[6] In the French treaty the discrepancies between the French and Chinese text are yet more striking. The Chinese text places Chinese subjects claimed by the authorities under conditions far less favourable than those provided by the French version.
[7] Debate, July.
[8] In the Elgin Papers many pages are occupied with the details of the correspondence between the commissioners who came to the mouth of the Tien-tsin river and the court of Peking, and which were found in Yeh’s archives at Canton.
[9] Speech at Philadelphia, quoted in North American Review, No. CLXXXV. p. 503.
[10] American Papers, p. 417: Despatch dated 27th November, 1857.
[11] Keih was one of the most intelligent and honest of the high mandarins of China. He was killed in an action with the rebels soon after his last interview with the foreign ministers. He openly blamed the perversity of Yeh, whom he hoped to succeed in the office of high commissioner. Had his life been spared, and his counsels prevailed, he would have initiated a policy of conciliation and amity.
[12] We give one of Yeh’s characteristic proclamations, issued during the siege of Canton:—
“Yeh, governor-general of the two Kwang provinces, member of the cabinet, and baron of the empire, hereby proclaims for the general information:—
“These are the contumacious English barbarians, who are akin to dogs and hogs, and like wolves and jackals in disposition, who make no distinction in the human relations, and are destitute of propriety or manners * * * * * who act as they list, have the tempers of wild beasts, and go here and there in wild recklessness, regardless of human rights or order.
“These are they who have presumed, like flocks of ravens issuing from out their coverts, to cast contemptuous looks on celestial awe-inspiring dignity, and seeing that our troops were unprepared, suddenly have taken possession of our forts, and following the bent of their lawless wickedness have burned the shops and dwellings of our people. Gods and men are indignant, heaven and earth can no longer endure them, and well will it be for your people if you unite in particular, and with vigorous arm exterminate them altogether. Let soldiers and gentry exhibit their loyalty, and with the braves, known to be in every place, swear, as they exhibit a force and union like the driving tempest, that they will revenge the honour of their country. Let full obedience be given to his majesty’s rescript, and with firm purpose and stout arm sweep them off without remainder, burning their lairs, and exterminating their whole kith and kin.