No. 154.
General Schenck to Mr. Fish.

No. 352.]

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.,

ROBERT C. SCHENCK.
[Page 319]
[Inclosure.]

Paden Woondonk to General Schenck.

Dear General Schenck: As the departure of this embassy for Burmah will take place in a few days, and many pressing matters so occupy my time that I am unable to take farewell as I should have wished to do in person of your excellency, I hasten to do so by letter, and to express to you the sincere pleasure I have experienced in again renewing the acquaintance so happily formed with your excellency last year.

The documents you so kindly forwarded to me then through Mr. Shackleton Hallet have proved of the greatest service to me and to my government. On their excellent model have been drawn up the documents accrediting this embassy to the court of Her Britannic Majesty. I shall always be grateful to your excellency for that mark of your consideration; and my government will ever endeavor to show, by its kindly, considerate, and favorable treatment of such of the citizens of the United States as may visit Burmah, the desire that animates it to reciprocate the good offices shown to it by the minister of that great, illustrious, and powerful republic.

I trust that your excellency is enjoying good health, and that the members of your family, to whom, when last in London, I had the honor of being introduced, are also well. I beg you to remember me kindly to them and to your good secretary, Mr. Moran, and to accept yourself the assurance of my esteem and friendship, and also of the high consideration and esteem of my government.

I am, dear General Schenck, your excellences most obliged and obedient servant,

  • MAHA MEULHA KYODEN PADEN WOONDONK,
    Minister of State, Second Grade.
  • General Schenck,
    Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary United States of America, 58 Great Cumberland Place.