The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-06 00:00:00

No. 10.

MR. BRUCE TO THE EARL OF MILMESEURY.
(Received Sept. 13.)
Shanghae, July 13, 18511
My Lord,--I propose in this despatch to give a succinct
account of the course I have adopted, and of the grounds on
which it is based.. It is necessary to allude briefly to the
maxims of China in regard to intercourse with foreign
nations, as they afford the key to what has taken place.
In China international relations have been always
studiously ignored by the Government, and in no single in-
stance has a foreign minister succeeded in obtaining admis-
sion to the capital, except on performance of the " kotow,"
or ceremony of vassalage, or in the character of tribute-
bearer. The subjects of foreign nations residing in China
are represented as belonging to barbarous tribes, and living
by trade of all occupations the one least in repute among the
Chinese, as devoid of civilisation, and ignorant of the rules of
reason, and by all means to be confined to the outskirts of the

country.
According to the maxims of the Government they are en-
titled tome rights beyond those accorded by the favour of
the Emperor, and though circumstances and the weakness
of the Governmeni have led it to acquiesce in the concession
of considerable privileges to foreigners in distant seaports,
it is remarkable as preying how tenaciously it holds to its
traditions, that it always classifies as acts of rebellion the
measures of coercion adopted by foreign Governments to ob-
tain redress for wrongs done to their subjects.
Now the British treaty of Tien-tsin (which is much more
complete in this respect than the treaties signed at that
place by the other Powers) asserts principles which are dia-
metrically opposed to those traditional pretensions of the
Chinese Government. According to it the British minister is
to be accredited as a representative of an independent equal
power ; and the Chinese Government, in its treatment of him
is called upon finally to abandon the assumption of supe-
riority which it asserted uncompromisingly during Lord
Amherst's embassy, and so lately as three years ago, when
Count Poutiatine ffrst proposed to visit Pekin. MS is to be
allowed free and unrestricted communication with the
capital, not only as specified in the French and American
treaties, when he has business to transact, but whenever
he wishes to visit it. His diplomatic intercourse is to bo
conducted according to the usages of western nations, and
he is not to be called on to perform any ceremony of a
nature derogatory to his character as representing an equal
and independent nation. In future access to the capital is
to be recognised as a right the minister can insist, instead
of its being begged for as a favour; and either refused or
conceded, on such terms as the Chinese might choose to
impose, for the sake of saying their own dignity at the ex-
pense of that of the foreign envoy in the eyes of the Chinese
population.
The clauses which permit British subjects to travel in the
interior, and open the Yang-tze river to British shipping
aro equally subversive of the established maxims of Chinese
statesmen. To push us back on the sea-board, and confine
to as few sea-ports as possible, to keep us outside the walls
of important cities, and vilify us to the people in order to
preserve a wall of separation between the races, is the policy
which the Chinese Government, from its adherence to
usage,' and from its indifference, if not dread of all progress,
which can only be attained through novelty, would gladly
follow, if it dared to do so.
It is not surprising, therefore, when the allied squadrons
left the Peiho river last year, and the panic produced by
their presence began
,to subside, that ancient maxims and
prejudiees should have gradually resumed the ascendant at
Pekin, and that the Imperial cabinet should have entertained
hopes of recovering part of the ground it had lost. There is
proof its language and feeling with regard to foreigners
having undergone no change in a decree published in the
_Pekin Gazette, on the 25th July, one month after the signa-
ture of the treaty, in which allusion is made:to the barbarians
suddenly rushing up the river to Tien-tsin, and retiring,
moved by the commands of Kweiliang and his colleague,
signified with affectionate earnestness." Smigko-lin-sin,
a Mongol prince, reputed to be their best general, was made
commander-in-chief of the Pechelee province, with a large
force at his disposal ; the forts at Takoo rebuilt and strength-
ened, and stakes and obstacles of different kinds placed
across the river to efface the impression produced by the
proceedings of lart year, and by preventing foreign ships
from arriving at Tien-tsin, to render Pekin more inaccessible

