Mis
in tres the wish of H.M's Govt that all do: Was Servents in China- should conciliate the good will of the Authorities and People of the Country. They many effect this object without any sacrifice of the interests which they specially appointed to protect, and -although in particular cases the performance of their duty may be unpalatable
te to some British Subjects whose irregularities they may find it necessary to check, it cannot be doubted that the general advantage of British Trade will be best consulted by proving to the Chinese Govt that its progress & extension are compatible with respect for the feelings and opinions of the nation at large.
I have but little to say on the last description of authority vested in you, namely that by which,
( you are enabled, to en certain degree, to control the Naval & Military Forces in the China Seas. I rely upon your bearing in mind that the assumption of a right of interference in matter of this nature, on the part of a Civil Servant of the Crown, is likely, to be viewed with much jealousy & dislike, by Officers who
object to it; while the same officers would most cordially cooperate
cordially in carrying out the wishes of the Civil Servant if those wishes were presented to them in a manner
less repugnant to their will, & professional feelings. Bearing this in mind,
I doubt not, you will find the Naval & Military commanders ready to cooperate with you on all occasions; and the advantage which must result to the Public Service from the perfect harmony of the Civil, Naval, and Military Servants of the
Crown
in so distant
17.
a quarter of the world, and under circumstances of so peculiar a nature, will, I am sure,
induce you to spare
no
pains to ensure
a unity of action and
strong
you
and
to ensure, unanimity of those who are called
upon
upson
50
to act in concert for the promotion of the Public interest. Before I conclude this despatch, I will advert to some points with which
you may naturally wish to be made acquainted with the views of
H.M's Govt
First then, as regards more direct communication with the Court at Peking, if on intimation should be conveyed to you that The Emperor would desire your presence at this Capital, and if this intimation should afford you sufficient assurance that you would be treated as becomes the Representative of the Queen, and would not be invited or required to submit to
any degrading ceremonial,
H.M's Govt would think it advisable that you should defer in this respect to the wishes of His Imp. Majesty, and present yourself at his
and Court. But a further question may arise, whether you
should seek
to enter into direct correspondence with the Chinese Minister residing at the seat of Govt ? If unreasonable difficulties should be raised by the Chinese Authorities with whom
you will come in contact, and
in the ordinary course of your duty you should think it probable that a direct appeal to the Imperial Govt would be likely to bring about a removal of those difficulties, I should not consider the unusual character of the proceeding to be a sufficient obstacle to deter you from having recourse to it. But it is a measure not lightly to be adopted and until our increased intercourse with China shall have led to our being better understood and our motives more justly appreciated,
I should think that it would be prudent to abstain, except under very pressing circumstances, from any attempt to
open
a direct correspondence with Peking., unsuccessful would probably be productive of very great inconvenience. your object should always avoid advancing pretensions, or urging claims, which
be of
a doubtful character, or not admit of
being
May