Note 6 — Chapter XXXIX · THE HISTORY OF THE AMUR.
Reading edition
The Chinese were either unwilling or unable to oppose the passage. Up to this time no attempt had been made to found any settlement on the Upper or Middle Amur, and the presence of the allied fleets in the Pacific ostensibly justified the assembling of a force on the Lower Amur. The Chinese did send to Nikolaefsk certain mandarins to treat; but these not being of sufficient rank, Muravieff refused to receive them.