The twelve pamphlets which your letter tells me the Consul had been directed to forward to me, I have not yet received.

A necessary communication, &c.

Heen-fung, 6th year, 12th moon, 18th day. (January 13, 1857.)

NOTE. The translation of this letter has been unusually troublesome. I believe the writer's meaning to be in sum as follows:

"I rejoice in your Excellency's professions of peace; but it would only do harm to the interests of peace, to which you profess yourself so friendly, were I to tell the Emperor that, because of Yeh's act, you have precipitately broken the peace that the Treaty said was to last for ever. Another reason against my addressing the Throne is, that Yeh, and he alone, is competent to deal with commercial questions; and this can be nothing else, being a question with foreigners."

This special qualification of foreign relations with China I have often remarked. In his will, or posthumous manifesto, the late Emperor adverts to the war with England as "a quarrel arising out of a question of commerce on the south-east coast." THOMAS WADE, Chinese Secretary.

(Signed)

(Translation.)

Inclosure 2 in No. 9.

The Governor of Keang-soo to Sir J. Bowring.

CHAOU, Governor of Keang-soo, &c., makes a communication in reply. On the 9th January I received a communication from your Excellency, the subject of which I have duly considered. The twelve pamphlets which it says the Consul had been directed to send me I have not received.

I have carefully studied the letter under acknowledgment. In refusing to admit the rebel Chiefs to an interview, in rejecting their cooperation, and in prohibiting their vessels from approaching yours, there is evidence of your Excellency's purpose to adhere firmly to the Treaty, and your determination to maintain the good understanding between us.

But (as regards addressing the Throne), partially informed as in truth I am of the history of this resort to arms, I dare not act so inconsiderately as to trouble my Sovereign, His Imperial Majesty, with a memorial on the subject.

The trade of the five ports has besides been all along under the superintend ence of Yeh, and in this instance, as well (as any other), he is of course competent to decide the question.

His Excellency, Eleang, Governor-General of the Two Keang, has forwarded copy of your Excellency's letter to him, to the Imperial Commissioner Yeh, and has written to him to lose no time in taking such steps as will satisfactorily restore relations to their former friendly footing.

Your Excellency is near enough to him to be able conveniently to consult with him as to the course to be pursued.

It is my duty to reply to your Excellency, and I shall be obliged to you to acquaint yourself with what I have written.

I avail myself of the occasion to wish your Excellency daily increase of prosperity.

A necessary communication, &c.

Heen-fung, 6th year, 12th moon, 27th day. (January 22, 1857.)

No. 10.

(Extract.)

Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon.—(Received April 2.)

Hong Kong, February 3, 1857.

IN my despatch of the 25th November,* I gave to your Lordship particulars of the circumstances under which the lorcha "Arrow" passed into the hands

* See "Papers relating to the Proceedings of Her Majesty's Naval Forces at Canton," presented February 3, 1857, page 118.

of her present owners, as reported in the "China Mail" of December 11. I have caused the Colonial Department to make a special report, of which I have the honour to inclose copy to your Lordship. The right of the vessel to carry the British flag, and to enjoy the protection of British authority, appears to me incontestable.

Inclosure in No. 10.

Memorandum.

THE lorcha "Arrow," 127 tons burden, received a Colonial register under Ordinance No. 4 of 1855, on the 27th September, 1855.

On that day, Fong-Aming, Compradore of Messrs. John Burd and Co., made the requisite declarations to the effect that he was the sole owner of the vessel, that he was the lease-holder of landed property in Hong Kong, and that he had been truly and bonâ fide a resident within the Colony for the last ten years, or thereabouts. He also certified that the vessel was designed for trade with China and for none other.

He produced as his securities, Mr. Frederick H. Block, head partner of the house of Burd and Co., and Mr. Douglas Lapraik, watch-maker and trader, of Victoria.

With these he entered into the necessary bond joint and several engaging the lawful employment of the vessel, under the penalty of 3000 dollars. The surveyor's certificate of measurement having been put in and agreed to by Fong-Aming, and the Registrar-General having reported the validity of the securities and the owner, the register was duly signed by the Governor, registered by the Colonial Secretary, and counter-signed by the Colonial Treasurer.

Evan Thomas was entered as master, and on the 8th January, 1856, the name of Thomas Kennedy was endorsed on the register as having become master. I should note that the registers under the Ordinance above quoted, are valid for one year from date.

And I should add, in explanation of the statement about the purchase of the register for a large sum, that the lorcha had been originally taken by pirates, by them sold, and then claimed from the buyer by the owner. The matter became subject of dispute, and was settled by arbitration, Fong-Aming paying 1100 dollars and retaining her.

The full particulars of this transaction, which I believe to be entirely correct, will be found in the "China Mail" newspaper of 11th December last. (Signed) W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.

Hong Kong, February 3, 1857.

(Extract.)

No. 11.

Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon.-(Received April 2.)

