The treaty involved a clause that
Bushire was to be occupied by the British until all the concessions made
to the English government were practically carried out. In virtue of
this arrangement General Havelock remained at Bushire, with a garrison,
until May, 1857, when he proceeded thence to perform in India the
glorious exploits which terminated his illustrious career. General
Outram and the main body of the expeditionary army sailed for India in
May, 1856.
WAR WITH CHINA.
The year 1856 was fruitful in events in Asia interesting and important
to Great Britain. Among these was the breaking out of another war with
China. The origin of the war may be thus briefly stated. A small vessel,
called a lorcha, was the property of a British subject, resident at
Hong-Kong. It was boarded, while carrying the British flag, by the
Chinese authorities, who alleged they were in search of a pirate among
the crew. The whole crew were arrested, chained, and carried away
prisoners. This was in contravention of the existing treaty with China.
The English consul demanded that the captured persons should be returned
to the lorcha, and that their investigation should be made according
to the treaty. Governor Yeh not only refused to do this, but did so in
terms insolent, and almost menacing. The consul at Canton reported the
case to the governor of Hong-Kong, Sir John Bowring. The reclamations
of that functionary were treated as disdainfully as those of the consul,
and it became necessary, as a last resort, to appeal to arms.
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