and policy of the Chinese authorities. He was reminded that his country was not at war with China, and sought only to enter that empire for lawful commerce.
With these instructions was inclosed a copy of correspondence had with the British government, in response to an invitation of the allies to join in their hostile expedition. In it attention was called to the fact that the executive branch of the government of the United States was not the war-making power, that military expeditions into Chinese territory could not be undertaken without the authority of Congress, and that the relations of the United States with that country, in the judgment of the President, did not then warrant a resort to war. The policy of the United States was one of peace; it had no political views connected with that empire; and, owing to the difference in manners and traits of national character, true wisdom seemed to dictate moderation, discretion, and the work of time in the attempts to open China to trade and intercourse.
When Mr. Reed arrived in Hongkong, November, 1857, he found the allies almost ready to begin hostile operations. Lord Elgin,—a British statesman of noble family and large political experience,—returning from a successful term as governor-general of Canada, had been assigned by his government to the political management of the campaign, and with him was associated as the French representative Baron Gros, a diplomat of high reputation. Upon making known to the allies the tenor of his instructions, Mr. Reed reports their surprise and disappointment, as they had been "encouraged in the most extravagant expectation of coöperation on our
