506 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



demand by arguments, less gentle indeed, but probably more effective tban any he had yet 

 used. The Plymouth, however, had scarcelj" gained her position, before the captain of the 

 Compton came on board and informed Commander Kelly that he was ordered by the Taoutae 

 to make any concession he, the American ca})tain, might demand, and that on the following 

 day he would lioist the American flag at the fore, and at noon salute it with twenty-one guns. 

 Commander Kelly thought he might as well stay where he was and see it done, as he was 

 determined it should be, and on the next day, at noon, it was done according to promise, when 

 the Plymouth returned to her old anchorage off the American consulate. 



One would have supposed that the Chinese might have learned from this transaction that 

 there was a limit to the patience and forbearance of the foreigners at Shanghai ; but, though 

 we hear of no more of their insolence on the water, the aggressions of the land troops still 

 continued in the outskirts of the settlement ; and although they were frequently warned by the 

 consul of every nation of the probable consequences of such conduct, it availed nothing, and 

 at last the old reply came, that the foreigners must take care of themselves. The foreigners 

 then resolved to take the Chinese at their word, and protect themselves. 



The marauding celestials were not long in forcing them to execute their resolution. On the 

 third of April some of the imperial troops commenced destroying a building, which one of the 

 foreigners was erecting, and carrying off the timbers. The owner, on hearing of it, repaired 

 with a friend to the spot, where his remonstrances were answered by an attack on both the 

 gentlemen ivith swords. Providentially one of them had a revolver, with which he defended 

 himself and wounded two of his assailants, who then retreated. Very soon after, however, 

 they began to assemble from the different camps, and attacking a lady and gentleman, compelled 

 the former to flee for her life, pursued by these miscreants, and inflicted several wounds on the 

 latter. It was now obvious that the time had come to deal with these vermin, and the alarm 

 was given. Her Britannic Majesty's ships Encounter and Grecian were in the harbor, as well 

 as the Plymouth, and from the former a small body of marines had been previously put on 

 shore for the purpose of giving protection. As soon as the alarm was given, these repaired to 

 the race course, where the Chinese were assembled in large numbers, and were immediately 

 fired uj^on. The groiind in the vicinity is literally covered with tombs, and behind these the 

 little handful of marines were obliged to seek temjiorary shelter until reinforcements could arrive. 

 The blue jackets and marines were soon landed from the English ships and fronr ours, and the 

 Chinese were driven back to their encampments, one of which was captured and destroyed. The 

 English and Americans then retired for the night, keeping up strong patroles. The next morn- 

 ing early a conference was held by the English and American consuls. Captain O'Callaghan, of 

 the English service, and Commander Kelly, who came to the conclusion that it was necessary for 

 the safety of the foreign settlement and population that the entrenched encampments of Chinese, 

 in the vicinity of the race course, should he abandoned by them ; and the gentlemen resolved to 

 inform the Chinese general and the commander of their fleet that they must be so abandoned by 

 four o'clock on tliat day, failing which they would be destroyed. To this commiuiication no rejily 

 had been received at half past three, when the foreigners proceeded to their work. Captain 

 O'Callaghan, with about one hundred and fifty sailors and marines from the English ships, and 

 the Shanghai volunteers, occupied the right ; the sailors and marines from the Plymouth, in 

 number about sixty, together with thirty men from the American merchant ships, and two private 

 field pieces, worked by American citizens, who placed themselves under Captain Kelly, occupied the 

 left, the whole of this detachment being under the orders of Commander Kelly. This detachment 



