other, but it is known, that they were all subjected to the most barbarous treatment, and were scarcely allowed sufficient food to sustain life. In this manner above seven dreary months passed away, when it was announced to the eleven survivors, iucluding the two belonging to the Nerbudda (six natives of Europe and America, three natives of India and two Chinese, which latter individuals had been pardoned on condition of entering the service of the government of Formosa), that peace had been made; and they likewise then ascertained, that all the rest of their fellow sufferers in captivity and wretchedness had been put to death on or about the 13th of August last, on the grounds stated in the plenipotentiary's other proclamation.

Among the sufferers is Mr. Gully, a British merchant, who was returning to Macao from the northward, as a passenger by the Ann. It is not possible to account for the lives of the six Europeans and Americans, and three natives of India, being spared; but it is surmised, that they were considered to be principal men of their classes, and were intended to have been sent to Peking to be there executed. This proclamation is now published, to satisfy the great anxiety and interest which has been universally felt on the subject of it. It is superfluous for her majesty's plenipotentiary to record the deep and sincere regret and sorrow with which he discharges so painful a duty. God save the Queen.

Dated on board the steam frigate Queen at Amoy, on the 26th day of Nov., 1842. (Signed) HENRY POTTINGER, H. M. Plenipotentiary.

PROCLAMATION TO THE CHINESE.

Sir Henry Pottinger, bart., her Britannic majesty's plenipotentiary in China, announced in his proclamation under date the 23d instant, that a number of her majesty's subjects had been cruelly and causelessly put to death by the local officers on the island of Formosa. The plenipotentiary has now further to announce the following clear details which he has obtained from a few of the shipwrecked men, who have been sent over to Amoy, to be released agreeably to the treaty. On board the ship Nerbudda, which was wrecked in September, 1841, there were altogether 274 souls; of these, 29 were Europeans, 2 Manila men, and 243 natives of India.

All the Europeans, accompanied by 2 Manila men and 3 natives of India, left the ship in the boats as soon as she struck on the rocks, and thus exactly 240 natives of India were left behind. These men remained by the ship, which had drifted over the reef, and was lying in smooth water in Kilung bay, for five days, and then landed on rafts, without arms or weapons of any description. In landing some men were drowned in the surf, others were killed by plunderers who came down to strip them as they reached the shore, and the rest were seized and imprisoned in separate small parties, where they were left in heavy irons, with hardly any clothing, and a very small allowance of food, from which privations many died after great suffering. Of the whole 240 who left the ship on the rafts, only two men have been sent over to Amoy.

On board the brig Ann, which was wrecked on her passage from Chusan to Macao in the month of March, there were altogether 57 souls. Of these, 14 were natives of Europe or America, 5 Chinese, 4 Portuguese or Malays, and 34 natives of India. The brig was driven by the violence of the wind and sea so high on shore, that when the tide ebbed she was left dry, and the fifty-seven men quitted her and got on board a Chinese junk, with the hope of being enabled to put to sea in her; but this could not be effected, and they surrendered without having fired even one musket, or made the smallest resistance, to the Chinese troops that had come down to the spot. Like the unfortunate nen in the Nerbudda, those who were in the Ann were stripped stark naked, and dragged in that state to the capital of Formosa, when they

were separated and confined in small parties, which had little communication with each other, but were all treated with extreme barbarity and almost starved.

Out of the fifty-seven souls who were cast away in the Ann, eight have just arrived at Amoy. Of these, six are natives of Europe or America, one a native of India, and one Chinese. A second Chinese is alive, and is said to have staid at Formosa of his own choice. It thus appears from the preceding details, that two hundred and thirty-seven persons belonging to the Nerbudda, and forty-six belonging to the Ann, have either been put to death by the officers of the Chinese government on Formosa, or have perished through ill treatment and starvation. These atrocious and appalling facts are not to be refuted or questioned, and, that all may judge of them, and contrast the conduct of the officers of the British government (who set all their prisoners free), this proclamation is made in Chinese. Her Britannic majesty's plenipotentiary trusts, however, that the emperor will yet make the only atonement that remains, and thereby avert further evils. God save the Queen.

