The Sun. — 1848-04-26 (London, England)

COM3IISSIONER KEYING TO SIR JOHN DAVIS. (Translation.)— A communication. " Ke, Imperial Commissioner, Governor-General of the Two Kwang, &c., hereby makes a communication in reply. " Yesterday I received and made myself fully acquainted with your Excellency's dispatch, in which you say, with reference to the case of the murder of six Englishmen by the natives, you bad to state explicitly that the murderers must be executed before the 22d inst., &c. " On examination I find that murderers in giving reparation for life must forfeit a life for each life they take. This is a pervading principle of justice of both ancient and modern times. In the present case the Englishmen have wounded two Chinese with fire-arms, 'sne of whom has already died, and it is uncertain whether the other will live or die; while the Chinese beat six Englishmen to death. Now, in consequence of my rigorous orders to the commissioners and local authorities to examine -;the captured criminals day after day with torture, four of them have been convicted as principals in the murder, and it is proper that these be forthwith severely dealt with, their punishment being • tty onceb e settled triedex easentenced,f o rAe sthtoe creased in degree. They will therefore be taken bboundcnudt executed. eo severallyba anbd i ai to ohn ed thertehs et e, cxtahesceeuy twi will -1 ignargoaaul nnpdbr, l 2.3 d inst. When the fixed period a • rrives, I will give you information of the proceedings `° Further, I have twice n another dispatch. i already memorialised his Imperial Majesty, by speedy with reference to this case, with the view of el)s.ess, attaining its certain settlement, of which circumstance I have also to inform you. For this reason I make you a communication in reply, and take the opportunity of wishing you constant hapr ness, &c. A necessary communication. " To his Excellency Sir John Francis Davis, Bart., &c. &c.  "Dec. 16, 1847." _ In his reply to this communication, Sir John Davis wrote:—  " Canton, December 17, 1847. " I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter dated yesterday. In this yeu state that because one of the villains who attacked my countrymen was killed, and another wounded by them, you will execute only four of the murderers. " But these villagers had often openly declared that they would kill any foreigner who came there; and the six persons murdered by them only defended themselves when they were attacked with weapons. Your Excellency talks of their being beaten to death; but they were some of them deliberately tied up, and then put to death with weapons, as appeared on examination of the bodies. _ _  -;;The British Government will certainly consider your present proposition as only an addition to the injury, and as no better than mere mockery. It is impossible for foreigners to remain at Canton if they cannot go out of their own precincts without being murdered, The first article of the treaty has been daily more and more grossly violated, until no safety or protection remains.  " I have already told your Excellency the very least that will satisfy the British Government and nation. The murderers must all be executed where the crime was committed, in presence of my officers, and Hwang-chuke be destroyed as an example to the other villages; it will be better to do this How than hereafter. I will not trouble you to put to death these four men at the execution-ground; it will be no satisfaction whatever, and of no avail. Any four criminals indifferently might as well be substituted in their places. " The wrong committed by the Imperial Commissioner Lin was not greater than the present. You either cannot or will not protect the lives of British subjects by proper control over the country people. It is now time for the British Government to require not only satisfaction for the past, but security for the future.—Accept, &c., (Signed) " J. F.