William Hall - Narrative of the Voyages and Services of the Nemesis from 1840 to 1843

"I remain, Sir, &c., &c.,

"Henry C. Arc Angelo.

"Supercargo of the late Ghuznee of Bombay.

" Nos Beh, Madagascar ,

" Oct. 6th, 1843. "

The account given in the above letter is partly borne out by the following announcement, which appeared in the Moniteur , the French official newspaper, in March, 1844; the substance of it is here copied from The Times of the 14th March, and there can be little doubt concerning the object of the French in taking the active step alluded to. We must hope, therefore, that our interests in that quarter will be properly watched, particularly when we remember what serious injury would be inflicted upon the whole of our Eastern trade, in case of war, by the establishment of the French in good harbours to the eastward of the Cape. The announcement is as follows: – "Captain Des Fossés has been appointed Commander of the station at Madagascar, and Bourbon, which was hitherto placed under the orders of the Governor of Bourbon. This station now acquires a greater degree of importance. Captain Des Fossés having under his orders five or six ships of war, will exhibit our flag along the whole coast of Africa , and in the Arabian Seas. He will endeavour to extend our relations with Abyssinia , and our influence in Madagascar ."

Captain Hall of the Nemesis was at that time serving as midshipman under Capt. Basil Hall.

See map.

Some of the sailors of the Topaze were attacked and wounded on shore by the Chinese; and, in the scuffle, two Chinamen were killed. Remonstrances followed on both sides; and at length the Chinese demanded that two Englishmen should be delivered up to them for punishment. This was refused, as might be expected; upon which the Chinese authorities stopped the trade, and the fleet of merchant ships withdrew from Whampoa, and came to anchor in Tongkoo roads, henceforth called Urmston's Bay or Harbour.

LIST OF NAVAL FORCES BELONGING TO H. B. MAJESTY IN CHINA, IN JULY AND AUGUST, 1840.

Melville, 74, flag-ship, Rear-Admiral the Hon. George Elliot, C.B.; Captain the Hon. R. S. Dundas.

Wellesley, 74, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore Sir J. J. Gordon Bremer, C.B.; Captain Thomas Maitland.

Blenheim, 74, Sir H. S. Fleming Senhouse, K.C.B.

Druid, 44, Capt. Smith.

Blonde, 44, Capt. F. Bourchier.

Volage, 28, Capt. G. Elliot.

Conway, 28, Capt. C. D. Bethune.

Alligator, 28, Capt. H. Kuper.

Larne, 20, Capt. J. P. Blake.

Hyacinth, 20, Capt. W. Warren.

Modeste, 20, Capt. H. Eyres.

Pylades, 20, Capt. T. V. Anson.

Nimrod, 20, Capt. C. A. Barlow.

Cruiser, 18, Capt. H. W. Giffard.

Columbine, 18, Capt. T. J. Clarke.

Algerine, 10, Capt. T. S. Mason.

Rattlesnake, troop-ship, Brodie.

Hon. Company's armed Steamers.

Queen, Mr. Warden.

Madagascar, Mr. Dicey.

Atalanta, Commander Rogers.

Enterprise, Mr. West.

She was afterwards accidentally destroyed by fire.

See map.