains-
Captain Elliot's receipt for the opium;
Affidavit of ownership; and
Captain Elliot's public notice to British subjects to deliver the opium to him.
150.
By special indorsement on this certificate, the amount of indemnity is made payable to us.
We have also received several invoices and affidavits of value for opium included in this
certificate, which we transmit herewith, and on receiving the remainder to complete the
quantity, we shall immediately deliver them to you.
As some of the proprietors are drawing bills upon us against this fund, and others entreat
us to obtain an immediate settlement, and remit the amounts due to them, we have to beg that
you will favour us with an early intimation of the period fixed for the payment of these claims.
No. 1. To Abadeen & Samsooden
5. To Burjorjee Manockjee
8. To Cowasjee Edeeljee
10. To Cowasjee Sapoorjee
11. To Cowasjee Sapoorjee Toback
22. To Nassewanjee Bomanjee Mody
23. To Nassewanjee Dorabjee
Together, Chests
1
To the Right honourable the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury.
My Lords,
King William-street, 7 November 1839.
WE have the honour to lay before your Lordships the following certificates granted by
Captain Charles Elliot, Her Majesty's chief superintendent of trade in China, for opium
surrendered to him for the service of Her Majesty's Government, in terms of his public notice
to British subjects, dated Canton, 27 March 1839;
viz.
1
I
(signed)
J
}
·
We have, &c.
1
1
1
I
8
1
R. GORDON.
1
1
Gregson, Melville & Co.
1
1
1
1
1
J
Chests. decis.
for 25
for 539.65
for 232.
for 67.
for 13.
for
91.66
for 127.50
1,095.81
Captain
189-0065 Chests Patna.
1,245.0065
Malwa.
1,465 0125
""
2
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
Captain Elliot having left the value of the opium surrendered" to be determined upon
principles, and in a manner to be defined by Her Majesty's Government," we request your
Lordships will be pleased to direct a communication to be made to us for our guidance in
making up the claims of our constituents.
Having thus presented our demand for the fulfilment of the pledge given by Her Majesty's
representative in China, we beg leave to add an earnest hope that as little delay as possible
may take place in determining the time and mode of payment.
Your Lordships must be aware of the great importance to commercial men to know with
certainty when their resources will be available, and we would solicit your Lordships'
attention to the accompanying statement, showing the number of native merchants interested
in the 1,095 chests of opium, for which we have enclosed the certificates, and to whom any
delay of indemnification might be attended with serious consequences.
PARTIES interested in the undermentioned Certificates held by Forbes, Forbes & Co.,
London, for Opium delivered up to Captain Charles Elliot, R. N., Chief Superintendent
of the Trade of British Subjects in China.
Certificate No. 1, for
Certificate No. 5, for
Certificate No. 11, for
Certificate No. 22, for
·
Certificate No. 8, for - 232′
-
Certificate No. 10, for - 67.
Chests
1 November 1839.
Chests. decls.
25°
539'65
G
-
Certificate No. 23, for - 12750
13*
91' 66
We have, &c.
(signed) Forbes, Forbes & Co.
1,095. 81
Khimcheend
Ravajeer Coovergeer
I de Souza
-
Moorarjee Latha
Ruttonjee Dadabhoy
Mootyram Calandass
Mugneram Chadunmall
Govindram Bhavanedass
Dhrumsey Luckmedass
Ghalabhoy Ghurterdass Mody
Manockchund Hurruckchund
Dulubdass Petaberdass
Runchordass Purbhoodass
Hormusjee Byramjee
Wooha Jutha
Galabhoy Moolchund
Damodeer Virzbhokendass
-
1
·
-
Burjorjee Maneerkjee
Ruttonjee Eduljee
Ruttonjee Byramjee
Cowasjee Palonjee
Curseljee Bomanjee
Cowasjee Sapoorjee
Nasservanjee Dorabjee
D. & M. Rustomjee
Cowasjee Edeeljee
Maahowjee Cullanjee
Jalhabhoy Chandloy
Runchordass Munjee
Bhowanidass & Canjee
Merwanjee Limjeebhoy
Ramjee Chatoor & Co.
Hajee Jachariah Noormohomed -
Sapoorjee Dorabjee Kacha
Cowasjee Dhunjeebhoy
Savuchloll Virzlole
Javerchund Nurseydass
Cowasjee Edeeljee Mody
Hormuzjee Muncherjee's Sons
Tulseydass Mathooradass -
Luckmedass Hurrybhoy
D. & M. Hormuzjee Camajee
Vacutchuna Khoosalchund
Bacherdass Herachund
Hurgovunroy Buldavedass.
Javareemull Dulsookroy
Vizlole Motichund
Gunnishdass Kisnajee
Sorabjee Ardaseer Settuah
1
}
I
Win
-
Chests. decla.
25*
144.90
108.86
189'60
13.
10°
7.
5.
4.
4·
3.
2.
2.
3.
1.
1.
1.
.40' 29
32.
29.
11.
5.
12.
22.
121.
11.
1.
25*
is is
5.
is is is
པ་
13.
40'
12.
23.66
9.
3.
4.
62.50
5.
3.
11.
24.
20.
2.
1,095 81
Forbes, Forbes & Co.
The
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
3
The Right honourable the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury.
By direction of our correspondents, Messrs. Cursetjee, Ardaseer & Company, of Bombay,
we beg leave respectfully to lay before your Lordships the enclosed documents, as per
annexed list, which we trust will be found in strict accordance with the arrangement made
by Captain Elliot, Her Majesty's representative in Canton, for the reimbursement of the
holders of the opium delivered up in obedience to Captain Elliot's orders for the service of
Her Majesty's Government.
We need not point out to your Lordships the great anxiety which prevails for the speedy
adjustment of these claims, or the importance of the settlement to those connected in trade
with India and China.
We beg leave, therefore, humbly to solicit your Lordships' early consideration of the sub-
ject, and requesting to be favoured with a communication for the information of our corre-
spondents.
We have, &c.
(signed)
Old Jewry, 8 November 1839.
LIST of DOCUMENTS enclosed.
1. Certificate from Captain Elliot of 30 chests Malwa opium, surrendered by Messrs. Turner & Co.,
and belonging to Messrs. Cursetjee, Ardaseer & Co.
2. Invoice of actual cost of the above, with all charges, amounting to Rupees 35.839. 3. 14.,
affidavit thereto annexed.
and
3. Certificate from Captain Elliot of 30 chests Malwa opium, surrendered by Messrs. Fox, Rawson
& Co.
4. Invoice of actual cost thereof, with charges, &c., amounting to Rupees 35,855 0.10., and affidavit
annexed.
S. & Co.
Old Jewry, 8 November 1839.
To the Right honourable the Lords of Her Majesty's Treasury.
My Lords,
124, Bishopsgate-street Within, 14 November 1839.
As the holders of a certificate, No. 1 of 17, and dated Macao, 24 June 1839, for 49 chests
and 98 catties of Malwa opium, delivered up to Her Majesty's chief superintendent in
China (copy of which document we have the honour to enclose), we are requested to apply
to your Lordships for payment of the value of the same; the original thereof is in our pos-
session, on behalf of Ramput Jevenram, merchant, of Bombay, who has forwarded the
same to us for recovery.
Small, Colquhoun & Co.
:
Macao, 24 June 1839.
I, Charles Elliot, chief superintendent of the trade of British subjects in China, hereby
certify, that the opium described below formed part of the quantity surrendered by Messrs.
A. & D. Furdonjee for the service of Her Majesty's Government, in terms of my public
notice of 27 March 1839, and for which surrender they have been furnished with my general
receipt and certificate for recovery of indemnity. In witness whereof, I have granted three
separate documents, all of this tenor and date.
150.
We have, &c.
(signed)
Forty-nine chests and ninety-eight catties, Malwa.
Total, 49 chests and 98 catties.
(signed)
Will. Burnie & Co.
Registered, No. 1--17.
Messrs. Finlay, Hodgson & Co., London.
Macao, 24 June 1839.
WITH reference to Captain Elliot's general receipt and certificate for opium surrendered
by us for the service of Her Majesty's Government, which we have forwarded to you for
recovery of indemnity, on account of the parties concerned, we hereby request you will pay
to Mahnundram Thirthawrelall, or order, the amount, less your charges, which may be
realized for the quantity above specified; viz. 49 chests and 98 catties. We have granted
this order in triplicate, one copy of which being discharged, the others to stand void.
Forty-nine chests and ninety-eight catties, Malwa.
Total, 49 chests and 98 catties.
(A true copy.)
A 2
A. R. Johnston, Deputy Superintendent,
For Chief Superintendent of the Trade
of British Subjects in China.
Your most obedient servants,
(signed) A. & D. Furdoonjee.
Indorsements:
Pay to Ramputjee Jevanram, or order.
(signed) Manhnundram Ghirthawreloll.
Pay to Messrs. William & John Burnie, or order.
(signed) Ramput Jevenram.
Will. Burnie & Co.
London, 14 Nov. 1839.
To
4
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
To the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, Whitehall.
My Lords,
10, King's Arms-yard, Coleman-street, 10 Dec. 1839.
WE have the honour to enclose copies of receipt and certificates transmitted to us by our
correspondents at Canton, Messrs. Wetmore & Co., for 103 chests of opium, delivered to
the chief superintendent of the trade of British subjects in China, for the service of Her
Majesty's Government, and request your Lordships will direct us to be informed when we
shall present the originals, for the purpose of having the claim adjusted.
We have, &c.
(signed)
Registered, No. 56.
RECEIVED from W. S. Wetmore, a citizen of the United States, and member of the firm
of Wetmore & Co., of Canton, list of 103 chests of opium, which the said W. S. Wetmore
solemnly and sincerely declared before me to be the property of-
Kkunichund Motichund, of Bombay
Moorarjee Ladha -
Ditto
Hurjuandoss Moorardoss
Narampusand & Bullabdoss, of Calcutta -
(signed)
Given under my hand and seal of office, at]
Canton in China, this 27th day of March,
in the year of our Lord 1839.
Registered, No. 56.
N. B.
K. M.
H. M.
D. G.
D. G.
для
t
t
}
Edward Elmslie, Secretary and Treasurer.
(True copy.)
(signed)
chests
""
""
""
All British subjects; and as a proof of the said opium being established in the manner pro-
vided in my public notice, dated this day, I do hereby hold Her Majesty's Government respon-
sible for the value thereof, also to be determined agreeably to the provisions contained in my
said public notice.
""
1
Patna.
Given under my hand and seal of office, in
Canton, the 24th day of May, in the
year of our Lord 1839.
LO
5
This is to certify, that William S. Wetmore, a citizen of the United States of America,
and member of the firm of Wetmore & Co., of Canton, has this day deposited in my hands
the original receipts of A. R. Johnston, deputy superintendent of the trade of British
subjects in China, for the delivery of 103 chests of opium, as per specification below, and
specified in the list duly authenticated by me on the 27th day of March, in the year of our
Lord 1839, and declared before me to be the property of British subjects; viz.-
1
1
}
5
II
TOTAL
J I
(True copy.)
(signed)
I
!
Fletcher, Alexander & Co.
Fletcher, Alexander & Co.
Benares.
5
1
f
5
15 chests.
40
35
3
10
(signed) Charles Elliot,
Chief Superintendent of the Trade of
British Subjects in Canton.
1
103 chests.
29
""
""
""

Malwa.
15
3
35
40
Fletcher, Alexander & Co.
93
(signed) Charles Elliot,
Chief Superintendent of the Trade of
British Subjects in China.
To
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
5
Sir,
To the Right honourable F. T. Baring, M. P., Chancellor of Her Majesty's Exchequer.
11, King's Arms-yard, 10 December 1839.
HEREWITH we beg to transmit, as the agents of Messrs. Dent & Co., of Canton, the
original receipt or certificate granted to them by Captain Elliot, Her Majesty's superin-
tendent, for 1,723, say seventeen hundred and twenty-three chests of opium, surrendered
by them to Captain Elliot, for the service of Her Majesty's Government, pursuant to Cap-
tain Elliot's notice of the 27th March last. A copy of this notice is attached to the
certificate. We trust, sir, we are not requesting too much in expressing a hope, that you
will give us the earliest intimation of any steps that may be taken towards indemnifying the
parties to whom this opium belonged. Messrs. Dent & Co. acted but as agents in the
matter, and surrendered the property on behalf of their Indian constituents, under implicit
faith in the powers vested in Her Majesty's chief superintendent. The indemnity money,
you will please to observe, is made payable to us, and we are instructed to account for the
same to the various proprietors, chiefly native merchants resident in Bombay and Bengal.
We have, &c.
Messrs. Forbes, Forbes & Co.,
King William-street.
(signed)
Treasury Chambers, 11 November 1839.
Gentlemen,
HAVING laid before the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury your letter of
the 7th instant, in which you apply for a settlement of certain claims for opium delivered
to the Chinese government, and transmit certificates signed by Captain C. Elliot, I have
received their Lordships' commands to acquaint you, that Parliament has placed at the
disposal of this Board no funds out of which any compensation could be made, and that the
sanction of Parliament would be required before any such claim could be recognized and
paid. To prevent any misconstruction of the intentions of this Board, My Lords have felt
it necessary to direct me further to state, that the subject has been under the attentive con-
sideration of Her Majesty's Government; and to add, that Her Majesty's Government do
not propose to submit to Parliament a vote for the payment of such claims.
I am, &c.
(signed)
Letters to the same effect to the undermentioned persons; viz.-
Messrs. Gregson, Melville & Co., 4, Austin Friars.
Messrs. Daniell, Dickinson & Co., 6, Great Winchester-street.
Messrs. Small, Colquhoun & Co., Old Jewry.
Messrs. W. Burnie & Co., 124, Bishopsgate-street Within.
Messrs. Fletcher, Alexander & Co., Coleman-street.
Messrs. Finlay, Hodgson & Co.
R. Gordon, Esq., Secretary to the Treasury,
&c. &c. &c.
Palmers, Mackillop, Dent & Co.
Sir,
14, Austin Friars, London, 13 November 1839.
We have the honour to acknowledge your letter of the 11th instant.
We beg respectfully to bring to the notice of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury, that the opium in question was not delivered to the Chinese government, but to
Captain Elliot, by his order, for the service of Her Majesty's Government; and when this
circumstance is taken into consideration, we hope our claim for compensation on behalf of
our constituents will be admitted, as the parties interested in India and China confidently
rely on the acts of Her Majesty's accredited agent being recognized.
We have, &c.
(signed)
Messrs. Gregson, Melville & Co.
14, Austin Friars.
150.
Gentlemen,
Treasury Chambers, 23 November 1839.
In answer to your further letter of the 13th instant, on behalf of your constituents for com-
pensation for opium, I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury
to refer you to the former communication from this Board, which their Lordships see no
reason to alter,
A 3
R. Gordon.
Gregson, Melville & Co.
I am, &c.
(signed)
R. Gordon.
Sir,
"J
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
Sir,
8, Old Jewry, London, 14 November 1839.
We have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, in reply to
ours of the 8th, addressed to the Lords of Her Majesty's Treasury, and we regret to learn it
is not their Lordships' intention to recognize the claim we then had the honour to submit to
them on behalf of our Bombay friends; under these circumstances we have to request that
you will direct the documents which accompanied our said letter to be returned to us;
at the same time permit us to remark, that our claim was not for opium delivered to the
Chinese government, as would appear to be inferred by your letter now before us, but for
opium delivered up to Her Majesty's representative, and for Her service, as set forth in Cap-
tain Elliot's receipts for the same, submitted to their Lordships.
We annex a memorandum of the documents referred to, and have the honour to remain, &c.
(signed) Small, Colquhoun & Co.
R. Gordon, Esq., Secretary to the Treasury,
&c. &c. &c.
Sir,
Foreign Office, 6 December 1839.
I AM directed by Viscount Palmerston to transmit to you, for the information of the
Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, the copy of a despatch from Captain Elliot, chief
superintendent of British trade in China, advising of his having drawn bills at 12
months' sight upon their Lordships, to the amount of 63,265 l. 18s. 4 d., in repayment of
523 chests of opium supplied by Messrs. Dent & Co., to make up the deficiencies of
5888
certain parties surrendering opium to be delivered over to the Chinese authorities.
The original register of the bills drawn is likewise enclosed.
Robert Gordon, Esq.
&c. &c. &c.
I am, Sir, your obedient humble servant,
signed)
W. Fox Strangways.
Sir,
Macao, 3 July 1839.
I AM placed in the most responsible and embarrassing situation of issuing bills this day
at 12 months upon the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, in favour of Messrs. Dent
& Co., for the heavy sum of 63,265l. 18s. 4 d., being the amount of 52358 chests of opium
supplied by that firm to make up the deficiencies of parties surrendering opium for the
service of Her Majesty's Government, in terms of my public notice of the 27th March
last.
100
The individuals thus supplied, however, Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee with 406 chests, and
A. & D. Furdonjee with 117 chests, have respectively surrendered, the first 1,729-3 chests,
and the second 6344 chests; so that Her Majesty's Government will have ample means of
replacing the advance at present drawn for from the amount of indemnity hereafter pay-
able to them.
With the purpose to afford time for the public arrangements consequent upon the late
transactions in this country, I have drawn the bills at 12 months' date.
1
It should also be explained that Messrs. Dent & Co. were enabled to furnish these means
of fulfilling my public obligations, and to release the foreign community from their con-
finement at Canton, by the opportune arrival of a single ship from India with opium to
their consignment a few days before my departure from Canton. The rest of the shipping
coming on to China with opium had remained at Singapore, to learn the result of the late
crisis.
A copy of the letter which led Messrs. Dent & Co. to supply the opium is transmitted; and
the deficient parties have also signed a declaration that they were unable to furnish it within
a reasonable time; and further, that they have agreed to the price now fixed upon it,
and consent that it should be abated from their general claim upon Her Majesty's Govern-
ment.
John Backhouse, Esq.
&c. &c. &c.
The whole accounts connected with the surrender of this immense mass of property shall
be transmitted by an early occasion, and I trust the great increase of detail business it has
cast upon this office will be a sufficient excuse for the delay.
Official receipts were taken from the Chinese officers for the respective parcels; and at
the close of the transaction, a general official receipt for the whole, of which a translation
will be duly transmitted with the accounts.
(signed)
I have, &c.
Charles Elliot, Chief Superintendent.
Gentlemen,
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
my
Gentlemen,
Canton, 11 May 1839.
WITH reference to the annexed copy of my circular of this date, bearing your signature,
it is understood, that for any opium which may be surrendered by you under this notice,
in excess of your own original surrender, 1 engage to indemnify you in the fullest manner,
giving you the option of taking my receipt for the said opium, or requiring the parties
whose deficiencies you may thus make up, to replace the opium here or in India, at your
option, or in the event of their not doing so within a reasonable time, by bills upon Her
Majesty's Treasury, of such price per chest as circumstances may show to be fair to all
parties concerned.
Messrs. Dent & Co., Canton.
(signed)
I have, &c.
Charles Elliot, Chief Superintendent.
WE, the undersigned British subjects and merchants lately settled at Canton, do most
solemnly and sincerely declare, that it is not in our power to furnish opium here to Messrs.
Dent & Co. in satisfaction of the amount supplied to make up our respective deficiencies
by that firm; viz.
150.
Herjeebhoy Rustomjee (4065) four hundred and six chests and fifty-eight hun-
dredths.
Ardaseer and Dinshaw Furdonjee (117) one hundred and seventeen chests.
And Messrs. Dent & Co. having refused our offer of receipts for fullest indemnity, founded upon
the securities of our claims upon Her Majesty's Government, or our promise to furnish an
equal quantity of opium in India, we do further declare, that we have agreed to the price of
$500 per chest for the quantities respectively supplied to us; and we do further solemnly
and sincerely declare, that we fully and unreservedly consent that the amount now to be
drawn on the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury in bills of 12 months' date, at the rate
of 4 s. 10d. per Spanish dollar, in favour of Messrs. Dent & Co. should be abated from our
respective claims against Her Majesty's Government for opium surrendered to the chief
superintendent in terms of his public notice of the 27th March last:
Namely, abatement from the claim of Heerjeebhoy Rustonjee, forty-nine thousand one
hundred and twenty-eight pounds eight shillings and four-pence (49,128l. 8s. 4d.),
or two hundred and three thousand two hundred and ninety Spanish dollars ($203,290),
at the rate of 4s. 10 d. per Spanish dollar, being for 40658 chests of opium, at the rate
of $500 dollars per chest, supplied by Messrs. Dent & Co.
Abatement from the claim of Ardaseer and Dinshaw Furdonjee, fourteen thousand
one hundred and thirty-seven pounds and ten shillings (14,137 l. 10 s.), or fifty-eight
thousand and five hundred Spanish dollars ($58,500), at the rate of 4s. 10d. per
Spanish dollar, being for 117 chests of opium, at the rate of $500 per chest,
supplied by Messrs. Dent & Co.
(signed)
A 4
Heerjeebhoy Rustonjee.
A. & D. Furdomjee.
Macao, Declared and executed in my presence this 27th day of June, in the year
to wit. J of our Lord 1839.
(signed) Charles Elliot, Chief Superintendent.
REGISTER
8
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
REGISTER OF BILLS drawn on the Right honourable the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury, by Captain Charles Elliot, R. N., Chief Superintendent of the Trade
of British Subjects in China, and payable at Twelve Months' sight.

NO.
1 2 ✿ ✿
3
4
5
6
77
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
DATE.
Macao, 3 July 1839
>>
""
""
""
"
""
""
""
""
29
""
""
""
››
"
""
TO WHOM PAYABLE.
Dent & Co.
""
""
""
""
""
"
""
"
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
RATE.
4s. 10 d.
>>
""
(signed)
To the Right hon. the Lords Commissioners
of Her Majesty's Treasury, London.
Registered as No. 1. BR. 8. (signed)
››
""
""
""
""
>>
""
""
27
"
"}
""
""
""
£.
AMOUNT.
(signed)
£. S. d.
1,254 14 8
3,128 8 5
720 13 7
592 8
673 3 7g
2,671 2 8
385 9 2
1,388 1
5,385 9
1,711
1 II 00
2,281 6
2,242 13
6,271 5
2,315 3 4
1,208 6 8
604 3 4
30,432 9 11
63,265 18 4
8
We do hereby certify to have received from Captain Charles Elliot, R. N., chief super-
intendent, the bills enumerated as above, amounting to £.63,265. 18. 4.
Dent & Co.
(signed)
Macao, 3 July 1839.
Charles Elliot, Chief Superintendent.
Edward Elmslie, Secretary and Treasurer.
Sir,
Treasury Chambers, 24 December 1839.
I AM commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, to transmit
copy of their Lordships' Minute of the 3d instant, in order that it may be subinitted for
the information of Viscount Palmerston, with reference to your letter of the 6th instant,
enclosing copy of a despatch from Captain Elliot, advising of his having drawn bills for
63,2657. 18s. 4 d., in payment of opium supplied by Messrs. Dent at Canton.
The Hon. W. Fox Strangways.
I am, &c.
4
A. Y. Spearman.
COPY of TREASURY MINUTE, dated 3 December 1839.
VISCOUNT MELBOURNE and the Chancellor of the Exchequer state to the Board, that
certain bills have been presented for acceptance, drawn by Captain Elliot on account of
opium. A copy of one of the bills is as follows; viz.
No. 1.-Exchange for £.1,254. 14. 8. sterling.
My Lords,
Macao, China, 3 July 1839.
Ar 12 months' sight of this my first bill of exchange (second and third of the same
tenor not paid), please to pay to Messrs. Dent & Co., or order, the sum of one thousand two
hundred and fifty-four pounds fourteen shillings and eight-pence sterling, being on account
of opium, estimated at 500 dollars per chest, to make up the deficiencies of certain parties
surrendering opium for the service of Her Majesty's Government, in terms of my public
notice of the 27th March last.
Charles Elliot, Chief Superintendent.
Edward Elmslie, Secretary and Treasurer.
Viscount Melbourne and the Chancellor of the Exchequer suggest to the Board, that
Mr. Rumsey should be directed to inform the parties who presented the bills, that My
Lords can give no authority for their being accepted.
Sir,
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
9
Sir,
Foreign Office, 16 March 1840.
LIST.
I HAVE laid before Viscount Palmerston your letter of the 13th instant, enclosing the copy
of an order of the House of Commons for copies of all communications between any of the
public departments and the holders of bills or certificates granted by the chief superin-
tendent of British trade in China for opium surrendered to the Chinese authorities, together
with an account of the number of such bills or certificates, and of the amount in
sterling value which they represent; and I am directed by his Lordship to From Magniac, Smiths,
transmit to you the accompanying papers, which comprise all the communications.
on the subjects above mentioned now existing in this office, with the exception of
Captain Elliot's despatch, No. 28, a copy of which was transmitted to the Treasury
in Mr. Strangway's letter of the 6th December last, and of Captain Elliot's
despatch, No. 29, a copy of which is transmitted to you in my other letter of this
date.
& Co.
I have to observe that the last mentioned despatch, with the exception of the general re-
ceipt for 20,283 chests of opium, which forms enclosure No. 1, is comprised as No. 153 in
the papers relative to China recently laid before Parliament.
Robert Gordon, Esq.
The Viscount Palmerston, G. C. B.
&c. &c. &c.
My Lord,
3, Lombard-street, 7 November 1839.
WE beg to enclose Captain Elliot's receipt, No. 20, for 73 chests of opium, delivered to him
for the service of Her Majesty's Government, in obedience to his public notice, dated Canton,
27 March 1839, by our correspondent Hormusjee Framjee, who instructs us, in pursuance
of the engagements entered into with him by Captain Elliot, to claim indemnity for the
said opium from the British Government.
5 chests
10
58
""
""
· 150.
Registered, No. 20.
I, Charles Elliot, chief superintendent of the trade of British subjects in China, hereby
acknowledge to have received from Hormusjee Framjee, British subject trading in
Canton, 73 chests of opium, as under, for the service of Her Majesty's Government, in
terms of my public notice to British subjects, dated 27 March 1839, hereunto annexed.
The amount of indemnity for said opium to be paid to Hormusjee Framjee, or his order.
""
-
I
Sworn before me, at Macao in China,
this 15th day of June 1839.
(signed)
We have the honour, &c.
(signed)
Given under my hand and seal of office,
at Macao in China, this 15th day of
June, in the year of our Lord 1839.
I am, &c.
(signed)
1
1
B
-
Magniac, Smiths & Co.
Patna.
Benares.
Malwa.
Turkey.
TOTAL
- 73 chests.
In witness whereof, I have affirmed to four documents, all of this tenor and date, one of
which being made good, the others to stand void.
(signed)
Charles Elliot.
I, Hormusjee Framjee, of Canton, do hereby make oath, that the opium specified above
was, at and before the issue of the public notice to British subjects, signed by Charles Elliot,
Her Majesty's chief superintendent, under date Canton, 27 March 1839, either bonâ fide
the property of me the said Hormusjee Framjee, or consigned to me with full control as
to its disposal: And I do further solemnly declare, that no collusive transfer of any part
of said opium was made to me by the subject of any foreign nation, but that the whole of
the opium was surrendered by myself in the character of a British subject to the chief super-
intendent for the service of Her Majesty's Government, being in all respects, to the best of
my knowledge and belief, opium falling within the letter and spirit of the before-mentioned
notice to British subjects.
(signed)
Hormusjee Framjee.
Charles Elliot, Chief Superintendent.
Το ditto
From ditto
To ditto
From Mr. Duff
Το ditto
From ditto
To ditto
From ditto
Leveson.
I, Charles Elliot, chief superintendent of the trade of British subjects in China, do
hereby certify, that Hormusjee Framjee, the person making the within affidavit, is well
known to me as a British subject established at Canton.
(signed)
t
曇
​Charles Elliot.
จ
+
PUBLIC
<
V
-
*
Nov. 7, 1839.
12,
""
""
14,
19,
""
Dec. 30,
""
Jan. 3, 1840.
"
>>
Mar. 16,
**
19
19
"
10
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
F
PUBLIC NOTICE TO BRITISH SUBJECTS.
I, Charles Elliot, chief superintendent of the trade of British subjects in China,
presently forcibly detained in Canton by the provincial government, together with all the
merchants of my own and the other foreign nations settled here, without supplies of food,
deprived of our servants, and cut off from all intercourse with our respective countries (not-
withstanding my own official demand to be set at liberty, so that I might act without re-
straint), have now received the commands of the High Commissioner, issued directly to me
under the seals of the honourable officers, to deliver into his hands all the opium held by the
people of my country. Now I, the said chief superintendent, thus constrained by para-
mount motives affecting the safety of the lives and liberty of all the foreigners here present
in Canton, and by other very weighty causes, do hereby, in the name and on the behalf of
Her Britannic Majesty's Government, enjoin and require all Her Majesty's subjects now
present in Canton forthwith to make a surrender to me, for the service of Her said Majesty's
Government, to be delivered over to the government of China, of all the opium belonging
to them, or British opium under their respective control; and to hold the British ships and
vessels engaged in the trade of opium subject to my immediate direction; and to forward to
me, without delay, a sealed list of all the British-owned opium in their respective possession:
And I, the said chief superintendent, do now, in the most full and unreserved manner,
hold myself responsible, for and on the behalf of Her Britannic Majesty's Government, to
all and each of Her Majesty's subjects surrendering the said British-owned opium into my
hands, to be delivered over to the Chinese government: And I, the said chief super-
intendent, do further specially caution all Her Majesty's subjects here present in Canton,
owners of or charged with the management of opium, the property of British subjects, that,
failing the surrender of the said opium into my hands at or before six o'clock this day, I,
the said chief superintendent, hereby declare Her Majesty's Government wholly free of all
manner of responsibility or liability in respect of the said British-owned opium.
And it is specially to be understood that proof of British property and value of all British
opium surrendered to me agreeably to this notice shall be determined upon principles and in
a manner hereafter to be defined by Her Majesty's Government.
Given under my hand and seal of office,"
at Canton in China, this 27th day of
March, in the year of our Lord 1839,
at six o'clock in the morning.
Registered, No. 20.
(signed) E. Elmslie,
Secretary and Treasurer to the Superintendents.
(L. S.)
(signed) Charles Elliot,
Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British
Subjects in China.
(Indorsed)
Pay to the order of Messrs. Magniac, Smiths & Co., London.
(signed)
Gentlemen,
Foreign Office, 12 November 1839.
I AM directed by Viscount Palmerston to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the
7th instant, enclosing a receipt given by Captain Elliot for 73 chests of opium, delivered to
him by the Parsee British merchant, Hormusjee Framjee, in conformity with Captain Elliot's
notice, dated Canton, 27 March 1839.
Messrs. Magniac & Co.
The Viscount Palmerston, G. C. B.
&c. &c. &c.
Mabu
Hormusjee Framjee.
I am, &c.
(signed)
My Lord,
3, Lombard-street, 14 November 1839.
E
We have to acknowledge your Lordship's reply, through Mr. Backhouse, to our letter
of the 7th inst., in which we claimed indemnity for 73 chests of opium, delivered by
Hormusjee Framjee to Captain Elliot, as per his receipt, No. 20; but as that reply simply
acknowledges receipt of our letter and enclosure, our sense of responsibility to our con-
stituent imposes upon us the duty of again applying to your Lordship, to inquire whether
Her Majesty's Government intend fulfilling the engagements entered into by Captain Elliot
on their behalf.
J. Backhouse.
We have the honour, &c.
(signed) Magniac, Smiths & Co.
Gentlemen,
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
11
Gentlemen,
Foreign Office, 19 November 1839.
I AM directed by Viscount Palmerston to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the
you
14th instant, referring to your former letter of the 7th, in which claimed compensation
for 73 chests of opium, delivered by Hormusjee Framjee to Captain Elliot, and stating that
as my answer to your letter of the 7th was simply an acknowledgment of its receipt, your
sense of responsibility to your constituent had imposed upon you the duty of again applying
to Lord Palmerston to inquire "whether Her Majesty's Government intend fulfilling the
engagements entered into by Captain Elliot.”
I am now to state to you, in reply to this specific inquiry, that Her Majesty's Government
have no funds at their disposal out of which any compensation could be made to the owners
of the opium which was surrendered to Captain Elliot, in conformity with his public notice,
dated Canton, 27 March 1839; that the sanction of Parliament would be necessary before
any claims against Her Majesty's Government, founded on Captain Elliot's notice, could be
recognized and paid, and further, that it is not the intention of Her Majesty's Government to
submit to Parliament a vote for the payment of such claims.
Messrs. Magniac, Smiths & Co.
My Lord,
Clement's Inn, London, 30 December 1839.
I HAVE the honour to hand you the enclosed papers, and to request your Lordship's
answers to the demands therein contained.
I have the honour to be, &c.
(signed)
The Viscount Palmerston, &c. &c. &c.
[A similar letter was addressed to the Treasury.]
No. 1. Abadeen and Jam Sooden
2. Bomanjee Hosonggee
4. Bomanjee Ruttonjee
5. Burjorjee Monackjee
6. Burjorjee Sorabjee
8. Cowasjee Edulgee
10. Cowasjee Saporjee
11. Cowasjee Saporjee Taback
14. Dossabhoy Hormutzjee Dollakac
16. Framjee Jamsetjee
19. Homnizjee Byranijee
22. Nasserwanjee Bomonjee Mody
23. Nasserwanjee Dorabjee
24. Pallonjee Dorabjee
25. Pallonjee Nassarwanjee Patill
27. D. & M. Rustomjee
I HAVE the honour, on behalf and at the request of Messrs. Forbes, Forbes & Company,
of the city of London, East India agents, indorsees and holders of the original certificates
or documents under the hand of Charles Elliot, esq., chief superintendent of the trade
of British subjects in China, acknowledging the receipt by him, the said Charles Elliot,
esq., of the undermentioned chests of opium for the service of Her Majesty's Government,
in terms of his public notice to British subjects, dated at Canton in China, 27 March 1839;
(that is to say)
28. Dadabhoy & Manockjee Rustomjee
29. Rustomjee Ruttonjee
150.
រ
1
B 2
1
I am, &c.
(signed)
I
}
I
·
J. Backhouse.
539
59
232
67
13
67
12
4
25 chests.
3
4
91
127
51
9
32
940
""
>>
""
""
,,
""
39
"
";
""
Willm Duff.
""
""
,, and 66 parts.
and a half.
and a half.
""
""
and 65 parts.
""
14 ""
to demand and require of your Lordship, as Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, and as representing Her Britannic Majesty's Government, the determination by Her
Majesty's Government of the principles and manner upon and in which the said Messrs.
Forbes, Forbes & Company shall prove to Her Majesty's Government the value of the
said opium surrendered to the chief superintendent, and which is acknowledged to have
been received by him from the British subjects in the said certificates or documents respec-
tively named for the service of Her Majesty's Government, in terms of his said public
(signed) Willm Duff, Notary.
notice.
and.
Your Lordship having declined to comply with my said. demand, I now, at the request
aforesaid, further demand and require of your Lordship, as representing Her Majesty's
Government, payment of the amount of indemnity for the said opium, at the rate of
500 dollars, at the exchange of 4s. 10 d. per dollar, being equal to the sum of 120 l. 16s. 8d.
of sterling lawful money of Great Britain per chest, for each and every chest of the said
opium so surrendered as aforesaid, and acknowledged to have been received by the said
Charles Elliot, as such superintendent, from the said respective British subjects named in
the said certificates or documents for the service of Her Majesty's Government, the said
sum of 500 dollars per chest being the price paid by the said chief superintendent for
500 chests of opium, or thereabout, purchased by him to make up the deficiencies of certain
parties surrendering opium for the service of Her Majesty's Government, in terms of the said
public notice.
(signed) Willm Duff, Notary.
Sir,
12
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
Foreign Office, 3 January 1840.
Sir,
I AM directed by Viscount Palmerston to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the
30th ultimo, enclosing two documents, the one demanding, on behalf of Messrs. Forbes,
Forbes & Co., that his Lordship will afford to that firm the means of proving the value of
certain chests of opium, delivered to Captain Elliot, at Canton, by parties whom Messrs.
Forbes, Forbes & Co. represent in this country; the other demanding, in the event of Lord
Palmerston's non-compliance with the preceding request, payment for the said opium, at
the rate of 500 dollars per chest; and in reply, I am to acquaint you, that Lord Palmerston
cannot comply with the demand contained in either of the documents above referred to.
I am, &c.
(signed)
Mr. Duff, Notary Public.
My Lord,
Clement's-lane, 3 January 1840.
I HAVE the honour to hand you the enclosed papers, and to request your Lordship's
answer to the demands therein contained.
The Viscount Palmerston, G. C. B.
&c. &c. &c.
[A similar letter was addressed to the Treasury.]
No. 40, Fox, Rawson & Company
No. 55, Turner & Company
J. Backhouse.
I have the honour, &c.
(signed)
I HAVE the honour, on behalf and at the request of Messrs. Small, Colquhoun & Co., of
the city of London, East India agents, indorsees and holders of the two original certificates
or documents, under the hand of Charles Elliot, esq., chief superintendent of the trade
of British subjects in China, acknowledging the receipt by him, the said Charles Elliot, of
the chests of opium in the said certificates or documents mentioned, for the service of Her
Majesty's Government, in terms of his public notice to British subjects, dated at Canton,
in China, 27th of March 1839; (that is to say)
¡
Will. Duff.
30 chests;
71 22
and on behalf and at the request of Messrs. Cockerell & Company, of the said city of
London, East India agents, indorsees and holders of the original certificate or document
under the hand of the said chief superintendent, acknowledging the receipt by him of the
chests of opium mentioned in the certificate or document, No. 33, for the service of Her
Majesty's Government, in terms of his said notice to British subjects; (that is to say)
40 chests;
No. 33, Bell & Company
1
to demand and require of your Lordship, as Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, and as representing Her Britannic Majesty's Government, the determination by
Her Majesty's Government of the principles and manner upon and in which the said
several holders and indorsees shall prove to Her Majesty's Government the value of the
said opium surrendered to the said chief superintendent, and which is acknowledged to
have been received by him from the British subjects in the said certificates or documents
respectively named, for the service of Her Majesty's Government, in terms of his said
public notice.
(signed)
Will, Duff, Notary.
YOUR Lordship having declined to comply with my said demand, I now, at the request
aforesaid, further demand and require of your Lordship, as representing Her Majesty's
Government, payment of the amount of indemnity for the said opium, at the rate of 500
dollars, at the exchange of 4s. 10 d. per dollar, being equal to the sum of 120 l. 16s. 8d. of
sterling lawful money of Great Britain per chest, for each and every chest of the said
opium so surrendered as aforesaid, and acknowledged to have been received by the said
Charles Elliot, as such superintendent, from the said respective British subjects named in
the said certificates or documents for the service of Her Majesty's Government, the said
sum of dollars, 500, being the price per chest paid by the said chief superintendent for 500
chests of opium, or thereabout, purchased by him to make up the deficiencies of certain
parties surrendering opium for the service of Her Majesty's Government, in terms of his said
public notice.
(signed)
Will. Duff, Notary.
Sir,
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
13
Sir,
Foreign Office, 3 January 1840.
I AM directed by Viscount Palmerston to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this
date, enclosing two documents, the one demanding, on behalf of Messrs. Small, Colqu-
houn & Co., and Messrs. Cockerell & Co., that his Lordship will afford to those firms the
means of proving the value of certain chests of opium delivered to Captain Elliot, at Canton,
by parties whom Messrs. Small, Colquhoun & Co., and Messrs. Cockerell & Co., represent
in this country; the other demanding, in the event of Lord Palmerston's non-compliance
with the preceding request, payment for the said opium, at the rate of 500 dollars per chest ;
and, in reply, I have only to refer you to the answer which, by Lord Palmerston's direction,
I have returned in my other letter of this date to a similar application on behalf of Messrs.
Forbes, Forbes & Co., which answer his Lordship desires you will consider as applicable
generally to all demands of a like nature which you may hereafter be instructed to address
to him.
Mr. Duff, Notary Public.
The Viscount Palmerston, G. C. B.
&c. &c. &c.
My Lord,
Clement's-lane, London, 16 March 1840.
I HAVE the honour to hand you the enclosed papers, and to request your Lordship's
answers to the demands therein contained.
I am, &c.
(signed) J. Backhouse.
150.
[A similar letter was addressed to the Treasury.]
Jamsetjee Rustomjee
Pestmjee Ruttonjee Shroff
I have the honour, &c.
(signed)
I HAVE the honour, on behalf and at the request of Messrs. Forbes, Forbes & Co., of the
city of London, East India agents, indorsees and holders of the original certificates or docu-
ments, under the hand of Charles Elliot, esq., chief superintendent of the trade of British
subjects in China, acknowledging the receipt by him, the said Charles Elliot, of the under-
mentioned chests of opium for the service of Her Majesty's Government, in terms of
his public notice to British subjects, dated at Canton in China, 27th March 1839; (that
is to say)
Will™ Duff.
B 3
77 chests, No. 21.
No. 26.
11
""
to demand and require of your Lordship, as Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, and as representing Her Britannic Majesty's Government, the determination by
Her Majesty's Government of the principles and manner upon and in which the said
Messrs. Forbes, Forbes & Co. shall prove to Her Majesty's Government the value of the
said opium surrendered to the said chief superintendent, and which is acknowledged to
have been received by him from the British subjects in the said certificates or documents
respectively named, for the service of Her Majesty's Government, in terms of his said
public notice.
(signed)
Willm Duff, Notary.
YOUR Lordship having declined to comply with my said demand, I now, at the request
aforesaid, further demand and require of your Lordship, as representing Her Majesty's
Government, payment of the amount of indemnity for the said opium, at the rate of
500 dollars, at the exchange of 4s. 10d. per dollar, being equal to the sum of 1207. 16 s. 8 d.
of sterling lawful money of Great Britain per chest, for each and every chest of the said
opium so surrendered as aforesaid, and acknowledged to have been received by the said
Charles Elliot, as such superintendent, from the respective British subjects named in the
said certificates or documents, for the service of Her Majesty's Government, the said sum
of 500 dollars being the price per chest paid by the said chief superintendent for 500 chests
of opium, or thereabout, purchased by him to make up the deficiencies of certain parties
surrendering opium for the service of Her Majesty's Government, in terms of the said
public notice.
(signed)
Willm Duff.
STATEMENT
14
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
STATEMENT of CERTIFICATES granted by the CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT at Canton for
Opium surrendered to the Chinese Authorities, which have been presented to the Lords
Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury.

