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diff --git a/43669.txt b/43669.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5146e44..0000000 --- a/43669.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,23020 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Narrative of the Voyages and Services of -the Nemesis from 1840 to 1843, by William Hutcheon Hall and William Dallas Bernard - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Narrative of the Voyages and Services of the Nemesis from 1840 to 1843 - Second Edition - -Author: William Hutcheon Hall - William Dallas Bernard - -Release Date: September 8, 2013 [EBook #43669] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VOYAGES OF THE NEMESIS, 1840-1843 *** - - - - -Produced by Moti Ben-Ari and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: Tombs of the Kings, and sculptured Monsters] - - - - - NARRATIVE - OF THE - VOYAGES AND SERVICES - OF - THE NEMESIS - FROM 1840 TO 1843, - AND OF - THE COMBINED NAVAL AND MILITARY OPERATIONS IN - CHINA: - COMPRISING A COMPLETE ACCOUNT OF THE - Colony of Hong-Kong - AND - REMARKS ON THE CHARACTER & HABITS OF THE CHINESE. - - FROM THE NOTES OF - COMMANDER W. H. HALL, R.N. - - WITH PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS, - BY - W. D. BERNARD, ESQ. A.M. OXON. - - SECOND EDITION. - - LONDON: - HENRY COLBURN, PUBLISHER, - GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. - 1845. - - - - -PREFACE -TO -THE FIRST EDITION. - - -The design originally proposed, when the following work was undertaken, -has been somewhat departed from during its progress towards completion. -Not only did the interest awakened by the various subjects treated of -greatly increase, as the Author proceeded in his attempt to describe -the scenes in which the Nemesis bore so distinguished a part, but the -introduction of much collateral matter seemed to be called for, in -order to enable him fully to illustrate the current of passing events. -Hence the narrative of the adventures of the Nemesis gradually expanded -itself into a complete history of the origin, progress, and termination -of all the recent interesting occurrences in China, including a full -and accurate account of all the operations of the war, and of the -complicated difficulties from which it originated, as well as of the -peculiar features that marked its progress. - -In addition, therefore, to her own interesting tale, the Nemesis -supplied a valuable foundation upon which to build up a more enlarged -history. The Author had long taken a deep interest in all that -concerned our relations with China; and with a view to study personally -the character of the people, and to obtain accurate information by -observation on the spot, he paid a lengthened visit to that country in -1842. He there had the good fortune to fall in with the Nemesis, and -through the kindness of Captain Hall, he subsequently proceeded in her -to Calcutta in the beginning of 1843. He has thus been enabled to add -to the history of the operations copious notices of the various places -visited by the expedition; and has given a full description of the -New Colony of Hong-Kong, with remarks upon its vast importance as a -possession of the British empire upon the threshold of China. - -Incidental observations have been introduced upon the character of -the Chinese people, and the new prospects which have been opened to -us, through the extraordinary changes which have taken place in our -intercourse with them, in a social, moral, mercantile, and religious -point of view. These will be met with according as they were suggested -by particular occurrences, or prompted by localities described in the -work. The Maps and Illustrations will also contribute to give interest -to the Narrative. - -The Author owes some apology to naval and military readers for -the apparent presumption with which he has ventured to handle so -many details of a professional character; nor indeed would he have -undertaken the task without the able advice and correction of officers -who were themselves actors in the scenes described. The valuable -assistance and co-operation of Captain Hall, who was actively employed -in China during the whole period of the war, and whose services in -command of the Nemesis need no extraneous encomium, were indispensable -to the completion of the work. The Author also gladly avails himself -of this opportunity of acknowledging the kindness of Capt. Sir Thomas -Herbert, R.N., K.C.B., who obligingly permitted him to have access -to his plans and documents; and to numerous other naval and military -officers the best thanks of Captain Hall and himself are due. - -Those readers who are alive to the important progress of steam -navigation cannot fail to take a deep interest in the history of the -first iron steamer that ever doubled the Cape of Good Hope. In the -narrative of her curious and protracted voyage will be found many -notices of the places she visited, and in particular of some of the -Portuguese slave settlements on the east coast of Africa, at Delagoa -Bay at Mozambique, &c. The description given of the Comoro Islands will -probably be quite new to most readers. - -At the end of the work will be found an account of a visit to some of -the harbours of the important island of Hainan, which must acquire -greater importance through the progressive increase of our commercial -intercourse with China; and in the Appendix have been added the -new regulations concerning trade in China, and an abstract of the -supplementary treaty recently concluded. - -With much diffidence, but entertaining a hope that the numerous -subjects touched upon in these volumes have not been hastily or crudely -handled, the Author commits his Narrative to the kind indulgence of his -readers. - - W. D. B. - - OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE CLUB, - _March, 1844_. - - - - -PREFACE -TO -THE SECOND EDITION. - - -The rapid sale of the first edition, and the unexpected favour which -the work has met with, have induced the Author to put forth a second -edition, in a somewhat condensed and cheaper form. While no passages -have been omitted which appeared essential to the completeness of the -narrative, and none curtailed which seemed calculated to keep alive -the general interest in the current of events, it is hoped, that -the condensation of the whole into one volume, will be considered -advantageous to a numerous class of readers. - -The woodcuts have been all retained, and an additional map of the -east coast of China, comprising all the recent improvements, has been -added. A few corrections in the detail of facts have been made, at the -suggestion of officers engaged, and it is hoped that this edition will -be found to possess some advantages over the first. The Author gladly -takes this opportunity of thanking the naval and military officers -concerned, for their indulgence, and also a considerate public for the -friendly reception which has been accorded to the work. - -The Author is willing to believe that he owes more to the interest of -the subject itself, when simply handled, than to his own individual -efforts, however conscientiously directed. - - LONDON,--1844. - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - ENGRAVINGS. - Tombs of the Kings, and sculptured Monsters Frontispiece. - The Nemesis to face p. 1 - Battle of Woosung 396 - Portrait of the Chief Priest of the Porcelain Tower 451 - - WOODCUTS. - Plan of a Temporary Rudder 14 - Plan of Lee-Board 16 - New Method of strengthening Iron Steamers 31 - Plans of Repairs of Nemesis 32, 33 - Plan of Naval Operations before Canton, 18th of March 198 - Bridge of Boats at Ningpo 332 - Chinese Caricatures of the English 367 - - MAPS. - Track Chart, England to China 56 - Hong-Kong 246 - East Coast of China 448 - Canton River, and its branches, with Plan of Operations at Canton - end of the vol. - - -[Illustration: The Nemesis] - - - - -VOYAGES AND SERVICES -OF -THE NEMESIS. - - -CHAPTER I. - - -The year 1839 will long be remembered by all those who have taken any -interest in Eastern affairs. The harsh and unwarrantable measures of -Commissioner Lin, the imprisonment of Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary -and all other English subjects, and the wild but brief career of -uncontrolled violence which marked his reign, called imperatively on -our part for stronger measures than had yet been resorted to; and such -measures were at once adopted by the Court of Directors of the East -India Company, as well as by the government of the country, their -direct object being to ensure the speedy departure of an adequate force -for the protection of British subjects and British trade in China, and -to demand proper reparation for the violence and insult offered to Her -Majesty's representative. - -It was scarcely to be expected that, under these circumstances, -hostilities could be altogether avoided; and, as the principal scene -of them, if they occurred, would be in rivers and along the coasts, -attention was directed to the fitting out of armed vessels, which -should be peculiarly adapted for that particular service. Iron, as -a material for ship-building, had been already tried, and found to -answer; and this was considered an extremely favourable opportunity -for testing the advantages or otherwise of iron steam-vessels; and the -numerous rivers along the coast of China, hitherto very imperfectly -known, and almost totally unsurveyed, presented an admirable field -for these experiments. If successful there, it might be readily -inferred that their utility in the fine rivers and along the shores of -Hindostan, and other portions of the Company's territories, would be -demonstrated, and by degrees a very powerful steam fleet would become -an invaluable addition to the already vast resources of the Indian -government. - -Orders were therefore given for the immediate building of several stout -iron steamers, to be constructed with peculiar reference to their -employment in river navigation. They were all to be adequately armed -and manned, and no reasonable expense was to be spared in fitting -them out in a manner best adapted to the particular object sought to -be attained by them. No iron steamer had ever yet doubled the Cape of -Good Hope; their qualities, therefore, remained yet to be tested in the -stormy seas about Southern Africa; and various questions respecting the -errors of the compasses, the effects of lightning, &c., upon vessels -of this description, remained still imperfectly solved, particularly -in reference to those tropical regions, where the great phenomena -of nature are exhibited in a more intense and dangerous degree. In -fact, no experience had yet been gained of their capabilities for the -performance of long and perilous voyages; and it was a bold conception -which suggested that they should be sent round the Cape, to the -eastward, in the very worst season of the year, when even the stoutest -and largest _wooden ships_ trust themselves as little as possible in -that stormy region. - -The equipment and destination of the Nemesis, however, was kept a -profound secret, except to those who were personally concerned in it, -and even they (with the exception of the authorities) had little notion -of the precise service upon which she was to be employed. - -The Nemesis was at length finished, and sent to sea as a private -armed steamer. She was never commissioned under the articles of war, -although commanded principally by officers belonging to the Royal Navy; -neither was she classed among the ships of the regular navy of the East -India Company. In short, the Nemesis was equipped under very peculiar -circumstances, which, together with the novelty of her construction, -caused her to become an object of very general interest. The "_wooden_ -walls" of England had, in fact, been so long identified with her -proudest recollections, and had constituted for so many centuries her -national "boast," that it seemed an almost _unnational_ innovation -to attempt to build them of iron. Indeed, it was rather looked upon -as one of the dangerous experiments of modern days. Moreover, as the -_floating_ property of wood, without reference to its shape or fashion, -rendered it the most natural material for the construction of ships, -so did the _sinking_ property of iron make it appear, at first sight, -very ill adapted for a similar purpose. It was sometimes forgotten that -even wooden ships are composed of wood, iron, and copper together, and -that the bulkiness of these necessary materials greatly diminishes the -buoyancy of the wood. - -A minute and scientific description of the structure of the Nemesis -will be found in the United Service Journal for May, 1840, and it -will therefore be sufficient, in this place, merely to notice one or -two peculiarities, in which it differs from that of wooden ships in -general. With the exception of the great paddle-beams, across the ship, -and the _planks_ of the deck and the cabin-fittings, together with one -or two other parts, the names of which would be only intelligible to -the scientific reader, the whole vessel was built of iron. - -Credit is due to Mr. Laird, of the Birkenhead Iron Works, Liverpool, -for the admirable manner in which she was constructed, and for the -elegance of her form and model, which fully answered every purpose -required of her. - -Her burden was about 680 tons, and her engines of 120-horse power, -constructed by Messrs. Forrester and Co., also of Liverpool; and with -twelve days' supply of coals, together with water and provisions for -four months, and stores of all sorts for two years, with duplicate -machinery, &c., and all her armament complete, her mean load draught -of water was only _six feet_. But commonly, in actual service, she -drew little more than five feet. Her length over all was 184 feet, her -breadth 29 feet, and her depth 11 feet. Her keel-plate was laid, and -the vessel built and launched, in the short space of three months. - -Strictly speaking, the Nemesis has no fixed keel, but the lower plate -of iron, which connects the two sides of the ship together along its -middle, is called the keel-plate. She is, therefore, almost perfectly -flat-bottomed; and, in order to obviate, as much as possible, the -disadvantages attendant upon this peculiar construction, there are two -sliding or moveable keels, capable of being raised or lowered to the -depth of five feet below the bottom of the vessel. Each of these keels -is about seven feet in length, one being placed before and the other -abaft the engine-room. They are each enclosed in a narrow case or tank, -one foot wide, running from the bottom of the vessel up to the deck, -and which, of course being open below, allows the water to rise in it, -to the level of the sea on the outside of the vessel. In this, the -keel, which is of wood, 4-1/2 inches thick, works up and down by means of -a small winch, and a strong chain which is attached to it. Thus it is -evident, that either the foremost or the aftermost keel can be raised -or lowered, independently of the other, if circumstances require it. - -As it would, however, be impossible to steer with accuracy, a vessel of -this construction, with a rudder merely of the ordinary description, -and which, from its shallowness, would, in a heavy sea, be in a great -measure out of water, there is a contrivance by which a moveable or -false rudder is attached to the lower part of the true or fixed rudder, -and which descends to the same depth as the two false keels, and, like -them, can be raised or lowered at pleasure. - -The main or true rudder was composed of wood, but the lower or false -rudder was made of iron, and was so constructed as to grasp the lower -part of the upper or fixed one, firmly on either side, but was bolted -through in such a way as to be moveable, as if it were fastened by a -hinge, so that, by means of a chain run up to the taffrail from its -outer edge, it could be hauled up to any height required. - -The next striking peculiarity in the construction of the Nemesis was, -that the entire vessel was divided into seven water-tight compartments, -by means of iron bulkheads; so that, in fact, it somewhat resembled a -number of iron tanks, cased over, so as to assume the external form of -one connected vessel. By this means, the occurrence of any accident, -such as striking on a rock, or shot-holes, &c., which might occasion a -dangerous leak in one compartment, would have no effect upon any other -part of the vessel. - -The advantages of this arrangement were often tested, during her -three years' hard service; and, indeed, within a few days after her -first departure from Liverpool, as will be presently related, this -contrivance sufficed to save her from the almost certain destruction -which would otherwise have awaited her. - -The last peculiarity which it seems necessary here to mention, was the -provision of some kind of instrument for counteracting the effect of -the local attraction of so large a mass of iron upon the compasses, and -for correcting the errors occasioned thereby. This difficulty had been -seriously felt by Colonel Chesney, on board the small iron steamers -which he had under his orders, during his expedition to the Euphrates; -although he was of opinion, that the placing of the compasses at a -certain height _above_ the vessel, so as to be further removed from the -sphere of the local attraction of the iron, was sufficient to reduce -their errors materially. - -Without entering into the merits of Barlow's counteracting plates, -or Professor Airy's interesting discoveries, it will be sufficient -here to mention, that the Nemesis was fitted with correctors, very -much according to the system of Professor Airy, but not under his own -superintendence; that the experiments were conducted at Liverpool -under every disadvantage, and that the result was never perfectly -satisfactory. Indeed, the accident which shortly befel her, has been -attributed, upon strong grounds, principally to the imperfection of -her compasses. It is right, however, to mention, that other vessels, -such as the Phlegethon and Pluto, which have been fitted with Airy's -correctors, tested according to the most approved principles, and after -experiments conducted with great attention, have been totally relieved -from this source of danger and anxiety, and have been navigated with -perfect accuracy and confidence. - -We may now come to the interesting moment of the departure of the -Nemesis from Liverpool, where she was built. Everything seemed at first -to prosper; the weather was favourable, and the machinery perfect in -all its parts. She had cleared the narrowest part of the Irish Channel, -had passed the coast of Wales, and crossed the entrance to the Bristol -Channel; and the course she had been steering would have taken her well -clear of the Land's End. - -It was now the second day since her departure. About two o'clock in the -morning, the weather being still hazy and the night dark, she struck -heavily on a rock. - -Of course the engines were instantly stopped, but the _way_ she already -had on her appeared sufficient to carry her over the reef; and, indeed, -the actual rocks themselves could be seen outside of her, so that she -had evidently passed between them and the land, and had merely struck -the edge of the reef. - -Finding that the vessel did not _hang_ upon the reef, and was therefore -still afloat, her head was turned to seaward, and the engines kept -working slowly, while the dawn was anxiously expected. It was now -discovered, that the rocks upon which she had struck were aptly enough -called "The Stones," lying at the entrance to the bay of St. Ives, in -Cornwall, and not very far distant from the Land's End. It was soon -evident, also, that the accident had occasioned a very serious leak, in -one of the foremost compartments of the vessel. It was with difficulty -that the water could be kept lower in it than the level of the sea -outside, with the hand-pump; and, in fact, if the vessel had not been -divided into these water-tight compartments, it is difficult to imagine -that the accident would not have been fatal to her. - -However, she was carried, without much difficulty, round the Land's -End, into Mount's Bay, where she anchored about three miles from -Penzance, off St. Michael's Mount. The object here was to procure an -additional pump, in the hope of being able, by that means, to empty -the tank or compartment, so as to be able to stop the leak from the -inside. Fortunately, one perfectly adapted for the purpose was obtained -from a small coasting-vessel which was at anchor in the bay. It was -an iron one, and has been preserved on board ever since, and, on many -occasions, has been found of the greatest utility. Indeed, every vessel -of this description should be provided with an extra pump of this kind, -to be worked by hand, and at all times ready to be placed into any -compartment, as an additional means of pumping it out, and also as a -security against fire, for the purpose of pumping water into the vessel -in case of necessity. - -With the assistance of this additional pump, the water in the -compartment was completely emptied, and, then it was discovered that a -hole had been cut completely through her bottom by the rock, but could -now be easily stopped from the inside. - -This being speedily effected, the vessel pursued her voyage without -the least difficulty, and came to anchor on the following evening in -Yarmouth Roads, inside the Isle of Wight. - -It should here be mentioned, that every compartment of the vessel was -provided with a small pipe and cock, by means of which, the water -could be let out of one compartment into another, and so passed on, -from one to the other, into the engine-room, where it could be pumped -out by the machinery. But, as this appeared a rather clumsy mode of -doing it, namely, by floating nearly half the ship unnecessarily, it -was not resorted to. But, in vessels more recently constructed, a -great improvement has been introduced in this respect. From each of -the compartments, a pipe leads directly into the engine-room itself, -without communicating with any other part; so that, by means of a cock, -the water can at once be pumped out by the engine, or else can be -confined to the compartment itself, and pumped out by hand, when it is -not desirable to let it flow into the engine-room. - -As little time as possible was lost in completing the necessary -repairs, and in rendering her in all respects fit to undertake the long -and unknown voyage she was about to perform. At length she was cleared -out for the Russian port of Odessa, much to the astonishment of every -one; but those who gave themselves time to reflect hardly believed it -possible that such could be her real destination. - -She was armed with two 32-pounder guns, mounted on pivot, or traversing -carriages, for the purpose of throwing either shot or shell, one being -placed forward and the other aft, as in all armed steamers.[1] - -On leaving England she had on board about sixty men and officers; but, -during the operations in China, she usually had about ninety men and -officers.[2] Her daily consumption of fuel was about eleven tons. - -She had no _paddle-boats_; but in other respects, she was well -found in boats, while in China. She had two cutters, pinnace, gig, -jolly-boat, dingy, and always a large Chinese boat. A large platform -was also built between the paddle-boxes, instead of the small bridge -which is usually constructed there. This platform covered the whole -space between the paddle-boxes, and was found particularly convenient, -when troops were on board, as it was always occupied by the officers, -while the decks were crowded with the soldiers. There was also a -6-pounder brass pivot gun, mounted upon the bridge, which was very -useful for trying the range. A rocket tube and a supply of rockets were -always kept in readiness upon this platform, besides ammunition for -the brass gun, &c. In hot weather an awning was spread over it, and -it was always a most convenient place for watching and directing the -operations of the steamer. - -Besides the guns above-mentioned, the Nemesis carried four brass -6-pounders and one small howitzer. - -Unusual interest was excited by the expected departure of this strange -vessel, upon a voyage of which both the purpose and the destination -were alike unknown. Even the Admiral himself was ignorant of the -service which she was called upon to perform. - -At length, on the 28th of March, 1840, she really had sailed. The -Needle Rocks, the high cliffs at the back of the Isle of Wight, the -shores of England herself, had gradually sunk below the horizon, and -the excitement attending departure had at length settled down into the -cold reality of a first night at sea. - -On the third day, the 30th of March, at daylight, the last glimpse was -taken of the land of our birth. The Lizard disappeared, and nothing was -around but the wide expanse of the blue ocean. On the gallant vessel -went gaily through the Bay of Biscay, at an average rate of seven to -eight knots under steam, moving gracefully to the heavy swell which at -all times prevails there. - -On the 2nd of April, she was well in sight of Cape Finisterre, the -dread of seamen, on the rock-bound coast of Portugal, and encountered a -moderate gale of wind, but made head against it without difficulty. - -On the 6th of April, the lovely island of Madeira came full in sight, -the ninth day since she had left Portsmouth, and only the seventh from -the Land's End. - -At daylight, the little island of Porto Santo having been passed, the -full prospect of the larger island of Madeira lay exposed. - -Though sailors are seldom poets, there is something in the aspect of -this lovely island which speaks poetry to the least poetical; and where -nature looks so eloquent, and the fresh green of the loaded vineyard -contrasts so beautifully with the wilder rocks above it, while the -sun of its scarce-failing summer sheds its glow upon the varied woods -around, even the iron Nemesis and her iron-hearted crew were cheered -and gladdened, as she glided close along the shore. - -The Nemesis was not long in coming to anchor within the bay, not very -far from the town, and between it and the remarkable rock called the -Loo Rock. - -Time was precious, and the great object of her visit was to be -accomplished as soon as possible--namely, in the stoker's language, -"coaling"--an operation anything but pleasant. But they who would -enjoy the steamer's "stately march upon the waters" must be content to -purchase it at the price of this necessary evil. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] She subsequently, also, carried five long brass 6-pounders, two on -each side, and one upon the bridge; and had also ten small iron swivels -along the top of her bulwarks, besides boat guns and small arms. - -[2] Nominal list of Officers who served on board the Nemesis during the -period referred to in this work:-- - - William H. Hall, R.N., Commander--Promoted to Commander, 10th - June, 1843; - - Lieutenant William Pedder, R.N., First Officer--Made Harbour - Master and Marine-magistrate at Hong-Kong, July, 1841; - - Mr. Ed. L. Strangways, Mate, R.N., Second Officer--Left sick, - 29th March, 1841; Lieutenant, 23rd Dec. 1842; - - Mr. John Laird Galbraith, Third Officer--Made Second Officer, - 29th March, 1841; and First Officer, 1st July, 1842; and paid - off at Calcutta, March, 1843; - - Mr. F. W. Whitehurst, Fourth Officer--Made Third Officer, 29th - March, 1841; and Second Officer, 1st July, 1842; and paid off - at Calcutta, March, 1843; - - Mr. Peter Young, M.R.C.S., Surgeon--Left the vessel, 15th - January, 1841, at Macao; - - Mr. John Gaunt, Purser--Served during the whole period. - - N.B.--The above joined the Nemesis in England. - - The following officers joined the Nemesis at different periods - in China:-- - - Mr. John Turner, Surgeon--Joined 15th Jan. 1841, at Macao; made - Assistant-Surgeon, Bombay Establishment, Oct. 1843; - - Mr. A. T. Freese, Mate, R.N., First Officer--Joined 1st - August, 1841, at Hong-Kong; left the vessel 30th June, 1842; - Lieutenant, 23rd Dec. 1842; - - Mr. Alfred Fryer, Fourth Officer--Joined 1st February, 1842, at - Chusan; paid off and rejoined at Calcutta, 1843; - - Mr. B. G. Dryden, Second Officer--Joined 1st July, 1842, at - Woosung; ditto - - Mr. Arthur Baker, Volunteer--Joined 24th August, 1842; Yangtze - river; ditto - - Engineers--Mr. Colin M'Lougal (killed), Mr. John Kinross, Mr. - Henry L. Harley, Mr. William Lang, Mr. David Wilson, Robert - Kelly. - - N.B.--Mr. Crouch, Mate, R.N., served on board as gunnery-mate, - from the Wellesley, by permission of Commodore Sir Gordon - Bremer, at Chuenpee, at First Bar Action, and Inner Passage, - &c. Promoted Lieutenant, 8th June, 1841; Commander, 25th - October, 1843. Wounded at Chin-keang-foo. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - -On the evening of the 8th April, the steamer was again standing out -of the Bay of Funchal, after being detained there only three days. It -has been already stated that the vessel was not under the articles of -war; this was well known to all the crew, although the majority of her -officers belonged to Her Majesty's navy. Even in this early part of her -career the difficulty had been seriously felt; and none but those who -have been placed in similar circumstances, as commanding officers, can -form any notion of the great forbearance, tact, and judgment which are -daily required on their part, in the management of their men. - -On the 11th, she passed quietly through the Canary Islands, between -Palma and Teneriffe, the high peak of the latter, however, not being -visible, owing to the hazy weather. The Nemesis was now entirely under -canvass, and the steam was not got up for twelve or thirteen days after -her departure from Madeira. The north-east trade-wind soon carried her -smoothly along, as she passed about midway between the Cape de Verd -Islands and the coast of Africa, and it was only in a calm, not far -from Sierra Leone, that she had occasion to use her engines. She was -found to sail remarkably well without steam, although so flat-bottomed. - -Thus she proceeded quietly along the coast, until she reached the -neighbourhood of Cape Formoso, towards which she was set by strong and -unusual southerly winds and a lee-current. She was, however, not long -in reaching Princes' Island, situated near the coast of Africa. This -is a settlement belonging to the Portuguese, and the principal place -of resort for our cruisers in that quarter, not very far from Fernando -Po. She cast anchor in West Bay, Princes' Island, on the evening of the -14th May, forty-four days from England, principally under sail. Here -she remained, undergoing a necessary refit, cutting wood for fuel, and -preparing for sea, until the evening of the 23rd. - -It is the practice here for every English man-of-war, of those -stationed on the coast, which resort to the island, to leave a -Krooman[3] in her pay, for the purpose of cutting wood for the ship, in -readiness for her return. As there are generally several vessels on the -coast, so are there also several Kroomen belonging to them, who join -together, and go out to cut wood, lending each other mutual assistance. -The wood is then brought down to the coast, and stacked in piles, one -for each ship, the name of the particular ship being written on it. - -As the Nemesis was furnished with a letter from the Admiralty, -requiring all Her Majesty's ships to give her every assistance in -their power, she was not long in taking on board the whole stock of -wood already laid up for the little squadron. Captain Tucker, then -commanding the Wolverine, was most active in lending his aid, and -even gave up the supply of wood he already had on board. In this way -about seventy tons of good hard wood were at last taken on board the -Nemesis, and, as plenty of coal still remained, there could be little -doubt that, with this reinforcement, she would be able to reach the -Cape of Good Hope without difficulty. Water is easily procured in the -immediate neighbourhood of the landing-place, of excellent quality; and -thus two very important items for the recruiting of a ship are to be -found in abundance in Princes' Island. Pigs, poultry, and goats are to -be had in any quantity, as well as yams, Indian corn, coffee, bananas, -pineapples, and limes. Above all, the anchorage at Princes' Island is -good in all seasons, and of easy access, either by day or night. It is -consequently a very valuable place of call for vessels going by the -eastern passage to the Cape, which in some seasons is to be preferred -to the western route, particularly for steamers. - -On the side of the island opposite to West Bay, or the north-east, is -the town and harbour of Port St. Antonio, where the governor of the -island resides. It is tolerably secure, but confined, and by no means -equal to West Bay for shipping. There is a respectable Portuguese -merchant there, who is in the habit of supplying the ships at West -Bay with various stores that they may require; and, with the view of -furnishing all the information which could be procured, in case any -other steamer should touch there, application was made to Mr. Carnaero, -the reply to which was, that he would supply any quantity, at the rate -of one Spanish dollar for every hundred logs;[4] but if they were -required to be cut into smaller pieces it would cost more, as negroes -would have to be hired for the purpose, at the rate of one dollar a -day for every three men. Further, as regarded the time necessary, he -thought it would require from thirty to forty days to provide five -thousand logs. Coals were to be had at West Bay, of course imported -from England, but only at the enormous rate of about L6 sterling per -ton. - -Princes' Island is being greatly benefited already by the demand for -its wood. Land is, in consequence, being cleared and planted, and the -coffee grown there is of good quality, and cheap. In fact, from its -position and capabilities, it is likely to become a place of great -resort, as steam communication, via the Cape of Good Hope, gradually -becomes more extended. - -It must be mentioned here, that ships sailing much along the coast -are pretty sure to get their bottoms covered with large barnacles; -and the Nemesis, so far from being exempt from this annoyance, being -entirely of iron, was, perhaps, more troubled with them than a coppered -ship would have been. The quantity, in fact, was enormous, and they -adhered so firmly, that it was with some difficulty they were taken -off, commonly bringing away the paint with them. Kroomen belonging -to the men-of-war were employed to dive under the ship's bottom for -the purpose, and a very curious and amusing scene it was. It is quite -astonishing how long these men can remain at work under water, and -no light work either. Great, muscular, black, curly-headed fellows, -bobbing down under water, some with brooms, some with scrapers, and -others with bits of iron bar; anything, in short, with which they could -attack the tenacious visiters which clung so lovingly to the iron -Nemesis. The Kroomen are an active, laborious, and faithful race, as -all will testify who have occasion to employ them on the coast. They -are received as seamen in our men-of-war upon the station; and, on her -return to Calcutta, after long and arduous service, the Nemesis had -still two of them remaining on board, out of three who accompanied her -from the coast, the other having died in the service. - -At length, on the 22nd of May, the steam was once more got up, boats -hoisted in, anchor weighed, and the word "full speed" being passed -below, away went the still mysterious Nemesis, as the sun had just -dipped below the horizon. Her course would necessarily lead her towards -the island of St Thomas's, another Portuguese settlement, lying as -nearly as possible under the Line, and, therefore, scarcely a day's -voyage from Princes' Island. She accordingly approached it on the -following afternoon, and did not lose the opportunity of entering the -Bay of Chaves, where lies the principal town, called St. Anne de Chaves. - -Some parts of this small island are very pretty and picturesque, others -are wild and thickly wooded. It produces large quantities of fruit and -vegetables, but is principally valuable on account of the excellence of -its coffee, which, however, is not cultivated in very large quantity. -St Anne, the principal town, lies at the bottom of a lovely bay. The -greater part of the inhabitants of St. Anne are negro slaves and -Kroomen. The latter come over from the coast to the northward of the -Line, and are tall, athletic men, very industrious, (in this respect -different from most other Africans,) intelligent, and, when well -treated, faithful and honest. All the Kroomen are strongly attached to -the English, and willingly serve on board our ships. They have great -faith in an Englishman's word, and, to whatever part of the world they -may be carried, they always feel confident of being sent back to their -own country free of expense, whenever their services are no longer -required. They are an independent people, and have never been connected -with slave-dealers, whom, indeed, they seem to hold in great contempt. -Nevertheless, they have the woolly hair and thick lips and nose of the -true negro. Of all the Africans whom I have seen, they appear most to -resemble the Abyssinians in their character and habits, though improved -by more frequent contact with our countrymen. - -The governor's house is the best in the place, and is distinguished -from the more humble ones around it by the luxury of a green verandah. -Across the entrance to the principal apartment, a large curtain -or screen of drapery was hung, richly emblazoned with the arms of -Portugal, and almost the only real token of her power. - -It was naturally a matter of curiosity to visit his Excellency in -state, and, accordingly, Captain Hall and his officers were ushered -into the _presence_ by a grand Master of the Ceremonies, who was also -commandant of the island. This person was a huge black negro, "richly -caparisoned" for the occasion, and, as he spoke a little English, -he proceeded, immediately after the presentation, to expound to his -Excellency the object of the visit. That object was, first, of course, -to pay respect to so distinguished an officer, and next, to ascertain -whether, in case a steamer should happen to touch there at any other -time, a depot for coal could be formed on the island, and whether wood -could be procured for fuel, and a proper place provided for storing it -until required. His Excellency condescended to be extremely polite, -saying that both these matters could be accomplished, and that he -should be happy to lend his assistance in any manner he could. He -added that he perfectly well remembered that the Enterprise, a wooden -steamer, had touched there on her way to India many years before, but -that he had never till now heard of an _iron_ one. - -The interview was soon ended, and was so far perfectly satisfactory. -But, as the party were on the way down to the ship again, the black -master of the ceremonies, aide-de-camp, commandant, &c., made a -particular request that no salute should be fired, for that they -happened to be "very badly off for powder" themselves, and should find -it inconvenient to be obliged to return it; probably a gentle hint that -a little powder would be acceptable. - -Little time could be devoted to the further examination of the -island, which would seem to be of very small value to its masters. -There is reason, however, to believe, that to a certain degree, -although unacknowledged and in secret, it is made use of as a sort of -intermediate trading-place for slaves. - -It was on this island that the distinguished Major Sabine conducted -his scientific and interesting observations upon the swinging of the -pendulum in 1822, as it lies as nearly as possible under the Line. - -On the following morning, the 25th, the Nemesis crossed the Line, -with the thermometer at 96 deg., which had been the average temperature -for several days. Strong adverse winds prevailed, with a heavy swell -for many days afterwards, against which she went ahead very steadily, -at the rate of five to five and a half knots an hour; but, as it -was desirable to save fuel as much as possible, it was at length -determined to make a hitherto untried experiment--viz., to work the -lee paddle-wheel only, while under sail, (the other wheel being -disconnected, and allowed to revolve by the motion of the vessel,) and -also to use only one boiler. She was steered about five and a half -points from the wind, and in this position, with a rolling sea and -steady breeze, she continued to make head at the rate of six and a half -to seven knots an hour, the active or lee paddle-wheel making twelve -to fifteen revolutions per minute. Thus the success of the trial was -complete, particularly as it appeared to counteract the _lee-way_ of -the vessel. The helm did not seem to be materially affected by the -unequal force applied to the two sides of the vessel. - -Some pains have been taken to ascertain whether _both_ engines could be -worked to any good purpose with one boiler. In reply to this question, -it appears that, except in the river Mersey, at Liverpool, with all -circumstances particularly favourable, the Nemesis was never able to -work both engines with one boiler with more than very inconsiderable -effect. But it must be very evident that any vessel, having power -enough to do so in case of emergency, must possess a great advantage; -and there is little doubt that, with twenty or thirty horse power more, -she would have been able to accomplish it in smooth water, particularly -with sails set. It is therefore to be regretted that her power (only -one hundred and twenty horse) was scarcely sufficient for her size and -weight. - -On the 2nd of June, the ship all at once seemed to be lost to the -control of the helmsman, and, no other very good reason suggesting -itself, the rudder was naturally examined with care. It was at once -discovered that the drop or false rudder had been carried away, but by -what means did not sufficiently appear, except that, on examination, -there was reason to think it must have been fairly worn through at the -point of junction with the lower edge of the upper or true rudder--for -at this part nearly the whole strain of its action operated. - -No time was to be lost in attempting to repair this injury, as the -vessel became almost unmanageable, the true rudder, at times, being -nearly above water, in the heavy pitching of the ship. With the utmost -exertion on the part of the officers and the intelligent carpenter of -the ship, a temporary false rudder was constructed, and securely fixed -before nightfall. It was, moreover, found to act even better than -the original one, having more hold in the water, as well as a larger -surface of attachment to the upper rudder. Subjoined is a plan of this -contrivance, which will almost suffice to explain its ingenuity. It -was made of planks of wood, instead of solid iron, and was secured by -chains, in such a manner as to grasp the upper or true rudder firmly, -while it could also be raised or lowered at pleasure. - -[Illustration: -PLAN OF A TEMPORARY RUDDER, FITTED AND SHIPPED AT SEA, -ON BOARD THE H.C. STEAM-VESSEL NEMESIS. - - A Main Rudder. - - B Side view of temporary rudder, made double, (out of six spare - float-boards,) so as to clasp the main rudder on each side. - - C Pigs of ballast between the floats, resting on the heel-piece. - - D Lower chain guys, which pass round the heel of the rudder, - crossing it at the fore part, and leading up on each quarter, - with a tackle attached to each side. - - E Chain-head guys, passing through bolts in the main rudder, - and set up over the stern. - - F Strengthening pieces of iron. -] - -The whole apparatus was found to answer remarkably well, and, during -the remainder of the voyage to the Cape, (and that a trying one,) it -never got out of order, or required additional support. Indeed, it was -remarked by every one, that the vessel was more easily steered than it -had been before. - -But the difficulties which the Nemesis had to encounter were not yet -ended. Strong breezes from the southward still prevailed, without any -prospect of a speedy change; her progress was slow, and there only -remained on board thirty-two tons of coal, with a little wood; nor -was there any place at hand to which she could run for fuel. It was -therefore resolved to stand out to sea, trusting to her canvas only. -Thus her remaining fuel would be reserved for any emergency, and -would suffice to ensure her being able to get into port when within a -reasonable distance. A reference to the map will shew her position at -this time. - -As much sail was set as she could carry, and her course was altered -according to the wind. Away stood the fearless Nemesis, disdaining the -land, and boldly venturing out to dare the stormy seas of those regions -in the depth of winter. The heavy winds from the southward, which had -so long prevailed, had baffled all the usual calculations. - -On the first day of their standing away, it became more than ever -apparent that, being very light, and in fact scarcely drawing five feet -and a half of water, as she was really flat-bottomed, the vessel fell -so much to leeward, that she made very little progress on a wind and -in a heavy sea; and, in short, that her deep moveable keels were far -from sufficient to counteract this tendency. It therefore became of -the utmost importance to endeavour to invent some additional means of -remedying this inconvenience. - -Calling to mind his former experience on the coast of Holland, and -remembering the great advantage which the flat-bottomed Dutch vessels -derive from the use of their lee-boards, when sailing in light winds -or close hauled, with a head sea, it occurred to the commander that -something of a similar kind might be adopted on the present occasion. -The officers concurred in this suggestion; and when all are animated -with the same cordial and enterprising spirit, few things are found to -be so difficult as they at first appear. It is the mutual reliance upon -each other, in the moment of difficulty, which enables British seamen -boldly and successfully to brave many perils which a moment's doubt or -hesitation might render insurmountable. - -[Illustration: -PLAN OF A LEE-BOARD USED ON BOARD THE NEMESIS. - - 1 Main piece, made of birch, 4 inches by 12. - - 2 Nine floats, 7 ft. 8 in. long, 11 in. broad, and 2-1/2 thick. - - 3 Two-inch plank. - - 4 Iron braces, 1-1/2 in. thick, to strengthen it. - - 5 Ring-bolt to get it in and out with. - - 6 Beam covered with iron, for lee-board to work on. - - 7 Iron clamp, extending two feet, 1/2 in. thick. - - 8 After-guy, for tricing up. - - 9 Fore ditto, to steady heel. - - 10 } Upper guys. - - 11 } - - N.B. The chain guys were all set up with a rope and tackle. -] - -The above diagram will sufficiently explain the nature of the -contrivance adopted on this occasion, without the assistance of minute -and tedious description. It is only necessary to remark, that in -addition to the four chains which are seen in the plan, a fifth was -found necessary, to keep the lee-board close to the side of the vessel. -It was secured to the lower end of the lee-board at its centre, and, -having then been carried across the vessel's bottom, was fastened to -the opposite side by a rope and tackle. - -Thus equipped, the Nemesis proceeded on her voyage, and was found to -derive great assistance from this new contrivance. It was found that -her lee-way was reduced _fully one-half_, as ascertained by careful -observation.[5] - -Gradually the breeze freshened on the subsequent days, until, at last, -about the 18th, it amounted to a moderate gale, with that high and -heavy sea which all who have visited the Cape will long remember, -threatening, every now and then, to break on board or poop the ship; -but the steady little vessel rose to it like a swan, and never shipped -one heavy or dangerous sea. - -Confidence in all her qualities daily increased, and, with a strong -breeze on the quarter, she was now sailing, under canvas only, at the -rate of eight to nine and a half knots an hour. The lee-board was found -at all times useful in making the ship stanch under sail, but as it was -constructed in haste, and only with such materials as were at hand, it -required to be repaired and strengthened several times. - -At length, on the 29th, being still two hundred and thirty miles from -the Cape, but well down to the southward, and it appearing that there -was sufficient fuel left to carry her into port, the steam was for the -last time got up. On the morning of the 1st July, the remarkable land -of the Table Mountain, and the conical peak to the southward of it, -were well in sight. The Nemesis had made a long and tiresome voyage in -the most unfavourable season of the year, and the anxiety which had -been shared by all on board may well be conceived. The dangers of the -Cape, at that time of year, have not been exaggerated. On the 1st July, -much to the astonishment of every one at Cape Town, she was descried, -late in the evening, quietly steaming into Table Bay. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[3] A native African from the so-called Kroo country. - -[4] About one thousand logs make up twenty-two tons and a half of -fire-wood. - -[5] Another remark, perhaps worthy of being attended to, suggested -itself on this occasion, and it has been frequently confirmed -since--namely, that no steamer constructed according to the model of -the Nemesis should be sent to sea upon a long and uncertain voyage, -without having a _fixed keel_ running the whole way fore and aft, and -bolted strongly through her bottom. This would be found of the greatest -possible utility at sea, and it could easily be taken off, and the -moveable keels put on, whenever the vessel were employed on a coast, or -in river navigation. - -It may further be questionable, in the event of a smaller steamer being -intended to be sent out, whether it would not be both safer and less -expensive to send it _in pieces_, and have it put together, by the -mechanics and engineers belonging to it, at the place where it might be -destined for use, than to send it ready equipped, to make its own way -to its destination by steam and canvas, with all the necessary risk. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - -During the winter season, few vessels, and those only of light burden, -venture into Table Bay, exposed as it is to the full fury of the -north-west gales. But the Nemesis had little cause for fear; her light -draught of water enabling her to anchor in a well-sheltered cove, near -the stone jetty which has recently been constructed. - -On the second day after her arrival, the governor of the colony paid a -visit on board, and, as he appeared to take the greatest interest in -all that related to her construction and equipment, the steam was got -up, and the whole party were carried round the bay, apparently much to -their satisfaction and enjoyment. The foremost gun was fired in every -position, and with different charges of powder, to shew its power and -range; and the interest awakened as to the future destination of the -vessel was much increased by what they then witnessed. - -Everything contributed to make the day remembered; and as the Nemesis, -returning from her trip, approached the landing-place, thousands came -to greet her. To the astonishment of all, she ran in close to the side -of the _old_ jetty, where no vessel had ever been seen before. Nothing -could exceed the wonder of the people at seeing so long and large a -vessel floating alongside their old wooden pier, usually frequented -only by boats. It created quite an excitement in quiet Cape Town, and -the steady, sober-thinking Dutchmen could hardly bring themselves -to believe that iron would float at all, and still less with such -astonishing buoyancy. - -Scarcely had the governor and his suite landed, when hundreds, one -might almost say thousands, of curious people crowded on board. The -report that an iron steamer was lying close to the town had spread so -fast, and had excited so much curiosity, that even the sick made it -an excuse for an airing; and such a motley crowd of people of every -caste and colour as gathered round the vessel is rarely to be met -with elsewhere. The negro, the Hottentot, the Caffir, and the Malay, -with all the intermediate shades of colour, hastened down with idle -curiosity; while the respectable Europeans and colonists, young and -old, were admitted on board, and seemed delighted to gaze on something -new. - -As it was desirable that as much coal as possible should be taken on -board before the vessel was compelled to haul off, owing to the falling -of the tide, no time was lost in commencing the troublesome process. -Even this did not at all deter the visiters, who continued to succeed -each other in crowds, in spite of the inconvenience they suffered. - -Several repairs were now to be made with all expedition. The drop, -or false rudder, was first to be restored, and required to be much -strengthened. This was a very essential matter; and a suggestion now -occurred worth noticing, namely, that in the event of other vessels of -the same description being sent to sea, they should be provided with -some means of being able completely to choke the rudder temporarily, or -prevent its action altogether, while at sea, in case of its being found -requisite to repair the drop-rudder. The want of some means of keeping -the rudder stationary while repairing it at sea was frequently felt, -and something might easily be provided to effect this object. The whole -delay at the Cape amounted to nine clear days. - -On the 11th of July, all being completed, she once more stood out -of Table Bay, with the cheers and hearty good wishes of all for her -success, although they wondered what her mysterious destination could -be. - -It is evident that a steamer bound to Singapore, or to any place still -further eastward, would have a choice of three routes; either she might -make her passage from the Cape towards the Straits of Sunda, between -the islands of Java and Sumatra, trusting principally to her sails, -the winds being generally strong in those latitudes, and thereby saving -her fuel; or she might run from the Cape up to the Mauritius, to take -in coal, which has been done by many steamers, and thence proceed -by the Straits of Malacca; or, lastly, she might run through the -Mozambique Channel, between the continent of Africa and the island of -Madagascar, and, touching at Ceylon for coals, proceed likewise down -the Straits of Malacca to her destination. - -On the present occasion, the Nemesis had distinct orders to choose -the latter route, the season of the year being considered the most -favourable for it, and it being thought desirable that a visit -should be paid to the island of Johanna, the most frequented of the -group called the Comoro Islands, situated at the northern end of the -Mozambique Channel. This island will be more particularly alluded to in -its proper place. Thence she was to proceed direct to Ceylon for coals. -But even this was only known to her commander; and all that either -officers or men could learn about her destination, when they left the -Cape, was, that they were at once to proceed through the Mozambique -Channel, but with what object they knew not. - -The Nemesis now approaches to one of the most eventful periods of -her history. Six days had scarcely passed since her departure from -the Cape, when a new and quite unforeseen danger awaited her, and -threatened the most appalling consequences, without any port being at -hand for refuge. It has very rarely happened that a ship has been so -near destruction, and yet escaped at last. The first few days of her -passage alternated between gales and calms, and the high sea which -she encountered only gave her a further opportunity of proving the -good qualities which she possessed as a sea-boat. Cape Francis, on the -southern side of the coast of Africa, within the colony, near Algoa -Bay, was in sight from the mast-head on the 14th. The barometer began -to fall on the 15th, and at length, on the following day, had almost -sunk to twenty-eight inches. Vivid flashes of lightning now ran along -the sky to the westward; the wind, which had been strong and steady -from the N.N.W., freshened to a heavy gale; every appearance threatened -an increase rather than a diminution of the storm; and the sea became -so high and heavy, that it threatened every moment to overwhelm the -_long_, _low_ Nemesis, for the sail that could be put upon her scarcely -sufficed to keep her before the sea. - -The float-boards had been taken off the wheels before the gale -commenced, and she had continued under canvas ever since. Algoa Bay -had been passed long before the weather had become so threatening; to -return to it was now impossible; the gale went on increasing, the sea -rose fearfully, and the ship's course was slightly altered, so as to -carry her further away from the land. Her danger even at this time -was great, as she lay so low upon the sea, which heaved its convulsive -waves high above her. - -In the night, or rather about three o'clock in the morning of the -17th, a tremendous sea at length struck her upon the larboard quarter. -Her whole frame quivered with the blow; and so violent was the shock, -that the first impression of all on board was, that the ship had been -actually riven asunder. The violence of the blow made her broach to the -sea and wind; but, happily, she was got before it again as speedily as -possible. - -As daylight dawned, the injuries which the vessel had received were -soon discovered. The starboard paddle-wheel had been seriously damaged; -in fact, a considerable portion of it had been nearly carried away, and -only hung by a very small attachment, by which it was then dragging -through the water. - -Scarcely had the necessary means been adopted to save this portion -of the wheel, when another and more serious injury was found to have -happened to the body of the ship itself. An immense perpendicular crack -was discovered, on both sides of the vessel, just before the after -paddle or sponson beam, extending almost entirely through the second -iron plate from the top, and also through a small portion of the upper -one. These had been broken asunder with such violence, that, at the -worst point of the injury, the plate had bulged outwards in such a -manner, that one portion of the broken surface projected to the extent -of about two inches, leaving a most formidable opening in the ship's -side. In reality, the vessel had begun to separate amidships, from one -side to the other. There was every probability, too, that the crack, -which at this time was nearly two feet and a half in length, would -rapidly extend itself by the working of the ship, unless the weather -moderated very speedily. There was every cause for alarm, and little -prospect of being able, even temporarily, to repair so serious an -injury in the then state of the weather. - -It was evident that the broken paddle-wheel could not long hold -together, and scarcely any one thought it possible to save the broken -portion of it from being lost. But a little ingenuity, stimulated -by the necessity of the moment, often suggests the most effectual -contrivances, which are, after all, the most simple. The great object -was to secure it temporarily in some way or other; so that, as soon as -the rim became completely broken through, the mass might hang suspended -by some other means from the ship's side. The vessel was rolling -heavily, so that there was little chance of being able to pass a rope -round it; but the ingenious thought quickly suggested itself, that -one of the large boat-anchors would make a capital fish-hook for the -purpose. With this, one of the arms was at last caught hold of, and -supported, until the rim was completely torn through; and then, by -means of a tackle, the large broken portion of the wheel was, with some -difficulty, hauled on board. - -So far there had been good fortune in the midst of trouble, for, had -this portion of the wheel been entirely lost, there is good reason to -fear, as will presently be seen, that with only one wheel, which might -also have easily become injured, the unfortunate Nemesis would very -probably have been unable to outlive the still worse weather which she -afterwards encountered, and would have scarcely reached a port, even in -a sinking state. - -And here we may make two observations. First, that the practice of -taking off the float-boards under sail, which, in some steamers, is -made a regular exercise for the men, at all times materially weakens -the paddle-wheel, particularly in a heavy sea, and may endanger it -altogether. Secondly, that an additional paddle-ring, running round the -centre of the paddle-arms, and tying them together, contributes very -much to the strength of the wheel; and further, that the paddle-centre -should never be made of cast iron. It is the most important part of -the whole wheel, and should have the utmost strength, which wrought -iron alone can give it. It should here be mentioned, that even on this -occasion eight only, out of the sixteen float-boards, had been removed, -otherwise very probably still more serious damage would have happened. -In order to provide against the recurrence of any similar accident, -orders were subsequently given, to prepare several small bars of iron, -which were to be screwed on in the place of every _second_ float-board -removed; so that, if eight float-boards were taken off, four small bars -of iron would be put on in their places. Thus the wheel would not lose -its proper support and connexion. But, from the experience which had -now been gained, it was rarely afterwards thought expedient to take the -float-boards off at all, and certainly only in smooth water, and with -every appearance of settled weather. The portion of the paddle-wheel -which had been torn away on this occasion comprised no less than -two-fifths of the entire circumference of the wheel. This large mass of -iron could not have weighed less than fifteen to sixteen cwt. - -On the following day, the 18th, the weather moderated considerably, and -the vessel proceeded, with the help of one wheel only, at the rate of -about four knots an hour. In the meantime, every possible effort was -used to get the broken wheel repaired; and, in the short space of three -days after the accident, the broken portion was got over the vessel's -side with extraordinary labour, and was ultimately secured by bolts in -its original place. - -On the 20th, she passed within forty miles of Port Natal, (become so -famous as the place the eminent Dutch farmers, from the Cape Colony, -have attempted to make independent.) But there was little chance of -being able to make the necessary repairs in such a place. - -The dangerous condition of the vessel, after the iron plates on both -sides had begun to open, could be concealed from none on board; but, as -long as the weather was moderate, there appeared little doubt of her -being able to reach Delagoa Bay without very great risk of foundering. -On the following day, however, the 21st, the wind again began to -freshen from the north-east, an unusual quarter at that time of the -year. Again the mighty sea arose, and damped the reviving hopes of all, -and the heavy cross swell could be looked on only with deep alarm. - -Gradually, the opening in the ship's sides, which hitherto had been -sufficiently limited to cause her to take in but little water, began -to extend itself in an alarming manner. Indeed, it was impossible to -guess where it would stop, or how any efficient means could be adopted -to check it. Both sides were so bad that it was difficult to say which -was worst. The vessel was evidently _working_ amidships, as it is -called; or, in other words, it had not only opened up and down, but was -moving in and out from side to side. Moreover, the weather threatened -to become rather worse than better; and, to add to the difficulty, the -furnace of the larboard boiler was now found to be likewise injured, -and, in fact, could scarcely be used at all. Thus it became more and -more uncertain whether the engines could be kept working, so as to pump -the water out of the hold; to say nothing of urging the vessel along. - -Temporary expedients were at once to be resorted to; repairs were -wanted at various parts at the same time, and every hand on board was -now to be occupied day and night in contriving means to keep the vessel -afloat. The heavy sea which, since the change of wind, had met the full -current, and rolled heavily behind the vessel, threatened to break over -her every instant. To provide as well as possible against this danger, -four breadths of stout plank were secured, as strongly as possible, -over the stern and along the quarters, in order to keep the sea out, or -at all events to break its force. So heavy was the sea, that at this -time the main rudder was sometimes completely out of water, and at the -same moment the jib-boom was _under_ it. - -In the midst of this, with the hope of relieving the strain, by -diminishing the top weight at the extremities, the aftermost or large -stern gun was with great labour dismounted from its pivot-carriage, -and safely deposited in one of the after coal-bunkers; and the bower -anchors, which had already been brought inboard, were now dragged -further amidships. This eased the ship a little. But gradually as -the day advanced, the wind increased, and hourly the sea became more -dangerous. - -An attempt was, however, made on the 22nd to effect a temporary repair -to the ship's sides, which were straining very much. For this purpose, -two or three rivets were cut out on each side of the crack in the -plates, and a portion of a new iron plate was with difficulty fixed on -the outside, upon the worst part, and bolted through into a piece of -stout oak plank, placed across it on the inside. The openings had by -this time extended downwards _more than three feet and a half_ on both -sides of the vessel. - -They were, at this time, at no great distance from Cape Vidal; but a -tremendous current was setting to the south-west, at the rate of more -than fifty miles a day, and helped to throw up a very heavy, dangerous -sea. At length the morning dawned once more, and, as the day advanced, -the north-east gale had moderated; and gradually it declined, until, -in the afternoon, the wind changed round towards the south-east. The -repairs to the damaged wheel were by this time completed, and although -the injury to the ship's sides was hourly increasing, the hopes of all -on board redoubled as they saw the double power of both wheels once -more at work. But Delagoa Bay, for which they struggled still so hard, -was not less than two hundred miles distant. As night closed in again, -the angry wind began to howl, and burst upon the fated bark in heavy -gusts and squalls. And all around was dark and solemn, as the fate -which seemed again to threaten misery and destruction. - -The only sail she now carried was torn away in shreds, and the steam -itself had little power to stand the fury of the winds and waves. At -length it lulled: again she moved, and yet again the mighty storm -increased, and with alternate hopes and fears the morning's dawn -was looked for. She heaved and strained most fearfully, the leaks -increased, the _openings spread_, and yet she floated. 'Twas hoped -that, as the day advanced, the storm would yield; but hour after hour, -as it passed, had brought no sign of change or promise of amendment. -Their danger was at this time imminent; but it became so evident to all -that the only chance of safety lay in using unremitting exertions, and -labouring day and night with hearty good-will, that their very efforts -produced confidence, which, in its turn, redoubled all their strength. -Nevertheless, it seemed as if new dangers were constantly in store. - -The leaks continued to increase, her sides strained and opened -fearfully, and the apertures had by this time extended upwards -completely to the deck, and downwards far below the water-line. As the -vessel heaved and rolled from side to side, the broken edges of the -iron plates sometimes opened to the extent of an inch, while their -lateral motion, as the vessel worked, in the part that had bulged, was -frequently not less than _five inches_. As the storm increased, it was -found that in the short space of two and a half hours, and in spite of -every exertion to strengthen the part, the openings on both sides had -further increased in length no less than eighteen inches. - -The motion of the vessel, in such a pitching cross sea, was very quick; -and every time the sides opened, the rush of wind and water through -them was terrific. Luckily, the engines were still able to work, and -continued to pump the water out very fast, although the openings were -actually close to the engine-room itself. But the dangerous state of -the vessel was appalling, not only from the fear of her separating -amidships, but from the chance of the bilge-pumps becoming choked, or -the fires being put out by the rush of water. - -The struggle was evidently to be one for life or death. She groaned and -worked tremendously, and reports were brought in quick succession from -different parts of the vessel, that she was fast breaking up in pieces. - -In this dilemma, it was still necessary to inspire the drooping spirits -of the men with some new exertion. The captain tried to smile, and, -by a cool, collected manner, sought to awaken hope which in secret -he himself could scarcely feel. "You may smile, sir," said one of -the sturdiest of the men, a hardy boiler-maker by trade, "but you -don't know the nature of iron; how should you!" (as if in pity of his -ignorance,) and then added, as if for comfort, "Ah, sir, when once -it works and cracks, as our sides are doing now, it's sure to go on; -nothing can stop it." - -However, it was evident that talking about it would not mend the -matter, and all that could be said was, "The greater our danger, the -more must our exertions be increased to counteract it." And increased -they were. Every officer and man set-to again in earnest, to try to -keep the ship together. One party was employed to nail down thick -planks and spars upon the deck, fore and aft, over the broken part -of the ship; others were busy bolting the ends of them into the -sponson-beams, between the paddle-boxes; while another party, engineers -and firemen, were busy strengthening the ship's sides below. - -To understand this latter part of the condition of affairs, it must -be explained that, what in a wooden ship would be called the ribs, -are, in an iron one, called the "angle-irons." They are, in fact, -strong angular bars, extending up and down the ship's sides like ribs, -having a flat surface, to which the plates of iron are bolted. These -angle-irons, or ribs, are seventeen inches distant from each other, -and at about the centre, between two of them, the crack had taken -place in the plates of iron. The accident had occurred precisely in -the weakest part of the vessel, amidships; and it would seem probable -that, as there was a heavy cross sea in the Mozambique Channel when -the misfortune happened, the head of the vessel was held firm in -the hollow of one sea at the moment the top of another sea struck -her heavily on the quarter. It made her frame quiver; and her length -and shallowness rendered her the more liable to suffer injury from a -similar blow.[6] - -As regards the temporary repairs, it was evident that two contrivances -were necessary for holding the broken plate together in its proper -position. In the first place, small blocks of wood were fixed across -between the angle-irons from one to the other, in such a manner that -they crossed each other like the letter X, and gave support against -the working of the ship, and the tendency of the plates to overlap -each other. Next, strong bolts or bars of iron were passed _through_ -the angle-irons from one to the other, and tightened by means of a nut -and screw at their extremities. By these means, the angle-irons, being -now strongly connected together, were made to hold the edges of the -broken plates in contact between them, which, as long as the bolts held -good, would be quite sufficient as a temporary repair. But all these -contrivances were adopted with extreme difficulty, and during a gale of -wind, when all attempts of the kind appeared desperate. Fortunately, -towards morning of the next day, the 26th, the gale slightly moderated; -and these repairs being now completed as well as circumstances would -permit, rendered her in all respects stronger, so that she strained -much less than before. - -By this time the land was not far distant, and the hopes of those -who had most despaired revived again. By degrees the haze began to -clear; and now what new sensations crowded in the anxious mind! what -thrills of joyous gratitude, as the straining eye first caught the -doubtful land! The heavy sea had gradually diminished as the Nemesis -approached the coast, and she at length ran into smooth water, near a -bold cape. Never was the sound of the running out of a cable after an -almost hopeless voyage heard with greater joy than on this occasion. -She was now safe at last, and rescued from an almost desperate fate. -Congratulations were mutual; and it may well be said that those who -toil and share their fears and hopes together become more firmly bound -in sympathy and friendship. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[6] The mode in which the permanent repairs were afterwards effected -will be explained in the fifth chapter, together with the method by -which the recurrence of a similar accident has been provided against in -vessels more recently constructed. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - -The anchorage which the Nemesis had now so providentially reached was -situated close to Cape Inyache, at the entrance of Delagoa Bay. This -settlement, which still belongs to the Portuguese, was once famous -in the annals of slavery, as one of the principal marts in which -that revolting traffic was carried on. It is still far from being -undeserving of the stigma which attaches to its name, although it has -greatly fallen from its once thriving condition. It is situated on the -eastern coast of Africa, (see map,) and at daylight, on the morning of -the 27th July, 1840, the Nemesis steamed into the river which runs into -the bay, and is known by the name of English River. - -The Portuguese have a small fort near its entrance, from which the -approach of the steamer was no sooner discovered than a mighty stir -was made. Steamers had scarcely even been heard of, much less seen. -The object of her visit none could guess; but all were conscious -of partaking more or less in both the sins and the profits of the -slave-trade; and, therefore, all regarded the approaching vessel as -no friendly visiter. Guns were made to bear, ammunition was got into -readiness, and everything would have looked very formidable had it not -been fully known that a single shot from the stern gun of the Nemesis -would have made the walls tremble, and the defenders hide themselves. - -The Nemesis being uncertain whether her reception would be friendly or -otherwise, slowly passed up beyond the fort, to explore the river, and -great was the surprise of all the lookers-on, to see her move so easily -through water so shallow, that they thought it could scarcely float -one of their smallest slavers. They had little dreamed that so large a -vessel could, if necessary, pursue even the boats of the slavers into -their most secret haunts. - -As she again descended and approached the fort, there was evidently -some excitement, as if they doubted what would happen next. - -An aide-de-camp soon came on board from the governor of the fort, -to inquire whence the vessel came, and what her object might be in -visiting such an unfrequented place; but neither he nor any one on -board could make each other understood. - -On the same day, the captain and some of the officers of the Nemesis -went on shore, to pay their respects to his Excellency, who affected to -be exceedingly glad to see them, and shewed them all possible civility -and attention. This was, no doubt, politic on his part, for he had -every reason to believe that the Nemesis was a man-of-war, and he -also well knew, that had she been so, it would have been a difficult -matter for him to exculpate himself from the charge of openly aiding -and abetting the slave-trade, which was at that very moment being -carried on under his own eyes, and within reach of his own guns. It -was, moreover, sanctioned by the very flag flying at the peak of the -slavers. Yet the same flag was hoisted on the fort itself, under the -stipulations of a treaty, by which its exertions were to be used to -prevent the continuance of the horrid traffic in the river. A slaver -was, in fact, lying in the river, not far from the fort, and, as the -steamer was passing up, it was easily observed that the crew were -deserting her, and trying to make good their escape, leaving their -craft at the mercy of a single boat's crew. But the Nemesis was not a -man-of-war, and had no right to capture her; and it was therefore more -politic not to seem to notice, in the first instance, what was very -apparent to all. - -For some time, there was a difficulty in communicating with the -governor at all, no one knowing the language; but, at length, a -Parsee merchant was sent for, who could speak Hindostanee as well -as Portuguese, and as there was also a man on board who could speak -Hindostanee, a regular cross-fire conversation was thus maintained, in -a roundabout manner. One would hardly have expected to find a Parsee -merchant settled in such a remote and unhealthy spot as Delagoa Bay, -under the Portuguese government. But where will not the "auri sacra -fames" tempt mankind to court the smile of Fortune, even with the grin -of Pestilence and Death before them? - -As a settlement, Delagoa Bay is of very little use to the Portuguese, -of whom very few reside there; and without the stain of slavery, it -could scarcely linger on. There is, however, a limited trade in ivory -and gold-dust, and the coast is frequented by whalers, particularly -Americans, who come into the settlement for supplies. The narrative of -Captain Owen's survey on the coast gives a melancholy picture of the -deadly nature of the climate, which very few, either of his officers or -his men, were fortunate enough to survive. - -The fact of a slaver lying under the guns of the fort, and other little -evidences that the governor was very backward in carrying out the -instructions he had received respecting the slave-trade, went hard with -him afterwards. This case was mentioned to the governor of Mozambique, -under whose jurisdiction Delagoa Bay is placed, and by whom the -deputy-governor is appointed. It will hereafter be seen, that _he_ was, -at all events, sincere and energetic in his efforts to stop the trade. -He became excessively angry when the circumstances were stated to him, -and declared that it was in violation of his most strict and positive -orders, and instantly directed that the deputy-governor should be -removed from his post. - -The slaver, which was a fine Portuguese brig, was subsequently visited -by some of the officers of the Nemesis, and found to be regularly -fitted out for the trade, the planks for the slave-deck being all -ready, with boilers for their food, and shackles, &c. Her masts and -spars were large, and of excellent stuff, and advantage was soon taken -of this circumstance, to procure some necessary materials for the -repairs. - -It appeared that there were some excellent timbers lying on the -beach, which had probably belonged to some large ship wrecked in the -neighbourhood. They were precisely such as would best suit the wants of -our vessel; and, as it was stated that they belonged to a Portuguese -merchant in the town, inquiry was at once made about the purchase of -them. Various excuses, however, were made, and unnecessary difficulty -suggested. It was evident that there was a "screw loose" somewhere -or other, or else that they wished to impose an exorbitant price for -them. A message was therefore immediately sent, declaring that if the -timbers were not given up at a fair valuation, _within twenty minutes_, -the captain of the Nemesis "would go on board the slaver with his men, -and take the masts and spars out of _her_, and as they appeared to be -exceedingly good ones, they would answer her purpose rather better." - -No talisman could have acted more instantaneously than this well-timed -threat, which, moreover, would certainly have been put in execution. -The whole community, from the governor downwards, were more or less -interested in the affair; the report rapidly reached the master of the -slaver; his alarm was natural enough, and his reasons for urging the -immediate surrender of the timbers sufficiently evident. "Pray give -them anything in the world they want," said he; "let me rather pay for -it a dozen times over, than keep that strange-looking ship here. She -will ruin us altogether; we must get rid of her in any way we can; give -her, by all means, everything she wants, and let her be off, for mercy's -sake." - -Long before the twenty minutes had expired, the timbers were given up. -The governor himself, on the following day, the 29th of July, sent a -present of some vegetables and ivory on board, and afterwards came in -person to look at the ship, and was, to all appearance, so pleased with -his reception, and doubtless, so well impressed with the appearance of -the vessel, that he stayed to dinner, and did his best to shew himself -a good fellow. - -It may here be observed, that the so-called "English River," which -empties itself into the sea at Delagoa Bay, is, in reality, the estuary -of three rivers, called the Temby, the Dundas, and the Mattoll. But -they are none of them of much importance, considered separately, -having their sources at scarcely more than a good day's journey from -the entrance, and forming rather the drains of a rich, alluvial -country, than the outlets of the super-abundant waters of distant -tiers of mountains. They run into the English River at the distance of -little more than five miles above the fort. Their shores are generally -bordered by an extensive muddy flat, gradually rising towards higher -land, covered with large bushes, but which can hardly be said to be -crowned with luxuriant woods. Nothing can be imagined more calculated, -under a tropical sun, to produce the most deadly pestilence. No wonder -that those who have endeavoured to trace up these rivers, for even a -short distance, have so commonly fallen victims to their enthusiasm. - -The entrance to English River, from its breadth and general appearance, -leads you to imagine it of greater importance than it really is. Yet -it is not without something of a picturesque character; the sand -hills covered with calabash trees, and the aspect of the village and -Portuguese Fort, tottering though it be, all present a refreshing -picture, when first viewed, after a long and dangerous voyage. - -The neighbouring country is divided among different tribes, who are -frequently at war with each other, and over whom the Portuguese -have very little control. Their own factory, or fort, is situated -on the north side of the river, in the country of Mafoomo. But the -most warlike and troublesome of all the tribes are the so-called -Hollontontes, living some distance to the southward, and resembling, or -indeed probably a branch of, the Zooloo Caffirs, of whom we have lately -heard so much in connexion with the unfortunate Dutch emigrant-farmers -at Port Natal. These Hollontontes (probably a corruption from -Hottentots) have, on more than one occasion, made themselves -formidable, even to the Portuguese themselves. - -On the 31st, the Nemesis was hauled on shore on the fine sandy beach -near the fort, and, in fact, within range of its guns. - -It was on this day that a remarkable phenomenon occurred, which is -here worth mentioning; the more particularly as it was followed at -night and during the subsequent day by a very heavy gale of wind, whose -approach it might, in a manner, be said to have indicated. This was, -in fact, the seventh[7] great plague of Egypt, the plague of locusts, -which filled the atmosphere in myriads, as far as the eye could reach -on every side; and indeed much further, for, during the time it lasted, -the very sky was darkened, and the whole air was filled with a sound as -of "a mighty rushing wind," by the flapping of their wings. You could -scarcely open either your eyes or your mouth, without fear of being -blinded or choked by them. - -Fortunately, the visitation did not last long enough to commit -extensive destruction, but it was nevertheless a source of great alarm -and inconvenience. In some parts of China, also, the swarms of locusts -occasionally produce a great deal of mischief, and are very naturally -dreaded, both by the people and the government. But those visitations -are not so severe as this was, during the short time it lasted.[8] - -Large quantities of locusts were collected by the natives for food; -and it was a very curious sight, for two or three days afterwards, to -watch the different groups of black men, as nearly naked as possible, -crowding round their fires, with all the eagerness of hunger, and all -the longing of an epicure, to enjoy a feast of locusts. They stripped -off the wings and legs, and having slightly roasted or grilled them, -appeared to find them a capital luxury, even not unworthy of the dance -and song with which they accompanied their repast. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[7] It will be remembered that the plagues were frogs; dust turned to -lice; swarms of flies; the murrain of beasts; the plague of boils and -blanes; the plague of hail, of locusts, and of darkness. - -[8] In the account given of the Egyptian plague, it is stated "that -the locusts were brought by an east wind," and were carried away "by -a mighty strong west wind." I was curious to ascertain whether there -was anything worth noting in relation to the state of the wind at -Delagoa Bay when the locusts appeared, and when they were carried away -again. On referring to the ship's log, I find that the day preceding -the appearance of the locusts was one of perfect calm; but the morning -of the day on which they came was ushered in by a north-east wind, -which lasted until the evening, when it changed round to precisely -the opposite quarter--namely, to the south-west, and increased on the -following day to a strong gale from the same quarter, which carried -away all the locusts. Subsequently, it again veered round to the -north-east, and continued so for several days, but brought no more -locusts. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - -No time was now lost in commencing the repairs of which the steamer -stood so much in need. It will be remembered, that the structure of -the ship's side has been elsewhere described, and that the angle-irons -are, in fact, the ship's ribs. The split amidships had taken place in -the middle of the iron plate, between the two angle-irons immediately -before the after sponson-beam. It extended downwards full seven feet -from the deck on either side the vessel; and, as the distance from the -deck to the water-line, with a moderate draught of water, is only from -three feet four inches to three feet six inches, it must have extended -under water for about the same distance as it did above. But the whole -_semi_-circumference of the vessel's hull is only about twenty-three -feet and a half. Therefore, as the crack was full seven feet in length -on each side of the ship, there only remained sixteen feet on each side -of the ship's hull, or about two-thirds in all, not separated in two. - -In other iron vessels more recently constructed by the same builder, -Mr. Laird, of Birkenhead, it is satisfactory to know that full -provision has been made against the recurrence of any similar -accidents. The Phlegethon, which was afterwards built upon the same -model, has been constructed in such a manner, by the addition of -bulkheads, &c., that not only could there be no apprehension of -the accident, but an almost impossibility of its recurrence. The -accompanying woodcut will explain the improvement. - -[Illustration: -TRANSVERSE SECTION AT THE ENGINE-ROOM OF H.E.I. -COMPANY'S IRON STEAM VESSEL PHLEGETHON. - - Shewing the method of giving additional strength by originally - building-in the coal-box bulkheads as part of the vessel. - - A Keel. - - B Floorings. - - C Keelsons. - - D Deck beams (iron). - - E Deck. - - F Covering-board, 18ft. by 4in. - - G Longitudinal iron bulkheads, built into the vessel, forming - the sides of the coal-boxes. - - H Angle-iron stay-beam between. - - I Side frame and coal-box bulkhead. - - N.B.--These bulkheads appear to have remedied the weakness - complained of in the Nemesis, as the Phlegethon is reported, - after nearly three years' hard service (including the passage - round the Cape, when she experienced very bad weather), in as - good order as when she left England, never having required any - alteration or strengthening. -] - -The first thing now to be done was evidently to remove the broken iron -plates, and to rivet in new ones in their place. In order to provide -for additional strengthening of the vessel inside, the large timbers -which had been purchased were made use of, as being exactly adapted -for the purpose. Three of these were placed across the angle-irons -against the side of the vessel, the longest and stoutest, which was -twenty-three feet in length, one foot broad, and six inches thick, -being placed highest up, about two to three feet below the deck. This -was secured in its place by bolts, each a foot long, which were run -through the ship's side, one at the centre of the space between each -of the angle-irons. As there would, however, be a space left between -the face of the beam and the side of the vessel, except at those points -where it rested upon the angle-irons, this interval was filled up with -well-seasoned red pine, which added very much to the solidity of the -contrivance. To "make assurance doubly sure," two other beams, of the -same depth and thickness, but not of the same length, and secured in a -similar manner, were also employed. By this means, it is very evident -that the ship was made a vast deal stronger than she ever was before, -though not stronger than was proper for her size and shape. The whole -length of the new plates put in the ship's sides was eight feet two -inches; and so effectually was the work done that the whole of it -remained perfect, stringers and all, at the end of two years and a half -of severe and uninterrupted service. - -These contrivances added very little to the weight of the vessel, and -gave it very great support in the weakest part, and just where it was -most required, to enable her to carry coals on deck, &c. - -[Illustration: -PLAN SHEWING THE SIDE OF THE NEMESIS REPAIRED AND -STRENGTHENED BY STRINGERS. - - A The old plate cut away between the angle-iron frames. - - B Part of the old plate left remaining inside the new. - - C Stringers, 1ft. by 6in.; the space under them between the - angle-irons made solid with wood. - - D Knee. - - E Deck angle-iron. - - F Angle-iron side-frames. - - G Coal-box bulkhead angle-iron. - - H Paddle-beam, of wood, 21 in. by 15. - - N Diagonal bracing of wood between the stringers. - - N.B.--Stringers secured by seven-eighths in.; bolts driven - through all between each two angle-irons. -] - - -[Illustration: -END VIEW OF THE STRINGERS, SHEWING ALSO THE SECTION OF -THE SHIP'S SIDE. - - I Deck beam of iron. - - K Flat of deck. - - L Covering board, 12 in. by 4 in. - - M Waist stanchion. - - C Ends of the stringers. -] - -During her detention of twelve days, the Nemesis had been an object of -great curiosity to the native Africans, as well as to the Portuguese -settlers. The chiefs of some of the tribes were occasionally allowed to -look at the vessel, and expressed the greatest possible astonishment at -what they saw. It happened to be just the time of year when the king -of one of the tribes most friendly to the Portuguese (probably, as it -appeared, because they have large dealings together in slaves) usually -came down from his own country, about thirty miles distant, to pay his -annual visit to the Portuguese governor. On these occasions, there is -a vast attempt on both sides to appear very friendly to each other, -with precisely that degree of sincerity which, as a _minimum_, is -indispensable to the advantageous barter of slaves and ivory for iron -and spirits, or occasionally gold-dust for various trifling articles, -which in the eyes of a savage possess inestimable value. - -There appears, in general, to be very little good feeling existing -between the native tribes and the Portuguese. The former look upon -the latter with some degree of dread, arising from the injuries which -they have at various times received at their hands; and the latter -regard the former merely as degraded savages, fit for little else than -the speculations of the slave trade. On both sides there is a degree -of mistrust, arising from the debasing tendency which such a traffic -necessarily exercises upon all concerned in it. In Captain Owens -narrative, an instance is related of the most savage cruelty, exercised -by Portuguese Christians upon a few unarmed and oppressed natives -who fell into their hands, which it is impossible to read without -shuddering. - -On the present occasion, the native chief who came to do honour to the -governor was a decrepit old man, nearly seventy years of age, attended -by about seven hundred or eight hundred of his most doughty warriors, -partially clothed in skins, and ornamented with ostrich-feathers stuck -in their heads. He himself, as being a very great man, was clothed in a -loose sort of dressing-gown, with a red nightcap on his head, a present -from the governor himself. Every man had three spears of different -sizes, probably to be thrown at different distances, together with a -stout club and shield; and in the use of these weapons they exhibited -great dexterity. - -The governor had invited Captain Hall and his officers to witness the -performance of their war-dance, which was, in reality, as savage an -exhibition as it was possible to conceive. - -As evening advanced, the attendants of the old chief were called upon -to drink the governor's health, out of a large _tub-full_ of rum; and, -in order to ensure fair play, a corporal stood by with a stout cane -in his hand, with which he most courageously belaboured all those who -shewed an uncivilized disposition for helping themselves to more than -their share. But the passions of the savage are not so easily to be -subdued; and, if the mere sight and smell of the liquor had warmed them -up into something like a quarrelsome mood, what was to be expected -from the actual taste and fire of it? Words ran high, and all the -threatening gestures of the excited savage promised even bloodshed; -until, at length, the corporal's stick being insufficient to allay -the disturbance, he very quietly upset the whole remaining contents -of the tub, and soon dispersed the mighty men-of-war, in apparent -reconciliation. - -The negro tribes of these parts adopt the practice of tattooing their -faces, but not in that peculiarly neat and regular manner for which the -New Zealanders are distinguished. It is here more like a rude system -of notching the skin, as if done rather to shew how manfully they can -endure pain, than as a mere ornamental art. - -A more sensible practice among some of the tribes about Delagoa Bay, -is that of shaving a large portion of the thick wool off their heads, -tending greatly to cleanliness in a tropical country. Occasionally it -is trimmed into some fanciful shape, like the old yew-trees in some of -our English villages, which stand forth as curious specimens of nature -improved; while, again, the natives on some parts of the Madagascar -coast, generally stout, athletic men, divide their hair into little -tufts all over the head, each of which is frequently tied round the -roots, and thus made to stand out on all sides in little knobs, giving -a very singular appearance to the head, more particularly when they are -seen working side by side, as I have often witnessed at the Mauritius, -with close-shaved Indian or Chinese labourers. - -As the king above-mentioned and his followers had come from a -considerable distance, and were reported to possess great influence -among their neighbours, it was thought a good opportunity both to -impress them with a knowledge of our power, and to conciliate them -by a show of our good-nature. There was the more reason for this, in -consequence of pretty certain evidence having been obtained that the -crew of an American trading-vessel, which had been wrecked on the coast -not long before, had been most barbarously treated by the tribe into -whose hands they fell. As such a misfortune might again happen, it -was thought a good opportunity to make an impression upon the native -tribes, which was sure to be communicated from one to the other, by -means of the old king and his adherents. Accordingly, the old man (who -was called Appelli by the Portuguese) was one day invited to go on -board the Nemesis, with one or two of his attendants. The vessel had by -this time been got nearly ready for sea, and on this occasion, in order -to produce greater effect upon all the lookers-on, was dressed out with -her flags, and, being newly-painted, presented a very gay appearance. -A Portuguese merchant accompanied the veteran chief to the ship as -interpreter, and, rather unexpectedly, several women also came off with -him, dressed in showy colours, and impelled, perhaps, as much by the -flattering thought that they would quite astonish the white man, as by -the mere feeling of curiosity. - -The moment the king put his foot upon the deck, the single fife and -drum which was on board set up "God save the king!" and the old man -appeared well pleased both with the tune and the attention. After -this, a particularly ugly, repulsive-looking fellow, who turned out -to be the king's fool, though as old as the king himself, set up a -most discordant note of admiration upon three reeds which he held in -his hand, something after the manner of pan-pipes. At intervals he -treated you to a sort of explanatory text of his own, in the shape of -a few uncouth words, yelled out in a manner particularly edifying to -all _except_ those in whose honour it is supposed they were especially -poured forth. His appearance was rendered more uncouth by a large -bag tied under his chin, for what purpose was not very evident, but -probably to contain either his charms or his tobacco. - -The queen herself had also accompanied her lord upon this occasion, and -exhibited no fear, and certainly no beauty. Picture to yourself a young -sable queen, a capital caricature of one of the Egyptian statues in -black marble, plump and shiny as her prototype, only less expressive. -Then invest her in your imagination with sundry huge scars about her -cheek and nose; not those delicate lines and graceful curves which -decorate the upper lip of royalty among New Zealand tribes, but regular -lumps, squeezed up and dried, as it were into large warts, particularly -about the nose, as if a race of gigantic musquitoes had held a feast -there! - -However, to do justice to the lady's rank, if not to her looks, Captain -Hall thought proper to shew her due attention, and, accordingly, a -glass of wine was offered to her, as well as to her lord. The old -man, though at first suspicious, like all half-savages, very gladly -swallowed it, as soon as one of the officers had tasted it first. -But for the queen wine was not good enough; rum was the nectar for -her--_that_ was the soul-stirring influence which could bend her pride, -and warm her heart to gentleness. - -Having by these means warmed the royal pair to good humour, the next -thing was to bewilder them with astonishment. This was not difficult. -They were requested to examine the ship's side, and to assure -themselves that she was made entirely of iron. A loud Heugh! was their -exclamation. To them it seemed a boundless mine of wealth, that mass -of precious stuff, to purchase which was all their ambition. They were -calculating in their own minds how many thousands and tens of thousands -of slaves they would have to procure, before they could be able to -obtain so much of the valued metal. But, when the engine was shewn -to them, with all its polished bars, and massive parts, and its uses -partly explained through the interpreter, their astonishment knew no -bounds. - -Before the chief's departure, great care was taken to explain to him -the barbarous cruelties which had been committed upon the shipwrecked -seamen by some of the tribes on the coast. He declared that he had -never heard of the occurrence, and affected to be very much horrified -at it. He was made to understand that he was to communicate to all the -people of his tribe, as well as to all others whom he might fall in -with, that, if ever any injury were done to any white men when driven -upon any part of the coast, an iron vessel, even more terrible than -the one he was then in, would be sent to punish the people. On the -contrary, if he conducted himself peaceably, and treated white men well -on all occasions, he would be considered the friend of the English, and -of all other white men. He was also to make it publicly known wherever -he went, that white men were always to be treated kindly when in -distress. This he promised to do, with every appearance of sincerity, -and upon the whole shewed more intelligence than might have been -expected. - -In consideration of the king's promises, and in order the more fully -to gain his influence, a present was made to him, the most valuable -he could have received--namely, a musket and bayonet, with its -accoutrements. His surprise and delight were beyond all bounds; he -almost seemed to get young again with pleasure as he grasped the -precious weapon in his hands. On leaving the vessel, he insisted on -shaking hands with almost every one on board. - -On the following day, he returned again to the ship in high glee, -bringing with him his own spear and shield, with other implements of -war and of the chase, which he laid at the captain's feet, as the most -valuable presents he could offer to a "faithful ally." - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - -The circumstances relating to the distressed seamen on the coast, -alluded to in the foregoing chapter, were first stated by one of the -unfortunate sufferers himself, who accosted, in very good English, some -of the officers of the Nemesis, as they were returning to their ship, -and soon proved himself to have belonged to an American vessel, but -stated that he was a native of Hanover. His name was Samuel Reid, or -something very much like it. His right eye and lower jaw appeared to -have been dreadfully wounded, and gave a practical introduction to the -following tale, every part of which there is too much reason to believe -is strictly true. - -It appears that an American schooner, called the Colonel Crockett, of -one hundred and forty tons, belonging to Newburgh, U. S., sailed from -New York in the summer of 1839, bound on a voyage to the West Coast of -Africa, to procure bullocks for salting, principally for the St. Helena -market. She subsequently, also, proceeded to Madagascar, and touched at -Delagoa Bay, on her way to Inhampura River, high up on the east coast, -to trade for ivory. There she remained three weeks, without being able -to accomplish her object. In working out of it again, in May, 1840, she -missed stays, and went on shore on the sand at the river's mouth. They -tried in vain to get the vessel off on the following day, there not -being enough men fit for work, as all, except three out of eleven, were -sick with fever. There she lay, nearly high and dry. It seems they had -only one boat remaining, which was too small to contain all the people, -and, therefore, it was agreed that the captain and second mate, (Samuel -Reid,) with two men, should start off in her, and try to reach Delagoa -Bay, which was only about seventy miles distant, where they were to -procure a larger boat and other assistance, and then return to bring -away the remainder of the crew, and whatever could be saved from the -wreck. - -Unfortunately, they found the surf beating over the bar at the mouth -of the Inhampura so heavily, that they could not succeed in getting -the boat out. In this predicament, the captain and second mate -volunteered to set out together, to try to reach Delagoa Bay by land--a -most hazardous experiment under any circumstances, with the dangers -of the fatal fevers, and the treachery of the savage native tribes, -staring them in the face. The attempt was, in fact, almost hopeless. -Nevertheless, on the morning of the 9th of May, 1840, they landed -from the vessel, totally unarmed, thinking, probably, that it would -be both useless and laborious for two men to carry arms which they -could scarcely use for more than one or two discharges, owing to the -difficulty of carrying ammunition. - -They proceeded for about twenty to twenty-five miles on that day, -without molestation, but were at length joined by three natives, one of -whom left them, under the pretence of going to procure water, while the -other two lighted a fire, and began to roast some corn, of which they -all partook equally. In the meantime, the native who had been absent -returned, bringing with him seven others. - -The captain, being anxious to make the most of his time, determined to -proceed, although the day was fast declining. But, in order to relieve -themselves from the weight of their bags of clothes which they had -each brought with them, they entrusted them to the care of the natives -who followed. On arriving at the bottom of a steep hill, where there -was a picturesque valley, they all halted for the night, and soon made -a capital fire. As might have been expected, the curiosity of the -natives, to say nothing of their treacherous disposition, could not -withstand the temptation of looking into the bags they had carried, -to examine their contents. This was resisted by the captain, who was -rather a hasty man; a scuffle ensued, and thus the opportunity the -natives sought for was at once afforded them. - -Their intentions might have been foreseen the moment the man left -the party, ostensibly to look for water, but in reality to look for -assistance. And although a natural dread of the white man had hitherto -prevented them from openly commencing their attack--waiting, probably, -for a more favourable opportunity at nightfall--a quarrel having once -arisen, however trifling, their savage blood was roused, and all their -bad feelings awakened. They immediately rose in a body, and made a -general discharge of their spears at the two unhappy white men. The -captain faced them boldly, and soon received several severe wounds in -front, and at last tried to save himself by flight. But, wounded as he -was, they soon overtook him, and struck him down, it is to be hoped, -quite dead, although even that does not appear certain. - -The mate, on the other hand, who stood sideways to receive the -discharge of spears, presenting a narrower surface than in front, was -wounded with two spears in the right arm, and one in the neighbourhood -of the right eye, and, having picked up one of them, made a furious -charge at those who were nearest to him, and killed two of the savages -on the spot. Numbers, however, necessarily prevailed over the most -desperate courage, and he was at last struck down by a heavy blow -of a club over the head, and, being senseless, was considered dead. -They now dragged him towards the fire, as he afterwards found, and -must have struck him several heavy blows upon different parts of the -body. On coming to himself again, he found that he was stripped of -all his clothes, lying naked upon the sand, and so exhausted that he -could neither speak nor move. Gradually, however, becoming sensible -of his helpless situation, he looked around him, from time to time, -unobserved; and, at length, to his great horror, discovered the body -of his unfortunate captain lying by the side of the fire, and several -natives standing around it, some of whom were busy cutting off slices -from the fleshy parts of the body, while others roasted them in the -fire, with all the appearance of anxious longing for the feast! - -Can any situation be conceived more horrible at this moment than that -of the unfortunate wounded man? If he betrayed symptoms of life, he -was sure to be beaten with heavy clubs to death; if he lay quiet, to -all appearance lifeless, it was far from improbable that, when they -should have become satiated with the flesh of his companion, they might -be ready to commence their butchery upon himself. Who can picture to -himself without horror the dreadful moments which lingered as they -passed, and seemed endless in the anxiety of suspense! There the poor -fellow lay, in speechless agony, the fated witness of barbarity the -most revolting. - -At length, having gorged themselves with that horrible repast in the -peculiar manner which those who have ever seen the hungry savage at -his meal can never forget, they fell asleep round the fire, under the -full oppression of repletion. The poor mate, perceiving this, made a -desperate effort to rouse himself from his death-like dreaminess, and -try to fly from his impending fate, he knew not how or whither. He -could not stand, he could not walk, and almost feinted with the effort; -yet he crawled on hands and knees towards the neighbouring bush or -thicket, and there contrived to hide himself. - -He lay concealed, in helplessness, until the following day, when he -was discovered by the restless eye of the suspicious savage. He asked, -by signs, for water; but not only was that refused to him, but he was -given to understand, without difficulty, that they looked forward to -the pleasure of eating him for their evening meal with particular -satisfaction; and a sort of rude table was pointed out to him, upon -which they intended to cut him up for their repast, according to their -most approved fashion. After this, they left him alone in his misery. -It should be mentioned, that when they refused him drink, they _did_ -give him a little food, which they _forced_ him to eat, and--horrible -to think of!--it was not improbably a part of his murdered companion, -upon which they had regaled themselves the evening before. - -As night approached, the man, finding himself somewhat recovered from -the shock of his wounds, made another desperate effort to escape. He -could now walk; and slowly and cautiously he pursued his way, tracing -back his course with the almost unerring instinct which the resolution -of despair awakens. The darkness of the night favoured him; and, by -sometimes diving into the wood for concealment, sometimes resting in -the darkest part of the thicket to collect his failing strength, and -then again boldly urging on his course along the more open beach by the -sea-side, he at length eluded all his pursuers. They had followed him, -for some distance, in vain; and he safely reached, on the following -day, the schooner he had left, completely exhausted and helpless. - -Here he found that, even during his short absence, death had done its -work among his messmates on board. Finding that there was no hope of -procuring relief on shore, another attempt was made to get the boat -over the bar--and with success. In this the chief mate, with two -other men, embarked, in the hope of being able to make their passage -along the coast of Delagoa Bay. The attempt fortunately succeeded; -and, at the end of five days, a large boat was descried approaching -the wreck, which had been hired by their comrades from the Portuguese -authorities for two hundred dollars, for the purpose of bringing them -off. But their troubles were not yet destined to end. A heavy sea -still continued to beat upon the bar, creating such a surf that they -were compelled to wait at least fourteen days more before they could -leave the schooner. Happily, they were at length able to embark; and, -carrying with them the most portable articles of value they could stow -away, they ultimately succeeded in reaching Delagoa Bay. - -It has more than once been suspected that some of the tribes on the -eastern coast of Africa were cannibals, under certain circumstances: -but others again, and Captain Owen among the number, have declared -that, "on inquiry, even their greatest enemies acquitted them of the -suspicion." There does not, however, appear to be any well-grounded -reason for calling in question the truth of the statement made by this -unfortunate man, Reid. His tale was told to Captain Hall with every -appearance of truth; and, although it might be suggested that the man -was not unlikely to have been in a state of dreamy delirium, after -the wounds and blows he had received upon the head, and might have -been led by fear to imagine what he pictured to himself to be true, -still this is a very unsatisfactory answer to a simple tale of facts, -artlessly told, and without any object to be gained by inventing a case -of horror. Besides which, he could hardly have found his way back to -the schooner without assistance, had he not perfectly recovered his -senses before he started. - -Two of the unfortunate men entered as able seamen on board the Nemesis, -with liberty to be discharged when they pleased, and continued on board -until she arrived at Singapore; but the second mate preferred waiting -for any American vessel that might touch at the settlement. - -It may seem that I have dwelt long upon the subjects of interest -connected with the stay of the Nemesis at Delagoa Bay; but, in reality, -it is a part of the coast of Africa little known to the general -reader, and as the vessel was detained there for a considerable time, -many objects of interest were noticed and remembered. I have before -mentioned that the Portuguese have been very far from advancing the -civilization of the natives. There is certainly no love for each other -between them; and the debasing influences of the slave-trade seem -universally to poison the heart, and destroy all the sympathies of our -nature. - -One poor native woman was discovered who spoke English tolerably well, -and was found to have been extremely useful as interpreter to all the -English and American vessels, whalers, and others, which touched there -for supplies. For what particular reason does not appear, but this -woman had been strictly forbidden by the governor to go on board the -Nemesis, under pain of the severest punishment; indeed, she had been -kept in close confinement nearly ever since the arrival of the vessel. -But, at length, when an American whaler came into the bay, she was -allowed to visit _that ship_ as usual. There was something peculiarly -artless and good-natured about the poor woman's manner, and she -expressed a particular wish to be allowed to see some person from the -English ship. Word was accordingly brought from the American captain to -that effect. - -Her tale was a remarkable one, and told with considerable intelligence. -She expressed her attachment to the English in strong terms, enumerated -the various kindnesses she had received from them, inquired after -particular ships and individuals, and seemed to remember almost every -trifling incident that had occurred. She was greatly afraid of being -punished by the governor for having dared to talk to the English, -but could assign no particular grounds for the harsh treatment she -received. It was, however, shrewdly suspected that it arose from fear -that she might furnish information about the slave-trade, and that, in -fact, her remarks might already have been very useful to the English -cruisers, and, consequently, injurious to the Portuguese dealers. -It has been before stated that the governor himself was not free -from the suspicion of countenancing the traffic; and, taking all the -circumstances together, it became pretty evident that this poor woman's -treatment was only one of the links in the chain of turpitude forged -out of the iron rod of slavery. - -For the first time since the arrival of the Nemesis, some of her -officers were now able to leave the ship for a day, and make an -interesting excursion up the river. They started early in the morning, -accompanied by a Portuguese merchant and his servant. It being now the -least unhealthy season of the year, there was little or no danger to be -apprehended from sickness, particularly as it was not their intention -to remain out at night. - -It has already been noticed that the English River, is, in fact, formed -by the united waters of three rivers, at the distance of only five or -six miles from the fort, the largest being the Temby, to the southward, -and the smallest the Dundas, to the westward, while the Mattoll runs -up towards the northward. The Dundas was the one chosen on the present -excursion, as there was good expectation of finding large herds of -hippopotami upon its banks, and perhaps other wild animals, which would -furnish a capital day's sport. The banks of the river were low, and -the stream sluggish, and on all sides abundance of mangrove shrubs and -bushes, sufficient of themselves to indicate that the country must -frequently be flooded. Birds of various kinds, particularly such as -feed upon small fish and worms, were seen in great numbers, curlews and -crows, and occasionally a pelican, with wild geese and pigeons, and now -and then birds of more beautiful plumage. - -As the boat ascended, four wild buffaloes were seen at a distance, and -a beautiful zebra was descried, galloping away from the river-side. But -the most striking objects were the numerous hippopotami, in the midst -of whose favourite haunts they now found themselves. A more curious -or exciting scene can scarcely be imagined; and when it was resolved -to continue the ascent, in the hope of having some fine sport, the -Portuguese merchant was so alarmed, that he very humbly requested that -he might be left behind. The strange animals opened their huge mouths, -and bellowed forth a sound something like the roar of an ox in concert -with the grunt of a wild boar, with a little accompaniment of the -braying of an ass. They did not at first seem frightened, but shewed -their formidable-looking teeth, as if they had some right to frighten -others. Hundreds of them started up at different times, some rising -from the shallow mud in which they had been lying, and hastening off -with a quick, heavy tread; others, again, just raising their heads up -from the deeper parts of the river, and diving again like porpoises. -Several of them were fired at and wounded, upon which they dived -instantly out of sight, without rising again. Indeed, they are hardly -ever killed in such a way as to be taken on the spot at once; but, -dying under water, the carcase of course rises to the surface after two -or three days, and is then taken possession of by the natives. Their -flesh is eaten with great avidity in times of scarcity; but, generally -speaking, they are more valued for the beautiful ivory of their teeth, -which are collected and bartered for various articles of European -manufacture. - -Several natives were seen paddling about the river in their little -canoes, apparently without any fear of the hippopotami, and one party -of them was spoken to, and appeared harmless and contented; but their -invitation to land and look at the country was not accepted, as -there was little time to spare, and their treacherous character was -sufficiently known to make it imprudent to divide a small party into -still smaller ones. They, however, explained very intelligibly the -mode in which they contrived to kill the hippopotami--viz., sometimes -by making a regular charge at some of them, singled out on purpose, -with their spears. To effect this, they go in large numbers together, -but the expedition is attended with considerable danger, and rarely -resorted to, except in times of dearth. A more common method is to lay -traps of various kinds for them, either upon the banks of the river -itself, or among the neighbouring trees, a party being constantly at -hand, in concealment, to despatch them at the last moment. - -The whole distance ascended, from the junction of the Dundas with the -English River was about seven or eight miles, when the water became -so shallow that the boats could scarcely proceed. Towards evening, -therefore, they again descended with the ebb-tide, having the full -light of the moon to guide them down to their ship, after a laborious -but very agreeable day, which fully repaid them by the interesting -objects which presented themselves to their notice. - -Their last day had now arrived; and, with a view to shew them every -possible attention, as well as to conciliate their good offices, -the governor invited Captain Hall and his officers to a grand -entertainment, on which occasion all the delicacies of the African -coast had been sought out to do honour to the guests, and nothing was -omitted which could contribute to the novelty and perfection of the -entertainment. - -The exterior of the governor's residence was something like a -good-sized English cottage, consisting of only one floor, as is -commonly the case in hot countries, and having two white pillars in -front, which supported a portion of the roof, serving at the same time -for a verandah. It was ornamented with green branches for the occasion, -affording a very necessary protection from the glare of the sun, which -was still high and powerful. There were several other smaller cottages -disposed around it, something in the form of a square, but not a single -tree or other relieving object to soften the burning reflection from -the deep sand which formed the site of the fort and of the governor's -residence. - -The dinner went off with great eclat, and no little amusement at the -original attempts of the black waiters (of course slaves) to vie with -European refinement. Towards evening, when tea had at length been -handed round, the entertainment was concluded with, "for the last -time of performance," a dance of the native women belonging to the -neighbouring village. The whole affair lasted for about an hour, when, -glad to escape the heat and noise, the officers returned to their ship. - -Little further remains to be said of Delagoa Bay, though many -interesting facts might have been elicited in relation to the -slave-trade, had the Nemesis remained there longer. It appears very -evident that formerly the trade was carried on with greater atrocity -than at present, but enough is still known respecting it to make us -look upon the natives themselves as the worst abettors of the traffic. -The passions of the savage chiefs seem only to be withheld for a -moment, not suppressed, by the difficulty of procuring slaves; and when -they can neither find enemies to seize, nor _culprits to condemn_, they -sometimes send a sort of marauding expedition to seize by treachery -_their own people_, and sell them into slavery. It is stated by Captain -Owen, that, within even a few years, under a former commandant, some of -the chiefs had been persuaded to sell their harmless subjects for so -trifling a sum as a dollar and a half each, or about seven shillings, -to be paid, not in money, but in merchandize of trifling value, and -that several cargoes had been obtained in this way for the Brazilian -market. - -If we look for the most thriving mart for slaves upon the east coast of -Africa at the present time, we shall find it at the river Quillimane, -a little more than five hundred miles to the north of Delagoa Bay. It -lies about midway between that settlement and Mozambique. There the -slaves are purchased for coarse cloth, gunpowder, beads, cutlery, &c.; -and the "arrival of one of the little traders, with his pedler-kind -of stock, among one of the native tribes in the interior, becomes the -signal for general warfare, in which the weak become the victims of -the strong." A few years ago, no less than five thousand slaves were -annually exported, from this mart alone, to Rio Janeiro. - -It is indeed astonishing that a place so unhealthy in itself as -Quillimane should be able to keep up its constant supply of human -export. The soil and the very air are no less pestilential than the -traffic which debases it; but the effects of the demand are felt far -and wide, and, hundreds of miles in the interior, the slave hunt, as -it may be called, is carried on; and the ramifications of this odious -traffic spread themselves like the branches of the upas-tree, not -merely poisoning all within its shade, but becoming more and more -infectious as it branches out further from the root. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - -All preparations being at length completed, on the morning of the 17th -of August, just twenty days after having so providentially succeeded -in reaching her port of refuge, the Nemesis was once more ready to -continue her voyage. - -On the 22nd August, she passed near the group of Rocky Islands, called -Bassa da India, which are situated nearly in the middle of the channel, -and pursued her voyage under sail. Of course, her progress was slow -against an adverse wind, and no little anxiety was felt by her captain, -on account of the uncertainty of the compasses, and their discrepancy -with each other. She arrived, however, safely at Mozambique on the -afternoon of the 31st, without having had occasion to use her engines, -except just to carry her into the anchorage. - -As she passed through the outer roads, she communicated with H.M. brig -Acorn, Captain Adams, which was on the look-out for two slavers daily -expected to arrive for cargoes; and, the better to entrap them, she had -hoisted a sort of decoy-flag at her main, which she had already taken -from one of the same description. While a short visit was being paid on -board, a pilot had come off from the shore, to conduct the Nemesis into -the inner harbour, where she was soon brought to within a quarter of a -mile of the town. Little time, however, could be spared for the visit, -but there was still some necessary work to be done on board, which -could not be completed until the following day. - -As the errors of the compasses have been alluded to above, and seem -to have occasioned very great anxiety upon this passage, it may be -well to make some remarks about them again in this place. It will be -remembered, that before leaving Liverpool a long series of experiments -had been made, which were intended to provide means of counteracting -the local action of the iron of the ship's hull upon the compasses. -But no worse place can be imagined than a crowded dock for the purpose -of carrying on experiments of such nicety. Disturbing causes were -continually operating, and the accident she met with on her way to -Portsmouth proved that the correctness of the compasses was very far -from being satisfactory. The experiments which were afterwards made at -Portsmouth were also very doubtful in their result, in all probability -owing, as before explained, to the absence of the boxes of chain or -broken iron, which are always used by Professor Airy. It may readily -be imagined that the utmost anxiety was always felt on board the vessel -on this account, particularly when near the land; and many a long and -anxious night has been spent on deck, with frequently a leadsman upon -each of the paddle-boxes, to take soundings, and one in the bowsprit -besides. - -The large magnets, as originally placed in their positions, have never -been moved, neither has the compass been changed in the slightest -degree. But although they have greatly _modified_ the errors, they have -by no means sufficed to correct them. It has been always found the -safest course not to put faith in the compasses at all; or rather, in -this instance, observation showed that a compass, suspended in a box -from a cross spar, at the height of ten or twelve feet above the head -of the man at the helm, acted with much more accuracy than any other, -and it was always the most relied on whenever it could be used. - -It is scarcely to be doubted that the vessel has often made a longer -passage than she would have done had the compasses been correct; for, -in bad weather, when observations of the celestial bodies could not -be taken, she could scarcely have avoided making many errors in her -course. But nowhere were these difficulties felt more anxiously than -in this passage through the Mozambique Channel, where land could never -be very far distant. The necessity for a constant good look-out, and -for two or even three men in the chains, produced anxiety and fatigue -in itself; while it was also necessary for the officers to have the -advantage of taking the altitudes of the stars, whenever the night -was clear enough, not only once, but many times during the night. -The compasses not only differed from the true points, but differed -also from each other; and particularly in the Mozambique Channel, it -was observed that they differed more than elsewhere, without being -influenced however by the rapid atmospheric changes which prevailed. -The more the ship's course was directed towards the true pole, the less -was the error of the compass; but gradually, as her course was changed -towards the east or west, so did the errors and discrepancies of the -compasses increase. - -It is satisfactory to know that the same degree of difficulty was -not experienced on board the other iron steamers which were sent out -afterwards; and as the Nemesis was the first of her class that ever -made the voyage, it is right here to record the difficulties she -encountered under this head. Many an anxious watch has been spent on -deck, trying to catch the altitude of particular stars as they emerged, -for a moment, from the dense clouds or haze; and much of this kind of -labour, so frequently repeated, would have been saved had her compasses -been trustworthy.[9] - -It is now time to return to the anchorage at Mozambique, where we left -the Nemesis. Of course as she passed the principal Portuguese fort, she -fired a salute, which was returned, and immediately became the signal -to the whole town that something uncommon was to be expected. The -arrival of a large steamer was soon made known in every direction, and -not only became a source of curiosity to all, but an object of great -alarm to many. The first impression was that she was sent purposely -to put an end to the slave-trade at that place, and the consternation -became general; for the governor, of whom more will presently be said, -at once encouraged this opinion, which he felt would strengthen his -power, as it did his determination, which was proved to be perfectly -sincere, to do his utmost to stop the trade. Those most interested in -the traffic had already begun openly to defy his power, and had not -hesitated to declare to him that they would still carry it on in some -of the shallow rivers, where vessels of war could not approach them. -But the sight of a large steamer, running along close in shore, almost -as if she were a small boat, drawing at the same time only five feet -and a half of water, at once damped their ardour. They never could -have dreamed that a large heavily-armed vessel could move wherever -she pleased through their smallest streams; and their alarm was -proportioned to their surprise. - -Shortly before this, there had been so strong a disposition to resist -the governor's power, that it had amounted almost to a rebellion; -and his Excellency, though a bold man, and the first governor of the -Portuguese possessions on that coast, who had come with the honest -determination to stop the trade at all hazards, felt himself in a -very awkward position. He, however, felt himself strong enough to -take extreme measures, the moment he saw the steamer so close to the -town. He afterwards admitted that her arrival was most opportune, -and so pleased was he, at the same time, that he turned at once upon -the slave-dealers; even that very day he seized two large slavers, -condemned them at once, and publicly sold them by auction before the -day was over. Such vigorous measures had been quite unknown under any -former governor, and at once proved, both to the Portuguese and to the -world, that his professions were real, and that he meant to keep his -word. He had before this taken strong measures against the dealers in -slaves, but this bold step was the finishing stroke of his policy, and -at once filled all parties with dismay. In fact, trade of all kinds was -stagnant for the moment, in consequence of the measures adopted; and -large heaps of valuable ivory were lying there useless, in consequence -of the impossibility, or, at all events, extreme hazard, of sending the -usual slave-ships to sea, which would convey it to a market. - -The governor is a brigadier-general in the Portuguese service, by name -Joachim Pereira Morinho, and had formerly served under the Duke of -Wellington in the Peninsula. He had not been long on the coast; but, -as he had come with a full determination to destroy the slave-trade, -or, at all events, to do his utmost towards it, he had already been -long enough there to gain the ill-will of all the Portuguese residents. -Indeed, he did not live altogether in security from violence, arising -from the vindictive feelings of those interested in the traffic; and he -had, therefore, requested Captain Adams, in the Acorn, to remain there -as long as he could, to afford him protection; and had also detained a -small brig-of-war, belonging to his own country, named the Villa Flora, -to overawe the sea-faring part of the population. - -The governor seemed to entertain the best feelings towards the English -generally, with whom he had associated a good deal, and particularly -inquired what assistance he could give to the Nemesis. As fuel and -vegetables were, of course, most in request, they were mentioned. He -appeared quite pleased to have it in his power to furnish something -that would be of use to her; and, to the gratification of every one, a -large boat came off to the ship early in the morning, bringing a fat -ox, four sheep, a large pig, and some vegetables and fruit; besides -which, there was also a large country boat, full of wood, containing -eight thousand pieces. In addition to these very handsome presents, he -also proposed to fill up the ship's water free of expense. This was -accompanied by a note, in Portuguese, from the secretary-general of -the province, Don Antonio Julio di Castro Pinto, of high degree and -higher-sounding name, who was charged by his Excellency to offer the -good things above-mentioned, "as a mark of his good-will, and of his -sense of the service which the visit of the Nemesis would render to the -cause of anti-slavery, and, at the same time, as a trifling present to -a brother in arms from an old soldier, grown grey in the service of his -country, both at home and abroad." - -Nothing could have been more acceptable, and, through the active -assistance which the Nemesis received, she was enabled to proceed on -her voyage, after little more than a day's delay. As an acknowledgment -of his Excellency's attention, a trifling present of some capital -hollands, preserved salmon, and English pickles, were sent to him, -which were very great luxuries in that part of the world, and appeared -to be duly appreciated. His Excellency had never before seen a steamer -in those parts; and, the better to acknowledge his good-nature, and -increase the sensation her arrival had produced on shore, he was -invited by Captain Hall, to come on board to look at the ship, and to -partake of such refreshment as she had to offer. This was, accordingly, -a grand day for all parties, and the 1st of September, 1840, will, on -many accounts, be long remembered at Mozambique. - -His Excellency came on board in his state-barge, attended by all his -suite, in full uniform, under a salute from the batteries and the -Portuguese brig-of-war, while crowds of spectators stood upon every -point on shore, whence a good view could be obtained. The deck of -the Nemesis, though rather crowded with visitors, presented a gay -appearance, from the variety of uniforms and foreign orders, which all -those who were entitled to them, not few in number, displayed upon the -occasion. - -Sufficient time having been spent in viewing the ship and inspecting -the machinery, which few of them had ever seen before, the whole party -sat down to a grand _dejeuner a la fourchette_. Now, it may seem that -a trifling incident of this sort could have no possible connexion with -the suppression of the slave-trade; and, moreover, this latter question -has been more frequently discussed at tea-drinking parties among -benevolent ladies, than at champagne luncheons among the redoubtable -sons of Mars. Yet the impression which a thing makes is often of more -consequence than might otherwise be anticipated from the trifling -nature of the thing itself. - -The healths of the Queens of England and of Portugal were drank with -three times three, followed immediately by a salute of twenty-one -guns, both from the steamer and the Portuguese brig. The effect of -this upon the inhabitants was by no means unimportant; it impressed -them more than ever with the conviction, that the governments of the -two countries were perfectly united in their determination to suppress -the slave-trade; and the sound of the royal salutes ringing in their -ears, completely put an end, for the moment certainly, to all their -inclinations to resist the governor's authority. - -In proof of his determination to do his utmost to suppress the -slave-trade, General Morinho had already ordered one of the -deputy-governors to be brought up to Mozambique, to be tried by -court-martial for disobedience of orders, in permitting the trade -under his own eyes; and, it has already been mentioned, that, from -the information which was given by the Nemesis, of the slave-brig at -Delagoa Bay, lying under the very guns of the fort, the governor of -that settlement was also to be sent for. - -That no attention might be omitted, after the great kindness his -Excellency had shown to all on board, he and his party were steamed -some way up the river, to show them the capabilities of the vessel; -thousands of boats crowded round her in all directions, while the -house-tops, the fort, the beach, and all the ships in port, were -covered with people anxious to see the greatest novelty the place had -ever been witness to--the first steamer, moving with rapidity about -their fine harbour, and in whatever direction she pleased. - -A few words may not be out of place concerning the position of -Mozambique, and its eligibility as a place of call for fuel, should -steamers be sent more frequently by that route to India. The following -description of the harbour, taken from Captain Owen's narrative of his -surveys on that coast, will be found perfectly correct. "It is formed -by a deep inlet of the sea, five and a half miles broad and six long, -receiving the waters of three inconsiderable rivers at its head. At -the entrance are three small islands, which, together with reefs and -shoals, render the anchorage perfectly safe in the worst weather. -Of these islands, that of Mozambique, on which stands the city, is -completely formed of coral, very low and narrow, and scarcely one mile -and a half in length. It is situated nearly in the centre of the inlet, -and just within the line of the two points that form its extremities. -The other two islands, called St. George and St. Jago, lie about -three miles outside of Mozambique, but close to each other. They are -uninhabited, although covered with rich verdure and trees, but upon a -coral foundation." - -Mozambique was taken from the Arabs by the Portuguese, at the very -commencement of the sixteenth century; and the extent of the fort of -St. Sebastian, built there by them, and which, even now, might be -rendered a very strong fortification, capable of mounting nearly a -hundred guns, if in proper repair, will be sufficient to show the great -importance which they attributed to it, even in that early period of -its settlement. It still contains large barracks and extensive quarters -and storehouses, but only a very small and feeble garrison, of scarcely -more than a couple of hundred men, either black or creole sepoys. -There are likewise two other smaller forts upon the island, which may -therefore be considered strongly fortified, although more indebted to -the past than to the present, for the importance, which, at first -view, it appears to possess. - -The public buildings of Mozambique all bespeak the value of the -settlement to its possessors, in the days of Portuguese maritime -distinction. The governor's palace must have been, in its best days, -a residence worthy of an influential ruler. It is built of stone, is -of considerable extent, and has some fine rooms in it; in fact, it -speaks much for the importance attached by the Portuguese, in former -times, to their eastern possessions. The large stone wharf, built on -handsome arches, with the fine Custom House, in a sort of square at the -extremity of it, clearly point out the ancient commercial value of the -settlement; withered at last, perhaps, more by the paralysing effects -of the slave-trade, than by any natural decrease in the commercial -capabilities of the east coast of Africa. - -In short, the city has retrograded into comparative insignificance; -the number of resident Portuguese has become very inconsiderable, with -the exception of some Canareens or creole Portuguese, born in other -Portuguese possessions in India, and, though commonly called white, -only so "by courtesy," being often quite as black as the true Indians. -Bad government and moral deterioration have added not a little to the -other causes of its downfall; and it will scarcely be credited, that -a distinct law has been passed, that those who were married should -be compelled to remain there, or, at least, not return to their own -country. The effect of so extraordinary a measure, has been, that -nobody is disposed to get married at all; and, so low a tone of moral -feeling has come to prevail, that the sexes live together openly, -without any matrimonial or moral ties, and with little feeling of shame -at the absence of them. - -I have dwelt a little upon these particulars concerning Mozambique, -because it is the principal of all the Portuguese settlements on that -coast; and if, as such, it has fallen so far from its former state, -we may judge how the others must now be lingering on between life and -death. The fatal influence of the slave-trade appears to paralyse the -whole commercial traffic of the country; the natives, being reduced -to mutual distrust of each other, and continually living in fear and -poverty, are unable to purchase the comforts of foreign manufactures. -The selling of slaves is almost the only profit of the chiefs, -unfitting them for every other enterprise, and deadening within them -every feeling of honour and every hope of improvement. A universal -stagnation seems to hang over the mind of man, as well as over the -productions of the earth. Were it not for the industry of the Arab -population in the neighbourhood, a periodical famine would inevitably -occur. At the present moment, the whole of the Portuguese possessions, -along the Rios da Senna, do not supply even enough grain for their -own consumption. Yet the country is a remarkably fine one, capable of -producing luxuriantly all the fruits of the earth, and, were it cleared -and cultivated, would become habitable even for Europeans, through the -improvement of its climate; yet, there is much land now neglected and -barren, which was once highly cultivated. - -The slave-trade is, in fact, a worse pestilence to the country than -even the fever itself; and Mozambique, Quillimane, Delagoa Bay, Sofala, -and Inhamban, are all fallen to the lowest grade of civilization. -If you ask the simple tale of history, what has been the effect of -Portuguese rule upon that coast, you will hear neither of savages -reclaimed, soil improved, commerce extended, justice and mercy -practised, nor Christianity taught. The blight of slavery has poisoned -everything on which it rested. - -Nevertheless, as a place of call for refreshment, for ships passing -through the Channel, Mozambique has some claims to attention. Abundance -of vegetables and fruit are to be obtained there; pigs and goats are -readily to be purchased, as well as poultry, and, were the demand for -bullocks larger, they would soon be brought to market in numbers. At -present, however, they are very dear. - -But the great treasure of the place remains yet to be developed; at all -events, the subject is well open to investigation. The existence of -good coal in that neighbourhood is now, I believe for the first time, -made public. There is reason to expect that it will be found in large -quantity, and of good quality, although as yet the search for it has -not been carried on to any great extent. The all-engrossing subject of -the slave-trade seems to darken every other object of attention in that -quarter, and the Portuguese are probably afraid that the discovery of -coal in their settlements would occasion the continual visits of so -many steamers and other vessels, that even greater difficulty would be -thrown in the way of the traffic. - -Just as the Nemesis was leaving the harbour, the captain of an English -merchant ship, the only one there at the time, brought off a large -piece of excellent coal for inspection. It had all the appearance of -coal perfectly adapted for steaming purposes; it was stated to be -found at Quillimane, (the settlement before alluded to) about three -hundred miles to the southward of Mozambique, and that there is every -reason to believe it might be procured in large quantities, and worked -without difficulty. This specimen was sent to England for examination, -by Captain Hall; but it has since been ascertained that it did not -reach its destination. This is on all accounts to be regretted. It was -sent down to the Cape of Good Hope from Mozambique, in a box, with -directions that it should be forwarded to the India House, but was -probably lost, or set aside at the Cape. - -If further investigation should prove what is here stated to be -correct, there can be no reason for not searching for coal upon other -parts of the coast; and under any circumstances, as Quillimane is so -short a distance from Mozambique, the coal might easily be brought -up to the latter at little expense; and, if it were to become a more -frequented route to India, it would be desirable to moor a large -coal-hulk off the town, in which a constant supply of coal could be -kept ready, and which could be taken in rapidly, and at little expense, -by a steamer running up alongside of her. - -But the Portuguese, unfortunately, seem quite blind, even to their -own interests; and they cannot perceive, that if they could work -coal-mines, they would employ a large population, circulate wealth -throughout their territory, and attract a considerable and improving -commerce to their port. But then their slave-trade would be ruined: -and they are not even wise enough in their own generation to perceive, -that out of its very ashes would gradually spring up the healthy and -vigorous plant of commerce, upon an extensive scale, not only with -foreign parts, but with the native tribes of Africa. These, however, -are now continually desolated by the scourge of war and slavery. But -they would soon learn to value peace and peaceful arts, and the taste -for new articles of manufacture would grow gradually into wants, and -wants in course of time give birth to the wish for luxuries. Far above -all the profits of the traffic in human beings, would then become the -fruits of wholesome trade; the country would advance, instead of being -driven back; and the welfare of the community and of the government be -simultaneously promoted. - -New regulations respecting trade would in the first instance be -indispensable, as at the present time the commandants or little -governors of all the minor Portuguese settlements are themselves -allowed to trade, and often are the principal, or in a manner the -only, merchants in the place. This alone must destroy all healthy -competition, the soul of commerce. But, were trade placed upon a proper -footing, and coal likely to become an article of demand, it would -easily be exported to the Cape, Mauritius, and up to Aden for the -Bombay steamers, and to numerous other parts, in which the demand for -coal is yearly increasing, and likely to become almost unlimited. - -I have here rather assumed that coal will be found in large quantity -than proved it; but sufficient has been said to point out the great -probability of its existence upon that coast in more places than one, -and the question involves such important consequences that it deserves -the fullest investigation. - -It was at one time thought that coal would be found in some one of -the Comoro islands before alluded to, at the northern extremity of -the Mozambique Channel; and the Nemesis was directed, at all events, -to touch there on her way, for the purpose of inquiring into its -eligibility as a depot, and place of refreshment for steamers. - -The distance of the nearest of the Comoro islands, Mohilla, from -Mozambique, is scarcely two hundred and fifty miles; and from thence to -Johanna, which is the principal one, and the place of residence of the -sultan or ruler of the islands, is about thirty miles. Johanna lies as -near as possible in the middle of the Channel, between Madagascar and -the mainland of Africa, just where it widens into the open sea. - -The Nemesis took her departure from Mozambique on the evening of the -1st of September, but did not reach Johanna until the afternoon of the -4th, having made nearly the whole distance under sail only, against a -very strong south-westerly current. - -The island of Mohilla is, of course, the first seen, and strikes you -by its lofty, wooded summit, and the numerous small islets which -surround it to the southward. The Channel between Mohilla and Johanna -is picturesque, and the high inland mountains every where present a -rich and refreshing appearance, being covered with luxuriant wood, and -broken occasionally into deep glens, marked by the usual rich tropical -verdure. Johanna is the most frequented of all the islands, and affords -the best anchorage. But it was quite dark before the Nemesis approached -the bay, and an occasional blue light and a rocket were let off, to -give notice of her approach, in order that a pilot might come off, or -else a signal be made to direct her to the best anchorage. - -A large fire was soon lighted on shore for this purpose; and, no sooner -did she come within a moderate distance, than numerous boats came -alongside; the natives jumped on board, in apparent delight at seeing -her come in, not unmixed with extreme surprise at her appearance, and -the mode in which she moved through the water. Several of them spoke -broken English, and although they were naturally delighted at the -prospect of earning a little money, they were even more so at the sight -of her armament, and at once concluded that she was sent purposely to -assist the sultan and the people of the island, who were at that time -in great danger and trouble. - -Johanna is occasionally frequented by English ships, for provisions, -which are there abundant and reasonable, and the people have become -favourably known in England, in consequence of their kind treatment of -numerous poor English seamen, who have from time to time been wrecked -on those islands, or on the neighbouring coasts. The great bay, -which is on the northern side of the island, is not, however, a very -suitable anchorage, except, perhaps, during the S.W. monsoon. At all -times, there is a very heavy surf rolling in shore; and, during the -N.E. monsoon, which sets directly into it, the heavy swell renders the -anchorage unsafe. It cannot, therefore, be considered at all eligible -as a coal depot for steamers, particularly when Mozambique, which has -greater claims to attention, is within such a moderate distance. Still, -it is a very useful place of refuge for our whaling ships in that part -of the world; and, as the inhabitants, as well as the authorities, have -always shewn great kindness to the English, and, in fact, consider -themselves almost in the light of allies of England, it would seem -politic to keep alive the good feeling they evince toward us. - -The inhabitants of these islands are principally of Moorish origin, -nearly all Mohammedans, and they wear the turban and loose dress which -belong to no part of the neighbouring coast; and a dagger or pistols -in their girdle are by no means uncommon. They have a genuine old -English or Arab mode of shaking hands, with a gaiety of manner that -is very pleasing. Their features are regular, and well formed, and -their complexion, though dark, is very different from that of the -inhabitants, either of the neighbouring continent, or of the island -of Madagascar. In short, it is evident, that they were originally -emigrants from some distant part, probably Arab traders, although their -appearance has become modified in the course of successive generations. - -These islanders appear to be rather favourites of the different -men-of-war and merchant ships which touch there; though they have -acquired a character for duplicity and cunning, and, consequently, for -telling falsehoods, which at the same time they smooth over with the -most artful flattery. But high testimony has been often borne to their -kindness and hospitality towards Englishmen in distress; and, when -the Exmouth grounded there several years ago, with a great number of -passengers, on her way home, the Sultan Abdallah, the father of his -present highness, particularly distinguished himself, by even attending -in person to direct the efforts of his men, who came to assist in -getting the vessel off. He paid the utmost attention to all the -passengers, particularly to the women and children, taking care that -they should be provided with every thing he could furnish for their -comfort, until they could pursue their voyage further. Nor is this by -any means a solitary instance of the kind services which they have -rendered to our countrymen. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[9] With respect to the effects of lightning upon an iron ship, and -the danger which was to be apprehended from the attraction, both of -the vessel as a body, and of its particular parts as points for the -electrical fluid to touch upon in its passage between the clouds and -the earth, no inconvenience whatever seems to have been felt. Much -had been said about it in England before her departure for a tropical -region. The timid, and those less acquainted with the subject, openly -expressed their apprehensions; the learned smiled with more of -curiosity than fear; but the officers of the vessel itself were too -busy about other matters to give themselves time to think much about -the question. During their voyage to the southward, when many dangers -were encountered, certainly that from lightning was amongst the least -thought of; and now, as they were passing through the Mozambique -Channel, a part of the world particularly famous for its heavy storms -of thunder and lightning, not the slightest effect from it was observed -upon the iron vessel. The funnel has a perfectly smooth top, without -any ornamental points, such as are sometimes seen; and the main rigging -and funnel stays were made of chain at the top, and rope throughout the -rest. