The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-16
Fr,z1 The Nep York Commercial advertiser.
LATER FROM CHINA.

BY the arrival OF the ship Panama, Capt. Benja-
min, we have advces from Canton tG the I'd of June,
and from Macao TO the 4th inclusive, at which date
the opium affair had reached its local catastrophe
all that now remains is the action Of The British
Government, of which we shall probably have spe-
| cilic information by the next steam packet.
The threatened proclamation of Captain Elliot,
which was 10 work such wonders" makes Canton
too hot for dll foreigners-had appeared and, like
the other procamations of that official, proved much
less formidable in fulflment than in promise. He
left Canton for Macao on the 24th Of May, accom-
panied by all the British residents and BY some OF
other nations. All the foreign consus had also pro-
ceeded TO Macao.
The notice of Captain Elliott was issued on the
22d Of May, two days before his departure for Ma
Gao II is not explicit, and in fact amounts to little
beyond repetition OF what is said in former pro-
camation-to w.t. that no confidence is to be placed
in the Chinese GoveInment-that the surrender Of
| the opium was compulsory and unjust-hat further
commercial intercourse with China must be at the
risk Of those engaging in it-and that the British
subjects, before leaving the country, must make up
sealed statements of their claims, &c. As to the
course of the British Government, no more distinct
intimation is given than the following
And he has once more to warn her Majestys SUBJ
ects in anxious terms, that such sudden and strong
measures as it may be found necessary TO adopt on
the part of competent authorities for the honor and
interests Of the British Crown cannot be prejudiced
by their continued residence in Canton beyond the
period Of his own stay, upon their own responsible
ties, and in spite Of the solemn injuncons of her
Majestys officer.
On the 23d OF May an address to Lord Palmerston
was drawn up and signed by the resident British and
ParSee merchants, setting forth their grievances,
giving a brief history of The commissioners pro-
ceedings complimenting Capt. Elliott for the part
he had taken throughout, and urging the recogni-
ton and iulfilmenl of his conditional pledge that
the claims Of the resident foreigners tor indemnii-
cation and redress should be enforced by the British
Government.
The surrender of the opum-20, 2S3 chests-was
completed on the 2lst of May. The manner of its
disposition was not yet Observation-Disclosures burn
il, throw 1t into the sea, or forward II all to Pekin
The latest proposition was to dig large pits, into
which il was to be thrown, with quaint. suf of oil,
salt, water, and Other ingredients TO make il liquid
and then lie, it into the river Tor the benefit of
The fishes.
As may be supposed, the foreign business at Can
ton was pretty much broken up Tor the time and the
few foreigners remaining were chiefly Americans
The prospect of renewal Of trade was very
doubtful because the Chinese authorities not salts
fed with the bond given by the resident merchants,
stipulating that they would not deal in opium, fur
ther demanded similar bond from the captain and
consgnec Of every vessel that should arrive, agree
ing to the conhScation of vessel and cargo il any
opium should be found on board and that all parties
connected with the vessel should suffer DEATH On
this condition foreign vessels were allowed to
up 10 Whampoa, but none had awaited themselves of
the permission. Indeed, Captain Elliott, on the 10Th
OF May, issued formal notice, forbiddng the en-
trance OF All BRUSH vessels until ne should puDllSh
declaration that il would be safe.
Lin, the Commissioner, having so successfully
completed his undertaking against the opium, had
been promoted 10 the government OF the provinces
Chekeang and Keangse, the second Of the Empire
in rank and importance.
In The mean lime, however, a new trouble had
sprung up in regard to the measurement Of foreign
vessels, The Commissi 1ner had ordered all the
ships arriving with cargo to be examined by the
Sub-prefect and their dimensions, tonnage, and
draught of water TO be reported, and with l3 vessels
lying al Macoa, this was done. But one American
ship the Peih.ta-e, Robert Fulton made sail, aud
would not stay TO be measured; whereupon ensued
long series of clear reports and special edcts the
substance of which appears in the following ex-
tracts:
The ship Pehta-le, which refused to be measur-
ed, and presumed 10 sail away Eastward, has evil
IDENTITY done for evil. We have sent communication
to the hoppe that he convey commands 10 the hong
merchants not TO trade with her. but 10 hasten her
departure back to her country The said sub project
&c will give direct commands TO the cruisers 10 take
with them inguists an pilots and ascertain plainly
where Peih-tale has gone and finding her track,
convey 10 her the commands that, having been un.
willing to be measured, il is evident she has brought
contraband goods and has dared TO show opposition;
that while orders have been given for the others TO
enter the port of Whampoa, she is not allowed to