'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎2] (21/622)

2
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
Chinese custom, he persisted in styling a "petition," but
requested that it might be presented through the " hong," or
native merchants, a proposal which Mr. Marjoribanks, President
of the Select Committee, rejected with indigation. Ultimately
Governor Le reluctantly consented to receive the letter through
a mandarin of rank, stipulating that the British officers were to
proceed from Macao to Canton in their boats, the ships-of-war
remaining below the Bogue forts.
Accordingly, on the 31st of December, at half-past ten a.m.,
boats from the ' Challenger' and ' Clive,' and from the Com
pany's trading ships, arrived at the stairs of the Company's
garden, all fully officered and manned. The captains were in
attendance, and everything was arranged to give as much
effect as possible to the ceremony. At a quarter before twelve,
all took their places in the boats, which pulled out into the
stream, and then proceeded to the southern gate. The boats
formed two abreast, those of the 'Challenger' and 'Clive'
taking the lead. When abreast the ' Dutch Folly,' they were
met by a boat, on board of which was Mr. (the late Sir John F.)
Davis, who joined the party in the ' Challenger's ' pinnace, and
the procession proceeded. On approaching the place of meeting,
the numberless native boats, the house-tops, and every available
space, were found to be crowded with Chinese, who were, how
ever, kept in order by a strong body of native policemen : and
the passage from the shore to the place where the Mandarin
was seated, was lined with Chinese soldiers. On the arrival of
the British party the marines landed, and then Captains Fre-
mantle and Harris followed, with the other captains and the
gentlemen of the factory An East India Company trading post. . They proceeded to the inner pavilion,
at the end of which were the two mandarins deputed to receive
the letter, surrounded by several other mandarins, and the
linguists in attendance. Captain Fremantle then advanced,
and requested Dr. Morrison to inform the principal mandarin
that he was the bearer of a letter from the Governor-General
of India to the Viceroy of Canton ; and, in delivering it to him,
he understood he delivered it to an officer of proper authority
and rank, deputed by the Governor to receive the "public
despatch. 1 he mandarin signified an assent and received
the letter, saluted Captain Fremantle, and the party retired, the
marines presenting arms in the usual manner. The party then
re-embarked, and returned in the same order as they came.
A reply was transmitted through the "hong" merchants, for
the acceptance of Captain Fremantle, but owing to the
channel by which it was conveyed, and to its being addressed to
no one, it was not received. Matters continued in this unsatis
factory An East India Company trading post. state at Canton, and it was not until after the Chinese
had received their first lesson of British power in 1840-42,
that thej were brought to a sense of their own impotence.