length of hurling large stones at him, many of which struck him, though providentially without doing any serious injury.

The rioters were apprehended and sentenced to be beaten with the bamboo, and to a month's exposure in the cangue.

On the 30th November, 1848, a piratical attack was made on Mr. Meadows, Interpreter to the Canton Consulate, when he was returning home from Whampoa. Mr. Meadows was on his way from Whampoa, where he had been deputed by Mr. Consul Elmslie upon public business, in company with one of Seu's officers, and when close to the barriers, about 10 P.M., a piratical craft, containing about thirty men, dashed alongside, and obtained possession of Mr. Meadows' boat, but not until that gentleman had shot dead one of the pirates and wounded another, when he jumped into the river, and arrived, wounded and in an exhausted condition, at the Consulate, at one o'clock in the morning. Mr. Meadows claimed a list of articles stolen, and other losses, of the value of 352 dollars 74 cents. Thirteen criminals connected with the assault had been apprehended and punished, and some condemned to death.

On the 24th December, 1849, Sir S. Bonham transmitted to Viscount Palmerston particulars of the alleged execution of a missionary named Schoeffler. From a communication by M. Libois, it appears that the missionary was, since the 9th June, 1848, gone to the west Tong-king, and he was arrested by the mandarins on the 1st March, 1851, tried, and condemned to death, because he had preached the Christian religion in that country. The sentence had been confirmed by the King Tou-duc, and executed the 1st May last. In about twenty years, twelve Europeans, of whom eight were Frenchmen, three Spaniards, and one Italian, suffered in the same manner in the Annamite kingdom. The present Tudouc-Du, king of Cochin China, came to the throne about two years ago, and is tributary to the Emperor of China; but, except on the subject of succession and tribute, is entirely independent of the authority of the Emperor.

On the 17th May, 1852, Dr. Bowring informed the Earl of Malmesbury that at Foo-chow two native teachers employed by the Church missionary, Mr. Welton, were bastinadoed by order of the Chinese mandarins, on account of their connection with the mission. A strong remonstrance was made in consequence by Vice-Consul Walker, but it appears that the circumstance of Chinamen being engaged in the service of subjects of Her two hills, we had some shoal casts over a rocky bottom, extending southward one-third the way across the river. We tried to pass through the creek which leads to the south of Tsaou-heae-hea Island, but after advancing about one-third of the distance, were obliged to retrace our steps, finding only half the depth of water marked on the chart. It is a very narrow channel; a longer vessel than ourselves would have been obliged to have returned the best part of the way stern foremost. Off the north-east side of Tsaou-heae-hea Island, a shoal extends full one-third of the way across the river. Its northern edge uncovers for for about three cables' length in a direction parallel to the shore. When abreast of the centre part, Ning-yan-shan Pagoda bore north north-east, quarter-east. We observed a rock uncovered near the western shore, about a mile to the northward of Ping-shan Pagoda. E. H. GARWOOD, Master.

(Signed)

Majesty, does not remove them from the jurisdiction of the native authorities. In answer to these particulars, the Earl of Malmesbury stated that Her Majesty's Government can never approve of the use of violent and intemperate language towards the Chinese authorities; inasmuch as such language is calculated to defeat, rather than to promote, the object sought to be attained by it.

On the 25th October, 1852, Dr. Bowring informed the Earl of Malmesbury that, on the 17th instant, a China boat, with four of Her Majesty's subjects, Messrs. John Dent, Horace Oakley (first Assistant to the Canton Consulate), R. McGregor, and G. Anderson, was attacked by a piratical Chinese craft, near Tiger Island, at the entrance of the Bogue; but the Englishmen being well armed, were enabled to defend themselves, and to kill and wound a number of the Chinese. The Imperial Commissioner gave immediate orders to the Chinese admiral commanding at the Bogue, to take the necessary steps for tracing and securing the pirates; but the district where they were dispersed being one where the Government authority has been somewhat relaxed, it was doubtful whether they would succeed in the capture.

On the 13th November, 1852, Dr. Bowring communicated that Lieutenant De Lisle, R.N., the Admiralty agent, had been attacked and robbed by a body of Chinese vagabonds, and could not be found. Captain Massie was forthwith sent to the town of Kow-hon, the nearest place where any Chinese officers were to be found, in order to induce, or, if necessary, to compel the mandarins to assist in the search for Lieutenant De Lisle, the capture of the robbers, and the recovery of the stolen property. Much rudeness was shown by the mandarin to Captain Massie, for which a complaint was made to the Imperial Commissioner. On the appearance of Captain Massie and Mr. Medhurst, no chairs were given them, the attendants tried to repel them from the receiving-room, and when the mandarin presented himself he was in an undress without any marks of his office. Lieutenant De Lisle was afterwards found safe. Five robbers were secured, and most of the property stolen was recovered.

