The Sun.
London, England, 1841-06-05 00:00:00

INDIA BOARD, JUNE 3.
A despatch has been this day received at the East India House,
from the Governor in Council at Bombay, dated May 1, 1841, of
which the tbilowing is an extract :
The accompanying Calcutta Government Gazette Extraordinary,
dated the 20th ultimo, has reached this Government, conta.ning
a notification issued under the orders of the Governor_General 01
India in Council, publishing for general information the det AiiS of
brilliant successes which have been recently achieved in Chins,
ending in the entire destruction of the defences of Carlton, and in
the placing
of that city at the mercy of her Britannic Majesty':
forces,

Secret Department, April 20, 1841.
NOTIFICATION.
The Right Honourable the Governor.Gemeral in Council has
great iatisfaction in publishing, for general information, the fol-
lowing &tads of b:illiant SIICCCSSCs which have been recently
achieved in China, ending in the entire destruction of the defence:
of Canton, and in the placing of that city at the mercy of her Ma-
jesty's forces.

His Lordship in Council has directed a Royal salute to be fired
in honour of this occasion.

T. H. MADDOCK, Sec. to Gov,

Wellesley, off North \Vangtong, March 10, 1841.
TO THE RIGIIT LION. GEORGE EARL OF AUCKLAND, CLC.I3., &C. &c.,

GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA.

MY Loan,—lt is withfeelings of gratification I have the honour
to announce to you that the forts of the Boeca Tigris, together
with every other of the Chinese defences with which we are at,
quainted, have fallen to her,Vaiesty's arms; the British flag flying
on the fortress of Wangtonc,,in which is a garrison, aria all the
other it/tactics have been blown up and utterly destroyed ; and as I
am aware of the intense. interest which is felt by your Lordship, I
avail myself of the earliest opportunity of forwarding to you a de-
tail of the events which have led to this result.
un the 20th of January the preliminaries of a treaty of pence
were ta;reed upon by her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, under the seal
of the Chinese Commissioner, one of the conditions of which was
the cession of the island of Hong Kong to her Majesty, and
the restoration of Chuenpee and Tycocktow to the Chinese,
together with the evacuation of Chusan at the earliest
possible period. His Excellency in consequence requested me to
move the force from the immediate neighbourhood of the Bocca
Tigris, and, having made the necessary arrangement with the
Chinese Admiral Commanding in Chief, the forts were delivered to
his officers, under the usual salutes, on the 21st, and the fleet pro-
ceeded to the anchorage off the west end of Lantao Island.
Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary and the Imperial Commissioner
having arranged to have a formal meeting at the Second Bar in
the river, on the 26th, I detached the Calliope and Lame, and
Madagascar and Nemesis steamers, to the Bocca Tigris, under the
immediate command of Captain Herbett, of the Calliope, a guard
of honour, composed of one hundred picked men of the Royal
Marines, under the command of Captain Ellis, R.N., of the Wel-
lesley, and the band of that ship were embarked. Captains the
Honourable R. S. Dundas and Maitland, of the Melville and Welles.
ley, together with as many of the officers of the fleet as could he
spared, accompanied his Excellency; the party was received with
every possiWe mark of distinction and respect, the troops were
drawn up on the ramparts of the forts, and salutes fired front all ;
a sumptuous entertainment had been prepared, to which the officers
were invited, after having been presented to the High Commis-
sioner, and the negoiiattons proceeded in a satisfactory manser,
the particulars of which have been stated by the Plenipotentiary
to Ler Majesty's Government.

