"Our Celestial Empire possesses all things in prolific abundance and lacks no product within its own borders. There [is] no need to import the manufactures of outside barbarians in exchange for our own produce. But as [the goods] which the Celestial Empire produces are absolute necessities to European nations and yourselves, we have permitted . . . that your wants might be supplied and your country thus participate in our beneficence."
Qianlong
Letter to King George III of England, 1793
The tone of this letter is one of
A) condescension.
B) rudeness.
C) Envy.
D) sarcasm.
E) anger.