The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-04 00:00:00

TEE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 4,

pleeioetentiary of wisie ht.
and character to arrange all , the subject, and that he assented to the appointment.
That letter is (hoed the 9th September. "My dear Cla-
matters ef difference between 04 and the Chice-e.
Mr J. G. PIIIL LI '4O RE, with great reluctance but rendon, —I am not well acquainted with Dr. Bowring. I
from stern convictions of duty, would voce for the motion. never had anything to do with him officially, but he is an
Mr. B. COCHRANE also supported the motion, and eminently clever man, while his knowledge of Chinese
insisted, from private information be had obtained of the gives him great advantages. You could not possibly find a
position of Canton, that the bombardment must have pro- better man." (Cheers.) Well, thee, I say that the right
duced immense slaughter among the defenceless inha- hon. member for Oxford Universit and the right hon.
bitants. y
Mr. T. CHAMBERS quoted from the despatches to member for Carlisle alleged that the Government of which
they were bath members had no responsibility in connexion
show that the bombardment was directed against the
with the appointment of Sir John Bowring. (Hear, hear.)
ceeded to defend Sir J. Bowring and the character of the
Government buildings and the Chinese soldiers. He pro-
Mind, I am not speaking of that responsibility as one that
transactions generally. requires defence, because I think Sir J. Bowring a very fit
Mr. ROEBUCK said that he looked upon the motion per.on for the appointment ho holds, and that Lord Aber-
as one of censure, and of censure laid upon the noble deen only showed his good sense in giving him a post for
lord at the head of the Government and of his col- which his previous services rendered him peculiarly fitted.
leagues, who had accepted the responsibility of the con- But who is the other gentleman who has been taken under
duct of Sir J. Bowring. It had been said there bad been
a wonderful coalition of parties. He thought his conduct the patronage anti protection of both right hon. members,
would have freed him from the charge of anything like
and whose character has been so much exalted at the ex-
party spirit. He had only to consider whether the con-
pense of his opponents ? What is the character of Yeh,
duct of the Government was likely to support the honour the theme of so much generous eulogy? Why, he is one
of the country. In Asia we were the only people of the of the most savage barbarians that ever disgraced any
western world who possessed large possessions, and in nation, whether savage or civilised, on the face of the
conduct were made to affect the cause of western civilis- earth. He is accused of every crime that could dil-
ation. If we were under a despotism, it might be said in grace human nature—(cheers)—and certainly if I were
cases of wrong that the people were not to blame ; but in to choose any individual as an object of my partiality
the case of liberal Government the dishonour fell from and praise, I certainly should not prefer Yeh to the
the noble lord at the head of the Government on to the British regresentativo. (Hear, hear.) Sir John Bow-
people of the country. He had listened to the speech (if
ring has been accused of meddling in affairs of great
the Attoraey-General, which appeared to him to be that
t inernational importance, reckless of the consequences that
of a lawyer who held a brief for the defendant in a run- .
t ensue from his acts. Why Sir John Bowring was,
might ping-down case. (Laughter.) The issue before the house
was a simple one. He would admit the Chinese and the as we all very well know, a member of the Peace Society.
police were wrong in boarding an English flag, butall the (Loud laughter.) Sir John Bowring was distinguished for
acts which bad led 080 greata division of opinion among his amiable qualities and his mild disposition; and I
the lawyere, led to the punishment of the people of Can- should say that if any man was less likely than another to
ton in the mode in which it had been inflicted. If the get the country he represented into difficulties or hostili-
same offence as that committed by the Coine-e bad ties, that man would certainly be Sir John Bowring.
y
taken place b the polce-officers at Liverpool on board- I have said that Sir John Bowling was a distinguished
ise, it would have been considered perfectly correct. member of the Peace Society—no doubt if some other
But the house should lo k to the case of a million end a
members of that society were in his position they would
half of people, cooped up in Canton, upon whom we had
have got us very soon
brought to bear the "civilisation of England." (Laugh-
into a much more serious difficulty
than that with which he is now charged. (Hear.) With
ter) The Chinese were a highly My-limed people ; put
there were peculiarities in their civilisation, and the chief respect to the introducer of this motion, what I complain
of these peculiarities was that they had not applied their of most of all is the tone and temper which the honourable
civilisation to purposes of war. We sent out to Canton member for the West Riding brought to boar upon
the secretary of the Peace Society, and see the result I (A. it, because it was remarkable throughout for an anti-
laugh.) In Sir J. Bowring hi band was placed the honour English feeling—an abnegation of all the ties that bind
aed credit of England, and it rested in kis hands—not in a man to his country and his fellow-countrymen, which
the flag that fl aced over the paltry lorcha. If the flag
of England had been tarnished, it was not by the police- I should hardly have expected from a man in his posi-
officers of Canton hauling it down, but because it floated two. Cheers.) With the hon. member everything that
ever the ships that threw shot and shed upon was Engliish was wrong, and everythiag• that was hostile
defenceless and unarmed people. (Ironical cheers.) It to England was right. (Hear.) The lion. member said
had been said the Ceioese had broken the treaty. had eve that British merchants were a set of haughty, oveibettriug,
not broken the treaties on our side. (Hear) ! The Go- grasping, irritating men, who for their own purposes and
vernment of Chien prefeaed to he the conservators of selfish objects were constantly getting us into disputes with
public morality, and they wished to exclude opium from the countries in which they wore settled. Where did the
the city of Canton and the portent China. Tue whinese hon. gentleman get this information of the British mor-
were afraid of us, they saw ho se we had extended our
chants ? Was it during his recent continental tour that he
sway in India, and they believed that we should do the
entice with them. We had, in fact, already annexed discovered the British merchants to be so unworthy ? The
China. (Laughter.) bon. member said that ho would not like to pat over his
Mr. GLADSTONE explained the connection of Lord counting-house " Civis Ronnanus sum," lam sure th et if
Aberdeen's Cahinet with the appointment ef Sir Jelin he were to write "I am a British subject," it would be held
Bowring to his present situation. That sippoirament was that he was so neither in spirit nor iu heart, by those who
made be Lerd Clarend )n with the censer, t, certaml e, of sew it so inscribed. (Hear.) Again, the hon. member also
Lard Aher leen, hut the r-_ et. of the Cabinet enew n+-thing said that the government of England were bullies to the
waatever of the matter. He refused to consider this as weak sad cowards to the strong; and that was said at the
a censure on Sir J. Bowring ; he believed his policy had
been suggested
close
of a war with Russia, one of the greatest powers of the
a the first inioance, as it was opposed in
civilised world—a war undertaken on every principle" of
the last by the Government. He reprobated the lan-
giniee of Sir G. Grey in charging Sir Jas. Graham with justice and of right, and carried on in spite of every
insincerity ; and added that there was not a suppor er difficulty with an energy and courage that would have done
of tae resolution who was actuated by party motives, honour to any country on the face of the earth. Bat the
He swished he could Fay the same of the opponents of bon member subsequently pointed out the object of his re-
Government. Mr Bentinek and Mr. Kendall avo wed marks. He said, " Would you have done this to the United
their intention to oppose the resolution rather than Saves?" meaning that we were cowards to the United S•ates,
allow three insignificant individuals on his side of the sod this too from a member of the Peace Society. (Laugh-
house to find their way into office. He contended that ter.) He tauritsll3infaetfor having made a friendly arrange-
the blue-book containing a list of insults to British resi- went with a kin
people—au arrangement which was
dents showed that the general ruts among the Chinese agreeable to ui, and was as,epted with cordiality by theother
was not to insult the English. As a proof of it he men- tuition. Further, he tauuts us for not making the difference
tioned that only two days before the affair of the lorcha a cause of war, ant says we were cowards because wo main
the Chinese Commissioner hid posseil over a gross in_ tamed friendly relations with the United States, ant the,
fraction of the treaty on the part of an English miteionary. if we hat had courage enough we should have gone t 3 war.
So much for the reahoning of a member of the Peace Society.
