[1] Mr. Oliphant's 'Narrative' contains an interesting account of the places which he visited in the execution of this mission.
[2] Bruce, Robert, and Frederick, his three sons.
[3] See his 'Narrative,' vol. i. c. xi.
[4] A sacred island, in the 'sea of water-lilies.'
CHAPTER IX.
FIRST MISSION TO CHINA. TIENTSIN.
ADVANCE TO THE PEIHO—TAKING OF THE FORTS—THE PEIHO RIVER— TIENTSIN—NEGOTIATIONS—THE TREATY—THE RIGHT OF SENDING A MINISTER TO PEKIN—RETURN SOUTHWARD—SAILS FOR JAPAN.
The establishment of the principle of direct communication with the Imperial Government at the capital had always been regarded as one of the most important objects of Lord Elgin's mission. When, therefore, in reply to his letter addressed to the Prime Minister, there came an answer from a provincial officer, he returned it at once, and wrote again to the Prime Minister, pointing out that, by refusing to correspond with him directly, the Minister had broken the existing treaty, by which it was agreed that 'Her Britannic Majesty's Chief High Officer shall correspond with the Chinese High Officers, both at the capital and in the provinces, under the term "communication;"' and announcing that he should proceed at once to the North, in order that he might place himself in more immediate communication with the High. Officers of the Imperial Government at the capital. Accordingly, he arranged with Baron Gros that they should meet in the Gulf of Pecheli, at the mouth of the Peiho, backed by their respective fleets, and with the moral support of the presence of the Russian and American Plenipotentiaries.
In carrying out these plans everything depended, in his judgment, on acting promptly; and he was therefore most desirous that the supporting force should collect at once at the appointed spot, and that it should include a considerable number of gunboats of light draught, capable of passing over the mud-banks which form a bar at the mouth of the Peiho river. In this, however, he was disappointed, and many weeks elapsed before any vigorous measures could be taken. The delay, as may be supposed, caused him much annoyance and anxiety at the time; and he especially regretted it afterwards, because it prevented him from personally visiting Pekin, as he might have done at this time under circumstances peculiarly favourable; and thus left the delicate question of access to the capital to be settled by his successor, with no such advantage.[1]
[Sidenote: Advance to the Peiho.]