of Kiaking also was couched in terms of the most lofty condescension, not wholly out of place on the part of a potentate who ignored the whole universe outside his sphere, and who asked no favour of any foreign prince or people. Its terms are worthy of consideration, and after perusal it will not appear so strange that Kiaking and his admirers should have keenly resented the landing of an armed force on a portion of his shores.

*

The nature of the position of the Portuguese at Macao had been made plain by the events of 1802. Although in their possession, the Chinese had established the fact that the Portuguese were only their tenants, and that Macao was an integral part of the Chinese Empire. Yet, notwithstanding this undoubted fact, the authorities in Indiat resolved to repeat the mistake by sending another expedition to Macao, at the same time that Goa was occupied by an English force in order to defend them against any attack on the part of the French. Illjudged as the step was as a measure of general policy, it

*"Your Majesty's kingdom is at a remote distance beyond the seas, but is observant of its duties, and obedient to its laws, beholding from afar the glory of our empire, and respectfully admiring the perfection of our government. Your Majesty has despatched messengers with letters for our perusal; we find that they are dictated by appropriate sentiments of esteem and veneration; and being, therefore, inclined to fulfil the wishes of your Majesty, we have determined to accept of the whole of the accompanying offering. With regard to those of your Majesty's subjects who for a long course of years have been in the habit of trading to our empire, we must observe to you that our celestial government regards all persons and nations with eyes of charity and benevolence, and always treats and considers your subjects with the utmost indulgence and affection; on their account, therefore, there can be no place or occasion for the exertions of your Majesty's Government."

+ Lord Minto was Governor-General,

was still more unfortunate in the way that it was carried out. A squadron was duly sent, under the command of Admiral Drury, and a small force landed to garrison Macao. But the Chinese were furious at this fresh interference with their rights. They withheld all supplies, ordered the suspension of trade,* and refused to hold any communication whatever with the commander. Unfortunately Admiral Drury entertained the opinion that a display of force would suffice to bring the Chinese to reason, and, in the persuasion that there was "nothing in his instructions to prevent his going to war with the Emperor of China," he resolved to obtain by force an

*The following is a letter from the chief mandarin_at Canton to the representative of the East India Company at Lintin. It explains the Chinese views as to the Crown and the Company.

"I, Tsontoe, &c., in reply to your letter, have to inform you that I first thought that you, like your merchants, came to carry on trade, and that you would not have joined with your superiors, I mean the admiral and chiefs, to make disorders. Under this idea I sent you a chop. But seeing now that you do not think proper to alter your way of thinking, taking as a pretence the protection of the Portuguese, I plainly know that you have joined your opinion with those of the above superiors remaining in the same vain hope. I, the Tsontoe, have repeatedly sent my chops, declaring that as long as there remained a single soldier at Macao, and you would not obey my orders, I absolutely will not consent to your continuing to carry on your trade. If you do not wish to trade, you may take away your ships as you think proper; but if you are desirous of pursuing your mercantile negotiations it is necessary to remain peaceable and to obey the laws, relying with certainty that, after your troops shall have entirely evacuated Macao, your trade shall be granted you as formerly; as your letter declares that you must of course obey the laws of the Imperial dynasty, this shows that you have respect and veneration for them, therefore I have directed to you this chop with all the efficacy possible, to open yet a way for you; but after this despatch if your admiral and you all will not change your sentiments and send any more letters, I have given orders that they shall not be received."-Annual Register, 1808, p. 288.

interview with the Viceroy of Kwantung. With this end in view, after much useless discussion, he proceeded up the river to Canton, escorted by all the boats of the squadron. The Chinese had made every preparation in their power to resist this unwarrantable proceeding, and they had placed a line of junks across the river to bar further progress. On perceiving these signs of hostility, Admiral Drury sent a fresh request to the mandarin's yamen for an interview, with a threat that unless it was conceded within half an hour he would force his way into Canton. Whether the Chinese detected some infirmity of purpose in the language of the commander, or whether they were resolved to brave the worst, they did not deign to send a reply. The fated half-hour passed; but instead of Admiral Drury ordering his boats to attack, he adopted the safer course' of retiring. A similarly ignominious method of proceeding was adopted on several later occasions ; but, towards inducing the Chinese to alter their manners, neither Admiral Drury's threats nor his concessions availed anything. A pagoda was erected at Canton to celebrate the repulse of the English, and after a three months' unnecessary and inglorious occupation of Macao that port was evacuated, and Admiral Drury returned

