Inclosure 3 in No. 20.

M. de Bourboulon to Sir J. Bowring.

Macao, le 7 Mars, 1857.

Monsieur, J'AI reçu les deux dépêches que votre Excellence m'a fait l'honneur de m'adresser en date des 5 et 6 courant, renfermant, la première une copie, et la seconde une traduction, d'un document officiel Chinois, dont votre Excellence croit l'authenticité certaine.

Je remercie votre Excellence de cette importante et interessante communication, qui, de même que le document analogue communiqué par vous à M. le Comte de Courcy par votre dépêche en date du 4 Février, témoigne d'une manière curieuse de l'exactitude avec laquelle le Vice-Roi Yé représente à son Souverain les graves événements qui se sont passés à Canton, ainsi que de l'imperturbable dédain de la Cour de Pékin à l'égard des barbares. Nul doute, Monsieur, qu'une telle infatuation ne rende plus que jamais désirable l'étroit accord des trois Puissances qui ont des comptes à lui demander.

(Signé)

J'ai, &c.

A. BOURBOULON.

Inclosure 4 in No. 20.

Dr. Parker to Sir J. Bowring.

Sir,

Macao, March 9, 1857.

I HAVE the honour to be in receipt of your Excellency's despatches of the 5th and 6th instant, inclosing copy, in Chinese and translation, of a document purporting to be a memorial to the Throne by some high provincial officer, relative to the present state of foreign relations.

I notice the statement and counter-statement of his Excellency Yeh in the south, and the Viceroy of the Leang-keang and Governor of Keang-soo in the north. The memorial is most important as respects the policy of the Cabinet at this serious conjuncture.

It is the more valuable since, being a secret State paper, it contains the undisguised sentiments of the Imperial Court.

My concurrence in your Excellency's sentiments as to "the desirableness of common action and cooperation in order to advance the general objects," will appear from my despatch to the Imperial Commissioner drawn up some weeks since, but which will now go forward at once, a copy of which is herewith inclosed. I have, &c.

Sir,

(Signed)

Inclosure 5 in No. 20.

Dr. Parker to Commissioner Yeh.

PETER PARKER.

Macao, February 10, 1857. THE Undersigned, Commissioner and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to China, on the 7th instant received from his Excellency Sir John Bowring, Her Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary, a despatch, inclosing copy of an Imperial rescript, of whose authenticity there is little or no reason to doubt, and according to which your Excellency has stated to His Imperial Majesty that the "American, French, and other Western nations, being sensible that the English barbarians are in the wrong in this quarrel, do not choose to cooperate with them," &c.

It being the invariable usage of the Government of the United States to maintain a strict neutrality in all controversies between other nations, the Undersigned has scrupulously refrained, in his correspondence with your Excellency, from the expression of any opinion of the merits of the one now existing between China and Great Britain, but since your Excellency has presumed to

interpret the sentiments of his Government, and erroneously to state them to His Imperial Majesty, the Undersigned, as behoves him, begs to disclaim your Excellency's right thus to implicate his Government.

Were the Undersigned called upon to pass judgment upon the question who is right and who is wrong in the present controversy, he might wish to inquire if it had not been right, when the occasion for serious complaint arose, for the High Officers of the two Governments to have met face to face, and according to reason and justice have settled the matter, and thus have prevented the vast destruction of property and effusion of blood which has been in consequence of your Excellency's failing to do so. He might also perchance inquire into the truth of the statements regarding what has transpired in former years in relation to the subject of the entrée of the city of Canton, which differs widely from what the Undersigned, who has long resided in China, apprehends to be the facts of the case.

The Undersigned may be allowed, in the spirit of true friendship, to express to your Excellency his belief that the fountain of all difficulties between China and foreign nations is the unwillingness of China to acknowledge England, France, America, and other great nations of the West, as her equals and true friends, and to treat them accordingly. So far as respects this grave matter, the American Government is sensible that the English are in the right, and does choose to cooperate with them.

I HAVE to acknowledge your Excellency's letter dated the 9th instant, and thank you for the copy of your communication to his Excellency the Imperial Commissioner which you have had the goodness to forward to me.

Whatever temporary influence the misrepresentations of his Excellency Yeh may exercise upon the policy of the Chinese Government, I rejoice to think that the action of the treaty-powers cannot fail to accomplish their common object, stimulated as they are by a general conviction of the necessity and opportunity of placing the relations cf Western nations on a more satisfactory basis than the present, and willing to cooperate together for realizing that important end.

(Extract.)

Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon.-(Received April 28.)

Hong Kong, March 10, 1857.

I HAVE the honour to forward to your Lordship copy of a communication from Mr. Chinese Secretary Wade, on the subject of our present relations with Canton, as elucidated by conversations with a Chinese merchant now in this Colony.

