The result of this action was the complete submission of the Tontai. The attempted monopoly of the camphor trade was broken down. The ringleaders in the outrage against Dr. Maxwell were punished by decapitation; pecuniary compensation was made to Ellis and Company for their losses, and a guarantee given for future good behaviour. However, there was dissatisfaction at Peking. The Prince of Kung pretended to be much annoyed at the manner in which this affair had been settled. Gibson got into a row with our Minister for having called upon Gurdon to proceed to such active measures, and he was in danger of being superseded. And yet negotiations had been going on for five months, during which time the Tontais had set their own Government, our Consuls, and all Treaty rights at defiance. I, too, had been preparing, at the request of our Minister, a powerful force that would have captured the Formosan capital, in spite of its garrison of 10,000 men, when the gallant Gurdon cut the Gordian knot and spoilt my “pidgin.” * * * * * There came in due time wiggings from the Foreign Office and the Admiralty, in spite of the success of the operations. Gurdon and I had the distinction of being traduced in the House of Commons. Subsequently, on comparing notes with our Ambassador at Peking, who had also been found fault with, we agreed how utterly ignorant our authorities at home were of the manners and customs of the Chinese, and have they not been so even since the time we are discussing? Wars have already occurred on far less provocation. CHAPTER XCV THE COMMAND IN CHINA [Sidenote: 1868. Nov. 1.] At the same time we heard of the fresh complications in China, the mail brought news of the loss of the _Rattler_ on September 24, in Shakotan Bay. My grief was great. Poor _Rattler_; unlucky nephew! In the midst of their trouble the French sloop _Dupleix_, with the ever kind Captain du Petit Thours, arrived, and took them off to Yokohama. [Sidenote: Flag in _Salamis_.] [Sidenote: Saigon. Nov. 5.] We arrived at Saigon on November 5. There was no difficulty in finding a pilot off Cape St. James. We proceeded at once up the river to Saigon. On landing, was received by the French officials with every demonstration of respect. The Governor’s carriage, drawn by four grays, and a mounted escort, conveyed me to Government House, where apartments for self and staff were ready. Marie Gustave Hector Ohier was Governor and Naval Commander-in-Chief in China and Japan. He had served in the French Naval Brigade in the Crimea; but we were on different Attacks, and did not meet. His A.D.C. and Flag-Lieutenant, Comte G. F. Edmond de Grancy, likewise a good fellow; his mother was English, and he spoke our language fluently. [Sidenote: Saigon.]