COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 289 



" I now learnt from Parkes the state of affairs 

 as far as he could learn them, and the cause of the 

 improvement in our treatment. It appeared the 

 Chinese Government, after our capture, were very- 

 much puzzled to know what to do next. The capture 

 had not put a stop to hostilities — in fact, although 

 they would not admit it, it appeared the Chinese 

 army had not only been beaten the day that we were 

 captured, but in another battle that had taken place 

 a few days later, and that now there was no army 

 between the allied forces and Peking. This we 

 imagined must be the state of affairs from some 

 admissions, although they would not tell us where 

 our army was. They felt, after their act of treachery 

 in capturing us, there would be great difficulty in 

 re-opening negotiations, and we felt pretty certain 

 that Lord Elgin would insist on our being surrendered 

 up before he would consent to negotiate at all. The 

 Chinese would hesitate greatly to do this, for they 

 could not banish from their minds that holding us 

 prisoners, we were to a certain extent hostages for 

 the safety of the city, by the threat held out that we 

 should be put to death if our army advanced against 

 Peking, They were, therefore, in this difficulty — 

 threatened by Lord Elgin with destruction if they 

 put us to death, and if they released us, feeling they 

 gave up the only hold they had to induce Lord Elgin 

 to mitigate any of his demands ; besides believing 

 we should, out of revenge, urge Lord Elgin to 

 advance still more objectionable demands than he 



had yet done. And although letters passed between 

 VOL. I. 19 