Dated on board the steam frigate Queen, at Amoy, on the 27th day of Nov. 1842. (Signed) HENRY POTTINGER, H. M. Plenipotentiary.

21st. H. I. M. orders Yishán, Yiking, and Wanwei, to be degraded, dismissed from public service, confined in prison, and condemned to death.

December 2d. Sir Henry Pottinger, H. B. M.'s plenipotentiary, arrived from the north, late in the afternoon, on board the Queen.

An invitation was circulated throughout the city of Canton for its citizens and gentlemen from other provinces to assemble at the Public Assembly hall to consult upon public affairs.

3d. The following rejoinder was published to counteract the manifesto of last month, and allay the feelings of the populace.

Whoever has studied the writings of Confucius well knows his words, "That the man who does not feel any anxicty about what is far off, will without fail have sorrow near by" and again "Be harmless, and then you will be undisturbed." Whoever carries out these two principles of anxiety and harmlessness to their full extent, there can be no doubt, is prepared for every emergency. At this time, the patriotic gentry and people have unitedly led on and excited each other to protect themselves against the foreigners; and to prepare themselves for any affair that might happen before it came. They simply wish to remove every source of anxiety, hewever remote, and thus they probably expect to prevent all sorrow that may be near. Such conduct indeed bears the semblance of the greatest wisdom, but those who act thus have not examined very deeply, nor have they looked to the bottom of the matter. We somewhat suspect they have lost their harmlessness, and obtained instead an empty disquiet.

Now, for natives and foreigners together to enjoy a benevolence high as heaven, and subsist upon a kindness like the earth for thickness, cannot be regarded as violating the dictates of reason. Can it be supposed that every individual in this land always fully practices the requirements of virtue? Or must we also conclude that every English foreigner sets at nought the principles of common sense and reason? Have the patriotic gentry and people never yet heard what Mencius said? In the days of the eastern Chau dynasty, the state Tsú was still numbered among uncivilized and barbarous states, but he thus speaks, "Chin Liang was a native of Tsú. He came northward to study in the Middle Kingdom, and among all those at the north who studied with him, not one could compare with him." We beg you who are learned seriously to consider this expression. If these English foreigners possess the military strategy which we know they do, it is not so entirely certain that they do not also possess literary rules. When

they were carrying on the attack against the city of Canton in the second, third, and fourth months' of last year, can you remember one instance of their soldiers having disorderly murdered a man? Or, in all their successive enterprises and engagements in the provinces of Fukien, Chekiáng, and Kángnán, can you call to mind one instance of one of their soldiers having killed a person against the rules of war?

Confucius has observed. "In my intercourse with men, whom do I traduce or whom do I laud? But if I do praise any, I have previously tested them." Now, if you will but observe the successive acts of these English, you will probably find that every act has not been so utterly opposed to reason, nor so completely against common sense [as you seem to imagine]. Their wish now to come up to the provincial city and dwell among us, must and will be made a subject of mutual deliberation, in which the feelings and desires of both parties will be amicably consulted, and after which both can live together neighborly. There is no evidence that they intend to come and by violence carry their point.

If, however, you suppose otherwise, can you imagine that the English foreigners, during the long time they have had intercourse with us, have had no spot, not even a foothold, on which to erect their dwellings, but that now they are compelled to put forth their strength and take forcible possession of this place, that they may have a quiet spot to reside in? Whenever a inan of talents undertakes a business, he ought repeatedly to turn it over and reflect upon it again and again, in order that he may completely exhaust whatever is praiseworthy and good in it, neither injuring himself nor others, but accomplishing the whole without detriment to any one.

Now those who have set in motion and carried on this affair, have not merely acted upon what they themselves saw and knew to be true, but hearkening to rumors and dark surmises, they have acted thus impetuously and reckless of all consequences. They have assumed to themselves the name of the patriotic gentry and people, and have everywhere posted up their manifestoes. They have raised the cry. "Guard against the foreigners," but really they only wish to stir up commotion; they wish to be reckoned as those who quiet the people, but they are in truth no otherwise than public demagogues; every wise man thoroughly sees through their intentions.

