33
defending himself with great courage, and being badly wounded, he jumped over board, and was subsequently picked up and taken to Macao. The vessel is understood to have been conveyed to Fat-shan, and there burnt.
4. I came down from the river on the 13th to prepare my despatches and await the arrival of the packet from Europe. The ships are efficient and in a satisfactory state as regards the health of their crews. Within the last week supplies of bullocks and vegetables have been brought for sale from the shores of the lower reaches of the river, which are very acceptable.
5. The military authorities having consented, as a temporary measure, to transfer the "Hercules" to the Naval Department to enable me to provide increased hospital accommodation for the sick, in the event of active operations, I have ordered scuttles of a convenient size to be cut on her orlop-deck, which will enable her to receive ninety additional patients. I am also fitting up the "Alligator" as a temporary hospital ship for river service, and shall place her in charge of Dr. Anderson, Staff Surgeon of the "Calcutta."
6. Hong Kong continues apparently tranquil, though the stores of the contractor for supplying the navy with bread were burnt down a few nights ago, supposed to have been the act of an incendiary.
7. I have received satisfactory accounts from the northern ports, where all continues perfectly quiet. The chief mandarin at Amoy informed Commander Colville, of the "Camilla," who is stationed there, that the Governor of Foo-chow-foo had enjoined him to maintain the most friendly relations.
8. As regards the Imperial High Commissioner, from all that I can learn his Excellency is still animated by feelings of the deepest hostility, and has increased his garrison at Canton; nothing but an adequate military tone can, in my opinion, replace our relations on proper footing, and ultimately secure the due fulfilment of Treaty stipulations. I am in daily expectation of the arrival of the steam-sloops and gun-boats.
I have, &c.
(Signed) M. SEYMOUR.
No. 25.
The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond.—(Received April 30.)
Sir,
I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you, herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the copy of a letter dated the 2nd ultimo, from Rear Admiral Sir M. Seymour, reporting the particulars of an attack made by the East India Company's steam-vessel "Auckland," and the hired steam-vessel "Eaglet," upon certain Chinese mandarin junks and pirates in the neighbourhood of Hong Kong; also of the capture of eight piratical junks by Her Majesty's steam-vessel "Niger," with the 6 Auckland" in company.
I am, &c.
(Signed) THOS. PHINN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 25.
Rear-Admiral Sir M. Seymour to the Secretary to the Admiralty.
"Calcutta," at Hong Kong, March 2, 1857.
Sir,
I BEG to report to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that the Governor of Hong Kong having, on the 13th ultimo, represented to Captain W. K. Hall, of Her Majesty's ship "Calcutta," senior officer, during my absence in the Canton river, the ravages committed by a fleet of piratical vessels in the neighbourhood of Hong Kong, that officer dispatched the Honourable East India Company's steam-frigate "Auckland" in search of them, accompanied by the hired colonial steam-vessel "Eaglet," in charge of Mr. H. F. Ellis, Master of the "Minden." I inclose a copy of Commander Drought's letter of proceedings, dated February 16, by which their Lordships will perceive that five large war
