Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 1, 1873

No. 68.
Mr. Low to Mr. Fish.

Legation of the United States,
Peking, April 25, 1873. (Received June 21.)

No. 251.]

Sir: Referring to my No. 244, of the 29th ultimo, I have now the honor to inclose translation of a note from Prince Kung, in which the response of the Emperor to our request for audience is given, (inclosure No. 1;) also a translation of a letter from the prince and ministers of the yamên, saying that further discussion of the question is necessary, (inclosure No. 2.)

The response of the Emperor is vague and unsatisfactory; but while this is so, I am disposed to regard it as indicating an intention to accede to our demand, in case it cannot be evaded by delay and indirect means. It is evident that the government does not care to take the risk of a positive refusal.

With a view of ascertaining the exact meaning of the imperial rescript, the foreign representatives addressed a note to the prince, on the 19th instant, saying that they proposed going to the yamên, on the 21st, to meet him, or whoever he might depute, when they would be prepared to discuss and settle all minor points of etiquette. The note was intended to convey the impression that we considered the main point in former discussions—genuflection—conceded and settled. On the day named the ministers of Russia, England, and France met the grand secretary and most of the ministers of the yamên.

Having met with a severe accident a few days previous, which confined me to my rooms, I was unable to accompany them; and the German minister, having left Peking for Berlin on account of ill health, was absent also. I should remark, in this connection, that the Russian minister returned from Shanghai on the 18th instant. So there are still four of the five signatories of the collective note now in Peking.

The discussion lasted four hours, and was, on the whole, not unsatisfactory. From the reports made to me by my colleagues, I infer that it has been decided to grant the audience in case the government finds no indirect means of preventing it. They will, however, be anxious to continue the discussion and thus gain time, hoping that something may occur to break the solidarity of the action of the foreign ministers.

A memorandum of the proceedings at the last conference has been promised me, but I have failed to get it in season for this mail. It will be sent in a future dispatch.

Altogether, the matter looks better than it did at the date of my last communication.

I have, &c.,

FREDERICK F. LOW.

[Inclosure 1.]

Prince Kung to the foreign ministers.

Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith makes a communication:

The collective note of the foreign ministers in which the prince and ministers of the yamên were requested to take His Majesty’s pleasure regarding an audience, has already been acknowledged.

Their excellencies were also informed that, on the return of the Emperor from the imperial tombs, the question would be submitted to His Majesty in a special memorial.

The memorial was presented on the 14th instant, and the memorialists have had the honor to receive in reply the following imperial rescript:

“Let the yamên in question satisfactorily arrange whatever matters connected with an audience that are necessary to be considered and report.”

“Respect this.”

It is the duty of the prince to communicate this to the ministers of Russia, Germany, the United States, England, and France.

Tung Chi, 12th year, 3d moon, 20th day—16th April, 1873.

To their excellencies, envoys extraordinary, &c., from Russia, Germany, the United States, Great Britain, France.

[Inclosure 2.]

Prince Kung and the ministers of the yamên to the five foreign ministers:

At a conference concerning the audience of the Emperor, at which were present the prince and his colleagues and the foreign ministers, it was proposed that, within four weeks, His Majesty’s pleasure concerning the matter should he requested in a memorial.

The writers have accordingly presented their memorial, and have had the honor to receive a rescript, written with the vermilion pencil, a copy of which, reverentially made, they forward in an official communication.

As soon as the questions referred to in that communication shall have been satisfactorily arranged, the writers will again memorialize the throne.

With compliments, &c.

3d moon, 20th day—16th April, 1873.

[Cards of Prince

Kung

and all the ministers of the yamên.]