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it was not his intention to obtrude upon the House any detailed observations on the value and importance of the trade which we now carry on with China; it would be sufficient for his present purpose to remark generally, that there is no branch of our external commerce which, for its extent, contributes so abundantly to the revenues of the state, or in which the great mass of the population of this empire may be supposed to take so deep and so anxious an interest. And, therefore, he humbly conceived that any course of operations calculated to place so valuable a branch of our trade in jeopardy, and eventually to deprive us of it altogether, was not only a fit subject for the House to entertain, but one which called most seriously upon every gentleman who heard him (and he lamented the number was not more) to give to it his most mature and deliberate consideration. How far this hazard has been encountered, and to what a perilous dilemma have our interests in China been reduced, it would be competent for the House to form an estimate, when the papers relative to this ill-fated expedition should be laid before Parliament. Mr. Prendergast then said, that by his information it appeared, that no sooner had the information reached India that the court of Portugal had removed under the protection of the British flag from their European possessions to the Brazils, than schemes of ambition and conquest appear to have opened themselves to the view of our rulers in that quarter. An immediate determination seems to have been formed to possess ourselves of the island of Macoa, on which the Portuguese had for a series of years been permitted, under circumstances of singular restriction, and obvious jealousy, to form a small establishment. An expedition, consisting of a formidable naval and military force, was ordered to be assembled, and the conduct of it was placed under the command of his excellency, rear admiral Drury, by order of the governor-general in council. His information did not enable him to state the exact period of the embarkation of the troops, or of the sailing of the expedition; however, it did enable him to state, that the gallant admiral reached his port of destination about the end of September, 1808. On his arrival he represented to the Portuguese governor, that in the spirit of pure friendship and faithful alliance, he was dispatched with a respect able military force, for the purpose of

strengthening Macoa, and enabling it to resent and resist any insult or attack, which the French might make upon it. To the Chinese authorities the gallant admiral also represented, that animated by similar feelings of friendipsh and regard towards the Emperor of China and his subjects, the British government had entrusted him with the command of a mixed force for the double purpose of frustrating and defeating the views of the French tyrant upon the island of Macoa, and of scouring the Chinese seas of the piratical fleets of Ladrones, which had of late infested the coasts and interrupted the commerce of China. The Portuguese Governor hesitated not a moment to decline the proffered aid, which he resisted on the double plea of his conviction, that his acquiescence in such a measure would awaken the jealousy and excite the resentment of the Chinese, and that it would likewise expose him (the governor) to the displeasure of the governor of Goa, and of his more exalted superiors in Europe and the Brazils. To this reasoning the gallant admiral opposed the very concise argument of "if you won't, you must' and there was nothing left for the gover. nor in his weak and feeble situation, but to oppose the only resistance which was competent to him to offer, namely, a formal and solemn protest against the measure, as being entirely unnecessary, un. just, and oppressive. It must be observed, and he intreated the House to attend to the circumstance, that, although the gallant admiral when he first communicated his overtures to the governor, represented himself as having been sent in the purest spirit of amity and good faith towards the Portuguese, which induced a belief that he came as the friend, and his troops as the auxiliaries of a faithful ally; nevertheless, when by the arm of power he had overruled the objections of the governor, he landed his forces with all the pomp and ostentation of victory and conquest, and with every ceremony usually accompanying the character of a conqueror, he triumphantly hoisted the British flag, and possessed himself of the Portuguese autho rity on the island. Remonstrances and protests poured in from all the Chinese governors and Mandarins, and the viceroy at Canton, in pursuance of the usual Chinese policy on all occasions of discontent against foreigners, issued a proclamation, interdicting all intercourse with the English, and commanding all Chinese sub

