§ MR. MAGNIACasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in the present condition of the relations of China with Foreign Nations, Her Majesty's Government do not consider it advisable to fill up the appointment of Minister at Pekin, now held temporarily by Mr. Wade?
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, he had no difficulty in answering the Question of the hon. Gentleman. The office of Minister at Pekin was not actually vacant. Sir Rutherford Alcock was the British Minister at Pekin, and he was at present in England on leave of absence, after a residence of four years at his post. Provision was made during the absence of Sir Rutherford Alcock for the discharge of his duties by the appointment of Mr. Wade as chargé d' affaires, and that, in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, was, in the absence of the chief or regular representative, a very sufficient provision, Mr. Wade being a gentleman of great ability, and thoroughly competent to discharge the duties of the Mission. Mr. Wade possessed, in addition to other more general qualifications, a very complete knowledge of the Chinese language, so that he had all the gifts necessary satisfactorily to fulfil the functions of the office entrusted to him.