immediately, to avoid complications with other powers; and that he thought he should continue to seek to carry out his instructions to proceed to Peking and exchange ratifications of the treaty.
Accordingly he went to the place designated for his meeting with the governor-general, was received by him "with every demonstration of respect," and informed by that official that he was directed by the emperor to escort him to Peking. Without much delay he and his suite of thirty persons were conducted to the capital. Dr. Martin records: "We were the guests of the emperor, and our wants were provided for with imperial munificence." The minister was met by the treaty commissioners, whom he had left at Shanghai, and in the first conference with them he was told "that an interview with his Majesty the Emperor was absolutely necessary before any other business could be transacted in the capital," and that he would have "to practice the rites and ceremonies necessary to be observed for several days before the audience could take place." Thereupon a long discussion ensued, continuing through two weeks, as to the manner of conducting this audience. The Chinese commissioners first insisted that Mr. Ward should observe the universal custom at court and perform the kotou, or prostration, before the emperor, and when met by an indignant and absolute refusal, they offered to waive that ceremony if he would kneel on both knees, but finally expressed a willingness to accept an obeisance on one knee from the American minister. This matter had been the subject of discussion between Lord Elgin and the Chinese at Tientsin,
