and also, if possible, to prevent another outbreak of hostilities, crossed the bar in company with Commodore Tatnall of the Powhatan in the small steamer Toeywan. Before he could communicate with the shore the Toeywan grounded. The British admiral, seeing the steamer was placed in the immediate locality of the prospective hostilities, sent a steam tug to her relief and sought in vain to get her afloat. Drs. Williams and Martin, secretary and interpreter of the legation, went on shore in a small boat and were informed that no one would be permitted to ascend the river, but that the governor-general of the province would meet the envoys at the north entrance of the river, about ten miles away.
The next day Admiral Hope, the British commander, advanced to the bar with the intention of removing the obstructions from the river, when he was fired upon by the Taku forts. A general engagement followed between the forts and the British and French forces, resulting in the complete repulse of the allies with heavy loss of vessels and men. They were overwhelmed with surprise at the effective defense of the Chinese, who had evidently profited by the experience of the engagement the year before.
The American minister and commodore were enforced witnesses of the contest. The little steamer on which they were had been floated off by the tide, but could not pass through the line of battle. In the midst of the conflict Commodore Tatnall, hearing that Admiral Hope was dangerously wounded and his vessel disabled, hastened with a boat's crew, as the minister reports, "not to assist him in the fight, but to give his sympa-