On the same day I proceeded to Hong Kong, and took formal
possession of Ihe island in her Majesty's name, and hoisted the
colours on it, with the usual salutes and ceremonies. By the
terms of the Treaty, the port of Canton was to be open to the
trade of all nations, on the 2d of February, and as a proof of the
sincere desire on the part of the British functionary, to evince good
faith, I had, at his request, sent the Columbine to Chusan, and an
overland despatch, by the hands of a Chinese special messenger,
directing Brigadier Burrell sod Captain Bouchier, of her Majesty's
ship Blonde, to use every effort to embark the stores and troops,
and to restore the island to the Chinese authorities.
The proclamation for opening the port on the :?.d did not appear,
and on the I Ith the two Ministers again met at the Bocca Tigris,
and after a discussion ot several hours, on this day and on the next,
her Majesty's Plenipotentiary acceded to a further delay (not to ex.
ceed ten days), in order that the definitive treaty might be fairly
prepared. I must confess that from this moment my faith in the
sincerity of the Chinese Commissioner was completely destroyed,:my
doubts were also strengthened by the reports of the officers I sent
up to the place of meeting, who stated that military works on a
great scale were in progress, troops collected on the heights, and
camps, protected by entrenchments, arising on both sides of the
river, and that the island of North Wangtong had become
a mays c f cannon. These indications being decidedly war-
like, I determined to move the light division of her
Majesty's ships at once to Macao roads, and proceeded
thither myself on the 13th, to confer with his Excellency the Plc.
nipotentiary, and await events. I found that the treaty as agreed
upon by the Commissioner and her Majesty's Minister had been
sent up to the Bocca Tigris, for transmission to Canton, by the
Nemesis, with orders to await, an answer until the night of the
18th, the period the confidential person employed by the Chinese
Commissioner had named for the purpose. The accounts daily
received by merchants and others at Macao, from Canton, were of
the most hostile character, and An Oct purporthig to be frgm the.
Eirriaetor, calling-1M to extitminate-tte, -Wait Pith:.
lished, together with a prOciaination, the authenticity of which
I have, however, been unable to establish, offbling fifty thousand
dollars for my bead, and a like sum for that of the Plenipotentiary.
On the morning of the 19th, the Nemesis arrived from the Boci'a
Tigris, without any reply, and all doubt was at an end, a shot
having been fired at her boat from North Wangtong. I instantly de-
tached the light division, under. Captain Herbert, of her Majes.
ty's ship Calliope, (who was accompanied by her Majesty's Pleni-
potentiar), with directions not to run any unnecessary hazard
until the body of the force came up, but to prevent, as much as
possible, ary further defensive preparations on the part of the
enemy. I proceeded at the same time to Hong Kong, and weighed
with the ships of the line, the Queen and Madagascar steamers,
leaving the Druid, Jupiter, and transports, to follow.
Captain Herbert, with the ships under his orders, took up a
Position on the Western Channel off Smith Wangtong on the 20th,
and on the 22d he proceeded in the Nemesis, with some boats of
the squadron, to the channel at the back of Anunghoy, and de-
stroyed a masked battery of twenty guns, which opened on them
whilst employed clearing the passar, which the Chinese had been
endeavouring to obstruct by driving down poles and mooring rafts
across; this service was performed without any loss on our side;
the gabs in the battery were disabled by knocking oft' the trun-
nions, together with sixty found dismounted; the magazines, &c.,
were burnt. The enemy left about thirty of their number dead,
and their colours were taken by Lieutenant Bowers, senior officer
of her Majesty's ship Samarang.
From the prevalence of light winds, the line of battle ships and
Druid were not collected until the 24th. On the 25th I arranged a
pign of attack on the formidable batteries in our
front, and of which it may be necessary for me to give
some description. Partly surrounding the old fort of Anung-
boy, and is advance of it to high water mark, was
a new and well-built battery of granite, forming a segment of about
two-thirds of a circle; on it were mounted forty-two guns, some of
them of immense weight and large calibre; several strong entrench-
ments extended to the southward of this battery, and the ridges of
the bill were crowned with guns, up to a camp calculated for about
twelve hundred men ; at the north side was a straight work of
modern erection, mounting sixty heavy guns ; about one hundred
and fifty yards of rocky beach intervenes between the end of this
battery anti the northern circular battery, on which forty guns were
mounted. All the works were protected in rear by a high wall ex-
tending up the hill, on which were steps or platforms for firing
musketry, and in the interior were the magazines, barracks, &c.
On the east end of the island of North Wangtong is a battery
with a double tier of guns defending the passage on that side,
and also partly flanking a number of rafts constructed of large
masses of timber moored across the river (about twelve feet apart),
with two anchors each, connected by and supporting four parts of a
chain cable, the ends of which were secured under masonry works,
one on the South Wangtong, the other on Anunghoy; on the
western end of North Wangtong is a strong battery of forty guns,
flanked by a field work of seventeen ; indeed the whole island is
one continued battery; on the extreme western 'side of the channel
was a battery of twenty-two heavy guns, anti a field work of seven.
toen, protecting an entrenched camp, containing one thousand five
hundred or two thousand men. South Wangtong was not occu-
pied by the enemy ; it was an excellent position, and I thereforg
caused a work to be thrown upon it during the night of the 2544,
and mounted two eight inch iron and one twenty.four pounder'
brass howitzer; at day-light on the 26th, Captain Knowles of the
Royal Artillery opened this battery with admirable effect, throwing
shells and rockets into North Wangtong, and occasionally into
Anunghoy, which fire was returned by the Chinese with great
spirit, from a battery immediately opposite, having also kept up a
fire during the greater part of the preceding night (during the erec-
tion of the work), which slackened towards two s.m., and filially
ceased,

At eleven o'clock the breeze springing up, the signal was made,
and the fleet stood in.

The attack on Anunghoy I entrusted to Captain Sir H. Le
Fleming Senhouse, of her Maj,ty's ship Blenheim, having with
him the Melville, Queen steamer, and four rocket boats. The
Wellesley, Calliope, Samarang, Druid, Herald, Alligator, and Mo-
desto were opposed to the batteries en the suuth, southwest, and
north-west of Wangtong, and the forts on the western side of the
channel.