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - -The present ruler, or sultan, of the Comoro Islands, by name Alloue, is -the son of the late sultan Abdallah, before alluded to as having been -particularly kind to distressed Englishmen. He is a young man under -thirty, of moderate height, agreeable countenance, and easy, pleasant -manners. But his character is not distinguished for energy, and the -difficulties with which he has had to contend appear to have been -rather beyond his powers. His father, Abdallah, had made a treaty with -Colonel Farquhar, when governor of the Mauritius, by which he undertook -to suppress, by every means in his power, the extensive trade in slaves -which was at that time carried on at the islands which were under his -dominion; and he particularly distinguished himself by the zeal and -perfect good faith with which he carried out its provisions. Indeed, to -this cause, much of the subsequent difficulties of his family, and the -impoverishment of his people, seem to have been attributed. - -In the latter days of Abdallah's life, he appears to have met with -sad reverses; and, judging from the documents which I have been able -to examine, it would seem that his determined resistance to the -continuance of the slave-trade raised up enemies against him, not only -in his own islands, but in the more powerful one of Madagascar, and on -the coast of Africa itself. It is certain, also, that he was at all -times favourably regarded by the government of Bombay, for his services -to the Company's ships, and, as an acknowledgment of his assistance, -a present was sent to him every three years, of a small supply of -arms and ammunition. Abdallah's death was, however, at length brought -about, after suffering numerous hardships, by the treacherous and cruel -treatment of an emissary from Madagascar, or one of the more than -half-savage chiefs of that island, into whose hands he at length fell. - -This is not the place to enter at large into the subject of Madagascar -history; it will be sufficient to remark that the present queen of that -country is a most cruel and tyrannical sovereign; that she sets little -value upon the lives or blood of her subjects, and that she is supposed -to have poisoned her predecessor, the late King Radaman; further, that -she did not succeed in winning the throne without sacrificing most of -the chiefs who were opposed to her, and that she has since contrived -to bring under her subjection many who were formerly independent -governors, or chiefs, of the territory they severally occupied. Those -who take an interest in missionary enterprises will also have heard of -the dreadful cruelties she has exercised upon those unhappy men within -her territories, most of whom were barbarously put to death, some in -her presence, and partly, it is said, by her own hand. Only one or two -of them escaped from the island. - -[Illustration: -CHART -Shewing the -TRACKS of the NEMESIS -W. H. HALL, R.N. COM^R. -1841. - -Published by H. Colburn 13 Gr^t. Marlborough Street, 1845. -Isaac Purdy Sculp^t. -] - -It was not unnatural, under these circumstances, that one or more of -the chiefs of the island should have taken refuge in the neighbouring -islands of Johanna and Mohilla. Accordingly, so long ago as 1828, -a chief, called Raymanytek, who had been governor of an important -province in Madagascar under the old king, and was said by some to be -his brother, came over to Johanna with about one hundred followers, and -represented to Sultan Abdallah, that he had made his escape from his -own country, through fear of the queen, who sought his life, (probably -he had tried to get possession of the chief authority himself,) and -that, as he understood the inhabitants of the Comoro Islands were -allies of the English, _as well as himself_, he came there to beg for -an asylum. There was something very suspicious in his story; but, -nevertheless, Abdallah received him in a very friendly manner, placing -a house and lands at his disposal, and shewing him other civilities. - -Probably, however, entertaining some mistrust of his new visitor, -Abdallah sent an envoy to Bombay to make known the particulars of his -arrival, and to ask whether the government would feel satisfied with -his residence upon the islands under his dominion. He suspected, no -doubt, that the new chief might soon become a troublesome visitor, and -was anxious to endeavour to secure some further assistance from Bombay, -should he stand in need of it. It is likely, also, that he wished to -obtain some information respecting the character of Raymanytek. - -From Bombay, reference was made to the government of the Mauritius upon -the subject, as being better acquainted with the political state of -Madagascar. In the meantime, the chief, not content with a residence -in the neighbourhood of Sultan Abdallah, went to the opposite or -southern side of the island, where he purchased a small native vessel, -for the evident purpose of trading in slaves. The little craft made -several voyages across to the coast of Africa; and, at length, Abdallah -remonstrated with him upon the subject, and informed him that if this -clandestine trade were not discontinued, he should make him leave the -island altogether. To this no reply was made; and still the vessel went -across to the coast, bringing back, on one occasion, nearly two hundred -slaves. Many of these were probably re-exported to other parts. - -Abdallah hereupon ordered his disobedient visitor immediately to quit -the island, upon the ground that the slave-trade could not be permitted -within his territory, the more particularly as he was bound by treaty -with the English to prevent it in every way he could. - -To this summons Raymanytek made no other reply than to bring all -his followers together armed, and, by means of bribery and fair -promises, to enlist in his cause some of the poorer inhabitants in his -neighbourhood, and also to arm as many of his negro slaves as he could -prevail upon, and who appeared trustworthy. Money seemed at all times -to be at his command, and he is said to have brought a well-filled -purse with him when he landed from Madagascar. With the force he had -now collected, he made an unexpected descent upon the capital of the -island, which, being unprepared, was, of course, unable to resist him. -The consternation was general, in addition to which, his money is -believed to have influenced some of the people to remain quiet. - -Almost immediately the old Sultan Abdallah was deposed, and his brother -Ali took the chief power into his hands. Abdallah, with all the rest -of his family, left the island, with the hope of being able to find an -opportunity of reaching some English port, where he might represent -his case, and ask for assistance. He reached the island of Comoro in -safety; but what became of him afterwards, until he was ultimately put -to death with extreme barbarity, as before stated, I have hitherto not -been able to ascertain. - -During this short interval, Raymanytek had been able to get possession -of the arms belonging to Abdallah, and which I have stated were -supplied every two or three years by the government of Bombay, as a -recompence for his friendly assistance when needed; and, having burnt -and ruined the greater part of the town, and completely destroyed the -crops and plantations in the neighbourhood, he embarked on board his -little vessel, and, taking with him all that he could conveniently -carry away of any value, he withdrew to the island of Mohilla, and -established himself there in a position easy of defence; all the -subsequent efforts of the rightful authorities to turn him out were of -no avail. - -This man must have been supplied, by some means or other, with -abundance of ammunition; and it is not unlikely that his speculations -in the slave-trade, by means of his own vessel, may have supplied him -not only with money, but also with warlike weapons and ammunition. -It is well surmised, too, that he received assistance direct from -Madagascar at various times; and it must not be forgotten that the -nine or ten years which elapsed between the commencement of these -occurrences and the visit of the Nemesis was a period particularly -fraught with difficulties in relation to the traffic in slaves, and -that it appears _prima facie_, highly probable that this marauding -rebel may have been strongly encouraged, and even aided, in his -attempts, by distant parties interested in the traffic. Indeed, -unless some assistance of this kind had been furnished to him, it is -difficult to see how he could so long have found means to maintain -himself. - -The sultan applied for assistance on several occasions to the -government of the Mauritius, of the Cape, and of Bombay. The letter -of the young sultan Alloue, after the death of his father, in 1836, -addressed to the governor of the Cape of Good Hope, and to the admiral -of the station, asking for assistance, was a really pathetic appeal to -their good feelings. It detailed the horrors of poor old Abdallah's -death, and the violent acts of the invader; it related the defenceless -state in which he found himself on taking the reins into his hands; -and then appealed to British generosity, in return for the faithful -adhesion of his family to Great Britain, and the hospitality of his -people towards all British subjects. - -The answer on that occasion was prompt, and worthy of the -cause--namely, "that in consequence of the difficulties in which the -sultan of Johanna was placed, and in consideration of the fidelity with -which the late Sultan Abdallah had fulfilled his engagements for the -suppression of the slave-trade, and the hospitality which he had on all -occasions shewn to British vessels touching at Johanna, the governor -and admiral readily yield to the earnest desire of the Sultan Alloue -for the aid of arms and ammunition, and send an ample supply thereof to -Johanna in one of his majesty's sloops of war," &c. - -With this assistance, Alloue was once more able to make head for the -time against his enemy. But the country still continued in a very -unsettled state; and, as the assistance was only temporary, he again -fell into extreme difficulty, and addressed himself to the governor of -the Mauritius upon the subject. Sir William Nicolai, who was governor -and commander-in-chief of that island at that time, referred the -application to the consideration of the home government. But it would -seem that some little intrigues had sprung up among the sultan's own -family, which it is not very easy, and so far very unimportant, to -fathom. - -The Sultan Alloue's uncle, Seyd Abbas, had about the same time sent -two young men, either his sons or nephews, to the Mauritius, to report -the unhappy state of the island, and to request assistance in support -of the actual Sultan Alloue. Not long afterwards two or three other -young men arrived at the Mauritius, also bearing letters from Seyd -Abbas to the same purport. As this man was thought to be well disposed -towards the English, and had been favourably spoken of by all those -who had visited the island, and as, moreover, his object seemed to be -the laudable one of trying to support the young sultan's authority, -even though without his highness's acknowledged sanction, it was -judged proper to maintain all these young men at the public expense, -until an opportunity should offer for sending them back again. After -the lapse of some months, a vessel was hired on purpose to carry them -back; and it was at the same time distinctly intimated that, "however -praiseworthy the intentions of Seyd Abbas may have been in sending -his own relations from home as political messengers, and however high -he may stand personally in the respect of Englishmen, it would in -future be impossible for British authorities to maintain political -correspondence with him or with any other person in Johanna than his -highness the sultan of the island." The sultan was further recommended -henceforth to give Seyd Abbas a share of his confidence in his -councils, in consequence of his age and experience, and the apparent -sincerity with which he espoused his interest; and, at the same time, -the young men were recommended to his notice as very sensible and -well-informed persons. The friendly interest and intentions of the -government towards the sultan and people of Johanna were then in -general terms expressed; and thus, with kind words and kinder hopes for -better days for his subjects, the young sultan was left for the present -to take care of himself. - -It was only a few months before the arrival of the Nemesis that some -of the events which have been recorded had occurred. The Sultan Alloue -was still in extreme danger; and another letter was addressed by him -to the governor of the Mauritius, only about five months previously. -It appears to have been remarkably well written, and contains some -ingenious observations which, as being written by a young Moorish -prince, the ruler of an island in a remote corner of the globe, under -circumstances of great difficulty, it may be worth while to dwell upon -it for a moment. - -He thanks his excellency the governor of the Mauritius for the kindness -he had shewn to the young men, whom he admits to be distantly related -to him; but shrewdly remarks that their "clandestine departure from -Johanna, contrary to his express orders, and during the night, had -given him reason to suppose that they were not quite so friendly -disposed towards him as they wished his excellency to believe: and -that he feared the object of their journey had been a pecuniary -speculation upon the governor's goodness and British hospitality." He -proceeds to express his thanks for being apprised that persons had -entertained political correspondence with English authorities without -his knowledge or consent; and adds, that, although he fully concurs in -his excellency's opinion with regard to the age and experience of his -uncle, Seyd Abbas, still there are many others in Johanna who possess -the same qualities, and whose attachment and loyalty he had _never had -occasion to doubt_. - -The suspicion here betrayed is self-evident, and sufficiently -delicately expressed. The picture he then draws of the state of his -country is a pitiable one for a prince himself to be obliged to -depict--"The town burnt; the country ravaged; all our cattle killed by -the chief, Raymanytek, aided by natives of Mohilla, under his orders." -He distinctly intimates that the rebel chief was receiving "assistance -from the French;" and, although he does not state reasonable grounds -for the assertion, the statement is not altogether an improbable -one, considering that the abolition of slavery in the Mauritius had -roused the feeling of the French population against us and our allies: -and, moreover, slavery was still in existence in the neighbouring -island of Bourbon, where strong feelings against the English had been -undisguisedly avowed; while, at the same time, the difficulty of -procuring fresh slaves had greatly raised their price. - -Intrigues were thought to have been carried on by the French traders in -Madagascar itself, where they have long attempted to obtain a footing, -but with little success, owing to the deadly nature of the climate. It -is, however, perfectly well-known that they are still anxious to strain -every nerve to establish themselves in some place eastward of the -Cape, in addition to the island of Bourbon, where there is no harbour -whatever, but merely an open roadstead. They are, moreover, anxious -to get some _point d'appui_ whence they may injure British trade, in -case of war, in that quarter; and, at the same time, by establishing -a little colony of their own, find some means of augmenting their -mercantile marine. - -One of their latest attempts has been at the Isle Madame; and it is -perfectly well known that several other efforts have been made, and -still more talked about. - -If, however, Raymanytek really did receive any foreign assistance, -it is not probable that it was with the knowledge or connivance of -the government of Bourbon, but rather from the restless enterprise of -private individuals interested in the slave trade. However that may -be, there seems to be very good grounds for our hoping that the Sultan -Alloue may be permitted to remain in the peaceable possession of his -own rightful territories. It is our evident interest to prevent those -fine islands from falling into any other hands, more especially now -that the intercourse between the West and East, through the Mozambique -channel, is likely to be more extensive than formerly; and that the -opening for legitimate commerce, within the channel itself, cannot but -attract the attention of British merchants. The trade in slaves will -become yearly more difficult, and, indeed, nothing would tend more -to cause its total downfall than the gradual extension, under proper -government protection, of the legitimate trade in British manufactures -along that coast. - -The young Sultan Alloue further went on to declare in his letter that -numbers of his people had been captured and taken to Mozambique and -Zanzibar, where they _were sold into slavery_; and that several such -cargoes had already been sent over. He begged earnestly that assistance -might speedily be sent to him, in arms and ammunition, and that he -particularly stood in need of lead and flints, and a couple of small -field-pieces. At the same time, he entreated that some small vessel -of war might be sent to his aid; for that such were his difficulties, -that, unless speedy assistance should arrive, he feared that he should -be driven to abandon the town, and seek personally an asylum in British -India. He then appealed to the magnanimity of the British government, -in the hope that he and his people might not be compelled to abandon -their homes for want of timely assistance.[10] - -Such, then, was the unhappy situation of the beautiful little island -of Johanna, as described by its own prince, only a few months before -the unexpected visit of the Nemesis. Little change had taken place; -the town still held out, but it does not appear that any assistance -had been sent to it. The very sight of the steamer gladdened the young -sultan's heart, and encouraged the people, who stood greatly in need of -it; the rebel chief being then at only a short distance from the town. - -Late as it was, the captain and Lieut. Pedder landed in uniform to -wait upon the sultan at once, as their time was so limited. One of -his uncles and his prime minister received them, and accompanied -them through a few narrow streets, built in the Moorish style, to -the sultan's palace. At the entrance were stationed four half-clad -soldiers, with muskets, as a personal guard; and, on reaching the -reception room, the sultan was discovered sitting on a high-backed -chair, at the further end of the apartment. He immediately rose and -advanced towards them in a very friendly manner, welcoming them to -Johanna with a good, hearty shake by the hand. Two chairs were placed -on his left, for his guests, while, on his right, sat the governor of -the town, and several other of the principal people, all on the tip-toe -of expectation for the news from England, the more particularly as they -were in some hope that the strange-looking "_devil-ship_," as they -called her, might have brought a letter from the English government, in -answer to his application for assistance. - -They were doomed, however, to be again disappointed; but the sultan -made many inquiries about the Queen and Prince Albert, and whether an -heir to the throne had yet been born, and seemed not a little curious -to know if the Thames Tunnel was finished. In short, he appeared to -be a very well-bred and courteous young man. He alluded painfully to -the distressed state of the island, and to his being surrounded by his -enemies under Raymanytek, and begged hard for at least a little powder -and shot, with which to endeavour to hold out until better assistance -could reach him. - -As it was already quite late, the interview did not last long, but -promises were made to renew it on the subsequent day, and a party was -arranged for an excursion outside the town on the following morning. -Accordingly, at daylight, the party were again met by the king's uncle -on the beach, who appointed three soldiers to act both as guides and -guards. These men appeared quite pleased with the duty assigned to -them, and throughout the whole trip did everything in their power -to amuse the party, and to point out to them the objects best worth -notice; one man went in search of shells upon the beach, another -to procure fruit, and scarcely a wish was expressed that was not -immediately gratified. - -Having ascended the hills on the eastern side of the valley, they were -gratified by a delightful prospect in every direction. The valley below -was rich and capable of high cultivation, but only partially cleared of -wood, and in other parts covered with long grass and low shrubs, varied -by the numerous wild flowers which were then in blossom. In the rear -were high and thickly-wooded mountains, picturesque in themselves, but -shutting out the view of the opposite side of the island, while, in -the other direction, the eye could trace the long line of picturesque -coast, giving altogether a very favourable impression of the character -of the island, the more particular as some of the timber is very fine, -and calculated for repairing ships. - -The town itself could only be viewed from the top of a higher hill -behind it, which was now ascended, and its character well made out. Its -little white flat-topped houses and turreted walls, with very narrow -streets, pointed out its Moorish origin. But there was nothing to -render it otherwise striking. - -The whole population appeared to be abroad, each struggling which -should gratify his curiosity the quickest, in running down to the beach -to catch a glimpse of the strange vessel, the like of which none had -ever seen before. Boats were seen crowding round her on all sides, and, -as she lay there, decked out with all her flags, the scene was both -animated and picturesque. - -On descending the hill, the party were again met by the sultan's uncle, -who invited them to breakfast with his highness, and accompanied them, -first to his own house, where they met the sultan himself, and thence -to the palace, which was close at hand. But it was still rather an -early hour for a reception, and on entering the palace, it was very -evident that the preparations had not yet been completed for their -arrival. His highness's ladies, the sultana and her companions, had -only just time to make their escape, leaving everything in disorder, -and, in short, breakfast was not quite ready. - -His highness was very condescending, but it was clear that his -attentions were being divided between two or more objects at the same -time, one of which was readily guessed to be the ladies fair, who -had so suddenly decamped. But this was not the only one, and, in the -little intervals between his exits and his entrances, an opportunity -was taken to ask his uncle, who was present, what it was all about. -The mystery was solved. His highness was condescending to superintend -the preparation of the breakfast for his guests, that it might be -worthy of them. The kitchen was on this occasion converted into the -council-chamber, and quite as weighty matters there discussed, and -certainly with equal warmth, and probably, too, with the full "ore -rotundo" of hungry eloquence, as are often treated of with greater -solemnity in higher conclaves. - -The result, indeed, was worthy of the cause. The breakfast was -pronounced capital, and ample justice done, after the morning's walk, -to the wisdom of his highness's deliberations. He himself seemed quite -delighted, and his uncle declared to Captain Hall, in his absence, that -the young man's greatest pleasure was to contrive some new means of -gratifying the English who came in his way, and that there was nothing -he would not condescend to do for them, in his enthusiastic admiration -of the nation. A little of this might be said and done for effect, -but there has always been good reason to believe that he was on all -occasions a sincere, and, in some respects, useful ally. - -The same day, a grand entertainment was to be given by some relation -of the Sultan's, in his uncle's house, in honour of the performance -of the first Mohammedan rite upon the young infant, his son and heir, -upon the eighth day after its birth. The sultan himself, with his chief -minister, accompanied them to see the festivities. On this occasion, -the ladies of the court were all found to be in the apartment adjoining -the reception room, and only separated from it by a large screen or -curtain before the door. Now, according to all the prescribed rules of -civilized life, it may reasonably be supposed that the fair damsels, -secluded as they usually were, had just as much curiosity to see the -lions of the day, the English officers in uniform, as the latter had to -catch a glimpse of eastern beauty, the more sought the more forbidden. -Every now and then you could see the curtain moved gently on one side, -and a young lady's head peep out; and then another would steal a quiet -look on the other side; then again, by pressing against each other, -more of them would be seen than they intended, but quite enough to make -you wish to see more still. In the meantime his highness had retired, -or perhaps they might not have been so bold. - -As the gallantry of the sons of Neptune has at all times been famous, -so in this instance it innocently got the better of their discretion, -and, with an apparently accidental, though well-premeditated charge at -the curtain, which was most gallantly pushed on one side, a full view -of all the fair ladies was obtained, much more to the apparent horror -of the old uncle, who was a spectator of the achievement, than to that -of the fair damsels themselves, who, nevertheless, quietly retreated -in some trepidation. The ladies were all very handsomely and gaudily -dressed, it being a gala-day, but they were not altogether the most -Venus-like of beauties. - -But a more curious scene was brought to view on being conducted to -another apartment, where a large and merry party of ladies of less -distinguished rank were amusing themselves with dancing and singing, -but certainly without much grace in the one or melody in the other. -There was only one good-looking female among the whole assembly, and -she appeared to be the queen of beauty, or mistress of the feast, for -she was treated with the utmost attention and deference by all the rest. - -On returning again to the presence of the sultan, refreshments were -handed round, and, as the weather was hot, a whole train of the female -servants of the house were ushered into the room, each with a fan, or -sort of portable punka, in her hand. They were all very neatly and -cleanly dressed, and immediately set their fans most dexterously to -work, taking their stations behind each person of the party. - -In the midst of this scene the sultan disappeared, followed by his -uncle, and, after a few minutes' consultation, the attendance of -Captain Hall was requested in his highness's private apartment. -Something important was evidently about to happen, but, before there -was much time to conjecture what it might be, he found himself alone -with the sultan. His highness frankly confessed the alarm which the -strength of the chief named Raymanytek had excited in his mind, that -he was even then not far from the town, and that he himself was -determined at once to march out against the rebels, if he could get a -sufficient supply of powder and shot. At the same time he begged that, -if necessary, he might have the assistance of the steamer to protect -his town. - -Only one reply could be given, namely, that the visit of the steamer -was a mere casual thing, with a view to ascertain the nature of the -harbour; that the service she was engaged on would admit of no delay, -but that, as long as she was there, which could not be many hours more, -she should give protection to himself and his family, as well as to -the town, if in danger, and that a small supply of ammunition should -be given to him to enable him to defend himself. He appeared quite -satisfied, and pleased with the reply. At the same time, as the danger -was imminent, and much blood might otherwise be shed, he requested -that, since the orders by which the steamer was obliged to abide would -necessitate her immediate departure, the British flag might be hoisted -upon his citadel before she started, and receive the proper salute, in -order to intimidate the rebel chief; and further, that a letter might -be written to the latter, stating that the sultan of Johanna was an old -ally of Great Britain, and that the taking up arms against him could -no longer be permitted; in short, that he had, therefore, better take -himself off as quickly as possible, and return to obedience. - -This was a request which demanded very serious consideration. It was -evident that Captain Hall had no authority whatever to interfere in -the matter. And such, consequently would have been the only reply of -many officers, perhaps most, under the same circumstances. But, there -was now something of humanity called into play, something of pity, and -something, perhaps, of pride. It was impossible not to feel a deep -interest in the unhappy position of the young sultan, more particularly -as he and all his family had on so many occasions behaved with kindness -and humanity towards Englishmen in distress. He had, moreover, stated -his positive wish to become not only the ally, but even the subject of -Great Britain, and that he would rather give up the island altogether -to the English, and, if necessary, retire from it elsewhere, than see -it in its then state of misery from the incursions of Raymanytek. - -There was, in fact, something in Alloue's appeal, which was altogether -irresistible; and after much reflection, and well knowing the -responsibility incurred, it was agreed that the British flag should -be hoisted upon the citadel, under a salute of twenty-one guns. This -was accordingly done, and for the first time, the flag, which so many -millions look upon with pride, waved over the citadel and walls of -Johanna. The sultan smiled, and appeared to take far greater pride in -that unstained ensign, than in his own independent flag, or his own -precarious authority. - -Great were the rejoicings of the whole people of the town; in fact, the -day had been one of continued excitement to all parties. To crown the -whole, a letter was written to the rebel chief, according to the tenour -of what has been stated above, and which, it was hoped, would induce -Raymanytek to retire peaceably for the present, and to defer to an -opportunity less favourable for himself, if not altogether to forego, -his treasonable designs, which had evidently been to depose the sultan, -and probably put him to death, and banish all his family, assuming the -whole authority himself in his place. - -This had been a long and eventful day for the Nemesis, and while we -have been relating what was passing on shore, those on board had been -busy taking in water and wood for the immediate continuance of the -voyage. One thing, however, yet remained; the sultan was to visit -the ship, and see what to him were wonders. He came on board in the -afternoon, with several attendants, in full Moorish dress, and, of -course, evinced the utmost astonishment at the arrangement of the -ship, the machinery, &c. To him and his followers all was new. As they -steamed round the bay, their wonderment increased more and more at the -ease and rapidity with which she moved; and having partaken of a little -fruit and bread, and taken a most friendly and, to all appearance, -grateful leave of Captain Hall, and all on board, he was landed in the -ship's boat, with his own flag flying upon it. - -On landing, he seemed quite overwhelmed with thankfulness for the -timely assistance rendered to him, and unaffectedly sorry at parting -with friends, he had so recently made. - -On the afternoon of the 5th September, 1840, the interesting little -island of Johanna was left behind, with many good wishes for the -success of the sultan's arms, and for the speedy restoration of peace -and plenty to his harassed subjects. It is feared, however, that these -hopes have scarcely yet been realized.[11] - -FOOTNOTES: - -[10] The sultan very recently went up to Calcutta, to apply to the -Governor-general, in the hope that the Company might be induced to -take possession of the islands, which he felt he could no longer -hold without assistance. He merely asked for himself a small annual -stipend out of the revenues. What answer he may have received is not -known; but probably his application was rejected, upon the ground of -our territory in the East being already quite large enough. But, in -reality, the Comoro Islands, or at least a part of them, must be viewed -in a political light, as they may be said to command the _navigation_ -of the straits, and are generally thought to be an object aimed at by -the French. - -[11] The following letter concerning the fate of the Comoro Islands, -and the violent proceedings of the French in that quarter, appeared -in _The Times_ of January 30th, 1844. The facts stated in it have -every appearance of exaggeration, but the interference of the British -government would seem to be called for. - - "The French have, within the last month, obtained, by fraud, - possession of the islands of Johanna, Mohilla, and Peonaro; - they had already, by the same means, obtained the islands of - Mayotte and Nos Beh. There are at present out here eleven ships - of war--the largest a 60-gun frigate; more are expected out, in - preparation for the conquest of all Madagascar; and also, it - is said, of the coast of Africa, from latitude 10 S. to 2 S.; - this portion includes the dominions of the Imaum of Muscat. At - this place (Nos Beh) a system of slavery is carried on that you - are not aware of. Persons residing here, send over to places - on the mainland of Africa, as Mozambique, Angoza, &c., money - for the purchase of the slaves; they are bought there for about - ten dollars each, and are sold here again for fifteen dollars; - here again they are resold to French merchant vessels from - Bourbon and St. Mary's for about twenty-five to thirty dollars - each. Captains of vessels purchasing these use the precaution - of making two or three of the youngest free, and then have - them apprenticed to them for a certain term of years, (those - on shore,) fourteen and twenty one years. These papers of - freedom will answer for many. It is a known fact, that numbers - have been taken to Bourbon, and sold for two hundred and three - hundred dollars each. Those who have had their freedom granted - at this place, (Nos Beh,) as well as others, are chiefly of the - Macaw tribe. The Indian, of Havre, a French bark, took several - from this place on the 20th of September last; she was bound - for the west coast of Madagascar, St. Mary's, and Bourbon. - L'Hesione, a 32-gun frigate, has just arrived from Johanna, - having compelled one of the chiefs to sign a paper, giving the - island up to the French. On their first application, the king - and chiefs of Johanna said, that the island belonged to the - English. The French then said, that if it was not given up, - they would destroy the place; they, after this, obtained the - signature of one of the chiefs to a paper giving up the island - to the French. - - "I remain, Sir, &c., &c., - "HENRY C. ARC ANGELO. - "Supercargo of the late Ghuznee of Bombay. - "_Nos Beh, Madagascar_, - "_Oct. 6th, 1843._" - -The account given in the above letter is partly borne out by the -following announcement, which appeared in the _Moniteur_, the French -official newspaper, in March, 1844; the substance of it is here copied -from _The Times_ of the 14th March, and there can be little doubt -concerning the object of the French in taking the active step alluded -to. We must hope, therefore, that our interests in that quarter will -be properly watched, particularly when we remember what serious injury -would be inflicted upon the whole of our Eastern trade, in case of war, -by the establishment of the French in good harbours to the eastward of -the Cape. The announcement is as follows:--"Captain Des Fosses has been -appointed Commander of the station at MADAGASCAR, and Bourbon, which -was hitherto placed under the orders of the Governor of Bourbon. This -station now acquires a greater degree of importance. Captain Des Fosses -having under his orders _five_ or _six_ ships of war, will exhibit -our flag along the _whole coast of Africa_, and in the Arabian Seas. -He will endeavour to extend our _relations with Abyssinia_, and our -_influence in Madagascar_." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - -The next place towards which the Nemesis was destined to shape her -course was the island of Ceylon, where at length was to be made known -to her the ultimate service upon which she was to be employed. It -was not until the 10th that she lost sight of Comoro island, the -northernmost of the group of that name, and, if measured in a direct -line, considerably less than one hundred miles from Johanna. - -Horsburgh particularly notices the light, baffling winds, and the -strong, south-west and southerly currents, which prevail during the -months of October and November among the Comoro Islands. But it was -found upon this voyage that these difficulties presented themselves -sometimes much earlier than stated by him. It was now only the -beginning of September, and the southerly current was found setting -down at the rate of even sixty miles a day. Indeed, both the winds and -currents in the Mozambique Channel had been found very different from -what had been expected. It was the season of the south-west monsoon -when she entered it in the month of August; and as it is usually stated -that this wind continues to blow until early in November, the Nemesis -ought to have had favourable winds to carry her quite through, even -later in the season. On the contrary, she met with a strong head-wind, -and a much stronger southerly current than she had reason to expect. - -The opinion of Horsburgh seems to be fully confirmed, that late in -the season it is better for ships to avoid the Mozambique Channel, and -rather to proceed to the eastward of Madagascar, and then pass between -Diego Garcia and the Seychelle Islands. Steamers, however, would have -less need of this were coal to be had at Mozambique. - -From the equator, the current was always easterly; but nothing -particular occurred worth noticing, except that, as she approached the -Maldive Islands, she encountered very heavy squalls, accompanied with -rain. - -On the following day, the 1st October, the Maldives were in sight; and, -in order to carry her through them rapidly, steam was got up for a -few hours, until she came to, in the afternoon, within a quarter of a -mile of the shore, under one of the easternmost of the islands, named -Feawar, having shaped her course straight across the middle of the -long, and until lately, much dreaded group of the Maldive Archipelago. - -This extensive chain or archipelago of islands lies in the very centre -of the Indian Ocean, and, being placed in the direct track of ships -coming from the south-west towards Ceylon, and the southern parts of -Hindostan, it was long dreaded by mariners, and shunned by them as -an almost impenetrable and certainly dangerous barrier. It is stated -by Horsburgh, that the early traders from Europe to India were much -better acquainted with these islands than modern navigators, and that -they were often passed through in these days without any apprehension -of danger. The knowledge of their navigable channels must therefore -have been, in a great measure, lost; and, although the utmost credit -is due to the indefatigable Horsburgh for his arduous efforts to -restore some of the lost information, it is to the liberality of the -Indian government, and particularly to the scientific labours and -distinguished services of Captain Moresby and Commander Powell, of the -Indian navy, that we are indebted for the minute and beautiful surveys -of all these intricate channels which have been given to the world -since 1835. - -This archipelago is divided into numerous groups of islands, called by -the natives Atolls, each comprising a considerable number of islands, -some of which are inhabited, and abound in cocoa-nut trees, while the -smaller ones are often mere barren rocks or sandy islets. The number -of these islands, large and small, amounts to several hundred; and the -groups, or Atolls, into which they are divided, are numerous. They are -laid down with wonderful accuracy and minuteness by Captains Moresby -and Powell; so that, with the aid of their charts, the intricate -channels between them can be read with almost the same facility as the -type of a book. Thus one of the greatest boons has been conferred upon -navigators of all nations. They are disposed in nearly a meridian line -from latitude 7 deg. 6' N. to latitude 0 deg. 47' S., and consequently extend -over the hottest portion of the tropics, for the distance of more than -three hundred and seventy miles. - -As the Nemesis passed through these islands, she found that all the -former difficulties had now vanished. So accurate were the soundings, -and given on so large a scale, that it was more like reading a European -road-book than guiding a vessel through an intricate labyrinth of -islands. - -The very sight of a steamer completely frightened the inhabitants -of the little island of Feawar; who, although they at length came -alongside without much fear, could never be persuaded to come on board -the vessel. However, they had no objection to act as guides, for the -purpose of shewing what was to be seen upon their island; and, while a -little necessary work was being done to the vessel, Captain Hall and -two or three of the officers landed, and were soon surrounded by a -crowd of natives upon the beach, quite unarmed. - -A stroll along the shore, covered with pieces of coral, soon brought -them to a mosque and burial-ground, which was remarkable for the -neatness with which it was disposed. The little ornamented head-stones, -with inscriptions, and flowers in many places planted round them, -probably refreshed by the sacred water of a well close at hand, proved, -at all events, the great respect paid to their dead, which is common -among all Mohammedans. Indeed, the inhabitants of all these numerous -islands are mostly of that persuasion, and consider themselves to be -under the protection of England, the common wish of almost all the -little independent tribes of the East. - -The village itself appeared to be at least half deserted, the poor -people, particularly the women, having hastily run away, leaving their -spinning-wheels at their doors. They appear to carry their produce, -consisting of oil, fish, rope, mats, &c., to Ceylon and other parts -of India, in large boats of their own construction, bringing back -in return rice and English manufactured goods. Indeed, an extensive -traffic is carried on between all the northernmost of this extensive -chain of islands, or submarine mountains, and the nearer parts of the -coast of India. - -On the same evening, the Nemesis continued her voyage, and, on the -afternoon of the 5th October, reached the harbour of Pointe de Galle, -in Ceylon. She came in under steam, with about eight tons of coal -remaining, having been exactly one month from Johanna. - -The mystery attending the Nemesis was now to end. Scarcely had she -fairly reached her moorings, when a despatch was delivered to the -captain from the government of India, containing orders from the -Governor-general in council, to complete the necessary repairs, and -take in coal and provisions, with all possible expedition, and then to -proceed to join the fleet off the mouth of the Canton River, placing -himself under the orders of the naval commander-in-chief. - -Great was now the rejoicing of both officers and men. Her captain had -already been made acquainted with his destination, as far as Ceylon, -before leaving England, but no one on board, until now, had any certain -information as to what particular service they were to undertake -afterwards. The road to distinction was now made known to them; they -were at once to be engaged in active operations, in conjunction with -her majesty's forces. - -Notwithstanding, however, the unremitted exertions of all on board, -the Nemesis could not be got ready to proceed on her voyage in less -than eight clear days from the time of her arrival at Pointe de Galle. -Added to this, the whole of the stores and supplies had to be sent -by land from Columbo, a distance of seventy-two miles, as it was not -then so well known that all these things could be readily obtained at -Singapore, and that therefore a smaller quantity would have sufficed. -Indeed, from the more frequent communication with Ceylon, through -vessels touching at Pointe de Galle for supplies, which has since taken -place, every provision has now been made at that port, without the -necessity of sending for stores to so great a distance as Columbo. - -Under all circumstances, no time was to be lost; and the anxiety to -proceed on the voyage as quickly as possible was so great, that Captain -Hall determined to start off for Columbo the same evening, in order -to wait upon his Excellency the Governor, and expedite the sending -on of the requisite stores. A highly respectable merchant, Mr. Gibb, -who was going over, kindly offered him a seat in his gig, and, after -considerable exertion and fatigue, they arrived at Columbo late on the -following evening. - -On the following morning, the country presented itself in all the rich -tropical aspect of these regions. The whole road to Columbo pointed out -a fertile and luxuriant country, and was in itself admirably adapted -for travelling. - -For my own part, the more I have seen of tropical countries, the -more I have everywhere been fascinated by their luxuriance, and -enjoyed the brilliancy of their skies. There is much to compensate -for the occasional oppression of the heat, which, after all, is less -troublesome or injurious than the chilling blasts of northern climes; -and, generally speaking, with proper _precaution_, it has been hardly -a question with myself whether the _average_ degree of health and -buoyancy of spirits is not far greater than in less favoured though -more hardy regions. Every day that passes is one in which you feel -that you really live, for every thing around you lives and thrives -so beautifully. Nevertheless, it must not be forgotten that, after -a few years spent in so relaxing a climate the constitution becomes -enfeebled, and is only to be restored by a visit to more bracing -regions. - -Governor Mackenzie seemed to take much interest in the steamer, and -in her probable capabilities for the peculiar service likely to be -required of her in China; he had evidently made the subject his study, -and upon this, as upon other questions, evinced great intelligence. - -Little need here be said about the island of Ceylon, which has been -recently so well described and treated of by able and well-informed -writers. The fine fortifications of Columbo, (the capital of the -island,) the governor's palace, the barracks and public offices, are -all worth seeing; indeed, it is to be regretted that arrangements have -not yet been made, by which the steamers from Calcutta to the Red Sea, -touching at Point de Galle, might allow some of their passengers, -instead of wasting the valuable time necessary for taking in fuel at -Point de Galle, to cross over to Columbo. The steamers might then, with -a very trifling additional expense, touch at Columbo to pick them up, -together with other passengers likely to be found there, now that the -overland route is daily becoming more frequented. - -The most curious sight at Columbo is the little fleet of fishing-boats, -in the shape of long, narrow canoes, each made out of the single trunk -of a tree, with upper works rigged on to them, falling in in such a -way, that there is just sufficient room for a man's body to turn round. -They start off with the land-wind in the morning, and run out a long -distance to fish, returning again with the sea-breeze in the afternoon. -Both ends are made exactly alike, so that, instead of going about, they -have only to shift the large lug-sail, the mast being in the middle, -and it is quite indifferent which end of the boat goes foremost. To -counteract the natural tendency of so narrow a body to upset, two -slight long spars are run out at the side, connected at the outer ends -by a long and stout piece of wood, tapering at either extremity, not -unlike a narrow canoe; this acts as a lever to keep the boat upright, -and is generally rigged out upon the windward side. If the breeze -freshens, it is easy to send a man or two out upon it, as an additional -counterpoise by their weight, and there they sit, without any apparent -apprehension. - -The healthiness of Ceylon is within the last few years greatly -improved, principally owing to the extensive clearing of land which -has taken place. The plantations of coffee having been found at one -time, as indeed they are still, to yield a very large profit, induced a -great number of persons to enter into the speculation. Land was readily -purchased from government as quickly as it could be obtained, at the -rate of five shillings an acre; and the result has been a considerable -increase in the exports of the island, as well as an amelioration of -its condition. - -Coals, provisions, and stores of all kinds, were sent on board the -Nemesis with the utmost expedition, and, on the afternoon of the 14th -October, she was once more ready for sea. The public interest in the -events gradually growing up out of the negotiations which were then -being carried on with the Chinese had gradually been raised to a high -pitch, and a passage to China, to join the force as a volunteer, was -readily provided for the governor's son, Lieutenant Mackenzie. Crowds -of people gathered upon the shore in all directions to witness her -departure, and the discharge of a few signal-rockets as soon as it was -dark added a little additional novelty to the event. - -Ten days sufficed to carry the Nemesis to the island of Penang, or -Prince of Wales's island. Her passage had been longer than might have -been expected, owing in a great measure to the badness of the coal, -which caked and clogged up the furnaces in such a way that, instead of -requiring to be cleaned out only once in about twenty-four hours, as -would have been the case with good coal, it was necessary to perform -this process no less than four times within the same period; added to -which, the enormous quantity of barnacles which adhered to her bottom -(a frequent source of annoyance before) greatly retarded her progress. - -The island of Penang, which lies close upon the coast of the peninsula -of Malacca, from which it is separated by a channel scarcely more than -two miles broad, would seem to be a place particularly adapted for -steamers to touch at. Indeed, it has become a question of late whether -it should not be provided with a sort of government dockyard, for the -repair of the increased number of ships of war and transports, both -belonging to the service of government and the East India Company, -which will necessarily have to pass through the straits of Malacca, now -that our intercourse with China is so rapidly increasing. The harbour -is perfectly safe, the water at all times smooth; coals can easily be -stored there, and good wood can be obtained on the spot; moreover, -it lies directly in the track of ships, or very little out of it, as -they generally prefer passing on the Malacca side of the straits, -particularly during the south-west monsoon. The heavy squalls which -prevail on the opposite coast are so severe, that they have at length -taken its very name, and are called Sumatras. They are accompanied -with terrific lightning, which often does great mischief, and they are -justly looked upon with great dread. - -Penang is very properly considered one of the loveliest spots in -the eastern world, considering its limited extent; and, from the -abundance and excellence of its spice productions, which come to -greater perfection in the straits than in any other part in which they -have been tried, (except, perhaps, in the island of Java,) this little -island has proved to be an extremely valuable possession. It abounds -in picturesque scenery, heightened by the lovely views of the opposite -coast of Malacca, called Province Wellesley, which also belongs to the -East India Company. The numerous and excellent roads, the hospitality -of the inhabitants, and the richness of the plain, or belt, which -lies between the high, wooded mountains in the rear, and the town -and harbour are, perhaps, unequalled. This plain, together with the -sides of some of the adjoining mountains, is covered with luxuriant -plantations of nutmegs, cocoa-nut-trees, and spice-trees of all kinds; -and altogether Penang is one of the most attractive, as it is also one -of the healthiest spots in the East. It has by some been even called -the "Gem of the Eastern seas." There is a fort not far from the fine, -covered jetty, or landing-place, of considerable strength; and, with -very moderate trouble and expense, there is little doubt that Penang -could be made a valuable naval depot. - -The short passage down the straits of Malacca, towards Singapore, was -easily performed in three days. But here again some detention was -inevitable. The north-east monsoon had already fairly set in, and as -vessels proceeding up the China Sea, at this season, would have the -wind directly against them, it was necessary that the steamer should -take in the greatest possible quantity of fuel she could carry, before -she could venture to leave Singapore. On this occasion, every spare -corner that could be found was filled with coal, and even the decks -were almost covered with coal-bags. By this means, she was enabled to -carry enough fuel for full fifteen days' consumption, or about one -hundred and seventy-five tons. - -The small island of Singapore being situated just off the southern -extremity of the peninsula of Malacca, from which it is separated only -by a very narrow strait, must necessarily lie almost directly in the -track of all vessels passing up or down the straits of Malacca, either -to or from China, or any of the intermediate places. Being easy of -access to all the numerous half-civilized tribes and nations which -inhabit the islands of those seas, and within the influence of the -periodical winds or monsoons which, at certain seasons, embolden even -the Chinese, Siamese, and other nations to venture upon the distant -voyage, it is not surprising that in the space of a few years it should -have risen to a very high degree of importance as a commercial emporium. - -The wisdom of the policy of Sir Stamford Raffles, in establishing a -free port in such an advantageous position, has been proved beyond all -previous anticipation. The perfect freedom of commercial intercourse, -without any restriction or charges of any kind, has given birth to -a yearly increasing commercial spirit among all the surrounding -nations. It is impossible to see the immense number of curious junks -and trading-vessels which arrive from all parts during the proper -season, without admiring the enterprising commercial spirit of all -those different tribes, and acknowledging the immense value to England -of similar distant outports, for the security and extension of her -commerce. - -The intercourse with Singapore has been rapidly increasing every year, -but especially since the commencement of the war in China. Of course, -all our ships of war and transports touch at so convenient a place, -where supplies of every description can easily be obtained, and where -every attention and kindness are shewn to strangers, both by the -authorities and by the resident merchants. Much credit is due to the -late governor, Mr. Bonham, for the intelligence and activity which he -exhibited, in everything that could in any way forward the objects of -the expedition, and for the readiness with which he endeavoured to meet -all the wishes of those who were concerned in it. His hospitality and -personal attention was acknowledged by all. - -In some respects, Singapore forms a good introduction to a first -visit to China. It has a very large Chinese population, (not less -than 20,000,) to which yearly additions are made, on the arrival of -the large trading junks, in which they come down voluntarily to seek -employment. Hundreds of them arrive in the greatest destitution, -without even the means of paying the boat-hire to enable them to reach -the shore, until they are hired by some masters. They are the principal -mechanics and labourers of the town, and also act as household -servants, while many of them are employed in the cultivation of spices -and of sugar, or in clearing land. There is no kind of labour or -employment which a Chinaman will not readily undertake; and they appear -to succeed equally well in all, with the exception of tending sheep or -cattle, which is an occupation they are little fond of. - -The town has something of a Chinese aspect, from the number of Chinamen -who are employed in every capacity; and the fruits and vegetables are -principally cultivated and brought to market by people of that nation. -In Java, Penang, and elsewhere, they are also to be met with in great -numbers; which is quite sufficient to prove (were proof wanting) how -much they are naturally disposed to become a colonizing people. There -is hardly any part of the world to which a Chinaman would refuse to -go, if led and managed by some of his own countrymen. But, wherever -they go, they carry the vice of _opium-smoking_ with them, and it is -needless to say that it thrives at Singapore to its fullest extent, -and that a large revenue is annually derived from the monopoly of the -sale of the drug. - -The climate of Singapore is healthy, although the soil is wet, owing to -the constant rains; and the heat is, perhaps, never excessive, although -the place is situated only about seventy miles from the equator. - -It might be expected that the recent opening of the new Chinese ports, -from some of which large trading junks have annually come down to -seek their cargoes at Singapore, would prove injurious to the future -trade of the latter, since it would no longer be necessary for the -Chinese to go abroad to seek for that which will now be brought to -them at their own doors. This apprehension, however, seems to be -little entertained on the spot, because there can be little doubt, -that whatever tends to augment the general foreign trade with China -must benefit Singapore, which lies on the highroad to it, to a greater -or less extent. Singapore has nothing to fear as regards its future -commercial prosperity, which is likely rather to increase than to -diminish, in consequence of the general increase of trade with China -and the neighbouring islands. - -On the 4th of November, the Nemesis resumed her voyage, and passed the -little rocky island of Pedra Branca early on the following morning. -This dangerous and sometimes half-covered rock lies nearly in the -direct track for vessels proceeding up the China Sea; and on its -southern side are two dangerous ledges or reefs, running out from it to -the distance of more than a mile, which, at high water, can scarcely -be traced above the surface. On the opposite, or northern side, there -is deep water in not less than sixteen or seventeen fathoms, close -in to the rock; and, moreover, the tides in its neighbourhood are -very irregular, not only in point of time, but also in direction -and velocity. Nor are these the only dangers to be met with in this -locality. Hence it will readily appear that a lighthouse placed upon -Pedra Branca would be of essential utility to all navigators who have -occasion to pass up or down the China Sea. A ship leaving Singapore -for Hong-Kong, for instance, might then start at such an hour in the -evening as would enable her to make the light on Pedra Branca before -morning; by which means, her true position being ascertained, she -might stand on without fear of any danger. The expense of erecting the -lighthouse would not be great, as the elevation would only be moderate, -and the expense of maintaining it might be defrayed by levying a small -light-duty at Singapore upon all vessels passing up or down the China -Sea. - -It has been often suggested that this would be a most advantageous site -for the proposed monument to the memory of the distinguished Horsburgh, -to whom too much honour cannot be paid for his inestimable works, so -much relied on by all navigators who frequent the eastern seas. It -would be difficult to find a more advantageous or appropriate position, -for the best of all monuments to his fame, than this little, dangerous -island of Pedra Branca, situated as it is in the very centre of some of -his most valued researches; while the recent opening of the new ports -in China, and the possession of Hong-Kong, give an increased importance -to subjects connected with the navigation of those seas. There is not -a single vessel, either British or foreign, which traverses those -regions, which is not indebted to Horsburgh for the instructions which -render her voyage secure; and a lighthouse upon Pedra Branca would do -no less service to navigators than it would honour to the memory of -Horsburgh. - -The Nemesis had now passed this rocky little island, and at once found -the full strength of the north-east monsoon blowing steadily against -her, so that "full steam" was necessary to enable her to proceed. On -the afternoon of the 16th, the high land of the Spanish possessions of -Luconia (better known by the name of the capital town, Manilla) came in -sight; and, on the following morning, the Nemesis passed very near the -port, but without venturing to enter it, on account of the delay which -it would cause, although fuel was already much wanted. - -The appearance of the island was very striking. Bold, picturesque -mountains, fine woods, with here and there a few sugar plantations -extending along the valleys, and rich, green, cocoa-nut groves, to vary -the prospect--all these combined, or alternating with each other, made -the aspect of the island very attractive. - -Unfortunately, no time could be spared to visit the interior of the -country, as the voyage had already been much protracted, and the -north-east monsoon was blowing directly against the vessel. Her -progress was therefore slow, and the want of fuel began to be much felt. - -On the 24th, the Lieu-chew Islands came in sight; but these are not the -same islands which were visited by Capt. Basil Hall, whose descriptions -excited so much attention.[12] - -At daylight on the following morning, the 25th of November, the Nemesis -steamed through the Typa anchorage, which lies opposite Macao, and -ran close in to the town, where the water is so shallow that none but -trading-boats can venture so far. The sudden appearance of so large and -mysterious-looking a vessel naturally excited the greatest astonishment -among all classes, both of the Portuguese and Chinese residents. The -saluting of the Portuguese flag, as she passed, sufficed to announce -that something unusual had happened; and crowds of people came down to -the Praya Grande, or Esplanade, to look at the first iron steamer which -had ever anchored in their quiet little bay. Her very light draught of -water seemed to them quite incompatible with her size; and even the -Portuguese governor was so much taken by surprise, that he sent off a -messenger expressly to the vessel, to warn her captain of the supposed -danger which he ran by venturing so close in shore. It is probable, -however, that his excellency was not quite satisfied with the near -approach of an armed steamer, within a short range of his own palace; -and, moreover, the firing of a salute, almost close under his windows, -had speedily frightened away the fair ladies who had been observed -crowding at all the windows with eager curiosity. - -As soon as the first excitement had passed, Captain Hall waited upon -the governor, to assure him that he had come with the most peaceable -intentions, and to thank his excellency for the friendly warning he -had given, with respect to the safety of the vessel. At the same time, -he begged to inform his excellency, that he was already thoroughly -acquainted with the harbour and anchorage of Macao, from early -recollection of all those localities, as he had served as midshipman on -board the Lyra, during Lord Amherst's embassy to China, in 1816. - -It was now ascertained that the English admiral, the Hon. George -Elliot, was at anchor with his fleet in Tongkoo roads, below the Bogue -forts; and, accordingly, the Nemesis proceeded to join the squadron, -after the delay of only a few hours. Her arrival was announced by the -salute to the admiral's flag, which was immediately returned by the -Melville, precisely as if the Nemesis had been a regular man-of-war. - -The Nemesis now found herself in company with the three line-of-battle -ships, Wellesley, Melville, and Blenheim, together with H.M.S. Druid, -Herald, Modeste, Hyacinth, and the Jupiter troop-ship. Thus, then, -after all her toil and hardships, the gallant Nemesis had at length -reached the proud post towards which she had so long been struggling. -Her voyage from England had, indeed, been a long one, very nearly eight -months having elapsed since she bade adieu to Portsmouth. But her -trials had been many during that period. She had started in the worst -season of the year, and had encountered, throughout nearly the whole -voyage, unusual weather and unforeseen difficulties. She had happily -survived them all, and the efforts which had been already made to -enable her to earn for herself a name gave happy promise of her future -destiny. - -The excitement on board was general, now that she at length found her -_iron_ frame swinging, side by side, with the famed "wooden walls" -of England's glory; and the prospect of immediate service, in active -operations against the enemy, stimulated the exertions of every -individual. For some days, however, she was compelled to content -herself with the unwelcome operation of "coaling" in Tongkoo Bay. -In the meantime, the ships of war had sailed, leaving her to follow -them as soon as she could be got ready; and now, while this black and -tedious process is going on, we cannot be better employed than in -taking a short survey of the events which had immediately preceded -her arrival, and of the more important occurrences which led to such -momentous consequences. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[12] Captain Hall of the Nemesis was at that time serving as midshipman -under Capt. Basil Hall. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - -The abolition of the privileges of the East India Company in China, and -the difficulties which soon resulted therefrom, concerning the mode -of conducting our negotiations with the Chinese, will be remembered -by most readers; and, whatever part the questions arising out of the -trade in opium, may have _afterwards_ borne in the complication of -difficulties, there is little doubt that the first germ of them all -was developed at the moment when the general trade with China became -free. This freedom of trade, too, was forced upon the government and -the company in a great degree, by the competition of the American -interests; and by the fact, that British trade came to be carried on -partly under the American flag, and through American agency, because it -was prevented from being brought into fair competition in the market, -under the free protection of its own flag. - -The unhappy death of the lamented Lord Napier, principally occasioned -by the ill treatment of the Chinese, and the mental vexation of -having been compelled to submit to the daily insults of the Chinese -authorities, in his attempts to carry out the orders of his government, -will be remembered with deep regret. With the nature of those orders -we have here nothing to do. No one can question Lord Napier's talent, -energy, and devotedness to the object of his mission. - -The attempts of Captain Elliot, when he afterwards took upon himself -the duties of chief superintendent, to carry out the same instructions, -were scarcely less unfortunate. And finding, as he publicly stated, -that "the governor had declined to accede to the conditions involved in -the instructions which he had received from her majesty's government, -concerning the manner of his _intercourse_ with his Excellency," the -British flag was struck at the factories at Canton, on the 2nd of -December, 1837, and her majesty's principal superintendent retired to -Macao. - -During the year 1838, very serious and determined measures began to -be adopted by the Chinese authorities, directed generally against -the trade in opium; and imperial edicts threatened death as the -punishment, for both the dealers in, and the smokers of the drug. -Several unfortunate Chinese were executed in consequence. Attempts were -now made to execute the criminals in front of the foreign factories -along the river side, contrary to all former usage and public right. A -remonstrance followed, addressed to the governor, who, in reply, gave -them a sort of moral lecture, instead of a political lesson, and, then, -condescendingly admitted, that "foreigners, though born and brought up -beyond the pale of civilization, must yet have human hearts." - -Nevertheless, in the following December, 1838, the insulting attempt -was again repeated, close under the American flag-staff, which was not -then placed, as it has since been, in an enclosure, surrounded with a -brick wall, and high paling. The flag was immediately hauled down by -the consul, in consequence of the preparations which were going on, for -the erection of the cross upon which the criminal was to be strangled. - -At first, a few foreigners interfered, and, without violence, induced -the officers to desist from their proceedings. But, gradually, the -crowd increased, and, a Chinese mob, when excited, is fully as -unruly as an English one; and, thus, each imprudent act, as usual, -led to another. No Chinese authorities were at hand to control the -disturbance; stones began to fly in all directions; and the foreigners, -who, by this time, had come forward, to the aid of their brethren, were -at length, through the increasing numbers of the mob, fairly driven to -take refuge in the neighbouring factories. Here they were obliged to -barricade the doors and windows, many of which, were, nevertheless, -destroyed, and the buildings endangered, before a sufficient force -of Chinese soldiers had arrived to disperse the mob. In the evening, -however, quiet was perfectly restored. - -In the meantime, the alarm had spread to Whampoa, whence Captain Elliot -set out, accompanied by about one hundred and twenty armed men, for -Canton, and arrived at the British factory late in the evening. Both -parties were now clearly placed in a false position, yet one which it -would have been very difficult to have avoided. During many preceding -months, the unfortunate Hong merchants had been in constant collision -with their own government on the one hand, and with the foreign -merchants, on the other. There was scarcely any species of indignity, -to which they were not exposed, and they were even threatened with -death itself. The Chinese government had daily become more overbearing -towards all foreigners; and its habitual cold and haughty tone had -grown into undisguised contempt and unqualified contumely. Their -treatment of Lord Napier had been considered on their part as a -_victory_; and their successful repulse of all Captain Elliot's -advances, was viewed by them as an evidence of their own power, and of -Great Britain's weakness. - -It has been already stated in the first chapter, that Sir Frederick -Maitland, who had a short time previously paid a visit to China, in a -line of battle ship, had left those seas altogether, just before the -collision took place; and, in proportion as the foreigners were left -unprotected, so did the Chinese become more overbearing. - -At the same time, it cannot be denied, that their determination -to put a stop, as far as possible, to the opium-trade, _was for -the time sincere_; though their measures might have been hasty and -unwarrantable. A few days after the preceding disturbance, Captain -Elliot distinctly ordered, that "all British owned schooners, or other -vessels, habitually, or occasionally engaged in the illicit opium -traffic, _within_ the Bocca Tigris, should remove before the expiration -of three days, and not again return within the Bocca Tigris, being so -engaged." And they were, at the same time, distinctly warned, that -if "any British subjects were feloniously to cause the death of any -Chinaman, in consequence of persisting in the trade within the Bocca -Tigris, he would be liable to capital punishment; that no owners of -such vessels, so engaged, would receive any assistance or interposition -from the British government, in case the Chinese government should -seize any of them; and, that all British subjects, employed in these -vessels, would be held responsible for any consequences which might -arise from forcible resistance offered to the Chinese government, in -the same manner as if such resistance were offered to their own or any -other government, in their own or in any foreign country." - -So far Captain Elliot evinced considerable energy and determination; -but he, probably, had scarcely foreseen that the shrewd and wily -government of China would very soon put the question to him, "if you -can order the discontinuance of the traffic _within_ the Bocca Tigris, -why can you not also put an end to it _in the outer waters beyond the -Bogue_?" - -As it seems scarcely possible to avoid all direct allusion to the -difficult question of the traffic in opium, I shall take this -opportunity of saying a few words upon this important subject. A -detailed account of its remarkable history, and of the vicissitudes -which attended it, both within and without the Chinese empire, would -afford matter of the greatest interest, but could hardly find a place -in this work. - -In former times, as is well known, opium was admitted into China as -a drug, upon payment of duty; and, even the prohibition which was -ultimately laid upon it, was regarded by the Chinese themselves as a -mere dead letter. Indeed, precisely in proportion to the difficulty of -obtaining the drug, did the longing for it increase. - -The great events which sprang out of this appetite of a whole nation -for "forbidden fruit," on the one hand, and of the _temptations_ -held out to foreigners to furnish it to them, on the other, may be -considered as one of those momentous crises in a nation's history, -which seem almost pre-ordained, as stages or epochs to mark the world's -progress. - -It is curious enough, that, at the very time when a _mercantile_ -crisis was growing up at Canton, a _political_ intrigue, or, as it -might be called, a cabinet crisis, was breaking out at Pekin. In fact, -strange as it may appear, it is believed in China, upon tolerably -good authority, that there was actually a reform party struggling -to shew its head at Pekin, and, that the question of more extended -intercourse with foreigners, was quite as warmly discussed as that of -the prohibition of the import of opium, or of the export of silver. - -Memorials were presented to the emperor on both sides of the question; -and his Majesty Taou-kwang, being old, and personally of feeble -character, halted for a time "between two opinions," alternately -yielding both to the one and to the other, until he at length settled -down into his old bigotry against _change_, and felt all the native -prejudices of a true son of Han, revive more strongly than ever within -his bosom. - -But the question of the Opium-trade, or Opium laws, which for some -time had been almost a _party_ matter, like the corn laws in our own -country, became at length a question of interest and importance to the -whole nation, and was magnified in its relations by the very discussion -of the points which it involved. - -It is said that the head of the reform party (if it can so be called) -in China was a Tartar lady, belonging to the emperor's court, -remarkable for her abilities no less than her personal attractions, and -possessed of certain very strong points of character, which made her -as much feared by some as she was loved by others. She was soon raised -even to the throne itself, as the emperor's wife, but lived only a few -years to enjoy her power. Her influence soon came to be felt throughout -the whole of that vast empire; it was the means of rewarding talent, -and of detecting inability. She seemed to possess, in a marked degree, -that intuitive discernment which sometimes bursts upon the female mind -as if by inspiration. The tone and energy of her character were in -advance of her age and of her country. She had many grateful friends, -but she had raised up for herself many bitter enemies; party feeling -ran high, and became at length too powerful even for an empress. - -Gradually her influence diminished, the favour of the emperor declined, -her opponent again got the upper hand, and at length she pined away -under the effects of disappointment, and perhaps injustice, and died. -But her influence, so long as it lasted, was unbounded, and was felt -through every province. - -Her principal adherents and dependents naturally lost their power -when that of their mistress was gone. The question of more extended -trade with foreigners was now again set aside; the old feelings of -bigotry and national pride resumed even more than their former vigour. -Opium at once became the instrument, but ostensibly PATRIOTISM became -the groundwork of their measures. The old national feeling against -foreigners throughout the empire was revived; and in the midst of it -all, as if ordained to hasten on the momentous crisis which waited -for its fulfilment, _the son of the emperor himself died in his very -palace, from the effects of the excessive use of opium._ - -Even before this unfortunate event, strong measures had began to -be adopted in some parts of the empire against the preparers and -smokers of the drug. As is usually the case when one party has become -victorious over another after a severe struggle, the course which -they advocate is followed up with even more than their former vigour. -When once the advocates of a severe compulsion for stopping the use -of opium, and with it the export of silver, had gained the upper hand -in the cabinet, measures of a very stringent kind were immediately -adopted, as if with the full determination of giving them a fair trial. - -The evil had certainly reached a very high pitch; and from having been -formerly confined to the wealthier and more indolent classes, it spread -its deadly grasp among the lower grades, so that even _the lowest_ at -length came to be confirmed debauchees. Not that their fair earnings -could generally enable them to procure enough of so costly an article, -but because they were led to deprive themselves and their families of -other comforts, and even necessaries, in order to obtain the means of -gratifying their irresistible longing for the poison. Not unfrequently -was even crime itself committed in order to obtain the means; and the -opium shops, particularly in the maritime towns and villages, became -the last resort of all the thieves, vagabonds, gamblers, and bad -characters throughout the district. - -The demand for opium, and consequently its price, increased remarkably, -and the numerous statements which have been published under this -head have not been by any means exaggerated. It penetrated the most -secret haunts, in proportion as the danger of using it more publicly -increased; and the more numerous were the edicts which were issued -against it, the greater did the craving for the forbidden luxury, -amounting almost to a national MANIA, go on increasing day by day. The -moral lectures of the emperor, which appeared in the Pekin Gazette, -were very pretty to read, but very futile in their effects. And if the -great despotic ruler over hundreds of millions of people, whose very -word was law, still found himself totally unable to exclude the drug -(even under the severest prohibitions) from his _own palace_, is it -to be wondered at that all his strongest measures should have totally -failed in withdrawing the mass of the nation from the temptation? - -The enormous profits derived from the clandestine sale of opium induced -many of the Chinese to embark in it as a speculation, who neither used -it themselves, nor were habituated to any other commercial traffic. -Official men both smoked and _sold it_; hundreds of people gained -a livelihood by the manufacture or sale of opium-pipes, and other -apparatus connected with its use; and even the armed soldier often -carried an opium-pipe in his girdle, with the same unconcern as he did -the fan-case which is very commonly a part of his costume. - -All this was going on throughout a great portion of the empire during -the time that the question of its legalization or of its sterner -prohibition was being so warmly debated at court, and discussed -throughout the country. But the general impression was, that the -importation of the drug would be legalized, and there was little -apprehension of the violent persecution which soon commenced. - -Instead of the foreigners imposing upon them the barter of opium as a -condition of trade, it was the Chinese themselves who begged and prayed -that it might be supplied to them; who sought out the opium-selling -vessels at long distances, and were even then only permitted to receive -it by paying hard cash for it. So determined were the Chinese to -possess it at any cost, that they frequently were willing to purchase -it for _its own weight_ in silver, balanced fairly the one against -the other in the scales. Boats belonging to the Custom House engaged -in the traffic. The governor of Canton himself, Tang by name, was -known to have employed his own boat to fetch it; and so publicly and -undisguisedly was the traffic carried on, that a stipulated sum was -paid to the officers for every chest landed, precisely as if it had -been a bale of cotton or a box of glass. - -It cannot be doubted, however, that after the death of the emperor's -son, public attention throughout the empire became more strongly than -ever directed to the increasing evils of the use and abuse of opium. -Many instances of its pernicious effects now rose to the recollection -of individuals who would otherwise have scarcely dwelt upon them. The -agitation of the question had indeed led to party feeling upon the -subject. The thunders of the emperor against foreigners began to take -effect; measures of a severer kind now began to be adopted; and the -reaction throughout the empire was almost universal. The shock had not -been expected, and it came upon them like an earthquake. - -Yet the justice of it appeared evident to many, for the evils had been -concealed from none. It seemed as if all on a sudden the highroad to -official favour and distinction could be found solely through the -degree of energy shewn in ferreting out the lowest opium-smokers, and -in publicly giving up the very pipes which were used; indeed it has -been said that this enthusiasm was carried so far, that pipes were -actually _purchased_ for the purpose of giving them up to the officers, -as if it indicated a voluntary surrender of a vicious habit. These were -all displayed as emblems of victory, and the most zealous were the best -rewarded, while the government itself became astonished at its own -apparent success. It now thought itself irresistible, and despised the -foreigners more than ever. - -A grand crisis was produced by these proceedings in the interior of -the country. _All traffic_ of an extensive kind became nearly stopped; -the prisons were filled with delinquents; and a great parade was made -of the "stern severity" of the government, on the one hand, and of the -obedient submission of the people, on the other. Yet, in spite of all -this public display, that traffic itself was in reality as flourishing -as ever, although perhaps it might have changed hands. Opium was more -eagerly sought after than before; the price of it rose in proportion; -and, precisely as had been predicted by the free trade or reform party -in Pekin, it was found impossible to prevent its introduction into the -country by the people themselves, even by the threat of death itself. -Fishermen carried with them a single ball, and made a large profit by -its sale; in short, the temptations and the profits were so large and -irresistible, that hundreds of modes were discovered for conveying it -from place to place, in spite of the penalties which awaited detection. -The beheading of a few men, and the imprisonment of others, did not -deter the mass; the delicious intoxication of the precious drug proved -far too attractive to be controlled by the horrors of death or torture. - -The truth is, however specious the edicts and writings of the Chinese -may appear _on paper_, they are perfectly futile in reality, when the -will of the people and the absence of any early prejudice is opposed to -their accomplishment. - -Without further pursuing a subject which, though deeply interesting, -has been already so much a matter of discussion, we may at once come -to the conclusion, that the passion of the Chinese for the pernicious -intoxication of opium, was the first link in the chain which was -destined to connect them at some future day with all the other families -of mankind. The abolition of the privileges of the East India Company -first opened the door for the _general_ trade of all foreign nations -upon an extended scale; but the trade in opium, which the Chinese -were determined to carry on, in spite of all opposition of their own -government, and with a full knowledge of the pernicious consequences -which resulted from it, was the _instrument_ by means of which the -haughty tone and the inapproachable reserve of their government were to -be at length overcome. - -We now come to the period of the famous Commissioner Lin's appointment -to Canton. This was indeed the climax of all the perplexities. Lin -himself was the Robespierre, the terrorist, the reckless despot, who -represented a certain party in the empire, who conscientiously believed -that they could _terrify_ not only their own countrymen, but even -foreign nations, into patient submission to their will. - -This singular man seems to have been composed of good and bad qualities -in equal proportions, but always of a violent kind. In any other -country than China, he would have been either distinguished as a -demagogue or branded as a tyrant, precisely as circumstances chanced to -lead him into a particular channel. He was reckless of consequences, so -long as he could carry out his will without control. He was violent, -yet not selfish; changeable, yet always clinging to his original views; -severe, and even cruel and inexorable, in the measures by which he -sought to gain his ends; yet, in reality, he is believed to have meant -well for his country, and to have had the interests and the wishes of -the emperor, his master, always at heart. He certainly believed that -he could control both the people under his own government, and the -foreigners who came into contact with them, _by force_; and his very -errors seem to have arisen from excess of zeal in the cause which he -adopted. His talent was unquestionable. - -Lin became intoxicated with his own success (for the time, at all -events) in whatever he undertook; and expected all his orders to -be executed with the same energy and facility with which he gave -them utterance. It is said, moreover, that he procured a copy of -a remarkable work called a "Digest of Foreign Customs, Practices, -Manners," &c., in which bad deeds rather than good ones, and even -the names of individual merchants, were brought forward; and that he -studied this book with constant pleasure. - -On the 10th of March, 1839, this redoubtable commissioner reached -Canton, having travelled with extraordinary speed from Pekin, whither -he had been called to receive his appointment at the hands of the -emperor himself; who is said to have even shed tears, as he parted with -him. - -He lost not a moment, upon his arrival at Canton, in setting all the -powerful energies of his mind to work, to devise means of accomplishing -his ends. He determined to endeavour to put a complete stop to the -traffic in opium, both on the part of his own people and on that of -foreigners; and his great aim was to "control, curb, and humble," the -foreign community generally. - -From this time forth, it became very evident, that great and -complicated events must be looked for upon the political horizon. -Even Captain Elliot himself could hardly hope that his little star -of diplomacy could light the road to a solution of the difficulties, -without an ultimate resort to arms. - -It is true, that for a brief interval previous to Lin's arrival, -the prospect seemed to brighten considerably. Captain Elliot had -partially succeeded in establishing direct official intercourse with -the governor of Canton; for it had been at length agreed, that all -sealed communications coming from the chief superintendent, should be -delivered into the hands of the governor, and the seal broken by him -only. This was a great point gained; and Elliot seems to have managed -it with considerable tact. Nevertheless, the correspondence could not -be said even now, to be carried on upon terms of "perfect equality;" -and even this concession was quite as much a matter of necessity to the -governor, as it was to Captain Elliot; for the cessation of intercourse -had been a source of equal embarrassment to them both. - -This Governor Tang was a crafty, cringing, self-interested man; he -derived immense sums from opium, and his own son was said to be -employed in the clandestine traffic, against which, the father was -uttering severe denunciations, followed by severer persecutions. - -Lin afterwards suspected, and, perhaps, even discovered his -delinquencies; and Tang became a willing and submissive instrument, if -not a cringing sycophant. But his day of punishment came at last. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - -It is worthy of notice that, just previous to the arrival of -Commissioner Lin at Canton, the opium-trade had received such a check, -that it might be said to have been for the time almost entirely -suspended. We have seen the strong measures taken by Captain Elliot -against it, which proved that he looked upon it with no favouring -eye; and, in short, at that time the opium vessels had left the -river altogether. But Lin was not a man to do things by halves. He -had formerly, when governor of a province, earned the character of -the people's friend; and he seemed now more determined still to win -the appellation of the foreigner's enemy. He had belonged to the -party opposed to the empress's influence, and, had she survived and -continued in power, he would never have been sent on so dangerous -a mission. But, when once the liberal party, and the advocates -for the legalization of the opium trade, upon the grounds of the -_impossibility_ of excluding it by prohibition, had been defeated, it -became almost a point of honour, certainly of pride with Lin, to shew -how successfully he could carry out the views of the high Chinese, or -exclusive party. - -From the very moment of Lin's arrival, clothed with unlimited power, -his restless energy, and his quick penetrating eye, made every officer -of his government cower down before him. Indeed, there was hardly an -officer of the province, from the governor downwards, who did not feel -conscious of guilt, corruption, and peculation. From high to low, from -rich to poor, Lin determined that a reign of terror should commence. -He had lists prepared, containing observations upon the characters -of all the public officers, of the Hong merchants, and even of the -foreigners. He seemed determined to wage war with everybody. And, as a -proof that his intentions against the foreign community were anything -but conciliatory, within a few days after his arrival he sent round the -Hong merchants to the different factories, to ascertain, by intrigue -and persuasion, _what weapons the foreigners were in possession of_, -and what means they had at hand for their own immediate defence. - -Having privately arranged all his plans, and, believing that the -foreigners were sleeping, Lin now ordered that all the opium in the -inner waters, and also in the store ships in the "_outer waters_," -should be given up to the officers of his government; and that a bond -should be drawn up in "Chinese and foreign character, stating clearly -that the ships afterwards to arrive there shall never, to all eternity, -dare to bring any opium; or, if they did so, that their whole cargo -should be confiscated, and all their people put to death, [by _Chinese_ -officers,] and, moreover, that they would willingly undergo it as the -penalty of their crime." - -This proclamation certainly caused a little panic in Canton, and it -was precisely what the commissioner desired; and, the more the foreign -merchants seemed disposed to meet his excellency's views, as far as lay -in their power, so much the more did the demands of the commissioner -rise. Every concession on the part of Captain Elliot, or the merchants, -was to him a victory gained, and the forerunner of greater ones. -Threats thundered forth against the heads of the Hong merchants -rebounded in threats of all sorts, and alarming statements from them to -the foreigners. - -There seems to be some reason for supposing that, in the commencement -of the business, it was intended by Lin that a certain compensation -should be granted to foreigners for the value of the opium -surrendered. Gradually, however, as he thought himself getting -stronger, this intention was quite lost sight of; and almost at the -same time an edict came out, forbidding all foreigners to apply for -permission to go down to Macao--in fact, preventing them from leaving -Canton or Whampoa. - -At this period, not ten days had elapsed since Lin's arrival at -Canton, and there had not been sufficient time even to reply to his -proclamation, _only issued the preceding day_, respecting the opium -and the bond. Lin's impatience hurried on one event upon another, in -his headlong career; he issued orders, without waiting to see whether -his previous ones had been attended to. Whatever unfortunate results -may have ultimately sprung from his policy, it can never be questioned -that for the time his darling object was, not only to "humble the -foreigners," but to carry out, to the letter, the express directions of -his Emperor, which were delivered to him in these words:--"to scrub and -wash away the filth, and to cut up the opium-evil by the roots, and to -remove calamities from the people." - -Within a few days after his arrival, we have seen that Lin was -embroiled with the whole foreign community; and, in the short space -of twenty-four hours, edicts appeared, as has been stated, commanding -the surrender of all the opium, whether strictly in the Chinese waters -or not; and placing under arrest every foreigner, both at Canton and -Whampoa, without alleging any grounds for the proceeding. - -The drama was now fast spreading out into its different acts and -scenes. An agreement that one thousand chests should be delivered up, -only led to the demand for more, and _four_ thousand chests were then -required. - -Next, Mr. Dent, one of the principal merchants, was to be brought -before the commissioner _within_ the city; and, in order to save, as -he believed, the heads of some of the Hong merchants, he agreed that -he would go, provided that he should receive beforehand a safe-conduct -from the imperial commissioner himself, guaranteeing his safe return; -but upon any other condition he refused to put himself voluntarily in -his power. The reply to this was, "that, if he did not come of his -own free will, he should be dragged out of his house by force;" and -the threat was added, that, in that case, the high commissioner would -assuredly kill him. - -A circular from Captain Elliot now required that "all ships belonging -to her Majesty's subjects at the outer anchorages should proceed at -once to Hong-Kong, since her Majesty's subjects were then detained -at Canton against their will." It will scarcely be credited, that at -this time the only British man-of-war in the Chinese waters was the -small sloop, the Larne. This was perfectly well known to the Chinese, -who, consequently, conceived themselves strong enough to proceed to -the highest degree of violence and indignity. And, when the Larne -afterwards went up to the Bogue, and demanded certain explanations of -the Admiral Kwan, (who, we have before seen, was on friendly terms -with Sir Frederick Maitland, on a previous occasion, when he visited -the Bogue in a _line-of-battle ship_,) the only answer that Kwan -condescended to give to the _little_ Larne was, "that she (or rather -her captain) ought to know her own weakness, and be reverentially -obedient, as Maitland had been before." - -At the critical juncture I have above described, Captain Elliot -resolved to come up to the British factory in person, in a small open -boat, and, for a moment, our flag was again hoisted, when all were -virtually prisoners, whom the flag could not protect. He now declared -his intention of demanding passports for all her Majesty's subjects -within _ten days_--(should he not have demanded them _at once_?) but, -having no armed force that he could call to his aid, all he could do -was to say, "that, if they were refused for the period of three days -after his application, he should be forced into the conclusion that -British subjects were all to be violently detained as hostages, in -order that they might be intimidated into unworthy concessions." - -Lin now had Elliot completely in his power, and was doubtless much -surprised himself at the success of all his schemes. At that moment, -neither the flag nor the guns of England could protect her people: they -were prisoners in their own halls; and it is a positive fact that, -for some time, the only chance of relief or protection which they had -to look to, was the expected arrival of two _American ships of war_, -which were known to be on their way out, having been applied for by the -consul of that country, upon the first appearance of the difficulties. - -This was a grand opportunity for pushing their fortunes in that -quarter, which the Americans knew well how to profit by. In reality, -the whole foreign trade was for a time in jeopardy; but the Americans -profited precisely in proportion to the increase of our difficulties, -and their trade increased exactly as ours declined. The moment was an -advantageous one for proving to the Chinese that Americans were not -Englishmen; although they cleverly made them understand that they _had -been_ so once, but at last had conquered for themselves a name, a flag, -and a nation. - -It has been said that, at a later period, an American merchant had more -than one interview with Lin, in which various suggestions were made as -to the measures to be adopted; but, whether they were of a favourable -or unfavourable nature to English interests, it is impossible to say -with confidence. The results of the conference were kept very secret. - -Having secured all the foreigners within his grasp, Lin's next step -was to withdraw all the native servants from the factories, and to -forbid the sale of provisions to foreigners in any shape. Armed men -were posted on every side, to prevent any one from attempting to -escape, while the river was blockaded, and all the foreign boats which -could be found were drawn up high and dry on shore, or else destroyed. -In the meantime, however, no provisions were supplied by Lin himself; -consequently, the foreign prisoners were in a worse plight, in that -respect, than the actual malefactors in the cells of the public prisons -of the town; and his object was evidently to _starve_ them into -compliance with his wishes, if, indeed, he knew himself what the full -extent of his wishes really was. - -Captain Elliot was now called upon to deliver up _all_ the opium, -wherever it might be found. And yet it was clear enough that Captain -Elliot could not possibly know _where_ all the opium was, or how much -it might be; and, having already agreed to the demand for, first, one -thousand, and then four thousand chests, it would clearly be necessary -to stipulate some quantity as a satisfactory equivalent for all. - -Even in their present dilemma a more decided show of firmness, and -a threat of the retribution which would fall upon him hereafter -for his violent proceedings, might, possibly, have restored to the -commissioner some little portion of his reasonableness, if not his -reason. Nevertheless, as the whole community of foreigners (not the -English only) were now under a course of starvation and imprisonment, -and were in a degraded position in the eyes of all Chinamen, it is -difficult to say if any other course could have been adopted than the -one chosen by Captain Elliot. A bond was signed, under the influence -and by the compulsion of existing circumstances, by all the parties, -that they would not deal any more in opium; but they did not accede -to the penalty of death, &c. &c., which Lin had originally attempted -to impose. And, at the requisition of Captain Elliot, they agreed to -deliver up all the opium then in their _possession_, "for the service -of her Majesty's government." - -The quantity of opium to be delivered was not stipulated at the time. -But, after returns had been very honourably and equitably sent to -Captain Elliot, it appeared that he could command the enormous quantity -of 20,283 chests; and he accordingly agreed that that immense number -should be delivered up to officers deputed by Lin to receive it. It was -also stipulated that, as soon as one-fourth should be given up, the -servants should be restored; that, after one-half had been delivered, -the passage-boats should run as usual down to Macao; that trade should -be opened as soon as three-fourths had been given up; and that, when -the whole of it had been surrendered, "things should go on as usual." - -As yet scarcely three weeks had elapsed since Commissioner Lin had -come down, with this enormous power upon his shoulders; and yet it had -sufficed to enable him to effect this vast change in the relations -which existed between the Chinese and the foreign community, and to -astonish even his own countrymen by the energy and rashness of his -measures. - -The commissioner was perfectly surprised at his own success, and -equally so at the enormous quantity of opium which Elliot declared -himself able to procure. But, in point of fact, there were not so many -as 20,000 chests of opium in the "_Chinese waters_" at that time, -although that amount was at last procured, for vessels were sent to a -distance even to seek for it, and to purchase it for Captain Elliot. -Some of it was lying at Manilla, whence it was brought over for the -purpose. - -The next step in Lin's political delinquency was, that he broke -the very agreement he had just made; and, instead of allowing the -passage-boats to pass down to Macao, as usual, as soon as one-half of -the stipulated number of chests had been surrendered, as agreed, he -selected the names of sixteen gentlemen out of the whole community, and -issued the strictest orders against _their_ departure; and directed -that every one of the passage-boats should be examined, to see if any -of these gentlemen were on board, and to prevent their escape. - -Nevertheless, at this time the commissioner would seem to have had -some misgivings about the posture of affairs, and became at one time -inclined to recommend the "obedient" foreigners to the notice of the -Emperor, for the purpose of having some mark of favour conferred upon -them. This was thought to point at some kind of compensation for the -value of the opium surrendered, but nothing further was heard of it. - -On the 21st of May, 1839, the last portion of the stipulated quantity -of 20,283 chests of opium was delivered up at the Bogue, where the -rest of it was stored, awaiting the Imperial pleasure. Many questions -arose as to how it was to be disposed of, but at last Lin himself hit -upon the clever expedient of destroying it by lime and oil, in pits -dug for the purpose, and then pouring the fluid compound into the sea. -Double guards were placed to prevent any of the drug from being stolen, -and death was to be the punishment of every delinquent. There were -checks and spies in all directions, and the process of destruction was -carried on with great parade. Nevertheless, it is believed that some of -it was purloined, both on shore and on its way from the ships to the -landing-place, where mandarin-boats and war-junks were collected in -great number. - -As soon as possible after he had regained his liberty, Captain Elliot -sent intelligence of all these occurrences to Bombay, (for the -overland mail,) by a fast sailing vessel, hired expressly for the -purpose, called the Ariel; and, at the same time, H.M. sloop Larne -was despatched to Calcutta, to report them to the governor-general of -India. Consequently, there was then _not a single British ship of war_ -of any description in the Chinese waters, for the protection of British -life and property. Luckily, the arrival soon afterwards of the American -ships of war, the Columbia and the John Adams, served to reassure the -drooping spirits of the whole foreign community. - -Other acts of atrocity and bad faith had also been committed by the -Chinese authorities; but it is remarkable that Captain Elliot, whose -personal courage and natural ability have never been questioned, -seems to have entered no public protest, nor addressed any strong -remonstrance to the commissioner, either upon this subject, or upon -that of his own imprisonment, or rather confinement, at Canton. -The probability is, that he thought it useless to do so, unless he -were prepared to back his remonstrance by a demonstration of force. -Nevertheless, after the foreigners were released, he issued a notice -that all trade on the part of his countrymen with the Chinese should -be stopped. And this notice was repeated in still stronger terms after -the departure of the Larne; for he declared that "he saw no prospect -of such an arrangement of existing difficulties as to admit of British -ships proceeding within the Bocca Tigris, under the sanction of his -authority, until the opinion of her Majesty's government could be -made known to him." And at a later period, he thought it necessary to -warn all the merchants, (dated the 29th of July,) "that he had moved -her Majesty's and the Indian governments to forbid the admission of -tea and other produce from China into Great Britain and India, during -the existence of the preceding prohibition in Canton, unless their -manifests were signed in his presence." - -The stoppage of the trade by Captain Elliot irritated Lin excessively. -It was turning the tables against himself, defeating him with his own -weapons; it savoured of presumption in his sight; and, moreover, it -materially diminished his revenue. It proved that, however bombastic -and ridiculous their professions of _indifference_ to the trade -of foreigners might be, they really stood very much in need of it -themselves, and, in fact, they felt the stoppage of it on our part -quite as much as we ever did on theirs. It made Lin actually spiteful; -he tried every art to induce the English to act _contrary_ to Elliot's -orders; and, subsequently, when he went down to Macao to see with his -own eyes what the Portuguese were about, he went so far as to make it -a matter of accusation against Elliot, that "he had _prevented_ the -merchant ships of his country from entering the port of Canton." - -Such gross inconsistency, probably, was never before presented to -view in so short a period of time by any public man. Lin was, in fact, -completely at bay, and he, moreover, had probably heard by this time -that more than one British man-of war was expected. Nevertheless, he -by no means relaxed in his feelings of bitter hostility; he listened -to everything that was said or written against the English and against -opium; he so alarmed the Portuguese, as to make them expel all the -English, out of the town, (or, what is the same thing, he threatened -to attack the town if the English remained in it;) and he made them -prohibit the importation of opium, which had formerly been permitted -upon payment of duty; though, to this day, the traffic is continued -by them in full vigour at the outer anchorages, and in the Typa near -Macao, although it is prohibited to be landed at the town, under the -eye of the authorities. Nevertheless, a sufficient quantity of it is -brought into the town for local consumption. - -Lin now appeared to have reached the pinnacle of his power. He -flattered himself that his schemes had been all successful; his power -appeared irresistible, because no effectual opposition to it had yet -been offered. The more concessions were made to him, the more exacting -he became; and having got the English out of Macao, and made the -Portuguese submissive to his will, he then assumed a very bland and -condescending tone. - -In the interim, it was very evident that a storm of a new kind was -brewing, which was likely soon to burst upon his head. Moreover, -all the attempts he had made to control his own people failed; his -executions, his denunciations, and his moral lectures, were alike -unavailing. He gave the people a year, within which they were to break -off the habit by degrees, and to reform their manners; and, at the end -of that time, he vowed he would execute every man amongst them that -persisted in it. In the meantime, he hit upon the last and darling -expedient of every Chinese statesman and philosopher, that of making -men mutually responsible for each other. Thus the whole people were to -be divided into tens, as they were elsewhere in the days of Alfred the -Great, and each one of the party was to be made personally responsible -for the good behaviour of all the rest with whom he was associated. - -Notwithstanding all these strong measures, urged with all the sincerity -of an enthusiast, they both failed at the time, and have failed ever -since to eradicate the evil. The demand for the drug increased with the -difficulty of procuring it; the indulgence became dearer owing to the -danger which attended it; and, after all that was said and done, opium -continued to be sought and enormously paid for. It was more generally -used than ever; and even attention became directed to the cultivation -of the poppy on Chinese soil, when the difficulty of procuring it from -abroad became more urgent. - -Lin rose into high favour, for a time, with the Imperial court, as -might naturally be expected, and he was appointed governor of the -second province in the empire. But long before the time came for him -to remove to his new post, his star began to wane, his difficulties -increased, and ultimately his fall was as great as his rise had been -rapid. - -For several months, as I have before stated, no British ship of war -was present in the Chinese waters. It was in this interval--namely, in -the month of July, 1839--that the great difficulty arose which excited -so much attention at the time, and has done so since, arising out of -the death of a Chinaman, by name Lin Wiehe, at Hong-Kong, during an -affray with some British merchant seamen. This event was eagerly taken -advantage of by the commissioner to attempt to enforce certain claims -against the foreigners. Without entering into tedious details, many -of which are already well known, it will suffice to mention that the -man's death was really occasioned by a drunken row at a village near -Hong-Kong; that the commissioner, in accordance with what had formerly -been done on a similar occasion at Canton, demanded the surrender of -the _murderer_ to be tried by Chinese judges, and that Captain Elliot -denied the jurisdiction altogether; but, at the same time, he himself -preferred an indictment for murder against a seaman before a British -grand-jury at Hong-Kong, who ignored the bill. But several men were -ultimately found guilty of an assault only, and it appeared that one -party was just as much to blame as the other. - -The commissioner then grew more angry than ever: he caused the few -English who still remained at Macao to be still further persecuted, and -it was only through the friendly assistance of individual Portuguese -families that they were enabled to obtain their daily food. The result -was, that the whole British community left the place, together with -Captain Elliot, and went to live on board the different merchant ships -in harbour. - -Things could not remain long in such a state of embarrassment; and, -fortunately, on the 11th of September--that is, about three months -and a half after the Larne had left those seas--the Volage, under -Captain Smith, arrived. That gallant officer immediately perceived that -active steps of some kind must be taken, and he accordingly issued a -notice of blockade of the port of Canton, upon the ground "that the -regular supplies of food had been prohibited to her Majesty's subjects; -that the Chinese people had been ordered to fire upon and seize them -wherever they went; and that certain of her Majesty's subjects had been -actually cut off." - -The immediate effect of this notice was to bring the Chinese, in some -measure, to their senses; their proclamations against Englishmen were -withdrawn--provisions were no longer prohibited; and, consequently, -Captain Smith very properly withdrew his notice of blockade. -Negotiations were entered into, and it was at length agreed that trade -should be resumed _outside_ the port of Canton. - -Yet, all on a sudden, even this arrangement was violated by the -Chinese; and, on the 26th October, notice was issued that they now -required that ships should enter _within_ the port of Canton--that is, -within the Bocca Tigris. They repeated the demand for the murderer of -Lin Wiehe to be given up, and that a bond should be signed by all, -agreeing to be tried by _Chinese officers for offences declared by -them, before trial, to be capital_. If this mandate were not obeyed, -the whole of the foreign ships were to depart within three days, under -a threat of immediate destruction. - -The whole fleet, therefore, was now recommended to anchor in Tongkoo -Bay, or Urmston's Harbour, which afterwards became the rendezvous of -all the ships of war. - -It is not necessary here to enter into minute details; it will be -sufficient for the full understanding of the future operations to -state that difficulties continued to increase on both sides, without -much prospect of any solution. The Hyacinth having now arrived and -joined the Volage on the 29th October, these two vessels proceeded with -Captain Elliot to Chuenpee, some distance below the Bogue, to endeavour -to obtain from the commissioner some explicit declaration of his -intentions. On the 3rd of November they were attacked by the Chinese -admiral with twenty-nine sail of war-junks, which, of course, they soon -beat off: and thus occurred the first direct hostile encounter between -the armed forces of the two nations. War now became more than ever -inevitable. Yet, at the end of the following month, these two ships of -war were again compelled to proceed to the Bogue, in consequence of the -seizure of a British subject by the Chinese (not engaged in selling -opium) at the anchorage of Tongkoo Bay. - -The blockade of the river and port of Canton was therefore renewed by -Captain Smith on the 15th January, 1840; but the gentleman who had -been seized, Mr. Gribble, was at once restored, and the blockade was -consequently raised. - -Scarcely had this taken place, when down came to Macao a new Chinese -governor of that district, and issued a positive edict for the -immediate expulsion of all the English. Captain Smith, with becoming -spirit, instantly ordered the Hyacinth, Captain Warren, to proceed into -the inner harbour for the protection of his countrymen, which measure -seemed to give great umbrage to the Portuguese governor, Da Silveira -Pinto; and, in consequence of his representations, she was withdrawn on -the following morning. - -Occasion was taken to make as much as possible out of this occurrence, -as if the Portuguese really possessed some authority in the place -beyond that over their own countrymen, and very futile appeals were -made to treaties with the Chinese government. After all, the utmost -that could be said of it was, that if it was a little deficient in -courtesy towards the Portuguese governor, the latter should have rather -volunteered his consent to it. Nevertheless, the energetic spirit which -it evinced undoubtedly tended to check the presumption of the Chinese -authorities, and thus far to give some little security to British -subjects. Captain Smith very properly put it upon the ground of its -strengthening the Portuguese governor's hands, which in reality it -did, and which that functionary stood greatly in need of. At the same -time, Captain Smith very laudably expressed a hope that the language in -which his Excellency would "demand the immediate removal of the Chinese -forces, _declaredly_ sent here to seize or destroy my countrymen, (to -the deep insult of the Portuguese crown,) will be not less stringent, -and as successful in its operation, as that in which your Excellency -has been pleased to order the withdrawal of the Hyacinth." - -During the whole of this time, preparations were being made by the -Chinese for future operations in the Canton River; fireships were -prepared, guns collected, and troops exercised. - -On the 24th March, 1840, the fine frigate the Druid, commanded by Lord -John Churchill, arrived off Macao, and thence proceeded to Tongkoo -Roads, a most welcome reinforcement. About this time, also, the Chinese -purchased the English merchant ship the Cambridge, intending to turn -her into a man-of-war, and built some strange-looking little schooners -upon a European model, with the view of employing them in some novel -way or other against the British ships. - -It is said that, at one time, Commissioner Lin got up a sort of sham -fight at the Bogue, and dressed some of the assailants in red clothes, -in order to habituate the defenders to the sight of the colour of the -enemy's costume. Of course the red gentlemen were thoroughly beaten. -Matters had now proceeded so far, that it was impossible that any -solution of the enigma could be arrived at without speedy employment of -force. The success of their first measures, and the helpless condition -in which foreigners then found themselves, had emboldened the Chinese -beyond reason, and had fed their presumption even till it burst with -its own self-applause. - -Lord John Churchill, who was now, of course, senior officer, unhappily -died, after a few weeks' illness, on the 3rd of June. Few days had -elapsed before the Chinese sent a number of fireships to endeavour -to destroy the English merchant-ships collected at the anchorage of -Capsingmoon, but they proved a complete failure. - -The British naval force now rapidly gained accession to its strength. -The tidings of the events at Canton had spread to all parts of the -world. Preparations had been immediately commenced in England and -elsewhere for the coming contest. The Alligator, from New South Wales, -under Sir Gordon Bremer, arrived about this time, as also did the -Honourable Company's steamer, Madagascar, and likewise the Wellesley, -74, in which Sir Gordon Bremer hoisted his broad pendant; and, on the -28th of June, 1840, Commodore Sir Gordon Bremer established a blockade -of the port and river of Canton and all its entrances, by command of -her Majesty's government. Ships of war now continued to arrive as fast -as possible; the force in the Chinese waters was considerable; and, -within two or three days after the commencement of the blockade, the -chief command was assumed by Rear-Admiral the Honourable George Elliot, -who had just arrived in the Melville, 74. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - -It will be generally admitted by all who have seen the Canton river, -or, as the Chinese call it, Choo-keang, that, in point of size, depth, -and picturesque character, it is one of the finest navigable rivers in -the world. Merchant ships of the largest size, perhaps the proudest -which float, have navigated it for nearly two hundred years, to within -a distance of nine or ten miles from Canton, with little difficulty, -and very inconsiderable danger. No foreign commerce with any one -port has been so valuable, so extensive, or carried on with so much -facility. The difficulties of our intercourse, which have arisen within -the last few years, have formed an epoch in the world's history, and -stand forth as a leading beacon in the stream of time, pointing towards -greater eras yet to come. - -An archipelago of numerous islands, most of them rocky, and only -partially productive, warns you of the approach to this celebrated -river. Strictly speaking, only that portion of it above the Bocca -Tigris has been called the river; while all below that point, even from -beyond Macao upwards, (the latter lying at the distance of from forty -to fifty miles from the Bogue forts,) has been called the outer waters; -nevertheless, it ought properly to be included within the precincts of -the river itself. - -Since the questions connected with the opium-trade have been brought -so prominently forward, it has been maintained by some, that the -"outer waters" ought not properly to be considered within Chinese -jurisdiction. But this position would hardly seem to be tenable; and -there can be no sound reason for maintaining that these waters should -not be considered as much, and _even more_, within their jurisdiction -as the sea-coast or river islands of any part of Europe are within the -jurisdiction of the country to which they belong, to the distance of a -certain number of miles from the land itself. In reality, the little -peninsula of Macao on the west, and the island of Lintao (not to be -confounded with Lintin) on the east, may be considered as the proper -boundaries of the entrance to the Canton River. - -These points are about fifteen to twenty miles apart, while between -them lie several small islands, through which are the two principal -navigable passages (the western and the Lintao passages) into the -river itself. But the island of Lintao, called Tyho by the Chinese, -is a long, narrow, mountainous piece of land, broken up into numerous -bays and projecting points, stretching from south-west to north-east, -separated at the latter extremity from the mainland only about the -distance of a mile. The passage and anchorage between them is called -Capsingmoon, and is made use of occasionally even by large vessels, -which pass towards the river or across from Macao towards the island of -Hong-Kong, which lies off the mainland at about five or six miles to -the eastward of Lintao.[13] - -The anchorage of Tongkoo Bay, towards which the Nemesis was to proceed -to rejoin the fleet, and which is also known by the name of Urmston's -Harbour, from having been recommended by Sir James Urmston, formerly -President of the Company's factory at Canton, is situated about six -miles due north from Lintao, between the little islands called Tongkoo -and Sowchow, near the mainland, as you proceed upwards within the outer -waters of the Canton River, along its eastern shores. It was here that -the fleet anchored in 1823, in consequence of some discussions with -the Chinese, arising out of the affair of the Topaze frigate, which -occurred in the preceding year.[14] - -About five miles distant from Tongkoo Bay, more towards the centre -of the river, and a little to the northward, is the small island of -Lintin, terminating in a very remarkable, high, conical peak, which -is a guide to all vessels passing up or down. It has become famous -as a place of rendezvous for the opium vessels, particularly within -the last few years; and a merchant brig, bearing its name, has been -recently sold to the Chinese as a man-of-war, though old and not very -serviceable. This island must not be confounded with that of Lintao, -before alluded to, and from which it is about eight or nine miles -distant. - -Having now got fairly into Tongkoo Bay with the fleet, and feeling -something of the interest and excitement which were awakened in the -breasts of all who were brought together in such a place and at such a -time, we will next proceed to recount a few of the remarkable events -of the year 1840, reserving the description of the other parts of the -river for those portions of the narrative with which they are connected. - -Towards the end of July, 1840, the British force assembled in China -had become considerable: comprising no less than three line-of-battle -ships, with a Rear-Admiral and a Commodore; thirteen other ships of -war, of different kinds, and a large troop-ship; together with four -armed steamers, belonging to the East India Company. To these must be -added twenty-seven transports, having on board the 18th, 26th, and -49th regiments, a body of Bengal volunteers, and a corps of Madras -sappers and miners. The marines and seamen were of course prepared -to co-operate on shore. This was undoubtedly a formidable force, -especially when we reflect that little more than a year had elapsed -since there was _no armed force whatever_ in the Chinese waters, and -the flag of England had ceased to wave even upon the Factories. - -The measures adopted by the Governor-general of India, when once the -crisis had arrived, were sufficiently energetic and decisive. The -consequences of the rupture were now easily foreseen; and the interest -which the state of our relations with China had begun to awaken, both -in England and in India, was daily becoming more general. - -On the first arrival of the large force mentioned below,[15] it did -not appear to alarm Commissioner Lin, and his obsequious satellite, -Governor Tang, nearly so much as might have been expected. On the -contrary, Lin continued to organize means of defence, to enlist -soldiers, and to arm his forts. It was, moreover, at this moment that -he hit upon his notable expedient of offering immense rewards for -the destruction, in any manner whatever, of British ships, either -men-of-war or merchant vessels, and also for the capture or slaughter -of British officers. But the reward for taking them alive was to be -greater than for killing them. There was also a reward for taking -soldiers or _merchants_, but only one-fifth of the sum if they were -killed. A reward was also to be given for the capture of _coloured -people_, soldiers, or servants, although its amount was not mentioned. - -All this followed after the declaration of blockade by Sir Gordon -Bremer, and after a public complaint had been made by Captain Elliot -against Lin and Tang, for various treacherous acts, such as attacking -our vessels at night (merchant vessels), poisoning the water, and -preventing supplies of food from being brought to the factories, &c. - -It was now very evident, that although no formal declaration of war -had been made on our part, it had become impossible to avoid warlike -operations on an extended scale, and at no distant time. - -Rear-Admiral Elliot had now been associated with Captain Elliot in his -diplomatic functions, and they were nominated Joint-Plenipotentiaries -for settling the matters in dispute with the Emperor. That object -appeared little likely to be attained by wasting time in negotiations -with irresponsible and overbearing public officers at Canton; it was, -therefore, wisely resolved to take advantage of the best season of the -year while it still lasted, and to proceed northward with the bulk of -the force, in order to bring the emperor and his ministers to their -senses, by exciting alarm as near as possible to the imperial capital. -The Peiho river, therefore, which commands one of the great channels of -intercourse with the metropolis, and is connected with the Grand Canal, -through which all the wealth of China flows to Pekin, was now avowedly -the chief point to which the expedition was to be directed. - -This movement was by no means a mere demonstration for the purpose of -giving eclat to the conduct of the negotiations, but was in reality -a _hostile_ operation; at all events, it became so as it proceeded, -and the results of it may, in reality, be called the First Campaign -in China. It was commonly called the first "China Expedition;" but -the appellation was afterwards changed to the "Eastern Expeditionary -force," which was also applied to the second expedition, as will be -afterwards seen. - -A small force being left at the Bogue to maintain the blockade, the -bulk of the expedition, together with the two plenipotentiaries, sailed -to the northward at the end of June; part of the force above mentioned -did not arrive until after the rest had sailed, but it soon followed -the rest. - -The first encounter with the Chinese took place at Amoy, in the -beginning of July, 1840. The Blonde, forty-four, Captain Bourchier, -was sent into the harbour of Amoy, to endeavour to hand over a letter -from the English naval commander-in-chief, addressed to the "Admiral -of the Chinese nation." This high officer was not there, and the local -mandarins refused to receive it, and fired upon a boat which was sent -to the beach bearing a flag of truce at the bow, and conveying Mr. -Thom, as interpreter, for the purpose of delivering the letter to the -mandarins, for transmission to the Chinese admiral. The officers and -crew of the boat had a narrow escape, for, besides being received with -every possible indignity, the boat was fired at and _struck_, while -preparations were evidently being made for an attack upon the frigate -itself. Indeed, nothing could possibly be more hostile and insulting -than the conduct of the Chinese officers, who met Mr. Thom at the -landing-place. They shewed some inclination even to seize the boat in -which he came, and declared they neither feared him nor the ship either. - -The result of their hostile bearing and of the attack on the boat was, -that the guns of the Blonde were directed with terrific effect upon the -Chinese batteries and the war-junks, immediately the boat reached the -frigate. By this fire great damage was done, and the Chinese troops, -who had assembled on the beach, were dispersed in all directions. -Having inflicted this merited chastisement, as an example to the -Chinese, the Blonde again set sail to join the main body of the force, -in order to report the circumstances to the admiral. - -On the 5th of July, the town of Tinghai, the capital of the island of -Chusan, the principal of the group of islands bearing that name, fell -to her Majesty's arms after a very slight resistance. But as this and -other operations to the northward, during this brief season, have been -well described by Lord Jocelyn, it will be sufficient merely to allude -to them in a cursory way, particularly as they were of minor importance -compared with subsequent events. - -The failure of the attempt to deliver a letter from Lord Palmerston to -some of the authorities at Ningpo, to be transmitted to the cabinet -at Pekin, became a matter of serious importance, after what had taken -place at Amoy, and, in consequence, a blockade of the coast was -established from Ningpo to the mouth of the Yangtze River, the most -frequented and most commercial part of the whole sea-board of China. - -Nothing was more likely to make a deep impression upon the Chinese -government than the stoppage of this valuable trade, upon which the -daily sustenance of a large part of the population of the interior -actually depended. The ultimate conclusion of peace, which was brought -about by the more active prosecution of these very measures, will be -sufficient to prove their wisdom at that time; and it is due to Captain -Elliot to mention, that the blockade of the Yangtze River was at all -times one of his most favourite projects. - -About the middle of August, the bulk of the squadron arrived off the -mouth of the Peiho, below Tientsin, having been preceded two or three -days by Captain Elliot, on board the Madagascar steamer.[16] Lord -Palmerston's communication was there at length received, by an officer -deputed for that purpose by Keshen, the governor of the province, and -was forwarded to the emperor. Subsequently, a conference was held on -shore between Keshen and Captain Elliot; and, whatever the results may -otherwise have been, it is well known that the plenipotentiaries were -persuaded, by the ingenuity of Keshen, that the future negotiations -could be conducted with more satisfaction at Canton (provided a new -commissioner were sent down from Pekin for that express purpose) than -within a hundred miles of the emperor's palace. - -In the meantime, however, while an answer was expected from the emperor -to the communication addressed to his ministers by Lord Palmerston, the -principal part of the squadron, which had come up to the Peiho, sailed -further northward, up the gulf of Petchelee, to the great wall of -China, which has so long been classed among the wonders of the world. -The effect of the emperor's answer, and of the negotiations with Keshen -was, that this squadron withdrew from the neighbourhood of the capital; -and Keshen himself was appointed Imperial Commissioner, to proceed -at once to Canton, to open negotiations with the plenipotentiaries. -He was to supersede Lin, whose course seemed almost run, and who was -ordered to Pekin in haste, to answer for his conduct. Nevertheless, he -was subsequently allowed to remain as viceroy, or governor, at Canton, -but never succeeded in obtaining the higher government which had been -previously promised to him elsewhere, in the heyday of his favour. - -By the end of September, the squadron had returned to Chusan from -the Peiho. A truce was about this time announced and published at -Chusan; and a common impression prevailed that a general armistice -had been concluded at Tientsin with Keshen, pending the result of the -negotiations to be carried on at Canton. This, however, was soon found -to be erroneous; for, in a letter addressed to the merchants by Admiral -Elliot, in Tongkoo Bay, on the 26th of November, (the very day after -the Nemesis had reported her arrival to the admiral,) it was publicly -declared that "the truce had been only entered into with Elepoo, the -governor-general of that province [Che-keang], and did not extend -further." It must, however, have included the port of Ningpo, and other -parts of the coast of the mainland, within the limits of the governor's -authority. - -The plenipotentiaries, Captain Elliot and the Honourable George Elliot, -returned to Macao on the 20th of November. It was on the following -day that The Queen steamer was fired at and hit, as she passed the -Chuenpee fort with a flag of truce. She had orders to proceed up to -the Bogue, to deliver a letter which had been entrusted to her captain -from "Elepoo," (probably concerning the truce he had concluded,) -addressed to the Imperial Commissioner Keshen at Canton. In return for -this attack, she threw a few shells and heavy shot into the fort, and -went back to Tongkoo Bay _re infecta_. This was the second time a flag -of truce had been fired at, although the Chinese perfectly understood -the peaceful purpose which it denoted. The despatch, however, was -forwarded the same evening to Keshen at Canton, through the sub-prefect -of Macao, into whose hands it was delivered by Captain Elliot. It was -also reported that the commandant at Chuenpee sent up some of The -Queen's heavy shot, which had lodged in the fort, as a present to -the authorities at Canton, probably to shew how brave he had been to -withstand such weighty missiles. He did not lose the opportunity to -claim a victory for having _driven_ her off! - -A heavy force was by this time collected at the mouth of the Canton -River, reinforced as it had been by the arrival of the Calliope and -Samarang, and also of the Nemesis, and by the addition of a fresh -regiment, the 37th Madras native infantry. - -Keshen arrived at Canton on the 29th of November, and sent an -official notification to that effect to the plenipotentiaries; and -it is remarkable that, almost at the same moment, Admiral Elliot was -compelled to resign the command of the fleet, and also his duties as -joint-plenipotentiary, through sudden and severe illness. A few days -afterwards he embarked for England in the Volage, leaving Commodore Sir -Gordon Bremer as commander-in-chief, and Captain Elliot for the time as -again the sole plenipotentiary. - -In order to render complete the general sketch of passing events to -the close of 1840, I must not omit to mention the gallant affair at -Macao under Captain Smith, commanding the Druid, which happened in the -month of August, at the period when the main body of the expedition was -engaged in the operations to the northward, already alluded to. It will -be remembered that Captain Smith had once before thought it necessary -to sail into the Inner Harbour, for the protection of British -subjects, but had retired upon a representation being made to him by -the Portuguese government. - -In the month of August, however, strange rumours of a rather -threatening character began to prevail, but not of a very definite -kind. One of the principal Chinese officers of Macao had been absent -for some time at Canton, and, on his return, accompanied, or rather -followed, by a body of troops, it became very evident that some -hostile measure was in contemplation. A number of war-junks were -likewise collected in the Inner Harbour, having troops on board. A -considerable body of men were also encamped upon the narrow neck of -land which separates Macao from the mainland, and across which there is -a so-called Barrier, which forms the line of demarcation, beyond which -the Portuguese have no jurisdiction. - -This Barrier is composed of a wall, with parapets and a ditch running -across the isthmus, and having a gateway, with a guard-house over -it, in the centre. Beyond the Barrier the Chinese had very recently -thrown up a flanking field-work, mounting about twelve guns, with a -view of protecting the rear of the Barrier from the attack of an enemy -attempting to land in boats. The war-junks were also placed so close in -shore, in the Inner Harbour, as to be able to protect the Barrier on -that side. - -These movements were quite sufficient to prove that some attack was -actually contemplated upon Macao itself, and the result of it, if -successful, cannot be thought of without horror. But the promptitude -and energy of Captain Smith anticipated the designs of the Chinese, -and, by a most decisive and admirably combined movement, he soon -scattered the whole Chinese forces like chaff before the wind. Taking -with him the Larne and Hyacinth, with the Enterprise steamer and the -Louisa cutter, he sailed boldly up towards the Barrier, and ran in as -close as the shallowness of the water would permit. He then opened a -spirited fire upon the whole of the Chinese works and barracks, which -the Chinese returned. Their soldiers were seen mustering from different -points, for the defence of the position. - -In the course of an hour, the firing of the Chinese was almost -silenced, and then a single gun was landed upon the beach, which raked -the Chinese position, while a small body of marines, under Lieutenant -Maxwell, with some small-arm men from the Druid, under Lieutenant -Goldsmith, and about two companies of Bengal volunteers, under Captain -Mee, altogether about three hundred and eighty men, landed, and drove -the Chinese, with considerable loss, from every one of their positions. -On the British side, four men only were wounded. The Chinese guns were -spiked, but none were carried away, and the whole of their troops -were dispersed, nor did they afterwards approach the Barrier, except -to carry off the spiked guns. The barracks and other buildings were -burned; and all our men having re-embarked late in the evening, the -vessels returned to their former anchorage in Macao roads. - -Seldom has a more signal service been rendered in so short a space of -time, than this well-timed and energetic measure adopted by Captain -Smith. - -There still remain one or two points worth noticing, in order to -complete the series of events which happened in the year 1840. -Among these, one of the most important was the issuing of an Order -in Council, for the establishment of courts of admiralty in China, -for the adjudication of prizes, &c. It was to the effect that, "in -consideration of the _late injurious proceedings_ of certain officers -of the Emperor of China towards certain of our officers and subjects, -and, whereas, orders had been given that satisfaction and reparation -for the same should be demanded from the Chinese government, it was -necessary, for the purpose of enforcing those orders, that all vessels -and goods belonging to the Emperor of China or _his subjects_ should be -detained and brought into port; and that, in the event of reparation -and satisfaction being refused by the Chinese government, a court of -admiralty should be formed for the purpose of adjudging and condemning -them as prizes." - -This order in council was not acted upon, except on a very limited -scale, and for a very brief period. It was afterwards considered more -equitable that the burden of the war should be made to fall as much -as possible upon the _government_ of China, and as little as possible -upon the people; and this highly judicious and humane determination was -carried out as much as possible, and with the best results, during all -the latter part of the war, much to the credit of all concerned. - -During the year 1840, very little progress was made in our endeavours -to gain over the Chinese people to our interests, or to conciliate -their forbearance, in any of the places in which we were brought into -contact with them. At Chusan, in particular, they evinced the most -hostile spirit towards us, and lost no opportunity of exhibiting their -hatred of the foreigner. It was not without great difficulty even -that provisions could be obtained for our men; there was evidently -some secret influence which operated to prevent the people from -meeting us amicably, and made them, for some time, resist even the -temptation of gain, so difficult for a Chinaman to withstand. Nothing -tended to exhibit their hostile spirit so much as their persevering -attempts to carry off our men by stealth, whenever they could find an -opportunity; and indeed the kidnapping system was followed up with many -circumstances of barbarity, to the very close of the war. - -This embittered our men very much against the Chinese, and we may -almost wonder that their prisoners, when they fell into our hands, -received such lenient treatment in return. The story is well known -of Captain Anstruther's capture at Chusan, at the distance of only -two or three miles from the town, his being tied up in a sack, and -subsequently carried over in a boat to Ningpo on the mainland, and the -curious history of his confinement in a bamboo cage, three feet long -by two feet broad; and other instances of a similar kind, in which the -prisoners were treated with the utmost barbarity, have been so often -recounted, that a passing allusion to them will here be sufficient. -Captain Anstruther, however, would seem to have been more leniently -treated than many of the other prisoners: and I have heard him declare -that, with respect to the better class of mandarins at Ningpo, he had -little cause of complaint to urge against them, considering that he -was a _prisoner_ in an enemy's hands. His talent for drawing, however, -enabled him to conciliate their good will, and to earn for himself some -indulgences which others were not fortunate enough to procure. He sold -his drawings and particularly his portraits, for a tolerable price. -Many of the other prisoners, however, were treated with frightful -barbarity, and, in some instances, they were put to death. - -A much more formidable enemy to us than the Chinese was soon -discovered, in the terrible sickness which broke out among our troops -at Chusan, and carried off many a brave man prematurely to his grave. -The low, swampy rice-grounds surrounding the town, the want of proper -drainage, the exposure to the hot sun, and the use of the deleterious -spirit which the Chinese call samshoo, made from rice, (of which a -vast quantity was manufactured on the island for exportation,) all -these causes combined sufficed to produce fever, dysentery, and various -complaints, which committed great havoc among the men. The island was -subsequently, however, rendered less unhealthy by better arrangements, -and by enforcing greater cleanliness. - -At Amoy, after the affair of the Blonde, a strict blockade was -maintained by the Alligator and other vessels, which interrupted the -whole trade of that important commercial city. But none of our ships -astonished and alarmed the Chinese so much as the steamers; they were -particularly alluded to in the official reports to the emperor, and -were described as "having wheels at their sides, which, revolving, -propelled them like the wind, enabling them to pass to and fro with -great rapidity, acting as leaders;" and it is not surprising that the -Chinese should soon have christened them the "Demon Ships." - -The effect of our operations to the northward had already been to -excite great alarm in the mind of the emperor and of his ministers; -indeed the panic created by the first approach of a hostile force was -so great, that a very small body of men might have marched almost from -one end of China to the other, so little were the Chinese prepared for -resistance. But gradually they recovered their energy, improved their -means of defence, adopted better weapons, and cast heavier guns. As far -as personal bravery could aid them, they were by no means an enemy to -be despised. The spear and the bayonet frequently crossed each other; -perhaps more frequently than the bayonets of Europeans do; and, in -not a few instances, the _long_ spear was more than a match for the -shorter bayonet. Hand to hand encounters with the Tartar troops were -not uncommon towards the close of the war; and, indeed, many of our men -learnt, to their cost, that they had held the Chinese far too cheap. -Instances occurred in which the powerful Tartar soldier rushed within -the bayonet-guard of his opponent, and grappled with him for life or -death. - -We may now revert to the period of the arrival of the new Imperial -Commissioner Keshen at Canton, with a view to treat with the -plenipotentiaries, according to the terms agreed upon at the Pehio, as -before mentioned. His predecessor, Lin, whose fall had now commenced, -could not resist giving a parting warning to the people, against the -continuance of their pernicious habits; and he even assured them that, -if they still persisted, "they would assuredly, one and all of them, be -strangled." - -In the beginning of December the greater part of our naval forces -had again assembled below the Bogue, although a squadron was still -left to the northward. Notwithstanding that Keshen had arrived for -the ostensible purpose of inquiring into and settling all matters -in dispute, it was evident that the Chinese were making hostile -preparations, with a view to a very different mode of settlement of the -question. A feeling of uncertainty and apprehension prevailed, such as -generally precedes some great movement. The Chinese, on their side, -were collecting troops, and raising new works; while, on our side, -every precaution was taken, in case a resumption of hostilities should -be called for. - -On the 13th, the Nemesis, which had been for some days at anchor with -the fleet, a few miles below Chuenpee, conveyed Captain Elliot down -to Macao, while the rest of the fleet moved nearer up towards the -Bogue, as if with the object of supporting the "negotiations" by a firm -display of power. Captain Elliot's stay at Macao was very short, and -from the increased activity of our preparations at the Bogue, it became -evident that the "negotiations" were not going on satisfactorily. - -Numerous communications were passing between Macao and our fleet at the -Bogue; Captain Elliot himself went backwards and forwards several times -in the Nemesis, and the moment seemed fast approaching when some very -decided blow was to be struck. - -The following description of the scene of operations will therefore -be found interesting. About twenty-two to twenty-five miles above -the island of Lintin, before described, and consequently about the -same distance above Tongkoo Bay, on the same side of the river, is a -projecting headland, about a mile and a quarter wide, distinguished -at a considerable distance by the high peak in which its summit -terminates. On either side of it there is a fine sandy beach, off which -there is a good anchorage. This is Chuenpee. - -The hill, which is its principal feature, stands rather towards the -northern side of the promontory, and is divided into two conical -eminences, upon one of which there was a high building, resembling -a watch tower, which was now fortified, and formed a conspicuous -object as you ascend the river. At the bottom of the hill there were -a considerable stone battery and other works. The whole of these had -been very recently strengthened and extended. A line of entrenchment, -with mud batteries, had also been carried round the rear. Behind the -hill also, in an opening looking towards the north, or into Anson's -Bay, another small battery had been erected, with an enclosed space or -square for barracks, surrounded by a parapet wall. - -The extent of these works was not properly known, until the attack upon -the place had commenced. It was generally believed that the promontory -and hill of Chuenpee were connected with the mainland, and it was not -until some time after the place was taken that the discovery was made, -as will presently be described, that Chuenpee was, in reality, _an -island_.[17] - -On the opposite or western side of the river, which is here about three -miles wide, is another smaller promontory, called Tycocktow, with a -line of strong batteries close along the shore, faced with granite: -This was also subsequently found to be an _island_. The whole of the -country which borders the river is mountainous and picturesque. - -Returning again to the east side, about four to five miles above -Chuenpee, we come to the high hill and fortifications of Anunghoy, the -most important of the works at the Bogue. Between Chuenpee and Anunghoy -lies the beautiful bay called Anson's Bay, about two miles deep; on one -side of which it was at one time proposed to found an English town. -Anunghoy, like Chuenpee, was discovered to be also an _island_; and -that circumstance, as will be afterwards seen, was a source of great -anxiety to Keshen, who saw the consequent weakness of the position of -Anunghoy, and reported it to the emperor. In fact, our light squadron -might have probably gone up the river by the passage at the back of -Anunghoy, without passing through the Bogue at all. But these facts -were not then known. - -The works at Anunghoy consisted of two very strong, heavy batteries, -built of excellent granite, and partly of the composition called -chunam. The masses of stone were afterwards found to be of immense -size, so much so, that it was no easy task to blow the works to pieces, -even after they were taken. The two principal batteries were connected -together by temporary works of recent construction; and according to -the usual Chinese practice, a semicircular wall was carried round the -rear of each fort along the side of the hill. - -The breadth of the river from Anunghoy to the opposite side is from -two to three miles, being somewhat less than it is lower down between -Chuenpee and Tycocktow. But in the very middle of the river in this -part are two rocky islands, called North and South Wantung, of moderate -elevation, and also a smaller rock, scarcely visible at high water. -Hence there are two channels up the river, one on either side of these -islands, but that on the east side towards Anunghoy is the one which -had always been frequented by foreign ships, and was considered to be -the Bocca Tigris, or Bogue. - -The passage on the western side of Wantung was not only not frequented -by Europeans, but not even known to be navigable, until our -preparations were made for the capture of the Bogue forts, when some of -our ships passed up on that side to the attack of North Wantung. The -true Bogue, or eastern passage, is only about three quarters of a mile -wide; the current, or rather the tide, is very rapid, on which account -ships generally prefer keeping rather near to the Anunghoy side. Of the -two islands called Wantung, the northern is the highest and largest, -lying quite opposite Anunghoy, and was very strongly fortified. South -Wantung, the smaller island, was not fortified by the Chinese, being -not considered by them of sufficient importance to require it. It lies -some distance lower down the river, and looking at their relative -positions, you would hardly suppose they were within effectual gun-shot -distance from each other. Such, however, was the case; and the Chinese -forts on North Wantung were shelled from South Wantung by a small -battery, constructed by a detachment of our troops in a single night, -being covered during their work principally by the Nemesis, which ran -close in shore for that purpose, being herself sheltered by the island. - -Further to obstruct the passage up the Bogue, the Chinese had carried -an immense chain, or rather a double chain, across it, supported by -large rafts from one side to the other, one end of it being secured -at Anunghoy, and the other end being fastened into a rock near South -Wantung, which was nearly covered at high water. To complete the -account of these famous defences, it only remains to mention another -fort on the western side of the river, nearly opposite Wantung, which -was called Little Tycocktow, and was not of recent construction. -By the Chinese themselves, these extensive works were considered -impregnable, for they had not yet experienced the tremendous effect of -the concentrated fire of line-of-battle-ships. - -Tiger Island can scarcely be said to form part of the Bocca Tigris; -it lies nearly two miles above Wantung; and, although there was a -considerable stone battery on its eastern side, it was not likely to -be of any service, and the Chinese wisely abandoned it, and removed -the guns. This island, however, is a remarkable feature in the general -aspect of the river, being in reality a high rocky mountain, cleft in -two at the top, and presenting to view several deep chasms on both -sides, yet clothed with verdure in some parts, while it is rudely -broken up in others. It is altogether a very peculiar object, although -it cannot be said to bear much resemblance to a tiger's head, from -which it takes its name. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[13] See map. - -[14] Some of the sailors of the Topaze were attacked and wounded on -shore by the Chinese; and, in the scuffle, two Chinamen were killed. -Remonstrances followed on both sides; and at length the Chinese -demanded that two Englishmen should be delivered up to them for -punishment. This was refused, as might be expected; upon which the -Chinese authorities stopped the trade, and the fleet of merchant ships -withdrew from Whampoa, and came to anchor in Tongkoo roads, henceforth -called Urmston's Bay or Harbour. - -[15] LIST OF NAVAL FORCES BELONGING TO H. B. MAJESTY IN CHINA, IN - JULY AND AUGUST, 1840. - - Melville, 74, flag-ship, Rear-Admiral the Hon. George Elliot, - C.B.; Captain the Hon. R. S. Dundas. - - Wellesley, 74, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Sir J. J. - Gordon Bremer, C.B.; Captain Thomas Maitland. - - Blenheim, 74, Sir H. S. Fleming Senhouse, K.C.B. - - Druid, 44, Capt. Smith. - - Blonde, 44, Capt. F. Bourchier. - - Volage, 28, Capt. G. Elliot. - - Conway, 28, Capt. C. D. Bethune. - - Alligator, 28, Capt. H. Kuper. - - Larne, 20, Capt. J. P. Blake. - - Hyacinth, 20, Capt. W. Warren. - - Modeste, 20, Capt. H. Eyres. - - Pylades, 20, Capt. T. V. Anson. - - Nimrod, 20, Capt. C. A. Barlow. - - Cruiser, 18, Capt. H. W. Giffard. - - Columbine, 18, Capt. T. J. Clarke. - - Algerine, 10, Capt. T. S. Mason. - - Rattlesnake, troop-ship, Brodie. - - _Hon. Company's armed Steamers._ - - Queen, Mr. Warden. - - Madagascar, Mr. Dicey. - - Atalanta, Commander Rogers. - - Enterprise, Mr. West. - -[16] She was afterwards accidentally destroyed by fire. - -[17] See map. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - -The Imperial Commissioner Keshen now wisely resolved to gain as much -time as he could by negotiation; and seemed in the first instance to -have almost equalled his predecessor Lin, in his desire "to control the -foreigners, and to reduce them to submission." His conferences with -that functionary, who now remained at Canton as viceroy, were numerous -and confidential; but, instead of precipitating the crisis by mad -violence, he professed to trust rather to the "employment of _truth_ -and the _utmost reason_" to attain his ends. - -Keshen's cautiousness was at once shewn by the instructions which -he issued respecting the nature of the _white flag_, and by his -enjoining that for the future the troops were "not rashly to open their -artillery, without _first_ ascertaining what was the purpose of the -approach of any boat bearing such a flag." And, moreover, that "they -were not to _provoke_ hostilities, by being the first to fire on the -foreign ships, nor in their _desire for honours_ to endeavour to create -trouble." On his side, likewise, Captain Elliot was quite as anxious to -avoid a collision as Keshen himself; and thus affairs went on until the -close of the year, without any approach whatever to a solution of the -difficulties. Keshen exhibited a vast deal of tact and - - "---- _cunning_, which in fools supplies, - And amply, too, the place of being wise." - -Great as our force already was even at that period, it does not at -all seem to have intimidated Keshen, who appeared to gain courage as -he gained time. Indeed, it could hardly be expected that the ancient -barrier of Chinese pride and self-sufficiency would crumble down before -a single blow, however strong; and even the chief actor in the scene -himself hesitated long to strike, when he knew that it would make an -empire tremble. - -But the great, the haughty, the mysterious China was at length destined -to open her portals to the resistless "barbarian." Among the important -personages who contributed indirectly to bring about this wonderful -result, perhaps not the least remarkable was the Empress herself, -to whom some allusion has already been made. Very little was heard -concerning her at the time, in remote parts of the world, and therefore -a few additional notices must be interesting. She must, indeed, have -been a person of no ordinary character, who could have raised herself, -by her talents and her fascinations, to a seat upon the throne of -the Emperor of China. Her early history is little recorded, but her -influence was secretly known and felt in almost every part of the -empire, even before she obtained the short-lived honours of an empress. - -It is difficult to imagine how any woman, brought up in the subordinate -position which is alone allotted to the sex in China, with the -imperfect education which is there attainable, and with all the -prejudices of her early life, and the proud assumption of superiority -of the other sex to contend against, could have had imparted to her -the peculiar tone of character which she possessed. In her attempts -to reform and to improve, she never ceased to be _Chinese_; indeed, -she seems to have thought that to _restore_ what was fallen to decay -was the best kind of reform. She sought the removal of abuse, the -purification of public offices, and the improvement of the details of -administration throughout the country. Her influence became paramount; -and those who could not be gained by her arguments are said to have -been led by her fascinations. - -The words of the Emperor's public eulogy of the Empress, after her -death, will in a measure point out this feature in her character. -He declared that "she was overflowing of kindness to all, lovely -and winning." She held control over the hearts of those about her, -not by dint of authority, but by gentleness and forbearance. "Her -intercourse," he added, "lightened for me the burden of government, and -the charms she spread around conciliated all hearts. And now I am alone -and sad." - -In her choice of persons for high employment, the Empress possessed the -most valuable of all talents to those who are called upon to exercise -their power of selection--that of distinguishing not merely abstract -merit, but of discerning those less conspicuous qualities of the -mind which constitute _fitness_ for office and aptitude for public -distinction. - -The greatest influence of the Empress seems to have been exercised -about the years 1835 and 1836, and it was just at that period that the -question was so keenly debated, at court and elsewhere, whether opium -should be permitted, under certain modified regulations, or whether it -were possible to put an end to the traffic by force, and to _drive the -nation_ from its use by fear. This was evidently the commencement of a -new era in that country, for whatever might be the result of the debate -upon this important question in the Chinese cabinet, the effect of it -was to occasion the agitation of the subject throughout the empire. -Agitation in China! - -But a spirit of change had now begun to tincture even the minds of -true Chinamen, and the amiable Empress herself became affected by, and -even in a measure encouraged, that movement. The vice-president of -the sacrificial board, by name Heu Naetze, and others, amongst whom -was reckoned also Keshen, belonged to the immediate favourites of the -Empress, and but for that high protection it is probable that Heu -Naetze would hardly have ventured to present his famous memorial in -favour of the legalization of the opium-trade. - -His chief and most important argument was, not that it would be a good -thing in itself, but that it would be perfectly impossible to prevent -it by any means the government could adopt; and also that foreign -trade generally was of importance to China, from the revenue which it -produced, and the employment which it gave to the people. He shewed how -totally ineffectual every increase of punishment, even to death itself, -had proved, for the prevention of the practice, which, on the contrary, -had increased tenfold; and he then went on to make it evident that -"when opium was purchased secretly, it could only be exchanged with -silver; but that, if it were permitted to be bought openly, it would -be paid for in the productions of the country." And he cleverly adds: -"the dread of the laws is not so great among the people as the _love -of gain_, which unites them to all manner of crafty devices, so that -sometimes the law is rendered wholly ineffective." But he would still -prohibit all public officers, scholars, and soldiers, from using it, -under pain of instant dismissal from the public service. - -It is known that the Empress received this recommendation with -particular favour, but the Emperor referred it for the consideration of -the crafty old Tang, the Governor of Canton, who was at the very time -deriving a large revenue from winking at the clandestine sale of the -drug. The answer of Tang and his colleagues was decidedly favourable -to the project. They declared that "_the circumstances of the times_ -rendered a change in the regulations necessary." They openly admitted -that the payment of distinct duties would be far less onerous than -the payment of _bribes_; that the laws could then be administered, -and would be _respected_; and that the precious metals which were now -oozing out of the empire would then be retained in it. They even went -so far as to say that the _dignity_ of the government would by no means -be lowered by it; and they farther declared that the prohibition of the -luxury made it more eagerly sought for. - -Here, then, was clearly another triumph on the Empress's side; and -those who were opposed to her principles feared it as such, and -redoubled their efforts to produce her fall. But the recommendation did -not even stop at that point; for it went so far as even to encourage -the cultivation and preparation of the poppy within the empire, in -order to exclude a portion of the foreign article from the market. - -One might have supposed that the influences which were now at work to -produce a better state of foreign trade, backed by the countenance of -the Empress, and supported by the apparent neutrality of the Emperor, -would have sufficed to occasion some modification in the existing laws. - -Keshen himself, who had what is called a long head, though in good -favour with the Empress, and influential in the country, seems to have -remained at that time neutral upon the question in agitation. Others, -however, shewed a bitter hostility to every change, but bitterest -of all to the whole race of foreigners. When they could no longer -argue with success against the principles of what might be called the -free-trade party, they raked up all the smouldering ashes of deadly -hostility to foreigners, because they were _not Chinese_, (however -estimable they might otherwise be,) and they appealed to an old saying -of the Emperor Kanghe, the grandfather of his present Majesty--namely, -"that there is cause for apprehension, lest, in centuries to come, -_China may be endangered by collision with the various nations of -the West, who come hither from beyond the seas_." Indeed, it is -well known that there prevailed in China a tradition to that effect; -and also another, "that China would be conquered by a woman, in time -to come." And so generally were these two predictions or traditions -remembered during the war, that the impression came to prevail among -many of the people that it would be useless to resist us, because we -were a people from the far west, and were ruled by a queen. - -The two principal memorials on the opposite side of the question have -been pretty generally circulated; one being by Choo Tsun, a member of -council and of the Board of Rites, the other by Heu Kew, a censor of -the military department. They argued for the _dignity_ of the empire, -and the danger "of _instability_ in maintaining the laws." They called -for increased severity of the law itself, not only to _prevent_ the -exportation of _silver_, but to arrest the _enervation_ and destruction -of the people, and they openly declared their belief that the purpose -of the English was to weaken the people and to ruin the central land; -and they further appealed to all the "luminous admonitions" of the -emperors and others of olden days against the influence of foreigners. -Memorials also came in from many of the provinces, particularly those -along the coast, shewing that even the army had become contaminated -by opium, and that soldiers sent against the rebels in recent -seditions were found to have very little strength left, though their -numbers were large. In short, the whole of the memorialists on the -_anti-importation_ side argued to the effect that increased severity -could stop the use of opium, and therefore that it _ought_ to be -stopped, because it tended to enervate the people, and make them an -easy prey to the foreigner, while the quantity of silver exported -enriched the latter in proportion as it impoverished the former. Thus -the hatred of opium and detestation of the foreigner became very nearly -synonymous. - -At length, when the Emperor's beloved son died from the effects of -opium in the imperial palace, then the grief of the Emperor, and the -conviction of the misery produced by the drug, worked upon his feelings -fully as much as upon his judgment. An attempt was made to place the -question upon _moral_ grounds; and the Emperor affected on a sudden to -weep for the misfortunes of the nation, and to lament the depravity of -his "dear children;" and his paternal heart, in the exuberance of its -benignity, determined to cut off all their heads, if they would not -mend their ways. Thus, by degrees, the reformation of morals became the -subject of agitation quite as much as the principles of trade had been -before. By this time, the influence of the Empress had quite declined. -She forgot that in making many friends she had made many influential -enemies. Neither her beauty nor her talents could save her, and she -fell rapidly from her pinnacle of power. She only lived to share -the Emperor's throne for about five or six years; a very short but -remarkable reign. She could not survive the loss of her power; and when -her opponents so completely recovered theirs, her proud spirit sunk -under the weight which pressed upon her. - -Nothing could be more touching than the expressions of the Emperor, -published in the Pekin Gazette. He calls her a perfect pattern of -"filial piety;" and therefore bestows upon her the posthumous title of -the "perfectibility of filial obedience." It should be here remarked, -that what they call "filial piety" is the highest moral attribute in -the Chinese system of ethics. - -The Empress died in the beginning of 1840, and was buried with great -pomp; the whole nation was ordered to go into mourning for a month, -and the public officers were not to shave their heads for one hundred -days, as a mark of their sorrow. Her death left the Emperor Taou-kwang -surrounded by troubles and dangers in his old age, with few about him -whom he could trust, and none to comfort him in his difficulties. She -left two or three young children. But he had six children by his former -wife, of whom nearly all, or, it is believed, more than half have died. - -The Emperor was born on the 20th September, 1782, and is therefore -upwards of sixty-two years old. He ascended the throne in 1820. The -troubles and continual disturbances which have marked his reign, the -frequent rebellions and disorders which have long been the constant -theme of his animadversions in the Pekin Gazette, may perhaps be -considered less as the result of his own measures than as the marking -features of the present era in Chinese history. He ascended the throne -when disorders were almost at their height, and when a conspiracy had -already broken out in his father's palace. Indeed, he was expressly -selected by his father to be his successor, (although not the _eldest_, -but the second son,) because he had on a former occasion distinguished -himself by his energy and success in crushing a traitorous attempt -within the palace. - -The Emperor appears to be an amiable but weak man, well intentioned -towards his people, sensible of the difficulties of his country, but, -at the same time, blinded and misinformed by the favourites about him, -and retaining too many early prejudices to be able thoroughly to cope -with all the difficulties which have from time to time beset him. - -The next most important character who figured at the period which -has been already alluded to was Commissioner Lin, of whom so much -has been said. The principal features of his character have been -already delineated. He is described as having been stout in person, -with a vivacious but not unpleasant manner, unless highly excited; -with a keen, dark, penetrating eye, which seemed to indicate that he -could assume two opposite characters, according as it might suit his -interest or his ambition. He had a clear, distinct voice, and is said -to have rarely smiled. His countenance indicated a mind habituated to -care. In the course of his proceedings at Canton, he seems never to -have permitted himself to adopt the character of a "negotiator," but -invariably to have assumed that of a "dictator," which was more natural -to him. His word was law. He was not dismayed by sudden difficulties, -and appears to have been quite sincere in all his wishes to arrest -the progress of the evils he complained of, and to reform the morals -of the people. With this object, he closed all the gaming-houses at -Canton, which were as numerous as the opium-shops, or more so, and were -generally maintained in conjunction with the latter; so much do vices -court each other's company. - -In reality, Lin feared the foreigners as much as he hated them. But -the intercourse he now had with them led him to value their knowledge -more highly, and probably he knew full well that knowledge is power. -He had portions of English works translated for his own use, such -as Thelwall's pamphlet against opium, Murray's geography, (parts,) -&c.; and he had in his employ three or four young Chinamen, who knew -something of English, and of English habits, having visited the -straits' settlements, and one of them the United States. - -Lin was by no means wanting in energy to meet the great crisis which -he had contributed so much to produce. In addition to the enlisting of -troops, the preparation of defences, the casting of guns, building of -fire-vessels and gun-boats, &c., he directed that many passages of the -river should be blocked up with stones, and others staked across with -piles. - -In short, Lin was a bold, uncompromising, and specious man. He tried to -console the Emperor, by assuring him that he was quite certain that, -along the northern coast, sickness and cold would carry off all the -barbarian forces, even if the want of food, and the exhaustion of their -powder and shot, did not reduce them to extremities; but he never once -alluded to any probability of being able to beat off the barbarians in -fair fight. - -With regard to his successor, Keshen, his character will be better -developed as we proceed. But it is worth while here to remark, that -Keshen appears to have been one of the few about the court who began to -apprehend serious consequences from Lin's measures. He had always been -cautious in committing himself, and though no friend of the foreigners, -he had feared their power, and felt the weakness of his own country, as -well as the necessity of trying some other measures than those means -hitherto employed, to put a stop to the perpetual disturbances which -took place in several parts of the empire, and threatened rebellion -even within the capital. - -Keshen was an astute courtier, a polished and well-mannered man, -and all those who were present at either of his two interviews with -Captain Elliot were struck with his courteous and gentlemanlike manner. -Although he made every preparation for resistance, he seems to have -thought he could gain more by diplomacy, and he resolved to take -advantage of the disposition for negotiation rather than dictation on -Captain Elliot's part, to play his cards with tact and cunning, in the -hope of gaining time. But he saw his weakness, and the impossibility -of contending with success against our forces, and, having distinctly -reported thereon to the Emperor, he was, of course, set down as a -coward, and, consequently, as a traitor. He had the boldness to tell -the Emperor the actual weakness of his strongest points of defence; -whereas, Lin only stated how much stronger they _would_ have been, -had the government made it a rule to have devoted ten per cent. of the -whole customs' revenue of Canton to the improvement of their means of -defence, the building of ships, and the casting of cannon. - -In one thing, however, Lin and Keshen were both of a mind--namely, -as to the importance of the foreign trade of Canton to the imperial -revenue. They ventured to correct the Emperor's notion that the -customs' duties of Canton were "unimportant, and not worth a thought," -by telling him that they "already" produced upwards of thirty millions -of taels, or ten millions sterling, and that, as the revenue of -Canton far _exceeded_ that of any other province, a portion of this -considerable sum, which was obtained _from_ foreigners, should have -been applied to defending themselves against _foreigners_.