Folios 184-187: John Dilkes, HMS Madras. Long report on the difficulties he has experienced...

Folios 184-187: John Dilkes, HMS Madras. Long report on the difficulties he has experienced in China, following orders not to upset the Chinese government, and the measures he had to take to extricate himself from a very unpleasant situation. The Chinese government will not commit to paper, and the trading companies are more interested in profit and maintaining their Imperial position. He has been treated very dishonourably. When he arrived in Macao he wrote to the President and enclosed a letter to the Viceroy requesting a pilot to take him to a safe place to refit. He offered to wait upon the President. His letter was not delivered; as it was sealed the Committee could not see its content. As he needed to go to Canton immediately, the principal Hong merchant offered to deliver a message to the Viceroy. His offer was refused, as not being the Chinese way but he suspects that it was not delivered. HMS Madras was refitting in an open road at Linting [?Liantang], he suspects this was conceived to be the least protected by China. On 21 February he received Lieutenant Mayo's letter (no 1) and was proceeding to Canton when he received letter 2, arriving at the factory where he was given letters 3, 4, 5 and 6. He immediately wrote letter A, translated by Mr Haunton, and tried to organise for it to be delivered. The chief Hong merchant (Pon-ti-qua) took the letter, and later that night informed Mr Hall that a Mandarin from the Viceroy would meet Captain Dilkes the next day. Mr Haunton acted as interpreter at the meeting in the Council Chamber of the factory, with the Hong merchants, Mr Hall, and the Supracargoes. His speech is quoted verbatim. There is a complaint that the vessel had its cable cut 3 times and ran aground, close to being wrecked. On one occasion Captain Dilkes was on board. He was close to disciplining the Officers on watch for neglect of duty, as would be required by English Navy practice, but they know one of the culprits, who was wounded when cutting the cable. Captain Dilkes can prove this and expects that the culprit will be punished according to Chinese law. He is willing to testify and can call 2 or 3 witnesses, including the man who wounded the Chinese robber. He promised to enquire about the man said to have been thrown overboard and would inform the Viceroy of the result. The next day he met the Mandarin again, who informed him that there would be a fair inquiry, but Captain Dilkes would not be a witness. Captain Dilkes refused to agree. Later that day he was informed that he would be appearing and a Chop Boat would take him and the witnesses into the city, but the ship must not proceed above the Bocca [Boque]. The Factory representative insisted it was urgent that he returned to Canton, and he informed him that the business would detain him for 10-11 days. When he returned he wrote to inform the Viceroy, and was informed a Mandarin would conduct him into the city the next day. Describes the Chinese hearing and the treatment of him and his interpreter by the Judge. He wrote letter B the next morning but had difficulty arranging delivery. Mr Drummond suggested that he write a full report of the affair and offered his assistance (letter C). Captain Dilkes then received letters no 8 and 9, and sent a response (letter D) with letter C to Mr Hall, together with letter E for the Hoppo, in case there was no direct method of getting them delivered.

Folios 187-188: enclosure with folios 184-187. Letter 1. Charles Mayo, HMS Providence, Lintin Bay, to Captain Dilkes, HMS Madras, 17 February 1800. Copy letter. Reports that he took HMS Providence as ordered to Whampoa, returned and anchored below the 1st bar. On the night of 11 February two Chinese boats were hovering close by. They were challenged and rowed away, but a third boat came close enough to cross their cable. As they were suspicious and the Chinese failed to respond, the Boatswain who was in charge of the watch fired and unfortunately wounded a man. The Commanding Officer sent the wounded man to Whampoa to have his wound dressed, and then allowed him to rejoin his boat. When Lieutenant Mayo was informed he reported to Mr Hall [East India Company] who asked for a full report and detention of the man who fired the shot. He has heard nothing from the Chinese government and advises that it might be advisable to join Captain Dilkes at Lintin. Requests instructions regarding the detained man. Reports that they have since established that 2 strands of their cable were cut through.

Folios 189-200: enclosure with folios 184-187. Letter 12. Statement by John Dilkes, Senior Officer of His Brittanic Majesty's Forces in Canton, for His Excellency Kat, Viceroy of Canton. Captain Dilkes arrived with 5 very valuable merchant ships, the property of The East India Company, under his protection and sent a letter to The Viceroy asking for an audience. Had this taken place, he had intended to assure the Viceroy of his cooperation and wish for friendly relations. Proceeds to report the difficulties provisioning his ships and the incident with thieves cutting the cable of HMS Providence and endangering life. As the audience did not take place, he is putting his concerns in writing. Gives a full description of the incident, including conveying the injured man in the company's vessel Abergavenny to get treatment. Defends the actions taken by the Officers that night. Emphasises that as soon he was informed of the incident he embarked on HMS Providence to proceed with her to Canton to take part in any inquiry. Many pages of solicitudes and complaints/ protests against the subsequent actions of the Chinese and the travesty of the trial. Considers this a complete breach of trust. He and his interpreter were treated appallingly. He feared he was going to be imprisoned, punished, even executed. There are no complaints over the behaviour of the Viceroy, and Captain Dilkes believes that he himself behaved completely properly. Captain Dilkes informs the Viceroy that he has no option but to submit a full report to His Majesty.