Page:Crime and government at Hong Kong.pdf/67

 became successful competitors for guarding—that is, plundering—the Chusan fisheries. Being few in number, they were soon put  by the jealous Portuguese, who demolished the dwelling, destroyed the boats, and mangled the bodies of the new firm. The French and Cantonese then united against the common enemy, but suffered a bloody defeat in the first encounter. To avenge them selves on the triumphant Macao-men, the Cantonese portion of the coalition raised a powerful fleet, and engaged a number of Frenchmen, a few English men and Italians, and a couple of Americans, to lead on the assault. Meanwhile, complaints from the discomfited French, were received by the Macao authorities, who forthwith authorized H. I. M. ships-of-war to apprehend the offenders. When, in pursuance of her commission, the Capricieuse came up the river, the massacre of the unfortunate Portuguese had already been, in part, accomplished, by their foreign and native enemies. On that, and the following days, between forty and fifty poor wretches, some of them innocent of any offence, were barbarously murdered; and under circumstances, it must be confessed, little creditable to some of the foreign residents.

"It is owing to the hurricane thus briefly described, that the present calm exists; and it is probable, that, in consequence of the attention which the case has excited, a considerable period of repose will now be enjoyed. Yet similar transactions, to those recited, must recur frequently, so long as Chinese and foreign relations remain on the present basis.

"I have already expressed my conviction, that the