Page 453 - Merchants and Mandarins China Trade Era

439.

erupted in the area of the Foreign Factories. Incited by Com­

missioner Lin Tse-hsu's suppression of the opium trade, the

Cantonese did not distinguish between Americans and Englishmen.

The Opium War further catalyzed and strengthened anti-foreign

feelings in the Chinese. During the War the Cantonese directed

these feelings basically at the English. When hostilities

ceased, Cantonese anti-foreignism did not abate. In 1842-44,

several outbursts against foreigners involved Americans as well
, 82
as Englishmen. One of these occurred in May 1 844, while

Cushing resided at Macao. This incident centered on a new

flagstaff, which Cushing had carried to China for the American

consulate at Canton. On top, the flagstaff had "a glittering

arrow whose erratic �ovements the Chinamens isii} superstition

construed into some thing portentious of evil, and they wanted

it down." At the request of several Chinese merchants, Consul

Forbes agreed to remove the vane. But while several Americans

proceeded to do so, a mob attacked the group and attempted to

seize the flagstaff. Very quickly other Americans appeared with

muskets. Subsequently, according to Forbes, "the mob discharged

a volley of stones, when contrary to my orders several muskets

were discharged." The Americans feared that the mob would ran­

sack the Factories if not stopped. Finally, "Mandarins with 200

83
soldiers arrived and restored tranquillity.11

82
correspondence in 1843 between Consul Forbes and Gov­
ernor Ch'i Kung concerning disturbances between Cantonese and
foreigners is in Consular Despatches: Canton, P.S. Forbes, Dec.
2, 1843.

83
Letter, P.S. Forbes to J.M. Forbes, May 17, 1844,
Forbes MSS.