board the 25 hulks at Ling-ting, and a free pardon, failing which, he threatened to stop supplies of fuel and water, and to prevent trade. He proceeded to catechise the young gentry attached to the local university, and learnt from their unanimous testimony that the failure of the opium laws was entirely owing to the connivance of the navy. Han Shao-k‘ing was cashiered at his recommendation; but it was impossible to punish him capitally or according to his full deserts, as the Viceroy Têng had recommended him for the post.
The "Company's Consul"[1] was a foreign official despatched by the King of England to superintend trading operations. Foreign traders of other nationalities looked after their own trade as individuals. England alone had a separate company, consisting of the richest merchants in the kingdom, who had subscribed a capital of $30,000,000; and the King sent this consular officer to manage the whole concern. All the holding-out for rights and the overbearing demands made upon China were the doing of this Consul. Hence the traders of the other countries were as the individual salt-dealers of China, whilst the Company was like the salt-monopolists. Their charter was first for 30 years, but was afterwards renewed for 60 years. In 1833 the Company's charter ceased to be exclusive in China, and there was no longer a
- ↑ 公司領事
