for a copy of the laws of China with special reference to the crime of homicide. In reply they received a paper containing extracts from the Chinese code of laws.
The principal clauses cited were:
1st. A man who kills another on the suspicion of theft shall be strangled, according to the law against homicide committed in an affray.
2nd. A man who fires at another with a musket and kills him thereby shall be beheaded as in cases of wilful murder. If the sufferer is wounded (but not mortally) the offender shall be sent into exile.
3rd. A man who puts to death a criminal who had been apprehended and made no resistance shall be strangled according to the law of homicide committed in an affray.
4th. A man who falsely accuses another innocent person of theft (in cases of greatest criminality) is guilty of a capital offence; in all other cases the criminals whether principals or accessories, shall be sent into exile.
5th. A man who wounds another unintentionally shall be tried according to the law respecting blows given in an affray, and the punishment rendered more or less severe according to the degree of injury sustained.
6th. A man who, intoxicated with liquor, commits outrages against the laws, shall be exiled to a desert country, there to remain in a state of servitude.
"The foregoing are articles of the laws of the Empire of China, according to which judgment is passed on persons offending against them, without allowing of any compromise or extenuation."
(From Sir George Staunton's "Lord Macartney's Embassy.")
After a long period of immunity from trouble the more or less friendly relations existing between the British factory and the authorities at Canton were rudely interrupted by an incident of the familiar kind. On February 24, 1808, some sailors from the Company's ship Neptune got into an altercation with a party of natives near the factory. The men were promptly withdrawn to the factory precincts, but they were followed by a Chinese mob who commenced to throw stones at the factory and at every European passing. Eluding their officers the men rushed out and attacked the mob, causing the death of one of the number. The Select Committee decided to comply with every reasonable demand that might be made upon them in connection with the unfortunate incident, but to resist with firmness anything of a contrary nature. After long discussions between the British and the authorities it was arranged that an examination of 52 men of the Neptune should take place at the factory, where the Chinese consented to hold the court of inquiry. At the inquiry the forms of a Chinese Court of Justice were observed, but seats were provided for Captain Rolles of H.M.S. Lion, the members of the Committee, and for Sir George Staunton, while two of Captain Rolles' marines with fixed bayonets were posted as sentries at the door of the factory during the whole of the proceedings. The Chinese produced no evidence, but Captain Buchanan and the officers of the Neptune admitted that eleven men had been specially singled out by their violence in the affray. It was hoped that the assignment of some punishment to these men would have satisfied the Chinese, but the Chinese officials made it clear that they would not be satisfied until some one person had been named. Eventually the name of the ringleader, Edward Sheen, was given, and there seemed every indication that the payment of a sum of money as compensation would now settle the business. As, however, the members of the Committee were about to leave for Macao a demand was made upon them for the custody of Sheen. The claim was resisted, and it was not until Captain Rolles was about to take the man with him on board the Lion that the Mandarins yielded. Ultimately a settlement was effected on the payment of a pecuniary fine. Thereafter trade which had been at a complete standstill during the prolonged discussions was resumed. The Court of Directors were so gratified with the ability and firm conduct displayed on the occasion that they passed a special resolution of thanks and voted a sum of £1,000 to Captain Rolles for his part in the transaction.
