1859 (11 Apr) Canton to Aberdeen – a very important letter
depicting the military and political matters at the height of the
Second Opium
1859 (11 Apr) Canton to Aberdeen – a very important letter
depicting the military and political matters at the height of the
Second Opium War in 1859 This is a remarkable letter dated 11 April
1859 from British-occupied Canton (Second Opium War period),
referencing General Sir Charles van Straubenzee’s departure, the
delayed arrival of Lord Elgin, and the continued military presence
pending treaty enforcement. The writer notes Sir John Bowring
(Governor of Hong Kong 4/1854 – 9/1859), his final appearances
before his return to England, anticipated troop medals, and
transitions in senior medical command. Rich firsthand detail on
British military administration, diplomacy, and cantonment life
during the fragile ceasefire following the Treaty of Tientsin. This
letter vividly captures the transitional period of April 1859, when
diplomatic uncertainty (due to Lord Elgin’s delay), the fragility
of peace, and personnel shifts (e.g., Sir John Bowring’s illness
and farewell) marked the tense lull between military campaigns. The
writer’s presence at military and social functions also highlights
the intertwined lives of civilian and military figures during
British occupation. “……General (Charles) Straubenzee has taken
leave of us at Canton & gone to Hong Kong – having left this a few
days ago with Lady Straubenzee & all his baggage. But his Staff
Officers are still here and the Miltd [military detachment] remain
at Hong Kong until his successor arrives – and then take … runs up
there per steamer occasionally. The new Plenipotentiary (Lord
Elgin) has not yet arrived, and until he comes nothing can be
decided about any of the troops leaving China. Mr. Porter still
acts at Stanley and has not sufficient men to take care of now. He
is desirous of obtaining leave to pay a visit to Shanghai, to
arrange, I believe, his late mother’s affairs — a sorrowful duty.
Sir John Bowring, Governor of Hong Kong, was here last week. He
remains several days. He has had a severe attack of illness and
goes home soon. He was in church on Sunday next to address the
regiment of the 70th Regiment, and dined at their mess afterwards
with the General and a large party …… I am glad to hear a report
just now by the mail that a medal is to be granted for the recent
military operations in this country. Whether the 65th (Regiment)
will be entitled to it or not, I cannot yet say. I hope we may be
removed home some months before the treaty was expired. I have done
some good service……”
此信件寫於1859年4月11日,地點為英軍佔領下的廣州,內容細緻記錄了第二次鴉片戰爭中一段外交未決、軍事過渡、指揮更替的關鍵時期。信中提及**英軍總司令查爾斯·范·斯特勞本齊將軍(Sir
Charles van
Straubenzee)**離開廣州前往香港,並帶同夫人與行李一併離營;而其副官與駐軍仍留守等待繼任指揮官到任。與此同時,**新任欽差大臣額爾金勳爵(Lord
Elgin)**尚未抵華,導致駐軍是否撤離仍無定論,凸顯《天津條約》簽訂後實施上的不確定性。 信中還詳述香港總督寶寧爵士(Sir
John
Bowring)重病在身,並將離任返英的消息,記錄他於教堂主持軍禮並參與第70步兵團軍官晚宴的最後公開活動,見證軍政人員間密切的社交與軍事生活交織。此外,信中亦提到近期英軍行動將可能頒授勳章,並表達希望在條約失效前得以退役返鄉的願望,流露出駐軍士兵對戰事結束的期待與疲憊。
本信可謂一手記錄第二次鴉片戰爭中條約未落實前、和平脆弱維持期間的權力過渡與軍事部署,具高度軍事與外交史價值,是研究英軍佔領廣州時期最生動的見證之一。