[18] - -Much has at various times been said about Keshen's treachery and bad -faith. But it will be seen, as we proceed, that he was driven into -these acts by the distinct orders of the Emperor, and that keeping -faith with _us_ was to be viewed as treachery to his master. Indeed, -the severity of Keshen's punishment at the Emperor's hands proves not -so much how ill he served his master, as how unfortunate he was in -having a much more profound head than Lin, in being able to see farther -into futurity, and to catch the shadows of coming events; in short, -how much too far in advance of his countrymen he was, in being able -to appreciate their position in the face of the foreigner, and how -unfortunate in _presuming_ to attempt to ward off the dreaded blow by -timely concession. - -Without anticipating further the remarkable points in Keshen's career, -which will be better developed as we proceed, we may now turn our -attention to the interesting events of the year 1841. - -We have already seen that there was little probability, at the close -of 1840, of any satisfactory arrangement being made between Keshen and -Captain Elliot without a resort to arms. Accordingly, all preparations -were completed; and, the first week in January having passed without -any nearer prospect of a settlement, although repeated opportunities -had been given to Keshen to arrange matters amicably, as had been -proposed at the conference at Tientsin, orders were at length issued -for the immediate resumption of hostilities. The morning of the 7th of -January, 1841, was the period fixed on for the attack upon the forts -at Chuenpee and Tycocktow, being the lowest, or, in other words, the -first, you approach in ascending the river. The object was to reduce -the whole of the famous defences of the Bogue one after the other, and, -if necessary, to destroy them. - -The plan of attack upon Chuenpee, and the forts on the opposite -side of the river at Tycocktow, was as follows, under the direction of -Commodore Sir Gordon Bremer, who, it will be remembered, had become -commander-in-chief upon the retirement of Rear-Admiral the Honourable -George Elliot, in consequence of severe illness. The troops, comprising -detachments of the 26th and 49th regiments, (the greater part of which -were with their head-quarters at Chusan,) under Major Johnstone, of -the 26th, together with the whole of the 37th Madras Native Infantry, -under Captain Duff, of that regiment, and a detachment of the Bengal -Volunteers, under Captain Bolton, were to embark on board the -Enterprise and Madagascar steamers by eight o'clock in the morning, -to be conveyed to the point of debarkation, which was selected about -two miles and a half below Chuenpee, to the southward, where they -were to be landed in boats. The Nemesis took on board a large portion -of the 37th. A battalion of royal marines, upwards of five hundred -strong, under Captain Ellis, were to be landed in the boats of their -respective ships; while a body of seamen, under Lieutenant Wilson, of -the Blenheim, were also to join the landing force. A small detachment -of the royal artillery was to be under the command of Captain Knowles, -R.A., having under him the Honourable C. Spencer; and one twenty-four -pounder howitzer, with two six-pounder guns, one from the Wellesley, -and one from the Melville, were to be landed, together with thirty -seamen, to be attached to them for the purpose of placing them in -position; also fifteen men from the Blenheim were to be employed in the -rocket and ammunition service. - -In front of the Chinese entrenchments there was a ridge, by which, -in a manner they were commanded, and upon the crest of this the guns -were to be placed. While this was being done, strong covering parties -were to be pushed in advance, and to act according to circumstances, -waiting for the effect of the fire from the guns, as well as from the -ships, which were to be placed in the best positions for silencing the -batteries. - -The whole of the force on shore was under the command of Major Pratt, -of the Cameronians, and comprised altogether about one thousand five -hundred men.[19] - -As regards the naval force engaged, it was ordered, that the Queen -and Nemesis steamers should proceed to take up a position within good -shelling distance, according as the depth of water would permit; and -at once to commence firing into the fort upon the summit of the hill. -Having rendered this post untenable, and having watched the advance -of the troops, which might be selected to take possession of it, they -were then immediately to attack the lower fort, along the shore near -the northern point, if it should not have been already abandoned or -carried. Meanwhile, the fire from the fort above, by this time expected -to be in possession of a portion of our troops, was also to be turned -in the same direction; and, when the enemy should be driven out, they -were to be "dealt with" by the remaining part of the troops. - -The Madagascar and Enterprise steamers, as soon as they had landed -their troops, were to join the division under Captain (now Sir Thomas) -Herbert, in the Calliope, having with him, the Larne, Captain Blake, -and the Hyacinth, Captain Warren. They were directed to proceed to -attack the batteries, towards the northern extremity, as well as in -front, and to be prepared to proceed to capture some of the numerous -war-junks, which were seen at anchor at the bottom of Anson's Bay. The -two steamers above-mentioned, were also to hold themselves in readiness -to go alongside any ship that might chance to require their services. - -Captain Belcher, of the Sulphur surveying vessel, was to take upon -himself the general charge of the steamers, in the first instance, so -far as concerned "the placing them in a position already ascertained -by him;" which, probably, referred to the position to be taken up for -shelling the upper fort, as well as to the point of debarkation for the -troops. - -Such, then, was the plan of attack upon Chuenpee; that of Tycocktow -will follow better when the account of the Chuenpee action is completed. - -The landing and re-embarkation of the forces was under the direction of -Lieutenant Symons, of the Wellesley, and the whole of it was conducted -with great regularity. The landing of any considerable body of troops -is always an exciting scene; but, now, for the first time in the -history of China, if we except the trifling affair at the barrier at -Macao, European troops were about to meet in battle the sons of the -"flowery nation," upon the very soil of the "Celestial Empire." Nor did -the Chinese shrink from the contest in the first instance, for they -had yet to learn the irresistible power of European warfare, and the -destructive efficacy of European weapons. - -The leading troops were the royal marines and the royal artillery, the -guns being dragged along by the blue jackets. The road lay through a -winding valley for nearly the distance of a couple of miles, until it -led to a transverse ridge, from which, the whole of the Chinese works -could be viewed, consisting of a strong, entrenched camp, flanked by -small field-batteries of recent and hasty construction, and connected -with the Hill Fort above, by a high breastwork continued up the hill -towards it. - -The object of the Chinese was evidently to protect the rear of the -fort, which was plainly the key of the position. In the rear of their -field-batteries were deep trenches for giving shelter to their men from -our shot, and the Chinese could be seen lining the works, and waving -their flags in defiance. - -The guns of the royal artillery were soon in position upon the ridge, -and began firing with great precision into the entrenched camp; while -an advanced party of the royal marines, crossing the shoulder of the -hill to the right, drove the Chinese speedily from it; and, then, -descending into the valley beyond, came upon a second encampment, with -a small field-battery, which was soon cleared. A detachment of the 37th -M.N. Infantry had also been sent further round to the right of the -advance, where they encountered the Chinese in some force. - -While all these operations were going on, The Queen and the Nemesis -steamers (the latter having first rapidly disembarked her portion of -the 37th, with the main body of the force) took up a position within -good shelling distance of the Hill Fort. The Nemesis, from her light -draught of water, was enabled to take up her station _inside_ The -Queen, and both vessels commenced throwing shell with great precision -into the fort, much to the astonishment of the Chinese, who were -unacquainted with this engine of destruction. - -Captain Hall had on this occasion, as on several subsequent ones, the -able assistance, as a gunnery officer, of Mr. Crouch, one of the mates -of the Wellesley, who was permitted to serve for a time on board the -Nemesis.[20] - -The Chinese could not long withstand the fire of the sixty-eight -pounder of The Queen, and the two thirty-two pounder pivot-guns of the -Nemesis, the shells from which could be seen bursting within the walls -of the fort. - -At the same time, on the land-side, the principal entrenched camp -had by this time, been carried by the main body of the troops, and, -twenty-five minutes after the shelling of the fort had commenced, the -British flag was seen waving upon its top, and the firing ceased. -Major Pratt himself, with only two marines, had been the first to run -up the hill and reach the fort; upon which, the Chinese, seeing that -they were pressed behind as well as before, abandoned the fort in great -confusion, leaving Major Pratt and his followers in possession of this -most important position, upon which the British flag was hoisted by a -royal marine. - -The Nemesis, as soon as this was perceived, hastened on to join the -ships of war, (the Calliope, Larne, and Hyacinth,) which had taken up -their positions, nearly within musket-shot of the lower batteries, -and were doing great execution. The works were however, constructed -of strong material, comprising large blocks of the composition called -chunam, very much resembling stone but less fragile. The Nemesis came -up just in time to pour in several discharges of grape and canister -from both the pivot-guns, and had then to witness one of the most -dreadful spectacles of war. The Chinese in the battery had already -been assailed by our troops from the fort above; and now, a party of -the royal marines, and the 37th M.N.I., which had previously cleared -the second camp in the valley behind, were seen coming round the hill, -ready to pounce upon them as they attempted to escape out of the fort. -The unfortunate men were thus hemmed in on all sides; and, being -unacquainted with the humane practice of modern warfare, of giving -and receiving quarter, they abandoned themselves to the most frantic -despair. - -Now were to be seen some of those horrors of war which, when the -excitement of the moment is over, and the interest as well as danger of -strategic manoeuvres are at an end, none can remember without regret -and pain. The Chinese, not accepting quarter, though attempting to -escape, were cut up by the fire of our advancing troops; others, in -the faint hope of escaping what to them appeared certain death at the -hands of their victors, precipitated themselves recklessly from the top -of the battlements; numbers of them were now swimming in the river, -and not a few vainly _trying_ to swim, and sinking in the effort; -some few, however, perhaps a hundred, surrendered themselves to our -troops, and were soon afterwards released. Many of the poor fellows -were unavoidably shot by our troops, who were not only warmed with the -previous fighting, but exasperated because the Chinese had fired off -their matchlocks at them first, and then threw them away, as if to -ask for quarter; under these circumstances, it could not be wondered -at that they suffered. Some again barricaded themselves within the -houses of the fort, a last and desperate effort; and, as several of our -soldiers were wounded by their spears, death and destruction were the -consequence. - -The slaughter was great; nor could it be easily controlled when the men -were irritated by the protracted and _useless_ attacks which were made -upon them from behind walls and hiding-places, even _after_ the British -flag was hoisted. It is wonderful that the casualties among the men -were not more numerous. - -The commandant of the fort was killed at the head of his men; and it -is related that his son, as soon as he found that his father was dead, -resolving not to survive him, and being unable to avenge his death, -jumped into the sea, in spite of all remonstrance, and was drowned. - -Those who have witnessed the individual bravery, be it courage or be it -despair, frequently exhibited by the Chinese during the war, in almost -every encounter, will be slow to stamp them as a cowardly people, -however inefficient they may be as fighting men in armed bodies, -against European discipline and modern weapons. - -The most painful of all the scenes on this occasion was that of the -bodies of men burnt perhaps to death when wounded. - -It is well known that the bow and arrow is the favourite weapon of the -Tartar troops, upon the dexterous use of which they set the highest -claim to military distinction. The spear also, of various forms and -fashions, is a favourite weapon both of Tartars and Chinese; but the -matchlock, which in all respects very nearly resembles some of the old -European weapons of the same name, except that the bore is generally -somewhat smaller, is of much more modern introduction, and by no means -so much in favour with the Chinese; this is occasioned principally by -the danger arising from the use of the powder, in the careless way in -which they carry it. They have a pouch in front, fastened round the -body, and the powder is contained loose in a certain number of little -tubes inside the pouch, not rolled up like our cartridges. - -Of course, every soldier has to carry a match or port-fire to ignite -the powder in the matchlock when loaded. Hence, when a poor fellow is -wounded and falls, the powder, which is very apt to run out of his -pouch over his clothes, is very likely to be ignited by his own match, -and in this way he may either be blown up at once, or else his clothes -may be ignited; indeed, it is not impossible that the match itself -may be sufficient to produce this effect. At Chuenpee, many bodies -were found after the action not only scorched, but completely burnt, -evidently from the ignition of the powder. - -In one of the latest encounters during the war, at Chapoo, where a few -of the Tartars defended themselves so desperately in a house in which -they had taken refuge, they were seen stripping themselves altogether, -in order to escape the effect of the fire upon their combustible -clothes when the building was in flames; and many other instances of a -similar kind were noticed during the war. - -With respect to the attack upon the fort at Tycocktow, on the opposite -side of the river, the Nemesis was not concerned in that part of the -operations of the 7th January. The force employed on that service -was placed under the orders of Captain Scott, of the Samarang, 26; -and consisted, in addition to that vessel, of the Druid, 44, Captain -Smith; the Modeste, 18, Commander Eyres; and Columbine, 16, Commander -Clarke. Captain Scott was directed to proceed to attack the forts upon -Tycocktow, and to dismantle them, spiking the guns, and destroying the -forts as much as possible; after which, he was to take up a convenient -position in reference to the expected operations against the proper -Bogue forts higher up. - -Captain Scott led the way gallantly in the Samarang, without returning -the fire of the Chinese, until he dropped anchor within cable's length -of the middle of the fort. The Modeste, Druid, and Columbine came up -almost directly after, and then commenced the terrific thunder of -artillery, which soon sufficed to shatter the walls, and to make a -breach, through which the seamen and marines, which were landed from -the ships, soon carried the fort by storm. The Chinese fled in all -directions up the hill, but not without witnessing, to their cost, the -deadly effect of our musketry upon their confused bodies; nor did they -yield without shewing some instances of bold personal courage. - -The attack was led by Lieutenant Bowers, first lieutenant of the -Samarang, who received a sabre cut across the knee; which shews that -the Chinese did not run away without first coming to close quarters; -their loss, however, was considerable. The guns in the fort were all -spiked, and then thrown into the sea; the magazines and other buildings -were set on fire, (the wounded having been first removed;) but it was -not thought necessary to pursue the Chinese further. - -As soon as these operations had been completed, the whole of the party -which had landed, comprising the boats' crews of all the ships engaged, -returned on board. Part of them had proceeded to attack the northern -end of the fort, namely, those of the Druid and Columbine, and were -commanded by Lieutenant Goldsmith, (since promoted,) and great praise -was given to all the officers and men concerned, for their gallantry -and good conduct. The number of guns destroyed was twenty-five; those -which were captured at Chuenpee amounted altogether to sixty-six -pieces, of various calibre, including those in the entrenchments, -as well as those upon the upper and lower forts. Many of the guns, -however, were not mounted, shewing that the preparations for defence -had not been completed; some were only 6-pounders, but a great portion -of the remainder were about equal to our own 12-pounder guns. Of -course, they were all rendered unserviceable. - -The operations of this day have not yet, however, been all described. -So far as relates to Chuenpee and Tycocktow, little remains to be -added, except that the killed and wounded, on the part of the land -force, on our side, amounted to thirty; and on that of the naval -force, to eight men and officers. But the destruction of the war-junks -in Anson's Bay also formed part of the feats of this day; and, as it -more particularly relates to the Nemesis, it shall be reserved for a -separate chapter. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[18] The imperial revenues scarcely formed a third of what was actually -paid in various ways! - -[19] FORCE EMPLOYED ON SHORE IN THE CAPTURE OF CHUENPEE. - Non-com. officers - and privates. -Royal artillery, under command of Captain Knowles, Royal artillery 33 -Seamen, under lieutenant Wilson, of H.M.S. Blenheim 137 -Detachments of the 26th and 49th regiments, under Major Johnstone, - of the 20th regiment 104 -Royal marine battalion, under Captain Ellis, of the Wellesley 504 -37th Madras Native Infantry, under Captain Duff, 37th N. I. 607 -Detachment of Bengal Volunteers, under Captain Bolton 76 - ____ - 1461 - -Together with thirty seamen attached to the guns. - -[20] In the official report of Captain Belcher, and on a subsequent -occasion, it is stated, by mistake, that Mr. Crouch was serving on -board The Queen. This active young officer well deserved the promotion -which he soon obtained. He was wounded at the close of the war, at -Chin-Keang-Foo. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - -The total destruction of the Chinese squadron of war-junks, on the day -of the action of Chuenpee, (7th January,) under the orders of Admiral -Kwan, completed the discomfiture of the Chinese by sea and by land. The -engagement took place in Anson's Bay, which has already been described -as lying between Chuenpee and Anunghoy. The Nemesis here took a most -distinguished part; and some of the boats of the Calliope, Hyacinth, -Larne, Sulphur, and Starling, co-operated with her in the action, -in which Lieutenants Watson and Harrison, and other officers of the -Calliope and Larne, deservedly won their laurels. - -At the bottom of Anson's Bay was the entrance of a small river, unknown -until now, having a small island at its mouth, somewhat on the Chuenpee -side. Within this, and in a measure protected by a sand-bar which ran -out from it, lay the Chinese fleet of about fifteen war-junks, moored -in a good position in shallow water, so as to prevent the near approach -of our ships. Directions had been given to Captain Herbert, of the -Calliope, to make arrangements for the attack of these war-junks, -as soon as the defences on Chuenpee should have fallen. The moment, -therefore, that it was perceived on board the Nemesis, as she ran up -towards the lower battery, and poured in her grape and canister, that -the upper fort had fallen, and that the lower one could not longer -hold out, she hastened, without a moment's delay, to the attack of the -enemy's squadron. Full steam was set on, without waiting to see what -other measures might be taken elsewhere to effect the object. - -In her anxiety to secure the post of honour, the Nemesis rounded the -point of Chuenpee a little too close, and struck rather heavily upon -a rocky reef running out some distance from it, but upon which it -was thought that there was still water enough to enable her to float -safely. She did indeed pass over it, but not without striking; but her -iron frame did not _hang_ upon it as a wooden one would probably have -done, and she proceeded, without even stopping her engines. That the -force of the blow however was considerable, and would probably have -seriously damaged a wooden vessel, is shewn by the fact of her having -the outer paddle-ring of one of the wheels broken, together with two -of the long arms attached to it. It is evident that a blow which would -cause such injury to _iron_ would have done much more serious damage to -wood. - -About this time, Captain Belcher, of the Sulphur, joined her, with two -of his ship's boats, anxious to partake of the honour of the affair. A -few of the Sulphur's seamen also came on board. As she pushed along, -she was also reinforced by Lieutenant Kellett, of the Starling, who -brought his gig, or whale-boat, and subsequently did good service. - -As they approached the position in which the Chinese junks were drawn -up, it was easily perceived that it had been well chosen, with scarcely -more than five feet water round the vessels, and that, in fact, they -could not be attacked in front, except by boats. However, the Nemesis, -having the great advantage of drawing less than six feet water, was -able to approach near enough to bring her two 32-pounder pivot-guns -to bear within good range. Just at this moment also a large boat, or -pinnace, of the Larne, was observed, making its way round the outside -of the little island, with a view to cut off the junks in the rear. - -The boldness of this manoeuvre, under the command of Lieutenant -Harrison, was much admired; and, indeed, the dashing way in which many -similar attacks were made on other occasions during the war took the -Chinese by surprise, and struck them with a wholesome terror, even -before they came to close quarters. - -One of the most formidable engines of destruction which any vessel, -particularly a steamer, can make use of is the Congreve rocket, a most -terrible weapon when judiciously applied, especially where there are -combustible materials to act upon. The very first rocket fired from -the Nemesis[21] was seen to enter the large junk against which it was -directed, near that of the admiral, and almost the instant afterwards -it blew up with a terrific explosion, launching into eternity every -soul on board, and pouring forth its blaze like the mighty rush of fire -from a volcano. The instantaneous destruction of the huge body seemed -appalling to both sides engaged. The smoke, and flame, and thunder -of the explosion, with the broken fragments falling round, and even -portions of dissevered bodies scattering as they fell, were enough to -strike with awe, if not with fear, the stoutest heart that looked upon -it. - -It is related that, at the battle of the Nile, when the French -admiral's ship, L'Orient, blew up, both of the fiercely-fighting -foes paused in horror at the dreadful catastrophe, and neither side -renewed the fight for at least ten minutes afterwards. So here also, -although the explosion was far less violent, and the contending parties -comparatively trifling in number, and far less excited by the contest, -there was a momentary pause; the very suddenness of the catastrophe -added something to the awe and rejoicing, combined, which it excited. -The rocket had penetrated into the magazine of the junk, or had ignited -some of the loose powder too often scattered carelessly about the decks -by the Chinese gunners. They naturally felt that the same fate might -readily befall any of the other junks; and, after some discharges -of round shot had been thrown into the nearest junks, (four of them -were afterwards found lodged in the admiral's junk,) their crews were -observed endeavouring to escape on shore, some upon the little island, -and others upon Chuenpee; while, at the same time, the junks were all -cut away by those remaining on board, in order that they might drift on -shore, and enable the rest to escape. - -The Chinese hauled down their colours on board their junks at about -half-past eleven, but continued firing afterwards. At about twelve -o'clock, the boats of the Nemesis, in company with the others which -were present, put off to board the junks. Only two of the smaller ones -succeeded in getting away up a small branch of the river, while two -more escaped for the moment up another principal branch to a large -town, but were subsequently captured. - -Some of the junks drifted on shore; and, as there could be no utility -in saving them, they were all successively set on fire, by order of -Captain Belcher, and ultimately blew up. In some of the junks which -were not yet quite abandoned by their crews, the poor Chinamen, as -the English sailors boarded them on one side, rushed wildly over -on the opposite one, or let themselves down by the stern chains, -clinging to the ship's rudder. Others, as the fire gained upon their -junk, retreated before it, and continued hanging to the yet untouched -portions of it, until the flames advancing upon them rapidly, they were -obliged to throw water _over their own bodies_ to enable them to bear -the intense heat, still desperately clinging to their fate, more from -fear of ill-treatment, if they should be taken prisoners, than from any -rational hope of being saved. In many instances they _would not_ be -saved; in others, they _could not_, and were destroyed as their junk -blew up. - -On the following day, the principal part of the guns were recovered, -altogether upwards of eighty in number, of which eight or ten were -handsome brass Portuguese guns, 6, 9, and 12-pounders. - -Altogether, eleven junks were destroyed on the spot. Scarcely had this -duty been completed by the different boats engaged, when the Nemesis -hastened on up the river, and at the distance of about three miles, -came upon a large town, where she found two war-junks moored close to -the shore, but abandoned by their crews. The consternation of the -people was extreme; they were seen running away from the town in all -directions; the surrounding hills were crowded with the anxious and -astonished gazers, wondering what was going to happen next; never, of -course, having either seen or heard of a "devil ship" before, and well -knowing that her visit could only be a hostile one. It was enough that -they had already heard of the total destruction of their fleet at the -river's mouth. The place was not at all fortified, not a shot being -fired on either side. - -The tide was now beginning to fall, and as the water was not deep, -and the bar would soon become impassable, and the day was already far -advanced, it was thought better to return without exploring the river -higher up. Accordingly, taking in tow the two junks, the Nemesis again -descended the river; but one of the junks getting aground on the bar at -the entrance, was obliged to be left behind, while the other was taken -safely down, and soon after five P.M., the Nemesis joined the squadron -off Chuenpee, and received the thanks of the commodore for the services -she had rendered during the day. She had received no important damage, -the paddle-box only having been injured by a well-directed shot from -one of the junks. - -It must have been a fine sight for the troops who were in possession -of Chuenpee, to witness from the top of the hill the encounter with, -and total destruction of, this fleet; the numerous burning masses, -and the loud explosions as they blew up; with the boats pulling about -among them, lighted by the glare of the fires. All this, added to the -excitement which always attends the being a looker-on while others are -actors in deeds of danger, must have formed a most animating spectacle. -The scenery about Anson's Bay is moreover bold and picturesque, and the -limited space in which the affair took place, must have added something -to the interest it awakened. - -To the Chinese this had been, in all respects, a most disastrous day. -Their stone walls and their wooden walls had been alike destroyed; and, -although they might before have dreaded us by sea, they had never until -now had an opportunity of testing the power of Europeans on land. - -On this day, the 7th of January, 1841, the native Indian troops and -the Royal Marines constituted considerably more than two-thirds of the -whole force employed on shore. - -The loss of many hundred killed and wounded on the Chinese side, with -something less than forty wounded and none killed on our side, shews -rather that the Chinese were deficient in proper weapons to match their -foes, than wanting in personal bravery to meet them in the fight; and, -as they were not yet acquainted with the European mode of sparing -an unresisting enemy, they suffered great loss from unsupported and -useless resistance, when timely submission would have saved many -lives. They exasperated our troops without a chance of benefiting -themselves. - -The Chinese admiral, the fine old Kwan, lost the red ball or button of -his cap, the emblem of his rank, during the encounter with the junks. -It was reported that he wished to meet his death at the hands of his -foe, and was with some difficulty borne off by his attendants; but -this fate was reserved for him on a future occasion, and he shewed -himself a chivalrous and brave man. The loss of his ball or button, -which has certain marks upon it which probably indicate that it is -conferred by imperial favour as an emblem of rank, seemed naturally to -occasion him the greatest possible anxiety and trouble. He, in fact, -made application for it to be returned to him, if it chanced to have -been found; and it is gratifying to know that, through the intervention -of Captain Elliot, her majesty's plenipotentiary, it was recovered and -generously restored to him. - -The total number of guns taken or rendered unserviceable during the -operations of this day, ashore and afloat, amounted to one hundred and -seventy-three pieces, including eighty-two in the junks, of which a few -were brass, but mostly of small calibre. - -The junks with which the Nemesis was engaged in Anson's Bay were -provided with quite a new sort of boarding-nettings, if they can be so -called. Probably old Admiral Kwan, whose reputation as a seaman was not -very great, had heard that English ships of war were sometimes provided -with nets when going into action; and, therefore, without knowing very -well what might be the purpose of them, he determined to have them -likewise. But he made a sad mistake concerning the object for which -they were intended. He very naturally thought, that, in the position -which he had taken up in shallow water, only the boats of the squadron -could come close to him, and he hit upon the bright notion of trying -to _catch them_ with his nets, just as a poacher catches his sleeping -game by throwing a net over them. A number of strong fishing-nets were -fastened all round the sides of the junks, not extended so as to impede -any one trying to get on board, but triced up outside over each of the -guns, in such a way, that, when our boats should come alongside, the -nets were to be thrown over them, men and all; and thus our jolly tars -were to be caught like hares in their form, and handed over to the -tender mercies of the emperor. - -No sooner, however, did the guns of the Nemesis open fire, than the -nets were all forgotten in their fear of the shot and the rockets; -and, long before the boats could get alongside, the defenders and -men-catchers were glad to be off, to avoid being themselves caught. - -A more unwieldy-looking machine, or one less calculated for efficient -service at sea, than the old-fashioned junks, can scarcely be -conceived. Although, since the commencement of the war, they have -gradually improved them very much in the fashion of the hull, the masts -and sails, and all that appertains to the rigging of a vessel, are very -little different from what they have hitherto been. - -It should be noticed, that the boats and smaller rigged vessels of -the Chinese are generally very much superior to their large junks in -form and convenience of arrangement, and often sail very well. The -family to whom the boat belongs lives entirely on board, and, for the -combined purposes for which their boats are generally used, perhaps no -arrangement could be better adapted for making the most of a limited -space; and they are, moreover, kept remarkably clean. - -The war-junks are of different sizes, and have guns varying in number -from four to fourteen, and even more, mounted upon them, of various -calibre, some of foreign make, but principally Chinese. The smaller -junks are also adapted for oars or sweeps, of which they sometimes can -work as many as twenty on either side. The crew are further provided -with a great number of spears, swords, matchlocks, and frequently -large jingals, not unlike our musquetoons, fitted with a rest upon the -bulwarks of the vessel, so as to give the power of taking a steady aim. -There are generally a large number of round shields on board, made -in a saucer-like fashion, and about two and a half to three feet in -diameter. They are composed of ratans, or canes, strongly twisted or -woven in together, and are so elastic, that it would be very difficult -to cut through them with a sword; and even a musket-ball fired from a -long distance, and hitting them at all in a slanting direction, would -be turned off. They are usually hung all round the bulwarks, resting -upon the top and outside of them, giving a very striking appearance. - -A large junk puts one very much in mind of one of the old Roman -galleys, only it is less efficiently constructed for venturing away -from land, and is not unfrequently gaudily ornamented with green and -yellow colours. - -Several improvements have been adopted by the Chinese since the -commencement of the war. They had constructed a number of gun-boats -for the defence of the river higher up, upon European models; and, -towards the close of the war, they built one or two large junks, which -they called frigates, with great improvements in shape and general -arrangement, and regular port-holes for the guns on the deck below, -and with heavy guns, too, mounted in them. One of these we saw near -the Bogue, after the peace, mounting thirty-six guns, all of foreign -manufacture, many of them 9 and 12-pounder iron guns, made by Fawcett, -of Liverpool, and purchased either at Macao or at Singapore. The junk -was very clean, and in good order, painted green, and coppered; and, -with the exception of the masts and sails, which were in the old style, -she looked very well. This vessel was said to have been constructed -by order of Tinqua, one of the Hong merchants, who has distinguished -himself by his zeal in defence of his country; and it was by him -presented to the emperor, together with a European barque, and a brig, -rather the worse for wear in the merchant service, which he purchased -at considerable cost. - -But the most remarkable improvement of all, and which shewed the rapid -stride towards a great change which they were daily making, as well as -the ingenuity of the Chinese character, was the construction of several -large _wheeled_ vessels, which were afterwards brought forward against -us with great confidence, at the engagement at Woosung, the last naval -affair of the war, and were each commanded by a mandarin of rank, -shewing the importance they attached to their new vessels. This, too, -was so far north as the Yangtze Keang, where we had never traded with -them; so that the idea must have been suggested to them by the reports -they received concerning the wonderful power of our steamers or wheeled -vessels. - -To anticipate a little, it may here be mentioned, that the vessels had -wooden wheels, very like an undershot mill-wheel, which were moved by -machinery inside the vessel, worked by a sort of capstan by manual -labour, the crew walking it round and round, just like walking up an -anchor on board a man-of-war; the horizontal revolution was turned into -the upright one by strong wooden _cog-wheels_, upon regular mechanical -principles. - -When once the spirit of change and improvement has taken hold of the -Chinese, it is impossible to say where it will stop among so ingenious -and indefatigable a people. Even the emperor himself has ordered still -greater changes to be made since the peace, and has directed that "the -best materials for building ships shall be procured from all parts -of the world; and that, as only ships built on European principles -can contend with European ships, they must gradually learn to adopt -European models themselves. But, as this can only be effected by time, -and the ships are required now to suppress the pirates which infest his -coast, they are at once to purchase foreign ships and learn to exercise -their crews." - -To return from this short digression, we may now ask what sort of a -report was made by Admiral Kwan to his mighty master, upon the subject -of these first actions below the Bogue--the first great collision -between the power and science of the west and the self-confidence of -the remote east. Keshen, clear-sighted as he certainly was, could -not fail to perceive the many troubles and humiliations to which his -country must become subjected if hostilities were pushed to extremes. -He was fully alive to the serious defeat he had sustained, yet dreaded -to break the truth too suddenly to his haughty master; wise, therefore, -in his generation, he declared there had been a "drawn battle." He -informed his master that the contest had been maintained from eight -A.M. until two P.M., and that "then, the _tide ebbing_, the foreign -vessels ceased firing, and anchored in the middle of the stream, _each -side maintaining its ground_." - -He then details the measures he had adopted for reinforcing the -position, and apologizes for the absence of more detailed information, -upon the ground of his anxiety to communicate the earliest possible -intelligence. - -The emperor, or rather his ministers, were not so easily to be duped. -Keshen was at once declared to be "incompetent;" and it was ordered -that his conduct "should be subjected to the severest consideration;" -while poor old Kwan was accused of being "at all times devoid of talent -to direct, and, on the approach of a crisis to be alarmed, perturbed, -and without resources." - -From the earliest times to the most modern, success has been vulgarly -considered in all countries to be the grand criterion of merit; and -the "Felix" of the ancients, the successful, the favoured of the gods, -stands nearly as paramount in the estimation of the world now, as it -did even in days of old. Kwan was accordingly at once deprived of his -rank and insignia of office, but was ordered henceforth to labour to -attain merit, bearing his punishment in the meantime. - -Various plans were suggested for future proceedings against the -English; it was admitted that the junks could not cope with our ships -on the open sea, and it was therefore recommended "that our vessels -should be _enticed_ into the inner waters, and that there should be -employed expert divers to go down at night, and bore holes in their -bottoms," while other parties were to come "stealthily upon them at -night and board them unawares, and massacre the whole of their crews." -Above all, a grand preparation of fireships was to be made, filled -with various combustibles, which, with a favourable wind, were to be -let loose upon them, and, in the confusion resulting from this attack, -their war-vessels were to follow and complete what the fire-vessels -had commenced. Great rewards were again offered for the taking or -destruction of any of our ships, and 50,000 dollars was to be the -recompence for a line-of-battle ship. - -We must now return to the current of events which took place -immediately after the capture of Chuenpee. The evening after the -engagement was spent in making preparations on both sides for renewing -the contest on the morrow. Every one on board our ships was excited -with the occurrences of the day, and anxiously longing for the dawn -of morning, when the thunder of our artillery should make even the -walls of Anunghoy and the famed Bogue forts tremble and fall. At length -the sun rose, bright and full of promise, on the morning of the 8th. -The boats of H.M.S. Sulphur were sent out to take soundings higher up -towards the Bogue. The Nemesis was first under weigh, and was directed -to proceed at once up to Anunghoy with a couple of rocket-boats. - -The morning was calm: the line-of-battle ships were slowly moving up -to the positions assigned to them in front of the principal forts; -already had the Nemesis taken up a position within capital range of -the southern battery of Anunghoy, in such a manner that only three or -four guns could be brought to bear on her from it. Already had she -thrown in several shells and shot, when the signal, for her recal was -observed flying most provokingly from the mast-head of the Wellesley, -and being enforced by more than one signal gun, the firing ceased. Just -as the exciting moment had arrived, and every man was calculating in -his own mind how soon the forts would be reduced, the stillness, not of -breathless anxiety, but of bitter disappointment, prevailed in every -man's bosom. - -It soon appeared that old Admiral Kwan preferred to try his skill in -cunning and diplomacy rather than in war, and had sent off a small -boat to the flag-ship, under a flag of truce, with a note addressed -to the plenipotentiary. The fact has excited some amusement, that a -little boat, with an old woman and a man in it, was sent off to bear -proposals for the cessation of hostilities at the very moment of their -commencement; and that this humble paper, sent in this extraordinary -way, was received, and became the groundwork of an armistice, which was -concluded in the course of the day. - -Soon after four o'clock in the afternoon, the Nemesis was sent to -convey Lieutenant Maitland, of the Wellesley, to Anunghoy, as bearer of -a chop or official document, relating to the truce, and to a projected -treaty of peace, the precise terms of which did not transpire. - -Many animadversions were made upon this proceeding; but Captain Elliot -was placed in very peculiar circumstances. He was, undoubtedly, -desirous to avoid open rupture with the Chinese, if possible, and -to use his best tact and judgment in negotiation, which would, of -course, be of little avail unless backed by a strong force, ready to -support his claims, and, therefore, necessarily assuming a threatening -attitude. Above all, the value of the revenue to be derived from _tea_ -was so great, and its importance as an article of consumption so -much thought of, that Elliot believed himself to be best serving his -country when he best followed out, according to his judgment, these two -principal objects. That Captain Elliot may have been influenced by -occasional errors of judgment is far from improbable, but that he was -wanting in natural talent or principle, or a wish to serve faithfully -his queen, his government, and his country, his most unscrupulous -detractors have scarcely ventured to maintain. It is fortunate, at -all events, that it can still be said that measures of uncompromising -hostility were not urged until every other method of persuasion, and -every less powerful, however ingenious, argument had been tried and -found wanting. - -Negotiations continued at the Bogue, but the Chinese, in spite of the -truce, were observed to be increasing their defences, and notice was -accordingly given to them to desist. The communications were frequent, -and, on the 17th, just a week after the commencement of the truce, -Captain Elliot went down in the Nemesis to Macao. There seemed, -however, to prevail an impression that the affair was so far from -being settled, that another collision could scarcely be avoided, and -therefore no measure of precaution was omitted on our side. - -On the 20th of January, a circular was issued by Captain Elliot, -dated at Macao, announcing that _preliminary_ arrangements had been -concluded, but reserving the details for future negotiation. Hong-Kong -was to be ceded to us; an indemnity of six million dollars was to be -paid by the Chinese in six equal annual instalments, one million being -paid down at once, and the last in 1846; direct official intercourse -was to be maintained upon terms of perfect equality, and trade was to -be resumed within the port of Canton, within ten days. But it would -also appear that an intimation had been made of an intention to remove -the greater portion of the trade to Hong-Kong, for it was provided that -it should only continue "to be carried on at Whampoa until further -arrangements were practicable at the new settlement." - -Nothing could at first appear more satisfactory than this arrangement; -but, as will presently be seen, it gave ample time to the Chinese to -make further preparations for defence, and abundant loopholes for the -exercise of their crafty ingenuity. At the same time, Captain Elliot -urged upon the consideration of his countrymen "the necessity of -adopting a conciliatory treatment towards the people, and a becoming -deference for the country upon the threshold of which we were about to -be established." - -Nothing further need here be said upon this subject, except that on the -following day, the 21st January, the Nemesis was sent to convey two -mandarins to Chuenpee, who were to receive back the forts from Captain -Scott, of the Samarang, who had been appointed _pro tempore_ governor -of this fortress. The British colours were hauled down, and the Chinese -dragon was hoisted in their place, under a salute from the flag-ship; -it was very evident that no salute had ever sounded so welcome to -Chinese ears before. As soon as a few guns could be got ready for the -purpose, the salute was returned by the Chinese. - -We had certainly shewn rather a chivalrous leniency to their -government, in thus so suddenly restoring to them one of their -principal strongholds. Indeed, everything looked extremely peaceable -upon paper, and the Chinese contrived to create a temporary belief in -the sincerity of their intentions.[22] - -It will be remembered that Sir Gordon Bremer had not yet been named -joint plenipotentiary, which did not take place until after his return -from Calcutta in The Queen steamer, in the month of June following. He -had proceeded to India in that vessel, at the end of March, after the -arrival of Lieutenant-Gen. Sir Hugh Gough, probably in order to confer -in person with the governor-general. - -Thus ended what may be called the second act, (the first having been -the taking of Chusan, and the expedition to the Peiho) of the great -drama of the Chinese war. In his report to the emperor, respecting -these several occurrences, Keshen declared that "he had only made -conditional concessions to the English; _merely_ promising that he -would earnestly implore the emperor's favour in their behalf." - -Immediately after the restoration of the forts on the 21st to the -Chinese, the commodore went down to Macao in the Nemesis, leaving the -Wellesley in the Lintao passage, the main body of the fleet having -proceeded to Hong-Kong. It was feared, however, that things could not -long remain in _statu quo_; and on the 26th, Captain Elliot himself -left Macao in the Nemesis, and went up the Canton river to hold a -conference, which it had been arranged should take place with Keshen in -person, in order to settle those points which, it has been stated, were -reserved for future consideration. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[21] This rocket was fired by Captain Belcher, of the Sulphur. - -[22] DETAIL OF H.B.M.'S MILITARY AT CHUSAN, ON 1st JANUARY, 1841. - Rank and file - 18th Regiment, Royal Irish, Lieutenant-Colonel Adam 487 - 26th Regiment, Cameronians, Lieutenant-Colonel James 291 - 49th Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Bartley 326 - Bengal Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd 402 - Madras Artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel Montgomerie, C.B. 185 - Madras Sappers and Miners, Captain Cotton 227 - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - -The famous conference which took place between Keshen and Captain -Elliot, some miles above the Bogue, close to a pagoda on the banks of -the river, at what is called its Second Bar, has attracted very great -and deserved attention. Although its results were, in a political point -of view, really of little moment, there is reason to think that Keshen, -as well as Elliot, was anxious to adjust the pending difficulties -without further resort to arms. The advantage, however, which delay of -any kind would afford to Keshen, and the ultimate interruption of the -negotiations, followed, as it was, immediately by the capture of the -Bogue forts, have led many to conclude that Keshen had all along no -other object than that of putting us off our guard, in order that he -might complete his still imperfect arrangements for defence, and then -throw down the gauntlet to us in defiance. - -This view of the matter appears to have been a good deal exaggerated; -and we shall perceive, as we follow this narrative, that Keshen was -thoroughly sensible of his own weakness, and really did desire to -avert the storm, but was fairly driven into extreme measures, and the -suspension of all amicable intercourse, by positive orders from Pekin. -Indeed, he was afterwards accused of treason, bribery, and incapacity, -because he even condescended to confer at all with Captain Elliot, -instead of advancing boldly upon him, and driving him and all his -troops and ships away from the coast. Keshen saw the imbecility of such -conduct, and although he knew the hopelessness of an attempt to defend -the river, he had no other alternative but to obey; he had already -been deprived of some of his decorations for having listened to terms -at Chuenpee, and his only hope of saving himself from ignominy, and -even death itself, was by striving hard to exhibit greater zeal in the -defence of the Bogue, which, nevertheless, he scarcely hoped to be able -to maintain. - -Let us now, however, accompany the Nemesis up the river, in order to -see what sort of an affair the grand conference at the Second Bar -really was, and how the interview between the plenipotentiary of -England and the high-commissioner of China actually came off. It was -naturally expected that it would be an affair of great ceremony, and -as it was the first time that any intercourse had been permitted upon -terms of perfect equality with any of the high Canton authorities, and -as it was to happen in accordance with the stipulations of the new -treaty, it excited great interest, and kept the curiosity of every one -alive. - -Adequate preparations were made on both sides, becoming the high rank -of the respective parties, and doubtless each of them was calculating -the most likely mode of making a good impression upon the other. One -hundred marines, picked men from the Wellesley, Druid, and Calliope, -were embarked on board the Madagascar steamer, to be carried up as a -guard of honour for Captain Elliot, at the meeting; they were commanded -by Captain, now Lieutenant-Colonel, Ellis, C.B., having with him -Lieutenants Stransham and Maxwell. The excellent bands of the Wellesley -and Calliope were also in attendance, and it was expected that the -Chinese would be astonished and properly "impressed" by the appearance -and manoeuvres of the men, while they would be gratified and put into a -good humour by the enlivening tones of the music. - -On the 26th of January the Nemesis started from Macao, with Captain -Elliot and several officers on board, and proceeded directly up -the Bogue. She was subsequently joined by the Madagascar, which -was to accompany her up to the place of meeting. Captain Herbert, -the Honourable Captain Dundas, and Captain Maitland, attended the -plenipotentiary. And now, for the first time, two steamers were to -enter the true Canton river, and as the Nemesis was the leading vessel -through the Bogue, she had, consequently, the honour of being the first -steam vessel, whether of wood or iron, which ever navigated the "inner -waters" of the Celestial Empire. - -It was just at this time that the French corvette, Danaide, arrived in -the China waters, having been sent out purposely to watch our movements -in that quarter. This, indeed, could have been her only object, for, -as regards protection of trade, the French have never had any trade -with China worthy of the name, nor indeed had the French flag floated -over the walls of the foreign factories at Canton for many years, until -after the accession of Louis Philippe to the throne. Since that time -it has always been exhibited rather in hope of the future than for the -protection of present interests, for, except the French consul and his -attendants, there has been, until recently, scarcely a French ship in -China. - -As the declaration of blockade was still in force against the port -of Canton, the Danaide was not permitted to proceed higher up than -Chuenpee, but her commander, Captain Rosamel, was politely invited by -Captain Elliot to accompany him on board the Nemesis, that he might -be a witness of the coming interview; an act of courtesy which was -handsomely acknowledged. - -As the two steamers passed through the Bogue, each with a flag of truce -at the fore, they were saluted with three guns (the greatest number -ever given in China,) by the forts on both sides. The Chinese also -manned the works, and hoisted numerous gay silken flags; and the effect -of their curious costumes, and the general appearance of the forts of -Anunghoy and Wantung when their battlements were crowded with the eager -spectators, were very imposing. Certainly, the passage of two steamers -between them, the first they had ever seen, must have been an exciting -novelty. The bold, rocky steeps behind the batteries of Anunghoy, -frowning, as it were, and really commanding the batteries below, -grinning defiance with their whitened battlements, and the opposite -island of Wantung, with its numerous works, the more distant shore of -the mainland on the other side, and the remarkable Tiger Island ahead; -all these formed a very interesting and remarkable spectacle. - -Just at the foot of Tiger Island, about two miles above the Bogue, -could be distinguished a long stone battery, which, on a nearer -approach, appeared deserving of closer inspection, although, from its -position, it was not likely to be of much use for the defence of the -river. The Nemesis, accordingly, little fearing shallow water at any -time, ran up towards it, and came so close to the battlements as to -touch them with her yards; in which position, had her intentions been -hostile, it was very evident that she could batter the walls with her -guns with perfect impunity, for the guns of the fort could not be -depressed sufficiently to point at her hull in that position. - -This manoeuvre thoroughly confounded the Chinese, who looked on in -evident wonder. And they so far profited by the hint afterwards, that -they abandoned the fort altogether as useless and untenable, and -carried away the guns to add to the strength of the Bogue forts lower -down. - -Beyond the Bogue and Tiger Island the river begins to expand again, -and for some miles presents to view a flat, rich, alluvial country, in -which are an immense number of canals and water-courses, serving to -irrigate the paddy or rice fields, and to afford innumerable lines of -internal communication, which in that country mostly take the place of -roads and bridges.[23] - -It was precisely at the pagoda at the Second Bar, as it is called, that -the conference was now to be held; and there, at about six o'clock in -the evening, the Nemesis and Madagascar came to anchor. A couple of -mandarins, or officers of inferior grade, (for let it not be supposed -that a mandarin is necessarily a great man) came on board, deputed by -Keshen, to welcome the arrival of the plenipo. - -A list of the names and rank of those officers who were to be present -at the interview on the following morning, was sent in to Keshen, in -English and Chinese, so that he might be quite prepared, when each -gentleman should be presented to him by Captain Elliot, to receive him -courteously. - -Early in the morning the guard of marines were landed, together with -the bands of the Wellesley and Calliope. A finer body of men is rarely -seen. Soon after nine o'clock, the whole of the officers were ready -to go on shore, which was accomplished partly in the boats of the two -steamers, partly in very clean and convenient Chinese boats provided by -Keshen. They had to pull some little distance up one of the numerous -creeks which open into all the Chinese rivers, and the scene as they -approached was very novel and interesting. On either side were several -very gaudily ornamented boats belonging to Keshen, very similar to -the boats of the Hong merchants at Canton, who had also arrived under -the guidance of old Howqua.[24] They could scarcely hope to enjoy the -honour of a place at the conference, and were, therefore, probably -ordered by Keshen to attend upon him. They were not admitted even into -the same tents with Captain Elliot and his suite. - -The guard of marines drawn up on either side highly astonished the -Chinese, but the people were kept from pressing too close by a long -line of railing put up for the occasion. The road from the immediate -landing-place to the grand tent was spread over with various coloured -cotton coverings, and decorated with branches of trees. - -At nine A.M., Captain Elliot, accompanied by Captain Herbert, and the -Honourable Captain Dundas, landed, and went up in state, preceded -by the bands, to the principal tent, which was very like a large -long booth, ornamented inside with yellow hangings, in token of -its belonging to the representative of the emperor. At the further -extremity of it was another tent or apartment, reserved more especially -for Keshen's private use, and into this only Captain Elliot and one or -two officers in personal attendance on him were admitted. - -The whole party were presented to Keshen in the outer tent including -Captain Rosamel of the Danaide; the list sent in the previous evening -being referred to, as each gentleman of the party made his bow to the -Imperial Commissioner. - -The first private audience in the inner tent between Captain Elliot and -Keshen was merely one of ceremony, and lasted only a few minutes; the -medium of communication being through Mr. Morrison, the interpreter, -the gifted son of the late Dr. Morrison, so celebrated as a Chinese -scholar and philologist. - -After the first introduction was over, it was announced that a grand -_dejeuner a la fourchette_ was prepared in the outer tent for the -whole of the party, upwards of twenty in number. Interminable was -the succession of dishes of the rarest and most expensive kind, -according to the best Chinese principles of gastronomy. The luxury -of the shark's-fin and the bird's-nest soup was here tasted for the -first time, and, without going deeply into the mysteries of the -Chinese "cuisine," it will be sufficient to say that a Chinese feast -is a very sumptuous and tedious, but, withal not unpalatable affair. -It necessarily occupied considerable time, and it was not until two -o'clock that those officers not in personal attendance upon Captain -Elliot were able to return on board the steamers. - -In the interim, Keshen could not resist the wish to gratify his -curiosity concerning our fine-looking fellows the marines, and three of -the tallest and finest men were selected for his personal examination. -He did not conceal his surprise, and even requested that they might be -made to go through some of their evolutions. Keshen also examined their -arms and accoutrements minutely. - -He had himself a small body-guard of Chinese soldiers, tolerably well -dressed, but otherwise of poor appearance, compared with our own picked -men, and they seemed quite at a loss to comprehend the purpose of the -movements they witnessed. - -There were a good many small tents pitched round about the principal -reception-tent, and, as each of these was ornamented with a gay flag, -and other decorations, the _coup-d'oeil_ of the whole scene was -sufficiently imposing. - -Keshen's manner throughout is described as having been particularly -kind, gentlemanlike, and perfectly dignified. He might, indeed, be -called a courtier-like gentleman in any country. - -What may have passed between Keshen and Captain Elliot, during -their _private_ conference in the afternoon, it would be useless to -surmise. They met and parted upon terms of equality and apparent good -understanding. There seems reason, however, to think that very little -was definitely settled; and, after the lapse of two or three days, -Captain Elliot merely announced in a circular that "negotiations were -still proceeding satisfactorily," but at the same time "he warned -her majesty's subjects against proceeding to Canton for the present, -as it would be acting contrary to what he conceived right for the -public interest." At the same time, however, Hong-Kong was proclaimed -a British possession, and all its Chinese inhabitants declared to be -British subjects. Provision was also made for the government of the -island. - -Whatever terms Keshen may have agreed to at the conference, it is well -known that he was soon forbidden by the emperor to carry them into -execution. They are therefore of little moment. - -Captain Elliot returned on board the Nemesis in the afternoon, -apparently satisfied; and in the evening a display of rockets and -fireworks took place from the vessel, for the amusement of the imperial -commissioner on shore. - -In the meantime the Madagascar returned down the river with the -marines. On the following day, the 28th, two superior mandarins came -on board to pay their respects, and were saluted with three guns; and, -later in the day, the whole body of the Hong merchants likewise came -to pay their respects to his excellency; but, it is worthy of remark, -that Keshen himself did not come _in person_ to make a return-visit of -ceremony. - -Whatever may have been the reason of this omission, it was unfortunate -that Captain Elliot did not take some notice of it. It might be said -that Keshen was afraid of compromising himself with his imperial -master, if he condescended so far as to pay a visit to a foreigner on -board his own vessel. But it is possible that another reason also may -have weighed not a little in his mind. He got the Kwang-Chow-Foo, or -prefect of Canton, who was there, to ask Captain Elliot to dine with -him on board his barge, or large covered boat, and his invitation -was accepted. Keshen looked upon this as far below the supposed -dignity belonging to the rank which Elliot held. After this act of -condescension on Captain Elliot's part, Keshen not improbably regarded -it as far beneath his own dignity personally to visit Captain Elliot. -Nor is it at all surprising, when we consider that the court of China -is, without exception, the most ceremonious in the world. Indeed, at -Pekin there is a regular "Court of Ceremonies" to arrange all the -complicated details. - -Thus ended the whole business of this famous conference. It should also -be mentioned that, before they parted, Keshen made a few presents to -Captain Elliot, but not of any very great value, and others to Captain -Herbert, which were divided among some of the officers. Soon after -three o'clock the steam was once more got up, and giving and receiving -a parting salute of three guns, the Nemesis turned her head again down -the river, having the Louisa cutter in tow. The forts at the Bogue -again saluted her as she passed; and, late in the evening, she came to -anchor in the Tong Koo Roads, until daylight enabled her to proceed to -join the commodore, who was then in Hong-Kong harbour. - -As yet the treaty, in virtue of which we took possession of Hong-Kong, -had not received the emperor's assent; and our own precipitate -restoration of Chusan, which had been ordered by Captain Elliot, was -likely rather to impede than to promote the object it was intended to -effect. The mere word of Keshen was the only authority which we had to -rely upon, the ratification of which was at least doubtful. However, -both the commodore and Captain Elliot seemed already to regard the -island of Hong-Kong as a positive acquisition, and took the present -opportunity of steaming all round it on board the Nemesis. - -Little good appears to have resulted from this first interview. Indeed, -shortly after his report of it to the emperor, Keshen received a severe -reprimand from the emperor for what he had already even _pretended to -promise_. He was told that "a mere glance at his memorials had filled -the emperor with indignation." - -Yih-shan, a Tartar general of great repute, and who will be found to -figure afterwards on several occasions, was now sent down to Canton, -invested with the office of "general pacificator of the rebellious;" -and two assistant functionaries, called Lung-Wan and Yang-Fang, -were also ordered to repair thither, "to co-operate in the work of -extermination." Additional troops were also despatched. - -These orders of the emperor were issued on the 30th of January, but -did not reach Keshen until the 10th or 11th of February. On our side -nothing important took place for several days; arrangements connected -with the establishment of Hong-Kong were continued; and there was a -constant passing to and fro of officers between that place and Macao, -for which purpose the Nemesis was always employed. - -The 2nd of February was the day on which it had been agreed with Keshen -that the trade of the port of Canton should be opened--namely, ten days -after the Chinese new year. No proclamation to that effect, however, -was issued by the commissioner. Various rumours were already afloat -concerning the measures in progress up the river for obstructing its -navigation; and, at length, finding that the "satisfactory manner" -in which it had been proclaimed on the 30th of January, that the -negotiations which were proceeding had already, in the following -week, assumed an "unsatisfactory tone," and that, in fact, everything -appeared very delusive, Captain Elliot determined to go up to the Bocca -Tigris in person, and demand a distinct explanation from Keshen of what -were really his intentions. It was known that Keshen had reached the -Bogue; and Captain Herbert had even sent an officer to compliment him -upon his arrival on the 29th of January, and a salute of three guns -was fired in honour of the occasion. On the 10th of February, Captain -Elliot embarked on board the Nemesis, accompanied by Captain Smith and -Captain Knowles, of the artillery, together with Major Pratt, of the -Cameronians, and Mr. Morrison as interpreter, and was conveyed up the -river, anchoring for the night in Anson's Bay. - -On the following morning they once more passed through the Bogue, the -battlements of which were manned by the Chinese, as the steamer passed; -and a salute of three guns was fired from each of the batteries, which -was of course returned by the Nemesis. So far everything looked pacific -and complimentary enough. Having passed completely through the Bogue, -she came to anchor, about ten o'clock, above the forts, a little to the -north of Anunghoy, and close to the boats of the imperial commissioner, -who was already there. This was on the 11th of February; and it is a -curious coincidence, that it was on this day that Keshen received the -imperial commands to resume vigorous measures against Captain Elliot -and all the foreigners. - -The interview on this occasion was comparatively one of little -ceremony; indeed, Keshen had made no preparation for it on shore, and -received Captain Elliot in his own covered barge, unattended by any -mandarins of rank, and without any display or attempt at effect. - -Captain Elliot, on his part, having merely introduced the officers who -came up with him from Macao, in order that they might make their bow -of respect to the emperor's representative, immediately proceeded to -business without loss of time, in the most private manner possible. -During the few minutes that his suite were present, however, it did not -escape their notice that some mighty change had already come over the -spirit of the great commissioner. There was an appearance of constraint -about him, as if his mind was downcast, and his heart burdened and -heavily laden. He never indeed for a moment lost his self-possession, -or that dignified courtesy of manner which no people can better assume -than the Chinese of rank; but there was still something undefinable -in his bearing, which impressed upon all present the conviction that -something untoward had happened. Some of the party even guessed that -he had been degraded from his high rank, which was, in fact, the case. -Enough, at all events, was visible upon the surface, to awaken Captain -Elliot to the necessity of extreme tact and caution, before he placed -any reliance upon Keshen's power, whatever may have been his _will_, to -act up to his promises. - -What may have passed at this second interview between these two high -representatives it is not the place here to discuss; suffice it to say, -that the conference on this day lasted no less than six hours, and -was renewed on the following morning for about three hours more. This -will be enough to shew that many points of great importance and some -minuteness must have been closely debated. - -Keshen, meantime, was doubtless fully aware, that not one single iota -of what he might promise would ever be acceded to by his haughty -master; and, therefore, his only object in protracting the discussion -and entering into the "troublesome minutiae of commerce" must have -been to leave something still _open_ to discussion, and some points -remaining to investigate "upon principles of the purest reason." - -How great must have been his rejoicing when he at length succeeded in -winning from Captain Elliot a further delay of ten days, for the fair -preparation of a definitive treaty for his signature! What a heavy -weight must have been removed from his oppressed spirit, when he at -length beheld the dreaded steamer depart peaceably from the Bogue! The -certain reprieve of ten days, in which he might, perhaps, complete the -preparations already commenced, and even far advanced for the defence -of his strongest positions, was indeed a piece of unlooked-for good -fortune. - -The formal drawing out of the definitive treaty was hastened on, in -order that every excuse for further delay on the part of Keshen might -be removed. Indeed, ten days had only been fixed as the _longest_ -period, within which, if the treaty were not executed, hostilities -would be renewed. - -Perhaps, after all, it redounded to our credit that extreme measures -were only at length adopted, when every other means of effecting a -settlement had been tried in vain. Forbearance towards a feeble enemy, -as long as there was the faintest hope of bringing him to reason by -simpler means, will redound more to our honour in the pages of future -history, than a precipitate display of our energy and our power. At -all events the treaty which was ultimately concluded was much more -advantageous to commerce and civilization in general than it would -probably have been had an earlier settlement taken place. The Chinese -were brought to yield by _degrees_, and, therefore, the compact is much -more likely to be durable than if it had been wrung from them by an -earlier and more sudden emergency. - -Nevertheless, before even the draught of the proposed treaty had been -fully drawn up at Macao, rumours were continually brought concerning -the extensive preparations for defence which were still going on up the -river. Some naval and military officers were accordingly sent up to the -Bogue, to ascertain how far these rumours might be well founded; and -it was now discovered "that military works upon a great scale were in -progress, that troops were collected upon the heights, that entrenched -camps were being formed on both sides of the river, and that the island -of North Wantung was bristling with cannon." - -These preparations certainly looked very unlike the preliminaries to -the signature of a treaty of peace; "and from this moment," says Sir -Gordon Bremer, "I must confess that my faith in the sincerity of the -Chinese commissioner was completely destroyed." It was in fact to be no -longer doubted that hostilities would be speedily resumed. And although -the orders of the emperor to Keshen to cancel the treaty agreed on, and -to provide means for the immediate extermination of the foreigners had -not then been made public, enough was already known to make it evident -that the intentions of the government were very far from being of a -peaceful nature. - -On his side, Captain Elliot had done his utmost to impress the Chinese -with a confidence in his "good faith;" and so anxious was he to hasten -the evacuation of Chusan, that he had not only sent up a vessel of war -to convey the necessary orders, but had also forwarded an _overland -despatch_, by the hands of a Chinese special messenger, to the same -purport. - -Scarcely a month, however, had elapsed when Captain Elliot began to -doubt whether the Chinese really meant to act up to _their_ promises -with equal good faith. On the 20th of January, he had declared, in a -public proclamation, that he had no reason to call in question the -"scrupulous sincerity and _enlarged opinions_ of the very eminent -person with whom negotiations had been pending;" and it was just a -month afterwards, on the 20th of February, that he declared that -the "imperial minister and high commissioner had failed to conclude -the treaty which had been sent up to the Bogue ready prepared for -signature." This document was carried up by the Nemesis. But, as -the commissioner had already left the Bogue and gone to Canton, it -was transmitted to him by the hands of a confidential person in -the employment of Keshen, who had been distinctly named to Captain -Elliot for the purpose. Four days were allowed for the return of the -messenger, and the Nemesis was directed to wait at the Bogue for the -answer, until the expiration of that period, when she was to return to -Macao, either with or without the treaty. - -As the time agreed on approached its expiration, reports became more -numerous than ever, concerning the hostile preparations in progress. -The edict of the emperor addressed to Keshen, before spoken of, was now -made public, and a proclamation was pasted on the walls of Canton, (but -whether by the orders of the viceroy or not does not appear certain,) -by which a reward of 50,000 dollars each was offered for the heads of -Captain Elliot and Sir Gordon Bremer! - -The four days of the stay of the Nemesis at the Bogue were not spent -unprofitably. Advantage was taken of this opportunity by Captain Hall -to examine the new works of the Chinese, many of which were still in -progress, (during a _truce_ and while a treaty of peace had been agreed -on!) Numerous sand-bag batteries had been erected, and others were in -course of completion, halfway up the hill of Anunghoy. Troops were -crowding upon the hills on the opposite side, while upon the Island of -North Wantung equal activity was displayed. - -But the observations were not limited entirely to the works at -the Bogue. Captain Hall set out with a single boat's crew upon an -adventurous and interesting excursion up Anson's Bay, to the mouth -of the river in which the junks had been destroyed on the day of the -Chuenpee. Just within the entrance, several large mandarin boats were -now observed collected together, and surrounded by a vast number of -labouring men. This excited some surprise, as there wore no works -visible upon which they could be employed; but the object of this -bustle was unexpectedly discovered afterwards. The mandarin boats and a -great part of the people, thinking probably that the single boat of the -Nemesis was only the advanced one of many others similar to those which -had destroyed their war-junks, made off as fast as they could, leaving -her to pursue her course unmolested. - -Having, in the former ascent of the river in the Nemesis, observed that -a branch of it turned off to the right towards Chuenpee, Captain Hall, -determined to explore it now. It branched off about one and a half -to two miles from the entrance, and soon led to a very considerable -village on the right or Chuenpee side, (in ascending,) while, nearly -opposite to it, a large sand-battery, recently erected, was discovered, -mounting eight guns, and further on, was a strong stone battery. -Neither of these fired at the boat, although the gunners ran down to -their guns, as if apprehensive of an attack. - -To the astonishment of all in the boat, it was now found that this -branch of the river, or creek, or whatever it might be called, instead -of leading further up the country, inland, gradually turned round and -encircled the whole of Chuenpee, communicating with the "outer waters" -to the southward of that promontory. Thus it was evident that Chuenpee -was an island. - -Having passed quite through the passage, so as to reach the point of -junction with the "outer waters," Captain Hall landed on Chuenpee in -company with Mr. Turner, the surgeon of the vessel, and Mr. Gray, a -midshipman of H.M.S. Herald, and, sending the boat round the promontory -to the opposite side, walked across without any molestation. Nothing -particular worth noticing was observed in this excursion, except the -large farm-houses, which were passed, together with several extensive -sugar-works, in full operation. - -A visit made to the Tycocktow side of the river was less promising, -although equally successful. It was thought desirable, on the following -day, to reconnoitre the defences in that direction; and accordingly -Captain Hall, accompanied by Mr. Compton, proceeded in the ship's -cutter across the river for that purpose. A large number of troops were -collected upon the heights, upon which were numerous tents; and several -large transport junks, not less than twenty sail, were hastily landing -troops, guns, and ammunition. It was also noticed that boats were -passing round at the back of the hill and works, through a large canal -or creek; so that, although it was not possible to explore the lines of -communication from one part to the other, it became very evident that -the neighbourhood of the river, although apparently mountainous and -rugged, was accessible to boats on all sides, and was in fact composed -of distinct islands. - -The question of the intentions of the Chinese was soon decided; for the -fort on Wantung, as the boat passed between it and the mainland, on -that side, fired at it with round shot. There was no mistaking the tone -of defiance which this indicated; but Captain Hall was sufficiently -acquainted with the Chinese character to be reluctant to turn back at -this threat, because the affair would have been reported as a great -victory, with their usual exaggeration. The little bow-gun of the boat -was therefore instantly fired at the troops who were looking over the -battlements of the fort; and no further molestation being attempted -by the Chinese, she again pursued her way, content with this token of -defiance. - -These little reconnoitring excursions sufficed to shew, were anything -still wanting to bring conviction to the most unbelieving, that the -Chinese were fully aware that no treaty of peace was likely to be -signed, and that they looked forward to the resumption of hostilities, -not only without much apprehension, but with tolerable confidence in -the probability of their own success. - -On the evening of the 18th, the four days agreed on for the return of -the messenger from Canton having fully expired, the Nemesis was moved -up from Chuenpee to the Bogue, where she remained one hour, waiting for -an answer from the imperial commissioner. None, however, was brought; -and as everything now so plainly indicated that cannon-balls alone were -to be expected as a reply, Captain Hall resolved to return to Macao, -and report all that had been seen and done to the plenipotentiary and -the commander-in-chief. Not a moment was lost in communicating the -results of the reconnoitring excursions, the firing of a shot from -North Wantung, and the non-appearance of the messenger at the appointed -time. - -The most incredulous now no longer doubted; the film was raised even -from before the eyes of Captain Elliot himself, and orders were given -that all the officers should join their respective ships. The light -division, which was then in the roads of Macao, or at the mouth of -the river, was placed under the orders of Captain Herbert (since made -K.C.B.) of the Calliope, and was directed to proceed immediately to -the Bogue. It consisted of the Calliope, Samarang, Herald, Alligator, -Sulphur, and the Nemesis; and the object was "to prevent, as much as -possible, any further defensive preparations on the part of the enemy, -but not to run any unnecessary hazard until the main body of the force -came up." At the same time, the commodore hastened over to Hong-Kong, -in the Madagascar steamer, for the purpose of taking up the ships -of the line, consisting of the Wellesley, Blenheim, and Melville, -seventy-fours, and the steamers, Queen and Madagascar; leaving the -Druid, with the Jupiter troop-ship, and the transports, Sophia, -Minerva, Thetis, and Eagle, to follow. - -These active measures were briefly announced by Captain Elliot, in a -circular issued on the same day to the following effect, simply stating -that "circumstances had induced the commander-in-chief to announce -to H.M. plenipotentiary his intention to move the forces towards the -Bocca Tigris,"--from which it would seem that the responsibility of -this inevitable measure was rather assumed by Sir Gordon Bremer than -by the plenipotentiary; but Captain Elliot had also written to Captain -Herbert, stating that he left him at liberty, and _moved_ to prevent -the continuance of defensive preparations at the Bogue. - -It was on the day following this movement (the 20th) that Keshen's -notification of his unwillingness to continue negotiations became -known at Macao; and shortly afterwards, the emperor's edict (before -alluded to) was also promulgated, in which every proposed measure of -conciliation towards the foreigners was recalled, and orders given, on -the other hand, that "they should be rooted out entirely." - -On the morning of the 21st, a reconnoitring party landed, unperceived, -upon the island of Wantung, consisting of Captains Elliot, Herbert, -and Belcher, and Lieutenant Stransham, and they were able to count -seventeen more guns, newly-mounted, in addition to those which had been -observed on the former occasion. - -The truce had already fully expired, but hostilities did not commence -immediately, as might have been expected. On the 22nd, a Chinese -boat happened to be stopped, in which was found a messenger, who was -recognised by Lieutenant Watson as an active agent of the Chinese -authorities. It was naturally suspected that he was the bearer of -orders of some kind or other to the local officers, and such was found -to be the case. They were addressed to Admiral Kwan, desiring him to -hurry on the stopping-up of the channel which runs at the back of -Anunghoy, by which the latter becomes an island. The means employed -were stones and stakes, and sunken junks, which had been collected in -large quantities at a place called Sanmannkow, which must have been -the large town known to lie in the rear of Anunghoy. Thus all our -observations respecting the intentions of the authorities were fully -confirmed, and it could now no longer be doubted, on our part, that a -heavy blow must at once be struck. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[23] In no part of China are there found within the same distance so -many large pagodas or religions monuments as upon the banks of this -fine river. This is not the place to describe them minutely, or to -discuss their purpose. They are found in most of the large towns, and -sometimes on the banks of rivers, and form a part of the religious -buildings of the Budhist superstition, and together with it, seem to -have been originally introduced from the west. The shape of them is -familiar to most readers. The finest and most celebrated one of the -kind is the famous Porcelain Tower of Nankin; which is in reality a -pagoda, larger and more ornamented than the rest, and distinguished -by being principally constructed of Porcelain brick glazed, and of -various shades of colour. These towers, or pagodas, are of great use -in the navigation of the Canton river, as, from their height, they -are conspicuous objects at a distance, and are generally placed in -advantageous positions. - -[24] The Hong merchants' boats are both large and convenient, somewhat -resembling a small room or van, placed upon a very sharp-pointed but -broad boat, as they are only used for pulling about the smooth waters -of the river. Nothing can be better adapted to comfort, affording -shelter both from the sun and rain, with plenty of room for at least -half-a-dozen people to sit down and converse. The outside of these -boats is showily painted, and commonly decorated with handsome -wood-work. The inside is generally elegantly fitted up. They are -usually pulled by four men forward, who use a short broad-bladed oar or -paddle, with great dexterity and effect; and they are also assisted as -well as steered by a large heavy scull-oar behind. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - - -Keshen, who had spent all his life either in large provincial capitals -or in the imperial city itself, could have had little opportunity of -learning anything either relating to foreign trade or foreign ships, -still less was he acquainted with the "outer waters" along the coast of -the empire. - -After describing them to his imperial master, he boldly ventures his -opinion, that the reputation of the fortifications of the Bocca Tigris, -as a place of defence, have been much overrated, and he goes on to -say--"It is, then, clear that we have no defences worthy to be called -such. It is, in truth, the local character of the country, that there -is no important point of defence by which the whole may be maintained." - -No wonder that such a declaration from a man who was also the third -member of the imperial cabinet, taken, as it was, from personal -observation, should have sounded unpalatable and even traitorous to the -emperor's ear. But this was not all. Indeed, one might almost imagine -that some European must have pointed out to him defects which his own -unpractised and unaided eye could never have detected. - -Lin, on the other hand, had never dared to report to his master the -full extent of the information which was given to him, though he -was fully prepared to adopt every advice which tended to obstruct -the commerce of England, and impede an amicable settlement of the -difficulties. - -Such truths are always hard to bear, and harder to believe, and were -consequently _not_ believed, _because_ they were true. But Keshen did -his best to improve his weapons; he sent for a founder of cannon, who -gave him a new model, and undertook to make some experimental pieces. -Yet it did not escape Keshen that, even if he succeeded in casting good -cannon, he could only do so as a preparation _for the future_. "They -could not be ready," says he, "for the business we have now in hand. -These are the proofs," he adds, "of the inefficiency of our military -armament, which is such _that no reliance can be placed upon it_." - -He proceeded to say that it would be necessary to employ a naval -as well as a land force to defend the Bogue, but then threw out a -suspicion that the seamen were not to be depended on, for that "he had -heard a report that, after the battle of Chuenpee, these men all went -to their commander, or Tetuh, and demanded money of him, threatening -that they would otherwise disperse; and he had, therefore, personally -made inquiry into the matter, and found that the report was perfectly -true, and, moreover, that the Tetuh, having no other remedy, (evidently -the pay was in arrear,) was obliged to _pawn his own clothes and other -things_, by which means he was enabled to give each of them a bonus of -two dollars, and thus only could he get them to remain for a time at -their posts."[25] - -Moreover, he added, "our ships of war are not large and strong, and it -is difficult to mount heavy guns upon them. Hence it is evident that -our force here, (he was writing at the Bogue,) as a guard and defence -against the foreigners, is insufficient." - -Keshen next remarked upon the character of the people of the province. -"Your slave has found them ungrateful and avaricious. Of those who are -actual traitors it is unnecessary to say anything. But the rest are -accustomed to see the foreigners day by day, and intimacy has grown up -between them." And he proceeds to contrast them very unfavourably with -the people of Chusan, "who felt at once that the foreigners were of -_another race_."[26] - -Keshen then appealed to the history of the past, and made particular -allusion to the difficulty which had formerly been experienced, in -overcoming even the pirates upon the coast, who were at length only -reduced to submission by a promise of security upon condition of laying -down their arms.[27] Finally he expressed great fear, that if he gave -battle, he would be unable to command a victory, and, in that case, the -dignity of the empire would be sullied, and the lives of the people -sacrificed. - -To understand the full importance of these remarks, it is necessary -to bear in mind that they were written before the action of the Bogue -took place, and as a ground for asking for the emperor's consent to the -terms proposed by Captain Elliot. Others, however, were called to aid -in his councils at this time, and, among the high officers of Canton, -Lin himself was consulted. They appeared to concur with Keshen; at all -events, they knew that upon his head would rest all the responsibility. - -The memorial containing Captain Elliot's demands was sent up to Pekin, -together with this report, which was founded upon personal observation; -and Keshen implored the emperor to look with pity upon "his -black-haired flock, the people, and that he would be graciously pleased -to accede to the requests made by the foreigners, and to grant them -favours beyond measure. Thus," he added, "shall we lay the foundation -for victory hereafter, by binding and curbing the foreigners now, while -we _prepare_ the means of cutting them off at some future period." - -Keshen was a true Chinaman of the new school, (for there are new -schools even in antique China,) and, in most respects, the very -opposite of Lin. Sensible of the weakness of his country when matched -with England, conscious of his inability to fight his enemy with -success, he nevertheless hazarded the chance, when the _commands_ of -the emperor compelled him to aim the blow. He, however, did his utmost -to gain time, and even endeavoured to impose upon Captain Elliot, -and to hope against hope itself. After all that Keshen had said, the -defence of the Bogue was conducted, as we shall now perceive, with more -energy than might have been expected, and, indeed, with considerable -spirit. - -On the following morning, at dawn, the Nemesis took Captain Elliot -once more up to the Bogue, where he remained about an hour, as if in -anxious expectation of some communication from the shore. But this -last lingering hope was again deceived. Captain Elliot, being now -fully satisfied that no peaceable communication from the Chinese was -any longer to be expected, finally left the Bogue, and finding H.M.S. -Herald at anchor off Lankeet, just below Chuenpee, he went on board -that vessel, leaving the Nemesis to pursue her way down to Hong-Kong. - -On the 22nd, Captain Herbert, with the light squadron, took up his -position at the anchorage off South Wantung, where Captain Elliot -announced to him that Keshen had failed to conclude the treaty, and -that he was therefore to consider himself moved, to prevent the -continuance of the defensive preparations. The Nemesis having joined -him from Hong-Kong on the 23rd, Captain Herbert embarked on board that -vessel, and, taking with him the pinnaces of the Calliope, Samarang, -Herald, and Alligator, commanded by Lieutenants Watson, Bower, Dewes, -and Woolcomb, proceeded up Anson's Bay to explore the river before -described as opening at the bottom of it. - -It was reported that the Chinese were staking it across; and, from the -bustle which had been previously observed there, when the boat of the -Nemesis ventured into it, there was reason to believe that hostile -preparations were being made. Moreover, it was thought advisable, if -possible, to examine the channel which had been found to lead round in -the rear of Anunghoy; for upon this fortress, as the most extensive of -the defences of the Bogue, it was thought the principal attack of the -squadron would be made. Suspicion was also excited by the contents of -the intercepted despatch of Keshen to Admiral Kwan. - -On entering the river, it was no longer to be doubted that preparations -for defence had been commenced. A great number of boats were observed -busily employed in driving stakes or piles into the bed of the river, -across which others were trying to moor a strong raft. No sooner was -the steamer discovered approaching, than the boats all pulled away, -and the Chinese were seen scampering off as fast as possible. However, -when it came to the point of pulling up the stakes, in order to make a -passage between them for the boats which were in tow, all on a sudden -a heavy discharge from a masked battery, close abreast of the spot, -was poured upon them, and at once betrayed the cause of the secret -preparations before observed. - -The steamer immediately poured in a volley of grape and canister -from her bow and stern guns, while the boats pulled away towards the -shore, to carry the works by storm, opening their fire from their -bow-guns as they advanced. The Chinese fled, after some resistance; -and the battery, which was of very recent construction, was at once -taken possession of by the crews of the boats, the colours being taken -by Lieutenant Bowers. It was found to mount twenty guns of various -calibre, which were immediately destroyed. There were also lying on -the ground a vast number of guns dismounted, probably not less than -sixty, which appeared to have been landed out of their junks, or -recovered after the destruction of their fleet in the bay. These were -all rendered useless, with the exception of a few brass ones, which -were carried away as trophies. Their magazines and buildings were also -totally destroyed. The number of killed among the Chinese were about -thirty, but no wounded were found, as they had probably been carried -off by their companions in arms. On our side no casualties happened. - -Content, for the present, with this successful feat, Captain Herbert -returned in the Nemesis, and rejoined the squadron, at its anchorage, -a little to the southward of South Wantung. On the following morning -they all returned to the scene of the previous exploit, and set about -pulling up the piles, to clear a passage. This time, likewise, they -were fired at, but from a different quarter. The Chinese troops, posted -on the hills above, commenced firing at the working party, but it was -soon returned from the thirty-two-pounders, by which they were speedily -dispersed. A passage having at length been cleared, the Nemesis -steamed up the river for some distance, until she had nearly reached -the large town at the back of Anunghoy; but, as there appeared to be -no further hostile preparations going on, Captain Herbert thought it -better to return and complete the destruction of the fort, raft, &c., -which had been only partially done the day before; after which they -returned to the squadron, which the commodore himself had now joined, -with the three line-of-battle ships and the Druid. - -The next day, the 25th of February, was the great day of preparation -for the combined and resolute attack of all the Bogue forts. The -batteries which were to be reduced were as follows:--The geographical -positions of the Bogue have already been described. Beginning from -the south end of the promontory of Anunghoy, which of course you -approach first, there were several strong works along the shore, the -ridges on the hill's side above being also armed with guns wherever -they could be conveniently placed; and upon the top, which was pretty -steep, an entrenched camp had been formed, calculated for about twelve -hundred men. On this side were two considerable sand-batteries, not -long erected, mounting, as was afterwards found, thirty guns of small -calibre. - -Proceeding on along the front was the old battery of Anunghoy, which, -in a manner, seemed to have given place to a new and extremely well -built one, partly of granite and partly of chunam, and reaching down -almost to high-water mark. The rear of this battery, running up the -steep hill-side, was enclosed by a high wall, on which were steps or -platforms for firing musketry. - -Continuing our survey of the walls parallel with the passage through -the Bogue, and passing out of the southern fort by its northern gate, -you found a line of steep rocky beach, about two to three hundred -yards long, and unprotected, which led to the northern Anunghoy fort. -Upon this beach was erected a sort of platform, made of wood, serving -merely as a line of communication between the forts, for the passage -of troops. Having traversed this causeway, you arrive at the northern -fort. This was a less formidable one than its fellow lower down, but -still it presented an extensive line of works. The whole together -completely defended the river front of the promontory of Anunghoy. The -number of guns mounted upon all these works was afterwards found to -be very great, and the long line of embrasures certainly looked very -formidable. - -The island of North Wantung, which is opposite to these forts, was -thickly studded with cannon all over. Its eastern side presented a -formidable line of guns, and was considered by the Chinese to be its -most important side of defence, for it fronted Anunghoy, commanding -the passage between them; here they had planted some of their largest -guns. An object upon which they had placed great reliance was the large -chain cable which they had carried across the passage from Anunghoy -to a rock close to Wantung, and which they had secured into the solid -rock on either side, something after the manner of the chains of a -suspension bridge. The rafts which supported it were strongly moored, -and the Chinese had adopted a curious contrivance for raising or -lowering the chain, for the purpose of letting their own junks pass -through, by means of a kind of windlass. - -A passage was not forced through this chain and rafts until after the -forts were taken; and the Chinese appeared to forget that there was -another channel round the west side of Wantung, and that even had that -been impassable, we could have sent our light steamers, rocket-boats, -and gun-boats, round the back of Anunghoy itself. They, moreover, made -little calculation of the great power of the rising and falling of the -tide, the weight and strength of a line-of-battle ship, or the terrific -power of her broadside. - -The little island of South Wantung had been unaccountably left -unoccupied by the Chinese; but, in reality, it was within range, -and well commanded by the strong batteries and Hill Fort upon North -Wantung. The oversight rendered their positions much less tenable, and -soon decided the plan of attack which was adopted by Sir Gordon Bremer. -It was as follows: a battery of two 8-inch iron and one 24-pounder -brass howitzers was to be erected during the night, in a hollow, -upon the top of this little island of South Wantung, which was very -favourably situated for the object required. This battery would not -only greatly annoy the Chinese in the northern island, and probably -shell them out, but also distract their attention from the attack upon -Anunghoy. - -The commodore reserved to himself (with the Wellesley, 74, and Druid, -42) the attack on the south-west batteries of Wantung, that is, on -the side not fronting Anunghoy; while Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, in the -Blenheim, 74, with the Melville, 74, and The Queen Steamer, together -with the rocket-boats of the two ships, was to attack the batteries of -Anunghoy, using his own discretion as to the best mode for placing them -for that purpose. The light division under Capt. Herbert, consisting -of the Calliope, Samarang, Herald, Alligator, Sulphur, and Modeste, -were to direct their attention to the batteries on the northern and -north-western side of Wantung, and also those facing Anunghoy, and -either to anchor or keep under weigh, according as it might appear -most likely to ensure the object in view. The Madagascar and Nemesis -steamers were to land the troops, but the latter was more particularly -employed to cover the working party, who were to raise the battery on -South Wantung, and also the troops on shore. - -It was not likely that the land forces would have much to do; but it -was directed that detachments of the 26th and 49th regiments, with -the 37th M.N.I. and Bengal volunteers, under the command of Major -Pratt, of the 26th, should be placed on board the steamers and the -transport-boats, together with a few Chinese boats collected for the -purpose, and they were to remain off the southern end of South Wantung, -protected from the fire of the enemy's guns, until the Chinese should -be driven out of the batteries, when their subsequent movements were -to be directed by signal. The royal marines also, under Capt. Ellis, -were to be held in readiness to land with the troops, and were to be -accompanied by the two 6-pounder field-pieces of the Wellesley and -Druid, with seamen to work and drag them; scaling-ladders were also to -be carried with the force. - -Soon after mid-day, on the 25th, the Nemesis took on board a detachment -of one hundred and thirty of the Madras Native Infantry, for the -purpose of assisting the royal artillery, under Capt. Knowles and -Lieut. Spencer, in the erection of the mortar battery upon the top of -South Wantung; and they were accompanied by Lieut. Johnson and Lieut. -Rundall, of the Madras Engineers, with the same object. On her way -across, the guns of the large Anunghoy Fort opened upon her, and were -fired with tolerable precision, many of them passing quite near her, -but fortunately without doing any damage. On arriving at the southern -end of South Wantung, it was found that Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, had -already arrived in his own boat, together with a detachment of the -Royal and Madras Artillery. The Anunghoy Battery continued firing, but -without effect, and it was not returned for some time, by the orders of -the commodore. However, as soon as the detachments were landed, Sir Le -Fleming Senhouse himself gave Capt. Hall permission to return the fire. -No time was lost in landing ammunition and warlike implements upon the -island, and parties were busily employed filling sand-bags preparatory -to the erection of the battery above, the whole working party being -perfectly protected from the fire of the Chinese. - -In the meantime, the batteries on North Wantung began to open on the -Nemesis; and, in order that she might get completely under cover of -the island of South Wantung, she was run full in upon the shore, which -was somewhat steep in that part; and thus she lay literally with her -head out of water, and her stern deep in it, without receiving any -injury; her light draught of water enabled her to approach closer than -any other vessel could have done. In this manner, all the shot of the -batteries passed over her, without doing any mischief. The fire was not -returned, both owing to the position in which she was, and because it -could only have served to point out, in the darkness of the night, the -situation of the working parties upon the island. - -At daylight the battery was quite completed, and the Nemesis was -ordered to withdraw; not long after which, the new battery opened -fire in beautiful style, against North Wantung, under the direction -of Capt. Knowles. The rockets were thrown into it with great effect, -and, together with the shells, could be seen to fall directly within -the forts; this was shortly followed by a blaze of fire, from the -burning of the Custom House and other buildings; soon after which, the -outworks and sand-batteries were abandoned, and the Chinese took refuge -principally in the upper fort. Their loss must have been considerable -at all points; and the panic created by the bursting of the shells and -rockets, which were quite new to them, evidently threw them into great -disorder. It was reported, and there is reason to believe with truth, -that the Chinese officers abandoned the place at the first commencement -of the firing, and ran down to their boats, having locked the gates -behind them, to prevent their own troops from following their example. - -The grand combined attack was to have commenced early in the morning, -and the troops were ordered to be in readiness at seven o'clock. The -morning, however, was perfectly calm; the sun shone brilliantly, and -lighted up the scene of impending destruction and slaughter, as if -it were to be a scene of rejoicing. Until ten o'clock there was not -a breath of air; when, a light breeze springing up, the Melville and -Blenheim, accompanied by the Queen steamer, got under weigh, attended -by three rocket-boats, the Blenheim being the leading ship. They stood -in for the southern Anunghoy fort, running along towards the Anson's -Bay side of it, in order to be out of range of its guns in front, so -that they could throw in shot and shell upon its flank, without any -risk of receiving injury themselves. The hill of Anunghoy was crowned -with Chinese troops, their numerous silken banners floating gaily to -the now reviving breeze. Some of their guns were discharged at a great -distance; but the fire was kept up with spirit, though frequently out -of range. - -Not so, however, our own majestic ships, which slowly glided up to -their positions without wasting a single shot, until, having anchored -with springs on their cables, they could bring their broadsides to -bear. The Blenheim, although the leading ship, was either carried by -the tide, or else slightly touched the ground, and was soon overtaken -by the Melville, which succeeded in taking up a more advantageous -position in very gallant style. In the meantime, the Queen had -commenced throwing shell into the sand-batteries and other works upon -the hill's side; and, at the same time, the terrific broadsides of -the Melville and the Blenheim opened upon the great battery; the -rocket-boats also did their full share in the work of destruction. The -Chinese could not long withstand these simultaneous attacks.[28] - -At about the same time with the attack on Anunghoy, began also that -upon the batteries on the western and north-western side of Wantung, -partly under the commodore in person, and partly under Capt. Herbert. -The ships[29] waited to receive the fire of the forts pretty close, and -then at once poured in their iron shower upon the devoted batteries, -with destructive effect. It would have been impossible for any troops -to have long defended the island of Wantung, bristling though it -then was with cannon, against the powerful force arrayed against it. -Our battery of howitzers had been playing upon it for several hours; -and now six or seven men-of-war, including one line-of-battle ship, -the Wellesley, were battering it at the same time. But the defenders -could not run away, being shut in on every side by the river; and it -was perhaps fortunate for them that the Nemesis, which had already -been engaged with the different batteries, was sent down to fetch -the troop-boats from the southern island, under which they had been -sheltered. - -The land force was under the command of Major Pratt, of the -Cameronians, who was already well known to the Chinese at Chuenpee. The -detachments of the 26th and 49th were under Major Johnson, the marines -under Capt. Ellis, the 37th M.N.I, under Capt. Duff, and the Bengal -Volunteers under Capt. Mee. - -The scene on all sides at this moment was extremely imposing. The light -breeze, which had barely served to bring the ships into position, had -quite died away when the thunder of artillery commenced, as if it were -unwilling to take them back again until their work was fully done. -The heavy, curling smoke, scarcely broken by an occasional flash, -hung gloomily on every side, as if to veil from sight the scene of -destruction which was going on. For a time the firing ceased, in order -to allow the smoke to rise; and, just at that moment, the troops were -hastening towards Wantung, to take possession of the works, the firing -of which had also ceased. At the same time, Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, -with the marines and a party of blue-jackets, landed, to the attack of -Anunghoy. - -At half-past one the troops were landed on Wantung by the Nemesis -and Madagascar, assisted by boats. The object was of course to reach -the hill fort as quickly as possible, and had the Chinese been better -acquainted with the rules of European warfare, they would probably -have at once surrendered themselves, seeing the utter hopelessness -of resistance. Probably the fear of being put to death as prisoners -prevented this timely sparing of blood. Our gallant troops and seamen -pushed rapidly up the ascent over the ruined outworks, and might have -suffered severe loss before they could have taken possession of the -upper fort, had not the Chinese been almost panic-struck, or had they -possessed weapons better calculated for the purpose of defence. But, -instead of surrendering or accepting quarter, they again ran out of the -fort and down the hill, and many of the poor fellows were shot in their -vain attempts to fly, without any possible means of escape. The greater -part of these took refuge in the lower Custom House fort, where many -of them were killed and wounded before the rest surrendered, which, -however, they at length did, to the number of about one thousand. -The prisoners were soon afterwards taken to the mainland, and set at -liberty, equally astonished as they were rejoiced at our leniency. - -The Nemesis, in the meantime, had gone over to Anunghoy, to render -assistance, if required, and there observed the marines and seamen of -the Blenheim and Melville, under Sir Le F. Senhouse, in the act of -taking possession of the forts. It appears that they landed without -much opposition, though they were only three hundred in number; and not -only passed through the southern fort, driving the Chinese up the hill -above, but also proceeded along the beach towards the northern fort, of -which they also made themselves masters, the Chinese having fled. - -Whatever doubts Keshen himself had entertained concerning the -defensibility of the Bogue, he had too much discretion to communicate -them either to his officers or troops. They had little anticipation of -the total defeat which they were soon to sustain, for they had made -rude sketches delineating the entire destruction of our ships by the -terrible fire of their artillery. - -The British flag had by this time supplanted that of China upon all the -defences of the Bogue. It was little past two o'clock, and ample time -yet remained to turn the victory to the greatest possible advantage -before the close of the day. The Nemesis once more crossed over to -Wantung, and as she drew so little water, was enabled to run close in, -and make fast to the lower fort itself. Nothing, however, of a hostile -character remained to be done in this quarter, but there was yet ample -room to perform the more humane duty of assisting the unfortunate -Chinese. Many of these poor fellows were floating about in the water, -clinging in despair to any small piece of wood or bamboo they might -have the good fortune to find. Many were drowned, as had before been -the case at Chuenpee, but many yet remained to be saved. Boats were -sent out for this purpose, but the Chinese notions of warfare were of -such a barbarous nature, that they seemed to think the only object -of any attempt to save them was to reserve them for slow torture, -mutilation, or death.[30] The poor fellows dived their heads under -water as the boats approached them, attempting to drown themselves, and -thus escape falling into our hands. Many were, nevertheless, dragged -out, and carried on board the steamer, where they appeared bewildered -by astonishment more than by fear, when they found that they were -kindly treated. All of them were soon afterwards liberated without any -conditions, and they then appeared thankful for their escape. - -The day was now far advanced, but there still remained a fort and -encampment to be taken possession of on the opposite side of the river, -usually called Little Tycocktow, facing the western side of Wantung. -There was every probability that these would be carried without -resistance, for the Wellesley had already seriously damaged the fort, -by her beautiful firing of shells, in the morning, and the Modeste had -also contributed to silence it. A party of the Wellesley's marines were -embarked in her own boats, about four o'clock, under Lieut. Maitland, -and proceeded across, in company with the Nemesis, in order to complete -the day's work. A few shots were fired by her as she approached the -fort, but, finding they were not returned, the boats pushed off to -land, including the boats of the Nemesis, with Capt. Hall and Lieut -Pedder. The fort was found abandoned; and having taken possession of -it, they advanced up the hill in the rear with all speed, as they -observed a body of Chinese in disorder, close to an encampment upon the -top of it. However, on the approach of the little party, they fled into -the interior, abandoning their lines, magazines, &c. These were all set -fire to and destroyed, and the effect of the blaze, which lasted for a -considerable time, becoming more vivid as the night closed in, spread -far and wide, among the distant inhabitants of the country, the general -panic which had already seized their troops. The conflagration extended -itself on all sides, much beyond the original site of the encampment, -and threw its lurid glare over the scene of slaughter and confusion of -the day. Having spiked the guns in the fort, the boats returned with -their crews to their respective ships. - -Thus closed the eventful day of the capture of the famous Bogue -forts, and the total dispersion of their unfortunate defenders. Had -the Chinese been better armed, and more experienced in the important -science of gunnery, the capture of the forts would have cost us a much -greater sacrifice of human life. On this occasion, so trifling was -the latter, that at 3 P.M., when Captain Elliot issued his circular -announcing the fall of the batteries of the Bocca Tigris, to her -Majesty's forces, he added, that "no loss on our side had been reported -up to that hour." Sir Gordon Bremer had only subsequently to report, -that "_five men_ were slightly wounded, throughout the whole force." -Much surprise, however, was created by this announcement, for the -firing was for some time kept up with spirit from the forts. It was -also recorded with the utmost minuteness, "that the main-topmast and -fore-yard of the Blenheim were shot through, one gun was rendered -unserviceable, and there were several shots in the hull; that the -Melville had also a shot in one of her top-masts; that the Calliope was -struck; and that other ships had just a rope cut here and there." No -one could dispute the triumphant declaration of the commander-in-chief, -that he was "convinced that almost any number of men the Chinese could -collect, would not be able to stand against the animated gallantry of -his men for an instant." - -It is to be regretted that the loss on the side of the Chinese, in -killed and wounded, should have been so considerable. Thirteen hundred -prisoners were taken, but were set at liberty soon afterwards; and, -altogether, upwards of five hundred were killed and wounded during the -day. Many of the Chinese officers boldly and nobly met their death, -some even courted it; they dreaded their master's wrath and their own -degradation more than the loss of life at the hands of their country's -foe. Among these, the most distinguished and most lamented, was poor -old Admiral Kwan, whose death excited much sympathy throughout the -force; he fell by a bayonet wound in his breast, as he was meeting his -enemy at the gate of Anunghoy, yielding up his brave spirit willingly -to a soldier's death, when his life could only be preserved with the -certainty of degradation. He was altogether a fine specimen of a -gallant soldier, unwilling to yield when summoned to surrender, because -to yield would imply treason. - -Kwan's body was claimed and recognised by his own family the following -day, and was of course readily given up to them. A salute of -minute-guns was fired to his honour from the Blenheim, as a brave but -fallen enemy. It will be remembered that he was the same distinguished -personage who lost his red button or ball during the engagement with -the war-junks in Anson's Bay, and obtained it back again, at his own -request, through Capt. Elliot's intercession. - -The resistance which the Chinese _might_ have offered to our forces -will be seen from the following account of the ordnance captured -during the day. On the southern Anunghoy fort, were 107 guns, of -various calibre; one being a 68-pounder, one a 42, and a good many of -32, 24, and 18. Four of them were very large brass guns, made by the -Portuguese, in 1627, two of these being upwards of eleven feet long, -and ten inches and three-quarters in diameter of the bore; three of the -iron ones were of English manufacture, and the remainder were heavy -Chinese guns. On the northern Anunghoy fort were 40 guns, about half of -them varying from 18 to 42-pounders. All of these were Chinese. At the -two sand-bag batteries, erected to the eastward of the southern fort, -were about 30 guns of small calibre; so that there were altogether on -that side of the river one hundred and seventy-seven guns. Again, upon -the little fortified island of North Wantung, were planted upwards of -one hundred and sixty guns, of which, however, one third were very -small, and of little service; and another third of them varied only -from six to twelve pounders. The remainder were mostly very good, -and some very heavy guns; one being a 68, and another a 42-pounder. -Several of these bore a curious inscription, similar to some others -subsequently taken on Lord Napier's fort, near Canton. - -On the fort and works, on the mainland, on the western side of the -river, facing Wantung, were also mounted about forty guns. Thus, the -whole number captured in this day's operations amounted to three -hundred and eighty pieces of cannon; to which, if we add eighty pieces -more, captured on the preceding day by the Nemesis and boats, under -Capt. Herbert, at the masked battery and stockades in the river, -at the bottom of Anson's Bay, we shall find the whole number taken -and destroyed in these two days alone, at the first resumption of -hostilities, to have amounted to four hundred and sixty pieces. - -Immediately after the British flag was planted triumphantly upon the -forts of the Bogue, or at any rate before the close of the day, a -notice was issued by Commodore Sir Gordon Bremer, by which the blockade -of the river of Canton was raised. British and foreign merchant-ships -were now permitted to proceed as far as the Bogue, and were to be -allowed to go further up the river, as soon as the obstructions to the -navigation could be removed. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[25] This was, on more than one occasion, the case during the war. -Soldiers were often found among the killed and wounded each having two -dollars on their persons, and, on one occasion, even six dollars. - -[26] This, probably, alludes to the maxim of the Chinese moral code, -which says that it should be remembered that a "foreigner, though he be -a good man, and on terms of intimacy with you, is still _of a different -race_." - -[27] This alludes to the famous pirate Kochinga, who was bought off and -made an admiral. - -[28] During the heat of the action against the batteries of Anunghoy, -a very dashing thing was done by Commander Sullivan, who was serving -as a supernumerary commander on board the Melville. One of the boats -got adrift, owing to some accident, and was being carried by the -tide close in under the batteries. The instant this was perceived by -Commander Sullivan, he jumped into his gig, and pulled off to recover -the boat, in doing which he was of course exposed to the close fire of -the batteries, but he fortunately escaped unhurt, and brought the boat -safely back. This little spirited incident was not taken public notice -of. - -[29] Consisting of the Wellesley and Druid, with the Calliope, -Samarang, Herald, Alligator, Modeste, and Sulphur. - -[30] The Chinese rarely make any effort to save even their own -countrymen from being drowned. Indeed, should a common boatman tumble -overboard accidentally, his own companions in the boat will often give -him no assistance, particularly if he is really in danger of being -drowned without it. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - - -The great event which has now been described, the capture of the -Bogue forts, though purchased at a very small sacrifice on the part -of the victors, derived an immense importance from the greatness of -the sacrifice in reference to the Chinese. Although the cautious -discernment of a few men like Keshen might have appreciated the -strength of their enemy, and the comparative weakness of their -own defences, the fact of the fall of the Bogue forts, which were -considered by the Chinese throughout the empire, as well as by the -government, to be impregnable, created a degree of alarm in the public -mind without parallel since the Tartar conquest. Whatever reliance the -authorities on the spot, and the overweening arrogance of a population -accustomed only to the "submission" of foreigners, may have placed in -the efficiency of other recent preparations of a different description -higher up the river, these could never inspire confidence in the mass -of the nation, or even in the government, to whom the nature of them -could be little known. - -The fall of the Bocca Tigris at once destroyed the charm of its -supposed strength, and the loss of a feudal tower of old could hardly -have spread more consternation among a host of vassals, than did the -fall of the Bogue forts among the Chinese nation. Totally inexperienced -in the horrors of war, they retained a sort of hereditary pride in the -Bogue, as their great bulwark against the inroads of the foreigner. The -whole nation was at that time unprepared for war, and the government -without any organized system of defence. Hence it is not difficult -to perceive, that advantage might have been taken of their momentary -state of alarm, to have urged them at once to the conclusion of some -kind of peaceable settlement. The whole difficulty, however, at that -time, seems to have turned upon the question of the supply of tea. The -Chinese saw clearly the anxiety which we shewed to obtain the year's -crop, and they quickly boasted that "their tea and their rhubarb were -as necessary to the foreigner as air itself." However, it was resolved -at length, that we should dictate the terms of peace at Canton, rather -than at the Bogue, and, accordingly, the fleet prepared to proceed -immediately up the river. - -It will be remembered that a large chain cable had been thrown across -the river, supported by rafts, between Anunghoy and a little islet -close to South Wantung. It served them no good purpose whatever; and -after the ports were taken possession of, nothing was easier than to -remove this impediment to the navigation. The forts were next blown -up, or damaged as much as they could be, though not without great -labour and difficulty, arising from the heavy masses of stone and -chunam of which they were constructed. Chinese powder was, moreover, -used for the purpose, which, being less strong, though made as nearly -as possible with the same proportions and of the same materials as -our own, but with less care, added somewhat to the difficulty of the -task. Several days were occupied by the engineers, sappers, and miners, -assisted by seamen, in this laborious operation. It was, however, -effectually done at last, scarcely one stone being left standing upon -another. - -On the morning following the action, the light squadron under Captain -Herbert was ordered to proceed without delay up the river, in order -to follow up the advantages already gained by the panic created by -the capture of the Bogue. It consisted of the Calliope, Alligator, -Herald, Sulphur, and Modeste, with the Nemesis and Madagascar steamers. -The principal objects and the general aspect of the river, as far as -the second bar, (which is _below_ the first one,) have been already -described, in connexion with the account of the grand conference -between Keshen and Captain Elliot.[31] - -The whole of the neighbouring country on both sides is almost one -continued tract of swampy rice-ground, an additional proof of the -endless water-communications. Above the first bar, the river becomes -more intricate in its navigation, having its channel broken and -divided by several islands, and ceasing to be navigable for vessels -even of moderate size beyond Whampoa, at least by any channel which -had been at that time discovered. But it will be presently seen that -another passage was soon afterwards found. The anchorage at Whampoa -had heretofore been the resort of all the foreign trading ships, and -the surrounding country at all times presents a very picturesque and -refreshing appearance. The Canton river would seem at various times to -have been subject to a great rise in its waters, and thus, overflowing -the country through which it passes, to have formed for itself new -passages and lines of communication, which in some parts give it the -appearance of dividing itself into numerous distinct rivers, at other -times merely separating its waters for a very short distance, leaving a -few picturesque islands between its branches, and speedily re-uniting -its numerous streamlets again. - -Whampoa is, perhaps, the largest of several islands, which lie in the -main course of the river. It is about four miles in length, and has a -rather shallow channel on either side, navigable only for vessels of -very small draught of water. On its north-eastern side, quite towards -its lower end, lies the much smaller island called Junk Island, a -long narrow strip of land, which with its shoals greatly impedes -the navigation on that side. The channel between it and Whampoa is -generally known by the name of Junk River. - -Nearly all our merchant-ships used to anchor towards the bottom of -Whampoa Island, in what has been called Whampoa Reach; but smaller ones -could proceed up as far as the village of that name, beyond which the -channel has become known by the name of Fiddler's Reach. Some, however, -of our largest ships were formerly accustomed to take in their outward -cargoes as low down as the "Second Bar," which occasioned an additional -charge for lighters or cargo boats, and other inconveniences; but these -now anchor in what has lately been called the Blenheim Reach, to the -southward of Danes' Island. (See map and plan of Canton.) - -It is not a little remarkable, that the Chinese authorities should have -been able to keep foreigners so long in complete ignorance of some of -the most important branches of their magnificent river, which for two -centuries had witnessed the yearly increase of foreign commerce. This -no doubt was effected by the jealous orders which were issued to their -pilots, who dared not follow any other than the old prescribed track. -Yet it is also remarkable that, among so many ships which have annually -visited the river, none should have been found whose commanders were -led by curiosity, or stimulated by the tiresome sameness of an everyday -life during the dull season, to explore in open boats some of those -large and tempting passages, the openings of which could be seen. -Had not the war stimulated our exertions, or awakened our curiosity, -we should, without doubt, have remained as ignorant as ever of the -capabilities of the river, the extent of which was scarcely even -surmised.[32] - -No wonder that smuggling in every form has been long carried on to such -a notorious extent by the Chinese at Whampoa, and in other parts of -the river. The communications by water from one point to another, and -with the interior of the country, are so numerous, and so interwoven -with each other, that it would be impossible for any system of fiscal -regulations which the Chinese could adopt to act efficiently against -the complicated machinery of evasion which could so easily be put in -operation. This, among other reasons, may have contributed (always -secondary, however, to their jealousy of foreigners) to the strictness -of their orders respecting the anchorage for our ships. - -The light squadron proceeded up the river early on the morning of the -27th of February. It was not yet perfectly ascertained what obstacles -were to be met with, although it was well known that the Chinese had -been making extensive preparations to impede the advance of our forces. -The wind was light throughout the day, and the Sulphur, which was to -have been the leading vessel, fell behind; the Nemesis, therefore, -now took the lead, and proceeded with caution, giving the soundings -by signal to the squadron, by means of flags fastened to the ends of -long bamboos; by which contrivance the signals could be made with the -greatest rapidity.[33] - -No new defences or hostile preparations on the part of the enemy -were discovered, until the squadron had passed up a considerable -distance beyond the second bar shoals. The Nemesis being still ahead, -it could now be made out distinctly with the telescope that a large -ship, probably the Cambridge, (a late British ship, purchased by the -Chinese,) was at anchor near the first bar. This was immediately -signalized to the squadron, which came to anchor about three miles from -the position indicated; but the Nemesis, having previously taken the -plenipotentiary and Captain Herbert on board, proceeded to reconnoitre, -and to ascertain if a clear passage existed for the ships, as the -channel was supposed to have been partially obstructed by sunken junks. - - -On arriving sufficiently near to observe accurately the dispositions -of the enemy, it was discovered that a considerable mud battery had -been constructed on the left bank of the river (the right in ascending) -above the first bar, near the Brunswick rock, below Whampoa; and that -in order to obstruct the advance of the squadron beyond it, a very -strong and broad raft, formed by large masses of timber secured well -together, had been carried quite across the river, from one side to the -other, precisely opposite the battery. Behind the raft lay the ship -Cambridge, (previously known as the Chesapeake,) with an admiral's flag -at the main, moored head and stern in such a way that only her bow -guns could be brought to bear for the defence of the raft. A number of -war-junks were also under weigh not far from her. It was evident that -the Chinese were quite prepared for resistance; and, had the Cambridge -been anchored with springs on her cable, so as to enable them to bring -her broadsides to bear alternately upon the raft, she might have fired -with very great effect upon any of our ships as they approached. But -the Chinese are not sufficiently acquainted with naval tactics to be -able to make the best use even of the resources at their command. - -The war-junks looked much more formidable in the distance than when -more nearly viewed, and there was much more probability of their making -their escape after the first shots were fired, than that they would -offer any serious opposition. The fort itself consisted of a strong -line of mud batteries along the river front, and was afterwards found -to mount no less than forty-seven guns, which were principally intended -to protect the raft. On the left flank of the battery were also mounted -several guns, which bore directly upon the ships as they advanced up -the river; and beyond this, further on the flank, was a small battery -or field-work, mounting four or five guns, and connected with the -former by an embankment, with a small ditch before it, upon which were -planted a great number of ginjals, or wall-pieces. These latter, from -being more easily managed, and more accurately pointed, were often -calculated to do more injury than the great guns. - -Within the fort, or line of field-works, was a double Chinese -encampment, containing about two thousand men. The rear of the -position was protected by a deep creek twenty-five yards wide, and by -paddy-fields, which were partially flooded. These impediments proved -very injurious to the Chinese themselves, when they were driven out of -the fort, and attempted to escape in the rear; and they suffered great -loss there in consequence. It must not be forgotten that the Cambridge -was heavily armed, although she proved of no service whatever to her -new masters. - -It was determined that no time should be lost in commencing the attack -on this formidable line of defence, without even waiting for the -arrival of the other ships of the squadron. However, Captain Herbert -immediately went down in his own gig, to bring up the rest of the force -under his orders. Captain Elliot remained on board the Nemesis, and -on this and all other occasions exposed himself with a true sailor's -courage, during the hottest part of the engagement. - -An excellent position was taken up by this vessel, not more than seven -hundred yards from the lower angle of the fort, and having anchored -with springs on her cable, she commenced throwing shot, shell, and -rockets single-handed into the fort and camp, and also at the Cambridge -behind the raft. The guns were plied with great precision, principally -under the direction of Mr. Crouch and Mr. Strangways, mates, R.N. - -It was now little more than half-past one, and at two o'clock the -Madagascar took up a position a little outside of the Nemesis, and -commenced firing at the Cambridge with her 24-pounders. The Chinese -kept up their fire from as many guns as they could bring to bear, and -from numerous large ginjals, with considerable spirit. The Nemesis was -struck several times, but fortunately only one man was wounded. One -of the large shot passed completely through the outer casing of the -steam-chest, from one side to the other, and was very near penetrating -the steam-chest itself, which would have been one of the most serious -accidents which could possibly befal her. The fire of the Chinese was -so well sustained for some time, that repeated persuasion was tried, -but in vain, to induce Capt. Elliot (who was standing as a spectator -during the whole time upon the bridge between the paddle-boxes) to -retire from such an exposed situation. - -The Nemesis, having afterwards changed her position, got aground by -running too close in shore, in order to get as near as possible to the -battery, and became so much exposed, that besides receiving several -shot in her hull, she had her spars and rigging a good deal cut up. - -At three o'clock the remainder of the squadron had arrived, the Sulphur -being the first vessel which anchored and commenced firing; the other -ships, however, came up in close succession, and fired their broadsides -with great effect upon the batteries, the Cambridge, and the war-junks. -The vessels engaged were the Calliope, Alligator, Herald, Modeste, and -Sulphur, with the Nemesis and Madagascar steamers. - -The Chinese, who had been already staggered by the smart fire of the -steamers, were now completely bewildered by the additional attack -of the other vessels. Their fire speedily slackened; and at about -half-past three the boats of the squadron, with the marines under -Lieut. Stransham, and a party of seamen under their respective -officers, put off to land and storm the works, the whole under the -able direction of Capt. Herbert. Those of the Nemesis being nearest in -shore, had the advantage in landing first. All the best men on board, -including some of her engineers, had volunteered for the occasion, and -the whole force now formed together, and immediately dashed on to the -gate leading into the fort close upon the shore. The Chinese attempted -to defend it, but it was forced, although several of the Chinese -officers fought with determined bravery, but little science. Their -troops retreated in disorder, and the British flag was planted upon the -fort by Capt. Hall himself, who as usual headed his own party. - -On this occasion one of the Chinese officers, with cool determination -and a steady aim, deliberately discharged four _arrows_ from his bow -at Capt. Hall, fortunately without effect. Had they been musket-balls, -however, he could scarcely have escaped. A marine instantly raised his -musket at the less fortunate Chinese officer: the aim was unerring, and -he fell. An attempt was first made to save him for his coolness and -courage; but in the heat of an engagement it is impossible to control -every man, nor is it probable that the officer would have allowed -himself to be taken prisoner. - -About four o'clock the fort was completely in our possession, the -Chinese having in vain attempted to stand against the hot fire of our -musketry. They scrambled out at the rear of the fort in the best way -they could, and there suffered severe loss. In fact they were caught -as it were in a trap; for the deep creek and flooded paddy-fields in a -great measure prevented their flight, so that about a hundred of them -were killed or drowned at that spot, although every effort was made -to save them. Some of them tried to escape across the river, jumping -into the water merely with pieces of wood or small logs in their hands, -which they picked up as chance threw them in their way, in the hope -that these would be sufficient to support them in the water. - -While the principal part of our force was thus driving out the Chinese -on one side of the fort, another and smaller party, consisting of -volunteers from the Nemesis and Calliope, were hastening on towards the -gate at the opposite end, at the extremity of the river-front of the -fort, the Chinese retreating before them. Close by the gate stood a -house, in which many of them took refuge; but finding that there was no -hope of escape, and that resistance would be useless, they immediately -surrendered. - -The great object now to be attained was to board the Cambridge, which -was lying abreast of the fort. Unfortunately no Chinese boat was to be -found along the shore, and it was quite tantalizing for the moment to -see a prize so near without the means of reaching her. - -At this juncture Lieut. Watson, first-lieutenant of the Calliope, -gallantly succeeded in dragging one of his boats across the rafts, -and launched her on the other side. He then took on board some of the -little party on shore, who seeing a body of Chinese crowding upon -the deck of the Cambridge, had continued firing upon them. The boat -instantly pulled off to the Cambridge, under the command of Lieut. -Watson, having with him Mr. Browne, the master of the Calliope, Capt. -Hall, and Mr. Galbraith, of the Nemesis, together with Mr. St. Leger, -and about nine or ten men. - -The Chinese were so alarmed at the sudden attack upon all their -defences at once, and at the capture of the fort, as well as at the -loss they had already sustained on board, that they offered little or -no resistance; most of them jumped overboard on the starboard side as -the boarding party climbed up on the port side. - -Many of the Chinese must have been drowned in attempting to swim on -shore, as there were no boats at hand to pick them up, and their own -redoubtable war-junks had already made the best of their way up the -river, for fear of meeting the same fate as the Cambridge. A number -of dead and wounded were found upon the decks, strong evidence of the -well-directed shot of our ships. She mounted altogether thirty-four -guns of English manufacture; and it was rather surprising to see how -well the Chinese had prepared for action, the guns being in perfect -order, fire-buckets distributed about the decks, and everything very -clean and well-arranged. - -It now became a question whether she was to be blown up or retained -as a prize; but it was decided by Captain Herbert, that she should be -set on fire and destroyed, principally with a view to strike terror -into the Chinese, far and wide, by the explosion; and partly, also, -because she was an old and useless ship. Preparations, therefore, were -at once made by Lieutenant Watson, with this object. The wounded were -all carried on shore, and every part of the ship was searched with -great care, to ascertain that there were not any Chinamen remaining -concealed. The few stores found on board were of very little value, and -at five o'clock she was set on fire. - -Slowly the flames spread throughout the ship, gradually bursting out -of every port; little more than an hour sufficed for the fire to reach -the magazine, and then she suddenly blew up, rending the atmosphere, -and making every object around her tremble with the explosion. The -sparks of fire and burning timbers were thrown far and wide in every -direction; and, as it was by this time dark, they served to spread the -alarming intelligence even among those who were scarcely near enough to -hear the explosion. Several houses took fire at a considerable distance -from the spot, by the falling of the burning fragments which were -carried through the air. The lower part of the hull of the Cambridge -went down in deep water. - -Thus ended the tragedy of the day; and, following as it did only -twenty-four hours after the capture of the Bogue, and at the distance -of only a few miles from Canton, we can easily imagine how completely -it must have paralysed for the moment all the little remaining spirit -and energy of the Chinese. The city of Canton would probably have -fallen an easy prey, had our successes been followed up by a bold dash -at it. But the different approaches by which our forces could advance -were then very imperfectly known, otherwise the smallness of our -numbers would in any case have been amply compensated by the panic of -the moment. - -Throughout the operations of the day, Captain Elliot had distinguished -himself by his personal courage, and landed with the party from the -Nemesis to storm the fort. The loss of the Chinese is believed to have -amounted to about three hundred killed and wounded. On our own side -there were eight or nine men wounded and one killed. The magazine -of the fort, and the guns, about sixty in number, were destroyed or -rendered useless. Those of the Cambridge were blown up with the vessel. - -The great raft across the river was not less than five hundred and -fifty yards long, and is said to have cost the Chinese an immense sum -of money, which was exacted from the Hong merchants. It was constructed -with great strength and solidity, for upon it they had rested their -most confident hopes of successful resistance. It was cleared away, -not without a good deal of labour, on the following day, and thus the -passage was now opened for the advanced squadron to proceed up to -Whampoa. - -The Madagascar was sent down to the Bogue, to inform Commodore Sir -Gordon Bremer of what had taken place, while the boats of the squadron, -together with the Sulphur and Nemesis, pushed on to explore the river -higher up--a reconnoissance being necessary before the ships could -advance, owing to the uncertainty as to what impediments the Chinese -might have formed to obstruct the navigation. - -During the day, the Nemesis and boats got far enough up the branch on -the eastern side of Whampoa, called Junk River, to catch a view of a -little fort at the upper end of Whampoa, called Howqua's Folly.[34] It -was further ascertained that a large body of Chinese were collecting in -that direction, principally on the shore opposite the island, and that -a double line of stakes, interlaced with bamboos, were driven across -the upper part of the Junk River passage, where also several large -junks appeared to have been sunk. - -It turned out afterwards that, had the Nemesis proceeded only a hundred -yards further on, she would have been lucky enough to discover a masked -battery, which it was reserved for the boats of the Wellesley, in -company with the Sulphur, to find out on the following day, and to have -the honour of capturing. - -In the meantime, Sir Gordon Bremer, in consequence of the important -intelligence conveyed to him by the Madagascar, hastened up from the -Bogue the same day, bringing with him the marines of the Wellesley, -together with a hundred seamen, under Captain Maitland. The marines of -the Blenheim, Melville, and Druid, likewise followed, together with a -number of boats well armed and manned. The Queen steamer also came up, -bringing with her the Eagle transport, and another, the Sophia, being -towed up by the Madagascar. - -In the evening, Sir Gordon Bremer, with these seasonable -reinforcements, joined the advanced squadron just as they had got up to -Whampoa Reach. In consequence of the report made to the commodore of -the reconnoissance which had been made during the day, he was induced -to send up the Sulphur on the following morning, together with three -of the boats of the Wellesley, to pursue the examination further. -The boats of the Wellesley were commanded by Lieutenant Symonds, the -first lieutenant of that ship. It is distinctly stated, in Sir Gordon -Bremer's _official despatch_, that the Sulphur was towed (going _up_) -by the boats, and that, as soon as they had got within range of the -masked battery, which had been suspected but not discovered the day -before, the latter opened upon them; upon which, Lieutenant Symonds, -with great decision and gallantry, instantly cut the tow-rope, and -dashed off to storm the fort. - -Such is the account published at the time. But in Captain Belcher's -account of the affair, (vol. ii. p. 158,) it is stated that this was a -mistake, and that the Sulphur was not _towed_ at all by the boats; it -is left to be inferred, also, that Lieutenant Symonds did _not_ cut the -tow-rope, or else that, if he had done so, he would have been guilty of -a breach of discipline. - -I have no means of judging between these two accounts; but it was -generally understood that Lieutenant Symonds' gallantry and energy were -highly approved of by the commodore, whether in obedience of orders -or otherwise. Captain Belcher further states that he himself "jumped -into his gig to _recal_ the boats, or to prevent them doing too much, -and that it was by Captain Elliot's wish, who was _left in charge -during his absence_." Still it appears that the battery was carried -by Lieutenant Symonds and his men, who soon drove the Chinese out of -it, killing several. The official account further states that the -Sulphur immediately anchored, and sent a few shot in amongst the thick -underwood, in which the Chinese took shelter. - -The battery was found to mount about twenty-three guns, which, together -with the magazine, and all the _materiel_, were destroyed. The boats -were repeatedly struck by grape-shot as they dashed on shore, but only -one man was wounded mortally. - -The Nemesis came up the Reach during the day, and managed to get -within long gun-shot of Howqua's Folly, about two miles higher up. In -the evening, the Alligator, Modeste, and Herald, joined her, with two -transports. The distance from Canton was now so short, that they must -have been within sight of the city, although there was too little water -by the direct passage to enable them to get up further. The channels by -which they afterwards reached Canton had not as yet been discovered. - -Howqua's Fort, or folly, was built of stone, at the mouth of a little -creek, at the extremity of Whampoa Island, and was surrounded by low -paddy-fields, which occasioned its foundation to be so insecure that it -afterwards fell down. It mounted nearly thirty guns of various calibre. -The commandant seems to have had no particular taste for fighting, -and thought a timely retreat would save him a vast deal of trouble. -The fort was accordingly soon abandoned. A detachment of the 26th -Cameronians occupied it, while a party of marines, under Captain Ellis, -took possession of a large joss-house, or temple, opposite to it, on -the other side of Junk River, where a strong body of the enemy had -already been seen. They strengthened this position against any sudden -attack. - -Just above these two points, and consequently between Howqua's and -Napier's Folly, which latter was situated upon the extremity of a -low alluvial island, a little above Whampoa, a strong line of stakes -or piles had been driven into the bed of the river. The next step, -therefore, was to clear a passage through them, which was not to be -very easily effected, owing to the rapidity of the stream, and the -stiffness of the soil forming the river's bed. - -Just at this juncture, the prefect of Canton or Kwang-Chow-Foo came -alongside the Nemesis in his barge, attended by a linguist, and -inquired for Captain Elliot, who happened not to be on board. Upon this -the prefect affected to be in a great hurry to go away, saying that -he could not wait for his return. Captain Hall told him that if he -couldn't wait, he had better be off at once. But he continued, for some -time, sitting in his boat, which was hanging on astern, evidently with -forced composure, for he declined coming on board the steamer. - -As soon as Captain Elliot returned, they went down to Whampoa Reach -together, where a conference was held in due form. Captain Elliot -certainly wished that hostilities should not be pushed further, if it -could be avoided; and, accordingly, although it was perfectly well -known and admitted that Keshen had been degraded from his office of -commissioner, and that his successor had not yet arrived, a truce was -agreed upon for three days with the Kwang-Chow-Foo. This was a humane -and conciliating piece of leniency on the part of Captain Elliot, for, -at that moment, there was really no responsible public officer who -could undertake on the part of the Chinese to treat for or accept any -terms whatever. At the same time, it was not denied that a general -panic prevailed at Canton, and that vast numbers of people were leaving -the city. - -A lull now ensued, the probable result of which it was idle to guess, -although it was generally expected that hostilities would be resumed, -and that no settlement whatever could be attempted, until Canton itself -was completely at our mercy. This happened precisely at the moment of -the arrival of Major-General Sir Hugh Gough, from Madras, in H.M.S. -Cruizer, to assume the command in chief of all the land-forces, by the -orders of the governor-general of India. This important event happened -on the 2nd March, 1841; and the arrival of a general of acknowledged -bravery and distinction was a subject of much congratulation, and was -looked upon as likely to lead to energetic and decisive steps. - -It was also just about this time that the force which had been ordered -down from Chusan arrived in the Canton River--namely, the Pylades, -Blonde, Conway, and Nimrod, together with the transports, conveying the -troops. Our forces were, therefore, now concentrated; and, whatever -may be the opinion generally entertained concerning the policy of so -suddenly giving up Chusan long before the answer could have arrived -from Pekin respecting Keshen's treaty, it happened, nevertheless, -very much to our advantage, that the whole of a still small force was -now united at one point, for the more effective prosecution of any -enterprise which it might be advisable to undertake. Thus it occurred -on many occasions during the war, that what appeared at first sight -unfortunate, or, at all events, little likely to be attended with good -results, turned out, in the end, to be most advantageous. The addition -of these reinforcements from Chusan enabled us now to dictate terms to -the Chinese authorities, which, without them, it would not have been so -easy to exact. - -Advantage was taken of the interval of the three days' truce (which -was to expire on the 5th) to explore in the Nemesis, by the orders of -Captain Herbert, one of those broad passages which were known to turn -off to the westward, from Whampoa Reach. It was thought likely to lead, -indirectly, even to Canton, and might therefore greatly facilitate the -advance of our forces upon the city. It has already been stated, that -these channels had never been properly explored by foreigners; though a -passage of some sort or other was well known to exist on either side of -French and Dane's Islands. - -Captain Elliot himself was very anxious upon this subject, and offered -a reward of one hundred dollars to any active fisherman or pilot who -would point out the best channel. It was thought probable, also, that -there were _several_ channels, some, perhaps, large enough for our -sloops, of which we were hitherto perfectly ignorant. - -A pilot soon offered his services, in consideration of the handsome -reward; although there appeared little doubt of the Nemesis being able -to find a passage for herself (drawing so little water) without any -pilot at all. - -Soon after nine o'clock, the Nemesis got under weigh, under the -direction of Captain Herbert, having Captain Elliot and other officers -on board. The object was not to make any minute survey of the passage; -but merely to ascertain, by a cursory examination, the nature of the -channel, and in what direction it was likely to terminate. Leaving -Dane's and French Islands to the southward, they proceeded very -cautiously to thread their way through the shoals or mud-banks which -were found in the passage. The country on both sides was low and -swampy, but the channel was not found blocked up by sunken junks or -stones, as it had been in other parts; probably because the Chinese -hardly expected that any attempt would be made to pass through it, -and partly because the river into which it led (the Broadway or Macao -passage) had been already sufficiently fortified and obstructed. They -passed a deserted battery and one or two small villages. - -In the course of a couple of hours, during which time they had advanced -slowly, with a depth of water from two to three fathoms, they came -in sight of a circular stone fort, with a tower or pagoda upon it, -apparently between two and three miles distant. - -As the truce had not yet expired, it was not thought right to proceed -further for the present; but they had already reached the point of -junction with the Macao passage or Broadway River, in the middle -of which the fort (which was afterwards called the Macao Fort) was -situated. Enough had been ascertained to serve as a guide for future -operations; and the Nemesis, passing round a small island at the head -of the passage, returned the same way she had come, and rejoined the -squadron at Whampoa. It was through this passage that some of our -vessels proceeded, a few days afterwards, to the attack of the fort, -which has been noticed above. - -On the following day, the 6th, the truce expired. But there was -anything but a peaceable disposition shewn on the part of the Chinese -authorities. They issued strict orders that none of the natives should -supply provisions to our ships. The boats which had hitherto come -fearlessly alongside our vessels all on a sudden disappeared; and it -was known at Canton that the native merchants were compelled to remove -all the tea and silk out of the town. - -In consequence of these proceedings, a proclamation was addressed by -Captain Elliot to the people of Canton, telling them that they were -quite at our mercy, and that the city was only spared "in order to shew -how _tenderly_ the good and peaceable inhabitants were considered" -(by the English). But it was added, that, "if the authorities should -continue to prevent the native merchants from buying and selling -with the foreign merchants, then the whole trade of Canton was to be -immediately stopped, and the city strictly blockaded." It then wound up -by throwing "the whole responsibility of the present state of things -upon the bad advisers of the emperor." - -Preparations were now made for an immediate advance upon the city; and -it was a favourite notion of Captain Elliot that he could blockade -all the approaches to Canton, and thus, by cutting off its immense -_internal_ commerce, upon which thousands depend for their living, -and nearly the whole population for its supplies of food, constrain -the authorities to come to some reasonable terms, without any further -necessity for a resort to arms. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[31] It should be remembered that by the first and second bar are -merely meant sand-banks or flats, which impede the navigation of the -river, of course contracting, to a certain extent, the channel for -large ships. The second bar is a large shoal on the left side of the -river, ascending (or geographically on its right bank) upwards of -ten miles above Tiger Island. The pagoda, near which the conference -was held, stands near its upper extremity, on the same bank of the -river. The first bar, however, lies about seven miles higher up on the -opposite side of the river, and is not so extensive a flat as the lower -one. It seems to have been formed by a deposit from the waters of one -of the larger of those numerous rivers, or their branches, which empty -themselves not only into the Canton River, but into all the principal -rivers of China. Indeed so numerous are these water communications in -every direction, that Keshen was perfectly correct in his observation -that small vessels could proceed wherever they pleased, even up to -Canton itself, without passing through the main river. Of course the -channel becomes both narrower and more intricate in the neighbourhood -of the bar; and therefore the Chinese shewed considerable judgment in -attempting to defend this position, which was in fact the most tenable -one between the Bogue and Whampoa; from which latter place it was -distant about four miles. - -[32] The newly-explored passages will be described in the order -of their discovery. The Blenheim Reach, Browne's Passage, and the -communications with the Broadway River, by which our light squadron -afterwards reached the city of Canton, were as yet quite unknown to us. - -[33] It is worthy of notice, that not a single ship of the squadron -touched the ground on their passage up, although there was no native -pilot on board any of the vessels. The great advantage of steamers -drawing little water in leading a fleet up a river is undeniable; the -certainty and perfect control of their movements, with the facility -of changing their position, or of backing off, should they touch the -ground, give them an immense advantage over every other description of -vessel for exploring the passage of a river. - -[34] Why some of the forts should be called "Follies" does not appear -evident. Such were the Dutch Folly, French Folly, Napier's Folly, and -Howqua's Folly. The most _foolish_ of them all was certainly the last, -which ultimately fell down, owing to the foundation being weakened by -the washing of the river. