§ MR. LIDDELLsaid, he rose to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Af- 1640 fairs, By whose orders and under what instructions Major Gordon was appointed to the command of the Chinese Disciplined Force now employed in the suppression of the rebellion in China, and empowered to conduct the recent Military operations, having for their object the restoration of Nankin to Imperial rule, inasmuch as Sir Frederick Bruce, in the Inclosure of a Des patch to Earl Russell, dated June 12, 1863, being copy of a Memorandum ad dressed by him to Prince Rung, on June 5, 1863, stated;
That he, Sir Frederick Bruce, must decline to allow Officers of Her Majesty's Army to take any part in Military operations further than may be necessary for the protection of British interests, and his first step consequently will be to desire that Major Gordon and others serving with him at Shanghai', shall not pass the boundary described as the thirty-mile radius.
§ MR. LAYARD, in reply, said, he must beg to refer the hon. Gentleman to the blue-books laid on the table of the House on the "Affairs of China," Nos. 31 to 37, from which it would be seen under what authority Major Gordon took the command of Chinese troops. The authority was given by Brigadier Staveley on condition that Major Gordon should retire on half-pay. And by the Order in Council and other instructions, officers retiring on half-pay were permitted under certain circumstances to take service beyond the thirty mile radius.
§ MR. LIDDELLWas that sanctioned by Sir Frederick Bruce?
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, he had every reason to believe it was sanctioned by him.