CHINESE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. 
387 
No. 6. Referred to in page 208. 
Edict addressed to the Viceroy of Canton, dated the 15 th Day of the 7 th Moon 
of the 21 st Year of Kea-king, (6th September , 1816,) addressed to the 
Viceroy, Kiang, and Foyuen, Tung of Canton, and received the 5th of the 
8 th Moon (25th September). 
The English Ambassadors, upon their arrival at Teen-sing, have not ob- 
served the laws of politeness, in return for the invitation of the Emperor. — 
At Tung-chow (four leagues from the Court) they gave assurances of readi- 
ness to perform the prostration and genuflexion required by the laws of good 
manners (of the country) ; and arrived at the imperial country house (half 
a league from court), and when we were on the point of repairing to the Hall 
(to receive the embassy), the first, as well as the second Ambassador, under 
pretence of ill health, would not appear. We, in consequence, passed a de- 
cree that they should be sent away upon their return. We, however, reflect- 
ing, that although the said Ambassadors were blamable in not observing the 
laws of politeness, towards the Sovereign of their country who, from an im- 
mense distance, and over various seas, had sent to offer us presents, and to 
present with respect his letters, indicating a wish to show us due consider- 
ation and obedience, contempt was improper, and against the maxim to show 
lenity to our inferiors ; in consequence, from amongst the presents of the said 
King, we chose the most trifling and insignificant, which are four maps, 
two portraits, ninety-five engravings j and, in order to gratify him, have ac- 
cepted them. We, in return, as a reward, presented to the said King a yu- 
yu, a string of rare stones, two pairs of large purses, and four pairs of small 
ones ; and we order the Ambassadors to receive these gifts, and to return 
to their kingdom, having so enacted in observance of the maxim of Con- 
fucius, “ Give much, receive little.” 
When the Ambassadors received the said gifts, they became exceeding 
glad, and evinced their repentance. They have already quitted Tung-chow ; 
upon their arrival at Canton, you, Kiang and Tung, will invite them to din- 
ner, in compliance with good manners, and will make the following speech 
to them : — 
“ Your good fortune has been small ; you arrived at the gates of the im- 
perial house, and were unable to lift your eyes to the face of Heaven (the 
Emperor). 
3 d 2 