* Admiral Drury was shown, during the inquiry instituted into this affair, to have been "an officer of courage." His shortcoming on this occasion may be set down either as a temporary weakness, or as another example of the folly of making a threat without the means of executing it. "The contempt for mere Asiatics" is a quality not unnecessary to those who possess an Indian Empire; but it will lead to misfortunes if not repressed when acting in a difficult country, such as Afghanistan, or when dealing with an exceptional people like the Chinese.

with his ships to India. The Chinese were satisfied with having carried their point, and thereupon allowed the reopening of the trade. Their national self-esteem and their confidence in their ruler rose immensely when they could feel that the Edict* of their Emperor on this very subject had been realised to the letter by the course of events.

It must not be supposed that there was on this occasion, or, indeed, at any time, a disposition on the part of the Chinese or their Government to show favour

"The war of the French with the English is a matter of the outside barbarians (?) in which the Central Empire is not concerned; just as little as, latterly, in the contest between Siam and Burmah. The great Emperor looks upon all with the same benevolence, and has not the least partiality for any. The middle kingdom and the foreign territories have each their respective appointed borders. Our vessels do never proceed over a wide ocean to foreign countries and establish themselves there; whilst ye all at once dare to sail to Macao and go and live there on shore; which is the height of foolhardiness. If ye say that, being apprehensive lest the French may come to insult the Portuguese, you have therefore hastened to their aid; can you be ignorant that the Portuguese barbarians are established in the Central Empire, and that the French will not dare to invade and take them, and thus wantonly offend against the Celestial Empire? Had the French really this object in view, the hosts of the Celestial Empire are in full force and will not show the least indulgence. A large army will be sent forth to exterminate them, and the maritime prohibitory regulations will thus be vindicated. Your nation has acknowledged fealty to the Celestial Empire and sent the customary tribute, and has been called respectfully obedient. Now, however, you are ignorant, and daringly offend against the laws. Is this not most irrational ? It is on this account that we send these clear orders to you. If you will learn to fear, and immediately withdraw your soldiers and sail away without stopping a single moment, we may indulgently forgive your crimes, and, as heretofore, allow your nation to trade. But if you delay and do not obey the laws, not only will the trade be stopped for the present, but we shall also block up the entrance to Macao, cut off your provisions, and send an army to surround you. Then repentance will be too late."-Gutzlaff.

to one European nation more than another, or to refuse to the English at Canton what was conceded to other people at different places. The policy of the Empire has always been consistent, and it was then the same at all points, to exclude foreign trade and to keep away from the Emperor's presence the pretensions of those rulers who claimed to rank on an equality with him. Had Kiaking possessed incorrupt officials, and shown himself something of the indomitable vigour of his predecessor, China might have remained to this day as forbidden a land to European inquisitiveness as some of her tributary states still are. But the self-seeking mandarins at Canton opened the door to the outer peoples, and although many rebuffs were experienced in their attempt to gain a footing in the country, the ultimate success of their project was ensured by the political weakness and disunion of China herself.

During the interval between the first and second occupations of Macao, the Russians despatched an embassy to Pekin: but it did not succeed in accomplishing its object. It left Russia in the year 1805, and it appears to have been arranged on a scale of unusual magnificence. Count Goloyken, one of the highest dignitaries of the Russian Court, was specially selected as ambassador, and a large number of costly presents were entrusted to him for the Chinese Emperor. After encountering weather of exceptional severity, he reached the vicinity of the Great Wall, where the objections of the Chinese officials took the place of the obstacles of Nature; and of the two they speedily proved themselves the more formidable. The delays for refe