The terms of the treaty entered into after the war of 1842 had never been faithfully observed by the Chinese. At last the seizure of a vessel called the _Arrow_, flying the British flag, compelled us to demand reparation. This was contemptuously refused, and in the early spring of 1857 a force was despatched from England to enforce respect to our flag. The outbreak of the Indian Mutiny necessitated the diversion of the regiments from China to India, so the punishment was delayed. General Straubenzee was then in command of the troops in China, which consisted of the 59th (East Lancashires), four battalions of sepoys, and a couple of battalions of Royal Marine Light Infantry. Sir Michael Seymour, the naval Commander-in-Chief, who was in supreme command of the naval and military forces, was acting in conjunction with a French brigade, and it was deemed advisable to seize Canton with the available forces, rather than allow the Chinese to strengthen its defences, and so increase the difficulties of capture. In the month of January, 1858, the Admiral, after consultation with General Straubenzee, determined to attempt the capture of Canton. The force at his disposal consisted of the 59th (East Lancashires), two strong battalions of Royal Marines, and a brigade of bluejackets numbering 1,800 men. This force was placed under the command of Major-General Straubenzee. The Chinese showed considerable determination, but the energy and gallantry of our bluejackets carried all before them, and Canton was occupied, with a total loss of 2 officers and 14 men killed, 4 officers and 112 men wounded, the 59th (East Lancashires) contributing to the casualty list 2 officers and 2 men killed, 1 officer and 17 men wounded. CHINA (1857-1860). This distinction was conferred on the regiments which took part in the operations in China during the years 1857-1860, and is now borne by the following corps of the Indian Army: 7th Rajputs. 10th Jats. 11th Rajputs. 15th Sikhs. 22nd Punjabis. 27th Punjabis. 105th Mahratta L.I. The necessity for putting forth our whole strength in the suppression of the rebellion in India led, as I have said on p. 321, to a temporary cessation of the military operations in China. Lord Elgin, who had been deputed by the Home Government to carry through the negotiations, was naturally anxious to do so without the effusion of blood. He had a considerable naval force at his disposal, and a number of native troops had been sent from India, more with a view of removing them from the sphere of temptation than with the intention of their carrying out serious military operations.