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the whole line of the ramparts to the westward having carried the inner gateway which was obstinately defended. The Tartars fought desperately, and the heat of the sun was so overpowering, that several of our soldiers dropped down dead from its effects. prevented the advance of the troops into the town until about 6 o'clock in the evening, when they pushed forward into the streets. Dead bodies of Tartars were found in every house that was entered, principally women and children, thrown into wells, or otherwise murdered, by their own people. A vast number of Tartars who escaped the fire of our soldiers committed suicide after destroying their families. The city was nearly deserted before we had fully taken possession of it, and all the respectable inhabitants and local authorities had fled.

Major-General Schoedde, with a body of troops under his command, was left to occupy Chinkeang-foo, or rather the heights commanding it for the city, by reason of the number of dead bodies, had become uninhabitable. The squadron proceeded on the 4th of August up the river Yang-tzekeang towards Nankin, off which city it cast anchor on the 9th of that month. Sir H. Gough, in his despatch, gives the following account of this immense city, the second in extent and population in the Chinese dominions :

"The northern angle reaches to within about 700 paces of the river, and the western face runs for some miles along the base of wooded heights rising immediately behind it, and is then continued for a great distance upon low ground, having before it a deep canal, which also extends along

the southern face, serving as wet ditch to both. There is a very large suburb on the low ground in front of the west and south faces, and at the south-east angle is the Tartar city, which is a separate fortress, divided from the Chinese town by high walls. The eastern face extends in an irregular line for many miles, running towards the south over a spur of Chungshan, a precipitous mountain, overlooking the whole country, the base of which commands the rampart. In this face are three gates; the most northerly (the Teshing) is approachable by a paved road, running between wooded hills to within 500 paces of the walls, whence it is carried along a cultivated flat; the next (the Taiping) is within a few hundred yards of the base of Chungshan, and that to the south (the Chanyang) enters the Tartar city. There is a long line of unbroken wall between the Teshing gate and the river, hardly approachable from swamps and low paddy land, and the space between the Teshing and Taiping gates is occupied by rather an extensive lake."

Every preparation was made for attack by placing the ships in posi tion and landing the troops, when on the 17th of August Sir H. Gough and Sir W. Parker, the military and naval commanders-inchief, received a letter from Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, Sir H. Pottinger, desiring them to suspend hostilities, in consequence of negotiations which he was carrying on with the Chinese high officers who had been appointed by the Emperor to treat for peace.

Full powers had been given to three commissioners Ke-ying, aTartar general, belonging to the Imperial family, Elepoo, and New

kéén, general of the two Keang provinces, to negotiate a treaty of peace; which, after various conferences, was concluded on the 26th of August. It embraced the following stipulations:-The payment by the Chinese of 21,000,000 dollars; the opening of the ports of Canton, Amoy, Foo-chow-foo, Ningpo, and Shang-hae, to British merchants, with permission to consular officers to reside there; the cession of the island of Hongkong to the British in perpetuity; correspondence to be conducted on terms of perfect equality between the officers of both governments; and the islands of Chusan and Kolangsoo to be held by the British until the money payments were made and arrangements for opening the ports were completed. The following report is a curious specimen of the mode in which the Chinese represent unfavourable events to the Emperor, studiously endeavouring to keep up the delu sion that neither his dignity nor power is compromised by the concessions he is forced to make.

"Report from the Imperial Com missioner and his Colleagues on the Requisitions of Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary.

"The Imperial Commissioner and Great Minister, Keying, the acting Adjutant-General of Tsopoo, Elepoo, and the Governor of the two Keang provinces, Newk tea, take the articles of peace which have been decided upon with the English nation, and send up a duly prepared report of all the circum

stances.

"1. The said barbarians begged that we should give of foreign money 21,000,000 of dollars. On examination it is found that the said barbarians originally wanted

to extort 30,000,000 of dollars; but Hang-e and his colleagues argued the point strongly again, and a third time; and at length the sum was fixed at 21,000,000 dollars. They said that 6,000,000 was the price of the opium, 3,000,000 for the Hong merchants debts, and 12,000,000 for the expenses of the army. The Shewei (an officer of the Emperor's bodyguard), Hang-e, and his colleagues, represented that the price of the opium had already been paid by the city of Canton, in 6,000,000 dollars; how could payment be extorted a second time? And the debts of the Hong merchants should be liquidated by themselves; how could the officers of Government be called upon to pay them? As to the necessary expenses of the army-why should China be called upon to pay them? And these matters were discussed again and again. The said barbarians exclaimed, that opium was not produced in England, but that it was all sent forth from a neighbouring country; that upwards of 20,000 chests had been destroyed, and it required no small sum to pay for them; the 6,000,000 dollars that had been paid did not amount to half of the prime cost, and therefore the deficiency must now be supplied. As to the Hong merchants' debts, the Hong merchants, originally, should have discharged them; but as they delayed the payment for a long time, the accumulation amounted to a vast sum. On that account, therefore, they requested 3,000,000 of dollars, -which, however, did not amount to more than a tenth part of the original claims: and they particularly requested that a despatch should be sent to Canton, directing that a clear inquiry should be made

into all the Hong merchants' debts, and to limit a time for their recovery; but if they (the Hong merchants) had no funds forthcoming, then it will be necessary to require the Government to pay the debts. "As to the item of expenses of the army, as peace has already been made, the soldiers and sailors should be rewarded before they are sent home. As to the amount of those necessary expenses, if it is not decided to pay, you must say nothing more to us about the retirement or not of the army and fleet; but if hostilities do not cease, we apprehend that the expenditure of China, in future, will not stop at 12,000,000 dollars. Further, the men-of-war have already taken Kingkow, and have blockaded the passages; and if we are soon enabled to order them to retire, the advantages to China will be very great indeed; and so forth.

