The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-24 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 24, i 847.1

window, was razed to the ground, and the heap of ruins
remained at once a memorial and a warning to the people
of Canton of the punishment inflicted aed due for
cowardly attacks upon individuals. The following day
(the 7th of April) the barriers were removed, and the
Corsair sailed with the 42d Regiment Madras Native In-
fantry for Hong-Kong; but towards the evening some
delay on the part of the Chinese authorities, or an at-

tempted evasion of their engagements, put Sir John
Davis's firmness to the proof, and, determined to show
that he was equally prepared now as yesterday to enforce
his demands, General D'Aguilar ordered the barricades
to be instantly re-erected, and the troops to be held in
readiness during the night. This method of negotia-
tion was crowned with complete success, and the point
in question—the punishment of the Fuhshan rioters
within the factories—was at once yielded. Early this
morning (the Bth) three of the Fuhshan rioters were
brought to the factories and punished at the Consoo-
house, in presence of the British as well as of the Chinese
authorities; and every demand of Sir J. Davis having
been acceded to, General D'Aguilar made immediate
preparations for withdrawing the troops, with the ex-
ception of a company of the 18th Regiment, under
Captain Graves, and a few sappers, who are to remain
until the improvements are carried out, as well as to
guard against any sudden outbreak of the mob upon
the departure of the expedition. Shortly after noon the
force re-embarked, and arrived at Hong-Kong the
following day,
Meantime the position of the town of Victoria (Hong-
Kong), left almost defenceless during the absence of the
forces, was becoming perilous, and the danger was not
the less imminent or unpleasant from its indefinite
nature. It was ascertained that the Triad societies were
roused into activity by this opportunity of ridding Hong-
Kong of the " foreign devils," and were organizing the
Chinese population of the place. The neighbouring
islands and•mainland are the resort of the most deter-
mined thieves and pirates in China, who frequently ex-
tend their attacks into the very harbour of Hong-Kong
itself.

The handful of troops and police left on the island
were unequal to any prolonged defence or guard of a
straggling town, stretching four miles along the water
side, and commanded in every direction from the hills
behind, which afford the means both of unseen approach
and secure retreat to the desperadoes. Happily, the
provisional government and military command of the
island were left in the hands of the Hon. Major Carne,
a host in himself, and equal to every emergency. Had
the return of the troops from Canton been deferred but
one day more, the European inhabitants would have
been called upon to watch and guard, relieving the
fatigued troops, and the ladies and treasure removed to
the European barracks—a defensible position where the
troops would have been concentrated.

Stich are the details of an expedition of which the
naval and military operations were as boldly planned
as they were promptly and vigorously executed.
The policy and prudence of the expedition can be but
briefly alluded to. Those involved in its responsibility
of course applaud their own measure ; while the un-
certainty of its effect upon their position in Canton fills
the European residents there (personally exposed to it)
with much anxiety and uneasiness. Time can alone
justify the measure, or otherwise, by proving whether
it has produced a salutary effect upon the turbulent po-
pulace of Canton. Meanwhile these few plain facts
present themselves forcibly to view.
The force employed on the occasion, while just suffi-
cient to inflict trightful destruction by its distant mis-
siles, was totally inadequate to the maintenance of its
position after the destruction of the city and factories by
fire, and thereafter the retreat of the troops and whole
foreign community (Americans included) to Hong. Kong
and Macao was inevitable.

The providential preservation, while unprotected, of
the foreign residents in Canton during that critical in-
terval after the capture of the Bogue Forts was known
to the Chinese Government and before the British force
had arrived off the factories, must ever ba a source of
unrningled thankfulness. No community were ever pro-
bably exposed, unconsciously to themselves, to such im-
minent danger, for no other Government probably would
have hesitated to seize, decapitate, or hold as hostage
every British subject, after such an open and unan-
nounced act of hostility.
The chief object of the expedition, as publicly stated,
was to obtain redress for an outrage committed upon
two British seamen six months ago; and for which
outrage, be it observed, the two seamen and their cap-
tain were punished and fined at the time by the Bri-
tish authorities, and satisfaction then given to the
Chinese.

