On arriving before the Yamen there was a short pause before the large central gate swung open to let us pass, and as we entered three guns were fired off as a salute.
I was met in an inner hall by Wen Taotai, Mr. Kao and Mr. Hsieh; the first named speaks excellent English and was one of the Chinese officials deputed to negotiate the Commercial Treaty with Sir James Mackay.
Viceroy Tsen welcomed me cordially and conducted me into a large room where we seated ourselves at a long table covered with the usual sweetmeats.
Sir Matthew Nathan, Governor of Hongkong, with whom I have been staying, had asked me to mention one or two things to the Viceroy should I see him. Accordingly, after a few remarks of a general character had passed, I said that the Governor had asked me to convey his congratulations on the successful manner in which His Excellency had put down the rebellion in Kwang-si. The Viceroy looked pleased and requested me to thank Sir Matthew for his kind message.
I then remarked that the Governor was most anxious to make his acquaintance and to visit Canton; he had deferred doing the latter, however, in the Viceroy's absence, but hoped to have the opportunity of seeing him and Canton at no distant date. Tsen smiled and bowed, but made no definite reply.
I next alluded to the procedure which had been adopted in regard to extradition in the "Perseverance" case, which had given great satisfaction to the Hongkong Government and which they hoped would be followed in future cases. The Viceroy said that it would be most certainly, and remarked that he sincerely wished that extradition cases could be arranged as satisfactorily with Macao as with Hongkong. With the former place there were endless difficulties and delays which involved heavy expenses. His Excellency hoped that the present regulations in respect to the export of arms from Hongkong to the two Kwang Provinces, which was the next subject I brought forward, would not be relaxed. It was a most necessary measure which went far to secure order and tranquillity which the Hongkong Government must be just anxious ...
71
On arriving before the Yamen there was a short
pause before the large central gate swung open to
off as a salute.
let us pass, and as we entered three guns were fired
I was met in an inner hall by Wen
Taotai, Mr. Kao and Mr. Hsieh; the first named speaks
excellent English and was one of the Chinese offi-
cials deputed to negotiate the Commercial Treaty with
Sir James Mackay.
Viceroy Tsen welcomed me cordially and conduct-
ed me into a large room where we seated ourselves
at a long table covered with the usual sweetmeats.
Sir Matthew Nathan, Governor of Hongkong, with
whom I have been staying, had asked me to mention
one or two things to the Viceroy should I see him.
Accordingly after a few remarks of a general charac-
ter had passed I said that the Governor had asked
me to convey his congratulations on the successful
manner in which His Excellency had put down the re-
bellion in Kwang-si. The Viceroy looked pleased and
requested me to thank Sir Matthew for his kind mes-
sage.
I then remarked that the Governor was most
anxious to make his acquaintance and to visit Canton;
he had deferred doing the latter, however, in the
Viceroy's absence, but hoped to have the opportunity
Tsen
of seeing him and Canton at no distant date.
smiled and bowed, but made no definite reply.
I next alluded to the procedure which had been
adopted in regard to extradition in the "Perseverance
case, which had given great satisfaction to the Hong-
kong Government and which they hoped would be follow-
ed in future cases. The Viceroy said that it would
be most certainly, and remarked that he sincerely
wished that extradition cases could be arranged as
satisfactorily with Macao as with Hongkong. With
the former place there were endless difficulties and
delays which involved heavy expenses. His Excellency
hoped that the present regulations in respect to the
export of arms from Hongkong to the two Kwang Pro-
vinces,
ward,
T
which was the next subject I brought for-
would not be relaxed. It was a most neces-
sary measure which went far to secure order and tran-
quillity which the Hongkong Government must be just
anxious
8.8
A
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