The Sun.
London, England, 1841-05-10 00:00:00

NARRATIVE OF MR. STANTON'S IMPRISON-
MENT.
(To the Editor of the Canton Register.)
My dear Sir,—ln reply to your kind inquiries lam happy
to send for the pages of your widely circulated journal, a
brief narrative of my late captivity and imprisonment.
A boat had anchored during the night under the hill which
forms the northern enclosure of Cassillia's Bay, and twelve
armed Chinese from it had secreted themselves among the

neighbouring rocks. On the morning of August 6, generally
among the first bathers, was earlier than usual, and was
dressing on the beach, as [the dawn was just becoming appa-
rent, when I found myself surrounded by these men, and their
swords, concealed in their sleeves until within a few yards,
flashed upon me. I was immediately a prisoner, and carried
by hands and feet into their boat ; two or three blows on the
head had caused a flow of blood, but were not serious. Watch
had been kept above to give notice of the approach of other
foreigners, but probably none were outside the walls of the
town at the time. After two or three hours' sail my person
was transferred to a larger boat, and shortlylafter some officials
came on board, by whom I was questioned as to my name and
country. At sunset, being handed up on deck, I found myself
within the Bogue. There two officers took charge, one dig-
nified with a crystal, and the other with a golden, button • and
with these, still accompanied by my captors as guards, I
was taken on board a Government boat.
The next morning, about seven, we reached Canton ; I was
landed under the beating of gongs, led by a heavy chain round
my neck, preceded and followed by my guards, their swords
drawn. In a large open court belonging to one of the Go-
vernment offices, the late Viceroy, Lieut.-Governor, and
several of their civil and military subordinates were found

already convened. Questioning soon commenced through the
linguists, and continued at intervals throughout the forenoon,
the questions relating at first exclusively to my personal his-
tory and employments, every eircumstance particularly which
could be evidence of my having or not engaged in the opium
traffic. I had been informed at. the Bogue that my seizure
was by the particular order of the Viceroy, though nothing
transpired to show that I had been marked except as offering,
alone and early on the shore, a sure and easy prey ; not even
my name was known.
By noon they were satisfied of the truth of my statements,
and the great body of mandarins dispersed; after this, too, no-
thing more was seen of other appearances, which had led me
to expect, as I have since been informed by considerable au-
thority had been intended, that my life would have been taken
on that day.
About live in the afternoon I underwent a more regular
examination before the prefect of the city, a deputed officer
from the Viceroy, and others, the deputy questioning frora
written directions. The questions previously asked were re-
peated. An account was required of the taking. of Chusan.
Respecting this the Canton Government had received accounts
from two sources, the Macao papers and their brethren at
Ningpo, as we might expect, not agreeing well ; other more
unimportant collisions on the coast; the particulars of the Eng-
lish force at that time arrived ; resources of England and our
estimation of the Chinese navy ; number of English residents
in Macao, their objects ; the present state of the trade, &c.
On some points 1 was not accurately informed, as with
regard to the merchant shipping, trade, &c., and said so.
On other points free answers were given, but detached al-
together from feelings of hostility. I took pains to con-
vince these Chinese Magistrates that I really possessed good
will towards their nation. Also care was taken to avoid
all appearance to disposition of " barbarian fierceness "
an instance of this and its effect—l considered it proper
and more clearly prudent to kneel before my examiners.
I was only allowed to do so during my first examination,
and when first brought before the new Viceroy. On all
other occasions when the motion was made, it was

