HMS ANDROMACHE

[38-gun frigate]

1834

James was appointed surgeon of the Andromache in Sept 1833. On February 7th, 1834 the Andromache sailed from Plymouth for the East Indies Station. Her voyage took her first to Funchal in the Madeira Islands and then south westwards to Rio de Janeiro. She left Rio on April 12th, and after a short stay at Simons Town in early May, she passed through the Sunda Straits between Sumatra and Java in mid June and arrived in Macao on the 15th July. The passage from Plymouth to South China, a distance of about 15,000 miles had taken about 140 days.

When she sailed from England the Andromache had an important passenger on board. This passenger, Lord Napier, was travelling out to China to take up his post as first Chief Superintendent of Trade at the port of Canton. He was accompanied by his wife and two daughters.

Until 1833, nearly all British trade with China was conducted by the East India Company. Since 1757 all foreign trade had been restricted to the port of Canton, and the activities of the foreign traders were restricted to the factory area which lay outside the old city. The factories, consisting of the homes, offices and warehouses of the foreign merchants, were closely regulated by the Chinese authorities. For instance there was a fixed trading season of six months and no European women were allowed to visit them at any time. The wives and families of the merchants were expected to live at Macao, the Portuguese enclave 70 miles to the south.

In 1833 legislation had been passed that opened the Chinese market to all traders and replaced the monopoly of the East India Company with arrangements that were under the general control of the British Government. The appointment of Lord Napier was the direct result of these changes and the opening phase of a twenty five year struggle, first by Britain, and later other Western Powers, including the United States, to open up China to their ideas and their trade.

By chance James was present at this opening phase. Twenty five years later his son, William as Captain of the Calcutta Flag Captain to Admiral Sir Michael Seymour, took an active part in the final phases of this long struggle.

Due to poor preparation and lack of understanding of Chinese sensibilities, customs and laws, the Napier mission was not a success. Lu Kun, the Viceroy, or Governor General, at Canton refused to receive Napier as an equal. He also told Napier he could not remain permanently at the Factory at Canton and must return to Macao until further instructions were received from the Emperor in Peking. Throughout August Napier ignored Lu's orders to leave Canton and encouraged by some belligerent merchants his mind turned to the use of force.

The crisis came to a head on Sept 2nd. Lu banned all trade with the British and withdrew all Chinese labour from the British factory.

James' diaries describe some of the Chinese reactions during this period.

He wrote: 'The Chinese cannot comprehend the matters of trade being superintended by a Government officer, as it is at variance with their notions of rank for a man of power and dignity to have any concern with trade.'

The Chinese considered that the noble Lord ... 'was rash and ignorant of the principles of dignity, perverse and disobedient to the laws of the Celestial Empire and obstinate, unyielding, wilful, inadequately honouring and magnifying himself also Squatting himself down in the barbarian factories till a Stop had to be put to the said nation's trade.' They blockaded him in his own house and took his servants as prisoners.

The following is one of the posters that was displayed on the wall of Canton. 'A lawless foreign Slave, Napier, has issued a notice. We know not how such a Dog Barbarian of an outside Nation as you, can have the audacious presumption to call yourself Superintendent. Being an outside savage Superintendent, your person, in an official situation, you should have some little knowledge of propriety and law. You have passed over 10,000 miles in order to seek a livelihood. You have come to our Celestial Empire to trade and control affairs, how can you control affairs, when you Cannot obey the regulations of the Empire well. You audaciously presume to break the barrier passes - going out and in at your pleasure. A great infringement of the Rules and Prohibitions. According to the Jaws of the Nation the Royal Warrant should be respectfully requested to behead and openly expose (your head) to the multitude, as a terror to perverse dispositions.'

In early September Napier, no doubt pained by these unfriendly remarks, decided that a show of force was called for. He ordered the frigates _Andromache and Imogene to force the passage of the Canton river and anchor at Whampao, 5 miles downstream from the factories._

James describes this operation in a letter he wrote to his son William several months later.

[LETTER TO WILLIAM]

