FRANCE, ANNAM, AND CHINA. 1 2 5 



the coup de grdce to this improvised conquest of Tonquin, for the 

 French Government held back their headstrong Commander, and 

 for a time intervention in Tonquin ceased upon the putting down of 

 the insurrection, of what was believed to be the hired mercenaries 

 of China in Tonquin, against the rule of France in Tonquin. The 

 result was that France, having conquered Annam, King Tu-Duc, 

 alarmed at the advance and success of the French forces, sued for 

 peace ; and a Treaty of Peace was negotiated at Saignon, and signed 

 the isth March, 1874, on the part of France, by Rear-Admiral 

 Dupr^ and for Annam, by the Prime Minister Le Tuan, and 

 Nguyfen-Van-Tuong, the Ambassadors for Annam. 



This Treaty cancelled by declaration the former Treaty of 1862, 

 and contained twenty-two Articles', the principal clauses of which it 

 may be advisable to give in full, as bearing on the causes of the 

 present war, and its complications. The following is a translation 

 from the original text : — 



Article II. — His Excellency the President of the French Republic, recognising the 

 sovereignty of the King of Annam and his entire independence as regards every foreign 

 Power, promises him help and assistance, and engages to give him on demand and 

 gratuitously, the necessary support to maintain in his States order and tranquillity, to 

 defend them against all attacks, and to destroy the piracy which desolates some parts 

 of the coast of the kingdom. 



Article III. — In recognition of this protection. His Majesty the King of Annam 

 engages to conform his foreign policy to that of France, and will in no way depart 

 from the present diplomatic relations. 



Article V. — His Majesty the King of Annam recognises the full and entire 

 sovereignty of France over all the actual territory occupied by it, and comprised 

 within the following boundaries : — ^At the east the Chinese Sea and the Kingdom of 

 Annam, (Province of Binh-Thuau) ; on the west, the Gulf of Slam ; on the south, the 

 Chinese Sea ; on the north, the Kingdom of Cambodge, and the Kingdom of Annam, 

 (Province of Binh-Thuau). 



Article VI. — France remits all that remains due to it of the old war indemnity. 



Article VII. — His Majesty formally engages to repay, with the assistance of the 

 French Government, the remainder of the indemnity due to Spain, amounting to 

 1,000,000 dollars, (at 072 tael the dollar), and to add to this repayment half of the net 

 revenue from the duties of the ports open to European and American commerce, 

 whatever may be their products in the future. The amount to be placed every year in 

 the Public Treasury of Saignon, to be from thence remitted to the Spanish Govern- 

 ment, and that the receipt of the sum paid be delivered to the Annamite Government. 



Article XI. — The Annamite Government engages to open for commerce the ports 

 of Thin-Nai, in the province of Binh-Dinh, of Ninh-Hai, in the province of Hai- 

 Druong, the town of Hanoi, and the passage by the river Nhi-Ha from the sea to 

 Yimnan. A contract in addition to this Treaty, and having equal value, will fix the 

 conditions upon which this commerce is to be carried on. The ports of Ninh-Hai and 

 Hanoi, and the passage oif the river Nhi-Ha. will be open as soon as the exchange of 

 ratifications is completed, and even before, if possible ; the town of Thin-Nai will be 

 opened one year after. Other ports and rivers will be ultimately opened to commerce, 



