Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-05-15
From the Philadelphia Gazette.
China,

Mr.. EDITOR:
The bitter spirit of general denuncistion which
has been laundering forth through the American
PRESS from day TO day, against the British Govern
ment, In regard to her present position with CHINA,
is, we regr, to say, As unwarranable on our part,
as II 10 unsrateful and unjust The peculiar view
which the people Of the United States have been
eased to take of this question, the shameful iRdi
ference with which the American Government has
listened to the degrading insults heaped upon her
citizens during the late general difficulties at Can.
ton offer certainly plea to AS for coDdemnIng,
much less soothing, at the Government OF Great Bri
tain, for adopting the only course open to her to
avenge the wrongs and expressions which have been
Practsed upon her subjects, aording reby naught
but that just prote cton to their persons and property
VIII eh they might reasonably look for, and " hich
every people have a right to claim from their 60
vernment under circumstances much less agra
waiting than those of the case before u.s. The only
apology that can be urged for this unhappy mis-
taken feeling Of the Americans upon this subject
is their entire ignorance Of he true history Of the
Chinese difficulties, aud which, for them, is GER
tanly as unfortunate as it is inexcusabe. We are
glad TO perceive, however, that some two or three
Of respectable journals have charitably and
W sey taken upon themselves correct, II possible,
the gross injustice which has been done to Captain
Elliott, H. NJ. Superintendent OF Trade at Canton,
and shall be very happy this brief exposition of
affairs which il is our purpose to offer, shall in any
manner subserve their ends, and thus do away with
the false impressions pervading the American COM
munty, of the grounds upon which Great Britain
designs to proceed against China,-lhe language
lately held by several Of our distinguished Senators
in adverting to this subject, together with that Of
the public prints, would lead us u believe that Capt
Elliott 10 waging unjust warfare ainst the Chi.
nese, and solely the ground to use the words OF
these gentlemen that the latter refuse TO have
the base and poisoning drug stuffed down their
willing throats Now, let us examine if such really
be their motive for action. and, at the same time in
stead of railing against Captain Elliott and the Bri-
fish Government, let US consider the question
whether the Government of the United States has
not been rather wanting IN proper respect Tor herself
AND her citizens reside nj in China in not adopting
similar course. BY reference to the Canton gazettes
published some months previous to the grand stop
page Of trade general OF all foreigners,
&c il will be that Capt Llliots most strenuous
efforts were exerted TO prevent the smuggling Of
opium within the Chinese waters freely offering, as
he then did, his most hearty co-ope alton wi the
Chinese authorities for this end, and declaring to
them at the same time, that in dong so, he
Of his Government So jealous, SO enthusiastic in
deed Captain Elliott in this cause, that he did
not fail to draw down upon himself the severest
sure and ill-wiil Of many Of his own country Ren,
who, foiled in the brilliant schemes which they had
planned for themselves, denounce ed their provdent
sup rinte ndsnt n traitor to his country and in.
voked upon his head the bitterest of curses Yet in
the face of all this opposition, this expression of dis
appreciation on the part of large portion of his
cOuntrynen, he moved fearlessly in his course, de-
claripg that in order to give that due protection to
the legal trade, which was incumbent spon him. he
would spare no means within his power for the
plete annihilaton of the other.
Is there any thing in all this to draw upon him the
epithet Of smuggler-the eneourager and supporter
of illcgaltrad Yet these are but plain and simple
facts, open now, they have been, at all times,
the ewes Of those who, had they sought for proper
information before taking up the subject, they
were bound 10 do, never would have been guilty Of
hurting their unjust reProaches upon Captain Elliott,
but rather have held him up the gratitude # the
American people for the important services Ader.
ed by him TO the American population at Canton, in
mmon with the English. Now, at the opening Of
10 Rplf 9TH xtyla h.
edct was issued declaring stoppage Of all trade,
Captain Elliott was residing with bis family at Ma
Goa, and did not reach Canton until three days after
wards. In the meantime all commune cation with the
shipping had been cut OFF and order issued by the
Chinese authorities 10 arrest aud drag OF the
British merchants with the walls Of the city, with
the view. no doubt, 10 make such example Of him
should deter all foreigners from a commission Of
their offences Captain Elliott having received in
egeBce Of this at Macao, and acting at once in ae
cordanee With the instructions Of his government
which charge him particularly nerer 10 gire up a
British subject 10 The Chinese under anu eircum-
stances hdferer left at in his cutter for Can
ton, having provided himself with legal " chop
passport, procured from the authorities AT Macao
Ga the passage mp several attempts were made by
the Chinese war junks to cut him off, bat without
success; Captain Elliott exhibiting every where his
lawful pass until he finally landed in safety at the
"Csnpany's Hall, amidst the grateful cheer, Of all
the foreigners, who in their critical situation were
rejoiced receive whom all would look up 10 as
head. His first proceeding, after hosting the
British ensign upon the Companys Hail. was 10 pro-
coed, supported by the foreigners generally to the
residence OF the merchant alluded 10, which was
then guarded by a small file OF soldiers who imms-
diately gave way, hewever, to Captrin Elliott and
folio and the gentleman escorted in safety
to the Hall and p,ceJ under the protection Of the
British flag. His next proceeding was 10 demand
respectfully from the Chinese authorities passports
to quit Canton. as wei for himself for all foreign
ers who were disposed to leave with him, reminding
the said authorities VIII, and what he was, eclarpg
at the same time that IL the said passports not
granted within three days he would consider China
at war with Great Britain. This de mand, made as
IL was in the most respectful manner was treated
with the utmost contempt, and no reply to IL what.
soever was returnedby the Chinese save in the form
OF general ediet which appeared the followin ing
day. addressed 10 all foreigners, requiIrg that all
foreign-owred epium. including that tcithout the
Chinese tcaters, cay p 600 chests, should be delv
cred up within the space OF ten days, threatening
IL such reqpsition were not Immediately complied
with that all innocent foreigners well guilty,
should be made Co suffer the ast penalty OF the
law-desth Thus will be perceived the i'm pc rative
necessity which existed for that delivery Of the OPT
um which has been viewed BY many an impe -etra
bic scheme Of policy perhsp. the part Of Captain
Elliott. in word, as voluntary abandonment TOR he
&C hicyemtnt III certain private ends. Now, let IL
be horne in mind that this demand was addressed
% Captain Elliott, ncuding him in the
ne raj threat, whom they knew 20 be perfectly un
this, the publicly recognised furctiouary &c Her
Majes,N's Government During all this time, and
from the very hour &C Captain I'll iott's landing
armed forces were stationed in front Of the Compa-
nys Hall, aud all the feseign fsctoriesj vessel, Of
war densely ranged IN rear III these as 20 prevent
all possibility OF escape xon with the ship
ping at Whampaa Add to this, all the servants in
the en,ploy of the foreigners had been withdrawn
and for while. even the most common necesssries
Of life were withheld; and indeed every species of
Ito. l..