He then adverted to the argument of the Attorney-Gene-
(Laughter.) The illustration which they hen. member male
ral, and ridiculed the vanity of the learned geetietnan
in his assertion that till he (the Attorney-General) keTtiorte-Zenlei,srilayouheifte.rt ulkiaotes,fleix,i t h,e,
i)
,v d argumentia, hr
ee lei ita d eaas-
rose nothing hal been said in the House of CJW. your conduct with the United States in a case that arosewin
moos that was worth attent He did not think Chaileston in South Carolina. A law was pas ed in Soutarthe argument of that learned gentleman would weigh Carolina, by which the coloured subject, if he came into
much with the house. If he had correctly stated the Carolina, was put into prison stud kept there until the
law, it was time that law should be brought back vessel sailed." The hon. member added : "This was a
to common sense. But he rested his case, not on statute gross outrage, which hurt the sensibilities of the British
or treaty law, but on natural justice. What were our nation, and what did you do? Your consul at Chariest -n
relations with the Chinese I We received the island of made an application to the aliuister at Washington, who
appliedd to the Sseratary of State, and the mater was ar-
Hong Kong as a port only for careening and repairing
reasonsioterfe
rbee being given
ugeiTtean wher a
afuelesroa federal
the affair
Government
en t
ships—we bad converted it into a colony of 60,000 Chi- couldr
cling—we bad done all we could to encourage it a and our case. If we had the towerpo in China of sending Ya
the very ordinance under which the lorcha was registered Minister to Pekin, if we had the power of addressing our-
wseavowsdly intended to extend the smuggling of opium, selves to the Moonshee of the Emperor, no doubt the same
And now they had crowned the whole by making war result would have happened as in the United States, anal
with those who stood before them as women or cisitote„, all difficulties would have been surmounted. And that it
The Chinese could not meet us in the field—no glory is which constitutes the value and the vindication of the
could be earned ; and the British flag coal only 1:,,,, demand which has been made by our admiral for personal
stained by these transactions. On the other hand, the ion,;.rerzeiim iiiitaltleatialte with thnedai?.trties of Canton. If
Chinese resorted to those miserable and detestable
with the local Govil:ronwmerenat wrai neoeces'slrayunatnesatemevueciii
c irorivances which their very weakness taught them, mura if we hal. diplomatic communications wit'h the centrel
He referred to the latest accounts received from C,1,1. Government., it is manifest that the difficulties which have
ton, from which it appeared that the city had been swelled into a quarrel, would hive soon been arranged,
fired in various places, and that a large portion of and future arraugewents of are amicable character at once
the city was reduced to ashes. These were the clues. b-an (established. (Hear, hear,) Let us inquire what was
tious to which Parliameee had at its first epp„etwety, the event which het given rise to these unprecedented M-
Litt still he feared too late, directed its metre-;:ion. If Si i tahs. I will not, sir, go into the legal argument. Much
agents were to he cnainue I nothing caul I be fiarkee of the .iiscu,sion as to whether the lorcha was or was not a
ton the presoee a The Caetonese population were more British vessel would have been carried on very aperopri- embitored that ever, But the political problem before Privy
before(i titlie,Court of Admiralty, or r a committee of the
ho
re
es t
mightlon of
itsuhs et
It; eh% ocro
rindt3anhe•ed. way
but u
there wise exceeding le simple. There was at yet no de- legalyprize, rind Theadt
claratien of war, and therefore we could have no dlfff• I hold of all that tiissertation, however interesting it nese
culey ire withdrew, I/1g cur aeenta He warned the licuse have been, however valuable and extensive iney hove i eon
against the ignoble fear of beina thought afraid, which the legal knowledge brought to beeriest teoth sides, and ie
would lead them to go on in injustice simply because in- both houses—l hold that thet dissertation does not really
justice had been begun. Many of those who refused to lie at the bottom of the subject. (Hear, hear.) We have
support this resolution still condemned the proceedings of te treaty with the Chinese, and. that treaty says that Bri-
tish vessels shall not be boa:lied, nor have men taken oat
Sir J. Tslowring. If that statement went abroad to to-
without previous application to the British consul
reign nations, with the fact that the house refused to (,)!•Lileni'
Ihe question then is, what shoull the Chinese know anti
sanction these opinions by their vote, it would seal the believe the boaried vee to be —did the cow icier to
disgrace of England. But let him suppose the rever•e, ha a British vessel or not? I say L. ('Ohe'er her
1
and then be told that subordinate officials of Eegland say that the whole question turns theywhens.)
on that, anil hon.
lied committed injustice in the fir East, and were sup- members accuse Sir J. Bowring of flagitious falsehood
ported by the Government. An appeal was made to when he stated that the Chinese did not know that the
the nobles and bit hews of the land, but it faded. But the licence had expired, I say that that is the real gist of the
supreme appeal was made to the Commons of Eugeeee, whole case; and inateail of being a flagitious attempt at 1
and they redeemed the honour and the good name of imposition, it was a real statementof the quesiimi bstween
England, the Chinese an British authorities, and was the role ques-
Mr. BENTINCK rose te say something in explena- tion to ba adjusted. I say that if the Chinese authorities,
Coe, het he was very irepatiereay listened to, L ird Pal- knowing or believing that this vessel was a British vessel,
mersten having risen at the same time. He wee) under nof„lvltliertrtioerlee,evs,
ainudytialetion of the treaty,boarded her, carried
stood to say that Mr. Gladstone had mierepresented is the material fart of
wun,hceirocnolouhrst— I say thltetV
something which be had said. He had not °barged the technieelities of the cad©, The 'qwuesatioenv9.ismalYfave twee
r:gbt bon. genticenan with doing all that was vls aed been insulted, has there been a eimation of the treaty?
disgraceful, but had said that the right hou. gentleman —for if no, our representatives had a right to demand,
and his friends had been for some years past associated apt only an apology fur the wrong, but an assurance
with all the anti-protestant innevatious be the church, that it would not bo repeated. (Hear, hear.) But
I think it less been shown that, in point of fact,
(Loui cries of `r No, no," and " Qiestain.")
this vessel was to all intents and purposes entitled to the
Viscount PALMERSTON. was loudly cheered on rising. protection of the British flag ; for although the register
He said—l confess that from a gentleman possessing the had expired five days before, both licence and register were
talent and experience of the hon. member for the West good until the vessel returned t , port. Why I never heard
Riding—from a gentleman whose private and personal cha- of such a quibble as that which maintains that the Arrow
racter stands so high in the estimation of those who know awma srrei
all at
assehaa boieecir
tsoe sheer wasei
oi nu s tahre, riverm e
u of
ad i Canton.resse d
tIo
him—l should not have expected such a motion as he has this house on a distinction of that kincd. (Hear.) The real
male, and such a speech as introduced that motion. The meaning of the regulation that said the register should date
motion has been shown by Mr. Labouchere to be contra- during her whole voyage, and it was a miserable distinc-
tradictory in itself. It falls short of the object at which it tion to make, that she was not at sea because she was in
is aimed,and at which it was well understood to be directed, the river. I really did not expect such a line of argument.
It is a Motion calling upon the house, in the first
place, to (a fla,ltl a e ar.o:o)lVhahwas the history of this lorcha Arrow ?
She abstain from inquiry into the grounds upon which the hos- cargo, and good register;
asulitoeuwent to Macao, took in a
• What had she to do at
Claim; in China have been commenced, and following that Canton 7 What did she do? She deposited her register
up by a resolution condemning the measures that have been with the British Consul. What was the Consul to do ?
taken to redress the injuries we have suffered. (Cheers ) Despatch a communication to the Hoppo to get permit-
The hon. gentleman has talked of the logic of the Chi . Edon for the landing the cargo. There is no pretence
before the days of Aristotle, but if he had studied either the she lay
landed her cargo contraband; it was of rice, and
logic of the Chinese or of Aristotle, I think he would have coursea
ywiotte openly
consentoosite
otfh et
hteo wn for
Custom-housefive or sir
otloalrss, oo ff
been able to draw up a better resolution than this, (Cheers,) Canton. I say, then, that the Chinese knew the Arrow
He has also commended the morals of the Chinese• was a British vessel, was engaged in a legal trade, had not
I think he would have done more for his own morals if he vtliloelauleudtry talw, and was entitled to the protection which
had abstained from bringing forward this resolution. Nevertheless t,c the
of,lheienterseeavteirolaafft oorddetcilialetetrr. o a (tEtaetarhhe e aro. )
The question was between her Majesty's Government and ii.itioent she was about to sail, boarding her andycarryinginoff
Sir J. Bo wring on one hand, and Commissioner Yeti on the eeicerne:* Then there is a question ea to whether the Bra
other. The hon. gentleman stated that Sir J. Bowling was two resigenecraablelYnein.g't but we have it in the evidence of
an intimate friend of his, of 20 years' standing. We know of the lorcha and.