than ever.
While these preparations were going on the departure of
the high officer of the Board of Revenue, who was to settle
the tariff at Shanghae, was detained, in order thathe might
not reach Shanghae until the season for operations in the
Gulf of Pechelee had passed, and when he started he was
accompanied by the Imperial commissioners Kweiliang and
Hwashana. Subsequent events leave no doubt in my mind
that the statement contained in the letter of which Mr.
Parkes obtained possession, is substantially correct, and that
they were instructed to obtain modifications in the principal
articles of the treaty—the residence at Pekin, the opening
of the Yang-tze river, and circulation in the interior, to all
of which the Emperor strongly objects.
In their first letter the commissioners advanced the prin-
ciple that the treaty having been signed under pressure, its
provisions had not been fully discussed. But the determina-
tion evinced by Lord Elgin not to allow the treaty to be
called in question seems to have convinced the commission-
ers that it was advisable to rest satisfied with the concession
made as to permanent residence at the capital. It is clear,
however, that their remonstrances against the policy en-
joined on them from Pekin, were most unpalateable to the
Emperor and his counsellors, who urged them to make
further efforts ; and the dissatisfaction with the conduct of
Ho, who seems to have pointed out most strongly the inex-
pediency of the course proposed, is reported to have been
expressed in the autograph rescript, that " his obstinacy
would be the cause of calamity to him."
In the beginning of March, Lord Elgin, who had left
Shanghae on account of the unsatisfactory state of Canton,
wrote to the commissioners, stating that her Majesty's Go-
vernment had agreed not to establish the mission permanently
at Pekin, on condition of a proper reception being given to
her Majesty's minister. lie further informed them of his
approaching departure from China, and of my appointment,
charged with important documents to be delivered at the
capital, and warned them solemnly that peaceful relations
could only be maintained by a faithful observance of the
treaty. The Imperial commissioners, in spite of this infer-
bullion, continued at Soo-chow, instead of returning to the
capital to prepare for the reception of myself and the French
minister ; and their motive in so doing was made suffi-
ciently manifest by their attempts, through a Chinese for-
merly in Mr: Wade'e, but now in the Chinese service, to
ascertain whether wo would consent to exchange ratifica-
tions at Shanghae, or, at least, to be conducted from that
point by land to Pekin. This journey occupies two months,
and I leave your lordship to judge whether, had we adopted
this route, we should not have abandoned, for all practical

purposes, one great object of the treaty, viz.: free access to
the central government.
It was only after my arrival at Hong Kong that I heard
of the commissioners having remained in the south, and re-
ceived Mr. Hart's memorandum (enclosed in my dispatch of
May 30), describing the hostile feeling of the Court, and
throwing considerable light on the motives of this incon-
venient delay of the commissioners. I felt at once that it
became necessary either to throw overboard my instructions
entirely, to abandon the visit to Pekin and the attempt to
establish, on a proper footing, once for all, our diplomatic
relations with the Court of Pekin, or to deilare that I would
insist on exchanging the ratifications at the capital within
the period stipulated in the treaty, and 6n a personal recep-
tion by the Emperor for the purpose of delivering to him
her Majesty's autograph letter. I could not doubt that the
task of extorting a recer don at Pekin in a form implying a
surrender on the part of the Emperor of his pretentious to
a recognition of our equality on paper; and that the Chinese
government, in accordance with its usual policy, would en-
deavour, by prescribing the route I was to follow, by limit-
ing the number of my attendants, and by bad arrangements
during the journey, to put me in the degrading position
hitherto occupied by foreign envoys, and recover by this
means the prestige it had lost by our successful coup de
main of last year. To prevent such a result, and to receive
free access to the capital in future on becoming terms, I

decided, after mature reflection, on proceeding by the river,
the natural highway to Tien-tsin, under the British flag,
as its presence at that place would establish in the eyes of
the Chinese that our visits to Pekin are a matter of right,
not of favour.
M. de Bourboulon, whom I consulted before deciding on
the course to be pursued, entertained views similar to mine,
and wrote a despatch to the commissioners in the same
sense.