None of the terms of the convention have up to this
moment been carried into effect; not a workman can be
procured for love or money to erect the walls or build-
ings agreed upon. The river boats have returned, if
possible, in greater crowds than ever to their former
stations, causing the same obstruction as before. A
party of five gentlemen walking in the most respectable
street in the immediate neighbourhood of the factories,
were ten days ago insulted, saluted with stones, and but
for a timely retreat the fracas might have had a more
serious result. Mr. Consul Macgregor a few days after
was also attacked and kicked, his companion in defence
being obliged to knock one of his assailants down, they
themselves retreating hastily.

It is manifestly absurd, however, to suppose that the
points named in the convention, to which therefore little
attention is paid, were the true objects of the expedition
The lives of the whole foreign community would never I
have been so imminently endangered, the sacrifice of
thousands upon thousands of peaceable or rebellious
Chinese, with the frightful sequel of misery and rapine
attending the destruction of a huge city, could never
seriously hare been contemplated, for such comparatively
insignificant objects; and it is therefore the general con-
viction that some concession of importance worthy of
such sacrifices and risks has been gained, andewhich it
may not at present be discreet to divulge. Till this is
known, jukment upon the expedition cannot be
passed. The unqualified approval of the whole expedi-
tion is, however, somewhat unreasonably claimed from
the British residents in Canton by Sir John Davis, upon
the plea that they have obtained all they demanded.
This plea is unfairly urged ; the residents were taken
completely by surprise by the presence (against all pro-
bability) of an armed British force in their dwellings,
by the sight of preparation for the immediate burning of
the city, and inevitably also of their factories and pro-
perty. During the brief three days of the Plenipoten-
tiary's stay, the preservation of their own lives and of
their property, in an emergency when the consideration
of insignificant details of streets, and lanes, and boats,
could scarcely with calmness be entered upon, occupied
all the time and attention they could spare from their
entertainment and reception of _the force, and from the
attendance as an armed volunteer association to assist
the troops in the attack. The policy that will not
truckle to the Chinese cannot be too strongly recom-
mended or approved of, but whether this expedition wor-
thily carried out that policy has still to be decided. It is the
universal belief of the Chinese populace that our sole
object by these and previous demonstrations, is to obtain
entrance to the city. Our peaceable and hasty retreat
without palpable accomplishment of this object (which
our small force was quite unable to attempt) is now
attributed by them to tear and not forbearance on our
part. Hence the uneasiness felt by the British residents
in Canton, from the probably exasperated feelings of the
populace dangerously betraying themselves after the re-
moval of the troops.
In one month more, the Admiral and fleet, with two
additional regiments, will be here, forming a force so
imposing as to have carried every point, that of entrance
to the city included, and to have selected the guilty for
punishment, without recourse to violence.

We take the following additional particulars from the
Chinese Repository for April, 1847:
APRIL I.—This evening a party of troops of the 18th
Royal Irish and 42d Madras Native Infantry embarked
at Hong-Kong on board her Majesty's steamer Vulture,
the Honourable Company's steamer Pluto, and the
chartered steamer Corsair. His Excellency Sir John
Francis Davis is known to have been engaged till a late
hour that evening in council with the heads of the prin-
cipal departments of the Government; and the Pluto,
which had been lying for some weeks 011 the factories,
had only just returned from Canton, bringing down
Major Aldrich and Colonel Phillpotts, who had been up
to the city reconnoitring. In Canton it was only whis-
pered that they would shortly return.
APRIL 2.—Before dawn this morning, the three
steamers, with her Majesty's brig Espidgle, and some
boats, were under way. On passing the forts at the
Bogue troops were landed, and most of the guns spiked,
little or no resistance having been made, for the Chinese
had been taken wholly by surprise.
On Saturday morning, the 3d, rumours reached Can-
ton of what had been done at the Bogue, and an official
report is said to have been made to Keying by some of
his own officers.

