Inclosure in No. 17. Commissioner Yeh to the Count de Courcy. Canton, le 3 Février, 1857. J'AI pris connaissance de la dépêche que vous m'avez adressée, noble Envoyé, le 21 jour de la 12 lune de l'année dernière (le 16 Janvier, 1857), et que j'ai reçue le 8 jour de la présente lune (le 2 Février, 1857). La nouvelle de l'empoisonnement du pain à Hong Kong m'a indigné et attristé d'autant plus profondément que l'amitié et la bonne harmonie subsistent comme d'habitude entre la Chine et votre noble Empire. Mais depuis que, sans raison ou cause, les Anglais continuent leurs hostilités, durant des mois entiers, en incendiant et brûlant une infinité d'habitations du peuple et d'établissements de toute sorte, des familles entières sans nombre s'en trouvent nécessairement réduites à la misère et les populations de tous les districts ne respirent plus contr'eux que haine et vengeance. On peut s'en aperçovoir à tout propos et votre dépêche le dit bien que lorsque la haine s'empare d'un peuple, il ne pense qu'à se venger, et, en écartant les droits de la raison, il n'a qu'un désir, celui de nuire à son ennemi." Quoi qu'il en soit, l'auteur de l'empoisonnement est un être abominable, mais il se trouve actuellement à Hong Kong et il me serait difficile d'instruire son procès. Quant à ce que vous me dites par rapport à la distinction à établir" qui est l'ennemi et qui ne l'est pas," j'avais déjà donné mes instructions à ce sujet. J'espère en même temps, noble Envoyé, que vos nationaux ne feront rien de leur côté pour troubler la paix. Ce ne seront certes pas les civilisés (les Chinois) qui manqueront à ce que les rites prescrivent à leur égard pour donner origine à aucune démêlé. Je profite, &c. No. 18. My Lord, Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon.—(Received April 28.) Hong Kong, February 28, 1857. I HAVE received, with peculiar satisfaction, your Lordship's despatch dated the 10th January,* advising me that Her Majesty's Government entirely approve of the course adopted by Sir Michael Seymour, Mr. Parkes, and myself, in reference to the late operations in the Canton river. I have the comfort of believing that, notwithstanding the losses, privations, sufferings, and disquietudes which these events have produced, there exists an almost unanimity of opinion among Her Majesty's subjects in China as to the opportunity and necessity of the measures that have been taken, and a conviction that the crisis which has occurred was an inevitable one; while the councils of the Canton authorities were directed by such intolerable pride, presumption, faithlessness, and ignorance, as they have long exhibited. And it has greatly added to my gratification to know that the Representatives of foreign Powers in China have generally concurred in approving of the course which has been pursued. Indeed I may safely state that I have rather had to struggle against demands for more violent and destructive measures, than to fear censure for those which have been adopted. It has been, throughout, my desire, and that of the Admiral, to spare, as much as possible, the innocent and unoffending people of Canton; but I grieve to say the ferocious and barbarous element disposed to avail itself of means, however atrocious and savage, is widely spread among the fierce population of of that place. It is not a reputation acquired only yesterday or to-day, but one of long standing, recognized and feared wherever the Cantonese are known throughout the vast extent of the Chinese Empire, and made a topic of very frequent observation in the representations to the Court from the Viceroys of Kwang-tung. I have, &c. (Signed) JOHN BOWRING. *See "Papers relating to the Proceedings of Her Majesty's Naval Forces at Canton," presented February 3, 1857, page 103. No. 19. My Lord, Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon.-(Received April 28.) Hong Kong, March 5, 1857. IN continuation of my despatches dated the 5th, 9th, and 12th ultimo, I have now the honour to inclose translation, by Mr. Chinese Secretary Wade, of another important document which we have acquired through the activity of Mr. Acting Vice-Consul Meadows at Ningpo. I forward also copy of Mr. Meadows' despatch, and of my answer to the same. I have thought it my duty to communicate this document to both the United States' and French Legations, and will, in due time, forward the correspondence. Your Lordship will not fail to remark with what persistent mendacity our proceedings, and those of the United States' and French Ministers, are misrepresented at the Court of Pekin. I HAVE the satisfaction to inclose a copy of another Imperial edict, of the genuineness of which I have still more proof than in the case of that already forwarded. The inclosed edict shows that at the date of its being issued, about the 15th of last month, the Emperor was not inclined to listen to anything adverse to the Imperial Commissioner Yeh, though communicated by other high provincial authorities; and that His Imperial Majesty speculated on hostilities not being finished at Canton at the time of the spring rains, yet, at the same time, assumed that the relations between us would still be so amicable at this port and Shanghae as would leave it in the power of the provincial authorities of the two places to send a foreign steamer up the great river, to act against the Tae-ping rebels. I have called the inclosed document an Imperial edict, but your Excellency will perceive that it is, in form, a memorial from the provincial authorities, replying to an Imperial edict, which latter it, however, embodies. The memorial commences by stating that, on the 15th January, a secret despatch had been sent to the memorialists by the Cabinet Council communicating an Imperial edict to the following effect: The English barbarians having created troubles in Kwang-tung, an