This letter of credence was issued by Emperor Kuang Hsu of the Ching Dynasty to be presented by his envoy to the King of Great Britain. The National Palace Museum houses many such credentials received from such countries as Portugal, Spain, Japan, Russia, Vietnam and Burma. The two identical documents issued by Emperor Kuang Hsu to Great Britain and France are the most eye-catching, however. They were left behind because the two envoys bearing them Tsai Chun and Sou Yin were attacked during their journey and never reached their destination.
The credential above opens with the words: "The Emperor of the Manchu Court sends his best regards to the King of Great Britain." Made of embroidered yellow silk, the credentials are folded, tied to ivory sticks and affixed with the Emperor's seal.
Such documents are examples of the many valuable materials contained in the National Palace Museum for students of the history and archives of the Ching Dynasty.
