The allies were able to dictate their own terms; and they got all they asked for, though, as will be seen, they did not ask enough.  The rest of us got the same, though we had struck no blow and shed no blood.  One article, known as “the most-favoured-nation clause” (already in the treaty of 1844), was all that we required to enable us to pick up the fruit when others shook the tree.

Four additional seaports were opened, but Tienstin, where the treaties were drawn up, was not one of them.  I remember hearing Lord Elgin, whose will was absolute, say that he was not willing to have it thrown open to commerce, because in that case it would be used to overawe the capital—­just as if overaweing were not the very thing needed to make a bigoted government enter on the path of progress.  Never did a man in repute for statesmanship show himself more shortsighted.  His blunder led to the renewal of the war, and its continuance for two more years.

[Page 167] The next year when the envoys came to the mouth of the river, on their way to Peking to exchange ratified copies of their treaties, they found the forts rebuilt, the river closed, and access to the capital by way of Tientsin bluntly refused.  In taking this action, the Chinese were not chargeable with a breach of faith; but the allies, feeling insulted at having the door shut in their faces, decided to force it open.  They had a strong squadron; but their gunboats were no match for the forts.  Some were sunk; others were beached; and the day ended in disastrous defeat.  Though taking no part in the conflict the Americans were not indifferent spectators.  Hearing that the British admiral was wounded, their commodore, the brave old Tatnall, went through a shower of bullets to express his sympathy, getting his boat shattered and losing a man on the way.  When requested to lend a helping hand, he exclaimed “Blood is thicker than water;” and, throwing neutrality to the winds, he proceeded to tow up a flotilla of British barges.  His words have echoed around the world; and his act, though impolitic from the viewpoint of diplomacy, had the effect of knitting closer the ties of two kindred nations.

Seeing the repulse of the allies, the American minister, the Hon. J. E. Ward, resolved to accept an offer which they had declined, namely, to proceed to the capital by land under a Chinese escort.  His country was pledged in the treaty, of which he was the bearer, to use her good offices on the occurrence of difficulties with other powers.  Without cavilling at the prescribed route or mode of conveyance, he felt it his duty to present himself before the Throne as speedily [Page 168] as possible in the hope of averting a threatened calamity.  For him, it was an opportunity to do something great and good; for China, it was the last chance to ward off a crushing blow.  But so elated were the Chinese by their unexpected success that they were in no mood to accept the services of a mediator.