illicit business. After some days of delay and negotiation through the hong merchants, fully determined to have every chest of opium on the ships or in the factories delivered up, Commissioner Lin caused the factory settlement to be entirely surrounded. On the water side were stationed a fleet of armed boats, and on the land side a double row of soldiers, while all the streets were walled up, leaving only one exit. The books and accounts of the merchants were seized; the Chinese clerks and servants were taken from them; no intercourse was allowed with the outside world,—even the supply of provisions was cut off; and the foreigners were held in their factories as strict prisoners. The British superintendent protested and threatened, but to no purpose. At last he delivered over to the Chinese authorities every chest of opium in the settlement, amounting to 22,283 chests, of the estimated value of $8,000,000. Of this number 1540 chests were held by the American merchants, but the consul reported that they were all British property, and as such surrendered to the British superintendent.
After the delivery of the opium, trade was again opened; but under the direction of the superintendent all the British residents left Canton. The American consul sympathized with the British in this movement; but his countrymen did not see proper to follow that course of action, and remained in Canton actively engaged in business till the British blockade of the port was established. The blockade and active hostilities did not begin till about a year after these events; but the British government at once began warlike prepara-
