ssels was
collected. On the 3rd, the Chinese squadron, consisting of twenty-nine
sail, anchored close to the British vessels, and their attitude became
so menacing that Captain Smith, of the _Volage_, resolved to compel them
to return to their former anchorage. A brief action took place, which
told with terrible effect on the celestials: one war-junk blew up at
a pistol-shot distance from the _Volage_, three were sunk, and several
others water-logged. In about half-an-hour Admiral Kwan and his squadron
retired in great distress to their former anchorage, no obstruction
being offered to their retreat. But notwithstanding their palpable
defeat, as the English ships soon after set sail for Macao, the Chinese
claimed the victory. But this was only the beginning of their sorrows.
At the close of the year the English government determined to send an
expedition into the Chinese seas, which should be sufficient to attain
all the ends we had in view, and compel the great pure dynasty to
acknowledge the principles of international law which were acted upon by
all the civilized nations of the earth. This armament, which consisted
of eight ships of war with frigates, transports, and steamers, arrived
at its place of rendezvous at Singapore, in the month of April of
the present year. It was placed under the command of Admiral Elliot;
Commodore Sir J. J. Gordon Brewer was next in command, and Major-General
Burrell had the command of the military force. Previous to this an edict
had been issued, warning all foreign vessels from anchoring near the
devoted English ships, lest they should be involved in the destruction
preparing for the latter--"lest the gem should be consumed with the
common stone." The first arrival of this armament in the Canton river
was her majesty's ship _Alligator_, Captain Kuper, on the 9th of June.
Previous to this the Chinese authorities at Canton had sent a boat-load
of poisoned tea, packed in small parcels, to be sold to the English
sailors. This boat was captured by Chinese pirates, and her cargo
sold to their own countrymen, many of whom died in consequence. A
proclamation was issued, by the Chinese authorities, offering rewards to
all who should destroy the English, and who should be able to capture
an English man-of-war. An attempt was indeed made to burn the British
shipping, but this happily failed, and then Sir J. J. Gordon Brewer gave
public notice, that on and after the 28th of June, a blockade of the