yard of
ovf still s,Dlretn,n ebdoyai the master
that he was an associate of the hon. gentleman in that ca. iTaeurt withinow ie) yards of the Arrow, and saw the Btitish fla4g
rest of public usefulness with which the name of the hon. s fact weaeirji }elthe mandarin. They aloe saw, and this is
not bean a • v noticed —they member will go down to posterity, as having laboured to the Blue Peter hauled down.ufalcleynti-
introduce a great improvement in our commercial system. cause it is an answer to oief the main that is important, he-
What has happened since the hon. gentleman and Sir J. who says the lorcha could nut have had agrumenits all yeh,
Bowring parted ? The hon. gentleman disclaimed any vin- because no vessel was allowed to hoist the Britishcoloursing:
dictive feelinguntil she was about to get under w But
against Sir J. Bowring, and said he was not underway, as every one knows ay. she was getting
anxious for vengeance. What injury has J. B ue etst is a sign
ring done to th hon, Sir ow- of-departure, so that she would have beef). off but for th
gentleman that he should thus for- detention in a few minutes, Another excuse was thaet
get all the the
setholt
My notion oft heatlvformerly bound them. (Hear, hear.) lteieTireevewseLee nwoasfoareginteisths on board I,uat.nod thierefore he did not
is that you would varewohtLeat a friend of twenty years rAL,
uuttloBo. True, there were no foreigee°rr onleeodareir when be
that if yon thought a, course w ith indulgence— Chinese entered the vessel, but they went on board minor
error you would ende excuse could be made for any diatelY after, and before the Chinesa left the vessel they
attack him for the first wra.vour to make it, but not were there also. Could there boany doubt as to theirknow-
he had made, with
all
the
big which in your opinion ledge of the character of the vessel, it was dissipated when
'less ani t armament which they found that on the representation of Kennedy they left
se enemy might be supposee two of the with him.- ' •
to feel. (H crew
whom was Sir John Bowring eppein ear, hear.) By cuses ; it is a falsehood, a flagitious faliehood, to say that
Did he owe it to aristocratic influence, redto this station ? there was no British ensign flying, no foreigners on board,
told so often is the cause of promotion ioctlehwe have been atitlethe time they took these men away. (Hear.) Whet,
vice ? (Hear.) Wee he a member of that ere,:tePtnabeliat "r- 0 f
pnr,ooWe ae sa Lhgel algleulatatidoliffmeraednet as an
tehxcuse
ufso:
attleteerovoaurrt
Jelin Bowring was esseetially a inen of the people Yitie hSair put forwent by Yeh when codec.ting evidence to suit- his
brought himself into notice be, his taleut, iudustry, anda purpose. The allegation of the officer commanding the
public services. Ho was selected for the first appointment by
ewas that there was an old man on board who went
which he held—that of consul at Canton—by myself, whet, tO-be Priest and that this man was supposed
I was at the head of the Foreign-office. I was led to make Oni the Chinese rii)rincipre toh:i4isartrvewshnieritest°l7Bs(vAil.tag re-
that
choice because I had watched Sir John Bowring in oltr
inesa,nttifey would no doubt have out off theheaed•oforthis
his former course. He had been employed in commercial take the trestlteeoyf couldt not get At his son. But why did they
negotiations at Paris ; he had distinguished himself ay might serve as wilteuncrewr they alleged it was that they
his knowledge of commercial !Hatters ; he was a man of Buttas hat stateinent Wsassran in the investigation of the case.
or, Wade only to the Admiral—it
great talent and varied attain:sleet', and I felt that "s repeated after to ea
,f the met , a Parkes when he appaea -
he was a man eminently' fitted for the pest for which wan whose eon te The said it was on P. .-‘i for the
I sidected him, then 'Yoe, With`ZatealltPOSell to he
~ -ccount ef this old
(Hear, hoer.) Then came a vacaecy
in the ofll • —I don't deny hi • ility era te, aagaged in piracy; but
GO of .plenipotentiary and superintendent solidity, ea, a inch he is distinguished
except it
of trade at Hong Kong; and m-
y noble friend Lord Cia- ante except
Yeh, withhela- fe:1" -enough I demur to his forbear-
Tendon promoted him from the office of consul at Canton spirit, entir.' - - ais ability,ei-an.f?.oer to tell the truth—(a lauga)
to that appointment. Re did it Pimply upon his own au- tirely ~atio.rouilyttslisitfts from this ground'
and conciliating
thority. My noble friend undoubtedly consulted me as gail'or having' been sooririe What is that? lie Bay's ajiaetn;
having more knowledge of Sir J B • • - •
able to months before attacked in h.
J. °wring, though my oy pirates was recognise one of the • is vessel ,
noble friend ha,i been associated with him in negotiat • " the Arrow by two circumstances one that
pirates on board
at Paris, and hal had experience of his talents. "ions turban, and the other that he had lost a front tooth,
a red '
Also consulted the then head of the Govern But he not know whether a red turban is a very peculiar head•llreds's,
Aberdeen); and though Hr. Gladstone int ernerit (Lord at Canton, but I think that if in sailing repittly past the
y endeavour to lorcha in another vessel this man was able to distinguish
throwoff from that noble earl an o- •
yresp
..mihelityeeif ref,
on. his enemy on board by no greater mark than the loss of a
sibility there be in that selection. -
—jet I hold in Itiy P front tooth, he must have been admirably fitted for a
A letter which shows that Lord Ab ci hand sharpshooter, and would do deadly service with a Minie
_ . aWM Wad 094/111.1ted on rata
. (Laughter,) So grossi Pal outrage on this country to be

justified by such an excuse, and yet Yeh has been justified
in this house for making that excuse. (Hear.) Well, the
wrong having been committed, we demand an apology and
an assurance that hereafter such a violation of the treaty
shall not be committed ' • and it was not till after a ferberr-
ance of some days, and the refusal of any satisfaction on
the part of the Chinese, that measures of hostility were re-
-ortod to, the first being the seizare of a junk, and the se-
cond an attack on some fort, The hon. member for the
West Riding was very fond of referring to the United
States as models which we should imitate on all occasions.
Now, what was the conduct of the United States comman-
der in a case that occurred the same time as that of the
, Arrow ? A boat rowing past during the dispute was fired
iute. The crew, believing it to be a mistake, hoisted the
American ensign, but the firing was continued. There was
an outrage requiring reparation, but it was not a deliberate
violation of a treaty, and might have been the accidental
,nisconduct of a gunner, or the Chinese might have thought
the American ensign had been hoisted as a subterfuge. But
the commander of the United States man-of-war first bom-
barded the fort, and then demanded an explanation. They
aret knocked down the offending fort, and then sent to Yeh
for an apology. He not only destroyed the fort, but sub-
sequently, seeing suspicious preparations making in an-
1, other fort, he attacked that also before the expira-
tion of a truce which the Chinese had demanded for the
purpose of deliberation. I contend, then, as the hon.
member for the West Riding is fond of making
comparisons, that our forbearance contrasts favourably in
this case with the proceedings of America We demanded
reparation. Was the mattr one of little consequence ?
What matter, it has been said that a number of men were
aken from a small vessel ? Why, sir, it is one of many
sots violating our treaty rights. We have by the treaty
,f Nankin obtained the right for all British subjects to
enter and reside without molestation in five cities of China,
of which Canton is one. The privilege, with regard to
Canton, is contemptuously refused. We have, moreover,
-.he right of holding land in these cities for commercial pur-
poses. And it is distinctly stated that as the wants of the
British community expand, they should have places as-
signed to them by commission. That has been refused at
Canton. We have had a very small area assigned to us,
where all the foreign merchants are crowded together to
their great inconvenience; But I know we want to have
more ground assigned to us—we do not care where —for
.warehouse room. We have in vain appealed to the Chinese
—we have in vain appealed to treaty rights, and at this
moment a great portion of British merchandise and pro-
perty is stored in Chinese warehouses, which are not under
the control and custody of British merchants. Well, then,
there was that determination on the part of the Chinese
. authorities to refuse everything that the treaty guaranteed
to us, and everything which it was possible for them to
deny. (Hear.) And what is the ground of the refusal ?
It is that the people of Canton are so harbarous, se cruel,
so savage, so hostile to foreigners, that it would not be cafe
for British or foreign subjects to enter tho city. The hon.
member for the West Riding gave us a complete refutation
of that allegation on the part Yeh and his predecessor, for
he rea4 a statement to us showing thplst British officers and
British subjects have walked through the suburbs, and
were treated with civility and kindness, mixed with a
little curiosity to know of what materials their clothes
were composed; but that no insult or molestation was
offered to them. Web, sir, do the walls of the city of
Canton make a division between barbarism and civi-
lity, between brutality and good humour ? (Hear.)