In less then an hour the batteries on Wangtong were silenced,
and the troops under Major Pratt, of the 2lith (Cameronians),
which had been previously embarked in the Nemesis and Madagas.
car steamers, consisting of the detachments of her Majesty's 26th
and 49th regiments, 37th Madras Native Infantry, and Bengal
Volunteers, together with the Royal Marines, were landed, and in
a few minutes masters of the island, without any loss ; 1,300 Chi.
nese surrendered. _

The Anunghoybatteries bad now been silenced by
the beautiful
precision with which the fire of the Blenheim, Melville, and Queen
had been directed, and perceiving that the enemy were shaken,
Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, at the head of the marines and small-
arm men, landed on the southern battery, and drove them in suc-
cession from that and the two others, and at one o'clock the Bri-
tish colours Were flying on the whole chain of these celebrated
works; and the animated gallantry displayed by the whole force
convinces me that almost any number of men the Chinese could
collect would not be able to stand before them for a moment.
Our casualties are trifling, live wounded, slightly, in the whole
force; the main-top-mast, and fore.yard of the Blenheim were shot
through, one thirty-two pounder gun rendered unserviceable,
several shot in the hull, and the rigging much cut
up ,
the Mel-
ville's main-top_mast wounded, and rigging considerably injured;
the Calliope was struck in several places, and the other ships
had merely a few ropes cut. The loss of the enemy was severe,
but not so heavy as at Chuenpee, 1,300 (as before stated) having
thrown down theia aims. I should estimate their killed and
wounded at
)50in wangtong ; probably as many in Anunghoy ;
at which pkaie the Chinese Admiral K wan, and several other
Mandarins of rank H. The body of the Admiral was reNigni,ed
by his family, and taken away the day after the action, under a fire
of minute guns from the Blenheim.
On the morning of the 9. th, the light squadron proceeded up
the river, under the command of Captain Herbert, of the Cal-
liope,
and
nu the day following I was gratified by receiving a
despatch from him, reporting, that on their arrival off the first
bar, the enemy were observed strongly fortified ou the left bank
of the river, close to Whampoa Reach, with upwards of forty
war.junks, mid the Cambridge (formerly an East Indianian of
900 tons), on approaching within three miles, the Madagascar
and Nemesis steamers, having on board his Excellency and Capt.
Herbert, proceeded to reconnoitre and find out a clear pas.
vessels having been sunk ; on advancing,
sage, a number of
a heavy fire was opened on the steamers, which was returned
with great effect: the snips were now brought up, and opened lire
of the junks, Cambridge, and batteries, which in.an hour were
nearly silenced, when the marines, mid small-arm men were landed,
and stormed the works, driving before them upwards of .t.',000 of

the Chinese troops, and killing nearly 300. In about half an hour
after landing, all the defences were carried (though in several
places brave and obstinate resistance was made.) In the mean time
the Cambridge was boarded, and carried by the boats of the Calli.
ope, Nemesis, and Modesto, and almost immediate y set on tire
Tne explosion of this vessel's magazine must have been heard at
Canton. The fort (mud) mounted on the river f-ont forty_seven
I guns—on the left fla..k three; a field work four; the Cambridge
, thirty-four; besides ten mounted in a junk, snaking altogether
ninety-eight guns.
The war junks escaped up the river, where the ships were pi e-
vented pursuing them by a strong raft placed across the passage.
The guns and other munitions were destroyed. In this gallant
anir the casualties (considering the opposing force) are few : one
killed, three dangerously, and five sli,htly wounded.
On the morning of the Ist instant I proceeded up the river to
join the advanced squadron in the Madagascar steam, r, taking the
transport Sophia in tow. Captain Maitland, with the boats and one
hundred small-arm men, together with the marines of the Welles-
ley, accompanied me. The Queen taking the Eagle transport in
tow, on board which ship I had embarked the marines of the Blen-
heim, Melville, and Druid, also attended by the boats of tho.,e ships,
all being armed with their guns and howitzers.
On arriving at Whampoa, I found from Captain Htrbert's re.
port, that the enemy were in considerable force at the end of
" Junk Reach," having as usual sunk several large junks in the
river, and fu ther protected themselves by a strong double line of
stakes across it, and large bamboos and branches of trees between
them. On the following morning I detached Commander Belcher,
in her Majesty's ship Sulphur, up Junk river to reconnoitre, that
ship being taken in tow by three of the Wellesley's boats, outer
command of Lieutenant Symonds, Senior Lieutenant of the latter
ship ; on rounding a point on the right bank they came in front
of a low battery of t wenty five guns, masked by thick branches of
trees, which opened a heavy fire on them ; Lieutenant Symonds
instantly cut the tow-rope, and gallantly dashed into the battery,

. . .
driving the enemy before him, and killing several of their number.
The Sulphur anchored, and some shot from her completely rooted
theta from the thick underwood in the vicinity in which they had
t n :he:ter, the guns were destroyed, and the magazine and ether
et
stlmab:e material set on fire. The number cf troops was pro-
Wily two hundred and fifty, and they were cf the chosen Tartars;
their loss was about fifteen or twenty killed, ours was one seaman
of the NVellesley mortally wounded (since dead) and the boats were
repeatedly struck by grape-shot.
As soon as a cursory survey of the river was made, the Herald,
.... .

