tering manner by the
mandarins, who at the same time began to strengthen the defences of the
river, so as to oppose the further progress of the fleet. According to
the despatch of Admiral Seymour these defences "presented a formidable
appearance." The forts were ultimately attacked, silenced, and
captured. The fleet proceeded up the river, and found junks, filled
with combustibles, moored across with chains, but the enemy fled.
The impediments were removed, and the fleet advanced to the city of
Tien-sin, at the end of the grand canal. The city contained 300,000
inhabitants. The ambassadors landed under a flag of truce, and were
courteously received, on the 29th May.

When the emperor learned the resistless progress of the forces of his
enemies, he sent two commissioners, who alleged that they had full
powers to treat for peace. They arrived on the 4th of June. They
insisted on negotiating with the European plenipotentiaries separately,
and first with the representative of England. On producing their
credentials, and their commission, an insolent and haughty document was
read delegating power to make peace with the barbarians, if the latter
did not ask for anything contrary to Chinese custom, and Lord Elgin
immediately retired from the conference. After various efforts to create
delay, which were resisted by the plenipotentiaries, a treaty was signed
to the following effect:--

Article 1. Confirmed the treaty of Nankin of 1842, and abrogated the
supplementary treaty to that so named, and the general regulations of
trade then agreed upon.

Art. 2. Agreed to the residence of ambassadors at the courts of the
powers party to the treaty.

Art. 3. Guaranteed regulations for the residence of an English minister
at Pekin.

Art. 4. Provided for the correspondence of the British minister at
Pekin.

Art. 5. The ministers of the Emperor of China should transact business
with the British minister at Pekin on terms of perfect equality.

Art. 6. Concedes to a minister of China in London the same privileges.

Art. 7. Permits consuls in the open ports of China.

Art. 8. The Christian religion, as professed by Roman Catholics and
Protestants, to be protected by the Chinese government.

Art. 9. British subjects to travel, for pleasure or trade, into all
parts of the empire with passports from their consuls, countersigned by
the local authorities.

Art. 10. Regulations for trading ships.

Art. 11. Five more ports to be opene