No. 5.

Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston.-(Received December 19.)

(Extract.) Victoria, Hong Kong, October 23, 1848. WITH reference to my despatches of the 21st June and 20th July respectively, relating to the entrance of British subjects into the city of Canton in April next, I have now the honour to inclose, as furnished to me by Mr. Gutzlaff

1. A Memorial from Seu to the Throne relative to British subjects being permitted to enter the city of Canton, and to rent ground for building purposes.

2. Purports to be a private letter from Keying, the late Imperial Commissioner, to Seu, relative to British subjects being permitted to rent ground at Canton and to enter the city.

The object of this Memorial is quite what I should have expected from Seu, and is obviously intended to induce his Imperial Master to sanction his refusal to admit British subjects into the city, on the plea that it is not the sovereign will of the people: throughout the whole paper, or on any other occasion, has he ever disputed our right to the privilege.

Your Lordship will perceive that Seu in this Memorial observes, "We should judge time and circumstances; if a matter is practicable, let it be done; if not, let us establish an effective army, and firmly maintain the approaches (to our country), whilst sharing with the people the sweet and bitter." This suggestion on the part of Seu would seem to prove that he is prepared at all hazards to refuse us our just rights.

The letter from Keying in reply to the private note from Seu which formed inclosure in my despatch of 20th July, appears to me to have been conceived in much the same spirit as that by which the present Commissioner is actuated; for he seems also to recommend that the fulfilment of the Convention should mainly depend on the popular feeling on the subject, and by no means to suggest that coercion should be resorted to.

After a careful and deliberate review of the whole of this matter, and after consulting all those from whom I thought I could obtain useful information, I have come to the conclusion that the Chinese Government, to free themselves from the imputation of bad faith, are determined to throw the onus on the turbulence of the people; but if this be admitted, every just demand may be rejected in the same manner, and every attempt at negotiation will end on their art in futile excuses.

The temper of the populace of Canton has not improved during the past eighteen months; their insolence is as great as ever, and it is only from foreigners confining themselves to the immediate vicinity of the factories that no aggression has taken place, and peace has been preserved; but any unforeseen accident, however trivial in its nature, might again call forth their ill-feeling in all its virulence.

The opposition to foreigners entering the city on the part of the populace is as decided as ever, and although, by working on the fears of the Local Government, an entrance may possibly be effected for myself or perhaps for the Consul, there certainly will be no safety for the British community generally, until an entire change is wrought on the minds of the people, and this I believe will never be effected until the city and its inhabitants have felt our power.

Keying was supposed to be generally favourable towards foreigners. He had witnessed our proceedings to the north, and is well aware of our power. Seu, on the reverse, when Lieutenant-Governor, was always understood to advocate the cause of the people against foreigners, and will no doubt do every thing in his power to counteract our objects; and even supposing that he should be removed, which is not likely-for as matters now stand it is not an appointment much coveted-it is more than probable that his successor would evade taking on himself the responsibility of exciting the people against their own Government by conceding the claim, and should the British Government be determined to carry the point, he would throw the guilt of non-observance of the agreement on the shoulders of the Canton populace.

If the gates of Canton can only be opened by the force of arms, the consequences of such a step become a matter for deep consideration. I am thoroughly persuaded that the populace and the "braves" of the adjacent country will join heartily in resisting our approach, and the result will be that we should require a very respectable force to gain our point; for the opposition will be infinitely greater than it was in 1841, when the troops and mandarins were in the first instance its only defenders. A military operation of this nature would, under the most favourable circumstances, not only for the time put an entire stop to all trade, but it would furthermore require a very long period to elapse before confidence would be restored. This would cause much loss to the native as well as to our own merchants, and operate most detrimentally on our revenues at home.

The subject is doubtless one of no inconsiderable difficulty, for to overlook the engagement altogether and not to press the point would most assuredly induce the Chinese Government to interpret our reluctance to have recourse to coercive measures as the result of fear and weakness, and encourage them to further aggressions which could not in the end fail to provoke hostilities.

I have had in consideration the expediency of making a reference to the Court at Pekin on the subject, more especially as the presence of Keying and Hwang at the capital would in a great degree contribute to facilitate the negotiation, as both these parties were privy to the engagement and are fully aware of the bearings of the case; but referring to the Earl of Aberdeen's general instructions to Sir John Davis on this point, and in the expectation of receiving at no distant period some definite instructions on the subject, I have determined to await your Lordship's orders in reply to my despatches of the 21st June and 20th July last.

Assuming that Seu will not open the city gates in April next, the plan that I would respectfully submit for your Lordship's consideration is, that on the day on which, by Keying's agreement with Sir John Davis, we have a right to enter the city, I should proceed to Canton for that purpose, and inform the Commissioner of my arrival and intention to pay him a visit, and call on him to see that no molestation is offered. To this communication he will probably reply that of course we have a right to do so, but that he cannot be answerable for the result arising from the indisposition of the populace to permit foreigners to enter the city. Under these circumstances, any further proceeding must depend on the real state of that feeling, as far as I shall then be able to judge of it. If it at that time appears certain that the entrance cannot be effected without bloodshed, it seems to me that I should then communicate to Seu my intention of proceeding to Pekin to submit the matter for the consideration of the Emperor, and that if this intimation has not the desired effect, that I should really proceed up the Peiho in a steamer with as formidable a naval force as the Admiral may have at his command, where of course my conduct must be guided by circumstances and by the orders that I may receive from your Lordship.