I am disposed to think that the Imperial Commissioner will maintain his present position, as long as we are unable to visit him with any serious molestation, trusting to the chapter of accidents for some turn in his favour.

An extract of a letter from Mr. Stewart, dated Macao, February 24, will give your Lordship information as to the capture of the "Queen," on the 23rd ultimo.

I have received a letter from the Governor of Macao, informing me that the Portuguese steamer "Queen," referred to in the inclosed document, was burnt at Fat-shan, after the cargo of opium had been taken away. He speaks of making the Chinese authorities responsible. The two Portuguese sailors, with two women and children who were on board, reached Macao safely on the 8th instant.

place within a given time. Recusants will be severely dealt with as traitors; all their goods and property confiscated; and such of the gentry or elders as screen them will be held equally responsible."

In accordance with the above, it became the duty of the Chief Magistrate to issue a proclamation to the effect prescribed, as also to send written instructions to the gentry and elders of the several wards to act as they were therein directed.

Fearing, however, that there may be hamlets and farms here and there to which the injunctions referred to have not penetrated, and being sincerely anxious to prevent the inhabitants thereof from falling into the net of the law, it is the duty of the magistrate now to issue a second proclamation.

He accordingly notifies to all classes, military and plebeians, that if there be any of their sons or brethren still remaining at Hong Kong, or as employés in barbarian ships or houses, they must call on them to return home within five days,* and to tarry no longer. If they be not forthcoming when the Chief Magistrate makes his visit, it will be seen that they are still hanging on at Hong Kong; their houses and property will be confiscated, and, as soon as they can be arrested, they will be punished as traitors to China. The gentry and elders (of their wards), as well as their fathers and brothers, will all be proceeded against under the law against collusion.

Let the good tremble and obey. Let them not act so as to have hereafter to repent.

A special proclamation.

Heen-fung, 7th year, 2nd moon, 1st day. (February 24, 1857.)

Inclosure 2 in No. 22.

Proclamation

(Translation.)

KEW, Acting Chief Magistrate of the Heang-shan district, &c., issues a proclamation requiring subscription to be made.

The Chief Magistrate had the honour some time since to receive the following despatch from his Excellency Yeh, guardian of the heir-apparent, Governor-General of the Two-Kwang, &c. :

"Whereas the measures belonging to the conduct of the present barbarian question at Canton involve an enormous expenditure in respect of all the necessaries of war, as I look entirely to the subscriptions of the gentry and people for supplies, I have given instructions that the duty of subscribing be urged upon them. The district of Shun-teh has undertaken to furnish 200,000 taels, and as it appears that the districts of Heang-shan and Sin-hwung enjoy the reputation of great wealth, and contain no small number of zealous and public-spirited inhabitants, it is my duty to desire their respective magistrates to call on Heang-shan for a contribution of 100,000 taels, and on Sin-hwung for a contribution of 120,000 taels, for provision of the necessaries of war. This is, therefore, to command you (the magistrate of Heang-shan) to issue a notification forthwith, recommending the gentry and men of wealth to exert themselves in making up the sum of 100,000 taels, to be forwarded to Canton in instalments to meet the expenditure. Let there be no deficits. The urgency of the present demand for the suppliest of the army considered, you must at once and earnestly exhort (the people to subscribe) to the end that all may eagerly contribute enough to make up the sum required; that it may be dispatched to the city with all speed. There must be no trifling or delay, to the hindrance of the service.

"As the lists of the subscribers' names arrive, it will be my duty to bring them to the notice of His Majesty, and request that they may be rewarded to encourage them. Let there be then no waiting and doubting, be it ever so little."

As in duty bound, on the receipt of the above, the Chief Magistrate called on the General Committee, established near the district city, to co-operate with the gentry and elders of the different subdivisions of the jurisdiction, and in

The 1st March. There was a considerable exodus between that date and the 5th March. + Literally, "rations." Pay and all necessaries are included in the word.

accordance with the foregoing to speak authoritatively on the subject, and to assign to those who ought to pay their respective quotas, as it is recorded. But whereas it appears that no small number of the inhabitants of the different villages of the jurisdicton have the repute of great wealth, it behoves them, at a crisis like the present, when there is an urgent demand for the necessaries of war, possessing as they do a full sense of what is their duty before Heaven, to subscribe and bring in their subscriptions with all haste, that so they may become recipients of the Imperial bounty, to be bestowed on them in recognition of their services.

Further, the villages of Seaou-lan (Sui-lam), and Hwang-po (Wong-poo)* having already contributed 200,000 taels, it would not seem right to call on them again. The levy should of course be evenly laid upon the villages which have not subscribed, and quotas levied on these in even proportions till the total be made up.

