e
enemy, who had no time to recover from the panic into which so sudden an
incursion threw them. The general, upon landing, placed the factories
in a state of efficient defence by barricades, and such other means as
were at his immediate command. The Chinese commissioner, Keying, now
waited upon Sir John Davis, but refused to comply with his demands; the
next day, however, the high commissioner requested another day's delay.
This was granted, and the terms demanded were ultimately agreed to
by the commissioner. General D'Aguilar withdrew the troops, except a
company of sappers, and the light company of the 18th royal regiment of
the line. These were ordered to remain until what was promised should be
fully executed. This feat of the English general's was one of the most
dashing ever executed with so small a body of men. The whole military
force did not amount to one thousand men, and the naval force could only
afford a few hundred sailors and marines for land operations. Audacity
and rapidity carried the day--the grand secret of success in Asiatic
warfare.

The Chinese, however, had no intention of observing the treaty; and
when all appeared to be adjusted, six British subjects, who made a
short excursion, in agreement with one of its clauses, were barbarously
murdered. They were attacked by the whole population of the place
which they visited. The Englishmen, when at last compelled to defend
themselves, slew one and wounded several of their assailants. It
required much negotiation to secure the punishment of some of the
murderers, four of whom were decapitated, and a few others received
minor punishments.

Whenever the French found that the British displayed vigour towards the
Chinese, they made out a grievance, and sent an armed force to demand
redress somewhere. Their object seemed to be to show that France also
was a great nation, and could enforce respect. Two French ships of war
appeared in the Bay of Touron during this year, to demand redress
from the government of Cochin China, for injuries alleged to have been
inflicted upon French Roman Catholic priests. Their demand not having
been at once complied with, and some treachery on the part of the
natives having been detected, the French ships opened fire upon the
war-junks, sinking and destroying many, and slaying more than a thousand
men.

The conduct of the Chinese to Europeans generally, during the year 1847,
kept them, the British more especially, in a con