Question

Use the passage below to answer the following question: Suppose the subject of another country were to come to England to trade, he would certainly be required to comply with the laws of England, then how much more does this apply to us of the celestial empire! Now it is a fixed statute of this empire, that any native Chinese who sells opium is punishable with death, and even he who merely smokes it, must not less die. Pause and reflect for a moment: if you foreigners did not bring the opium hither, where should our Chinese people get it to re-sell? It is you foreigners who involve our simple natives in the pit of death, and are they alone to be permitted to escape alive?—Modern History Sourcebook Based on the passage, what is Commissioner Lin's major goal?

Answer 1

The main objective of the commissioner is to get the foreigners to stop selling opium to the Chinese. We learn this in the passage. The commissioner begins by explaining what the punishment is for Chinese people who find themselves involved in the opium trade. However, he then states that he believes foreigners are as much to blame for the trade, because they are the ones bringing it into the country. The commissioner wants the foreigners to reflect on this and change their ways, or face the legal consequences.

Answer 2

Get the forigeners to stop selling opium to the Chinese.