jects serving English masters, in any ca "command justice.-Admiral Drury also pacity, to withdraw, under pain of death," directs, that all English vessels should from their service.-The gallant admiral" be prepared to drop down the river with having established his government at Ma-" as little delay as possible. I regret that coa, proceeded with his squadron, in com-" it should be expedient to adopt any pany with the supercargoes, to the an- "measures that must occasion inconvenichorage-ground in the river Whampoa,"ence to many; but, rely with confiwithout any previous permission had, or "dence upon every person's complying obtained from the Chinese government," cheerfully with what is likely to prove which was deemed the most flagrant insult" of public utility, and which the present and indignity that could in possibility be" state of affairs renders unfortunately neoffered to the Emperor, and his govern- cessary, assuring them at the same time, ment; and from this anchorage-ground," that every attention will be paid to he commenced a fresh written negotia- "the preservation of British property. tion, expressed in stronger language than" (Signed) J. W. ROBERTS. Canton, had been used during his stay at Macoa." 21st Nov. 1808." To all arguments urged by the gallant It is difficult for the subjects of this free admiral, whether mild or intemperate, the land to imagine the scene of confusion and uniform reply of the viceroy was "strike alarm, to which this portentous order gave "your flag-withdraw your troops from rise amongst the British inhabitants at Can"Macoa, and take them and your ships of ton. These unfortunate victims, to the "war away-and the relations of com- impolicy and extravagant fancy of our "merce and amity shall be renewed." rulers, having scraped and scrambled toImpatient of further delay, the gallant gether as much of their devoted property, admiral ordered his boats to be manned as the hurry and danger of the moment and armed, and proceeded on the 8th of would admit, were compelled to abandon Nov. 1808, to Canton, with the manifest their homes and concerns, and to seek, view of intimidating the viceroy, (who with the utmost precipitation, shelter refused to see or receive him) not only under the British flag. It might have into the measure of personal conference, been supposed, that the failure of the galbut into a full compliance with the ulterior lant admiral's first vain attempt, by his objects of the expedition. The viceroy, personal appearance at Canton, to oversteady to his purpose, disregarded the awe and intimidate the viceroy into an blusterings and vauntings of the gallant acquiescence with his objects would have admiral, and persevered in his refusal to served as a wholesome caution to guard see him, and also declined to receive fur- him against exposing himself, his people, ther written communications from him; and the British flag, to a repetition of siand at the expiration of two or three days, milar insults, derision, and contumely, as the gallant admiral was compelled to attended that wild and ineffectual experiwithdraw to his fleet, covered with shame, ment; but, in an evil moment, he deterand carrying with him the obloquy, odium, mined otherwise. The proclamation, which and execrations of all the inhabitants of was issued on the 21st. of Nov. drew all Canton. In a short time after this notable the British subjects together at the anchoreffort on the part of the admiral, advices age-ground (distant from Canton about reached him, that a large military force 25 miles) on the 23d; and it appears, that was collecting near Canton, and appre- the gallant admiral, doubtful what course hensions were entertained as to the safety to adopt, remained inactive until the 28th, of the British subjects in that city. In when again he gave orders for manning this state of things, the gallant admiral and arming all the boats of the fleet, and, directed the chief supercargo to proclaim with a much stronger force than he had the following order to the commanders of formerly carried with him, shaped his all the British vessels at the port of Can- course towards Canton. When the admiral's fleet of boats had proceeded within three miles of this city, a considerable body of armed persons was seen assembled at a small fort, which commanded the river; and no sooner had the gallant admiral approached within range of shot, than a brisk fire of round and grape was opened upon him. Various efforts were

ton.

"Gentlemen,-I am directed by his "excellency rear admiral Drury, to ac"quaint you, that every British subject "should quit Canton in forty-eight hours "after this date, as the refusal of the Chi"nese government to listen to his most friendly entreaties will compel him to

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that, if any objection should exist on the ground of expence, he was ready to defray all such charges out of his own pocket, rather than the House should be kept uninformed on a subject of such serious importance. He felt no inclination to detain the House longer than to offer the expression of his grateful acknowledg ments for the indulgent attention with which he had been honoured, and he should, therefore, proceed to submit his motion.

made by the admiral to enter into explanation, but all proved ineffectual. The only reply he could obtain to his professions, and protestations of amity and good faith, was, from the mouths of their cannon; and, at length perceiving that his situation, already dangerous, might become critical, he once more determined to repair to his ships, under circumstances of disgrace, obloquy and execration, easier to be conceived, than described. Mr. Prendergast here begged permission of the House to state a circumstance which 1. "That there be laid before this occurred in the course of this fatal and House, copies of all dispatches, with their mistaken experiment, upon the nerves respective dates, which have been received of the viceroy, and the fears of the Chi- by the right hon. the lords commissioners nese. It was alleged that, during the of the admiralty, and by the court of ditime that resistance was offered from the rectors of the East India company, relafort, an attempt was made by a body of tive to the late expedition, sent under the Chinese to seize and detain one of the command of his excellency, rear admiral English boats, in which they succeeded so Drury, against the island of Macoa, in the far as to have taken possession of her. Chinese seas. 2. Copies of all orders and An immediate order was issued for the communications which the right hon. the recapture of this boat, and in the course of lords commissioners of the admiralty, shall this duty, his information stated, that 25 have transmitted to rear admiral Drury, Chinese were killed, and several others on the subject of such report or reports as wounded. He humbly maintained that, that officer may have made to their lordif this ill-fated expedition involved no ships, respecting his proceedings in the other circumstance of interest, or concern, late expedition against Macoa. 3. Copies than the loss of so many lives, in a course of all orders and opinions, which may of proceeding which he had endeavoured have been transmitted by the hon. the to describe, and which appeared, to his board of commissioners for India affairs, judgment, to have been a series of aggres- or by the court of directors of the East sion and injustice on the part of our com- India company, to the right hon. the mander, in every stage of it; if we took governor general of India, or to the comno other interest in this extraordinary ex- pany's supercargoes at China, relative to pedition, than that which the loss of so the late expedition against Macoa, or to many lives, in such a manner, was calcu- any other operations or plans which may lated to excite, still, he contended, that have had for their object the capture, or there was, in this unfortunate result, abun-occupancy of that island, by a British dant ground, not only to justify, but to force, or by the troops of the East India demand of the justice of parliament, that company." enquiry should be had, and eventually that punishment should be inflicted. Anticipating, however, the possibility that the papers might be refused, for which he was about to call, either on a plea of their being so voluminous as to impose extraordinary trouble on the clerks of the 'departments in which those papers were deposited, or on the plea of the expense which might attach to the printing of them, he begged leave to submit to the House, that he was willing, with a view to obviate either, or both of these objections, to be one of a Committee to examine and select such papers as might be deemed necessary to the establishment of his case, which might be, in his opinion, reduced to a very few in number; and

