TREATY OF TIENTSIN.
33
British Representative
III. His Majesty the Emperor of China hereby agrees that the Residence of Ambassador, Minister, or other Diplomatic Agent, so appointed by Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, may reside, with his family and establishment, permanently at the capital, or may visit it occasionally at the option of the British Government. He shall not be called upon to perform any ceremony derogatory to him as representing the Sovereign of an independent nation on a footing of equality with that of China. On the other hand, he shall use the same forms of ceremony and respect to His Majesty the Emperor as are employed by the Ambassadors, Ministers, or Diplomatic Agents of Her Majesty towards the Sovereigns of independent and equal European nations.
Government
It is further agreed, that Her Majesty's Government may acquire a site for building, or may hire houses for the accommodation of Her Majesty's Mission at Peking, and the Chinese Government will assist it in so doing.
Right of British Government to hire houses, &c., at Peking.
Her Majesty's Representative shall be at liberty to choose his own servants and attendants, who shall not be subject to any kind of molestation whatever.
British Representative to choose his own servants &c.
Any person guilty of disrespect or violence to Her Majesty's Representative, or to any member of his family or establishment, in deed or word, shall be severely punished.
Non-molestation of British Representative or his suite.
Rights and privileges of British Representative.
IV. It is further agreed that no obstacle or difficulty shall be made to the free movements of Her Majesty's Representative, and that he, and persons of his suite, may come and go, and travel at their pleasure. He shall, moreover, have full liberty to send and receive his correspondence to and from any point on the sea-coast that he may select; and his letters and effects shall be held sacred and inviolable. He may employ, for their transmission, special couriers, who shall meet with the same protection and facilities for travelling as the persons employed in carrying despatches for the Imperial Government; and, generally, he shall enjoy the same privileges as are accorded to officers of the same rank by the usage and consent of Western nations.
Expenses of British Mission to be borne by British Government.
All expenses attending the Diplomatic Mission of Great Britain shall be borne by the British Government.
V. His Majesty the Emperor of China agrees to nominate one of the Secretaries of State, or a President of one of the Boards, as the high officer with whom the Ambassador, Minister, or other Diplomatic Agent of Her Majesty the Queen shall transact business, either personally or in writing, on a footing of perfect equality.
Transaction of business between British Representative and Chinese Government.
VI. Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain agrees that the privileges hereby secured shall be enjoyed in her dominions by the Chinese Ambassadors,