The line of policy inculcated upon Lord Napier was, in fact, scrupulously followed after his death, notably by Captain Charles Elliot, the third in succession, who received the King's commission in 1836. That officer indeed went far beyond his instructions in his efforts to conciliate the Chinese; for though repeatedly ordered by Lord Palmerston to communicate with the authorities direct, and not through the Hong merchants;[3] and not to head his communications with the word "petition"; and notwithstanding his own reiterated opinion in the same sense, Captain Elliot entirely yielded to the Chinese pretensions. He communicated through the Hong merchants, and explicitly received the "commands" of the authorities with "reverence." As was natural, the more he conceded the more was exacted from him, until conciliation reached the point of exhaustion and there was nothing left to give up. Matters had nearly reached this stage when the British envoy could thus address the Governor of Canton (through the Hong merchants) in 1837: "The undersigned respectfully assures his Excellency that it is at once his duty and his anxious desire to conform in all things to the imperial pleasure." The result of this extreme humility was that Captain Elliot was forced to strike his flag at Canton and withdraw to the Portuguese settlement of Macao, on the ground that he was unable to maintain intercourse with the authorities on the conditions prescribed for him by her Majesty's Government. [Illustration] FOOTNOTE: [3] These were a syndicate appointed by the Chinese Government to conduct the foreign trade and be responsible to the Government for the proceedings of the foreign merchants. CHAPTER III. ANTECEDENTS OF THE WAR. I. THE OPIUM TRADE. Its increase caused alarm to Chinese Government by throwing the balance of trade against China -- English manufacturers deplored the same fact -- Drain of silver -- Government opposition to the importation of opium -- Official participation in the trade -- The reign of sham -- Illustrated by Mr Hunter -- Captain Elliot volunteers to prevent smuggling -- Rebuffed by Canton authorities -- The principal patrons of the opium trade -- Imperial Government and the opium traffic -- Proposals to legalise it -- The Empress -- Commissioner Lin appointed to suppress trade -- His uncompromising proceedings at Canton -- Imprisonment of the foreign merchants, and of the British envoy -- Surrender of opium by Captain Elliot.