Correspondence respecting Insults in China.

No. 1.

Sir Henry Pottinger to the Earl of Aberdeen.-(Received March 13.) Extract.) Macao, December 20, 1842. HAVING arranged with Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, that Her Majesty's steam-frigate "Vixen," is to reach Bombay in time for the overland mail of the 1st of February next, I avail myself of the opportunity to make your Lordship acquainted with the particulars, so far as I have had time and means to investigate them, of a recent disturbance at Canton, during which considerable damage was done; three of the factories (including that one called the English factory) burned, and the lives and property of many of Her Majesty's subjects, and apparently of other foreigners, placed for a time in considerable jeopardy.

The first intelligence which reached me at Hong Kong of these excesses, was on the 10th instant, by an express boat conveying a variety of private notes which a friend at this place had received from different persons interested in the matter, and which he was so good as to forward for my satisfaction. From those notes it appeared that there had been a violent popular outbreak, which was stated (by some) to have had its origin in an affray between certain lascars (Indian sailors) and lower classes of Chinese, and which had been allowed to go on the whole day. It further appeared that the Chinese mob, after having been driven back during the day, assembled in greater force, and at 10 P.M. on the 7th, set fire to three buildings (the Creek, Dutch, and English factories), in one of which the lascars had been allowed to take refuge, and that a marked feeling of animosity towards the English had been evinced by the rioters. The whole of these notes, however, agreed in saying that quiet had been restored, although some of the writers stated that a good deal of excitement continued, and expressed apprehension of a renewal of the outrages.

I now submit, for your Lordship's notice, copies of the following documents :--
Of a letter to the Governor-General of Canton, dated 13th instant.

Of a letter, dated 13th instant, to my address, from Lieutenant-General
Sir Hugh Gough.

Of a letter addressed, on the 13th, by Sir Hugh Gough to Her Majesty's
Principal Secretary of State for the War Department, forming Inclosure
to No. 1.

Of a letter addressed to me by certain British merchants, dated at Canton
on the 13th instant.

Of a letter addressed by the same merchants to Lieutenant-General Sir
Hugh Gough on the 12th instant.

Of the reply made by Sir Hugh Gough to the said merchants, under date
the 13th instant.

Of my reply to the merchants, dated the 16th instant.

Of my reply to Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough, dated the 17th instant.
Of the answer to my letter from his Excellency the Viceroy.

Exclusive of the fact of nearly 200 lascars having gone to Canton without any apparent control, I have learned that there were several European or American females there; that some of them had walked about the outskirts of the city, and had even crossed the river to Honan,-an exposure which is at total variance with ideas of decorum and propriety amongst the better orders of Chinese, and which, I have heard, subjected them to the hootings and insulting indecencies of the rabble. I have also been told that different persons had publicly talked of selecting spots for their future country residences in the neighbourhood of Canton, and had avowedly crossed the river to Honan for that purpose, which are all indiscretions calculated to give offence and cause ill-will.

B

Inclosure 1 in No. 1.

Sir Henry Pottinger to the Governor-General of Canton.

Hong Kong, December 13, 1842.

SIR Henry Pottinger, Baronet, Her Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary, has the honour to inform his Excellency the Governor-General of Kwang-tung and Kwangse, that he reached Hong Kong, after visiting the several provinces along the coast, on the 2nd instant.

It was the Plenipotentiary's purpose quietly to await here the arrival of the High Commissioner Elepoo, and then to proceed to Canton, where he anticipated the pleasure of a personal meeting with the Governor-General.

But on the 8th instant, while thus waiting here, he learned, with a degree of surprise and regret which will hardly permit him to remain quiet, that several thousands of lawless people had, on the preceding day, collected about the foreign factories at Canton, and proceeded to plunder and set fire to the foreign residences, and that the local authorities were unable to suppress and disperse them, or to saxe the factories from being burned.

Having regard to the Peace lately concluded between the two countries, the Plenipotentiary feels that for him to adopt any military steps for the due punishment of these rioters would be neither calculated to sustain the pacific relations. thus established nor consistent with the respect due to the authority of the Emperor of China. And, therefore, while he has had troops in readiness for the defence of the mercantile community he yet sees it right first to communicate with the Governor-General, in the hope that his Excellency will seize and severely punish the offenders, that such misconduct may be nipped in the bud. Should the GovernorGeneral not have force adequate to this object, the Plenipotentiary will immediately, on the expression of such a wish by his Excellency, send troops to his assistance; but, otherwise it will be needless for him to do so.

The losses, however, suffered by merchants from the plunder of the mob are considerable; and the Plenipotentiary imagines that the understanding and sense of justice of the Governor-General will lead his Excellency to give commands for their full remuneration.

