17
No. 15.
Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon.—(Received April 2.)
Hong Kong, February 14, 1857.
(Extract.)
I HAVE received from the American Commissioner, and now inclose for your Lordship's information, translation of a communication made to him by his Excellency Yeh, in answer to Dr. Parker's "protest against the use of poison as a means of warfare."
Inclosure in No. 15.
Commissioner Yeh to Dr. Parker.
(Translation.)
YEH, Imperial Commissioner, Governor-General of the Two Kwang Provinces, a Baron of the Empire, &c., hereby replies.
I received your Excellency's communication of the 16th ultimo, on the 2nd instant, and observe what it contains: That the American Consul, who had arrived at Macao from Hong Kong, informed you personally that two or three days before, certain Chinese people in Hong Kong had mixed poison in the bread which they furnished the public, without distinction of country, of which all had eaten, and had been made seriously ill; and that it was not yet known whether they would survive.
On reading this I was very greatly surprised. The Chinese and Americans have usually been on good terms, and the trade between China and other countries has heretofore been conducted amicably; but the English have now, for several months, in a most unprovoked manner, brought their troops and engaged in hostilities, repeatedly setting fire to the shops and dwellings of people, and destroying a very great number of buildings, and have ruined some entire families. Doubtless there are many Chinese whose hatred against the English has been much increased by this; but to poison people in this under hand manner is an act worthy of detestation: still, as it all occurred in Hong Kong, it is impossible for me to examine into all the facts. The act is owing to the unnumbered evils which have been inflicted upon the Chinese by the English; and the natives of the surrounding districts have taken this way of revenging their private wrongs.
The Americans having never injured the Chinese, there is, of course, nothing to mar the good feeling existing between them. Your Excellency might, with propriety, issue admonitory exhortations for the Americans quietly to attend to their own business, and there can be no question but the Chinese will always treat them in a proper manner. What could induce them to think of secretly poisoning them? a point worthy of your consideration.
For this I reply; at the same time wishing you stable peace.
Heen-fung, 7th year, 1st moon, 9th day. (February 3, 1857.)
No. 16.
The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond.—(Received April 10.)
Admiralty, April 8, 1857.
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, copies of a letter from Rear-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour, dated at Hong Kong the 15th February last, and of its inclosures, reporting on the state of affairs at that place, and proceedings in the Canton river.
I am, &c.
(Signed) R. OSBORNE.
