Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 302

284

Adams' Lecture on the War with China.

MAY,

ground of reciprocal benefit, but as a grace and condescension from the former to the latter.... His excellency was not unwilling to negotiate even on those terms; and the kóláu obligingly said, that they should have frequent opportunities of meet- ing during the continuance of his excellency's visit at the Chinese court.”

The value of this answer was very shortly after ascertained. The presentation of the embassador and the delivery of his credential letters was effected with great solemnity, and he was magnificently entertained by the emperor on his birth-day, the 17th of September. But the letter and the presents were no sooner delivered, than he received significant hints, that it was expected he would apply without delay for permission to depart.—The emperor returned after a few days to Peking, preceded by the embassador. Then lord Macartney, to avoid the appearance of obtruding himself too long upon the generous hospitality of the flowery land, wrote to the kóláu, informing him of his intention to ask permission to depart in the ensuing month of February, at the beginning of the Chinese new-year. In. stead of answering this latter, the kólau sent for lord Macartney to come to him, informed him that the emperor was greatly concerned for the health of the em- bassador and of his suite, and that the climate of Peking would be very unfavor. able to them in the winter, but that it was perfectly at the embassador's own option to depart or to remain, the solicitude of the emperor being caused solely and exclusively by his regard for the embassy and the embassador himself. Lord Macartney assured the red buttoned officer that he was not under the slightest ap. prehension for himself or for his companions, of suffering from the climate of Peking-that he had many important objects of negotiation to present to the con- sideration of his imperial majesty, and "that he, the kóláu, had, when at Jcho, been so good as to flatter him with the hope of many meetings with him, which, however anxiously he wished for, his sudden departure would necessarily prevent." The reply of the kóláu was in the most approved style of courtly dissimulation. Without particularly noticing the appcal to his previous promise, his words were so gracious that the interpreter, a native Chinese, concluded that it would be per- fectly at the embassador's option to stay as long as might suit his purpose. The kóláu gave not the most distant intimation to his excellency the embassador that the emperor's answer to the credential letter from the king of Great Britain was already prepared, and was to be delivered to him the next day, as it actually was; and that he might make no mistake as to the intentions of his Chinese majesty, Chau tájin and Wán tájin were sent to him, to inform him gently, with great reluctance, and under some depression of spirits, that they surmised but did not know, that the emperor's answer would be delivered to him on that day; and that the moment it should be received, it would be advisable to make application for permission to depart.

Early the next morning the embassador was again sent for to meet the kóláu at the great hall of audience in the palace of Peking, as soon as he could get ready. Though severely indisposed, he had no choice but to obey the summons, and after traversing a considerable part of the Tartar city, on reaching the great hall of the palace-guard, the emperor's answer to the letter of the king of Great Britain, in a large roll covered with yellow silk was placed in a chair hung with curtains of the same color. It was afterwards carried in form up the middle of three flights of stairs; while the kóláu and others who stood by it, and the embassador and his suite went up the side steps to the hall. The answer was placed in the midst of the hall, and not delivered to the embassador, but was afterwards sent to his