The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-21


authorities, that the people generally were ad-
verse to the measure, and that the mob could not
be controlled until they were rendered more pacific
and tolerant, the English allowed Its operation to be
postponed to the 9Th of April, 1849. And now
the same plea is urged by the authorities; and it
would seem that not only the mob, but the govern
ment are opposed to the fuhlmen of this condition
of the treaty Seu, the Chinese governor, officially
notified Governor Bonham that the gates should moi
That the people are srenuousy opposed to the
opening Of the gates, there can be no doubt. took
considerable pains, while at Canton recently to salts
fy myself in regard to this fact In no one instance
did Chinaman fail to express himself strongly OPP
posed to the measure. One Of the merchants said
accompanying his words with violent gesture
"Foreigners no can go inside the gates-too muchy
long time China custom-no can do; English may
burn cty-may burn hundred Cinnamon, but for
egners no go inside!" This is hut faint sam
pie Of Chinese conservatism.
Another Chinaman, taking his long-braided hair
into his hands, and making motion across it as if
to sever it from his head, said that, before they
would let foreigners get inside Of their city, they
| would have their tails cut off. And then, drawing
his hand across his throat he said, that Cinnamon
would have their heads cut off as their tails.
Indeed so degraded do these poor people think them
selves, after being subjected to the punishment of
parting with their tails, that many of them have
been known to 60 out and commit suicide in conse-
quence. doubt IT it's generally known among
the Chinese that their government stipulated to open
the gates of their great city to the world.
What Is the objection of these people to the adj
mission of foreignerE They believe that the latter
must be impeled by some more sinister motive
than that of mere trade. Some think that they are
after their women; some that they wish learn the
secrets of their arts and manufactures; some, that
they have the power of seeing into the earth, and
that they after the treasures which the Chinese
koor, h,,rso cd tba~
ridiculous motives do they attribute to the English
| for wishing to enter. No doubt the ignorant
taught to believe these absurdties by the better in
formed, who would keepup the feeling of hatred
against foreigners.
The Chinese made such military preparations as
they could, TO resist the opening Of the gates.
masked battery was placed opposite the Phlege-
thon, an English war steamer, in such manner
| that if the balls missed the vessel they would rake
the factories. Companies of soldiers, to the num-
Der of $4,000 men, were raised and drilled in and
| about Canton. They were called braves" by their
own peoples but think that the fact Of their mer-
| ltlng the name could be best determined by few
shots from the guns of the English One of the
residents of Canton, who them go through
their exercises last Sunday, remarked that they ran
about the parade-ground like flock of sheep with
a dog after them. believe it is fact that one of
these Chinese. companies has been drilled to turn
somersets, after firing their pieces, with view of
|
| | send you copy Of the emperors edict from
Pekin, which was addressed to Seu at Canton.
| Forty thousand copies were circulated among the
Chinese. Seu sent the English plenipotentiaries
| copy. II runs as follows:
"Walled cities are erected with the view of pro-
techng the people, and by protecting the people
| only can the country be preserved. And that to
which the hearts of the people incline is the will of
| Heaven"
From this last clause, I should suppose that Gov
ernor Seu had been reading Ben Jonson and cribbed
the following line:
"The will of Rome is the consent of Heaven"
| The edict proceeds
"Now, since the people of Kwantung are all of
one fixed opinion, it being averse to the entrance of
foreigners into the city, shall circulate and post
up luminous proclamation, transcribed on yellow
| paper, constraining them to an opposite course!
The Chinese government cannot thwart the incina-
tons of its people in order to comply with the
wishes of strangers from affair; and foreign govern
mens ought also to pay attention to the feelings of
our people, and spare the power Of the merchants.
You ought still more vigorously to guard against
native banditti, and prevent them from awaiting
themselves the opportunities for creating disturb
ances and throwing the inhabitants into a state of
disorder. And, as the foreign merchants, who come
| from great distance across the vast ocean, un-
doubleday desire to live in tranquility and take de-
light in their occupations, you ought, therefore, to
all viii forever act in harmony, and enjoy universal
tranquility. Respect this"
Here Seu remarks in the despatch which he sent
to the English authorities: "You will perceive,
from the foregoing that the language held, during
the personal conference ! had with you, was not
based on an obstinate adherence to my own views,
but that the imperial rescrpt which have received
from distance, also corresponds with the views of
the public. For this reason, send you commu-
nicaton, and, at the same time talse the opportu-
nifty OF wishing you happiness and tranquilliiy-a
necessary communication
| Placards, of character intended TO excite the
populace against foreigners, have been posted in
various parts of the city. Meetings have been
held Of the different guilds classes OF merchants
and craftsmen, at which resolutions were passed
and rules adopted, by which they pledge themselves
TO suspend all trading intercourse with the outside
barbarians." Not long since, Chinese builder,
who had a contract with an American to erect
church, was seized and bastnadoed so that he
died soon after. He alleged to have broken
the laws. Another poor fellow, who had pur-
chased some cotton yarn Of an American house,
was taking it away, when he was stopped by some
Of the members Of the cotton guild, although he
was not himself member of the guild, and obliged
to carry il back. A fabricated complaint Of SNUG
Cling was then lodged against him, and he was
rested, and so severely beaten that he died in
| extreme tortures.
Here is another specimen of Chinese Justice and
intelligence. Some native artists were making a
drawing OF street in the city the other day, when
they were arrested on suspicion Of being employed
in their task by European spies They we're taken
to torture, protesting their innocence Of the charge
Nothing would serve for their exculpaton. They
were sentenced TO death, and imprisoned-ther ex-
ecution being contingent, however, on the occur
renee Of a war with England
II is reported here thot few days before the 9th,
Governor Seu made visit TO Hong Kong, in dis
guise, and effected the examinations he desired in
regard to the affairs Of the English, without being
detected
1 cannot help feeling some sympathy with the
Chinese the subject Of excluding foreigners just
now. They seem so DESTROYS Of pcrpetusting a
custom which has existed for so many centuries
a custom to which the people, from the lowest to
the highest, cling with so much tenscity. The
English all admit that the opening Of the gates will
be Of no advantage to them. cannot the JUS
tee Of their demand under any circumstances
Certainly we bad much more justice, OF, should
say, much less injustice on our side, in our brush
with the Mexicans, against which our English
1 hrcf .cd~, ,,b 81.