The agreement for the suspension of hostilities, made at Canton by
Captain Elliot, on the 20th March, 1841, was only entered into with
_one_ of the three newly-appointed imperial commissioners, Yang-Fang
being, in fact, the only one who had then arrived. Lung-Wan, the
principal joint-commissioner, and Yih-Shan, the Tartar-general
associated with him, did not arrive until about three weeks afterwards,
when they brought with them a large body of troops, imperfectly armed
and little organized. The news of what had already happened must have
astonished them beyond all conception.
In the meantime trade went on with great activity, but much caution,
at Canton. It was generally believed, nevertheless, that the temporary
calm upon the surface would be of short duration, and the growing storm
upon the horizon, gave a warning to all who were interested in passing
events, to set their house in order.
Rumours were abroad of extensive preparations being actively in
progress by the Chinese, somewhere or other above Canton; but the
precise situation of them was not discovered until the second attack
was made upon the city, in the month of May. It was said that numerous
fire-rafts were being constructed, war-junks equipped, and troops
collected; and it was little doubted that, as soon as the principal
mercantile transactions (which were as important to the Chinese as they
were to the foreigners) should be completed, a renewal of hostilities
would take place.
In the meantime it was satisfactory to the European residents to know
that, as the greater part of our ships of war were at Whampoa, or
in that neighbourhood, many of them could be speedily brought up to
Canton; and, moreover, the Modeste, Algerine, Hyacinth, and Herald,
were still at anchor, much nearer the city. They had only withdrawn to
the Macao passage, at the distance of a couple of miles from Canton,
after the commencement of the truce.
The Nemesis, meantime, had gone down to Macao, whither she conveyed
Captain Elliot and his suite, and took the opportunity of the
temporary pause to complete her necessary repairs. Sir Gordon Bremer,
at this time, thought it right to go up in person to Calcutta, to
represent the state of affairs to the Governor-General, and to request
reinforcements. He sailed on or about the 31st March, in the H.C.
steamer, Queen; leaving Captain Sir Le Fleming Senhouse in command of
the naval forces during his absence.
For some time after the commencement of the truce, the native
inhabitants and traders of the city, some of whom, however, had retired
from it altogether, continued to pursue their ordinary avocations with
some appearance of returning confidence. A proclamation was issued by
the governor, tending to allay any remaining apprehensions they might
have, and similar pacific assurances were addressed by the authorities,
repeatedly, both to the native and foreign residents, even till the
very day when their scarcely concealed projects of vengeance were to be
attempted.
On the 5th April, Captain Elliot again returned to the factory at
Canton, and, during his short residence there, of ten or twelve days,
the authorities and the new commissioners succeeded in so far blinding
the plenipotentiary to all their hostile purposes, that he himself
publicly declared that he was perfectly satisfied with all their
"_assurances_ of good faith, and their disposition to fulfil their
engagements." The day before he left Canton again--namely, on the
16th April--he expressed himself decidedly to the same purport, in a
public proclamation, addressed, however, rather to the Chinese people
than to his own countrymen, but calculated likewise to reassure the
latter, should they be unable to form any judgment for themselves. And
he moreover assured Sir Le Fleming Senhouse that "he entertained no
uneasiness for life and property at Canton."
Captain Elliot left the Factory on the following day, and returned to
Macao; not, however, without first urging upon Sir Le Fleming Senhouse
the propriety of removing our ships further off from the city. He
requested that the vessels which were before Shameen should be moved
down to the Macao fort, in order to shew our peaceful disposition;
and he recommended that proper respect should be manifested to the
government, and that the officers in command should do all in their
power to uphold its character in the sight of the people, "compatible
with the paramount necessity of keeping awake a lively sense that
renewed ill faith would be responded to by an immediate blow."
All this had very little effect in rendering the foreign community less
apprehensive of a resumption of hostilities.
For a very brief space appearances were favourable, but fresh troops
soon began pouring into the town; and some of the natives have since
admitted that they even knew that, in secret, fresh cannon were being
cast, and extensive preparations, of every description, urged on in
the quietest possible manner, evidently with a view to some sudden and
unwarned explosion.
