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

(Copy.)

British Factory, Canton, March IS, 1941.
Sir,—This day the force enumerated belowt under my orders,
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 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 river, thus
placing in our power thegreat provincial capital, containing up_
wards of one million of inhabitants.

I found myself forced to make this attack without your instrne.
Voris for the reasons so strongly expressed in her Majesty's Pleni-
potentiary's note, herein enclosed (f 7th March, 1541), considering
it my duty to resent, with all the promptitude in my power, the
insult 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 im-
mediate possession of the line of conceittration which led to such
an immediate result. In detailing the operations of the day, I feel
myself inadequate to do justice to the gallant officers and men em.
played on this occasion.
The flotilla of boats, formed into four division;, was under the
command of Captain Bourchier of the Blonde, Captain 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 ship Hyacinth (to whom too
much praise cannot be given for the exertion displayed by Com-
mander Warren, his officers and crew, in getting her through the
intricate and difficult passes of the river, pile.ed 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, recommunicating with the main
stream at Fatee, to meet any retrogade movement of the
numerous flotilla that had taken part in the aggression on the 16th
instant.
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 Mapao fort,
and within gun-shot of the enem)'s advance batteries, engaging
them for about two hours and a half, when all opposition ceased,
and the factory within the defences were taken possession of.
The Modesto was placed within three hundred yards in front of
the principal battery, and shortly gave proofs of her well-directed
fire, flanked by the powerful guns of the Madagascar, Captain
Dicey, with artillerymen under the direction of Lieut. Foulis,
Madras Artillery, and Nemesis, Mr. W. H. Hall, R.N..
men command
ing, with ai tilleryen under the direction of Captain Moore,,ain,_
Lieutenant Gabbett, Madras Artillery, who handsomelyccvt, lr
teered their services upon the occasion, The A'gerine Ma-
son), and Starling (Lieut. Kellett), passing a-In.ad, cutting
r junks,
through
the rafts on the right bank and engaging a part of the
time,
under
the Hebe and Louisa tenders, taking part, at the .m
cover of the ships' gulls,
up in admirable order by Captain Bourchier,antriaze
the flotilla with the miaulps v,i, ants bhersoiuggchatl
given, stormed and completed the capture of this ',art of the ene-
part of the Tartar troops. From this batted:
defences in succession,
Y
my's works, notwithstanding a most determined rvecssissetlasnacnedotinctta:
h!
moved forward, and carried the other
amounting in the whole to 123 guns.his
officers,
and
ship,,
corn_
the Herald was brought over patty, •
1• • ii d nsidreble
By the great care of Capt in es ;
r the flat., and entered the
which
effect upon the enemy, by div,
reech during the engagement,
reserve.
attte:i4t:ocn, anot"knoWing
what other force might be in re
high character is so well known to
01 Captain Bourchier, w;
unit:lied:cern th
)1
immediateis strong fer
manner in which he conducted
the
in • dmirabl corder, but
you, Sir, and the service,
se
cannot
thesp feoarke ess
readiness for any outbreak of the
keeping them together in a
crowded city, and I cannot refrain
command, not only
moose population of
leading. them into action
mentioning
were drifting upon the suburbs of Can-
theburning junks, which
his onspictunus end energetic exertions in towing off
involved the destruction of the whole, in whirls he re.
ton, and soon would have evidently set tire to that part of the
city, and
ports he was ably assisted by the officers under his directione My

• By the subjoined list:,
Vide Stibicliattfl - •

By Lieutenant Paul, whom you kindly attached to me, I inclose
a return of casualties, which, lam happy to say, are inconsider-
able, and bring before you the officers employed in the flotilla on
this service, with a return of ordnance destroyed in the defences
•
near Canton.

Your presence at the close of the action re'esEes me from pin
further into detail.

From the various reports brought in, we have been able to ascer-
tain, that the enemy's loss has been about tour hundred men.
I hare the honour, to be, &c.,
(Signed) T. HERBERT: Captain
Canmcdore Sir J. J. Gordon Bremer, Kt., C. 8., K.O H.,
Commander.in-Chief, &c. &c. &r.