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - - -Captain Elliot now addressed a request to the naval and military -commanders-in-chief, that they would make no further movements towards -the city until the disposition of the provincial officers could be -put to the test. All the private information which could be gathered, -however, tended to shew that further delay was likely to be useless, -and even prejudicial. As soon, therefore, as the day for the expiration -of the truce had arrived, the Nemesis was ordered to convey Captain -Elliot, with the commodore and the major-general, together with their -respective suites, up to Howqua's Fort, having the broad pendant -flying; there several other ships of the advanced squadron were -already at anchor. The flag of truce was then lowered, and immediate -dispositions were made for the capture of Napier's Fort, which was a -little distance higher up.[35] - -A little below the fort a strong double line of piles had been driven -into the bed of the river, completely across from one bank to the -other. These were strengthened by sunken junks, and the passage was -further blocked up by large stones thrown into the river, and other -impediments. There were flanking batteries also on either side, -recently built of mud, and not quite finished; they were intended to -mount thirty-five and forty-four guns. - -These positions were capable of being stoutly defended, had they been -fully armed and manned. Such, however, was not the case; and, as the -commandant of the fort was inclined to exhibit the same compliant -disposition as his gallant companion in arms had shewn at Howqua's Fort -below, no resistance was offered; in fact, the garrison all ran away -as soon as they had fired off their guns, having previously intimated -their intention, and succeeded in making good their escape. - -The Sulphur, accompanied by some of the boats of the squadron, managed -to get up first, and took possession, followed by the Nemesis, with the -commodore on board, and other vessels. A detachment of troops had been -sent round by the general, with a view to take the flanking-batteries -in the rear; but, as it now appeared that they were undefended, and as -the march over swampy paddy-fields, and across numerous water-courses, -was anything but agreeable, and not likely now to be useful, they -returned to the joss-house below. - -In the afternoon, the Nemesis proceeded with the commodore and Captain -Elliot down to Whampoa, passing along the western side of that island, -by the channel which was known by the name of Fiddler's Reach; she had -therefore gone completely _round_ Whampoa Island in the course of the -day, for she went up by the eastern or Junk river side, and came down -by the western or Fiddler's Reach passage, proving the practicability -of _both_ channels for vessels of small draught of water. - -It may be well here to notice that, at a subsequent period, after the -fall of Canton, and when the Chinese were prevented by us from renewing -or extending any of the defences of the river _below_ Whampoa,[36] they -set about strengthening the positions above that island with all the -resources they could employ. Before the close of the war, they not only -rebuilt Napier's Fort in a much more substantial manner, but fortified -all that line of the river upon a plan much superior to any they had -hitherto attempted. - -Three other large stone forts have been built, with a view to command -the navigation of this part of the river; namely, one on each bank -of the river opposite Napier's Fort, and one about half a mile lower -down, at the point where the river is strongly staked across. Viewed -from the river, all these new forts look extremely formidable, being -built entirely of stone, of considerable height, and calculated to -mount little less than _two hundred guns_. The structure of all these -new works is of a superior kind to any before seen in China; and it is -generally supposed that they have been built at the suggestion or with -the assistance of some European engineer. But, as usual in China, the -rear of the forts is almost entirely unprotected, except by a stone -wall; and, were it not that the advance of an enemy on that side would -be greatly impeded by ditches and paddy-fields, which would oppose -difficulties to the bringing up of artillery, they could be captured -without any extraordinary effort. - -The short pause in our operations, which now again took place at -the request of Captain Elliot, was precisely in accordance with the -liberal assurances of the most _pacific_ intentions on the part of the -Chinese. Their acts, however, by no means agreed with their words. It -was perfectly ascertained that a large number of fire-vessels were -being prepared a few miles above Canton; that new defences were being -constructed around the city, particularly upon the heights in its rear; -and that people were removing their property from the town, and no -valuable produce was allowed to be brought into it. Sir Gordon Bremer -distinctly expressed his conviction that the measure of attacking -Canton itself must speedily be resorted to; although he deplored the -excesses to which it might give rise, owing to the abandonment of the -city by the authorities, and the absence of control over the rabble -of a community proverbially bad. The major-general now went down the -river, and remained at Wantung with the commodore, where plans for the -future operations were devised. - -About this time, Keshen, whose functions had already ceased, left -Canton for Pekin in disgrace, in order to be put upon his trial for -traitorous conduct, as his unfortunate defeats were now termed. The -result was, that he was utterly degraded; all his property, which was -enormously valuable, was confiscated, and he himself banished to the -cold regions of Tartary. - -On the 10th, despatches were sent up by the Nemesis from Captain -Elliot (who in the meantime had gone to Macao) to the commodore at -the Bogue, in consequence of the Chinese authorities having issued -chops or passports for all ships, _except British_, to proceed up the -river to trade, as far as Whampoa. This act of open defiance could not -be overlooked, and Captain Elliot himself seems to have been struck -with the hostile temper which this proceeding evinced. A notice was, -in consequence, issued to the effect, "that, as the port of Canton, -from its entrance to its extremity, was in the military occupation -of her Majesty's arms, no ships whatever would be permitted to enter -the river, except under the authority of the commander-in-chief; and, -moreover, that a close embargo would be laid on the city and trade of -Canton, until the whole of their foreign trade should be placed upon a -perfectly equal footing, without any exception whatever." - -In point of fact, our previous forbearance had not been understood, and -was certainly looked upon rather as an evidence of conscious weakness -on our part, than as what it actually was--an instance of forbearance, -resulting from conscious strength. - -It was, probably, the necessity which he now felt of striking some blow -calculated to make an immediate impression upon the Chinese, which -induced Captain Elliot to direct his attention to one of the most -boldly-conceived and successfully-executed exploits which have to be -recorded during this campaign. It appears to have struck him almost on -a sudden; and, finding that Captain Scott, of the Samarang, who was -then senior officer at Macao, and also Captain Hall, of the Nemesis, -entirely concurred with him in his views, it was resolved that not a -moment should be lost. Above all, it was kept perfectly secret; so that -no rumour of any new project could reach any of the inhabitants of -Macao, either Portuguese or Chinese. The undertaking to which I allude, -became afterwards generally known as the forcing of the Broadway, or -Inner, or Macao Passage, (for it has obtained all these names,) by -the Nemesis, accompanied by three boats--viz., two belonging to the -Samarang, and one to the Atalanta steamer. This passage leads direct -from Macao to Canton, but had been hitherto frequented only by native -boats; indeed, no others were permitted to pass through it. This was -one of those numerous opportunities in which the Nemesis so clearly -demonstrated the great advantage to be derived from the employment -of shallow iron steamers in hostile operations along the course of -unexplored rivers. - -It must here be remarked that this intricate passage was one never -before traversed by any European vessel or boat, and believed by -the Chinese themselves to be inaccessible to foreigners, both owing -to the shallowness and intricacy of its channels, and to the number -and strength of the artificial defences erected on its banks. It -can, perhaps, be scarcely called a distinct river, but may be rather -considered as in reality one of those almost innumerable channels -which present themselves to view on every side, along the whole -sea-board of China; dividing and then re-uniting, sometimes receiving -large branches, sometimes throwing them off, here communicating with -other rivers, and there even traversing across them. It is difficult -to ascertain, with regard to many of them, whether they are distinct -rivers or branches, or mere water-courses, leading from one to the -other. In short, with respect more particularly to the country about -Canton, the whole of it appears to be subdivided, again and again, by -these ever-multiplying channels, which form a sort of fluid network, -embracing the soil it nourishes and _reproduces_. Many of these are -only known, among the Chinese themselves, by those who depend on them -for subsistence; and who, rarely quitting them, make their boat their -floating home. - -On leaving the roads of Macao, and proceeding nearly due west, after -passing the town and the entrance to the Inner Harbour beyond it, -you come into a straight but rather shallow channel, which continues -in the same direction along the southern shore of the island called -Twee-Lien-Shan.[37] Having reached its western extremity, which is -about four miles from Macao, you very shortly enter the mouth of a -river, which is broad but shallow, and becomes narrower as you proceed -up towards the north-west, by the gradual contraction of its shores. -This is the entrance to the Broadway, or Inner Passage. Several -openings were soon perceived on both sides, probably the mouths of -smaller rivers or creeks, entering the larger channel. The proper -opening of the Inner Passage begins about six miles from the western -point of Twee-Lien-Shan Island, but the narrow part of it is about four -miles further on. - -Let us now imagine ourselves just embarked on board the Nemesis in -Macao roads, at three o'clock in the morning on the 13th of March, all -the arrangements having been completed the day before. Already, Captain -Elliot and suite are on board; and Captain Scott, of the Samarang, who -commands the force, is standing on the quarter deck with the other -officers, impatient to start, while the boats of the Samarang, and -that of the Atalanta, are being made fast astern. And we must also not -omit to record that Mr. Johnston, the deputy superintendent of trade, -and also Mr. Morrison and Mr. Thom, the indefatigable interpreters and -secretaries,[38] the value of whose services throughout the war it is -impossible too highly to appreciate, were also on board during this -expedition. - -Having quitted the town of Macao with the utmost quietness, leaving -all the world asleep, and unconscious of any movement, they soon fell -in with a large junk at anchor, which was fortunately able to furnish -a pilot, one of her crew being taken out, not without reluctance, for -that purpose. At first the poor fellow was very much frightened, but, -finding that he was well treated, well fed, and good pay promised, he -soon became reconciled to his position, and behaved well throughout. -During the day he seemed very little concerned about the firing either -of the steamer or of his own countrymen, and piloted the vessel, as far -as his knowledge extended, up the river very accurately. - -The progress was at first slow, owing to the shallowness of the water, -which often did not much exceed _five_ feet, for a vessel of more than -six hundred tons burden! Indeed the pilot himself maintained that it -would be impossible for the vessel to proceed; and it may be noticed -that the soundings at the entrance were not found so deep as laid down -in Horsburgh's chart, in which they are partially given. However, on -she went, nothing daunted either by mud, sand, or water, or even by the -shallowness of the river. - -Day had now long dawned; and at eight o'clock she came in sight of a -fort on the starboard hand, which proved to be situated on a small -promontory on the left bank of the river. It is called Motow, and is -situated some distance below a point where the main channel separates -into two branches. Half an hour afterwards, the Nemesis was near enough -to take up a position to the southward of the fort, so that she could -fire directly into it without any of the enemy's guns being able to -bear upon her; in fact, she enfiladed the position. Upon this the fort -was abandoned by the Chinese, whose flight was accelerated by their -seeing that the boats were putting off to attack them. The place was -immediately taken possession of, the buildings of every description set -on fire, and the guns, thirteen in number, rendered unserviceable. The -boat's crews were again on board the Nemesis in about an hour, and she -pursued her course without loss of time. - -About four miles further on, just above where the river becomes more -contracted by its division, a second fort was discovered, also situated -on the left bank. The position was well chosen, upon a rising ground, -at some distance from the river side, but commanding the whole bend or -reach of the river in front of it. It was built of mud, but protected -nearly all round by flooded paddy-grounds. - -On this occasion the Chinese were the first to open their fire upon the -Nemesis as she rounded an intervening point of land, and entered the -reach above mentioned. They kept up their fire at first very smartly, -having probably trained all their guns to bear upon one particular -point. It was most effectually returned by the steamer with shot, -shell, and rockets, which were thrown (as officially reported by -Captain Scott himself) with remarkable accuracy. The boats again put -off to land, under cover of the rising bank on the river side, with -the intention of taking the position in flank; but the Chinese at once -abandoned their works; though, if they had resisted the advance, they -might have inflicted severe loss, as the party could only approach -the fort along a narrow causeway, in single file. The works were -immediately taken possession of, and were found to mount twelve or -fourteen guns, which were of course destroyed, as were also the sheds -and buildings within the fort, which, however, were of very recent -construction, and of a temporary nature. - -Before returning to the steamer, the boats pulled across to the -opposite side of the river, where a large chop-house and military depot -were likewise destroyed. The name of the fort, or field-work, above -described, was Tei-yat-kok.[39] At this point several other Chinamen -were taken on board as pilots, for the better navigation of the channel -through which they had now to proceed. - -They had ascended a very little way further up the river, when to -the joy of every one, they espied nine war-junks under weigh, a -considerable distance ahead, and chase was given at full speed, in -spite of all obstacles of the navigation. The interest and excitement -momentarily increased, as every mile they advanced served to lead -them to the conclusion that the Chinese were better prepared for -defence than had been at all expected. Indeed, it was not a little -remarkable that a passage never before explored by foreigners should -have been found in a state of preparation against attack, by forts of -old standing and solid construction, as well as by works of recent and -temporary formation. - -On entering the bend of the river in which the junks had been first -caught sight of, a considerable stone-built fort was discovered, -called Houchung, or Ha-chap, close to the river's side, upon its right -bank, (on the left hand ascending,) in front of which, and perfectly -commanded by it, piles had been driven across the river, so as to -obstruct the navigation. But the work had apparently not been quite -finished, and a narrow opening was still left in the centre, through -which the junks had already passed, in order to take up a more secure -position, as they thought, on the other side. The fort mounted fourteen -or fifteen guns. But there was also another and smaller fort close -to it, built of earth, and not yet finished, being without guns, but -having ten embrasures. - -Here again the Chinese were the first to begin firing, both from the -fort and junks; but it was returned with precision and rapidity by the -Nemesis, under cover of which the boats pushed off to storm the fort. -This was effected without much difficulty. The fall of the fort of -course left the passage through the stakes quite unprotected, except -by the junks; but the Chinese sailors were so panic-struck by the -rapidity with which the fort had been taken, and by the approach of the -boats, which were now making their way through the stakes to attack -them, that seven out of the nine were run ashore by their crews,--when -they immediately jumped overboard and escaped, leaving their vessels -entirely at our mercy. - -Just as the boats came up to take possession, a field-work on the left -bank, within little more than a hundred yards of the headmost junk, -opened fire on them unexpectedly with grape-shot. As the junks were -already abandoned, a strong party at once landed, under Lieut. Bower, -and carried the field-work, by passing round to its rear, which, as -usual with the Chinese, was left almost unprotected. This place, which -was called Fie-shu-kok, was set on fire and destroyed, together with -the seven guns which were mounted on it. The war-junks were likewise -set on fire, and blew up very shortly after. But the two which had not -been run ashore contrived to make good their escape. - -During the time that these operations were being effected, Capt. Hall -had dexterously succeeded in getting his steamer through the stakes by -the same opening through which the junks had passed, and which barely -afforded room for her paddle-boxes. The flood-tide was now running up -with great rapidity, and she was therefore dropped through the passage, -being steadied by kedges and hawsers, two of which they cut away, and -left behind. - -She now joined the boats opposite Fie-shu-kok; and as soon as the -destruction of the junks and works had been completed, it was resolved -to push on further up the river, in the hope of overtaking the -two junks which had got away. Altogether twenty-one guns had been -destroyed in these forts, and twenty-eight more in the junks. But the -_impression_ made through all the neighbouring country by these active -measures, was far more important than the mere destruction of a certain -number of guns. - -At half-past three they arrived at the large trading town of -Heong-Shan, about five or six miles further up. The river flows -straight through the middle of it, so that they found themselves -unexpectedly in the centre of an important inland town, in which, if -it had been their object, it was easily within their power to inflict -severe injury upon a dense and apparently harmless population. But -it has been mentioned before that much suffering was spared by the -assistance of Mr. Morrison and Mr. Thom. Capt. Elliot also exerted -himself very much to prevent the peasantry or mere lookers-on from -being implicated; and he sometimes allowed even the armed soldiers to -escape, rather than run the risk of injuring the innocent. The object -was to confine hostilities as much as possible to the servants and -property of the Chinese government, leaving the people uninjured. - -The good effect of this policy was soon very evident. The inhabitants -of this populous town appeared to regard with very little apprehension -the approach of the steamer, and seemed more moved by curiosity and -astonishment at her structure and locomotive power, than alarmed by -any dread of her hostile intentions. The people crowded upon the banks -of the river; the house-tops and the surrounding hills were covered -with curious gazers, wondering what strange event would happen next. -Hundreds of trading junks and boats of various kinds, most of them the -sole home of their owners, were crowded together on both sides of the -river throughout the town, and even above and below it. The river was -narrow, and so densely were the boats packed, that the only passage -left was directly in the centre of the stream, where, as if by mutual -consent, a clear way had been left, only just broad enough to allow the -steamer to pass, and requiring some dexterity to avoid running foul of -the junks on either side. - -It is very curious that so large a body of people should have looked on -with so little apparent fear, particularly as they could well perceive -that the steamer was in chase of two war-junks, which had preceded -her, followed by several mandarin-boats, in which the mandarins or -authorities of the town were endeavouring to make their escape, in the -greatest consternation. One of the war-junks, finding that it was -impossible to keep ahead of the steamer, which was rapidly gaining on -her, was run ashore, some distance above the town, by her crew, who -immediately jumped overboard, and had only just time to escape before -the steamer came up. She was at once boarded, and then set fire to -and blown up. She carried four guns. It was now observed that Chinese -soldiers were gathering thickly upon the neighbouring hills, as if -meditating a descent; but a shot or two thrown in amongst them served -to put them to flight. - -Just at this moment a masked battery, concealed by some trees, not -more than a couple of hundred yards ahead, imprudently betrayed itself -by opening its fire on the steamer; nor was this the only instance in -which small forts or field-works would have been passed unseen and -uninjured, had they not expended useless powder in making a smoke, -which at once betrayed them. The fire was instantly returned, and -served to cover the boats, which put off with the marines of the -Samarang to storm the works. Eight guns were found in it, which, -together with the buildings and magazine, were of course destroyed. -This place was called Sheongchap, and was situated just below a point -where the river divides, or rather where two branches unite. - -It being now past six, P.M., it was thought proper to anchor for -the night, after a very severe day's work for all hands since three -in the morning. The Nemesis, having proceeded a little distance -above Sheongchap, found herself getting into very shallow water, and -therefore anchored for the night. The channel was so narrow that it -was impossible to turn the vessel round, scarcely even by forcing her -bows hard aground over the banks. She was anchored head and stern, and -guard-boats were placed round her all night, for fear of any attempt at -surprise. - -On the following morning, the 14th, the Nemesis again pursued her -course up what appeared to be the principal branch, but which became so -shallow that it was doubtful how far she would be able to proceed; she -had seldom more than six feet water, and in many places only five, so -that she was frequently forced through the mud itself. There was not -room to turn her fairly round, and the only mode in which she could be -managed was by sometimes driving her bows as far as possible into the -river's bank, sometimes her stern; while at other times it was hard to -say whether she was proceeding over a flooded paddy-field, or in the -channel of a water-course. This gave occasion to a facetious remark, in -which sailors sometimes delight, that this "would be a new way of going -overland to England." - -After proceeding only three or four miles, a village came in sight, -with a fort adjoining, and rather above it. This was afterwards found -to be named Kong-How. Nearly opposite the fort the river was again -found to be staked across, much more strongly than it was at Houchong; -and it was in a similar manner commanded by the guns of the fort. The -Nemesis, as soon as she came within good range, opened her fire warmly -upon the fort, which the Chinese returned. The boats pushed off as -usual; but the moment the marines and a party of seamen began to land, -the Chinese abandoned the fort in confusion. - -On the upper side of the fort, sand-bags were found recently piled up -against the walls, as if the Chinese had expected the attack to be made -on that side; which shews that they anticipated that an attempt would -be made to explore these passages, but that they rather looked for it -from the side of Tycocktow than from Macao. The works, with their nine -guns and magazine, were afterwards all blown up at once. - -The principal obstacle now remaining to be got rid of was one more -troublesome than all the forts together, or any impediment yet met -with. The line of piles which had been driven in across the river was -not less than twenty feet wide, or rather it was a double line, filled -up between the two with large sunken junks laden with stones. Great -labour and perseverance were required to get up sufficient of these -piles to clear a passage broad enough for the steamer to pass. This was -only accomplished after four hours hard work, in which, oddly enough, -the Chinese peasantry bore an active part, voluntarily coming forward -to assist, and even venturing to come on board the steamer itself. This -was, undoubtedly, one of the good results of not having inflicted any -injury upon the country people or inhabitants of the villages through -which the little expedition had passed.[40] - -A little above this obstruction a large chop-house or mandarin-station -came into view, with a mandarin-barge lying just off it. A shot fired -into the principal building soon drove out all the soldiers who had -taken refuge in it--probably the mandarin's guard. The boats were now -sent ashore, and soon destroyed the whole of the buildings, together -with the mandarin-boat, with a gun and two ginjals. It was not possible -for the steamer to tow any of the boats or junks away with her, because -she was continually touching the ground, and frequently forcing herself -through the mud, so that it would have been impossible to have got on -at all if she had been impeded by any other encumbrance; they were -therefore all destroyed. - -As soon as the boats had all returned from their service on shore, -the steamer pushed on again, and the water began to deepen; so that -at half-past six she was able to come to anchor for the night in five -fathoms water. From this point the high rock of Lankeet, in the Canton -river, could be easily recognised, bearing about due east, and not very -far distant. - -On the morning of the 15th, having proceeded about three miles further -on, a large village, called Tamchow, came into view, on the left bank -of the river. Here a party of matchlockmen were observed crouching -along the banks of the river, endeavouring to pass unnoticed. A few -rounds of musketry at once dispersed them. - -Again the steamer pursued her course, without finding anything -particularly worthy of notice for a couple of hours, when she came to -a large town on the left bank of the river, (it is remarkable that -nearly all their towns and villages were on that side,) which was -called Tsenei, just above a place called Kwam, close to which two or -three dismantled and abandoned forts had been passed. Here the chop -or custom-house, which was also a sort of military station, by the -water-side, was set on fire and destroyed. A large war-junk, also, -(probably the one which had before escaped,) which mounted seven guns, -was captured and blown up, the crew having abandoned it on the approach -of the "devil-ship." - -Above this point the channel again became very narrow and shallow. -The Chinese pilots now declared that it would be impossible for the -steamer to proceed much higher up, as the passage was only deep enough -for boats. Having nearly reached a small place, called Weichung, the -Nemesis was at length compelled to desist from the attempt to pursue -her course further in that direction, particularly as it was now -ebb-tide. Several other channels could be seen on both sides, and one -in particular appeared to lead to the eastward, towards the main branch -of the Canton river, below Whampoa. Accordingly, it was resolved to -follow this latter branch, with a view to join the advanced squadron, -if possible. - -In this short passage a considerable walled town was passed, at the -distance of less than half a mile, with which the communication was -kept up by means of a canal, which could be seen to enter the town -under a large arch, or bridge. Upon this a great number of people were -collected, to watch the progress of the steamer. The country around -it was extremely well cultivated, and the peasants were busy at their -agricultural operations, without any apparent fear. Shortly afterwards -the Nemesis found herself entering the main river, at a very short -distance below the pagoda at the Second Bar, and proceeded without -delay to join the light squadron which was at anchor in Whampoa Reach, -and received the congratulations of all parties. Captain Elliot and -suite then left the Nemesis, and proceeded on board Captain Herbert's -ship, the Calliope. - -Thus ended this singular and highly successful expedition of three -days up the Broadway passage, during which so much had been done -towards disabling and annoying the enemy by the steamer, assisted by -the boats before mentioned, and the marines of the Samarang, all under -the direction of Captain Scott. This exploit would have gratified most -men, even as the work of a single vessel, for a whole campaign. It -need hardly be added, that Captain Scott was the first to acknowledge -and to bring to public notice the value of the services of the Nemesis -on this occasion; and Captain Elliot, who was an eye-witness of all -these operations, bore similar testimony to their importance. They -were also mentioned in flattering terms by the commodore in his public -despatch. It must not be omitted that all the officers of the vessel -nobly and energetically bore their share in the labours and dangers of -the undertaking; and those who belonged to the boats of the Samarang -and the Atalanta were equally conspicuous, and had opportunities of -distinguishing themselves on shore.[41] - -The result of this expedition was highly beneficial, and afforded -more insight into the nature of the country, and gave a more correct -estimate of the resources of the Chinese, than could have been expected -within so short a distance from Macao. Indeed, considering how long -that place had been the resort of Europeans, it was astonishing how -little was known of its neighbourhood. The country on both sides of the -passage was found to be fertile and highly cultivated; while, in the -neighbourhood of the villages, the banks of the river were laid out in -neatly cultivated gardens. Everywhere there prevailed an air of comfort -and of thriving industry. - -The peaceable, and, one may almost say, the apathetic, bearing of the -people generally, and their refraining from all hostile demonstrations, -are worthy of notice; particularly when we remember that they must not -only have heard of, but even perhaps been witnesses to, the engagements -at the Bogue, at Chuenpee, at the First Bar, and elsewhere. Much, -perhaps, may be attributed to the valuable presence of Mr. Morrison and -Mr. Thom, who, from their accurate knowledge of the character of the -people, knew well how to allay their fears, and conciliate even their -good offices. - -The whole loss on our side, during this adventurous trip, was -only three men wounded. Altogether, one hundred and fifteen guns -were destroyed, together with nine war-junks; and several armed -mandarin-boats, six batteries, and three government chop-houses or -military stations, together with barracks and magazines, were also -taken and set on fire. - -One simple, but very natural question will now suggest itself. We -have seen that, even in channels unfrequented by Europeans, and only -partially known to exist, the Chinese were found to be well provided -with means of defence, not of recent construction only, but many of -them evidently of long standing. But the Chinese government had not -been at war with neighbouring nations, nor could they have erected -these internal defences against any possible future outbreak of the -foreigners who traded with Canton. The latter had usually been very -"respectfully obedient;" and, even if they had been disposed at an -earlier period to come to blows with the Chinese, their measures would -have been directed almost exclusively against the Bogue forts, which -protected the main channel of the Canton river, leading to Whampoa. -This Inner or Broadway Passage was, at all events, too shallow and -intricate to admit of the passage of large ships; and, indeed, we have -seen that even the Nemesis had failed in making her way through the -upper portion of it. - -Against whom, then, we may ask, or for what purpose, were the numerous -forts erected? The government might have thought proper to occupy -the principal strong positions, with a view to strengthen themselves -against any outbreak or insubordination of _their own people_; and -disturbances of this kind have not been unfrequent, even in despotic -and obedient China. But it is far more probable that these defences -of their "inner waters" were designed to keep in check the dangerous -incursions of pirates, or "Water Braves," who have always infested the -coast of China, and have been great enemies to its commerce, and a -source of uneasiness to its government. In a country in which so large -a portion of the population make their permanent home upon the waters, -some upon the innumerable canals and rivers which intersect it in all -directions, others along the extensive sea-coast and among its numerous -islands, it is not surprising that pirates, or, as the Portuguese call -them, Ladrones, should at all times abound. - -The means of subsistence being frequently precarious among so populous -a nation, and at no time to be acquired without careful industry, and, -at the same time, the real weakness of the government, in spite of -its bombastic edicts, have combined to make the temptation to piracy -almost irresistible. In not a few instances the government have been -compelled even to conciliate or buy over the depredators; and, in spite -of all their efforts to suppress them, the ladrones have never ceased -to infest the coast to a greater or less extent. The temptations are -always numerous, and the desperate characters who gain their living -by smuggling are, at all times, as likely to gain it by _robbing_, -whenever the opportunity may appear more favourable. Hence, we can -scarcely wonder that the pirates had long become bold, enterprising, -well-organized, and successful in their efforts, directed, however, -almost exclusively against their own countrymen, along the whole coast. - -Such as _were_ the banditti of Italy and Spain not long ago, or the -klephts of Greece, or the robbers of Hounslow Heath in times past--such -have been for centuries the pirates or ladrones of China. They are, in -fact, the highwaymen of the "Celestial Empire;" for their rivers and -water-communications are essentially their highways. - -Under these circumstances, we are led to the conclusion, that nearly -all these defences in the Broadway Passage had been constructed more -with a view to the defence of the river against the Chinese themselves, -than under any apprehension that the foreigners would ever force their -way into it. This supposition is further borne out by the fact that, -even during the short expedition of the Nemesis, bands of robbers, and -boats filled with men of a very suspicious character, were distinctly -seen at a distance, trying to take advantage of every opportunity of -plundering their countrymen _while the panic lasted_. Indeed, it may -with much truth be said, that on this, as on many other occasions, the -Chinese suffered a great deal more from the excesses and misdeeds of -their own people, than they did from any hardships they encountered -at the hands of their foreign enemies during the war. Many ludicrous, -no less than unfortunate, scenes have been witnessed, of Chinese -plundering parties falling in each other's way accidentally, and then -fighting for each other's booty, while, just at the critical moment, a -third party would perhaps step in, and carry off the greater part of -what the others had been already fighting about; and perhaps even these -would, in their turn, be stripped by another fresh party, before they -could get fairly off with their prize. - -In reality, the war itself served to disorganize the Chinese police, -and to diminish the authority of the local officers. Smuggling, -robbery, and multiplied outrages, were never more prevalent throughout -all the maritime districts than during the continuance of hostilities. - -In the neighbourhood of the Canton River, these violent proceedings -arrived at length at such a height, that the fishermen, in many -instances, combined together for mutual defence, and provided -themselves with arms. But even these men, although, doubtless, most -of them started with the good intention of capturing the pirates, or, -at all events, of protecting their own property, were tempted at last -to become, in many instances, almost as fraudulent as the regular -ladrones. Some were bold enough even to attack the foreigners, urged -thereto perhaps by the promised rewards of their own government. -Others, having now found out their own comparative strength, became -salt-smugglers and opium-smugglers; while others traded, smuggled, -robbed, or aided others to escape detection, just as it might best suit -their purpose for the moment. - -Secret societies were at length formed; a sort of freemasonry of crime -was established; and, before the close of the war, they had acquired -such an organization as to make it dangerous to move about in the -neighbourhood of Hong-Kong or Macao. They even sold passes to the -trading-boats, which were intended to exempt them from plunder, for a -regular payment of so many dollars a month; yet even these were not -always respected. - -Hong-Kong itself was in danger of daily attacks from these daring -bandits; and, as it became at length evident that the co-operation -of _both_ governments, the English and the Chinese, could alone -effectually put an end to such gross outrages, Sir Henry Pottinger made -proposals to that effect to the Chinese authorities. Our own cruisers -alone were scarcely sufficient to effect the object, because the fact -of their European shape and rig rendered them easily distinguished -at a distance, and thus the pirates had plenty of time to escape. -It was proposed, therefore, to have a number of fast-sailing boats, -built and rigged very much after the Chinese fashion, with mat-sails, -&c., to be well armed, and to be manned principally by our own men. -They would thus be able to come unsuspected upon the pirates. Various -other suggestions were made for the mutual co-operation of the two -governments in the good work; but, owing probably to fear and jealousy, -and perhaps a mixture of pride, these offers were courteously and -respectfully declined by the Chinese government, who declared that it -would be able, now that the war was ended, to take effectual steps to -put an end to this heavy source of annoyance at the mouth of the Canton -river. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[35] A little more than half a mile above the upper end of Whampoa -lies another small, low, alluvial island, which divides the river into -two branches; and upon the lower extremity of it stood a semicircular -fort, designed to command the passage on either side. This was called -Napier's Fort, from having been built expressly to commemorate the -discomfiture and ultimate death of that lamented nobleman. It mounted -thirty-five guns. - -[36] The scenery about Whampoa, and between that island and Canton, -throughout all the channels, is very picturesque. The fine pagoda -upon Whampoa, rising up, as it were, out of a little mount of wood, -and another similar one on the mainland higher up, surrounded by -rich fields and numerous winding streams, are striking objects. A -few scattered farm-houses, with their large, curved, angular roofs, -together with the village of Whampoa, and the numerous boats of -all shapes and sizes plying upon the river, present a peculiar and -thoroughly Chinese prospect. - -[37] See map. - -[38] Not only on this, but on many other occasions, these gentlemen -were personally exposed to the fire of the enemy, little less than -either soldiers or sailors. They showed the utmost coolness and -personal courage; and it is but justice to them to remark that their -presence was always of the greatest value in every operation, even -though unarmed, and, as non-belligerents, unnoticed. Their knowledge of -the language and their good judgment frequently enlisted in our favour -the people of the country, who might have offered great annoyance, and -they were often able to mitigate the hardships even of war itself. - -[39] See the map of the Canton River, in which the chart of the -Broadway, or Macao Passage, is reduced from a very large Chinese -manuscript, kindly lent by Captain Scott, who states that he found it -_approximatively_ correct. Indeed, it was the best guide to the Nemesis -(except the lead) as she proceeded, for the native pilots were not -found to be of much use. The distances _from place to place_, however, -cannot be depended on as exact; but in the original manuscript every -fort and military station was marked in its proper position. The names -given in Captain Scott's despatch are spelt somewhat differently from -what they appear on the original chart, but upon the whole they are -sufficiently correct. - -[40] Inquiry has often been made what method was adopted in order to -open a passage through obstacles such as I have described above. It -may, therefore, be here remarked, that several modes were at different -times resorted to, according to circumstances. Where the stakes were -not driven in very firmly, it was easy, by fastening a hawser round -the top of them, and making it fast to the steamer, to back her out, -and pull them one by one away; but as this was a tedious process, a -hawser was sometimes fastened round ten or a dozen of them in a line -across the river, and carried from one to the other, but fastened to -each of them in such a way as to leave about a few fathoms of slack -rope between each pair. The end of the hawser was made fast to the -steamer with a tolerable length of line out, and she was then backed at -full speed. The momentum thus acquired was soon sufficient to drag the -first pile away with a jerk; and this one being fastened already to the -next, as before described, with a fathom or two of slack line between -them, the force of the steamer, which still continued to back astern, -was sufficient to jerk that one away also; and thus proceeding at full -speed backwards, the steamer pulled them all away, one after the other, -still remaining fastened together by the hawser; but the power of the -jerk was only applied to one at a time. - -In cases where the stakes were driven in to some depth, or where the -bed of the river was tenacious, it was necessary to pull them fairly -out perpendicularly, by luff-tackle led up to the mast-head. The piles -were gradually loosened a little by being pulled to and fro; for which -purpose chain-slings were passed round the head of the pile, and a -hawser being then made fast, was led aft along the deck; thus by being -pulled in various directions, sometimes one way and sometimes another, -the pile was at length drawn fairly out, something like drawing a -tooth. The bows of the steamer were run nearly close up to the piles -during this operation, and she was steadied by a hawser run out from -the quarter to the banks of the river. - -A great point seems to lie in the management of the steamer itself, so -as to be able to apply the power in the proper direction, and at the -right moment. This is the more important, as the stream is generally -pouring through or over the stakes with the greater impetuosity, owing -to the obstruction it meets with from the obstacles in its way. This -also constitutes the difficulty of getting through the opening, even -after it is once made. It is often necessary to lay out a kedge on each -bow to steady the vessel, as she works her way through, and to prevent -her from falling broadside on to the stream. - -Generally on these occasions the water was shallow, so that it was -necessary to raise both keels of the vessel, and also the drop-rudder, -and therefore it was sometimes extremely difficult to steer her -under those circumstances, and the use of the kedges became the more -necessary. In the present instance a space of twenty-two feet was -opened, and the steamer was got through with considerable care and some -difficulty. - -[41] It should be here mentioned, that Capt. Larkins, who formerly -commanded one of the East India Company's vessels, and had been long -acquainted with the Chinese character, volunteered his valuable -services upon the occasion. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - - -During the time the Nemesis, with the boats and marines of the -Samarang, and the boat of the Atalanta, were occupied in destroying the -works of the Chinese in the Broadway River, a division of the light -squadron, under the command of Captain Herbert, had captured another -fort in the upper part of the same river, at the distance of only about -two miles from Canton. The vessels employed upon this occasion were the -Modeste and Starling, with the Madagascar steamer, and boats from most -of the ships of the advanced squadron, commanded by Captain Bethune, -viz., the Blonde, Conway, Calliope, Herald, Alligator, Hyacinth, -Nimrod, Pylades, and Cruiser. - -On the 18th (March), they pushed through the upper channel leading from -Whampoa, which had been explored on a previous occasion by the Nemesis, -under the orders of Captain Herbert; and late in the afternoon they -entered the Broadway River without any accident, although the passage -was found very intricate, owing to the number of shoals. The Modeste -was only got through with considerable difficulty, piloted by Captain -Collinson, and assisted by the Madagascar steamer. Captain Belcher -endeavoured to bring the Sulphur through, but failed, as she grounded -about four miles from the point of attack. The Queen steamer was found -to draw too much water, and could not be employed to tow her up. - -The fort which they were about to attack was the same which had before -been seen at a distance by Captain Herbert in the Nemesis, and was -found to be of a circular form, strongly built of stone, with a tower -in the centre, and situated upon a small alluvial islet in the middle -of the river, which it completely commanded. It was afterwards called -the Macao fort, and was found to mount twenty-two guns. The Chinese -had made attempts to strengthen this important post, as an outwork to -impede the advance of our forces upon Canton in that direction. With -this view they had constructed rafts across the river on both sides of -the fort, strengthened by a few piles and sunken junks, and flanked by -a sand battery, mounting eight small guns. - -As soon as our vessels and boats approached, the Chinese opened a -well-sustained fire from the fort, which was returned with good effect -by the Modeste, which had been admirably placed by Captain Eyres, -within six hundred yards, assisted by the Starling and Madagascar. - -In about half an hour the whole of the works were carried, but the -Chinese maintained their fire until the rest of the force were under -the walls, when they fled out of it in all directions, leaving several -dead in the fort. On our side only three men were wounded. Captain -Kuper, and Commanders Barlow, Giffard, Anson, and Clarke, volunteered -their services on this occasion, and the marines were commanded by -Lieut. Stransham. A large mandarin-boat was captured before the Chinese -could carry it away; and a small garrison was immediately placed in the -fort, the Modeste remaining at anchor some way below it. - -Thus another of the important defences of the Chinese in advance of -Canton had fallen; and the passage for our light squadron up to the -provincial capital lay almost completely open. Our advanced ships had -now been brought much nearer the city than the Chinese, or perhaps even -our own officers, had previously thought possible. All the important -operations which have been described in the Broadway River, commencing -from Macao upwards, to within two miles of Canton, had been effected -in the short space of three days--viz., on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of -March, 1841. - -On the 16th, Captains Herbert, Bourchier, Bethune, and other officers, -came on board the Nemesis at Whampoa, and proceeded along the upper -channel towards the Macao passage. In the afternoon, the Nemesis joined -the Modeste, which was still at anchor below the fort. A passage was -soon cleared through the rafts, and she pursued her course, with the -object of taking up a chop or despatch from Captain Elliot, addressed -to the imperial commissioner, and at the same time to explore the -nature of the passage above the fort. But, scarcely had she passed the -stakes, when she struck heavily upon a sunken rock. This obstacle, -however, was not situated in the broadest and most frequented channel, -which leads past the fort on its eastern side, but in the narrower -passage on the western side of the fort. The concussion made the vessel -tremble; and, had she been built of wood instead of iron, she could -hardly have escaped some severe injury. - -After considerable delay and exertion she was got off again. Before she -advanced further towards Canton, it was thought proper to hoist a flag -of truce; but, knowing at the same time how little the Chinese respect -for it could be depended on, a division of armed boats was taken in -tow, in case of meeting with any sudden attack from the enemy. - -Upwards of a mile further on, a newly-constructed field-work was -discovered upon a rising ground, surrounded and partially concealed -by trees. It was situated upon the left bank of the river, and was -called the Birdsnest Fort. In front of it, the passage of the river was -obstructed by a strong raft, reaching quite across it, and well moored; -while, further on, just at the point of junction with the Canton river, -a number of war-junks and armed boats were drawn up for its defence, -nearly opposite Shameen, which is about half a mile above the factories. - -The steamer was now stopped; and it was resolved to send a boat, with a -flag of truce flying, in order to attempt to carry up Captain Elliot's -letter. The flag of truce was also flying upon the Nemesis and all the -other boats. Captain Bethune, having undertaken this charge, had just -pushed off from the steamer, when a shower of grape-shot was discharged -from the Birdsnest Fort. Fortunately no injury was done, as the shot -passed over the boats; but the flags of truce were immediately lowered, -and the guns of the Nemesis, and also those of the boats, opened fire -upon the fort, in retaliation of the hostile act of the Chinese. At the -same time, the junks ahead, and also the battery at Shameen, commenced -a distant straggling fire, much beyond effective range. A rocket thrown -from the Nemesis fell into the middle of the fort, and partially set -fire to the buildings, and it would have been very easy to have carried -the works by assault; but orders to the contrary were given by Captain -Herbert, who was not desirous of carrying hostilities further, without -the sanction of Captain Elliot. He immediately returned to Whampoa, in -order to bring up some of the light squadron, with a view to advance, -if necessary, upon Canton itself. - -There were good reasons for not wasting time at the fort that evening; -but, unfortunately, it is the practice of the Chinese always to claim -a victory, and to report upon it accordingly to the Emperor, on every -occasion on which any portion of our forces withdrew from before any -of their defences, without having first occupied them. In the present -instance, it was reported, that even a devil-ship had been driven -away by the imperial troops from the Birdsnest Fort, and the high -distinction of a peacock's father was conferred upon the commandant of -it, as a reward for his courage! - -Upon reaching Whampoa again the same evening in the Nemesis, Captain -Herbert received a communication from Captain Elliot, respecting the -measures to be adopted in consequence of the insult which had been -offered to the flag of truce. Captain Elliot pointed out to him that -the "Chinese knew perfectly well the value of the white flag, for they -had often taken advantage of it to communicate with our forces:" and -he then dwelt upon the "necessity of resisting this aggression with -all the promptitude which might be compatible with considerations of -a military nature." At the same time, he requested Captain Herbert to -"confine his operations to the fort from which the shot was actually -fired." It would seem, however, that Captain Herbert took upon himself -the responsibility of the operations against Canton, which are shortly -to be described; for he expressed himself in one of his despatches to -the effect, that he had "found himself forced to make his arrangements -without any instructions from his superior officer, Sir Gordon Bremer; -but that he felt that he had no alternative but to resent with all -promptitude the insult offered to the flag of truce." Arrangements -were accordingly made, without loss of time, for proceeding to active -operations. - -The want of interpreters was at this time very much felt by Captain -Herbert. He repeatedly applied for some one to be sent up to him in -that capacity; and he wrote to the commodore, "that there was not a -single person in the advanced squadron who understood a word of the -language." The difficulty of procuring supplies was consequently very -much increased, particularly as the authorities at Canton had forbidden -the people to carry provisions to the squadron. The difficulty of -obtaining accurate information of any kind was very great; but it had -been already positively ascertained that the authorities of Canton -had prevented a single chest of tea, or any other article of export, -from leaving Canton, long before even the attack upon the Macao Fort; -and it was also known that a considerable body of Tartar troops had -already reached the city. In short, all the information which could be -obtained fully confirmed the impression conveyed by the insult to the -flag of truce, that the Chinese were making active preparations for -the resumption of hostilities, and that the sooner we had recourse to -active measures the better. - -On the morning of the 17th, Captain Elliot and suite, together with -Captains Herbert, Bourchier, and other officers, proceeded in the -Nemesis towards the Macao passage, or Broadway river, where she -rejoined the vessels at anchor below the Macao Fort. It was a favourite -scheme of Captain Elliot, at this time, to endeavour to command all the -lines of water-communication to the westward of Canton, so as to cut -off _the supplies_ from the city, and stop the local trade. - -The rivers or creeks, and their branches in this neighbourhood, -are extremely numerous. Some little distance below the Macao Fort -a considerable branch turns off to the westward, and leads, at the -distance of several miles, up to Tatshan. About a mile and a half -within this passage another channel leads off to the northward, in the -direction of the Canton river, which it enters a little above Shameen, -on the opposite side. This channel was narrow, and not navigable, -except for boats. The Hyacinth had, on the previous day, been pushed -into the Tatshan passage, nearly as far as the point where the smaller -channel turns off to Canton, but there she stuck, owing to the -shoalness of the water. - -The Nemesis, therefore, having in tow a division of boats, was now -moved up the Tatshan passage, and shortly communicated with the -Hyacinth, which was at anchor there. She then turned up the northern -branch, which was afterwards called the Fatee creek, in the hope of -being able to push up to the Canton river in that direction, and so cut -off all the Chinese boats which might attempt to escape up the river. -After proceeding some distance, the water was found too shallow and the -passage very narrow, and she was compelled to return, having captured -on her way a very handsome mandarin-boat. In the evening she rejoined -the squadron in the Macao passage, where the Commodore, Sir Gordon -Bremer, had just arrived in the Madagascar steamer, which had been sent -for him. The dispositions had already been made by Captain Herbert, for -the capture of all the remaining defences in advance of Canton, on the -following day; and Sir Gordon Bremer was therefore unwilling to disturb -the arrangements. - -The 18th March, 1841, will ever be remembered as the great day upon -which the city of Canton was first humbled; and the whole of the works -which had been erected for its defence, along its river front, were -captured by H.M. naval forces.[42] - -Mention has already been made of the almost innumerable boats which -crowd most of the rivers of China, and perhaps none more so than that -of Canton, upon which it is stated that there is a floating population, -permanently living on the water, of no less than forty thousand souls. -They are the small traders, hucksters, fishermen, and public carriers -of the country; and always appear an industrious and contented portion -of the people. Of course, the numerous body of smugglers belong to this -class. - -It was said that one of the most influential smugglers, whose -avocations had long been winked at by the authorities, who were -themselves participators in the gains, had been suddenly arrested, -and threatened with the confiscation of all his property, and even -death; but that a free pardon was offered to him if he would contrive -to collect together all the best boats, and furnish the men with arms; -putting them under the orders of the mandarins, to co-operate for the -defence of the city. Accordingly, a vast number of these boats were -seen at a distance, drawn up in a curved line across the river, at the -mouth of the Macao passage. - -Besides these, it was known that some gun-boats, completely formed -after European models, and thoroughly coppered, had been equipped by -the government. Our flotilla of men-of-war-boats was therefore to be -employed in pursuing and destroying this legion of the enemy. - -At half-past eleven, the Nemesis commenced the attack upon the little -battery, called by us the Birdsnest Fort, which she had engaged two -days before, She opened her fire of guns and rockets with effect, -and the Chinese returned the fire with spirit for some time; but the -Modeste and Madagascar joined in the attack, and it is not surprising -that the fort was silenced in a very short space of time. Some of the -boats immediately pushed off to make themselves masters of the place, -and the Chinese were chased out of it in great confusion. - -Another field-work, almost close to it, was also captured at the same -time. They were found to mount upwards of thirty guns, which, together -with the magazine, were destroyed. - -In the meantime, the Starling and Algerine had contrived to force a -passage through the raft, and had scarcely got to the other side, when -a small sand-bag battery and several war-junks opened their fire upon -them, very near the point of junction with the Canton river. The Hebe -and Louisa took part in this affair; and the Nemesis came up as soon as -the lower forts had been silenced; part of the flotilla of boats, under -Captain Bourchier, also arrived, and the sand-battery was soon carried, -while the war-junks and the flotilla of Chinese armed boats already -began to disperse. - -A strong fort, opposite the city, mounting twenty guns, called the -Rouge Fort, was next silenced, but was not taken possession of -immediately. Later in the day, however, a boat from the Nemesis, under -Lieut. Pedder, was sent to hoist our flag upon it; and another party -from the Sulphur landed nearly at the same time under Captain Belcher. - -The large Chinese flotilla before described, was pursued up the river -by the Nemesis and the boats, and was soon in a state of indescribable -confusion. - -At this moment, the division of boats under Captain Belcher and Captain -Warren succeeded in getting through the Fatee creek, and, coming -suddenly down upon the Chinese boats, which were already so closely -pursued, destroyed an immense number of them. Some were driven ashore, -some were sunk, and a few escaped up the creeks in the rear of the town. - -The Nemesis, in the meantime, had opened her fire upon the Shameen -Fort, in the western suburbs of the city; and, under cover of her -guns, Captain Bethune put off from her; and a division of boats, with -Captains Belcher and Warren at their head, also landed and took the -fort, after some resistance. It mounted ten guns. - -While these operations were going on in the upper part of the river, -the Madagascar had gone down and taken up a position not far from the -Dutch Folly, which was a circular fort, in the middle of the river, -directly opposite the city, mounting twenty-five guns. In front of it a -number of junks laden with stones had been sunk. A small sand-battery -of three guns, close to the naval arsenal, which is on the south side -of the river, was at the same time carried by another division of -boats. Four of the new Chinese gun-boats were also captured. - -[Illustration: -SKETCH -OF -THE NAVAL OPERATIONS BEFORE CANTON, -On the 18th March, 1841, -UNDER CAPT. SIR THOS. HERBERT, K.C.B. - - GUNS. - _a_ Birdsnest Fort 22 - _b_ " " 9 - _c_ " " 9 - _d_ Shameen Fort 10 - _e_ Rouge Fort 20 - _f_ Field-work 3 - _g_ Dutch Folly 25 - --- - 98 - In the War Junks 15 - --- - 113 - -Together with 6 Gun Boats and 6 Mandarin Boats. -] - -A little before one o'clock, about an hour after the first shot of the -day had been fired, and after all the detached forts and batteries, -except the so-called Dutch Folly, had been taken, Captain Elliot came -on board the Nemesis, and desired that he might be conveyed to the -British factory, with a _flag of truce_ hoisted, it being clearly his -intention to endeavour to treat at once, without further employment -of force. However, scarcely had she got down opposite the European -factories, and only within distant range of the Dutch Folly, when the -latter opened fire on her, in spite of the flag of truce. Instantly it -was hauled down, the fire was returned by other vessels, and the result -was that the fort was soon silenced. - -The Nemesis then proceeded some little way down the river, towards -the Dutch Folly, in company with several boats of the squadron. This -circular fort was taken possession of by a party of marines and seamen; -and, not far from it, four new gun-boats, built according to European -models, were boarded and taken, their crews having abandoned them. -The Chinese naval forces offered, in fact, little or no resistance -throughout the day; and even their forts, which fired with considerable -spirit at a distance, were soon abandoned by their garrisons, when -there was any certainty of their coming to close quarters with our men. - -At half-past one, Captain Elliot being still on board the Nemesis, -she was ordered to return close to the factories, where Captain Hall -landed, accompanied by Mr. Morrison, and hastened at once to the -British factory, both being equally eager to take possession of it -again. In a few moments the British flag was displayed in triumph, with -three cheers, which were returned by the steamer and boats. At the same -time, Captain Belcher also hastened up towards the factory with a party -of men, and was preparing to hoist the colours upon the flag-staff in -front of the Factory, when, at that very moment, they were waved from -the window of the Factory, by Captain Hall himself. - -As all the defences had now been taken, and Canton lay completely at -our mercy, one would hardly have expected that any further resistance -would have been made. But the Chinese have a fancy of their own for -renewing a combat in detached parties, long after all possibility of -doing good by it has ceased. On many occasions during the war, they -suffered severely and justly for thus uselessly harassing our men after -the day was over, and when our troops were in possession of all the -enemy's positions. - -On this occasion, as Captain Hall and his party were returning to -their boat, a body of soldiers rushed out upon them, but were driven -back to a narrow street called Hog Lane, beyond the British factory, -and were even pursued for some distance up that narrow passage. Many of -them were killed while retreating although they crouched down behind -their large ratan shields for shelter at each discharge. It was thought -imprudent to pursue them far, as in so narrow a space, with low houses -on one side, and a dead wall on the other, the retreat of the pursuers -might have been cut off. Captain Belcher and his party were also -attacked at the same time, and gallantly put the enemy to flight with -some loss, pursuing them as far as was prudent. - -The Chinese shewed no further disposition to come to close quarters, -and our men returned to their boats without further molestation. One -man belonging to the Nemesis was wounded during the affray. - -Little now remained to be done but to take possession of and destroy -some of the boats and junks which had been overlooked in the hurry of -more important matters. Late in the evening, the Nemesis anchored in -company with the squadron, off the western suburbs of the city, nearly -a mile above the factory. The flags of truce were still flying, and it -must be admitted that greater forbearance towards the Chinese, or more -unwillingness to proceed to the infliction of suffering upon the people -or city of Canton, could not possibly have been exhibited than on this -memorable day of the first capture of Canton. - -It must not be omitted to state that Commodore Sir Gordon Bremer, got -up, towards the close of the action, in the Hyacinth's gig, just in -time to see the British flag displayed from the Factory. The Herald -also arrived as a reinforcement, in the latter part of the day. - -One officer and six or seven men wounded were the only casualties on -our side, throughout all the operations of the 18th of March. - -It was said that several desultory outbreaks of the mob occurred during -the evening of this day, which were with some difficulty suppressed -by the police. They were in most instances the outbursts of the evil -passions of the demoralized mob of Canton, the worst of all the -subjects of China, attracted to the centre of foreign commerce, by the -hope of profit, or the opportunity of exercising their bad ingenuity. -In no part of China has the feeling of hostility to the foreigner -prevailed more strongly against us than at Canton. In many other -districts, the English force was even welcomed, or, at all events, -received without insult or violence. - -It is worthy of remark that, during the whole of the following day, -the 19th, nothing of importance was done, either as to the further -progress of hostilities, or as to the demanding any specified terms -from the Chinese. It is easy to guess what interpretation was put -upon our inactivity by the authorities and the people. The motive on -our part seems to have been principally one of pure compassion, and -an unwillingness to take the initiative of _proposing_ terms to the -Chinese, which it was their part, as the conquered, to solicit. - -After the lapse of one entire day, Captain Elliot and suite were -carried down to the Factory in the Nemesis, on the morning of the 20th, -where they landed soon after mid-day. There could be little doubt that -something important would now be settled. Captain Elliot was bent -upon getting the trade opened, and no less so upon bringing about a -cessation of hostilities. He was not altogether wrong, perhaps, even -in the slowness of his proceedings, considering the extraordinary -circumstances in which he was placed. He seems to have merely -miscalculated the importance, or perhaps the exigency, of the political -crisis in which he found himself placed. He probably viewed the whole -matter almost exclusively as a commercial question. - -The first public notification was by a circular dated at the hall of -the British Factory, by which it was announced that a suspension of -hostilities had been agreed upon between the imperial commissioner, -Yang-Fang and Captain Elliot. It was further agreed that the trade of -the port of Canton should at once be opened. With regard to the opium -trade, it was settled that no bond, such as had formerly been demanded -by Lin, should now be required, but that the same liabilities should be -incurred by any British subject detected in the act of introducing any -unlawful goods, as would follow the same offences in England. Captain -Elliot also distinctly intimated that, "pending the final settlement -of affairs between the two countries, the usual port charges and other -dues should continue to be paid as heretofore." - -All those who had watched the course of events, and had studied in -the slightest degree the Chinese character, could only look upon -this temporary arrangement as the mere preliminary of the resumption -of hostilities, not as the settlement of peace. In itself, this -insignificant demand was almost equivalent to an acknowledgment of -failure. That it was so viewed by Sir Gordon Bremer is evident, from -the notice which he issued on the next day, the 21st, dated at the -Bogue, in which he declared that all vessels proceeding to Whampoa, -under this agreement, must do so at the risk of the possible resumption -of hostilities. - -On the side of the Chinese, a proclamation was issued by Yang, as joint -commissioner, (the other two had not yet arrived,) to the effect that, -"as Elliot had represented that all he wanted was peace and permission -to trade as formerly, and as all trade depended upon the cherishing -goodness of the celestial court, that therefore it was right _now_ to -permit the English to trade as well as other people, in order to shew -a compassionate regard." It was further added, that henceforth the -people were carefully to look to and well treat the merchant vessels at -Whampoa, as well as the merchants at Canton. - -Such, then, were the slender grounds upon which it was agreed that our -force should be withdrawn from before Canton, after all the treasure, -and labour, and some loss of life, which had been expended in bringing -it there. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[42] The vessels engaged were the - Modeste, Commander Eyres; - Algerine, Lieut. Mason; - Starling, Lieut. Kellett; - Herald, Capt. Nias (later in the day;) - Hebe and Louisa Tenders, Mr. Quin and Mr. Carmichael; - -Together with the steamers - Nemesis, W. H. Hall, R.N.; and - Madagascar, Mr. Dicey. - -A large flotilla of boats, from the squadron generally, was placed -under the command of Captain Bourchier assisted by Captain Bethune, -and was formed in four divisions, three of which were under the orders -of Commanders Barlow and Clarke, and Lieut. Coulson, and the fourth -commanded by Captain Belcher and Captain Warren. The whole together -must have amounted to little less than forty in number. Upwards -of fifty naval officers took part in the operations of this large -flotilla alone; the services of which were likely to be of the greatest -importance in capturing and destroying the immense flotilla of Chinese -boats, of all forms and sizes, which had been pressed into the service -of the government for the defence of Canton. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - - -The agreement for the suspension of hostilities, made at Canton by -Captain Elliot, on the 20th March, 1841, was only entered into with -_one_ of the three newly-appointed imperial commissioners, Yang-Fang -being, in fact, the only one who had then arrived. Lung-Wan, the -principal joint-commissioner, and Yih-Shan, the Tartar-general -associated with him, did not arrive until about three weeks afterwards, -when they brought with them a large body of troops, imperfectly armed -and little organized. The news of what had already happened must have -astonished them beyond all conception. - -In the meantime trade went on with great activity, but much caution, -at Canton. It was generally believed, nevertheless, that the temporary -calm upon the surface would be of short duration, and the growing storm -upon the horizon, gave a warning to all who were interested in passing -events, to set their house in order. - -Rumours were abroad of extensive preparations being actively in -progress by the Chinese, somewhere or other above Canton; but the -precise situation of them was not discovered until the second attack -was made upon the city, in the month of May. It was said that numerous -fire-rafts were being constructed, war-junks equipped, and troops -collected; and it was little doubted that, as soon as the principal -mercantile transactions (which were as important to the Chinese as they -were to the foreigners) should be completed, a renewal of hostilities -would take place. - -In the meantime it was satisfactory to the European residents to know -that, as the greater part of our ships of war were at Whampoa, or -in that neighbourhood, many of them could be speedily brought up to -Canton; and, moreover, the Modeste, Algerine, Hyacinth, and Herald, -were still at anchor, much nearer the city. They had only withdrawn to -the Macao passage, at the distance of a couple of miles from Canton, -after the commencement of the truce. - -The Nemesis, meantime, had gone down to Macao, whither she conveyed -Captain Elliot and his suite, and took the opportunity of the -temporary pause to complete her necessary repairs. Sir Gordon Bremer, -at this time, thought it right to go up in person to Calcutta, to -represent the state of affairs to the Governor-General, and to request -reinforcements. He sailed on or about the 31st March, in the H.C. -steamer, Queen; leaving Captain Sir Le Fleming Senhouse in command of -the naval forces during his absence. - -For some time after the commencement of the truce, the native -inhabitants and traders of the city, some of whom, however, had retired -from it altogether, continued to pursue their ordinary avocations with -some appearance of returning confidence. A proclamation was issued by -the governor, tending to allay any remaining apprehensions they might -have, and similar pacific assurances were addressed by the authorities, -repeatedly, both to the native and foreign residents, even till the -very day when their scarcely concealed projects of vengeance were to be -attempted. - -On the 5th April, Captain Elliot again returned to the factory at -Canton, and, during his short residence there, of ten or twelve days, -the authorities and the new commissioners succeeded in so far blinding -the plenipotentiary to all their hostile purposes, that he himself -publicly declared that he was perfectly satisfied with all their -"_assurances_ of good faith, and their disposition to fulfil their -engagements." The day before he left Canton again--namely, on the -16th April--he expressed himself decidedly to the same purport, in a -public proclamation, addressed, however, rather to the Chinese people -than to his own countrymen, but calculated likewise to reassure the -latter, should they be unable to form any judgment for themselves. And -he moreover assured Sir Le Fleming Senhouse that "he entertained no -uneasiness for life and property at Canton." - -Captain Elliot left the Factory on the following day, and returned to -Macao; not, however, without first urging upon Sir Le Fleming Senhouse -the propriety of removing our ships further off from the city. He -requested that the vessels which were before Shameen should be moved -down to the Macao fort, in order to shew our peaceful disposition; -and he recommended that proper respect should be manifested to the -government, and that the officers in command should do all in their -power to uphold its character in the sight of the people, "compatible -with the paramount necessity of keeping awake a lively sense that -renewed ill faith would be responded to by an immediate blow." - -All this had very little effect in rendering the foreign community less -apprehensive of a resumption of hostilities. - -For a very brief space appearances were favourable, but fresh troops -soon began pouring into the town; and some of the natives have since -admitted that they even knew that, in secret, fresh cannon were being -cast, and extensive preparations, of every description, urged on in -the quietest possible manner, evidently with a view to some sudden and -unwarned explosion. - -Immediately before leaving Canton, on the 17th April, Captain Elliot -seemed resolved to take some steps against the continuance of the trade -in opium within the river. He applied to Sir Le Fleming Senhouse to -prevent any small vessels from passing into the river within the Bogue, -unless provided with a passport signed by the plenipotentiary. These -passes were to be issued to those alone who could afford him assurance, -to his own satisfaction, that the boats or small craft should _only_ -be employed in the conveyance of passengers, letters, or supplies. -They were to be obtained by foreigners through their own consuls, who -would apply to him for them. But he reserved to himself the right of -cancelling them whenever he should see cause to determine that such a -course "should be necessary in _discharge of his engagements_;" and, -moreover, every ship or vessel was to be forcibly expelled from the -river, if it were proved to his satisfaction that she was engaged in -"_dangerous pursuits_" calculated to disturb the truce and interrupt -the general trade. - -This could, of course, only allude to the trade in opium, and the -whole proceeding seems expressly to have been arranged between Captain -Elliot and the Chinese authorities, for he actually obtained from the -Kwang-chow-foo, or prefect, _licences_, bearing his official seal, -which he could himself distribute to those vessels to which he issued -his passports, and which were to have the effect of exempting them from -_all visit or examination by the Chinese officers_, whether connected -with the customs or any other department. - -One cannot help remarking that this measure, which, however, was -only partially carried into effect, gave an immense advantage to the -Chinese authorities, while, on our sides, we totally lost sight of -the main question at issue. The point gained by the Chinese was, that -they at once threw into the back-ground every other question but that -of trade, and, above all, that of trade in opium, which, therefore, -they ingeniously tried to make appear the "fons et origo" of the whole -dispute; and having got Elliot to lend assistance _to them_ in _one_ -point, it gave them the advantage of appearing to justify themselves -in the eyes of their countrymen, and, indeed, in the opinion of -foreigners at a distance, and who were in ignorance of the real state -of things, for the greater part of their preposterous and violent -proceedings. On our part, it tended to put on one side, as if of minor -consideration, the "demand for reparation and redress for injuries -inflicted," as her Majesty declared in her speech from the throne, -"upon some of her subjects by the imperial officers, and for the -_indignities_ offered to an agent of her crown;" this agent being no -other than Captain Elliot himself! It put out of sight the indignities -offered to Lord Napier, and all who had been concerned in any way in -the conduct of our communications with China since the abolition of -the exclusive privileges of the East India Company. It overlooked the -proper spirit of indignation, which could hardly fail to animate every -man who had been imprisoned, insulted, and starved into concessions, -which he could have otherwise had no right or authority to yield. - -That at this stage of the proceedings endless difficulties appeared -to beset the questions at issue, may very justly be urged. But we -have at all times to consider the character of the people with whom -a question is at issue, in an almost equal degree with the question -itself. And it will scarcely be questioned that the character of the -Chinese, and especially of the officers of their government, was at -that time imperfectly understood. In reality, the proceedings on both -sides, between the first conquest of Canton on the 18th of March, and -its second surrender under the agreement of ransom upon the 26th of May -(which remains yet to be described) were evidently temporary expedients -on both sides; on that of the Chinese, to gain time for the preparation -of more efficient means of resistance, and for relief from immediate -"pressure;" on that of their opponents for the completion of the -_commercial_ transactions of the season. - -For some time after the commencement of the truce, a guard of marines -was stationed in the Factories; but, as soon as Captain Elliot's -"assurance proclamation" was issued, they were withdrawn. Up to -that time there had been, as is usually the case, a division in the -councils to a certain extent; but now the "war and extermination" party -got completely the upper hand, and their hopes of success were much -encouraged by a report which reached them, that the main body of our -force was about to proceed to the northward, to operate on the coast. -This was, in fact, really intended, as will be seen presently, although -it was subsequently deferred, owing to reports of the preparations at -Canton, and the expectation of a speedy outbreak. - -The Emperor's proclamations to all the maritime districts continued -to breathe a spirit of uncompromising war; and the governor of the -province of Che-keang, (under whom are the Chusan Islands,) the -venerable Elepoo, was severely reproved for having permitted the -barbarians to _retire_ from Chusan under Keshen's treaty, instead of -having advanced to _drive_ them out by force, and to effect their -destruction. - -Thus, at the commencement of May, the speedy resumption of hostilities -seemed inevitable; and the report brought from the northward by the -Columbine, Captain Clarke, of the preparations which were being -carried on by the Chinese, and of the refusal of the authorities of -Che-keang to receive from that officer a despatch which he had been -ordered and sent expressly to deliver, tended to confirm every previous -impression.[43] Nor was this all. Information was brought from Canton -that, on the 30th April, no less than forty boats had passed in front -of the Factories, having on board at least two thousand troops; that -they proceeded a little lower down, and landed at a short distance from -the Dutch Folly, and thence marched into the city. - -An explanation of this circumstance was demanded, and an evasive reply -was sent by the Kwang-chow-foo, or prefect, to Captain Elliot. A few -days afterwards, it was distinctly reported that the English at Canton -were to be suddenly attacked, and all their property destroyed. And, -on the 8th May, no less than seventy more boats passed before the -Factories, bringing down full three thousand troops to the city, and -these were said to be the advanced guard of a large army. It was known, -also, that a vast number of fire-rafts were being prepared, and several -hundred divers were said to be in training, who were to go down and -bore holes in our ships at night; or even, as the Chinese privately -reported, to carry down with them some combustible material which would -burn under water and destroy our vessels. - -The Nemesis was, during all this time, incessantly employed in carrying -letters and despatches, as well as officers, from one place to another. -Constant communications were kept up; Sir Le Fleming Senhouse and -Captain Elliot were continually passing and repassing to and from -different points within the river--frequently up to Whampoa, or even to -the neighbourhood of the very Factories at Canton. - -At the same period, arrangements for the complete settlement and -government of Hong-Kong were being continued without intermission. -Officers were appointed, a magistrates court formed, proclamations -issued, and establishments of various kinds commenced. In short, it -seemed very evident that we had no intention of restoring the island -to the Chinese, whatever might be the reply of the Emperor to Keshen's -treaty. - -Preparations had already been commenced at Hong-Kong for the advance -of our force upon Amoy, under Sir Hugh Gough, with a view to carry on -hostilities further to the northward; but they were now temporarily -suspended, in order to meet the approaching crisis at Canton. - -If anything had been wanting to confirm the rumour, not only of the -extensive preparations of the Chinese government to recommence the -attack, but also to indicate the disposition of the people of Canton -towards us, it was to be found in a curious address, or chop, publicly -circulated in the city, and even posted upon its walls. It purported to -express the sentiments of the people themselves, or to be an address -from that portion which claimed to be most patriotic to the other -portion which might possibly be less so. It was intended to inflame -the public mind against us, but it was not sealed or _apparently_ -sanctioned by the government. - -All this was designed, of course, to frighten the barbarians; and -although it professed to be a mere ebullition of the spirit of the -people, there is little doubt that the government were cognizant of it. -This is rendered more probable by the circumstance that, only a few -days afterwards, the prefect of the city issued distinct orders to the -elders of the people, that they should cause them to remove their wives -and children, with all their moveable property, from the neighbourhood -of the river. - -At length, even Captain Elliot himself began to catch a glimmering of -the truth, which seemed to steal but slowly upon his unwilling eyes. On -the 10th of May he resolved to go in person to Canton in the Nemesis, -and, in order the better to impress the Chinese with the opinion which -he retained of their good faith, he even took up Mrs. Elliot with -him--probably the first time an English female had set foot in Canton. - -The next morning the Nemesis was moved down to the Macao, or Broadway -Passage, about three quarters of a mile from the Factories. Captain -Elliot, as soon as he landed at the Factory, sought an interview with -the Kwang-chow-foo, or prefect, and demanded certain explanations from -him, which evidently embarrassed him not a little. The answers were -evasive and unsatisfactory; previously-lurking suspicions were more -than confirmed, and Captain Elliot left the Factory that same evening, -_preferring to sleep on board the Nemesis_. - -No time was now to be lost in seeking a conference with the naval -and military commanders-in-chief, who were then at Hong-Kong; and, -accordingly, on the following morning, the 12th, the Nemesis was -ordered to convey him, with all speed, down the river to that place, -a communication being made, on his way down, to Captain Herbert, -commanding the advanced squadron at Whampoa, who was already prepared -for an approaching crisis. The result of the conference held at -Hong-Kong the same day was, that the expedition to Amoy was to be -positively postponed, and the whole disposable force moved once more -towards Canton. - -Hong-Kong was now the scene of general bustle and activity, a new -disposition of the forces was made, and every measure adopted for -their speedy junction as near as possible to Canton. By the judicious -exertions of Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, and the hearty co-operation of -all his officers, eager once more for active employment, the whole -fleet of men-of-war and transports, with all the troops on board, were -ready to sail in five days. Every man that could be spared, except the -invalids and convalescents, was embarked; and every ship of war, except -the Druid, which was left for the protection of the harbour, was under -orders for the Canton river. - -On the 18th and 19th, having been a little delayed by calms, they all -got away in admirable order, full of high hope and promise that now, at -length, they were to become masters of the great southern emporium of -foreign commerce. - -Captain Elliot now once more proceeded to Canton, as usual, in the -Nemesis, which took him up there in a very few hours. He returned -to his quarters in the Factory; but, so incontrovertible were the -evidences of the hostile intentions of the Chinese, and so strong the -apprehension of the momentary bursting forth of some treacherous plot, -that the Nemesis, which was the only vessel at hand, was kept cleared -for action, with the guns loaded, steam up, and the cable in readiness -to slip, although no immediate danger was visible. - -Captain Elliot now very properly advised the merchants, by public -proclamation, to make their arrangements, so as to be prepared to -leave Canton at a moment's notice. On the following day, the 20th, -the Nemesis was moved close up to the Factories, or a little above -them, for the protection of the whole foreign community. It was -already discovered that the western battery above the city at Shameen -had been repaired and armed at least ten days before; that a large -encampment had been formed to the eastward of the town, for some of -the newly-arrived troops; while new works had also been erected on the -river-side in the same direction--that is, below the town, in the rear -of the French Folly. Tartar troops were still pouring into the city in -great numbers, while the citizens themselves were hastening out of it -with precipitation. Goods and chattels of all kinds were being carried -away; confusion was evident where everything is usually so orderly; and -it is said that soldiers were even seen moving about with matchlocks, -and their slow matches ready lighted in their hands. - -Our own forces were by this time on the way up, the troops from -Hong-Kong had already passed the Bogue, and the light squadron had -begun to move from Whampoa. Still Captain Elliot was in the Factory, -and still a great portion of the merchants remained at their posts, -ready to decamp at a moment's notice, yet anxiously devoting every -doubtful moment of delay to the purpose of arranging, as well as they -could, their complicated affairs. - -The Chinese, finding that their plans were now fairly discovered, -were placed in the predicament of being obliged to hurry on the -execution of them more rapidly than they had intended. But still the -authorities resolved once more to try the effect of a proclamation, to -_lull suspicion_. Having found themselves, on several occasions, so -successful in their art of duplicity, they hoped still to catch the -unwary foreigners in their net; and there is some reason to believe -they intended to take the whole foreign community by _surprise_, and -seize them in their Factories, something after the fashion adopted by -Commissioner Lin. - -Nevertheless, fearful of being prematurely driven into the exposure -of their designs, the prefect thought proper to issue on the 20th -(only the day before the attack actually commenced) a proclamation -to the following effect, under his official seal. He stated that "he -issued this edict in order to _calm the feelings of the merchants_, -and to tranquillize commercial business." That "it was to be feared -that the merchants, seeing the gathering of the military hosts, would -tremble with alarm, not knowing where these things would end." That, -"instead of being frightened out of their wits, so as to abandon -their goods, and secretly go away, they ought to be assured that the -imperial commissioner and general pacificator of the rebels, with the -other higher officers, would manage things with due consideration, -so that the obedient shall be protected from all injury, and their -goods preserved in safety." He concluded by saying, "that the foreign -merchants ought also to remain _quiet in their lawful pursuits_, -continuing their trade as usual, without alarm or suspicion." - -All this in the face of incessant preparations, carried on day and -night, for the resumption of hostilities, and for the treacherous -annihilation of everything belonging to foreigners within their grasp! -and the _very day before_ the explosion. - -It was of course known to the authorities that our forces were already -moving up the river; their own plans, therefore, were necessarily -hastened, in the hope that by a simultaneous attack by fire-rafts on -our shipping at different points, as well as on the Factories, they -might get completely the upper hand of us before our forces could be -concentrated upon the city. Early in the morning, therefore, Capt. -Elliot recommended in strong terms, that all foreigners should leave -Canton before sunset. - -During this whole day, the consternation among the Chinese in the -neighbourhood of the Factories, increased every hour; shops were -closed, goods removed, and several of our officers who went on shore to -see what was going on, were prevented by guards of Chinese soldiers, -from passing through any of the usually frequented streets beyond the -immediate proximity of the Factories. - -The crisis was now at its height. Many of the merchants had withdrawn -to Whampoa several days before, and in the course of this day, all the -rest (except two American gentlemen) got away in boats. The small party -of marines which were with Capt. Elliot, in the British Factory, were -withdrawn by orders of Capt. Herbert, who had come up from Whampoa as -commander of the advanced squadron, and before sunset Capt. Elliot -himself, with his suite, once more abandoned the Factory, and came -on board the Nemesis. Capt. Herbert, however, removed on board the -Modeste. And now, the flag of England was finally lowered at Canton, -where it was never again hoisted until long after the conclusion of -peace. - -In the meantime, the Pylades and Modeste, together with the Algerine, -had been moved closer up to the town, for mutual protection. The -Nemesis still remained a little above the Factories, together with the -Louisa, Capt. Elliot's own cutter, and Mr. Dent's schooner, the Aurora. -A dull and ominous suspense reigned on every side; a general stagnation -of ordinary intercourse; and that noble river, usually so busy with the -hum of men, and, as it were, alive with the innumerable boats of every -shape and fashion which ply upon its surface, and that active, busy, -almost countless population, which make their home upon its friendly -waters, and seem happy in their thrifty industry, all now were dull, -and almost still with a portentous dreariness. - -The sun at length set gloomily. The darkness of the night was -remarkable; and one better adapted for surprising an enemy could hardly -have been chosen. But, although the precise nature of their plans, or -mode of attack was not known, yet enough had been clearly ascertained -to render every possible precaution necessary. The Modeste lay somewhat -higher up the river than the Nemesis, and was likely to be the first to -discover the approach of an enemy in that quarter, whatever might be -their design. - -On board the Nemesis no precaution was omitted; double sentries were -placed; the men below were all ordered to lie down ready equipped -for instant service; even the fires were laid and _lighted_ in the -furnaces, so that steam could be got up in a few minutes if requisite. -All who could be spared retired to rest, but not to sleep. The feeling -of excitement was too general to permit repose. Capt. Elliot laid -himself down in his cloak upon the quarter-deck, while Capt. Hall, -ever on the alert, stretched himself upon the bridge between the -paddle-boxes, ready at a second's warning to give the necessary orders. -Capt. Herbert, also, who was at that time on board the Modeste, had -fully impressed every one with the necessity of omitting no precaution -against the impending danger. - -Equal activity and similar precautions were adopted on board all the -other ships, and already the Herald and Calliope had been moved up the -river, to within a short distance of Canton. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[43] The despatch was believed to relate principally to the supposed -death of Captain Stead, of the Pestonjee Bomanjee transport, who had -been attacked, and was supposed to have been murdered, near Keeto -Point, on one of the islands near Chusan, after the restoration of that -island to the Chinese. He landed, to make inquiries, being in ignorance -of what had happened, and surprised to see Chusan harbour in possession -of the Chinese. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - - -The intense anxiety which took possession of every one's mind at -Canton, on the evening of the expected attack upon our vessels by the -Chinese, as described at the close of the last chapter, has not by -any means been exaggerated. The very uncertainty of the plans of the -Chinese served to increase the interest felt, and the extreme darkness -of the night gave the greatest cause for apprehension of treachery. - -During the early part of the evening complete stillness prevailed; -nothing whatever betokened an immediate attack. It was about eleven -o'clock when the alarm was given. One of the sentries of the Modeste, -which was a little in advance of the other vessels,[44] first -discovered several large, dark-looking masses dropping down with the -stream. Being hailed by the sentry, the Chinese who had charge of them -immediately set fire to the combustible materials which they contained. -The flames, bursting forth suddenly, spread the alarm, and pointed -out the danger to the other vessels, while it was still remote. There -was a general beat to quarters; steam was rapidly got up on board the -Nemesis, the fires having been lighted early in the evening; the anchor -was weighed, and, in the short space of NINE MINUTES from the time the -alarm was given, the Nemesis was under weigh, and under command of the -helm. - -The premature discovery of the design, _before_ it was actually -commenced, disconcerted the plans of the Chinese, and caused them to -set fire to the rafts sooner than had been intended. The derangement of -a grand scheme at its outset embarrasses all the subsequent details, -and is apt to discourage all those who are employed to carry them into -execution. The moment they cease to act in concert, the failure of -every part of the scheme is certain. Thus, on the present occasion, -in consequence of some of the fire-rafts being ignited too soon, the -greater part of the rest were not ignited at all; so that, out of the -immense number, about a hundred, which had been prepared, not above ten -or a dozen were set on fire or sent down against our vessels at Canton. -Some, however, were sent adrift against the Alligator, at anchor near -Howqua's Fort. - -These fire-rafts were ingeniously constructed to effect their object, -being composed of boats chained together in twos and threes, so that, -drifting down with the stream, they might hang across the bows of a -ship, so as not to be easily got clear. They were filled with all kinds -of combustible materials. Numerous junks and smaller boats were barely -seen in the distance higher up the river, said to have a large body of -troops on board, for the purpose of trying to board our ships during -the confusion which it was expected would take place. But the moment -they found that they were likely to meet with a warm reception, they -did their best to get away again as fast as they could. - -The Nemesis ran up at full speed towards the fire-rafts, in order to -assist the boats of the squadron in towing them away.[45] Many of them, -however, drifted fairly on shore, and set fire to the suburbs of the -town, causing much greater alarm to the Chinese than they did to those -whom they were designed to annihilate. It was a grand spectacle, in -the sullen darkness of the night, to see these floating masses of fire -drifting about the river, and shewing, by their own reflected light, -the panic-stricken parties of Chinese who had charge of them, trying -to escape towards the shore, which few of them were destined to reach. -Some threw themselves overboard, were carried down the stream, and -their struggles were soon ended; others were shot at random by our -musketry, the moment they were discovered by our men, betrayed by the -light of the fires they had themselves kindled. - -So far the Chinese scheme proved a total failure. Nor was the attempt -more successful upon the Alligator, off Howqua's Fort. The attack -was to have been simultaneously made upon all our ships in different -parts of the river, both at Whampoa and at the Bogue; but, owing to -some error, or more probably, the premature explosion of their plan -at Canton, the attack on the Wellesley, at the Bogue, did not take -place until nearly midnight of the 24th, three days afterwards. It -was, however, well concerted, and very formidable, as it comprised -a flotilla of little less than twenty vessels, chained in twos and -threes; many of these had gunpowder as well as other combustibles on -board. It was not without great exertion of Commander Fletcher and the -few officers and men remaining on board (most of them being absent on -service under Capt. Maitland, with the advanced squadron) that they -were towed clear of the ship, by the only three boats she had left. In -no instance was any damage done to our ships. - -But the plan of the Chinese was not limited to their exploits with -fire-rafts. The new batteries before spoken of, as having been erected -by Yih-shan, just above Canton, towards the river side, opened a heavy -fire upon our ships, just when it was imagined they would have been -embarrassed by the fire-vessels. The artillery now began to roar on -both sides, although, owing to the midnight darkness, it was solely -directed by the flashing of each others guns. - -The Nemesis had now run so close in shore, that she was able clearly -to distinguish, by the light of the batteries and the reflection of -the fire in the suburbs, the different Tartar officers rallying and -encouraging their men to fight the guns. The two small vessels which -lay off the Factories (the Louisa and Aurora) were at one time in -imminent danger, as the Chinese had actually brought down to the river -side a very large gun, and planted it within good range, to blow them -out of the water. They could not be moved until the tide turned; but, -by alternately veering out cable and shortening it in again, so as to -alter the range and balk the Chinese gunners during the darkness, they -managed to escape with trifling damage. In the morning they were moved -out of danger with the turn of tide. At intervals, the firing was kept -up until daylight. - -At length, the sun rose brightly upon the scene of midnight encounter; -and now, the wrecks of the still burning fire-vessels, the crumbling -batteries on shore, the suburbs of the town in flames, the deserted -river, and some trifling damages on board one or two of our own -vessels, bore witness to what had happened. - -The attack upon the Shameen battery was now renewed, and it was soon -silenced by the fire of the vessels. A few shot and shell were thrown -into the adjoining suburbs, where the fire had broken out; but some -of the Chinese soldiers, who had already abandoned their guns, when -they found that our men did not land immediately to take possession of -the works, actually returned and fired another round or two from the -Shameen battery. They were soon, however, driven out, and eight fine -large brass guns were captured. - -It was during these operations at Canton, that Capt. Elliot and Capt. -Herbert narrowly escaped a very dangerous accident, which might have -proved fatal to many, had it not been fortunately averted by the -personal coolness and resolution of the captain of the Nemesis. A -Congreve rocket, which had been placed in the proper tube from which -it is fired, and had been already ignited, accidentally hung within -it, instead of being projected, as intended. In another second it -would have burst in the tube itself, and must have killed or wounded -all those who were standing near it upon the bridge between the -paddle-boxes. With instant coolness and presence of mind, Capt. Hall -put his arm into the tube and forcibly pushed it out from behind, -although the rush of fire which came out of it burnt his hand severely -and caused intense pain. Indeed, it was not done without great personal -risk. It is difficult to calculate what disastrous results might not -have followed, had the rocket burst in the tube, on board ship. - -Just when all opposition at the Shameen battery had been overcome, -an unlooked-for opportunity occurred of rendering signal service, by -the discovery of the principal rendezvous of all the fire-rafts and -men-of-war junks, whose place of retreat had hitherto been concealed. -Every fresh report had confirmed the previous information that -preparations of an extensive kind had been made by the Chinese higher -up the river, but it was supposed to be at some place much more distant -than was now found to be the case. The first thing which led to the -discovery was the suspicious appearance of a large war-junk, which -suddenly came out from behind a point of land some way above the fort. -Having fired one or two distant shots, she again withdrew out of sight. - -The Nemesis instantly proceeded in search of the expected prize, under -the orders of Captain Herbert, who was on board. The junk again stole -out from her hiding-place, but, the moment she observed the steamer -coming towards her, she made off in all haste up a large creek, which -turned round to the northward. About a mile or less within this -passage, the whole Chinese fleet of war-junks, fire-rafts, boats, &c., -was suddenly descried, to the number, probably, of more than a hundred. - -This was an exciting moment. The Chinese were thrown into the utmost -consternation by the sudden approach of the steamer; and the more -numerous were the junks and craft of all kinds, the greater was the -confusion into which they were thrown. Every shot now told upon the -confused mass. The Chinese ran most of their boats ashore, in order to -make their own escape; others tried to make their way up the creek, -each one striving to pass the other. Suddenly a small masked battery -opened fire upon the steamer; but a few round shot, followed by grape, -drove the Chinese from their guns, and served to disperse a small body -of troops, who were drawn up in the rear. The water soon became too -shallow for the steamer to proceed further, and she, therefore, came to -anchor. - -Some boats from the Calliope and Herald and other vessels now joined, -and, together with the boats of the Nemesis, continued the pursuit, and -destroyed or run ashore an immense number of junks, fire-rafts, and -fishing-boats of every kind. - -About fifty boats were found filled with combustibles, and were joined -eight or nine together, having been destined to drift down with the -tide upon our vessels. Many of the junks had troops on board, from -distant parts of the empire, intended for the relief of the city. - -The scene was extremely animating; numbers of the Chinese were -scrambling ashore, or clinging to fragments of their boats or spars, -as they floated about in the water. Some of the junks were burnt, and -others blown up, but the precaution was taken to examine carefully -every one of them before it was set on fire, in order to rescue any -of the panic-stricken Chinese who might be trying to find concealment -in it. But, in spite of this precaution, the structure of the junks -afforded so many little hiding places for the terrified Chinese, that, -as the fires gradually burnt more briskly, and took more certain -effect upon the vessels, several poor fellows were observed to rush up -from below, and then, unable to support the heat upon deck, to jump -desperately overboard. Some of these swam easily on shore; others, who -could not swim, remained clinging to the outside of the junk, or to the -rudder, until the heat became insupportable, or the vessel itself blew -up. In this way, some few necessarily perished, for it was not possible -to save them all, owing to the small number of boats employed on our -side, and the large number of those destroyed on theirs; besides which, -the heat and danger were often too great to be able to approach near -enough to render timely assistance. - -Thus, in the short space of three hours, forty-three war-junks were -blown up, and thirty-two fire-rafts destroyed, besides smaller boats. -Some which had been run ashore were left untouched. - -This important encounter produced one very valuable result, as it led -to the discovery of the most desirable landing-place for our troops, in -the projected attack on the heights of Canton. This spot was distinctly -seen and remarked upon by the different officers on board the Nemesis, -and was particularly noticed by Captain Herbert, in his report of -this affair to Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, written on the very same day. -This is not a matter of slight moment, because all allusion to this -circumstance was omitted in the public despatch of Sir Le Fleming -Senhouse. In Captain Herbert's report, dated on the 22nd of May, on -board the Nemesis, that officer, after having described the destruction -of the numerous boats and fire-rafts, distinctly said:--"Their wrecks -are lining both banks of the river nearly close up to Tsingpoo, _the -landing-place_, from which a good approach appears to lead direct to -the north gate of the city wall, not more than four miles distant, with -_dry footing_ the whole way." He also intimated that artillery might -probably be brought there. Moreover, while Captain Hall was lying in -bed with pain and fever from his disabled hand, the general himself and -other officers subsequently came down into his cabin, purposely to make -inquiry concerning the landing-place and the country about it, such as -it had been seen from the Nemesis. - -On the following day, the 23rd, the Sulphur, under Captain Belcher, -having with him the Druid's launch, and several other boats, -proceeded into the same creek in which Captain Herbert had found the -landing-place the day before, and destroyed one or two junks and -rafts which had been left the previous day, and some others which had -returned after their first escape. Five junks and thirteen small boats -were destroyed. The practicable landing-place at Tsingpoo was also -reported on by that officer, and he added that he got himself hoisted -up to the mast-head of a junk, sextant in hand, to get a look at the -country, and observed the enemy encamped on the verge of a hill, but -that he "_had not the slightest doubt_ that they would have fled, had -he advanced towards the hill." As it was, however, he was content with -landing at the temple at Tsingpoo, and, throwing into the river the -five guns of the little masked battery which had opened on the Nemesis -the day before, and had been silenced by her fire, but which Captain -Herbert had not thought it worth his while to destroy, as the war-junks -and fire-rafts claimed his more immediate attention. - -Captain Belcher hastened down to the Blenheim the same evening, and -reported what he had done to Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, "who," he says, -(see Voyage of the Sulphur, p. 184 to 187,) "had been sitting up for -him, and _seemed delighted beyond measure at what he heard_." - -To return to the Nemesis, as she came back towards the Factories, -from the scene of her exploits at Tsingpoo on the previous day. The -remarks of a gentleman who was at Canton at the time are curious -enough. Speaking of what occurred, he says:--"From time to time loud -explosions were heard in that direction [Tsingpoo]; dense volumes -of smoke rose up continually, both black and white, and announced -some terrible work of destruction. After some time a general cheer -burst forth from all those who were near me, as the Nemesis came in -sight, just rounding the corner on her return, towing several boats -after her towards the Macao passage. It was an interesting and even -ludicrous sight, as she approached, to observe the boats, as well as -the vessel itself, decked out with Chinese flags, the men exhibiting -their trophies with evident pride, some rigged out in every variety -of Chinese dress, from mandarins downwards; some with Chinese caps, -and others with Chinese tails, with which a whole boat's crew were -decorated. It appears that, when they took prisoners, they merely cut -off their tails, (a mark of deep disgrace to a Chinaman,) and let them -go again about their business." - -But the day was by no means ended yet; and, indeed, the business had -commenced so early, (at dawn,) that even at this time it was little -more than eight o'clock. And now comes a scene of a very different -kind. I have before stated, that the guard of marines had been -withdrawn from the Factory, and the flag struck on the previous day. -A vast quantity of property had already been removed, but much still -remained, of considerable value, and much more was supposed to be -left behind of still greater importance. All this became an object of -longing to the mob, to say nothing of any natural feeling of hostility, -which was ready to vent itself upon something or other. Pillage now -became the order of the day. It is said even that a party of Chinese -soldiers were first sent down _expressly_ to search for arms. Of -these they found none; but there were still enough of other things -to tempt their avarice. They had certainly the first choice of the -booty, although the general mob speedily joined in the general ransack. -Several of the officers, or low mandarins, were seen to be quite as -busy as the rest of the people, some even carrying away plunder upon -their horses, and others who had none sending for them on purpose. - -Readers who can picture to themselves the long, gloomy labyrinths of -passages, and alleys, and staircases, which are comprised within the -piles of buildings called the Factories, can well imagine the terrible -scene of riot, destruction, and pillage, which was going on; yet, -probably, not worse than would have been committed by an English mob -under similar circumstances; as Bristol, Birmingham, and other places -can testify. There was a reckless destruction of property which could -not be removed, even after every article of furniture as well as -merchandise had been carried away. Doors and windows were soon disposed -of, and the very staircases and stone floorings were broken up and -destroyed. - -In the Old Company's or British Factory, the confusion was most -terrible, because in it there remained a greater number of valuable -objects to destroy. The beautiful chandeliers and fine looking-glasses -were soon annihilated and carried off piecemeal; and the noble large -marble statue which stood in the great hall served as an object of -especial vengeance, as if it contained within itself the very germs -or symbols of all the barbarian nations of the earth, and could -communicate to them a portion of the insults now heaped upon it as it -lay prostrate in the hall. - -During the whole day, the same mad scene of destruction was continued; -and whatever still defied the hands of the infuriate mob was at length -made to yield to the consuming power of fire. Not all the thirteen -Hongs, however, were visited with this terrible pillage; many of -them escaped altogether, which is somewhat remarkable; but all those -situated between the limits of Hog Lane and a small creek which runs -into the river at the other end, were entirely destroyed, except the -bare walls. Within this space were included the British, together with -the Dutch and the Creek Factories, a very fine and extensive range of -handsome buildings. - -Towards the close of the day, when the work of destruction was nearly -completed, down came, at length, the prefect of the city in person, -attended by a large party of police. He now succeeded in driving away -the main body of the mob, and then gave charge of the Factories to -the Hong merchants, to whom all the buildings belonged, and who took -possession of the little that remained, with the assistance of a number -of their own hired labourers, armed for the occasion. - -The account given of this day's proceedings by a highly respectable -American merchant, who imprudently remained behind the night before, -is extremely valuable. Without going into minute details, it will -suffice to mention, that Mr. Coolidge was taken prisoner, after being -in great danger of being cut down, and was, with many insults, carried -into the heart of the city. As he was marched along, he passed several -bodies of soldiers and coolies, or day-labourers, hurrying down -towards the Factories, and dragging guns along with them. As soon as -he came near the head-quarters of the Tartar general, the crowd and -movement increased; officers of every grade, grooms and messengers on -horseback, hurrying to and fro, executioners and city-guards, together -with strange troops from distant provinces, in every variety of -costume--these were all huddled together, and jostled in the greatest -bustle and confusion. - -After some delay, he was carried, with every possible insult, before -the criminal judge, and there, to his horror, he discovered several of -his countrymen, who had been wounded and captured as they were trying -to escape in a boat down the river. The sufferings and indignities they -now underwent were extreme; nor did their assertion, that they were -Americans, prove of much service to them, for they were told that, -in that case, they "_ought to speak a different language, and wear a -different dress_." - -It is very certain, however, that the Chinese generally at Canton know -perfectly well the difference between an American and an Englishman, -politically. But, on the other hand, when an Englishman gets into -trouble there, he most commonly declares himself to be an American; -and how could the Chinese prove that he is not so? But the national -distinction is perfectly well defined, even in their own language, -as is commonly known; the Americans being called the "people of the -flowery flag," from the number of stars on it, while the English were -known as the "red people," or "red-haired people," an appellation -originally applied to the Dutch traders. - -The American prisoners remained in the condition I have described, -exposed to every possible suffering in the common prison, for nearly -two days, when they were at length turned out, and carried in chairs -to the ruined Factories, where they were _planted_ among the ruins, -just as if they had been portions of the marble statue which had been -destroyed. - -It was just at this time that our troops landed--namely, the -Cameronians, under Major Pratt, (as will be presently seen,)--and, of -course, every attention was paid to the unhappy sufferers; and, as Mr. -Coolidge observes, "I cannot tell you with what feelings of good-will -we looked upon every one of those redcoats." - -Soon after mid-day, while the work of destruction was going on at the -Factories, Captain Elliot and Captain Herbert proceeded with all speed -down to Whampoa, in order to make arrangements for the hasty advance -of the whole force, which was nearly all there assembled, not far from -Whampoa. Captain Elliot, however, could not forego the pleasure of -giving a parting proclamation to the Chinese, even then. He told the -people of Canton, "that their city had twice been _spared_, but that -his agreement with the three commissioners had now been violated by -them, by the arming of their forts, and by their secret preparations -to attack the English, who were _the real protectors of the city_." -He called upon them "to remember the hour of battle, and to consider -whether the troops of the other provinces now among them were not -the real scourges of the inhabitants;" and, after a little more in -the same compassionate strain, he wound up by calling upon them "_to -turn out the commissioners_ _and their troops_ from the city _within -twelve hours_, otherwise that the English would be obliged to withdraw -their _protection_ from the city, and take military possession of it, -confiscating all the property to the Queen of England." - -This must have sounded highly gratifying to the Chinese; quite in -the Oriental style; and it was exceedingly probable that the mob of -Canton would have the power, even had they the will, to turn out about -twenty thousand troops, together with the high authorities, all in the -twinkling of an eye, by a sort of talismanic "Open sesame!" - -The storm was now gathering thicker and thicker every hour; our forces -were all by this time concentrated within a few short miles of the -city; delay was no longer possible; and the moment appeared inevitably -come, though long delayed, when the Chinese authorities must yield -to force, where "reason" and negotiation had been tried in vain, and -written instruments had failed. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[44] Namely, the Pylades, Algerine, Nemesis, and Louisa cutter. - -[45] Boats of the Calliope, Herald, Modeste, Pylades, and Algerine. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - - -A few remarks upon the city and neighbourhood of Canton, before which -our troops are now for the first time about to appear, (the previous -operations of the 18th March having been entirely limited to the naval -forces,) will contribute to the interest of the subsequent narrative. -The city of Canton, or Kwantung, is situated upon the northern bank -of the river usually known by the same name, though sometimes called -by Europeans the Pearl river, from its Chinese name, Choo-keang. Its -distance from the Bogue is about forty miles. - -The scenery around the city is extremely diversified. On the northern -and north-eastern sides it is commanded by hills, the possession of -which by an enemy must, of necessity, place the city at his mercy. In -other directions it presents the aspect of a low and abundantly-watered -plain, cut up by canals and little rivers, which serve both for -irrigation and for communication with the interior. So numerous are -they, that in some parts nearly a third part of the whole surface is -occupied by water. The appearance of the country is rich, and at most -seasons beautifully green, being divided into rice-fields and little -gardens, with here and there a clump of trees or a small village, or -the country residences of some of the wealthier inhabitants of the -city, to diversify the prospect. - -About three or four miles to the westward of the city, and curving -round at the foot of the hills which command it, runs the creek or -river in which the war-junks and fire-rafts had been destroyed by the -Nemesis and boats. The excellent landing-place at Tsingpoo, which had -been discovered on that occasion, was very conveniently situated for -the debarkation of troops destined to attack the heights above the -city, which are in fact the key to its occupation. - -The city and its suburbs occupy the whole space between the hills and -the river; the suburbs, however, being little less extensive than the -city itself. The latter is surrounded by a high wall, which has twelve -entrances, and it may be about six or seven miles in circumference. -On the south, or river side, a portion of the suburbs extends down to -the water-side; and in the western corner of these are situated the -foreign factories, and the principal packhouses of the Hong merchants, -which are partly built on piles on the river's bank. On the northern -side, the wall rests directly upon the brow of the hills; and, indeed, -there is a hill of moderate elevation actually _within the walls_, the -possession of which would, in fact, give the command of the entire -city, and which could have been held by a small force against any -troops the Chinese could bring against it. Another wall divides the -city into two unequal parts, running from east to west, and called -the Old and the New City, the latter being much more modern than the -former, but differing from it very little in appearance. The residences -of all the high officers, the Viceroy, Lieutenant-Governor, Tartar -General, and others, together with a public arsenal, are situated in -the Old City; but the moment we got possession of the two forts, called -the Dutch and French Follies, we could command the whole of these -places, without in any degree endangering the Factories, which are at a -considerable distance to the westward, in the suburbs. - -The heights above the city were crowned with four strong forts, built -principally of brick at the upper part, but of stone below. They -mounted altogether forty-two guns of various calibre, together with -a great number of ginjals and wall-pieces. Between them and the city -walls, the distance of which varied from one hundred and fifty to two -hundred and fifty paces, there was an irregular, and in some parts deep -and broken ravine. The hill before described as _within_ the circuit -of the walls was also within range of the heights; and so important -was this position afterwards considered by Sir Hugh Gough, that he -distinctly declared that, with "this in his possession, he would have -been responsible that the city should have been spared, and that not -a soldier should have entered the town farther than this fortified -height." - -With these few preliminary observations, we may now return to the -point at which our combined naval and military forces were all -concentrated, below Whampoa, on the 22nd and 23rd of March, having -sailed from Hong-Kong on the 18th and 19th of that month. - -An important general order was now issued by Sir Hugh Gough, -preparatory to the advance of our troops upon Canton. It betokened the -true feeling which animated the expedition; and, while it goes far to -refute the belief that wanton cruelty was inflicted upon the Chinese, -it does honour to the expedition, as _prima facie_ evidence of the -forbearance with which our power was exercised. After first alluding to -the novelty of the Chinese system of warfare to the British soldier, as -one making up in cunning and artifice what it lacks in discipline, and, -after recommending extreme caution against surprise and stratagem, and, -above all, the observance of the strictest discipline, Sir Hugh Gough -proceeds to remind his soldiers that "Great Britain had gained as much -fame by her clemency and forbearance as by the gallantry of her troops. -An enemy in arms is always a legitimate foe; but the unarmed, or the -supplicant for mercy, of whatever country or whatever colour, a true -British soldier will always spare." Such was in reality the feeling -which animated the whole expedition, although the desultory attacks -of the Chinese, and the refusal of many of them to surrender when all -further resistance was useless, sometimes occasioned a loss of life -which was to be deplored, but which could not be prevented. - -The channel through which our forces were now about to advance upon -Canton was one which had been not long before examined for the first -time, one may even say discovered, by Mr. Browne, the master of the -Calliope; Lieut Kellett, of the Starling; Mr. Johnson, the master of -the Conway, and other officers. It came to be called Browne's Passage, -although Mr. Browne himself called it the "main branch of the Canton -river." It runs to the southward of French Island, towards the Macao -passage, and is a much more important branch of the river than that -which runs along the northern side of that island, which was first -explored in the Nemesis by Captain Herbert and Captain Elliot, and -along which our vessels had proceeded to the attack of the Macao Fort, -as before described.[46] - -In Captain Herbert's report to Sir Gordon Bremer, in the middle of -March, referring to some of these passages, he stated that "boats from -the Calliope, Herald, Hyacinth, Sulphur, and Starling, had, on several -occasions, explored the channels in the south branch of the river, from -Danes' Island upwards, and that they had found a safe and deep passage -for vessels drawing sixteen feet water up to the city of Canton, except -two bars, which it required high water to pass." Mr. Browne and Lieut. -Kellett, with the boats, had proceeded along the channel between Danes' -and French Islands, and then entered the passage, which runs along the -southern side of the latter. - -The Chinese had commenced preparations for the defence of these -channels at several points; there was a battery of ten guns, another -of fourteen, and one of four guns, in the passage between the two -islands, or French River, which was too small for ships to pass through -it. Other batteries were also found in the so-called Browne's Passage, -one of which was calculated to mount thirty-seven guns. Indeed, in -all the branches of the river, batteries were found, some partially, -some completely, finished. At one of these, a little above the last -mentioned, there were not less than forty guns ready for mounting, -newly cast, and with quite new carriages. But the Chinese offered -no resistance; and, on one occasion, Lieutenant Kellett invited the -mandarin in charge of one of these forts to come and breakfast with -him, presuming that he had more appetite for food than for fighting. - -Mr. Browne and Mr. Johnson made a good rough survey of the whole of -this important channel, in which there was found to be depth of water -sufficient for our largest transports, to the distance of about ten -miles. Even a line-of-battle ship, the Blenheim, was carried up nearly -as far as the transports; and hence the beginning of the passage along -the southern bank of Danes' Island obtained the name of the Blenheim -Reach. It is here that our largest merchant ships have since usually -anchored. - -The 23rd of May was occupied in completing the necessary preparations -for the conveyance of our troops, marines, small-arm men, and -camp-followers, up to the city of Canton; but it was not until noon of -the 24th that our forces could commence their advance. In the meantime, -Captain Belcher had been directed to collect as many Chinese boats as -possible higher up the river, and to send them down with the tide. -Gradually they had been dropping down from the direction of the city, -until, at length, there were enough collected for the conveyance of -two thousand men, besides camp-followers, stores, and materiel of all -kinds. At the same time, with a view to embarrass the Chinese as much -as possible, orders had been given that all the native trading-boats -should be detained, and that all the salt-junks should be stopped. -In the course of a few days, no less than one hundred and forty-one -trading-junks, of every description, were brought-to, and detained in -the neighbourhood of Napier's Fort, and at the Naval Arsenal below the -city; they comprised little less than ten thousand tons of shipping, -manned by about one thousand one hundred Chinese sailors. The sudden -stoppage of this considerable trade could not fail to make a deep -impression upon the whole people of Canton. No injury, however, was -done to any of the trading-vessels, which were all suffered to depart -without further molestation, the moment the authorities of the city had -agreed to Captain Elliot's terms. - -Before our troops finally advanced upon Canton, Sir Hugh Gough -and Sir Le Fleming Senhouse went up in person, to make a careful -reconnoissance, and particularly with a view to assure themselves of -the practicability of the landing-place at Tsingpoo. - -At length, soon after noon on the 24th, every preparation for the -advance was completed. - -The troops were all embarked in two columns, of which the right was -destined to hold the Factories, and was taken up in the Atalanta -steamer. It merely consisted of the 26th Cameronians, less than three -hundred strong, together with an officer and twenty men of the Madras -Artillery, with one six-pounder gun, and one five and a half-inch -mortar. Thirty sappers, with an officer of engineers, were also -attached to it; it was under the command of Major Pratt, of the 26th -regiment. The left column comprised the main body of the force, which -was destined to carry the heights above the city, being divided into -four brigades. An account of these will be given in its proper place. - -To the Nemesis was entrusted the charge and the honour of carrying or -towing up the whole of this column, together with the camp-followers -and attendants of every description, (in this instance reduced to the -smallest possible number,) which always accompany our troops in the -East. The enormous flotilla of boats, including, of course, those -belonging to the men-of-war, necessarily retarded the progress of the -steamer very much, particularly in the more intricate parts of the -river. As she advanced, numerous boats from our ships were picked -up, until their number could not have been less than from seventy to -eighty; hanging on behind each other, and following in the wake of -the long, low steamer. It was altogether a very animating scene. The -numerous flags, the motley appearance of the boats, the glitter of the -arms and accoutrements, and the various uniforms of the men, produced a -very exciting spectacle. - -On board the Nemesis were the 49th regiment; together with -Major-General Sir Hugh Gough and his staff, Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, -and Captain Elliot, accompanied by Mr. Morrison. Captain Bourchier, -who was to command the naval brigade, and several other officers, -were also on board. The decks of the steamer were crowded. Slowly and -steadily she advanced, dragging after her the long tail of boats, a -more numerous flotilla than any steamer had yet towed. - -The Chinese must have been perfectly well informed of the approach of -the force; and, had they not been already panic-struck by the lessons -they had so recently received, they might have occasioned great -annoyance, and perhaps loss, to our troops, exposed as they were in -boats, by firing on them from the banks of the river, in places were -they would have been themselves under cover. No opposition of any kind, -however, was offered. - -In the meantime, the Atalanta reached her destination at the factories -more expeditiously, and the right column was landed before five -o'clock, without opposition; when Major Pratt immediately set about -strengthening his post, and making the necessary dispositions, either -for defensive or offensive operations, as circumstances might require. - -It was now that the unfortunate Americans were discovered, in the -wretched plight before described, in the midst of the ruins of the -factories, in which they had been turned loose, as it were, like -beasts, after the indignities they had suffered. - -It was just dusk when the left column, towed by the Nemesis, reached -the destined point of debarkation at Tsingpoo, where the Sulphur was -already at anchor. By this time it was too late in the day to do more -than land the 49th regiment. This was easily effected, as they could -walk on shore directly out of the steamer, without the necessity of -using boats, or causing any delay whatever. Here, again, as in so many -other instances, the advantage of this description of steamer was -clearly shewn. - -During the rest of the evening of the 24th, and in the night, the guns, -ammunition, and stores were also landed, but the remainder of the -force did not disembark until the following morning. As soon as the -49th were landed, they took possession of a large temple, or so called -joss-house, near the landing-place. The general lost no time in making -an extended reconnoissance as soon as he had landed, under an escort of -the 49th. - -From a rising ground at no great distance, a general view of the -enemy's positions could be gained. It was now evident that they had -already taken the alarm, and they threw up some of their small harmless -rockets by way of signal, to shew that they were on the alert, but made -no movement in advance. Sir Hugh Gough was in reality at this time -perfectly unacquainted with the nature of the country he would have to -pass over on the following day, as well as of the difficulties he might -have to encounter; but, with the utmost confidence in the steadiness -and perfect discipline of the little force under his command, he felt -assured that no difficulties could check them. Neither could the amount -of the enemy's force be at all ascertained, respecting which there were -various conjectures, probably in most instances exaggerated. - -The Chinese system of warfare had not yet been experienced and it was, -in fact, the first time that European troops were about to undertake -operations in China, beyond the cover of our ships. The Chinese had -been known to declare that, if they could get us away from our ships, -they had full confidence that they would be able to beat us in fair -fight ashore. They were now soon to have an opportunity of putting -their prowess to the test. This was the first occasion on which a -British general officer had commanded in China; and it was the first -opportunity which that general had ever had of witnessing the gallantry -of British seamen and marines in service on shore, and of bearing -testimony to their steadiness and discipline, and to the value of their -co-operation. He afterwards expressed himself in general orders, in -reference to the naval brigade under Captain Bourchier, to the effect -"that it would always be a matter of proud recollection to him that he -had had them under his orders." - -While our troops had thus advanced upon Canton on the 24th, Captain -Herbert, who was stationed at Whampoa with the Calliope, Conway, -Herald, and Alligator, was directed to push up the river with the -flood-tide, with such vessels as could proceed, or with the boats -of the ships, by the direct, or Whampoa passage, and endeavour to -secure the naval arsenal opposite the city. It was left to his own -judgment to attack the French fort below the city, or not, according to -circumstances. - -At the same time, another part of our force, consisting of the -Hyacinth, Modeste, Cruiser, and Columbine, had taken up a position -near the factories, under Captain Warren, who had been directed to -secure the Dutch fort, and to use his own judgment as to an attack -upon any other of the defences which were known to have been recently -constructed. The possession of the Dutch and French forts would give us -complete command of the river front of the city, and of the palaces of -the high authorities. - -Captain Herbert lost no time in pushing up the river, with the boats -and marines of the ships before mentioned; while Captain Warren, having -ordered the Nimrod and Pylades to attack the Shameen Fort, (which had -been re-armed by the Chinese) proceeded to place the Hyacinth, under -his own command, abreast of the factories, in order to cover the -landing of the 26th regiment from the Atalanta. - -In the meantime, the Modeste, Cruiser, and Columbine, took up a -position to attack the Dutch Folly if necessary; but it was found to be -unarmed. - -As soon as the 26th regiment had landed at the factory, the Atalanta -and Algerine (which had now joined the squadron) were ordered to move -down the river as far as possible. The Atalanta unfortunately took -the ground, where she remained for several days, and was got off with -difficulty. The Algerine, drawing but little water, was able to go over -the reef, which is abreast of the Dutch fort, with a strong ebb-tide. -She then took up her berth between the Dutch and French Follies, and -only one hundred and fifty yards distant from a heavy sand battery, -which she engaged single-handed, none of the other vessels being able -to come up to her support. The battery mounted eleven very heavy guns, -and the Algerine was frequently hit. The pinnaces of the Hyacinth and -Modeste were sent to help to shift her berth, but this was impossible, -owing to the strength of the tide. Lieutenant Mason, who commanded -the brig, with instant determination now pushed off in his gig, and, -accompanied by the two pinnaces, dashed ashore and carried the battery -with great gallantry, but not without meeting with strong resistance, -in which Mr. Fitzgerald, of the Modeste, fell mortally wounded, -together with one seaman killed, and fourteen seamen and marines -wounded. Some of the Chinese guns were ten and a half inch. - -Captain Herbert and Captain Bethune endeavoured to push up from -Howqua's Folly at sunset, but were stopped by a shot from the French -Folly, which went through Captain Herbert's boat, and the heaviness -of the fire compelled the boats to take shelter under a point of land -for some hours, so that they were not able to reach the brig until two -o'clock, A.M. During the night several fire-rafts were sent adrift, but -were towed clear without doing any mischief. Thus ended the 24th of -May, and our forces, both naval and military, might already be said to -hold Canton at their mercy. - -A few words more will suffice to complete the description of all the -naval operations before Canton, before we turn to the military part of -them. - -No time was lost on the following morning in securing the arsenal, in -which were found nearly a dozen large war-junks upon the stocks, and -a great many row boats. There were also twelve large war-junks just -finished, lying at anchor off the arsenal. - -Having, made a reconnoissance of the French fort, and the other -defences on that side, Captain Herbert resolved to carry it without -loss of time. The Modeste was the only vessel except the Algerine which -could be got across the bar at the Dutch Folly, and that not without -great difficulty, having been warped over the reef at high water. The -Atalanta was still aground; and the guns of the Algerine not being -sufficiently heavy, Captain Herbert ordered shell-guns to be fitted -in three of the captured war-junks, to assist in the attack upon the -French Folly. - -The gun-junks were placed under the direction of Lieutenants Haskell -and Hay, and, together with the Modeste and Algerine, opened upon the -French fort and the long line of works connected with it on the morning -of the 26th. The Chinese soon began to give way, and Captain Bethune -immediately landed with the storming party, and gallantly carried the -works. There were altogether sixty-four guns, some of large calibre, -four being ten and a half inch. Thus the whole of the river defences -of Canton were at length in our possession, at the same time that the -heights above the city had been carried by our troops under Sir Hugh -Gough, as will be next described.[47] - -FOOTNOTES: - -[46] See the accompanying map of the Canton river. - -[47] The following concise description is taken from the personal -remarks of several who were present, and from public documents. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - - -It will be remembered that the twenty-sixth regiment, together with -a few of the Madras artillery, and sappers and miners were posted at -the Factories, and, therefore, took no part in the engagements on the -heights on the 25th, although they joined the head-quarters afterwards. -The whole force actually engaged on that day, under Sir Hugh Gough, -including the marines and the naval brigade, amounted to very nearly -two thousand four hundred men. But the actual number of bayonets in -the field was only about one thousand five hundred. The artillery -comprised a body of four hundred men, with four 12-pounder howitzers, -four 9-pounder field-guns, and two 6-pounder guns; also three five and -a half inch mortars, and one hundred and fifty-two 32-pounder rockets. - -The naval brigade, commanded by Captain Bourchier, comprised four -hundred and three small-arm men; so that, when added to the marines, it -is evident that full one-third of the force employed on the heights was -supplied by the different ships of the squadron--viz., eight hundred -and eleven men. In proportion as these were withdrawn from their -respective ships, the duty to be performed by those who remained on -board became the more severe. - -Sir Le Fleming Senhouse entrusted the command of the naval brigade to -Captain Bourchier, as it was the express wish of Sir Hugh Gough that -the senior naval officer should join his staff, and remain at his -side throughout the day, instead of leading the brigade in person. -It was divided into two battalions, one led by Captain Maitland of -the Wellesley, and the other by Commander Barlow of the Nimrod. The -whole force was divided into four brigades, and was directed to move -left in front. The details given below will render further comment -unnecessary.[48] - -At daylight, on the morning of the 25th, the whole of the troops were -landed. The Nemesis, Sulphur, and Starling, remained at anchor close -to Tsingpoo; and small detachments of the 18th and 49th regiments, -and of the 37th M.N.I., amounting altogether to between seventy and -eighty men, were left posted at the temple before described, in order -to secure the landing, and prevent any attempt at surprise on the part -of the Chinese. This precaution afterwards proved to have been very -judicious. - -From a hill a little above the landing-place, a good view of the -enemy's positions could be obtained; and, a little beyond that, a -line of hills led directly up towards the rear of the forts above the -city, at the distance of between three and four miles. The ground was -irregular, and much broken by hollows, partially cultivated and laid -out in rice-grounds. The labour of dragging the guns was, therefore, -very great; and, indeed, two of the twelve-pounder howitzers, and -two of the nine-pounder guns, were not got into position upon the -heights until the following day. The other two, however, and also the -six-pounders, together with the rocket-battery, were brought up with -the troops. - -Of the four forts, two were situated not far from each other, near the -north-western angle of the city walls, on which side is the hill which -is enclosed _within_ the walls, and which, in the event of the capture -of the city itself, it was the intention of Sir Hugh Gough to occupy -strongly, as being the key to the possession of the whole city. The -other two forts, which might be called the eastern forts, were situated -upon the heights, at some distance to the eastward of the other forts, -nearly facing the centre of the city wall. One of these was some way in -advance of the other. - -The weather was extremely sultry during the whole of the 25th, which -much fatigued the men before the close of the day, and laid the -foundation for sickness, to which many afterwards fell victims. The -troops were directed to advance along the brow of the hills in echelon -of columns; and, as soon as the artillery could be got up, the guns -opened upon the two western forts which were nearest, and from which -the Chinese had already commenced a spirited fire. They also threatened -an attack upon the right, by large columns, which appeared to debouch -from the western suburbs. - -Our attack upon the two western forts was entrusted entirely to the -naval brigade, under cover of the guns and rockets; and, at the same -time, the left brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morris, was to advance -and carry the nearest of the two eastern forts (which was also the -rearmost in relation to the town); while the first brigade, under -Major-General Burrell, having carried a hill in their front, upon which -a body of Chinese were posted, and which flanked the advance of the -left brigade, was to push on and carry the principal eastern fort, -cutting off the communication between the two, at the same moment when -the 49th made their attack upon the nearest fort. - -As the two brigades advanced together, there was some little rivalry -(the strictest discipline being preserved) between the 49th and 18th -regiments, as to which should have the honour of commencing the attack -upon the two forts. The 49th, having the advantage of a shorter and -perhaps rather better road, got the lead, which they maintained, so -that the left brigade carried BOTH the eastern forts before the 18th -came up, and with little loss. - -The two western forts were at the same time gallantly carried by -the brigade of seamen, who were exposed to a heavy fire of ginjals, -wall-pieces, and matchlocks, from the city walls, by which they -suffered some loss. - -Thus, in the space of little more than half an hour from the time the -advance was sounded, the heights which overlooked the city were in our -possession, and the British flag waved in triumph upon all the forts -which commanded the city. The Chinese seemed little inclined to come to -close quarters as our troops advanced, and they were soon driven out of -the forts, making the best of their way down the hills in confusion. - -While our troops were thus engaged upon the heights, the Chinese -threatened an attack upon the landing-place at Tsingpoo. Their object -might have been either to endeavour to cut off the retreat of our -troops from the heights, or else to get possession of the stores, &c., -which had been left behind. A considerable body of the Chinese sallied -out of the western gate of the city, from which a narrow, irregular -causeway, led down to the landing-place at Tsingpoo. - -This movement being immediately observed from the heights, orders were -sent down by Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, at the suggestion of Sir Hugh -Gough, for some of the officers of the vessels at anchor there to land -with their men, and assist in the defence of the place. These orders -were delivered to Captain Hall by an officer of the Blenheim, sent on -purpose. Preparations had already been made on board with this object, -and Captain Hall lost no time in landing with half his crew, the other -half remaining at quarters on board, under Lieutenant Pedder. There -were twenty-eight men and two officers (besides Captain Hall) from the -Nemesis; about fourteen men and two officers from the Sulphur; and -eighteen men and two officers from the Blonde; altogether sixty men and -seven officers.[49] - -Having landed and formed, they immediately joined the small body of -troops which had been stationed at the joss-house to protect the -guns, stores, &c., which had been left behind. They were commanded by -Lieutenant Grant, of the 49th, and consisted of thirty men of that -regiment, thirty of the 18th, under Lieutenant Cockburn, and fourteen -of the 37th M.N.I., under Ensign Anquitelle. Lieutenant Grant had got -his men under arms the moment the alarm was given, and, perceiving a -body of about two hundred and fifty Chinese skirmishers advancing in -extended order, he moved out to meet them; when within about fifty -yards, he poured in a smart fire, by which many of them were killed, -and drove them back upon their main body, who were drawn up in close -column, about four hundred strong, (regular troops,) behind a bridge -some distance off, upon which they had planted three field-pieces. The -blue jackets having joined, Captain Hall instantly led the way, at the -head of his own men, _directly down the causeway_, towards the bridge; -and, under cover of an excellent fire from the Nemesis and Starling, -the whole column attacked the Chinese in front, and were received with -an ill-directed fire of grape and curious rocket arrows, by which two -men were slightly hit. - -The Chinese were driven from their guns, and endeavoured to rally -behind some houses in their rear, but they soon made a hasty retreat -towards the town, closely pursued, for some distance, by our men. But -it was not thought prudent to follow them within range of the ginjals -upon the city walls, as no good purpose could be effected by it, and -some loss might have been suffered. About thirty of the enemy were -supposed to have been killed and wounded. The three field-pieces were -spiked: and the houses near the bridge, in which a quantity of military -stores were found, were set on fire. - -It is worthy of notice that this little spirited affair, although -officially reported to Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, was never specially -mentioned in any of the public despatches--an omission which at that -time created some surprise. - -To return to our movements upon the heights. During the greater part -of the day, a spirited fire was kept up from the city walls by guns, -ginjals, and matchlocks; which made it necessary to keep the men under -cover as much as possible. - -In the rear, and a little to the eastward of the forts occupied by -the 18th and 49th, was a high hill which, in fact, was the key to the -whole position, but it was not fortified. There was, however, a large -joss-house upon the top of it, which was occupied by a detachment -of the 49th regiment. Upon the low ground to the eastward of this -hill, and between it and a large entrenched camp, situated upon -rising ground close to the suburbs, was a village occupied by Chinese -troops. Frequent communications were passing between it and the -entrenched camp, in which there appeared to be not less than three or -four thousand men. The enemy were soon dislodged from the village by -the 49th, and dispositions were made by Sir Hugh Gough to carry the -entrenched camp by assault. Several high officers had been observed -to pass out of the city on their way to this camp, and it was evident -that some fresh attack was projected. The 18th were therefore ordered -down from the heights to reinforce the detachment of the 49th, together -with a few marines, and Major-General Burrell was directed to carry the -encampment, the only approach to which was along a narrow causeway. -A heavy fire was opened upon them from guns and ginjals upon the -north-eastern face of the city walls, to which the men were unavoidably -exposed as they advanced. The Chinese seemed to have got the precise -range of the causeway, and some loss was suffered in consequence. -But the enemy were soon driven gallantly out of the camp, and fled -in disorder across the country. The buildings were then destroyed, -together with several magazines, and the force then returned to the -heights. - -The day was now far advanced, and the men were much fatigued with the -oppressive heat. The steep and broken nature of the approach to the -heights had made it impossible to get up the heavy guns and ammunition -until the following day. The assault of the city was therefore -deferred; but Sir Hugh Gough, having made a careful reconnoissance of -the walls and gates, determined to carry them on the following day, -while the panic of the Chinese was still at its height. - -On the morning of the 26th, all was apparently quiet within the city, -except that numbers of people were issuing out of the gates, which were -removed from the scene of action, hastening to carry away with them all -the valuable property which could be easily transported. Our troops -were early under arms, but no further operations against the city could -be undertaken until the ammunition and the heavy guns could be brought -up. - -The weather in the morning did not look auspicious, and before the day -was half over, rain began to fall in torrents. Few Chinese appeared -upon the walls of the city; and at length, soon after ten o'clock, -a flag of truce was displayed from the walls. It is remarkable how -perfectly well the value of the white flag was remembered (as before -noticed by Capt. Elliot) whenever the Chinese wished to negotiate, or -to induce us to suspend our operations; although they thought proper -to slight it whenever it suited their purpose. Shortly afterwards the -general deputed Mr. Thom, who was attached to him as interpreter, -to advance and ascertain what the Chinese desired. A mandarin, -distinguished by a red button, now stated that they wished to propose -terms of peace, with a view to spare the city, and that in the -meantime there should be a suspension of hostilities. It was replied, -that the general could treat with no other officer than the Chinese -commander-in-chief, his equal in rank; that the British forces had -come before Canton much against the wishes of the English nation, but -were compelled to do so owing to the insults offered to the British -subjects, and the bad faith of the Chinese high officers; that they -might, therefore, address their requests to Capt. Elliot, who was with -the advanced squadron in the river before the city; and that two or -three hours would be allowed for them to communicate with that officer, -and also to arrange an interview between the English and the Tartar -general; but that if within that period no satisfactory communication -should be received, the white flag would be struck. - -These overtures, on the part of the Chinese, led to no immediate -result. Sir Hugh Gough waited more than four hours before the white -flag was struck, and even then the Chinese did not lower theirs. - -During the remainder of the day, and in the course of the night, by the -unwearied exertions of the Royal and Madras Artillery, assisted by the -Sappers and Miners, all the guns and ammunition were got up, except one -12-pounder howitzer, the carriage of which had been disabled. During -the whole of this time, the rain fell heavily, which much increased the -necessary labour, and added to the privations of the men, who either -bivouacked or were partially sheltered, as best they could. - -The truce, if it could be so called, was of some use to us, as it gave -time for the completion of all the preparations for the assault, which -was to have taken place at eight o'clock on the following morning. Our -batteries were to have opened at seven o'clock, and it was expected -that the parapet of the walls, which was high, would have been reduced -by the concentrated fire of our guns. The walls were not less than -twenty-eight to thirty feet high, and were separated from the heights, -from which they were in some parts less than two hundred paces distant, -by an intervening glen. - -The broken nature of the ground was peculiarly favourable for the -several attacks which were designed; and as soon as a lodgment had been -made upon the walls, the different columns of attack were to unite, -and make a rush at the fortified hill, which, as before described, was -situated within the walls, and commanded the interior of the city. The -attack was to have been made in four columns, of which the right, -consisting of the royal marines, under Capt. Ellis, was to blow open -the north gate with powder bags; but if that attempt failed, they were -to escalade a circular work thrown up as a defence to that gate. The -second column, composed of the blue jackets, under Capt. Bourchier, -were to escalade the wall a little beyond the circular work, where its -height was not so great, under cover of musketry. At the same time, -the 18th Royal Irish, under Lieut.-Colonel Adams, were to escalade the -wall close to the seven-storied pagoda, under cover of our batteries -on the heights above. The assault was also to be covered by the Bengal -volunteers, and part of the Madras 87th N.I. Further to the left, -the 49th, under Lieut.