Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-03-18
The late Important News from China--The
Fight between the English and the Chi


The news brought by the Morea, from Canton
Monday that all trade, with the Americans,
had been stopped, created immense sensation
through the city yesterday. As usual, the blum
dering Wall street press could not understand the
news brought by the Morea, and therefore under
took to deny its correctness, without taking the
least trouble TO inquire into its authenticity As it
is matter Of such immense Importance to the com
mercial community of this country, have taken
all possible pains to get full particulars of the whole
affair, and for that purpose waited expressly Mr.
Goldman, the supercargo of the Morea.
This gentleman witnessed the fight between the
British sloops Of war and the Chinese junks; this
was Sunday Nov 3. At our earnest request, he
detailed to the following particulars, which
be easily understood, as well the relative posi-
ton of all parties, by reference to the above excel
lent map of Canton Bay, which have had en-
graved for the express purpose Of illustrating the
past and future operations expected to take place.
Linn, the High Commis Toner, threatened to burn
all the shipping lying at Hong Kong, about the LIST Of
November Hong Kong, may be seen on the
above map, is about 20 miles below Canton, at the
east entrance Of Canton bay or river. Here there
were nearly 100 sail of British and other mer-
chant vessels with cargoes most of which Linn
threatened to burn. On the afternoon of Satur-
day, November ID, Capt Elliott went from Hong
Kong, up the Canton River, with tho sloops of war,
Voltage aud Hyacinth. When he arrived at the
Bocca Tigris, little above Cheun Pee point right
off the Hoe Tower about 30 miles below Canton,
Sunday morning. he sent "cbop" ashore in tse
Man-of- Wars boat to the ert above Anson's bay.
A chop in Chinese means almost any thing; some
times proc lamstion, handful, letter or a
law; and chop-chop means very fine, or very strong,
or first rate. In this instance II was letter sent to
Linn know if he meant TO burn the ships at Hong
Keng. o. he threatened. Linn sent word back to
Elliott, that he must drop down the river mile or
two, and he would sesd him an answer Elliott,
with the ships began TO drop down. az desired, but
were soon surrounded by war-junks; these were
first ordered of by the Captain of the Voltage, they
refused TO comply and the British fired broadside
into them this was returned, and the Chinese fought
with great bravery; particularly the junk OF the Adj
miral Of the Chinese Navy, Chang-Tehon-whan
Loo.
The Morea left whampoa early on Sunday morn
ing, and came past the Ty-Cock-Tow about noon,
lust a. the British fire the first broadside; in 30
minutes 1000 Chinese were killed, six junks sunk,
and the RESTRAIN near ashore into Anson's Bay, be-
tween Cheun Pee Point and Hoe Tewer, and Oh cum
Pee BAY, lust below the Point. Capt. Elliott and
the two sloops, in company with the Morea, dropped
down the river to Macao. Here the Morea stayed
ill the 10th Of November, when the Voltage and
Hyacinth sailed for Hong-Kong to batter down the
two forts at the entrance the principal bay there
as the map.
The day before the Morea left Macao, news was
brought down from Canton, that Linn so exas-
peratcd at the result Of the fight that he had or
dered all the trade stopped with foreigners, in
GLIDING even the Americans. This was told to our
informant the supercargo above named, by b. Baret-
to, Esq, Portuguese merchant, at Macao, and
there is every to believe IL true, neither
of the parties have the least interest in misrepre-
senting the case. Moreover, when the ship
Morea left Canton, such step was daily expect
ed every thing was in the greatest possible state Of
uncertainty and all the foreigners seemed anxious
to get away a. fast possible, fearful Of the worst
consequences. The Chinese had poisoned nearly all
the streams around the Hong Kong, and Il was only
by watching, through telescopes, where the Chi
nese got their own water, that the ship captains
could tell where to get theirs. The deepest posi-
bic hostility was raised to all foreigners especially
after the battle Of the 30 of November