If Canton was the only town with which we had commer-
cial relations wo might believe that Yeh knew his country-
men bettor than we did ; but into Shanghai, which is as
considerable as Canton, and which is every day growing in
i uspor twice, British subjects aro allowed not only to outer
but sod's' intercourse takes place ; everything is conducted
with humanity and good humour; and so far from any
difficulty arising in consequence of whit has taken place
at Canton, no difference has taken place in our relations
with the people at Shanghai, nor, indeed, with the inhabi-
tants of any of the other cities which we have a right by
treaty to enter. (Hear.) I believe that this plea is only one
of the flagitious falsehoods put forward by Yeh and his pre-
deressors, in order to have an excuse for violating the
treaty by which the Imperial authorities are bound to allow
our entrance into Canton. (Hear.) Although I say that
this proceeding with regard to the Jorcha is a violation of
our treaty rights, it is not the first. It is only part of a deli-
berate system to set at nought all treaty rights, to set the
populace against us, and to frighten us away for purposes
et* their own, and that they may have an undue advantage
over us. (Hear.) This is one of the most important rights
which has been violated in the case of the Arrow. How
could commerce be carried on in security if British vessels
licensed and registered, and placed under the protection of
the British flag, are liable at the caprice of the Chinese
police and the Chinese authorities to have all their crew
Wren away perhaps when they are going to sail. (Hear.)
This vessel had no cargo, but she might have had a valu-
able cargo and might have been stripped of all hands and
exposed to the mercies of the pirates in that quarter; to
say nothing of the loss which might accrue from detention
when the vessel was about to sail. The right, therefore,
which was violated was an important right—important to
British commerce iu Canton, which was gradually increas-
ing, and which could only be carried on in small vessels of
the description of this lorcha. There was no pretence
for saying that the vessel was engaged in piracy or smug-
, gling, and the old man who was seized was net accused
of any criminal act himself, but as the relation of a
man who was suspected of crime.- (Hear, hear.) Can it
be said that the Government of Canton showed that kind-
ness, justice, ant forbearance, which would make remon-
strance unnecessary? Why, the answer of Yeh to the ap-
plications made to him, so far from showing any intention
to chengs his proceedings, showed that there was reserva-
tion in his mind, and that he would commit the same act
again--(hear, hear) —for what he says is, that no Chinese
official shall take men in future out of British lorchas
without reason. Who is to judge of that reason? Why,
the Chinese authorities themselves. (Rear, hear.) What
is the object of the treaty ? To prevent the Chinese from
setting up their own re 'son as a ground of interference with
the just rights of the British merchants. (Hear.) The hon.
member for the West Riding says you must remember that
it. belongs to the Chinese authorities to arrest Chinese cri-
minals. That is to sty, the Chinese authorities are to set
aside the rights we have by treaty, to arrogate to themselves
privileges which by treaty do not belong to them, and his
Chinese officials are to judge of the innocence or the crimi-
o dity of the crews of English vessels. (Hear, hear.) Ido
not think that anybaly has asserted that these men were
leraa:ly seized because they were Cinue.3e subjects, and yet
they were placed at the mercy of this human monster.
Mu .r.) The hon. gentleman (Mr. Cobden) has asked whe-
ther, if a Spanish criminal were on board an English vessel,
in a Spani.,h port, we would ant towards Spain as we have
acted towards China, If whether we would subject foreign-
ers to our own municipal law and regulations in foreign
ports. 'Choi() :isiertions aro true, but the hon. ..en lemon
who thus argued omit the circumstance of the treaty,
which override-s international obligations, and which is es-
pecially enacted for the purpose of overriding them. It is
perfectly well known that in treaties with the less civilised
nations of the world, we require that British subjects
should not be confined exceptia the presence of the British
consul. That is the cane in Turkey; it is the case in Per.
sia ; and much more is such a precaution necessary
in China. (Hear, hear.) If the Chinese authorities
hod been the mild, gentle, humane, and forbearing people'
they are represented to be, we might have said, we will
trust to you and hope that when a British subject is con-
cerned you will have recourse to the British consul. But
we know the atrocious system of administration which is
carried on iu China, an I especially in Canton. But what
can you expect from a person who boasts of having struck
off 70,000 Chinese heads in one year by the axe of the exe-
cutioner. I remember some years ago reading that between
5,00) and 6,000 had been put to death, and the mutilated
remains of seine had been allowed to remain in the slaugh-
terhouse whilst others acre brought there to execution.
What were they to think of the barbarity of a Government
which perpetrated cruelties greater than were ever heard
before by the beheading of 70,000 men in a single year. I
have heard what I believed to be a joke ; but it has been
cosfirmed by more than one gentleman who is conversant
with China, that persons who are condemned to death give
200 dole, to others to represent them. (Laughter.) I sai l
how cen that be, and I was informed that these persons say
your life is so precious you are not so certain that you will
be beheaded in a few months at the caprice of some Chinese
offichd ; your head will be cut off, and you will get nothing
' for it; is it not better for you to be beheaded a fortnight
earlier, and bo able to leave something to your family?
(Laughter.) What a pleasant state of society this must be
in this much-landed Government. These barbarities are in-
flicted by Chinese authorities. The first act of Yeh on the
breaking out of the dispute was to offer a reward for the
head of every Englishman. (Hear.) The next proclamation
we have had is that he would take secret methods of extir-
pating these hated foreigners, and by the last accounts
from Hong Kong we have seen how these secret methods
are carried out. (Hear.) We see in the atrocious murder
of 11 Europeans, how these proclamations have been car-
ried into effect. lam quite astonished at the right hon.
gentleman (Mr. Gladstone) when, instead of that generous
zeal and those noble sentiments which he has at his
command when he wanre them, he tells us that, quoting
from the discussion which took place 15 years ago, " Of
course these Chinese poison their weals." The right hon.
gentleman now undertakes to defend these poisonings,
(No.) Yes, sir, I say undertaking to defend them. (No,
no.) He says it is the resource to which the weak are dri-
ven to defend themselves from the strong, It is only ne-
cessary, therefore, fur any parties to say that they are too
weak to resist in order to obtain the justification of the
right hon. gentleman of the basest and most treacherous
crimes that cart disgi'aco humanity, (Loud cries of "No,"
and cheers.) I was the more sorry to hear it, bedanse 1
had found an excuse—and, as I believed a true one—in my
own mind, for his words on a former occasion. I did not
believe the light hon, gentleman to justify poisoning.
(Oh, oh.) What I believed no meant was, that they were
such a barbarous nation as to be capable of such enor-
mities, that they practised such treacherya and combined
such cruelty With their Slate, that it Was only natural to
suppose that they had committed deliberate poisoning.
That was the notion I had, I regret to say that on the pre-
sent occasion the manner in which the right hon, gentle-
man has treated this stibject induces in my mind the idea

other side of this question in the view which they take of
this correspondence; so far from seeing any arrogance, in-
sult, and brutality on the pert of our plenipotentiary, and
moderation and gentlemanly conduct on the part of the
Chinese, I think that the letters on our side are marked
with caution and moderation, whilst those on the part of
the Chinese authorities are tissues of equivocation and
falsehood. When the admiral found the Chinese Commis-
sioner was determined to push matters to an extremity, ho
agreed to the suggestion of the plenipotentiary, and said
that there must be no further concession; and that an official
communication with Yeh must take place. That is the na-
tural course of all hostile disputes of this kind : if the de-
mands made in the first instance are refused, and if a con-
tinual resistance is made, the demands increase with the
continuance of the resistance. It is the ordinary case, and
no party can complain if, by his own acts and want of faith,
he subjects himself to a continual demand. It is then said
that thedemands which were made were entirely at variance
' with the letters which I wrote on the subject, and with the
instructions of my successors in office. Why, sir, lam as-
tonished that men of real intellect, men who profess to de-
sire to act reasonably, who boast-of stating the truth,
should confound things which are totally different. (Hear.)
This demand, which I thought and which my successors
said ought not to be pressed for by means of hostilities, was
a demand for a full enjoyment by the public of the treaty—
a demand for a general and unrestrained admission of all
British subjects into the town of Canton, to live there, to
have their houses of business, to communicate freely with
the Chinese. Is that the demand now made by Sir J. Bow-
ring? His demand has been one of a much more limited
character—it is a demand simply for an official communica-
tion between himself and the commissioner in the first in-
stance, no doubt with provisions for future communication
when occasion should require. Is that a demand which it
was altogether unlawful to make, or which was inexpedient
to be made, or which would be disadvantageous toEugland?
Even upon the argument of the hon. member for the West
Riding I call upon him as a witness to show that it would
be a very valuable concession, valuable not only for our own
interest, but for the Chinese, in avoiding difficulties in cases
of future disturbance or collision. And therefore I say—
things having come to this pass—that our representatives in
China did well in adding to the demand they had already
made for the fulfilment of the treaty in this respect.