We have reflected upon this matter, looking at it in all lights; there is, in fact, nothing to cause apprehension in the country, but these factious people themselves are trying to stir up a commotion. Where then is the use of making such a buzz about this affair? This is a public statement by the learned scholars of Canton.

Note. This was pasted up in the Minglun Hall on 2d December, upon which day there was a public meeting there; many of the patriotic gentry and people seeing it, immediately left the assembly; while others were irritated to furious raving. Some said its sentiments were exceedingly proper and reasonable; and others praised the style as very nervous, and took copies of it away with them. Some there were who wished to tear it down, while others carefully guarded it, and would not suffer it to be destroyed. There were on that day not less than several thousand presons assembled at the Minglun Hall, all excited to the highest pitch of anger against the English; but on seeing this placard, they looked at each other in amazement, and full one half of them left the place.

6th. Their excellencies, the governor and lieut.-governor, issued the following proclamation against what they termed the seditious assemblages in the Public Assembly hall.

Ki Kung and Liáng Páucháng, respectively governor and lieutenant-governor of Kwangtung, &c., &c., Hereby issue a clear proclamation to all the intelligent gentry that they do not listen to incendiary reports which may inveigle them. It is well known, that last year during hostilities, whoever of the gentry made out plans or devised schemes, which could be acted upon, that we selected and availed of them; and also whoever of the brave militia came forward to be drilled and exercised, that we then employed them to the uttermost. We have now respectfully received his majesty's commands, granting to the English his soothing kindness, and that trade may be conducted as before. All scholars, officers, and common people, ought therefore respectfully to accord with these arrange

*

ments of his imperial majesty, and not promulgate different opinions and counsels. However, at this time, there is Ye Yungtsai and others with him, who have falsely taken upon themselves the name of the Public Assembly hall, and have secretly printed a public manifesto. They have endeavored to raise and organize troops, and to subscribe for and collect money, which is full evidence that they really mean to excite a commotion. Wherefore we issue this prociamation to all gentry, scholars, tradesmen, and people, that each of you most carefully watch over himself and his family, nor on any account listen to these seditious instigations, lest you involve yourselves in legal criminality. It is that we may quiet and allay the minds of people, that we, the governor and licut.-governor, now publish this special and clear proclamation. Whoever presumptuously disregards it, we shall instantly seize, and at the same time bring his offense to his majesty's knowledge. Do not therefore say that we have not told you beforehand. A special proclamation.

Note. This proclamation was pasted up in the Public Assembly hall. Ye Yungtsai is a native of the district of Tungkwan, upon whom the degree of master of arts was conferred by his majesty. On account of his age, 89, he could not go up to the capital, and therefore has not received, as has been falsely stated, the honor of a Hanlin.

7th. The minds of the people at Canton and its vicinity having become excited against the English by the instigations of some demagogues, they were led to the commission of many excesses. We have gleaned the following particulars from the published accounts.

During the morning of this day, a brawl commenced between some Chinese and Lascars, in which the latter being pursued by the Chinese, were compelled to retreat for safety into the Creek hong. The mob rapidly increased in numbers by the addition of citizens ready beforehand, it would seem, for the commission of any violence. They commenced their attack about 2 o'clock by tearing down the brick wall on the western side of the Company's garden, and by forcing the door into Mr. Murrow's house; this they pillaged of its contents. Two ladies staying in it at the time, were on the first alarm taken to Kingqua's hong across the Creek, from whence the proceeded in safety to Whampoa.