politely prevented, and the third time that I was brougl,
up, a chair was provided. I would here mention
that throughout, further than such confinement as was
considered necessary to prevent attempts to escape or
desperate violence, I experienced no ill-treatment. On the
contrary, the greatest consideration and respect were shown
by all, from the highest to the lowest, of those at different
time about me. I cannot forbear to mention one instance of
feeling. Of the men who took me there was one apparently
less moveable than the rest. It was soon, however, perceived
to be merely in appearance—the man was of a sombre cast, and
may not often have smiled in his life, he soon began to watch
his captive with the deepest interest. That mun, when de-
livering me in charge on the evening of the second day to others
who might be less kindly, earnestly pressed me to accept some
cash from his slender means, which might, he said, procure
some little comforts he had, while permitted, himself seen
supplied.
After the first regular examination, in the evening of the
9th of August a respite of an hour was given. The next hour
was occupied in cross-questioning, myself then standing, and
'
soon after this was satisfactorily undergone, it was decide that
the youthful foreigner should be committed to the great prison
of the Tinghae district. This I entered at nine or ten o'clock
the same night, and there remained until the evening of De-
cember the 10th. Immediately a chain, allowing only a short
step, was fastened by iron rings above my ancles, and to this
were added manacles to my wrists and a chain round my- neck,
whenever about to be brought before a magistrate. All this is
customary with Chinese prisoners.
In the room assigned me four of the inferior officers of the
prison abode, one of whom was exchanged next day for a lin-
guist, who did the part of comprador. The hong merchants
were charged with providing clothes, food, servant, &c. My
fellow-prisoners were permitted to lend Chinese books, but
nothing from without could find entrante until after the late
Vieeray's degradation, when a Bible and Prayer-book were
kindly sent me, as also constant supplies of food and clothing,
by the American gentlemen resident in Canton. To them I
wish to express my heartfelt gratitude. Until liberated, I was
kept in almost total ignorance as to what was passing without,
being for three months under the belief that my friends at
Macao supposed me to have been drowned.
On the 16th of August, and on two other occasions, the in-
quiries from the Viceroy, through his deputy or others, were
continued.
Among the subjects brought forward, the following seem the
most interesting :
The geography of Europe, Asia, and Africa was fully can-
vassed. At one time I could fancy the adventurous Corn-
mis•ioner giving orders to the hong merchants for a fleet of
junks to coast between rocks and round headlands from this
to London with an Imperial Embassy to her Britannic Ma-
jesty on board. Of course the captive speculated on being
promoted to the sinecure post of pilot in the imperial service.
At another time he was to be the guide of the great Ambas-
sadors through Central Asia and Europe, a more desirable task
in some degree. Either would have provided 331110 little time
for "delay." However it was soon apparent that their :minds
had been somewhat troubled about their western frontier. The
time in which Chinese Tartary can be reached from England,
the geographical and political relations of England and Russia,
the countries between them, and between Russia and India,
my examiners were very partimlar about. Thibet was evidently
their main concern, though it was amusing to see the way in
which mention of of it was avoided, and questions asked about
the countries near it. It is remarkable that nothing was said
about the southern frontier and dangers from our Indian pos-
sessions. We may conelude the more surely that they are
wide awake there.
On some subjects they hail exaggerated notions; a Chinese
examiner does'nt generally trouble himself on such occasions,
and a little openness had a good effect. His Excellency had
supposed that along with Herat the whole of Persil. had become
subject to Britain, and was pleased to be corrected.
Translations of parts of " Murray's Cyclopedia of Geo-
graphy," which it is well known have been made in Canton,
were on the table, and with these my deposition was compared.
The moving Lin wanted instruction in the principle of the
steam-engine. All present seemed to comprehend it, and
took much interest. One other mandarin sent afterwards to
my quarters for a repetition of the lesson. The action of the
piston rod was easy, but a draught of an ordinary engine, about
which moreover I should myself have had some trouble, more
if I had been set to instruct Chinese blacksmiths in the way of
making it, would have puzzled even Lin's piercing eyes. Such
an impudent speech of course could not be addressed to such
dignity, and the man and piston rods were connected in more
simple fashion than might have encountered the smiles of an
experienced engineer to be put in practice, or rather attempted,
I could fancy, for the first time by the great innovator of Chi-
nese "custom."
You well know that your Paper is read in the Governor's
Palace ; none published after my move from Macao were shown
me; but in an extra, published a few days before, there was
a long extract from the Spectator far beyond the comprehen-
sion of the learned interpreter : the foreigner's aid was called
in. A mandarin " must" ask not only the meaning of sen-
tences, but to be sure of coming at the truth of every word,
and thus I worked on my way. The Chiense have not words
in their language or ideas in their minds to represent the situa-
tion and objects of a speaker in the British Parliament, and
you would have been amused at the circumlocutions and laying
of groundwork called for at every step. In about half an hoar
we had fairly finished the first paragraph of three lines and a
half. I was not altogether sorry to find my friends by this
time tired, and the informant being very communicative and
willing to proceed, they took his word that the whole myste-
rious piece was of the same nature, and dismissed him.
The most interesting of all upon which my assistance was
required was the case of the French missionary and his Chi-
nese companion taken in October, endeavouring to proceed up
the river of Canton.
There were besides in the same prisen with myself a lascar
and a Macao cafire. The former had run away from his ship
and was seized on Lintin, or an island near it, in July. In
prison lie was well taken care of at the charge of the Consoo
House.
The caffre had been taken at Heangshan in a Chinese dress.
He was treated in all respects as a Chinese prisoner.
Oh Thursday, December the 10th, I woe brought before
Keshon, from him received every expression of sympathy and
favour, and was relieved from my chains and irons.
Having spent the night at the palace, in the morning I
took leave of Canton, accompanied by two officers, and in a
chair as handsome as their own, to the great horror, no
doubt, of any "of the old school," who may have wit-
nessed the descration.
The next morning, December the 12th, I ascended the
sides of her Britannic Majesty's ship Wellesley, Commodore
Sir J. J. G. Bremer, and was received most kindly by him-
self and Captain Elliot, by whom I was re-assured of what I
had been told by Keshen himself, that my liberation had been
in consequence of particular application, and I understood
unconditionally. I cannot sufficiently express my sentiments
of gratitude to these gentlemen and to Captain Smith and
others,
Macao, Dec. 14, 1840. VINCENT STANTON.

