Upon the heights of Canton forty-nine guns were captured, besides a great number of ginjals. But if we reckon all the guns taken and destroyed in the Canton river and its numerous branches, from Chuenpee to Canton, they will be found to amount to not less than twelve hundred pieces, besides ginjals, &c.
The resources of the Chinese seemed endless, and the rapidity with which they erected batteries and field-works was not a little remarkable. It cannot be said that they yielded without first making the most strenuous efforts to defend all the approaches to Canton; and they were rather wanting in skill, and the knowledge of the best mode of applying their abundant resources, than in courage or determination to resist. The Chinese are capable of becoming a formidable enemy, and we cannot forget that, like the Russians, who were once so easily conquered, they may soon learn the art of war from their conquerors, and become formidable from the experience which their first disasters taught them.
On the 31st of May, nearly 18,000 Tartars had marched out of Canton, according to the terms agreed on. Five million dollars had also been paid, and security given for the other million which was still to be paid. Preparations were therefore made, at the request of Captain Elliot, for the re-embarkation of our forces, and their withdrawal from before Canton. With the assistance of eight hundred Chinese labourers, who were furnished for the purpose by the prefect, the guns, ammunition, and stores were brought down to Tsingpoo on the morning of the 1st of June, under a strong escort; and the British flag having been lowered in the forts upon the heights, the whole of our force was re-embarked in the afternoon, under the superintendence of Captain Bourchier and Captain Maitland.
Sir Hugh Gough particularly noticed the absence of excess of every kind which distinguished the men during the eight days they were on shore. Although placed in situations where temptation was abundant, only two instances of drunkenness occurred during the whole period.
The treaty, or perhaps rather the truce, which had been made, by no means implied the conclusion of peace between the two nations; it had reference solely to the city and river of Canton, the whole of the forts and defences of which were to be restored to the Chinese as soon as the ransom had been paid; it was, however, stipulated that they were not to be re-armed "until affairs between the two countries should be finally settled." Accordingly, as soon as our forces, both military and naval, had been again concentrated at Hong-Kong, preparations were immediately recommenced for the resumption of the projected expedition against Amoy.
FOOTNOTES:
FIELD LIST OF TROOPS ENGAGED ON THE HEIGHTS ABOVE CANTON ON THE
25TH OF MAY, 1841.
| Officers | All other | ||
| ranks. | |||
| Left Brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Morris. | |||
| H.M. 49th Regiment, commanded by Major Stephens | 28 | 273 | |
| 37th Madras Native Infantry, Captain Duff | {European 11} | 15 | 215 |
| {Native 4} | |||
| Company of Bengal Volunteers, Captain Mee | {European 2} | 4 | 112 |
| {Native 2} | |||
| —— | —— | ||
| 47 | 600 | ||
| Third, or Artillery Brigade, under Captain Knowles, R.A. | |||
| Royal Artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Spencer | 2 | 33 | |
| Madras Artillery, commanded by Captain Anstruther | 10 | 231 | |
| Sappers and Miners, commanded by Captain Cotton | 4 | 137 | |
| —— | —— | ||
| 16 | 401 | ||
| Second, or Naval Brigade, under Captain Bourchier. | |||
| 1st Battalion, Captain Maitland | 11} | 27 | 172} 403 |
| 2nd Battalion, Commander Barlow | 16} | 231} | |
| —— | —— | ||
| 27 | 403 | ||
| First (right) Brigade, under Major-General Burrell. | |||
| 18th Royal Irish, Lieut.-Colonel Adams | 25 | 495 | |
| Royal Marines, Captain Ellis | 9 | 372 | |
| —— | —— | ||
| 34 | 867 | ||
| —— | —— | ||
| Total, Officers | 124 | ||
| ——, Other ranks | 2271 | ||
| Grand total | 2395 | ||