On the 1863 - 1864 Envoy of the Tu Duc court

Abstract

Based on the development of China-British negotiations, the Tu Duc Court expected a solution to amend some major provisions of the Saigon Treaty through the policy of redeeming the lost lands at the very French political arena in Paris. The 1863-1864 mission undertook this important task through a long diplomatic campaign taking place in France and Spain. However, our understanding of that Mission has not been consistently constructed and interpreted through solid historical documents, including the purpose and schedule of the envoy. While Tay hanh nhat ky - Western Diary (written in 1863) suggested that the Mission must execute the order to recover lost territories without ransom, Phan Thanh Gian, the envoy’s chief misrepresented the time of departure as well as the mean of transportation (by train). This article aims to connect scientific and factual data, objectively and logically clarify unnecessary omissions, and returns the truth inherent in the originals of these precious historical documents.