Imperial edict had already been issued to the Governors-General and Governors of the seaboard provinces, commanding them quietly to take defensive measures; and commanding them at the same time to meet the English with reasoning in the event of their coming to the northern ports to make representations on the subject of the hostilities at Canton. The Emperor then states that he has now received a memorial from E and Chaou, the Governor-General and the Governor of the province in which Shanghae lies, to the effect that the English barbarian Consul had delivered a communication on the subject to the Intendant of the Soo-sung-tae Circuit (the Shanghae Taoutac). This communication was in the old style of similar documents formerly received. The Governor-General E being intimately acquainted with the feelings of the barbarians should give instructions to the said Intendant to admonish (the English authorities) in such a manner as might have the effect of putting a stop to these their reiterated applications. As to the Commissioner Ych, he had long transacted barbarian affairs, and his grasp ought not to fail him in the exercise of all the various means of bridling and controlling these people. Some time back Yeh had reported that the other barbarians, the Americans, &c., all knowing that the English were in the wrong, had refused to give the latter any assistance. Now the Governor-General E, and his colleague, report that they had learned that both the English and the Americans had occupied forts. These, the Emperor observes, are false insinuations by which the English hope to gloss over their criminality in alone commencing hostilities; and the Governor-General must not allow himself to be deceived by them. The Emperor then acknowledges the receipt of a joint memorial from the provincial authorities of Keang-soo and Che-keang, praying that the matter of sending a steamer up the great river might be delayed for a time. As it appears that the lowness of the water in the dry winter season would put many difficulties in the way of the movements of such a vessel, and as the troubles at Canton make it difficult to procure barbarian engineers, the prayer for delay is granted. When, however, the water shall have risen in the wet spring season to the requisite height, the complete settlement of the Canton affair need not be waited for; but, if it be then ascertained that the temper of the barbarians admits of its being done with safety, they are to be forthwith urged to ascend the river. Here the embodied edict ends, and the memorial paper commences. It shortly adverts to the fact of the Emperor's first commands relative to the defensive measures along the coast having been duly conformed to. It then states that if, after the business of convoying the grain-junks toward the north shall have been finished in the spring, the steamer can then go up the great river to aid in the extermination of the rebels, the provincial authorities of Keang-soo and Che-keang (the memorialists) will ascertain the temper of the barbarians, and will take steps, by means of Special Commissioners and the Intendant at Shanghae, to have His Majesty's commands obeyed. For your Excellency's information I may remark that there can be little doubt that the steamer referred to in the above is the "Paou-shun," originally bought by certain Chinese merchants of this port to convoy their traders northward, but which was lent by them to the authorities of Keang-soo to act against the Taepings at Chin-keang. When the "Paou-shun" reached Shanghae to fit out for that purpose the engineers resigned in a body, on the ground that, however willing to act against pirates, the service for which they were originally engaged, they did not feel justified in lending their aid against the people in arms in the interior. This was the real cause of the delay in a business which, as here appears, the Emperor had been previously memorialized about. It may be a satisfaction to your Excellency, when you hold the inclosed document in your hand, to be reminded that my experience in the matter of acquiring information does not by any means begin with my month's residence at this place; and to receive my assurances that no Chinese official paper irregularly obtained during the course of my official life has seemed to me to be more genuine than the Edict first forwarded and the memorial now inclosed. Inclosure 2 in No. 19. Memorial embodying Imperial Edict. [The paper is evidently a copy of a memorial written shortly before the end of the Chinese year. The name and title of the memorialist do not appear, but there is every reason for assuming that he is the present Governor of Chekeang.] (Translation.) ON the 20th of the 12th moon of the 6th year of Heen-fung (15th January, 1857), (the memorialist) received a second confidential despatch from the Great Council, to the effect that the high officers composing it had had the honour to receive the following Imperial Decree : 66 Upon the subject of the disorderly proceedings of the English barbarians in Kwang-tung, we have already instructed the Governors-General and Governors of the coast-provinces to take every precaution for their defence. They were further instructed that, should the barbarians repair, as there was reason to apprehend they might, to one or other of the ports to offer an explanation of E the present rupture, they were to be silenced by an exposition of the rights of the question. Eleang and Chaou now inform us that the Consul of the English barbarians had waited on the Taoutae of the Soo-sung-tae Circuit (the Intendant residing at Shanghae), and had handed to him a communication which contained a repetition of the old story. Thoroughly conversant as Eleang is with barbarian affairs, it would be his duty to instruct the Taoutae and others concerned to speak