NAME OF AGENT
OR
HOLDER OF CERTIFICATES.
Gregson, Melville & Co.
Forbes, Forbes & Co.
Palmer & Co.
Macvicar & Co.
Abadeen & Samsoodeen
Burjorgee Monackjee
Cowasjee Edulgee
Cowasjee Saporjee -
Cowasjee Saporjee Toback
Nasserwanjee Bomonjee Mody
Nasserwanjee Donabjee -
Fox, Rawson & Co.
Turner & Co.
Daniell & Co.
127
Small, Colquhoun & Co.
30
30
Daniell, Dickinson & Co. |
1,465
The certificates did not accompany Messrs. Daniell, Dickinson & Co.'s application for
indemnity.
Treasury Chambers,
17 March 1840.
NO.
123
4
5
6
77
8
10
13
17
9
14
12
15
11
16
Dent & Co.
DATE.
3 July 1839
"
""
""
""
22
"
""
IN WHOSE FAVOUR,
AN ACCOUNT of all BILLS drawn on the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Trea_
sury by Captain Charles Elliot, R.N., Chief Superintendent at Canton, for Opium sur-
rendered to the Chinese Authorities, which have been presented at their Lordships' Office
for Payment.
""
""
""
"
"
""
""
""
"
Treasury Chambers,
17 March 1840.
•}
sp
TO WHOM PAYABLE.
Messrs. Dent & Co.
""
""
""
""
"
">
""
"
""
"2
""
""
1
""
"2
"
""
NUMBER
OF
CHESTS.
1,146
25
539.65 parts
232
67
13
91.66 parts
£.
1,723
VALUE
STERLING.
not known.
AMOUNT.
(See Minute on the subject of these Bills, page 8.)
£.
Sa
d.
1,254 14 8
3,128 8 5
720 13
592 8
673 3 7
2,671 2 8
385 9 2
1
1,388
1,711
6,271 5
30,432 9 11
5,385 9
2,315 3 4
2,242 13 4
1,208 6 8
1,281 6 8
604 3 4
"}
""
63,265 18 4
""
""
""
""
not known.
""
""
""
""