It is not probable that the Emperor, with Keying and Hwang at his Court, aware of the consequences that might ensue, would refuse the fulfilment of the engagement. Pretexts would undoubtedly be made, and various expedients adopted, to induce the expedition to return, but in that case it would be easy to threaten to blockade the mouth of the Peiho, or the port of Teen-tsin, and if that prove ineffectual, and it was found impracticable to carry it into execution at Teen-tsin, by reason of want of water in the river for the necessary steamers, or from other circumstances, there appears to be no difficulty in having recourse to the same measures as were adopted during the late war, and blockading the great canal at Chin-Keang-foo, in the Yang-tse-Keang, and to enforce it until the Emperor's proclamation had been duly made known, and the provisions of the Treaty had been literally carried out.

The entry into the city, or being debarred from it, is of comparative unimportance, and might, had not so much negotiation taken place on the subject, perhaps have been waived; but as matters now stand, peace or war, if not immediately, certainly at no distant period, seems involved in the success or defeat of the measure. A direct appeal, therefore, to the Supreme Government appears the only alternative, and the known aversion of the present Monarch to hostilities, may fairly induce a reasonable hope that he will do all in his power to avoid a rupture.

In conclusion, I beg to remark, that should your Lordship be pleased to approve of my suggestion as to proceeding to the Peiho, in the event of Seu refusing British subjects entrance into Canton, the period from April to September is the best season of the year for carrying it into effect.

SEU-KWANG-TSIN, Governor-General of Kwang-tung and Kwang-se, presents a memorial respecting the proposition of the English barbarians, to rent building-ground, and to enter the city. As the public is opposed to these measures, I would request the Imperial decree to decide this matter, in order to ensure the tranquillity of the frontiers.

I received in the fifth month (June) an official despatch from the British Envoy, stating that Keying, the late Commissioner, agreed in the second month of last year (April 1847), to the entrance into the city, next year, in the third month (April 1849), and allotted some building-ground on Honan to be rented, with other provisions. As the time for going into the city is now approaching, and no satisfactory arrangements for (renting) ground having yet been made, he requested me to depute some officers, to come to a proper understanding.

On the receipt of the above, your Minister represented to him, that the people were not yet reconciled to these measures, and as it was apprehended that this might lead to disturbances which would be detrimental to both nations I embodied these observations in my reply, and did not send any officers mutually to discuss these matters. In his official answer, he insisted that all should be done in perfect observance of the Treaty of Peace, and urged the entrance into the city, and renting of ground, as is on record.

I, your Minister, find on examination, that the inhabitants of Canton who are anxious to fight, are numerous, and those who are conversant with justice, very few. They do not resemble the natives of Shanghae and other ports, who are easily brought to submission. From the time that the English gave rise to annoyance and confusion, until now, they only think about having their revenge. Hence, amongst the five ports, there are no where so many as at Canton, ready to create a tumult.

As the people are displeased with their entering the city, and renting ground, the late Commissioner Keying deliberated in various ways how to settle the question, and did not succeed. If we now agree to their entering the city, and similar stipulations, I am really afraid that there will be a revolution in the minds of the people, and that this will bring about disturbances that will injure the good understanding with the barbarians. The people are the essential part of a State; if they are to be depended upon, the country will remain tranquil. If the nation is not favourable to a measure, I, your Minister, will not oblige them by main force to yield.

The said barbarians, however, never investigate whether or not the thing is practicable. Their whole trust is in forcing us to accede, and in their violent ungovernable spirit of usurpation. They will, therefore, insist upon the due performance (of the agreement), and it is difficult to prevent that they will not avail themselves of this to commence hostilities, and again raise the waves of discord.

This will be done the more so, as the said barbarians, since the time your Majesty sanctioned the Treaty of Peace, frequently have shown a high soaring spirit, and on obtaining an inch, advanced another. Their greedy wishes and tiger-like desires not being now complied with, none can foretell what may be the consequences.

I am deeply indebted to the great favour of your Sacred Majesty in intrusting me with this important charge, and ought, in duty bound, to do my utmost, with perfect sincerity, and never show myself remiss in proving grateful for the celestial favour shown.

It is the foolish opinion of your Minister, that the barbarian must be subdued by reason, and that the hearts of the people must be influenced by justice. We should judge time and circumstances; if a matter is practicable,

let it be done; if not, let us establish an effective army, and firmly maintain the approaches (to our country), whilst sharing with the people the sweet and bitter.

Whether this is reasonable or not, I submit it in a respectful address, and beg your Majesty's instruction thereon.

A respectful memorial.

7th month, 28th day. (August 26, 1848.)

