Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-10-03
FROM CHINA.

| FROM CHINA.
| News from Canton to Apsil has been re-
ceived in London. The whole foreign trade
'lil remained suspe uded, and the Imperial
Commissioner, Lin, had insisted on the sur
rcndcr Of all the opium on board the ships IN
II the river, with perseverance which showed
Il that he was determined to enforce the requl-
Il stion. The Hong merchants had been
| threatened with great severity. They were
required to procure the attendance OF Mr..
II Dent. British resident, on the Commission
er. This Mr.. Dent refused to do, unless the
Commissioner would grant him safe conduct
under his own sea with promise that he
should not be detained more than "a hours.
This the Hong merchants could not procure.
Yet they were threatened even with death,
and two OF them, Howqua aud Mowqua, had
d chain hung round their necks, and il was
reported that three were imprisoned.
In the mean time all communication with
the coast and with Whampoa was cut off,
Numerous Mandarin boats were stationed ~
the river 20 prevent the escape OF any Tor
eigncrs, and all trade was stopped. No car
90 was allowed to leave. The Hong mer-
chants, To paclfy The Commissioner, endea-
vored to persuade the merchants to give up u
quantity of opium TO be destroyed, represent
ing that il at least 1000 chests were not given
up, they should be executed. The Chamber
Of Commerce at length came to the resolu-
ton to give up 1897 chests. This offer was
not satisfactory to the Commissioner.
Capt. Elliot, the British superintendent,
arrived from Whampoa, March %, where he
had given orders 20 the commanders oi the
ships of war Hercules, Mermaid, and Lance,
10 hold themselves in readiness to resist any
act of violence. On arriving at Canton how
ever he found himself without means OF com
munica ating with his officers. The river near
the factories was cleared of all the boats
usually there, and in their place was station
ed three rows of bonts. filed with police and
soldiers, who completely penncd in all the
foreigners, so as to make it impossible for
any of them to escape. A strong guard was
placed before the Compahy's Hall. Not a
Chinese was to be seen except those who
were on duty.
On the 9th Capt. Elliot as superintendent
OF the trade of British subjects in China, ad-
dressed public notice to British subjects, in
which, constrained by paramount motives
affecting The safety Of the lives and liberty
Of all the foreigners present i'll Canton" he
enjoined and required all British subjects in
Canton, forthwith to make a surrender TO
liuy lhc oCIFiSC VI utI SoNCiH-
ment, "of all the opium under their respec-
tive control, to be delivered over to the GO
vernment Of China.
This requsition was complied with without
delay. The quantity Of opium surrendered
to him was 20,2 ,2S3 chests, and it reinuned IN
his possession az the latest date.
The restrictions were rendered stll more
severe all the streets were blocked up DR..
Parker was not permitted TO go to his hospital.
No one was allowed to 60 to the China street
market. Water and quantity of provisions |
we're sent to the Consoo house as present, 4
but the foreigners refused to accept them.-l
Afterwards, on the 3lst, provisions were Of
fered, and they were permitted to pay for
them. II
On the 1st of April correspondence with II
the American and Dutch consuls was pub
lished. The commissioner in letter to Mr..
Snow, the American Consul, says that he
cannot understand the reason why, as he, the
consul, had informed him, his countrynen
should have delivered into Captain Eliot's
keeping, some 1900 chests of opium, rather 4
than to him. lie says there must be some /
double dealing there. This opium, it is sta
ted, was British property, and as such, had
been given over to Capt. Elliot. The Dutch |
consul declared that his counirymen had no
opium in their possession, but the commits /
sioncr said that he could not make any ex
cepton in favor OF Dutch ships.
Capt. Elliot had given notice of his n'en-
tion to surrender all the opium to the Chi. /
nesc government, under certain supulations
which he had entered into with them. The |
quantity delivered up was estimated to be of /
the value Of about G2,000,000 sterling. An
expectation seemed to be entertained ,ha,
the owners would be indemniicd Tor the loss,
by the British government-an expectation
which the London papers intimate proba-
bility they may be disappointed IN.