12
CHINA.
COPIES of all COMMUNICATIONS between the
Board of Treasury or the India Board, &c,
respecting CERTIFICATES or BILLS granted by
the Chief Superintendent at Canton for OPIUM
surrendered to the Chinese Authorities.
150.
(Mr. Herries.)
Į
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
23 March 1840.
Under 3 oz.
"
OPIUM TRADE.
RETURN to an ORDER of the Honourable The House of Commons,
dated 13 February 1840 ;-for,
A COPY of all PAPERS and DESPATCHES at the India House, on the Subject
of HOSTILITIES between the Chinese and British Subjects engaged in the
OPIUM TRADE, from 1830 to 1833, both Years inclusive.
East India House,
23 March 1840. S
156.
(Sir Harry Verney.)
JAMES C. MELVILL.
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
24 March 1840.
[Price 7d.]
Under 8oz.
[ 2 ]
SUBJECT.
Letter from Mr. Secretary Astell to Mr. Secretary Auber, on the subject of
two Edicts from the Ken min-foo, respecting an Affray in the Cum-sing-
moon, between the Foreigners belonging to the Shipping at that Anchor-
age and the Natives on Shore
INDEX.
Consultation of the President (W. H. C. Plowden, Esq.) and Select
Committee (John Francis Davis and James Nugent Daniell, Esqrs.)
on the subject
The Edicts above referred to
Letter from Mr. Secretary Astell to Captain A. Grant, Master of the
Ship Hercules, requiring a communication of the Particulars of this
proceeding
I
Extract Letter from the President and Select Committee at Canton to the
Court of Directors
-
·
Edict from the Viceroy, concerning the Affray
Letter from Captain A. Grant, accompanied by a Statement of Events
at Cum-sing-moon
Consultation on the subject of the Viceroy's Edict and of Captain
Grant's Despatch
Letter from Mr. Secretary Astell to Captain Grant, containing the Sen-
timents and Directions of the President and Select Committee
01
.
Reply by the President and Select Committee to the Viceroy's Address
of the 22d instant
-
❤
Circular from Mr. Secretary Astell, requiring the Removal of Ships
from the Cum-sing-moon Anchorage
Letter from Mr. Secretary Astell to Mr. Secretary Bushby, Fort
William, enclosing further Correspondence respecting the Affray at
Cum-sing-moon
Edict by the Heen of Heang-shan
Orders to the Hong Merchants by the Heen of Nan Hae
Chop, by the Hoppo
Edict by the Viceroy
Letter from Captain Grant to Mr. Secretary Astell, in reply to his
Communication of the 27th instant
<
G
--
·
-
20 Oct. 1833
- 16 & 17 Oct.
1833.
-
Letter from Mr. Secretary Astell to Mr. Secretary Bushby, Fort
William, forwarding additional Documents
Consultation interview with the Houg Merchants, respecting the fol-
lowing Edict
Edict by the Viceroy, in Answer to the President and Select Com-
mittee's Letter of the 25th instant
Edict by the Heen of Heang-shan
Consultation: Interview with Howqua and Mowqua, on the subject of
the Chinese who was wounded at Cum sing-moon having died
Edict by the Viceroy, demanding the alleged Murderer
Letter from the President and Select Committee, in reply thereto
DATE.
22 Oct. 1833
19 Oct. 1833
16 Nov. 1833
22 Oct. 1833
24 Oct. 1833
25 Oct. 1833
27 Oct. 1833
• 28 Oct. 1833
25 Oct. 1833
28 Oct. 1833
28 Oct 1833
21 Oct. 1833
24 Oct. 1833
24 Oct. 1833
27 Oct. 1833
1 Nov. 1833
4 Nov. 1833
3 Nov. 1833
- 1 Nov. 1833
5 Nov 1833
5 Nov. 1833
7 Nov. 1833
-
1
-
PAGE.
5
6-7
་
10
5
7
11
21
21
22
23
23
24
25
25
25
27
28
28
28
30
31
32
33
Consultation :
[ 3 ]
SUBJECT.
Consultation: Conversation with Captain Plumridge, H. M. S.
Magicienne
- 13 Nov. 1833
13 Nov. 1833
- 13 Nov. 1833
Letter from Captain Plumridge to the President
Reply thereto by the President
Remarks on the following Edict
Edict by the Viceroy, in Reply to the Committee's Address of the 7th
instant
·
- 13 Nov. 1833
dav
Consultation thereon, as to the line of Policy to be followed
Letter from the President and Select Committee to the Viceroy, dis-
avowing responsibility on account of Offences committed by the
Opium Ships
-
Extract Letter from the President and Select Committee at Canton to the
Court of Directors
Edict by the Kwang Chow Foo, concerning the Cum-sing-moon
Affray
Consultation with the Merchants bringing back the Letter of the 15th
instant to the Viceroy for alteration
-
Order by the Acting Kwang Chow Foo
Reply to the Kwang Chow Foo by the President and Select Committee,
disclaiming responsibility
Extract Letter from the President and Select Committee at Canton to the
Court of Directors
Edict by the Kwang Chow Foo, demanding the delivery of the alleged
Murderer
Consultation thereon
Letter from the President and Select Committee to Captain Plum-
ridge
Reply thereto by Captain Plumridge
-
Extract Letter from the President and Select Committee at Canton to the
Court of Directors
- 26 Nov. 1833
Notice of another Edict from the Kwang Chow Foo (not recorded)
Edict by the Kwang Chow Foo
Report to the Kwang Chow Foo by Heeng Shang, Magistrate,
(received)
-
-
Governor Loo's Order, referring the Affair to the Gan-cha-sye, or
Judge
Extract Letter from the President (John Francis Davis, Esq.) and Select
Committee (James Nugent Daniell and John Jackson, Esqrs.) to the
Court of Directors
Edict by the Kwang Chow Foo, to the Hong Merchants
Consultation: As to a Man of Colour persuaded to represent himself
as having accidentally caused the Death of the Chinese Native at
Cum-sing-moon
-
DATE.
Letter from the President to the Viceroy, interposing on behalf of the
said Man confined in the City
Consultation: Notice issued by the President and Select Committee in
order to ascertain whether the Man be a British subject or in British
Employ
Letter from the Select Committee to the Governor of Macao upon the
subject
156.
-
12 Nov. 1833
15 Nov. 1833
15 Nov. 1833
2 Dec. 1833
20 Nov. 1833
23 Nov. 1833
24 Nov. 1833
10 Dec. 1833
3 Dec. 1833
4 Dec. 1833
5 Dec. 1833
6 Dec. 1833
3 Jan. 1834
15 Dec. 1833
17 Dec. 1833
20 Dec. 1833
21 Dec. 1833
31 Jan. 1834
10 Jan. 1834
24 Jan. 1834
24 Jan. 1834
25 Jan. 1834
25 Jan. 1834
-
J
-
PAGE.
33
34
34
34
34
36
36
37
37
38
38
39
40
40
41
41
42
42
42
42
43
45
46
47
&&
49
· 50
50
Reply
[ 4 ]
SUBJECT.
Reply from the Viceroy to the Letter from the President; Consulta-
tion thereon
•
Select Committee's Reply thereto, 'protesting against Injury being
offered to the Man confined in the City, and requesting his
Release
-
Minute of Conference with Howqua and Mowqua, respecting the Man
confined in the City
The Viceroy's Reply to the Committee's Second Protest; Consultation
thereon
Select Committee's Answer thereto, expressing satisfaction at the
Assurance given by His Excellency that the life of the Man will not
be forfeited
Letter from Mr. Secretary Astell to Mr. Secretary Bushby, Fort
William, detailing further particulars
The Viceroy's Reply to the Committee's Address of the 11th
instant
-
DATE.
- 8 Feb. 1834
·
-
28 Jan. 1834
29 Jan. 1834
1 Feb. 1834
11 Feb. 1834
20 Feb. 1834
19 Feb. 1834
PAGE.
f
50
51
51
52
53
53
54
1
[ 5 ]
A COPY of all PAPERS and DESPATCHES at the India House, on the Subject
of HOSTILITIES between the Chinese and British Subjects engaged in the
OPIUM TRADE, from 1830 to 1833, both Years inclusive.
To Peter Auber, Esq., Secretary, &c., East India House.
Sir,
I AM directed by the President and Select Committee, to acquaint you that since
the closing of their despatch to the Honourable Court in the factory depart-
ment of yesterday's date, they have received from the Kenn-min-foo two edicts,
in which it is stated that an aggression had been committed by the crews of the
opium receiving ships in the Cum-sing-moon anchorage, on the natives on shore,
and that in the affray which took place a prisoner had been detained on board
one of the ships.
2. The President and Select Committee not relying on the entire authenticity
of this statement, directed me to address Captain Grant, whose ship we know for
certain was principally involved, requiring him to furnish a full and particular
account of all that has occurred.
•
3. I have the honour to enclose copies of the edicts referred to, and of my
letter to Captain Grant (Nos. 1 to 3).
4. Without attaching any importance to the rumours which have reached
Canton in reference to this affair, and in the absence of authentic information, it
is right that I should place you in possession of the current report, exactly as it
has reached the ears of the President and Select Committee.
5. We are informed that a Chinese having been seized for theft, and subse-
quently confined and severely punished on board the "Hercules," the Chinese
in their turn captured three Lascars, who were guarding the wreck of the opium
ship"Samarang," which is drawn up on the beach at Cum-sing-moon. This
being observed by persons on board the ships, boats were manned, armed, and
sent on shore; and after pursuing the Chinese to a village, where a desperate
fight ensued, two of the Lascars were recaptured, the third being left in the
hands of the Chinese. A despatch was then sent to Captain Grant, who was at
Macao, and who is considered the head of the fleet at that anchorage, informing
him of what had occurred, and desiring his instructions as to whether they were
to make another effort to rescue the Lascar. It is further stated that he answered
in the affirmative, whereupon another party, considerably larger, left the ships in
numerous boats, displaying flags of all nations, and armed with artillery, muskets,
and cutlasses; upon approaching the landing-place, they unexpectedly found
themselves commanded by a fort which, to frustrate their intention of landing,
immediately opened a fire upon them from two or three small guns, which without
doing any damage had the purposed effect. Upon the first occasion it is said that
a Mr. Baylis was severely wounded by a Chinese, who was instantly cut down by
one of the party.
6. The two edicts which I have before referred to, and which accompany this
letter, are the only communications which have hitherto been received by the
President and Select Committee, and as far as they have been able to learn, no
official report of this affair has yet reached the higher authorities of Government
at Canton.
Canton, 22 October 1833.
•
I have, &c.
(signed) J. H. Astell, Secretary.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 20th October 1833.
WE have this day received two edicts from the Kenn-min-foo, in which it is
stated that an affray has taken place between the foreigners belonging to the
shipping at Cum-sing-moon and the natives on shore.
We are at the same time informed by current report, that the ship alluded to
is the "Hercules,
Hercules," Captain Grant, and that the disturbance originated in a
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PAPERS RELATING TO
MA
Chinese having been seized for theft, and subsequently confined and severely
punished on board the "Hercules." The Chinese, in their turn, a few days since,
captured three Lascars, who were guarding the wreck of the opium receiving
ship"Samarang," which is drawn up on the beach at Cum-sing-moon. This
being observed by persons on board the ships, boats were armed and manned and
sent on shore, and after pursuing the Chinese to a village, where a desperate
fight ensued, two of the Lascars were recaptured, the third being left in the
hands of the Chinese. A despatch was sent then to Captain Grant at Macao,
desiring his instructions as to whether they were to make another attempt to
rescue the Lascar. On his replying in the affirmative, a party, considerably
larger than the first, left the ship, displaying flags of all nations, armed with
artillery, muskets, and cutlasses. Upon approaching the landing-place, they
unexpectedly found themselves commanded by a fort which, to frustrate their
intention of landing, immediately opened a fire upon them from two or three
small guns, which, without doing any damage, had the purposed effect.
It is not our intention at present to take any notice of either of these edicts;
for, if the matter is likely to take a serious turn, we shall certainly hear further
from the higher authorities in Canton. Without, therefore, considering either the
report which we have stated to be current in Canton, or that affirmed by the
Kenn-min-foo, we shall require, as a preliminary step, from Captain Grant a
full and particular account of all that has occurred.
I, Hoo, Kenn-min-foo, &c. &c., issue an order for the institution of an inquiry
concerning an affair reported to me on the 3d of the present month by the
Heang-shan-heen, who states that on the evening of the 2d he received informa-
tion from a Macao police runner, named Tang Yuen, to the effect that about
4 P. M. on the day previous thereto, several foreigners had landed from a ship
anchored in the Cum-sing-moon, and having entered the village of Kee-oo, tried
to force the people to sell them provisions, and that on finding them resolved not
to comply, they took occasion to plunder them and carry off a bullock, the
owner of which, by name Ko Ming Tsew, with his friend Hwang-a-Mang, pur-
sued them, in hopes of recovering his property, upon which he himself was
seized, whilst his friend Hwang, in endeavouring to rescue him, was wounded by
one of the foreigners striking him with a musket. The presumptuous act of
seizing a native Chinese was resorted to on the trifling grounds of a dispute
about bringing provisions, and manifests a most audacious spirit of defiance of
the laws. The Heang-shan-heen begs me to condescend to inquire and find out
the name of the foreign ship alluded to, and to call upon the chief of the nation
to which she belongs to give imperative orders for the instant release of Ko Ming
Tsew, the man that was seized, and restitution of the bullock that was stolen and
carried off; and furthermore to require the chief to investigate and discover who
the foreigner was that inflicted the wound with a musket, and place (him) the
murderer in confinement. Should Hwang-a-Heang recover of his wounds, the
chief may then be permitted to set him free; but in case the wound should
prove mortal, the foreign murderer must be delivered up for trial. Such are the
circumstances represented, and it is fit to act thereupon in conformity with what
is just and expedient. As this case refers to a quarrel between Chinese and
foreigners, in which one has been seized and another wounded, it can by no
means be looked upon as an affair of little consequence. I therefore lose no time
in ordering the chief to take a linguist with him, and repair*, without an instant's
delay, to the Cum-sing-moon; let them sift the case clearly, and ascertain who
were the foreigners who landed at Kee-oo on the first of the month, and com-
mitted the outrages already detailed; let them state to what nation the ship
belongs, the name of the murderer, and so forth, and give instant orders for the
release of Ko and of his bullock, and the placing the murderer in confinement to
await the result of his outrage. Having thus acted, let them immediately
despatch a report to my office, and in it let there be no disguise or concealment
of truth, and no attempt at evasive excuses, which will only involve them in
disagreeable consequences. This must not be looked upon as a document of
official form.-Haste! haste!-A special edict.
Taon Kwang, 13 year, 16th October 1833.
9 Moon, 4 day.
}
With the rapidity of a meteor-like lightning.
{
THE OPIUM TRADE.
7
I, Hoo, Kenn-min-foo, &c. &c. issue my orders, and let them be fully attended
to. I have already received a representation from the Heang-shan-heen relative
to the outrages perpetrated at the village of Kee-oo by a party of foreigners,
who landed from a ship at anchor in Kum-sing-moon. I have since examined
Hwang-a- Mang, and found that the report of his having been wounded with a
musket is perfectly true. I have put all the circumstances on record, and ordered
a doctor to attend him. From this man I further learn, that on the 3d inst. the
same party of foreigners again landed, and caused great confusion and alarm
throughout the village, and that great difficulty is experienced in avoiding fresh
disturbances. I have, on a former day, issued orders for the instant release of Ko
Ming Tsew, and the restitution of his bullock, and the confinement of the foreign
murderer; and now, with reference to this last most lawless proceeding, I lose no
time in calling upon the English chief to go directly to the Kum-sing-moon, and
order away the ship referred to into the open sea, and most strictly to interdict any
more landings, and consequent disturbances, which cannot fail of eventually lead-
ing to serious involvement. Let him communicate the orders I now give, and let
obedience be shown to them; after which, let him report back to my office, and
not look upon this as a mere matter of official form. Let there be no attempt to
screen the truth, and make evasive replies. Haste! haste!-A special edict.
Taon Kwang, 13 year, }
9 moon, 5 day.
17 October.
To Captain A. Grant, Master of the Ship "Hercules."
Sir,
I AM directed by the President and Select Committee to acquaint you, that
they have received two communications from the Chinese government, represent-
ing an affray, attended with bloodshed, to have occurred in the Cum-sing-moon
between the foreigners from the Hercules, and other shipping connected with her
at that anchorage, and the natives on shore, whereby the Chinese have been
wounded, their property taken, and prisoners captured and detained on board
the ship.
I have received instructions from the President and Select Committee to require
that you will immediately communicate to them the particulars of this proceeding,
and inform them whether any Chinese are detained on board the Hercules, in
order that they may take such steps as may appear necessary on the occasion.
Canton, 19 October 1833.
I am, &c.
(signed) J. H. Astell, Secretary.
EXTRACT FACTORY LETTER from Canton, dated 16 November 1833.
88. SUBSEQUENT to the closing of our last despatch, we directed our Secretary
to address a letter to Mr. Secretary Auber, for the purpose of acquainting your
Honourable Court of an affray that had just taken place at Cum-sing-moon,
between the crews of the opium ships and the natives on shore: two edicts from
the Chinese authorities and our Secretary's letter to Captain Grant accompanied
that despatch.
89. Anxious to place your Honourable Court in possession of every circumstance
connected with this extraordinary proceeding, we propose to give a sketch of it in
the following paragraphs.
90. The subject was first brought to our notice in two edicts from the local
authorities, stating that an affray had taken place at Cum-sing-moon, between
the foreigners belonging to the shipping and the natives on shore, in which a
Chinese had been taken and detained prisoner on board one of the ships.
91. The report which reached us at the same time affirmed that the ship
alluded to was the "Hercules," Captain Grant, and that the disturbance originated
in a Chinese having been detained for theft, and severely punished on board the
Hercules. The Chinese, in their turn, captured three Lascars, who were guard-
ing the wreck of the opium receiving ship Samarang, which is drawn up on the
beech at Cum-sing-moon. This being observed by persons on board the ships,
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Factory Cons.,
20 October.
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PAPERS RELATING TO
Factory Cons.,
20 October.
Factory Cons.,
24 October.
Factory Cons.,
25 October.
Factory Cons.,
25 October.
boats were armed and manned, and sent on shore, and, after pursuing the Chinese to
a village, where a desperate fight ensued, two of the Lascars were recaptured, the
third being left in their hands; a reference was then made to Captain Grant, at
Macao, whose instructions were, to make another attempt to rescue the Lascar.
92. Accordingly, a party very considerably larger than the first left the ships,
displaying flags of all nations, armed with artillery, muskets, and cutlasses. Upon
approaching the landing-place, they unexpectedly found themselves commanded
by a fort, which, to frustrate their intentions of landing, opened a fire upon them
from one or two small guns, which, without doing any damage, had the desired
effect.
93. Such were the current reports, and your Honourable Court will hereafter
perceive that, far from being at all exaggerated, they under-rate the excesses
which were committed. We are credibly informed, by an eye-witness, that the
party, on the first landing, set fire to a village, which was seen to burn during the whole
of one night, and the commission of this outrage rendered the natives infuriate in
attacking and repelling the party from the Hercules.
94. We did not consider it necessary to take any notice of the edicts referred
to, being well aware that, should the matter take a serious turn, we should
assuredly hear further from higher authorities in Canton; without, therefore, any
reference to the report which was then current in Canton, or that affirmed by the
Kenn-min-foo, we required from Captain Grant a full and particular account of all
that had occurred.
95. On the 24th October we received a reply from Captain Grant, enclosing a
narrative of events at Cum-sing-moon during the whole period in question. On
the same day an edict from the viceroy on the subject was delivered to the
President.
96. A reference to our Consultations will exhibit our detailed opinion on these
documents, and your Honourable Court will perceive how very necessary it was
that we should well consider every step we proposed to take in the business, in
order to preserve consistency in our conduct and correspondence with the Chinese
government.
97. It has hitherto been our policy, as well as our interest, to profess non-inter-
ference as to what passes without the Bogue, with the quarrels and disturbances
which arise between the crews of the opium ships and the natives; but we fear the
time has been gradually approaching, and has now arrived, when the system of
non-interference has reared up a power, and encouraged a lawless and piratical
mode of procedure, which it is absolutely incumbent upon us to put down.
98. Your Honourable Court, in perusing our Factory Consultations during the
past summer, will fully agree with us in opinions so frequently expressed in
reference to this point, and many instances will be seen of the factious opposition
that our authority has met with, and it is solely on account of this growing power,
and independent spirit which prevailed, that we found it absolutely necessary to
demand the licence of every British vessel, and to retain it in our possession until
they were on the point of quitting China.
99. Whatever course might have been pursued by our predecessors in past
years, had a case like the present occurred, we cannot consider that we, the repre-
sentatives of the East India Company, the only recognized authority in China,
with unlimited power over every British vessel and subject in this empire, which
power could only have been given to us to use at discretion, could quietly hear of
these extraordinary proceedings, and take no cognizance of them.
[
100. We humbly conceive, that as the guardians of the legal trade of the port,
we should ill discharge the duty which we owe to the East India Company, were
we not to interpose our authority whenever the existence of that trade becomes
endangered, and with this impression on our minds, and condemning, as we do,
the impolitic proceedings of Captain Grant throughout the whole of this affair,
even judging from his own account, we have intimated to him our view of the
subject; and, as will be seen on our Consultations, immediately ordered him to
quit the anchorage of Cum-sing-moon, and deliver up the Chinese whom he had
so unjustly detained.
101. We also informed Captain Grant that we could not refrain from observing
that, for some time past, he had rendered himself and the Hercules notorious for
acts of aggression and violence against the Chinese, whilst no complaints had
been made against any other of the opium ships; and that we considered he had
rendered the ship under his command amenable to the forfeiture of her licence,
and
t
THE OPIUM TRADE.
9
and himself to the forfeiture of his indentures, both of which we should have
unhesitatingly cancelled had he failed to obey our orders.
102. A perusal of all the numerous documents in connexion with this subject,
as recorded in our Consultations, will place your Honourable Court in possession
of every circumstance, and we cannot view it in any other light than, that from
beginning to the end, there has been pursued by Captain Grant a series of unjus-
tifiable acts, amounting we might almost say to piratical conduct, which render
him altogether unworthy of the command of any British vessel.
103. We cannot too strongly condemn Captain Grant for entering upon an ill-
digested plan of storming a town, whereby the assailants were defeated; and it
must never be forgotten that a victory, on the part of the Chinese, over foreigners
is ever remembered, and does an incalculable injury to our national character;
and it is to this rash and intemperate conduct that must be attributed the death of
the unfortunate seacunny which took place in the affray.
104. In our reply to the viceroy, we wrote in general terms, urging the incon-
sistency of his applying to us on a subject relating to the illicit trade carried on
outside the port, without molestation on the part of the Government, and with
which the Company have no connexion, and merely informing him of the report
which had reached us from the Cum-sing-moon, which we submitted to him in
compliance with his Excellency's wish.
105. In the edicts from the Kenn-Min-Fow and viceroy, alluded to in paras. 90
and 95, it is stated that one Chinese was severely wounded at the time of carrying
off the prisoner to the Hercules, and we were informed at the time that there was
little or no chance of his recovery.
106. We were, therefore, not surprised to hear a few days ago that the Chinese Factory Cong.,
had died of his wounds, and edicts were instantly brought us from the local man- November 4.
darins, and from the viceroy, requiring the delivery of the murderer to suffer for
his guilt.
107. On the same day Howqua and Mowqua waited upon us, and endeavoured
to persuade us to order up to Canton, to take their trial, all who were concerned
in the disturbance at Cum-sing-moon, but upon our representing to them the
risk of a further riot, which would attend the transmission of so great a number of
inen to Canton, without even the slightest chance of the individual who caused the
death of the native being discovered, they ultimately abandoned this proposition.
Throughout the interview we studiously adhered to our argument, that we could
not be held responsible for what passed outside the river; that if the viceroy
allowed the continuance of the smuggling trade, it was the province of the local
officers of Government to enforce obedience to the laws of the empire. We
remarked, that in accordance with the viceroy's wishes, we had informed him of
the facts as they had become known to us; and we added, that we believed other
nations were implicated in the disturbance, which made it impossible to fix the
guilt on any nation in particular.
108. We did not receive any reply to our last communication to the viceroy Factory Cons.,
until the 13th instant, but it is couched in terms which we think evince a disin- Nov. 13.
clination to prosecute his demands to extremities. He is obliged to preserve his
consistency by adhering to his desire to have the murderer delivered up; but, con-
trary to the usual language on these matters, he proposes that they should be tried
by foreign law at Macao. It may be remarked, that this very strongly cor-
roborates the arguments that have been advanced, as to the propriety of esta-
blishing a vice-admiralty, or other criminal jurisdiction in China, in cases of
homicide.
109. In voluntarily proposing this innovation, it is apparent that the viceroy
considers it necessary to continue his correspondence, by asking satisfaction in
a manner that he expects may give him an opportunity of eventually dropping the
affair with credit.
110. We have written a letter to the viceroy, which will be presented in a day
or two, wherein we again urge the arguments which we have adopted throughout,
and disavow all responsibility on account of the opium vessels,
111. Since drawing up our letter to the viceroy, alluded to in the foregoing
paragraph, we have perceived by the Canton Register of the 14th, that the "John
Biggar" sailed from Manilla on the 8th, and as her commander, Mr. Mackay, is
particularly noticed in the viceroy's edict, we shall take the opportunity, as our
letter has not yet been translated, of acquainting him with this circumstance, in
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Factory Con3.,
October 27.
Factory Cons.,
12 Nov. 1833.
Factory Cons.,
13 November.
the hope that it may be the means of drawing the business to an amicable ter-
mination.
112. It is impossible, however, to say what turn this affair may take, but we
are led to hope, from the temper and civility which has marked the viceroy's
communications, that should the correspondence be prolonged, the Honourable
Company's trade may escape interruption.
113. Your Honourable Court will observe in our Consultations, that on the 7th
instant the arrival of His Majesty's ship, "Magicienne," at Lintin was announced
by a letter from Captain Plumridge, who has since reached Canton.
114. When it was first reported that His Majesty's ship was expected to visit.
China, the President took an opportunity of impressing upon Howqua and
Mowqua the propriety of their pointing out to the viceroy the expediency of the
Chinese government abstaining from those unfriendly proclamations and mea-
sures which they are constantly in the habit of resorting to on the appearance of
any of His Majesty's ships, which only tend to exasperate the officers, and which
a more courteous treatment would prevent.
115. It was also remarked that in the present state of affairs, with regard to
the violent and oppressive acts of the opium ships in the Cum-sing-moon, it ap-
peared to be the interest of the local government to conciliate rather than to
irritate, the officers of His Majesty's ships who might visit the coast, who were on
every account entitled to respect and attention from the Chinese government.
116. The merchants were fully impressed with the importance of these sug-
gestions, and we are happy to remark that they have hitherto had the desired
effect, as no chop has been issued ordering the frigate away, nor has a Comprador
been withheld from attending her. Moreover, we are informed that Mowqua's
mandarin brother has been deputed to proceed to the Bogue with instructions
from the viceroy to the admiral and the commander of the forts adjacent to
Chumpee not to interfere with her in any way.
117. In reference to the object which has brought Captain Plumridge to China,
he has expressed a wish to be made acquainted with the events which have
transpired here during the past season with regard to the opium ships and Mr.
Innes's violent conduct, and more particularly relating to the warfare at Cum-
sing-moon, now a subject of correspondence between us and the Chinese
government.
118. We can have no possible objection to this request; indeed we think it
highly desirable that such atrocious conduct as our Consultations detail should
be made known to his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.
We have, &c.
(signed) W. H. C. Plowden.
J. F. Davis.
J. N. Daniell.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 24 October 1833.
We have this morning received the annexed edict from the viceroy, concerning
the affray at Cum-sing-moon. It is reasonable and civil, much more so than we
could have expected.
I, Loo, Viceroy of the Two Kwangs, &c. &c., publish my orders to the Hong
merchants in reference to a case that has been laid before (me) in a joint memorial
from the Foot-seang and Sing, of the Heang-shan district. It is stated, that on
the 1st of the present month some Englishmen landed, and entered the village
of Ke-oo, and after forcing them to sell various articles, they carried off a villager
named Ko Ming Tsew, and fired a musket and wounded his fellow-labourer,
Hwang-a-Mang, for interposing to save his friend. After this, the Heang-shan-
heen, in compliance with a petition from the villager, examined the wounded man,
ordered him medical assistance, and instituted a strict inquiry into the circum-
stances of the case. At that moment public business called the Too-tseang to
Canton, and when returning, he was met on the road by Eying-lung, one of the
coast-guard against foreigners, from whom he received a personal report that for
several days in succession the foreigners had manned upwards of ten boats, had
invaded the village with a fire of muskets and guns, and that they had told him
to his face, that if the people of the village did not behave as they wished they
would
THE OPIUM TRADE..
11
would pull down every* cottage in the place. The statement goes on to say, that
it is but lately that these ships have left their anchorage off Lintin, and come into
the Kum-sing-moon, and the only reason that can be imagined for their auda-
ciously presuming to make use of fire-arms, and wound men, and make prisoners
of native Chinese, and for their expressing themselves in terms of disrespect and
contempt is, that they are spying and entertaining schemes for setting down in
those places. The officers (who made the report) have brought soldiers down to
the village, where they are encamped for the repression of the foreigners, and, in
the absence of a linguist, have sent a pilot to communicate to the foreigners their
orders for the immediate release of Ko Ming Tsew, and the speedy departure of
the ships into the outer stream. If they should prove proud and refractory, it
will then be right to adopt extreme measures for controlling and chastising them.
This is the statement brought before me (the viceroy). On inquiry, I find that the
object which, from the first, brought foreigners to China, was the pursuit of
commerce and gain. How should they all at once presume to approach the
interior parts of the country and take to firing upon and wounding the natives,
and carrying off villagers as prisoners; and, more than all, how should they have
the audacity to give utterance to words of disrespect and contempt? Viewing
the tenor of the report, I cannot but suspect that there have been mistakes made,
ówing to their not understanding each others language; and I think there must
be other causes than those reported which led to the disturbance. These must
be carefully inquired into and sifted, that I may act accordingly and repress dis-
order. I have observed foreigners to be generally respectful and complaisant in
their language, and not given to break the rules of propriety. And, besides this,
they have now for a period of considerably more than 100 years experienced the
compassionate care and deep benevolence of the Heavenly Dynasty. If the people
of the villages abuse them, there are the proper officers of the district to whom
they should represent it, instead of giving a loose to the ebullitions of passion
and acting without reason. I have now deputed Le-tun-nee, supernumerary
Tunpan, to repair instantly to the village of Ke-oo and make a diligent inquiry
into the origin and causes of this fray. And I have commanded him, in union
with the district officers already sent there, to discover clearly who is in the wrong,
and who is in the right. If the blame be proved to rest with the villagers, the
foreigners may send a representation to the chief, which being communicated
through the Hong merchants, may be laid before my tribunal, and I will decide
and act accordingly; but they must not take upon themselves to land on the
coast, and make use of fire-arms, and carry off prisoners. But should the blame
be attached to the foreigners, it will be still more incumbent on them to avoid a
repetition of such improper conduct. He is ordered to make an early report,
upon which I may act and take measures for controlling and chastising the guilty.
In my course I swerve not to the right nor to the left; I have ordered the Heang-
shaw-heen and Hee to join in the inquiry; and, further, issue these my orders to
the Hong merchants for immediate communication to the chief, that he may send
orders to the foreign ship forthwith to set at liberty Ko Ming Tsew, the man who
has been seized, and to deliver over the guilty foreigner who inflicted the musket
wound into the hands of the mandarins for punishment, and let him order the
said ship away to her own country. Let there be no refractory opposition shown.
Haste, haste. These are my orders.
13th Year, 9th Moon, 10th Day.} 22 October 1833.
THIS evening the following letter, accompanied by a statement of events at
Cum-sing-moon, was delivered at the Secretary's office:
J. H. Astell, Esq., Secretary, &c.
Sir,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 19th, which only came to
hand in the evening of the 22d instant, and although the bearer was desired to
wait for a reply, he was not to be found on the following morning.
The
156.
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PAPERS RELATING TO
The accompanying copy of a despatch to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co.
contains a detail of every circumstance that has come to my knowledge regarding
the late outrage committed by the Chinese of Kee-ou on part of the crew of the
Hercules. The Select Committee will perceive from that document that the facts
of the case are nearly the reverse of those stated by the Chinese government;
and that, far from being entitled to complain of their property being seized and
people wounded, we have to seek justice on them for theft to a considerable
amount, and, I very much fear, for the murder of one of our seacunnies, who
was taken by them and has not since been heard of, though repeatedly demanded.
The Chinese, now on board the Hercules, was taken in the act of stealing
copper and iron, and was, in the first instance, detained till some mode of getting
him punished by their own authorities could be devised. He had been in custody
about 18 hours only when one of our men was carried off, and he is now kept
with the view of facilitating the recovery of our seacunny, if alive.
Canton, 24 October 1833.
I have, &c.
(signed)
A. Grant.
To Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Canton.
Gentlemen,
HAVING arrived at this place on the 17th instant, I have now to communicate
to you the circumstances of an outrage committed, in my absence, by the Chinese
inhabitants of Kee-ou (a piratical village four miles N.E. of this anchorage) on
the crew of the ship Hercules, as well as of an attempt made by the boats of the
vessels now here to rescue one of our sea-cunnies, who had fallen into their hands;
and also to report to you the particulars of the correspondence I have had with
the Chinese authorities regarding this affair since my return to the vessel.
On the 12th instant, a Chinaman was seized while stealing brass and iron from
the wreck of the Samarang, near this anchorage; we had a watch on shore look-
ing after it, but he was first discovered by Bennet Bondhill, gunner of the Don
Manuel, who approached, and on his offering resistance secured him, and in spite
of the bribe of a dollar, offered for his release by some other Chinese who were
present, conveyed him to this ship, when he was detained.
At three o'clock in the morning of the 14th instant, I was roused by an officer
of the ship, who had been despatched by the chief mate to Macao, with the
following letter:-
To Captain Grant.
Dear Sir,
This will be handed to you by Mr. Calder, whom I send down to explain to
you what has taken place to-day. About an hour after you left, a gang of the
old thieves came down, and carried away one of our tindals, who was watching
the wreck of the old ship; I went over with a gang of our men to rescue him,
and in doing so lost a seacunny, who was taken prisoner by them. I am very
anxious to get the seacunny back, which may be done by taking a good force;
and perhaps some of our stolen goods may be found also; they are all deposited,
I hear, in one place in the town. I am very anxious to rescue the man; I am afraid
they will ill-use him. Mr. Calder can give you a statement of facts, in the way the
whole took place, from first to last, as he was on shore with me.
Yours, &c.
(signed)
13 October, 10 P. M.
I replied to this verbally, by Mr. Calder, that I would go up to the ship at the
turn of tide; but as he, having oars in his boat, was likely to be there before me,
I desired him to tell Mr. Parry to send or go round to all the ships in the fleet,
and ask for volunteers to go on shore for the seacunny, taking care to explain the
nature of the service I wished them to engage in.
E. Parry.
After thinking more deliberately of the matter, and the peculiar circumstances
in which I am placed, I considered it to be prudent not to engage personally in
this business until it became absolutely necessary. It seemed to me that a show
of force was all that was required for our purpose, and that we could in no other
way save the life of the seacunny; for even while he had shown no disposition to
resent their outrage, they had beaten the tindal so dreadfully, that he thinks he
would have been killed but for the interference of an old man in his favour.
But
if
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if it was necessary to interfere with force, it was equally so to send so great a one
as would be not only sufficient to effect the rescue of our man, but as would be
likely, by its apparent strength, to deter the people of the village from useless
opposition, and induce them to give him up quietly. I trust it will appear to you
that, in fulfilling the duty of protecting our people from lawless violence, I was
desirous of acting with the greatest caution and moderation, and that all our pro-
ceedings should be, as they had hitherto been, purely in self defence. I accord-
ingly wrote the following letter to Mr. Parry :-
My dear Sir,
On reconsideration, I do not think that it is necessary for me to go up, and
therefore dispatch this overland to state my wishes. I think there is little
doubt that the seacunny is ere this released, and back, all safe and sound; should
be not be so, collect all the boats you possibly can, Portuguese, Hamburg,
Danish, &c., and land at the village, when you must insist upon the man being
given up forthwith; but be very cautious in not allowing any of the party to fire,
so as to endanger life. You can, if necessary, (i. e. if they will not give up the
man,) take some prisoners, and seize two or three of their boats, till satisfaction is
given.
I suppose Captain Hector will have left
show it to him, that he may do the needful.
an express down, and I shall instantly go up.
Macao,
14 Oct. 1833, 6 A. M.
Dr.}
before this reaches; should he not,
If all is not settled at once, send ine
Yours, &c.
(signed) A. Grant.
On the morning of the 15th, I received the following reply from the first
officer:--
To Captain A. Grant.
Dear Sir,
I have now received your letter, dated 6 P.M. The seacunny is not yet given
up, although I sent a written notice, saying if he was not given up by six o'clock
this evening, I would use force to get him released. The bearer of our notice to
the village returned, saying, they denied having the man, and threatened to keep
him, the bearer; how far this is true we cannot say.
Since I have your sanction for making a show of fight, I have seen Captain
Hector, who will conduct the affair according to your wishes. I have been round
the fleet myself; every ship here volunteers a boat's crew, and some two, as they
can manage, with the exception of the Mangles, Capt. Cara, who arrived yester-
day, and is very sickly. We shall leave to-morrow, in a body of about 230 or
250; and out of that number, about 100 Europeans, including officers of the
different ships.
(signed)
E. Parry.
14 October.
I had calculated on the arrival of my letter early enough to enable the boats to
land that evening, the 14th; and as much of the effect expected from the measure
depended on its prompt execution, I was disappointed to find, by the foregoing
note from Mr. Parry, that it was deferred until the next day, by which time it was
to be feared the Chinese, foreseeing the result of their preceding conduct, might
raise so large a force as would defeat its object. On the night of the 16th, I
received the following communication from Captain Hector;-
My dear Grant,
To comply with your wishes to rescue the seacunny in possession of the China-
men, we assembled a large force, and pulled up to the village; as soon as we
hove in sight they began to fire shot. Captain Clayton and I pulled up in his
gig with a flag of truce, to try and get the man by fair means; they paid no
respect to the flag, but still kept firing shot, which falling around us, some of the
boats, with the view of distracting the attention of those firing, and preventing
their taking a deliberate aim, returned the fire.
This being contrary to my wishes, I thought it prudent to return, and wait till
you came up yourself to direct the business, or sent a positive order for us to
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carry the thing into execution, which we are all ready to do if you give us an
order to that effect. My reason for not going to extremities to-day is, that it may
be of serious consequence to the house, and think it necessary to have your orders
before we go to extremities.
J. Hector.
(signed)
P.S.-I'll stop here with the Lady Hayes till I get your answer.
Cum-sing-moon, 15 Oct. 1833, 1 P.M.
I replied immediately to this letter, but kept no copy of mine, approving of
Captain Hector's forbearance in not landing the men under circumstances which
must have been followed by much bloodshed. I requested him to refrain from all
further coercive measures, but to send a chop demanding (as Mr. Parry had pre-
viously done) the release of our seacunny, and offering in that case to give up the
thief, they promising that he should be justly punished. It is perhaps to be
regretted that any of our boats returned the fire of the village, but I understand it
was so heavy, though for the moment ill directed, that it was thought best to endea-
vour to check it by a counter-fire.
Early in the morning of the 17th I received the following from Capt. Hector:
My dear Grant,
I am very glad we have got our pilot, and shall be off to-morrow morning.
I was afraid that we should not get one at all in consequence of the row. The
Chinese report here that there is one man killed and one badly wounded. I
hope this is not true. They say they have referred the thing to Canton.
I got a
compradore to write a chit on shore to-day, to say that if they will give up our man
we will give up theirs, and that it was not our intention to have fired on them
yesterday had they not commenced firing at us first. I am afraid that our man is
killed, as they say that they have not got him or know anything of him. I shall
now leave the business with Mr. Parry.
16 Oct. 1833, 10 P.M.
(signed) J. Hector.
On receiving this note, I immediately proceeded to Cum-sing-moon, and
deeming it satisfactory to obtain in the first instance a more detailed statement of
the whole affair than is furnished by Captain Hector, I called on Capt. M'Kay,
who has been at the anchorage during the past month, and was with the boats on
the 15th, to put on record everything that had come under his observation. I have
accordingly been furnished with the circumstantial account, of which I annex a
copy for your information:
A STATEMENT of the Circumstances which fell under my observation regarding
the late Outrage of the Chinese on a part of the Crew of the Hercules.
THE ship Samarang, having been driven on shore on the island of Kee-ou
in a gale of wind, and placed in such a situation as rendered it impossible to float
her off, it was determined to break her up where she lay. In this situation the
Chinese were robbing her every night. They had stolen anchors, spars, an iron
forge, and a variety of articles, many of which were valuable; even our clothes,
when sent on shore, were stolen, and this in open day. No particular notice was
taken of these depredations more than repeatedly cautioning them against the con-
sequences which might ensue if they did not desist.
One day a Chinaman was discovered by the boat's crew of a Portuguese ship
stealing iron and copper; they brought him off to the Hercules, where it was
the intention of the officer in command to detain him until the return of the
captain, who at the time was at Macao. The captain would perhaps have sent
him to Canton or Macao for punishment. Next day, however, (Sunday, 13th,)
the Chinese seized one of the Hercules' men at the watering-place, when alone,
and at some distance from his shipmates.
About a couple of hours afterwards the chief officer of the Hercules was
informed of the circumstance. He immediately landed with about 40 of his
crew, made the best of his way to a walled town he knew to be on the island;
after some difficulty he found it, entered it, and had the man released. When
returning they found a dense mob collected round the gate, prepared to dispute
their passing out. The Lascars formed themselves into a body, and made a rush;
the Chinese gave way, and the party passed on. Having however to cross
a very
THE OPIUM TRADE.
15
-
a very broad muddy ditch by a narrow bridge, they were here again pressed upon.
Wounds were given and received, and on gaining the opposite side of the ditch
they found a seacunny missing. He had been last seen in the act of being
dragged away by a number of Chinamen, who were beating and cutting him with
bamboos and pikes. It being now dark, the officer in charge of the party consi-
dered it prudent to return to his ship; and when about half way to the beach, was
met by a second party of about 30, coming up to his assistance. It was agreed,
however, to return on board, ask the assistance of the whole fleet, land the fol-
lowing morning at daylight, and release the seacunny by force, if necessary.
When the party got on board, they were dissuaded from making a second attempt
until the captain of the Hercules was consulted. An express was imme-
diately forwarded to Macao, to inform him of the circumstance. His reply was
received on Monday evening, recommending our landing in force to insist on the
release of the seacunny; and, if necessary, to seize Chinamen, boats, or anything
we could lay hold of, as security for the man's safety, but not on any account to
endanger life.
Tuesday morning 18 boats, from ships of five different nations, mustered
alongside the Hercules, containing at least 250 men, of which about 50 were
Europeans, all well armed. They proceeded in three divisions for the town,
distant from the ships about four miles, and situated at the bottom of a deep bay.
As the boats approached, several large shot were fired from guns planted on the
walls of the town. When the boats were within long musket shot of the beach,
they were drawn up in their stations. Two gentlemen then advanced in a gig,
with a flag of truce flying; a multitude of people came down to resist the landing,
and making very unfriendly demonstrations. At this moment a shower of round
and grape shot was fired upon us from the walls of the town, several shot falling
near the boats.
After considerable forbearance the fire was returned from some of the boats.
The gentleman under whose orders we had placed ourselves ordered all the boats
to retire, that he himself might advance, and again try a flag of truce. The
gentleman in command then finding that nothing could be done without landing,
and that, in the present irritated state of the feelings of our whole party, such a
proceeding must be attended with much bloodshed, he considered it most prudent
to withdraw, which was done accordingly.
It ought to be remarked, that these people are well known as a set of plun-
derers and pirates, robbing small boats, and even at times defying the mandarins;
at least, we were told so by the people in the neighbourhood. During the time
we were employed breaking up the Samarang, a boat's crew was always kept on
board of her as a guard; and I have to note, that even after the attack on the
town made on Tuesday morning, the Chinese continued to plunder the old ship.
(signed) William M'Kay.
Cum-sing-moon,
19 October 1833.
The morning after my arrival at Cum-sing-moon, I caused a Chinese letter to
be written to the mandarin of a war junk, which had arrived the preceding
evening, and forwarded it by the chief officer, Mr. Parry, together with a letter
written at my suggestion by the Chinese prisoner to his father at Kee-ou. Mr.
Parry took an interpreter with him, for the purpose of explaining all the late
outrages to the mandarin. The following are copies of the letters, and of a report
made to me by Mr. Parry, on his return, of his communication with the
mandarin :-
TRANSLATION of a Letter sent to the Mandarin of the War Junk anchored off
Kee-ow, respecting the Release of our Seacunny, dated 18 October 1833.
A CHINAMAN was caught in the act of stealing iron and copper from the Sa-
marang, brought on board the Hercules, and put in irons until the arrival of the
captain. Next day a Lascar was seized on shore by Chinamen, and taken to the
village; our people went to the village in search of the man, but were no sooner
within range, than the inhabitants commenced firing shot. We have to request
that you will inquire into the affair; and we promise, on the return of our man,
to deliver up the thief to you for punishment.
Send an answer per bearer, and please to forward the accompanying letter on
shore to the village, and receive and forward to us their answer.
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MEMORANDUM of the Substance of a Letter written by the Prisoner to his
Father and Partner, 18 October 1833.
WHEN on shore I was seized by the shipmen, and taken on board ship, my
feet put in irons, and I was prevented moving about. Now, you have caught one
of the shipmen when taking water. The shipmen only intended keeping me
until the captain came on board, but now they will not let me go until you release
the shipman. You must go and beg the headman to let the shipman loose, and
you bring him here.
If they do not release the shipman, I don't know what will
become of me.
Written by Yuen.
To Captain A. Grant.
Sir,
HAVING been sent by you this evening with a letter addressed by you to the
mandarin commanding the war junk at anchor off the village of Kee-ow, and also
another letter to be delivered to the mandarin addressed by the prisoner, on
board the Hercules, to his father, at Kee-ow, I, at your desire, annex the following
detail of the conversation I had with the mandarin on the occasion:
Being alongside of the war junk, I rose from my seat to go up the side.
Mand.] What do you want here? Stop, don't come up,
E. Parry.] I have a letter to present.
Mand.] Very well, give it.
E. Parry.] I wish to present it myself; will you permit me to come up?
Mand.] Yes, certainly, now I understand you; come up.
E. Parry.] I went up, and was shown into a round-house aft, when the man
darin received my letter, and asked me to sit down; he was attended by four
junior mandarins while he read the letter.
Mand.] I will go on shore to-morrow, and get your man back in exchange for
ours, if you will give him up to me.
E. Parry.] Your man was caught in the act of stealing copper and iron; he is
now on board our ship, victualled in the same way as our people; no harm has
been done to him; he is merely confined in the usual way that thieves are that
letter is written by himself to his father.
Mand.] Very well, I'll see into it to-morrow; probably I may not be able to
get him off early, but will get him to exchange with ours; the report is, that the
man you have did not steal the iron and the copper, it was given him in exchange
for spirits.
E. Parry.] You are misinformed; the man was caught stealing. We have a
great number of men, and are able to take our man out by force, but we wish to
be on peaceable terms, and not ill-use any one; it is entirely the fault of the men
of this place. They took a Lascar of ours in the first instance, at the watering-
place, bound him hands and feet, and carried him over to this town, and beat him
severely all over his body; when we liberated him they seized a seacunny, and
when we came to look for the seacunny, the batteries fired on us from all direc-
tions for a long time; we then went in a small boat towards the shore, expecting
to meet some one to speak to, and in hopes of the man being given up civilly;
they even then fired on that boat without provocation. They also, about two
months ago, stole a number of articles from the ship on shore, to the value of 400
or 500 dollars. We have passed over all that without making any complaint to
you; but now they have come down to steal our men, in the way I have described,
it cannot be borne. I am well informed that all the former stolen property is de-
posited in this place.
Mand.] A large mandarin is coming down to-morrow; do you send me, or
him, a statement of all the things you have lost, or that have been stolen from
you.
E. Parry.] They stole at different times two anchors, a forge, 20 spars, a large
quantity of plank and timber, sails, ropes, some copper and iron.
35
66
Mand.] Two of the Kee-ow men are severely wounded in the thigh and breast.
I am doubtful of their living long; but never mind that, you shall have the man back.
One of his crew then said, "Here is one of the Kee-ow boats coming;'
on which the mandarin said to me, Stop a little; we may hear some news.
When the men came alongside, the mandarin asked, What is he, and what does
he want? They replied he had merely brought off firewood; he then ordered him
on board. An old man came up and prostrated himself, knocking head, and the
mandarin
THE OPIUM TRADE.
17
1
mandarin addressed him, saying, "There is no occasion; never mind that; what do
you know about the foreign ship-man you have on shore?" A. He is not on shore
at our place.-Q. Are you sure of that? A. Yes.-Q. But you have had him
at your place? A. Yes, we let him go after the first night; he was let out of the
town; we do not know where; he went before they came into this bay with their
boats.-Q. How did the first skirmish take place? A. We fought against each
other; this man (pointing to the interpreter) knows well; he was present. The
mandarin then gave him the letter to the prisoner's father, saying, "Take this on
shore, quick, and bring an answer." The mandarin then said to me, "This is not
an usual place to lay long; I would rather you would go to Lintin, as the
Tchunsuk is very angry.
""
E. Parry. We shall be going away soon. After taking a cup of tea, I got up,
took my leave, and he attended me to the gangway.
On board the ship Hercules,
Cum-sing-moon, 18 October 1833.)
I have, &c.
(signed)
E. Parry.
19 October. The Rev. Mr. Gutzlaff having arrived on board the Hercules,
went to-day, at my request, to the mandarin, for the purpose of claiming the
performance of his promise, made yesterday, to restore the seacunny. He fur-
nished the following note of the dialogue between himself and the mandarin,
which Mr. Gutzlaff commenced by requesting a copy of the letter I had sent to
the mandarin yesterday, and which he feared my Chinese writer had not ex-
pressed faithfully.
Question by Mr. Gutzlaff. Will you favour us with a copy of the letter we sent
you yesterday?
Answer. I sent it up to my superiors; (after some hesitation) I have no
w
copy.
Mr. G. We are come here to get our man, whom you promised to liberate
to-day.
Mand. I did promise it, but the liberation of the man does not depend from
me, but from my superiors.
Mr. G. This you knew yesterday as well as to-day, and therefore you have told
us a lie.
Mand. Very true; you are an honest man; I told you a lie; however, a
literary mandarin has taken upon himself the management of this affair, and told
us that we military officers had no right to exercise any authority in a district.
under his jurisdiction.
Mr. G. According to the laws of the Middle Kingdom, military officers are
sent to put down vagabonds and pirates; such are the inhabitants of Kee-ow, aud
therefore you are entitled by your rank and station you hold in the imperial navy
to insist upon the restoration of this man.
Mand. Very right, but I must first receive orders from my superiors, and
I shall act accordingly.
Mr. G. Did you not know this yesterday?
Mand. Yes, but I told you a lie; but to-morrow, or the day after to-morrow,
the general officer will arrive, and the man will certainly be restored to you.
Besides, the man is not to be found, and I was told he was already liberated.
Mr. G. Yesterday you broke your faith; how are we to believe your words
to-day? No evasions! The man must be immediately restored.
Mand. I cannot restore him.
Mr. G. Please to write this down; if you cannot restore him, we must our-
selves take measures to liberate him. All ye soldiers listen to my words (address-
ing the byestanders); if any injury is done to any man whilst we attempt to
rescue our seacunny, this mandarin will be responsible. (Suddenly rose, and
walked off.) Mandarin requested to stop.-Answer. No parley; we only wish
you to liberate our man; this you refuse; we have nothing more to talk upon.
On Saturday morning the 19th instant, I sent Lew, a Fuhkeen man, on shore,
in order to gain some information respecting our man; I then addressed the
following note to the naval officer:
"A respectful communication. According to what was said yesterday, the
military officers of your honourable station have not the power to order vagabonds
to return the foreigner; but, on the contrary, permit the pirates of Kegaon to ill-
156.
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PAPERS RELATING TO
use and oppress foreigners; such a way of treating matters slightly has brought
us into a great dilemma, and we will surely be obliged to redress the wrongs, and
take revenge ourselves.
Therefore, will you respectfully inform the military officers of the said district,
that if they do not hasten to liberate our man, we ourselves will exert our utmost
power and endeavour to set the said man at liberty. You, Sir, will be responsible
for the people's lives. We request now the favour of an answer; if not sent, we
will consider the matter as finished, and know means to manage the affair.
This is plain. October 19th.
About eight this morning, the 20th instant, our spy returned, and reported that
two Chinamen had been wounded in the thigh, and a third in the body; the latter
was dangerously ill, and would, perhaps, die; that, in retaliation, the Chinese had
stabbed one man in the chest, and then driven him away. Sent the spy back again.
for further intelligence.
On his return, about mid-day, he informed me that, on attempting to enter the
village in order to inquire after our seacunny, he found it was surrounded by
soldiers; he feared falling into their hands; but he heard, in conversation with
several people, that our man was killed, and that the wounded Chinese were not
dangerously ill.
Sky
Some Macao men, sent by the native authorities, came on board about noon to
inake a list of all the things stolen from us. I gave them a list, which immediately
they wrote down in Chinese, and promised that the property should be restored.
In reply to an inquiry about our man, they said, "We have received no orders
upon that subject, nor do we know what has become of him. We are Macao
pilots, and know nothing about the affair." I requested them to ask that an in-
telligent mandarin might be sent, with whom we could communicate freely; they
promised to urge the request, and informed us that the admiral and a principal
magistrate had arrived in the village to examine into the affair, in order that jus-
tice might be done to us. I again insisted upon having our man sent back, and
told them that, comparatively with that object, we were indifferent about the
things that had been stolen from us.
Desiring them to come speedily back, they left the ship in haste.
We then examined the Chinese whom we have in custody. At first, he refused
to answer; then reprobates the idea of having stolen anything; confessed that he
had exchanged some fish and fowls for the iron which was found upon him; at
last he said that he did take some wood from the wreck, but did not steal it; that
he also took some iron out of the wood, but he did not steal the iron.
Mr. Parry, who was sent by me to the mandarin boats with the letter written
last night, returned at three P. M. without having delivered it, and gives the fol-
lowing statement of his proceedings:
G
ис
When we were within about a mile of the two mandarin junks and a large
mandarin oared boat, they weighed, and made sail, working to windward; we
kept on towards one of the junks; when we came within hail, or nearly alongside,
the crew on board the junk spoke to me and said, we must not come alongside, on
account of the mandarin being on shore. I said, we had a letter to deliver;
they answered, they could not receive it. We pulled up nearer, and asked them to
receive the letter, and keep it until the mandarin came off; they answered, “No,
no, we cannot receive the letter nor suffer you to come alongside, it being quite
against our orders; do you take the letter on shore to Kee-ou, or you may, on your
way, call on board the junk there, where you will likely find the mandarin with
others who came in here this morning; do you go on shore without fear; don't
be afraid." I again asked them to receive the letter, and they replied in nearly the
same terms. We then pulled towards the shore, and went alongside a kind of a
chop boat, which appeared to be full of men, and had a large white flag flying, with
red characters on it; they called out, "Don't come up; what do you want?
you want?" I re-
plied, "I have a letter for the mandarin; is there a mandarin in your boat?" They
answered, "Yes, here is one." On this, one of the men received the letter, and in a
few minutes brought it back, saying, they could not open it, and advised me to
take it on shore, or to a junk that laid close into the town. We then left them, and
pulled towards the junks at Kee-ou, with the intention of going alongside, but our
boat grounded about a mile from the junk, which was lying dry; and, being un-
able to advance, we returned to the ship.
(signed) E. Parry.
1 expect
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19
I expect we shall have some further communication with the mandarins to-
morrow, but in the meantime dispatch this detail of transactions, in which you are
so deeply interested.
(True copy.)
I remain, &c.
(signed)
(signed)
merchant.
A. Grant.
A. Grant.
Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co.
Gentlemen,
In continuation of my letter of the 20th instant, I now resume the relation of
our proceedings on board the Hercules.
October 21st, at 11 P. M., prepared a copy of the communication which was
sent yesterday, though not delivered, and is now to be forwarded by Messrs. Gutz-
laff and Parry, with the following letter:
The letter enclosed was sent yesterday to your mandarins; two of them refused
to receive or open it; and even your messengers, the pilots, to carry it.
We
consider this uncivilized conduct to be an aggravation of our injuries. We expect
you to send our man back immediately; if you will not or cannot do this, we must
pursue a different mode of getting redress. We do not approve of your sending
such persons to us as the pilots, whose communications you may disavow; and, as
it is likely that all this business will in the end become known to every one, we
would wish you to communicate with us, as we do with you, by letter.
At three P. M. our party returned, and Mr. Gutzlaff handed me the following
statement of their proceedings.
A messenger sent overland from the pilot boat had preceded us; and when we
landed at the village, we were requested to wait till an order from the then com-
manding mandarin arrived; soldiers, with red jackets and white borders, drawn
up in two rows, armed with matchlocks, spears, and pitchforks, perhaps 300 or
400 in number, through whom we had to pass to the temple, where the principal
literary mandarin of Heengshan and the Heep Tae, commander of the military
forces, were seated.
Question. What is your business? Are you a mandarin, or have you any business
which entitles you to rank?
Answer. I come as your friend, anxious to settle the matter amicably; am no
Q. What are you
?
A. There is no time for vain talk; my simple message is to have the man, whom
these ruffians took by force, back.
Literary Mandarin. This island is under my jurisdiction; I am sent here to
investigate the matter, but I know nothing about him; he was very drunk, and
courageous by force of liquor.
A. If you are sent here to investigate the matter, you must surely know what
has become of him. We want our man, and the business will be finished.
Military Mandarin. We really no not know what has become of him.
A. If that is the case, we want a written declaration in order to prosecute the
case at Canton; we are informed by good authority that the people of Kee-ow
stabbed him; this being the case, we wish for your official explanation upon this
subject.
Mil. Mand. This may be the case, but I am ignorant of it; but you have as-
saulted the village, and killed and wounded; one man has died in consequence of
the wounds received; how can you ask for justice?
A. That one man has died in consequence of wounds is a lie.
Mil. Mand. I am an honest man and do not talk lies.
A. You may have been misinformed, since the people about you are liars; but
no man has died in consequence of wounds.
Mil. Mand. This may be the case, but we have no power to deliver up to you
the man; we expect by and by the superior mandarin; he will perhaps make
some researches.
Q. I ask you again, can you deliver our man or not? Answer me directly.
A. We cannot; this does not depend upon us.
Reply. Then you are not the proper authority to whom we can apply in order
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to have justice done unto us, and to get our man back, or to receive an official
paper, stating that he has been killed; we are therefore obliged to refer to the
Canton government for redress, since you cannot give it, nor furnish us (though
you are sent on purpose) with a document relative to the case.
Arose, made a bow, and went away. The soldiers had left their posts, and were
straggling about; the inhabitants of the village had withdrawn; we had seen
some militia, armed with pitchforks and spears, dispersed quietly. Pilot sent after
us in great agitation, inquiring whether we would push the matter, and prosecute
the parties concerned?
A. Had nothing to do with him, but with the authorities, who were sent here
on purpose.
Pilot told us before that the mandarins would not touch the inhabitants, because
they were too poor; retracted the above-mentioned assertion of the punishment
inflicted; thought it a bad business; wanted to be exempted from having any-
thing to do with it, and requested our interference to that purpose. Saw that he
was forced to come on board; returned on board. Guns fired from the city when
our boats were coming away.
October 22d, 1833.
In the morning, sent our spy Lew on shore to gain information; he returned
about noon, and said that he had spoken with several of the villagers; they told
him that the inhabitants, after having been attacked by your boats, had sent a
message to the mandarins at Heang-shan, requesting them to garrison the island,
lest the barbarians take possession of it. In consequence of this request, the
military force had arrived; but having ascertained that the barbarians were not
prompted by a desire of conquest, but were only quarrelling about a man, whom
they had lost on the island, they determined to leave the place, scolding the
natives for having told them a lie, and occasioned useless trouble.
The literary
mandarin, therefore, departed, and the Heep Tae is merely waiting for the tide in
order to return to his station. Nobody has been punished, nor has anybody been
examined before the magistrate. The three wounded men are out of danger, and
almost recovered. Regarding our own man, the natives maintained a mournful
silence; they asserted that he was stabbed, but would not enter into any parti-
culars. The head man of the village had prohibited the natives, under the most
severe penalty, from mentioning the particulars of the poor man's death; however,
they all admitted that he had been stabbed; could learn nothing about the way
in which he had been buried, but only learned that the mandarins had not shown
the least inclination to investigate the matter, and that therefore the whole affair
remained in the dark.
Yesterday, we were told that the sole object of the mandarins in coming hither
was to investigate the matter to the bottom; to-day we hear, and from more vera-
cious sources, that they are come to defend the island against barbarians. We
were told by the mandarins that 24 people had been punished yesterday, and are
to-day informed upon good authority that the mandarins had even not entered
upon an examination; we were told that justice should be done unto us, whilst
the mandarins in reality consider the whole matter as a mere squabble, unworthy
of their notice.
Again examined Lew about our man; said that he could only thus far learn
that the villagers were prohibited from divulging the matter, for fear that we might
retaliate upon the man we keep in irons, as soon as we learned the particulars of
the murder, and felt ourselves justified in revenging the death of our sailor.
Three o'clock. Sent our man again on shore. Reported that he had spoken to
five villagers, who said that the man had been killed by some vagabonds; but
they knew nothing about the way in which he had been killed, nor would they
give any information; were earnestly desired to state the fact, but obstinately re-
tused, on the plea of ignorance of the whole affair.
Hercules, 22 October 1833.
(A true copy.)
(signed)
(signed)
A. Grant.
A. Grant.
THE OPIUM TRADE.
21
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATION, 25 October 1833.
Consultation, full Committee.
THE Committee assembled to take into consideration the steps to be pursued on
the subject of the edict from the Viceroy and the despatch from Captain Grant.
We have now sufficient matter before us to enable us to form a correct judgment
as to the line of conduct which it is incumbent upon us to pursue in this affair.
We are fully impressed how cautious we must be, lest by admissions on our part
we become involved with the Government in matters connected with the opium
ships. It has hitherto been our policy, as well as our interest, to profess our-
selves ignorant of all that passes without the Bogue, and not to interfere with
quarrels and disturbances which arise between these vessels and the natives; but
we fear the time has been gradually approaching, and has now arrived, when this
system of non-interference has reared up a power and encouraged a lawless and
piratical mode of procedure, which it is absolutely incumbent upon us to put
down.
G
Could we be justified in allowing an authority such as we possess, supported by
specific Acts of the Legislature as well as by reason and justice, to be rendered in-
operative and worse than useless, which assuredly it is, if we, the representatives
of the East India Company, the only recognized authority in China, quietly hear
of these proceedings and take no cognizance thereof, it is impossible to say to
what extent these acts may not be carried, or whether the very existence of the
legal trade may not be endangered by them. Even supposing that in this
instance the Chinese were altogether in the wrong (which does not at all appear
from Capt. Grant's statements, added to which other accounts have privately, and
on good authority, reached us, which greatly aggravate the case), it was highly
impolitic to enter into an ill-digested plan for storming a village, whereby the
assailants were defeated, and the real incapacity of the opium vessels as warlike
instruments too clearly evinced; and let it not be forgotten that a victory on the
part of the Chinese over foreigners is ever remembered, and does incalculable
injury to our national character. It is to this rash and intemperate conduct that
must be attributed the death of the unfortunate seacunny. With what degree of
justice, either, is the Chinese detained as a prisoner on board the Hercules?
is not likely that his detention will be productive of any good effect. If the
Chinese authorities proceed further into the business, it will be because a sea-
cunny has lost his life, and, as is their general custom, would willingly execute
the murderers, as those are denominated who kill others in an affray, without being
able, or caring, to ascertain who were the aggressors.
It
After a most mature consideration of all that has come before us in this matter,
we most reluctantly arrive at the conclusion that there has been pursued by
Captain Grant a series of unjustifiable acts, amounting, we might almost say, to
piratical conduct, which render him altogether unworthy of the command of any
British vessel. We shall therefore inform him, that we consider him amenable to
the forfeiture of his indenture, and the ship of her licence. We shall desire him.
immediately to release the Chinese he has imprisoned, and to remove the
Hercules from the Cum-sing-moon anchorage; and however reluctantly we may
consider it our duty to deprive him of his licence, we are resolved to do so if our
orders are not most strictly complied with. The following letter is addressed by
our secretary to Capt. Grant.
In our reply to the Viceroy, we write in general terms, urging the inconsistency
of his applying to us on a subject relating to the illicit trade carried on outside the
port without molestation on the part of Government, and with which the Company
have no connexion, and merely informing him of the report which has reached us
from the Cum-sing-moon, which we submit to him in compliance with his Excel-
lency's wish. We annex a copy of our address to the Viceroy, which will be sent
as soon as translated; it bears this day's date, and we shall present it to the
merchants at the same time as we forward our letter to Captain Grant.
Captain Grant, Master of the Ship Hercules.
Sir,
I am directed by the President and Select Committee to inform you, that they
have carefully perused the statement received from you of the recent occurrences
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PAPERS RELATING TO
in the Cum-sing-moon; and although your account differs very widely from that
of the Chinese Government, it appears by the statement from the Hercules that
the aggression originated with that ship, and not with the Chinese. A native was
seized on shore at Kee-ow, under an accusation of stealing nails from a hulk, and
was carried on board the Hercules, where he was put in irons and kept prisoner.
After the lapse of some time, the Chinese, in retaliation, seized a Lascar who was
watching the hulk on shore. Mr. Parry, a mate of the Hercules, proceeded to a
village with an armed party, and obtained the liberation of the Lascar, but in a
severe conflict which ensued with the Chinese, a seacunny was seen by the party
to be badly wounded or killed, while they were being driven back to their boats
by the natives.
