Note 20 — The Chinese and the “Outer Barbarians.”
Reading edition
“Her Majesty’s Government are prepared to expect that all the arts at which the Chinese are such adepts will be put in practice to dissuade you from repairing to the capital, even for the purpose of exchanging the ratifications of the treaty, but it will be your duty firmly, but temperately, to resist any propositions to that effect, and to admit of no excuses.
“The Admiral in command of H.M.’s naval forces in China, has been directed to send up with you to the mouth of the Peiho a sufficient naval force.
“You will insist on your being received at Peking, and will refuse to exchange ratifications at any other place.”—Despatch of Lord Malmesbury, 1st March, 1859.