Page:American Diplomacy in the Orient - Foster (1903).djvu/83

 also calls attention to the fact that on the envelope "there was absurdly written the characters Great English Nation." In the communications of the governor to the hong merchants, the contents of which were to be made known to Lord Napier, attention was called to the fact that he had disregarded the rules of the trade in not applying from Macao for a permit to come to Canton; that only a tae-pan (supercargo or agent) had been allowed to represent the foreign merchants, and that an eye (superintendent), an official above the merchants in dignity, could not presume to exercise his functions without the consent of the imperial government, and for which a respectful pin must be sent. A recapitulation of the rules governing the visit and stay of foreigners was given, and the governor says: "To sum up the whole matter, the nation has its laws. Even England has its laws. How much more the Celestial Empire! "How flaming bright are its great laws and ordinances. More terrible than the awful thunderbolts! Under this whole bright heaven, none dares to disobey them. Under its shelter are the four seas. Subject to its soothing care are ten thousand kingdoms. The said barbarian eye [Lord Napier], having come over a sea of several myriads of miles in extent to examine and have superintendence of affairs, must be a man thoroughly acquainted with the principles of high dignity."

On the day after the rejection of the letter the hong merchants called again on Lord Napier to induce him to change the address, but he refused to superscribe the word "petition." Other visits from them followed