List of Ships, Steamers, Boats, &c., employed at the Capture of
Canton en the 16th instant.
Her Majesty's ship Herald, Captain Nias ; her Majesty's sloop
Modeste, Commander Eyres ; her Majesty's sloop Hyacinth,
Commander Warren; her Majesty's brig Algerine, Lieutenant
Mason.
Tenders.—Her Majesty's schooner' Starling, Lieutenant Kellett;
her Majesty's schooner Hebe, Mr. Orrin, Mate; her Majesty's
cutter Louisa, Mr. Carmichael, Mate.
Steamers.—Hon. Comdany's steamer Madagascar, Captain Dicey
Hon. Company's steamer Nemesis, Captain Hall.
Boats.—First Division.—Commander Barlow; Lieutenants \Vil.
liams, Stewart, and Drury; Lieutenant Hewes, Acting; Messrs.
Walter Kendall, Purves, WoGleombe; Baker, and Kator, Mates;
Mr. Comber, Midshipman; Mr. Scott, Vo:nntecr first class.
Second Division, Commander Clark.—Lieutenants Hamilton, Bea.
don, and Shute; Mr. King, Master Acting; Messrs. Miller,
Fitzgerald, Pearse, Read, and Tumour, Mates; Mr. Crofton,
Midshipman.
Third Division.—Lieutenants Coulson and Ingram ; Messrs. Chris.
topper, Walker, and Anderson, Mates ; Messrs. Purvis, Coke,
and Lyons, Volunteers first. class; Mr- Stanley, Assistant_
Surgeon.* . •
Western Divisioh.—Commanders Warren and 'Belcher; Lieute-
nants Haskoll, Watson, Hay, Morshead, D'.Eyncourt, Wood,
and Hayes; Mr. Airey, Master; Messrs. Daly, Rivers, Jeffe.
ries, Le Vescontc, Egerton, Drake, St. Leger, and Er)an,
Mates; Mr. Brown, Master-Assistant; Mr. Butt r, M.D., and
Mr. Tweeditale, Assistant-Surgeons.
Volunteers.—Lieutenant Mackenzie, her Majesty's troth Rogi.
went, Acting Military Secretary td the Naval Commander-in-
Chief; Mr. Johnson, Master, her Majesty's ship Conway; Mr.
G. Rarnsden, Clerk, her Majesty's ship Calliope; Lieutenant
Gitfard, Hon. Company's 112th Regiment.

Return of Ordnance destroyed in the Defences near Canton.
Lower Battery, left Bank, Maca' Passage-22 guns.
Upper Battery-9 guns.
Sand Bag Battery on Wharf-9 guns.
Western Fort, Canton Suburbs (Shaween)-1 0 guns.
Red Fort, opposite Canton Factories-20 guns.
Dutch Folly-25 guns,
Sand Bag Battery above Arsenal-13 guns.
Two Junks moored off Admiral's House-13 guns.
Total-123.
Becides those destroyed in Lin's and the Mandarin war bo.
(Signed) THOS. HERBERT, Captain.

A List of Casualties in the Forcz employed in the Attack and Oc.
cupation of the Defences of the City of Canton, on the 18th day
of March, 1841.
Lieutenant Stransham, Royal Marines, severely,
Calliope--2 wounded slightly.
Hyacinth-2 wounded, 1 slightly, 1 severely
Mxleste-2 wounded slightly.
(Signed)

THOS. HERBERT, Captain.

Calliope, Whampoa Reach, March 17, 1841.
Sir,—Your own presence on board the Nemesis, yesterday
afternoon, when she was fired upon from the work above the forts
in the Macao Passage, notwithstanding the flag of truce, releases
me from the necessity of detailing ithe circumstances of the case.
I may add, however, that the Chinese authorities perfectly un.
derstand the intention of, and respect due to , that signal, and have
frequently taken advantage of its protection for purposes of safe
comniunication with our own forces.

Under all these circumstances, therefore, I need not press upon
you, Sir, the necessity of resenting this aggression, with all the
promptitude which may be compatible with considerations of a mi-
litary nature. Having regard, hcwever, to its c:ose neighbourhood
to the city of Canton, I will earnestly request you to confine your
movement to the destruction of guns or material at the work from
which the shot was fired, and if that object cannot be accomplished
by fire, without exposing the buildings in the vicinity to the risk
of conflagration, I would suggest that it should be otherwise
efl'ected. •

I take the liberty to add, for your general guidance, that
the main intention of the scheme of further :operations,
Which I propose to submit to their Excellencies in command of the
sea and land forces, is to make ourselves masters of the lines of
communication westward of Canton, with a view to its insulation
and complete deprivation of trade and means of supply, from all
points of approach.