HMS Andromache. Madras Dec 13, 1834

We had a brush in China, in September; we were the aggressors, contrary to the Laws of the Chinese. Imogene and we passed up a river guarded by 5 forts, mounting 130 guns; if Europeans had been opposed to us, we should have been demolished, as it fell nearly calm and the winds light and contrary, when we lay with our Stern only 400 yards from a 40-gun battery, our Bow exposed to another, and one abreast of us. We had four guns run out forward, and 5 astern; and were obliged to fire all these at the same time with our broadside, and thus we made the Chinese run from their guns into caves built in the forts. On our first day's action we fired an hour and a half - on the second day we silenced a large fort in a quarter of an hour, as we had a breeze. Several shot struck us. One 9-pounder killed a boat-swain's mate on the main deck - he was shot through the heart and bowels ; four men wounded ; the Imogene had 1 man killed, the captain of the forecastle, who had the top of his head shot off; 3 wounded. We killed about 100 of the Chinese and much damaged the forts. But our exploit did no good, for the Chinese would not allow Lord Napier to violate their regulations: and they kept him prisoner at Canton till he had promised that our Ships should leave Canton River. In the meantime they stopped all supplies - cut off all communication between him and us - blocked the river - surrounded us by troops, and prepared fire rafts to burn us - We were obliged to row guard all night. Thus we were compelled to retreat - and Napier took ill, and died and we left China without having done any good. Our Captain thinks we shall have war with China, not I, - we can do them no harm - they are so numerous, and so poor. The Rapid would destroy all their fleets as their men-of-war only carry 4 or 6 guns. The Melville will leave Bombay as soon as Admiral Capel comes, and by her our late first Lieut. Hill will take letters for your Mother, and also some parcels for her, Captain King, and Sir Theophilus Lee: as I was ill nearly all the time in China, I did not go on shore, which prevented me buying any suitable presents for you.

Lu was unimpressed by this 'show of force' and refused to lift his embargo on British trade. On the 26th September, Napier, worn out by illness decided to return to Macao. He ordered the frigates to leave the Canton river and retire to Lintin Island some 15 miles north east of Macao. On the 12th of October Napier died from malaria. He was succeeded by his deputy, John Davis, who had been brought up on the cautious traditions of the East India Company and followed a less confrontational policy and for the next few years relative peace returned to the area.

On October 16th Andromache left for the Indian sub continent and after visiting Singapore and Madras arrived at Trincomalee where she spent Christmas and most of January.

1835

On the 22nd January Andromache sailed from Trincomalee. A fortnight later she arrived at Bombay for a 3 month visit. This was to be an important period in James' life. He met his eldest son James Frederick for the first time in about 8 years. He had last seen him in Bermuda in about 1827 and the reader can learn what he had been up to since then in [PAGE2210]

When they met in 1835 James Snr must have been pleased at th extent to which his son's career had prospered. From being a private in the army he was now an Assistant Conductor of Ordnance, a position that lay somewhere between that of a senior NCO and a junior officer. He was also a respectably married man and the father of a one year old son, James Clifford, with another child on the way. He could not know that within two years his son would be dead or of the tragedy that lay ahead. The future story of the Hall family in India will be told in [PAGE5110]

After leaving Bombay in late April Andromache cruised down the W coast of India visiting Mangalore and Cochin before setting off for the South Indian Ocean in June.

MAURITIUS

July 19th.

A vessel has arrived from France bringing intelligence of a change of Ministry in England. This day I have dined with a brother Officer, Mr. A. Montgomery, who entertained me with great hospitality; he was unknown to me, but well acquainted with my name and character, as he pleased to term it, as standing high, and introduced himself to me sans ceremonie.

The more effectually to mask our steps, on quitting Port Louis we directed our course to the Eastward, as if really steering to go to Rodriguez; but as soon as the distance from the Port, and the approach of evening rendered our movements not seen from the Island, we altered our course, and steered to the Westward. The queen [of Madagascar] has 3 armies in the field; they are acting in different and opposite parts of this large Island in endeavours to reduce again under authority, Chiefs, who in her husband's reign were in nominal subjection. Since his death they will not render any submission to her. Various distinct tribes of people occupy this country; those named Hovas have this Queen at their head and are the principal nation. They are war-like and numerous. A singular custom prevails here Her Majesty when she goes abroad is carried upon a man's back! The people generally wear little or no clothing.

July 30th

At an early hour we saw the French Island of Bourbon, and in order to conceal from it any knowledge of us, our Ship is disguised and all her after sails, and fore royal, are kept furled, which gives us the look of a Merchant Vessel.

MADAGASCAR

Madagascar came under British influence in 1817 and a treaty was concluded between the British Agent and the Hova tribe. James, in giving details of this treaty, mentions that Radema the king was to receive annually with other presents. 'A full-dress-coat and General's hat and boots complete.' He continues to say that,'The King, pursuing his wars, fell victim to over-exertion.'__ His eleventh wife, Ranavalona, came to the throne. She was a lady of strong passions. In order to revive the declining slave trade, she decided to exterminate all Christian converts in the Island and to expel the missionaries. After she had come to this decision 'a profound silence reigned throughout the Court . . . and amusements were stopped for a fortnight. No doubt the Queen felt that she was about to provide sufficient excitement for her Court, for by 1835, when James visited the Island, the native Christians killed amounted to about one hundred thousand. The missionaries had left, with the exception of one who had laid aside his religious functions and was therefore permitted to remain.

