Granville
No. 24
Tientsin
23 May 1882

My Lord,

In my Despatch No. 16 of the 12th instant, I informed Your Lordship that I had placed Mr. Spence at Admiral Willes’ disposal, for the purpose of assisting in the negotiations which the Admiral had been instructed to charge himself with in Corea.
Admiral Willes left Chefoo on the 20th, being unable longer to wait for certain information which I was to have obtained for him; but Her Majesty’s gun vessel “Sheldrake” had, by his orders, remained within reach, and the papers I had been anxious to procure being at last complete, I determined to send Mr. Maude forward with them. I inclose copies of my instructions to Mr. Spence and to Mr. Maude, of which I trust Your Lordship will approve.
I add copies of my letters to Lieutenant Bridger commanding the “Sheldrake,” and to Admiral Willes.
I have this afternoon received a telegram from Admiral Willes, requesting me to direct the “Sheldrake” to meet him in Imperatrice Gulf. The spot named in my letter to Lieutenant Bridger is that, however, at which the Chinese gun boat, on board of which Ma Taotai is to be found, is lying, and I do not fear any misadventure.
In the treaty signed there will be, of course, many details to be discussed; more especially in matters affecting trade. In a private note to Admiral Willes I have taken on me to suggest the expediency of securing, if possible, an eligible factory site, sufficient for the location of a few houses of business. Mr. Spence’s opinion will be valuable on such a subject.
I have, &c.

Thomas Francis Wade