I could not, however, in face of the unsatisfactory infor-

mation I had received, hope that the Chinese Government

would agree to such a complete revolution of its mode of
dealing with foreigners, unless I was backed by sufficient
force to inspire it with alarm. I Lccordingly consulted with
Admiral Hope and Sir Charles Van Straubenzee on this
point. Several gun boats and part of the squadron had
been dispatched by Sir Michael Seymour to Shanghae, pre-
vious to my arrival in China, to be ready to accompany me
to the north. This measure had been adopted before unfa-
vourable intelligence had been received from that quarter.
We agreed, on consultation, that the force dispatched was
not large enough to produce the desired impression. It was
accordingly strengthened, particularly in the class of vessels
that can cross the bar, and brought up to an equality with
that which accompanied the allied ambassadors last year.
The larger the force, the less likelihood, judging from our
experience of the Chinese character, there would be of a
collision.

On arriving at Shanghae, where I proceeded as soon as
my French colleague was ready, I found, as I anticipated,
the commissioners armed with pretexts to detain me, and
prevent my visit to the I'eiho. Their letters, though mo-
derate in tone, alluded to the three principal clauses of the
treaty, and proposed to re-open discussion upon them. Had
I accepted this overture, and abandoned the course laid down
in my letter of the 16th of May, they would have inferred
that I was to be " soothed and controlled," and would have
postponed the ratifications, with the intention of obtaining
my assent to conditions which would have deprived these
clauses of their practical efficacy. This view is confirmed
by the fact that they were not in possession of the ratified
treaties, the Chinese Government having thus confined
them to the task of gaining time, if nothing else, by renew-
ing negotiations, reserving meanwhile in its own hands
the power of exchanging the ratifications or not, as it might
seem expedient, after the result of the interviews had been
communicated to it.

I think that the commissioners themselves were acting
rather in obedience to their instructions from Pekin than in
the expectation that their attempts to detain us here would
be successful. For as soon as they received my letter, stat-

ing that I would not enter into discussions until the ratifi-

cations were exchanged, and declining any intevview with
them at Shanghae, tho twelvemonth allowed by treaty for
the exchange having almost expired they changed entirely
their tone. They acknowledged the propriety of abiding by
the terms of the treaty, and stated that they had memorial-
. _ _ _

ised the Emperor to send down a high officer to Tien-tein,

whom we should find on our arrival ready to conduct us in
time to the capital. Though they hinted at a journey by

Land from the river's mouth, and wished me to anchor the

squadron outside the bar, they did not state that orders had
been given to preVent us entering the river and making use

of it to reach the town of Tien-tsin.

Admiral Hope left a day before the reply of the commis-
sioners was received, being desirous of making the passage
under sail. The place of rendezvous was fixed at the Sha-

Loo-tien Island, whence he was to communicate to the au-

:horities the approaching arrival of the ministers of England

and France, en route for Tien-tsin, and inquire whether
orders had been given for ow reception.
I announced his departure the next day to the commis-
sioners, and suggested the propriety of their proceeding to
the Peiho on board one of the steam ships, owned by Chi-

nese, lying here, by which means they would be able to

reach it in time to receive us. They declined doing so, on
theground that they could not adopt so unusual a method

of travelling without the Emperor's permission. This may
be so, but I am inclined to think they shared in the feeling

expressed in confidence by the most enlightened of their as-
sistants, that he would not go to the north, as there would
be trouble, and that the Emperor and his counsellors were

so unreasonable that they could not be brought to terms

without another lesson.

M. do Bourboulon and I left Shanghao four days after
he receipt of the letter of the commissioners, in order to
_ _ _ _

afford time for the memorial to reach the Emperor, and for

she necessary orders to be given, should he be inclined to

accord us a friendly reception, and carry out the recom-

mendations it contained

Mr. Ward, the American minister, accempanied us at
heir express invitation, having claimed, under the most fa-

voured nation clause, the right to exchange the ratifications
at Pekin and present his credentials to the Emperor.
My dispatch of the sth instant, which is forwarded by
the present opportunity, gives in detail the events that took

place at the Peiho. fhave only to remark, in explanation

of the course pursued, that we found ourselves off the
mouth of the river, which forms the highway to Pekin,
within a few days of the period fixed by the expiration of

