Page 413 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

399.

English military victories, local Chinese officials had virtually

no power to interdict the opium trade. Kearny ascertained that

"there is no evidence of either the citizens of the United States,

or their vessels, of being engag-ed in that trade. 11 Apparently
though, some English smugglers still hoisted American colors

14
over their schooners. Whether the clippers belonged to
Americans cannot be determined. Probably both English and Amer­

icans were involved. Nevertheless, Kearny concluded that only

Englishmen ventured in opium. The Chinese authorities agreed

with the Commod.ore and lauded the Americans, who "have acted in

a manner most highly respectful & obedient." Governor-general

Ch'i Kung especially approved the Commodore's notice against
. 15
h
M
t h e opium tra e issue d . in arc . This notice also predis-
d
.
posed Ch'i Kung to a friendlier attitude toward the American
squadron's presence at Whampoa.

Satisfied that he had fulfilled his duties at Whampoa,

in June Kearny ordered the two ships back to Macao. He remained

stationed at that anchorage but made short trips to the ports of

Hong Kong and Manila for observation. While at Hong Kong, the

Commodore received news of the conclusion of a treaty between

the English and Chinese. With the cessation of hostilities, the

major reason for the squadron's voyage to China had evaporated.

Kearny decided to remain, though, until the complete restoration

14
Kearny claimed in this despatch that his notice "has
had the effect of restraining one or two small schooners from
hoisting our colors." Presumably these schooners were English.
"Squadron Letters," East India Squadron; May 11, 1842.
15
Edict of Ch'i Kung, Apr. 15, 1842, in "Squadron Letters,"
East India Squadron, Apr. 8, 1842.