| The signing of the Treaty of Nanking, or Nanjing as it is now called, took place on board the H.M.S. Cornwallis, with Sir Henry Pottinger as Plenipotentiary for Queen Victoria's government and Marquis Ch'i-Ying as senior Plenipotentiary, along with Emissaries Yilipu and Niu Kien for the Ch'ing Emperor Taou Kwang. | | The personal chop of His Excellency the Emperor Taou Kwang. It measures about four inches square, much larger than other Chinese chops. All chops and seals were designed in much the same way as bank notes now are, with very intricate details in order to make forgery virtually impossible. |
| Ch'i-Ying
(centre), during his first visit to Hong Kong. The Marquis was
closely related to the Emperor and also a personal friend. The
Manchu Ch'ing emperors were renowned for their distrust of anyone
outside the Manchu inner circle but Ch'i-Ying - or Keying, as he
appears on the original document - was a statesman highly respected
by his countrymen and foreigners alike. Known for his good-humour
and dignity, his signature (above, right character) reflects his
cultured and stylish personality. |
|
Sir
Henry Pottinger (above), a brisk and uncompromising Irishman, was
chosen to negotiate the Treaty as a replacement for Charles Elliott,
whose regard for the Chinese was seen as a disadvantage. The British
felt that a strong hand was needed and this Pottinger provided,
along with his years of experience with the East India Company
and the Political Service. His signature, below, is remarkable
for its forthright thrust, very different from the usual copperplate
style. |