-Col. Morris, were directed to carry a sort of -bastion in front, and within range of the largest and nearest of the -forts upon the heights, of which we had got possession the day before. -Sir Hugh Gough's principal object would then have been to occupy the -fortified hill within the walls, upon which a heavy fire of shells and -rockets was to have been kept up during the assault of the walls. - -Every arrangement was thus made which could ensure the certain and -speedy capture of the city, with little loss on our side. What then -must have been the chagrin and disappointment of the general and all -his officers, when, soon after six o'clock, just as the final orders -were given, and the batteries were about to open, a letter from Capt. -Elliot was put into the general's hands, which announced to him that a -truce had been agreed to, and that further operations must therefore be -suspended. It barely arrived in time to stop the assault of the city, -which was on the point of being commenced. Under these circumstances, -as Sir Hugh Gough observed, "whatever might be my sentiments or -feelings, it was my duty to acquiesce, and therefore the attack was -countermanded, and the feelings of the Chinese were spared." To this he -added that he had no means of judging of the policy of the measure. - -If any further doubt upon the subject remained, it was finally set at -rest by the arrival of Capt. Elliot in person at the camp, about noon. -From that moment all idea of further hostile operations against the -city was abandoned. - -Shortly before Capt. Elliot's arrival, Sir Hugh Gough had held a -short conference, accompanied by Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, with the -Tartar General in person, outside the walls, in a tent pitched for the -purpose. The result was of little importance, as it was already known -that terms had been negotiated by Capt. Elliot. - -It could not be doubted that both Sir Hugh Gough and Sir Le Fleming -Senhouse were exceedingly averse to granting any terms to the -Chinese until our troops should have got possession of the city, and -established themselves upon the fortified hill within the walls, -which would have secured our troops against any possible surprise or -treachery, and would have exercised a salutary moral effect upon the -government, without causing any wanton damage to the town or annoyance -to the people. In fact, it could not have failed to humble the pride of -the Chinese, when they knew that a large garrison of foreign soldiers -had made themselves masters of one of the principal cities in the -empire, supposed to contain nearly a million of inhabitants. - -Various stories were current concerning the mode in which the ransom of -the city was first proposed. One of the most credited accounts was that -the Hong merchants were ordered by the authorities to go and make terms -for the ransom of the town, in some way or other, under pain of severe -displeasure or punishment. It was said that they were authorized to go -as far as _ten_ millions of dollars, if a less sum would not suffice; -but on no account to return without effecting the object. They must -have known that they would themselves have to pay the greater part of -the amount, and naturally wished to make the best bargain they could. - -It is said that in the first instance they pulled along side one of -our men-of-war, and offered three millions for the ransom of the city. -As they evidently appeared to be in a hurry to make a bargain of some -sort or other, they were told that a much larger sum would be required. -Four millions were then proposed, and then five millions; and at -length, in great trepidation, and with many protestations of poverty, -they raised the offer to six millions. In the first instance they were -scarcely thought to be in earnest, but as the thing now really looked -serious, they were directed to go and confer with Capt. Elliot. It was -not difficult to persuade him to grant a truce until twelve o'clock -the following day, the 27th; and, in the intervening time, terms were -definitively agreed upon. - -The twenty-four hours' truce, in the first instance, was quite unknown -to Sir Hugh Gough, to whom an officer of the navy had been sent in -the afternoon to convey the information; but having missed his way, -and wandered all night, he only reached the head quarters, as before -stated, within half an hour of the time the batteries were to open. The -fact of the truce having been granted was now sufficient to account for -the Chinese having continued to display the white flag from the walls -the preceding day, after it had been lowered by Sir Hugh Gough upon the -heights. - -As it had been stipulated that the Tartar troops should leave the city -and retire to a distance of sixty miles from it, a conference was held -on the 28th between Sir Hugh Gough and the prefect of the city, in -order to make arrangements for the evacuation of Canton. It was now -ascertained that the force amounted to no less than forty-five thousand -men from distant provinces, besides those troops which belonged to the -province itself. - -The Tartar soldiers were allowed to march out with their arms and -baggage, but without displaying their banners, and without music. - -So far then the authorities appeared to have perfect control over the -people of the city, and over the troops belonging to other provinces -which formed the garrison. But beyond the city it was not so easy for -them to exercise the same degree of authority, particularly as regarded -the armed peasants. For some time the peasantry of the province, -particularly in the neighbourhood of the city, had been encouraged -to form themselves into societies, or patriotic bands, as they were -called, for mutual defence against the foreigners. They constituted -a sort of rude military; but having inexperienced leaders and no -discipline, they were calculated, if once their passions were roused, -to become much more troublesome to the province itself than they -were formidable to the enemy. They were imperfectly armed, every man -according to his own taste, with spears, swords, a few matchlocks, and -shields. With perfect ignorance of military affairs, and without any -knowledge of the resources of the enemy they were to encounter, they -believed that, by mere force of numbers, and a show of courage at a -distance, they could effect that which even their regular Tartars had -been totally unable to accomplish. Yet they were held up to the nation -at large by the government as models of patriotism and self-devotion; -and so impressed were they with the high value of their proffered -services, that they really believed the high officers had betrayed -their trust in acceding to Captain Elliot's terms for the ransom of -the city; and that the anxiety of the inhabitants to save their own -property had induced them to make unreasonable concessions, at the very -moment when _they_ (the patriots) were advancing to exterminate their -enemies by falling upon their rear. - -It is, therefore, not surprising that, two days after the city had -been ransomed--namely, on the 29th, a considerable body of these men -began to collect upon the heights, about three or four miles in the -rear of our positions. Their numbers continued to increase throughout -the day, and Sir Hugh Gough, being fully prepared to expect some act -of treachery or bad faith under cover of a flag of truce, directed -Major-General Burrell to take charge of our positions, and to hold -every man in readiness to repel any attack from the city, while he -himself advanced in person to meet and disperse the enemy, who now -shewed themselves. - -The 26th regiment, under Major Pratt, which had occupied the factories -until the 27th, had been brought up to Tsingpoo by the Nemesis on that -day, and had joined Sir Hugh Gough upon the heights. The force which -the general now took with him comprised that regiment, the 49th, except -one company left at the joss-house on the heights, the 37th, M.N.I., -and the company of Bengal Volunteers, supported by the Royal Marines. -These two latter were to be held in reserve, so as to be in readiness -to return towards the heights, and act upon the flank, should any -attack be made from the town during the absence of so large a portion -of our force. - -The Chinese had descended from the heights in the rear upon which they -had first appeared, and had taken up rather a strong position behind -an embankment along the bed of a stream; they appeared to number about -four thousand men. The 26th regiment, which had not yet been engaged, -supported by the 37th M.N.I., were ordered to advance and drive them -from this position, which they effected without any loss. Like most -irregular troops, the Chinese patriots could not act together in a -body, but took to flight, throwing away their spears as soon as a -well directed fire was opened upon them. They attempted to rally for -a moment at a sort of military post in their rear, but they did not -make a stand. The buildings were immediately destroyed, together with -a magazine, which was unexpectedly found in the adjoining village. The -Chinese retreated to the heights upon which they had first appeared. - -Sir Hugh Gough, having then directed the 49th and Bengal Volunteers -to fall back upon our original position upon the heights, remained to -watch in person the movements of the Chinese, with the 26th and the -37th M.N.I., amounting together to between five hundred and six hundred -men. - -The heat of the sun this day was excessive; it was so sultry that both -officers and men suffered great exhaustion, and Major Beecher, the -deputy quartermaster-general, whose exertions had been unremitting -throughout the previous days, fell down and almost immediately expired; -several other officers also fell sick. Within two or three hours after -the first repulse of the Chinese, they again collected upon the heights -in greater numbers than before, fresh bodies of them having now come up -with banners, &c., amounting to from seven thousand to eight thousand -men. - -Captain Knowles of the artillery, who had been ordered to bring up some -rockets, now threw them with great precision among the Chinese, but -without being able to disperse them; indeed, they appeared determined -to shew a bold front; and the general, therefore, directed Major Pratt, -with the 26th, to attack a large body of them who had descended from -the heights to some rice-fields on his left. Captain Duff, with the -37th M.N.I., supported by the Bengal Volunteers, was also directed to -advance and disperse a large body in his front, who had attempted to -reoccupy the military post which had been already burnt; they were then -to push forward towards the hills, and clear them of the enemy. - -These manoeuvres were executed with complete success, the Chinese being -dispersed at all points. The 37th M.N.I., however, pushed on rather -further than had been intended, and got separated from the Bengal -Volunteers. Captain Duff had, however, detached a company to open his -communication with the 26th, who were at some distance on his left. -But the day was now far advanced, and the thunder-storm, the approach -of which had been surely indicated by the extreme sultriness and -oppressive heat of the morning, now burst upon them with inconceivable -fury. The rain also descended in such torrents that the firelocks -got wet and scarcely a single musket would go off. The 26th were, in -consequence, frequently compelled to charge with the bayonet, for the -Chinese, who hovered about them, seeing that they could not use their -firelocks, came boldly up to attack them with their long spears, which -are formidable from their length. After several repulses, the Chinese -at length withdrew, and our troops were directed to return to their -positions. - -It was on this occasion, and in the midst of this terrific storm, in -the dusk of evening, that the gallant conduct and steadiness of the -company of the 37th M.N.I., which, as before stated, had been detached -to open a communication with the 26th, on their left, saved them from -total destruction, and won for them the praise of all military men. -The story has been so often told, and with so little variation in its -details, that it is scarcely necessary to repeat it; a few words will -do justice to their gallantry. The detached company having missed -the road during the storm, did not succeed in joining the 26th, who, -in the meantime, had, in fact, retired. Their muskets were found -completely useless, owing to the wet, which emboldened the Chinese to -attack their rear with their long spears, as they had done the 26th. -They were soon surrounded; and one or two of the men were pulled -over with a long crooked spear, something in the shape of a small -reaping-hook, fixed upon a long pole. The musket of one of the men who -had fallen was picked up by the Chinese, the powder being so damp in -the pan that it would not go off with the flint and steel. The Chinese -soldier, however, deliberately placed the musket to his shoulder, and, -taking steady aim at one of the officers, Mr. Berkeley, applied his -match to the damp powder, which ignited, and the musket went off, and -unfortunately wounded Mr. Berkeley in the arm. - -The gallant little company of Sepoys were now moved to some rising -ground, where they could better defend themselves. For a moment, the -rain ceased; and then with the utmost difficulty they were enabled to -get a few muskets off, with unerring effect upon the dense mass of -Chinese who surrounded them. But fortune was determined to prolong -their trial still. The rain again descended in torrents, just as they -had begun their retreat; and the Chinese, taking fresh courage, resumed -their attacks. Nothing now remained but to form a square, and stand -true to each other, until the morning dawned, and enabled them to fight -their way through the enemy. - -The absence of this company, when all the rest of the force was -concentrated, caused great anxiety concerning their fate. It was -rightly attributed to the severity of the storm, but it was feared that -they might possibly have been cut off by the Chinese. - -Without loss of time, Sir Hugh Gough ordered up two companies of -marines, who were comparatively fresh, and armed with percussion -muskets, to return with Captain Duff in search of the missing company. -As they advanced they fired an occasional shot, as a signal to their -comrades of their approach, and to animate their spirits. At length, -an occasional shot was heard ahead of them, and they soon afterwards -came up with the missing company, drawn up in a square, surrounded by -thousands of Chinese. A couple of volleys sent into the midst of the -confused crowd, by the unerring percussion-muskets[50] of the marines, -accompanied by a loud "hurra," dispersed them with great loss, and they -fled in confusion. - -The generals own words will best do justice to this little -incident:--"The Sepoys," says he, "in this critical situation, -nobly upheld the high character of the native army, by unshrinking -discipline, and cheerful obedience, and I feel that the expression of -my best thanks is due to Lieutenants Hadfield and Devereux, and Ensign -Berkeley, who zealously supported them during this trying scene." - -They did not, however, escape without some loss, as one private was -killed, and one officer and fourteen men were severely wounded. - -This open hostility of the Chinese, during the operation of a truce, -could not be permitted to continue; and, moreover, it was evident -that no good purpose could be attained by merely dispersing these -irregular bodies of the Chinese. Accordingly, on the following morning, -the 31st, the general sent to inform the Kwang-chow-foo, or prefect, -that if these hostile demonstrations were continued, he should be -under the necessity of at once hauling down the flag of truce, and of -recommencing hostilities against the city. In the course of the day, -before any further arrangements had been made with the prefect, who -promised to come and meet the general and Captain Elliot under the -walls, the Chinese again collected upon the hills, displaying their -banners, &c., and firing off their guns. Detached parties were also -thrown in advance, as if they had some design of communicating with the -Tartar troops, who, to the number of 7000, had already marched out of -the city, and were still moving. - -In the afternoon, the number of Chinese had still further increased, -upon the same hills upon which they had appeared the day before. At -length, the prefect arrived, and assured the general that the movements -of these peasants were quite without the knowledge or sanction of the -authorities, and that he would immediately send off an officer of rank -to order them to disperse to their homes. It was agreed that one of -our own officers should also accompany him, to endeavour to effect -this object by their joint efforts; and Captain Moore, of the 34th -Bengal N.I., volunteered to undertake this hazardous and responsible -duty. Some treachery might possibly have been intended, although, as -there was reason to believe, without the sanction of the prefect, who -was personally, at that time, completely in our power. These irregular -bodies were at length induced to disperse, and no further collision -took place.[51] - -During all the operations upon the heights, the greater part of -the wounded were brought down and put on board the Nemesis, where -they received every attention from the surgeon of the vessel, and -particularly from Mr. Peter Young, who was then on board merely as -a volunteer. The Nemesis was employed to convey them daily to their -respective ships and transports. The total number of casualties -amounted to fifteen killed, and one hundred and twelve wounded; among -the latter were no less than fifteen officers.[52] The Chinese must -have suffered very severely, as almost every shot told upon their heavy -masses. - -Upon the heights of Canton forty-nine guns were captured, besides -a great number of ginjals. But if we reckon all the guns taken and -destroyed in the Canton river and its numerous branches, from Chuenpee -to Canton, they will be found to amount to not less than _twelve -hundred pieces_, besides ginjals, &c. - -The resources of the Chinese seemed endless, and the rapidity with -which they erected batteries and field-works was not a little -remarkable. It cannot be said that they yielded without first making -the most strenuous efforts to defend all the approaches to Canton; and -they were rather wanting in skill, and the knowledge of the best mode -of applying their abundant resources, than in courage or determination -to resist. The Chinese are capable of becoming a formidable enemy, -and we cannot forget that, like the Russians, who were once so easily -conquered, they may soon learn the art of war from their conquerors, -and become formidable from the experience which their first disasters -taught them. - -On the 31st of May, nearly 18,000 Tartars had marched out of Canton, -according to the terms agreed on. Five million dollars had also been -paid, and security given for the other million which was still to be -paid. Preparations were therefore made, at the request of Captain -Elliot, for the re-embarkation of our forces, and their withdrawal -from before Canton. With the assistance of eight hundred Chinese -labourers, who were furnished for the purpose by the prefect, the guns, -ammunition, and stores were brought down to Tsingpoo on the morning of -the 1st of June, under a strong escort; and the British flag having -been lowered in the forts upon the heights, the whole of our force was -re-embarked in the afternoon, under the superintendence of Captain -Bourchier and Captain Maitland. - -Sir Hugh Gough particularly noticed the absence of excess of every kind -which distinguished the men during the eight days they were on shore. -Although placed in situations where temptation was abundant, only two -instances of drunkenness occurred during the whole period. - -The treaty, or perhaps rather the truce, which had been made, by no -means implied the conclusion of peace between the two nations; it had -reference solely to the city and river of Canton, the whole of the -forts and defences of which were to be restored to the Chinese as soon -as the ransom had been paid; it was, however, stipulated that they were -not to be _re-armed_ "until affairs between the two countries should -be finally settled." Accordingly, as soon as our forces, both military -and naval, had been again concentrated at Hong-Kong, preparations were -immediately recommenced for the resumption of the projected expedition -against Amoy. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[48] -FIELD LIST OF TROOPS ENGAGED ON THE HEIGHTS ABOVE CANTON ON THE -25TH OF MAY, 1841. - - |Officers|All other - | | ranks. - |--------+--------- -Left Brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morris. | | -H.M. 49th Regiment, commanded by Major Stephens | 28 | 273 -37th Madras Native Infantry, | | -Captain Duff {European 11} | 15 | 215 - {Native 4} | | -Company of Bengal Volunteers, | | -Captain Mee {European 2} | 4 | 112 - {Native 2} | | - |--------+--------- - | 47 | 600 - |--------+--------- -Third, or Artillery Brigade, | | -under Captain Knowles, R.A. | | -Royal Artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Spencer | 2 | 33 -Madras Artillery, commanded by Captain Anstruther | 10 | 231 -Sappers and Miners, commanded by Captain Cotton | 4 | 137 - |--------+--------- - | 16 | 401 - |--------+--------- -Second, or Naval Brigade, under Captain Bourchier. | | -1st Battalion, Captain Maitland 11} | 27 |172} 403 -2nd Battalion, Commander Barlow 16} | |231} - |--------+--------- - | 27 | 403 - |--------+--------- -First (right) Brigade, under Major-General Burrell.| | -18th Royal Irish, Lieut.-Colonel Adams | 25 | 495 -Royal Marines, Captain Ellis | 9 | 372 - |--------+--------- - | 34 | 867 - |--------+--------- - Total, Officers | 124 | - ----, Other ranks | | 2271 - Grand total 2395 - -N.B.--It is to be remarked that the company of Bengal Volunteers, -comprising one hundred and twelve men, had only two European officers. - -[49] Names of officers:--Captain Hall, Mr. Whitehurst, and Mr. Gaunt, -Nemesis; Mr. Goss and Mr. Hooper, H.M.S. Sulphur; Mr. Holland and Mr. -Lambert, H.M.S. Blonde. - -[50] Only two of the percussion-muskets of the marines missed fire, -although they had been loaded two or three days before, without having -been discharged since. The men belonged principally to the Blenheim, -under Lieutenant Whiting. - -[51] It is impossible for us to know exactly what communication was -made by the Chinese officer, to the heads of these patriotic bands, -but it was thought that the people did not withdraw altogether owing -to the conviction that their efforts would be useless against us, but -because they were bound to obey the orders of the prefect. At the same -time, they really believed that they had been betrayed by their own -authorities, and were ready to unite again whenever occasion offered -with some confidence of success. - -[52] Lieut. C. Fox, R.N., and Mr. Kendall had each a leg shot off; the -former died. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - - -In the first week in June, all our ships of war and transports had -left the Canton River, and were again assembled at Hong-Kong. All the -forts from Chuenpee upwards had been restored to the Chinese, without -any other stipulation except that all those below Whampoa should be -suffered to remain in _statu quo_. - -The emperor seems to have been much displeased with the latter part -of this agreement; and, in reply to the memorial of Yih-shan upon the -subject, his majesty directed that "_secret means_ of defence should -be prepared as soon as the foreign ships had withdrawn from the river, -and that they were then to build new and strong forts, and repair the -old ones." On our side, however, nothing of this kind was permitted -below Whampoa; so that, until the ratifications of the treaty of peace -had been actually exchanged, the whole of the defences of the Bogue -remained in the same dilapidated state in which they were left when our -squadron quitted the river in June, 1841. - -Sickness had already begun to prevail among our troops before they had -reached Hong-Kong. The eight days' exposure which they had endured upon -the heights of Canton sowed the seeds of ague and dysentery, which -proved far more formidable energies to us than any troops the Chinese -could bring against us. After the lapse of a few days, and when the -excitement of active operations on shore, and the cheering influence -of hope and novelty had subsided, the sickness spread among the men -with alarming rapidity, so that, at length, out of our small force, no -less than _eleven hundred men_ were upon the sick-list at Hong-Kong. -Part of this alarming state of things must be attributed certainly to -the pernicious influence of the atmosphere of Hong-Kong itself at that -season of the year. But every allowance must be made for the exposure -which the men had undergone at Canton, and for the susceptibility of -constitution produced by long confinement on board ship. The germs of -disease were planted in their bodies before the men returned to the -harbour of Hong-Kong; and, therefore, an undue stress was laid at the -time upon the unhealthiness of Hong-Kong itself. It is worth while -here to mention, that the three imperial commissioners laid particular -stress upon the known unhealthiness of the neighbourhood of Canton at -that season, as a ground for the impossibility of keeping any large -body of troops long together; and it happened, remarkably enough, -that two of the high officers died as nearly as possible at the same -time--one on the part of the Chinese, and one on our side. Lung-Wan, -one of the imperial commissioners, died of fever at Canton about the -middle of June; and Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, the senior naval officer, -also died of fever at Hong-Kong on the 13th of that month. - -Sir Le Fleming Senhouse had partaken of all the privations of the -troops on shore, and exposed himself on every occasion in which his -zeal and example could serve the cause. He was, moreover, undoubtedly -chagrined at the unlooked-for termination of his labours by a truce, -the provisions of which, right or wrong, scarcely accorded with his -own views of the exigencies of the moment. All these causes combined, -acting upon a not over-strong constitution, sufficed to hurry him by -sickness to his grave. On the 17th, his remains were removed to Macao, -according to a wish which he had expressed before his death, as if -he retained a lurking doubt whether Hong-Kong would not some day or -other be restored to the Chinese. The Nemesis was employed upon this -melancholy occasion, to carry over his remains. At Macao, the body of -the gallant veteran was buried, with all the honours due to his rank, -in the English burial-ground. - -The loss of Sir Le Fleming Senhouse and other officers, as well as a -good many men, and the prevailing sickness on board all the vessels of -war and transports, at length threw a gloom over the whole expedition, -which was hardly to be relieved until the expected movement upon Amoy -should take place: this was accordingly looked forward to with great -anxiety. - -The island of Hong-Kong, which was originally ceded to us by the terms -of our treaty with Keshen, but, in consequence of the disallowance of -that treaty by the emperor, was afterwards only held by us by right of -occupancy during the progress of hostilities, was at length confirmed -as a possession of the crown of Great Britain by the ratification -of the treaty of Nankin. It was proclaimed as a part of the British -empire, and, together with its dependencies, erected into a separate -colony, on the 26th of June, 1843, under the designation of the "Colony -of Hong-Kong." - -It is difficult to ascertain what are the actual dependencies of -Hong-Kong. They, probably, include all the small islands immediately -adjacent to it, particularly on its southern side; but whether -Lamma Island is comprised in them or not, we have little means of -judging. In the proclamation, dated at its capital town, Victoria, -and published by the authority of Sir Henry Pottinger, the colony is -said to be situated between twenty-two degrees, nine minutes, and -twenty-two degrees, twenty-one minutes, north latitude, which would -give it an extent of twelve miles from north to south; so that Lamma -Island, as well as the smaller adjacent islands, would appear to be -included in the dependencies. The extent of the colony from east to -west is not distinctly laid down, as only one meridian of longitude is -given-namely, 114 deg. 18' east longitude from Greenwich. - -The position assigned to the island of Hong-Kong in the maps is, -probably, incorrect, as it does not coincide with that laid down by Sir -Henry Pottinger in the proclamation. The greatest length of the island -itself is from east to west--namely, eight miles; but the breadth is -extremely irregular, varying from six miles to about two miles only.[53] - -The present capital, Victoria, extends for a considerable distance -along its northern shore, and, from the nature of the ground, has -of necessity been, built in a very extended, straggling manner. The -distance across to the mainland of China, if it can be so called, (for -part of the opposite coast is probably an island,) varies considerably. -The breadth of the Lyemoon Passage to the eastward is little more than -a quarter of a mile, but from the town to the nearest point opposite to -it is about a mile and a quarter, while the greatest breadth is upwards -of four miles. - -The roads of Hong-Kong and the Bay of Victoria form an excellent -anchorage, having deep water very near the shore, and only one small -shoal having sixteen feet water upon it. There are, however, two -disadvantages under which it labours: it is exposed to the full fury of -the typhoons whenever they occur; and the high mountains of Hong-Kong -intercept the genial breezes of the south-west monsoon during the -hot season, when a movement in the atmosphere is most necessary, not -only to moderate the sultry summer heat of a tropical climate, but to -dissipate the unhealthy vapours which are generated after the heavy -rains which occur, particularly during the night, at that season. - -In other respects, the lake-like appearance of the harbour is -beautiful; it forms a sort of basin, lying between the mountains of -Hong-Kong and the mountains of the mainland opposite. For this reason, -however, the rains which fall are sometimes excessively heavy: the -dark, threatening clouds seem banded across from one side to the other, -pouring down their waters in torrents upon the basin between them. -The mountain sides of Hong-Kong, steep though they are, occasionally -appear almost covered with a sheet of moving water, so torrent-like -do the streams pour down their declivities. To this succeeds the -burning, tropical sun of July, with a sort of death-like stillness in -the atmosphere, which, little influenced as it is on that side of the -island by the south-west monsoon, cannot fail, if it last long without -any change, to produce fever and sickness. - -Almost all tropical countries are occasionally subject to these -visitations; but, as a proof that Hong-Kong is not always exposed to -them, I may be permitted to mention that a gentleman who was once at -anchor there, in company with a fleet of full fifty sail of merchant -ships during a period of nine months, including the whole summer -season, declared that he observed _no prevailing fever or sickness of -any kind_. - -The extremely barren appearance of nearly all the islands at the mouth -of the Canton River, the deep and rugged furrows which seem to plough -up their mountain sides, the exposed, rocky surface of their summits, -and the absence of soil, except in sheltered spots or hollows, seem -at once to point out that they are situated within the influence of -hurricanes and tropical rains. In this respect, the contrast between -this part of China and the Chusan Islands to the northward, is very -remarkable. The latter look as rich and inviting, both near and at a -distance, as the former appear inhospitable and barren. In the one -case, there is an industrious and thriving population, who contrive -to cultivate the surface of the mountains, frequently to their very -summits, with the greatest care and nicety; in the other case, there -is a hardy and adventurous population of fishermen, smugglers, and -pirates; the unwilling soil is only cultivated in scattered patches, -and the villages are few, and comparatively of mean appearance. - -[Illustration: -MAP -OF -HONGKONG. - -REFERENCE - 1 West Point Barracks - 2 West Point Battery - 3 Chinese Bazaars--and Market - 4 Chief Magistrate, and Police Office - 5 Harbour Master - 6 Governor's Residence - 7 Barracks - 8 Bazaars - 9 Artillery Barracks - 10 East Battery - 11 Hospital--Military - 12 Cemetery - 13 Seamen's Hospital - 14 Morrison Education Society - 15 Tower and Guard - 16 } - 17 } Military Stations - 18 } -] - -The southern side of the island of Hong-Kong was visited by Capt. Hall, -in the squadron which conveyed Lord Amherst's embassy to China in 1816; -and it is, therefore, worth while to repeat here the observations -of Dr. Clarke Abel Smith upon that occasion. The bay in which the -vessels anchored was near the village of Shekpywan, and was then -called Hong-Kong Sound. It was described as "being formed by several -small islands, by which it is land-locked on every side, and of which -Hong-Kong is the principal." "As seen from the deck," says Dr. Smith, -"this island was chiefly remarkable for its high, conical mountains -rising in the centre, and for a beautiful cascade, which rolled over a -fine blue rock into the sea." - -This was in the beginning of July. The rocks on that side of the island -were found approaching to basalt in compactness of structure. In -ascending the principal mountain which was near, he followed the course -of a delightful stream, which rises near its summit; and was much -struck with the extreme barrenness of the surface of the mountain, and, -indeed, of every part of the island which he was able to visit. "Yet, -at a distance," says he, "it appears _fertile_, from the _abundance of -fern_, which I believe to be the polypodium trichotomum, [of Kaempfer,] -which supplies _the place of other plants_." - -By the side of the stream, however, he found several interesting -plants. Among them the Beckia chinensis; myrtus tomentosus in -abundance, and in full flower; melastoma quinquenervia; and several -orchideous plants, of which he could not determine the varieties. There -were a great number of ferns, but not a single moss of any description. -He adds that he was unable to reach the summit of the mountain, in -consequence of the excessive heat, which, at eight A.M., raised the -thermometer to 83 deg. in the shade, while the sun's rays, to which he was -necessarily exposed, darted through an unclouded atmosphere with an -almost intolerable effect, and raised the mercury to 120 deg. - -On his way down from the mountain, he followed a path which led over -a small hill, or rather mound, differing in structure from the rocks -in its neighbourhood, being composed of very friable stone, of reddish -white colour, much resembling disintegrated felspar. He describes the -scenery of the island as composed of barren rocks, deep ravines, and -mountain torrents, with few characters of a picturesque kind. The only -inhabitants he saw were some poor weather-beaten fishermen spreading -their nets, and drying the produce of their toils, on the rocks which -supported their miserable huts. Its cultivation corresponded with the -apparent state and number of its population. Patches of rice, small -plantations of yams, and a little buck-wheat, were all their visible -means of vegetable support. - -As regards the anchorage itself, at what he calls Hong-Kong Sound, -naval men described it as affording admirable shelter for ships of any -burden. - -Such, then, is all the information acquired at that time concerning a -portion of the southern side of Hong-Kong. Little was it then thought, -that this very island would, in a few years, become a part of the -British empire. - -The description given above of the general aspect of Hong-Kong, may be -considered as tolerably correct, but, by the increase of its population -since that period, and more particularly, after it became a place of -resort for our ships, even before the close of the war, the general -appearance of the island gradually improved, and the population became -augmented. At the time we took possession of the island, there was -little to tempt us to make a settlement there, except the excellent -anchorage on its northern side, having a passage in and out at either -end, its proximity to the mouth of the Canton river, and the difficulty -of finding any more suitable place for our purpose. - -At the eastern end of Hong-Kong there are capital stone-quarries, -which are worked with skill and facility by Chinese labourers, so that -building is much facilitated; water is also abundant and generally -good. A long range of mountains stretches from one end of the island to -the other, of which, the highest point, called Victoria Peak, is about -two thousand feet above the level of the sea; and, at the foot of the -very mountain, part of the town of Victoria (and it would seem also its -most unhealthy part,) is built. Now, as this range of rugged mountains -extends from east to west, the harbour, and consequently the principal -part of the town and places of business lying upon its northern side, -it is self-evident that the influence of the south-west monsoon, -which prevails during the summer months, and is then most required to -dissipate the vapours generated out of the earth by a tropical sun, can -scarcely ever be felt on the northern side of the mountains. It has -even been remarked, that _in all parts of_ China, places so situated as -to be sheltered from the influence of the south winds during the summer -season, are sure to be unhealthy. - -The mere temperature of a place, as shewn by the thermometer, is -neither an index to its unhealthiness or otherwise, nor to the actual -sensations produced by it upon the human body. For instance, at -Singapore, which is situated only about seventy miles from the equator, -the heat is not felt to be excessive, nor is sickness prevalent during -any season of the year. Yet rain falls constantly during the night, -the grass looks beautifully green even in the hottest season, and when -pineapples are to be seen growing wild in the hedges, and coming to -perfection. But Singapore is entirely open to the southward, and its -atmosphere is agitated and its vapours dissipated, by the refreshing -sea-breezes which constantly pass over it. - -The mean temperature of the month of July last, (1843,) at Hong-Kong, -was 88 deg., the lowest was 84 deg., and the highest 92 deg. Hence it appears, -that the difference of temperature between day and night, is much less -than might be expected; in fact, the _lowest_ temperature was only -four degrees below the average temperature of the whole month. On one -occasion only, it rose to 92 deg. during the middle of the day, and once -only, fell to 84 deg. during the night. - -But, if the town of Victoria is deprived of the advantage of the -south-west breezes during the hot season, it is fully exposed to the -influence of the north-east monsoon during the winter months. The -sudden change which takes place sometimes in a few hours, in the -months of October and November, is severely felt. In the beginning of -December, I have felt the cold breezes from the northward far more -piercing than the hardest frost in the still atmosphere of northern -regions, because the change is sudden. Hence, the practice among the -Chinese, of putting on a succession of warm coats, or wadded pelisses, -or taking them off one by one, according as the temperature changes, -is the only safe course for Europeans to adopt. In fact, all those -who visit Hong-Kong, or take up a lengthened residence there, must be -provided with clothing adapted to the extremes of temperature, and be -cautious not to defer the changes of costume too long; they should -rather err on the side of too much than too little clothing. - -Now I am upon the subject of the unhealthiness of Hong-Kong generally, -(to which subject, however, I shall again revert,) I cannot omit to -mention that the sickness has by no means been limited to those who -resided on shore, but has to a very great extent afflicted those also -who remained on board ship. Nor did it diminish so rapidly as had -been expected, (during the past year, 1843,) as the season advanced -and the temperature diminished. On the contrary, after being in a -great measure arrested at the commencement of November, it seemed to -acquire fresh virulence towards the latter end of that month. A private -letter, dated November 3rd, says, "The men-of-war are reducing their -sick lists. The Cornwallis has now only one hundred and four; the other -day she had one hundred and sixty under the doctor's hands." Another -letter, dated the 28th of the same month, says, "The sickness is again -as bad as ever. Each ship loses a man daily. Among the troops on shore -how many are lost! Many gentlemen who have been sick, and are now -recovering, are starting off for England, for health's sake." - -Health committees have, however, been established, and it is hoped -that some good may result from their investigations. All parts even -of the northern side of the island are not equally unhealthy; and it -must be remembered that a place may be very unhealthy one year, and be -comparatively free from sickness the following year.[54] It is also -remarked that the occurrence of a typhoon (though in other respects -much to be dreaded) tends materially to improve the healthiness of an -otherwise sickly place, by the violent phenomena, barometrical and -electrical, which it produces, and by which all nature is affected. - -Hitherto the western and eastern extremities of Victoria Bay seem to -have proved most unhealthy to Europeans, the centre being less so. -The left wing of the 55th, quartered at West Point barracks, lost -one hundred men between June and the middle of August last; and at -length the place was abandoned, and the rest of the men sent on board -ship. At the recommendation of a health committee, the ground in -the neighbourhood was ordered to be levelled and well drained. This -essential measure will doubtless be resorted to in other situations; -indeed, it would be a matter of the highest importance, if possible, to -prohibit the cultivation of rice by the Chinese upon _any part_ of the -island. Wherever rice is grown, particularly within or verging upon the -tropics, there must be more or less unhealthiness. If compensation were -thought requisite, to reimburse the Chinese proprietors for the loss of -their crops, the amount would be small in comparison with the advantage -gained. But, in reality, where the rice-grounds (which, after all, are -very limited) had been properly drained, they might be adapted to the -cultivation of other productions equally necessary for a population -numbering so many Europeans, and less likely to be prejudicial to the -health of the community.[55] - -At the eastern extremity of Victoria Bay is a considerable valley, -shut up by mountains on every side, except towards the sea. It is -laid out almost entirely in rice-grounds, and the waters of a natural -stream, descending from the mountains at the end of the valley, had -been diverted from their natural channel, and conducted by innumerable -streamlets to every part of the valley, for the irrigation of the -rice-grounds. Several houses have been built upon the declivity of the -hills around it, in the expectation that this would be the ultimate -site of a second town, as soon as the very limited space between the -mountains and the harbour, along the front of Victoria Bay, should be -completely occupied, which it bids fair soon to become. The draining of -this valley would essentially improve the condition of that important -portion of the island. - -A good road has already been nearly completed across that valley, and -over the mountains to the other side of the island, leading down to -Tytam Bay, and the important village of Chek-Chu. Beyond this valley -to the eastward, on the other side of Matheson's point, are fine bold -rocks, running down to the water's edge, being also more open to the -draught of air along the Lyemoon passage, this position would probably -be a healthy one. - -Having thus spoken so much concerning the northern side of the island -in particular, it may be asked what is the state of the southern side, -as regards its healthiness. Undoubtedly, the southern side, being -open to the south-west monsoon, is comparatively healthy, but there -is no harbour fit for mercantile purposes on that side, nor was any -land appropriated there for building purposes in the first instance, -because the unhealthiness of Victoria Bay was not fully ascertained, -and because, where a man's treasure or his business is, there will his -heart and his occupation be also. Doubtless, in a very short time many -of the Europeans will reside on the southern side of the island, and -cross over the mountains daily to transact their business. - -The principal Chinese village, which numbered a population of about -two thousand, even when we took possession of the island, is prettily -situated on the southern side, in a sheltered bay, well open, however, -to the south-west wind. It is called Chek-Chu, and, at the suggestion -of Major Aldrich, cantonments have been formed for a detachment of -troops there, so as to separate them from the Chinese population. A -detachment of the 98th regiment, which was quartered there during the -last season, remained almost entirely healthy; and there is little -doubt that in a short time many Europeans will take up their residence -in that neighbourhood. - -It is extremely difficult to form any tolerable estimate of the -Chinese population on the island. It varies continually, a great part -of the people being migratory. When we first took the island there -were probably about five thousand Chinese upon it, exclusive of the -boat-people, casual labourers from the opposite coast, and others of a -migratory description. They were distributed into fourteen or fifteen -villages or hamlets, of which the principal, as before stated, was -Chek-chu, on the southern side, situated in a bay partly formed by the -long irregular headland which runs out and takes the name of Tytam -Head. This bay, together with Tytam Bay, will doubtless soon become a -favourite spot for the retired residences of Europeans. - -Since we have held possession of the island, the Chinese have naturally -been attracted to it in great numbers. The tradesmen, mechanics, -servants to English residents, labourers, boatmen, and market people, -are all Chinese. Add to these also, a small body of Chinese police, -and we shall find that the population must be considerable. In all the -warehouses of the merchants a vast number of porters and attendants -are employed; all the houses are built by Chinese workmen, and a vast -number are also employed by government upon the public roads and works. -The number of migratory, or trading people, who come down from Canton, -Macao, and other parts, is also large; so that upon the whole the high -estimate of 30,000 which has been given, may not be much overrated. -But this number probably includes the Europeans, the number of whom, -exclusive of the military, cannot be large, perhaps a very few hundreds. - -The reputed unhealthiness of the town of Victoria has deterred many -from coming over from Macao for the present, who otherwise contemplated -establishing themselves on the island. The uncertainty which has -prevailed respecting the liberty to store opium, has also tended to -give a check to the originally rapid progress of the settlement. - -In the meantime, the Portuguese, becoming fully sensible of the -deterioration of the value of property at Macao, owing to the sudden -rise of a rival European settlement in their neighbourhood, began -to take into consideration the propriety of rendering Macao a free -port, similar to Hong-Kong, and probably without any restrictions as -to opium. Great efforts have been made to effect this object, and the -Portuguese governor had gone up to Canton, attended by his suite, with -a view to confer with the authorities, in the hope of procuring from -the government the recognition of greater privileges than they had -hitherto enjoyed. This circumstance, together with the momentary pause -at Hong-Kong, had tended to reassure the European inhabitants of Macao, -and to raise the value of houses (which had previously fallen) from ten -to fifteen per cent. - -If means should be found (of which strong hopes are entertained) of -improving the condition of Hong-Kong, as regards its healthiness, no -attempted rivalry of Macao could affect the new settlement to any -extent. It has neither a harbour for ships to anchor in sufficiently -near the town, nor ground upon which warehouses could be built, nor can -the Portuguese officers ever possess more than a very restricted, and -perhaps precarious authority. - -The wonderful progress of our settlement at Hong-Kong, in the first -instance, affords perhaps one of the most striking instances that has -ever been recorded of the astonishing energy and enterprise of the -British character. Great as were the early strides made even by some -of the Australian colonies, situated too at the opposite end of the -globe, their progress, compared with that of Hong-Kong, was slow and -difficult. When our forces were assembled in the harbour of Hong-Kong, -on their return from Canton, in June, 1841, there was not a single -regularly built house fit for the habitation of Europeans upon the -island; for the Chinese villages can hardly be taken into account. When -the expedition set sail for Amoy, about two months afterwards, a few -mat-sheds and temporary huts were all that indicated the future site of -the town of Victoria, or pointed out what was soon to become the centre -of British commerce in that part of the world, and the seat of British -power upon the threshold of the most populous empire the world ever saw. - -The first sale by auction of land, or rather of the annual quit-rents -only, was held in June. On the 7th of that month, Hong-Kong was -declared to be a free port, and on the 22nd, Mr. A. R. Johnston, the -deputy-superintendent of trade, was appointed acting governor of the -island. - -The portion of land put up for sale, in the first instance, consisted -of only thirty-four lots, each of which was to have a sea-frontage of -about one hundred feet; but the depth of each lot, of course, varied -considerably, according to the nature of the ground. The sale of the -annual quit-rents only, payable in advance, produced no less a sum than -L3165. 10s. yearly, at this first sale. Equally high prices also were -obtained on subsequent occasions. Moreover, one of the conditions of -sale was, that each purchaser should be required to incur an outlay -upon each lot, within the _first six_ months, either in building or -otherwise, of not less than one thousand dollars, or upwards of two -hundred and twenty-two pounds sterling, and a deposit of five hundred -dollars was to be paid into the hands of the treasurer within one week, -but was to be repayable as soon as an equal amount had been expended. - -Accordingly, within six months from the time above named, wonderful -improvements had taken place, although much preliminary work was -necessary before any solid building could be erected. In fact, the -first regular house built for Europeans was not completed until -September or October following; and, as it was constructed entirely by -Chinese mechanics, it assumed very much the form of a Chinese house. - -The government now began to form an excellent road, called the Queens -Road, along the front of the harbour, and to encourage improvements -in every possible way. The elements of a regular establishment were -soon formed, and the nucleus of a powerful European community was soon -planted upon the borders of haughty China. Its progress from this -moment was wonderful, and no stronger argument than this can be adduced -to point out the _necessity_ of such an emporium as Hong-Kong, and the -impossibility of continuing the former state of things. - -Within _one year_ from the completion of the first house, not only -were regular streets and bazaars for the Chinese erected, but numerous -large substantial warehouses were built mostly of stone, some already -finished, and others in progress. Wharfs and jetties were constructed -of the most substantial kind; the sound of the stone-mason's hammer -was heard in every direction, and a good road was in progress, and an -admirable market was established in English style, under covered sheds, -and well-regulated by the police. The Chinese willingly resorted to it, -and brought abundant supplies of every description, readily submitting -themselves to all the regulations. Large commissariat stores and other -public buildings, including barracks at either end of the town, were -finished. The road, which was carried along the foot of the hills, -extended already to a distance of nearly four miles, and a cut was -being made through a high sand-hill, in order to continue it further; -and at intervals, along the whole of the distance, substantial and even -elegant buildings were already erected. The numerous conical hills -which distinguish this part of the island were nearly all levelled at -the top, in readiness to commence building new houses; stone bridges -were in progress, and the road was being rapidly continued over the -hills at the eastern end of Victoria Bay, leading down to Tytam Bay, -and the picturesque village of Chek-chu. - -The Chinese inhabitants seemed to fall readily into our ways and -habits; their labourers and mechanics worked well and willingly for -moderate pay, and came over in crowds from the opposite coast to seek -work; tradesmen crowded in to occupy the little shops in the bazaars; -two European hotels and billiard-rooms were completed; and, in short, -every necessary, and most luxuries, could be obtained with facility -at Hong-Kong, _within the first year of its permanent settlement_. -Even the Portuguese missionaries came over and built a sort of convent -and a chapel; the Morrison Education Society and the Missionary -Hospital Society commenced their buildings; more than one missionary -society made it their head-quarters, and the Anglo-Chinese College, at -Malacca, was about to be removed to this more favourable spot. A small -Roman-catholic chapel was nearly finished, and a neat little American -Baptist chapel had been opened for divine service, being the first -Protestant place of public worship ever established in that part of the -world--of course, with the exception of the old company's chapel, in -the factory at Canton. There was, however, no church of England service -performed at that time on the island--a deficiency which happily has -since been remedied. - -Foreign merchants had also commenced building, and it was a curious -sight to see the hundreds of Chinese labourers working upon the -construction of _our_ houses and roads, and flocking from all -quarters to furnish _us_ with supplies, and seeking their living by -serving us in every way, at the very time when we were at war with -their government, and carrying on hostile operations against their -countrymen to the northward. At the same time, also, Chinese tailors -and shoemakers were busy in their little shops making clothes for us, -and Chinese stewards superintended our establishments, while Chinese -servants (in their native costume, tails and all) were cheerfully -waiting upon us at table: and all this within little more than one year -after the _first_ land-sale at Hong-Kong, and while we were still at -war. - -There appears to have been some little mistake in the original site -of the town, the principal part of which, or, at least, the part most -inhabited by the Chinese, is situated, in a great measure, upon the -declivity of the highest of the mountains which shut in the harbour. -The space for building is very limited, and, indeed, this is the case -along the whole shore. Gradually people have spread themselves eastward -along the front of the harbour, and, probably, at no very distant -time, a second town will spring up at the eastern end of the harbour; -indeed, the buildings already erected by Messrs. Jardine and Matheson -are so extensive, as to form almost a town of themselves. But the -great distance from one end of Hong-Kong, or rather of Victoria to the -other, is already a source of great inconvenience, particularly in a -hot country. In a short time, the establishment of an exchange in some -central part will probably be undertaken, and will go far to remedy the -inconvenience. - -It is unfortunate that the space between the foot of the mountains and -the edge of the sea is so very limited. It would have been a great -advantage to have been able to form a quay or esplanade along the front -of the harbour, with warehouses and dwelling-houses in the rear. But -this was not practicable; and, consequently, the back of the warehouses -in most instances faces the water, which in some measure detracts from -the appearance of the town, as seen from the harbour. Nevertheless, it -is impossible for the stranger not to be struck with the first view -of it as he approaches. He could scarcely be prepared to see so many -large, handsome buildings occupying a great extent of frontage in a -settlement so recently acquired. - -There are few things more striking of the kind than the view of the -Bay of Victoria and the roads of Hong-Kong, from any one of the hills -at its eastern end towards Matheson's Point. The number of European -vessels, Chinese junks, boats of all kinds, and the long line of -handsome buildings skirting the bay, and lighted up by a brilliant sun -piercing a cloudless atmosphere, present a picturesque and interesting -scene, which is scarcely detracted from even by the barren mountains in -the rear. - -As regards the defences of Hong-Kong, it is evident that our main -reliance must always be placed upon our ships of war. The two small -batteries already erected could be of little service against an enemy. -A plan was submitted by Major Aldrich, the commanding engineer, for -forming a large fort somewhere about the centre of the bay. But this -plan did not meet the concurrence of Sir Henry Pottinger, although he -referred it for the consideration of the government at home. - -The question of the tenure of land for the future at Hong-Kong, or -rather the terms upon which it can be obtained from the government is -one of the highest importance. It is understood that it is not the -intention of government to permit any land to be alienated from the -crown. Future sales of land will probably be effected in the same way -as the earlier ones; that is, merely the annual rental of the different -lots of land will be put up to auction. No regulations upon this -subject have yet been issued; and, most likely, the new governor, Mr. -Davis, will have some discretionary power in fixing the precise terms -upon which the _right of occupation_ of land will be disposed of. The -system of annual rentals to government in a colony circumstanced as -Hong-Kong is,--a free port, a soil mostly barren, and an island of very -limited extent,--must appear to every one the most judicious plan to -adopt. A _permanent_ annual fund will thus be created for the purposes -of government, and one which must increase every year rather than -diminish. - -Hong-Kong will always possess the immense advantage of abundant labour -at a reasonable rate. Any number of Chinamen which could possibly be -required will always be readily obtained from the mainland. - -I must not omit to mention, among the strong characteristics of -English colonization, the establishment of a free press at Hong-Kong. -A newspaper is usually one of the first undertakings in an English -settlement. It has been said, in respect to colonization, that the -first thing the French undertake is to build a fort, the Spaniards a -church, and the English a factory or a warehouse; but, perhaps, it is -more characteristic still, that one of the first things the English -establish is a press. The Englishman carries with him his birthright -of free discussion; and the power of having a good hearty grumble -in _print_ compensates him for many early inconveniences of a new -settlement. There are four English newspapers published in China; the -Hong-Kong Gazette, the Eastern Globe, the Hong-Kong Register, and the -Canton Press; of which the last is published at Macao, and the other -three at Hong-Kong. In the first-named, all the government notices are -inserted by authority. - -According to the latest accounts, the Morrison Institution had been -opened for some time, and the youths who were being educated were -making good progress. The Seaman's Hospital for the merchant service, -recently opened, was calculated to afford accommodation to fifty men -and officers. This institution is in a measure a self-supporting one, -a certain sum being paid daily for the maintenance of each person -admitted. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[53] A glance at the accompanying map will sufficiently indicate the -peculiar form of the island. - -[54] Since the commencement of the present year, 1844, the sickness has -nearly disappeared. - -[55] The _northernmost_ point in Europe where rice is cultivated, is, I -believe, the neighborhood of Milan. But, even there, none is permitted -to be grown within a circuit of several miles of the city, owing to the -unhealthiness which it would produce. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - - -It is intended that Hong-Kong shall be governed upon the same -principles by which other crown colonies are regulated--namely, that -there shall be a legislative and an executive council, to aid the -governor with their advice and assistance. - -The importance of Hong-Kong, not only with regard to the commerce -of all nations with China, but more especially with reference to -our relations with the Chinese government, cannot be estimated -too highly. However scrupulous we may be in the first instance to -limit our intercourse, as much as possible, to the mere commercial -questions which may arise, it is impossible not to foresee that other -complications may result from it, the issue of which it would be -presumptuous to predict. A new era has at length opened upon China, -a sudden and almost incredible change in all her relations with -foreigners; and the ease and apparent readiness with which she has -acceded to all the proposed arrangements respecting trade, is perhaps -not less remarkable than the pertinacious obstinacy with which she had -so long and so haughtily refused to make any change whatever in the -established order of things. - -Providence has at length ordained that a vast empire, which comprises -nearly a third of the human race, shall no longer remain totally -excluded from the great family society of nations; and we cannot but -believe that the period has at length arrived when that wonderful -nation is, by a slow but steady progress, to be brought under the -influence of Christianity. But, while we are impressed with this -feeling, let us not be too hasty in precipitating a crisis which -may convulse a mighty empire from one end to the other. This, then, -leads us to the momentous question of the ultimate disorganization or -breaking up of the Chinese empire. _This is the great event which we -have to dread_; for who can contemplate the fearful results of such a -crisis without alarm, and without a desire to prevent a catastrophe of -so vast a nature? - -In this point of view, the possession of Hong-Kong, the state of our -relations with the Chinese government, and the difficult questions -which may possibly, at no distant period, require our most anxious -attention, (it must not be forgotten that the present Emperor of China -is already in the decline of life) involve a degree of responsibility -which cannot be too deeply felt, and can scarcely be approached -without misgivings. Every member of the government of Hong-Kong must, -therefore, be keenly alive to the responsibility of his position, and -must watch with profound anxiety every one of the widely spreading -circles into which the acts of our administration may ultimately extend -themselves. We must stand up before the Chinese government, not only in -the relation of a friend, but _of an ally_; and, instead of weakening -its authority, we ought rather to support its influence in the eyes of -its own people. Our intercourse with that remarkable nation ought to be -recorded in the pages of history as a blessing, and not, what it might -readily become, without great caution and prudence--a curse. - -Impressed with the truth of these observations, the first great and -difficult question which awakens our anxiety, is that of the future -relations of the opium-trade, and the course which is to be pursued -with respect to it at Hong-Kong. Great anxiety has been felt as to the -regulations which may be applied to it, in our own settlement, which is -understood to be in all respects a free port. It would seem, therefore, -that the storage of opium at Hong-Kong could hardly be prohibited; and -yet it is difficult to discover how it would be possible, in that case, -to avoid the dilemma of appearing in the eyes of the Chinese government -to sanction, and even encourage, a description of trade especially -prohibited by the Emperor. The simplest and indeed the only effectual -mode by which all the difficulties of the question could be surmounted -would be, inducing the Chinese government to legalize the trade, and to -consent to the introduction of the drug, upon payment of a certain duty. - -No stronger arguments could be advanced in favour of this step than -those already employed by Chinese writers themselves, in the various -memorials presented to government on the subject. Although the -opium-trade is not even alluded to in either of our recent treaties, -it is well known that Sir Henry Pottinger has used his best efforts to -induce the Chinese government to consent to the legalization of the -trade, and to introduce the article into the tariff. It is possible -that this object may be ultimately effected, but at present we have -no reason to believe that any material progress has been made towards -bringing this question to a satisfactory conclusion. - -In the meantime, the opium-trade has never been more thriving than -during the past year, and bitter complaints have appeared in the Pekin -gazettes, of the introduction of the drug even into the imperial -palace. The emperor appears to be as hostile to the opium-mania as -ever, and yet all his measures against it are quite as ineffectual -as they have ever been. In fact, the people are determined to enjoy -the forbidden luxury at all hazards, and no means hitherto attempted -have deterred even the public officers of government from conniving at -the clandestine trade, nor is it likely that they will ever be proof -against the temptation of heavy bribes, which the large profits derived -from the traffic enable those concerned in it to offer. - -Should the trade in opium become ultimately legalized, it cannot be -doubted that it would greatly tend to the advantage of Hong-Kong, and -would induce many Chinese merchants to come over and seek it there, -who would at the same time be tempted to make other purchases as well. -The drug would then in some measure be paid for in the produce of the -country, and not, as it is at present, in silver exclusively, and, in -fact, all the commercial relations of the country would at once be -placed upon a much more satisfactory footing. - -There is, however, another point out of which difficulties may arise, -besides the one above mentioned--namely, the attempts of foreigners to -enter China at other places besides the five ports, or even, at these -latter, to push themselves beyond the limits indicated by the Chinese -authorities. According to our present understanding, certain boundaries -are to be laid down, beyond which no foreigners are to pass. But there -will be many difficulties in the way of preventing the violation -of these regulations. Already something of this kind has occurred, -and the interference of Sir Henry Pottinger had been called for. A -little pamphlet has even been published at Macao, called a "Narrative -of a recent visit to the Chief City of the department of Changchow, -in the Province of Fokien." In this case the aggressors were not -Englishmen, but Americans, and they forced their way into the country, -in opposition to the wishes and orders of the local authorities, who -pointed out to them that their doing so was contrary to the provisions -of the treaty. It is evident that they passed themselves off for -Englishmen, and were thought to be so by the authorities. - -Sir Henry Pottinger thought it incumbent on him to advise the viceroy -and lieutenant-governor of Canton, that these individuals were not -Englishmen, and to express his hope that in future the local mandarins -would seize and confine all those who might commit the smallest -infraction of the treaty, (if British subjects) and send them to the -nearest English consular officer, to be dealt with as might be found -necessary, in order to enforce implicit obedience. - -The last point to which I think it necessary to allude is the mutual -surrender of criminals, so that English offenders who may take refuge -in China may be given up to our consular officers by the Chinese -authorities, and Chinese offenders who may take refuge at Hong-Kong, -or on board our ships, may be given up to the Chinese officers. This -stipulation has already been acted upon at Hong-Kong, where a party of -pirates who were chased ashore by the Chinese government cruisers were -instantly seized by the police, and handed over to the proper Chinese -officers. - -In fact, the more we reflect upon the position in which we now stand -in presence of the Chinese government, and in the actual possession -of an island upon its frontiers, the more we must become impressed -with the vast responsibility which attaches to all our proceedings, -and the great necessity which exists for the utmost caution, prudence, -judgment, and firmness on the part of every public officer employed in -our service in that country. - -I have reserved all mention of the terrific storms to which Hong-Kong -is occasionally exposed during the summer season. Our squadron, -after its return from Canton, was exposed to the full fury of one -of these hurricanes, while it lay in the harbour previously to our -advance upon Amoy. The Chinese, although ignorant of the use of the -barometer, acquire from experience a tolerably accurate knowledge of -the indications which determine the approach of these dreaded typhoons. - -Unfortunately, Victoria Bay, although completely land-locked, lies -fully exposed to the whole fury of the tempest from its beginning to -its end; there is no shelter whatever on that side of the island. -It is a curious and novel sight to watch the preparations which the -Chinese make for the approaching storm; the mixture of superstitious -observance and prudent precaution which they adopt, either in the -hope of averting the threatening tempest, or of securing themselves -against its immediate effects. The sultry, oppressive feeling of the -atmosphere, the deep black clouds, and other indications, warn them to -be prepared; and, from the noise and excitement which soon take place -among the Chinese, one would rather imagine they were celebrating some -festival of rejoicing than deprecating the fury of the gods. Many of -their houses, on these occasions, are decorated with lanterns stuck -upon long poles twenty or thirty feet high, huge grotesque-looking -figures, and various devices. The beating of gongs, the firing of -crackers, and explosion of little bamboo petards, from one end of the -town to the other, and in all the boats along the shore, create such a -din and confusion, that a stranger cannot help feeling that there must -be danger at hand, of some kind or other, besides that of a storm. - -It is also a curious sight to watch the hundreds of boats and junks -getting under weigh at the same moment, all eager to get across to the -opposite shore, under shelter of the mainland, as fast as possible, -knowing full well that they would be certainly stranded if they -remained on the Hong-Kong side. In the high stern of every junk stands -a man, who perseveringly beats a large suspended gong with his utmost -strength, while the rest of the crew appear quite as intent upon firing -off crackers as upon the management of their boat. By this means they -hope to awaken their tutelary god, and to induce him to listen to their -prayers for succour. The greater part of them take refuge in a bay -directly opposite Victoria, from which it is about four miles distant, -under the lee of the mountains on that side. - -Frequently all the threatening appearances which call forth these -preparations pass off without producing a typhoon. The flashes of -lightning are fearfully quick and brilliant; the peals of thunder -are almost deafening; the huge black clouds hang gloomily over the -mountains, or are banded across from one side to the other, pouring -their waters in torrents upon the basin between them. In this way the -storm at length subsides, and the horrors of a typhoon are averted. - -The actual typhoon is of a very different description; in fact, it -differs in no respect from the worst hurricanes which visit the -Mauritius or the West Indies. Hong-Kong was visited in this way on the -21st and 26th of July, 1841, and a more severe typhoon than that which -took place on the first of those days is, perhaps, never experienced. -The theory of these circular storms has been well laid down by Colonel -Reid and others; so that in the present day a vessel caught in them at -sea would be much less exposed to danger than formerly, provided her -captain had made himself master of the well-confirmed theories which -have been propounded upon the subject. The sphere of their operation is -very limited, neither do they occur every year, but seldom oftener than -every three or four years. - -At Hong-Kong, various ominous appearances were the forerunner of the -storm on the occasion alluded to. For some days previously, large -black masses of clouds appeared to settle upon the hills on either -side: the atmosphere was extremely sultry and oppressive; the most -vivid lightning shot incessantly along the dense, threatening clouds, -and looked the more brilliant because the phenomena were always most -remarkable at night, while during the day the threatening appearances -were moderated considerably, and sometimes almost entirely disappeared. -The vibrations of the mercury in the barometer were constant and -rapid; and, although it occasionally rose, still the improvement was -only temporary, and upon the average it continued to fall. A typhoon -was, therefore, confidently predicted, and the more so because none had -occurred for several years. - -The Chinese, on this occasion, made every preparation in their power; -but that comprised very little except the everlasting firing of -crackers and beating of gongs, although they endeavoured also to get -shelter for their boats in the best way they could. Our own ships -prepared for the coming danger as well as circumstances permitted, -everything being made as snug as possible. But the whole harbour was -at this time crowded with transports, store-ships, and merchant-ships, -in addition to our men-of-war and steamers; indeed, so close were they -anchored together, that in many cases there was not even room to veer -cable. It was evident to all, that if the expected typhoon should burst -upon them, the most serious disasters would inevitably take place. - -It was not without many misgivings and forebodings that, in the midst -of all the preparations for the storm, and when there was every -indication of its immediate outbreak, a small schooner was observed to -get under weigh, and stand out of the harbour towards Macao; she had -treasure on board, and one or two passengers. She was never afterwards -heard of; not a vestige of her was ever discovered; she must have -foundered at sea at the very commencement of the storm. - -During the night of the 20th, the weather was tolerably calm, but -ominously sultry; towards daylight on the 21st, it became squally, -with heavy rain, and a good deal of swell was now getting up in the -harbour. The barometer continued gradually to fall, and the squalls -became heavier. The typhoon could no longer be doubted; and, as it was -desirable to move the Nemesis as much to windward of the other ships as -possible, steam was got up quickly, and with some difficulty she was -moved to a good berth on the opposite side, under shelter of the high -land above Cowloon. Topmasts were lowered, and everything made snug, -and she was brought up with both bowers, open hawse, to the N.E., and -veered to a whole cable on each. - -Between seven and eight o'clock in the morning, the wind was blowing -very hard from the northward, or directly upon the shore of Hong-Kong, -and continued to increase in heavy squalls hour after hour. Ships were -already beginning to drive, and the work of destruction had commenced -on every side; the Chinese junks and boats were blown about in all -directions, and one of them was seen to founder with all hands on -board. The fine basin of Hong-Kong was gradually covered with scattered -wrecks of the war of elements; planks, spars, broken boats, and human -beings, clinging hopelessly for succour to every treacherous log, were -tossed about on every side; the wind howled and tore everything away -before it, literally sweeping the face of the waters. - -On shore, the hospital was one of the first buildings blown down upon -the heads of the unfortunate inmates, wounding many, and aggravating -the sufferings of all; yet only one man, a helpless idiot, was killed. -The buildings being merely of temporary construction, most of them -partly built of bamboo, barracks and all came tumbling down like -children's card-houses. - -From half-past ten until two the hurricane was at its highest, the -barometer at this time having descended to nearly 28.50 according to -some, but on board the Nemesis it was never lower than 28.89. The -air was filled with spray and salt, so that it was impossible to see -anything that was not almost close at hand. Ships were now drifting -foul of each other in all directions; masts were being cut away; and, -from the strength of the wind forcing the sea high upon the shore, -several ships were driven high and dry. - -The native Chinese were all distracted, imploring their gods in vain -for help. Such an awful scene of destruction and ruin is rarely -witnessed; hundreds of Chinese were drowned, and occasionally a whole -family, children and all, floated past the ships, clinging, in apparent -apathy, (perhaps under the influence of opium,) to the last remnants of -their shattered boats, which soon tumbled to pieces, and left them to -their fate. - -During the height of the typhoon, the engines of the Nemesis were -kept going at half speed, and she rode through it very easy, without -suffering any damage. But even those few vessels which did not drive -were in constant danger of being run foul of by others which did; in -fact, crowded as the bay was with shipping, it was a matter of wonder -that even more serious damage was not done than actually did occur. -The heaviest part of the typhoon appears certainly to have passed -directly over Hong-Kong, for even at Macao, which is only thirty-five -miles distant, it was much less severely felt, and, moreover, there -was a difference of nearly four hours in the time of its occurrence; -nevertheless, beyond Hong-Kong the typhoon was also very severely felt, -and several ships were in the greatest danger. - -It is a remarkable fact, that both our plenipotentiaries, Captain -Elliot and Sir Gordon Bremer, (who has recently returned,) were -wrecked on this occasion, and were only saved, as it were, by a -miracle. They were on their way to Hong-Kong, in Captain Elliot's -cutter, the Louisa, when the typhoon, already commencing, compelled -them to anchor in not a very favourable berth, under one of the -numerous islands at the mouth of the Canton river. Every measure was -resorted to which good seamanship could suggest, to give any chance of -safety to the little vessel, but all in vain. She soon drove--her spars -and masts were carried away--a heavy, tumbling sea broke over her, -washing everything overboard--the destruction of the vessel, and the -loss of every one on board, seemed to be inevitable. Fragments of the -numerous wrecks along the coast were floating past them every moment. -Having been driven from the island under which they first took shelter, -they were carried before the wind for the distance of from two to -three miles, expecting every moment to be swallowed up; the commander -had been already washed overboard. At length they caught sight of -land right ahead, with a heavy surf breaking on it, apparently almost -close to them. The suspense at this moment was intense and awful. If -the vessel touched the surf, they would be launched into eternity in a -moment. But, providentially, the little cutter cleared the breakers, -almost within reach of their spray. The anchor was now let go, but -could not hold the little craft, so heavily did the sea break over her; -and at length she was driven full upon the shore, where she instantly -bilged and filled. Some people now jumped overboard, others crawled on -to the nearest rocks, but at length all hands got safely on shore, with -the assistance of a rope, which one of the boys who had succeeded in -swimming ashore made fast to one of the rocks. - -Besides the plenipotentiaries, Lord Amelius Beauclerk and one or two -other gentlemen were partakers of these disasters. There is little -doubt that they all owed their preservation, under Providence, to -the admirable seamanship and cool presence of mind of Captain Elliot -himself, who took command of the little vessel during the most trying -period, and whose accurate knowledge of the coast was of essential -service. - -Their troubles, however, were not yet at an end. They managed to save -very little provisions or clothing from the wreck; and the only place -they could discover, in which they could shelter themselves for the -night, was a large fissure in the side of a precipice, open at the -top, with a small mountain-stream running through the centre of it. -There they anxiously awaited the dawn of morning, in a sitting posture, -(for they could not lie down,) and drenched to the skin. Soon after -daylight they discovered two Chinamen, who came down to pillage the -wreck; and several dead bodies of Chinamen were found cast up upon the -shore. After some hesitation and difficulty, a bargain was at length -made to convey Captain Elliot, for one thousand dollars, to Macao, -in a fishing-boat; but, shortly afterwards, another party of Chinese -fishermen, coming up from a neighbouring village, commenced robbing all -the shipwrecked people, stripping them of their clothes, and, among -other things, getting possession of a star of the Hanoverian Guelphic -Order. In a short time, the demand for conveying Captain Elliot to -Macao, as soon as the weather would permit, was raised to two thousand -dollars, which was agreed to. - -Yet difficulties seemed to multiply hourly; for, at this juncture, some -of the Chinese, having found two or three bodies of their countrymen -lashed to spars, and dreadfully lacerated by being dashed against the -rocks until they were lifeless, took it for granted that this had been -done purposely by Captain Elliot and his party, and for some time their -threatening gestures and angry looks of retaliation seemed to portend -bloodshed. This was, however, at length averted; and, ultimately, -after agreeing to pay upwards of three thousand dollars, Captain -Elliot, Sir Gordon Bremer, and two other persons, were laid upon their -backs, in the bottom of a boat, and carefully covered over with mats. -Scarcely, however, had they fairly got away from the island, when -another misfortune threatened to consign them to the most bitter fate. -An armed mandarin-boat passed close by them, and hailed the Chinese -boatmen, asking for news about the wrecks. What a prize was at this -moment within their grasp! No less than twenty thousand dollars had -been already offered as a reward for the capture either of Captain -Elliot or Sir Gordon Bremer. Had the boatmen been treacherous enough to -betray their charge, (and Captain Elliot was personally known to them,) -what a grand display her Majesty's two plenipotentiaries would have -made in Pekin, carried about in bamboo cages, like wild beasts! What -proclamations and boastings! What promotions and rewards! But, happily, -this was not to be; and, in a few hours, the party landed safely in the -inner harbour of Macao; Captain Elliot having for his costume a jacket, -without any shirt; the commodore, a blue worsted frock; and each of -them a pair of striped trousers. To crown all, in this unhappy plight, -the moment the two high functionaries were recognised by the Portuguese -officer of the guard, the latter were ordered to "turn out," as a mark -of _respect_; but were soon induced to defer it until a more fitting -opportunity. - -Boats were now sent off, without delay, together with an interpreter, -in order to rescue the other sufferers; and at last they all arrived -safely in Macao, on the 25th of July. - -But it is time to return from this digression to the harbour of -Hong-Kong, just at the time when the height of the typhoon had passed -over. Towards noon the wind veered round a little to the southward -of east; at two P.M., it began to moderate; and at three P.M., its -severity had past. Before sunset, the haze began to clear off a little, -and gradually the scene of devastation became more and more visible, -and presented such a frightful spectacle, that you could hardly believe -that it was the same harbour of Hong-Kong, which had been recently so -gay and tranquil, with crowds of shipping upon the smooth surface of -its waters. The shore was covered with wrecks and stranded boats, and -the temporary buildings on shore had disappeared altogether. - -Many of our ships were now found to be missing, having been driven out -to sea during the fury of the gale. Among the latter was H.M. schooner, -Starling, about which great apprehensions were entertained. It was -feared that she might have foundered, with all hands on board. - -On the following morning, at daylight, the Nemesis was ordered to go -out and render assistance to any vessels in distress, and to bring off -people from the wrecks; and particularly to look out for the Starling, -in case she should have gone on shore upon any of the neighbouring -islands. In every direction immediate assistance was required, and many -poor fellows were rescued by the Nemesis from a watery grave. - -It was curious to remark how completely every vessel that had gone -on shore was torn to pieces, and in so short a space of time; every -part of them was broken up, and the fragments were floating about the -harbour and lining the shores on every side, above high-water mark. -A number of artillerymen and sappers were taken off the wreck of one -of our prize war-junks which had gone on shore; and the whole crew of -the Prince George merchant ship were likewise saved from one of the -neighbouring islands upon which they had been wrecked; but the captain -of the vessel refused to leave the island, where he vainly persisted -in seeking for the body of his unfortunate wife, who was drowned when -first the vessel struck. - -Not being able to gain any tidings of the Starling, the Nemesis -proceeded on through the Capsingmoon passage, towards Lintin, in the -hope that she might have taken refuge under that island. Fortunately, -she was now descried beating up gallantly through the passage towards -Hong-Kong, and, as soon as the steamer ran alongside, there was a -general cheer of congratulation. The tale was very soon told. During -the height of the typhoon, the Starling had parted a cable, and, as she -was now drifting fast, Captain Kellett at once slipped the other, in -the hope of being able to run through the Capsingmoon passage, as his -only chance of safety. With very great exertion and good seamanship, he -fortunately succeeded in the attempt, even in the midst of the typhoon, -and had even managed to lie-to and pick up some unfortunate Chinamen, -who were floating past him upon the wreck of their shattered junk. At -length, he succeeded in getting under the lee of the island of Lintin, -where he brought up with a common boat's anchor, having a couple of -guns fastened to the cable. By the aid of this contrivance, he rode out -the gale, until it moderated sufficiently for him to get under weigh, -and attempt to return to Hong-Kong. The Nemesis, however, now took -the Starling in tow, and great was the surprise and joy of every one -at Hong-Kong, when the two vessels were seen standing in together in -safety. - -In this typhoon, H.M.S. Sulphur, Algerine, Royalist, and the schooner -Hebe, were dismasted; and at least twenty merchant vessels and -transports were either driven ashore or were dismasted, and suffered -other injuries. - -Five days afterwards, on the 26th, there was a recurrence of the -typhoon, which the Nemesis rode out very easily in the Typa anchorage -at Macao; but it was not so severe as the first one, and comparatively -little injury was caused by it. There is reason to believe also, that, -had all the ships at Hong-Kong been moored in proper berths, and early -precautions taken, before the commencement of the first typhoon, the -danger and the damage inflicted would have been much less severe. - -No time was lost in refitting the ships, and preparations were now -hastened for the advance of our forces upon Amoy, and for pushing on -our operations further northward, while the favourable season lasted. -Sir Gordon Bremer had returned from Calcutta, in the Queen steamer, -on the 18th of June, having been invested with the functions of -joint-plenipotentiary, in conjunction with Captain Elliot. This high -honour was, however, of short duration; for, on the 9th of August, -Sir Henry Pottinger arrived from England, _via_ Bombay, having been -appointed sole plenipotentiary and chief-superintendent of trade in -China: he was accompanied by Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, by whom -all the subsequent naval operations were conducted. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - - -At the end of July, the H.C. steamer Phlegethon, Lieut. M'Cleverty, -nearly the exact counterpart of the Nemesis, arrived at Hong-Kong, -bringing the intelligence that Captain Elliot's treaty of Chuenpee -had been disapproved of by the home government, and that Sir Henry -Pottinger had been appointed to succeed him, as sole plenipotentiary. -Shortly before this, also, her Majesty's 55th regiment had arrived from -Calcutta, and everything indicated that a movement upon Amoy would take -place as soon as possible, after the expected arrival of Sir Henry -Pottinger as plenipotentiary, and Sir William Parker as admiral. The -season for active operations was already advanced, and even for the -sake of the health of the troops, it was the anxious wish of all the -officers that a change of some sort or other might speedily take place. - -In the afternoon of the 10th of August, the arrival of the H.C. steamer -Sesostris, from Bombay, in the Macao roads, was announced, and great -was the joy of every one when it was made known that both Sir Henry -Pottinger and Sir William Parker were on board. They had come from -London in the wonderfully short period of sixty-seven days, ten of -which had been spent in Bombay. - -At daylight next morning, the Nemesis went out to convey these high -functionaries from the Sesostris, in the roads, to the town of Macao, -where they were received with every demonstration of respect, under -a salute from the Portuguese forts. A conference was held in the -course of the morning, between Captain Elliot and Sir Henry Pottinger, -together with the Admiral and Sir Hugh Gough. Energetic measures -appeared to be at once resolved on. Sir William Parker went over to -visit the fleet at Hong-Kong, and as soon as visits of ceremony had -been exchanged between the new plenipotentiary and the Portuguese -authorities, Sir Henry Pottinger lost no time in publishing the -notification of his appointment, as minister extraordinary and sole -plenipotentiary, and also as chief superintendent of trade in China. - -In order to communicate officially to the Chinese authorities the fact -of his arrival, and the nature of his powers, Sir Henry now despatched -his secretary, Major Malcolm, to Canton, as the bearer of letters -to the provincial government. The Nemesis was, as usual, employed -to carry the officers up the river. No little sensation was created -among the Chinese officials by the announcement which was now made to -them. They therefore resolved to welcome the plenipotentiary with all -ceremony; and probably, also, in the hope of being able to form some -estimate of his character, they despatched the prefect of the city, -or kwang-chow-foo, on the 18th, to Macao, with a numerous retinue. He -landed at Macao, upon the Praya Grande, near the governor's palace, -attended by a great number of followers, and proceeded in state to -the residence of the plenipotentiary, thinking, no doubt, that he -was conferring a great honour upon his Excellency, and that he would -accordingly be received with every mark of distinction. Alas, how are -the mighty fallen! The ceremonious prefect was not even _received_. -He, who had hitherto been courted as an officer of distinction, and -had been the medium of communication, and in some sort the ambassador, -between the high Chinese authorities and Captain Elliot, was now -absolutely _rejected_. Sir Henry Pottinger, acting with an intimate -knowledge of the Oriental character, and fully impressed with the high -duties he was called upon to perform, and the high station he had to -maintain as her Majesty's representative, declined to receive or hold -any direct intercourse with an officer inferior to himself in rank -and responsibility, and still less with one of comparatively inferior -grade, such as the Prefect of Canton. - -Major Malcolm, the secretary of legation, was, however, deputed to -receive the prefect; and, after a short interview, the would-be great -man withdrew, and returned in some dismay to Canton, to report the -circumstances to his superiors. The sensation created by this little -characteristic incident was very remarkable. It became the subject -of conversation in every quarter, and tended to awaken much greater -respect for the dignity of the new plenipotentiary. The same cautious -and dignified bearing was maintained with the greatest advantage -throughout the whole of our subsequent proceedings. - -At Hong-Kong, the most active preparations were now being made for -the immediate departure of the expedition. Excellent arrangements -were introduced by Sir William Parker for the proper guidance of the -fleet, and especially for the distribution and management of the -numerous transports and store-ships. The advantage of this systematic -regularity soon became evident; and it is deserving of notice that, -from this period to the close of the war, the transport service was -conducted with the utmost regularity and efficiency, in spite of the -endless difficulties arising out of our imperfect knowledge of the -coast of China, and the inaccuracy of most of the charts. Add to this, -that owing to sickness and other causes, the transports were often -under-manned, and had frequently the most arduous duties to perform. - -By a general order of the 19th of August, issued only nine days after -the arrival of the admiral, the fleet was directed to be ready to put -to sea at daylight on the 21st. It was to be formed in three divisions: -the centre commanded by Captain Herbert, in the Blenheim, assisted -by Commander Clarke, of the Columbine; the starboard division, under -Captain Bourchier, in the Blonde, assisted by Commander Gifford, in the -Cruiser; while the second, or port division, was placed under Captain -Smith, of the Druid, assisted by Commander Anson, of the Pylades. - -The whole fleet consisted of thirty-six sail, including -transports--namely, two line-of-battle ships, the Wellesley and the -Blenheim; seven other ships of war--namely, the Modeste, Druid, -Columbine, Blonde, Pylades, Cruiser, and Algerine; the Rattlesnake -troop-ship, and the Bentinck surveying vessel; four steamers belonging -to the East India Company--namely, the Queen, Phlegethon, Nemesis, and -Sesostris; and twenty-one hired transports and store-ships, most of -them of large size, several of not less than a thousand tons burden. -The force stationed in the neighbourhood of the Canton river comprised -five or six vessels of war, including the Herald and Alligator, and was -under the command of Captain Nias, senior officer. - -Early on the morning of the 21st, the fleet got under weigh. Sir Henry -Pottinger came over from Macao, in The Queen, on that day, just as the -fleet had sailed; and, as he stopped some time at Hong-Hong to inspect -the place, and examine the various arrangements which had already -been made, he did not join the admiral until the following day. The -general rendezvous, in case of separation, was to be Chapel Island, not -far from Amoy. The weather was extremely favourable during the whole -passage up, and, on the 25th, the whole squadron reached the outer -harbour of Amoy, having preserved the order of sailing remarkably well -throughout. - -The late plenipotentiaries, Captain Elliot and Sir Gordon Bremer, -sailed from Hong-Kong, and finally took leave of China, three days -after the departure of the expedition, on board the Atalanta steamer, -which had become completely knocked up by her work in the Canton river. -Their intention was to proceed as quickly as possible to England, by -way of Bombay. - -The distance of Amoy from Hong-Kong is scarcely three hundred miles, -and there were many good grounds for making it the first point of -attack, as the expedition proceeded northward. It could not be doubted -that the capture of this flourishing commercial city would be seriously -felt by the Chinese government. The authorities had, within the last -twelve months, spent enormous sums of money and incredible labour in -the construction of batteries, which they deemed impregnable, and which -were certainly capable of being stoutly defended. - -The harbour of Amoy is situated in the south-western corner of -an island of the same name, which, together with another called -Quemoy, occupies a considerable portion of a large bay, in which, -however, there are also numerous smaller islands. Of these, the -most interesting, in connexion with our present subject, is that of -Kolingsoo, which is separated from Amoy by a narrow passage, leading -directly up to the harbour. In fact, the possession of this island, -which we still retain, gives us the complete command of Amoy itself, or -rather of its town and suburbs. - -The scenery within the bay and about the town of Amoy is exceedingly -picturesque, the appearance of the country being very mountainous and -striking. Several considerable rivers pour their waters into the bay, -and facilitate the communications with the interior of the country. -The superiority of the harbour much exceeded the expectations of the -officers. - -The town of Amoy, although possessed of great commercial importance, -and very wealthy, is by no means a first-class city--it ranks, -indeed, only as a principal third-class town--but its inhabitants are -exceedingly enterprising and intelligent, and are remarkable for a -certain disposition for emigration and colonization, as well as for -their love of commerce. They were the principal colonizers of the -flourishing island of Formosa, which lies opposite Amoy, extending -itself along the coast for a distance of little less than two hundred -miles; and they are to be found in great numbers in more remote -islands, subject even to foreign dominion, such as Java, Singapore, -Manilla, &c. - -The city and suburbs of Amoy can hardly be less than eight or ten -miles in circumference, and they are in a great degree commanded by -a fortified hill or citadel in the rear, which, however, is again -commanded (as is very commonly the case in China) by unfortified -heights beyond it to the eastward. The suburbs, or outer town, are -separated from the principal or inner town by a line of steep, rocky -hills, which run transversely down to the beach; but a paved road or -narrow causeway leads into the city, through a pass which is protected -by a covered gateway at its summit. As there is, therefore, what may -be called a double town, so is there also a sort of double harbour--the -outer one running along the face of the outer town, and the inner one -extending along the front of the principal town, and joining a large -estuary, which runs deep into the island across its centre, and skirts -the northern side of the city. In this manner, nearly two-thirds of the -city of Amoy are washed by the sea. In fact, it stands upon a corner or -tongue of land, having a line of bold mountains in its rear and on its -flank. The walls are castellated at top, and vary in height, according -to the nature of the ground, from twenty to thirty feet. There are -also, as in other places, four principal gates, having each an outwork -or outer wall, with a court or open space between them, and a second -gate leading from this, and placed at right angles to the inner one, so -that the approach to it from the outside is commanded by the principal -wall of the town. - -The citadel of Amoy was afterwards found to contain a large supply -of military accoutrements--ginjals, matchlocks, swords, shields, and -spears of all kinds; there was also an immense quantity of gunpowder, -and materials for making it; in short, there was every reason to -believe that Amoy had been made use of as the great military depot of -the province. - -It is impossible to form even a tolerable estimate of the number of -troops collected for the defence of the place, but the different -accounts which were received varied from six thousand to eight or ten -thousand men. It was also known that the high officers of the province -had come down to Amoy purposely to encourage the defence, and to -witness, as they hoped, the utter discomfiture of the barbarians. It -was, however, upon their newly-constructed works that they placed their -great reliance. - -Numerous forts and field-works had been erected upon nearly all the -smaller islands which stretch across the mouth of the great bay; -and upon the island of Amoy itself a succession of batteries and -field-works had been built to command the approach to the town. The -principal of these was a long stone battery, well built of granite, -_faced with earth_, extending along the shore nearly up to the suburbs -of the city, and designed to command the passage to the harbour. It -presented a line of guns a full mile in length, the embrasures being -covered with large slabs of stone protected by earth heaped upon them, -and mounting no less than ninety-six guns. In the rear of this battery -there was a range of steep, rocky heights, up the side of which the -Chinese had carried a strong castellated wall to serve as a flanking -defence to the battery. - -Still further to defend the approaches to the city, they had also -strongly fortified the little island of Kolingsoo, between which and -Amoy the passage is not more than six hundred yards across; this island -is, in fact, the key of Amoy, and was retained in our possession when -the city and the island of Amoy were restored to the Chinese. At that -time the Chinese had already mounted upon the works, either completed -or in progress, no less than seventy-six guns. Indeed they had spared -no labour to endeavour to render Amoy capable of easy defence; -although, from want of skill and discipline, the resistance which they -offered was comparatively trifling. If the number of guns alone could -indicate the strength of a place, the Chinese might have had some -grounds for confidence; for, as Sir Hugh Gough remarked, "every island, -every projecting headland whence guns could be made to bear, was -occupied and strongly armed." In fact, there were altogether not less -than five hundred guns captured at Amoy and the adjacent islands. - -Early on the morning of the 26th of August, everything was in readiness -for the projected attack. The captains and commanders repaired on board -the flag-ship for orders; the steamers were all smoking and blowing -off their spare steam, and the officers were all anxiously looking -for the expected signal to stand in and engage the batteries. Before -active operations commenced, however, it was thought right to make a -reconnoissance of the defences which were to be attacked. With this -view Sir Hugh Gough, Sir William Parker, and the plenipotentiary, stood -in on board the Phlegethon, and were able to approach sufficiently -close to the works to observe all that was necessary, without having a -single shot fired at them. - -In the meantime a messenger, supposed to be a Chinese merchant, came -off from the town, under a flag of truce, requesting to know the -object of the visit of so large and formidable a squadron. The answer -to this question was simple enough, and was sent in the name of the -plenipotentiary, the general, and the admiral, to the effect that -"they required that the demands made last year at Tientsin, (near -Pekin,) by Captain Elliot, should be complied with; and that hostile -measures would, if necessary, be adopted to enforce them. Nevertheless, -that as the plenipotentiary and the commanders-in-chief were moved -by compassionate feelings, and were unwilling to cause the death of -so many officers and soldiers as must perish, they were willing to -allow all the officers and troops in the town to retire with their -personal arms and baggage, in order to save the people from being -hurt, upon condition that the town and fortifications of Amoy should -be at once delivered into the hands of the British forces, to be held -for the present by them." A white flag was to be exhibited from the -fortifications, if these terms were acceded to; otherwise, hostilities -would commence. As might be expected, the white flag was not displayed. - -The morning was very hot and sultry; but about one o'clock a steady, -favourable breeze set in, and the squadron got under weigh. The plan -was, to make a simultaneous attack upon all the batteries at once, both -against those upon Amoy and those upon Kolingsoo. The troops were also -to be landed, with the object of taking the batteries in the rear; and -the Nemesis and Phlegethon steamers were to be employed to convey them -to the appointed place of debarkation. - -The ships were likely to bear the chief brunt of the engagement; -but Sir Hugh Gough made every disposition for the employment of the -land forces, and his general order, issued just before the attack -was to take place, deserves especial notice. He directed his remarks -very strongly to the question of plundering; and observed, that "as -Amoy was a large commercial port, and there had once been an English -factory there, it was highly important that no act should be committed -which could tend to embarrass our future friendly intercourse. The -government and the military were to be overcome, and public property -taken possession of, under certain instructions, but _private property_ -was to be held inviolable; and that which in England," observed the -general, "obtains the name of robbery, deserves no better name in -China." The camp followers were made liable to be _put to death_ for -plundering; and orders were issued to punish on the spot any man -straggling from his corps. - -This alone will suffice to point out that the expedition was very -far from possessing that buccaneering character which some persons, -particularly foreigners, attempted to cast upon it. Indeed, it may -safely be asserted, that war was never carried on with so little -infliction of suffering upon the people generally as in China. -Generally speaking, the people soon learned to appreciate our motives; -and unless prevented by their _own officers_, they commonly shewed a -friendly, or at all events a neutral feeling towards us. Besides the -English, the privilege of trading at Amoy was formerly held by the -Spanish also; and, at no very remote period, a regular intercourse was -kept up between Amoy and the Spanish colony of Manilla. - -It was probable that the nature of the country round Amoy would render -brigade movements inadmissible; but the troops were to be prepared to -form in three brigades, if necessary. The men were to land in jackets, -caps, and coats folded; and were to carry, each man, one day's cooked -provisions. The artillery were to be in readiness to land their light, -mountain guns. - -About half-past one, the attack commenced on our side; but the Chinese -had already begun the engagement, by firing occasional shots at our -ships, as they proceeded with a steady and favourable breeze to their -respective stations. The Sesostris and Queen steamers led in; the -former commencing the action, but receiving a heavy fire before she -returned it. The line-of-battle ships, Wellesley and Blenheim, under -Captains Maitland and Herbert, proceeded to the extremity of the long -stone battery, nearest the suburbs, where they anchored by the stern, -about half-past two P.M., within four hundred yards of the works, and -at once opened a heavy fire upon the principal battery. - -The next in order along the front of these works, from the suburbs -towards the outer extremity, were the Pylades, Columbine, Cruiser, and -Algerine. Simultaneously with this attack upon Amoy, the Blonde, Druid, -and Modeste, reached their allotted stations, against the works of -Kolingsoo; but, owing to the shallowness of the water, they were boldly -carried on, in little more than their own draught. - -The roar of the artillery on every side, echoed by the mountains -around, was now terrific; and in one hour and twenty minutes the three -principal batteries on Kolingsoo were silenced, and the marines under -Captain Ellis, about one hundred and seventy in number, were landed on -that island, and took possession of the heights in the rear, without -any loss. Three companies of the 26th regiment had also been appointed -to this service, but the distance of the transports only permitted a -small detachment of them, under Major Johnstone, to land in time to -assist in clearing the batteries. The small detachment of the Royal -Artillery, under Lieut. the Hon. R. E. Spencer, were actively employed -on board the Blonde, during the attack. - -While these operations were being carried on against the batteries on -Kolingsoo, and against the long battery on Amoy, the Phlegethon and -Nemesis were speedily brought up with the troops ready to land. The -Nemesis had taken on board the general and his staff, together with the -18th Royal Irish, under Colonel Adams; and had also to tow up a number -of boats, with the sappers and miners, followers, &c. Considerable -delay was therefore occasioned by having to run up to the different -transports to embark detachments, and also to pick up the boats; -and it was not until half-past three that the Nemesis could get into -action. She then opened fire at the long battery with her heavy guns -and rockets, as she approached the lower angle of the fort for the -purpose of landing the troops. - -It was just about this time, that as the Phlegethon was also running -up towards the battery, a boat was despatched by Lieut. M'Cleverty, -in which Lieut. Crawford volunteered his services to capture a small -outwork upon a hill, very near the beach; and it was here that the -British flag was first displayed upon the enemy's works, on that day, -with three cheers from the steamers. - -About a quarter before four, the general landed upon the beach, near -the flank of the great battery, with the 18th and 49th regiments, -which were carried in by the Nemesis and Phlegethon steamers. The -disembarkation was conducted by Commander Giffard, of the Cruiser. -The 18th was directed to escalade the castellated wall which flanked -the battery; and, as already described, ran up the hill-side from the -beach, nearly at right angles to it. At the same time, the 49th were to -move along the beach towards the lower angle of the battery, and either -get over it at its sea-face, or force their way through the embrasures. - -A smart fire was kept up from the Nemesis, to cover the landing and -advance of the troops; and Capt. Hall himself, anxious to take an -active part in every operation, pushed off from the steamer, in the -pinnace manned and armed, accompanied by the unfortunate Mr. Gully, -who, as an old and brave friend, volunteered to go with him. This was -the same gentleman who afterwards fell a victim to the rapacity and -cruelty of the Chinese authorities on the island of Formosa, upon -which he had the misfortune to be wrecked, and, after seven months' -imprisonment and cruel treatment, was at length executed, together with -nearly all his companions. - -As soon as Capt. Hall and his friend had landed with the pinnace's -crew, they joined the advanced guard of the 18th, under Major Tomlinson -and Lieut. Murray, who were advancing towards the lower end of the -castellated wall. The Chinese opened a smart fire of ginjals and -matchlocks as they approached, which was returned by the advancing -party, who took advantage of the numerous little hillocks and tombs -which lay in their way, to shelter themselves while they reloaded. - -The Chinese, finding their enemy pressing up towards the wall, and -being already bewildered by the admirable firing of the ships, now -began to slacken their fire. The 18th rushed for the lower end of the -wall, while the party from the Nemesis made a dash at its flank, some -way higher up, near a gateway, where the wall appeared less elevated -and more accessible. They had, however, brought no scaling-ladders, -and, in order to get over the wall, the men were obliged to be lifted -up on each other's backs. In this way Captain Hall managed to get first -upon the top of the wall, and instantly waved the British flag (which -on such occasions he always carried with him in his pocket) in token -of triumph. Others soon followed; and the Chinese, the moment they saw -their enemies upon the walls, fired two or three random shots, and -fled. At this time also the 18th got over the wall lower down, while -the 49th forced their way through the embrasures, just at the angle of -the sea-face of the great battery. The fire of the ships had not yet -ceased, when the party from the Nemesis got down into the body of the -fort, and several of our large shot fell close around them. - -A very short distance in advance they now observed that two Chinese -officers of high rank, mounted on horseback, were endeavouring to make -their escape, surrounded by a numerous body-guard, or retinue. The -opportunity for trying to take an important prisoner was a tempting -one; and Captain Hall, little thinking how few of his own men were near -him, and carried away by the impulse of the moment, rushed headlong -upon the Chinese soldiers in front of him, firing off his pistols at -the two principal officers. Only two of his own men were near him at -the moment; so that one of the inferior Chinese officers, seeing the -disparity, rallied a few of his men, and suddenly faced about, with -a view to cut them off. A personal encounter now took place with the -Chinese officer, who was a remarkably fine young man, bearing the -white button. The long sword, however, soon had the advantage over -the Chinese short one, even putting aside personal prowess, and the -mandarin fell severely wounded in the arm. He was immediately disarmed, -and his cap and button, together with his sword, were taken from him as -trophies. Several other soldiers now came up, to endeavour to rescue -their officer, who got up and tried to escape, but another wound in the -leg soon brought him down again, and made the other Chinamen halt. - -By this time, Captain Hall and his two men were nearly surrounded, and -were compelled to fight their way back again towards their comrades, -who were coming up to their aid. One of the two seamen received a -severe wound in the groin from the thrust of a spear, but the others -got off without any injury. The young wounded mandarin was at last -safely carried off by his comrades. - -The Chinese were now in full flight in every direction, followed by -the 18th, 49th, and a party of small-arm men, who were landed from the -Wellesley and Blenheim, some way up the sea-face of the fort, under -Commander Fletcher and other officers of those ships. The fort was -soon completely in our possession. During all the operations of this -day, Sir Henry Pottinger and suite were with the admiral on board the -Wellesley. - -On examining the sea-face of the battery, it was impossible not to -be struck with the amazing solidity of the wall. It was composed of -hewn granite, faced outside with earth, and of such strength, that the -heavy firing of two line-of-battle ships against it, at the distance -of only four hundred yards, had made very little impression; indeed, -it might be said to be shot-proof. The embrasures were something like -low port-holes, covered with stone and earth, and in the space between -them were sheds, or a sort of temporary watch-boxes, in which was found -a quantity of arms of every kind, clothes, half-cooked food, and also -_opium_, with the common pipes used for smoking it. A horse also was -found. The guns were many of them very ill-mounted, and in general the -carriages were badly contrived, and often defective. In some places you -saw bags of sand placed upon the top of the guns, to prevent them from -jumping out of the carriages altogether. The fort had evidently been -armed hastily. - -Several high Chinese officers fell during this day; some probably -by their own hands. One of them very quietly rushed into the water -and drowned himself, although, in the report of the affair to the -emperor, it was afterwards stated that he "rushed on to drive back the -assailants as they landed, and _fell into the water_ and died." This -officer was the Chinese commodore, who commanded in the absence of the -_admiral_. This officer had left the port just before our arrival, -(boasting that he was going to _meet_ the barbarians,) and, having -sailed northward, could not get back again, owing to the contrary wind. - -Before five o'clock, the whole of the outer defences of Amoy were in -our possession. The Blonde and Modeste, as soon as they had silenced -the batteries on Kolingsoo, with the assistance of the Druid, had -pushed on into the inner harbour, and captured twenty-six war-junks, -mounting not less than one hundred and twenty-eight guns; they were -nearly ready for sea, but were deserted by their crews. A large -building-yard was discovered, with an immense quantity of timber -collected in it; and there was a good-sized frigate-junk, of about -three hundred tons, in course of building, in a regular dry dock, -something after the European model; they had evidently made a great -step in advance in the art of ship-building; indeed, the longer the war -lasted, the more the Chinese found themselves led on, by the "impulse -of necessity," to attempt great changes, and, in many respects, -improvements, not only in their vessels, but in their warlike weapons, -and other matters relating to the art of defence. - -The Nemesis, in running along the shore to avoid the swell which was -setting in, unexpectedly found herself within a circular patch of -coral rock, which was not visible above the surface. Several fruitless -attempts were made to extricate her from this curious position, but the -entrance by which she had got into it could not again be found; but her -draught of water being very small, it was thought likely she would be -able to force her way over the reef without suffering much damage to -her iron hull, and she dashed at it at half speed. The blow, however, -was more severe than was expected; the vessel bounded completely over -the reef; but the sharp coral rock cut completely through her bottom, -making a considerable leak in the engine-room. This was fortunately -stopped from the _inside_ without much difficulty, and no further -notice was taken of it until some time afterwards, when she arrived at -Chusan, where the damage was substantially repaired. - -In the meantime, Sir Hugh Gough pushed on without delay, to occupy a -chain of steep, rocky hills, which, running transversely down to the -beach, lay between the great fort and the town, so as to intercept -the view of the latter. A strong body of the Chinese seemed disposed -to defend this position, which was naturally of great strength, and -completely commanded the approach to the city. Immediate advantage was -to be taken of the prevailing panic; and the 18th and 49th regiments -being directed to advance partly up a steep gorge, and partly by a more -circuitous road leading round the hills, soon made themselves masters -of the heights overlooking the city. The Chinese retreated before them -as soon as they had fired off their guns and matchlocks. Our troops -bivouacked for the night upon the positions they occupied; but they -might have been a good deal harassed by the Chinese, if the latter -had taken advantage of the rocky, broken character of the ground, to -dispute their further advance. The night was bitterly cold upon the -heights. - -At daylight a reconnoissance was made, and it was soon discovered that -little resistance was to be expected. Great confusion and bustle were -apparent in all directions; hundreds of the inhabitants were hurrying -out of the northern gate, carrying with them their most valuable -property; in fact, there was evidently a general panic. Without loss -of time, therefore, the 18th, supported by the 49th, were ordered to -march down towards the city in the direction of the eastern gate, which -was the nearest, while Captain Cotton, the commanding engineer, was -directed to examine carefully the approaches to the gate itself. - -The advanced party of the 18th, on arriving at the gate, found that -there was no preparation for resistance, and soon scaled the walls by -means of some ladders which were very opportunely found not far from -the gate. Heaps of rubbish, and sacks full of earth and sand, were -found piled up inside against the gate, so that some time was required -to get it open. It was now discovered that the authorities and all -the soldiers had abandoned the town, leaving everything in the utmost -disorder, so that the only protection which the more respectable and -peaceably-inclined inhabitants had to look for, from the violence and -plundering of _their own rabble_, was from the presence of our own -troops, and the military government of the city by the victorious -captors. Already the mob had begun to ransack some of the public -establishments before we found out where they were situated; and it -was afterwards discovered that a good deal of treasure must have been -carried away by the thieves and vagabonds of the town. A number of men -were found carrying out of the gates something having the appearance -of common logs of wood; and it was not suspected, until too late, that -these logs were hollowed out, and filled with Sycee silver, a very -ingenious contrivance to escape detection. A small quantity of treasure -was found in one of the large buildings, supposed to be the office of -the commandant, which was occupied by the sappers and miners. - -Most of the public offices were large and roomy buildings, affording -good accommodation for a whole regiment of soldiers. The pile of -buildings belonging to the admiral's department was assigned to the -18th and the staff, being within the walled town; while the 49th were -quartered in the outer town, in a large building belonging to the -office of the Intendant of Circuit. The 55th occupied an extensive -range of buildings belonging to the Prefect of Amoy; the artillery -retaining possession of a commanding position overlooking both the city -and the outer town. - -Late in the day, and also on the following morning, Sir Henry Pottinger -and Sir William Parker landed, to take a view of the town; but, after -visiting the principal buildings, they returned on board ship. - -Numerous patrols were found necessary, by day and night, in order to -preserve quiet in the public streets, and to check the boldness and -rapacity of the swarms of Chinese thieves and rogues, who hovered about -like a raging pestilence in every part of the city, and crowded in -from the country the moment the respectable inhabitants left the town. -The inhabitants themselves were, in many instances, afraid even to -defend their own property, or to aid our troops in restoring order and -regularity; they dreaded the probable imputation of having traitorously -aided the foreigners, and the fear of extortion and punishment from -their own authorities, at some future period, served to disorganize -the whole community. In vain did Sir Hugh Gough appeal to the more -respectable merchants and householders to aid him in protecting -property; all that he could get from them was empty promises, of which -they were very liberal, but from which no good result followed. Even -within the citadel, or walled town, it was with the utmost difficulty -that the daring thieves and vagabonds could be kept in check; and -hardly could even a single Chinaman be induced to point out to the -guards at the gate the real _bona fide_ owners of houses or property, -in order that they might be allowed free egress and ingress. - -The injury which the inhabitants of many Chinese towns suffered during -our operations must not be estimated by the actual damage (generally -trifling) done by our fire, or by the presence of our troops. In most -instances, even before hostilities commenced, the presence of the -_Chinese troops_, who were marched in probably from several distant -provinces, became almost a scourge to the inhabitants; and afterwards, -when a town was taken, and the local government disorganized, much -greater damage was done to the property of the people by the low mob of -plunderers, than would, under any circumstances, have been allowed by -our own victorious soldiers; indeed, some instances occurred in which -the former were shot by our guards, rather than desist from their evil -doings. - -Our men often resisted temptations of no ordinary kind; houses were -found abandoned, property left unprotected, shops open, and goods -strewed about; and even the abominable spirit, samshu, (distilled -from rice,) was sometimes almost purposely placed in their way. -The instances of misconduct were few, even under these peculiar -circumstances. - -Among other discoveries was one calculated to corroborate at first -sight the notion of the prevalence of infanticide among the Chinese. In -a large tank near a public building, by some supposed to have been an -hospital, were found the dead bodies of several young infants which -had been drowned, having been thrown in, sewn up in pieces of mat. But -there was nothing to determine whether the horrid deed was done out -of fear that violence might be offered to the women and children, or -whether it was really an instance of the practice of infanticide, which -has been said to prevail in China to a much greater extent than it -really does. The former explanation may possibly in this instance, as -in some later ones, be the true one. - -The interior of the island of Amoy was not occupied, or even examined, -for it was feared by the general that the presence of our troops would -so much alarm the respectable and influential inhabitants, that the -whole place would be given up to the rapacity and lawlessness of the -innumerable miscreants who watched for every opportunity of letting -loose all their bad propensities; but the Nemesis, accompanied by the -Algerine, and having in tow the launch and pinnace of the Blonde, was -ordered to steam round the island, and search for war-junks. None, -however, were found. - -The island of Kolingsoo appeared so completely to command the harbour -and approach to Amoy, that the occupation of that position only was -calculated to answer every good purpose, without the necessity for the -retention of Amoy. - -It was the opinion of Sir Henry Pottinger, in which the general and the -admiral perfectly coincided, that no measures should be taken for the -permanent occupation of the city, and that a small garrison only should -be left at Kolingsoo, while the remainder of the expedition should move -further northward with the least possible delay. It was necessary, -however, to wait a day or two for favourable winds, and measures -were taken for the destruction of the numerous works which had been -constructed upon the outer islands. - -The Nemesis was employed on this important service on the 30th and -31st. Having been joined by two launches and other boats, with a party -of seamen and marines from the Wellesley, Blenheim, and Druid, under -Commander Fletcher, she proceeded to destroy some forts and guns, -principally on the south-west side of the bay, all of which had been -abandoned by the Chinese. On this occasion, five forts or field-works -and forty-two guns were taken possession of and destroyed, and on -the following day several others of the same description were also -disabled. A body of Chinese soldiers, who shewed themselves near a -small fort on the island of Quemoy, at the eastern entrance of the bay, -were dispersed, and several guns, matchlocks, ginjals, &c., together -with a quantity of gunpowder, were destroyed. Altogether seventy-seven -guns and four forts were destroyed in this day's work, and the admiral -publicly spoke of the "very commendable zeal" which had been displayed. - -At Amoy, for the first time, the so-called tiger soldiers shewed -themselves--that is, men dressed up in yellow-coloured clothes, with -black spots or stripes upon them, and a covering for the head, intended -to be a rude representation of a tiger's head, supposed to look very -fierce, and to strike terror into the minds of the enemy. - -The island of Kolingsoo, which had been retained in our possession -ever since its capture, deserves a few remarks. It is about a mile and -a half in length, and about three quarters of a mile broad, but is -very irregular in its shape. It principally consists of rocky broken -ground, the greater part of which is barren, but interspersed with -unwholesome rice-grounds, which have contributed to render the place -extremely unhealthy; indeed at one period the mortality among the -troops stationed there was dreadful, scarcely even a single officer -having escaped sickness, which proved fatal to many. The Chinese, -however, seemed to have suffered little from it, for there were several -neat and even elegant country-houses upon the island, ornamented with -handsome carved wood-work, &c. It seemed to have been used as a place -of retirement for some of the wealthier citizens of Amoy, and our -retention of a place so conveniently situated for giving us the command -of the harbour and trade of the city was a source of great annoyance, -both to the authorities and to the inhabitants. - -For a considerable time, very little communication was kept up with the -town, and it was scarcely safe to venture into it; but since the peace, -every disposition has been shewn to receive us in a friendly manner, -and the knowledge which many of the Chinese merchants have acquired -of our character and habits, by trading with Singapore, will tend -materially to facilitate our future commercial intercourse. - -Several American missionaries have resided at Kolingsoo, and without -doubt will, at no distant period, succeed in winning the attention and -good-will of many of the inhabitants of Amoy. A boundless field has at -length been opened for missionary enterprise in the benighted empire -of China; for, although it cannot be said that the country has been -made completely accessible to the foreigner, still the hostility of the -government has been materially modified. - -It rests with the Christian nations to profit _as Christians_, by the -opportunities which cannot fail to offer. Among a people so fond -of reading and _thinking_, and so given to study and inquiry as the -Chinese generally are, the best possible results are to be expected -from the judicious teaching of Christianity, and, above all, of -Christian _practices_. If China is really to be opened, it is to be -effected by missionary enterprise cautiously and judiciously, and, -above all, not too hastily applied. - -The most valuable of all aids to these undertakings, is that of -medical knowledge, which may be considered as almost indispensable to -the proper character of a missionary in China. The relief of bodily -suffering (above all, in a country where the medical art is so low as -it is in China) softens the feelings of our nature, and paves the way -for kinder influences over the mind itself. It will open the family -mansion of the most secluded and prejudiced Chinese, when words or -doctrines _first_ propounded would meet an unwilling or perhaps a -hostile listener. Religious teaching and the practice of the healing -art, the comfort of the suffering mind, and the solace of the tortured -body, must go hand in hand in effecting the good work of "opening" -China. - -Why is it that the Americans have taken precedence of the English in -this great and glorious work, since the commencement of the war in -particular? For many years, a talented medical missionary, Dr. Parker, -has dispensed his double blessing upon the Chinese at Canton, and can -testify the gratitude of the people, from the highest to the lowest, -and the readiness with which they have accepted his counsel and his -teaching in both capacities. At Macao, Hong-Kong, Kolingsoo, and -Chusan, the Americans have alike preceded us. - -There is, however, one great and fatal error to be avoided; and that -is, the rivalry of religious sects among each other, and the attempt -to gain followers at the expense of each other's tenets. It was this -want of unanimity which in some measure produced the decline of the -influence of Roman-catholic missionaries in China. - -The garrison which was left by Sir Hugh Gough upon the island of -Kolingsoo consisted of three companies of the 26th regiment, with a -wing of the 18th, and a small detachment of artillery, comprising -altogether about five hundred and fifty men; the whole under the -command of Major Johnstone, of the 26th; and the Druid, with the -Pylades and Algerine, were also to remain there, under the command -of Captain Smith, C.B., as a further support, to ensure the complete -command of the harbour of Amoy. - -The number of troops employed during the operations against Amoy was as -follows:-- - - Officers. Men. - - Artillery, European and Native, Captain Knowles 9 240 - 18th Regiment Royal Irish, Lieutenant Colonel Adams 30 648 - 26th Regiment (Cameronians), Major Johnstone 8 153 - 49th Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Morris 24 460 - 55th Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Craigie 26 731 - Madras Sappers and Miners 6 184 - --------- - Total 103 2416 - -Four native officers, and serjeants and drummers, are included in the -second column.[56] - -In the afternoon of the 4th of September, the weather having become -calm and fine, the preconcerted signal for the embarkation of the -troops from the town and island of Amoy was made on board the -flag-ship. Upon this sudden order, the troops were paraded in perfect -regularity, without a single instance of drunkenness or misconduct, -after eight days of harassing duty on shore, amid temptations of -every kind. Under the direction of Commander Giffard, of the Cruiser, -the whole force was embarked without any accident, by half-past six -o'clock, on board the Nemesis and other steamers, which conveyed -them out to their respective transports, in readiness to sail on the -following day. Not even a camp-follower was left behind (and they are -generally a very troublesome class); but, in order to make sure that -there was no straggler, the Nemesis was afterwards sent in again to -the town to bring off any one that might accidentally have been left. -But the only straggler which was found, happened to be a fine _fat -bullock_, which was soon put on board the Nemesis and carried off. - -Every preparation was now completed for the departure of our forces on -the following morning, the 5th of September. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[56] List of H.M. ships and vessels, and of the Honourable Company's -steam-vessels, in action at Amoy, 26th of August, 1841. - - Wellesley (flag) 72 Captain T. Maitland. - Blenheim 72 Captain T. Herbert. - Blonde 44 Captain T. Bourchier. - Druid 44 Captain H. Smith. - Modeste 18 Captain H. Eyres. - Cruiser 16 Commander Giffard. - Pylades 18 Commander Anson. - Columbine 16 Commander Clarke. - Bentinck 10 Lieutenant R. Collinson. - Algerine 10 Lieutenant T. Mason. - Sesostris steamer 4 Commander Ormsby, I.N. - Phlegethon steamer 4 Lieutenant M'Cleverty, R.N. - Nemesis steamer 4 Mr. W. H. Hall, R.N. - Queen steamer 4 Mr. W. Warden, R.N. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - - -All those persons who have visited Amoy, either out of curiosity or -on matters of business, appear to agree with each other in regarding -it as a place peculiarly adapted for the extension of European trade. -The mercantile spirit and enterprise of its inhabitants, and their -anxious desire to trade with foreigners, when not held back by the -arbitrary orders of the mandarins, have been long known and recorded -by several travellers, before there was any prospect whatever of the -trade being opened. Mr. Gutzlaff observed respecting it, in the account -of his voyage along the coast--"Its excellent harbour has made it from -time immemorial one of the greatest emporiums of the empire, and one -of the most important markets of Asia. Vessels can sail close up to -the houses, load and unload with the greatest facility, have shelter -from all winds, and in entering or leaving the port, experience no -danger of getting ashore. The whole adjacent country being sterile, the -inhabitants were forced to seek some means of subsistence elsewhere. -Endowed with an enterprising spirit, and unwearied in the pursuit of -gain, they visited all parts of the Chinese empire, gradually became -bold sailors, and settled as merchants all along the coast. Thus they -colonized Formosa, which, from that period to this, has been their -granary, and visited and settled in the Indian archipelago, Cochin -China, and Siam. A population constantly overflowing, demanded constant -resources for their subsistence, and this they found in colonization; -and thus they spread themselves all along the coast of China, up to -Mantchou Tartary. As soon as the colonists amass sufficient money, they -return home, which they leave again when all is spent." Elsewhere he -says, "Many of these merchants, settled in the northern parts of China, -return annually with their profits. It is not surprising, therefore, -that a large amount of Chinese shipping belongs to Amoy merchants, and -that the greater part of the capital employed in the coasting trade -is their property. Hence, even this barren tract is become one of the -richest in China, from the enterprise of its inhabitants. Wherever -the people go they are rarely found in a state of abject poverty; on -the contrary, they are often wealthy, and command the trade of whole -islands and provinces, as well by their capital as by their superior -enterprise and industry." - -The English, who had formerly a factory at Amoy, were compelled to -relinquish the trade by the severe extortions to which they were -subject. The Dutch continued it for a longer time, but neglected it -when their influence at Formosa ceased. The natives of Amoy have always -shewn themselves ready to cultivate the friendship of foreigners, -wherever they have been, and in their dealings they have a character -for honesty beyond all other Chinese. They are more ambitious of -successful mercantile enterprise than of literary distinction or -advancement, which is generally so dear to a Chinaman. - -The shops of Amoy are generally well supplied with the necessaries and -luxuries of life, the merchants are civil, and although the town is -neither handsome nor very cleanly, and the population in some parts -of it are densely crowded together, still there are many fine houses, -which indicate the possession of wealth and consequence. - -An immense trade is carried on between Amoy and the island of Formosa, -to which a great number of emigrants are even still attracted from the -province of Fokien. Before the occupation of Hong-Kong was thought -of, several proposals were made for forming a British settlement upon -Formosa, as being conveniently situated for extending our trade with -the inhabitants, not only of the adjacent district of Fokien, but of -the whole coast of China. This suggestion was partly encouraged by the -recollection of the settlement which the Dutch once possessed upon the -island; but it seemed to be forgotten that the Dutch were at length -forcibly expelled, and that the population having greatly increased -since that period, it is not likely that we should be suffered to -retain possession of any part of the island without being constantly -harassed and provoked to bloodshed; moreover, the privilege of trading -with Amoy does away with all probability of advantage to be derived by -direct trade with Formosa. - -Among other proposals, that of a settlement upon the Bonin islands -(which are said already to belong to Great Britain) was suggested, with -a view to commercial enterprise with China; and Mr. Tradescant Lay -warmly supported this notion. These islands were taken possession of -by Captain Beechey, of H.M.S. Blossom, in 1827, and they extend from -latitude 27 deg., 44', to 26 deg., 30' N., being about five days' sail from the -Lew-Chew islands, and three from Japan. In the course of a few years, -it is not improbable that Port St. George, the principal harbour, may -be resorted to, with the object of pushing our trade even into Japan -itself. At the present moment, indeed, several Englishmen and other -Europeans are settled there, and are principally concerned in the whale -fishery. There are also a good many natives of the Sandwich Islands at -Port St. George. The islands are volcanic, but are rendered productive -with moderate cultivation. - -It is worth while here to mention that the Bonin Islands and the -Sandwich Islands lie directly in the line of future intercourse between -China and the west coast of America, and that it has been thought not -improbable that a new route to China may some day be opened, by way of -California and the islands above-named. - -To return from this digression to the island of Formosa, which has -claimed our particular interest since the massacre of so many of -our shipwrecked countrymen by the authorities, shortly before the -termination of the late war. In this horrible tragedy no less than two -hundred and eighty-three human beings were put to death in cold blood, -without any other crime than that of helplessness, and without any -other object than that of obtaining rewards by fabricated statements, -and honours by false pretences. Formosa was the last conquest of the -present Tartar dynasty, and even since it has been brought under -Chinese dominion, the rebellions and disturbances of its unruly -inhabitants have been a frequent source of alarm to the government. The -imperial troops have been frequently defeated with great slaughter, and -peace is said to have been purchased by bribes more frequently than it -has been won by conquest. The aboriginal inhabitants are still numerous -in the mountain districts, and along some parts of the eastern shores, -but they, are said to be much oppressed by the Chinese colonists, and -also by the authorities. - -When the Tartars first began the conquest of China, great numbers -of discontented spirits went over to Formosa from the neighbouring -provinces, and it has been recorded that one hundred thousand people -took refuge there. The island belongs to the province of Fokien, along -which it is situated at a distance varying from seventy to one hundred -and twenty miles, the passage between it and the mainland being called -the Formosa Channel. The length of this island is about two hundred and -twenty miles, but the breadth of it is extremely irregular. The Chinese -population is at present supposed to amount to about _two millions_, -and is constantly on the increase, by the accession of an influx of -emigrants from the mainland adjoining. They are attracted thither by -the fertility of the soil, and the great facilities for cultivating -sugar and rice, which are there grown to an extent sufficient to supply -a vast quantity of these necessary articles to the inhabitants of the -mainland, and to employ several hundred trading junks in the traffic. - -It is worthy of remark, that the Dutch contrived to establish -themselves upon the island of Formosa, and ultimately to form a -factory there, before the Tartar conquest, and before it was regularly -colonized by the Chinese. The Japanese also partly contributed, -though in small numbers, to colonize the island. The Dutch had a -small garrison at a place called Tanshuy, or Tamsui, at the northern -extremity of the island, and another at Kelung, not very for from -it. Their object was to make use of their settlement as a depot, or -centre of trade, from which their operations could be extended along -the coast of China and Japan. Their influence was, however, of very -short continuance, as they were ultimately completely driven out of -the island, after some few struggles, by the famous pirate, Coxinga, -in 1662, about thirty or forty years after they had fairly established -themselves on it. - -The present capital of the island is built upon the site of the -principal Dutch factory of former times, and is called Ty-wan-foo; -it is upon the west coast, some distance down towards its southern -end. The harbour has, however, become almost inaccessible, except to -vessels of very light draught of water, owing to the accumulation of -sand, which is thought to frequently change its place. Indeed, the sea -has gradually continued to retire from many parts of the coast, and -harbours which were once frequented are at present inaccessible. - -From the time of the expulsion of the Dutch, to the period of our -operations upon the coast of China, little seems to have been known or -heard of Formosa; and, owing to the jealousy of the Chinese, and other -causes, no attempt seems to have been made to explore the island. The -colonists are described as being generally very turbulent and given to -violence, as it has become a place of refuge for all the bad characters -who can manage to escape from the mainland; but it is also the home of -many respectable and enterprising settlers; although, being removed -from the control of the superior officers of the province, they live -with less restraint, and therefore readily become bold and lawless. -For the same reason, the local mandarins are cruel, rapacious, and -ignorant; and their behaviour towards our unfortunate countrymen will -suffice to stamp them with the character of treachery and thorough -baseness. But the cultivation and prosperity of the island have -increased in a rapid and remarkable manner; and it is evident that -British manufactures will soon be spread among its numerous population, -through their intimate connexion with Amoy. - -Besides furnishing immense supplies of rice, Formosa also produces -great quantities of sugar, camphor, and tobacco, which are exported to -Amoy. A great part of the camphor is already carried down to Singapore -in the trading junks from Amoy, but probably our own trading vessels -will henceforth procure supplies of it on the spot, in exchange for -cotton and other manufactured articles. - -Unruly as the people of Formosa are, the island is, nevertheless, -somewhat famous for its schools, which are said to be in a flourishing -condition. Mr. Gutzlaff states, that the rich men of Fokien frequently -send their sons over to obtain literary degrees at Formosa; and the -Dutch, at an early period, took pains to spread Christianity among the -inhabitants, who, at that time, were comparatively few in number. A -few books on Christianity were translated by them into the Formosan -language, and they were very successful in making converts. Since they -abandoned the island, however, nearly all traces of their early labours -have disappeared. - -The close connexion of Formosa with Amoy will probably be the means -of reviving amongst the inhabitants some of the lost spirit of -Christianity; for we cannot doubt that, in all parts of China, the -increase of missionary labour will keep pace with the increase of -commercial intercourse. - -The wreck of the Nerbudda transport, on her way up to join the -expedition with camp-followers, in the month of September, 1841, soon -after our forces left Amoy, and the loss of the brig Ann, a trading -vessel, on her way down to Macao, from Chusan, in the month of March -following, upon the shores of Formosa, served to attract unusual -attention towards that island, and to put us in possession of some -little information respecting the interior. - -The history and ultimate fate of our shipwrecked countrymen is -calculated to awaken the most painful interest. On board the Nerbudda -there were altogether two hundred and seventy-four people; of whom, -twenty-nine were Europeans, two natives of Manilla, and two hundred -and forty-three natives of India. The captain and the rest of the -Europeans, with the two Manilla men, and only three Indians, got -away in the ship's boats immediately after she struck, and were -providentially picked up some days afterwards by a trading schooner, -called the Black Swan, on her way down to Hong-Kong. The unfortunate -Indians, to the number of two hundred and forty, who were left upon -the wreck, after remaining by her for five days, managed to construct -rafts, upon which they attempted to reach the shore. Many of them, -however, perished in the surf, and others are supposed to have been -murdered by the Chinese plunderers. The exact number, therefore, who -fell into the hands of the Chinese authorities, and were imprisoned -and subjected to the greatest privations, cannot be ascertained; but -they were thought to amount, according to the best information which -could be obtained, to more than a hundred and fifty. - -On board the brig Ann there were in all fifty-seven souls; of whom, -fourteen were natives of Europe or America, four Portuguese, five -Chinamen, and thirty-four natives of India. Out of all those who were -taken prisoners, belonging to both vessels, only nine ultimately -escaped an untimely fate, and were restored at the end of the war, -according to the terms of the treaty. - -The following account of what befel the unfortunate sufferers on board -the Ann will apply, with little variation, to those who were wrecked -before them, in the Nerbudda. It is extracted and condensed from a -curious journal, kept by one of the sufferers, a fine young man, who -was a passenger on board. It was found concealed in his cell, after his -unfortunate fate, and cannot but awaken feelings of deep commiseration -for all his companions in distress.[57] It was written upon common -Chinese paper, with a piece of bamboo, and the account was continued to -within five or six days of the time when the final tragedy is supposed -to have taken place. It was written day by day, as the various little -occurrences took place, and some of the observations casually made upon -the appearance of the island will be read with great interest; but I -have thought proper to omit the minutiae and repetition of abrupt and -hasty notes, which would have been tedious and of little benefit. - -It will here be proper to mention, that prompt redress and "_condign_" -punishment upon the heads of those high officers, whose false and -pitiless misrepresentations occasioned the final catastrophe, has -since been demanded, in firm and dignified terms, by her Majesty's -plenipotentiary; and one of the conditions insisted on was, "that the -property of the high authorities of the island, who were perfidiously -concerned in the affair, should be confiscated, and the amount paid -over to the officers of the British government, to be applied to the -relief and support of the families of the innocent men who suffered." - -By the orders of the Emperor, a strict investigation has been made into -all the circumstances connected with the dreadful event; and a report -has been sent up to Pekin, by the Viceroy of Fokien, condemnatory of -the misrepresentation and duplicity of the authorities of Formosa. - -The whole of the fifty-seven individuals who were on board the Ann -quitted the wreck at daylight; and, having marched along the shore -about two miles, they fell in with two junks, lying wind-bound in a -small river or creek. They hoped to be able to put to sea, and stretch -across to Amoy; but the gale continued so violent that it prevented -them from getting out of the creek. They were not ill-treated by -the Chinese junkmen, but, as they were without food of any kind, -and exposed to a cold, cutting wind, it was soon evident that they -must surrender themselves to the Chinese authorities. Soldiers soon -gathered round them in crowds; and, as they had very little ammunition, -any attempt to defend themselves, which might have caused the death -of some of the soldiers, or of the mob, would certainly have been -followed by the massacre of the whole party. In the afternoon, they all -gave themselves up, without having fired a single shot, and without -attempting to make any kind of resistance. They were immediately -stripped and marched away, exposed to the most cutting wind and sleet, -without any covering, their feet cut by the sharp shells with which -the beach was covered, and with very little allowance of food. It -is not surprising, therefore, that two men soon died from fatigue -and exposure, and several others fell from sheer exhaustion, and -were obliged to be carried along in baskets; others were afterwards -carried in sedans, more for sake of security than from any feeling of -compassion for them. It was remarked, that during the whole journey of -thirteen or fourteen days, to the capital of the island, the lascars or -Indian sailors shewed a great deal of bad and selfish behaviour towards -each other. Each man of the party had a ticket fastened round his neck, -stating what he was, and whence he was brought; being treated in this -respect like public criminals. For a great length of time their food -was only salt fish and greens, with sometimes rice. They suffered all -sorts of abuse and indignities in every town and village through which -they passed; but it is remarked, "that the women (who did not appear to -be at all secluded) did not join in this, although they exhibited the -usual curiosity of the sex." They were observed throughout the whole -journey to be very plain, but they had a pretty fashion of dressing -their hair, by weaving natural flowers amongst it.[58] - -After the first two or three days, they came to a considerable walled -town, where they were placed for the night in two cells, _about eight -feet by seven feet_, in which twenty-five unfortunate beings were -stowed, with nothing to lie upon, the weather being intensely cold. -Three guards were placed over them. The rest of the party were taken -by a different route, but they all ultimately reached the capital. One -large town they came to was enclosed, as were some others, by a high, -red brick wall. It was situated in a large paddy swamp or valley, -interspersed here and there with small hamlets, around which the -bamboo plantations were growing in great beauty and luxuriance, and of -extraordinary height, many of them measuring upwards of sixty feet. -In some of the smaller towns and villages, the so-called gates (for -they all had them) were constructed of bamboo. The country appeared -well cultivated in many parts, and _wheat_ and sugar-cane were met -with; but other parts of the country were very barren, and covered -with large stones, such as are called "boulders," in some parts of -England. Generally, the men were made to wear handcuffs, but they were -not of great strength, for some of the party managed to break them off; -and they were then carried along in chairs, under a strong guard of -soldiers, but were occasionally allowed to walk. Wherever they went, -the crowd and annoyance of the hosts of curious gazers, who frequently -insulted them, was so great that it was a relief to get lodged in the -common gaol, which was divided into several cells, each cell having -cages in it, made of wooden bars, just like the dens of wild beasts. -The cells were also provided with a regular pair of stocks, in order to -afford greater security, if required. One of the cells was filled with -Chinese prisoners. - -The great object of the mandarins now appeared to be, to get some of -the party to admit that the Ann was a man-of-war, sent to look after -the crew of the Nerbudda, who were known to be still upon the island. -With this view, two of the men were mercilessly beaten, but without the -desired effect. So common and so public a practice did opium-smoking -appear to be, that even the soldiers who acted as an escort carried -their opium-pipes in their girdles. For the first twelve days, the -prisoners were never allowed to wash even their faces, and at length -they could only do it in a dirty pool by the road side. For the last -four days before they reached the capital, called Ty-wan-foo, they -were compelled to wear leg-irons as well as handcuffs. Generally, they -were allowed to purchase their own food during the journey; for which -purpose a little money was given to them, at the rate of one mace, or -about fivepence, a day. But this was only after the first few days. - -It was remarked that wheel-carts were in common use in the island, -and tracks of them were seen in all directions. On the mainland of -China these are unknown, except in the neighbourhood of Pekin; but, -in the island of Hainan, to the southward of Canton, they are very -common, and similar in construction to those in use upon Formosa. -They are, however, very clumsy and inconvenient; the wheels, which -are small, being composed of two semicircular pieces of solid wood, -joined together, with the axle _fixed_ into the wheel itself, so as to -revolve _with_ it, and not within it, but made to turn round under the -body of the cart. The roads or causeways are generally broader than -upon the mainland, and were in many places shaded with bamboos on each -side. Several rivers were crossed near the capital, and the country was -somewhat improved in appearance. - -About twenty miles from Ty-wan-foo they passed a night in a large -town, with walls built of chunam; at the entrance of which were -placed several very long guns, not mounted on carriages, but fixed -upon the ground, rather to indicate their good intentions than their -ability to perform them. Here again they were lodged in the common -gaol; and, on the following morning, the Chinese servant who had been -taken prisoner with them had a chain put round his neck, in addition -to his leg-irons and handcuffs. The next night (the last before they -entered the capital) was spent at an inn by the road-side, which was -so crowded with travellers that scarcely any food could be procured. -The Chinese had regular fights and scrambles for the little which was -to be had, and their appetites appeared by no means delicate; but, -whether their hunger was appeased or not, they were all prepared in the -evening to enjoy in good earnest the luxury of the opium-pipe, soldiers -and travellers all alike; nor did the two mandarins who were present -interfere in any manner to point out its impropriety. - -On the 24th March, (fourteenth day since the wreck,) they were destined -to make their wretched entrance into the capital. At the distance of -six or seven miles from it, they were met by an officer and a few -soldiers, by whom their names and their numbers were called over, -according to a list which the officer held in his hand, and they were -then separated into smaller parties, and led by different routes into -the city. As they approached the gate, they, for the first time, caught -a glimpse of the sea, with a few junks at anchor at a distance, -towards which they hopelessly strained their longing eyes. The walls -of the city appeared to be in a state of dilapidation, except near -the gateway, where they had been recently repaired and whitewashed. -The prisoners were now fairly within the capital of Formosa, and were -conducted to an open space, planted thickly with trees, but broken -up by rough watercourses, over which there were several bridges of -stone. Thence they were led through back lanes, avoiding the principal -streets, to the house of a high mandarin, in front of which they halted -for a short time; and such was the pressure of the crowd and the -curiosity of the people, that the chairs in which they had been brought -were nearly pulled to pieces before they were ordered to get out and -enter the outer gateway of the mandarin's house. - -Here they were drawn up in line, to have the tickets round their -necks copied; but before the process could be half finished, the -pressure of the crowd became so great that the mandarins were obliged -to discontinue the task. A ludicrous scene followed, which, for the -moment, afforded amusement even to the prisoners themselves. The -enraged mandarins charged the mob in great fury, and whipped them with -their _long tails_, which, having silk woven on to the ends, gave some -tolerable cuts to the people's faces. For a few minutes our hapless -prisoners were put for refuge into a small temple which was close at -hand; but even here the mob pressed so hard upon them that the door -was nearly smashed in; and, as a last resource, they were marched off, -with heavy irons on their legs, which bruised them at every step, to -a prison in the courtyard of a superior mandarin's house, about one -hundred yards distant. Here their treatment was very bad; for several -successive days they were brought up before the mandarin to answer an -infinity of questions, many of them very puerile, about the names, -ages, and duties of every one on board the Ann; also about geography -and the possessions of Great Britain, and where the poppy was grown; -how money was raised, &c. &c. The Chinese carpenter of the vessel acted -as interpreter; and, on one occasion, both he and the other Chinaman -were severely flogged with bamboos. - -After some time, those who could draw were allowed to sketch ships, -carriages, and other things, which exceedingly amused the Chinese, who -were glad to purchase them; so that by these means they were able to -procure food and tobacco, and thus to diminish in some degree their -chances of being carried off by starvation or sickness. - -After the lapse of a week or two, fever broke out, and they were then -separated into smaller parties, and put into different cells or -prisons, some faring better, some worse, according to the temper or -caprice, or even roguery, of the particular jailer who chanced to have -charge of them. One of these wretches seems to have been a perfect -fiend of his class; he kept one party of _ten_ miserable human beings -in a den so small that not one of them could lie down at night. It -will scarcely be believed that they were made to exist for _two whole -months_ in this horrid black hole, only _eleven feet six inches long, -by seven feet six inches wide_; grudging each other every little inch -of room, and longing even for the little bit of space which the single -insensible bucket, which was the only piece of furniture, occupied in -their den. Here were ten human beings stowed away together, some sick, -some sore, and all in pain and misery. For some time they were not -permitted to come out of the den at all, but at last they were let out -once a day, and were allowed a very little water to wash themselves; -only two or three, however, could wash themselves on the same day, so -that the whole of them could only be able to wash themselves once in -three days. Of course, they were dreadfully infected with vermin of -every kind, and, as the author of the journal expresses it, "A few -weeks have sufficed to bring me down from a strong hale man, to a -wretched helpless being, disgusted with myself." - -Many attempts were made to get a note sent across to Amoy, to give -information of their situation; and the promise of one hundred dollars -on its safe delivery, and one hundred more on bringing an answer back, -(to be paid at Amoy,) sufficed to induce a tolerable trusty Chinaman -to undertake the task. We shall see presently how far it succeeded. -It has before been stated that the several parties fared differently, -according to the humanity or rapacity of the particular jailer. -Something also depended upon the particular mandarin under whose -supervision they were placed, but it is noticed that the highest, or -red-button mandarin, was the best of all, and frequently ordered some -of the hardships they complained of to be remedied, particularly as -regarded the quality of the food. - -On the other hand, it is stated, that one of the jailers, who was -humane enough to allow his party of prisoners _to be shaved_, was taken -before a mandarin and punished with fifty strokes of the bamboo; after -which, no visitors were allowed to see them at all, and the jailer -became very sulky, except when he was drunk, which he generally was, -by the use of opium, every evening. Sometimes they were taken out -of prison in order to draw for the mandarins, at others, to undergo -repeated examinations for their amusement. In the first instance, -however, the object invariably was, to betray them into an admission, -however remote, that the vessel was really a man-of-war. But it was -quite evident that they knew perfectly well that she was not so, and at -length the red-button mandarin put an end to this part of the business. -From this time, their questions were more of a general nature, but many -of them were exceedingly absurd. The mention of Sir Henry Pottinger's -name (for they appeared already to have heard of him) invariably made -them angry, and on one occasion they inquired whether he was a _white_ -or a _black_ man. They also inquired a good deal about the Queen, her -court, and ministers, mode of life, &c., and how many husbands she was -allowed to have; expressing great astonishment when they learned that -in Europe kings and queens, as well as private individuals, had only -one wife or husband; and then they proceeded to enumerate the virtues -of their own emperor, and to plume themselves upon their own cleverness. - -On one occasion, they asked whether America had not, some time or -other, been situated _in_ England? whether a man could _now_ walk -from London to America in a week? how large London was, and how many -outside (foreign) nations are subject or tributary to England? Endless -were their curious questions, and on one occasion they exhibited an -officer's jacket, and a corporal's coat with the 55th button on it, -and particularly inquired the use of an epaulette, which they held up, -fancying it was intended to be worn on the head. - -During the first half of the month of May, it rained incessantly, and -they were very imperfectly protected from its effects. In fact, the -rain always beat through their roof, and when it was heavy, or long -continued, it flooded their den: the least bit of dry plank, or a -partially sheltered corner, was matter of envy and contention; and, as -may be supposed, they not only suffered from bad food, confinement, -vermin, and ill-health, but were incessantly tormented with the -most venomous mosquitoes, producing inflammation and sores. In this -condition they were kept in the most harassing state of suspense; one -day being assured that they would be sent away in a month; another, -that they had no chance of liberty for six months; and the very next, -perhaps, that their heads would soon be taken off. - -Fortunately, the talent for drawing possessed by Mr. Gully and Captain -Denham, served to gain for them friends and pacify enemies. - -In this way, month after month continued to drag its slow length -along. At the end of about three months' close confinement, a slight -change for the better took place; they were moved into rather better -quarters, where they were only three together, so that they had more -room to breathe; they were also allowed water to wash themselves, and -a little money was given to them. It was thought that this arose in -consequence of information received by the authorities that there was -some chance of an attack being made upon this island, by our forces at -Amoy, with a view to liberate the prisoners. It was now ascertained, -also, that the fisherman who had promised to carry over the letter -to Amoy, two months before, had succeeded in his attempt, and an -answer had been brought back by him, which held out the prospect of -speedy release. Another letter was also sent off to Amoy; so that now -at length their hopes again revived. But sickness had already begun -its work, and their minds were so depressed that even the boldest, -who tried to bear up bravely to the last, recorded his feelings that -"One miserable day passed after another, with nothing to help them to -break in upon the wretchedness of their existence; no exercise being -permitted, and nothing, in fact, to relieve the dreadful monotony of -such prison life." And what _was_ the little improvement in their lot, -which resulted from their removal into other cells? "We now, (three -of us,") said he, "have five planks with a mat upon them to sleep on, -and glad we are to get into this new place, which is the Executioners -Den, and which, until we had ourselves cleaned it, could never have -been cleaned since it was built." On other occasions it is noted, "we -_scalded_ our clothes this morning, to kill the vermin." - -It was thought that the day they were removed into this new berth must -have been the Emperor's birthday, or some day of rejoicing, for they -had at the same time a dinner of roast pork, with sweet cakes, and each -man received one mace, or fivepence in money. But this was too good -to last--a mere freak of fortune! Generally speaking, their food was -so bad, that a great part of it was thrown away, and it was only by -quarrelling with the jailers, and threatening to complain to the high -mandarin, that they could succeed in procuring any eatable food at all. - -In the month of June, several shocks of an earthquake were felt, -followed by terrific storms of thunder and lightning. It is due to the -better class of mandarins to remark, that when complaints were made to -them, they procured some temporary improvement for the prisoners. - -On the 4th of July, it was made known that honours and rewards had been -largely conferred upon the mandarins, for having contrived to make -so many prisoners. This was in answer to their false accounts of the -business to the Emperor, in which they said that they had attacked and -destroyed two English men-of-war which came prying into the coast, and -had taken all the people prisoners, enumerating the number of black, -and _red_, and white barbarians, and the quantity of barbarian guns. - -On the 10th of July, Mr. Gully, who had necessarily been ailing for -some time, became seriously ill with dysentery, brought on in a great -measure by eating large quantities of mangoes. The Chinese recommended -him two cures for it; one was, to eat the skins of the mangoes _alone_; -the other, to eat opium. The former he found to have a good effect, -at least so far that his complaint improved under the treatment; the -latter he was able to purchase at a moderate price from the visitors, -who brought it on purpose for him; it was different from the extract -which is used for smoking, and apparently much less powerful. - -The same mandarin who had given them a treat upon the Emperor's -birthday all along shewed more interest in their condition than any -of the others; and one day, in the hope of inducing him to give them -some kind of indulgence, they told him that it was the birthday of -the Queen of England's eldest child, and that they all entertained so -strong a feeling of "filial obedience" and affection towards their -queen, that they wished to celebrate the event. To their great surprise -and delight, the mandarin's heart was moved by this appeal, and he -gave each of them money; to some five mace, to others three, (equal -to about two shillings,) and then sent them a good dinner, and made -himself quite agreeable; and, of course, all the inferior officers, -including the jailers, took their tone for the day from their superior. -On another occasion, the lascars were all brought up before the chief -mandarin, having had new clothes first given to them, and he himself -then presented each of them with a fan! - -All these circumstances naturally tended to revive their hopes, and -little did they dream of the horrible catastrophe which was soon to -take place. Towards the end of July they were informed, that in the -course of half a moon more an answer would be received from Pekin, -containing the Emperor's commands as to what was to be done with the -prisoners; and they were warned that, if his majesty ordered that they -should be decapitated, it would immediately be carried into effect. -From this it would seem that the authorities fully anticipated that -the representations which they had made would induce the Emperor to -issue such a cruel command; but the prisoners themselves still retained -sufficient hope to induce them to disbelieve the probability of such a -tragedy. With the exception of Captain Denham (whose life was saved) -and the Chinese carpenter, it does not appear that any of them were -tortured; but the dreadful cries of some of the Chinese prisoners could -be distinctly heard; and two poor fellows were seen passing by with -their hands _blackened_, having been condemned to have them chopped off. - -One remark is worth recording--namely, that the mandarins, from the -highest to the lowest, as well as all their servants and attendants, -were in the constant habit of smoking opium. Tobacco was also in -general use, as elsewhere in China, and was extensively cultivated on -the island. There was also noticed (what should have been mentioned -before) a curious vine-like plant, grown upon trellis-work, and -frequently observed to be carefully covered up with mats; what it was -no one knew, but more care and attention seemed to be bestowed upon it -than upon anything else which was seen upon the island. - -The final tragedy is believed to have taken place upon the 12th or 13th -of August, and is too horrible to dwell upon. They were beheaded with -the sword. - -It is difficult to account for their having reserved nine individuals -from the general massacre. Of these, six were Europeans or Americans, -and three natives of India. It is supposed that they were retained in -order to be sent to Pekin, to be there cut in pieces. Fortunately, the -treaty of peace saved their lives, and they were at length conveyed to -Amoy, and there met with all the attention they so much needed from -their own countrymen. