The Sun.
London, England, 1841-06-12 00:00:00

Memorandum

Length of the force of battery in the river bank mounting forty
guns, two hundred and eighty yards with a bank of twenty.four
yards in length, mounting three guns ; length of the unfinished
line of entrenchments, connecting the battery and the river bank
and lower battery, three hundred yards.
The river face of lower battery, eighty-five yards long, with three
embrasures, but no guns mounted in them ; left flank, thirty yards
long, with four embrasures, and mounting four guns.
Return of Casualties on Board the Squadron in the attack upon
the Fort, Camp, and Ship Cambridge, at the Chinese Position
below Whampoa Reach, 27th February, 1841.
Calliope.-3 seamen wounded, one dangerously.
Modeste.-1 seaman killed ; 1 seaman dangerously wounded ; 1
marine severely wounded.
Sulphur-1 marine slightly wounded.
Nemesis-2 seamen slightly wounded.
Total.-1 scamad killed, 6 seaman wounded, 2 marines wounded •
(Signed) THOMAS HERBERT, Captain.

(No. 17 )

Wellesley, lirrigtong. 10th March, 1841.

Sir,—Having completed the garrison arrangements on North
Wangtong, and the destruction of the work: of A nunghoy being in
progress, I proceeded up the river to join the advanced squadron
on the Ist instant in the Madagascar steamer, taking the Sr]phia
transport in tow, Captain Maitland, with the boats, and one hut,
dred small arm men, together with the marines of the Wellesley,
under Captain Ellis, accompanied me ; the Queen taking the
Eagle transport in tow, on board which ship I had embarked the
marines of the Blenheim, Melville, and Druid, also attended by the
boats of those ships, all being armed with their guns and howitzers.
On arriving at Whampoa I found, Irons Captain Herbert's re.
port, that the enemy were in considerable force at the end of Junk
Reach, having, as usual, sunk several large junks its the river, and
further protected themselves by a strong double line of stakes across
it, and a raft with large bamboos, and branches of trees between
them. On the following morning I detached that ever-ready officer,
Commander Belcher, in the Sulphur, up Junk River to recon.
noitre, that ship being taken its tow by three of the Wellesley's
boats, under command of Lieutenant Symonds, senior of the latter
*1241. On rounding the point on the right bank they came in
front of a battery of twenty-five guns, masked by thick branches of
trees, which opened a heavy fire on them : without a moment's he.
citation Lieutenant Symonds cut the tow line, and gallantly dashed
tight into the battery, driving the enemy before him, and killing
several of their number. The Sulphur anchored, and some shot
from her completely routed them from the thick underwood in the
vicinity in which they had taken shelter : the guns were destroyed,
and the magazine and other consumable material set on on fire.
The number of troops was probably two hundred and fifty, and
they were of the chosen Tartars ; their loss was about fifteen or
twenty killed. This well-executed service calls on me strongly to
recommend Lieutenan(Symonds to their Lordships' notice ; our loss
is one seaman of the Wellesley mortally wounded (since dead), and
the boats were frequently struck by grape shot.
As soon as as a cursory survey of the river was made, the
Herald, Alligator, and Modcste, and the Eagle and Sophia trans.
ports were pushed forward within gunshot of Howqua's Fort, and
thus for the first time were ships seen from the wal:s of Canton.
On the 2.4 Cruizer joined me, having on board Major-General Sir
Hugh Gough, to whom I resigned the command of the land forces;
the Pylades and the Conway also joined from Chusan, and the two
first named vessels were sent its advance ; several of the transports
were also collected. On the 4th, in concert with the Major-Ge-
neral, an attack was planned for the next morning, but
on approaching, the fort was found to be abandoned. The
British colours were hoisted, and a garrison of the
2Gth regiment placed in it. Captain Ellis, with a company of
Royal Marines, took possession of a large joss house on the left
bank (which the enemy had bean to fortify), and rendered him-
self secure, while the seamen soon removed some of the stakes and
other impediments, and made a clear passage fur ships. I may here
describe the position : at the right bank of the river, on the point
formed by the mouth of a creek (which is one passage for boats to
IVltampol), was Howqtta's Fort, a square building mounting thirty
guus. From the northern angle the stakes mentioned extended to
the opposite bank the ground on both sides being low rice-fields cut
and intersected by canals its all directions ; the joss house rather
projected into the stream, and consequently was a good position.
The river here is about five hundred yards wide; two thousand
yards its front is a long low island, which divides the river into two
branches, and on the extreme eastern point of which stood a fort
mounting thirty-five guns, built to commemorote the discomfiture
and (heath of the late Lord Napier : from this fort alne of well_
constructed and second rafts, forming a bridge, extended to both
sides of the river ; on its tight bank, flanking Napier's Fort and
the rafts, was a mud battery intended for thirty-five guns ; 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, some junks wore
sunk in all parts of the river between the stakes and the raft off
:stapler's Fost, which raft also rested upon sunken junks secured
on either side within piles.