Mr. R. Dundas said, the detail of the course of the expedition was correct, as far as it went; but circumstances had been omitted which altered the complexion of the case. When there was reason to ap prehend that the British would be excluded from the Portuguese ports before the removal of the royal family of Portugal to the Brazils, orders had been sent out to to take the Portuguese settlements in the East, (afterwards countermanded) by force, if necessary, except Macoa, which was not to be taken without the concurrence of the Chinese, and it was imagined that the Chinese would willingly accept of our assistance to repel a hostile attack of the French on the settlement, if that should be attempted. The governor

general was apprized by the Committee | calculated to promote the ends of justice, of supercargos at Canton that the French or to satisfy the reasonable expectations were preparing to attack the place, and of the country, that he (Mr. P.) considerthat it might be taken possession of by us, ed the course which had been taken, and with the concurrence of the Chinese as he the decision which had passed, as tending understood. It was necessary to act im- to invert and violate every principle of mediately, without waiting for further justice and equity. He contended, that orders, and the governor sent admiral the principle which had been adopted, Drury, who acted in concert with the su and acted upon in the course of this propercargoes, till they were convinced that ceeding was, in spirit and effect, precisely further perseverance would be useless. analogous to the unfair, oppressive and He conceived that no blame attached to scandalous decision which was past by the the governor-general or the admiral. He court of directors last year, against some agreed with the hon. gent. as to the im- of their innocent, but helpless and depenportance of preserving our Chinese com- dant writers and cadets. In the present merce-but under all the circumstances, case, as in that just alluded to, punishment he thought there was no occasion for these appears to have been inflicted upon the papers, which were very voluminous, and innocent, whilst the guilty were upheld, he would therefore oppose the motion. complimented, and extolled.-It must be in the recollection of gentlemen, how zea lous and active were the exertions of the honourable gentleman, (Mr. C. Grant) and his friends in the direction, to restore to their body the individual, whose patronage had been abused, and who alone was responsible for the trespasses which had been committed; whilst they visited, with a merciless hand, an unmerited measure of punishment upon innocent, unoffending youths, because they could do so with impunity. In the same spirit of oppres sion and injustice, the directors had, in the case before the House, by the deciaration of the hon. member, (Mr. Grant) singled out as the victims of their wrath and displeasure, those who could not, in possibility, be held responsible for the im policy, the mischief, and disgrace of this mad and improvident undertaking; whilst they now defend, and acknowledge lately to have complimented, those to whom the

Mr. G. Johnstone disapproved of the occupation of the territory in question. The island was 100 miles in circumference, the Portuguese did not occupy ten miles in circumference of it; the Chinese only allowed them one week's provisions at a time, so that we had no occasion to dread the French getting, or if they did get, rataining possession of it.

Mr. Wallace thought that no sufficient case had been made out to induce the House to order such a mass of papers to be: produced.

Sir H. Popham thought if there was any inconvenience in producing all the papers called for, there could at least be no objection in producing those which related to the supercargoes, the marine service, and the commander in chief.

