11
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.'
(Signed) THOMAS WADE,
Chinese Secretary.
Inclosure 2 in No. 9.
The Governor of Keang-soo to Sir J. Bowring.
(Translation.)
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 superintendence 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.
Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon.—(Received April 2.)
Hong Kong, February 3, 1857.
(Extract.)
IN my despatch of the 25th November,[1] 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.
