Lord Pauncefote to Mr. Hay.
Sir: With reference to your note [circular] of the 30th ultimo, I have the honor, by direction of Her Majesty’s principal secretary of [Page 353] state for foreign affairs, to inform you that Her Majesty’s Government have not yet received any answer to the communication which they have addressed to the British officials in Pekin, calling for fuller information as to the state of affairs in that city.
Until a reply is received from Sir C. MacDonald and the general in command of the British forces there, Her Majesty’s Government will not be able to form a confident judgment in the important question raised in the circular addressed to the Russian representatives abroad dated August 25 and communicated to the powers.
I have the honor to be, etc.,