LORD ELGIN AND THE TAIPINGS
27
The next evening, the squadron anchored off the city of T'ai-p'ing, also in Taiping hands, after having previously silenced some other forts a few miles below under equally questionable circumstances. Nevertheless, at T'ai-p'ing a request came to the British from the Taipings for assistance against the Imperialist war junks. The request note referred to its writer as "your younger brother" and was addressed to "your Excellencies the Foreigners."12 In reply, Elgin sent a note recalling what had happened the previous day at Nanking, indicating that this had been a "warning to all who may be hereafter minded to interfere with the ships of Her Majesty."3 For their part, however, the Taipings apologized for the firing at Nanking, explaining that it had been a mistake. Assurances were also given that the mission would not again be molested. Elgin conceded that he believed the Taipings to be sincere.14 Their request for assistance, however, was ignored.
Two days later, on November 23, the English arrived at Wu Hu, where they paused and sent ashore Thomas Wade "to ascertain the disposition of the insurgents" and "in particular to determine if supplies could be obtained."15 This proved to be another instance of unmitigated presumption on the part of the visitors, and we see this by reading the English account only. Even though the Taipings' suggestion as to the form in which the request be made (a letter to the Taiping chief) was ignored by the English, the Taipings were still quick in making available the requested provisions. In spite of this gracious and generous Taiping hospitality, Wade's report of this visit is filled with language prejudicial to his hosts. There is not the slightest indication that appreciation was felt, or expressed.16 The squadron continued its progress up the Yangtze,
The next clash, at Anking, remains a classic instance of international effrontery. As the English ships approached this city it was under attack by Ch'ing forces, an assault that may have been coordinated with the English arrival. According to eyewitness Laurence Oliphant: "It seemed that the Government troops had received notice of our approach and had determined to take advantage of it, in order to make a grand attack upon Ngan-king…". Aside from these circumstances, not mentioned in most accounts of the affair, Elgin himself knew that the Taipings