loong (1791), when they sent a tribute-bearer to congratulate the emperor on his having attained his 70th year. The Banchen-Enderi (a high priest of equal authority with the grand lama in Thibet) died at Peking, and his elder brother became his successor. Some troubles having arisen as to taxation, our troops, who were sent to interfere, did not act as they were ordered. The Ghorkas unexpectedly declared that they had large claims on Thibet, and invaded that country. There they committed great robberies in the temples; but, when laden with booty and returning to their homes, our troops were already in full array, and surrounded them in the mountains. Hunger and cold had, in the meanwhile, reduced their numbers ; no less than two thousand porters died of starvation, and they therefore surrendered to our general, with the condition that all the captured spoil should be restored. From this moment dates our ascendancy in this country, and the paramount influence which we have never failed to retain. We at once constituted ourselves their protectors, while 3000 native troops, and 1000 Chinese and Mongols gave weight to our influence.

GHORKAS.

151

Since that time the Ghorkas have never ceased

to bring tribute.

"Upon hearing, in the twentieth year of Taoukwang (1840), that their neighbours, the English, had commenced hostile operations against our country, the nation sent an envoy to me, the resident minister at L'hassa. This officer stated that their country bordered on 'London.' (The English capital put for the 'English nation.') As they had been frequently insulted by their neighbours, they desired to join their forces to the troops of the Celestial Empire, to share in their victories.

"The country of the Ghorkas is conterminous with India. Now, it is in that country they grow opium, whence the English derive many thousands of revenue annually. It would therefore be advisable to encourage the Ghorkas in order to make a diversion, and by disturbing that region deprive the barbarians of the sources whence their riches arise."

In consequence of this memorial, the Ghorkas were exhorted to do their best; but receiving mere advice and fair words, in lieu of substantial subsidies and auxiliary troops, they of course did nothing; and no doubt came to the

conclusion that it was better to have the English for friends than enemies. The minister at L'hassa, however, wrote to Peking for twentytwo guns. The governor of Szechuen received an order to have these cast, and they were transported with immense labour and cost over the mountainous road between that province and L'hassa, and placed in various parts of Thibet. The army also was increased, and the Lesser Thibet constituted a Chinese dependency. The Sikhs subsequently invaded Thibet. On this occasion the Chinese functionary himself marched forth against them. In his report he observed, that "he found them securely encamped, and notwithstanding his summons, they offered obstinate resistance. About four hundred men were then sent to attack the enemy, and killed forty of their number, and the rest were dispersed; but as few survived of the invaders, they may be said to have been destroyed."

CHAPTER VI.

CAPTURE OF AMOY. HISTORY OF THE MONGOL TARTAR YUKIEN.

THE ill effects of the late typhoon at Hongkong, and in its neighbourhood, upon the naval squadron were repaired by the British admiral with characteristic energy and speed; and towards the end of August, 1841, the force was on its way towards effective operations on the north-east coast. The Canton authorities contrived ingeniously to convey some impression to Peking that this move was the consequence of their own prowess, the "barbarians" being unable to accomplish anything more at Canton. "The new military chief," they added, "was dissatisfied with the amount of indemnity obtained, and had, therefore, no alternative except to proceed towards Peking." As soon as the British force had quitted, war was to be waged against Hongkong. The magistrate of the opposite district of Singan, on the mainland of China, reported that "marauders had set fire to the houses of

both the English and the traitorous natives. connected with them, and had, moreover, plundered the English of all their money." Encouraged by this false intelligence, the Canton authorities condescended secretly to distribute about 200 matchlocks, or old muskets, among the piratical vagabonds in the neigh bourhood. This was their mode of making war, and the policy for which they are now paying so dearly; while the small British force retained at Hongkong was more than sufficient for all possible attempts against it.

As soon as the emperor learned that the expedition was really proceeding northward, he addressed a circular edict to all the officers on the coast, saying, "I commanded the governors and lieutenant-governors to proceed with their troops to the extermination of the English. Yihshan, at Canton, has now burned and destroyed their vessels, and they have therefore left that neighbourhood. Let the respective officers separately send their advice how to reduce the remaining squadron. Either traitorous natives, or the barbarians themselves, spread a rumour that they were proceeding with a large fleet to Chěkeang.