[Sidenote:  Sails for Calcutta.]

H.  M. S ’Shannon’—­July 19th.—­I wonder what you will think when you receive this letter; that is, if I succeed in despatching it from the point where I wish to post it.  Will you think me mad? or what will your view of my proceedings be?...  Here I am actually on my way to Calcutta!  To Calcutta! you will exclaim in surprise.  The reasons for this step are so numerous, that I can hardly attempt to enumerate them.  I found myself at Hong-kong, without troops and without competent representatives of our allies (America and France) to concert with; doomed either to aborder the Court of Pekin alone, without the power of acting vigorously if I met a repulse, or to spend three months at Hong-kong doing nothing, and proclaiming to the whole world that I am waiting for the Frenchman; i.e. that England can do nothing without France.  I considered the great objections which existed to either of these courses. Sur ces entrefaites, came further letters from Canning, begging for more help from me, and showing that things are even worse with him than they were when I first heard from him.  It occurred to me that I might occupy the three months well in running up to Calcutta, taking with me what assistance I can collect for him and obtaining thereby an opportunity of conferring with him, and learning from him what chance I have of getting before the winter the troops which I have detached to his support.  Sir M. Seymour approved the plan warmly.  It occurred to me on Tuesday evening, and on Thursday I was under weigh.  Alas! l’homme propose, mais Dieu dispose!  The monsoon is against us, and as this ship is practically useless as a steamer, as she can only carry coals for five days, we are beating against the wind, and making little progress.  Perhaps my whole plans may fail, because I have the misfortune to be in one of H.M.’s ships instead of in a good merchant steamer, which would be going at ten miles an hour in a direct line, while we are going at six in an oblique one.  However, we must hope for the best.

Whether we are to have peace or war with China, either object will be much more effectually accomplished, when the European forces are acting together, than when we are alone; the Russians meanwhile, no doubt, hinting to the Emperor that we are in a bad way in India.  The plan, then, if we can accomplish it, is this:  To run up as fast as I can to Calcutta, and to return so as to meet Baron Gros, who is not expected till the middle of September.  There will just be time to communicate with the Court of Pekin before winter.  I have mentioned the reasons for these proceedings, derived from my own position; but, of course, I am mainly influenced by a consideration for Canning.  In both his letters he has expressed a desire to see me, and I am told that my appearance there with what the Indian public will consider the first of a large force, will produce a powerful moral effect.  I ought to be there at least two months before he can receive a man from England.

[Sidenote:  Birthday.]