From the nature of the conversation with the two deputies, it was chiefly kept up in writing, notwithstanding the presence of the two interpreters. The deputies commenced by stating, that they had been commissioned by the “minister of commerce and navigation,” at Hué, to come, in company with a provincial officer, to inquire respecting the ship, and attend to her wants. They wished to know, therefore, if she stood in need of any thing. They were thanked, and informed that she was not in want; at the same time, they were requested to publish permission for the people to bring provisions alongside for sale. They replied that they would do so. They then inquired to what country the ship belonged, and produced a large sheet, containing representations of every known national flag, with the names of the countries attached, in French and in Chinese characters. The flag of the United States was pointed out to them, and they were informed that the ship was a man-of-war. They then put some complimentary questions, respecting the health of our “king,” and of the individuals on board, &c., which were answered and reciprocated. They had long, they said, heard of the country, as a good and happy one; and were now rejoiced at the meeting. They inquired the purpose of our coming, a species of question which every new comer repeated, as though ignorant of any previous intercourse with the officers of government. The necessary answer being given, they were asked respecting the letter from the envoy to the king, whether it had reached the capital before they left. They replied it had; but the address on the cover was erroneous; and therefore the minister of commerce and navigation, (whom they afterward stated to be the chief minister,) could not venture to hand it to the king. The country, they said, is not now called Annam, as formerly, but Wietman, (in Mandarin dialect, Yuènan;) and it is ruled, not by a king, (wang,) but by an emperor, (hwang-te.)[A] They said, also, that they had received orders to pay particular attention, and examine every thing, so as to prevent any farther miscarriage or delay in the business of the mission. It was explained to them, that the errors they mentioned did not arise from any disrespect towards the king, (or emperor,) but from the ignorance of their forms, which want of intercourse occasioned. They were asked to point out in what manner the address should be altered, and replied, that it would be preferable to address a letter to the minister of commerce and navigation, informing him of the ship’s arrival and object of coming; and requesting him to state the same to the king. They desired to be allowed to see the letter, in order to prevent the admission of “interdicted words,” that is, expressions which, according to the Chinese punctilios of writing, are considered inadmissible in official correspondence with the higher ranks of officers. The letter to the king was then returned,