the premier and the foreign minister to adopt this course, but its
result was injurious to British interests and to humanity; it entailed a
still greater interruption of commerce, and involved a larger sacrifice
of human life.

The demands of the merchants were:--1. A distinct recognition of their
rights to go such distance into the surrounding country as could be
traversed, either by land or water, in one day out and home; and full
protection during such period from attack or insult.--2. A space of
ground of about fifty acres at Honan, or in some other convenient part
of the suburbs, for the erection of warehouses and dwelling-houses.--3.
A site for a church and church-yard * for British residents.

* By a "church yard" was meant a burial-ground attached to
the church, for Europeans only.

--4. A burial-ground for the Parsee community, either on Dares or French
Island, of forty thousand square feet.--5. A bridge to be thrown over
the passage of Hog Lane, to connect the two factory gardens.--6. A
cook-house for Lascars in Hog Lane.--7. The railing in of Lower China
Street and the lower part of Hog Lane, and the garden walls to be kept
free from Chinese buildings, excepting the military and police stations
already erected.--8. Removal of the stationary boats which at present
encumber the avenue to the factory gardens at the river-side.

Sir John Davis determined upon seeking redress for the various insults
and outrages which had been inflicted, whatever might be the propriety
of requesting the concession of such advantages as the merchants sought.
In the opinion of Sir John, who knew the Chinese well, no demand would
meet with attention which was not backed with military force. Orientals
comprehend only that argument which Europeans regard as the _dernier
resort_. The Chinese authorities were taken by surprise, or they would
have prepared for resistance, and met the military demonstration of the
English governor with defiance or stratagem. Major-general D'Aguilar
commanded the British troops. As soon as he received the directions of
the plenipotentiary, he consulted with Captain M'Dougall in command of
her majesty's ship _Vulture_. These officers agreed that the force at
their disposal was inadequate to the enterprise, but that, as audacity
and promptitude were the best weapons with oriental nations, it would
be well to act at once with such forces as they could employ. General
D'Aguilar considered it also i