2. On a subsequent day you issued orders that a stronger party, which consisted
of 18 boats, and 250 men armed, should again proceed to the village to rescue, as
it is stated, the seacunny, although you abstained from appearing personally.
This party could not effect a landing, from the fire which was kept up on them by
the Chinese, but after shots had been exchanged, by which three Chinese were
wounded, one of them dangerously, thought it prudent to retire. During the
whole of these proceedings the Chinese accused of theft was detained prisoner in
irons on board the Hercules.
3. The President and Select Committee cannot refrain from observing, that
for some time past you have rendered yourself and the Hercules notorious for
acts of aggression and violence, while no complaint has appeared against any
other ship connected with the opium trade. It is the more reprehensible on your
part from the fact of your assuming the command over vessels consigned to your
owners, Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., and others connected with them in
the Cum-sing-moon, and issuing orders for assistance in attacks on the natives,
consequent upon the course of aggressive conduct which you have commenced,
but in which you have been effectually opposed by the Chinese, and by which the
death of a seacunny has unfortunately taken place. The whole course of your
proceedings regarding the Samarang can only be viewed as a provocation to the
Chinese, by which you appear to have been brought into collision with them,
inducing acts of open hostility and bloodshed.
4. Such acts of aggression and violence render the Hercules under your com-
mand amenable to the forfeiture of the licence under which that ship remains in
China, and yourself amenable to the forfeiture of your indentures. All other ships
under the English flag which assisted in the above attacks have likewise become
subject to similar consequences.
5. The President and Select Committee cannot refrain from condemning the
language reported in your statement to have been made use of by Mr. Gutzlaff in
his interviews with the mandarins; it could tend to no possible end but angry
excitement and hostility, and, under the circumstances of the case, the threats
made use of, and accusations of murder and piracy against the Chinese, appear
altogether misplaced.
6. You are hereby directed instantly to release the native so long detained
prisoner on board the Hercules on an accusation of theft, he being entirely inno-
cent of any participation in these affrays; and you are further commanded imme-
diately to remove the Hercules from her anchorage in the Cum-sing-moon.
Canton, 27 October 1833.
I am, &c.
(signed) J. H. Astell, Secretary.
To his Excellency the Viceroy of Canton.
We have the honour to reply to your Excellency's address of 13th y. 9th m.
10th d. (22d October).
Your Excellency is doubtless aware that we are in no way connected with the
operations of the opium ships carrying on their trade in Lintin and its vicinity,
without molestation or interference on the part of the officers of the Canton
Government, who alone are the proper authorities to put in force the laws of the
Chinese Empire.
We have received a report from the Cum-sing-moon, the particulars of which
differ widely from the statement reported to your Excellency. A Chinese stealing
copper and iron from a stranded vessel, was seized, and imprisoned on board a
ship; the Chinese at Kee-ow retaliated by seizing a Lascar sailor. A party pro-
ceeded
:
THE OPIUM TRADE.
23
·
ceeded on shore to rescue the Lascar, an affray ensued, in which a foreign sailor
was severely wounded, or killed, by a Chinese, and has not yet been heard of
since. No doubt your Excellency has instituted an inquiry to restore the sailor
if he be living, or to ascertain the mode of his death, and inflict punishment on
the guilty. This is the report, which we, in compliance with your Excellency's
wish, now submit to you.
(signed) By the President for the Committee.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 28 October 1833.
In addition to our letter through our secretary to Captain Grant, we desire all
the other ships may be ordered to quit the Cum-sing-moon, and accordingly
address the following to the same purport to all that are at anchor there.
To Captain M'Kay, master of the ship John Biggen.
Thomas,
Colonel Young.
Carr,
Mangles.
Wenstone,
Falcon.
Sir,
In consequence of the late disturbances which have occurred at the Cum-sing-
moon, I am directed by the President and Select Committee to convey to you
their orders immediately on the receipt of this to remove the ship under your
command from that anchorage.
I am, &c.
J. H. Astell, Secretary.
Canton, 28 October 1833.
(signed)
An opportunity occurring of writing to the Governor-General, per Sylph,
which vessel's licence we have just returned, we avail ourselves of the same, and
direct our secretary to address the following letter to Mr. Secretary Bushby,
enclosing all the papers and correspondence which has transpired on the subject
of the disturbance at Cum-sing-moon.
G. A. Bushby, Esq., Officiating Secretary to Government, Fort William.
Sir,
I am directed by the President and Select Committee to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter to Mr. Secretary Lindsay, dated the 5th August, on the
subject of their withholding for a time the licence of the barque Sylph, and to
express to you the satisfaction that they derive in the assurance of the support of
the Right Honourable the Governor-General in Council in upholding their autho-
rity over ships and persons resorting to China.
2. The President and Select Committee are anxious to receive the decision of
the Advocate-general in Bengal on the legal question submitted to him on the
liabilities of commanders who discharge British seamen from their vessels who
had been shipped in this country. They are happy to observe that during the
present voyage of the Sylph, now on her return to Calcutta, they have had no
irregularities to complain of.
3. With Mr. Secretary Lindsay's last letter to you, of the 28th of August, were
forwarded, for the information of the Right Honourable the Governor-General in
Council, copies of all the correspondence which had passed between Captain
Grant, master of the Hercules, and the Select Committee, which led to the
suspension of that ship's licence.
4. In continuation of this subject, and in connexion with the line of contuma-
cious conduct pursued by Captain Grant, and by his owners, Messrs. Jardine,
Matheson & Co., I have the honour to forward copies (No. 1 to 3), of the cor-
respondence which has ensued, as well as edicts which have emanated from the
Chinese Government on two more recent occasions.
5. With reference to the first of these, as it has now happily passed over with-
out involving the Select Committee with the Chinese Government to the detri-
ment of their trade, it is unnecessary, in forwarding these documents, to comment
upon them; the facts of the case will speak for themselves, and can produce but
one opinion as to the highly culpable conduct of Captain Grant.
The papers connected with this subject are Nos. 4 to 23.
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24
PAPERS RELATING TO
6. On the 19th of this month the President and Select Committee received
from the Chinese local authorities two communications, stating that a native had
been taken prisoner in an affray with the crew of the Hercules, at Cum-sing-
moon; these were speedily followed by a letter from the Viceroy, requesting
explanation and satisfaction. I was accordingly desired to require from Captain
Grant a full explanation of all that had occurred, and his reply, with its enclosure,
will accompany this. It will be observed, that although the account given by
Captain Grant differs with that of the Viceroy, it is too evident that the whole
affair was conducted in the most unjustifiable manner, and that owing to the
great want of judgment displayed, and the unnecessary excitement created on
the part of the Chinese, is to be attributed the defeat that the party sustained,
and the loss of the seacunny's life.
7. At this stage of the proceeding, I have been directed to address Captain
Grant, pointing out to him the view which the President and Select Committee
have taken of his conduct, as narrated by himself, and ordering him immediately
to release his prisoner and remove the Hercules from her present anchorage.
We shall be guided by circumstances as to what course it may be considered
hereafter necessary to adopt, but the President and Select Committee are fully
convinced of the necessity of using their authority in controlling the acts of
British subjects trading here under the East India Company's licence; and it is to
be feared that in some degree the laxity which has been shown has encouraged
these parties to behave in such a lawless and outrageous manner. The papers
connected with this subject are lettered A. to F.
8. As it is probable that other accounts, tending to exculpate the conduct of
Captain Grant in his proceeding on this occasion, may reach Calcutta, I am
directed to acquaint you, that during the last day or two several private accounts
from eye-witnesses, and particularly one from a gentleman in Her Majesty's
service, have been voluntarily afforded, and from these there can be no doubt
that the public statement of Captain Grant gives a very prejudiced and incorrect
narrative of his mode of proceeding; it is said by the gentleman above referred to
that the party in the first landing set fire to a village, which burnt nearly the
whole of one night, and the commission of this outrage rendered the natives
infuriate in attacking and repelling the party from the Hercules.
The President and Select Committee will not fail to place his Lordship in
Council in possession of a statement of all that hereafter occurs regarding this.
affair by a subsequent opportunity.
Canton, 28 October 1833.
I have, &c.
(signed) J. H. Astell, Secretary.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 29th October 1833.
THE following documents were delivered to us a few days ago; they are just
translated, and we record them under this date. In the edict from the Viceroy
is stated the result of the inquiry into the Cum-sing-moon affray, instituted by
the Chinese Government, in which the death of the seacunny is acknowledged.
I, Teen, appointed by recommendation Heen of Heang-shan, &c. &c., make
known my orders to the English chief. I have receiv ed a petition from Sun-chin-
meen, an inhabitant of the western Potow village, in which he states, that on the
third day of the present month, about 10 o'clock in the forenoon, as he and his
younger brother Sun-a-Foh were sitting in their boat fishing, in front of the village
of Ke-ow, they were surprised by a number of foreign ships' boats, to the num-
ber of ten and upwards, sailing in towards the village, accompanied by dis-
charges of musketry and guns, and that before they could escape out of the way
Sun-a-Foh was wounded with a musket-shot by one of the foreigners, in consequence
whereof he calls upon me to inquire into the case, and prosecute the culprits.
On looking into the circumstances of the report, I find, that in consequence of
a former petition relative to foreigners having landed on the coast, and wounded
natives, orders have already been issued for the foreign murderer to be delivered
up, which orders have not been attended to; but, in the face of them, the same
foreigners have again had the presumption to enter the inner waters in their
boats, and have repeated their former acts of violence, showing an utter con-
tempt for the laws. It is incumbent on me once more to promulgate my
orders, and let the chief, on the receipt of them, instantly inquire, and find out
who
THE OPIUM TRADE.
1
25
who were the men who, on the two occasions referred to, made use of muskets
and committed violence. Let him place them in confinement, to await the result
of my examination into the case, when the proper measures will be adopted in
regard to them; and, furthermore, let him directly set at liberty the man Ko-ning-
tsew, who was seized on a previous occasion, and let him strictly prohibit for the
future any boats from entering the inner waters, and giving rise to disturb-
ances. If after this they are again refractory and disobedient, I am resolved to
represent it instantly to the high authorities, that they may prosecute the affair
according to the established laws. Be assured I will not show the slightest indul-
gence. Haste! haste!-A special edict.
Taon-Kwang, 13th year, 21 October.
9th moon, 9th day.
Taon-Kwang, 13th year,
9th moon, 12th day.
}
I, Hwang, specially appointed Heen of Nan-Hae, &c. &c., make known my
orders to the Hong merchants, in reference to a case that has been referred to me
by the Heen of Keang-shan. It appears that a petition had been laid before him,
stating, that on the 1st of the 9th month a party of foreigners entered the village
of Ke-oo, and compelled them, by force, to sell sundry articles, and, presuming
upon barbarous strength, seized Ko-ning-tsew, fired muskets, and wounded a
man called Hwang-a-neang, and stole four bullocks. He had personally exa-
mined the wounded man, and the circumstances had been duly recorded; but
finding that the foreign chief was residing at Shik-sun-hang, he has requested me,
as officer of the district, to send instructions to the foreign chief, calling on him
to issue strict orders to all the foreigners to avoid disorderly conduct, at the same
time to ascertain the nation, names, and surnames of those men who were con-
cerned in the disturbance at Ke-oo, calling on him likewise for the delivery of the
man who was seized, Ko-ming-tsew, and also the murderous foreigners, that they
may be brought up for examination. In compliance with the foregoing, I issue
my orders, &c. &c. Let the two men be sent to my office, whence they will be
transferred to the Keang-shan-heen for trial. This is an affair of serious import-
ance, and must not be lightly regarded. Haste! haste!-These are my orders.
24 October.
Taon-Kwang, 13th year, }
9th moon, 12th day.
On the same day a chop from the Hoppo, quoting word for word the Viceroy's,
under date the 22d, and continues thus: His Excellency the Viceroy has now
applied to the Admiral, requesting him to order vessels of war all along the
coast, to maintain a strict guard, and prevent any renewal of disturbances, and I,
the Hoppo, in accordance with the communication I have received, issue orders to
the Hong merchants to call upon the chief of the English nation for a clear detail
of the number of persons who landed and entered the village of Ke-oo, and for
the reason they have to give for seizing Ko-ming-tsew, and wounding Hwang-a-
peang, and let the foreign murderer be delivered into the hands of the local
officers of government. Let there be no attempt at disguising the truth, or making
delay. Haste! haste !-A special order.
24 October.
I, Loo, Viceroy of the two Kwangs, &c. &c., issue my orders to the Hong
merchants. I have this day received the report of the acting Heen of Heang-
shan, named Teen-po. His words are as follows: "Having assembled the
military and civil officers according to your order, to form a court of inquiry into
the case concerning some foreigners having wounded a Chinese of the name of
Hwang-a-neang, and carried off prisoner Ko-ning-tsew, we went with all dis-
patch to carry your instructions into effect, but learnt in the meanwhile that a
Chinese had killed a foreigner and concealed the body. These circumstances
formed the subject of a previous report to your Excellency. On the 9th and 10th
days of the present month we proceeded to investigate the affair, and took into
custody the following culprits and witnesses: Soo-shang-pin alias Soo-a-tseem,
Tsae-a-ho, Chung-tsun-tsum, Chung-a-yuen, Chung-foh-quen, Tang-a-paon,
Taou-a-qou, and Tsae-sze-peang. After minute examination for two successive
days, I have elicited these facts, that Soo-shang-pin, about the time of noon, on
the 1st of the month, was, in company with three of the others named, fishing in a
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PAPERS RELATING TO
bay at the foot of Kum-sing Hill, when they heard Ko-ying-twain's son, Ko-a-
treang, crying out that foreigners had stolen a bullock. Soo-shang-pin and his
companions upon this ran up the hill, whence they descried the foreigners in the
act of dragging away a bullock. They pursued and caught the foreigners, and
brought them into the village, but the policeman of that station, Tsae-sye-neang,
said that as they were foreigners, he could not deliver them over to the mandarins;
and therefore ordered Soo-shang-pin to take them back and let them go.
About four o'clock in the afternoon the foreigners returned to the shore in a
crowd of not less than 50 and challenged the villagers to fight. The whole
village being alarmed, came out to oppose them, when the foreigners, on seeing
such great numbers collected, took to their heels and made off, with the
exception of one man who was left behind (his name I cannot learn). Soo-shang-
pin, Tsae-a-ho, and two. others rushed altogether upon this man, and he, when
he perceived them close upon him, turned round and defended himself with a
cutlass. Soo-shang-pin was armed with a knife, with which he attacked and
wounded the foreigner in the left wrist. The foreigner next engaged Tsae-a-ho,
and Chung-tsenn-quen with his musket, when he received a wound in the right
shoulder from Tsae-a-ho, who was armed with a wooden club, whilst Chung-
tsenn-quen, with a similar weapon, beat him across the shins; Chung-a-yow
meantime struck him a blow with his fist in his left eye, and when he still con-
tinued to strike at Soo-shang-pin this man struck him with his knife in the belly
and then knocked him down upon the ground, when he shortly after expired.
After this, Tsae-a-ho and the rest of the party ran away home, whilst Soo-shang-
pin stripped the dead man of his cutlass and musket, and then resolved on taking
the corpse and burying it, so that no traces of the murder might be discovered.
For this purpose he gave 1,600 cash to six of the village men to take up the body
and carry it out to a sand-hill at the back of the village to the southward, and
bury it. But a very short time afterwards, from apprehensions of discovery, he
disinterred the dead body and hired three of the villagers for 600 cash to put it on
board a boat, run out into the deep sea, and toss it over board. This being done,
they all dispersed.
At the time of the foreigners' retreat, after challenging the village to fight, they
perceived a Chinese named Ko-ming-tsew, with a labourer of the name of
Hwang-a-neang, working in the fields; they ran up to him, seized him, and carried
him off prisoner to their ship, and wounded Hwang-a-neang with a musket for
hallooing out for help. Two days subsequently to this the foreigners again came
in increased numbers to the village to get back their countryman. They opened
a fire with musketry and guns, and did considerable damage to the houses. But
upon the whole village, men and women, turning out in great numbers to guard
and protect their dwellings, the foreigners turned round and went away. It
happened just at this time that a fisherman called Sun-a-foh was coming across
to sell his cargo, when he was shot at and wounded by the foreigners. This, then,
is the state of the case; these are the causes and the circumstances of the disturb-
ance which has ended in the loss of life. I sent immediate orders for the pro-
duction of the cutlass, the musket, and shot taken by Soo-shang-pin, and after
examining them I had them packed in a case, affixed my official seal thereto, and
deposited them in the treasury, and sent off a runner and policeman to drag for the
body; but, owing to the length of time that had elapsed, the body had floated
away and could not be found. I next dispatched a pilot to communicate my
orders to the foreigners, to the effect that I had fully examined into the case, and
that justice should be done upon the criminals, at the same time ordering them to
deliver up the Chinese Ko-hing-tsew. The foreigners represented, in reply, that
their captain having gone up to Canton, they could not take upon themselves the
responsibility of letting the man go. Since then I have again had all those con-
cerned before me, and have minutely investigated the real circumstances which
led to a loss of life; besides which, it is right to report the evidence of the several
prisoners that your Excellency may act, and I humbly entreat your Excellency to
issue instructions to the Hong merchants to command the chief to send instant
orders for the liberation of Ko-hing-tsew, and likewise for the institution of an
inquiry for the purpose of discovering who it was that wounded the Chinese, and
that the same be placed in confinement; if the Chinese die of his wounds, it will
then become necessary that the murderer be delivered up for capital punishment.
Thus will justice be maintained.
•
Such
1
THE OPIUM TRADE.
27
Such is the statement laid before me (the Viceroy,) by the Heen and Hie of
Heang-shan, from which it appears, first, that the foreigners have had a fray with
the villagers of Ke-oo. I have already deputed Le-tun-nee, a supernumerary
Ting-pan, to go to the spot, and inquire into the facts; and ordered the Hong
merchants to convey my commands to the chief in reference thereto, as it duly
recorded. Now it appears, from the present statement, that Soo-shang-pin, and
others, excited by foreigners, having seized a bullock, and afterwards challenged
them to fight, have caused the death of a foreigner; the culprits and witnesses
have accordingly been all taken into custody, but that the man seized by the
foreigners, Ho-hing-tsew, has not up to this time been set at liberty, and more-
over that the captain of the ship has come up to Canton, doubtless for the purpose
of reporting to the chief, that he may represent the case. I feel it right imme-
diately, whilst he is close at hand, to issue orders for the release of the man.
Besides putting the case into the hands of the An-cha-sze, that he may send orders
to the Kum-him-foo, at Macao, and the Heang-shan-heen, to try the case, and act
accordingly. I hereby make known my commands to the Hong merchants, for
immediate communication to the chief, in order that he may inform the captain of
the ship that the Chinese who was the cause of the foreigner's death, and who
afterwards threw away the body, shall be prosecuted, and tried in accordance with
the laws but that the man who has been seized, namely, Ko-ming-tsew, is a
common man, who was not involved in the fray, and that he is in no way guilty.
He must therefore be forthwith released, and at the same time the murderous
foreigner who wounded a Chinese must be discovered, and placed in confinement;
and if the Chinese die in consequence of his wounds, it will then be required that
the murderer pay the penalty of his crime.
the penalty of his crime. In apportioning the several degrees
of punishment to the degrees of crime, the principles of reason and the even justice
of the laws are manifested. The captain of the ship referred to must pay implicit
obedience, and lose no time in fulfilling all that I have ordered; so that, proper
evidence being brought forward, the murderer, Soo-shang-pin, may at an early
day be brought to trial, and his fate decided. Let there not be the least
opposition nor trifling, no slackness nor procrastination. These are my urgent
commands.
$
Tan-Kwang, lay.} 27 October 1833.
13th year, 9th moon, 15th day.
C
We have just received the following letter and enclosure from Captain Grant,
in reply to that forwarded to him on the 27th instant. It is needless to comment
on the style of this communication; he acquiesces, though indirectly, with our
orders to move the Hercules, and he argues on the affair in a manner which is not
supported by his own statement, and far less so by the accounts which have
appeared from other quarters :-
J. H. Astell, Esq., Secretary.
Sir,
In reply to your letter of yesterday, and with reference to the commands therein
conveyed, I have to acquaint you that the ship Hercules, having been prepared
some days ago to remove to Lintin, shall, if not already gone, be removed accord-
ingly, and that the thief confined on board of her shall, as the Committee orders,
be discharged. It appears by the annexed communication received yesterday from
the first officer, that the Chinese at Kee-ow acknowledge our seacunny has been
murdered; and it has also come to my knowledge this day, from the best autho-
rity, that our detention of the thief has caused the viceroy to arrest the murderers.
It is therefore obvious that my part, in endeavouring, by the means of this hostage,
to obtain the liberation of our seacunny if alive, or an ayowal of his murder if
dead, is at length fulfilled, and that the duty of obtaining justice is now a national
one, in which I have only an individual concern.
I shall close the acknowledgment of your letter without further expression of the
sentiments it is calculated to excite, than is conveyed in my unqualified disavowal
of the conduct imputed to me by the Committee. The grounds on which it
declares that "I for some time past have rendered myself and the Hercules
notorious for acts of aggression and violence," are, I believe, all comprised in the
present occasion, and one former case, when a thief (likewise taken in the fact,)
was confined on board for a few days. In adopting this, our only mode of check-
ing plunder, in a country where there is no appeal to the laws but through the
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intervention of a body which declines intervention, or only interferes against us,
I was, as I conceive, performing a simple duty to the owners of the property com-
mitted to my care.
Canton,
Monday, 28 October 1833
833.}
I am, &c.
(signed)
Ship Hercules, Cum-sing-moon,
24 October 1833.
A. Grant.
(Copy.)
At 9 A.M. the pilots came on board, with a message from the mandarins to
have the Chinaman given up, and to communicate to us the result of their inves-
tigation.
They state that the mandarins, after having tortured 24 of the Kee-ou men,
have found that two of these men killed our seacunny, and that four others were
employed by the murderers to throw the body into the water; these six men were
deposited in the gaol of Heong-shan yesterday.
The mandarins sent out three boats to search for the body, but they returned
without success.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 1 November 1833.
To G. A. Bushby, Esq., Officiating Secretary to Government.
Sir,
IN continuation of the subject of my letter dated the 28th ultimo, per Sylph,
a duplicate of which accompanies this despatch, I am directed by the President
and Select Committee to forward, for the information of the Right Honourable the
Governor-General in Council, such documents (Nos. 1 to 5,) as have since
appeared in reference to Captain Grant and the affray with the Chinese at Cum-
sing-moon.
2. The President and Select Committee are in hopes that no further notice of
this disturbance will be taken by the Chinese Government. The fact of an affray
originating with the opium ships, and of a seacunny having been killed, and no
life being sacrificed on the other side, is a sufficient reason, without weighing the
merits of the case, to deter the mandarins from prosecuting an investigation..
Canton, 1 November 1833.
I have, &c.
(signed) J. H. Astell,
Secretary.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATION, 4 and 5 November 1833.
4th November.-Consultation: The President and Mr. Daniell.
THE Hong merchants requested us to meet them this morning, and produced
an edict from the Viceroy, in reply to our last communication. They also deli-
vered one from the Hong Shan-heen, stating that the Chinese who was wounded
at Cum-sing-moon had since died, and that the murderers were required to be
delivered up for examination and punishment. We informed them that these
documents would be translated, and we would then deliberate on their contents,
and did not enter further on the subject.
5th November 1833.-The following are the documents which were delivered
to us yesterday:
Governor Loo, concerning the Cum-sing-moon affray, dated 3d November
1833, received 4th November 1833.
Loo, &c. &c. Governor of the two Kwang provinces (Kwang-tung and
Kwang-se), to the Hong merchants.
It is authenticated that Plowden and others, the chief, &c. of the English
nation, have represented as follows:-
[Here follows a transcript of the Committee's Letter of the 25th instant.]
This
THE OPIUM TRADE.
29
This coming before me, the Governor, I examine into what the said [chief
and others say about the various ships anchored at Lintin, not at all implicating
the Company; but the foreign ships anchored at Lintin are all ships of the
English nation; and the Celestial Empire's fixed rule concerning foreign ships
anchored on the coast of China is, that if any matter arise between Chinese and
foreigners, who do not understand each other's languages, an order shall always
be issued by the Government to the Hong merchants, to inform the said chief
that he may enjoin the order, and make the business clearly known to the foreigners.
Although there are things in which a difference is to be made between Chinese-
and foreigners, still there is a right and wrong in everything, and a crooked and
a straight in all reasoning, in which the whole world are agreed.
In the present case, according to the report of the civil and military officers of
Heang-shan district, Weishun's country ship anchored at Cum-sing-moon,
entered Ke-ow village, made a disturbance, wounded a man, and seized a villager,
Ko-ming-tsew. I, the Governor, immediately perceived that there must be a
cause, and therefore sent an officer to the spot, to join with the civil and military
officers of the district to inquire distinctly into the origin of the bloody affray,
that with discrimination a prosecution might be instituted.
:
At the same time I ordered the Hong merchants to communicate my orders to
the said chief, to enjoin it upon the country ship captain, Weichun, to let go the
villager he had seized, and wait till the matter was inquired into. This is on
record.
Afterwards the Heang-shan magistrate reported distinctly, that in conse-
quence of the foreigners landing, entering the village, and wanting to plunder
them of a buffalo, the buffalo boy cried out, and all the villagers having assembled,
seized a foreigner, Man-le-yang-rea, and beat him till he died; after which they
cast him into the sea.
On the 3d of the present moon the foreigner Maké (Captain M'Kay) headed a
great many foreigners, went to the village, attacked them with guns, and seized
a villager, Ko-ming-tsew, and wounded with muskets and guns two men. Already
has the said Heang magistrate seized the principal and assistant murderers, who
put to their hands to cause the death of the foreigner, and those who carried
away the corpse, and has put them into confinement, to be prosecuted; also
ordering the foreigners to let go the villager without regard to the report that the
foreigner Maké had on the 10th gone to Canton to lodge an accusation. The
official messenger sent has also returned to Canton, and given in a report cor-
responding with the above.
Now, looking over the chief's representations, that he had heard that a native had
stolen copper and iron materials from a rotten ship cast ashore in a gale, and that
that was the origin of the affray, the murderous offenders who caused the death
of a foreigner have been found out, seized, and put in custody by the Heang
magistrate; and who it was among the said villagers who stole the nails will easily
be ascertained, that they may be seized and prosecuted; but Ko-ming-tsew, who
was seized (by the foreigners), is wholly an innocent man.
The Celestial Empire's laws are, he who kills a man shall forfeit his own life;
he who wounds a man, or steals or robs, shall be punished according to the
slightness or severity of the wound, or the amount of property, whether little or
much, which he has stolen. For all these cases there are perspicuous clauses
in the law ; but an innocent man cannot be seized and involved on account of the
offender. This principle is the same throughout the whole world.
At present, at my office, it has not been authenticated what the said foreigner
Maké alleged in accusation. As this foreigner came to Canton city, he must have
gone to the foreign factory, and thrown in his statement. It is right that I imme-
diately hasten to order the liberation of Ko-ming-tsew.
Beside issuing the above proclamation, I hereby order the said Hong merchants
to enjoin this order as soon as it reaches them on the said chief, requiring him to
take the reasonable principles of my proclamation, and order the said foreigner
Maké to hasten and liberate Ko-ming-tsew; and still further, find out the foreigner
who at the village fired muskets and guns, which wounded men, and deliver him
up at the foreign factories to wait for a prosecution of the case.
The said chief should consider the gracious tenderness of the Celestial Empire,
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PAPERS RELATING TO
and the virtuous compassion which I show to strangers. The said country ship
belongs to a nation dependent on England, and the chief is especially appointed
to reside at Canton, and superintend all affairs, by the Honourable Kung-pan,*
and should yield obedience, and perspicuously order the said foreigner to act
obediently. Do not make excuses, and render unavailing the intense intention of
my patient, anxious, and reasonable commands.] A special order.
Tuon-Kwang,
13th year, 9th moon, 22d day.
Note.-The document given in by the merchants of the 2d instant, is a copy of
the proclamation, beginning at the words, "the said chief," &c., and ending at
'commands." Being verbatim the same as the above, it is unnecessary to
translate it again.
From the Heang-shan-heen, dated 1st November, received 4th, 1833.
TEEN, appointed, by Imperial sanction, to the office of Heang-shan magistrate,
1ereby issues his orders to the English chief, requiring him to inform himself fully
of the contents hereof.
In the present case, the villagers of Ke-ow belonging to this Hien, have at
different times reported, that on the 1st and 3d days of the 9th moon (the 13th
and 15th October), English foreigners belonging to country ships landed, went to
the village, made a disturbance, and having seized, carried off a villager, named
Ko-ming-tsew, and at different times wounded Hwang-a-yang, Jun-a-fuh, &c.
At the time their wounds were examined by government officers, and orders given
to afford them medical aid. Further, I united with the military officers, went to
the spot, and investigated the case.
I inferred that as the foreigners went to the village and sought a quarrel, there
must be some cause from which it originated; and therefore I carefully inquired
into it. On inquiry, I found out that the Chinese had caused the death of a
foreigner, and obliterated all traces of the transaction. I then immediately took
into custody the murderous offenders, Soo-sang-pin, and others, and applied on
every topic a grinding inquisition, by which I discovered that Soo-shang-pin
alias Soo-a-treun, on the 1st day of the 9th moon of the 13th of Tuon-kwang, at
noon, was with Isw-a-ho, Chung-a-yew, and Tsae-a-fuh, four persons in all,
fishing at the foot of Ke-ow hill, when they heard Ko-a-tseang, the son of Ko-
ying-twan, calling out that foreigners were stealing a buffalo. Soo-shan-pin
and the others landed, and saw the foreigners walking off, dragging the buffalo
after them. Soo-shan-pin and the others seized the foreigner, and took him back
into the village.
Tsae-sye-yang, the constable of that place, as he could not send a foreigner
before the magistrate, ordered Soo-shang-pin and the others to take the foreigner
and escort him back (to the ship). That day, at four o'clock p.m., the foreigners,
in number about 50, rushed to the village, and sought to fight with the villagers.
The villagers, all alarmed and frightened, came out to drive them away. The
foreigners seeing so many people, ran away to avoid them. It happened that
one foreigner, name unknown, fell behind; Soo-shang-pin, with Tsae-a-ho, Chung-
pugtsewn, Chung-a-yew, &c., all at once ran upon the foreigner, beat and
wounded him till he fell to the ground; soon after which he died. They seized
a foreign sword and a musket.
Tsae-a-ho and the others all went home. It occurred to Soo-shang-pin to
bury the body, and obliterate all traces of the occurrence.
He therefore gave
1,600 cash to the villagers Chung-a-yeren, Chung-a-trew, Chung-kwan-shing,
Ko-fuh-yuen, Tung-a-paon, and Yaon-a-yuen to carry the body to the sand-hill
on the south side behind the village, and inter it. But Soo-shang-pin again
bethought himself that somebody might find it out, and therefore after a little time
Soo-shang-pin again dug up the body, and for 600 cash hired Ko-trum-hew,
Ko-trum-tsae, and Ko-a-chaon to take a fast fishing-boat, and carry the body
to the heart of the sea, and cast it away into the sea, after which they all
separated.
At
* The last syllable ya which means Court, is omitted. Kung-pan-ya is the common appellation
for company.
THE OPIUM TRADE.
31
At the time that the foreigners sought a quarrel, and were driven back by all
the villagers, having got outside the village, they saw the Chinese, Ko-ming-
tsew, with a labourer, Hwang-a-yang, working in the field, and having made up
to them, they seized Ko-ming-tsew, and took him on board ship. Hwang-a-
yang calling out, was fired upon, and wounded by the foreigners.
On the third day of the moon, a great number of the said foreigners came to
the said village to get back the foreign man, when they fired muskets and
guns, by which the doors of the houses were broken. The said villagers, men and
women, in great numbers, rescued and defended the place, and the foreigners
retired. It happened at that moment that Sun-a-fuh, selling fish, passed by, and
was wounded by a musket from the foreigners.
When these things occurred, they were all from first to last reported to the great
officers of the province for their investigation, as is on record.
On the 18th of the 9th moon of Hwang-seen, he presented a statement,
saying that his son Hwang-a-yang, who on the 1st of the 9th moon was wounded
by a musket-shot from foreigners, and whose wounds had been examined, and
medical aid afforded for him, had unexpectedly, being severely wounded, not
benefited by medical aid, but, on the 17th day of the moon, died in consequence of
his wounds. It was right that he should report to Government, and a coroner's
inquest be taken, &c.
I immediately took with me writers of the criminal department, and an exa-
miner of dead bodies to the remains of Hwang-a-yang. He had received wounds.
on his left thigh in front, on the right side of the fundament, and on the right side.
of the anus. They were all small shot wounds. The mouths of the wounds mor-
tified. Undoubtedly he died in consequence of his wounds. Having sketched
the plan of the wounds on paper, and taken a certificate of its truth from the
kindred, the body was ordered to be interred.
Beside reporting to all the superior officers in Canton, I remark on this case,
that the Chinese Soo-shang-pin and others who caused the death of a foreigner,
and cast away the body to obliterate all traces of it, no doubt committed a crime
that cannot be excused, and I have seized the principal and accomplices in the
murder, to be prosecuted according to law.
But now being authenticated that Hwang-a-yang has died in consequence of
his wounds, it is pressingly incumbent that the murderer be delivered up to be
prosecuted, and pay the forfeit of his life.
the forfeit of his life. With earnest haste an order is hereby
issued to the said chief, requiring him forthwith instantly to compel the said
foreign ship to find out and deliver up the murderers, to be kept in custody, and
wait for trial and punishment. The case involves a man's life, and the said
chief must necessarily act according to the real truth in his search and manage-
ment. Let there not be the least procrastination.
As to foreigners who have come to Canton to trade for a hundred and scores of
years, and have received from the Celestial Empire the tenderest and most
gracious treatment, they no doubt ought to be reverential and submissive, and
obediently keep the laws of the Celestial Empire. And let the said chief more-
over immediately order the said foreigners that they positively must for the time
to come be tranquil and quiet, and so carry on their trade. They must not
again make disturbance; if they dare to be perverse and disobey, I shall assuredly
immediately report them, and request the great officers of the province to inflict a
most painful and severe chastisement. Let none oppose delay.-Hasten! hasten!
-A special order.
Taon-Kwang, 13th year,
9th moon, 20th day.
}
1 Nov. 1833.
CONSULTATION.-The President and Mr. Daniell.
Howqua and Mowqua waited on the committee this morning, and informed
them that Mowqua's brother, who bears official rank, had held an interview with
the Viceroy on the subject of the Chinese who was wounded at Cum-sing-moon
having died. They informed us that an edict would be issued in a few hours de-
manding the delivery of the murderer, and that the English chief was required to
produce him. It is most probable that this interview with us was expressly held
for the purpose of ascertaining our feeling in the affair, which might be a guide to
the Viceroy in drawing up his edict. We therefore studiously adhered to our
argument
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argument that as this was an affair which happened outside the river, we could not
be held responsible; that we had, in accordance with the Viceroy's wishes, in-
formed him of the facts as they hadb ecome known to us, and we added that we
believed ships of other nations were in plicated in the disturbance, which made it
impossible to fix the guilt on any nation in particular. Howqua then suggested
that we should order up all who were concerned to take their trial in Canton; but
this they ultimately abandoned, on our representing to them the risk of further dis-
turbance which would attend the transmission of so great a number of men to
Canton, without even the slightest chance of the individual who caused the death
of the Chinese being discovered. Having again informed them that we conceived
if the Viceroy allowed the continuance of a smuggling trade, we could not be
answerable for its consequences, nor for the breach of those laws which it was the
province of the local officers of government to enforce. Shortly afterwards an
edict from the Viceroy was received, of which the following is a translation.
From Governor Loo, dated and received November 5, 1833.
Loo, Governor, &c. &c., hereby issues his commands to the Hong merchants,
on the 23d of the 9th moon of the 13th year of Taon-kwang. The acting Heang-
shan magistrate, Tun-poo, reported as follows:
The case is in court that the English foreigners seized and carried off a native
of Ke-ow village, Ko-ming-tsew. From first to last, it led to the wounding of
the Chinese Hwang-a-yang and Sun-a-fuh. I, holding a mean office, examined
the wounded men, and gave orders for medical aid. I also assembled with the
military officers, repaired to the spot, and investigated the affair. I found out that
the Chinese, Soo-a-pin and others, caused the death of a foreigner, and obliterated
all traces of the transaction. I seized the offenders, took their confessions, and
examined into all the circumstances, which I have already reported for the in-
spection of government, as is on record.
Now, on the 18th of the 9th moon, the deceased's father, Hwang-hun-he,
reported that his son, Hwang-a-yang, was wounded by a foreigner's musket-shot,
on the 1st of the 9th moon, as he before represented, and had to give thanks for
a coroner's inquest and the appointment of medical aid. Unexpectedly Hwang-a-
yang, being severely wounded, received no benefit from that aid, and died on the
17th day. He reported, as was right, for an inquest.
I immediately took clerks of the criminal department, with an examiner of dead
bodies, and repaired to the spot where the body was. Having assembled the
kindred, an examination was made. Hwang-a-yang's left thigh, right fundament,
and the left side of the anus, were wounded; all were small-shot wounds. The
mouths of the wounds mortified; no doubt he died in consequence of the wounds.
The body was ordered to be coffined and interred.
Further, on the 20th day of the present moon, a police runner reported that the
foreigners had liberated Ko-ming-tsew, and, as was right, he had brought him to
the court to state clearly the circumstances.
Being examined, Ko-ming-tsew deposed that he was seized by the foreigners,
and on the 18th liberated, &c.
Beside stating the circumstances of the first examination, presenting a copy of
the general report made to the supreme authorities, and the assembling of all the
parties seized, and their evidence given, I now have furthermore reported the death
of Hwang-a-yang, and the liberation of Ko-ming-tsew, for the examination of the
Governor, that he may condescend to order the Hong merchants to enjoin an
order on the chief to hasten and find out the foreign murderer, and deliver him
over to the court to be prosecuted, and forfeit his life. Really this will be just
and expedient.
The above coming before me, the Governor, I have examined and decide. In
this case, at first, in consequence of the Chinese Ko-ming-tsew being seized, and
Hwang-a-yang, &c., wounded, I ordered the Hong merchants to enjoin my orders
to deliver up Ko-ming-tsew, and to find out the murderous foreigner who wounded
the man, and keep him in custody. If the Chinese died of his wounds, then imme-
diately, as would be right, to deliver the foreigner up to be prosecuted, and forfeit
his life. This is on record.
It is now reported that Ko-ming-tsew has been liberated, which shows that the
said foreigners have still sense enough to yield implicit obedience to the orders of
But as Hwang-a-yang has died of his wounds, it is right that the mur-
derous
reason.
THE OPIUM TRADE.
33
derous foreigners who fired the musket and wounded him should be imme-
diately delivered up to be prosecuted.
An order is therefore hereby issued, requiring the merchants, as soon as it reaches
them, to order immediately the English nation's chief to transmit orders to the said
foreign ship captain to find out the foreign murderer who wounded and caused
the death of Hwang-a-yang, and the same day deliver him up to wait for prosecu-
tion and punishment.
The Celestial Empire's laws are, that he who kills a man commits a capital
crime, for which he must forfeit his life. The said foreigners (or barbarians)
have long enjoyed our tender treatment and profound benevolence, and ought to
obey the laws.
In this case the Chinese and foreigners reciprocally fought, and each has lost a
life. The Chinese murderers are already caught; the foreign murderer must be,
by the said ship captain, on an early day delivered up, and then will be seen reve-
rential submission.
Be careful that there exists not the least opposition or delay. Intense-intense
is this order.
Taon Kwang, 13th year,?
9th moon, 2d day.
5 November 1833.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 7 November 1833.
IN acknowledgment of the Viceroy's communication of yesterday, we wrote the
following letter:
To His Excellency the Viceroy of Canton.
We beg to acknowledge your Excellency's address of the 5th instant.
We have already made your Excellency acquainted with the account which we
received respecting the disturbance at Ke-ow, differing from the report given to
your Excellency, which stated that a buffalo had been stolen on shore by foreign
sailors from the opium ships. On the other hand, the Chinese are accused of
stealing copper and iron from a stranded vessel; hence arose the affray, in which
it appears, by your Excellency's reports to us, two parties unfortunately lost their
lives, one a foreign sailor, the other a Chinese.
You require us to give up a man to be examined and punished for the death of
a Chinese, killed under the circumstances above stated.
We beg again to inform your Excellency that we disclaim all connexion with
the operations of the opium ships, which remain outside the river unmolested by
the officers of this province. We cannot be responsible for acts of violence and
affrays between these ships and the Chinese; moreover, in the present instance,
vessels of all nations were concerned.
We reside in Canton, conducting the trade of our country according to esta-
blished regulations; is it to be supposed we can be considered in any way
responsible for the opium trade at Lintin and its vicinity, conducted by ships of
many nations?
These are affairs in which the local officers of Government should enforce their
own laws, and regarding which we disclaim all responsibility.
Further, all vessels engaged in this affray have left the Cum-sing-moon, and
sailed away to different places.
We beg to inform your Excellency of the arrival in China of His Majesty's
ship Magicienne, Captain Plumridge, of which we have just received infor-
mation.
Canton, 7 November 1833.
We are, &c.
(Signed by the President of the Committee.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 13, 15, and 16 November 1833.
13th Nov.-IN some conversations which the President had with Captain Plum-
ridge on the purport of his visit to China, he has expressed a wish to be made ac-
quainted with what has passed in China during the last summer with regard to the
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opium,
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PAPERS RELATING TO
opium ships, and Mr. Innes's unaccountable conduct, and more particularly in refer-
ence to the affray at Cum-sing-moon, now a subject of correspondence between us
and the Chinese Government. We can have no possible objection to this request,
indeed we think it highly desirable that such atrocious conduct as our Consultations
exhibit should be made known to his Excellency the Commander-in-chief.
W. H. C. Plowden, Esq. &c. &c.
Sir,
Referring to the reports of the affray which took place with the crews of the
English merchant vessels at Lintin and the Chinese, may I beg that you will
permit me to peruse the letters which passed on that subject, and if not incom-
patible with your sentiments and those of the Select Committee, also allow of
my taking copies of the same, as it occurs to me his Excellency the Commander-
in-chief may deem it expedient to devise means to prevent such atrocities.
I have, &c.
(signed)
Canton, 13 November 1833.
Hanway Plumridge.
Hanway Plumridge, Esq., Captain of His Majesty's Ship Magicienne.
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, and
beg to inform you that the Select Committee have great satisfaction in complying
with your request to peruse the letters and proceedings that have passed on the
occasion referred to in your letter, and have no hesitation in affording you copies
of such parts of them as you may deem necessary for the information of his
Excellency the naval Commander-in-chief of His Majesty's squadron in the East
Indies.
The Select Committee have further much satisfaction in submitting to your
inspection, with the same view, their proceedings in transactions that have taken
place in China during the past summer, which, as affecting the regular conduct
of the British commerce at this port, it may be equally desirable you should be
made acquainted with.
Canton, 13 November 1833.
I have, &c.
(signed)
IV. H. C. Plowden.
The annexed edict from the Viceroy has been this day received. He adheres to
his original order for the delivery of the "murderers," but in moderate terms;
and moreover, it appears that, contrary to customary demands, he proposes that
the foreigners should be tried by foreign laws at Macao. This is certainly an
innovation, and when such a proposition is voluntarily made, it is evident that the
Viceroy considers he is obliged to continue his correspondence by asking satis-
faction in a manner that he expects may give him an opportunity of eventually
dropping the affair with credit to himself.
Governor Loo to the Hong Merchants, in reply to the Committee's Address of
7 November, dated 12, received 13 November 1833.
Loo, Governor of Canton and Kwangse, &c. &c., issues this order to the Hong
merchants, requiring their full acquaintance therewith.
Before on account of the case of disturbance in the village of Ke-ow, caused
by foreign vessels anchored in Cum-sing-moon, I took the result of the several
investigations made by the civil and military officers of Heang-shan, and I
gave
orders to the said merchants, to be by them enjoined on the English chief, that he
might make known to the said foreigners the orders to set loose again Kevi-sung-
tsew, to deliver up the murderous foreigner (or foreigners) who fired at and
wounded men, and to retire out of Cum-sing-moon. This is a record.
Now, on inquiry, I find that the said villager Ko-ming-tsew has been set at
liberty, and that the foreign vessels also have gone out, but the murderous
foreigner who wounded men has not been delivered up. It is authenticated that
the said chief states, in reply, that the causes of the affray alleged on each side do
not accord, one stating that the foreigners were stealing cattle, and the other that
the
THE OPIUM TRADE.
35
the natives were stealing nails. The Chinese and foreigners had each caused the
death of a man, and the local officers should themselves enforce the laws. (He
states) that himself and colleagues reside at Canton to transact, according to fixed
laws, the commercial affairs of their nation, but with the vessels that do not enter
the port they have no connexion. He has heard that all the vessels before in
Cum-sing-moon, which had caused the affray, had sailed out.
He also reports
that the English ship of war Magicienne, Captain Plumridge, had just arrived
in Canton, and that he in consequence takes the opportunity of reporting the
same.
These circumstances being brought before me, the Governor, I have examined
and find that the said chief and his colleagues have received the command of the
said nation's King to reside at Canton for the general superintendence of the trade.
Their official responsibility is not light. The foreign vessels of every nation, when
they have come into the Canton seas, whether they enter the port or do not enter,
are equally within the seas of China, and they must therefore obey the laws of
China and the fixed enactments of the Celestial Empire. When foreign vessels
in China have any affairs (with the Government), on account of the language not
being common to both, it is the universal rule to give orders to the Hong mer-
chants, requiring them to inform the chiefs of them, that they may enjoin them
to make them known to the foreigners for them to act by. This is a fixed mode
of action, and also a true way of maintaining the laws with dignity.
And in the present case the Indian foreign vessels engaged in the affray are of
a country pertaining to England; they certainly cannot act on the principle of not
attending to nor obeying the orders of the said chief. Hence, when the said
foreigner Maké (MacKay) came to the capital, there was no formal accusation
brought against him, yet Kevi-sing-tsew was immediately set at liberty, and the
vessels retired from Cum-sing-moon; this must have been caused by attention to
the orders enjoined by the said chief. Hereby may be perceived the said chief's
ability to comprehend the principles of reason, and reverentially to obey the
Celestial Empire; hereby also may be perceived that the orders of the said chief
are able to compel the belief and obedience of the said foreigners. It is no use
for him to make evasive excuses.
Of the origin of the present disturbance on both sides, I, the Governor, have
directed the Ancharge to depute an officer, who, in conjunction with the local
officers, has made investigation, and after repeated examinations, he has decided
that the natives and foreigners were mutual offenders, and has framed a case
accordingly. It remains only for the chief to deliver up the offenders to be tried
respecting the real circumstances. The natives will be punished according to the
native laws, and the foreigners shall be acted with according to the foreign laws,
before an officer sent to Macao for the purpose of witnessing it.
For the present affair there is but one law; the law of the empire must be
obeyed, and the chief must embody the sentiments which in sincerity and plainness
I have declared to him, and must give urgent orders to the said foreigner to
deliver up the foreign criminals to be tried and punished; and though the said
nation's naval captain, Plumridge, has come to Canton, yet the chief alone is
held responsible for the delivery (of the criminals). How can he be suffered to
indulge in pretexts and evasive excuses?
Uniting the circumstances, I issue a speedy order for this purpose. I send this
order to the Hong merchants that they may immediately enjoin it on the said
chief for him to obey and act accordingly. Let him order the Indian ship captain,
Maké, (MacKay) to deliver up the foreign criminals who caused the wounds of
the Chinese, and when the criminals have reached Macao, let the said merchants
immediately report to me, the Governor, to enable me to depute an officer to try
and punish them. Should the said chief adhere firmly to blind stupidity, and
refuse to be roused, the said merchants must clearly point out and fully explain
the law, peremptorily requiring the immediate and speedy delivery of the mur-
derers, in order to exhibit luminously the national government. Let them not
depend on each other to be prompted with excuses. Should the said foreigners
go elsewhere, the consequences will be that heavy criminality will be incurred.
With urgency! With urgency ! These are the orders.
Taou-Kwang, 12 November 1833.
The other document is a copy of a public proclamation, in exactly the same
words as the preceding, and of the same date.
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Consultation, full Committee.
15th November.--Having considered the edict from the Viceroy, recorded on
the 13th instant, the Committee are of the same opinion regarding the line of
policy which it becomes them to follow. In drawing up the following reply, they
have been guided by the same arguments which they have used throughout the
whole of this affair; arguments, the justice of which the merchants have admitted,
and to which we trust the Viceroy, from his hitherto friendly disposition towards
us, will attach due weight. With the exception of this unfortunate event (the
perpetrators of which have not thought proper even to make any apology to us
who bear the burthen of their rash and intemperate conduct, while they repose
with perfect indifference as to the hazard they expose the trade of the port to, and
the trouble and annoyance that they inflict upon us), we have much pleasure in
remarking that a thoroughly good understanding exists between ourselves and the
Chinese Government, which is very apparent from the weight that the President's
conversation with Howqua, which was related to the Viceroy, has had in pre-
venting him from issuing obnoxious edicts against His Majesty's ship, and rather
treated her in a courteous manner.
We record our letter to the Viceroy, which will be delivered on Monday
next.
To His Excellency the Viceroy of Canton.
Sir,
We have the honour to acknowledge your Excellency's address of the 12th
instant, by which we regret to observe that your Excellency appears to have mis-
apprehended our observations regarding the opium ships at Lintin and its vicinity,
as well as our disconnection with their proceedings.
In the affray of the Cum-sing-moon, ships of all nations are reported to have
been engaged; they have now quitted the Cum-sing-moon and sailed away to
different places; the anchorage of the opium ships outside the river is permitted,
is connived at by the officers of the government. We have frequently informed
your Excellency that we disavow all responsibility on account of offences com-
mitted by them; it is not our affair to enforce the laws of the empire against
smuggling ships of all nations. Although we deeply regret the death of the
foreign sailor and the Chinese, we feel that the representatives of the East India
Company, conducting a legal trade at Canton, can be in no way accountable for
such irregularities as the affray at the Cum-sing-moon, in which your Excellency
observes the natives and foreigners were mutual offenders. Besides, while we
now write it is publicly announced that the ship alluded to by your Excellency,
viz. that commanded by Captain Mackay, has many days past left China, and
sailed away to another country.
Canton, 15 Nov. 1833.
We are &c.
(signed by the President, for the Committee.)
Consultation, full Committee.
16th Nov.-The merchants waited upon us this day, and stated that the Viceroy
was very importunate for an answer to the last edict regarding the Cum-sing-moon
affair, and that he had expressed to Howqua a wish that we would, if possible,
assist him in bringing it to a conclusion on amicable terms; and, with this view,
Howqua proposed that one man, it mattered not whom, should be sent to undergo
a sort of trial at Macao, which would afford an excuse for dropping the business.
This, of course, we objected to on all accounts; and, moreover, we were unaware
whether the Governor of Macao would permit such a trial as they proposed to take
place; we expressed our willingness to assist the merchants in giving the Viceroy
an opportunity of getting out of the business, could we do so consistently, but
that we had no intention of departing from those principles by which we have
conducted our whole correspondence in this matter.
(signed)
W. H. C. Plowden.
J. F. Davis.
Our letter to the Viceroy, above alluded to, was this morning delivered to
Howqua for presentation.
THE OPIUM TRADE.
37
¦
¡
EXTRACT FACTORY LETTER from Canton, dated 2d December 1833.
2. In the packet of the Lady Melville, now under despatch, we have the
pleasure to forward our consultations in this department from the 15th to the
28th November, whereby your Honourable Court will be placed in possession of
the continuation of our correspondence with the Chinese Government, relating to
the homicide at Cum-sing-moon.
3. Although the correspondence on this subject has not been brought to a con-
clusion, it has been conducted on both sides with temper and civility, without our
having any reason to apprehend the trade of the port being threatened with in-
terruption.
4. Our address to the Viceroy, alluded to in the 111th paragraph of our letter Factory Cons.,
dated the 16th November, was delivered to the merchants for presentation on the 16 Nov. 1833.
19th ultimo, with the addition we proposed to make to it, in the paragraph above
alluded to.
5. November 23, 1833.-A few days subsequent to its delivery to the mer-
chants, they waited upon us with the letter in question, stating that the Viceroy
objected to some expressions it contained, tending to implicate the Government
officers in reference to the illicit trade, and who rather, as Howqua said, than
send us an offensive edict in reply, which he was unwilling to do, preferred return-
ing it to us, in the hope that we might see fit to alter it to suit his Excellency's
views.
6. This proposition was, however, quite inadmissible, for, should we once ac-
quiesce, we might ever hereafter have difficulty in refusing it on other occasions;
we therefore told the merchants we were sorry that our letter, or any part of it,
was disapproved of, but as it contained nothing that was not strictly true, and as
it was contrary to our policy ever to alter our letters, we were unable to meet their
suggestions, and accordingly refused to receive it into our possession.
7. Howqua then proposed, as an alternative, that we should reply to the Quang- Factory Cons.,
chow-foo's communication of the 20th instant, substituting other expressions for 26 Nov. 1833.
those which, in our address to the Viceroy, are represented as implicating the
Government, which we finally agreed to do. This may prevent the merchants
from getting into trouble, and we have drawn up an address to the Quang-chow-
foo accordingly.
We have, &c.
(signed)
W. H. C. Plowden.
J. F. Davis.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 20 and 23 November 1833.
20 November.-WE this day received the following Edict from the Kwang-
chow-foo; it is in purport similar to those formerly recorded.:
Order from the Kwang-chow-foo Kin, concerning the Cum-sing-moon affray;
dated and received November 20th, 1833.
Kin, appointed to act as Kwang-chow-foo, issues this order to the Hong
merchants, requiring their full acquaintance therewith: on the 27th day of the
9th moon, in the 13th year of Twan-kwang (November Sth), I received an
official document from his Excellency Hen, having acting charge of the Anchasze's
office, as follows:
"On the 24th day of the 9th moon, in the 13th year of Twan-Kwang (Novem-
ber 5th), I received this official document from his Excellency Loo, Governor of
Canton, and Kwangse provinces."
[This Document is word for word the same as the Governor's Order of the same
date (November 5th), except that at the end there is this addition:]
"Besides issuing this order, I also unite the circumstances, and forthwith send
you these directions, requiring you, the Anchasze, immediately to meet with the
Poochingsze, and, conjointly, direct the merchants on all these points, to order and
compel the delivery of the murderer for trial; also to direct the Hang-shan-heen,
jointly with the deputed officer, Hooching, to assemble all the witnesses in the
whole case, and try them by torture, respecting the real circumstances of the origin
of the affray and quarrel, by which a man received wounds that caused death,
and of the casting of the foreign corpse into the water. A true copy of the depo-
156.
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PAPERS RELATING TO
sitions to be made, and a general report (to all the high officers) forwarded; the
criminals to be separately sent forward according to the decisions come to.
Oppose not.
On the receipt hereof, I, the Anchasze, besides communicating with the
Poochingsze, that he may issue orders on all these points, also unite the circum-
stances, and forthwith send these directions to you, the Kwang-chow-foo,
requiring you, in accordance with the substance of the Governor's order, imme-
diately to order and direct the Hong merchants to order and make known to the
English nation's chief, that he transfer the order to the said foreign ship captain, to
examine clearly who was the murderous foreigner that caused the wounds of
which Whang-a-yang died, and instantly to deliver him up to await his trial.
Direct also the Heang-shan-heen, conjointly with the deputed officer, Hooching,
to assemble all the witnesses in the whole case, and try them by torture, as to the
real circumstances of the origin of the affray and mutual quarrel, of the wounds
given, which caused death, and of the casting of the foreign corpse into the water;
also, to make true copies of the depositions, and forward a general report (to all
the high officers), and separately to send forward the criminals according to the
decisions come to. Oppose not.'
>>
On the receipt of this, I, the Kwang-chow-foo, besides sending directions to
the Heang-shan-heen, that he may obey and act accordingly, also unite the cir-
cumstances, and issue this order to be known. When this order reaches the said
Hong merchants, let them immediately order and make known to the English
nation's chief, that he transfer orders to the said foreign ship captain, to examine
clearly who was the murderous foreigner that caused the wounds of which
Hwanes-a-yang died, and instantly to deliver him up for trial. Oppose not.
special order.
A
Twan-Kwang,
13th Year, 10th Moon, 9th Day
Day.}
20 November 1833.
23 November.-The President and Mr. Davis.
The merchants waited upon us this morning, having brought back our
letter to the Viceroy, who they stated was displeased at some expressions con-
tained in it, tending to implicate the Government officers, in reference to the illicit
trade; and who, rather, as Howqua said, than send us an offensive edict in reply,
which he was unwilling to do, preferred bringing it to us, with the hope that we
might see fit to alter it to suit his Excellency's views. To do this, however, was
quite out of the question, and, if once commenced upon, we might have difficulty
in refusing hereafter. We therefore told them we were sorry that our letter, or
any part of it, was disapproved of, but as there was nothing that was not strictly
true, and as it was contrary to our policy ever to alter our letters, we were unable
to meet their suggestions, and accordingly refused to receive it into our pos-
session. Howqua then suggested, as an alternative, that we should reply to the
Quang-chow-foo's communication of the 20th instant, substituting other expres-
sions (for those which in our address to the Viceroy are represented as implicating
the Government) in our reply, which we finally agreed to do. This may prevent
the merchants from getting into trouble, and we shall draw up an address to the
Kwang-chow-foo accordingly.
-
Sk
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 26 November 1833.
WHILST Our letter to the Kwang-chow-foo was preparing we received the follow-
ing on the same subject; we therefore acknowledge its receipt, with the former, in
our letter herewith annexed.
Order from the acting Kwang-chow-foo Kin, repeating the orders of his supe-
riors concerning the Cum-sing-moon affray, dated 24th, received 25th November
1833.
Kin, appointed to act as Kwang-chow-foo, issues this order, to be obeyed :-On
the fifth day of the tenth moon, in the 13th year of Twon-Kwang (November 16th),
I received from Kin, the acting Anchasze, the following official order :-
"On the 1st of the 10th moon, in the 13th year of Twon-Kwang, (Novem-
ber
THE OPIUM TRADE.
39
ber 12), I received from Loo, Governor of Canton, and Kwange, the official order
which follows:-
[The Governor here repeats his order to the Hong merchants of the 12th instant,
and adds:-]
"Besides issuing this order to the Hong merchants, I also unite the circum-
stances, and send these directions to be obeyed, requiring you the Anchasze, at
your immediate convenience, to unite with the Poochingsze, and taking up the
whole affair, issue orders to the Hong merchants to compel the delivery of the
murderer for trial and punishment; also to issue directions to the deputed officer
and Tungche of Macao, Hooching, in conjunction with the Heang-shan-heen, to
assemble the witnesses in the whole case, and examine by torture respecting the
origin of the quarrel on both sides, and the real circumstances of the contest and
destruction of life. Let them report and act according to the facts; let there
not be the least presuming neglect or delay. Hasten, hasten. Subjoined is a copy
of the foreign petition."
66
Having received this, I, the Anchasze, beside forwarding a communication
to Poochungsze that he may issue orders on the whole case, also unite the cir-
cumstances, and forthwith transfer this official order, requiring you the Kwang-
chow-foo, in accordance with the spirit and requirements of the Governor's order,
to command the said Hong merchants to enjoin commands on the said chief, that
he in accordance thereto may compel the country ship captain, Maké, to deliver up
the foreign criminal who wounded the man; and on his reaching Macao let the
said merchants report to all the superior officers, and wait till the Governor deputes
an officer to try and punish him. Should the said chief persevere in folly, and
refuse to be aroused, the said merchants must also clearly explain to him the laws,
and positively require the instant delivery of the murderer, to make a luminous
display of the national government. They must not depend on each other for
excuses of the said foreigner having gone elsewhere, by which they will involve
themselves in heavy criminality. Let the said Kwang-chow-foo at the same time
communicate directions to the Wei-quen and Tungche of Macao, Hooching, that
he, in conjunction with the Heang-shan-heen may assemble the witnesses on the
whole case, and examine by torture respecting the origin of the affray on both
sides, and the real circumstances of the contest and destruction of life, and may
make a report to all the superior officers. Let there not be the least presuming
neglect or delay. Hasten, hasten. Annexed is a list."
I, the Kwang-chow-foo, having received this, have communicated it to the
Tungche of Macao, that he may act in obedience to it; I also unite the circum-
stances and issue this order; when this order reaches the said merchants let them,
in accordance with the spirit and requirements of the Governor's order, imme-
diately compel the country ship captain, Maké, to deliver up the foreign criminal
who wounded the man; and on his reaching Macao let the said merchants make
a general report to the superior officers, and wait till the Governor deputes an
officer to try and punish him. Should the said chief persevere in folly, and refuse
to be aroused, the said merchants must also explain to him the laws, and positively
require the instant delivery of the murderer to make a luminous display of the
national government. They must not trust to each other for excuses that the said
foreigner has gone elsewhere, by which they will involve themselves in heavy
criminalty. Oppose not. A special order.
Twou-Kwang,
13th Year, 10th Moon, 13th Day. 24 November 1833.
To the Kwang-Chow-Foo of Canton.
Sir,
We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 20th and
25th instant, in which you communicate to the Hong merchants, in order that
they may convey them to us, the directions of the Chinese Government respecting
the discovery of the foreigner who caused the death of the Chinese, Hwang-a-
yang, in the affray at Kee-ow.
We have already, in two previous addresses to the Viceroy, communicated to
his Excellency all that we have heard respecting that unfortunate affair, in which
two parties respectively lost their lives, one a foreign sailor, the other a Chinese.
We have further stated to his Excellency that we disclaim all connection with the
156.
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PAPERS RELATING TO
operations of the opium ships, which remain outside the river, unmolested by the
officers of this province; that we cannot be responsible for acts of violence and
affrays between these smuggling ships and the Chinese; and that, moreover, in
the present instance, vessels belonging to many nations participated.
We reside in Canton, conducting the trade of our country according to the
established regulations: how can we, with any justice, be considered in any way
responsible for the opium trade at Lintin and its vicinity, conducted by ships
belonging to all nations? These are illegal affairs, in which the officers of
Government should enforce their own laws, and regarding which we disclaim all
responsibility. Further, all the vessels engaged in this affray have long since left
the Cum-sing-moon, and sailed away to different countries.
We have stated these circumstances to his Excellency the Viceroy; yet, not-
withstanding, the Chinese Government, according to your letters, persists in re-
quiring us to discover and deliver up for trial the foreigner who caused the death
of Hwang-a-yang: it must be quite apparent, however, to you that it is impos-
sible for us to do so, on every account, but more especially as the ships of several
nations were concerned in the affray; how can it be possible for us to discover,
from among the number of foreigners from all countries, the identical person by
whose hand a Chinese was killed? and with what justice, we ask, under such cir-
cumstances, can the Chinese Government fix the guilt upon a British subject?
We are, &c.
(Signed by the President, for the Committee.)
EXTRACT FACTORY LETTER from Canton, dated 10th December 1833.
2. OUR correspondence with the Chinese Government, relative to the homicide
at Cum-sing-moon remains much in the same state as when we last addressed
your Honourable Court. The demand for the delivery of a man, in the place of
the Chinese who lost his life on the occasion, is still the point firmly persisted in:
the responsibility appears, by a late edict from the Kwang-chow-foo, to have
been laid, in great measure, on the Hong merchants, who are threatened with the
loss of their buttons, in the event of non-compliance with this officer's demands.
3. It is difficult for us to venture an opinion as to the probable outturn of this
affair; but as no interruption to our trade has yet occurred, nor even been hinted
at as an alternative, we may hope that, if the correspendence be continued with
us, it will not involve any suspension of the trade of Canton.
We have, &c.
(signed)
W. H. C. Plowden.
J. F. Davis.
J. N. Daniell.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 4th and 6th December 1833.
4th December.-THE following edict from the Kwan-chow-foo was this
morning received:
The Kwang-chow-foo Kin, in the Cum-sing-moon affray, dated 3d, received
4th December 1833.
Kin, acting Kwang-chow-foo to the Hong merchants, requiring their full ac-
quaintance with the contents hereof.
In the case of Loo-shan-pin, a native of Houng-shan-heen, having wounded
a foreigner man, le-Yavong-na, so that he died, and of Hwang-a-yang being
wounded by a foreign murderer, so that he died, I have repeatedly received from his
Excellency the Governor strict orders to command the delivery (of the murderer).
Every time, I have issued orders to the said nation's chief to compel the delivery
of the murderous foreigner to be brought for trial, as is on record. Up to this
time, many days have elapsed, but he has not yet been delivered up.
On examination, I find that the English nation's foreign merchants, trading at
Canton for many years long, have been enriched by the dews of the Celestial Em-
pire's favours. They ought to know that killing a man is a crime involving an equal
forfeit. The law is clearly known to all, and universally acceded to. How can
there be between the flowery people and the barbarians any distinction? The said
chief
THE OPIUM TRADE.
41
chief resides at Canton to control and manage; he ought still more tremblingly
to obey the laws and rules.
This is a case of the flowery people and the barbarians mutually wrangling,
and each killing a man. The flowery murderous criminal has before been imme-
diately seized; the barbarian murderer ought also to have been delivered up.
What has induced the said foreigners to adhere to their stupidity, refusing to be
aroused, and, with obstinate perseverance, refusing to deliver him up? It all
arises from the said merchants not having been able, with assiduous attention, to
admonish and command them to manage the matter well and speedily.
I have received from his Excellency the Governor a severe order, intensely
urging that within few days it will be necessary immediately to try and report (to
the Emperor). There are ten thousand impossibilities (i. e. it is utterly impossible)
to the further sufferance of perverse delay. With consideration, I again issue an
