Page:American Diplomacy in the Orient - Foster (1903).djvu/238

 of the most accomplished diplomatic representatives of the United States and had a long public career. In order that he might not be subjected to the embarrassments encountered by Mr. Marshall, the naval commander on the Asiatic station was instructed to place a national vessel at his disposal, and in such other ways as was possible to second his efforts.

He arrived at Hongkong in March, 1854, where he met his first disappointment, which unfortunately was only the beginning of a series which attended him throughout his mission. Anticipating his arrival, Dr. Parker, the faithful secretary and charge of the legation at Canton, had addressed the imperial high commissioner, Yeh, informing him of the date of arrival of the new minister, and stating that he would desire a personal interview to deliver the letter of the President addressed to the emperor. Yeh treated this request in the same manner as that made by Mr. Marshall. In his reply, after expressing his delight at learning of Mr. McLane's arrival, he announced that he was very busy and said, "Suffer me then to wait for a little leisure, when I will make selection of a propitious day, that we may have a pleasant meeting."

Mr. McLane was no less indignant than his predecessor on the receipt of this "impertinent, if not insolent" communication, as he termed it, and determined to make no further application for an interview, but to send Yeh a reply and "rebuke him for his discourtesy and incivility." In forwarding a copy to Washington he expressed the hope that Secretary Marcy would "find it sufficiently pointed," as it assuredly was.