Th• capture or destruction of the flotilla, which took part in
the aggression of yesterday, will, of course, seem to you an ob-
ject of great importance, if it can be accomplished with due regard
to other considerations. I have, &c.

(Signed)

CHARLES ELLIOT, her Majetty's
Plenipotentiary,
Captain Herbert, Senior Officer of her Majesty's

Ships and Vessels in advance.

P.S.-1 need scarcely remind you that there was a small boat in
advance of the steam-vessel, also with a flag cif truce flying, when
the shot was tired.

13i-hi:ill Hall, Canton, March 20, 1841.
Sir,—l have the honour to acquaint you that I have this day con.
eluded a suspension of hostilities in this province, the Imperial
Commissioner having publicly proclaimed the trade to be opened,
and the all British and other merchants proceeding to the pro.
vincial city, shalt receive due protection.

With a view to the restori.tion eileonfidence amongst the trading
people, I have now to request you will have the goodness to move
the vessels actual:3. before " Shaween," about linlf_way down towards

the Macao Passage Fort, and I hope you will also do what may
otherwise be in your power to evince sincerely peaceful purposes
respecting the population, without, however, removing a sufficiently
pressing force from the near neighbourhood of the city.
I am persuaded, too, that you will recognize the soundness of ma.
nifesting every degree of proper respect for the Government, and
every disposition to uphold its character in the sight of the people,
which may be compatible with the paramount necessity of keep.
tog awake a lively sense, that renewal of ill faith. will be responded
to by an immediate blow.

It must be quite superfluous to assure you, Sir, I depend with
great confidence (and with constant thankfulness), upon your con-
tinued earnest efforts to prevent accident at Canton. But perhaps
I may be pardoned for suggesting, that for the present, nn person
or boat be allowed to laud without the express permission of the
senior officer on the spot.—l have, &c.

(Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT. H. M. Plenipotentiary.
Captain Herbert, Senior Officer, &c.

(Copy.

Wellesley, off Wantong, March Zl, 1841.

Sir,—The zealous desire of every officer and man in this squad.
ron to seek occasions in which to distinguish themselves, has led
to the performance of various well executed services. I have now
the honour to enclose a copy of a letter from Captain Scott, of her
Majesty's ship Samarang, detailing the particulars of an enterprise
which he planned and executed with very admirable tact and gal.
lanti y, to which I will beg to refer their Lordships, expressing, at
the same time, my conviction, that no encomium I could bestow
on Captain Scott, and the officers, seamen, and marines engaged,
would be equal to the merit of the affair. Lieutenant Lower.
senior, of the Samarang, has been often within my notice ; he has
been severely wounded, and has displayed great gallantry ; while
Mr. Hall, R.N., commanding the Honourable Company's steam.
vessel Nemesis, has rendered the mast important services to the
expedition at all times and in all situations. I beg, therefore, to
recommend them, together with every other officer and man, to the
notice of their Lordships.

I have the honour, &e.
(Stned) J. GORDON BREMER,
Commodore First Cass, Commander-in-Chief.
R. More O'Fcrrall, Esq., &c. &c.

Samarang's Gig, Wliampoa Roads,
Six, p.m., March 15,1541.
Sir—llis Excellency her Majesty's Plenipotentiary having, on
the afternoon of the 12th instant, suggested to me the great ad-
vantages likely to accrue by forcing the inner passage from Macao
to Whampoa (deemed by the Chinese impenetrable to foreigners?,
and fully agreeing with bins upon the subject, I made no hem.
tation in immediately acceding to his views, and making the ne-
cessary preparation for carrying them into effect.
I have now the honour of communicating the result of my
operations.