Immediately before leaving Canton, on the 17th April, Captain Elliot
seemed resolved to take some steps against the continuance of the trade
in opium within the river. He applied to Sir Le Fleming Senhouse to
prevent any small vessels from passing into the river within the Bogue,
unless provided with a passport signed by the plenipotentiary. These
passes were to be issued to those alone who could afford him assurance,
to his own satisfaction, that the boats or small craft should _only_
be employed in the conveyance of passengers, letters, or supplies.
They were to be obtained by foreigners through their own consuls, who
would apply to him for them. But he reserved to himself the right of
cancelling them whenever he should see cause to determine that such a
course "should be necessary in _discharge of his engagements_;" and,
moreover, every ship or vessel was to be forcibly expelled from the
river, if it were proved to his satisfaction that she was engaged in
"_dangerous pursuits_" calculated to disturb the truce and interrupt
the general trade.
This could, of course, only allude to the trade in opium, and the
whole proceeding seems expressly to have been arranged between Captain
Elliot and the Chinese authorities, for he actually obtained from the
Kwang-chow-foo, or prefect, _licences_, bearing his official seal,
which he could himself distribute to those vessels to which he issued
his passports, and which were to have the effect of exempting them from
_all visit or examination by the Chinese officers_, whether connected
with the customs or any other department.
One cannot help remarking that this measure, which, however, was
only partially carried into effect, gave an immense advantage to the
Chinese authorities, while, on our sides, we totally lost sight of
the main question at issue. The point gained by the Chinese was, that
they at once threw into the back-ground every other question but that
of trade, and, above all, that of trade in opium, which, therefore,
they ingeniously tried to make appear the "fons et origo" of the whole
dispute; and having got Elliot to lend assistance _to them_ in _one_
point, it gave them the advantage of appearing to justify themselves
in the eyes of their countrymen, and, indeed, in the opinion of
foreigners at a distance, and who were in ignorance of the real state
of things, for the greater part of their preposterous and violent
proceedings. On our part, it tended to put on one side, as if of minor
consideration, the "demand for reparation and redress for injuries
inflicted," as her Majesty declared in her speech from the throne,
"upon some of her subjects by the imperial officers, and for the
_indignities_ offered to an agent of her crown;" this agent being no
other than Captain Elliot himself! It put out of sight the indignities
offered to Lord Napier, and all who had been concerned in any way in
the conduct of our communications with China since the abolition of
the exclusive privileges of the East India Company. It overlooked the
proper spirit of indignation, which could hardly fail to animate every
man who had been imprisoned, insulted, and starved into concessions,
which he could have otherwise had no right or authority to yield.
That at this stage of the proceedings endless difficulties appeared
to beset the questions at issue, may very justly be urged. But we
have at all times to consider the character of the people with whom
a question is at issue, in an almost equal degree with the question
itself. And it will scarcely be questioned that the character of the
Chinese, and especially of the officers of their government, was at
that time imperfectly understood. In reality, the proceedings on both
sides, between the first conquest of Canton on the 18th of March, and
its second surrender under the agreement of ransom upon the 26th of May
(which remains yet to be described) were evidently temporary expedients
on both sides; on that of the Chinese, to gain time for the preparation
of more efficient means of resistance, and for relief from immediate
"pressure;" on that of their opponents for the completion of the
_commercial_ transactions of the season.
For some time after the commencement of the truce, a guard of marines
was stationed in the Factories; but, as soon as Captain Elliot's
"assurance proclamation" was issued, they were withdrawn. Up to
that time there had been, as is usually the case, a division in the
councils to a certain extent; but now the "war and extermination" party
got completely the upper hand, and their hopes of success were much
encouraged by a report which reached them, that the main body of our
force was about to proceed to the northward, to operate on the coast.
This was, in fact, really intended, as will be seen presently, although
it was subsequently deferred, owing to reports of the preparations at
Canton, and the expectation of a speedy outbreak.
