The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-07
From the Nep York Star.
IMPORTANT FROM CHINA.

Fipe Hundred Chinese killed By The eannonading Of
fheir boats by British sioopof war BY the ship
| Talbot which left Canton, Nov 8, we have sdvices
thence TO Oct, 20 The English all departed from
Macao, August 26, rather than involve the Portuguese
the Chinese had threatened to them all out If
the British did not leave They went on board the
shipping at Hong Kong The outside transhipnent
trade by the British through American vesses is broken
up, and the British ships at Hong Kong Quilted their
anchorage by order OF Capt. Elliot Oct 26, and pro-
ceeded 10 Tongkoo Bay, which IS more safe the Chi
nese government having ordered them to come up to
Whampoa, or leave the country within three days
That they might trade before if they would give up
for the Chnamsn killed, which Capt Elliot re-
fused aod Immediately sailed for the Bogue IN the Bri-
tlsh soopofwar Voltage accompanied by another slooP
Of war, stop all other British vessels coming up to
Whampoa. Capt h. sent letter shore to the
Cumshi, which returned unopened, and shortly az
Ter 300 Chinese gun and heboats surrounded the Vo-
lage, and persisted III remaining, though ordered OFT
they were fired into from both sides, and horrld
slaughter ensued, about 500 Of the crews being killed.
and the escaping their shattered baques without
making resistance Canton was to be bockaded lmmed
a,ely This information from Capt. Story OF the
Talbot, who derived 1t from persons who said they
were eye-witnesses to the carnage.
The Americans are on good terms with the Chinese,
and driving a prof able business. Two or three
English ships have signed the required bonds
II would appear that the difficulties with the English
had been recently aggravated by the high commissioner
discovering that the contrsband trade IN smuggling OPT
um had been renewed, and Lin had demanded the
render Of the ships that brought it, that they might
be burned and the crew executed, confonaby to the
decree.
Capt Warner Of the British ship Thomas Coutts, is
censured for coming into the river and jeopardng the
lives Of his She Is closely guarded by the Chi
nese from all communication with shore.
Capt. Elliot is the other hand censufed for having
wthou, the authority Of the British government, made
the following concessions to the Chinese.
l. That the opium trade is piracy.
2 That he willing any British vessel found with It
on board shall be conhscated
3. That he will procure from British merchants de-
caraon that they have concern direct indirect
with opium.
4. That unless the commander and consgnee Of
every vessel on the day Of her arrival make solemn
declaration in Chinese and English, that she has brought
opium, has board, and will receive none, she
shall not trade
s. That he Captain Elliott, will accompany Chinese
officers search British vessels suspected Of having
opium.
6. That the measurement pilots and linguists fees
will be paid by British merchants outside the if
the ships went up TO Whampoa
T. That vessels going Anunghoy shall be searched
These concessions are deemed disgraceful, and look
very unlike the tone first assumed by Capt Elliott
On the 29th OF October II appears that Capt Elliott
taking right view Of the exorbitant demands Of the
Chinese, proceeded with the British sloops Of Vol
age, Capt. Srlth, and Hyacinth Capt Warren and tho
cutter Louisa, to the Bocca Tigrs, prevent the ship
Royal Saxon, Capt. Towns, who had signed the bond
from entering Canton the attack on the fire ships in
Hong Kong Bay must have been Immediately subse-
quent to this.
young English servant boy OF the Mermaid British
ship went amongst the Chinese boats in Hong Kong
Bay, and three days after his body was picked up
shockngly mutated. Two other dead bodies OF Eng
lsh subjects were found in similar way in Septem-
Der.