the treaty for the exchange of the ratifications. On re-

questing a passage to be opened for us, and explaining the
peaceful objects of the mission, we were informed that there
was no authority on the spot ; that the fort and barriers
were not constructed by order of the government, but by
the people, who had built and garrisoned them for their
protection against rebels, not to keep us out of the river.
In proceeding to remove them we therefore violated no
order of the Imperial government, and had we been suc-
cessful, the government could, and would, no doubt, have
disavowed entirely the acts of those who opposed us. At the
same time we were convinced that the repugnance of the
Chinese government to execute fully the treaty, and to grant
us the recept ion we were instructed to demand could only be
overcome by a sense of their inability to resist us. Tho pre-
parations made since last year had given them confidence,
and that feeling would have been increased had we, on com-
ing in presence of them, receded from the demands we had
made. Under such circumstances to have accepted the
proposal of the Governor-General of Pehili would have been
to enter on a path which must have ended in disgrace and
failure ; and nothing, in my opinion, would have justified
us in consenting to it, unless the only competent authority
to pronounce a judgment on such a question had expressed
doubts as to the result of an attempt to force the passage of
the river. But I can state positively that if Admiral Hope
had expressed doubts on the subject they would not have
been shared by the squadron, nor by those who have had
most experience of warfare'in China ; and if it be decided
that the means at our command were insufficient to justify
us in pursuing so bold a line of policy. it is but right that I
should share that responsibility with him.
The intendant of this place has received official notice of
these events from Pekin, with orders, as he states, not to
molest the English. But the effect of this check must be
prejudicial to our interests, as in this, more than in almost
any country, we are respected and considered in proportion
as we are feared, and whatever may bo the ultimate decision
of this Government with reference to the treaty of Tien-
tsin, I do not think that its provisions can be carried out
until we recover superiority in the eyes of the Chinese.
Mr. Wade has, drawn up a full and explicit memorandum
on the proceeedings of the Chinese Government within the
last year, to which I beg to call your lordship's attention.
—I have, &c.,

(Signed) FREDERICK W. A. BRUCE.

Inclosure 1 in No. 10.

TRANSLATION OF A PAPER FORWARDED TO THE EARL OF

ELGIN IN MR. PARKE'S DESPATCH OF JAN. 15, 1859.
{MEMORANDUM.—Two Chinese clerks, perfectly unknown
to each other, have suggested, the moment they read this
paper, that it was the composition of a small official sent by
Hwang-tsung-han to Shanghae, to watch the progress of
affairs. The writer speaks of himself throughout an official
of much lower rank than the person he addresses, but I do
not think that this is Hwang. The words " Governor-
General" (of the Two Kwang) prefixed to Hwang's name,
must have been elevated, had the letter -been written to him
direct. It must have been sent to Canton after Lord Elgin's
departuro for Hankow and before his return to Shanghae.—
T. W.]
The administrasor-in-chief of barbarian business in the
capital are the three Princes Hwui, Kung, and Ching (1).
When the four Imperial commissimers (2) had their
audience to take leave, his Majesty very positively signified
to them that it was his pleasure net to allow peace to le
made in this sort of way (3), and that the whole fifty-six
articles of the Treatp of Tein-tsin must be cancelled. Ho,
Governor-General of the Two Kiang, received them at
Chang-chow in the Bth moon (August, September), and
stoutly maintained that there must be no mention whatever
of change.. They were consequently at issue until their
arrival at Shanghae, when, owing to the strong support
given to the Treasurer Wang to the representations of
Ho, the commissioners began to incline to a compromise.
Several memorials were addressed to the Throne in the
joint names of the whole five, in reply to which they con-
tinned to receive, in every case, his Majesty's peremptory
injunctions (to persist in the course prescribed) ; until, in
his last decree, his Majesty declared his pleasure to be, that