(Translation.)

Inclosure 2 in No. 5.

Commissioner Keying to Acting Commissioner Seu.

KEYING'S reply to a private note of Seu, the Governor-General of Kwang-tung and Kwang-se, and High Imperial Commissioner for Foreign Affairs.

I received your valuable letter on 3rd day of 7th month (1st August), and feel deeply obliged for your kind remembrance. The various points to which you allude I have duly considered.

It affords me great satisfaction and matter of congratulation, that you, my Senior Brother, are in the enjoyment of happiness and undisturbed peace, whilst finding much encouragement for your strenuous exertions and future hopes.

You show considerable confidence in me by sending copies of three official documents, respecting the propositions of the English barbarians to rent (building) ground, and to enter the city.

Though it was I myself who agreed to these Articles, yet I also received an Imperial receipt in the vermilion pencil, granting that it be done as proposed.

I would therefore request my worthy Brother to ascertain the popular feeling on this subject. If circumstances are favourable to carry out these provisions, you may do so. If, on the contrary, this is impracticable, report the true state of things to the Throne, to be submitted to the consideration of the Board; to this you can have no objection.

Whilst sending this answer, I much wish that the fortunate day of your promotion may arrive, and present this for your perusal. 7th month, 4th day. (August 4, 1848.)

Sir,

No. 6.

Viscount Palmerston to Mr. Bonham.

Foreign Office, December 30, 1848.

I HAVE received your despatch of the 23rd of October, respecting the question of the right of British subjects to have free entrance into the city of Canton, from and after the 6th of April next.

I addressed to you a despatch upon this subject on the 7th of October, and I postpone giving you any definite instructions as to what should be done in the matter, until I receive your answer; but I can at once say what, as at present informed, I think it would be best not to do. I am clearly of opinion that it would not be advisable to proceed to hostile measures against Canton, or to take the unusual step of a mission to Pekin, in regard to a privilege which, like the admission of British subjects into the city of Canton, we have indeed a right to demand, but which we could scarcely enjoy with security or advantage if we were to succeed in enforcing it by arms. It may be true that the Chinese might be encouraged by their success in evading compliance with their engagements in this matter, to attempt to violate other engagements; but this consideration does not seem to me to be sufficient to determine Her Majesty's Government to put the issue of peace and war upon this particular point. We should not find it more

difficult to employ coercion, in order to enforce a more really useful and valuable right, than in order to obtain the practical acknowledgment of this right of very doubtful value; but a great naval and military effort made to enforce a valuable right would be well warranted by the value of the advantage to be gained, while such an effort for a right which would be of little use or benefit when obtained, would not stand upon equally justifiable grounds.

Perhaps the best course for you to pursue would be, that when the time comes when, by the Treaty, the right to enter Canton is to begin, you should announce that fact to the Chinese High Commissioner, but should say that, with a view to prevent collisions and to preserve harmony between the two countries, Her Majesty's Government do not mean that British subjects should at once avail themselves of the right, but that Her Majesty's Government wish that you and the Commissioner should, by agreement together, frame regulations which, for a limited time, should be observed by British subjects, when entering the city; and you might say that in the meanwhile, you would be glad to wait upon the Commissioner to talk over these matters with him, at any time that he might appoint; and you should request that the Commissioner would order an escort to attend you at the city gate, on the day of meeting, and to conduct you to the Commissioner and back again to the outside of the city, so that no molestation might be offered to you by any ill-disposed persons.

(Signed)

I am, &c.

PALMERSTON.

No. 7.

Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston.-(Received February 22, 1849.)

My Lord,

Victoria, Hong Kong, December 29, 1848.

WITH reference to your despatch of the 19th September, relative to Seu's letter to my address of the 17th Junc last, on the subject of the entrance into Canton and other questions, I have the honour to report that, in compliance with your Lordship's instructions, I forwarded, on the 4th instant, the communication (of which the inclosed is a copy) to the Imperial Commissioner, and as he merely acknowledged its receipt in replying to one of my despatches on the Cassia question, I took occasion, when addressing him on another subject on the 14th instant, to remind him of this omission on his part, and no answer having reached me up to the 22nd instant, I again called his Excellency's attention to the fact, and urged upon him the necessity of replying to me without further delay, in order that I might report the same to Her Majesty's Government, but to this moment he has taken no notice of the subject.

The only manner in which I can account for this delay on the part of the Imperial Commissioner is, by supposing that he has considered it necessary to make a reference to the Court at Pekin previously to replying to my communication, and that pending the receipt of instructions he does not feel inclined to enter on the discussion of the question; I shall, therefore, give him sufficient time to enable him to receive a reply from Pekin, when, should I then not hear from him, I shall again bring the question to his notice.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

S. G. BONHAM.

Inclosure in No. 7.

Mr. Bonham to Commissioner Seu.

Victoria, Hong Kong, December 4, 1848.

ON the 7th June I addressed your Excellency, to which you were pleased to reply on the 17th of the same month, and as that answer was altogether unsatisfactory in every respect, and the questions therein mooted were of a