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[57] The information in the text was extracted from the manuscript, -more than a year ago, in China. But the journals of Mr. Gully and -Captain Denham have been recently published in full, in this country. - -[58] Probably the women at Formosa are much less numerous, compared -with the men, than in most other places. The men come over from the -mainland, but do not bring their women. It is believed that infanticide -of _female_ children is very prevalent at Amoy. The men are driven -by poverty to emigrate, and have no means of providing for female -children, who are therefore frequently smothered or drowned. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - - -On leaving the bay of Amoy, on the 5th of September, the appointed -places for the rendezvous of the fleet of men-of-war and transports, -in case of separation, were successively the so-called Buffalo's Nose, -at the entrance of the Chusan group; Keeto Point, a promontory running -out from the mainland towards Chusan; and, lastly, the bay or harbour -of Tinghai, the capital of Chusan. The progress of the squadron was -slow for some days, owing to light winds and a heavy swell; and the -Nemesis, being very light in the water, and having, moreover, a leak -in her bottom, (after the accident at Amoy,) was kept pretty close in -shore, to avoid the swell outside, but seldom entirely lost sight -of the fleet. A considerable quantity of floating wood was picked up -alongshore, which was very acceptable for fuel, of which she had only a -very small supply remaining on board. - -On the 13th, eight days after leaving Amoy, the north-east monsoon -set in rather suddenly, and somewhat earlier than usual, with heavy -squalls and a thick fog, which caused the unavoidable separation of -the squadron. At the commencement of this change of weather, the -Nemesis lost her fore-top-mast and top-gallant-mast, but continued her -course leisurely alongshore until the following day, when she came to -anchor under a small island at the mouth of the river Taitchou, about -thirty-five miles from Sheipoo, and between fifty and sixty from the -Buffalo's Nose. - -On the 16th, Capt. Hall landed upon the island above mentioned, under -which he had taken shelter, with a party of men, to look for wood, -which was much needed for fuel, and also for refreshments for the crew, -and then took the opportunity of ascending a high hill, to take a -survey of the neighbouring country. The haze cleared off sufficiently -to enable him to discover the entrance to an extensive harbour, which -proved to be that of Sheipoo, where there is a considerable trading -town. He thought that he could also make out something like the -appearance of batteries or field-works at the entrance. - -The Nemesis now stood in for the entrance of the harbour, which was -very narrow, but fortunately, she soon fell in with a fishing-boat, in -which were several fishermen busy about their nets, one of whom was -made to come on board and pilot the vessel into the harbour; and he -was promised ten dollars for his services if he took her in without -any accident; but, if she touched ground, he was threatened to be -immediately run up to the yard-arm. The poor fellow had never even -_seen_ a steamer or devil-ship before, and was not a little alarmed. -But he perfectly understood the conditions, and gradually recovered his -self-possession. - -The tide swept so rapidly into the narrow entrance of the harbour, that -the Nemesis was fairly carried through the passage before the two small -field-works, which were intended to protect it, could bring a single -gun to bear upon the vessel; but the Chinese were seen running down -from their little encampment above, to man the guns. - -At the bottom of the harbour or basin, the town now came into full -view, with a large number of trading-junks of every kind, moored in -lines close to each other on one side of the town; while on the other, -or the left, as you looked towards it, there was a small fort, which -appeared to have been recently repaired and strengthened, but, like -most other Chinese forts, was left almost unprotected in the rear. - -Upon a rising ground behind the fort, a small body of troops, about -five or six hundred in number, were drawn up, so that the Chinese -were evidently prepared for defence. The Nemesis immediately ran in -towards the fort, and took up a flanking position, anchoring by the -stern between it and the town, so as to bring her guns to bear with -the greatest advantage, without exposing herself to the direct fire -of the fort. Shot, shell, and canister, were now poured in, and the -fort was soon silenced. But the troops could now be seen descending -from the hill behind, and bringing heavy ginjals with them, mounted on -triangular stands, as if they intended to oppose a landing. However, a -few discharges of grape-shot threw them into great disorder, killing -many of them; Capt. Hall then landed, at the head of all the men who -could be spared from the ship, accompanied by Mr. Gully, and took -possession of the fort, the Chinese flying before them; four guns, two -brass and two iron ones, were destroyed in the fort, the temporary -sheds and buildings were set on fire, and water was poured into the -magazine to destroy the powder. - -The whole party having now returned on board, boats were sent out, -manned and armed, to search for fuel, and also to attempt to capture -three large war-junks, which had been seen on the way up the harbour. -All the trading-junks were left unmolested; but wood for fuel was so -much needed on board, that several of the wood-junks were soon picked -out, well filled with the necessary article. The opportunity was -extremely fortunate, and in a short time, no less than seven boat-loads -of excellent wood were obtained, amounting in all to about seventy -tons. Much labour was required to bring off so large a quantity, and to -stow it away expeditiously; nevertheless, during this operation, one -of the war-junks was captured, (the crew having deserted her,) and, -as soon as she was towed clear of the town and shipping, so as not to -cause any unnecessary damage, she was set on fire in the middle of the -harbour, and shortly blew up. Two guns, together with a quantity of -ginjals, matchlocks, swords, &c., were destroyed in her. - -But the day's work was not finished yet. About two o'clock the cutters -were sent away, manned and armed, under Mr. Galbraith, to destroy the -other two war-junks which had been seen in the morning. One of them -blew up close in shore, but the other was towed out into the middle -of the harbour, before she was set on fire. One was found to mount -fourteen guns, and contained a large quantity of powder, with numerous -warlike implements of various kinds. - -The whole of this day's work was exceedingly interesting. The hills -which surrounded the harbour were covered with people, who crowded out -of the town, and from all the neighbouring villages, to witness the -exploits of the "devil-ship," the rapidity of whose movements, the -precision of her fire, and the volumes of smoke and steam which issued -from her, seemed to awaken feelings of awe and mute astonishment, even -more than fear. There they stood for hours, apparently unconcerned -spectators of passing events; and as they saw the destruction of -the war-junks, while the merchant-junks remained uninjured, they -appeared satisfied that no mischief was threatened against the unarmed -inhabitants so long as they did not interfere. The neighbourhood -of the town along the shore was laid out in very neatly cultivated -gardens, and everything bore indications of a thriving and well-ordered -community. - -The day was now far advanced, and it only remained to capture the two -forts or field-works upon the island, just within the mouth of the -harbour. A shot or two had previously been fired at them in the course -of the morning, but it was now determined to take possession of them, -and destroy the works. On nearing them, a few shells and rockets were -discharged into them, and the boats then put off, manned and armed, -under Capt. Hall. The Chinese had only just abandoned them. The two -field-works were very near each other, and were found to mount nine -guns, which were spiked, their carriages destroyed, and the tents of -the soldiers were set on fire. - -The poor Chinese fisherman who had acted as pilot was of course -liberated as soon as the harbour was cleared, and he appeared no less -astonished than overjoyed when the promised ten dollars were counted -out into his hands. - -On the following day, the 18th, the Nemesis reached the appointed -rendezvous at Buffalo's Nose, and found the Sesostris was the only -vessel which had preceded her, the rest of the fleet having been kept -back by contrary winds and hazy weather. When we remember what a large -number of hired transports and store-ships passed up and down along -the coast of China from this time to the close of the war, many of -which had frequently a great part of their crew sick, we cannot but be -surprised[59] that so few accidents happened. The inaccuracy of the -surveys of the coast which had been then made; the wrong position on -the charts of most of the numerous islands which stand out as bulwarks -at very uncertain distances from the shore; the strength and unknown -irregularities of the currents, and the heavy squalls which frequently -burst suddenly over that part of China, rendered the navigation -precarious, and frequently caused the utmost anxiety. Occasionally the -captains found themselves inside of islands when they believed that -they were some distance outside; and I well remember, on one occasion, -making the voyage up to Chusan in a fast-sailing brig-of-war, which -just weathered a long rocky island, called the Alligator, and at noon -discovered it to have been laid down upon the chart full twenty miles -wrong in its latitude--an error which can scarcely be accounted for. - -The strength of the currents among the Chusan islands, and the -continued boisterous weather, made it difficult to collect all the -transports at the appointed rendezvous. The admiral did not get up -until the 21st; and the general being on board a large transport which -had been carried far down to leeward, did not join until the evening of -the 25th. - -In the meantime, the Nemesis had gone to join the Phlegethon at Keeto -Point, where the sad tale was learned of one of the officers of the -Lyra, (an opium vessel,) Mr. Wainwright, and one of the crew having -been enticed on shore, under the pretence of selling them stock, and -of their having been then overpowered and cruelly murdered. This event -occurred very near the village where Captain Stead had been murdered -some months before. Lieutenant M'Cleverty soon afterwards landed with -his crew, accompanied by Lieutenant Crawford and the commanders of the -Lyra and Ann, and soon put to flight a party of Chinese soldiers, burnt -their barracks, and then destroyed a great part of the village. - -As soon as the Nemesis arrived, no time was lost in landing to examine -the adjacent country, which was very picturesque and beautifully -cultivated. But the recollection of the cruel fate of the poor fellows -who had been so recently captured, and, as was believed, barbarously -put to death there, with the sight of the very spots where the sad -occurrences took place, awakened feelings of bitterness, and a wish for -retaliation which it was impossible to suppress. In a very short time, -everything that remained undestroyed was set on fire, including various -buildings, stacks of rice and grass, &c.; and as darkness set in, the -whole valley appeared lighted up with the blaze of the spreading fires. - -At length all the transports were assembled, according to a -preconcerted arrangement, just off the little island called "Just in -the Way;" as it was the original plan laid down by the general and the -admiral to occupy Ningpo, after having first captured the heights of -Chinhae, which command the entrance of the Tahea river, which leads up -to Ningpo. Chusan was to have been retaken afterwards. The boisterous -state of the weather, however, prevented the ships from approaching -near enough to Chinhae to carry out this part of the plan; and it was -therefore determined to make an immediate reconnoissance of the harbour -and defences of Chusan, or rather of its capital town, Tinghai; this -was accordingly carried into execution on the following day, the 26th -of September. - -The admiral and general, together with the plenipotentiary and suite, -embarked early in the morning on board the Phlegethon, the Nemesis -being ordered to accompany them. As they approached Chusan, the alarm -was given by the Chinese from numerous watch-towers, or rather signal -stations erected upon the hills, or upon the tops of the several -islands which lie in the immediate neighbourhood. Great changes had -evidently taken place since our forces left Chusan, a few months -before; and preparations of an extensive kind had been rapidly made for -the defence of the place. As the steamers entered the principal harbour -by its western side, between the so-called Tea Island and Guard Island, -the Chinese opened a few guns at them, but at too great a distance to -do any damage; and as there was no wish to attack them in a desultory -manner, the steamers were ordered to keep at a good distance, but to -direct their movements so as to get a complete view of all the Chinese -positions. - -The rapidity of the tides, in the different channels leading into the -harbour, is so great that large vessels sometimes become perfectly -unmanageable; and even powerful steamers found it difficult to stem the -current. - -Nothing can be more striking or picturesque than the views on every -side, as you approach Chusan; you are here particularly struck with -the garden-like aspect of every spot of ground you see. The country is -hilly on all sides, but every hill is cultivated with extreme care, -up to its very summit. It is divided into small ridges, or beds, in -which various productions are raised, side by side, giving the greatest -possible variety to the aspect of the country, and pointing out the -vast labour and perseverance with which the tillage must be conducted. -It is entirely spade husbandry, and ought rather to be called -horticulture. - -In the low valleys, and little sheltered nooks, you trace villages and -farm-houses of neat appearance; and every bend of the coast, every -little bit of low, swampy ground, is embanked and recovered from the -sea by long, thick, stone walls, which are maintained with the utmost -care. Behind these, the ground is laid out in rice-fields, irrigated -with much ingenuity, and there is a general appearance of well-being -and industry, which indicates a thriving and contented population. -Generally speaking, the island of Chusan, with some of the smaller -ones adjacent to it, may be considered as among the most picturesque -and fertile spots in the north of China, as far as it was visited by -the expedition, and the loss of this possession was deeply felt by the -Emperor, of which, as he said, "he read the account with fast falling -tears."[60] - -The great and rapidly completed preparations which were found to have -been made for the protection of the island prove the importance with -which it was regarded. - -The city of Tinghai, the capital of Chusan, is a walled town, of the -third class, about two miles in circumference, having four entrances, -with double-arched gateways, situated at right angles to each other, -according to the usual Chinese practice. The greater part of the -town is surrounded by a wet ditch or canal, which adds very much to -the natural unhealthiness caused by imperfect drainage, (owing to -the lowness of its situation,) and by the swampy rice-grounds, which -occupy the whole valley. Indeed, were it not protected by a raised -bank running along the face of the harbour, from which the city is -three-quarters of a mile distant, the whole of the valley in which the -town is situated would frequently be flooded. It was upon this raised -bank that the great line of sea battery, presently to be described, had -been recently erected. A narrow causeway and a shallow canal connect -the city with a village, at which is the principal landing-place of the -harbour, situated at the foot of a steep, conical hill, which stands -about the centre of the whole sea-face of the valley or plain, which -may be about three miles broad. The latter is bounded by steep hills -on either side, which stretch down close to the city, and command the -western face of the walls. - -The hill at the landing-place, which came to be known by the name -of Pagoda Hill, is a very striking object from every point of the -harbour. The appearance of a temple upon it, and several small detached -buildings, which had been recently built as prisons for the English, -whom the Chinese _intended_ to capture, and the steepness of its -summit, gave it an appearance of strength which it did not possess. - -Directly opposite Pagoda Hill are two small islands, called Trumball -and Macclesfield Islands, which bound the harbour on the eastern side, -and upon the nearest of these a mortar-battery was afterwards erected, -for the purpose of shelling Pagoda Hill. - -To the southward the harbour is shut in by the highly cultivated and -considerable island called Tea Island; while on its western side, at -the extremity of the long sea-battery, lies the small island called -Guard Island, only separated by a very narrow passage called the -Devil's Gates, from the hills which overlook the valley. - -As the two steamers now entered the inner harbour by the western -passage, leaving Guard Island on the left, they immediately came in -sight of a long line of continuous works, constructed of mud, along the -top of the whole line of embankment before described. It is strange -that such a mode of defence should have been adopted; for the flank -of the battery was completely commanded by the range of steep hills -running up to the very city itself. Upon the nearest hills, however, at -the end of the battery, the Chinese had formed a fortified encampment, -in which there appeared to be a large body of troops; and in a hollow -at the foot of it there was an unfinished stone fort, intended to mount -eight guns. But they had placed their principal reliance upon the line -of mud-batteries fronting the harbour, and had run piles and stakes -along the water's edge, to prevent our troops from landing from the -boats, as if they imagined that a battery could only be attacked in -front, and partly perhaps to prevent the washing away of the soil. - -The works had been hastily and unscientifically constructed, and -consisted principally of heaps of mud, of a conical shape, raised -upon the embankment, with embrasures between them for the guns. These -intervals were so large, measuring generally from ten to fifteen -feet wide, that it would be impossible for the men to stand to their -guns, although the mounds of earth between them were about twenty to -twenty-five feet broad. The line of battery extended far beyond the -Pagoda or Joss House Hill to the eastward, but was not completed -at that end. There were altogether nearly two hundred and seventy -embrasures, but only about eighty guns mounted, exclusive of those in a -newly-built redoubt upon Pagoda Hill, amounting to twelve or fifteen. -Of these twenty-five were afterwards found to be of brass and copper, -and tolerably well cast. Several improvements had been made by the -Chinese for the strengthening of Pagoda Hill, since our evacuation of -the place. They had retained the wall which we had formerly carried -round the top of it, with an arched gateway of stone on the side -looking inland towards the town. Other improvements were in progress; -so that, if the attack had been delayed for some weeks longer, the -Chinese would have completed their defences, as well as their want of -science would permit. As it was, the authorities claimed for themselves -the honour of "having fought with heavy toil for six days and nights," -reckoning the commencement of their so-called fighting from the day on -which the steamers first approached to reconnoitre. Our forbearance was -magnified into a great victory by them, for the moment at all events. - -On the return of the steamers to the anchorage at Just in the Way, with -the rest of the fleet, orders were given for the Nemesis to proceed -on the following morning across to the Ningpo river, to reconnoitre -Chinhae, &c. &c., but the weather proved so hazy and unsettled, that -this purpose was deferred for the present. On the following day, the -28th, the weather still continued very squally, which prevented the -fleet from moving; and the admiral, therefore, gave orders that the -Nemesis should proceed again to Chusan, in company with the Modeste -and Columbine, (the whole under the command of Captain Eyres, of the -Modeste,) and they were directed to destroy the unfinished battery -already mentioned, at the foot of the hills at the western extremity -of the long line of works, and if possible set fire to the encampment -on the hill above, or, at all events, disperse the Chinese troops. The -object was evidently to prepare for the landing of our force at that -point, in order to take the line of Chinese battery in reverse, and -then march upon the town by the hills. The increasing severity of the -weather obliged them all to come to anchor before they reached Chusan. - -At daylight next morning, the Nemesis was sent in alone to reconnoitre, -having Captain Eyres and Captain Clarke on board, and she soon -discovered that the entrenched camp on the hill was stronger than had -been supposed, and that the troops were collected in great strength -at that point. As the steamer ran pretty close in shore, a smart -but ineffective fire from large ginjals was opened on her from the -entrenched camp; but the small stone fort below was quite silent, and, -indeed, appeared to be unarmed. Having fired a few shot into the camp -on the hill, in order to warn the Chinese of what they had to expect, -the Nemesis speedily returned, to bring up the other two vessels; -and these, as soon as they had come to anchor as close in shore as -their draught of water would permit, immediately opened fire upon -the entrenched camp above, and also at the fort below, in order to -ascertain if it was occupied. As the Nemesis, however, could stand in -much closer than the other vessels, Captain Eyres and Captain Clarke -went on board her, and she was then carried within excellent range -by Captain Hall, and immediately poured in shot, shell, rockets, and -carcases, with such remarkable precision, as to have been made the -subject of special mention in the admiral's despatch. - -In a short time, the temporary buildings were demolished, and a breach -was made in the wall of the fortified encampment. The proper moment -for landing was now come; but as the orders were positive not to come -to close quarters with the enemy, but merely to reconnoitre their -position, and prevent them from adding to their works of defence, no -attempt was made to carry the encampment. A small party of men were -landed, but merely with a view to ascertain, beyond a doubt, that the -small stone fort below was unarmed, and to make a hasty reconnoissance -of the line of sea-battery, nearly a mile long, which connected this -point with Pagoda Hill. A large body of Chinese troops were now seen -forming under the brow of the hill in the rear, in order to make an -attack upon the reconnoitring party; but a few well-directed shot from -the steamer's guns immediately dispersed them. - -The object of this little affair having been now fully accomplished, -the Nemesis hastened to rejoin the admiral, with despatches from -Captain Eyres. Sir William Parker was, however, already on his way over -to Chusan in the Wellesley, and now, without loss of time, came on -board the Nemesis, accompanied by the general, and ordered her to carry -them once more across the harbour of Chusan. The Chinese again opened -a distant and useless fire upon her as she passed, both in going and -returning, as they had done on the former occasion. - -In the course of the afternoon, several of the ships of war, and some -of the transports, reached the outer harbour of Chusan, while the -Blonde, Modeste, and Queen steamer, proceeded to take up a position -under the two islands which lie opposite Pagoda Hill, and which were -called Macclesfield (or Melville) and Trumball Islands. They were -directed to cover and assist a party of the Royal Artillery, under -Captain Knowles, in erecting a battery of one 68-pounder gun, and -two 24-pounder howitzers, upon the top of the ridge of the former -island, with a view to shell Pagoda Hill and its defences, which were -within range, but rather distant. The Chinese continued firing very -ineffectually during the whole time, in the direction of these islands, -but their shot always fell short. - -The battery was finished on the following day, with great labour and -skill. Every preparation for the attack being completed on the 30th, -the dawn of the 1st of October was looked for with intense interest. At -daylight, the Nemesis again crossed and recrossed the inner harbour, -for the purpose of embarking some troops which were on board the -Jupiter, close to Trumball Island; they consisted of a portion of -the Madras Rifles and a number of camp-followers. The Nemesis then -proceeded to the transports in the outer harbour, to take on board part -of the 49th regiment, together with a detachment of sappers and miners. - -The Howitzer Battery, upon Melville Island, opened fire just as she was -crossing from the inner harbour; and it was an interesting sight to -watch the shells falling upon Pagoda Hill. The first shell was thrown -merely to try the range, and fell rather short, but the second fell -exactly within the fort, close to the gate, and it therefore became -evident that the Chinese could not long hold out. - -About the same time, the Queen steamer endeavoured to tow the Blonde -frigate into a good position against Pagoda Hill and the adjacent -defences, to aid the mortar battery; but so great was the strength of -the tide, which runs like a millrace in that part of the harbour, that -it was impossible to move the Blonde into a good position, in spite -of the utmost exertions used. But shortly afterwards the Modeste and -Queen, drawing less water, were able to take up excellent stations; the -battery on Pagoda Hill was soon silenced, and the troops were driven -from their post. - -While this was being effected at the eastern extremity of the inner -harbour, the original design of driving the Chinese out of the long -sea-battery, by turning their right flank at its western extremity, -and by taking possession of the hills above them, upon which their -encampment had been formed, was gallantly and effectually carried into -execution. The Chinese troops at this time occupied the heights in -force, although they had been dispersed two days before; and kept up a -continued fire of ginjals and matchlocks, apparently more in defiance -than for any useful purpose, for they frequently advanced to the brow -of the hill, waving their flags, and daring their enemy to attack them. - -The Wellesley had been moved as close as possible to the intended -point of debarkation, just outside Guard Island; and the Cruiser and -Columbine had been placed within two hundred yards of the beach, -there being plenty of water almost close in shore. By the fire of -these vessels and of the Sesostris steamer, the Chinese were so -completely kept in check, that they could not attempt any opposition -to the landing of the troops. The Phlegethon now came up with the -55th regiment on board. The first division, with the gallant general -at their head, consisting of the Madras Artillery, with eight guns, -under Captain Anstruther, together with a party of sappers and the 18th -and 55th regiments, with the Madras Rifles, were now landed, but not -without some delay and difficulty, owing to the astonishing strength -of the currents. The Nemesis was also coming up to land the troops she -had on board, when she unfortunately grounded on a sand-bank, and was -obliged to cast off the numerous boats she had in tow, before she could -work herself off again, which caused considerable delay. The 49th were -therefore not landed so soon as had been expected. - -The firing of the steamers which covered the landing was kept up with -so much precision, that more than one of the Chinese standard-bearers, -who boldly advanced alone to the crest of the hill, waving their flags, -were cut in two by a 32-pounder shot, just as if they had been aimed at -with a rifle. - -The two flank and the third companies of the 55th being first on shore, -received a smart fire from the Chinese, who, up to this time, had kept -themselves pretty well sheltered; and, as the remainder of the regiment -followed close after the leading companies, and the 18th was not far -behind, the advance was instantly sounded, and the 55th pushed up the -hill, under the gallant Major Fawcett. The Chinese waved to them to -come on, and opened a smart fire as they struggled up the steep hill, -and knocked down several of the men. It was an exciting spectacle to -watch them ascending the hill, while the ships continued firing until -they reached the summit; and even then the Chinese shewed no want of -courage; the spear and the bayonet frequently crossed each other. - -At length the Chinese were routed; and the hill, being now in our -possession, gave us the command of all the enemy's positions, which, by -this means, were fairly turned. In this encounter, the first Chinese -colours were taken by Lieutenant Butler, of the 55th. - -In the meantime, the 18th and the artillery being landed, and some of -the light guns having been placed so as to enfilade the long battery, -the 18th pushed on gallantly, under Lieutenant-Colonel Adams, to -clear the line of sea-defences. The facility with which the flank of -the Chinese positions had been turned did not seem, by any means, to -discourage the Chinese, who fought, as they retreated, with great -_individual_ courage, several of the mandarins boldly advancing, sword -in hand, to the attack. The loss on their side, as they were driven -back along so narrow a line, (for there was a deep paddy-field in the -rear of the embankment upon which the battery was constructed,) was -necessarily great. The Chinese commander-in-chief and several Tartar -officers were here killed. They were at length compelled to evacuate -the whole line of sea-battery, the grenadier company of the 18th -leading the way, in a spirited manner, under Captain Wigston. - -Having cleared the whole of the works, the 18th soon made their way up -the Pagoda Hill without opposition, the Chinese having been already -compelled to evacuate it by the admirable fire of the Royal Artillery, -and of the Modeste and Queen on that side. The 49th, who could not be -landed until the hottest part of the work was over, followed the 18th -along the battery, but on reaching a causeway or path about two-thirds -of the way across, which appeared to lead from the battery towards the -city, they turned off at that point, and hurried on towards the south -gate of the city, to which it led. - -In the meantime, the 55th pushed on along the hills, covered by the -Rifles, which had now joined, to the heights overlooking the city -on the north-west; and Captain Anstruther, with Captain Balfour and -Lieutenant Foulis, with great exertion, brought up the light field-guns -of the Madras Artillery to the summit of the heights, and opened their -fire upon the walls, on which several guns were mounted on that side. -The Madras Sappers had also brought scaling-ladders along the rugged -hills, and the Rifles were skilfully disposed along the edge of a deep -ravine between the hills and the city walls, sheltered by the broken -ground and by tombs, (for it was the burial place of the city,) with -the object of cutting off the retreat of the Chinese by the northern -gate. - -While these operations were going on, the admiral, accompanied by Sir -Henry Pottinger, Captain Herbert, Captain Maitland, and Mr. Morrison, -the interpreter, went on board the Nemesis, (which, after landing -her troops, had come round the point of Guard Island into the inner -harbour,) and were carried towards the Pagoda Hill, just as the -18th entered the works at the top of it. The admiral and the rest -of the officers immediately landed, and ascended the hill, from the -top of which there is a splendid prospect of the whole plain beyond, -and of the city, and from which a good view could be obtained of the -operations against the latter. - -The Nemesis was anchored as close in shore as possible; and Captain -Hall, having got up to the mast-head, was able distinctly to see -everything that was going on, and to direct the fire of the steamer, so -as to throw a few shells into the city, about three-quarters of a mile -distant. The other steamers very shortly afterwards also joined her in -the inner harbour. The 55th could be seen climbing over the walls, the -Chinese firing, and retreating before them; and the British flag at -last proudly floated over the fallen city. Three British cheers were -given at this moment by soldiers and sailors together. - -The capital of Chusan, with all its new and extensive defences, was now -for the second time in our possession. The Chinese troops fled into -the interior of the island, principally by the eastern gate; and if a -detachment of our soldiers had been sent along the banks of the canal -which runs up into the plain on that side, probably a great number of -the Chinese would have been cut off. - -The loss of the Chinese was considerable, both in the battery and on -the hills. On our side, one officer (Ensign Duell) and one rank and -file of the 55th were killed, and nineteen rank and file of the same -regiment wounded, many of them severely. Of the other troops engaged, -eight rank and file were wounded, of whom half dangerously or severely. -Besides the guns already enumerated, together with large ginjals, a -vast number of matchlocks were found in the city, with upwards of five -hundred tubs of powder, some bamboo rockets, and about one hundred -cases of leaden balls. - -The day after the capture, measures were adopted by the general to -endeavour to prevent the escape of the Chinese troops from the island, -by the numerous little harbours or creeks from which they could get -away in boats to the mainland. Three different detachments of our -soldiers were sent out by separate routes to scour the island, while -the Nemesis and other vessels were sent round to convey provisions, -and to blockade the landing-places or villages on the coast. But not -a soldier was seen in any direction; the facility of disguise and -concealment, and also of escape to the mainland, being very great. - -It may be doubted whether these movements, instead of tending to bring -the native Chinese population into submission, did not rather serve -to keep alive or to increase their natural feeling of dislike to the -foreigner. In fact, the inhabitants of the Chusan Islands are generally -a hardy and independent race of people, and up to the close of the -war, it never could be said that we really had possession of more than -the actual city within the walls of Tinghai and its suburbs on the -sea-shore. No one could move even to a distance of two or three miles -from the walls, without having a strong escort with him, or running -the risk of being kidnapped by the people. Many private soldiers and -camp-followers were in this manner cut off; and at length orders were -issued that none but the Chinese should be permitted to pass through -the northern gate at all. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[59] To shew how sickly the coast of China is, _in some seasons_, -it may be mentioned, that on board the Lion, which conveyed Lord -Macartney's embassy to China in 1792, no less than ninety-three men -were put upon the sick list in less than a week after she came to -anchor on the upper part of the east coast. - -[60] In some of the most barren parts of Tartary, where the people -with difficulty obtain the means of subsistence, remarkable care is -bestowed upon the cultivation of patches of ground, only a few yards -square, upon the side of the most rugged mountains. AEneas Anderson -says, "Upon a very high mountain in Tartary, (on the road to the -imperial residence,) I discovered patches of cultivated ground in such -a position as to appear altogether inaccessible. Presently I observed -one of the poor husbandmen employed in digging a small spot near the -top of a hill, where, at first sight, it appeared impossible for him -to stand, much less to till the ground. I soon noticed that he had a -rope fastened round his middle, by which he let himself down from the -top, to any part of the precipice where a few square yards of ground -gave him encouragement to plant his vegetables. Situated as these spots -are, at considerable distances from each other, and considering the -daily fatigue and danger of this man's life, it affords an interesting -example of Chinese industry, stimulated by necessity."_--See Anderson's -Embassy of Lord Macartney._ - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - - -A few days after the occupation of the capital of Chusan, a regular -military government was established by Sir Henry Pottinger, protection -being promised to the well-behaved inhabitants, who were moreover -informed that "several years would probably elapse before the island -would be restored to the authority of the Emperor." Thus it was -evidently contemplated, even at that time, that the island should not -be restored to the Chinese, until long after the conclusion of peace. - -The principal alterations which had taken place at Tinghai, since it -was given up by the English seven months before, were found to be -merely the addition of the defensive works already described, and, to -a certain degree, increased cleanliness within the city. The suburbs -at the landing-place had been in part pulled down, or altered to make -way for the batteries, while other parts had been abandoned, and were -afterwards pulled down by our own orders during the ensuing winter, -to give a better circulation of air, and more room for the detachment -quartered there. In other respects, the so-called horrors of war fell -extremely lightly upon the inhabitants; indeed, they were in most -instances benefited by our presence, and by the circulation of money -which we spent among them. - -It must not be imagined that the capital of Chusan is at all a fine -town, or in any way to be compared with others upon the mainland which -we afterwards captured or visited. Even the walls, though of small -extent, enclose a larger space than is actually occupied by the town -itself; and, indeed, with few exceptions, this appears to be generally -the case in China. The streets are extremely narrow, being mere lanes; -the shops are very poor, and comparatively insignificant; and the -houses are all low, but some of them, including the courts within, -occupy a large space of ground. - -There is one building, however, which attracts universal attention, -as being one of the finest specimens of its kind. It is the principal -temple of the city, dedicated to the worship of Foo, or Budha. In many -respects it is superior to the temple at Hainan, opposite Canton, and -is scarcely second to the principal of the numerous temples which adorn -the sacred island of Pooto, about twenty miles from Chusan, which is -famous for the number and elegance of its places of superstitious -worship, and for the hosts of priests, or rather, monks, which are -attached to them. There is belonging to this beautiful temple of -Tinghai, standing in a detached half-ruined building, and apparently -never used, one of the most beautiful bells met with in China. It is -quite equal to the one which was afterwards taken at Ningpo, and was -subsequently sent to Calcutta. It is of very large size, but somewhat -different in shape from our own, and is covered on the outside with -Chinese characters, beautifully formed. Its tone is clear and deep; -indeed, the Chinese appear to excel in the art of making bell-metal. It -was worthy of being removed and carried to this country; not so much -as a trophy, for such it could not be called, but as an interesting -specimen of Chinese workmanship, and of the advanced state of some of -their oldest arts and inventions. - -Some interest attaches to the island of Chusan, from the fact of its -having once been the site of an English factory. It is about fifty -miles in circumference, of an oblong shape, being about twenty miles in -length by ten in breadth. The principal harbour of Tinghai is difficult -of approach, owing to the astonishing rapidity of the currents or -tides, the rise and fall of which varies from six to twelve feet; the -passages are in some parts narrow, with deep water. - -Chusan and all the neighbouring islands are extremely mountainous, -but between the ridges of the hills are rich and beautiful valleys, -which are highly productive, being well supplied with water. The -industry and care with which the Chinese embank the opening of every -valley towards the sea are remarkable; not a foot of ground is wasted; -and every little nook or bay which can be reclaimed from the sea is -cultivated with the most assiduous care. The beautiful cultivation -of the hill-sides has already been alluded to, so that it is not -surprising that the island is capable of exporting a large quantity -of produce to the mainland. For general commercial purposes, however, -little advantage could have been derived from the permanent retention -of Chusan; the population of the island is not large; and, with the -port of Ningpo within a few hours' sail, and open to our vessels, there -could have been no compensating benefit to make up for the expense of a -permanent settlement upon an island in its neighbourhood. - -The East India Company's factory was built in 1700, not far from the -present landing-place in the suburbs of Tinghai, but the exactions of -the Chinese officers, the expense of the establishment, and the little -prospect of carrying on a successful trade, compelled them to abandon -it three or four years afterwards. In short, the internal trade of the -island must always be insignificant; and vessels which frequent the -harbour depend almost entirely upon the visits of Chinese merchants, -who come over from the mainland to seek merchandize, which they would -much more gladly purchase when brought to their own doors at Ningpo, by -which means they would save expense and trouble. - -The importance of the temporary possession of Chusan is certainly -great, particularly as long as the arrangements for the opening of the -new ports are not entirely completed. But its value, as a _political -measure_, is much enhanced by the moral effect it has had upon the -government and the people of China, who look upon the Chusan islands as -among their most valuable possessions, the loss of which was peculiarly -felt by the Emperor. - -In the commencement, the principal inhabitants of the interior -shewed a great disinclination to have any dealings with us, and the -common people frequently proved themselves decidedly hostile to us. -The kidnapping of our soldiers will be alluded to hereafter; but -that was more frequently attempted by men sent expressly over for -the purpose, from the mainland, than by the peasantry of the island -itself. Gradually, however, all classes improved in their tone and -bearing; and, during an excursion which I myself made, in company with -a missionary, at the close of the war, we found the people commonly -civil and obliging, and rarely disinclined to hold intercourse with us. -In several instances, we were invited into the houses of respectable -individuals, who invariably turned the conversation upon mercantile -matters. - -It must not be supposed that there can be an _unlimited_ production of -tea in China; its cultivation is limited to almost two districts, and -it requires peculiar conditions of soil and of climate to enable it to -be cultivated to advantage. A great _sudden_ increase in the demand -for tea would lead to an enormous increase in the adulteration of the -article by all kinds of spurious leaves; and nothing is more easy -than to fabricate a mixture which will resemble in all its external -appearances any _description_ of tea which may be most in demand; -and this fabricated mixture can be added to the real tea, in greater -or lesser quantity, so as not easily to be detected, except by very -experienced persons. The tea-plant requires three years' growth before -it will produce leaves fit to be plucked for tea. At Chusan, the plant -appeared to grow wild, or nearly so, upon some of the mountains, but of -inferior quality, and only fit for native use. - -As the season for active measures, before the complete setting in -of winter, was already far advanced, little time was to be lost in -carrying into execution the proposed movement upon Chinhae and Ningpo. -The latter city, from its size and situation, would afford excellent -winter quarters for the main body of our troops; and the moral effect -upon the Chinese government and people, of the continued occupation of -so important a place, and the interruption of their valuable trade, -could not fail to make an impression calculated to facilitate our -future negotiations. - -In the meantime, the expected reinforcements would have arrived, both -from England and from India, and the next campaign would be opened -with vigour, and would suffice, it was hoped, to conclude the war. -Ningpo, which is a city of the first class, and therefore called Foo, -(Ningpo-Foo,) is the chief city of a department, and the second city -in the province of Che-keang, of which the capital is Hang-Chow-Foo. -The population of the province, according to Chinese documents, numbers -upwards of 26,000,000 souls, or very nearly as much as the whole of -Great Britain and Ireland together. - -The town of Ningpo is situated twelve miles up the Tahea, or Ningpo -river, at the mouth of which is the small town of Chinhae, at the -base of a high hill, which commands the entrance of the river. The -possession of Chinhae, therefore, and its citadel, would give us -complete command of the approach to Ningpo; just as the capture of -Chapoo (which was effected in the subsequent campaign) would lay -open the road to Hang-Chow-Foo, the capital; and that of Woosung, -which was soon afterwards taken, would give us free access to the -valuable trading city of Shang-hae. It could not be doubted that the -interruption of trade, and the stoppage of imperial revenues derived -from it, would make far deeper impression upon the cabinet of Pekin, -than sweeping off thousands and tens of thousands of the people, whose -lives are so quaintly said to be "very tenderly cherished in the -paternal bosom of the Emperor." - -A small garrison only was to be left in possession of Chusan, but the -embarkation of the rest of our force was delayed for some days, by the -continuance of contrary winds. The exposed situation of Chinhae also -made it hazardous to approach it with a fleet, until the weather should -assume a more settled appearance. At length, on the 8th of October, the -greater part of the transports were moved to the anchorage at "Just in -the Way," nearly half way across to the mouth of the Ningpo river. At -the same time, the General and the Admiral, accompanied by Sir Henry -Pottinger, who was never absent when active operations were going on, -proceeded in the Nemesis and Phlegethon steamers to reconnoitre the -Chinese positions, and to form their plans for the intended attack. -Everything was now extremely favourable for this purpose, considering -the advanced season; and the Chinese allowed the steamers to approach -quite close, within short range, without firing a shot. - -The city of Chinhae lies at the foot of a hill, upon a tongue of -land, on the left bank of the river, or upon the northern side of -its entrance; and its castellated walls are not much less than three -miles in circumference, connected with a substantial stone embankment -which runs up the coast for a distance of full three miles, for the -protection of the land from the encroachments of the sea. The chief -strength of the position, however, lies in the precipitous, rocky -height, which, rising abruptly from the sea, at the extremity of the -peninsula, and throwing out a rugged spur, completely commands the -entrance of the river. Upon its summit, which may be about two hundred -and fifty feet high, a sort of citadel had been formed, having a large -temple for its commanding point, connected by loop-holed walls with -various other buildings, which had been put in a state of preparation -for defence. - -The outer wall had two iron-plated gates; but the only direct -communication between the citadel and the city was on the west, or land -side, where a steep but tolerably regular causeway led to a barrier -gate at the bottom of the hill, whence it was continued by a wooden -bridge over a gorge to the gates of the city itself. In front of the -other, or eastern gate of the citadel, there was a newly-constructed -battery, formed partly of sand-bags, and partly of masonry, mounting, -altogether, twenty-one guns. - -Adjoining the suburbs of the city, on the river side, there were also -two flanking batteries for the protection of the river, mounting, -respectively, twenty-two and nineteen guns; while, on the opposite -side of the isthmus, lying between the hill and the city walls, there -was a small battery of five guns pointing towards the sea, with a row -of piles driven into the beach in front of it, in order to impede the -landing of an enemy. For further protection on that side, a number of -guns and a large quantity of ginjals were mounted upon the city walls, -principally fronting the sea. The information obtained led the General -to suppose that there were about three thousand soldiers in the city -and upon the works outside of it, while about seven hundred garrisoned -the citadel; but the Chinese official returns were afterwards found, in -which the details were minutely given. The actual number was about five -hundred less than supposed. The Chinese had by no means limited their -defences to the northern side of the river only. On the contrary, there -was good reason to believe that the great body of their troops and -their strongest positions were upon the other or southern side of the -river, where there was a range of steep hills, overlooking the citadel -hill and the city itself. - -On this side there were several strong batteries facing the entrance -to the river, mounting altogether thirty-one guns, while the line of -heights above was strongly fortified, having a chain of entrenched -camps along the points most difficult of approach, with several field -redoubts, armed with guns and ginjals; in short, neither expense nor -labour had been spared to defend, as far as Chinese ingenuity and art -could avail, the approach to the important city of Ningpo. - -The river itself was strongly staked across just within the entrance, -the obstruction being commanded by the batteries. A little lower down -to the southward below the river, in a small bay, there was a creek, -with a good landing-place at the foot of the hills, and the entrance -to it was staked across in a similar manner. The importance which the -Chinese appeared to attach to the defence of these positions rendered -it the more necessary that they should be reduced, in order to convince -them, by the hard lesson of experience, that the utmost efforts of -their skill and perseverance were unavailing against the science and -the courage of Europeans. - -On the following day, the 9th of October, the squadron and the -transports (the best-sailing ones having been selected for the purpose) -were able to anchor off Chinhae, in the most convenient positions for -the intended operations, which were to be carried into effect early on -the following morning. - -From the description above given, it will at once become evident that -our operations against the main body of the Chinese troops, on the -southern side of the river, would be undertaken by the land forces, -under Sir Hugh Gough in person, while those against the citadel and -town of Chinhae, and the works on the northern side of the river, would -be entrusted principally to the naval branch of the expedition, under -Sir William Parker. It was arranged that a body of men should be ready -to land on that side, composed of the Seamen's Battalion and the Royal -Marines, with a detachment of the Royal and Madras Artillery, the whole -under the command of Captain Herbert, of the Blenheim. - -The Wellesley, Blenheim, Blonde, and Modeste, were to take up -positions as close as possible in shore on that side, but avoiding, -if possible, the chance of taking the ground at low water, with -the object of shelling the Chinese out of the citadel, and of -preventing reinforcements from being sent up to it, and also to open -a landing-place for the seamen and marines. They were also to drive -the Chinese from the walls of the city on that side, and cover the -landing. The Cruiser, Columbine, and Bentinck, were to be employed -on the southern side of the entrance of the river, taking up their -positions so as to cover the landing of the troops at the mouth of the -creek already mentioned. The Queen and Sesostris steamers were to throw -shells into the citadel, and into the batteries along the river, or, -according to circumstances, into the Chinese encampments on the hills -on the south side; while the two iron steamers, Nemesis and Phlegethon, -were to land the troops, and then render assistance wherever their -services might be most useful. - -The movements of the troops will be best understood as we proceed. -At daylight, on the morning of the 10th of October, the Nemesis -took on board the whole of the centre column, under the command of -Lieutenant-Colonel Morris, consisting of the 49th regiment, with -a few of the Royal and Madras Artillery, and some Madras Sappers, -amounting altogether to about four hundred and forty men, with forty -shot-bearers, &c. There were also two 12-pounder howitzers, with two -9-pounder field-guns. The Nemesis then took in tow the Cruiser, sixteen -guns, under Commander Giffard, who was to superintend and to cover -the landing, and immediately proceeded to the point of debarkation, -near the creek, on the flank of the Chinese positions. The post of -honour was this day given to the 49th, in order that they might have -an opportunity of making up for their disappointment at Chusan, where -they were landed too late to take the active part in the day's work -which had been assigned to them. At the same time, the left column, -under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Craigie, of the 55th regiment -(accompanied by the General himself and staff), was carried in by the -Phlegethon to a rocky point a little farther to the southward. There -was a low flat and a canal, with two bridges over it, on their right, -whence they could move round the hills to the rear of the position -occupied by the Chinese. This column was the strongest, and comprised -a wing of the 18th Royal Irish, five Companies of the 55th regiment, -the Madras Rifle Company, with one company of the Madras Artillery and -some sappers; altogether 1040 men, with four light mountain howitzers, -and two five and a half-inch mortars, with upwards of one hundred -shot-carriers and followers. - -The distance of the point of landing from the enemy's position was not -less than a couple of miles; and thence they skirted along the hills, -until they reached a commanding point, from which a full view was -obtained of the whole of the positions. By this time, the centre column -had formed without opposition; but a small body of Chinese troops, who -had probably been placed in ambush, under cover of a low hill, were now -discovered, and instantly dispersed by a few shot from the Nemesis. - -The 49th now received orders to advance up the hill, which they did -in gallant style; and, after clearing several field-works, their -colours were soon displayed upon the principal redoubt overlooking -the batteries on the river side. In this attack, Captain Reynolds and -Lieutenant Browne, of the 49th, particularly distinguished themselves. - -No sooner had that regiment got into close action than the 18th and the -Rifles, on their left, having with great difficulty got across a narrow -and obstructed bridge, over the lower part of the canal (which might -have been easily defended), and the 55th having crossed another bridge -higher up, suddenly pressed round upon the Chinese right, and threw -them into the utmost consternation. Many acts of individual bravery -were witnessed on their part; some the result of real courage, others -of sheer desperation. But the poor Chinese were fairly hemmed in by -the 49th in front, and by the 55th and 18th, with the Rifles, on their -right and in their rear. This manoeuvre, as may be supposed, threw them -into the utmost confusion. Their river batteries, being also by these -movements taken in flank, were at once abandoned by their defenders, -and a few of the guns were actually turned against the flying enemy the -moment we took possession. - -The havoc among the Chinese was inevitably great, for very few of them -could be induced to lay down their arms, in spite of the exertions -of the officers, aided by Mr. Thom, the interpreter, to make them -understand that their lives would be spared. Hundreds of them, as a -last resource, rushed madly into the river, and, of course, a great -many were drowned; it is even said that their own batteries on the -_opposite side_ of the river killed a great many of them, either -purposely for running away, or by aiming at our soldiers, who were -driving the fugitives before them. Many committed suicide, including -several high officers; but some of them escaped, after throwing away -their arms and military clothing. About five hundred men surrendered -themselves prisoners; and a few others, who had taken shelter among the -rocks along the river side, were subsequently picked up by the boats of -the Queen steamer. - -While these important successes were being obtained on the southern -side of the river, no less active and effectual operations were being -carried on upon the opposite or northern side, against the citadel and -town of Chinhae. As soon as the Nemesis had landed the centre column, -she ran up towards the flag-ship, the Wellesley, which had been towed -into an excellent position by the Sesostris, to shell the citadel, -but she settled quietly in the mud as the tide fell. The Blenheim -had likewise been towed into a good position by the Sesostris, but -the Blonde and Modeste were enabled to go in under sail with a light -breeze. The terrific fire of these powerful ships was immediately -opened upon the hill-fort with irresistible effect. Their precision -in throwing shells was particularly remarked, and nothing could long -resist their sustained fire. - -On the Chinese side, the river batteries opened upon the Nemesis and -Phlegethon as they passed the river's mouth, and upon every vessel upon -which they could bear, as they occasionally came within range--namely, -the Queen, Cruiser, &c. The Nemesis, having passed beyond the -flag-ship, ran in as close as possible to the town, and dispersed a -body of Chinese, who were drawn up with their banners, &c., on that -side, and also opened upon a small fort at the landing-place, between -the Citadel-hill and the town; but she was then directed by the Admiral -to proceed with orders to the Sesostris and the Queen. - -Just at this moment, (past eleven o'clock,) the boats were ordered -to land the right column, under Captain Herbert; and it was about -this time, also, that the 49th, on the south side of the river, were -seen to crown the hill, and carry the Chinese entrenchment in that -direction.[61] - -So severe and well-directed had been the fire of the ships, that -the Chinese had been driven out of the temple upon the top of the -Citadel-hill, and could be seen rushing down towards the city. The -seamen and marines, having disembarked upon the rugged rocks at the -mouth of the river, advanced to the assault with great rapidity up the -hill, and entered the citadel, the gate of which had been left open by -the Chinese, as they fled. - -The Chinese still manned the walls of the city below, which were about -twenty feet high, and also the two batteries upon the river side, -before described. The marine and seamen battalion, therefore, pushed on -to attack the city, and escaladed the walls in two places on the east -side--the enemy making their escape through the western gate which led -into the open country. - -By this time, the batteries on the south side of the river were also in -possession of our troops, who now turned the guns upon the batteries on -the city side of the river, near the water's edge. Captain Herbert's -column was accompanied by the admiral in person, who was one of the -foremost to mount the walls. - -Three explosions took place during the attack--two near the top of the -Citadel-hill, and one at a mandarin station near the river-side. They -were supposed to be mines, and two of them were fired by our rockets. -Several Chinese suffered by the explosions. - -The city of Chinhae, and the whole of the defences on both sides of the -river, so much relied on by the Chinese, were in our possession by two -o'clock; the Chinese troops were completely dispersed and panic-struck, -many of the high officers being killed, and the whole people in the -utmost consternation. - -Captain Herbert retained possession of the town, with the marines, -during the remainder of the day; and in the evening, Sir Hugh Gough -crossed over from the opposite side with a few of his troops, and -joined Captain Herbert. The rest of our men bivouacked for the night -upon the hills they had so bravely taken. The total number of guns -which were found in the different works were no less than one hundred -and fifty-seven pieces, of which sixty-seven were brass, many being -very well cast, and of great weight. In the city was also discovered -a cannon foundry, with every preparation for the casting of a great -number of guns, including a large quantity of metal. There was likewise -some _copper ore_ found in the town, and a tolerable addition to the -prize fund was thus secured. - -The loss on our side was inconsiderable, amounting to three men killed -and sixteen wounded, including one officer, Lieutenant Montgomerie, -of the 49th regiment, which bore the principal brunt of the day. The -loss of the Chinese is very difficult to estimate. But it amounted to -several hundred killed and wounded, in the operations on both sides of -the river. - -Soon after the works were all in our possession, the Nemesis was -sent some way up the river to explore the navigation, having cleared -for herself a passage through the stakes; and, on her return to the -Wellesley, late in the day, the admiral, accompanied by Sir Henry -Pottinger, proceeded in her to examine the river again. - -If we may judge from the various memorials presented to the Emperor, -after the fall of Chinhae, and his Majesty's replies to some of -them, we must at once perceive how great a sensation the loss of -this important place had made upon the people throughout the entire -province. They were now alarmed for the safety even of Hang-chow-foo, -the capital city. Nevertheless, the emperor, far from shewing any -inclination to yield, continued to urge on more strenuously than ever -the most extensive preparations for the defence of the province. - -Before the fighting at Chinhae commenced, Yu-keen delivered his seals -of office to a faithful officer, to be carried back to the provincial -capital; and when, at length, he saw the day was lost, he coolly walked -down to the river's bank, and there, having performed the ceremony of -the Kotow, looking towards the imperial city, he threw himself into the -water. It was afterwards ascertained that about fourteen more Chinese -officers were either killed, or destroyed themselves. - -The death of the imperial commissioner, Yu-keen, seems to have awakened -a feeling of compassion in the imperial bosom. His Majesty called to -mind the death of the commissioner's grandfather, in the same manner, -during the reign of Kien-lung, and directed that his departed servant, -"who gave his life for his country," should receive funeral honours -of a high class, in the same temple of "faithful ministers" in which -his ancestor had already found a place. The local officers were to pay -every honour to his remains, in all the towns through which his body -might pass on its way to Pekin. - -It is an error to suppose that the Chinese are altogether averse -to change any of their established practices, however opposed -the government may be, as a matter of _policy_, to every kind of -_innovation_ in the usages of the people. In the strictly mechanical -arts, no people are more ready to adopt, or more expert in applying any -new methods which they can comprehend, and which appear better adapted -than their own, to attain the desired object; but their _imitations_ -of things are notoriously ludicrous. At Chinhae, four newly-cast guns -were found, precisely after the model of some carronades which had been -recovered from the wreck of the Kite, and they were not by any means -bad specimens. - -In the construction of their new gun-carriages, several striking -improvements had been copied from ours, and, in this and other -instances, it was thought that they must have employed people to take -sketches for them. The most remarkable innovation, however, and one -which points out their extreme ingenuity, was the discovery of some -machinery intended to be applied to the propulsion of their junks, -resembling paddle-wheels. This curious invention has been alluded to -in the early part of the work, but the actual machinery used for the -purpose was now first discovered. There were two long shafts, to which -were to be attached the paddle-wheels, made of hard wood, about twelve -feet in diameter; there were also some strong, wooden cog-wheels nearly -finished, which were intended to be worked by manual labour inside the -vessel. They were not yet fitted to the vessels; but the ingenuity of -this first attempt of the Chinese, so _far north_ as Chinhae, where -they could only have seen our steamers during their occasional visits -to Chusan, when that island was before occupied by us, cannot but be -admired. - -A walk round the ramparts of Chinhae, was sufficient to give a good -idea of Chinese towns in general, and of the construction of their -walls, which, in some parts, could not be less than forty feet thick. -Beyond the town, the long sea-wall was a remarkably fine specimen -of masonry, composed entirely of large blocks of hewn granite, -sloping upwards. The whole of China, in fact, appears to present -to view astonishing instances of mixed civilization and barbarism, -of advancement and of stagnation, in all the relations of life. -Civilization appears to float upon the surface; you observe so much -of social order and sobriety, and hear so much of paternal care and -filial obedience, that you are half inclined to think they must be a -very moral, humane, and happy people. Again, you witness such proofs -of ingenuity, such striking results of industry and of combination of -labour, in their public works and buildings, canals, embankments, &c., -that you are inclined to believe their institutions must have something -good in them at bottom. - -But, when you look a little deeper below the surface, you are -astonished at the many evidences of barbarism and cruelty which -militate against your first impressions. The use of torture in the -hands of government officers is less striking, not only because it has -been in use in Christian Europe within the last half century, but also -because the obligation of an oath being unknown in China, as well as a -future state of reward or punishment, there is in some cases, no other -mode of extracting evidence, than this cruel, unjust, and much-abused -instrument of violence. It is more difficult, however, to perceive why -they should have exerted their ingenuity to produce revolting cruelty -in their modes of inflicting death. - -The manner in which the unfortunate Capt. Stead and Mr. Wainwright -were put to death at Chinhae, as it was afterwards discovered, (for -they were only wounded and captured at Keeto Point,) affords strong -evidence of their cruel love for human suffering. The burial-place of -these persons was pointed out outside the city wall, beyond a little -moat which skirted them. It seemed to be the common burial-place for -criminals after execution, and there was an archery-ground, with a -target near at hand, for the practice of their favourite weapon. The -bodies of our countrymen were found rolled up in stout mats, such -as are commonly used for covering their floors. It was difficult to -obtain from the Chinese, anything like correct information as to the -precise mode in which the unfortunate sufferers were put to death; for, -although both of them were at last beheaded, there is too much reason -to believe that they were first of all most barbarously tortured. - -The infliction of the punishment of death in China, by any mode which -shall cause the mutilation of the body, is considered much more -severe and degrading, than death by strangulation, or without the -shedding of blood; and the more the body is mutilated, the greater -is the punishment considered. The putting to death by "cutting in -pieces," in which horrible operation, decapitation is the climax, -is, perhaps, never at present carried into effect. It is reserved, I -believe, exclusively for rebellion and high treason. But the Chinese -seem to take pleasure in inventing various cruel modes by which death -_may be_ inflicted, although, probably, they are not now used, if, -indeed, they ever were. The most original and disgusting of all these -methods, (of which, however, there was no evidence of its being used,) -was illustrated by the discovery, either at Chinhae or at Ningpo, of -the model of a machine for _pounding women_ to death. The original -model was found in a temple, together with various others of a very -extraordinary kind. It was very small, and represented a large, oblong, -stone vase, in which the woman was to be placed, with the back of her -head resting upon one extremity, (the long hair hanging over the side, -and fastened to it,) while her legs were to be secured to the other -extremity. The horrible pounding process was to be effected by means -of a huge stone pestle, large at the base and conical at the apex, -similar to those which they use for pounding rice. The pestle, or -cone, was fixed to the extremity of a long pole, the pole itself being -fastened by a pin in the centre to an upright support, something in the -manner of a pump-handle. The extremity of the handle being depressed -by a man's weight, of course raised the cone, and, the pressure being -removed, the heavy cone or pestle descended by its own weight, which -was quite sufficient to pound one to pieces. - -It was stated that at Chusan a stone tablet was found, upon which were -carved the Emperor's orders, that every barbarian who fell into the -hands of the authorities, should be executed by a slow and ignominious -death. We know, however, that, except in the case of the prisoners -upon the island of Formosa, this horrible threat was, in only rare -instances, carried into execution. On the contrary, the English -prisoners were sometimes tolerably well treated. This undoubtedly arose -from the forbearance which was shewn on our part towards the Chinese -themselves, and the humanity and kindness which their wounded and their -prisoners invariably received from our officers and men, and which it -was invariably the object of Sir Hugh Gough to promote and encourage. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[61] The right columns consisted of-- - - Seamen Battalion, under Captain Bourchier 400 - Royal Marines, Major Ellis 276 - Royal Artillery, with two five and a half inch mortars, } - and some 9 and 12-pounder rockets, } 23 - Lieutenant the Honourable--Spencer } - Madras Sappers, Captain Cotton and Lieutenant Johnstone, M.E. 30 - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - - -The scenery at the mouth of the Ningpo river is very striking. High -conical-shaped hills stand on either side; and, as the river makes a -bend a short distance up, the fine mountains beyond come into full -view, and add to the picturesque beauty of the spot. - -On the 12th of October, (the second day after the capture of Chinhae,) -the admiral proceeded up the river in the Nemesis, in order to -reconnoitre the city of Ningpo, and to ascertain the practicability -of taking the larger steamers and the sloops up the river. In all -respects, the river much exceeded the expectations formed of it. It -was found to be wide and easily navigable up to the city, with not -less than fourteen feet water close under the city walls. It was -also ascertained that no preparations had been made for defence, as -the positions which the Chinese had taken up at the entrance of the -river had been considered by them as quite strong enough to prevent -the approach of an enemy. The people were seen harrying out of the -city gates, in every direction, in the greatest consternation. The -authorities had all fled, and the city appeared to be in complete -disorder. - -No time was to be lost. With the exception of the necessary garrison -left at Chinhae, consisting of the 55th regiment, (excepting the light -company,) with one hundred Royal Marines, and a detachment of artillery -and sappers, the whole under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Craigie, -the rest of the force was embarked principally on board the Nemesis and -Phlegethon on the following morning, the 13th, and proceeded up the -river, in company with the Queen and Sesostris steamers, together with -the Modeste, Cruiser, Columbine, and Bentinck. The Blonde was left for -the protection of Chinhae, as a support to the garrison. - -In consequence of unavoidable delays, the force did not reach the -city of Ningpo until past two, P.M.; but, fortunately, there was no -difficulty in landing the troops with the utmost expedition. Across the -river, just abreast of the town, there was a well-constructed bridge -of boats, which served to connect the city, at the entrance of one of -its gates, with the suburbs which were on the opposite side. There was -quite water enough for the steamers to run close up to it; and, as the -Chinese shewed no intention of opposing the landing, the bridge was -immediately taken possession of, while thousands of the inhabitants -thronged the banks of the river, as mere spectators, moved by curiosity -rather than by fear. Indeed, the Chinese themselves voluntarily -assisted to remove the obstructions which were piled up behind the city -gates; and about three o'clock the whole of the little force, amounting -to no more than seven hundred and fifty bayonets, besides the artillery -and sappers, were drawn up along the ramparts of the important and -wealthy city of Ningpo; and the stirring sound of our national "God -save the Queen" was played by the band of the 18th Royal Irish. - -The utmost quiet was preserved, and the Chinese were made to understand -that, deserted by their own authorities, and left without means of -protecting themselves, they might be assured of protection through the -generosity of British soldiers. Never indeed was there a more peaceable -victory. - -The capture of Chinhae and Ningpo, so soon after the loss of Chusan, -seems to have inflicted so severe a blow upon the Chinese, as to have -alarmed the whole province, and spread consternation even as far as the -capital itself. Reports were soon brought from every quarter that the -inhabitants even of Hang-chow-foo, famed for its luxury and refinement -throughout China, were moving away from it in large numbers, and that -places nearer to the scene of action were already almost abandoned. In -fact, it was admitted that a panic prevailed on every side; and it was -feared that "treacherous natives would seize the opportunity to rob and -plunder, and would form themselves into organized bands for the purpose -of creating internal disorders." There was also great apprehension that -our forces might proceed to capture Chapoo, one of their most valuable -ports, having the exclusive right of trade with Japan, and situated in -the vicinity of Hang-chow-foo. - -It could not be doubted, therefore, that had the General possessed -a sufficient force to have been able to leave a garrison at Ningpo, -and _at once_ to take possession of Chapoo, which is, in fact, the -seaport of Hang-chow-foo, and only twenty miles distant from it, he -might have marched to the provincial capital while the Chinese were -unprepared to offer any serious opposition; and it is not improbable -that the war might have been brought to a termination in that campaign. -With the very small force, however, which Sir Hugh Gough had at his -disposal, such a movement was manifestly impossible. The whole force -which he could muster at Ningpo amounted to no more than seven hundred -and fifty bayonets; and, as the city was not less than five miles in -circumference, containing a dense population, it evidently required -a considerable garrison to occupy the place, and to afford security -to the peaceable and well-disposed inhabitants. It was therefore -resolved to make Ningpo the head-quarters for the winter, and to wait -for reinforcements from England and from India before opening the next -campaign. - -The province of Che-keang, which was now the seat of our operation, is -intersected by large rivers, and is traversed by the great Imperial -Canal, which, taking its commencement from the city of Hang-chow-foo, -and passing through the most fertile and densely-populated provinces, -crossing in its course the two great rivers, the Yangtze Keang and the -Yellow River, runs northward nearly as far as the imperial capital, -which is dependent upon it not only for its wealth, but even for its -means of daily subsistence. A blow inflicted upon its immense traffic -at one extremity must necessarily vibrate along its whole course, -and be painfully felt at the other end; and the great internal trade -of China, through all its endless ramifications, upon which perhaps -the bulk of the population depend for their subsistence, must suffer -a universal and dangerous derangement. What was of quite as much -importance, also, the imperial revenues would, in a great measure, -cease to flow into the imperial treasury. - -The city of Ningpo, therefore, the largest in the province next to -Hang-chow-foo, wealthy from its great trade, easily accessible by -water, and formerly the site of an English factory, was admirably -adapted for winter quarters. The troops were placed, in the first -instance, in two large public buildings, and the greatest forbearance -was exercised towards the persons and property of the inhabitants. -Proclamations were likewise issued, calling upon the people to return -to their ordinary avocations without fear of molestation; and some of -the principal inhabitants were requested to assemble, in order that it -might be explained to them that it was the wish of our high officers -to afford them all possible protection, and to restore order to the -city; that the hostility of the English was to be directed against the -government, and not against the people. - -All this sounded well at first, and was received with great -thankfulness by the Chinese, who seemed very well disposed to be taken -under British protection. But the announcement which was afterwards -made to them, that they were to pay a heavy sum as ransom for the -city, and as an _equivalent_ for the value of our "protection," was -received with very great disfavour and reluctance. Very little of the -sum demanded was ever forthcoming; and the substitution of a tax, or -contribution, of ten per cent upon the estimated value of the property, -was the cause of much subsequent ill-will, and some injustice. In -fact, notwithstanding the promises and hopes which were held out, a -very small portion of it was ever collected, and it was at all times a -subject of much bitterness to the people. - -A tax of ten per cent upon the value of the cargoes of all vessels -passing up the river, which was afterwards enforced, was much more -successful; in fact, it was little else than the collection of the -imperial revenues, which the Chinese were always liable to pay. It was, -however, in a great degree evaded, by an increase of smuggling along -the coast, which the disorganized state of the local government of the -province greatly favoured. - -Generally speaking, the collecting of any considerable body of troops -together in any particular province or locality in China, so far from -strengthening the hands of the authorities, is more likely to occasion -disturbance among the inhabitants. Their raw, ill-disciplined levies -are under little restraint, and repeated complaints are always made -against the lawlessness of the troops. Little confidence being placed -in their regular soldiers, who had been so recently defeated, the -people were now called upon by the authorities to collect their brave -men from all the villages and hamlets along the coast, and to organize -them into bands, for mutual "defence against the proud rebels;" but, in -most instances, these bodies of uncontrolled patriots became a scourge -to their own neighbourhood, and perfectly useless for any purpose of -defence against the enemy. - -Ningpo is situated upon the extremity of a tongue of land at the point -of junction of two rivers, or two branches of the same river, which -unite just below the town, and form the Tahea, or Ningpo river. Both -of these branches are extremely tortuous, and have numerous villages -along their banks, which are in some parts picturesque and well -cultivated. One of them leads up, in a north-easterly direction, to the -district town of Yuyow, whence there is a canal, supposed to lead to -Hang-Chow-foo: the distance is about forty miles; and nearly halfway -up this branch, situated about four miles from the river's bank, is the -town of Tsekee. Both of these towns shortly became, as we shall see, -the scene of our operations, our object being to disperse the Chinese -forces, which were being collected at various points for a threatened -attack upon us at Ningpo. The other, or south-western branch of the -Ningpo river, leads up, at the distance of about thirty miles, to the -town of Fungway, which we also designed to attack, if necessary. - -At Ningpo itself, one of the most interesting objects is the bridge -of boats, connecting the town with the suburbs. It is apparently well -contrived to answer the purpose for which it is intended. The boats are -all connected together by two chains running across, and resting upon -them, extending from one side of the river to the other. This serves -to keep the boats in their places, without their being moored, and a -regular bridge of planks is carried from one to the other, but only -destined for foot-passengers, as carts for draught are unknown. - -[Illustration: BRIDGE OF BOATS AT NINGPO.] - -A few days after the place was taken, the Nemesis and Phlegethon -proceeded up the north-western branch towards Yuyow, the Admiral and -suite being on board the former, and Sir Henry Pottinger and suite -on board the latter. They also took in tow the Wellesley's launch -and pinnace, manned and armed. The object was simply to explore that -branch of the river, and to ascertain whether any Chinese were being -collected in that direction. Nothing could be more picturesque than the -scenery the whole way up, the tortuous bendings of the river bringing -a constant succession of new objects into view, relieved by fine -mountain scenery in the rear. Numerous villages lay scattered upon its -banks, but there was no appearance of any preparations for defence. -The inhabitants generally, so far from running away with fear, crowded -the banks with looks of the utmost astonishment. The scenery continued -to increase in interest as they ascended, and particularly at a place -called Poonpoo, where there was a cluster of extremely pretty country -houses, or villas, said to belong to several of the high officers of -government. On every side the country appeared to be in the highest -state of cultivation. - -About two-thirds of the way up, the river became considerably narrower, -and the turnings were sometimes so sharp and sudden, that it was not -without some difficulty the long, sharp Nemesis could be guided round -them. At length, about five o'clock, they reached the city of Yuyow, -and came to anchor close under its walls, in about three fathoms water. - -The Admiral, accompanied by the numerous officers who had attended him, -including Captains Maitland, Herbert, Blake, and others, now got into -the boats from the Nemesis, as did also Sir Henry Pottinger, and his -suite from the Phlegethon, and proceeded up the river above the town, -to reconnoitre. They passed under a well-constructed stone bridge of -three arches, the centre one being about thirty feet high; but the day -was already far advanced, and the rain began to fall heavily. Nothing -of a hostile character was observed in the neighbourhood, and they all -very gladly returned without landing, but did not reach the steamers -until they were completely drenched. - -Sir William Parker did not escape suffering from the exposure he had -undergone, and was laid up almost immediately afterwards with an -attack of rheumatism; indeed, it was often a matter of surprise that -he escaped with so little illness during his anxious and indefatigable -services, in which he never spared himself on any occasion, or shrunk -from any exposure. - -In the city of Ningpo, things gradually began to settle down into their -regular course; the Chinese soon opened their shops, and were very -glad to sell their wares at an exorbitant price. Provisions, also, -were brought in plentifully, and there was every probability that the -winter would be passed in tolerable tranquillity. Some of the principal -people are said to have come forward, and expressed their willingness -to be taken _permanently_ under British rule, under a guarantee of -protection, but their professions were little relied on. - -Some of the temples at Ningpo are very handsome, and one of them -in particular is well worth seeing. They fortunately escaped the -plundering of the Chinese thieves. Not so, however, the private houses, -particularly in the suburbs, which were less under our control, and -were almost as extensive as the town. In these, one whole street was -discovered entirely at the mercy of the mob, who had carried off nearly -everything that could be moved, in almost every house. Several of these -rogues were caught in the act, and were handed over to the tender -mercies of the people themselves. Several of them, also, were well -flogged, and others had their tails cut off, by the general's orders. - -One of the buildings which attracted most interest was the town prison, -in which Captain Anstruther and others of our unfortunate countrymen -had been so long confined. The identical cages in which they had been -shut up were found still there, and others of a similar kind, ready -for the reception of any of the barbarians who might fall into their -hands. The way in which Captain Anstruther managed to find out his old -prison was rather curious. He is said to have had himself blindfolded, -and then carefully numbered the steps he had formerly taken, and the -different turnings he had made; and by these means contrived, within a -few yards, to hit the very spot. - -A party arrived there in time to get possession of some Sycee silver -which had not yet been removed from the offices; but it is supposed -that much more had already been carried away by plunderers. A very -large quantity of the base coin called _cash_, the _only_ coined money -of China, was found in another part of the town; and the enormous -stores of grain, belonging to government, were also taken possession -of, and afterwards sold to the people at a cheap rate. This produced -a considerable addition to the prize fund, but the policy of selling -it at so low a rate was somewhat questioned. Every man was allowed to -go into the stores, at which a strong guard was placed, and fill as -large a sack as he could carry out of it for _one dollar_, its actual -value being about _four_. But only a small portion of this was actually -obtained by the _poor_ people; for it was asserted, at least by the -Chinese, that the _farmers themselves_ managed to get a considerable -share of it by means of their servants, so that they might be able -to continue to keep up the price by a species of monopoly. It was -also feared that, in case of a failure of the crops, a serious famine -might happen to the people, owing to the want of the accustomed stores -which are usually laid up by the government, in the paternal spirit of -providing the poor with food at a moderate price, in the event of such -a contingency. The sum added to the prize-fund by the sale of these -stores of grain, of which there was said to be two years' supply, was -considerable. There were also large stores of sugar discovered in the -town. - -Amongst other unexpected prizes, not the least interesting was that of -a stud of Chinese horses, or ponies, small, but hardy little things, -used exclusively for saddle, and generally employed only by the higher -mandarins. Upwards of forty of these ponies were selected, and trained -for the artillery, and amusing enough it was to see the commencement -of their apprenticeship. One of the great disadvantages the General -laboured under, on many occasions, was the want of horses for his -staff; the necessity of carrying his orders on foot not only caused -delay, but rendered the duty very harassing, particularly during some -of the hot, sultry days in the earlier part of this campaign. - -The Chinese horses are extremely small, literally ponies, but strong, -and of good bone and tolerable figure; but they are not numerous, -being considered rather as a valuable indication of rank or wealth -than as the common slave of man, either for labour or amusement. The -Chinese take no pains to improve the breed, and very little care of -them, as to their food, grooming, &c. In reality, a Chinaman is the -most awkward-looking horseman imaginable, and the walk or the jog-trot -is the only pace that either his inclination, _his dignity_, or the -slippery nature of his causeways, permit him to adopt. Population in -China is so dense, and consequently labour so abundant, that they stand -in very little need of the help of the lower animals to assist the -hand of man, and rather grudge the food which is necessary for their -maintenance. - -The best way to obtain a good view of Ningpo and the surrounding -country is to ascend the pagoda, which forms one of its most striking -objects. It is one hundred and fifty-five feet high, of an octagonal -form, having windows all the way up, with a lantern in each; so that, -if lighted up, the effect would be very striking. The lower part of -it is built of stone, but the upper part of brick. In other respects -it differs but little from other structures of the same description. -It appears to be connected with a public burial-ground, as numerous -graves and monuments lie scattered round it. From the top of it you -get quite a panoramic view of the city and the river, with its two -tributaries or branches, the mountains in the distance, and the fine, -rich, alluvial, well-watered, and highly-cultivated plain which extends -down towards the sea-coast. - -The town itself differs little in appearance from that of Canton and -most other towns in China, but it is considerably smaller than the -former; it has the same narrow streets, crossed here and there by the -heavy stone arches, or rather tablets, which are frequently erected -to do honour to some great or popular man, the same curious, long, -ornamented sign-boards, on each side of the shops, and the same crowded -clusters of houses, of curious shape, and mostly of one story. - -Many of the houses of the better class of people, not deserted entirely -by their owners, were visited by our officers, who generally met with -a very courteous reception. Indeed, the Chinese well know how to make -a virtue of necessity, and to conciliate your good graces by the offer -of tea, cakes, tobacco, or flowers, rather than run the chance of -exciting your ill-will, or your less friendly visits, by an affectation -of independence or rude indifference. The Chinese of the respectable -classes are capable of being extremely courteous, are well-bred, and -even elegant in their manners; and the proper mode of treating them is -to insist on this kind of demeanour as if it were due to you, and to -accept it as your _right_. But there are no people who _can_ be more -rude, overbearing, and uncourteous than the Chinese, when they think -that they can withhold from you with impunity, or without notice, the -courtesies which are habitual among themselves. - -Considering how much the property of the inhabitants of Ningpo was at -our mercy, it is creditable that so little injury was done to it during -the many months in which the city was in our possession. But it is also -deserving of remark that, during the whole period of the war with the -Chinese, no considerable collection of Chinese curiosities or works of -art, many of which are extremely interesting and novel to us, was made -for public purposes. With the exception of a few specimens of Chinese -weapons and clothing, which were sent to different public institutions -by private individuals, no attempt was made to form a sort of Chinese -Museum. - -It is also to be regretted that some one or more scientific gentlemen -were not attached to the expedition, who, with the assistance of an -interpreter, might have made us acquainted with many interesting -subjects of natural history, and of the productions of the country. -Where, for instance, is the immense quantity of Sycee silver, which is -_annually_ exported from China, obtained? Where are their copper-mines, -and how are they worked? Coal mines also exist in several parts of -China; at Ningpo, coal was sold in small quantities, and at Nankin -immense supplies of excellent coal were found laid up for the coming -winter, and our steamers found it answer very well. The mineral -productions of China, of which there are probably many, are almost -entirely unknown to us. - -The taste for European manufactures had reached Ningpo long before -we got possession of it. There were one or two shops for the sale -of what were called Canton wares, that is, English goods brought up -from Canton, and, of course, sold enormously dear. In one of them was -a quantity of English glass of various kinds. English gilt buttons -were found, and were in demand for the dresses of the higher classes, -particularly of the women, who seemed to prefer those which had the -East India Company's crest, the lion, upon them. A large quantity of -cloth was also found imported from Russia, and called Russian cloth; -but, in reality, there is little doubt that the cloth was manufactured -in _England_, for _Russian merchants_, expressly for their overland -trade with China. It is a known fact, that orders of this description, -for cloth made expressly of a particular kind, have long been executed -in England. This, then, ought _now_ to become a direct trade in our own -hands. - -The Chinese appear to excel in the art of wood-carving, some very -fine specimens of which were found in their houses. One house in -particular at Ningpo was distinguished by the tasteful carving of its -furniture, particularly of that which belonged to the bed-rooms. Some -of their wardrobes and bedsteads were elegantly ornamented with carved -work, inlaid with various kinds of wood, and representing landscapes, -figures, &c. Some of their specimens of fretwork, with silk at the -back, and of embroidered silk furniture, were extremely elegant. Above -all things, they excel in the art of _varnishing_ plain or carved wood, -and they have also some method of giving a fine gloss to painted work, -which very much increases its durability, although it is different from -varnish. - -One of their greatest deficiencies appears to be in the mode of -lighting their houses. Glass is so little used, and the manufacture of -it so imperfectly known among them, that almost the only mode which -they adopt of letting in the light, and of excluding the air at the -same time, is by lattice-work windows, sometimes neatly carved, and -lined inside with very thin transparent paper. Occasionally, however, -a single pane of glass is found in the centre of the window, while in -other instances the whole of it is covered with the thin transparent -lining of oyster-shells, which admit a very imperfect light. The -artificial lighting of the best houses is often very well effected by -coloured lamps, several of which are suspended from the ceiling, and -painted with various designs, landscapes, &c. But the painting is _on_, -not _in_ the glass; the latter art appears to be quite unknown to the -Chinese. - -Generally speaking, it was not safe to wander far from the gates of -the town, except when a large party went together upon a shooting -excursion. Pheasants, and a sort of pigeon, with woodcocks and teal, -were generally found without difficulty; but the Chinese seemed -mightily astonished that any one should take the trouble to _walk_ over -the country, mile after mile, merely for the trouble of shooting birds. -It is curious that, expert and indefatigable as they are in catching -fish, they should be so indifferent to the art of catching or killing -birds, which are to be found in almost every part of the country in -great abundance; but they seem to be deterred by the trouble of seeking -for them, and have very little knowledge of the relative value of the -different species as articles of diet. The lower class of people will -gladly devour any kind of bird you shoot for them. I have seen them -glad to get birds of prey even, and yet they take no pains to secure -the thousands of wild-fowl which are to be found upon the banks of the -same rivers in which they catch their fish. - -That it was not safe to go out alone, even well armed, soon became -evident, for they made more than one attempt to carry off a sentry -on duty, and would have succeeded in their object, had not the guard -instantly come up on the alarm being given. On these occasions, as may -be supposed, a Chinaman or two stood a chance of being shot. But the -boldest of them all were the professed thieves, who continued to commit -depredations upon their countrymen in the most barefaced manner, in -spite of the severe examples which were sometimes made. - -On one occasion, when a small foraging party was out looking for -poultry and bullocks, some Chinamen pointed out a spot where they said -a quantity of Sycee silver had been concealed. This was too great a -temptation for the soldiers to resist; but the moment they had loaded -themselves with the silver the Chinese surrounded them, and they were -obliged to let fall the Sycee in order to defend themselves, and then -beat a retreat. A quarrel then arose of course among the Chinese -about the division of the spoil, of which _they_ had not robbed their -countrymen, but had only captured it from the barbarians. - -So many attempts were made to entrap our soldiers and sailors, and to -carry them off, both at Ningpo and Chinhae, that great caution was -necessary, and, in spite of the many warnings, some of their attempts -were successful. They had less inclination to molest the officers; not -that they loved them better, or desired them less as prisoners, but -that they had greater respect for the double-barrelled pistols which -many of the officers carried in their pockets, and which _all_ were -supposed to be provided with. - -An attempt was made more than once by the Chinese to rob our -commissariat stores, but it was frustrated by our vigilance. But -the Chinese are uncommonly expert house-breakers, as many people in -Hong-Kong can testify, where houses and stores of the most substantial -kind were broken into in a very ingenious manner, generally by removing -some of the stones or bricks near the foundation. - -The attempt to establish a Chinese police at Ningpo, and also at -Chusan, was tolerably successful; at least it was not difficult to find -men who were willing enough to _receive the pay_, and wear the badge -of a policeman; but it is not quite so certain that they were equally -ready to detect thieves, or to protect the property of individuals. -Sometimes, by way of appearing to do something, they gave false -information, which served to create a stir for the moment. Upon the -whole, they were certainly of some use; but the want of knowledge of -the language, and the small number of interpreters, since Mr. Gutzlaff -had almost the sole management of them, rendered their services less -available than could have been wished. They were occasionally useful -as spies, and obtained information of reports among their countrymen, -concerning the plans and intentions of the mandarins. - -But, besides these, we had also regular spies in our pay, one of -whom, a Chinese who spoke English, and came to be known by the name -of Blundell, was sent up to Hang-chow-foo, but was afraid to deliver -the paper which was entrusted to him, and returned without having -accomplished his object. He was supposed to be employed as a spy by -both parties, the Chinese as well as ourselves. Generally, pretty -correct information was obtained of the proposed movements of the -Chinese, the assembling of their troops, and the orders of the imperial -cabinet. - -At Ningpo, and in its neighbourhood, there were no indications -of hostile preparations for some time after the place was in our -possession. It was not until quite the end of November that reports, -upon which reliance could be placed, reached the general, that troops -were collecting in some of the neighbouring towns, particularly at -Yuyow, the town which had already been visited, and rumours were afloat -of some projected attack, on the part of the Chinese, upon Ningpo -itself. Plans now began to be laid for dispersing these different -bodies of troops, and for the purpose of instilling a wholesome terror -into the minds of the people; but active measures did not take place -until two or three weeks afterwards. - -In the meantime, the Nemesis was sent over to Chusan, stopping a day or -two at Chinhae on the way, to procure fuel, and to overhaul a number -of large junks which were at anchor a few miles from the mouth of the -river. They were found to be laden principally with peas, rice, oil, -walnuts, liquorice-root, &c.; and had they been met with a few months -later, they would all have been detained, as were hundreds of a similar -kind at Woosung; but at this time they were not molested. _Opium was -found in them all_, in small quantities only, for the use of the people -on board, but apparently not for sale. - -The weather was now clear and bracing, and the sickness which had -partially attacked our troops, on first taking possession of the town, -had almost entirely disappeared. - -On the occasion of a visit to the opposite side of the river, a -singular circumstance occurred. Two Chinamen were seen at some little -distance, hastening along with a large round basket carried between -them, carefully covered up, but which at first attracted little -notice. Some of the party had the curiosity to raise up the covering -a little, when, to their great surprise and amusement, a very young -and pretty-looking Chinese lady was found stowed in it, hoping, -probably, by this device to escape detection. The poor thing was almost -frightened to death; but she remained perfectly quiet until she was -covered up again, when the men were allowed to trot away with her as -fast as they could. - -Shortly afterwards, a gay-looking sedan chair was seen passing near a -village, probably belonging to some of the mandarins; but no sooner did -the party run up to examine it, than its occupier jumped out and ran -away for his life. - -But the most singular thing of this kind was finding a Chinese lady -stowed away in the locker of a boat, as if she were dead. Orders had -been issued by the admiral to examine all junks leaving the city, in -order to prevent them from carrying away plunder. One of these had just -been examined, without finding anything of value on board, when it -occurred that something might still be concealed in the after-locker, -a sort of cupboard of moderate size. On opening this sanctum, it -appeared to contain what looked like the dead body of a female, -recently put into it, well dressed, and, judging from her handsome -shoes and small feet, a person of some importance. This looked a very -strange affair; but as no one could speak a word of the language, it -was impossible to inquire into it. However, as it appeared to be a -capital opportunity to examine the nature of a Chinese lady's foot, the -men were ordered by Capt. Hall to lift the body out; and this appeared -likely to be no easy matter, so closely did it seem to be jammed in. -But the moment the Jacks laid hold of the shoulders, a tremendous -scream issued forth, as if a ghost had suddenly been endowed with some -unearthly voice. The poor thing had only shammed being dead, in order, -as she thought, to escape detection. She was now very gently lifted -out, and not without some difficulty, being literally half dead with -the fright and confinement. In the bottom of the locker beneath her was -found a bag of money, with which she had evidently attempted to escape. -She was, of course, allowed to go away without further molestation, -boat and all. - -The question of infanticide has been already alluded to in a previous -chapter. According to Barrow, it was considered part of the duty of the -police at Pekin to collect every morning, in a cart sent round for the -purpose, the dead bodies of infants which were thrown into the streets -during the night. Sometimes they were found still alive, and these were -commonly rescued by the Roman-catholic missionaries, who attended for -the purpose, and subsequently brought them up in the Roman-catholic -faith. Mr. Gutzlaff also alludes to this horrible practice, as being -far from uncommon, and as being perpetrated without any feelings -of remorse, but almost exclusively upon females. Among the immense -population which live in boats, and upon the rivers of China, it is -impossible to calculate how many are disposed of by being drowned. But, -in Pekin, Barrow gives the average number destroyed, at twenty-four -every day. Some allowance must, however, be made for those which _die -of disease_ during the earliest period of life in a country where -medical science is at so low an ebb. - -With the exception of some of the Tartar towns, such as Chapoo and -Chin-keang-foo, where wholesale murder was committed by the men upon -their wives and children immediately the places were captured, little -evidence was obtained of the existence of the revolting practice of -infanticide. We have seen that at Amoy the bodies of several infants -were found sewed up in sacks; and it was also said that a cave was -found at Chinhae, in which were a number of bodies of female infants, -also tied up in bags. But it was an extremely rare thing to find an -infant abandoned in the streets alive or dead. An instance, however, -occurred at Ningpo one evening, when Captain Hall and a party from the -Nemesis were returning towards their boats. They were just passing a -joss-house, or temple, when something attracted attention lying upon -the steps leading to the entrance. On examination, it proved to be a -female infant (always females) recently abandoned, and though extremely -cold, still living. The little thing was carried down to the boat by a -marine, who was the orderly. Every attempt was made as soon as it was -brought on board to revive it, but without success. - -Infanticide undoubtedly does exist in China, but it may be suspected -that the statements of its prevalence have been exaggerated, and -certainly it is confined to the lower classes, among whom the means of -subsistence press very heavily. The Chinese are generally remarkably -fond of their children. A Chinaman's three great wishes and most -cherished hopes are--length of days, plenty of _male_ offspring, and -literary honours. To be the patriarch of a long line of descendants is -generally the aim of his proudest ambition. - -After a delay of two or three days at Chinhae, the Nemesis was sent -over to Chusan at the end of November, whither the admiral, and -Sir Henry Pottinger, had already preceded her. Great changes and -improvements were found to have taken place, even in this short -space of time. The shops were now all open, and the streets filled -with people, who were pursuing their ordinary avocations without -any appearance of alarm or fear of interruption. In fact, they were -settling down very quietly under our rule, much more so than on the -former occasion when the town was in our occupation. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - - -The eventful year of 1841 was now drawing fast to a close. The troops -at Ningpo had been moved into more convenient quarters for the winter, -the close of which was anxiously looked for in the hope that sufficient -reinforcements would arrive to be able to commence the next campaign -with vigour. The weather set in intensely cold, in the middle of -December. On the 14th of that month, the hills were all covered with -snow, which soon began to fall heavily in the town as well, and proved -that although the summers are very warm in China, the winters are -intensely cold and trying. The health of the troops continued good, -supplies were tolerably abundant, and the officers managed to beguile -the time by shooting-parties in the neighbourhood, where plenty of -game, woodcocks, snipes, pheasants, &c., were to be found. - -For some time, as was before stated, reports had been brought in -of the assembling of large bodies of Chinese troops in some of the -neighbouring towns, with the object, it was supposed, of preventing the -people from holding friendly communications with us, and perhaps also -to threaten us with an attempt to recover the city. The continuance of -frosty weather, which rendered their soft paddy-fields firm and fit for -operations, determined the general to make a military expedition as far -as Yuyow, in order to ascertain how far these reports were correct, and -to dislodge the Chinese troops if any of them should be found collected -there. - -On the 27th of December, the three steamers, Nemesis, Sesostris, and -Phlegethon, having a number of boats in tow, and carrying altogether -about seven hundred men, including the marines and seamen, proceeded up -the north-western branch of the river. The Nemesis conveyed Sir Hugh -Gough, Sir William Parker, and a detachment of the 18th Royal Irish, -together with a small detachment of artillery. The Sesostris, owing -to her greater draught of water, was compelled to bring up below the -intended point of debarkation. A few miles below the town a party of -Chinese soldiers were dispersed who had evidently been employed to -stake the river across, which they had already commenced. - -In the evening, the Nemesis and Phlegethon anchored close off the town -of Yuyow, when crowds of Chinese were observed running down to their -boats and trying to make their escape up the river. The troops were -disembarked without delay, and took possession of a small undefended -battery of four guns recently erected, and then marched up the hill -overlooking the city, without opposition, and took up their quarters -for the night in the joss-house, or temple, upon the top of it, from -which a good view of the country had been obtained on a former occasion. - -The city was said to be occupied by upwards of a thousand troops, -and preparations were made for escalading the walls on the following -morning, when the seamen and marines were landed with that object, -under the admiral in person. - -Just at the critical moment, some of the respectable inhabitants came -out, and stated that the garrison had withdrawn during the night, and -that the gates were open for us. It was little expected that treachery -was intended, and the troops with the marines and seamen, entered the -town in two divisions; and having got upon the ramparts, they followed -them in opposite directions, in order to go round the town and meet at -the opposite side. At the same time, the Nemesis weighed and moved a -little higher up the river; and from the mast-head it was distinctly -seen that a body of Chinese troops were drawn up outside the town, -close to a bridge leading over a canal. The boats were, therefore, sent -further up the river, manned and armed, in case the Chinese should -attempt to escape in that direction. - -Just at this time, the Chinese opened a fire of ginjals and matchlocks -upon the naval division, as they were advancing along the wall of the -town; but our troops, after some little delay, having found their way -out of the town by the northern gate, closely pursued the enemy, who -had already taken flight. The Nemesis, and subsequently the Phlegethon, -opened fire on them the moment they were perceived. - -The pursuit was a toilsome one, owing to the peculiar character of -the frozen paddy-fields, covered with snow, which the Chinese could -scramble over faster than our own men; but some of the Chinese were -killed, and some were taken prisoners. Most of them threw off their -thick wadded jackets, and flung away their arms, and having a good -knowledge of the country, and of the direction of the causeways, which -were completely covered with snow, were able to make good their escape. -The pursuit was discontinued, after following them seven or eight -miles; but a military station, which was passed in the way, was set -fire to and destroyed. - -In the mean time, the boats of the Nemesis, under Captain Hall, having -pushed on some way up the river, had overtaken two mandarin boats, -which were trying to escape. A quantity of official papers were found -in them, together with some Sycee silver, which was handed over to -the prize-agents; some valuable fur cloaks were also taken, and the -boats were then burned, the people belonging to them being first sent -ashore. Several farm-houses on shore were then searched for troops, -but none were found. At some distance, however, some men were seen -carrying a handsome mandarin chair in great haste across the country. -Chase was given, and it was soon overtaken; but, instead of a mandarin, -it was found to contain a very good-looking young _mandarin's lady_, -with an infant in her arms, and a quantity of trinket-boxes. The poor -thing was much frightened, but was allowed to be carried on without -molestation. On returning to the boats, they were pushed up further, in -the direction in which our troop had followed the enemy. - -At Yuyow, an extensive depot was discovered outside the town, -containing ammunition, arms, and clothing, and was totally destroyed. -Four guns, which were discovered concealed near the landing-place, were -embarked on board the steamer. It was now evident that the reports -which had been brought to us concerning the preparations of the Chinese -were perfectly correct. - -In the town itself there was nothing particularly worthy of attention; -and on the 30th, our force was re-embarked, and the steamers returned -down the river, and came to anchor for the night, as near as they -could to the town of Tszekee, which lies, as before stated, about four -miles from its banks. On marching up to it the following day, it was -found unoccupied; and even the authorities of the town, alarmed by -the intelligence from Yuyow, had fled from the place. The inhabitants -appeared peaceably inclined; and, in order the better to conciliate -them, and to shew that our measures were solely directed against their -government, the large public stores of rice were distributed to the -poor people of the place. The same evening, our force returned to -Ningpo, having, during these five days, succeeded in spreading the -alarm throughout all the adjacent country, and in destroying all the -reliance of the people in the power of their own troops to protect them. - -The year 1841 had now closed, and it had been the most eventful one -since the commencement of our difficulties with the Chinese. Our -measures had assumed a new character of vigour, while treaties had been -made and unmade by the Chinese with almost equal facility. But deep and -lasting humiliation had been inflicted upon them; the honour of the -English flag had been vindicated, and the strength of her arms had been -tried, and proved to be irresistible to the Chinese. - -It was soon discovered that the effect of our descent upon Yuyow, and -our visit to Tszekee, had been to spread the utmost consternation -through all the district, and to alarm even the high officers at the -provincial capital, Hang-chow-foo. The imperial commissioner and many -of the wealthy inhabitants now fled out of that city, and sought refuge -in Soo-chow-foo, nearly one hundred miles further to the northward. -In fact, there was a general dread of our immediate advance upon the -former city; and there is little doubt that the general would have -gladly undertaken the expedition, had he possessed sufficient force to -do so without giving up Ningpo. - -Some encouragement was given to this flattering expectation, by the -fact of the Phlegethon steamer and the Bentinck surveying vessel being -sent, early in January, to examine the great bay of Hang-chow-foo, -and the port of Chapoo, which, as it were, commands the approach to -the city, and is the centre of its commerce. This hoped-for movement -in advance, however, never took place. But, with a view to keep up in -the minds of the Chinese the impression which had been produced by our -movement upon Yuyow by the north-western branch of the river, a similar -attack was projected upon Fungwah, which lies nearly at the same -distance up the south-western branch. No authorized expedition had yet -been made to explore this branch; but, on two occasions, Captain Hall -and some of his officers and men had proceeded a considerable way up, -partly moved by curiosity, and partly with a view to examine the river. -On one occasion, they must have nearly reached the city of Fungwah -itself. - -In both these excursions, the Chinese seemed very much astonished and -alarmed at the boldness of the attempt. The first excursion was merely -a walking and shooting party, but enough was seen of the country to -distinguish it as a rich, well-cultivated, and picturesque tract. The -small cotton-plant was cultivated in great abundance, and the women (at -least the elder ones) sat quietly at their doors, busy at the spinning -wheel, without appearing to be much alarmed. Several canals were -observed close to the river side, but not flowing into or communicating -directly with it. They were separated from it by rather a steep -_inclined plane_, _made of stone-work_, intended as a substitute for -locks, with strong windlasses for the purpose of hauling the boats up -on one side, and letting them down on the other; certainly an original -and curious contrivance. - -The second excursion was much more extensive, and was made in one -of the steamers' cutters up the river. On passing through the first -village, four shots were heard, but it was difficult to say whether -they were fired at the boat, as the shots were not seen to fall. The -river was found to be remarkably tortuous, so as to appear sometimes, -when viewed from a distance, as if it ran in contrary directions. -Numerous pretty-looking villages were passed without any appearance of -hostility; and, at the distance of about eighteen miles, the river was -found to divide into two branches, one of which continued in a westerly -direction, and the other ran about south-east. Following the latter a -short distance farther, a well-built stone bridge was discovered, with -five arches, the centre one about twenty feet above the water, which -was here from five to six fathoms deep; the span of the principal arch -was thirty-five feet, and upon the top of the bridge was a sort of -sentry-box, or small look-out place, secured with a padlock. - -Near at hand, upon the left bank of the river, was a very pretty -village, in which there was one large house, distinguished from the -others by having Chinese characters carved upon it, the meaning of -which, of course, could not be ascertained. About a quarter of a mile -above the bridge, the banks of the river were studded with well-built -houses, surrounded by groves of trees, among which the tallow-tree was -the most striking, by the peculiar reddish tint of its foliage at that -time of year. The course of the river was now about south-east, and it -was still nearly one hundred yards broad, with three fathoms water. - -Three miles above the first bridge a second one was discovered, and -the river now turned due south. A little beyond this point the party -landed, as it was now getting late, and ascended a hill upon the -left bank of the river, from which there was a beautiful view of the -surrounding country and the hills in the distance. A high pagoda -could be distinguished some way off to the westward, and a round, -white watch-tower, or look-out house, upon a hill to the eastward, -covered with fir-trees, about a mile distant. At first the villagers -seemed terribly frightened, but, soon perceiving that no mischief was -intended, they approached with the utmost eager curiosity, anxious to -examine everything, particularly the boat and the men's clothes. Their -manner was respectful and orderly, which is generally the case with the -Chinese, if properly treated. - -It was now time to descend the river, although the flood-tide was still -making. On approaching the principal stone bridge, it was found crowded -with people, so that it was necessary to arrange some plan of defence, -in case their purpose should prove to be one of hostility rather than -of curiosity. If necessary, Captain Hall resolved that all the party -should hastily land at the extremity of the bridge, except two men, -who were as quickly as possible to push the boat through the nearest -arch, and then pull it across to the opposite side; while those who had -landed were to force their way across the bridge, and re-embark in the -confusion on the opposite side. On coming up to the bridge, however, -no opposition was offered, and indeed it was noticed that there were -a number of women among the lookers-on, and that many others were -hobbling out of their houses, led by irresistible curiosity to get a -first look at the strangers. Abundance of wild fowl were seen along -the banks of the river, several of which were shot; and, late in the -evening, the party again reached their vessel at Ningpo, well rewarded -for the day's excursion. The small walled town of Fungwah is situated -less than thirty miles up this same branch of the river. - -On the 10th of January, the General started from Ningpo, with the -object of making a descent upon Fungwah, in the expectation that some -military stores, and probably a small body of Chinese soldiers, would -be discovered. The Nemesis and Phlegethon were both employed on this -service; the former vessel carrying detachments of the 49th, 18th, and -55th regiments, with artillery, sappers and miners, and followers, and -having also on board Sir Hugh Gough and Sir William Parker, with their -suites. Several boats were also taken in tow. As the steamers could not -pass beyond the first bridge, the troops were all landed at that point, -with Sir Hugh Gough at their head, intending to march direct upon -Fungwah, while the Admiral continued to advance up the river, with the -boats carrying the seamen and marines. No opposition was met with, and -both divisions arrived simultaneously at the city walls. It was found -that the Chinese soldiers had abandoned the place, and the authorities -had also fled. The inhabitants and the neighbouring peasantry all -seemed peaceably inclined, though apparently overcome with astonishment -and curiosity. The prospect from the hills at the back of Fungwah was -very striking, and abundance of rice and other grain crops appeared to -be cultivated. - -On the following morning, nothing remained to be done but to destroy -the government buildings, and to distribute the contents of the public -granaries to the people, as had been the case in other places. In the -afternoon, the whole force rejoined the steamers, and next day returned -to Ningpo. - -The effect of these various movements must be viewed, not as involving -matters of military skill or courage, but as calculated to have the -most salutary effect upon the people and upon the government, not -only by the alarm which they created, but by the good feelings and -forbearance which was uniformly shewn towards the inhabitants, when in -our power, and _abandoned_ by their own authorities. - -The result of the examination, by the Phlegethon and the Bentinck, of -the character of Hang-chow-foo Bay, appears at this time to have rather -discouraged the idea of advancing upon the capital by the river which -leads up to it. The tides were found to be so strong at the mouth of -the river, that it was impossible to attempt to push even a steamer up, -with any degree of safety. The Phlegethon made the attempt to enter -the river's mouth, but became perfectly unmanageable, and was very -nearly carried upon a sand-bank, where she would probably have been -lost. She was, however, got out of danger with some difficulty when the -tide slackened, which it does very suddenly in that part. But no power -of steam and sails combined was sufficient to stem the current, which -seemed to hold the vessel completely at its mercy for some minutes. - -A reconnoissance of the position of Chapoo, however, sufficed to shew -that it was accessible to our ships, and could be reduced without much -difficulty; in which case, the road to Hang-chow-foo, by the hills, -would be open to us, with a good causeway the whole distance of about -fifty miles to the capital. - -We may judge of the size and volume of water in most of the Chinese -rivers, by the fact, that, even at Hang-chow-foo, the river is not less -than four miles broad, opposite the city, at high water; while the -rapidity of the current may be judged of by the fact of its diminishing -to about two miles in breadth, at low water, leaving a fine level -strand as far down as the eye can reach towards the sea. This was -noticed during the short visit paid to it by Lord Macartney's embassy. - -Rumours now continued to be brought, of the arrival of reinforcements -at Hang-chow-foo, and other parts of the province; and, before the -end of February, Sir Hugh Gough also received reinforcements, by the -arrival of part of the 26th regiment, in the Jupiter troop-ship. The -Cornwallis arrived at Chusan in January, for the flag of Sir William -Parker, having succeeded in beating up the whole way from Hong-Kong, -against the north-east monsoon, contrary to the anticipations of many, -who doubted whether so heavy a ship would be able to accomplish it. The -movement upon Hang-chow-foo, however, if at any time seriously thought -of, seems now to have been quite abandoned; and, as we shall presently -see, Chapoo was destined to be the grand point of attack for opening -the next campaign. - -In January, Sir Henry Pottinger and Sir William Parker went over to -spend some time at Chusan, in the Nemesis, which vessel now required -considerable repairs, and was ordered to undergo a thorough refit. -It is astonishing how easily an iron vessel can be repaired. At -Amoy, a large hole had been knocked in her bottom; and from being so -continually employed in exploring rivers, running along coasts, and -landing troops, it is not surprising that some repair was required; but -it is worthy of remark, that she had been able to do her duty so long -and so well without it. - -In the evening of the 5th of March, the arrival of the Clio, Captain -Troubridge, was announced, (fourteen days only from Hong-Kong,) -bringing the mails, and the joyful news of the promotions in the -service, consequent upon the taking of Canton, and the exploits in the -Canton River. - -On the 7th of March the Nemesis was sent to reconnoitre Chusan, having -Captain Collinson also on board, for the purpose of making surveying -observations during the trip. They passed round the western and -northern sides of the island, and having reached Tai-shan, which is -about six or seven miles distant from it, they steamed all round that -island, looking into the different bays, and spying into the villages, -to see if they could discover a camp, or any signs of the presence of -any troops. The navigation round the island is dangerous, for there are -several rocks, at different points, barely covered with water. - -At length they anchored off a small town in a bay on the south-eastern -side of the island, where several junks were seen at anchor. To the -north-east of the town stood a remarkable hill, from which it was -expected that a view of the whole island could be obtained. Here the -officers landed, with Captain Collinson's boat's crew, and part of -that of the steamer, together with eight artillery men. There was no -appearance of hostility, and they all marched on to a second village, -in which, as well as in the first one, it was asserted by the people -that there were no soldiers left in the island, as they had all gone -away to another island in the neighbourhood. The party then returned on -board, and the steamer moved up towards a creek, at which the water was -too shallow for her to enter. - -In the evening Captain Collinson again landed in his gig, with a view -to ascend to the top of the hill; and so confident was he that there -were no armed men upon the island, that he declined taking an escort -with him, and was with some difficulty persuaded to allow two armed -artillerymen to follow him, and was himself quite unarmed. Lieutenant -Bates accompanied him. Scarcely had they reached the top of the hill, -and were beginning to take their observations, when a large body of -armed Chinese were observed, emerging from their hiding-places in -the creek in which they had landed, which was at a point about two -and a half miles from the steamer. Evidently their intention was to -cut off their retreat, and make them prisoners. Flight was therefore -the only resource, and had it not been for the assistance of the two -artillerymen, they would have stood little chance of effecting their -retreat to the boat. These two men, however, by coolly retreating -alternately, the one firing, while the other reloaded as he withdrew -towards the landing-place, managed to keep the Chinese in check, so -that Captain Collinson reached the boat in safety. - -It was now a question what steps were best to be taken on the following -day; for there could be little doubt that if the steamer left the -island without landing a body of men to attack the Chinese soldiers, -who evidently were in force, a report would be sent to the Emperor -of a great victory having been gained, in which the barbarians were, -of course, driven into the sea, and their vessels sent away from the -coast. It was therefore resolved to _make an impression_ upon them; -and accordingly at five o'clock in the morning, the four boats of -the steamer, manned and armed, under Captain Collinson and Captain -Hall, with Lieutenant Bates, Mr. Freeze, and other officers of the -ship, pushed off from the vessel, and proceeded up the creek. They -had also eight artillerymen with them; and the two engineers likewise -volunteered their services. The party numbered altogether sixty-six, -including officers. - -About two miles and a half up the creek they discovered a number of -transport junks, crowded with Chinese soldiers, with their banners -flying. A little distance from the banks of the creek, which gradually -sloped up towards some detached houses above, were posted another body -of the enemy; altogether, there were probably five or six hundred men. - -Gradually, as the boats advanced, the soldiers who had not before -landed joined the other body on shore, and commenced a distant fire of -ginjals and matchlocks, without doing any mischief. It was, however, -returned by the boats as they neared them, and their crews were just -about to land, when a thick smoke was observed to issue from one of the -nearest troop boats. It immediately occurred that this might arise from -a train having been laid to blow up the boats if they should be taken -possession of. It was therefore thought prudent to land a little lower -down. - -The moment the boats began to descend, the Chinese, thinking they were -retreating, set up a loud shout, and advanced upon them, brandishing -their spears in defiance, thinking that the victory was already won. -In this they were soon to be undeceived. Our men all landed as quickly -as possible, and were formed into two columns; the right, or advanced -one, led by Captain Hall himself, and the left by Mr. Freeze (mate -R.N.), the chief officer of the Nemesis. Immediately they were ordered -to advance, the Chinese began to waver at their bold front, and the -first volley poured into them, within pistol-shot, completely put -them to flight. They were now so closely pursued that their military -chest was captured, in charge of a mandarin and two soldiers, who were -killed. The prize was found to consist of only two thousand dollars, -but even that was a pleasant addition to the prize fund. The Chinese -were pursued for some distance, about fifty of them being left upon -the field, and eight taken prisoners. The houses on the rising ground -above, in which some of the soldiers had been quartered, and also -several of the transport junks in the creek, were immediately set on -fire. - -After collecting some of the scattered arms, as trophies of victory, -the little party again returned to the steamer, the Chinese having -been totally dispersed. She rejoined the Admiral, at Chusan, the same -evening. - -So far this little gallant affair had been perfectly successful, in -discovering the rendezvous of the Chinese; but it was believed that -many of their soldiers had already crossed over to Chusan, disguised as -peasants, in readiness to act in concert with other parties, whenever -the attack should be made on the island. Captain Collinson was, -therefore, sent back again in the Bentinck, with orders to prevent the -escape of the soldiers from the island of Tai-shan, and the Nemesis was -directed to follow as soon as she could get in her fuel. - -It was now discovered that the Chinese had managed to extinguish the -flames in their boats before they were seriously injured, and had by -this means made their escape over to Chapoo. But the Admiral afterwards -made a personal examination of the island, with a party of seamen and -marines of the Cornwallis. No military depot was discovered, but two -government stations were completely destroyed. The effect of this -spirited discomfiture of the Chinese, at Tai-shan, was to secure Chusan -from future hostile attacks. - -The assembling of these troops so close to Chusan was, doubtless, -connected with the grand scheme of attack upon all our positions, which -was attempted, at this very time, more particularly against Ningpo and -Chinhae. It was probably also well known to the Chinese that Sir Hugh -Gough was absent at Chusan, whither he had proceeded, in consequence of -rumours afloat concerning the projected attack on that place. - -The Chinese seem to have planned their attacks remarkably well; but so -many reports had been before brought in, of some projected operations -by the Chinese, that at length very little attention came to be paid -to them; and when it was positively asserted by Mr. Gutzlaff, the -interpreter, on the evening of the 9th, that, from certain information -which he had received, there could be no doubt of a grand attack being -resolved on that very night, no one really believed that anything of -a serious nature would occur. It was doubted whether the Chinese, -after their recent defeats, would have the moral courage to become -themselves the _aggressors_. There were no external indications of any -preparations for an attack, although some of the inhabitants were seen -leaving the town on that day; and many of the tradesmen, with whom our -men were in the habit of dealing, plainly told them that they would -have hot work that night. All this was treated merely as a specimen of -Chinese bravado. - -It is remarkable that we should have had no certain tidings of the -collection and preparation of such a vast number of fire-rafts and -vessels, higher up the river, as soon proved to have been the case, for -the iron steamers might at all times have been sent up, to ascertain -how far any such reports were well grounded. The fact is, the Chinese -_did_ take us a little by surprise, and that is often the result of -holding an enemy too cheap, and having too great a confidence in -one's own resources. Circumstances favoured them to a certain extent; -the smallness of our force rendered it impossible to keep a line of -sentries along the whole circuit of the walls, which were nearly -five miles round; the extent and nearness of the suburbs beyond the -gates gave the enemy an easy approach without being observed, and the -darkness of the night favoured the attempt. - -The first intimation of the attack was by the firing of two guns which -the Chinese had brought down to the river's bank, against H.M.S. -Columbine, which, together with the Modeste, was anchored before the -town, as were also the H.C. steamers, Queen and Sesostris. This was -at half-past twelve, P.M. But the firing was not repeated, (it having -probably been only meant for a signal,) and nothing further occurred -until about three o'clock; but, by this time, the garrison were under -arms. - -Four fire-rafts were now discovered dropping down the river, from its -south-western branch, (leading to Fungwah,) towards the Sesostris; and, -but for the quickness with which one of her cables was slipped, and the -assistance of her own boats, aided by two other boats from the Modeste, -in towing them clear towards the shore, they would have been across the -hawse of the Sesostris. Fortunately the rafts took the ground clear of -the steamer, and exploded without doing any mischief. - -All this time, the Chinese kept up a fire of small arms from the -banks of the river, but without effect. But the Modeste, which was a -little lower down the river, below the Sesostris, opened her broadside -upon the eastern suburb, with the object of stopping the advance of -the Chinese in that direction, and on the following morning it was -discovered that her fire had demolished the walls of one or two houses, -which fell in, and disabled the gun which had been brought down on -purpose to attack the Modeste. - -So far, then, the attempt upon the river-side proved a total failure; -but it served as a signal for the general attack upon the town, which -began simultaneously at the southern and western gates. The extreme -darkness of the night rendered it at first impossible for those who -were at a distance to ascertain the precise points of attack. The -principal assault, in the first instance, seems to have been upon the -south gate, from within and without at the same time. The alarm was -given, the bugles sounded throughout the town, and word was brought to -Colonel Morris, who commanded the garrison, that the guard at the south -gate had been driven in, and the same intelligence was also brought to -Colonel Montgomerie, commanding the Madras artillery, who were already -under arms upon the ramparts. - -A company of the 49th, under Captain M'Andrew, was immediately ordered -up by Colonel Morris towards the south gate, which they were to retake, -if it was found to have been carried by the enemy. At the same time, -Colonel Montgomerie, with two howitzers, and a party of artillerymen -armed with fusils, commanded by Captain Moore, and reinforced by a -strong patrol of the 18th, under Lieutenant Murray, proceeded also -towards the south gate, which he now found in the possession of Captain -M'Andrew and his company, who had gallantly _retaken_ the gate, after -charging down the street which led to it, driving the Chinese before -him with the bayonet, and killing a great many of them. The Chinese -had penetrated as far as the market-place; many of them had scaled the -walls, and were seen upon the ramparts; but upon being challenged, and -seeing the troops advancing, most of them jumped back again over the -ramparts, and in this way many were killed, or were shot at random as -they were seen running away. Thus the south gate was completely cleared. - -There is reason to believe that a good number of the Chinese soldiers -must have previously come into the town in disguise, for the gates -were attacked simultaneously both _from within_ and _from without_. -The movements of the Chinese were so well concerted, that their -approach was not discovered until they actually attacked the gates, -and gallantly succeeded in _scaling the walls_. Had not the alarm been -given by the firing of the ships in the river, and had the Chinese -been well officered, it would have caused us heavy fighting to have -ultimately dislodged them from the town, a part of which was, for a -few minutes, in their possession. But even their successes, such as -they were, only served to embarrass them, for they did not know how to -turn them to account. It should be remarked, however, that Sir Hugh -Gough had skilfully disposed his troops long before this event, by -concentrating them in one part of the town, where their quarters were -close to each other, and where they could be mutually supported in case -of attack. - -It was afterwards discovered that the attacking party were a new -body of picked men, from a distant province, who had never yet come -into contact with our troops. Money was also found upon the persons -of those who were killed, four or five dollars upon each, which had -probably been given to them either as arrears of pay, or as a sort of -bribe or extra allowance to induce them to fight. But other incentives -were also employed, for some of the wounded prisoners were evidently -under the excitement of opium. Many of them were remarkably athletic, -fine-looking men, and everything tended to prove that this was a grand -and desperate effort. - -Daylight was beginning to dawn, and the west gate was at this time -found to be the principal scene of action; indeed, it was in that -direction that the _main body_ of the Chinese seem to have advanced. -Orders had been sent to reinforce the guard at the west gate with the -grenadiers of the 49th, and Colonel Morris also hurried up to it in -person, with another company of the 49th; while Colonel Montgomerie, -with the artillery, having been joined by Colonel Mountain, with a -party of the 26th, proceeded on in the same direction. - -On arriving at the west gate, it was found to have been gallantly -and successfully defended by Lieutenant Armstrong, who commanded the -guard of the 18th, assisted by a small detachment of the 49th, under -Lieutenant Grant. The enemy had attacked it in great force, rushing -boldly up to the very gate, which they attempted to force, while others -were endeavouring to scale the wall. The grenadiers of the 49th arrived -just in time to assist in completing the repulse of the Chinese. - -Colonel Montgomerie, having now come up with his reinforcement, dashed -at once through the gateway in pursuit, the enemy having been driven -across a small bridge into the suburbs. Numerous dead bodies of Chinese -were found close to the gate, but they appeared to be in great force -in the suburbs, from which a smart but ineffectual fire of matchlocks -was kept up. A few shells were thrown into the suburbs from the two -howitzers; but it was evidently necessary to continue the pursuit -through the suburbs, for the Chinese appeared to be in full retreat -across a bridge at some distance down, which seemed to be the principal -thoroughfare. - -Our force on the spot was extremely small, amounting, when they had all -fallen in, including artillerymen, to not more than one hundred and -twenty-six rank and file, and ten officers. But with this small force -Colonel Montgomerie determined to dash on, being assisted throughout by -Colonel Mountain, C.B., Deputy-Adjutant-General; and, accordingly, they -immediately advanced up the principal narrow street of the suburbs. -Having followed it for about half a mile, they came upon the main body -of the enemy, who crowded the whole length of the street in a dense -column, but without appearing to be at all wavering or inclined to -give way. On the contrary, a high officer on horseback was seen to -encourage the men, who set up a great shouting, and brandished their -swords and spears in defiance. But in a narrow street the dense mass -was necessarily incommoded by its own numbers, and the steady fire -of the head of our column, as they advanced upon them--one section -delivering its fire, and the next taking its place for the first to -reload--brought down all their foremost and boldest men, every shot -telling with unerring certainty. They could neither advance to charge -our column, nor could they retreat, as long as the rear of their column -chose to hold their ground. - -On coming up within about fifty paces of them, the two howitzers were -ordered up to the front, while a party of the 18th, under Lieutenant -Murray and Lieutenant Molesworth, of the artillery, were ordered round -by a side lane to act upon the enemy's flank; Colonel Mountain and -Colonel Montgomerie also went round, (having first waded across a -canal,) and witnessed the terrific effect of the fire of three rounds -of grape, in quick succession, from the howitzers, which dealt terrible -havoc among them. At the same time, the detachment of the 18th fired -upon them down the lane as they fled, and a more complete scene of -discomfiture and slaughter could not be imagined. - -The Chinese were soon in full flight in all directions across the -country, the main body of them retreating along the banks of a canal -in a continued line, not less than a mile long, while numerous smaller -parties broke off from the main body, and tried to escape the best way -they could. Many were supposed to have been drowned in the canal. The -pursuit was followed up for about seven or eight miles, and the loss of -the enemy was estimated altogether at not less than from five to six -hundred men, and only thirty-nine prisoners were taken. On our side, -one man only was killed, and a few were wounded. The principal loss of -the Chinese was inflicted by the fire of the howitzers upon their dense -masses, in the narrow street, and the sustained fire of our column as -it advanced upon them. Not a few, however, were killed inside the walls -of the city. The force they brought against us is supposed to have -exceeded five thousand men, consisting of their best soldiers, and a -great part of them were evidently under the excitement of opium. - -Early in the morning, the boats of the Modeste and Sesostris moved -up the south-west branch of the river, in search of fire-boats, but -found none. In the afternoon, however, the boats of the Columbine, -under Captain Morshed, together with the Queen steamer, proceeded -up the other, or north-western branch, and discovered, not far up, -thirty-seven fire-vessels. They were all in a state of perfect -preparation, being filled with combustibles and jars of powder, and -also provided with _leather caps and fire-proof dresses_ for the men -who were to have the charge of them; each of them had also a small -punt, or sampan, attached, for the escape of those on board. The early -discovery of those which were first sent down, or probably their having -been sent adrift too soon down _the other branch_ of the river, had -evidently disconcerted this part of their plan. The whole of these -boats were scuttled and destroyed. - -Some miles higher up, near Tsekee, many more junks, of every size -and shape, were found filled with combustibles; and still more were -discovered higher up, moored on each side of the river. It was also -observed, that on the hills opposite Tsekee, there were three Chinese -encampments, one of which was set on fire by the soldiers, as the boats -approached. In fact, it became evident that preparations of a much more -extensive kind than we could have anticipated, had been made, for one -grand combined effort to drive us into the sea, before reinforcements -could join us. - -The attack upon Chinhae took place about the same time, but was much -less important in its nature, and conducted with less vigour and -resolution, than that on Ningpo. Early on the morning of the 10th -March, the alarm was given that ten fire-vessels were floating down the -river towards the ships of war and transports at anchor off Chinhae. -The boats of the Blonde and the Hyacinth, under Commander Goldsmith of -the latter vessel, and Lieutenant Dolling of the former, immediately -dashed at them, and drove them on shore, out of the way of the -shipping, where they exploded. - -About the same time, a body of Chinese soldiers got up close to the -west gate of Chinhae, without being discovered, until they opened -a fire of ginjals, and attempted to force their way in. But Captain -Daubeny, with a company of the 55th, immediately sallied out of the -gate, and pursued them into the suburbs, whence they fled towards -a joss-house, or temple, about a mile from the walls, where they -joined the main body, about twelve hundred strong. Colonel Schoedde, -with three companies of the 55th, now joined Captain Daubeny, and -immediately charged them, and put them to flight. But it was very -difficult to follow, or come within musket range of them, owing to the -peculiar nature of the ground, which was cut up in all directions by -water-courses; although the labyrinths of paths and causeways were, of -course, perfectly well known to the retreating enemy. About thirty of -the Chinese and two of their officers were killed, but the number of -wounded could not be ascertained. A quantity of military weapons and -some powder were captured. - -The plans of the Chinese had thus signally failed at all points of -attack; but it must be admitted that at Ningpo they shewed a great -deal of determination and personal courage, and their plans were, in -reality, very well arranged. - -Information of these important attacks was immediately sent over to Sir -Hugh Gough and Sir William Parker, who were at Chusan, and induced the -General instantly to return to Ningpo. Sir William Parker also returned -as soon as he had completed his examination of the island of Tai-shan; -and he brought with him the Phlegethon and Nemesis, merely stopping at -Chinhae on the way, to pick up a few marines and small-arm men from the -Blonde. No time was then lost in pushing up the south-western branch of -the river above Ningpo, whither the General had preceded him with part -of the 18th and 49th regiments, and two guns, in order to learn if the -enemy were in force there. - -Tidings had been brought to Sir Hugh Gough, that a strong body of -several thousand Chinese troops were posted not far from Fungwah, -preparatory to another descent upon Ningpo. But as soon as he had -marched about six or seven miles up, the Sesostris steamer moving -parallel with him by the river, with part of the 26th regiment on -board, positive information was obtained that the enemy had retreated -over the hills the preceding night, and that it would be useless to -attempt to follow them. - -It only now remained to advance against the strong body of the Chinese -who were known to be posted along the banks of the other branch of the -river, and who were reported also to have thrown up strong entrenched -camps upon the Segoan hills, at the back of the town of Tsekee, and to -be commanded by three of their most famous generals. