In a despatch to Lord Clarendon, I expressed my quintessential satisfaction at the favourable response to my explanations regarding the tones adopted in my previous despatch. I stated that I could not but feel that my explanations had rendered satisfactory the concerns that had been raised.
It is impossible that he should not have achieved uniform satisfaction, as Sir R. Alcock had been informed of the instructions that had already been sent to him.
At the time, my predecessor had suggested that it would be advisable for me to communicate directly with the Foreign Minister, rather than referring matters to him.
I mentioned that instructions to that effect had already been sent to Sir R. Alcock.
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Dispatch - 1873, the 3rd hour, Lord Clarendon was advised that it was advisable to communicate directly with you on such matters, before referring them to the Foreign Minister.
Munster was informed that it was desirable to communicate directly with you on such matters.
It was considered advisable to do so at Pekin.