Ti-Ping Tien-Kwoh Part 8

Now, Mr. Harvey makes this false a.s.sertion in face of the "Proclamation by Tien-w.a.n.g, establis.h.i.+ng a scale according to which the number of wives are to be regulated in all ranks," as published in 1862, at page 45, Blue Book upon "The Rebellion in China," and which commences--

"Formerly I made a decree as to the canon of marriages...."

This unbia.s.sed official winds up his sober and dispa.s.sionate effusion with a few equally temperate conclusions. For example--

"I now, therefore, take the liberty of declaring, once for all (_and for ten years I have firmly adhered to, and been consistent in, this opinion_), that the Taeping rebellion is the greatest delusion as a political or popular movement, and the Taeping doctrines the most gigantic and blasphemous imposition as a creed, or ethics, that the world ever witnessed.... There is nothing in past records so dark or so bad; such abominations committed under the name of religion; such mock-heroic buffoonery; such horrors accompanied by pantaloonery; and so much flimsy web worked in the midst of blood and high tragical events."

If the "ten years" of obstinate adhesion to an opinion formed before anything was known of the Ti-pings, is Mr. Harvey's idea of "sober sense" and "no bias" (and he declares it is), we can easily believe that the "dispa.s.sionate" ruminations of so long a period destroyed what little reason and religion he may at one time have possessed. His partizans.h.i.+p even lays him open to the charge with which he has so falsely accused the Ti-pings when stating that their doctrines were "the most gigantic and blasphemous imposition," &c.; inasmuch as the Ti-ping doctrines are taken from our Bible, are in all essential particulars precisely similar to our own, and alone const.i.tute their "creed, or ethics."

Mr. Harvey terms himself "a sensible and reasoning Englishman," and proceeds to declare the revolution--

"A sanguinary raid, and an extended brigandage over the country, burning, destroying, _and killing_ EVERYTHING _that has life in it_."

In a surprising manner, after a few sentences, he brings the dead to life:--

"They come, and the helpless inhabitants crouch down and submit.

They (the Taepings) go, and the people breathe again and rejoice."

"Tel maitre, tel valet," it is said, and Mr. Harvey seems to have likened into Mr. Bruce amazingly. Mr. Bruce has stated, "every locality is totally destroyed by the Ti-pings." Mr. Harvey chimes in with the above, "killing everything," and "not a vestige" diatribes. Mr. Bruce, in a despatch dated "Pekin, April 10, 1862," inclosing Mr. Harvey's precious production to Earl Russell, states with regard to the Ti-pings:--

"NO commerce can co-exist with their presence, and NO specific relations are possible with a horde of pirates and brigands, who are allowed to commit every excess, while professing a nominal allegiance to an ignorant and ferocious fanatic."

Again, in a despatch dated "Pekin, April 18, 1862," Mr. Bruce states that their presence in any district is "accompanied by the _utter_ destruction of the materials of trade."

Singularly enough, General Staveley, although chief leader of the ma.s.sacres of Ti-pings, in a despatch to the Secretary of State for War, dated "Shanghae, July 3, 1862," entirely and absolutely contradicts the imaginary devastations of Mr. Bruce and his Consul by the following statement:--

"Europeans continue to visit the rebel country _for purposes of trade_, and are treated with civility; _large quant.i.ties of silk_ have been brought into Shanghae during the last fortnight, _and trade seems in a thriving state_."[10]

Mr. Harvey concludes his judgment pa.s.sed in "sober sense and dispa.s.sionately" by the following words:--

"Your Excellency may rest a.s.sured that we shall only arrive at a correct appreciation of this movement, and do it thorough justice, when it is treated by us as land piracy on an extensive scale--piracy odious in the eyes of _all_ men--and, as such, to be swept off the face of the earth by _every means_ within the power of the Christian and civilized nations trading with this vast empire."

Such are the avowed sentiments of the man who protests that he has "no bias" or prejudice.

Although the occupation of Ningpo by the Ti-pings actually increased the export trade, and although even Mr. Consul Harvey admitted that it was captured and held with "wonderful moderation;" still, when hostilities had become established by Admiral Hope and General Staveley, it was impossible either their designs could succeed while Ningpo was in Ti-ping possession, or the anomalous policy of holding Shanghae, and not Ningpo, be continued. Consequently, both to stop the supplies and munitions the Ti-pings obtained at the port, and to follow out the hostile policy settled upon, the British authorities determined upon driving them out of Ningpo on the first opportunity. As the scrupulous good conduct and friendliness of the revolutionists afforded no cause of hostility, it became necessary to invent one. How this was effected the following account will show.