The Emperor's proclamations to all the maritime districts continued
to breathe a spirit of uncompromising war; and the governor of the
province of Che-keang, (under whom are the Chusan Islands,) the
venerable Elepoo, was severely reproved for having permitted the
barbarians to _retire_ from Chusan under Keshen's treaty, instead of
having advanced to _drive_ them out by force, and to effect their
destruction.
Thus, at the commencement of May, the speedy resumption of hostilities
seemed inevitable; and the report brought from the northward by the
Columbine, Captain Clarke, of the preparations which were being
carried on by the Chinese, and of the refusal of the authorities of
Che-keang to receive from that officer a despatch which he had been
ordered and sent expressly to deliver, tended to confirm every previous
impression.[43] Nor was this all. Information was brought from Canton
that, on the 30th April, no less than forty boats had passed in front
of the Factories, having on board at least two thousand troops; that
they proceeded a little lower down, and landed at a short distance from
the Dutch Folly, and thence marched into the city.
An explanation of this circumstance was demanded, and an evasive reply
was sent by the Kwang-chow-foo, or prefect, to Captain Elliot. A few
days afterwards, it was distinctly reported that the English at Canton
were to be suddenly attacked, and all their property destroyed. And,
on the 8th May, no less than seventy more boats passed before the
Factories, bringing down full three thousand troops to the city, and
these were said to be the advanced guard of a large army. It was known,
also, that a vast number of fire-rafts were being prepared, and several
hundred divers were said to be in training, who were to go down and
bore holes in our ships at night; or even, as the Chinese privately
reported, to carry down with them some combustible material which would
burn under water and destroy our vessels.
The Nemesis was, during all this time, incessantly employed in carrying
letters and despatches, as well as officers, from one place to another.
Constant communications were kept up; Sir Le Fleming Senhouse and
Captain Elliot were continually passing and repassing to and from
different points within the river--frequently up to Whampoa, or even to
the neighbourhood of the very Factories at Canton.
At the same period, arrangements for the complete settlement and
government of Hong-Kong were being continued without intermission.
Officers were appointed, a magistrates court formed, proclamations
issued, and establishments of various kinds commenced. In short, it
seemed very evident that we had no intention of restoring the island
to the Chinese, whatever might be the reply of the Emperor to Keshen's
treaty.
Preparations had already been commenced at Hong-Kong for the advance
of our force upon Amoy, under Sir Hugh Gough, with a view to carry on
hostilities further to the northward; but they were now temporarily
suspended, in order to meet the approaching crisis at Canton.
If anything had been wanting to confirm the rumour, not only of the
extensive preparations of the Chinese government to recommence the
attack, but also to indicate the disposition of the people of Canton
towards us, it was to be found in a curious address, or chop, publicly
circulated in the city, and even posted upon its walls. It purported to
express the sentiments of the people themselves, or to be an address
from that portion which claimed to be most patriotic to the other
portion which might possibly be less so. It was intended to inflame
the public mind against us, but it was not sealed or _apparently_
sanctioned by the government.
All this was designed, of course, to frighten the barbarians; and
although it professed to be a mere ebullition of the spirit of the
people, there is little doubt that the government were cognizant of it.
This is rendered more probable by the circumstance that, only a few
days afterwards, the prefect of the city issued distinct orders to the
elders of the people, that they should cause them to remove their wives
and children, with all their moveable property, from the neighbourhood
of the river.
At length, even Captain Elliot himself began to catch a glimmering of
the truth, which seemed to steal but slowly upon his unwilling eyes. On
the 10th of May he resolved to go in person to Canton in the Nemesis,
and, in order the better to impress the Chinese with the opinion which
he retained of their good faith, he even took up Mrs. Elliot with
him--probably the first time an English female had set foot in Canton.
The next morning the Nemesis was moved down to the Macao, or Broadway
Passage, about three quarters of a mile from the Factories. Captain
Elliot, as soon as he landed at the Factory, sought an interview with
the Kwang-chow-foo, or prefect, and demanded certain explanations from
him, which evidently embarrassed him not a little. The answers were
evasive and unsatisfactory; previously-lurking suspicions were more
than confirmed, and Captain Elliot left the Factory that same evening,
_preferring to sleep on board the Nemesis_.
