month was the 70th anniversary of the birthday of the Viceroy, which is regarded as a special occasion for rejoicing among the Chinese, I desired Mr Alabaster to inform His Excellency that I was prepared to send my Aide-de-Camp or Private Secretary to convey my best wishes to him, but that if he did not desire such to be done, to offer him my congratulations on the auspicious event. This the Consul did. And I beg to enclose for Your Lordship's information, a copy of the communication sent by Mr Alabaster to the Viceroy and of His Excellency's reply.
Enclosure 1. 10th September 1890.
Enclosure 2. 13th September 1890.
2. It is very desirable that everything should be done to maintain those amicable relations, which I venture to think exist at present between the Chinese