1st OPIUM WAR - CAMPAIGN COVER SENT SHIP-TO-SHIP OFF CANTON ...

Hammer

£220

1st OPIUM WAR - CAMPAIGN COVER SENT SHIP-TO-SHIP OFF CANTON - REF. PREPARATIONS TO ATTACK THE CITY; 4 Dec. 1857 letter (+ env.; fully typed transcript included) sent ship-to-ship by British Naval Messenger just 8 days before the British commander sent an ultimatum to the Chinese to hand over control of Canton. It concerns preparations for an expected attack on the city and was sent by “Wm. Thornton Bate”, the commander of the British survey-ship “[H.M.S.] Actaeon off Macao Fort” [less than 3 miles down-river from Canton City and so 70 miles from Macao]. It was sent to “Captain… Arthur Cochrane… H.M.S. Niger” which was anchored nearby as part of the blockade of the Canton River and gives an update on the recent secret survey of the river’s depths; “We moved up here the other night, taking advantage of a high spring tide for the purpose. I do not like to sound above the Macao Fort for fear of awakening suspicion. As far as we can discover I feel pretty certain the passage is not blocked up… The ships occupying Whampoa will, I hope, throw them on another scent. One thing we are sure of, and that is carrying 9 feet to Canton, no restriction being visible at dead low water, and if the worst comes to the worst, our Gun Boats can fit with that... I quite expect the rascals will send a fire raft or an infernal machine down on us the first dark night we are exposed on either tide to their villainy.” Captain Bate was sadly killed a few weeks after he wrote this letter, during the storming of the city walls on 29 Dec. 1857. [With detailed research notes ref. writer, recipient, etc.] Rare Campaign letter concerning the imminent British attack on Canton. [Ex Eddie Lawrence.]Cross Reference: CHINA, HONG KONG, MILITARY, NAVAL MAIL