THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.

1815.]

421"TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE, &c. &c.
"Macao, Oct. 1814.

<<SlR,"I

hope that I shall not be thought to assume toomuch when I say that I am ever ready, as heretofore,
to fulfil zealously the duties of the situation to whichyour Honourable Committee has appointed me. But
at this moment, as in some other cases, the duties ofChinese Translator are attended with considerable personal hazard.

Heretofore, in serious discussions withthe Chinese, which have been offensive to the local

government of Canton, they have persecuted and revenged themselves on the individual translator; thetreatment of Mr. Flint, and Padre Roderigo, are twocases which occur to my recollection and, with these;

before me, I cannot help feeling apprehensive thatwriting or translating a letter to His Majesty, theEmperor of China, which will, of course, contain animpeachment of the local government of this province,
will subject

me to personal suffering from the Chinese

even longafter

the present difference shall be ar-most respectful manner,and beg your Honourable Committee to suggest what
may be expedient to remove the reasonable apprehension which is felt by your most obedient, humble ser" Robert Morrison."vant,ranged.

I state this in theTO THE rev. ROBERT MORRISON.
"" In

Sir,"Macao, Oct. 11, 1814.

reply to your letter of yesterday, we have tocharacter of the English nation prevented the provincial govern-ment from daring to make any attempt of the kindthough noweretakenon
Sirwhateverfor
his proGeorge's part
precautions
tection.

It is;

not surprising that, under such circumstances, Mr.

Morrison should consider his own station a somewhat perilous one.

422

LETTER FROM THE[1815.

inform you, that we can in no degree object to yourcalling on us for assurances that you may not be held
responsible for the measures we may adopt ; and which,by your means chiefly, we are enabled to communicate to the Chinese government.

" The cases

you have cited, but more particularlythat of Mr. Flint,* we must admit are sufiicient to excite both doubt andapprehension ; and, therefore, as

fully to warrant your application to us.

" We are aware that there are nomeasures, however

unjust or arbitrary, that the officers of the Canton
government would not very readily resort to, to deprive the Company and the Committee of the servicesof any person who may be enabled to render the imSatisfied
portant services we have received from you.
ofan
admisof the many and serious consequencession of the interference of the Chinese government,

we consider it to be our duty to resist such attempts
in the most decided manner.

" For our

opinion and sentiments on this question,
we desire to refer you to the communications with theof the Chinese government; but more particularly in those of last season, in which you bore aofficers

principal part, and by whose assistance we were enabled
to obtain from the Viceroy an acknowledgment, thatthe claim he had made to interfere with the appointment of one of the members of our Committee was withdrawn. From the communications that passed whilethat discussion was pending,

you could not but haveobserved it to be our decided resolution to resist every

attempt at interference with the Honourable Company's establishment, that might be made by theChinese government, by every means in our power.
* Who had been
seized, and kept in prison by the Chinese
nearly three years.

423

SELECT COMMITTEE.

1815.]" We should consider ourselves as
altogether un-worthy the situation we hold, or of the charge thathas been entrusted to us, could we, for a moment,
allow ourselves to doubt on whom responsibility was
to attach for any act committed by ourauthority, orin obedience to our instructions ; or for the opinions
expressed in any document or communication in any

meeting with the officers of the Chinese government.
In every case we consider that the Committee alone

can be responsible.
"We hope the explanation here given will appear

and be satisfactory to you, and remove any
doubt or anxiety that might have existed. We remain,
sufficient,

Sir,your humble servants,*^J. T.

Elphinstone,"Thomas Charles Paitle," George Thomas Staunton."
During these discussions, several letters on the subject passed between Sir G. Staunton and Mr Morrison,some of which show the difficulty of negotiating witha despotic government on unequal terms.
TO SIR G. T. STAUNTON, BART., &c., &c.
" My Dear"
Sir,Macao, Nov. 16, 1814.

" I haveof thejust now been favoured with yours
when it was said you should close at all events,'
of course it was understood that much had already24th';

been gained, and that the points remaining were not

You know that it is humanof prime importance.
*nature to surmise when a thing miscarries, I could
have done better,' or I would not have done this.'" In
my humble opinion you have, in the courseof your arduous discussion, shown great moderationand firmness you have done honour to your under*;