His Excellency the Amban Shêng Tai, Chief Resident in Tibet, who had signed the Convention in Calcutta; but the leading parts in the negotiations were taken on the Chinese side by Shêng Tai himself and by Mr. J. H. Hart, Secretary to the Amban. On the 16th January, 1891, Mr. Hart communicated to Mr. Paul an outline settlement of the reserved articles which he suggested should be filled in in accordance with the views of the Government of India. This outline was worded as follows:—
First : Pasturage.—Such privileges as Tibet enjoys on the Sikkim side of the frontier will be enjoyed by Sikkim on the Tibet side.
Second : Communication.—Communication shall be between the Chinese Resident in Tibet and India, and shall be transmitted through the medium of the officer in charge of trade in the Chumbi valley.
Third : Trade.—Place of trade or trade-mart yet to be designated shall be opened under regulations and with tariff yet to be arranged.
Under instruction from the Government of India, Mr. Paul, on the 23rd February, 1891, informed Mr. Hart that the Government of India accepted this outline, and that, although nothing short of free trade and free travel for all British subjects throughout Tibet would be considered a satisfactory solution of these questions, the Governor-General in Council, who was desirous not to unduly press or embarrass the Chinese Government, was prepared to agree to an arrangement on the lines of the following articles, namely:
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