I shall on that day proceed to the spot where I last had the pleasure of meeting your Excellency, and inform you of my arrival.

If your Excellency had only seen fit to adopt either of the plans that I suggested, of sending public officers to Hong Kong to settle the preliminary questions, or of receiving me at your palace, much time would have been saved, and the first measure of deputing officers would only have been in consonance with the precedent observed by your predecessor, which led to the cultivation of peace and good understanding; but as your Excellency wishes that we should meet at Hoo-mun-chae, I shall in consequence repair there in the Admiral's large ship, that I may during my stay have suitable accommodation, and also have an opportunity of introducing the Admiral to your Excellency.

If other proof were wanting, the necessity of the Representatives of two powerful and friendly nations being compelled to meet at such a place as Hoo-mun-chae, would at once be sufficient to show that the present state of things could not be allowed to exist; for it is obvious that that public business which could be arranged in a few hours by my visiting you at your palace, may now consume some days before it can be satisfactorily adjusted. I therefore again repeat that the present restriction, by which not only British subjects, but even myself and the Consul, are prevented entering Canton, must be removed, and if your Excellency is personally unable to carry into effect the stipulations of the Treaty of Nankin, some steps not yet resorted to must be taken to insure the fulfilment of the engagements entered into by your Government. I therefore trust your Excellency will calmly and dispassionately consider this important question, the non-adjustment of which may lead to serious consequences.

Should your Excellency like to come down in a steamer, I will desire one to be placed at your disposal, and you can then come directly to the Admiral's ship, where we shall have more private means of entering on the questions for discussion than at the Admiral's quarters at the Bogue.

Accept, &c.

My Lord,

No. 11.

Mr. Bonham to Viscount Palmerston.-(Received April 18.)

Victoria, Hong Kong, February 21, 1849. IN continuation of my despatch of the 26th ultimo, I have now the honour to report that on the 17th instant I had an interview with the Imperial Commissioner Seu on board Her Majesty's ship "Hastings" in Anson's Bay.

To prevent. as far as possible, the time occupied by our conference from being wasted on useless subjects, and to enable his Excellency to understand previously to our meeting the objects which I was desirous of discussing, I addressed him a letter on the 9th instant, enumerating the topics upon which it was my wish that he should be prepared to give answers; the principal one being of course the right of British subjects to entrance into the city of Canton, und my chief object to ascertain his Excellency's feeling for or against the measure, and the means at his disposal to enable him to accomplish it.

His Excellency was received on board the "Hastings" by the Admiral with every demonstration of respect, and was saluted by all the vessels present, viz., Her Majesty's steamers "Fury," "Medea," and Honourable Company's steamer "Phlegethon," and Her Majesty's brig "Arab," and he expressed himself, as indeed he appeared to be, much pleased with his reception.

A few minutes after his Excellency's arrival on board, I suggested to him the propriety of his retiring with me to a private cabin, where no one should be present but ourselves, Dr. Gutzlaff and Mr. Meadows, the interpreters. To this his Excellency at first showed considerable reluctance to assent, stating his wish that some of the mandarins in attendance on him should be admitted also, as he might have occasion to refer to them on matters of business; but on my representing that I was particularly desirous in the first instance of seeing him alone, and that such mandarins as he chose might be afterwards called in, he gave way, and we retired into a separate cabin.

After having seated ourselves, I inquired of his Excellency what steps had been taken by the Chinese Government to ensure a peaceable entry for myself into Canton at the stipulated time, whereupon he commenced a sort of harangue of considerable duration, constantly repeating the same thing; its substance, however, was no more than what he had already written, and what has been communicated to your Lordship in my several despatches on the subject, viz., that he had it not in his power to carry out the agreement entered into between Sir John Davis and Keying, and that each of those officers was well aware of this fact when the arrangement was made, and, indeed, that Keying had given the promise under constraint from fear that Canton would be bombarded; and that under these circumstances, he, Keying, should be compelled to return to Canton to carry into execution his own agreement; that he would nevertheless write to Pekin for the Emperor's instructions, and whatever they might be, would attempt to carry them out at any risk. On my remarking to him that it was now somewhat late to make a reference, which should have been made long ago, he observed he was desirous of reporting the result of his present conference with myself on this head. The substance, however, of what passed between us will more fully appear in the annexed Minute of the Conference, taken by Mr. Meadows by my desire.