peace were made with the barbarians, four conditions
must be insisted on.
Firstly, he would on no account allow trade from Han-
khow to Nankin.
(Secondly, this condition is omitted, most likely by mis-
take, as the text below shows the question to have been
the residence of a Minister at Pekin.)
Thirdly, he would not allow (foreigners) to circulate in
the different provinces.
Fourthly, ho would have the provincial city of Canton
evacuated at an early date.
On receipt of his Majesty's commands as above, the com-
missioners had several consultations with the barbarians.
They, alas I would give in one pointonly, to wit, the evacua-
tion of Canton ; in the other three they held out for what
had been proposed at Tien-tsin.
The commissioners and the Governor-General Ho ac-
cordingly made up (4) another memorial, to the effect that
the barbarians had promised to evacuate Canton ; that as
regarded adMission into Pekin, they would not be allowed
to go and come in large bodies, nor to build churches there,
but that the admission of four or five on any future occasion,
when they might have business of importance to transact,
need not be prohibited; that, as to circulation in the pro-
vinces, no one was to travel save with a passport, to be
issued under the seals of the local authorities and the con-
suls of the barbarians ; no one would take on himself to go
without one ; so that, as it would still rest with the local
authorities, when the time came (5) to give or withhold a
passport, this point might, in their opinion, also be con-
ceded. There thus remained no question but that of the
navigation of the river up to Hankow, whither it would
really be difficult to prevent the barbarians from proceeding.
To this representation they received for answer from the
Emperor, " Try again with all your might, and you will
succeed again."
The commissioners and Ho, after receiving this, again
put their seals to the treaties, and exchanged copies of them
as concluded; and it was agreed that in the third moon
(April, May), the barbarians should go into the capital
again to exchange national letters (letters between the Go-
vernments). Ho, the Governor-General, returned the
same day to Soo-chow.; the Treasurer Wang also returned
on the sth. The English leader Elgin had started up the
Great River on the 3d, with five steamers for Hankow.
Just before his departure, he said : " Provided that the pro-
vincial authorities behave well to me, I shall not insist on

ready money (or immediate payment) (6) at Shanghae, and I

will write to Canton, and have the city evacuated at once; but
if there is any more fighting (on my journoy), I must poet-
pone action (on these points)." The commissioners an-
swered—" We will write to prevent any one giving you
matter of offence; at the same time there are several posi-
tions along your road in the hands of the rebels, and we are
responsib!e for any trouble these may occasion you ; nor
will it be our affair if your vessels come to harm by getting
aground on any of the numerous shoals in the Great River."
"It does not concern you, of course," said he, "I can take
careof myself," and so he started. The following day he got
aground off Fu-sha.n, and after transshipping his guns, &c.,
to a smaller vessel, on the sth, he got off by dint of great
exertions on the Bth, and was reported to have passed
Nankin on the 11th. It was also said that the lung-haired
men (the rebels) had fired upon him, though this is not cer-
tain. On the 10th, however, a number of devils were
brought back, the barbarians said, ill of the small-pox, but
the people have it, wounded by the rebels. Which is the
truth I know not.
In conclusion, I may remark that everything relating to
the barbarians is kept so quiet that it is hard to learn the
facts. To give an instance : since the commissioners ar-
rived here every conference they have had with the chiefs
to discuss business questions has been held either on board
a steamer or in some out-of-the-way place, and, their mea-
sures agreed on (the conferring parties), have gone home
to carry them out. This is for fear they might be overheard
by the native servants of the different houses of business,
who understand the devil-language.
The Emperor has been moved to abolish the restrictions
on opium, and to admit it into port at 30 taels per picul im-
port duty, and into the interior at 15 taels transit duty. The
tariff is settled. All goods pay 5 per cent. ad valorem. This
is proposed as the import duty. If barbarians go into the
interior to sell merchandise, they are to pay 21 per cent. (as
a transit duty), whether they pass eight barriers or ten. On
tea and silk there are some augmentations and some dimi-
nutions. The rules are now in force, and, as soon as the
seal has been put to them, a copy shall be submitted to
you.

