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diff --git a/43669-0.txt b/43669-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a426118 --- /dev/null +++ b/43669-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,22626 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43669 *** + +[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, 4½ 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 £6 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, viâ 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 depôt 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°, 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 2½ thick. + + 3 Two-inch plank. + + 4 Iron braces, 1½ 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, ½ 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 éclat, 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 _déjeûner à 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 depôt, 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 depôt 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 Alloué, 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 _primâ 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 Alloué, 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 Alloué +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, Alloué 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 Alloué'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 Alloué. 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 Alloué +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 +Alloué 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 Alloué 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 Alloué'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 Fossés 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 Fossés +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° 6' N. to latitude 0° 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 depôt. + +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 éclat 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 infectâ_. 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 +_déjeûner à 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 minutiæ 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 _matériel_, 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 depôt +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 _primâ 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 matériel 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° 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 Kæmpfer,] +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° 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°. + +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°, the lowest was 84°, and the highest 92°. 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° during the middle of the day, and once +only, fell to 84° 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 +£3165. 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 depôt 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 _bonâ 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°, 44', to 26°, 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 depôt, 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 minutiæ 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. Æneas 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 depôt 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 depôt 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 depôt 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'Evêque 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 depôts 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 eclât 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° 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 fêtes 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° 50' and 28° +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 THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43669 *** |