Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-11-11
The Peiho Affair described by an
Actor in it.

to this unfortunate engagement, the more
we are confirmed in the opinion we ex-
pressed of it at the outset. The last ac-
count which has come to hand-that of
an active participator in the engagement
must be settler to those British
writers who have been clamoring for un-
limited vengeance upon the Chinese
1t is the address of Captain Longley, son
of the Bishop of Durham, who was dan
gerously wounded in the attack on the
Peiho forts. On bis return home, he was
welcomed by a large number of friends
and neighbors, who presented to him
congratulatory address. In his reply,
after referring to his share in the engage
ment, Captain Longley proceeded as fol-
lows:
1T is not for me to criticise the acts of
my superior officer; there is an oriental
proverb which says, Speech is as silver,
but silence is as gold,' and the Admiral
is so much my senior, that it would not
become me, and am sure you will ex-
cuse my going any further into the matter.
There is one expression however, in your
address which / would like to correct, if
you will allow NE. and that is as to the
treacherous Chinese l don't think we
have any right to accuse them of treach-
cry, because, when Mr.. Bruce made his
appearance, they told him to 60 up by an
other way which was open; but for GER
tain reasons-perhaps he thought it was
not consistent with the honor of this coun-
try-he thought it better to attempt to
force the passage; but they certainly did
offer to let him 60 up the other way, and
therefore there may perhaps be some ex-
cuse for them; they certainly did not fire
the first shot-for it was not until after
Capt Willis, the AdmiraPs flag captain
had blown up the first barrier, which was
tantamount to declaration of war by US
that they fired upon him, and he retired
Next morning the gunboats were ordered
to take up their positions at o'clock, bu
on account ofthe strong tide and the wind
this could not be effected until 2 O'Clock
, in the afternoon; and during the whole
of this time the Chinese never fired shot
Had they opened fire during this inter
val, when they were aground, I dom
think one of the gunboats would have es
capped; but they waited until the Admira
: had pulled up the first row of stakes, ant
gone towards the second, before they fire'
upon US. Therefore don't think we cal
II call them treacherous Chinese.
Then, as to the report which state,
that there was trap laid for us-this i
entirely incorrect-there was no trap a
all. We saw it all before we went W
{ saw the masks before the embrasure,
J and of course concluded that there wer
guns behind them, and we saw the mu
e we had to cross. Therefore l hope yo
, will hear no more about traps or treacf
; erous Chinese. Then, as to our foTcin
'' civilization upon these barbarians, as W
90 term them, it appears to me to resembl
u such case as this: A crusty old ger
IL tleman lives in Bishop Auckland, WI
. likes to follow his own crotchets and kee
=, within his own house, but number
persons meet together, 60 to him and sa
you must come out and be civilized,
= you must let US into your house, and b
come a Christian Now / think tn
+ man has right to deferd his own hou
the best way he can (hear, hear,) evel
mans house is his castle-at least it
acknowledged to be so in England-al
~ don't know why it should not be so
- China. (Applause'l L don't say tn
= we are to give up our trade. if we C
help it, but I don't think we are right
forcing our civilization on China; do
think we show them very good exampl
- of Christianity; or teach such good CT
n toms that they need wish to initiate a
- it is fact, as stated by Lord Elgin, IL
the further he went into the interior, t
better disposed the people were towal
us; but at Canton and other places wht
- we have been established for two hundr
years, they have very bad feelings
wards US, because they have had mt
/ Il