§ COLONEL SYKESsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether there is any foundation for a statement in recent newspapers from China that a British ship of war has been stationed off the City of Nankin, notwithstanding the opposition of the Taeping Emperor, or whether, as is stated by the last mail from China, amicable relations have been established with the Taepings, and if so, on what footing; and whether the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has received further Papers on Chinese affairs, which he can lay before the House?
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLwas understood to say that a despatch had been received from Admiral Hope to the effect that a ship of war had been sent up the Yang-tze-kiang to be in communication with Nankin, and that the relations then subsisting were of an amicable nature. The papers would shortly be laid on the Table of the House.