New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-04-14
Later from Canton.


previous to the Splendid, and may, therefore DC
daily expected Indeed the Valparaiso Is already
reported as below.
The papers are principally occupied with the
correspondence between the British Merchants
and SIR Henry Po;tingcr, respecting the recent
riots and the destruction of British pro Perty at
Canton The Merchants first wrote to Sir Hugh
Cough. the Licat.Gencral, stating that the mob
was prcconcerted, that the Chinese authorities
were unable 10 restrain them, and that, In conse-
ouencc. British property cannot be considered
safe at Canton without efficient protection from
thci- own Government The force of the local
authorities they think cannot be depended upon,
and thew asl. that the steamer Proserpne may
De allowed to remain IN front Of the factories tlll
come communication can be received from Sir
Henry Pottlnger.
SIR Hugh acquiesces in their request, but ad
vises them to be on their guard and to do nothing
20 provoke another outbreak.
On the 18th of December the Merchants adj
dressed similar letter to Sir Henry Pottinger,
requesting him 70 place such a force at Canton as
might be necessary for their protection, to which
he made an extended reply. he differs from
them n the opinion that this disturbance orgl-
mated in preconcerted plar. 50 far as he has
been able to earp be gays, 1t arose out OF the abu
sivc conduct OF the Lascars, who had been pei
united to leave the ships TO the number 81 10;
and that il was only in opposior % Their out
RACES that the Chinese assembled IN mob The
Lascars were ti,cil allowed TO take refuge III the
factories which were therefore burned The
crews of the ships he consequently considers the
originators Of the disturbancc-and before he
makes any demand for payment for losses, he says
he must be satisfied that this was not the case.
The insinuaed unwlllingncss Of the local authori-
ties TO restrain the mob he thinks is in no degree
I borne out by The facts that have reached HIM
The officers, he says, have ovlnced the utmost
/ anxiety to avert, far az possible the injury to
the local trade aid prosperity OF Canton, which
the late treaty is calculated to inhict. Nor docs
he believe that they were unable to afford protcc-
ton though he refers the merchants TO their rccc-
tons Of English and other European outragcs for
! proof how unrnanagcablc thing an cxaspcratcd
mob is In every part Of the world. Tic expresses
doubt, however, whether proper and timely apPli-
cation was made TO the authorities, and asks, at
all events, why the Lascars, By whom the rot
was commenced, were not restrained BY those
whose business it was to look after theI, Ifthere
is really feeling of hostility towards the British
residents diffuscd among the natives, nc charges
it to the base md barefaccd perfdy of the officers
of the Provincial government before he came to
China, and to subsequent misInanagcment and
lll.trcatncnt from the residents Themselves. He
then addresses the merchants thus
will contcat myself by asking you, whether,
with your admitted knowledge OF the hostile feel
ings OF certain classes at Canton. you. to whom
thu, lcttcr particularly addressed, as well as all
other foreigners, whether subjects of England or
not, can stand forward and conscicntously assert,
that YOU have studied the complexion Of tho times,
that YOU have in any single lota, or circumstance,
strvcn to aid me in my arrangements dis the hum
bic but Jealous instrument of the Government
whose protection has been extended TO YOU IN an
unparalleled degree, and which, | may add YOU
are always ready 10 claim and eXpect-by cndca-
voring TO dissi pate and soothc thevcry excitement
and irritation OF which YOU so loudly complain
may even ask whether YOU have not thrown
serious difficulties and obstacles, If not positive
risk III the way of the very arrangements and
measures which YOU 50 earnestly desire to scQpcr-
fcctcd and which, next to the assertion Other
1 Malestys dignity and honor have been the leading
object of my public actions tor the last eighteen
months 1t is needless TO occupy your time, and
swell tins letter by detailing circumstances; but
presume that you will now be ready 10 allow
that 1t would have been better had you gone on, as
Ill times past quietly and unobtrusivcly with your
mercantile pursuits, until IT was announced To you
d. ttI.,
considered in full force
He says he should ros,et the withdrawal of the
British merchants from Canton, but still feels
bound most explicitly and candidly TO acquant
them that " no conceivable circumstances should
induce me 10 place her Malestys Government IN
SO false and undgnlicd a posture as should con
slider 1t to be placed m were | to send troops and
ships OF war to Canton IN opposition To the re.
quest and wishes of tic local Government IN or
der that YOU might carry on Your trade under the
protection OF such troops and ships OF war" Such
an arrangement, he adds, would result in farther
hoart-burn;ng and violence, and might very pro-
baby renew hostilites between England and
China-a calamity he would mos, earnestly dc
precatc. He hopes soon TO receive a communi-
cation concerning late events from the Viccroy
at Canton, with which he promises 10 make them
acquainted,
The British merchants, in reply to this letter,
clam that their information on the spot. OF the
origin and motives OF the riot, is more to be truS;-
cd than reports that mey have reached the Plcni.
potentiary at Hong. Kong. AS to the doubt
whether timely notice was given 10 the au,hoyi-
ties OF the not, they say there is no room Tor IT. as
such notice was admitted by ;hy Chinese them.
selves TO have been received; and as to the more
important part OF Sir II. pot;ingcr's letter, which
asks whether the British merchants have ever