Things therefore now stand in this position. It has been
said we are at war with China ' • we are not at war, at least
I hope not. Up to the last accounts the quarrel was
purely local—(hear) —and still existed simply through
the character of the men so unfortunately placed at
Canton. The last accounts, moreover, showed no pro-
bability of any disturbance of the peaceable arrangements
existing between our people and the people of China.
(Hear, hear.) We are asked what our future policy will
be. That must of course depend upon the course which
the Chinese may take. Our first duty will be to care for
the protection of those British sehjects who have gone out
upon the faith of such protection, and also to care for the
interest of those merchants in this country who have lane
property in China, liable to all the accidents which exten-
ded hostilities would lead to. We have no wish for con-
quest, no desire to make China a British empire. It has
been a ,id that China is endangered by our trade. Is Brazil
in danger, or any other parts of South America endan-
gered by cur trade there ? I say, therefore, that those who
say that the Chinese are right in keeping us out., are not
paying attention to those plain facts which ought to lead
them to a contrary inference. It would, on the contrary,
boa great advantage to the people of China if a larger in-
tercourse were established. (Hear, hear.) If this unfor-
tunate occurrence had not intervened, we were in commu-
nication with the Government of France, and probebly
ghoul l have communicated with the Government of the
United States, is order to the sending of a friendly diplo-
matic mission to Pekin, with a view to make arrangements
for securing fresh commercial relations. Of course what
may be done must depend greatly on what is now taking
place. France and America are entitled to ask for an ar-
rangement of their treaty, and England, which has a right
to be placed on the footing of the most favoured nation,
will be also entitled to participate in any alteration which
may take place. lam sure that any step in this direction,
tending to do away with the obstructiveness which has
existed iu China, will be of immense benefit as well to the
British producers as to the Chinese consumers. The very
limited extent of our dealing hitherto has been one cause
amongst others of the extensive trade in opium, which the
right hon. gentleman has dexterously dragged in to catch
a few stray votes. We can only pay for our goods in
opium, as the verysmall quantity of British is not at all equal
to the amount of Chinese produce taken by us. Since 1842
to the present time the quantity of tea imported into this
country has more than doubled, having increased from 42
millioes to 80 odd million pounds, and the increase in silk
has ben still greater in proportion. I cannot have the
slightest doubt that if by communication with the Chinese
Government on the part of the Governments of England,
France, and the United States, we had succeeded in ob-
taining a larger opening for commerce and freedom for
trade, notouly would immense benefits have been obtained
by the three countries, but the advantages to China would
have been incalculable. The question, sir, is now put,
what aro we to do ? The hon. member for the West Rid-
ing not choosing to allow events to develop themselves,
calls on the house to affirm the resolutions, which would
defy the ingenuity of man to determine whether they aro
to be taken as a c: n3ure on our officials in China, or a cen-
sure on her Majesty's Government at home. The right hon.
member for Buckinghamshire, indeed, in the few observa-
tions he made some nights since on the question of the al-
jenrnment, adopted the latter alternative, and received
them as a censure on the Government. Much of the argu-
ment then used in the debate may be left out of calcula-
tion. If the conduct of our officers was imprudent and
wrongful, we ought at once to have censured and withdrawn
them. We have not done so, but on the contrary have
thought it our duty to approve and support them, believ-
ing they had done the best according to their judgment.
Having done that, of course the responsibility of their acts
falls upon us ; and therefore the vete of this evening, if in
favour of tho resolution., will imply a censure on us.
Something, sir, struck me very painfully in the course of
this debate. Nothing can be more respectable or more de-
serving of sympathy than an appeal to high con,iderations
when made on a proper occasion, bat I cannot say as much
for a parody of the language used by Lord Chatham anti
Burke in circumstances totally different. (Hear.) When,
sir, an appeal is made to the great principles of truth,
of justice, of humanity, and of the Christian
.religion, I
say, sir, that appeal is a perversion of those sacred prin-
ciples, when those principles are ' only invokel in de-
fence of flagitious falsehoods—(cheersand counter cheere)—
mi of cruel inhumanity and atrocious crimes. That, sir,
is what I have heard with pain. It is-palnful to see such
11)r support of an attempt to break
(oinwncile
all moral feelings,lm9orTil.'ale toin
to justify crime, and induce us to
confound right and wrong: What, then, is the object of
this motion? The hon. member who moved it appears to
aim in a great degree at his old and bosom friend, Sir John
Revering. Now, I have al ways understood that the Ivey
in which friends ought to deal with each other sis that indi-
cated by the poet,—
" Be to their faelts a little blind,
Be to their virtues very kin.l,
And fix a padlock on the "riled."

(Laughter.) But whether the hors, member for the West,
Riding
4 hallemascte, hUuir anitcinheese principles with regard to his
dear, his t friend, Sir John Bowring, I
leave to the house to determine. (.laugh.) At all events,
I venture to say that there is no man whose heart will be
more grieved at the enmity and bitterness, undeserved and
unexpected, of an old friend than Sir John Bowring will
be when he reads these debates. (Cheers ) But, sir, what
is it, then, that we ale wanted to do? Are we to send out
to China and say, "Tell Yeh that he is right. Tell him
that subtle lawyers have discovered by a great variety of
legal technic dities that the lorcha Arrow was really not a
British ship according to the imperial law, that therefore
he was right in what he did, anti that he may do the same
again with any vessel under British colours which he may
think, with what he calls reason, is liable to the same in-.,
suit." (Cheers.) What would be the consequences of that?
Our trade at Hong Kong and Canton would be as insecure
as if pirates had gained possession of the latter city as well
as of other posts. These would be no security for any
British property at Canton or upon the river. But would
lsiisphgreaensonagre afraid of me. I
of triumph, would
et
ahytt,t
"Theseall ? why,eo
wa r
ye ,Ernagi
have driven away all the barbarians that wore here. They
tell me that England is a great power and has a great
navy and army, but Englishmen aro afraid of me.
I, Commissioner Yeh, will do what I like with them
in future, and whether it pleases me to adorn the palisades
with English rather than with Chinese heads, I will do
what I please ; and their property shall be plundered by
whoever chooses to do so." Would that state of things be
confined to Canton ? We have great and extensive interests
at other ports as well as there. Shanghai, for example, is
almost a European community.
W
for the security of our people at Shhaantghinaian one
after the news of the adoption of such a motion as this ? It
would be a virtual casting-off of your British communities;
will
fortnightansw e answer
it would be committing them to the mercy of these barba-
rians ; it would be a public manifestation to the wholeworid
that you are not prepared to defend with your power those,
whom you have induced to place themselves and their pro-

party in a foreign land. Such a proceeding would, I say,
be disgraceful to the country as well as dangerous to those
whom we are bound to defend. (Cheers.) The right hon.
gentleman at the conclusion of his speech described in very
eloquent terms the opinion which, in Ma view, foreign na-
tions take of the possible decision of this house. Sir, I am
afraid that their view will b.) far different from that of the

fight bon, gentleman, They will say, " Hero is a Power
that has been formerly great in arms, whose fleas have
float 3d triumphantly over every ocean; the people of this
country are governed by a deliberate assembly—powerful,
as the tight hon. gentleman sayi, and responsible for its
acts. At last a change has come over the spirit of their
dream, This mighty, and hitherto undaunted nation, who
have deenied it their duty to protect their fellow-subjects
wherever they were authorised by their laws to go—this
proud and hitherto mighty people have laid aside their bold
front and have shrank from encountering Commissioner
Veh. They who have braved the armies of Russia; they
who maintained a long and not unsuccessful conflict with
oae of the greatest nations in the world"—with whom I
ta,uati we are destined never again to come into conflict
except, as our French neighbours say, in a conflict of gene-
rosity—(hear, hear)—" this people are now overcome by
the love of gain. (Cheers.) They fear the expenses and
the efforts which may be necessary to protect their coun-
trymen, and they abandon a large community of British
subjects at the extreme end of the globe to a sot of barba-
rians— a set of kidnapping, murdering, poisoning barba-
rians." (Cheers.) I say foreign nations would feel that
_England has descended from that high station which
hitherto she has occupied, at the beck of some of the basest,
the meanest, and the moat degraded beings in the civilized
world. (Cheers.) They would say, " What has brought
about this change ?" Those who look below thu surface,
those who look not merely to results, but investigate
causes, would say, "Do not believe that the British nation
is a party to these proceedings. (Loud cheers.) No,"
they would say, "take care of yourselves ; do not imagine
that so bold, so brave, so generous a people are consenting
parties to this cowardly arrangement, or that you may
safely trust to meet with similar conduct for the future.
hear.) It is an occasional event. (" Hear," and
laughter.) It depends upon an accidental condition of things
in the great council of the British nation. There have been
-"'"`"ntiV entered into—(cheers)--among men
time been kept apart by the
and boy recollections of
,-an. They. would
their

that he was offering a sort of excuse for the practice. He
urges that their covetoUsnessjtistities them in practices in
which nations far less civilised than they, in which Itafarl
and Indians do not indulge. Well, sir, then I say that it
was es3ential that We should require the fulfilment of
treaty obligations because the parties with whom we had
to deal were not only forgetful of . those engagements, but
were going step by step in a direction to place the safety
of our colony at stake. (Hear, hear.) Then, however, it
is said that we ought to have commenced by reprisal. Wo
did FIJ. The admiral proceeded to seize a junk. What
was the re.ult ? Commissioner Teh said—" You have
taken a merchant vessel for which wo do not care." Could
the admiral submit to this contempt! No. Upon that it
bacaatte necessary to hare recourse to further measures.
