1840 (19 Mar) Macao to Chichester, England, J. Silverlock
correspondence The letter referred to the British military
reinforcement during
1840 (19 Mar) Macao to Chichester, England, J. Silverlock
correspondence The letter referred to the British military
reinforcement during the first few months in 1840 right after the
First Battle of Chuenpi in Nov 1839. The letter content stated: “…
we are still quietly residing at this place (Macao), and apparently
shall continue free from Chinese annoyance till the existing
difficulties are settled. By an opium clipper from Calcutta, we
have news from England to the 4th November, but no letters for us,
ours having unfortunately been sent via Bombay – it appears the
Governor General of India is entirely engaged in making
preparations for dispatching a force to China. It is to consist of
three Steamers, and some men of war from the Indian station, also a
military force is now held in readiness at Calcutta for immediate
service. There are all to arrive here in May and we are also told
by some parties that three ships of the line with their attendant
frigates, etc were to be dispatched from England to meet the Indian
force in the China seas.” Subsequent to the above, the British
forces then formally launched strike to the North of the China
after mobilizing its military base in India and Australia completed
in May-June 1840. A good letter to have an account of the state of
military affairs in early 1840. Ex Perical David Collection
1840年3月19日澳門寄英國奇切斯特，J. Silverlock通信，英軍增援動態之記載
此信記述第一次穿鼻海戰（1839年11月）後數月間英軍調兵動向，內容如下：
「……我等現仍安然居留澳門（Macao），中方似暫未滋擾，料此局面將延續至爭端解決。頃接加爾各答鴉片快船來訊，得聞英國本土截至11月4日之消息，然我等信件因誤經孟買轉遞而未能收訖——據悉，印度總督正全力籌備遣軍來華事宜。此批部隊擬包括三艘蒸汽艦、印度駐地數艘戰艦，以及加爾各答整裝待發之陸軍，預計五月悉數抵華。另有消息稱，英國本土將遣三艘戰列艦及隨行護衛艦等，赴中國海域與印度部隊會師。」此後，英軍於1840年5月至6月間完成自印度及澳洲之軍事調動，旋即正式揮師北犯中國。
此信詳實記錄英軍自印度、澳洲調兵之戰前準備。 [拍賣品來源：珀西瓦爾·大維德爵士珍藏]