order commanding the (murderer's) delivery. When the order reaches the said
merchants, let them instantly obey the spirit thereof. They are again required,
within the limit of five days, to enjoin orders on the said chief to command the
said foreign ship captain on the spot to take the murderous foreigner who caused
the death of Hwang-a-yang, and within the day deliver him up to wait for full
punishment; if they again evade, and do not deliver him up, I assuredly will in-
stantly report to the Governor that he may take the said merchants; and, after
unscrewing their cap-buttons, compel them, in a limited period, to deliver up (the
murderer). Also the said merchants alone are held responsible. I apprehend
they will be unable to bear this heavy responsibility of guilt. Tremble hereat!
Be attentive hereto! A special order.
Twon Kwang, 13th Year, December 1833.
10th Moon, 22d Day.
3
In the foregoing edict, the demand for the delivery of a man in the place of
the Chinese who lost his life in the affray at Cum-sing-moon is still firmly per-
sisted in, though the responsibility in the matter is in a great measure fixed upon
the Hong merchants, who are consequently apprehensive of the threat made by
this officer to solicit the Viceroy to deprive them of their official buttons being
carried into execution.
Considering the presence of His Majesty's ship Magicienne in China at the
present moment rather a desirable circumstance, we are of opinion that if Captain
Plumridge can consistently with his orders from the admiral postpone his de-
parture from hence, his doing so may in some measure facilitate us in drawing to
a close the correspondence in which we are engaged, relative to the homicide at
Cum-sing-moon, we address the following letter to him on the subject, putting
our appeal to him in a form which he can act upon, or otherwise, as he feels
inclined.
To James Hanway Plumridge, Esq. Captain of His Majesty's Ship Magicienne.
Sir,
As we are induced to believe the presence of His Majesty's ship Magicienne,
in China, may facilitate the termination of the correspondence in which we are at
present involved with the Chinese government, in consequence of the violent pro-
ceedings of the opium ships in the Cum-sing-moon, in October last, when a
Chinese lost his life, and as it may operate as a check upon the demands of the
Government for the surrender of a man to appease the offended laws of China,
we beg to suggest to you that the postponement of the departure of His Majesty's
ship Magicienne, for a short period, may be very desirable, and we shall feel
greatly obliged to you should the nature of your instructions from His Excellency
the Commander-in-Chief enable you to acquiesce in our suggestions.
We have, &c.
(Signed by the Committee.)
F 3
Canton, 5 December 1833.
6th December.-The following letter was this morning received from Captain
Plumridge in reply to ours of yesterday's date:
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PAPERS RELATING TO
To W. H. C. Plowden, Esq. President, &c. &c.
Gentlemen,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date,
requesting me to postpone, for a short time, the departure of His Majesty's ship;
in reply, I beg to inform you that I shall continue at my present anchorage until
the 15th instant; about which period it will be requisite that I depart on execu-
tion of ulterior orders from my commander-in-chief.
H. M. S. Magicienne,
Lintin, 6th December 1833-
I have, &c.
(Signed)
Hanway Plumridge, Captain.
EXTRACT FACTORY LETTER from CANTON, dated 3 January 1834.
Para. 2. WE have the pleasure to forward our Consultations in this Department,
from the 6th December 1833 to the 3d January 1834; and your Honourable
Court will learn from them that we continue to receive from time to time edicts
from the Chinese government, relative to the homicide of Cum-sing-moon. We
have not considered it politic to extend the correspondence on our part, and the
affair remains much in the same state as heretofore.
(signed)
We have, &c.
M
W. H. C. Plowden.
J. F. Davis.
J. N. Daniell.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 15 December 1833.
We have received another edict from the Kwang-chow-foo, on the subject of
the Chinese killed at Cum-sing-moon. It embraces precisely the same points of
discussion as those hitherto recorded, and terminates by the threat of requesting
the Viceroy to take away the buttons from the Hong merchants, if a foreign
offender be not delivered up. As this edict is a mere reiteration of several pre-
ceding ones, we abstain from placing it on our records.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 23 December 1833.
WE record the following edicts, which have been received from the Chinese
officers of Government. In reply to them, we could only repeat what we have so
often stated; we think it best therefore to abstain from taking any notice of them
at present.
From the Kwang-chow-foo, dated 17 December; received 20th, 1833.
Kin, the acting Kwang-chow-foo, hereby issues his orders to the Hong mer-
chants.
On the 27th day of the 10th Moon, of the 13th Year of Taon Kwang, a docu-
ment was received from the acting Gan-cha-sye, Hew, stating that on the 24th day
of the 10th Moon of the 13th Year of Taon Kwang, an answer was received from
Loo, the acting Foo-yuen of Canton, &c. to the following effect:
The Heang-shan-heen presented a petition, stating that a foreigner had caused
the death of Kwang-a-yang, and that Loo-shang-pin and others had caused the
death of a foreigner, obliterating all traces of the corpse.
This appears on record.
On a subsequent occasion, the evidence given was also reported, and a request
made to enjoin the Hong merchants to order the chief to deliver up the foreign
murderer to be prosecuted, and pay the forfeit of his life. To which the following
answer was given: According to the representation made, let a clear investigation
be entered into concerning the occasion of a bloody affray, by witnesses being
summoned and facts ascertained, by their being confronted. All this was done.
Now the said Heen has sent another representation.
Already
THE OPIUM TRADE.
43
Already, from the governor's office, was an answer given to the Lye, to direct
the merchants to order the chief again, commanding him to deliver up the foreign
murderer to be prosecuted.
Although the affair concerns an outside barbarian (or foreigner,) it is only a
common case of reciprocal boxing, in which each party lost a life; still it is right
that the trial and explanation should be carried on by the said Heen, and when the
foreign murderer is presented, it will also be right to send an officer, to unite with
him and repair to Macao, that approaching the scene (of the disturbance,) they
may head the "foreign eye," and unite with him in taking the evidence of the
foreign offender, to be preserved on record, and punishing the foreign murderer
according to foreign laws.
At present, in Canton, the officers deputed to try the important cases are very
many. In this case it is not necessary to bring all the parties to Canton city; but
the Gan-cha-sye is hereby directed to inform the said Lye to take all the circum-
stances of the origin of the affray discovered on trial, and make them known to the
head Foo, that he may order the Hong merchants to enjoin commands on the chief
to urge the delivery up of the foreign offender. No opposition or procrastination
will be allowed. Intensely! intensely! after which, wait till answer be given from
the governor's office.
A copy of the representation sent is herewith issued.
On receiving the above, I, the Gan-cha-sye (or judge) inquired into the case,
and found that an order from the governor had been previously received, and also
communicated for obedience thereto, as is on record.
Now, on receiving the above, I address a document to the Foo, to act according
to the above decision of the acting Foo-yuen, that he may forthwith give directions
to state the origin of the affray as represented, and order the Hong merchants to
enjoin an order on the chief to urge the delivering up of the foreign murderer.
No opposition or procrastination will be allowed. Intensely! intensely! (is this
order given).
On receiving the above, (I, the Kwang-chow-foo,) besides writing to the Heang-
shan-heen, hereby issue an order to the Hong merchants to state forthwith the
origin of the affray, as he has represented it, and enjoin an order on the chief to
urge the delivery up of the foreign offender. No opposition or delay will be
allowed. Intensely! intensely! are these commands given.
Taon Kwang, Day.} A. D. 17 December 1833.
13th Year, 11th Moon, 7th Day.
On the Cum-sing-moon Affray.-GENERAL REPORT from the Heang-shan Magis-
trate, addressed to the Kwan-chow-foo. No date. Received 20 Dec. 1833.
A respectful address. It appears on record that the foreigners having murdered
a Chinese, Kwang-yang, and carried off Ko-ming-tsew, I, a mean officer, imme-
diately assembled the officers in camp, and hastened to the spot, to examine and
manage the affair; and having heard that a Chinese had caused the death of
a foreigner, and afterwards obliterated the traces, I forthwith, one after another,
found out and arrested the criminals, and witnesses Loo-shang-pin, alias Loo-a-
heuen, and others, and brought them before me. The depositions which they
made on examination, I duly reported. Afterwards, it was reported to me that
Kwang-a-yang had died in consequence of his wounds, and that the foreigners had
liberated Ko-ming-tsew; all which I duly reported from time to time, for the
information of the great officers; as appears on record.
I then brought up Ko-ming-tsew, and examined him. Ko-ming-tsew made
the following deposition. He had, at the place called Tsing-keo, a mat-shed
(where he remained) to plough and sow. On the 16th day of the 8th Moon,
in the present year, 29th September, there was a foreigner from the English
country foreign ship Weishun, anchored in the outer sea of Cum-sing-moon, who
came with ten catties of iron nails to his ploughing-shed, and bartered them for
one fowl and two fish. On the 1st of the 9th Moon, (13th October,) three
foreigners from the said ship came on shore to obtain fresh water. Having passed
his ploughman's shed, they saw the iron nails lying in the shed, and suspecting
that he had stolen them, they immediately dragged him off, and also took away the
iron
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iron nails. His fellow-labourer, Kwang-a-yang, who was at work in the field, by
the side of the shed, turned towards the village, and cried out. He was fired at,
by a foreigner behind, and was wounded. As to Loo-shang-pin, how he heard
the cry, and came up in pursuit, and carried away a foreigner who had fallen
behind; how he liberated him again, and on the way back met the foreigners, and
entered into dispute and contest with them, and having wounded a foreigner, cast
away the corpse, and obliterated the traces; and how, on the 3d, (October 15th,)
the foreigners again came to the village to demand the man, fired musketry to
intimidate and threaten, wounded Sunapah, and destroyed the gates and doors of
the temple; he is ignorant of all these things, owing to his having been carried
off by the foreigners.
On examination, I found that the circumstances in which the quarrel originated,
as thus stated in the deposition of Ko-ming-tsew, do not coincide with those
stated in the former depositions of Loo-shang-pin and the others. I then imme-
diately searched for, and arrested the eye-witness, Keang-a-wae-fang, together
with the village elders, Chung-tse-yan and Wang-heen-kwae, and again applied,
with increase, the torturing examination. Loo-shang-pin deposed as follows:
his fellow villager, Ko-ming-tsew, had hired as a fellow labourer, Kwang-a-yang,
and set up a mat-shed at the place called Tsing-keok, (where he remained) to
plough and sow. On the 16th day of the 8th Moon, on the 13th year of Taon
Kwang, September 29, there was a foreigner belonging to the English foreign
country ship, Weishun, anchored outside of Cum-sing-moon, who came with ten
catties of iron nails, and took in exchange fowl and fish. On the 1st of the 9th
Moon (October 13) there were three foreigners came on shore to get fresh water,
and passed Ko-ming-tsew's ploughman's shed; seeing the iron nails, they suspected
that they had been stolen, and immediately carried off Ko-ming-tsew, and took
him back to the ship; they also took back the iron nails. The workman, Kwang-
a-yang, who was at work on the field by the side of the shed, when he saw what
was doing, turned round towards the village, and cried out. He was fired at by
a foreigner from behind, and wounded. He (Loo-shang-pin), with Tsae-a-ho,
Chung-tseun-tseun and Chung-a-yew, were fishing close by, and when they heard
the cry they landed, and went in pursuit. A foreigner, who fell behind, they
seized, and carried back into the village, where they brought him to the con-
stable, Tsae-sye-yang. Being a foreigner, whom it was inexpedient to bring
before the Government officers, he bid them take the foreigner back. When they
had proceeded half way, and reached a place called Shangwe, they met four
foreigners, who were running to the village to demand the man.
When they met
them, witness and Tsae-a-ho immediately liberated the foreigner. The foreigners
then began to scold them with abusive language, telling them they should not
have carried off the man. They would not submit, and returned the railing and
abusive language, so that a dispute began. Tsae-a-ho and Chung-tseun-tseun
then took up some sticks of firewood that were lying on the ground, and, with
witness, advanced to strike and fight with the foreigners, who ran from them.
One foreigner, Man-le-yaong-na, fell behind, and seeing them overtaking him,
he turned round and struck them with a sword he had about him. He (witness)
drew a sharp-pointed knife, which he carried about his person, and warded off
the blow, striking the sword to the ground, and wounding Man-le-yaon-na's left
wrist; Man-le-yaong-na then took a musket that he had with him, and struck at
tsae-a-ho; Tsae-a-ho warded off the blow with a stick, and wounded Man-le-
yeong-na's right shoulder; Man-le-yaong-na raised his foot to kick, and Chung-
tseuen-tsuen struck with a stick and wounded Man-le-yaong-na's left shin;
Chung-a-yew, with his fist, struck and wounded Man-le-yaong-na's left eye-
socket; Man-le-yaong-na turned again, and struck at witness; witness with his
knife run Man-le-yaong-na through the belly, so that he fell to the ground; at
that time Keang-kwae-fang passed by and saw them, but was too late to stop
them. In a short time Man-le-yaong-na died, and witness took possession of the
foreigner's sword and musket. Tsae-a-ho and the others all ran home. After-
wards he (witness) determined to bury the corpse, and so obliterate all traces; he
forthwith hired, with 1600 cash, Chung-a-yuen, Chung-ful-yuen, Jungap-ow, and
Yaon-a-yun, who have been caught, and Chunga-tseo, and Chung Kwan-sing,
who have not yet been caught, and they carried the body to a sandy hillock, on
the south side behind the village, and buried it. He then gave the money to
Chung-a-yuen and the others, and they went away. Again fearing lest men
should know of it, he, after a little time had elapsed, dug up the corpse himself;
and
July
THE OPIUM TRADE.
45
and then, with 600 cash, he hired Kwo-tseuen-seu, Kwoa-tsae, and Kwo-a-chaow,
who have not yet been caught, to carry it in a fishing-boat into the middle of the
sea, when they took the body and threw it into the sea. All then separated, and
he went and told the circumstances of his having thrown the body into the sea,
to Tsae-a-ho and Ching-a-yuen. On the 3d (October 15), these foreigners, on
account of Man-le-yaong-na being lost, came in numbers in front of the village, to
demand the man, and fired off muskets to threaten and intimidate them. It hap-
pened that Tun-a-foh was then passing by, and ran to get out of the way, but
was wounded by the small shot spreading about; the gates and doors of a temple
in the village were also injured. Afterwards the old men of the village, Chung-
tse-yun, and others, went out and rebuked them, bidding them go away. They
then turned back. When before brought up for examination, owing to Ko-ming-
tseu not having yet been brought up, and to the alarm of the time, he made
erroneous deposition; but now, having to return thanks for a general assembly
(of the witnesses), and renewed examination, he deposes the real facts, &c.
Having received also the depositions of the Keang-hwae-fang, the eye-witness,
and of the village elders, Chung-tse-yun, and Hong-huen-hwae, that the origin
of the quarrel and affray arose from the barter of iron nails for fowl and fish
between the foreigner and Ko-ming-tsew, and that when Loo-shang-pin caused
the death of the foreigner, Man-le-yaong-na, he, Keang-hwae-fang, was a passing
witness, I find, on thorough investigation, that these depositions do not
differ from that of Loo-shang-pin, and confronting them with Tsae-a-ho and the
others, their depositions also agree.
On examination, I find that the matter of the present depositions disagrees
slightly with the depositions before reported. But I dare not, on account of having
before reported differently, screen myself by keeping back anything. Besides
having reported the recorded depositions of the several criminals, made a prepared
general report of the circumstances ascertained on examination, respecting the
death of Kwang-a-yang, owing to wounds received, and, in obedience to the
reply of the Governor, united with the Keun-min-foo of Macao, to assemble the
criminals and witnesses, re-examine them, and report, I also, as is right, take
the depositions made on the re-examination, and forthwith present you a prepared
report thereof, for thorough examination. And I beseech you to order the Hong
merchants to command the chief immediately to find out the murderous foreigner,
and deliver him up for full trial. This will really be just and proper.
Further, this case concerns outside foreigners. Whether it should or should
not be carried to the provincial capital to be tried, I lay before your tribunal,
awaiting your decision.
Besides reporting to the Governor and Foo Yuen, to the Pooching-sye,
Ancha-sye, and Leang Choo-taon, and to the Keun-min-foo, I also, with awe,
present this prepared report, prostrate, waiting for your compassionate glance
at it.
The mean officer Foo's respectful report.
Governor Loo, concerning the Cum-sing-moon Affray, sent through the Gancha-
and Kwan-chow-foo, dated December 21st, received 22d, 1833.
sye
Kin, the Kwan-chow-foo, concerning the discovery, apprehension, and prose-
cution of certain persons.
On the 25th of the 10th moon of the 13th year of Taon Kwang (Decem-
ber 6th), a document was received from Hew, the acting Gancha-sye, as
follows:-
•
"On the 20th of the 10th moon of the 13th year of Taon Kwang (December
1st), an answer was received from Loo, the Governor of Canton, and Kwang-se,
stating as follows:-
"The Hang-shan-hein reported, that a foreigner had caused the death of a
native, Hwang-a-yang, and that Loo-shang-pin and others had caused the death of
a foreigner, and obliterated all traces of the body. The place was repaired to and
examined; offenders seized, and their evidence taken. An answer was given,
directing that as the native villagers of Kee-ow had quarrelled and fought with
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the foreigners, seizing each other, and each losing a life, the said Heen magistrate
should prosecute according to the facts, and report.
"The English chief also petitioned on the subject, and orders were given to
the Hong merchants to enjoin an order on the chief to direct the delivering up of
the foreign murderer, How Ching, the Tung-che of Macao, was ordered to go
and unite in conducting the trial. It was also reported that Ko-ming-tsew was
liberated. The proceedings are all on record.
"The affair, as above given, is hereby referred to the Gancha-sye, that he may
forthwith hasten to urge the Hong merchants to reiterate the order to the chief,
to command the ship captain to hasten to deliver up the foreign murderer for trial
and punishment. Further procrastination will not be allowed; and still direct the
said Heen magistrates to force a strict search for Chung-a-yen, and others, who
have escaped; they must be taken. Let him unite with the Weynin Hoo-ching, .
and bring up before them the criminals now in possession. Judge faithfully, decide
and report. Let there be no delay or connivance.
"Wait for a reply from the Foo-yuen's office, and instructions, and deliver the
drawing (or sketch on paper of the place and circumstances) to be preserved.
"
"I, the Gancha-sye, receiving the above, forthwith direct the Kwan-chow-foo
to urge and order the Hong merchants to reiterate the order to the chief to deliver
up, &c."
(Here the Gancha-sye repeats the Governor's words, and then the Kwan-chow-
foo repeats the Gancha-sye's, with the usual winding up, Hasten! hasten! &c.)
Taon-Kwang,
}
13th year, 11th moon, 11th day.
EXTRACT FACTORY LETTER FROM CANTON, dated 31st January 1834.
2. We have now to communicate to your Honourable Court a proceeding, on
the part of the local Government, which has caused us considerable uneasiness,
and which, from the singularity of its nature, entails upon us all the difficulty and
embarrassment which must of necessity arise from the acts of those authorities with
whom we have to deal being at diametrical variance with European principles
and practice, while our own conduct may be expected to be more or less in con-
formity with those models.
3. A rumour had, up to the 24th instant, been current in this place, of so extra-
ordinary a nature, that we were unwilling to believe, and still more indisposed to
act upon it, unless coroborated by some creditable testimony. It appeared that the
mandarin, brother of Mowqua the Hong merchant, had been sent down from
Canton with the view of devising some mode of obtaining possession, if possible, of
the individual who killed a Chinese in the armed attack of the opium smugglers
upon the Chinese town at Cum-sing-moon. He returned once without success,
upon which he was told that, unless he could contrive to succeed in some manner
in his mission, his peacock's feather would be taken from him.
4. The result, we understand, of his second visit to Macao was to procure, by
the aid of a considerable sum of money, the person of a Malay or other man of
colour, either from the town of Macao, or from a junk or ship in the neighbour-
hood, who was persuaded to assume the character of brother to the person killed
in the affray. Rushing forward (it was pretended) to save his relative, a musket
which he held went off by accident, and caused the death of the Chinese. He
was told to state that his contrition had induced him voluntarily to deliver him-
self up.
5. As the above rumour gained strength, the President sent for Howqua and
succeeded with some difficulty in making him confess that a man was actually in
custody; but when former acts of cruelty and perfidy on the part of the local
government, in nearly similar cases, were urged as grounds for entertaining reason-
able apprehensions that the worst might happen on this occasion, Howqua asse-
verated in the strongest terms that no such intention existed, but that the man
would certainly be released after the customary forms.
6. We hope, and indeed think it quite possible, that such may be the result; but
at the same time, our knowledge of the Chinese character, and of the individual, for-
bade our attaching more credit to Howqua's word than it was worth. In a case
where human life was implicated, and when (on the supposition of the catastrophe
being
THE OPIUM TRADE.
47
being fatal) a supine acquiescence on our part in the early stage of the proceeding
would be so justly censurable, we deemed it our duty to enter a strong but temperate
protest with the Viceroy against the execution of any cruel or fatal sentence.
7. The individual in behalf of whom we interposed, because he was associated
with the English name, was an innocent person, whom careful inquiry among the
shipping has proved to be utterly disconnected with the affray at Cum-sing-moon;
and whose claim upon our humanity (independently of the obvious policy of
preventing such an atrocious precedent) derived its chief strength from that very
disconnection.
8. On the 28th, a reply was received from the Viceroy to our address, in which
not only its meaning, but very words were misrepresented, in a manner that would
have excited our surprise had we been less accustomed to Chinese proceedings.
The object was evidently to involve us, as well as the man in the city, with the Cum-
sing-moon affair. We therefore lost no time in repeating the tenor of our former
address, and showing that it was because the individual in question was not connected
with the acts of the smugglers, and not because he was connected with them, that
we had interfered. We took occasion, at the same time, to reiterate our former
protest, and to request that he might be liberated. This second address was
delivered to the merchants in a body on the 29th instant, and we await the result.
9. Your Honourable Court may be assured that our future course of proceeding
shall be as deliberate as the importance of the case requires. In the meanwhile,
it is satisfactory to observe that the interests of the Honourable Company's trade,
of the season just concluded, can no longer be affected.
We have, &c.
(signed)
J. F. Davis.
John Jackson.
،،
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 11th January 1834.
WE record the following documents relating to the homicide at Cum-sing-
moon, which have been this day received.
From Kin, the Kwang-chow-foo, concerning the Cum-sing-moon affray, dated
January 10th, received 11th, 1834.
Kin, the Kwang-chow-foo hereby issues his order to the Hong merchants.
On the 23d of the 11th moon of the 13th year of Taon-kwang, (January 2d,
1834,) a document was received from Loo, the Governor of the two Kwang
provinces, as follows:
"It appears that the ships anchored at Cum-sing-moon made a disturbance at
Ke-ow village, and took away Ko-ming-tsew, a native; they also wounded with
a musket two men, Hwang-a-yang and Sun-fuh. Hwang-a-yang died in conse-
quence of his wounds.
“A native, Loo-shang-pin, and others, also caused the death of a foreigner,
Manle-yang-na, and threw away the body to annihilate every trace of the affair.
"In this cause, according to the civil and military authorities of Heang-shan, the
foreigners who went to the village and made a disturbance belonged to Weichun's
country ship. The foreign country ship belongs to a dependent nation of the
English. The captain, Maké, it was said, had gone to Canton to accuse and state
the case, but he had not repaired to my office to present his petition. In the
meantime I ordered the Hong merchants to transmit orders to the English nation's
chief, Plowden, and others, to direct the liberation of Ko-ming-tsew, and the deli-
very of the foreign murderer who wounded the man, that their cases might be
discriminated and prosecution and punishment follow.
"After this the Heang-shan seized the criminals who had caused the death of the
foreigner and thrown away his corpse, examined them, and reported their con-
fessions to all the higher officers of the province; the foreign ship merely liberated
Ko-ming-tsew; it did not deliver up the foreign murderer.
According to the said chief and others, they residing at Canton, and carrying
on their nation's commerce agreeably to the laws, have no concern with ships that
have not entered the port, and they say that the ships which made a disturbance
at Cum-sing-moon have all set sail and gone. I, the governor, have already given
my commands, and require the Hong merchants to enjoin them perspicuously for
obedience thereto. That the said chief and others have received the mandate of
their
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their King to reside at Canton, and have a general control of the commerce; and
the ships of foreign nations, whether they enter the port or do not enter the port,
are all on the seas of China, and ought to obey the Chinese laws; and assuredly
there is no such thing as that they (the ships) would not obey the orders of the
said chief. There is no use in the said chief making excuses to push the matter
from him. These proceedings are on record.
"I also sent an officer, who found out that the country ship was still at Lintin;
it had not set sail and gone away.
"In examining past cases when natives and foreigners have reciprocally com-
mitted crimes which have been prosecuted, the chief has always delivered up the
murderer to be tried according to the facts; the native to be punished according
to our law, and the foreigner to be treated according to foreign laws.
"The crime in this instance was committed under the jurisdiction of the Kwang-
chow-foo, and it is right to deliver it over to the said Foo that he may head the
Hong merchants in intensely urging the chief to deliver up the foreign murderer
at Macao, and then petition the Weiguen to unite in prosecuting the affair. This
has been done, but many days have elapsed, and still no foreign murderer has been
delivered up, which really indicates contempt.
"In this case Chinese killed a foreigner, and the local officers, as soon as they
found it out, seized the murderers, tried them, and did not allow them to escape. This
shows that the local officers viewed as of importance the life of a foreigner, and
prosecuted with sincerity and truth. The said chief and others ought also to
know, and feel respect, and send a person with a letter to command Maké to
take, speedily, the foreign murderer and deliver him up; they might then be
accounted respectful and obedient.
"In a case so important as man's life the laws allow only a limited period. It
is right that the said Foo try the case and transfer it, but not stand by remissly.
He is hereby strictly ordered to urge the case. Let him immediately, in obe-
dience hereto, take the topics pointed out in this document, and strictly order the
Hong merchants, in the most urgent manner and with the highest intensity, to
command the chief, Plowden, and the others, to send a man to direct the country
ship, Captain Maké, to take the murderous foreigner who wounded the man, and
deliver him up, and report the same; that, having proof, the Anchasye may send
a Weynen to Macao to unite in the examination and management of the case.
At the same time let Loo-shang-pin and the others be tried and sentenced, and
be sent up through the Sye for verification and management. Do not again pro-
crastinate; it will involve guilt, which will be reported to the Emperor. Tremble
at this, intensely, intensely!"
I (the Kwang-chow-foo) besides writing to the Heang-shan-heen to try and
sentence Loo-shang-pin and the others, hereby issue an order to the Hong mer-
chants to (here he quotes verbatim the last paragraph, beginning at "command,
the chiefs," &c.)
A special order.
Taon-Kwang,
13th year, 12th moon, 1st day.
}
10 January 1834.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 24 January 1834.
A RUMOUR has for some time past been afloat, of so extraordinary a nature, that
we were unwilling to believe, and still more indisposed to act upon it, unless
corroborated by some credible testimony. It seems that the Mandarin, brother
of Mowqua the Hong merchant, was sent down to Macao, with the view of de-
vising some mode of obtaining possession, if possible, of the individual who
killed the Chinese in the affray with the smuggling ships. He returned to Can-
ton once without success, upon which he was told that unless he could contrive
to succeed in some manner in his mission, his peacock's feather would be taken
from him. The result, we understand, of his second visit to Macao was to pro-
cure, by the aid of a considerable sum of money, the person of a Malay, or
other man of colour, either from the town of Macao or from a junk or ship in
the harbour, who was persuaded to assume the character of brother to the Lascar
reported as having been killed in the same affray. Rushing forward (it was pre-
tended) to save his brother, a musket which he had went off by accident, and
caused
THE OPIUM TRADE.
49
caused the death of the Chinese. He was tutored to state that his contrition
had induced him voluntarily to deliver himself up, imploring pardon, and repre-
senting that an aged mother in his own country stood in need of his services; a
very common plea in China for granting pardon to criminals.
As the above rumour gained strength, the President sent for Howqua, and suc-
ceeded, with some difficulty, in making him confess that a man was actually in
Canton; but when former acts of perfidy and cruelty on the part of the local
Government, in nearly similar cases, were urged as grounds for entertaining reason-
able apprehensions that the worst might happen on this occasion, Howqua asse-
verated in the strongest terms that no such intention existed, but that the man
would certainly be released after the forms of a trial had been gone through and
the case had been reported to Peking.
We hope, and indeed think it quite possible, that such may be the result. At
the same time, our knowledge of the Chinese character, and of the individual,
forbids our attaching more credit to Howqua's word than it is worth. In a case
where human life is implicated, and where (should the catastrophe be such as our
experience too strongly urges us to fear it may) a supine acquiescence on our
part would be so justly censurable, since this man's case is, by report, connected
with the English, we deem it our duty to enter a strong but temperate protest
against the execution of any cruel or fatal sentence, in the terms of the address
which is subjoined. In adopting this measure we do not involve ourselves in any
way whatsoever with the affray at Cum-sing-moon. The individual in behalf of
whom we interpose, is an innocent person, notoriously unconnected with that
business, and his case derives its chief strength from that very disconnection. As
soon as the address has been translated, we shall lose no time in delivering it to
the Hong merchants for transmission.
To his Excellency the Viceroy of Canton.
Sir,
We, the President and Select Committee for the affairs of the English East
India Company in China, have ascertained that a black man has, through the
agency of one of the Hong merchants, been conveyed from Macao to Canton, and
that he has been persuaded to declare himself to be the person who accidentally
caused the death of the Chinese native, unfortunately killed at Cum-sing-moon.
Under all the circumstances of the case, which are as well known to your
Excellency as they are to ourselves, we feel convinced that your Excellency's far-
famed justice and benevolence are the best security for the ultimate safety of this
innocent person. As, however; the affair in which this poor man has been induced
to involve himself is, by report, connected with English as well as many other
foreign ships on the coast, while the individual himself is altogether alien to any
participation in the alleged affray, we feel it only due to ourselves to protest,
and do hereby protest in the most solemn manner, against any violence or injury
being offered to him; though we beg again to avow our conviction that your
Excellency's high sense of justice will never permit the commission of an act of
such atrocious cruelty.
156.
We have, &c.
(Signed by the President for the Committee.)
Canton, 24 January 1834.
Our address to the Viceroy, above recorded, having been translated, we sum-
moned the merchants in the evening, and delivered it to them for presentation.
Howqua inquired as to its contents, when the President informed him of the
impropriety of such an application, as he ought to have known from long esta-
blished usage
that the merchants were only the medium of transmission, without
being made acquainted with the contents of our letters; upon which the address
was received, with the understanding that it would be presented to the Viceroy
to-morrow morning.
G 3
50
PAPERS RELATING TO
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 25 January 1834.
In order to ascertain beyond a doubt whether any man is missing from
any of
the English ships in port, we cause the following public notice to be exhibited,
and at the same time address a letter to the Governor of Macao, acquainting him
with the circumstances of the case.
This is to give notice, that a rumour being current among the Chinese of some
man of colour having, by means of a bribe, been inveigled from Macao by the
agents of the local government, with a view to his pleading to an alleged charge
of accidental homicide; it is hereby requested that any person connected with the
country shipping, as agent, commander, or otherwise, who may be a aware of a
Lascar having been missing from his ship, will communicate the circumstances to
the undersigned for the information of the President and the Select Committee,
the object being to ascertain if the person so deluded be a British subject or in
British employ.
(signed)
J. H. Astell, Secretary.
Canton, British Factory,
25 January 1834.
To his Excellency Bernado José de Souza Soares d' Andrea,
Governor of Macao.
Sir,
Having been informed that some man of colour has, by means of a bribe, been
inveigled from Macao by the agents of the Chinese Government, with a view to
his pleading to an alleged charge of accidental homicide, we consider it right to
communicate this intelligence without delay to your Excellency, in order that,
should you see fit, a proper inquiry may be instituted.
We have in the meanwhile taken the necessary steps to ascertain whether the
person so deluded be a native of the Honourable Company's dominions in India,
or otherwise a British subject, or in British employ.
Canton, 25 January 1834.
We have, &c.
(Signed by the Committee.)
Extract CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, the 28th January 1834.
THE following reply from the Viceroy to our address, recorded on the 24th
instant, was this day received.
Document from Governor Loo, dated and received January 28.
Loo, Governor of Canton, &c. &c. to the senior Merchants.
The English chief Davis and others have presented a statement, saying:
"We have heard that a black man, seduced by a Hong merchant, has been
conveyed to Canton from Macao, on account of being unfortunately the murderer
who caused the death of a native, at Cum-sing-moon, &c. We protest to prevent
the said man being injured," &c.
This coming before me, the Governor, I have, according to the tenor of the
above, given the following public reply:
The Celestial Empire cherishes the tenderest regard for remote barbarians; but
in case of their committing crimes with natives reciprocally, it is incumbent that
each party obey the fixed laws, and it is necessary that they appear before a Court
to be fully examined, and dealt with according to the facts; thus no perversion
of the laws or connivance ensues. The said foreigner has, in obedience to the
laws, voluntarily given himself up, and therein shown a trembling regard to the
royal statutes. Let there be no turning, and saying that he has been seduced by
some one, that he may be injured, and so irregularly create suspicions.
Moreover, the said chief and others have stated that the affair at Cum-sing-moon
was not one which it concerned them to arrange. Why do they now abruptly
present this petition, and themselves produce a divarication?
It
THE OPIUM TRADE.
51
It is hereby ordered, that the senior merchants communicate commands to be
tranquil, and listen, and not annoy.
Besides issuing the above proclamation, I hereby unite all the circumstances,
and command the said merchants, in obedience hereto, to enjoin forthwith these
commands, to be obeyed according to the tenor thereof. Oppose not.
Taon Kwang,
13th year, 12th moon, 19th day.
In the foregoing document, not only the meaning, but the very words of our
address are misrepresented, in a manner that would have excited our surprise,
were we less accustomed to Chinese proceedings. The object is evidently to
involve us, as well as the man in the city, with the Cum-sing-moon affair. We
therefore consider it requisite to repeat, without loss of time, the tenor of our
former address, and explain to the Viceroy that it is because the individual in
question is not connected with the acts of the smugglers, and not because he is
connected with them, that we interfere. We take the occasion, at the same time,
to reiterate our former protest, and request that he may be liberated.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, the 29th January 1834.
HAVING drawn up a letter to the above purport herewith recorded, we con-
vened the merchants this day, and delivered it to them for presentation.
To his Excellency the Viceroy of Canton, &c. &c.
Sir,
In reply to your Excellency's paper received yesterday, we have to complain
that the words of our preceding address are misrepresented in a manner quite
unusual in public documents. Had we called the man in question a murderer,
we should not have protested against his trial and punishment. On the contrary,
we expressly called him an innocent man, and stated that he had been persuaded
to declare himself to be the person who accidentally caused the death of the
Chinese native, unfortunately killed at Cum-sing-moon. It was because he was
not connected with that affray that we addressed your Excellency in his behalf,
and not because he was connected with it.
We cannot consider the reply to our address as any assurance of this inno-
cent man's safety; and as it is in the name of the English that he is detained, we
are called upon by our office again to protest against any injury being offered
him. Should he be allowed to become an unhappy victim to his own folly, we
hereby declare that, after this public declaration, we cannot be held responsible
for any consequences.
Further, we have to repeat that the person who has been persuaded to come up
from Macao, is not in any way connected with the affray at Cum-sing-moon; that
he has not, "in obedience to the laws, surrendered himself;" but is, in violation of
the laws, a "substitute for a person accused of murder." We accordingly request
of your Excellency his immediate liberation.
.
Canton, 29 January 1834.
(Signed by the Committee.)
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 1st February 1834.
Minute of Conference.
WHILE the President was preparing to embark in the boats, Howqua and
Mowqua appeared to report that the last protest of the committee had been re-
ceived, and that the contents had brought them, particularly Mowqua, into great
danger and difficulty. They pretended that the reply of the Viceroy to our first
protest was quite satisfactory, and had assured us of the man's life not being
sought, and that we were mistaken, not only in thinking that the second protest
was called for, but likewise in believing that the man in custody was substituted
for another person. They accordingly urged that the protest should be received
back.
Being
155.
G 4
52
PAPERS RELATING TO
Being now alone in the Committee at Canton, the President sent for the Secre-
tary to be present on the occasion, and then informed these merchants that they
ought to know how impossible it was to receive back any paper the Committee
had once sent, and particularly this protest, the object of which was to protect, if
possible, the man's life from danger, and obtain his liberation. That inquiry had
been made; and we had been led, to the best of our belief, to consider that the
man (whoever he was) could not possibly have been engaged in the affray at
Cum-sing-moon. Howqua once ventured to hint that, if this were not the man
himself, the President and Committee would become responsible for his delivery;
but he was warned to desist from such observations; as, after what had long since
passed, they were both absurd and offensive. Howqua and Mowqua then de-
clared that they would both become personally responsible to the English that no
injury was done to the man, and thereupon urged us to save them from the con-
sequences of our last protest, by withdrawing it. The President replied to this by
asking those merchants how they could guarantee this man's safety, after the
notorious failure of similar assurances from them on former occasions, as in the
case of the man delivered up by the Americans? A failure, which might be
foreseen, as they were in no way a part of the local government, but at the mercy
of the most inconsiderable officer in it. He, at the same time, added, that he
did not wish to expose them to unnecessary danger; but what he looked for was,
at least, a written public guarantee from the Viceroy himself, that the man should
not only suffer no violence, but be set at liberty; and whenever this was obtained,
he should be happy to acknowledge that the Committee's expressed apprehensions
for that person's safety had been erroneous; but that, until this arrived, the Com-
mittee's protest must stand. After many difficulties, one of the merchants worded
on a bit of paper, in his own language, what should be done on the occasion; and
the President, in order to guard against any equivocation or garbling of his own
meaning, akin to what was practised in the document received only a day or two
since, wrote down, in English, his real proposition, by the side of the Chinese,
and read it to the merchants, requesting Mr. Astell, the Secretary, to take a copy
of it on the spot, as follows: "If I receive the Viceroy's written assurance that
the man shall not suffer injury, but be released after inquiry, I shall readily ac-
knowledge that my former apprehensions were unnecessary, and withdraw my
protest. The merchants then said they would show this memorandum to
Mowqua's brother, and consult about it. The President repeating to them that,
as he had (after such late experience of its necessity) taken the precaution to
explain to them and write down his real intention in English, as witnessed and
copied by the Secretary, he should, in case of mistakes, admit of no interpreta-
tion of his proposition but that; and it must be appealed to if required. It is
evidently the anxious desire of the Chinese to avoid our protest by every means
in their power.
"
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 8 February 1834.
THE following letter from the Viceroy arrived this morning. It certainly ensures
the safety of the man in custody, and is so far highly satisfactory; but his liberation
besides, demanded by us, is not touched upon. In our reply it will be politic to
take it for granted that he cannot be detained, and repeat our request for his im-
mediate liberation.
Loo, Governor of Canton, &c. &c., hereby issues his commands to the Hong
Merchants.
On the 20th day of the present moon (January 29), the English chief Davis
and others again presented a statement concerning the foreigner who has delivered
himself up to the public courts. They have again made a declaration. Beside
issuing a public reply to their statement (it is here remarked) that the circum-
stances and phraseology of their documents are exceedingly inexplicable. How
could an innocent man be willing to be persuaded by others to confess himself
guilty? Further, there is this expression, "Because of his own folly, and unhap-
pily lose his life." The affair emanated from no intention of the heart, and
assuredly will not lead to the forfeiture of life. To ascertain whether or not the
said chief and others entertain doubts and fears, which have led to their presenting
this
THE OPIUM TRADE.
53
•
this statement, an order is hereby issued; as soon as the order reaches the Hong
merchants, let them forthwith immediately enjoin it on the said chief and others,
that they, in obedience thereto, may present a reply. Oppose not.
Oppose not. A special
order.
Taon-Kwang, 13th year, A.D. 2 February 1834.
12th moon, 24th day.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 11 February 1834.
THE following letter to the Viceroy, in answer to that before recorded, is
approved, and forwarded this day to Canton.
His Excellency the Viceroy, &c.
Sir,
The declaration contained in your Excellency's last reply, that the man in
whose behalf we protested, will assuredly not lose his life, has given us great
satisfaction, and we are happy to find that our apprehensions lest he should be put
to death were mistaken. It now only remains for us to request that your Excel-
lency will issue your commands for his liberation, in order that the doubts and
fears of foreigners at Canton may be finally set at rest concerning him.
Macao, 11th February 1834.
We have, &c.
(Signed by the Committee.)
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 20 February 1834.
THE Sylph and Red Rover being about to sail for Calcutta, we direct our
secretary to place the Bengal Government in possession of everything that has
occurred relating to the affray at Cum-sing-moon since the date of our last com-
munication on that subject. We likewise direct that copies of every document
relative to the detention of the person in the city of Canton may be forwarded at
the same time, as referred to in the following letter.
G. A. Bushby, Esq. Secretary to Government, Fort William.
Sir,
I had the honour to address you, on the 1st of last November, on the subject of
the affray at Cum-sing-moon, which took place in the preceding month; I am now
directed by the President and Select Committee to place you in possession of such
further proceedings as have since occurred, with the view of affording His Excel-
lency the Right honourable the Governor-general every information on a subject
of such importance to the interests of British commerce at the port of Canton.
2. Had the facts, as they stood at the date of my last despatch, remained
unaltered, it is more than probable that no further discussion would have taken
place with the Chinese Government; but unfortunately, only a few days subsequent
to the sailing of the vessel by which my letter was forwarded, the President and
Select Committee were officially acquainted that the Chinese said to have been
wounded in the affray had expired; this announcement was accompanied by formal
demands from the local authorities, and afterwards from the Viceroy, for the
delivery of the "murderer," to appease the offended laws of the empire. These
edicts were accordingly met by a consistent and firm opposition on the part of the
President and Select Committee, to a requisition which implied a responsibility on
their part for disorders which have grown up under the connivance of the Chinese
Governinent.
3. A constant repetition of similar edicts proving altogether ineffectual, and
the Hong merchants being well assured that the President and Select Committee
were fixed in their resolution of disclaiming all responsibility for acts committed
by the owners of the opium ships outside the port, recourse was had to other
experiments, and attempts were made at expedients, to which it was beneath the
Committee to lend themselves; and thus for a time the matter almost sunk into
oblivion.
4. Towards the end of last month, a rumour became current in Canton, of so
extraordinary a nature, that the President and Select Committee were unwilling
to believe, and still more to act upon it, unless corroborated by some credible
156.
H
testimony
54
PAPERS RELATING TO
testimony. It appeared that the mandarin, brother of Mowqua, one of the Hong
merchants, had been sent from Canton, with the view of devising some mode of
obtaining possession, if possible, of the individual who killed the Chinese at Cum-
sing-moon; he returned once without success, upon which he was told that unless
he could contrive to succeed in some manner in his mission, he would be degraded
in rank.
5. It appeared, by the result of his second visit to Macao, that Mowqua pro-
cured, by the aid of a considerable sum of money, the person of a Malay, or other
man of colour, either from the town of Macao or from a junk or ship in the
neighbourhood, who was persuaded to assume the character of brother to the per-
son killed in the affray on the side of the crew of the opium ships. Rushing
forward (it was pretended) to save his relative, a musket which he held went off
by accident, and caused the death of the Chinese. He was told to state that his
contrition had induced him voluntarily to deliver himself up.
6. As the above rumour gained strength, the President sent for the senior Hong
merchant, and ascertained by his confession that the man was actually in custody
in the city, adding at the same time, in the strongest terms, that no injury was
intended to be done to him, but that he would certainly be released after the cus-
tomary forms.
7. Long experience and knowledge of the Chinese character forbade much
credit being attached to the word of a Hong merchant on such an occasion; but
hoping, and even thinking it possible that, in this instance, his assertion might be
verified, the President and Select Committee could not but feel considerable un-
easiness under the knowledge that an individual, notoriously an innocent man,
and utterly disconnected with the affray at Cum-sing-moon, but representing a
British subject, was confined in the city, and involved in a case wherein his life
was implicated.
8. It is unnecessary for me further to narrate the circumstances of the case,
save to observe that a public assurance was at length extorted from the Viceroy as
to the safety of the man's life. The President and Select Committee are anxious
that his Excellency the Right honourable the Governor-general should be made
acquainted with every particular, and with this view have directed me to transmit
to you all the documents which have transpired on the occasion referred to; they
are numbered 1 to 7.
Macao, 20th February 1834.
I have, &c.
(signed)
J. H. Astell, Secretary.
EXTRACT CANTON FACTORY CONSULTATIONS, 22 February 1834.
RECEIVED this day the following reply to our last address to the Viceroy.
From Governor Loo, concerning the homicidal substitute; dated February 19th,
1834, received 22d.
Loo, Guardian of the Heir Apparent, Dignitary of the Headmost Rank, Governor,
&c. to the Senior Merchants.
The English chief, Davis, and others have presented a reply to an order of mine
making inquiries about the foreigner who had delivered himself up on account of
the affair at the Kee-ow village. On examining the phraseology of the reply, this
expression occurs, "Gives great satisfaction; it is earnestly requested that an order
of liberation may be issued," &c.
Besides issuing a public answer to the statement received, declaring that on a
full view of the case, it should be known that, according to the laws of the Celestial
Empire, it is right to wait after the opening of a warrant till deputed officers try
the case, and consult clearly, and report to superiors the facts, after which they
receive orders obediently and tranquilly to wait for final decision to be acted on;
this is the way.
Let the said senior merchants forthwith enjoin these orders for the information
of the parties concerned.
Besides
THE OPIUM TRADE.
55
Besides the above public proclamation, let an order be issued to the said Hong
merchants to enjoin forthwith the order, conformably to the public proclamation, on
the said chief for their obedience thereto. Oppose not.
Taon-Kwang, 14th year,]
1st moon, 11th day. A.D. 19 February 1834.
East India House,
23 March 1840.
:
?
(True Copies.)
JAMES C. MELVILL.
OPIUM TRADE.
A COPY of all PAPERS and DESPATCHES at the
India House, on the Subject of Hostilities
between the Chinese and British Subjects
engaged in the OPIUM TRADE, from 1830 to
1833, both Years inclusive.
156.
(Sir Harry Verney.)
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
24 March 1840.
[Price 7d.]
Under 8 oz.
CHINA TRADE.
- 1.
AN ACCOUNT of the DECLARED VALUE of the EXPORTS from the United Kingdom
to China, in each of the Years 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, and 1832; a similar
ACCOUNT in each of the Years 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1838, and 1839.
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
RETURN to an ORDER of the Honourable The House of Commons,
dated 17 March 1840;-for,
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
157.
I
I
•
1
1
1
}
1
+
1
}
Inspector-General's Office,
YEARS.
11
1
1
YEARS.
AN ACCOUNT of the Quantity of SPECIE Annually Exported from the United Kingdom
to China, in each of the Years 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, and 1832; a similar ACCOUNT
in each of the Years 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1838, and 1839.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
London, 21 March 1840.
1
I
·
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Custom-House,
2.
1
se,}
1
1
1
1
1
GOLD.
Declared Value of
British and Irish
Produce and Manu-
factures, Exported
from the United
Kingdom to China.
Specie Exported
from the
United Kingdom to China.
Ounces.
1
1
1
1
·
£.
785,919
627,517
565,050
547,701
545,656
1
845,192
1,074,709
1,326,388
678,375
1,204,356
851,980
I
SILVER.
Ounces.
5,752
35,330
39,397
21,873
22,284
158,326
213,005
8,690
122,840
125,197
947,257
William Irving,
Inspector-general of Imports and Exports.
CHINA TRADE.
ACCOUNTS of Declared Value of EXPORTS
from the United Kingdom to China, for Eleven
Years; and of SPECIE Exported to China.
157.
(Sir James Graham.)
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
24 March 1840.
Under ½ oz.
CHIN A.
*
FURTHER RETURN to an Order of the Honourable The House of Commons,
dated 12 March 1840;-for,
COPIES of all COMMUNICATIONS between the BOARD of TREASURY, or the INDIA
BOARD, or any other PUBLIC DEPARTMENT, and the Parties or their Agents who
are Holders of CERTIFICATES or BILLS granted by the Chief Superintendent at
Canton for OPIUM surrendered to the Chinese Authorities.
Whitehall, Treasury Chambers,\
1 April 1840.
R. GORDON.
Sir,
To the Right Honourable F. T. BARING, M. P., &c. &c. &c., Chancellor of the Exchequer.
11 King's Arms Yard, 7 February 1840.
We take the liberty of enclosing a copy of the letter we had the honour to
address to you on 10th December last, relative to the non-acceptance, by the
Lords of the Treasury, of the bill we had presented for 30,432 l. 9 s. 11 d. drawn
by Captain Elliot, thinking it possible it may have escaped your observation.
We have, &c.
(signed)
Palmers, Mackillop, Dent & Co.
Sir,
11, King's Arms Yard, 10 December 1839.
ON the 3d inst. we had the honour to transmit to the Treasury a bill for
acceptance, drawn by Capt. Elliot, dated Canton, the 7th July last, at 12 months'
sight, for 30,4321. 9s. 11 d., to the order of Messrs. Dent & Co., and by that
house endorsed to us: we understand that the bill was referred to yourself, as
Chancellor of Her Majesty's Exchequer: on the day following its presentation,
we received the bill back, with the answer, that the Lords of Her Majesty's
Treasury had not issued any orders for acceptance. The bill has, consequently,
been noted, and a protest must be transmitted to Canton by the next India mail.
Prior, however, to the latter step being taken, we beg to call to your attention
the extraordinary circumstances existing in China, which were the immediate cause
of this and other similar bills having been drawn; and as the circumstances alto-
gether differ from those of the general claims by merchants at Canton for opium
delivered to Capt. Elliot, we trust that the Lords of Her Majesty's Treasury will,
upon a consideration of all the facts of the case, order the acceptance of the bill
in question, as well as the others similarly situated, bearing the endorsement of
Messrs. Dent & Co. The facts of the case are shortly these:
Capt. Elliot, in the progress of fulfilling the contract he had made with the
Imperial Commissioner Lin, for the delivery to him of 20,283 chests of opium,
found that the quantity under his control was short of that he had engaged to
deliver to the extent of 523 chests and 580 decimals of a pecul. He consequently,
in the most urgent manner, applied to the merchants at large to procure and
supply him with that quantity, engaging, in his official character, to pay for the
same, as a direct purchase, by bills to be granted by him upon Her Majesty's
Treasury. We beg here to observe, that it was only by the literal fulfilment of
the contract Capt. Elliot had made with Commissioner Lin that the whole body
of persons imprisoned in the factory could be released, and their lives be preserved;
it was solely under that conviction that Capt. Elliot made his appeal to the
merchants. Thus situated, it happened that Messrs. Dent & Co. had just
received
200.
2
CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO CHINA.
received a consignment from Bombay on account of various native merchants
resident at that seat of Government, and, upon the urgent request of Capt. Elliot,
they agreed to deliver the quantity above stated to him, the price of which was fixed
at 500 dollars per chest (such having been the value at which opium was selling
upon the coast), for his bills upon Her Majesty's Treasury at 12 months' sight,
at the exchange of 4 s. 10d. per Spanish dollar. Capt. Elliot, in compliance with
the terms of the purchase, delivered the bills upon Her Majesty's Treasury: all
parties imprisoned were consequently released, and their lives preserved. Messrs.
Dent & Co. have transmitted to us, for their own account, the bill we have
presented for acceptance, that having been the amount of the cash advance they
had made upon the opium; the remainder of the bills were transmitted to
Bombay through Messrs. Ritchie & Co., of that presidency, for account of the
native merchants to whom the property belonged.
Having thus briefly stated the facts of the case, we earnestly entreat a con-
sideration of them by the Lords of Her Majesty's Treasury. Her Majesty's
Superintendent and the other British residents were under imprisonment at
Canton, with the threat of starvation before them; and in this state of urgent
necessity, Her Majesty's Superintendent entered into a deliberate purchase of the
opium in question from our correspondents, to effect the release of the parties.
The opium was at that time in perfect safety; it had just arrived, and an order
from Messrs. Dent & Co. would have sent it to Sincapore with the same ease
and certainty as procured its delivery to Captain Elliot. Further, Messrs. Dent
& Co. did not give credit to Captain Elliot personally, but they took bills on
Her Majesty's Treasury; and their only fault, if such it be, was in trusting to the
powers possessed by Captain Elliot. But we will venture to ask, what would
have been said of Messrs. Dent & Co., if, under such circumstances and for
such ends, they had refused to sell Captain Elliot the opium now in question, and
had called for and proceeded to scrutinize his powers and instructions? Consi-
dering, then, that this was an actual purchase made on the faith of the bills, we
fully rely that the Lords of Her Majesty's Treasury will order their acceptance:
a contrary course, independently of its prejudicial effects as a repudiation of the
acts of Her Majesty's Superintendent in China, must inevitably tend to the
discredit of Her Majesty's Government throughout India. We venture, also, to
call your attention to the fact, that the remainder of the bills are the property of
native merchants in Bombay, by whom, or for whose account, they have been
negotiated; and to point out the very serious mischief of discrediting bills on
the British Government with that class of Her Majesty's subjects.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your very obedient servants,
(signed)
The Right Hon. Francis Baring, M.P.,
Chancellor of Her Majesty's Exchequer.
Messrs. Palmer & Co.,
King's Arms Yard.
Palmers, Mackillop, Dent & Co.
Gentlemen,
Treasury Chambers, 21 March 1840.
I AM commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to
transmit to you herewith copy of a Minute of 3d December last for your
information with reference to your letter of 7th ultimo relative to the non-
acceptance of a bill drawn upon this Board from Captain Elliot from Canton.
I am, &c.
(signed) R. Gordon.
and
CHINA.
FURTHER RETURN of COPIES of all Coм-
MUNICATIONS between the BOARD of TREA-
SURY, or the INDIA BOARD, or any other
PUBLIC DEPARTMENT, and the Parties or
their Agents who are Holders of CERTIFICATES
or BILLS granted by the Chief Superintendent
at Canton for OPIUM surrendered to the Chinese
Authorities.
200.
(Mr. Herries.)
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
2 April 1840.
Under 1 oz.
-
SHIP VOLAGE.
•
RETURN to an ORDER of the Honourable The House of Commons,
dated 1 April 1840:-for,
COPY of any Despatch or LETTER from Captain Smith, of Her Majesty's Ship
Volage, detailing the particulars of the Action in which that Ship was engaged
with the War Junks of the Chinese Government.
:
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 3 April 1840.
COPY of a LETTER from Captain Smith, of Her Majesty's Ship Volage, detailing
the particulars of the Action in which that Ship was engaged with the War
Junks of the Chinese Government.
H. M. Ship, Volage,
Hong Kong, 6 November 1839.
Sir,
SINCE
INCE closing my despatch of the 22d ultimo, informing your Excellency of
the re-opening of the trade, I regret to acquaint you, that the whole of the
arrangements have been broken up by the Imperial Commissioner, and that a
very severe conflict has taken place, attended with, I am afraid, great loss of life,
between H. M. ships under my orders, and the Chinese flotilla, under the
command of their admiral.
On the 28th, I received from the Chief Superintendent a despatch, No. 1, a
copy of which, with my reply thereto, I herewith transmit; and having observed
with great uneasiness, a large armed force encamped at the back of the boundary-
wall of Macao, and the erection of several batteries in the neighbourhood of the
shipping at Hong Kong, as well as an increased number of war junks in the
adjacent bay; and taking into consideration the threats for the seizure of the
Chief Superintendent and H. M. subjects, contained in the proclamations of
the High Commissioner and the Governor, I concurred in opinion with him,
that the time had arrived for taking some moderate but decided step to avert
the evils with which the lives and property of H. M. subjects were menaced.
For this purpose, I proceeded with the Chief Superintendent in H M. ship
under my command, and the Hyacinth, to the Bogue, anchoring at the usual
place on the morning of the 2d instant. I sent Lieutenant Hamilton, accom-
panied by Mr. Morrison, the Chinese interpreter, to the Admiral with a letter,
No. 3, to the Imperial Commissioner: these gentlemen were well received by
him, and were told by that officer, an answer would be sent the following day;
at the same time observing, that it would be better if the ships were to remove
further down. Having no intention to intimidate or overawe them, I complied
with this request by shifting the ships three miles down, abreast the island of
Lankeet.
In the evening of that day, a pilot came on board, to say that the Admiral
wished to see Mr. Morrison; it was not deemed advisable to concede to this
request; and an answer was sent back to say, that nothing was wanted but a
reply to my letter: next morning, a linguist came on board, with a similar
message, and was answered in the same manner as on the preceding evening.
At about 9, 30, A. M., I observed the whole flotilla getting under weigh, and
bearing down upon us. H. M. ships immediately weighed anchor, and stood
204.
under
2.
8.
2
ACTION WITH THE CHINESE JUNKS.
4.
5.
under easy sail, when the junks and fire-vessels (29 in number) anchored in a
line about a mile from us. I immediately sent by the linguist, who had not at
this time left the ship, a note, No. 4; he returned in a short time, bringing back
my letter to the Imperial Commissioner, and the reply to my note, No. 5.
After this want of courtesy, I did not conceive that it would be becoming the
dignity of our flag, the safety of the merchant shipping below, and my own
character, to retire before such an imposing force, sent out at that moment
evidently for the purpose of intimidation.
Under these circumstances, a little after noon I made the signal to attack, and
opened fire upon the junks; it was returned for some time with good spirit;
but the effects of our shot were soon visible, one junk having blown up, three
sunk, several shattered and deserted by their crews, and the remainder retiring
in great confusion to the anchorage above the battery.
I must here bear testimony to the gallantry of the Chinese Admiral, who in
a junk, mounting 12 guns, bore down upon the ships, and sustained for some
time a very heavy fire; he was at last compelled to turn, his vessel evidently
being in a sinking state.
One man in the Hyacinth was slightly wounded, and I am happy to say H. M.
ships did not suffer in this encounter; the Hyacinth, who was for some time
surrounded by junks, has got her main-yard so much damaged that I fear it
will be necessary to get a new one.
Having effected the object I had in view, namely, the return of these vessels
above the Fort, and not wishing to cause any unnecessary bloodshed, I made the
signal at about one to annul the action, and returned that night to Macao; and
having embarked a number of British residents who had returned there during
the time negotiations were pending, proceeded to Hong Kong, having left the
Hyacinth at Macao, at the suggestion of his Excellency the Governor.
I have, &c.
(signed) H. Smith, Captain.
His Excellency Rear Admiral Sir F. L. Maitland, K. C. B.
Commander-in-Chief, &c. &c. &c.
East Indies.
Note. All the enclosures referred to in the above letter appear to have been
laid before the House, and printed.
Admiralty,
3 April 1840.J
H. F. AMEDROZ,
Chief Clerk.
SHIP VOLAGE.
LETTER from Captain Smith, of Her Majesty's
Ship Volage, relative to the Action with the
Chinese War Junks.
204.
(Captain A'Court.)
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
3 April 1840.
Under 1 oz.
CHINA.
RETURN to an Order of the Honourable The House of Commons,
dated 9 April 1840;-for,
COPIES of any CORRESPONDENCE between Her MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT and the
EAST INDIA COMPANY, showing the Arrangement entered into with the EAST INDIA
COMPANY for paying the Expense of the Armament now preparing in India for
Service in China.
East India House,
15 April 1840. S
LETTER from the SECRET COMMITTEE to the PRESIDENT of the INDIA BOARD.
Sir,
East India House, November 29, 1839.
WITH reference to the Secret Despatch of the 4th instant, in which the Governor
General of India in Council is requested to use the utmost exertion in his power, in order
that Her Majesty's instructions of the same date to Rear Admiral Sir Frederick Maitland
may be carried into effect, we have the honour to request that we may receive from you an
assurance that the whole of the expenses which may be incurred by the Government of
India, in fulfilment of these instructions, will be repaid to the East India Company by
Her Majesty's Government.
We have the honour to be, Sir,
To the
Right honourable Sir John Hobhouse, Bart.
&c. &c. &c.
JAMES C. MELVILL.
Your most obedient and humble servants,
(signed) Rd Jenkins.
W. B. Bayley.
W. Astell.
LETTER from the PRESIDENT of the INDIA BOARD to the SECRET COMMITTEE.
Gentlemen,
India Board, 21 January 1840.
In reply to the Letter which I had the honour of receiving from you, relative to the
expenses of the contemplated expedition to the China Seas, I beg to inform you, that it is
not the intention of Her Majesty's Government that any part of the expenses should be
defrayed ultimately from the Indian revenues.
The Honourable the Secret Committee.
I remain, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
(signed) John Hobhouse.
MINUTE of a SECRET COURT of DIrectors.
At a SECRET COURT of DIRECTORS, held on Wednesday, the 26th February 1840,
THE Chairman acquainted the Court, that he was authorized by the President of the
India Board to state, that the Secret Committee have his assurance that no part of the
expenses of any expedition that may be sent to China shall be finally defrayed by the
Company.
241.
CHINA.
COPIES of CORRESPONDENCE between Her
MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT and the EAST INDIA
COMPANY, relating to the Expense of the
Armament now preparing in India for Service
in China.
241.
(Mr. Goulburn.)
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
15 April 1840.
!
COPY of a COMMUNICATION from certain Merchants of the City of London to
the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to the Measures
adopted by Her Majesty's Government, on the interruption of the Commercial
Intercourse with China, with the Signatures attached thereto.
My Lord,
CHINA.
RETURN to an ADDRESS of the Honourable The House of Commons,
dated 13 April 1840;—for,
COPY of a COMMUNICATION from certain Merchants of the City of London to
Viscount Palmerston, with reference to Measures adopted by Her Majesty's
Government on the interruption of the Commercial Intercourse with China.
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 15 April 1840.
London, 9 April 1840.
WE
E, the undersigned British Merchants connected with China, cannot but
view with the greatest alarm and apprehension the probable effect of the
expression of any public opinion with respect to the justice and policy of the
measures understood to be taken by Her Majesty's Government to obtain redress
for the insults and injuries inflicted on British subjects by the Chinese govern-
ment, and for the future protection of the legal trade with that country. We
disclaim all pretensions of dictating to the Chinese the mode in which the
British Trade with China shall be carried on; but we cannot refrain from ex-
pressing our deliberate opinion, that unless the measures of the Government
are followed up with firmness and energy, the trade with China can no longer
be conducted with security to life and property, or with credit or advantage to
the British nation.
We have, &c.
(signed) G. G. de H. Larpent,
Chairman East India and China Association.
Mangles, Price & Co.
Gregson & Co.
Daniell, Dickinson & Co.
Crawford, Colvin & Co.
Larkins & Co.
Dallas & Coles.
Wm. Drayner.
Hunter, Gouger & Co.
C. S. Gover.
Robert Eglinton & Co.
Scott, Bell & Co.
John Brightmans.
C. R. Read & Co.
Lyall, Brothers & Co.
Walkinshaw & Co.
Gardner, Urquhart & Co.
John Hine.
W. J. Hall & Co.
Alex. Matheson.
James W. Smith.
Walkinshaw, Skinner & Co.
Magniac Smiths & Co.
J. Horsley Palmer.
J. Mackillop.
Briggs, Thurburn Acraman & Co.
Gledstanes, Kerr & Co.
Alex. Geo. Milne & Co.
Small, Colquhoun & Co.
John S. Rigge, of the firm of Sander-
son, Frys, Fox & Co.
-
H. H. Lindsay.
255.
CHINA.
COMMUNICATION from certain Merchants of
London, relative to Measures adopted against
China.
255.
(Mr. Herries.)
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
15 April 1840.
Under 1 oz.
!
CHIN A.
RETURN to an ORDER of the Honourable The House of Commons,
dated 5 April 1841;—for,
AN ACCOUNT showing the Total Sum which had been Expended by the EAST INDIA
COMPANY, on Account of the EXPEDITION against China, to be repaid by Her Majesty's
Government, at the latest period for which the same can be ascertained.
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 23 April 1841.
AN ACCOUNT showing the Total Sum which had been Expended by the EAST INDIA
COMPANY, on Account of the EXPEDITION against China, to be repaid by Her Majesty's
Government, at the latest period for which the same can be ascertained.
246.
NO actual Accounts of this Expenditure have been received from India.
The following is the ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE:
1839-40, per Bengal Regular Estimate, received 14 December 1840:
Extraordinary Pay and Allowances of Troops, &c.
1840-41, per Bengal Sketch Estimate, received 13 March 1841:
Extraordinary Pay and Allowances of Troops, &c.
Hire of Transports, Expenses of Steamers, &c.
1840-41, per Madras Estimate, received 12 December 1840:
Batta to Troops employed beyond Sea
East India House,1
19 April 1841. ´S
-
at 2s. 0 d. the Rupee
Rs. 29,76,000
21,00,000
Rupees
£.
Rupees.
9,22,323
50,76,000
1,27,000
61,25,323
625,293 7 9
JAMES C. MELVILL.
}
1
CHINA.
ACCOUNT of SUM Expended by the EAST INDIA
COMPANY, On Account of the Expedition against
China.
246.
4
(Mr. Herries.)
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
23 April 1841.
Under & oz.
RETURN to an Order of the Honourable The House of Commons,
dated 26 April 1841 ;-for,
AN ACCOUNT of the EXPENDITURE, ORDINARY and EXTRAORDINARY, incurred on
account of the CHINA EXPEDITION, up to the latest Date; together with an ESTIMATE
of the EXTRAORDINARY EXPENDITURE, up to the 30th day of April 1841, so far as
such Account and Estimate can be made.
BY a confidential account from Calcutta, dated the 15th of August 1840, it appears
that the Expenses incurred on account of the China Expedition, were,-
ORDINARY.
3,78,422 rupees
or £. 38,631 sterling
CHIN A.
-
1
Whitehall, Treasury Chambers,
27 April 1841.
·
EXTRAORDINARY.
A letter has been received by the 'Treasury from the Court of Directors of the East
India Company, dated the 1st April 1841, in which the Extraordinary Expenses of the
China Expedition are estimated, up to the 30th April 1841, at £.625,293, of which
£.150,000 has already been paid.
22,05,127 rupees.
£. 225,106 sterling, at 2s. od. the rupee.
The Treasury have not had the particulars of the Expenditure before them, and have
had no sufficient means of judging how far the charge for the Extraordinary Expenditure
has been formed correctly, either as regards the principle or the details.
R. GORDON.
274.
+
CHINA.
AN ACCOUNT of the EXPENDITURE, Ordinary
and Extraordinary, incurred up to the latest
Date; together with an Estimate of the Extra-
ordinary Expenditure up to 30th April 1841, so
far as the same can be made.
274.
(Mr. Robert Gordon.)
1
Ordered, by The House of Cominons, to be Printed,
28 April 1841.
1
1
ESTIMATES.
1. CANADA.-Expenses of the Service consequent upon the late Insurrection.
2. CHINA.-Expenses of the Expedition.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 1842.
— 1.-
CANADA.
AN ESTIMATE of the further Amount that will probably be required to defray the
Expenses of the Service in Canada, consequent upon the late INSURRECTION in that
Colony.
For Pay, Clothing, &c. of Militia and Volunteers
One Hundred and Eight Thousand Pounds.
357.-II.
MAN 1 Graduat
CHINA.
AN ESTIMATE of the Sum required to be voted in the Year 1941, on account of the
Expenses of the EXPEDITION to China.
Four Hundred Thousand Pounds.
The Expense already incurred, appears by the last Return presented to
Parliament (No. 274) to have amounted, so far as it can be at present
estimated, to
Of which there has been already paid
Whitehall, Treasury Chambers,
28 May 1841.
hambers,}
2.
-
£. 108,000
£.
No Accounts have been received from which an accurate Estimate can be framed.
£.
625,293
150,000
475,293
E. J. STANLEY.
CANADA.CHINA.
ESTIMATE S:
ESTIM
MATES:
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
31 MARCH 1842.
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printedly
28 May 1841.
357.-II.
1840
1841
1842
RETURN of all MONIES repaid by HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT to the
EAST INDIA COMPANY, on account of the WAR in China, since the
Commencement of the War until the present Time.
RETURN to an ORDER of the Honourable The House of Commons,
dated 6 June 1842;-for,
321.
1
CHINA.

