great value — so do not deceive yourself about that — and if we do not supply this commodity, then other countries will.
'The Americans are already our competitors. They buy it from the Turks who have been growing the poppies for generations. The Chinese used to grow poppies themselves, of course, but their soil is poor and no-one can approach the superior quality of our product, produced in Bengal and Madras.
'As to the basic charges for your commission, in essence, we wish to establish friendly relations with China and the Emperor, with eventually an exchange of ambassadors. He still refuses to entertain this possibility. I hope, and my colleagues in the Government join me in the hope, that you will be able to reverse this negative policy. To do this, of course, you will have to take up residence in Canton. Proceed first to Macao, then to Canton, where you will present your credentials as Superintendent of Trade to the local Viceroy, who will pass them on to the Emperor.
'At no time are you to adopt any tone of threat or menace to the Chinese. I am told that certain of the mercantile community, including Dr Jardine — who is one of our most successful merchants — are men of some choler, and possibly not diplomatic in dealing with others of different nationality or colour. So at all times be moderate and respect the laws of the country.'
'So I must go then, Foreign Secretary?' Napier's questions sounded wistful; Scotland had never seemed more inviting.
'You are at liberty to refuse, Napier. But I do not think you will. I most earnestly trust you will undertake the commission.'
It was only afterwards, when Napier was walking down the corridor behind the Foreign Office butler to his carriage, that he realized Palmerston had not really discussed the intricacies of the posting with him. The brief was wide and vague as a Highland mist. This was, no doubt, to absolve the Government of any blame should he fail in his mission. The market was not the only place where men deceived each other.
How far away Palmerston's office seemed now, in this blinding eye-aching heat of Macao! Firecrackers, were exploding like gunfire along the beach; a ceremony of some kind was in progress. A band of brass instruments and huge drums was marching out of step -and barefoot along the dusty road on the edge of a sea that glowed like melted blue glass. Well, he would have to do his best; there was nothing else he could do. And the sooner he began, the sooner he could return.
'What is the earliest date I can sail for Canton?', he asked the manager.
'When we hear from Dr Jardine that arrangements have been made for you to land there. I will send a letter by fast cutter tonight, your lordship, which will be in Dr Jardine's hands tomorrow.'
'What arrangements do you mean? All I require is a house and an office.'
'It is not as simple as that, your lordship. You also require what is called a Red Pass, issued by the Chinese authorities. They regard us all as Barbarians, and we are expected to carry these passes.'
'Can you obtain one here?'
'Regrettably that is impossible, your lordship. The Chinese control this island, in collaboration with the Portuguese, but no-one has authority to issue such a pass.'
'Who has. authority, then?'
'Only the Emperor.'
'The Emperor? But he's in Peking, fifteen hundred miles away. How long will it take for a message to reach him and for him to reply?'
'Possibly three months. Maybe longer if there are floods.'
"Three months? Are there no quicker means of communication between Canton and Peking?'
'The Chinese do have an express service, with relays of horsemen who, between them, can cover a hundred and fifty miles a day. But we would still have to wait weeks, perhaps months, before the Emperor replies.'
'But why? I am not some merchant who seeks permission to do some petty thing. I am His Majesty's plenipotentiary — his ambassador, all but in name.'
'Your lordship, the Chinese authorities do not wish to
'The Americans are already our competitors. They buy it from the Turks who have been growing the poppies for generations. The Chinese used to grow poppies themselves, of course, but their soil is poor and no-one can approach the superior quality of our product, produced in Bengal and Madras.
'As to the basic charges for your commission, in essence, we wish to establish friendly relations with China and the Emperor, with eventually an exchange of ambassadors. He still refuses to entertain this possibility. I hope, and my colleagues in the Government join me in the hope, that you will be able to reverse this negative policy. To do this, of course, you will have to take up residence in Canton. Proceed first to Macao, then to Canton, where you will present your credentials as Superintendent of Trade to the local Viceroy, who will pass them on to the Emperor.
'At no time are you to adopt any tone of threat or menace to the Chinese. I am told that certain of the mercantile community, including Dr Jardine — who is one of our most successful merchants — are men of some choler, and possibly not diplomatic in dealing with others of different nationality or colour. So at all times be moderate and respect the laws of the country.'
'So I must go then, Foreign Secretary?' Napier's questions sounded wistful; Scotland had never seemed more inviting.
'You are at liberty to refuse, Napier. But I do not think you will. I most earnestly trust you will undertake the commission.'
It was only afterwards, when Napier was walking down the corridor behind the Foreign Office butler to his carriage, that he realized Palmerston had not really discussed the intricacies of the posting with him. The brief was wide and vague as a Highland mist. This was, no doubt, to absolve the Government of any blame should he fail in his mission. The market was not the only place where men deceived each other.
How far away Palmerston's office seemed now, in this blinding eye-aching heat of Macao! Firecrackers, were exploding like gunfire along the beach; a ceremony of some kind was in progress. A band of brass instruments and huge drums was marching out of step -and barefoot along the dusty road on the edge of a sea that glowed like melted blue glass. Well, he would have to do his best; there was nothing else he could do. And the sooner he began, the sooner he could return.
'What is the earliest date I can sail for Canton?', he asked the manager.
'When we hear from Dr Jardine that arrangements have been made for you to land there. I will send a letter by fast cutter tonight, your lordship, which will be in Dr Jardine's hands tomorrow.'
'What arrangements do you mean? All I require is a house and an office.'
'It is not as simple as that, your lordship. You also require what is called a Red Pass, issued by the Chinese authorities. They regard us all as Barbarians, and we are expected to carry these passes.'
'Can you obtain one here?'
'Regrettably that is impossible, your lordship. The Chinese control this island, in collaboration with the Portuguese, but no-one has authority to issue such a pass.'
'Who has. authority, then?'
'Only the Emperor.'
'The Emperor? But he's in Peking, fifteen hundred miles away. How long will it take for a message to reach him and for him to reply?'
'Possibly three months. Maybe longer if there are floods.'
"Three months? Are there no quicker means of communication between Canton and Peking?'
'The Chinese do have an express service, with relays of horsemen who, between them, can cover a hundred and fifty miles a day. But we would still have to wait weeks, perhaps months, before the Emperor replies.'
'But why? I am not some merchant who seeks permission to do some petty thing. I am His Majesty's plenipotentiary — his ambassador, all but in name.'
'Your lordship, the Chinese authorities do not wish to
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