"In Oct. 1842, meetings were held in this hall, at one of which a public manifesto was issued, here quoted entire as a specimen of the public appeals of Chinese politicians and demagogues. […] 'In 1838, our great emperor having fully learned all the crimes of the English, and the poisonous effects of opium, quickly wished to restore the good condition of the country and compassionate the people. In consequence of the memorial of Hwang Tsionhsz', and in accordance to his request, he specially deputed the public minded, upright, and clearheaded minister Lin Tsehsū, to act as his imperial commissioner with plenipotentiary powers, and go to Canton to examine and regulate. He came and took all the stored up opium and stopped the trade, in order to cleanse the stream and cut off the fountain; kindness was mixed with his severity, and virtue was evident in his laws, yet still the English repented not of their errors, and as the climax of their contumacy called troops to their aid.'"

Samuel Wells Williams, The Middle Kingdom: A Survery of the Geography, Government, Education, Social Life, Arts, Religion, &c., of the Chinese Empire and Its Inhabitants, Vol. 1, 1848, p. 389-390

op. cit., p. 189