A folder labelled 'Despatches from Mr Parkes From July 15. 1857 to February 20th 1865' containing a table of contents and 15 documents sewn inside, 84 folios (including blanks and the cover). There is also a further document tied separately and loosely inserted inside the folder, 29 folios. The documents are as follows:

'Memorandum. Access to Peking how obtainable by H.M.'s Ambassador': a memorandum by Parkes, Hong Kong, 15 July 1857.

Parkes, Canton, to Po-kuei, May 1859, with a memorandum concerning Parkes' actions on the receipt of a despatch from Sir Frederick Bruce of 16 May 1859.

Parkes and Martineau des Chenez (Henri Martineau des Chesnez?) [Canton] to Peih [Po-kuei], 6 July 1859 (draft).

Peih to Parkes and Martineau des Chenez (Henri Martineau des Chesnez?), 7 July 1859. Draft English translation by Parkes.

Parkes and Martineau des Chenez (Henri Martineau des Chesnez?) [Canton] to Peih, 8 July 1859 (draft).

Copy of a convention between the commanders of the British and French naval and military forces assembled before Chusan and Chinese officials on Chusan, signed by Sir James Hope Grant, Sir Lewis Tobias Jones and Théogène François Page, Tinghai, 21 April 1860, containing parallel texts in English and French. There is also a minute concerning negotiations with Chinese officials at Chusan on 21 April.

Parkes, Canton [to Sir Frederick Bruce], 9 July 1859. A draft inserted loose inside the folder.

Parkes, Peking, to Sir Frederick Bruce, 18 May 1861 (draft).

Agreement between Parkes and Kiang, Acting Intendant for the Circuit of Ch'ang-chou and Chinkiang, concerning the perpetual lease to the British government of ground for the British consulate at Chinkiang, dated Chinkiang, 3 April 1861. A draft English translation by Parkes.

Agreement between Parkes and Tang, Commissioner of Finance for the Province of Hoopih [Hupei], concerning the perpetual lease to the British government of ground for British buildings at Hankow, dated Woochang, 21 March 1861. A draft English translation by Parkes.

Agreement between Parkes and Chang, Commissioner of Finance for the Province of Keangse [Kiangsi], concerning the perpetual lease to the British government of ground for British buildings at Kiukiang, dated Kiukiang, 25 March 1861. A draft English translation by Parkes.

Copy of an agreement made by Parkes and Montagu Hamilton Dowbiggin, British Commissioners in Canton, with Laou [Lao Ch'ung-kuang], Governor General of Kwangtung and Kwangsi, concerning the perpetual lease to the British government of the site of the allied military cemetery at Canton, dated Canton, 9 October 1861, giving the text in English and Chinese.

Parkes [to Thomas Francis Wade], 20 February 1865 (draft).

Table of the expenses of the Allied Commission and Police Force in Canton from January 1858 to August 1859, with a list of special disbursements alluded to in the table, 31 August 1859. A copy certified by Theo. Sampson, originally enclosed in a despatch of 6 October 1859.

Memorandum concerning the distribution of the Canton Constabulary into sections, giving the composition and stations of the sections, 1 September 1859.

Intelligence report of Colour Sergeant Alfred S. Langley concerning legal proceedings against Chinese officials [Canton], 1 May 1860.