I am directed by the Earl of Clarendon to transmit to you the accompanying Copy of a despatch which he has addressed to Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking, recording the substance of a conversation which he had with that gentleman on the 26th ultimo, and stating the views of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the relations between Great Britain and the Chinese Government; and I am to request you to communicate a Copy of the same to the Governor of Hong Kong.
Foreign Office, January 1, 1869.