Hong Kong, February 5, 1857.

I FORWARD copy of a despatch from Mr. Meadows, dated 26th ultimo, conveying a document which he believes to be authentic, and which, if it be so, is of the highest interest, as marking out the policy of the Imperial Court. I inclose a translation made by Mr. Chinese Secretary Wade, and as he attaches the highest value to Mr. Meadows' opinion of its genuineness, I have thought it desirable to send a copy to the United States and French Legations.

(Extract.)

Inclosure 1 in No. 11.

Acting Vice-Consul Meadows to Sir J. Bowring.

Ningpo, January 26, 1857.

I HAVE had the satisfaction to obtain, and I now inclose, a copy of an Imperial edict issued on the 27th December last, and which forms, as I learn, the latest instructions for the provincial authorities of Keang-soo, Che-keang, and Fuh-keen, relative to the recent hostilities between the British and Chinese at Canton. I shall not have leisure to translate this document in time for the Bertha," which leaves for Hong Kong this day, and therefore inclose it in the original language; of its genuineness I have little or no doubt.

Your Excellency will perceive that the Emperor, basing on memorials of the Imperial Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, Yeh, states, that in consequence of the Canton marine force having seized certain pirates on board of a lorcha, the English barbarian leader, Parkes, availed himself of that circumstance as a pretence, in order to reopen the question of entering the city, and had fired on the walls, and burnt shops and houses; that on the 29th October and the 9th November, two engagements had taken place, in which upwards of 400 of the barbarian banditti had fallen, and a (or the) great naval leader had been killed; and that the Americans, French, and Portuguese, knowing the English to be in the wrong, had refused to assist them.

The Emperor then goes on to assume that the English having had their courage damped by their reverses, might, on finding themselves in this isolated position, be desirous of putting an end to hostilities. In such case the Commissioner Yeh is ordered not to push matters to extremities, but rather to avail himself of his experience and his knowledge of the barbarian nature, to take measures for the re-establishment of peace.

The Emperor next gives orders with reference to the provinces in which the four northern ports open to foreign trade are situated. The coasts of those provinces, viz., Keang-soo, Che-keang, and Fuh-keen, are, the Imperial edict remarks, familiar to the steamers of the said barbarians, and it is possible that when they find their objects unattainable in Kwang-tung, they may proceed to trouble the ports of the above provinces; it is therefore proper that precautionary measures of defence be taken, and the Governors-General and the Governors of the said provinces are accordingly commanded to give secret orders to their subordinate local officers quietly to make defensive preparations. In the event of the barbarian vessels coming to make representations on the subject of the hostilities at Canton, the authorities are commanded to meet them with reasoning and argument.

The edict closes with an injunction not to alarm the people by unnecessary parade in the defensive measures taken.

Inclosure 2 in No. 11.
Imperial Edict.

The Chinese text was obtained by Mr. Thomas Meadows, Acting ViceConsul at Ningpo. It does not appear by whom the letter is written, or to whom addressed, but two competent Chinese teachers give it as their opinion that there is nothing in the tone or wording of the document to make them doubt its genuineness. They assume it to have been written by one of the highest authorities of a province to an equal in the same, or an adjoining, jurisdiction, most probably the latter.

Its genuineness admitted, it is to my mind calculated to produce the same impression as the letters of Eleang and Chaou lately received. The quarrel is regarded as local, and it is the desire of the Court that it should continue so, not more for the sake of its dignity than for the security of the Government, which would be menaced by any circumstance seriously agitating the public mind. Yeh is in every way competent to the settlement of the question, but the barbarian must sue for peace, and then of course without any concession he will be allowed to resume his status quo ante bellum. The Imperial Decree, doubtless,

covers some anxiety lest there should be a general war, but opposes all concession, immediate or remote.]

(Translation.)

(THE writer) makes a communication on the 27th of the 11th moon of the 6th year of Heen-fung (23rd December, 1856). I* received a confidential despatch from the Great Council, forwarded express by the Board of War to Eleang, Governor-General of the Two Keang; Chaou, Governor of Keang-soo; Wang, Governor-General of Fuh-keen and Che-keang; and Ho, Governor of Che-keang; to the effect that, on the 17th of the 11th moon of the 6th year of Heen-fung (13th December), (the Council) had had the honour to receive the following Imperial Decree :—

:

With reference to the memorial of Yeh-ming-chin, representing that the English barbarians had picked a quarrel with us, and that our troops had been victorious in two actions with them: In the course of the 9th moon (October) some of the Canton marine having seized some pirates on board a lorcha, the English barbarian Chief, Pa-hea-be (Henry Parkes), attempted on pretence that this act was matter of complaint, to revive the question of admission into the city, and ventured, in fine, to open fire upon the city and to burn the shops. On the 1st and 9th of the 10th moon (29th October and 6th November), our troops engaged (the enemy), and were victorious in both actions, killing and wounding above 400 of the barbarian villains and slaying their Admiral. The patriotism and enthusiasm displayed by the gentry and volunteers of Canton had already dispirited the barbarians. Land and marine forces, numbering 20,000 and more, regulars and militia, had been moved up, and the barbarians, who have been indulging in the greatest arrogance and frowardness, will not, it is to be presumed, after the check they have received, venture on any further display of lawless violence. Americans, French, and other Western nations, being sensible that the English barbarians are in the wrong in this quarrel, do not choose to cooperate with them, and as they are thus wholly unsupported as well (as defeated) there is a reasonable possibility that suffering will induce repentance, and that they will desist from hostilities.