The position seemed formidable, and on the sth the Major. Ge.
neral and myself prepared to attack it. He landed at the Joss.
house, taking wills him the Ray.' Marines and 26th detachment
for the purpose of taking the battery on the left bank, and the
ships weighed and dropped up with the flood-tide. On the approach
of the Sulphur, which vessel led, the enemy fired all their guns and
fled across the rafts.and in boats; the British colours were then
hoisted, and the last defence of the Chinese (that we are acquainted
with between Canton and sea), fell into our hands, A paper was
issued calling on the people to place confidence in us and avoid hos-
tile movements, in which la:ter case protection was secured to them,
At noon the Quang.choo-fog, or Prefect, accompanied by the
Hong merchants, came down, and, after a long discussion with
the Plenipotentiary, admitted that Keshen having been degraded,
and the new appointed Commissioners not having arrived, there was
no Government authorized to treat far peace or make any arrange-
ments ; they confessed the truth of the reports we had heard, that
the greatest consternation existed in the city, and that 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 maznaninsity and
forbearance. I fear, however. that the forbearance is misunder.
stood, and that a further punishment must be resorted to before
this arrogant and perfidious Government is brought to reason, or
to a faithful mode of conduct. Ills Excellency the Plenipotentiary,
being,'however, desirous to try the effect of another proclamation, and
to show his desire for an equitable adjustment of affairs, addressed 1111
Major-General arid myself, requesting that we would make no fur.
Cher movement towards the city until the disposition of the pro-
vincial officers was put to the test as far as regards their non-inter.
ference, and we have consequently remained in statu quo; but
reports, on which we can rely, are daily reaching us. which state
that fire-vessels are ti:ting out about seven miles above Canton ;
forts in the rear of the city in course of erections ; and the people
are forbidden to bring us supplies, while the teas and silks, and
every other valuable, are removing from it. These proceedings,
so directly opposite to the assurances of pacific intentions (which
they are ever ready to deal forth in profusion), lead me to the con-
clusion, that we shall have to proceed, even at the risk of the de-
struction of the second city of the empire, an event exceedingly
likely to occur from its abandonment by the authorities, and the
excesses of the lower clauses of a community proverbially bad.
The responsibility must, however, rest on the heads of those autho.

.....- -
The whole of the force from Chusan has joined me, and I this
day returned to Wangtong, accompanied by the Major-General, in

Vide 110.
Vide $11101144 liot,

PRICE .5d

order that the arrangements in that garrison may be completed, and
plans devised for our future operations.

I have the honqur, &c.
(Signed) J. J. GORDON" BREMER,
Commcklore First Class, and Commander-in-Chief.
11. More O'Ferratl, Esq., If &c. &c. &c. Admiralty.

