88 LOSSES AND EXPENSES OF THE CHINESE. forty million dollars. Three thousand pieces of cannon were taken by our soldiers and sailors, besides innumerable stores-to say nothing of the war-junks and forts that were destroyed. Paint war as we will, it is but a hateful scene to gaze on, nor does a victory relieve the picture, for the brighter the lights of conquest are, the darker are the shadows of defeat. There may be different views taken of the Opium war, by different people, but all true philanthropists will unite in the desire that it may lead to the prosperity of both Great Britain and China; that commerce and good-will may increase, that useful knowledge may spread through the Celestial Empire, that humane institutions may abound, and that the word of God, leaping over the Great Wall, and breaking through the stronger barrier of superstition and idolatry, may win its way to the hearts of the unenlightened millions of China. Many people imagine that Hong-Kong will in future be thronged with smugglers, but the British Government some time since declared, that the most stringent instructions had been given, that no encouragement whatever, and such discouragement as they possibly could, should be given to any smuggling trade between the island of Hong-Kong and the coast of China-that "the merchants had been warned that if they chose to violate the laws of China, either by the introduction of prohibited goods into a legalized port, or the introduction of PEACE BETWEEN CHINA AND ENGLAND. 89 any goods whatever into ports not legalized, they were not to expect the protection of the British Government, but must be exposed to the penalties inflicted by the laws of China." That "HongKong should not be made a great nest of smugglers for the purpose of carrying on an illicit traffic with the coast of China, but become the great mart for the commerce of all nations, and for the extension of a legal commerce with China." China and Great Britain are now at peace; may it long be preserved. The annals of the past bear this inscription "All nations have delighted in War," but this state of things will not always remain, for the word of prophecy has gone forth, And though Britons, when discord and anarchy lower, Yet a time is approaching, with eagle-like pace, When the pike and the sword to the share shall give place. CHAPTER XI. A FEW SPECIMENS OF CHINESE EDICTS AND DESPATCHES. The Chinese are difficult to be understood.-Proclamation of Rewards.-Lieutenant-Governor Woo.-Commander Chuh. -Imperial Edict.-Lin Tsihseu and Tang.—Admiral Kwan Teenpei. A flying Despatch.-Governor Keshen's Communication. The Emperor's Reply, containing Sentence of Death. IF I give you a few specimens of Chinese edicts. issued during the contention between the British and the Celestial Empire, you will be better able to judge of the ways of thinking of the Chinese. Whether we regard this singular people as to their conduct in time of peace, or war, in private or in public, in common circumstances, or when under the influence of difficulty and danger, there is that among them which we cannot reconcile to European habits. Nothing can be more opposed to our English impressions of courage, uprightness, and honour, than the act of bidding a reward, in time of warfare, for the destruction of an enemy. Branded as the brow of war is with in PROCLAMATION OF REWARDS. 91 humanity, it has its degrees of meanness, deceit, and cowardice, as well as of highmindedness, fairness, and courage. The following scale of rewards made public by the Chinese, in their contention with the British, does little credit to their national character. 66 Any one, either of the military or the people, who shall seize and deliver up Elliot, shall be rewarded with 100,000 dollars, and reported for promotion to the fourth degree of rank. "Those who seize and deliver up Elliot's subordinates, Bremer, Morrison, Dent. Thom. Keaheape, shall be rewarded with 50,000 dollars, and be reported for promotion to the fifth degree of rank. "Those who concoct a plan for burning the English barbarians' ships of war, with reference to the number of their masts, at the rate of 1,000 dollars for one mast; for a schooner 3,000 dollars. "Those who seize alive any head thieves (captains, &c., of Her Majesty's ships,) besides the settled scale of rewards, if there are any goods on board the ship, they shall be divided amongst the captors. The rest of the nations which continue respectful and obedient, are allowed to continue their trade as usual; and the military and people must not seek causes of quarrels with their ships, in order to manifest a distinction between the obedient and disobedient. 92 REWARD FOR SETTING SHIPS ON FIRE. "If any dare obstinately to oppose, they shall be heavily punished without any remission. "Those who seize a steam-vessel, shall be rewarded with 6,000 dollars, and her cargo shall be divided amongst them; and their services shall be esteemed of high military merit. "Merchants of any foreign nation who seize and deliver up Elliot, and aid China in the meritorious work of exterminating the English, shall be rewarded as follows, under the Season's regulations; they shall be reported to be released from half the usual duties, in order to rouse them to exertion. “Those who are thoroughly acquainted with the dispositions of the barbarians, and can outwit by stratagems their adherents, or cut off their race, or make fire utensils and vessels to destroy the lives of the barbarians, will be all allowed great merit. If they wish to become public officers, they shall be reported for that purpose; if they do not wish to become public officers, they shall be rewarded with 20,000 dollars. "Those who seize alive a native-born Englishman, shall be rewarded with 200 dollars; those who cut off an Englishman's head, shall receive 100 dollars; for a live native of India 50 dollars, and for his head 30 dollars will be given." If in reading over this proclamation, we could discover that it proceeded from a hatred of war and a love of peace, or indeed from any virtuous |