The

"We have this day instructed Yeh, that if the English barbarians turn from their present course of their own motion, anger (or hate) need not be carried to extremity; but if they dare to persist in their extravagance and obstinacy, peace is not to be negotiated by a conciliatory movement on our part, as this would open the way to demands for other concessions of importance. Yeh-ming-chin has been very long in charge of the Kwang Provinces, and is so thoroughly cognizant with barbarian affairs, that he will be able in all possibility to devise a proper course of proceeding.

"It occurs to us that the seaboard of Keang-soo, Che-keang, and Fuh-keen, is ground with which the steamers of these barbarians are, by long experience, well acquainted; and as precaution should be taken to defend (that coast) also against the barbarians, who, when they find themselves unable to work their will in the Canton province, may attempt to disturb other ports along it, we command Eleang, Chaou, and Ho, to give instructions privily to the local authorities, in the event of barbarian ships approaching (their jurisdiction), to take such steps as will render them secure, without sound or sign (that may attract attention). If they come to explain the circumstances of the rupture at Canton, they must be so silenced by reasonable arguments that no loop-hole be left them; and seeing this, they may be minded to fall back from their undertaking as hopeless. But (the authorities referred to) are not in any way to take the alarm, as this would disturb and perplex the public mind.

The "I" may be one of the officers whose names immediately follow. The Governor of Fuh-keen is not among these, probably because he resides in the same city, Foo-chow, as the Governor-General Wang.

Admiral, literally, naval great soldier head, "ta ping tow," an expression commonly applied by the Cantonese here to the Governor. I never heard a northern Chinese use the term.

"Se yang kwo," western nation, is the term by which the Portuguese are commonly known, but it is also used to mean foreigners in general, or Europeans in particular. It is remarkable that there are none of them spoken of as barbarians.

§ Or by an exposition of the rights of the question The expression rendered "silenced" is very peremptory; the four words "keu le che fuh" translate literally, with reason or with the right of the question break off (their discourse and bring them) to submit.

"Let this be forwarded at the rate of 400 le a-day for the private information of every officer whom it may concern.

Respect this!"

Having received the letter (of the Council) forwarded in respectful obedience to the will of His Majesty, I am confidentially informing my subordinates thereof, and communicating the same to my equals in rank. It is further my duty to communicate to you a copy reverentially made (of the Decrec), in respectful obedience to which you will be so good as to act.

Heen-fung, 6th year, 11th moon, 28th day. (December 24, 1856.)

My Lord,

No. 12.

Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon.-(Received April 2.)

Hong Kong, February 9, 1857. HAVING convinced myself that the Imperial rescript, of which a translation was conveyed in my despatch dated 5th instant, has the greatest claims to be considered authentic, I forwarded copy thereof to the Legations of France and the United States; and I have now the honour to send, for your Lordship's information, copy of my communication and of the answers I have received from the United States' Commissioner and the French Chargé d'Affaires, both dated Macao, 7th instant.

I have, &c. (Signed)

JOHN BOWRING.

Sir,

Inclosure 1 in No. 12.

Sir J, Bowring to Dr. Parker and the Count de Courcy.

Hong Kong, February 4, 1857.

I HAVE the honour to forward to your Excellency copy of an Imperial Decree, which has been forwarded to me from the north, of the authenticity of which, I am assured, there is little or no reason to doubt.

I need scarcely call your Excellency's attention to the representations of the Imperial Commissioner as to the opinion of the citizens of your nation, nor to the extraordinary statements as to the results of the hostile action of Her Majesty's forces.

I have, &c.

I HAVE the honour to be in receipt of your Excellency's esteemed favour of the 4th instant, transmitting me copy of an Imperial Decree your Excellency had received from the north.

I have perused the document with care, and am entirely satisfied of the authenticity of the Decree and of the high official position of the officer who embodies it in his communication.

I particularly notice the representation of the Imperial Commissioner, as to the opinion of Americans, French, and other Western nations, and his Excellency's statements as to the results of the hostile action of Her Majesty's forces, and do not hesitate to pronounce both alike inaccurate. I trust the day is not remote when His Imperial Majesty will arrive at the same conclusion. I regard it as most fortunate that information so important should have come into your Excellency's possession, and am much obliged by being made acquainted with the same.

D