The Amoy Riots of 1852 341
Foreign Ofβice was quick to add if Chinese subjects should, of their own
free will, risk the penalty and embark, without the aid of the Consul or of
the agent, for any place within the British dominions, the Consul was not
bound either to prevent, or even to be ostensibly cognizant of such acts
for it was the duty of the Chinese government to enforce its own laws.^56
This situation had certainly created a difβicult dilemma for John Bowring
to do with the shipment of coolies from ports and places, principally the
opium stations, in which, under Article IV of the Supplementary Treaty,
the British were prohibited from trading. He saw the Treaties as part
and parcel of the law of England. Therefore, it became a matter how far
they might be authorized to allow or sanction the violation of their own
engagements.^57
However, there was not the slightest doubt that, whatever the
rhetorical or moral and legalistic concerns were, when the different
considerations clashed, morals and legality gave way to national interests.
At this point, inconsistencies, double standards and hypocrisy crept into
the actions of the British authorities. The British government and its
ofβicials stationed in China always stood βirm throughout on the question
of protecting their subjects and interests. They were never slow to show
force and use threats to achieve their purposes. Hence their actions
were no longer guided merely by morals and legality. Understandably, in
the eyes of the Chinese ofβicials and the citizens in Amoy, this was clear
evidence that the British authorities were interested only in protecting
their “crooked” coolie traders and the abusive system and showed no
respect for the Chinese laws.
- For the British policy directives as explained above, see FO 228/139, no. 67,
Malmesbury to Bowring, 20.10.1852. For Bowring’s responses, sec FO 228/153,
no. 12, Bowring to Malmesbury, 20.12.1852 and Enclosure in the above, circular
to Her Majesty’s Consuls in China, 16.12.1852. - FO 228/153, no. 13, Bowring to Malmesbury, 24.12.1852.