for which restitution has to be made. And be it obs qu indemnity is not a question raised and initiated by the merchants as part of the "vigorous policy" which we are so gratuitously supposed to favor, but the calm and deliberate demand made by the British Legation at Peking, in one of the most temperate communications ever presented to the Chinese Government, Sir R. Alcock gives Prince Kung timely waning of what would eventually be don very serious matter. He wrote, "However ing or reluctant Her "Majesty's Government may Cenfiree the claims of their subjects for "Josses agincurred, they cannot be ignored "or their settlement indefinitely de-"ferred. SUCH A DAY OF RECKONING MUST "cows." Circumstances seem to point out that the propitious moment has arrived.
Thave also endeavonced to substantiate, by recent experience of our relations with China, the truthful description given to us it D. B. Robertson, of this nation of important official intercourse, and of whom, even seventeen years ago, he formed the following correct and spirited judgment, "The Chinese are essentially' Asiatics "fraud, duplicity, and cunning are never "spared to gain the most trifling point, "particularly in matters of etiquette oF negotiation."
Tf it be objected that might have been silent on such subjects, I venture to shelter myself with the example of Sir Frederick Bruce who, in his letter to Lord Malmesbury 13th July, 1859, wrote "Te is necessary to allude briefly to the "ynaxima of China in regard to intercourse "with foreign nations, as they afford the "key to what has taken place."
TF there be one thing more than another which has been fatal to. our amicable and just intercourse with China, it is the forgetfulness. of the true character of the people with whom we are dealing, and the pernicious maxim that we are here only on sulflerance, only as a consequence of the condescension of the Emperor. The statesmen who termied the last war with China, took a very different view of our slatys and our rights in this country. Sir F, Bruce, for example, wrote that our relations with China rested oN principles, and 1 venture to terminate thy correspondence, which T respectfully offer to the indulgent consideration of those who will do me the favor to peruse it, with Sir¥. Bruce's words, as a aourenir of the motives that have' actuated mo in writing on the tedious subject of transit dues:—The Treaty of "Tientsin assents PRiNciPLes which are "diametrically opposed to the traditional "pretensions of the Chinese Goverment."
Mercator, 4th August.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.