Strange as it may seem, I confess, my Lord, that I am unable to arrive at any decided opinion as to the probable issue of this meeting, nor am I enabled to deduce from it a satisfactory conclusion as to whether we shall be admitted nto the city at the time stipulated or not; but I think his assent to our admission will principally depend on the judgment that Seu may himself have formed of his power to coerce the rabble and to protect such British subjects as may attempt to enter Canton. I have very great doubts, from his general demeanour and conversation, if he is himself thoroughly satisfied that the opposition of the people will be as formidable as he seems to anticipate, or whether, should it be so, he can or cannot protect us from their hostility. There can be no doubt, I think, however, considering the importance of the question and the length of time that it has been under discussion, that Seu is already in possession of instructions from Pekin relative to this matter; what these instructions may be I have no means of ascertaining, but I incline to believe that the Emperor has issued orders to carry out the Treaty, if it be insisted on by the British Government, but to delay our entrance as long as possible, and if it can be done, to prevent it altogether.

To preclude the possibility of misapprehension on the part of the Imperial Commissioner, I have this day addressed a communication to him, thereby to compel him to put on record a brief recapitulation of all that passed at the Conference, and if he has received his instructions from Pekin to the effect I have surmised, it will induce him to make a communication about the 1st of April, and in the meantime he will take the necessary steps to ensure safe entry upon the 7th following. Should he not have received his instructions, it will urge him to lose no time in obtaining them, and as he will be altogether unaware of the course to be pursued, should he refuse us access, I am in hopes that the result may yet prove successful.

Should the Imperial Commissioner, on the other hand, decline admitting us at all, whatever his plea may be, I am, as your Lordship will be aware, prevented from employing any active means to oblige him to respect our rights; but on this subject I shall no doubt receive your Lordship's instructions, in reply to my despatch of the 23rd October last, before the 1st of April next, by which date I expect to be in possession of Seu's ultimatum.

I may here remark that the naval Commander-in-chief, Sir Francis Collier, is at present at Hong Kong, with the ships of war, as per margin,* and that he expects, during the month, the " Meander" and another brig; one of the brigs from the northern ports will also be down here, and I am therefore in hopes that, should Seu be playing a double game, he may be worked on by his fears to perform that which it is possible an anxiety to adhere to existing engagements may not induce him to attempt.

* 66 Hastings;" steamers "Inflexible," "Fury," "Medea;" and brig

"Pilot."

(Extract.)

Inclosure 1 in No. 11.

Mr. Bonham to Commissioner Seu.

Victoria, Hong Kong, February 9, 1849.

I HAVE now the honour of submitting to your Excellency the inclosed memorandum of the topics for our consideration at our meeting on the 17th instant. As it is of the utmost importance that everything should be definitely settled, I beg your Excellency maturely to deliberate on every point, and favour me, at our conference, with such conclusive answers as will obviate, in future, all further discussion on the same subjects. I do not in the least doubt of a final and satisfactory arrangement, if your Excellency is determined to carry out the Convention entered into by our respective Governments, and it is a sacred duty of every high functionary to observe strictly Treaty rights. Your Excellency, holding the high office of Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, should do the utmost to adjust matters, and preserve the blessings of peace; as I myself am equally anxious to avoid a collision, by proper arrangements, I shall unite my efforts in seconding your Excellency's wishes in this respect.

The subjects to be discussed at our next meeting are the following:

1. Entrance into the city. According to the Convention concluded on 6th April, 1847, between the High Commissioners of Great Britain and China, it was conceded that British officers and people should enter the city of Canton, after the lapse of two years, commencing from the above date.

