several shells burst within the works, the effects of which must have undeceived the authorities as to their supposed security in that position.

22. On the 5th instant I received information that an attack was intended to be made on our ships and the factory, and that twenty-three warjunks were at anchor below the Dutch Folly, protected by the French Folly Fort, mounting twentysix heavy guns. Captain Hall having ascertained the correctness of the statement about the junks, I directed Commodore Elliot to take the Barracouta, Coromandel, and the ships' boats, and either disperse or capture them. The narrow channel having been buoyed by Commander Bate at daylight of the 6th, the Barracouta proceeded, followed by the Coromandel with a detachment of Royal Marines, and towing the ships' boats. Commander Fortescue anchored his ship about 800 yards above the French Folly, and within 200 yards of the nearest junks, which were perfectly prepared for attack, and drawn up in line of battle. As the Chinese were observed training and pointing their guns, the Barracouta was obliged to open fire from her bow pivot-gun to check their deliberate arrangements, before her broadside could be brought to bear. A most animated fire was returned instantly by the junks and fort from more than 150 guns, which was maintained with great spirit for at least thirtyfive minutes; but when the ship was sprung, her grape and canister, with the aid of the boats in charge of Captain Thomas Wilson, which pulling in opened a most effective fire, soon drove the people out of the junks. The Barracouta was then enabled to give her undivided attention to the fort, and having silenced it, Captain Hall pulled in and took possession. The guns and ammunition were destroyed. Two 32-pounders

in the Dutch Folly, from whence I had the opportunity of witnessing the engagement, greatly assisted the Barracouta by the excellence of their fire.

Many of the junks being aground, and others sunk by our shot, they were all consequently burnt, except the Admiral's ship, which was brought off. Only two escaped, and one of them was afterwards burnt by Captain Hall.

I was much pleased with the conduct of all the officers and men engaged on this service, especially of Commander Fortescue, his officers, and ship's company,' ,* under the heavy fire to which they were exposed. Commander Fortescue mentions the gallant conduct of Lieutenant W. K. Bush, Senior Lieutenant of the Barracouta. Commodore has also brought to my notice the cool courage of Lieutenant H. H. Beamish, of my flag-ship, in carrying out an anchor during the heaviest of the fire, to enable the Barracouta to spring her broadside.

The

I am happy to state that our loss only amounted to one seaman, of the Calcutta, killed in Lieutenant Beamish's boat, and four men wounded on board the Barracouta.

23. Her Majesty's steam-ship Niger arrived on the 7th from England; and forty-four officers and seamen, from the French frigate Virginie, came up to the factory to protect their interests.

24. At 4 A. M. on the 8th, a bold attempt was made to destroy our ships with fire-rafts. Four were sent down with the tide; one was anchored close ahead of the Barracouta, and but for the promptitude with which her cable was slipped, might have been productive of disastrous consequences. One raft burnt at her anchor, the others drifted clear to leeward. To prevent a similar

* Commander Bate was on board the Barracouta.

occurrence, I caused a line of junks to be drawn across the river, both above and below the squadron. One of the junks in the upper boom was burnt by a stinkpot thrown on board on the morning of the 12th, and two fire-boats exploded alongside the Niger at 9 A M. on the 13th. This led to all boats, with which the river is thronged, being ordered beyond the lines of junks.

25. Between the 8th and 12th November, the Consul received three deputations from the principal merchants and gentry of Canton, who seemed anxious to bring about a settlement of the present disastrous state of affairs. They were obliged to admit that our demands were not unreasonable; but that such was the inflexibility of the High Commissioner's character, that they feared it would be useless to attempt to alter his expressed determination not to admit our representatives into the city. They denied the accusation made by the High Commissioner that he had been compelled by clamour to offer a reward for our heads, and loudly expressed their disapprobation at it. Even if they have the disposition to settle this dispute in our favour, I fear they lack the power to do so.

26. Strenuous efforts having been made, without effect, to compel a compliance with our demands, Sir John Bowring, on the 8th, submitted that the next step should be the destruction of the Bogue Forts. Concurring in this opinion, I informed the High Commissioner that unless he submitted within twenty-four hours, I should resume hostile measures. I waited more than the stipulated time, and proceeded in the Encounter below the Bogue Forts on the afternoon of the 11th, leaving the Sampson and Niger, with Commodore Elliot, to protect the factory. I found there the Calcutta (in which I rehoisted my flag),

Nankin, Barracouta, Hornet (just arrived from Shanghae), and Coromandel tender.

On the following morning I sent a summons to the Chief Mandarin to deliver up the forts till the Viceroy's conduct could be submitted to the Emperor of China, pledging myself that the forts should remain uninjured, and be given back when the present differences shall be terminated. This being refused, the squadron then attacked the two Wantung Island Forts from the Bremer channel side, and they were taken possession of by the boats and Royal Marines after a considerable, though ill-directed, resistance of about an hour. These forts were fully manned, had upwards of 200 guns mounted, and were found stronger than when captured in 1841. The Chinese troops stood to their guns up to the moment our men entered the embrasures. The Mandarins had boats in readiness to facilitate their own escape, leaving their unfortunate followers, who rushed into the water until they were assured of their safety by the efforts made to save them. They were afterwards landed on the main.

One boy killed, and four men wounded, on board the Nankin, was happily the extent of our casualties, though stinkpots were freely thrown at those who first entered the forts.

On the 13th the Annunghoy Forts, on the opposite side of the Bogue entrance, mounting together 210 guns, were similarly attacked and taken, and, though some resistance was offered, I am thankful to state, without a casualty on our side.

27. The command of the river being now in our hands, I have no other operation in immediate contemplation, beyond the security and maintenance of our position; and it will remain with Her Majesty's Government to determine whether the present opportunity shall be made available to

enforce to their full extent the Treaty stipulations which the Canton Government has hitherto been allowed to evade with impunity.

28. I have to express my entire approval of the conduct of the officers and men engaged in the series of laborious operations, I have felt it my duty to undertake. From the commodore, captains and commanders, I have received the most prompt and efficient assistance, and their example has influenced the officers and men. I have already mentioned the officers, who have brought themselves prominently to notice.

The health of the men is remarkably good, and the squadron continues in an efficient state for any further service.

29. During the whole of my proceedings, I have received the most cordial support of the British and foreign communities, from their confidence that future benefit must be the result. Her Majesty's Consul has rendered me most valuable assistance, particularly from his intimate acquaintance with the Chinese language.

My thanks are especially due to Commanders Foote and Smith, commanding the United States' naval forces, for the good order and harmony they have so largely contributed to preserve during the present crisis.

30. I have endeavoured, as briefly as its high importance will permit, to lay before their Lordships every particular connected with my proceedings. The original cause of dispute, though comparatively trifling, has now, from the injurious policy pursued by the Imperial High Commissioner, assumed so very grave an aspect as to threaten the existence of amicable relations as regards Canton.

Though I shall continue to take steps, in conjunction with Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, in