No time was now to be lost in seeking a conference with the naval
and military commanders-in-chief, who were then at Hong-Kong; and,
accordingly, on the following morning, the 12th, the Nemesis was
ordered to convey him, with all speed, down the river to that place,
a communication being made, on his way down, to Captain Herbert,
commanding the advanced squadron at Whampoa, who was already prepared
for an approaching crisis. The result of the conference held at
Hong-Kong the same day was, that the expedition to Amoy was to be
positively postponed, and the whole disposable force moved once more
towards Canton.
Hong-Kong was now the scene of general bustle and activity, a new
disposition of the forces was made, and every measure adopted for
their speedy junction as near as possible to Canton. By the judicious
exertions of Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, and the hearty co-operation of
all his officers, eager once more for active employment, the whole
fleet of men-of-war and transports, with all the troops on board, were
ready to sail in five days. Every man that could be spared, except the
invalids and convalescents, was embarked; and every ship of war, except
the Druid, which was left for the protection of the harbour, was under
orders for the Canton river.
On the 18th and 19th, having been a little delayed by calms, they all
got away in admirable order, full of high hope and promise that now, at
length, they were to become masters of the great southern emporium of
foreign commerce.
Captain Elliot now once more proceeded to Canton, as usual, in the
Nemesis, which took him up there in a very few hours. He returned
to his quarters in the Factory; but, so incontrovertible were the
evidences of the hostile intentions of the Chinese, and so strong the
apprehension of the momentary bursting forth of some treacherous plot,
that the Nemesis, which was the only vessel at hand, was kept cleared
for action, with the guns loaded, steam up, and the cable in readiness
to slip, although no immediate danger was visible.
Captain Elliot now very properly advised the merchants, by public
proclamation, to make their arrangements, so as to be prepared to
leave Canton at a moment's notice. On the following day, the 20th,
the Nemesis was moved close up to the Factories, or a little above
them, for the protection of the whole foreign community. It was
already discovered that the western battery above the city at Shameen
had been repaired and armed at least ten days before; that a large
encampment had been formed to the eastward of the town, for some of
the newly-arrived troops; while new works had also been erected on the
river-side in the same direction--that is, below the town, in the rear
of the French Folly. Tartar troops were still pouring into the city in
great numbers, while the citizens themselves were hastening out of it
with precipitation. Goods and chattels of all kinds were being carried
away; confusion was evident where everything is usually so orderly; and
it is said that soldiers were even seen moving about with matchlocks,
and their slow matches ready lighted in their hands.
Our own forces were by this time on the way up, the troops from
Hong-Kong had already passed the Bogue, and the light squadron had
begun to move from Whampoa. Still Captain Elliot was in the Factory,
and still a great portion of the merchants remained at their posts,
ready to decamp at a moment's notice, yet anxiously devoting every
doubtful moment of delay to the purpose of arranging, as well as they
could, their complicated affairs.
The Chinese, finding that their plans were now fairly discovered,
were placed in the predicament of being obliged to hurry on the
execution of them more rapidly than they had intended. But still the
authorities resolved once more to try the effect of a proclamation, to
_lull suspicion_. Having found themselves, on several occasions, so
successful in their art of duplicity, they hoped still to catch the
unwary foreigners in their net; and there is some reason to believe
they intended to take the whole foreign community by _surprise_, and
seize them in their Factories, something after the fashion adopted by
Commissioner Lin.
Nevertheless, fearful of being prematurely driven into the exposure
of their designs, the prefect thought proper to issue on the 20th
(only the day before the attack actually commenced) a proclamation
to the following effect, under his official seal. He stated that "he
issued this edict in order to _calm the feelings of the merchants_,
and to tranquillize commercial business." That "it was to be feared
that the merchants, seeing the gathering of the military hosts, would
tremble with alarm, not knowing where these things would end." That,
"instead of being frightened out of their wits, so as to abandon
their goods, and secretly go away, they ought to be assured that the
imperial commissioner and general pacificator of the rebels, with the
other higher officers, would manage things with due consideration,
so that the obedient shall be protected from all injury, and their
goods preserved in safety." He concluded by saying, "that the foreign
merchants ought also to remain _quiet in their lawful pursuits_,
continuing their trade as usual, without alarm or suspicion."