One day (the 22nd April, 1862), while giving a salute upon the return of the General Fang from Nankin, several shots appear to have been fired by some Ti-pings in the direction of the foreign settlement. It was thereupon _reported_ that these shots had killed a Chinaman or two in that location. This, however, seems very doubtful. At all events, the affair was immediately taken up by Captain Cragie, of H.M.S. _Ringdove_, who wrote to the Chiefs upon the subject, and received a completely satisfactory answer, stating--

"I beg to a.s.sure you that, as soon as I have discovered the offenders, I will punish them very severely. I hope, then, that you will think no more about the matter."[11]

Upon the 26th of April Captain R. Dew, with H.M.S. _Encounter_, arrived at Ningpo from Shanghae, having been ordered there by Admiral Hope.

Judging by the conduct of the Admiral at that time, and by the whole circ.u.mstances of the war upon the Ti-pings, it becomes morally certain that Captain Dew was dispatched with the reinforcement to Ningpo on purpose to drive them out. The day after his arrival (27th April, dates are important), Captain Dew wrote as follows to the Ti-ping generals in command of the city:--

"_Encounter_, Ningpo, April 27, 1862.

"Sir,--We have received from Commander Cragie your communication regarding the _accidental_ discharge of bullets whilst firing a salute ... as well as the communication from General Hw.a.n.g. Both these are _so satisfactory_, and tend so much to impress on us your wish to maintain friendly relations with the English and French, that we beg to inform you _that we shall not insist on the demolition of the battery at the point_,[12] but we still do that you remove the guns....

"We again inform you that it is the earnest wish of our Chiefs to remain neutral[13] and on good terms with you at Ningpo. Till the late acts, they had every reason to be satisfied with your conduct, and you may rest a.s.sured that no breach of friendly relations shall emanate from our side....

"(Signed) R. DEW."

As Colonel Sykes, M.P., has very justly observed in his work, "The Ti-ping Rebellion in China," incredible as it may appear, the very day after the above letter was sent, which condoned all previous offences, and which expressed the most earnest wish to remain on friendly terms, Captain Dew, in oblivion of his promises, addressed the following letter to the Generals:--

"_Encounter_, Ningpo, April 28, 1862.

"Sir,--" (After mentioning the firing of musket b.a.l.l.s during the salute, he continues) "I have been sent here _with a considerable force to demand apology_.... Having consulted with the officers here in command, I have come to the conclusion that the foreign settlement is now being seriously menaced by a large battery in course of construction at a point outside the city wall ... _so I have to request that you will cause it to be immediately pulled down_, and that all guns now mounted on the walls opposite our settlement, be removed as well. I am requested by my Admiral to inform you that it would grieve him much[14] to be obliged, by the hostile acts of your people, to come into collision with them. He will be very sorry to resort to force (?), as he has not the intention or wish to interfere with the Imperialists and yourself at Ningpo, and if the former should attack the city, _we should be entirely neutral, and will not even allow the foreign settlement to harbour the Imperialists_." (After threatening to destroy the battery and capture Ningpo if the guns and fortifications were not removed in "twenty-four hours," Captain Dew concludes with the following pa.s.sage:)

"When these, my _reasonable_ (?) demands, have been carried into effect, I beg you will report them...."

"I have, &c., "(Signed) R. DEW."

It is to be remembered that Captain Dew had received and accepted the "apology" on the 27th, and had replied by stating, "we shall _not_ insist on the demolition of the battery." The renewal of the demands which had been formally abandoned on the previous day convinced the Ti-ping generals that Captain Dew was determined to quarrel with them.

That officer knew perfectly well, as Colonel Sykes has forcibly expressed it, "that no human being with an ounce of militant blood in his veins would comply with such insulting demands."

The Ti-ping generals, ever forbearing, and always truly earnest in their efforts to obtain the goodwill and friends.h.i.+p of the "foreign brethren,"

made the following admirable reply to Captain Dew's grossly offensive despatch, and its readers will find every word truth and sound reason:--

(Precis.)

"Hw.a.n.g, General, &c., Pang, General, &c., in official communication with Captain R. Dew, R.N., H.M.S. _Encounter_:--In reply to your letter requesting the removal of the battery and guns, we would remark that ever since the capture of Ningpo, both parties have been on most friendly and intimate terms. No suspicions or dislikes; _we have done everything in our power to protect your trade, and kept good faith in every respect_; have always inquired into complaints made to us of our soldiers, and even beheaded some men who broke into a foreign hong; _have wished to keep a lasting peace with you, and have done all in our power to that end_.

"The discharge of bullets in firing the salute the other day was _quite accidental_;--have already taken steps towards punis.h.i.+ng offenders. With regard to the erection of a fort at the point, _it is a precautionary measure that a proper regard for the lives of our soldiers renders indispensable, and has nothing whatever to do with foreigners_, as has been already stated to Captain Montgomerie. It is now completed, and we cannot a.s.sent to its removal; so also we cannot agree to the removal of the guns from the walls. We have continually esteemed good faith and right....

