month later he wrote that nothing short of an actual approach to Peking "with a decisive tone and available force" would produce a result. Referring to the peaceful attitude of the United States, he adds: "Steadfast neutrality and consistent friendship make no impression on the isolated obduracy of this empire."
In this frame of mind the American minister found no difficulty in uniting with the British and French representatives in identic notes to Peking, in which a request was made for the appointment of plenipotentiaries to meet the foreign representatives at Shanghai to negotiate for a revision of the treaties, with a notice that if such action was not taken, they would feel it their duty to approach still nearer to the capital to press their demand. The Russian minister likewise took the same course.
Mr. Reed informed the Secretary of State that, in case of refusal to negotiate at Shanghai, the powers would jointly proceed to the mouth of the Peiho. "This," he says, "will be made the most imposing appeal that has ever been addressed by the Western powers to the sense of justice and policy of the Imperial court." He then submits for the consideration of the President "the possible alternative of a persistent and contemptuous refusal to entertain any friendly proposition to afford redress for injuries, or to revise the treaty;" and he asks to be invested with power to exercise the necessary coercion to bring the court to terms. Secretary Cass replied approving of the minister's course in joining with the powers in their representations to Peking, but he again refers to his instructions, and states that,