Copy.—(No. )9.)
Wellesley, off Wangtong, March 15, 1841.
Sir,—l have again the satisfaction of enclosing the copy of a
letter from Captain Herbert, ofthe Calliope, detailing another
well.executed attack on the only remaining fort protecting the ap-
proaches to the city of Canton.
This fort is situate about ten miles from the anchorage at Wham.
Ana. up a narrow and intricate channel, which ends in the broadway
or bfacao passage from Cantcn.
Inc enemy were devoting their whole attention to the strength.
ening thedefences of this post, and had rendered it one of the best
which have been encountered. I am, therefore, happy, that it is in
our possession. Captain Herbert has thrown a sefficient garrison
into it, protected also by a division of the flotilla, and*the hlodeste,
and' it is in our hands an important position. The city is conse-
quently menaced above and below, and is completely at ovr mercy,
but nothing seems to affect the minds of the arrogant. Mandarins,
who still talk of exte mina'ing us, while their people fly betore us ;
they are undoubtedly *preparing fire vessels up the river, of which
I hope to give a good account in a few days. Captain Herbert has
been ably supported laseaptains Bethune and Kuper, Commanders
Barlow, Eyre', Giffard, Anson, Clarke, and Fletcher, together with
their officers and ships' companies. My best thanks are due to them
for the gallantry and perseverance with which they conquer the
difficulties and harass of river mod flotilla service.
I have the honour, &c.
(Signed) J. J. GORDON BREMER,
'Commodore First Class, and Commander-in-Chief
R. More O'Ferrall, Esq., M.P., &c. &c. &c. Admiralty.

(Copy.)
Fort, two miles'above Canton, near the entrance tolhe Macao
'Passage, March 13, 1641.
Sir,—ln conformity with your orders of the 12th instant, and
having waited twenty.four ht urs after the arrival of the last chop
delivered, and seeing nothing of a pacific nature ma the part of the
Chinese, I proceeded with the force under the officers named in the
margin,* to the fort and rafts mounting twenty-two guns, with
eight small ones laid in a sand bank, planking the rafts, strongly
posted and well-constructed near the Canton entrance of the Macao
Passage; at about five P.M. climmenced the attack, and carried the
whole of the enemy's works in about half an hour, the Chinese
keeping up a well-directed and animated fire till our forces were
under the walls, and in the act of storming, when they gave way
and fled in all directions, thus leaving us now the only remaining
protection of their city in our hands, giving her Majesty 's forces
the command of the river above and below it, and to depend upon
its mercy for its daily existence.
The boats Iplaged under the direction of Captain Bethune, to
whom I am much indebted for the steady manner in which they
were brought to the attack; and also to Captain Kuper ; Corn
menders Barlow, Giffard, Anson, and Clark, who volunteered
their services and the assistance they gave throughout the affair ;
much credit is duo to Commander Belcher, for his zeal in trying
to get the Sulphur up this intricate channel ; and to Commander
Eyres, whose ship was brought to an excellent and effective posi-
tion, within about six hundred yards of the fort, towed by the Ma-
dagascar, piloted by that very skilful and highly meritorious
officer, Lieuk Collinson ; Mr. Dicey, the Commander of the Ma.
dagascar, also calls for my highest commendation; as well as
Lieut. Foulis, Madras Artillery, for the manner in which he ma-
naged his guns. The Royal Marines, under the orders of Lieut.
Stransham, assisted by Lieuts. Hewitt, Marriott, and Palkinghorne,
who acquitted themselves on the occasion as that gallant corps is
always in the habit of doing. The loss to the Chinese I have not yet
been able to ascertain ; several were found dead in and near the
fort. Our own casualties, as far as I can learn, do not exceed
three wounded. I have the honour to be, &e.
(Signed) T. HERBERT, Captain.
Commodore Sir. J. Bremer, K.C.t., K.C.H.
Commander in Chief.
P.S. By the next conveyance, I shall send you the plan, Ite.
Calliope.—Lieutenants Watson, Tindall, and D'Eyncourt ; Messrs.
Daley, Rivers, St. Leger, Le Vescount, and Egerton, Mates ;
Mr. Meynel, Mid,hipman ; Mr. R. Butler, Assistant-Surgeon.
Conway.—Lieutenants Beadon and Coryton ; Mr. Johnson, Mas-
ter; Messrs. Charles Reed and Tournour, Mates ; Captain Moore
and Mr. Gabbett, Madras Artillery, Volunteers.
Alligator.—Lieutenants Stewart and Bremer (Acting) ; Mr. Wool.
combo, Mate; Mr. Swinburne, Midshipman.
Herald.—Lieutenants Dewes and Strattell (both Acting) ; Mr.
Cater, Mate; Mr. Comber, Midshipman.
Hyacinth.—Lieutenant Morshead ; Mr. Drake, Mate.
Nimrod.—Lieutenant Williams ; Messrs. Walter Kendall and
Thomas Purvis, Mates; Mr. Charles Scott, Volunteer.
Modeste.—Lieutenant Henry Shute; Messrs. Fitzgerald and W. A
R. Peat se, Mates; Mr. Edward F. Dent, Midshipman ; Mr. H.
C. Crofton, Volunteer.
Pylades.—Lieutenant Hay; Mr. Nosworthy, Master ; Mr. Jet.
feries, Mate.
Cruizer.—Lieutenant Haskoll; Mr. R. L. Bryan, Mate.
Starling.—Lieutenant Kellett.
Madagasgar, S. V.—Mr. Oliver, Ist Officer.
Blonde.—Lieutenants Colson and Ingram ; Messrs, Christopher,
Walker, and Anderson, Mates; the Hon. H. Coke, and Mr,
Purvis, Volunteers,

