The Whig standard., 1844-10-26


Post of Thursday:
CANTON, Goth May, 1874.
On the 9th instant we had arrow with the Chi
nese, no foreigners taking part in IL but Ameri-
cans. The new flagstaff was ornanented with
vane in the form of an arrow, gilded, which re-
heced the rays of the rising sun, far ard near its
symmetry and beautiful workmanship excited tie
admiration of foreigners but to the Cinnamon its
errac movements and ever varying position,
pointing north and then south, Yesterday east and
to-day west, were porten'ous OF evil dark fore
bodinrs were raised in The minds of the super
stitous and excited people, in which many Hong
merchants and mandarlns participated; but there
was another class, the idle vsgab,nds VINO swarm
about Canton, whose fears were less excited than
their hungry stomachs and love of plumber. @
Simultaneous with the appearance of the gilded
arrow came dry weather, and sckly season set
IN, both in the city and country; and to the
charmed arrow were ascribed the deadly effects
OF The cholera then raging
The attention Of our Consul, Mr.. Forbes, was
called to the circumstances by number of very
respectable Hong merchants, and they requested
him to have the fatal arrow removed: at the same
time appeared an inaammatory placard, ascribng
the evils enumerated to the gded arrow
The Consul, wishing to yield to the superst-
tons of the people, decided to take down the
OF sailors; while they were engaged in lowering
the op-mast of the flag g-staff, the mob gathered
around, first throwing stones, then rushing in and
cutting the ropes, in consequence of which the
top-mast came down "by the run" The mob
ran off with the halyards &C., there being no re-
sistance offered, the tumult increased, and there
was every appearance that it would end in riot,
when the factories would be attacked.
The destructive riots of 1912 began in SINH
las
dspel the rioters, and immediate action was ne.
cessary. ~ a te&a
At this juncture our Consul, with dozen
Americans, repaired to the square, armed with
muskets and pistols the mob retreated, but
threw back volley of stones, upon which one or
two of the more excitable of the Americans fired,
wounding three of the rioters but the Consul
restrained the men, using his exertions to confine
them to acts of strictly defensive character.
The square was now in possession of the
Americans, who remained till 4 P NJ, when
about two hundred soldiers arrived with the man.
darns. A slight skirmish took place, upon which
the soldiers aiming at the mob, fired in the air,
and, under cover Of their shields, charged upon
the rioters, who we're thus dispersed.
Early on the following morning the square was
again filled with rioters, notwithstanding the
presence of the soldiers, and it was necessary
again to raise the flag -staF that the flag might be
hosted in front of the consulate. #r,.
The Americans again turned out with muskets,
cleared the square in presence of the mandarins,
and remained on guard till all damages were re-
paired, the top-mast of the flagstaff raised to it's
place, and the flag once more unfurled to the
breeze. a
Mr.. Lay, the British Consul, apprehending the
trouble, had sent to Whampoa for marines. Fif-
teen were sent up to the factories, and remained
inside as corps de reserve IN case the Ameri-
cans were overpowered, but the marines were
not called out.
The flag being again in its place, the Ameri-
cans retired from the square, and all remained
perfectly quiet.
The result undoubtedly produced good effect
on the Chinamen-frst, in showing them that
the Americans were ready to resi- ect their preju-
dces; second, that they were ready and quick to
defend themselves when attacked.
Many of the most respectable of the Chinese
have expressed their appreciation of the conduct
| of the Americans, considering the interference of
the mob unwarranted, and their attack wanton
and unprovoked."