This agreement was entered into with the Chinese Government alone, nor was it stipulated that the inhabitants were to decide whether British subjects should enter or not. For the fulfilment of it, therefore, my Government looks only to the high officers of your Government; it cannot take into consideration the wishes of your people. It is above all things right that the Treaties made between our empires should be faithfully observed by the officers of yours; and if the objections of the people were to be admitted as a pretext for their nonobservance, their provisions would be utterly nullified, and collision, which ought to be most diligently avoided, be the consequence.

As both Governments, however, ardently desire the preservation of peace, the entrance into the city may be certainly, by our cooperation, brought about in a satisfactory manner; as a preparatory measure, I would propose that your Excellency request the Emperor of your nation to issue an edict, making it everywhere known that British officers and people have as full liberty to come into and go out of the city of Canton, as, according to Treaty, they have in all the other emporiums; and that the rabble, if they insult or injure them, shall be most severely punished, and no clemency shown to them. I should afterwards myself pay your Excellency a visit in your palace. This would be a safe preliminary step. If your Excellency has any other measures to suggest for consideration I must beg you to communicate them, certain as I am that if our two Governments cooperate in the arrangement of this matter, no disturbance will

ensue.

I must, then, request you to state distinctly, if we can enter the city in April, according to the stipulation agreed to by the late High Commissioner Keying. Should this be impracticable, you will be pleased to inform me whether your Excellency is unable to carry into effect the stipulation of the Treaty, in consequence of orders received from your Government to that effect, or whether it is simply because the Government cannot coerce the turbulent populace; as I can then determine what steps it may be necessary for me to take to enforce the rights conferred upon Great Britain by the Treaty of Nankin, under the hands of your Imperial Master.

Inclosure 2 in No. 11.

Substance of a Conference held on board Her Majesty's ship "Hastings," on the 17th February, 1849, between Her Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary and the Chinese Imperial Commissioner.

THE question of the entrance of foreigners into the city of Canton was introduced by Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary making some general inquiry as to what the Chinese authorities had done to ensure its being peaceably effected; and the Commissioner at once entered into the subject at considerable length. He, with the professed view of showing how difficult the business was, stated that Sir John Davis, in fixing on a period of two years, purposely postponed the time of entrance to a period when he should no longer be here, while Keying, in agreeing to the arrangement, was under constraint, and had, in like manner, taken care to procure his own removal previous to the time when it was to come into operation. He (Seu) then stated that, were he to act in the same spirit, he would beg Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary to allow him some time longer, in order to get the people under more complete control; that were he to do so, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary could not well refuse to allow him some time, in the same way that it had been allowed to Keying; and that he would, in such case, avail himself of the delay to get away on sick leave, or otherwise. He said, however, that he had no intention of acting in this way; but that as the agreement had been made, as we insisted on its execution, while he could not hope to ensure our entrance peaceably, he would memorialize the Emperor, stating his inability to do so, and praying him to send, for the purpose, either Keying, who had made the agreement, or some other person more competent than himself (Seu) to cope with the difficulties. He added that he was quite prepared, and would prefer, to be removed to another place, or to be forced to retire from the service, rather than engage with the matter. He himself, and the other authorities, had, he maintained, no objection to our entrance, but the Canton people were determined to oppose it.

Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, on this, informed the Commissioner that, if the Chinese troops in Canton were not sufficient to put down the populace, he could support him with a British force which would effectually master them.

The Commissioner replied that he had, with the bannermen included, about 10,000 men at his disposal, and did not require assistance; that it might be possible to repress the people for a day, or two days, or even for a month; "but what," he asked, "would be the result after that ?"

Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary rejoined, that the Agreement had been made and must be executed; that it was derogatory to the dignity of the Sovereigns of the two countries, and their Representatives, to allow themselves to be dictated to by the rabble of Canton; that he himself had force at his command. sufficient to destroy the place, and would not hesitate to inflict a chastisement on the people who are against us were he not withheld by his desire to remain on good terms with the authorities.

