up the river slowly, meeting with no
resistance, rather a friendly reception, from the people. I am
surprised that we have not yet heard anything from Pekin. I hope the
Emperor will not fly to Tartary, because that would be a new
perplexity. I am not quite in such bad spirits as last week, because
at least now there is some chance of our getting this miserable war
finished, and thus of my obtaining my liberty again.... We ought to
have a mail from England any day.... Changes of Government have this
inconvenience, that of course the new-comers cannot possibly take time
to read over previous correspondence, so that they must be but
partially informed on many points,... but no doubt at this distance it
is practically impossible for Government to give instructions, and all
the responsibility must rest on the agent on the spot. At this moment,
when I am moving up to Pekin, I am receiving the despatches of the
Government commenting upon the Canton proceedings, and asking me: What
do you intend to do next?

_May 27th._--I have been pacing the deck looking at the dancing waves
sparkling under a bright full moon. It is the third time, I think,
that I have seen it since I have been in this gulf. I had a message
last night late from the Admiral, stating that he is within two miles
of Tientsin! I sent Frederick up that he might see what is going on,
and let me know when I ought to advance. I had also a communication
from the Chinese Plenipotentiaries, but it was not of much importance.
I do not think that these poor, timorous people have any notion of
resisting. I only trust that they may make up their minds to concede
what is requisite at once, and enable us all to have done with it.

_May 28th._--The last news from Canton shows that the kind of panic
which had been, in my opinion most needlessly, got up, is subsiding,
and the General has sent up a few men--for which I ought to thank him,
as he had only been asked whether he could supply any if wanted.

_May 29th._--I have a short despatch from the new Government, giving
me latitude to do anything I choose if I will only finish the affair.
Meanwhile Frederick writes from Tientsin to recommend me to proceed
thither, and I intend to be off this afternoon. There appears to be on
the part of the Chinese no attempt at resistance, but on the other