authoritatively† (to the barbarians), and to set the matter before them as to put an end, if possible, to their garrulous importunity. "As to Yeh, he has been so long engaged in the administration of barbarian affairs that it is not in reason to assume that he has no resources for keeping (the barbarians) in hand. He reported, in the first instance, that the Americans, and other barbarians, being all of opinion that these (the English) were in the wrong, had not chosen to cooperate with them. Eleang and his colleague state, however, that they understand both English and American barbarians to be in possession of the forts; that both are endeavouring to produce an impression, by misrepresentations, the object of which is to make it appear that neither is singly guilty of having commenced this quarrel. Let not the Governor-General and his colleague be deceived by this. "In a supplementary memorial the same officers, in concert with Ho,§ request that the introduction of a steamer (or steamers) into the Yang-tszekeang be postponed, &c. At this time of year, the winter season, the water is low, and there is a difficulty attending the movement of vessels. Barbarian artificers (engineers, &c.) will not, either, be easily obtained during the present troubles at Canton. Let the (contemplated arrangements regarding the steamer, therefore,) stand over till the next spring, when the floods will enable her to be brought up. Let the barbarians, meanwhile, be carefully observed, and if their affairs be then in a satisfactory state, let the steamer be ordered into the river at once. It will not be necessary to detain her until the final settlement of the Kwang-tung question, &c. "Respect this!" The reply of your Majesty's servant (the memorialist), to the effect that, as soon as he had received your Majesty's commands relating to the disorderly proceedings of the English barbarians in Kwang-tung, he had written to the civil and military authorities along the coast, to make its protection sure, is already on record. With respect to the vessel (or vessels) subscribed for by the provinces of Keang-soo and Che-keang, should it be possible for her, after convoying the southern grain-junks next spring, to enter the river, it will be the duty (of your servant the memorialist)-the aspect of barbarian affairs, as observed by your servants the Governor-General of the Two Keang, the Governor of Keang-soo, and the late Governor of Che-keang, being satisfactory-to consider, with those officers, the appointment of Deputies, who, in concert with the Intendant of Soo-sung-tae, may take the necessary steps, in respectful accordance with your Majesty's commands. These your servant is confidentially communicating to the several (authorities whom they concern). It is farther his duty to address to your Majesty this supplementary memorial. Prostrate he prays the sacred glance thereon. A respectful memorial. *Waited on; "foo," to repair to, with the context certainly argues an inferiority on the part of the person so repairing. Speak authoritatively; "heaou yu," commonly to issue an edict or notification. The teacher does not understand this to be what is meant here. It is a signification of purpose issued with authority, either in speech or writing. Keeping in hand; more literally, "It is not in reason that there should not be in his grasp any one of all the driving expedients in the world." Driving as a coachman. § Ho is most likely the late Governor of Che-keang, now, I think, employed against the rebels west of Nankin. The teacher is of opinion that what is meant is, if they be prepared to trade as usual. here mean steamer. The steamer is most likely the Paou-shun" or "Confucius," and the convoy to Teen-tsin. Sir, Inclosure 3 in No. 19. Sir J. Bowring to Acting Vice-Consul Meadows. Hong Kong, March 3, 1857. I HAVE to thank you for your despatch dated 26th ultimo, and am much pleased with the successful diligence which has obtained the important document it conveys. I rely on your continued zeal to furnish any trustworthy intelligence as to what is passing at Pekin in reference to the relations of China with Western nations. I have reason to expect that the misrepresentations of the Imperial Commissioner Yeh, as to opinions and actions of the Representatives of the other Treaty Powers, will be the subject of official contradiction on theirpart. Events will show how greatly the Emperor has been deceived. My Lord, Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon.-(Received April 28.) Hong Kong, March 10, 1857. IN my despatch dated 5th instant, I mentioned that I had communicated to the French and United States' Ministers the Imperial document therein referred to; and I have now the honour to inclose copies of my lets to M. Bourboulon and Dr. Parker, and of the replies I have received from them. I have, &c. (Signed) Sir, Inclosure 1 in No. 20. JOHN BOWRING. Sir J. Bowring to M. de Bourboulon. Hong Kong, March 5, 1857. I BEG to communicate to your Excellency copy of an interesting and important official document of whose genuineness I am well assured. I need scarcely add that it affords most convincing evidence of the falsehood of the representations sent by the Imperial Commissioner to the Emperor of China, and of the desirableness of cordial cooperation between the Treaty Powers. I forward another copy of the document to his Excellency Dr. Parker. I have, &c. I HAVE the honour to forward to your Excellency copy of a most important document, of whose authenticity I have no doubt whatever. No more satisfactory evidence could be afforded of the false reports made to the Emperor by the Imperial Commissioner, and of the desirableness of common action and cooperation, in order to advance the general objects. I shall forward a copy to his Excellency M. de Bourboulon. I have, &c. (Signed) JOHN BOWRING. |