SECTION TWO: DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE CHINESE AND BRITISH AUTHORITIES...

Sub-series within FO 682

The second date given for pieces 1972-1993 is the regnal year of the emperor (e.g. T.K 19 is the 19th year of the reign of Emperor Tao-Kwang) along with the month and day in the Chinese calendar. It appears that in 1848 the Chinese Secretary began to have the in-coming and out-going despatches copied into an entry-book, which is now preserved in the Public Record Office of London and classified as F.O. 677/26. By comparing the documents of 1848 with these entries, it seems that all those that were copied have survived. All the out-going despatches and three in-coming despatches of 1849 appear to be missing. Fortunately, their contents were copied at the time into an entry-book now classified as F.O. 677/26. 1982/1 1849 Jan 1/TK 28 12 07 Acting Imperial Commissioner Hsü Kuang-chin to Bonham. One more firm has reported having been cheated of tea worth $1,225 by Hassain and partner [Abdullah]. F.O. 682/1525 8 pages 1849 Jan 3/TK 28 12 09 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Four who robbed T.T. Meadows are pirates and therefore must be executed. [F.O. 677/26] 2 pages 1849 Jan 5/TK 28 12 11 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Agrees that negotiation through correspondence is unsatisfactory and that deputies should be appointed to settle all matters except Canton city question which must be decided by Hsü and Bonham himself. Looks forward to being received by Hsü in his yamen within the city. [F.O. 677/26] 2 pages 1849 Jan 8/TK 28 12 14 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Expects Hsü has publicised decision to abolish cassia bark monopoly. Requests copy of such public notice. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Jan 8/TK 28 12 14 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. New British [Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Collier] has arrived. Looks forward to pleasure of introducing him personally to Hsü when they meet in Canton. [F.O. 677/26] 2 pages 1849 Jan 8/TK 28 12 14 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Hassain has fled to India which is beyond his jurisdiction. Abdullah is in prison in Hong Kong for other offences but will be made to pay debt only if he were proved to have been Hassain's partner. Other debtors to Chinese merchants have either disappeared without trace or fled to places where again nothing can be done. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Jan 19/TK 28 12 15 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Is pleased that cassia bark monopoly is abolished; acknowledges copy of proclamation to this effect but protests about absence of prefix Ch'in-ch'ai to his title when referred to in proclamation. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Jan 20/TK 28 12 26 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Insists that all those who robbed T.T. Meadows be executed. Requests that British officer be allowed to witness executions in an official capacity. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Jan 20/TK 28 12 26 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. It will take days of preparation for meeting at Hu-men, all of which will be unnecessary if they meet at Hsü's yamen at Canton. Proposes to send steamer to Canton to fetch Hsü to a meeting on board British Admiral's flag ship near Hu-men. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Jan 23/TK 28 12 29 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. British sailors shipwrecked in East Kwangtung were robbed by local people on 5 Jan 1849. [F.O. 677/26] 2 pages 1849 Jan 24/TK 29 01 01 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. [The Kelpie] has disappeared in South China Sea. Requests assistance. [F.O. 677/26] 2 pages 1849 Jan 24/TK 29 01 01 Bonham to Commander of Chinese forces at Lei-chou and Ch'iung-chou. The Kelpie has disappeared in South China Sea. Royal Navy has searched for it in vain. Will be grateful for assistance. [F.O. 677/26] 2 pages 1849 Feb 7/TK 29 01 15 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. True, sailors shipwrecked in East Kwangtung were well-treated by Chinese local authorities, but they had been robbed by local inhabitants before authorities arrived. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Feb 8/TK 29 01 16 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Steamer will take Hsü from Whampoa to Hu-men, whence he will be fetched by small steamer for meeting on board Admiral's flag ship. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Feb 14/TK 29 01 22 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Suggests that original appointment on board Admiral's flag ship on 17 February be kept and then he and Admiral can visit Hsü at Hu-men the following day. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Feb 21/TK 29 01 29 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. The most important topic that emerged during discussions on 17 February was Canton city question, which Hsü proposed to refer to Emperor. Expects Hsü to reply by 1 April. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Feb 23/TK 29 02 01 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Chinese servant Hsü A-chin who stole valuables from house of British employer [Robinson] and then set fire to it must be promptly punished. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Feb 28/TK 29 02 06 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Whalers go to Liu-ch'iu only for provisions. Is certain that [Dr Bettelheim's] boat has left. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Mar 7/TK 29 02 13 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Requests extradition of Hsü A-pao et al. who murdered two British officers in Hong Kong. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Mar 12/TK 29 02 18 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. The [Elizabeth] and [Thency] have run aground at Liu-ch'iu and Royal Navy has gone to help. [F.O. 677/26] 2 pages 1849 Mar 18/TK 29 02 24 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Notice is hereby given that more troops will be sent to defend factory area in Canton. [F.O. 677/26] 2 pages 1849 Mar 20/TK 29 02 26 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Dr John Bowring, new British Consul for Canton, has arrived at Hong Kong from England. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Mar 21/TK 29 02 27 Hsü Kuang-chin to Bonham. Sending more troops to Canton will only unsettle Cantonese further. [F.O. 677/26] 2 pages 1849 Apr 9/TK 29 03 17 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Protests about the arrest, without prior notice to British Consul, of two linguists employed by the British Consulate at Canton. [F.O. 677/26] 2 pages 1849 Apr 20/TK 29 03 28 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Consul J. Bowring takes the view that the deputy whom Hsü is going to despatch to the meeting must hold rank as high as Bowring's own. Suggests that Grain Intendant or Prefect in civil hierarchy, or Colonel in military hierarchy, be deputed. [F.O. 677/26] 2 pages 1849 Apr 23/TK 29 04 01 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Dr J. Bowring is different from all other Consuls because he has been appointed by Crown. When A.W. Elmslie was only Acting Consul, he was met by Provincial Treasurer. Therefore Dr Bowring must be met by even more senior official. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 May 2/TK 29 04 [10] Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Tax scale at Shanghai is higher than that at Canton. Requests adjustment. [F.O. 677/26] 2 pages 1849 May 14/TK 29 04 22 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Again asks that porcelain be taxed at 5% ad valorem like other goods. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Jun 6/TK 29 i4 16 Bonham to Liu Yün-k'o. Has letter from Lord Palmerston thanking for the help Fukien authorities gave to steamer(s) that ran aground. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Jun 11/TK 29 i4 21 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. The few belongings Abdullah possesses have already been handed over to his creditors in Hong Kong. Protests that Hsü's despatch ended with impolite note. [F.O. 677/27] 2 pages 1849 Jun 25/TK 29 05 06 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. "Do not again let delay" is impolite note in question. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Aug 1/TK 29 06 13 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. British merchants will not be able to buy Chinese porcelain unless it is taxed at 5% ad valorem. [F.O. 677/26] 1 page 1849 Aug 2/TK 29 06 14 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Royal Navy has captured pirates and handed them over to Amoy authorities. Requests co-operation in suppressing piracy. Urges speedy apprehension of Hsü A-pao et al. [F.O. 677/26] 2 pages 1849 Aug 11/TK 29 06 23 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Parsee on his way to Whampoa has been detained by Chinese civilians. 1849 Aug 11/TK 29 06 23 Bonham to Hsü Kuang-chin. Complains about Hoppo who, without prior notice to British Consul, seized warehouse of British merchant on ground that it had sheltered consignments of smuggled good