"With good faith and right feeling as the alpha and omega of one's conduct, each party can afford to put up with one or two trifling matters. With regard to that part of your letter having reference to a probable outbreak of hostilities (we would inform you) that we are not in the least concerned thereat [_lit._, we are not apprehensive, nor do we take offence thereat]; _we could not bear to break the oaths of friends.h.i.+p we have sworn_. We cannot remove the fort or the guns; should you proceed yourselves to move the same, then it is evident that you have the intention of quarrelling with us. You can, if you please, lead on your soldiers against this city; you can, if you please, attack us; _we shall stand quietly on the defensive_ [_lit._, we shall await the battle with hand in the cuff, _i.e._, we shall not strike the first blow].... You still wish to be on friendly terms with us; let, then, these dislikes and suspicions be committed to the deep.... In any large army good or bad are to be found; do not, therefore, let a small matter like this occasion a breach of such a grand principle as amity. Good fellows.h.i.+p would request you to give our argument your very best consideration."

The remainder of the despatch is irrelevant to the subject of the correspondence. It was received 29th April, 1862. If the Ti-pings had acted rather as angels than men, their rights would not have been respected. Captain Dew, neither satisfied by their arguments nor conciliated by their tone, addressed to them the following cartel:--

"_Encounter_, Ningpo, May 2, 1862.

"SIR,--We have the honour to inform you that your letter of the 29th ult., in reply to my demands for the insults offered to the French and English flags, and in which you refuse to comply with those very moderate demands,[15] have been forwarded to our admirals. In the mean time, pending the decision of our chiefs, I have moored the foreign s.h.i.+ps two miles down the river, and cut off communication with the city, and am, moreover, ordered by our chiefs, in the event of the following demands not being complied with, to prepare to blockade Ching-hae, and prevent all foreign s.h.i.+ps entering the river:--1. _An ample apology._ 2.

Removal of all guns from battery and walls opposite our s.h.i.+ps.

3. That an officer shall be specially appointed, and that proper measures, by means of guards, shall be taken to prevent anybody whatever coming on the wall opposite the s.h.i.+ps or into the battery.--I have, &c.,

"(Signed) R. DEW."

This repeated attempt of Captain Dew to make the Ti-pings disarm themselves, and his attempt to ignore the apology he had already accepted in his letter to the chief dated 27th April, must afford convincing proof that a premeditated and organized arrangement to quarrel with the Ti-pings existed. The generals in command at Ningpo gave the following reply to Captain Dew. They declared the battery and guns necessary to defend the city against an attack by a fleet from the coast, which in fact appeared, commanded by the notorious pirate Apak, on the 7th May. They promised to remove all ammunition from the guns and to prevent armed men going on the ramparts, but, as Colonel Sykes says in his review of the affair, "Had the generals chucked the guns into the river there would have been some new demand." In their reply the generals state:--

"In reply to letter of 2nd inst., submitting three demands, we beg to inform you that we have carefully examined its contents, and that we will agree to those demands as far as we are able.

In reference to the first, our previous letter _has afforded full explanations on that head_, how that it was the result of an accidental discharge of bullets during the salute.... In reference to the second point, demanding removal of guns, &c., _our former despatch has already explained that those guns are meant as a precaution against an attack from Ting-hae_, that the mult.i.tude of lives in the city that have to be taken care of urgently demands.... We shall on no account fire the guns, unless the imps attack us. Under the circ.u.mstances stated by you, we agree to stop up the port-holes of all the guns bearing on Keang-pih-gan, and to remove all the shot and powder from thence, _so as to manifest to you our desire for lasting amity_.

Infer from the third point in your letter that you are afraid that, if people are allowed on the wall, there will be some lawless persons who will fire the guns by mistake. Far from allowing anybody whatever to come on the walls, there are most strict orders against allowing any one to go on the walls, not only on those opposite to Keang-pih, but also all round the city.... _We are inordinately desirous of remaining on good terms with you_, and this is our reason for this distinct statement." (Dated 3rd May, 1862.)

Affairs remained in this position till the 7th of May, when Captain Dew wrote to Admiral Hope, stating that on the evening of the 5th, Consul Harvey received a communication from the late Manchoo Governor of Ningpo, to the effect that he was about to attack the city with a strong force, and requesting support from the English and French admirals. The same evening Captain Dew proceeded down the river, found the Imperialist fleet (consisting of the pirate Apak's vessels), and visited the Governor; again, on the following morning, Captain Dew visited that functionary, and the latter, accompanied by his pirate-admiral Apak, returned the visit. While closeted with Captain Dew, they made their arrangements for the forthcoming attack on Ningpo, and the former wrote to his senior officer:--

"So I told them that in consequence of the rebels refusing certain demands we had made, I should have no objection to their pa.s.sing up, _but that they were not to open fire till well clear of our men-of-war_."

Now Captain Dew may flatter himself that this statement has hoodwinked the people of England, but unfortunately for his reputation, people judge a man by his actions. Instead of these piratical vessels keeping "well clear" of his s.h.i.+ps, they proceeded to execute their part of the programme of attack by keeping _well foul_ of his men-of-war, according to previous arrangement.