October 27
July 2
February 9
East India House,
8 June 1842.
I
TOTAL
·
I
1
£.
£.
150,000
400,000
23,442
573,442
James C. Melvill,
Secretary.
CHINA.
RETURN of all MONIES repaid by HER
MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT to the EAST INDIA
COMPANY, on account of the WAR in China,
since the Commencement of the War until the
present Time.
321.
(Mr. Disraeli.)
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
13 June 1842.
Under 4 oz.
AN ESTIMATE of the SUM required to be voted in the Year 1842, on account of
the EXPENSES of the EXPEDITION to CHINA.
CHINA.
Eight Hundred and Six Thousand Five Hundred and Sixty-six Pounds.

Balance due to the East India Company, according to the following
Statement
Further Sum to be provided for the year ending 31 March 1843
Bills drawn by Captain Elliot on account of Works at Hong Kong £. 3,000
Medical Stores supplied by the Admiralty for the service of the
Expedition
Whitehall, Treasury Chambers,
16 June 1842.
Received out of the Parliamentary Grant for 1839-40
Ditto
ditto
ditto
STATEMENT above referred to.
Actual Expenses in India, from January 1840 to April 1841, as far as
ascertained, Rupees 69,48,509, at 2s. 0§ d.
·
Expenses of Indian Estimate in 1841-2, Rupees 71,82,312, at 2s.
Freight, &c. at home of Three Ships in conveyance of Troops direct to
Hong Kong
Probable Amount of Batta to Sea and Land Forces under the Royal Grant
-
£. 3,566
-
£.
£.
£. 150,000
23,442
173,442
1840-41
400,000
Ditto
ditto
Remittance from China to Calcutta in Bullion and Bills in 1841-42, 686,224
Balance due to the Company on 30th April 1842, exclusive of sums that
may be chargeable for hire of Steamers, and other Expenses not ascer-
tainable at this date, subject to future examination and settlement -
£.
338,664
461,336
800,000
6,566
806,566
G. Clerk.

