金蝶兆

unbecoming. The reader of history will always be pleased with simple narrative of things that have been or are; conjectures, fancies, and the like, he can easily make for himself. How Chinese authors obtained a knowledge of the particulars they relate of the five emperors, the cotemporaries of Adam, Noah, &c., we know not. When what they say existed or occurred, if there be any reason for repeating it, we will repeat, and "put it on record" as they have done. But where there are no evidences of credibility to be found, then we may cease to repeat what they would fain have us believe.

The genuineness, the integrity, and the credibility of Chinese early writings, both historical and philosophical, deserve a degree of attention which they have never yet received, either from native or foreign scholars.

ART. VIII.

Journal of Occurrences: the eastern expeditionary force; memorial from Hú Cháu; British expelled from Ningpó; fall of Wasung; hong-merchants summoned by Flipú; Hingan; Wang Ting; Amoy; Hongkong.

On the return of the expedition from China, says a late number of the Indian Review, "we hope lord Ellenborough will not forget the insults of the Burmans, the encroachments of the Nipálese," &c. . . . And when is the expedition to return? Two full months-July and August,-have passed since the British community have had any dispatches from H. B. M.'s sole plenipotentiary, and chief superintendent of trade of British subjects in China. There are rumors-of an advance up the Yangtsz' kiáng as far as to Kiángning, the ancient Nanking,-of the flight of its army and people;-of the occupation of the forts at the mouth of the White river (or Pei hó); of the flight of the emperor to his summer residence on the Warm river (or Je hó);-of the determination to decline all terms for an amicable arrangement;―of the return from banishment of Lin, and of his appointment as commissioner to Canton; &c., &c. Such are the rumors. Supplies, &c., are constantly being sent forward to headquarters on the coast. Time will soon show the results, and with the return of the northerly winds the dispatches for this place will not be long in reaching their destination.

2. Hú Cháu's offer of services is extracted from a late Peking Gazette. The paper itself is without date, and it may be the same offer that is alluded to on page 62, but we rather think not for he speaks in this of having already waited a year. Hú Cháu was the superior officer of Yáng Fáng, who came to Canton last year.

Hú Cháu, great protector of the heir-apparent, general of the guard at the Kientsing gate of the palace, major-general of the division of the province, patriotic earl of the second rank, and a pátúlú of distinguished bravery, kneels and memorializes respecting his ardent desire to give vent to his feelings, and looking up begs the sacred glance upon it.

Your servant is well aware that he was originally but a poor inefficient subaltern, and has successively received imperial favors ever since he was a mere lackey in the army up to his present elevated rank. Formerly, on account of the dastardly rebel Jehanguir making commotions among the people and troubling the frontier, I, having exhibited the terror of our arms, seized and brought him to the capital, where he was made a public example. The dignity of great protector of the heir-apparent was then conferred on me by special order, and the title of patriotic earl, together with a two-eyed peacock's feather, a riding jacket of yellow satin, a thrice-joyful' archer's ring, and sundry other things were bestowed upon me. That I, who have not a particle of merit should so unexpectedly receive such distinguished marks of approbation, filled my breast with confusion, and the more I thought thereon the more was I ashamed.'

Last year, as soon as the alarming intelligence came from Tinghái in the sixth month, 1 immediately ordered all my officers to drill the marines perfectly, and put every kind of equipment in the best of order; I also sought out skillful artisans who have cast 65 large cannon, and made 500 stands of arms, each gun being about two and a half feet in length, and carrying twice the charge of the old

guns; in these, no sooner has the first gun gone off than the other succeeds it. I have moreover made a man-of-war vessel, having two wheels each side, and a large copper mortar on the bow to carry fire in; these wheels revolve of themselves: the model is taken from that of the western foreigners, which it resembles; it goes a hundred lí in a twinkling. I have besides this, with the savings of my own salary, collected more than 5000 brave and experienced men, whom I have kept day and night in constant readiness and practice for any public exigency.

Lately hearing of the disturbances in Canton, and also that Amoy was lost, my hair bristled from irrepressible indignation. Moreover, I reflected that our dynasty, from its constant use of soldiery, has always been successful wherever it had turned its arms: how has it happened therefore that these petty contemptible English barbarians have waxed so outrageous? It is not because the rules of strategy are not understood, nor because the troops fear the burnt of battle, but simply because these rebels alone had steamers, cannon, and such sorts of things, by which they could overcome us who had none of them, and give full scope to their outrageous violence without the least apprehension. Now, having made my vessels, guns, &c., all ready, and learned the navigation of the channels, I am exceedingly desirous to exhibit the terror of our arms upon the ocean, and requite the many favors of my sovereign: but I cannot imagine why after waiting a whole year I have not received a commission to active service. Can it be because the sacred thought' compassionates my debility, and does not wish me to emulate the hard toil of the dog or horse? My age is but threescore, nor is my strength yet weakened, but in walking, riding and archery, my vigor is quite as good as ever. This proposal is by no means made from a covetous desire of honors or rewards, but simply because the troubles on the maritime frontier are not quelled, and because the poor people there are so afflicted. Your majesty is now greatly discomposed by the troubles at the south, nor am I and my comrades restricted to serve in any one spot: can we merely consume our stipend with. out an exertion, and not be covered wtih confusion?

