1832.] 
COMMERCIAL RIVALRY. 
377 
agreed to send for their boats, with armed men from the shipping, 
for the security of themselves and property, until the matter 
should be brought to a conclusion. The boats accordingly came, 
and ours among the number; one of which was fired«on, and a 
man wounded. All trade was stopped, and the Chinese men-of- 
war drawn up opposite the factories. The Europeans demanded 
the restoration of Mr. Smith, which the Chinese refused, until 
the gunner should be given up. In the meanwhile, the troops of 
the province were collecting in the neighbourhood of Canton ; the 
Chinese servants were ordered by the magistrates to leave the 
factories ; the gates of the suburbs were shut ; all intercourse 
was at an end ; the naval force was increased ; many troops were 
embarked in boats, ready for landing ; and every thing wore the 
appearance of war. To what extremities matters might have 
been carried, had not a negotiation taken place, no one can say. 
The Chinese asked a conference with all the nations, except the 
English. A deputation, in which I was included for America, 
met the fuen, who is the head magistrate of Canton, with the 
principal officers of the province. After setting forth, by an 
interpreter, the power of the emperor, and his own determination 
to support the laws, he demanded that the gunner should be given 
up within three days ; declaring that he should have an impartial 
examination before their tribunal, and if it appeared that the affair 
was accidental, he should be released unhurt. In the meantime 
he gave permission for the trade, excepting that of the English, 
to go on as usual ; and dismissed us with a present of two pieces 
of silk to each, as a mark of his friendly disposition. The other 
nations, one after another, sent away their boats, under protection 
of a Chinese flag, and pursued their business as before. The 
English were obliged to submit ; the gunner was given up ; Mr. 
Smith was released ; and the English, after being forced to ask 
pardon of the magistracy of Canton in the presence of the other 
nations, had their commerce restored. On this occasion, I am 
happy that we were the last who sent off our boat, which was not 
disgraced with a Chinese flag ; nor did she go until the English 
themselves thanked us for our concurrence with them, and ad- 
vised to the sending her away. After peace was restored, the 
chief, and four English gentlemen, visited the several nations, 
among whom we were included, and thanked them for their as- 