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. - - -A heavy blow had now been inflicted upon the Chinese, by the severe -reverses they had met with at Ningpo and at Chinhae, and by the -defeat of all their designs against Chusan. It was, therefore, a -favourable opportunity to follow up our successes and turn them to -the best advantage, before the effect of the impression already made -could have time to diminish. It was ascertained that their troops had -with difficulty been kept together after their late defeat; and it -was reported that they were about to retreat towards Pickwan, a town -situated about forty miles higher up the river, at which point they -were said to be concentrating their whole force. - -Besides the force said to be encamped above Tsekee, on the Segoan -hills, it was also ascertained that another body of five or six -thousand men was posted in a fortified camp, about seven miles further -along the hills to the north-east, close to what is called the Chungkie -Pass, and that the military chest of the army was in charge of this -division. A Chinese military chest is generally not very well filled, -but still there is to a soldier something very tempting in the idea of -an enemy's _military chest_, particularly when there is a prospect of -capturing it. - -On the morning of the 15th of March, the force destined for the attack, -comprising altogether little more than a thousand men, including the -battalion of seamen and marines, were embarked on board the steamers -Nemesis, Phlegethon, and Queen, from the north gate of the city; -the General and his staff, accompanied by the Admiral and other -officers, taking up their quarters on board the Nemesis, which had -been dexterously brought close into a wharf near the city gate; so -that on this occasion the troops were embarked without the necessity -of using boats. The naval brigade was commanded by Capt. Bourchier, of -the Blonde, assisted by Capt. P. Richards. There were four 8-pounder -guns of the Madras artillery, for which ponies had been trained, and -these were now sent early in the morning across from Ningpo by land, -escorted by a party of the Madras rifles; by these means the distance -was materially shortened, by cutting off a great bend of the river -above Ningpo. On reaching the nearest point, opposite Tsekee, the -artillery swam their horses across the river, and were then drawn -up in readiness to advance upon the town, which was about four miles -distant. The road to Tsekee and the nature of the country were already -well known, from the previous visit in the month of December. - -Before twelve o'clock, the troops were landed from the steamers near a -village, where there was a sort of jetty convenient for the purpose; -they then formed, and marched direct up towards the city. At the same -time, the Phlegethon was sent higher up the river, together with the -Nemesis and two boats belonging to the Cornwallis and Blonde, to -endeavour to get near enough to the flank of the Chinese army, to -harass them in their retreat. - -The Phlegethon started first, because the Admiral and the General, who -were on board the Nemesis, were unwilling to land, until they had seen -all the rest of the force on shore before them. But the moment the -Admiral had left the vessel, she was backed out from the landing-place, -and went up the river for some distance, stern-foremost, at full-speed, -until she could be conveniently turned. - -Having passed round a considerable bend in the river, some miles above -the landing-place, they turned up a small branch or creek close to a -village, which appeared to lead round nearer to the enemy's positions. -The Phlegethon, which was some distance ahead, suddenly came upon five -gun-boats, armed and manned, at anchor close to a mandarin station, -which proved to have been used as a depot for powder and military -stores. Fourteen fire-rafts were also discovered, and the whole of -these warlike preparations were destroyed. - -As soon as the troops had marched up pretty close to Tsekee, they -proceeded to occupy a small hill directly in front of the town, and -commanding the southern gate. A few ginjals and two guns were fired at -them from the walls of the city, but at such a distance as to make it -evident that no serious defence of the place was intended. The main -body of the Chinese army was to be seen encamped upon the heights to -the northward of the town, called the Segoan Hills; and it was equally -evident that the shortest and best mode of advancing to attack them was -by first escalading the walls of the town, and then marching straight -through it to the northern gate, whence it would be easy to attack the -enemy both in front and on the flank. It was necessary to ascertain -whether the town was occupied by any considerable force (which there -was little reason to expect), and at the same time to deprive the enemy -of having the advantage of falling back upon the town when driven from -the heights. Orders were therefore given, that the naval brigade, with -a party of sappers, covered by the guns under Colonel Montgomerie, -should escalade the walls at the nearest point, while the 49th were to -blow open the south gate, and immediately join them upon the ramparts. - -The 49th, on approaching the gate, found the bridge over a canal just -outside recently destroyed; but, as the water was shallow, and there -appeared to be no likelihood of meeting with any serious opposition, -they quietly crept along the canal itself, which led into the town, and -so got under the walls, upon the ramparts of which they now found the -naval brigade already drawn up. - -The 18th, in the meantime, had been sent round, outside the walls, -to dislodge a body of Chinese troops who occupied a hill a little to -the north-east of the city; and they were directed to join the rest -of our force as soon as they reached the north gate. The 26th had -been held in reserve to protect the guns, and support the 49th, if -necessary. The town was, however, carried without any resistance; and -the troops having marched round the ramparts, the whole force was then -concentrated at the north gate. - -It should here be noticed, that the town of Tsekee lies in a sort of -cup, or basin, surrounded almost entirely on three sides by steep -hills, being open only towards the river, or to the southward; from -the northern hills, a low spur is sent down towards the northern gate, -and terminates in a small hill within the walls. The Chinese forces -were posted upon these heights, a little to the westward of the spur -just described, but in such a position that their left was commanded by -other hills. On their right they had a second encampment, a little in -advance, on the north-western side of the town; but it was evident that -their left could be easily turned, and that they could be defeated and -completely routed, without much difficulty. - -The General's first movement was to direct the 18th, with the rifles, -to proceed to occupy a hill on his right, which could only be got at by -passing through a steep ravine, but which quite commanded the Chinese' -left. As soon as they succeeded in crowning its summit, and had thus -turned the Chinese position, the naval brigade (who, in the meantime, -were to occupy two large buildings under the walls, a little on the -north-western side of the town) were to carry the hill in their front, -on which the Chinese were encamped, while the 49th were at the same -time to attack the centre of the Chinese position. - -It is worthy of remark that the Chinese, with one or two trifling -exceptions, seem never to have made use of field-artillery. Of course, -where they had forts, they had guns mounted; but they did not appear -to regard artillery as a necessary part of a regular army. - -On this occasion, our loss would probably have been severe, if the -heights had been defended by a numerous artillery; but they opened a -smart fire of ginjals upon the naval brigade (the Admiral himself being -at their head), as they marched across the paddy-fields outside the -walls, with the object of occupying the two large houses, under shelter -of which they were to form, in readiness for the attack. They suffered -some loss; and, as it appeared that the 18th and rifles, being impeded -by the steepness and difficulties of the gorge they had to ascend, were -longer in reaching the summit of the hill than had been expected, the -General determined to commence the attack in front without waiting for -the 18th to turn the flank of the Chinese. The advance was sounded, and -the 49th, with the General at their head, rushed up the hill; while the -naval brigade, led by Captains Bourchier and Richards, and Commander -Watson (the Admiral himself taking part in the attack), made a dash at -the other hill, upon the Chinese' right. - -Some rockets were fired with great precision into the enemy's position, -by Lieutenant Fitzjames and Mr. Jackson, of the Cornwallis, but the -Chinese poured in a heavy fire of ginjals and matchlocks upon our -troops as they advanced. - -The marines and seamen dashed across the paddy-field, and charged up -the hill, which was steep and rugged, with great spirit, but were -boldly met by the Chinese, who did not shrink from the contest. The -leading division soon gained the summit, and the remainder of the -brigade pushed round the sides of the hill, to cut off the retreat of -the enemy. In this encounter two officers of the Royal Marines and two -officers of the naval battalion were wounded; eleven men were also -wounded and three killed. - -The General, at the head of the 49th, in the meantime carried the -hill in his front with great spirit, and detached the grenadiers, -under Major Gough, to cut off a body of Chinese who were attempting to -get up the rear of the other hill, which had already been carried in -front by the naval brigade. This division of the enemy was, therefore, -completely hemmed in, and the slaughter was unavoidably great in the -hollow at the foot of the hill. - -The 49th now continued to press forward, driving the Chinese before -them in great disorder across the plain at the foot of the hills; and -the 18th and Rifles, having by this time succeeded in turning the -enemy's position on the heights, descended into the plain, and joined -the 49th and 26th in the pursuit. The whole Chinese army was now in -full flight across the plain, towards the Chungkie Pass, and just -passed within range of the Phlegethon and Nemesis, who had taken up -an excellent position in the creek, for the purpose of cutting them -off. Their guns opened fire upon the scattered fugitives, who suffered -severely. - -From eight hundred to one thousand men are supposed to have been -killed, wounded, or drowned, in this engagement; every attempt was -made to spare them, but as most of these troops came from distant -provinces, and were reputed to be their best soldiers, they refused to -surrender themselves prisoners, with few exceptions. Many officers or -mandarins were killed, but only three were taken prisoners. Many of -them deliberately cut their own throats, when they saw that the day was -irretrievably lost. - -Some curious and interesting documents were found, relating to their -plans and the disposal of their forces, amongst which were some public -proclamations to be distributed among the people. Upon the bodies of -many of the slain, pieces of Sycee silver were found, as had been the -case at Ningpo, a few days before. - -The strength of the Chinese army was estimated at from seven to eight -thousand men, part of which appeared to be a picked body, said to -belong to the Emperor's guard; they were fine, athletic, powerful men. -It was also remarked that their arms were of a superior description; -several improvements had been adopted; and the bow and arrow, once the -favourite weapon of the Tartar soldier, had been laid aside on this -occasion. - -As usual, several personal encounters took place; the Chinese not -fearing to engage single-handed with their foe, or to measure their -sword with that of our officers. In one of these combats, Mr. Hodgson, -mate of the Cornwallis, was wounded, not far from the Admiral. Colonel -Mountain was in some danger of being run through, but was saved by a -timely shot from one of the 18th. The clothes of the slain were in some -instances ignited by their matches, and produced, as on some other -occasions, a revolting spectacle. - -The night was passed, by our gallant little force, in the tents from -which the Chinese had been driven, and which were found to contain -plenty of warm coverings and provisions, &c. There were stores of rice, -and bread (cakes), and flour, in abundance. - -Besides the loss already mentioned, the 49th had three officers -and four men wounded. Some of our officers were wounded severely, -Lieutenant Lane having had his arm amputated upon the field. - -On the following morning, at daylight, the grain magazines in the -town, belonging to government, were opened to the people, and, as -might be expected, were rapidly emptied. A large quantity of ginjals, -matchlocks, and other warlike implements, were also collected upon the -battle-field, and were nearly all destroyed. Among other curiosities -were nine newly-invented brass tubes, of about three pounds calibre, -and thirty-nine pounds weight, each with two handles; they had never -been used, but were apparently intended to fire grape-shot. They were -curiously bound round with catgut, and were probably to be fired -while held between two men, as they were provided with handles for -the purpose. One of them was given to Captain Hall, by the Admiral, -and has since been deposited, with other Chinese weapons, at Windsor. -Twenty-three guns were also captured, principally upon the walls of the -town. - -As the enemy had retreated towards the Chungkie Pass, about six or -seven miles distant to the north-west, where it was reported that -another fortified encampment had been formed, Sir Hugh Gough moved in -advance, about one o'clock on the following day, the 16th; but having -reached the foot of the hills, the position was found completely -abandoned, although it was by nature a strong one. Dispositions were -made for the attack, but none of the enemy were discovered, and -consequently the hoped-for military chest was not captured. The Chinese -had only just withdrawn, for they had left behind them some ammunition, -and a supply of inferior bread, which is tolerably eatable, however, -after a long march. - -Having halted about two or three hours for rest, and after setting fire -to all the buildings, our little army returned to the town of Tsekee -the same evening. - -It is proper here to remark that the peasantry, and the inhabitants -generally, except where they happened casually to be intermingled with -the soldiers during the flight, shewed little concern as to the fate of -their countrymen. They appeared to be more astonished than frightened, -particularly at the swimming of the horses of the artillery across the -river, and then seeing them harnessed to the guns. - -The town of Tsekee suffered very little. A large pawnbroker's shop was -one of the greatest curiosities, being filled with furs, silks, &c. It -was a large, extensive building, like a warehouse, as is commonly the -case in China, and it afforded excellent quarters. - -This engagement upon the heights of Segoan has been considered, by -military men, as the most scientifically conducted affair which -occurred during the war. Its success, at all events, was complete; -and the Chinese army, which was now concentrated to the southward of -Hang-chow-foo, for the purpose of covering the provincial capital, -against which we were expected to advance, was said to be with much -difficulty kept together, and to be in great want of supplies. The -orders of the emperor, that the province which was the seat of the war -for the time should defray all its expenses, excited much discontent, -as might be expected. - -Any proposed plan of advancing upon Hang-chow-foo which might have been -thought of was now abandoned, and the great river, the Yangtze-Keang, -was designed to be the principal seat of operations during the ensuing -campaign. The vast inland trade passing through this main artery of the -empire would be stopped; the traffic by the Grand Canal would be at our -mercy; and there seemed every reason to expect that the presence of a -large military and naval force, in the heart of the country, would lead -the haughty Chinese cabinet to listen to terms of peace, which we hoped -to dictate under the walls of the ancient Chinese capital, the imperial -Nankin, the depository of the ashes of many of the ancient Emperors of -China. Some, however, looked forward to a hoped-for advance upon Pekin, -the great Tartar capital, by the river Peiho. The result, however, -ultimately proved the wisdom of the former plan of operations. - -During the months of April and May, reinforcements continued to -arrive to strengthen the expedition, and the belief was general that -it was determined to put an end to the war as soon as possible, by -some means or other. A fresh corps of Bengal volunteers, a remarkably -fine body of men, arrived from Calcutta; the 41st and the 2nd native -infantry arrived from Madras, with a reinforcement of artillery, and -a few horses for the guns. Several steamers and ships of war, with -transports, continued to join in succession--namely, the Vixen from -England, and the Tenasserim, Auckland, Ariadne, Medusa, and the little -Hooghly steamers, belonging to the East India Company, from Bombay and -Calcutta, all well armed, and some of them peculiarly adapted for river -navigation. - -The Chinese, finding that they met with no success against us in the -open field, turned their attention more strongly than ever to their two -most notable schemes, of kidnapping our men, one by one, and destroying -our ships by means of fire-rafts. Large rewards continued to be offered -for the capture of our high officers; but their successes in this -system were confined to the men, some of whom were occasionally carried -off and a few were put to death in the most barbarous and inhuman -manner. Indeed, it was not till after the capture of Chapoo (the next -engagement to be described) that the Chinese began to treat their -prisoners with a little kindness and mercy. - -Many stories of the cleverness of the Chinese in carrying off -prisoners, and of the treatment the latter afterwards met with, are -familiar to the reader. Towards the close of the war, they were -generally pretty well taken care of, for the Chinese could not be -insensible to the kind treatment their countrymen met with when they -fell into our hands. I remember being nearly caught once at Chusan, -just at the close of the war; and the very next day, an attack was -made upon two of our officers, who made an excursion in the same -direction, and had a very narrow escape. Captain Wellesley, R.N., and -Ensign Shadwell, of the 55th, were surrounded at less than a mile from -the city gate. The latter shot one of the Chinamen in the breast with -a pistol, (a _single_ pistol is always useless,) but was immediately -taken prisoner by the others, who were probably soldiers disguised -as peasants. His arms were pinioned, and he was dragged along _by -the legs_. In the meantime, Captain Wellesley, instead of firing his -pistol, judiciously ran off towards the city gate, to call out the -guard; and the moment the Chinese saw them advancing, they threw down -their prisoner and decamped. He was thus saved. - -On some occasions, the Chinese kidnappers had the worst of it, and were -themselves captured: these were principally sent down to Hong-Kong to -work in chains, but some were kept in prison at Chusan. The respectable -inhabitants, however, were anxious to bring about a more peaceable -state of things, and they stated that the kidnappers were not natives -of the island, but people sent over purposely from the mainland. It was -evident that some secret influence was at work among the people, and -that they still dreaded the power of their own authorities, and were -instigated to annoy us. - -At length, the Chinese became better disposed, and then took to the -amusement of making caricatures of us. Many spirited things of this -sort were hawked about, rudely executed and strangely coloured, but -withal amusing specimens of Chinese drollery. The two annexed sketches, -one of an encounter between our own soldiers and the Tartars, and -the other of an English foraging party, are accurately reduced from -the original Chinese caricatures, and shew more evidence of fun and -quickness than we should have expected among so grave a people. There -were many others equally amusing. At Ningpo, they made a sort of little -peep show of the General and his staff, intended to be a correct -representation of them in little figures. That of Sir Hugh Gough, with -his beautiful long, grey locks, was fairly done. A capital full-length -picture, in oil, of the General was afterwards executed at Macao by a -Chinese artist, who had been regularly instructed. - -[Illustration: TARTAR AND ENGLISH SOLDIERS FIGHTING.] - -[Illustration: ENGLISH FORAGING PARTY. - -CHINESE CARICATURES.] - -The more the Chinese came to mix with us and to be acquainted with our -character, the more they seemed to fall into our ways; and we cannot -but think that, at no distant period, amicable relations will be -established, without difficulty, upon an intimate footing. It has often -been remarked, that in many respects they resemble Englishmen in their -mercantile, industrious habits, their ingenuity, and their readiness -to combine together for useful purposes, their independent spirit, and -their love of argument. They differ materially from all other eastern -nations with which we have hitherto come in contact. - -As soon as the Nemesis had undergone some necessary repairs, (for which -purpose she was beached upon the sands at Trumball Island,) she was -ordered to explore all the neighbouring islands between Chusan and the -Main in search of fire-vessels, or of other warlike preparations. She -was joined by H.M.S. Clio, which was, however, left at anchor at Keeto -Point, Captain Troubridge himself coming on board the Nemesis, and -bringing one of his boats, manned and armed. In almost every island -or bay they visited along the so-called Nimrod's Channel, Gough's -Passage, Mesan Island, and other parts to the southward of Chusan, an -immense number of fire-boats, in different stages of preparation, were -discovered and destroyed; and wherever any opposition was offered, the -neighbouring hamlets were burnt. - -Two or three days were occupied in this important service, during -which the Nemesis had her false rudder carried away; and, owing in a -great measure to this accident, and to the remarkable strength of the -currents, as she was attempting to pass between the island of Luhwang -and another small one lying off its eastern point, the current caught -her bows, and threw her heavily, _broadside onto the rocks_. The -vessel was soon got off again, but she had bilged in the starboard -coal-bunker. The water was pouring in fast, but it was thought that the -engine-pumps would suffice to keep it under, until a good sandy beach -could be found to run her ashore upon. But the water gained so fast -upon the pumps that the fire would not burn much longer, so that it was -necessary to run her ashore upon the nearest beach. As the tide ebbed, -the water ran out again through the leak; and then by digging a deep -hole in the sand, it was easy to get down below the ship's bottom, and -stop the leak from the outside. - -A great many fire-boats had been destroyed upon the island that day; -and, as it was known to be occupied by a body of Chinese soldiers, a -military mandarin on horseback having also been observed superintending -the completion of the fire-boats, it was possible that an attack might -be made on the vessel at night, and it was therefore prudent to hasten -the repairs. The rent was full three feet in length, but it was filled -up with stout wedges of wood, covered with oakum, and driven firmly -into it _from the outside_. - -To prevent any surprise by the Chinese, sentries were posted upon -the neighbouring hills, to give warning of their approach; and, by -way of being beforehand with them, a requisition was sent up to the -principal village, written in Chinese, by a Chinese servant on board, -demanding from the head men, or elders of the place, a supply of -provisions--namely, a couple of bullocks, a dozen geese, two or three -dozen ducks and fowls, and so forth; and _threatening_ to pay a hostile -visit to the village next day, if they did not comply. After some -deliberation, all these things were promised; so that the authorities, -instead of planning an attack upon the vessel, or any attempt upon the -men during the night, had quite enough to do to collect these supplies -by the following morning. In the meantime, the vessel was repaired -and got off again. Information of the accident was, however, conveyed -to the Admiral by the Clio's boat; and he immediately sent down the -Phlegethon, with the launch of the Cornwallis, to render assistance. By -the time they arrived in the morning, the vessel was already, to their -astonishment, prepared to proceed to Chusan, where she arrived in the -course of the day. - -Information of the intended attack on our shipping at Chusan had been -obtained by Captain Dennis, the military magistrate of Tinghai, late -that evening, and was by him communicated to the Admiral. Orders were -therefore sent to the different ships of war and transports, to be upon -the alert, and have all their boats in readiness. The Nemesis was the -only vessel to which the information was accidentally not conveyed; -probably because it was thought she was ashore. - -A little after eleven, P.M., three divisions of fire-rafts were -observed drifting down towards the shipping, from the eastern end of -the harbour, some from the direction of Sincamoon, close along the -island of Chusan, some between Macclesfield and Trumball islands, where -the Nemesis lay, and others again outside the latter, by the Sarah -Galley passage. The first intimation of their approach was given by -two lights being observed at some distance; this led to a suspicion of -fire-rafts, and by the time the men had got to quarters, several of the -fire-vessels burst into flames; others were gradually set on fire, -and were seen to take the three different directions before described. -Nearly twenty of them drifted down between the islands off which the -Nemesis lay; and as they gradually came within range, her guns opened -on them, to try to drive them on shore. There was a small boat ahead -of each raft, under sail, and with men in it to tow the rafts in the -required direction. - -The Nemesis was of course in considerable danger; for the rafts or -fire-boats were chained two and two together, so as to hang across the -ship's bows. Steam was got up as quick as possible, the cable was ready -to be slipped in case of need, and the steamer's boats were sent out to -tow the rafts clear, as they were rapidly bearing down upon her, with a -strong ebb-tide. They were all in a complete blaze as they drifted past -on either side of her; and so close were they, that it was necessary to -wet the decks and the side of the vessel continually, on account of the -great heat. Her guns continued to fire at them, in order to sink them, -if possible. - -Other divisions of the fire-rafts, which came down the passages before -described, were driven ashore by the boats of the squadron, and blew -up, without doing any mischief to our shipping. Altogether, between -fifty and sixty of them at least had been sent down, from the eastern -side of the harbour; but it was reported that another division of them -was to come down by the western side, from the direction of Sing Kong, -as soon as the tide turned; a division of boats, under Lieutenant Wise, -of the Cornwallis, was therefore sent to endeavour to find them out -and destroy them at once. They were soon discovered, to the number of -thirty, at anchor off a sandy beach, outside of Bell Island, and their -destined work of mischief was frustrated. - -On the following morning, the Nemesis and Phlegethon steamers were -again sent to search through all the adjacent islands; and the -Nemesis succeeded in discovering many more fire-boats, which were now -destroyed, upon the different islands; stacks of fire-wood and other -combustible materials, which had been collected for the purpose, were -likewise set on fire. In one village, there were a number of boats half -filled with combustible materials; and the whole village was put into -an uproar when the crew of the steamer began to set fire to them. It -turned out that they had been pressed into service by the mandarins, -and the people naturally wished to save their boats, on which their -livelihood depended. Only one poor old woman, however, was permitted to -retain her boat, for they might all have been pressed by the mandarins -again. - -A party of armed seamen and marines were now sent up towards a hill -in the rear of the village, along which a number of men had been seen -retiring, and amongst them a military mandarin, which made it probable -that they were soldiers. The Chinese made a hasty retreat, but the -mandarin was observed to try to hide himself behind a tombstone while -he pulled off his warm jacket, and nearly all his clothes, and lastly -his satin boots, and then giving them to a man who attended him, away -he ran for his life down the hill on the opposite side, so that there -was no chance of overtaking him. - -The Phlegethon had been sent in an opposite direction; but on that side -no fire-boats were discovered, notwithstanding the active exertions of -Lieutenant M'Cleverty. Altogether not less than one hundred fire-boats -were destroyed on these different occasions, besides those which had -been previously destroyed by the Nemesis, and the boat of the Clio. -How many Chinese lost their lives in the affair it is impossible to -say; but many of them must have been drowned in attempting to escape -on shore, after the fire-rafts burst into flames. In fact, in all the -numerous little sheltered bays among those islands, fire-rafts were -destroyed in greater or lesser numbers. - -On one occasion, and without any warning, the Nemesis ran at full -speed, and at high water, upon a dangerous conical-shaped rock, off -the north-eastern extremity of Deer Island, near the southern coast -of Chusan, although she had frequently been through the same passage -before without having discovered the danger. The tide began to fall -almost immediately she struck, so that she was left with her bows high -and dry, and her stern deep in the water, while she had seven fathoms -close alongside of her. It was a remarkable position for a vessel to be -placed in; part of her bottom was completely clear of the rock and the -water too, the vessel being only held by its extremities; and when the -tide rose, every attempt to haul her off proved ineffectual. A large -indentation, or hollow, was supposed to have been made where she rested -upon the rock, which of course held her fast. - -The only resource was to try to float her off, by fairly lifting her -up, with the help of large casks and junks. The launch and pinnace of -the Cornwallis having been sent to her assistance, eight large casks -were got out, and boats were sent out to press half-a-dozen of the -largest Chinese trading junks to assist in the operation. As soon as -they were brought alongside, the vessel was lightened, strong hawsers -were passed under her bottom, and were secured over the bows of three -junks, placed on either side, and then carried aft round the junk's -quarter, and thence led forward and secured round the mast. By these -means, as the tide rose, the junks fairly lifted the head of the -steamer off the rock, and she was launched into her own element without -having sustained any material injury. - -From what has been already stated, it will be readily inferred that the -navigation of the Chusan islands is intricate, and not unattended with -danger. - -Perhaps the most curious and interesting of all these islands is the -consecrated island of Pooto, situated very near the eastern end of -Chusan, and only about sixteen miles distant from the town of Tinghai. -It is a small rocky island, broken up into numerous picturesque valleys -and romantic glens, the hollows of which are richly cultivated, and -abounding in trees and aromatic shrubs; while from the steep and rugged -heights a most beautiful prospect presents itself on every side, the -waters around it being studded with almost innumerable islands as -far as the eye can reach. But it is most celebrated for its numerous -temples, of which there are said to be nearly four hundred, (but this -number is probably exaggerated,) dedicated to the idolatrous worship of -Foo, or Budha. The whole island is, in fact, a large monastery, divided -into many brotherhoods. "All the sumptuous and extensive buildings of -this island," says Medhurst, "are intended for no other purpose than -to screen wooden images from the sun and rain; and all its inhabitants -are employed in no other work than the recitation of unmeaning prayers, -and the direction of useless contemplations towards stocks and stones; -so that human science and human happiness would not be in the least -diminished if the whole of Pooto, with its gaudy temples and lazy -priests, were blotted out from the face of the creation." Each of -the priests is furnished with a _string of beads_, which he keeps -continually fingering; and as he counts them, he repeats the same dull -monotonous exclamation, "O-me-to-Fuh." The solid rocks are engraven -with Budhist titles, and the whole island is under the spell of the -almost talismanic words, "O-me-to-Fuh." - -Several of the temples are very extensive and highly ornamented, -although they begin to bear the marks of falling greatness. At a -distance they look very imposing; but on nearer inspection, some of -them are found to be more or less tumbling to decay; in short, the -priests are no longer wealthy, and the visits of superstitious votaries -to the island are less numerous than formerly, and consequently the -revenues have diminished. There are few places, however, better worth -visiting by an inquiring traveller; and three or four days could -be spent upon the island with great pleasure and some profit. The -temples are gaudily ornamented, and sometimes elegantly planned. You -are struck with the succession of shrines, one within the other, the -huge gilded statues of Budha, and the monstrous images by which they -are surrounded and attended. The temples are generally built in a -hollow, or at the bottom of a valley, so that the different shrines or -buildings of the principal monasteries rise one above the other, being -built on the declivity of the mountain's side, which terminates in -the valley. The yellow tiles of some of them indicate former imperial -protection. The most picturesque sites have been chosen for them, -and even caverns in the rocks have in some parts been turned into a -succession of gilded temples. - -There are good causeways leading to every part of the island; on every -crag there is either a temple or a little image; the gardens are laid -out with extreme care and neatness; and were you not startled by the -gross idolatry which surrounds you, and repelled by the dull, vacant, -half-idiotic look of ignorant superstition stamped upon the countenance -of every man you meet, you might be almost tempted to believe that -it is a rich and happy,--a favoured and contented spot. Some of the -temples are very striking, and might be called beautiful. In one of -them was a very large library for the use of the monks; but, as far -as I could judge, the books appeared to have been little, if at all -used.[62] - -FOOTNOTE: - -[62] There are three religions systems prevailing in China, and -tolerated by the government--viz., those of Confucius, of Laoutze, and -of Budha. The two former were contemporaries, and flourished about five -hundred years before the Christian era. That of Budha was introduced -from India, very soon after the beginning of our era, and gained such -hold among the common people of China, that it is now the general -superstition of all the lower classes, and its showy temples and gilded -images abound throughout the land. Confucius, on the other hand, was -simply a political and moral philosopher, and in his temples no images -are found; but he was a politician, and was employed in the public -service, _long before he became a moralist_. - -Laoutze was a contemplative enthusiast, who taught the cultivation -of reason, abstraction from the world, self-denial, &c.; and then -wandered into the absurdities of magic arts and demoniac possessions. -Nevertheless, he is said to have had some glimmerings of a future -state. His followers are in the present day called the sect of Taou. - -The Budhism of China probably differs little from that of India; the -daily prayers are repeated in a language of which the priests do not -understand a syllable. In the temple are the three huge Budhas--the -Past, the Present, and the Future; with a Goddess of Mercy, a God of -War, a God of Wealth, and others. There is, in front of the altar, a -large bronze cauldron, for burning gilt paper; and a huge drum and a -bell, to awaken the especial attention of the god. Such are the temples -of Pooto. - -In cases of extreme emergency, as during the prevalence of great -drought and threatened famine, the Emperor orders prayers to be offered -up in the temples of all the three sects, for a cessation of the evil. -But the Confucian is the system of religion to which the Emperor and -his court adhere. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - - -At the commencement of the month of May, 1842, it became generally -understood, that a movement was very soon to be made upon Chapoo, which -was to be followed by the advance of the whole expedition up the great -Yangtze river. Ningpo, however, is deserving of one or two further -observations, for it is one of the most important trading cities in -China; and, from its position, and its vicinity to several large and -wealthy cities, such as Hang-chow-foo, Soo-chow-foo, and others which -border upon the Imperial Canal, there is every reason to believe, that -an extensive trade will soon be opened there. - -Ningpo lies at the distance of only fifty miles from the trading town -of Chapoo, which possesses a monopoly of the whole trade with Japan -and Corea. Hence there is reason to believe, that our manufactures -will soon find their way into these latter countries, (which have -hitherto excluded the foreigner, more pertinaciously even than the -Chinese,) indirectly by way of Ningpo; and, that, in a few years, many -articles expressly adapted for the Japan market, will be ordered to be -manufactured in this country, and sent to Chinese merchants at Ningpo. -This city is famous for its silks, which are very beautiful of their -kind; and the shops are elegant, and well supplied with all kinds of -Chinese manufactures. It is a wealthier and much handsomer town than -Amoy, and is much superior in commercial importance, to Foo-chow-foo, -another of the newly-opened ports. Large junks are even built on the -Ningpo river, and the people have always shewn a great disposition to -trade with foreigners. Indeed, this is the case in every part of China -where the people have not been held back by their mandarins. - -Mr. Gutzlaff, in one of his early voyages, obtained a list of all -the foreign ships which had formerly visited Ningpo, and found their -number to be considerable; and it was stated to him that some of the -very old people still retained a faint recollection of the foreigners. -The Portuguese traded at this place in the sixteenth century, and the -English had a factory there as late as the middle of the last century. -It was finally pulled down in 1759, and all foreign trade was then -absolutely prohibited, by express orders from Pekin. - -The principal objection made by the government at that time to permit -trade at Ningpo, was simply "the loss of the imperial revenue, -accruing from the overland carriage of tea and other goods, to and from -Canton." Add to this, the great extortions of the local officers, who -here, as well as at Chusan, demanded such exorbitant fees and bribes, -that it was found impossible to carry on trade with any chance of -profit. - -It was at Ningpo that the Jesuit missionaries first set foot in China; -and thence, making their way to Pekin, succeeded, by _good policy_, -scientific acquirements, and conciliatory demeanour, in winning the -good-will of the people, and the toleration of the government. This -was towards the end of the seventeenth century. For a time they -possessed great influence; and sanguine expectations were entertained -of the valuable results of their labours, and of the rich fruits which -would ripen to maturity, as soon as the tree of Christianity which -they planted in China, should spread its roots throughout the land. -Various causes conspired to produce their downfal in China, principally -connected with the political state of Europe at that time. But it -has been well observed by Sir George Staunton, in his preface to the -translation of the Penal Code of China, that "the extinction of the -order of Jesuits in that country, caused the adoption of a plan of -conversion more _strict_, and probably more orthodox, but in the same -proportion, more unaccommodating to the prejudices of the people, and -more alarming to the jealousy of the government. Generally speaking, -it threw the profession _into less able hands_, and the cause of -Christianity and of Europe lost much of its lustre and influence. The -Jesuits were generally artists or men of science, as well as religious -teachers." - -Ultimately, the teaching of Christianity at Pekin was strictly -prohibited, and particular objection was made to the printing or -translation of books into the _Chinese and Tartar languages_; and, in -1805, all books of this kind were ordered to be seized and destroyed, -and the Tartar subjects were specially exhorted to attend to the -language of their own country, and the admonitions of their own -government; and, above all, to _practise riding and archery_, and -to study the works of the learned and virtuous, and particularly to -observe all the _social duties_. - -On the 7th of May, 1842, the city of Ningpo was given up, it was -impossible to spare a garrison for so large a city. Neither was it -any longer necessary to retain possession of it, for the occupation -of Chinhae at the river's mouth, would command the whole trade of the -city. Some of the principal inhabitants, merchants, and others, were -assembled by Sir Hugh Gough, and into their hands the custody of the -city was given over, in the absence of all the constituted authorities. -As might be expected, our evacuation of Ningpo was represented to -the Emperor as a great victory gained. The Chinese looked on in -apparent astonishment, but there was no shouting or expression of -public feeling, and the gates were given over to the persons selected -for the purpose, who took possession of them with a party of their -followers, very little differing in appearance from the common rabble. -Our troops embarked in perfect order on board the Queen, Sesostris, and -Phlegethon, and without any irregularity whatever. - -The reinforcements which had already arrived in the Chinese waters -had not all yet joined the main body to the northward; in fact, they -did not leave Hong-Kong until a month afterwards, but Sir Hugh Gough -decided on proceeding to the attack of Chapoo without waiting for them. -All the troops, however, which could possibly be spared from Chinhae, -Chusan, and Kolingsoo, (Amoy,) small garrisons only being left at -each of those places, had been called in, and the transports were, -therefore, tolerably crowded. The anchorage close to the small island -called Just-in-the-Way, lying nearly midway between Chusan and Chinhae, -was the appointed rendezvous for the ships; and owing to various -circumstances they were unable to leave it before the 13th (May.) - -The whole force which the General had now at his disposal, exclusive of -the naval brigade, was about two thousand two hundred men, including -the artillery and the gun lascars, and sappers and miners. To this must -be added about one hundred and ten officers. The force was divided into -three columns: the right, composed of the 18th and 49th regiments, each -being from four to five hundred strong, together with a few sappers -and miners--in all about nine hundred and twenty men and forty-eight -officers--was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Morris. The centre, under -Lieutenant-Colonel Montgomerie, (Madras Artillery,) was composed of a -small detachment of the Royal Artillery, (twenty-five men only,) with -the Madras Artillery and Sappers, and the Madras Rifles, (one hundred -men,)--in all about four hundred and sixty men, (including lascars,) -and fifteen officers. And the left, composed of the 26th and 55th -regiments, (the latter only half the strength of the former,) together -with twenty-five sappers, in all eight hundred and twenty men, and -two hundred and thirty officers, was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel -Schoedde. - -On the 13th, the ships of war, the Cornwallis, Blonde, Modeste, -Columbine, Starling, Algerine, and Plover, with the troop-ship Jupiter, -and several transports, got under weigh with a light breeze; they soon -passed the hill of Chinhae, (the Pelican being at anchor in the river,) -and afterwards neared the Teshan Islands, and then, hauling up to the -westward, made the remarkable hills about Chapoo, and anchored in -seven and a half fathoms water, seventy-five miles from land. Chapoo -itself is in reality situated in what may be called an open roadstead -(with a shallow dry harbour close to the town) on the northern side -of the large deep bay, into which the river which flows down past -Hang-chow-foo, called the Tshen-tang river, empties itself. The tides -there are remarkably rapid at all times; and on the following day a -strong breeze setting in from the north-east with hazy weather, it was -impossible to move from the anchorage. The next day there was still no -improvement in the appearance of the weather, and it was not until the -16th that a reconnoissance of Chapoo could be made by the General and -Admiral on board the Phlegethon and Nemesis steamers. - -No information upon which reliance could be placed had been obtained as -to the actual strength of the Chinese force at Chapoo, but the general -belief was, either that a very large body of troops would be found -there, or that the place would have been abandoned altogether by the -enemy, for the purpose of concentrating their forces for the protection -of Hang-chow-foo. This question was soon set at rest. - -The view of Chapoo and the adjacent hills from the sea, as you approach -the coast, is very remarkable. The town and its extensive suburbs are -situated near the western extremity of a small promontory, stretching -east and west for the distance of between four and five miles. The -suburbs, which appear to be the principal resort for merchants and -traders, and contain the most wealthy shops, run along the edge of the -beach, partly at the foot of the hills which rise up on either side, -and partly occupying a low flat between them. The actual walled town -stands about half a mile in the rear, and the nature and extent of its -defences could not be accurately ascertained. - -As the steamers were running in, so as to get near enough to observe -the nature of the Chinese defences, and the works thrown up on -the adjacent hills, a large fishing boat was brought-to, to get -information, and three of the fishermen, being brought on board of the -Nemesis, were questioned as to the numbers of Chinese troops, &c., on -shore. One of these men stoutly denied that there were any soldiers -there at all; but, upon a threat that they would all be hanged if they -were found to conceal the truth, the other two men declared that there -was a large force assembled for the defence of the place. - -On a nearer approach it was observed that there were three principal -hills extending along the coast to the eastward of the suburbs, for -the distance of full three miles, and two or three small islands lying -off a little bay at their eastern extremity, and contributing to -shelter it, and to make it a good landing-place for our troops. Upon -the heights above, several breastworks were thrown up, particularly -along the slopes between the hills. Upon the side of the hill nearest -the town were two small batteries, mounting five and seven guns, and -upon a low hill in front of the suburbs there was a circular battery of -twelve to fourteen guns. Along the shore, a little further westward, -a masked battery was commenced, but apparently not yet completed. The -steamers ran in close enough to be able, with a glass, to observe the -mandarins despatching messengers along the heights, upon which a great -number of troops were posted, but they did not fire at the steamers, -although they came within range. Indeed, the Chinese seemed disinclined -to commence an action, and thus provoke a contest. - -The anchorage was completely surveyed by Commanders Kellett and -Collinson, who carefully sounded without any interruption along the -whole coast at night, thus enabling the Cornwallis, Blonde, Modeste, -and the other vessels before named, to take up advantageous positions -against the enemy's works, and to cover the landing of the troops, -which it was decided should take place in the bay to the eastward, -before mentioned. From that point it appeared to the General that the -heights could be turned, and the enemy cut off before they could make -good their retreat upon the walled city. - -At daylight, on the 17th, the whole of the men-of-war and transports -got under weigh, and stood in towards Chapoo, with a light breeze from -the southward, the Nemesis and Phlegethon leading, and giving the -soundings by signal to the Cornwallis, the Algerine having dropped -astern, owing to the light wind. At eight, A.M., they came to anchor -about four miles off shore, it being nearly calm and high water. The -positions had already been assigned to the respective ships, and -particularly to the steamers, who were to land the troops. The fleet -got under weigh again soon after one o'clock, with a fresh breeze from -the south-west, and beat in towards the anchorage of Chapoo, which they -reached in the evening, when each ship took up its allotted position -without any obstacle. The Nemesis anchored close in shore, in three -fathoms water, and from her deck every movement of the Chinese could -be seen, even without the aid of a glass. The transports were anchored -near the islands, off the little bay to the eastward, where the troops -were to land, under cover of the Starling, Columbine, Plover, and -Algerine. The Cornwallis and Blonde took up positions against the -small batteries upon the hill-side next the suburbs, upon the top of -which there was a temple, or joss-house, occupied by a large body -of the enemy, and the Modeste was placed nearer the suburbs, to act -against the works in front. The Nemesis, Phlegethon, and Queen steamers -were in the first instance to land the troops from the transports, -assisted by the boats, while the Sesostris steamer was anchored in -shore, to shell the Chinese as they retreated before our advancing -troops. - -The sun set clear and brilliant on that evening, the last which many a -brave man on both sides was doomed to look upon. The Chinese were on -the alert during the night, and brought down some large ginjals, which -they planted upon the hill-side, abreast of the Nemesis, but did not -make use of them. - -At daylight next morning the Nemesis went alongside the transports, -to take in the 18th Royal Irish, under Colonel Tomlinson, and, having -landed them in the appointed bay, returned immediately to fetch part of -the 55th, together with the rifles; the remainder of the 55th, with the -26th, 49th, and artillery, being landed by the Queen and Phlegethon, -assisted by the boats of the squadron, the whole under the direction of -Commander Charles Richards, of the Cornwallis. Sir Hugh Gough landed -with the first or right column from the Nemesis, and at once occupied -a height which commanded the landing-place, without meeting with any -opposition. As usual, the Chinese had neglected their flanks, as if an -enemy could only think of attacking them where they were most prepared -to defend themselves. - -As soon as the whole of the troops were formed, Colonel Schoedde was -directed to move with the 26th and 55th regiments, forming the left -column, and Colonel Montgomerie, with the artillery and rifles, forming -the centre, as rapidly as possible round the base of the heights, -in the rear of which there was a broken valley, leading up in the -direction of the walled town, from which, by this means, the retreat -of the Chinese would be cut off. Sir Hugh Gough moved with the left -column, composed of the 18th and 49th regiments, under Colonel Morris, -along the crest of the heights, driving the enemy before him from one -point to another. As soon as the advance was sounded in that quarter, -the ships of war opened fire upon the enemy's right flank, near the -town, and after a few rounds, the Chinese fled from their field works, -and from the joss-house upon the summit of the hill. - -The Nemesis, in the meantime, having united her fire to that of the -other ships, was signalized to close the Cornwallis, for the purpose -of protecting the landing of the battalion of seamen and marines under -Captain Bourchier, who was accompanied by the Admiral himself, who -never shrunk from fatigue or danger, ashore or afloat. The enemy's -right flank was now turned, and their principal works were fortunately -carried before the Chinese had time to spring the mines which they had -prepared. The enemy was soon in full flight. - -The Sesostris threw some shells in upon the Chinese centre, as our -troops advanced upon them from their left; but, owing to the rapid -movement of the left column round the base of the hills, and the -dangerous direction of the line of fire of the steamer, there was at -one time more chance of danger to our own men than to the Chinese. The -sides of the hills were covered with a great number of tombs, which, -together with the broken nature of the ground, afforded shelter and -rallying points for the enemy, behind which they occasionally made a -stand, and suffered severely in consequence. Many of the Tartars were -even seen deliberately cutting their own throats, as our men were -advancing upon them. - -But the most terrible scene, and the point at which the greatest loss -on our side occurred, was a large house partly enclosed with a wall, -situated at the end of a little valley, about a mile from the walls of -the town. About three hundred resolute Tartar soldiers, finding their -retreat cut off, took refuge in this building, determined to sell their -lives as dearly as possible, expecting no quarter from their enemy. The -defence of this large building was no part of their original design; -but as they were driven into it, one after another, without any means -of escape, they were forced to defend themselves. The number who might -be inside was not at first known; and two small parties of the 18th and -49th, under Lieutenant Murray, of the former corps, and Lieutenant and -Adjutant Browne, of the latter, attempted to follow them in, but were -unable to effect an entrance. Of the 49th party, Lieutenants Browne and -Mitchell were the only two who escaped untouched. One man was killed -and the rest wounded. - -This little check was now reported to Lieutenant-Colonel Stevens of -the 49th, who soon came up. Perceiving that there were a great many of -the enemy in the house, and that they were firing from the windows and -doors, he ordered our troops to be withdrawn under cover, until the -guns were brought up. Colonel Tomlinson, of the 18th, having overheard -some injudicious remarks which he thought reflected upon himself, -instantly put himself at the head of a few of his own regiment and -of the 49th, and rushed in at the door of the joss-house. Scarcely -a second had elapsed when he fell a corpse into the arms of his men, -having received two balls in his neck. In fact, every man who attempted -to enter was either wounded or killed, as he became exposed to the -steady aim of the Tartars, in the narrow doorway, the light being full -upon him, while the Tartars were themselves concealed from view. - -The failure of this second attempt to enter the building, added to the -exasperation occasioned by the death of Colonel Tomlinson, rendered it -very difficult to restrain the men from recklessly exposing themselves. -Just at this time, one 6-pounder gun was brought up by Major Knowles, -and some rockets were also thrown into the house, but did not succeed -in setting it on fire. The field-piece made very little impression upon -the walls; but it was important that the place should be destroyed -and the Tartars captured. In the meantime, it was blockaded by two -companies of the 18th Royal Irish. - -While this was going on, Sir Hugh Gough had marched on towards the -city wall, and was joined there by Sir William Parker with the naval -brigade. As soon as the Admiral had landed, Captain Hall, with three -of his officers (including the surgeon) and sixteen men, (eight -seamen, and eight of the Bombay artillery,) also landed as volunteers, -and, after clearing a hill in their front of some straggling Chinese -soldiers, they advanced directly up the hollow, at the extremity -of which stood the large building just mentioned. Already Colonel -Tomlinson was killed, and several other officers wounded; both the -rockets and the small field-piece had failed to clear the house of its -defenders. Captain Pears, the field engineer, had also come up, and -proposed to endeavour to blow in a portion of the outer wall by means -of a bag of powder. - -Seeing a small side-door open, Captain Hall, followed by Lieutenant -Fitzjames and one of his own men, got close to it and fired into it, -wounding a Tartar mandarin, but it was too hazardous to try to force a -passage in; and, as the defenders kept up a smart fire from the windows -above, it was necessary to retire under cover. An attempt was then -made to set fire to the building, by throwing combustibles in at the -principal door; and Captain Hall rushed in towards it, with a bundle of -straw in one hand and his sword in the other, followed by several of -his men and one or two officers. Scarcely had he reached the doorway, -when a smart fire was opened from within, by which two of his men were -shot dead close by his side, but he himself escaped as if by a miracle. - -The bodies were instantly removed to a place of safety, and this -attempt failed, as the others had done. Three or four of the Tartars -now made an attempt to escape, by rushing out of the doorway, and ran -the gauntlet of ten or a dozen shots directed at them. They ran for -their lives and escaped, although, from the traces of blood, it was -thought that more than one of them must have been wounded. - -Captain Pears at length got a powder-bag fixed to the northern wall of -the building, which blew it in; and a small party of the 18th again -attempted to enter it, but one of them was killed, and two wounded, and -the rest withdrew. In fact, it was so dark inside the building, and the -space was so narrow, that it was impossible to make a rush at it. - -It was next proposed to set the place on fire, for on one side the -upper part of the building appeared to be built of wood. Another -powder-bag was fixed to that side of the house, just below the -wood-work, in the hope that it would knock it all down together, or -else set it on fire. The explosion was so powerful that it not only -destroyed part of the wall, but brought down the wood-work above it, -and thus many of the Tartars above became exposed, of whom some were -shot, and others succeeded in getting down below. But, wherever a -Tartar shewed himself at a window in any part of the building, several -muskets were levelled at him; and, on the other hand, so well did the -Tartars take aim with their matchlocks, that one of the Royal Irish, -who _would_ persist in merely peeping round the doorway "just to see if -he couldn't pick off a Tartar," received a shot in his knee, before he -had himself time to fire. - -The fragments of the wood-work, which had tumbled down, were now -collected into a heap by the sappers, and set on fire, which soon -communicated to the rest of the building. Gradually, as it spread, -the matchlocks of the Tartars (probably of the fallen) were heard to -go off, and loud cries were uttered. The rest of the defenders must -evidently surrender; and, on entering the doorway, the poor fellows -could now be seen stripping off their clothes to avoid the flames, and -running about in despair from one side to the other. About fifty were -taken prisoners, but two or three, who tried to escape, were shot; and -so exasperated were the 18th at the loss of their colonel, and some of -their comrades, that it was not without difficulty they were prevented -from putting several of the prisoners to death. These were now tied -together by their tails, in parties of eight or ten, so that they could -not well run away all together; and they were marched off, under an -escort, to the walled town, which had already been taken possession of. - -The walls had been scaled near the east gate, by the grenadiers of the -55th, without opposition; and the other gates of the town were soon -occupied by passing round the ramparts. There were few guns, or even -ginjals, mounted on them; and the Chinese, having been once driven from -the heights, and cut off from the city, were dispersed all over the -country, a large body of them taking the direction of Hang-chow-foo. - -Between Chapoo and that city there is a good canal communication, -supposed to be connected with the grand canal itself; and, in addition -to that, the communication by land, along a good causeway, broad enough -for artillery, gave many facilities for an immediate advance upon the -capital. It was said also, that a curious Chinese map of the road, and -of the adjacent country had been obtained; but, with so small a force, -it was not thought advisable to march further inland. - -If the loss of the Chinese was great on this day, so was it on our -side much greater than on any previous occasion. The high spirit of -the Tartar soldiers, the descendants of the conquerors of China, -and soldiers by birthright, could not brook a total defeat; and, -when they were further stimulated by the excitement of opium, their -self-devotion and stubbornness tended to increase their loss. When -they could no longer fight, they could die; and the instances of mad -self-destruction, both within the city and without, were perfectly -horrible. Many of the Tartars were with difficulty prevented from -cutting their throats, which they attempted to do with apparent -indifference. On visiting the large building, or joss-house, which had -resisted so long, and had cost so many lives, a number of dead and -wounded men were found huddled together in a horrible manner, in one -of the out-buildings attached to it. The ruins of the house were still -smoking, and our object was to drag out the wounded and put them under -cover until they could be properly attended to, for, on all occasions, -the Chinese wounded received every attention that could be shewn them -from our medical officers. Just as our men began to move aside the dead -bodies, a Tartar soldier, who had until now concealed himself among -them, literally rising from the dead, stood up suddenly and drew his -sword. But, instead of making a dash for his life, or giving himself up -as a prisoner, he began deliberately to hack his own throat with the -rusty weapon, and inflicted two wounds upon himself before his hand -could be stopped. Another man was found concealed in a deep hollow in -the earth, where there was a sort of oven, and could not be got out -until some men were sent to dig him out, and he was then found to be -wounded. Altogether, the scene at this house was quite enough by itself -to appal any man with the horrors of war. Many of the wounded were -dreadfully mutilated, and the dead bodies were charred and disfigured. - -A large building in the city was specially set apart for the Chinese -wounded, and the great kindness and attention they received at Chapoo -produced important effects afterwards upon the authorities, and induced -them to treat our prisoners with kindness, instead of torturing them -to death, as had frequently been the case. The veteran Elepoo, who -was, in fact, at that time governor of Chapoo, (having been partially -restored to favour by the Emperor,) expressly thanked the General and -the Admiral for their humanity, in a letter written about a month -afterwards. "On inquiry," said he, "I found that you gave the hungry -rice to eat, and allowed to the wounded medical attendance, and we feel -obliged for your kindness and courtesy." But this was not the only mark -of their gratitude, as we shall presently relate. - -Too much praise cannot be given to the superintending surgeon, Dr. -French, (often mentioned in the despatches,) and the other medical -officers, for their constant attention to the Chinese wounded, whenever -they had an opportunity. Occasionally, however, the Chinese refused all -assistance. - -Among the Tartar population, who were here for the first time met -with, living entirely separate from the Chinese, and preserving -their own habits and privileges, it is admitted by all that the most -shocking scenes were witnessed; and the similar barbarities which -were afterwards observed at the Tartar city of Chin-keang-foo confirm -all that has been said of the cruel and revolting practices of that -remarkable people in time of war. All accounts concur in giving their -testimony to the fact of the self-destruction of whole Tartar families; -the women destroying their children, drowning them in wells, and -throwing themselves in afterwards; the husbands hanging and poisoning -their wives, and deliberately cutting their own throats. - -Every effort was made to put a stop to these barbarities, and every -means were used to pacify and soothe the people; but as the greater -part of the Tartar population had abandoned the Tartar portion of the -city, the Chinese rabble set about plundering it, and frightened the -few who remained, even more than our own people. - -The Tartar town, which was separated from the other by a wall enclosing -about one-fourth of the space within the city, presented its peculiar -aspect. The houses were disposed something after the manner of tents in -an encampment, one of the last traces of the wandering pastoral habits -of the race; to each hut was attached a small bit of open ground, with -a bamboo fence round it, and a few trees within; and the vine was -not unfrequently seen twining itself among the bamboos. Their scanty -furniture was more rude than that of the Chinese; and the bow, with -its quiver full of arrows, the spear, the sword, and the matchlock, -seemed to be the most cherished ornaments of their abode. _They_ alone -are permitted to retain their weapons in their own charge. Indeed, -the Tartar here lives as a conqueror, and glories in the emblems of -conquest which he still has around him. In other respects, they are -all subject to the same laws, and wear the same dress, but differ a -good deal in their countenance and expression. Commonly the Tartars -are a fairer people than the Chinese, and some of them much resemble -Europeans. - -It is worthy of remark, that the conquerors imposed upon the conquered -the practice of shaving the head, excepting the back part, with its -long tail; but they themselves took care never to adopt the absurd -Chinese custom of preventing the growth of the female foot, and even -deforming it, in such a way as to render it nearly useless to its -owner. From the Emperor's court to the lowest soldier's wife, no Tartar -woman ever has her foot tortured into deformity. At Chusan, I remember -seeing a Tartar woman walking about with her natural undeformed feet, -and she was looked at as a curiosity by the Chinese inhabitants, who -stared and smiled as if they thought it a strange piece of barbarism. - -The attention of children to their parents, for which the Chinese as -well as Tartars are remarkable, was shewn in many instances, even -amid the trials of war, at Chapoo. The aged and infirm were of course -unable to fly from the city, and many of these were found in the Tartar -houses, carefully tended by their daughters, who stayed behind and -braved the expected horrors of an enemy's approach, rather than abandon -an aged parent. There were some touching scenes of this kind, and when -they found that they were not treated harshly, their fears, which at -first were distressing, gradually disappeared. - -The country about Chapoo is perhaps one of the richest and most -beautifully cultivated spots in the world. It in some respect resembles -the prettiest parts of Devonshire. The low hills immediately adjoining -the town--the rich, luxuriant, well-watered plain beyond, interspersed -with numerous hamlets and villages, with their curiously-shaped -blue-tiled roofs, and intersected by canals and causeways, formed a -very attractive panorama, and served to indicate the means by which so -dense a population is supported. But even there the horrors of war were -still to be traced; dead bodies floating along the canals, (probably -of wounded who had been carried away and had died,) parties of Chinese -plunderers, hastening across the country, laden with every kind of -property, and, perhaps, occasionally, a little, quiet European foraging -party, hunting out ducks, and fowls, and pigs, for which, however, the -peasants were generally very well paid. - -It was not the object of Sir Hugh Gough to occupy the city longer than -was necessary for the purpose of destroying the arsenals, and property -belonging to the government, including, of course, the iron guns, -ginjals, &c. The brass ones, some of which were very good, were sent -over to Chusan. Several horses, or rather ponies, which had belonged -to mandarins, were captured by our officers, and one of these, a stout -grey, was carried up to Calcutta in the Nemesis, after the war was over. - -The number of Chinese engaged at Chapoo has been estimated at between -seven and eight thousand men, of whom about one-fourth were Tartars. -It is difficult to estimate the number of their killed and wounded, -but it must have been very great; it has been estimated that nearly -one-sixth of them suffered more or less. On our side, two officers, -one sergeant, and ten men were killed, including three of the naval -brigade, of which two belonged to the Nemesis; six officers, one -sergeant, and about forty-five men were wounded, many of them severely. -The following were the names of the officers killed and wounded: -Killed--Lieutenant-Colonel Tomlinson, 18th Royal Irish, and Captain -Colin Campbell, 55th regiment, died two or three days after, from a -severe wound in the head. Wounded--Staff, Lieutenant-Colonel Mountain, -C.B., Deputy-Adjutant-General, severely, (three balls in his back;) -Lieutenant A. E. Jodrell, 18th; Lieutenant A. Murray, 18th; Captain T. -S. Reynolds, 49th; Lieutenant and Adjutant W. P. K. Browne, 49th; and -Lieutenant J. G. Johnstone, Madras Sappers and Miners. - -There were ten brass guns taken, together with eighty-two iron ones, -and a number of ginjals, &c. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - - -The results of the capture of Chapoo, and of the total defeat of -the best troops the Chinese had yet brought against us, were very -remarkable. On the one hand, the people more than ever dreaded our -power, while they also wondered at our forbearance; and, on the -other hand, the tone of the government began evidently to change, -and overtures were now made (probably with a view to gain time) -to induce our military and naval commanders-in-chief to suspend -hostilities. Advances of a similar kind had been made at Chinhae, but -did not appear to be founded upon sufficient authority to permit them -to be entertained. They were renewed at Chapoo, but in an equally -unsatisfactory manner, and the agent of the Chinese on both occasions, -and also on subsequent ones, was a mandarin of low degree, the very -sending of whom was sufficient to point out that their object was -merely to sound our disposition, and blind our credulity. - -At Hang-chow-foo the people were so much alarmed that they openly -expressed their dissatisfaction to the High Imperial Commissioner -Yih-king, who was also generalissimo of the forces, a member of the -imperial cabinet, and a relation of the Emperor. But above all, the -generous treatment of the Chinese prisoners by the orders of Sir Hugh -Gough, the attention shewn to their wounded, and their being at last -all given up before our forces left Chapoo, _each of them receiving a -present of money_, (about three dollars for each man,) all these humane -proceedings together produced a most powerful impression upon all -classes of the Chinese. - -When the Chinese prisoners were sent back from Chapoo, a letter was at -the same time addressed to Elepoo,[63] in reply to the overtures which -had been made. It was to the effect, "that hostilities could not be -suspended until the Chinese government were disposed to negotiate on -the terms offered by the British government, through the medium of her -majesty's plenipotentiary, who was then daily expected at Chusan." - -Elepoo was determined not to be outdone in courtesy, and before -our fleet entered the Yangtze river, he sent a very important and -remarkable letter, addressed to our commanders-in-chief, styling them -the "Honourable General and Admiral." He talked a great deal about good -faith and sincerity, and thanked them for sending back the prisoners, -and for the attention and kindness shewn to the wounded. He proceeded -to inform them, that he had in return sent back all _our_ prisoners -to Chapoo, who had been previously kept at Hang-chow-foo; but that on -their arrival there, it was found that the fleet had already sailed, -in consequence of which they were obliged to be taken back. He further -added, "that he was desirous to negotiate and make arrangements, in -order to protect _the lives of the people of both countries_." - -Neither the prisoners nor the letter were, however, received for some -time afterwards. By Elepoo's orders, _thirty dollars were afterwards -paid to every white man, and fifteen dollars to every native of India, -or, as they call them, to every "black man;"_ thereby marking their -sense of the distinction between them. Altogether, there were sixteen -prisoners restored by the Chinese, two of whom belonged to the Nemesis, -one being an English seaman, the other a negro lad, who had been a -slave at Macao, but had escaped and came on board the Nemesis, where he -turned out a very smart, useful lad. They had been kidnapped at Chusan, -and thence carried over to the mainland. - -After having been brought back to Hang-chow-foo, from Chapoo, the -prisoners remained there five days, and were well fed and taken care -of. They were then put into sedan chairs, and carried through the whole -Chinese army encamped to the southward of that city. The camp appeared -to be of immense extent, and full of soldiers, who crowded round the -sedan chairs with eager curiosity, but without attempting to offer -any violence. They appeared particularly amused at the appearance of -the black men. It was remarked, that about one in ten of the soldiers -was armed with a matchlock, the rest having only spears, swords, and -bows and arrows, the latter of which they seemed to be most proud of. -The danger they ran of having their clothes set on fire by the match, -particularly when wounded, or by the ignition of the powder, always -made them more or less afraid of arming themselves with the matchlock. - -After travelling for several days, partly in sedans and partly along -canals, during which they passed a large town, called Chow-king, -apparently as large as the capital itself, the prisoners arrived at -Yuyow, on the 11th of June, whence they were conveyed to Ningpo, and -after a very short halt, proceeded down the river to Chinhai, where -they were most joyfully received on board H.M. brig Pelican, by Capt. -Napier. - -Communications subsequently took place between Elepoo and our military -and naval commanders-in-chief. In one of these Elepoo says, that he -is surprised to learn that the fleet of our "_honourable country_ had -sailed up the Woosung river, firing guns and stirring up a quarrel; -and then expresses his regret that the war had already lasted so long, -and that many lives had been lost, and unspeakable misery produced. Is -it not far better to enjoy the blessings of peace than to fight for -successive years, and to fill the land with the bodies of the slain?" -This, however, was merely an attempt to lull the activity of our -commanders, and to delay their measures by pretence of negotiation. - -The reply of Sir Hugh Gough and Sir William Parker was -characteristic--namely, "that they were thankful to Elepoo for having -sent back the British subjects who were prisoners, and begged to -assure him that they gladly recognised in this act the good feeling -which should always subsist between civilized nations. In respect to -the other letter they added, that with the utmost desire to lessen -the calamities of war, it was their duty to proceed with hostilities -until they were assured that a functionary, _duly authorized_ by his -Imperial Majesty, should be prepared to negotiate a peace, and to meet -those just demands which had been repeatedly submitted to his Imperial -Majesty. With every respect for his exalted position and acknowledged -probity, the high British officers must remind his excellency, that -they have not yet been apprized that he is _authorized to treat_, on -the conditions promulgated by the British government." - -The high tone of these letters must have rather surprised both the -veteran Elepoo and the imperial cabinet. They had been so long -accustomed to communicate with foreigners only through inferior agents, -that they could hardly bring themselves on a sudden to adopt the -practice of conducting negotiations upon a footing of perfect equality. -The ingenious expedient was therefore resorted to of sending to Canton -to order up some of the Hong merchants to act as mediators. The aged -Howqua excused himself on account of his infirmities, but sent his -only surviving son in his place, accompanied by Samqua, another Hong -merchant of repute, and two linguists. - -The journey from Canton to the province of Che-keang, or rather to that -part of it in which their services might be required, Hang-chow-foo, or -Soo-chow-foo, a distance of upwards of six hundred geographical miles, -was no pleasing task in the middle of summer, particularly in a country -where the only mode of travelling is in sedan chairs. However, they -were compelled to go, but were speedily sent back again without having -been permitted to hold any communication whatever with any of our high -officers. Indeed, Sir Henry Pottinger had long before so positively -refused to receive both the Hong merchants and the Prefect of Canton, -that it is surprising how any further expectation could have been -formed that their services would be required. - -While speaking of the Hong merchants, it is worth mentioning, that -about this time notice was sent by the aged Howqua to the foreign -residents at Canton, that there was reason to believe that some of -the wells had been poisoned, and that there were vendors of poisoned -provisions about the streets. If this report was true, the diabolical -purpose was thus frustrated, and no bad results followed. - -We must now return to the operations of our forces, subsequently to -the capture of Chapoo. Fortunately the health of the troops had been -good during their ten days' stay on shore, so that nearly the whole -force was in a condition to take part in the projected operations in -the Yangtze river. Lieutenant-Colonel Tomlinson, whose death was so -much lamented by all his brother officers, was buried at sea soon after -Chapoo was taken, being carried out in the Phlegethon, as it was feared -that if a grave were dug for him on shore, his remains might be taken -up by the Chinese, and a great boast made of their having killed one of -the high English officers. - -On the 27th May, a great part of the troops were embarked on board the -different transports, and the remainder on the following morning, when -the whole fleet got under weigh. On the 29th, they anchored in a safe -and extensive sound, which had been discovered by Captains Kellett and -Collinson, at the Rugged Islands, about forty miles to the eastward of -Chapoo. Some days were spent at this anchorage, in order that a proper -channel into the Yangtze river for large vessels might be carefully -examined. During this interval, the Admiral took an opportunity of -revisiting Chusan, in the H.C. steamer Pluto, which had just arrived -from England, together with the small iron steamer Ariadne, from -Bombay. - -On the 5th June, the whole fleet stood up towards the entrance of the -river, but their progress was much delayed by the great strength of -the tides, and also by fogs, so that they did not reach the appointed -rendezvous off the Amherst rocks, (a little to the eastward of the -mouth of the river,) until the 8th, having always been obliged to -anchor at night. - -A further delay now occurred, while the Modeste, with the Nemesis and -Pluto steamers, were detached to intercept the communications up the -river, and to reconnoitre the defences of Woosung. A large fleet of -trading junks was soon espied near the latter place, and the Nemesis -was ordered to give chase, and bring them to. She very soon got ahead -of them, and cut them off, obliging them to anchor immediately. Some, -however, persisted in holding their course, until several shots had -been fired across their bows. The junkmen appeared terribly frightened, -although Mr. Gutzlaff, who was on board the Nemesis, assured them that -they would receive no injury, and would be allowed to depart again, as -soon as their cargoes had been examined. - -A great number of junks were found laden with the most beautiful fish, -very carefully packed in ice, probably destined for Nankin, and for -places along the imperial canal; but it is remarkable that none of -these cargoes were fallen in with afterwards, higher up the river; -which tended to prove that there were innumerable canals by which they -could convey their produce into the interior, without proceeding up -the main river beyond a certain point, thereby avoiding the delays -occasioned by the currents, and the dangers of the navigation. This -excellent opportunity of getting well supplied with fish and ice was -not allowed to pass unheeded, but none of the junks were detained -beyond a few hours. _One_ junk, however, was always kept back, until -another made its appearance; but, as it was impossible for strangers to -distinguish at a distance the _kind_ of junks which were loaded with -such a welcome cargo, every captain was made to understand that he -would have to supply fish and ice for the use of the steamer, until he -could point out another junk coming up the river with a similar cargo, -which was then to take his place, and he was to be liberated. In this -way, one continued to succeed the other. This hint was quite sufficient -to put the fellows in excellent humour. It was curious to observe what -a sharp look-out they kept, frequently climbing up to the mast-head to -see if their longed-for substitute was approaching. The one who last -arrived soon reconciled himself to this fate very good-naturedly, when -informed by his predecessor that no great harm would be done to him. -They all, however, seemed very glad to get away, the moment permission -was given to them, and refused all kind of payment when offered. Fresh -fish of the best quality, and plenty of ice to cool the wine and beer, -were unexpected luxuries. - -At Woosung, Captain Watson, with the Modeste, which was anchored -just out of range of the batteries, was occupied for several days in -sounding the channel, and was assisted in this duty by the Pluto, -under Lieutenant Tudor. They were ordered to reconnoitre the mouth -of the Woosung river, (which empties itself into the Yangtze, about -twenty-five miles up its southern branch,) preparatory to the grand -attack upon the batteries. - -The night of the 11th of June was particularly dark and rainy, and -the opportunity appeared singularly favourable for making a close -reconnoissance of the batteries. The Modeste lay some way off shore, -and the tide was running so strong that it was impossible for Captain -Hall, who had anchored the Nemesis much nearer in, to communicate -with his senior officer, Captain Watson, concerning the plan which -he proposed for reconnoitring the batteries. About two hours before -midnight, the cutter of the Nemesis was ordered away, manned and armed, -to make a close examination of the batteries, and of the channel -leading into the Woosung river, which the former were principally -designed to protect. - -Having carefully sounded the channel, Captain Hall boldly pushed in -as quietly as possible, towards the front of the batteries; and being -favoured by the boisterous weather, he landed on the beach without -being discovered. He could now distinguish the Chinese sentry quite -near him; and on looking through one of the embrasures he could see -one of the military mandarins on duty, going his rounds along the -battery, attended by two armed soldiers, one of whom carried a large -paper lantern before him, which threw a strong light in his face, and -prevented him of course from seeing objects, even at a very short -distance from him. It was evident, therefore, that the Chinese were -upon the alert; though it would have been very easy, with the help of -the boat's crew, to have made prisoners both of the mandarin and two -soldiers, before the alarm could have been given. - -After three hours' examination, and a heavy pull against the rapid -current which prevails there, the boat of the Nemesis got back to the -vessel; and on the following day she rejoined the Admiral off the -Amherst rocks. It was about this time that the little Ariadne steamer, -having been sent to ascertain the exact position of a rock lying off -the mouth of the Yangtze, unfortunately ran directly upon it, and was -bilged. A sail was immediately passed under her bottom, to cover the -leak, and she was towed by the Sesostris into Chusan harbour, where, -owing to some unforeseen accident, she afterwards went down in deep -water, and all attempts to get her up again failed. - -On the 13th, Sir William Parker, in the Cornwallis, accompanied by the -Blonde, Columbine, Jupiter troop-ship, and the Phlegethon, Tenasserim, -and Medusa steamers, together with twelve transports, got under weigh -from the anchorage off Amherst rocks, and succeeded in reaching the -mouth of the Woosung river, without any accident whatever. The Clio, -Bentinck, (since called Plover,) Starling, and two transports, had -been stationed as beacon-vessels, to mark the proper channel, which, -however, was so shallow, that for a part of the distance there was -little more water (only a few feet) than the actual draught of the -Cornwallis. - -On the following day, the Admiral and the General proceeded in the -Medusa steamer, the smallest which was under his command since the loss -of the Ariadne, and jocularly christened the Pilot Fish, to make a -close reconnoissance of the whole line of defences extending along both -sides of the Woosung river. - -It is here necessary to bear in mind the relative position of the -Woosung river in respect to the Yangtze, in order to avoid confusion -in reading the account of the operations. The former empties itself -into the latter on its right bank, and the village or small town of -Woosung, which contains nearly five hundred houses, stands at its -mouth. This place was visited by Mr. Medhurst, during his missionary -tour up the coast of China in 1835, and the people were there found to -be remarkably civil and well disposed. - -The breadth of the river at its entrance may be about a mile, but the -channel for vessels of moderate burden is somewhat intricate, and -scarcely more than three hundred yards wide. The course of the river -runs nearly north and south, and, as it joins the great Yangtze, its -banks gradually widen out, until they are soon lost in the banks of -the larger river. The principal line of defence was situated along its -western bank, running from the upper end of the village of Woosung for -a distance of full three miles along the river's mouth, and curving -gradually round towards the banks of Yangtze river. - -The town of Paoushan is situated nearly two miles in the rear of the -batteries at that end. This long line of embrasures mounted not less -than one hundred and thirty-four guns; but they were generally a great -deal too wide, and the battery was constructed of earth, very much like -the works already described at Chusan. Stakes were driven in along the -front to protect it from the sudden landing of troops, and probably to -secure the banks from the effects of inundations. - -Just above the village of Woosung, and skirting it on its southern -side, was a large creek or canal, communicating with the river, and -protected by a strong semicircular stone battery, regularly built, and -mounting ten brass 24-pounder guns. From its position it served to -defend the river itself, for it commanded the whole reach, as well as -the mouth of the creek. - -On the eastern side of the river, opposite Woosung, stood a strong -fort, principally built of brick, nearly of a circular form, and from -its elevation calculated to have a long range. It was flanked by a -line of embankments, with embrasures not yet completed, but mounting -altogether twenty-one guns. There were one hundred and seventy-five -guns mounted for the defence of Woosung. But it was not the number -of guns which constituted the strength of its defences. The choicest -Tartar troops had been collected at this point, who were prepared to -defend it obstinately. They worked their guns with great spirit, and -kept up a better sustained fire than they had done on any previous -occasion; and when their principal line of battery was turned by -the movement of a body of seamen and marines upon their flank, they -defended themselves with remarkable obstinacy and courage, and did not -hesitate to measure the sword with the cutlass, or to cross the spear -with the bayonet. - -There was some difficulty in finding a spot where troops could be -disembarked with a view to turn the position, for the water shoaled -to three feet, within two hundred yards of the banks, and the -disembarkation could only be effected under cover of the guns of our -ships. - -On the morning of the 16th, both the tide and the state of the weather -being favourable, the Admiral determined that the attack should be made -without further delay, and ordered that the ships should be towed into -action by the steamers, so that they would be enabled to take up the -precise positions allotted to them. There were five steamers ready for -the service, besides the little Medusa, which was reserved to meet any -unforeseen contingency. It was the first action in which the ships of -war were _all_ towed into their appointed stations. The little Algerine -was the only exception, as she was directed to get in as near as -possible under sail. Even the North Star, Captain Sir E. Home, which -only came in sight just as the action had already commenced, was towed -in by the Tenasserim, which, after placing the Blonde in her proper -position, was sent out on purpose to fetch her. - -The Cornwallis and Blonde, being the two heaviest ships, were to take -up their positions in front of the batteries, just below the village -of Woosung, and the light squadron was then to pass them and proceed -up the river to attack the village, and the battery at the mouth of -the creek above it, and also the circular battery on the opposite or -east side of the river. The light squadron consisted of the Modeste, -Columbine, and Clio, towed respectively by the Nemesis, Phlegethon, and -Pluto. - -The channel had been buoyed off the previous night, and two junks had -been moored so as to mark the entrance, on the eastern side of which -there ran out a long sand-bank. - -At the dawn of day on the 16th all the ships of war got under weigh, -and by six o'clock they were in tow of their respective steamers. In -this instance, and indeed throughout all the operations in the north -of China, under Sir William Parker, the steamers were always lashed -_alongside_ the vessels they had to tow, instead of going ahead. This -plan was found to answer remarkably well in the intricate navigation of -the Yangtze river, as the movements of both vessels were more easily -managed. The Blonde, towed by the Tenasserim, led in towards the -batteries; the Cornwallis followed, bearing the Admiral's flag, and -lashed alongside of the Sesostris. This post of honour was assigned -to the Blonde, because, as soon as the light squadron had passed up -the Woosung, she would have been nearer at hand to support them, if -necessary. - -The Blonde and Cornwallis received the fire of the Chinese, which -was opened with great spirit, without returning a shot, until they -had anchored by the stern in excellent positions. The light squadron -then passed them, except the little Algerine, which could not follow -the rest under sail, and therefore brought up a little astern of the -Admiral's ship. - -The Modeste, under Captain Watson, who commanded the light squadron, -was towed by the Nemesis up the river in gallant style, boldly dashing -in towards the creek above the village of Woosung, and receiving a -severe and well-directed fire from the whole line of batteries, but -more particularly from the battery of ten brass guns situated at the -corner of the creek, the approach to which, as before described, it -commanded. Both of these vessels suffered a good deal in executing this -bold manoeuvre; and in order to shelter the men, they were all ordered -by Captain Hall to lie down at quarters, on board the Nemesis, until -the Modeste had been placed in a good position. The fire of the Chinese -was severe and well directed, and the Nemesis suffered a good deed as -well as the Modeste. - -Some way further up the river, fourteen war-junks were in sight, and -also five large newly-built wheel-boats, each moved by _four wooden -paddle-wheels_. These vessels also opened fire, but at such a distance -that their shot fell short. The Columbine, towed by the Phlegethon, -and the Clio by the Pluto, followed their gallant leader up the river -towards the creek. - -In the meantime, the North Star was observed just coming up towards the -mouth of the river, and the Tenasserim steamer, which had just cast off -the Blonde, was now sent out to tow her into action, and she was placed -just ahead of the Blonde. - -The Nemesis cast off the Modeste as soon as she had carried her up to -the mouth of the creek, and within musket-shot of the ten gun-battery, -and then opened fire with her foremost gun upon the war-junks, and with -her after-gun upon the battery itself. The junks returned the fire -as the Nemesis advanced towards them, but the moment she came within -range of grape and canister, the Chinese Commodore, or Admiral, set the -example of running away, which all the rest were glad enough to follow. -They now made for the shore the best way they could, each trying -which could reach it the quickest, but the wheel-boats had a decided -advantage, and were moved through the water at the rate of about three -and a half knots an hour. Grape and canister were now poured into them -as fast as the guns could be loaded. The confusion among the Chinese -sailors was great: some took to their boats or sampans, others jumped -overboard, and tried to swim ashore, and a few of these must have been -drowned. - -The wheel-boats were, as a matter of curiosity, the first boarded, -and it was afterwards ascertained that they were each commanded by a -mandarin of high rank: which marks the importance they gave to them. -These wheel-junks were fitted with two paddle-wheels on either side, -strongly constructed of wood. The shaft, which was also of wood, had -a number of strong wooden cogs upon it, and was turned by means of a -capstan, fitted also with cogs, and worked round by men. The machinery -was all below, between decks, so that the men were under cover. -They were all quite newly-built, and carried some two, some three, -newly-cast brass guns, besides a number of large ginjals. A quantity of -matchlocks, spears, swords, &c., were also found on board. - -[Illustration: -Battle of Woosung. -From an Original Drawing by Capt. Watson. R.N. C.B. -London, Henry Colburn, 1845. -] - -In pursuing two of the largest junks too close in shore, the Nemesis -took the ground when the tide was falling. The Phlegethon came up at -this time, and tried to tow her off, but without success, and she, -therefore, stuck fast for some hours. But the boats were sent away -manned and armed under Mr. Galbraith, with orders to capture and -destroy the rest of the junks which were floating about the river, -deserted by their crews. Other boats were sent to destroy those which -had been run ashore, but it was seen from the mast-head that the -Chinese were lying in wait to cut them off among the scattered trees -and buildings by the river side; and they were, therefore, ordered not -to go out of gun-shot from the steamer. - -The Phlegethon, under Lieutenant M'Cleverty, took part in the -destruction of the junks, and out of the whole fleet only two war-junks -escaped. Three wheel-boats and one junk were afterwards towed down the -river to the fleet, but the rest were set on fire and destroyed. - -To return to the advanced squadron. As soon as the Modeste was cast off -from the Nemesis, sail was made, and she was carried alongside a wharf -or small jetty within the creek, close to the village of Woosung. The -ten-gun battery opposite kept up its fire upon her, but, under cover of -a broadside, the Modeste was made fast to the jetty. In this position -she soon silenced the fort with her larboard-guns and small arms, and -received little damage from the fire of the enemy, because they could -not depress their guns enough to bear upon her with effect, so close -was she. - -The pinnace was now sent ashore, manned and armed, to take possession -of the fort, and there was some skirmishing with the rear-guard of the -Chinese who were retreating. Mr. Birch, with a party of seamen, was -at the same time ordered to spike the guns; and at this moment the -Columbine, followed by the Pluto steamer, came up, and poured in a -well-directed fire upon the column of the retreating enemy. - -During all this time, the Cornwallis, Blonde, and North Star were hotly -engaged with the batteries, abreast of which they were anchored, and -soon made the Chinese slacken their fire. Perceiving this, Captain -Watson boldly determined to land, with the marines and small-arm men -of the Modeste, Columbine, and Clio, within the creek, in the hope of -being able to turn the enemy's flank next the village, and also cut off -their retreat. A body of the Chinese were observed lying down under -cover of the embankment, apparently in readiness to meet their enemy. -Captain Watson now formed his men, and gallantly dashed on towards the -Chinese, but had to cross a deep canal, over which there were several -small wooden bridges, in the rear of the works. - -The Chinese received them with a heavy fire of matchlocks and ginjals, -but gradually retreated as Captain Watson advanced, and fell back -upon their main body, who now shewed a most determined front, and -deliberately planted their ginjals directly in the only path by which -they could be approached. Captain Watson had already ten of his men -wounded; and, finding his party getting a little straggled, he drew -them outside of the line of embankment, in order to form them again. -The Chinese now came boldly out, brandishing their spears in defiance; -and threw a volley of hand grenades, which went over their heads. - -At this moment, Captain Bourchier, seeing Captain Watson's party hotly -engaged with the Chinese, who were much their superiors in numbers, -dashed on shore from the Blonde, directly in front of the battery; and -at the same moment Captain Watson's party made a rush at the enemy, who -stood their ground so firmly, that for the second time the spear and -the bayonet were crossed, and no one who witnessed the obstinacy and -determination with which the Chinese defended themselves could refuse -them full credit for personal bravery. They were now driven back under -cover of some houses, where they rallied. - -By this time the marines and seamen of the Blonde and Cornwallis were -landed nearly opposite those vessels, under Captain Bourchier, Captain -Peter Richards, and Sir Everard Home, and joined Captain Watson. Sir -William Parker also landed; and, as soon as the men were all formed, -they succeeded in driving the enemy out of the whole line of batteries. -A small party from the Algerine, under Lieutenant Maitland, boldly -landed before they could be well supported, and were a little cut up. - -The Sesostris in the meantime had been closely engaged with the strong -fort on the eastern side of the entrance of the river, where she took -the ground in such a position that she was able to bring her guns to -bear, so as soon to silence the enemy, when Captain Ormsby landed at -the head of a body of small-arm men from the Sesostris and Tenasserim, -and took possession of the fort. - -The troops were not landed in time to take any part in the engagement, -for most of the steamers had taken the ground, and it was not until -past twelve o'clock that there were any means of putting the troops -ashore. Sir Hugh Gough then landed just opposite the Cornwallis, and -determined to advance immediately upon the town of Paoushan in the -rear, towards which it was understood a large body of the Chinese -had fled, together with the governor of the provinces. Major-General -Schoedde was now ordered to move forward, so as to get in the rear of -the town, in hopes of cutting off the enemy who might be retreating -in that direction; while Sir Hugh Gough, with the rest of the force, -reinforced by the naval brigade, moved along the river batteries. - -On reaching Paoushan, it was found already in the possession of -Major-General Schoedde's brigade, which had entered it without -opposition; the soldiers and a great part of the inhabitants flying -out of it in great consternation. The walls of the town were not found -to be in very good repair, but they mounted about fifty guns, of which -seventeen were brass. The main body of the Chinese were ascertained to -have fled in the direction of Soo-chow-foo. - -The number of killed and wounded, on the Chinese side, was less than -might have been expected, probably not exceeding altogether a couple -of hundred; but among them was the commander-in-chief of the Chinese -troops. On our side, one officer (Lieutenant Hewitt, R.M.) and one -seaman, were killed; and among the wounded were Mr. Purvis, midshipman -of the Blonde; Mr. A. J. Smith, mate, and Mr. Roberts, master of the -Sesostris; together with fifteen seamen, one corporal, and five royal -marines, and one Bombay artilleryman, most of them severely, and -several dangerously. - -Many large and well-made guns were captured, particularly some -newly-cast brass guns, of great length. Some of the best and heaviest -guns were mounted upon the ten-gun fort, at the point of the creek -where the Modeste was so hotly engaged. But the greater part of the -guns were of small calibre, and about one-half of the whole number -captured were 6-pounders, or under. The largest were 24-pounders, -and there were a good many varying from 10 to 18-pounders. About two -hundred and fifty guns were captured altogether, including those taken -at Paoushan; of these, forty-two were brass. - -There was one very curious iron gun, of a peculiar shape, being very -small at the muzzle, and very large from the middle to the breach. It -was of Chinese casting, and had an inscription on it, which shewed -that it was upwards of three hundred years old. There was also another -curious old gun, with the arms of Spain upon it. Besides the above, a -number of large ginjals and matchlocks, together with military stores -of all kinds, were discovered and destroyed; and to these must also be -added the guns destroyed in the war-junks.[64] - -The Chinese were not prepared to expect the complete defeat they -sustained at Woosung. The great extent of their preparations for -defence, the determined resistance they offered, and the improvements -they had adopted in the form and casting of their guns, and in the -construction of their junks, sufficiently indicate the importance which -they attached to the defence of this position. Precisely in proportion -to their previous expectations were the disappointment and panic -produced by their defeat. - -Information was obtained, through Mr. Gutzlaff, that the Chinese were -removing their property and families from the important commercial -town of Shanghai, situated about fourteen miles up the Woosung -river; from which place it was known that there was very extensive -water-communication with some of the most important districts and -cities of China. - -No time was to be lost in taking advantage of the prevailing panic; -and, accordingly, on the day after the capture of Woosung, the Nemesis -and Medusa steamers were sent up, with Captain Kellett on board, for -the purpose of sounding the channel, and to ascertain what defences the -Chinese had constructed higher up. The deepest channel was found to run -along the left bank for about two miles, and then to cross over towards -the right bank, by keeping which on board there was water enough for a -frigate at half-flood. - -About seven miles up, they came in sight of two forts, one on either -side of the river. One of these fired off all its guns at the two -steamers, but the shot fell far short. Soon afterwards a blaze was -seen to burst out in each of the forts, and, on inquiry, it was found -that the Chinese had set the buildings on fire, and then abandoned the -works. Being ordered not to proceed further than this point, the two -steamers rejoined the Admiral, in order to report the result of the -reconnoissance. - -The same afternoon, the Modeste, Columbine, and Clio, towed as before -by the Nemesis, Phlegethon, and Pluto, were sent up the river, under -the command of Captain Watson, with orders to place them near the two -batteries, but out of their range, and then to land and destroy the -guns, if the Chinese were found to have abandoned them. - -On the morning of the 18th, these orders were skilfully executed; but -the Clio unfortunately grounded, and, as the tide was falling, could -not be towed off. Captain Watson landed with the marines and small-arm -men of the Modeste and Columbine, and took possession of the forts -which had been abandoned. In the larger fort on the right bank were -found forty-one guns, eight of which were brass, and, in the opposite -fort, fourteen guns, of which likewise eight were brass, or, more -properly speaking, of copper. Many of these were found dismounted, and -the carriages taken away. The tents and buildings had been already -destroyed. Higher up the river eight war-junks were discovered, which -were set on fire and destroyed, except one, in which the copper guns, -captured in the forts, were put on board and sent down the river. - -Reinforcements had now arrived to join both arms of the expedition, -but were just too late to take part in the action at Woosung. H.M.S. -Dido, Honourable Captain Keppell, arrived the very evening after the -engagement; and, on the next day, the 2nd regiment Madras Native -Infantry, and detachments of Artillery, with Sappers and Miners, also -joined the forces under Sir Hugh Gough. - -The 19th was the day fixed for the capture of Shanghai, for which -purpose one column of our troops was to march by land, under -Lieutenant-Colonel Montgomerie, M.A., consisting of about one thousand -men, including the 18th and 49th regiments, with detachments of the -Madras horse artillery and the royal artillery, with Sappers and -Miners. The rest of the troops were embarked in the Tenasserim, -Nemesis, Phlegethon, and Pluto steamers, which took in tow respectively -the North Star, Modeste, Columbine, and Clio. The marines of the -squadron were also taken up in the little Medusa; and Sir William -Parker and Sir Hugh Gough, with their staff, accompanied by Captains -Bourchier, Richards, Keppel, and other officers, proceeded up the river -in that vessel. - -They passed the deserted batteries, and met with no opposition until -they came within sight of the city, where a long, well-constructed -battery, situated below the town on the same or the left bank of the -river, opened fire on the North Star and the other vessels, as they -approached, but at such a distance as to do no damage. A couple of -broadsides from the North Star and Modeste, with a few shot from the -Tenasserim and Nemesis, sufficed to drive the Chinese out of the works. -Captain Bourchier, with the seamen and marines, immediately landed and -took possession of the battery, upon which no less than forty-nine guns -were found mounted, seventeen of which were of copper. - -The steamers conveying the troops soon reached the city of Shanghai, -where the 55th regiment was landed from the Nemesis, upon a small -jetty, without the necessity of using boats; another instance of the -great utility of flat-bottomed, iron steamers. The city had been -already taken possession of by the column under Colonel Montgomerie, -without resistance, and many of the respectable inhabitants were -hurrying off in great consternation, while the low rabble had, as -usual, commenced their work of robbery and destruction the moment the -authorities left the place. - -Colonel Montgomerie's column had met with no opposition during its -advance, and but little difficulty, except occasionally in crossing -the guns over the narrow water-courses. They passed close in the rear -of the fort which had opened on the ships, without seeing it; but, -upon hearing the firing, they hastened on to the city, in the belief -that the sound of the firing came from that direction. A large body of -the Chinese however, was observed in full retreat, and a few rockets -were thrown among them to hasten their flight; but, owing to the many -water-courses, and the swampy nature of the rice grounds, it was -impossible to come to close quarters with them. - -On reaching the north-gate of the city, there appeared to be no -preparations made for resistance, and the only two guns which could be -seen mounted at the gateway looked harmless enough. In fact, there was -no one at the gate; and two or three of our men, having contrived to -get over the wall, soon opened the gate, and admitted the rest. It was -now discovered that the place had been abandoned by the authorities the -previous evening. The people generally shewed no ill feeling towards -the foreigners, but rather an inclination to conciliate their good -offices. - -The city, which, though wealthy, and of more agreeable aspect than -most other Chinese towns which had been visited, was not given up to -plunder; indeed, Sir Hugh Gough used every means in his power to -prevent the commission of any excesses whatever. Very little plunder, -or, as it was called, "loot," was obtained, and was almost entirely -limited to curiosities. There was no wanton aggression. Many of -the houses were found deserted, and these were the only ones which -suffered, except where downright robbery was committed by the gangs of -Chinese plunderers. - -Every effort was made to put a stop to these abominable proceedings, -and some of the most respectable inhabitants were called upon to take -charge of a few of the large deserted establishments, particularly the -pawnbrokers' shops, which, in all Chinese towns, are establishments of -enormous extent.[65] - -As soon as the city was taken possession of, and guards placed at the -gates, the Columbine and Medusa were sent a little way up the river, to -endeavour to check the depopulation of the city, for the inhabitants at -that time were hastening away in crowds, so that the river was actually -covered with boats of all descriptions, laden with furniture and goods. -The Nemesis was also sent up in search of war-junks, and to reconnoitre -the country. No further hostile preparations, however, were discovered. -Quiet was maintained within the city, and the vessels of war and -steamers were all anchored directly opposite the town. - -The vast number of large trading-junks, which were lying there, -surprised every one. Many of these were laden with valuable cargoes; -both banks of the river were completely lined with them; and there were -also numerous large stone warehouses, filled with merchandize, some of -which contained large quantities of sugar, salt, and provisions; there -were also extensive timber-yards, and several large junks upon the -stocks.[66] - -Shanghai must be a place of immense commercial importance, not only -as regards the internal traffic of the country, but also in respect to -its foreign commerce, or at least its trade with the remoter parts of -China, and even with Siam and Cochin-China. It is said to rank second -only to Canton in commercial importance, particularly as the junks -belonging to the southern provinces are prohibited from trading further -north than this city, which therefore, in a certain degree, enjoys a -monopoly. During Mr. Medhurst's visit to it, he reckoned that there -were a thousand large junks in the river; and on visiting it, not long -after it was taken, and when the trade was almost entirely stopped, I -was myself much struck with the large size of the junks, which crowded -both sides of the river. - -Mr. Gutzlaff states that the imports of Shanghai already far exceed the -exports; and, therefore, the difficulty again arises as to the mode of -payment for the _additional_ imports, which will soon find their way to -Shanghai since the opening of the port. The Americans look forward to -getting a large supply of green tea at Shanghai in exchange for their -cotton, green tea being in extensive use among them. - -Shanghai has immense internal communication with all the central parts -of China; it is situated in the richest and most productive part of the -country, and the adjacent district has been called the Chinese Arcadia. -The country is one fertile flat, occasionally subject to ravages by -inundations, but generally drained and cultivated with great care. In -some parts, the land, lying below the level of the rivers, is only -maintained by strong and extensive embankments. The whole country is -covered with hamlets and villages, and cotton is cultivated in great -quantities. - -The inhabitants of Shanghai have, on all occasions, shewn a friendly -disposition towards foreigners; and where the latter have been treated -with rudeness, it has been solely by the orders of the mandarins, or at -their instigation. Both Mr. Medhurst and Mr. Gutzlaff bear testimony -to this fact, during their early visits; on which occasions the people -eagerly asked to receive books, of which several thousand copies -were distributed. So important is the trade of this place, that the -appointments in the public service are anxiously sought for, and the -office of superintendent of customs is considered extremely lucrative. - -Mr. Gutzlaff's testimony respecting this place is curious. Speaking of -his visit, in 1832, he says, "the mandarins never directly interfered -with my distributing books or conversing with the people; and after -issuing the severest edicts against us, they gave us _full permission -to do what we liked_. They afterwards praised our conduct, but gave -the people their paternal advice to have nothing to do with us. An -imperial edict arrived, ordering us to be treated with _compassion_, -but not to be supplied with rice or water. But they sent us quantities -of live stock and flour, upon the sole condition that _we would not pay -for them_." It is, in fact, a curious thing to observe how easily the -Chinese evade all regulations when their interest leads them to do so, -and how readily they adopt every subterfuge. - -I chanced to pay a visit to Shanghai the very day after the conclusion -of peace was first made known in the town. We landed from our boat, -at a little stone jetty in front of a deserted temple, before which -there was an open paved court, or square, crowded with people. Nothing -could surpass the good order which prevailed; not a noise or groan was -heard, or inconvenience of any kind experienced. Curiosity seemed to -be the sole absorbing feeling, and one could hardly imagine that this -was only the first week of peace, and that a hostile force had a short -time before occupied the city. A Chinese crowd is the most orderly in -the world; and, if we may judge of civilization by the quiet, sober, -deferential bearing of a large body of people crowded together in -narrow streets, certainly the Chinese deserve to bear the palm. A few -soldiers were appointed to attend us through the town, who, instead of -arms, carried a fan-case, tied round their waist, and a whip in their -hand, with which they cleared the way with apparent good will, as we -proceeded along the streets of the suburbs. - -It was a curious sight to look down the long, narrow, paved street, -on each side of which were crowds of shaved heads, each trying to -raise itself an inch or two higher, to catch a glimpse of the passing -strangers. The steps and doorways were crowded, and also a few of -the windows; but most of the shops being shut, and the houses having -generally only one story, there were none of those groups of figures, -men, women, and children, rising in stages, one above the other, such -as are seen in Europe from the bottom of the house to the top, when -anything remarkable is to be seen. - -The greatest contrast, next to the immense collection of bald heads, -and brown, roundish, ugly-looking features, consisted in the total -absence of women, which, in any part of Europe, would have formed -perhaps the most numerous and noisy part of the assemblage. There was -no appearance whatever of rudeness or hostility; and when the people -were warned out of the way, or pushed aside, and reminded, by a gentle -touch of the whip, that they must move out of the way, they did so in -apparent good humour. - -The inner town appeared to be only separated from the suburb by -the actual wall, there being little difference in the houses on one -side or the other. Two or three additional soldiers turned out of -the guard-house as we passed, and joined our escort, certainly a -shabby-looking set. - -Much was said of the so-called tea-gardens of Shanghai; but, on -reaching them, great was our astonishment to find that they ought -rather to be called _tea-ponds_. According to our notions, land and -grass, and plants and flowers, are supposed to belong to gardens--even -to tea-gardens; but, at Shanghai, it is quite the reverse, for water -predominates. - -Ornamental gardening in China, properly so called, is extremely -uncommon. At Canton there is a very good garden belonging to a Hong -merchant; but, generally speaking, the land is too precious, for the -purpose of producing food, to permit the Chinese to devote much space -even to fruits. - -At the entrance to the tea-gardens our approach was greeted by the -plaintive voice of an old woman, who professed to sing songs to the -accompaniment of an instrument of a peculiar kind, covered with -snakeskin. It had three strings fastened to a long handle, with a small -drum at the end of it, and was played with a bow. - -The gardens were more remarkable from their novelty than their -beauty. The place consisted in reality of a sheet of nearly stagnant -water, with paths or platforms, or little islands, intersecting it in -various directions, upon which were built summer-houses, or pavilions -of various shapes, in Chinese style, in which the good citizens of -Shanghai assemble to drink tea (at any hour of the _day_), and smoke -the pipe, which is a Chinaman's invariable companion, for recreation. -There were also a few walks among heaps of stones, called artificial -rocks, with seats scattered here and there; but in most respects the -whole place greatly disappointed our expectations. - -Among the most remarkable objects at Shanghai were the enormous -ice-houses, both within and without the city, in which ice is stored -for public use. This was a perfect luxury to our soldiers and sailors -when the place was taken. - -We spent the night in a deserted joss-house, close to the -landing-place; and, during the evening and the following day, crowds -of curious visitors came to look at us, and made themselves agreeable -as well as they could. They seemed to be particularly pleased with the -Company's new rupees with the queen's head upon them, and willingly -gave half a dollar each for them;--being rather more than their value. -Glass bottles were in great request, and the _brandy_ was pronounced -excellent. - -One of the principal mandarins came down to pay us a visit, preceded -by criers and runners; then came whippers-in, and a couple of -executioners, with chains in their hands, as a sign of their calling; -then came the great man, seated in a very gay sedan-chair; next -followed a couple of dirty-looking fellows with gigantic fans; and -two or three men mounted on ponies closed the procession. The people -stood on either side the street, and gazed in silence. They had -little curiosity about the movements of the great man, but a vast -deal concerning every step or look of the strange-looking foreigners. -The mandarin was extremely courteous and well-bred towards us, and we -observed that he was treated with great deference, and no one except -ourselves dared to sit in his presence. - -An interesting incident occurred at Shanghai, not long after the peace. -Sir Henry Pottinger, on his return from Nankin, went up in a steamer -to Shanghai, to make arrangements about the future place of residence -for our consul, and also to settle about the ransom-money of the city. -One morning, a boat came alongside the steamer, having on board a very -respectable-looking man, in Chinese costume, who sent up his card as -"M. l'Eveque de Nankin," at the same time requesting an interview with -the plenipotentiary.[67] This was readily acceded to. It now appeared -that this gentleman was the head of the Roman-catholic missionaries -of the province or district of Nankin; that he had been many years in -China, suffering great tribulation, and in continual danger of his -life; that the missionaries had suffered great hardships, and many -of them had lost their lives. For a great length of time he had not -been able to hold any communication with his fellow-labourers in any -other part of China, and had been deprived of all tidings from any -other country. He had lived in fear and trembling, but had personally -escaped persecution by leading a very retired and unobtrusive life, and -particularly by avoiding all interference in public matters. He had -been afraid to make himself known, or to have any communication with -Europeans, as long as the war lasted, as it would probably have caused -him trouble. His flock was numerous, but scattered. He had supported -himself entirely by his missionary labours, and had now joyfully seized -the opportunity to request that letters might be conveyed for him to -Macao. He had removed from Nankin, on the approach of our forces; and -altogether there was much interest attached to his history. - -There is a great abundance of game to be found in the neighbourhood of -Shanghai, principally pheasants, and various kinds of wild fowl. But it -greatly astonishes the Chinese that any man should take the trouble to -shoot birds, or find any amusement in the sport, when he could easily -get people to shoot them for him upon very slight payment. - -The sum agreed to be paid for the ransom of Shanghai was said to be -three hundred thousand dollars, which was considered in the light of -a contribution, similar to the ransom-money of Canton. Whatever the -amount may have been, it was reckoned as part of the money stipulated -for by the treaty of Nankin. - -A quantity of guns, arms, and military stores, were, as usual, found in -the arsenal within the city, and also large stores of rice. Sixty-eight -guns (exclusive of those in the batteries below the town) were captured -at Shanghai. Seventeen of these were of copper, newly-cast, and very -heavy, and, consequently, valuable for the prize fund. In a battery -facing the river, fifty-six guns were found, of which seventeen were -brass 6-pounders. Altogether at Shanghai one hundred and seventy-one -guns were captured. But, reckoning the whole number of guns taken in -these operations, both at Woosung and at Shanghai, and in the various -batteries on the river's banks, they will be found to amount to the -amazing number of three hundred and sixty pieces, exclusive of those -destroyed in the junks. Of these seventy-six were of copper, some of -them of great length and weight of metal, but of proportionably small -bore. They looked very well outside, but the casting of many of them -was defective, and not a few were made with a coating, or rather tube, -of iron, about one and a half to two inches thick, along the bore, over -which the copper was cast. At Shanghai also full nine tons of gunpowder -were found, contained in three hundred and thirty tubs and jars. All -the military stores were destroyed. - -It was evident that great preparations had been made for the hoped-for -defence of this important place; but, when the hour of trial came, -and the news of the action at Woosung reached the city, the principal -mandarins quitted it in despair, and all hope of defence was given up. - -On the morning of the 20th (the day after the city was taken), Captain -Bourchier and Commander Kellett were ordered to proceed in the -Phlegethon, accompanied by the Medusa, together with the barge of the -Cornwallis, carrying a few marines, and also a boat from the Columbine, -to reconnoitre the river for a distance of thirty miles above the town. -Two small field-works of five guns each were discovered upon the right -bank of the river, and a considerable body of soldiers were discovered -at some distance in the rear. Lieutenant Wise was sent, with the boats -and marines of the Cornwallis, for the purpose of destroying the works, -which was effected without any resistance. - -The report of what had been seen and done this day was considered -so important and interesting, that Sir William Parker determined to -continue the examination in person next day, still further up the -river. About fifty marines and seamen were embarked in the Nemesis, and -the Admiral hoisted his flag in her, accompanied by Captain Bourchier, -Honourable Captain Keppel, Captain Lock, and other officers; and -about noon, on the 21st, they proceeded up the river, followed by the -Phlegethon and Medusa. - -The river gradually became narrower, but still carried from four to -six fathoms water, and appeared to have an immense number of canals -and water-courses connected with it. Many of these led directly -towards the towns and villages, some of which could be just seen at a -distance, others not far from the banks. The country looked rich, and -was carefully laid out in rice-grounds, and otherwise well cultivated. -It was not so picturesque as about Ningpo, but there was all the -appearance of a thriving and industrious population. A heavy storm of -thunder and lightning came on in the afternoon, and the three steamers -were brought to anchor for the night a little above the two forts -destroyed the day before. - -On the following morning they again pursued their course up the river, -and soon found that it divided itself into two branches of equal -size, one flowing down from the eastward, and the other coming from -the westward. They followed the latter, which gradually took a more -northerly direction, but the water shoaled as they proceeded, until, -at the distance of a few miles from where they started, there was -only one fathom; and, as the Nemesis and Phlegethon could not safely -ascend higher, the Admiral, with the other officers, removed on board -the Medusa, which being smaller, drew a foot to eighteen inches less -water. But they were not able to go up more than eight or nine miles -further; for they were stopped by the increasing shallowness of the -water at the entrance of a large lagoon. It was ascertained, however, -from some boatmen, who stated that they had left Soo-chow-foo only the -previous day, that there was a direct communication by water with that -city, which could not be a great many miles distant. It could not be -doubted, therefore, that this important city was easily accessible to -our forces, should it be thought advisable to advance upon it. - -Several large boats were coming down the river, laden with coal, said -to be brought from the neighbourhood of Soo-chow-foo, where iron also -is believed to abound. Indeed, coal of very fair quality is found in -many parts of this province, and the Nemesis was using it for steam -purposes at that very time. - -The whole distance ascended above Shanghai was about forty-five miles, -and it was matter of regret that time could not be spared to explore -the other, or eastern branch of the river. Several large pagodas were -seen at a distance, one in particular to the northward, probably -pointing out the neighbourhood of a large town. - -The same evening the three iron steamers returned to Shanghai, -and anchored abreast of the town, where his Excellency, Sir Henry -Pottinger, had just arrived from Hong-Kong, having touched at Amoy -and at Chusan on his way up. It was also announced that strong -reinforcements had arrived at Chusan, and might be expected to join -our forces in the Yangtze-Kiang in a few days. The names of ships and -regiments will be given together, in the order in which they moved up -the river leading to Nankin. It will be sufficient here to mention, -that no less than seventy-three vessels of war and transports set sail -from Woosung together; besides which two others were left at that -anchorage, in order to blockade the river leading to Shanghai. Several -other vessels joined the expedition on its way up to Nankin, and -afterwards. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[63] At this time, the venerable and high-minded Elepoo, who was -Lieutenant-General of Chapoo, was partially restored to favour by -the Emperor, after being disgraced and deprived of the government of -the two Keang provinces, which he formerly held. This is the same -officer, who, when he was sent down as Imperial Commissioner to the -province of Che-keang, for the purpose of "_arranging_ affairs with -the barbarians," nobly gave up all our prisoners, including Captain -Anstruther, Lieutenant Douglas, and Mrs. Noble; but was disgraced and -punished by the Emperor. - -[64] Names of Her Majesty's and the Honourable Company's vessels, and -of their Commanders, engaged at Woosung, June 16th, 1843. - - Cornwallis 72 Captain P. Richards. - Blonde 42 Captain F. Bourchier. - North Star 26 Captain Sir J. E. Horne, Bart. - Modeste 18 Commander R. B. Watson. - Columbine 16 Commander William H. Morshead. - Clio 16 Commander E. N. Troubridge. - Algerine 10 Lieutenant William Maitland. - - - HONOURABLE COMPANY'S STEAMERS. - Sesostris Commander Ormsby, I.N. - Nemesis Lieutenant W. H. Hall, R.N. - Phlegethon Lieutenant J. J. M'Cleverty, R.N. - Pluto Lieutenant John Tudor, R.N. - Tenasserim Master commanding, P. Wall. - Medusa Lieutenant H. Hewitt, I.N. - - -[65] This fact may, at first view, be taken to indicate great -fluctuations in respect to wealth or poverty; but this is not the case. -These immense warehouses are frequently made use of to deposit articles -of value, such as furs and other costly things, which are by this -means well preserved and taken care of until required for use; and in -the interim the owners have the use of a portion of the value of the -articles. - -[66] The traffic in timber alone must be considerable, as there is none -found in the neighbourhood adapted for ship-building; and the fine -large spars which are required for the masts of junks, are all brought -from the northward. The size of some of these spars may be judged of -by the following measurements which were taken of the mainmast of one -of the largest junks. It was eleven feet six inches in circumference a -little above the deck, and one hundred and forty-one feet long; and the -main yard was one hundred and eleven feet in length. Very strong spars -indeed are necessary, for they carry an enormous sail, without any -shrouds or stays to support them. - -[67] This anecdote is repeated as it was told, without vouching for its -details. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV. - - -All intention of advancing upon the important cities of Hang-chow -or Soo-chow-foo was now given up; large reinforcements had already -arrived, and more were daily expected at Woosung; and it was resolved -to advance immediately upon Nankin, the ancient capital of the empire. -The navigation of the Yangtze river was almost entirely unknown, only -a small portion of it having been surveyed by Captain Bethune in the -Conway. To the Chinese themselves the ascent of large ships or junks, -as far as Nankin, appeared quite impracticable, principally owing to -the amazing strength of the currents, and the numerous sand-banks which -render its channel intricate. - -Sir William Parker, however, felt so much confidence in his own -resources, and in the aid of his numerous steam-vessels, (several more -of which had now arrived,) that he did not hesitate to undertake the -bold measure of conducting a fleet of between seventy and eighty sail, -including two _line of battle ships_, besides the large troop-ships, -into the very heart of the empire, more than two hundred miles from -the sea. The whole commerce of this vast Yangtze river would thus be -cut off; the Grand Canal itself would be blockaded, and it was hoped -that we should be able to intercept the large fleet of grain-junks, -which, at this time of the year, carry up their cargoes to the imperial -metropolis, and not only furnish its inhabitants with food, but also -the imperial treasury _with tribute_. It appeared, however, from -official documents afterwards found at Chin-keang-foo, the Tartar -stronghold at the mouth of the Grand Canal, that the authorities had -anticipated the possibility of their communications being interrupted, -and had, therefore, hastened on this annual supply, and had collected -a body of militia to act as an escort for it. It was ascertained that -these grain-junks had all crossed the Yangtze river, from the southern -to the northern branch of the canal, on the 26th of June--viz., a few -days before our fleet left Woosung. - -On the 23rd of June, our troops returned from Shanghai to Woosung, -principally on board the steamers; but two companies of the 18th, -and the Rifles, together with the horses of the artillery, marched -back by land, the guns being brought down on board the vessels. The -Nemesis, having conveyed her detachments of troops to their respective -transports, volunteered to go and fetch off the other division, and -also the horses, which had marched overland, and had been waiting for -several hours at Woosung without the means of getting on board their -ships. The men were embarked direct from the river's bank, and the -horses were hoisted in with slings, and it was late at night before -they were put on board their respective transports; in doing which one -boat was unfortunately capsized. - -The Belleisle, with the whole of the 98th on board, had just arrived -from England, together with the Rattlesnake troop-ship, and the Vixen, -heavily-armed steamer, Commander H. Boyes; and the Proserpine, Captain -J. J. Hough, R.N. They were preceded by the Endymion, 44 guns, Captain -Honourable F. W. Grey; the Dido, 20, Honourable H. Keppel; Calliope, -26, Captain A. S. Kuper, C.B.; Childers, 16, Commander Halsted; and -numerous transports, having on board the 2nd and 6th regiments Madras -Native Infantry; also the Bengal Volunteers, and reinforcements of -artillery, together with the necessary proportion of camp followers. - -Shortly afterwards two French ships of war also arrived at Woosung, for -the purpose of watching our movements--the Erigone, 44, Captain Cecille, -and the Favorite, 18, Captain Le Page. The latter attempted to follow -the fleet up the river, and the Admiral was politely requested to -allow the use of one of his steamers to assist her in getting up; but -this, of course, could not be complied with, as our steamers were all -indispensable, to enable the numerous fleet of transports to stem the -current, and to tow them off whenever they chanced to get on shore. - -Before our forces left Shanghai, the same mandarin who had before -frequently presented himself at head-quarters[68] again made his -appearance as the bearer of a communication from the high authorities -to Sir Henry Pottinger. But, as no document was shewn by which any -individual could prove his having received full authority from the -Emperor to treat for peace, no attention whatever was paid to these -very equivocal overtures. At the same time, however, Sir Henry -Pottinger published a very important and interesting proclamation, -addressed to the Chinese people, and adopting something of the tone of -Oriental language. It was, of course, published in Chinese. The opening -sentences form a sort of quaint imitation of the celestial style, -with the object, probably, of fixing the attention of the Chinese at -the outset. For instance: "Under the canopy of heaven, and within the -circumference of the earth, many are the different countries: of the -multitude of these, not one is there that is not ruled by the Supreme -Heavenly Father, nor are there any that are not brethren of one family. -Being then of one family, very plain is it that they should hold -friendly and brotherly intercourse together, and not boast themselves -one above the other." After this exordium, it proceeds to lay open the -grievances of the English, the extortions and double dealings of the -local authorities at Canton, gradually increasing year after year; and -then recapitulates the proceedings adopted by the English, their visit -to the Peiho, the conferences and stipulations agreed to by Keshen, -and rejected by the Imperial Cabinet, the treacherous attack of the -Chinese, and other matters already fully explained. It then refers -to the cruelties practised upon our countrymen when taken prisoners, -either by being kidnapped, or in cases where they were shipwrecked. -It further reminds the people that in ancient times foreigners were -permitted to trade at various ports in China, to the manifest advantage -of all parties, and that it was only by false statements and local -intrigue that the Emperor was at length induced to confine the foreign -trade solely to Canton, and to establish the monopoly of the thirteen -Hongs. Finally, it is declared that hostilities will continue to be -carried on, until some high officer shall be appointed by the Emperor, -with full powers to negotiate and conclude arrangements, of which -the three following points were to be the basis:--Compensation for -losses and expenses; a friendly and becoming intercourse, on terms of -_equality_, between officers of the two countries; and the cession of -_insular territory_ for commerce, and for the residence of merchants, -and as a security and _guarantee_ against future renewal of offensive -acts. - -This proclamation was issued the day before the fleet set sail from -Woosung for Nankin. It is a curious coincidence that, a few days before -this, an edict, or proclamation, was issued by the Emperor, in which -_he also_ recapitulated the leading events of the war, and tried to -make it appear that the whole difficulties had arisen solely from the -crusade which his Majesty had directed to be carried on against the -"Opium poison." He blames Commissioner Lin for his bad management; and -with regard to the six million dollars ransom for Canton, his celestial -Majesty declares that it was a very small matter, and that he did not -grudge it at all. But when the rebellious foreigners left Canton, -and then advanced to recapture Chusan, and to take Ningpo and other -cities, then says his Majesty, with unaffected bitterness of spirit, -"I severely blame _myself_, and hate _myself_ for being unequal to my -duties; I cannot rescue my subjects; and repose by day or night is -difficult for me." At the same time, he is slow to believe that the -strength of the barbarian ships is really so great as represented, and -strongly hints that his people are cowards; and while, on the one hand, -he promises rewards to the valiant, he orders that those who run away -shall be instantly executed without mercy. Carefully losing sight of -every other grievance or source of difficulties, his Majesty reiterates -his prohibition against opium, and urges the most strenuous exertions -to sweep the worthless barbarians clean away into the depths of the -wide ocean. - -In fact, it now became very manifest that the Emperor was seriously -alarmed; and, although his spirit breathed a bitter hostility, it could -not be doubted that his Majesty ardently longed for peace. - -Sir Henry's proclamation soon afterwards called forth a reply from -Niew-kien, the Viceroy of the two Kiang provinces, to which the seat of -war was now removed. It was one of those curious little essays in which -the Chinese delight, made up of a few common-place truisms dressed -in the peculiar phraseology of the East. He cunningly recommends the -plenipotentiary to draw up a full statement of all _grievances_, to be -transmitted through him (the Viceroy) to the Emperor, which would of -course bear upon its very face the appearance of _asking for favours_, -instead of dictating _terms_. He farther reminds his Excellency, that -although the Chinese have suffered much, still the English must have -lost many brave men also, and by coming from so great a distance must -have likewise incurred great expense; that it would be much better for -_both parties_ to put an end to the war at once, and vows the most -perfect sincerity before all the gods. At the same time, he confesses -his great alarm at seeing all the people fly from their habitations, -and the country given up to the plundering of the _native_ robbers. -Indeed, Miew-Kien, in another report addressed to the Emperor, -expressed the greatest possible apprehension lest the people should -be frightened away, either by severe measures on his own part, or by -the approach of the enemy, and thus the whole country be given up to -the excesses of the lawless native plunderers, who would take the -opportunity to rob, and commit all kinds of mischief. - -The Chinese appear to have rested all their hopes for the defence -of the Yangtze river, and the approach to Nankin, entirely upon the -strength of their works at Woosung, and had consequently made little -or no preparations for resistance higher up. It had, indeed, been -recommended by one of the Tartar generals that a portion of the river -below Nankin should be staked across, and junks laden with stones sunk -to impede the navigation, and likewise that fire-vessels should be -prepared. But this advice was overruled by Niew-Kien, the Viceroy, upon -the ground of its inutility; and it was urged that the extreme rapidity -of the current, and the sunken rocks and sands in parts most difficult -of navigation, would be the best defences, and that any attempts to -stake the river would not only be expensive and useless, but would -greatly alarm the people. Fire-rafts were only ordered to be got ready, -when there was no time whatever even to commence them, the enemy being -already close to the city of Chin-keang-foo. - -From documents which subsequently fell into our possessions it was also -ascertained that the apprehension of our advance upon Pekin by way of -the river Peiho was so great, that a body of troops, already ordered -to march to Soo-chow-foo, were recalled, and directed to proceed -immediately to Tientsin, in order to defend the approaches to the -metropolis. - -During the latter part of June, the weather was very squally and -unsettled, and therefore not very well adapted for the advance of a -fleet of more than seventy sail, up a river, the navigation of which -was almost entirely unknown. The channels were now buoyed off, and -beacon-vessels were also placed at one or two of the most important -parts; and Commanders Kellett and Collinson, accompanied by the masters -of the ships of war were sent in advance on the 29th, to sound and -to make preparations for the passage of the fleet, and particularly -for the purpose of surveying the river above the point where Captain -Bethune's researches terminated. - -The distance of Nankin from Woosung is about one hundred and seventy -miles, and a very accurate survey was ultimately completed of this -beautiful river, as far as that ancient capital. Even there the river -is very broad and the channel deep, so that the Cornwallis was able to -lie within one thousand yards of the walls of the city. It is, perhaps, -to be regretted that the river was not examined for some distance -above the city, for it could not be doubted that, with the assistance -of steamers, even large ships would be able to ascend several hundred -miles further. But the conclusion of the peace followed so soon after -the arrival of our forces before the ancient capital, that there -was no opportunity of continuing our discoveries further into the -interior, without compromising our character for sincerity, while the -negotiations were in progress. It could not have failed, however, had -circumstances permitted, of furnishing much interesting information -respecting the interior of this extraordinary country. - -There are few rivers in the world to be compared with the Yangtze, -in point of extent, and the richness of the provinces through which -it flows. Supposed to take its rise at a distance of more than three -thousand miles from the sea, among the furthest mountains of Thibet, it -traverses the whole empire of China from west to east, turning a little -to the northward, and is believed to be navigable through the whole of -these valuable provinces.[69] - -The navigation of this river was found less difficult than might have -been expected. There are, indeed, numerous sand-banks, some of which -change their places, owing to the rapidity of the current; and at the -upper part of the river, towards Chin-keang-foo, there is some danger -from rocks; but the greatest obstacle to the navigation is the rapidity -of the current, which, even when beyond the influence of the tide, runs -down at the rate of three and a half to four miles an hour. It is not -surprising that almost every ship of the squadron should have touched -the ground; but, as the bottom was generally soft mud, no serious -damage was sustained. The steamers were of course indispensable, and -the assistance of two or three of them together was, in some instances, -requisite to haul the ships off. - -One of the largest transports, the Marion, having the head-quarters and -staff on board, was thrown upon the rocks by the force of the current, -on the way _down_ from Nankin, and would certainly have been lost, but -for the aid rendered by two steamers, the Nemesis and the Memnon, and -the valuable experience already gained by the former in the Chinese -rivers. - -Sir William Parker's arrangements for the merchant transports were -perfect; their orders were definite, and were generally obeyed with -alacrity; boats were always in readiness, and signals carefully -watched. Probably, if it were required to point out any one -circumstance which redounded more than another to the honour of the -British service, it would be that of having carried a fleet of nearly -eighty sail up to the walls of the city of Nankin and brought it safely -back again. - -At the beginning of July, the weather became very favourable for the -ascent of the river, and the Phlegethon, having returned with the -intelligence that a clear and deep channel had been found as far as -Golden Island, close to the entrance of the Grand Canal, and that buoys -had been laid down to facilitate the navigation, orders were given that -the fleet should be in readiness to get under weigh on the morning of -the 6th. It was formed into five divisions, each consisting of from -eight to twelve transports, conducted by a ship-of-war, and under -the orders of her captain; and to each division also a steamer was -attached, to render assistance when required. - -In addition to the steamers so employed, the Phlegethon, Medusa, and -Pluto were in attendance, principally upon the advanced squadron, and -in readiness to assist any other ship which stood in need of it. The -Nemesis and Proserpine also accompanied the fleet. Thus there were not -less than ten steamers attached to the squadron when it set sail from -Woosung, and they were afterwards joined up the river (but not until -hostilities had ceased) by two other powerful steamers, the Driver and -the Memnon. - -A list of all her majesty's ships of war and steam vessels, together -with those belonging to the East India Company, which were present in -the Chinese waters at the conclusion of the peace, will be given in its -proper place. The following was the order of sailing of the squadron -on leaving Woosung, each division being about two or three miles in -advance of the next one. The North Star, Captain Sir E. Home, Bart., -was left at Woosung to blockade that river, with orders to detain all -merchant junks which might attempt to pass up the Yangtze, or into the -Woosung, laden with provisions. - -It was a curious sight afterwards to look at the numerous fleet of -junks, some of them of large size, which were collected at that -anchorage, and for some time it was no easy matter for the North Star -to prevent them from attempting to make their escape; but when a round -shot or two had been sent through some of the most refractory, and -a few of the captains had been brought on board the North Star and -strictly warned, they all became "very submissively obedient," and -patiently awaited the permission to depart, which was not accorded to -them until the peace had been proclaimed. - -The advanced squadron consisted of the-- - - Starling 6 Commander Kellett, } Surveying vessels. - Plover 8 Commander Collinson,} - Modeste 18 Commander R. B. Watson. - Clio 16 Commander T. Troubridge. - Columbine 16 Commander Morshead. - Childers 16 Commander Halsted. - H.C. Steamer Phlegethon Lieutenant M'Cleverty, R.N. - H.C. Steamer Pluto Lieutenant Tudor, R.N. - H.C. Steamer Medusa Lieutenant Hewitt, R.N. - H.C. Steamer Nemesis Lieutenant W. H. Hall, R.N. - H.C. Steamer Proserpine Commander J. J. Hough, R.N. - H.M.S. Cornwallis 72 Captain Richards, - flag-ship of Vice-Admiral - Sir William Parker, G.C.B. - - FIRST DIVISION. - H.M.S. Calliope 26 Captain A. S. Kuper, C.B. - H.M. armed Steamer Vixen Commander H. Boyes. - Marion transport, - with Lieutenant-General Sir H. Gough and general staff. - Seven transports, with Sappers and Miners, followers, &c. - - SECOND DIVISION. - H.M.S. Blonde 42 Captain T. Bourchier, C.B. - H.M. Steamer Auckland Commander Ethersey, I.N. - Ten transports, conveying the Artillery Brigade and horses, &c. - - THIRD DIVISION. - H.M. troop-ship Belleisle, Captain T. Kingcomb, - having on board Major-General Lord Saltoun, - and H.M. 98th regiment. - H.M. troop-ship Jupiter, master commanding, G. Hoffmeister, - with H.M. 26th regiment. - Nine transports, conveying Bengal volunteers and - flank companies 41st M.N.I. - - FOURTH DIVISION. - H.M.S. Endymion 44 Captain Honourable F. W. Grey. - H.C. Steamer Sesostris Commander H. A. Ormsby, I.N. - Thirteen transports, conveying H.M. 55th regiment, - with the 2nd and 6th regiments M.N.I., - and the Madras Rifle Company. - - FIFTH DIVISION. - H.M.S. Dido 20 Captain Hon. H. Keppel. - H.C. Steamer Tenasserim Master Commanding, P. Wall. - H.M. troop-ship Apollo Commander Frederick, - with H.M. 49th regiment. - H.M. troop-ship Rattlesnake Master Commanding, James Sprent, - with H.M. 18th regiment. - Eight transports, conveying the remainder of the - 18th and 49th regiments, together with the 14th M.N.I. - -The Chinese had prepared no means of resisting the advance of our -squadron up the river; and even the few guns which had previously been -mounted on two small forts on the right bank of the river, adjoining -the towns of Foushan and Keang-yin, were withdrawn on the approach of -our forces, in order to avert the injury which might have been done to -those towns had any show of resistance been offered. - -The country along the lower part of the Yangtze is altogether alluvial, -and intersected by innumerable canals and water-courses. In most parts -it is highly cultivated, but in others less so than we were led to -expect. On one occasion, I walked for the distance of five or six miles -into the interior, attended by crowds of the peasantry, who appeared -to be a strong, hardy, well-disposed race, and offered no kind of -violence or insult. They appeared to be solely influenced by curiosity, -and a few of them brought us poultry for sale, but the greater part -seemed afraid to have any dealings with us. The small cotton plant -was cultivated very extensively, and at nearly every cottage-door an -old woman was seated, either picking the cotton or spinning it into -yarn. The hop plant was growing abundantly in a _wild state_, and was -apparently not turned to any use. - -The small town of Foushan, at the base of a partially fortified hill, -and a conical mountain with a pagoda upon its summit, situated upon -the opposite side of the river, form the first striking objects which -meet the eye, and relieve the general monotony of the lower part of -the river. Above this point, the scenery becomes more interesting, and -gradually assumes rather a mountainous character. - -Compared with the neighbourhood of Ningpo, or Chapoo, you are inclined -to be disappointed in the aspect of the country generally; you find it -less carefully and economically cultivated, and perhaps one of your -first hasty impressions would be to doubt whether the population of -China can be so dense as the best-received accounts lead us to suppose. -When you consider the immense extent of country through which this -magnificent river flows, and the alluvial nature of the great belt of -land which runs along the sea-coast, you are prepared to expect that -here, if anywhere, a great mass of people would be congregated, and -that town would succeed town, and village follow village, along the -whole course of this great artery. - -About twenty-five miles above Foushan, stands the rather considerable -town of Keang-yin, situated in a very picturesque valley, about a -mile distant from the river side; but there is a small village close -to the landing-place. The river suddenly becomes narrow at this spot, -but soon again spreads out to nearly its former breadth. The town of -Keang-yin is distinguished by a remarkable pagoda, to which, with great -difficulty, we persuaded a venerable-looking priest to conduct us. -He hesitated a long time before he could be induced to lead us into -the town, which was surrounded by a very high, thick, parapeted wall, -banked up with earth on the inside. No soldiers were to be seen, and -many of the inhabitants began very hastily to shut up their shops the -moment they saw us enter the streets. - -The pagoda appeared to be the only striking object in the place, and -from the peculiarity of its construction was well worth seeing. It was -built of red brick, in the usual octagonal form, gradually inclining -upwards, but was so constructed _in the inside_, that each story -slightly overhung the one below it, although the outside appeared -quite regular. The building was partly in ruins, but looked as if -it had never been perfectly finished. Not far from it was a well of -clear, delicious water, some of which was brought to us in basins, with -marks of good-nature, as if the people intended to surprise us with a -treat. We afterwards learned that good water is rarely found in the -neighbourhood of the river, and that the inhabitants are in the habit -of purifying it by dissolving in it a small portion of alum. It was -also stated that fish caught in the river are considered unwholesome. - -The distance from Keang-yin to Chin-keang-foo is about sixty-six miles -by the river, but not much more than half that distance by land, -the course of the former being very tortuous. The country gradually -increases in interest, becoming more hilly and picturesque the higher -you ascend. - -At Seshan, which is about fifteen miles below Chin-keang-foo, some show -of opposition was offered by two or three small batteries, mounting -twenty guns, situated at the foot of a remarkable conical hill. They -opened fire at first upon the Pluto and Nemesis steamers, which were -at that time employed on the surveying service. The day afterwards -they opened fire also upon the Phlegethon and Modeste, which were sent -forward to attack them. The garrison were, however, soon driven out, -and could be seen throwing off their outer wadded jackets, to enable -them to escape with greater nimbleness. The guns, magazines, and -barracks, were destroyed. - -A little way below Chin-keang-foo, the channel is much narrowed by -the island of Seung-shan, and the current is consequently extremely -rapid, so that the utmost skill and care, aided by a strong breeze, -are necessary to enable a vessel to stem the stream and overcome the -strength of the eddies and whirlpools. Seung-shan, or Silver Island, is -all rocky, but rendered picturesque by the trees which are planted in -the hollows. It is devoted to religious purposes, being ornamented with -temples, and it was formerly honoured by the visits of the Emperors, to -whom it is said still to belong. - -Nearly the same description will also apply to Kinshan, or Golden -Island, situated higher up the river, nearly opposite the mouth of the -Grand Canal. It is distinguished by a pagoda which crowns its summit, -and by its numerous yellow tiled temples. The decayed condition of -some of the pavilions, and the remnants of former splendour which -once decorated their walls, together with the imperial chair itself, -ornamented with well-carved dragons all over its back and sides, attest -the importance which this island and the environs of the great southern -capital possessed in times long past, and the low estate into which -this interesting part of the country has fallen since Pekin became the -metropolis of China, and the Imperial residence of its Conquerors. - -On the 16th, Sir William Parker and Sir Hugh Gough proceeded up the -river in H.M. steamer Vixen, followed by the little Medusa, to -reconnoitre the approaches to Chin-keang-foo. They passed up above the -city without any opposition, approaching very near the entrance of the -Imperial Canal, which takes its course close under the city walls. No -preparations for resistance were apparent--at least, there were no -soldiers visible upon the city walls, and the inhabitants, who came out -in great numbers, were evidently attracted only by curiosity. Hence -the first impression was, that no resistance would be offered, and the -information obtained through the interpreters tended to encourage the -same conclusion. - -The walls of the city, which is situated on the right bank of the -river, were, however, in good repair, and the distance from the river -was not too great to enable the ships to bombard it if requisite. But -the general feeling was, that the attack (if indeed any resistance at -all were offered) was to be left entirely to the military arm of the -expedition, the more particularly as the engagement at Woosung had been -entirely monopolized by the navy, and an opportunity was desired by the -army to achieve for itself similar honours. A second reconnoissance, -made from the top of the pagoda on Golden Island, brought to view three -encampments on the slope of the hills, a little to the south-west of -the city, which rather tended to confirm the impression that the troops -had moved out of the town. - -The advanced squadron, under Captain Bourchier, had been sent a -little higher up, to blockade the entrances of the Grand Canal, and -the other water-communications by which the commerce of the interior -is maintained. On the 19th, the Cornwallis was enabled to take up a -position close off the city, near the southern entrance of the Grand -Canal; and on the 20th, the whole of the fleet had assembled in that -neighbourhood. - -It has been already stated that little or no resistance was expected in -the town itself; but the ships might have easily thrown a few shells -into it, to make the enemy shew themselves, or have regularly bombarded -the place if necessary. It seems, however, to have been settled that -it should be altogether a military affair; and with the exception of -some boats, which were sent up the canal, and a body of seamen who -were landed, and did gallant service under Captain Peter Richards and -Captain Watson, the naval branch of the expedition had little to do. -From documents subsequently found within the city, it was ascertained -that there were actually about two thousand four hundred fighting men -within the walls, of whom one thousand two hundred were resident -Tartar soldiers, and four hundred Tartars sent from a distant province. -Very few guns were mounted, as the greater part of them had been -carried down for the defence of Woosung. - -Outside the walls there were three encampments, at some distance from -the town, in which there was a force altogether of something less than -three thousand men, with several guns, and a quantity of ginjals. As -the adult Tartar population of every city are, in fact, soldiers by -birth, it may be supposed that even those who do not belong to the -regular service are always ready to take up arms in defence of their -hearths; and in this way some of our men suffered, because they did -not know, from their external appearance, which were the ordinary -inhabitants, and which were the Tartars. - -On our side, the whole force engaged at Chin-keang-foo, though very -much larger than any hitherto brought into the field in China, did not -amount to seven thousand men, including officers, non-commissioned -officers, and rank and file. The exact numbers, according to the field -list, amounted to six thousand six hundred and sixty-four men, besides -officers. They were divided into four brigades. - - ARTILLERY BRIGADE. - - Under Lieutenant-Colonel Montgomerie, C.B., Madras Artillery. - Captain Balfour, M.A., Brigade-Major. - Captain Greenwood, R.A., Commanding Royal Artillery. - - Officers. Men. - European 26 ditto 318 - Native 6 ditto 252 - ----- ----- - 32 570 - ----- ----- - - FIRST BRIGADE - Major-General Lord Saltoun, C.B. - Captain Cunynghame, 3rd Buffs, A.D.C. - J. Hope Grant, 9th Lancers, Brigade-Major. - 26th Cameronians, Lieutenant-Colonel Pratt. - 98th regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell. - Bengal Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd. - 41st M.N.I. Flank Companies, Major Campbell. - Total, 83 officers.