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TIENTSIN TREATY, 1858.
Art. III-His Majesty the Emperor of China hereby agrees, that the Ambas- sador, Minister, or other Diplomatic Agent, so appointed by Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain may reside, with his family and establishment, permanently at the capital, or may visit it occasionally, at the option of the British Government. He shall not be called upon to perform any ceremony derogatory to him as representing the Sovereign of an independent nation on a footing of equality with that of China. On the other hand, he shall use the same forms of ceremony and respect to His Majesty the Emperor as are employed by the Ambassadors, Ministers, or Diplomatic Agents of Her Majesty towards the Sovereigns of independent and equal European
nations.
It is further agreed, that Her Majesty's Goverument may acquire at Peking a site for building, or may hire houses for the accommodation of Her Majesty's Mission. and that the Chinese Government will assist it in so doing.
Her Majesty's Representative shall be at liberty to choose his own servants and attendants, who shall not be subjected to any kind of molestation whatever.
Any person guilty of disrespect or violence to Her Majesty's Representative, or to any member of his family or establishment, in deed or word, shall be severely punished. Art. IV. --It is further agreed that no obstacle or difficulty shall be made to the free movement of Her Majesty's Representative, and that he, and the persons of his suite, may come and go, and travel at their pleasure. He shall moreover, have full liberty to send and receive his correspondence to and from any point on the sea-coast that he may select; and his letters and effects shall be held sacred and inviolable. He may employ, for their transmission, special couriers, who shall meet with the same protection and facilities for travelling as the persons employed in carrying despatches for the Imperial Government; and, generally, he shall enjoy the same privileges as are accorded to officers of the same rank by the usage and consent of Western nations. All expenses attending the Diplomatic mission of Great Britain shall be borne by the British Government.
Art. V.-His Majesty the Emperor of China agrees to nominate one of the Secretaries of State, or a President of one of the Boards, as the high officer with whom the Ambassador, Minister, or other Diplomatic Agent of Her Majesty the Queen shall transact business, either personally or in writing, on a footing of perfect equality.
Art. VI-Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain agrees that the privileges hereby seemed shall be enjored in ber dominions by the Aulassadors, Ministers, or Diplomatie Agents of the Emperor of China, accredited to the Court of Her Majesty.
Art. VII.-Her Majesty the Queen may appoint one or more Consuls in the dominions of the Emperor of China; and such Consul or Consuls shall be at liberty to reside in any of the open ports or cities of China, as Her Majesty the Queen may consider most expedient for the interests of British commerce. They shall be treated with due respect by the Chinese authorities, and enjoy the same privileges and in-
munities as the Consular Officers of the most favoured maion.
Consuls, and Vice-Consuls in charge, shall rank with intendants of Circuits: Vicc – Consuls. Acting Vice-Consuls, and Interpreters, with Prefects. They shall have access to the official residences of these officers, communicate with them, either personally or in writing on a footing of equality, as the interests of the public service may require.
Art. VIII-The Christian religion, as professed by Protestants or Rowan Catholies, inculcazes the practice of virtue, and teaches man to do so as he would be done by. Persons teaching it or professing it, therefore, shall alike be entitled to the protection of the Chinese authorities, nor shall any such, peaceably pursuing their calling and not offending against the laws, be persecuted or interfered with.
Art. IX.-British subjects are hereby authorized to travel, for their pleasure or for purposes of trade, to all parts of the interior, under passports which will be issued by their Consuls, and countersigned by the local authorities. These passports, if demanded, must be produced for examination in the localities passed through. If the passport be not irregular, the bearer will be allowed to proceed, and no opposition shall be offered to his hiring persons, or hiring vessels for the carriage of his baggage or merchandize. If he be without a passport, or if he commit any offence against the
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