heaven, so certainly is it that the day is near when it will be endured no longer." He then gave him notice of his intention to proceed to Peking for the purpose of obtaining a revision of the treaty of 1844 and a redress of the accumulated grievances. Similar notices were given by the British and French representatives.
But the doctor was no more successful than Messrs. Marshall and McLane in the execution of his indignant resolution. He was delayed some time by the absence of a naval vessel in reaching Shanghai. There his hopes were raised by the promise of the local Chinese authorities that they would bring about the opening of negotiations. This promise was only made to be broken, and then the season was too far advanced to go to the Peiho; besides, an adequate naval force was not at hand for the purpose.
The chief result of his visit to the north was the reception of an additional indignity to his government. On his resentment of Yen's incivility Dr. Parker had declined his offer to receive the President's letter, and at Amoy he accepted the promise of the viceroy of that province to transmit it. While at Shanghai the letter was returned to him from Peking, with a statement that it could only be received through the high commissioner, Yeh, specially delegated by the emperor to deal with foreign affairs. But when the autograph letter of President Pierce addressed to the emperor was redelivered to Dr. Parker the seals were broken. [1]
When he reached Hongkong on his return from
- ↑ S. Ex. Doc. 22, 35th Cong. 2d Sess. pp. 495-984; Martin's Cathay, 146.