Alligator, Modeste, and Eagle and Sophia transports were pushed
forward within gun-shot of Hov.'qua'a Fort f and thus, for the first
time, were ships seen from the walls of Canton ; on the 2d the
Cruizer joined me, having on board Major-General Sir Hugh
Gough, who took command of the laud forces. The Pylades and
Conway also joined from Chusan, and the two first-named
vessels were sent in advance. On the 4th, in concert with the
Major-General, an attack was planned for the next morning, but
on approaching, the fort was found to be abandoned, and the British
colours were hoisted ; a garrison of the 26th was placed in it, and
a company of Royal Marines, under the command of Captain Ellis,
took possession of a large joss-house on the left bank (which
the enemy were beginning to fortify), and rendered himself secure,
while the seamen soon removed some of the stakes and other im-
pedimenta, and made a clear passage for ships. I may here de.
scribe the position.
On the right bank of the river, on the point formed by the
mouth of a c:eek (which is a boat-passage to Whampoa), was How.
qua's Fort, a square building mounting thirty guns, from the
northern angle ; the stakes mentioned extended to the opposite
bank, the ground on each side below being low paddy-fields, cut
and intersected by canals in all directions. The joss-house
ratl,r projected into the stream, and consequently was
a good position. The river here is about five hun-
dred yards wide ; two thousand yards in front is a
long low island, which divides the river into two
branches, and on the extreme eastern point of which stood a fart,
mounting thirty-five guns, built to commemorate the discomfiture
and death of the late Lord Napier; from this fort, a line of well..
constructed and secured rafts (forming a bridge), extended to both
sides of the river; on its right bank, flanking Napier's Fort awd the
raft, was a mud battery, intended for thirty.five gulls, on the left
was a battery, also flanking Napier's Fort, on which the enemy

had forty-four guns, most of which they withdrew on the night of
the 4th. In addition to these defences, stone junks were sunk in
all parts of the river, between the stakes and the left of Napier's
Fait, which raft also rested upon sunken junks, secured on either
sides within piles.

rho position seemed formidable, and on the .sth the Major-Gc.
neral and myself prepared to attack it. He landed at the Joss_
house, having with him the Royal Marines and the detachment of
the 26th, for the purposes of taking the battery on the left
bank ; the ships weighed, and dropped up with the tide ; ou the
approach of the first ship the enemy fired all their guns, and
fled across the rafts and in boats. The British colours were then
hoisted.

A paper was issued calling on the people to place confidence in
us, and to avoid hostile movements, in which latter cases rot, c-
tion was ensured to them. At noon the Kwang-Chow-Foo, or
Prefect, accompanied by the Hong merchants, caine down, and
after a long discussion with the Plenipotentiary, admitted that,
Keshen having been degraded, and the newly appointed Commis.
stoners not having arrived, there was no Government ant !loth ed to
treat for peace, or make any arrangements; they confessed the
truth of the reports we had heard, that the greatest consternation
existed in the city, and t hat every person who could quit it had
done so ; in fact, that it was at our mercy, and it has so remained,
a monument of British magnanimity and forbearance; I fear,
however, ilvtt the forbearance is misunderstood, and that a fur.
ther puninment must be resorted to before this arrogant and perfi-
dious Government is brought to reason.
Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary being, however, desirous to try
the effect of another proclamation, and to show his desire for an
equitable adjustment of affairs, addressed the Major-Gneral and
Myself, requesting that we would make no further movement
towards the city, until the disposition of the provincial Government
officers was put to that test, as far as regards their non-interference;
and we havo, consequently, remained in static quo, but reports (os:
which we can rely) are daily reaching us, which state that fire ves-
sels are fitting out about seven miles above Canton : forts, in the
rear of the city, in course of erection, and the people are forbidden
to bring us supplies, while the teas and silks, and every other vale.
able, are removing from it.

These proceedings, so directly contrary to the assurances of pacific
intentions (which they are ever ready to deal forth in profusion) lend
me to the conclusion, that we shall have to proceed even at the rid;
of the destruction of the second city of the empire—an event
exceedingly likely to occur from its abandonment by the auth.ti-
rities, and the excesses of the lower classes of a community pro.
eerbially bad. The responsibility must, however, rest on the heads
of those authorities.