But then it was said you went step ty step, allowing
between each attack an interval of reflection fur Coin-
tuissionerYeh, but when you had seized the ship you ought
to have been content—you had obtained satisfaction. What
was the condition in which we should have stood 1 Yak
would have said, "I have triumphed over those English ;
they asked for an apology and explanation. I never made
an apology no; confessed MS self wrolia. T have gaiael,
13
..Icau victory over these barbariaus,l Then it was said
that tivse measures had been attended with such slaughter.
Have hon. members read an account given by naval officers
about the c cpture of these forts? Why, he said there was a
feeble resktance, which inflicted little loss upon our people,
who, when they entered the forts, found that the manda-
rins had got boats for their own escape, but had lett the
;,arrison to its fate, that the garrison thereupon rushed
into the water? What did our people do? Did they attack
them? Did they fire upon them? They saved them—rescued
them from the water, and then sent them in their own
boats to the opposite shore. Was that a measure of cruelty ?
These measures of aggression were the work of some hun-
dred seamen, aided, no doubt, by th oar-mince of the fleet.
And you have only to rk a I hese p :Teri to see—SirJ. Bowr-
ing being at Hong Kong a,,d Admiral Buytnour at C ,01,on
—that the detailed execution of the meacuro rested princi-
pally with the admiral. And if Sir M. Seymour had said,
" I think we have done enough and th/t we ought now to
be satisfied," Sir J. Bowring
would have bowed to the de-
cision, I cal:meta au' 3 algee with those who 1321T9 taken the i

Coui;ApatiOnti
who had fora Ion; ....nurse

stronge,t difference of °mt...
resentment oven not now entirely forgo,,._.
say, " This combination, not daring to put forw..—
acts in the face of day—having
concluded a secret treaty
—(cheers and laughter)—not guaranteeing their Pr's°l6
state of possession (that being tile last thing they wish to
do), but guaranteeing to each other the state of possession
which thy hope to obtain—have cautiously abstained in
the resolutions they have proposed from using words which
would fully in the face of day have explained and clearly
developed unto all the nations the object which they have
in view. (Cheers.) They have shrunk from moving
an ad-
dress to the Queen to remove Ministers wli ,se places they
want to occupy. (Cheers and laughter.) They knew that
that Government, not so much perhaps for its own merits
as for the demerits of those who might be its rivals—
(laughter)—did possess the approval of the country, anti
that, if the question were fairly put, `Aye or No, will
overnxent
you have that Govegezent or the Coaliti9n

V 8 5-7.

which we are prepared to offer you ?' They knew per- which they desire to obtain. (Hoar, hear.) You are deal-
fectly well what the answer of the country would be. ing with a country of immense antiquity. You have been
(Loud cheers.) Knowing that, and therefore sheltering reminded in this debate that China enjoys a civilisation of
themselves under the mysterious veil of unintelligible 25 centuries. Why, sir, the civilisation of Europe is no-
phrases, and imposing upon the conscientious feelings thing to that. But the result of those ancient habits and
of honourable and respectable men who, in support- customs is the existence of great ceremony and etiquette,
ing the resolution, do not stop to inquire whether and you expect that a country of that kind should not be
the war is just or necessary, or what the wrongs are which outraged by the frank and sometimes the brutal freedom
have produced it, but are prepared upon every occasion to of European manners. With the policy which has been
assert that no recourse to force is ever legitimate or allow- indicated by the noble lord—the policy of combination
able "—foreign nations will say that this coalition, prat- with other powerful European States in attempting to in-
tising upon the good feelings of these persons, and uniting fluent© the conduct of the Chinese by negotiations and
themselves with these from whom they have been hitherto treaties—it is my firm hope and belief that ultimately,
long and widely separated, have—if the result should be slowly and surely, we may attain our end; bet it is because
so—succeeded in (I will useneuncivil term) extracting from the actual policy of the Government—the policy approved
the house a vote the effect of which is different from that and vindicated by the noble lord—seems to me inconsistent
which it would have been had they manfully and boldly with the policy of combination with other European States
stated their object. (Cheers.) Foreign nations will say, that I think the time has arrived for the House of Com-
" Don't trust the English Government. Look at the re- mons to express au opinion upon events so startling and
suit of this debate and division. There are some members upon behaviour so incoosiderate. How has the house been
of the Legislature who raise the nicest legal quibbles, who called upon to express its opinion? We have been told to-
endeavour to excuse the most atrocious crimes—(cheers)— night of factious combinations and concerted movements.
who take part with any foreigner against an Englishman, Let us see whether the facts justify such broad accusations
and who—like the hon. member for the West Riding— on the part of the noble lord. Why, sir, one thing is quite
almost repudiate their country. This result may have clear. Here is a motion of which notice was given by a
arisen from a combination of accidental circumstances, gentleman who acts certainly in no political connection
but beware how you imagine that you can venture to deal with hon. members on this side of the house, and with not
with the British Government upon the assumption that many on the other side. (A. laugh) It is evident that the
they represent the feelings and intentions of the na- motion could not have been seen before it was placed in
tion." I don't intend to follow the example of the your hands, sir, by any great number of members, because
right honourable baronet the member for Carlisle (Sir —the objection was, I admit, almost a technical one—
. 7. Graham), who went so far as to say that every mem- it was drawn up in such a manner, with what we call
ber of this house would be accountable for the vote he the annexe of a proposed committee, that many honour-
may give not only to his. own conscience, not only to his able gentlemen on this side of the house at once declared
constituents, not only to his countrymen, but—if I did that they could not support it in that form. (Hear,
not misunderstand him—at that last day when all human her.) We have been told, sir, of party moves. I
actions will be scanned. I don't go so far as that—(cheers really think the time has come when both sides of the
and laughter)—but Ido say that this house bas now in its house should cease indulging in these platitudes. (Cheers
keeping not only the interests, the property, and the lives and laughter.) Why, sir, everything is a party
of many of our fellow-countrymen—(cheers)---but that it move in a house which ought to be ruled by party, and,
has also in its keeping the honour—(cheers)—the welfare, which, if not ruled by party, would soon lose its significance.
the reputation—(renewed cheers)—expressions which my What is a party but a body of men who have a policy
noble friend the member for the city of London justly pre- which they recommend, and who do not shrink from the
ferred to the foreign term "prestige"—of this great empire. responsibility of putting that policy into practice ? But I
1
(Cheers.) That is a sacred and a holy trust, and hon. gen- maintain that there has been no party move on the pre-
tlemen should conscientiously consider in what manner sent occasion. A resolution has been brought forward by
they propose Ito discharge it. They may think they are the hon. member for the West Riding. On this side of
only expressing their disapprobationeof the destruction of the house it has received considerable, but not unanimous
certain fortresses or of particular public buildings in Can- support. I have the misfortune to differ on this occasion
ton,—they may think they are only recording an opinion from many gentlemen with whom I act in political life,
that less severe measures would have been sufficient to and among whom are some of my most intimate friends in
meet the case,—that the additional demand made was one private life. If I look to the benches opposite I find
that might have been foregone,—or that if they had been there the noble lord the member for the city. (Cheers.)
