Folios 102-105: enclosures with folios 73-74 dated 18 March 1807 to 19 March 1807....

ADM 1/2411/28A

1807 Dec 28

Folios 102-105: enclosures with folios 73-74 dated 18 March 1807 to 19 March 1807. Regarding the Mandarins advising the President that they granted permission for shipping cargoes to any of the [Honourable] Company’s ships except the Neptune (folio 102-103). Following the Chinese, sent by the Mowqua, offering a reward for information to the different ships, returning to Canton without being able to procure any information, recounting, in detail, a meeting with the Committee and the Mandarins. The Mandarins mentioned that the ships could recommence loading providing that the Criminal could be delivered within a certain time to satisfy justice and the Neptune should remain in her anchorage. There were disagreements regarding written/verbal instructions, authority over the movement of the Neptune and [Robert] Rolles’ address to the Viceroy. The Kiuen-ming-foo, the President, the Hoppo, the Bogue Fort, the Commander in Chief of the Naval Forces, the Governor General of all India and the Emperor, are all mentioned.

Folios 105-106: enclosures with folios 73-74 dated 20 March 1807. Mention of an Edict by the Anchassee (the Criminal Judge of the Province [Quangtong]) to clarify in writing the situation following a meeting of the Merchants. The Hoppo, the Neptune, the Viceroy, Fouyuen, the Emperor, Pekin, [Thomas] Buchanan and the Mowqua [Hong Merchant] are all mentioned.

Folios 106-107: enclosure with folios 73-74 dated 21 March 1807. Sir George Staunton’s translation of the Edict of the Anchassee [Criminal Judge of the Quangtong Province] sent to the President by Mowqua yesterday, giving his ruling on Foreigners committing crimes in this country, the situation regarding presenting the criminal and the continuation of trade as well as their view on the responsibility of the Hong Merchant. The Namhoyen, Leav-a-ting, the Viceroy, Fouyuenan, the Hoppo and the Emperor are all mentioned.

Folios 107-111: enclosure with folios 73-74 dated 22 March 1807. A further meeting with the Mandarins which included the presentation of an anticipated address, expressing the current situation and defending actions to date, to the Hoppo. Draft signed by members of the Committee, JWR [JW Roberts], TCP [Thomas Pattle] and WB [William Bamston] (folios 107-108). Additional comments relevant to the meeting and the situation are also given in detail. Hog Lane, Hong Merchant Mowqua, Canton, the Viceroy, [Robert] Rolles, the President, the Neptune, the Anchassee, [Thomas] Buchanan and Sir George Staunton are also mentioned. Folios 111-112: enclosure with folios 73-74 dated 23 March 1807. The Hoppo’s response following the presentation of the address in which he advises that the letter should also be addressed to the Isantoc (Chinese name for the Viceroy) and Fouyuen as they are responsible for different elements within the letter. There is also mention of a requested alteration to the text.

Folios 112-113: enclosure with folios 73-74 dated 24 March 1807. Sir George Staunton’s translation of a letter written by Mowqua Hong Merchant to the Hoppo dated 23 March 1807. Reporting on the measures he had pursued and to request further commands. Confirming he had conformed with the Namhoyen’s orders, including examination of the seamen. Leao-a-ling [Leao-a-ting's brother], Leao-a-ting, the Chow-Chow factory, [Thomas] Buchanan and Canton are all mentioned. Folio 113: enclosure with folios 73-74. The Hoppo’s reply to the Mowqua. Being unhappy that the culprit has not been discovered/handed over and this now has affected a delay in loading cargo, he advises that the [English] Chief should awake his better judgement. The Viceroy, Fouyuen and Leao-a-ting are also mentioned.

Folios 113-115: enclosure with folios 73-74. An address to the Viceroy, Fouyuen and Hoppo dated 25 March 1807 (to try and hasten a decision but not injure our cause) signed by members of the Committee JWR [JW Roberts – President of the Committee], TCP [Thomas Pattle] and WB [William Bamston]. The address sent protested against the further detention of any of the Honourable Company’s Ships. Discussions between 2 Mandarins, deputising for the Viceroy and the Hoppo, and the Committee President (folios 114-115) follows. The Mandarins advised that the whole affair should be reported to the Emperor, representing the English Chief in a very unfavourable light as well as proposing a proper Tribunal in the City. The President hoped for the Emperor’s justice and clemency, requesting the address be delivered, he also defended accusations against the English including [Thomas] Buchanan and the crew of the Neptune. The Kiuen-ming-foo is also mentioned.

Folios 115-117: enclosure with folios 73-74 dated 28 March 1807. Regarding an Edict issued by the Hoppo directing that the 52 Sailors of the Neptune be brought to Canton. Suggestions that the Sailors of the Neptune should be accompanied to Canton by a party of Marines from HMS Lion. Robert Rolles and the Committee received the 2 Mandarins, deputising for the Fouyuen and the Hoppo. Kiuen-ming-foo and Puankhiqua were also present. Discussion of the required number of Marine guards took place as well as the possible release of the Neptune. Sir George Staunton translated the Hoppo’s Edict to the Hong Merchants, and to Puankhiqua, Mowqua, Howqua, Chunqua, Conseequa for their information, dated 28 March 1807 (folios 117-118) After detailing the situation to date regarding Leao-a-ting's death, he commands that the 52 Sailors of [Thomas] Buchanan’s Ship be taken to Canton for their examination and trial. That all ships will then be allowed to take cargo and return to their country. As soon as the offending person is discovered, [Thomas] Buchanan’s Ship will be allowed to load. Should any of the parties escape, the [English] Chief will be held responsible. The Viceroy, Fouyuen and the Anchassee are mentioned. Folios 117-118: enclosure with folios 73-74 dated 29 and 30 March 1807. The men ordered from the Neptune arrived in Canton. A letter/address dated 30 March 1807 sent to the Hoppo from the Committee signed by JWR [JW Roberts], TCP [Thomas Pattle] and WB [William Bamston]. Confirming that all the Neptune’s men had arrived at Canton for examination as requested and seeking permission to Ship off goods to the Neptune and all the other Ships so that they can be ready for sea as soon as the examination is concluded. Also stating that the Neptune’s seamen may be entirely innocent of the crime that resulted in the death of the Chinese gentleman.

Folios 118-119: enclosure with folios 73-74 dated 30 March 1807. Details were given of the Merchants accompanying the Viceroy and delivering the address to the Hoppo. (The Viceroy was due to meet the Tay Tock, or Commander in Chief of the Forces of Fokein at Tun Pack) The President was informed that the Hoppo had received the letter, that the Mandarins were sending a proper person to examine the Seamen tomorrow and they requested the lower part of the Company’s old factory for their reception. It was explained that [Robert] Rolles, the Committe and Sir George Staunton should attend the examination and that we must also be permitted to take minutes of the evidence. The Puankhiqua, the Mowqua and Puiqua were also mentioned. Folios 119-120: enclosure with folios 73-74 dated 31 March 1807 and 1 April 1807. It was advised that the 3 Mandarins who had carried out negotiations with the Committee were being directed to examine the Sailors. Use of the Marines as guards was discussed as well as a discussion about the Marines being drawn out to receive the Mandarins which was later declined. There was a dispute regarding who was allowed to sit within the court. No examination was undertaken. The Hoppo, the Fouyuen, [Robert] Rolles, the Neptune, the Mowqua and Puiqua are all mentioned.

Cap R183

Public Record(s)

Open Document, Open Description