I this day returned to Wangtong, accompanied by the Major_
General, in order that the arrangements in that garrison may be
carried out, and plans devised for our further operations.
I have the honour to be, &c.
J. G. GORDON BREMER.
Commodore and Commander.in Chief.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE EARL OF AUCKLAND,G. C.B. &C.

CIOVERNORXENEItAL OF INDIA IN COUNCIL.

Wellesley, off Wangtong, March 27, 1841

My Lord—ln continuation of my letter of the 10th instant, I have
the satisfaction to inform your Lordship that on the 15th I re-
ceived a report from Captain Herbert, of hor Majesty's ship Calli-
ope, detailing a well.executed attack on the only remaining fort pro-
tecting the approaches to the city of Canton. This fort is situate
about ten miles from the anchorage at Whampoa, up a narrow and
intricate channel, which ends in the Broadway or Macao passage
fro'n Canton. The attack commenced about five r.m. from the
111o.leste and Madagascar steamer, with the boats of the squadron,
and in half an hour the works were in our possession, and the
Chinese keeping up a well-directed fire until the boats' crews were
in the act of scaling the walls, when they gave way and fled in all
directions. They were devoting the whole of their attention to the
strengthening of the s!efences of this post, and had rendered it one
of the most formidable which had been encountered; I am, there-
fore, happy that it is in our hands; the loss of the Chinese is not
correctly known, many were found dead in the fort ; our own
casualties do not amount to more than three wounded.

The zealous desire of every officer and man inthesquadron to seek
occasions in which to distinguish themselves has led to the perform.
ante of various well executed services; amongst them is the forcing
the inner passage from Macao to Niltampos, which was deemed by
the Chinese impenetrable to foreigners. Her Majesty's Plenipo-
tentiary having represented to the senior officer in Macao road the
great advantages likely to accrue by this step, his views were at once
axeded to by Capt. Scott, and preparations made for carrying it
into effect. At three a.m, on the 13th, the Nemesis;
with the boats of the Semarang in tow, weighed from Macao
roads and proceeded over the . fiats between Tweelieu.
shaw and Toi-koke.tow Islands to the Broadway river,
8. A. it, they came in sight of Motao Fort, and the steamer having
taken up an enfilading position, where not a gun of the enemy
could bear upon her, opened her fire, whilst the boats proceeded
to the attack; on their approach the Chinese abandoned the
place; thirteen guns were found mounted, which were com-
pletely destroyed, the buildings set fire to, and a train laid to the
magazine, which exploded before the boats returned to the Ne-
mesis. On reaching Point How-Hoak-Tow the river is divided
into two channel,; that to the right takes a sudden sharp turn,
and becomes very contracted in its breadth ; here they disco-
vered Tai-yat-kok, a field battery, (very recently constructed) of
fourteen guns, very strongly posted on a rising ground, situated
on the left bank of the river, (surrounded by overflowed paddy
fields,) which enfiladed the whole line of the reach leading up
to it; as the steamer appeared round the point, the enemy opened
an animated fire upon her, which was smartly kept up; it was
most effectually returned by the two guns from the Nemesis,
which vessel threw her shots, shells, and rockets admirably; the
boats advanced under the slight cover of the bank, but before a'
landing could be effected on their flank they abandoned the guns,
when possession of the work was taken by a narrow path.
way, which could only be passed in single files; the guns
were destroyed, and the buildings and material consigned to
the flames and blown up; meanwhile a detachment of the boats
had gone over to the opposite side of the river and destroyed a
mili-
tary station or depot. At noon nine war junks were seen over the
land, and chace was immediately given. On entering the reach in
which they were, Captain Scott observed on the right bank of the
river a new battery, scarcely finished, with ten embrasures, but
without guns, and Hochang fort close to it, well built of granite,
surrounded by a wet ditch, and mounting fourteen guns and six
ginjalls. Abreast of these (which they flanked) the river was
strongly staked across, through the centre of which the last junk
had passed, and the opening again secured. The enemy imme-
diately commenced firing from the fort and junks, which was re-
plied to by the Nemesis with good effect, while the boats opened a
passage through the stakes, and dashed on to the attack of Hochang
and the junks. The former was secured by wading the ditch and
entering the embrasures, and the latter, seeing the fall of the fort,
became so panic-stricken, that on the approach of the boats seven
got on shore, their crews jumping overboard immediately they
grounded, two junks alone escaping. Lieut. Bowler, in pushing to
cut them off, discovered Fieshahok on the left bank of the river,
within one hundred yards of the advanced jtmk aground, which
fort, mounting seven guns, opened a heavy fire of grape upon him ;
observing that the junks were abandoned by their crews, he turned
all his attention to his new opponents, whom he drove out of their
stronghold by passing through the adjoining town, and taking titans
in reverse.