On the 19th June, 1854, Acting Consul Elmslie, in the absence of Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, gave the details of the abduction of a British subject by a party of Chinese, claiming a sum of money from him; who, after a confinement of a few hours' duration, was released through the intervention of the Chinese authorities. The object of the outrage was Mr. Seth, an Armenian of Bombay, who had agreed with a certain Chinese broker to provide within a fortnight a vessel for the conveyance of 400 emigrants to California, and as bargain money had received 1000 dollars, for which he gave an acquittance. Being unable to fulfil the contract, the broker demanded restitution of the bargain money, which Mr. Seth promised to refund on his receipt being delivered back to him; but the broker failed to produce the receipt. The broker absconded, and the emigrants, who had parted with all their effects in preparation for departure at the

time stipulated for, pursued Mr. Seth, and dragged him into a narrow house, where he was kept safe until the authorities took him into custody. Acting Consul Elmslie caused Mr. Seth to deposit in his office the 1000 dollars bargain money, upon due penalty being inflicted upon the abductors, and compensation made to Mr. Seth for his illegal imprisonment. Mr. Seth, in a letter to the acting consul, claimed 100 dollars for a gold ring forced off his finger, and a silk umbrella, and 10,000 dollars from the parties that have taken the law into their hands, as compensation for the wrong done to his credit, person, and character. He desired also that the Chinese authorities should be compelled to give to the consul an indemnity of 25,000 dollars, binding themselves, and the subjects interested in his present affairs, to keep the peace for a length of time to be named. In answer to the letter, Sir J. Bowring wrote to Consul Elmslie to exercise much caution on the subject. He said: "It appears clear that Mr. Seth got hold of 1000 dollars from a Chinaman, which he did not return to him when he had failed to perform the contract for which the money was paid. The contract was itself an illegal one; and, though Her Majesty's subjects are entitled to every protection while engaged in the prosecution of their lawful business, when honourably conducted, the amount and the character of official interference must be influenced by a consideration of the whole of the attendant circumstances."

On the 3rd July, Sir J. Bowring informed the Earl of Clarendon that an incendiary placard had been circulated in Canton, in consequence of a rumour that the foreigners had again demanded entrance into the city of Canton, and that preparations were being made at Hong Kong to enforce the demand in the event of the Governor-General refusing to admit it.

Hand-Bill (Translation).

The absence of interruption to the peace of the country is of the same vital importance, in our opinion, as the maintenance of regularity in the avocations of its inhabitants. We now call public attention to the fact, that in the province of Canton, from the earliest to the present times, barbarians have never been allowed to go into the villages. Recently, however, a set of unprincipled vagabonds have been met with, who, without any fear of shame or exposure, carry on a secret intercourse with the barbarian dogs, and combine with them in a number of ways for working out their crafty schemes. Night and day, we see them entering the villages, and occasioning so much trouble by their irregularities, that gods and men must unite in detestation of their practices. To judge of the extent of the evil to which our provincial metropolis is thus exposed, we have only to look to Shanghai and Hong Kong, and take note of the iniquities that are there committed.

Hereafter, therefore, whenever any barbarian dogs come within our limits, we ought, by calling together our families, to maintain the dignity of our city (or province), and, bravely rushing upon them, kill every one. Thus may we, in the first place, appease the anger of Heaven; in the second, give evidence of our loyalty and patriotism; and in the third, restore peace and quiet to our homes. How great would be the happiness we should thus secure.

On the 8th July, Sir John Bowring was further informed that much illwill existed at Canton in consequence of the handbill supposed to have emanated from the gentry, and that on the 2nd instant two English gentlemen, Messrs. Johnson and Whittal, had been attacked whilst riding.

On the 3rd July, a fatal affray took place at Foo-chow, occasioned by a Foo-chow lad stealing some potatoes dropped on the road from one of the packages of an American firm, Messrs. A. Heard & Co., while removing their furniture to their new bungalow. The Foo-chow boy having been seized, the people attempted to rescue him, and during the riot Mr. Cunningham, a citizen of the United States, who was armed with his revolver, was stabbed, and died.

