closed incident. It was the only act of warlike violence by American authorities on the Chinese till a half century afterwards, when a division of the army of the United States marched to the relief of its beleaguered minister and citizens at Peking. Such a prompt and peaceful settlement was a disappointment to the British, as they earnestly desired the coöperation of the United States in the campaign which they were preparing against the Chinese.[1]
The government at Washington saw no occasion to give further attention to the engagement between the navy and the Barrier forts, but certain occurrences in connection with the bombardment of Canton by the British seemed to call for farther inquiry. The press accounts of that affair reported that the American consuls at Canton and Hongkong were both present at the assault and participated in it, and that the latter headed a body of United States marines carrying the American flag. The charge was likewise made by Commissioner Yeh. Secretary Marcy strongly condemned any violation of the neutral attitude of the United States, and ordered Minister Parker to make a thorough investigation, authorizing him, in case the charge against the consul at Hongkong was well founded, to remove the latter from his post.
The consul at Canton in his official report says that on entering the city half an hour after the walls were carried, "I found the English in full possession of the place—the officers, the soldiers, and the sailors helping
- ↑ S. Ex. Doc. 22 (cited), 1020, 1042; N. A. Review, Oct. 1859, p. 512; Harper's Mag. Oct. 1898, p. 741.
