Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
No. 115.]
Washington,
November 27, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a note handed
to me on behalf of Prince Kung, by Tung Siun and Hangki, members of the
foreign office in China. It relates to the Osborne flotilla, and my
connexion therewith. I ascertained in London that the British government
would take the vessels, and pay for them as soon as an appropriation
could be made. I was requested by the British authorities to consult
with Sir Frederick Bruce, now the British minister here, to the end that
he might advise his government in the interests of justice.
I have seen Sir Frederick who, I am happy to say, is prepared to aid the
Chinese, and to urge his government to at once close this business
according to their wishes.
This proposed action on his part is but a continuation of that spirit of
amity which led him, in the interests of peace, to send the flotilla to
England, and will be appreciated by you.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
[Page 463]
[Enclosure.—Translation.]
Note handed to the United States
minister on the Ilth of February, 1865, by Tung Siun and Hangki, members of the foreign
office.
We beg to address your excellency respecting the sale of those
steamers.
Last year, you and the British minister, Sir Frederick Bruce, made an
excellent arrangement for us respecting the disposition of Captain
Osborne’s flotilla, according to which he was to take the vessels
back to England, dispose of them there, and remit the proceeds to
China; and both myself and all the members of the foreign office
were deeply grateful for the friendly disposition and great
assistance rendered us in arranging this affair, so that we could
then place the details on the records of the board of revenue. We
also reported the whole of the circumstances to the throne, and
received directions to arrange it in that way.
However, more than a year has now elapsed since that was done; and
when Sir Frederick Bruce left here on his return to England last
summer, we personally requested him to devise some way, on his
arrival, by which the whole business could be soon closed. In
September last Mr. Wade officially informed us, that owing to war
then existing in the west, it was not unlikely that some delay would
arise in selling the vessels, owing to an apprehension that some of
the belligerents might get them. We replied, that if the British
government would take them for their own use, one-fifth would be
deducted, and we enclosed an account corresponding with this
proposition. He answered that he could not himself make any final
arrangement respecting them; but as soon as the directions of his
government respecting them were received he would inform us.
As no intimations concerning this matter had been received, in
November last we wrote to Sir Frederick himself, urging him to
arrange it as soon as he could; and confided the letter to Mr. Wade
to translate and forward. As nothing has been hitherto received from
Sir Frederick about the sale of the vessels and remittance of the
proceeds, as we had expected, we are left in a state of anxious
uncertainty concerning them. We are well aware that he and your
excellency made the most suitable and satisfactory arrangement at
the time for their disposal; and we all, both myself and colleagues
in the foreign office, have entire confidence in your honor; but as
the affair is connected with the revenue of the country, as long as
it remains unsettled, so long are we responsible for the issue.
Knowing that you both then so willingly agreed as to the proper mode
of action, we therefore do not hesitate to write your excellency
this note upon the subject. As soon as you can ascertain the present
value of these steamers and (or) when their proceeds will be
remitted to China, we shall be very much pleased to receive your
answer, and thereby relieved from our present suspense.
We avail ourselves of this opportunity to present our compliments and
best wishes for your happiness.
Card of PRINCE KUNG,
With those of PAUYUN.
WAUSIANG.
TSUNGLUN.
TUNG SIUN.
HANGKI, and
SIEHHWAN
His Excellency A. Burlingame.