Further, the Plenipotentiary, when at Amoy, having learned the melancholy intelligence that the authorities in Formosa had cruelly massacred the British people cast on their shores, deemed it right to issue distinct proclamations on the subject, and to address a communication to the High Commissioner Elepoo, with the hope that due retribution might be inflicted. His communication to the High Commissioner is now forwarded to the Governor-General, with the request that it may be duly transmitted; and the Plenipotentiary has at the same time the honour to forward for his Excellency's perusal copies of the two proclamations. HENRY POTTINGER.

(Signed)

(Extract.)

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.

Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough to Sir Henry Pottinger.

Canton, December 13, 1842. I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your Excellency's information, copy of my letter of this date to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the War Department, acquainting his Lordship with some of the circumstances of the riot of the 7th instant, as stated to me by gentlemen who were present.

(Extract.)

Inclosure 3 in No. 1.

Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough to Lord Stanley.

Canton, December 13, 1842:

I HAVE the honour to acquaint your Lordship, that having given my final orders at Hong Kong regarding the force to return to India, I went over to Macao,

pending their fulfilment, and was proceeding thence in the steamer "Proserpine" to Canton, with a view to seeing, before leaving China, the new forts that have been erected on the banks of the river above Whampoa, when, upon our reaching that place on the night of the 8th instant, several boats pushed off from the ships at the anchorage with the news of the tumult of the preceding day.

I immediately wrote to Sir Henry Pottinger, ordering at the same time a body of troops to be held in readiness to move on his Excellency's requisition; and having dispatched my letters by a fast boat, determined to proceed at once to Canton, as I was informed that great excitement prevailed, and renewed outrage was to be apprehended. We were obliged to anchor within a mile of the city, about 3 o'clock on the morning of the 9th, on account of the darkness of the night, and the vast crowd of boats in the river; but weighing again at daylight, soon reached the factories. The mob had by this time retired, and all was quiet; but I am sorry to say that we found the whole range of factories east of Hog lane one mass of ruins.

It appears, from the best information I could collect from the different merchants who were present, that the riot commenced on the morning of the 7th, in a trifling dispute between a party of lascars, who, to the number of 170, had come up on liberty from the ships at Whampoa, and some Chinese fruit-venders, in which one of the latter was wounded. A tumult arose, two of the lascars were killed, and others conveyed away, and the mob soon got the upper hand, drove off the Chinese soldiers who had arrived on the application of the merchants to the local authorities, entered the factories, plundered the treasuries, and, carrying out furniture, placed it round the British flag-staff, which was opposite to the old Company's factory, and set fire to it. Fire was also carried into this building, which was under repair by the Chinese Government for the reception of the British Plenipotentiary at the approaching Conferences, for carrying out the details of the Treaty; and the flames soon broke out in all directions. The wind being from the west, the factories west of Hog lane escaped the fire, and they also escaped from plunder, as the mob, satisfied with the outrage achieved, retired on the renewed appearance of the Chinese troops.

It is stated that this mob was composed of people of the lowest order, belonging not so much to the city as to the neighbourhood, that many were armed with short swords, and that, although the dispute with the lascars was the immediate occasion of the outbreak, the rioters were evidently acting upon a preconcerted plan under the instigation of influential persons, and were headed by individuals who, from their dress, appeared to be of the better order.

Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary will have ampler means of ascertaining the facts; and the subject belongs more to him than to me, but being upon the spot, I think it right to observe, that although the Government may have been in the first instance wanting in activity and decision, it does not seem to be borne out that the Mandarins connived at the riot. I found, upon my arrival, a guard of Chinese soldiers under their own officers over the factories; and this guard, which was soon afterwards increased to about 500 men, has been since continued, is visited daily by officers of rank, and conducts itself in the most quiet and orderly manner. events of the last few days, however, have confirmed the opinion which I adduced as a ground for leaving an imposing force in China, that there is an influential body at this place opposed, from self-interest, to the stipulations of the Treaty.

The

The arrival of the steamer on the morning of the 9th, being supposed to be consequent upon intelligence of the riot, occasioned much sensation, and the Hong merchants soon after waited upon me. I explained to them, that I had not come in an official capacity, but had sent a despatch to the British Plenipotentiary, who would, I had no doubt, take immediate measures for demanding reparation, and for future security. I recommended to them to use their influence with the Gover ment and the people to maintain tranquillity, and observed, that the steamer would, if required, afford protection to the factories. The Quang-heep, a Mandarin of high rank, called afterwards, but as I considered it inexpedient that I should meet any Government officer of less rank than the Viceroy, I deputed LieutenantColonel Mountain to receive him, with directions to repeat what I had said to the Hong merchants. The Quang-heep stated in reply, that the Government was exceedingly sorry for the outrage that had been committed, and was prepared to give full consideration to the subject of reparation; and he concluded with a request that the steamer might be sent down to Whampoa. He grounded this request upon

the excitement of the populace, observing, that since the news of the Peace the Government had discharged its stoutest soldiers and was unable to control the mob; but he gave up the point on being told, that it was ont of the question pending the receipt of an answer from Hong Kong to the letters already di-patched.

