POKTUGUESK RETALIATION, 



113 



Canton patriots, and probably gloated over by Com- 

 missioner Scu liimijelf. 



It is not for me to animiMlvert on the probaljle cause of 

 the Celestial Government taking this tnilj Chinese mode 

 of ridding themselves of a troublesome neighbour, Hia 

 E.^eellency had lately acted upon his liberal, free-trade 

 feeling, in ridding Macao of the Chinese IIoppo, or Custom 

 Ilonsej VFhich had existed since tho Portuguese first rented 

 Macao. He had also, for the purpose of improving the 

 drive on Tvhich the European residents took their exercise, 

 cut a pretty road tb rough an extensive burial-ground,, 

 thereby disturbing the remains of many Imndred Ccles- 

 tiaJs, — a point on which they entertain very strong 

 prejudices. 



The excitement in Macao was great. The troops were 

 not to be i-estrained : they insisted on changing a too 

 peaceably inclined commander, by -whom they were kept 

 in check, for a Captain Ricardo, an energetic officer, in 

 Tphom they had confidence. They sallied forth — a force 

 of 120 men — and captured, in gaUant style, a fort situated 

 near the barrier, Thp storming party, of thirty-five men, 

 was iieaded by a Lieutenant Mesqueda. Tho Portuguese 

 had seven wounded ; tho Chinese seventy-four killed. 

 The houses aroimd the foil were fired, and no fewer than 

 forty guns spiked. In a spirit of hasty and unjustifiable 

 retaliation, however^ they tarnished these laurels by 

 bringing away the head and left hand of the mandarin 

 who had charge of the fort : these they stuck on a pole in 



