only by force, as the Chinese authorities would not willingly make the necessary reforms. All the indications pointed to Great Britain as the power most likely to undertake this needed task. Her commerce was greater than that of any other, her growing possessions in India gave her increasing interest in the China trade, and her naval supremacy made her the natural champion of the world's commerce.
An event occurred at Canton in 1834 which pointed unmistakably to this result. The British East India Company, which had maintained a monopoly of the English trade with China up to that time, withdrew its agents from Canton on April 22 of that year, and ceased to exercise control. By virtue of an act of Parliament William IV. nominated a commission to regulate the trade "to and from the dominions of the emperor of China, and for the purpose of protecting and promoting such trade." The commission consisted of Lord Napier; as chief superintendent, and two associates, together with a numerous corps of agents and clerks. The reached Macao June 15, and ten days afterwards the landed at Canton, without having made the usual application from Macao to the Chinese customs authorities for the privilege to come to Canton.
On June 25 a copy of the king's commission to Lord Napier and his associates was published in the Canton "Register," and on the same day Lord Napier addressed a communication in the form of a letter to the governor of the city, informing him of the arrival of the commission, empowered to protect and promote British trade, and that he was "invested with powers, political