August 8th

In the afternoon we saw a brig, and making sail towards her under disguise, we boarded her at Sunset. She is a brig belonging to Mauritius, to which Port she is bound, having rice on board from Port Augustine. By her we are informed that the Slave Vessel which we have hoped to surprise, sailed some days since. The Queen of the Hovas has an army of 5,000 men at Port Augustine, which part of the Island she has subdued. The inhabitants have fled to an adjacent small Island for the preservation of their persons, as the Hovas make their prisoners Slaves. This Southern part of Madagascar has always been that which was friendly to us. The queen being averse to have any intercourse with us, we have the political task now to perform of acquiring an influence over her, for the benefit of Mauritius, which depends on Madagascar for its supply of horned Cattle.

August 11th

The Chief of this part of the Island, Prince William, with his family, and numerous others forming a motley group of nearly naked persons, have come on board to pay their respects, and receive presents of a few yards of coarse cottons, beads, knives, looking-glasses, &c., customarily given to them, in order to maintain an amicable inter course, and procure supplies for our shipping. These people are of the stature of Europeans, well proportioned; the face partakes a little of the Negro, or African caste. The hair is long and made entirely into small, short, plaited ropes, which hang down over the forehead, ears and neck; each rope is formed into a ball at its end, and the hair is well covered with grease. A dirty, coarse cloth of cotton thrown over one shoulder, covers the principal part of the body, a coarser piece of linen or cotton is passed around the Waist. The Men are armed with Musket and Spear; the females wear glass bead necklaces, and Prince William's Wife has a gold ring on each of the three first fingers of her left hand; she has lost the sight of one eye.

They are dirty, stinking people; their language is not difficult to pronounce; many of them speak English. We are told that the Hovas (termed by the people of this place, Pirates) not having boats, were unable to cross a river; and having had orders to return to their Capital by a certain time, so as to avoid sickly or rainy season, are now retreating. It is said that they ate the children they took prisoners. This is probable, for Armies of Savages make little arrangement for supplies of food on their March.

August 22nd

Early this morning two Captains came on board with a guard of soldiers. These Officers were blacks, who have been in the Navy as common Sailors; they were dressed as Europeans; one having a blue frock with gold epaulettes and crimson Sash, shoe strings of twine, and an old black hat; the other, a jacket of blue cloth, covered with coarse gold lace. The Guard consisted of 8 men, having a large cotton Cloth thrown loosely from one shoulder over the otherwise naked body, a straw hat, and each armed with a Spear; these men had the manners of troops under discipline. The Officers breakfasted with our Captain.

August 23rd

Today one of the Secretaries, and 7 Military Officers of various ranks from General to Captain, came on board with a Guard, and dined with the Captain; being myself invited I had an opportunity of observing them. They were dressed as Europeans, some in uniforms of different kinds, second hand dressed purchased at Mauritius; others plain habits. The Cabinet Secretary has a Naval Lieutenant's full dress coat, with Military Epaulettes, gold laced trousers - hat cocked, with feathers. One, a Lt. Colonel, had a Scarlet stuff coat; he was a private, and by his bravery in defeating a party of French, received promotion. A few only spoke broken English. The party seemed to be very cheerful; they quitted us in good humour; - a Salute was fired on their coming on board.

August 24th .

After breakfast, the three Cabinet Ministers with other General Officers came on board; and various matters were discussed privately between them, and Captain Chads and Robe. I understand that the Ministers intimated that one cause of the Missionaries having been sent away was, that the Queen considered that their teaching "tended to make the rising generation neglect or despise the tombs of their forefathers." Perhaps the superstitious and old usages of the people have been injudiciously, or untimely attacked by the unwise teachers of the Gospel. This has been the fault of many zealous but indiscreet Missionaries in several parts of the world.

By invitation from the Governor, Captain Chads and Robe, with a large party of Officers dined at the Fort. As soon as we landed, we found a guard of 24 men drawn up on the Beach. Preceded by this Guard, with a Drum beating we all marched up a hill.

