The Opium War, initiated by British foreign…

The Opium War, initiated by British foreign secretary Lord Palmerston, begins in China in 1840, as Chinese protest the illegal importation of opium by the British.

On February 20, 1840, Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston instructs the joint plenipotentiaries Captain Charles Elliot and his cousin Admiral George Elliot to acquire the cession of at least one island for trade on the Chinese coast, among other terms.

In November 1840, during the First Opium War, George returns to Britain due to ill health, leaving Charles as sole plenipotentiary.

In negotiations with Imperial Commissioner Qishan, Elliot writes on December 29 to "request a place in the outer sea, where the British can fly their flag and administer themselves, just as the Westerners do in Macao."

However, the year ends with no agreement.