The Sun.
London, England, 1842-12-01 00:00:00

l picked troops, who assaulted the breach. A general
orderon this occasion spoke of his conduct as "surpassing
all praise," and the Prince Regent ordered the word
" Tarifa" to be thereafter imprinted on the, regiment's
colours. He next commanded at Vittoria, where the
87th lost half its number; on this occasion he was ho-
noured with the thanks of Picton, and received a third
medal of distinction. He commanded at the battle of
Nivelle, and was severely wounded there ; on this occa-
sion he was honoured with the Cross; and the officers of
his regiment presented him with a valuable vase.
To enumerate the whole of the attacks in which
this Gallant Officer has borne part in China, and
been the directing guide and leader to victory, would be
to relate almost every late attack, since his valour has led
him to be foremost in the field at advance, and the last
to retire. The latest piece of active service in which his
operations were signalized with his great and customary
success was at the taking of Chapoo, on the 18th of May
in the present year. On that day the Cornwallis, Blonde,
and Modeste, took up a position close to the batteries,
and opened their fire, to which a very feeble response
was made by the forts. The troops, under Sir Hugh
Gough, were landed in a fine sandy bay to the eastward,
when, quickly pushing over the heights, they came to a
causeway leading to the city, where they were joined by
the naval brigade, who had landed to the westward of
the heights. Up to this point the Chinese had fled in
every direction, and their defences had been carried with-
out any material loss ; but three hundred Tartan had
here thrown themselves into a joss-house, and, not being
aware that quarter would be given them, defended them-
selves most desperately, forty only being taken prisoners.
Neither did these yield, until their comrades were buried
in the ruins of the temple, which fell upon them. The
loss to our force was, consequently, much greater than
has been before experienced by ussvirs, eleven killed and
fifty-two wounded ; among the former, the gallant Col.
Tomlinson, of the 18th regiment ;. while in the list of
those severely wounded were the zealous Adjutant-Gen.
Col. Mountain and Captains Campbell and Jodell, of
her Majesty's 55th and 49th RegimentS.
SIR HENRY POTTINGER.—This Gallant officer, to whose
superintendance and direction so many of our recent
signal victories in China are attributable, was appointed
sole Plenipotentiary in July, 1841, and landed in August
at Macao, the passage from England to China, by the
Overland route, having been performed in the short time
of 67 days. No sooner had. Sir Henry arrived thin'
vigour was infused into every movement. The expedi.-
tion to the north was instantly decided op, and the equip-
ment of the transports rapidly forwarded. Sir Henry
Pottinger, immediately on his arrival, issued the follow-
ing notice, dated the 12th of August :
"In taking charge of the offices of her Ma-
jesty's sole Plenipotentiary. Minister Extraordinary,
and Chief Superintendent of Trade in China, Sir
Henry Pottinger deems it requisite and proper to
publicly notify, that he enters on his important func-
tions with the most. anxious desire to consult the wishes,
and to promote the prosperity and well-being, as well as
to provide for and *secure the safety of all her Majesty's
subjects, and other foreigners, so far as the concerns of
the latter can be affected by his proceedings, at this time
residing in any part of the dominions of the Emperor of
China ; and that he will be ready and happy, at all
times and under all circumstances, to give his best at-
tention to any question that may be submitted to him.
At the same time it becomes his first duty to distinctly
intimate, for general and individual information, that it
is his intention to devote his undivided energies and
thoughts to the primary object of securing a speedy and
satisthctory close of the war ; and that he therefore can
allow no consideration, connected with mercantile pur-
suits, and other interests, to interfere I.vith the strong
measures which he may find it necessary to authorise
and adopt towards the Government and subjects of
China, with a view- to compelling an honourable and
lasting peace.
" Sir Henry Pottinger is conscious, that among the
persons to whom this notification is addressed, there are
few individuals who are not as well qualified as himself
to form a correct estimate of the reliance to be placed on
the agreement and promises of the Provincial Govern-
ment of Canton. He has intimated to that Government
that he is willing for the present to respect the existing
truce, but that the slightest infraction of its terms will
lead to an instant renewal of actual hostilities in this
province ; and it is accordingly to be borne in mind that
such an event is not only highly probable, from the well
understood perfidy and bad faith of the provincial officers
themselves, but also because they may be compelled, at
any moment, by orders from the Imperial Cabinet, to set
aside and disavow their own acts. With these views and
sentiments, it only remains for Sir Henry Pottinger to
warn her Majesty's subjects, and all other foreigners,
against putting themselves or their property in the power
of the Chinese authorities, during the present anomalous
and unsettled state of our relations with the Emperor ;
and to declare, that if they did so, it would be clearly
understood to be at their own risk and peril.
" Sir Henry Pottinger avails himself of this opportu-
nity to announce, that the arrangements which have been
made by his predecessor, connected with the island of
Hong-Kong, will remain in force until the pleasure of
her Majeity, regarding that island and those arrange-
ments shall be received. And on this point Sir Henry
Pottinger further desires to call the attention of all con-'
cerned, to the public notice issued by heisMajesty's Ple-
nipotentiary, on the 10th of June last.
"Dated at Macao, on the 12th day of August, 1841.
, (Signed) " HENRY POTTIN GER,
"Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary."