All this in the face of incessant preparations, carried on day and
night, for the resumption of hostilities, and for the treacherous
annihilation of everything belonging to foreigners within their grasp!
and the _very day before_ the explosion.
It was of course known to the authorities that our forces were already
moving up the river; their own plans, therefore, were necessarily
hastened, in the hope that by a simultaneous attack by fire-rafts on
our shipping at different points, as well as on the Factories, they
might get completely the upper hand of us before our forces could be
concentrated upon the city. Early in the morning, therefore, Capt.
Elliot recommended in strong terms, that all foreigners should leave
Canton before sunset.
During this whole day, the consternation among the Chinese in the
neighbourhood of the Factories, increased every hour; shops were
closed, goods removed, and several of our officers who went on shore to
see what was going on, were prevented by guards of Chinese soldiers,
from passing through any of the usually frequented streets beyond the
immediate proximity of the Factories.
The crisis was now at its height. Many of the merchants had withdrawn
to Whampoa several days before, and in the course of this day, all the
rest (except two American gentlemen) got away in boats. The small party
of marines which were with Capt. Elliot, in the British Factory, were
withdrawn by orders of Capt. Herbert, who had come up from Whampoa as
commander of the advanced squadron, and before sunset Capt. Elliot
himself, with his suite, once more abandoned the Factory, and came
on board the Nemesis. Capt. Herbert, however, removed on board the
Modeste. And now, the flag of England was finally lowered at Canton,
where it was never again hoisted until long after the conclusion of
peace.
In the meantime, the Pylades and Modeste, together with the Algerine,
had been moved closer up to the town, for mutual protection. The
Nemesis still remained a little above the Factories, together with the
Louisa, Capt. Elliot's own cutter, and Mr. Dent's schooner, the Aurora.
A dull and ominous suspense reigned on every side; a general stagnation
of ordinary intercourse; and that noble river, usually so busy with the
hum of men, and, as it were, alive with the innumerable boats of every
shape and fashion which ply upon its surface, and that active, busy,
almost countless population, which make their home upon its friendly
waters, and seem happy in their thrifty industry, all now were dull,
and almost still with a portentous dreariness.
The sun at length set gloomily. The darkness of the night was
remarkable; and one better adapted for surprising an enemy could hardly
have been chosen. But, although the precise nature of their plans, or
mode of attack was not known, yet enough had been clearly ascertained
to render every possible precaution necessary. The Modeste lay somewhat
higher up the river than the Nemesis, and was likely to be the first to
discover the approach of an enemy in that quarter, whatever might be
their design.
On board the Nemesis no precaution was omitted; double sentries were
placed; the men below were all ordered to lie down ready equipped
for instant service; even the fires were laid and _lighted_ in the
furnaces, so that steam could be got up in a few minutes if requisite.
All who could be spared retired to rest, but not to sleep. The feeling
of excitement was too general to permit repose. Capt. Elliot laid
himself down in his cloak upon the quarter-deck, while Capt. Hall,
ever on the alert, stretched himself upon the bridge between the
paddle-boxes, ready at a second's warning to give the necessary orders.
Capt. Herbert, also, who was at that time on board the Modeste, had
fully impressed every one with the necessity of omitting no precaution
against the impending danger.
Equal activity and similar precautions were adopted on board all the
other ships, and already the Herald and Calliope had been moved up the
river, to within a short distance of Canton.
FOOTNOTE:
[43] The despatch was believed to relate principally to the supposed
death of Captain Stead, of the Pestonjee Bomanjee transport, who had
been attacked, and was supposed to have been murdered, near Keeto
Point, on one of the islands near Chusan, after the restoration of that
island to the Chinese. He landed, to make inquiries, being in ignorance
of what had happened, and surprised to see Chusan harbour in possession
of the Chinese.