Early in the evening, the British flag-staff was set on fire, and burning upwards till the whole was on fire; a shout from the mob when it fell told their triumph. Meanwhile the British factory was fired, and the verandah, chapelbelfry and skylight were soon burning furiously-the calmness of the evening too made the sight a beautiful one. Intimations of the designs of the people, and danger of the foreigners, had been sent to Howqua before nightfall, but no efficient succor came, and such fire-engines as arrived were ordered off by the mob. The entrance to the Dutch hong was bravely defended by its inmates until the fire on both sides in the British and Creek hongs drove them out; five Chinese lost their lives here, but all within made their escape about 11 P. M. by the back passage. The three hongs were completely on fire by midnight, but as these were the same that were pillaged in May, 1841, comparatively few of the houses were tenanted; no one resided in the Creek hong, and only four firms in both the others. The first hong across the Creek was saved by the exertions of the servants and others in it, so that nothing else was burned.

The residents in the other factories were at first under no little alarm lest their dwellings should catch fire across Hog lane, but all apprehensions on this head ceased by midnight. Two ladies residing in the Aincrican hong went into Mingqua's houg carly in the evening, but during the night the square was completely in, possession of the nob. Most of the ringleaders, or those who appeared to direct the movements of the mass, satisfied with firing the British hong, endeavored to prevent the thieves from carrying away their plunder. In the morning of the 8th, the latter reässcmbled and resumed possession of the square, and

* So we translate Minglun Tang. This is the name of a hall in Canton, in which the people assemble to consult upon their grievances, and make their representations to the emperor or to his officers. There is such a hall in every city and town in the empire. and assemblies in them for political purposes are allowed by the Penal Code.

began to plunder the burning ruins; continued squabbles among the wretches for the possession of the dollars they had dug out of the treasuries covered the square with knotted groups of struggling desperadoes, until the forenoon. About this time, the police and hong coolics began to dispute the power of the mob; and by noon, a body of 200 troops appeared, who cleared the square of the thieves, and dispersed the rioters, after they had been dominant for twenty-four hours. It is said the Kwánghie appeared on the ground late in the afternoon of the 7th, but refused to risk an attack on the populace.

8th.

Sir Hugh Gough arrived at Canton in the Proserpine steamer, but the attack on the factories was not renewed, and after a few days his excellency returned.

16th. The governor and lieut.-governor threatened the public instructors of the department of Kwangchau with degradation and accusation at court, if they permitted any illegal gatherings at the Public Assembly hall.

19th. The following general orders were issued by his excellency lieut.-general, sir Hugh Gough, G. C. B. commanding the expeditionary force in China. Dated head-quarters, Marion, Hongkong.

The commander of the forces cannot allow this army to separate, without finally expressing the gratification which he has uniformly derived from its exemplary conduct. The warm anticipations which he had entertained on assuming the command, have been amply fulfilled. Patient endurance of fatigue and exposure in a warfare often harassing, steady discipline in the midst of temptations of no ordinary kind, and enthusiastic gallantry whenever a foe appeared, whatever his numbers or however strongly posted, have marked the conduct of this army. The happy termination to the war now severs the tie which united the lieutenant-general with his gallant comrades at Chusan, Kolángsú and Hongkong; with those who return with him to India, a brief space more will dissolve his connection, but neither time nor circumstances will efface the deep interest which he feels in the well-being and the honor of the corps and individuals that compose the army of China. With this assurance sir Hugh Gough bids them farewell. By order, ARMINE S. H. MOUNTAIN, lt..col., dep. adj.-gen. exp. force. 20th. Transports and ships of war, to the number of fifty and upwards, sailed this morning from Hongkong for India, carrying sir Hugh Gough and large bodies of troops on their return from the war. 31st. At this date, the citizens of Canton were regaining their usual quiet, trade was going on, and less apprehension felt of another outbreak. Most of the foreign residents had returned to their houses.

Her Britannic majesty's plenipotentiary, by thus speedily terminating the war, opening the northern ports, and insuring a friendly intercourse for the future, secures to himself reputation and honors, which it is the lot of but few men to enjoy. To complete the work, now happily begun, there is requisite no small degree of prudence and wisdom. The agency, in these great movements, is human; the directing power, divine. The high Governor of the nations has employed England to chastise and humble China: He may also soon employ her to introduce the blessings of Christian civilization and free intercourse among her millions.