EAST INDIA AFFAIRS, ETC.
It has been seen in the last chapter that Dost Mohammed was still in arms. About the close of the last year his army was completely routed at Bamean by Brigadier Dennie, and he then fled across the Hindoo Koosh into the Khoohun territory. In the mean time, Sir Robert Sale was employed in reducing the strongholds of the partizans of the ex-king in Kohistan; a work in which he experienced considerable difficulty, owing to the determined manner in which the forts were defended. Dost Mohammed subsequently summoned his son Afzul Khan to join him, and he moved from the Nijrow towards the Ghorebund Pass, leading into the Kohistan valley, to effect the junction. Sir Robert Sale, hearing of this movement, resolved to frustrate its object, and breaking up his camp at Bolan, proceeded towards Purwau. At Purwau a battle took place, and Dost Mohammed again received a signal defeat. His soldiers refused to make any further efforts against the British forces, and Dost Mohammed threw himself upon the generosity of his foes, surrendering himself to Sir William M’Naghten on the 3rd of November. His confidence was not misplaced; he was permitted to take up his residence at Loodianah, and a yearly pension of three lacs of rupees (£30,000) was granted to him. His treatment was so generous that he wrote to his three sons, who were in different parts of the country, to follow his example, and deliver themselves up to the British. During the remainder of this year Afghanistan remained comparatively tranquil; nothing occurred of a hostile nature except the capture of the old fort of Khelat-i-Ghilzee by Major Lynch, on which occasion the garrison was destroyed by a mistake, an event which caused great commotion among the whole of the Ghilzee tribe, as will be seen in a future page. It may be mentioned that in Scinde, during this year, the fortress of Khelat, which had again fallen into the hands of the enemy, was recaptured, and the whole of the Punjaub fell into a state of disorganization; but the British were not called upon to interfere in the internal dissensions which shook the throne, so long and ably occupied by our steadfast ally, Runjeet Sing, whose death gave rise to the commotions.
In China, after Chusan fell into our hands. Admiral Elliot, accompanied by Captain Elliot, sailed to the Pe-che-lee harbour, where he arrived on the 9th of August, 1840. On the 30th of that month an interview took place between Captain Elliot and Keshen, the-imperial commissioner, the third man in the empire, and the negociations were protracted until the 15th of September, on which clay the admiral sailed away from the Peho. When the squadron returned to Chusan, it was discovered that Admiral Elliot had consented to transfer the negociations from the Pe-che-lee to Canton, where all details were to be settled, and where the Chinese government promised to arrange everything to the satisfaction of the British. Negociations were carried on; but in the meantime Keshen was busily employed in erecting new batteries at the Bogue, barricading the bars in the rivers by sinking boats laden with stones, throwing up breast-works near Canton, and levying troops. It was so evident that the Chinese commissioner was insincere, that hostilities recommenced on the 7th of January. Two of the Bogue forts were reduced, and Keshen then offered to adjust matters without delay. These arrangements were made between Captain Elliot and the imperial commissioner:—“1. The cession of the harbour and island of Hong-Kong to the British crown. All just charges and duties to the empire upon the commerce carried on there to be paid as if the trade were conducted at Whampoa. 2. An indemnity to the British government of 6,000,000 of dollars, 1,000,000 payable at once, and the remainder in equal annual instalments, ending in 1846. 3. Direct official intercourse between the two countries upon an equal footing. 4. The trade of the port of Canton to be opened within ten days after the Chinese new year (the 2nd of February), and to be carried on at Whampoa till further arrangements are practicable at the new settlement. Details to remain matter of negociation.” The terms of this convention were much censured; and Lord John Russell declared in the house of commons, on the 6th of May, that they were not approved of by her majesty’s government; that Captain Elliot had been recalled; and that Sir Henry Pottinger had been appointed plenipotentiary in his stead. In the meantime it had become evident that the Chinese had no intention of fulfilling these engagements. On the morning of the 19th of February, a hostile shot was fired at the boat of the Nemesis steamer from North Wangtong, and hostilities again commenced. The British squadron now attacked the Anunghoy batteries, which were soon silenced, and they then landed, and both the ships and land troops proceeded towards Canton. The British colours were soon hoisted on Howqua’s fort; and while Sir George Brewer and General Gough were preparing to attack those forts which still remained between them and Canton, the Kwang-chow Foo, as prefect, accompanied by the Hong merchants, came down and admitted that Keshen had been degraded, and that no commissioner had yet arrived to treat for peace, or make any new arrangements. Keshen had, it appeared, delayed the execution of the treaty until he could obtain the emperor’s confirmation of it. The emperor, however, looking upon the English “as dogs and sheep in their dispositions,” and considering that “both gods and men were indignant at their conduct, refused to ratify a treaty with them; and Keshen was ordered to be delivered over to the board of punishment.” The Chinese again contemplated hostilities, and in the month of May the British commanders again determined to advance upon Canton. All the surrounding forts were captured, and it was determined that the city should be taken by assault; but a flag of truce was hoisted on the walls, and Captain Elliot again requested Sir H. Gough to suspend hostilities. He was employed, he said, in a settlement of the difficulties upon the following conditions:—“1. The imperial commissioner, and all the troops, other than those of the province, to quit the city within six days, and to remove to a distance exceeding sixty miles. 2. 6,000,000 dollars to be paid in one week for the use of the crown of England; 1,000,000 dollars payable before to-morrow at sunset. 3. British troops to remain in their actual positions till the whole sum be paid. No additional preparations on either side; but all British troops and ships of war to return without the Bocca Tigris as soon as the whole be paid. Quang-tong also to be evacuated; but not to be re-armed by the Chinese government till all the difficulties are adjusted between the two governments. 4. The loss occasioned by the burning of the Spanish brig, Bilbaino, and all losses occasioned by the destruction of the factories, to be paid within one week.” In consequence of this arrangement, the British flag was lowered in the various captured forts, and the troops inarched out, and returned to Tsing-hae. The 6,000,000 of dollars amounted to about £120,000, and Captain Elliot appropriated about half that sum to reimburse those who had surrendered their opium-chests to him at the commencement of the disturbances; but this payment was subsequently disallowed by the British government. Matters were at this point, when, on the 9th of August, Sir Henry Pottinger, the new plenipotentiary, arrived in the Canton waters, accompanied by Sir William Parker, who assumed a command of the fleet in the Chinese seas. Having published a copy of his credentials, authorizing him to negociate and conclude with the minister vested with similar power and authority on the part of the Emperor of China, any treaty or agreement for the arrangement of the differences now subsisting between Great Britain and China; and having warned all her majesty’s subjects and foreigners against putting themselves in the power of the Chinese authorities, during the anomalous and unsettled state of our relations with the emperor, Sir Henry Pottinger embarked for Hong-Kong, whither Sir William Parker had preceded him. The superseded plenipotentiary, Captain Elliot, left China on the 24th of August.