By nine o'clock, with the aid of glasses, from the tops
of the factories the steamers were seen moving up the
river towards the provincial city. All the guns in the
forts along the banks of the river shared the same
treatment as those at the Bogue—not excepting those in
the French Folly fort off the south-east corner of the
city, and those in the little red round fort opposite the
factories. Every ono seemed to be taken by surprise.
It was said that even the British Consul had no certain
(official) information of what was about to transpire.
About noon his Excellency Sir John Francis Davis, her
37, &c. landed from
had been anchored
tßhreitranluntioc, Mwiatjheswtyh'sichPltehneipoctoernstaiairr
off the British Consulate, while the Vulture and the
Esniegle were left at Whampoa. In the course of the
afternoon the troops were landed in front of the new
factories, in which they were to have their quar-
ters. A small detachment was stationed in the Con-
soo-house, at the head of Old China-street, and guards
elsewhere, so as to command all the avenues to the
factories.

As yet nothing transpired to inform the public what
was the end and aim of all the extraordinary move-
ments then in progress, while all manner of rumours
and reports were flying in every direction. The
excitement and the anxiety were considerable in
certain quarters, but night came on, and all was quiet.
The Chinese Governmental guards at several posts had
disappeared, and the heavy tread and challenge, « Who
comes there 2" were heard during the night watches.
The common watchmen, however, were not disturbed,
but told off with the beat of their bamboos and drums
the hours of the night in the usual manner.
[Hero follows a Government Notification (No. 2),
signed " George D'guilar, Major General commanding
the troops in China," which appeared in The Sun of
, yesterday.]

" No. 3.
"GOVERNMENT PROCLAMATION.
" Yeh, territorial commissioner, &c., and Hwang, chief
superintendent of the commissariat, &c., with Yen,
judicial commissioner, &c., of Canton, jointly issue these
instructions for the purpose of quieting the hearts of the
people.
" To-day, it having been reported that steamers had
entered the river and come up to the city, we immeth-

ately made careful inquiry, and took the proper action
thereon. As all nations have been in the enjoyment of
free commercial interccurse, all enjoy quiet repose, and
we conceive that there can be no cause for solicitude.

" Moreover, there are near the city tens of thou-
sands of militia connected with the colleges, who are
banded together, and have in times of peace been trained
and disciplined.
" They have strength, are acquainted with the military
art, and are prepared alike for peace or war. Never
have they given rise to troubles. This we have known
ever since we first came to Canton. You, soldiers and
people, ought to abide in your own places, and, as you
have always done, mutually protect and defend each
other. If lawless vagabonds take advantage of the occa-
sion to create trouble, and you are unable to remain in
the quiet possession of your property, we will seize the
disturbers, and instantly punish them without mercy or
lenity. Let each tremblingly obey. These are our
pres g
sin commed up at t heands. April 3, 1847.
" To be post thirteen factories."
SABBATH, APRIL 4.—Early in the morning it was
generally understood that there would be a conference
at the British C-,nsulate between the two Commissioners,
Keying and Sir J. F. Davis. At eleven o'clock, A.M.,
the appointed hour for the meeting, the troops, with
artillery, &c., were drawn up for his reception, when only
two of his subalterns, Chan Changling and Pwan
Sz'shing, arrived; and as it was supposed that they came
only in Keying's stead and not to announce his ap-
pro:ich, the troops were removed, so that en h:s Ex-
cellency's arrival there was only the guard at the Con-
sulate to receive him. He was accompanied by Hwang
Ngantung and others, and the conference lasted about
three hours. During the day great crowds of people
assembled in the streets adjacent to the factories, and
were exceedingly noisy and clamorous.
The following memorandum was furnished (we know
not from whom) to Sir J. F. Davis, before Keying's
arrival at the Consulate; we borrow it from the China
Mail :

" No. 4.

" WISHES AND VIEW OF THE BRITISH RESIDENTS AT

CANTON.

" Ist. A distinct recognition of their right to go such
distance into the surrounding country as may be tra-
versed either by land or by water in one day out and
home, and full protection on their perambulations from
insults and attacks by the populace.
"2. A space of ground of about 50 acres at Honan, or
in some other convenient part of the suburbs, for the
erection of warehouses and dwelling-houses.
" 3. A site for a church and a churchyard for British
residents.

