18th Jan, We have now received from Peking the text of the Emperor's reply to Mr. O'Conor on the occasion of the audience given to the latter on the 13th of December, at the Cheng Kuang tien in the palace grounds at Peking. His Imperial Majesty said "The Royal Letter which you, Sir, as British Minister, have presented to us and the sentiments which it conveys from Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland have caused us a feeling of the most sincere gratification. We offer our respectful greetings to the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and trust that Her Majesty is well.
"During your former residence in China you parsed a fair and cone tory policy and showed a full conception of the duties of your position, and now, Sir, that you. have returned entrusted with a special mission we feel assured that friendly relations will be still further strengthened and confirmed. It will be our duty to repose full confidence in you and treat you with all due courtesy.
"Tt is moreover our earnest desire that the bond of friendship existing between the two empires may daily grow more intimate and that both alike may enjoy the blessings of peace and prosperity."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.