--2235 other ranks. - - SECOND BRIGADE. - Major-General Schoedde, 55th. - Captain C. B. Daubeney, 55th, Brigade-Major. - 55th regiment, Major Warren. - 6th M.N.I. Lieutenant-Colonel Drever. - 2nd M.N.I., Lieutenant-Colonel Luard. - Rifles of 36th M.N.I., Captain Simpson. - Total, 60 officers--1772 other ranks. - - THIRD BRIGADE. - Major-General Bartley, 49th. - Captain W. P. K. Browne, 49th Brigade-Major. - 18th Royal Irish, Major Cowper. - 49th regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Stevens. - 14th M.N.I., Major Young. - Total, 68 officers--2087 other ranks. - - GENERAL STAFF. - Aides-de-Camp to the General Commanding-in-Chief: - Captain Whittingham, 26th regiment. - Lieutenant Gabbett, Madras Artillery. - Adjutant-General, Lieutenant-Colonel Mountain, 26th. - Assistant ditto, Captain R. Shirreff, 2nd M.N.I. - Deputy Assistant ditto, Lieutenant Heatly, 49th. - Deputy Quartermaster-General, Major Gough. - Field Engineer, Captain Pears, M.E. - Commissary of Ordnance, Lieutenant Barrow. - -On the evening of the 20th, all the arrangements were completed for the -attack upon the city and upon the encampments beyond it, to take place -on the following morning at daylight. It has been already stated, that -it was not proposed that the ships should bombard the town; and the -only vessel which fired into it was the Auckland steamer, which covered -the landing, and threw a few shot and shells into the city. But a body -of seamen and marines of the squadron (as will presently be described) -took an active share in the work of the day, under Captain Peter -Richards and other officers; and Sir William Parker himself accompanied -the general, and forced his way with him through the city gate. - -The plan adopted by Sir Hugh Gough was to endeavour to cut off the -large body of Chinese troops encamped upon the slope of the hills; -for which purpose the first and third brigades, together with part of -the artillery, were to be landed in the western suburbs of the city, -opposite Golden Island, near where a branch of the Grand Canal runs -close under the city walls; Lord Saltoun, with the first brigade, -was to attack the encampments; while Sir Hugh Gough, in person, with -the third brigade and the rest of the artillery, proposed to operate -against the west gate, and the western face of the walls. - -The second brigade, under Major-General Schoedde, was to land under a -bluff point somewhat to the northward of the city, where there were two -small hills which commanded the walls on that side. The object was to -create a diversion, and draw the attention of the enemy towards that -side, while the real attack was to be made upon the western gate, which -was to be blown in by powder-bags. General Schoedde was directed to -use his own discretion, as to turning his diversion into a real attack, -should he think proper to do so. - -There was found to be more difficulty in landing the troops than -had been expected, many of the transports lying at a considerable -distance, and the great strength of the current rendering the operation -troublesome and protracted. The first brigade, under Lord Saltoun, -succeeded in driving the enemy completely over the hills, after -receiving a distant and ineffectual fire as they advanced; but they -met with a more determined resistance from a column of the enemy, who -were in great danger of being cut off. Several casualties occurred -on our side, in this encounter. Upon the walls of the town itself, -few soldiers shewed themselves, and the resistance which was soon -experienced was not at all expected. - -General Schoedde, with a portion of the second brigade, took possession -of a joss-house, or temple, upon the hill overlooking the northern -and eastern face of the walls, near the river, and there awaited the -landing of the rest of his brigade, being received by a spirited fire -of guns, ginjals, and matchlocks, which was opened from the city walls; -this was returned by a fire of rockets. - -As soon as a sufficient force had been collected, the rifles, under -Captain Simpson, descended from a small wooded hill which they -occupied, and crept up close under the walls, keeping up a well -sustained fire upon the Tartars. Major-General Schoedde now gave orders -for escalading the wall, although, from its not having been part of -the regular plan of attack, only three scaling ladders were provided. -The grenadier company of the 55th, with two companies of the 6th -Madras Native Infantry, advanced to the escalade, under the command -of Brevet-Major Maclean, of the 55th. The first man who mounted the -walls was Lieutenant Cuddy, of the 55th, who remained sitting upon the -wall, assisting the others to get up, with astonishing coolness. He was -shortly afterwards wounded in the foot by a matchlock ball. - -The 55th and the 6th Madras Native Infantry vied with each other in -gallantly mounting the ladders, together with the rifles; but the -Tartars fought desperately. As they retreated along the wall, they made -a stand at every defensible point, sheltering themselves behind the -large guard stations and watch-boxes, which are found at intervals upon -most of the Chinese walls. - -Many anecdotes are told by those who were present, of the desperate -determination with which the Tartars fought. Many of them rushed upon -the bayonets. In some instances, they got within the soldiers' guard, -and seizing them by the body, dragged their enemies with themselves -over the walls; and in one or two instances succeeded in throwing them -over, before they were themselves bayoneted. The Tartars were fine -muscular men, and looked the more so from the loose dresses which they -wore. They did not shrink from sword combats, or personal encounters of -any kind; and had they been armed with weapons similar to those of our -own troops, even without much discipline, upon the top of walls where -the front is narrow, and the flanks cannot be turned, they would have -probably maintained their ground for a much longer time, and perhaps -even, until they were attacked by another body in the rear. Major -Warren and Captain Simpson were wounded, as well as Lieutenant Cuddy. - -As soon as the wall was scaled, one body of our troops proceeded to -clear the walls to the right, and the other to the left; and the -latter, as they scoured the walls, afterwards fell in with the third -brigade, with the General and the Admiral at their head, who had just -forced their way in at the gateway. While these important successes -had been gained by General Schoedde with the second brigade, two other -operations had been conducted at the western gate, one by the third -brigade, and the other by a small body of marines and seamen, under -Captain Peter Richards. These are now to be detailed. - -Sir Hugh Gough, as soon as he had been joined by the 18th and the -greater part of the 49th, with the 26th, which had not accompanied -Lord Saltoun's brigade, gave orders to blow in the west gate with -powder-bags. The canal which runs along the walls on that side was -found not to be fordable; and this was ascertained by four officers who -volunteered to swim across it to ascertain the fact. Sir Hugh Gough -was at this time with the third brigade, under Major-General Bartley, -at about midway between the south and west gates, but determined to -storm the latter, because the suburbs afforded shelter for the men to -approach it, with little exposure. A few Tartar soldiers only appeared -upon the walls at this point, as the main body had probably been -marched off to reinforce those who were opposed to our troops, after -the escalade of the walls on the northern side. - -Two guns, under Lieutenant Molesworth, were placed so as to command the -approach to the gate, and to cover the advance of a party of sappers -and miners, under Captain Pears, who were to fix the powder-bags -against the gate. This operation was perfectly successful; and the -General, putting himself at the head of the 18th, who had just come -up, rushed in over the rubbish, the grenadiers forming the advance, -and entered a long archway, which led into what might be called an -outwork, from which there was a second gate, conducting into the town -itself. - -It appears that in Chinese fortifications, as before described, there -are always two gateways; the outer one placed at right angles to the -main wall of the town, so as to be flanked by it, and leading into a -large court, surrounded by walls similar to the walls of the town, and -in which there are commonly cells for prisoners, &c. The second gate -and archway leads from it directly into the body of the place, and is -surmounted by a guard-house upon the top of the gateway, to which you -ascend by a flight of stone steps on either side. - -All resistance at the gateways had been already overcome, the Chinese -guard at the inner gate having given way before the advanced party -of the 55th regiment; and the open court, or space between the two -gateways, having been just occupied by a party of marines and seamen, -under Captain Peter Richards and Captain Watson, who had escaladed the -outer wall very near the gateway. - -As no detailed account of this interesting part of the day's work has -yet appeared, and as some misapprehension has prevailed with regard -to the affair of the boats of the Blonde in the canal, I have taken -pains to ascertain the particulars from two officers who were present, -and who were both wounded on the occasion. The following condensed -statement of what took place may therefore be relied on for its -accuracy. - -The boats of the Blonde, which vessel was at anchor off one of the -principal southern branches of the Grand Canal running under the city -walls, having been employed in landing the Artillery Brigade during -the early part of the morning, were ordered, about ten o'clock, to -re-embark part of the Artillery and Gun-Lascars, with two howitzers, -for the purpose of assisting in the attack of the west gate, and to -create a diversion in favour of the troops. At all events, whatever -the object of the movement might have been, it is certain that the -guns were put on board the boats of the Blonde, and that there were -altogether about one hundred men embarked. The boats consisted of the -launch, barge, pinnace, cutter, and flat of that ship, together with -two boats belonging to transports. They proceeded up the canal, which -took a winding direction through the suburbs, for some distance, until -they came suddenly in sight of the west gate of the city, which until -then had been obscured by the houses. The whole of these boats were -under the command of Lieutenant Crouch, of the Blonde, having Messrs. -Lambert, Jenkins, and Lyons, midshipmen, under his orders. - -On coming in sight of the gate, the barge, cutter, and flat were a -little in advance of the other boats, and proceeding in single line -towards a spot pointed out by Major Blundell, of the Madras Artillery, -as well adapted for the landing of the guns. Suddenly a heavy fire of -ginjals and matchlocks was opened on them from the whole line of the -city wall, running parallel with the canal; and, as the height of it -was little less than forty feet, the small gun of the barge could not -be elevated sufficiently to do any service, and the fire of musketry -which was returned was inefficient. - -The Chinese opened their fire with deadly effect upon the advancing -boats, and, in the course of about ten minutes, sixteen seamen and -eight artillerymen were wounded; Lieutenant Crouch himself was hit in -three places, and one midshipman (Mr. Lyons) and two officers of the -Artillery were also wounded. Under these circumstances, the men were -got out of the boats as quickly as possible, and placed under cover of -the houses in the suburbs, on the opposite side of the canal. At this -time these three boats were considerably in advance of the rest, and, -as soon as the men were all landed, the boats were abandoned and the -guns left behind. The launch and pinnace, who were behind them, as soon -as they saw the disaster, and that to advance further would only expose -themselves to a destructive fire, without the possibility of returning -it with effect, stopped under cover of some buildings, which sheltered -them from the city walls. - -The officers and men who belonged to the advanced boats, having many -of their comrades wounded, were now in a trying predicament. The only -alternative left was to endeavour to join the other boats which had -remained under cover; to do which they had to pass across an open space -by the side of the canal, exposed to the whole fire of the enemy from -the walls on the opposite side. This was, however, effected without -farther loss, although a heavy fire was opened on them, (but of course -at a greater distance than when in the boats.) Some of the wounded were -necessarily left behind, and were kindly treated by the Chinese people -in the suburbs, who shewed no hostility. - -As it was evident that nothing further could be attempted at present, -they all returned down the canal in the launch and pinnace, and -reported the circumstances to Captain Richards, of the Cornwallis, to -which ship the rest of the wounded were immediately removed. - -On receiving the information of what had happened, Captain Peter -Richards lost not a moment in landing with two hundred marines, at -the entrance of the canal, where he was joined by about three hundred -men of the 6th M.N.I., under Captain Maclean, of that corps, and then -pushed through the suburbs towards the city walls; at the same time the -whole of the boats of the Cornwallis, under the command of Lieutenant -Stoddart, advanced by the canal, in company with the remaining boats -of the Blonde, to bring off the boats and guns which had been left -behind. They were also to endeavour to check the fire of the Chinese at -the west gate, when Captain Richards advanced through the suburbs to -escalade the wall. - -As soon as Captain Richards had landed, he was joined by Captain Watson -and Mr. Forster, (master,) of the Modeste, with a boat's crew and a -small body of marines belonging to that vessel. On reaching the foot -of the walls, a heap of rubbish was luckily found to have been left by -accident not far from the gate. Upon this the ladders were planted by -Captain Peter Richards and Captain Watson, under cover of the fire of -the Marines, in face of a large body of Tartars, who lined the walls, -and appeared determined to defend their post to the last. These two -officers, together with Lieutenant Baker, of the Madras Artillery, and -a private marine of the Modeste, were the first to ascend the ladders. -As they got upon the wall (with much difficulty) they were directly -exposed to the cross fire from the guard-houses over the outer and -inner gateway, by which the marine was killed, and Captain Watson and -Lieutenant Baker were wounded; the former having one of the buttons -of his jacket driven into his side, and three balls passing through -his jacket. The marine was killed by several shots passing through his -body, and another marine, (also belonging to the Modeste,) who followed -afterwards, was severely wounded. - -With great difficulty and exertion about a dozen men got upon the wall; -and Lieutenant Fitzjames, having succeeded in bringing up some rockets, -lodged one of them in a guard-house over the gateway, which immediately -caught fire, and threw the enemy into such consternation that they then -gave way. Captain Richards, (who had, as if by a miracle, escaped being -wounded,) was now able to dash down, at the head of his men, into the -open space between the two gateways; and, just afterwards, the outer -gate was blown in, as before described, by powder-bags. The advanced -guard of the 55th had in the meanwhile come round along the walls -from their north-eastern angle, where General Schoedde's brigade had -escaladed it, and had now reached the inner gateway. - -The third brigade, under Major-General Bartley, accompanied by Sir -Hugh Gough, and also by Sir William Parker, dashed in over the ruins -of the gate, and, to their great disappointment, found that the walls -had been already carried; but, within the city itself, the resistance -of the Tartars was by no means overcome. Part of the 18th and 49th -regiments, under Major-General Bartley, were now ordered to march along -the western face of the walls, and they threw out a line of skirmishers -as they advanced along some ditches and old houses below the wall. As -the brigade filed along the walls left in front, they suddenly received -a heavy fire from a body of Tartars, by which two officers were killed -and two wounded, and several men struck down. The leading division of -the 49th immediately dashed down the ramparts upon the enemy's left, -while the 18th pushed forward to turn their right. They were soon -dispersed, although many of them fought with great determination. One -company of the 18th pursued them into the Tartar city. In this spirited -affair the 18th had one officer killed and one wounded, with about -twenty men killed and wounded. The loss of the 49th was one officer -killed, one wounded, and about twenty-four rank and file killed and -wounded. - -In the meantime, the Admiral, having put himself at the head of the -seamen and marines, marched some way along the walls, where they had -been already cleared by the 55th, and, as the heat of the sun at this -time (past noon) was almost insupportable, he had directed the men to -take shelter for a little while, in one of the watch-houses upon the -ramparts. The heat was quite overpowering, and the men being already -much fatigued, several of them died from sun-stroke. Here it was that -the gallant Major Uniacke, R.M., fell, from the effects of the sun, -and in the list of casualties of the day no less than sixteen men are -included, who died from the same cause. - -Having rested something less than an hour in the guard-house, a heavy -firing was heard within the Tartar city, and the men were instantly -formed, and advanced in the direction of the firing, under Captain -Richards and Captain Watson. On passing through a narrow street in the -Tartar part of the city, a sudden fire was poured upon them by a body -of Tartars drawn up across the street, behind a small gateway, where -they seemed prepared to make a most determined stand. Several men were -wounded, and it was necessary to advance with caution, taking advantage -of shelter when it could be found. Here Lieutenant Fitzjames was -wounded while endeavouring to get a rocket off. - -Captain Watson was now sent round by a side-lane, to endeavour to turn -the flank of the Tartars, but there also the latter were prepared for -them, behind a temporary barricade. However, a cheer, and a sudden rush -from both divisions at once, upon the front and flank of the Tartars, -carried the point, and the enemy were driven back with heavy loss, -after shewing individual instances of the most desperate valour, in -several hand-to-hand encounters. When the brave Tartars at length saw -that their utmost efforts were of no avail, then began the scenes of -horror, and the tragedy of self-immolation, which makes one's very -blood run cold to hear of. The Admiral himself was a witness of what -took place. Some of the Tartars kept the doors of their houses with -their very lives, while others could be seen within, deliberately -cutting the throats of their women, and destroying their children, some -by strangulation, and others by throwing them into the wells. In one -house in particular, a Tartar was found in the act of sawing his wife's -throat with a rusty sword, as he held her over the mouth of the well -into which his children had been already thrown. He was shot before the -deed was completed, in order to save the woman, who was immediately -taken care of, and had the wound, which was not severe, tied up. Yet -the first use she made of her tongue, as soon as she could speak, was -to utter the most violent imprecations upon the heads of the victors. -The children who were in the well (in which there was little water) -were all got up, and recovered. - -In other houses, numbers of poor creatures were found dead, some by -their own hands or the hands of each other, and the rest by the hands -of their husbands. In one house no less than fourteen dead bodies were -discovered, principally women; in others the men began to cut their own -throats the moment they saw any of our soldiers approaching; while in -other instances they rushed out furiously from some hiding-place, and -attacked with the sword any one who came in their way. - -Several of our officers had to defend their own lives with the sword, -long after all systematic opposition had ceased. An officer of the -14th M.N.I. had a sword combat with three Tartars who rushed out -upon him sword in hand, and by retreating so as to endeavour to take -them singly, he was able to cut down two of them just at the moment -when a fatal blow was about to be aimed at him by the third, who was -fortunately shot at the very critical moment, by a soldier who was -coming up to his officer's assistance. - -It is impossible to calculate the number of victims to the barbarous -practice of self-immolation and wholesale murder. Chin-keang-foo was -a Tartar stronghold considered by them as impregnable; they could not -brook defeat, or the desecration of their hearths, by the tread of the -unknown but thoroughly-hated barbarian; every house had its victims; -and to add to the horrors of the day, and the desolation of the city, -the Chinese plunderers flocked in from the country in multitudes, -pillaging in all directions. They even set fire to the streets in some -parts, to enable them to carry on their work with less interruption in -others. - -On our side, although the place had been taken by storm, and not -without heavy loss, the strictest orders were given to prevent the -pillage of the town as much as possible. Measures were taken, not only -to control our own men, (who, according to European custom, might have -expected to be allowed to pillage a town taken by assault,) but also to -arrest the violent proceedings of the Chinese rabble, who, in this as -in other instances, were the worst enemies of their own countrymen. - -The authorities and nearly all the respectable inhabitants had fled; -and the Tartar general (who had complained bitterly to the Emperor of -insufficient means for defence) had set fire to his own house, and -buried himself and part of his family in its ashes. - -Notwithstanding all the attempts to prevent the destruction of -property, it was impossible altogether to arrest it in so large a city. -Plunder was sometimes taken from the _Chinese thieves outside_ the -town, and occasionally articles of value were thrown over the walls, -because they were not allowed to be carried through the gates. In this -way, plunder was sometimes obtained, and many ingenious devices were -adopted to endeavour to secure a few valuables; but nearly all the -mischief was done by the Chinese themselves. - -The public offices were taken possession of by our troops, and all -the arms and warlike stores which were found were destroyed. Only -sixty thousand dollars, worth of Sycee silver was found in the public -coffers; but a little addition was made to the prize fund by the sale -of articles which were taken from plunderers, when they were discovered -trying to carry property out of the gates. The waste and destruction -of property was, however, enormous. When more valuable objects were -discovered, those of smaller value were left in the streets; costly -furs lay strewed in all directions; silks and satins lay about in such -profusion that the only difficulty was to choose among them. So little -had the inhabitants expected that their stronghold would fall, that -valuables of all kinds, gems, and gold ornaments, and curiosities -of every description, and in some instances even money, were left in -the wardrobes of the best houses, at the mercy of the first comers. -Under these circumstances, it is surprising that so little plunder was -carried away from a city taken by assault. - -Terrible as was the downfall of Chin-keang-foo in the eyes of the -Chinese, and great as was the desolation throughout the city in every -direction, it cannot be doubted that the loss of this important Tartar -stronghold, and the panic created by it, (the whole trade of the -country being at the same time suspended,) tended very materially to -produce in the mind of the Emperor and of his ministers the conviction -that a speedy peace, on any terms, was preferable to a continuance of -the war.[70] - -FOOTNOTES: - -[68] He was jocularly christened Corporal White. - -[69] The extent and importance of the numerous rivers which traverse -this vast empire cannot but strike every one with astonishment. Most of -them naturally take their course from west to east, from the mountains -towards the sea; but there is one important exception to this rule. -The river Amoor, or Sagalin, takes its rise from numerous branches -along the Kinkow mountains, not far from Kiachta and Maimaichis, the -two places at which trade is carried on with Russia, and after taking -a tortuous course to the northward, it receives a very large branch, -called the Schilka, which rises _within_ the Russian frontier in -the Baikal mountains, and at length, after traversing the whole of -Mantchouria, empties itself into the sea of Okotsk, not far from the -Russian frontier. The caravans from Kiachta have to cross most of the -numerous branches of this river on their way to Pekin. - -[70] NAMES OF MILITARY OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED AT CHIN-KEANG-FOO. - - H.M.'s 49th regiment, Lieut. T. P. Gibbons, - Sub. Ass. Com. Gen., killed. - " 18th " Captain Collinson, killed. - 6th M.N.I. " Lieut. Col. Drever, fell dead from sun-stroke. - - WOUNDED. - Royal Artillery Lieut. J. N. A. Freese, slightly. - Madras Artillery Lieut. Waddell, severely. - " Assistant Surgeon ----, severely. - H.M.'s 49th Lieut. Baddeley, dangerously. - " Lieut. Grant, slightly. - " 18th Lieut. Bernard, slightly. - " 26th Ensign Duperier, slightly. - " 55th Major Warren, severely. - " Lieut. Cuddy, severely. - 2nd M.N.I. Lieut. Carr, Adjutant, slightly. - " Ensign Travers, slightly. - 36th M.N.I. Rifles Capt. Simpson, severely. - - TOTAL LOSS. - Killed, three officers, two sergeants, twenty-nine rank and - file. Total, thirty-four. - - Wounded, fourteen officers, one warrant-officer, four - sergeants, eighty-seven rank and file, one follower. Total, - one hundred and seven. Missing, three men. Grand total in the - military arm, killed, wounded, and missing, all ranks, one - hundred and forty-four. - - Of these, one officer (Lieutenant-Colonel Drever) and sixteen - rank and file, of H.M. 98th and 49th regiments, were killed by - sun-stroke. - - In the naval arm of the expedition, one officer of marines and - two privates were killed, and two private marines wounded. Four - officers of the Royal Navy and fifteen seamen were wounded. The - names of the above naval officers have been mentioned in the - narrative. - - Grand total in the naval arm, 24. - - Grand total of casualties during the day, one hundred and - sixty-eight. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI. - - -Although the Tartar troops had proved themselves a formidable enemy -at Chin-keang-foo, and the loss sustained on our side had been much -greater than in any previous encounter, a far more dangerous enemy -soon began to show itself. Cholera and low marsh fever now made their -appearance, and carried off a great many men, particularly among the -new comers. The 98th regiment, recently arrived from England, suffered -perhaps more severely than the rest; but, in reality, every ship, -whether a man-of-war, or belonging to the transport service, had -numerous sick on board; and some of the transport ships were at length -scarcely manageable, owing to the shortness of hands. Nor was the -sickness limited to one part of the river more than another; for the -North Star, and the French frigate, Erigone, which were at anchor at -Woosung, were quite as much afflicted by it as the rest of the squadron -higher up the river. Nor did it begin to diminish until cool weather -set in, and the fleet gradually withdrew out of the river, after the -peace. Many a brave man, too, suffered from its effects for months -after leaving the country; and the officers were not more exempt than -the men. - -We may next proceed to inquire what was being done elsewhere by the -naval branch of the expedition, particularly by the advanced squadron -higher up the river, during these operations at Chin-keang-foo. The -great object in view was to stop the entire trade through that part of -the country, which, having numerous branches of the Grand Canal passing -through it, or at all events being intersected by several canals having -communications with the great one, may be considered as a centre of -commercial intercourse with some of the most important provinces of -China. The annual grain-junks had already passed up the canal towards -Pekin; but the importance of this great commercial highway (if a canal -may so be called in a country where the only means of transport is by -water) may be estimated from the fact, that in the course even of a few -days no less than seven hundred trading-junks were stopped; by which -means no less panic was created throughout the country, far and near, -than by the successes of our arms. - -There are at least three principal communications between the -Yangtze-Keang and the southern portion of the Grand Canal, of which, -perhaps, the largest passes along the western side of the walls of -Chin-keang-foo, through the suburbs of that city. It runs very near the -west and south gates, where it is crossed by stone bridges, which, of -course, impede the navigation for large junks. In its narrowest part, -where it is contracted by stone buttresses, it is about twenty feet -broad; but, in other parts, it varies from seventy to eighty feet in -breadth, with very high, steep banks, and with a depth of water varying -from nine to fifteen feet. These observations were made by Captain -Grey, of the Endymion. - -The communications on the northern side of the Yangtze-Keang are much -more numerous, and the main canal becomes much larger and finer. The -principal branch of communication opens about a mile above Golden -Island; but there are, in fact, so many openings, and such numerous -cross-lines running from one branch to the other, that the whole of -this part of the country resembles a network of water-courses. It is in -reality, so little above the level of the river, that it is entirely -laid out in paddy-swamps, which are only separated from the various -canals by embankments artificially made, and which form the only roads -or footways. - -The main canal itself, on that side, varies from eighty to one hundred -yards in width, and has a fine towing-path, running along upon the top -of the embankment by which its waters are confined. A few junks had -been sunk at its entrance, and barriers had also been formed in other -branches, in order to impede the navigation, in case our small steamers -should attempt to ascend them. At the time our forces were in the -neighbourhood, the waters were evidently much higher than usual; the -paddy-fields were deeply inundated, although the rice was being cut; -and some of the villages and courts of the joss-houses were flooded. -Shortly afterwards, while our squadron was lying off Nankin, the river -overflowed its banks so extensively, that the Chinamen were obliged -to move about in boats from house to house in the suburbs; and great -distress arose, both from this cause, and from the entire stoppage of -trade in the river. - -A country so subject to inundations, and intersected as it is by -canals in all directions, cannot but be at times extremely unhealthy; -and it is not to be wondered at that sickness should have broken out -extensively, among a body of foreigners long confined on board ship. -We shall presently allude to the sickness prevailing among the Chinese -themselves in the neighbourhood of Nankin, which may, in some degree, -account for the great falling off in its population. - -From what has been said of the numerous openings and communications of -the Grand Canal, it is evident that it would require a considerable -force to establish an efficient blockade. But not only was it necessary -to stop the trade, but also to take measures, at the same time, to -prevent the panic among the people from reaching such a pitch as to -drive them away from their homes, and leave the country at the mercy of -the rabble, and of the lawless plunderers who flock into the towns from -all parts, causing uneasiness even to the government. - -The Blonde and Modeste, together with the Proserpine, were placed so as -to blockade the two principal entrances of the canal immediately above -Chin-keang-foo, two or three days before the town was taken; while -the Nemesis and the Queen steamers, having the Plenipotentiary and -Captain Bourchier on board, proceeded some miles higher up the river, -until they suddenly discovered a large fleet of not less than three -hundred trading-junks. These were all ordered to drop down immediately -to Chin-keang, where they could more easily be prevented from making -their escape. A number of papers written in Chinese were distributed -among the captains of the junks, telling them that no harm would be -done to them, but their vessels must be detained. The Plenipotentiary -immediately returned to Chin-keang-foo, and the Nemesis was left to -hasten the departure of the junks, which were made to get under way -at once. A grand scene of confusion followed, as they were crowded -together, and all were glad to be allowed to get away from the steamer -without molestation. They were afterwards brought-to, in one of the -branches of the southern canal, just above Golden Island, and, for some -time, were under the charge of the Proserpine steamer, Commander Hough. - -A few miles up the branch of the canal near the mouth of which this -large fleet of junks was discovered, was situated the third-class town -called Esching, distant about twelve or fourteen miles from Chin-keang. -The approach of the Nemesis, and the detention of the junks, caused so -much consternation, that in the evening a respectably-dressed Chinaman, -who, from the authority he was afterwards found to possess, must have -been a mandarin of some rank, came down to the steamer, bringing a few -trifling presents of tea &c., as a means of introduction. His object -evidently was to ascertain whether there was any intention of taking -possession of the town; and, if so, to endeavour to avert the calamity -by the offer of a ransom. - -Supplies of fresh provisions were at this time greatly wanted in -the fleet. Many ships, particularly transports, had not been able -to procure fresh meat or vegetables for a considerable time, and -the sick were, consequently, deprived of what was most essential to -their recovery. This opportunity of procuring supplies was not to be -neglected. The Chinese gentleman and his attendants were conducted -over every part of the steamer, with which they were evidently much -surprised, but above all with the engines. He was soon made to -understand that if he promised to send down abundant supplies, all of -which would be equitably paid for, no harm whatever would be done to -the town or its inhabitants; but that no trading-junks could on any -account be permitted to pass up the river, or through that branch of -the canal. - -A demand for twenty bullocks was made, and they were to be delivered -on the following day. This was declared to be impossible--so many -could not be found; however, he was quietly told that they _must_ be -forthcoming, and that ten dollars would be paid for each of them. Late -in the evening the party of Chinamen returned to the town, apparently -quite satisfied with the civility they had received, and equally -convinced of the formidable character of their new visiter. - -On the following morning, the 19th, the same people again came on board -very early, bringing with them vegetables and fruit, and remained some -hours, while the Nemesis was chasing the junks, which were continually -coming into view as she proceeded, and were naturally trying to make -their escape. There were two interpreters (Chinamen from Canton) on -board, who hailed them to bring-to, telling them that they would -receive no molestation if they went quietly _down_ the river. But -some of them continued to persevere in their attempt to escape, and, -when two shots across their bows failed to bring them to, a third was -invariably fired into them, which soon had the desired effect. One or -two Congreve rockets frightened them still more, and at last they were -all brought-to in great consternation. The Chinese visiters, who were -on board all this time, were perfectly astonished and bewildered, but -were not prevented from making a good breakfast, nevertheless. - -A short distance further up the river, they fell in with several junks -laden with coal, but abandoned by their crews. Some of them were soon -driven on shore at different points, where they could not easily be -got off, in order to serve as coal depots for the steamer, and one of -the largest of them was lashed alongside and taken in tow, while the -Nemesis still continued her pursuit of the other junks up the river; -one part of her crew being occupied in "coaling" from the junk, and -the other at quarters, occasionally firing a shot across the bows of -any junk that refused to bring-to. - -It is here worth while to remark that coal is found in great abundance -in China. Indeed, it is difficult to say what is _not_ found there: -gold, silver, iron, copper, zinc, coal, in short, all that is most -requisite for a commercial and manufacturing people. Coal is known to -exist in abundance in the gulf of Pechelee; it is found in the province -of Che-Keang, and in almost every town visited by the expedition it -was exposed for sale in greater or less quantity. At Nankin, immense -heaps of it were found stored up by the river side, and divided into -three qualities, separated from each other. That which answered best -for steaming purposes had a less promising appearance than the other -qualities. It looked slaty, but was found to burn better than the -Indian coal, and our steamers all found it to answer well. Probably, if -the mines were worked to a greater depth, a better description of coal -would be found.[71] - -About a mile and a half above the lower branch of the canal leading -up to Eshing, another larger branch was discovered, which joined the -first one a little below the town. On the evening of the 19th, the Dido -and Childers arrived, and joined the Nemesis; the former, commanded -by the Honourable Captain Keppel, who was now the senior officer, was -stationed off the upper branch, while the latter blockaded the lower -one. Captain Hall immediately presented to Captain Keppel the Chinese -gentleman, or, in reality, mandarin, who had hitherto been so polite -and attentive; and the assurances previously given were reiterated, -that no harm would be done to the town or the neighbouring country, -if abundant supplies were brought down. The same evening they went up -the canal in three boats to the town, where they were very politely -received by the same Chinaman, who appeared to possess great authority -over the people, who obeyed every direction he gave. At first they -looked on in half stupid wonder, but were evidently reassured when -they were told that nothing would be demanded but supplies of meat and -vegetables. - -On the following day, the Chinaman again came down to the Nemesis, -bringing with him all the gentlemen of his family, in order to show -his confidence, and at the same time invited Captain Keppel and other -officers to visit him at his house in the city, and proposed to give -them an entertainment at a joss-house ashore. He even hinted that he -would _introduce them to his wife_. - -Arrangements were now made for establishing a regular market in -the courtyard of the large joss-house, which stood close to the -landing-place at the mouth of the canal. The man scrupulously kept -his word, supplies in great abundance of every description were -brought down for sale, and the sight of dollars soon overcame all the -Chinamen's fears. In fact, they reaped a good harvest. These supplies -were all sent down to the fleet at Chin-keang as fast as they could be -procured, Chinese boats or small junks being employed to convey them, -escorted by a boat alternately from the Dido and the Nemesis, to ensure -their safe delivery. Such was the result of conciliating the good-will, -and pacifying the fears of the Chinese. - -For a moment the fears of the people were awakened by the accidental -burning of some buildings at the mouth of the lower branch of the -canal, where the Childers was stationed. But fortunately the Admiral -came up in person, on board the Pluto, in the afternoon, to examine -the river, and the assurance of protection, if abundant supplies were -provided, being circulated among the people by a written paper or chop -in the Chinese character, they resumed their former confidence, and did -not conceal their delight. This was the evening before Chin-keang was -taken. - -The next day, the 21st July, the Chinese gentleman and his attendants, -according to previous invitation, came down to conduct the officers -to his house in the city, situated four or five miles up the canal. -It is not a little singular, that while one party of our countrymen -were partaking of Chinese hospitality, upon the most friendly terms, -in the centre of a considerable town, the rest were engaged in deadly -hostility, fighting for hearth and home, in a city only a few miles -distant. Although the distance from one to the other by the river -cannot be less than twelve or thirteen miles, it must be very much less -in a direct line by land, as the firing was distinctly heard. - -On coming on board to fetch the officers who were invited to the -entertainment at his house, the unhappy Chinaman burst into a flood of -tears, and soon made them understand that his wife had ran away from -him, the moment it was announced that they were coming to pay her a -visit. Probably tidings had already been brought of the commencement of -the attack upon Chin-keang; nevertheless, on reaching the town, there -were no indications of alarm among the people; they crowded round in -all directions, out of mere curiosity; the shops were not closed, and -business did not appear to be interrupted. - -A proclamation was distributed as the party proceeded, announcing to -the inhabitants that all supplies would be scrupulously paid for, -and that no injury would be done to the city. The best interpreter -was found to be a little Chinese boy, only ten years old, who had -been several months on board the Nemesis, having been almost adopted -by her commander, after the death of his father, who was killed at -Chusan. In this short time he had picked up English in an astonishing -manner. His extreme youth was a guarantee for his honesty; and, at -last, the Chinese gentleman carried on all his conversation through -this interesting little boy; declaring that the little follow spoke -truth and could be depended on, but that the two Canton interpreters -perverted what was said, by purposely translating it wrongly, to suit -their own purposes, and with a view to extort money. - -The Chinese gentleman's house was situated in the very heart of the -city; it was a very respectable mansion, with courts and buildings of -great extent, ornamented with carved wood-work, similar to most other -respectable houses of its class. All the relations and friends of the -family had been invited on the occasion, refreshments were handed -round, but no females made their appearance. At length, the master of -the house was resolved to drown his sorrows for the loss of his wife, -by the delicious enjoyment of his opium-pipe, which soon revived his -drooping spirits. - -The return of the party through the streets towards the boats was -the occasion of greater movement among the people than before. As -an additional mark of respect, two well-dressed persons accompanied -each of the officers, one on either side, _fanning_ them as they -went, for the day was extremely sultry. Altogether, it was a most -interesting scene. Another entertainment was also given to them in the -joss-house, at the mouth of the canal, where the market was held; and, -in short, nothing was omitted on the part of the Chinese, to show their -confidence, and their wish to cultivate our good-will. - -On the following day, the surveying vessels, Starling, Plover, and -Medusa, having on board the masters of the fleet, joined the advanced -squadron under Captain Keppel, bringing the first intelligence of the -fight of the previous day. - -We must now return for a moment to Chin-Keang, which we left in the -last chapter in the possession of our troops, the greater part of which -were already preparing to move up towards Nankin. Another attempt was -now made by the Chinese commissioners, Keying and Elepoo, to open -negotiations with the Plenipotentiary; but since they did not even now -produce full authority from the Emperor to treat for peace, no other -than the answer they had previously received could be given to them. - -It has before been mentioned that the Tartar general, Hailing, when he -saw that all was lost, set fire to his house, and burned himself to -death in it. His wife and his grandson shared the same fate; at least -so it would appear from the orders issued by the Emperor afterwards, -whose mandate was sent to Keying, "that he should despatch messengers -to make diligent search for their bodies, in order that great honours -might be conferred upon them. Such loyalty and devotion are worthy of -the highest praise!" A temple was also ordered to be erected to his -memory, as soon as the war should be ended, upon which his own name, -and also those of his wife and his grandson, were to be inscribed. -Moreover, as soon as the prescribed period of mourning of one hundred -days should have expired, the whole of his sons and daughters were to -be sought out, and conducted into the imperial presence. Such, then, -are the rewards which the Emperor holds out to those who put an end to -their own lives after a defeat. - -Sir Hugh Gough, finding that it would take a much larger body of men -to garrison the town than could be spared from his small force, and -that, moreover, it could scarcely be considered habitable during the -great heat, on account of the horrible stench proceeding from the dead -bodies of the fallen Tartars, (principally by their own hands,) and -from the stagnant water in the smaller canals, determined merely to -occupy the heights commanding the city towards its north-eastern angle. -Major-General Schoedde's brigade was to be left in charge of the place, -together with a detachment of artillery. In order to establish a direct -communication between the heights and the city on that side, a portion -of the wall was blown in, (with very large charges of Chinese powder,) -and the rubbish removed, so as to leave a large, free opening into the -city. The whole line of parapet on that side was also demolished. -Another hill commanding the southern entrance to the Grand Canal was -also to be occupied. The troops left behind were quite sufficient to -hold these positions against any force the Chinese could bring against -them after their late defeat. It consisted of the 55th regiment, and -one company of the 98th, with the 2nd and 6th M.N.I., with artillery -and sappers. - -Perhaps the most curious object discovered at Chin-keang, and which -has excited many ingenious speculations as to the ancient progress -of the Chinese in many of the useful arts, was a small pagoda _made -entirely of cast iron_. Some have called it Gutzlaff's Pagoda, for -he is said to have been the first to find it out; and it excited so -much attention, that the question was at one time mooted, as to the -possibility of taking it to pieces, and conveying it to England, -as a remarkable specimen of Chinese antiquity. Nor would this have -been at all impossible; for, although it had seven stories, it was -altogether little more than thirty feet high, and each story was cast -in separate pieces. It was of an octagonal shape, and had originally -been ornamented in high relief on every side, though the lapse of ages -had much defaced the ornaments. It was calculated by Mr. Gutzlaff, that -this remarkable structure must be at least _twelve hundred years old_, -judging from the characters still found upon it. Whatever its age may -be, there can be no question that it proves the Chinese were acquainted -with the art of casting large masses of iron, and of using them both -for solidity and for ornament, centuries before it was adopted in -Europe. - -On the 2nd of August, the preparations were all completed for the -advance of the forces upon Nankin, the surveying vessels having already -preceded the squadron. The principal difficulty which remained to -be overcome was the great force of the current, which it required a -strong favourable wind to enable the ships to stem. Indeed, without the -assistance of steamers, it is doubtful whether all the ships could have -got up. On the 5th, the General reached Nankin in the Marion transport, -towed by the Queen steamer, having the Plenipotentiary on board. - -On the following day, the Admiral got up in the Cornwallis, with -some other vessels, but the whole of the squadron did not join -until the 9th. The Nemesis attended a part of the fleet, to render -assistance wherever it was most required, particularly in getting off -the transports which took the ground, a service requiring no little -judgment and perseverance. Just below Nankin the river takes a very -considerable bend, its former course having been nearly east and west, -while it now turns nearly due south until it has passed Nankin. There -is, however, a cut, or canal, or creek, at all events, a water passage, -which cuts off this bend, of course materially shortening the distance, -which from point to point is about ten miles round, and only six miles -by the cut. The passage, however, is narrow; but the Nemesis, taking in -tow one of the transports, found her way safely through it. - -On the 10th, the proper positions were assigned to the ships, in case -it should be necessary to bombard the city. The nearest point of the -walls to the river was about seven hundred yards, and the nearest gate -about one thousand. The Cornwallis, Blonde, and heavy steamers were -placed so as to breach the walls, if required. - -Already before leaving Chin-keang, a regular summons had been sent -up to Nankin, addressed to New Kien, the viceroy of the province. It -was hoped that by these means bloodshed might be avoided. Immediately -the forces arrived before the city, it was determined that the -troops should be landed without delay, with a view to make a strong -demonstration against the city, and there was some reason to think -that this would be sufficient to decide the wavering councils of the -Chinese, without further resort to arms; and, at all events, it was -requisite to support our demands by a show of the means of enforcing -them. - -A memorial was intercepted, addressed to the Emperor by the Tartar -general commanding at Nankin, boldly announcing the defeat and -dispersion of the Chinese troops, and the imminent danger even of -Nankin itself. It was evident that great alarm was felt, and that a -general desire to stay hostilities had got the better of all their -hatred of the foreigners. The entire stoppage of the trade of that -part of the empire, and the distress resulting from it, tended very -materially to promote this desirable object. - -The venerable Elepoo had arrived at Nankin nearly at the same time -with Sir Henry Pottinger; and very soon afterwards, Keying, the -other imperial commissioner, a member of the imperial house sent -expressly from Pekin, joined his colleague. Various messages and -writings now passed between the governor of Nankin, New Kien, and -the Plenipotentiary, in which, among other things, a heavy ransom -was offered for the city. In short, the grand effort of the Chinese -authorities was to gain time, to defer the evil hour of absolute -concession to our demands, and to put us off in some way or other for -the moment, as they had formerly done at Canton, without committing -themselves to a final settlement of affairs. - -Fortunately, they had a man of determined energy and statesmanlike -qualities to deal with, in Sir Henry Pottinger; one who took a broad, -defined view of all the questions involved, and who would not swerve -for a moment from what he considered just demands and capable of -being enforced. All the astute efforts of the Chinese to temporize, -to _shirk_ the main question, to save their own dignity, and to -withhold what was due to that of their opponents, were promptly and -energetically met. With all the honour which we justly accord to the -naval and military operations of the war, with all due consideration -for the diplomatic difficulties which had hitherto beset our efforts -to make an equitable adjustment of the pending disputes, we cannot -but concede to Sir Henry Pottinger the well-earned palm of praise and -eminence for the consummate tact and skill with which he conducted the -difficult negotiations at Nankin to a speedy and successful issue. - -It is not necessary, nor indeed would it be an easy matter even for -one initiated into the secrets of the diplomatic correspondence which -followed, to describe all the attempts at evasion which were made by -the Chinese, and the cunning with which they at first endeavoured -to arrogate to their Emperor and to themselves superior titles of -distinction and precedence. Even when it was announced that the high -commissioners, Elepoo and Keying, had arrived, with full powers under -the imperial pencil to treat upon every subject, it was no easy task -to bring them to straightforward matters of business, or to force them -to produce the actual instrument of authority which they professed -to possess. The landing of the troops, however, and the earnest -preparations which were made for storming the city, tended to bring -them speedily to their senses. - -After deducting the garrison left at Chin-keang, and the sick which -remained on board the transports, the actual force at Sir Hugh Gough's -disposal for the attack of the city amounted to about three thousand -four hundred men, exclusive of the officers; a force sufficient for -the easy attainment of the object itself, but very small indeed for -the duties likely to be required of it, when once in possession of -the city. Sickness would very soon have greatly reduced the number of -effective men; and although they would, in case of need, have received -accessions, by the addition of the marines and seamen of the squadron, -still there were even at that time so many sick on board the ships, -that it would have been very difficult to make any calculation as to -the number which would have remained fit for service at the end of -a couple of months. The waters of the river were exceedingly high; -in many parts the banks were overflowed in the neighbourhood of the -city, and fever and cholera were the most dangerous enemies to be -apprehended. In every point of view, it is a matter of the greatest -congratulation, not only that the war was so soon brought to a close, -but even that our forces were not detained for any great length of time -at Nankin. - -The position of Nankin is evidently well chosen for that of a great -capital; but the city is greatly fallen from its ancient importance and -extent. There are remains of an ancient or outer wall, which can be -traced over hill and dale for a distance of not less than thirty-five -miles. The Chinese have a saying, that if two horsemen start at -daybreak from any given point of the walls, in opposite directions, and -gallop round the walls of the city, they will not meet until sunset. -But this must be a regular _Chinese_ gallop, and not exactly that of -an English hunter. How much of this immense space was in ancient times -occupied by houses, it would be difficult to determine. The walls of -the present city are not nearly of so great an extent; and of the -actual space enclosed within them, a very small portion indeed, perhaps -not exceeding an eighth part, is occupied by the actual town. - -Here again, as at Chin-keang and Chapoo, the Tartar city is separated -from the Chinese part of it by a wall and gates running across -it;--so carefully have the conquerors preserved their broad line of -distinction, in person, habits, mode of life, and privileges, even in -the ancient capital of the empire. - -The great extent of the walls, even in the present day, rendered the -city ill calculated for defence, independently even of its being -commanded by hills, particularly on its eastern side. The principal -of these was called the Chungshan hill, the base of which commanded -the ramparts, and from the summit of which there was a magnificent -prospect over the whole surrounding country, including the city itself. -It was principally from this, the eastern side, that the chief attack -was to have been made, had it been necessary to resort to extremities. -There were three gates in that face of the walls, which run very -irregularly, and towards the river are almost inaccessible, owing to -the swampy nature of the ground; a considerable lake occupies the space -between two of the gates. The latter are, however, approached by good -causeways, by which they might easily have been threatened, while the -real attack would have been made higher up, under cover of the guns -planted upon the slope of the Chungshan hill. - -The greater part of the troops were landed at a village about four or -five miles up the creek or short cut before described, because there -were good causeways leading directly from that point towards the city. -The Nemesis was able to land at one time not less than a thousand men, -and, in case of absolute necessity, could have contrived to carry at -least a hundred and fifty more. - -On the opposite or western side of the city, there was a large canal -running from the river directly up under the walls, and serving to -strengthen the approaches to them on that side. The mouth of this -canal was completely stopped up by very strong rafts, firmly secured. -They were, moreover, constructed in such a manner that there were, in -fact, a succession of rafts, one above the other. On removing the upper -tier, another lower one immediately rose to the surface; and, as they -were made of stout timbers, well secured together, they effectually -prevented our boats from getting up the canal. Upon the top of the -rafts, little huts had even been erected, in which a few poor fellows -were living, but apparently not with any purpose of defence. - -At daylight, on the 14th, the attack was ordered to be made upon the -city, all being now in readiness, and the guns in position. Due warning -was finally given to the commissioners, that nothing could delay or -suspend the attack except the production of the actual document itself, -of the contents of which they had hitherto only given a very partial -account. It was not until past midnight, _scarcely more than three -hours_ before the artillery would have opened, and the assault have -taken place, that the commissioners at length yielded, and sent a -letter, addressed to Sir Henry Pottinger, promising the production of -the all-important document at a meeting to be arranged for the morning, -and entreating that hostilities might at least be delayed until that -time. - -This was a moment of intense excitement to all who were acquainted with -the circumstances. The attack was of course delayed, but it was doubted -by many whether some new pretext would not still be found to delay -or to break off the negotiations, and render the capture of the city -inevitable. However, the proposed meeting did take place at a temple -on shore, in the southern suburbs of the city, near the canal; and at -length, with great form and ceremony, the emperor's commission was -produced, and carefully examined by Mr. Morrison, in the presence of -Major Malcolm; and, at the same time, Sir Henry Pottinger's patent was -likewise produced, and translated to the deputies who attended for the -purpose on the part of the imperial commissioners. - -As yet, no personal interview had taken place between Sir Henry and the -commissioners. Matters now proceeded satisfactorily. It was evident -that the Chinese were at length prepared to yield anything we might -demand; their anxiety to put an end to the blockade of the river and -the canal was not concealed, and it was said to be freely admitted that -the people were in the greatest distress. - -Three days afterwards--viz., on the 17th, it was announced by Sir -Henry Pottinger to the naval and military commanders-in-chief, that -the negotiations had arrived at that stage which authorized him to -beg that hostilities might be considered suspended. Some little delay -was necessarily occasioned, by the time required, and the difficulty -experienced, in translating the lengthened correspondence which took -place. The distance, moreover, of the city from the ships, and the time -necessary to receive and transmit the communications and their replies, -tended to prolong the proceedings. Even in three days, however, the -treaty was actually drafted in English and Chinese, (the latter a task -of extreme difficulty, from the precision of terms necessary,) and the -commissioners acceded to the whole tenour and forms of a document of -incalculable importance, not only to England and the other nations of -Europe, but to the whole future welfare and progress of the Chinese -empire. - -Many days must have elapsed before the terms of the treaty could be -made known at Pekin, and the assent of the emperor be received. It -might still have been doubted whether, even in the eleventh hour, -the emperor could bring himself to submit to the hard necessity of -accepting terms which he had hitherto believed himself able rather to -dictate to every other nation, or to accord, as a matter of "especial -favour," to submissive barbarians, than to receive from them as a boon. - -The high commissioners, of course, professed to be confident that all -the provisions of the treaty would be assented to by the emperor. They -were extremely anxious to persuade Sir Henry Pottinger that the ships -might safely be withdrawn from the river _at once_, even before an -answer could be received from Pekin. Their great anxiety to have the -blockade raised was by no means concealed; but the plenipotentiary was -far too clever a diplomatist to think of foregoing, for a moment, -the immense advantage which the position of our forces already gave -him, and the commissioners were distinctly apprised that everything -would still continue to be held in readiness for the resumption of -hostilities, in the event of the emperor's confirmation of the acts of -his commissioners being withheld. - -The report which was sent up to the emperor by the two high -commissioners was certainly remarkable for its clearness and -simplicity, compared with the tone usually adopted in Chinese -documents. Indeed, it has generally been accorded to Keying, that he -was the first high officer who, since the commencement of the war, had -dared to tell the naked truth to his imperial master. - -The time which elapsed between the sending up of the draft of the -treaty for submission to the emperor, and its return with the imperial -assent, was partially occupied by visits of ceremony between the high -commissioners and the British plenipotentiary. On the 19th, the former -paid their first visit on board the Cornwallis, having been conveyed -thither from the mouth of the canal, on board the little Medusa -steamer. They were received on board by the plenipotentiary, supported -by the admiral and general, and after having partaken of refreshments, -were conducted round the ship, every part of which they inspected, but -without _expressing_ any particular astonishment, which in China is -considered ill bred.[72] - -The commissioners were accompanied by New Kien, the viceroy, and also -by the Tartar general. - -On the 22nd, the visit was returned by Sir Henry Pottinger, accompanied -by the Commanders-in-chief, and attended by upwards of a hundred -officers in full uniform. They were escorted by a guard of honour of -the grenadiers of the 18th royal Irish. The place of meeting was at the -temple outside the walls, at which the previous conferences respecting -the production of the imperial commission had been held. It was an -imposing and interesting scene; the number and variety of the costumes, -contrasted with the uniforms of our officers, and the novelty of the -spectacle altogether, could not fail to make a deep impression upon all -present. - -On the 26th, a conference was held _within_ the walls of Nankin itself, -between Sir Henry Pottinger and the commissioners, and the terms of the -treaty were again read and discussed. Sir Henry was escorted by a guard -mounted upon the Arab horses brought from Madras for the artillery. -Little could have been seen of the city upon this occasion, as the -procession passed directly up to one of the public halls, and returned -by the same route. The bearing of the people was perfectly quiet and -orderly; and the mark of confidence on both sides shewn by the visit of -the commissioners on board the Cornwallis, and of the plenipotentiary -within the walls of the city, must certainly have tended to increase -the mutual good understanding which it was now so desirable to -cultivate. - -At length, on the 29th of August, three days after the previous visit, -the emperor's full assent to the provisions of the treaty having in -the meantime arrived, the ceremony of the actual signature of this -most interesting document took place on board the Cornwallis. Every -arrangement was made which could at all enhance the solemnity of the -ceremony; and even the venerable Elepoo, though sick and very infirm -from age and ill health, allowed himself to be _carried_ on board, and -into the after-cabin, rather than delay for a day the signature of the -treaty. - -A great number of officers (all those having a rank equal to that of a -field-officer) were admitted into the after-cabin, in order to witness -the intensely interesting ceremony. Captain Hall was likewise permitted -to be present, as a mark of especial favour, although not then of the -prescribed rank. Just at the eventful moment, also, Captain Cecille, of -the French frigate Erigone, arrived from Woosung, having made his way -up in a Chinese junk hired for the occasion at Shanghai, and manned by -a picked crew of his own men. He presented himself uninvited, on board -the flag-ship, and almost _demanded_ to be present. It is said that his -reception was not very cordial. - -It was at first feared by many that the Chinese government would -prove itself insincere in its professions, and would probably seek -an early opportunity of nullifying the provisions of the treaty. By -others, it has been thought that even the people themselves would not -only continue their ancient hostility to foreigners, but might urge, -and almost force the government itself into renewed collision with -us--that, in fact, nothing short of the capture of Pekin itself, at -some future day, would suffice to humble the nation, and compel them to -hold reluctant intercourse with us. - -[Illustration: EAST COAST OF CHINA _FROM_ CANTON TO NANKING] - -The disturbances which took place at Canton, _after_ the peace (to be -described in the next chapter) gave some colour, for the moment, to -these apprehensions; and the less people at a distance were acquainted -with the origin and nature of those disturbances, and with the Chinese -character generally, the more readily such apprehensions found -credence. In this respect, I firmly believe that we do the Chinese some -injustice; and I cannot but think that, if further difficulties should -arise, which might lead to a collision much to be deplored, they will -be occasioned rather by some indiscretion, some want of forbearance, -or some undue and unwarranted interference with the acknowledged -rights and customs of the Chinese, _by foreigners themselves_, than by -violence on the part of the people, or a wish to annul the provisions -of the treaty on the part of the government. It is only necessary to -read the whole of the published correspondence of Sir Henry Pottinger, -and to look at the scrupulous exactness with which the Chinese have -acted, and, we may add, the readiness with which they have met Sir -Henry's wishes, to be convinced that it only requires judgment, -forbearance, and strict propriety on our part, not only to continue, -but even to _increase_, the good understanding which already exists. - -The regulations already published by Sir Henry Pottinger, respecting -the future trade, will go far to prevent any _wilful_ misunderstanding. -But if we wish to extend our intercourse, and to benefit by increased -good-will and confidence, we must win it from the Chinese by -cultivating their good feelings, not by offending their prejudices, and -by treating them with consideration, firmness, and _scrupulous honesty_. - -The consuls at the five ports will have arduous and responsible duties -to perform, and very much must depend upon their tact and judgment. -The Chinese are not only a prejudiced, but a _timid_ people; they -require to be led rather by good management and scrupulous faith, than -to be irritated by overbearing manner, or forced into dishonesty by -the constant suspicion of it. During the existence of the company's -charter, the mark of the company was considered by the Chinese as -an unfailing guarantee of the genuine character and quality of the -articles, in accordance with the description given of them. The mark no -longer exists, and the Chinese merchants have not that implicit faith -in the written description of our goods which they formerly had. It is -impossible to be too scrupulous in maintaining our character for strict -integrity and fair dealing; and it is to be hoped that these will be -kept strictly in view, more especially in the new ports just opened to -us. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[71] Dr. Smith makes particular mention of coal as being commonly seen -in China during Lord Macartney's embassy. Pits of coal were found -near the Poyang lake above Nankin. He says that the coal found in the -province of Pechelee was a species of graphite; that which was seen -near the Yangtze river was like Kennel coal, and that observed near the -Poyang lake resembled covey coal. Other coal found at Chow-chow-foo -contained much sulphur, and was used in the manufacture of sulphate of -iron in the neighbourhood of that city. - -[72] I have heard it said by some who were present on this occasion, -that the commissioners appeared more struck with the fact of _boys_, -midshipmen, wearing uniform, and learning the art of war so young, -than with anything else. I think it was Elepoo who had the curiosity -to examine the dress of one of the youngsters; as much as to say, that -he would be much better at school, imbibing the "doctrines of pure -reason," than learning how to fight so young, on board a man-of-war. -The same remark had also been made, on another occasion, by Keshen, at -Canton, respecting the young Mr. Gray; and, I believe, a remark very -much like it, was made by the grandfather of the present Emperor, to -Sir George Staunton, who was then a boy. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII. - - -The two most interesting objects which deserve attention outside the -walls of Nankin are, the famous porcelain tower, or pagoda, and the -tombs of the kings of the ancient Chinese dynasty. Of the former it -would be extremely difficult to give such a description as would convey -to the reader's mind an accurate idea of its peculiar structure and -character. It stands pre-eminent above all other similar buildings in -China for its completeness and elegance, the quality of the material -of which it is built, or rather with which it is faced over--namely, -variously coloured porcelain bricks, highly glazed; and for the -quantity of gilding, and particularly of gilt images, with which its -interior is embellished. - -The building is of an octagonal shape, about two hundred feet high, -divided into nine stories. The circumference of the lower story is -one hundred and twenty feet, so that each face must measure about -fifteen feet; but this measurement decreases as you ascend, although -each story is of equal height. Its base rests upon a solid foundation -of brickwork, raised about ten feet above the ground, and you ascend -to the entrance of the tower by a flight of twelve steps. Its face is -covered with slabs of glazed porcelain of various colours, principally -green, red, yellow, and white; but the whole building is not, by any -means, constructed with porcelain. At every story there is a projecting -roof, covered with green-glazed tiles, and from each of its eight -corners is suspended a small bell. - -The effect of this building, when viewed from a moderate distance, -is imposing, no less from the novelty than the peculiarity of its -appearance. You ascend to the top of it by one hundred and ninety -steps, leading through the different compartments, but they are not -all in very good repair. The interior of each story appears at first -view striking, but is rather gaudy than elegant, being filled with an -immense number of little gilded images, placed in niches, in each of -the compartments, between the windows. - -[Illustration: -Lieut. White, R.M. del. S. Bull, fc. -High Priest of the Porcelain Tower at Nankin. -London. Henry Colburn. 1845. -] - -The view from the summit of this temple amply compensates you for all -the trouble of reaching it, and for any little disappointment that may -have been felt at the appearance of the interior of the building. The -property extends over an area of nearly thirty miles, and a great part -of this is enclosed within the ruins of a dilapidated wall. The country -is beautifully diversified by hill and dale, and houses and cultivated -grounds; yet, in some parts, it looks almost deserted. Yet it cannot -be viewed without great interest, not only from the appearance of the -country, but from the associations connected with the locality, and -with the tower itself. This latter is said to have cost an immense sum -of money (seven or eight hundred thousand pounds), and to have occupied -nineteen years in its completion. - -A not unnatural desire to possess specimens or relics, as mementos -of the first, and probably the last, visit to the ancient capital of -the empire, led to a few instances of defacement and injury to some -parts of the building, and to many of the figures within it. But the -complaints made upon the subject afterwards by the head priest of -the tower, or of the monastery attached to it, seem to have been a -good deal exaggerated, probably in the hope of obtaining handsome -compensation. It was notorious that a great part of the specimens -which were carried away were actually sold to visitors by the priests -themselves. A complaint, however, was made upon the subject to Sir -Henry Pottinger, and at his request measures were adopted to prevent -any recurrence of the violence; and, indeed, with the laudable object -of encouraging a good understanding with the Chinese, and of doing -what, under the circumstances, appeared to be an act of justice, a -considerable sum of money was paid over to the chief priest, or abbot, -of the monastery, to be applied to the restoration and decoration of -the building. It much exceeded the actual value of the damage done. - -Another object of very great interest, which engaged attention at -Nankin, was the large and extremely ancient cemetery, which apparently, -without sufficiently well-ascertained grounds, came to be called the -Tombs of the Kings, supposed to be of the Ming dynasty. They were -situated on the slope of the hills, at no great distance from the -principal gate of the city, at the extremity of a fine paved road. - -But, perhaps, still more curious is the avenue of gigantic figures, -most of them hewn from a solid piece of stone, which leads up towards -the tombs. Nothing else of the kind was seen in China, and they bore -all the appearance of extreme antiquity; the grass grew very high -among them, and served to conceal the fragments of some which had been -broken. The engraving, which forms the frontispiece to this volume, -will convey a better idea of them than any written description. It is -taken from an admirable sketch, drawn on the spot, by Captain Watson, -R.N., C.B. The figures bear the appearance of gigantic warriors, cased -in a kind of armour, standing on either side of the road, across which, -at intervals, large stone tablets are extended, supported by large -blocks of stone in place of pillars, such as are frequently seen on the -roads leading to temples in China, and occasionally across the streets, -erected in honour of particular individuals. - -In the drawing are represented a number of colossal figures of horses, -elephants, zebras, and other animals, rudely, executed, and placed -without any distinct arrangement. Properly speaking, they are situated -at a considerable distance from the alley of giants, but have been -introduced to give an effective representation of the whole. There -is something peculiarly Egyptian in the appearance of them all, and -one could rather imagine that the scene was laid in the vicinity of -Thebes than under the walls of Nankin. It tends, in some measure, -to strengthen the opinion of those who have endeavoured to trace a -connexion between China and Egypt, at a very remote period of their -history. - -Little remains to be said concerning the rest of the short period of -the detention of our forces at Nankin. On the 15th of September, the -Emperor's positive assent to the treaty, signed by his commissioners, -on the 29th of August, was received at Nankin. - -All were now anxious to quit the river without delay, in which so many -brave men had already found a grave, through sickness. Every ship was -full of invalids; in many of them full one-third of the crew were -unable to work, and in some even more. The officers appeared to suffer -equally with the men; and on this account some of the transports were -in a pitiable condition. The recovery of the men was extremely slow, -and, even after the fever was apparently cured, relapses were very -frequent. There are no means, however, of ascertaining the actual -number of deaths which occurred, but in some ships they were numerous. -Among the troops, the 98th regiment and the Bengal Volunteers suffered -the most; but the latter were affected more by their confinement on -board ship, and by the voluntary starvation to which they submitted, -on account of the prejudices of their religion, than by the mere effect -of climate. They principally suffered from dysentery, occasioned by -their abstinence from proper food. Most of them being Rajpoots, high -caste Hindoos, they were prohibited by their superstition from eating -any food cooked on board ship. Dry rice and gram (a shrivelled pea, of -which sheep and cattle are very fond) constituted almost the only food -they would eat, and edible tobacco their only luxury. Medicine could -afford little aid to men under these circumstances; and they preferred -death to the violation of their religious feelings; indeed, it was not -until the survivors reached Hong-Kong, and were sent ashore to live in -tents, in order to be able to cook proper food for themselves, that -they began to recover strength enough to enable them to support the -remainder of the voyage to Calcutta. - -While the Hindoos suffered thus severely, the few Mohammedans who were -in the regiment escaped almost without sickness, and there was scarcely -a death amongst them. A finer regiment than the Bengal Volunteers, when -they arrived in China only a few weeks before, nine hundred strong, -could hardly be seen. They were even seven hundred and fifty strong -when they landed at Nankin, after having been in action at Chin-Keang; -and yet, when the regiment arrived in Calcutta, there were less than -four hundred survivors. Indeed, there were little more than three -hundred upon the field when they were reviewed at Barrackpore, with the -rest of the garrison, by Sir Hugh Gough. - -Before leaving Nankin, the ceremony of conferring the order of the -Grand Cross of the Bath upon Sir Hugh Gough was performed on board the -Cornwallis, with all the attendant marks of honour. As it was directed -that it should take place in the most public manner possible, the high -Chinese officers were invited to attend, and every preparation was -made to give eclat to the proceedings. Very few of the Chinese came to -witness it, but a few were sufficient to make known to their countrymen -generally, that great honours were being conferred upon the English -general, for his successes against their best troops. - -Towards the end of September, the different transports and ships -of war began to move down the river. The steamers were now almost -entirely supplied with Nankin coal, immense heaps of which were found -regularly stored up along the banks of the river, nearly in front of -the city.[73] - -The descent of the river was in some respects more difficult for the -squadron than the ascent, particularly as the buoys, which had been -laid down to mark the channel, had been removed by the Chinese in the -interim. Under these circumstances, and in the absence of proper charts -of the river, it is highly creditable to the transports that they -all succeeded in getting down without any serious accident. Steamers -generally went ahead, and gave the soundings by signal, notwithstanding -which, most of the ships got aground several times. The weather was now -very unsettled and hazy, as the north-east monsoon was just setting in, -and this added, of course, to the difficulty. - -The plenipotentiary, together with the Admiral and General, paid a -visit to Shanghai, on their arrival at Woosung, and the arrangements -respecting the ransom of the town, which was to be considered as part -of the money paid under the terms of the treaty, were now completed, -and the money was shipped; by this payment, the first instalment of -6,000,000 dollars was completed. - -At the end of October the whole of the fleet had finally quitted the -Yangtze Keang, and were assembled in the beautiful harbours of Chusan. -I never remember to have witnessed so picturesque and striking a scene -as was there presented to view. Both the outer and inner harbours were -crowded with men-of-war, transports, and steamers. - -About the middle of November, nearly all our ships had reassembled -at Hong-Kong. It was a most animated and bustling scene, and during -the two or three weeks in which our forces were detained there, the -Chinese reaped a rich harvest from the sale of Chinese manufactures and -curiosities, which were eagerly sought for. - -From various causes, our forces were detained at Hong-Kong longer -than had been expected, and in some respects it happened fortunately, -although the weather had become excessively cold and trying for the -men. On the 7th of December disturbances took place at Canton, which -resulted in the total destruction of the old company's factory, the -Dutch factory, (occupied by American merchants,) and the adjacent -extensive buildings, called the Creek Hong. As this event produced -great alarm in the minds of the foreign residents in China, and -even produced an impression on the minds of mercantile people at a -distance, who were, in consequence, led to doubt the practicability -of maintaining peaceable relations with the Chinese for any length of -time, some few details will be necessary. - -It is proper to remark that the community of Canton differs in many -respects from that of any other part of China. Long accustomed to -a profitable intercourse with foreigners, and encouraged by their -government to look upon them as an inferior, or, at all events, a less -favoured race, arrogant also in proportion to their ignorance, they -could not reconcile to themselves the advantageous terms which had -been exacted as the price of peace from the Emperor; and forgetting -the numerous lessons they had been taught in the Canton river, they -believed they could still have succeeded against the foreigner, had -their professed patriotism been appealed to, and their proud spirit -permitted to pour forth its vengeance. - -It is also to be remembered that, in a large commercial city like -Canton, a great number of bad and discontented characters are collected -from all quarters. Its reputation for wealth made it a desirable -field for the adventurer, while the prospect of the loss of a great -portion of its trade served to produce a general discontent among the -residents. Every great change, however, is commonly attended with some -difficulty at first, nor was it likely that the people of Canton could -readily forget the day when our troops dictated terms for the ransom -of the city, from the heights above it. Moreover, a great part of them -really believed that they had been _betrayed_, and that treachery or -bribery had been used rather to favour _us_ than to spare the city; -while they scarcely doubted that the large bodies of militia, or -self-styled patriots, who continued to hover about the rear of Sir Hugh -Gough's army while upon the heights, would have sufficed to have driven -him back again to his ships. - -For some days previous to the actual disturbances, there had been -rumours of an intended rising against the English. Hints were given -by some of the people of the establishments belonging to the Hong -merchants, that something unusual would happen, and, in fact, that -people were combining together for no good ostensible purpose. I -happened to be at Canton at the time, and could not help noticing the -eagerness with which the crowds of passers-by were reading anonymous -placards pasted upon the walls, in the narrow streets at the back of -the Factories. These documents professed to publish the sentiments -of the patriotic gentry and people belonging to the neighbourhood -of Canton. They misstated the terms of the treaty, and asserted the -belief, that foreigners were hereafter coming to build houses for -themselves at Canton, and to reside there _with their families_. This -was, in fact, the great object of their dread, or rather, this was -the principal argument they used to endeavour to rouse the people -generally to resist, "and not to allow a single foreigner to remain." - -The promiscuous _residence_ of foreigners in China was certainly never -contemplated by the terms of the treaty; though a support was given to -this supposition of the Chinese, by the appearance of three or four -English ladies (wives of captains of ships at Whampoa) in the streets -of Canton. - -I remember well what a sensation it created, when these ladies were -seen proceeding up China Street, accompanied by their children, (and, -of course, by their husbands.) The novelty of their dress and personal -appearance was the least part of the business. It was an infraction -of all the established usages of the Chinese; for not only had no -foreign ladies been hitherto seen in the streets, but not even Chinese -ladies are ever to be seen in public, except in sedan-chairs. On this -occasion, the people offered neither violence nor insult, and, indeed, -a few policemen were stationed close to the Factories, to prevent the -pressure of the crowd. In the evening they embarked again in their -boats, and proceeded down the river. - -There is no question that this little incident had a very bad effect -upon the feelings of the Chinese. As a proof of this, it is right to -mention that the same persons again came up a few days afterwards, and -resided with their husbands in one of the factories, and that _that -very factory_ was the first attacked, and unquestionably the object was -to drive out the foreign ladies, as much as it was to plunder. They -escaped, with the utmost difficulty and danger, by a back way, and were -received into one of the Hong merchants' warehouses until they could -be conveyed down the river. But the mob destroyed and tore into shreds -every article of their wardrobe which they could find. - -In justice to the Chinese, and to the very proper and cautious measures -adopted by Sir Henry Pottinger, this incident cannot be omitted. But -the mob evidently had its leaders; and many of the people were said to -be provided with little bags of gunpowder, for the purpose of setting -fire to the buildings. There was certainly some preconcerted scheme or -other, although the occurrence of the outbreak on that _particular day_ -was a matter of accident. - -Disputes first arose in the early part of the day (7th December) -between a number of Lascars, who were on leave from Whampoa, and some -of the shopkeepers of Canton. The Lascars are generally allowed to -trade a little on their own private account, and are in the habit of -carrying back to India a great variety of articles, of little cost, -purchased in China. On this occasion, a very large number of them were -allowed to come up to Canton together; hard bargains were driven, and -doubtless there were faults on both sides. High words soon led to blows -and squabbles in some of the back streets; the disturbance naturally -increased by the accession of recruits to both sides, stones flew and -sticks were used, and at length the Lascars were driven out of the back -streets into one of the unoccupied hongs, called the Creek Hong, which -still remained unrepaired since the general pillage of the Factories in -the previous year. - -For some time both parties remained quiet, and probably those Chinamen -who commenced the disturbance had little to do with what afterwards -happened. Towards evening, numbers of suspicious-looking people began -to collect together, in front of the Factories. Something serious was -now anticipated, and the European residents began to barricade their -doors and windows, and to endeavour to secure their books and treasure -as well as they could. One of the first objects upon which an attack -was made by the mob was the British flag-staff in the Company's garden, -into which they forced their way. The staff was soon set on fire, -(there was no flag,) and the blaze was followed by a general shout. - -The British factory, which was then undergoing repair, was the next -object of violence. The workmen within it defended it for some time, -but the mob at last got in, and were thus enabled to force their way -from the balcony into the adjoining building, (formerly part of the -Company's hong,) in which the ladies were staying with their friends. -Fortunately, however, they had already been conveyed away to a place of -safety. - -Elated with success, the mob gradually attacked the other adjoining -factories, particularly that which was formerly occupied by the Dutch, -but which was then rented by an American firm. Here a stand was made -with fire-arms against the invaders for some time, and two or three of -them were shot. At length, however, they prevailed; and the American -gentlemen had a narrow escape in reaching their boats, but were only -able to save a small quantity of the treasure. - -Gradually the crowd increased, as the night set in; parts of the -factories were already on fire, and if the wind had been high, instead -of being nearly calm, it is impossible to say where the destruction -would have stopped, in a city like Canton. - -It will be asked whether no attempt was made by the Chinese authorities -to disperse the mob. For some time they seem to have been actually -themselves _afraid_ of encountering the mob; and a small party of -police-runners and soldiers, who were sent down in the first instance, -were said to have been driven off. It must not be supposed that all, or -even a quarter part, of the foreign factories were burned down. None -of the rest were injured, except those situated between Hog Lane and -the Creek. Towards morning the mob began to be satiated with what they -had done, and a large body of soldiers coming down into the square in -front of the Factories, headed by their proper officers, soon managed -to enforce quiet. They retained possession of the square, and pitched -their tents, as if they were to be stationed there for some time. - -The alarm created by these violent proceedings among the foreign -community was of course very great indeed. But whatever the plans -of the Chinese may have been, the arrival of the Proserpine steamer -on the following morning at Canton tended very much to reassure the -European community. Sir Hugh Gough had requested to be conveyed in her -to Canton, merely for the purpose of visiting the town, and it was -quite a matter of fortunate accident that she arrived there just when -she was most wanted. Communications passed between Sir Hugh Gough and -the authorities, who gave every assurance of their desire to maintain -tranquillity. But the difficulty was as to their _power_ to carry -out their own wishes. It was doubted whether their soldiers could be -depended on, and Sir Hugh Gough, therefore, acceded to the request of -the merchants, to allow the Proserpine to remain off the Factories -until communications could be received from Sir Henry Pottinger. - -In every point of view, this was now a very critical moment. A single -false move, or one hasty step, would have led to collision and -difficulty, and might have endangered the existence of the peace for -which we had so long been struggling. The utmost caution and good -judgment were required to allay the angry feelings on both sides; -and it would have ill become us to have assumed the appearance of -almost inviting the renewal of a collision with a proud susceptible -government, when their high officers declared themselves "both willing -and able to control their own people, and to protect foreigners." - -The merchants at Canton addressed Sir Henry Pottinger, with a view -to obtain from him protection for their persons and property while -carrying on their trade at Canton; they expressed their firm belief -that there was a prevailing spirit of hostility to the English among -certain classes in Canton, by whom the mob were influenced, and -that unless _armed_ _protection_ (amounting in reality to armed -_intervention_) were afforded to them, it would be impossible for -them to carry on their business, except through the means of American -agency. And this kind of assistance was generally deprecated by the -merchants, as tending not only to throw business into the hands of the -Americans for the time, but also to establish it permanently in their -favour, to the detriment of our own mercantile interests. - -The reply of Sir Henry Pottinger to the merchants was a long and -somewhat harshly expressed document. It seemed to have been written on -the spur of the moment, and amounted, in fact, to a _rebuke_, addressed -to the merchants; part of which had little reference to the matter in -question. The impression of the Plenipotentiary seems to have been, -that the _foreign_ community were altogether in the wrong; and his -Excellency certainly had in view the extensive, and one may almost say -acknowledged, smuggling, not only of opium, but of every description of -exports and imports which were liable to duty, in the Canton river. - -This was undoubtedly a critical moment of our intercourse with the -Chinese. Sir Henry Pottinger addressed a letter upon the subject to -the Viceroy of Canton, and sent it up by the Nemesis. It would be -difficult to say that this was not the wisest and most dignified course -to pursue. If the Viceroy should declare either his inability or his -unwillingness to protect the foreign community, then, indeed, would -be the proper time for intervention, in order to secure to them that -protection which they needed. - -Captain Hall had previously gone up as a passenger in the Proserpine, -with Captain Hough, to Canton; but the moment it was ascertained that -the Nemesis had passed the Bogue, in charge of his chief officer, he -went down to meet her, and brought her safely straight up to Canton -from Whampoa, passing through the passage between the stakes below -Napier's fort, and then taking the left-hand passage, by the low -alluvial island. The Proserpine had previously, for the first time, -been carried up the right-hand passage. Both of these lead up to nearly -the same point, opposite the French Folly. - -Great was the rejoicing of all the foreigners at Canton, the moment -they recognised their old friend the Nemesis approaching. And who that -had once seen her could ever mistake her appearance, with her two huge -eyes upon the bows, in true Chinese fashion! - -On this occasion, the captains of the merchant-vessels at Whampoa -handsomely volunteered to lend their services, if necessary. There -was great uncertainty as to what might happen, and it was reported -that an attempt would be made upon the steamer at night. It was not -forgotten that on former occasions fire-rafts had been sent down the -river to destroy the shipping, and it was necessary that the Nemesis -and Proserpine should be prepared. The assistance of two boats only was -accepted--one from the Tuglis, under Captain Isaacson, and another from -the Edinburgh, under Captain Paterson. Both boats were well armed and -manned, and were of great use in guarding against a surprise. - -Mr. Medhurst had come up in the Nemesis, as interpreter, in charge of -Sir Henry Pottinger's letter to the Viceroy; and the question now was, -to whom, or through whom, was it to be delivered? A great number of -Chinese soldiers were encamped on the ground in front of the Factories, -for the protection of the foreigners. They were evidently some of their -best soldiers, for they were well dressed and properly armed. Each -tent was appropriated to about six men; and one of their large, long -shields, placed upright, served as a door to each; their arms were all -in readiness, and sentries were placed. As for the men themselves, -their only occupation or amusement seemed to be gambling all the day -long. - -At first the Hong merchants proposed to receive the letter, but that -was, of course, objected to. Then the Kwang-chow-foo, or Prefect, -wished it to be handed over to him on shore, but that was also refused. -It was intimated that it could only be delivered to him on the -quarter-deck of the steamer. At length a mandarin, who spoke a little -English, having formerly been employed in one of the Hong merchants' -establishments, came alongside, and proposed that Captain Hall should -go into the Prefect's boat, and _there_ deliver the letter, under the -pretence that the Prefect was an _old man_, and could not get up the -ship's side. All these were little attempts at evasion, to save his -dignity. It was, however, insisted that the Prefect should come on -board the Nemesis, and there receive the communication, and he might -bring as many of the Hong merchants with him as he pleased. - -At length, finding that nothing was to be gained by further delay, and -that the days of paying court to the Prefect were now long past, he -stepped upon the quarter-deck of the steamer, accompanied by most of -the Hong merchants. They were all conducted into the cabin, and the -letter was delivered in due form, with an intimation that it was to be -laid before the Viceroy without delay, and that a speedy answer was -expected. They then requested that the steamers might be removed lower -down, as their presence only tended to keep alive the excitement. This, -however, could not be complied with. They denied altogether the report -that a large body of troops were advancing towards the city, or that -any violence or insult whatever was intended against the foreigners. -However, it was intimated that the steamers were perfectly prepared, -and that their guns would be kept loaded, ready to meet any attack that -might be made. - -The answer of the Viceroy was perfectly satisfactory; and that it -was sincere, the event has since fully proved. He declared his great -anxiety, as well as his perfect _ability_, to protect all foreigners; -and, at the same time, expressed his readiness to repay all such losses -as had been incurred during the late riots, after they should have been -correctly ascertained, and transmitted through her Majesty's government. - -There have been no grounds whatever for supposing that there will -be any probability of another collision with the Chinese, to whose -moderation and good faith, since the terms of peace have been settled, -too much justice cannot be done. When we consider the wonderful changes -which have been brought about in so short a period of time, and these, -too, in the face of a nation the most proud, the most prejudiced, and -the vainest in the world, we cannot but look back with wonder at all -that has happened, and stand firm in our belief that Providence has yet -greater things in store for China, mainly through the instrumentality -of England. - -A new era is undoubtedly now opened for the Chinese; new duties and -new relations have been imposed upon them; but let us not forget, in -the fulness of victory, and in the pride of the human heart, that new -and highly important duties are imposed upon us also, not lightly -to be thought of, nor inconsiderately handled. We must take for our -motto, forbearance, good-will, kindliness, honesty, and true Christian -feeling. With these as our panoply, the benefit to be derived by both -nations from the cautious, systematic, and prudent exercise of the -duties imposed upon each other, may become a blessing to both. Let it -also be borne in mind, that qualities the reverse of these--overbearing -violence, and, above all, undue love of gain--may entail, not only -misery and the horrors of anarchy upon a people who proudly boast -of their antiquity and of their vast resources, but may also bring -political difficulties, with loss of dignity and of high principle, -upon that little distant speck upon the earth's surface, yet that giant -in the world's interest--Great Britain. - -At the latter end of December, the whole of the transports and ships -of war not required for further service in China sailed from Hong-Kong -for their respective destinations; and peace seemed now to reign -throughout the whole of that vast portion of the East. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[73] Immense piles of excellent fire-wood were also found at Nankin. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII. - - -Before daylight on the morning of the 23rd of December, the Nemesis was -destined to take her departure from Macao, and probably to bid adieu to -China for ever. It is not too much to say, that she was regretted by -all. - -Before three o'clock she was under way; and the discharge of a few -rockets and the report of her guns gave notice of her departure to the -still sleeping inhabitants, who were quite unused to the disturbance -at that early hour in the morning. It caused some little alarm among -the inmates of the houses on the Praya Grand, fronting the bay. -But the Governor, who resides there, had been previously told, in -a good-humoured way, that he must not be alarmed at a little noise -during the night. When daylight broke, the Nemesis was out of sight of -Macao.[74] - -As the extent of the wear and tear of the vessel, after three years' -service of a trying kind, was not precisely known, it was not thought -prudent to run out into the middle of the China Sea, during the -strength of the monsoon. She therefore coasted along towards the island -of Hainan, in order that she might be able to take shelter, if a gale -came on. It was perhaps fortunate that she did so. The weather was -extremely pleasant and warm, but looked unsettled. The appearance of -the coast, as we ran along it, at the distance of five or six miles, -was bold and mountainous, but not very fertile, as far as we could -judge at that distance. - -In the course of the day, we passed through a large fleet of -fishing-junks, dragging their huge nets before the wind. The Chinese -fishermen did not appear alarmed at the approach of the steamer, and -from one of them we procured an enormous fish, weighing no less than -eighty-eight pounds, and differing in appearance from any we had -hitherto seen. It had a large flat head, but small mouth, and was of a -greenish-yellow colour. When dressed, it was found eatable, but rather -strong. - -We soon passed very near the curious conical rock, called the -Mandarin's Peak or Cap, and kept the coast in view until dark. On the -following day, the weather was extremely hazy and unsettled, and there -was a heavy swell setting in from seaward. We had hoped to have been -able to land on Hainan on Christmas-day, and to have drank the health -of absent friends on terra firma; but the hazy weather detained the -vessel, and she only anchored, as the night set in, in a fine sandy bay -in seven fathoms water; the wind howled over our heads, and made it the -more satisfactory that we had kept near the land. - -As mention has been made of having passed through a fleet of -fishing-junks, it will be proper here to warn all vessels against -being off their guard on such occasions. The fishermen along the whole -coast of this part of China, as far as Canton, are rogues, pirates, -smugglers--in short, ready to take advantage of any opportunity, honest -or otherwise, of benefiting themselves. They will, perhaps, appear -quite friendly at first; and if they then find that a vessel is not -prepared to resist, or if they think that they could overpower her, -the chances are that they would not hesitate to make the attempt, when -least expected. Never trust yourself in a strange place ashore without -_at least one_ double-barrelled pistol in your pocket, and never admit -a Chinaman on board, (if a number of fishing-boats are about,) _on -this coast_, without being prepared to prevent treachery. This caution -is not unnecessary to ordinary merchant vessels, because it commonly -happens that, although they have arms on board, the ammunition can -seldom be found when it is wanted in a hurry, and not unfrequently, -when the barrels of the muskets are clean and the bayonets bright, the -locks have got no flints. It is at night that the Chinese would be most -likely to make the attempt, and for this reason the opium clippers are -always well armed and manned. This is found necessary for their own -_protection_, and not, as many have supposed, to compel the Chinese to -purchase the drug. - -The bay in which we anchored was situated a little to the eastward of -Liengsoy, or Tongsoy Bay, as laid down in the charts. On the following -morning, as we proceeded towards the latter bay, we could clearly -distinguish a sunken reef, running out from the east point of it, -to the distance of nearly a mile. At the extremity of it, numerous -fishing-boats were busily occupied, and with some difficulty a pilot -was procured from one of them, to take us into Liengsoy Bay. He was -found of little use, as it was easy to make our way in without him; but -he seemed highly pleased when a dollar was given to him, with a view -to encourage others to come to the assistance of any other vessel that -might require a pilot. - -Liengsoy is a fine bay, perfectly sheltered during the north-east -monsoon, but a little exposed to the south-west. From the depth of -the bay, and from its being sheltered to the westward by a long chain -of rocky mountains, it is well protected on that side, while the long -reef forms a natural breakwater upon the east side. It is open only to -the southward; and, from the height to which the sand is blown up upon -the northern beach, it is evident that the wind sets in sometimes with -great violence. - -At the extremity of the bay was a narrow opening, not very easily -seen at a distance, which led into a large salt-water lagoon. We -pulled towards it in the steamer's cutter, and soon discovered a -small half-dilapidated stone fort, on the left hand, near which was a -small government station, distinguished by its flag, but the inmates -(although one of them, a fine stout fellow, was probably a mandarin) -were very poor and humble. They invited us to land, and very civilly -gave us tea, and let us smoke our cigars in their small dwelling, built -of half mud, half mats, but more comfortable within than the exterior -promised. Thence we walked along a fine sandy beach, bordering the -lagoon, until we came to a tolerable village, situated in the middle of -a fine cocoa-tree plantation. It appeared to be principally inhabited -by fishermen--fine, stout, well-made people; and the large quantity -of sharks' fins which were fixed upon stakes, and put out to be dried -by the sun, along the edge of the lagoon, sufficiently indicated the -principal occupation of the people. The huts were built of coral, mud, -and bamboo, and were ranged in long lines or lanes, and the people -seemed generally well clothed and happy. The women were not secluded, -but came out to look at our party, almost as freely as the men. All -appeared good-humoured and well disposed, and offered us plenty of -ducks, fowls, and pigs for sale. It was noticed that, even in this poor -little fishing-village, people were seen reading or writing in almost -every one of the little shops. As we left it again, the villagers -amused themselves by letting off crackers in all directions--a -Chinaman's delight. Numbers of the people followed us down to the boat -again; and two or three rupees, distributed among the most deserving, -put them all in a good humour. - -We could not ascertain whether any river flowed into the lagoon or not, -but no fresh water was seen, although, from the greater number of trees -and the appearance of vegetation at the upper extremity of it, about -a mile and a half distant, we thought it probable that a small river -opened into the lagoon. - -Having rejoined the steamer, we stood out of the bay again, and, having -rounded the western extremity, formed by the range of hills which run -quite down to the coast, proceeded along shore for about a mile, until -we entered another fine bay, remarkable for having three entrances, and -called Galong Bay. The coast is extremely bold and rocky, covered with -low, stunted shrubs, and there is deep water almost close in shore. -Horsburgh's description and directions were found to be quite correct; -except that the village of which he speaks could not be found anywhere -at the present time. The bay is one of great extent; and the two rocky -islands, called the Brothers, between which are the channels leading -into it from the westward, are bold and striking objects. - -As we proceeded further into the bay, the appearance of its shores -improved; the steep, picturesque mountains on all sides being clothed -with wood from their summit, to the water's edge. The only perfect -shelter for ships from the south-west is under a low island, called -Middle Island, inside the Brothers, where there is a fine, sandy beach, -but not very deep water. Of course there is perfect shelter from the -north-east, and you have always the advantage of three entrances into -the bay. - -Having steamed quite round the bay, the Nemesis went out again by the -broadest passage, between one of the Brothers and the main island, and -continued to coast along a bold, rocky shore, until we entered the -beautiful bay of Yin-lin-kan. The entrance to this is not broad, but -sufficiently so for ships to work in, and then it expands into a fine, -bold bay, having plenty of water in all parts. On proceeding to its -farthest extremity, we found the entrance of what Horsburgh calls a -lagoon; at its entrance it has all the appearance of a lagoon, and it -is not until you get up quite to its extremity, (which you are able to -do in boats,) that you find a river of tolerable size flowing into it. - -The great bay or harbour of Yin-lin-kan is by far the best of all those -that were visited on this coast. There is fine anchorage in smooth -water, perfectly protected from all winds; indeed, the sea outside -cannot even be seen when you are fairly inside the bay. Several large -fishing-junks, of the better kind, were at anchor there; and the shores -were bold and picturesque. - -Having found our way into what appeared to be the mouth of the lagoon, -it was determined to stand in, if possible, to explore it further. -The entrance was narrow, and the passage tortuous; but, by observing -the character of the shores on either side, together with the varying -shades of colour in the water, and with two good men in the chains, and -one out on the jib-boom, the channel into it was found without much -difficulty, the water being deeper than was expected. Fishing-stakes -were seen in several places, so that it seemed probable that a town or -village was not far off. The lagoon, or expanded river, was now found -to turn round to the right, or westward, and several small junks were -at anchor near a few huts upon the shore. The appearance of the country -was very peculiar, looking very like a flooded valley, about half a -mile in breadth, the shores rising up on either side with a rather -steep ascent, but leaving some low ground at the edge of the lagoon. - -The steamer continued to push her way on for about one mile and a half -or two miles, through a shallow channel, until she had passed a double -line of long fishing-stakes, one on either side. The water was now too -shallow: to proceed further, and the tide was falling, so that it was -necessary to retrace our steps into deeper water, where she anchored -for the night. - -On the following morning, at daylight, the weather being very unsettled -and hazy, Captain Hall determined to take his cutter and pinnace, and -proceed to the extremity of the lagoon, nearly a mile distant, in the -hope of finding a river, or probably some town or village, not far off. -The crews were well armed, in case of a surprise; and we also took our -double-barrelled guns, in the hope of getting a shot or two at some -game. As we approached the end of the lagoon, the water became very -shallow, and the passage difficult to find. We saw what appeared to us -to be deer and pheasant, in abundance, along the edge of the mountains, -on either side; but time was too precious and the water too shallow, -(it being quite low water,) to permit us to land where we most wished. - -At length, after carefully searching for a considerable time, we found -a distinct entrance to a river, nearly at the right hand corner at the -end of the lagoon. It was not easy to make it out at first; as the -banks, which were low, were thickly covered with mangrove shrubs. The -country expanded into a broad, open valley, beyond which well-wooded -hills could be seen on every side. Cocoa-nut trees were growing in -abundance; and here and there we could descry, in the distance, small, -rich, green spots of cultivated ground, which made us think that we -should find inhabitants not far off. We had no difficulty in ascending -the river, but discovered no habitations or appearance of cultivation -on its banks. The bare roots of the mangroves on either side, standing -out exposed into the river, served to shew by their marks that the -water sometimes stood much higher than it then was, and that floods -occasionally took place. - -At the distance of about two miles from the entrance, we came to a -narrow, wooden-plank bridge, close to which were two small junks, or -decked boats. One of our boats was sent higher up to explore; but the -river was found divided by a small island, a little above the bridge, -and the water was so shallow that the pinnace could not proceed without -difficulty. Accordingly, having left a part of the men in charge of -the boats at the bridge, and another party, consisting of an officer -and six men, being ordered to follow at an interval of less than half -an hour, Captain Hall and myself, accompanied by four men, well armed, -set out to explore the country. We soon fell into a well-beaten, sandy -cart-track, which surprised us not a little, as we had hitherto seen -nothing of the kind in China. It has been already noticed that carts -were found to be in use in the island of Formosa; and it was also known -that they were to be met with in the northern parts of China, in the -neighbourhood of Pekin. - -After pursuing our way along this sandy track for about a mile, we -entered a fine cocoa-tree wood, with several neat little cottages built -in the midst of it; and presently we heard a creaking, or rather, -squeaking noise, which seemed to be nearing us. It was soon found to -proceed from three bullock-carts, rudely built of poles, covered round -with matting, and drawn by buffaloes instead of bullocks. They had more -the appearance of large bales of goods than of carts; the wheels were -made of solid wood, and the axletree was fixed in the wheel, (as at -Formosa,) but turned round under the body of the cart, causing a loud, -squeaking noise at each revolution. - -Several teams of buffaloes were passed, dragging timber down to the -river-side, which must be found in abundance in this neighbourhood, and -of good quality; an important consideration for ships driven into the -bay of Yin-lin-kan by stress of weather. - -We soon emerged into a fine, level, grassy plain; upon which, at -intervals, clusters of shrubs and young trees were passed. Small green -parroquets seemed to be very numerous. The soil, however, was poor and -sandy; but the mountains which bounded the plain, or expanded valley, -were covered with wood; while, lower down towards the river, (or what -appeared to us to be its probable course,) grass-lands and paddy-fields -varied the landscape. We were surprised, however, at seeing so few -people; and, compared with China Proper, the country appeared to us -very thinly populated. - -The autumnal tints were still fresh upon the foliage, although it was -past Christmas-day; and the variety of the trees, and the peculiar -conical shape of some of the mountains, thickly covered with wood to -their very summits, combined to give additional interest and novelty to -the character of the country. Perhaps it struck us the more forcibly, -from being _different_ from anything we had recently seen in China -Proper. It was curious to notice the gradations of verdure according to -the height above the valley. At the bottom, everything was brown and -autumnal, at the top, it was all green and youthful, while between the -two were all the intermediate stages. Here again we thought we could -distinguish deer and pheasants in the woods along the mountain sides. - -Gradually the plain became contracted, and we entered a regular sort -of narrow cart-road, overhung with trees, and cut at least two feet -below the surface, as if the better to give protection from the sun's -rays. This soon led us to some rich paddy-fields, in the neighbourhood -of a village, around which were gardens planted with the sweet potato -and other vegetables, and apparently cultivated with great care. The -village, or rather hamlet, was very inconsiderable; and we passed on -without halting, in the hope of reaching some town of consequence. The -valley continued to get narrower, and our road was now sheltered with -trees. - -A walk of about four miles further brought us to another considerable -village, where we halted for an hour, and took refreshment in a large -public tea-shop. The villagers crowded good-humouredly round us, and -betrayed little fear, although we were all well armed. We only saw two -really _poor_ people amongst them, and they looked as if they were -just let out of prison. As usual, our dress, appearance, arms, and -every little trifle we carried about us, attracted great attention and -curiosity. They had probably never seen Europeans before; and when we -fired off a musket to please them, their astonishment was indeed great. -Their wants were few, and the necessaries of life appeared easily -obtained; there were some decent shops in the village, and, as usual, -plenty of people who could read and write. - -Altogether the whole appearance of the country gave one the idea -of a newly-colonized spot. We saw no goats or cows, but plenty of -capital pigs and poultry. We still thought that there might be some -considerable town not far off; and by the help of a small vocabulary, -written in Chinese, (which of course they were able to _read_,) we -ascertained that there was one some miles off, the direction of which -was pointed out to us. After some hesitation, we determined to proceed; -and at length we reached the extremity of the valley, where there was -merely a footpath, running sometimes between low hills, at other times -through a dense scrub, until at length we crossed the bed of a river, -with a fine rocky bottom and a rapid stream. Here we halted, to refresh -ourselves with a cool draught, when suddenly a whole posse of people -descended the hill on the other side, and began to cross the river; -some were carried in sedan-chairs, (mandarins, probably,) some were -led with chains round their necks, while others had chains round their -legs; there were also several attendants; and one great man rode on -horseback. They had almost reached the middle of the river before they -observed us, and naturally looked somewhat alarmed at our appearance. -We saluted them, and then passed on. - -Our road now lay among hills, and the ground was broken and tiresome. -We ascended one hill, which was paved all the way with large rough -stones, and we concluded we _must_ be near the town we were in search -of; and the novelty of the adventure stimulated us to go on, although -the heat was great, and we had still the whole distance to travel back -again. We now ascended a steep eminence a little out of the road, from -which we obtained a magnificent view of the country, with a fine plain -just beyond the hills, bounded by the sea in the distance. We could see -no town, but there could be little doubt that it lay somewhere in the -beautiful plain beneath us. - -Having regained the principal path, we proceeded some way further along -the side of a wooded mountain, until we reached an inn by the road -side. Here again we got tea, and smoked our cigars, on perfect good -terms with the Chinese, our fellow-travellers. A consultation was now -held. It seemed probable that the town we were attempting to reach was -that of Lychew, upon the sea-coast, about ten or twelve miles from the -capital of the island. The day was already far advanced, and we had -still about twelve miles to get back again to our boats. Moreover, we -thought it very likely that by returning at once we should meet the -sedan chairs empty, and the horse without its rider, returning to the -town, after having escorted their prisoners, and thus we should manage -to get ourselves _carried_ back to our boat. We determined, therefore, -not to proceed further, although we much longed to descend into the -valley beyond. - -It surprised us that, considering we were without doubt the first -Europeans who had been seen in that part of the country, the people -shewed not the slightest rudeness or troublesome curiosity. They all -seemed much more taken up with the appearance of one of the black -Kroomen, who attended us, than with the Europeans. - -After proceeding two or three miles on our way back, we fortunately -met the sedan-chairs and the horse returning. We soon made them halt, -and tried to come to terms for them to carry us all the way down to -our boats. Captain Hall mounted the horse without any ceremony; but -the poor fellows who had charge of it cried so lustily, and from their -manner made us believe that they would be so terribly punished, that at -last they were allowed to proceed unmolested. - -Next came a grand dispute about the sedan-chairs, rickety old things -made of bamboo; but we soon got into them, (there were only two,) and -held out a dollar; but between fear and disinclination to the job, -the men set us down, and left us in the lurch. However, as we kept -possession of the chairs, we had the best of the bargain, though it -was not a very pleasant prospect for us to sit there until it should -please the men to carry us on. At length, after some deliberation among -themselves, they agreed to carry us for a dollar each, and away we -went, greatly enjoying the fun. - -On reaching the village at which we had before halted, they set us down -again in order to rest themselves, and tried every means to persuade -us to alight, and take some tea; but we were rather too old travellers -to be taken in by such tricks, and continued to keep possession of our -chairs. At length, finding they could not get rid of us, they made -up their minds to carry us on the whole way, and trotted off nimbly -enough. The easy, measured step of the Chinese bearers, who carry the -poles upon their shoulders, one on either side, with a cross piece -joining them together, and resting upon the back of the neck, is by no -means disagreeable; and considering the rudeness of the construction of -the chairs, we were surprised that the motion was so pleasant. - -Presently we fell in with the other party which had been desired to -follow us, and received a very good account of the civility they had -met with from the people. Indeed, they stated that they had overtaken -a respectable-looking Chinaman on horseback, as they were marching -along, who, seeing a young midshipman of the party, among so many stout -men, very gallantly dismounted, and offered him the use of his horse; -intimating by his manner and gestures that he was too young to walk so -far. This little piece of attention was the more remarkable as horses -are seldom used by the Chinese, and are usually only found in the hands -either of people of rank or of great wealth. On reaching a road which -branched off to the left, the polite gentleman resumed his horse and -disappeared. - -At length we reached the beautiful cocoa-nut wood near the river, and -refreshed ourselves with the milk of the fresh nuts, under the shade of -the trees, which were here growing to a very great height. - -Having regained our boats, we found a number of Chinese collected round -them, but no violence or insult had been offered; indeed, the peasants -had brought down fowls and ducks for sale. - -It was now almost sunset, and the tide was just beginning to turn, so -that we descended the river rapidly, and, as we emerged from it into -the lagoon, it was christened Hall's River, with our last glass of -cherry-brandy, a little of which we had taken with us for the journey. - -As it was still nearly high-water, the appearance of the lagoon was -much more striking than it had been in the morning, and we could see -plenty of game coming out of the woods, to feed upon the little green -patches at the foot of the hills. But not a single human habitation -could be discovered. We soon reached the steamer again, and instantly -getting under way, proceeded out of the lagoon, or Inner Harbour, as it -is called upon the Admiralty chart. - -It should here be remarked, that the entrance to the outer harbour or -_basin_ of Yin-lin-kan, as laid down in the chart, is much toe broad -and the bay too open; at least, such is the impression from what we -remember of the very _moderate_ breadth of the entrance, and of the -appearance of the basin when inside of it. There was a heavy swell -outside, the result of the strong breezes which had prevailed for -several preceding days. - -We now stood across the Gulf of Tonquin, towards the coast of -Cochin-China, which we kept in sight all the way down. On the 29th we -ran into the large and beautiful basin, called by Horsburgh, Phuyen -Harbour, in latitude 18 deg. 23' N., with a view to ascertain its character -and capabilities, which could be done with very little detention. The -importance of an accurate knowledge of the best harbours for ships -to run into, in the China Sea, in case of need, cannot be overrated -now that there is every probability of a great increase in the number -of merchant ships passing up and down. The great Phuyen Basin, which -in fact contains _three_ excellent harbours, is accurately described -by Horsburgh. We steamed round it in all directions, and were struck -with its beauty, and the perfect shelter it affords. The soundings -were very regular, from twelve, to five and a quarter, and four and a -half fathoms. The Buoy Rock, which is the only danger, is distinctly -seen above water, at ebb-tide, looking precisely like what its name -indicates. As we came out again at high-water, it was found covered. It -lies about half way up the first or outer harbour, at the distance of -half to one-third of a mile from the northern shore. - -Just at the entrance to this harbour, near its southern shore, stands -the high, abrupt, rocky island, called Nest Island, which, although -there is deep water close in, on either side, has a coral reef running -out from its western extremity. The three harbours are, first, Xuandai, -on the southern shore, round Nest Island; next, Vunglam, on the -north-western side, about a mile and a half further up; and lastly, -Vungchao, at the end of the basin. - -Nothing can exceed the beauty and security of the spot, shut in on all -sides, like a large lake, the shores being bold and mountainous, but -not much wooded. Further inland, to the westward, the country appeared -fertile and well cultivated, but not laid out in terraces along the -hill sides, as in most parts of China-Proper, but divided into small -fields with hedgerows round them, putting one very much in mind of some -parts of England. - -We were disappointed in not finding a town of some size along the -shores of the basin; but, as the soil is there generally poor, while -there was evidently a rich valley a little in the rear to the westward, -we concluded that it was probably situated in that more favoured spot. -There were however two hamlets, one on either side of the extremity -of the bay, situated in the midst of a fine cocoa-nut wood; and in a -little bay in the east corner we found a very extensive burial-ground, -with a number of large tombs, and a small chapel. We could learn -nothing of its history, but concluded that it was the cemetery for -wealthy people belonging to some town not far distant. We landed, and -rambled among the curious tombs, different in appearance from those -either of the Chinese or the Malays. There were a few fishermen's huts -in the neighbourhood, but the people were poor and ill-clothed, and -their features far from prepossessing. The men were small in stature, -and in every respect an inferior-looking people to the inhabitants of -Hainan. - -A vast number of large, well-built fishing-boats were sailing about -the great basin, built very sharp at both ends, and of great length. -They carry an enormous sail, very broad, but not high, cut square, but -yet not like a lug-sail. It was made of a strong kind of grass cloth. -As this powerful sail must of course endanger the safety of their long -narrow boat, they adopt a curious mode of counterbalancing it, so as -to keep the boat upright. A long straight stout spar is run out to -windward from the middle of the vessel, and upon this three or four men -(more or less according to the strength of the wind) crawl out, and sit -upon the extremity, dangling their legs over the water in a manner not -to be envied. From long habit, they sit there very contentedly, for -a length of time, almost entirely naked, and appear to think that no -other kind of ballast is needed. If the wind were suddenly to change, -they would probably get a ducking, by their own weight bearing down the -boat, with such a lever. But, as the monsoon blows pretty regularly -here, they are not afraid of sudden changes. If they have occasion to -put about, the men all come in first, and then rig out the spar upon -the opposite side, crawling out upon it again as before. - -Two or three better kind of vessels were seen, differently rigged, -something like our lattine-rig, and they looked and sailed remarkably -well. The people did not appear at all afraid of the steamer, although -they looked on in evident wonder, as she moved so steadily through the -harbour. - -The same afternoon, we pursued our voyage; and on the 5th of January, -the Nemesis steamed into Singapore, decorated with a number of Chinese -flags, and was cheered by several of the transports as she passed. The -next day, nearly all the rest of the squadron set sail again, leaving -the Nemesis to follow, as soon as her fuel was completed. - -On the evening of the 12th, the Nemesis again pursued her voyage; and -on the 14th, at daylight, anchored in the shallow open bay of Malacca. -The view of the town and coast from the bay is striking; there is a -_Malay look_ about it, and much less of the European character than -in Singapore. There is a rich flat belt of country along the coast, -thickly covered with cocoa-nut trees; while a hill adjoining the town, -upon which there is the ruin of a church, with a flag-staff, and a -saluting battery, forms a marked point in the prospect. - -Everything at Malacca distinctly indicates the "tempora mutantur" of -by-gone days; the dull stillness of the town, the mixture of Dutch -countenances, modified by long descent in a tropical country, the -_fallen-off_ look of the public buildings, point out the little value -which is set upon Malacca in the present day. The kind attentions of -the governor, however, induced us to pay a short visit a few miles -into the interior, where we obtained a splendid view of a fine, rich, -well-wooded, and well-watered country. We were evidently in the -favoured regions of the spice plantations. - -We had just arrived in time to disturb a nest of Malay pirates who -had landed the day before, and had robbed one of the neighbouring -villages, killing or wounding several of the inhabitants. The steamer's -boats were immediately sent away manned and armed, at the governor's -request, and accompanied by a large hired boat, carrying a strong -body of police. A search-warrant had been obtained for the purpose of -examining two or three small junks which had recently come into the -bay, but nothing suspicious was found on board. The boats then pulled -off towards two islands several miles distant, where it was thought the -pirates might lie concealed; but nothing was discovered. The matter was -then left entirely in the hands of the police, and the steamer's boats -returned. - -The same evening we again pursued our voyage towards Penang, or Prince -of Wales's Island, the so-called gem of the eastern seas. Our course -was taken as close along shore as was possible; and instead of passing -through the narrow channels between the sands in the middle of the -straits, we pushed through the Calam Strait, just above the Parcellar -Hill, and found the passage broad and safe, the shores on both sides -being bold and well wooded. - -On the 17th, we reached the truly beautiful island of Penang, a spot -which becomes the more striking the oftener it is seen, and anchored -in a small sandy bay close to the fort, inside the Dido, 20, under -the command of the Honourable Captain Keppel. Enough has already -been said of this lovely spot in the early part of this work. Its -clean and regular town, its excellent roads, beautiful villas, and -rich plantations of spices of all kinds, and of cocoa-nuts, added to -the picturesque beauties of the landscape on every side, cannot be -forgotten by any who have visited them. - -The hospitality and good feeling of the inhabitants of Penang cannot -be exceeded. There is a considerable population of Chinese upon the -island, (in addition to Malays, Indians, and Europeans,) who, besides -being excellent mechanics, enter largely into the cultivation of spice -trees, and often become not only honest and useful tenants, but actual -proprietors of small plantations. It is worth remembering, that from -its geographical position, there is not half an hour's difference in -the rising and setting of the sun at Penang throughout the whole year. - -There is one curiosity in natural history very common on this island -which I had never seen elsewhere--viz., the trumpet beetle. Although -not large itself it has a long trumpet-shaped proboscis, or kind of -feeler, from which it emits so loud and long a sound, among the woods -by the mountain's sides, that you can scarcely believe that any insect -could possibly send forth such a tone. It gave one more the idea of -the sound which a bird might utter, such, for instance, as that of the -bell-bird, or the whip-bird, or the laughing jackass (vernacularly -called) met with in New South Wales. - -One of the largest trees on record is to be found at Penang. It is one -hundred and thirty feet high to the _first branch_, and thirty-six feet -round in the largest part. - -After a few days' detention at Penang, to complete some necessary -repairs and to take in coal, we bade adieu, with many regrets, to that -lovely island, and coasted along all the way towards the entrance of -the Moulmein river, at the mouth of which we found the Endymion at -anchor, having Sir Hugh Gough and staff on board. Having delivered the -despatches and letter-bags, we proceeded up the river in charge of a -pilot, for the purpose of getting coal. The river was found broader -and deeper than had been expected, well wooded on both sides; indeed, -a great quantity of valuable timber is exported from Moulmein, and -large ships are built there extremely well and cheap. The H.C. steamer -Tenasserim was built in this river after the model of The Queen, built -in England, and has answered extremely well. - -Two of H.M. brigs were at anchor off the town, besides two small -vessels and gun-boats belonging to the East India Company. Moulmein -was garrisoned by a force of about 4000 men, including one European -regiment. It is the frontier town of Burmah, on its southern side, -lying just opposite Martaban, where it was said the Burmese had -collected a large army just before we made peace with China; probably -with no friendly feeling towards us. The town itself is in its infancy, -but has made great progress within the last few years. There is a -magnificent view of the surrounding country, and of the river both -above and below, and also of the distant town of Martaban, from the top -of a high conical hill, upon which are several curious temples built -after the Burmese fashion. The town must be considered rather as a -large frontier military station than as a place of trade, and the soil -is generally poor and sandy. - -By the kindness of the Governor, who politely lent us some of the -Commissariat elephants, we were enabled to make an excursion to see -the very remarkable caves, distant about fifteen miles from the town. -We had to ascend the river in a boat, for some miles, when we landed -on the opposite side, where the elephants were in readiness for us. -The sun was excessively hot, so that umbrellas were necessary. As -elephant-riding was quite new to us, and the animals themselves, -moreover, were only accustomed to carry heavy burdens, it was no easy -matter to mount them at all, even when they had knelt down. At last, -however, we contrived to scramble up by the tail, making use of it as a -rope. - -After a ride of seven or eight miles, we came to several isolated -wooded rocks of great height, standing up on the surface of an -extensive plain, unbroken by any other objects. They were covered more -or less with wood, from the base to the summit, the trees growing to a -great height among the crags, in a manner which made you wonder how the -soil in which they grew could have come there. The caverns were very -large and deep, showing a beautiful stalactitic formation. The effect -was extremely beautiful, when lighted up with blue lights, putting one -very much in mind of the blue grotto on the island of Capri, in the -bay of Naples; indeed, you could fancy that the sea had only recently -retired from these caverns, so fresh was the appearance of their walls. -In the cooler part of the evening, we returned to our boats, and soon -reached Moulmein again. - -On the following day, having completed the necessary quantity of coal, -we descended the river, and steered our course direct for Calcutta, -which we reached on the 6th of February. We passed a great many of -our old friends, the transports, waiting for tugs to tow them up, and -arrived off Fort William, just at the most fashionable hour for the -promenade along the river side. The steamer was decorated with numerous -Chinese flags, and several officers had come up from on board the -transports, who were anxiously looking out for their friends upon the -banks. Having passed quite up above the fort, among all the shipping, -we returned down towards the principal landing-place, attracting the -attention and curiosity of thousands, who were collected to look at the -Nemesis, of which they had heard so much. A salute was fired, which -was returned by the fort; and there at length quietly lay the Nemesis, -resting from all her toils. - -Of Calcutta, the City of Palaces, and of the kindness and hospitality -of its inhabitants, little need be said. Great honours were done to -those who had fought for their country, in China and Affghanistan; and -balls, dinners, illuminations, and fetes of all kinds, were the order -of the day. - -The last service performed by the Nemesis, under her old commander, was -to convey Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough and his staff up the river -to Barrackpore, to review the garrison stationed there; including the -remnant of the Bengal Volunteers recently returned. It was an excursion -of duty, but in reality not less one of pleasure. - -We may now bid adieu to the Nemesis. Sufficient evidence has been given -of the vast utility of iron steamers of _moderate_ size, in service -upon an enemy's coast. The danger which some have apprehended from the -rusting of the rivets by which the iron plates are fastened together, -or from their _starting_, through the concussions to which the vessel -may be liable, was proved to be almost totally unfounded. The corrosion -of her bottom can be prevented to a great extent, by constantly -painting it with red lead--an operation which is much facilitated by -the ease and safety with which a flat-bottomed iron vessel can be laid -ashore. It must not be forgotten, however, that barnacles adhere more -readily and firmly to an iron vessel, than they do to one coppered over. - -At Calcutta, the Nemesis was docked and examined, before being sent -round to Bombay for a thorough repair. She was pronounced to be in -a perfectly fit state to perform the voyage, without risk; and she -ultimately arrived safely at Bombay, under the command of Lieutenant -Fell, I.N., who carried her successfully through the intricate passage -between Ceylon and the mainland. At Bombay, the Nemesis was docked; -and the following extract of a letter, dated Bombay, June 19, 1843, -will surprise those who are unacquainted with the durability of iron -steamers:--"The Nemesis has been for some time past in our docks, -and I have carefully examined her. She displays, in no small degree, -the advantages of iron. Her bottom bears the marks of having been -repeatedly ashore; the plates are deeply indented in many places, in -one or two to the extent of several inches. She has evidently been in -contact with sharp rocks, and one part of her keel-plate is bent sharp -up, in such a way as I could not believe that _cold_ iron could bear; -indeed, unless the iron had been extremely good, I am sure it would not -have stood it without injury. Her bottom is not nearly as much corroded -as I expected to have found it, and she is as tight as a bottle." - -FOOTNOTE: - -[74] The author was on board during this voyage, as a personal friend -of Capt. Hall. - - - - -APPENDIX. - - -A. - -BRITISH SQUADRON IN CHINA AT THE -TERMINATION OF THE WAR. - -H.M. Ship Cornwallis 72, (Captain P. Richards) bearing the - flag of Vice-Admiral Sir W. - Parker, G.C.B., Commander-in-Chief. - Blenheim 74, (Captain Sir Thos. Herbert, K.C.B.) - bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral - Sir Thos. Cochrane, C.B. - Vindictive 50, Captain J. T. Nicolas. - Blonde 42, T. Bourchier, C.B. - Thalia 44, C. Hope. - Endymion 44, The Hon. F. W. Grey. - Cambrian 36, H. D. Chads, C.B. - Calliope 28, A. L. Kuper, C.B. - North-Star 26, Sir James E. Home, Bart. - Herald 26, J. Nias, C.B. - Dido 20, The Hon. H. Keppel. - Pelican 18, Commander P. Justice. - Modeste 18, R. B. Watson. - Harlequin 18, Hon. F. Hastings. - Columbine 16, W. H. A. Mershead. - Childers 16, E. P. Halsted. - Clio 16, E. N. Troubridge. - Hazard 16, C. Bell. - Wanderer 16, G. H. Seymour. - Serpent 16, Commander W. Nevil. - Wolverine 16, J. S. W. Johnson. - Cruiser 16, J. Pearce. - Hebe 4, -- Wood. - Algerine 10, Lieut. W. H. Maitland. - Royalist 10, P. Chetwode. - Minden, Hospital, Captain M. Quin. - Belleisle, Troop ship, J. Kingcome. - Apollo Commander C. Frederick. - Jupiter Master Com. G. B. Hoffmeister. - Rattlesnake Jas. Sprent. - Sapphire J. R. Fittock. - Alligator R. Browne. - - -SURVEYING VESSELS -H.M. Schooner Starling Commander H. Kellett. - Brig Plover R. Collinson. - - -STEAMERS--WOOD. -H.M. St. Ves. Driver, Commander -- Harmer. - Vixen, H. Beyes. -H.C. St. Ves. Ackbar, Commodore J. Pepper I.N. - Sesostris, Commander H. A. Ormsby, I.N. - Auckland, R. Ethersey, I.N. - Queen, Master Commanding, W. Warden. - Tenasserim, A. P. Wall. - Memnon, Commander F. T. Powell, I.N. - Hooghley, Master Commanding, -- Ross. - -STEAMERS--IRON. -H.C. St. Ves. Proserpine, Commander Hough, R.N. - Nemesis, Lieut. W. H. Hall, R.N. - Phlegethon, J. J. M'Cleverty, R.N. - Pluto, J. J. Tudor, R.N. - Medusa, H. Hewitt, I.N. - - - - -B. - -GENERAL REGULATIONS - -UNDER WHICH THE BRITISH TRADE IS TO BE CONDUCTED AT THE FIVE PORTS OF -CANTON, AMOY, FOO-CHOW-FOO, NINGPO, AND SHANGHAI. - - -_I. Pilots._ - -Whenever a British merchantman shall arrive off any of the five ports -opened to trade--viz., Canton, Foochowfow, Amoy, Ningpo, or Shanghai, -pilots shall be allowed to take her immediately into port; and, in like -manner, when such British ship shall have settled all legal duties -and charges, and is about to return home, pilots shall be immediately -granted to take her out to sea, without any stoppage or delay. - -Regarding the remuneration to be given these pilots, that will be -equitably settled by the British Consul appointed to each particular -port, who will determine it with due reference to the distance gone -over, the risk run, &c. - - -_II. Custom-house Guards._ - -The Chinese Superintendent of Customs at each port will adopt the means -that he may judge most proper to prevent the revenue suffering by -fraud or smuggling. Whenever the pilot shall have brought any British -merchantman into port, the Superintendent of Customs will depute one -or two trusty custom-house officers, whose duty it will be to watch -against fraud on the revenue. These will either live in a boat of -their own, or stay on board the English ship, as may best suit their -convenience. Their food and expenses will be supplied them from day to -day from the custom-house, and they may not exact any fees whatever -from either the commander or consignee. Should they violate this -regulation, they shall be punished proportionately to the amount so -exacted. - - -_III. Masters of Ships reporting themselves on Arrival._ - -Whenever a British vessel shall have cast anchor at any one of the -above-mentioned ports, the captain will, within four and twenty hours -after arrival, proceed to the British Consulate, and deposit his ship's -papers, bills of lading, manifest, &c., in the hands of the Consul; -failing to do which, he will subject himself to a penalty of two -hundred dollars. - -For presenting a false manifest, the penalty will be five hundred -dollars. - -For breaking bulk and commencing to discharge, before due permission -shall be obtained, the penalty will be five hundred dollars, and -confiscation of the goods so discharged. - -The Consul, having taken possession of the ship's papers, will -immediately send a written communication to the Superintendent -of Customs, specifying the register tonnage of the ship, and the -particulars of the cargo she has on board; all of which being done in -due form, permission will then be given to discharge, and the duties -levied as provided for in the tariff. - - -_IV. Commercial Dealings between English and Chinese Merchants._ - -It having been stipulated that English merchants may trade with -whatever native merchants they please, should any Chinese merchant -fraudulently abscond or incur debts which he is unable to discharge, -the Chinese authorities, upon complaint being made thereof, will of -course do their utmost to bring the offender to justice: it must, -however, be distinctly understood, that if the defaulter really cannot -be found, or be dead, or bankrupt, and there be not wherewithal to pay, -the English merchants may not appeal to the former custom of the Hong -merchants paying for one another, and can no longer expect to have -their losses made good to them. - - -_V. Tonnage Dues._ - -Every English merchantman, on entering any one of the above-mentioned -five ports, shall pay tonnage-dues at the rate of five mace per -register ton, in full of all charges. The fees formerly levied on entry -and departure, of every description, are henceforth abolished. - - -_VI. Import and Export Duties._ - -Goods, whether imported into, or exported from, any one of the -above-mentioned five ports, are henceforward to be taxed according to -the tariff as now fixed and agreed upon, and no further sums are to -be levied beyond those which are specified in the tariff; all duties -incurred by an English merchant vessel, whether on goods imported -or exported, or in the shape of tonnage-dues, must first be paid -up in full; which done, the Superintendent of Customs will grant a -port clearance, and this being shewn to the British Consul, he will -thereupon return the ship's papers and permit the vessel to depart. - - -_VII. Examination of Goods at the Custom-house._ - -Every English merchant, having cargo to load or discharge, must -give due intimation thereof, and hand particulars of the same to -the Consul, who will immediately despatch a recognised linguist -of his own establishment to communicate the particulars to the -Superintendent of Customs, that the goods may be duly examined, and -neither party subjected to loss. The English merchant must also have -a properly-qualified person on the spot, to attend to his interests -when his goods are being examined for duty, otherwise, should there be -complaints, these cannot be attended to. - -Regarding such goods as are subject by the tariff to an _ad valorem_ -duty, if the English merchant cannot agree with the Chinese officer -in fixing a value, then each party shall call two or three merchants -to look at the goods, and the highest price at which any of these -merchants would be willing to purchase shall be assumed as the value of -the goods. - -To fix the tare on any article, such as tea, if the English merchant -cannot agree with the custom-house officer, then each party shall -choose so many chests out of every hundred, which, being first weighed -in gross, shall afterwards be tared, and the average tare upon these -chests shall be assumed as the tare upon the whole; and upon this -principle shall the tare be fixed upon all other goods in packages. - -If there should still be any disputed points which cannot be settled, -the English merchant may appeal to the Consul, who will communicate -the particulars of the case to the Superintendent of Customs, that it -may be equitably arranged. But the appeal must be made on the same -day, or it will not be regarded. While such points are still open, the -Superintendent of Customs will delay to insert the same in his books, -thus affording an opportunity that the merits of the case may be duly -tried and sifted. - - -_VIII. Manner of Paying the Duties._ - -It is hereinbefore provided, that every English vessel that enters any -one of the five ports shall pay all duties and tonnage-dues before -she be permitted to depart. The Superintendent of Customs will select -certain shroffs, or banking establishments of known stability, to whom -he will give licences, authorizing them to receive duties from the -English merchants on behalf of Government, and the receipt of these -shroffs for any moneys paid them shall be considered as a government -voucher. In the paying of these duties, different kinds of foreign -money may be made use of; but as foreign money is not of equal purity -with sycee silver, the English Consuls appointed to the different ports -will, according to time, place, and circumstances, arrange with the -Superintendents of Customs at each what coins may be taken in payment, -and what per centage may be necessary to make them equal to standard or -pure silver. - - -_IX. Weights and Measures._ - -Sets of balance-yards for the weighing of goods, of money weights, and -of measures, prepared in exact conformity to those hitherto in use -at the Custom-house of Canton, and duly stamped and sealed in proof -thereof, will be kept in possession of the Superintendent of Customs, -and also at the British Consulate at each of the five ports, and these -shall be the standards by which all duties shall be charged, and all -sums paid to government. In case of any dispute arising between British -merchants and Chinese officers of Customs, regarding the weights or -measures of goods, reference shall be made to these standards, and -disputes decided accordingly. - - -_X. Lighters, or Cargo Boats._ - -Whenever any English merchants shall have to load or discharge cargo, -he may hire whatever kind of lighter or cargo-boat he pleases, and -the sum to be paid for such boat can be settled between the parties -themselves without the interference of government. The number of these -boats shall not be limited, nor shall a monopoly of them be granted to -any parties. If any smuggling take place in them, the offenders will of -course be punished according to law. Should any of these boat-people, -while engaged in conveying goods for English merchants, fraudulently -abscond with the property, the Chinese authorities will do their best -to apprehend them; but, at the same time, the English merchants must -take every due precaution for the safety of their goods. - - -_XI. Transshipment of Goods._ - -No English merchant ships may transship goods without special -permission: should an urgent case happen where transshipment is -necessary, the circumstances must first be transmitted to the Consul, -who will give a certificate to that effect, and the Superintendent -of Customs will then send a special officer to be present at the -transshipment. If any one presumes to transship without such permission -being asked for and obtained, the whole of the goods so illicitly -transshipped will be confiscated. - - -_XII. Subordinate Consular Officers._ - -At any place selected for the anchorage of the English merchant ships, -there may be appointed a subordinate consular officer, of approved -good conduct, to exercise due control over the seamen and others. He -must exert himself to prevent quarrels between the English seamen and -natives, this being of the utmost importance. Should anything of the -kind unfortunately take place, he will in like manner do his best to -arrange it amicably. When sailors go on shore to walk, officers shall -be required to accompany them, and, should disturbances take place, -such officers will be held responsible. The Chinese officers may not -impede natives from coming alongside the ships, to sell clothes or -other necessaries to the sailors living on board. - - -_XIII. Disputes between British Subjects and Chinese._ - -Whenever a British subject has reason to complain of a Chinese, he -must first proceed to the Consulate and state his grievance; the -Consul will thereupon inquire into the merits of the case, and do -his utmost to arrange it amicably. In like manner, if a Chinese have -reason to complain of a British subject, he shall no less listen to -his complaint, and endeavour to settle it in a friendly manner. If an -English merchant have occasion to address the Chinese authorities, -he shall send such address through the Consul, who will see that the -language is becoming; and if otherwise, will direct it to be changed, -or will refuse to convey the address. If, unfortunately, any disputes -take place of such a nature that the Consul cannot arrange them -amicably, then he shall request the assistance of a Chinese officer, -that they may together examine into the merits of the case, and decide -it equitably. Regarding the punishment of English criminals, the -English government will enact the laws necessary to attain that end, -and the Consul will be empowered to put them in force: and, regarding -the punishment of Chinese criminals, these will be tried and punished -by their own laws, in the way provided for by the correspondence which -took place at Nankin after the concluding of the peace. - - -_XIV. British Government Cruisers anchoring within the Ports._ - -An English government cruiser will anchor within each of the five -ports, that the Consul may have the means of better restraining -sailors and others, and preventing disturbances. But these government -cruisers are not to be put on the same footing as merchant vessels, for -as they bring no merchandise and do not come to trade, they will of -course pay neither dues nor charges. The resident Consul will keep the -Superintendent of Customs duly informed of the arrival and departure of -such government cruisers, that he may take his measures accordingly. - - -_XV. On the Security to be given for British Merchant Vessels._ - -It has hitherto been the custom, when an English vessel entered the -port of Canton, that a Chinese Hong merchant stood security for her, -and all duties and charges were paid through such security-merchant. -But these security-merchants being now done away with, it is understood -that the British Consul will henceforth be security for all British -merchant ships entering any of the aforesaid five ports. - - - - -C. - -SUPPLEMENTARY TREATY. - - -The following is an abstract of the Supplementary Treaty between the -Queen of Great Britain and the Emperor of China:-- - -Art. I. provides for the new tariff being in force at the five ports of -Canton, Foo-chow-foo, Amoy, Ningpo, and Shanghai. - -Art. II. provides for the general regulations of trade being in force -at the aforesaid five ports. - -Art. III. provides that all penalties or confiscations made under the -3rd clause of the general regulations of trade shall belong to the -government of China. - -Art. IV. provides that British merchants shall be allowed only to trade -at the five ports mentioned in Art. I.; that the British merchants' -ships shall not repair to any other ports or places in China; that if -they do so, in contravention of this article, the Chinese authorities -shall be at liberty to seize and confiscate both vessel and cargo, and -that all Chinese subjects discovered clandestinely trading with British -merchants at any other ports or places in China shall be punished as -the law in China may direct. - -Art. V. provides for the 4th clause of the general regulations of trade -being applicable to both parties. - -Art. VI. provides that English merchants and others residing at, or -resorting to, the five ports, shall not go into the surrounding country -beyond certain distances, (to be fixed by the local authorities and -consuls,) and "on no pretence for purposes of traffic;" and that if any -person, whatever his rank, station, or calling, disobey this article -and "wander away into the country, he shall be seized and handed over -to the British consul for suitable punishment." - -Art. VII. provides for British subjects and their families residing -agreeably to the treaty of perpetual peace and friendship, at the -different ports named in Article I., and for their being allowed to buy -or rent ground or houses at fair and equitable rates, such as prevail -"amongst the people, without exaction on either side. The ground -and houses, so to be sold or rented, to be set apart by the local -authorities in communication with the consuls." - -Art. VIII. provides for all foreign countries whose subjects or -citizens have hitherto traded at Canton, being admitted to the five -ports named in Article I., on the same terms as England. - -Art. IX. provides for all Chinese criminals and offenders against -the law, who may flee to Hong-Kong, or to British ships of war, or -to British merchantmen, for refuge, being "delivered, upon proof or -admission of their guilt;" and for any sailor, soldier, or other -person, whatever his caste or country, who is a subject of the crown -of England, and who may, from any cause, or on any pretence, desert, -fly, or escape into the Chinese territory, being seized and confined -by Chinese authorities, and forthwith sent to the nearest consular, or -other British government officer. - -Art. X. provides for a British ship of war being stationed at each of -the five ports, "to ensure good order and discipline amongst the crews -of the merchant shipping, and to support the necessary authority of -the consul over British subjects." The crews of such ship of war to -be "carefully restrained by the officer commanding," and the rules -regarding not straying into the country to be applicable to them, in -the same manner as the crews of merchant ships. The ships of war to be -in no degree liable to port-charges or any of the general regulations -laid down for trade. - -Art. XI. provides for the British forces being withdrawn from Chusan, -(Tinghai,) and Coolung-soo being restored to the Chinese government, -agreeably to the treaty of perpetual peace and friendship, the moment -all the moneys stipulated for in that treaty shall be paid; and "the -British plenipotentiary distinctly and voluntarily agrees that all -dwelling-houses, storehouses, barracks, and other buildings, that the -British troops or people may have occupied or intermediately built or -repaired, shall be handed over, on the evacuation of the ports, exactly -as they stand." - -Art. XII. provides for the British plenipotentiary instructing the -different consuls (in addition to the proclamation the plenipotentiary -has already issued) "to strictly watch over and carefully scrutinize -the conduct of all persons, being British subjects, trading under their -superintendence," and, in the event of any smuggling transactions -coming to their knowledge, they are to apprise the Chinese authorities, -"who will proceed to seize and confiscate all goods, whatever their -value or nature, that may have bean so smuggled;" and will likewise -"be at liberty to prohibit the vessel from which the smuggled goods -were landed from trading further, and to send her away as soon as -her accounts are adjusted and paid." All Chinese subjects, whether -custom-house officers or others, who may be discovered to be concerned -in smuggling, are, by this article, to be punished as the Chinese -authorities shall think fit. - -Art. XIII. provides for all persons, whether native of China or -otherwise, conveying goods to Hong-Kong for sale, on obtaining a -pass or port-clearance from one of the five ports named in Art. I., -and paying the duties agreeably to the tariff on such goods. It also -provides for natives of China repairing to Hong-Kong to purchase -goods, and for their obtaining a pass from the custom-house of one of -the five ports, should they require a Chinese vessel to carry away -their purchases. These passes to be restored at the expiration of each -trip. - -Art. XIV. provides for an officer of the British Government examining -the registers and passes of all Chinese vessels visiting Hong-Kong to -buy or sell goods; and for any vessel which may not have a register or -pass being "considered an unauthorized or smuggling vessel," and not -being allowed to trade. "By this arrangement, it is to be hoped that -piracy and illegal traffic will be effectually prevented." - -Art. XV. provides for debts, incurred by Chinese dealers or merchants -at Hong-Kong, being recovered through the English courts of justice. -Should the debtor fly from Hong-Kong to the Chinese territory, and -be known or found to have property, real or personal, the fourth -clause of the general regulations will be applicable to the case, on -application being made by the consul. In like manner, should a British -merchant incur debts at any of the five ports, and fly to Hong-Kong, -the British authorities will, on receiving an application from the -Chinese officers, institute an investigation into the claims, and, when -established, oblige the defaulter or debtor to settle them, to the -utmost of his means. - -Art. XVI. provides for a monthly return of passes granted to Chinese -vessels to visit Hong-Kong, being furnished to the British officer -referred to in Article XIV., by the hoppo of Canton, and for a similar -return being made by the said officer. - -Art. XVII., also termed "Additional Article," provides for all cutters, -schooners, lorchas, and such small vessels that ply between Canton and -Hong-Kong, or between Canton and Macao, passing, as they have hitherto -done, free of all port charges, if they only carry passengers, letters, -or baggage; but if they carry any dutyable articles, however small -the quantity, they are to pay tonnage dues at the rate of one mace -per ton register. This article further provides for the smallest of -such vessels being considered to be seventy-five tons burden, and the -largest one hundred and fifty tons burden, beyond which last size they -are to be classed as foreign ships, and to be charged tonnage dues -according to Article V. of the general regulations. - -The following three rules were further laid down in this article, which -is only applicable to the port of Canton, for the guidance of these -small vessels. - -1st. "Every British schooner, cutter, lorcha, &c., shall have a -sailing-letter or register, in Chinese and English, under the seal -and signature of the chief superintendent of trade, describing her -appearance, burden," &c. - -2nd. "Every schooner, cutter, lorcha, and such vessels, shall report -herself as large vessels are required to do at the Bocca Tigris; and -when she carries cargo she shall also report herself at Whampoa, and, -on reaching Canton, deliver up her sailing-letter or register to the -British Consul, who will obtain permission from the hoppo for her to -discharge her cargo, which she is not to do without such permission, -under the forfeiture of the penalties laid down in the third clause of -the general regulations." - -3rd. "When the inward cargo is discharged, and an outward one (if -intended) taken on board, and the duties on both arranged and paid, -the consul will restore the register or sailing-letter, and allow the -vessel to depart." - - -THE END. - - -T. C. Savill, Printer, 107, St. Martin's Lane. - - - - -[Illustration: - -Part of the -CANTON RIVER -Shewing the -POSITIONS OF H.M. SHIPS -Comprising the advanced Squadron -May 26th. 1841 - - Reference - 1 Nemesis W.H. Hall - 2 Algerine T. Mason Lieut. - 3 Modeste H. Eyres Com^r. - 4 Pylades V. Anson Com^r. - 5 Herald J. Nias Captain - 6 { Louisa and } Carmichael Mate - { Merchant Ves^s. } - 7 Alligator A. Kuper Captain - 8 Conway C.D. Bethune Capt^n. - 9 Calliope T. Herbert Cap^n. - 10 Transports - -CANTON RIVER -AND ADJACENT ISLANDS -From the latest Surveys. -The Hong Shang or Broadway River -Reduced from a Chinese Manuscript. - -Published by H. Colburn 13 Gr^t. Marlborough Street, 1845. -Isaac Purdy Sculp^t. -] - - - - -Transcriber's Notes - -Obvious errors of punctuation, capitalization and diacritics repaired. - -Alternate spellings even when inconsistent (e.g. "visitor" and -"visiter") have not been changed. - -Hyphen removed: ahead (pp. 138, 193, 370, 454), artillerymen (p. 350), -beforehand (p. 369), bulkheads (pp. 4, 31), courtyard (p. 296), five -long (p. 6fn), halfway (p. 332), highroad (p. 76), junkmen (p. 293), in -shore (p. 167), matchlock (p. 424), network (p. 434), outwork (p. 426), -reassure (p. 458), retaken (p. 306), storehouses (p. 486). - -Hyphen added: Che-keang (pp. 104, 205, 206, 330, 387, 390), Chek-Chu -(p. 251), Choo-keang (p. 98), farm-houses (p. 344), Foo-chow-foo (pp. -480, 485), Hong-Kong (pp. 6, 7, 95, 99, 288), Kwang-Chow-Foo (p. -141), Lung-Wan (p. 142), man-of-war (p. 433), men-of-war (p. 34), -sand-bank(s) (pp. 349, 416), Tai-shan (pp. 350, 352, 364), Taou-kwang -(p. 116), water-course(s) (pp. 179, 184), wood-work (p. 139n), -Yang-Fang (p. 142), Yih-shan (pp. 142, 213). - -P. vi: The page number of the third map was changed from 450 to 448. - -P. 7fn: "Sr Gordon Bremer" changed to "Sir Gordon Bremer". - -P. 16: "freshenened" changed to "freshened" (Gradually the breeze -freshened). - -P. 26: "aid-de-camp" changed to "aide-de-camp" (An aide-de-camp soon -came on board). - -P. 28: "for mercy' sake" changed to "for mercy's sake". - -P. 32: "eights" changed to "eighths" (Stringers secured by -seven-eighths). - -P. 46: "Professor Airey" changed to "Professor Airy". - -P. 62: "Zansibar" changed to "Zanzibar". - -P. 67: "Mohillo" changed to "Mohilla". - -P. 83: "bebauchees" changed to "debauchees" (came to be confirmed -debauchees). - -P. 90: "Admiral Khwan" changed to "Admiral Kwan". - -P. 100n: "Bouchier" changed to "Bourchier". - -P. 133: "Captain Elliott" changed to "Captain Elliot". - -P. 136: "padoga" changed to "pagoda" (close to a pagoda). - -P. 137: "Louis Phillippe" changed to "Louis Philippe". - -P. 173: "furthur" changed to "further" (should not be pushed further). - -P. 189: "permament" changed to "permanent" (make their permanent home). - -P. 199: "detatched" changed to "detached" (a combat in detached -parties). - -P. 202: "Cantion" changed to "Canton". - -P. 208: "29th" changed to "20th" (On the following day, the 29th). - -P. 230: "echellon" changed to "echelon" (in echelon of columns). - -P. 241: "withput" changed to "without" (without the knowledge). - -P. 247: "polypodium trechotomum" changed to "polypodium trichotomum". - -P. 264: Barometric readings in degrees and minutes (28 deg. 50' and 28 deg. -89') changed to decimal inches (28.50 and 28.89). - -P. 306: "Tahae river" changed to "Tahea river". - -P. 358: "poeted" changed to "posted" (who were known to be posted). - -P. 395: "Blond" changed to "Blonde" (The Blonde and Cornwallis received -the fire). - -P. 401: "Captain Keppell" changed to "Captain Keppel". - -P. 410: "sufficent" changed to "sufficient" (It will be sufficient). - -P. 412: "Captain Cecile" changed to "Captain Cecille". - -P. 422: 34 changed to 32 for the total number of officers. - -P. 467: "intead" changed to "instead" (buffaloes instead of bullocks). - -P. 475: "abut" changed to "about" (a force of about 4000 men). - -Caption of map at the end of the book: "Plyades" changed to "Pylades". - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Narrative of the Voyages and Services -of the Nemesis from 1840 to 1843, by William Hutcheon Hall and William Dallas Bernard - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VOYAGES OF THE NEMESIS, 1840-1843 *** - -***** This file should be named 43669.txt or 43669.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/6/6/43669/ - -Produced by Moti Ben-Ari and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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