Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-01-30
The Bombardment of Canton.

Canton, we quite agree with the Lohooil
Ne,cs that a s'more rash, overbearing and
tyrannieal exercise of power has never
been recorded" than that of which the
British authorities have been guilty, and
we are glad that there are some British
journals which have the independence to
denounee it. The NeaOS briefly and
clearly recapitulates the facts connected
with the origin of the difficulty as follows:
g Early in October last small trading
vessel, or lorcha, called the Arrow, cast
anchor in the port of Canton. The precise
national character of this vessel is one of
the most important Of the points in dis
pute. On the one hand, it is affirmed by
the Chinese, and not denied by the
British, that she was Chinese built-it is
quite certain that she is the property OF a
Chinese owner, and manned by crew
of twelve Chinese sailors. The British
authorities declare that this vessel before
sailing from Hong Kong, had duly OBJ
tanned at that port-as she was by law
entitled to do-a colonial register, by vir-
tue of which she hoisted British en-
sign, and thenceforth became to all in
tents and purposes a British vessel.
The Chinese authorities deny this.
They deny that she had taken the re-
quisite steps for constituting herself a
British vessel. They affirm, and have af-
firmed throughout, that she had merely
purchased British flag for the sake Of
passing herself off as under British pro-
lection. On this point there seems to be
evidence both ways. Let US, however,
take the British account as the true one.
Let US take it that at the commencement
of October last in the port of Canton lay
the Arrow, Chinese built, Chinese man
ned, but placed by virtue of her colonial
register, under the protection Of the Brit
, ish flag. On the 9Th of October, in con-
sequence of its coming to the ears of the
Governor of Canton, that two ofthe crew
of the Arrow had been guilty Of notoriou:
q acts of piracy, that functionary caused the
whole crew TO be brought up before hin
for examination.
The British Consul says that when the
seizure was made our flag was flying OF
board the Arrow. The Chinese Govern
or denies this in the most explicit anc
positive terms. In his letter of the SIS
of October, he states It was not known
! at the time when my Executive went tt
seize persons on board Of her, that the
lorcha was foreign vessel when the
lorcha was boarded, it was satisfactorily
: proved that no flag was flying In hi
y letter Of the I'd of November he takes tn,
same ground: No foreign flag was seer
: by my executive at the time of the cap
n ture and. as in addition to this, it wa
q aseertained on the examination of thu
! prisoners, that the lorcha was in no re
W spect foreign vessel, I maintain tina
there was no mistake committed
l, The seizure took place on the 9Th. Oh
l. the same day Mr.. Parkes, the Consul
a writes to the Governor, complaining c
II this proceeding as an open infraction c
70 the ninth article of the supplemental
=, treaty between this country and China
III according TO the terms of which, the Gov
70 ernor having any complaint to make re
~ specting parties under the protection {
the British flag, is bound, in the first il
70 stance, to communicate with the BIRTHS
of Consul. The Consul, accordingly, in tn
,,r first communication, demands of the GOV
III ernor that the whole of the men seize
as shall be publicly restored to the vesse
~ The Governor replied (and it is tn
ar ground, be it observed, that he has mali
. tanned throughout that the lorcha W;
go not foreign vessel. He sent back min
r. men, retaining only the two who ha
i'll on the preliminary examination, been il
at Identified as the parties implicated in IL
an imputed acts of piracy, and the whine
a whose evidence was necessary to the
&c ultimate conviction.
I'M This did not satisfy Mr.. Consul Pa
he kes. On the 18th he again writes, urd
its the instruction of the British Plenipote
on tiary, demanding, we use his own word
I besides restoration of the whole numbe
ill letter of apology for their seizure, al
assurance that nothing of the kind shou
oh occur again--to be given within "a hour
ar Can anything be more insuferably arr
giant A Chinese Governor has reas,
en- to suspect that pirates-a class ofcuIpri
IF beyond the protection of the law of n
tions-are in Chinese harbor, on boa
OF what he believes to be a Chine
vessel. On examination, his suspicio
are confirmed, and because he refuses
once to give uT, bir cart;1,a- ~, a. -