"4. A site for a burial-ground for the Parsee com-
munity, either on Danes, or French island, of an area of
40,000 square feet.
" 5. A bridge, to be thrown across the passage of
Hog-lane, to connect the two factory gardens.
" 6. A cook house for Lascars in Hog-lane.
"7. The railing-in of Lower China-street, and the
lower part of Hog-lane, and the garden walls to be kept
free from Chinese buildings, excepting the military and
police stations already erected.
" 8. Removal of the stationary boats which at present
encumber the avenue to the Factory gardens from the
river side.
_

" British Consulate, Canton, April 3, 1847."
Divine service was held at eleven o'clock, A.m., as
usual, but the attendance was small. About two o'clock
a party of the military were called out to repress the
mob, and to drive them back from the space in front of
Old and New China-streets, through the avenue leading
from the south end of Tehhing-kii (or Danish Hong)
into Lwanhing-street, where Captain Sergeant received
a blow on his temple from a stone thrown by one of the
mob. These proceedings created no small excitement.
Major Aldrich and Major-General D'Aguilar were
both upon the spot. The stone or brickbat was said to
have been thrown from a house in Lwanhing-street,
which was forced open ; and, as all the inmates " pro•
fesssed total ignorance, an ill .looking fellaw was dragged
out and flogged at the door ; and another, who had been
seized by Major Aldrich's party for a similar offence, was
taken to the gate of the British Consulate, and there
received a dozen lashes.
The excitement during the remainder of the afternoon
was great; and as the numbers of the mob constantly
increased they became more and more vociferous. At
length orders were given to the sentinels, if they could
not seize them, to fire on any and all who were seen in
the act of throwing stones or brickbats. As the dark.
ness of evening came on the clamour and noise died
away, and we are not aware that any shot was fired, or
any Chinese or foreigner injured, except in the cases
above named.

-
MONDAY, APRIL s.—Soon after daylight an armed
party was sent down the river to demolish the principal
parts of French Folly, which was blown up, and the
guns in the Dutch Folly spiked. After the troops had
breakfasted, they were served with ammunition, pistols
were loaded, the artillery, &c., were all put in readiness
for action. The Corsair arrived from Whampoa with
additional troops; the Pluto got up her steam, and most
people were expecting an immediate attack on the city.
At this juncture, between the hours of eleven and twelve
o'clock, A.M., the following circular came out:—
" No. 5.

" British Consulate, April 5.

"I have been directed by his Excellency her Majesty's
Plenipotentiary to inform you, that as a considerable
portion of the troops may be employed to-morrow in
coercive measures against the city, it becomes necessary
for you to be prepared for defence, in the event of an
attack being made on the foreign factories by the popu-
lace.—l have the honour to be,&c...,
" FRANCIS C. MACGREGOR."

Fast boats and lorchas, and everything of the sort,
were now in great demand. Books, treasure, &c., were
put on board. All the streets and avenues leading to the
factories were barricaded. Guns, swords, and all sorts
or ammunition were in requisition. Still some, who
could speak very confidently, declared that " every-
thing would most assuredly be amicably settled." Great
numbers of the Chinese, perhaps all who had it in their
power, removed from the vicinity of the factories; and a
few of the foreigners, including most of the ladies, went
on board ship at Whampoa.
In the evening the gentlemen volunteers, comprising
nearly the whole of the British community, were in-
spected by Major-General D'Aguilar, " who explained
td them that, in the event of operations being commenced
against the city next day, he confidently relied on their
protecting the factories from any attack on the part of
the mob, and that he would leave with them 25 men of
the Royal Irish and an equal number of the 42d."
During the evening a small party of armed Chinese
was found secreted in one of the buildings in the rear of
the factories, and not far from Consoo-house, nearly 40
of whom were taken prisoners and sent to one of the
guard stations ; the rest escaped, leaving their arms be-
hind them. These proved to be a part of the " impe-
rial forces" who on the evening of the 3d got jostled
out of their place in the Consoo ; and for the night
they were safely housed in one of the upper rooms in
Minqua's Hong.
In the course of this day and evening several placards
appeared on the walls of the city and streets, three of
which we subjoin. No. 6, denouncing Keying, we borrow
from the China Mail; Nos. 7 and 8 have been translated
for us by a friend:—

__
" No. 6.
" DENUNCIATION OF KEYING.

" The English have rebelled against us, disobeying
our laws and bringing disorder and injury on the
Flowery Nation.' Keying's heart is inwardly inclined
towards them; he disregards our families, and, trampling
on the people, he thereby degrades the nation. His
crime deserves to be punished with death: it is therefore
desirable that every one of us should exert himself, that
all uniting together we may set fire to his palace, and
then cast his dead body into the street. To do this is
not exceeding the law.
" Twankang, 27th year, 2d moon, 20th day. (April 5,
1847.)

