98 KESHEN'S TROUBLE AND VEXATION. remembering that your slave's person has received marks of imperial goodness, his conscience is not hardened! How should I dare, while engaged on this important duty of curbing these outside foreigners, and struggling amid danger and difficulty, to strive after forbidden repose ! From the moment that I came down to Canton, have I been the victim of the craft and wiles of these presuming foreigners. In every instance are they quite ungovernable, until that my head aches, and my heart is rent, and my morning meal comes to me without relish! Thus, for example, on one occasion we gave the foreigners battle, but our men shewed little firmness; we then requested that a manifestation of Divine Majesty might be made in their annihilation. But alas! the circumstances of the case, and the wishes of my heart are sadly opposed! All these facts have I offered up to your Majesty in repeated statements, praying that your Majesty would bestow thereon a holy glance. "Your slave is vexed to death thinking of these things, even till he loathes his food, and till sleep has forsaken his eyelids; forasmuch, he does not shrink from the heavy guilt he is incurring in taking all these facts, the result of his diligent inquiries, and annoying with them the ears of heaven's son; and at the same time he takes everything connected with the foreigners, and all the foreigners' letters, and hands them up for imperial THE EMPEROR'S REPLY. 99 inspection. He humbly hopes that the Holy One will look down with pity and compassion on the black-haired race, and shower upon them an extra measure of clemency, in granting what is therein requested, so that the people of the land may not be turned to ashes. In times of difficulty is seen good government; victory is but a transient thing: in restraining the ruin that is before our eyes, we ought carefully to eradicate the cause of it, for after ages! "In reference to all the circumstances contained in this, whether the result of my conference with the high provincial officers, or of my own diligent investigation, I only hope that your sacred Majesty will condescend to inquire regarding them; and, I beg that your Majesty will specially appoint a high officer to come here to ascertain their truth. Your slave has been actuated by a desire to save the country and the people from first to last, and not swayed by the smallest atom of fear; and still more he dare not make use of the least glossing or deception. 66 Inasmuch, therefore, this respectful memorial is forwarded at the rate of six hundred le a day, humbly hoping that the Emperor's holy glance may be bestowed thereon. A respectful memorial.” The Emperor's reply to Keshen's communication is as follows: “We can on no account calmly put up with the 100 KESHEN'S TEMPLE OF ANCESTORS CLOSED. insults and befooling of these rebellious foreigners, as you have done. Blinded and unwilling to see as you are, dare you still have the hardihood to` turn your back on our commands! to continue receiving the foreigners' documents, and even to beg favours in their behalf! Such proceedings pass the bounds of reason. Impotent and worthless that you are, what sort of heart is contained within your breast? Not only do you contentedly take in their threats and insults, but you even dare to hold up certain passages with intent to frighten us! But know that we have no coward fears! Besides this we shall again announce our pleasure. Respect this! "Further, E. has reported that on the 6th day the Tyger's gates were laid in ruins, which intelligence has riven my very heart and liver. I did not deem that Keshen, from his common-place talent, could sell his country, and still have talent sufficient to gloss over his treason,-a crime for which death is not even a sufficient punishment. I order that the Yulinkeun (the Emperor's own troops, some of his guards we presume,) with the utmost rigour, seal and lock up the temple of his ancestors and those of his relations." If, after reading this account of Woo, Chuh, Lin, Tang, Kwan, and Governor Keshen, you have any desire to become officers of his Celestial Majesty, I wish you joy of your appointments,— APPOINTMENTS IN CHINA NOT DESIRABLE. 101 but as to myself, I prefer an honest crust in Old England, to the highest appointment in China, and would not be tempted by Emperor Taou Kwang to take office under him, for all the vermilion edicts, five-clawed dragons, red buttons, pig-tails, and peacocks' feathers in his dominions. CHAPTER XII. SCRAPS CONNECTED WITH THE FOREGOING CHAPTERS. The European Factories at Canton.-The Imperial Cabinet, and the Officers of Canton.-Booms and Forts.-Tchangkiang.-Desperate Valour of Chinese Soldiers.-The Names of the Hong Merchants.-The War Losses and Expenses of the Chinese. The Treaty of Peace. THERE are a few pickings of information respecting the foregoing chapters, which must not be forgotten. The British expedition to China, when regarded in relation to its probable consequences, is clothed with interest, and as I have only touched on a few of its points, you may not be indisposed to have two or three additional particulars set before you. As I spoke of the European Factories at Canton, let me here give you their names. 1. Creek hong; 2. Dutch hong; 3. Dutch factory; 4. British factory; 5. Chow-chow hong; 6. Hired factory; 7. Messrs. Russell and Co's.; 8. Imperial hong; 9. Dent and Co.; 10. American hong; 11. Hong merchants; 12. French hong; 13. Spanish hong; 14. Danish hong. I have by me an |