| Although
the Chinese had grown poppies for hundreds of years, it
was used only for medicinal purposes until the 1700s and
1800s. With readily available supplies, more and more Chinese
became addicted to opium. The disintegrating effects of
the drug on Chinese society were felt more and more. The
Chinese law prohibited the import and trade in opium, but
they were unable to stop the smuggling of the opium traders.
The emperor ordered a firm stand against the British smuggling.
Commissioner Lin appealed to Queen Victoria, stating the
Chinese case.
"We
have heard that in your own country opium is prohibited
with the utmost strictness and severity:---this is a strong
proof that you know full well how hurtful it is to mankind.
Since then you do not permit it to injure your own country,
you ought not to have the injurious drug transferred to
another country, and above all others, how much less to
the Inner Land! Of the products which China exports to
your foreign countries, there is not one which is not
beneficial to mankind in some shape or other. There are
those which serve for food, those which are useful, and
those which are calculated for re-sale; but all are beneficial.
Has China (we should like to ask) ever yet sent forth
a noxious article from its soil?"
There
was no British response. Commissioner Lin ordered the destruction
of British supplies of opium illegally stored in China.
The British responded by sending warships to China, beginning
the opium wars.
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