§ MR. OSBORNEsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, If the appointment by the Chinese Government of Mr. John M'Leavy Brown (described in the Foreign Office List as Assistant Chinese Secretary of the English Embassy in China) to the post of assistant colleague of Mr. Burlengame, the new Chinese Ambassador, ha3 been made with the concurrence of the English Envoy and Chief Superintendent in China, and if such appointment has received the sanction of Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; and if Her Majesty's Government intend to enter into negotiations with Mr. Burlengame, as Chief Representative of the Chinese Embassy so appointed, respecting the Treaty of Tientsin?
LORD STANLEYsaid, in reply, that the appointment in question was made with the concurrence of the British Minister in China. It was made by Sir Rutherford Alcock in the first instance, upon his own responsibility; but upon the matter being reported to the Foreign Office, he (Lord Stanley) had no hesitation, under all the circumstances of the case, in approving of the step that had been taken. With regard to latter part of the Question, he could only say he was not aware at present what instructions Mr. Burlengame had; but if he arrived in this country, as it was supposed he would, duly accredited as the Repre- 1225 sentative of the Government of China, he (Lord Stanley) would be prepared to enter into negotiations or discussion with him upon all matters affecting our relations with the Chinese Empire.