Chapter 18
Summary
- Longstaff speaking with Struan about Russian guest, Grand Duke Sergeyev, who arrived on mail ship
- Longstaff received important dispatches, Struan interested because they cannot contain formal approval of Treaty of Chuenpi or Longstaff's appointment as first Governor of Hong Kong
- Dispatches concern Middle East and threat of war has passed due to France accepting proposal made by British Foreign Secretary
- Ottoman Empire signed trade treaty with Britain, cancelling all previous agreements with other powers and fully opening itself to British trade
- Key to Middle East is Dardanelles, a strait controlled by Ottoman Empire, frequently cause of conflict among major powers because it provides access to Mediterranean for their ships
- Struan pleased with this news
- Longstaff meeting with Struan and discussing arrival of Grand Duke Sergeyev in Hong Kong
- Grand Duke on unofficial journey to Russia's possessions in Alaska and ship suffered damages in Strait of Sunda, will stay in Hong Kong until ship is repaired
- Longstaff invites Grand Duke to his ball that night, Struan offers to house him on one of his ships until Grand Duke's ship is repaired
- Grand Duke is novice in naval affairs and accompanied by four servants
- Grand Duke and Struan discuss merits of three-masted ships versus four-masted ships
- Grand Duke inquires about opium trade in Hong Kong, Struan and Longstaff give evasive answers
- Struan suggests they discuss topic further after ball