1835.] Tea Province of Fuh-kin, in China. 559 



the boat ; but this did not seem to make any difference in the friend- 

 liness of their demeanour. While we were at breakfast, two boats 

 came up filled with soldiers, who were immediately landed, and one 

 party marched towards our boat, while another was drawn up as a 

 reserve. The officer, who commanded the advance, with several of 

 his men, scrambled into the boat. They were desired by Mr. Gutz- 

 laff to retire ; but not complying, our people were desired to turn 

 them out, which they did accordingly. I collared their officer, and 

 was on the point of tripping up his heels, when he threw himself 

 down, and Mr. Gutzlaff begging me to leave him to him, I desisted 

 from further violence, though the loud and insolent manner of the 

 man made forbearance not very agreeable. Mr. Gutzlaff then 

 commenced rating the fellow in such animated language, that he 

 became apparently thunderstruck, having no apology to offer for the 

 rudeness and violence with which he came to execute his commission, 

 which he said was merely to inquire who we were, and what we 

 wanted, and to desire us to be off. Mr. Gutzlaff informed him 

 that we came to present a petition to the Viceroy, but not having 

 met with an accredited officer, its delivery had been postponed ; that 

 we had taken an excursion on the river, in order to see the tea plant ; 

 that we had proceeded openly, and avowed our intention without 

 being told ; that so innocent an object could never draw on us treatment 

 such as no civilized government would offer to innocent strangers. 

 He then harangued with great energy and effect, on the base, 

 treacherous, cowardly, and barbarous conduct we had experienced 

 on the preceding day, and on our own forbearance in not returning 

 the fire ; showing him, that we had plenty of arms, which we had 

 taken for our defence against robbers, and assuring him, that we were 

 not afraid to risk our lives against numbers : but had not come with 

 the intention of making war on the government of the country, and 

 would therefore wait to see whether that government would afford 

 us redress by punishing those villains who had thus without any 

 provocation attempted to take our lives, before having recourse to 

 other means. If justice should be withheld by the provincial govern- 

 ment, the case might go before the Emperor, and if punishment 

 were not then inflicted on the guilty, the affair was not likely to end 

 there. Mr. Gutzlaff's eloquence, with the display of our fire-arms, 

 left the Kwanfoo without a word to say for himself, or for his coun- 

 try. He acknowledged, that we had been shamefully treated ; but 

 that he was not of the party, and could not be implicated in their 

 guilt, and promised that we should experience nothing but civility 

 from himself. He received our petition, which he handed to one of 

 4 c 2 