£.
709,327
718,231
20,772
150,000
1,598,330
1,259,666
338,664
335.
CHINA.
AN ESTIMATE of the SUM required to be voted
in the Year 1842, on account of the EXPENSES of
the EXPEDITION to CHINA.
335.
(Presented by Command of Her Majesty.)
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to le Printed,
16 June 1842.
CHINA AND INDIA.
SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATE: 1842-43.
AN ESTIMATE of the further Sum required to be voted, to defray the Charge of ARMY,
NAVY and ORDNANCE SERVICES, connected with the NAVAL and MILITARY FORCES
employed in China and India, for the Year ending 31 March 1843.

For Army Services, according to the annexed Statement
For Navy Services, ditto -
For Ordnance Services, ditto
A g
Two Hundred and Seventy-two Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty-one Pounds.
A Regiment of Cavalry (9th Dragoons) transferred to India;
Charge for Ten Months
ARMY.
STATEMENT of the CHARGE which will probably be incurred in the Twelve Months from the
1st April 1842 to the 31st March 1843, for REGIMENTS of INFANTRY sent from India to China;
for the Augmentations which have been made in other REGIMENTS of INFANTRY, to replace
REGIMENTS transferred from the British Establishment to India and China; and for Augmenta-
tions of the REGIMENTS OF INFANTRY in New South Wales; £.171,344, according to the following
State of Particulars:
Six Regiments of Infantry (10th, 25th, 29th, 78th, 84th, 86th)
transferred to India; Charge for Eleven Months
To replace the above Six Regiments of Infantry :
Twelve Regiments of Infantry have been augmented for Celonial
Service, from 800 to 1,200 Rank and File each; 9 for Twelve
Months, and 3 for Nine Months.
Pay and Allowances, 121,5937. Eight Months; Off-reckonings,
9,4197.; Levy-money, 27,153 1.
Total, £. 158,165
Allowances to Acting Staff Officers and Non-Commis-
2,086
sioned Officers of the 12 Depôt Battalions
Allowances to Officers of the provisional Battalion,
composed of the recruiting portions of the Twelve.
augmented Regiments
On account of which was taken in the Army Estimate
To be provided
487.
Two Regiments of Infantry at Home (58th and 61st), augmented
from 800 to 1,000 Rank and File, in readiness to embark. Pay
and Allowances, 6.2007.; Eight Months' Off-reckonings, 6137.;
Levy-money, 2,100 l.
Total
Four Regiments of Infantry (18th, 26th, 49th and 55th), sent
from India to China, and augmented from 976 to 1,000 Rank
and File. Pay and Allowances, 132,430 l.; Eight Months'
Off-reckonings, 160.; Levy-money, 525 l.
Total
One Regiment of Infantry (98th Foot), sent to China, and aug-
mented from 800 to 1,000 Rank and File. Charge of Aug-
mentation: Pay and Allowances, 4,1707.; Eight Months' Off-
reckonings, 3067.; Levy-money, 1,050 l. -
Total
Five Regiments of Infantry in New South Wales, augmented from
800 to 1,000 Rank and File each. Charge of Augmentation;
Pay and Allowances, 20,660 l.; Eight Months' Off-reckonings,
1,987.; Levy-money, 5,696.
Total
Bounty to Men volunteering to the augmented Regiments
Deduct Decrease
To be provided
1,712
161,963
9,000
-
Decrease.
£. s. d.
14,590
145,926
£.
£. 160,516
-
Jang
+
£.
171,344
78,855
22,722
1
272,921
}
Increase.
રે
£. $.
152,963
8,913
133,115
5,526
28,343
3,000
331,860
£. 160,516
£. 171,344
Ca
-
d.

'.
*These Charges are exclusive of the Allowances paid by the East India Company to these
Regiments, which are on the Indian Establishment whilst employed in China.
War Office, 25 July 1842.
H. HARDINGE.
I
2
STATEMENT of the Sum required to provide for PAYMENTS to the 31st March 1843, for addi-
tional Supplies of PROVISIONS and STORES, and for FREIGHT and other EXPENSES for the
combined NAVAL and MILITARY FORCE employed in the China Seas, beyond what were con-
templated when the Navy Estimates for 1842/43 were prepared ;-under the following Heads of the
annual Estimates ;-viz.
Nos. Pages.
2.
si
8.
SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATE FOR ARMY, NAVY AND ORDNANCE
10.
17.
2.
2.
2.
2.
i
NAVY.
ABSTRACT.
VICTUALS FOR SEAMEN, &C.
WAGES TO ARTIFICERS, &C. HER MAJESTY'S ESTABLISHMENTS
AT HOME
NAVAL STORES, &C.
ARMY AND ORDNANCE DEPARTMENTS (CONVEYANCE OF TROOPS,
&c.)
-1
£. 78,855 11
8.
2.
VICTUALS FOR SEAMEN AND MARINES, &c.
For the Expense of Freight required for the conveyance of Provisions for the
Naval Service in the China Seas
£.
G
M
TOTAL
WAGES TO ARTIFICERS, &C., HER MAJESTY'S ESTABLISHMENTS AT HOME.
For the Expense of Extra Wages in the preparation of Casks, and in the manu-
facture of Biscuit, &c., for the combined Forces in the China Seas, to the
31st March 1843
£.
*
10.
NAVAL STORES, &c.
For the Purchase of an additional quantity of Coals, to make good the extra
Supplies sent out for the use of the Squadron in the China Seas, to the 31st
March 1843
£.
17.-
ARMY AND ORDNANCE DEPARTMENTS,
(Conveyance of Troops, &c.)
For the Purchase of additional Supplies of Provisions to make good the extra Ship-
ments for the Army in the China Seas, up to the 30th June 1833
·
For the Expense of Freight of Provisions for the Army Service in the China Seas -
For Lighterage, &c. attendant upon the Shipment of Provisions for the combined
Forces in the China Seas
£. s. d.
5,687 19 10
£.
1,451 14 10
6,521
65,194 16 5
J
£. s. d.
5,687 19 10
6,521
1,451 14 10
1

I
W. GORDON.
53,454 4 11
11,375 19 8
The Charge amounts to the sum of Seventy-eight Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-five
Pounds, Eleven Shillings and One Penny.
W. H. GAGE.
1

364 11 10
65,194 16 5
SERVICES IN CHINA AND INDIA, FOR THE YEAR 1842-43.
ORDNANCE.
STATEMENT of SERVICES that will require to be provided for in a SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATE,
not included in the ORDNANCE ESTIMATES for the Year 1842-43.
Repair of Barracks at Deal, Hythe, Parkhurst, Gravesend, Chichester and
Warley, consequent on the occupation by Troops destined for service in India
and China
Stores for China
Ordnance Office,
25 July 1842.
£.
મેં
£.
3,518
19,204
22,722
3