It is the duty of the Chief Magistrate to lose no time in issuing a proclamation. He accordingly gives notice to the gentry and the opulent of every village in the district, requiring them, in conformity with their instructions, to come forward with subscriptions eagerly and with speed. He trusts that the quotas obtainable under the names of particular individuals,† with the sums undertaken by those who have landed property, or have made their fortunes by trade, will amount to the 100,000 taels required, and that this will be paid in in a succession of instalments.

The names of the subscribers, with the amounts subscribed by them, will be entered from time to time in a form, which the Chief Magistrate will forward (to the Governor-General) with a request that he will encourage the contributors by rewarding them.

It is imperative that the gentry of the village committees should zealously urge on the subscriptions, themselves setting the example as subscribers. There must be no niggardly saving, as it will prejudice the public service.

If any be contumacious, the gentry of their village committee are authorized to apply privily to have them arrested and brought to trial. Let them look to it that there be no vacillation and delay. Haste! haste!

A special proclamation.

Heen-fung, 7th year, 2nd moon, 4th day. (February 27, 1857.)

No. 23.

My Lord,

Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon.-(Received April 28.)

Hong Kong, March 12, 1857.

I HAVE the pleasure of forwarding to your Lordship a despatch, dated Shanghae, 7th instant, from Mr. Consul Robertson, reporting that the state of affairs at Canton is not likely to interrupt the public tranquillity at that port.

As regards trade, it is satisfactory to observe the enormous increase in the export of raw silk, whose value, for the present season, cannot be less than eight millions sterling.

I have, &c.

I HAVE the honour to acquaint your Excellency that peace and order remain undisturbed at this port, and I see nothing as yet which leads me to believe any change will occur; my relations with the Chinese authorities continue

Not Whampoa. That place is in the Pwan-yu district.

+ Names of particular individuals; these are gentry and the like, not rich themselves, but able to subscribe something, and entrusted with the task of beating up for subscribers of small sums, which are entered in the book issued them for the purpose.

F

on the same amicable footing, and the people appear to take little heed of the events now occurring at Canton.

At an interview I had with the Taoutae the other da I took the opportunity to mention the general report of an Imperial rescript having been received, inculcating the preservation of peace at the ports. His Excellency said he had heard it, but had received nothing of the kind, and he was certain that neither had the Governor-General at Foo-chow; it was a false report, of which there were always many about. The trade at this port is very promising; immense quantities of rice from Bally and other places are being imported in foreign bottoms, and the market price is high and rising it has advanced during the last week from 4 to 5 mace per picul, the quotations now being for Bally, 2 taels 1 mace to 2 taels 2 mace, and for white Java, 2 taels 3 mace to 2 taels 4 mace, and holders refusing to sell. Shirtings have been freely taken at favourable rates: the demand last month, owing to the departure of the northern junks, was very brisk; it has now slackened again. The favourable accounts from England of the tea and silk market had its effect on this. Up to date, the quantity shipped of this season's silk amounts to 69,984 bales against 32,859 last year; the total settled for may be taken at 74,000 bales, leaving not more than 1000 bales on stock, for which extravagant prices are asked; in fact, never since the port was opened have prices ranged so high. Teas have not been in such demand, and the stocks low, but it is expected the news by the last mail will cause much activity in this market.

My earnest endeavours will be directed towards the preservation of the present order of things at this port, under your Excellency's instructions. I have, &c.

Sir,

The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond.—(Received April 28.)

Admiralty, April 28, 1857.

I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copy of a letter dated the 15th March, from Rear-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour, reporting generally on proceedings and the state of affairs in the Canton river, and at Hong Kong and the northern ports of China.

(Signed)

I am, &c.

THOS. PHINN..

Sir,

Inclosure in No. 24.

Rear-Admiral Sir M. Seymour to the Secretary to the Admiralty.

"Calcutta," at Hong Kong, March 15, 1857.

I HAVE the honour to report, for the information of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that nothing of importance has occurred in the Canton river since my letter of the 15th ultimo. The dispositions of the ships are nearly the same, with the addition of the "Elk;" their duties being confined to keeping open the navigation of the river, and in watching the mouths of the creeks, the war junks of the Chinese being assembled in their interior waters in great

force.

2. Rockets are continually thrown during the night into the Macao Fort, and occasionally shot are fired from guns in row-boats, hitherto without doing any serious damage, and the fort being strongly armed and garrisoned, and due precautions taken to guard against fire, little anxiety is felt for its security.

3. I regret to state that another small steamer, the "Queen" (under Portuguese colours), with a valuable cargo, has met the fate of the "Thistle." She was seized by the Chinese crew and passengers, on her way from Hong Kong to Macao; Mr. Cleverly, marine surveyor, who was one of the passengers, is the sole survivor of the Europeans, who were but four or five in number. After