The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-05 00:00:00

TEE CAPTURE OF TEE TAKU FORTS

_
(From a Supplement to the Gazette of Friday.)
FOREIGN-OFFICE, Nov. 3, 1860.
The following despatches have been received at
the Foreign-office from the Earl of Elgin, her
Majesty's High Commissioner and Plenipotentiary
in China :
ap hung, August 20,1840.
Steam Sloop Grenett,
(Received NOV. 2, 8.15 p.m.)
My Lord,—l have the honour' to enclose translations of
three despatches which I have received from the Governor-
General of this province, with a copy of my Yeply.
The rapidity with which these missives each
other, is evidence of the desire of the Chinese authorities to
arrest; our military operations.
It # "A; not in any power to reply with corresponding
eels/ , because I thought it right, before so doing, to con-
fer ,rdy with Vice-Admiral Hope, who is on the spot,
blr' with Lieutenant-General Sir Hope Grant, at the
bit Jeers of the army, and with Baron Gros, whose
r. .36 is at the anchorage in the gulf.
'reference is made in these despatches to the demands
confveyed in Mr. Bruce's ultimatum.
Ykt is, of course, impossible to listen to overtures which
are o marked by so significant an omission.
Moreover, I think it important after all that has occurred,
II at the occupation of the Peiho Forts by Our military
force,;and the opening-up of the river to Tientsin, should
precedc any serious negotiations for the re-establishment of
--40; ,p,nd with this view, I have deemed it my duty to
‘,.0 the Commanders-in-Chief my anxious desire that
all expedite to the utmost their measures for effecting
objects.—l have, Ike.,
trt AT (Signed) ELGIN AND KINCARDINE,
The Lord John Russell, &e.

Hang, Governor-General of Chili Li, &e., makes a
communication.

Whereas the powers along the seas that trade with, or
while they trade with, China, are always held to be at peace
with her ; since the arrival of the British Minister he has
been daily moving troops (or engaged in hostilities), the Go-
vernor-General cannot say with what intention. Himself
looking up and identifying himself with his Majesty the
Emperor's bounteous love for all living souls, on the re-
ceipt of the British Minister's communication he at once
acquainted his Majesty with the truth (or made true report
of its contents to his Majesty), and he has this day the
honour to receive an imperial decree to the effect that his
Majesty the Emperor has appointed a Minister to await in
the capital the British Minister's arrival there, in order
that they way confer together.
In obedience to his Majesty's decree the Governo-Gene-
ral makes this communication, to which he hopes [the Bri-
tish Minister] will be so good as to reply.

A necessary communication, addressed to his Excellency
Lord Elgin, &c.

lien Fung, 10th year, 6th moon, 28th day-14th
August, 1860.

Translated by (Signed) THOMAS WADE, Chinese Secre-
tary.

Hang, Governor-General of Chih Li, &c., makes
a communication.

On the 28th instant (14th August), the Governor-
General, as the records show, wrote to apprise the British
minister that he had had the honour to receive an imperial
decree to the effect that his Majesty had appointed a high
officer to await in the capital the arrival of the British
Minister to confer with him and settle matters.

Tha officer sent in with this, on his return, reported that
a white flag was lying in the British camp, showing a de-
airs for the suspension of hostilities (or indicating an inten-
tion to suspend hostilities). Evidence so complete of the
British minister's desire to maintain friendly relations un-
broken, is extremely gratifying.
Although it was not the Governor-General who nego-
tiated the treaty of the Bth year (1858) with the British
minister, etill as his Majesty as been so good as to appoint
a minister, to await the British minister's arrival in the
capital, negotiations could at once be entered on.

It will doubtless be right, however, now that peace is
solidly established between the two nations, that arms
should be laid aside for evermore. As soon as the Go-
vernor-General shall receive the British minister's reply,
he will send an officer to learn what day it will suit him to
fix for an interview at which everything may be discussed.
A necessary communication addressed to his Excellency
Lord Elgin, &c.

Hiea Fung, 10th year, 6th moon, 29th day—August 15,
1860.

Translated by THOMAS WADE, Chinese Secretary.

Hang, Governor-General of Chih Li, &c , makes a
communication.

The Governor-General has twice addressed the British
Minister, and has as yet received no reply.
On the 13th instant (16th August), about the hour of
eight, he had the honour to receive an Imperial decree, to
the effect that "his Majesty had instructed an Imperial
Commissioner to proceed [to this place] to negotiate, and
that he will arrive immediately. Respect this."
It becomes his duty to communicate this to the British
Minister, who he trusts will instruct the military and naval
commanders-in-chief to suspend hostile operations, and so
prevent any loss on either side, as this might occasion a
breach of friendly relations.

He, therefore, writes a necessary communication ad-
dressed to his Excellency the Earl of Elgin, Sce.
Hien Fung, 10th year, 6th moon, 30th day—August 16,
1860.