CHAPTER VI.
The effect of the War between France and England—British occupation of Macao—Indignation of the Chinese Government—Peremptory demand for the evacuation of Macao—Stoppage of Trade—Withdrawal of the British Troops—Further Incidents at Canton—Outrageous Conduct of the Chinese Officials—Sir George Staunton protests—British leave Canton—Trade resumed—Lord Amherst's Mission—Arrival in China—Ships of the Mission anchor in Hongkong Harbour—Failure of the Mission—Arrogant Policy of the Chinese—Formal Complaint made by British Merchants to the Select Committee of 1832—Appointment of Lord Napier as Superintendent of Trade—His ill-treatment and death.
The prolonged state of war between France and England at the close of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth century from time to time influenced the China trade. The British mercantile ships for a considerable period were regularly convoyed, and in 1804 there was a brisk action in the China seas between a homeward bound fleet of sixteen sail under Sir Nathaniel Dance, and a French squadron under Admiral Linois. The utmost gallantry was shown on this occasion by the British ships with the result that the attacking fleet was beaten off. It was estimated that the value of British property at stake on the occasion reached the high figure of sixteen millions. Consequent upon the frequent visits of the King's ships to the China coast at this juncture negotiations were opened up with the local Chinese authorities for the use of Anson's Bay in the Canton River as an anchorage. The Select Committee were unable to obtain avowed sanction for the use of the bay, but the authorities permitted supplies of provisions to be sent up from Whampoa, and having secured this material concession the Committee were the less anxious on the other points involved as they were convinced that the anchoring of the ships in the bay would be tolerated, and in time become an established privilege.
(From and engraving.)
In 1808 a serious difference arose between the British and the Chinese authorities owing to action that was taken in connection with the war. A vague report having been transmitted to the Bengal Government to the effect that the French contemplated the occupation of Macao a combined naval and military expedition was sent from India to forestall the intended move. A landing was effected in September in opposition to the sentiments of the Portuguese Governor and to the known wishes of the local Chinese. A formal protest was promptly made by the Hoppo against the occupation, and this was followed by a more emphatic remonstrance from the Viceroy. Later, Chinese troops were ordered to the spot to compel the evacuation of the port by the British force, and the threat was held out that in the event of the occupation being continued the ships at Whampoa would be fired. Notwithstanding this hostile attitude on the part of the Chinese a second detachment of troops was landed on the 20th of October. By this time trade was at a standstill, and the usual relations between the authorities and the Select Committee through the Chinese merchants had been broken off. A letter was forwarded by the Committee on the 5th of November to the Viceroy requesting that some person might be appointed to receive their representation. A reply came through a Mandarin that the Viceroy had seen their letter, but did not think a compliance necessary "as the troops must be removed, their remaining on shore being contrary to the law of the Empire." The Committee intimated that in view of the haughty conduct of the Isontock the Admiral could not remove the troops as such action might have the appearance of fear. The discussion now waxed warmer. As the Viceroy declined to receive a further communication the President stated his intention to order all British subjects to quit Canton in forty-eight hours. To this threat the Viceroy replied on the 21st of November that if they wished to make war on China he was prepared, but that he would not commence. He added that the Committee might, if they pleased, remove the ships, but that if they went they would not be permitted to return. Matters remained in abeyance until the 4th of December, when the Select Committee, then assembled at Macao, received an imperial edict for the withdrawal of the troops. Instead of complying with this the British redoubled their preparations for the defence of the positions they held. As a consequence the batteries at the Bogue forts fired at the ships going up and down the river and the fire was returned. Then came something in the nature of an ultimatum from the Viceroy—a declaration that while there remained a single soldier in Macao and the laws were disobeyed the British should not trade, and that if the Admiral hesitated a moment "innumerable troops would be sent to destroy him." Finding that further resistance was useless the President gave orders for the withdrawal of the troops and the evacuation was completed by the 20th of December. The settlement was a distinct triumph for the Chinese authorities. Having made a demand at the outset they never wavered in their determination to enforce it, and in the end they completely carried their point. There can be little question that the incident did much to lower British prestige. An immediate result which flowed from it was that obstacles were placed in the way of the free entrance of the Company's ships to the river. The Court of Directors recalled the President and constituted a new Select Committee and took other measures to efface the unpleasant impression left by the bungling policy of the old Committee. But it was not until the end of October that the Emperor's orders were received for the placing of foreign trade on its old footing. Thereafter events dropped once more into their accustomed groove, though it was not long before new disputes arose to interrupt the course of trade, and the manner in which these episodes were treated by the Chinese officials indicated that they had not forgotten their triumph in the Macao business.
By far the most important of the controversies raised raged around the presence in Chinese waters of H.M.S. Doris during the