On the 22d of August Sir Henry Pottinger made for
Amoy, accompanied with the fleet, which consisted of
the following vessels, in three divisions, led by the Ben-
tinck surveying vessel, Commander Richard Collinson
—Wellesley, 74, Rear-Admiral Sir William Parker,
K.C.B, Commander-in-Chief, &c., Capt.. Thomas Mait-
land, C.B. ; Blenheim, 74, Capt. Sir Thomas Herbert,-
K.C.B. ; Blonde, 42, Capt. Thomas Bourchier, C.B. ;
Druid, 44, Capt Henry Smith, C.B. ; Modesto, 18,
Capt. Harry Byres, C.B. ; Pylades, 18, Capt, Talavera
V. Anson; Cruizer, 16, Capt. Henry W. Giffard; Colum-
bine, 16, Capt. Thomas J. Clarke ' • Algerine, 10. Com-
mander Thomas H. Mason ; Rattlesnake, T.S. Mr.
James Sprent, master, R.N. ; Sesostris steamer, 'Capt.
Ormsby, H.E.C.S. ; Phlegethon steamer, Lieut. James
APCleverty, R.N. ; Nemesis steamer, Lieut. W. H.
Hall, R.N. ; Queen steamer, Mr. Warden, H.E.C.S. ;
Marion, transport, with Lieut.-General Sir Hugh Gough
and staff.
In addition to the above were fifteen transports, with
her Majesty's 18th, 26th, and 55th regiments, a wing of
the 49th, and Madras rifles, the. guns, engineers, and ar-
tillery ; besides -which were six transports, carrying pro-
visions for the force, and coals for the steamers.
This second northern expedition arrived off Amoy on
the evening of the 25th, and stood in towards the har-
bour, anchoring about dark, The batteries on Que-mey
Islands fired a few rounds at the ships, which were re-
turned by the Modeste ; but as her shot fell short she
discontinued firing. Early the following morning an
officer of low rank, with a flag of truce flying in his
boat, came off, with a message from the Mandarins, to
know what so large a force wanted in the inner waters ;
and if it was not for trade they were to loose sails, and
go away immediately, " ere the Celestial wrath should be
kindled against them." Td this message the following
answer was returned :
" On board Her Majesty's ship Wellesley, off Amoy,
August 26, 1841.
" TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE ADMIRAL COMMANDING IN
CHIEF OF THE NAVAL FORCES" OF THE PROVINCE OF

FOKIEN. _ _-
" The undersigned, Sir Henry Pottinger, Bart., her
Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary ; Sir William Par-
ker, Commanding-in-Chief the naval forces ; and Sir
Hugh Gough, Commending-in-Chief the land forces of
the British nation is these parts.
" There being certain differences subsisting between
the two nations of Great Britain and China, which have
not been cleared up, the undersigned Plenipotentiary,
and the Commanders-in-Chief, have received the in-
structions of their Sovereign, that unless these be com-
pletely removed, and secure arrangements made, by ac-
cession to the demands last year presented at Tientsin,
they shall regard it as their duty to resort to hostile
measures for the enforcement of their demands. But the
movedundersigned
by
compassionate
feelings,aad
soldiersCommanders-in-Chief,
averse
and urgently request the Admiral Commanaadinan
the death of so many officers alusitn.
perish,
and
this province forthwith to deliver the towgn.and all
the fortifications of Amoy, into the hands of the Britishan
forces, to be held for the present by them. Upon his so
doing, all the officers and troops therein will be allowed
to retire, with their personal arms and baggage, and the
people shall receive no hurt ; and whenever these diffi-
culties shall be settled, and the demands of Great Bri-
tain fully granted, the whole shall be restored to the
bands of the Chinese.
" If these terms be acceded to, let a white flag be dis-
played from the fortifications.
(Signed)ahryer. Majesty's
"HENRY" HENRY POFTlTenliNpoGteEnßti
,i,raL
: gWlil. LG II A
At a very early hour, on the 26th of August, the GMOUPGAHIU,iEM' laj'oßr-eGaern-Aerdanll.
Ple-
nipotentiary and Commander-in-Chief embarked on
board the Phlegettion to reconnoitre the defences, which
were found strengthened by every means that art could
devise. The principal work was a. battery, from eleven
to twelve hundred yards in length, and situated on the
south-western side of Amoy. This battery mounted
ninety heavy guns. To the southward and eastward of
this were several detached and smaller works, extending
to Sandy Point ; while to the westward of it, on Red
Point, was another very heavy fort of forty-two guns.
On the Island of Ko-long-soo, which is the key to
Amoy, and immediately opposite to these fortifications,
were some powerful batteries, mounting in all seventy-
six guns, which the Chinese were busily strengthening
with sand-bag batteries. On the Island of Causeo, and
raking the passage, was another fort ; while several
were on the north shore, fronting the river, or inner har-
bour, Huantong-san. The whole was found to be a re-
markably strong position. During the reconnoitring, a
few shots were exchanged between the steamer and bat-
teries. The morning had been intensely hot without a
breath of wind, but was succeeded in the afternoon by a
pleasant sea-breeze, when the squadron weighed, and
stood in to its work of destruction. The Modesto had
the honour to lead, followed closely by the Blonde and
Druid, which ships were to engage the batteries on Ko-
-1
long-soo, and at the entrance of the harbour. The line-
of-battle ships, with the Sesostris, Queen, and Bentinek,
were to attack the long. batteries ; the Nemesis and
Phlegethon, filled with troops, and covered by the re-
maining ships; were to keep 'ready for disembarking
them when ordered. It was about 1 P. 31. when the
force weighed, the port division leading in, and exchang-
ing a few broadside; as they passed,
with some batte-
ries on the islands of To-a- ta Sio-ta, and Chc-soo, and
then proceeded on to silence Ko'-long-soo, to the batteries
of which they approached within pistol-shot. The
Blonde grounded, but fortunately broadside on to the
forts. After this the Marines under Captain Ellis, of
that distinguished corps, were landed, and were speedily
followed by a detachment of thegallant-26th,under:Major
Johnston ; on seeing which ntunbers of the Chinese fled.