Mr. McLane's absence at Shanghai the governor had sought to approach Yeh upon the subject of a revision of the treaties, with a view to remedying the defects which had been developed in those in force, and had been met by evasion and a refusal to act. Mr. McLane also conferred with the French minister, and the three foreign representatives decided to act in concert in bringing pressure to bear upon the Chinese government to satisfy the existing grievances, and in so acting the American minister was conforming to the spirit of his instructions from the Secretary of State.
It was determined that if negotiations could not be opened at Shanghai with a properly authorized representative of the emperor, they would jointly go to the mouth of the Peiho in men-of-war of their respective nations, and there renew their demands on the imperial court. And of this resolution they separately served notice on Commissioner Yeh at Canton.
The three envoys arrived at Shanghai during the month of September, 1854, and remained for a few weeks hoping that they might be advised of the dispatch from Peking of plenipotentiaries empowered to open negotiations, but they were disappointed. In accordance with their plans, Sir John Bowring, Mr. McLane, and the French secretary of legation reached the Peiho October 15, the French minister being detained at Shanghai by an accident.
On their arrival they found that no steps had been taken to send plenipotentiaries to meet them. After some time consumed in conferences with the local authorities and weeks lost in waiting, a commissioner
