THE THIRD WAR: CHINA. 9 



merits of the quarrel ; all they imagined was, that Englishmen were 

 in danger in a foreign country, which they were not ; that they were 

 imprisoned, which was false ; their lives in danger, which was equally 

 absurd ; and then, as usual, that the Flag of England was insulted, 

 whereas it was the Flag of China that was insulted. 



Moreover, it was a general but mistaken notion, that the Chinese 

 were a barbarous people, who had no alphabet, and were conceited, 

 and that it would be a good thing to take the conceit out of them; 

 and for this sentimental and absurd grievance, the War was justified. 



In my opinion we ought to have had nothing to do with this 

 iniquitous trade of opium; and we ought to have announced from 

 the first, and in the firmest language, that we would not protect it, 

 and then held firmly to this righteous determination. 



That course would have been worthy of England and worthy of a 

 Christian nation; whereas we bullied and threatened, and finally 

 rushed into an unholy War. It was on our side an easy victory; in 

 fact, a succession of easy victories. 



We captured the island of Chusan ; our naval squadron went up 

 the Peiho, and burnt and bombarded in every direction, and at last 

 threatened the Capital ; when, to avoid a general massacre negotia- 

 tions were opened, and the preliminaries of a Treaty drafted; but 

 neither side would agree to sign, and the War was re-opened. 



Ningpo fell, Amoy was captured, and Nankin besieged; when the 

 Chinese Government saw resistance was hopeless, and they sued 

 for peace. 



What did England get ? We asked for the island of Hong Kong, 

 and got it. Then that the Five Ports — Canton, Amoy, Foo-Choo-Foo, 

 Ningpo, and Shanghai — should be thrown open to British trade, and 

 that British Consuls should reside there ; and finally, England 

 demanded a War indemnity of four and a half millions sterling, and 

 one and a quarter millions sterling in compensation to the British 

 merchants; in all, five and three-quarter millions sterling, which 

 the Chinese were compelled to pay. 



Then followed the usual flourish of trumpets, the thanks of both 

 Houses of Parliament to the Fleet and the Army, and the promotion 

 and decoration of the officers of the Army and Fleet. 