Since the 9th, alarming rumours have been afloat of excitement amid the populace, and collections of armed men in the neighbourhood.

Sir,

Inclosure 4 in No. 1.

British Merchants at Canton to Sir Henry Pottinger.

WE take the liberty of waiting on your Excellency with the annexed copy of a letter which we yesterday addressed to Sir Hugh Gough, together with a copy of his reply, by which you will perceive that he has consented, in consequence of the recent attack on the foreign factories, to allow the steamer "Proserpine" to remain off Canton for the present, for the protection of the British community.

It is unnecessary to trouble your Excellency with the statements, in detail, of the parties who were eye-witnesses of the riot, or the inquiries which were subsequently made, but the result may be stated in a few words:

1. That there appears no doubt of the fact that the attack on the foreign factories had been determined on for some time previously to its occurrence, and that the parties employed in it were regularly organized.

2. That although an affray between some Lascars and Chinese was the ostensible cause of its commencement at that particular time, the attack would have taken place, sooner or later, had no such circumstance occurred.

3. That the local authorities were unable or unwilling to afford efficient protection in time to prevent a considerable sacrifice of life and property, and the causes which occasioned such a result are liable at any moment to recur.

4. That there is spirit of hostility to the English very general among certain orders in Canton, and that the common people are guided and influenced by parties who have means and ability of giving effect to their operations in a more systematic manner, than could be expected from an ordinary mob.

As no machinery exists at present for carrying on the trade, except by actual residence in Canton, and, as it is unlikely any change can be made in time for the management of the present season's business, we consider it of the utmost importance that the British community should be enabled continue for the present to reside in their factories, as their withdrawal would, in the existing state of affairs, necessarily throw the business into the hands of the Americans and others, who, from their political position and other cause, are not likely to suffer from the hostility of the Chinese.

The recent occurrences having shown that life and property are insecure under the protection of the local Government, we beg leave respectfully to submit to your Excellency our conviction that the British community cannot with safety remain in Canton, unless protection be afforded on the spot by our own Government authorities, and we venture, therefore, to hope that your Excellency will take into consideration their urgent request, that their Excellencies the naval and military Commanders-in-chief may be moved to place such a force for their defence in Canton as may seem expedient.

Inclosure 5 in No. 1.

Sir,

British Merchants at Canton to Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough.

THE undersigned, British merchants in Canton, having met to deliberate on their present position, beg leave respectfully to submit, that inquiry of the Chinese leads them to believe that the recent attack on the foreign factories was the result of a pre-arranged determination of the mob, assisted and influenced, it is supposed, by parties averse to apprehended foreign innovation; and as the local authorities were avowedly unable for a considerable time to quell the disturbance and did not in fact succeed in doing so until after a considerable loss of life and property, we are forced to the conclusion that the British community cannot be considered safe in their houses in Canton, without efficient protection from their own Government on the spot.

Although the local authorities have placed a considerable number of soldiers to guard the factories, we do not consider that they can be depended upon in case of another rising of the people; and others represent considerable bodies of men to be still assembled in the city and neighbourhood of Canton, from whom another attack may at any moment take place.

Under these circumstances, we beg leave respectfully to solicit your Excellency to allow the steamer "Proserpine" to remain in front of the factories, should such an arrangement be possible, at any rate until some communication may be received from Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, affording information to the British merchants of his intentions for their future security.

Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough to British Merchants at Canton.

Gentlemen,

Canton, December 13, 1842.

IN reply to your letter received last night, I beg to assure you that I sensibly feel the critical situation in which you stand.

It is from reluctance to leave you in uncertainty that, although anxious to return to the head-quarters of the force, I have remained here five days, and am still waiting in hourly expectation of an answer to the communication which I despatched to Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary on the 8th instant.

I will accede to your request in regard to leaving the steamer where she is, and I would decide to remain myself in any event, but I do not apprehend any immediate further outbreak, and feel that I can be individually of little use here. Whereas my presence is required with the force. It would be a great satisfaction to me to hear from Sir Henry Pottinger before I leave you, and I shall delay my departure as long as possible with that view.

I received through the Quang-heep, on the 9th instant, an assurance that the Chinese Government is very desirous to maintain tranquillity, and though their power may be doubtful, I believe the assurance to be sincere. I will take this occasion to recommend you to be upon your guard, and carefully to forbear from all that may tend to collision with the populace, pending the result of the measures upon which the Plenipotentiary, with whom the decision rests, may determine.