CORRESPONDENCE

RELATIVE TO THE

EARL OF ELGIN'S SPECIAL MISSIONS

ΤΟ

CHINA AND JAPAN,

1857-1859.

Presented to the House of Lords by Command of Her Majesty.
1859.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY HARRISON AND SONS

6. The Earl of Elgin

June 3,

8

7. To the Earl of Elgin

July 20,

Approve steps which he proposed to take in conse-

quence of the mutiny in India ..

9

8.

27,

Au additional force of Marines will be sent out to the

squadron at Hong Kong

9

9. The Earl of Elgin

10. To the Earl of Elgin

June 15,

Aug. 3,

11. The Earl of Elgin

June 22,

Arrangements made for the dispatch to India of the

forces then on their way to China

Approve arrangements for the dispatch to India of
the troops destined for China
Has ordered Her Majesty's troop-ship "Simoom,'
with the 5th Regiment on board, to proceed to Cal-

10

13

cutta

13

Address presented to him by British merchants at
Hong Kong, urging the necessity of compelling the
people of Canton to adhere to Treaty engagements,
and copy of his reply thereto

Arguments adduced by Sir M. Seymour in favour of

taking active steps for the reduction of Canton. Of

opinion that it would be better to proceed at once

to the Peiho

Approve of the notes addressed by him to the French

Minister and United States' Commissioner on his

arrival at Hong Kong

Approve of the answer returned by him to the Address

presented by the British merchants on his arrival

at Hong Kong

Approval of his views with respect to the course to be

adopted in China. Her Majesty's Government.

consider that the Government of Pekin must be held

responsible for the outrages committed at Canton ..

Conference with the French Admiral. Unable to

secure French co-operation until the arrival of Baron

Gros, the Special Envoy dispatched from France.

Proposes, in the meanwhile, to proceed to Calcutta!

14

15

18

19

223

23

23

23

17. To the Earl of Elgin

Sept. 5,

18.

19.

20.

36

36

:

266942

9,

9,

9,

9,

9,

Sept. 23,

23,

23,

23,

23,

23,

Aug. 22,

35.

22,

his intention to proceed to India, and to return to

China in September

Copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of

India, requesting reinforcements. Measures taken

accordingly.

Instructions given to the senior naval officer at Singa-
pore to intercept the troop-ships "Adventure" and
"Assistance" on their passage through the Straits,
and to order them to proceed to Calcutta
Has requested Mr. Jardine to furnish a report respect-
ing the trade said to be carried on by foreigners
with ports not opened by Treaty, and the employ-
ment of European vessels in the coasting trade

Circular addressed to Her Majesty's Consuls in China,

requesting information respecting the operation of

the existing Tariff, and the state of British trade

with that country

Despatch addressed to the Governor-General, announc-
ing his arrival at Calcutta

Approve note addressed to Baron Gros, respecting his
visit to India

Approve steps taken for the despatch to India of the
troop-ships" Assistance" and "Adventure"
Approve of his having taken with him to India a por-
tion of the force intended for China
Approve of steps taken to procure information respect-
ing the coasting-trade and trade with closed ports
in China. Concur in his views respecting the em-
ployment in the former of European vessels
Approve of the circular addressed to Her Majesty's
Consuls, requesting information respecting the state
of trade and the operation of the Tariff in China
Approve his having proceeded to India
Has placed Her Majesty's ships "Shannon" and
"Pearl," with their crews, at the disposal of the
Governor-General, together with the "Himalaya"
and "Simoom"

Page

..

Military force at Hong Kong insufficient for active
operations against Canton. Awaits instructions
Approve his having placed Her Majesty's ships
"Shannon" and "Pearl" at the disposal of the
Governor-General of India. Views of Her Ma-
jesty's Government as to the course to be adopted
in the present state of affairs in China
The "Blervie Castle," with the Military Train on
board, has been detained at Singapore, and ordered
to Calcutta.
Correspondence with Viscount Canning, respecting the
disposal of the military force originally destined for
China, but which has been placed under the orders
of the Government of India
Approve of the "Blervie Castle," with the Military
Train on board, having been sent to India
Return to China. Proceedings of the Russian Envoy.
Non-arrival of the French and American Ministers.
Proposes to send Mr. Bruce to the Peiho, as the
bearer of a communication to the Chinese Govern-
ment, instead of proceeding there in person
Approve of his sending Mr. Bruce to the Peiho, with
a communication for the Chinese Government, and
of the course which he proposes to take, as reported
in his despatch of the 24th of September

Proceedings of Admiral Poutiatine, the Russian

Envoy. Refusal of the Emperor to receive him at

Pekin

48. To the Earl of Elgin

49.

Jan. 4, 1858

9,

24,

27,

28,

Jan. 22, 1858

Approve his language to Count Poutiatine ..

Copy of a Memorandum drawn up by Mr. Alcock, on

the objects to be sought for in any future Treaty

with China.

Nov. 23, 1857 Copies of letters from the Shanghae Chamber of Com-
merce, and from the British merchants at Canton,
on the subject of the existing Tariff Regulations
Copy of a Memorandum drawn up by Baron Gros,
containing his views as to the course which should
be pursued by the allies
Report from Mr. Jardine respecting the trade with
ports not opened by Treaty, and the employment of
European vessels in the coasting trade
Correspondence with Rear-Admiral Sir M. Seymour.
Desirable to await the arrival of reinforcements
before taking active measures against Canton

Information received by telegraph from Alexandria, of

an ultimatum having been delivered to Yeh, and the

occupation of Honan by the allies. Desirable to

act with promptitude, and to avoid protracted nego-

tiations. In case of the capture of Canton, the

police of the city should be undertaken by the

Chinese authorities

Correspondence with Mr. Reed, the United States'
Minister, on his arrival in China
Copy of a despatch from Viscount Canning. The
state of India will not admit of his forwarding any
European troops to China at present

Correspondence with Sir M. Seymour and General

Van Straubenzee, respecting the forces at their

disposal, in case of it being necessary to make an

attack on Canton

Dec. 8, 1857

8,

10,

11,

12,

12,

14,

14,

15,

16,

16,

67. The Earl of Elgin

Dec. 22, 1857

Copy of a note addressed to Commissioner Yeh, de-

manding the execution of Treaty engagements, and

compensation for British losses

Arrangements for the delivery of the notes addressed

by the allies to Commissioner Yeh. Proclamation

to be distributed amongst the Chinese

Intention of Sir M. Seymour to take possession of

Honan Island on the 15th instant

Mr. Wade's report of his proceedings on the delivery

of the notes addressed to Commissioner Yeh

Copies of Sir J. Bowring's note to Yeh, announcing

the arrival of a Special Envoy from England, and

of his reply

Occupation of Honan Point by the allies

76

94

Feb. 2, 1858 Approval of his having requested the Naval and Mili-
tary Commanders to report on the sufficiency of the
forces at their disposal for an attack on Canton
Memorandum by Mr. Consul Robertson on the state
of British commercial relations with China, and on
the operation of the existing Tariff, together with
copies of letters from several British merchants on
those subjects

22222223

24,

26,

Translation of a note from Yeh

Conference of the allied Plenipotentiaries and Com-
manders. Summons to the Chinese authorities to
surrender the city of Canton. Proclamation issued
to the people

Note to Yeh, stating that in consequence of the unsatis-
factory answer returned to the demands of the
allies, the naval and military forces would proceed
to take active operations against Canton. Letter
from Mr. Wade, reporting the delivery of this note.

Translation of a further communication from Yeh.

Considers it better not to reply to this note, which

is as unsatisfactory as the former one

104

121

124

127

129