50
most daring and atrocious of Chinese outlaws were employed; for none others were qualified to enter into the service of the Europeans, on board of the fast boats so employed. They were, in fact,—nearly all without exception,—river pirates of the most desperate character. This circumstance alone does not seem to have prejudiced him overmuch with the Canton community; for such was "the custom of several merchants at that time;" and, consequently, "as a shipmaster, he was as much respected as the generality of the class."
But there was a graver report, according to another witness, concerning him, which "threw him under a cloud entirely with the community in China;—that he had not accounted for the proceeds of some opium which had been entrusted to him for sale. This was in 1840."
Mr. Caldwell himself admits,[1] that, in that same year, he left the Canton river and trade, and took service (as an interpreter) under the Commissariat at Chusan, where Colonel Caine, then a captain, and whom he had accompanied thither, was commandant. In 1843, he says, after some intervening cruises on the coast, he entered the service of the Hong Kong government, as magistrate's clerk; Colonel Caine having then been from May 1841, chief magistrate there.
Colonel Caine's opinion of his fitness for office was entirely founded on "his being a smart person, and possessing an excellent knowledge of the (vulgar or colloquial) language." There were all sorts of "rumours" and "complaints" against him, it appears.
- ↑ Printed Minutes of Evidence before the Caldwell Commission of Enquiry. Hong Kong, (p. 90. Compare p. 82.)