The Commissioner said he could not think of admitting us into the city without first memorializing the Emperor and obtaining his authority to do so.

Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary replied, that since he (Seu) was prepared to admit us after obtaining the sanction of the Emperor, it was evident we could be admitted, and asked why, such being the case, the Commissioner did not admit us himself?

In reply the Commissioner said, that it might, indeed, be possible to admit us, but that there would certainly be a disturbance on the occasion; that if he admitted us by order he would, nevertheless, be able to hold his own ("to stand his ground," i.e., would not be affected in his official position by the consequences), which he otherwise would not be.

He was then asked how long it would take to receive a reply from the Emperor.

He at first answered "fifty days," and for some time maintained it could not be done sooner, though it was pointed out to him that the answer would in such case not arrive until after the time stipulated for the opening of the city.

Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary eventually offered to forward his (the Com

missioner's) memorial by a steamer to the Peiho, which offer the Commissioner would, however, not accept, giving as a reason that it was against the laws, and would bring him into trouble.

Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary then told him that there were two plans open to him: first, to effect our peaccable entrance by his own authority and influence, which was much to be preferred, for various reasons; or, secondly, to accept the assistance of a British force, if he feared he might be unable to repress the ill-disposed of the people with his own troops; but that if he would not consent to adopt either, and there was no appearance of our being allowed to enter the city, he (Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary) might, possibly, be under the necessity of himself taking measures to obtain our right, by compelling the refractory inhabitants to allow of the fulfilment of the agreement (a course from which he could only be eventually withheld by the dislike he had of doing what was injurious to, or likely to give umbrage to, the Chinese Government), or he would proceed to the Peiho with a squadron, in order himself to represent the matter to the Emperor, and take such other measures as might prove necessary to effect the object in view.

After some further discussion, in which the last given declaration of Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary about the two plans, and what would be done if neither were adopted, was twice distinctly repeated, and the other arguments, already used on both sides, reiterated, the Commissioner engaged that the answer of the Emperor should arrive in forty days.

Up to this stage of the Conference, the parties present were only Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary and the Imperial Commissioner, with Messrs. Gutzlaff and Meadows, as interpreters; but now Pei, the grain-collector of Kwang-tung; Kwan, the Adjutant-General of Seu (in his post of Governor-General of the Two Kwang); and Woo-eho, a nominal official, and son of the well-known hong merchant Howqua, were called in at the desire of the Imperial Commissioner. After they came in, a further discussion arose as to whether the forty days should commence to count from the date of the Conference, the 17th February, or from the 21st February, when the Commissioner would be again in Canton. In the course of this discussion, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary took the opportunity of repeating, before the other Mandarins, his final declaration, given above, as to the two plans which could be followed, and the consequences of neither being adopted.

To the best of my recollection no agreement was come to as to which of the two days it should be from which the forty days should commence to date, and from this stage forward the conference was rather confused from several persons frequently talking at one time.

Inclosure 3 in No. 11.

Mr. Bonham to Commissioner Seu.

Victoria, Hong Kong, February 21, 1849.

WITH reference to the conference which I had the honour of holding with your Excellency on the 17th instant, I now place on record the substance of what I conceive to have been the result of it, confining myself for the present to the most important subject, viz., the entrance into the city of Canton on the 7th April next.

Your Excellency shortly admitted that there was no disputing that the agreement entered into between Keying and Sir John Davis on this subject was binding, but stated that both these parties were now absent, and that they had entered into that agreement, each knowing that its provisions could not be carried out, and moreover that they would be both absent when the time arrived for carrying them into execution; and that if the Emperor desired that the city should be thrown open, Keying ought to be sent down from Pekin to carry out his own stipulations, and that you had no objections whatever to resign your present office, but that at present the populace would not permit the provisions of the Treaty being acted on.

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