The General Council secretly forwards the following Imperial Edict to Kwan, Imperial Commissioner, a Grand Secretary, Viceroy of Hukwang, &e.; Tsing, Imperial Commissioner, assistant Grand Secretary, Viceroy of the two Kiang provinces, &e.
Tso, Viceroy of Fuhkien and Chekiang, ni, General comma: ing the garrison of Kweichow, Acting viceroy of the two] Kwang provinces, Li, Governor of Kiangsoo, acting pro tem, Viceroy of the two Kiang provinces, Lin, Governor of Kiangsi Ma, Governor of Chekiang Cheng, a Member of the Board' of Revenue, late Governor of Hupeh Kwo, Actg. Governor of Kwangtung, and Chung, Commissioner of Trade for the Three Ports.
The General Council had the honour to receive, un the 10th day 2nd moon and 5th year of T'ung-chih, from His Blajesty, the Following rescript "The Foreign Office has memorialized the Throne, in reference toto communications, one from the Inspector-General of Customs, entitled "Remarks by an Outsider" (or "oh servations by a disinterested spectator,")and the other from the British Minister, styled Notes on recent Discussions, both hav-jing a most important, beant on our foreign relations; and the Foreign Office prays that orders be sent to all the Viceroys and Governors of the Treaty Ports provinces, requesting them to draw up and forward to the Throne, a carefully prepared statement of their views on the questions there-discussed. Both documents, together with the despatches which accompanied them have been laid before us; and We observe that some of the subjects treated of, imparatively demandimmediateconsideration; for it is manifest that the troubled state of q the country, and the impoverished con tion of the exchequer, have led foreigners to entertain extravagant expectations (or have excited the cupidity of foreigners.)
Mr. Hart's " Remarks of an Outsider" is divided into two heads, one discussing the state of China, and the other the: state of foreign nations. The British Minister, Wade's "Notes on Recent Discussions" has also two leading thoughts, one treating of the employment by China of foreign methods to strengthen her own position, and the other on the urgency of the present crisis, and the perils of delay. The latter document, in the main, is very similar to that of the Inspector-General, but is ex-Presed in much stronger langrage. The occasion of these strictures on China is stated to be the fear entertained that, on account of the largeness of our territorial domain, we shall not be able to protect the foreign merchants. The Foreign Office is of opinion that foreigners, unable to find at present any ground of quarrel, have originated these discussions, to serve hereafter as handle when occasion may require; and that, unless the topics in question are thoroughly deliberated on beforehand, when the rupture comes, the alarm of the hour will make our position doubly difficult. 'These remarks occasion the reflect tion that peace or war with foreign nations wholly depends on our own' internal strength or weakness.
The British Minister's remarks, on the excellences and defects of the civil and military administration and the fiscal system of China, and on the employment of foreign capital in building ships, manufacturing arms and drilling troops, contain one or two seasonable suggestions. Let the high Local Authorities take note of these and exert themselves to the utmost in devise ing and carrying out such operations as will tend daily to strengthen our position, that we may not become contemptible in the eyes of foreign nations. In this way, the bud," and an effectual stop be put the threatened danger will be nipped in to the furtive and encroaching designs of foreigners.
Among the remarks on foreign intercourse, the one bearing on the appoint ment of a resident Chinese ambassador to each foreign Court, should be acted on. As to the other topics treated under this head,—and discussed with much prolixity for the sake of clearness—they may be summed up as simply giving expression to a suspicion that China' will not be able hereafter to fulfil her treaty engagements.
Regarding the subject of railways, tele graphs, and so forth; though the execntion of such projects is fraught with diffi culties to us, yet foreign nations have so thoroughly set their mind on these thin, that they cannot fail to become, at an early date, the occasion of dispute.' Still more is it to be apprehended that, by and by, under the pretence of protecting the for: eign merchants, these schemes will be started at the Treaty Ports.
Kinngsoo, Kiangsi, Chekiang, Hukwang, Fuhkien, Kwangtung and the Three Ports are all either maritime or riverine districts and connected with foreign trade; let therefore the Viceroys and Governors of these provinces take into consideration the present condition of our foreign relations 5: pointing out how we may best strengthen ourselves and prepare for any future emergency, and how we may best guard against giving occasion of suspicion to foreign nations (i. e. suspicion of inability to keep -treaty engagements.)
Let Kwan, Tsing, Tso, Jui, Li, Liu, Ma, Ch'éng, Kwo and Chung, taking the* 8 state of things in their own provinces asa basis, discuss the whole subject of owr foreign relations, ina thorough and comprohensive manner; pointing out 1st, such projects as in their view may be at once granted; 2nd, such as may properly form subjects for deliberation when occasion re-.d 3rd, such schemes as are whol ible and impracticable. Let ead draw up a clear and carefully prepared statement of his views on each of these points, and secretly forward it to the Throne without delay.
The subject has a most important bearing on our foreign relations; and it is hoped
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.