Prostrate I beg, that these my incoherent notions and private feelings may be noticed, and that I may be allowed to hasten with utmost speed to Fukien, where I will seize these barbarous rebels and offer them up before the palace with the greatest alacrity. Your servant intently awaits the imperial commands, while he humbly implores a sacred glance upon this careful memorial.

3. The British forces expelled from Ningpó. The Peking Gazette of June 4th contains an imperial edict, awarding honors to the heroes who led H. I. M.'s forces to expel the barbarians from Ningpó. Peacock's feathers, &c., are to be bestowed on the leaders according to their respective deeds, which, as recounted by Yiking, were neither few nor small. The attack on the English was a combined one, there being more than seventy vessels, with large land forces coöperating. The carnage was dreadful; more than 300 of the English were killed; five ships were destroyed; and powder, military hats, &c., were borne off as trophies! All this was done without any loss on the part of the Chinese-for fortunately it was achieved subsequently to the evacuation of the city by the English, on the 7th of May last.

He

4. The fall of Wúsung, and other places in its vicinity, has been reported to the emperor, by his excellency (Niú) Buffalo, (for such when translated is the name of) the governor of Liáng Kiáng. had reported the advance of the rebellious barbarians on the 15th of June; and now he has to report the loss of several cities, for which, and the violation of law, he begs that heavy punishment may be inflicted on his own person. He takes care, however, to tell his master how he had braved the hottest of the fight on the battle-field,

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where cannon-balls innumerable, flying in awful confusion through the expanse of heaven, fell before, behind, and on either side of him ; while in the distance he saw the ships of the rebels, standing erect, lofty as the mountains. The fierce daring of the rebels was inconceivable. Officers and men fell at their posts. Every effort to resist and check the onset was in vain, and a retreat became inevitable.” The memorial as it comes us, is without date; but must have been written shortly after the occurrences it narrates.

5.

Hong-merchants summoned by Flipú. This old commissioner and his colleagues, having sent off a dispatch to Canton, requiring two of the hong-merchants immediately to repair to Súchau, made report thereof at the same time to their master, setting forth the reasons for having so done. These were childish enough: their excellencies were afraid there would be no means of communicating with the English, and that in consequence thereof, the barbarians would intrude themselves upon the Inner Land, and create confusion. However, his majesty has not been pleased to sanction the summons; and consequently the said hong-merchants have returned to look after their private affairs.

Hingan, an old favorite but degraded minister of Táukwáng, of Lienchau memory, is often noticed in the Gazettes, and is no doubt exerting much influence in the imperial counsels during these times of troubles.

7. Wang Ting, late cabinet minister, reports current in Canton say, hung himself, and that he did this because he was unable to carry certain measures which he had brought forward. In the Gazettes we do not find any allusion to the causes of his demise, which is deplored, and high honors conferred.

8. At Amoy, everything remains quiet. The people on Kúláng sú have to a great degree, resumed their occupations, and the intercourse between it and Amoy, is unobstructed.

9. Hongkong. The progress of public and private works has been somewhat accelerated during the present month; and the amount of business done gradually increases. A little tea has lately been brought down coastwise, which has been shipped to England. To the number of residents, there have been added,-an attorney-at-law, Mr. Edward Francomb from London and a master-builder, Mr. F. Langes from Calcutta.

The Queen's Road (Baptist) chapel at Hongkong was dedicated on the 17th ultimo, a very neat and commodious building, considering its cost, which was less than one thousand dollars. It is built of "concrete earth," is about 70 by 27 feet, with cupola, bell, &c. It is the first Protestant chapel built on Hongkong, but not the first in China:' nor is the church, which meets within its walls, “the first Christian church formed in China;" it is the property of the American Baptist Board of Missions, having been erected under the care of the Rev. J. L. Shuck, one of its missionaries, by subscription among the foreign community.

THE

CHINESE REPOSITORY.

VOL. XI.-SEPTEMBER, 1842.-No. 9.

ART. I. Retrospection, or a Review of Public Occurrences in China during the last ten years, from January 1st, 1832, to December 31st, 1841. (Continued from page 410.)

Soon after captain Elliot retired from Canton, the 24th of May, 1839, the factories were mostly deserted, so that June 1st there were not more than twenty-five or thirty foreigners remaining in the provincial city. The Ann Jane, the last of the British ships in port, passed out of the Bogue, heavily laden with cargo for England, on the 16th of that month. And it was the declared intention of the chief superintendent to prevent, as far as it was possible for him to do, the return of British merchants to Canton. At the same time it was the desire of the imperial commissioner that they should return, but under bonds never more to traffic in the drug.

While the question of returning was pending, Lin and his colleagues received a dispatch from the emperor, in which his majesty was pleased to say, unadvisedly as it now appears-that "this affair has been extremely well managed." And it was added, in the same edict-" Let Lin and his colleagues assemble the civil and military officers and in their presence destroy the opium, thus exhibiting an awful warning to the foreigners and natives dwelling on the coast." The prefect of Canton had already given a receipt for the whole amount of opium, 20,283 chests, delivered over to the Chinese from on board the ships. The receipt bears date, May 18th, 1839. The opium had then been all stored, under guard, at Chinkau, a few miles east of the Bogue.