honour to acknowledge the despatch of the 25th of December. and, in reply, to inform you that I agree to the general accuracy of your deductions from our conversation at that time.
Ast. That it was the object of mission to disabuse hpe foreign Powers of an itnpression they were sup-tossed to entertain, that the Chinese Government had entered upon a retrograde policy; and secondly, to deprecate a precipitate and unfriendly attempt on their part to enter upon a policy which might make all progress impossible from its menacing tone and violent shock to the feelings, and even prejudices, of the people.'
have also the honour to express my satisfaction, with the reply of your lordship on the part of her Majesty's Governnient; first, that an unfriendly pre-sure shall not be applied inconsistent with the independence and safety of China; and secondly, that her Majesty's Government desires to deal directly with the central Government rather than with the local authorities, ard that her Majesty's agents in China have been instructed to act in the spirit of these views, and to caution British subjects to pay due respect not only to the laws of the Empire, but as far as may be to the usages and feelings of the Chinese peop!
T agree also with your lordship as to the importance of the strict observance of existing treaty stipulations. Agrocing, then, as we de ta these principles of action, it is cyually gratifying to know that we do not differ as to the ianner of their application, particularly ay to the exercise of force—that is, that it should be used to protect life and property immediately exposed. These safe, the question becomes diplomatic, to be referred first to Pekin, and before war ensues, to the Home Government.
The explicit. manner in which your lordship expressed yon self upon this point, not only in the conversation of the 26th, but in that of to-day, will great satisia to the Chinese Government.
Policy, acted upon, will make wars with na impossible, or they will not occur without ssu! cient cause, and only after mature deliberation. contaration, Dut limit sayaell to a statement of the T do not recur in this despatch to other topics of our point upou.—I have te,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.