Page 272 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

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only when the situation warranted his presence. He quietly and

methodically improved his relations with the Chinese, but, in

overseeing British trade, he faced problems. Unlike the Amer­

ican situation, the opium trade had become so intertwined with

regular English trade that the two no longer could be separated.

This in itself did not bother Elliot but the expanding British

smuggling trade up the Pearl River did. He strongly opposed

this part of the trade, especially since it threatened the

advances he was making in his relations with Chinese authori­

ties. Although Elliot had attempted to end the use of English

boats for smuggling, he had not been successful. He neverthe­
less remained a defender of the British community and its

right to be governed only by English law. As soon as he heard

of Lin Tse-hsu's edict demanding surrender of all opium and ad­

herence to the bond, Elliot hurried up to Canton from Macao.

Risking his life to make the trip, he arrived at the Foreign

Factories just as the crisis over Dent was at its peak. The

Superintendent immediately raised the English flag and offered

its protection to Dent. No soldiers had accompanied Elliot

but his presence gave the residents moral support.

When the Commissioner heard of Elliot's arrival at the

Factories, he first feared the Superintendent came to aid Dent's

escape. He immediately ordered all Chinese servants and

coolies to leave the Factories, after which he clamped a guard

around the area. On the river, Chinese drew up boats to block

any exit from the Factories. Thus the foreigners were cut off

from Canton and from Whampoa. The foreigners were aware that