rainan. So late as yesterday, the chief French Naval Officer at Tongking disclaimed any intention of hostile aggression except in Fouquin - and expressed amusement at the vigorous preparations at Haiphong and elsewhere for defence against which, as they declare, is meditated.
7. Nothing of importance has occurred in Fouquin. The French Commander is probably awaiting the arrival of fresh reinforcements now on the way from France before attacking Bacninh.
8. The British Minister in China, (Sir Harry Parkes) is now shut up in Peking; access to which City is very difficult, for at this season of the year the river Peiho (leading to the Capital) are frozen since the date of my last Despatch (No. 357 of the 31 December 1883).
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