" An appeal frojnisTtoh.e7.whole province.
" FROM THE MILITIA AND GENTRY OF CANTON.
" It has been represented that the foreigners have long
boasted of their intention to enter the city, contriving
means to levy and collect duties on the vessels of all na-
tions. In consequence of a late controversy about pass-
ing affairs, they have at length ventured to collect from
Iliangshan and Singau a thousand or more outlaws, speak-
ing the native tongue, but clothed in a foreign dress, who
proceeding directly up the river of Canton, have burned
and destroyed the forts. They have taken possession
of the foreign factories, and congregated in the offices.
They then constrained the authorities to allow them
money, and extorted from them to the amount of some
tens of thousands of dollars. Those truly foreigners
vagabondss
tos f
roetirrahttihhs
ebe
yso
people,odt rhyte
oraef rf
teohraceonpetd. hat
acutnihsodeupitslrhol
yert taisvcnoaoglngd
teai
ersgirvausiepnaotsronte
were no more than about a hundred. By these pro-
ceedings the citizens became greatly alarmed. Lawless
vthaegtoeemonapmuldeti
league together in order to enforce compliance with their
rceitqyui.siTtiohnesg.
the inhabitants residing both within and without the
not able to restrain their indignation at such proceedings.
On the night of the 18th instant (April 3d) the gentry
were all engaged in notifying the country militia at the
places of assembling to be in readiness against the time
appointed. The citizens from all parts of the city were
also to be on the alert and prepared to exert their
strength, proclaiming to the people to come from all
quarters to exterminate and kill the villains. Let them
take these false traitors, dressed in foreign clothes, and
cut them off completely, and not allow them to proceed
a step into the city. This is the decree of the great
body of the citizens. Let it be observed without tardi-
ness or reluctance. It is thus urgently enjoined. The
gentry of the city generally unite with the militia in this
representation."

" No. 8.
FROH THE GENTRY, &C., OF CANTON.

ts Whereas we have heard of opposition to the autho-
rities, and not permitting them and the aggressors to
dwell under the same Heavens, it is not possible that
both should subsist together. The English barbarians
take occasion to excite trouble and make a great display
of arms. By public consent they have taken possession
of and occupy the river side of a tract of ground as a
place for trade—in all, thirteen separate bongs. They
wish to build a temple for public worship, and also across
the river in Honan, to take possession of a tract of
ground, and to build a fort. There have lately been
foreign soldiers measuring off the ground for a site.
Our citizens having met to take the matter into conside-
ration, immediately they opened a thundering fire of
artillery upon them, by which many persons were in-
ured
. In such as this there is no law nor principle of
justice. The whole body of the people can only gnash
their teeth with rage and indignation. Now the great
body of masons and carpenters iu the two cities
(the old and new) of Canton, have held a
public consultation, and have agreed together that
if the English undertake the prosecution of their works
as aforesaid, the men employed in these trades shall
none of them be permitted to engage to complete their
works on their own responsibility. And if at Hong.
Long, Macao, or Whampos, there should be men who

