Expedition to Canton

Expedition to Canton
	; British troops awaiting the arrival of Commissioner Keying at the British Factory in Canton
Date	2–3 April 1847
Location	Pearl River, Guangdong, China23°6′34.6″N 113°19′58″E
Result	British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom British East India Company;	Qing China
Commanders and leaders
John Davis; George D'Aguilar	Keying
Strength
966 troops; 6 ships	Unknown
Casualties and losses
No casualties	No casualties; 879 guns captured

The Expedition to Canton was a British punitive expedition that captured the forts along the Pearl River, Guangdong province, China, on 2–3 April 1847. Beginning at the Humen Strait (Bogue), the British captured the forts leading up to the city of Canton (Guangzhou). The operation was in response to British subjects being attacked by the Chinese near Canton. Hong Kong Governor John Davis demanded redress from Chinese Commissioner Keying.

Unsatisfied with his reply, Davis ordered Major-General George D'Aguilar, the commander-in-chief of British forces in China, to seize the forts approaching Canton and to prepare for an attack on the city to force reparations on the spot. The forts were captured, but Canton was spared after Keying agreed to punish the culprits and to allow entry into the city.

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