from the emperor finally arrived. He arranged to receive the foreign envoys on the muddy banks of the river in a miserable tent badly adapted for the purpose. It was a shameful disregard of the courtesies so usual with Chinese officials, and could only be interpreted as a studied affront to the foreigners who had made themselves unwelcome guests.
When the conference was opened, the Chinese plenipotentiary confessed that he had no full powers or authority to negotiate, and could only hear what the foreign representatives had to say. Their object was to secure a revision of the treaties, and they all rested their claim upon a clause in the American treaty of 1844 which reads as follows:—
"Inasmuch as the circumstances of the several ports of China open to foreign commerce are different, experience may show that inconsiderable modifications are requisite in those ports which relate to commerce and navigation; in which case the two governments will, at the expiration of twelve years from the date of said convention, treat amicably concerning the same, by the means of suitable persons appointed to conduct such negotiations."
While the Chinese plenipotentiary stated that he had no authority to negotiate, he took pains to inform the British representative that he could not claim the right to have his treaty revised because the American treaty contained the clause cited; and he replied to Mr. McLane that "the inconsiderable modifications" referred to did not justify the revision for which he contended. This was an answer worthy to emanate
