A copy of despatch from Lord Elgin, Hong Kong, to Governor-General Yeh of Liang-Kwangs, 12 December 1857, in Chinese, with a short descriptive note in English. Elgin reports that since the opening of five ports for trade, Kwangtung has been the worst one, and foreigners are often bullied there. The agreements made in the treaty of Nanking have not been fulfilled, and there has been a refusal to provide compensation for the losses occasioned by the event of the insulting of the British flag and British negotiators entering Canton. Elgin insists that the British be allowed to enter the city, and demands compensation. He sets a time limit of ten days for a reply, after which he will attack Canton if Yeh rejects his demands or remains silent.