OBJECTS OF THE EXPEDITION OR MISSION.
Ist. To obtain a recognition of the King of England, as
the independent Sovereign of a civilised country.
2d. To require an apology for the treatment of Lord Napier,
as the Commissioner of the King of England.
3d. Compensation must be made for the losses caused to.
British merchants by the stoppage of the trade while Lord
Napier was at Canton, and for some time after his departure.
4th. Until particular rules are framed by the consent of
both Governments, British subjects shall not for any wrong
done either to another British subject or to a Chinese sub-
ject, be liable to a more severe punishment than is applicable
to the like offence by the laws of England.
lith. No hoppo' or other authority whatever, shall be at
liberty to impose any tax or duty, direct or indirect, on any
foreign ships or vessels, or any articles of export or import, or
any boats, coolies, or other conveyance of goods, other than,
or different from, the prescribed Imperial Tariff.
6th. Vessels not engaged in trade shall pay the ordinary
pilotage, but no other duty or charge whatever. They shall
be freely allowed to purchase refreshments and articles re-
quisite for repair or refit, and to hire workmen for such
purpose,
7th. Merchant vessels shall pay shipping charges of all kinds
according to their roal size, as ascertained by their eertiticato
of registry. None of the persons engaged in supplying them
with provisions or stores shall be subject to any fee or exaction
whatever in that capacity.
Bth. British subjects may take their families to any place
where they reside themselves, and may employ any sort of
vehicle they may find agreeable or convenient, as freely as
natives.
9th. British subjects may visit any part of the country under
passports signed by the British Commissioner, and counter-
signed by the Chinese authority of the place.
10th. A British subject, desirous of residing for a lawful oh-
ject in any part of the country, shall report himself in person
to the chief Magistrate of the place, specifying his lodging, but
shall not thereafter be in any way molested or controlled in his
pursuits, so long as they are conducted in a lawful and inoffen-
give manner,
lllht British ships may proceed to any port in China at