My Lord,
Paris. No.90. 1883.
REG: 22 NOV 83
With reference to my Despatch No. 769 of yesterday, I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship the "Exposé des Motifs" and the text of the Bill for granting a supplementary Credit for Tonquin, which was brought into the Chamber of Deputies by the Government on the instant.
These documents are taken from an unofficial Paris newspaper, in which they have appeared this morning.
The object which the French Govt has in view is stated in the "Exposé des motifs" to be the occupation of the Delta of the Songkoi only.
La seule partie du Tonkin que nous proposons d'occuper est la Delta du Song-koi : nous n'entendons pas dépasser Bac Ninh et Hunghoa de la rivière Claire, sauf pourtant, sur la côte, les points dont l'occupation paraîtra nécessaire.
The total of the troops in Tonquin available for the expedition at the beginning of November is estimated at 8,550 men.
The naval Forces in the waters of Tonquin, and of China are stated to consist of 32 vessels with crews amounting to 4,500 men in all.
The detail of the expenses to be provided for the credit of 9,000,000 francs (£360,000) is given.
(Signed) Lyons