force
proceed to-morrow on their way to the point at which (if the Chinese
Plenipotentiaries come in to all our terms) we are to stay the
progress of the main body, going on from that point with an escort of
1,000 men. This place is about five miles from Tung-chow, and twenty
from Pekin; and so I hope to effect my pacific entry into Pekin. ...
This place has been, I am sorry to say, much maltreated, for the
people ran away, and when that takes place, it is impossible to
prevent plundering. The present plan is, that I remain here till the
army has taken up its new position, and all is arranged for my
reception at Pekin and Tung-chow, when I shall move on. Gros is here.
He has just been with me, and is in a great state because our
soldiers, in their zeal to drive away all Chinese robbers, have driven
away all his coolies.

_September 17th_.--I rode out very early this morning to see my
General before he started, and to give him a hint about the _looting_,
which has been bad here. He disapproves of it as much as I do. ...
Parkes went off again this morning to Tung-chow, with another missive
from me to my Prince (the new Plenipotentiary), rather stiff and
plain-spoken; and Loch is gone with him to get carts, &c., as I have
no means of conveying my goods and chattels. I shall probably hear to-
morrow whether there is any hitch; but even if all be right, I hardly
expect to get on before Thursday, for want of transport.

[Sidenote: Agreement broken.]

_September 18th.--Noon._--There is firing in front of us; and I have a
letter from Parkes from Tung-chow, stating that the Prince and his
colleagues made great difficulties about an _audience_ with the
Emperor. If I was sure that Parkes and Co. were well out of Tung-chow,
and that we should push on well, I should not regret the firing.
_Five P.M._--M. de Bastard, Gros' secretary, has just returned from
Tung-chow. He reports that the Tartars this morning were in possession
of the ground on which, according to the understanding entered into
with the Prince and Co., we were to have encamped. He had to ride
through their army, to his no small alarm; but he met Parkes (who
knows not what fear is) riding back to Tung-chow to tell the Prince,
&c., of the position of the Tartar army, and that they should be held
responsible for the consequences. Lo