many grievances of which they had to complain, and thus putting an end to a policy essentially unfriendly, which could not but lead to a fatal crisis, and which imperilled alike the interests of China and of all the nations who came into contact with her. It was hoped that the strong and united representations of the three ministers might alarm the emperor, or at all events obtain his serious attention to the dangers with which he was menaced. The attempt failed.[1] It could not but fail, through the incredible misrepresentations made to the Chinese court by the commissioners who were sent down by the emperor to meet the foreign envoys. As regards the outward forms of courtesy, the latter had perhaps no special ground of complaint. Tents were erected for their reception in the neighbourhood of the Takoo forts; and they were invited to a repast, in which, it may be worth notice, there was a display of ancient European steel knives and forks, with handsome porcelain handles, apparently of the age of Louis XIV. They were met on terms of equality, and the posts of honour were graciously conceded to them. But the urbane manners of the mandarins did not mislead the foreign ministers, who left them with the declaration that they were insuring for their country days of future sorrow. On the subject of their reports to the court of Peking, Mr. Reed says: "They illustrate the habitual faithlessness of Chinese officials. . . . They were certainly the most painful revelations of the mendacity and treacherous habits of the high officials of this empire ever given to the world. They cannot be read without contemptuous resentment."[2]
There was only one possible termination to a state of things so obviously unsatisfactory, menacing, and untenable. Everything that could be said or done, in the shape of friendly counsel, had been exhausted. The American commissioner, Mr. M'Lane, reports to his government,[3] that on leaving China, he addressed to Keih,[4] the governor of Kiangsoo, the following memorable warning:—
"Now, as my parting words, I say to you, if something is not done, our relations will
become bad, our amity be disturbed. I believe that but for the officers of both governments
there now might have been a state of things that might have led to a war; but
we have exerted ourselves to prevent it." [Governor Keih—"Yes."] "I have done
well, and on the eve of my departure am most disinterested in what I say. I do not
think it is in the power of either officers of either government long to preserve the
peace. If the emperor does not listen, and appoint a commissioner to adjust the foreign
relations, so sure as there is a God in the heavens, amity cannot be preserved. I say it
in sincerity, as my parting words."
- ↑ In the Elgin Papers many pages are occupied with the details of the correspondence between the commissioners who came to the mouth of the Tien-tsin river and the court of Peking, and which were found in Yeh's archives at Canton.
- ↑ Speech at Philadelphia, quoted in North American Review, No. CLXXXV. p. 503.
- ↑ American Papers, p. 417: Despatch dated 27th November, 1857.
- ↑ Keih was one of the most intelligent and honest of the high mandarins of China. He was killed in an action with the rebels soon after his last interview with the foreign ministers. He openly blamed the perversity of Yeh, whom he hoped to succeed in the office of high commissioner. Had his life been spared, and his counsels prevailed, he would have initiated a policy of conciliation and amity.