(Copy.)
Modesto, off the British Factory, Canton, March 19,1841.
Sir—lt is with feelings of peculiar satisfaction that I enclose, for
the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
copies of letters from Captain Herbert, of her Majesty's ship Cal.
liope, commanding the advanced squadron of the fleet, detailing
the various operations of the force, the result of which has been the
capture and destruction of the remaining forts and floating defences
of the city of Canton,, the hoisting her Majesty's colours on the
walls of the British Factory, an agreement to a suspension of hos-
tilities, and, lastly, the publication of an edict, under seal of the
Imperial Commissioner and the Governor of the Province, declaring
the trade to be opened, and that all British and other merchants
Foceeding to the provincial city shall receive due and perfect pro.
tection.

I earnestly and confidently hope that this will lead to a satis.
factory and honourable peace; but on this point her Majesty's
Plenipotentiary will of course communicate with her Majesty's
Government. It remains for me to solicit their Lordships' atten-
tion to the admirable arrangements made for this combined attack,
and the gallantry which ensured their complete success; indeed,
it was not possible they could fail in such hands as those of the ex.
cellent officers, Captains Herbert, Itourchier, and Bethune, sup-
ported by the commanders, lieutenants, mates, and midshipmen
mentioned by the senior officer; and I would beg leave most ear-
nestly to recommend them to the notice of their Lordships. To
Captain Kuper, of the Alligator, commanding the investing force
on the east side of the city, assisted by Commanders Giffard and
Anson of the Cruizer and Pvlades, my best thanks arc also due;
their unremitting attention effectually guarded the approaches in
that quarter.

I endeavoured to push forward to the scene of action in the
Hyacinth's gig, but only arrived towards its close, in sufficient
time however to be gratified by the hoisting of the British colours.
Thus, for the first time in the history of China, have ships been
brought under the very walls of Canton, and by channels and
branches 011 which a foreign ship never before floated. I believe
the Chinese were not acquainted with the capabilities of their
splendid 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 di.played towards a city
so completely at our mercy as this is, will be appreciated by the
better part of the community, who have everything to lose, and
the benevolence of the British character more fully understood
than it has ever yet been in this country.
The gratify ing spectacle of our ships in this position, is to be as.
cribed to the unwearied zeal of the captains, officers, and men be.
longing to them. Commander Belcher and Lieutenant Kellett, of
the Sulphur and Starling, Mr. Brown, Master of the Calliope, and
Mr. Bean, blaster of the Herald, have been indefatigable in their
laborious duties of sounding the various inlets through which the
ships were carried.

I am sure these officers ivill receive every mark of their Lord •
ships' approbation. I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) J. J. GORDON BREMER,
Commodore of the first Class, Comman.ter. in-Chief.
It
T 7 R. Mosre O'Ferrall, Esq., &c. c , MP.