Soon after the event we have just described, the Chinese authorities
at Canton sent a boat-load of poisoned tea, packed in small parcels,
to be sold to the English seamen; but the boat falling into the hands
of Chinese pirates, her cargo was sold by them to their countrymen,
many of whom died in consequence. About this time a proclamation was
issued, offering 20,000 Spanish dollars to any one who would capture
an English 80-gun ship; and for taking alive a foreign mandarin or
captain 5,000 dollars, and so on for other officers in proportion to
their rank, while a third of the sum was to be paid for killing them.
The Chinese were making preparations at this period for future
operations in the Canton river; troops were exercised, fire-ships
were prepared, and guns collected. Lin also got up a sham fight at
the Bogue, dressing some of the troops in red clothes, who were
soundly beaten, to teach the Celestials to conquer the barbarian
English. The Chinese had also purchased a large English
merchant-ship, intending to turn her into a man-of-war, and had built
some odd little craft in imitation of English schooners.
On the 24th of March the 'Druid' frigate, commanded by Lord John
Churchill, arrived off Macao, and thence proceeded to Tongkoo Roads.
The expedition having reached Singapore, and waited there till the
30th of May for Admiral the Hon. G. Elliot., who was expected from
the Cape of Good Hope, began to assemble in Macao Roads towards the
end of June. It consisted of the following ships and 27 transports,
having on board the 18th, 26th and 49th European Regiments, 37th
Madras infantry, a body of Bengal volunteers, and a corps of Madras
sappers and miners. The troops, who numbered about 4,000 men, were
under the command of Colonel Oglander. On his death he was succeeded
by Colonel Burrel.
_British squadron employed on the coast of China_.--'Melville,' 74
(flag-ship), Rear-Admiral the Hon. George Elliot, C.B., Captain the
Hon. B. S. Dundas; 'Wellesley,' 74 (bearing the broad pennant of
Commodore Sir J. G. Gordon Bremer, C.B.), Captain Thomas Maitland;
'Blenheim,' 74, Sir H. S. Fleming Senhouse, K.C.B.; 'Druid,' 44,
Captain H. Smith;[1] 'Blonde,' 44, Captain F. Bourchier; 'Conway,'
28, Captain C. D. Bethune; 'Volage,' 28, Captain George Elliot;
'Alligator,' 28, Captain H. Kuper; 'Larne,' Captain J. P. Blake;
'Hyacinth,' 20, Captain W. Warren; 'Modeste,' 20, Captain H. Eyres;
'Pylades,' 20, Commander T. V. Anson; 'Nimrod,' 20, Commander C. A.
Barlow; 'Cruiser,' 18, Commander H. W. Giffard; 'Columbine,' 18,
Commander T. J. Clarke; 'Algerine,' 10, Lieut.-Commander T. S. Mason;
'Rattlesnake' (troop-ship), Master Commander Brodie; Hon. East India
Company's armed steamers 'Queen,' Commander Warden; 'Madagascar,'
Commander Dicey; 'Atalanta,' Commander Rogers; 'Enterprise,'
Commander West.
The Admiral not having arrived, the fleet was under the command of
Sir Gordon Bremer. While at Singapore, Captain Maitland had drilled
350 seamen of the 'Wellesley' as light-infantry troops and brought
them into an admirable state of efficiency. Instead of at once
passing the Boca Tigris and attacking Canton, part of the fleet was
ordered to proceed north, along the east coast, while the remainder
blockaded the mouth of the Canton River.
[1] Lord John Churchill dying, Captain Smith was appointed to the
'Druid,' and G. Elliot succeeded him in the 'Volage.'