It was mentioned briefly in the first, and rather more
fully in the second edition of our paper last week, that Lord NAPIER had become involved in a serious quarrel with the Chinese Government. His Lordship, instead of waiting, as usual, at Macao, went on the 25th of July to Canton, without the permission of the Governor ; who bad previ- ously, soon after the arrival of Lord NAPIER, issued an order to the Hong Merchants, to
. . . . "go in person to Macao, and ascertain ,clearly from the barbarian eye for what he had come to Canton province; also to inquire fully and minutely as to what other regulations require now to be established in consequence of the dissolution of the Company. Then to make a report, and furnish evidence on which to make a full and plain memorial for directions as to what conduct is to be observed, and what obedience is to be required."
The order concluded in these words-
" And let them authoritatively enjoin the established laws of the Celestial Em- pire, that, with the exception of the taepans, and other barbarian:merchants trading at Canton, none can be permitted to come to Canton without a report having been made and the mandate received. The said barbarian eye having to examine concerning, and superintend the affairs of commerce, may reside at Macao. If he wishes to come to Canton, he must inform the said merchants, that they may previously petition me, the Governor; and I will, by post conveyance, Rend a memorial, and all must respectfully wait until the mandate of the Great Emperor has been received. Then orders- will be issued to require obedience—oppose not ! A special order. Taoukwang, lath year, 6th moon, 15th day (July 21, 1W4)."
When, in spite of this order, Lord NAPIER went to Canton, the Governor issued another proclamation.
"On this occasion the barbarian eye, Lord Napier, has come to Canton, with- out having at all resided at Macao to wait for orders. Nor has he requested or received a permit from the Superintendent of the Customs, but has hastily come up to Canton—a great infringement of the established laws. The Customhouse writers and others who presumed to admit him to enter, are sent with a coin- mottication requiring their trial. But, in tender consideration for the said bar- barian eye being a new comer, and unacquainted with the statutes and laws of the Celestial Empire, I will not strictly investigate. But it is not expedient that the said barbarian eye should remain long at Canton : it must be required that when the commercial business, regarding which he has to inquire and hold jurisdiction, is finished, he immediately return to Macao; and hereafter, without having requested and obtained a permit, he cannot be allowed to come to Canton."
Still the obstinate barbarian, Lord NAPIER, would not budge a foot. A third order was therefore promulgated, the wording of which proves that the Chinese official had some reasoning powers.
"To sum up—the nation has its laws; it is so everywhere. Even England has its laws. How much more the Celestial Empire! flow flaming bright are its great laws and ordinances, more terrible than the awful thunderbolt ! Under this whole bright heaven none dares to disobey them. Under its shelter are the four seas. Subject to its soothing care are the ten thousand kingdoms. The said barbarian eye, having come over a sea of several my riads of miles in extent, to examine and have superintendence of affairs, must be a man thoroughly ac- quainted with the principles of high dignity; and in his person he sustains the duties of an officer—an 'eye.' Ile must necessarily in every affair act in accord- ance with reason. Then only can he control and restrain the barbarian merchants. "1 the Governor, looking up, will embody the extreme wish of the great Emperor, to cherish with tenderness the men from a distance ; and assuredly I will not treat slightingly the outside barbarians. But the national laws are ex- tremely strict and close-drawn; we dare not in the least transgress. Let the said barbarian eye be very careful not to listen to the artful instigations of evil men, enticing him, until he fails of the object of the said nation's Krug in sending him so far."
The upshot of the matter was, that trade was suspended ; and that Lord NAPIER was waiting to see what effect the arrival of two British frigates, the Andromache and the Ariadne, would have upon the Chinese functionaries.
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