are willing to undertake it, the people of our two truths
will make it their business to search out every workman
of this sort by name and kill him, and to notify the inha
bitants of the district to burn up the dwelling of every
man who ventures to assume such a responsibility, which
will be done without the least delay. This among the
citizens of the capital it is considered the reasonable duty
of every faithful and obedient person to seek to have
carried into effect. The Emperor, hearing and, knOwing
of it, will also certainly afford some additional com-
mendation and encouragement. It behoves us to regu-
late our minds and to chastise those who refuse to com-
ply. It will by no means answer to be inconstant in our
purpose, coveting the wealth of these rebels and aggres-
sors. The citizens of Canton have issued this not:flea-
don. If any persons venture to tear it down, that is, any
vile traitors, the citizens will have them seized and sent
to the office of the Kwangchau fu. Let such citizens
assemble at the public office and they will each receive a
reward of two dollars, certificate money.
TUESDAY, Arqui, 6.—General orders had been issued
to the troops; a movement was to be made on the" city
of Rams" at daylight, unless the assent to certain "rea-
sonable dem:ind3' were gained by that hour ; the reczn-
mitring had been completed ; the attack was to Le
made at three points simultaneously ; one party was to
mount the walls at the south-west arid south-east corner
of the- city, while the Pluto was to take her station mid-
way between, w hev, at tt.e given signal, to be run up at
the 13, itish Consulate, the work was to begin. At day -
break some of the officers were on the walls; and had
the signal been given, and hail the bombardment been
driven on for a few hours—but—but the assent came,
and the following was proclaimed by circular in the
course of the forenoon :
No. 9.
"GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.

" Diplomatic Department.
" His Excellency her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, &c.,
has the satisfaction to announce that at the last moment,
and when actually awaiting the assault on their city, the
Canton authorities have assented to his reasonable de-
mands, and the impending ruin of this populous place
has been happily averted.
" The following are briefly the heads of the new agree-
ment :

"1. At the fixed period of two years from this day,
the 6th of April, the city of Canton shall be opened to
British subjects.
" 2. Her Majesty's subjects shall be at liberty to roam
for exercise or amusement in the neighbouring country
without molestation, returning in the same day, as at
Shanghai, and any person molesting them shall be se-
verely punished.
3. The aggressors on the two seamen in October
last, and on Colonel Chesney and others at Fuhshan on
the 12th of March, shall be made examples of. The
latter being already apprehended will be brought to
Canton, and punished in the presence of persons de-
puted by her Majesty's Plenipotentiary.
" 4. An adequate space on the Honan side of the river
shall be granted on lease to British merchants and others,
for the erection of dwellings and warehouses; and his
Excellency will ascertain the site and extent before be
quits Canton.
"5. A site for the erection of a church shall be
granted on lease in the neighbourhood of the space now
occupied by the foreign factories; and spaces for burial-
grounds shall also be allotted at Whampoa.
" 6. The flying bridge and another building between
the two gardens shall be erected as desired, and sheds
shall not be permitted against the walls.
" 7. For the better preservation of order, and for the
general convenience, the river front before the factories
shall be kept clear of boats.
" By order. " A. R. JOHNSTON.
" British Consulate, Canton, April 6, 1847."
In the afternoon of this day Sir John and Captain
Macdougall, along with two Chinese officers, proceeded
across the river for the purpose of fixing on " an ade•
quate space" for the erection of dwellings, &c., on the
Honan side of the river. This site, as fixed upon, will
extend from the front of the foreign factories to the
Macao-passage, and from that corner of Honau to the
creek near the fort on the east bank of the passage.
How far it will extend back from the river we do not
know ; but, if we mistake not, a large part of its surface
is already covered with dwellings, warehouses, &c.
The prisoners taken on Monday were released to-day,
and the house in Lwanhing-street, from which the stone
was thrown on the Sabbath-day, was razed to the ground;
also one in Shoe-lane (?), where the sailors were mauled
in October last. In the meantime the two Chinese
custon-houses, foreign boat houses, &c., near the gardens
before the factories, were removed. The excitement
among the Chinese people and militia was now very
great, and it was rumoured that the latter were about to
make an attack on the barbarians. Sand and sand-bags
were pouring into the city, designed for blocking up the
gates. Cannon were also to be brought into the city.
However, the day and the night passed, and " all things
continued to go on as usual."
Barricades were now removed; parties who had left
their houses or shops began to return with their effects,
and the British troops prepared for embarkation; and in
the afternoon the Corsair, having on board a detachment
of the 42d, moved down the river to Whampoa, where
the Vulture had remained, while the Entangle had been
brought up within the barrier above Napier's Fort, al-
most within cannon shot of the city. The four follow-
ing documents appeared during the day:—