"The said Shewei (Hang-e) and his colleagues again authoritatively questioned as to the difficulties; but the said barbarian only stared at him indignantly: the Shewei was not listened to.

"I, your servant, have examined and found what are the unwarrantable demands of the said barbarians, which they so importunately urge; and they are deserving of the utmost hatred. But considering that they have already attacked and laid in ruins Kingkow, and it is proved that not only the rivers but Chinkeang it will be difficult to recover speedily; but I am apprehensive we shall be blocked up both on the north and south, which will be the heaviest calamity.

"The ships that formerly blockaded the entrances were far different from these, (in the Yang-tsekiang,) and great expense is unavoidable. As yet, our reputation

is not lost. As to the extorted 21,000,000 dollars, they are to be reckoned at seven mace each of Sycee silver, which will amount to upwards of 11,700,000 taels; the Hong debts are 3,000,000 dollars, weighing 2,100,000 taels, which must be recovered from the Hong merchants of Canton when a clear examination has been made. There still remains 12,600,000 taels. This year the first payment of 6,000,000 has been made, equal to 4,200,000 taels. Now, 1,000,000 has already been carried to the account of the people and merchants of Keangsoo, which the officers must pay in the first instance; and in time money may be looked for, for the purchase of honours (buttons and peacock's feathers). The remainder is to be cleared off in three years; not requiring 3,000,000 taels for each year. Moreover, the duties that the said nation will pay should be taken into account, which will ship the expenditure of the Imperial Family, and disputances will be prevented. Comparing one year's expenses of the army with the sum paid to the English, it is as three to ten; and there is only the name of fighting, without the hope of victory; it is better to adopt plans in accordance with circumstances, and put an everlasting stop to war,

"The 4,200,000 taels, the first payment made of this year, has been collected from the funds of the Treasurer and Salt Commissioners of the three provinces of Che-keang, Keangso, and Ganhwuy; which will be repaid by the duties on the merchants and people.

"We wait to receive the imperial will, that we may send posthaste-orders (to the Treasurers and Salt Commissioners) to be respectfully obeyed.

"2. The said barbarians begged that Hong-kong might be conferred on them as a place of residence. They also requested to be allowed to trade at Kwangchow, Funchow, Heamun (Moy), Ningpo, and Shanghae. The Shewei Hanling and his colleagues, as the barbarians had already built houses on Hongkong, and yet could beg for favour, granted that they might dwell there. With reference to Kwangchow and the other four places, they must be considered too many. As to the regulations of the trade, as well as the duties, they should early be consulted and decided upon.

"When clear and explicit questions were asked, it is authenticated that the said barbarians answered, We consider Hong-kong as our dwelling-place, and we must have Kwangchow and the others, in all five places, as ports of trade; but if it cannot be allowed, then neither Moy, Ningpo, Hinhae, Tinghae, Topoo, Paoyshan, nor Hekeang, will be delivered up, neither will our forces retire. As we want to trade at all these places, it is absolutely necessary that resident Consuls should be appointed to superintend affairs, to restrain the barbarians and prevent disturb ances. The duties shall be paid according to the regulations of China; and when the duties are settled, there shall be no delay in the payment.

"Further, when we traded at Canton, the whole trade was in the hands of the Mandarin Hong merchants, and we were exposed to their extortions, and the injuries we suffered were not small. Here after, we desire to choose our own merchants, that trade may be conducted equitably; and the entire duties are to be paid through the

Consuls to the Hoppo, and not to pass through the hands of the Hong merchants, in order that their extortions may be prevented;' and so forth.

"The said Shewei again represented, that from the five places, Kwangchow, &c. some should be deducted; but the said barbarian obstinately refused. I, your servant, have, examined and found, that with reference to the said foreigners dwelling on Hongkong, and going to trade in the provinces of Fokien and Hekeang, the imperial will has already been received, with permission as to what they have requested about trading at the five places named, although the comparison is great, but, as they have taken and kept possession of Amoy and other places, which are not yet given up; and as they still hold Hong-kong, Golongsoo, and have not retired, it will be a difficult matter to get them back.

"If we again prepare our armies to maintain those places, it is a difficult matter to engage with them on the waters. Though near to each other, we have been idle (there has not been any fighting) for many days; and as to those places which they have taken and keep possession of, will it not be allowed them to return to us our territory, and allow them to trade, since they are willing respectfully to pay the duties? Just now they are sensible, and repent of their errors, and are as obedient as if driven by the wind; and when again united in mutual friendship, benevolence, and truth, all things will go on well. And since they will guard their own market and surround and protect the seaboundaries, there will not be any necessity for recourse for our inter

ference, which will be to the advantage of our country.

"We request the Imperial will may be sent down to the go. vernor and lieutenant-governors of each of the three provinces, to examine clearly into the duties and trading regulations of the Comp troller of Maritime Customs in the provinces of Canton; and consult about the management of affairs, and fix them on a secure basis.

"3, That which the said barba rians have requested with reference to the officers of China-to have ceremonial intercourse upon an equality, and the barbarians who have been made captives, and the Chinese traitors who have been se

duced (into the service, &c. of the English), the release of all these they most earnestly solicit,

"I, your servant, have examined, and found, that with reference to equal official intercourse, it may be unreservedly granted; and as the affairs with the foreigners are finished (the war ended), the prisoners may also be released; by which harmony and good understanding will be strengthened, for a state of peace will bring repose and gladness, and overthrow fac tious parties. These matters may be allowed to proceed; and I have left them to the Shewei, without discussing them."