No. 154.
General Schenck to Mr. Fish.
London, March 5, 1873. (Received March 24, 1873.)
Sir: There has been a “Burmese embassy” here, consisting of a chief envoy and two or three associates and secretaries. They have now gone homeward after having proceeded first to visit some of the other European courts. A good deal of parade was made, and special attention extended to them while they were in England, apparently with a view to making on their minds an impression as to the great importance and value of good relations between their King and Her Majesty’s government. I think, however, they were intelligent enough to observe that, although coming accredited to this court in a diplomatic character, their presentation to Her Majesty, and the delivery of their credentials, were under the auspices, not of the minister of foreign affairs, but accompanied by the secretary of state for India. There seemed a significancy in this fact. It was as if the government here ware only willing to consider questions or relations with Burmah, as belonging to the policy which controls in regard to the eastern possessions of Great Britain, and not to the treatment which is to be given to an independent power.
I refer to this embassy now only that I may inform you that I did not omit to avail myself of an opportunity which was presented for creating or increasing kindly and respectful feelings in its representatives toward our country and Government.
The Paden Woondonk, one of the ministers accompanying and attached to the embassy, was in London in a semi-official character last year, preparing the way for opening diplomatic relations with the British government.
I made his acquaintance at that time. I found him intelligent and speaking English well. He had learned the language from American missionaries. He told me much of their helpful kindness to his people, beginning with the residence among them of Mr. and Mrs. Judson, many years ago. His sentiment of admiration for the United States was strong. When he left England on that-occasion, I took some pains, at his request, to prepare and afterward forwarded to him forms of a letter of credence and other papers used in diplomacy.
They were documents, he said, with which they had as yet little acquaintance in his country. A few days ago, and on the eve of the departure of the embassy, I received from the Paden Woondonk a letter referring to and acknowledging that service rendered them, and I have thought the communication, though not strictly official, of sufficient interest to be sent to you, and to be preserved as record evidence of some promise of future good understanding with the government of a distant but interesting country.
I transmit herewith, therefore, a copy of the letter of my friend from Burmah.
I am, &c.,