Lynchburg Star

The following extract of a letter, alluded to in our last, from Samuel Shaw agent for the owners of the ship Empress, of China (dated 19th May, 1785) was addressed to John Jay, Esq. then in Congress.

The Empress sailed from New York 22d February, 1784. This was the first effort of the citizens of America to establish a direct trade with China.

While we deprecate the execrable perfidy and hypocrisy by which the British supercargo was seized and confined in jail, until the gunner was given up, we cannot but applaud the lively sensibility, the indignation, the firmness with which the Chinese felt and resented their fellow subject slaughtered, and their rights and usages violated and insulted. Although the Chinese in this instance acted under an erroneous impression, they have exhibited a thorough manifestation (their commercial habits and avarice notwithstanding) of temper, firmness, and spirit. The affair happened at Canton.

"On the 25th of November, an English Ship, in saluting some company that had dined on board, killed a Chinese, and wounded two others, in the mandarine's boat alongside.--It is a maxim of the Chinese law, that blood must answer for blood: in pursuance of which, they demanded the unfortunate gunner. To give up the poor man, was to consign him to certain death. Humanity pleaded powerfully against the measure. After repeated conferences between the English and the Chinese, the latter declared themselves satisfied, and the affair was supposed to be entirely settled. Notwithstanding this, on the morning after the last conference (the 27th), the supercargo of the ship was seized while attending his business, thrown into a sedan chair, hurried into the city, and committed to prison.

"Such an outrage on personal liberty spread a general alarm: and the Europeans unanimously agreed to send for their boats, with armed men from their shipping, for the security of themselves and property, until the matter should be brought to a conclusion. The boats accordingly came, and ours among the number; one of which was fired on, and a man wounded. All trade was stopped, and the Chinese men of war drawn up opposite the factories. The Europeans demanded the restoration of Mr. Smith, which the Chinese refused until the gunner should be given up. In the mean time, the troops of the province were collecting in the neighbourhood of Canton--the Chinese servants were ordered by the magistrates to leave the factories-the gates of the suburbs were shut--all intercourse was at an end-- the naval force was increased--many troops were embarked in boats, ready for landing--and every thing wore the appearance of war. To what extremities matters might have been carried, had not a negociation taken place, no one can say. "The Chinese asked a conference with all the nations, except the English. A deputation (in which I was included for America) met the foyen, who is the head magistrate of Canton, with the principal officers of the province. After setting forth by an interpreter, the power of the emperor, and his own determination to support the laws, he demanded that the gunner should be given up, within three days, declaring that he should have an impartial examination before their tribunal, and if it appeared that the affair was accidental, he should be released unhurt. In the mean time, he gave permission for the trade, (excepting that of the English) to go on as usual; and dismissed us with a present of two pieces of silk to each, as a mark of his friendly disposition. The other nations, one after another, sent away their boats, under protection of a Chinese flag, and pursued their business as before. The English were obliged to submit-the gunner was given up--Mr. Smith was released--and the English, after being obliged to ask pardon of the Magistracy of Canton, in the presence of the other nations, had their commerce restored."