In the meantime Mr. Hall dexterously managed in getting his
vessel through the centre passage of the stakes, which fortunately
was just sufficiently wide to admit of her passage. At thirty mi..
nutes atter two the boats returned to the steamer after having de-
stroyed all the guns, and set fire to Fiesha-kok fort and the seven
war junks, which all blew up within a quarter of an hour ; chase
to the two escaped Junks re-commenced, during which they passed
two dismantled forts; at four P.M. they arrived off the large pro-
vincial town of Hiangshan, one of the• large war-junks preceding
them about a mile; the dense population thickly crowded the
banks, boats, jun'ts, house-tops, the large pagoda, and surrounding
hills ; both sides of the river were packed by the trading craft of the
country in the closest possible order, the centre of the river,
which is very narrow here, having merely sufficient space to allow the
steamer's Paddieboxes to pass clear of the junks moored to its banks;
not the slightest fear was manifested hy the people, butseveral manda-
rins took to their boats and followed the war junks, which were
closed so rapidly that one of them ran on shore, the crew jumping
overboard; the steamer brought up abreast of her and destroyed
her; while thus employed the fort of Sheang.chap, within two
hundred yards (titiLliidelen by some Intervening trees), opened its
fire, which was instantly returned, and the boats, with the ma-
rines of the Sunarang, stormed it; its eight guns were destroyed ;

a number of Chinese troops coming down towards the fort, made
it necessary to fire two or three shot, which, going directly in the
midst of the body, scattered and dispersed them in an instant. At
six, p.m., the junk And fort were fired, and the steamer passed on
into a narrow shallow channel, scarcely more than the breadth of
a canal, when she anchored head and stern for the night.
At daylight, on the morning of the 14th, they weighed and
proceeded up the river in the steamer's draught of water, and not
broader than her own length, grounding occasionally on both sides;
at 7'50, arrived at the large village of Hong-bow, with a fort of the
same name at the upper part, which flanked a strong and broad
line of stakes twenty lea wide, completely across the river, filled up
in the centre by large sunken junks laden with stones; on dis-
covering the fort the Nemesis opened fire. which was instantly re-
turned by the enemy; as in r 1 thepreceding actions they fled the mei
meta the beats•ianded to attack them ; they had evidently expected
to be assailed on the opposite side to that by which the Nemesis ap-
proached, the walls being piled up with sandbags outside in that
direction ; nine guns were destroyed here, and the fort blown up.
After the Nemesis had made good her passage through the stakes,
which was effected after four hours' incessant labour, assisted by the
natives, whe flocked on board and around in great numbers after
the firing had ceased, all apparently anxious to aid in destroyieg
the stakes.

At four PAL they arrived off a military station ; a shot was fired
into the principal building, which drove out the garrison who bad
screened themselves in it ; the boats were then sent on shore, and
the whole establishment, together with a mandarin boat, mounting
one nine.pounder and two ginjalls, were destroyed, and at six the
steamer anchored for the night.
At daylight, on the 15th, the Nemesis continued her course up-
wards, and at 7'30 arrived off the large village Zamchow, under the
banks of which a number of soldiers with matchlocks were descried
endeavouring to conceal themselves, upon whom a fire of mus-
ketry was openel, which dispersed all those who were unhurt in less
than a minute.

On moving up to Tsgnel, a large town on the left bank of the
river, three forts were passed, all dismantled and abandoned, the
Customhouse of the latter place was deiitroyed as well as a war
junk mounting seveh guns, which the crew had quitted on the ar_
preach of the steamer. On proceeding up to Warnpoa, three
more dismantled forts were observed, and at ?bur P.M. the Nemesis
bame to i❑ that anchorage, having (in co►tjunction with the boats;
destroyed five forts, one battery, two mil►tary stations, and nine
war junks,- in which were one hundred and fifteen guns and eight
ginjalls, thus proving to the enemy that the British flag can be
displayed throughout their inner waters wherever and whenever
it is thought proper by us, against any defence or mode they may
adopt to prevent it. This service has been performed without the
loss of a single man on our side, and only three seamen slightly
wounded belonging to her Majesty's ship Samarang. The greatest
praise is due to Mr. W. H. Hall, R. N., commander of the Nemesis,
for the cool, unwearied, and zealous performance of his duties
(under circumstances of frequent danger and difficulty) at all times,
more especially in thus traversing a navigation never before passed
by a European boat or vessel.

