"At the close of the interview I had to go into some further explanations as to the rights and duties of neutrality, in consequence of their having asked whether the English vessels of war at Nankin would carry supplies from them to the besieged garrison at Ngan-king, which I, of course, told them could not be done."
This savours rather highly of hypocrisy when it emanates from one of those fully acquainted with what was to be. "Of course," their destruction being predetermined, the Ti-pings "could not be" assisted; can Mr. Parkes and his superiors explain the conduct described in the following extract by the same "rights and duties of neutrality"?
"TO THE EDITOR OF THE Shanghae Times.
"Sir,—Do the authorities think that the terms of the treaty were that foreign vessels should be allowed to transport troops and ammunition for the suppression of this revolutionary movement in China?
"That foreign vessels should be the chief instruments in the hands of this imbecile government to do their dirty work, although garnished with gold. Can it be possible that H. B. M.'s Government will allow its ships to take passengers from here—ostensibly as coolies, but really as soldiers—a fact to which the whole foreign and native community here are alive? Can it be possible that, after so much experience and the sacrifice of so many of our countrymen, we are going to throw ourselves needlessly into the boiling caldron?
"Let us look before we leap. Vessels are loading here with soldiers for Shanghae" (Imperialist soldiers). "The fact is known at Hong-kong, and it will create much difficulty. Let the history of the three past wars with China teach us not to create another.
"Yours, &c.,
"A Friend to China.
"Hankow, January 11, 1862."
For some months this disgraceful work proceeded, till at last the following official sanction appeared:—
"CONSUL MEDHURST TO MR. BRUCE.[37]