J. PEEL.
H. G. BOLDERO.
F. R. BONIAM.
CHINA AND INDIA.
SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATE.
AN ESTIMATE of the further Sum required to
be voted for ARMY, NAVY and ORDNANCE
SERVICES, Connected with the NAVAL and MI-
LITARY FORCES employed in China and India.
487.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
31 MARCH 1843.
(Presented by Command of Her Majesty.)
Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed,
25 July 1842.
Under 1 oz.
Ꮲ Ꭺ Ꮲ Ꭼ Ꭱ Ꮪ
RELATING TO
THE MONIES
RECEIVED FROM
THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES,
IN THE
CITY OF CANTON,
UNDER AN AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO WITH HER
MAJESTY'S PLENIPOTENTIARY, ON THE
27TH MAY, 1841.
Presented to both Houses of Parliament by command of Her Majesty,
1842.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY T. R. HARRISON, ST. MARTIN'S LANE.
LIST OF PAPERS.
No.
1 Viscount Canning to the Secretary of the Treasury
One Inclosure.
2 The Secretary of the Treasury to Viscount Canning
3 Viscount Canning to the Secretary of the Treasury
Three Inclosures.
4 Viscount Canning to the Secretary of the Treasury
Two Inclosures and five Sub-Inclosures.
5 Viscount Canning to the Secretary of the Treasury
One Inclosure and three Sub-Inclosures.
6 The Secretary of the Treasury to Viscount Canning
7 Viscount Canning to the Secretary of the Treasury
One Inclosure.
8 Treasury Minute
Foreign Office, October
Treasury,
November 2,
Foreign Office, November 3,
Foreign Office, November 12,
Foreign Office, November 29,
•
Treasury, . December 4,
Foreign Office, December 10,
December 31,
:
28, 1841
Page
3
4
4.
6
11
15
16
17
PAPERS
THE
MONIES
RECEIVED FROM THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES IN THE CITY OF CANTON,
UNDER AN AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO WITH HER MAJESTY's
PLENIPOTENTIARY,
$4,900,000
No. 1.
Viscount Canning to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Sir,
Foreign Office, October 28, 1841.
I AM directed by the Earl of Aberdeen to transmit to you, for the infor-
mation of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, a copy of a
despatch from Captain Elliot, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary in China, dated
June 9, communicating particulars regarding the amount of payments in
money and securities received by him from the Government of Canton under
an engagement entered into by the Chinese Authorities on the 27th of May.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
CANNING.
RELATING TO
$1,099,71329
287
My Lord,
Macao, June 9, 1841.
I HAVE now the honour to acquaint your Lordship that I have received
from the Government at Canton, as follows:
On the 27th of May, 1841.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.
$6,000,00029
Principally paid in Sycee silver, and which
we find, from the marks on the various
packages, to be the produce of the land-
tax, gabel, customs, and other duties; now
lying deposited on board of several of Her
Majesty's ships.
In Securities, as follows:-
Messrs. Dent & Co., in favour
of Hongs
Messrs. Dent & Co., promissory
notes to Her Majesty's Ple-
nipotentiary, at six months,
bearing interest at 6 per
cent.
Promissory notes in favour of
Hongs by Messrs. Turner &
Co., and Mr. G. Nye .
Bonds from Howqua, at six
weeks, bearing interest at
per cent. per annum
6
Cash in bag.
•
B 2
120,000
542,000
58,71329
379,000
A
4
帛
​I also received the sum of 17,750 taels, equal to $25,000, being in satis-
faction of the loss occasioned by the destruction of the Spanish brig "Bil-
baino:" the Spanish Commissioner, Señor Halcon, having expressed his
readiness to receive that sum, it was accepted.
I am only enabled, My Lord, by this very hurried occasion to state to
your Lordship briefly, that I was content to receive securities for $1,099,71329
with a view to the relief of the Hong merchants from immediate pressure, at
great inconvenience to the whole trade; for I found that the Authorities had
cast upon them more than a million of the payments, upon the pretext of
duties and charges due to the Government.
I have taken a bond from the Kwang-Chow-Foo upon the behalf of the
Government, for the satisfaction of all losses occasioned by the destruction of
the Factories; and the Co-Hong have rendered themselves responsible for the
pureness of the silver, in addition to my own personal declaration to the
Government, (which will be repeated, in writing, as soon as I have leisure,)
that it will be held responsible for any deficiency arising either from inferiority
of standard, or short weight.
So far as we have been able to judge yet, there is no room for represen-
tation upon the subject.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
No. 2.
The Secretary of the Treasury to Viscount Canning.
My Lord,
Treasury Chambers, November 2, 1841.
HAVING submitted to the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury your Lordship's letter of the 28th ultimo, inclosing a despatch from
Captain Elliot, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary in China, in which he reports
the payments in money and securities received from the Chinese Government,
I have it in command from the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury, to request you will state to the Earl of Aberdeen, that it would be
satisfactory to my Lords, if some information could be furnished by
Lord Aberdeen as to the grounds on which the money in question was
demanded, and paid either by the Chinese Government or the Authorities in
Canton.
(Signed)
No. 3.
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary.
I am, &c.,
C. E. TREVELYAN.
Viscount Canning to the Secretary of the Treasury.
(Extract.)
Foreign Office, November 3, 1841.
I HAVE laid before the Earl of Aberdeen your letter of yesterday,
stating that it would be satisfactory to the Lords Commissioners of Her
Majesty's Treasury if some information could be furnished to them by his
Lordship as to the grounds on which the money and securities referred to in
Captain Elliot's despatch of the 9th of June, of which despatch a copy was
transmitted to the Treasury on the 28th ultimo, were demanded from, and
paid either by the Chinese Government or by the Chinese Authorities in
Canton.
I am to state to you in reply, for the information of their Lordships, that
Captain Elliot's despatches to the Secretary of State contain no explanation
whatever of the grounds on which this payment was demanded or received by
him from the Chinese Authorities; and there is only one expression in those
despatches which has any bearing whatever on that point. Captain Elliot,
5
in allusion to the quantity of tea which had just been shipped from Canton,
says, "The indemnity just recovered from the Chinese is perhaps rather more
than double the charges and duties they had received from the trade of the
season."
On the other hand, copies of a correspondence between Sir Humphrey
Senhouse and Captain Elliot have been communicated to this office by the
Admiralty, from which it appears that Sir Humphrey Senhouse having doubts
as to the real nature of the payment obtained from the Chinese, wrote to
Captain Elliot on the subject; and that Captain Elliot in his answer declared
that the arrangement had reference only to the relief of the city and province
of Canton from pressure. I inclose copies of this correspondence and a copy
of the Articles of Agreement concluded by Captain Elliot with the Chinese
Authorities on the 27th of May.
Inclosure 1 in No. 3.
Captain Senhouse to Captain Elliot.
Sir,
Heights above Canton, May 28, 1841.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Excellency's joint letter of the
27th May, to Sir Hugh Gough and myself, transmitting the arrangement your
Excellency has concluded with the officers of the Chinese Government, and
also a copy of the full authority given to Kwang-Chow-Foo to act for the
Chinese Commissioners.
In perusing very attentively the document your Excellency has been
pleased to transmit, I cannot avoid considering that the terms of the arrange-
ment must appear to an unprejudiced person, ignorant of local circumstances,
more as a settlement for a general peace rather than conditions proposed, dis-
cussed, and agreed to for the sole purpose of delivering the city of Canton
from the penalties of actual occupation. In the authority given to the Kwang-
Chow-Foo by the Commissioners, they clearly state that the English Plenipo-
tentiary being willing to observe a truce and make arrangements for peace,
they therefore appoint the Kwang-Chow-Foo to conduct the details of the
pacific arrangement and settlement. Now it was not the British Minister who
applied for a truce, for it was the Chinese officer who came with a flag of
truce to the walls, declared to Sir Hugh Gough and myself that they were not
willing to fight any more, and therefore wished to see the British chiefs.
The Articles themselves make no mention of the money being paid as a
ransom for the town, nor is any mention made of these conditions being con-
fined to the Province of Kwangtung.
On the contrary, it is well known that the Chinese Authorities extended
your Excellency's former declaration, that the English wanted nothing but
trade on the old footing, to the further settlement of a definitive peace,
although, in your Excellency's own understanding, the arrangement was limited
to Canton; and the Commissioner Kwang in his private letter said, that you
have stated that your nation wanted nothing but trade on the old footing, and
invited you to commence negotiations for a definitive peace.
The sum to be given up being similar to the sum offered to be given for
opium, and the introduction of the affair of the "Bilbaino," unite in inducing
to an unprejudiced and uninformed person, that the arrangement is more
intended for a general pacification, which would appear a very poor compen-
sation for all the insults and injuries we have received, than an acknowledg
ment of the vanquished to the conqueror in the hour of victory. I therefore
beg, for the information of my Commander-in-Chief and their Lordships of
the Admiralty, to know whether the arrangement is decidedly a ransom for
the city of Canton, to save it from the consequences of legal warfare; leaving
out entirely the question of remuneration, compensation, and security for the
future, so long mooted, or for other purpose.
I ask it to maintain the national honour and the credit of the British flag,
6
:
that the success of the British arms in laying the city of Canton at the feet of
the Queen's forces may not be hereafter questioned, without certain contra-
diction.
(Signed)
A
(
H. L. SENHOUSE,
Inclosure 2 in No. 3.
Captain Elliot to Captain Senhouse.
Sir,
Louisa," off Canton, June 2, 1841.
WHILST I am unable to perceive the necessity for your communication
of the 28th ultimo, upon the ground that the late arrangement at Canton can
by any possibility or in any quarter be constructed into a general settlement
of the questions at issue between the two Governments, I certainly can have
no hesitation in officially declaring that it has reference only to the relief of
this city and province from pressure which could not continue to be applied,
casting ruin and distress upon a vast unoffending population, at incalculable
inconvenience to our own well understood interests, in forgetfulness of Her
Majesty's gracious purposes, and in defiance of the temper and feeling of the
British nation upon all such subjects.
I should observe that the settlement of the money-claim for the destruc-
tion of the Spanish brig "Bilbaino," has been insisted upon with a view to
the convenience of the Spanish Commissioner, which I have felt it incumbent
upon me to consult.
I am, &c.,
66
(Signed)
Captain, Senior Officer.
Inclosure 3 in No. 3.
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Terms of Agreement granted to the Officers of the Chinese Government
resident in the City of Canton, on the 27th of May, 1841.
1st. IT is required that the three Imperial Commissioners, and all the
troops other than those of the province, quit the city within six days, and
proceed to a distance of upwards of sixty miles.
2nd. Six millions of dollars to be paid in one week for the use of the
Crown of England, counting from the 27th of May, one million payable before
sunset of the said 27th of May.
3rd. British troops to remain in their actual positions: no additional
preparations on either side. If the whole sum agreed upon be not paid
within seven days, it shall be increased to 7,000,000; if not within four-
teen days, to 8,000,000; if not within twenty days, to 9,000,000. When the
whole be paid, all the British forces to return without the Bocca Tigris and
Wangtong, and all fortified places within the river to be restored, but not
to be rearmed till affairs are settled between the two nations.
4th. Losses occasioned by the destruction of the factories, and of the
Spanish brig "Bilbaino," to be paid within one week.
5th. It is required that the Kwang-Chow-Foo shall produce full powers
to conclude these arrangements on the part of the three Commissioners, the
Governor-General, the General of the garrison, and the Foo-Yuen, bearing
their Excellencies' Seals.
Agreed to.
(Seal of the Kwang-Chow-Foo.)
7
No. 4.
Viscount Canning to the Secretary of the Treasury.
(Extract.)
Foreign Office, November 12, 1841.
WITH reference to my letter of the 28th of October, respecting the
money paid by the Chinese Authorities at Canton under the arrangement of
the 27th of May last, I am directed by the Earl of Aberdeen to transmit to
you, to be laid before the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury,
copies of two despatches from Captain Elliot, late Superintendent of British
Trade in China, one stating the arrangements made by him for the remittance
to India and to this country of the money obtained from the Chinese; the
other inclosing copies of a correspondence with Messrs. Dent and Co., by
which it would appear that Captain Elliot has allowed that firm to deduct
from the money for which they have made themselves answerable on behalf
of certain Chinese parties, who were called upon to pay a portion of
the 6,000,000 dollars specified in the arrangement of the 27th of May, the
sum of 63,2651. 18s. 4d., being the amount of the bills on the British Treasury
given in March, 1839, by Captain Elliot to Messrs. Dent and Co. in payment
for opium purchased of them, in order to make up the quantity which
he had engaged at that time to surrender to the Chinese Authorities;
but which bills were refused in this country, as appears from the Minute of
the Board of Treasury of the 3rd of December, 1839, of which a copy was
communicated to this office on the 24th of that month.
Inclosure 1 in No. 4.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.
2
(Extract.)
Macao, July 6, 1841.
THE inclosure No. 1 is a despatch to the Governor-General of India,
containing a brief statement of my reasons for remitting the bullion in
question to Calcutta ; a course which I trust will meet the approbation of Her
Majesty's Government.
The inclosures Nos. 2 and 3 are a correspondence with the firms of
Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co., and Dent and Co., respecting the remit-
tance of the balance left here.
Your Lordship is aware that my duties will soon carry me to the north-
eastern coasts; and upon that and other considerations, I have formed
the opinion that the detail business connected with the management and
remittance of the balance left here, will be most advantageously committed to
these gentlemen, acting, of course, under the general control of our own
officers.
Sub-Inclosure 1 in Inclosure 1 in No. 4.
Captain Elliot to the Earl of Auckland.
My Lord,
Macao, June 26, 1841.
IN remitting to Bengal, by Her Majesty's ship "Calliope," the sum of
1,798,355 taels of Sycee silver, I beg leave to offer some remarks.
The Instructions and Draft of Treaty provide that monies received from
the Chinese should be transmitted to England; but it was obviously not con-
templated that so large a sum should be paid at once, and the direct
remittance of this mass of bullion would yield such a low rate of exchange,
that I have considered myself justified in adopting another course.
Late accounts from Calcutta lead me to think that it might not be
-
8
A
inconvenient to your Lordship's Government to receive and allow the bullion
to be coined there, making advances, from time to time, upon the Indian
trade, or otherwise disposing of it, as Her Majesty's Government, upon your
Lordship's representation, may see fit to determine.
I propose, my Lord, to remit in the whole 45 lacs of dollars to Calcutta
with all convenient despatch, leaving the balance of 15 lacs to be remitted
to England in public bills as they offer; and it has also occurred to me your
Lordship may desire that this fund should be made available to the replenish-
ment of the Military Chest from time to time.
It also scems to me that any balance remaining here, when the ensuing
trading season commences, (that is about November or December next,) might
be very advantageously remitted to England against our own trade, agree-
ably to the mode formerly practised by the Company's finance agents.
But it should be observed, that there is no machinery in my office for the
proper transaction of that business, and, indeed, the details of purchasing
public bills, and the collection of the money for which we hold securities,
would occupy so large a portion of my own time and very overpressed
establishment, that I propose to commit it to the trusteeship of the two chief
mercantile firms here (Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co., and Messrs. Dent
and Co.), under the general control and supervision of one of my own officers,
allowing the merchants 1 per cent. upon their transactions.
The ordinary course of trade, your Lordship has not to be informed,
draws an export of silver from Great Britain into this market, and the
average rate of exchange to England, by the operations of trade, may be
stated at 4s. 9d. or 4s. 10d. the Spanish dollar, and of late years something
better.
Under these circumstances, I can hardly doubt that Her Majesty's
Goverment will permit any balance remaining here to find its way to England,
under proper securities, by the ordinary course of trade.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Macao, July 6, 1841.
66
P.S.-Since the above has been written, I learn from Sir Gordon Bremer,
that the general state of ill health of the crew of Her Majesty's ship
Conway" leaves him without hope of their re-establishment in this climate,
and he has, therefore, considered it right to order her to England, without
touching in India.
Being very unwilling to leave a large sum of bullion at Hong Kong,
pending further opportunities to Calcutta, it is my purpose to remit twenty lacs.
of dollars to that destination by the "Conway.'
""
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
Gentlemen,
Sub-Inclosure 2 in Inclosure 1 in No. 4.
Mr. Morrison to Messrs. Jardine & Co. and Messrs. Dent & Co.
;
Macao, June 26, 1841.
REFERRING to his conversation with Messrs. Matheson and Braine, of
your respective firms, on the 5th instant, the Chief Superintendent directs me
to request, that you will undertake the realization and remittance arrangements
of that portion of the 6,000,000 of dollars recently recovered from the Chinese
Government, which it is not his purpose to remit in bullion from hence; and
that you will afford such assistance as lies in your power in shroffing and
packing the Sycee silver, which it is his intention, as speedily as possible, to
remit to India, on board Her Majesty's ships.
Herewith I transmit a memorandum of the amount and present disposal
of each portion. And I have to request that, whenever you may be in doubt
how to act on any point, you will refer to myself, or to such other officer as
the Chief Superintendent shall, from time to time, name; from whom also
9
you will receive future instructions for the disposal of any sums that may be
remaining here.
For the shroffing, &c., of the Sycee silver, to be at once remitted to
India, the Chief Superintendent proposes simply to pay all charges actually
incurred.
As regards the amount retained here, and to be disposed of in such man-
ner as he shall point out, I am directed to offer you a commission of 1 per
cent. upon all transactions passing through your hands, including charges of
every kind. These transactions will at present consist of—
1. The realization of monics becoming due on notes of hand for the total
sum of 1,099,71322 dollars, not actually paid in cash.
2. The purchase of bills drawn on the Lords of Her Majesty's Treasury,
and the Accountant-General of the Navy, to be cashed for the present at the
rate of 4s. 6d. per Spanish dollar.
3. The purchase of East India Company's bills drawn on the Indian
Government, to be cashed for the present at the rate of 218 rupees per 100
dollars.
I have only to add the request, that all bills purchased by you on this
account may be endorsed payable to myself, as Acting Secretary and
Treasurer.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
J. ROBT. MORRISON,
Acting Secretary and Treasurer to
the Superintendents of Trade.
Sub-Inclosure 3 in Inclosure 1 in No. 4.
Messrs. Jardine & Co. and Dent & Co. to Mr. Morrison.
Sir,
Macao, June 26, 1841.
WE have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of this date.
In accordance with the desire therein expressed, we have already sent instruc-
tions to our ships at Hong Kong to supply treasure boxes, shroffs, &c., and
all other requisites to accomplish the early shipment of the Sycee silver, to be
transmitted to Calcutta in Her Majesty's ships of war.
We beg at the same time to express our readiness to act in the realiza-
tion and remittance of the remainder of the Government monies in the way
pointed out in your letter.
We have received the two inclosures of your letter, containing particulars
of the present situation of the Government funds; and if you will be so good
as hand us the obligations enumerated in the second paper, we will attend to
their realization as they arrive at maturity.
We propose to keep about 50,000 dollars at Macao, in the Treasury of
Messrs. Dent and Co., and a like sum on board Messrs. Jardine, Matheson,
and Co.'s receiving-vessels at Hong Kong, to meet current demands; and to
deposit the remainder of the money, from time to time, as it accumulates, in
Her Majesty's ship "Druid," or the vessel which may be commanded by the
senior naval officer of the Hong Kong station, should that plan meet the
approval of the Superintendents.
We are, &c.,
(Signed)
JARDINE, MATHESON & Co.
DENT & Co.
Inclosure 2 in No. 4.
Captain Elliot to Viscount Palmerston.
My Lord,
Macao, June 26, 1841.
I HAVE the honour to submit the accompanying correspondence to
your Lordship's notice and most favourable consideration, with the remark,
that I drew the bills in question under circumstances the peculiar difficulty of
C
10
which has never been exceeded, and with a conviction that the refusal, before
the trade had recovered itself, would lead to extensive commercial convulsion,
certainly in India, and perhaps in England.
I should remind your Lordship, that the parties for whom this opium
was supplied have formally consented to an abatement of their claims for
indemnity, to the extent of these bills.
I am perfectly sensible, my Lord, that there were strong and perhaps
irresistible reasons for the course Her Majesty's Government have taken upon
this subject; but it is no more than a simple act of justice to myself to say, that'
I was placed in one of those difficult situations when it was my highest duty
to prevent excessive public inconvenience at all risks and hazards to myself.
That mischief has been prevented, and the pain and anxiety I have
suffered myself are considerations of too little weight to be dwelt upon.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
LES
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Chief Superintendent.
Sub-Inclosure 1 in Inclosure 2 in No. 4.
Messrs. Dent and Co. to Captain Elliot.
Sir,
Macao, June 5, 1841.
HAVING reference to our letter to your Excellency under date
14th ultimo, advising that the bills on Her Majesty's Treasury for £63,265
18s. 4d., had been protested for non-payment, we now beg to state to your
Excellency that by the February mail letters recently received, we learn that
our agents in London, finding the Government still declined paying the
money, have taken up the bills, (which bore our endorsement,) for our
honour.
It will be superfluous for us to point out to your Excellency the incon-
venience we sustain, from our funds in England, intended to meet our current
business and obligations, being appropriated to the discharge of bills, which,
although appertaining to other parties, we were compelled to endorse; and
claiming reference to the promise contained in your Excellency's letter of
1st January last, we respectfully submit to your Excellency that it would
now be a great relief to us to find that you deem the present a suitable occa-
sion to adjust finally so serious a pressure on our resources.
Your Excellency at present holds our promissory note at six months'
sight, for 542,000 Spanish dollars, being in redemption of several orders of our's
in favour of Chinese merchants, paid by them in liquidation of their contri-
bution to the Government demand of 6,000,000 dollars; and we submit to
your Excellency that the provision of so large a sum, within a limited period,
being highly inconvenient, it would be a great relief to us to understand that
your Excellency considers us entitled, under the peculiar circumstances of our
position, to make the ultimate payment of this obligation, subject to a reduc-
tion of the amount of the Treasury bills for £63,265 18s. 4d., with the
damages legally claimable on returned bills to places eastward of the Cape,
viz., 25 per cent.
We are reluctantly obliged to intrude our personal concerns on your
Excellency at this period; but the serious loss and inconvenience we have
sustained from a transaction in which we were implicated for the general
benefit, and the assurance given in your letter, above quoted, of your anxiety
to relieve us from such pressure, induce us to trust your Excellency will not
consider the application unsuitable.
·
We have, &c.,
(Signed)
DENT & Co.
11
Sub-Inclosure 2 in Inclosure 2 in No. 4.
Captain Elliot to Messrs. Dent and Co.
(Confidential.)
Gentlemen,
Macao, June 6, 1841.
IN reply to your letter of yesterday's date, I have to declare that I cer-
tainly do consider you fully entitled to make the ultimate payment of your
promissory note at six months' sight, for 542,000 dollars, subject to a reduc-
tion of the Treasury bills for £632,65 18s. 4d. And I beg you at once to
understand, that I am perfectly ready to incur the responsibility of that
arrangement.
With respect to the damages on returned bills, I speak with more hesita-
tion; not that I have the least disposition to deny the right to all legal charges
of that kind; but it would be a great relief to me, for obvious reasons, to
leave that point to stand over for the further disposal of the Home Govern-
ment.
I need scarcely inform you however, gentlemen, that I shall be satisfied
to take your renewed note for the amount of the damages, at the expiration of
the six months, at such a date as would insure the receipt of replies from
England, before it fell due.
Taking the liberty to request that all correspondence on this subject may
be considered confidential,
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT,
Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary.
No. 5.
Viscount Canning to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Foreign Office, November 29, 1841.
Sir,
I AM directed by the Earl of Aberdeen to transmit to you, for the
information of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, the inclosed
copy of a letter from Captain Elliot, covering his account for the money
received from the Chinese Authorities at Canton, under the engagement entered
into with them by Captain Elliot on the 27th of May last.
I am, &c.,
(Signed)
CANNING.
IN
Inclosure in No. 5.
Captain Elliot to the Earl of Aberdeen.
My Lord,
53, Cadogan Place, November 25, 1841.
HEREWITH I have the honour to transmit my account current as
Chief Superintendent with Her Majesty's Plenipotentiaries in China, of the
monies recently received from the Chinese Authorities of Canton, under the
agreement of the 27th of May, 1841.
I should, perhaps, explain that the money was handed over to my charge
as Chief Superintendent, because the instructions directed that remittances to
England should be made by that officer, and because the Plenipotentiaries
were without any establishment for the despatch of such affairs.
The original vouchers could not be forwarded when I left China, owing
to the pressure of business incidental to the immediate departure of the
Expedition to the northward; and I would further beg to notice that since
my arrival here, I have made some alteration in the form of making up the
account, with a view to clearness. I mention this subject, because it may be
C 2
12
necessary to explain the difference between the form of the present statement
and the papers which will hereafter arrive from China.
I believe I cannot be relieved of my responsibility till the original
vouchers come to hand, but I have thought it right to lose no time in sub-
mitting the attested copies (taken for my own satisfaction), in order that Her
Majesty's Government may be furnished as soon as possible with all necessary
information concerning these funds. Sir Henry Pottinger told me that he
did not propose to disturb the arrangement I had made for its remittance till
he was further instructed from England, and I presume, therefore, that the
balance will continue to be diminished by the purchase of Government bills on
England and Company's bills on Calcutta.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
•
CHARLES ELLIOT.
1
13

Sub-Inclosure I in No. 5.
Dr. Captain Charles Elliot, R.N., Chief Superintendent, in account current with Her Majesty's Plenipotentiaries, for monies recently Cr.
received from the Chinese Government, for account of Her Majesty's Government, under Agreement, dated May 1841.
May, 1841
"
To Cash and Notes of Hand, amounting to $6,016,336 09 as
undermentioned:-
Cash Ex. Hyacinth
Nimrod
Modeste
Columbine
Pylades
Cruizer
Algerine
""
""
>>
33
""
☺
""
•
•
Taels 699,000
711,000
705,800
668,000
14,200
26,355
$525,000
355,000
55,556
935,556
Taels 2,824,350 = $3,977,958
Delivered personally, being :-Original short payment $782
Original payment in bag
287
Notes (not bearing Interest) :-
Mr. Nye's, in favour of Footai, due June 18
Messrs. Turnor & Co., do. Footai, 'June 19
Messrs. Turnor & Co., do. Gogna, paid by
Co-Hong, August 4,
Messrs. Dent & Co., and sundry Hongs, June 30
$30,000 00
15,587 76
13,125 53
120,000 00
Total of Notes, not bearing Interest, paid up to August 10
Howqua's two Notes in favour of Captain Elliot (bearing Interest
at 6 per cent.) :—
} Discounted before maturity
One for $200,000 due
One for 179,000 due f
Interest accrued thereon
Messrs. Dent & Co.'s Note in favor of Captain Elliot due
December 1, 1841
To premium reckoned on part of the amount of cash above stated,
being Sycee of finer quality
To cash to make up portion of short weight
*A
C.
4,913,514 00
1,069 00
178,713 29
379,000 00
2,039 80
542,000 00
10,704 00
10,000 00
$6,037,040 09
By Spanish claim for losses and injury suffered by destruction of the
"Bilbaino in September, 1839, $25,000, less 13% freight and
""
30
commission
By specie remitted to Calcutta :—
In H. M.'s Ship Calliope,- Taels 1,798,355
In British Barque Waterwitch 73,369
By specie remitted to England in Her Majesty's ship Conway
By Public Bills remitted to England:-
for £2,551 14 9 at 4s. 6d.
12,604 19 4
Nos.
1 to 25
Nos.
26 to 94
Nos. 95 to 158
Nos. 159 to 170
5,339 3 10
15,544 15 9
By Government Bills remitted to Calcutta :-
Nos. 1 to 15
Nos. 16 to 50
">
>>
2
>>
$2,532,894 36
101,366 63
Co's. Rs. 101,934 at 218
$11,340 98
56,022 08
23,729 74
69,087 94
$46,758 71
79,820 47
$
A 24,562 50
173,337 88
64,336 94
B 2,636,230 98
C 2,001,200 00
D 160,180 74
E 126,579 18
F
100,000 00
G
36,305 00
By Cash furnished to Major Wilson, Pay-Master General, for which
Bills on Bengal Government are furnished'. .
By Cash placed at the disposal of the Hong Kong Government
By Freight paid to Her Majesty's ships, for deposit of dollars
4,898,050 at 2 per cent., as per Royal Proclamation
By Freight and Insurance on treasure per "Waterwitch
By Contingent charges
>>
36,735 00
3,285 00
By Cash drawn by Her Majesty's Plenipotentiaries
*By Deficiency arising from different weights
4,367 50
3,607 50
24,311 87
+By Note from Messrs. Dent & Co., payable with Interest Dec. 1, 1841 M 542,000 00
Balance on board of Her Majesty's Ship “Blenheim
N 100,000 00
In hands of the Joint Agents, viz.:—At Macao
At Hong Kong
HIIKINZ
C.
Н
J
Κ
Ꮮ
O 237,674 S2
$6,037,040 09
* See Voucher L. The sum of 10,000 dollars having been received, as stated on the debit side of the
account, in reduction of the deficiency, and a further sum of 10,704 dollars, also debited (being the usual
premium on Sycee of a finer quality), the actual deficiency will only be 3,607d. 87c. unless it shall appear
that there has been an error of 2 boxes or 8,000 taels in the amount remitted to Calcutta in the
"Calliope,' " which there is reason to believe has been the case.
+ See Voucher M. Captain Elliot having consented to let Messrs. Dent and Co. abate the sum of
327,237 dollars, at period of maturity of this Note, (being amount of protested Treasury Bills and charges,
as estimated by themselves,) the actual amount to receive will be 214,763 dollars, unless it shall appear
that they are not entitled to their charges, in which case the sum to receive will be 280,456 dollars.
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT
14
Sub-Inclosure 2 in No. 5
Captain C. Elliot, R.N., Chief Superintendent, in Account current with Her Majesty's
Plenipotentiaries, for certain Monies received from the Chinese Government, for
DR. certain uses hereinafter set forth.
CR.
$

July, 1841.
DR.
""
">
July 28, 1841.
To cash paid Hooker and
>>
""
""
>>
19
"3
""
*. The excess of 4,282d. 22c., arises from one of the British Firms having by mistake claimed more than they had actually lost, which
mistake they did not discover till the money, had been recovered. But of it has been subsequently paid to Chinese sufferers connected with
the British Forces, 686 dollars (R), leaving an actual balance of 3,596d. 22c.
:
(Signed)
CHARLES ELLIOT.
>>
""
>>
""
*
""
"
>>
""
""
>>
""
""
3
""
">
>>
>>
دو
""
""
To Cash received for indemnity
on account of pillage of
Factories
""
To Cash received for Messrs.
Moss and others, sufferers
on the occasion of the at-
tack on the British boat
"Black Joke "
""
Lane
Innes, Fletcher & Co.
Robert Webster
M. A. Macleod
D. Jardine
G. Humpston
W. J. Boyd
Capt. Larkins
W. A. Lawrence
•
E. C. Bridgman
Lindsay and Co.
H. G. I. Reynvaan
F. A. Rangel..
Bell and Co. . .
W. Henderson
T. Henry
Fox, Rawson and Co.
Dirom and Co.
Gibb, Livingston, & Co.
Holliday, Wise, & Co.
J. Hulbert
R. Strachan
Sub-Inclosure 3 in No. 5.
Captain Elliot, R.N., for Factory Compensation.-Account Current with
Jardine, Matheson and Co.
· •
Bovet, Brothers, & Co.
V. N. Gutierres
Gideon Nye, Jun.
Macvicar and Co.
Dent and Co.
W. & T. Gemmell & Co.
Jardine, Matheson & Co.
H. M. Superintendents
Officers' Property
Public Clock
J. Coolidge
J. Ryan
Held at the order of J. R.
Morrison, Esq.
Charges retained, held to
order of ditto
To Balance
Macao, August 16.
313,897 92
Claim.
10,000 00
323,897 92
C.
$
13,466 55
1,500 00
1,607 07
160 00
C.
500 00
500 00
293 00
735 00
971 00
653 .00
3,533
354 50
420 00
6,087 00
971 25
2,340 75
1,705 50
5,005 22
1,789 33
1,022 56
137 33
1,836 00
3,128 00
732 75
874 00
524 00
9,578 65
140,428 92
66,450 88
5,600 00
1,200 00
1,400 00
33,710 44
400 00
4,282 22
Charges. Payment.
$ C.
$ C.
101 00
11 25
12 04
1 20
3 75
3 75
2 19
5 50
13,365 55
1,488 75
1,595 03
158 80
496 25
496 25
290 81
729 50
963 73
648 11
3,506 51
351 85
416 85
6,041 36
963 73
7 27
4 89
00 26 49
2 65
2,323 20
1,692 72
4,967 69
1,775 92
1,014 90
136 31
1,822 23
3,104 54.
727 34
867 45
520 07
9,506 82
139,375 71
65,952 51.
5,558 00
1,191 00
1,389 50
33,457
62
3 LO
45
July, 1841
By Cash to British claimants for pillage
of property on 22nd
May 1841
By Cash to Foreign
claimants
266,359 22
40,934 37
122255
64
7 52
17 55
12 78
37 53
13 41
7 66
1 02
13 77
23 46
5 41
6 55
3 93
71 83
1,053 21
498 37
42 00
9 00
10 50
252 82
3 00
Charge for Freight, &c. ..
Held on account of Messrs. Moss and other
sufferers
Excess of monies received for pillage of
factories*
397 00
888 2
4,282 22
2,322 09
828
(Signed)
313,897 92 2,322 09 313,897 92
10,000 00
$323,897 92
July 22, 1841.
By cash received from Dent
and Co.
Howqua
Aug. 3,
""
Aug. 5,
""
";
123
""
""
Dent and Co.'s P. N.
to Gowqua
J. R. Morrison
4
AS
61
P 307,293
Q 2322, 09
10,000 00
4,282 22
323,897 92
C.
3:3
CR.

$
110,000 00
145,743 01
13,125 53
10,000 00
45,029 22
C.
$323,897 '92
JARDINE, MATHESON and CO.
15
!
No. 6.
The Secretary of the Treasury to Viscount Canning.
(Extract.)
Treasury Chambers, December 4, 1841.
I HAVE it in command from the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's
Treasury to request that your Lordship will state to the Earl of Aberdeen
that, from the several despatches of Captain Elliot, which he has brought
under my Lords' consideration, in your Lordship's letters of the 3rd and
29th ultimo, it appears that the sum of 6,000,000 of dollars was paid by the
Chinese Authorities in Canton, and was received by Captain Elliot, as the
price of the relief of that city from the pressure which was about to be applied
to it by the forces of Her Majesty.
Under these circumstances, the sum received is clearly a droit of the
Crown, and, as such, falls within the provisions of the 1 and 2 Vic., cap. 2,
which provides, that all droits of the Crown which shall not have been applied
in the payment of any charge thereupon, or in granting remuneration to
officers, or others taking the same, shall be carried to and form a part of the
Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom. Neither my Lords, nor any other
authority can apply that money to other purposes, without the special
authority of Parliament.
My Lords, therefore, are unable to sanction the payment made out of that
fund by Captain Elliot to Messrs. Dent and Co. of 63,265l. 18s. 4d., being the
amount of bills drawn by Captain Elliot in their favour, in 1839, on account
of opium purchased from them, and delivered over to the Chinese
Authorities.
This payment has been made, without authority, out of a fund which:
could not legally be applied to that purpose; and the propriety of sanctioning.
it under the peculiar circumstances of the case will be for the future consi-
deration and decision of Parliament. The same observation applies to all
other payments made out of that fund, which are not within the exception
contained in the Act 1 and 2 Victoria, cap. 2.
My Lords give full credit to Captain Elliot for the motives which
induced him to make these payments. They are satisfied that, being himself
convinced of the justice of the claims, he did not advert to the specific appro-
priation by Parliament to other objects of the funds out of which the payment
was made; but, nevertheless, my Lords are unable to relieve Captain Elliot'
from the responsibility which he has incurred.
Under these circumstances, they deem it unnecessary to discuss the
nature of the claim of Messrs. Dent and Co., which has been satisfied, or the
further claim set up by them arising out of the protest of the original bills,
which Captain Elliot did not deem it proper to admit.
My Lords observe from the account rendered by Captain Elliot, that the
six millions of dollars received from the Chinese Authorities have been tem-
porarily disposed of as follows:-
-
1. To the payment of charges
2. Remitted in Bills or specie to England
Calcutta
3. Ditto
ditto
4. Reserved for services in China,
and in the hands of Agents,
at Macao
Add balance of Messrs.
Dent's note
337,674 82
- 214,763 00
W
dollars. cents.
5. Abatement from Messrs. Dent's note,
allowed by Captain Elliot
6. For public services at Hong Kong, and for
the Plenipotentiaries
68,699 37
2,161,380
2,862,810 16
74
552,437 82
327,237 00
39,912 50
Dollars. 6,012,477 59
16
To the first item of charge there is no objection in principle, and the only
question which will arise on the examination of the account will be as to the
propriety of the several charges.
Upon the payments to Messrs. Dent, my Lords have already stated their
views.
Those made at Hong Kong and to the Plenipotentiarics, are payments
the propriety of which must be reserved for future consideration, when the
details of the establishments and expenses at Hong Kong shall be bfore my
Lords.
The remaining items consist of sums remitted to England, and of those
remitted to Calcutta. Under this latter head may be included the sums
reserved and left in China for the service of the army, or for other public
purposes, since for those sums, allowance will be made in the settlement of the
accounts between Her Majesty's Government and the East India Company.
My Lords will give directions for realizing those sums which may be
remitted home, as they arrive in this country, and for carrying them to the
Consolidated Fund.
With respect to the sums which have been remitted to Calcutta, or
retained in China, my Lords consider it most advisable that they should not
now be remitted to this country.
Her Majesty has been pleased to signify her gracious intention of assign-
ing a certain portion of the funds to the remuneration of the naval and
military forces employed in the operations in the Canton River, (including
the officers and men of the steamers of the East India Company,) as a mark
of the high sense which Her Majesty entertains of their gallant labours and
successful exertions. A part therefore will be reserved, in fulfilment of Her
Majesty's gracious intention.
The residue will be best realized for the purpose to which it is legally
applicable by being carried to the account of Her Majesty's Government, in
diminution of the charge which the country may be required to defray on
account of the China war.
No. 7.
Viscount Canning to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Sir,
Foreign Office, December 10, 1841.
1 AM directed by the Earl of Aberdeen to transmit to you, for the infor-
mation of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, a copy of a
letter which he has caused to be written to Captain Elliot, in consequence of
what is stated in your letter of the 4th of December, respecting the deductions
which Captain Elliot has allowed Messrs. Dent and Co. to make from the
sum for which those gentlemen had rendered themselves liable on account of
the payments to be made by the Chinese Authorities under the arrangement of
the 27th of May last.
I am, &c.,
(Signed)
Inclosure in No. 7.
Viscount Canning to Captain Elliot.
CANNING.
Foreign Office, December 10, 1841.
Sir,
I AM directed by the Earl of Aberdeen to acquaint you that he has com-
municated to the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury your
despatch of the 26th of June, inclosing your correspondence with Messrs.
Dent and Co., respecting the bills given by you to that firm in the month of
March, 1839, for the amount of opium required to make up the number of
chests which you had engaged to deliver over to the Chinese Authorities.
17
It appears by this despatch that you have consented to allow Messrs.
Dent and Co. to deduct the amount of those bills from the sum for which they
had rendered themselves liable, on account of the payments to be made by the
Chinese Authorities under the arrangement entered into by you with those
Authorities on the 27th of May, and also the amount of the damages conse-
quent upon those bills having been refused by Her Majesty's Treasury, subject
to the ultimate decision of Her Majesty's Government as to their right to such
damages.
I am now to inform you, that upon a review of the circumstances stated
in your despatches, the Lords of the Treasury have come to the conclusion,
that the sum of 6,000,000 of dollars which the Chinese Authorities engaged
on the 27th of May to pay, was received by you as the price of the relief of
the City of Canton from the pressure which was about to be applied to it by
Her Majesty's forces.
This being the case, the money so obtained from the Chinese is a droit
of the Crown, and, as such, comes within the provisions of the 1st and 2nd
Victoria, cap. 2, which provides that all droits of the Crown which shall not
have been applied in payment of any charge thereupon, or in granting remu-
neration to officers or others taking the same, shall be carried to, and form a
part of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom; and neither the Lords
of the Treasury, nor any other authority, can apply that money to other
purposes, without the special authority of Parliament.
The Lords of the Treasury are, therefore, unable to sanction the pay-
ments which you have made to Messrs. Dent and Co., as reported in your
despatch of the 26th of June: those payments have been made by you with-
out any authority, out of a fund which could not legally be applied to that
purpose, and the propriety of sanctioning them under the peculiar circum-
stances of the case, will be for the future consideration and decision of
Parliament.
The same observation will apply to all other payments made out of the
money obtained from the Chinese, under the arrangement of the 27th of May,
which are not within the exception contained in the Act of 1st and 2nd
Victoria, cap. 2.
At the same time, however, that the Lords of the Treasury have apprized
Lord Aberdeen of their view of this question, their Lordships have stated that
they give full credit to you for the motives which induced you to make these
payments; and their Lordships are satisfied that, being yourself convinced of
the justice of the claims, you did not advert to the specific appropriation by
Parliament, to other objects, of the funds out of which the payment was made;
but their Lordships are nevertheless unable to relieve you from the responsi-
bility which you have incurred.
No. 8.
Treasury Minute.
I am, &c.,
(Signed)
CANNING.
December 31, 1841
THE First Lord of the Treasury informs the Board, that Her Majesty
has been graciously pleased to direct that a portion of the sum of money
received from the Chinese authorities at Canton, in May 1841, should be
applied to remunerate the services of Her Majesty's forces engaged in the
recent operations in China; and that Her Majesty has further expressed Her
pleasure that that mode of remuneration should be adopted which was most
conformable with the usage of India in similar cases.
In looking to the precedents afforded by Indian history, my Lords find
two cases which bear a strong analogy to that for which it becomes their duty,
in compliance with Her Majesty's command, to provide,—
That of the Treaty of Peace with Tippoo, in 1792; and that of the
Treaty with Ava, in 1826.
In both these instances, large pecuniary payments were made to the East
India Company, out of which a donation was in each case made to the forces
18
employed, by the allowance of full batta for periods proportional to the length
and importance of the service in which the different divisions of the force
respectively took part.
Acting then upon the precedents thus afforded, as nearly as circumstances
will permit, my Lords are pleased to direct the following allowances of full
batta to be made to the naval and military forces employed in China:-
1st. To the officers and men employed in the operations against Canton
in 1841, twelve months full batta.
2nd. To the officers and men not entitled to share under the preceding
paragraph, who were employed in the operations on the coast of China from
the commencement of hostilities to the end of the month of June, 1841,
twelve months full batta.
3rd. To those employed only at Ningpo, Chusan, and in the operations in
the Canton River in 1840, or in one only of those operations, six months full
batta.
A deduction will necessarily be made from this allowance in either case,
of any sum which may have been already given as gratuity to any portion of
the force employed.
It is further the pleasure of Her Majesty that the officers, petty officers,
seamen, and marines of Her Majesty's fleet should receive the same allowances
of full batta as are accorded to the corresponding ranks in the land forces
employed; and further, that the officers and men of the East India Company's
steamers should receive the allowance as officers and men of Her Majesty's
ships.
RETURN
ΤΟ
AN ADDRESS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,
Dated March 7, 1842,
FOR
"COPIES of any Communications which may have been received from
"Captain Elliot, explaining or having any bearing upon the
"transactions with the Chinese Authorities, which are adverted
"to in Viscount Canning's letter to the Secretary of the
"Treasury, of the 3rd day of November, 1841, but which had
"not been received at the date of that letter.'
""
The transactions adverted to in Viscount Canning's letter of the 3rd of
November, 1841, are the demand and the receipt from the Chinese Authorities, of
the sum of six millions of dollars, under certain Articles entered into by those
Authorities on the 27th of May, 1841.
No report has been made by Captain Elliot to the Foreign Office, of his nego-
tiations with the Kwang-chow-foo, which terminated in the signature by that officer,
of the Articles of Agreement; but Captain Elliot, in a letter to the Earl of
Aberdeen, dated the 25th of January, 1842, gives an account of the proceed-
ings at Canton, in the month of May, 1841; and an Extract of this letter is the
only return which the Foreign Office has the means of making to the Address of
the House of Commons of the 7th of March, 1842.
Extract of a Letter from Captain Elliot to the Earl of Aberdeen, dated
53, Cadogan Place, January 25, 1842.
I MUST give some account of the circumstances out of which the
second movement upon Canton in May, 1841, arose.
The trade of the season was now fairly off, and I was rid, therefore,
of one great anxiety, and of the chief motive for remaining at Canton;
and as the spring advanced, it became of importance to set forward to the
northward without further delay, in order to begin operations before the
intense heat should set in. The reinforcements had not arrived, but,
nevertheless, on the 13th of May, every arrangement had been completed
for an immediate departure up the coast. But though the trade of the
season had been sent home, there were still, of course, lives, and property,
and interests of great magnitude to be left behind us at Canton; and during
the two months of truce which had elapsed, secret preparations had been
made by the Imperial Commissioners in violation of the terms of it, and
which threatened danger to these interests, and this life and property, if
we should leave them without a force adequate for their protection. The
obvious purpose of these preparations was to detain us to the southward
till the favourable monsoon for proceeding up the coast had passed away.
Thus it became necessary to destroy these preparations.
2
They were of a somewhat formidable nature. Heavy masses of
troops had been daily pouring into the city from the other provinces, and
the lines of defence between the Dutch and French Follies had been
strongly armed and fortified. At length, one of the batteries which we
had carried and dismantled in the operations of March, (in the Shameen,
or western suburb,) was re-armed, contrary to express understanding
that no re-armament should take place in any of the works we had
allowed them to re-occupy. As soon as I had authentically ascertained
this fact, I demanded the immediate disappearance of that and every kind
of warlike preparation, and declared that I must hold a contrary course
to be a violation of the truce.
The Chinese Authorities evaded these demands, and at once placed
us in a situation to strike a heavy and swift blow on the spot, and disem-
barrass ourselves of all this preparation before we went northwards.
The measure was otherwise very agreeable to my own sense of the public
convenience, for I had reason to know there was a large mass of treasure
collected in the Imperial Treasury for the purpose of carrying on the war;
and it was also desirable to avail ourselves of so suitable an occasion for
withdrawing the vessels of war from the river for operation to the north,
as the result of a successful stroke would afford. It had been necessary
to keep eight or nine sail constantly in the river, (from Whampoa and in
the channels upwards,) to secure the objects of the Convention of March.
The definite political purposes in view at the moment were to break
up the large contingent force from the other provinces assembled at
Canton, to destroy the formidable aggressive preparation of the last two
months, and to tame the spirit and cripple the resources of the Govern、
ment, by dismissing the Imperial Commissioners, and levying a contribu-
tion on the Treasury in part satisfaction of the heavy demands of Her
Majesty's Government.
With these purposes, and after previous concert with the military
and naval authorities, I moved them, on the 17th of May, to lose no time
in directing the whole force upon Canton; and I repaired there myself
the same day to watch proceedings, collect information, and take care
that the safety of the merchants remaining there should not be hazarded
by too long continuance in the factories.
By the 21st of May, the main body of the force had arrived within
ten miles of Canton; and having ground to believe, from private and
trustworthy sources of information, that the moment of outbreak was at
hand, I warned the remaining merchants to depart, and embarked myself
on the evening of that day.
At 11, P.M., (21st,) the enemy opened their attack with a very
steadily-directed attempt to fire the ships of war lying in the immediate
neighbourhood of the factories, under cover of a creditable cannonade
from the work recently re-armed, and others along shore, which had been
well masked, the whole supported by a powerful flotilla, ready to act
according to circumstances.
But the military operations have been so amply reported, that I may
spare any further details on those subjects than may be necessary for the
narrative purposes of this paper.
A flotilla of upwards of 100 sail of armed and fire-ships was destroyed,
a line of works mounting more than sixty pieces of artillery was carried,
and a small British force, moved through ground presenting great natural
difficulty, in the face of a numerous enemy, wrested from the enemy, in
the space of eight hours, a line of steep and fortified heights, protected by
a well-sustained fire from the city walls; routed a heavy mass of troops
posted on the immediate left of their own lines; remaining masters of
positions that commanded the northern gates and the whole city of
Canton.
In this situation of affairs, I was enabled to conclude a Convention
with the local authorities, by which the Imperial Commissioners were
subjected to the disgrace of forced departure from the city; the troops
from the other provinces were constrained to evacuate in the sight of our
own force without banners displayed (a sign of humiliation in China); six
millions of dollars were recovered from the Imperial Treasury in diminu-
Sana.
3
tion of the just claims of Her Majesty's Government; a further sum of
more than 80,000l. has been paid in compensation of the losses occasioned
by the destruction of the factories, and certain previous violence com-
mitted by the Government of Canton; and we were left in a situation
forthwith to withdraw the whole armament from the dangerous effect of
the river service upon the health of the force, for movement to the
northward.
This is the statement of what was achieved by the brief campaign of
less than ten days.
("
RETURN
ADDRESS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,
TO AN
((
Dated March 7, 1842,
FOR
Copies of any Communications which may have
"been received from Captain Elliot, explaining
<<
or having any bearing upon the transactions
"with the Chinese Authorities, which are ad-
"verted to in Viscount Canning's letter to the
"Secretary of the Treasury, of the 3rd day of
November, 1841, but which had not been
"received at the date of that letter."
PRINTED BY T. R. HARRISON.

?
JUN 12 1914
...
4.
Swe
*
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
3 9015 02706 9916
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