At three A.M. on the 13th, 1 proceeded with the small arm men
and marines in the boats named in the margin,' on board the
Nemesis steamer, where I was shortly afterwards joined by his
Excellency Captain Elliot. When we got under weigh from Macao
roads, and proceeded over the flats between Tweelienshan and Toi
Hoke Tow Islands, into the Broadway river.
At eight A.M. we came in sight of Metas Fort, which we elated
in less than half an hour. The steamer having taken up an in.
Wading position on its southern angle (where not a gun of the
enemy could bear upon her), opened her tire, whilst we proceeded
in the boats to the attack. So accurately were her shot directed,
that the enemy, on our approach in the boats, abandoned the place,
and fled.
We found thirteen guns mounted, which were completely de_
stroyed, the building in the interior set tire to; and having laid ~
train to the magazine, we re-embarked. Before we reached the
Nemesis it exploded, effectually finishing four work on that point.
On reaching point How Honk Tow, the river is divided into
two channels, that to the right, which we pursued, takes a sudden
sharp turn, and becomes very contracted in its breadth. here we
which was smlainit,
discovered Tai.Yat Kok, a field battery (very recently eonaructee)
of fourteen gulls strongly posted on a rising ground, situated of
the left bank of the river,. environed by overflowed
. animatedl w,ismfiorset
eu
f!p.eoent
itiias
1,1 Paddy field
which enfiladed the whine line of the reach leading up to it. s.
Aj thirty mirutes past ten A.M. as we appeared round the point,
the y
y returned by the
.kept theenuepTays
guns from the Nemesis, who threw her shot,
two
admirably.
Under the slight cover of the bank we advanced in the b
owpeenaiedlva‘;luctedan.
before we could effect a landing on their flank they abandoned"ts' but
their
guns, when we took possession of the work by a narrow pathway,
which could only be passed in single files.

Twenty determined men ought to have held it with ease against
triple our force. Twelve of the principal guns svcre from twenty-
four to twelve pounders ; the remaining two sizes, 'Which under-
went the same prucs•ss as their fellows at Match), viz., knocking off
their trunnions, driving a shot hard hcme into their chambers, and
spiking them. A large quantity of gunpowder and other mate.
rials was lodged here, which, with the temporary buildings, were
consigned to the flames and blown up.
Oliserving a war junk who had opened her fire ,bout a mile be-
low the battery, 1 despatched Lieutenant Bower with two pinnaces
in chase, accompanied by the steamer, but as I could not complete
the destruction of the guns and battery under three quarters of an
hour,.the chase was necessarily given up until my return on board.
During the above period a military depot and station on the op.
posite side of the river were destroyed by Lieutenant Maitland.
whom I had despatched thither for that purpose.

The moment I returned the chase of the war junk was resumed :
at P.M., we again got sight of her with
eight forty minutes
ght others,whichl' t
)wLeiesveen over the land. As we entered the
Reach which they occupied, we Oiscovered on the right bank of the
river a new battery, scarcely finished, with ten embrasures, but
without guns, and Hochung Fort CICSC to it, well built of granite,
surrounded by a wet ditch, mounting fourteen guns and six jin-
galls. Abreast of these, which they flanked, the slyer was strongly
stated across, through the centre of which the war junk (our chase)
had passed, and" the c Pening again .socured. The enemy imme.

Pinnace,.:aouql:ng tAelyesoupd r4rronAsie.s ;..Cutter, six-eared
gig,. founeareci. gig
.4taltrita's mountZS t". eiv e Pound
howitzers.

MORNING EDITION.
• . _
thanks are also due to thit excellent (Aces-, Captain: &Mime, and
to Commanders Belcher, Warren, Barlow, anti Clarte, for their
great zeal. The Royal Marines under Lietit. Stransham, of the
Calliope, assisted by Lieutenants Daniel, Hewitt,- Marriot and
Polkinghorne, were as usual conspicuous for thfir gallant; - steady,
soldierly bearing. I have, however, to regret thit, Lieutenant
Stransham, in exerting himself to destroy the works, was suddenly
exposed to a heavy explosion, by which he has been considerably
burned, but continues at his post ; to Lieutenants Kellett and Col.
linson and Mr. Brown, Master of the Calliope, every favourable
consideration is due, for having made themselves particularly
useful in; sounding, and afterwards conducting several men of
war safely to an anchorage off the city of Canton ; indeed my sits
sere gratitude is due to every officer, seaman, and marine employest
on this service, for their zeal and spirited conduct, front whictut
Is to be hoped the most beneficial results will ensue.
His Excellency, her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, ever on the alert,
has done me the honour to be with me throughout these operations,
and to whom my best thanks are due for his support and assistance
on all occasions.