J.W. Norie/J.S. Hobbs.
Three hundred and six illustrations of the maritime flags off all nations. London, 1848.
Three hundred and six illustrations of the maritime flags off all nations. London, 1848.
Thanks to the fact that nowadays more and more books are digitized we are able to read books that are some times for decades no longer available for the public for several reasons. That's quite a pity while these books contains useful information while the archives are destroyed, incomplete or nor accessible.
The French rear admiral Cecile demanded in 1845 Tisu Tri, king of Cochin-China without success to release the rt. Reverend Dr. Le Fevre and at the same time allowing his inhabitants which became Christians more (religious) tolerance. When Cecile returned the bishop had been released by his letter to the king still unanswered. His successor commodore La Pierre sent 10 March [1847] the corvette Victorieuse to Turon asking fro an answer. The corvette arrived there 18 March and was joined by La Pierre 23 March with the frigate La Gloire having departed from Macau 15 March. Still nothing was accomplished and La Pierre decided to act more fiercely to force the acceptation by the Prefect of the letter.
p. 311: “Accordingly the vessels present were put through a number of naval manoeuvres, but this display produced no effect upon the minds of the Cochin-chinese. The Commodore therefore determined upon a more active course; and consequently deprived five Cochin-chinese vessels then in the harbour, and which were of European build, of their sails, so that they might not escape. This was not without effect. On the following day, the 31st March, the Prefect made his appearance, and received with politeness the Commodore and his suite. After some hesitation, he reluctantly consented to receive the letter, seeing that there was no other way of recovering the sails of the five men-of-war, and promised an answer in the course of ten or twelve days. This interval passed without any incident of importance. On the morning of the 12th April an inferior mandarin came on board the La Gloire, and announced that a great mandarin had arrived from the capital with an answer, and invited the Commodore to go on shore and receive it. The Commodore replied that he would not do so having sent his letter by the second in command, he considered it but just that the great mandarin should return the courtesy, and come on board himself with the answer ; at the same time he assured the messenger that the mandarin would be received with every respect. This, however, the Cochin-chinese would not consent to, nor would the Commodore accept of their invitation. On the following day, the 13th April, the Commodore had not yet had an interview with the Prefect, when perceiving that preparations for war were being carried on; as they were sending guns and, ammunition on board the five vessels already named, he sent a boat to intercept the guns, &.C., and in one of the boats intercepted, a letter was found contained in a small box, which was brought to the
p. 312: Commodore.” This letter was dealing with an attack planning to drive the French out of the country. “The Commodore caused an authentic copy of this paper to be made, and sent it to the prefect, demanding an explanation. But no satisfactory answer was returned. Things remained in this position each party preparing for war, when on the morning of the 15th, the French were reduced to the following alternatives; either to fly shamefully, permit themselves to be surrounded by the whole force of the enemy, or to begin the attack when they could do so advantageously. They of course chose the last. Consequently a fire was opened on the Cochin-chinese, between the hours of II and 12 A. M. They were well prepared to return the compliment, which they did in a manner that exceeded the expectations of the French- -but as may be anticipated this availed them nothing; for in the brief period of 70 minutes, no less than 800 balls had been discharged from the two French men-of-war. Out of the five Cochin-chinese men-of-war, one was sunk, another blown up, and a third burnt during the engagement; the remaining two having hoisted a flag of truce, the French men-of-war ceased firing. They went on board, took the wounded on board their own vessels, and after humanely dressing their wounds sent them on shore! The two remaining Cochin-chinese frigates were afterwards burnt. According to the accounts given by the wounded men, there were from 1300 to 1500 hands on board the Cochih-chinese frigates, out of which number the few wounded men who had been taken on
p. 313: board the French men-of-war, to be dressed, were all that survived the action. For although the Cochin-chinese attempted to escape on shore, yet they could not effect it; and many of them were killed by the fire from their own Ports in the attempt, as retreat was forbidden. On the part of the French one man only died of his wounds; and another was slightly wounded. So much for the Cochin-chinese knowledge of the art of gunnery. The remainder of the day was spent in viewing the burning of the Cochin-chinese vessels. “
Source
The Chinese Repository ,volume 16 January-December 1847.