in the situation of Sir John Bowring they would have He is also a party to this unprincipled combination. I
acted somewhat differently. These are highly honourable really think that the First Minister should settle his conr-
considerations, and it is quite proper that they should teous description with his late much-cherished and hon-
have their due weight, but there are greater rote- oared colleague, and not with me. (A laugh.) There are
rests at stake in the vote to be given to-night. (Cheers.) ace gentlemen opposite ,who once did act in very intimate
This house has now to determine a question of vast int- connection with. the Conservative party, and the appre-
portance to British interests that now exist, and that may hension that that intimacy should be renewed has conjured
hereafter accrue. Not merely the property, but I will up before the First Minister a combination at once the
venture to say the lives of many of your countrymen de- most horrible and the most heterogeneous. (Cheers anti
' pond upon your vote. Those who are most averse to the laughter.) The First Minister is of all men the man who
laws which inflict upon the greatest malefactors the penalty cannot bear a coalition. (Laughter.) Why, sir, he is the
of death may well pause before they come to a decision archetype of political combinations without avowed prin-
by which they may, it is to be feared, pass sentence of ciples. (Great cheering and laughter.) See how his Go-
death upon many of their fellow-subjects abroad. (Hear.) vernmont is formed. It was only last year that every
I have trespassed longer than I had ietended to do upon member of his Cabinet in this house supported a bill in-
the attention of the rise, but Ido trust that hon. gentle- troduced, I think, by a late colleague. It was opposed in
men will not allow themselves to be carried away by the the other house by a member of the Government, who, to
eloquent flourishes which we have heard in the course of excuse his apparent inconsistency, boldly declared that
the debate. I trust they will view this subject in its true when he took office the Fit st Minister required no pledge
light, as bearing upon the real interests of the country ; g from him on any subject whatever. (Laughter.) Yet
and lam satisfied that impartial men, who are not wedded the noble lord is alarmed anti shocked at this unprin-
to party; who are not members of any coalition that has elided combination ! The noble lord cannot bear coali-
been formed—(cheers)—and there are, and I hope always tions ! The noble lord has acted onl with those among
will be, in this house enemy men who act most indepen- whom he was born and bred in politics. (Cheers and
dently and who exercise their own judgment upon the laughter.) That infant Hercules (exclaimed the right
questions brought before them—will give their votes in hon. gentleman, pointing to Lord Palmerston) was taken
such a manner as to maintain the honour, the dignity, out of the Whig cradle, and how consistent has been
and the interests of the country. (Loud and continued his political life ! (Renewed laughter.) Looking back
cheering) - upon the last half century, during which he has professed
Mr. aIL ADSTONE—I rise just to say one word in- expla- almost every principle, and connected himself with almost
nation. I understand that during my temporary absence every party, the noble lord has raised a warning voice to-
from the house the noble lord at the head of the Govern- night against coalitions, because he fears that a majority
ment stated that I had defended the acts of retaliation of the House of Commons, ranking in its numbers some of
which had taken place in China. Now, in answer to the most eminent members of the house—men -who have 1
that statement, I need only refer to some of the express been colleagues of the noble lord--may not approve a policy
sions which I used. 1 remember two of them. I de- with respect to China which has begun in outs age. and
scribed those acts of retaliation as detestable acts, and I which, if pursued, will end iu ruin. (Loud cheers.) That,
spoke of thorn as an abominable system of warfare. (Hear, sir, is the position of the noble lord. And what defence of
hear.) that policy have we had from the noble lord ? Has he
Lord PALMERSTON—What I said was that the right laid down a single principle on which our relations with
hon. gentleman had done his best to characterise what had China ought to depend ? Has he enunciated a solitary po-
taken place as a wanton attack by the strong upon the litical maxim which should guide us in this moment of
weak. (Hear, bear.) peril and perplexity? Oa the contrary, he has covered a
Mr. DISRAELI—I wish, Sir, very briefly to recall the weak and shambling case by saying—what ?—that ho is
attention of the house to the real issue which we are about the victim of a conspiracy. (Cheers and laughter.) It's
to decide. (Hear, hear.) The noble lord has entered into the old story. How often does a
when he is in the unfortunate position prisoner at the bar,
on of having no (la-
the subject with a great deal of detail—(cries of Divide, fence, declare that the whole thing is a conspiracy ?
and cheers from the Oppesition)—which I should have (Cheers.) The noble lord was singularly inconsistent in the
hoped after the discussion which bas taken place had language which he addressed to the house. He carefully,
become obsolete. (Divide, and hear.) The noble lord
biped emearoationadstthhei
him. He
inalfliunednetdialtosectionsht
edi different distin-
guished are com-
has cast imputations upon the right hoa. gentleman the
guished statesmen who, disagreeing on other subjects,
member for the University of Oxford, and has in- agreed in their opinion of his policy. He did not enter
truded into the debate observations which must have into any manly or statesmanlike-defence of his conduct.
originated from a speech made many years ago. The He reprouuced petty observations made in the course of
noble lord has also found fault with the resolution the debate which I thought really had become exhausted
and obsolete, and dr n he turned round and said that the
upon which we are now about to decide, and has charac- whole was a conspiracy ! (Cheers) Accustomed to majo-
tedsed it as being indefinite, and he has attributed to me rities which have been obtained without the assertion of a
the expression of an opinion that it is a vote of censure on single principle, which have, indeed, been the consequence
the Government. Now, I beg to inform the noble lord that iof an occasional position, and which have, in fact' originated
11 the noble lord's sitting on that bench without the neces-
sity of expressing an opinion upon any subject, foreign or
and the implication that it is a vote of censure on the Ge- domestic, that can interest the heart of the country or influ-
verument did not originate with me, but with the learned once the opinion of the nation, the noble lord will at last
Lori-Advocate. In faet, on the motion for the adjourn- find. that the time has come when, if lie be a statesman, he
ment of the debate I stated that as the Government con- must have a policy—(chaers)—and that it will not do, the
stdered the motion to be a vote of censure I should not be instant that talni atthe
accustomedbluncio;oi ni
influence
frufehnicseCtlbeion Cabinet
opinion
detected, and
house
willing to press it prematurely to a division. I am, how - unites in condemning it, to complain toP the country that
ever, unwilling to quarrel with the name the noble lord he is the victim of a conspiracy. (Cheers.) Let the noble
has accepted, and I a'so accept this as a vote of censure on lord not only complain to the country, but let him appeal
the Governin•'nt. I think it more for the hon ,ur of the to the country. (Cheers ) I hope that my constituents
will return me again ; if they do not, I shall be most happy
House of Commons that it should be se considered than to meet him on the hustings at Tiverton. (Reueweel
r that it should be regarded as a mere censure upon absent cheers.) I should like to see the programme of the proud
officiale. (Hear.) I can assure the house that lam not leader of the Liberal party—" No reform, now taxee, Can-
ton blazing, Persia invaded." That would be the pro-
going to enter into any of the legal arguments which have
gratnrue of the etatestuan who appeals to a great nation as
been adduced, and I must admit my surprise that the de- the worthy leade©r of the cause of progress and civilisation.
bate lets been so lengthened by the iutrol notion of the (Cheers.) I Lope that the house will not fora moment be
legal element into the argument, because it appears to me influenced by the languid menace of the uol,le lord. I
that the observations dispose of the whole of that pert of hope that hon. members will feel to-night that they have
duty to perform which will be remembered long after
the subject. (Hear.) In the first place, if the Arrow lied
tahis Parliament shall hare ceased to exist; and that, not
been a British ship, built at Blackwell, owned by an frightened by the menace of a Minister, they will dare to
Englishman, and manned by British seamen, I do not vin licate the cause of justice, and to lay down a principle,
think that the Government would have been authorised without the observance of which the empire of which we
to take the course which they have adopted (hear) and in are so proud may soon be questioned. (Loud and pro-
thet acted cheerine 1
second place the representatives of England in China -r e.,
were unable to take their stand upon the case which they Mr. COBDEN—As I have been personally referred to
d
originally stated, and wore driven to placing the whole during the four nights of the debate by many speakers, and
as much has been erroneously attributed to me, I trust that
matter on a very different issue, and therefore I think that
I may claim the indulgence of the house for a few minutes
the legal part of the question as regards the error is not
w
very materiel. The question has all along been one notofhile I reply to them. I have been accused of ungenerous
law, but of policy, and it is to the question of policy that language towards Sir John Bowring. Now, I stated that I
'
I shall briefly address myself, for that is the question upon had 20 years acquaintance with Sir J. Bowling, and that I
would rather not refer revengefully or harshly to hien, and
which we are called upon to decide, and I hope that the
house will not be diverted from the real issue which is in- the only epithet which I applied to hie unfortunate de-
volved by the tone which the noble lord lord so singularly sPatehes was that in which I described one of them as the
adopted towards the close of his speech. (Hear.) The .
