I. fncideiits in the China Jl'ar. pp

afia TA-KOf

I lliink il mosl probable ibal ^vbcn ll)C north forts aro in our iiosscssion, ihf obstacles in ibe river can be rcmoved ; but, cl course, tliis mav bc doubtrul. At ail events, wc ought to bc able to silence any liretliev can bring to bear on our working parties. In short, tlic case résolves itself to tliis: flie bridges over the Peilio will not bc completcd for tlircc or four days al the soonest. Sliould we wait for this, and make the great movemcnl dow n the rii,'lil bank, the troops Avould be exposed to such scverc lire froni the north l'orts, that the losses would be increased to a very serions cxtent-losses not only serious, but unnecessary. Nor could the ileels act with anv better clTect by this plan. I imagine rather the reverse.

I hâve alreadv expressed rnv opinion that the co-operation of the navv is not a mllitary necessity — their objcct can only be to harass the eneinv and divert bis attention. No risk should thcrefore bc run by them of losing vessels. It is true that aller the capture of T'ang-Ku I mcntioned my opinion that a move to the soulh bank >vould be good, but that >vas before anv reconnaissance had been made to the front; and it is still mv ^^ish to cross the river as soon as the bridge is completcd, and co-operate Avith your Excellency in the altack of the soulh forts.

Much as I regret that my opinion should dilTer from that of your Excellency, I must still remind \ou that I never agreed to any plan to wliich the présent is opposed ; and I can only repeat that my object isto cause the forts to fall speedilv and Avith Utile loss, and to avoid that hazard which everv days delav at this laie season of the vear niust incur, Avhen it is takcn into considération how much yet remains to be done by the allies before the end of the season. — I bave ihc honour, &c.

J. Hope Graxt '.

PUISE nES FORTS DE TA-KOU, 21 AOUT 1860.

Le 21 août fui donc fixé pour Taltaque du fort de la rive gauche le plus rapproché de T'ang-Kon et les généraux Sir Robert Papier et Collineau furent chargés de l'opération. La journée du 20 fut cmplovée en préparatifs.