On the 19th I was gratified by receiving a report from Captain
Herbert, of her Majesty's ship Calliope, commanding the advanced
squadron, detailing the various operations of that force in the at-
tack and capture of the forts, defences; and flotilla off Canton,
and the hoisting of the Union Jack on the walls of the British fac.
tory ; the gun; of the squadron commanding all the approaches to
the city from the western and southern branches of the river, thus
placing in our power the great provincial capital.
This was brought about by the Chinese having fired upon a flag
of truce sent with a chop to the Imperial Commissioner at the de-
sire of his Excellency, the Plenipotentiary. The flotilla of boats
of the squadron formed into four divisions under the command of
Captains Bourchier and Bethune, of Blonde and Conway;
every arrangement having been completed, the force, as per mar-
gin,* moved in advance about noon, and engaged the batteries
for about an hour, when the flotilla, with the marines under
the command of Captain Bourchier, was brought up in admirable
order, and upon tho signal being given, ,stormed and completed
the capture of the enemy's works, notwithstanding a most deter.
mined resistance on the part of the Tartar troops.; one hundred
and twenty-three guns were mounted in the different forts; the
loss of the enemy has been very consiaerable (upwards of four
hundred men) ; our casualties, i am happy to say, do not exceed
six wounded.

This blow was followed by an agreement on the part of the High
Commissioner to a suspension of hostilities, and afterwards by the
publication of an edict, declaring the trade to be opened, and that
all British and other merchants proceeding to the provincial city
shall receive due and perfect protection.
I endeavoured to push forward to the scene of action n
the Hyacinth's gig, but only arrived towards its close, in sufficient
time, however, to be gratified by the hoisting of the British co.
lours. Thus, for the first time in the history of China, have ships
been brought under the very wails of Canton, and by channels and
branches on which a foreign ship never before floated. I believe
the Chinese were not acquainted with the capabilities of their splen.
did river ; assuredly they had no idea that the second city in the
empire could be assailed by ships of war on its waters; I trust that
the fact will have its due influence on the authorities, and I have
no doubt that the forbearance disp:ayod towards a city so completely
at our mercy as this is, will be appreciated by the better classes of
the community who have everything to lose, and the benevolence
of the Bri. fah character more fully understood than it ever yet has
been in this country.

The gratifying spectacle of our ships in this position is solely at-
tributable to the unwearied exertions of the captains, officers, sue
men belonging to them, in sounding the various inlets through
which they passed, not a single Chinesepilot having been employed
throughout.

In conclusiov, we may on this, u on former occasions, congra-
tulate ourselves on this service`having been performed without any
loss of life on our side, and only seven wounded (severely), amongst
whom is that gallant officer Lieutenant Stransham, Royal Marines,
of her Majesty's ship Calliope, Acting Brigade Major.
I have the honour to be, my Lord,
Your most obedient bumble servant,
J.
J. GORDON BREMER,
Commodore of the 1 st. Class, Cominander.in- Chief.

The report from Captain Ifetbert, of her Majesty's ship Calli Ope,
to his Excellency Sir Gordon Bremer, rearred to in the preceding
despatch, is annexed :

(Copy.)

British Factory, Canton, March 18, 1M I.
COMMODORE SIR J. J. GORDON carAma, ET. C.a., COMMANDER

IN CHIEF, &C. &C. &C.

Sir—This day the force enumerated below,t under my order,,
carried and destroyed in succession all the forts in the advance and
before Canton, taking, sinking, burning, or dispersing the enemy's
flotilla, and hoisting the Union Jack on the walls of the British
factory, the guns of the squadron commanding all the approaches
to the city from the western and southern branches of the riv er,
thus placing in our power the great provincial capital, containing
upwards of one million of inhabitants,

I found myself forced to make this attack without your instruc-
tions, for the reasons so strongly expressed in her Majesty's Pleni-
potentiary's note, herein enclosed (170 of March, 1841), consi.
daring it my duty to resent, with all the promptitude in my power,
the itbult offered the day before to the flag of truce sent with a chop
to the Imperial Commissioner, at the desire of his Excellency.
I forward the accompanying sketch, placing you in more home.
diate possession of the line of concentration, which led to such
an immediate result. In detailing the operations of the day, I fix)
myself inadequte to do justice to the gallant officers and men em-
ployed on this occasion.

The flotilla of boats, formed Into four divisions, was under the
command of Captain Bourchier, of the Blonde, Capt. Bethune,
of the Conway, assisting. Three divisions, under the immediate
charge of Commanders Barlow and Clarke, and Lieutenant Coul-
son, of the Blonde. Her Majesty's sloop Hyacinth (to whom too
much praise cannot be given for the exertion displayed by
Commander Warren, his officers and crew, in getting her through
the intricate and difficult passes of the river, piloted by Commander
Belcher, to be in readiness for operation) ; and a division of boats,
under the command of these officers, were placed at the southern
entrance of the river,'re_communicating with the main stream at
Fatee, to meet any retrograde movement of the numerous flotilla
that had taken part in the aggression on the 16th inst.