Mr. C. Grant declared that in the measures which had been pursued by the court of directors, in consequence of this ill-judged expedition, the court had ac-responsibility actually belongs, and to quitted the governor general, and the ad- whom must, of consequence, attach all the miral of all blame, and had punished the guilt of this disgraceful transaction. He guilty by dismissing the supercargoes would put it to the hon. gentleman, and from their offices; a measure of punish-to the House, whether the supercargoes, ment, which must be considered very se- who are now stated to have been degraded vere, since it not only deprived those gen-aud dismissed from lucrative offices, for tlemen of large emoluments, but degraded them in the eyes of the world. In conclusion, he appealed to the candour and liberality of the hon. gent. whether all had not been done to answer the ends of justice, which could have been done. Mr. Prendergast had no hesitation in re-ed the power to order or direct an expeplying to the appeal made to his candour dition of this nature, for which they must by the hon. member who had just sat be held responsible? Mr. P. maintained down, or in stating it as his firm and de- that they were invested with no such aucided opinion, that so far was the pro-thority; that it was only competent to Ceeding described by the late chairman them to submits in the most humble tone,

the share they had taken in advising this measure, were, or could, in justice, be held so culpable as the person who order ed, or the commander who executed this rash and ill-fated expedition? Will it be contended, that the supercargoes possess.

their suggestion to the governor-general, who, alone, possessed the power to accept, or to reject such propositions.-It had been urged by a right hon. gent. that the expedition was impolitic, unjust, and disastrous, that as the governor-general had appeared to have acted from the best intentions, he ought not to be held blameable; but he (Mr. Prendergast) saw no reason to determine why the governorgeneral should have credit for purer intentions than the supercargoes; and as the former was responsible to that House and the country, whilst the latter were altoge ther unknown in any character of responsibility to either, he contended, that no decision which was confined exclusively to the punishment of the supercargoes for a transgression of this nature, could prove satisfactory to the country. He concluded by conjuring the House to insist upon the production of the papers, which would shew where the blame did actually attach; and, in the persuasion that there existed abundant cause of dissatisfaction somewhere, he would persist in demanding the papers.

The motion was negatived without a division.

[WEST INDIA DOCK COMPANY.] Mr. Barham addressed the House on the subject of the conduct of the West India Dock directors, respecting the dividends made upon their capital. The hon. gent. contended, that by the act of the 39th of the King they were restrained from making a dividend above 10l. per cent. In point of fact, however, they had divided 10l. per cent. clear, paying the property tax out of the public funds of the company. This was in effect to divide eleven per cent. contrary to the act he had before alluded to. He felt it therefore his duty to move "That it is the opinion of this House, that the West India Dock Company, in dividing clear 101. per cent. upon their capital, without previously deducting the due proportion of the property-tax from the whole of their profits, did exceed the extreme rate of interest which they were empowered to divide by the 39th of the King."

Mr. Hibbert observed, that the Committee had reported that the affairs of the Company had been generally well conducted, and in a manner greatly to the public benefit, but they gave their opinion as to the law on this particular point. Now it did not appear to him necessary for the House to reiterate the resolution of

VOL. XVI.

the Committee. The resolution of the House ought not to interfere with the construction of the existing law, and if the directors had acted contrary to the law, it would be for a jury to say so. When the West India Dock bill was passed, the property-tax was not in existence. He moved that the debate should be adjourned for six months.

Mr. Baring thought the subject should be followed up either in the manner his hon. friend had proposed, or in some other which might appear more eligible to the House. The opinion of the hon. and learned gent. opposite would doubtless be anxiously looked to by the House as to the possibility of setting the question to rest in a court of law. If a better way of proceeding were pointed out by gentlemen on the other side of the House, he should bow to their decision; but if they did not do so, he should vote for the resolution.

Mr. Marryatt observed, that the West India planters were materially interested in this question. According to the act originally constituting the West India Dock Company, the proprietors were to share 10 per cent. upon their capital, and it was stipulated, that upon the sur plus profits amounting to a certain fund, a proportionate reduction should take place, in the rates payable at the Docks. Now by the system to which the resolution referred to, the 101. per cent. being taken undiminished, the income tax being paid entirely out of this reversionary fund, that stipulation of the Company was not attended to. Therefore he thought the resolution right and reasonable, and he hoped it would serve to produce a dif ferent arrangement in future.

Mr. Hughan opposed the resolution.

The Attorney General said, the Company had a right to such profits from the public as would make up a dividend of 10l. per cent.; but when their profits exceeded that, the residue was to be applied to the public service. Wishing well, as he did, to the Company, of which no one had spoke too highly, he thought they should be called upon to declare what would be their conduct in future. If they would not submit, the public had a remedy, though to apply it might be troublesome. From the construction he put upon the act he thought the surplus appropriated to the public ought not to be burthened with the property tax on their profits. That ought to be paid out of the

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