No. 69.
Mr. Low to Mr. Fish.
Peking, May 1, 1873. (Received June 21.)
Sir: In my No. 251 reference was made to a conference between my colleagues and the ministers of the yamên on the 21st ultimo. It seems that the six points then formally brought forward for discussion were those upon which the government desired specific information, and the ministers were instructed to bring them to our notice. These points have been discussed at three separate conferences—one on the 21st ultimo, at the foreign office, at which I was not present, and two at this legation, at which I was present. A memorandum, in the form of a protocol, of these three conferences is now being prepared. After it is finished, and signed by both sides, it will be submitted to the Emperor with a memorial from the ministers of the yamên. A copy of the rough draft of the* protocol is inclosed.
In reading this inclosure, you will undoubtedly be impressed with the fact that the arguments of the Chinese ministers are unreasonable, and, therefore, unworthy of serious consideration. To them, however, this question is very grave, and their responsibility very great; nor can they see clearly what the future consequences will be when once the doors of the palace are thrown open to admit foreigners, and they feel their inability to provide for the contingencies that may happen. The general drift of all their proposals, and the discussions recently, is an effort to provide for the future. Although we have no specific promise, it seems to be conceded that the question, so far as we are concerned, is practically settled. I have the strongest reasons for believing that the decision of the government has already been come to, and that our demand for audience will be conceded without much further delay.
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I have, &c.,