Page:Chinese account of the Opium war (IA chineseaccountof00parkrich).pdf/27

 having been rejected, the English mistook our red flags for a declaration of war, and opened fire;–for in Europe a red flag means war, and a white one peace. Admiral returned their fire, and knocked the figure-head off one ship, causing the death by drowning of many European soldiers. In November they next unsuccessfully attacked our fort north of Tsim-sha Point; but, as we had poisoned the wells, and they feared a night attack, they made off to their ships again.

On receipt of the news of the Cowloon affair, the Emperor wrote on the memorialists' report:—"I do not fear your rashness, gentlemen, so much as I fear your cowardice." The Imperial Edict of the 8th of the 11th moon (December) ran:–"The English, ever since the opium interdiction, have been vacillating in their conduct. It is no longer consistent with dignity to continue to permit their trade. The trifle of customs duties is of no importance to us. Our dynasty, in conciliating foreigners, has shewn kindness exceeding deep; but the English, instead of being grateful for this, have indulged in ferocious violence, so that they are in the wrong whilst we in the right, as all the world must know. As they have placed themselves outside the pale of our favour, they are not entitled to pity. Let, therefore, the English trade be at once stopped." In the original memorial there was a proposal that those ships which