most flagitious public, document which had been ever pub-
noble load made use of a regular du quoguc argument,
, and
lished. I repeat those worns, I amsorry that a sense
Some gentlemen have found fault with what they have of duty compels me to dose. (Cheers.) The noble lord at the
described as a disregard for truth on the part of Sir John head of the Government remarked upon my conduct to
Bowring ; to that the noble lord replies that Yeh is a
foreigners
git as un-English. (Cries of " Hear, hear," from be-
have and to my own countrymen, and character-
liar.-
have spoken with mere freedom than perhaps I should (" Hear, hear," and a laugh.) Some gentlemen id ei
hind the Treasury benches.) Will that very small knot of
have allowed myself to use of the conduct of British gentlemen up in that quarter (pointing to the rear of the
Treasury benches) cease to proclaim the nakedness of the
merchants abroad ; to that the noble lord replies
land by interrupting me ? because, though I know there
that we who are going to vote for this resolution are
will be a very large vote for the Government upon the oc-
influenced by a lust for gold. (" No, no," and hear.)
cas.on,
i those feeble cheers show that there is not verymuch
Let us come to this question of policy. It appears to me
that Sir J. Bowring has been unjustly treated by the ma-
heart in the business. (Cheers.) If the house will give me
jority, indeed I may say by all the speakers who have ad. its attention I promise to be very brief. (Hear.) The
dressed ta e house, because his conduct has been ratified, noble lord characterised may conduct as anti-English. He
sanctioned, and approved by the Government, and is, in . described mo as being very prone to take the part of fe-
rny opinion, not to be too strictly reviewed by the House reigners,
would raffia
end in the same breath the noble lord said that
of Commons. But the case is much stronger than that ; I
osterit
have only known Dr. Bowring as a public man, having sat p y rd me with some degree of considera-
with him in this house, as many of us have done; but I tion for having rendered some service to my country. I
remember that three or four years ago he returned from thought there was some inconsistency in that statement,
his consulate, having revisited England in order to receive and Ido not understand how posterity could regard with
his instructions before he appeared in his new and superior favour one who abandoned his own countrymen and sided
station at Hong Kong. Sir J. Bowring thee called on with foreigners. (Hear, hear.) There are some people
several of the leading members of both Houses of Parlia- who suppose that the noble lord's motives of action are not
went, and, among others, he did me the honour to call on always the best, and part of the press believe him to be ac-
me, though I had no social acquaintance with him. He tuated by almost treason in his public conduct. (A laugh.)
talks i very frankly of his ideas with respect to the poeitien The noble lord therefore should be himself disinclined to
of China and the policy to be pursued there, and lam fix on men false motives and unworthy objects. My only
bound to say that the policy then recommended by Sir J. motive of conduct in this house is to promote the just in-
Bowring was the policy which he has recently put in prac- terests of my country, believing them to be in harmony
tics, and which is before us in the papers on the tabie. L with the interests of the whole world. (Cheers.) The
have a right to assume that he spoke as frankly- to her Ma- noble lord has referred again to my remarks with respect
jesty's Ministers as he did to those members of Pal liament to British merchants, and with that dexterity he knows so
on whom he called, and I have further a right to assume well how to employ has attributed to me all sorts of as-
that they entirely shared his views and approved his pensions on the character of British merchants. Now, I
policy after he entered upon the Government of Hong made no disparaging reference to British merchants as; a
Kong. (Hear, hear.) Now, if this be the case, I think bady. (Cries of "Oh !") I spoke of certain merchants at
that under all the circumstances the conduct of Sir J. Liverpool, represented by Mr. Charles Turner, chairman,
Bowring is not open to severe criticism, but that it is the who, in the name -of the East India and China Associa-
policy of the Government we are called on to discuss, tion, sent a memorial to Government, recommending the
(Hear, hear.) It would in such circumstances be most tan- Government to insist on the opening to foreign trade of
generous on our part and most unjust to make this an hale any port on the coast of China, or on andny,
inna:riegoavbelre
on' the personal character and conduct of an absent man. river, and on placing consuls at them, a
(Hear, hear.) Let us, however, look at this policy. It is desired that our ships of war should have free naviga-
,
an attempt by force to increase our commercial relations tion and access to all ports and rivers in China. (Hear,
with the East. (Hear, hear.) I agree with my lion. friend hear.) I say that such a document applied to an inde-
the member for Liverpool and my hon. friend the member pendent and great empire was never before published
for Hastings that it is most desirable to have our com- to the world. (Cheers.) With respect to the language I
mercial relations faith China increased ; and I should look used, it was applied, not to the merchants of Liverpool
forward with great interest to the now treaty for that generally, but to the persons who expressed such sentimeets;
object to which the noble lord has referred; but I cannot and. I say such language is worthy of reprobation. (Hear
reconcile such a policy with the course that has recently hear.) The noble lord has stated that but for these unfor-
been pursued by the Government. (Hear, hoer.) There is tunate events at Canton the Government had made repro-
all Chi a,—viz., that sentations to the Government of France, and was about to
one idea too hueregard
n
England talon js with
to act with energy in order to I make them to America with a prospect of success, for a
pro duce the same results as in India. (Hear, hear.) Fifty joint representation to Pekin, in favour of greater commer-
years ago Lord Hastings offered to conquer China if he cial facilities with China. That is an important disclo-
were ony allowed 50,000 men. So great a captain as the sure, and tends immensely to aggravate the misconduct
Marquis of Hastings might have conquered that empire, which has led to these unfortunate events. (Hear, hear.)
but since the time when our Clives and Hastings founded Is there now a prospect of such an arrangement being
our great Indian empire the position of atfairs in the made? I speak advisedly when I say I believe that Awe-
East has greatly changed. Great Powers have been rice will not be a party to any combined action with the
brought into contact with us in the East. We have the Government of this country on the basis now taken up in
Russian Empire and the American Republic) there, and China. What does the noble lord want with another treaty
a political compromise developing itself like the balance with China? He tells us he believes the reason why
.so
of power in Europe ; and, if you are not cautious and few of our manufactures enter China is that there are in-
careful in your conduct now in dealing with China, you fennel duties and obstacles which prevent their circulation
will find that you are likely not to establish cotnnterce, inland. Well, this may be true; but I think that he is
but to excite the jealousy of powerful States, and to in- mistaken. I Oink that a country which shows such an
volve yourselves in hostilities with nations not inferior to alcost unparalleled freedom at her ports, that puts no re-
yourselves. (Hear, hear.) Look at the position in which stsiction on shipping, that gives such facilities for the. car-
you.
put obstacles 13
have placed yourselves within these two months with rying on of business, is not very likely to i . . .
the circulation of
the two countries of Persia and China. (Hear, hear.) I I the way for the purpose of preventing
hope we may have peace with Persia, end that iu a few manufactured goods in her interue.t.e
_Bhuintaifthat is the
now than be.
clays that peace will be announced, having probcb'y ac- reason why we sen i no wore goods C
cepted the very terms we some months ago refused. ('Hear, fore the war of 1340—viz., to the xtent of only 1,2 o,ooot.
hear.) But if you have peace with Persia you will pro- per annum, does the nobly lord think that the boutherd-
bablY have succeeded in establishing Russian ascendancy went of Canton will tend to remove those obstructions in
"•et country by your violent conduct,—(llear, hear)— the interior of Cilia of which he coinplains ? 'The great
lord has told us, with the
;ea where also you may soon have peace, you grievance in this affair is that you are carrying on hostili-
China
while in, teen. - 4 the ascendancy of the United States. ties now without any definite object, and u opossibtegood
will have establishea +he true state of affairs, this can arise fromthnems;
Govern.
hear) If that is . nud the idea of dealog view of alarming thaTthief naovboete adverse to the G
h should begiven to-night the results will be most dis-
cstee with which went 8--"- world,and particularly in
o i
have this
country must dismiss from its am...
' youth
n receivedtl
o f
China
it has done with barbarous Stave- etinathies,
British lives may be destroyed out of revenge b '
I gtetrous all over the
Powers civilised like ourselves have great see-, ... f theette
tee., But we have no residents et Canton, anti
and the danger is thet as in
and we must habituate ourselves to the idea of by
' the ''-'..11°- ' chtiictshinlthbea
tending to countries like China the same diplomatic in; : ,foraehiorneBlei
tercourse that we have with other nations. (Reef, hear.
You cannot do that in a moment ; but I maintain that we subject
a. , ,
Ong
_,
is grown they will be starved
) byt.l;laa,itlestthieeEnt,_
Kong,
with China taken refuge tii
WI. ~
have made great advances in our relations wi
has that place scarcely any I me, howevet, that there is
already, and that the policy which the Government
the ' for want of provisions. pica,_.!iy the Chinese, ii,n you
Y
adopted is ono which will deprive my hon.friendsa thou wing enanSaMat
~
raembere i9X Liverpool d• HAS
aliaugs of those very results no clanger -.