The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-07-21


squadroas IN June. 1853. It was during
this battle that the British Admiral was
hard pressed by the Chinese gulners and
their Russian instructors The American
rarship Fowhatan. commanded by nag
officer Tattnal. was at hand. and when
the British we're In s-re distress The Amer
teams VISITED Ilie flagship of the Brltish
Admiral and ass sted in manning the Suas.
1T was a violent breach of neutrality and
caused subsequent trouble. Tattnall and
Lieut.. Trenchard not only allowed their
men to man the Brit sh cannon, but an
Amerioan vessel took an active part IN
landing reinforcements and otherwise aid
Ing the attacking party.
The eubjo ined complete and accurate ac-
count of the affair is compiled from the
log of the POwhatan and Maclays $40
ries OF the Old Navy:
ON THE SCENE OF TROUBLE.
The Povhatan arrived in Eastern waters
Sust at the time England and France were
at war with China. and were endeaVoflAg
60 extort a treaty at the cannons mouth
Although present as neutral, the Amell-
can nagsnIp was destined To play an lIn-
portant part in the war, while Flag ON
Ger Tattnall, Lieut.. Trenchard AID some
episode thal led TO international complica-
lions Shorty before the Powhatans ar
rival the allied forces had bombarded Can-
ton, and had captured Ieh, the Niceroy.
AZ showing the sp rit of the Chinese ON
cials toward the foreign devils at this
time, the following account OF 1eh's cap
ture Is givea from Trenchards papers:
After the city mad been stormed an eN-
peditlon was organized. headed by MI
Parkes, afterward Sir Harry Parkes' 10
capture the Viceroy. On Tuesday an eN-
pedition into the interior OF the city was
planned and executed. Mr.. Parkes had
heard Of Yeh's whereabouts and was anx-
sous TO catch him. His excellency was re-
ported 10 be residing at the Ut Wa Col
fere In the very center of the city; but on
arriving there IL was found that he had
.Siecamped the previous Thursday to the
n utenant Generals yamun IN the south
u corner Of the old city. This informa-
Z, was given by n Chinese officer, who
n, fused to point out the yamun. but, de-
pending on two Chinese guides, whom ne
hao engaged by promise of reward, MIR.
p fses made his way to the place indi-
Gated under the protection of about two
hundred bluejackets. commanded by Com
modore Elliott and Captain Key. Burst
xne open the doors of the yamun, the re-
treating figure OF the High Commission
ser was the signal for a general rush after
him. and, notwithstanding the protesta-
lions of an official mandarin, who en-
deavored to divert the chase from the
Yeh to himself by shouting out Me,
Yehf' the stout Viceroy soon found him.
self In the embrace of Captain Key and
the commodore's coxswain. who had out
run the others, and ranged up one on each
side OF him.
He was brought back and conducted 70
his seat and was soon identified by many
Chinese who were marched In sinsly and
asked by Mr. Parkes who the gentleman
was. They al instantly fell down on
their knees, saying ne was the Governor
General IL he had had six headsmen In
his train and IL we mad all stood kidnapped
before him he could not have held his
head more haughtily. 1t was a huge
sensual, fiat face. he profile Is nearly
straight from the eyebrow to the chin. H'
wears his manoarin cap, his red buttor
and his peacock's tail. but in other re
spects only the ordinary quilted blue tn
mic and loose breeches, the usual winte
wear OF this part OF China. He seate'
himself I'm aa armchair. and some inferio
snandarins. who pressed in afterward
stood around and made a little court 70
him. Our officers. who filled the room
passed to and fro upon Their duties. and
of course, refrained from staring at him
Yet no one could look upon that fac
without feeling that he is IN the presenc
OF al extraordinary man. There was
which almost made you shrink from Il
II Is the expression of a fierce and angry
but not courageous animal; while the Ion
nails OF his dirty fingers are trembl.n
against the table, and his eyes are rang
ing into every part of the room in scare
of every face. His pose Of dignity is 10
palpably simulated to inspire respect eve
II you could forget his deeds. But no on
can look upon him with contempt.
The two Admirals and the General
now arrived, and after some salutation
which were naturally more emoarrassin
TO the captors than 10 the captured, We
was asked whether Mr.. Cooper. who ha
been captured by the Chinese, was SIT
living. Yeh burst forth into a loud laug
which sounded to every one present {
though he were recollecting and enjoyir
the recollection of tins poor mans SUITE
ings. When he had finished his cachini
lions he replied. ! can't recollect abol
this man. bur Will make inquiries tomo
row. and IL he can be found you sha
have him. The disgust was at that M
nent so great Cor many in the room hs
known and esteemed poor Cooper tn;
~ the audience could have decided Il
matter. Yeh would have been taken Of
and hanged. lie was told that his answ
vas not courteous. and he replied that
was. at any rate, the only answer
should give.
rum WIS NCsfilfNAVI Ol IL VIII
seen how bitter was the feeling of Il
Chinese officials against foreigners, al
what a treacherOus and cruel foe q
Americans, English and French had
deal with. The capture OF Canton W
followed by the bombardment and ca
ture OF the forts guarding the mouth
the Peiho river. which flowed throui
Tien-Tsin. the seaport Of Picking, a
flowed into the Gulf of PechilL F'indi
that IL was impossible to prevent the a
vance OF the English and French upon I
king. the Imperial Commissioners,
July II. 1858. signed a treaty which "
20 be sent to England for ratification. a
was TO be returned 10 Picking on or befC
June Is. 1850. In the words OF Englan
representative. Lord Eigin. the conc
sions granted by China amounted to
revolution. and involved the surrender
some of the most cherished principles
the traditional policy of the empire. tt
had been extorted. therefore, from
fears"
Such being the case. the opinion v
freely expressed by American and Eu
pean residents in China, that the Chm
would resort to treachery. IL need be,
prevent the final ratification OF these tr