# Letter from the Emperor of China to H.R.H.The Prince Regent

Recieved by the Amherst Embassy in Jan 7 of 1817 at Canton, documented in TNA F.O.17/3/134-136. The letter was cited by Prof. Wang Hong-zhi in his publication of 2015 (ISBN 978-7309119909, pp95-99)
The Supreme Potentate, who has received from Heaven and revolving Nature (the govemment of the world), issues an Imperial Mandate to the King of England with which let him be thoroughly acquainted.
Your country situated remotely, beyond a vast ocean, tenders an offering ofsincere devotedness, and turns with ardent affection to the transforming influences (which emanate from this land).
Formerly, in the 58th year of Keen-Lung, when the reign of the exalted, the honorable, and the immaculate Emperor approached its close, you sent an Embassadoracross the seas to (our) Palace.
At that time your Embassador with veneration and respect performed the ceremony without excess or defect, and in the observance of the forms of decorum, he was enabled to look up and receive (imperial) favor and affection; to see His Majesty; to be entertained at a banquet; and to have gifts, numerous and elegant, conferred upon him.
This year, you O King！again sent an Embassador, to present a written representation, and who was provided with the productions of (your) territory to introduce (to me).
I the Emperor considering that you, O King, were truly sincere in feelings of respect and obedience, was exceedingly pleased, caused forthwith former records to be examined; and regularly enjoined a great number of officers to wait for your Embassador, that on the day of his arrival he might respectfully see the Imperial person, and be entertained with a banquet, in all things exactly according to the ceremonies ofthe preceding reign.
Your Embassador began to hold intercourse at Teen-tsin. I appointed officers to be there to confer an Imperial banquet. Behold！When your Embassador was to return thanks for the banquet, he would not be obedient to the prescribed ceremonies.
I, the Emperor in reference to a petty officer of state, from a remote country, did not deem forms and ceremonies of great worth; it was a matter in which indulgence and compassionate forbearance might be shewn; and therefore especially orderedgreat officers of State to be accommodating with your Embassador, and when he arrived at Pekin to tell him that in the 58th year of Keen-Lung, your Embassador in performing the ceremony, completely (or always) knelt and bowed the head to the ground, according to the stated forms; upon this occasion how could a change be admitted？
Your Embassador told my Great Officers, face to face, that when the time came, he would obey, and would perform the kneeling and bowing the head to the ground; that no excess or falling short of the established forms should occur.
My Great Officers, in conformity to and in reliance upon this declaration, reported it to me, and I sent down my pleasure that on the 7th day of the 7th moon, your Embassador should be ordered to see the Imperial person; that on the 8th, in the great hall of light and splendor, a banquet should be conferred, and rewards bestowed; and again that in the garden of mutual pleasure, food should be conferred; that on the 9th, leave should be taken; and on the same day, it should be granted to ramble amongst the hills of ten thousand ages; that on the 11th, at the gate of great concord, rewards should be conferred, after which（he) should repair to the board of rites to abanquet; and that on the 12th, he should be sent to proceed on his journey.The dayof performing the ceremony and the etiquette to be observed, my Great Officers all previously stated to your Embassador.
On the 7th, the appointed time for your Embassador to see the Imperial Person, hehad arrived at the Palace, and I the Emperor was about to enter the Hall of Audience. The Embassador suddenly affirmed that he was exceedingly ill and could not movea step.I thought it a possible case that the Embassador was taken suddenly ill, and therefore ordered the Assistant Embassador to enter and see me; but both the Assistant Embassadors also affirmed they were ill. This was rudeness which was never exceeded.I did not inflict severe chastisement, but sent them away the same day with an order to return to their country.
As your Embassador did not see the Imperial Person, it was also inexpedient to send in the written representation brought from you O King. It is, in the state it was, carried back by your Embassador.
It is considered that you O King, from the distance of several times ten thousand lee, respectfully presented a written representation, and duly offered up presents; that your Ambassador's inability to communicate in your behalf with profound veneration and sincere devotedness, is his fault.The disposition of profound respect and obedience felt by you O King, I indeed really perceive.
I took from amongst the articles of tribute only maps, landscape prints, and portraits, and highly commend your feeling of sincere devotedness just the same as if Ihad received them all.There were conferred upon you O King, a white corundum Joo-ee（an emblem of prosperity); a string of Court beads; two large purses and eight small ones, to manifest tender and indulgent treatment.
Your country is distant from the central and flourishing Empire (China) too remotely.To send an Embassador such a distance over the waves of the sea is not an easy business. Further, your Embassador cannot understand and practice the rites and ceremonies of China. The subject involves a severe labour of the lips and tongue, to hear which is by no means pleasant.
The celestial empire does not value things brought from a distance. All the extraordinary and ingenious productions of your country also it does not look upon as rare pearls.
That you O King should preserve your people in peace, and be attentive to strengthen the limits of your territory, that no separation of that which is distant from that which is near, should take place, is what I the Emperor in truth highly commend.
Hereafter there is no occasion for you to send an Embassador so far, and to be at the trouble of passing over mountains and crossing seas. If you can but pour out the heart in dutiful obedience, it is not necessary at stated times, to come to court, eer it be pronounced that you turn towards the transforming influences, which emanate from this land.
This Imperial Mandate is now given that you may for ever obey it.
Kea-King 21st year, 7th moon, 20th day. (Sept.11th, 1816).
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