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"matter with us as you had originally proposed and save your "face". "Very sorry, we can't," they replied, as we have the "journalists to reckon with. They are a powerful people you know, "and would unmercifully write us down, if we couldn't arrange the "matter in the way they wish. We should run the risk of being " 'tormented', if we settled the matter behind their backs, as "they are dead against the Portuguese Consul for defaming their 'character and are more concerned in all this than we are. As you "say you are unable to give the tea party with the Consuls, more "particularly the Portuguese Consul, there is nothing for it but "to keep quiet and wait for developments. Meanwhile we will go "back to Canton and see if we cannot get the newspaper-men to make "matters easier for you, but it would be hopeless, as they are "very determined and are not likely to agree. Your Taipan said "just now, he couldn't get even the British Consul to agree to "our proposal, but Hok Ming (Messrs. B. & S.'s Canton Comp.) has "promised us that you would try and get the Consuls to meet us, "which he should not have done, if he had any misgivings about "it at the outset. He has put us in an awkward position. We are "afraid we can do nothing further in this matter, unless you can "get the good offices of the Consul in helping Tai Kosto carry "the matter through". The delegates took their departure, after saying