The fort is a large irregularly built place, having an outer dry ditch, and two Walls, composed of Mud and stones - at the inner gate we entered a large Square Yard, containing the rooms of the Governor and Officers. Here we found a strong Guard drawn up on the right hand and left. Drums were beaten and arms presented. The troops were in number about 80; all blacks, well made; naked, except a large cotton cloth passed around the waist; - what is not usual, I observed that these men had no covering to the head. Each soldier carried a Musket with bayonet fixed, and a Spear. They marched, and performed a few drill movements in good style. On entering the Dining-Hall, a large lofty room of wood, without any ornaments, and with small windows, we found a large table laid out, covered by a clean cotton Cloth, plates, knives and forks of various common sorts, a small tumbler on each plate, with a long piece of Calico, made into the form of an open fan, in each tumbler, as a Napkin; pewter spoons, several pairs of plain glass decanters containing water and common white wine; a few plain earthenware Salts. At about 2 o'clock we sat down to dinner. The Governor, a Stout made black, dressed in a blue coat, with a pair of large gold Epaulettes, sat at the head; on his right Capt. Chads, next two young dandies, General Officers, and Secretaries to the Queen. They were dressed in blue-braided Military great coats, gold Epaulettes, gold laced trousers and white shirts. These men were highly polished, and courtly in their manners They are the Queen's favourites, and share in turn with others, the honours of the Royal arms. I may as well here state that Her Majesty is 42 years old, and is marked with small pox; and that a Son now about 7 years old was born some months after King Radama's (her late husband) death. On the left of the Governor sat the 3rd Secretary, dressed in a splendid uniform of an English Staff Officer. He was one of the youths whom we received on board one of our Ships of War.

About 30 Sat down at dinner - this consisted of Soup, Beef, Game, Poultry, Curry, Plum Pudding (or an attempted one, for instead of plums, dates were substituted), Rice badly boiled, Spinach in a large tureen, swimming in the Water in which it had been boiled. The dinner was served up in a succession of about 6 courses; the meats were tender and well cooked; Soup was very rich and greasy. Toasts were drunk; the one to the Queen and King William was drunk, standing, with 4 cheers. Tea was then served up with boiled milk, and at 5 o'clock we all retired, well pleased with the attentions we had received.

The Secretaries of State have insisted on our receiving 6 bullocks, Vegetables, &c. as a present from Her Majesty. We shall send return presents from the Mauritius, having now obtained supplies; opened a communication with the Madagascar Government and shown as well our desire to form a new treaty, as our intention and capability is to prevent the carrying away of Slaves from this Island by Europeans.

August 26th

At daybreak we got under weigh.

MAURITIUS

James was invalided home from the Andromache.

October 21st

This disturbance of health depresses my Spirits. I fear that an ardent study, daily pursued, likewise injures my health; but alas! my present and only solace is in my studying professional and other works in literature and languages, - but 'study is a weariness of the flesh'.

November 3rd

Through the kind exertions of my worthy Captain, a Gentleman, Monsr. Tirvoninty, a Hindoo, and a very wealthy planter, is to-day to take me with him to his residence, Bon Espoir, distant 12 miles from Port Louis, for the benefit of my health.

November 10th

I have returned from the Country, my health only a little improved. The Captain kindly receives me, writes me a most friendly letter expressing his esteem and accompanies it with a Gold Snuffbox as a memorial.

I find that during my absence he has placed me on the allowance granted to Officers at Sick quarters, which is a very benevolent act, as it makes my daily pay £1 14s.

To-day I have engaged a passage to England by the Ship Elizabeth of Bristol, for which I am to pay £70 [?]. She is lading with sugar, and expects to be ready on the 25th.

November 13th

Finished packing my luggage, which has given me much fatigue. My messmates all very kind. Informed by the Master-at-Arms that "every man and boy on board is sorry I am going to leave the Ship". Two of my messmates having fallen in love with 2 young Ladies, one Miss Ann Royer, aged 15, daughter of Lieut. Royer, R.N. and the other Mademoiselle Marigny, they have made proposals of marriage. Captain Chads (and every person) thinking the business rash and only the consequence of a momentary folly of passion, has endeavoured to represent it as such to the young men and to the parents of the Ladies, and in order to interrupt the intimacy between the parties, he has put to Sea to remain off the Island till the 23rd, when he will return in order to get me surveyed. Judge Blackburn wishes me to remain here; and return to England with him and family in the Spring.

MAURITIUS TO ENGLAND

December 20th

We have the pleasure of now being on our way to the Island of St. Helena, having a fair wind and fine weather. During the last week we had much unpleasant weather; for as soon as we approached to within 500 miles of the Cape of Good Hope, the wind came contrary being West, and for several days remained adverse to us; at the same time the Sea was high, and much trouble was caused to the Ship.

We escaped all dangers and yesterday, having the aid of a Southerly Wind, we saw the Cape of Good Hope. In the course of the afternoon we passed this redoubtable Cape, within 10 miles of the land, and we felicitated ourselves on having passed this ever important part of the voyage to all Mariners, from the East Indies to Europe. Let us see what strange news is to come, as a vessel is standing towards us.

1836

January 1st

Merciful Father. I arise from my bed this morning with joy and thankfulness of heart at beholding this opening of a new year.