they wished to be encouraged, though they allowed, to do so by degrees and without any sudden & violent shock to the feelings, passions, and even prejudices of their people.
H. M's Govt, informed you in reply, fully admitted that the Chinese Govt were entitled to count upon the forbearance of foreign nations; and assured you that, as far as this Country was concerned, there was no desire nor intention to apply unfriendly pressure to China to induce her Govt to advance more rapidly in her intercourse with foreign nations than was consistent with safety and with due & reasonable regard for the feelings of her subjects.
But H. M's Govt, I said, expected from China a faithful observance of the Stipulations of existing treaties, and reserved to themselves the right of employing friendly representation to induce the Chinese Govt to advance in the course opened up by those treaties, and to afford greater facilities and encouragement & protection to the subjects of foreign Powers, seeking to extend Commercial intercourse with the Chinese people.
I must feel that they may fairly appeal to the Chinese Govt, though always in terms of friendship, to act in this Spirit towards the subjects & other foreign nations; & they may be more confident because they may be excused