The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-11-22
China-.Important imperial Decree,

The following important Chinese decree ap-
peared in the Pekin Gazette of the 9Th of Au-
gust. 1t gives very moderate account of the
British repulse on the Pei-ho, and processes,
on behalf of his Celestial Majesty, the most
friendly feelings towards the United States
and the American Envoy. This decree was
first published by the Overland Friend OF
China from manuscript copy, and its subse-
quent appearance in the Pekin Gazette con-
tirmed its authenticity. The Overland Friend
"a journal by no means friendly to American
interes sts-declares that "there is nothing TO
bring the genuineness of this decree into
question: The decree is as follows:
"On the It'll of the 7th moon of the 9th year
of Hien Fang, (9th August, 1882 the Inner
Council had the honor TO receive the following
decree:
Last yeal the ships of the Wing -kih-li eng
lish) natio.. sailed into the port of Tien- -tein,
and opened fire upon our troops. We ac-
cordipgly instructed the Khorchin Prince
Sangkioinsin TO fortify Ta-ku well. And the
(envoys of they different nations coming up 10
exchange treaties on the occasion were told by
Kweiliang and Hwashana at Shanghai that
Ta-ku was SO fortified (or was placed on the
defensive.) and they must go round by the
port Peh- tang
1.-The Eugiishman Bruce, notwithst landing,
when he came 10 (the shore of Tien- tsin in
the fifth moon, did not abide by his original
league, but actually forced his way into the
port of Ta-kn, destroying our defensive appa-
ratus. On the 2it of the 5th moon (2lth June)
though his vessels came up as tar as Xix GU
Tan, and blew up the chains that bound the
booms) with she'll, our troops still did not
fight. On the 25th, ten steamers and more
pulled up more than ten OF the iron posts
with which the river was Staked) and all
nos ted red flags lin token of a determination
TO fight. The Governor-Gentaral OF Chih Ii,
Hangfugh, sent outa letter from the lntendani
of Tien-tsin, but the English would not re-
ceiye il a ALL and at last had the audacity to
commence bombing the forts. Our troops on
this returned the fire, sunk several OF their
vessels, and killed several hundred of their in
fantry as they were landing. The English
troops have thus really brought this defeat on
themselves there has been no breach OF falth
whatsoever on the part of China.
"Meanwhile the American Envoy, John
Ward, kept his engagement with kweiiiang
and his colleague, sailed TO the port OF Peht-
ang and begged for permission Id go up 10 the
capital to present 4 letter from his Govern
ment. We accordingly authorized his admis-
sion into Pekin TO present 1t, and having this
day perused the letters addressed by the Anne
rican Envoy, John Ward, to kweillang and
Hwashana and laid before us by those Minis
ters, we find the language SO respectful, The
true-heartedness that has prompted them
such, that we have authorized the Envoy In
question to present the letter he Is charged
with from his Government 10 kweiliang and
his colleague, whom we have sent 10 receive II.
As regards the exchange of his treaty, he ought
properly to return to Shanghai and exchange
it there; but in consideration OF the long yoy-
age he has made. we (are pleased) specially 10
authorize that the seal be appended to the urea
ty, and that it be delivered 10 Hangfugh TO hand
IN exchange (for another copy) 10 the aforesaid
Envoy, that from the date of the exchallg
there may be peace and commerce forever
more. Thus do We manifest our great desire
to show nursing tenderness 20 the men from
afar, and our appreciation of good faith and
right principle
"Let kweiliang and Hwashana signify this
our pleasure to the Envoy, John Ward, Tor his
Information. Res peci this