Touching the money payment to be made to the barbarians

(to the English) 6,000,000 dollars, and to the Americans,
600,000 dollars, the latter, some time ago, expressed their
readiness to the commissioners to give up 100,000 dollars;
they v. ould require only 500,000 dollars, namely, 100,000 to
be paid at Shanghae, 100,000 at Foochow, and 300,000 at
Canton, to be deducted during three years, from the
duties. The commissioners had settled the form of in
strument, so that the American question may be looked
on as decided. A despatch to this effect must (soon) reach
Canton. The English indemnity will, most likely, follow a
lika rule of apportionment, a quota being levied on the (cus-
toms of the) places aforesaid, or the whole may be laid on
the Shanghae duties, in which ease the people (of Canton)
need feel no alarm. These barbarians are very anxious,
nevertheless, to make Canton pay the largest share. This
would delight them. Indeed, so deep-seated is the ill-will
with which they regard the Canton officials, gentry, and
people, that they actually talk of shutting up Canton as a
port altogether, and never trading there again. They have
several times "pressed the Commissioners, with all their
might, to denounce the Governor-General (Hwang), and
the three gentlemen (Lo, Lung, and Su), as a condition of
peace (or before they would treat of peace). This has not
only been done by word or mouth, but there has been cor-
respondence upon it, of which I enclose copies.
The Commissioners, I should humbly suppose, can hardly
have been so stupid as to give in to everything in this way
(7). They may be holding suchlanguage as a means of keep-
ing (the barbarians) within range (8 ). It is impossible tc
say. Should they have moved the Emperor, as was
suggested, his Sacred Majesty would not surely have ac-
cepted their view of the case. Never, since the world be-
gan, was there such a doctrine as that the official, instead of
punishing the robber for his theft, is to conciliate him by
doing whatever his malignity may dictate against the per-
son he has robbed (9). (My remarks, I am sensible, are
presumptuous). • How should an officer of my low estate
and mean abilities venture on propositions at random P It
is our duty to abide his Majesty's decision.
Another statement is that Ho is strongly urging an ap-
plication to the Emperor to transfer the seal of High Com-
missioner for the Five Ports from Canton to Kiang-su, and
and that the commissioners will very presently address the
Emperor to that effect. After his return to Soo-choo, the
Governor-General Ho addresses to the Emperor two memo-
rials in succession, setting forth how difficult it was to ne-
gotiate peace ; that after all his pains he had only got so far;
that the barbarians when they had got a foot wanted ever
an inch more ; that they were quite ready to add something
to the 56 Articles they now had, but would not abate a single
letter. Further, he said that he knew it was in the hands
I of the three Princes that the direction-general lay, and it
his Ma)esty would not agree (to what he, Ho, recom-
mended), he must beg him to send the three Princes at
manage the things for themselves. Td this the Emperor in
his autograph rescript (10), rejoined, " No luck, of a truth,
can attend such perversity and opiniativeness" (11).
The Treasurer Wang was at the same time commanded to
return with all speed to Soo-chow ; the Emperor would not
allow him to remain at Shanghae interfering in barbarian
affairs.

It was subsequently asserted that the Governor-General
Ho had been deprived of his button, and five commissioners
ordered to proceed from the capital to Tsing kiang Pu (12),
whether for this or some other matter it was not clear. But
(these two last statements) are but a report, which, as I have
not seen the documents, Ido not venture to affirm is true. I
purpose, as soon as I have despatched this letter (13) (lit.,
petition), going in person to Soo-chow to see the Treasurer
Wang, and find out (14) the truth from him. I shall ask
him for copies of some of the despatches, which I will for-
ward in a separate cover.
The French were away last month at Japan and
in Anam. They were not by when the English
and the other nations were negotiating. Since their chief's
return to Shanghap he wanted to go to Pekin to build
churches there, a proposition which induced much discus-
sion, without any satisfactory result (15). The tradespeople
(or mercantile Chinese) say that no harm will come of this ;
they (the French) must talk in this fashion; and that
when the English Chief returns (16), everything will be
settled, all and sundry.
The Russians are not at Shanghae, and have taken no
part (in what has passed).
The Commissioners themselves are entertaining every
day, or sitting for their portraits (161), or paying visits to
the devils, taking their fill of enjoyment with nothing
whatever to do.

Pwan Si-thing (Pontinqua) reached Hangchow on the
12th of the moon, but has not yet arrived at this place. The
man the Commissioners, and the barbarians really want is
Howqua (17). It is a matter of indifference to them whe-
ther Pontinqua comes or not; by the time he arrives, I
imagine, there will be nothing for him to do.
_ _

Another rumour is that the Commander-in-chief
Yang has retaken Nganking (18). The Prefect
Wu says that he has written full particulars of all that has
been reported in this letter to Chang, the Han-lin (19), and
gives me to understand, consequently, that I need not
trouble your ear with a repetition of them.
I have, therefore, the honour to transmit you this sum-
mary.