Every arrangement having been completed and understood, the
whole force moved in advance about noon, the vessels, marines, and
three divisions of boats from the northward of the Macao fort and
within gunshot of the enemy's advanced batteries, engaging them
for about two hours and a half, when all opposition ceased, and the
factory within the defences was taken possession of.
The Modeste was placed within 300 yards in front of the prin-
cipal battery, and shortly gave proofs of her well-directed fire,
flanked by the powerful guns of the Madagascar, Capt. Dicey, with
artillerymen, under the direction of Lieutenant Foulis, Madras
Artillery, and Nemesis, Mr W. H. Hall, R.N., commanding, with
artillerymen, under the direction of Captain Moore, and Lieut,
Gabbett, Madras Artillery, who handsomely volunteered their
services upon the occasion. The Algerine (Lieutenant Mason),
and Starling (Lieutenant Kellett), passing a-head, cutting through
the rafts on the right bank, and engaging a part of the war-junks,
the !lobe and Louisa tenders, taking part, at the same time, under
cover of the ships' guns; the flotilla with the marines was brought
up in admirable order by Captain Bourchier, and upon the signal
being given, stormed and completed the capture of this part of the
enemy's wor\ks, notwithstanding :a most determined resistance on
the part of the Tartar troops. From this battery the vessels and
flotilla moved forward, and carried the other defences in succes-
sion, amounting in the whole to one hundred and twenty-threeguna.
By the great care of Captain Nias, his officers, and ship's com-
pany, the Herald was brought over the flats, and entered the reach
during the engagement, which must have had considerable eftbst
upon the enemy, by eividing Meir attention, not knowing wha
other (tree might be in reserve,
Of Captain Bourchier, whose high character is so well known
to you, Sir, and the servioe, I cannot speak sufficiently strong for
the manner in which he conducted the forces under his immediate
command, not only leading them into action in admirable order,
but keeping them together in readiness for any outbreak of the im-
mense population of such s crowded city, . nd I cannot refrain men.
tioning his conspicuous and energetic exertions in towing off the
bunting junks, which were drifting upon the suburbs of Ceram?,
and soon would have evidently set fire to that part of the city, and
involved the destruction of the whole, in which he reports he wcs
ably assisted by the officers under his directions. My thanks are
also due to that excellent officer, Capt. Bethune, and to Comman-
tiers Belcher, Warren, Barlow, and Clarke for their great zeal. The
Royal Marines under Lieut. Stransham, of the Calliope, assisted
by Lieutenants Daniel, Hewitt, Marriot, and Polkinghorne, were
as usual conspicuous for their gallant, steady, soldierly bearing. I
have, however, to regret that Lieut. Stransham, in exerting him-
self to destroy the works, was suddenly exposed to a heavy explo.
*ion, by which he has been considerably burned, but continues at
his post; to Lieutenants Kellett and Collinson, and Mr. Brown,
Master of the Calliope, every favourable consideration is due, for
having made themselves particularly useful in sounding, and after.
wards conductiug several men-of-war safely to an anchorage off the
city of Canton—indeed my sincere gratitude is due to every officer,
seaman, and marine, employed on this service, for their zeal and:
spirited conduct, from which it is to be hoped the most beneficial
results will ensue.

Ills Excellency her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, ever on thealert,
has done me the honour to be with me throughout these ope►a.
tions, and to whom my hest thanks arc due for his support and as-
sistance on all occasions.
By Lieutenant Paul, whoa► you kindly attached to me, I enclose
a return of casualties which, I am happy to say, are inconsiderable,
and bririg before you the officers employed in the dolilla on this
service, with a rcturn of ordnance destroyed in the defences near
Canton.
Your presence at the close of the action releases me from going
further into detail.
From the various reports brought in, we have bren able to aster.
tain that the enemy's loss has been about four hundred men.-- J
have the honour to be, &c.,
(Signed)

T. HERBERT, Cap Lin,

List of the Ship!, Steamers, Boats, Fee., employed at the Capture Q
Canton, on the 16th inst. .

Her Majesty's ship Herald, Captain Nies ; her Majesty's sloop
Modeste, Commander Eyres ; her Majesty's troop Hyacinth, Com-
mander Warren ; her Majesty's brig Algerinc, Lieutenant Mason.
Tenders.—Her Majesty's schooner Starling, Lieutenant Kellett ;
her Majesty's schooner Ilebe, Mr. Quin, Mate ; her Majesty's
cutter Louisa, Mr. Carmichael, Mate.
Steamers—Honourable Company's steamer Madagascar, Cap:
tain Dicey ; Honourable Company's steamer, Nemesis, Captain
Hall.

Moteste, Nemesis, Madagascar, Algerine, Starling, Youn
llebe, and Louisa,

f Vide suj)joined