“The undersigned, therefore, on behalf of the Government of the United States, on the part of humanity, and (reverently) in the name of God, protests against this most barbarous deed; and as on former occasions when protesting against the offering of pecuniary rewards to perfidy and assassination of foreigners, must hold the imperial government of China responsible for all the consequences, both to individual and national interests. “His Excellency Yeh.” “PETER PARKER.” [17] One man appeared during the Canton conflict who is entitled to be mentioned with respect and honour--Wang, the Chinese admiral. He was well acquainted with the power of the British; and on one occasion had given evidence of great coolness and courage when accompanying H.M.S. _Columbine_ on an expedition against the pirates. He did his best to persuade Yeh from engaging in a quarrel which could not but be disastrous to the Chinese, but he failed, as everybody failed. “You may as well reason with a stone,” was the language of a deputation that sought the British officials. Wang received peremptory orders from Yeh to attack and destroy the British fleet in the Canton river. He answered that it was impossible: that an encounter must be fatal to the imperial war junks. The orders were renewed; and he said he would do his best--as he did in the affair at Fashan, when considerable damage was done to our boats, and many of our men lost their lives. Wang’s junk was captured; and the imperial warrant, on yellow silk, was found, recording a series of adventurous and valorous deeds; but Wang was ordered to be decapitated by Yeh, because he had not beaten the British. He fled, and was concealed for some time in a village on the banks of the river. He applied to the Governor of Hong Kong, asking to be allowed an asylum there, which was cordially offered; but severe illness prevented his removal. Yeh afterwards repented of his precipitation; recalled Wang to the public service; who stipulated that he should not be employed against Western nations. [18] The influence of Yeh at Peking was considerably strengthened by the support he received from Iliang, who obtained the credit of persuading the United States Commissioner, Mr. Marshall, not to proceed to the capital. Iliang, in one of his despatches to the emperor, says: “Whatever the barbarian chief may insinuate against Yeh-ming-chen, it is he whom they fear.”--_Elgin Papers_, p. 280. [19] When in the former war Commissioner Keshen humbly represented to the emperor Taou-Kwang, that it was impossible to resist the English, he was ordered to be executed for his mendacity. His life was saved by powerful friends at court.