On the 19th July, 1856, Sir J. Bowring transmitted to the Earl of Clarendon the particulars of the murder of a French Roman Catholic missionary, named Chapdelaine, in the province of Kwang-se, which is under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Commissioner at Canton. He was arrested on the 24th February, and on his being brought to court, before the mandarin of Si-lin, he was first well boxed in the ear, and then got 300 blows. As he made no complaint, the mandarin thought he was charmed, and to break it, he had a dog killed, and his blood spread over the missionary. On the following day, on having heard that M. Chapdelaine could yet walk, he caused him to be beaten till he became exhausted, and afterward he was put in a cangue, and there suspended till he expired and was beheaded. The head was then thrown down by stones, and devoured by the dogs. The body was opened, and the heart was cut to pieces and taken for food. Two of his proselytes were decapitated with him for having refused to renounce their religion, and fourteen or fifteen others were in the prisons of that town on account of religion. The French Government were determined to exact ample reparation for the murder of M. Chapdelaine.

On the 8th October, 1856, Sir J. Bowring informed the Earl of Clarendon that a missionary, Mr. Burns, had been arrested in a district beyond treaty limits, and conveyed to Canton. Mr. Burns, when apprehended, with two other men, had shaven heads and wore their hair plaited in a queue, and were dressed in Chinese costume. He was arrested on the 19th August, but did not leave Chau-chow until the 1st September. On the application of Mr. Consul Parkes, he (Mr. Burns) was released, as well as the two men, and sent back.

No LXI.-TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP AND COMMERCE BETWEEN HER MAJESTY AND THE KINGS OF SIAM.

Signed, in the English and Siamese Languages, at Bangkok, April 18th 1855, and Ratifications exchanged at Bangkok, April 5th, 1856. [Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty, 1857.]

ARTICLE I.-There shall henceforward be perpetual peace and friendship between her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and her successors, and their Majesties the First and Second Kings of Siam, and their successors. All British subjects coming to Siam shall receive from the Siamese Government full protection and assistance to enable them to reside in Siam in all security, and trade with every facility,

free from oppression or injury on the part of the Siamese; and all Siamese subjects going to an English country shall receive from the British Government the same complete protection and assistance that shall be granted to British subjects by the Government of Siam.

ARTICLE II.-The interests of all British subjects coming to Siam shall be placed under the regulation and control of a consul, who will be appointed to reside at Bangkok: he will himself conform to, and will enforce the observance by British subjects of, all the provisions of this treaty, and such of the former treaty, negotiated by Captain Burney in 1826, as shall still remain in operation. He shall also give effect to all rules or regulations that are now or may hereafter be enacted for the government of British subjects in Siam, the conduct of their trade, and for the prevention of violations of the laws of Siam. Any disputes arising between British and Siamese subjects shall be heard and determined by the consul, in conjunction with the proper Siamese officers; and criminal offences will be punished, in the case of English offenders, by the consul, according to English laws, and in the case of Siamese offenders, by their own laws, through the Siamese authorities. But the consul shall not interfere in any matters referring solely to Siamese, neither will the Siamese authorities interfere in questions which only concern the subjects of her Britannic Majesty.

It is understood, however, that the arrival of the British Consul at Bangkok shall not take place before the ratification of this treaty, nor until ten vessels owned by British subjects, sailing under British colours and with British papers, shall have entered the port at Bangkok for purposes of trade, subsequent to the signing of this treaty.

ARTICLE III.—If Siamese in the employ of British subjects offend against the laws of their country, or if any Siamese having so offended or desiring to desert, take refuge with a British subject in Siam, they shall be searched for, and, upon proof of their guilt or desertion, shall be delivered up by the consul to the Siamese authorities. In like manner, any British offenders resident or trading in Siam, who may desert, escape to, or hide themselves in, Siamese territory, shall be apprehended and delivered over to the British Consul on his requisition; Chinese, not able to prove themselves to be British subjects, shall not be considered as such by the British consul, nor be entitled to his protection.

ARTICLE IV.-British subjects are permitted to trade freely in all the seaports of Siam, but may reside permanently only at Bangkok, or within the limits assigned by this treaty. British subjects coming to reside at Bangkok may rent land, and buy or build houses, but cannot purchase lands within a circuit of 200 sen (not more than four miles English) from the city walls, until they shall have lived in Siam for ten years, or shall obtain special authority from the Siamese Government to enable them to do so. But, with the exception of this limitation, British residents in Siam may at any time buy or rent houses, lands, or plantations, situated